Gone With the Wind

I have to admit to feeling really overwhelmed right now. After church got out, I checked my phone to find a message from some family members who live a ways off. It turns out they need some help with a big project, and I was one of the first people to come to mind.

I have to say that my parents and I pretty much jumped on the idea, since I have don't have a lot going on here at home right now. I won't be able to host knitting night, and will miss my British Literature class which I do regret greatly, but I am here to serve and here is a perfect opportunity!

Today started out as any other Sunday, with the expectations of any other week. I went to church and was incredibly blessed by the sharing and teaching. Now I am washing clothes and trying to mentally prepare myself for packing up and leaving in such a short amount of time.  I will be gone for a week or two. I feel sure this calls for some Jane Austen reading, so I'll have to be sure and bring her along.

I will be bringing my computer along as well, so you might see me around on Twitter or something. Friends, feel free to shoot me emails!  I would also appreciate your prayers that I might have a servants heart and will be extremely helpful and useful in this project, not only practically, but also to be encouraging and to have a good time while doing it. 

One other note, at this point I do plan on doing NaNoWriMo in November, so I will also have to be working on scraping up some kind of plot! 

My Bug

I've been meaning to post about my birthday present for quite some time now, and just finally got around to it, and the internet finally cooperated!  

For my birthday, I got my very first car, a 1971 Volkswagon Bug. Was I thrilled? You bet.  I had to learn to drive a stick, but it's been worth it, because I love that little bug.

Her name is Etsy, by the way. Inspired by the license plate which says "ETZ".  We thought it was appropriate.

She doesn't like going up hills, but speeds along like a vintage dream when on level ground. Oh, and Celtic Thunder is the perfect music for cruising. I've decided their "Appalachian Round Up" is Etsy's theme song.  

I love all of the vintage-y-ness that this bug seems. I love it's wacky color, I love it's cute tires, I love it's big steering wheel, I love the little metal strip that runs down it's side, and I love the way it makes people happy.

Oh yes, did I tell you? Or did you already know? Bugs make people smile.

A Camping Trip & Three Resolutions

I went camping this last weekend with the Church, and had a blast. My cousin and I climbed up to the top of one of the rim-rocks, we checked out Lake Owyhee Dam, and we had an all around good time.

On reflection, I came back with three resolves, which are extremely interesting ones, considering I was on a camping trip.

The first one came about because one of the ladies was talking about a trip to Canada that they are going to make next summer. Instantly I was all ears and wishes, especially since they are going to good old P.E.I., a.k.a. Prince Edward Island, home of "Anne of Green Gables".  Wouldn't any Anne fan just adore going there?

So the resolve I formed there is to start saving my money. There are actually several things I need to save my money for, and it's not that I have been extremely frivolous, but I want to start saving for a traveling fund, so that when I get the opportunity, I can be ready.

The second resolve was inspired by the same person, and I was impressed with how disciplined they seemed to be. It is kind of necessary if you are going to be a teacher, I suppose, but I decided that getting a little more disciplined in my daily life wouldn't be such a bad thing. I spend too much time on one thing, and not enough time on another.

So, this resolve is to set up a flexible schedule, to appropriately balance my activities. I need to spend the proper amount of time reading, if I am going to learn more about things, and I need to spend the proper amount of time knitting if I am going to finish Christmas presents and start designing patterns! (Another post to come, perhaps. )

The final decision I made was to start reading a few less novels and start reading more books that I can truly learn from. Right now, I am semi-in-the-midst of reading a book called "Unveiling Islam", and I am learning a lot! I want to read many more books on different subjects (i.e. Homeschooling, World Religions, Missionary Stories, Practical Non-Fiction), so that I can more and more be equipped to make my own decisions about what I believe, and to defend and discuss them accurately.  I am going to start with the books I have here at home, but I am also going to purchase a critical thinking book from Rainbow Resources to help me learn how to carefully weigh both sides and choose accordingly.

So, somewhat bizarre conclusions to an outdoor adventure, but important nonetheless.

What have YOU resolved on lately? What have YOU learned lately?

My Dream Library

Ever since listening to the book The Game of Sunken Places, and hearing about the troll's library, I have cherished a picture of my dream library.  I don't know how the author imagined the troll's library, but this is the way I see it.

A short little stairway descends into the small sunken room, curving along with the circular wall.  The rest of the room is covered in dark bookshelves, and of course there isn't an inch of space to be found on them for all of the books.  I can see their dusty tops and sides, and relish in the thought of running my eyes over the titles, hoping to pick one out.

There is also a small fireplace that graces one side of the round room.  I'm pretty sure that would somehow be a fire hazard, but since this is a dream, I guess it's okay.  Finally, nestled in the crook of the curving steps, rests a large, over-stuffed chair for me to rest in as I read myself away into Neverland, Farholme, or Ancient Britain. Cozy, no?

In my mind, it is all so perfect.  Maybe someday I can have my dream realized, but for now, I'll just settle with reading a book.