- Baby Swiss can be kept in the refrigerator indefinitely if it hasn't been opened. No kidding. Six months. Two years. Twenty five years. It will sharpen, but it won't spoil.
- People call from all over the country to order Baby Swiss. People from California seem to really like "our" cheese.
- On December 13th, we shipped out 1500 packages of cheese. Keep in mind that there were only four of us working in the mail order room and only three working in the packing room. 1500 packages. That's a lot of cheese.
- In one day, we ran $14,000 worth of cheese orders through the credit card machine. This was no mistake. I meant to type three zeros. We really sold over $14,000 worth of cheese that day.
- Don't mess with people's cheese. They will hunt you down and kill you with a cheese shaver.
- Baby Swiss cheese can be frozen. Take it out of it's original package and wrap it in newspaper, and then in freezer wrap. The newspaper is to keep it from forming ice crystals.
- A person really can each cheese tidbits for lunch every day. Just ask me.
- When a person finally gets tired of cheese tidbits for lunch, she can eat grilled butter cheese sandwiches.
- When a person finaly gets tired of cheese tidbits and grilled butter cheese sandwiches for lunch, she can eat Patty Melts. There is no getting tired of Patty Melts.
- Some people have no problem paying more for shipping than they do for the cheese. This especially applies to people who can't seem to remember what day Christmas will be. They like to wait until three days before Christmas and then determine that there is a Gift Cheese Emergency, calling us in an urgent voice begging us to charge them $50 for second-day air to ship their cheese to California before Christmas. I guess I don't blame them. It's kind of hard to keep track of when Christmas will come, since it keeps moving around every year. If only they would make it on the same date every year so we could have THREE HUNDRED AND SIXTY FIVE DAYS TO PREPARE!!!
- Some people have to call the mail order department every single day to track their cheese.
- Some people have to call to figure out how two 2-pound wheels of cheese could possibly amount to four pounds of cheese.
- Some people don't understand why they have to return $125 worth of cheese when we accidentally shipped it twice. These same people can't understand why it wasn't okay to go ahead and give it to all of his kids and why he should have to pay for it.
- Some people like to make mail order employees cry.
- It's just cheese.
- People like to send cheese to people who don't like cheese. The people who don't like cheese don't understand why they can't return it to us for cash.
- People believe we can read their minds. When they ask us to send two wheels of cheese to each person on their Christmas list, we're supposed to know that they only meant that they wanted to send one wheel of cheese to each person on their Christmas list. These people want the money refunded, even though they have sent cheese to fifty-two people in locations around the country.
- People don't understand why it takes more than a day for their cheese to get from Ohio to Puerto Rico.
- Some old ladies who order cheese can't remember their own address. They don't understand why we can't send them their cheese anyway.
- Cheese is good food.
Saturday, January 01, 2005
What I've Learned About Cheese...
The following are the things I've learned about cheese while working in the Mail Order room of our local cheesehouse:
Back from Cheeseworld...
Wow! What a wild ride this holiday season has been!
I began working at the local cheesehouse in the mail order department at the beginning of November. It started out that I'd just help for a few hours a couple of days a week. And then, since the previous mail-order department manager had gone on to cheesier pastures, there came the request for me to run the mail order department. Next thing I knew, it was a $1.00 raise, long hours, more long hours, lots and lots of cheese shipped, and my life was a whirlwind!
It really was a lot of fun, but I'm glad to be done with it.
Now, it's January first, and I'm anxious to get back to my blog, back to learning (we take Thanksgiving through the New Year off from regular lessons so that we can focus on the holidays), and back HOME for a change.
So, here I am. I haven't fallen off the face of the earth. I was just up to my ears in cheese.
Happy New Year, all.
I began working at the local cheesehouse in the mail order department at the beginning of November. It started out that I'd just help for a few hours a couple of days a week. And then, since the previous mail-order department manager had gone on to cheesier pastures, there came the request for me to run the mail order department. Next thing I knew, it was a $1.00 raise, long hours, more long hours, lots and lots of cheese shipped, and my life was a whirlwind!
It really was a lot of fun, but I'm glad to be done with it.
Now, it's January first, and I'm anxious to get back to my blog, back to learning (we take Thanksgiving through the New Year off from regular lessons so that we can focus on the holidays), and back HOME for a change.
So, here I am. I haven't fallen off the face of the earth. I was just up to my ears in cheese.
Happy New Year, all.
Sunday, December 19, 2004
Audioblogger
Well, here it is. My first shot at AudioBlogging. If you have speakers, click below and then tell me what you think!
Thursday, November 25, 2004
Thank You
Today is Thanksgiving.
So often, I spend Thanksgiving day cooking and cleaning, preparing or traveling. While that can be fun and, at least in retrospect, is rewarding, while I'm in it, I often feel overwhelmed, overworked and overspent.
But there is always some shining moment in the day, like a baby girl devouring a great big turkey drumstick. Or the kids putting on a Thanksgiving presentation, with Bard reciting a poem by Jack Prelutsky and Houdin dressed like an indian, his face covered in orange Mary Kay foundation (who would actually WANT to be that color???) Or my father-in-law waking us up before the sun even rises to go on a Turkey Walk by strolling through the house at some non-human hour making some non-human noise that's supposed to sound like a turkey gobbling.
This morning, while I was snuggled cozily in my bed after a crazy night of eating individually holiday-wrapped Reese's Cups and watching Shrek 2, the last thing on my mind was waking up. And then, at some non-human hour, the phone rang. It was so early that the sun had just peaked over the frosty hillside. With my sleepy head pressed against the phone receiver, hoping I had the right end to my ear, I could hear that non-human noise.
"Gobblegobblegobblegobblegobble. Gobblegobblegobblegobblegobble."
It's Thanksgiving. And even though our budget or our work schedule can't handle a trip to Illinois to spend the weekend with the rest of our family, my father-in-law, God bless him, has brought a piece of it here.
Today, we'll be pulling our Christmas decorations out of the fruit cellar, taking down the fall foliage that remains from our Family Gathering, and preparing for our Thanksgiving meal, which will be on Saturday this year so that another family whose budget is a bit tight--and whose man-of-the-house will be working today--will be able to join us for in breaking bread and giving thanks.
While my heart longs to be with the rest of my family (it's my husband's family, yes, but it's the only family that I have and couldn't ask for a better one), I'll thank God for my husband and kids, and I'll thank God for His many blessings. Yes, it's easy to complain about the budget, the work schedule, the preparing, the cleaning or the traveling (or, as this year, the lack thereof), but I know that it's more lovely to give thanks.
On this day, I thank God for family, for love, for forgiveness, for eternity, for God's salvation, for His perfect timing, for free will, and for the chance to start a new life with every single moment.
Thank you for reading. Thanks for the inspiration you give me. Thank you for your insight and your wisdom and your companionship. Thank God for you.
Have a truly thankful day.
So often, I spend Thanksgiving day cooking and cleaning, preparing or traveling. While that can be fun and, at least in retrospect, is rewarding, while I'm in it, I often feel overwhelmed, overworked and overspent.
But there is always some shining moment in the day, like a baby girl devouring a great big turkey drumstick. Or the kids putting on a Thanksgiving presentation, with Bard reciting a poem by Jack Prelutsky and Houdin dressed like an indian, his face covered in orange Mary Kay foundation (who would actually WANT to be that color???) Or my father-in-law waking us up before the sun even rises to go on a Turkey Walk by strolling through the house at some non-human hour making some non-human noise that's supposed to sound like a turkey gobbling.
This morning, while I was snuggled cozily in my bed after a crazy night of eating individually holiday-wrapped Reese's Cups and watching Shrek 2, the last thing on my mind was waking up. And then, at some non-human hour, the phone rang. It was so early that the sun had just peaked over the frosty hillside. With my sleepy head pressed against the phone receiver, hoping I had the right end to my ear, I could hear that non-human noise.
"Gobblegobblegobblegobblegobble. Gobblegobblegobblegobblegobble."
It's Thanksgiving. And even though our budget or our work schedule can't handle a trip to Illinois to spend the weekend with the rest of our family, my father-in-law, God bless him, has brought a piece of it here.
Today, we'll be pulling our Christmas decorations out of the fruit cellar, taking down the fall foliage that remains from our Family Gathering, and preparing for our Thanksgiving meal, which will be on Saturday this year so that another family whose budget is a bit tight--and whose man-of-the-house will be working today--will be able to join us for in breaking bread and giving thanks.
While my heart longs to be with the rest of my family (it's my husband's family, yes, but it's the only family that I have and couldn't ask for a better one), I'll thank God for my husband and kids, and I'll thank God for His many blessings. Yes, it's easy to complain about the budget, the work schedule, the preparing, the cleaning or the traveling (or, as this year, the lack thereof), but I know that it's more lovely to give thanks.
On this day, I thank God for family, for love, for forgiveness, for eternity, for God's salvation, for His perfect timing, for free will, and for the chance to start a new life with every single moment.
Thank you for reading. Thanks for the inspiration you give me. Thank you for your insight and your wisdom and your companionship. Thank God for you.
Have a truly thankful day.
You Are Mashed Potatoes |
 Oridnary, comforting, and more than a little predictable You're the glue that holds everyone together. |
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
I'm so cool, too bad I'm a loser...
The Barmy Blogger: Oh it's Saturday, it's Saturday, a hun-hun-honey and a ha-cha-cha!: "I'm probably dying. Prob'ly (I love typing it like that) no one will even come to my funeral.Or maybe everyone will come, just like the people did for Tom and Huck and Joe. They'll all realize how great I was, and how they didn't appreciate me. Why, just today my own mother and father ignored me.Man, if my being tired doesn't get me killed, that last comment will. It's been a good life, anyway. "
I'm probably boring. Prob'ly, no one will even come to my blog. Or maybe everyone will come, just like the people did for Bard's Blog. They'll all realize how great I was, and how they didn't appreciate me. Why, just today my own daughter ignored me.
Man, if my being a loser doesn't get my blog rolling, that last comment will. It's been a good blog, anyway.
The Very, Very Pitiful Mom
I'm probably boring. Prob'ly, no one will even come to my blog. Or maybe everyone will come, just like the people did for Bard's Blog. They'll all realize how great I was, and how they didn't appreciate me. Why, just today my own daughter ignored me.
Man, if my being a loser doesn't get my blog rolling, that last comment will. It's been a good blog, anyway.
The Very, Very Pitiful Mom
Friday, November 19, 2004
Who's behind?
That would be me. I'm falling far behind on my NaNo, according to my little NaNometer. Sigh. I'm losing my momentum. There is still plenty to say...much, much more to say.
Stream of Consciousness About the Trip to the Art Museum
- The impressionist paintings were awesome.
- I could stare at a Van Gogh all day.
- I think Van Gogh is my favorite. Along with Mary Cassatt.
- I couldn't believe that I was standing in front of Water Lillies.
- Some art is really bizarre.
- I'm not sure why a wax leg with real human hair sticking out of the wall is considered "art."
- I signed the guest book with a nice, long story.
- The art presenter didn't know anything about homeschoolers.
- The kids recognized a bunch of art.
- We saw an Andy Warhol.
- We saw Picassos.
- We saw a work by Chuck Close.
- There was a really awesome one there called Lot's Wife.
- They had good food in the cafe.
- Food in the cafe is expensive.
- It's expensive to park at the art museum.
- Monet hit one of the other girls while we were in the room of ancient artifacts.
- Monet apologized, but he refused to move because he "wanted to be alone."
- We ended up leaving because of it.
- I missed looking at some of the cool stuff, because of Monet's temper, Houdin's moodiness and Bard's insatiable curiosity (read: I couldn't find her).
- Sweetheart and Baby were darlings.
- I want to go back.
I'm a Princess
I'm sure it's no big surprise to you that your
romance is The Princess Bride. A heartwarming
tale of "Twue Wuve" that has giants,
Spainards and swashbuckling. You really do
think that love can overcome anything. You may
be a touch naive but your heart is certainly in
the right place. You've probably got one of
those relationships where proper nouns have
been replaced with "Snookums" and
"Pookie Pie". Eww. Beware a cuteness
overload.
What Romance Movie Best Represents Your Love Life?
brought to you by
Sunday, November 14, 2004
Stream of Consciousness About NaNoWriMo
Finding the time to write is hard.
I started with one concept, and gave it up because I really felt I needed to pursue a different path.
I can't believe where it has taken me.
Somehow, the adventure has been life-changing.
So many things have happened in these past fourteen days.
Of course, I've been neglecting my blog, but that doesn't mean I don't love it.
Be patient with me, little blog! I hope you don't worry that I'm seeing other blogs. You have a very special place in my heart, and I'll come back to you. I promise.
NaNo is almost half way over.
I'm not quite at my word count.
When I do sit down to write, it's difficult to begin.
Once I get started, the words just flow.
I can usually do about 3,000 in one sitting.
Bard is doing NaNo, too. Her regular blog is here. Her NaNo blog is here.
Because I'm writing about my own experiences, I have a hard time determining which are interesting because they're interesting, and which are just interesting to me. Feel free to go over there and be my critic. But don't make me cry. Yet. Let me get the whole thing hammered out first. Then you can make me cry. I've been crying enough lately...
I haven't really been reading other people's blogs or nanos lately. I'm trying to stay focused.
Bohemian has been a wonderful support system. I just wish The Baby would go to him more. She's very attached to me.
Because I've been working at the local cheesehouse through the week, part time, just through Christmas, it's been difficult to keep the house clean *and* get the NaNo done. Bard has been a very great help with this. Thank you, my dear eldest daughter!
It's time to go write.
I started with one concept, and gave it up because I really felt I needed to pursue a different path.
I can't believe where it has taken me.
Somehow, the adventure has been life-changing.
So many things have happened in these past fourteen days.
Of course, I've been neglecting my blog, but that doesn't mean I don't love it.
Be patient with me, little blog! I hope you don't worry that I'm seeing other blogs. You have a very special place in my heart, and I'll come back to you. I promise.
NaNo is almost half way over.
I'm not quite at my word count.
When I do sit down to write, it's difficult to begin.
Once I get started, the words just flow.
I can usually do about 3,000 in one sitting.
Bard is doing NaNo, too. Her regular blog is here. Her NaNo blog is here.
Because I'm writing about my own experiences, I have a hard time determining which are interesting because they're interesting, and which are just interesting to me. Feel free to go over there and be my critic. But don't make me cry. Yet. Let me get the whole thing hammered out first. Then you can make me cry. I've been crying enough lately...
I haven't really been reading other people's blogs or nanos lately. I'm trying to stay focused.
Bohemian has been a wonderful support system. I just wish The Baby would go to him more. She's very attached to me.
Because I've been working at the local cheesehouse through the week, part time, just through Christmas, it's been difficult to keep the house clean *and* get the NaNo done. Bard has been a very great help with this. Thank you, my dear eldest daughter!
It's time to go write.
Saturday, November 13, 2004
Why I Haven't Been Writing...
I have a good reason. Really. I haven't been writing because...well, because I've been writing.
It's NaNoWriMo time. And it's almost half over.
So, if you want to know what's been on my mind, you can check it out. I'd love some feedback.
http://experiencepossessed.blogspot.com
It's NaNoWriMo time. And it's almost half over.
So, if you want to know what's been on my mind, you can check it out. I'd love some feedback.
http://experiencepossessed.blogspot.com
Thursday, October 28, 2004
That's No Lady!
"Sweetheart! Please put your knees together and pull your dress down! Young ladies do not sit like that."
"I'm not a young lady," Sweetheart replies very matter-of-factly. "I'm really very old."
"I'm not a young lady," Sweetheart replies very matter-of-factly. "I'm really very old."
Stream of Consciousness about Art Lessons
Woke up late.
"Everyone, get dressed! Don't forget your pencils!"
Pick up a girlfriend's daughter.
Drop off my own daughter.
Quick hug.
"Goodbye!"
Pull in the library parking lot.
"Shhh!"
"Did anyone see the lunar eclipse?"
Nods.
Drawings of the lunar eclipse.
"Time to paint."
Painting by Renoir.
Only three colors...yellow, blue and the resulting green.
No brushes.
Only fingers.
Two practice paintings.
Clean canvas.
Swirling blues.
Spiky greens.
Grass.
Sky.
Water.
Texture.
A few mistakes.
Learn from them!
Dabbing with a towel.
Lifting off color.
Wonderful depth!
Pleasant surprise!
Sweetheart does wonderfully!
"That's really good!"
"I hate mine."
"Yours is better!"
"I'll never be an artist."
Encouragement.
Smiles.
Reluctant sharing.
Washing hands.
Cleaning up.
Admiring work.
To the craft store...buy some frames.
On the wall.
Lovely.
"Everyone, get dressed! Don't forget your pencils!"
Pick up a girlfriend's daughter.
Drop off my own daughter.
Quick hug.
"Goodbye!"
Pull in the library parking lot.
"Shhh!"
"Did anyone see the lunar eclipse?"
Nods.
Drawings of the lunar eclipse.
"Time to paint."
Painting by Renoir.
Only three colors...yellow, blue and the resulting green.
No brushes.
Only fingers.
Two practice paintings.
Clean canvas.
Swirling blues.
Spiky greens.
Grass.
Sky.
Water.
Texture.
A few mistakes.
Learn from them!
Dabbing with a towel.
Lifting off color.
Wonderful depth!
Pleasant surprise!
Sweetheart does wonderfully!
"That's really good!"
"I hate mine."
"Yours is better!"
"I'll never be an artist."
Encouragement.
Smiles.
Reluctant sharing.
Washing hands.
Cleaning up.
Admiring work.
To the craft store...buy some frames.
On the wall.
Lovely.
Wednesday, October 27, 2004
Now Playing...Songs by which to View a Lunar Eclipse
"Total Eclipse Of The Heart" - Bonnie Tyler
"Moon Over Bourbon Street" - Sting
"Walking On The Moon" - The Police
"Moon At The Window" - Joni Mitchell
"Moon River (from "Breakfast At Tiffany's")" - Barbra Streisand
"Somewhere Out There " - James Ingram
"Moon Love" - Nat King Cole
"That's Amore" - Dean Martin
"Eclipse" - John Denver
"Moon On My Shoulder" - Lyle Lovett
"Shine On Harvest Moon" - Leon Redbone
"Mr. Spaceman" - The Byrds
"Spaceman" - Harry Nilsson
"The Moon And St. Christopher" - Mary Chapin Carpenter
"The Color Green" - Rich Mullins
"Blue Moon Of Kentucky" - Patsy Cline
"Mississippi Moon" - John Anderson
"St. Judy's Comet" - Paul Simon
"Song About The Moon" - Paul Simon
"Ticket To The Moon" - Electric Light Orchestra
"Moonshadow" - Cat Stevens
"Moondance" - Van Morrison
"How High The Moon" - Ella Fitzgerald
"Moon Country" - Hoagy Carmichael
"Tropic Moon" - Bruce Cockburn
"Man On The Moon" - R.E.M.
"Moon Song" - Louis Armstrong
"Bad Moon Rising" - Creedence Clearwater Revival
"Harvest Moon" - Neil Young
"Blue Moon" - Elvis Presley
"Moon River" - Henry Mancini
"Moon Is Up" - The Rolling Stones
"Moon Pretty Moon" - The Statler Brothers
"Moon Over Rio Grande" - Michael Nesmith
You can listen to these songs by listening to my Moon Playlist on Rhapsody.
"Moon Over Bourbon Street" - Sting
"Walking On The Moon" - The Police
"Moon At The Window" - Joni Mitchell
"Moon River (from "Breakfast At Tiffany's")" - Barbra Streisand
"Somewhere Out There " - James Ingram
"Moon Love" - Nat King Cole
"That's Amore" - Dean Martin
"Eclipse" - John Denver
"Moon On My Shoulder" - Lyle Lovett
"Shine On Harvest Moon" - Leon Redbone
"Mr. Spaceman" - The Byrds
"Spaceman" - Harry Nilsson
"The Moon And St. Christopher" - Mary Chapin Carpenter
"The Color Green" - Rich Mullins
"Blue Moon Of Kentucky" - Patsy Cline
"Mississippi Moon" - John Anderson
"St. Judy's Comet" - Paul Simon
"Song About The Moon" - Paul Simon
"Ticket To The Moon" - Electric Light Orchestra
"Moonshadow" - Cat Stevens
"Moondance" - Van Morrison
"How High The Moon" - Ella Fitzgerald
"Moon Country" - Hoagy Carmichael
"Tropic Moon" - Bruce Cockburn
"Man On The Moon" - R.E.M.
"Moon Song" - Louis Armstrong
"Bad Moon Rising" - Creedence Clearwater Revival
"Harvest Moon" - Neil Young
"Blue Moon" - Elvis Presley
"Moon River" - Henry Mancini
"Moon Is Up" - The Rolling Stones
"Moon Pretty Moon" - The Statler Brothers
"Moon Over Rio Grande" - Michael Nesmith
You can listen to these songs by listening to my Moon Playlist on Rhapsody.
100 Things About Me.
Okay...I've seen this done on other blogs, and I...well...I know it may be dangerous, but I'm willing to give it a try.
One Hundred Things About Me
One Hundred Things About Me
- I am a Christian. This doesn't mean I'm a wacko or a hypocrite or a judgemental beast. It means that I love God with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength and that I try my bestest to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ.
- I recognize that I am a flawed human being. Don't bother pointing it out.
- I believe the best witness is living a loving life--I really do try.
- I love my husband more than anyone else on this ball of spinning dirt, even if he does have bad personal habits.
- I have five children whom I love more than anyone else on this ball of spinning dirt, except my husband.
- My children make me laugh and cry hysterically. Sometimes simultaneously.
- My best friends live too far away. They need to move closer.
- I like to cook, but I hate to clean up afterwards. That's why I had kids (just ask them).
- I own a free-range one-eyed chameleon named Wilma. I feed her live crickets and mealworms with tongs that look like huge tweezers.
- I get sleepy after I eat.
- I have had three home-births. Okay, two home-births and one cabin-birth.
- I really wanted to be voted Best Dressed in high school. I wasn't voted anything.
- I like my closet to be color-coordinated. It's mostly black and brown.
- I have a jones for good photos.
- I never seem to have time to eat breakfast. I keep boxes of Luna Bars in my closet.
- I loathe washing dishes. That's why I had kids (just ask them).
- I don't mind folding laundry. As long as it's clean.
- I have a twisted relationship with Wal*Mart. They take all my money, I bring home all their crap.
- I'm wearing a t-shirt that says, "Please wipe nose below the dotted line."
- I have breastfed all of my children. Not at the same time.
- I rate pretty high on the crunchy scale.
- My favorite author is Anne Tyler. Did you know she was homeschooled?
- My children have all been homeschooled from the start. Houdin, the 13 year old, went to a private school for one year so he could learn how to read, because I thought I was failing him. He didn't learn to read there.
- I love get-togethers--sorry P.
- I wish I could play a musical instrument. I took guitar lessons for a while, then I found out I was pregnant, and it wasn't long before the guitar wouldn't stay on my lap. Plus, my husband's better than I am and it makes me sick.
- Nothing gets me out of a funk like a hip song with a great beat.
- I dance a lot, especially when my kids roll their eyes and say, "Mo-o-om!"
- I have a hard time finishing projects. I'm lucky to be married to a man with a good follow-through.
- I don't like to drive. Unless there's good music on and I'm in a good mood.
- I listen to Delilah. Sometimes I even cry when I listen.
- I have Delilah's number programmed into my cell-phone.
- I keep about thirty journals. They all have about five pages written in them. Okay, a few of them are full. But most of them aren't.
- I once met Christopher Reeve while he was filming Somewhere in Time at the Grand Hotel on Macinac Island. He signed my chocolates box, but my mom threw it away.
- I spent three years living in a cabin with an outdoor tub, gas lights and an outhouse.
- I love long baths with candles. The outdoor tub is the best, with candles AND stars.
- I get bad migraine headaches. The worst one I ever got was while watching Titanic in the movie theater. Now, if I get a really bad one, I call it a Titanic headache.
- My favorite drink is Dr. Pepper, followed closely by ice cold water.
- I've only been drunk once. Drunk, but lucid. That was enough for me.
- I tried smoking once...one puff. That was enough for me.
- I used to use chewing tobacco. Why? Because I thought it was cool.
- I've never flown in an airplane.
- I love road trips.
- I want to go to England someday. But not on a road trip. I'll have to fly in a plane for that.
- I cried the day Rich Mullins died.
- The saddest song I've ever heard is Wildfire.
- The second saddest song I've ever heard is I'll Be True to You.
- I hate to walk around the house without slippers. The crud on the floor drives me bonkers.
- I love autumn.
- I always wanted to be a writer.
- I wrote a novel when I was 13.
- I love to take pictures.
- I like my 35 mm for different reasons than I like my digital.
- Feet fascinate me.
- My favorite childhood books were the Black Stallion series.
- I love fried foods.
- I love anything dairy-based.
- Cheese is my friend.
- I have a disease which causes me to acquire animals.
- I have four dogs.
- I have too many cats.
- I have four birds.
- There are animals in every room of this house except Houdin's room, the laundry room and the first-floor powder room.
- I've met some kind of famous people, including:
- Kirk Cameron
- Dirk Bean, one of the Survivors
- Uncle Owen
- Jane Goodall
- Tamora Pierce
- Phil Keaggy
- D.C. Talk
- I have a friend who's brother is a very famous actor. I'm not telling.
- I was once a midwife's assistant and attended births for about twelve months.
- I've always wanted a tatoo. On my ankle.
- I have three earrings in my left earlobe and two in my right.
- I make a yummy cheesecake.
- I also make a yummy alfredo sauce.
- When I'm bored, I bite my fingernails.
- I like to bake bread, but I don't do it often enough.
- I don't really talk about politics.
- Rude people really irritate me.
- I've always wanted a horse.
- My favorite gift is a good letter.
- I wish I were rich.
- I like quiche.
- I'm more of a morning person than a night owl.
- I get sleepy when I read. I once fell asleep sitting up with a book propped on my chest while reading to my children.
- My hair is naturally curly.
- I have only dyed my hair once. Burgundy. I hated it.
- I love cooking for other people.
- I like children's literature more than adult fiction.
- I'm a meaner mom than I ever thought I'd be.
- I'm a certified Natural Family Planning instructor.
- My house is never clean enough for me.
- I like knitting for kids.
- I don't know how to sew but really wish I did.
- I love Barry Manilow. I used to belong to the Barry Manilow fan club and am sorry I still don't.
- I'd love to learn to spin wool.
- I would love to be able to draw well.
- If I had a ton of money, I'd pay off all of my debts, pay off my best friends' debts, pay off my in-law's debts, and buy really great Christmas gifts for everyone I know.
- I can't believe I finished this, even if it is the most boring thing in the world.
Funny Things Kids Say
Me to Monet: Please don't hit anyone else with a mallet.
*****
Bard: Maybe Dad should just be Superman for the costume party. He could wear pants with the underwear on the outside. He could wear a pink towel and cowboy boots, like Monet used to and everyone thought he looked cute.
Monet: Did I really do that?
Bard: Yeah...well...you didn't wear underwear on the outside...well...you never wear underwear.
Monet: Yes, I do!
Bard: Are you wearing any right now?
Monet: I only wear them on special occasions.
*****
Bard to me while I was feeding Wilma the One-Eyed Chameleon: Do chameleons get their tongues stuck together because they're too sticky?
Me: No. Their tongues aren't actually sticky. They're barbed.
Bard: I wish I had a barbed tongue.
*****
Me: Children, don't eat glass.
Monet: Not even if you're a rockbiter?
Me: Not even if you're a rockbiter.
Bard: Rockbiters don't eat glass. They eat rocks. Hence the name...Rockbiter.
*****
Monet: Is there some kind of contest when you die to tell whether you can get into heaven or not?
Me: No, it's not like that. It's like...
Houdin (interupting): Welcome to This Was Your Life. And now, here is your host...Jesus Christ!
*****
Bard: Do you want to be clubbed in the head with a horse?
Sweetheart: Not really.
*****
*****
Bard: Maybe Dad should just be Superman for the costume party. He could wear pants with the underwear on the outside. He could wear a pink towel and cowboy boots, like Monet used to and everyone thought he looked cute.
Monet: Did I really do that?
Bard: Yeah...well...you didn't wear underwear on the outside...well...you never wear underwear.
Monet: Yes, I do!
Bard: Are you wearing any right now?
Monet: I only wear them on special occasions.
*****
Bard to me while I was feeding Wilma the One-Eyed Chameleon: Do chameleons get their tongues stuck together because they're too sticky?
Me: No. Their tongues aren't actually sticky. They're barbed.
Bard: I wish I had a barbed tongue.
*****
Me: Children, don't eat glass.
Monet: Not even if you're a rockbiter?
Me: Not even if you're a rockbiter.
Bard: Rockbiters don't eat glass. They eat rocks. Hence the name...Rockbiter.
*****
Monet: Is there some kind of contest when you die to tell whether you can get into heaven or not?
Me: No, it's not like that. It's like...
Houdin (interupting): Welcome to This Was Your Life. And now, here is your host...Jesus Christ!
*****
Bard: Do you want to be clubbed in the head with a horse?
Sweetheart: Not really.
*****
Academic Update
Each child works on their handwriting and spelling daily, and I can see a marked improvement in all of their handwriting. We have been using the Getty/Dubay Italic Handwriting course from the beginning but have never gone at it with such fervor. My inspiration was a book I saw at the library called Italic Handwriting for Young People by Fred Eager. He gave samples of student handwriting before and after the course. Most of the samples were within a two-month time period, and the results were very impressive. Since we've been doing the handwriting on a daily basis, and I've been insisting that ALL writing that they do be in Italic, their handwriting has improved dramatically--all of them. Even Sweetheart.
Yesterday, I assigned a paper to each of the older kids. We based the paper on this writing evaluation. The expository prompt that I gave was, "Do you like being homeschooled? Why or why not?" By definition, expository writing is:
Bard went right to her paper, beginning with a proper outline.
Houdin balked, cried and gave many suggestions for alternatives.
Here's my problem:
We have come to terms that Houdin would be, in a public school setting, labeled with Attention Deficit Disorder. Since we homeschool, his learning can be tailored to his abilities. At the same time, I believe that, in a home learning setting, he can receive the amount of attention and assistance he needs to receive. Sometimes, however, it's just about impossible to deal with him.
I've been wondering if I could have him learn with another homeschooling family for a while, or if I could find a tutor for him. We just seem to clash so wildly.
Any suggestions?
Yesterday, I assigned a paper to each of the older kids. We based the paper on this writing evaluation. The expository prompt that I gave was, "Do you like being homeschooled? Why or why not?" By definition, expository writing is:
- A setting forth of meaning or intent.
- A statement or rhetorical discourse intended to give information about or an explanation of difficult material.
- The art or technique of composing such discourses.
Bard went right to her paper, beginning with a proper outline.
Houdin balked, cried and gave many suggestions for alternatives.
Here's my problem:
We have come to terms that Houdin would be, in a public school setting, labeled with Attention Deficit Disorder. Since we homeschool, his learning can be tailored to his abilities. At the same time, I believe that, in a home learning setting, he can receive the amount of attention and assistance he needs to receive. Sometimes, however, it's just about impossible to deal with him.
I've been wondering if I could have him learn with another homeschooling family for a while, or if I could find a tutor for him. We just seem to clash so wildly.
Any suggestions?
Tuesday, October 26, 2004
If they were in public school, or, typical course of study...
Typical Course of Study
Bard has been asking what she'd be learning if she were in a public or private school setting. I came upon several resources that were very helpful in gauging their progress, if progress is gauged by the public school guidelines. ;-)
Others I found helpful were:
Ninth Grade Language Arts Checklist
"These are the skills and content knowledge required of all ninth grade language arts students in the State of Ohio."
Recommended reading list for 9th and 10th grade students
What Your Child Needs to Know, Grade 9 Math Guidelines
This site also offers activities based on Family Math
This was especially enlightening. From the website:
"Eighth graders respond to an expository prompt. The purpose of expository writing is to explain, clarify, or provide the reader with information. Well-written exposition has a clear, central focus developed through a carefully crafted presentation of examples or definitions that enhance the reader's understanding. Papers are scored holistically using a six-point scoring rubric."
On the bottom of the page, you will see a table that says "2002-2003 Anchor Set - Grade 8." These are sample essays of eighth graders in the Tennessee public school system. A score of 1 is the lowest, 6 the highest.
Bard has been asking what she'd be learning if she were in a public or private school setting. I came upon several resources that were very helpful in gauging their progress, if progress is gauged by the public school guidelines. ;-)
Others I found helpful were:
Ninth Grade Language Arts Checklist
"These are the skills and content knowledge required of all ninth grade language arts students in the State of Ohio."
Recommended reading list for 9th and 10th grade students
What Your Child Needs to Know, Grade 9 Math Guidelines
This site also offers activities based on Family Math
This was especially enlightening. From the website:
"Eighth graders respond to an expository prompt. The purpose of expository writing is to explain, clarify, or provide the reader with information. Well-written exposition has a clear, central focus developed through a carefully crafted presentation of examples or definitions that enhance the reader's understanding. Papers are scored holistically using a six-point scoring rubric."
On the bottom of the page, you will see a table that says "2002-2003 Anchor Set - Grade 8." These are sample essays of eighth graders in the Tennessee public school system. A score of 1 is the lowest, 6 the highest.
Friday, October 22, 2004
Confessions of a Barmy Blogger
My oldest daughter, Bard, has created a blog. On it, she confesses that she was once horrible and torturous to her babysitters. Well, it's not a confession, really...it's more of a plea for forgiveness.
The Barmy Blogger:
"Why am I publishing this on the World Wide Web? Because I feel like it. And I haven't told anyone, and it's about to make my head spontaneously combust (although it wouldn't be spontaneous, because it's caused by *something*), or cause me to lose what little sanity I still claim to be my own.
Which is really only enough to make adults think I have a good head on my shoulders. If they are only around for a little while.
And I only do that so any fomer babysitters of mine might hear about how I've changed since they knew me.
I really have. I was just plain evil when I was little. Now I'm slightly...
Well, I think you've probably figured that out by now.
Babysitters, I promise I've changed. I haven't locked anyone in a bathroom for years. Or screamed. Or thrown anything. I'm really quite timid, Just give me a laptop and some food, and I'm happy.
I don't even really need the food. Or a laptop, even. Just something with an internet connection hooked up. And sound, for when I want to watch Potter Puppet Pals, or some other toon. Just forgive me.
Please?"
The Barmy Blogger:
"Why am I publishing this on the World Wide Web? Because I feel like it. And I haven't told anyone, and it's about to make my head spontaneously combust (although it wouldn't be spontaneous, because it's caused by *something*), or cause me to lose what little sanity I still claim to be my own.
Which is really only enough to make adults think I have a good head on my shoulders. If they are only around for a little while.
And I only do that so any fomer babysitters of mine might hear about how I've changed since they knew me.
I really have. I was just plain evil when I was little. Now I'm slightly...
Well, I think you've probably figured that out by now.
Babysitters, I promise I've changed. I haven't locked anyone in a bathroom for years. Or screamed. Or thrown anything. I'm really quite timid, Just give me a laptop and some food, and I'm happy.
I don't even really need the food. Or a laptop, even. Just something with an internet connection hooked up. And sound, for when I want to watch Potter Puppet Pals, or some other toon. Just forgive me.
Please?"
Eliminate This!
I was reading Carol's Storybook where she wrote:
"I would like to eliminate the following words from my vocabulary:
1. mess
2. NOW! (as in you do this NOW!)
3. I'm tired.
4. Shut up!
5. Just a minute.
What are some words that you wish you would never say?"
1. crazy (as in "you are driving me crazy")
2. nervous breakdown (as in "I'm going to have a nervous breakdown")
3. losing my mind (as in "I think I'm about to lose my mind")
4. Oh. My. Gosh. (as in "Oh. My. Gosh. You are driving me crazy and I think I'm about to lose my mind")
5. I've had enough (as in, "I've had enough, and I think I'm going to have a nervous breakdown")
*before I get e-mails telling me that our lives are dictated by our words, I have to remind you that this is a list of words I *want* to eliminate from my vocabulary, not words I aspire to use more often.
"I would like to eliminate the following words from my vocabulary:
1. mess
2. NOW! (as in you do this NOW!)
3. I'm tired.
4. Shut up!
5. Just a minute.
What are some words that you wish you would never say?"
1. crazy (as in "you are driving me crazy")
2. nervous breakdown (as in "I'm going to have a nervous breakdown")
3. losing my mind (as in "I think I'm about to lose my mind")
4. Oh. My. Gosh. (as in "Oh. My. Gosh. You are driving me crazy and I think I'm about to lose my mind")
5. I've had enough (as in, "I've had enough, and I think I'm going to have a nervous breakdown")
*before I get e-mails telling me that our lives are dictated by our words, I have to remind you that this is a list of words I *want* to eliminate from my vocabulary, not words I aspire to use more often.
Makes Sense...or not
Monet: I can't wait 'til we're rich.
Me (looking around at all of the housework that needs done and the kids who aren't doing any): Um...we can't get rich if we're lazy.
Monet: Oh. Well, we should hire some servants, then.
I grab a pencil
Monet: Why are you writing that down?
Bard: Because she's going to blog it and make people think you're really stupid.
Me (looking around at all of the housework that needs done and the kids who aren't doing any): Um...we can't get rich if we're lazy.
Monet: Oh. Well, we should hire some servants, then.
I grab a pencil
Monet: Why are you writing that down?
Bard: Because she's going to blog it and make people think you're really stupid.
Bubble and Squeak
I always wondered what Bubble and Squeak was...now I know. I think I have a new favorite food...
CookingByNumbers.com: "Get C00king!
Bubble and Squeak - Serves 4
Ingredients
25g/ 1oz Butter
250/9ozg leftover vegetables Vegetables
450g/ 16oz Potatoes
Method
method: 1. Cook and mash the potatoes.
2. Mix the potatoes and the cooked veg together. Season generously with salt and pepper.
3. Form into little burger shapes and fry in the butter over a medium heat until browned then flip and do the same to the other side."
CookingByNumbers.com: "Get C00king!
Bubble and Squeak - Serves 4
Ingredients
25g/ 1oz Butter
250/9ozg leftover vegetables Vegetables
450g/ 16oz Potatoes
Method
method: 1. Cook and mash the potatoes.
2. Mix the potatoes and the cooked veg together. Season generously with salt and pepper.
3. Form into little burger shapes and fry in the butter over a medium heat until browned then flip and do the same to the other side."
CookingByNumbers.com
CookingByNumbers.com
I'm sure there are other sites where you can list the things you have in your fridge and it will tell you what you can make, but I wanted to share this one because I think this guy's verbage is a hoot. :-)
In his recipe for "filled baked potatoes," he gives the following directions:
1. Wash the potato to remove any mud etc. Prick with a fork and impale on a skewer.
2. Cook in a hot oven at 210*C for about an hour. It is cooked when the skin is crisp and the potato is creamy inside.
3. Cut in half and add a knob of butter.
4. The potato with any filling you like. A few sugestions are: Baked beans and cheese, sour cream and chives, chilli, salad cream and salad.
I'd never thought of using words like "mud," "impale," and "knob" when cooking. ;-)
Check it out. His recipes actually look kind of fun and some are simple for kids. And if you go to this part of the site, he gives pictorials of different kitchen skills like chopping an onion, peeling a tomato, cooking rice and couscous, and making a white sauce.
The site's a little squirley (I entered that I had potatoes, and it gave me recipes for potatoes, but it said I was missing a key ingredient...potatoes), but I just like reading the recipes to see him use words like "give it a go" and "smashing taste sensation." It just conjurs up images of Hugh Grant in the kitchen. ;-)
I'm sure there are other sites where you can list the things you have in your fridge and it will tell you what you can make, but I wanted to share this one because I think this guy's verbage is a hoot. :-)
In his recipe for "filled baked potatoes," he gives the following directions:
1. Wash the potato to remove any mud etc. Prick with a fork and impale on a skewer.
2. Cook in a hot oven at 210*C for about an hour. It is cooked when the skin is crisp and the potato is creamy inside.
3. Cut in half and add a knob of butter.
4. The potato with any filling you like. A few sugestions are: Baked beans and cheese, sour cream and chives, chilli, salad cream and salad.
I'd never thought of using words like "mud," "impale," and "knob" when cooking. ;-)
Check it out. His recipes actually look kind of fun and some are simple for kids. And if you go to this part of the site, he gives pictorials of different kitchen skills like chopping an onion, peeling a tomato, cooking rice and couscous, and making a white sauce.
The site's a little squirley (I entered that I had potatoes, and it gave me recipes for potatoes, but it said I was missing a key ingredient...potatoes), but I just like reading the recipes to see him use words like "give it a go" and "smashing taste sensation." It just conjurs up images of Hugh Grant in the kitchen. ;-)
Hind's Feet: 09/19/2004 - 09/25/2004
Hind's Feet: 09/19/2004 - 09/25/2004: "Verses for home schools..
'May my teaching drop as the rain, my speech distil as the dew, as the gentle rain upon the tender grass, and as the showers upon the herb.' - Deuteronomy 32:2"
testing
'May my teaching drop as the rain, my speech distil as the dew, as the gentle rain upon the tender grass, and as the showers upon the herb.' - Deuteronomy 32:2"
testing
A Verse for Learning
Thank you, Hind's Feet, for this verse:
'May my teaching drop as the rain, my speech distil as the dew, as the gentle rain upon the tender grass, and as the showers upon the herb.' - Deuteronomy 32:2
'May my teaching drop as the rain, my speech distil as the dew, as the gentle rain upon the tender grass, and as the showers upon the herb.' - Deuteronomy 32:2
Thursday, October 21, 2004
A Date with a Bohemian
Here I am, blogging along, minding my own business, when who should darken my door but...my HUSBAND! What on earth is HE doing here?
I mean, yeah, he lives here and all, but he's home two hours early and I haven't...well, I haven't done much of anything, really.
Okay, that's actually not true. I Freecycled for an almost-new set of box springs so that I don't have to sleep six inches lower than Bo. And, will wonders never cease, this amazing man of mine is home not just on time, but EARLY so we can take a trip to the Big City to pick up my new find.
Here's the truth: sometimes you get really crappy stuff on Freecycle. I'm not even exaggerating. I seriously mean that it's crappy. As in, covered in crap. I freecycled for a recliner and my dad swore someone must have died in it. It took him three hours to hose it down. Yes, I did say hose it down. Now it's a nice chair. It just had a crappy job.
So when you're heading to some stranger's house to pick up something for free without even seeing it first, yes, of course, there's risk involved. But it's FREE, see. So, if it's truly beyond-repair-crappy, it can go to the landfill. Some would argue that you could Freecycle it again, but that's just cruel.
I've picked up some great thing through Freecycle! Really! I LOVE my Freecycled couch. It's the same couch that's in the banner above. We have a way-cool piano that we Freecycled. I have an awesome working second refrigerator. Freecycled. Lewis, our black lab brat (also in the banner above)--Freecycled.
So it's a hit and miss thing, really. And I think you can get a vibe from someone's post, too. Okay, my prejudice is showing, but I do appreciate an attempt at good grammar and at least a modicum of properly spelled words (don't check my entries for grammar errors--they're all stream of consciousness, so cut me some slack. And did I spell "modicum" right?).
Since we're on the budget dating system, leaving the kids with Papa and Bard, a hop in the pickup truck to freecycle a set of box springs (box springs...is/are that/they plural??) and a shared dinner out is about it for the budget. That, and a 69 cent DVD rental.
That was the plan.
Don't you just love it when the plan actually works?
The box spring/s was/were awesome, I was able to talk Bohemian into a stop at the pet shop where I only broke down enough to buy crickets for One-Eyed Wilma my free-range chameleon and a hermit crab for Sweetheart. Don't ask me why little miss Tu-Tu wants a hermit crab. She just does.
And then we actually ate dinner together. The only interruption was the Red Sox/Yankees game and a very attentive server.
Then home for unloading the box spring/s, blogging, playing with Hermit (what else would a five-year-old name her hermit crab?), prayers for the kids, and, finally, at 1:00 AM, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
Actually, that wasn't the final part of the date. After the movie, we both lay in bed talking until I could no longer keep my eyes open. When the time between Bo's questions and my answers grew to 45 seconds, and my answers began to have nothing to do with his questions, he let me sleep.
That was my date with Bohemian, the love of my life.
I mean, yeah, he lives here and all, but he's home two hours early and I haven't...well, I haven't done much of anything, really.
Okay, that's actually not true. I Freecycled for an almost-new set of box springs so that I don't have to sleep six inches lower than Bo. And, will wonders never cease, this amazing man of mine is home not just on time, but EARLY so we can take a trip to the Big City to pick up my new find.
Here's the truth: sometimes you get really crappy stuff on Freecycle. I'm not even exaggerating. I seriously mean that it's crappy. As in, covered in crap. I freecycled for a recliner and my dad swore someone must have died in it. It took him three hours to hose it down. Yes, I did say hose it down. Now it's a nice chair. It just had a crappy job.
So when you're heading to some stranger's house to pick up something for free without even seeing it first, yes, of course, there's risk involved. But it's FREE, see. So, if it's truly beyond-repair-crappy, it can go to the landfill. Some would argue that you could Freecycle it again, but that's just cruel.
I've picked up some great thing through Freecycle! Really! I LOVE my Freecycled couch. It's the same couch that's in the banner above. We have a way-cool piano that we Freecycled. I have an awesome working second refrigerator. Freecycled. Lewis, our black lab brat (also in the banner above)--Freecycled.
My Awesome, Comfy, Freecycled Sofa
So it's a hit and miss thing, really. And I think you can get a vibe from someone's post, too. Okay, my prejudice is showing, but I do appreciate an attempt at good grammar and at least a modicum of properly spelled words (don't check my entries for grammar errors--they're all stream of consciousness, so cut me some slack. And did I spell "modicum" right?).
Since we're on the budget dating system, leaving the kids with Papa and Bard, a hop in the pickup truck to freecycle a set of box springs (box springs...is/are that/they plural??) and a shared dinner out is about it for the budget. That, and a 69 cent DVD rental.
That was the plan.
Don't you just love it when the plan actually works?
The box spring/s was/were awesome, I was able to talk Bohemian into a stop at the pet shop where I only broke down enough to buy crickets for One-Eyed Wilma my free-range chameleon and a hermit crab for Sweetheart. Don't ask me why little miss Tu-Tu wants a hermit crab. She just does.
And then we actually ate dinner together. The only interruption was the Red Sox/Yankees game and a very attentive server.
Then home for unloading the box spring/s, blogging, playing with Hermit (what else would a five-year-old name her hermit crab?), prayers for the kids, and, finally, at 1:00 AM, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
Actually, that wasn't the final part of the date. After the movie, we both lay in bed talking until I could no longer keep my eyes open. When the time between Bo's questions and my answers grew to 45 seconds, and my answers began to have nothing to do with his questions, he let me sleep.
That was my date with Bohemian, the love of my life.
Scrabble Chaos
We just finished playing Scrabble with modifications. Any word counts, including names and slang, you can trade tiles with any player, and younger players don't have to play off of an existing word.
It took forever.
Sweetheart quit because she couldn't spell her name yet again, Monet took forever, and Baby wanted to nurse or blow her nose every 45 seconds. I finally had to modify the modifications. After one minute, you forfeit your turn.
I have to go now. Baby is screaming to nurse (it's naptime...and she could probably use one, too) and there's pink lipstick on my keyboard, thanks to Sweetheart.
It took forever.
Sweetheart quit because she couldn't spell her name yet again, Monet took forever, and Baby wanted to nurse or blow her nose every 45 seconds. I finally had to modify the modifications. After one minute, you forfeit your turn.
I have to go now. Baby is screaming to nurse (it's naptime...and she could probably use one, too) and there's pink lipstick on my keyboard, thanks to Sweetheart.
Okay, I take it back...
Here are the things I've done today:
FreeCycled for a brand-new, in-the-box, desktop 3-gallon aquarium which will be a Christmas gift.
Saw Bard and Bohemian off--him to work, her to choral practice.
Had a long talk with Houdin about how his brain functions and how he and I could learn to get along better.
Made my bed.
Cared for all of my animals.
Spent time working on finger-training one of our budgies.
Read the mail.
Nursed Baby all day long every 45 seconds.
FreeCycled for a brand-new, in-the-box, desktop 3-gallon aquarium which will be a Christmas gift.
Saw Bard and Bohemian off--him to work, her to choral practice.
Had a long talk with Houdin about how his brain functions and how he and I could learn to get along better.
Made my bed.
Cared for all of my animals.
Spent time working on finger-training one of our budgies.
Read the mail.
Nursed Baby all day long every 45 seconds.
Getting Nothing Done
There's not much more to say about it than that. Baby's got a cold, the house is quiet (though I'm not sure why...the kids are all still here--aren't they???) and I can't seem to leave my bedroom.
So, aside from nursing Baby every 45 seconds and reading blogs, I'm really getting nothing done.
So, aside from nursing Baby every 45 seconds and reading blogs, I'm really getting nothing done.
dooce: I want my baby back, baby back, baby back
dooce: I want my baby back, baby back, baby back: "When you?re childless and young and hopeful you have this idea of what your children are going to be like, and you make mental notes when you see other kids in public. You say to yourself, ?My kid will be cute like that,? or ?My kid won?t ever throw a tantrum in public like that little demon.? I had always envisioned a sweet little princess who looked just like me sitting quietly in a high chair, her pressed velvet petticoat creased perfectly as she sat and waited to be handed things in a timely manner. And then you grow up and have kids and realize that YOU HAVE NO SAY, and the only clean thing she can wear is that over-sized red shirt that she will smear pears on before you leave the house, and that demon you once witnessed looks more and more human in hindsight."
Wednesday, October 20, 2004
How Crunchy Are You?
"So you think you're crunchy? Well, how crunchy are you?"
The crunchy factor indicates how much of a natural mama you are--you know, crunchy,
like a "granola girl." :-) Take this fun little quiz, and then see my score below!
Do you have homebirths?
15 points for “yes” (unassisted)
10 points for “yes” (with a midwife in attendance)
5 points for alternative birthing center
2 points for “thinking about/would like homebirth”
0 for “no” (wouldn’t consider it).
Will you circumcise future sons?
5 points for “no”
-5 points for “yes”.
Do you use cloth diapers?
20 point if you do Elimination Communication (no diapers)
15 points if “yes” (wash and make your own)
10 points if “yes” (wash your own)
5 points if “yes” (diaper service)
2 points if “thinking about it”
0 points if “no” (wouldn’t consider it).
Do you observe your fertility signals using Natural Family
Planning/Fertility Awareness and use that for birth control/trying to conceive?
10 points for “yes” (observe and use for birth control/ttc) or you use ecological
breastfeeding/lactational amnorrhea
5 points for “yes” (observe for trying to conceive)
2 points “thinking about it”
0 points for “no” (wouldn’t consider it).
Do you breastfeed exclusively for the first 6+ months?
10 points if “yes”
5 points for “no” (use occasional bottles of expressed breastmilk)
2 points for “no” (use occasional bottles of formula)
0 for “no” (don’t breastfeed by choice).
Do you co-sleep/family bed?
10 points for “yes” (all night every night)
5 points for “yes” (part/all of most nights)
2 points for “thinking about it”
0 points for “no”.
Do you use a sling/soft carrier?
5 points for “yes”
2 points for “thinking about it”
0 points for “no” (wouldn’t consider it).
Do you believe in/practice child-led weaning
(even if that means breastfeeding for several years)?
15 points for “yes” (complete child-led weaning)
10 points for “yes” (up to 3 years)
5 points for “yes” (up to 2 years)
2 points for “thinking about it”
0 points for “no” (you’ll wean the baby at 1 year or earlier).
Do you tandem nurse/nurse during your pregnancy?
10 points for “yes” (nurse during pgcy and tandem nurse)
5 points for “yes” (nurse during pgcy, but wean before birth)
2 points for “thinking about it”
0 points for “no”(wouldn’t consider it).
Do you eat organic/whole/natural foods and limit your meat?
15 points for “yes” (grow own/buy organic, shop only at health food store,
grind own wheat, vegetarian, etc.)
10 points for “yes” (grow some of own food, buy organic,
use whole wheat flour, bake own bread, eat some meat occasionally)
5 points for “yes” (try to buy natural, whole grain foods, etc.)
2 points for “thinking about it”
0 points for “no” (wouldn’t consider it).
Do you use herbal/homeopathic remedies?
10 points if “yes” (very rarely see a regular doctor)
5 points if “yes” (but use a doctor occasionally)
2 points if “thinking about it” (see a doc for now)
0 points for “no” (wouldn’t consider it).
Do you homeschool?
10 points if “yes” (currently homeschool)
5 points for “yes” (will homeschool)
2 points for “thinking about it”
0 points for “no” (wouldn’t consider it).
What's your take on childhood vaccinations?
15 points for no vaccines
10 for delayed, selective vaccination
5 points for selective, on schedule vaccination
2 points for thinking about not vaccinating
0 points for vaxing on schedule.
Would you/have you ever breastfeed/fed someone else's baby
or have someone else bf your child?
10 points if yes (have or someone has bf your baby)
5 points if yes (would)
2 points if maybe 0 if no (wouldn't consider it).
Do you use cloth/re-usable products for mom?
10 points if yes (make own)
5 points if yes (buy own)
2 points if thinking about it
0 points if no.
Ratings
120 – 140 Super Nutty, Ultra-Crunchy Granola Earth Mama
90 – 119 Mmm! Love that whole-grain crunch!
60 – 89 Pretty Crispy
20 – 59 Sprinkled with Granola
5 – 19 Instant Oatmeal
0 - 4 Jell-O
I scored 132--Super Nutty, Ultra-Crunchy Granola Earth Mama . :-) My "low score" (the highest you could score was 140) came from diapers (don't currently use cloth, though I have in the past), tandem nursing (never had that situation arise), and I use cloth pads exclusively, but I don't make them (never learned to sew).
This was so funny, because I've been doing most of this on my own since my babies were born and had the inclination to do such things before my babies were born, just because it "felt right," but I've never really had a support system with any of it except for my MIL (Thank you, K!). I never really knew that there was a definition for a person who did all these things...and now I'm crunchy!
For instance, I decided to homeschool my future children when I was in high school, which was in the mid-eighties. At that time, I read an article about homeschooling and how a California family was being taken to task for truancy because they were teaching their children at home. When I read that article, I knew that I would let my children learn at home.
As for cloth pads...again, they just feel right. I love the Luna Pads, especially the organic cotton ones. Bard uses them, too.
We do try to grow our own organic foods, but this summer, with building the house, I just didn't have the time or energy for a garden. I really missed it, though. We used to order almost all of our food from FORC (which is now United or Northeast or something) but it just got so expensive. We do drink raw milk when possible (about 60% of the time) and have a local source for it, and we drink goat milk when our goats are freshened.
As for NFP, Bohemian and I are certified instructors. :-) This, again, came from information from my MIL, and we've been using fertility awareness for 13 years now, both to achieve and avoid pregnancy. A friend of mine, Merryl Winstein, wrote the most bestest ever book on Fertility Awareness called Your Fertility Signals. It's so easy to understand and very well-written. Also, there's a fantastic site now called Ovusoft which is a co-project of Toni Weschler, author of Taking Charge of Your Fertility. She and a team of people have created a software program called TCOYF which helps to track your fertility based on the signals outlined in Weschler's book. The amazing thing to me, however, is the wealth of information on the site! There are hundreds of fertility charts from women in all different phases and situations with their fertility as well as thousands of posts in the online community! When I first began searching for information about NFP, there was NOTHING available. We actually had to seek out a nun to teach us NFP, and then we went and taught everyone who wouldn't tell us to go away (and several did). :-) Now, with sites like Ovusoft, there is a TON of support!
Now, about the diapers...what the heck is Elimination Communication??? I'll have to research this one!
Amazing...I finally got a high score on a test for which I didn't study. ;-)
The crunchy factor indicates how much of a natural mama you are--you know, crunchy,
like a "granola girl." :-) Take this fun little quiz, and then see my score below!
Do you have homebirths?
15 points for “yes” (unassisted)
10 points for “yes” (with a midwife in attendance)
5 points for alternative birthing center
2 points for “thinking about/would like homebirth”
0 for “no” (wouldn’t consider it).
Will you circumcise future sons?
5 points for “no”
-5 points for “yes”.
Do you use cloth diapers?
20 point if you do Elimination Communication (no diapers)
15 points if “yes” (wash and make your own)
10 points if “yes” (wash your own)
5 points if “yes” (diaper service)
2 points if “thinking about it”
0 points if “no” (wouldn’t consider it).
Do you observe your fertility signals using Natural Family
Planning/Fertility Awareness and use that for birth control/trying to conceive?
10 points for “yes” (observe and use for birth control/ttc) or you use ecological
breastfeeding/lactational amnorrhea
5 points for “yes” (observe for trying to conceive)
2 points “thinking about it”
0 points for “no” (wouldn’t consider it).
Do you breastfeed exclusively for the first 6+ months?
10 points if “yes”
5 points for “no” (use occasional bottles of expressed breastmilk)
2 points for “no” (use occasional bottles of formula)
0 for “no” (don’t breastfeed by choice).
Do you co-sleep/family bed?
10 points for “yes” (all night every night)
5 points for “yes” (part/all of most nights)
2 points for “thinking about it”
0 points for “no”.
Do you use a sling/soft carrier?
5 points for “yes”
2 points for “thinking about it”
0 points for “no” (wouldn’t consider it).
Do you believe in/practice child-led weaning
(even if that means breastfeeding for several years)?
15 points for “yes” (complete child-led weaning)
10 points for “yes” (up to 3 years)
5 points for “yes” (up to 2 years)
2 points for “thinking about it”
0 points for “no” (you’ll wean the baby at 1 year or earlier).
Do you tandem nurse/nurse during your pregnancy?
10 points for “yes” (nurse during pgcy and tandem nurse)
5 points for “yes” (nurse during pgcy, but wean before birth)
2 points for “thinking about it”
0 points for “no”(wouldn’t consider it).
Do you eat organic/whole/natural foods and limit your meat?
15 points for “yes” (grow own/buy organic, shop only at health food store,
grind own wheat, vegetarian, etc.)
10 points for “yes” (grow some of own food, buy organic,
use whole wheat flour, bake own bread, eat some meat occasionally)
5 points for “yes” (try to buy natural, whole grain foods, etc.)
2 points for “thinking about it”
0 points for “no” (wouldn’t consider it).
Do you use herbal/homeopathic remedies?
10 points if “yes” (very rarely see a regular doctor)
5 points if “yes” (but use a doctor occasionally)
2 points if “thinking about it” (see a doc for now)
0 points for “no” (wouldn’t consider it).
Do you homeschool?
10 points if “yes” (currently homeschool)
5 points for “yes” (will homeschool)
2 points for “thinking about it”
0 points for “no” (wouldn’t consider it).
What's your take on childhood vaccinations?
15 points for no vaccines
10 for delayed, selective vaccination
5 points for selective, on schedule vaccination
2 points for thinking about not vaccinating
0 points for vaxing on schedule.
Would you/have you ever breastfeed/fed someone else's baby
or have someone else bf your child?
10 points if yes (have or someone has bf your baby)
5 points if yes (would)
2 points if maybe 0 if no (wouldn't consider it).
Do you use cloth/re-usable products for mom?
10 points if yes (make own)
5 points if yes (buy own)
2 points if thinking about it
0 points if no.
Ratings
120 – 140 Super Nutty, Ultra-Crunchy Granola Earth Mama
90 – 119 Mmm! Love that whole-grain crunch!
60 – 89 Pretty Crispy
20 – 59 Sprinkled with Granola
5 – 19 Instant Oatmeal
0 - 4 Jell-O
I scored 132--Super Nutty, Ultra-Crunchy Granola Earth Mama . :-) My "low score" (the highest you could score was 140) came from diapers (don't currently use cloth, though I have in the past), tandem nursing (never had that situation arise), and I use cloth pads exclusively, but I don't make them (never learned to sew).
This was so funny, because I've been doing most of this on my own since my babies were born and had the inclination to do such things before my babies were born, just because it "felt right," but I've never really had a support system with any of it except for my MIL (Thank you, K!). I never really knew that there was a definition for a person who did all these things...and now I'm crunchy!
For instance, I decided to homeschool my future children when I was in high school, which was in the mid-eighties. At that time, I read an article about homeschooling and how a California family was being taken to task for truancy because they were teaching their children at home. When I read that article, I knew that I would let my children learn at home.
As for cloth pads...again, they just feel right. I love the Luna Pads, especially the organic cotton ones. Bard uses them, too.
We do try to grow our own organic foods, but this summer, with building the house, I just didn't have the time or energy for a garden. I really missed it, though. We used to order almost all of our food from FORC (which is now United or Northeast or something) but it just got so expensive. We do drink raw milk when possible (about 60% of the time) and have a local source for it, and we drink goat milk when our goats are freshened.
As for NFP, Bohemian and I are certified instructors. :-) This, again, came from information from my MIL, and we've been using fertility awareness for 13 years now, both to achieve and avoid pregnancy. A friend of mine, Merryl Winstein, wrote the most bestest ever book on Fertility Awareness called Your Fertility Signals. It's so easy to understand and very well-written. Also, there's a fantastic site now called Ovusoft which is a co-project of Toni Weschler, author of Taking Charge of Your Fertility. She and a team of people have created a software program called TCOYF which helps to track your fertility based on the signals outlined in Weschler's book. The amazing thing to me, however, is the wealth of information on the site! There are hundreds of fertility charts from women in all different phases and situations with their fertility as well as thousands of posts in the online community! When I first began searching for information about NFP, there was NOTHING available. We actually had to seek out a nun to teach us NFP, and then we went and taught everyone who wouldn't tell us to go away (and several did). :-) Now, with sites like Ovusoft, there is a TON of support!
Now, about the diapers...what the heck is Elimination Communication??? I'll have to research this one!
Amazing...I finally got a high score on a test for which I didn't study. ;-)
Life in a Swing State
It's getting so I can hardly answer my telephone.
At least three times a day for the past week, I've answered the telephone only to hear a recording of a "supporter" of one or the other presidential candidate. Well, most are recordings. A few have been live people. Every single one of them has been annoying.
It's not that I'm disinterested in politics. It's just that I choose to research my political information on my own time. And it's usually not while I'm making dinner, doing lessons or nursing the baby.
The first call came while I was trying to get Baby calmed down for a nap. When I first heard the recorded voice, I assumed it was a telemarketer and wondered how they slipped through the do-not-call list. But as I listened, I realized that it was a public service announcement...forced on me through my telephone! I listened, hoping there would be an opportunity for comment at the end, something like, "Press or say 1 if this call was helpful. Press or say 2 if this call was extremely inconvenient and annoying." No such luck.
I tried dialing *69 to see if I could back to tell them how ineffectual their call was on me, that I was so disgruntled by their waking my baby that I couldn't hear a thing they were saying. But the *69 attempt was unsuccessful. While they have my number, can call me and give a one-sided monologue, I'm just stuck being annoyed and inconvenienced. For the record, this particular call was from the campaign headquarters of the candidate I support. Had it been a telemarketer, I'd never buy from that company again. It's almost enough to make a voting person join the ranks of the non-voters...almost. Not voting, unfortunately, is just not an option for me. Still, these very inconsiderate bargings into my private home on my time make me want to stay out of politics altogether.
This morning, I answered the phone to hear a real live person ask for me by name. When I responded that, why yes, it was I and prepared myself for a pleasant conversation with an old friend or even the unpleasant ultimatum of a bill collector. Instead, she identified herself as a so-and-so supporter (though did not give her name) and asked me who I "supported." Am I wrong on this, or aren't one's voting choices still a private matter? Asking who I support and asking for whom I will be voting is the *same thing.* I listened to her stumble through her obviously unscripted speech about why the opposing candidate was a loser, telling me all of the stupid things he'd ever said, and briefly mentioning that she thought her candidate was "promising."Maybe, I thought as I continued to balance my checkbook, I'll turn the tables on this caller. Maybe, instead of trying to get rid of her, she'll have to try to get rid of me. Maybe I'll be the one who doesn't just *not* hang up...but *won't* hang up. So I listened to her unscripted diatribe without comment for several minutes more, hearing her wander further and further into desperate babbling as she realized that this was as much of a one-sided conversation as all of those recorded messages. I was wondering how she was going to wind this conversation up when, finally, she stumbled for the words to say to close the conversation. "Well, just think about what I said," she finished. "Goodbye," I responded, politely but finally.
In actuality, I can't think about what she said. I was too wrapped up in feeling intruded upon to consciously hear her words. But maybe these tele-campaigners already know this. Maybe they're just hoping for the subliminal factor to take over.
Living in this Amish community, I've found that the Amish are targeted in the "swinging" match, too, even if they aren't running to their phone booths to answer the tele-campaigners daily calls. Holmes County, which includes Ohio's largest concentration of Amish, registered the second-highest vote for Bush in the state last time around, with 73.9 percent in his favor. Rumor has it that there is a push to get more voters registered in our community, perhaps to get the non-voting Amish to join the ranks of the voting Amish. This article was recently published in a neighboring city's paper. In it, the reporter quotes an Amish bookkeeper who says that he believes most Amish don't vote. Talking to my Amish neighbor, however, this isn't the case. Aden and Laura, an Old Order Amish couple, will be riding with us to the voting booth.
I had just read the above-mentioned article shortly before Bohemian and I had a conversation with Aden about the upcoming election. In the article, the reporter asks an Old Order Amishman about his voting bent.
I ask Aden what he hears from his Amish friends and neighbors.
"Most of the people I know will vote," Aden tells me. He mentions the Bush/Cheney sign at the end of his lane. I've seen similar signs in the yards of other Amish homes, though the article mentions that there are possibly Amish Kerry supporters, as well.
"There's no question for me. I'll vote for Bush," Aden says. "At least I know he's a praying man."
The conversation flows that direction for a while, Bohemian and Aden both agreeing that Kerry makes no show of religion, which the past three presidents have done.
"I think that, when it comes time to make a decision, Bush is on his knees talking to God."
Kerry, on the other hand, doesn't make any allusions to his political decisions being guided by a higher power. In this article, John Kerry states, " I fully intend to continue to practice my religion as separately from what I do with respect to my public life, and that's the way it ought to be in America."
I asked Aden if it's difficult, in an election like this, to make a decision about these two opposing political candidates when your very faith and culture pull you in two different directions. While the Amish culture is religiously conservative (which is not to say that all Amish are religious or conservative), they're also a pacifist group. Aden said that, for him, there's no question.
"Well," Aden says, "Ladies' Home Journal had both Laura Bush and Kerry's wife on the front. Kerry's wife just doesn't look like a first lady at all."
When you live in a swing-state, when your head is spinning from the thousands of opinions and dozens of phone calls, I guess that reasoning makes about as much sense as any I've heard the tele-campaigners give so far.
At least three times a day for the past week, I've answered the telephone only to hear a recording of a "supporter" of one or the other presidential candidate. Well, most are recordings. A few have been live people. Every single one of them has been annoying.
It's not that I'm disinterested in politics. It's just that I choose to research my political information on my own time. And it's usually not while I'm making dinner, doing lessons or nursing the baby.
The first call came while I was trying to get Baby calmed down for a nap. When I first heard the recorded voice, I assumed it was a telemarketer and wondered how they slipped through the do-not-call list. But as I listened, I realized that it was a public service announcement...forced on me through my telephone! I listened, hoping there would be an opportunity for comment at the end, something like, "Press or say 1 if this call was helpful. Press or say 2 if this call was extremely inconvenient and annoying." No such luck.
I tried dialing *69 to see if I could back to tell them how ineffectual their call was on me, that I was so disgruntled by their waking my baby that I couldn't hear a thing they were saying. But the *69 attempt was unsuccessful. While they have my number, can call me and give a one-sided monologue, I'm just stuck being annoyed and inconvenienced. For the record, this particular call was from the campaign headquarters of the candidate I support. Had it been a telemarketer, I'd never buy from that company again. It's almost enough to make a voting person join the ranks of the non-voters...almost. Not voting, unfortunately, is just not an option for me. Still, these very inconsiderate bargings into my private home on my time make me want to stay out of politics altogether.
This morning, I answered the phone to hear a real live person ask for me by name. When I responded that, why yes, it was I and prepared myself for a pleasant conversation with an old friend or even the unpleasant ultimatum of a bill collector. Instead, she identified herself as a so-and-so supporter (though did not give her name) and asked me who I "supported." Am I wrong on this, or aren't one's voting choices still a private matter? Asking who I support and asking for whom I will be voting is the *same thing.* I listened to her stumble through her obviously unscripted speech about why the opposing candidate was a loser, telling me all of the stupid things he'd ever said, and briefly mentioning that she thought her candidate was "promising."Maybe, I thought as I continued to balance my checkbook, I'll turn the tables on this caller. Maybe, instead of trying to get rid of her, she'll have to try to get rid of me. Maybe I'll be the one who doesn't just *not* hang up...but *won't* hang up. So I listened to her unscripted diatribe without comment for several minutes more, hearing her wander further and further into desperate babbling as she realized that this was as much of a one-sided conversation as all of those recorded messages. I was wondering how she was going to wind this conversation up when, finally, she stumbled for the words to say to close the conversation. "Well, just think about what I said," she finished. "Goodbye," I responded, politely but finally.
In actuality, I can't think about what she said. I was too wrapped up in feeling intruded upon to consciously hear her words. But maybe these tele-campaigners already know this. Maybe they're just hoping for the subliminal factor to take over.
Living in this Amish community, I've found that the Amish are targeted in the "swinging" match, too, even if they aren't running to their phone booths to answer the tele-campaigners daily calls. Holmes County, which includes Ohio's largest concentration of Amish, registered the second-highest vote for Bush in the state last time around, with 73.9 percent in his favor. Rumor has it that there is a push to get more voters registered in our community, perhaps to get the non-voting Amish to join the ranks of the voting Amish. This article was recently published in a neighboring city's paper. In it, the reporter quotes an Amish bookkeeper who says that he believes most Amish don't vote. Talking to my Amish neighbor, however, this isn't the case. Aden and Laura, an Old Order Amish couple, will be riding with us to the voting booth.
I had just read the above-mentioned article shortly before Bohemian and I had a conversation with Aden about the upcoming election. In the article, the reporter asks an Old Order Amishman about his voting bent.
But what about the war, I ask. Doesn't that create a moral conflict?
Miller says that, while he doesn't support the war, he does support the troops, and he respects the president's decisiveness. And the war is counterbalanced in his mind by Bush's stance against abortion and gay marriage, and by his support of independent businessmen like himself. But his respect goes beyond platform topics.
I ask Aden what he hears from his Amish friends and neighbors.
"Most of the people I know will vote," Aden tells me. He mentions the Bush/Cheney sign at the end of his lane. I've seen similar signs in the yards of other Amish homes, though the article mentions that there are possibly Amish Kerry supporters, as well.
"There's no question for me. I'll vote for Bush," Aden says. "At least I know he's a praying man."
The conversation flows that direction for a while, Bohemian and Aden both agreeing that Kerry makes no show of religion, which the past three presidents have done.
"I think that, when it comes time to make a decision, Bush is on his knees talking to God."
Kerry, on the other hand, doesn't make any allusions to his political decisions being guided by a higher power. In this article, John Kerry states, " I fully intend to continue to practice my religion as separately from what I do with respect to my public life, and that's the way it ought to be in America."
I asked Aden if it's difficult, in an election like this, to make a decision about these two opposing political candidates when your very faith and culture pull you in two different directions. While the Amish culture is religiously conservative (which is not to say that all Amish are religious or conservative), they're also a pacifist group. Aden said that, for him, there's no question.
"Well," Aden says, "Ladies' Home Journal had both Laura Bush and Kerry's wife on the front. Kerry's wife just doesn't look like a first lady at all."
When you live in a swing-state, when your head is spinning from the thousands of opinions and dozens of phone calls, I guess that reasoning makes about as much sense as any I've heard the tele-campaigners give so far.
Guilt-Free Homeschooling Homeschool Blog
Guilt-Free Homeschooling Homeschool Blog: "Guilt-Free Homeschooling is achieved by
1) Doing what God has asked you to do, not what all of your friends or relatives are doing or may expect you to do.
2) Spending some time reflecting on all your reasons for educating your children at home and writing those reasons down so you can look back over them whenever you need a reminder.
3) Looking after your own family's needs first and only extending your efforts to others as you have the time, energy, and resources to do so. (Your own family should not suffer because you are taking care of others' needs instead of theirs.)
4) Reserving time occasionally for your family to interact with other homeschooling families (Moms, Dads, and children) for educational activities, for fellowship, for support, or just for fun."
I just finished reading this portion of Guilt-Free Homeschooling, and it makes so much sense. I think I need some time to reflect on this...
1) Doing what God has asked you to do, not what all of your friends or relatives are doing or may expect you to do.
2) Spending some time reflecting on all your reasons for educating your children at home and writing those reasons down so you can look back over them whenever you need a reminder.
3) Looking after your own family's needs first and only extending your efforts to others as you have the time, energy, and resources to do so. (Your own family should not suffer because you are taking care of others' needs instead of theirs.)
4) Reserving time occasionally for your family to interact with other homeschooling families (Moms, Dads, and children) for educational activities, for fellowship, for support, or just for fun."
I just finished reading this portion of Guilt-Free Homeschooling, and it makes so much sense. I think I need some time to reflect on this...
New Look
I just finished putting up a new banner created in Adobe Photoshop Elements based on a photo from LeeAnne Martin Photography and edited by me. Blogger was giving me fits, so it took forever, and now I'm pooped!
Goodnight!
Goodnight!
Tuesday, October 19, 2004
While exploring Jane Goodall's web-based curriculum "Lessons for Hope," I was pleased to find her example of one of the exercises. The curriculum instructs the student to draw a tree (it also gives a PDF booklet that you can print out which actually instructs the students on how to sketch different types of trees...very helpful!). As part of the lesson, the student can view Dr. Goodall's sketch. I was so pleased to discover what she wrote in the roots and trunk of her tree. If you can't read it in this view, click on the photo and read it in a larger view.
Reason, Season or Lifetime Friends
Reason, Season or Lifetime Friends:
Reason, Season, or Lifetime Friends
When someone is in your life for a reason, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed outwardly or inwardly. S/he has come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually.
S/he is there to meet a need. Then without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, s/he will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes s/he dies. Sometimes s/he walks away. Sometimes s/he acts up or out and forces you to take a stand. What we must realize is that the need has been met.
When a person comes into your life for a season, it is because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn. S/he may bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. S/he may teach you something you have never done. S/he usually gives you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Lifetime relationships teach you lifetime lessons. Those things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. You must accept the lesson, love the person/people anyway, and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.
Source: Anonymous
Reason, Season, or Lifetime Friends
When someone is in your life for a reason, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed outwardly or inwardly. S/he has come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually.
S/he is there to meet a need. Then without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, s/he will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes s/he dies. Sometimes s/he walks away. Sometimes s/he acts up or out and forces you to take a stand. What we must realize is that the need has been met.
When a person comes into your life for a season, it is because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn. S/he may bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. S/he may teach you something you have never done. S/he usually gives you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Lifetime relationships teach you lifetime lessons. Those things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. You must accept the lesson, love the person/people anyway, and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.
Source: Anonymous
Lessons for Hope
Teacher's Guide:
Lessons for Hope is a web-based, high school curriculum inspired by Jane Goodall's book, Reason for Hope. In Jane's book, she expresses optimism for the future and the belief that every individual can make a difference. Lessons for Hope communicates these ideas to students through activities that:
~Empower them to implement their own real-world solutions to problems in their communities and the environment.
~Integrate service-learning, character education, and humane education.
~Are developed and classroom-tested by educators and the Center for Applied Technologies in Education.
~Are aligned with national standards.
I have forwarded this link to Bard, who showed an interest in studying ecology and have invited her to complete the curriculum.
Lessons for Hope is a web-based, high school curriculum inspired by Jane Goodall's book, Reason for Hope. In Jane's book, she expresses optimism for the future and the belief that every individual can make a difference. Lessons for Hope communicates these ideas to students through activities that:
~Empower them to implement their own real-world solutions to problems in their communities and the environment.
~Integrate service-learning, character education, and humane education.
~Are developed and classroom-tested by educators and the Center for Applied Technologies in Education.
~Are aligned with national standards.
I have forwarded this link to Bard, who showed an interest in studying ecology and have invited her to complete the curriculum.
Meeting Jane Goodall
Jane Goodall
Many times, I have heard famous or accomplished people relate stories that inspire me to be a better mother. On Monday, September 27th, we battled disorganization and a lack of vehicles to make a trip to a very special meeting to hear such a story--a visit from Jane Goodall.Our Roots & Shoots coordinator had called me many months before to tell me that Jane would be visiting our Roots & Shoots group sometime in September, but we didn't have an exact date. When she called to give me the date and time, it happened to be on a Monday afternoon, which was choral practice day, and we also happened to be without a vehicle, since both our van and Jeep had broken down and were in the process of being repaired.
I sent an e-mail to my dear friend R. who has a passenger van and asked if he might be able to spare it for the day. Very kindly, he allowed us to use his van, and we were on our way!
Getting out of the house is always stressful for me. This day seemed to be so very high on the stress charts that I'm surprised we all survived. There were bad attitudes running through the family, disorganization was running rampant, and we were still in the process of trying to prepare for our family gathering. Shooing everyone to the van, I gathered all of our necessary things (diaper bags, choir supplies, and the parents' association snack I had signed up to take to choir. Oh, and the camera, the things the kids wanted to give to Jane Goodall, our friend's dog Stuart, who we'd been keeping for the week. And, of course, the kids). After a blowup with my dad over some stupid little issue that was just big enough to put us behind schedule, we left the driveway. About 3/4 of the way down the lane, Sweetheart yelled out that she'd forgotten her shoes! It wasn't until I had pulled out of the drive, turned around and pulled back into the drive that she realized she really did have them!
Feeling overwhelmed, we made our way quickly to the high school where Jane would be speaking. All the way, the kids were grumbling and complaining, feelings had been hurt in our attempt to get out of the house on time, and tensions were running high.
When we arrived at the school, none of us was speaking to the other. I found it impossible to hide my frustration when approached by my friend Sara* and her daughters. "I don't think I'll go anywhere again as long as I live," I sighed. "When I get home, I'm locking myself in my bedroom with a bottle of wine and I'm never leaving the house again." This is a pretty desperate statement for me.
I don't drink.
My friend Sara
Our group coordinator, Geo, has wanted to meet Jane for many years. She calls it a dream of hers to meet Jane Goodall. So even had I not wanted to be there, I would have gone just to see Geo meet Jane and take a few photos.
Geo and Jane
But, the thing is, I DID want to be there. I wanted my children to meet this woman who had pursued her interests, who had pressed on in the face of adversity, and who had found creative ways to meet her goals. To me, it seemed a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet with one of the great women of our time, and I didn't want my kids to miss it. For that matter, neither did I.
Monet, Sweetheart, Bard and Houdin listening to Jane speak
So I took photos, watched and listened as people talked about how Jane's life had inspired them, about what they've been doing to help their communities and their environments.
While she spoke, I thought about a story I'd heard Jane once tell and I thought I'd ask her to tell it again, but before I had a chance, she began the story, which is told on her website:
Jane recalls, "I have been interested in animals since before I can remember. When I was four years old, I stayed on a farm where I helped to collect hen's eggs. I became puzzled and asked those around me, 'Where is the hole big enough for the eggs to come out?' When no one answered to my satisfaction, I hid in a small, stuffy hen house for some four hours to find out. When my mother saw me rushing toward the house, she noticed my excitement. Instead of scolding me for disappearing for so long (the family had even called the police!), she sat down and listened to me tell the wonderful story of how a hen lays an egg."
Jane's favorite books as a child were about animals, including
The Story of Dr. Dolittle, The Jungle Book, and the Tarzan books. By the age of 10 or 11, Jane dreamed of going to Africa to live with animals. This was quite a radical aspiration in those days, as young girls did not think of embarking on such "wild" adventures. But Jane had encouragement from her mother who told her, "Jane, if you really want something, and if you work hard, take advantage of the opportunities, and never give up, you will somehow find a way."
This was so inspiring to me, I almost cried. In this bit of story, Jane summed up the very reason why I want my children to learn at home. She didn't say that she was given the freedom to learn these things in school. She didn't cite as her inspiration an incident with a teacher or other person. Where she learned one of her most valuable lessons was at home. The person who gave her such encouragement and inspiration was her own mother.
This both inspires and humbles me.
I learn this lesson very hard. So often, I get tired, cranky, distracted and selfish, and I find it very difficult to give five children the inspiration and encouragement that they need. Even on that day, after meeting Jane, I was frustrated and angry because of the constant bickering that my children do.
But, I have to look at the big picture. My children inspire me, too.
After all of the other adults and children lined up asking Jane for her autograph or asking her to have their photo taken with them, my children approached her.
First it was Houdin. He had adapted the classic paddle trick, personalizing it so that, when he had finished the trick, he produced a gift for Jane. The trick goes like this...you show a person both sides of stick which has nothing but rubber bands wrapped around it. After "waving your hand" over the stick, suddenly, five pennies appear under the bands! Show the audience both sides of the stick again, proving that the pennies and bands are on both sides of the stick, and then wave your hands to drop the pennies and bands in her hand. Show her both sides of the stick to show that they're blank and empty, wave your hand, and then...Presto! The stick has the word "Jane" written across it. :-) Jane was amazed and graciously accepted the gift Houdin gave her.
Jane and Houdin
The trick was even more touching since, during her talk, Jane had shared about a friend of hers who had given her a stuffed monkey (not a chimp...it had a tail) and that her friend had been blind for many years. He had wanted to become a magician, but everyone told him that he wouldn't be able to do that because of his lack of sight. Not only does he do magic, she says, but he snorkles, climbs and sky dives! This was another inspiring story of setting one's mind to something and not giving up, in spite of others' discouragement.
Monet had drawn a beautiful picture of a chimp and gave it to Jane. He showed her the postcard he had modeled it from, and she offered to sign the postcard for him. At first, she tried to give the drawing back, not realizing that it was a gift, but Monet told her that it was just for her. She asked him to sign his drawing while she signed the postcard, which had been a gift from Bard to Monet from her trip to St. Louis.
Jane, Monet and Sweetheart
Sweetheart had also made a drawing for Jane...suns, moons and stars plus an invitation to our Open House. :-) While waiting, Sweetheart had accidentally spilled pink punch all over the drawing, but this didn't stop her from handing it over, and it didn't stop Jane from taking it. "Oh, this is covered in a delightful pink goo!" Jane commented. :-)
In retrospect, I see that my children have been allowed to pursue their interests at home, and that they delight in sharing those interests with others.
I still have a long way to go. I lose my patience daily. I think that's why it's so very important to have people like Jane Goodall who share their inspiring stories and keep us motivated and sustained.
*Footnote: Sara so kindly remembered my desperate comment and brought me a bottle of wine as a housewarming gift. Thank you, Sara. :-)
The rest of the photos of our meeting with Jane Goodall are
Our Schedule
We have come up with a daily schedule that works. While it needs a few tweaks and adjustments, and does not cover all of the bases, it's much better than the chaos of having no schedule at all, which is what I've felt like we've been doing since we've moved into the house.
I have always had schedules and/or lists for the kids, and there has always been an understanding that certain things get done before other things. Where I think I've failed in the past is in making a schedule based on time as opposed to activities. One of the reasons we homeschool is to set our own schedule! So if we find that we're enjoying a book, why stop because the schedule says it's time to go on to the next activity? If we're focusing on handwriting, why let the clock dictate when we're through? Instead, we do a task until it's done and then move on to the next. Some will not get done, some things may be added in order to be flexible, but at least we have daily goals.
And here they are:
- Get Dressed
- Brush hair, teeth and put lotion on (my kids have ichthyosis, which is a chronic dry skin condition and requires several daily applications of high-quality moisturizer)
- Straighten room
- Make bed
- Animal chores and training
- Breakfast
- Poetry reading/Bible Reading during breakfast (right now, we're reading The Song of Hiawatha again)
- Dishes and cleanup
- Daily work:
Monday--Mirrors, Microwave
Tuesday--Toilets, Tubs and Toys (sort)
Wednesday--Windows, wash clothes, water plants
Thursday--Things that didn't get done
Friday--Floors, Fridge
Saturday--Sinks,stoves
- Chapter book reading (right now, we're reading Little House in the Big Woods)
- Handwriting Practice
- Maths (right now, it's flashcards to help memorize facts)
- Independent Reading and Book or Chapter Report/Mom does reading lesson with Sweetheart
- Assignments/projects until lunch
- Lunch and cleanup
- Journaling (together)
- Quiet time
- Plans, projects or free time until dinner
- Dinner and cleanup
- Oral presentations or projects
- Free time until chapter book reading
- Ten-minute Tidy (everyone cleans while the clock is set for ten minutes)
- Pajamas,brush teeth
- Chapter book reading (Little House in the Big Woods)
- Songs--Bohemian plays guitar and we all sing
- Individual time and prayers from Mom or Dad
- Bedtime--may read until Lights Out (about a half hour)
- Lights Out
Monday, October 18, 2004
Chili Hill!
Last night we headed over to our friends Steve and Sara's for their annual Chili Supper--a bit late, but better late than early, I always say!
Each year, Steve and Sara fill a huge cast-iron pot with all of the chili fixins and cook it over a fire for half the day. At noon, the chili is ready to be served and people come from all around to partake. There is no cost and no donation bucket. Steve says he does it because he loves to see people get to know one another and interact, people who might not have had a reason to meet in other circles.
This was our second year to visit chili Hill, evidenced by the boards hanging on Steve's wall that bear our signatures. Another annual tradition is that Steve nails a board to the side of his shop and visitors make their mark. Each board is taken down after the event and used to panel the inside of his shop.
Steve's shop is a veritable museum of his life! A constant tinkerer and professional maintenance guy, Steve has collected things from his lifetime to hang on the ceiling and walls of the large outbuilding. The walls display father's day and birthday cards from his girls. Sara's house is a veritable inspiration! She sews, cooks, raises animals, makes crafts, does stuff with her kids...wow.
We had a blast. Thanks, Steve and Sara, for being such good hosts. Thanks to those Girls you have, too. They're such sweeties. Can't wait til next year's Chili Hill. Maybe we'll get there on time next year!
Each year, Steve and Sara fill a huge cast-iron pot with all of the chili fixins and cook it over a fire for half the day. At noon, the chili is ready to be served and people come from all around to partake. There is no cost and no donation bucket. Steve says he does it because he loves to see people get to know one another and interact, people who might not have had a reason to meet in other circles.
This was our second year to visit chili Hill, evidenced by the boards hanging on Steve's wall that bear our signatures. Another annual tradition is that Steve nails a board to the side of his shop and visitors make their mark. Each board is taken down after the event and used to panel the inside of his shop.
Steve's shop is a veritable museum of his life! A constant tinkerer and professional maintenance guy, Steve has collected things from his lifetime to hang on the ceiling and walls of the large outbuilding. The walls display father's day and birthday cards from his girls. Sara's house is a veritable inspiration! She sews, cooks, raises animals, makes crafts, does stuff with her kids...wow.
We had a blast. Thanks, Steve and Sara, for being such good hosts. Thanks to those Girls you have, too. They're such sweeties. Can't wait til next year's Chili Hill. Maybe we'll get there on time next year!
Sunday, October 17, 2004
Quote of the Day...
I walked into the kitchen just in time to hear this from Sweetheart, who was wide-eyed with awe:
"Jesus is the only one who knows exactly how many hairs are on our head! You know why??? Because HE MADE US!"
:-)
"Jesus is the only one who knows exactly how many hairs are on our head! You know why??? Because HE MADE US!"
:-)
Saturday, October 16, 2004
A Family Outing...A Busy Day
Bard's Saturday morning rehearsal and Houdin's evening concert took us north into the bigger city today, and we decided to make the best of it. We all rose early for breakfast, got dressed and packed up the Jeep for a day away.
The plan was to drop Bard off at her practice, then head to GoodWill for some winter clothes shopping (success! spent $40, found all of the clothes they'll need for the winter, plus two pairs of snow boots for Sweetheart, a pair of clogs for her, and two pairs of Doc Marten loafers for me...for $1.50 each!), then drop off some baby finches to my friend T, and then over to our friends S&B's house to do some cleaning. A few weeks ago, We were at S's house when she found out that she was pregnant with their fourth child, and then she was with us at our gathering just after she had found out that the baby had died in-utero. It was so good to be able to be with her and to have so many of her friends around her to keep her spirits up. One of her favorite activities is to listen to our husbands play music together, and she was able to sit listening for the evening and absorbing the love of her friends and family. Today, we had hoped to go by her house while she was having her D&C and do some cleaning, but her dear husband and daughters already had it covered. Of all the women I know, S has such an amazing love for children that her loss just breaks my heart. I keep reminding myself that there is a greater plan.
After our other stops, we decided to visit a corn maze that had been part of a homeschool group field trip we'd missed yesterday. The maze's theme was the goldrush, and the goal was to find all of the clues in the maze as well as make it to the exit. Bundled against the cold and shielded from the wind by the corn, we trekked the trails collecting clues. One of the cool things about the theme is that the gold rush took place around the time of Little House in the Big Woods, which is the book we're currently reading as a family. The clues in the maze weren't simply trivial, but were actually informational and historical tidbits that were very interesting.
Another part of the adventure was the hidden rocks. All along the maze were small tumbled river rocks whose bottom sides were each etched with a number. If you found one of these rocks, you could take it to the stand and trade it for a prize. Sweetheart was determined to find these rocks for herself! Out of the five rocks we found, Sweetheart found three on their own, and they were not easy to find! :-) Each of the children were able to take a rock to the shop and claim their prize. The shopkeeper applauded them, saying that no one had brought more than two at a time! She allowed the children to choose caramel corn, small gourds, indian corn and pumpkins to take home. Sweetheart is thrilled with her winnings.
This evening, Houdin took part in a children's choral festival, which was quite a show! Packed to the gills. Dr. and Mrs. Jacobs sat near us and asked if they could come visit sometime. He was very sorry that they weren't able to attend the Open House, as he plays upright bass and thought the opportunity to play would have been fun, but they were in Indianapolis on a choral-related visit. Since Bohemian also played upright, they had a nice conversation about music, and they hope to visit soon. They asked if Bard might want to stay with them next week since she will have four choral events between Monday and Saturday. I think it would be a wonderful opportunity for Bard to spend time with her director, but I think she will likely stay with her friend Ash for the week.
I also stopped by a bookstore to pick up the next Italic Handwriting book for Houdin and Sweetheart and found a Latin-root vocabulary workbook for Bard. She's mentioned several times that she would like to learn Latin, and this looked like a good start. Any other suggestions would be appreciated!
We ended the evening with dinner together, then went to pick up Bard from her evening with Ash at the hayride, and a long drive home, me nodding off most of the way.
And now, for a bath and a long, long rest, curled up in bed with my dear husband and my sweet baby.
The plan was to drop Bard off at her practice, then head to GoodWill for some winter clothes shopping (success! spent $40, found all of the clothes they'll need for the winter, plus two pairs of snow boots for Sweetheart, a pair of clogs for her, and two pairs of Doc Marten loafers for me...for $1.50 each!), then drop off some baby finches to my friend T, and then over to our friends S&B's house to do some cleaning. A few weeks ago, We were at S's house when she found out that she was pregnant with their fourth child, and then she was with us at our gathering just after she had found out that the baby had died in-utero. It was so good to be able to be with her and to have so many of her friends around her to keep her spirits up. One of her favorite activities is to listen to our husbands play music together, and she was able to sit listening for the evening and absorbing the love of her friends and family. Today, we had hoped to go by her house while she was having her D&C and do some cleaning, but her dear husband and daughters already had it covered. Of all the women I know, S has such an amazing love for children that her loss just breaks my heart. I keep reminding myself that there is a greater plan.
After our other stops, we decided to visit a corn maze that had been part of a homeschool group field trip we'd missed yesterday. The maze's theme was the goldrush, and the goal was to find all of the clues in the maze as well as make it to the exit. Bundled against the cold and shielded from the wind by the corn, we trekked the trails collecting clues. One of the cool things about the theme is that the gold rush took place around the time of Little House in the Big Woods, which is the book we're currently reading as a family. The clues in the maze weren't simply trivial, but were actually informational and historical tidbits that were very interesting.
Another part of the adventure was the hidden rocks. All along the maze were small tumbled river rocks whose bottom sides were each etched with a number. If you found one of these rocks, you could take it to the stand and trade it for a prize. Sweetheart was determined to find these rocks for herself! Out of the five rocks we found, Sweetheart found three on their own, and they were not easy to find! :-) Each of the children were able to take a rock to the shop and claim their prize. The shopkeeper applauded them, saying that no one had brought more than two at a time! She allowed the children to choose caramel corn, small gourds, indian corn and pumpkins to take home. Sweetheart is thrilled with her winnings.
This evening, Houdin took part in a children's choral festival, which was quite a show! Packed to the gills. Dr. and Mrs. Jacobs sat near us and asked if they could come visit sometime. He was very sorry that they weren't able to attend the Open House, as he plays upright bass and thought the opportunity to play would have been fun, but they were in Indianapolis on a choral-related visit. Since Bohemian also played upright, they had a nice conversation about music, and they hope to visit soon. They asked if Bard might want to stay with them next week since she will have four choral events between Monday and Saturday. I think it would be a wonderful opportunity for Bard to spend time with her director, but I think she will likely stay with her friend Ash for the week.
I also stopped by a bookstore to pick up the next Italic Handwriting book for Houdin and Sweetheart and found a Latin-root vocabulary workbook for Bard. She's mentioned several times that she would like to learn Latin, and this looked like a good start. Any other suggestions would be appreciated!
We ended the evening with dinner together, then went to pick up Bard from her evening with Ash at the hayride, and a long drive home, me nodding off most of the way.
And now, for a bath and a long, long rest, curled up in bed with my dear husband and my sweet baby.
Friday, October 15, 2004
Peace To You
Peace (Agnus Dei)/A Communion Blessing From St. Joseph's Square - Rich Mullins
John 6:32-98/Matthew 26:26-30/Colossians 3:12-17
VAMP
F2 Bb2 F2 Bb2
Though we're strangers still I love you
Dm C2 Bb2
I love you more than your mask
F2 Bb2 F2 Bb2
And you know you have to trust this to be true
Dm C2 Bb/F F
And I know that's much to ask
C Dm7 C/E F2
But lay down your fears, come and join this feast
Gm7 F2/A Bb2 C
He has called us here, you and me
Chorus:
Gm7 F2/A
So may peace rain down from Heaven
Bb Csus
Like little pieces of the sky
Bb/D C/E
Little keepers of the promise
F Gm7
Falling on these souls this drought has dried
F2/A Bb
In His blood and in His body
F/C Dm C2
In this bread and in this wine
Bb Gm7 vamp
Peace to you, peace of Christ to you
And though I love you still we're strangers, prisoners in these lonely hearts
And though our blindness separates us still His light shines in the dark
And His outstretched arms are still strong enough to reach
Behind these prison bars to set us free
CHORUS
Bb Gm7 F2 Bb2 Dm C
...Peace to you, peace of Christ to you
CHORUS
F/C Dm F/C
...In this bread and in this wine
Bb2 Gm7 F2maj7/A
Peace to you, peace of Christ to you
Bb2 F2/A Gm7 Bb/C vamp
Peace to you, peace of Christ to you
F2 Bb2 F2 Bb2
[ / / / / ][ / / / / ][ / / / / ][ / / / / ]
Dm C2 F2
John 6:32-98/Matthew 26:26-30/Colossians 3:12-17
VAMP
F2 Bb2 F2 Bb2
Though we're strangers still I love you
Dm C2 Bb2
I love you more than your mask
F2 Bb2 F2 Bb2
And you know you have to trust this to be true
Dm C2 Bb/F F
And I know that's much to ask
C Dm7 C/E F2
But lay down your fears, come and join this feast
Gm7 F2/A Bb2 C
He has called us here, you and me
Chorus:
Gm7 F2/A
So may peace rain down from Heaven
Bb Csus
Like little pieces of the sky
Bb/D C/E
Little keepers of the promise
F Gm7
Falling on these souls this drought has dried
F2/A Bb
In His blood and in His body
F/C Dm C2
In this bread and in this wine
Bb Gm7 vamp
Peace to you, peace of Christ to you
And though I love you still we're strangers, prisoners in these lonely hearts
And though our blindness separates us still His light shines in the dark
And His outstretched arms are still strong enough to reach
Behind these prison bars to set us free
CHORUS
Bb Gm7 F2 Bb2 Dm C
...Peace to you, peace of Christ to you
CHORUS
F/C Dm F/C
...In this bread and in this wine
Bb2 Gm7 F2maj7/A
Peace to you, peace of Christ to you
Bb2 F2/A Gm7 Bb/C vamp
Peace to you, peace of Christ to you
F2 Bb2 F2 Bb2
[ / / / / ][ / / / / ][ / / / / ][ / / / / ]
Dm C2 F2
This Week's Lessons
Time to focus on the true meaning of this blog...to record what we've been learning.
We began a new schedule here after the Family Gathering was over. It's a simple schedule, but it seems to be working well. Each day, every area of our goals is covered as time allows. I'll post the schedule in another post.
This week, we've been reading Little House in the Big Woods. Wonderful conversations have come from the reading of this classic. Sweetheart wondered why Pa didn't drive the car to town. There was discussion about the difference between their Christmas and modern Christmas. We discussed butchering after the chapter where Ma, Pa and the girls helped with the butchering of the pig.
Each evening, after reading, we have been spending time in song. Bohemian plays the guitar and we choose songs from the songbook, songs that speak to our heart. It has been a wonderful time of family closeness, and everyone has looked forward to it each day.
In the evenings, just before bedtime prayers, I have been reading to Monet out of What Every Fourth Grader Needs to Know. The first reading was from Gulliver's Travels, but as we've read that book and its adaptations before, it wasn't really new to Monet.
All of the children have been spending time each day working on their handwriting, maths and reading. Sweetheart's reading is coming along well. :-) We had a wonderful time with her reading lesson on Wednesday! I couldn't find her reading book, Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons, so I wrote out short sentences made of the words that she can read and illustrated them with simple drawings. Every time she finished a sentence, we would dance around the room. :-) She enjoyed that time and is looking forward to more reading lessons. Now, where is that book??? ;-)
Yesterday, Monet, Sweetheart and Houdin had art class where we had a guest teacher. Rob taught the children how to draw faces and how our faces are proportionate to the width of our eyes. We discussed Leonardo DaVinci and his scientific way of drawing. This was helpful, as we began a nature journal recently and discussed how the drawing we do in our nature journals is about observation and not really about art. That was the day (Tuesday) that Sweetheart hit The Baby in the head with the swing. :-/ Bard says that The Baby will look like Harry Potter when we're done with her. :-)
We spent yesterday afternoon at a wonderful park near Bohemian's work. The park had a little building with a stage, so the children put on a play about the underground railroad.
In the evening, we worked on our Christmas knitting and read and then Bohemian played some David Wilcox songs for us on his guitar.
Today, I hope to make a couple of quiches and, since it is Friday, clean the floors.
We began a new schedule here after the Family Gathering was over. It's a simple schedule, but it seems to be working well. Each day, every area of our goals is covered as time allows. I'll post the schedule in another post.
This week, we've been reading Little House in the Big Woods. Wonderful conversations have come from the reading of this classic. Sweetheart wondered why Pa didn't drive the car to town. There was discussion about the difference between their Christmas and modern Christmas. We discussed butchering after the chapter where Ma, Pa and the girls helped with the butchering of the pig.
Each evening, after reading, we have been spending time in song. Bohemian plays the guitar and we choose songs from the songbook, songs that speak to our heart. It has been a wonderful time of family closeness, and everyone has looked forward to it each day.
In the evenings, just before bedtime prayers, I have been reading to Monet out of What Every Fourth Grader Needs to Know. The first reading was from Gulliver's Travels, but as we've read that book and its adaptations before, it wasn't really new to Monet.
All of the children have been spending time each day working on their handwriting, maths and reading. Sweetheart's reading is coming along well. :-) We had a wonderful time with her reading lesson on Wednesday! I couldn't find her reading book, Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons, so I wrote out short sentences made of the words that she can read and illustrated them with simple drawings. Every time she finished a sentence, we would dance around the room. :-) She enjoyed that time and is looking forward to more reading lessons. Now, where is that book??? ;-)
Yesterday, Monet, Sweetheart and Houdin had art class where we had a guest teacher. Rob taught the children how to draw faces and how our faces are proportionate to the width of our eyes. We discussed Leonardo DaVinci and his scientific way of drawing. This was helpful, as we began a nature journal recently and discussed how the drawing we do in our nature journals is about observation and not really about art. That was the day (Tuesday) that Sweetheart hit The Baby in the head with the swing. :-/ Bard says that The Baby will look like Harry Potter when we're done with her. :-)
We spent yesterday afternoon at a wonderful park near Bohemian's work. The park had a little building with a stage, so the children put on a play about the underground railroad.
In the evening, we worked on our Christmas knitting and read and then Bohemian played some David Wilcox songs for us on his guitar.
Today, I hope to make a couple of quiches and, since it is Friday, clean the floors.
Wednesday, October 13, 2004
Stream of Consciousness about The Family Gathering
It's over.
It started last Wednesday.
I was in a panic.
The house wasn't clean enough.
The projects weren't finished.
My checking account was aching.
I called my mother-in-law for advice.
She gave wise counsel, as usual.
Calmed, I hung up and began to pray while cleaning.
Things began to fall into place.
Family started to arrive in the late afternoon.
Chicken Paprikash and Rice were on the table.
On the island, pies on pedestals and cookies on plates.
Bedrooms were clean...rooms were assigned.
Time to rest.
Singing, laughing, a little bit of anger.
Hay bales and cornstalks on the porch. Mason jars filled with sand and tealights.
Sister-in-law takes a bath in the jacuzzi.
Doors open to the outside. Kids laughing, running, playing, excited.
Bonfire crackling.
This is autumn. This is good.
More family arrives. And more. More food, more cookies, more games, more music.
Resting, games, a trip to the exotic animal farm.
Golfing, more games, a lot of food.
Tension, dog accidents, trips to the general store.
Visits from neighbors. Some family members leaving. Rides on pony carts. Cake. Happy Birthday. Visits from friends. More friends. More neighbors. Maple branches above the doorways. Candles in every room. Oak and maple on the window casings. Music in the family room.
More friends. More neighbors. More food. Pies, cakes, chicken, cole slaw. Cookies, hot dogs, sloppy joes. Gorgonzola, baby swiss, cheddar.
Surprise visitors. Tears. Happiness. Hugs.
More surprise visitors. More tears. Tours of the new home. Who will come next?
Sun is setting. Candles lit again. Coffee and hot mulled cider. Ponies go home.
Rocking chairs on the porch. Amish neighbors visiting. Music in the family room.
Very late. Phone rings. Another visitor, lost, needs directions.
Time to clean up. Time to rest. Talking long into the night. I fall asleep.
Breakfast comes. Eggs, bacon, hashbrowns, toast, sausage.
Pregnant sister-in-law is thrilled! "My favorite breakfast!"
Last minute conversations. Packing up. The last of the family is leaving. Wait! Don't forget! Oh! And one more thing!
House is empty now. It was good. No regrets. Checkbook will recover.
It started last Wednesday.
I was in a panic.
The house wasn't clean enough.
The projects weren't finished.
My checking account was aching.
I called my mother-in-law for advice.
She gave wise counsel, as usual.
Calmed, I hung up and began to pray while cleaning.
Things began to fall into place.
Family started to arrive in the late afternoon.
Chicken Paprikash and Rice were on the table.
On the island, pies on pedestals and cookies on plates.
Bedrooms were clean...rooms were assigned.
Time to rest.
Singing, laughing, a little bit of anger.
Hay bales and cornstalks on the porch. Mason jars filled with sand and tealights.
Sister-in-law takes a bath in the jacuzzi.
Doors open to the outside. Kids laughing, running, playing, excited.
Bonfire crackling.
This is autumn. This is good.
More family arrives. And more. More food, more cookies, more games, more music.
Resting, games, a trip to the exotic animal farm.
Golfing, more games, a lot of food.
Tension, dog accidents, trips to the general store.
Visits from neighbors. Some family members leaving. Rides on pony carts. Cake. Happy Birthday. Visits from friends. More friends. More neighbors. Maple branches above the doorways. Candles in every room. Oak and maple on the window casings. Music in the family room.
More friends. More neighbors. More food. Pies, cakes, chicken, cole slaw. Cookies, hot dogs, sloppy joes. Gorgonzola, baby swiss, cheddar.
Surprise visitors. Tears. Happiness. Hugs.
More surprise visitors. More tears. Tours of the new home. Who will come next?
Sun is setting. Candles lit again. Coffee and hot mulled cider. Ponies go home.
Rocking chairs on the porch. Amish neighbors visiting. Music in the family room.
Very late. Phone rings. Another visitor, lost, needs directions.
Time to clean up. Time to rest. Talking long into the night. I fall asleep.
Breakfast comes. Eggs, bacon, hashbrowns, toast, sausage.
Pregnant sister-in-law is thrilled! "My favorite breakfast!"
Last minute conversations. Packing up. The last of the family is leaving. Wait! Don't forget! Oh! And one more thing!
House is empty now. It was good. No regrets. Checkbook will recover.
Tuesday, October 12, 2004
Comforts and lessons from Proverbs 12
If You Love Learning
1 If you love learning, you love the discipline that goes with it--
how shortsighted to refuse correction!
2 A good person basks in the delight of GOD,
and he wants nothing to do with devious schemers.
3 You can't find firm footing in a swamp,
but life rooted in God stands firm.
4 A hearty wife invigorates her husband,
but a frigid woman is cancer in the bones.
5 The thinking of principled people makes for justice;
the plots of degenerates corrupt.
6 The words of the wicked kill;
the speech of the upright saves.
7 Wicked people fall to pieces--there's nothing to them;
the homes of good people hold together.
8 A person who talks sense is honored;
airheads are held in contempt.
9 Better to be ordinary and work for a living
than act important and starve in the process.
10 Good people are good to their animals;
the "good-hearted" bad people kick and abuse them.
11 The one who stays on the job has food on the table;
the witless chase whims and fancies.
12 What the wicked construct finally falls into ruin,
while the roots of the righteous give life, and more life.
13 The gossip of bad people gets them in trouble;
the conversation of good people keeps them out of it.
14 Well-spoken words bring satisfaction;
well-done work has its own reward.
15 Fools are headstrong and do what they like;
wise people take advice.
16 Fools have short fuses and explode all too quickly;
the prudent quietly shrug off insults.
17 Truthful witness by a good person clears the air,
but liars lay down a smoke screen of deceit.
18 Rash language cuts and maims,
but there is healing in the words of the wise.
19 Truth lasts;
lies are here today, gone tomorrow.
20 Evil scheming distorts the schemer;
peace-planning brings joy to the planner.
21 No evil can overwhelm a good person,
but the wicked have their hands full of it.
22 God can't stomach liars;
he loves the company of those who keep their word.
23 Prudent people don't flaunt their knowledge;
talkative fools broadcast their silliness.
24 The diligent find freedom in their work;
the lazy are oppressed by work.
25 Worry weighs us down;
a cheerful word picks us up.
26 A good person survives misfortune,
but a wicked life invites disaster.
27 A lazy life is an empty life,
but "early to rise" gets the job done.
28 Good men and women travel right into life;
sin's detours take you straight to hell.
1 If you love learning, you love the discipline that goes with it--
how shortsighted to refuse correction!
2 A good person basks in the delight of GOD,
and he wants nothing to do with devious schemers.
3 You can't find firm footing in a swamp,
but life rooted in God stands firm.
4 A hearty wife invigorates her husband,
but a frigid woman is cancer in the bones.
5 The thinking of principled people makes for justice;
the plots of degenerates corrupt.
6 The words of the wicked kill;
the speech of the upright saves.
7 Wicked people fall to pieces--there's nothing to them;
the homes of good people hold together.
8 A person who talks sense is honored;
airheads are held in contempt.
9 Better to be ordinary and work for a living
than act important and starve in the process.
10 Good people are good to their animals;
the "good-hearted" bad people kick and abuse them.
11 The one who stays on the job has food on the table;
the witless chase whims and fancies.
12 What the wicked construct finally falls into ruin,
while the roots of the righteous give life, and more life.
13 The gossip of bad people gets them in trouble;
the conversation of good people keeps them out of it.
14 Well-spoken words bring satisfaction;
well-done work has its own reward.
15 Fools are headstrong and do what they like;
wise people take advice.
16 Fools have short fuses and explode all too quickly;
the prudent quietly shrug off insults.
17 Truthful witness by a good person clears the air,
but liars lay down a smoke screen of deceit.
18 Rash language cuts and maims,
but there is healing in the words of the wise.
19 Truth lasts;
lies are here today, gone tomorrow.
20 Evil scheming distorts the schemer;
peace-planning brings joy to the planner.
21 No evil can overwhelm a good person,
but the wicked have their hands full of it.
22 God can't stomach liars;
he loves the company of those who keep their word.
23 Prudent people don't flaunt their knowledge;
talkative fools broadcast their silliness.
24 The diligent find freedom in their work;
the lazy are oppressed by work.
25 Worry weighs us down;
a cheerful word picks us up.
26 A good person survives misfortune,
but a wicked life invites disaster.
27 A lazy life is an empty life,
but "early to rise" gets the job done.
28 Good men and women travel right into life;
sin's detours take you straight to hell.
Monday, October 04, 2004
Words The Baby Can Say
The Baby is 20 months old. Here are the words she can say:
Mommy
Mama
Dada
Papa
Brothers'and Sisters' names.
yes
no
up (points up)
down (points down)
horsey
doggy
kitty
monkey
donkey
ducky
ball
eyes
cow
couch
please
thank you
more
apple
boogie
knee
me
good (pronounced "goot" in response to the question, "How are you?")
car
uh oh!
yeah!
ow!
baby
yucky
star
moon
keys
hi
bye
She smiles when we tell her to, blows kisses, drinks out of a glass (has never had a bottle or sippy cup), dances when we say "boogie," can point to all of her body parts when you name them, waves goodbye, gives hugs and kisses, climbs up and down the stairs, can sing "g, p, v, z and me" when I sing the ABC song, cleans up her toys, looks at books, can sit still to listen to a board book, sleeps with Mommy and Daddy, loves to nurse, and keeps us all entertained. :-)
Mommy
Mama
Dada
Papa
Brothers'and Sisters' names.
yes
no
up (points up)
down (points down)
horsey
doggy
kitty
monkey
donkey
ducky
ball
eyes
cow
couch
please
thank you
more
apple
boogie
knee
me
good (pronounced "goot" in response to the question, "How are you?")
car
uh oh!
yeah!
ow!
baby
yucky
star
moon
keys
hi
bye
She smiles when we tell her to, blows kisses, drinks out of a glass (has never had a bottle or sippy cup), dances when we say "boogie," can point to all of her body parts when you name them, waves goodbye, gives hugs and kisses, climbs up and down the stairs, can sing "g, p, v, z and me" when I sing the ABC song, cleans up her toys, looks at books, can sit still to listen to a board book, sleeps with Mommy and Daddy, loves to nurse, and keeps us all entertained. :-)
Saturday, October 02, 2004
Stream of Consciousness Whilst Awaiting Awakeness
The house is quiet except for the whir of the hard drive.
This is hard to do sometimes, write stream of consciousness.
Everyone else in the house is sleeping.
I'm a bit bothered by a few things.
I'll get over them eventually.
Most of it is about vanity, pride and money.
Our family gathering is in four days.
I'm not sure I want to do it anymore.
I feel inadequate.
I feel like I live in a fishbowl, even out here in the middle of Amish Country.
I wonder if I should have more children.
I feel like I should have more children.
I feel like I want more children.
But sometimes, the children drive me mad.
In my heart, I know, that most of the madness is due to my own selfishness and impatience.
I want my house to be clean.
I want to spend time writing.
I want to receive accolades.
I want to have good, obedient, intelligent children.
What does that mean?
I also want to have bright, analytical, questionning children, children with personalities.
I haven't been sleeping as much as I should.
I don't know what to try to accomplish today.
How long will everyone sleep?
What should I be doing while they're sleeping?
I already fed all of my birds...
Actually, today should be a fairly good day. It's Saturday, Bohemian's home, we have an extra helper in the house (Kat, Bard's friend) who will help Bard clean the cabin, yesterday was payday (even though most of it's gone already), the kitchen cabinets are done, and my female Budgie acutally looks like she's getting better.
What else should I be doing?
I want to go read some other blogs. I have enjoyed reading other people's blog links. I read one this morning by Valerie called Barefoot and Pregnant. Her posts about being "done" and about "habits" made me think.
I need to learn to sew.
Bard has been knitting. She finished a scarf and is working on a second.
I should be knitting my Christmas gifts.
I have so much I want to do.
So why am I sitting here?
This is hard to do sometimes, write stream of consciousness.
Everyone else in the house is sleeping.
I'm a bit bothered by a few things.
I'll get over them eventually.
Most of it is about vanity, pride and money.
Our family gathering is in four days.
I'm not sure I want to do it anymore.
I feel inadequate.
I feel like I live in a fishbowl, even out here in the middle of Amish Country.
I wonder if I should have more children.
I feel like I should have more children.
I feel like I want more children.
But sometimes, the children drive me mad.
In my heart, I know, that most of the madness is due to my own selfishness and impatience.
I want my house to be clean.
I want to spend time writing.
I want to receive accolades.
I want to have good, obedient, intelligent children.
What does that mean?
I also want to have bright, analytical, questionning children, children with personalities.
I haven't been sleeping as much as I should.
I don't know what to try to accomplish today.
How long will everyone sleep?
What should I be doing while they're sleeping?
I already fed all of my birds...
Actually, today should be a fairly good day. It's Saturday, Bohemian's home, we have an extra helper in the house (Kat, Bard's friend) who will help Bard clean the cabin, yesterday was payday (even though most of it's gone already), the kitchen cabinets are done, and my female Budgie acutally looks like she's getting better.
What else should I be doing?
I want to go read some other blogs. I have enjoyed reading other people's blog links. I read one this morning by Valerie called Barefoot and Pregnant. Her posts about being "done" and about "habits" made me think.
I need to learn to sew.
Bard has been knitting. She finished a scarf and is working on a second.
I should be knitting my Christmas gifts.
I have so much I want to do.
So why am I sitting here?
Friday, October 01, 2004
Difficult Times Ahead
Don't be naive. There are difficult times ahead. As the end approaches, people are going to be self-absorbed, money-hungry, self-promoting, stuck-up, profane, contemptuous of parents, crude, coarse, dog-eat-dog, unbending, slanderers, impulsively wild, savage, cynical, treacherous, ruthless, bloated windbags, addicted to lust, and allergic to God. They'll make a show of religion, but behind the scenes they're animals. Stay clear of these people.
These are the kind of people who smooth-talk themselves into the homes of unstable and needy women and take advantage of them; women who, depressed by their sinfulness, take up with every new religious fad that calls itself "truth." They get exploited every time and never really learn.
These are the kind of people who smooth-talk themselves into the homes of unstable and needy women and take advantage of them; women who, depressed by their sinfulness, take up with every new religious fad that calls itself "truth." They get exploited every time and never really learn.
Sick and Tired of Dead Animals...
It really doesn't take that long to clean my parakeet cage. It's not even a very difficult task if I put freezer paper in the bottom. A 3M sponge with one Scotch-Brite side makes the whole chore a breeze. But somehow, I don't get to it once a week, as I should. I'm very steadfast about cleaning out their feed and water dishes, but I just don't get to the cage as often as I should.
So I wonder if this is why my female budgie, Dabadi, is sick. There were two other budgies living in the cage, though we moved one to a cage of his own in Monet's room where we have been working on finger-training him. Dabadi's mate, Dabadee, is still in the cage with her. I noticed that he was paying extra attention to her, and I wondered if maybe she was nesting. She spent a lot of time in her nest, so I figured that was it.
Until three days ago, when I noticed that she was listless and her rear-end was a bit pasty. I began changing the water twice a day, making sure she had grit, and watching her closely. She seemed to stabilize.
Today, however, she seems very listless and her rear-end is very pasty and looks sore. Dabadee has been caring for her, feeding her, preening her. I decided to make an extra-comfy home for them, so I gave the entire cage a thorough scrubbing, put fresh millet sprays in the cage, and went out to the yard to look for some pine branches.
While I was out there, I decided to pay a visit to the bunnies, who are Monet's project. Monet is an animal-lover and keeps good care of his fish and budgie. Just this morning, he told me how much he likes his budgie and how he gave her clean water and food before he came down to eat his own breakfast. Apparently, Monet is not as fond of the bunnies. Two of the three had gone on to be in bunny heaven! I was so terribly upset and am now quite depressed. I feel now that I have no business working towards an open house. Our yard, not yet planted, is full of scrubby underbrush. Of course, this is an open HOUSE and not an open YARD, but I do so wish it were beautiful and inviting. Gardens are so peaceful and magical to me. I had such high hopes for these bunnies, for the gardens, for a symbiotic relationship between the bunnies and the red worms.
I'm struggling with whether or not to keep the last bunny. I think that I should bring it into the house, but the mess that they make with their bedding is so difficult to handle, and the guinea pigs already make those messes.
No more animals. I say it, and I hope to mean it. Jane Goodall would be so ashamed. :-/
I feel so very sad.
So I wonder if this is why my female budgie, Dabadi, is sick. There were two other budgies living in the cage, though we moved one to a cage of his own in Monet's room where we have been working on finger-training him. Dabadi's mate, Dabadee, is still in the cage with her. I noticed that he was paying extra attention to her, and I wondered if maybe she was nesting. She spent a lot of time in her nest, so I figured that was it.
Until three days ago, when I noticed that she was listless and her rear-end was a bit pasty. I began changing the water twice a day, making sure she had grit, and watching her closely. She seemed to stabilize.
Today, however, she seems very listless and her rear-end is very pasty and looks sore. Dabadee has been caring for her, feeding her, preening her. I decided to make an extra-comfy home for them, so I gave the entire cage a thorough scrubbing, put fresh millet sprays in the cage, and went out to the yard to look for some pine branches.
While I was out there, I decided to pay a visit to the bunnies, who are Monet's project. Monet is an animal-lover and keeps good care of his fish and budgie. Just this morning, he told me how much he likes his budgie and how he gave her clean water and food before he came down to eat his own breakfast. Apparently, Monet is not as fond of the bunnies. Two of the three had gone on to be in bunny heaven! I was so terribly upset and am now quite depressed. I feel now that I have no business working towards an open house. Our yard, not yet planted, is full of scrubby underbrush. Of course, this is an open HOUSE and not an open YARD, but I do so wish it were beautiful and inviting. Gardens are so peaceful and magical to me. I had such high hopes for these bunnies, for the gardens, for a symbiotic relationship between the bunnies and the red worms.
I'm struggling with whether or not to keep the last bunny. I think that I should bring it into the house, but the mess that they make with their bedding is so difficult to handle, and the guinea pigs already make those messes.
No more animals. I say it, and I hope to mean it. Jane Goodall would be so ashamed. :-/
I feel so very sad.
Thinknits
I knit these mittens two winters ago as a Christmas gift for my sister-in-law. I'd love to make another pair, but I would make them with a different kind of yarn. These were made with Lion Homespun and are not very warm. They are pretty though, aren't they? Come on over to my Thinknits blog and see some of my other knitting projects!
Our Deer Baby
Our Deer Baby
This incredible woman blogs about her adventures in geocaching, baking, homebirthing, momming, teaching, learning, creating, loving, worrying, rejoicing, and sharing. Her blog is sure to inspire and provoke thought. It's wonderfully bucolic and the photos are scrumptious.
This incredible woman blogs about her adventures in geocaching, baking, homebirthing, momming, teaching, learning, creating, loving, worrying, rejoicing, and sharing. Her blog is sure to inspire and provoke thought. It's wonderfully bucolic and the photos are scrumptious.
BookCrossing - Home - FREE YOUR BOOKS!
BookCrossing - Home - FREE YOUR BOOKS!
I've been spending the past several hours reading Deer Baby, a fantastic, adventurous blog by an adventurous woman. How inspiring! Take some time to read about her anxious awaiting for her Deer Baby, her homebirth, her ups and downs, trials and revelations, and I think I mentioned that she's adventurous. :-) Thanks for this link, Heather!
Anyway, in Deer Baby's blog, she mentions BookCrossing. I read about this a few years ago and was intrigued, but didn't pursue it. I believe I will now! Go check it out!
I've been spending the past several hours reading Deer Baby, a fantastic, adventurous blog by an adventurous woman. How inspiring! Take some time to read about her anxious awaiting for her Deer Baby, her homebirth, her ups and downs, trials and revelations, and I think I mentioned that she's adventurous. :-) Thanks for this link, Heather!
Anyway, in Deer Baby's blog, she mentions BookCrossing. I read about this a few years ago and was intrigued, but didn't pursue it. I believe I will now! Go check it out!
Subscribe to:
You might like these posts, too.
