I've been awarded!

Miss guitargirl, kind person as she is, gave me the Beautiful Blogger award! 

The Rules: if you choose to accept the award you must:
--Thank the person who nominated you, and link to their blog.
--Copy the award and paste it to your blog.
--Tell us seven interesting facts about yourself.
--Pass this award on to 15 fantastic bloggers you have discovered.
--Contact your nominations and let them know they've won.




Thank you, guitargirl, for the award! Now I've got two on my sidebar. =)

1. I'm not great at coming up with interesting facts about myself.
2. I love playing volleyball.
3. I haven't been to a baseball game since September '08! (but that'll change this afternoon)
4. I'm chatting with a friend on Facebook right now (fascinating, isn't this?)
5. I've made our family Christmas cards for....three years in a row.
6. I love wearing flip flops and sandals in the summer.
7. I spent my morning watching movies and picking up sticks in the yard and murdering thistles.

Okay, 15 bloggers. Let's see if I can do this.

Queen Lucy
Kristen
Judi
Skittles (if she's around anymore)
Samantha
Zoe
My cousin, Pookie's Girl
Heather

And the first 6 of you to claim it. Those are the blogs I read most frequently. I apologize to those of you who's blogs I haven't had a chance to look at! I'm on limited computer time, but I hope to check them out soon!

Enjoy!
~Kiwi~

Maybe You Could Help--Monday

I need some help. Firstly with the titles. Which are boring. Secondly, last Autumn, when we first moved in, there were this little, nasty, black gnats all over my window. The holes in my screen are just big enough for the little buggers to get through. Well, with the warm weather and all, they are BACK!!!! And in full force, too! So, what do I do to keep them away? I'd appreciate it if y'all could tell me what to do about them. Fifteen blogger points to whoever can come up with something that works!


So this is what we've been doing this past week:

Monday and Tuesday: I believe we just did school. If I did anything else, it must not have been important!


Wednesday, I had Bible study at our friends house. It was also Avalon's birthday, so I did a Happy Birthday post for her. I think I'll have to mark down all my blogger-friends' birthdays, so I can do it for all of them.
We stood around afterwards, talking, and gazing at Noah's "Itouch....Udon't" as he checked to see who shared our birthdays. I don't think he checked mine. >:-[ We're working on a scoring system. Jumbo Shrimp had an Emperor born, but then two Kings died, canceling out the Emperor. I think she ended up in the 'negatives.'


Thursday I worked on a totally annoying painting that WILL NOT come out correctly. I've tried three times. The first one looked good in my head, but not on paper, so I took the element that DID look good and put it on the second sheet. It didn't look good. So then I tried a third time, and yet again it doesn't look right. I didn't give up, but it is set aside for a good, long while.
At 1:00, JS and Kirsten picked me up and we went ice skating! It was so much fun! It was homeschool skate afternoon, and I got to request which station was to be played, so I picked the Christian station with fewer commercials. We heard ITHOG and another song I haven't heard in forever: "My Deliverer" by the Ragamuffin Band. Love those two!
Skating was so much fun....I fell only once, and even then it was more of a slide than a fall....we danced the Virginia Reel on skates and played Crack-the-Whip. Friend of Narnia was there, and Kirsten, and Jumbo Shrimp.
I had a grand time, even though I now have a rawish spot on my ankle from the skate rubbing.


Friday was 'Jordan's Thirteenth birthday....turning thirteen on Friday the Thirteenth....:D Bad luck. He started the "seven years of insanity" period common to teenage boys. (not all, mind you. Just many. Don't get angry at me, Matt!) Also, the entire family entered the "seven years famine"........I'll leave y'all to figure that out..... ;D


Saturday it was warm and nice so (if I remember correctly) we got together with some friends. Ah, yes, we were out in the back yard, saying goodbye to Grandma and Grandpa G. when Monkey said "There's some people waving to us from the street!!" So I thought he meant just some of the kids that live back there. It was actually JS, Kirsten, and two other friends, Alena and Elizabeth. So we went back there and rode around. I would tell you the name of the street, 'cos it's kinda cool, but I googled it and the correct one came right up. Rats.
Monkey rode with us back there, but then we struck out on our own. Alena and Elizabeth's older bro showed up, which was good as I was having bike troubles. We had to put my chain on twice, and then Nathan got it to stay on. Now it just makes a slight grinding sound....and it's stuck in low gear. So I have to pedal really hard to go anywhere. It's tiring to do anything on it!
I want to get the Jolly Green Giant fixed.....(here's a link to a picture of a bike like it.....here's another....and this one's pretty close. My bike is brighter and has the handlebars like the last pic, only green. Anywho.)
Drat. I forgot to call the bike repair shop today. Again. There's always tomorrow.....


Sunday Mom and Dad were at membership classes at church from 1--4.
My Grandma M. was over for the weekend. She came on Sunday afternoon, and she left today. We played a few rounds of Rummy, Uno, and Checkers together.

Monday (the day this was supposed to be posted) I did an agonizing amount of schoolwork, and was finally released (thanks, Mom) and went to the park to hang out with JS and Kirsten. Know what's awesome? There were quite a few people there and......I heard not a swear word. Neat, isn't it?
And then yesterday evening Grandma and I took a walk together around the block. Our neighbors (the ones who's garage lights are on half the night and shine in my window and keep me awake) across the back lot were out and said 'hi.' Grandma thought that was so nice of them, because I said we hadn't met any of them. She also found several houses that she said (jokingly) she should buy, since they're so close by!
I don't think I've really taken the time to actually look at many of the houses in the neighborhood! There are some really nice, pretty ones that I never really noticed. I'll have to take another walk sometime soon.

Today, our friend Anna came over and we did facials. She's starting out in Mary Kay. It was cool and weird at the same time. I don't think I've ever put on eyeshadow and mascara before! Okay, maybe the eyeshadow, but not properly. We got a few good pics that I'll have to put on here.
And I went to the park again. It was sunny with a high of about 75. sweet.

Now, Soul Skittles wants me to make a big production out of this, so..... drum roll pu-lease........ Miss Skittles, I would like to present to you an over-sized check for....... FIVE (5) blogger points!!!! Yay!!! *streamers, balloons, and confetti!!* Three cheers for Skittles!!
She found the Song of the Day when no one else did! I thought it would be too obvious, but it wasn't. The song was Thrive by the Newsboys. Go see if you can find it. (but no points if you do now.)

In reply to the some of the comments left on my last post....

Judi: Yes, I should....I have a post started, but I just never get around to finishing it. I'll work on it! Yes, I've been on your blog lately, I've just been reeeeaaaally bad at commenting. Sorry! I'll head on over as soon as I get a chance.

JON MEYERS: Hi, nice to know you're still reading this! Sure, I'll write an obituary for it. What's it's name? Oh, and I saw a pic of Savannah on your sister's blog! She's so cute! I can't wait to see her in June!

Zoe: Shame on you for laughing at Everett's untimely demise! ;D Yeah, you should have heard Mom and Dad's reactions.

Skittles: I'M NOT FURGETTIN' ANYTHING! *subtracts five points from Skittles' point thingy because of impatientness on Skittles' part* JK.

guitargirl: Thanks! I will, but it won't be entirely finished for about a year. It's a once-monthly ladies quilting bible study, and there are twelve blocks. You do the math.
No, I'm using the machine. Yeah, it's slightly lazy, but....
Yes, I'm turning 17 on Monday. My counter-that-you-cannot-find is up above this post, below the video. I moved it there so that it would be rather prominent....apparently not! :D

Alayne: I saw that you're following me. Thanks! Do you have a blog? Might I ask how you found me?

And that's all I have time for today. I'll be seeing y'all later. tomorrow, probably.
Have a good day, y'all!

~Kiwi da Fruit

Wednesday #2

Um, I think I shall delay the Exhaustive History of the Newsboys until next week. I had promised Jumbo Shrimp and Short Stuff that I'd be doing that today, but given the circumstances.....I don't think that's gonna happen. I have spent the last....five-and-a-half hours working on school work. Chemistry went slowly, because the teacher did not give me all I needed to complete the lesson. Literature was exhaustive because I was supposed to figure out all the stinkin' symbolism in a horrid, long, boring story. There's gotta be a better way to do school work than slogging my way through!

So instead I'll give you my history project that I've been working on for an hour or so. It's about the Salvation Army. Enjoy!

3-4-2009

A Brief History of the Salvation Army and its Accomplishments
By Kiwifruit

William Booth and his wife, Catherine, founded the Salvation Army in 1865.
William preached to the poor while Catherine spoke to the wealthy, asking for financial support. One of the unique things about Catherine was that she was allowed by the Salvation Army rules to preach. Quite an interesting fact, considering that very few women were allowed to do so at the time.

In 1880, the Salvation Army started work in Australia (a colony of Britain made up of primarily convicts), Ireland, and the United States. Within the next ten years it had spread to twenty-five other countries, such as Canada, New Zealand, Pakistan, and South Africa. The Salvation Army has continued to spread throughout the world, with Namibia, Mali, Kuwait, and Mongolia being the most recent. The Army now covers over one hundred countries.

Eleven years later, the first kettle fundraising drive took place, starting what is now a Christmastime tradition. In 1901, the first Christmas dinner was served to the masses. Now the bell ringing and Christmas dinners are yearly occurrences, with the bell ringing raising millions each year and the dinners feeding hundreds of thousands in the United States alone.

During the World Wars, the Salvation Army was active offering its services to the Allied troops. After the wars, promoted a program called Marching Forward, the main objectives of which included the promotion of evangelism, the prevention of juvenile delinquency, aid to veterans and their families, and the rehabilitation of Salvation Army work in countries devastated by war.
During the Great Depression the Salvation Army found ways to provide food, lodging, and jobs for the needy whenever possible.

The Salvation Army is continuing to serve the world with its charity work through second-hand stores, rehab centers, and disaster relief.




http://www.history.com/encyclopedia.do?articleId=221402
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Salvation_Army

There y'are! It'll probably have a bit more added to it, but that's all there is for now. It was rather interesting doing research for that. Did you know that for quite a while, S.A. Officers were only allowed to marry other officers? And in some countries, they still stick to those rules.

Interesting.

Monday's Song of the Day was guessed correctly...eventually. Catfreak got pretty close when she said "Hallelujah, Sunday's not that far away," so I'll give her 2 1/2 points for getting that close. guitargirl won by answering "Sunday" by Tree 63! This was found right here: "I was also thinking 'hallelujah, Sunday's not that far away!' because I hadn't seen Owan in two weeks." I'm surprised, however, that none of you went back to guitargirl's birthday post and checked for the song there! It was quite obvious. "Happy Birthday" is a song. :D I snuck it past again. :-P

Squirrel Update: Thursday we hung the suet feeder on a clothesline pole, hoping that the squirrel wouldn't notice or be unable to get at it. *raspberry* He shimmied up the pole, and took the suet feeder off!!! That squirrel may not be as dumb as we thought! He didn't just slide the feeder off, he unhooked it!! Rrrgh! So now the feeder is back on the tree and I'm sittin' here watching him, proped up on the mothballs that are supposed to repel him, eating the suet. There's nothing I can do...at the moment. >:)

So now I'm all caught up! I'll see (or rather, write to) you on Friday!

~Kiwi da Fruit

Happy Birthday, guitargirl!!

My friend, guitargirl, is having her birthday today! She's 18 now.
First for the cake. Do you want white cake....




or chocolate with Reeses Pieces on it....
or a chocolate cake with mandarin oranges on it (what's with the oranges??)?

Your choice, guitargirl!


Now for the present!!
I know you like Charles Dickens, so...... Here is a Link for you!! Over 600 Dickens quotes at your disposal.


Thoughtful note from Rapunzel on being 'grown-up':
You have two more years to be a teenager, so make the most of 'em. Partly because if you have to start acting grown up, there's no hope for me (being a year older than you)! 18 is an interesting year, a lot of new stuff, but it's pretty good. Have fun!


GUITARGIRL:
Great blogger,
Umm,
oI boyz lover,
Talented (with the guitar),
Article-one-moose giver,
Rabbit named raisin,
Guitar player, hence the name,
Interesting posts,
R...(what begins with 'r'? I can't think of any 'r'! Sorreh.),
Lovely house.
Here ends my lame little poem.

Happy Boithday :D
~Kiwi da Fruit~