Lifestyle of Learning 2015 Edition: Volume One

January 03-10

I returned home from Washington D.C. on January 3 and immediately jumped right into things.  That same evening Bishop had an Order of the Arrow banquet.  Order of the Arrow is a Boy Scout honor society and Bishop was nominated for it during this last summer camp and did his ordeal in the fall.  He is Order of the Arrow!

Two days later found us celebrating Bishop's birthday and resuming, to some degree, our normal schedule.  Bishop returned to scouts where the guys sang birthday wishes and I treated them to Buckeye's (Bishop's choice and my first attempt - not bad).

The following day Dad took Bishop to the shooting range.

They had a great time together!

Maceo resumed troupe, troupe mentorship, traveling company rehearsal and vocal instruction, even having an extra one to make up for a missed lesson in December.
He also auditioned for the production of My Son Pinnochio.
He got a callback for Gepetto...

...and then we learned that he got cast as Gepetto in the upcoming production of My Son Pinnochio!
Very, very, very exciting!

After getting Dad to the airport for his return flight to South Korea we met up with some friends for terrarium making at Wonders of Wildlife.

Then the following day Bishop began a new endeavor.
He began a pottery class.

Bishop's first bowl!

Bishop's second bowl!

Bishop finished up his week by fellowshipping with his fellow scouts at a lock-in.
And Maceo wrapped up his weekend by performing at a benefit concert.
Great week!

101 Things (or more) to do in the Year 2015

Welcome 2015!
I look forward to all the opportunities that you hold for me.
I hope that the year might include....

1.  leaving poetry/inspiration in random places for the enjoyment of strangers.
2.  building a monarch butterfly garden to aid them during migration.
3.  making bread at least twelve times.
4.  identifying at least five types of mushrooms.
5.  fixing garage door.
6.  sorting, purging and cleaning every nook and cranny of my property.
7.  painting garage.
8.  helping Bishop build a forge.
9.  playing my mandolin.
10.  teaching Bishop sodoku.
11.  making a folded paper something.
12.  doing at least one puzzle.
13.  keeping a commonplace/journal book.
14.  finishing painting basement bathroom.
15.  having all trees trimmed.
16.  studying Shakespeare.
17.  learning to roll sushi.
18.  trying three new ways to do my hair.
19.  going to a ren fest.
20.  making a fairy house.
21.  putting a window in the shed.
22.  subscribing to taproot.
23.  making tree branch blocks.
24.  making wood polish.
25.  addressing foot issue.
26.  trying tai chi.
27.  transcribing a book of the Bible - Proverbs.
28.  updating blog.
29.  addressing knee issue.
30.  consistently working Swagbucks and Bing.
31.  keeping a gift log, including the money spent.
32.  repairing fence.
33.  making garden orbs.
34.  listing all debt.
35.  developing a debt reduction plan.
36.  fixing front step.
37.  putting lightbulb in carport fixture.
38.  repair chimney.
39.  repaint mantel.
40.  do some writing exercises inspired by 35 mm.
41.  take a day trip - explore something new.
42.  take one longer trip.
43.  become a merit badge counselor.
44.  repairing guttering.
45.  making kimchi.
46.  organizing recipes.
47.  organizing and using home management binder.
48.  putting door knob on bathroom.
49.  replacing bathroom faucet.
50.  replacing kitchen faucet.
51.  helping Roxie organize Nanny and Grandad's photos.
52.  helping Mama organize Granny and Grandaddy's photos.
53.  using my binoculars to do some birdwatching.
54.  learning how to REALLY use my new camera.
55.  helping Bishop sell cards at at least one craft fair.
56.  having dim sum.
57.  removing mold in basement.
58.  getting electrical fixed in basement.
59.  making Maceo's 8th grade yearbook.
60.  making Maceo's 9th grade yearbook.
61.  making Bishop's 8th grade yearbook.
62.  sewing something.
63.  etching wooden spoons.
64.  ordering Averett theatre photos.
65.  making something from Flax for Life cookbook.
66.  repairing oven handle.
67.  putting handle on kitchen drawer.
68.  putting handles on kitchen windows.
69.  cleaning gutters.
70.  cleaning windows.
71.  reducing grocery shopping.
72.  making and using an herb vinegar.
73.  making homemade yogurt.
74.  making bagels.
75.  making homemade ice cream.
76.  trying five different soda fountain recipes.
77.  making homemade hummus.
78.  making a soft cheese.
79.  getting a freezer.
80.  doing gelatin printing.
81. dipping candles.
82.  setting up Bishop's loom.
83.  taking Maceo album shopping.
84.  repairing space above spices.
85.  replacing outlets.
86.  removing carpet on stairs.
87.  painting stairwell.
88.  redoing flooring in mudroom and add trim.
89.  redoing flooring in laundry room and add trim.
90.  replacing washer and dryer.
91.  cleaning ventilation system.
92.  dealing with van.
93.  repairing Jeep.
94.  posting 2015 holiday home tour.
95.  making caramel corn
96.  celebrating!
97.  helping Maceo write his performers resume. DONE!
98.  painting master bedroom.
99.  redecorating master bedroom.
100.  fixing Maceo's bed.
101.  making saurkraut.
102.  listening to at least six lectures.
103.  stop buying salad dressings, only use homemade.
104.  making Granny's caramels.
105.  stretching.
106. doing STEM hands-on activities with Maceo and Bishop.
107.  papier-mache something.
108.  making a plague doctor mask with Bishop.
109.  drawing.
110.  felting something.
111.  resume making toys for the little ones.
112.  having at least four game nights.
113.  freshening and enlivening flower beds.
114.  helping Bishop complete his metalworking merit badge.
115. making something with precious metal clay.
116.  doing some writing exercises with Maceo and Bishop.
117.  getting a massage.
118. taking Maceo and Bishop to chiropractor.
119.  teaching Maceo and Bishop how to lift weights.
120.  paying off all credit cards.
121.  visiting at least five different parks (local, state or otherwise) in our area.
122.  taking Bishop fishing.
123.  hosting a medieval feast.
124.  doing some bookmaking.
125.  making at least twelve scrapbook layouts.
126.  going on a hike.
127.  having several yard sales.
128.  developing a vitamin regimen and adhere to it.
129.  camping.

Happy Birthday, Bishop!

My sweet Bishop  - this boy is such a joy!
He has always been sensitive, concerned with others and empathetic (even in utero).

He has developed a strong sense of self and when combined with his natural understanding and concern for others it allows him to be a good leader.
He has embraced his role as leader among his fellow scouts and his friends.
He readily accepts responsibility at home and in community settings.
He is polite and courteous in all situations.
He holds the door for women and any needing assistance.
He is patient, playful but firm with younger children.
He has a delightful sense of humor and is not afraid to be a little (or a lot) silly and goofy.
He is a bit of a renaissance man - interested in (and generally good at) science, history, cooking, the arts (photography, drawing, pottery, blacksmithing).
And always willing to try something new.
His goal for the year is to do more outside of his comfort zone.
I admire and respect him.
I love him. 

A Mexican smorgasbord.

Dad decorated the cake.

Dad gave him his Steelers hat and then reneged when Bishop refused to display the emblem.

Bishop wan't satisfied with that...

until Dad tried taking his birthday gift.

A video game...

and some cash

which Dad tried to abscond with

until set straight by Bishop.

Instead he opted to give a little more cash to the birthday boy.

Happy Birthday, Bishop!
May all your wishes come true!

Lifestyle of Learning 2014 Edition: Volume Twenty-One

Oh, how I wish I didn't wait so long to blog.
This entry shows some of our doings from about mid-November to the end of the year - not all but some of what we did.

There were merit badges earned.

The feudal system was studied.

Bishop played some airsoft.

The service group completed their shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child and turned them in for shipment.

Coats of arms were created.

The Wilson's Creek Battlefield Christmas tree was decorated

and their luminaries were put on display.

Bishop and his scout troop did a little bowling before the Christmas break.

Maceo sang White Christmas at the Christmas cabaret

and performed again on New Years Eve.

The end to a mighty fine year!