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.

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

Birthday Time!

Posted on 14 May 2011 by Valarie

When my daughter turned one, we threw a small, family party for her, and fed her chocolate cake.  She promptly smeared it all over her face and high chair!  We laughed, and took pictures. (What else?)  Then, for the next … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Life, Friends, Genealogy, Kids, Music, Religion | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Memory Lane

Posted on 7 May 2011 by Valarie

I have been in North Carolina all week, and it has been such an odd experience!  I have traveled 1100 miles, and yet, I feel so at home here, that it feels very much like I’ve not gone anywhere at … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Life, Friends, Travel | 2 Comments

Crazy News

Posted on 29 April 2011 by Valarie

I got a manicure today, and they always have the television set on CNN, so I actually watched the news today.  I have sort of been avoiding it, because it’s just so darned depressing most of the time, and it … Continue reading →

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

Butter!

Posted on 22 April 2011 by Valarie

I don’t have a lot of time to write anything deep and meaningful, and with today being Good Friday I feel like I should. However, I am very happy to announce that my butter molds turned out perfectly this year! … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Life, Food and Drink, Religion | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Holy Week

Posted on 17 April 2011 by Valarie

I am honestly not sure if it’s the fact that news is so readily available, or perhaps that I’m older now, and so I pay somewhat more attention to it than I used to, but it does seem to me … Continue reading →

Posted in Religion, Spirituality | Tagged | Leave a comment

New Chapter

Posted on 7 April 2011 by Valarie

It has been many years, almost nineteen, actually, since we’ve had only once child at home.  With Alex going off to Boot Camp this week, and Kendall still in North Carolina, it has been eerily empty here.  Abby has been … Continue reading →

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

Surprise!

Posted on 2 April 2011 by Valarie

Alexander was born suspicious. All his life, he’s been suspicious, and while in and of itself, that’s not necessarily a bad thing, it makes it almost impossible to surprise him. But, last night, we did it! In fact, he was … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Life, Friends, Kids | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

A Word From Abby Johnson

Posted on 28 March 2011 by Valarie

I have had the pleasure of hearing Ms. Johnson speak on a couple of occasions since we moved to Austin, and have even met her.  She has a powerful story to tell, and this quick ad barely scratches the surface.

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

Does It Really Matter Anymore?

Posted on 25 March 2011 by Valarie

I have noticed a very disturbing trend, and I am sure I am not the only one who has noticed, or who is disturbed by it.  It seems to me, that every time I turn around, someone, somewhere, is bashing … Continue reading →

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