This set of statements is so much the way my Dad thought. I remember it hanging on his office wall at home. The plaque was dated in style so I don't think it made the cut after we moved or at least after my mom redecorated in the few years after we moved in. He had several plaques and awards that were swapped for newer designs and newer awards but I bet it is still in the basement.
I am going to add it to my sidebar quotes because it is something I want to remember about the world.
The Paradoxical Commandments
by Dr. Kent M. Keith
People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.
If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.
If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.
The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.
Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.
The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.
People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
Fight for a few underdogs anyway.
What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.
People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
Help people anyway.
Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.
© Copyright Kent M. Keith 1968, renewed 2001
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Thursday, February 22, 2007
It's That time Again
We are down to the wire. Only one weekend of wresting left. I can see the end in sight. Daddy leaves today for Wichita to coach six wrestlers who have qualified for the State Tournament. Tommorrow the girls and I go down to have a mini-vacation. I mean cheer on the guys. Seriously, it is a reward for a long season, a couple nights in a hotel with a great breakfast bar, and meals out. And my in-laws are meeting us there so I really won't have to miss the fun, since the kids prefer grandparents to parents whenever possible. At least for the few days that the grandparents are around at a time. Recently, Jo has named me alternately the "worst mommy ever" and the best mama in the whole world, depending on which end of the struggle we are. So I'll be away from the computer for a few days, enjoying my reward for a long wrestling season.
Parenting Problems
I've learned that what goes around comes around. My mother always told me that I would have children who would do to me what I did to her and that I would deserve every bit of it. Now she didn't say it cruelly, she just was warning me. I now hesitate to share with her my lastest series of trials with Jo because, I remember pulling the same kinds of things in my childhood. I told her the other day, and she did start to say some form of an "I told you so" but I was ready and agreed before she could really warm up. It embarrasses me now to admit that I did this. I was even older than my daughter so it is particularly humiliating. I have this photo of me at about two, I sitting on the round oak table eating chocolate peanut clusters and the chocolate is dripping down my face. I was wearing my footie jammies so I am pretty sure I did this before my parents got up. Jo has been doing this kind of thing this week. She gets up, goes and gets the Doritos, and one morning, got back in bed to eat them. Once at nap I caught her with Dorito breath and orange crumbs all over her face. This morning she left them next to her coloring table to be found later. She also "helped" herself to her sister's Valentine's candy from school. Her excuse, "Je forgot to eat it". It was only the next day! Je likes to savor her candy. You could put her Halloween bucket in her room, and she would eat only a few pieces a day. Jo would eat the whole bucket in about two days. Now bear in mind that the girls get enough Halloween candy that we had to throw out the excess at Christmas, we just couldn't eat it fast enough. It was a lot of candy. Jo is going through a sneaky phase. She snagged the purple sharpie I keep in a pen cup on my dresser to color with. She painted her hand K-State purple. THE WHOLE HAND. I still haven't gotten it all off her tights or her leg where it bled through. That is a week ago. Some day, I will look back at her childhood and wax nostalgic over her purple hand and leg. I will laugh at the amusing story of her eating all the candy during nap time, and sneaking dorito's out of the pantry. Of the time she tried to get the fruit snacks off the high shelf by stacking her step stool on top of a kitchen chair. It just won't be today. Well maybe. It is kinda funny.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
New Sidbar Element
I am adding a new list to my sidebar. I have long collected quotes from everywhere. I used to use them to practice calligraphy but with kids who has time to practice that. I love to share my quotes so when Everday Mommy had the Chesterton quote up today, I was inspired to put a list of quotes that make me think. So as I find quotes I will add them to my list. Now when I read her title I immediately thought of Yoda. Star Wars anyone? I know I am an unrepentant fan.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
I Apologize
I apologize to my husband, my parents, my sisters, friends, roommates, co-workers, neighbors, classmates, the lady at the store in line next to me, random people on a plane,in the elevator, basically anyone who has ever had to spend unstructured time with me. For they must have been forced to endure that which I am currently forced to endure: time with someone in love with the sound of their own voice. I have often thought that my three year old, Jo is like me in many ways. She is friendly, social, and talks to anyone and anything. My head is about to explode, I have no time for quiet reflection if Jo is in the car with me, she had a running commentary from the backseat on whatever catches her eye. If you have ever been on a car ride with me, and I didn't have a book to read, you might understand my pain. I hope I was a little more discriminating in what I chose to share but I am afraid to ask because I am not sure I want the answer. If I talked as a child, even half as much as Jo, I don't know how my voice has lasted this long. It should be a great example for me of what not to do in the future. I saw this commercial recently that encouraged parents to talk to their kids as they went through the everyday ordinary tasks. Seriously folks, I don't think I could get a word in edgewise with that child.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
The Co-Op
I mentioned in my cheap date post that one of the ways we cut down on expenses is to use the Babysitting Co-op. A couple of you asked for more info so I will explain the whole thing here. Then I will have an easy page to refer back to.
Three years ago I was in a Bible study with just two other ladies. The facilitator,T, was to become a good friend. Our daughters became friends in the preschoolers group while we were studying together upstairs. That friendship led to a playday. That led to an invitation for our family to join the babysitting co-op that T had started.
There are several families, the number fluctuates, but I think 6-10 is a great number. Each family gets 10 hours of tickets per child when they join. These tickets are good for babysitting for ANY reason. You have a need, you call someone in the co-op, and schedule the time. You drop the children off, then when you are done, pick them up and pay one ticket, per hour, per child to the watcher. You then get more tickets by watching other kids in the group. We have used the co-op for work, for dentist or doctor's appointments, dates, errands, or even a house-cleaning day. Once, I used the co-op so I could paint a bedroom. It has been such a blessing to our family. I don't take advantage of my mom, who lives just down the street and has her own committments and life. I don't feel guilty for calling a friend to watch the girls because I know I am paying for the time. I don't break the bank for these errands, or dates or whatever because I am paying with my own time at a future or previous date. If I have a last minute need, I don't feel bad about calling someone. I also don't get trapped at home, or have to drag the girls with me to the dentist. Shan and I can even do nicer dates because we save the money that a babysitter would cost. T got the idea from a similar group she was a part of in Minnesota, and so we have a set of guidelines for the system that help avoid misunderstandings and abuse. Basically, whenever I need someone to watch the girls, I have five people to call. If one can't do it, usually someone else can, and no one feels obligated to say yes all the time. We have meetings about once a month so we can get any dates we need covered, if we know of them in advance. This gives us all a chance to build relationships between the families, and for our children to get to know each other, and the homes they will spend time in.
Our co-op is mostly families that live relatively close together, and we are all Christians, but whatever group works for you is the best way to do this. Get a few friends with kids and put togther a system. If you would like to look at our guidelines, let me know and I can get you a copy.
Three years ago I was in a Bible study with just two other ladies. The facilitator,T, was to become a good friend. Our daughters became friends in the preschoolers group while we were studying together upstairs. That friendship led to a playday. That led to an invitation for our family to join the babysitting co-op that T had started.
There are several families, the number fluctuates, but I think 6-10 is a great number. Each family gets 10 hours of tickets per child when they join. These tickets are good for babysitting for ANY reason. You have a need, you call someone in the co-op, and schedule the time. You drop the children off, then when you are done, pick them up and pay one ticket, per hour, per child to the watcher. You then get more tickets by watching other kids in the group. We have used the co-op for work, for dentist or doctor's appointments, dates, errands, or even a house-cleaning day. Once, I used the co-op so I could paint a bedroom. It has been such a blessing to our family. I don't take advantage of my mom, who lives just down the street and has her own committments and life. I don't feel guilty for calling a friend to watch the girls because I know I am paying for the time. I don't break the bank for these errands, or dates or whatever because I am paying with my own time at a future or previous date. If I have a last minute need, I don't feel bad about calling someone. I also don't get trapped at home, or have to drag the girls with me to the dentist. Shan and I can even do nicer dates because we save the money that a babysitter would cost. T got the idea from a similar group she was a part of in Minnesota, and so we have a set of guidelines for the system that help avoid misunderstandings and abuse. Basically, whenever I need someone to watch the girls, I have five people to call. If one can't do it, usually someone else can, and no one feels obligated to say yes all the time. We have meetings about once a month so we can get any dates we need covered, if we know of them in advance. This gives us all a chance to build relationships between the families, and for our children to get to know each other, and the homes they will spend time in.
Our co-op is mostly families that live relatively close together, and we are all Christians, but whatever group works for you is the best way to do this. Get a few friends with kids and put togther a system. If you would like to look at our guidelines, let me know and I can get you a copy.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Cheap Dates Extrodinaire
One of the cheapest things we do is get a pizza from Papa Johns on Customer Appreciation Saturday. Every third Saturday of the month they offer a large Pizza for $5.99, cheese, sausage, or pepperoni. My husband loves Papa Johns so for him it is a big treat. We get at least one and then have it for supper after putting the kids to bed, and watch a movie from our collection that we don't get to watch with the kids.
Another cheap idea we love it our babysitting co-op. There are six families and we have a ticket system for free babysitting. It's a good for dentist appointments, school committments, or dates, and many other uses. We are all Christian families so we can feel pretty good about the people we are leaving our kids with and with the ticket system, we are "paying" for our time and not taking advantage of friends or family.
When we do that for date night we often go to this Mexican restaurant, and get an order of chicken fajita's to share and a couple of diet cokes. With free chips and salsa that gets a meal out, with a waiter for less than $15. Can't beat that.
We've also played cribbage or Mexican Train dominos for a nice date night after the kids are in bed.
Take a drive and make a stop at Sonic for a fun icecream treat or special drink.
Watch for coupons in the paper for mini golf, batting cages, or go-karts, buy one get one free.
Find a local tennis court that you can spend an hour.
Every year for our anniversary we go out to a nice supper, and then, since Christmas is four days later, we finish our Christmas shopping, at the mall. We have been doing that since our honeymoon, five years before we even had kids.
Any activity done together, is a great date. Even if it is only the church league softball game, or cleaning the garage.
Saturday, February 03, 2007
A Mama Picture
Sarah wrote this fabulous post about motherhood. It is a great reminder to me, and further evidence that God has things to say to me on this topic. Not just with my kids, but with my husband as well.
You know the Bible 100%!
Wow! You are awesome! You are a true Biblical scholar, not just a hearer but a personal reader! The books, the characters, the events, the verses - you know it all! You are fantastic!
Ultimate Bible Quiz
Create MySpace Quizzes
I am not sure this is a great way to gauge my Bible knowledge, but I did feel a certain professional pride was on the line when I saw that the questions were so very elementary. If I hadn't gotten a 100% I would have been ashamed. Give it a try and see if you agree.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Homemaking for Me
Aprons - Y/N?
Never. How would I know what I did if it isn’t on my jeans?
Baking - Favorite thing to bake:
My Mom’s buttermilk fluff rolls
Clothesline - Y/N?
Definitely. Nothing is better than putting your clean body, freshly shaved legs into a clean bed of line dried-linens. The smell is fabulous!
Donuts - Have you ever made them?
Absolutely. They are a snow day tradition at home. It takes all day for the dough to raise twice and they are a cholesterol buster but taste wonderful.
Every day - One homemaking thing you do every day:
Make the bed. I hate to get into a bed that isn’t made.
Freezer - Do you have a separate deep freeze?
Yes, we get beef from my cattle raising father-in-law, so it is a necessity. I also believe in filling up my storehouse, when God provides a big harvest, (or a great sale) and then you have it for the lean times.
Garbage Disposal - Y/N?
Sure
Handbook - What is your favorite homemaking resource?
My mom is a great resource for advice, tips. I also read the Everyday Cheapskate for her wonderful ideas.
Ironing - Love it or hate it?
I love to iron since it is a household task I can do while watching TV. I love laundry in general.
Junk drawer - Y/N? Where is it?
I have two, one in the kitchen and one in the family room.
Kitchen: Design & Decorating?
It is roomy and well stocked. It is a homey place and very lived in.
Love: What is your favorite part of homemaking?
I love staying home and taking care of my family. I love to bake and cook. My cleaning skills leave a little to be desired.
Mop - Y/N?
No, I use a hardwood floor cleaner on a special cleaning pad.
Nylons - Wash by hand or in the washing machine?
I wash almost everything in the washing machine. I rarely wear nylons so they go in too.
Oven - Do you use the window, or open the door to check?
I open the door, I don’t trust the window view.
Pizza - What do you put on yours?
My favorite is pork sausage and mushroom and black olives. My family doesn’t like the olives so they are a rare treat.
Quiet - What do you do during the day when you get a quiet moment?
I work on my Bible Study, read a book, take a bath, check email.
Recipe card box - Y/N?
Yes for the tried a true. I have cook books and sheets of recipes I am looking for a chance to try.
Style of home -
Split level house with four bedrooms and three bathrooms. I love the living room because it is big and opens to the dining room so nice for entertaining. I wish the family room was bigger and not just off the garage, so it would be warmer in the winter.
Tablecloths and napkins - Y/N?
I use tablecloths for special occasions but I have nice placemats and matching napkins on the dinning room table all the time. I took the cloth napkins off the kitchen table when I had kids.
Under the kitchen sink - Organized or toxic wasteland?
Pretty organized, the cleaners, trash bags and grocery store sacks are pretty neat.
Vacuum - How many times per week?
The kitchen floor gets it almost daily but the rest of the house just about weekly.
Wash - How many loads of laundry do you do a week?
5-8
X's - Do you keep a daily list of things to do and cross them off?
I want to, but it doesn’t happen
Yard - Who does what?
I do the flowers, and decorations, but my husband mows and trims.
Zzz's - What is your last homemaking task for the day before going to bed?
Check on lights and kids.
What does homemaking look like for you? This was a lot of fun to think through!
Never. How would I know what I did if it isn’t on my jeans?
Baking - Favorite thing to bake:
My Mom’s buttermilk fluff rolls
Clothesline - Y/N?
Definitely. Nothing is better than putting your clean body, freshly shaved legs into a clean bed of line dried-linens. The smell is fabulous!
Donuts - Have you ever made them?
Absolutely. They are a snow day tradition at home. It takes all day for the dough to raise twice and they are a cholesterol buster but taste wonderful.
Every day - One homemaking thing you do every day:
Make the bed. I hate to get into a bed that isn’t made.
Freezer - Do you have a separate deep freeze?
Yes, we get beef from my cattle raising father-in-law, so it is a necessity. I also believe in filling up my storehouse, when God provides a big harvest, (or a great sale) and then you have it for the lean times.
Garbage Disposal - Y/N?
Sure
Handbook - What is your favorite homemaking resource?
My mom is a great resource for advice, tips. I also read the Everyday Cheapskate for her wonderful ideas.
Ironing - Love it or hate it?
I love to iron since it is a household task I can do while watching TV. I love laundry in general.
Junk drawer - Y/N? Where is it?
I have two, one in the kitchen and one in the family room.
Kitchen: Design & Decorating?
It is roomy and well stocked. It is a homey place and very lived in.
Love: What is your favorite part of homemaking?
I love staying home and taking care of my family. I love to bake and cook. My cleaning skills leave a little to be desired.
Mop - Y/N?
No, I use a hardwood floor cleaner on a special cleaning pad.
Nylons - Wash by hand or in the washing machine?
I wash almost everything in the washing machine. I rarely wear nylons so they go in too.
Oven - Do you use the window, or open the door to check?
I open the door, I don’t trust the window view.
Pizza - What do you put on yours?
My favorite is pork sausage and mushroom and black olives. My family doesn’t like the olives so they are a rare treat.
Quiet - What do you do during the day when you get a quiet moment?
I work on my Bible Study, read a book, take a bath, check email.
Recipe card box - Y/N?
Yes for the tried a true. I have cook books and sheets of recipes I am looking for a chance to try.
Style of home -
Split level house with four bedrooms and three bathrooms. I love the living room because it is big and opens to the dining room so nice for entertaining. I wish the family room was bigger and not just off the garage, so it would be warmer in the winter.
Tablecloths and napkins - Y/N?
I use tablecloths for special occasions but I have nice placemats and matching napkins on the dinning room table all the time. I took the cloth napkins off the kitchen table when I had kids.
Under the kitchen sink - Organized or toxic wasteland?
Pretty organized, the cleaners, trash bags and grocery store sacks are pretty neat.
Vacuum - How many times per week?
The kitchen floor gets it almost daily but the rest of the house just about weekly.
Wash - How many loads of laundry do you do a week?
5-8
X's - Do you keep a daily list of things to do and cross them off?
I want to, but it doesn’t happen
Yard - Who does what?
I do the flowers, and decorations, but my husband mows and trims.
Zzz's - What is your last homemaking task for the day before going to bed?
Check on lights and kids.
What does homemaking look like for you? This was a lot of fun to think through!
I think I will hide under the bed Part 2
I was feeling so cocky. Je catches the bugs floating around more easily than Jo and so when Jo stayed healthy a full week after Je got sick I thought she got by without it. Nope. She woke up with a fever and feeling yucky at 11 last night. Now we are in the thick of it. And Jo is not a happy patient. When Je is sick, she lies around, wants to be left alone. She will go lie in her bed and just rest for hours. Jo is not content to suffer in silence. This shouldn't suprise me, she never suffers anything in silence. Maybe I can get her to take a nap somewhere other than my lap.
TADA!!!
Following the blog tradition, for my 100th post:
100 Things About Me
1. I am a Christian
2. I love sports especially volleyball and softball
3. I am an avid K-Stater and alum
4. I love snow
5. I love to read
6. I taught Middle and High School English
7. I was born in Kansas, I was Bred in Kansas and when I (got) married I (was)
wed in Kansas
8. I can list all fifty states in alphabetical order
9. When I did it on a test in 8th grade my teacher accused me of cheating till
I did out loud for her
10. I have been married to my college sweetheart for 10 years
11. He’s the only man I’ve really ever kissed
12. I work for the Menninger Bible Program, a four year course through the Bible that was written over 100 years ago
13. I have a large and close extended family
14. I miss my father everyday of my life
15. My mother drives me crazy but I love her
16. She is one of my closest friends
17. I am five feet 2 inches tall
18. I don’t wish I was taller
19. I am a very picky eater
20. If it swims, I don’t eat it
21. I taught swimming lessons and lifeguarded for spending money in college
22. I cry very easily
23. I am addicted to Coke
24. Chocolate is my friend
25. I drive a 12 year old Jeep Grand Cherokee and I love my car
26. My favorite author is Diana Gabaldon and her Outlander series
27. When we were dating, I was amazed my husband thought I was pretty
28. I have learned that external appearance is only as important as we believe
it to be, in so far as it affects our internal attitudes
29. I am semi obsessive about sets. If a toy or book or anything comes as part
of a set, I need the whole set and I hate to lose any piece of a set.
30. I was very surprised that my daughter has red hair, it never occurred to me
as an option so I was taken aback when they told me they could see her red
hair during delivery.
31. I am glad it has stayed red
32. I didn’t expect curly blond hair for my other daughter but I love it too.
33. I miss the West Wing on TV
34. I watch too much TV
35. I am a sucker for a happy ending
36. I am an eternal optimist.
37. I hate math.
38. I am organizationally challenged.
39. I have trouble saying no.
40. My husband hates that I have trouble saying no.
41. I’ve been known to volunteer him for things because of this.
42. I read at least three books a week.
43. When I was child-free I would read one book a day.
44. I love Star Wars.
45. I love my DVR and satellite dish.
46. I am a mild sort of Trekkie. Never dressed up or been to a convention but I
have seen every episode of the Next Generation and Voyager many times.
47. I hate it when they cancel a TV show I have just gotten into.
48. My parents were married for 26 years before my father died.
49. We had the first wedding in our new church building, and the first funeral.
50. I have a whole lot of fun with my children.
51. I am a born and bred Reformed Presbyterian, but not rabid about it. I think.
52. I had so much fun directing VBS last year that I volunteered to do it again.
53. My dad worked for M&M candy and so we had a lot of access to candy at home.
Hershey is the enemy.
54. I still feel a little guilty when I eat a Kit Kat.
55. I can tell the difference between good chocolate and cheap chocolate easily.
56. I love history.
57. I was very close with my maternal grandparents.
58. It surprises me that my children think I am cool.
59. I am sure that will change but I hope it doesn’t.
60. I thought my parents were great, if not cool.
61. I enjoyed spending time with them, even when it wasn’t cool to do that.
62. My friends hung out with my parents, too.
63. I want to be a parent like they are/were.
64. I am a member of the Dead Dad Club
65. I love Grey’s Anatomy
66. My favorite color was pink.
67. I thought that was a wimpy favorite color in high school and changed to
Navy. Now they are both my favorites.
68. I love singing the Psalms
69. I listen to Country music.
70. I was country when country wasn’t cool ala Barbara Mandrell
71. My favorite food is steak and homemade French fries.
72. I love all things cinnamon.
73. I won’t eat nuts
74. Or salad
75. My mom thinks that’s weird.
76. I am a bit of an airhead.
77. I tutor reading and English.
78. I like Sudoku
79. I do crossword puzzles
80. I love flowers.
81. My husband forgets to get them so I buy them for myself as a treat
occasionally.
82. I am amazed at what a godly man I married.
83. Family is one of my highest priorities.
84. I was an athletic training major in college for two years.
85. I changed my mind because it is a hard career for families.
86. I was the trainer/manager for my high school girls basketball team for three
years.
87. I can tape a mean ankle.
88. I know what RICE means.
89. Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation
90. I wish my body would tolerate pregnancy better so I could have more children.
91. I think we’d like to adopt someday.
92. I am a conservative republican.
93. I spend a lot of time on the computer
94. I went to Europe for two weeks between junior and senior year in high school.
95. I want to go back, someday.
96. My husband has no wish to see France.
97. I am insanely curious about people. Some might call it nosy.
98. I am very klutzy.
99. I believe in the beg borrow and steal method of teaching ideas.Wherever,
whomever, however, whatever, I find the ideas, I believe in using them to
help my students.
100. I really love to Blog.
100 Things About Me
1. I am a Christian
2. I love sports especially volleyball and softball
3. I am an avid K-Stater and alum
4. I love snow
5. I love to read
6. I taught Middle and High School English
7. I was born in Kansas, I was Bred in Kansas and when I (got) married I (was)
wed in Kansas
8. I can list all fifty states in alphabetical order
9. When I did it on a test in 8th grade my teacher accused me of cheating till
I did out loud for her
10. I have been married to my college sweetheart for 10 years
11. He’s the only man I’ve really ever kissed
12. I work for the Menninger Bible Program, a four year course through the Bible that was written over 100 years ago
13. I have a large and close extended family
14. I miss my father everyday of my life
15. My mother drives me crazy but I love her
16. She is one of my closest friends
17. I am five feet 2 inches tall
18. I don’t wish I was taller
19. I am a very picky eater
20. If it swims, I don’t eat it
21. I taught swimming lessons and lifeguarded for spending money in college
22. I cry very easily
23. I am addicted to Coke
24. Chocolate is my friend
25. I drive a 12 year old Jeep Grand Cherokee and I love my car
26. My favorite author is Diana Gabaldon and her Outlander series
27. When we were dating, I was amazed my husband thought I was pretty
28. I have learned that external appearance is only as important as we believe
it to be, in so far as it affects our internal attitudes
29. I am semi obsessive about sets. If a toy or book or anything comes as part
of a set, I need the whole set and I hate to lose any piece of a set.
30. I was very surprised that my daughter has red hair, it never occurred to me
as an option so I was taken aback when they told me they could see her red
hair during delivery.
31. I am glad it has stayed red
32. I didn’t expect curly blond hair for my other daughter but I love it too.
33. I miss the West Wing on TV
34. I watch too much TV
35. I am a sucker for a happy ending
36. I am an eternal optimist.
37. I hate math.
38. I am organizationally challenged.
39. I have trouble saying no.
40. My husband hates that I have trouble saying no.
41. I’ve been known to volunteer him for things because of this.
42. I read at least three books a week.
43. When I was child-free I would read one book a day.
44. I love Star Wars.
45. I love my DVR and satellite dish.
46. I am a mild sort of Trekkie. Never dressed up or been to a convention but I
have seen every episode of the Next Generation and Voyager many times.
47. I hate it when they cancel a TV show I have just gotten into.
48. My parents were married for 26 years before my father died.
49. We had the first wedding in our new church building, and the first funeral.
50. I have a whole lot of fun with my children.
51. I am a born and bred Reformed Presbyterian, but not rabid about it. I think.
52. I had so much fun directing VBS last year that I volunteered to do it again.
53. My dad worked for M&M candy and so we had a lot of access to candy at home.
Hershey is the enemy.
54. I still feel a little guilty when I eat a Kit Kat.
55. I can tell the difference between good chocolate and cheap chocolate easily.
56. I love history.
57. I was very close with my maternal grandparents.
58. It surprises me that my children think I am cool.
59. I am sure that will change but I hope it doesn’t.
60. I thought my parents were great, if not cool.
61. I enjoyed spending time with them, even when it wasn’t cool to do that.
62. My friends hung out with my parents, too.
63. I want to be a parent like they are/were.
64. I am a member of the Dead Dad Club
65. I love Grey’s Anatomy
66. My favorite color was pink.
67. I thought that was a wimpy favorite color in high school and changed to
Navy. Now they are both my favorites.
68. I love singing the Psalms
69. I listen to Country music.
70. I was country when country wasn’t cool ala Barbara Mandrell
71. My favorite food is steak and homemade French fries.
72. I love all things cinnamon.
73. I won’t eat nuts
74. Or salad
75. My mom thinks that’s weird.
76. I am a bit of an airhead.
77. I tutor reading and English.
78. I like Sudoku
79. I do crossword puzzles
80. I love flowers.
81. My husband forgets to get them so I buy them for myself as a treat
occasionally.
82. I am amazed at what a godly man I married.
83. Family is one of my highest priorities.
84. I was an athletic training major in college for two years.
85. I changed my mind because it is a hard career for families.
86. I was the trainer/manager for my high school girls basketball team for three
years.
87. I can tape a mean ankle.
88. I know what RICE means.
89. Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation
90. I wish my body would tolerate pregnancy better so I could have more children.
91. I think we’d like to adopt someday.
92. I am a conservative republican.
93. I spend a lot of time on the computer
94. I went to Europe for two weeks between junior and senior year in high school.
95. I want to go back, someday.
96. My husband has no wish to see France.
97. I am insanely curious about people. Some might call it nosy.
98. I am very klutzy.
99. I believe in the beg borrow and steal method of teaching ideas.Wherever,
whomever, however, whatever, I find the ideas, I believe in using them to
help my students.
100. I really love to Blog.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
I think I will hid under the bed.
I've learned that sometimes life just piles on. Je has been sick for several days, with a bad cold/fever. I gave her Tylenol for the fever on Thursday and she threw it up. I gave her a crackers and a different form of Tylenol and she threw up even faster. I stopped the Tylenol and she stopped throwing up. I gave her ibuprofen and it stayed down. She laid around for 5 days. She is not real peppy today. Jo is so far very healthy. I felt a cold coming on last week and started Zicam. Wow. I think it might be worth the effort to get and take the medicine, because I am pretty well over the cold in less than a week, and it never laid me very low, unlike usual when cold last weeks and make me feel like crap. My mom had a bad cold that lasted for three weeks and more and was pretty miserable. She has missed church two straight weeks because of the ick. I missed church because Je was icky. I took her to the Immediate Care Clinic on Sunday because it looked like the eye infection Mom had was getting started in Je. So that is just part of the ick. I was on the way to pick up the girls after tutoring yesterday evening and noticed I had a voice mail. Shan had called to let me know he had injured himself during wrestling practice and was on the way to the emergency room. Hello! I called him to find out what to do next. He thought he had a separated rib, whatever that is and since it happened during practice, he needed to go to the ER to have it covered by the school's policy. With Je not up to snuff, I really hated to go down to the hospital to sit there with a couple whiny hungry, fussy kids when Daddy couldn't help and probably needed me too. I was torn. I ended up calling my uncle to help. He went down to the hospital and got Shan and delivered him home. I stayed home with the kids and put them to bed. Shan had just some painfully torn muscles and so should be on the mend soon. They did give him some good drugs for pain so that is good. They said he could resume regular activities on Wednesday, but he was moving so slow this morning that I don't think he'll be wrestling tomorrow. He went to work as usual this morning so he should be doing okay.
It always happens like that doesn't it. Everything piles on at once.
It always happens like that doesn't it. Everything piles on at once.
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Huh?!
I took this test and I don't understand my score. I got a 10 out of 11 and when I checked my answers I didn't see the one I missed. I checked them three times so I wonder if there is a glitch. I have taken this kind of test before and gotten hung up because I didn't read or listen closely to the question. It is an interesting way to look at how we listen and what assumptions we make about what people say or what we read. I think doing this test aloud would be harder to do and get the right answers because we jump ahead so much easier when listening. Give it a try and let me know how you did.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
I Love This Character!
Anne Shirley
The loveable redhead of "Anne of Green Gables." Anne lives on Prince Edward Island, and never ceases to astonish it's inhabitants. She's a writer, matchmaker, and can generally be found getting into some scrape or the other. Gilbert Blythe, one of her dearest friends, is in love with her, but she refuses to see it for many years.
Which Classic Heroine are You?
The loveable redhead of "Anne of Green Gables." Anne lives on Prince Edward Island, and never ceases to astonish it's inhabitants. She's a writer, matchmaker, and can generally be found getting into some scrape or the other. Gilbert Blythe, one of her dearest friends, is in love with her, but she refuses to see it for many years.
Which Classic Heroine are You?
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Punctuation Problems
I've learned that I really am an English teacher. I never wanted to be that stereotypical English teacher who caused people to be on their guard when writing or speaking for fear that I would pull out the red pen. I do have to complain a little about the grammar and punctuation people use when writing online. I got an email today from an educated adult man who sent it to the wrestling list, parents coaches, coaches wives, wrestling fans etc. I had to read the last sentence twice before I understood what he was saying because for him apparently, capitalization and punctuation in email are optional. I am pretty casual about language. I have comma splice issues, run on sentences, (the same thing really), misplaced modifiers and other grammar issues. I draw the line at capitalization and punctuation. I mean come on, using a period, question mark or exclamation mark is a bare minimum requirement for writing a note or a comment. I have lost track of the number of comments I have read on other sites which lack capital letters and basic sentence ending punctuation. That's all I am asking, start a sentence with a capital letter. End a sentence with punctuation. I can handle misspelled words, although with spell check that seems a bit too easy to avoid, but I have done it so I will forgive that. I need to know where the sentence starts and where the sentence ends. Is it a question? Is it a statement. Maybe throw an apostrophe in on those contractions, is proofreading for the correct spelling of to too much? I will get off the soap box now. Rant over.
Friday, January 19, 2007
Prayer Request
My nephew Blaise has been admitted to the hospital to be treated for pnemonia. He was getting dehydrated and his fever is up and down. He also has asthma so that is a special concern. They think he will be okay but right now he is pretty sick. Please remember him and his family in your prayers.
On the Bright Side
I read several blogs on the net. I realize that blogs are only a slice of a person but I think over time, you can get some insight into the person's overall outlook. For instance, you get a sense of where they fall on the political continuum by the things they say. You also can get a sense of whether they are a half full/half empty kind of person. I stopped regular reading of one blog because the woman who wrote it seemed to whine a lot about the troubles in her life. They seemed a little over blown from my perspective, even in my relatively trouble reduced life. I still check in on her about once a month to read what she's up to, and I am not sure why. I still check in with this other woman's blogs, even though she seems to wallow in the negative side. Today, her post was about being reminded recently to look at the progress not the distance left to go. It got me to thinking. I hope those who know me or read this blog see me as a half full kind of girl. I probably wallowed a little in yesterday's post, but bear in mind, January is the hardest month for me. I could wallow some more in excusing myself, but I won't. I just want to say how much more our lives would be if we focused on what is right with the world, or our part of it than the other.
A preacher I know, not mine, has filled our pulpit a few times, and I dread it each time. He is a very nice man, a sincere Christian, and a godly man. He also is a little shell shocked by 21st century American culture. He spent over 50 years as a foreign missionary and so America seems a far different place than when he left, in the 1950's. He often preaches on the abdication of Christians in culture and the downward spiral society is on. The attack on Christianity. I don't dipute his premise, but I do see lots of room for positive thinking. Good things are happening in our country. I read OneNewsNow formerly AgapePress and know that Christians are under siege, but are not quietly going down, but fighting and winning battles across the country.
All this is to say that we should be half full people, look for the positive side of things, not wallow in our disadvantage. Shannon hasn't been home all week because of wrestling and a deacon meeting, and more wrestling tonight and tomorrow, but instead of complaining about that, I will be thankful that my mom and sister are available to help distract the girls on those long days.
A preacher I know, not mine, has filled our pulpit a few times, and I dread it each time. He is a very nice man, a sincere Christian, and a godly man. He also is a little shell shocked by 21st century American culture. He spent over 50 years as a foreign missionary and so America seems a far different place than when he left, in the 1950's. He often preaches on the abdication of Christians in culture and the downward spiral society is on. The attack on Christianity. I don't dipute his premise, but I do see lots of room for positive thinking. Good things are happening in our country. I read OneNewsNow formerly AgapePress and know that Christians are under siege, but are not quietly going down, but fighting and winning battles across the country.
All this is to say that we should be half full people, look for the positive side of things, not wallow in our disadvantage. Shannon hasn't been home all week because of wrestling and a deacon meeting, and more wrestling tonight and tomorrow, but instead of complaining about that, I will be thankful that my mom and sister are available to help distract the girls on those long days.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
I Couldn't Have Said it Better
I cry a lot. Sad TV, an emotional thought, conversation, a touching moment, anger, frustration, etc. So I wasn't surprised to find myself crying tonight at Grey's Anatomy. It was a beautiful scene,
"I don't know how to exist in a world where my dad doesn't."
" Yeah, that doesn't ever really change"
That is exactly the way I've felt for 10 years. There is this gaping hole that no one can fill. I remember thinking that my life would never be as good as before, when my father died at 47. I was 23. I still feel that way a bit. I hate that I do. I want to have my first best life back. Does that sound like a lack of faith? Maybe it is a little. I originally intended to post about the new study I started on Wednesday, and I will later, but the episode of GA tonight poleaxed me. I love my husband and kids, and I am thankful that I have the life that I do, because it is only by the grace of God that I have a life at all. I just miss the life I would/could of had if I had a father still. The life my kids could have had. I should be thankful for the little things: my husband and my in laws knew my father and in a small way share in my grief. My sisters' husbands came to our family after Daddy's death. I have a big extended family who grieve with us, and my church family still remembers my dad and shares their caring with us. I had twenty three years with my dad, he walked me down the aisle. He saw me graduate HS and go off to college, and I was in my last semester so he could know I would graduate. My own father lost his father when Daddy was only six. I had a long time with my dad comparatively. Still. I should be thankful, I should not whine about what I lost, but think about what I've been given. I still am not sure how to live in a world without my dad in it. I guess I just keep trying.
"I don't know how to exist in a world where my dad doesn't."
" Yeah, that doesn't ever really change"
That is exactly the way I've felt for 10 years. There is this gaping hole that no one can fill. I remember thinking that my life would never be as good as before, when my father died at 47. I was 23. I still feel that way a bit. I hate that I do. I want to have my first best life back. Does that sound like a lack of faith? Maybe it is a little. I originally intended to post about the new study I started on Wednesday, and I will later, but the episode of GA tonight poleaxed me. I love my husband and kids, and I am thankful that I have the life that I do, because it is only by the grace of God that I have a life at all. I just miss the life I would/could of had if I had a father still. The life my kids could have had. I should be thankful for the little things: my husband and my in laws knew my father and in a small way share in my grief. My sisters' husbands came to our family after Daddy's death. I have a big extended family who grieve with us, and my church family still remembers my dad and shares their caring with us. I had twenty three years with my dad, he walked me down the aisle. He saw me graduate HS and go off to college, and I was in my last semester so he could know I would graduate. My own father lost his father when Daddy was only six. I had a long time with my dad comparatively. Still. I should be thankful, I should not whine about what I lost, but think about what I've been given. I still am not sure how to live in a world without my dad in it. I guess I just keep trying.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
That's A Daddy
I saw an interesting contrast recently, and it got me to thinking. First, I saw a man walking with his young daughter. He was walking slightly ahead of her, seeming to pay no attention to her skipping along down the hall. I wasn't close enough to hear if they were talking, but he didn't seem engaged. I didn't think to much about it until later. I saw another man walking down the same hall with his daughter. He had his arm around her shoulder, was leaning over slightly to hear her talk as they walked. He guided her protectively as they left the building. I began reflecting over the difference in the two families. I don't know either family well. I just saw two fathers, one was a daddy the other didn't seem to be.
On the tenth anniversary of my Daddy's death it seems like it would be a good opportunity to reflect on what a Daddy is.
Daddy's are involved, in their kids lives.
They coach softball,
they take special daddy-kid only times.
They are silly,
they play,
they listen, they talk,
they correct,
discipline,
yell,
love,
defend,
protect,
comiserate,
assign chores,
dance with,
crawl on the floor as the horsey,
build a playhouse,
teach how to drive with the admonition, "do as I say not as I do",
give money to,
treat to lunch,
worry over,
send to school,
drive them to school when it's icy, instead of letting them drive themselves
take them to church
lead family worship,
go shopping with their kids even when shopping isn't their thing
maintain their cars,
give them away.
This is just the tip of the iceberg on my Daddy. Everyday I miss him. I see him in my children and niece and nephews. It breaks my heart, to know that they will not know him. I remember driving home one night when I was pregnant and realizing that my father would never see my children, and just sobbing.
I have two sisters, so it was a very girl household. He never seemed to be upset by that, and whenever anyone asked if he wished for a son, he always said he thought daughters were better. Now, that was always when we were in earshot, but I sincerely believe, he was content with the family God gave him.
I know he would adore my two girls. They would have been as much a part of his daily life as they are for my mother. I really think he would have been crazy over my nephews though. Little boys were a special treat to play with at family gatherings. I have a picture of him with my cousin at about 2 that is so cute.
One of the gifts that came from his death was a visit from a man we had never met. Apparently, Daddy knew him through work, and as they were both Christians and fathers they connected. The day before the funeral, he dropped by because he wanted to share with us how often Daddy had spoken of us to him and how proud Daddy was of his family. A few days later I was in class at K-State, and that came back to me. It was "Interpersonal Relations", one of those short courses they make you take your student teaching semester. The professor said that the number one reason people are in therapy is because they have unresolved issues with their parents. They don't know if their parents were proud of them, approve of them, love them. I knew. If I hadn't, that man's visit would have told me. My father often said, "Shel, your alright, no matter what your mother says about you." It was a joke but his approval was clear.
May I use my father's example with my own children, and others.
May God be with my family this week.
DTP 8/4/47 - 1/12/97
On the tenth anniversary of my Daddy's death it seems like it would be a good opportunity to reflect on what a Daddy is.
Daddy's are involved, in their kids lives.
They coach softball,
they take special daddy-kid only times.
They are silly,
they play,
they listen, they talk,
they correct,
discipline,
yell,
love,
defend,
protect,
comiserate,
assign chores,
dance with,
crawl on the floor as the horsey,
build a playhouse,
teach how to drive with the admonition, "do as I say not as I do",
give money to,
treat to lunch,
worry over,
send to school,
drive them to school when it's icy, instead of letting them drive themselves
take them to church
lead family worship,
go shopping with their kids even when shopping isn't their thing
maintain their cars,
give them away.
This is just the tip of the iceberg on my Daddy. Everyday I miss him. I see him in my children and niece and nephews. It breaks my heart, to know that they will not know him. I remember driving home one night when I was pregnant and realizing that my father would never see my children, and just sobbing.
I have two sisters, so it was a very girl household. He never seemed to be upset by that, and whenever anyone asked if he wished for a son, he always said he thought daughters were better. Now, that was always when we were in earshot, but I sincerely believe, he was content with the family God gave him.
I know he would adore my two girls. They would have been as much a part of his daily life as they are for my mother. I really think he would have been crazy over my nephews though. Little boys were a special treat to play with at family gatherings. I have a picture of him with my cousin at about 2 that is so cute.
One of the gifts that came from his death was a visit from a man we had never met. Apparently, Daddy knew him through work, and as they were both Christians and fathers they connected. The day before the funeral, he dropped by because he wanted to share with us how often Daddy had spoken of us to him and how proud Daddy was of his family. A few days later I was in class at K-State, and that came back to me. It was "Interpersonal Relations", one of those short courses they make you take your student teaching semester. The professor said that the number one reason people are in therapy is because they have unresolved issues with their parents. They don't know if their parents were proud of them, approve of them, love them. I knew. If I hadn't, that man's visit would have told me. My father often said, "Shel, your alright, no matter what your mother says about you." It was a joke but his approval was clear.
May I use my father's example with my own children, and others.
May God be with my family this week.
DTP 8/4/47 - 1/12/97
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
