Looks like I haven't posted here in about three weeks. Well, I did, but I deleted what I posted. However, I am driven to think out loud with my fingers. So I started a new, secret blog, on WordPress. I have been posting many insane stream of consciousness ramblings there, over the last three weeks. It has been a chronicle of my thoughts and sometimes prayers over a new season in our lives.
We are sending our boys to public school.
There, I said it. No taking it back. Rather than rehashing the decision, here's the last post I wrote.
I don't think I'm going to keep this blog up. I'm not going to delete it. Someday, blogger might due to neglect. But I'll leave it up. I might transfer some of my favorite posts to bury the insane ramblings.
So new season, new blog. It's a good thing :-)
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Week Alone, part deux
This is likely to be a rambly post. Today is the first day of another week alone for me. I know! another one! I'm thinking they are my reward for all the time I give to my family. My Abba knows how much I love alone time. Don't worry, though. I intend to invite some other Scout moms over for a salad dinner. And I think I may have gotten roped into helping someone move. I'm not even sure how that happened. My pastor's wife is far too compassionate and I am always looking for ways to lighten her load, so somehow we are helping someone move, I think.
This week, I intend to finish grading N's school work for 9th grade, and fill in his transcript. I intend to spend some time sitting before the Lord and listening for His instructions. I really want to do some school planning, but I think I am going to hold off on that. There are some undone decisions that dh and I have to make.
I will not be blogging about anymore deep dark secrets. That was too painful. I shall carry on blogging as if nothing ever happened and just paint a rosy picture for the readers.
Supposedly, I am to take a job application to the vet's for my oldest son. I'm sorry, but in my opinion, this is not a good idea. I would never hire a kid whose mommy brought his application in. Maybe they'll hire me, though? I'd like a summer job out of the house. Why the vet's? He just got certified as a lifeguard. How bout some swimming pools, where you can do something you are qualified for? Sorry. You're not my son. The only thing he's qualified to do with sick animals is hunt them down and put them out of their misery.
Two of my very favorite people came to visit me this weekend. They are friends from high school. I met him in 9th grade, we sat next to each other in P.E. because we had the same last name. We had similar music tastes and a friendship was born. I don't really remember when I met her, she was after my bff's boyfriend. So not my favorite back then. But I love her dearly, now. They are my brother and sister in Christ and that gives me more joy than I can express. They brought their completely adorable boys with them. And that was a special, special treat. Their story is a story of God's mercy, grace and faithfulness. They are miracles. G and C are amazing parents. My boys enjoyed having the little ones around. That was a fun thing to see, as well.
The best thing about being alone is eating what I want when I want. In the past, I would gorge myself on chips and dip, but this week, I have planned to eat salads. Greek salad, caesar salad, pasta salad, chicken salad, things my family roll their eyes at. Dh bought me two chocolate bars for my week alone. Don't tell, but they are really not very good. There is a reason they put chocolate on clearance at the grocery store and it's not because they are lowering the price so that everyone can experience the delightful sweetness and delectable, delicate flavorings.
He also came home with a honey-corn syrup "blend" (ick) and three plastic bowls that were 3/$1. All I'm saying is that the man can't pass up a sale.
Another one of my plans is to watch things on and from Netflix that my family rolls their eyes at. So far I have watched a documentary about cemeteries, The Legend of 1900 and I tried to watch some old black and white Italian film, but even I couldn't watch that. I've got Poirot, some Cary Grant movies, Mama Mia and Absolutely Fabulous in the queue.
Oh!! I also already have watched some stuff on Hulu, too. Have you seen this new show on NBC? It's JUST LIKE FRIENDS! I can't decide if I like it or not. I spend a lot of the time being offended that they ripped off Friends, but I have watched both of the episodes and am likely to continue watching new episodes. It's called 100 Questions.
Not sure how to end this rambly post. So, I'll just stop. Maybe I'll post more tomorrow.
This week, I intend to finish grading N's school work for 9th grade, and fill in his transcript. I intend to spend some time sitting before the Lord and listening for His instructions. I really want to do some school planning, but I think I am going to hold off on that. There are some undone decisions that dh and I have to make.
I will not be blogging about anymore deep dark secrets. That was too painful. I shall carry on blogging as if nothing ever happened and just paint a rosy picture for the readers.
Supposedly, I am to take a job application to the vet's for my oldest son. I'm sorry, but in my opinion, this is not a good idea. I would never hire a kid whose mommy brought his application in. Maybe they'll hire me, though? I'd like a summer job out of the house. Why the vet's? He just got certified as a lifeguard. How bout some swimming pools, where you can do something you are qualified for? Sorry. You're not my son. The only thing he's qualified to do with sick animals is hunt them down and put them out of their misery.
Two of my very favorite people came to visit me this weekend. They are friends from high school. I met him in 9th grade, we sat next to each other in P.E. because we had the same last name. We had similar music tastes and a friendship was born. I don't really remember when I met her, she was after my bff's boyfriend. So not my favorite back then. But I love her dearly, now. They are my brother and sister in Christ and that gives me more joy than I can express. They brought their completely adorable boys with them. And that was a special, special treat. Their story is a story of God's mercy, grace and faithfulness. They are miracles. G and C are amazing parents. My boys enjoyed having the little ones around. That was a fun thing to see, as well.
The best thing about being alone is eating what I want when I want. In the past, I would gorge myself on chips and dip, but this week, I have planned to eat salads. Greek salad, caesar salad, pasta salad, chicken salad, things my family roll their eyes at. Dh bought me two chocolate bars for my week alone. Don't tell, but they are really not very good. There is a reason they put chocolate on clearance at the grocery store and it's not because they are lowering the price so that everyone can experience the delightful sweetness and delectable, delicate flavorings.
He also came home with a honey-corn syrup "blend" (ick) and three plastic bowls that were 3/$1. All I'm saying is that the man can't pass up a sale.
Another one of my plans is to watch things on and from Netflix that my family rolls their eyes at. So far I have watched a documentary about cemeteries, The Legend of 1900 and I tried to watch some old black and white Italian film, but even I couldn't watch that. I've got Poirot, some Cary Grant movies, Mama Mia and Absolutely Fabulous in the queue.
Oh!! I also already have watched some stuff on Hulu, too. Have you seen this new show on NBC? It's JUST LIKE FRIENDS! I can't decide if I like it or not. I spend a lot of the time being offended that they ripped off Friends, but I have watched both of the episodes and am likely to continue watching new episodes. It's called 100 Questions.
Not sure how to end this rambly post. So, I'll just stop. Maybe I'll post more tomorrow.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Apple a Day, As Long As It's Under 200 Megabytes
Not sure why I am so fixated on this. Maybe it's my psyche just trying to think about something else for a change.
I read a news article yesterday that ATT is no longer going to offer unlimited data plans. We'll still get ours, because we already have it and if we renew our contract, which we won't, we'll still have unlimited data.
Seems ATT can't support unlimited data for all the iPhone and iPad users. This bugs me sooo badly. Put up more towers! Is that so hard? Is that so difficult? ATT is one of the oldest and largest telecommunications companies in the world. Surely they are one of the richest. Surely, they could afford to put up more towers. I have less coverage with ATT than I did with Sprint, and Sprint stunk (stank?. who cares.)
This next part is going to sound totally juvenile, but here goes anyway...Why partner with Apple to get exclusives on these super cool devices where the world is in your pocket and then not be able to support it?
Apple, please cut the cord with ATT. Please join forces with Verizon by February 2012 would be good. Please!
I read a news article yesterday that ATT is no longer going to offer unlimited data plans. We'll still get ours, because we already have it and if we renew our contract, which we won't, we'll still have unlimited data.
Seems ATT can't support unlimited data for all the iPhone and iPad users. This bugs me sooo badly. Put up more towers! Is that so hard? Is that so difficult? ATT is one of the oldest and largest telecommunications companies in the world. Surely they are one of the richest. Surely, they could afford to put up more towers. I have less coverage with ATT than I did with Sprint, and Sprint stunk (stank?. who cares.)
This next part is going to sound totally juvenile, but here goes anyway...Why partner with Apple to get exclusives on these super cool devices where the world is in your pocket and then not be able to support it?
Apple, please cut the cord with ATT. Please join forces with Verizon by February 2012 would be good. Please!
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
If you are a homeschooler
You MUST read this article. This is probably the best thing I have read in 10 years.
I know that one of my personal issues with our homeschooling journey is that I am tossed to and fro by every wind of homeschooling doctrine.
I started this journey reading Ruth Beechick. I agreed wholeheartedly. I moved on to Sally Clarkson, same vein. I still pull out my very worn out "Educating the Wholehearted Child" When I am feeling burned out. It's been on my nightstand for a month, now. The old Elijah Company catalog was a wealth of information that encouraged me to continue on a simple path.
Then, I read The Well Trained Mind. I bought more expensive curriculum. Confusion set in, because my flesh and soul began battling. I was lured by the promise of turning out, well...well trained minds. James 3:16 says that where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil thing. yep.
I bounced from curriculum to curriculum. Disliking this and declaring that that didn't work. I spent three years loving the concept of Tapestry of Grace and finding it harder and harder to "do." Don't even ask how this year went. That rhetoric level is a butt kicker.
If you have read my blog for any length of time you know that Isaiah 54:13 is my go to verse for our homeschool. "All your children will be taught of the Lord and great will be the peace of your children." My back up verse is, "Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you." Shoot! I just quoted it to someone the other day, when we were talking about order in the home.
It's no wonder my kids are way off base and out in left field (I can use that metaphor because it's baseball season - which btw, I am so done with, not that it's over, I am just done.)
For the last two years, I have been more focused on getting N through high school and into a "good college" than I have been concerned about his character, or worse, his soul. In turn, I have neglected his brothers. I have been shocked on more than one occasion this year to find that Q has been failing math lessons. He's a math genius, I tell you, this should NOT be happening.
I encourage and exhort you to read this article.
I know that one of my personal issues with our homeschooling journey is that I am tossed to and fro by every wind of homeschooling doctrine.
I started this journey reading Ruth Beechick. I agreed wholeheartedly. I moved on to Sally Clarkson, same vein. I still pull out my very worn out "Educating the Wholehearted Child" When I am feeling burned out. It's been on my nightstand for a month, now. The old Elijah Company catalog was a wealth of information that encouraged me to continue on a simple path.
Then, I read The Well Trained Mind. I bought more expensive curriculum. Confusion set in, because my flesh and soul began battling. I was lured by the promise of turning out, well...well trained minds. James 3:16 says that where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil thing. yep.
I bounced from curriculum to curriculum. Disliking this and declaring that that didn't work. I spent three years loving the concept of Tapestry of Grace and finding it harder and harder to "do." Don't even ask how this year went. That rhetoric level is a butt kicker.
If you have read my blog for any length of time you know that Isaiah 54:13 is my go to verse for our homeschool. "All your children will be taught of the Lord and great will be the peace of your children." My back up verse is, "Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you." Shoot! I just quoted it to someone the other day, when we were talking about order in the home.
It's no wonder my kids are way off base and out in left field (I can use that metaphor because it's baseball season - which btw, I am so done with, not that it's over, I am just done.)
For the last two years, I have been more focused on getting N through high school and into a "good college" than I have been concerned about his character, or worse, his soul. In turn, I have neglected his brothers. I have been shocked on more than one occasion this year to find that Q has been failing math lessons. He's a math genius, I tell you, this should NOT be happening.
I encourage and exhort you to read this article.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Steadfastness
Marked two more things off my To Do list this morning. And I've started several of the other things. I have to wait on other people for some of them. Waiting on other people can be frustrating, but I am starting a campaign of not being so easily irritated by people.
Thursday morning, I felt so beat down, mentally. I had really wanted to HEAR FROM GOD on Wednesday. And it just did not happen the way I wanted it to. I knew that what was going on in my heart was "there is no peace and well being because you have left teaching your children of the Lord (Is. 54:13.)" I knew that. But there was no peace in my heart and no will to move forward.
You know those FB status updates, "If you have brothers you love blah blah blah...post this. X% won't."? Those irritate me. So I posted, "When is it going to be tired moms' week?" One of my IRL friends, said take your coffee and Bible outside. So I did. Sitting on FB one more minute was not going to energize me. Every cell in my body was saying, "Please, do what Mrs. Lucy says!" (They talk to me in a Bill Cosby voice.)
I have a little book called 101 Devotions for Homeschool Moms. I bought it as a door prize for our homeschool group. I had a copy of my own a long time ago, I gave it to my sister. Sitting around our house, the back cover got creased, so I don't feel like I can give it away, now.
The devotional didn't speak to me. Devotionals rarely do, anymore. Nothing wrong with them, at this point in my life I just need WORD. But I took it outside and opened it up anyway.
The verse that day was Psalm 51:10. Create in me a clean heart O God, and renew a steadfast spirit in me.
I whipped out my iPhone (I took it for the iPod for some worship music!) and opened the dictionary app.
Steadfast - fixed in direction, firm in purpose, unwavering, firmly established.
Ugh! I am so wretched! Why do I waver so? Why do I entertain fantasies about sending N to a private university model school? That is not the direction God said to go! You are feeding a monster. Tear down those thoughts! At what point did I leave off teaching God's ways to the boys? Did I really think that by virtue of having them at home that their lives would be peaceful? (I think I did.)
And note that spirit in that verse is not capitalized. It's MY spirit that needs to be renewed. I also note that this verse is a petition, a request to the Lord to renew a steadfast spirit. I don't have to do it myself!
The verse in today's devotional (do what works, huh?) was 1 Cor. 3:5. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God. ...sigh... His grace, His power, is sufficient to renew a steadfast spirit in me. It really is. I need only to believe.
Thursday morning, I felt so beat down, mentally. I had really wanted to HEAR FROM GOD on Wednesday. And it just did not happen the way I wanted it to. I knew that what was going on in my heart was "there is no peace and well being because you have left teaching your children of the Lord (Is. 54:13.)" I knew that. But there was no peace in my heart and no will to move forward.
You know those FB status updates, "If you have brothers you love blah blah blah...post this. X% won't."? Those irritate me. So I posted, "When is it going to be tired moms' week?" One of my IRL friends, said take your coffee and Bible outside. So I did. Sitting on FB one more minute was not going to energize me. Every cell in my body was saying, "Please, do what Mrs. Lucy says!" (They talk to me in a Bill Cosby voice.)
I have a little book called 101 Devotions for Homeschool Moms. I bought it as a door prize for our homeschool group. I had a copy of my own a long time ago, I gave it to my sister. Sitting around our house, the back cover got creased, so I don't feel like I can give it away, now.
The devotional didn't speak to me. Devotionals rarely do, anymore. Nothing wrong with them, at this point in my life I just need WORD. But I took it outside and opened it up anyway.
The verse that day was Psalm 51:10. Create in me a clean heart O God, and renew a steadfast spirit in me.
I whipped out my iPhone (I took it for the iPod for some worship music!) and opened the dictionary app.
Steadfast - fixed in direction, firm in purpose, unwavering, firmly established.
Ugh! I am so wretched! Why do I waver so? Why do I entertain fantasies about sending N to a private university model school? That is not the direction God said to go! You are feeding a monster. Tear down those thoughts! At what point did I leave off teaching God's ways to the boys? Did I really think that by virtue of having them at home that their lives would be peaceful? (I think I did.)
And note that spirit in that verse is not capitalized. It's MY spirit that needs to be renewed. I also note that this verse is a petition, a request to the Lord to renew a steadfast spirit. I don't have to do it myself!
The verse in today's devotional (do what works, huh?) was 1 Cor. 3:5. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God. ...sigh... His grace, His power, is sufficient to renew a steadfast spirit in me. It really is. I need only to believe.
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