For All Word Lovers -- An Epic Game

During our vacation week in Florida, a few Scrabble games broke out.  My friend Dee and I love to play Scrabble together.  Mostly because we're friends--practically sisters--and because we like to spend time together.  And also because she and I both love words.  Greek/Hebrew concordance, anyone?  :)

So one lazy afternoon, we decided to play Scrabble.  What a tough game.  She kept picking mostly vowels, and I kept picking mostly consonants.  We slogged through the game, and I think if we had retired to the couches at that point, we would have both taken a nice nap.

But, I shrugged and asked, "Wanna play another one?"

She laughed a little and agreed.  She placed all seven tiles on her second and third turns, and then I placed all seven tiles right afterwards.  We perked up at that point, and started to write the words down next to our scores.  Nathan happened along at one point and helped Dee get kitties.  It was a three-family effort!  And the rest is history.

For all you Scrabble addicts, below the pic are the blow-by-blow details and stats.

(BTW, Dee led off the game.)

1. 26 aglow -- 35 fez (+ of + we)
2. 81 requite (7-TW) (+ oft + wee) -- 18 weeds
3. 72 moisten (7-TW) (+ re + en) -- 74 ignoring (8-TW)
4. 24 aged -- 42 comb
5. 20 cover -- 50 ox ("x" on a triple-letter space, "ox" two ways!!)
6. 83 kitties (7-TW) (+ covert) -- 20 ivy (+ id)
7. 20 cabin -- 35 ashy (+ ya)
8. 7 said -- 92 replowed (8-TW)
9. 12 (cabin)et -- 16 trope (+ er)
10. 8 iron -- 33 lief
11. 57 jute -- 33 huns
12. 10 lox -- 8 ma + ar
13. 12 dap -- 9 koi + on
14. 7 ow -- 8 no + na
15. 5 uh -- 5 uh (a nice copy!)
16. 7 fa + ta

Dee's score -- 451 (her all-time high), with three seven-tile words!!
My score -- 478 (my all-time high), with two seven-tile words!!

TOTAL SCORE:  929 (all-time high combined score)



Back to life,
Christine

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Tea Talk -- Some Thro' the Waters

Welcome to my home!

Sit and share a cup of tea with me as we encourage each other in the Lord.

To participate, click on Ruth's button above.

I've been absent from Tea Talk for a few weeks, but am getting back in to the groove of things!  I've already posted some vacation photos from Vero Beach, Florida, and have a few more posts to get typed up.  But I'm taking a tea break today for my little "Tea Bible Study," as I like to call it.  Thanks, Ruth, for giving me this special little time that I personally treasure each week.  :)

I'm having...a cup of organic Earl Grey in my Gibson china cup.  This tea is the best Earl Grey I've ever tasted.  :)

I'm feeling...full from eating and eating all last week.  Our beach cottage wasn't a cruise ship, but I think we all agreed that it certainly felt like it--cruise-ship-delicious food prepared by wonderful ladies (and young ladies) all week long.  Yum.  Time to go on a diet.  *adjusts skirt waist*

On my mind...is Part A--it's Thomas' 15th birthday today!  My littlest guy is growing up way too quickly.  Time is running out, but the Lord is giving us special time over the next few years.  I love the complexity and uniqueness that is Thomas.

Thomas boogie-boarding in Vero Beach, Florida last week!

And Part B--the next thing:  the 2011 ICHE state homeschool convention, beginning with the speakers banquet next Wednesday evening.  Then it's work, work, work through Saturday early evening--no breaks, fall into bed and crash until the alarm goes off at 5:30 a.m. for the next day of convention.  Whew; I'm tired just typing that!  I have one main speaker, two other speakers doing special workshops, and two panels to sit in on--one parent panel ("Homeschooling 101 for Special Needs") and one to sit in on with two of my sons who are speaking ("Siblings of Special Needs").  I also have two workshop time slots, each with two speakers!  Can't be two places at the same time, so I'm lining up my volunteers, starting with my guys.  Lots to get in order, but that's the fun part.

I leave you with...a hymn I stumbled across last night as I glanced through our hymnal.  I've been amazed (once again) at the provision of our mighty God.  The lyrics below say it all.  :)

God Leads Us Along

In shady, green pastures, so rich and so sweet, God leads His dear children along;

Where the water's cool flow bathes the weary one's feet, God leads His dear children along.

Sometimes on the mount where the sun shines so bright, God leads His dear children along;

Sometimes in the valley, in darkest of night, God leads His dear children along.

Though sorrows befall us and Satan oppose, God leads His dear children along;

Through grace we can conquer, defeat all our foes, God leads His dear children along.

CHORUS:

Some thro' the waters, some thro' the flood, Some thro' the fire, but all thro' the blood;

Some thro' great sorrow, but God gives a song, In the night season and all the day long.

Sunset along Vero Beach, Florida

Back to life,
Christine

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Surf Isn't All That's Up -- Florida Part II

Each day in Florida brought many memories to cherish, and I have loved going back through all my images and thinking back just a few days to the great moments in our vacation.  Today I'd like to share some images, not about surf (which is up!), but about something else which goes up.  ;)

When we heard that the Space Shuttle Endeavor's launch had been pushed back to Monday the 16th, we were thrilled!  And morning was a perfect time for lift-off.  Everyone gathered on the beach to gaze off into the northern distance.  Vero Beach is about an hour's drive from the Kennedy Space Center and Launch Pad B, but we knew we'd be able to see Endeavor as she flew up into space, if the weather cooperated.  And it did.

In just a few minutes, Endeavour passed through the sky, on to outer space.  Just a swirly cloud trail remained.  Several minutes after she disappeared, we heard the low rumble.  Danny, watching from the beach cottage balcony, said that he felt the trembling, too.  It was truly awesome.

What a treat--and a huge blessing--to have the opportunity to visit the Kennedy Space Center a few days later!  We spent the entire day there, inspecting all the exhibits, and going on the bus tour to the observation deck to view Launch Pad B (really cool!), and the Saturn V rocket exhibit center.

The Rocket Garden (never heard of that one before...)

Astronauts must have been a lot smaller back then.  Thomas was the only one who could sit halfway comfortably inside the module below.  :)

 

The Saturn V rocket assembly--impressive

Launch Pad B -- two days after Endeavour

Serious horsepower!

Apollo 13 module -- another amazing story

And here is our gang.  We loved every aspect of the Kennedy Space Center; there was not one thing that stood out significantly.  Every exhibit, every rocket--it was all fascinating.  Thanks, Dad and Mom, for giving us the incredible opportunity of going!

Back to life,
Christine

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Surf, Sun, Fun -- Florida Part I

Note to Self (and you):  When typing blog drafts, make sure you publish the first one FIRST.  This is the first one.   I just rearranged posts so this one shows first.  I think.

We're back!  I'm so tired, after two days of driving back (or riding while someone else drives!) from Florida.  We were soooo blessed to spend a week with Lori and her family, and the T. family, and Josh (a friend of Lori's son).  One week of worry-free relaxation.

Here is our week in photos--not all of them!

A typical Florida gas station

The view at Captain Hiram's restaurant

Watching Space Shuttle Endeavor from Vero Beach!!

My hubby on the beach

We stayed in the Green Turtle Cottage, with its front balcony looking out over the Atlantic Ocean.  Aaahhh.

The ocean was comfortably cool in the 80-degree weather, and we spent a lot of time in it.  We had so much fun getting knocked over by waves, and swimming in May!

We also had some gooo-oood food!  Here are a few shots for you to drool over...

Mmmm...  Well, that's it for today.  Check back in soon to read and see some more!


Back to life,
Christine

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A Big, Fun, Day!

I wanted to share some images from a Sunday a few weeks ago.  Our church family is such a blessing, and it's so much fun to get together as a giant group.  There's always fun, conversation, music, games, laughter.  And my friends don't mind that I run around with my camera all day shooting everything and everyone.  :)

My recent Sunday in pictures.

What a great spring day that was!!  I'm grinning that I shared with just images, and no words.  I always have to tell the story, but I just don't have time.  I hope you figured out that we had a great time!  ;)


Back to life,
Christine

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