The Whistle is a Hangin' in the Closet...

So, how have ya'll been? I have been terrible with blogging! With school, my brain seems to be empty of things to say. Oh, funny stuff happens at school, don't get me wrong. Hilarious stuff! But somewhere between, "That's hilarious!" and a drive home, the thing that comes next is a nap. Kindergarten students have the life. They won't realize it until they hit 40. It all becomes clear then.

At this point in the summer, my split personalities part ways. Mrs. Wise, fifth grade teacher, goes into the closet like Superman with his tights and cape. Not that I am Superman. But, there are many that are glad that my super sonic whistle is hung up and quiet for a few months. When I take my whistle off, I really do feel like this persona, Mrs. Wise, goes away. I am Heather. Just plain Heather. Nice. 

But, switching gears is hard. I don't know what the date is. It is not written on the board. I don't know what day of the week it is because it is not marked by what specials are on which day. The day passes in odd speeds. Fast. Slow. I drove my husband a little nuts this week. He was on vacation, you see.  After we would do something, I would ask, "What are we doing next?" He wondered why I kept asking that. I realized that the passage of my day is marked by subjects. First, Bible. NEXT is Spelling. Then, snack. Next... Next... Put kids on busses and in cars and stop. Maybe I should map out my day like a schedule. First, Cleaning. Next, Laundry.  Then, Snack (very important). Next? Baahahha... Yeah. No. I think I will not be doing THAT schedule. Except snack. We'll keep that. And, nap time. Wait, aren't you a fifth grade teacher? Hey! 

My persona in the summer is a little different. Now, I am "The Country Schoolmarm". Yup. That's me. Oh, what does she do? Um, I am doing it right now. Sitting on a couch and writing about nothing in particular. Sweet. I am making dolls now. And, an occasional pinkeep. I love pinkeeps. I have been blessed by the opportunity to be mentored by Barb Moore of "The Primitive Oswald" and author of Purely Primitive Dolls. 

This journey has been such a huge dewdrop of mercy. Not really a dewdrop. More like one of those big, huge fat raindrops that come down during a summer thunderstorm. It has been a blessing to be challenged to move beyond pinkeeps to creating extreme primitive dolls. I never thought I could do that. Ever. If it weren't for God using Marie (Dear Old Lady Morgan ) to push me into the pool and Barb's book to give me guidance, I wouldn't be on this path. It is an opportunity to create AND write. I am truly blessed to have this opportunity. But, very importantly, God used each and every one of you. Those who read my blog, commented on it, encouraged me, prayed with me, gave your friendship freely... Your part has been such a blessing in my life. I am overwhelmed by these many blessings. 

So, if you want to see what you have been a part of, you can come visit me, The Country Schoolmarm, on my Facebook page. You can see the dolls I am working on, and the stories I have written...all by the grace of God. 

Thank you, dear friends, for your friendship and encouragement! God bless, lots of love, and huge hugs to you! 

The Marm (Mrs. Wise, Heather, Skeeter, Pinkeepaholic, but not "Late to Dinner"...)

Dolls, A "Dusting", and Dogs

     First, if you haven't seen this awesome challenge put out by Barb Moore, the author of Purely Primitive Dolls and owner of The Primitive Oswald,  please go look and check out the work of so many talented ladies. The challenge is over now, but the site is now a selling blog for extreme prim dolls called "Purely Primitive Dolls".  It is a method for again, artists to sell their handmade art.  

     Supporting small businesses is so important, and I know you know, as many of you are friends with these artists or you are an artist as well (so skip to the snow and dogs below. You live this speech). Many people rely on this income to support themselves in some way in this economy. It also brings great joy for each artist to be able to create and pass on a bit of themselves to you! A legacy of sorts.  I am so blessed to have had the opportunity the participate in the Purely Primitive Doll Challenge.  I learned sooooooo much through Barb's book, which I highly recommend.  And, I have met many talented artists and new friends. So, please, take a look. And, this Christmas, consider buying something handmade as a gift for someone to pass along a legacy of love that has been poured into the creation by the hands that made it!

I am now leaving my soapbox (hopefully without tripping.  It's me, though.  It is quite probable... Ow! Yup. There it is.). I return you to your cup of coffee and regular blog reading.  Thank you for your time!

Dolls created by (left to right): The Primitive Oswald, Primitives by Old Lady Morgan, The Country Schoolmarm

The regularly scheduled programs: "First Snow Comes to Pennsylvania" and "The Dogs Who Wanted to Know Too Much". Enjoy!

"Bailey and Charlie" episode 32 - "Neighborhood Watch-For Whom the Dogs Bark?"

"Keep your yap shut until I tell you to open it, Chuck!"

"She wears me out. "

"Why is Jack the Sniffer being walked by his person at this hour? I don't like it. "

"What'd I tell you???" "I was sayin hey to Jack"

That's not Jack... (Cue dramatic music)

Have a wonderful weekend!

Love and Hugs!

The Marm

Oh! Hi!

Hello there! 

 I is cold.  It was warm and sunny, now it is not.  Mom won't close the windows.  Something about airing out the house.  I promise.  I did not do a "no-no Charlie". So, mom is busy with getting her school year done with finishing her school year (she made me fix that.  She said it didn't sound polite.  Well, then why does she keep talking about summer?), and I am taking over her blog for now. I don't know.  She had time to go to a garage sale, Shupp's Grove, out to eat, and have cake at Mom-mom's and Pop-pop's, but NOT for blogging? I think you all should be suspicious. Oops.  Here she comes.  Don't tell her I back-talked, okay? So, um, yeah.  

Do you want to go on a mini-tour with me?  Mom said to show you stuff she got when she was out "not-blogging". She said that she can't show you house changes.  May be my fault.  She puts things out.  Then, she sees I can gets it.  She has to change it again. She throws her hands in the air. I guess she is hot.  I guess that's why the windows are up.

Eating birthday cake.  Yeah.  Her birthday is tomorrow.  Oh. Oh. Yeah, wait... Mom said I could say her age, but it has to be in a math problem since she is a teacher. Pshaw.  That's lame.  How about I just barks it to you.  Okay, ten's place (See? Math.)- woof.woof.woof.  Okay, now one's place- woof.woof.woof.woof.woof.woof.woof.woof.woof.

Presents.  I got a present the other week.  I chewed it up.  Not have present anymore.

Cake.  Mom brought it home.  My sister, Bailey, is too small to reach the counter.  Mom says I may be the first dog they ever had that could grab food off of the counter.  Is that good or bad?  She put the cake up.  I am thinking not so good for me. 'Sides, see how much is left??? There were only 4 people! They ate half a cake!

This is her birthday stuff.  I like it.  Wood.  Good to chew.  Pottery- bah!

Mom says this is for posies.  Mom-mom got it for her. I eats posies.  They will never make it to this little thingy. Hah!  Shhhh.  Don't tell.

She said this is for something called a pin cushion.  I like cushions! Not so sure about pins, though.

Basket.  Primitive.  All the same- crunchy...

So get this... This is PART of a wheel (She paid $6, and she didn't even get the whole wheel).  She said she is going to hang it from the ceiling and put things on it that she doesn't want me to chew.  Bet the basket is going up there... Oh. She just yelled from the other room.  She said, "Yup." Rats...

Bobbins.  She got 2 for $5.  She likes the "beehive" bottom.  Will there be bees?  Hmmm.  I need to keep my eyes on these. They are going on the table.  She said she will share it later.

Arg.  Another crock. A man at my grandparents' church is a potter.  He sells his seconds to make money for the youth group.  Mom said that it was $8. She said, "If that is a second, what are his firsts?" I think that is a good thing. He is very talented.  God gave him talented hands and a kind heart.

Ooops.  Blurry picture.  Um. Oh! $5 at a garage sale.  Can't chew it.  Rats again.

She said she bought this box from an old lady named "Morgan". I don't think that is nice at all to say about people.  I like the box.  Wood. Crunchy.

Mom said not to show this to someone named "Granny". So, if you are "Granny", don't look.  She said it was $4 at the garage sale. 

Wicker purse- $3 at Shupp's Grove.  It is WAAAAY up high! Ya know, they lets dogs at Shupp's Grove.  Why have I not been there? I think it's a con-speer-a-see. Yup.

Okay.  So she was making these boxes.  She knocked over her bottle of "Modge Podge". She made a BIG mess. I try not to laugh.  Her one cloth placemat thingy is a little stiff.  Ha ha!

This basket is way up.  Why?

$5 at garage sale.  Getting painted black. Dad says, "Shocking." Oh, and he said, "Yes.  That is sarcasm."

Little bear. Etsy. Yum...

 Well, I gots to go now.  We is watching a movie about some guy name Ferris.  He's got a day off. Mom says it helps her to know students' tricks.  All I know is I wants a day off... Bueller... Bueller... Bueller...

Have a great day!

Love and Hugs,

Anyone? Anyone?

Charlie

P.S. Mom is going on a field trip to Longwood Gardens tomorrow. She will post pictures later...

Hop to it!

"Mister Rabbit (and Charlie) in the carrot patch
Digging up the carrots. Scratch, scratch.
He ate the first little carrot, round and fat.
He ate the second little carrot just like that.
He ate the third little carrot, orange and sweet.
He ate the fourth little carrot, what a treat!
Mister Rabbit in the carrot patch
Digging up the carrots.  Scratch, scratch, scratch."

 

     I cannot believe my eyes as to how cute these bunnies are!  I know. The joke is sad, but I had to do it.  You can guess who nabbed the eyes off of our crazy quilt cow (made by Steve's grandmother). 

     Charlie was a busy boy on Thursday and Friday.  He broke out of his crate on Thursday.  I was so sure that my husband had not closed the crate properly (Sorry, Honey).  I came home to two dogs looking like they had had a splendid time that day.  And I know that Charlie had- he ripped the pillow slip cover off of the one pillow (zipper ripped off first. Hey!  Zippers are hard to navigate for a pup.  Oh, update on that too.  The other pillow has now been subjected to the same fate).  I had a small stuffed fox whose leg was amputated.  Another small bear was de-eared.  The house looked like it had been ransacked, but God showed mercy on me. Nothing was a terrible loss. And, most of all, the dogs were safe.

       I had to take Charlie to the vet on Monday for a visit that ended up being $250.  After a barium cleanse and x-rays, praise God he did not have anything stuck.  That was my panic when I came home to his being "footloose and fancy-free" Thursday.

     So, just to be on the safe side, since I was SO sure Steve didn't close the crate right, I put a strong metal ring on the latch.  When my husband came home, I got a sweet text telling me that Charlie had busted loose again.  No damage was done (the cow debacle happened on my husband's watch).  Again, he seemed fine.  But, he is a puppy.  You never know what he is going to get a hankering for...

    So, let me "hop to it" then (Thank you, I'll be here all week). I had shared with you some weeks back about the awesome prim bunny that I had won in Mary's giveaway at Marmmies, Mammy's and More.  You can see more of him, my other bunnies by our talented friends, and my spring decor and changes here. 

     Well, I won another sweet bunny from Janice's giveaway on her blog, Prims by the Water.  Truly, I can't tell you how these two giveaway wins have brightened my weeks.  School has been hard this month. Nothing hard like our dear blogging friends are experiencing. These "dewdrops of mercy" have been an undeserved pick-me-up for me.  But God is gracious, merciful, and above all, a loving Father- He shows it in big and little things.

     Isn't he just darling? And the prim carrot trio than accomopanied him makes such a neat vignette. Mary and Janice are just so talented.

     My final bunny, whom I have named Lizzie Bennett (and there is no connection to that I may or may not have been watching the movie for the 30th time while opening the package, don't you dare think it! Ok. It's true.), is made by my dear friend, Wendy, from Ravenwood Whimzies.  Is she not beautiful?  She had posted this bunny on Facebook with the offer of customizing the clothing.  Well, I hopped right on that one. (Heee hee, I used "hop" again. Did you see that?). She gave a selection of fabrics for me to choose from. It was a hard choice, but I loved the ones with dots.  They are not quite polka dots, so I don't have to hide her from Granny Trace'. She is so sweet and just perfectly prim.  Wendy also put in these adorable bees! Too sweet of Wendy! Lizzie has found the perfect home on my hutch.


     This trio of hoppers is such a cute bunch.  I think they will be staying up all year!  They can hang out with Old Lady Morgan's snowman.  I look around and see items made by so many of you.  I treasure each one as they remind me of all of you, dear friends.  Thank you, ladies, for sharing your talents and your generosity!

Love and hugs,

Heather, Bailey, and Charlie

I am asleep and snoring.  You would too if you chased Bailey around the dining room table over 15 times at top speed. I'm not kidding. Mom counted.

Prayers needed...

Psalm 46:1-3

"God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah"





Prayers are needed for Marie and her family. You all know Marie as Old Lady Morgan. You can read about her prayer needs here. Please lift up her and her family. They greatly need comfort and wisdom right now.


Love and hugs to you all, dear friends!

Heather