365 Day Happiness Challenge Beta Test

Dear anyone who is reading,

I have been discouraged and a little sad lately- this was even before the outcome of the 2016 election.  I think the main reason is because I keep searching for affirmation that doesn't exist (especially on FB).  Also I love writing and challenges and when I started the Mighty Nerdy Geeky idea for the year I didn't think or plan it through very well.  This summer we also did a lot of traveling so again I didn't get to do what I thought I would be able to.  I have come to the conclusion that I need to do something that is a lot more flexible and something happy.  Enter the 365 Day Happiness Challenge but this is the buggy beta version because I am starting at a strange time- in the middle of November.  I will see how far I get until the New Year and then if there is a new similar challenge I will do that or start this particular challenge over again.

I know I will not be able to do all of these in one year or even 5 years (probably) but I think it will be fun to try.  Hopeful this will cheer me up and keep me going for a little while at least.  If you would like to try along with me that would awesome- we could cheer each other on.

Day 1 Wear your favorite things.

I waited for a beautiful fall day here in Oregon so my daughters could take pictures outside.  I think it was a record high in November a gorgeous 67 degrees.

My favorite things to wear vary greatly.  I must also stress that I don't dress like this very often because I know my husband hates it and I will honor him the way the Bible tells me I should.  It is not a big deal.  I guess if I had to say what kind of style this is I would say frumpy gypsy or possibly my own version of Mennonite/homemaker.

My most favorite thing to wear should be comfortable.  Comfort is important.  I wore my headcovering from Garlands of Grace.  My shirt was just something I found from the church clothing closet.  My skirt I bought from Kmart ages ago.  It is a maxi-skirt and SO SO comfortable.  I opted for sandals because it wasn't raining but normally I wear boots in the fall.  My cardigan is from Old Navy.  

I asked my two younger girls if they wanted to participate also I haven't taken their official "homeschool" pictures yet so...better late then never.

Ariana's favorite thing to wear is her new dress that looks like Ana's dress from Frozen.

Lucy's favorite thing to wear is her Easter dress and pretty headband.

I will write to you next time either from my exercise class or after I rearrange some furniture which ever happens first.

Love to my readers,

Larissa

Halloween 2016

We love celebrating!  This Halloween we hosted dinner and my husband took the kids trick or treating while I stayed home handing out candy.  Ariana wanted to cook all the recipes from her Raddish box so I will link a separate review at the bottom of this post, but we had actually already made the soup which we triple batched because it is so tasty.

We had the cousins over.  Hermione was a pirate- an extra fancy pirate I might add.  Ariana was Ana from Frozen but she as at a masquerade.  She got a mask from Ashland this summer and we hoped she would use it for Halloween.  Lucy was Super Girl.  My husband took some great pictures on FB.  I didn't get a good picture of him but he was fighter pilot.

My husband!

Ariana and Ruby

Iris- Go Beavers!!

ARRR!!!

Happy Halloween!!!

Raddish Fright Night Feast Review

How Many Words Can You Rhyme With Fall?

Fall
Ball
Stall
Call
Mall
Doll
Shawl
Gall
Hall
Tall
Brawl
Wall
Crawl

Lucy says- "D'oh!"  but I don't think she understand or she is turning into Homer Simpson.

Six Word Memoirs

Today's challenge is to see how many six word memoirs I can make in one hour using the topics from the official six word memoir website.  I am jumping right in.

*Six words that absolutely terrify you:

I am so disappointed in you.

*Your favorite fads in six words:

Chokers not the dog collar kind.

*What does "character" mean to you?

Living the way Jesus Christ modeled.

*This is nature in six words:

Oregon's Crater Lake 1,946 feet deep.

*My Best Day: [Add Three Words]:

My Best Day: What Happens Next?

*Your six words for staying cool:

I'm going to take a nap.

*What's on your six-word campaign button:

We are doomed- vote for me.

*Summer road trips in six words:

Smelly, sweaty, sleepy keep rolling on.

*The six-word spoiler of your life:

SPOILER: He names all the children.

*Your family story in six words:

Distance and awkwardness sums it up.

*Your commencement speech in six words:

Get over yourself, please, serve others.

*I always call my mom when...

I really need a guilt trip.

*Bust a rhyme in six words:

Wasting time, think of a rhyme.

*On my first day as president....

Will resign on Mr. Peterson's advice.

*Your college pride in six words:

Attended Western Baptist College not Corban

*I unplug to...[add three words]:

I unplug to keep sanity alive.

I still have about 4 minutes left but I need to leave it here because the last one is perfect for the message I want to say today.  I am seriously considering deleting my Facebook account and slipping quietly into the night so that I can write.  I want to write without pressure of likes.  I am tired of being jealous.  I barely ever see the things I want so I will write what I want to see- life, love, quirkiness, depth of soul, hope, books, fun, and learning.  I feel like I am about to go crazy and maybe it is because it is election season but I can't take it much longer.  I will write to keep living.  

Change Is in the Wind

I am ready to make a big change.  I am ready to take the plunge.  I am ready to write on the regular.  I think I promise this on the regular and never make good on it.  I hope this is time it will be different.  Every time I hope it will be different.  Please, make this time different.  No more excuses.

Ten Things I loved about "A Scandal in Belgravia"

(in no particular order)

NOTE: if you watch this on Netflix- it skips to the title sequence and the ending of the pool scene with Moriarity!!!!!!  I almost freaked out!  Where was "Staying Alive"?  I knew to expect it because I saw it on DVD but if you don't rewind it by yourself you will miss it and you don't want to miss it!

1. We see the first appearance of the deerstalker cap!

2. Sherlock (Benedict Cumberbatch!) in only a sheet at Buckingham Palace.

3. The Boomerang Mystery- "Brainy is the new sexy."

4. Naked Irene Adler- The Woman

5. Christmas with Sherlock Holmes- this episode has the best violin solos especially Irene's theme.  I really want to know what Molly bought for Sherlock!  "You always say such horrible things. Every time. Always."  Dr. Watson's Christmas sweater is adorable.

6.  The fight scenes with the Americans- just how many times did he fall out the window, it was ll just a blur.
7. All the passwords Sherlock tries on Irene Adler's phone- SHERlocked: "Everything I said- it's not real. I was just playing the game." -Irene Adler "I know. And this is just losing." -Sherlock

8. The plane full of dead people- mentioning the bombing of Coventry which Cumberbatch also stars in the movie The Imitation Game which is also about codes.

9. Dr. Watson's blog takes off- I also discovered it HERE

10. Sherlock saves Irene Adler's life.

Ten Things I loved about "The Great Game"

(in no particular order)

1. Sherlock Holmes IS the grammar police!

2 "Bored! Bored! Bored!"- Sherlock Holmes, Here is the first time we clearly see the yellow smiley face on the wall paper and a very pouty Sherlock who had been shooting at it.

3. Meeting "Gay" Morriarity!  Poor Molly!

4. Fighting the Golem in the planetarium.

5. Solving the fake painting puzzle with astronomy.  See, Sherlock, it comes in handy.

6. "You see, you just don't observe."-Sherlock Holmes

7. Watson and the Westie Case- I like that this episode has 2 mysteries that intertwine and Watson gets to shine on his own and is used as a go between for Sherlock and Mycroft.

8. Solving the Carl Powers death mystery- this gave us a glimpse of young Sherlock's past and his solving mysteries

9. The Greenwich Pips Allusion

10. THE POOL SCENE.... I know I said this wasn't in a particular order but we all know this is the best seen ever!!  "Jim Moriarty, Hi." "I will BURN you.  I will burn the HEART out of you."  "No, you won't." "Sorry, boys, I am so changeable."