New Directions and Phone Numbers

Today is the last day of classes and then I have finals next week and I can be done! Lately, I've not only been stressing educationally but emotionally. Starting on the 15th this month I started getting impressions that have led me to a path that I swore off over a year ago. Now I know more of what God wants me to do and now I just have to be patient. I've been doing a lot of thinking about these impressions and all I can say is, if God tells me to do it, I'm going to trust him. It helps if these impressions come like a shovel being swung at your head, so at least I can't help but know what He wants. I don't want to go into details until I actually know what's happening, but I can probably later. I do offer some advice... If God hits you over the head with a shovel once, listen to ALL of the promptings so he doesn't have to whack you twice when you weren't willing to listen to the whole thing the first time. hahaha. Yeah, it's been that kind of a week. Don't worry, as far as I can tell these will be good things, it's just taking a lot of mental effort to wrap my brain around it.

In other news I should be graduating next fall! Huzzah! I was worried I'd have to retake Russian but after talking to my professor today he said, "I know that I expressed to you concerns about your grades early this semester, but it looks like you'll be fine unless you pass out during the final." So as long as I don't develop narcolepsy over the weekend I should be good to go! LOL! And I'm so excited for Fall semester because I'm taking all the classes I want to including an Advanced Drawing class! EEEK!!!

By the way here is a funny conversation between me and an Unknown Number texting me today. If the unknown texted twice it was normally because I had to pause while on a call at work.

Unknown: I know we haven't seen each other in a long time, but I would like to see you sometime this week, if that's okay with you.
(ME Thinking: Okay, this guy has good grammar... which of my guy friends I haven't seen in a while has good grammar and correct punctuation?)
Me: First, I'm not sure I know who this is. My phone isn't recognizing you...
Unkown: Names can come later first I must ask you to dinner!
(Me thinking: What happened to good grammar and punctuation? And which of my guy friends can have good grammar and are teasers?!)
Me: This isn't fair!! Why should I agree to a very very blind date?
Unkown: It shouldn't be that hard. Most types of fruit are blind anyways, right?
(Good grammar is back and now they tell bad jokes. Why isn't this fitting a bill?!)
Unkown: Get it? Date like the fruit?
Me: Don't worry. I can recognize bad jokes! I make plenty. ;) Why don't you prove that you know me?
Unkown: Should I mention how much you love pirates or how much you love Castle? ;-)
(Well they're either a stalking friend on Facebook or they actually know me...)
Unkown: Tell you what, I need to head to work, your sister Rebecca knows my identity and can tell you who I am.
(Say what?! They know Becki too?!)
Me: Lol! Okay. I guess I have to wait. Have a good day at work!
Unkown: You too!
(How do they know I'm working???)
Me to Becki: Becki who is trying to ask me out?!? They said you know them!
Becki to me: It's Lizzie she got a new phone number. She creeped me out too. She sent me a text about how I'm hot and my curly hair is like white fire. lol.
Me to Lizzie: LIZZIE! I'm going to kill you!

3 Months

Right now I'm feeling pretty neglectful of my blog. I can't even think of how much has happened and how I won't remember it all to put in here. Maybe I'll list some things as a general update, and go more into depth on others. Good plan. Here we go from January!

I found out right before the semester started that I probably have carpal tunnel problems. Oh joy. The doctor gave me a prescription for ginormous ibprofen and two splints for my arms at night. Then if the problems I've had don't improve I'm supposed to see physical therapists to strengthen my wrist... I also requested a new keyboard at work and my ergonomic keyboard and so far that has worked miracles. I also had to drop my new violin lessons!! I can't tell you how much I miss it. And I had to stop playing in my orchestra. Now that I'm feeling a bit better I'm going to work myself up to the point where I can take lessons again first (they're shorter) and then the whole session for orchestra rehearsal. The ultimate goal is then to join the university/community orchestra at the U this fall. :)

Secondly Valentines came and produced a ring on my sister Lizzie's finger! Of all my sisters, we didn't guess the youngest would be married first. But she's marrying a very nice guy named Jimmy who makes playing the Game of Things interesting at my house! (Yes, we're still addicted!) So I'm excited for her and I'm really excited that I found me a bridesmaid dress at the first store I went to!! I couldn't see a think online and thought I'd end up sewing one. Now I'm just going to take in the top since I happen to be two very different sizes at once. Fun stuff. So minimal sewing is good with how busy I am.

Next up we have my best friends Alisa and Cameron who had their baby boy on February 16th! They named him Ephraim Kimball and he is just so stinkin' cute! I wish I had a good picture to display, but I don't. I wish I weren't in school so that I had time to go over every day to see them and hold him... but maybe this summer I can! AND I threw a totally awesome baby shower for her after he was born just last Saturday. Thus my Sherlock Holmes themed party. Talk about original, huh? I don't always like baby showers so I thought I'd be really creative for this one. I painted this huge cardboard box to look like Sherlock and Watson without heads holding a paper for a missing baby. Then I made a bunch of black paper mustaches (which made the cutest bouquet in a mason jar!) and borrowed two fedoras from my siblings. Then I hired my sister Becki to take pictures of us wearing the hats and mustaches posing as Watson and Holmes. Talk about fun! Some of them seemed embarrased, but overall I think they liked it. Especially playing with the mustaches! They were so awesome and pretty easy to make! Then I had a list of riddles for everyone to solve like this one:

A man is returning from Switzerland by train. If he had been in a non-smoking car he would have died.

Any guesses? They really make you get creative to figure them out. I'd only heard of one or two of them before I collected all 18 riddles I had. Here's your answer:  The man used to be blind -- he's returning from an eye operation which restored his sight. He spent all his money on the operation, so when the train (which had no internal lighting) goes through a tunnel, he thinks he's gone blind again and decides to kill himself. But before he could do it, he saw the light of the cigarettes people were smoking and realized he could still see.

Last of all, for the baby shower we had a tea party complete with an antique tea pot and cups and saucers. On a tax-return splurge I went to some antique stores with my mother and while we were at City Creek Antiques I found me the coolest pewter pot and some adorable pink rose china from England around the 1920's. So I spent a little over a hundred bucks for the lot and even my friends agreed they could see me using these for other tea parties... and it's so true. It totally reminded me of my Grandma Walker who had similar doll tea parties. We even have some of her cups, her kitchen table, and table cloths so it was very reminiscent to her parites!

A Pirate Celebration

Shark infested Jell-o is awesome. Squishy, sugary, and colorful little sharks swimming in berry blue jello. Previously tough and hard to bite, now they were soft on the outside and still tough on the inside... Regardless, it was one of my favorite parts of my birthday party. Still, I've decided if I ever have a little boy, he's going to have a pirate party and we're going to make shark jell-o again. It's just too cool. We also ate Muddy Mates (muddy buddies), fish and chips (fish stick and fries), cannonballs (no-bake chocolate butter cookies), and Pirate Booty (corn and rice puffs made by Pirate Brands). I was pretty pleased with my creativeness.

Since everyone I know seems to know that I like pirates, it only seemed natural to try and spread the love. Seeing their imaginative side to dress up as pirates was either lacking, interestingly creative, or pretty awesome. I expected that and made sure to have prizes for the best dressed lubber and pirate! As funny as it is, I was really proud of my funny status I made on Facebook when I put my status through a Pirate Speak generator (I could have done it myself, but sometimes it's just hilarious to see what it comes up with). "I be so excited fer next high tide'! Me heartys be all goin' t' come o'er as swabbie sea dogs t' plunder an' drink root grog an' ginger grog t' our hearts content!" As an English translation; root grog and ginger grog was root beer and ginger beer. Hahaha! 

To help people dress up I did provide some bandannas and eye patches, but it got really interesting when I pulled out the gummy pirate chompers. My sisters of course loved it. Lizzie was freaking out about her make up though. Becki said she was going to look like a wench and Lizzie thought she looked like a whore.
Becki said: What do you think wenches are? They get down with the pirates. Besides, I do my makeup kind of like this everyday. What are you saying about me? 
Lizzie: That you like a who... (Becki glare) ...wh-underful young lady. That likes to have fun with pirates.... (Becki glare).... Playing chess? 
My sisters basically rocked the whole night. I think most of my friends had fun because they were there. You have no idea what my family is like until you play games with all of us and these two put together. We had banjo playing-gun firing celebrations, jedi duals, and lots of laughs!!

And I totally made my friends watch Treasure Island with Charlton Heston and Christian Bale! It was made in 1990 and it is the truest rendition of the book I've ever seen. It was also pretty funny since almost everyone had seen Muppets Treasure Island so we quoted it as the movie went along. I felt bad for the very few who had no idea what we were talking about. Next year I'll have to make everyone watch that one so they can feel caught up! So my party was a total blast! Happy Birthday to me! 

Jimmy-Jim-Jimmy-Jim-Jim-Jim-Jim! You've always been a decent sort to old Billy Bones.
I'm not Jimmy-Jim-Jimmy-Jim-Jim-Jim-Jim.  *He's* Jimmy-Jim-Jimmy-Jim-Jim-Jim-Jim.

Jim?

Yes, Captain?

Jimmy-Jim-Jimmy-Jim-Jim-Jim-Jim!

Yes, Captain, what is it?


Christmas Games

♪ Christmas is Over my brother's gotten fat! Please donate a gym pass for our new diet. ♪

I know, it's terrible. But that's what my mom and I were singing while walking out of the store. Hahaha. And I'm tired today because I was up late playing a game with my family. The day after Thanksgiving I went to my dad's store (where I got awesome Black Friday discounts and employee discounts!) and decided I was going to buy some games that my family would like now that we're adults. We seem to have grown out of Candyland now that our youngest person is turning 17. At least we have Apples to Apples and Hilarium which we all love. But I got Lizzie Imagine If for Christmas since she really wanted it, and I got mom The Game of Things as a family gift. We played both last night and Things is one of our new favorite games!! Being wacky people it made this game really entertaining as it pulled out the most outrageous responses from us! Apparently Becki and I both fantasize about chocolate baths with Hugh Jackman... Anyway it's a game I highly encourage for people.

The rest of  Christmas was great too. I was finally getting over my first cold of the season, so I felt great. Lizzie was home more too since her boyfriend left for California to visit his mom. I understood that she missed him, but we miss seeing her and dang it, we claim Lizzie for Christmas! Lol. And I got to visit my dad's side of the family when we went to my Grandpa's house. Now that I realize he's the age of my other grandparents when they died, I'm even more grateful for every year he's still around and for when I can go see him. I also enjoyed eating all the food we had! At our house we made a Virgina Ham. I know you don't understand so I'll tell you what it is. It's basically a ham that has been dried and preserved. This way you actually get more meat for your buck since you don't pay for all the water an juices. But it comes covered in mold, and I'm glad I didn't see it out of the package until mom had cleaned it up! After it soaked in water and then apple juice while it cooked I definitely made up my mind that this is how a ham should be. After we glazed it (with a homemade glaze) I thought I'd die and go to heaven. Oh my scrumptious!

By the way, I finally got through this last semester of school. It was a lot more difficult than I thought it'd be. So far most of my grades are B's, but that's still totally acceptable for me. When you only write 3 papers for a class and you almost bomb the first one, and pick it up for the next two, you can't really expect an A. BUT I have had my own Christmas Miracle in the form of a B- for Russian!! I honestly thought I was going to fail this class even after all the hard work I had been putting into it. So it looks like that work pulled off!! Hopefully tomorrow I'll find out if I get an A in my History and Fiction class. Last time I posted 10 pages on my blog from the story and now it's 35 pages long after major editing. So if you want to read it I included the hyperlink to the pdf version. PLEASE don't redistribute this in any form. But since I only have 13 people following this blog, I'm not really that worried. I just thought I should say it in case. I think the story is good and very entertaining, so have at it!

The Gunpowder Plot

I'm sorry that I haven't posted in a while. Life and school are keeping me really busy. At least I'm enjoying life while running around like a crazy chicken. But my cousin Bridget commented on my last blog and wants to hear the story I'm writing for my History and Fiction class. I've taken a historical event and I'm creating a work of fiction about it for my Senior project. Here is my first ten pages of 30 that I will be writing. This may not be the most interesting piece of fiction you've read, but hopefully it's the most interesting history "paper" you've read! And if you have any critiques, feel free to rip me to shreds. It will only make my senior project better with improvement!

Natalie

My God or My King

By Natalie Rausch

The floor was getting damp from water streaming in from a crack in the old mortar. The creaking sound of footsteps on the wooden floor signaled Peter to hide the string of beads in his hands in his vest pocket. Thunder resonated in the empty chapel as he heard the bishop call out his name.

“Appealing to God again, Peter? We’ve seen less of you and your wife in recent months than in the past. I do hope you have come today to pray for your Father’s soul so that he will be forgiven for his part in this immortal feud against the worshippers and professors of the true God and true religion.”

“My father is a faithful member of the King’s church as are my wife, family and I.” Standing on his feet, he turned towards the bishop behind him and held his shoulders back. The bishop smiled and his eyes narrowed as he gave Peter words of his own inspirational wisdom.

“God watches over those who are faithful to him. I am sure that if you continue in your good faith, and if God is willing, you and your family will be saved. Alas, those who are persistent in adhering to blasphemy are accordingly punished by God’s jealousy. Don’t allow yourself to wander into the spiritual wilderness.”

Peter didn’t respond knowing that the Bishop was looking for a fault somewhere in his faith to confirm him as a Papist. If he found enough grounds to demote him and disgrace his family would risk his family’s position economically and socially. Thus he nodded his head towards the bishop and declared he would not do so. Then after bidding the bishop goodnight he strode out into the coursing rain before his faith and patience were really tested.

Peter took a brisker pace when the strength of the winds increased; shoving his feet down the darkened path towards Westminster. As he got closer to the dark palace he could see shadows by the stone wall in an otherwise empty area. It was a spot tucked out of view from anyone standing in the guards’ huts or posts conveniently sheltered by some rose bushes just a few steps from the wall only a few hundred feet away from where he stood. Peter stepped more to the left to see better between the two bushes and blocked the rain from his eyes. It wasn’t until a flash of lightning illuminated the shadows of two men by the stone wall to make Peter sure of their presence. Peter made his way quietly to that spot, using those same rose bushes to hide his advancement and hoped that the sound of the rain and thunder would hide any sound of his hunt.

His stealth earned him little reward. By the time Peter reached the spot where the two people were hiding by the roses all that could be seen were muddy imprints of feet in the ground. The roses that had shielded his approach had also concealed their departure, most likely into the river where they would be hard to follow. Judging from the amount of water and mud filling the general area, the two had been there for some time. Annoyed that his quest had been fruitless, he made his way back to the guard’s hut and kept an eye out for anyone out of place on the grounds.

~~~

“I think we should visit the bishop more often.

“Why would that be? Do you think he wants to be a Papist also? Alas, I fear he would sooner join the recusants before stooping to drink ale with us.” Peter winked at his fellow guard who grinned in response and slapped his hand on his fat thigh. His laugh fit hit name, for he bellowed loud enough for the whole tavern to hear.

 “Indeed he is! I doubt he wants lowly Richard Bellows as his drinking mate. But I figure if we went more often to take the sacrament we could get more wine without using the little money we have. Well, not you. You seem to have plenty to spare, but if it weren’t for my sister’s husband I’d probably be running a brothel!” Peter raised a hand holding an iron mug in the air and pronounced his last sentence like it would have been a blessing, rather than degradation to his social inheritance.

“And how would you like running a brothel instead of earning fair wages as a guard?”

“Oh, I wouldn’t mind it one bit. As long as there is enough beer and women around to keep me company! Don’t tell my lady I just said that.”

“Well, as long as you don’t mind the brawls, the revolting smells, the occasional man passed out at your tables, and the disgraced opinion your wife’s family would have, then I think it would suit you well. Mind you, Margaret would never allow it.”

 “Why do you think I’m a royal guard? I was going to be a smithy! Margo wouldn’t let me. You’re incredibly fortunate you wife isn’t such a plague. Do you know if the church only has services on Sundays?”

 Peter watched Richard incredulously as his drink poured out from the sides of the tank and soaked his tangled beard. He would’ve made a better blacksmith than a leader of a squadron of guards. His men were often found drinking, or worse, at their various posts and then merely blinked when his accusing words reprimanded them. That’s why his team was the night crew. When no one was around it didn’t matter what went on among the guards.

Rob slurred another comment towards Peter, and he didn’t realize what he was referring to at first until he heard him mutter something about seeing two strangers on the grounds. Peter abruptly asked him to repeat himself.

“I wouldn’t have had to buy new boots last week if I hadn’t had to stick around Parliament all night looking for two strangers that one of the men swore he saw lurking around. I don’t think the fellow saw anything. So I ended up searching the grounds and losing my boot in the river for nothing! I think he was trying to get out of being drunk on the job again.”

“Where did he see them?”

“Over by the old stone wall. He thought they were trying to find a way over it. I think its codswallop.”

“No, it’s not codswallop. I just saw two people last night in the same area. Why didn’t you report it to me?” 

“What’s the use in reporting a ghost?”

“Ghosts don’t leave footprints.”  Peter stood up from his table and marched out the door of the tavern.

The tavern was only an hour’s ride from his home where his respectable home stood in a cluster of other respectable houses surrounded by their modest acreage of land. When he turned on his lane, he discovered a fine carriage with six brown horses sitting just outside his house. Peter dismounted his black mare and allowed his groundskeeper to take the horse back to the stables while he approached the carriage. He recognized the carriage’s owner as a friend of his Father’s waiting for his arrival. “Come walk with me.” Monteagle commanded as he got out of his embellished carriage and strolled down the gravel path towards a nice patch of shrubbery.

“Are you in need of some services from our guards to quell another rebellion, your grace?” Peter massaged his hands and stared at the ground ahead of him.

“No, I have come with personal business today. I have a Jesuit priest I have smuggled into the country who is willing to perform the sacrament for us. Since your father is a close friend of mine I am inviting him and his sons to join me and my closest family and supporters.”

“That is extremely generous of you, sir. But I could not think of interrupting such a close circle of friends worshiping so secretly. I have my rosary. The rest should be left to God’s judgment.”

“Your rosary alone is not enough to save you from God’s justice. I know you understand the importance of taking the sacrament not prepared by heathen hands. We will be meeting in the chapel in my home precisely at seven on Sunday night. I expect to see you there.”

“Yes, sir,” Peter looked up to Lord Monteagle’s round face and found his blue eyes scrutinizing him closely. His tall strong stature had remained solid over the years despite the interference from time slowly increasing his weight upon his frame. Even though Lord Monteagle was no longer a young man his additional build and strength created a massive figure too imposing to refuse.

“Good.” He chuckled, “Do not be late, for we will lock the door to be sure that no one will interrupt us. All those I have invited will attend.”

Looking him in the eye Peter admitted without a sign of doubt that he would be there at the appointed time. Regard for his father’s friendship with the Lord, Peter came to the church early to ensure avoiding any offense. As he watched for his father and his brother he was instead surrounded by twelve men in fine, colorful clothing talking and joking amongst themselves. One of them had a mustache like a Spaniard and he spoke vociferously of battles and war on the mainland, yet by listening to his speech he was most certainly an Englishman. He seemed to possess a high opinion of his wartime abilities. Another man sat a lot more quietly than the others watching everyone intently and every time his eyes flashed they bespoke of a spirited intelligence. He had green eyes that were set in a round face, blonde wavy hair with a blonde beard, and an enviable physique. He easily maneuvered through the boasts of the mustached man and was able to guide the direction of the conversation away from the other’s vain declarations. He also seemed very observant of the other men around them, watching their actions and paying attention to their moods and words.

Besides Peter, the only other man who looked out of place was Lord Monteagle himself. He sat brooding by the wall, watching the door as often as he did his guests. It seemed that secret meetings made him forget his manners as a host. It was then that the last guests came in and before Peter could see who it was; their host locked the door and brought forward the Jesuit priest to begin the services.  Peter hoped the latecomer was his Father or older brother but could not see the newcomer from his vantage point near the front of the chapel as the doors were directly behind him.

Following the familiar rhythm of the mass came as natural to Peter as riding a horse. To be kneeling beside other Catholics praying with their rosaries reminded him of the just recent years when their priests still conducted legal services for all loyal Catholics in England. He reminisced about being a boy going to church with his family for years until his father told them he was converting to the Church of England to avoid the Catholic tax. Shortly thereafter his father finally counseled with his family and suggested they appear Protestant in action only, and inwardly retain their Catholic sentiments. This was why he still went to Protestant churches to pray with his rosary.

Just after the services were over the men began to gather in small groups talking quietly to themselves. Lord Monteagle approached Peter and assured him that his Father and brother were unable to attend the meeting. Before Peter could ask him why they didn’t come, he was distracted by the sight of the man who had snuck in late in the back, his cousin Thomas Percy.

“Why would my cousin Thomas be here at your meeting?” he asked his host. “I didn’t think he was trustworthy enough for secret gatherings.”

“He is a faithful Catholic now despite his past actions as a youth. And he is here for the same reason as you. I have asked him to partake in a particular venture which he insisted required the attendance of yourself. I believe I must be honest with you and confess that your father and brother were never invited, but I hoped to encourage your participation by suggesting their presence here. Don’t look at me with such an insipid scowl. Wait until you hear us out to proclaim your judgment. Let me introduce you to the intelligence behind my project, Mr. Catesby.”

Peter hesitated, turning to the blonde man and shook his hand only after realizing that Catesby had his offered. Catesby didn’t even realize his reluctance and smiled as warmly as ever. “Peter Rockeby, I am Robert Catesby. I have heard from your cousin that you are a loyal Catholic regardless of your attendance to Protestant services. I commend you for your faith, my brother.” He reached an arm out to Peter’s shoulder in earnest affection. Peter inwardly pulled back not wanting to be taken in by any false pretenses at friendship from a man whom he knew nothing about who’s actions could be based purely on obtaining some favor from Peter. Yet even as he did so he was compelled by Robert’s open directness and honest face. “We need your help in completing a project which I have calculated that will help all Catholics in England. And it is necessary that we have your complete allegiance.”

“I cannot commit to what I do not yet know. First explain to me your plan. I promise that if I do not agree to give my consent, then I will not speak of this matter to anyone.” Peter promised.

“Beware, Peter. Many of us here are in much higher positions than you, and we do not take being crossed lightly. We are entrusting you with the safety of our very lives by admitting you to our plans.”

“This I understand, but I insist that I must know your designs before I offer my services.”

 “Can you imagine what England would be like if all the priests could come back to England so that everyone could partake in what we have today? Parliament and the King have only increased our limitations as Catholics since King James ascended the throne. I have seen many men who were once good Catholics give in to the demands of the King to protect their families and their lands. I have seen honest peasants suffer under the monetary demands placed for attending Catholic services. And now they have deported all our priests and bishops who are the only ones with the keys to our salvation. The pope himself decreed the damnation of the King and if the King is damned, then should his excommunication condemn the nation? We must bring back the Catholic church.”

“What difference does it make over which church reigns in England? Isn’t it the same God in the end? Only the practices are different.” Peter argued.

“Yet the Protestants do not follow our God. You cannot take your rosary to their infernal churches and still believe that you are praying to the same God you always have. Do you not realize that they have consecrated their churches to the Devil? What we’re asking for is a chance to allow the pope to guide the people of England once more so that they may gain salvation through their worship of the true God again. Without understanding his Grace they will never have a hope for redemption. Surely you must see that. Think of your own family.” Here he paused before continuing again and took a step away from Peter allowing him space and time to think. Peter thought back to the very actions he had remembered during the mass when his father decided to give up Catholicism and the confusion that had entered his life thereafter. Had he been any younger, he knew that he would not have understood his father’s actions and his own faith would have been put at risk by attending Protestant services.

 “If we do not take this opportunity to allow God back into this country then your children will never come to learn who the true God is and he will be forever forgotten in this land. This priest has sanctioned our work tonight and gives us word that the pope himself does not condemn the actions we seek. Through his influence we can restore God’s grace on this land. What we ask from you is your help.”

While Peter was very supportive of the intent, but could not foresee any means that would enable to bring Catholicism back to the island. “I do agree with you. All of us are lost without the return of the church. Nonetheless I cannot commit my support unless I know what will be required of me.” He looked down at the ground, as if looking towards the floorboards for an answer. Then looking up at Robert’s green eyes, Robert then proceeded to explain his plan to Peter.

“Our plans are to create an event that will encourage Parliament to regret their decision placing King James on the throne and lead them to replace him with a Catholic supporter.”

“An event? What type of event would influence them to produce those means? Surely true Christianity didn’t sanction violence in order to further religious means.”

Robert’s face glowed with energy as he gripped Peter’s shoulder. “God can’t expect us to follow his word if he isn’t allowed in our country. The British government has disposed of God’s true church and seeks to follow the adversary. If we don’t amend events now then there will be no chance of it in the future and the salvation of England will be hopeless under Protestant falsehoods.”

Peter remained silent as he contemplated the fate that his children would have to face as they tried to maintain their Catholic faith inwardly while publicly being influenced by the deceptions of Protestantism. Eventually the Church of England would have to win out in their hearts. To see and hear the persistent practices of blasphemy would eventually ring true to their inexperienced ears and the piteous faith of Catholics would appear as a childish fancy. But to create an event that would influence Parliament to recant their selected ruler to replace him with another one would have to be one of such a proportion that it would no doubt cause some sort of violence, which Peter noticed he did not deny the possibility of. Whether it was a riot, an assassination, or kidnapping would be vile and against Godly morals in the face of promoting Catholic means.

If they were to fail it would mean losing his very livelihood, and very possibly his life. Traitors to the crown are not treated lightly by any means. The fate of his family if he were to die would be dependent on the kindness of their family and neighbors; that is if they were not ostracized as being traitors to the nation. On the other hand, here was Moses crying for the deliverance of God’s people from the bonds of the king.

Busy as a Buzzin Bee

Me!

Life is busy. Which is good. I like it better than being bored! But I realize I have a lot to write about and no time to write it.... so "let me explain. No there is too much. Let me sum up." (as said by Inigo Montoya.)

Willamette Riverfront at sundown

First! School is going well. I have two classes I have to focus on and 2 where I review the books I've already read for them. Talk about awesome. For my Senior Project (even though I'm only almost a Senior...) I'm taking a course that focuses on History and Fiction. I think that will tie in nicely with my Library Science degree. Anyway, I have the option of writing a report or writing a fictional story. Guess what I picked! That's right. So I'm now writing a story about November 5th and the failed Gunpowder Plot when some men tried to blow up King James I about 400 years ago. I'm pretty intrigued. I already know a lot about the 2 main monarchs before him (Elizabeth I, and King Henry VIII) so I'm familiar with the time period but yet I have a lot to learn about King James. So this will be fun.

Powell's Bookstore

Second! I went to the Portland Pirate Festival over Labor Day weekend and had a blast!! Besides, I got to spend an extra day up there than I have in previous years. We did a lot of awesome stuff like the pirate festival (of courrrrse!), shopping at a Sock Shop, window shopping in Hipster Portland and getting gelato ice cream, perusing the world's biggest book store (SO cool!), going to the Tillamock Cheese factory, and the beach that had a cave/tunnel! My favorite parts were probably the beach and the bookstore. I didn't take many pictures of the bookstore because I was too busy looking at books, but I took a ton of shots at the beach. It was just so stormy/foggy cool looking! So it was definitely an amazing trip. The drive home was even interesting... at least we had a lot of delays. But we made it safe and sound which is all that matters.

Hykel and Aaron

No cows were hurt in the shooting of this picture.

After all the shopping and driving and walking we did though I just love Portland more than I did before. I've decided I should move there someday. I just like it too much up there. That got me thinking about my Masters degree in general because only schools out of state offer the program I need. So now I'm seriously considering moving out of state to go to school when the time comes. Mom says I should go to North Carolina and I know I'd love living on either of the coasts. I've been to both sides and liked it but it all depends on if I get a scholarship and what school will be cheaper, both in tuition and living expenses.

Lizzie

Anyway, that's a sum up on my life for the past month. Sorry I didn't describe my trip more! I'm just posting pictures instead. They're worth a thousand words anyway. ;)

Lili

Me at Voodoo Doughnuts

 

 

I forget the name of this beach, but it was cool!

Jazmyne the fox

This is one of my favorite shots. :)

Hykel

While looking for shells she got a little wet...

Food is Not Just Food

Sunflower in our garden

 I remember when Organic foods came out and people would tell me, "Oh, the milk tastes so much better!" We did a taste test on a girl once who was a professed Organic milk drinker. She couldn't tell the difference between our regular milk and some organic milk we picked up. At the time I thoguht that if they tasted the same then obviously "organic" people just wanted a new health fad. However, my health and well-being has always been an important issue for me. I'm not perfect at taking care of myself, but I do try. Yet my struggles continue since I'm still overweight and don't feel as good as I used to when I ate healthier, exercised, and got sleep. I am tired of being tired (isn't that coincidental? Being tired of being tired? hahaha) and lacking energy, especially during the school year when my health habits plummet. This ended up in a goal to eat healthier, exercise more, and try to get enough sleep all summer so I'd be pumped up for school.

Homegrown Tomatoes and Green Beans

This has led to a summer full of learning about our food. Have you ever really looked at a food label and checked out ALL of the ingredients? Don't argue they're too small to read! That's why mom needs reading glasses to go shopping. I already knew how to check for calories, fiber, fat grams, and serving sizes. What I didn't realize is that there are a lot of unpronounceable ingredients in my food. I used to assume they were the "scientific name" of regular foods. Like sodium sorbate is some crazy rendition of baking powder (which it's not). After watching a TV show about eating natural foods I was convinced that I needed to try to include this in my diet. Mom ended up watching a different show that said the same thing after I told her about it and she decided the same thing. Using some of their guidelines have really helped simplify how to pick foods I should eat.

Rules of the Game:
1. Eat REAL food.
2. Don't eat anything your great grandmother wouldn't recognize as food.
3. Avoid foods with ingredients a 3rd grader cannot pronounce (or you, for that matter).
4. Only eat foods that will rot. (This means no more Twinkies!)
5. Eat all the junk food you want as long as you cook it yourself. (How often will you make the effort to cook doughnuts, french fries, or cake when you have to do it by scratch?)

Basically cooking from scratch is a really important factor. The more foods you make yourself, the less you have to worry about what preservatives are in it because there won't be any, and you'll know everything in it! That's another reason to grow a garden, no pesticides or anything to contaminate the benefits of the veggies and fruits. By taking more time shopping at places that offer more natural or organic foods, I've found there are a lot of foods that are natural without having to put big organic labels on the front. (Take the sour cream by Daisy in the picture above. Totally natural.) I've also discovered that with a little thinking I can still come up with easy to make lunches, breakfasts, and even dinners for packing to school. (Can you say leftovers? lol.)

Tomatoes in the garden

 On the television show I saw, people reported feeling healthier in general after eating this way. For the past 100 years society has been getting fatter on this "diet food" kick. Our great grandparents were all skinner than us eating the real thing! So obviously our changes in the food processing department have not all been good, some have, but not all. The show Mom watched talked to a girl who went to their doctor because no matter what she did she couldn't lose any weight. He put her on a no preservative or additive diet. She was still a little pudgy but she claimed she felt so much healthier and had a lot more energy and had less digestive problems. If you think about it, with the meat you buy they are giving animals hormones in order to rapidly increase their growth to maximize production of meat (and many of these animals are not living in friendly cages on farms). So why don't we think these hormones in our food won't affect us?

Green Pepper in the garden

Don't worry about me jumping off the deep end of some crazy Organic/Vegan/Animal rights type of diet, but I do want to try and make wiser choices about what I decide to eat. Like supporting local farmers at the Farmer's Market (the downtown market is so freaking awesome!) But honestly, cage free eggs just make me happy when I think of Chickens running around a fields or staying in a chicken coop instead of being shut up in cages with no room to expand their wings.

Tiny strawberries growing in a pot by our front door

 Like the guy on TV said, we all have 3 a votes a day that help impact the kinds of foods that stores and farmers will provide for us. If we make at least 1 or maybe 2 good choices a day, then that will lead to a larger supply of better foods being available (and it will lead to an improvement in your general health). It's all about Supply and Demand, my friends.