...doesn't bring on a birth in a miniature horse. To those of you wondering, you can chuck out your Farmers' Almanac now. It's pure fiction! Maybe though, it's because there were clouds last night which covered the moon at times, and the horse couldn't actually see the moon anyway, given that she was in her stall and is too small to see out the window. I should maybe parade her up and down the yard. The girls reminded me that Wm was born only after I'd had four Cokes for a stress test. I reminded them that it was the threat of being induced that caused him to be born the following day. Still, would a horse drink Coke?
Eggs
Anna, Willliam and I are working on dying eggs that do not have artificial basis - for example, vegetable dyes - and are looking for ideas of dyes that are around the house. So far, we've been very successful with tumeric for yellow and onion skins for orange. Beet juice is working a little bit for the light pink and red wine gives a dull and not very pretty purple, but at least I can drink the wine later today :-)
The spinach juice we made by boiling and then mixing spinach isn't working too well for green- although if my Aracauna chickens were doing their job, I wouldn't NEED green eggs, I'd have them. They are taking time off because a colleague of theirs, a Bantam, is sitting on a few of their eggs. They take this as a sign that they don't need to lay. And boiled dandelions made a yellowish-brownish brew that hasn't affected the eggs. So, do you have any ideas for common household veggies or non-poisonous things that can dye eggs? We are finding this a little more interesting than dropping in the tablets from the kit at the grocery.
Smallpox
Lauren is reading Caroline B. Cooney's book Code Orange. I've not even looked at it, but today she looked up from the book and began telling me about smallpox, and how it is now erradicated in the U.S. She went on to tell me about the vaccine, how they developed it, the Latin derrivative of the word and that it means "cow", and that there is a small amount of the virus still stored somewhere. After lunch, she spent some time on the internet, and I heard Anna ask why all the photos of people with smallpox were black. "Because most of the reported cases are in Africa." The book, she reports, is about the virus being accidentally released from a lab.
It's hard at times to see the kids laying around reading. Immediately, "Do your schoolwork" meaning "the work I assigned" comes to mind. Yet, most likely this kind of learning is more memorable. Finding a topic interesting and researching it to the end of your interest level is definitely more appealing and meaningful.
Friday, April 14, 2006
Thursday, April 13, 2006
No Foal Yet
Maggie the Mini hasn't delivered yet, but my friend, Becky, who swears by Farmers' Almanac and will go out at 2 a.m. to plant asparagus because that's the best time to plant it on the third Sunday after a quarter moon and if you are facing East, says it'll be tonight because there is a full moon. I'm interested to see if she is right. The last storm and drop in the barometer didn't do it as some predicted.
Lauren has researched the internet and found that many mares are foaling late this year. Interesting. I wonder what explains this phenomena?
The girls sleep each night in the barn on a very cozy, yet hard bed of straw covered with sleeping blankets. We have a baby monitor there so that I can lay in my more comfortable bed and hear if they call. All I hear all night is the sound of the peepers next door and my big TN Walker snoring. Maybe it's more akin to heavy breathing or moaning, but it does keep one awake!
The peepers are quite loud. We used to have one or two. Now, with the addition of my neighbor's pond (aka septic settling basin - EWWWW), the Mormon Tabernacle Choir of Frogs has moved in. It is almost annoying, it is so loud. I've countered with Lester, our rooster, who mistakenly thinks the sun rises at 5 a.m. He is housed not too far (100 feet) from the neighbor's house.
We are off to the local Irish Pub to celebrate the removal of Lauren's braces and cast! She now has retainers that make her sound like she has had her tongue cut out. She is looking forward to eating a lot of sticky candy.
Lauren has researched the internet and found that many mares are foaling late this year. Interesting. I wonder what explains this phenomena?
The girls sleep each night in the barn on a very cozy, yet hard bed of straw covered with sleeping blankets. We have a baby monitor there so that I can lay in my more comfortable bed and hear if they call. All I hear all night is the sound of the peepers next door and my big TN Walker snoring. Maybe it's more akin to heavy breathing or moaning, but it does keep one awake!
The peepers are quite loud. We used to have one or two. Now, with the addition of my neighbor's pond (aka septic settling basin - EWWWW), the Mormon Tabernacle Choir of Frogs has moved in. It is almost annoying, it is so loud. I've countered with Lester, our rooster, who mistakenly thinks the sun rises at 5 a.m. He is housed not too far (100 feet) from the neighbor's house.
We are off to the local Irish Pub to celebrate the removal of Lauren's braces and cast! She now has retainers that make her sound like she has had her tongue cut out. She is looking forward to eating a lot of sticky candy.
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Why You Don't Usually See.....
....women with children painting black, four-board fences. I'll let the photos speak for themselves.
Sieve
I've not written in awhile. Though I'm big on multi-tasking, there just aren't enough of me and too many of everyone else. Perhaps I try to do too much?
The analogy of a sieve came to me the other day. It is difficult being a SAHM because my days are often like a sieve. It's my job to try to fill the sieve, which on any given day contains a variety of holes. Some days, I can get ahead a little if there aren't too many holes. Some days, the sieve is made of a screen door and even using a firehose wouldn't fill it. I try to make filling the sieve fun some days, and other days, well, it's enough to be trying to fill it at all. And in the end, when I wake up in the morning, no matter how hard I filled it the day before, the sieve is empty and I have to start all over again trying to fill it.
Morty
Last week, we picked up Mortimer, aka Morty. We are going to "free lease" him for a little while, meaning we don't own him, but pay for all his care. Morty is a great horse, but prone to laminitis because he's insulin resistant. Basically, Morty is like a middle aged man that has Type II diabetes and hasn't had enough exercise. Rich, green grass is his candy.
We are learning all about managing this.
If you are interested in reading more about it, go to http://www.safergrass.org/
Spring Fling
Anna rode this past Saturday at the Mounted Games "Spring Fling" competition. I begged dh to go, to see how well Anna rides. The morning was the most miserable, wet morning a rider could endure. Yet, by afternoon, by which time dh had headed for home, it was a beautiful day. Anna was all smiles though, as her dad saw her ride and she was having fun.
William amused himself with a few other kids on this awesome dirt pile.
The analogy of a sieve came to me the other day. It is difficult being a SAHM because my days are often like a sieve. It's my job to try to fill the sieve, which on any given day contains a variety of holes. Some days, I can get ahead a little if there aren't too many holes. Some days, the sieve is made of a screen door and even using a firehose wouldn't fill it. I try to make filling the sieve fun some days, and other days, well, it's enough to be trying to fill it at all. And in the end, when I wake up in the morning, no matter how hard I filled it the day before, the sieve is empty and I have to start all over again trying to fill it.
Morty
Last week, we picked up Mortimer, aka Morty. We are going to "free lease" him for a little while, meaning we don't own him, but pay for all his care. Morty is a great horse, but prone to laminitis because he's insulin resistant. Basically, Morty is like a middle aged man that has Type II diabetes and hasn't had enough exercise. Rich, green grass is his candy.We are learning all about managing this.
If you are interested in reading more about it, go to http://www.safergrass.org/
Spring Fling
Anna rode this past Saturday at the Mounted Games "Spring Fling" competition. I begged dh to go, to see how well Anna rides. The morning was the most miserable, wet morning a rider could endure. Yet, by afternoon, by which time dh had headed for home, it was a beautiful day. Anna was all smiles though, as her dad saw her ride and she was having fun.
William amused himself with a few other kids on this awesome dirt pile.
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Amish Friendship Bread
A true friend, my dh says, would not give you a project bread, a live thing you have to care for. A true friend would bake it for you and bring it with a cup of hot coffee. I wonder - a true friend would bring to you this "bread" (a.k.a. pound cake - 'cause that's how much weight you gain just looking at it)??
My first experience with Amish Friendship Bread was about 10 years ago when a friend gave to me a "starter" baggie of it. A live culture, she begged me to take it because she couldn't bear to see it die, yet could find no friend to agree to take it. I was suckered into it, and ten days later, made the bread. It was so delicious, that every ten days when the starter was finished, I'd make more. That month, dh and I began to pudge out. Pawning my starter off on other unsuspecting folk, I got out of the Friendship Bread business.
Recently, after reading about the Amish, I remembered this bread and that my dds hadn't ever had it. So I looked it up on the internet and found many recipes. I printed out one and began my starter. It is due to be finished on Friday. The good news is that my recipe does say that you can freeze the starter, so that I don't have to go around pathetically trying to find a friend who will care for my starter's offspring.
My first experience with Amish Friendship Bread was about 10 years ago when a friend gave to me a "starter" baggie of it. A live culture, she begged me to take it because she couldn't bear to see it die, yet could find no friend to agree to take it. I was suckered into it, and ten days later, made the bread. It was so delicious, that every ten days when the starter was finished, I'd make more. That month, dh and I began to pudge out. Pawning my starter off on other unsuspecting folk, I got out of the Friendship Bread business.
Recently, after reading about the Amish, I remembered this bread and that my dds hadn't ever had it. So I looked it up on the internet and found many recipes. I printed out one and began my starter. It is due to be finished on Friday. The good news is that my recipe does say that you can freeze the starter, so that I don't have to go around pathetically trying to find a friend who will care for my starter's offspring.
Monday, April 03, 2006
I've Been Here Too Long
It's official: I'm a Kentuckian. It won't be true chronologically until 2008, when I will have lived here as long as I lived in Ohio. But, it is culturally true right now. It has seeped into my bones. How do I know? This supposedly educated woman told her daughter that, though she'd been invited to go to Germany this year for a horse competition, it would depend on "who'all is going".
All is a word used liberally here. It doesn't seem superfluous because it is artfully blended into the word preceding it. Y'all might understand if your'alls neighbors all talked this way, even the ones that are teachers. You'all (saying YOU instead of y'all is used when emphasizing YOU)might know who'all is from around here if you'all just listen to the way we'all talk.
You can shoot me now and put me out of my misery.
On another note, I received this correspondence from my dad about the storms in northeastern Ohio:
(note: Diane is my sister and Dad's apartment is attached to her house)
I suppose you really don't think much about your electricity till you don't have it. Last night about 11:15 pm I heard what sounded like a freight train off in the distance and I have always heard this means a Tornado is in the area.
I kept listening to it and all of a sudden a torrent of rain slashed against my bedroom window for just a minute or so and then the lights went out.at first I groped my way into the living room to retrieve my flashlight and sat there in the glow of that waiting for the lights to come back on as they usually do (They did not!) I then lit up my old time kerosene lamp which wasn't much better. Diane fussed at me saying it was too dangerous to use so I turned it off and tried to do some reading by flashlight.
After an hour of that I went to bed. In the morning we still had no power but Diane came to my rescue with a large 20oz. cup of coffee I think Joe picked up on the way back from his workout, It really tasted good as I was sure I Was sure I would have to go without.
So I went TV shopping today and on my way out you could see that what looked like a mini tornado came across the property and took off a large limb by the gate which brought down the power line. You could see the line it traveled as it crossed the field knocking down one fence crossed the field and knocked down another one and toppled several trees beyond that, a neighbor also lost a very large tree.
When I got home from shopping I had to leave my car at the gate as the power co. truck was blocking the drive. The power did not com back on till about 3:30 this afternoon. I have to go now and get my car at the gate.
All is a word used liberally here. It doesn't seem superfluous because it is artfully blended into the word preceding it. Y'all might understand if your'alls neighbors all talked this way, even the ones that are teachers. You'all (saying YOU instead of y'all is used when emphasizing YOU)might know who'all is from around here if you'all just listen to the way we'all talk.
You can shoot me now and put me out of my misery.
On another note, I received this correspondence from my dad about the storms in northeastern Ohio:
(note: Diane is my sister and Dad's apartment is attached to her house)
I suppose you really don't think much about your electricity till you don't have it. Last night about 11:15 pm I heard what sounded like a freight train off in the distance and I have always heard this means a Tornado is in the area.
I kept listening to it and all of a sudden a torrent of rain slashed against my bedroom window for just a minute or so and then the lights went out.at first I groped my way into the living room to retrieve my flashlight and sat there in the glow of that waiting for the lights to come back on as they usually do (They did not!) I then lit up my old time kerosene lamp which wasn't much better. Diane fussed at me saying it was too dangerous to use so I turned it off and tried to do some reading by flashlight.
After an hour of that I went to bed. In the morning we still had no power but Diane came to my rescue with a large 20oz. cup of coffee I think Joe picked up on the way back from his workout, It really tasted good as I was sure I Was sure I would have to go without.
So I went TV shopping today and on my way out you could see that what looked like a mini tornado came across the property and took off a large limb by the gate which brought down the power line. You could see the line it traveled as it crossed the field knocking down one fence crossed the field and knocked down another one and toppled several trees beyond that, a neighbor also lost a very large tree.
When I got home from shopping I had to leave my car at the gate as the power co. truck was blocking the drive. The power did not com back on till about 3:30 this afternoon. I have to go now and get my car at the gate.
Just north of us in Indiana, the storms have been bad this week: high winds, tornados. It seems that something happens to the strength of them as they cross the Ohio River. I live 5 miles south of the Ohio.
Last night, we watched the storms coming in. The lights flickered and then went out. We listened to our battery-operated NOAH radio, and learned that it wasn't going to be bad. We read a little by candlelight, and then went to bed in a very quiet house.
In the middle of the night, the lights all came on. Our elderly neighbor just across the road called and said she didn't have lights, and was eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch. Perhaps later, I'll see if she needs a hot dinner. I am going to make chili, since it is getting chilly outside.
Last night, we watched the storms coming in. The lights flickered and then went out. We listened to our battery-operated NOAH radio, and learned that it wasn't going to be bad. We read a little by candlelight, and then went to bed in a very quiet house.
In the middle of the night, the lights all came on. Our elderly neighbor just across the road called and said she didn't have lights, and was eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch. Perhaps later, I'll see if she needs a hot dinner. I am going to make chili, since it is getting chilly outside.
Sunday, April 02, 2006
Hysterical
My mom and sisters will know what I mean when I say that now and again, something will hit a group of (particularly) women as so funny they laugh until tears begin streaming down their faces. As they watch each other laugh, they laugh harder, all the while thinking inside that it wasn't really THAT funny but we can't stop laughing.
Such was the case the other night at the dinner table. William, age 4, had been teasing the dog from the table with his hamburger patty, which he seemed to find amusing. Right up until the moment the dog reared up and swallowed the patty whole, leaving Wm empty-handed. A wail went up to wake the dead. "I want my hamburger!"
I put on my best mommy voice and explained that teasing the dog at the dinner table - LOUDER: "I want another hamburger"- (I'm hiding my smile behind my hand now) was not a good thing to do and that we had no more hamburger - BLUBBERING: "but I WA ANOBBER BAMBURBUR". At this point, I caught my daughters' eyes and I started laughing. Their favorite part of the movie, The Pink Panther, was when the inspector (Steve Martin) was trying to lose his French accent by being tutored. He tried to say, "I would like to buy a hamburger". The more Wm wailed, the more he sounded like Inspector Clusoe. "AHHHHHhhhhhhhhhhh wann a burbbber!" The tears began to flow as we pushed over the threshhold of hysterical laughing.
Luckily, Wm finally caught the humor and began, reluctantly, to laugh himself. He wasn't so much hungry still as mad that the dog had nabbed his burber.
Notes:
Lauren attended a Parelli clinic yesterday as an "audit" (just watching).
We cut grass for the first time this year.
We went for a horse ride - Wm. rode Jorgen with Daddy walking alongside.
No news yet on Maggie - she's as big as a horse (cough) but no baby born yet.
We went to a cool restaurant in Shelbyville, KY called Fiesta Mexicana, which was so Mexican, we had a hard time placing our order due to lack of Spanish on our part and English on theirs.
Such was the case the other night at the dinner table. William, age 4, had been teasing the dog from the table with his hamburger patty, which he seemed to find amusing. Right up until the moment the dog reared up and swallowed the patty whole, leaving Wm empty-handed. A wail went up to wake the dead. "I want my hamburger!"
I put on my best mommy voice and explained that teasing the dog at the dinner table - LOUDER: "I want another hamburger"- (I'm hiding my smile behind my hand now) was not a good thing to do and that we had no more hamburger - BLUBBERING: "but I WA ANOBBER BAMBURBUR". At this point, I caught my daughters' eyes and I started laughing. Their favorite part of the movie, The Pink Panther, was when the inspector (Steve Martin) was trying to lose his French accent by being tutored. He tried to say, "I would like to buy a hamburger". The more Wm wailed, the more he sounded like Inspector Clusoe. "AHHHHHhhhhhhhhhhh wann a burbbber!" The tears began to flow as we pushed over the threshhold of hysterical laughing.
Luckily, Wm finally caught the humor and began, reluctantly, to laugh himself. He wasn't so much hungry still as mad that the dog had nabbed his burber.
Notes:
Lauren attended a Parelli clinic yesterday as an "audit" (just watching).
We cut grass for the first time this year.
We went for a horse ride - Wm. rode Jorgen with Daddy walking alongside.
No news yet on Maggie - she's as big as a horse (cough) but no baby born yet.
We went to a cool restaurant in Shelbyville, KY called Fiesta Mexicana, which was so Mexican, we had a hard time placing our order due to lack of Spanish on our part and English on theirs.
Saturday, April 01, 2006
Appliance Virus
Shortly after reading Fish in My Hair's crisis with boxer shorts accumulating due to dryer malfunctions, I started my dishwasher and heard the sound of impending disaster. I can only think that somehow, I've caught an appliance virus, sent through the computer through her blog. And, unlike her dh who might take his time fixing their ailing machines, mine considers all appliance repair to be under my job description.
Granted, I consider such occurances to be a throwing down of the glove, a challenge. I will not call an appliance repair man (and they almost always are men) because 1. they charge an ungodly amount just to show up without so much as lifting a finger, 2. they assume I know nothing and talk to me like a 2 year old, and 3. it has happened to me more than once that they've arrived, turned on the blamed machine which moments earlier would not work, and voilà , it turns on. "I'm sorry, ma'am, there's nothing wrong with it. Ya just have to push this here button."
After about $500 spent three weeks ago to repair parts of our ailing septic system, it again overflowed into the garage (where the relief valve is) whenever I did laundry. I convinced dh that we needed to dig up the pipe before the septic tank, and there we found a line break with a root ball as big as a car in there. The pipe is now clear, but due to weather, we've had this open hole, 4 feet deep, in our back yard. Soon, I'll learn pipe repair. I'm beginning to learn why people just up and buy NEW houses.
I've learned to fix the washer, dryer, computers, wire the house for electrical, and now, I'm about to learn about dishwashers. Of course, if you turn on the ceiling fan in the living room, the automatic garage door opens, but hey, the fan works.
Granted, I consider such occurances to be a throwing down of the glove, a challenge. I will not call an appliance repair man (and they almost always are men) because 1. they charge an ungodly amount just to show up without so much as lifting a finger, 2. they assume I know nothing and talk to me like a 2 year old, and 3. it has happened to me more than once that they've arrived, turned on the blamed machine which moments earlier would not work, and voilà , it turns on. "I'm sorry, ma'am, there's nothing wrong with it. Ya just have to push this here button."
After about $500 spent three weeks ago to repair parts of our ailing septic system, it again overflowed into the garage (where the relief valve is) whenever I did laundry. I convinced dh that we needed to dig up the pipe before the septic tank, and there we found a line break with a root ball as big as a car in there. The pipe is now clear, but due to weather, we've had this open hole, 4 feet deep, in our back yard. Soon, I'll learn pipe repair. I'm beginning to learn why people just up and buy NEW houses.
I've learned to fix the washer, dryer, computers, wire the house for electrical, and now, I'm about to learn about dishwashers. Of course, if you turn on the ceiling fan in the living room, the automatic garage door opens, but hey, the fan works.
Friday, March 31, 2006
Better Not Mess With Me...
...'cause I have this big strong boy who has MUSCLES and a mean look, and can practically roll his eyes back in his head to show you he means business. What is it about little boys that they are constantly having to prove how strong they are?
Good Morning, Friday!
The sun is rising earlier, and as a result, the son is rising earlier. I am looking forward to "springing forward" for daylight savings time. NOW I know what I'll save: an extra half hour to relax in the morning.
We've had a busy couple of days. Wednesday was a beautiful tease of spring weather. Though my garden called to me, instead we hitched up the horse buggy to Jorgen. Lauren and William rode in the cart, while I walked at his head to insure good horsey behavior. Anna rode Stealth alongside. It was a perfect afternoon, daffodils blooming under a blue sky. These are the moments children will remember when they grow up.
Yesterday was a full day. Anna had a riding lesson in the morning. Afternoon found us at the local nursing home with our homeschool group. Lauren played Chopin's Nocturne in E Flat. William and Anna shared our Japanese Chins, Paris and Whitney with the residents.
By evening, we went to a fascinating demonstration. We saw a real life cowboy! With our local Parelli group, we went to watch
We've had a busy couple of days. Wednesday was a beautiful tease of spring weather. Though my garden called to me, instead we hitched up the horse buggy to Jorgen. Lauren and William rode in the cart, while I walked at his head to insure good horsey behavior. Anna rode Stealth alongside. It was a perfect afternoon, daffodils blooming under a blue sky. These are the moments children will remember when they grow up.
Yesterday was a full day. Anna had a riding lesson in the morning. Afternoon found us at the local nursing home with our homeschool group. Lauren played Chopin's Nocturne in E Flat. William and Anna shared our Japanese Chins, Paris and Whitney with the residents.
By evening, we went to a fascinating demonstration. We saw a real life cowboy! With our local Parelli group, we went to watch
We watched as he worked her on the ground until he was able to get his body across her back bareback. At this point, the filly twirled him in a circle, and the crowd gasped. We all knew that had it been one of us on there, we'd have gone flying off at a tangent to that tight spin. But, he hung on, and soon had his leg over the back and was sitting. By the end of the evening, he had saddled and ridden the horse. He told us that at home, he'd have the horse on a trailride within three days!
My friend, Rona, and I laughed that we weren't going to see any "car wrecks" that night, since this man clearly wasn't going to be bucked off. Some of the competitions remind us of car races, where everone is waiting to see who crashes. Often, after a competiton, the discussion with my girls revolves around "who fell". But the cowboy didn't fall or even get bucked once.
One thing I could not help thinking about is that so many people spend so much time watching television every night. Yet, this was so much more interesting: seeing people we knew, getting together to learn about a common interest, working toward a goal. If only there were more opportunities for people like this.
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
What's Your Stay-at-Home Work Worth?
While in Lexingon, Kentucky this weekend, I found an interesting article in their local paper that stated that one of today's 5.4 million "stay-at-home parents would earn $131,471 in annual salary, including overtime pay, if they were doing the same work for an employer".
Riding Mounted Games
Why is it that it takes a week to recover from being away on a trip for only three days? I suppose the fact that Wm. dumped an entire bag of potato chips in the back seat of the truck, and that we were engaged in a muddy, cold activity should explain partly.
Anna's team, riding together for the first time, won second place of six teams in the Novice Division of the Bluegrass Open at the Kentucky Horse Park for Mounted Games. Jorgen, Lauren's pony, was loaned for the weekend to a homeschooling friend who's team rode to first place! With a broken ankle, Lauren was consigned to team mascot. Her team rode for the first time in Master's Division.
Sunday evening, after an exhausting weekend, I awoke in the wee hours of the morning and had a panic attack. A movie played in my mind of the English, Canadian and American teams riding horses faster than what you'd see in a horse race (they are sprinting). What am I doing, I thought, letting them ride in such a sport? One girl's horse ran out of control and threw her through the fence. She required stitches. Surprisingly, it was the worst of all the injuries considering how fast they ride. Of course, my girls are not yet up to that speed, but that's where they are hoping to go.
Yet, in the light of the day, I've calmed. My girls won't be going that fast for some time. Truly, these riders are the best riders I've ever seen. It at once scares and thrills you.
Anna and Stealth, her mount, were amazing. I wish I could show you her flying vault onto her horse and her ability to pick up something off the ground while still mounted. Very proud of her, I am. Aside from that, I found the weekend to be enjoyable because I know my girls will organize their own equipment and be disciplined in what they need to do.
As for our family, the only injury this weekend occurred when Anna's horse, grazing beside me as I sat in the grass, stepped on my hand. I nearly passed out and then nearly threw up, so badly did it hurt. The moment passed though, and after, I truly had no pain. Strange.
Anna's team, riding together for the first time, won second place of six teams in the Novice Division of the Bluegrass Open at the Kentucky Horse Park for Mounted Games. Jorgen, Lauren's pony, was loaned for the weekend to a homeschooling friend who's team rode to first place! With a broken ankle, Lauren was consigned to team mascot. Her team rode for the first time in Master's Division.
Sunday evening, after an exhausting weekend, I awoke in the wee hours of the morning and had a panic attack. A movie played in my mind of the English, Canadian and American teams riding horses faster than what you'd see in a horse race (they are sprinting). What am I doing, I thought, letting them ride in such a sport? One girl's horse ran out of control and threw her through the fence. She required stitches. Surprisingly, it was the worst of all the injuries considering how fast they ride. Of course, my girls are not yet up to that speed, but that's where they are hoping to go.
Yet, in the light of the day, I've calmed. My girls won't be going that fast for some time. Truly, these riders are the best riders I've ever seen. It at once scares and thrills you.
Anna and Stealth, her mount, were amazing. I wish I could show you her flying vault onto her horse and her ability to pick up something off the ground while still mounted. Very proud of her, I am. Aside from that, I found the weekend to be enjoyable because I know my girls will organize their own equipment and be disciplined in what they need to do.
As for our family, the only injury this weekend occurred when Anna's horse, grazing beside me as I sat in the grass, stepped on my hand. I nearly passed out and then nearly threw up, so badly did it hurt. The moment passed though, and after, I truly had no pain. Strange.
Friday, March 24, 2006
We're Off
The Bluegrass Open is this weekend for the United States Mounted Games at the Kentucky Horse Park. We're headed to Lexington tonight with two ponies. Dh is staying back to mind the fort and animals left behind. I must first swing by Simpsonville to pick up Lauren, who audited a Parelli clinic today, the one she had hoped to complete before her broken leg. Anna's bringing her laptop, but I don't know if we'll have Internet at the hotel or not. I hope so! If not, see you Monday!
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Real Lessons
Anna's business selling Homeschooler Wristbands started off well, and she sold several wristbands. She was very excited. That very day, we set up an Excel worksheet on her computer, tracking inventory, expenses and income. She also learned how to take the address, copy it, and use MS Word to print the envelope, as she's never been one to like penmanship.
Now, comes the harder part of learning about business. Each day, she eagerly looks at her email and gets the mail, but the orders have stopped coming. It could be that what we thought was a great idea doesn't have a market. Or does it, and we need to market in another way? We've added Paypal to our website, so that buyers can instantly order. We've talked about ways to advertise. She is re-vamping her blog template, in anticipation of writing there. I'm going to put it up on my website for selling items. Most likely, the best way to sell these will be direct contact at homeschool events, yet there haven't been many lately that we could attend.
WHO Ordered the Snow???
The past two days have been cold and snowy. Yesterday, Anna's team's riding practice was cancelled due to the weather. I have broccoli and lettuce slips in the garage, waiting patiently to find their place in my garden. I suppose they'll have to wait.
Please Pray for...
For my dear friend Eva's husband, Don, who after ten years remission from thyroid cancer, is sick again. Don is father to three wonderful children.
For Logan Ayres, a 17 yr old homeschool boy and son of a friend, who has leukemia, just diagnosed.
Saturday, March 18, 2006
My New Website
I am working on developing a website of stuff for sale for and by homeschoolers. It will not be consignment, but rather an advertisement. It is very crude right now, but I thought you might be interested in watching it develop, and maybe interested in some of the stuff I'll have for sale myself. Go to http://home.insightbb.com/~junosmom/
and click on For Sale on the right. So far, I put up some wonderful dresses (think Easter) for sale, and Lauren's saddle. I'll have some curricula stuff soon.
and click on For Sale on the right. So far, I put up some wonderful dresses (think Easter) for sale, and Lauren's saddle. I'll have some curricula stuff soon.
Reminder to Self
....to be the very last person to check the gate in the barn and shut the doors.
At 3:30 a.m. today, Jorgen discovered the gate unlatched and decided to get some of that green candy grass just laying there for the taking. And, look! There's more across the street. No, the grass at home is better. As he went back and forth, the paper carrier saw him and was kind enough to ring our doorbell. Of course, he took off when he saw me, relishing his freedom.
So, in my pj's and barn coat, cutting quite a figure I am sure, I got in the van and followed him to the neighbor's, where he is sometimes pastured, just visiting with the horse that lives there. Food convinced him to come, and we went home. After such an adrenaline rush, it took some time before I could sleep again.
Speaking of sleep, Dh owes me a week of back rubs, having fallen asleep during Pride and Predjudice. Hah. He says it's a setup and not even SuperMan could have stayed awake since I didn't even start the movie until 10 p.m. Fah, he stayed awake for BATWOMAN, which only got 1 1/2 stars. Hallie Berry's movie seemed to keep him awake. Get the picture?
Lauren fell asleep, too, so owes me foot rubs. Anna and I watched it to the end, enjoyed it, and Anna, Age 12, is now reading the book. I liked the movie, but found the dialogue sometimes hard to follow. I should be able to follow it, for the giggly, bubbling way that young girls talk when excited is often within my hearing. Truly, it is a woman's movie. Dh wants to know, since he did see some of the beginning, what was Mr. Darcy's problem?
At 3:30 a.m. today, Jorgen discovered the gate unlatched and decided to get some of that green candy grass just laying there for the taking. And, look! There's more across the street. No, the grass at home is better. As he went back and forth, the paper carrier saw him and was kind enough to ring our doorbell. Of course, he took off when he saw me, relishing his freedom.
So, in my pj's and barn coat, cutting quite a figure I am sure, I got in the van and followed him to the neighbor's, where he is sometimes pastured, just visiting with the horse that lives there. Food convinced him to come, and we went home. After such an adrenaline rush, it took some time before I could sleep again.
Speaking of sleep, Dh owes me a week of back rubs, having fallen asleep during Pride and Predjudice. Hah. He says it's a setup and not even SuperMan could have stayed awake since I didn't even start the movie until 10 p.m. Fah, he stayed awake for BATWOMAN, which only got 1 1/2 stars. Hallie Berry's movie seemed to keep him awake. Get the picture?
Lauren fell asleep, too, so owes me foot rubs. Anna and I watched it to the end, enjoyed it, and Anna, Age 12, is now reading the book. I liked the movie, but found the dialogue sometimes hard to follow. I should be able to follow it, for the giggly, bubbling way that young girls talk when excited is often within my hearing. Truly, it is a woman's movie. Dh wants to know, since he did see some of the beginning, what was Mr. Darcy's problem?
Friday, March 17, 2006
Crossing Over
Today was a beautiful, sunny day, if a little chilly. To get Wm away from the TV and annoying his sisters, we went down to the creek to collect sticks for the wood-burning stove and to check the creek for damage after the storm. Wm wanted to cross the creek to climb a hill, and found the bridge that he'd built out of bricks with Lauren some months back. Before I stepped on it, he put out his arm, stopping me.
"Wait! We have to look both ways! Daddy says if you're not in a car, you have to look both ways before crossing."
I just smiled, and didn't tell him that the steamboat service had stopped years ago. Then, we took three steps and were on the other side.
On a gross note, Wm and I inspected the site of a previously known deer carcass. The doe had caught her heel on the barbed wire fence, fallen and broken her neck. All that was left of her this time was her leg, which still hung on the fence. Wm, of course, was fascinated, and we had to get sticks and knock it down. Bad mistake - Daisy Dog was nearby. She ran off with the whole dessicated leg, a giant chewing bone she figures, and we'll probably not see her for hours. Remind me not to let her lick me.
Contest: I'm not feeling real original right now, so I will again enter the names of commentors in a drawing for a free HOMESCHOOLER wristband. Winners announced next Friday.
"Wait! We have to look both ways! Daddy says if you're not in a car, you have to look both ways before crossing."
I just smiled, and didn't tell him that the steamboat service had stopped years ago. Then, we took three steps and were on the other side.
On a gross note, Wm and I inspected the site of a previously known deer carcass. The doe had caught her heel on the barbed wire fence, fallen and broken her neck. All that was left of her this time was her leg, which still hung on the fence. Wm, of course, was fascinated, and we had to get sticks and knock it down. Bad mistake - Daisy Dog was nearby. She ran off with the whole dessicated leg, a giant chewing bone she figures, and we'll probably not see her for hours. Remind me not to let her lick me.
Contest: I'm not feeling real original right now, so I will again enter the names of commentors in a drawing for a free HOMESCHOOLER wristband. Winners announced next Friday.
Happy St. Patrick's Day
Top O' the Mornin' to ya. Now, an adventurous homeschool family would pack up and spend St. Patrick's Day in Ireland, would they not? Homeschool Rights of Passage's family is over there right now.
For those of you wondering, we didn't watch Pride and Predjudice last night, as by the time I got done blogging, they were involved in Playstation 2. Those things are insidious (beguiling but harmful; "insidious pleasures"; intended to entrap) . On the other hand, so is blogging.
And, the winner of the contest is: Shirley
Congratulations, Shirley, please send your address to me by private email and we'll get your free HOMESCHOOLER wristband right out to you.
Check back later today for this week's contest.
For those of you wondering, we didn't watch Pride and Predjudice last night, as by the time I got done blogging, they were involved in Playstation 2. Those things are insidious (beguiling but harmful; "insidious pleasures"; intended to entrap) . On the other hand, so is blogging.
And, the winner of the contest is: Shirley
Congratulations, Shirley, please send your address to me by private email and we'll get your free HOMESCHOOLER wristband right out to you.
Check back later today for this week's contest.
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Pride and Predjudice
The girls have been wanting to see Pride and Predjudice for sometime, and today, a copy arrived in the mail from my online movie rental account. After dinner, they started in on "can we watch it NOW?" though their homework wasn't done. They want to watch it as a family, and I explained that firstly, our 4 yo is NOT going to sit through a "people movie" (i.e. not animated cartoons) of a bunch of women in long dresses talking about love. Secondly, Daddy (aka "dh") would never make it to the end of the movie.
"Wha'da'ya'mean?" he said incredulously.
"Well, I'll rub your feet everyday for a WEEK if you can make it through this movie without falling asleep. You lose? You rub my back every night for a week. Deal?"
His response: "Why would I make a bet like that when I don't even know if I want to see the movie in the first place?"
Lauren offered to rub my back and his feet during the movie if we let her watch it. Let's see, that book was a classic. Can it count as school? Off to get my back rub.......
"Wha'da'ya'mean?" he said incredulously.
"Well, I'll rub your feet everyday for a WEEK if you can make it through this movie without falling asleep. You lose? You rub my back every night for a week. Deal?"
His response: "Why would I make a bet like that when I don't even know if I want to see the movie in the first place?"
Lauren offered to rub my back and his feet during the movie if we let her watch it. Let's see, that book was a classic. Can it count as school? Off to get my back rub.......
Try Again
My dh didn't get it. I sent him the following email that a friend had shared with me:
The Hormone Hostage knows that there are days in the month when all a man has to do is open his mouth and he takes his very life into his own hands!
This is a handy guide that should be as common as a driver's license in the wallet of every husband, boyfriend, or significant other!!
DANGEROUS: What's for dinner?
SAFER: Can I help you with dinner?
SAFEST: Where would you like to go for dinner?
ULTRASAFE: Here, have some chocolate.
DANGEROUS: Are you wearing that?
SAFER: Gee, you look good in brown.
SAFEST: WOW! Look at you!
ULTRASAFE: Here, have some chocolate.
DANGEROUS: What are you so worked up about?
SAFER: What did I do wrong?
SAFEST: Here's fifty dollars.
ULTRASAFE: Here, have some chocolate.
DANGEROUS: Should you be eating that?
SAFER: You know, there are a lot of apples left.
SAFEST: Can I get you a glass of wine with that?
ULTRASAFE: Here, have some chocolate.
DANGEROUS: What did you do all day?
SAFER: I hope you didn't overdo it today.
SAFEST: I've always loved you in that robe!
ULTRASAFE: Here, have some more chocolate.
He responded by email: "I can relate to this one...."
Okay, that's in the DANGEROUS category. I called him on his cell. The answer is either a.) This doesn't sound like you at all, dear or b.) what kind of chocolate would you like for me to bring home?
By evening, he'd caught on and found three truffle chocolates that he'd put in the freezer after they were somewhat melted by the car heater. Hey, I'm not picky - chocolate is chocolate - and the monster was soothed.
The Hormone Hostage knows that there are days in the month when all a man has to do is open his mouth and he takes his very life into his own hands!
This is a handy guide that should be as common as a driver's license in the wallet of every husband, boyfriend, or significant other!!
DANGEROUS: What's for dinner?
SAFER: Can I help you with dinner?
SAFEST: Where would you like to go for dinner?
ULTRASAFE: Here, have some chocolate.
DANGEROUS: Are you wearing that?
SAFER: Gee, you look good in brown.
SAFEST: WOW! Look at you!
ULTRASAFE: Here, have some chocolate.
DANGEROUS: What are you so worked up about?
SAFER: What did I do wrong?
SAFEST: Here's fifty dollars.
ULTRASAFE: Here, have some chocolate.
DANGEROUS: Should you be eating that?
SAFER: You know, there are a lot of apples left.
SAFEST: Can I get you a glass of wine with that?
ULTRASAFE: Here, have some chocolate.
DANGEROUS: What did you do all day?
SAFER: I hope you didn't overdo it today.
SAFEST: I've always loved you in that robe!
ULTRASAFE: Here, have some more chocolate.
He responded by email: "I can relate to this one...."
Okay, that's in the DANGEROUS category. I called him on his cell. The answer is either a.) This doesn't sound like you at all, dear or b.) what kind of chocolate would you like for me to bring home?
By evening, he'd caught on and found three truffle chocolates that he'd put in the freezer after they were somewhat melted by the car heater. Hey, I'm not picky - chocolate is chocolate - and the monster was soothed.
Livin' in the Country
Maggie, the mini horse, seems content to mull around and not have her baby. I think she's just dragging this out to irritate me. We are checking on her constantly, yet I know that this baby, like babies are wont to do, will come at 2 o'clock in the morning. The anxiety comes with the knowledge that minis have a more difficult time getting out of the birth sack, and can die if someone doesn't cut it open. I was once asked "but what do they do in the wild?" Well, last I checked, minis aren't in the wild. Of course, there used to be small, horse-like creatures that are now extinct. Ah, maybe there's the answer!
Speaking of Maggie, the chicken-killing neighbor's dog came over the other day, and his companion dog, which rarely comes over, did, too. This dog is a black lab that tries to bite you if you stick your hand through the fence though the neighbor swears he's nice once you get to know him. He's so big that when I saw him in the yard, I thought Maggie was out, for they are much the same size. The chicken-killer was eyeing Maggie through the fence, and I'm worried about whether the killing instinct will transfer over to newly born miniature foals.
So, I reluctantly called the neighbor again, and after he apologized for his dogs' foray into our territory, he asked if we were considering re-roofing our barn. Seems those 60 mph winds we had last week dumped a wheelbarrow full of shingles in his yard. His yard that is 10 feet from my barn. Whyever anyone would want to build their nice new home right behind my dilapidated, yet functional barn and my tidy, yet still, manure pile, is beyond me.
Not too long ago, dh and I discussed said barn, and concluded that while we don't want to be red-necked about it, it was better not to put much more money in that barn. It would be cheaper to tear it down and rebuild a better one. However, zoning laws are changing in our lovely (formerly agricultural, now bedroom community) county. My barn cannot be rebuilt in the same location because it is too close to the fence line and right under the electric line. I never dreamed I'd ever have a barn at all, and except for the leaky roof, it's quite nice inside and the horses are comfortable. I offered to neighbor that whenever it stormed, we'd come pick up the shingles, if he locked up his big dog.
Commenting on Blogs
Several people new to blogging have asked me how to comment on a blog.
On homeschoolblogger.com, you have to first register a username (you do not have to have a blog, but you do have to have a name) to comment. Go to http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/signup.php
After you have a user name, you will then see a link that says Post A Comment. Unbeknownst to me (since I am always logged in, if you don't have a user name, you cannot see this link. So after you get this username, you can go to www.homeschoolblogger.com/junosmom , look at the bottom of the post, and you should see this link.
If you want to post anonymously, you could go to my other blog at http://lifetimelearning.blogspot.com/ (same content, different layout) without registering, but of course, I can't enter you in any contests I might have because I won't know who you are. Blogspot requires only that you type in a word verification to make sure you aren't just a spammer. (I've had trouble with that before.)
Speaking of Maggie, the chicken-killing neighbor's dog came over the other day, and his companion dog, which rarely comes over, did, too. This dog is a black lab that tries to bite you if you stick your hand through the fence though the neighbor swears he's nice once you get to know him. He's so big that when I saw him in the yard, I thought Maggie was out, for they are much the same size. The chicken-killer was eyeing Maggie through the fence, and I'm worried about whether the killing instinct will transfer over to newly born miniature foals.
So, I reluctantly called the neighbor again, and after he apologized for his dogs' foray into our territory, he asked if we were considering re-roofing our barn. Seems those 60 mph winds we had last week dumped a wheelbarrow full of shingles in his yard. His yard that is 10 feet from my barn. Whyever anyone would want to build their nice new home right behind my dilapidated, yet functional barn and my tidy, yet still, manure pile, is beyond me.
Not too long ago, dh and I discussed said barn, and concluded that while we don't want to be red-necked about it, it was better not to put much more money in that barn. It would be cheaper to tear it down and rebuild a better one. However, zoning laws are changing in our lovely (formerly agricultural, now bedroom community) county. My barn cannot be rebuilt in the same location because it is too close to the fence line and right under the electric line. I never dreamed I'd ever have a barn at all, and except for the leaky roof, it's quite nice inside and the horses are comfortable. I offered to neighbor that whenever it stormed, we'd come pick up the shingles, if he locked up his big dog.
Commenting on Blogs
Several people new to blogging have asked me how to comment on a blog.
On homeschoolblogger.com, you have to first register a username (you do not have to have a blog, but you do have to have a name) to comment. Go to http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/signup.php
After you have a user name, you will then see a link that says Post A Comment. Unbeknownst to me (since I am always logged in, if you don't have a user name, you cannot see this link. So after you get this username, you can go to www.homeschoolblogger.com/junosmom , look at the bottom of the post, and you should see this link.
If you want to post anonymously, you could go to my other blog at http://lifetimelearning.blogspot.com/ (same content, different layout) without registering, but of course, I can't enter you in any contests I might have because I won't know who you are. Blogspot requires only that you type in a word verification to make sure you aren't just a spammer. (I've had trouble with that before.)
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Updates
Contest: Any commentors on my blog or anyone that buys one of Anna's homeschool wristbands will be entered into a contest for a free wristband. Contest ends Friday. These wristbands are a great way for others to see your commitment to homeschooling and are fun for kids, too! (Will fit kids about ages 7 to adult.)
My blog about Patio Dresses got so many readers, that I figure that all of you are just waiting for your opportunity to buy one. So I think it is my duty to tell you that they are on sale at Dillards this week.
Interestingly, my dad said that my Grandma Matthai wore these because they were inexpensive. Now, they cost $50 each! Seems kind of expensive attire to lay around in watching soap operas.
Lauren had a check up on her broken ankle. The doctor reports that it looks great - no change! What? I would think that after two weeks, you'd see some bone growth or something. No, she has another two week of "non-weight bearing" before he'll evaluate if she can walk on it with the cast still on.
Maggie, the miniature horse, is due to foal any day now. Her udder fills in the morning, but goes down at night. You can see her belly "boil". We are hopeful for a positive outcome.
In The News
I found two rather alarming articles in the newspaper this morning:
Teacher accused of biting is fired
She's charged with assaulting student
A former Stuart Middle School teacher was fired yesterday and is facing an aggravated assault charge after one of her students said she bit him.
More....
(Lauren wonders if the teacher has rabies. Sounds like it, doesn't it?)
Classroom brainwashing
by Thomas Sowell
Governor Bill Owens of Colorado has cut through the cant about "free speech" and come to the defense of a 16-year-old high school student who tape-recorded his geography teacher using class time to rant against President Bush and compare him to Hitler.
The teacher's lawyer talks about First Amendment rights to free speech but free speech has never meant speech free of consequences. Even aside from laws against libel or extortion, you can insult your boss or your spouse only at your own risk.
Unfortunately, there is much confusion about both free speech and academic freedom. At too many schools and colleges across the country, teachers feel free to use a captive audience to vent their politics when they are supposed to be teaching geography or math or other subjects.
More.....
Teacher accused of biting is fired
She's charged with assaulting student
A former Stuart Middle School teacher was fired yesterday and is facing an aggravated assault charge after one of her students said she bit him.
More....
(Lauren wonders if the teacher has rabies. Sounds like it, doesn't it?)
Classroom brainwashing
by Thomas Sowell
Governor Bill Owens of Colorado has cut through the cant about "free speech" and come to the defense of a 16-year-old high school student who tape-recorded his geography teacher using class time to rant against President Bush and compare him to Hitler.
The teacher's lawyer talks about First Amendment rights to free speech but free speech has never meant speech free of consequences. Even aside from laws against libel or extortion, you can insult your boss or your spouse only at your own risk.
Unfortunately, there is much confusion about both free speech and academic freedom. At too many schools and colleges across the country, teachers feel free to use a captive audience to vent their politics when they are supposed to be teaching geography or math or other subjects.
More.....
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Righteous
Righteous! One of my newest favorite words combined with one of my newest favorite products. Can't ask for more than that! As a homeschooler, I am sometimes asked if it doesn't cost a lot of money for curricula and materials. Personally, I consider the investment well worth the money. Still, I want to protect the investment.
Computer discs, PS2 discs, DVDs and CDs are wonderful inventions, easier to store than the mountains of VHS tapes I used to have. They tend to not work, however, when smeared with butter, left on the floor, or with major scratches across the surface. OUCH! Some of the computer programs are quite expensive, and each scratch is personally felt.
The answer, until technology changes again, is d_skin Righteous Disc Protectors. These plastic "skins" snap onto the shiny side of the disc. The disc can then be used as it, being read through the plastic skin. If the skin is scratched, you can remove it and put on another one. At $17.99 for 20 at our local superstore, you can protect your DVD or CD for less than a $1 each.
Righteous!
Computer discs, PS2 discs, DVDs and CDs are wonderful inventions, easier to store than the mountains of VHS tapes I used to have. They tend to not work, however, when smeared with butter, left on the floor, or with major scratches across the surface. OUCH! Some of the computer programs are quite expensive, and each scratch is personally felt.
The answer, until technology changes again, is d_skin Righteous Disc Protectors. These plastic "skins" snap onto the shiny side of the disc. The disc can then be used as it, being read through the plastic skin. If the skin is scratched, you can remove it and put on another one. At $17.99 for 20 at our local superstore, you can protect your DVD or CD for less than a $1 each.Righteous!
Sunday, March 12, 2006
Isn't She Lovely?
It's very embarrassing to get older and "weepy", but it is hard to contain emotions when your daughter can bring tears to the eyes of strangers with her gift at the piano, not to mention her beauty.
Despite breaking her right ankle (with which she pedals the piano) two weeks ago, and having but a short time to adjust to her left, Lauren played Paderewski's Minuet this past Saturday at University of Louisville's School of Music.
What Not to Wear
Don't you just love these shows that tell you what NOT to wear? Oprah is a good one for that. Take the frumpy mom in her jeans and tshirt. 'Honey', they say sweetly, 'you don't need to go around like that.' The subject then emerges with a $500 cut, color and makeup job that will never be duplicated at Fantastic Sams in her town, clothed in the perfect skirt with a little flair at the hem, a perfectly matched blouse and the cutest little sandals. I'm at home thinking I'd sure like to see her scrub the kitchen floor and toilet in that. How about mucking out the horse stalls in those little gold flats?
On the show What Not to Wear, they recently showed a woman in a "gorgeous" pair of high-heeled sandals that cost $248. What??? My whole wardrobe doesn't amount to that much. It's my fault for even watching these shows. Our culture's expectations are formed on glossy magazines. A friend recently called, relaying that she'd tried on bathing suits. It was depressing, she said. We lamented that we'd never be fourteen again, yet we compare ourselves with movie stars having twins at age 48 and then fitting into their evening gowns for the Oscars. Oh, for a little air-brushing on my photos.
Speaking of photos, it is true, is it not, that you have dozens of photos of your family and few, if any, feature the mom of the family? Recently, I shared some photos via email with my aunt. She wrote back that it appeared that everyone had had a good time, except me, since I wasn't in any of the photos. Well, it's true, I am charged with, out of guilt that someday I will be accused of not properly photographing the family history, taking all the photographs. So, I am rarely in them. Aunt suggested that I reliquish the camera to one of my offspring, as she was sure they'd do a good job.
It might be though, that I do not reliquish the camera as they'd photograph me in my element, revealing the true nature of my existence and showing me in a less than glamorous light. As an example, I leave you with the following photo taken by my four year old of me scrubbing the floor in my uniform of jeans and a tshirt:
On the show What Not to Wear, they recently showed a woman in a "gorgeous" pair of high-heeled sandals that cost $248. What??? My whole wardrobe doesn't amount to that much. It's my fault for even watching these shows. Our culture's expectations are formed on glossy magazines. A friend recently called, relaying that she'd tried on bathing suits. It was depressing, she said. We lamented that we'd never be fourteen again, yet we compare ourselves with movie stars having twins at age 48 and then fitting into their evening gowns for the Oscars. Oh, for a little air-brushing on my photos.
Speaking of photos, it is true, is it not, that you have dozens of photos of your family and few, if any, feature the mom of the family? Recently, I shared some photos via email with my aunt. She wrote back that it appeared that everyone had had a good time, except me, since I wasn't in any of the photos. Well, it's true, I am charged with, out of guilt that someday I will be accused of not properly photographing the family history, taking all the photographs. So, I am rarely in them. Aunt suggested that I reliquish the camera to one of my offspring, as she was sure they'd do a good job.
It might be though, that I do not reliquish the camera as they'd photograph me in my element, revealing the true nature of my existence and showing me in a less than glamorous light. As an example, I leave you with the following photo taken by my four year old of me scrubbing the floor in my uniform of jeans and a tshirt:
Friday, March 10, 2006
Contest
The folks at homeschoolblogger.com like contests, so we are offering one as well to promote Anna's HSWristbands business, and generate readership on my blog. Everyone one who leaves a comment on my blog will be entered into a drawing for one free HOMESCHOOLER wristband, courtesy of moi. We will also give one free entry for each wristband purchased. The first drawing will be March 17th.
I've received lots of wonderful feedback and excitement about homeschool promotion products, interest in the kids' sizes, and other mottos, such as Proud Parent of a Homeschooler and UNSCHOOLER. For now, Anna's bank (moi again) has only forwarded the capital for this first order. When she gets enough in sales to pay for the next order, we'll be ordering the kids' size.
While she doesn't stand to get rich from this scheme, she will be rich in learning experiences
I once heard a great suggestion for a bumper sticker, but I'm not sure the general public would "get" the self-deprecation.
I've received lots of wonderful feedback and excitement about homeschool promotion products, interest in the kids' sizes, and other mottos, such as Proud Parent of a Homeschooler and UNSCHOOLER. For now, Anna's bank (moi again) has only forwarded the capital for this first order. When she gets enough in sales to pay for the next order, we'll be ordering the kids' size.
While she doesn't stand to get rich from this scheme, she will be rich in learning experiences
I once heard a great suggestion for a bumper sticker, but I'm not sure the general public would "get" the self-deprecation.
Homeschooling: It's Funner than School
Thursday, March 09, 2006
Homeschooler Silicone Wristbands
Anna is doing a school project of running a small business. We based this idea on her mom's (my)deficiency in remembering names AND faces :-) Seriously, have you ever been somewhere, known that there were homeschoolers there, but didn't know who? Be able to discreetly look for a red HOMESCHOOLER wristband, and confidently say, "So, you homeschool?"
http://home.insightbb.com/~hswristbands/
http://home.insightbb.com/~hswristbands/
Whitney
This is Whitney, an 8 pound Japanese Chin, who as you can see, has forgotten that she is a lap dog and fancies herself as a farm dog. Her fancy tail drags in the mud and captures pieces of straw, but she's enjoying herself.
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Come On and Admit It, You've.....
- Called your cell phone to see if you can find it
- Gone upstairs, stood in the hallway trying to remember why you went upstairs
- Gone to Walmart to get one specific item, bought several other things while there but forgot the one item which prompted the trip in the first place
- Called your kids by the dog's name and the dog by the kids' names.
- Tried using your panic button on your car keys to find your car, since you've forgotten where you parked
- Put something in the microwave and forgotten it until the next day
- Put the salt in the refrigerator and the salad dressing in the freezer
First Impressions
Wm's favorite color is pink, loves to wear mommy's high heels, and play with a tea set inherited from his great-grandma (in which my girls showed no interest). Given this, I might ask you of your first impression of my sweet boy. Often, the true content is hidden beyond our first thoughts.
I asked Wm why he liked pink best. It turns out he likes any food that is pink, as it is likely then to be strawberry or watermelon flavored, his favorite. He likes the pink yogurt best.
As for the high heels, did you know that small feet can jam down into the toe of the shoe and by scooting along with out lifting your feet, you can make the heel hammer down on the hardwood floor, making a cacophony of sound sure to irritate your sisters senseless? He may get renamed - Bam Bam.
As for the tea set, in true male form, we're back to food and "I can do it myself". The set has a pot that he can pour without spilling and he loves being able to do it himself. I refill the dang thing 50 times, for it isn't the "let's have a tea party and talk" experience girls might enjoy (though mine didn't). It's more like "mom, get me more orange juice!" and "let's eat in front of the TV" experience.
So, remember, first impressions are sometimes useful, but sometimes deceiving.
I asked Wm why he liked pink best. It turns out he likes any food that is pink, as it is likely then to be strawberry or watermelon flavored, his favorite. He likes the pink yogurt best.
As for the high heels, did you know that small feet can jam down into the toe of the shoe and by scooting along with out lifting your feet, you can make the heel hammer down on the hardwood floor, making a cacophony of sound sure to irritate your sisters senseless? He may get renamed - Bam Bam.
As for the tea set, in true male form, we're back to food and "I can do it myself". The set has a pot that he can pour without spilling and he loves being able to do it himself. I refill the dang thing 50 times, for it isn't the "let's have a tea party and talk" experience girls might enjoy (though mine didn't). It's more like "mom, get me more orange juice!" and "let's eat in front of the TV" experience.
So, remember, first impressions are sometimes useful, but sometimes deceiving.
Monday, March 06, 2006
Spam
When I was a kid, Spam was a gross meat product in a can. It still is kind of gross, but as the garbage that fills my inbox each morning. While I am sleeping, some people out there burn up a lot of energy in an effort to improve on body parts I do not have, sell to me drugs I do not need, and find partners I do not want or need.
These emails seem to come in waves. For one whole week, the spammers were sure that I needed a new Rolex watch. Lately, I am getting investment advice. And really, who would follow the investment advice and buy stock as the result of an email. Is anyone really that stupid?
Evidently, someone in Ireland has accessed my Paypal account and is spending millions. More power to them, since I don't have millions. I've been banned from eBay, evidently, for not updating my account information, and a few dozen banks are withholding money I don't know I have in accounts I don't know I have. Of course, I could have access to millions if only I could get ahold of that guy in Nigeria.
My Norton Anti-Spam faithfully tries to learn to scoop the scum off the email bucket, but somehow, they spammers come up with new and ingenious ways to make you look, in the event you might miss an all important email. And, usually, there is one or two emails that end up as spam that wasn't. So, in the end, you end up scanning over all the spam yourself anyway. Ah, well, on slow email days, at least you feel wanted.
These emails seem to come in waves. For one whole week, the spammers were sure that I needed a new Rolex watch. Lately, I am getting investment advice. And really, who would follow the investment advice and buy stock as the result of an email. Is anyone really that stupid?
Evidently, someone in Ireland has accessed my Paypal account and is spending millions. More power to them, since I don't have millions. I've been banned from eBay, evidently, for not updating my account information, and a few dozen banks are withholding money I don't know I have in accounts I don't know I have. Of course, I could have access to millions if only I could get ahold of that guy in Nigeria.
My Norton Anti-Spam faithfully tries to learn to scoop the scum off the email bucket, but somehow, they spammers come up with new and ingenious ways to make you look, in the event you might miss an all important email. And, usually, there is one or two emails that end up as spam that wasn't. So, in the end, you end up scanning over all the spam yourself anyway. Ah, well, on slow email days, at least you feel wanted.
Out of the Mouth of Babes
The phone rang and it was yet another non-profit group, "We have a truck in your area on next Wednesday and were wondering if you'd donate a few things...." Somehow I've gotten on the list of every single cause with a truck collecting "unwanted items".
When the phone rings in our house, everyone wants to know who it was that called. I mumbled a response to my daughter with the name of this particular charity. Wm caught on, "WHO was it??" I repeated what I said before, adding that he didn't know them. "But who are they?" he asked again. Repeat this sentence at least three times.
Finally, I said that it was an organization collecting items for the mentally handicapped. Totally innocently (or so I hope), he responded, "Do you mean like you??"
When the phone rings in our house, everyone wants to know who it was that called. I mumbled a response to my daughter with the name of this particular charity. Wm caught on, "WHO was it??" I repeated what I said before, adding that he didn't know them. "But who are they?" he asked again. Repeat this sentence at least three times.
Finally, I said that it was an organization collecting items for the mentally handicapped. Totally innocently (or so I hope), he responded, "Do you mean like you??"
Photo Blog Continued - Vaulting
What A Successful Vault Looks Like...
What an Unsuccessful Vault Looks Like.....
What an Unsuccessful Vault Looks Like.....
A Photo Blog
It being Monday and all, I thought today I'd do a little photo blogging, share some of our life visually, and rest my little brain. (That means basically, I don't have anything to write about this morning.)
How about some horsey photos? Here is Anna in the make-shift bed she and Lauren made in the barn on the hay. This is where they intend to spend the night when Maggie, the miniature horse, finally decides to have that baby. It is also where they hide to read their books when they should be doing math!
This is Maggie, due sometime this month. The girls love feeling the little foal kick.
This is Montego Bay or "Bay" for short - my horse and well known as the best horse in the world! He's a Tennessee Walker.
Saturday, March 04, 2006
Do You Ever Think You'll Be Old Enough.....
...that you won't care what you look like wearing a "patio" or house dress like you've seen your grandma wear? On my post about Slippers, TC asked where was the matching dress? Here it is, TC. You can find your own support hose!
As for footwear comfort, I have had bunions (I HATE that word. Makes me sound 90 years old) all my life, even as a child. They are genetic, and make buying shoes a real pain, pun intended. Shoe shopping is one feminine delight in which I can't share, for shoes rarely fit, and if I can cram my deformed feet into them, they are rarely comfortable. Podiatists, all men, say "buy comfortable (read UGLY) shoes with lots of room in them. These shoes that fit generally look like beatnik European (read STRANGE) shoes.
Recently, I watched the movie, In Her Shoes. I had to laugh because this woman was like Imelda Marcos (remember her?) with tons of shoes, not one pair that would fit my old lady feet. Pain shoots through my joints just looking at them!
Now, men, mmmmm... They seem to move to comfortable versus looking good much sooner than women. Notice on this ad for Health Shoe, the notation that "The Men's Shoe has been sold out." Wonder why that is? Wouldn't you just love to see your man in a pair of those? Now, this is the kind of shoe that the podiatrists (blast them) would love to see me in. Not going to happen. I must make do for now, cramming my foot into uncomfortable footwear until such time I can retire to those slippers or Health Shoes and my Patio Dress.
Friday, March 03, 2006
Friday
Foal Watch
Last night, the girls' enthusiam for sleeping in the barn with the expectant mare plummeted with the air temperature. At noon, we were dreaming of spring, so much so that I bought some Boston lettuce plants at the store. The snooty old lady in front of me commented that "someone is awfully optimistic" while eyeing my plants. It just kills me that she was right. Mmmm.. I'll have to build a greenhouse to show her!
The girls claim that temperatures had nothing to do with their change in plans. Lauren spent time online looking at a lot of photos of female horses private parts to determine the signs of impending foal birth. She has decided that the time is not right, and so she will luxuriate in the comfort of her own bed. The horse, if you can call such a small thing a horse (she most closely resembles a large dog, though small than Juno) seems nonplussed about the whole thing.
FlyLady
I have been helping everyone with their laundry, and have decided that they all have too much clothing. I think we should go back to the days when you had one or two outfits for daytime wear and one for "Sunday-go-to-meeting". Wait a minute, that's my wardrobe.
I've been doing my best to fling out things. All it takes is one trip to Walmart and one to a fast food joint for a Zippy Meal and boom, things are piling up again.
Warning
My mom says that it's a good thing she talks to my sisters, or she'd not know that Lauren had broken her leg. She must not read my blog. This is fair warning to family and friends that if I know you don't read it, then you are fodder for material!
What I've Read
If ever you were bullied, were the bully or have a child facing bullies, this is a great book to read. Written from a Christian perspective, I had a few minor differences of opinion with him, but I was willing to overlook these for the overall message. I feel the author could have gone deeper into solutions and suggestions for parents, teachers and counselors. Truly, it makes one wonder why adults allow children to behave so. Yet, as he says, adults have their own versions of being bullied.
I've also finished all the books in the series Abram's Daughters by Beverly Lewis. I read these with Lauren, and they are great books for young teens. They carry a message of forgiveness and love throughout the series.
Last night, the girls' enthusiam for sleeping in the barn with the expectant mare plummeted with the air temperature. At noon, we were dreaming of spring, so much so that I bought some Boston lettuce plants at the store. The snooty old lady in front of me commented that "someone is awfully optimistic" while eyeing my plants. It just kills me that she was right. Mmmm.. I'll have to build a greenhouse to show her!
The girls claim that temperatures had nothing to do with their change in plans. Lauren spent time online looking at a lot of photos of female horses private parts to determine the signs of impending foal birth. She has decided that the time is not right, and so she will luxuriate in the comfort of her own bed. The horse, if you can call such a small thing a horse (she most closely resembles a large dog, though small than Juno) seems nonplussed about the whole thing.
FlyLady
I have been helping everyone with their laundry, and have decided that they all have too much clothing. I think we should go back to the days when you had one or two outfits for daytime wear and one for "Sunday-go-to-meeting". Wait a minute, that's my wardrobe.
I've been doing my best to fling out things. All it takes is one trip to Walmart and one to a fast food joint for a Zippy Meal and boom, things are piling up again.
Warning
My mom says that it's a good thing she talks to my sisters, or she'd not know that Lauren had broken her leg. She must not read my blog. This is fair warning to family and friends that if I know you don't read it, then you are fodder for material!
What I've Read
If ever you were bullied, were the bully or have a child facing bullies, this is a great book to read. Written from a Christian perspective, I had a few minor differences of opinion with him, but I was willing to overlook these for the overall message. I feel the author could have gone deeper into solutions and suggestions for parents, teachers and counselors. Truly, it makes one wonder why adults allow children to behave so. Yet, as he says, adults have their own versions of being bullied.
I've also finished all the books in the series Abram's Daughters by Beverly Lewis. I read these with Lauren, and they are great books for young teens. They carry a message of forgiveness and love throughout the series.
Thursday, March 02, 2006
We're Expecting
No, not me! The girls spent the night in the barn on itchy bales of hay to watch Maggie, a pregnant miniature horse that belongs to a neighbor. After breaking her back, this neighbor moved back to the city and contracted with Lauren to take care of the animals she sold them. Maggie is a sweet, dark bay mini and due sometime this month. The girls are excited and I am cautious. This mare has lost two of her five foals.
Dh went up to check on them last night, where he found them watching a movie on the personal DVD player. Really roughing it. He resisted sneaking up and scaring them, which would have been difficult for me. I have a personality defect, enjoying hiding in a closet and jumping out to startle people, but I am learning to get over it.
The rooster crowed at the crack of dawn, waking them up. Yesterday, she seemed to have "dropped" and her udder is starting to fill. Shouldn't be long now.
Dh went up to check on them last night, where he found them watching a movie on the personal DVD player. Really roughing it. He resisted sneaking up and scaring them, which would have been difficult for me. I have a personality defect, enjoying hiding in a closet and jumping out to startle people, but I am learning to get over it.
The rooster crowed at the crack of dawn, waking them up. Yesterday, she seemed to have "dropped" and her udder is starting to fill. Shouldn't be long now.
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
A Mom's Life
I wrote in A Tough Break that I was fantasizing about a way to painlessly break my ankle so that I too could put my feet up. My funny sister, Diane, wrote that I must be kidding, for it would take nothing short of a full body cast. True, isn't it?
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Wanna Look Younger?
I was amused by this ad in today's paper. Your feet will feel 20 years younger - all the while YOU will look like you're ready for the nursing home.
A Tough Break
Lauren vaulted over her horse yesterday instead of onto it, and though she did hang on for a little bit, fell. Her ankle swelled immediately and it looked as if she had a bad sprain. Xrays were called for just to be safe, and surprisingly, they found a crack or break in the ankle. She'll get a cast tomorrow. Sadly, this puts her out of riding her horse for awhile, though I will be surprised if she doesn't try riding with a cast. She won't be making the Bluegrass Open competition, however at the end of March.
When they called to tell me that she'd injured her foot, (God forgive me) I thought "I hope it's her left foot". She plays the piano beautifully, pedalling with her right foot. Of course it was her right. God has a sense of humor like that. Perhaps she'll learn something really interesting about piano from this.
The trip to the emergency room was interesting. Now, one of our favorite shows is House, so I know that the littlest symptom can have meaning if you can believe a TV show, which you can't. But, as Dr. House says, it was a boring case. Obviously, she had either a sprain or a broken ankle. Yet, the questions they asked:
Do you smoke? Not with my ankle.
Do you do street drugs? Would anyone tell you if he/she did?
Do you have liver disease? And this would affect my ankle how....?
Heart disease? Not yet, but most people get it eventually.
Been out of the country? Yes, but the ankle was broken domestically.
Last period? Oh, that's why she broke it - PMS. She was just off kilter.
Favorite color? Allergic to dogs or shellfish? Email address?
So, Lauren will be off her feet for awhile. That means that Anna and I will have to pick up her chores. This week, she has two pet sitting jobs in addition to her barn chores at home. She complains that her rear hurts from sitting so much while I fantasize about ways to painlessly break my ankle so that I can put my feet up.
When they called to tell me that she'd injured her foot, (God forgive me) I thought "I hope it's her left foot". She plays the piano beautifully, pedalling with her right foot. Of course it was her right. God has a sense of humor like that. Perhaps she'll learn something really interesting about piano from this.
The trip to the emergency room was interesting. Now, one of our favorite shows is House, so I know that the littlest symptom can have meaning if you can believe a TV show, which you can't. But, as Dr. House says, it was a boring case. Obviously, she had either a sprain or a broken ankle. Yet, the questions they asked:
Do you smoke? Not with my ankle.
Do you do street drugs? Would anyone tell you if he/she did?
Do you have liver disease? And this would affect my ankle how....?
Heart disease? Not yet, but most people get it eventually.
Been out of the country? Yes, but the ankle was broken domestically.
Last period? Oh, that's why she broke it - PMS. She was just off kilter.
Favorite color? Allergic to dogs or shellfish? Email address?
So, Lauren will be off her feet for awhile. That means that Anna and I will have to pick up her chores. This week, she has two pet sitting jobs in addition to her barn chores at home. She complains that her rear hurts from sitting so much while I fantasize about ways to painlessly break my ankle so that I can put my feet up.
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Oil
Stepping out on a (political) limb that I vigorously avoid, I've yet been carrying a thought that I have to blog to rid my brain of it. When Bush said that we must reduce our dependence on foreign oil, I could not help thinking "we need to reduce our dependence on oil". Period. It would be to no purpose to rely only on domestic oil if Greenland and the North Pole melt, and global warming continues.
I will admit that on very cold winter mornings, followed by a very, unseasonably warm afternoon, I've had the thought "I'm all for global warming". I'm not a cold weather person. In fact, where in the hell, excuse me, did anyone get the idea that hell is HOT? For me, Hades would be cold. Frozen ice with no hot showers.
Still, trying to be environmentally sound, I looked into the cost of installing solar panels on our house. No wonder we need oil! Have you ever priced it? I like the idea of independence from the "Grid" but I've been spoiled by Walmart prices. Something like $11, 000 should get me some relief from my ballooning electric bill.
Most Americans, however, don't even have a clue just how dependent on oil we are. Addiction is a good term, for we even eat oil. Think you don't? If you eat anything with artificial dyes, then you eat oil. It's in a great deal of our products, albeit hidden by long organic chemistry terms.
Well, dinner is ready - chicken broccoli casserole with rice - and the natives are restless, so I must go.
I will admit that on very cold winter mornings, followed by a very, unseasonably warm afternoon, I've had the thought "I'm all for global warming". I'm not a cold weather person. In fact, where in the hell, excuse me, did anyone get the idea that hell is HOT? For me, Hades would be cold. Frozen ice with no hot showers.
Still, trying to be environmentally sound, I looked into the cost of installing solar panels on our house. No wonder we need oil! Have you ever priced it? I like the idea of independence from the "Grid" but I've been spoiled by Walmart prices. Something like $11, 000 should get me some relief from my ballooning electric bill.
Most Americans, however, don't even have a clue just how dependent on oil we are. Addiction is a good term, for we even eat oil. Think you don't? If you eat anything with artificial dyes, then you eat oil. It's in a great deal of our products, albeit hidden by long organic chemistry terms.
Well, dinner is ready - chicken broccoli casserole with rice - and the natives are restless, so I must go.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Are You a Slacker Mom?
I've been doing some little online surveys lately. I found this one about Are You a Slacker Mom? because here we sit blogging (I know you are out there) and even as we blog, we know we should be doing other things. The clean, unfolded laundry thrown on the bed will soon overtake the bed and you won't be able to find your husband beside you for all the clothes. But blogging takes on a life of its own, and becomes like a job, a rewarding one.
So over at this website, I expected that indeed, I'd be a Slacker Mom - BUT it said I was a Zen Mom. Now isn't that nice? It said that when things got rough, I take a deep breath, say "this too shall pass", and bring calm to the situation. The deal is, I'd like to get to where there aren't so many "situations".
Today: Took Wm to McDs playplace to play while Lauren was at piano lessons. Because I had Lauren's Saxon Math with me to correct, I was identified by some women as a homeschooler. Sadly, she'd been homeschooling for two years without knowledge of a support group. I put her on that path. School moms get adult interaction now and again through school, but homeschoolers don't get that automatically. You have to look for that support. It was an enjoyable discussion, but I didn't get the math corrected. See, I am a slacker mom.
So over at this website, I expected that indeed, I'd be a Slacker Mom - BUT it said I was a Zen Mom. Now isn't that nice? It said that when things got rough, I take a deep breath, say "this too shall pass", and bring calm to the situation. The deal is, I'd like to get to where there aren't so many "situations".
Today: Took Wm to McDs playplace to play while Lauren was at piano lessons. Because I had Lauren's Saxon Math with me to correct, I was identified by some women as a homeschooler. Sadly, she'd been homeschooling for two years without knowledge of a support group. I put her on that path. School moms get adult interaction now and again through school, but homeschoolers don't get that automatically. You have to look for that support. It was an enjoyable discussion, but I didn't get the math corrected. See, I am a slacker mom.
William's Birthday!
William is four years old today - and is already asking when we'll get to the present part and I've not even finished my coffee. It's hard to believe four years have gone by since the day he was born.
Happy Birthday to William!
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Newport Aquarium
Yesterday, we drove to Newport, Kentucky to meet my extended family at the Aquarium. Dad didn't come. Said watching fish was as exciting as watching paint dry. We met him later for dinner to celebrate Wm's 4th birthday.This aquarium has sharks and they are fun to see up close and personal. The kids always enjoy seeing unusal fish, such as the one pretending to be a rock in the shark tank. Can't say as I blame him! If you happen to be within driving distance of the Newport Aquarium, they allow two children in free for each adult until the end of February.
Monday, February 20, 2006
"Still Waters Run Deep"
As part of Lauren's high school studies, we are working on "Career Studies". My wise advisors on La Leche League Leaders that homeschool email list (yes, there is such a thing) recommended the book Do What You Are : Discover the Perfect Career for You Through the Secrets of Personality Type--Revised and Updated Edition Featuring E-careers for the 21st Century
. It suggests looking at careers based on what or who you are.
According to an online Jung Typology Test , and as I've tested time and again for the past 15 years, I am an INFP. The title of that chapter is "Still Waters Run Deep". My "I" is rather weak, and I most likely slip into ENFP frequently or "Anything's Possible". I think maybe I'm an ENFP when I have energy, and INFP when I tire! I like that a lot of ENFPs are comedians, for I enjoy humor, and Mary, the mother of Jesus, is thought to have been an INFP, although there is so little written about her really I don't know how they reached this conclusion.
Interestingly, neither is consistent with a career in engineering, which is where I was steered when I was in high school. While I enjoyed math and science, I never did enjoy this field and slipped into management and organizational development, both career choices for NFPs, soon after college. I hope to guide my children more wisely.
My challeges are to:
. It suggests looking at careers based on what or who you are.According to an online Jung Typology Test , and as I've tested time and again for the past 15 years, I am an INFP. The title of that chapter is "Still Waters Run Deep". My "I" is rather weak, and I most likely slip into ENFP frequently or "Anything's Possible". I think maybe I'm an ENFP when I have energy, and INFP when I tire! I like that a lot of ENFPs are comedians, for I enjoy humor, and Mary, the mother of Jesus, is thought to have been an INFP, although there is so little written about her really I don't know how they reached this conclusion.
Interestingly, neither is consistent with a career in engineering, which is where I was steered when I was in high school. While I enjoyed math and science, I never did enjoy this field and slipped into management and organizational development, both career choices for NFPs, soon after college. I hope to guide my children more wisely.
My challeges are to:
- Develop realistic expectations
- Value compromise
- Not take things so personally
- Follow through
I think following through is my biggest challenge. Interestingly, my dh is the exact opposite of my type, ISTJ, and the exact same as my father. What would Freud say about that?
By now you are thinking - This is for Lauren's career studies? Yes, it is and she did do the test. I do feel that adults need to try to understand themselves in order to mentor others. Anyway, Lauren is an ENFJ. She's read the typology and seems to identify with it. Next, we'll be reading through the chapter and discussing the types of careers that might fit an ENFJ.
Anna, at age 12, interestingly scored a 1% on each indicator, so it is hard to say what type she really is. I suppose she's still forming her opinion, but I know her well enough to say that the I is full cemented, so perhaps the dilemma lays in the way she answered the questions.
I finished reading:
The Betrayal by Beverly Lewis
The Sacrifice
Saturday, February 18, 2006
Weekend
Thursday was full with school and Lauren's riding practice. Just as the day drew to a close, Lauren reported that Jorgen's (pony's) eye was swollen shut. I despaired, because we've just now received the vet bill for sutures for a cut on his nose. We've not yet received the bill for Stealth (Anna's pony) who turned up lame last week, and also for shots, Coggins, and health certificates for both. I need a job!
Because eye injuries can turn serious quickly, I called the vet right away and we were advised to put antibiotic in it and give him Banamine (painkiller). I found a neighbor with the eye ointment and apologized for using them as a pharmacy. I've little by little built our stockpile of animal medicines, but they seem to use them up faster than I can buy them lately.
The next morning, the vet found a corneal ulcer, most likely caused by the high winds blowing something into it, but he could also just as easily poked it somehow. We'll be medicating it for a few days. Interestingly, Equus magazine just had an article on eye injuries, but I didn't see it until after this was all over. I was happy to see we were doing all the right things. We learn a lot of things by having horses, but it sure gets costly. I plan to keep the magazine article though, and get Lauren to write a little on this experience and document this for her class in "Equine Studies".
Wm had an eye exam Friday morning, his first just to make sure all was well. The assistant asked him if he had any sisters. When he replied that he had two sisters, the woman said absent-mindedly, "Oh, that's a lot!" Wm said, "No it's not. I only have two!" Hangs around a lot of big homeschool families, I guess :-)
Friday afternoon, we went to the YMCA with the OCHE Tweens group, where the girls got a lesson in rock wall climbing. The attendants remarked that with my girls agility and strength, they would work the attendants (older high schoolers) out of a job. Wm enjoyed the playplace there and they all went swimming after.
Today, it is frigid cold. I'm done with this cold! We are staying home and fore-going the Mounted Games practice in Lexington. More on this later.
Because eye injuries can turn serious quickly, I called the vet right away and we were advised to put antibiotic in it and give him Banamine (painkiller). I found a neighbor with the eye ointment and apologized for using them as a pharmacy. I've little by little built our stockpile of animal medicines, but they seem to use them up faster than I can buy them lately.
The next morning, the vet found a corneal ulcer, most likely caused by the high winds blowing something into it, but he could also just as easily poked it somehow. We'll be medicating it for a few days. Interestingly, Equus magazine just had an article on eye injuries, but I didn't see it until after this was all over. I was happy to see we were doing all the right things. We learn a lot of things by having horses, but it sure gets costly. I plan to keep the magazine article though, and get Lauren to write a little on this experience and document this for her class in "Equine Studies".
Wm had an eye exam Friday morning, his first just to make sure all was well. The assistant asked him if he had any sisters. When he replied that he had two sisters, the woman said absent-mindedly, "Oh, that's a lot!" Wm said, "No it's not. I only have two!" Hangs around a lot of big homeschool families, I guess :-)
Friday afternoon, we went to the YMCA with the OCHE Tweens group, where the girls got a lesson in rock wall climbing. The attendants remarked that with my girls agility and strength, they would work the attendants (older high schoolers) out of a job. Wm enjoyed the playplace there and they all went swimming after.
Today, it is frigid cold. I'm done with this cold! We are staying home and fore-going the Mounted Games practice in Lexington. More on this later.
Thursday, February 16, 2006
No Red Hat Society for Me
I shamelessly stole this from Crossed Sabers Stable and The Second Wind Adoption Program website.
The Woman I Will Be
I shall wear diamonds and a wide brimmed straw hat with ribbons
and flowers on it
And I shall spend my social security on white wine and carrots
And sit in the alley of my barn and listen to my horses breathe.
I will sneak out in the middle of a summer's night
And ride the dappled mare across the moonstruck meadow,
if my old bones will allow.
and when people come to call, I will smile and nod,
As I walk them past the gardens to the barn
And show, instead, the flowers growing there
In stalls fresh-lined with straw.
I will shovel and sweat and wear hay in my hair as if it were a jewel.
And I will be an embarrassment of all who look down on me
Who have not yet found the peace in being free
To love a horse as a friend, a friend who waits at midnight hour
With muzzle and nicker and patient eyes
For the Woman I will be when I am old.
The Woman I Will Be
I shall wear diamonds and a wide brimmed straw hat with ribbons
and flowers on it
And I shall spend my social security on white wine and carrots
And sit in the alley of my barn and listen to my horses breathe.
I will sneak out in the middle of a summer's night
And ride the dappled mare across the moonstruck meadow,
if my old bones will allow.
and when people come to call, I will smile and nod,
As I walk them past the gardens to the barn
And show, instead, the flowers growing there
In stalls fresh-lined with straw.
I will shovel and sweat and wear hay in my hair as if it were a jewel.
And I will be an embarrassment of all who look down on me
Who have not yet found the peace in being free
To love a horse as a friend, a friend who waits at midnight hour
With muzzle and nicker and patient eyes
For the Woman I will be when I am old.
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Books I'm Reading
I've noticed some share what they're reading or listening to each day. I thought I'd share that now and again, also. Lauren and I are reading about the Amish in the Abram's Daughters trilogy. We've recently read:
The sad thing in it is that the daughter, Sadie, does not trust her mom's and dad's love enough to share a dark secret with them for fear of losing their love, and in the Amish community, perhaps even be shunned. I do hope my children can come to me with any problem without fear of losing my love.
We are now both reading:
This is the second book in the trilogy. We have to fight each other for the one copy we have :-)
I got this book at the library today:
Someone recommended this to me for study of how to guide a teenager through career studies.
What we are watching tonight: Bones. Anna won't watch it, too graphic, but Lauren and I love the mystery of it.
Listening: to piano music, all day :-). Lauren is playing Chopin's Nocturne Opus 9 and Paderewski's Minuet.
The sad thing in it is that the daughter, Sadie, does not trust her mom's and dad's love enough to share a dark secret with them for fear of losing their love, and in the Amish community, perhaps even be shunned. I do hope my children can come to me with any problem without fear of losing my love.
We are now both reading:
This is the second book in the trilogy. We have to fight each other for the one copy we have :-)
I got this book at the library today:
Someone recommended this to me for study of how to guide a teenager through career studies.
What we are watching tonight: Bones. Anna won't watch it, too graphic, but Lauren and I love the mystery of it.
Listening: to piano music, all day :-). Lauren is playing Chopin's Nocturne Opus 9 and Paderewski's Minuet.
Warmer Weather
Yesterday, we had a beautiful day. It is hard to believe it is February! We took a drive to Simpsonville with our horse trailer and Jorgen to a horse farm. There, Lauren met some people to practice for her upcoming Parelli clinic. The farm and arena were beautiful, and the people kind.
We asked Cat, the owner, if it were possible to make a living "horse farming". She replied that you could, but not the way she does it. She has a soft heart, and takes in many rescues. These eat (literally) the profits. The only way to make money, she thought, was to take problem horses and turn them around for owners or help to fix their problems. Parelli training is one way to do that. She tried hard to get us interested in several of her rescues but we escaped.
Again, today, it is warm. So much so that for days, Wm has been asking if he could fill his kiddie pool. To him, it was warm outside, and he could not understand why he could not fill it and go swimming. He's been asking for sometime, even before it got warm. We've discussed that it's winter, next is Spring, then Summer and then you can go swimming. (It's not like he doesn't get to "swim" as we have a hot tub.) Anyway, I finally decided to allow him to try it, as it was the only way to prove to him that it was too cold. He filled the pool, stripped to his underwear, and put one foot in. "It's tooooo COLD!" he said. End of discussion.
We went to the preschool hour at the library this morning. He participated this time and seemed to enjoy it, unlike last week. He told me that last week "I was miserable, but I like it now". I guess he's getting used to group settings. He made Daddy a card there that he asked me to inscribe, "Dear Daddy, You have to put all your tools away on a shelf by yourself." Don't rightly know what that's about. He drew a bridge on the front, his first real depiction of an object that was not a person.
This afternoon, Lauren had a marathon piano lesson. They are getting so long, Will and I pop over to McD's playplace. A boy was there up in the tubes, refusing to come down though his "Papa" or "Poppa" implored him to come so they could leave. I could not tell if the man was dad or grandpa, and these days you don't ask. Of which I am glad, so that I'm not asked. Anyway, Poppa wasn't going up in the tubes to retrieve Junior because Poppa's belly would not allow it. I have to give the guy credit: he didn't raise his voice or threaten.
Myself, I tired of "Junior" totally ignoring Poppa, and Poppa's constant pleading, and I offered to go after him. "Would you please?" the poor man asked. "Oh, I'd be grateful." Well, I'm small and easily go through the tubes, so I found Junior and in a firm voice said, "Junior, you're leaving. Head for the slide." I revelled in my adult voice and authority. It was kind of fun. Junior moved quickly to the slide and Poppa took him home. Those playplaces, a hotbed of anarchy.
We asked Cat, the owner, if it were possible to make a living "horse farming". She replied that you could, but not the way she does it. She has a soft heart, and takes in many rescues. These eat (literally) the profits. The only way to make money, she thought, was to take problem horses and turn them around for owners or help to fix their problems. Parelli training is one way to do that. She tried hard to get us interested in several of her rescues but we escaped.
Again, today, it is warm. So much so that for days, Wm has been asking if he could fill his kiddie pool. To him, it was warm outside, and he could not understand why he could not fill it and go swimming. He's been asking for sometime, even before it got warm. We've discussed that it's winter, next is Spring, then Summer and then you can go swimming. (It's not like he doesn't get to "swim" as we have a hot tub.) Anyway, I finally decided to allow him to try it, as it was the only way to prove to him that it was too cold. He filled the pool, stripped to his underwear, and put one foot in. "It's tooooo COLD!" he said. End of discussion.
We went to the preschool hour at the library this morning. He participated this time and seemed to enjoy it, unlike last week. He told me that last week "I was miserable, but I like it now". I guess he's getting used to group settings. He made Daddy a card there that he asked me to inscribe, "Dear Daddy, You have to put all your tools away on a shelf by yourself." Don't rightly know what that's about. He drew a bridge on the front, his first real depiction of an object that was not a person.
This afternoon, Lauren had a marathon piano lesson. They are getting so long, Will and I pop over to McD's playplace. A boy was there up in the tubes, refusing to come down though his "Papa" or "Poppa" implored him to come so they could leave. I could not tell if the man was dad or grandpa, and these days you don't ask. Of which I am glad, so that I'm not asked. Anyway, Poppa wasn't going up in the tubes to retrieve Junior because Poppa's belly would not allow it. I have to give the guy credit: he didn't raise his voice or threaten.
Myself, I tired of "Junior" totally ignoring Poppa, and Poppa's constant pleading, and I offered to go after him. "Would you please?" the poor man asked. "Oh, I'd be grateful." Well, I'm small and easily go through the tubes, so I found Junior and in a firm voice said, "Junior, you're leaving. Head for the slide." I revelled in my adult voice and authority. It was kind of fun. Junior moved quickly to the slide and Poppa took him home. Those playplaces, a hotbed of anarchy.
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Poor Baby
Wm has a very bad ear infection today. I dragged him kicking and screaming, literally, into the doctor's office. He kept yelling, "I don't want to be here." Finally, calmed down, he handled it all very well (and after I assured him that they don't give shots for ear infections).
While waiting, we heard a car playing very loud music outside the window of the examining room. You know the type, where the car is practically vibrating with the sound and all you can hear is the base. Rap music, in this case. I asked Will if he could hear the music. "That's not music," he said. "It's someone's heartbeat."
Later, we heard a baby screaming. I asked if he heard it crying. He replied, "I think someone is taking a shot at her."
Anyway, with a little medicine, and a lot of luck, that ear will soon be healed and I'll get some sleep tonight.
While waiting, we heard a car playing very loud music outside the window of the examining room. You know the type, where the car is practically vibrating with the sound and all you can hear is the base. Rap music, in this case. I asked Will if he could hear the music. "That's not music," he said. "It's someone's heartbeat."
Later, we heard a baby screaming. I asked if he heard it crying. He replied, "I think someone is taking a shot at her."
Anyway, with a little medicine, and a lot of luck, that ear will soon be healed and I'll get some sleep tonight.
Blog-os-phere
While cooking dinner, I listen to NPR's All Things Considered. I laughed when I heard Commentator Julie Zickefoose (don't you just love that name?) talking about how she and her husband, both bloggers, save up things that happen to them and fight over who gets to blog about it. Like her, as my day goes on, I save in my mind any quotes that might be "blog-worthy" or funny observances.
Like most things in my life, I attack blogging like a job. I imagine my "readers" hanging on my very word, being disappointed that I didn't post one day. Reality sets in when you talk to those very people and realize they don't even remember that you have a blog! LOL Perhaps, it is because I assiduously don't write about people I know outside my immediate family, dh and kids, for fear they'll see themselves in the funny pages.
Still, readers or not, I blog because I am. Because I have to. It is some kind of weird obsession. It is addicting. I guess I'm not alone in that. Click here to listen on NPR.
Like most things in my life, I attack blogging like a job. I imagine my "readers" hanging on my very word, being disappointed that I didn't post one day. Reality sets in when you talk to those very people and realize they don't even remember that you have a blog! LOL Perhaps, it is because I assiduously don't write about people I know outside my immediate family, dh and kids, for fear they'll see themselves in the funny pages.
Still, readers or not, I blog because I am. Because I have to. It is some kind of weird obsession. It is addicting. I guess I'm not alone in that. Click here to listen on NPR.
Saturday, February 11, 2006
Seat Up or Down?
All my life, I've heard females complaining about males in their family leaving the toilet seat up. This is one whine with which I cannot identify. I need to get my boy to put the seat UP to begin with. A friend with boys said that evidently, I've not had the pleasure of sitting on cold porcelain and having my butt hit cold water. No, I haven't, as dh has always been thoughtful in this regard. I now, however, have the pleasure of sitting on a wet seat after my four year old has liberably sprinkled it.
As for the toilet paper debate (hang over or hang under), I won't even go there. If you are lucky enough to have anyone who will put the toilet paper on a roller (so that it doesn't instead get perched on the back of the toilet where it inevitably falls into the toilet) don't EVEN complain to me about which way it rolls.
As for the toilet paper debate (hang over or hang under), I won't even go there. If you are lucky enough to have anyone who will put the toilet paper on a roller (so that it doesn't instead get perched on the back of the toilet where it inevitably falls into the toilet) don't EVEN complain to me about which way it rolls.
Friday, February 10, 2006
At the Circus
Kosair's Shriner's Circus came to town this weekend, and has an animal lover, I gave pause as to whether we should attend. I've heard protests about the treatment of circus animals, and the ethics of using them for this purpose. I decided to go, using this as a learning experience. I think too often, people make decisions about things without having experienced them first-hand. The girls are assigned to think about today, and to do some research on this company in particular and whether they think the protests have merit.
I myself haven't done the research, but found that buying tickets is only the beginning of the money you need while attending a circus. Little did I know. Firstly, you must have money for the slide, the jumping pit, the elephant rides, etc. that preceed the show. Here's William giving the slide a try:
I myself haven't done the research, but found that buying tickets is only the beginning of the money you need while attending a circus. Little did I know. Firstly, you must have money for the slide, the jumping pit, the elephant rides, etc. that preceed the show. Here's William giving the slide a try:
Then, of course, you have to have popcorn, (I was wise enough to bring water, which could not be purchased there, only soda). I got by without the cotton candy, ice cream (can you make the cone any larger, people??), and snow cones because we went to a morning performance. Then, when the lights go down, you get all excited...because EVERYONE has a light up toy! You can have one, too, for $10. I kept saying to myself, this is for a charitable organization, this is for a charitable ....
This toy was broken before we got in the door at home.
The circus left me thinking how far we've come from the big-top tent circus of old. Today's circus is full of lights, very loud music, and despite the amazing stunts, doesn't seem to wow the crowd like one might expect. With today's audiences used to seeing all kinds of stunts on TV and in movies, the crowd didn't seemed impressed by the acts. Me, I was very happy when the tightrope walkers were done. Several times the guys almost fell, and I don't need the stress!
My last observation is that men that don't want to go to the circus (my dh was out of town) haven't been lately. The Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders have nothing over the circus. Man! I've not seen that many flat bellys in one place in a longggg time.
It's Skunk Season.....
says Daisy, you can smell 'em! Rather than some ol' groundhog somewhere, we judge the length of winter by the scent of skunk in the air. When the skunks come out of hibernation, get run over in a desperate search for a mate, and releasing their, uh, perfume, it is almost spring. Dead skunks in the middle of the road....everywhere. That said, we're expecting snow. Drat.
Photo by Wm, age 3 and 11 mos.
How NOT to Clean a Coffee Pot
Let me tell you how NOT to clean out a coffee pot. Do not, during the day, pour in white vinegar, run it through several times, dump the vinegar, and then go blog, forgetting that you haven't yet run clear water through several times. Do not, after dinner, then make coffee for your dear husband using said coffee pot. Bleh!!!!!!!!
On the other hand, I've found a very useful concoction. Have you ever had the flu and thought, I don't want to throw up but would feel better if I just got it over with? I have two words for you: Vinegar Coffee.
On the other hand, I've found a very useful concoction. Have you ever had the flu and thought, I don't want to throw up but would feel better if I just got it over with? I have two words for you: Vinegar Coffee.
Thursday, February 09, 2006
No (uh) Manure
For years, I have been taking our horse manure, composting it and putting it directly onto our garden. Finally, the soil looks a bit crumbly, or at least the first inch. After that, you can make clay pots. But, I thought this top layer was like the richest dirt one could find. Yet, my garden didn't do so well last year.
As part of Lauren's biology lab, she was to take and test soil samples for nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium levels. I was sure my garden would rate high nitrogen with all that manure I've put on it. We ordered a test kits from Heirloom Seeds for $16.99.
Imagine my surprise that my garden hasn't any nitrogen at all, but high levels of phosphorus and potassium. Dh thinks that our problem is that the manure is mixed with a good deal of wood shavings, and he's probably right. The prescribed treatment is blood meal. Maybe I'll get more out of my garden this year. If you haven't checked out Heirloom Seeds, it is a cool catalog. I have read that a good many nurseries are working to make seeds infertile and/or make it illegal to save seeds (let them come and get me!) so that you have to buy seeds every year. Isn't that crazy? I love this catalog that helps preserve many varieties, which we all know is the spice of life.
Here I sit contemplating my garden and I've just received a weather alert by email that tomorrow night, we should expect 2 - 4 inches of snow.
As part of Lauren's biology lab, she was to take and test soil samples for nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium levels. I was sure my garden would rate high nitrogen with all that manure I've put on it. We ordered a test kits from Heirloom Seeds for $16.99.
Imagine my surprise that my garden hasn't any nitrogen at all, but high levels of phosphorus and potassium. Dh thinks that our problem is that the manure is mixed with a good deal of wood shavings, and he's probably right. The prescribed treatment is blood meal. Maybe I'll get more out of my garden this year. If you haven't checked out Heirloom Seeds, it is a cool catalog. I have read that a good many nurseries are working to make seeds infertile and/or make it illegal to save seeds (let them come and get me!) so that you have to buy seeds every year. Isn't that crazy? I love this catalog that helps preserve many varieties, which we all know is the spice of life.
Here I sit contemplating my garden and I've just received a weather alert by email that tomorrow night, we should expect 2 - 4 inches of snow.
New Articles
I've added some new articles to Why We Homeschool. Click on the link in the right margin, or go to http://lifetimelearning.blogspot.com/2006/01/why-we-homeschool.html.
On the one about the strip search, I would NOT have held it against one of my daughters to have left the premises, stayed and refused to comply, or if forcibly disrobed, to have kicked the living daylights out of the teacher. Then, when daughter got home, I think I'd be contacting a lawyer, even though I'm not sue-happy.
On the one about the strip search, I would NOT have held it against one of my daughters to have left the premises, stayed and refused to comply, or if forcibly disrobed, to have kicked the living daylights out of the teacher. Then, when daughter got home, I think I'd be contacting a lawyer, even though I'm not sue-happy.
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Real World
I would like to thank all of you that have joined in this discussion. It has given my noodle much exercise and food for thought. Here's some of what I'm thinking:
"Real World" is a phrase that often surfaces in discussions about homeschooling. We are told by experts that children must learn to deal with "life". We are told that in "the real world", they must deal with bullying, with Mean Girls. Get used to it. That's what the world is like, baby, better deal with it. So as homeschoolers, are we over-protecting our children, removing them from negative influences and the "real world"?
When Americans discuss the "real world", generally they are referring to institutional schools as the training grounds, or boot camps if you will, for entering the world they will likely face as adults. Sheltering children, it is often said, does not prepare them well for the challenges they will face in the working world.
The problem arises when "experts" are allowed to define "real". There are as many definitions of a real world as there are individuals alive. Americans define "real world" as fitting into our current (and relatively new) society. I would suggest that such experts, raised by the system and immersed by the system, are thinking inside of a box. They have a vested interest in seeing that the system "works" and that other buy into it.
A stable, competent work force is the highest goal of today's educational system. Workers that are willing to stay, despite not liking the work, despite having trouble with co-workers, will press on and not quit, because that is "the real world" and it isn't any better anywhere else.
In today's world, we are faced more and more with the knowledge that something is going wrong in our society. Not a week goes by that I don't read a newspaper article about a child killing someone. A good number of our kids are on medication so they can make it through the day. Families are disconnected from one another, and siblings spend the entire day, every day, apart so that they can interact with this so-called real' world where they'll never diaper a baby or have to help fix a toddler lunch. They'll not have control of their day, for the schedule is set and they are told when to eat, when to go to the bathroom and when to move on to the next subject.
So, I don't buy that this is "life" or "real world" to attend a school. I want my children to learn that in the real world, you have choices. You don't have to work in a place or job you don't like. You don't have to hang around people that are mean. You are strong. You can follow your passions and live!
"Real World" is a phrase that often surfaces in discussions about homeschooling. We are told by experts that children must learn to deal with "life". We are told that in "the real world", they must deal with bullying, with Mean Girls. Get used to it. That's what the world is like, baby, better deal with it. So as homeschoolers, are we over-protecting our children, removing them from negative influences and the "real world"?
When Americans discuss the "real world", generally they are referring to institutional schools as the training grounds, or boot camps if you will, for entering the world they will likely face as adults. Sheltering children, it is often said, does not prepare them well for the challenges they will face in the working world.
The problem arises when "experts" are allowed to define "real". There are as many definitions of a real world as there are individuals alive. Americans define "real world" as fitting into our current (and relatively new) society. I would suggest that such experts, raised by the system and immersed by the system, are thinking inside of a box. They have a vested interest in seeing that the system "works" and that other buy into it.
A stable, competent work force is the highest goal of today's educational system. Workers that are willing to stay, despite not liking the work, despite having trouble with co-workers, will press on and not quit, because that is "the real world" and it isn't any better anywhere else.
In today's world, we are faced more and more with the knowledge that something is going wrong in our society. Not a week goes by that I don't read a newspaper article about a child killing someone. A good number of our kids are on medication so they can make it through the day. Families are disconnected from one another, and siblings spend the entire day, every day, apart so that they can interact with this so-called real' world where they'll never diaper a baby or have to help fix a toddler lunch. They'll not have control of their day, for the schedule is set and they are told when to eat, when to go to the bathroom and when to move on to the next subject.
So, I don't buy that this is "life" or "real world" to attend a school. I want my children to learn that in the real world, you have choices. You don't have to work in a place or job you don't like. You don't have to hang around people that are mean. You are strong. You can follow your passions and live!
Monday, February 06, 2006
Mean Girls
During our party last night (which went well, thank you), one of our friends mentioned that next year her son would be attending a different school. He currently attends a private middle school. The kids at this school had evidently been together in school since kindergarten, and her son was finding it hard to be socially accepted. He felt left out.
I found this amazing because he is smart without being weird, was dressed like kids these days dress, and fit right in with the other kids here last night, boys and girls. Though seeing each other infrequently, they seemed to have a great time.
His mom explained that at this school, there were four girls that ruled the class. They were the social cruise directors and said if you were in or out. They decided if you were cool or not. I asked why that was allowed. Evidently, the school "tries" to contol it, but cannot.
I had a sudden urge to pull some hair, just snatch these girls over for a "sit down". I envision a whole new career - "Bootcamp for Mean Barbies". I hear about these social queens all the time. I wonder that they can't be rounded up and taught by older, wiser, strong women what their actions and words are doing to others. I'd like to see them sent to work in the inner city with the underprivledged, maybe have to muck stalls with my girls on a farm, maybe send THEM to a new school and let them feel what it's like to be the new person.
I find it amazing that this sort of thing still goes on, but yet, all the education reform that we hear about concerns curricula and passing tests and content. Yet, when kids get out of school, what causes society the most problems? The ability to interact compassionately and maturely with other humans. The ability to form good relationships. Oh, how I'd like to talk to these Mean Girls.
I found this amazing because he is smart without being weird, was dressed like kids these days dress, and fit right in with the other kids here last night, boys and girls. Though seeing each other infrequently, they seemed to have a great time.
His mom explained that at this school, there were four girls that ruled the class. They were the social cruise directors and said if you were in or out. They decided if you were cool or not. I asked why that was allowed. Evidently, the school "tries" to contol it, but cannot.
I had a sudden urge to pull some hair, just snatch these girls over for a "sit down". I envision a whole new career - "Bootcamp for Mean Barbies". I hear about these social queens all the time. I wonder that they can't be rounded up and taught by older, wiser, strong women what their actions and words are doing to others. I'd like to see them sent to work in the inner city with the underprivledged, maybe have to muck stalls with my girls on a farm, maybe send THEM to a new school and let them feel what it's like to be the new person.
I find it amazing that this sort of thing still goes on, but yet, all the education reform that we hear about concerns curricula and passing tests and content. Yet, when kids get out of school, what causes society the most problems? The ability to interact compassionately and maturely with other humans. The ability to form good relationships. Oh, how I'd like to talk to these Mean Girls.
Sunday, February 05, 2006
Who Ordered the Snow?
Okay, look, I know I was spoiled with a relatively mild winter, but I was ordering seeds and planning my garden. I am done with winter and ready for some serious sunshine. Peter Pan is rousing the house as it continues to snow. "Get UP everybody. Let's go sledding!!" That is why we are supposed to have children when we are young. Where's my coffee?
Martha Stewart Doesn't Live Here
Today is the big day - yup, Super Bowl Sunday. Despite my loud pronouncement that "I'll NEVER do this again" during preparations for our last party, we have several couples (friends of dh from work) coming over to watch football on TV. So, I haven't much time to blog today, for it is time to bring out the big guns - get the bulldozer out and CLEAN!
Yes, I do know about Flylady, and she does buzz around my house periodically. My sink is clean. Flylady doesn't, evidently, homeschool (books everywhere), have children who eat like deer (grazers) or enjoy cooking (dishes everywhere), or a four year old that spills milk, plays with dried beans with his tractors and says "Hey, mommy, look at how the beans skid on the floor when I throw them". I have been decluttering, but really, that's not my major area of insecurity.
You see, decorating is not my cup of tea. We live in the country. We live on a mini-farm. My idea of decorating is removing the mud from the stairs daily. The women coming over today have all moved beyond toddlerhood in their families. In fact, some are nearly empty-nesters. One has a son at Purdue (will my kids get past high school?) and lives in a perfectly clean home that while there, you have to remind yourself you are not in a furniture store display. She probably even knows where her remote control is. Another owns her own home embroidery business. I'm lucky to have time to check my email. She is always perfectly attired and coiffed. I'm a likely candidate for What Not to Wear.
Well, it back to work for me. Hi ho, hi ho....
Yes, I do know about Flylady, and she does buzz around my house periodically. My sink is clean. Flylady doesn't, evidently, homeschool (books everywhere), have children who eat like deer (grazers) or enjoy cooking (dishes everywhere), or a four year old that spills milk, plays with dried beans with his tractors and says "Hey, mommy, look at how the beans skid on the floor when I throw them". I have been decluttering, but really, that's not my major area of insecurity.
You see, decorating is not my cup of tea. We live in the country. We live on a mini-farm. My idea of decorating is removing the mud from the stairs daily. The women coming over today have all moved beyond toddlerhood in their families. In fact, some are nearly empty-nesters. One has a son at Purdue (will my kids get past high school?) and lives in a perfectly clean home that while there, you have to remind yourself you are not in a furniture store display. She probably even knows where her remote control is. Another owns her own home embroidery business. I'm lucky to have time to check my email. She is always perfectly attired and coiffed. I'm a likely candidate for What Not to Wear.
Well, it back to work for me. Hi ho, hi ho....
Friday, February 03, 2006
I'm Crooked
I was reading MyCrazyLife, and how her spine has become crooked by (possibly) carrying her children. This "set me to thinkin'" that my chiropractor told me that my left hip is permanently lower now than my right, due to carrying children on my left hip. He told me in no uncertain terms that I need to quit carrying Peter Pan around. What's a mom to do, I lamented, when in the middle of Wallyworld, he sits and refuses to walk? Chiro-man told me to take the boy to the car and beat him. Seriously. Doesn't he know they have cameras in the Wallyworld parking lot?? (Now, for those of you that don't get sarcasm, I wouldn't lay a hand on Peter Pan.)
Speaking of Wallyworld, I recently was with PP and bought two 5 lb. weights so that I can prevent old age "wings" on my arms. Peter Pan says to me, "Mom, are you buying those so that you can get strong and CARRY ME?"
Even French Women....
....are getting fatter, I heard on the radio this morning. I looked it up on the web and found an article in Business Week Online confirming this. The woman on Morning Edition almost reported this trend with glee, no doubt having read the book French Women Don't Get Fat. I suppose she ascribes to the adage, "Rather than diet, feed everyone around you and you'll look skinny by comparison". I like that one.
Thursday, February 02, 2006
What Kind of Dog Would You Be?
I would be a Miniature Poodle. I am not sure if that is good or not. They are smart, loyal, loving, and live a real long time. On the other hand, I know a great number of people don't like them. What would you be?
On Being Naked
William, turning four years this month, is in that phase that all of my children seem to pass through - to be naked all the time, or at least to wear as little clothing as possible. It starts about age three, when they are finally capable of taking off their own clothes, no matter how many times you dress them. He will use any excuse to disrobe:
- He had to go to the bathroom
- "I'm hot" (in the dead of winter, no less)
- "I got chocolate milk on my shirt"
- "My pants ride up on me"
- "I don't like shirts with zippers"
This is but a sampling. He's developed quite a list of reasons he should be allowed to parade around in his altogether. Well, sometimes, he does wear my high heels or a hat. He also has a peculiar fascination with gloves of any kind.
His irritation with certain kinds of clothes has, however, become quite frustrating. No shirts with zippers or hoods, and all tags must be cut out. Jeans are the only acceptable pants at the moment, because all the others "ride up" on him. We've culled the acceptable clothing down to about two outfits. Since he requires about twenty a day because of getting dirty and/or wet, this is a problem.
So what brought this to my mind this morning? On NPR, there was a story this morning on Why Kids Hate Coats. I was amused by the studies about whether allowing your child to run around under-dressed causes colds. All that money for something I could have told them for free. NO, under-dressing does not cause sickness. Going to a fast food joint and playing in the incubation of germs tubes that they pass off as a playplace DOES. Four days incubation to be exact.
I have more than once had some older and wiser woman (their opinion, not mine) remark on my child's attire while out. "He should have on a ___" (fill in with hat, coat, etc). If they're lucky, I haven't had too much coffee, and it is sunny outside, I'll just smile and walk away. Now, I have expensive research on my side.
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Super Bowl
Every year, I am asked who I want to win the Super Bowl. My practiced answer has always been "First, tell me who's playing". That about sums up my interest in this yearly ritual.
I grew up in baseball land, and now live in a town where you have to be careful not to wear blue or red to certain homes as it might be indicative of your leanings for a particular basketball team. Here, your basketball affiliation (regardless of whether you attended that University or even made it out of high school) can be used to size you up in seconds. More important than whether you are Democrat or Republican, what religion you practice, or whether you agree with the war in Iraq is your answer to the the question, "How about them 'Cats?"
It is an important social skill, having a team affiliation. You can then converse with any yahoo that happens to be thrown in your personal space. It doesn't matter if you have no single other thing in common, you can talk basketball. Poor dear husband must keep up with the season, (though I do think he enjoys it) as it is an expected topic of conversation at work.
Me? I plead ignorance and am looked at with pity. Silly woman, doesn't know anything, does she? But I'm ready for the Super Bowl. Ellen Degeneres gave me a new line in answer to who I want to win: "I've got it narrowed down to two teams." Dear husband rehearsed me this morning. The two teams playing are Pittsburgh and Seattle. I am supposed to want Pittsburg to win because the teams where we were raised, the Bengals and the Browns, are in the same conference. Seems to me that Pittsburgh would then be considered our mortal enemy. But no, they are in our conference and so we need to pull for them (as if that will make a difference). I'll try to reach down inside myself and muster some enthusiasm.
I grew up in baseball land, and now live in a town where you have to be careful not to wear blue or red to certain homes as it might be indicative of your leanings for a particular basketball team. Here, your basketball affiliation (regardless of whether you attended that University or even made it out of high school) can be used to size you up in seconds. More important than whether you are Democrat or Republican, what religion you practice, or whether you agree with the war in Iraq is your answer to the the question, "How about them 'Cats?"
It is an important social skill, having a team affiliation. You can then converse with any yahoo that happens to be thrown in your personal space. It doesn't matter if you have no single other thing in common, you can talk basketball. Poor dear husband must keep up with the season, (though I do think he enjoys it) as it is an expected topic of conversation at work.
Me? I plead ignorance and am looked at with pity. Silly woman, doesn't know anything, does she? But I'm ready for the Super Bowl. Ellen Degeneres gave me a new line in answer to who I want to win: "I've got it narrowed down to two teams." Dear husband rehearsed me this morning. The two teams playing are Pittsburgh and Seattle. I am supposed to want Pittsburg to win because the teams where we were raised, the Bengals and the Browns, are in the same conference. Seems to me that Pittsburgh would then be considered our mortal enemy. But no, they are in our conference and so we need to pull for them (as if that will make a difference). I'll try to reach down inside myself and muster some enthusiasm.
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