deus glorificus

2011-03-23T22:59:00.000-05:00

Today the words just didn't come out write with my essay, so I thought I'd right instead on my blog...keep the creative juices flowing and all that. :)

So this past weekend was quite the whirlwind of a weekend. Between taking my communications midterm on Wednesday, working on Thursday, discussion forum posts due that evening, studying for accounting midterm on Friday, taking said accounting midterm Saturday morning, begin studying/writing/completing/submitting comm. essay Saturday evening, finishing/submitting acc. homework Sunday evening, and finish studying/take/pass Technical Writing DSST on Monday...yeah...

Yeehaw!!! I haven't been that busy for awhile. Praise the Lord for His goodness and mercy...

So now I'm on the tail end of my courses, and it looks as if things might slow down...a little. But life in general makes up for the slight downtime, especially since we just started the other side of the house...

Dad re-enforced some of those ceiling joists today...haven't taken the "after" pic yet.

Anyway, one of the greatest things about remodeling is all the destructing one can do to the lathe and plaster. I'm sure other would reiterate the same if they've torn some out in the past. Tearing out drywall is ok, but lathe and plaster truly beats all. And the mess it makes is awesome. ;)

And, to close like last time...

That's it for now, folks...I'm off to bed. DST is still messing up the sleep schedule... *laughs*

midterms

2011-03-15T21:51:00.001-05:00

So...let's see...last time we checked in snow was about to hit and everyone was running around like crazy (which was rather appropriate, by the way). Turns out there wasn't as much snow as predicted, but still we had a good turnout. 3-4 foot drifts in some places...it was awesome. During the snowstorm...

I'm sure there's more pics on my camera card...maybe another time.

Also, school's picked up a bit with the aforementioned TESC courses that started exactly six weeks ago today. Midterms are this week, and with my obsessive personality, that means many hours dedicated towards studying, studying, and more studying. And more studying. Thankfully the communications course isn't too much of a chore since it mostly draws from common sense. Accounting, on the other hand, can be fun yet tedious at times. The main thing with that is memorizing definitions and equations. Concepts might come in handy, too. So the comm. midterm is tomorrow and accounting is on Saturday.

I considered taking the Technical Writing DSST yesterday, but that didn't work out. Leaving only this evening and tomorrow morning to study for a midterm didn't seem too wise when I had the option to put in more time. Therefore, the DSST occurs this coming Monday, Lord willing! Pretty much all the studying for it is already done, which is nice...just need to go in and take it.

Also, for those interested in seeing what a discussion post might look like, see here...

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/22856223/DF3_ACC.rtf

In this case, that there's an accounting DF post, fyi. Feel free to critique, if you'd like.

That's it for now...time for some sleep. DST has affected us all...

Auf wiedersehen.

Inclement Weather Ahead

2011-01-31T20:55:00.001-06:00

When I put "Diving into 2011" as my previous post's title, I didn't think mounds of snow would be what I'm diving into. *laughs*

As I'm sure y'all know by now (why do we put an aggregate assumption of the populace as an introduction for a topic?? anyway...), IL in addition to other areas of central US is in for a boatload of snow the next few days: they're predicting up to 17 inches of sleet/snow for our locale, not including ice. More snow and less ice up northern-ways.

Meanwhile, today was prep day. This afternoon I went around getting the generators ready for a power-outage...walking around outside in sandals resulted in numb toes, but at least I wore a coat this time around. Grocery stores are running out of basic necessities...Mom couldn't find milk at Kroger...sugar, potatoes, and other staples are getting low. Gas sky-rocketed 30¢ to 3.29$...Dad was the only one at the gas station this evening to fill up all our gas containers, of which two one-gallons he bought on the way home from work (sold out of 5-gallon containers). A neighbor was testing his generator to make sure all is well.

And then you have the weather...the precursor began around noon today with at least 1/2" accumulation of sleet in certain places. The above is around 5:30 this evening...even after various broomings to reduce the excitement of a slippery fall. Emil mentioned during dinner that on his way home from work a truck with a 9' trailer had turned upside-down on the interstate. However, the big stuff is supposed to start tomorrow afternoon...we'll see what happens...

But overall, God is in control. And call me crazy, but I'm kinda looking forward to seeing what He's gonna do with all that fluffy stuff. The awesome power of a silent fury such as snow and the resulting vastness of a white expanse...guess it deals with being born in January or something. And if the power's out, I'll still have internet access if a picture catches my blog-post-inclined fancy.

And that internet also will be good if the power goes out...because my courses with Thomas Edison State College start tomorrow. :P

Ciao.

Diving into 2011

2011-01-07T14:55:00.002-06:00

Hello, blogging world! I thought I'd drop in and say a quick hello, then...

a good-bye for now.

...

Naw, just kidding.

A day before my 22nd year commences and it's been almost two months since my last post. Definitely too long of a waiting period, in my opinion. Since then, the remodeling has come along beautifully, school's back in session after a few weeks break (worked full-time), and Apple is still the best computer around.

Here's the current remodeled state, as of a couple weeks ago. We changed things up again and are now putting in a nice-sized pantry at the south of of the great room...the right side of the picture for those lacking in bearings. It took a few minutes to get used to the face that we're losing space, but all's well that ends well.

Also, this past weekend our family and almost everyone else from Dad's side of the immediate fam (near 30 people) surprised my aunt for her [insert important year] birthday in Indiana. Above is the morning sky before we took off...1/1/11. So...we all loaded up into a local hotel and spent an awesome weekend together. Here's my cousin's daughter after Sunday lunch...I think she likes the outfit...

Business Ethics in Society is currently on my plate for studies...seems like a relatively easy test, as it builds upon previous tests I've taken and covers the type of material I enjoy delving into. 88 credits so far...only 5 more CLEP/DSST's after Business Ethics...and my two Thomas Edison courses start in February. One of those five CLEP/DSST's includes Money and Banking...one of the hardest tests out there...we'll see how that goes. [God's in control!] Then, 3 TECEP's and that's it!

Happy Thanksgiving! Merry Christmas! Happy New Year! That takes care of the major holidays since November 8th.

Laters.

as fall wanes, winter begins

2010-11-08T14:00:00.006-06:00

Good morning to all my dear followers...

Just a couple things for an update.

I'm at 85 credits...getting closer to completion, and it'll pass by quicker than the blink of an eye. (hey, he was a poet and didn't know it!) After that, only the Lord knows...my coach and I have been having quite the profitable conversations as of late: discussing that more importance needs placed upon the journey and not just the end-goal. Seeing as I'm a rather long-term focused type of person (oh the ideas I have for the future!), I tend to get so caught up in what the Lord might hold ahead in life that the step-by-step, day-by-day details slip my focus. Ergo, pragmatism receives a blow...

So, right now I'm working on Business Law II, after failing miserably on Business Law 1 last Friday. Kinda depressing, but at the same time realizing that the Lord's in control and He has a bigger plan in mind for me not passing gives comfort. From what other testers are saying on forums, it seems like BLII ranks up there in difficulty, but there ain't nothing that can't be overcome with perseverance, a plethora of study materials, and God's grace. Besides that - 6 more tests, 2 courses, and 3 TECEP's. Oh yeah...

Besides school, remodeling!

Here's the most recent picture captured...there's drywall where that empty section is on the ceiling to the right, btw. Only a tad of a piece remains and the ceiling drywall's complete. We hope. ;) Many thanks to John Creath for the help this past Saturday.

And for a random video.

That's it for now.

Au revior.

Remodeling Update #1

2010-08-28T23:08:00.001-05:00

We're semi-slowly but surely shifting the house around to accommodate the movement of...practically everything in the house (quite the mental picture). A thank ye much to Mrs. Candler for helping Mom out the first day we began this endeavor!

The girls have officially moved upstairs, and their old room looks somewhat empty as of a few days ago, yet it's being filled with stuff from the living room/dining room...

That's what it looked like the evening they moved up in life. And it's been an interesting time, all this moving...which, as a result, makes us feel like we truly are moving, even though we aren't. :) Prayers would be appreciated for calmed nerves, especially seeing as they have to deal with this agressive action-seeker for an oldest son.

The dining room became an dininglesser room this evening. Imagine all the furniture gone save the table and chairs...and you got its current state.

(this doesn't include the delving of the cove, cleaning out all the insulation in the attic, setting up the girls' new bed, turning the spare 'oom into a temporary attic, and dealing with a lot of...stuff)

So, praise the Lord for progress and the future generations that, Lord willing, will fill this sucker to the brim - the remodeled state of the house, that is.

Y'all have a wonderful evening...

via the iPhone

We're Remodeling!

2010-08-11T11:00:00.014-05:00

Again! *grin*

The first round of major renovations our family/friends accomplished began a long time ago with the den...and the former boy's room...and Mom and Dad's room...then around ten years ago with our kitchen, downstairs bathroom, and porch. The latter three took around 2 years, then we moved onto the upstairs, which we completely gutted, rearranged, added rooms, and made livable compared to its previous state. The upstairs took around 3-4 years, and we're still finishing up little things here and there...trim or whatnot.

Now, with our recent accidental waterfalls in the attic that poured into the living room below it, we're remodeling the living room and dining room! This is only phase 1...phase 2 shall be addressed in another post.

For posterity's sake, here's the "before" pictures...the after ones are a few months away from posting. Naturally, pictures will be forthcoming of the progress...

Our current setup is above...the plan is to take out that wall with the big doorway along with the 45* angle wall (relative to the main part) beside it. Since it's a supporting wall we'll have to address what exactly we're doing along the way. Windows are going out as well and new ones are on the way. All the walls are lathe and plaster without insulation, so out the walls are going, leaving bare 2x4's to be insulated and drywalled. You can't see the ceiling (lathe and plaster) except the very corner towards the middle of the pic, but around 1/4 of it is damaged from water, so that'll be taken out and evaluated damage-wise, scrubbing off mold damage from the flood where necessary. Carpet's being replace with...something...I think we're deciding either carpet or hardwood floors.

Here's the dining room. What's being done in the living room with the walls/ceiling is being done in here as well, sans the mold aspect. Replacing the lone window to the left. The hutch built into the wall will be moved from the dining room into another room, freeing up that space. The protruding section to the right of the hutch is a chimney to the right/cabinets along the left...we're taking that out. Carpet's being replaced.

So yep, we're going to be busy. Hoping to finish it all before winter! :D

CA, the 3rd

2010-08-09T20:08:00.000-05:00

Moving on to the weekend...the reception...church...the beach...and leaving...parting was such sad sorrow. Unfortunately, I didn't take pictures during the reception, so your imagination will have to suffice with images of joy, fellowship, and a blessed time spent celebrating the wedding of Ben and Tiffany.

Now for Sunday afternoon...

visiting Jamba Juice once again! (albeit the ladies hadn't that pleasure yet)

WE'RE HERE!!!! the beach, that is

our faithful travel guide, photographer, and friend

Japan was just within range...! the start of an oceanic baseball game

the boys are back in town...or at least the beach

a Nikon moment...at least it wasn't a Canon one!

now that Ben supports a family, he's had to change his diet

*grin*

those in the background provided some jump-rope music, yet the song escapes my memory

*cough*

after the beach, we went off to the wharf for dinner...yet a wait time provided for some outside entertainment!

Then Monday came, and we bid those in CA adieu...

And there's our California trip! Hope y'all enjoyed it...

California! part deux

2010-07-26T14:41:00.000-05:00

Well, we are not in California! Last Monday we returned without /too/ much hassle...that'll be explained later. In the meanwhile, here's the period following up the previous post...

Continuing with our shopping excursion...

behold, part of the grab-your-wrist-and-turn-your-hat-upside-down club

check out that price...the produce out in CA is absolutely amazing!!

Trader Joe's! (truly located in Modesto, CA)

making breakfast that next day (Thursday)...we had decided to leave part of the IL contingent in the valley and get the house ready for the reception

Mrs. Hector's lovely garden

power-spraying their concrete...and running out of water multiple times as a result

Thomas and I really got into the whole "let's mess up the bunkhouse" mood...then we cleaned it up ;)

the look of uncertainty isn't unjustified...the grill took twice as long to assemble than what the instructions told us!!

lately, welding has become a hobby of Mr. Hector's

last but not least, a shot of the beautiful scenery the Hectors are blessed with every morning they awake...

Next up...the weekend!

California!

2010-07-15T21:37:00.000-05:00

Well, we are in California!!! The way here was rather interesting, between having our flight cancelled from Salt Lake City to Oakland, losing some of our luggage (and getting it again...praise the Lord!!), thinking we might have to stay the night in Salt Lake City (and leaving the next day for CA), thankfully getting a flight that went to Phoenix from Salt Lake City then on to Oakland...

So we arrived in CA around 10 PST...went on home (but not before getting some ice cream)...and went to bed around 1 PST...which would be 3:00 AM normal time. Yes indeed, it was a long, but wonderful, day...

I'll let pictures speak for themselves with some commentary added...

Mrs. Sanford trying to figure out what on earth we're doing now that our flight is cancelled

finding out we had no idea where some of our luggage was located ('cause on the flight, there was no room in the overhead, so they had to check it in a temporary? fashion...something like that)

beautiful clouds high in the sky...

Phoenix encourages flight outside and inside

they look, um...so excited to see us again... *grin*

chatting with everyone back at home and drinking Jamba Juice!!! :D (and looking doofy :P )

for me Mother...In and Out! wonderful food, indeedy...

And there y'all have it! I'm up in the mountains now with the senior Hector family having a splendid time while the rest of them are in the valley with the new Hector family...probably having a splendid time as well. ;)

Hopefully I'll update again on Saturday...

Gearing up for traveling!

2010-07-08T20:54:00.002-05:00

Testing out the location option...even though it's wrong...I think...the location keeps changing, lol!

Also beefing up the photo app stuff...panoramic shots, photoshop, and some filter apps. :D

Here's a shot from this evening!

(click on it to see an enlarged shot)

via the iPhone

Location:Irish Grove Rd,Middletown,United States

Tripping!

2010-07-01T21:04:00.000-05:00

Just testing out some mobile blogging...and I need to update my blog anyway. :D

We recently visited the Creation Museum near the border of three states...an absolutely wonderful time was had, beautiful weather accompanied the trip, and we even saw Ken Ham!

Emil ponders...something (small screens provide a great excuse for not knowing complete details)

a more complete view of my favorite room within the museum

the little ladies being silly and enjoying the gazebo

now the questions remain...does Emil think he's drinking a lemon frapp? or is Grace wondering why the light behind her couldn't be a tad more Narnian?

dinner at a Dutch buffet...which turned out to be largely seafood-ish...? (and some frog legs to the side...they tasted AWESOME!)

So there's a light overview of our trip...we're definitely thankful the Lord blessed Answers in Genesis with such a wonderful facility, and the Bandy's are looking forward to visiting again!

via the iPhone

Legislative Day!

2010-04-23T09:37:00.001-05:00

finally...at long last

2010-03-16T08:32:00.000-05:00

The moment you've been waiting for (or for which you've been waiting, whichever suits your fancy).

After many moons of neglect...I updated my blogroll! Moved some links around, updated here and there, added new sites...

Enjoy!

springtime...

2010-03-03T15:52:00.000-06:00

...is almost here.

And oh, how I'm looking forward to it...creation lying dormant from winter's silent fury, comes forth to awaken from spring's fresh kiss...

(bet you didn't think I could come up with something like that!)

and in just a month or two...

Praise the Lord for such mysterious, intrinsic value with the beauty He's placed on this earth...and yet, nothing compared to what's a'comin'.

Protectionism and the Division of Labor

2010-01-21T21:49:00.003-06:00

or, an attempt to put abstract ideas into a concrete pattern.

[note: this is something I wrote awhile ago...therefore I'm editing it here and there]

So these thoughts were running throughout my head whilst I read a few posts from this blog in conjunction with thinking about this post. This is what can occur when Ashton has random thought processes running about like crazy all at one time. They collide and make me ask questions. ;)

Basically, I asked myself this: is protectionism and the obstructing of outsourcing (or generally, inhibiting the division of labor) unbiblical when taking the dominion mandate into consideration?

Just some thoughts to throw into the wind and see if they take flight...or fire...

Certain Americans want American goods, American people, and other American aspects to stay within America. I remember from a few years ago seeing a billboard in Springfield one time that said "Keep Doctors in IL" or something along those lines. I remember telling myself, "yeah! we want 'em here, don't let 'em go! don't let those executives take 'em away from us!" Yet over time, more exposure to the weather (ie, economics) brings a better understanding to it...if one's open to instruction, that is. Protectionism basically defines itself...according to the wiki site, it runs as thus:

Protectionism is the economic policy of restraining trade between nations, through methods such as tariffs on imported goods, restrictive quotas, and a variety of other restrictive government regulations designed to discourage imports, and prevent foreign take-over of local markets and companies.

Ok, sounds great! We want our stuff to stay where it is and not let others conquer over it. But, there is a caveat. By not allowing foreign goods, possibly better foreign goods, it discourages progressive measures on account of the American companies because they know that the government is taking care of how they conduct business transactions. Back last fall (fall of '08) when taking my econ course, we studied this concept and one of the examples mentioned was the automotive industry within India back when they enforced restrictions on foreign imports. As a result, their industry became stagnant and the vehicle quality standard was lower compared to those produced by nations around India. After a time, of course, the government eventually put away with those restrictions and now India enjoys both exports and imports of their vehicles and the Indian automotive industry now must put forth measures to improve their cars.

Another wiki quote for outsourcing...

Outsourcing is subcontracting a process, such as product design or manufacturing, to a third-party company.

This allows for the division of labor, cutting down overhead costs and generally benefitting the economy overall. Another book we studied last fall, "I, Pencil" discusses the division of labor perfectly. It's nice and short...if any dear blog reader of mine has time, be sure to take a look at it. Protests to outsourcing may be like mine which I mentioned earlier or various personal reasons that might be put forth.

Now, according to the Dominion Mandate, it runs as follows...from Genesis 1:28...

"And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth."

We are to [please correct me someone if I'm extrapolating from this too much] not confine ourselves to one area in general, but instead fill it instead. "Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth."

A perfect example to contrast this comes from Genesis 11:1-9...

And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there. And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter. And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech. So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city. Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth. [emphasis mine]

Applying the ideas of protectionism and obstructing the division of labor (outsourcing) to this circumstance in a more theological manner, the Lord said, "Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imaged to do." The people had set themselves aside from the Lord and desired to fulfill their sinful ideas to the fullest extent in the land of Shinar (protectionism) as one people, "lest [they] be scattered abroad upon the race of the whole earth" (obstructing the division of labor).

Already, within the Dominion Mandate we're to "be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth," and Babel resulted from a people not desiring to subdue it, instead being limited to one area. Protectionism desires goods to be confined. Obstructing the division of labor limits the possibility of diversity within the industrial world. The natural tendency, in accordance to biblical principles, is to spread out and take control.

We'll call this part 1 of something.

hello there

2009-12-06T21:32:00.003-06:00

Is this thing alive? Ah, yes it is. Very good.

So I've neglected my blog over the past several months, for various reasons. And I'd like to pick up that good ol' blogging habit again, for various reasons. The two "various reasons" may be connected or correlated in some fashion or another, but I'd prefer to study that in detail at a later date. But, one prominent reason I wanted to revive my blogging from its former lifeless form to its current semi-lifeless form is to bring back some literary-ness into my life. One thing that I'm beginning to realize about my past PHC classes is that I could freely write to my hearts content (or, more like freely write with the ghastly Due Date waiting with a Bad Grade at the ready).

And I miss all that writing.

Whether for good or for bad, but hopefully for the good. Writing about adventures abroad taken by Gulliver, or the trinitarian nature of the marriage covenant. Writing about communism, or how Descartes thought and therefore he was or so he thought.

In the past, my posts were largely picture-based, with the attempted witty or winsome tagline to follow. Not to say that such a post plot-line will change for the future, albeit rather have some variance in and out and all about. And besides, actual time given to my camera isn't as much as it used to be, largely because higher priorities have taken over (i.e., more intensive school) and more time is given to doing stuff around the house compared to what it previously was. And work, can't forget work. Though the future may provide more adventuresome opportunities and subsequent camera-ing, only the Lord knows for sure, and I'll assuredly be posting pictures. Or maybe post the occasional little story like I've done in the past. And then there's facebook or twitter, the social networking websites extraordinaire that *stops myself before ranting*. Maybe another time...

Oh, and I also found out recently we've Spanish blood in us...and largely aren't as Frenchy as I thought...more German/Spanish/French/Scottish/somethinglikethat. Researching the family tree...something else I'm wanting to do. Anybody got some spare time on hand that I can permanently borrow?

Yes, this post is pretty much me rambling, but take it or leave it; I can do no other. For tonight, at least.

My layout needs a redo. This grey is so...grey.

Adieu for now, and Lord bless.

rifle match '09

2009-05-09T08:58:00.000-05:00

I'll let the pictures speak for themselves...with a tad bit of commentary from yours truly.

the participants wait patiently for all those participating to present themselves...presently

we like our shoots with added style and technology...oh wait, none of the computers are Macs...

anticipating the competition...

...and avoiding the photographer

father and son ready themselves

most of the group is here

and the event commences!

Grace had fun with the Ryken ladies taking pictures in the back, lol...

gathering to see the official results

group shot!

the past few days

2009-04-25T20:08:00.000-05:00

On Wednesday, Dad and Mom took off for a conference that Dad was speaking at down in Effingham, leaving the five of us kids at home to fend for ourselves...methinks we handled it pretty well. Just as long as we didn't eat all the sugar, everything was fine...

Unfortunately, pictures weren't taken during the day, but in the evening we all headed off to get our haircuts...

Naomi's really enjoys CoN

Ruth enjoys waving her hands

I enjoy not having to shave

Emil enjoys the ample leg room compared to the backseat

while Grace enjoys taking all these pictures

except for this one...

slowly the mane is depleted

I played with these toys when I was younger than their age...yes indeed...we've gone to the same person for over 15 years

the layers are proven

what can I say...even gas stations have their moments

Thursday the Barnhart's and Evans' came down for the evening...you'd be surprised how loud we became with the Last Word

the ladies discuss details

then the center of attention zooms to Jonas

Taylor is the epitome of guitar

the gathering for Scripture-reading and hymn-singing

Next up...the 2009 Rifle Match...

march experimental shoot

2009-04-04T20:49:00.001-05:00

Last week some photographers of central IL had the pleasure of getting together to do what they do best...and a big ol' thank ye to David Price for organizing this event!

a few of the results...

then some behind-the-scene shots...

and there you have it...here's to once again having grand time at the next experimental shoot!

Blessings to y'all, dear readers of mine blog!

retrospection

2009-01-19T21:58:00.000-06:00

Another couple of weeks, even more events. Unfortunately we were unable to attend this past weekend's Hymnsing/Singing seminar, but for good (?) reason! The last few days marked the end of the 2008 deer season, with the result being two dead deeries. Yes, unlike most things, we like our deer dead and not alive. ;) Other than that...a birthday/late-Christmas party...spending an evening with the Ryken's, and other general liveliness. Naturally, always more could be said, but it's been a quite the day and I'm ready for bed.

Now on to the part people enjoy best...

a party

t'was good to see family from afar once again

skeptical about...something? possibly?

bestowing words of wisdom by means of telepathy...see the concentration?

wisdom full in bloom...go for the presents!!!

wisdom solidified

the opening of Catchphrase

the blue book of [insert adjectival phrase here]

hehe...confusion occurs outside the picture frame

the sweet nectar of caribou coffee...an addict's best friend

*poof*

everyday life

the last word

pondering the next move

wait for it...wait for it...wait fo...

AAHHHH...PUSH THE BUTTON!!!!

more cuteness

another visitation

they grew about 2' overnight

silly girls...with more hiding behind the bed

productive young ladies

afar off and away, about 2 yards, a wall aim they upon

a perfect 32" x 78" doorframe results from the blast in a totally different place from the original aim

everyone wants to be last

totally seriously last

duae-familiae devotions

and I've one last picture to upload of the final farewells from the visit, but our fickle internet won't cooperate because of the snowy weather...oh well.

Blessings!

well now...

2009-01-05T22:40:00.005-06:00

Good evening, dear blog of mine...it's been quite some time since I've paid any attention to you. My apologies. Just be thankful no one's terminated you. The past couple of months (has it really has been that long? ...goodness) have found me...among other things...finishing up a semester with PHC, completing the 19th Thanksgiving during my life here on this earth, attending a Sing-Along Messiah up north in Chicago, almost spending Christmas with the McDonald's because of the weather, and realizing that the semester with PHC was turning out to be my last. Concerning the last point; from a note I wrote on facebook:

"I've put this off for a little bit, wanting to write the note and not wanting to at the same time. So...I'm switching higher educational routes after this semester, from PHC to collegeplus. This has been on my heart and in my prayers for a bit, looking ahead and seeing where God's leading me with my education + future plans. My major will be economics [edit]turns out they don't have a degree in econ with cp, so it's looking like possibly accounting with an emphasis in econ?[/edit], either business economics or a dedicated economics degree, and it's much cheaper. I'll probably save around 40 grand or so compared to PHC...kinda adds an incentive to the whole picture. ;)

Now don't get me wrong...I absolutely love PHC and shall seriously miss everything surrounding it. All the experience in academics gained, friends made, situations providentially overcome in order to be where I am today...I've looked forward to attending there for about 5 years or so...but things change, and I believe this is the next step in the life God's given me...

And you never know, I may pop up for a visit sometime on the east coast. ;)

To Him be the glory and honor,

~ Ashton"

Thus, here I am. Completing my enrollment with collegeplus and excited to see where God's leading will take me in this area. Let's roll... ;)

But moving on to some pictures, which have been rather lacking as of late...so we'll try to catch up from events over the past few months...

the first '08 deer season...

the Riggenbach's graciously offered to help us process the meat

thanksgiving '08...

a holiday works perfectly to celebrate multiple birthdays at one time

original Wisconsin cheese...don't it make you jealous? and don't forget the original store-boughten grapes and apples!

when the photographer's away, other people will play

and continue playing

christmas preparation...

(other Christmas pictures on a different camera...mayhap this post to be updated at a later point with more Christmas pics)

a surprise birthday party for Jessica...

the crumbs tell all

a very looong Virginia reel set..."play it again, Jeremy!!"

the sing-along messiah...

Sing-Along Messiah

the last Sabbath of 2008...

experimentation

the calm before the storm with apples to apples...you should have seen what happened after an unnamed person put down st. augustine as "hot"

an evening with the Evans'...

gearing up for a blurry game of Junglespeed

checking out Emil's new netbook

that coffee was good...'course, we won't discuss exactly how much sugar was put in mine

an evening with the Hamilton's...

more apples to apples!

a mysterious look to accompany some mysterious (i.e., weird) cards

new year's eve...

why so serious...

the last few days...

oh the things done when I'm not present

yes indeed

my poor photo library...see what has been added?!

prior watching a movie

further experimentation

kinda blurry, but too cute to pass up

...and there y'all have it! Caught up to date and ready for 2008. I know, I know...it's 2009, but it had to rhyme.

Ok, that was lame. Moving on...

Blessings to all and to all a good night!

dancing and partying

2008-11-11T21:14:00.001-06:00

Amidst a mess of papers (well, only writing one, actually...although there is quite a few papers on my floor), homework, housework, cleaning work, me dear Mother gone for the week on a vacation of sorts (panic and mayhem hasn't ensued yet...no worries, Mom), pictures are finally here! Despite being two months late with the former album...you must forgive me...I offer no excuses...

A Bloomington Dance

Schock Partying

So yes. Aaron Schock won! All the months of hard work and dedicated assistance from countless people finally culminated in the victory of our candidate. We were rather happy about that. ;) Unfortunately I wasn't able to stay later into the evening and watch the official festivities since it was getting late, yet we were able to see a partial live interview...that counts for something, at least. *grin* Things are now settling down post election...signs are being taken down...life moves on. [cue depressing violin solo]

And so you won't go off sorrowful after leaving the blog, I present unto you this picture...

AHA!

2008-10-28T15:30:00.000-05:00

Yes yes...I realize I need to post about Reformation Day this past weekend, but since this post is able to be shorter and less time-consuming, I thought it wise to do instead. Speaking of which, those dancing pictures still lie dormant in my photo library. I suppose they'll be uploaded to some place then shared for the masses to enjoy...

Anyway!

Read this and have a good chuckle...

Source: um...google reader?

oops

2008-10-16T07:44:00.004-05:00

My apologies for not posting much as of late...I think this pictures sums it up pretty nicely concerning what I've been up to...

Yep, you are correct in your observation: homework and sleeping. Not both at the same time, though! ;)

I'll try to get something more substantial up after midterms...

sign delivery, take two

2008-09-28T22:44:00.002-05:00

So...I told myself I would post this after completing my economics quiz...I think that course and euclidean geometry are my favorite courses this semester.

...

Don't look at me like that.

;)

Five days after the previous sign delivery in the northern regions, I took another route, this time going to the south-western parts of the congressional district. Mileage for that day: 460, give or take. Now moving on to the interesting part of the post...

this was my first stop of the day...Rushville...I think by the end of the day I knew more about route 24 that I should have

Mt. Sterling was my second stop

too much coffee that morning, I think

now this road was fun. I thought I would be on highways all day, but it proved to be otherwise. then about half an hour along the way since leaving my second stop, I randomly looked at my list to make sure of everything, then realized to my horror that I forgot to drop off some stuff back in Mt. Sterling...but hey, at least I received a phone call during that time from Mom saying the new MacBook arrived...made me quite happy :D

around lunch-time a stop landed me in Quincy, which is right by the Mississippi. so I drove my monster truck down near the river, parked on some random street, and walked down to the riverfront for a nice, quiet lunch

my temporary food-partaking...place. can't forget the venti white chocolate mocha, and yep...I bought a second starbucks at the end of the day

the iPhone. there to help you find your way, encourage, and reassure. it's like motivational tapes on steroids

I've found it's more than a little difficult to take pictures of signs while doing delivery

the same principle can be applied to taking a picture of floodwaters to the left

my last stop of the day...

And there you have it. A full day of driving, which in due course repeated itself this past Thursday with deliveries once again up north...found out Tanner's Orchard is a nice place, albeit really...really expensive, lol.

(e.g., I found a half-bushel of apples for 38 DOLLARS!!!)

next up...dancing stuff...

a birthday

2008-09-26T09:16:00.003-05:00

Yesterday was someone's special day...a special young lady by the name of Ruth...

Happy Birthday, Ruth Esther...your big brother loves you...

Then this pic originally was to go up yesterday in honor of her birthday and...um...our inherent silliness. *grin*

sign delivery, take one

2008-09-22T13:01:00.000-05:00

Back awhile and some time before that...September 11, to be exact...Schock headquarters asked me to deliver signs. I was given a list of destinations for the day, directions on how to get from here to there, and the total mileage was around 260 miles...that included driving from home, driving about delivering signs, then driving back home. I knew it'd be quite the day, so I decided to bring along my camera...hehe...

an attempt at organization while driving...a total failure

crossing over...some river...lol

trying to figure out where on earth I was

no comment :P

looking into the past while seeing the future at the same time of being in the present

the load for the day...one sign at a time

directioneering

first stop...or second one...erm...completed!

EUREKA!!! [rather obvious]

lunchtime on the road...oh yes

the Lord decided to send some rain...good times

so...imagine Ashton...driving...eating lunch...taking a picture...trying to make sure he's on the road...while the rain comes down in droves *grin*

hey now, I had to get a coffee at some point or another...it's practically required

I thought that another drink from Starbucks wouldn't hurt anything

So once all the 4x8' signs were delivered, I picked up Emil where he works on the way home, but not without taking some residential signs down south...we had some interesting conversations on the way involving this video...never a boring moment with the Bandy's, lemme tell ya...

...then there was that one day I delivered around 30,000 snicker bars...

out with the old...

2008-09-17T10:10:00.003-05:00

...and in with the new

he does what?!

2008-09-15T09:44:00.003-05:00

Traditionally, our family reads Scripture on the way to church every Sunday, so amidst the pouring rain I drove yesterday while Dad, in the front passenger seat, read from the Psalms...

Dad: [from Psalm 127] "Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sheep."

I glance sideways at Dad: "Sheep?"

Dad: "Yes, he gives his beloved sheep..."

Me: "He gives her sheep??"

Mom, laughing: "I think it's sleep, dear!"

Dad: "What? [he looks at the passage] Oh...he gives his beloved sleep...SLEEP!! It looked like an "h" there...sheep...goodness..."

And totally unrelated to the above narrative...here's some pictures from the President's visit.

Well now...

2008-09-12T10:54:00.000-05:00

Only a little over two weeks since my last post! I guess that's an improvement over what accumulated the time before that...

Busy are the times and times are busy. Yeeess indeedy. Between full-time college with Patrick Henry, a part-time job with Aaron Schock who's running here in IL for US congress, and the general liveliness of life, it's fun right about now. I had this completely boring post written up of what I'd done during my temporary internet demise, but I decided against it for the its inherent nature of, um...being boring. Not that what I'd done was boring, but reading about someone's life and that someone relying on his picture gallery to remember further specifics...here's a portion:

Think of it as extrapolating the whole "only real men wear pink" ordeal. ...and my first time going to a Pekin Manor [mini] Hymnsing (the lone Bandy). July 4th came and went...I'm looking through my picture library to remember all these events. Followed by putting in a new kitchen floor. The old one turned sour on us after the dishwasher broke and soaked various pieces of our cork flooring. We replaced that dishwasher who knows when. But! I have a specific date on the floor replacement, so that's a good thing.

...

Yesterday was spent delivering 4'x8' signs for Schock...around 300 miles of driving that began around 9:15 AM or so. Pictures were taken during that time, so once I get my new compy (MacBook on the way), I'll post pictures from that. As well, Tuesday was sign set-up day in Peoria, though I don't have many pictures from that day except for one or two I took with my phone at "the busiest intersection of the tri-county area."

I guess that's it for now...I'll leave y'all with a few shots...

July 4th...let freedom ring

remember those puppies? ...they're bigger now

the result of a recent head injury

Ashton gone + the rest of the family home = Grace-pictures! (my little sister's cuter than yours...whoever you are)

Sunsets by Sam Evans, Inc.

y'all have a blessed day...

hello there

2008-08-26T15:15:00.002-05:00

Update coming soon...

/

forgive the redesign, the author needs a better sense of colors

random conversations

2008-06-21T15:30:00.002-05:00

Last night while Emil and I were picking cherries, we discussed the interesting possibility of having an iPhone buried with oneself once they're dead so they might be found easily after world war III, but then again we thought it not the best option because of the following reasons:

1. Missiles would have taken out all the cell phone towers.

And,

2. You probably wouldn't get very good reception down in the coffin anyway.

iche and the creation museum

2008-06-14T05:30:00.001-05:00

I sure hope y'all like a lot of pictures.

So last week we attended the Illinois Christian Home Educators convention, otherwise known as ICHE. (we enjoy pronouncing it itchy...you get more strange looks that way) And also, as an added benefit, we had the pleasure of staying with the Ryken Clan during our stay up north...a hearty thank you!! for letting us do so, Ryken's! We thoroughly enjoyed our time together with y'all amidst all the food, chatting, IM convos while in the same room, and multiple games of Dutch Blitz. You can read Mrs. Ryken's post about it here. So...after a hasty get-everything-together-then-driving-up-Friday-morning, a safe arrival greeted us in downtown Naperville...

prior one of the keynote sessions

later that day we drove Ol' Blue (you'll see him later) to the Ryken's...

figuring out the next steps to accomplish

yeehaw!! it's dinner time, y'all!

some of us tried to sleep off dinner...

...while others spent time adoring the newest Ryken, Sara

a nice, relaxing evening...haven't had one of those in a while

"emil...hold those pose...it looks like you broke your neck."

"Where'd Dad go?" "I dunno...I thought he was with Naomi." "Isn't that them over there?" "No...that's somebody else." "Didn't they go visit that one booth in that one place?" "Good question." "NAAAOMIIII!!! DAAADDD!!! Where are YOUUU???"

waiting in-between sessions and IMing Justin, only to find out that the videos we took of Dutch Blitz the night before turned out to be 5 GB. yes, you can hang your mouth open in astonishment

"You know...I should take pictures of people at the courtship booth then post them all on the internet." "Actually, that'd be...really funny, in a weird sort of way."

about to depart for the unknown

We now interrupt our programing to present you the results of Grace's Gardening, Inc. These two pictures only represent a small portion of what this young lady is capable of...

Then pictures from our trip down to the Creation Museum...Emil wrote up a more descriptive post concerning what we did throughout the day.

after four extra hours of sleep (meaning sleeping during the trip), I got up and took this picture. quite thought-provoking...it's like we're entering The Land of Really Really Bright Lightbulbs

behold my back-end-of-the-van lair, wherein reading, 'riting, but no 'rithmetic occurs

welcome to ohio! or at least the back of it

after about half an hour, emil and i switched. he enjoyed playing that game of bejeweled...and resting on a cinderella pillow

i asked naomi to make a face. that describes pretty much the whole situation

the centerpiece of this picture: a creation museum billboard

and we arrive! (this is Ol' Blue, by the way...a 2007 GMC Savana)

grace and i about to watch Men in White...an excellent presentation on creationism v. evolutionism

beware the person who dares to take this guy's coke

this isn't for those who are claustrophobic

gotta love that sign

around two in the afternoon we had the pleasure of attending a workshop by Buddy Davis

Emil found out the consequences of raising one's hand. we had quite the laugh as a result

after the workshop, splurging on drinks, only to find out we all bought white chocolate frappes

the purpose of attending the museum: in celebration of Dad and Mom's wedding anniversary!

them frappes are good...

an exhibit in the dinosaur den

this is what y'all miss out on...the botanical gardens

rather self-explanatory, no?

the famous suspended bridge...last time we were there they had to cal...well, let's just say there's more security measures this time around

I was tempted to stick my head in front of these things

check out that temperature once we started up the van to leave

We arrived home around 11:30...went to bed...and slept...

karaoke

2008-06-09T08:08:00.001-05:00

Random picture of the week, on the way home from church yesterday. Thanks to the McDonald/Hector/Davis families for inspiration. We even got a person to smile and shake their head at us...except in our situation we didn't almost run off the road while singing. ;) If you'd like to listen to the music to which we...er...swayed to the beat, then let the music play...enjoy! (four "to"s in one sentence...I think that's a personal record. now y'all will start counting in subsequent sentences, I bet'cha)

I'll try to get a longer post up sometime this week about what I've been up to lately. We'll see if I find the time...

our saturday

2008-05-25T22:04:00.003-05:00

Another week passes, and with it came another busy, wonderful weekend. The Bandy boys (that'd be Emil and me) began their Saturday morning by taking out some concrete, but this story needs some historical background: a few years ago after the current back steps and sidewalk was poured, we had some extra concrete leftover, so we poured it off to the side thinking that'd be the best place. Fast forward to now.

slacking on the job? or waiting for the camera?

we got bored and wanted to broadcast the impending doom to the masses

i'll refrain from what i was going to say

emil's photographic capabilities come to life

Towards the part of our job where concrete is thrown into the truck, a call is attempted to make sure the load can be dropped off in town and we find out that the call can't be made (the phone was off and the mailbox full). So the above picture is how we left our concrete pile and it still remains the same to this day. Yes, it's a mess...but! It's an organized mess. Kind of.

That afternoon the plan was to attend Providence Church's monthly Hymnsing at the Evans', and, thankfully, it actually worked out for our family to attend this month! Considering the whole of the Bandy's hadn't attended a Hymnsing for about seven months or so (although I did by myself about two months ago), it was nice to attend once again and fellowship with everyone. Since everyone attending one Hymnsing didn't work out too well considering the amount of people, our church now has southern and northern places. Oh, and y'all at the northern Hymnsing missed out on homemade ice cream...

preparation beforehand while making weird middle eastern meditation noises...quite humorous

grace and i on the way there

lenna and elita candler with one of emil's puppies he's trying to sell (only $350 a pup for those of you interested)

chatting...and waiting for dinner

aha! there's the dinner

dessert time on the famous "Steps"...rumor has it that quite a few people can fit on this thing

jacob: com'on! i was posing for you! / me: what? you were?! ah...just a sec

i think faith enjoyed her ice cream

this, my dear readers, is samuel evans hat. and not just any hat, mind you. not only does it have oodles of signatures, but an apple sticker and a taylor guitars pin. those two latter items inherently make it famous

sam's photography personified in the form...of a picture

the participation of singers

Later on that evening after the singing, Sam broke out a couple of airsoft pistols so we could shoot each other. The results were rather interesting. Suffice to say that it's always...ALWAYS! a good idea to keep your mask on while playing. And the ironic thing is that just a few minutes before an incident we were discussing how convenient it would be just to wear sunglasses or something along those lines. But what about those other parts of the face that aren't protected? you ask. Exactly! Those areas are left vulnerable, including Ashton's nose...which Emil shot.

After the shooting match concluded, we all headed home...ready for bed and tired enough to justify it.

exciting news

2008-05-22T17:02:00.000-05:00

So this afternoon Emil and I stopped by the gas station to fill up the Honda after a few days of driving here and there. I paid for the cost, got in the car, looked at the receipt, then calculated the overall gas mileage.

The result came out to be...

39 mpg

Considering the cost of a gallon of gas locally (we paid $3.89...it's hovering around $4.00 and up in Springfield...and we can't forget that the Memorial Day prices are right around the corner), this is indeed exciting news. Now only if homeschoolers could convince Toyota to build a 15-passenger Prius.

hear ye! hear ye!

2008-05-14T22:40:00.004-05:00

I'm done. Praise God. Just submitted my last final...theology...3 hours, almost 3600 words. I can now rest in peace...

God is good...

YEEHAW!!

I'm going to bed.

final days

2008-05-13T12:14:00.007-05:00

written last night:

[...of the semester are winding down. Today around 2:15 AM I turned in my final paper for rhetoric, so I get to check that off the list of completed courses. Then right before dinner tonight I kicked off the evening by finishing US history 2, so no more historical lessons in regards to our nation for me anymore from PHC, at least with the title of US history...you never know when they might sneak in a course like it but with a different title. The courses had their ups and downs; I enjoyed both of them overall, despite late nights, stressful assignments, and other lovely things like that I can only attribute to God's grace for completing. Now remaining: western lit 2 and theology 2.

proof of my halo, despite being rather small

in need of a shave and a drink

of writing a paper

Friday night I had the brilliant idea of caffeinating myself in order to stay up later, so I drove off to the local gas station with Dad to spend money on three Monsters. Suffice to say...it worked, as evidenced by this morning's assignment. I drank all three, so I headed out again tonight to buy three more. Yes, it's almost twenty dollars, but I think getting a better grade in school is worth more than that.

behold, my arsenal

Oh, and the irony of it all: needing to type around 6000 words over the next few days, apparently my hand decided to move around a cast iron pan regardless of this fact. Now usually this would work out, except that Emil loves turning up the burner as high as possible when he cooks lunch with it, and a hot cast iron pan hurts. Quite a bit, in fact! Why I didn't pick up a hot pad, I've no idea. Though thankfully it wasn't my whole hand, only a finger. But hey, it sounded like a good story. *grin*]

written today:

So after completing the aforementioned history exam, I celebrated by taking pictures. I'm such a geek.

This afternoon I've the westlit final, then I'll be DONE! with that course. Tomorrow's theology, then I can put the school of spring 2008 behind me.

Praise the Lord for this past semester, despite being...rather interesting.

humor of the day

2008-05-09T09:30:00.008-05:00

From this article

[Priya] Venkatesan said the incident occurred when she was lecturing about The Death of Nature, a book by Carolyne Merchant, and the witch trials of the Renaissance. The student went on a “diatribe” about the inappropriate nature of challenging patriarchal authority, Venkatesan said. Vakatesan respected the student’s right to express this opinion, she said, but the manner in which he vocalized his views and the applause afterward were disrespectful and offensive.

“I was horrified,” Venkatesan said. “My responsibility is not to stifle them, but when they clapped at his comment, I thought that crossed the line. … I was facing intolerance of ideas and intolerance of freedom of expression.”

Venkatesan contacted [Thomas Cormen, chair of Dartmouth’s writing program] about the event, she said, but claims she received no support from him. She canceled class because the incident caused her “intellectual and emotional distress,” she said. This event, which occurred on Feb. 1, would likely be included in a list of grievances relating to a potential lawsuit, she said.

HT: Gene Veith

hello

2008-05-07T11:08:00.005-05:00

Not to worry..."I'm not dead, yet!"

~ you'll have to guess

My life right now:

Activities

Speechifying

Insanity (two papers due in the next four days, almost 1000 pages...give or take...to read by Sunday, dozens of forum posts needing done, three finals, and other things I'm currently forgetting)

Here I am in the wonderful world of college...

and all you got was this lousy post. ;)

Enjoy your week.

spring time

2008-04-19T11:42:00.007-05:00

The weather's been quite interesting lately. Between yesterday morning's earthquake (yes, an earthquake) in southern Illinois and a torrential downpour of rain, spring is here and, unless snow comes down like it did last week, it appears to be here to stay.

And just because I like 'em, and the fact that they're the two cutest little sisters around...

an interesting video

2008-04-17T22:41:00.005-05:00

This was just too good to pass up...

thanks to Colin for the discovery of this guy. ;)

Then here's another one...there's rumors going around that two PHC students decided to do this at a furniture store one day.

I believe they're now taking funds to prepare for this future endeavor.

reminiscing

2008-04-07T09:30:00.002-05:00

Colorado is a beautiful area...God's handiwork in that state is such a testament to Himself...

not too bad for the old point-and-shoot, eh? And to think these were taken almost two years ago...so much has happened since then, I can't even begin to describe it all...ah, the life God has given us...such a blessing...

Speaking of which, I should probably cut down on the late-night snacks. Looking over at all the empty glasses, various wrappers, and that one granola bar box...college does that to you.

liberty day 2008

2008-04-02T12:49:00.001-05:00

So as you've probably heard, the Bandy family attended Liberty Day over the weekend, in fact around 70 people were represented from Providence Church. I had the great privilege of driving into the Chicago traffic, something I enjoy doing with all the crazy and insane drivers Chicago is so known for. Let's see if there's a picture around here somewhere pertaining to the lovely traffic we endured...

Well...not exactly what I was looking for...

We arrived around 9:00 or so later that morning, and most of the day was spent listening to Dr. Marshall Foster of California. Having never heard him before, I didn't exactly know what to expect but those lack of expectations were suddenly dashed away after listening to him for a little bit. Quite simply, I was blown away. Not only a gifted speaker, but one who can carry an audience, Dr. Foster is a man equipped with a Godly vision of returning America to its roots upon which it was founded, that of understanding liberty in the correct fashion and applying it to our lives effectively. Only a remnant is needed to bring America to its knees before the Creator and, interestingly enough, applied that remnant idea to those attending Liberty Day. Hopefully the response won't be apathy...

...the response must not be apathy...

Dr. Foster during the evening session

In-between sessions the audience enjoyed various things...

a WWII demonstration during lunch

the Fiddler's Three

he who hath meditated upon these things shall be, um, intent upon the goal ahead. either that or he's wanting to sleep after the early morning

the back of Caleb's head

As the day progressed, evening came upon us and so signaled the 10th anniversary of the Liberty Day celebration.

I didn't take this and therefore claim no responsibility except for posting it ;)

our local Dracula representative

two of the young men playing an excellent duet of Yankee Doodle

four pretty young ladies

Mr. Erber

the Liberty Day radio programme

the Fiddler's Three and Erberantey's providing quite the entertainment...though no dresses this year, much to our dismay *grin*

an Erber and a McDonald, giving a speech

about to enter the dancing hall

dancing!

concluding the military drill

And there you have it! Liberty Day 2008...

yeehaw!!

2008-03-25T09:12:00.006-05:00

I got 'er back!! AND! With everything still on it!! Except they had difficulties with one USB thing...although, from what I can tell, that doesn't even have problems with it.

And now, for something completely different.

Pictures of a trip to get our haircut! Well, I already had the haircut, Emil needed a ride there...even...though...he drove. Yeah. Public school reasons and the fact we drove over during school hours. Exactly. ;)

taken with the iPhone

why Emil has all the strange facial expressions and I have the normal ones is beyond me...

[insert manly scream here]

i have no idea

then on the way home we switched

this is Emil. he wants to get home and out of the car. meanwhile, Ashton enjoys the moment

but at least he got a profile picture out of the deal ~ here

of stories

2008-03-20T09:47:00.002-05:00

Recently, the posters of our beloved student discussion forum did something...interesting, to say the least.

You can read about it here.

In other news, it appears the hard drive on my Mac crashed. Yep, thousands upon thousands of hours of documentation, pictures, music, school work, movies, and other miscellaneous things supposedly bit the dust. It's sitting at a local Apple dealer waiting to be diagnosed, so I'm stuck with them PC's for the time being. But! Thankfully I backed up the hard drive last week before taking a Chicago trip (another Chicago trip this weekend...pictures to come), so I don't have to worry much about it, except for maybe plunking down a good amount of money for a new HD. College students...no wonder we have a reputation for being broke. :P

But, praise the Lord, He is merciful and I still have my 2-3 years worth of computing.

random pictures

2008-03-17T14:31:00.001-05:00

just for fun

Also, Happy St. Patrick's day! And here I am wearing black and blue with a tinge of orange...such a horrible example am I. [edit]never mind! orange is in compliance with today's day. everything is remedied! so much for disproving the whole sheltered homeschooler image[/edit]

the taylor

our fan [cries of "ohh" and "ahh" sound forth]

thanksgiving time

twenty-five years and counting

certification

the controversial unnamed cat...i refuse to call him oreo...the terminator fits better

graduation pictures

awww...

another awww...

spring time! ...of last year

"what do you think you're doing with that camera?!? PUT IT AWAY!!"

target shooting

me dear mother reading

playing

theology ii...

2008-03-11T00:28:00.001-05:00

...and what we learn in that class...

The demented opinions from the man known as Jean-Jacques Rousseau...

[background: "The General Will is the analogue of the human mind, and as such must remain as unified and undiversified as the mind itself. . . . [t]he General Will is indivisible, inalienable, and illimitable. It demands the unqualified obedience of every individual in the community and implies the obligation of each citizen to render to the State all that the State sees fit to demand."]

"A socially independent Church, like any form of non-political loyalty, would constitute an interference with the functioning of the General Will. It would represent a flaw in the spiritual unity Rousseau prized so highly in his political order. Yet it would not do to repress the religious propensities of man, for 'as soon as men come to live in civil society they must have a religion to keep them there. No nation has ever endured or ever will endure without religion.' But, argues Rousseau, it is not enough that a nation should have a religion. The religion must be identified, in the minds of the people, with the values of national life, else it will create disunity and violate the General Will. It is not enough that a religion should make good men; it must make good citizens. Religion has a responsibility toward civic or political ends before any others. It must reflect, above all, the essential unity of the State and find its justification in the measures it takes to promote that unity."

Gotta love those last two sentences.

Then this wacky piece of art:

"The family should not be granted the all-important duty of education, for too great a responsibility hangs in the balance. The traditional educative function should be transferred from the family to the State, so that, as Rousseau states it, the 'prejudices' of the father may not interfere with the development of citizens. However, the disintegration of this age-old basis of the family should in no wise create alarm. 'Should the public authority, in assuming the place of father and charging itself with this important function, acquire his rights in the discharge of his duties, he should have little cause to protest; for he would only be altering his title, and would have in common, under the name citizen, the same authority over his children, that he was exercising separately under the name of father, and would be no less obeyed when speaking in the name of the law than when he spoke in that nature.' In this almost incredible statement is to be observed what is surely the ultimate in the totalitarian absorption of society. Family relationship is transmuted subtly into political relationship; the molecule of the family is broken into the atoms of its individuals, who are coalesced afresh into the single unity of the state."

Followed by his reasoning behind this opinion...simply priceless...

"'If the children are reared in common in the bosom of equality, if they are imbued with the laws of the state and the precepts of the General Will, if they are taught to respect these above all other things, if they are surrounded by examples and objects which perpetually remind them of the tender mother [the State] who nourishes them, of the love she bears them, of the inestimable benefits they receive from her, and of the return they owe her, we cannot doubt that they will learn to cherish one another mutually as brothers ...'"

And the horrifying part about it? People actually believe in it and attempt to implement those principles into society.

California Case Involving Homeschooling

2008-03-07T13:33:00.005-06:00

It's time to take some action.

Within recent weeks, something has been brewing over in California, something that could affect homeschoolers across that state and beyond if nothing is done to stop it. The negative impact involving families goes beyond the scope of understanding considering what type of power those elected could execute.

http://www.hslda.org/hs/state/ca/200803030.asp

Here's the gist:

"On February 28, 2008, the Court of Appeal for the Second Appellate District in Los Angeles handed down a very bad decision regarding a case involving a homeschool family. HSLDA was not involved with this case, and the family are not members. The opinion holds that homeschooling is not a legal option in California. HSLDA strongly disputes this interpretation of California law. We believe that the court made a mistake when it relied on a decision from 1953 in order to show that homeschooling is not a legal option.

If the opinion is followed then California will have the most regressive law in the nation and homeschooling will be effectively banned because the only legal way to homeschool will be for the parent to hold a teaching certificate." [emphasis mine]

Please sign the petition linked on the side of the page, because, like alluded to, this situation could get out of hand rather easily. But we have this one reminder: God is in control of it all. All are encouraged to sign, not only those associated with homeschooling; this could just be a stepping stone to include other areas such as public and private schools in imposing more restrictions.

And be in prayer for all those involved, that the Lord of all things may be glorified.

We've been through these types of things before, and we can pull through again unscathed with the Lord's help.

More information:

http://hslda.org

http://www.hslda.org/hs/state/ca/200803060.asp

a birthday party

2008-03-01T13:24:00.005-06:00

Last night the Bandy family descended upon our favorite chinese restaurant located down south somewhere in particular to celebrate an uncle's birthday. Talk about a evening filled with cholesterol: the food is GREAT and results with enough heart burn to justify a bottle of Tums. Just look at this platter full of chinese goodness...

So yes, I like chinese food...it must be hereditary.

T'was a wonderful evening...

now you see them...

now you don't...kinda

worry spreads across Emil's face as he considers the possibility of me taking his crab rangoon

the birthday person himself

i always knew good things were in store for my future ;)

a priceless look from Emil

distance learning

2008-02-24T21:46:00.003-06:00

What do we accomplish in our spare time?

Well now, I'm glad you asked...let me provide an answer.

lunar eclipse

2008-02-21T20:42:00.002-06:00

The heavens declare the glory of the Lord...

Yesterday, those located in the western hemisphere were treated to a special sight: a lunar eclipse. It began around 7:45ish, continuing into the evening with the finale at 11:00 o'clock or so...don't quote me on that, I'm probably wrong. But! Despite the plague still hanging on, I braved the sub-freezing temps with a camera strapped around my neck. Initially I just stood near our dog cage/house/thing, sock-less with sandals as my standard footwear, taking a few pictures here and there. Of course, my toes and fingers began to feel the cold and I returned to the house after a little while. Seeing as it was so dark outside with the moon's light naturally waning, the pictures were a tad bit blurry (shutter speed at 1/2, for the camera-inclined). So I went back outside, took a few shots, then returned to the house. This process was done a few times, then the realization hit me. I was standing. By the dog cage/house/thing. And usually there's a stray metal pole waiting to be used as a camera stabilizer. So the next time I returned outside I employed the use of that facility with much better results for the pictures. Yet studying for a US history exam called my name around 9:00, so unfortunately I had to quit my short photoshoot, much to my personal consternation...

but to the joy of my numb toes.

ha! my camera can make another moon

In other news, today my brother and I were fitted each for a tux. Apparently the engagement bug caught my cousin and the responsibility has fallen unto the both of us to act as ushers at the wedding. The funny part is...I haven't worn a tux in 10-11 years. Yes, your math is correct. The last time I wore a tux was at the impressionable age of 8-9 years of age. Though I don't think that's when I had blonde hair...no, that was around 4-5 years old...yeah.

of speeches

2008-02-19T21:37:00.004-06:00

So last night, with much silent fanfare and applause from my audience, I gave a speech unto the following...things.

1. That Moses doll from the Prince of Egypt movie
2. Some multi-colored turtle Beanie Baby thingy
3. A glass snowman that no longer lights up
4. And a video camera

They participated quite well during my ordeal, with little noise or interruption. Although the depressing part is that no one laughed at my ribbing towards Microsoft...ah well, such is life in the life of a Mac fan: sometimes jokes just go over the heads of those PC people and they just stare at you, wondering what the point was. *avoids the thrown tomatoes*

The basic outline of this assignment for rhetoric was to give us students a chance at revising/revisiting/correcting a speech. Being down with what we affectionately refer to as the plague, the whole thing became...hmmm... Let's just say I sounded like a cross between a sick whale and a hoarse politician at times. (don't worry, you can laugh ;) Or at least that's what I thought....you can decide for yourself.

(this wasn't the final version, btw)

Amazing Grace

2008-02-13T10:52:00.003-06:00

...on guitar/harmonics.

here.

thoughts

2008-02-07T10:22:00.000-06:00

In the past, I've always been a fan of the wintertime. Whether it be for the fact of being born in January, or just enjoying the temperatures without the need of sweat pouring forth, I don't really know. Yet as of late, it seems that spring time has become the favorable time of year for me. With everything seemingly dead, distraught, or plain ol' despondent during the winter, it becomes depressing viewing the lack of vibrant life outside. Given, there are natural blessings from the wintertime weather, such as the beauty of frigid icicles slowly forming along the edge of a rooftop, or snow-capped mountaintops, but those just aren't living and active. During the spring, new life is seen coming into the world...

...just as the transition of winter to spring, so our lives transform from without Christ to with Him...

the pace at which we run

2008-02-03T19:17:00.000-06:00

From my gtalk status:

"it's good to hear Mom play piano again..."

After having such a busy year, for which 2007 probably tops the charts, it's good to start off at a relatively steady pace. With Mom being in the kitchen most of the day cooking for a million people plus one, it's such a blessing to see her just sit down at the piano playing upon the ivories like she's done in days past...

In other news, we received around 11 inches of snow the other day ago! Or at least the Springfield area did, I don't know the specifics for our place...the whole situation surrounding the weather change only could have been attested to Providence. During a time period of about nine hours on Tuesday, the weather dropped literally 52 degrees from 64*F to 12*F. Rain turned to snow, the snow drifted, drifts posed numerous problems to people, and people enjoyed playing in the snow (or at least we did ;). Today, however, the weather turned equally bizarre when sleet/snow/rain poured down with lightning strikes here, there, and everywhere. Dad already has a layer of ice on his car: around 1/3" from just sitting in the driveway. This is what we would call abnormal weather for the beginning of February.

The last time we remember weather happening like what was just mentioned?

19 years ago, the night before I was born. :P

Semestering

2008-01-24T20:28:00.000-06:00

Last Wednesday signaled the start of another semester for PHC'ers and to continue what began fall of '07, here's the stack of textbooks for this spring:

(warning: technicalities follow concerning the courses ;)

On the list of classes for this semester, we've theo II, ush II, westlit II, and rhetoric. The middle two look to be largely the same as last semester with minimal changes in the schedule, while theo is vastly different. Not only are the quizzes solely based on supplementary readings (compared to the Grudem text only during theo I) and for the final, two essays are required from some unknown chapters within Grudem. I guess then the only reason for using Grudem is to discuss the chapters within the discussion forums (DF's) and apply stuff to the final. We'll see what happens. Rhetoric looks enjoyable and...interesting. There's no textbook for the course, with the main reading all on PHC's site. Also during the course, a couple of speeches are required, so watch out Providence church, you may become the audience at some point. ;)

Other than that, not much is happening besides replacing a broken latch on my Mac. And hunting last weekend...Emil says he's going to post on that...we'll see if he actually does. ;)

Words of wisdom: never ever ever break the latch on a PowerBook...the WHOLE bottom encasing needs replaced with a price tag of almost $300.

Also, iced white chocolate mocha's from Starbucks taste really good...buy one sometime. :D

Of being a temporary Candler...

2008-01-21T19:38:00.000-06:00

As indicated by my last post, I stayed with the Candler family while working at SMI...

On Sunday, the 6th, I headed over there with a few of the Candlers (I believe Sierra told me she wished to see the rest of her family by the end of the day ;) and once we arrived, we hung out for awhile since the remaining family hadn't arrived as of yet. The evening was spent playing games (Scotland Yard, Dutch Blitz, anyone?), listening to Pastor Joe Morecraft, taking pictures, enjoying fellowship...oh yes, and eating dinner!

during a thorough examination of Emil's blog

behold...her Lady-ship

so this is what i look like in glasses... *shudders* but not to worry...i will survive!

While my days working remained largely the same with packing packets and folding envelops, the evenings were quite the contrast compared to during the day. On Monday, Anne King came over to spend the evening with us and later on that night we watched Lemony Snicket's A Serious of Unfortunate Events. I've probably never seen a movie quite like that before but Jim Carrey's (Count Olaf from the movie) impression of a velociraptor is downright hilarious. These two posts contain some of the information from the transpired events of Tuesday evening.

Wednesday, after dinner and cleaning up, a few of us headed over to Morton for a walk that turned out more to be like a race. ;) Nearing the end once the van came into sight, I just kept telling myself, "only a hundred yards left, Ashton...only a hundred yards left *pant pant*," after which my legs felt like rubber. Needless to say, it proved my lack of exercise in the area of jogging/walking/running. Overall, though, we had a great time together discussing things such as Mr. Candler's history in the Coast Guard, whether Underdog would be a good movie to watch, and my personal aims in the political arena.

Then...let's see...Thursday we loaned out Bourne Identity from the library to watch at the King's house. We all loaded up into the Candler's Excursion to head over there, and after spilling popcorn everywhere, everyone settled down for an evening of Bourne. Though it didn't end there. Once the movie finished and we traveled back to the house, some of us decided to stay up later with even more talking about some rather interesting subjects (example: "what'd you say about a mortgage?" and everyone bursts out laughing...inside joke about selective hearing *grin*). Sadly, Friday came and I headed back home after work. Not to say that I dislike home, mind you. :P

Yet, as Sunday approached, the time came again to become a Candler, yet with an addition: Grace came with us. Yes, two of the Bandy's stayed at the Candler home with no permanent damage done to their family as far as I can tell. ;) Over the weekend, apparently they also watched Bourne Supremacy, so Josiah called on Saturday to see if I could bring over the third one: The Bourne Ultimatum. Of course, I obliged. ;) So we watched it Sunday evening, marking their completion of the Bourne trilogy.

looking through the Providence church folder of pictures...laughter ensued after a few moments of silence

more picture-viewing

after the movie

When I returned to SMI that Monday, I decided to leave my camera and computer at the house; here are the results...rather good pictures, too:

Once work was complete, Mr. Candler, Josiah, and I headed back to the house. Grace and I then bid all a reluctant farewell, and we turned south, headed for home...

Well, actually we went west, north, west, north, west, then south. But yeah...south is the basic concept. ;)

Intrigue

2008-01-12T14:34:00.000-06:00

Yes, the intriguing part. But I'll provide some background to it first so the reader may have a better understanding as to this surprise birthday party y'all may have caught wind of...

A few weeks ago, Mom and Dad went on this apple cider buying craze, whereupon they bought around maybe 15-20 bottles of that sparkling special stuff one might find at the grocery store, such as Aldi's or maybe Walmart, depending upon the brand. Naturally, I wondered as to the reasoning behind the whole thing, and Dad told me that Mom enjoyed the stuff so they were buying a ton since it only comes out around the Christmas/New Year's season. (I'm still doubtful about the seasonal part of it) It started out that we bought 3-4, then it accumulated more...then some more, and more after that. Naturally, I played the gullible person, because no one can really resist that stuff. ;) But did they stop there with the household items influx? Noo...definitely not. Apparently during the same time period, some wine glasses were purchased with my full knowledge of it being done, albeit me not knowing exactly how many. Grace said they showed me one box just to confirm any suspicions I might have at the time. And, not only that, but when I went to Dad's office with him last week, he intentionally drove to Sam's with me to look at the prices of some tables and chairs. He even asked me to tell Mom the prices!! Goodness, this is almost frustrating looking back on it all...all this information going over my head without me knowing a thing.

Also, after a week or two of arranging, the plan was for me to work at Samaritan Ministries International this past week, including next Monday. We talked with the Candler family and it was decided for me to stay with them while working (that'll be next week's post ;), and since my birthday fell on Tuesday, I was to drive home that evening right after I left SMI to spend the rest of the day with my family. Being the loving son that I am, I also stopped by Starbuck's on the way home and bought Mom and myself iced java chips, me to drink on the way home so as not to fall asleep and Mom to drink when I arrived at the homestead. Oh yes, and that reminds me. Dad, in addition to all the plotting, arranged with my supervisor to basically bar the door to keep me from leaving the building until 4:30 that evening. Yeah, I believe they enjoyed thinking things through beforehand. ;)

As I was driving, I realized that the time was ticking away a little too quickly considering my stop at Starbuck's, so I even brought the speedometer up to "xx" mph!! And in a 55 mph zone later on, to boot! Dad called me a few minutes before I arrived, asking something about me dawdling at Starbuck's and taking up too much time and the food was getting cold, etc., and the entire time he called I kept asking myself why on earth he was telling me all this. But, my unsuspecting self continued in its unsuspecting way. And the phone call didn't help with my speed, either...rather it made me go faster when I was already...er, anyway. The funny part is, I had it all planned out what topics I was to bring up during dinner: the overabundance of rain we received while I was gone, how I repeatedly flashed my brights so everyone would know I was about to turn into our street, and other things I currently forget. But those thoughts slipped my mind later on...

So I turned into our driveway, stopped the car, got out, examined all the stuff I had to bring in, decided to bring all the stuff in later, and walked in with my Mom's java chip, my keys, iPhone, and a W-4 in hand. I opened the door, strolled naturally into the kitchen like always, Dad came towards me saying "hi Ashton!" with a grin on his face, when suddenly from three separate rooms, a total of 38 people overall from the Bandy, Candler, McDonald, and Sanford families jumped out and screamed, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ASHTON!!!"

So you gotta imagine the picture. Here I am, shocked beyond belief, standing there giving a dumb grin with a java chip about to fall over in one hand and a nice ol' W-4 sticking out in the other. Garrison and Tiffany become the paparazzi and snap pictures like crazy, grinning all the while. Mr. McDonald calls out "speech! speech!" and I respond, "hi...um...I'm 19...um...thank you for coming..." and everyone bursts out laughing. They all sing "Happy Birthday," Dad prays over the meal, then everyone scatters to their assigned seating throughout the house. So the evening began. We ate food, played games, and enjoyed the fellowship together. It was quite the evening. ;)

Thank you all for such a wonderful birthday! It's a blessing to know each and every one of you... :)

An intriguing week...

2008-01-11T22:15:00.000-06:00

taken a few minutes ago with an iPhone then edited within iPhoto followed by a successful attempt at uploading within Safari, despite a few technical problems because of blogger--an epitome of Mac-ness

More tomorrow...

[i apologize for any heart failure after seeing that picture]

News in the Links

2007-12-18T09:19:00.000-06:00

So basically the continuation of the whole political post was to elaborate on how much I disliked all the Republican candidates except for one, Mike Huckabee.

And then, yesterday, while perusing through Google reader, Lo and Behold, I found this. Needless to say, I'm now surprised at the endorsements from the homeschooling community despite the fact discussed in the linked post. You've got Michael Farris, the Harris twins, and anyone else that I can't think of off the top of my head. I know the former realizes the situation but am not sure about the latter. (yeah, two endorsements justifies naming the whole homeschooling community, lol...kidding. *someone grumbles about the fallacy of composition* not all homeschoolers support Huckabee) As to my personal opinion on the issue, I don't know what to think of him now...still figuring out the pro's and con's, long term effects, etc.

HT: Trivium Pursuit

On a more humorous note, if you enjoy a look at religious satire, this will definitely tickle the funny bone. Thanks to Colin for the link. ;)

posts

2007-12-11T20:05:00.000-06:00

For the unidentifiable, anonymous commenter...

Finals week.

Prayers would be appreciated.

This week's list:

Synthesis paper [check]
Critical Dialogue paper [check]
Critique CD's [check]
Catch up with USH stuff [check]
Read all the theo final prep [check]
Submit student critique thingys [check]
Finish Paradise Lost [check...except for 100 or so pages. oh well.]
Try to read Samson Agonistes
Try to catch up with WestLit posting
Prep for other three finals [check]
USH Final [check!!!]
Logic Final [check...YEEHAW!!]
Theo Final [check]
Westlit Final [check :D ]

(not necessarily in that order)

All due by Friday. Now I realize why I don't write all this stuff down. *suddenly feels overwhelmed*

But God is still in control.

After this week: Christmas break here I come.

Politicking

2007-12-05T12:19:00.000-06:00

Definitions, definitions, definitions...if there's anything debate taught me, it's to define my words...

politic |ˈpäləˌtik|

adjective
(of an action) seeming sensible and judicious under the circumstances : [with infinitive ] I did not think it politic to express my reservations.
• (also politick) archaic (of a person) prudent and sagacious.

verb ( -ticked |ˈpɑlətɪkt|, -ticking |ˈpɑlətɪkɪŋ|) [ intrans. ] [often as n. ] (politicking) often derogatory
engage in political activity : news of this unseemly politicking invariably leaks into the press.

Personally, I don't think the former (adj.) definition fits in line with what I'll write about, rather the latter (verb) rings true to the point. As of late, all my essay writing requires expository writing, such as no reference to personal preference, if you will, such as including the personal pronouns: we, I, them, you, etc; therefore it's nice to have some freedom with blog posting. Not that I don't like strictly expository writing, it's just that it becomes repetitive and rather tedious after while, with making sure that every...single...sentence...has no selfishness attached.

Now that's an interesting thought. Maybe someone can correlate someday how expository writing become a more Biblical position.

Of course, the difficultly for me in writing non-expository is that I tend to steer towards rambling writing. Such as now. Moving on...

So last week, my brother and I hunted the second season, and while he hunted Thursday through Saturday, I could only make it for Thursday because, once again, of school reasons. We headed over Wednesday so that we might be able to head out nice and early Thursday morning, but, like circumstances such as these, it didn't particularly work out that way. But my focus in this post won't be about the hunting. Rather, it will be about what occurred Wednesday evening: the Republican YouTube debates.

(for those interested in seeing the youtube debates go here: http://youtube.com/profile?user=ytdebates)

The evening started off like most others regarding the hunting season: we traveled over to Athens in two vehicles, rented a movie (or in this case bought, seeing as the business was going out of business), and then headed over to the grandparent's house. This time they actually had the movie we wanted to watch, so that was nice. Upon arrival, naturally we saw the movie...around two hours or so long, after which everyone went to bed...except me. I guess the staying-up-late-every-night affected my sleeping habits or something. ;) I flipped through the channels for about an hour or so, watching some Sci-Fi here, some 90's Nick @ Night there, until I noticed that CNN had the debates going on at around 11 or so. At first, I just skipped it, thinking that it wouldn't be worth it. But twenty minutes or so passed and finally the decision was made to watch it.

I thought it interesting that the Republican debate fell on one of the few nights I had access to satellite TV, and seeing as last time we hunted the Democrat debate (not a youtube one) aired, I guess the Lord thought it necessary I get the other side of the opinions, even though I had to stay up until one in the morning both times to hear those opinions. *cough* :D It was kinda humorous, in an abstract way, to see Clinton, Edwards, and Obama (yes, alphabetical order) verbally attack one another...otherwise known as mud-slinging.

Oh...it appears Descartes needs to be read...

This'll be finished next time. :D

Snow!

2007-11-26T08:12:00.000-06:00

Yesterday we received our second official snow of the season, with the first being the Thanksgiving snow...

regardless of how this appears, Jacob decided not to throw the snowball at me

behold, Sam and King Louis XVI (pronounced Lou-ee)

i'm...dreaming of a white...Christmas...

Hunting

2007-11-23T15:09:00.000-06:00

[time for some Christmas music]

About this whole hunting topic.

By the way, if the reader doesn't enjoy non-skinned deer, I definitely would not suggest looking at the pictures. Then again, that just might pique your interest and now you're scrolling to them. ;)

Thursday evening my brother and I traveled in separate vehicles over to our grandparent's house, and no, not because we bicker excessively or anything like that, but because the reason of me returning home early for school reasons. We went to bed at [blank] o'clock and woke Friday morning at around 4:15, only to head out at 4:45 to shot us some deer. Now please understand that seeing as the lack of sleep the night before made us quite tired, rest came upon us during those early morning hours. Rest, in this case, would be defined as something between the closing of the eyes and literal sleep. (I think Emil leans towards the latter part in explaining my case...personally I would differ...kinda) After about a hour and a half or so passed and, at around 6:50 AM, 3-4 deer passed by our blinds. To make a long story short, two of them were killed and the rest of the day was spent gutting, skinning, etc.

I think some people at church are trying to create shirts that has the following, "Emil Bandy Loves Bambi," printed on it.

Saturday morning unfolded the same as the day before, with the exception being no deer killed. Most of the morning was spent opening our eyes and, if not seeing any deer, promptly closing them. Although, I did shoot at a particular deer thrice without any success. I guess that's why we're not supposed to try at 150 yards with a shotgun, eh? ;)

the Bandy brothers with the catch

calling into DNR to register the deer

slowly but surely, Bambi is hoisted for the skinning

a liner for someone's coat?

the pulling down of the skin

After all the outside work concluded, the inside work began...

chopping up the tenderloins...or whatever the cut is

some of us tried to process more than just the deer meat

um...yeah

Emil and Grace celebrate the end of processing by polka-ing around the kitchen table

Hippy Papib Udihthurdaiy!!

2007-11-19T23:56:00.000-06:00

We've another birthday folks and this time, it's Naomi's turn. Seven years of age she turns today (er, yesterday, I guess, looking at the time now), and those years have gone by quicker than I'd care to admit. I can still remember the day we drove to the hospital to see our new addition to the family...and for as long as I can remember, I've referred to her as my silly girl. ;) Of course, she tells me, "no, you're silly!" "No...you are!" "Nooo....you are, silly boy!" And...the conversation continues that way for a few minutes.

Here's some pictures from our evening:

Happy Birthday, Naomi!!!

Life

2007-11-17T14:51:00.000-06:00

And...

we're back from hunting!

And...

unfortunately I don't have enough time to post about it! (besides this quick thing)

I'll try to get something up/incorporate blog-change suggestions over the next few days amidst paperizing/catching up with ush/posting/reading/quizzes/etc.

the winds of change

2007-11-11T21:14:00.001-06:00

farewell to the old...

hello to the new.

thoughts, anyone, on the different template?

Happy Reformation Day!

2007-10-31T15:22:00.000-05:00

While I'm procrastinating on my term papers (lovingly referred to as "arpy's" among DLers, and I do believe we've Jake to thank for that *grin*), I'll go ahead and write about what we did over the weekend.

Saturday was our first annual Reformation Day Faire for Providence Church, and while the day began dreary, it turned out bright and beautiful regardless of the forecast predicted by weather.com. (don't trust 'em ;) After rising nice and early in the morning, and after sweating bullets with how much stuff we had to bring, we took off for Sommer Park. We decided not to do any videos--I apologize. ;)

As part of our preparation, Dad made a set of stocks, which of course we brought with us on Saturday, despite using only smaller vehicles (our van was rear-ended and has been out of commission for the past few weeks as a result). The infamous Tetzel made sure we received our indulgences, followed promptly by the constable arresting us poor, unsuspecting victims with placement into those stocks as punishment--t'was quite fun, actually. Watching some of the people being arrested, that is.

he's...happy?

one of the more entertaining arrests

an elder of the church?! IN THE STOCKS?!?

whoopsie-daisy, looks like one of the ladies was caught with an indulgence

a few of the booths set up for the Faire

Also during the morning, an archery contest was proclaimed and those who were prepared for the event headed over to the nearby range:

And the feast...ohhh my goodness, there was tons of German-American food and all of it looked SO GOOD! Unfortunately, though, since we all are human and possess limited amounts of stomach space, only part of it was I able to eat. Mr. Price and Anna provided the entertainment of the Reformation Polka afterwards...

some of the guys engaged in what I'm sure was lively discussion

Here's more pictures of the afternoon:

i think this may be why there was cheering off in the distance *didn't take this one*

the boffer war viewed from afar

dancing!

More thoughts on the Faire can be viewed here, here, here, here, annnd here. Oh, and a video here. :D

...and a big ol' thank ye to all of those who assisted in taking these pictures throughout the day: Melinda, Sam, Jessica, Emil...whomever else that had my camera throughout the day...lol.

Daily Conversations

2007-10-21T22:31:00.000-05:00

On the way home from church today...

...be sure to check Emil's blog every so often for another, shall we say, interesting sing-along. ;)

Beach Boys Karaoke

2007-10-10T18:56:00.000-05:00

After a stressful day of stressful events, this is how we unwind:

Me singing main vocals, with Emil providing background vocals...

[on our way to a party--a big THANK YOU to the Higginson's for providing a temporary vehicle]

Country Dancing

2007-10-06T16:22:00.000-05:00

So...last night we danced. :D

We started at 6:30-ish with something along the lines of an "introduction to dancing 101," meaning, we paired up, the instructor told us what to do, and we did it. Rather simple, yes? No. If you've ever seen us try to dance something we've never danced before, you would agree with that conclusion. Half of the time it felt like I was apologizing to the gals I danced with during the evening. But overall, I thoroughly enjoyed our folk dancing, which included the three-some-dance-thing, that one gypsy-awkward-stare-in-the-eye dance, and then, of course, the Virginia Reel, which happens to be the only name I remember. Ah yes...and the polka. It was...interesting, although I stepped on Anna's feet once (sorry Anna!). After that Garrison and I danced the polka, which was...interesting as well. The evening concluded around 10, with all of us bidding each other an adieu...though I wish we took a video sometime with the camera I left out in the van...

[edit: more pictures here]

'Tis another Birthday!

2007-09-25T09:27:00.000-05:00

Five years ago, a gal of the Bandy family was born into this world on September 25, 2002...

A little lady by the name of Ruth Esther...

Happy Birthday, Ruth!!

Epistemic Probability

2007-09-19T13:24:00.000-05:00

First off, let's define the term so no confusion enters our minds:

epistemic probability (n): the likelihood that a statement is true, given the total evidence available to you--that is, given all of your background beliefs and experiences

henceforth referred to as "EP"

So I was reading part of my logic assignment last night and the section about EP came up after the first few pages elapsed, followed by some exercises one might do (thankfully no required exercises for this week *cheers for Prof. Erhard*). The exercise was the following:

Provide two statements to which most people would assign the following measure of EP...then a sample exercise and the correct answer, etc.

Well, the first thing on the list just happened to be "Certainly true." "Hmm," I thought, "what could be a nice example for this problem. Oh, I know...Republicans are better than Democrats. Yes...a perfect answer." The ramifications of this statement were rather obvious; the, ah, entertainment overall overrode this. But I realized a requirement for this statement to be true: "which most people would assign the following measure of EP." Not to be caught totally off-guard, the 2004 elections came to mind. George W. Bush won, did he not? And! with a majority vote in both the popular and electoral. We shan't, however, deal with current polls or such matters showing America to be non-approving of Bush...

Continuing on this line of thought (i.e., interesting and controversial), another example came to mind: the North beats the South any day, or...I don't think I'll go any further. ;)

(disclaimer: no, I did not submit these examples as an assignment)

And so go the fields...

2007-09-14T20:31:00.000-05:00

After months of seeing only corn behind our house, the farmers proceeded to harvest their crops starting this week along our way of the prairie. Though I guess that means we'll be blinded by on-coming cars in the evening when playing outside...hm, oh well, I guess there's advantages and disadvantages to a situation like this. ;) Yet, overall, it's nice to know we've now countless acres to enjoy...

now to your center, folks, we've the combine, with a row of bushes hindering our sight. we apologize...it was the photographer's fault

watch closely as it approaches, making sure nothing is left behind and wasted, except, of course, for the corn that is left behind

we believe, at this point, the farmer wonders why on earth this kid is taking pictures of him

behold, my readers, the combine in all its glory

Quote of the Day

2007-09-08T18:06:00.001-05:00

"Man shall not live by bread alone...

Eggplant Parmesan has taken over."

Labor Day

2007-09-04T17:31:00.000-05:00

So, while the event of my little sister pinching my leg transpires, I now am able to post. :D (or, for a better explanation, Ruth sits at my feet with some hair pincher-things, squeezes my leg with them and asks, "Does this hurt, Ashton?" "Yes, Ruth, it hurts!")

Yesterday, we were all invited over to the McDonald's house for a blessed day of fellowship and working...unfortunately, though, I was unable to get pictures of the working part, so you'll have to visit Tiffany's or Jessica's blog for more information concerning that subject. ;) We spent most of our day cleaning up around the yard, setting up scaffolding, taking down trees, setting up fences, and stuff along those lines. And then, in the evening, we celebrated Mrs. McDonald's birthday, complete with banana pudding and a single candle on top. :D

Pictures of our evening:

Tiffany taking a picture of me, taking a picture of her, etc.

Melissa reading to Naomi and William

making the banana pudding

The Banana Pudding

beware the two fly-killers, armed with hidden fly swatters and purple-hued sunglasses

Grace, Sierra, and Jessica...all laughing at some random comment ;)

presenting The Banana Pudding unto the birthday lady

posing with the presents

An Experience in Distance Learning

2007-08-24T14:04:00.000-05:00

[to the reader: please realize this is all written in good humor]

Among the students of DL (distance learning), a good amount of us consider the server where everything DL is located to be of, shall we say, oxymoronic value. After taking an exam online and the submit button is hit, the test, after 2-3 hours of hard work, goes to the dust in the form of the following message: "Unable to submit test." Or, in another instance, let's say a forum needs to be accessed and instead of instant gratification, the students sits there almost ten minutes, clicking the link multiple times only to find out it shows up blank. As another example, let's say someone participating in a heated discussion on the instant messenger feature sees a window pop up, telling him: "The server lost connection, please reconnect."

At the least, a warning should be posted on the homepage saying, "Not held responsible for dented laptops, ripped textbooks, or uprooted hair." Just think of the legal liabilities...

The reason why we think the server an oxymoron? "ANGEL" is its name.

So, as a result of this interesting ordeal, a fellow student and I had the following conversation...

(used with permission)

Tyler B: so no comarison for me...but my experiences with angel have been less than pleasant...
Ashton Bandy: haha, i've had a rough time with ANGEL as well
Tyler B: haha...haven't we all...
Ashton Bandy: but some good memories are with it ;)
Tyler B: I suppose...
Tyler B: still...
Tyler B: if it would die...I would not cry...
Ashton Bandy: lol
Ashton Bandy: i don't think i would, either :P
Tyler B: excellent...
Tyler B: maybe we should be morose and write angel death poems...hehehe
Tyler B: ;)
Ashton Bandy: rofl!
Ashton Bandy: everybody'd love that
Ashton Bandy: :P
Tyler B: yeah...it would be VERY funny...but I am not the one to do it...
Ashton Bandy: neither am I O:-)
Tyler B: bad poetry writer am I...
Ashton Bandy: guess we'll have to elect someone, then tell them they're supposed to do it
Ashton Bandy: i pick...hmm...
Tyler B: sounds good....lets pick somebody at random from the list...
Ashton Bandy: *looks through the side list*
Tyler B: hmmmm....
Ashton Bandy: how about Mallory Riley?
Tyler B: I was thinking that...
Ashton Bandy: i've talked with her a good amount
Ashton Bandy: has a good sense of humor *grin*
Tyler B: or Michael C
Ashton Bandy: ah, haven't met him yet
Tyler B: don’t know him but I'm for picking a random person...teehee...
Ashton Bandy: oh!
Ashton Bandy: what about Joshua A?
Ashton Bandy: if you're in WestLit, he's the Russian mafia-type guy
Tyler B: not in western lit...
Ashton Bandy: ohh, ok
Tyler B: but sounds like a good guy to write death poems ;)
Ashton Bandy: ;D
Ashton Bandy: so Joshua A, yay or nay?
Ashton Bandy: (yay)
Tyler B: yay...lol...
Ashton Bandy: or yea, whichever spelling
Tyler B: its unanimous ;)
Ashton Bandy: excellent, we've an accord

So there you have it.

Joshua, when you read this on Facebook, realize the responsibility given unto you.

;)

PHC

2007-08-20T21:06:00.000-05:00

And so concludes our first day of the fall semester, 2007, with Patrick Henry College (or at least in three hours or so)...

Behold, the textbooks for this fall (computer to the side to give better scale)...

Classes include Western Literature 1, Theology of the Bible 1, History of the United States 1, and Logic. Total credits worth: 12. Amount of highlighters armed and ready to go: three so far. Marbles forfeited, given away, or otherwise lost: 9.

Now, back to your regular scheduled programming...

Creation Experience

2007-08-03T17:01:00.000-05:00

Written on the steps of the Museum, subjected to some editing:

"Here we are at the Creation Museum, and here's some advice for anyone planning to attend: don't come on a Saturday. We've waited in line for about an hour now...and are being told it's gonna be another half an hour or so. Although we've found out some interesting information from one of the employees: apparently three men from Hawaii traveled to the museum, wanting to open a creation museum on their homeland. We also found out that, not only have people came from as far as Hawaii, but also Ireland and Belgium...so...anyway..."

During our visit we were told that the day we came was probably the largest they've had in the Museum's short history: the capacity of the building is 4800, and the day before, Friday, around 4000 people attended. It was kind of crowded. ;)

And the weather was absolutely beautiful and calm for this time of year, with the temperature reaching only about 80 or so throughout the day. In fact, we've had a rather cool summer this year compared to most, despite all that global warming stuff everyone hears anymore. We were able to walk in their Botanical Gardens multiple times during the day, and, to our great delight, they built a hanging bridge! Or whatever you call those things. So naturally, because of our young at heart-ness, we crossed that thing many times...though I shan't say what exactly was done during those crossings. (landlubbers...beware)

Inside the museum is a different story. References to God's Word and parallels related to it permeate the scenery...for which I'm thankful considering the saturation of evolutionary ideas in today's society. They say the museum consumes 2-4 hours for a complete tour--we were there from 10:45 AM to 6-something PM, which includes activities such as bookstoring, botanical gardening, and eating. And...well, hmm, I shouldn't go on any further...

You'll just have to visit the museum to find out more. ;)

Oh, and another thing: they make a really good frozen chai down in the basement...

~or, if you'd like more info, thereby ruining the surprise factor~
~conclusion by linking to pictures on Facebook~

The Beginning

2007-07-30T09:33:00.001-05:00

...on our way there...

Creation Museum or Bust!

2007-07-27T21:29:00.000-05:00

This afternoon, the Bandy family left for the Creation Museum located in good ol' Kentucky. Currently blogging on my Aunt's compy (which is a PC, by the way), I unfortunately have no access to pictures or videos...so, bear with me, I shall do all that good stuff when I've internet access on my Mac.

Though we had quite the adventurous morning: after Dad backed out the van, he found a pool of liquid on the floor. Once he inspected it for however long he inspected it, he called our (kinda) local automotive place and they told him to bring the van out there pronto. So they checked it out, and told him that our water pump was dead...gone...off to wherever water pumps go. They then ordered the pump, and told us it'd be installed sometime this afternoon...which, of course, was accomplished to the letter.

And here we are. :D Spending the night in Indiana, taking off early tomorrow morning, etc.

'night.

July Hymnsing

2007-07-23T16:22:00.000-05:00

...and more can be viewed on my Facebook.

Visitations

2007-07-20T14:39:00.000-05:00

As the previous post suggests, a family came over to our house. On Monday, to be specific. (seems like that's our date for visits ;) However, it wasn't the Candler's who came over this time, but the Sanford family...

preparing for the evening's games

Then we had one of these things for dinner...really really good stuff--a Vegetable Torte, to be specific. Ok, we had more food than that--21 people need more to eat than a torte... ;)

the guy table

an empty table

After dinner, amazingly all us guys cleaned up while the adults and gals went throughout the house to their respective duties, such as talking and playing games...

everyone trying to hide in the closet

So....once we completed the Filling of the Dishwasher and Sink, the outdoors became our destination of choice. Following that course of action, wherein we played extensive games of volleyball and badminton, we concluded our evening inside with an enjoyable game of Mafia...

So ends my tale.

A Quick Preview of Forthcoming Post

2007-07-17T16:02:00.000-05:00

A Conglomeration of Sorts

2007-07-06T16:26:00.000-05:00

On Monday night the Candler's came over for a great night of food and fellowship, and one thing we definitely did was play...

Dutch Blitz.

And, of course, we couldn't just play without recording a game on camera! :D So now, I present unto you all a Gaffer Productions presentation of sorts that includes silliness, music, and other things along those lines...

Then on Wednesday, a total of 76 (?) people attended our first annual Providence Church 4th of July Celebration (not sure about the official name, though). More can be read about it here.

one of our many games of volleyball

Mr. Lansberry serving it up

Melissa, Pastor McDonald, and Jessica leading the singing of a patriotic song, of which I currently can't remember the name :P

Garrison enjoying the smoke...things

Emil and Garrison attempting to light a few somethings

the somethings going off in a shower of sparks and repeated booms

Trampolining

2007-06-25T16:58:00.000-05:00

For the first time ever, as in, for the first time in my 18 years, something months, etc. days of living, I jumped on a trampoline. Yes sir, last Tuesday marked the day. Quite an experience, it was.

A more detailed post, including pictures, can be read here.

An Anniversary

2007-06-12T21:28:00.000-05:00

Twenty-five years ago today, Steve and Kelley Bandy were married at Athens Christian Church in Athens, Illinois...

Happy 25th Anniversary, Dad and Mom... :) God has blessed the five of us kids with the bestest parents in the world.

And a most wonderful day to have it! The weather treated us nicely, but the highlight definitely would be the evening. Grace prepared our dinner (I shall decline from giving the details to prevent jealousy :D ), then after the main course dessert was served:

Following dessert, we all headed outside, doing nothing much of importance. The serenity of an Illinois country, with no big city to pollute the noise surrounding you, few cars passing by throughout the day...only your father reading to the family and everyone sitting around here and there listening intently...

Happy Birthdayness and General Updation

2007-06-11T21:40:00.000-05:00

A shameless plug for Apple:

Safari for Windows

~~~

Yes, I know, I've been terrible about updating my blog--I apologize to y'all. I shall strive to post more often!

So, it's time to update.

Last week signaled my first week of full-time working, and not a better week could have occurred. Beautiful days, not exceeding 85 degrees (although the one day it went over--had the day off); receiving drenching rain and not wearing a jacket; nap times during long trips, such as that time we drove to Pittsfield over an hour away; wonderful lunches at the local mom and pop restaurants; and to top it all off, we swam at our neighbor's pool multiple times. :D

Also! On Friday Emil attained the age of 16 years. And to celebrate this event, a picture is posted. (with permission, of course ;)

That is...if I can find it.

Aha! Here we are--

Happy Birthday (albeit the few days late), Emil!!!

Graduation 2007

2007-05-23T15:29:00.000-05:00

This past Saturday we held Grace's and my graduation party at our house--around 35 people came, and we had a great time. :D

Teen Pact

2007-05-05T20:56:00.000-05:00

Oh what a stressful mornin', Oh what a stressful day, I've got a fearful feelin' everything's goin' the wrong way...

The above sentence crossed my mind multiple times this past week. And this past week was...Teen Pact. Even though I didn't attend this year, my brother, however, did so. Like previous years, we decided to open our house to guests for the week. Confused phone calls, false alarms, overcrowded capitals, and late-night conversations on IM (even though we were less than 15 feet away from each other :D ) describes everything perfectly.

Eric and Emil arm wrestling

Matthew Farmer

Allie and Grace

L-R: Sam, Kelly, Brent, Eric

Wednesday...Legislative Day.

singing in front of the capital

Then we have some other various pictures...

Benjamin, William, Eric, and Emil's hand

playing Mafia

goodbyes...

the 2007 Teen Pact graduating class

Friday....AHHH!!! That sums up the day rather well: I had an emergency trip to the grocery store in the morning, THEN later in the afternoon, we found out that Dad, while he was grocery shopping as well, received multiple injuries from shopping carts (too gruesome to get into details), and had to get stiches. Now it sounds like something normal that happens to us, BUT, Emil and Eric had speech class that day. So.......at the exact same time Dad was receiving stiches, they were both finishing up speech. AND Eric had a train to catch almost right after the class was done. So Ashton to the rescue. Commenced emergency situation, made multiple phone calls, drove over prompt care, picked up Eric's luggage, went to the capital, suddenly saw Emil and Eric standing beside the street, honked at 'em to get their attention, almost made the person behind me hit the van because of stopping abruptly, they ran over to the van and got in, we drove over to the train station, decided after a few minutes to buy some food at McDonalds, returned to the train station, found out Dad was there after all, few more minutes transpired then Dad and Emil drove off and bought some rounds of ammo, came back, Eric and I were still there, waited 20 minutes for the train, the train came, Eric left, then we came home. *draws breath*

Sam at the target shoot this afternoon after hearing about our week:

"If I were you I'd be back home in bed."

Fourscore and Seven Years Ago...

2007-04-28T12:25:00.000-05:00

It's birthday time, y'all... ;)

Happy 14th Birthday, Grace!!!

and...

Happy Birthday to Jake!!!

deus glorificus

midterms

Inclement Weather Ahead

Diving into 2011

as fall wanes, winter begins

Remodeling Update #1

We're Remodeling!

CA, the 3rd

California! part deux

California!

Gearing up for traveling!

Tripping!

Legislative Day!

finally...at long last

springtime...

Protectionism and the Division of Labor

hello there

rifle match '09

the past few days

march experimental shoot

retrospection

well now...

dancing and partying

AHA!

oops

sign delivery, take two

a birthday

sign delivery, take one

out with the old...

he does what?!

Well now...

hello there

random conversations

iche and the creation museum

karaoke

our saturday

exciting news

hear ye! hear ye!

final days

humor of the day

hello

spring time

an interesting video

reminiscing

liberty day 2008

yeehaw!!

of stories

random pictures

theology ii...

California Case Involving Homeschooling

a birthday party

distance learning

lunar eclipse

of speeches

Amazing Grace

thoughts

the pace at which we run

Semestering

Of being a temporary Candler...

Intrigue

An intriguing week...

News in the Links

*posts*

Politicking

Snow!

Hunting

Hippy Papib Udihthurdaiy!!

Life

the winds of change

Happy Reformation Day!

Daily Conversations

Beach Boys Karaoke

Country Dancing

'Tis another Birthday!

Epistemic Probability

And so go the fields...

Quote of the Day

Labor Day

An Experience in Distance Learning

PHC

posts