Rehab.

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I can't hide the truth any longer.

I have an addiction.

I am addicted to the Flickr and Flock combo platter.

Without it, my blog goes empty.

I went to the forum this morning and found that they are having a similar issue that we went through last year. Flickr changed their code. Now Flock has to rework their whole interface to get the two programs to mesh again. That will likely take several weeks again.

My blog feel drab without photos. A picture is worth a thousand words and BOY! Do I love putting those in instead of coming up with a thousand words each. I accept the challenge, however.

We've done school for the day. Now we are mowing and working outside to try to get things in order before the next line of rain comes through in a few minutes. We've had regular afternoon storms all week. So grateful for moisture! But our canopy finally had to come down, and I miss that. Wish I had some photos of the canopy actually COMING down. You'd have LOVED it! It was really more like 'up' than 'down'. Para-sailing comes to mind. I've always wanted to fly, and we almost got our wish.

I've been canning, gardening, restoring the flooded end of the house back to normal. I got to sleep in my bed last night for the first time in nearly a week and a half. Ah. Bed is good.

Algebra. Have I mentioned I've not been a fan of algebra? But Michael and I are whooping it together. It's fun to do it with someone, hashing out differing solutions. Home schooling is so much easier to learn a difficult subject like that than in public school. Nearly unlimited resources are available here, while school is so structured and limiting. I may end up liking algebra after all.

We've picked about 10 gallons of blackberries from the canes so far this year.

(The wind has just arrived, announcing the soon onset of water.)

As a mother, this is an interesting time in my life. Michael is diving into manhood by leaps and bounds. He is taking over, making decisions, grabbing problems by the shirt and belt and tossing them out on their ears. What a blessing to have a son who chooses to grow up, yet still retains such an incredible sense of fun and adventure.

He may have his first bonafide job with his friends in a week or so. Cool. He has terrific friends so he'll also have a good time of fellowship while earning, and being a blessing to others.

(AGH! Rain is here!) running out to shut van doors...

We've been blueberry picking a few times. I think we are heading out again this weekend. You cannot help but think of Heaven when you are standing there, hearing birds singing, feeling the warm sun on your arms, watching the clouds drift by, popping big, fat, juicy berries in your mouth.

Most of you reading this know what I mean when I say we are all so blessed. There are incredible gifts all around us, raining down from the Father of Lights. All we have to do is look up, open our eyes, and say "Thank you!"

Thanks to the dear friend who sent me beautiful packages of vanilla beans! They arrived today and I'm so excited! I can't wait to try them out, they smell.... sniff, sniff, sniff....
...Amazing! I'll have to hit someone up for a base tonight.

Now I'm back to preparing some snacks for our get together this evening. I am determined to use leftovers so even I have no idea what it will be. I'm thinking something to do with Swiss Rolls (which I must get out of this house) and white chocolate or banana cream pudding.

My apron is a lab coat today.

~Faith

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