My philosphy on chickens

I have a lot of notebooks.

Usually, I start writing in a notebook for a specific purpose:  Assignments for a certain school subject, a new writing project, or because I can't find the one I want to use.  Over time, they've piled up on my bookshelf, filled with random sentences and math equations from my past.  The problem is that most of them still have lots of good paper in them.  Last week I needed a notebook, so I grabbed one off the shelf.  I'm not exactly sure how old I was when I began this particular one, but I'm thinking maybe eight or ten.  In the back I found this amusing little piece:

My Greatest Fear:  Chickens

I love my dad, but I strongly dislike his chickens.  I used to like them when I was really little, but ever since I saw how Dad's rooster Scottie turned from nice to really mean, they have scared me.  Have you ever noticed that they also have really creepy little eyes?  They just stare at you from their tiny little heads.  I can still remember Dad having all these scars from where Scottie would peck him or something like that.  He could even get Dad through steel-toed boots!  Actually, it's pretty amazing when you think about it, but even more scary!  It they wanted to take over the world they could hurt everyone even if they wore steel-toed boots!  Of course, they couldn't take over the world because they have teeny-tiny brains.  My dad told me that they have brains the size of peas and that they rely mostly on instinct to survive.  I wish God had not put it in their instinct to be mean to people!  But I guess that is how they survive.  God is definitely smarter than all the humans in the world so he must know what he is doing. 


So, in case you ever wondered what I thought about chickens, you are now completely released from the suspense.  Just remember to watch out for those roosters:  they can get you with steel-toed boots!  :) 

I hope that I am not the only one who finds this hilarious.
 

1 Timothy 4:8

A great reminder of what life is really about.  :)

How has God been convicting you recently?

Another sweet niece memory

In case you can't read the take-out box above, in the top right corner is my name.  I was writing it there because I did not want anyone getting my yummy burrito.  When Leta saw me, she asked if she could draw, too.  "Sure." I said.  She got out her crayons and proceeded to write, "is cool." underneath my name.
True story.
No facts have been omitted.
In other words, I did not bribe her.

Thanks for stopping by to read another story about my very favorite neice.  :)
If you have any memories about neices, take-out boxes, or Mexican food, I would love to hear them.  Please leave your comments below.  Thank you.

Oh, Leta

My niece spent the past week with us.

She informed me that her mom tells her that she's dramatic.

Her mother used the right word.

Now, I know what just happened in your mind.  You thought, "Oh.  She's dramatic.  Poor Julianne."  While I do believe the word is an apt one, please don't get the impression that I was dealing with a jr. higher in an eight-year-old body.  Because, even though she is overly fond of Justin Beiber (and perhaps one of the male counselors at our church camp) her "drama" is mostly for fun.  She likes to tell stories, and press her hand up against her forehead while speaking in an English accent.

It's fun, really.  You should try it sometime.

Oh, and did I mention that Leta plus a camera equals a ham?

It's weird how math works.  :)

 On her way to day camp one morning, she said, "I'll tell you my two favorite things about school.  Science, Recess, Lunch, and Snack."

There was a slight pause.

"I guess that's four."  :)

 Her interest in science inspired my mother to check out some Bill Nye videos from our library, so that she could watch them in her down time.  You know, once a homeschool mom, always a homeschool mom.  Of course, being the wonderful aunties we are, Allison and I watched every single episode with her.

One of my favorite things about being an aunt is having a legit excuse to watch Veggietales and Bill Nye, because they're so... educational.  Right.  This is all about Leta.  Allison?  Can I get some backup here?  ;)  

 

During the credits of one of the space episodes, Allison asked me if they were playing the theme from Star Wars.

Leta made a face, then said, "I don't like Star Wars.  It's all, 'Blah blah blah blah blah.  I'm your father.  Blah blah blah blah blah.'"

This is not her first summer to spend a week with us, and I think that the experience becomes more enjoyable for me each year.  I can remember one year in particular, where she kept trying to convince me that something called the "monster house" was real.  Seven days of that sort of conversation can get on your nerves.  Well, this year we talked about it again.  She laughed about being convinced that it was real, then said, "But I can tell you something that is real."

"What?"

"Bigfoot."

We make a lot of memories when she's over, and it's interesting to see the perspective she takes when learning tasks that are somewhat commonplace at our house.  For instance, when mom taught her how to use our strawberry huller, she took her first one and said, "Guess what, Strawberry?  You're going to be bald- like my dad!"

Finish the Ballad #1

I thought we'd do something a bit interactive today.  Below is an original first stanza of a poem.  Eventually, I'm hoping that it will become an entertaining story when y'all start commenting.  Are you ready?  Here we go...

There was an unusual girl

Who would eat cherry cake wearing pearls
Her mother would say,
"Do not eat it that way!"
But she merely tossed her blond curl.

Whether or not the cake or the girl was wearing pearls, I'm not sure.  I guess we'll find out.

A response

I Have a Demanding Sister

My sister is making demands
For some pictures that she'd like to see.
And, with the way that it stands,
Meeting them is all up to me.
I could boycott and say, "Go ahead.
Try to post them online for yourself!"
But, after what I've just read,
I might want to do it myself. 

P.S.  I love you, Allison!  You are now a successful motivator.  

WE NEED PICTURES!

This is a motivational post by Allison.  Lots has been going on in the last week, such as church camp, our eight-year-old niece coming to visit and my birthday (which is of great importance of course:)  Sadly, Allison has NO PICTURES!!!  :(  This was very sad until it occurred to Allison that even if she did have pictures she would have no idea of how to post them.  Therefore, she undertook to write a post in hopes that it would spur Julianne on toward writing a post with pictures(and because she just enjoys posting for Julianne)  :)  Thank you for reading.

A photo shoot and random facts

      When I was younger, I wanted to be a photographer.  I love colors and pictures, and clicking a button is infinitely easier than trying to force my fingers and pencil into submission with drawing.  Can I get an amen?  Anyone?
     Although I no longer want to do it professionally, I still enjoy taking pictures.  On Tuesday I walked around our yard, trying to find something to photograph.
     Now, here's the plan for this post, since I don't want you to get completely lost on me.  I'll be sharing some pictures, but also telling something about myself with each one.  Okay, here it goes...   

Top photo:  Queen Anne's Lace

     A couple years ago I started putting in a flower garden.  Until then, I hadn't realized how much fun planning and planting actually is.
     Well, this year, the only contribution I made to the garden was informing my dad that I wanted him to grow soybeans so that I could eat fresh edamame.  Convicted by my lack of involvement, I decided to take the job of weeding the veggies upon myself.
     You may be wondering what that all has to do with the picture.  Well, I haven't been very diligent about my job, and Queen Anne's Lace is a weed.  This particular one was not near the vegetables, but my gardening conscience still smotes me every time I look at the picture. 

Photo #2:  Yellow flowers  (I'm not sure what these are called.)

Yellow was my first favorite color.  I still like it, because it makes me feel sunny and cheerful. 

Photo #3:  Some cute geraniums

I can't think of anything to write for this photo.  How about you leave a comment with a fact about yourself related to this picture?  This should be interesting.  (Julianne smirks as she passes the difficult task onto others)

Last photo:  Blackberries

I enjoy blackberries.  I think that they are rather interesting visually, and they taste good.  The only problem is that they have a natural defense against consumers, like me, who try to pick them.  It's called thorns.  Thankfully, I've discovered that I can usually wear jeans and come out all right. 
This photo brought an end to my camera time.  As you can see, I had a lot of berries to pick.  :)

Exciting news.

Hello, again, everyone!  I haven't started off this blogging thing on the most consistent basis, but that doesn't really surprise me.  I have an idea that I'm going to change, though, because yesterday...

This beauty walked into my life.  :)

More posts with pictures to follow.  :)

Happy Birthday, Molly!

Once upon a time, a conversation happened between two friends.  It went something like this:

"Julianne, you should get a blog!"

"Molly, we have dial-up."

For those of you who are blissfully unaware of the trials of dial-up internet, I'll note that it usually took us fifteen minutes to load one minute of a Youtube.  That definitely had its advantages, (namely, keeping me off the computer) but it also made blogging impossible.

Molly is not easily deterred.

"I know!  You could start a blog as a birthday present to me.  That would be great."

So, Molly, I know that your birthday was months ago, but I hope that you enjoy it anyway.  :)