Day 140.  Here it is.  The science teacher told Maggie that it is ok to use the rat trap for her project.  Check out the size difference between the two.  The object is to use the trap to power the car to go 10 meters, and hopefully have the fastest time doing it.  For some reason both of these veer to the right, but the big one does go the 10 meters.  Just hope she gets a good grade.  It was fun building them and testing them.  As soon as I got finished with Maggie then I helped Annie with her project.  My part wasn't hard.  Dugan actually did a lot of the work.  It looks really good.  It is a diorama depicting the American Indians that lived in Pueblos.  And we actually had time to go to the church so they could practice the Christmas program.  It has been a very productive day.  In a few weeks I will be looking for something to do.  But, I guess that's life.

Day 139.  Jr. High is such an adventure, for parents.  This week we are making mousetrap cars.  This is the first prototype that Maggie and I built.  Once we get it finished then I will help Dugan with his.  He doesn't want his to look like hers.  I forgot how fun 8th grade science is.  In the mean time I get to help Annie make an Indian pueblo in a shoe box.  I don't mind, because I think these things are fun.  Stacy helps them with Math, Speech, and English.  What do kids do when their parents don't or won't help with school work.  I'm glad we are able to help.  It keeps us all connected.  I don't know everything that my kids get into, but I know most of it, and they aren't afraid to talk to us.  So, I will continue to help with science projects and band trips, or what ever it takes.  Children are a blessing from the Lord, and blessed is the man whose quiver is full.  I am blessed and I know it.

Day 138.   Since I don't paint, I thought that it would be fun to take a picture of a bowl of fruit.  So I did.  Tangerines, apples, and bananas, oh my.  The bowl is an Hazel Atlas depression glass batter bowl.  I didn't know that when I got it out of the cabinet.  I just knew that it belonged to my Granny.  After closer inspection I saw the Hazel Atlas symbol on the bottom and started searching the web.  It is amazing what you can find out with just a little investigation.  The bowl works well for the picture.  As I was transferring the pictures from my camera to the computer, Dugan asked me "Dad, when you were you young, did you ever think about being a professional photographer?"  I said no, and he asked why.  I had to think about it.  I don't know why.  I've always liked to take pictures.  I never considered it as an option though.  I do know that God has always had a plan for me, and now it includes taking pictures.  I am far from being a professional, but with some help and a lot of encouragement from family and a great teacher, I am getting better.  Maybe someday God's plan will lead me to learn painting, then I will paint a bowl of fruit.  And I will use the same bowl.   

Day 137.  What a way to travel.  This wagon came through town earlier this year going north, now he was coming back going south.  Everywhere he stops people come to him, take pictures of the wagon, bring food, or just talk.  Where ever he goes he has something to say, a message to get out.  Can you guess what it is?  I haven't seen him out on the corners shouting at the passers by, or calling people over to him.  He just passes through with his message printed on the side of his wagon.  If you want to talk to him, ok, if you don't that's ok too.  He stays a few days and then slowly and quietly leaves, spreading his message at the next town.  I know his message, but what is his mission?  I would need to ask him about that, but for me it is two fold.  The first is to preach to people that Jesus saves, and the second is to remind Christians that we all have a mission. 

Day 136.  I was looking at some pictures from earlier this year.  It was barely six months ago when my family got to go spend a week in Florida.  We had a wonderful time.  What I noticed the most is the difference in my children.  They have grown so much this last six months.  Annie is no longer a little kid, she has become a preteen. Dugan and Maggie both  look more like adults than children.  All these changes are making this a very special Christmas.  Our family is moving into a new dimension.  Leaving the little kid world behind and moving ahead, preparing for life as almost adults.  I say almost adults because I'm not sure I have made adult status yet, so I cant expect my kids to be there.  Although I have noticed a few more gray hairs showing up.  They are supposed to indicate wisdom and maturity, right?

Day 135.  Ok, one more decoration.  This is one of our favorites.  How could we forget it?  Stacy found it in a closet with some blankets.  It is a little snow globe shaped like a Christmas tree with an LED light in the bottom.  The light changes colors as the glitter swirls around.  It is mesmerizing to watch.  Sometimes it is simple little things that impress us the most.  We make life too complicated to enjoy.  I remember a time when a stick and a rock, or a tin can, kept us entertained for hours.  When we would spend time with our grandparents we would have dirt clod fights.  That is just what it sounds like.  You divide into teams and throw dirt clods at each other.  In case you don't know, a dirt clod is a clump of dirt that is packed together, like a snow ball except it's dirt.  What is complicated about that?  Plus, it was free and didn't take batteries or have to plug in.  I love it when my kids take their nerf guns outside and just play.  You just can't beat the simple things.

Day 134.  Dugan mowed the yard for the last time this year, I think.  It shouldn't need to be mowed again.  It isn't growing now, but it did need to be cleaned up.  It looks nice now and the girls want me to put up Christmas lights.  That will have to wait until Monday.  I have the lights, but I don't have clips and I really don't want to use staples.  I will do something though.  I drove around a little tonight and saw the other houses with lights.  Some decorate for the nativity and some for the festivity.  I just like the lights and all the decorations.  I know why I celebrate Christmas, and it isn't about the decorations, they just make it prettier.