Author Archives: Valarie

About Valarie

I love to travel and spend time with old friends. I enjoy cool Autumn nights, Summer Lightning Bugs and Spring Thunderstorms. I love my cats, and cannot imagine life without them. :) I write some poetry, and some short stories. Nothing paradigm shifting. I love being Catholic. I enjoy crochet, cooking, and rock-n-roll. I'm easy to get along with, hard to offend, and loyal to the bitter end. My husband and my children are my heroes. Hmmm. . . not too much else to tell.

Dear GOP: Seriously?

Posted on 27 January 2012 by Valarie

But the Grand Old Party (heavy on the “Old”) needs to wake up and smell the Chai! Continue reading →

Posted in Current Affairs, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Christmas Reflections

Posted on 26 December 2011 by Valarie

This has been one of the best Christmas celebrations we’ve had in ages.  It is one of the few times when I’ve managed to pull it all together in time to have everything ready.  I even got our newsletters out … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Life, Friends, Kids | Tagged | 7 Comments

Twelve Years Past

Posted on 25 November 2011 by Valarie

A lot can happen in one year.  In twelve years, entire worlds can change.  Twelve years ago, we lived in a log house in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains, on our tiny little farm.  We had chickens, Nubian … Continue reading →

Posted in Friends, Random | Leave a comment

Subscribe!!

Posted on 24 November 2011 by Valarie

I started blogging back in 2005, when we still had to chisel our posts out of granite and send them out via owl.  However, now things are so much easier, and if you are interested in receiving updates in your … Continue reading →

Posted in Weblogs | 1 Comment

Thankful for 25 Years

Posted on 24 November 2011 by Valarie

Two days ago, Gaylon and I celebrated our 25 year wedding anniversary.  I never really thought we’d make it this far.  Not because I thought, going in, that we’d get a divorce, but because when I was nineteen years old, … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Life | Tagged | Leave a comment

I’m A “Liebster Blog”!

Posted on 20 November 2011 by Valarie

The Liebster Blog Award is given to up and coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers. Angela Fitch of “Accidentally Angela” recently awarded this to me. Thank you Angela! This is my very first blog award. Liebster is a … Continue reading →

Posted in Weblogs | Tagged | 3 Comments

Thoughts on “The Way”

Posted on 3 November 2011 by Valarie

Editor’s Note: Having now had the extreme pleasure of actually viewing this movie myself, all I can say is “GO!”  It is by far one of, if not the, best movie I’ve ever seen.  I am more baffled than ever … Continue reading →

Posted in Film | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Floating Rosary

Posted on 21 October 2011 by Valarie

We have the most awesomest homeschool support group ever!!  This afternoon, they gathered together to pray for an end to abortion, and then, in honor of the Respect Life Campaign and of October being the month of the Holy Rosary, … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Affairs, Family Life, Homeschooling | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Ghosts of 4th of July Past

Posted on 1 July 2011 by Valarie

It’s official.  I am homesick.  I am also thinking that if I got in my car RIGHT NOW and started driving, I would get to North Carolina in time for the 4th of July party at the Gundersen’s.  I miss … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Life, Friends, Kids | 1 Comment

Summertime Ramblings

Posted on 1 July 2011 by Valarie

After we got somewhat settled in here in Austin, I got with a couple of the moms who are in charge of our homeschool support group and offered to create a yearbook. They thought it was a great idea, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Life, Food and Drink, Genealogy, Kids, Travel, Weblogs | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

One Nation. . .

Posted on 21 June 2011 by Valarie

So, according to NBC, we are no longer “under God” or “indivisible”.  And, to top it all off, they were trying to be patriotic??  If anybody thinks it was unintentional, I want the drugs they are taking!

Posted in Current Affairs, Politics, Sports | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Bridging the Chasm

Posted on 20 June 2011 by Valarie

I have previously lamented the ever-deepening chasm that separates the Left from the Right in this country, and how the two opposing camps are quickly deteriorating into some really nasty name-calling and downright guerilla attack tactics, rather than trying to … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Affairs, Opinion, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

High School, Again??

Posted on 16 June 2011 by Valarie

Somehow, my “Baby” will be starting High School this Fall.  I had been warned that this would happen, that they would all eventually grow up, and I have tried to savor every possible moment so that it couldn’t possibly slip … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Life, Homeschooling, Kids | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Jesus Said This Would Happen

Posted on 22 May 2011 by Valarie

I really struggled with whether or not to give any publicity to the whole “Judgment Day” thing that’s been going on for the past week or so, but finally decided that I should. First, since these “prophets” always claim they … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Affairs, Religion | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Armored Yard Bandits

Posted on 17 May 2011 by Valarie

Okay, this post should probably go under the “Only In Texas” section, but I thought my title was a bit more catchy, LOL!  We have been absolutely baffled by a phenomenon that keeps taking place in our front yard.  We … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Life, Only In Texas | Tagged , , | 2 Comments