tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54399719088489909932024-03-27T23:53:07.582+00:00Homeschool on the CroftHomeschool on the Crofthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03400742529025230433noreply@blogger.comBlogger764125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439971908848990993.post-85453941116355504682019-09-20T23:24:00.003+01:002019-09-20T23:24:23.204+01:00Friday Favourites<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">My first Friday favourite is today's weather! Actually, no. Scrap that. My first favourite is this guy</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiBgmXYa0tV0MYeCs0xRhKB_hNbaMYKsGZAMw2C6sXtqHk-HO_LykoL384aIiefzYR_g_3HLwDpA4R1MFpAoiYC-E7L_dF71jRDvoYb0J2_PT2a5uZ59T5cpC7AaCYiU6qe8rOW3MP3O2v/s1600/70866111_1268142120059864_5525364281140314112_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiBgmXYa0tV0MYeCs0xRhKB_hNbaMYKsGZAMw2C6sXtqHk-HO_LykoL384aIiefzYR_g_3HLwDpA4R1MFpAoiYC-E7L_dF71jRDvoYb0J2_PT2a5uZ59T5cpC7AaCYiU6qe8rOW3MP3O2v/s320/70866111_1268142120059864_5525364281140314112_n.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">- specifically, this guy having a day off today. That fact, combined with </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSPlVyXZ-AABG5_rVwVjPX-458ksdk8IU4T79HSQWnhwe0tL0T5UwnkKOECyGXbBMq5T1G_hwc7EOIbT139LkW-j7q_x6yXFZ8I0kHVpYwP4oXD9D3zvDE-_KlZZCZg-uGak02JtgwNavz/s1600/windmills.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSPlVyXZ-AABG5_rVwVjPX-458ksdk8IU4T79HSQWnhwe0tL0T5UwnkKOECyGXbBMq5T1G_hwc7EOIbT139LkW-j7q_x6yXFZ8I0kHVpYwP4oXD9D3zvDE-_KlZZCZg-uGak02JtgwNavz/s320/windmills.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">this weather (isn't it ah-ma-zing!) has made for a pretty perfect day so far.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We went to the Harris and Lewis Smokehouse Restaurant for lunch (in the photo, he's examining some of the joinery work in the building. Those of you who are married to tradesmen - you'll know what I mean, right? In Every. single. Building, he subconsciously examines the woodwork!)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewiAI2zT4Qit6DD0Rh3Rn7MAIhpDf6ZJZ-IT7n7OlXQjbfaQux4YWFKJqj4srCNdt8yuwuO2GRrY9GhYxT_aaMgsrl9x_ylnjJmlrfKsgSJUeoNUw90nfyHA-fabNbizo-oXZOnoS2dlx/s1600/70511851_479377809279530_1657453722344620032_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewiAI2zT4Qit6DD0Rh3Rn7MAIhpDf6ZJZ-IT7n7OlXQjbfaQux4YWFKJqj4srCNdt8yuwuO2GRrY9GhYxT_aaMgsrl9x_ylnjJmlrfKsgSJUeoNUw90nfyHA-fabNbizo-oXZOnoS2dlx/s400/70511851_479377809279530_1657453722344620032_n.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We both had Seafood Morney Crepe, and it was absolutely delicious.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We then 'pottered'.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The MV Seabourn Ovation was in the harbour. The passengers were certainly seeing Lewis at its best.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-CJm4y3P-7rykRc-BvyjbA9y7bGIz__B7QGozQXzMAoiTcjubvLRhPGFnF5XwQ85t0cJrGRjVQm5bL3j4Ykgo-SdmYu54be3viomitez36BXXmv9JktrtIbxM3cjT-AKNvgrHt2nGhyVf/s1600/cruise+with+ferry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-CJm4y3P-7rykRc-BvyjbA9y7bGIz__B7QGozQXzMAoiTcjubvLRhPGFnF5XwQ85t0cJrGRjVQm5bL3j4Ykgo-SdmYu54be3viomitez36BXXmv9JktrtIbxM3cjT-AKNvgrHt2nGhyVf/s400/cruise+with+ferry.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Our own ferry seemed so small as she passed by, on her way across to Minch on the lunchtime sail to Ullapool. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipFT-tZuBHem-RYWCOl7opNLxgUKI-ql8MaqcCPv4w9F54p3SXmG-TQaB5INPRzpZ2XgpIu98-Y-jjvltL5zkJ-Dayx_QKpgUf4OgA-SW2gI-Sp4H9AnUB1iLGEAqDVZJPgzS8KjPzUEEQ/s1600/NiseACH+CURLED+UP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipFT-tZuBHem-RYWCOl7opNLxgUKI-ql8MaqcCPv4w9F54p3SXmG-TQaB5INPRzpZ2XgpIu98-Y-jjvltL5zkJ-Dayx_QKpgUf4OgA-SW2gI-Sp4H9AnUB1iLGEAqDVZJPgzS8KjPzUEEQ/s320/NiseACH+CURLED+UP.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This is my second Friday Favourite. She had a shower this morning and is now the sweetest-smelling, fluffiest, softest, most adorable cockapoo this side of the Mississippi.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">My next Friday Favourite is a recommendation of a series of sermons preached fairly recently by Mr Ian MacLeod, who is Scottish but lives in Michigan. It's a series on Joseph, and the first is called <a href="https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=12519035231631">Joseph: A Bird's Eye View</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">There are eighteen sermons in the series, and I can guarantee that you won't be disappointed with one of them. The webpage for the whole series can be found </span><a href="https://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?seriesOnly=true&currSection=sermonstopic&sourceid=frcgr&keyword=Joseph&keyworddesc=Joseph" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">here</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Let me know if you listen.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Final Friday Favourite:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Listen, enjoy, and feel your heart being lifted up in praise to the King of Kings!</span><br />
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<br />Homeschool on the Crofthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03400742529025230433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439971908848990993.post-27861524052347839902019-09-17T16:17:00.003+01:002019-09-17T16:17:49.936+01:00Psalms and Old Rings<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpbGjhwUkACFtF4TuPea_wIj_48z0eKxk4aNdfxZSM2HuqmsHNIcZZDpGFyuV8MWqm_7onQL7wVvcjpmlZpctDpEJp7EsliNDhQyQtKp_tfnqdSlbJ8OjuvBVFFNuvUhyphenhyphen44m2-1wrLzN0L/s1600/Rings+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="352" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpbGjhwUkACFtF4TuPea_wIj_48z0eKxk4aNdfxZSM2HuqmsHNIcZZDpGFyuV8MWqm_7onQL7wVvcjpmlZpctDpEJp7EsliNDhQyQtKp_tfnqdSlbJ8OjuvBVFFNuvUhyphenhyphen44m2-1wrLzN0L/s320/Rings+2.jpg" width="234" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I wear these rings now on my right hand. The tiny ring was the wedding ring my Granny wore, but only after she lost her own ring and so wore her mother's. This, then, originally belonged to my Great-granny, and I'd reckon she married in the 1880s (or the 1870s) and its worn-ness and thin-ness show its age.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLCupOJI9mTxRWzzF8pa35Zc3ujyRVMnRIVTlqf6E98cvtIXSsrn5bR67WQtyorqntyRbGDD_mvq0Za9enN7RLmAkOiW9nRNTcgygI94NW4uBCdZ6GikvP35MH76BwgDFMQuRBE_yMMWlK/s1600/Rings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="374" data-original-width="349" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLCupOJI9mTxRWzzF8pa35Zc3ujyRVMnRIVTlqf6E98cvtIXSsrn5bR67WQtyorqntyRbGDD_mvq0Za9enN7RLmAkOiW9nRNTcgygI94NW4uBCdZ6GikvP35MH76BwgDFMQuRBE_yMMWlK/s320/Rings.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The other ring belonged to my Grandpa, spoken of in <a href="https://homeschoolonthecroft.blogspot.com/2011/01/my-grandpa.html">this blog post</a>. He and my Granny married in 1932, and the ring dates either to that year or possibly even earlier. This signet ring has my Grandpa's initials etched into the gold, but age has faded the lettering, and it's barely visible now. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">To look at, it's not much of a ring. Neither of them are. Yet, both rings are so precious to me because I absolutely adored my Grandpa, and I am named after my Granny who had gone Home to be with the Lord before I was born.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In more recent times, m</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">y Mum wore these rings on her right hand until she went Home. And now they are mine.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I often look at them and 'see' my Mum's hand. My hands are so like hers - they ain't the prettiest! - and honestly, my hand wearing these rings is like an image of Mum's hand over the years. On a recent evening, as I sat in church at the Midweek meeting, I happened to look down and see my hand. I saw my hand and my rings, but my mind saw my Mum's hand; I saw my Grandpa's ring, my Granny's ring.... and just for a moment, my mind zoomed through the years, and I was connected with them all. It was for the tiniest of moments but just then I didn't see a chubby, lined, unelegant finger and two inexpensive rings. Rather I caught a glimpse of where these rings had previously been: on the fingers of people I loved more than I can say. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I saw the rings in a new light.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">As always, these things are 'better felt than tell't', so I'll refrain from attempting to describe the feeling any more than that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The feeling I had reminded me somewhat of how I feel so often when I read the Psalms. The Psalms (unlike the rings) are truly and actually precious, but along with their inherent preciousness, I often feel an overwhelming connection with my Saviour whilst reading them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Not only are so many of the Psalms directly speaking of Christ, but I also imagine Him reading and singing the Psalms whilst He lived a pilgrim on this earth. There is barely a Psalm that doesn't make me think of how <i>He </i>would have felt reading it. I wonder how often our Lord went off on His own to read a Psalm that would comfort Him, encourage Him, and strengthen Him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Think of Christ reading these words during His time on earth:</span><br />
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<span class="text Ps-121-1" id="en-KJV-16083" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">"I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills</span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-121-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">from whence cometh my help?</span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-121-2" id="en-KJV-16084" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">My help cometh from the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span>, which made heaven and earth.</span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-121-3" id="en-KJV-16085" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.</span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-121-4" id="en-KJV-16086" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.</span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-121-5" id="en-KJV-16087" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">The <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> is thy keeper: the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> is thy shade upon thy right hand.</span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-121-6" id="en-KJV-16088" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.</span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-121-7" id="en-KJV-16089" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">The <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.</span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-121-8" id="en-KJV-16090" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">The <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What encouragement and strengthening for the Saviour! Little wonder He could sleep in a stormy boat, when He knew that the One who kept Him neither slumbered nor slept. We would do well to mirror Christ's trust and sleep easy, knowing that our Lord neither slumbers nor sleeps.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Or what about these words from Psalm 3:</span><br />
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<span class="text Ps-3-4" id="en-KJV-13962" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">4" </span>I cried unto the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. </span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-3-5" id="en-KJV-13963" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">5 </span>I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> sustained me."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What faith Christ could have! And what faith <i>we </i>can have, when we are in Christ! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What about these words from Psalm 119:151</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">"I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">No wonder our Lord was 'a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. How we are grieved when we see the wickedness of our culture - but how much more Christ was, when He is of purer eye than to behold sin.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Of course, there are the well known Messianic Psalms, which speak in such depth and detail of the sufferings of Christ. Psalm 22 and Psalm 69 are painful to read - the agonies and humiliation of our Beloved..... we are given such insight into His sufferings - more than in the Gospels because in the Psalms, we hear his heart and His thoughts.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">His own words in these Psalms give us a taste of His unspeakable agony and suffering. Surely we never love Him more than when we read of His suffering for us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And then we imagine Him reading and singing these words as a boy. As He got older, He would have understood more and more of the reality of what these words meant. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And then, we have Psalms that almost burst our hearts - not with agony, but with joyous praise! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Like here, in Psalm 24:</span><br />
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<span class="text Ps-24-7" id="en-KJV-14249" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.</span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-24-8" id="en-KJV-14250" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">8 </span>Who is this King of glory? The <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> strong and mighty, the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> mighty in battle.</span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-24-9" id="en-KJV-14251" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">9 </span>Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.</span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-24-10" id="en-KJV-14252" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">10 </span>Who is this King of glory? The <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> of hosts, he is the King of glory.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Doesn't your heart burst!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Have a listen.... and worship!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">For the past year or so, I've been reading one Psalm each morning, and writing down a portion of that Psalm. Sometimes, I write one verse; and other times, I write a few verses, or a whole section. But before I write anything, I tend to read the Psalm three times.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">1. I read the Psalm. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">2. I read the Psalm, imagining Jesus reading the words. What do I think when I imagine Jesus reading these words? When can I imagine the words comforting Him? Encouraging Him? Teaching Him? Opening His own understanding?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">3. I read the Psalm from my own perspective. What encouragement is there for me? What lessons are there here for me? What do I learn of Christ in this Psalm? What do the words teach me about my own Christian life?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Again and again, when prayer is hard, I 'pray the Psalm'. Countless of them are wonderful to simply pray back to God. He is the Author, and He loves to hear His own Word being spoken back to Him. Our old minister used to say: 'God loves to hear you say, 'Thou hast said.....'!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Truly, the Psalms speak <i>about </i>Christ, they speak <i>to </i>Christ, and they were read and sung <i>by </i>Christ.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">We can't hope for more connection with our Saviour than that! It's no wonder we love them so much.</span>
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Homeschool on the Crofthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03400742529025230433noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439971908848990993.post-57733880566831802862019-01-19T18:58:00.001+00:002019-01-19T18:58:54.363+00:00The Best Laid Plans .... an' all that<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Last Saturday evening, I posted this photo</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCq884QZwJhoWAriMS_usfKpDFPYX0kwnwDw0r2QnCw8wuefSJxOVtVwNj4ofRrYhjQiSw-yPMbGpLI0_-QW4Oez7UM7YekxzDbGRbUwOLllD8qwBDNNPrJUS_p7FAOu5rNMCn9aCfWtlt/s1600/50088460_338597453407143_6286191791729278976_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="903" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCq884QZwJhoWAriMS_usfKpDFPYX0kwnwDw0r2QnCw8wuefSJxOVtVwNj4ofRrYhjQiSw-yPMbGpLI0_-QW4Oez7UM7YekxzDbGRbUwOLllD8qwBDNNPrJUS_p7FAOu5rNMCn9aCfWtlt/s320/50088460_338597453407143_6286191791729278976_n.jpg" width="180" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">on my Homeschool on the Croft Facebook page, and on Instagram, with the following caption:</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">This is my Sunday morning. So many people want to misunderstand what it means to 'keep the Lord's Day holy'. Some seem to think it's a list of do-and-don't rules, but to those of us who love the Lord and, by extension, love His day, this is not remotely how we think. Rather, we have the privilege and gift of being able to set aside our week's duties, and switch off from the chores of the week. For this reason, I love to have the house tidy on a Saturday night, as much of tomo</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">rrow's dinner prepared, and be able to settle immediately after I get up in the morning with my cuppa and God's Word. I am going slowly through this book too - The Heart of Christ, by Thomas Goodwin. The book was a gift from DR last Christmas, and I'm only now getting into it, and loving the precious thoughts between the covers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As I posted it, I wanted to add a few words to mothers of young children who are likely to read the caption above and, with a frustrated sigh, moan: "If only!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">'If only,' they'd say. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">'If only I could have the freedom on Saturday to get my whole house clean, but instead of a clean house on Saturday evening, mine looks like a bomb site!'</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">'If only I'd been able to peel all tomorrow's vegetables on Saturday, ready in their pans to be cooked after church on Sunday.'</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">'If only I'd have a full night's sleep, and waken fresh and ready to read God's Word and a good book.'</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">'If only when I get up on Sunday morning, I'd have time alone to read and meditate on the precious truths in this book.'</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">To them, I'd say:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">'Mums, this is a season in your life where a tidy-house-Saturday is not only impossible, it's actually not desirable. Your house is your <i>home</i>, your children's <i>home</i>, and because it is, their stuff is going to be here, there, and everywhere. One more word: don't wish these days away. I can assure you, they'll pass quickly enough.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">'And mums, I know that normally it's easy for me to have plenty time in peace and quiet on a Sunday morning to read, but it was not always like this. Far from it! This is my stage of life. And just remember - time and peace come at the cost of an emptying house. Let me tell you, it ain't all it's cracked up to be! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">'And one more thing, Mums: your vocation right now, being mum to your children, being chief cleaner-clearer-nappy-changer-food-maker-tidy-upper-listening-ear and everything in between - this is your God-given privileged vocation right now. I love this quote:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Truly, Mums, you are NOT failing if being at home with your children is your lot instead of being able to take them all to church. You are NOT failing if you're not able to be at midweek meetings because your children's routine bedtime comes before the meeting begins, far less, ends! Honestly, your 'job' is one of inestimable privilege.'</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And so, having said all that, I want to now tell you last Sunday panned out in reality. Read on...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">At 2am, Calum had to get up with Niseach to let her out. She was desperate for the toilet, and let's just say her poo was not, erm, 'normal'. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">At 7 am, I woke with Niseach crying, again needing out. Things were bad. I shall leave it at that. I can assure you, you don't want the details.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I showered her rear end.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">She then needed out again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I had to shower her again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I was concerned that she was going to be left on her own for an hour-and-a-half if we left her to go to church, but I was convinced that 'she'll be fine, Mum'.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">She wasn't. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I can't describe (and wouldn't, even if I could) the smell that met us when we returned from church. Calum escaped and took Niseach out, and I began cleaning. Cleaning, and lighting candles, and spraying. I was so desperate to sort the smell out that I took my duster and sprayed Pledge on all the living room furniture. Lemon Flash for all the floors.... And so it went on. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I eventually began making dinner, didn't get out in the evening because I couldn't risk leaving Niseach on her own again, and all this time .....</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ymEyjmUi8GrhoebwW7jLKEPrLA03VVLDr1QWOxaBm-BrYIzBkiIslhVMoqKz2H65qogn0rn9xNmhcibmSTmWvzwVG_Acyp1jzFnlakJMb7uOjZtCn-RvSEEjOcaVYnVZEhVLPAP453mq/s1600/50088460_338597453407143_6286191791729278976_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="903" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ymEyjmUi8GrhoebwW7jLKEPrLA03VVLDr1QWOxaBm-BrYIzBkiIslhVMoqKz2H65qogn0rn9xNmhcibmSTmWvzwVG_Acyp1jzFnlakJMb7uOjZtCn-RvSEEjOcaVYnVZEhVLPAP453mq/s320/50088460_338597453407143_6286191791729278976_n.jpg" width="180" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">....these lay almost untouched. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So you see - the best laid plans of mice and men ....an' all that. It happens to us all! </span><br />
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<br />Homeschool on the Crofthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03400742529025230433noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439971908848990993.post-74579920337324322932018-07-21T21:18:00.002+01:002018-07-21T21:30:14.336+01:00July's Trip to Lewis II<br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Before the photos, I want to have another wee look at Psalm 105. This is what I posted in <a href="https://homeschoolonthecroft.blogspot.com/2018/07/julys-trip-to-lewis.html">yesterday's pos</a>t:</span><br />
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<span class="text Ps-105-1" id="en-KJV-15608" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">1.O give thanks unto the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span>; call upon His name: make known His deeds among the people.</span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-105-2" id="en-KJV-15609" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">2 </span>Sing unto Him, sing psalms unto Him: talk ye of all His wondrous works.</span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-105-3" id="en-KJV-15610" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">3 </span>Glory ye in His holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span>.</span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-105-4" id="en-KJV-15611" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">4 </span>Seek the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span>, and His strength: seek His face evermore.</span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-105-5" id="en-KJV-15612" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">5 </span>Remember His marvellous works that He hath done; His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth;</span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-105-6" id="en-KJV-15613" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">6 </span>O ye seed of Abraham His servant, ye children of Jacob His chosen.</span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-105-7" id="en-KJV-15614" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">7 </span>He is the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> our God: His judgments are in all the earth.</span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-105-8" id="en-KJV-15615" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">8 </span>He hath remembered His covenant for ever, the word which He commanded to a thousand generations.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What I noticed was the number of times the psalmist mentions 'Him', 'His', and 'He'.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">You see it? It's all about HIM! And when we take our eyes off ourselves, and look firmly to <i>Him</i>, then we see with the proper perspective. Instead of seeing all of life through the lense of our trials - as we're prone to do, rather we see the whole of life through Him. And when we do that, our blessings are easy to find, and a joy to behold.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Our trip home to Lewis had another blessing other than the beaches, the weather, and time with Caleb. We also got to spend time with DR and his fiance, Diana. Soon, it'll be their own wedding, but last week, they were attending the wedding of friends, so I took the opportunity to grab some photos in Marina's garden between the marriage service and the reception.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Because her future mother-in-law was right there, Diana did the decent thing and told DR he was holding her <i>much </i>too close.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU3O1eNxP5XcMx-IWxOypf-FgfIMMu1Uui9QJDxotOYfYvPfyF6R11Kp-gic21DpmAGuZd8Yx3bWvCM2qE5Wx63-sxnSJlrZftfDA-nTt45OcG4KLeoycMSNSBmEkzkfqEVPzFbx26cNXd/s1600/DR+and+D+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU3O1eNxP5XcMx-IWxOypf-FgfIMMu1Uui9QJDxotOYfYvPfyF6R11Kp-gic21DpmAGuZd8Yx3bWvCM2qE5Wx63-sxnSJlrZftfDA-nTt45OcG4KLeoycMSNSBmEkzkfqEVPzFbx26cNXd/s640/DR+and+D+1.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Yeah, she looks like she really doesn't like that, DR. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Hmmhm...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh32FBDGtBu6AmoQV2Gw84ueYY10HWdXZyOvi-NaEDuEBqURjF0-PZambdKC7G4iWj1bnmp6bpmhJljPYCneOl0H9x4eiSMdTCiGcuxsioUzCLqf0aFFbX6iqnJ_W_uRGw4z7PR9jYdZ4Xq/s1600/DR+and+D+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh32FBDGtBu6AmoQV2Gw84ueYY10HWdXZyOvi-NaEDuEBqURjF0-PZambdKC7G4iWj1bnmp6bpmhJljPYCneOl0H9x4eiSMdTCiGcuxsioUzCLqf0aFFbX6iqnJ_W_uRGw4z7PR9jYdZ4Xq/s640/DR+and+D+2.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Decorum was restored ....</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzbkI8VWGqG4XhUwwRt3VJ9GQeB0RIaP6ObSRgCI432tHKXVuYJr4gQtqwSECVI0zuwWOLCpsSDjx4BsGnN6v3e7-49282rVg-7A7dxnKycqaqihPsTLmEdvVlHcfy5X8I3NmIikIw2JIA/s1600/DR+and+D+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzbkI8VWGqG4XhUwwRt3VJ9GQeB0RIaP6ObSRgCI432tHKXVuYJr4gQtqwSECVI0zuwWOLCpsSDjx4BsGnN6v3e7-49282rVg-7A7dxnKycqaqihPsTLmEdvVlHcfy5X8I3NmIikIw2JIA/s640/DR+and+D+3.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And I couldn't but think how lovely it is that DR chose someone just like his Mum to be his wife. You know, tall and slender and elegant. Yup, just like me.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivMmvZm_T_xiazrIWd_H7QW6yqEzxFHlBlV50XBuvRJp3i78hH7-D4ftv6QRAmtFq1y6KKk9A4r6TzdD1snWvuCxBNb59DMxE2kZuL7YXpaaA9s-3Mm-IaGw1XjLQLP89UimDpCiBSTXR2/s1600/DR+and+D+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivMmvZm_T_xiazrIWd_H7QW6yqEzxFHlBlV50XBuvRJp3i78hH7-D4ftv6QRAmtFq1y6KKk9A4r6TzdD1snWvuCxBNb59DMxE2kZuL7YXpaaA9s-3Mm-IaGw1XjLQLP89UimDpCiBSTXR2/s400/DR+and+D+5.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Just what you all were thinking too, right?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Yes, thought so.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhoBjpki_5veDjthVm_7EM3fNSpx34Y7du92BQW-_GNg7c78_Y5qgyDlxuL1eBU8F_dZK44Q8tu1BEjhff4bYyZ_Hk1L_lrYGh1vReo9_ZKTuzo3rkpKtb1LD_IpAiAm4IyE5sxLkeDDRw/s1600/DR+and+D+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhoBjpki_5veDjthVm_7EM3fNSpx34Y7du92BQW-_GNg7c78_Y5qgyDlxuL1eBU8F_dZK44Q8tu1BEjhff4bYyZ_Hk1L_lrYGh1vReo9_ZKTuzo3rkpKtb1LD_IpAiAm4IyE5sxLkeDDRw/s640/DR+and+D+7.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It wasn't long before their attention was taken elsewhere. What on earth could be more worthy of their attention than me??</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNiykKR55offUN8vbHk7K-Z9Wtz11Bv54Rj8spFQhsDMHzxjTthTa-1la8pal6i-UFJvThhNn0euS3znT_v4eQi6esowU0fxupI246RQ-4OkHSOT-kFi38_1EsHerRFA_oNi90cPAVJ6t1/s1600/DR+and+Diana+%2528Caleb+in+window%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNiykKR55offUN8vbHk7K-Z9Wtz11Bv54Rj8spFQhsDMHzxjTthTa-1la8pal6i-UFJvThhNn0euS3znT_v4eQi6esowU0fxupI246RQ-4OkHSOT-kFi38_1EsHerRFA_oNi90cPAVJ6t1/s640/DR+and+Diana+%2528Caleb+in+window%2529.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Ah, it's the wee fella. I can easily live with coming second to <i>him</i>...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It really is such a joy to me to see DR at this stage of life. The first stage of his studying is complete, and the second part is beginning; he has employment, as well as his 'other job' with the Fire Service; he has a home; and he has Christ above everything. These are wonderful blessings and enough for a lifetime of praise and thanksgiving, but it truly makes this Mum's heart glad to see him engaged and soon to be married to a girl who so clearly loves him, and is adored in return. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Marriage is such a wonderful gift, and the most beautiful picture of Christ and His church. We will see so much more fully its meaning in Eternity, but even what we do see here - through a glass darkly, admittedly - makes our heart soar in thanksgiving to God for such a blessing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And so, in the sentiments of the Psalm (above), I will give thanks to the Lord, I will speak of His wonderful deeds; I will remember His marvellous works, and my heart will rejoice in seeking Him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">He is worth talking about! In fact, I'm going to copy out the Psalm again, and highlight these divine pronouns, just to draw our attention, once again, to Him!</span><br />
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<div class="chapter-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: #24190d; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span class="text Ps-105-1" id="en-KJV-15608" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">1.O give thanks unto the </span><span class="small-caps" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">; call upon </span><i><span style="background-color: #ffd966; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">His </span></i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">name: make known </span><i style="background-color: #ffd966; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">His </i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">deeds among the people.</span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: #24190d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span class="text Ps-105-2" id="en-KJV-15609" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">2 </span><span style="background-color: white;">Sing unto </span><i style="background-color: #ffd966;">Him</i><span style="background-color: white;">, sing psalms unto </span><i style="background-color: #ffd966;">Him</i><span style="background-color: white;">: talk ye of all </span><i style="background-color: #ffd966;">His </i><span style="background-color: white;">wondrous works.</span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: #24190d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span class="text Ps-105-3" id="en-KJV-15610" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">3 </span><span style="background-color: white;">Glory ye in </span><i style="background-color: #ffd966;">His </i><span style="background-color: white;">holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the </span><span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white;">.</span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: #24190d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span class="text Ps-105-4" id="en-KJV-15611" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">4 </span><span style="background-color: white;">Seek the </span><span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white;">, and </span><i style="background-color: #ffd966;">His </i><span style="background-color: white;">strength: seek </span><i style="background-color: #ffd966;">His </i><span style="background-color: white;">face evermore.</span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: #24190d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span class="text Ps-105-5" id="en-KJV-15612" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">5 </span><span style="background-color: white;">Remember </span><i style="background-color: #ffd966;">His </i><span style="background-color: white;">marvellous works that </span><i style="background-color: #ffd966;">He </i><span style="background-color: white;">hath done; </span><i style="background-color: #ffd966;">His </i><span style="background-color: white;">wonders, and the judgments of </span><i style="background-color: #ffd966;">His </i><span style="background-color: white;">mouth;</span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: #24190d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span class="text Ps-105-6" id="en-KJV-15613" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">6 </span><span style="background-color: white;">O ye seed of Abraham </span><i style="background-color: #ffd966;">His </i><span style="background-color: white;">servant, ye children of Jacob </span><i style="background-color: #ffd966;">His </i><span style="background-color: white;">chosen.</span></span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-105-7" id="en-KJV-15614" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">7 </span><i style="background-color: #ffd966;">He </i><span style="background-color: white;">is the </span><span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white;"> our God: </span><i style="background-color: #ffd966;">His </i><span style="background-color: white;">judgments are in all the earth.</span></span></div>
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<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: #24190d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span class="text Ps-105-8" id="en-KJV-15615" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">8 </span><i style="background-color: #ffd966;">He </i><span style="background-color: white;">hath remembered </span><i style="background-color: #ffd966;">His </i><span style="background-color: white;">covenant for ever, the word which </span><i style="background-color: #ffd966;">He </i><span style="background-color: white;">commanded to a thousand generations.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Homeschool on the Crofthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03400742529025230433noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439971908848990993.post-57289500385872604622018-07-19T14:48:00.000+01:002018-07-19T14:48:57.702+01:00July's Trip to Lewis<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">You know, sometimes when we go through a time of trial, our trial becomes so all-consuming that all our blessings are seen through the light - or darkness, rather - of that trial. And so, instead of counting our many blessings, which are greater than we can articulate and more numerous than we can count, we mope and weigh down our heart with our woes and our afflictions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I was reading Psalm 105 yesterday, and these words sprung off the page and into (I hope) my heart:</span><br />
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<span class="text Ps-105-1" id="en-KJV-15608" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">1.O give thanks unto the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span>; call upon His name: make known His deeds among the people.</span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-105-2" id="en-KJV-15609" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">2 </span>Sing unto Him, sing psalms unto Him: talk ye of all His wondrous works.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span class="text Ps-105-3" id="en-KJV-15610" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">3 </span>Glory ye in His holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span>.</span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-105-4" id="en-KJV-15611" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">4 </span>Seek the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span>, and His strength: seek His face evermore.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span class="text Ps-105-5" id="en-KJV-15612" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">5 </span>Remember His marvellous works that He hath done; His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth;</span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-105-6" id="en-KJV-15613" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">6 </span>O ye seed of Abraham His servant, ye children of Jacob His chosen.</span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-105-7" id="en-KJV-15614" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">7 </span>He is the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> our God: His judgments are in all the earth.</span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-105-8" id="en-KJV-15615" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">8 </span>He hath remembered His covenant for ever, the word which He commanded to a thousand generations.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">With this in mind, I am going to write a couple of blog posts about our recent trip home. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Home is the Isle of Lewis. <i>Obviously</i>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The posts will be weighed in favour of photos rather than of words, and when you see the photos, you'll understand why:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLFjL5nmResykkK7s6Tk6HB2J2kNbYsgLbRxb2ZWgIJYrz6RnbOG4ocWlDSlqPc3fa9WQlPNQvwfHbgd88QBzdHuipo8HXYzw9i-5mVRzelj9Qsl67NWovwLRzme3slVIfqTX3UZ7IdWWk/s1600/CP+and+CFJ+Loch+Seaforth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLFjL5nmResykkK7s6Tk6HB2J2kNbYsgLbRxb2ZWgIJYrz6RnbOG4ocWlDSlqPc3fa9WQlPNQvwfHbgd88QBzdHuipo8HXYzw9i-5mVRzelj9Qsl67NWovwLRzme3slVIfqTX3UZ7IdWWk/s640/CP+and+CFJ+Loch+Seaforth.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Catherine, Caleb, and I took a trip to Harris along with my sister, Marina, and my niece, Iona.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ulOwzN3VVRx6Lr607qaOKFvFWB3SYz4d_350afBF-Tg2aYiYaSUoGgZW1FpWPfxsGCYUOTJsFWlbdvJld-jcpJfOgsJ8LcBa7FhTgZ9_rdnpjwT_PG7nAT0T6DrTeRbZ_DDTv-rbsLUb/s1600/CP+and+C+Loch+Seaforth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ulOwzN3VVRx6Lr607qaOKFvFWB3SYz4d_350afBF-Tg2aYiYaSUoGgZW1FpWPfxsGCYUOTJsFWlbdvJld-jcpJfOgsJ8LcBa7FhTgZ9_rdnpjwT_PG7nAT0T6DrTeRbZ_DDTv-rbsLUb/s640/CP+and+C+Loch+Seaforth.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">To say we were almost bowled over by the beauty of God's creation around us is an understatement. Here, Catherine and Caleb and looking out on Loch Seaforth, enjoying the peace and tranquility it affords.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikZDJjWmqFEkP_EbAJ1V4yRzxAetkk_PYMUliPum88d5d7nGV1ZJtr6HNi5Z2R22iqvG9sFaRu56xRSi9-OBLvxXNzvnlkTYm5SptVZUPJZiypRuX11Rj5o5ibFOa493EWE0oq6UOmYNRD/s1600/Marina+photobombing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikZDJjWmqFEkP_EbAJ1V4yRzxAetkk_PYMUliPum88d5d7nGV1ZJtr6HNi5Z2R22iqvG9sFaRu56xRSi9-OBLvxXNzvnlkTYm5SptVZUPJZiypRuX11Rj5o5ibFOa493EWE0oq6UOmYNRD/s640/Marina+photobombing.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Erm, hang on. Did I say peace and tranquility? And did you actually <i>believe </i>me, considering I'd already told you my sister was with us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Really, shame on your naivety.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I call it 'youngest child syndrome', and many of you not-youngest-siblings will agree that the condition is widespread and is utterly non-treatable.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHRMenFoFAe-43R2QHD71nxVu6K5js86S0finnr8PfeWjHWkMvAJ6J9T7QJptvAl5q6yY-NMtIPMLXzHmRGTlWLZmIx083tsMYClBjAt7Mx1Xt7RHg7Nhp5qmwG_YlcS9rKDvvG1qGit2/s1600/With+Cath+and+C+Loch+Seaforth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHRMenFoFAe-43R2QHD71nxVu6K5js86S0finnr8PfeWjHWkMvAJ6J9T7QJptvAl5q6yY-NMtIPMLXzHmRGTlWLZmIx083tsMYClBjAt7Mx1Xt7RHg7Nhp5qmwG_YlcS9rKDvvG1qGit2/s640/With+Cath+and+C+Loch+Seaforth.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This wee fella. What can I say? Other than that I love him so very, very much.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Eqz9h7pbHrZN7VU0dPWbAVNh_rsGFHGJLpTYvoavuQarIIkTmQPmQIoywvDQk9sERkZ3vo7jgLBaPlaK5KQ4fleMQC1kni77OV5lyxMtO8SSSFCXWkBv85tci4D7ZWtEBwR-qhDv1wf5/s1600/Luskentyre+scene.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Eqz9h7pbHrZN7VU0dPWbAVNh_rsGFHGJLpTYvoavuQarIIkTmQPmQIoywvDQk9sERkZ3vo7jgLBaPlaK5KQ4fleMQC1kni77OV5lyxMtO8SSSFCXWkBv85tci4D7ZWtEBwR-qhDv1wf5/s640/Luskentyre+scene.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Honestly, almost around every corner, we ooh-ed and ahh-ed at the beauty before us. The weather was gorgeous - about 25C (77F), with a gentle breeze to keep away midges and, as you see, stunningly blue skies. In other words: perfection.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH9DnLVfqMWX5Ydu910O9KT2AsAJxpRC3FYkG3XaAligCq-lj3MsPWTDXap9yy99mLhndWtl0u92KITF5fCL1OL44DCC04_dP56vfZ5oRIjbHFINlIBcxIYjq7Apqy4GlOC9NhFIfvL0mQ/s1600/Luskentyre+scene+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH9DnLVfqMWX5Ydu910O9KT2AsAJxpRC3FYkG3XaAligCq-lj3MsPWTDXap9yy99mLhndWtl0u92KITF5fCL1OL44DCC04_dP56vfZ5oRIjbHFINlIBcxIYjq7Apqy4GlOC9NhFIfvL0mQ/s640/Luskentyre+scene+2.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">There is no doubt that our wonderful Creator, who showered such delights on us, is a God of design and beauty and kindness. What therapy for mind and soul these views are!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5D0XA-mkAosgGG_z8ailRqhEB-GcVoohutvnblrJ2StltNU_KLi9n5qzWWt6WdsiWtPD-jLW3Oqck_eqRQe0yt-5uu8G7xIt7Bhf2PL9uGhy3XVtURBOp_BQq5oRgGRFYA1cjU4vxeNy6/s1600/Horg+from+machair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5D0XA-mkAosgGG_z8ailRqhEB-GcVoohutvnblrJ2StltNU_KLi9n5qzWWt6WdsiWtPD-jLW3Oqck_eqRQe0yt-5uu8G7xIt7Bhf2PL9uGhy3XVtURBOp_BQq5oRgGRFYA1cjU4vxeNy6/s640/Horg+from+machair.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We stopped off at Horgabost, had our picnic lunch on the machair, and then enjoyed a couple of hours on the sands.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As you see, even on the most perfect of days, our island beaches have plenty space for all visitors. Crowded beaches are not something we know anything of in Lewis or Harris!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDtvSC7Bc9vhhQLbRXX_9JdlECX3RiY0MC7ujJITwGn8i67zopC06uh8KuyIxLeE7T3cZkG-wNk-HR6l8pfIHr1vaE8Jp_sODamCppK4tF3V5Lg3pfo1h_PHaiBgC-qvmdVk_SeshoBszh/s1600/Caleb+flying+Horg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDtvSC7Bc9vhhQLbRXX_9JdlECX3RiY0MC7ujJITwGn8i67zopC06uh8KuyIxLeE7T3cZkG-wNk-HR6l8pfIHr1vaE8Jp_sODamCppK4tF3V5Lg3pfo1h_PHaiBgC-qvmdVk_SeshoBszh/s640/Caleb+flying+Horg.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Caleb was flying high, enjoying the attention, undoubtedly, more than the scenery. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkjFEf5Z1i7P-cfb0HPfVyL8R4occZgnggVgyhXUpEQR-s0MkRI-pxdoNWxs6sXNAq44kfOd3zHqKEly43pqIHYIYsuhojsJcHVsto1vOHHA2fE_LJKP9OAJ0i5Hol0Rwj03c9KQ3iNEos/s1600/Caleb+laughing+2+Horg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkjFEf5Z1i7P-cfb0HPfVyL8R4occZgnggVgyhXUpEQR-s0MkRI-pxdoNWxs6sXNAq44kfOd3zHqKEly43pqIHYIYsuhojsJcHVsto1vOHHA2fE_LJKP9OAJ0i5Hol0Rwj03c9KQ3iNEos/s640/Caleb+laughing+2+Horg.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And surrounded by all of us, attention was most certainly not in short supply.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN-1Tv_JFhcESXHWfSQtmQyfWOo94PpL4sWVFhyphenhyphen1acK8ax3f-RvAdJB7FLbAvCU-pNuJEIWj8dV_fC1yFiHyOiMODcLn6xJxiUirfneDHL4iTmnZQrEBs454-1UvycTKMBk7GcRcCid_xJ/s1600/Playing+Horg+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN-1Tv_JFhcESXHWfSQtmQyfWOo94PpL4sWVFhyphenhyphen1acK8ax3f-RvAdJB7FLbAvCU-pNuJEIWj8dV_fC1yFiHyOiMODcLn6xJxiUirfneDHL4iTmnZQrEBs454-1UvycTKMBk7GcRcCid_xJ/s640/Playing+Horg+2.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7wAGu6Q6ef-Ucwp5g6LF17o2ePx-6wPKnOOuR5onNyAEe5edfWWCPfL-5v8x_axixF70bC1opAKvxbKgE9tmCSYE3pgCbEnAH7ZFQ6Tp4PXBvNIxpt_X3xYv0Pa5mnRaOqNallGRijHr/s1600/Cath%252C+Iona%252C+C+Horg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7wAGu6Q6ef-Ucwp5g6LF17o2ePx-6wPKnOOuR5onNyAEe5edfWWCPfL-5v8x_axixF70bC1opAKvxbKgE9tmCSYE3pgCbEnAH7ZFQ6Tp4PXBvNIxpt_X3xYv0Pa5mnRaOqNallGRijHr/s640/Cath%252C+Iona%252C+C+Horg.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">How could it be, when he is such an adorable bundle of utter joy?!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD20Gmy6L65q1nx2iUBj3QOM7RvjoYp1aB9PamP91lH99RC4NbmeQUSdjSfJbnM3WCDpeBcNiwsDP8M92XErOwIn2vqo1kK9CvUPhHOtg3xT8rncScHqGDDPJWBOTS91AZldN39KkxBIle/s1600/Me+and+C+laughing+Horg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD20Gmy6L65q1nx2iUBj3QOM7RvjoYp1aB9PamP91lH99RC4NbmeQUSdjSfJbnM3WCDpeBcNiwsDP8M92XErOwIn2vqo1kK9CvUPhHOtg3xT8rncScHqGDDPJWBOTS91AZldN39KkxBIle/s400/Me+and+C+laughing+Horg.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Did I mention joy? Yes, I have so many blessings to bring joy to my heart, and of temporal blessings, this wee guy is most certainly a big part of that.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisGhLt0TbGVAGWSGkvmoVeUdz_tuSzaO8ZQNcpPOajuQhAEg94cfhI3AzDgC4kcbL5TC6npQnjC2q-wiG7UwgIl6CdYV6G5OjZW3ga0-uOUH8FR447NxeafRWL-b6UFJwTQRchkF1tGNB7/s1600/Me+and+C+Horg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisGhLt0TbGVAGWSGkvmoVeUdz_tuSzaO8ZQNcpPOajuQhAEg94cfhI3AzDgC4kcbL5TC6npQnjC2q-wiG7UwgIl6CdYV6G5OjZW3ga0-uOUH8FR447NxeafRWL-b6UFJwTQRchkF1tGNB7/s400/Me+and+C+Horg.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>"And no matter what kind of face you put on, young man, Granny is still going to smother you in love and hugs and kisses."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Aye, probably even when you're a teenager. Now, wont <i>that </i>be fun!</span><br />
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<br />Homeschool on the Crofthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03400742529025230433noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439971908848990993.post-55289842335007726902018-03-02T22:17:00.003+00:002018-03-02T22:17:46.430+00:00An Extended Season, Giving Extended Beauty<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Winter in Aberdeenshire is simply stunning.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8VWxKV4wY6Pik413L_c-eol-XAcQbTw3UbhDpW_gjCm8q-5DpXO104NPZhemyqugSCsvhO8BT6qYB3XAq0bsdigt7lHHex2EJT7kS07hESjk9r95J7NCvSxH-Nxxxy7lSW-s0lP94sC1w/s1600/14th+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8VWxKV4wY6Pik413L_c-eol-XAcQbTw3UbhDpW_gjCm8q-5DpXO104NPZhemyqugSCsvhO8BT6qYB3XAq0bsdigt7lHHex2EJT7kS07hESjk9r95J7NCvSxH-Nxxxy7lSW-s0lP94sC1w/s640/14th+1.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">These photos were taken in December of last year.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWjLuOsopKeOmEja9z37f9aZx8041xu0IBalfFCRvF4dl7ZDzsdNbFMmo6iFbGGs_FdJm4Ut9_bBv3oz0ElRcBzB_Q_mqq7KhYPHjMmSlTGsi3wRHXkC79Ky1MMhlmCKiWRe5d4a_tDwQm/s1600/14th+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWjLuOsopKeOmEja9z37f9aZx8041xu0IBalfFCRvF4dl7ZDzsdNbFMmo6iFbGGs_FdJm4Ut9_bBv3oz0ElRcBzB_Q_mqq7KhYPHjMmSlTGsi3wRHXkC79Ky1MMhlmCKiWRe5d4a_tDwQm/s640/14th+5.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The Mither Tap, as seen from Pittodrie Estate, is stunning at any time of the year, but the low winter sun adds to the already beautiful scene.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This was taken at lunchtime on December 14th, so you can see that the sun doesn't rise too highly in our sky during the winter months.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Niseach loves the snow. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qYgysHyelT0khSUSCJ_AtgrApLMrBFp7ZwqhGoBfj0c0NvuWR76WmZ6yT3-YcigQa7ngsU-4Qy0YfB2QWmCOHRfJWZedHx51zxclNWyMYz7HrZHL8TcYa6-xRiguWJl32G2M-CAUPSRo/s1600/Blog+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qYgysHyelT0khSUSCJ_AtgrApLMrBFp7ZwqhGoBfj0c0NvuWR76WmZ6yT3-YcigQa7ngsU-4Qy0YfB2QWmCOHRfJWZedHx51zxclNWyMYz7HrZHL8TcYa6-xRiguWJl32G2M-CAUPSRo/s640/Blog+5.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">But when you throw a snowball and she excitedly runs for this ball, only for it to disappear, she appears somewhat perplexed at its disappearance.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsVJB-S5lYNY5X5H0QP4n382lmuKb8rXfRDvYLkfrzU1_XQn4J6sWIB3T-1tl6P9PhgiNM4nM1YzNFPqoo_Kad41spPBCBDY2g_pu7jXjzetytfio0mXAKS2wtQ7Ub1BwTC4-1_rAIRMK4/s1600/Blog+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsVJB-S5lYNY5X5H0QP4n382lmuKb8rXfRDvYLkfrzU1_XQn4J6sWIB3T-1tl6P9PhgiNM4nM1YzNFPqoo_Kad41spPBCBDY2g_pu7jXjzetytfio0mXAKS2wtQ7Ub1BwTC4-1_rAIRMK4/s640/Blog+7.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This week, just as many were expecting Spring to, well, spring, our winter was extended. This past week has seen the weather pattern named The Beast from the East arrive in the UK. England ground to a halt - little pets - while here in the North, we simply savoured the beauty once again.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7SzCm-XeaYHbww7WyBf1oAnhL4BYbz97tD42R2GCrCmhvrnSNREfj22nbq1AFUFo_iYbmPT9PrEZlXRPUqGJK3boMlJ2NIr8E7N3a2R1QfjHzkB4wJ0kcS7gd_kHqhZQWLaVLo4G0tRZo/s1600/Blog+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7SzCm-XeaYHbww7WyBf1oAnhL4BYbz97tD42R2GCrCmhvrnSNREfj22nbq1AFUFo_iYbmPT9PrEZlXRPUqGJK3boMlJ2NIr8E7N3a2R1QfjHzkB4wJ0kcS7gd_kHqhZQWLaVLo4G0tRZo/s640/Blog+1.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I took these photos yesterday from our front door. No, I wasn't venturing any further right then, though I thoroughly enjoyed a walk later in the day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It was so peaceful and serene after the snow shower .....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgid13A2uQ-HIt0Ayt33YxYsY2J1hQ0P11B0Ykk7ZPoTP5T4iSQgPL3P7KodgiwZsYEkpxW86iEKCSWi4h5R36W49gqFwD4JzH_QFLWIWn97BBKlmUy2aA9efmw_C5lI9MjJo_q9JcybfnB/s1600/Blog+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgid13A2uQ-HIt0Ayt33YxYsY2J1hQ0P11B0Ykk7ZPoTP5T4iSQgPL3P7KodgiwZsYEkpxW86iEKCSWi4h5R36W49gqFwD4JzH_QFLWIWn97BBKlmUy2aA9efmw_C5lI9MjJo_q9JcybfnB/s640/Blog+2.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">...until Niseach arrived on the scene.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">'Peaceful and serene' are not words that readily come to mind where Niseach is concerned.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Robins are always a delight, and we scattered seed here in our window basket to encourage this lovely fella to come visit often. He did, and we loved to see him every time.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmeYBd50jv401YoPE7KvqZdFnvwJrUlxV9PbVX5rWRaS68u9pq25CDAbf2SdzQqu5rWBJ7Gmro-gAFiOZUgRiGZxHwdjSYXvzxT5_RLduyPgB6Hobq3oiboiPKr9FzoXSdpns9XnYXUBOk/s1600/robin+through+window.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1059" data-original-width="1600" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmeYBd50jv401YoPE7KvqZdFnvwJrUlxV9PbVX5rWRaS68u9pq25CDAbf2SdzQqu5rWBJ7Gmro-gAFiOZUgRiGZxHwdjSYXvzxT5_RLduyPgB6Hobq3oiboiPKr9FzoXSdpns9XnYXUBOk/s640/robin+through+window.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(btw, the 'artwork' on the window panes is not grime or dirt, nor is it due to a lack of cleaning. This window sill is Niseach's favourite afternoon seat, and so the artwork is solely her doing. I knew y'all wanted to know that.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The following two photos were taken today, March 2nd.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf912XiMQDXJg4hVmftnykrC_ZPi2HZCZ8xOkYo_BCgSlzjDqt8C1DV2RahxNm4TMr7-ktbpsyzYz-rhPmH6Qw3EoNrBEjn11w8EvwLgh3uGyOGk8VtUzKXAIfy8PdslxXTVrr1Zk9mFGf/s1600/Blog11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf912XiMQDXJg4hVmftnykrC_ZPi2HZCZ8xOkYo_BCgSlzjDqt8C1DV2RahxNm4TMr7-ktbpsyzYz-rhPmH6Qw3EoNrBEjn11w8EvwLgh3uGyOGk8VtUzKXAIfy8PdslxXTVrr1Zk9mFGf/s640/Blog11.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I guess the extended winter reminds us that there are times in our lives when we expect certain seasons of our lives to pass, but God has different plans.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Maybe we expected to be out of Winter and into Spring already, but God has extended our Winter season for another while.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ4yOJg1z7mmPAJeY6owONcM1BirgCBNXzyteSopKGJXkpsQwWQ3QhMgtuoytOiVFWPIir7j69OS96FirJAFbECWLxX3sKHFWZeQRe7KduOKRvY2qJlNy-oLkO1c_WIVgjSLXdBRSgO1Bt/s1600/Blog12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ4yOJg1z7mmPAJeY6owONcM1BirgCBNXzyteSopKGJXkpsQwWQ3QhMgtuoytOiVFWPIir7j69OS96FirJAFbECWLxX3sKHFWZeQRe7KduOKRvY2qJlNy-oLkO1c_WIVgjSLXdBRSgO1Bt/s640/Blog12.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">He <i>will </i>move us into another season in His time. His timing is always perfect. And there is always beauty to be found just where He has placed us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">At times like these, all we can do is </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">'wait on the Lord, be of good courage (Psalm 27:14), </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">'be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10), and</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">'rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him' (Psalm 37:7)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8ta8FhCry5C4VDe33zZhV3m7ScGjq0G-wmTU89RplZFXjYbdpy5XTV2fOKc4XhyphenhyphennT4MT4OOU0dv3E_ItniUcnQYhyphenhyphenOFPrD9M4FpMiahyphenhyphensfrTqg4JaDCOhZBf9d9Pq0N_1VjczgkBI904/s1600/sheep+and+snow+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8ta8FhCry5C4VDe33zZhV3m7ScGjq0G-wmTU89RplZFXjYbdpy5XTV2fOKc4XhyphenhyphennT4MT4OOU0dv3E_ItniUcnQYhyphenhyphenOFPrD9M4FpMiahyphenhyphensfrTqg4JaDCOhZBf9d9Pq0N_1VjczgkBI904/s640/sheep+and+snow+1.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The next season <i>will </i>come. Meanwhile, it is our delight to love Him, trust Him, rejoice in Him, and rest .... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">"Come unto Me all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">One day, all our earthly seasons will have passed, and if we are in Christ, we will be called Home to our eternal rest. There will be no spiritual winters in our eternal Home!</span></div>
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Homeschool on the Crofthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03400742529025230433noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439971908848990993.post-5106762108065718652018-01-02T00:22:00.001+00:002018-01-02T00:22:04.017+00:00Review of 2017, and a Happy New Year to Y'all<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Well, 2017 was quite the year. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Just four days into the new year, Mum was diagnosed with cancer, and for most of the year, this has been our constant theme.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">In January, we all got together for Mum's birthday. It was only two weeks after Mum's terminal cancer diagnosis had been confirmed, and so was definitely a day of strong emotions.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hBGvuNnf4-nKooJL-nPYLqDAaSa1pFL1RqnIhTiy97tfrZFXiq7GoK0zwKpnRe0r4ApJjIazJThF4ixiGfNhH0AhV4svQU5SVh-sMoLsrvFEogr5ufa2aEAMgqXsCEB9sNSCiYEoJ6T6/s1600/January.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hBGvuNnf4-nKooJL-nPYLqDAaSa1pFL1RqnIhTiy97tfrZFXiq7GoK0zwKpnRe0r4ApJjIazJThF4ixiGfNhH0AhV4svQU5SVh-sMoLsrvFEogr5ufa2aEAMgqXsCEB9sNSCiYEoJ6T6/s640/January.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">How do you celebrate a birthday when you know it's going to be the person's last birthday? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Well, you count your blessings. The greatest blessing of all was that we all knew that though Mum's life here on earth was coming to an end, she was going Home, where she is now experiencing life as we can only begin to imagine.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">In February, Calum Stewart took Niseach to the top of the Mither Tap (seen in the background of this photo). When they came home, she told me that in her five months of life, it was the best fun she'd ever had.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTXcD_ebjZlRY6fwRrJLE7Oe1GRffktMw8ZskqCLs0o1Utyp2pMAoUsBBBzh7oXy4b1DX4rSr6DVtV9lY6sZLsK1TexJHxhUKl-yqA3Fh4W-YjFvpkezlzoRkbdQ-OzvpT4auk4Wvvu11h/s1600/February.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTXcD_ebjZlRY6fwRrJLE7Oe1GRffktMw8ZskqCLs0o1Utyp2pMAoUsBBBzh7oXy4b1DX4rSr6DVtV9lY6sZLsK1TexJHxhUKl-yqA3Fh4W-YjFvpkezlzoRkbdQ-OzvpT4auk4Wvvu11h/s640/February.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">In March, we took a gorgeous trip along the North-east coast, and I discovered that the East is almost as bonny as the West.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyxLHywsvOAP_SDIFGTcTIjd2E5Zfu09Wwj64KTXYjKSNCRo6zsNYTCmYVee4gogK5bZFY00Fi2C0QZ1xtkdFDoJyehlu3ygct5RUks_8uyr9fWispZTriYih-m-1HWsOFiKPIBxQXK5-q/s1600/DSC_1002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyxLHywsvOAP_SDIFGTcTIjd2E5Zfu09Wwj64KTXYjKSNCRo6zsNYTCmYVee4gogK5bZFY00Fi2C0QZ1xtkdFDoJyehlu3ygct5RUks_8uyr9fWispZTriYih-m-1HWsOFiKPIBxQXK5-q/s640/DSC_1002.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Beaches...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUD3td940sf7adfrTDFN1Pst_1-1JVo5JBLLZqzZZhq1WaenUMGLEN-MMvaKdvus6kwng93u325krmiKpMtR3pJoOtMz4YxR1Nc3Bwn7bt4RYnbjCziYJ0RrU3GMFc8Qa7LPI_FLvpv0bL/s1600/DSC_1019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUD3td940sf7adfrTDFN1Pst_1-1JVo5JBLLZqzZZhq1WaenUMGLEN-MMvaKdvus6kwng93u325krmiKpMtR3pJoOtMz4YxR1Nc3Bwn7bt4RYnbjCziYJ0RrU3GMFc8Qa7LPI_FLvpv0bL/s640/DSC_1019.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">lighthouses ...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTiNzCXWkAX_6c0EOyt22WgeZLndt6_FTWCW8nsutLAxWqXvUrbh8xVPuC2nYeAX9krpksIG91en6FlDozezvckCkcpUVBpuVBw7QwurXtl9NML6iOYGRsCee0qtRsysOBATDvsbvNblaO/s1600/DSC_0985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTiNzCXWkAX_6c0EOyt22WgeZLndt6_FTWCW8nsutLAxWqXvUrbh8xVPuC2nYeAX9krpksIG91en6FlDozezvckCkcpUVBpuVBw7QwurXtl9NML6iOYGRsCee0qtRsysOBATDvsbvNblaO/s640/DSC_0985.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">amazing ruins, </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2AdT90RCXx5Zr_McYu1JxaH0clXqMCQaA-rHg6hwKbzMD969wn4A9mnXSkusEF6Isl2cLg6JX482dpsTJIQHrszKA6qWNmfIWTwVnfPdXHT-mrM1NwWEwOigv4KIeVKl5zTUbDCktS8fB/s1600/DSC_1036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2AdT90RCXx5Zr_McYu1JxaH0clXqMCQaA-rHg6hwKbzMD969wn4A9mnXSkusEF6Isl2cLg6JX482dpsTJIQHrszKA6qWNmfIWTwVnfPdXHT-mrM1NwWEwOigv4KIeVKl5zTUbDCktS8fB/s640/DSC_1036.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">and gorgeous sunsets.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Most of the first half of the year was taken up with trips to and from Lewis, and coming off the ferry one evening, I noticed this sign.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMyofvyHcw7qngGDAuhjvK6cAlmmBRAWQmahRItLyMi63fGS6RB348p6VeJXpvzL30xg3vbdTopa4Bk4o3mKJcm1h-7gIUeD8Z72ibPNDGdyZcsMXI5nErjrPMBli6YA-m0GCl61RVaQmc/s1600/MAy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="905" data-original-width="1600" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMyofvyHcw7qngGDAuhjvK6cAlmmBRAWQmahRItLyMi63fGS6RB348p6VeJXpvzL30xg3vbdTopa4Bk4o3mKJcm1h-7gIUeD8Z72ibPNDGdyZcsMXI5nErjrPMBli6YA-m0GCl61RVaQmc/s400/MAy.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Clearly, no one had told the sign maker about Ness, the <i>real </i>capital of the Hebrides.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">If I wasn't travelling home, I could often be found like this ...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRHbgDtjcyRJA1bn4i11f2437xcqP7pciyhTgFH2jf_6OtiN7UdZAk9T3z_uGMXB3b9lm-u7GLN1M5FLMICmXkyBBNRt3t1qB6Tx0XtBGLGiJy_YKrlDoXRSCwck3kYZHYG1ZsirTihUf/s1600/June+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="478" data-original-width="478" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRHbgDtjcyRJA1bn4i11f2437xcqP7pciyhTgFH2jf_6OtiN7UdZAk9T3z_uGMXB3b9lm-u7GLN1M5FLMICmXkyBBNRt3t1qB6Tx0XtBGLGiJy_YKrlDoXRSCwck3kYZHYG1ZsirTihUf/s400/June+2.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I do believe I spent a good deal of time admiring this little bundle, a bundle which has made such a difference to my life since she became part of our family.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">In May, Catherine was able to come to visit us in Lewis, and on one of our days together, we took a wee trip to Harris. Niseach absolutely loved it, and smiled the whole day.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiKouajtY9ydx4SjUd5B2vXtg-BpAwD1MTa4DK5giQdQ64sThRhw9URrYHRbh_J5zeWxAZi3G3_iESWdJIsigwyl7j5TZFOSKwsW2ThZDG9AGyvE1S3j7en2Vnrmw1uHFF5AGqZeMxxBb3/s1600/June+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="755" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiKouajtY9ydx4SjUd5B2vXtg-BpAwD1MTa4DK5giQdQ64sThRhw9URrYHRbh_J5zeWxAZi3G3_iESWdJIsigwyl7j5TZFOSKwsW2ThZDG9AGyvE1S3j7en2Vnrmw1uHFF5AGqZeMxxBb3/s400/June+3.jpg" width="313" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The MV Loch Seaforth coming in to Ullapool. This was when I headed home again for the first time after Mum's passing. All was calm and beautiful on the outside. In my heart, things were somewhat different.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiML0z-f1ajyqUAV_8wHsZQZ0nS8M8RK2ZzD2qj7b4ow3fPh6DWB4FtcwG89LinIoIXFy0oy1eqfVnRnmzsxqgJTnUAOssRAEoddk4xMvW4yferr2JT5Ku4IQKMbrrMHpv4hDfeQdtBa3MF/s1600/July.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiML0z-f1ajyqUAV_8wHsZQZ0nS8M8RK2ZzD2qj7b4ow3fPh6DWB4FtcwG89LinIoIXFy0oy1eqfVnRnmzsxqgJTnUAOssRAEoddk4xMvW4yferr2JT5Ku4IQKMbrrMHpv4hDfeQdtBa3MF/s640/July.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I took this photo sometime during August. This was during my Quiet Time. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgseyJ5WhhCVtKQomjNlPfwSvaEzkG1JKclfqe2QuFtOQBoBf3hqc4Fs8AN3cI3XWCT4PHUzGfzgwBpb9st6ZIPgj5PuaUQO0HLsmd4tVaMTaUbEw30Hha0lD0t5O7h0G9MDZLOKGwsxjfv/s1600/August.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="882" data-original-width="1600" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgseyJ5WhhCVtKQomjNlPfwSvaEzkG1JKclfqe2QuFtOQBoBf3hqc4Fs8AN3cI3XWCT4PHUzGfzgwBpb9st6ZIPgj5PuaUQO0HLsmd4tVaMTaUbEw30Hha0lD0t5O7h0G9MDZLOKGwsxjfv/s400/August.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Yes, I have a rather needy baby.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Towards the end of August, almost as a smacking reminder that 'life goes on', I travelled to Northern Ireland in preparation for the birth of our first grandchild.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGnCyjaPJ6B6Y1b3F8qd0mWyJJhN8lLqAy48psnNQSCXdDWu-tnzEmdDGPOG35JYKuvDauAfQX0lP78y8B9axk72_PtN2co9FH7y0euOd75ZuR0KJgZ6zTj3yOP3f870TBJqenb0j1VVk9/s1600/August+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGnCyjaPJ6B6Y1b3F8qd0mWyJJhN8lLqAy48psnNQSCXdDWu-tnzEmdDGPOG35JYKuvDauAfQX0lP78y8B9axk72_PtN2co9FH7y0euOd75ZuR0KJgZ6zTj3yOP3f870TBJqenb0j1VVk9/s400/August+2.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Some of Catherine's church friends had organised a surprise baby shower, and safe to say, we laughed a lot that day. They're a crazy bunch over the Irish Sea!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Whilst we waited for baby to arrive, Catherine and I (okay,<i><b> I</b></i>) decided her garden needed some TLC. She and I went for a wander in a Garden Centre and filled a trolley. She made clear she thought <i><b>I </b></i>was off my trolley.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibSL7iGjAK3B3zO5_0BKOccTdVpmLdoMcvukexvbJm8Su7Up_Y5VRk_rtkGaFq_rwpODhemRdNOMETXmHxoRFXVgAfOfRlcYuMxTxGRoQ6YpVl8JrhALDs_5U_wiTDkz4Slat296cTxDVQ/s1600/August+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibSL7iGjAK3B3zO5_0BKOccTdVpmLdoMcvukexvbJm8Su7Up_Y5VRk_rtkGaFq_rwpODhemRdNOMETXmHxoRFXVgAfOfRlcYuMxTxGRoQ6YpVl8JrhALDs_5U_wiTDkz4Slat296cTxDVQ/s400/August+3.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And then, on the fourth of September, Caleb Finlay James was born to Catherine and John.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHNX0S1svJBhAUTXLmN-3O8mirqvZw9qB7ElEe7weYkZMpWW-UGStH0C5-K5BiExOXqV4-RuWOnVe2ZCpdRJbRdU1YXnwHxUI2DxlnbLzjVBk4LACxr8DyLWOwa-YwXJM_eC7zxmVw0nTx/s1600/September+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1229" data-original-width="1600" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHNX0S1svJBhAUTXLmN-3O8mirqvZw9qB7ElEe7weYkZMpWW-UGStH0C5-K5BiExOXqV4-RuWOnVe2ZCpdRJbRdU1YXnwHxUI2DxlnbLzjVBk4LACxr8DyLWOwa-YwXJM_eC7zxmVw0nTx/s400/September+a.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I already posted all about his arrival <a href="http://homeschoolonthecroft.blogspot.co.uk/2017/09/labour-day-uk-style.html">here</a>, but I can't resist posting a few photos from that amazing day,</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIkqRtWnyfKdO_zuCYgUouUi94VoAEH12ZBLD4ciXInINpPEHkXtXKU0hfYhPgoScgqnTcwhsqAe4iLlmEklZ0Xknih8mdIxx03GGI7waMevdpfdgslwWqae4FqoBl3CVPzI4ph2UU5g45/s1600/September.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIkqRtWnyfKdO_zuCYgUouUi94VoAEH12ZBLD4ciXInINpPEHkXtXKU0hfYhPgoScgqnTcwhsqAe4iLlmEklZ0Xknih8mdIxx03GGI7waMevdpfdgslwWqae4FqoBl3CVPzI4ph2UU5g45/s400/September.jpg" width="225" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">A couple of months on, and here he is ....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk0vrbCDsVKzERQDysnlEDq3DylH-9b-pztevXdq_Sl9gaHZ0AziuAKnU5YGlmTcO8xcWfWh3tPHw-L-SUn6ih4fE-Ab5ex8R2B2JYWZL-WJZykCv6WyLJO-hbwd8tgEIX8sPrW3X-PGMw/s1600/December.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk0vrbCDsVKzERQDysnlEDq3DylH-9b-pztevXdq_Sl9gaHZ0AziuAKnU5YGlmTcO8xcWfWh3tPHw-L-SUn6ih4fE-Ab5ex8R2B2JYWZL-WJZykCv6WyLJO-hbwd8tgEIX8sPrW3X-PGMw/s400/December.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The wonder of modern technology has never been so precious to us! Having daily photos and videos and regular Facetime fun times is such a blessing and joy to us all. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">* * *</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And, finally, on Boxing Day, the day after spending Christmas with a very noticeably 'empty chair', we had the delightful news of DR and Diana's engagement.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvdWIUIrazoboEIi2J-jfnCu8-oTQeGNXTd4AvWeqS2ZbSGNAE_uQ9e6vxgeOvEYolGOzLFzaDQfaNvd1LvSysuEKkKkAy0jKaQ0At-tDz9fvq_6fxZc-4rd3r8pXrBMkhzeo3wzzSQmXG/s1600/back+garden+cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="889" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvdWIUIrazoboEIi2J-jfnCu8-oTQeGNXTd4AvWeqS2ZbSGNAE_uQ9e6vxgeOvEYolGOzLFzaDQfaNvd1LvSysuEKkKkAy0jKaQ0At-tDz9fvq_6fxZc-4rd3r8pXrBMkhzeo3wzzSQmXG/s400/back+garden+cropped.jpg" width="221" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And so, 2017 has closed its doors. It was a year in which I had more times of trial than in any previous year of my life, and it was also a year in which we had unspeakable blessings. Through it all, God has taught, and continues to teach me, that HE is my Rock; that He is unmovable, unchangeable, and that HE must be my all in all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">In good times and in bad, He is the sovereign God, in control of every jot and tittle of our providence. I am learning to rest in this.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And now, as the first day of this new year draws to a close, I would wish every one of you a Happy New Year. Lest any of you be in doubt, the happiness I wish for you is, without doubt, the happiness that's to be found in Christ. Because after all, what will it profit any of us were we to gain the whole world and lose our soul.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">That would be the most unimaginable horror rather than happiness.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">Happy</b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the </span><span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places.</span></span></div>
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<br />Homeschool on the Crofthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03400742529025230433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439971908848990993.post-67366097865122749812017-10-31T00:47:00.000+00:002017-10-31T00:47:17.105+00:00Trauma<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Last Friday was utterly traumatic for me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I had to leave this little lady ...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5DMu1s7_6k_iNEfwzJCdRz-JbEoVruzmaVCtGHWaiIPzeGCLz77oIuZBps7rY-J6MWvNKy4KrKpqsVVgfoV-qXgZvaExPXWj0Nc0rnKrNyJ6hZrgiPQkW3oKQiOu3n0wltidA0NZVgeEL/s1600/Niseach+close.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5DMu1s7_6k_iNEfwzJCdRz-JbEoVruzmaVCtGHWaiIPzeGCLz77oIuZBps7rY-J6MWvNKy4KrKpqsVVgfoV-qXgZvaExPXWj0Nc0rnKrNyJ6hZrgiPQkW3oKQiOu3n0wltidA0NZVgeEL/s400/Niseach+close.jpg" width="225" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">and this scenery...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj6qUkYucUkX4Ic_HXFx6qYbZmOBkjK9tZumFJEpupk-CU1WUXq0l-JzWinTGtoHhjY76vcfPItt22rrrDBUgMKCvhnm5qVIi2fsiHbWOZB_xe1gBSLD67O3bMa01cKSR__dbYJlCcrElx/s1600/View+from+car.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj6qUkYucUkX4Ic_HXFx6qYbZmOBkjK9tZumFJEpupk-CU1WUXq0l-JzWinTGtoHhjY76vcfPItt22rrrDBUgMKCvhnm5qVIi2fsiHbWOZB_xe1gBSLD67O3bMa01cKSR__dbYJlCcrElx/s400/View+from+car.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">and head into the city.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghJvYWlD8xx_UUgEd3g1yhHRRHJJBqhUsQtLQ3hUR8FHacWq3S_XEQL3d0dKzb0P08ETFq0FhIBnXRfe1D5569BQ4oj1o8UbSIzocnyE4T-DFjXesa1sa2ajIYbDUt6J1u6zjGAsXPGNll/s1600/23030897_10214593014561687_136581346_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1254" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghJvYWlD8xx_UUgEd3g1yhHRRHJJBqhUsQtLQ3hUR8FHacWq3S_XEQL3d0dKzb0P08ETFq0FhIBnXRfe1D5569BQ4oj1o8UbSIzocnyE4T-DFjXesa1sa2ajIYbDUt6J1u6zjGAsXPGNll/s400/23030897_10214593014561687_136581346_o.jpg" width="312" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Into the shops. You see, shops and I don't really get on that well. Maybe our problem is that we see so little of each other. I don't come visit often, so shops just don't have the opportunity to befriend me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Anyway .... minutes after arriving, I saw this sign:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO8YqcvIiI3ln-VvxY0Gm7nRqAu0Ciws4ZfNkBveS-IIVOos7XdK_0ahB6iaN-UCM1qBdKeaDhynYXLJ0Cdxd1mcYTbRQPwyRST9fbJYsOWaZtTAgWmoHOl-0JziEzXbWi4eQk-PdEdbYX/s1600/Sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="935" data-original-width="1581" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO8YqcvIiI3ln-VvxY0Gm7nRqAu0Ciws4ZfNkBveS-IIVOos7XdK_0ahB6iaN-UCM1qBdKeaDhynYXLJ0Cdxd1mcYTbRQPwyRST9fbJYsOWaZtTAgWmoHOl-0JziEzXbWi4eQk-PdEdbYX/s400/Sign.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I thought all was well with the world until I discovered that Debenham's Personal Shopper wasn't willing to go traipsing through Aberdeen's streets to do <i>all </i>my shopping. Pfft, what's all that about? I didn't need anything in Debenhams, so the Personal Shopper idea was dead and buried.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Unbeknown to me, though, Debenhams have installed a Costa Coffee shop on their ground floor and so I decided this was going to be the best use of my time. Costa's latte and their Bakewell tart are simply delicious.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3iVKDfXW4mWyhvDvfwc9FbProkxl68JV3CCiVr6p22xvsp0OUPzwcLhMVIsvNHQ9JZaQGLFQWEUx1w0FuMUuVBNXXL1jWDC7UgL9HWv4PRONpew_EoffxXceMDi6RPDa1IDkukcJzZlzv/s1600/Costa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3iVKDfXW4mWyhvDvfwc9FbProkxl68JV3CCiVr6p22xvsp0OUPzwcLhMVIsvNHQ9JZaQGLFQWEUx1w0FuMUuVBNXXL1jWDC7UgL9HWv4PRONpew_EoffxXceMDi6RPDa1IDkukcJzZlzv/s400/Costa.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Having enjoyed my sit down, my coffee, and my tart, I really couldn't face much shopping. I went to one store - The White Company - bought what I needed and headed back to the car.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">No kidding, that was enough for me. I looked at my list, proudly drew a line through <i>one </i>item, and headed home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">After all, how could I stay away any longer from .....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioiQK35dtwSdktARBDSnsCEJokkPR_o51C0k4rfbOljfIC7GAiTJwZKc33lsCqC5vOpbmambfZCs6-6AicnCDKQNy1krL_RoaBLBBJbx1Cb8vizHVzgq2Zw0ENj-IXnMYY0FTsusWtlM8-/s1600/Niseach+madface.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioiQK35dtwSdktARBDSnsCEJokkPR_o51C0k4rfbOljfIC7GAiTJwZKc33lsCqC5vOpbmambfZCs6-6AicnCDKQNy1krL_RoaBLBBJbx1Cb8vizHVzgq2Zw0ENj-IXnMYY0FTsusWtlM8-/s400/Niseach+madface.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">this?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Okay, so maybe y'all don't need to answer that last question.</span></div>
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<br />Homeschool on the Crofthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03400742529025230433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439971908848990993.post-75011346745322607892017-09-15T11:14:00.001+01:002017-09-15T11:14:30.882+01:00Babies and Culture<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We want to introduce Caleb at the earliest age to cultural diversity, so we made sure over the past few days that ..</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">...he got to watch Match of the Day,</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk6_tb99TPlOLF7U43wJFCSBSA5rALDlOvYV1DY3KcWubmSZ0jRTDlOOT-gKX1Mf7sHTUxS3pARIhW6MPUDyllHMJISBiiyt2dzYiZgUZyp-vm_oCFdKRUQOZD48odj_KofuYlBBb9IlsL/s1600/watching+MOTD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="966" data-original-width="1600" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk6_tb99TPlOLF7U43wJFCSBSA5rALDlOvYV1DY3KcWubmSZ0jRTDlOOT-gKX1Mf7sHTUxS3pARIhW6MPUDyllHMJISBiiyt2dzYiZgUZyp-vm_oCFdKRUQOZD48odj_KofuYlBBb9IlsL/s400/watching+MOTD.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">he watched/slept through the Last Night of the Proms,</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLWxtJx0at4beVd8i9ZwaqklPNtNw7MAX1nrh5cXNEeVUqlPz6P11Qr-IO-b4aEnaE24GNxy2L18wCxffUbOUrDMy0IYZnXbZULpyhVZZ7AfXbvhC95V9qbQNj7FcJjzKKaNddXHsMxFpg/s1600/watching+Last+Night.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLWxtJx0at4beVd8i9ZwaqklPNtNw7MAX1nrh5cXNEeVUqlPz6P11Qr-IO-b4aEnaE24GNxy2L18wCxffUbOUrDMy0IYZnXbZULpyhVZZ7AfXbvhC95V9qbQNj7FcJjzKKaNddXHsMxFpg/s320/watching+Last+Night.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">and lastly, but certainly not least, he sat through a marathon session of Pride and Prejudice with his Mammy and Granny.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjspVOClbmTvAI3fIsygFAGwTbLWoUJ0puF_yf8px-ayliio6BmU9krmoIJvRinibjk-Qk-D7QM7apry-Tmd1IdrnU7lGK81OzcgC5MDdjrBt9Or1qXL2aJXclIaw6s-bn-eEhBdC0-vQF6/s1600/watching+PandP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1041" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjspVOClbmTvAI3fIsygFAGwTbLWoUJ0puF_yf8px-ayliio6BmU9krmoIJvRinibjk-Qk-D7QM7apry-Tmd1IdrnU7lGK81OzcgC5MDdjrBt9Or1qXL2aJXclIaw6s-bn-eEhBdC0-vQF6/s320/watching+PandP.jpg" width="208" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">He told us, in no uncertain terms, that Pride and Prejudice was his favourite, but that we weren't to tell Uncle Calum. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">He also promised me that next year, he would stay awake for at least part of the Last Night of the Proms.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And he <i>vowed </i>that he wouldn't become football obsessed like his uncle. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>Clarification</u></b>:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">All the opinions and words here are his own, and are in no way influenced by Granny. </span><br />
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<br />Homeschool on the Crofthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03400742529025230433noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439971908848990993.post-59047235962423072192017-09-11T16:59:00.001+01:002017-09-11T16:59:22.415+01:00Labour Day .... UK Style<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Apparently, in the USofA, last Monday was Labour Day (though undoubtedly, it's written Labor Day). Well, I must tell you all that last Monday was most definitely a Labour Day for us here, and by mid afternoon, that labouring had given Catherine and John their first child, and given the Builder and I our first grandchild.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Here's Caleb Finlay James a minute or two after his birth with his already doting daddy.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSu1uHaogG-fB7rsHgMjOnY2VL16QLiiDpKpOiy23oNU-HXt0E5PZuFQAFRwPnve_FB_dGMKNYAuvgPG3m_xCC3rfBrs_SMN_EAiny0Whp50WPlIdPkCZq84siO_wBbNlC1RifiBpQwYVf/s1600/John+and+CFJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSu1uHaogG-fB7rsHgMjOnY2VL16QLiiDpKpOiy23oNU-HXt0E5PZuFQAFRwPnve_FB_dGMKNYAuvgPG3m_xCC3rfBrs_SMN_EAiny0Whp50WPlIdPkCZq84siO_wBbNlC1RifiBpQwYVf/s640/John+and+CFJ.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">To say we are all in awe and in love would be understatements.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZDmTuhCddu_A_zO1ePKWlxlfO9AhAvrj30hIZJyydgmqqFgX3rKEw0f48pbYkxyYzpl5O-mIVXIKpBEx1NijtD16Q2GuT_YHnANrU8LGH2kJptiMPIeg-6NMy5X_tV1jPQCZmKiAXlD3/s1600/CFJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZDmTuhCddu_A_zO1ePKWlxlfO9AhAvrj30hIZJyydgmqqFgX3rKEw0f48pbYkxyYzpl5O-mIVXIKpBEx1NijtD16Q2GuT_YHnANrU8LGH2kJptiMPIeg-6NMy5X_tV1jPQCZmKiAXlD3/s400/CFJ.jpg" width="225" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Here he is wrapped in a blanket that my Mum had knitted. When Catherine was up in Lewis back in January, Mum gave her a blue blanket and a pink one she'd already made. She pretty much knew she would not be here to see her first great-grandchild, but she wanted Catherine to have these blankets. While the blanket is most certainly not as precious as the bundle inside, it is still very precious to Catherine.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Here's our new bundle in the cradle he got from his <i>great </i>auntie Marina. (Emphasis on <i>great </i>as in <i>old</i>. Not as in <i>fab</i>. Noooo, no no, she is our <i>old </i>great auntie. That sounds way older than Granny!)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihBkpfQsvkuUkaSu1v2YUV6c_fInuC7mfS6AQctIQVBr_ZyuXlZdJQqqQqWK2egEPjEAyoip5GG5l4mVhT6sE4SQf88XAUJYYbbpcomiNgqv83YxaaF2P2xHnidBKU4mvkS1zlOKdM9Ari/s1600/in+cradle+2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihBkpfQsvkuUkaSu1v2YUV6c_fInuC7mfS6AQctIQVBr_ZyuXlZdJQqqQqWK2egEPjEAyoip5GG5l4mVhT6sE4SQf88XAUJYYbbpcomiNgqv83YxaaF2P2xHnidBKU4mvkS1zlOKdM9Ari/s640/in+cradle+2.jpg" width="640" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Uncle Calum made sure to introduce him at the first opportunity to a football and all matters football related.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkbtuKdB60SnQyr_LzIXU2P9y9OC_pD2_hVeskoj8UUuE5-7852lWI9P4cx8Yz2l10lxj85LUV1yQOky-yP8qyNad89c8fUcvWY74y946eu3QLrjtIPLpMeZDvcavMQbIrDs5VkGVkP5Gc/s1600/CS+introducing+ball+to+Caleb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkbtuKdB60SnQyr_LzIXU2P9y9OC_pD2_hVeskoj8UUuE5-7852lWI9P4cx8Yz2l10lxj85LUV1yQOky-yP8qyNad89c8fUcvWY74y946eu3QLrjtIPLpMeZDvcavMQbIrDs5VkGVkP5Gc/s640/CS+introducing+ball+to+Caleb.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Those of us who know Calum know that he talks of football matters a lot. I mean incessantly. Caleb gave a perfect demonstration of how we all tend to feel when Calum Stewart is on his 375th footballing fact of the day.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwctrOvChAkk-vtc6BeH7Ep4In5C4znUfxx6Ljit7EpnN6o1N1yUhkgBhM31bPKZUpg7Xue_HC6WETUwn4j9pYiV4r1hioH5FMWDExU2wNIfVFQWdVod-H_HNXwF4dqa1-T47XUuosRFmX/s1600/Yawning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1598" data-original-width="1600" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwctrOvChAkk-vtc6BeH7Ep4In5C4znUfxx6Ljit7EpnN6o1N1yUhkgBhM31bPKZUpg7Xue_HC6WETUwn4j9pYiV4r1hioH5FMWDExU2wNIfVFQWdVod-H_HNXwF4dqa1-T47XUuosRFmX/s400/Yawning.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Apologies, son, but this is how it feels to us too. Caleb is speaking for us all ...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">No doubt, I shall be inundating y'all with photos of our new gift in future posts. For now, I shall leave you with this thought: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">In July this year, I sat right beside my Mum's bedside as she drew her last breath and passed from this life into eternity.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Just a couple of months later, I sat right beside Catherine's bedside as my grandchild drew his first breath is this world.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Death and life. Life and death. Nothing is meaningless in God's world.</span><br />
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<span id="goog_942979149"></span>Homeschool on the Crofthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03400742529025230433noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439971908848990993.post-90539062192669537422017-08-30T00:37:00.001+01:002017-08-30T00:58:28.483+01:00Life Goes On ...<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And so the weeks pass, and life goes on. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I have come to the conclusion that every one who is grieving, or lonely, or sad ought to have a Niseach in their lives.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3DgAqn2qJzp2ZxfScNd1U6eIhpTIYp4Q7mZ9nqi1I6wGEPklQWClNgZmTagG5cJPjhfAeNY37CFsbi56v9NMwOeyPzzh1vMVUw5Mnw62mMkbTh3CmZuJJMfIpHbtU_ARA5Dz37vn5wEJw/s1600/21104309_10214039577406104_106317376_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1172" data-original-width="1600" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3DgAqn2qJzp2ZxfScNd1U6eIhpTIYp4Q7mZ9nqi1I6wGEPklQWClNgZmTagG5cJPjhfAeNY37CFsbi56v9NMwOeyPzzh1vMVUw5Mnw62mMkbTh3CmZuJJMfIpHbtU_ARA5Dz37vn5wEJw/s640/21104309_10214039577406104_106317376_o.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I do realise not everyone can have a dog, but neither am I being facetious. I'm not sure there can be better therapy than having a loving dog as company, and Niseach is as sweet and loving and, erm, <i>needy</i>, as any canine friend could be.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I wuv her. She is the perfect therapy for sadness.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Dad came out to Aberdeenshire for a few days last month with Marina (my sister) and the family. We visited Barra Berries and enjoyed some fun ...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu25B1YezX3Np0lRdtraTIod-rf6H0o21xw8qJWzM_k7vKjJPckWFG0AS8z-gf0ONtw2XKWUEE4fomHPkyT2PsHSkwygv0_B5aiVo5uBWUTGpaFm66C95l4toh1fSE5dXaWFo8r191VSMY/s1600/21040576_10214039557405604_1541101449_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="864" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu25B1YezX3Np0lRdtraTIod-rf6H0o21xw8qJWzM_k7vKjJPckWFG0AS8z-gf0ONtw2XKWUEE4fomHPkyT2PsHSkwygv0_B5aiVo5uBWUTGpaFm66C95l4toh1fSE5dXaWFo8r191VSMY/s640/21040576_10214039557405604_1541101449_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">....and some fruity ice-cream.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It was so good having Dad out and having Marina and the troops here. I miss having them nearby, and feel terribly being away, especially from Dad, these days. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I keep telling myself that God has a reason for everything in our providence, and our being on the mainland at this time is in God's plan, and is for a reason. It's very possible that only Eternity will reveal the reasons. I leave it at that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">While the folks were here, we went in to Aberdeen - to the <i>shops </i>- one day. I was heading towards the lift in Debenhams, returning to the car and minding my own business, when I saw these ...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzdDFDSB1jC2XqNBfxazfQYWfk1nW6I3eRK1uZoWberNZW5ph2Px8w4znacUQmX3YckpphWiGcYYfWcoh8twv4ja9rieYhFmuNVQJQAr45jdIJ73oWm9WHe3Ma-FTj1NgsNxD5UyNB4IF/s1600/boots1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1228" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzdDFDSB1jC2XqNBfxazfQYWfk1nW6I3eRK1uZoWberNZW5ph2Px8w4znacUQmX3YckpphWiGcYYfWcoh8twv4ja9rieYhFmuNVQJQAr45jdIJ73oWm9WHe3Ma-FTj1NgsNxD5UyNB4IF/s400/boots1.jpg" width="306" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">You like? Yes, I do too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">But that's not why I'm showing you this photo. These boots were for sale in Debenhams, and the photo below was taken that same minute and shows MY BOOTS.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVyP5uQxV_SWhR8TAbTuYwUp5znU_Gmls3t98RraUZFpnpL_heoz782AC-mW0NGTDQu-1kHQyM_eX3awhEQ2CN249e4l3ATwXLmXWz3X795v9vyXxAX9L4r_uVh_W2B_7cnUeFdabFRvF/s1600/boots+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1324" data-original-width="1088" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVyP5uQxV_SWhR8TAbTuYwUp5znU_Gmls3t98RraUZFpnpL_heoz782AC-mW0NGTDQu-1kHQyM_eX3awhEQ2CN249e4l3ATwXLmXWz3X795v9vyXxAX9L4r_uVh_W2B_7cnUeFdabFRvF/s400/boots+2.jpg" width="327" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Well, I'd like to see what Marina has to say about this, I thought! My boots, which are about ** years of age (I daren't let her know) are practically <i>identical </i>to the ones for sale in August 2017 in Debenhams.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Hah! Put <i>that </i>in your pipe and smoke it, I told her! Seems I'm the one ahead in the fashion game after all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">While we were up in Lewis, Diana, DR's girlfriend, arrived at Marina's house with this...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Now, those of you who know me know that there aren't many ways into my heart, but the ways there are all involve food.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Or dogs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">But food is good, and Hummingbird's Cookies and Cream Layer Cake is a definite way into my heart.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh2z6U4-b3uO2hgIqabx3P68xyNyYJ6nsSkfA9I7bsLyQ4gMf8q2jS1qxOAMw5kiRpHMD5yfrOikANIVY4CK7mEgMPJzXtTcK_wJYBtQiF3V9aQf0RwxBONaT5tCaGwtZFBW8OBauXQwyS/s1600/cake+open.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="1600" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh2z6U4-b3uO2hgIqabx3P68xyNyYJ6nsSkfA9I7bsLyQ4gMf8q2jS1qxOAMw5kiRpHMD5yfrOikANIVY4CK7mEgMPJzXtTcK_wJYBtQiF3V9aQf0RwxBONaT5tCaGwtZFBW8OBauXQwyS/s640/cake+open.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Oh boy, it was good.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Overall, I've found Hummingbird cakes to be spot on every time I've made them. And this one most certainly didn't disappoint.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">That same weekend, Diana and DR climbed the Clisham (remind me to tell you about the wellies story - in another post), and took some stunning photos. Here's one of them.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoMDj1lbqOmbjYx_RV1vcQhcgNHG-qK6hN3lKjWufaMBK_jiekqsPOKuEwyeOtNCi9wlDmzAAEbwrstdi757EsvW_mWe-dycZdU0M11gtkhP4trVjaAhBZ7OySeGmh-_Ddvyu69SqHUl9m/s1600/21057474_10214039539725162_1986084211_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoMDj1lbqOmbjYx_RV1vcQhcgNHG-qK6hN3lKjWufaMBK_jiekqsPOKuEwyeOtNCi9wlDmzAAEbwrstdi757EsvW_mWe-dycZdU0M11gtkhP4trVjaAhBZ7OySeGmh-_Ddvyu69SqHUl9m/s640/21057474_10214039539725162_1986084211_o.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Harris landscape is so different to Lewis - Lewis is flat, Harris most certainly is not! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Almost all the time, Calum Stewart reminds me of DR. At other times, I actually think he <i>is </i>DR. As I sat in DR's flat this particular Sunday afternoon, I kept having to remind myself that this was Calum and not his older brother! They are <i>so </i>alike in so many different ways. I can assure you, this Mum is not complaining. Not one little bit.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdZI-pTfF5e6QLZMWOePj7mGtUd3ebKdbxieDGZgTRrdUJcjFc5NF4SIpC4zMZve1uH66F8lLBg2bsa6iIsPdDkHcZCic6zpeGRfpR1K7aueUHmLlICeetRJ3DGMFmTPljpNPohhnx-LtJ/s1600/CS+reading+in+DR%2527s+flat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1088" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdZI-pTfF5e6QLZMWOePj7mGtUd3ebKdbxieDGZgTRrdUJcjFc5NF4SIpC4zMZve1uH66F8lLBg2bsa6iIsPdDkHcZCic6zpeGRfpR1K7aueUHmLlICeetRJ3DGMFmTPljpNPohhnx-LtJ/s400/CS+reading+in+DR%2527s+flat.jpg" width="271" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I've written almost a whole post and haven't mentioned the Builder yet. Thankfully, my blog post is not an indication of his importance in my life.... honestly.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">A wee story: a year or so ago, we were in Northern Ireland, and the Builder met this fellow for the first time. This fellow - we'll call him Thomas (because that's his name) - hugged him as they were parting. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Thomas was then <i>mortified </i>that he had hugged the Builder - a man he barely knew!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi80VCNphaghjAE664XPTJRTVZXnS0zaSmzgQ_uHXoGo90diqFHjXa9NGkWJuOFK1FgwgPOlSOPFpt6Kzr5Ii3B_UawWhlP2YAPAoEN-bniJ1J5F1W61Q0Ttk2xTtnkaqnLLwJD0IkzqnH2/s1600/thomas+and+fin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="897" data-original-width="1410" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi80VCNphaghjAE664XPTJRTVZXnS0zaSmzgQ_uHXoGo90diqFHjXa9NGkWJuOFK1FgwgPOlSOPFpt6Kzr5Ii3B_UawWhlP2YAPAoEN-bniJ1J5F1W61Q0Ttk2xTtnkaqnLLwJD0IkzqnH2/s640/thomas+and+fin.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">We've had such a laugh at Thomas's mortification, but the Builder assured him that there aren't too many guys by whom he'd be happy to be hugged, but Thomas was definitely one of the few!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Friends are such a blessing, and friends with whom we have precious fellowship in Christ is a special kind of blessing. The Builder loves these guys so much.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Calum Stewart and I left the mainland last week to come to Northern Ireland, and I couldn't help but notice this on the side of our aeroplane.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Faster than road or rail"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Erm ... I should smile and say so. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This ve-hi-cle had better chug along more rapidly than any car or any train on road or track. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Our reason, of course, for going to Northern Ireland was to see this lady. All being well, the Builder will join us when she finally pops, and our first grandchild is born.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Yes, I said <i><b>grandchild</b></i>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Yes, I squealed. Frankly, I can not wait!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And so, as you see, life goes on. We have so many good things in life - things to be enjoyed, but from now on, they will be lived without Mum. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Mum will not enjoy cake with us any more (she loved food rather like I love food); she will not have fun times in ice-cream shops with the grandchildren any more; she will not be with us in the shops again (she loved shopping - like Marina. Unlike me.) But of course, Mum has enjoyment right now like she never, ever got to experience here on earth. As the catechism she quoted so frequently during her illness says:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial";">'The souls of believers are, at their death, made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory; and their bodies being still united to Christ, do rest in their graves till the resurrection.'</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Her body rests in the grave - a place Christ sanctified by resting there Himself, but her soul is in the presence of Christ right now. I want to spend more time thinking about this, but I have to confess that these past weeks have seen me spend much more time in sadness that I can't tell her about what Calum said, or what Marina and I ate for lunch, or the new shoes I bought (that even Marina approved of...:) ), or the fact that I was able to get all three washings dry outside, or what I'm making for dinner that evening. You see, there wasn't an aspect of our lives that we didn't blether to Mum about (Marina will say the same thing), and so there's not one thing I do or say or see or eat or read or hear that I don't think, 'Oh, wait till I tell .... '. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Soon, all being well, Dad's first great-granchild will be born. And so our lives go on. One generation passes away; another is born. Soon it will be myself, and my body will rest, awaiting Christ's return. Family will grieve, and life will go on. How true the little verse that says:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Only one life, </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>for Christ will last.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">We'd do well to live with this in mind.</span></div>
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<br />Homeschool on the Crofthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03400742529025230433noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439971908848990993.post-5911421808565791942017-08-14T16:36:00.001+01:002017-08-14T16:36:41.722+01:00Some of the Psalms Mum Loved<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>"The Lord will give His people strength,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>and with peace bless them all."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Psalm 29:11 (Scottish Metrical Psalms)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">These words came with such force to Mum in December '16, when she was down in a Glasgow hospital having some tests done. Mum had had some rather unpleasant tests and was, without doubt, anxious about their results. Indeed, the result of these test was what gave us all the news in that first week of January this year that she had terminal cancer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">However, during that day or two in Glasgow, the Lord spoke these words into her heart. She wasn't even aware she knew a Psalm with these words, and to begin with, she had no idea where the words were to be found. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">But she soon found them....</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCSmpl2kE1LgrPPGAbtBNTnqKUeWsdeBFT3o1gGAFD86H4poiCi5A1XlX2et87IhK4gIbcrX1S8R0FP-EdWMCWlPUgt2I78ZtIQjRbmtv7TqvAwRYWm85CUUkehMO-0UPMWzpMh_HVUzPw/s1600/20861210_10213956653093048_873015058_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCSmpl2kE1LgrPPGAbtBNTnqKUeWsdeBFT3o1gGAFD86H4poiCi5A1XlX2et87IhK4gIbcrX1S8R0FP-EdWMCWlPUgt2I78ZtIQjRbmtv7TqvAwRYWm85CUUkehMO-0UPMWzpMh_HVUzPw/s640/20861210_10213956653093048_873015058_o.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">...and circled them in her Bible.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Mum read from this Bible every day, and the Psalms (as you can see!) were frequently visited.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5VjWpb3bgguw92FHeU91GoDUqhBbGVGpTAkkYh09zUJVFH0o4sjf7_86I386K38MoHLvGN98vcsITncUZU2yTwVXguY0grT-2H1CoRMz5XY6AZN1MOswzMb9riXmxQgpe6eULL-a6_LJL/s1600/20841656_10213956657213151_1085937271_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5VjWpb3bgguw92FHeU91GoDUqhBbGVGpTAkkYh09zUJVFH0o4sjf7_86I386K38MoHLvGN98vcsITncUZU2yTwVXguY0grT-2H1CoRMz5XY6AZN1MOswzMb9riXmxQgpe6eULL-a6_LJL/s640/20841656_10213956657213151_1085937271_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">See all the notations at the end of each Psalm? As she systematically read through the metrical Psalms, she drew a wee tick - or number, or line, or circle, or stroke! As you can see, Mum was pretty much running out of marks to use, so frequent was her readings of these wonderful words from God's Word.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Here were some of her favourites:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3vKiQCqW751B3To5Rj3lQv7EYo6Tuvx7ASmdT3GgEdbJm7qe2wroQMdPzK-aHPyRDbRDvmHaqejspMG3fiBaSdfnE4m6KhzuzmoHJGgcwZA3lyLu6fwXRfu63OLwdu7FX-Fq4esaYKA1F/s1600/20839929_10213956651533009_383090261_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3vKiQCqW751B3To5Rj3lQv7EYo6Tuvx7ASmdT3GgEdbJm7qe2wroQMdPzK-aHPyRDbRDvmHaqejspMG3fiBaSdfnE4m6KhzuzmoHJGgcwZA3lyLu6fwXRfu63OLwdu7FX-Fq4esaYKA1F/s640/20839929_10213956651533009_383090261_o.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">These words: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"And by my God assisting me,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I overleap a wall"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> (Psalm 18:29b)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">were made very precious to Mum both before she first sat at the Lord's Table for the first time, and then before an operation she was having in 1987.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Now, do you remember me posting in the past about my Mum's auntie Catriona? Read <a href="http://homeschoolonthecroft.blogspot.co.uk/2010/12/emigrants-from-lewis.html">here</a> to get a fuller story of her emigration, and her eventual passing in BC, Canada. Well, these verses were made very precious to Auntie Catriona in her loneliness and her heartache.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Teirgidh iadsan 's thèid iad à s</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">ach mairidh tusa, Dhè:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Seadh teirgidh iadsan 's gabhaidh seach</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">mar eudach sean gu lèir.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Feuch caochlaidh tu mar thrusgan iad,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">is caochl'ear iad gun cheist'.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Tha thus' a mhà in gun chaochladh ort,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">'s do bhliadhnaidh buan am feast'.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> (Psalm 102:2627, Gaelic)</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Mum has these circled in her Bible too, with a reference to Auntie Catriona. It's quite a thought that they are now together.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Quite a thought, indeed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">* * *</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">One more:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Since Mum became ill, these words at the beginning of Psalm 77 became a constant favourite too. She asked me to read them to her time and time again over these past months. She would say, 'Read them in Gaelic. They have so much more power'.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Dh'èigh mi ri Dia gu h-à rd le 'm ghuth,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">dh'èigh mi le m'ghuth gu h-à rd;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Is thug e, 'nuair a ghlaodh mi ris,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">sà r-èisdeachd dhomh gun dà il."</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">She would say to me, 'Oh, Anne, 'dh'èigh mi ... dh'èigh mi gu h-<b>à rd</b>. Agus dh'èist e.....gun <b>dà il</b>'</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">* * *</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">On the night Mum passed away, as we left Bethesda Hospice in the early hours of the morning, these were the words that hit me so strongly:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The storm is changed into a calm</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">at His command and will;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So that the waves, which raged before,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">now quiet are and still.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Then are they glad, because at rest</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and quiet now they be:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So to the haven He them brings,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">which they desired to see.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Psalm 107:29, 30</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">When I looked through Mum's bible, she had already circled these words. They'd obviously meant something to her (at different times - notice the different pens used), and now they'd spoken to me <i>about </i>Mum.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">God's Word is so precious, and surely the Psalms are truly an 'anatomy of the soul', as John Calvin called them. How many souls - in times of great joy and in times of great sorrow; in times of thanksgiving, and in times of pleading - resort to the Psalms and find comfort there?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We are still in times of sorrow, of grieving, of pleading, and yes of thanksgiving too. Whilst Mum has few of these emotions now, we still crave comfort and encouragement from the Psalms she knew and loved so well.</span><br />
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<br />Homeschool on the Crofthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03400742529025230433noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439971908848990993.post-10510449875180421902017-07-17T11:59:00.002+01:002017-07-17T12:02:13.073+01:00Illness and Death Beautiful? <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">You know, over the past seven months, since my Mum was
diagnosed with terminal cancer, we have had many good moments. In the days
since Mum passed away, we have relived many of them, delighting in her
assurance of her being the Lord’s and the eternal security that was absolutely
sure and certain because of the unchangeable, irrevocable, sure and steadfast
covenant made in all eternity within the Trinity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I may talk about
some of these ‘beautiful moments’ at some stage, but first some reality.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Death is not beautiful. Terminal illness is not lovely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">There is simply nothing romantic about God’s beautiful
creation being ravaged by the effects of the Fall and of sin. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Put simply, it is ugly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">There. I’ve said it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I have read many accounts of the deathbeds of believers and
stories are told of the sick relative almost smiling their way into Heaven; of
loved ones falling peacefully into the arms of Jesus; and of angels singing as
the soul of the believer was carried from the scene of time into the eternal
realms. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Well, I am not doubting any accounts I’ve read. I know for a
fact that God has granted to many families times of delighting in Him as loved
ones were ushered to their Heavenly Home. But I want to tell ‘our story’ if for
no other reason than to encourage other families of believers who don’t have
such lovely experiences. I don’t want families to wonder whether something was
‘wrong’ with the faith of a believing family member whose experience was much
more down to earth, much more gritty, and much less dreamy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Since Mum was diagnosed with untreatable cancer at the
beginning of January this year, she had struggles. Whilst it was the case that
her soul rested in the finished work of Christ, whilst she never had any
complaints of ‘why me?’ (far from it), and whilst she found countless reasons
for giving thanks to her Father in Heaven, yet she could not lift her mind out
of the valley into which it went when she received the news. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">She did not like having cancer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Yes, she was thankful. She had assurance of her salvation. She
was surrounded by her loving husband and family. But she was sad. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">She looked on in awe at others who had cancer but were
upbeat and managed to keep living life to the full. She simply couldn’t do it.
Although she knew she was going to be in Heaven, and although every believer
looks forward to a time when there is going to be no sin in their experience,
yet it’s almost as though she was grieving what she was going to lose out on. I
don’t know if that’s an accurate reflection of what was going on in her mind,
but is it not human (though less spiritual that the way we ought to be) to
grieve over what we will not see? She was not going to see her first great-grandchild,
due in just six weeks’ time. She was not going to see her eldest grandson
marrying, or the younger grandchildren choose career paths. These are very
temporal occurrences, and very human ways of looking at things, but until the
believer is glorified and made sinless, do we not have a tendency to be
temporal and human in our outlook? <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">As I hinted, this is not a picture-perfect look at how the
believer ought to be in their final months. This is simply a look at what our
reality was.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In the first few months of the year, she had her greatest
temporal delights in being surrounded by her family, and her greatest spiritual
delights in listening to sermons, in their daily family worship times with only
herself and Dad, and in the prayers of the Lord’s people who came to visit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large;">These three things were a blessing and a delight to her
soul.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">As time went on and her body weakened, she struggled to
listen to sermons. She was unable to concentrate on anything that lasted the
length of a sermon, and so her daily times of listening to sermons with Dad
became less frequent.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">She still loved her and Dad’s private family worship times
and would say, ‘Dad prays so beautifully’. These daily times were her greatest delight. But towards the end of the six months,
she needed all prayers to be short. Maybe some people feel this was
unspiritual, but isn’t it amazing how we expect more from others than we do
from ourselves. After all, I know when I’m unwell – even with a flu type virus
or with a migraine – I struggle with too much noise, I can barely make
conversation, and my concentration on spiritual things is next to zilch. If
this is excusable with a virus, what on earth do we expect when a person’s body
is being decimated by cancer?! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Our old minister used to warn his congregation that <b><i>now</i></b>
is the time to seek the Lord. Whilst God’s hand is not shortened that it cannot
save even to our last breath, he always warned us that a time of illness is not
the time to begin seeking the Lord …. that our every faculty would be so taken
up by our illness that we would simply not have the capacity to think clearly
or concentrate fully on other matters. Oh how true! Even when, for decades of
our lives, communing with God in prayer has been the most natural way to begin
the day, to end the day, and to spend many a spell during a day, I can say with
all certainty that a time of serious illness diminishes our capacity for all
these things.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">So if you are not in Christ, I can’t emphasise it enough:
Seek Christ NOW. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Because, honestly, a time of illness will take up all your
thoughts, and matters of the soul will simply not be your priority.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And so it was with Mum. As her body weakened, and tiredness
was a constant factor in her daily life, she wanted everything to be short:
short visits, short prayers, short conversations. Along with a number of other
things I’ve learnt by going through this experience, I would know now to keep
visits very short with anyone who is very ill. In fact, I will write a post
later on ‘What I’ve Learnt … ‘, because yes, as a family we learnt a lot that I
hope I’ll have the grace to put into practice in the future.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">On Mum’s last day here on earth, and as she told me very
matter-of-factly that ‘this is the end, Anne’, we spoke of how illness had so taken
up our thoughts over the past weeks and months, that we’d barely talked about
Heaven. Again, this was our experience. It wasn’t romantic, but it was a stark
reminder of what the Fall has brought into the world, of what sin has done, and
of the reality of what physical illness does.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Our constant comfort was not in how we were <i>feeling</i> – after all:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i> ‘feelings come and
feelings go, </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>and feelings are deceiving….’ </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Rather, our absolute comfort was
in the unbreakable, unalterable covenant made in all eternity, in which Mum was.
This is our assurance. This is our comfort. This is where we all need to be. And
this is where our comfort was in all the months that illness took away, bit by
bit, the Mum we had been used to all our lives, and this is where our comfort
is now that that battle is over. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I’d never before been in the position of seeing illness and
death close up. Having seen it, I hate sin and its effects all the more; and I
love and wonder all the more at the Saviour who has overcome death, who brings
beauty out of the ashes of death, and who is the resurrection and the life. In
death, as in life, HE is everything.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggnxr9ig6y5fusu1lHupJXO-WdHCzUz48CKK1mPfkhQ7hjiJXLS3zHJpOPiEtCDmdz6em9DV-I5sZSRqwFOSdOzctzSDwyvnoq8V9zdVjaK-yHn6S2_v3io3AHTJJ0VOuOJxkAnITfv1fg/s1600/Mum+and+Dad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="706" data-original-width="540" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggnxr9ig6y5fusu1lHupJXO-WdHCzUz48CKK1mPfkhQ7hjiJXLS3zHJpOPiEtCDmdz6em9DV-I5sZSRqwFOSdOzctzSDwyvnoq8V9zdVjaK-yHn6S2_v3io3AHTJJ0VOuOJxkAnITfv1fg/s320/Mum+and+Dad.jpg" width="244" /></a></div>
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Mum and Dad, taken at Catherine's wedding almost two years ago.</div>
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Homeschool on the Crofthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03400742529025230433noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439971908848990993.post-1508029957874765522017-07-12T16:58:00.000+01:002017-07-12T16:58:26.733+01:00Storm by Day, Peace by Night<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUTLgAVJk5s7Re0al-feJ-a8zpmlCdDOUlry1eqNzyzr6y051Esos02sGUdxiUw-K4A3aljb6Rlk52IuM5XHcq94fa09CMQEi1WiDZM86ZBwzKD0_ila4zxCSKnO60LvGtfyAccnfdflRi/s1600/FB_IMG_1488982566851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1085" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUTLgAVJk5s7Re0al-feJ-a8zpmlCdDOUlry1eqNzyzr6y051Esos02sGUdxiUw-K4A3aljb6Rlk52IuM5XHcq94fa09CMQEi1WiDZM86ZBwzKD0_ila4zxCSKnO60LvGtfyAccnfdflRi/s320/FB_IMG_1488982566851.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The storm is changed into a calm</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">At His command and will;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So that the waves, which raged before,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Now quiet are and still.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Then are they glad, because at rest</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And quiet now they be:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So to the haven He them brings,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Which they desired to see.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">* * *</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">At midnight, last Saturday night, just as we were entering the Lord's Day, my Mum entered her everlasting Day of Rest. By the time our precious Lord's Day began, she was in the presence of our beloved Saviour.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I will write more later, but I quote these verses of Psalm 1O7 because they spoke to me so strongly as I left Bethesda Hospice at one in the morning. The weather all day Saturday had been wet and wild. It was more like a day in February than a day in July, and the wind and rain battered the windows in Mum's hospice room all day. I am not aware of when the weather changed, but when the Builder and I walked out of Bethesda in the small hours of the night, the peace and calm and beautiful moonshine struck me. All was quiet.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">There was peace and beauty outside. There was unimaginable peace and beauty for Mum in her new Home. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The weather itself seemed to reflect the circumstances of Mum's day and night.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje4IrjIkVmlyUh963pPzg2LVQ3-j3ZCz5BMZu_YqXaRF72COfs4XV-81jLAwL1Ubc3R0XpigdqzIco1zQkTEAgf9QFMNHvatzJbQlElGMJ7cvigOVj9Tp8d3Am9RC7eZE_lo9ODmFa7OPQ/s1600/FB_IMG_1488982078740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="960" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje4IrjIkVmlyUh963pPzg2LVQ3-j3ZCz5BMZu_YqXaRF72COfs4XV-81jLAwL1Ubc3R0XpigdqzIco1zQkTEAgf9QFMNHvatzJbQlElGMJ7cvigOVj9Tp8d3Am9RC7eZE_lo9ODmFa7OPQ/s320/FB_IMG_1488982078740.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Homeschool on the Crofthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03400742529025230433noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439971908848990993.post-12238091100840329262017-06-08T03:06:00.000+01:002017-06-08T03:06:56.183+01:00More Mobile Phone Photos<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I know y'all are desperate to see more of my mobile photos, so here are some of the latest ...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5KsbqMbU4fTLjgA3J7SxXCsNgGV7d8GtiYEYrtScfyQmupzochalq3Lgn5NJSdPAMWWiPdNGfAsAn5EoFxW7SFWFr4Ig7SN3oKmPvj6DaMB8qEAAfOK8vovHd-6GJrubidGvxhG7-eQVJ/s1600/Niseach+after+haircut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="548" data-original-width="974" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5KsbqMbU4fTLjgA3J7SxXCsNgGV7d8GtiYEYrtScfyQmupzochalq3Lgn5NJSdPAMWWiPdNGfAsAn5EoFxW7SFWFr4Ig7SN3oKmPvj6DaMB8qEAAfOK8vovHd-6GJrubidGvxhG7-eQVJ/s640/Niseach+after+haircut.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">What can I say? She has taken over my camera.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And my house. And my thoughts. And our family. Frankly, I have no recollection of life pre-Niseach.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">* * *</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Now, there's a bit of a story behind the following photos. My mum was getting rid of some sandals. Perfectly good sandals, I might add.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">But when I showed them to my younger sister (the fashion-concious-fashion-savvy one in the family), she almost choked on her Latte. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">That's what fashion-concious-fashion-savvy people drink, you know.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">She completely and utterly, and with all seriousness, banned me from even thinking about wearing them.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzHWfa5kAD0q812VGg0X0DQb8tA6RzbKPw68hEEc0yfHme660yR5lLLqBNQoEb6qnWrGghgHBFSsFYyk3eD2m26vLl4m9qhY-DqVHkfZrMk56FMDD9AF2Fw63oPil8Z83LZ3WcuJBm5NLv/s1600/sandals+brown+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1440" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzHWfa5kAD0q812VGg0X0DQb8tA6RzbKPw68hEEc0yfHme660yR5lLLqBNQoEb6qnWrGghgHBFSsFYyk3eD2m26vLl4m9qhY-DqVHkfZrMk56FMDD9AF2Fw63oPil8Z83LZ3WcuJBm5NLv/s640/sandals+brown+1.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Now, I do apologise for asking the Homeschool on the Croft FB readers before I asked my loyal blog readers, but when I asked on Facebook, the comments came flowing in thick and fast.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNiID5LLVqBF49JE1AHFbELvP9XBMohL6sklJ4rgR9Tmy221-S8BTv4Y4P2ePiQUMM4TdsdUmoUoU7rjHzaubGjLOSiUUDSNF4Cjl8Paj0d1hlnBqICu0GxH39qwiPqeXxVT_1ddaflyU8/s1600/Sandals+brown+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1279" data-original-width="719" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNiID5LLVqBF49JE1AHFbELvP9XBMohL6sklJ4rgR9Tmy221-S8BTv4Y4P2ePiQUMM4TdsdUmoUoU7rjHzaubGjLOSiUUDSNF4Cjl8Paj0d1hlnBqICu0GxH39qwiPqeXxVT_1ddaflyU8/s400/Sandals+brown+2.jpg" width="223" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">In fact, I have never had as many comments - ever.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">One hundred and two, to be precise.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIA3b8kG-A7euag40XTgaEXLVucHUhD6edvvjUt7GknzjNZRUkJd75nRkmywFEn-_ImzD4aMwDdRBWhW18jjW9vn1nFSWu1-QC1bbiWopg3WtmhBfDm2bvMh-x3V_M6BIIhwQ7bZth4klu/s1600/Sandals+grey+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1440" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIA3b8kG-A7euag40XTgaEXLVucHUhD6edvvjUt7GknzjNZRUkJd75nRkmywFEn-_ImzD4aMwDdRBWhW18jjW9vn1nFSWu1-QC1bbiWopg3WtmhBfDm2bvMh-x3V_M6BIIhwQ7bZth4klu/s640/Sandals+grey+1.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And it has to be said that most folks agreed with my fashion-savvy sister.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">What do y'all think? I honestly (totally honestly) have no idea what's wrong with them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">No. idea.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I was making lunch for Mum and Dad yesterday, and when my folks have fish, they must have fish knives and forks. It struck me that this strand of etiquette may be dying out, but I may be wrong. Personally, I like to use fish knives for my fish dishes, but I have been known to be a Philistine and use <i>ordinary </i>cutlery for such a meal. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1NyFNi3EAxsgJkziDKusnGfUCenRm-mfcWNRCjjeP8RWmgnklPC6DcC6XSrIEqbKnZOiPYzhejYJ-p7ASntp-PspIT3iy90jjXTQW7PauiZf9UKyNF19wnpBtZKuUQxnOy6D8PK9Ffh6Z/s1600/tray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1440" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1NyFNi3EAxsgJkziDKusnGfUCenRm-mfcWNRCjjeP8RWmgnklPC6DcC6XSrIEqbKnZOiPYzhejYJ-p7ASntp-PspIT3iy90jjXTQW7PauiZf9UKyNF19wnpBtZKuUQxnOy6D8PK9Ffh6Z/s640/tray.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Is this forgivable? Indeed, is it so totally forgivable that the question doesn't even seem pertinent to you? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I kinda need to know whether I'm hanging on for dear life to an outdated (like, apparently, the sandals) practice, or should I keep up the fish-knives-for-fish habit?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">(Oh, as an aside, the tray cloth in the photo was embroidered by my mum when she was at school. She was 12 at the time, so that tray cloth is around 67 years old. Cool, eh?)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I'm staying at my sister's home right now (yes, <i>*sigh*</i>, the fashionable one), and when I came out of the bathroom yesterday morning, this is what awaited me.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE1eBrUnpqOitMT2mfMhc-dEcD8EdlRN3kKyX0Vn4i-f5ftQo8EN3XzHgyxiuumukRr1RhrrpycHCG8Me4ewQTL8KrKMa3viDpbpD143L3LYonwoZaJ1UhcJdw8Vf1bi9kmIM6PUk8pYpV/s1600/Niseach+bathroom+door.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1440" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE1eBrUnpqOitMT2mfMhc-dEcD8EdlRN3kKyX0Vn4i-f5ftQo8EN3XzHgyxiuumukRr1RhrrpycHCG8Me4ewQTL8KrKMa3viDpbpD143L3LYonwoZaJ1UhcJdw8Vf1bi9kmIM6PUk8pYpV/s640/Niseach+bathroom+door.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">No, I wasn't in the bathroom for long. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Yes, she was missing me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And this wee face is what was staring at me as a dried my hair at a downstairs mirror.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkVwdZrJHBIXeWDOnGJyQRktn6mNG4uWnfmJbk1H3KPRYYm5dndRRTdxK-83hOyxW1FuWey3AlABx6dAuI5OJXsTZnnAc6t5FtX8QYGsCfFyvnP0ym2SgIEm4_p0A60X7ZxxUYE3MjV8qb/s1600/Niseach+stair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="820" data-original-width="1440" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkVwdZrJHBIXeWDOnGJyQRktn6mNG4uWnfmJbk1H3KPRYYm5dndRRTdxK-83hOyxW1FuWey3AlABx6dAuI5OJXsTZnnAc6t5FtX8QYGsCfFyvnP0ym2SgIEm4_p0A60X7ZxxUYE3MjV8qb/s640/Niseach+stair.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Tell me: is she not the sweetest wee face y'all have seen today?</span></div>
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<br />Homeschool on the Crofthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03400742529025230433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439971908848990993.post-63218221991921953522017-06-01T14:51:00.001+01:002017-06-01T14:51:49.580+01:00Niseach's First Wash, Cut, and Blowdry<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Apparently, I was looking a wee bit shabby - or maybe it was 'shaggy' they said - and so it was time for a haircut.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhka3ns5Y20oVv5jFDsZoufc9IadyCwzsDteTDHy9nrxq_Hv33W0H8rFMgEaKt-E7107OJ5S1T7mFrKpMDTa3FEbFkWNcgQSKbgjQR1qm4vexERIprhMcY3XXBwaheh2b9JqSMS1DYPUSlx/s1600/close+up+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhka3ns5Y20oVv5jFDsZoufc9IadyCwzsDteTDHy9nrxq_Hv33W0H8rFMgEaKt-E7107OJ5S1T7mFrKpMDTa3FEbFkWNcgQSKbgjQR1qm4vexERIprhMcY3XXBwaheh2b9JqSMS1DYPUSlx/s640/close+up+1.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Quite honestly, I was happy with the look, and given that I'm always hearing people waxing lyrical on the loveliness of shabby chic, I couldn't see any reason for me to endure the pains of a three-hour long grooming session.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim-gSjMswYPiTtbNyjFq7pHiGY-lf-tNVhKXCWSIE30vWUYWpgS8SKUYPYtnfxZIob18YNnOJdr_q4vQv7YDKJev5t2zNaAOnzVod3Iu6bQZf0YgIa74iwkjLEPJQTeLmchSxHy6V0Lp_0/s1600/garden+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim-gSjMswYPiTtbNyjFq7pHiGY-lf-tNVhKXCWSIE30vWUYWpgS8SKUYPYtnfxZIob18YNnOJdr_q4vQv7YDKJev5t2zNaAOnzVod3Iu6bQZf0YgIa74iwkjLEPJQTeLmchSxHy6V0Lp_0/s640/garden+5.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">But hey, who am I to decide on these things?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK1oxJg6FVEmk3BW1_RDndeaEU6y-eZyoqmacLN-ar0sqCdwfKa3ueLsFB5eY0eBm0YJNeTBuTQpQoC47cMFjnDBGtWVrmxnvH_vwfXrhK3Bis7M5Xw-pPz6EvVujxt-SwnLELSG3wFLt9/s1600/garden+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK1oxJg6FVEmk3BW1_RDndeaEU6y-eZyoqmacLN-ar0sqCdwfKa3ueLsFB5eY0eBm0YJNeTBuTQpQoC47cMFjnDBGtWVrmxnvH_vwfXrhK3Bis7M5Xw-pPz6EvVujxt-SwnLELSG3wFLt9/s640/garden+8.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">One final run-around in freedom, and off to the groomer's van it was.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Actually, I fell for the groomer. She was lovely and I could tell she thought I was lovely too. Frankly, how could she think otherwise, eh?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSJOk2dFE-REaazgu2PD8IWzh2MJUYngZiUaLFOkOUQkDYBmPvtMw-TQY0fO21lBZpJMNTI8JWbxb337V-8GAzabRAQ2fPCtpxVANbRzPQFb7m4Rv439Zlu8eKU4duM0RfpINbzJ6-5MQM/s1600/grooming+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSJOk2dFE-REaazgu2PD8IWzh2MJUYngZiUaLFOkOUQkDYBmPvtMw-TQY0fO21lBZpJMNTI8JWbxb337V-8GAzabRAQ2fPCtpxVANbRzPQFb7m4Rv439Zlu8eKU4duM0RfpINbzJ6-5MQM/s640/grooming+1.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I got a thorough brushing, and then it was into the bath. I absolutely love being in the bath at home, but oh boy, this one was even better fun. It was deep, so my shaking only half-soaked my groomer. When I do that at home, Mammy get totally drenched. Such fun!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDHnSASeq6tCtV43qPZEAg_Sw0RdHAokRwgkl94P57l6Fh86GoWa6wEA8S4fMIQDdX2QF2RsE9uu2XuxrpRegFaFfuJBYB8Pe2lvxOIsJtCrvxzq5DptsIg2_k7z41AXS8V9CYu5GoHxSA/s1600/grooming+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDHnSASeq6tCtV43qPZEAg_Sw0RdHAokRwgkl94P57l6Fh86GoWa6wEA8S4fMIQDdX2QF2RsE9uu2XuxrpRegFaFfuJBYB8Pe2lvxOIsJtCrvxzq5DptsIg2_k7z41AXS8V9CYu5GoHxSA/s640/grooming+2.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Seriously, what it this all about? I was so glad I couldn't see myself in the mirror at this stage: seeing Mum's photos after the event was bad enough. I think this...... <i>thing </i>.... was placed on my head so the sound of the crazy blower wouldn't frighten me too much. That blower was just a short mini-dry before the b-i-g </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">l-o-n-g drying event took place.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxfMF3SdRdKnfmlFtrv9fdwsUe7akWnd5uyYREYLhD43k1JRO-67mBWT99qW4Depp_kUJk8ubN9M1xcT1SOXEQeecIAVvdHFNIaMSzR5OzPJekK7FXX0Ezs3tT4xV8G4NmMEVUzOphDc7p/s1600/grooming+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxfMF3SdRdKnfmlFtrv9fdwsUe7akWnd5uyYREYLhD43k1JRO-67mBWT99qW4Depp_kUJk8ubN9M1xcT1SOXEQeecIAVvdHFNIaMSzR5OzPJekK7FXX0Ezs3tT4xV8G4NmMEVUzOphDc7p/s640/grooming+3.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As I said, I hadn't seen myself, so quite happily posed for the camera. Mammy says that ignorance is bliss, and though I'm not so sure about that, it certainly meant I smiled for the camera rather than hiding my face in shame.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6N36rXle9U6VXYiNrm3HxScEelwdjejXwirpQqAbTLSDO0i2CYrixKydVhFphr8BlgWKgMJpVGjl30uTtcCXjFOiOA81Ka0kABedm88k4ZlHXedvxldx0-8rwuzm6kVruOEOmSGlJzFmY/s1600/grooming+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6N36rXle9U6VXYiNrm3HxScEelwdjejXwirpQqAbTLSDO0i2CYrixKydVhFphr8BlgWKgMJpVGjl30uTtcCXjFOiOA81Ka0kABedm88k4ZlHXedvxldx0-8rwuzm6kVruOEOmSGlJzFmY/s640/grooming+4.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Then came the drying and brushing. Wow, this took ages. Like, <i>forever</i>. (Don't tell Mum I said <i>'Like, forever'</i>, because there will be no doggy treats for me for the rest of the day. Well, or until I give her My Look. Works every time. Every. Single. Time.)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJ7vdNJ80-39UguCB_P6V6ZTyyAc4vTYcxQQtXUPSMXpxcle9DaRQUI2IAkCif_Zv3XwlQnmesH_YYBIYw9CINIaO3ODU1hpSAVMZwMtJ9vW2H2emhyJEflAKzXvOMM-AMXm1loU-HRCr/s1600/grooming+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJ7vdNJ80-39UguCB_P6V6ZTyyAc4vTYcxQQtXUPSMXpxcle9DaRQUI2IAkCif_Zv3XwlQnmesH_YYBIYw9CINIaO3ODU1hpSAVMZwMtJ9vW2H2emhyJEflAKzXvOMM-AMXm1loU-HRCr/s640/grooming+8.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I tried to be as good as gold, and patiently stood for Lauren. She was amazed how good I was considering this was my first grooming.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjToshR-eCG5wdXlMznzx84OjoToG1X6FwVVDXg_i3hjfNPeTbNvm_LVODJ1kfqFGogi6NIGb2Ma2D7VSWHdO-Uc0iw_0kOxlDmzSb54YcrRTT9q642U1Ee7nT1Amq3fj9xbNe9xeAxC5Hu/s1600/grooming+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjToshR-eCG5wdXlMznzx84OjoToG1X6FwVVDXg_i3hjfNPeTbNvm_LVODJ1kfqFGogi6NIGb2Ma2D7VSWHdO-Uc0iw_0kOxlDmzSb54YcrRTT9q642U1Ee7nT1Amq3fj9xbNe9xeAxC5Hu/s640/grooming+5.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I told her: 'I aim to please'.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> She liked that.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrHtstJnClehhISVP5G0T5oLaa3UiBwG8HpDdSvZOnJxP-rJk52UTP7YN34vQqDxZZDO6G8aMgEnX3LDblzUz2_56fKi_UicqXbVP1jHA17YUcuhrqan_WvgwFmdKXcXU_tzSAhaF7fBv9/s1600/grooming+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrHtstJnClehhISVP5G0T5oLaa3UiBwG8HpDdSvZOnJxP-rJk52UTP7YN34vQqDxZZDO6G8aMgEnX3LDblzUz2_56fKi_UicqXbVP1jHA17YUcuhrqan_WvgwFmdKXcXU_tzSAhaF7fBv9/s640/grooming+9.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Finally, with 5 minutes to go, Daddy arrived. That meant Mum could go outside and take a photo from outside of Lauren's van. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Three hours, but oh boy, did it feel good afterwards! I'm so glad they gave me this haircut before the really warm weather comes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I mean .... really warm weather is gonna come, right?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And here's the New Me. You like?</span></div>
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Homeschool on the Crofthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03400742529025230433noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439971908848990993.post-89419855831126488562017-02-28T01:43:00.001+00:002017-02-28T01:43:49.559+00:00Guest Post ... from Niseach<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I'm going to give you a glimpse into a couple of days in my life this past week ....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I woke up on Thursday morning to this.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRikVIOdKN9QRncE0i20Y3mbrHdM5jhbOM1C94PzDRTHyBlLUQeWlP0a5puz3l8upmGCjznVQsK-Et5oAp7WlK_FrBX8SA0eQVghrt5NNEG0qNk0pn7SihabMsJfY1CWDcga6nes-VU141/s1600/Tree+in+snow+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRikVIOdKN9QRncE0i20Y3mbrHdM5jhbOM1C94PzDRTHyBlLUQeWlP0a5puz3l8upmGCjznVQsK-Et5oAp7WlK_FrBX8SA0eQVghrt5NNEG0qNk0pn7SihabMsJfY1CWDcga6nes-VU141/s400/Tree+in+snow+2.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And I thought Christmas had come early this year.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5nzwckTdunAl1Vdl8YtFi9Dgh0_7j4erlvef6Ix55DVZyNc4A3i6XyxC1RCksnyFHjWBKHUh_KQ0oabjOSCOE5xcSwm8-rW41R9Z2DaL6js5tavgzFFKoLD0d39wlOYZ0FDKaNTsbt0Ay/s1600/cottage+and+trees+in+snow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5nzwckTdunAl1Vdl8YtFi9Dgh0_7j4erlvef6Ix55DVZyNc4A3i6XyxC1RCksnyFHjWBKHUh_KQ0oabjOSCOE5xcSwm8-rW41R9Z2DaL6js5tavgzFFKoLD0d39wlOYZ0FDKaNTsbt0Ay/s640/cottage+and+trees+in+snow.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I could hardly believe it, because this white stuff had been on the ground a wee while back, but Calum was telling me that winter was pretty much gone, and now that the days are getting longer, we will soon be able to spend pretty much all day outside playing football.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Well, I love playing in the snow, except for one thing: it goes into clumps on my fur and when I try to take the clumps off, I hurt myself. The amazing thing is that when I come inside, and mammy wraps a towel around me, these clumps of snow all go and I'm just a wee bit wet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I can't wait until mum begins homeschooling me and I'll get to learn why all this stuff happens.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZEVCDWPOxcta-MwyrmzM4SLjJuqmUFP4e8hXXfFZhrDHZ-RiQ5b3j9waH4YyEQzIe5FZB5VSMXNxe43rKHpU5jJfG0Lqps2NtO-cPNg8Jd1fa3SQB_vyoI0ArZ08WCNDlZk_xXTFSU7eU/s1600/Niseach+on+sofa+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZEVCDWPOxcta-MwyrmzM4SLjJuqmUFP4e8hXXfFZhrDHZ-RiQ5b3j9waH4YyEQzIe5FZB5VSMXNxe43rKHpU5jJfG0Lqps2NtO-cPNg8Jd1fa3SQB_vyoI0ArZ08WCNDlZk_xXTFSU7eU/s640/Niseach+on+sofa+2.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Once I've been dried off a wee bit, I curl up in my corner for a snooze. Mammy always makes sure I'm cozy, and I don't push the blanket off me because I know she likes me to look cozy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">(Calum is teaching me how to make Mum feel good when she wraps us up and gives us loads to eat. Calum is a real pro at this making-Mum-feel-good stuff.)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXvUxOJ7tIz5VXiIKx9od66rsccl9pF48FiBgrFuM4G9MZ-EUHmHZbu5ZhyphenhyphenPlF9767DFEXAsTCLyXgVaieGi7mHj2x_9tlho6-Rb9J7uStIS77kw6EK1R_DtTazpM8MTGBXTIiNlcvl7nj/s1600/Niseach+in+window+standing+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXvUxOJ7tIz5VXiIKx9od66rsccl9pF48FiBgrFuM4G9MZ-EUHmHZbu5ZhyphenhyphenPlF9767DFEXAsTCLyXgVaieGi7mHj2x_9tlho6-Rb9J7uStIS77kw6EK1R_DtTazpM8MTGBXTIiNlcvl7nj/s640/Niseach+in+window+standing+2.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">He's also a real pro at going outside for a kick-about without me. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsz_hKwfCyPTruMD6Jtv-WjqVWFeoJFctI7yZ_CU351PFhoFLdx8TedtnxUrIuX_By_ftSnarJwJrD0dse4rQDquJJ7EUDb34nZvhCXd3F-w6urj34trbAr5KCOEgpvN1I-hCSuYVR4L4C/s1600/Niseach+in+window+sitting+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsz_hKwfCyPTruMD6Jtv-WjqVWFeoJFctI7yZ_CU351PFhoFLdx8TedtnxUrIuX_By_ftSnarJwJrD0dse4rQDquJJ7EUDb34nZvhCXd3F-w6urj34trbAr5KCOEgpvN1I-hCSuYVR4L4C/s640/Niseach+in+window+sitting+1.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">When he does that, I jump up onto the window sill and put on my cutest, poutiest face.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And I wait for him to pity me enough to let me out to play ball with him.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkh0RO59wNk-YGF298bANKmGo8ddYgMHtEQCX_zhqcRtQnegCZX8vtdsgUMr4_8WW558fLDMOiYgRSTLCiVje4T9Q-0rsZ4RZyVld1eIYo07RlIgHHvKd1um69SVjznjR_5POTxFmihGW/s1600/Niseach+in+window+lying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkh0RO59wNk-YGF298bANKmGo8ddYgMHtEQCX_zhqcRtQnegCZX8vtdsgUMr4_8WW558fLDMOiYgRSTLCiVje4T9Q-0rsZ4RZyVld1eIYo07RlIgHHvKd1um69SVjznjR_5POTxFmihGW/s640/Niseach+in+window+lying.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I wait, and wait ...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ZozbyBhySiS45cTXWgY_BCdHPzdUbAcQ7Rwpou4iO8NEiwVZiCGwWleVbZdTR9d3V-P489mY6QrdOZifJQ9wVda8ZET2QZcbRRPNXu0-F-6tGQZl8cJKyLsedpLqiB0gWTAWMkg0mDyM/s1600/Niseach+lying+in+window+inside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ZozbyBhySiS45cTXWgY_BCdHPzdUbAcQ7Rwpou4iO8NEiwVZiCGwWleVbZdTR9d3V-P489mY6QrdOZifJQ9wVda8ZET2QZcbRRPNXu0-F-6tGQZl8cJKyLsedpLqiB0gWTAWMkg0mDyM/s640/Niseach+lying+in+window+inside.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And then I realise that he prefers playing football without me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I'd almost fall out with him except for this ....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEAqN8gKgPpBdnUTirqvNEHvmwHU0EWB57g9Xi7ObK9nmUklkkpS4uHJnNKm3zC6D4vMkHhhyGG8mpOKhT2E8zbniwOvyALdrADwjyBe3Wz0auhHTORTPIf489fWyAAmOsOvzDXJRpDqBX/s1600/Niseach+Bennachie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEAqN8gKgPpBdnUTirqvNEHvmwHU0EWB57g9Xi7ObK9nmUklkkpS4uHJnNKm3zC6D4vMkHhhyGG8mpOKhT2E8zbniwOvyALdrADwjyBe3Wz0auhHTORTPIf489fWyAAmOsOvzDXJRpDqBX/s640/Niseach+Bennachie.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">He takes me to the top of the world ...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjw5FmUvTBPmd5P3F-WS8B87XC5YnBXmGikems-AMXaJfEAQx8-bjAMKooW2RhJFQjSLeqvn9gb2T5p5Co3teMAkoF7vMD2Ukss2qw1nB4ET3nVbQc1Nzxo3LvfqP-7LiPPnTMW1ERnCWT/s1600/Niseach+Benn+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjw5FmUvTBPmd5P3F-WS8B87XC5YnBXmGikems-AMXaJfEAQx8-bjAMKooW2RhJFQjSLeqvn9gb2T5p5Co3teMAkoF7vMD2Ukss2qw1nB4ET3nVbQc1Nzxo3LvfqP-7LiPPnTMW1ERnCWT/s400/Niseach+Benn+2.jpg" width="220" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I mean the actual top of the world ...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhovzjPmSJrwH4oYPXKNgIQiV2YCeb3j6snxnV2_BJw6xD26741nZG5lcwryPz50YAIcgPb-uTRpNFulDi-D9_9-KC8bTOvVaTzfPanwzQzy6kc1oYrN0bWx7O381qGyjoHpxXSJQ_ULusS/s1600/Benn+rocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhovzjPmSJrwH4oYPXKNgIQiV2YCeb3j6snxnV2_BJw6xD26741nZG5lcwryPz50YAIcgPb-uTRpNFulDi-D9_9-KC8bTOvVaTzfPanwzQzy6kc1oYrN0bWx7O381qGyjoHpxXSJQ_ULusS/s640/Benn+rocks.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Or maybe it was another world altogether. Wherever it was, it was the best walk I've ever had.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Hope y'all enjoyed that wee insight into my life here in Aberdeenshire. Mum and Calum are always talking about how beautiful it all is. I'm sure it is, but I'm just happy being with them. </span></div>
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Homeschool on the Crofthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03400742529025230433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439971908848990993.post-18499203641212532972017-02-21T22:29:00.000+00:002017-02-21T22:29:39.848+00:00Language ... <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZrXRNY15AJQTHwDxLN4pEGcuGN1ihSLwGE5wZQt7RTL6XU3wYzM0I55hJWON0NZ3zklekEhPwA9BujoS4goN7sx7AtW3r4wjLiFkUjkFcuEhj9yF2CPuObJefNy8y-BZF3k1mT4T3U1O/s1600/red+and+blue+pill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZrXRNY15AJQTHwDxLN4pEGcuGN1ihSLwGE5wZQt7RTL6XU3wYzM0I55hJWON0NZ3zklekEhPwA9BujoS4goN7sx7AtW3r4wjLiFkUjkFcuEhj9yF2CPuObJefNy8y-BZF3k1mT4T3U1O/s400/red+and+blue+pill.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I posted this picture on my Facebook page the other day, asking those reading to choose one of these pills.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I chose the red one because even though it's been a life long dream of mine to play the piano, to be able to communicate with anyone, anywhere in the world, in their own language would be one of the most incredible experiences we could have, don't you think?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One of the Facebook commenters said: </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I'd choose the red pill, and then I'd sit in cafes all over the world, listening to the conversations going on all around me."</span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Wouldn't that be amazing!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It reminded me of when I worked in the Barber shop in Stornoway. When I'd be cutting someone's hair and making the usual barber-customer conversation, I always remember how different that conversation felt if I was able to ascertain that the customer had Gaelic, and we would then blether in our native tongue. There is an immediate bond between people who speak the same language because language is more than letters making up words.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It's more than a collection of words. In the world I inhabit, everyone speaks English and understands English, but only some were Gaelic speakers. There was intimacy and a bond that comes only between people who speak the same language, and I think if that language is what may be termed a 'minority language', then finding others to speak with in this tongue becomes even more precious.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">When I was thinking of this the other day, my mind was taken to thoughts of what Heaven would be like. There will be no language barrier there! And, much as Gaelic speaks to my heart, I am pretty sure the language of Heaven will not be my beloved mother tongue! Every member of Christ's family will communicate with each other and the bonds will be unspeakably stronger than those bonds I used to feel with the customers in the Barber Shop. The language of Heaven will be a language with which we will all be able to communicate our love to the Saviour without stumbling and flailing over insufficient words. We will be able to speak of God's amazing glory in more meaningful terms than the weak expressions we can muster right now. Don't y'all look forward to this! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Right now, I am so often frustrated when all I can say is 'Oh, it's amazing' in countless situations. I see a photo like this ...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCTPKQDbr1vrsVfSQQQNmaXWtnDz9yHV48DxribQ2nVZ5IieCsDEgyYz7GrmkqI0Hpj6yQtGucnLyvx7Byh1ifE_qm3zDYCztqunJGN0gy5s6skyKOgu7YZg1BnxlE00VzKXcK-BINa4Tx/s1600/16708193_1265118650233956_8414999748549324156_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCTPKQDbr1vrsVfSQQQNmaXWtnDz9yHV48DxribQ2nVZ5IieCsDEgyYz7GrmkqI0Hpj6yQtGucnLyvx7Byh1ifE_qm3zDYCztqunJGN0gy5s6skyKOgu7YZg1BnxlE00VzKXcK-BINa4Tx/s320/16708193_1265118650233956_8414999748549324156_n.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Volcano Hummingbird (Selasphorus flammula) in Panama by Miguel "Siu" on flickr</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> ...and I wonder at the immensity of the Creator's detail and beauty, and my soul sings, my heart pounds in praise, yet all I can muster is, 'Oh, that's amazing!'. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Ah, but in Heaven, I will be able to <i>express </i>how I feel. And not only will my language be appropriate, how I <i>feel </i>will also be absolutely spot on. There will be no sin, no lack of appreciation, no deadness of soul to dull the praise for my Saviour, my Creator, my Lord.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I am frustrated with my insufficient language too when I think of God's amazing (yes, there's that over-used and yet lacking word again) works of Providence, which has caused me to have a life that most certainly fits these words in Psalm 16:</span><br />
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<span class="text Ps-16-5" id="en-NKJV-14098" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; position: relative;">O <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, <i>....</i></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;" /><span class="text Ps-16-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; position: relative;">You maintain my lot.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;" /><span class="text Ps-16-6" id="en-NKJV-14099" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">6 </span>The lines have fallen to me in pleasant <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">places;</i></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;" /><span class="text Ps-16-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; position: relative;">Yes, I have a good inheritance. (Psalm 16: 5, 6)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">What a pleasant and privileged childhood and adulthood He has given me, and when I think about my lot, I am overwhelmed, yet have insufficient words to express the thanks I feel. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Ah, but in Heaven, we will all have the language to express our thanks perfectly!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And then, I think of God's amazing (yup, it appears again) salvation. All that was done within the Trinity before the world was ever created; and all the blood that was shed in the Old Testament sacrifices, so beautifully yet so insufficiently speaking of that great sacrifice on Calvary. All that Christ has done to secure salvation, and then to have that salvation gifted to me. <i>Me!</i> My heart sings, my breath is almost taken away, and there are simply no words to express my gratitude and my astonishment at what God has done.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Ah, but in Heaven! No language barrier. No fumbling for words in English - <i>or </i>in Gaelic. No frustration at not being able to say what I want to say. Not even a desire to have every earthly language! Because there, the language of Heaven will mean perfect communication, and perfect understanding between every single person there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">In Heaven, our words will be wonderful; but The Word - that Word that was 'made flesh and dwelt among us' (John 1:14) .... He will be 'altogether wonderful'! When I think about these things, I sometimes feel like I can't wait!</span><br />
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<br />Homeschool on the Crofthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03400742529025230433noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439971908848990993.post-34145981635344463222017-02-08T22:09:00.002+00:002017-02-08T22:09:44.380+00:00Photos from my Mobile<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I was emptying my mobile of photos, and thought I'd give y'all a wee taste of my phone gallery.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">A surprising number of photos have a Tea theme. Now, I love my tea, and drink numerous cups of tea every day, but I must say that I found the frequency of tea-related photos rather odd. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVm9VytZGvDMC9iCWcXH5B0NdF0oRCDHtbJlK14EduEpT_Hs3K_E_GOdRQ5awYThkrR8PAFmuGDDFxZEB2Qy9cck4BGZfhSMECSNIHmkpRyJ7n-OaUtAy5gfOOu9b08J6X5iD2g9KETDoX/s1600/cups+in+pick+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVm9VytZGvDMC9iCWcXH5B0NdF0oRCDHtbJlK14EduEpT_Hs3K_E_GOdRQ5awYThkrR8PAFmuGDDFxZEB2Qy9cck4BGZfhSMECSNIHmkpRyJ7n-OaUtAy5gfOOu9b08J6X5iD2g9KETDoX/s320/cups+in+pick+up.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The first of my tea-themed-photos was taken in the pick-up, and has a mix of my china mug, the Builder's plastic-from-the-top-of-the-flask cup, and the Builder's arm. Y'all can decide for yourselves which part of the photo is my favourite.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">If you want a clue, it doesn't include tea.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Then there was this tea-related photo.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJdoPTKFa65J4SAZ-fORmWG_4mQ8uApAzCn-6BvaZLyy5nTG4X8WEGzKxOSU7TuJzbwgGJzovOYUTZ9bOWeBjftA5phUkRHdWahdYoHlmjPOn0QptD4ICDr6sAhh6T6RnoAkHXp9PJ3xY2/s1600/Mugs+and+cup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJdoPTKFa65J4SAZ-fORmWG_4mQ8uApAzCn-6BvaZLyy5nTG4X8WEGzKxOSU7TuJzbwgGJzovOYUTZ9bOWeBjftA5phUkRHdWahdYoHlmjPOn0QptD4ICDr6sAhh6T6RnoAkHXp9PJ3xY2/s320/Mugs+and+cup.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This was taken at a friend's house when I visited with my sister and Catherine and Katie. Our lovely hostess gave herself and the other three beautiful china mugs, but I was given the most delicious Royal Albert cup and saucer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Oh, she's learning ....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And then, yet another tea photo.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidyqnlxMbJffmpqHJpM5oKFxrcvIWlXG1RbbY3EazDss7uyVZYdoM1dCIAk5-9AI4Ja3wi6ALQYgG67dWU-8SDP-tddJvE2O-Ik3h8TldBD3cez6X0AEbakbXnXg5wmWkcosmN4MK670ds/s1600/tea+and+Vic+sponge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidyqnlxMbJffmpqHJpM5oKFxrcvIWlXG1RbbY3EazDss7uyVZYdoM1dCIAk5-9AI4Ja3wi6ALQYgG67dWU-8SDP-tddJvE2O-Ik3h8TldBD3cez6X0AEbakbXnXg5wmWkcosmN4MK670ds/s320/tea+and+Vic+sponge.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I was in Ness the other day at a funeral. Although the man was not related to me, I found the day difficult for a number of reasons, not least the fact that I'd grown up for twenty years right next door to this man and his family. There were a lot of memories that day, so I truly appreciated my sister-in-law serving me Victoria sponge and tea in this china cup. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Yes, tea absolutely tastes different when served in this kind of loveliness.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Now, they say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, and the next couple of photos will tell you all you need to know about my love of tea, and my particular love of tea in china.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">A couple of weeks ago, my mum was in hospital for a couple of hours, and before she was ready to leave, a nurse asked if she'd like a cup of tea. Well, can a duck swim? Of course Mum wanted a cuppa. My sister was there too, and she told me that the nurse arrived with the tea while Mum was in the bathroom. When Mum came out, this is what she saw ....</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglyY-mgvyu1tJRr-ED3bAuJL7ywyC30bgrhpUbi9KtUqLB85SRoK0-u3dkwZrXL7VP1pQ6fNoCpA28IGyzdVI-op8Y7f33CdWtr-LlsTf04SZjhw6d2ouNZWHtTLi_TKhmhpDlEYllMh4X/s1600/16523286_10211980597172885_165884798_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglyY-mgvyu1tJRr-ED3bAuJL7ywyC30bgrhpUbi9KtUqLB85SRoK0-u3dkwZrXL7VP1pQ6fNoCpA28IGyzdVI-op8Y7f33CdWtr-LlsTf04SZjhw6d2ouNZWHtTLi_TKhmhpDlEYllMh4X/s320/16523286_10211980597172885_165884798_o.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Marina said that when she saw it, she almost passed out, but came to herself enough to say with absolute horror, "<i>Mo chreach mhòr, 's ann a tha sin nas coltaiche ri mias" (Goodness me, that's more like a basin!).</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">When the nurse saw the shocked horror on Mum's face, she immediately offered to serve her tea in a, erm, more suitable vessel.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This is what arrived....</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Mqp5J_wooOHpGGycWTUVJ07X3omuZ01tOfFa0YV_0CYb7miIyxAXtXGlhWwIG6mATVfDi3EPuH9W0vnqSMzqFEifR90OaQOYkH-SCVGYvMuBICSvmk3SykxboIBVr89U5iTa0SxOv6P5/s1600/China+in+hospital.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Mqp5J_wooOHpGGycWTUVJ07X3omuZ01tOfFa0YV_0CYb7miIyxAXtXGlhWwIG6mATVfDi3EPuH9W0vnqSMzqFEifR90OaQOYkH-SCVGYvMuBICSvmk3SykxboIBVr89U5iTa0SxOv6P5/s320/China+in+hospital.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And so, I realise I truly am becoming my Mum. Catherine, our daughter, realises she's only a few decades behind us. She has come to accept that she is slowly but surely turning into me, and then the progression will mean her becoming Granny.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">C'est la vie, I tell her.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">You know, I was going to show you more photos because, yes, I promise you, I do snap more than just tea. But I think that's enough for one blog post. I'll post later in the week with the other photos.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Now, go and have a cuppa.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">In a Royal Albert cup, if at all possible.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Have some Victoria Sponge too. And if that's not possible, have a chocolate biscuit. Dip it in the tea. And then y'all can pretend I'm right there with you. Wouldn't that be fun .... for me!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">(the next lot of photos is a mix, but there are definitely quite a few of a certain fluff ball in her younger days....)</span><br />
<br />Homeschool on the Crofthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03400742529025230433noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439971908848990993.post-36032188945856298332017-01-24T20:30:00.002+00:002017-09-05T15:43:02.116+01:00News ...<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">One more post about Mum's birthday day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This lady on the left ... </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHqrmj6x_GP4JD8mP3-su04tm-0uuKJeoK_0OLGS7VwmWZBHKjJS2gczzorQ_JSmEiIFIzs2N9Dp7ywAZdfd150iFS4kh_5b2hGAyJ94-GIgzcRmYx4dKTzTCMVPOYZ11vFwi-zKfmuIux/s1600/Cath+and+Iona.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHqrmj6x_GP4JD8mP3-su04tm-0uuKJeoK_0OLGS7VwmWZBHKjJS2gczzorQ_JSmEiIFIzs2N9Dp7ywAZdfd150iFS4kh_5b2hGAyJ94-GIgzcRmYx4dKTzTCMVPOYZ11vFwi-zKfmuIux/s640/Cath+and+Iona.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">... had something to tell her audience.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Oh yes, she had some wonderful news to share on that evening.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It went something like this:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>"We put an offer on a house today."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Cue lots of <i>oohs </i>and <i>ahhs</i>, and '<i>Oh, Catherine, that's great news!' </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">She went on:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>"There are three bedrooms. So, that's our room, the guest room, and ...</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>come August, the third will be used as a ...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeIeeLQT2P724VnYOBgBErDjVq_RXLrlyTRNDiQRK2ohORjv-3V87_jiGLANotWcX8rhoaUjpAp5pTx2JnpXHNe9ruNJiPj6FesOqjAstO6nkZTP2OqTL9WNujcQoNCmHYA09IlMuc3s_s/s1600/Hearing+the+news+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeIeeLQT2P724VnYOBgBErDjVq_RXLrlyTRNDiQRK2ohORjv-3V87_jiGLANotWcX8rhoaUjpAp5pTx2JnpXHNe9ruNJiPj6FesOqjAstO6nkZTP2OqTL9WNujcQoNCmHYA09IlMuc3s_s/s640/Hearing+the+news+1.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>nursery."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Bit by bit, the news sank in ...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheDXiBPafh1NyLkb_cOD5Eto1aj0DZNO7vEr2EBe3d5Olnz6dBWs8gqHd-gTMUNOmzmX5mJE__wjyhYFlENTVpu9B2c_NuxJX_0xc58ufSWJ2DWlzQ3fUEHZH7kogUFFD4ZmGbBZpkiIvM/s1600/Hearing+the+news+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheDXiBPafh1NyLkb_cOD5Eto1aj0DZNO7vEr2EBe3d5Olnz6dBWs8gqHd-gTMUNOmzmX5mJE__wjyhYFlENTVpu9B2c_NuxJX_0xc58ufSWJ2DWlzQ3fUEHZH7kogUFFD4ZmGbBZpkiIvM/s640/Hearing+the+news+2.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">deeper and deeper ...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEO_87V-65c1BR7G3itQm3Uyv41d1bXhXkqXRiFDOHZvnUQSkqFR2596K7rGSoV6REaj4TiE_M9a6vqPjLchwlWAX76I2qVumpZpH-Q5GLsmOVMrwr4Fo8Tqm4oUgU47soJICTfqK3A8i4/s1600/Hearing+the+news+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEO_87V-65c1BR7G3itQm3Uyv41d1bXhXkqXRiFDOHZvnUQSkqFR2596K7rGSoV6REaj4TiE_M9a6vqPjLchwlWAX76I2qVumpZpH-Q5GLsmOVMrwr4Fo8Tqm4oUgU47soJICTfqK3A8i4/s640/Hearing+the+news+3.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">until it had finally sunk in.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And the joy could no longer be contained!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR5Orwbwdh9LzudawxZQGaa8XJ_GrtC-H_PejbEJaimYwzJdCG5m13Eoap7VEBdBDDmTMihk4l3EJite0OE89dPDHEv2r7fRN8e_ELE5Fj7WjeNdzbACjNO5Zb9Lb3_BIPmL4PO7XJIXMi/s1600/Hearing+the+news+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR5Orwbwdh9LzudawxZQGaa8XJ_GrtC-H_PejbEJaimYwzJdCG5m13Eoap7VEBdBDDmTMihk4l3EJite0OE89dPDHEv2r7fRN8e_ELE5Fj7WjeNdzbACjNO5Zb9Lb3_BIPmL4PO7XJIXMi/s640/Hearing+the+news+4.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">That was until someone explained that if Catherine was having a baby, then my baby sister was going to be a ...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHzRD4e91y1yFlFjCRRcvMVIcZbNtfd31xjU0ULmzC8-tFhE_4lvq6ZW5ncLtxmyHKotK1OAqa-qYCKbuSIsEGhVvZzxyhCASWvOC-_F8lvm9oeAg8U3tOtb2ProDGQrE6M1kfB5jNJ-EU/s1600/Hearing+great+auntie+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHzRD4e91y1yFlFjCRRcvMVIcZbNtfd31xjU0ULmzC8-tFhE_4lvq6ZW5ncLtxmyHKotK1OAqa-qYCKbuSIsEGhVvZzxyhCASWvOC-_F8lvm9oeAg8U3tOtb2ProDGQrE6M1kfB5jNJ-EU/s640/Hearing+great+auntie+1.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Great Aunt!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdaAh0AyPY9ItzeVbstnMOVmjSSTxC8S7FGFQp8JAutPf8fQz2ypAywy2l_XkEBRMOXdSkSoBNVKBY8h2hVNPjsG80xMFO-stqaRe_t3srWBlEMhnbyscPTOEE5fMABmg2ckLPR9MeRGC7/s1600/Hearing+great+auntie+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdaAh0AyPY9ItzeVbstnMOVmjSSTxC8S7FGFQp8JAutPf8fQz2ypAywy2l_XkEBRMOXdSkSoBNVKBY8h2hVNPjsG80xMFO-stqaRe_t3srWBlEMhnbyscPTOEE5fMABmg2ckLPR9MeRGC7/s640/Hearing+great+auntie+2.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Great Aunt sounds WAY older than Granny!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Imagine, my baby sister finally may have to grow up</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">!</span></div>
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<br />Homeschool on the Crofthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03400742529025230433noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439971908848990993.post-23311857599654462762017-01-24T08:00:00.000+00:002017-01-24T11:52:25.735+00:00Out-takes of our Photo Taking ...<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">In the <a href="https://homeschoolonthecroft.blogspot.co.uk/2017/01/mums-birthday.html">previous post</a>, I showed y'all all the lovely photos that made us seem well-behaved and even - dare I say it - <i>normal</i>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">But to get to the publishable-photo stage, we had to go through bits and bobs of, well, drama.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuSpGmigpylrRVCeoyIeG6lx7MLk0zq1jVsmvqCNYgLisewk2CrLzwCSwBeiMmz55WYh9mX7Ym-JbBeBx57oOx8Ha2bPbQuQyL6Equp3Kucf0f0gWftYuRHSct7WdW81VXGce2V4ykzweK/s1600/C%2526K+messing+hair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuSpGmigpylrRVCeoyIeG6lx7MLk0zq1jVsmvqCNYgLisewk2CrLzwCSwBeiMmz55WYh9mX7Ym-JbBeBx57oOx8Ha2bPbQuQyL6Equp3Kucf0f0gWftYuRHSct7WdW81VXGce2V4ykzweK/s640/C%2526K+messing+hair.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">See, this is the kind of thing that happens when you put two sisters next to each other in a photo line up. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>'Hair all sorted for the photo, right?' </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>'Well, I'll soon sort that...'</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb_DUtY7Qp2bPVn3CNkz0x0RFEuRkCLDk20CIuWdqsikVjGtdTjtAyl3NdDaRxM4GT1LlYynfYBv8dlr1DqyoGwOf6kQlQjTperfY7RyCP-gmBtCGcMfFSniYj38E3Yt9EY41grjsby2xA/s1600/C%2526K+messing+about.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb_DUtY7Qp2bPVn3CNkz0x0RFEuRkCLDk20CIuWdqsikVjGtdTjtAyl3NdDaRxM4GT1LlYynfYBv8dlr1DqyoGwOf6kQlQjTperfY7RyCP-gmBtCGcMfFSniYj38E3Yt9EY41grjsby2xA/s640/C%2526K+messing+about.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Meanwhile - take note - my folks and all the boys are completely well behaved and beautifully posed.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIvMC4Bb28Xl4gjd-Y9eovHpEQJlcStHzhXy6Dks6h2tNROmKMFas7ObPj-Yyg_u6RO8xlvqXNJij2bbyEKEIxnNqNenkR3k95WFQvcxDKOVWZFkQEC0QTtJXHwgA7-vQTqLI5aC7OpzAj/s1600/C%2526K+messing+about+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIvMC4Bb28Xl4gjd-Y9eovHpEQJlcStHzhXy6Dks6h2tNROmKMFas7ObPj-Yyg_u6RO8xlvqXNJij2bbyEKEIxnNqNenkR3k95WFQvcxDKOVWZFkQEC0QTtJXHwgA7-vQTqLI5aC7OpzAj/s640/C%2526K+messing+about+2.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It's always the girls that cause the problems. Always the girls. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">You just ask any mum with sons .... in particular, ask my own mum. Isn't that right, Marina?!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Mums and their boys. It's simply the way of the world...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQLo27KbjOEt7DoU6pA-ccn0nDjNVehoQCQ3M3mR4A8CrIuTRdE9FCzLSc4tukeoRYBEpAw9XDbFh5rAhO74HJbXJhTMUx7LWd7b4GdTv0k9M6C_TRNRXoylFv4k4Tgf9RFSBcI_cyOPH_/s1600/Normality+resumes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQLo27KbjOEt7DoU6pA-ccn0nDjNVehoQCQ3M3mR4A8CrIuTRdE9FCzLSc4tukeoRYBEpAw9XDbFh5rAhO74HJbXJhTMUx7LWd7b4GdTv0k9M6C_TRNRXoylFv4k4Tgf9RFSBcI_cyOPH_/s640/Normality+resumes.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Well, finally we pretty much had order restored and we were able to take some pretty decent photos.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Below is a photo of Mum and Auntie Jessie. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZPtNbrkeiUS64g22UY5qG-O1BMg9k0gpJPVzNalI9S6_iAF329F7NrLWL7DyOLqlSTfsveA1hc63LD6j9b2miNp1JXYN0hGOMhqLD9f2f4JzZv6alUHSciJZAf-kIjCzhPRUFhTIZJfsL/s1600/Mum+and+Auntie+Jessie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZPtNbrkeiUS64g22UY5qG-O1BMg9k0gpJPVzNalI9S6_iAF329F7NrLWL7DyOLqlSTfsveA1hc63LD6j9b2miNp1JXYN0hGOMhqLD9f2f4JzZv6alUHSciJZAf-kIjCzhPRUFhTIZJfsL/s640/Mum+and+Auntie+Jessie.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Here, they are beautifully presented and have their 'for the camera' faces on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">But a short while later, I was able to take a photo that totally and completely and utterly sums the pair of them up ...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2cfS5fL7RUQ5GfY6u99GVUjxJTXGr0YV3uJrT6zvoGvmmBCy52MUMqUIo6rmfUmJ6as0lINKGswI4rxDg2nB0PErl3_UO6qQrUgGuJtGM0rh0uNSbkbvTd5uLoXYxr04_OdQuFFt5RFnq/s1600/Jessie+and+Granny+speaking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2cfS5fL7RUQ5GfY6u99GVUjxJTXGr0YV3uJrT6zvoGvmmBCy52MUMqUIo6rmfUmJ6as0lINKGswI4rxDg2nB0PErl3_UO6qQrUgGuJtGM0rh0uNSbkbvTd5uLoXYxr04_OdQuFFt5RFnq/s640/Jessie+and+Granny+speaking.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This is them. Everyone who knows Mum and Auntie Jessie can actually <i>hear </i>them as they look at this photo. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Honestly, it is them, summed up in a few inches of photo!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And then we had Neil and Donna and the boys. Remember the lovely photo of them all yesterday?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJLM83twysKEcyDapCNv3ljr3yVZTXSdar_i4sFCw03dpL_qpVW0XarQFBrelvustY9apH5fVV6-sLm9Y6-b-kuOALfsg1SMaUg1dqshipkfKMH5mqANWGm5MaBulKVPNCwidglgqlcCI0/s1600/Neil+family+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJLM83twysKEcyDapCNv3ljr3yVZTXSdar_i4sFCw03dpL_qpVW0XarQFBrelvustY9apH5fVV6-sLm9Y6-b-kuOALfsg1SMaUg1dqshipkfKMH5mqANWGm5MaBulKVPNCwidglgqlcCI0/s640/Neil+family+2.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Well, shortly before the 'good' photo was taken, we had this. Now, all looks fairly normal, but take a look at Mark's hand ...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYu7wdTpL22s6d22Aa3KfCng2Uto54eq0DM5_lhV0SOkV6gQM5O2_XPRWI5lj3nNABc7W_2_NzwnybJm9T1MQu0wzOp9Vkrk-uxtye-uk-ZLEEyLAfHv1UTDXgGyrlvOMV1Nycj6P-kc3_/s1600/Neil+family+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYu7wdTpL22s6d22Aa3KfCng2Uto54eq0DM5_lhV0SOkV6gQM5O2_XPRWI5lj3nNABc7W_2_NzwnybJm9T1MQu0wzOp9Vkrk-uxtye-uk-ZLEEyLAfHv1UTDXgGyrlvOMV1Nycj6P-kc3_/s640/Neil+family+3.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And now take a look at Mark's face ... He's up to something.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7BqWS9HFWHEt9wiU1rPRlWOuY-L946UBkgBNOBBG5L3kFMbLuGDMEXqX04VA2R5rX0XT9YdY-a1Ecex92ZSFUz8oSu6uAD5owbtEd2VlkIPVGdQ7bzrRRTGorqTha3oElWlO88l2PVzVF/s1600/Neil+family+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7BqWS9HFWHEt9wiU1rPRlWOuY-L946UBkgBNOBBG5L3kFMbLuGDMEXqX04VA2R5rX0XT9YdY-a1Ecex92ZSFUz8oSu6uAD5owbtEd2VlkIPVGdQ7bzrRRTGorqTha3oElWlO88l2PVzVF/s640/Neil+family+4.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And NOW, see Neil's face! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">That 'butter wouldn't melt in my mouth' nephew of mine had had great fun - very much at his dad's expense.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Dontcha just love kids!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSIRKUQmXElj_iga-iBgLRz3yO8yS9CHRgVrDNcsmvBX2vizweZP_LmHXl5D7klZyI0KHcB1S9lft4lSAnq6H8aST1pl6WSG1TxyRVPmxPTPufk3lgX3hbTjGka1yHHLD2S6YP108sqcyk/s1600/Neil+family+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSIRKUQmXElj_iga-iBgLRz3yO8yS9CHRgVrDNcsmvBX2vizweZP_LmHXl5D7klZyI0KHcB1S9lft4lSAnq6H8aST1pl6WSG1TxyRVPmxPTPufk3lgX3hbTjGka1yHHLD2S6YP108sqcyk/s640/Neil+family+5.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Order almost restored ... but a re-writing of the will may be on the way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Ross is smiling. And well he might.</span></div>
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<br />Homeschool on the Crofthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03400742529025230433noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439971908848990993.post-13564361870520166942017-01-23T12:20:00.002+00:002017-01-23T12:20:36.759+00:00Mum's Birthday<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Last week, we were able to have an amazing family get-together for Mum's birthday. Over the past few years, my brother, Neil, has missed so many family events because of his work, but this time even he was with us.... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Marina and I always laugh at Mum with 'her boy', so undoubtedly the day was made doubly and trebly special for Mum with 'her boy' being there. Isn't that right, Marina?!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Although the Builder was missing, all Mum and Dad's children and grandchildren were there - including Catherine who'd come from Northern Ireland - as well as Mum's dearest friend, Auntie Jessie. It was a wonderful providence that had us all together.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijR-JyOgI6YONmbkA3zjeBDrXuaWGEUqc3AzugycQhhoWGV4-x-r1qVeLCYv8jWmmCT_7Yl8ivuBblnLDHXImQrS65VHhqNpiavoRjU7yh8U1RY_f5UheOWMRljptypqy52M2IfqSDxIK9/s1600/All.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijR-JyOgI6YONmbkA3zjeBDrXuaWGEUqc3AzugycQhhoWGV4-x-r1qVeLCYv8jWmmCT_7Yl8ivuBblnLDHXImQrS65VHhqNpiavoRjU7yh8U1RY_f5UheOWMRljptypqy52M2IfqSDxIK9/s640/All.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">In this post I'll show you only the 'good' photos. You know the ones .... the photos that make us all look well behaved and even <i>normal</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It's nice to kid on to folks sometimes.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp7aP7t92wwk327W7bq2CAX0w8KSLFjJEhb4D0Rw34tceP801ARJvAh3QQ53x-RhImA5iikx5shABkza1NQth5JYqvS2HemvyN5yHNwJ1Y3-sXfqN-9nRKNzwTEHunez5Wntc8vY9c_c-a/s1600/Family+ladies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp7aP7t92wwk327W7bq2CAX0w8KSLFjJEhb4D0Rw34tceP801ARJvAh3QQ53x-RhImA5iikx5shABkza1NQth5JYqvS2HemvyN5yHNwJ1Y3-sXfqN-9nRKNzwTEHunez5Wntc8vY9c_c-a/s640/Family+ladies.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Mum, her daughters and her granddaughters. Don't we all scrub up well?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiBEuPC6A0ws-nqAimCLzUn6_US_hyphenhyphenF-SFN87pFuG3diF3XwCbPtdTDVAxUH8d85K5e-Gte6b26wV_oVKzxHJinG-NWdy-H88cBTo3W0Vvukqr_m0qnaqJeoVuQuMeXVibjPmeqoYehH1v/s1600/G%2526G+with+us+three.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiBEuPC6A0ws-nqAimCLzUn6_US_hyphenhyphenF-SFN87pFuG3diF3XwCbPtdTDVAxUH8d85K5e-Gte6b26wV_oVKzxHJinG-NWdy-H88cBTo3W0Vvukqr_m0qnaqJeoVuQuMeXVibjPmeqoYehH1v/s640/G%2526G+with+us+three.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And here's Mum and Dad with their three children. Yes, I use the word 'children' advisedly. I am just beginning to learn that no matter how old your family is, they are <i>always </i>your 'children'. This is definitely the case with the wonderful parents God gave us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">* * *</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Seeing we had families together, I thought I'd click away and get family groups. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This is Mum and Dad's baby girl with her husband and family. She doesn't need to 'scrub up well', because she is always scrubbed up. When I grow up I want to be like her ...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As I say, in another post, I'll show some of the out-takes ... but in the photo below, Neil's son, Mark, look absolutely like butter wouldn't melt in his mouth, right?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Who says the camera never lies...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxXA24spGAWLO3ypN2zNvaY8vFY4ssqrhERSfXuaLFUz8s-B8iRtqO2GxqJLIHlkNK-TNpzR__WTawFgCKjY0nFQKgCzNFV6k5HniFLeicOYTxlFaoick5cwtyjVn3wb4-OBLMEgNUC9FC/s1600/Neil+family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxXA24spGAWLO3ypN2zNvaY8vFY4ssqrhERSfXuaLFUz8s-B8iRtqO2GxqJLIHlkNK-TNpzR__WTawFgCKjY0nFQKgCzNFV6k5HniFLeicOYTxlFaoick5cwtyjVn3wb4-OBLMEgNUC9FC/s640/Neil+family.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Of course, the Builder wasn't there, but I still got some photos with my kiddos.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Family is so precious. What a gift God gave us when He placed us in families! What pictures we have of the love God shows toward His family within our own family units. Right now, we are all giving thanks for the opportunity to have met this way because now that so many of the children are older and living in different places, it's always more difficult to actually get everyone in one place at the one time. God is so kind.</span><br />
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<br />Homeschool on the Crofthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03400742529025230433noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439971908848990993.post-61585807336012212122017-01-11T15:41:00.002+00:002017-01-11T15:41:28.391+00:00Niseach's Deep Questions<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Sometimes, I like to philosophise in the snow. I'm a deep thinker, and the silent whiteness of a day like this helps my mind focus on the really important things in life.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn3SXtaMCSqFVLNLwD3ZX6SFbLP1jQGF_iz3x8dNbpfAfUk65cZqQkR-W4qvT-fhir75gulsGp0A5xQBzV8D7jOBK1LR904mZ5o-NjGblzZMBIDmyIT6RfeqoOfH3hcmLaIZWZbeLpAwhv/s1600/philosophising+in+the+snow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn3SXtaMCSqFVLNLwD3ZX6SFbLP1jQGF_iz3x8dNbpfAfUk65cZqQkR-W4qvT-fhir75gulsGp0A5xQBzV8D7jOBK1LR904mZ5o-NjGblzZMBIDmyIT6RfeqoOfH3hcmLaIZWZbeLpAwhv/s640/philosophising+in+the+snow.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Things like:</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">When will I get my next Rich Tea biscuit?</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">How can I convince them I need to stay out longer, when I've already piddled-and-pooed?</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Why did Daddy take that boot off me when I'd only just begun to tear it apart?</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">More importantly, why do these sheep act as though I'm not at all frightening? Why do they look at me as if I'm a walking, barking teddy bear?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLuDy_jA5W_NJ6M9oOPd3PyQqgqT-QkfgRP93fBiVYRLI6k_rdg4OnEFusJdF3ymLTbzY6C3F9pTcW9k-hxBcYJpHeb-WlZ4a3X8YrKcDJDFZJBVDsstc56lDqDhvvZBr34vIAP70cG3Wa/s1600/Niseach+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLuDy_jA5W_NJ6M9oOPd3PyQqgqT-QkfgRP93fBiVYRLI6k_rdg4OnEFusJdF3ymLTbzY6C3F9pTcW9k-hxBcYJpHeb-WlZ4a3X8YrKcDJDFZJBVDsstc56lDqDhvvZBr34vIAP70cG3Wa/s640/Niseach+2.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Every day, the response is the same.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUiw3wr0ITP39AcSQ2NI1IqMLTiMWUzKwlEUYhrvCa9z_Es2uYjLG6_wR8oaCJ8UBFkXx-VjJIFtACEPVGV32vcPwLryi_gn90ApXQlwzS-F42ce6gw0242zDLk3BAm1ZkowH5wix2HIUk/s1600/niseach+staring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUiw3wr0ITP39AcSQ2NI1IqMLTiMWUzKwlEUYhrvCa9z_Es2uYjLG6_wR8oaCJ8UBFkXx-VjJIFtACEPVGV32vcPwLryi_gn90ApXQlwzS-F42ce6gw0242zDLk3BAm1ZkowH5wix2HIUk/s640/niseach+staring.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHs6t_xV8x5FTqFPWv608WEFH6znCBrzOiR_Y4GEpU7wuM0POWtxvXmxFx48IwXFtpo2oixhDTc-dMwwjZmF2-5EsrkwrboK7zRJwnYukkarN5yoGHP9X40l7ATwfgke1C3L6A696OSDtb/s1600/niseach+barking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHs6t_xV8x5FTqFPWv608WEFH6znCBrzOiR_Y4GEpU7wuM0POWtxvXmxFx48IwXFtpo2oixhDTc-dMwwjZmF2-5EsrkwrboK7zRJwnYukkarN5yoGHP9X40l7ATwfgke1C3L6A696OSDtb/s640/niseach+barking.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">"Mehh, what <i>is </i>that fluffball?"</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-NgLD0yxlQiV9z6CvHwkAXIHtAbd2pX_Q1cv2ulxFEMv_NRwJc_qipozfrnmO0Gvgdj-5-rS38xFQM2dZ7L-qCtEswfKSCbqKNsBtKc2KU51Wbd6RfhyphenhyphenpikUbP9Kb2YHsEceKDMb6CL34/s1600/sheep+looking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-NgLD0yxlQiV9z6CvHwkAXIHtAbd2pX_Q1cv2ulxFEMv_NRwJc_qipozfrnmO0Gvgdj-5-rS38xFQM2dZ7L-qCtEswfKSCbqKNsBtKc2KU51Wbd6RfhyphenhyphenpikUbP9Kb2YHsEceKDMb6CL34/s640/sheep+looking.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">These are deep and meaningful questions, and I wish not to be disturbed whilst mulling over them.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBAPf723R-moBjH_KJELFkE0G4BxwaXS-Q10alu1zPPD5TaD1K0U7xkr8Ti4t_ONQhBCLgwYVZ6omBRK5rkaGY71ptKlIPZeufbfxldfbIE10vP8YDEd6BDidveviVbYFVtb0yY4oY1r7U/s1600/in+snow+turning+around.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBAPf723R-moBjH_KJELFkE0G4BxwaXS-Q10alu1zPPD5TaD1K0U7xkr8Ti4t_ONQhBCLgwYVZ6omBRK5rkaGY71ptKlIPZeufbfxldfbIE10vP8YDEd6BDidveviVbYFVtb0yY4oY1r7U/s640/in+snow+turning+around.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Not disturbed, Mum, I said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Unless you have a Rich Tea for me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">You do?!</span></div>
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Homeschool on the Crofthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03400742529025230433noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439971908848990993.post-17418667351881104112016-12-24T01:35:00.000+00:002016-12-29T18:03:45.113+00:00Martin and Donna's Wedding<br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The newly married couple are today flying to New York, having spent an amazing week in the sunshine of the Dominican Republic. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">(Not that that kind of honeymoon makes me envious in <i>any </i>way. Oh no.... having had the opportunity to spend a week on a Caribbean Cruise for our honeymoon, but ended up in a teeny weeny, cold, damp apartment in rainy Wales ... why on earth do you think I'd be envious?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And anyway, that's 25 years ago. Who even remembers that? Yeah, as the Builder knows, I do. And the kids and I bring the whole saga up regularly. Oh yes.... We're so good to him, aren't we!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Anyway</i>. Our newly married couple. The ones who are honeymooning in the Dominican Republic. And then in New York - yeah, them ...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The bride's family. Her mum and dad have been our friends for a long, long time, and don't y'all find that, as you get older, old friends become even more precious to you. I will have a photo of the bride's mum with her hat too, so you will see her whole gorgeous outfit. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Our friends' children become precious to us too, don't they? I'm sure they have no idea, but they are so often in my prayers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The bride's sister was the chief bridesmaid, and her two daughters were also bridesmaids. This whole family made me smile so much through the day. The wee boy .... well, y'all know me and wee boys, and this fella made me completely fall in love. The girls were not only beyond bonny, but they were so pleasant to speak to, and were full of beans all day. Delighful. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">How's this for a capture? Most of the photos here were taken by our friend, Domhnall Twin, who was also clicking away at our own wedding last year. Again, thank you, Donald, for these photos.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I must say I was blown away by the whole 'look' of the bride. The whole Audrey Hepburn look suited her to a tee. Donna, your choice of dress was spot on!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And just to prove that the wedding party had a husband too ...! A wedding just isn't a wedding without an array of kilts, and this wedding didn't disappoint.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I do love a fella in a kilt. (Do y'all remember the Builder at Catherine's wedding? No? .... hang on - just let me find a photo ...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">*swoon* </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Forgive me. I realise this is a total gratuitous use of a photo of the Builder in his kilt, and right in the middle of a post about someone else's wedding. Unforgivable, Anne. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">But what's a person to do?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Okay, back to the wedding.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtfXeI0DvppaQ9ie6dOO3kp3VGqRl59VRnturMdt26vw_PEclxEAHp_XK_-TipWPHjxH6rzBg1D-mAsPAvWmJH6AQ0a9VDRpziRyiSjqtecOBorS-CUdRFZVK1PfVa2UaeUjdIdNMADtl6/s1600/whole+table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtfXeI0DvppaQ9ie6dOO3kp3VGqRl59VRnturMdt26vw_PEclxEAHp_XK_-TipWPHjxH6rzBg1D-mAsPAvWmJH6AQ0a9VDRpziRyiSjqtecOBorS-CUdRFZVK1PfVa2UaeUjdIdNMADtl6/s640/whole+table.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This was our table. It was so good to be able to catch up with our friends from home. Good food, good company, and many good laughs ... what more could you ask for at a wedding!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">'Twin', the Builder, and the minister who married the couple. There was a quite cool connection between the Groom and the minister. Apparently, when Rev MacDonald left school (or was still at school, maybe?), he had a part-time job at a local Cash 'n' Carry, and who worked alongside him but the man who was marrying here. The Groom recalled them having their lunchbreaks in the Rev's bright red Fiat Panda.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Betcha they looked really cool, eh!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">But isn't providence amazing! As is island life :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I told you I'd show you a photo of the bride's mum. Her outfit was absolutely gorgeous, and I'm not sure the photo shows the gorgeous colour properly. Here she is with Twin, lest any of you are confused as to whether this fellow became her husband somewhere between the first photo and here. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Many of the guests at Donna and Martin's wedding had been at our own wedding. Again, it was so good to catch up with them all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What was I saying about 'old friends'? Us three were converted around the same time - in the 80s. I'll tell you a wee story, actually, about Christina, the bride's mother, Donna - the bride, and me. When Donna was a newborn baby, myself and another friend (who's now in Glory) went to visit mum and baby. These were my pre-married days, and I did not 'do' babies. I had no idea how to deal with a baby, and as far as I was concerned, every baby looked the same, and because they didn't converse with me, I honestly had no clue what to do with them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Well, Chrissie Mary and I had been sitting for a while with Christina, who had the baby in her arms, when Christina got up to go and make a cuppa. She duly plonked the baby in <i>my </i>arms. MINE! I just looked down at this .... baby .... lying across my lap. Aghast.... Horrified.... they don't even come close to how I felt. The sweat was beginning to form, and I glanced up at Chrissie Mary with a "Save me" look, and simply held both arms out straight - baby lying across them - and said, "Seo. Gabh thus' am beabaidh" ("Here, you take the baby")</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Oh the relief to have baby-free arms once she took the wee doll.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And, oh, how things change over the years! It's amazing that this same 'get this baby off me' person became the broody baby-hugger I turned into! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I don't know if our bride even knows that story! I must tell her some day. After their honeymoon. You know, the one that's not in Wales.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">No kilt, but still so bloomin' handsome. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">*swoon*</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Friends. And sisters. What great gifts.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Homeschool on the Crofthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03400742529025230433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439971908848990993.post-30536578897052911662016-12-19T16:54:00.000+00:002016-12-19T16:54:51.757+00:00Clothes Shopping and My Board of Fashion<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The Builder and I were at home for a wedding recently, and I'll show you photos of the bride and the wedding itself later. But as y'all know, a wedding means a dress. A dress means shopping. And clothes shopping - for me - means a problem.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFqaatdBXnDRKn3LaGpLRMAusa-31HPHP4VuQBH1azCW8aY00nGbYTUSG5jcnpDnAAbqOKNqzttbXC7xlhIruOKk2L0c7U15XEWfTfwJqDT-rhnhGlh2E5CIG2EmkFQG-z49f4tcu2FSNS/s1600/Screenshot+%25286%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFqaatdBXnDRKn3LaGpLRMAusa-31HPHP4VuQBH1azCW8aY00nGbYTUSG5jcnpDnAAbqOKNqzttbXC7xlhIruOKk2L0c7U15XEWfTfwJqDT-rhnhGlh2E5CIG2EmkFQG-z49f4tcu2FSNS/s320/Screenshot+%25286%2529.png" width="165" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Indeed, not a problem, but many problems.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">On the Saturday before the wedding, I spent the morning in a car garage with the Builder, trying out cars with a view to changing our own, and the afternoon dress shopping. I don't need to tell y'all that I loved every minute of the morning's 'shopping', but oh boy, the dress shopping. Oh. Boy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I tried on about five hundred and seventy-three dresses, and I took photos of every one and sent each photo to my Board of Fashion so they could decide on the suitability of each one. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">My Board of Fashion consists of a friend, my sister, and my two daughters. They spent the afternoon online giving their opinions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Our conversations varied, but normally, they went something like this:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Board member</b>: Erm, no. That dress doesn't work. I mean ... do <i>you </i>like it?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Me</b>: No, not really ... I'll try the next one on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Board member</b>: You look like you're applying for a job in M&S. Um ... and not as a model.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJKnTomp_xO0X6RQR3FGyERBW9Y2D6hl0gT1ihbuBjFKuSTAQXFcTfQd59m37v174xww8oUv5XqcfqM7nvO_YqDWGLO2kHpMScs88b1_HNwn4a_fyE5funtD_ebvCm16I3ShnZgDNvKySr/s1600/Screenshot+%25288%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJKnTomp_xO0X6RQR3FGyERBW9Y2D6hl0gT1ihbuBjFKuSTAQXFcTfQd59m37v174xww8oUv5XqcfqM7nvO_YqDWGLO2kHpMScs88b1_HNwn4a_fyE5funtD_ebvCm16I3ShnZgDNvKySr/s640/Screenshot+%25288%2529.png" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Or</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Board Member</b>: For crying out loud, woman, stand up straight. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I felt like Jane, being told off by Mrs Bennett. You remember the scene?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>"<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17.0300006866455px;">Oh, sit up straight, Jane! Pull your shoulders back! A man could go a long way without seeing a figure like yours, if you could only make the most of it!"</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17.0300006866455px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Not that I think that whole comment applies to Moi. Not that I was trying to attract Mr Bingley. And not, I hasten to add, that I liken my sister to Mrs Bennet.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17.0300006866455px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Well, not much anyway.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I thought this might work. It was a fit-and-flare (I almost know what I'm talking about here, don't I?) and whilst on the hanger, it looked like it might fit me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Why do clothes on hangers still fool me? Even in the Petite section, clothes are not made for people like me. Ohhhh no. They are for ... and I quote: 5ft 3in and under. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">But herein lies the problem. The 'and under' part includes me. Three inches may not seem a lot to all you normal people out there, but three inches out of five foot is a huge 5%. I think that's right, and that's huge. Three inches off means the dress waistline may sit around my hips. That'</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">s not a good look. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Believe me, I know.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Three inches means that the hemline goes from an 'elegant knee length' to dangling somewhere mid-calf.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Again ... not a good look. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This particular dress gave rise to this conversation:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Board member</b>: Are you for real? You're going to a <i>wedding</i>, not a funeral!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Me</b>: A <i>funeral</i>?? This has pink flowers on it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">*I proceed to quickly send a close-up of the dress, clearly showing pink flowers. Not funeral-ly at all*</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Board member</b>: Anne, I'd wear that on a Saturday for round the house.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Me</b>: *gulp*</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Board member</b>: Can it <i>actually </i>be true that you're my sister?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_20emxOdWSO8XI07Sh8NP0OPGhKRHGUvZ6j0p-RZVrZmT16SHnIgo0w4PRBSg8AgeYemgyEH5RccHwR_UlkW0rtJYc2MlroLuDqe8xICKuA0BhZwSooGzowMfGmUzUYgvv8RL6NePz1G0/s1600/15300516_10211349715401235_2067710000_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_20emxOdWSO8XI07Sh8NP0OPGhKRHGUvZ6j0p-RZVrZmT16SHnIgo0w4PRBSg8AgeYemgyEH5RccHwR_UlkW0rtJYc2MlroLuDqe8xICKuA0BhZwSooGzowMfGmUzUYgvv8RL6NePz1G0/s400/15300516_10211349715401235_2067710000_n.jpg" width="223" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">On the final day's shopping - the day before we travelled home - I finally tried on my last dress, and changed back into <i>ME </i>clothes.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFlVSi9YQil4eKYo_oEutZV_le6fifS0z_58OGlRiQpdbY1nU8aAeosLyP7vhmlhAiNzztNMDKlbccH3Gg05rD_vpP6hwcF8YmKKjl98z0fXOVjLeA2hTRFv1k91h5aT61FP0lk_4FkaLA/s1600/15435679_10211394907131000_1069817697_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFlVSi9YQil4eKYo_oEutZV_le6fifS0z_58OGlRiQpdbY1nU8aAeosLyP7vhmlhAiNzztNMDKlbccH3Gg05rD_vpP6hwcF8YmKKjl98z0fXOVjLeA2hTRFv1k91h5aT61FP0lk_4FkaLA/s400/15435679_10211394907131000_1069817697_n.jpg" width="225" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This was the dress my Board chose. It was navy, had a funny band at the bottom of the skirt which was odd and made it longer than it ought to have been, but my trusted Board insisted it was not to be taken to a dressmaker for the chop. I was to wear it as it was.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Who am I to argue?</span></div>
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<br />Homeschool on the Crofthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03400742529025230433noreply@blogger.com1