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!"
:-)
Sunday, October 17, 2004
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!
Thursday, September 30, 2004
The Good News...
The good news is that the kitchen cabinets are done.
The bad news is that Bohemian has hurt his back.
Every twist or bend causes him excruciating pain. He didn't sleep well last night, carefully turning to try to find a comfortable position. I called our massotherapist today to see if he can get him in.
The other bad news is that Edison hasn't been well for two days, barely eating, complaining of chills and a stomachache. Then, last night, Sweetheart began complaining that her tummy hurt "really bad."
Six more days until the family gathering.
The bad news is that Bohemian has hurt his back.
Every twist or bend causes him excruciating pain. He didn't sleep well last night, carefully turning to try to find a comfortable position. I called our massotherapist today to see if he can get him in.
The other bad news is that Edison hasn't been well for two days, barely eating, complaining of chills and a stomachache. Then, last night, Sweetheart began complaining that her tummy hurt "really bad."
Six more days until the family gathering.
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Fellowship of the Ring
With all of the hubub about the LOTR, I've avoided it for the most part. I've always liked The Hobbit, and I don't have anything against the movies (other than how graphically scary the bad guys are!), but I've just steered clear of it.
Today, my dad brought home FOTR on CD from the library, so we listened to that while cleaning and finishing cabinets. Dare I say that I really like it? I always thought The Hobbit was too wordy and spent too much time on description, but I must have acclimated to the style or this one is different, because I'm thoroughly enjoying it, as are Bard, Houdin, Monet and Sweetheart.
Today, my dad brought home FOTR on CD from the library, so we listened to that while cleaning and finishing cabinets. Dare I say that I really like it? I always thought The Hobbit was too wordy and spent too much time on description, but I must have acclimated to the style or this one is different, because I'm thoroughly enjoying it, as are Bard, Houdin, Monet and Sweetheart.
My Housecleaning Playlist
If you have any suggestions for good songs with a "housecleaning" theme, send 'em on!
For now, here's my feeble attempt at creating a fun housecleaning playlist:
"Cleaning House" - Ian Charles
"Clean Your Room" - The Zucchini Brothers
"I Am Not Your Broom" - They Might Be Giants
"Cleaning House" - Grandpaboy
"The Inside Of My Head" - David Wilcox
"Heigh-Ho - Snow White" - Andre Rieu
"Clean Up" - Barney
"Clean Up Woman" - The Pretenders
"Clean Up Your Own Backyard" - Elvis Presley
"Paint Up, Clean Up Time" - Lord Creator
"I Will Never Clean Up My Room" - Cathy Fink/Marcy Marxer/...
"New Broom" - Byron Berline
"Dust My Broom" - B.B. King
"Got My Broom To Prove It" - Susan Weber
"I'll Make Your Bed" - Dolly Parton
"Cobwebs" - Loudon Wainwright III
"Doing The Dishes" - Frank Loesser
"Dirty Dishes" - Larry LaVey
"Too Many Dirty Dishes" - Albert Collins
"Too Many Dirty Dishes - (with Henry Gray)" - Tab Benoit
"Leave The Dishes In The Sink, Ma" - Spike Jones
"Whistle While You Work" - Artie Shaw
"Whistle While You Work - (alternate mix, previously unreleased)" - Diana Ross & The Supremes
"Housework" - Loudon Wainwright III
"Housework" - The B-52's
"Housework" - Fishbone
"Clean Up" - The Canton Spirituals
"Beautiful Day" - U2
"If These Walls Could Speak" - Jimmy Webb
"Step Inside This House" - Lyle Lovett
"I'm So Lonesome I Could Clean" - Request-A-Song.com
"I've Got To Be Clean" - Jeff Chaz
"Cleanin' Off The Porch" - Larry Cordle & Lonesome...
"Spring Cleaning" - John McCutcheon
"Dust Pan Blues" - Gene Autry
"Dishpan Brigade" - Wishing Chair And Kara Barnard
If you don't have Rhapsody yet, you can register and download it.
For now, here's my feeble attempt at creating a fun housecleaning playlist:
"Cleaning House" - Ian Charles
"Clean Your Room" - The Zucchini Brothers
"I Am Not Your Broom" - They Might Be Giants
"Cleaning House" - Grandpaboy
"The Inside Of My Head" - David Wilcox
"Heigh-Ho - Snow White" - Andre Rieu
"Clean Up" - Barney
"Clean Up Woman" - The Pretenders
"Clean Up Your Own Backyard" - Elvis Presley
"Paint Up, Clean Up Time" - Lord Creator
"I Will Never Clean Up My Room" - Cathy Fink/Marcy Marxer/...
"New Broom" - Byron Berline
"Dust My Broom" - B.B. King
"Got My Broom To Prove It" - Susan Weber
"I'll Make Your Bed" - Dolly Parton
"Cobwebs" - Loudon Wainwright III
"Doing The Dishes" - Frank Loesser
"Dirty Dishes" - Larry LaVey
"Too Many Dirty Dishes" - Albert Collins
"Too Many Dirty Dishes - (with Henry Gray)" - Tab Benoit
"Leave The Dishes In The Sink, Ma" - Spike Jones
"Whistle While You Work" - Artie Shaw
"Whistle While You Work - (alternate mix, previously unreleased)" - Diana Ross & The Supremes
"Housework" - Loudon Wainwright III
"Housework" - The B-52's
"Housework" - Fishbone
"Clean Up" - The Canton Spirituals
"Beautiful Day" - U2
"If These Walls Could Speak" - Jimmy Webb
"Step Inside This House" - Lyle Lovett
"I'm So Lonesome I Could Clean" - Request-A-Song.com
"I've Got To Be Clean" - Jeff Chaz
"Cleanin' Off The Porch" - Larry Cordle & Lonesome...
"Spring Cleaning" - John McCutcheon
"Dust Pan Blues" - Gene Autry
"Dishpan Brigade" - Wishing Chair And Kara Barnard
If you don't have Rhapsody yet, you can register and download it.
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