My son, keep my words; lay up within you my commandments [for use when needed] and treasure them. Keep my commandments and live, and keep my law and teaching as the apple (the pupil) of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.

Sallie

We are enjoying the nice autumn weather around here. I keep seeing little bits of red peaking out of the trees and I can't wait to see fall in its full glory amidst the trees.

We have been doing a little harvest decorating and I thought I'd share the photos. Enjoy!

This is our small dining room tablescape. Everything was so something that I already had at the house, found free in nature, was a thrift store find, or Dollar General inexpensive. My most favorite part is the glittery pumpkin sitting in a bed of spanish moss (that I dried in my microwave) on top of the small green urn. Definitely unique! I love that kind of decorating!

This is what greets you when you arrive at our home. We snagged the orange berry branches from a bush up the street (public property I promise)and I bought the wreath at the Officers Wives Club Shop. It was so inexpensive and so BIG. Again, I love it :-)

Are you feeling fall yet? What's your favorite part?

Sallie

October is the month of  PINK  everything to bring awareness to Breast Cancer research. I wanted to join in on that this month and I finally got around to changing up my blog design. I hope you like the new PINK look!! Please let me know if something isn't working correctly (links and what not) so I can fix them :-)

You'll notice I put in my header "in honor of Grama Lu" and I want to share a bit with you about her! Actually, I would like you to know about my other grandparents, too, as several of them died of cancer.  BUT, I really think of Grama Lu (who is really Mike's grama, btw) when I think of who I know that has been a survivor (two time breast cancer survivor) and so that is why I'm going pink to honor her.

 Mike conversing with Grama Lu summer 2007 

If you've been reading a while, you probably already know I love her very much! She is very special to me. I'm pretty sure she knows that but I make sure I tell her often. I know she needs to hear it. We all do every once in a while!

Back in the mid 80's -- before I knew her -- Grama was diagnosed with breast cancer. She went through treatment and had a single mastectomy. My husbands family had just moved back to the states from Germany. It seems God worked his perfect timing in that situation. Doesn't He always?! Grama did not have any other cancer issues until 2000 when she was once more diagnosed with breast cancer. She again underwent treatment and had a second mastectomy. Everything seemed to be going well but last year around Thanksgiving, Grama had a "stroke" or something and ended up in the hospital. Further tests earlier this year proved that Grama does again indeed have cancer. This time it is behind her eye. Grama is not going to have any radiation or surgery this time. She's been ready to go home to heaven pretty much since 1995 when Grampa Hal died and I don't blame her for not wanting to put her body through treatments again. She IS a survivor, but the truth is we can only survive for so long before God calls us home. I've promised her that when I call her I won't be a "nag" about seeking treatment. However, I've also promised her I would be praying a great deal. I think she's fine with that as long as I don't pray for her to stay around here too much longer ;-)

I've been preparing my heart for Grama's departure since the beginning of this year. It finally seems like an event that will happen sooner rather than later. It will be an event that cuts deeply but over our conversations I've promised not to be too sad. I've got my dress bought for her funeral. It is black but has some small aqua blue polka dots that remind me of the color of her eyes and how pretty she always looked in those sorts of colors. I have thought often of what flowers we will purchase for her funeral bouquet and none of the ones I've purchased for her while she is alive seem to fit the mold of what would be appropriate for her. In the end, I think it just might be the largest wildflower bunch we can find without looking terribly gaudy :-) She has told me several times that she hopes there are gardens in heaven and that God will let her tend to them. I think there are and I think He will. At least, I hope so!

You know, I worry many times that people think I am acting on selfish reasons when I send grama flowers or call her so often. In some way I guess that could be right. But probably not for any reasons anyone might come up with. The truth of the matter is that I know how often I DIDN'T do those things with my grandparents on my mother and fathers side of the family. I miss them very much but I can't take back any of those moments that I should've called them or went to see them. They are lost forever. Grama Lu, for however much time is left, is the only grama I still have. I cherish that! I know what I've lost already and don't want to lose it again. There are memories still to be made, and stories still to be told, and lessons still to be taught, and learned. I will take it... every bit I can, as often as I can!!

Do you have a breast cancer survivor in your family? Why not go pink for them as well this month. Click here to become involved in Go Pink for October.

Sallie

Most everyone I know are old time readers of The Old Schoolhouse but I wanted to let any new readers I might have know about their fall promotion going on right now.

You can get two years of the magazine, 6 fabulous physical  gifts (all real products...not downloads!) worth over $120, plus the current issue of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine that is full of ideas for the new school year, so you start receiving your magazine in a flash!

It really is one of their best deals ever and you don't want to miss out. In fact, they've got a really cute Homeschooling with Heart tote bag (valued at $13.95...WOW) for the first 1000 to subscribe. About half of them are gone, but you should still be able to get one if you hurry! (They will remove the info from the subscription page when the bags are all gone.) The total value is over $212, but you receive it all for only $39 - 50% off of cover price! Plus subscribers get their online monthly Teacher's Toolbox which focuses on a different topic each month, giving you words of encouragement, hands-on teaching ideas, book recommendations, field trip ideas, and a bonus download item.

So, if you are interested in trying out their magazine for the first time, or your old subscription is running out, please consider hopping on over and subscribing. This makes a great Christmas gift for new homeschooling families you might know, too!! Just click on the banner to order now:

Sallie

 MANY people have been waiting for this site to come online for a very, very, VERY long time!

Behemoth.com is a new vision for Vision Forum and has been in the works for a while (at least a year that I know of!). It finally has made its online debut and I'm so glad to share a bit about it with you :-)

I'm sure you've heard of Napster and I-tunes and places like that. Right?! I mean, who hasn't? Well, Vision Forum got the vision a while ago about creating a download place like that for Christian music, sermons, movies, audio books and so forth. Now, they've launched that vision to the world and we all get to experience Behemoth!They even have FREEBIES!!!

Click on the graphic and go take a look. I'd love for ya to tell me what ya think about this new Christian venture :-)

BTW, no Train Up A Child Thursday this week.... I have a lot going on and didn't want to just throw something together. I really want those posts (all of my posts really but those have a special place in my heart) to have meaning and so would rather not do one at all than do a bad one. Thanks for understanding!!

Sallie