House for Sale

Today, my mother informed me that my childhood home is ready for sale. The realtor has taken both interior and exterior photographs for the website advertisement and all the required disclosure paperwork has been filed. In a few days, the house will be searchable on the World Wide Web for anyone interested in purchasing it. After nine months of waiting, the inevitable has finally arrived.

Surprisingly, I am not overly distraught by this event, at least not that I can discern as of yet. I suppose this is due to the fact that I have never actually seen the house empty, my being in New England and the house being in the Upper Midwest. Unfortunately, my mother, sister, and aunt have not been so serendipitously spared, but they all seem to be holding up remarkably well despite months of backbreaking work to declutter, clean, and prepare the house for showing (boy, did I get off easy!). I suppose, too, I am not that distraught because the house hasn’t been part of my daily life for almost twenty years, between living away for college and marrying a sailor who took me to distant ports of call (like Connecticut). My lack of distress could also be due to the fact that I am in denial. I don’t think I am in denial, but then again, how would I know?

The idea of non-relatives living in a house that has been in my family for over 45 years is difficult to visualize. To think of visiting my hometown and not heading down Main Street to the county historical museum, turning left, and then driving down the hill to the next corner where I can look across the street at my parent’s home seems surreal. Picturing non-family automobiles parked on the side street for picnics and holiday parties is a snapshot that just won’t come into focus. Part of me feels as if this is the only home I have ever known.

That said, I am trying to put this transition in perspective. As emotionally challenging as the sale may be for all of us, it is hardly a new occurrence when viewed in the context of genealogy and history. Every generation has experienced this farewell. I can think of several houses in my lifetime that either passed out of the family, or out of existence altogether: the Henkel home in Mechanicsville being one; the Nimz home in Elmore being the other. I don’t recall how my mother and my aunt handled those goodbyes since I was too young to remember many details. I do, however, see how my mother and my aunt are handling this goodbye, with the same grace and pluck that they apply to every life situation. It makes me wonder if my ancestors did as well. No doubt, I will never have an answer to that question.

I do, however, have an answer for how I plan to deal with the sale of this beloved residence --- prayer. I plan to pray that a blessed new beginning is in store for the old house, a beginning that includes a family with small children, a family who will keep the building and grounds in good repair and use them wisely to create wonderful memories for their kids, the way my parents did for my sister and me. I plan to pray that the new owners will respect the house as the repository of almost 100 years of history, a history that they are now privileged to augment, as my family and those who came before us were likewise so privileged to do. Finally, I plan to pray that the house becomes as much of a home for the new residents as it did for my family and friends who, over the years, lived and loved and learned and laughed much within those charming old walls. Godspeed and much happiness to the home that served us so lovingly and so well. Adieu, good friend. Adieu.

Bless this house, O Lord, we pray.
Make it safe by night and day.
Bless these walls so firm and stout,
Keeping want and trouble out.
Bless this roof and chimney tall,
Let thy peace lie overall.
Bless these doors that they may prove
Ever open to joy and love.
Bless the windows shining bright,
Letting in God’s heavenly light.
Bless the hearth a-blazing there,
With smoke ascending like a prayer.
Bless the people here within…
Keep them pure and free from sin.
Bless us all, that one day, we
May be fit, O Lord, to dwell with Thee.

If you are interested in purchasing my childhood home, please visit this realty webpage.

IKEA --- A Bit of History

My family and I made our first trip to the Connecticut IKEA store this evening to look at a wall unit/bookcases for our living room. Being a homeschooling family, bookcases are frequently on our shopping list. Being an ex-retail manager and economics major, the beginnings of large retail giants are often on my curiosity list. The story of Hewlett Packard starting in a California garage comes to mind. In the case of IKEA, it was a small farming village in the woods of southern Sweden.

IKEA has been in business for more than 60 years (almost as long as Hewlett Packard, now that I think about it). During that time, they grew from a small local business to a global giant. In case you are just as curious about this furniture phenomenon as I was this evening while walking through their humungous showroom, here are a few key dates in IKEA history, taken from the chronological timeline on their website, www.ikea.com.

1940-1950
IKEA was founded by Ingvar Kamprad. The company name was formed by combining the founder’s initials (IK) with the first letters of the farm and village where he grew up, Elmtaryd (E) and Agnnaryd (A). Furniture was added to the IKEA product line. In the beginning, they sold small items such as watches, pens, and jewelry.

1950-1960
IKEA published their first furniture catalog. This was the beginning of the oh-so-familiar IKEA store that we know today. The company opened their first showroom (apparently different from a store, but not quite clear how) and began designing their own furniture, items that would accommodate flat packaging for shipment. During this decade, IKEA also opened their first store in Sweden.

1960-1970
In 1963, IKEA opened their first store in Norway. Several innovative IKEA designs made their way into the product line (too many to list here, see their website). A flagship store was opened in Stockholm, Sweden. The first IKEA store in Denmark also began operations. Particleboard revolutionized furniture construction for reasonable prices, a perfect fit for IKEA.

1970-1980
Expansion continued with stores opening in Switzerland, Germany, Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, and Austria. IKEA began to manufacture plastic-based furnishings.

1980-1990
Stores opened in France, Belgium, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Italy. The STOCKHOLM line of furniture won the Excellent Swedish Design Award.

1990-2000
The 1990’s were a busy decade for IKEA. Stores opened in Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, the United Arab Emirates, Spain, and China. The first version of the IKEA website was launched. New product lines were introduced that utilized innovative furniture construction techniques to save on cost. The first stackable children’s chair joined the product line as well. The VARDE modular kitchen won the Red Dot for Highest Design Quality Award. In 1997, Children’s IKEA began. By 1999, the company operated over 150 stores in 29 countries. Founder Ingvar Kamprad initiated the Big Thank You Event, a single day each year when the total of worldwide IKEA sales is distributed amongst their employees. Talk about a bonus!

2000-present
IKEA opens a store in Russia. The company joins forces with UNICEF to prevent child labor in northern India by encouraging education and the improvement of opportunities for women.

To quote Paul Harvey, “Now you know the rest of the story.”

River Road

When my daughter and I eat at the Friendly’s restaurant near our house, we make a point of driving home via River Road, a street that travels past the salt marshes that lie along the banks of the Mystic River. Over the years, we have seen everything from swans and geese swimming in the river, to ospreys nesting on platforms installed by a conservation agency in order to increase the birth rate of these lovely feathered hunters. We also routinely spy a cormorant that sits atop a rock just offshore where the road turns east toward a local boat launch.

Until today, our best view of this cormorant was at some distance, always on the same rock, and always standing in that tall, bill upright posture so commonly seen amongst herons and the like. Today, however, we were treated to a close-up view of this bird preening himself on a rock right at the side of the road, much farther upstream than his accustomed perch. Of course, as usual, we did NOT have our camera in the car (!) so we have no awesome photos of this magical sight. We do, however, have a general photo of the river and the marsh. We have included it here for your enjoyment. Better luck (and better planning) next time.

More About Kit

This weekend, my husband pointed out that my previous article about Kit neglected to mention his penchant for burrowing; hence, the previous photo of the cat in a duffle bag and the current photo of him in a box. This is, perhaps, one of his quirkier character traits, definitely the one that amuses us most. He has done this since his kitten years, choosing such unlikely locations as the underside of our box spring and the padded carrier/cover for the crock pot (did I mention he is also incredibly imaginative?). Definitely an adorable addition to our household and one that, I hope, stays for many years.

More Table Talk with Martin Luther

Last Sunday (8/20/2006), I decided to post a series of excerpts from Table Talk, a book of conversations Martin Luther had with his students and colleagues, where he commented on life, the church, and the Bible. The postings for this week are taken from the section entitled "Of God’s Works." All quotes are from an early 20th-century edition, translated by William Hazlitt, Esquire. The original was written in 1566.

LXXII
God gives us sun and moon and stars, fire and water, air and earth, all creatures, body and soul, all manner of maintenance, fruits, grain, corn, wine, whatever is good for the preservation and comfort of this temporal life; moreover he gives unto us his all-saving Word, yea, himself.

XCV
Scarcely a small proportion of the earth bears corn, and yet we are all maintained and nourished. I verily believe that there grow not as many sheaves of corn as there are people in the world, and yet we are all fed; yea, and there remains a good surplus of corn at the year’s end. This is a wonderful thing, which should make us see and perceive God’s blessing.

C
Our loving Lord God wills that we eat, drink, and be merry, making use of his creatures, for therefore he created them. He will not that we complain, as if he had not given sufficient, or that he could not maintain our poor carcasses; he asks only that we acknowledge him for our God, and thank him for his gifts.

CVI
If Adam had remained in his innocence, and had not transgressed God’s command, yet had begotten children, he should not have lived and remained continually in that state in Paradise, but would have been taken into the everlasting glory of heaven, not through death, but through being translated into another life.

CX
God styles himself, in all the Holy Scriptures, a God of life, of peace, of comfort, and joy, for the sake of Christ. I hate myself, that I cannot believe it so constantly and surely as I should; but no human creature can rightly know how mercifully God is inclined toward those that steadfastly believe in Christ.

Introducing Kit

Blogger Sharon suggested that I introduce my younger cat, Kit, since I had previously written about my older cat, Fermata (see Meet My Alarm Clock).

Like his brother, Kit was a pet store purchase. He was the culmination of a ten-month search to replace Theodore, our elderly cat who died (see Meet My Alarm Clock). We had looked at several kittens that were born to friends’ felines during the spring of 2004, but to no avail. We just didn’t find that special personality that would thrive in our home. You know: smart, cute, quirky enough to make life interesting and incredibly amusing, and cuddly enough to endure hours of attention. As a last resort, we checked the same pet store that had given us Fermata. Jackpot.

Kit was about two months old when we first saw him. He was living in the “kitty cage” at our local pet store with several other cats, one of which really caught our eye because he resembled our first feline friend, Alex. Alex was an orange and white tabby who lived with my husband when we began dating. Part dog and part cat, this kitty would come when my husband called, even if he was prowling the neighborhood a block from the house; yet, he disliked anyone or anything that supplanted him as King of the Universe. The latter was where I made my mistake. Apparently, girlfriends were forbidden. The bachelors were happy and women really had no place in the home. Fortunately, my husband disagreed with his cat. But I digress. Not comfortable with intense owner affection, the orange tabby cage-mate was rejected as a good fit for our home. Someone else found him to be the perfect fit, though, because a few days later, he was gone.

Kit, on the other hand, stayed a little longer while we contemplated our purchase. He demonstrated a bit of attitude while residing at the pet store, attitude that my husband liked because it reminded him of Alex. I wasn’t so sure. Kit was cute, no doubt, but I feared that he and Fermata would be at permanent odds with each other because of their strong personalities. Fortunately, I was wrong. Kit is the best thing that ever happened to Fermata. They are best buddies who keep each other on their toes. They nap together, play together, and together they stalk the local bird life --- our pet cockatiel, Peppy.

But that’s a story for another day. :)

Excerpts from Table Talk by Martin Luther

Having recently transferred to a Missouri Synod Lutheran church from one affiliated with the ELCA, I am increasingly curious to learn, or rather relearn, the history of my denomination. Part of this instructional effort is a plan to read some of Martin Luther’s original writings. With several documents to choose from, I decided to begin with Table Talk, a book of conversations Luther had with his students and colleagues, where he commented on life, the church, and the Bible. For the next few Sundays, I thought it would be interesting and informative to share some excerpts from Table Talk. Please remember that this work was written in 1566, making the language a bit challenging at times. These initial postings are taken from the first section entitled "Of God’s Word." All quotes are from an early 20th-century edition, translated by William Hazlitt, Esquire.

IV
We ought not to criticize, explain, or judge the Scriptures by our mere reason, but diligently, with prayer, meditate thereon, and seek their meaning. The devil and temptations also afford us occasion to learn and understand the Scriptures, by experience and practice. Without these we should never understand them, however diligently we read and listened to them. The Holy Ghost must here be our only master and tutor; and let youth have no shame to learn of that preceptor. When I find myself assailed by temptation, I forthwith lay hold of some text of the Bible, which Jesus extends to me; as this: that he died for me, whence I derive infinite comfort.

XII
No greater mischief can happen to a Christian people, than to have God’s Word taken from them, or falsified, so that they no longer have it pure and clear. God grant we and our descendants be not witness of such a calamity.

XX
Oh, how great and glorious a thing it is to have before one the Word of God! With that we may at all times feel joyous and secure; we need never be in want of consolation, for we see before us, in all its brightness, the pure and right way. He who loses sight of the Word of God, falls into despair; the voice of heaven no longer sustains him; he follows only the disorderly tendency of his heart, and of world vanity, which lead him on to his destruction.

XXXIX
A fiery shield is God’s Word; of more substance and purer than gold, which, tried in the fire, loses naught of its substance, but resists and overcomes all the fury of the fiery heat; even so, he that believes God’s Word overcomes all, and remains secure everlastingly, against all misfortunes; for this shield fears nothing, neither hell nor the devil.

LVI
Like as in the world a child is an heir only because it is born to inherit, even so, faith only makes such to be God’s children as are born of the Word, which is the womb wherein we are conceived, born, and nourished, as the prophet Isaiah says. Now, as through such a birth we become God’s children (wrought by God without our help or doing), even so, we are also heirs, and being heirs, are freed from sin, death, and the devil, and shall inherit everlasting life.

Guidelines for Home Instruction

In a previous post (see Functioning on Faith), I mentioned the Guidelines for Home Instruction. They were adopted on November 7, 1990 and are considered the suggested procedure for determining whether a home-educated child is receiving instruction equivalent to that provided in their local public school. These guidelines are valid only in the state of Connecticut and, as such, should not be followed by homeschoolers in any other state. To learn more about the homeschooling requirements in other states, visit the Home School Legal Defense Association at www.hslda.org.
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A. Parents must file with the superintendent of schools in the town in which they reside a State Department of Education developed notice of intent form which provides basic information about the program to be provided to their child.

B. Filing must occur within ten days of the start of the home instruction program.

C. The school district will receive the notice of intent, check it for completeness and keep it as part of the district's permanent records. A complete form will be one which provides basic program information including name of teacher, subjects to be taught and days of instruction, and the teacher's method of assessment.

D. A parent, by filing the notice of intent, acknowledges full responsibility for the education of their child in accordance with the requirements of state law. Receipt of a notice of intent in no way constitutes approval by a school district of the content or effectiveness of a program of home instruction.

E. If a parent fails to file a notice of intent or files an incomplete form, then a certified letter shall be sent to the parent requesting compliance within ten days.

F. An annual portfolio review will be held with the parents and school officials to determine if instruction in the required courses has been given.

G. Any continued refusal by the parent to comply with the reasonable request of the school district for completion and filing of the notice of intent, or to participate in an annual portfolio review, may cause the child to be considered truant.

H. A school district should not accept nor require a notice of intent for any child younger than seven years or older than sixteen years.

I. The school district shall record the number of students instructed at home on the appropriate form issued by the State Department of Education.

Functioning on Faith

Last night, I led our first homeschool support group meeting of the 2006-2007 academic year. The topic was Understanding the CT Law, as it pertains to homeschooling.

Most people would be surprised to learn that Connecticut does not have a specific homeschooling statute. That is, the state does not have a law that enumerates, in list form, the requirements that must be fulfilled by each and every homeschooler. Instead, Connecticut has General Statute 10-184, a law that addresses compulsory education and compulsory attendance, but that never actually mentions the word "homeschooling."

The compulsory education portion of 10-184, known as Ludlow's Code, was enacted in 1650. It states the following:

All parents and those who have the care of children shall bring them up in some lawful and honest employment and instruct them or cause them to be instructed in reading, writing, spelling, English grammar, geography, arithmetic and United States history and in citizenship, including a study of the town, state and federal governments.

Summary: Parents are responsible for the education of their children, either by doing it themselves or by engaging someone else to do the teaching. In 1650, that probably meant a private tutor. In 2006, it means a public or private school.

The compulsory attendance portion of 10-184, on the other hand, was added much later (1872) and has been modified several times since. It reads as follows:

“Subject to the provisions of this section and Section 10-15c, each parent or other person having control of a child five years of age and over and under eighteen years of age shall cause such child to attend a public day school regularly during the hours and terms the public school in the district wherein such child resides is in session, unless such child is a high school graduate or the parent or person having control of such child is able to show that the child is elsewhere receiving equivalent instruction in the studies taught in the public schools. The parent or person having control of a child sixteen or seventeen years of age may consent, as provided in this section, to such child's withdrawal from school. Such parent or person shall personally appear at the school district office and sign a withdrawal form. The school district shall provide such parent or person with information on the educational options available in the school system and in the community. The parent or person having control of a child five years of age shall have the option of not sending the child to school until the child is six years of age and the parent or person having control of a child six years of age shall have the option of not sending the child to school until the child is seven years of age. The parent or person shall exercise such option by personally appearing at the school district office and signing an option form. The school district shall provide the parent or person with information on the educational opportunities available in the school system.

Summary: Parents are responsible for the education of their children and must send them to public school UNLESS one of the following four conditions is met:

1) the child is a high school graduate
2) the child is age 16-17 and has withdrawn school
3) the child is age 5-6 and the parent has delayed school entry
4) the parent is able to show equivalent instruction

Enter confusion. What exactly is "“equivalent instruction?" At present, the state has no specific, statutory, legal definition of this term. Instead, it has the Guidelines for Home Instruction, a suggested procedure contained in a Department of Education Circular Letter. This procedure, if followed, is accepted as demonstrating equivalent instruction. However, this is only a procedure and, as such, does not carry the full force and effect of law. Therefore, compliance on the part of the parent is, technically, voluntary.

So, how did a legal requirement to show equivalent instruction come to be demonstrated by an optional procedure? In the early 1990's, the parties concerned about the right to homeschool in our state (e.g., HSLDA and a few others) negotiated an agreement with the state Department of Education. The state promised not to pass a restrictive homeschooling statute that would burden home education, while the homeschoolers agreed to follow the Guidelines for Home Instruction so that further regulation to define "equivalent instruction"” would be unnecessary. Admittedly, a loosely organized mechanism of accountability, but one that has worked extremely well because it gives each party the ability to accomplish their educational tasks with the smallest possible legal burden. The state is notified that we, as homeschoolers, are truly educating our children as required by law, and we, as homeschoolers, retain the freedom to design a curriculum that meets the needs of our individual children and reflects our personal philosophical/theological beliefs.

As a faith-based homeschooler, I believe this arrangement works well for another reason. It operates on faith. Each party must have faith that they can satisfy their educational requirements; each party must have faith that the other will abide by the guidelines; and each party must have faith that the agreement they negotiated so many years ago remains the best possible mechanism by which to accomplish the ultimate goal: educating our children. Whether public educational official or homeschooling parent, ultimately we are all functioning on faith. I, for one, encourage my fellow homeschoolers to step out in faith and voluntarily abide by the Guidelines for Home Instruction.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. --- Hebrews 11:1 NASB

Favorite Books for Younger Children

Yesterday evening, my family and I watched Nanny McPhee, a recent film starring Emma Thompson and Colin Firth. Based on the “Nurse Matilda” books by Christianna Brand, which I have never read, the film brought to mind a few books for children that I have read and that my daughter very much enjoyed during her early childhood years. Most of these recommendations are for children ages 3-8, but can be read aloud to those somewhat younger as well. I heartily encourage daily read-aloud time for all families in order to encourage listening skills, to establish the habit of reading, and to instill a love of literature in children. I hope you enjoy these stories as much as we did (and do!).

Happy Birthday, Moon by Frank Asch
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown
Calico the Wonder Horse by Virginia Lee Burton
Katy and the Big Snow by Virginia Lee Burton
Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton
Stellaluna by Janell Cannon
Verdi by Janell Cannon
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
The Very Quiet Cricket by Eric Carle
Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola
Come Again, Pelican by Don Freeman
Corduroy by Don Freeman
Little Toot by Hardie Gramatky
Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes
Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes
Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson
What Do You Do, Dear? by Sesyle Joslin & Maurice Sendak
What Do You Say, Dear? by Sesyle Joslin & Maurice Sendak
Alphabeasts by Dick King-Smith
Frederick by Leo Lionni
Let’s Make Rabbits by Leo Lionni
Swimmy by Leo Lionni
Mouse Soup by Arnold Lobel
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin, Jr. & John Archambault
Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey
Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey
The Hole Book by Peter Newell
The Slant Book by Peter Newell
Topsys & Turvys by Peter Newell
Topsys & Turvys 2 by Peter Newell
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Joffe Numeroff
The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper
Babushka’s Doll by Patricia Polacco
The Song of the Swallows by Leo Politi
Alligators All Around by Maurice Sendak
Chicken Soup with Rice by Maurice Sendak
Pierre by Maurice Sendak
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
Snuggle Piggy and the Magic Blanket by Michele Stepto
Gooseberry Lane by Bethany Tudor
The House on East 88th Street by Bernard Waber
Noisy Nora by Rosemary Wells
The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams
The Napping House by Audrey & Don Wood
Piggies by Audrey & Don Wood
Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion & Margaret Bloy Graham

Meet My Alarm Clock

Benjamin Franklin once said, “Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” I have the early rising part down, not just because I am a morning person, but also because I have a very persistent alarm clock --- my cat.

I love my cat. His name is Fermata and he is actually the first feline I ever purchased from a pet store. My previous cats were strays that appeared on my doorstep, but this guy was just too cute to pass up. He was about three months old when he joined our family and was soon trained in the fine art of waking “the food lady” by the senior cat at that time, Theodore.

Theodore passed on several years ago and one of his greatest legacies is the expert education he gave this underling. How he accomplished such a feat is beyond me. Theodore was a gorgeous white and tabby-colored cat with a sweet personality, but without the cunning shrewdness possessed by most felines. His most sophisticated rising ritual consisted of sitting at my bedroom door meowing incessantly until I got up and served him breakfast. Occasionally, he would come to my bedside and touch my cheek with his paw. A noisy, albeit gentle, waking procedure. Simple, yet highly effective. Theodore never starved. In fact, at one time, he weighed almost 20 pounds!

Fermata, on the other hand, enjoys a much more “in your face” approach. It usually begins around 5:00 AM with a head-butting routine, the kitty equivalent of a poke in the ribs. My shoulder is the standard target for these affectionate bumps, although the side of my head or my back will suffice when necessary. Bothersome, much like a gnat in your face at a summer picnic, but definitely ignorable.

If this insistent nudging fails to produce the desired result (aka food), Fermata advances to the kitty equivalent of throwing back the covers --- “love bites.” He usually starts with my feet, nipping at my toes when he can get to them. If that falls short of getting my attention, he hunts down my elbows for some intermittent gnawing. Finally, he goes for my hands, fingers first and then, as a last resort, the soft fleshy part between my thumb and forefinger. Now that gets my attention! At which point, breakfast is served and the day begins in earnest.

I suppose it would be less annoying and less painful to purchase one of those alarm clocks that would wake me gradually with gently brightening light and the sounds of birds chirping in the distance, even though my kitty clock never draws blood or even makes a mark on my skin. Yet, what would such a replacement do to the relationship I have with my feline timepiece? Fermata warms my feet in the winter, greets me at the door whenever I return home, and keeps watch over me when I’m ill. An ordinary clock would never express such personal devotion. And as soothing as a gradual awakening would be, I would miss opening my eyes each morning to see that fuzzy face with the penetrating green eyes. As for the sounds of chirping birds, I find the soothing purr of a cat to be much more endearing, and much less shrill (remind me to write about my cockatiel sometime). Replace my kitty alarm clock? No, I think not. Fermata is definitely a keeper.

With the Lord Begin Your Task

Being a Lutheran and it being Sunday, I must confess that I love hymns. This was the opening hymn at church this morning. First published in 1734, the tune was written much earlier by a pastor and theologian named Peter Frank (1616-1675). According to my Lutheran Hymnal, Moren-und Abend-segen wrote the text. May this hymn remind you, as it does me, of the many promises that God fulfills.
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With the Lord begin your task;
Jesus will direct it.
For his aid and counsel ask;
Jesus will perfect it.
Every morn with Jesus rise,
And when day is ended,
In his name then close your eyes;
Be to him commended.

Let each day begin with prayer,
Praise, and adoration.
On the Lord cast every care;
He is your salvation.
Morning, evening, and at night
Jesus will be near you,
Save you from the tempter’s might,
With his presence cheer you.

With the Savior at your side,
Foes need not alarm you;
In his promises confide,
And no ill can harm you.
All your trust and hope repose
In the mighty master,
Who in wisdom truly knows
How to stem disaster.

If your task be thus begun
With the Savior’s blessing,
Safely then your course will run,
Toward the promise pressing.
Good will follow everywhere
While you here must wander.
You at last the joy will share
In the mansions yonder.

Whatever you do in word and deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. --- Colossians 3:17 NASB

A Home & Family Mission Statement

Having mentioned my home manager mission statement the other day (see Blogging for Accountability), I thought I should post it for informational purposes. After reading it, however, I see it as more of a family mission statement than a personal affirmation. Take it for what it is, an attempt to get a home in order, definitely a goal and not a description of current conditions.
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We commit ourselves to creating and maintaining an attractive, well-run, well-organized home and grounds:

- with a friendly and welcoming atmosphere

- where the environment is conducive to lifelong learning, exploration, and discovery, as well as to relaxation, meditation, and rejuvenation

- that reflect our family’s values and heritage

- that reflect the interests of each individual in our family

- where each individual in our family is a member of the “King Home Team,” with dad being the Home Team Provider, mom acting as the Home Team Manager, and the children fulfilling the role of Home Team Member

- where each “King Home Team” member participates in determining household tasks, participates in determining their assigned tasks (within appropriate boundaries), completes their assigned tasks in a timely manner with a God-honoring attitude and without interfering with or making more work for other team members, and assists or cooperates with other team members whenever necessary to complete their own, or another’s, tasks

- where the standard for work will be Colossians 3:23-24 NASB

And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

- where each individual in our family will do his/her best to be obedient to God at all times and in all things

- where each individual in our family will do his/her best to communicate with other family members in an open, honest, and respectful way

- where each individual in our family, and anyone who visits, feels comfortable and free to express their opinions and beliefs in an open, honest, and respectful way

- where each individual in our family will do his/her best to diligently care for our home, grounds, and possessions

Restaurant Addiction

Yesterday, it was suggested to me that I explain the monthly totals under the “Restaurants on Our Road” section of Gooseberry Lane, so here it goes.

Very early in our almost 21-year marriage, we began eating out when my husband would come home from sea. He had been sequestered in a submarine, eating only galley food, separated from the life of the shore community. I had been home alone. It was a treat for both of us to get out on the town. Eventually, it became a treat and a habit.

After purchasing our home, having our daughter, and entering our clutter-growth stage of life (see Blogging for Accountability), eating out became a way to avoid sorting out the layers of paperwork, magazines, and books that regularly accumulated on the kitchen table. It also became a way to “trap” my husband at the dinner table.

Growing up in a traditional family in Minnesota, I sat down to dinner with my parents and sister almost every night. It was the social event of the day, a time when the family came together to reconnect and touch base. Even with the insanely busy schedule of two children involved in no less than 4-5 school/community activities each, and one shared car, my mother still managed to get us seated together for dinner. For me, this practice forever connected dining and discussion.

My husband, on the other hand, never developed this food-socialization link. To him, food was (and is) practical. You fixed dinner; you ate dinner; you moved along with your evening. The conversation element wasn’t really important. If it happened, ok. If not, whatever. Consequently, if we ate at home, he would quickly mop up his vittles and disappear. I came to realize that if I held him captive at a restaurant table, I could converse with him. The entire family, in fact, could converse with him. Treat and habit became a useful tool.

And so it continued. For oh these many years, and for oh these many reasons, we have frequented our local eateries with what could only be called abandon. It is now, without a doubt, a cost that needs to be controlled! After several failed attempts at behavior modification over the course of several years, using several different methods, our current strategy is to post our restaurant expenditures in a public forum, so that we may be held accountable not only to ourselves, but to our fellowship of friends and the community wherein we could contribute our misspent resources.

…but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. --- 1 John 1:7-9 NASB

Blogging for Accountability

One of my reasons for starting this online journal was to create some external accountability for my two biggest challenges: reducing the amount of money I spend on restaurant meals (hence, the addition of “Restaurants on Our Road”) and finishing the remodeling projects in my home. The latter is the focus of this entry.

A little background on my cardboard box: we chose our home because, at the insistence of my husband, it wasn’t “decorated” for sale. He couldn’t abide purchasing an abode that was spruced up for the purpose of curb appeal. He wanted a sturdy house with great traffic flow, good architectural lines, and eye-catching placement. He got all that, and “undecorated” to boot. Fast forward sixteen years, through military deployments, coping with cancer, and raising a child. When we had time, we had little money to fund home improvement projects; when we had money, we had little time to do the work. Unfinished projects led to lack of storage, lack of storage led to lack of motivation to pickup, and clutter was born.

Over the years, I purchased a ton of books on getting organized and, shockingly, became less so, at least as far as the house was concerned. I spent more time studying the problem of clutter and organization than actually solving the problem of clutter and organization. I even went so far as to write a mission statement for my role as home manager, ala The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. That was at least eight years ago and I can safely say that the philosophical approach to clutter reduction is definitely NOT working in my universe. The time has come (and long gone!) for a new, more practical strategy.

FLYLady recommends spending 15 minutes per day decluttering in a chosen zone. Organizedhome.com concurs, but recommends actually scheduling a “decluttering date” with yourself, a time to focus on the specific room you are determined to clear. Because I am a homeschooling parent and schooltime is rapidly approaching, I plan to begin with areas essential to education: the living room desk, the kitchen table, the family computer desk, and the family room bookshelves. Allotting one week per area, and assuming no financial challenges for supplies and improvements, my target date for completion of this project is Friday, September 1, 2006, the first day of school. I will keep you updated.

Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established. --- Proverbs 16:3 NASB

Chili for KoalaGirl15

My friend, KoalaGirl15, called me today from the Wendy's drive-thru not far from my house. Apparently, she had a craving for chili. Because she prefers my husband's chili to store-bought, I decided to post his chili recipe for her, and for anyone else with a chili craving. Bon appetit!

Ingredients
1 1/2 to 2 pounds sweet Italian sausage
1 large onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1 red pepper, chopped
6 (or more) cloves garlic, minced or pressed
1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes (Contadina w/Italian Herbs)
1 16-ounce can tomato sauce (Contadina w/Italian Herbs)
2 16-ounce cans dark red kidney beans w/liquid
2 tablespoons chili powder (or to taste)
1 tablespoon basil
1/8 cup barbeque sauce (Kraft Honey Roasted Garlic)
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Instructions
Crumble and brown sausage in skillet or pot. Drain off fat. Add remaining ingredients. Bring to boil over medium heat. Reduce heat and simmer until vegetables are softened (about 20-30 minutes). Serve over rice with shredded cheese, if desired. Serves a bunch with leftovers.

A Brief Musing on Determination

I spent some time this evening (8/7/06) talking with my mother, who spent the better part of the day sprucing up the landscaping around her two-story, circa 1910 farmhouse-style home in southern Minnesota. Mind you, “sprucing up” involved pruning a dogwood tree, cutting back an espaliered apple tree, and shaping up various other shrubs and bushes, as well as using a weed trimmer to polish off her entire lawn (all .25 acres of it). Tomorrow she plans to finish the job by edging 150+ feet of sidewalk. Sound like a lot of work? It does to me, but she got it done, and in one day no less!

How she accomplishes so much in one afternoon is a mystery to me. At 75, she is no spring chicken, but in much better shape than many of her peers (and, for that matter, her own children!). By personal admission, she has a bum leg, a weak hand, a moody ankle, acid reflux disease, high blood pressure (controlled by medication), and intermittent vertigo. She has also spent the last nine months liquidating my father’s estate, downsizing into a smaller home, and attending the funerals of several other relatives and friends. Still ahead is the sale of the 1910 house, her home for most of a 48-year marriage. That would be enough to put most of us on anti-depressants and still, with astounding grace and a never-ending supply of pluck, she moves forward. Amazing.

Apparently this penchant for determination is genetic, a God-given predisposition for physical endurance. My maternal grandmother relearned how to walk and speak after a devastating stroke and a broken leg. My maternal great-grandmother did the same after a stroke forced her to live with relatives and later in a nursing home. My maternal great-great grandparents raised twelve children to adulthood, all of them surviving their 79-year old father, a stunning feat in late 19th century America. So stunning, in fact, that it was actually mentioned in my great-great grandfather’s obituary. Still another ancestral grandfather lived to 105, failing in health only at that extremely advanced age. I actually have a photocopy of his will.

Or is this level of determination a learned behavior? As a child, I was taught that quitting and escaping were both unwise. Quitters cheated themselves out of an understanding of their personal capabilities, and those who escaped risked thwarting a practical life education whose lessons could be painfully repeated before they were thoroughly assimilated. Please note that escape and vacation are not the same. One demonstrates a lack of ability to cope; the other is a proactive method of coping.

So, which is it --- nature or nurture? We all learn attitudes and beliefs from our life experiences. On the other hand, it is hard to argue with a family tree full of people who made it to an advanced age in relatively good health. In any case, I need to spend less time at my computer and more time doing some good old-fashioned hard work before I short-circuit my God-given genes with a penchant for laziness. TTFN.

Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary. --- Isaiah 40:31 NASB

Feel the Freedom --- My Subaru is Fixed!

Today is a great day. After more than two weeks in the "repair area" of our driveway, my 2000 Subaru Outback is finally road ready! She (my daughter calls her Amelia) had a torn inner CV boot that was throwing grease onto the under carriage of the car, creating a slimy mess that smelled whenever the Subaru warmed up. To mitigate this problem, my husband asked me to forego driving Amelia for "a few days" until he could repair the injury. Being the accomodating individual that I am, I agreed. This action on my part transformed us, once again, into a one-car household for the duration.

"For the duration" is such a loaded phrase in this house, open to constant redefinition. When my tankless water heater broke in 2004, it was defined as more than two weeks. When Amelia the Subaru blew a defective head gasket during 2005, the definition hit somewhere around seven months. When the front porch was removed from my house --- well, I'm still waiting to see where that definition lands. This time, the definition reverted to just over two weeks.

To truly appreciate the experience of driving my husband's car, you need to understand the difference between these two vehicles. Amelia the Subaru has plush charcoal gray velour seats that barely show signs of wear. She even smells new after almost six years on the road. Being an Outback, she has tons of storage and hauling space in the back. Her seats are roomy and sit high, a huge comfort issue for the chiropractically-challenged (like me). Her weather band radio and multiple CD changer provide up-to-date information and the ability to play any music that suits my mood. Her standard transmission works like a dream and, did I mention, she has air conditioning.

Flik the Mazda, on the other hand, has seen better days. At one time, he was the cherished car of the household, but his bloom has definitely faded. His gray cloth seats have holes. He smells musty and old. His trunk is roomy enough, but suffers from a persistent water leak in the rear taillight, so utilization of the space can be dicey depending on the weather forecast. His seats are low, the standard seat height found in compact cars, aggravating my moody sacroiliac joint. His casette player died long ago and his radio fades in and out, requiring periodic "mechanical agitation," generally about halfway up on the right side of the unit does the trick. His standard transmission requires that the driver yank up on the shift lever before engaging the gear of choice and, oh yeah, his air conditioning is broken.

Ah ha! Now we come to it. The air conditioning is broken. During a week of some of the most brutally warm temperatures the Northeast has seen in the better part of a decade, I was driving the cooling-challenged automobile. Having grown up in southern Minnesota where summer temperatures routinely flirt with the low triple digits, especially in August, I am no stranger to summer heat. My dad drove Chevy station wagons that were purchased used and driven until they just refused to function, and none of the cars had air conditioning. It never bothered me then. I barely noticed the heat. So, why does the heat bother me so much now? Part of it is mental, refusing to accept the heat as reality because I can always find refuge in my air conditioned house. Part of it is physical, since I am easily twenty pounds above my ideal weight. All of it is whining and I am not partial to whining.

So, what is my point? The journey to a road ready car may have some interesting detours that require an examination of my attitudes, but in the end I still have a beautiful car. As inconvenient and annoying as it was, I was only without my beloved Subaru for two weeks. Plus, I didn't need to pay anyone to fix it because my husband is an incredibly gifted mechanic. Life is definitely good.

See you later. Gotta hit the road!

Learning a New Skill

After some contemplation (and a wee bit of needling by my husband), I have decided to try my hand at blogging. I'm not certain I have anything worthwhile to contribute to the online community, but at least I will be learning a new skill.