For anyone who may be interested, I recently posted two new articles on the other blog that I keep for more opinionated compositions. Ducky Persuasions can be reached anytime by visiting the "Gooseberry Blogs" section of the sidebar here at Gooseberry Lane. The two new articles are:
Hope is a Strategy, Mrs. Clinton
What Happened to Representation?
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Compact Comparison
The other day, I reprinted the text of the Guilford Covenant on my blog (see Henry Whitfield State Museum). After reading it over several times, I wondered how similar it was to the Mayflower Compact and if the Guilford congregation had taken any clues from the Plimoth Plantation group in crafting an organizational document. That curiosity led me to investigate the question a bit. What I found was a tremendous difference between the two agreements (at least to my mind). I offer the text of both below. Read them for yourselves and see what you think. The text of the Guilford Covenant was copied from the Whitfield Museum website. The text of the Mayflower Compact was taken from Wikipedia and is the William Bradford version.
GUILFORD COVENANTWe, whose names are hereunder written, intending by God’s gracious permission to plant ourselves in New England, and if it may be, in the southerly part, about Quinnipiac: We do faithfully promise, each to each for ourselves and families, and those that belong to us; that we will, the Lord assisting us, sit down and join ourselves together in on intire [entire] plantation: and to be helpful each to the other in every common work, according to every man’s ability and as need shall require; and we promise not to desert or leave each other or the plantation, but with the consent of the rest, or the greater part of the company who have entered into this engagement.
1639
As for our gathering together in a church way, and the choice of officers and members to be joined together in that way, we do refer ourselves until such time as it shall please God to settle us in our plantation.
MAYFLOWER COMPACTIn the name of God, Amen. We whose names are underwriten, the loyall subjects of our dread soveraigne Lord King James by the grace of God, of Great Britaine, Franc, & Ireland king, defender of the faith, &c.
1620
Having undertaken, for the glorie of God, and advancemente of the Christian faith and honour of our king & countrie, a voyage to plant the first colonie in the Northerne parts of Viriginia, doe by these presents solemnly & mutualy in the presence of God, and one of another, covenant & combine our selves togeather into a civill body politick, for our better ordering & preservation & furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by vertue hearof to enacte, constitute, and frame such just & equall lawes, ordinances, Acts, constitutions, & offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meete & convenient for the generall good of the Colonie, unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. In witnes wherof we have hereunder subscribed our names at Cap-Codd ye 11 of November, in the year of the raigne of our soveraigne Lord King James, of England, France, & Ireland ye eighteenth, and of Scotland the fiftie fourth. Ano: Dom. 1620.
Holiday Movie Recommendation
One of the benefits of our military retiree status is the ability to continue using our base facilities, one of which is a movie theater that periodically offers FREE sneak previews of first-run films about one week before their general release. Over the years, we have enjoyed early viewing of almost every Harry Potter movie, The Rookie, and Gods and Generals, just to name a few. The latter film I probably could have done without but, hey, live and learn. Right?!
This weekend we were privileged to see The Nativity Story, starring Keisha Castle-Hughes as Mary and Oscar Isaac as Joseph, along with Oscar-nominated actress Shoreh Aghdashloo as Elizabeth, the wife of Zechariah and the mother of John the Baptist. The cinematography of the movie was beautiful and, even though not filmed on location in the Holy Land, looked incredibly authentic. The film was also incredibly faithful to the Biblical narrative, apparently the result of a commitment by the screenwriter to keep the story itself as authentic as possible. The movie website states that director Catherine Hardwicke, screenwriter Mike Rich, and production designer Stefano Ortolani thoroughly researched the era and had the script examined by “as many historians and theologians as possible.” Well, their meticulous work showed!
For me, this is a must-see holiday film, not just to recall the Christmas story, but to support the tasteful work of these particular filmmakers as well. Enjoy!
This weekend we were privileged to see The Nativity Story, starring Keisha Castle-Hughes as Mary and Oscar Isaac as Joseph, along with Oscar-nominated actress Shoreh Aghdashloo as Elizabeth, the wife of Zechariah and the mother of John the Baptist. The cinematography of the movie was beautiful and, even though not filmed on location in the Holy Land, looked incredibly authentic. The film was also incredibly faithful to the Biblical narrative, apparently the result of a commitment by the screenwriter to keep the story itself as authentic as possible. The movie website states that director Catherine Hardwicke, screenwriter Mike Rich, and production designer Stefano Ortolani thoroughly researched the era and had the script examined by “as many historians and theologians as possible.” Well, their meticulous work showed!
For me, this is a must-see holiday film, not just to recall the Christmas story, but to support the tasteful work of these particular filmmakers as well. Enjoy!
My Other Friday Christmas Activities
I almost forgot to report on my other Black Friday activities. The shopping-induced exhaustion I suffered must have fogged my brain (see Black Friday #1). So sorry.
----------------------------
The day after Thanksgiving is a tradition-imbued experience at my house. We have breakfast at home around 8:00 AM so as to be on time for our 9:00 AM Christmas tree tagging appointment. Truthfully, we don’t actually need to make an appointment, but our local tree farm opens for the season at that time, so we want to arrive early for the best possible selection. This year, despite somewhat swampy grounds after almost two days of rain, my daughter and I found the 2006 Christmas fir in about twenty-five minutes, not bad considering we slogged through a lot of mud and standing water. Storm Chasers® were definitely the watchword of the day.
After a short break at home for some phone calls and chores, we headed out for lunch at the North End Deli, a local restaurant that opened a little over ten years ago and that we have frequented since their very first week of operation. Today’s menu items: white Tuscan bean soup, a roast beef sandwich, and one very large gingerbread cookie for dessert. Yum!
Next on the tradition list: a Christmas movie at the local theater. The 2006 choice was The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause. Unfortunately, King Richard could not accompany us as he was working, so we invited the older children of Koalagirl15 to join us instead. The youngest koala stayed home so as to protect her belief in Santa. After all, she is only four years old, much too young to have her expectations dashed against the cold, hard rocks of reality.
Once the movie finished, I took the kids to my house where they socialized for awhile until their mother retrieved the middle child for a manicure appointment, and dropped the baby koala for some play time and a chance to watch Swimmy the Fish. This part of the day is not a tradition, although I suppose we could add it to the list. Koalagirl15 would get some time to Christmas shop sans three children and I would get to spend time with a non-teenager (something, frankly, that I miss).
Overall, it was a good day, even though my poor hubby couldn’t participate. Oh well, maybe next year.
----------------------------
The day after Thanksgiving is a tradition-imbued experience at my house. We have breakfast at home around 8:00 AM so as to be on time for our 9:00 AM Christmas tree tagging appointment. Truthfully, we don’t actually need to make an appointment, but our local tree farm opens for the season at that time, so we want to arrive early for the best possible selection. This year, despite somewhat swampy grounds after almost two days of rain, my daughter and I found the 2006 Christmas fir in about twenty-five minutes, not bad considering we slogged through a lot of mud and standing water. Storm Chasers® were definitely the watchword of the day.
After a short break at home for some phone calls and chores, we headed out for lunch at the North End Deli, a local restaurant that opened a little over ten years ago and that we have frequented since their very first week of operation. Today’s menu items: white Tuscan bean soup, a roast beef sandwich, and one very large gingerbread cookie for dessert. Yum!
Next on the tradition list: a Christmas movie at the local theater. The 2006 choice was The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause. Unfortunately, King Richard could not accompany us as he was working, so we invited the older children of Koalagirl15 to join us instead. The youngest koala stayed home so as to protect her belief in Santa. After all, she is only four years old, much too young to have her expectations dashed against the cold, hard rocks of reality.
Once the movie finished, I took the kids to my house where they socialized for awhile until their mother retrieved the middle child for a manicure appointment, and dropped the baby koala for some play time and a chance to watch Swimmy the Fish. This part of the day is not a tradition, although I suppose we could add it to the list. Koalagirl15 would get some time to Christmas shop sans three children and I would get to spend time with a non-teenager (something, frankly, that I miss).
Overall, it was a good day, even though my poor hubby couldn’t participate. Oh well, maybe next year.
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Henry Whitfield State Museum
Thanksgiving weekend 2006 has been busy at the Plush Duck household, what with Black Friday shopping (see Black Friday #1), church obligations, and a field trip to the oldest house in Connecticut, the Henry Whitfield home in Guilford.I chose the Henry Whitfield State Museum as a field trip venue for two reasons. First, the Old Stone House that is located there was built in 1639, well within the historical era I wanted to study, 1607-1700. Second, because my husband’s ancestor, Thomas Norton (along with the Reverend Henry Whitfield), signed the covenant establishing the Menuncatuck plantation, a community that later became known as Guilford, Connecticut.
I find this aforementioned covenant particularly captivating. The text reads thus:
We, whose names are hereunder written, intending by God’s gracious permission to plant ourselves in New England, and if it may be, in the southerly part, about Quinnipiac: We do faithfully promise, each to each for ourselves and families, and those that belong to us; that we will, the Lord assisting us, sit down and join ourselves together in on intire [entire] plantation: and to be helpful each to the other in every common work, according to every man’s ability and as need shall require; and we promise not to desert or leave each other or the plantation, but with the consent of the rest, or the greater part of the company who have entered into this engagement.My favorite part is this: “we promise not to desert or leave each other …” Wow. Talk about commitment! These people, one of whom is our ancestor, wholly dedicated themselves to each other and their community. In part, this was practical, I’m sure. Facing the challenges of the New World required teamwork and the ability to trust their lives to their compatriots. Yet, being faith-based people, I like to believe these brave folks’ ability to make such a promise to each other was borne out of their understanding that God makes that promise to each of us.
As for our gathering together in a church way, and the choice of officers and members to be joined together in that way, we do refer ourselves until such time as it shall please God to settle us in our plantation.
“The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” --- Deuteronomy 31:8 NASB
The more I study early American history, the more I am impressed by the determination with which these first settlers, nay pioneers, conducted themselves. Their ability to see a prosperous future beyond their own daily struggles must have been phenomenal, or at least it seems that way to me. Maybe that, too, was based in their faith practice:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” --- Jeremiah 29:10 NASB
My hope, especially on Thanksgiving weekend, is that I remain ever grateful and mindful of the sacrifices these courageous people, and many more like them, made to make my lifestyle of freedom and comfort possible. Without them, I can only imagine (sometimes with dread) the type of culture wherein I would find myself today. Huzzah to you, Mr. Whitfield and to your committed congregation.
Friday, November 24, 2006
Black Friday #1
For several years now, I have offered to accompany my friend, Koalagirl15, on her early morning Black Friday shopping spree. For several years now, she has declined my offer, apparently because nothing she needed was on sale. Well, all that changed this morning at 4:47 AM when I found myself in the front seat of her van, traveling toward Sears to obtain a $20.00 gift card. To quote the Talking Heads, “How did I get here?” Answer: because I volunteered.
I guess after almost 18 years of friendship, I decided that supporting my friend in her Christmas adventure was a good idea, a sign of sisterly solidarity that would help us “bond.” You know, similar to the way men bond by belching and passing gas, only in the civilized manner of mature women – by fighting over the last Furby. Oops, I’m sorry, I mean by shopping and chatting over tea. :-) In all honesty, I showed up because, on Thanksgiving, my dear friend left a message on my voice mail calling me a “wuss” if I didn’t. After that, I had no choice but to endure the torture of early morning bargain battle.
To be fair, the adventure really wasn’t all that bad, once I got past the fact that I was late, unshowered, and starving. After all, on a holiday weekend, who worries about punctuality, hygiene, and nutrition? The thrill of the hunt is the important thing. Let’s get our priorities straight. A deal is a deal. And Koalagirl15 did get some deals. I can’t mention them here for fear of divulging classified information to her kids, but she saved over $200.00, not exactly chicken feed.
And despite those horror stories I heard on the nightly news about shoppers shooting each other over video games and Wal-Mart employees being trampled by overzealous mothers in search of Barbie dolls, I encountered only polite and conversational crazy people who rise before dawn to embrace the Christmas spirit. A grandmother in Toys ‘R Us had some very interesting views on the value of Disney as a teacher of family values, while a couple in Kohl’s shared their thoughts on parenting teenagers. Ten to thirty minutes in a checkout line left plenty of time for conversation. I figured I should take advantage of the opportunity while it was there.
So after experiencing Black Friday for the first time, would I do it again? Probably. The shoppers were pleasant, the crowds weren't really all that bad at the beginning of the day, and Dunkin Donuts was passing out free coffee at one of the stores. In any case, I have an entire year to decide. Of course, if my friend calls me a “wuss” again, I may have to cut my own deal. Two hours of early morning shopping for, say, a three-hour lecture on new challenges in the study of elections and voting. I think that sounds doable, especially if I throw in some breakfast and give her a chance to shower before leaving the house.
For a more detailed description of my Black Friday shopping trip, from the perspective of the other participant, visit Koalagirl15 and Adventures on Black Friday.
I guess after almost 18 years of friendship, I decided that supporting my friend in her Christmas adventure was a good idea, a sign of sisterly solidarity that would help us “bond.” You know, similar to the way men bond by belching and passing gas, only in the civilized manner of mature women – by fighting over the last Furby. Oops, I’m sorry, I mean by shopping and chatting over tea. :-) In all honesty, I showed up because, on Thanksgiving, my dear friend left a message on my voice mail calling me a “wuss” if I didn’t. After that, I had no choice but to endure the torture of early morning bargain battle.
To be fair, the adventure really wasn’t all that bad, once I got past the fact that I was late, unshowered, and starving. After all, on a holiday weekend, who worries about punctuality, hygiene, and nutrition? The thrill of the hunt is the important thing. Let’s get our priorities straight. A deal is a deal. And Koalagirl15 did get some deals. I can’t mention them here for fear of divulging classified information to her kids, but she saved over $200.00, not exactly chicken feed.
And despite those horror stories I heard on the nightly news about shoppers shooting each other over video games and Wal-Mart employees being trampled by overzealous mothers in search of Barbie dolls, I encountered only polite and conversational crazy people who rise before dawn to embrace the Christmas spirit. A grandmother in Toys ‘R Us had some very interesting views on the value of Disney as a teacher of family values, while a couple in Kohl’s shared their thoughts on parenting teenagers. Ten to thirty minutes in a checkout line left plenty of time for conversation. I figured I should take advantage of the opportunity while it was there.
So after experiencing Black Friday for the first time, would I do it again? Probably. The shoppers were pleasant, the crowds weren't really all that bad at the beginning of the day, and Dunkin Donuts was passing out free coffee at one of the stores. In any case, I have an entire year to decide. Of course, if my friend calls me a “wuss” again, I may have to cut my own deal. Two hours of early morning shopping for, say, a three-hour lecture on new challenges in the study of elections and voting. I think that sounds doable, especially if I throw in some breakfast and give her a chance to shower before leaving the house.
For a more detailed description of my Black Friday shopping trip, from the perspective of the other participant, visit Koalagirl15 and Adventures on Black Friday.
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Thanksgiving #45
Now that Thanksgiving Day has drawn to a close and it is 10:30 PM, I am sitting on my bed listening to the wind and the rain beat against my windows. Three adorable cats are napping at my feet and a warm comforter is draped over my lap. I have checked in with my mother in Minnesota and all is right with the world (at least with my world). It is time to reflect on my day.
Being in my forty-fifth year of life, (hence the title of this blog entry), I have learned that some holidays are great and some just don’t meet your expectations. Last Thanksgiving fell in the latter category. Occurring only two weeks after the death of my beloved father, I probably could have eaten McDonalds cheeseburgers for the holiday and called it a success. Everyone was in a bit of a fog. Add the fact that my daughter’s church classmate died just two days before Thanksgiving, and that her funeral was just two days after Thanksgiving, my family felt anything but festive. By contrast, Thanksgiving Day 2006 will probably go down as one of my more enjoyable holidays.
The day began with, believe it or not, three loads of laundry: towels, whites, and darks. While those were in progress, I loaded the dishwasher and started shuffling family members through the shower. At some point in the morning, the family began watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade and started munching on the monkey bread that I made yesterday. About 10:30 AM, the home team began making the two caramel apple pies that we were assigned as our contribution to Thanksgiving dinner. By 1:00 PM, the pies were done and we were ready to leave for Niantic.
Our Thanksgiving meal was fabulous: turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, green been casserole, creamed onions, Brussels sprouts, parsnips with carrots, green salad, ambrosia salad, crudités, crescent rolls, pumpkin pie, pecan pie, Toll House pie, caramel apple pie, and blueberry pie. Several families each contributed a dish or two. The food was delicious and the company was more than congenial. All in all, I had a relaxing time … and I didn’t overeat. A single one-cup serving of each item in the buffet line definitely gave me a reasonable guideline to follow for food consumption. Admittedly, I did indulge in more than one piece of pie but, hey, Thanksgiving is a holiday. Right?
Topics of conversation over dinner and after dinner:
- homeschooling
- reminiscing about past CHOOSE CT homeschooling events
- faith questions in the Westminster Catechism & church confessions
- our preference for a reformed Christian faith practice*
- our favorite movies and current/upcoming movies
- family histories
- reminiscing about how some of us knew each other
- the miraculous, yet mysterious, function of the human brain**
- blogging & other online activities
- the impact of the Internet on social interaction culture-wide
- how to use a Russian samovar for making tea***
As I said, the company was more than congenial; it was downright edifying. I so enjoy interacting with people who have such a broad base of knowledge. It makes conversation that much more rewarding.
So, now I am home and ready to turn in for the evening, incredibly grateful for the material abundance I enjoy, but even more grateful for the amazing people that the Lord has sent into my life --- people who love me as I am, who hold me accountable when necessary, and who inspire me to grow and improve daily. I pray God blesses them as much as they have blessed me and my family.
Happy Thanksgiving!
* all present were either LCMS Lutheran or PCA Presbyterian
** one of our friends had a stroke two years ago
*** our host acquired one of these while traveling in Russia
Being in my forty-fifth year of life, (hence the title of this blog entry), I have learned that some holidays are great and some just don’t meet your expectations. Last Thanksgiving fell in the latter category. Occurring only two weeks after the death of my beloved father, I probably could have eaten McDonalds cheeseburgers for the holiday and called it a success. Everyone was in a bit of a fog. Add the fact that my daughter’s church classmate died just two days before Thanksgiving, and that her funeral was just two days after Thanksgiving, my family felt anything but festive. By contrast, Thanksgiving Day 2006 will probably go down as one of my more enjoyable holidays.
The day began with, believe it or not, three loads of laundry: towels, whites, and darks. While those were in progress, I loaded the dishwasher and started shuffling family members through the shower. At some point in the morning, the family began watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade and started munching on the monkey bread that I made yesterday. About 10:30 AM, the home team began making the two caramel apple pies that we were assigned as our contribution to Thanksgiving dinner. By 1:00 PM, the pies were done and we were ready to leave for Niantic.
Our Thanksgiving meal was fabulous: turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, green been casserole, creamed onions, Brussels sprouts, parsnips with carrots, green salad, ambrosia salad, crudités, crescent rolls, pumpkin pie, pecan pie, Toll House pie, caramel apple pie, and blueberry pie. Several families each contributed a dish or two. The food was delicious and the company was more than congenial. All in all, I had a relaxing time … and I didn’t overeat. A single one-cup serving of each item in the buffet line definitely gave me a reasonable guideline to follow for food consumption. Admittedly, I did indulge in more than one piece of pie but, hey, Thanksgiving is a holiday. Right?
Topics of conversation over dinner and after dinner:
- homeschooling
- reminiscing about past CHOOSE CT homeschooling events
- faith questions in the Westminster Catechism & church confessions
- our preference for a reformed Christian faith practice*
- our favorite movies and current/upcoming movies
- family histories
- reminiscing about how some of us knew each other
- the miraculous, yet mysterious, function of the human brain**
- blogging & other online activities
- the impact of the Internet on social interaction culture-wide
- how to use a Russian samovar for making tea***
As I said, the company was more than congenial; it was downright edifying. I so enjoy interacting with people who have such a broad base of knowledge. It makes conversation that much more rewarding.
So, now I am home and ready to turn in for the evening, incredibly grateful for the material abundance I enjoy, but even more grateful for the amazing people that the Lord has sent into my life --- people who love me as I am, who hold me accountable when necessary, and who inspire me to grow and improve daily. I pray God blesses them as much as they have blessed me and my family.
Happy Thanksgiving!
* all present were either LCMS Lutheran or PCA Presbyterian
** one of our friends had a stroke two years ago
*** our host acquired one of these while traveling in Russia
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Restful Sunday
This is the last in a series of seven postings chronicling a week in the life of a homeschooling family.
Sunday, the first day of the week, or the last day of the week, depending on your perspective: a day of rest for Christians, game day for football fans, and comics/coupon day for my local newspaper. Here are some more interesting facts about Sunday that I found on the Internet:
MOM
Ended cold treatment for Katherine the Great
TEACHER: Homeschool
Attended Fiddler on the Roof @ The Granite Theater
TEACHER: CHOOSE CT
Co-op class preparation: 1 John 4 Bible study
HOME MANAGER
(2) loads laundry
Folded jeans & hung shirts
FRIENDS/FAMILY
Dinner @ Friendly’s after Fiddler on the Roof
Attempted to make Sunday phone call to my mother (left message)
CHURCH
Intergenerational discussion about Christian worldview
Attended church service
Fellowship luncheon following church service
Reading time: The Seven Checkpoints by Andy Stanley
Setback of the day: None. All went smoothly. The only hiccup in the entire day was being a little rushed for church, and that is not a setback.
Amusing moment of the day: None in particular. The play had several amusing lines, but aside from that, it was a very low-key day. Nothing terribly amusing and nothing terribly challenging. It was, as I said above, a “Restful Sunday.”
Tasks Left Undone at End of Day
None
I hope this short chronicle of a week in my life wasn’t too annoying. It was a very unusual week, what with a sick child and a husband who was nursing a back spasm. Maybe I will do this again when life is more “normal,” like after the holidays. Take care and God bless. Have a great week!
Sunday, the first day of the week, or the last day of the week, depending on your perspective: a day of rest for Christians, game day for football fans, and comics/coupon day for my local newspaper. Here are some more interesting facts about Sunday that I found on the Internet:
In the Gregorian calendar, no century can start on a Sunday. In the Hebrew calendar, no year can start on a Sunday. Any month beginning on a Sunday will contain a Friday the 13th. --- WikipediaSunday, the end of my week, the day of rest, a time to recharge my batteries. If that was the goal, then my performance evaluation should reflect positively on my efforts because I had a very relaxing day: I didn’t have to cook; I was able to end my nursing duties for household illnesses; and I went to a local theater/playhouse that was a new venue for my family. All in all, a good day.
The phrase a month of Sundays refers to a long time. This expression, which would literally mean thirty weeks, has been used hyperbolically since it was first recorded in 1832. One wrtier suggests it originally connoted a long dreary time, since games and other kinds of amusement used to be forbidden on Sunday. --- Answers.com
The term Cannonball Sunday means a sparsely attended church service, especially immediately following Christmas. --- Double-Tongued Dictionary
MOM
Ended cold treatment for Katherine the Great
TEACHER: Homeschool
Attended Fiddler on the Roof @ The Granite Theater
TEACHER: CHOOSE CT
Co-op class preparation: 1 John 4 Bible study
HOME MANAGER
(2) loads laundry
Folded jeans & hung shirts
FRIENDS/FAMILY
Dinner @ Friendly’s after Fiddler on the Roof
Attempted to make Sunday phone call to my mother (left message)
CHURCH
Intergenerational discussion about Christian worldview
Attended church service
Fellowship luncheon following church service
Reading time: The Seven Checkpoints by Andy Stanley
Setback of the day: None. All went smoothly. The only hiccup in the entire day was being a little rushed for church, and that is not a setback.
Amusing moment of the day: None in particular. The play had several amusing lines, but aside from that, it was a very low-key day. Nothing terribly amusing and nothing terribly challenging. It was, as I said above, a “Restful Sunday.”
Tasks Left Undone at End of Day
None
I hope this short chronicle of a week in my life wasn’t too annoying. It was a very unusual week, what with a sick child and a husband who was nursing a back spasm. Maybe I will do this again when life is more “normal,” like after the holidays. Take care and God bless. Have a great week!
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Catch-up Saturday
This is the sixth in a series of seven postings chronicling a week in the life of a homeschooling family.
Saturday at my house is either a day to catch-up on tasks that weren’t completed during the “work week,” or a day for field trips and adventures. Occasionally, we try to squeeze in both work and fun, but not this Saturday. Today, we focused on catching up. Not that we were horribly successful at it, but we tried. This is what we accomplished:
MOM
Continued treating Katherine the Great for her first cold of the season
TEACHER: Homeschool
Algebra
American Literature: The Diary of Anne Frank by Anne Frank
WIFE
Began treating King Richard for a lower back spasm
FRIENDS/FAMILY
Spoke with sister about Christmas gift ideas
Spoke with neighbor about possible Christmas Party
CHURCH
Baked shortbread cookies for intergenerational discussion
Viewing and discussion of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
HOLIDAY PREPARATION
Online Christmas shopping
Christmas shopping at local brick-and-mortar stores
Setback of the day: running errands to locate a Thermacare pad for King Richard. He needed one to treat his back spasm. As I mentioned yesterday, I sometimes forget how much time it takes to be a caregiver.
Amusing moment of the day: none.
Tasks Left Undone at End of Day
Reading time: The Seven Checkpoints by Andy Stanley
Laundry
Any and all holiday preparations
Ah, tomorrow is Sunday, a rest day. I can’t wait.
Saturday at my house is either a day to catch-up on tasks that weren’t completed during the “work week,” or a day for field trips and adventures. Occasionally, we try to squeeze in both work and fun, but not this Saturday. Today, we focused on catching up. Not that we were horribly successful at it, but we tried. This is what we accomplished:
MOM
Continued treating Katherine the Great for her first cold of the season
TEACHER: Homeschool
Algebra
American Literature: The Diary of Anne Frank by Anne Frank
WIFE
Began treating King Richard for a lower back spasm
FRIENDS/FAMILY
Spoke with sister about Christmas gift ideas
Spoke with neighbor about possible Christmas Party
CHURCH
Baked shortbread cookies for intergenerational discussion
Viewing and discussion of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
HOLIDAY PREPARATION
Online Christmas shopping
Christmas shopping at local brick-and-mortar stores
Setback of the day: running errands to locate a Thermacare pad for King Richard. He needed one to treat his back spasm. As I mentioned yesterday, I sometimes forget how much time it takes to be a caregiver.
Amusing moment of the day: none.
Tasks Left Undone at End of Day
Reading time: The Seven Checkpoints by Andy Stanley
Laundry
Any and all holiday preparations
Ah, tomorrow is Sunday, a rest day. I can’t wait.
Games Galore!
Those of you who have played, and enjoyed, Apples to Apples from Out of the Box Publishing, may not realize how many other games Out of the Box manufactures and distributes. Here are just a few, in case you are shopping for Christmas gifts this weekend:
Blink® is a fast-paced card game where two players compete to match the shape, count, or color of cards. The first person to play all of their cards wins. Winner of the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award, the Dr. Toy Best Vacation Children’s Product Award, and a Top Pick of the American Specialty Toy Retailers Association.
Qwitch®, or “Quick Switch,” is another game whose object is to run out of cards. Players must eliminate their cards in sequence; but pay attention, letters and numbers can switch at any time. Winner of the Seal of Approval from the National Parenting Center, winner of the Dr. Toy Best Vacation Children’s Product Award, and a Top 100 Toy from Games Magazine.
Squint® uses shapes to build pictures that players must identify. Successfully building or correctly identifying pictures garners points. The player with the most points wins the game. An iParenting Media Award Winner, a Major Fun Award Winner, and a Top New Product from the National School Supply and Equipment Association.
For reviews of these and other games, as well as game recommendations, check out BoardGameRatings.com from the Wasatch Game Company. Happy shopping!
Blink® is a fast-paced card game where two players compete to match the shape, count, or color of cards. The first person to play all of their cards wins. Winner of the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award, the Dr. Toy Best Vacation Children’s Product Award, and a Top Pick of the American Specialty Toy Retailers Association.
Qwitch®, or “Quick Switch,” is another game whose object is to run out of cards. Players must eliminate their cards in sequence; but pay attention, letters and numbers can switch at any time. Winner of the Seal of Approval from the National Parenting Center, winner of the Dr. Toy Best Vacation Children’s Product Award, and a Top 100 Toy from Games Magazine.
Squint® uses shapes to build pictures that players must identify. Successfully building or correctly identifying pictures garners points. The player with the most points wins the game. An iParenting Media Award Winner, a Major Fun Award Winner, and a Top New Product from the National School Supply and Equipment Association.
For reviews of these and other games, as well as game recommendations, check out BoardGameRatings.com from the Wasatch Game Company. Happy shopping!
Friday, November 17, 2006
TGI Friday
This is the fifth in a series of seven postings chronicling a week in the life of a homeschooling family.
- Monday and Tuesday (the beginning of the week)
- Wednesday (hump day & a spiritual checkpoint)
- Thursday and Friday (the end of the week)
- Saturday and Sunday (the weekend)
This particular Friday was not tremendously organized at my house; this whole week, in fact, has not been tremendously organized at my house, but I’m hanging in there. I did manage to complete these tasks, though:
MOM
Continued treating Katherine the Great for her first cold of the season
TEACHER: Homeschool
Algebra
Verified tickets to Fiddler on the Roof
HOME MANAGER
Paid more November bills
FRIENDS/FAMILY
Watched youngest child of Koalagirl15 during dance class
Picked up middle child of Koalagirl15 from dance class
Went for pizza with my family and two children of Koalagirl15
HOLIDAY PREPARATION
Online Christmas shopping
Updated my Christmas list (at request of family & friends)
Setback of the day: more like setback of the week. I still have a sick teenager, but she is on the mend (thanks to Zicam® and lots of rest). Sometimes, I forget how much time it takes to be a caregiver. The good news: my husband does not seem to be falling ill after all.
Amusing moment of the day: nothing in particular stands out, just the general amusement that comes from hanging out with a four-year-old for a few hours. Their perspective on life, while behaviorally challenging at times, is so refreshing. Almost anything they say can make me smile. Last night, for example, my family and I were treated to a rendition of “Humpty Dumpty” while traveling to the pizza restaurant.
Tasks Left Undone at End of Day
Reading time: The Seven Checkpoints by Andy Stanley
Laundry
Any and all holiday preparations
Tomorrow is Catch-up Saturday. Time to get busy!
TGIF is an acronym meaning “Thank God It’s Friday” or “Thank Goodness It’s Friday,” an expression of relief that the work week is finally over and that, even if the weekend is not full of leisure, at least the drudgery of the workplace is temporarily over. --- WikipediaEven though I don’t work outside my home, I am usually relieved to see Friday arrive. Psychologically, it breaks my week into manageable pieces:
- Monday and Tuesday (the beginning of the week)
- Wednesday (hump day & a spiritual checkpoint)
- Thursday and Friday (the end of the week)
- Saturday and Sunday (the weekend)
This particular Friday was not tremendously organized at my house; this whole week, in fact, has not been tremendously organized at my house, but I’m hanging in there. I did manage to complete these tasks, though:
MOM
Continued treating Katherine the Great for her first cold of the season
TEACHER: Homeschool
Algebra
Verified tickets to Fiddler on the Roof
HOME MANAGER
Paid more November bills
FRIENDS/FAMILY
Watched youngest child of Koalagirl15 during dance class
Picked up middle child of Koalagirl15 from dance class
Went for pizza with my family and two children of Koalagirl15
HOLIDAY PREPARATION
Online Christmas shopping
Updated my Christmas list (at request of family & friends)
Setback of the day: more like setback of the week. I still have a sick teenager, but she is on the mend (thanks to Zicam® and lots of rest). Sometimes, I forget how much time it takes to be a caregiver. The good news: my husband does not seem to be falling ill after all.
Amusing moment of the day: nothing in particular stands out, just the general amusement that comes from hanging out with a four-year-old for a few hours. Their perspective on life, while behaviorally challenging at times, is so refreshing. Almost anything they say can make me smile. Last night, for example, my family and I were treated to a rendition of “Humpty Dumpty” while traveling to the pizza restaurant.
Tasks Left Undone at End of Day
Reading time: The Seven Checkpoints by Andy Stanley
Laundry
Any and all holiday preparations
Tomorrow is Catch-up Saturday. Time to get busy!
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Lazy Thursday
This is the fourth in a series of seven postings chronicling a week in the life of a homeschooling family.
Thursday is the other low-key day at our house, much like Tuesday. Yesterday, however, should have been different, what with a Colonial Williamsburg Electronic Field Trip, Book Club, and a homeschool support meeting filling up the calendar. The support meeting was rescheduled, though, opening up my entire evening and making the day seem much less stressed.
Still, with a sick teenager and a husband who may be falling ill with the same cold, I really didn’t get a lot done. In fact, it was probably my least productive day in a long time. Hence, the name Lazy Thursday.
MOM
Continued treating Katherine the Great for her first cold of the season
TEACHER: Homeschool
Reading time: Blink by Ted Dekker
Degrees of Latitude Electronic Field Trip
Book Club: Blink by Ted Dekker
TEACHER: CHOOSE CT
Rescheduled support meeting
Sent messages & reminders about Electronic Field Trip
Monitored (2) episodes of Degrees of Latitude Electronic Field Trip
CHOOSE CT website work
WIFE
Gave hubby an anniversary gift
HOME MANAGER
Towel laundry
Disinfected phones, keyboards, doorknobs, etc.
FRIENDS/FAMILY
Spoke with my mother about Christmas gifts & theater trip
Spoke with Koalagirl15 about her challenging day
Visited with Mrs. S after Book Club
CHURCH
Reading time: The Seven Checkpoints by Andy Stanley
HOLIDAY PREPARATION
Online Christmas shopping
Setback of the day: I still have a sick person in the house, and may soon have a second patient if my husband falls ill. I really don’t relish a sick hubby. Men don’t make good patients. At least, my man doesn’t. :-)
Amusing moment of the day: the discovery of Evolve, a mindless video game where your “worm-fish” eats dots while “evolving” into…something. My daughter and my husband are both hooked on this inane source of entertainment, and it is entirely my fault. I found the Christmas Tree Game on the same website and surfed around to see what else was available, stumbling upon titles such as Smite Thee, Snowball Fight, and Panic Ball. I really should know better.
Tasks Left Undone at End of Day
Any and all holiday preparations
See you Friday!
Thursday is the other low-key day at our house, much like Tuesday. Yesterday, however, should have been different, what with a Colonial Williamsburg Electronic Field Trip, Book Club, and a homeschool support meeting filling up the calendar. The support meeting was rescheduled, though, opening up my entire evening and making the day seem much less stressed.
Still, with a sick teenager and a husband who may be falling ill with the same cold, I really didn’t get a lot done. In fact, it was probably my least productive day in a long time. Hence, the name Lazy Thursday.
MOM
Continued treating Katherine the Great for her first cold of the season
TEACHER: Homeschool
Reading time: Blink by Ted Dekker
Degrees of Latitude Electronic Field Trip
Book Club: Blink by Ted Dekker
TEACHER: CHOOSE CT
Rescheduled support meeting
Sent messages & reminders about Electronic Field Trip
Monitored (2) episodes of Degrees of Latitude Electronic Field Trip
CHOOSE CT website work
WIFE
Gave hubby an anniversary gift
HOME MANAGER
Towel laundry
Disinfected phones, keyboards, doorknobs, etc.
FRIENDS/FAMILY
Spoke with my mother about Christmas gifts & theater trip
Spoke with Koalagirl15 about her challenging day
Visited with Mrs. S after Book Club
CHURCH
Reading time: The Seven Checkpoints by Andy Stanley
HOLIDAY PREPARATION
Online Christmas shopping
Setback of the day: I still have a sick person in the house, and may soon have a second patient if my husband falls ill. I really don’t relish a sick hubby. Men don’t make good patients. At least, my man doesn’t. :-)
Amusing moment of the day: the discovery of Evolve, a mindless video game where your “worm-fish” eats dots while “evolving” into…something. My daughter and my husband are both hooked on this inane source of entertainment, and it is entirely my fault. I found the Christmas Tree Game on the same website and surfed around to see what else was available, stumbling upon titles such as Smite Thee, Snowball Fight, and Panic Ball. I really should know better.
Tasks Left Undone at End of Day
Any and all holiday preparations
See you Friday!
Or Maybe P. Buckley Moss
If Ian Kochberg’s art is not quite up your alley, you may want to check out P. Buckley Moss. She is a favorite of my mother. Actually, she is a favorite in my hometown. No wonder, seeing as she painted the local Opera House several years ago. Happy shopping!
Ian Kochberg for Christmas
My daughter’s handbell director introduced me to this artist. She has h2o2 on the wall in her living room and I just love it. Mr. Kochberg illustrates famous pieces of music in a very creative way that, I’m sure, music lovers everywhere will appreciate and enjoy. I would include a photo here, but I am concerned about copyright infringement. If you visit his website, don’t miss Who Was That Masked Man? It comes with a .45 caliber bullet to frame with the musical art.
Recommended for the art and music aficianados on your gift list.
Recommended for the art and music aficianados on your gift list.
Happy Anniversary!
Today is my 21st wedding anniversary. I can hardly believe it! I have been married to the same guy for over twenty years. How did that happen? Wasn’t I just twenty-four years old? My dad warned me that time would speed up as I aged. I just didn’t think it would speed up quite this soon, or that I would have to run quite this fast to keep up. :-) Oh, well.Happy Anniversary, honey.
My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less
Yesterday, I saw news footage of Senator Hillary Clinton stating that, and I quote, “Hope is not a strategy.” I may have more to say about that later, but in the meantime, I wanted to share this hymn from The Lutheran Hymnal of my youth. I remember singing this often as a child and it still rings true for me now, especially as I age and experience more of life’s challenges, and as I watch my friends do the same.
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus Blood and righteousness;
No merit of my own I claim,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ Name.
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
When darkness veils his lovely face
I rest on his unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ, the solid rock I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
His oath, his covenant, his Blood,
Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.
On Christ, the solid rock I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
When he shall come with trumpet sound,
O may I then in him be found,
Dressed in his righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne!
On Christ, the solid rock I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Crazy Wednesday
This is the third in a series of seven postings chronicling a week in the life of a homeschooling family.
Normally, Wednesday is the craziest day of the week at my house, what with piano lessons, music composition class, and handbell rehearsal all scheduled within a six-hour time frame. But today, Katherine the Great came down with her first cold of the season, so we scaled back our commitments a bit, canceling composition class and taking a sick day from school. Kate still read a little in her Book Club selection, but otherwise I let her rest.
So what did get finished around here on my not-so-crazy Wednesday? Not much in the way of checklist productivity, quite a bit in the way of people connectivity.
MOM
Began treating Katherine the Great for her first cold of the season
TEACHER: Homeschool
Reading time: Blink by Ted Dekker
Piano lesson
Handbell rehearsal
Algebra homework (small amount)
TEACHER: CHOOSE CT
Called LF re: prayer list
WIFE
Dinner date with King Richard to celebrate 21st wedding anniversary
HOME MANAGER
One load of jeans laundry
Folded clean clothes from previous laundry loads
Paid more November bills
FRIENDS/FAMILY
Wrote to Mr. K, telling him about our family
Tea with my friend LM
Weekly phone call with SP, my friend in Florida
Scheduled child care/pizza night with Koalagirl15
Spoke with my mother about Christmas gift ideas
Accepted invitation to Thanksgiving Teen Party
CHURCH
Verified church commitments for the weekend
HOLIDAY PREPARATION
Online Christmas shopping
Called Hearthsong re: incorrect item shipment
Setback of the day: a sick person in the house. I don’t have any trouble caring for people when they fall ill. It just requires some juggling, and some discernment to determine exactly how sick the person really is (or could become). For colds, I start the patient on Zicam® Rapidmelts at the first sign of symptoms, steam their sinuses every four hours and, if necessary, gently irrigate their sinuses with a saline solution periodically throughout the day. The latter really helps reduce congestion! Eliminating dairy products usually helps reduce congestion as well, at least it works for my patients.
Great moment of the day: having a laugh with my friend, LM. She is a newly diagnosed cancer patient and it was reassuring to me, as the wife of a cancer survivor, to see how well she is handling the situation thus far. As a practicing Christian, she understands that she can rest in the promise that God works everything for good, even though it might not be the good that she can see at any given moment.
Tasks Left Undone at End of Day
Reading time: The Seven Checkpoints by Andy Stanley
Reading time: Blink by Ted Dekker
See you on Thursday.
Normally, Wednesday is the craziest day of the week at my house, what with piano lessons, music composition class, and handbell rehearsal all scheduled within a six-hour time frame. But today, Katherine the Great came down with her first cold of the season, so we scaled back our commitments a bit, canceling composition class and taking a sick day from school. Kate still read a little in her Book Club selection, but otherwise I let her rest.
So what did get finished around here on my not-so-crazy Wednesday? Not much in the way of checklist productivity, quite a bit in the way of people connectivity.
MOM
Began treating Katherine the Great for her first cold of the season
TEACHER: Homeschool
Reading time: Blink by Ted Dekker
Piano lesson
Handbell rehearsal
Algebra homework (small amount)
TEACHER: CHOOSE CT
Called LF re: prayer list
WIFE
Dinner date with King Richard to celebrate 21st wedding anniversary
HOME MANAGER
One load of jeans laundry
Folded clean clothes from previous laundry loads
Paid more November bills
FRIENDS/FAMILY
Wrote to Mr. K, telling him about our family
Tea with my friend LM
Weekly phone call with SP, my friend in Florida
Scheduled child care/pizza night with Koalagirl15
Spoke with my mother about Christmas gift ideas
Accepted invitation to Thanksgiving Teen Party
CHURCH
Verified church commitments for the weekend
HOLIDAY PREPARATION
Online Christmas shopping
Called Hearthsong re: incorrect item shipment
Setback of the day: a sick person in the house. I don’t have any trouble caring for people when they fall ill. It just requires some juggling, and some discernment to determine exactly how sick the person really is (or could become). For colds, I start the patient on Zicam® Rapidmelts at the first sign of symptoms, steam their sinuses every four hours and, if necessary, gently irrigate their sinuses with a saline solution periodically throughout the day. The latter really helps reduce congestion! Eliminating dairy products usually helps reduce congestion as well, at least it works for my patients.
Great moment of the day: having a laugh with my friend, LM. She is a newly diagnosed cancer patient and it was reassuring to me, as the wife of a cancer survivor, to see how well she is handling the situation thus far. As a practicing Christian, she understands that she can rest in the promise that God works everything for good, even though it might not be the good that she can see at any given moment.
Tasks Left Undone at End of Day
Reading time: The Seven Checkpoints by Andy Stanley
Reading time: Blink by Ted Dekker
See you on Thursday.
Great Parenting Resource
Yesterday at Malta, I spoke with the mother of an almost three-year-old little boy who is, by any description, all boy. He’s great: energetic, inquisitive, smart…spirited. He reminds me very much of my daughter at that age. Challenging, yet entirely enjoyable. If you have some of these little gems at your house and they make you a little crazy sometimes, may I recommend a parenting resource that worked well for my family (and still does): Winning at Parenting Without Beating Your Kids by Barbara Coloroso. Her basic philosophy is that, through the use of natural and logical consequences, it is possible to help your children develop an inner discipline that will work to reduce rebellion and, consequently, protect them from the dangers of alcohol, drugs, and promiscuity; the idea being that it is difficult to rebel when, in order to rebel, you must rebel against your own decisions.While this resource does not necessarily espouse a Christian worldview, the idea of inner discipline seems very Christian, at least to me. After all, who is the Holy Spirit but that internal voice that works in us to direct our behavior toward that which is pleasing to God? I can’t say how well this system will work at your house. I can say that, in my home, Winning at Parenting Without Beating Your Kids, in conjunction with regular Bible study, church attendance, and service to others, has worked well for over 14 years.
Check out more parenting resources at Kids Are Worth It.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Quiet Tuesday
This is the second in a series of seven postings chronicling a week in the life of a homeschooling family.
If Monday is considered the most stressful day of the week (next to Friday), then Tuesday is a day to recover from that stress, right? I think so. That is why I set aside Tuesday as a “day off” or a “down day.” If need be, I will schedule dental appointments or do volunteer work but, mostly, I deliberately dedicate Tuesday as a “slow down” day, a stay-at-home day. Interestingly enough, if you investigate the origin of the word “Tuesday,” you discover that it comes from the Middle English word Twisday and, if traced back far enough, from the Latin phrase Martis dies meaning “Mar’s day.” Eventually, the word became associated with the planet Mars and the ideas of strife, battle, and stress; definitely not a “day off.” Oh well.
So what did I get accomplished on Twisday? Enough. Remember, my goal was to relax.
MOM
Volunteer time @ Malta Ministries
Wrote e-mail message to Mr. K re: Henkel/Behrens genealogy
TEACHER: Homeschool
Genealogy research
Algebra
Reading time: Blink by Ted Dekker
TEACHER: CHOOSE CT
Council meeting @ Friendly’s
Finalized Council meeting agenda
Finalized field trip to Henry Whitfield Museum
Purchased Degrees of Latitude Electronic Field Trip
CHOOSE CT website work
Baked one batch of shortbread cookies for support meeting
HOME MANAGER
Worked on folding & drying laundry (from 3 loads)
Updated financial records in computer
Paid November bills
FRIENDS/FAMILY
Spoke with my mother re: Henkel/Behrens genealogy
Visited website of newly found relative, Mr. K.
Visited with neighbor, JD, about her recent trip to Ireland
Setback of the day: my adorable family ate my shortbread cookies. Imagine that, they ate the freshly baked Christmas cookies that I left unattended and cooling in the kitchen. What were they thinking?! I guess that is what cookies are for --- eating. I suppose that also means that cookie baking is on my list for tomorrow night.
Great moment of the day: social time after the CHOOSE CT Council meeting. The six people who attended had an awesome time laughing about the subjects our children stumble across in their studies on any given day. Case in point: flatulence as a source of methane gas. Don't ask.
Tasks Left Undone at End of Day
One load of laundry (I really hate laundry)
Reading time: The Seven Checkpoints by Andy Stanley
Reading time: Blink by Ted Dekker
Any and all holiday preparation tasks
Hold onto your hats for tomorrow. Wednesday is my truly crazy day.
If Monday is considered the most stressful day of the week (next to Friday), then Tuesday is a day to recover from that stress, right? I think so. That is why I set aside Tuesday as a “day off” or a “down day.” If need be, I will schedule dental appointments or do volunteer work but, mostly, I deliberately dedicate Tuesday as a “slow down” day, a stay-at-home day. Interestingly enough, if you investigate the origin of the word “Tuesday,” you discover that it comes from the Middle English word Twisday and, if traced back far enough, from the Latin phrase Martis dies meaning “Mar’s day.” Eventually, the word became associated with the planet Mars and the ideas of strife, battle, and stress; definitely not a “day off.” Oh well.
So what did I get accomplished on Twisday? Enough. Remember, my goal was to relax.
MOM
Volunteer time @ Malta Ministries
Wrote e-mail message to Mr. K re: Henkel/Behrens genealogy
TEACHER: Homeschool
Genealogy research
Algebra
Reading time: Blink by Ted Dekker
TEACHER: CHOOSE CT
Council meeting @ Friendly’s
Finalized Council meeting agenda
Finalized field trip to Henry Whitfield Museum
Purchased Degrees of Latitude Electronic Field Trip
CHOOSE CT website work
Baked one batch of shortbread cookies for support meeting
HOME MANAGER
Worked on folding & drying laundry (from 3 loads)
Updated financial records in computer
Paid November bills
FRIENDS/FAMILY
Spoke with my mother re: Henkel/Behrens genealogy
Visited website of newly found relative, Mr. K.
Visited with neighbor, JD, about her recent trip to Ireland
Setback of the day: my adorable family ate my shortbread cookies. Imagine that, they ate the freshly baked Christmas cookies that I left unattended and cooling in the kitchen. What were they thinking?! I guess that is what cookies are for --- eating. I suppose that also means that cookie baking is on my list for tomorrow night.
Great moment of the day: social time after the CHOOSE CT Council meeting. The six people who attended had an awesome time laughing about the subjects our children stumble across in their studies on any given day. Case in point: flatulence as a source of methane gas. Don't ask.
Tasks Left Undone at End of Day
One load of laundry (I really hate laundry)
Reading time: The Seven Checkpoints by Andy Stanley
Reading time: Blink by Ted Dekker
Any and all holiday preparation tasks
Hold onto your hats for tomorrow. Wednesday is my truly crazy day.
Monday, November 13, 2006
It’s Monday!
This is the first in a series of seven postings chronicling a week in the life of a homeschooling family.
Occasionally, people ask me what a “typical” day is like for a homeschooling family. I don’t know if any of us have a “typical” day, but I think maybe all of us have common experiences as homeschoolers: getting kids to stay on task, balancing academics with extracurricular activities, and finishing the housework that (some days) seems eternal. To answer this recurring question, I thought it might be interesting to chronicle a week in my life so my fellow homeschoolers could judge for themselves if my days are “typical.”
For a while now, various studies have told us that Monday is the most stressful day of the week for many people (see article from CNN.com). I can’t necessarily relate to this because I like Mondays. I think of them as the beginning of the week, much more so than Sunday. Sunday is the end of my week, a rest day after all the craziness of last week and before all the craziness of this week.
So, what did I accomplish on this particular Monday? Actually, quite a bit, which is tremendously out of character for me. The tasks are divided by my life roles.
TEACHER: Homeschool
Critical Thinking class @ CHOOSE CT Co-op
Genealogy research
Reading time: Blink by Ted Dekker
Music composition time
TEACHER: CHOOSE CT
Finalized field trip participant list for Henry Whitfield Museum
Ordered chess sets for Chess Club
Investigated Degrees of Latitude Electronic Field Trip
Forwarded membership dues to Membership Coordinator
Worked on Council meeting agenda
Baked one batch shortbread cookies for support meeting
HOME MANAGER
Changed cat litter
Removed bird droppings from floor under bird cage
Scrubbed floor under bird cage
Cleaned cabinet under kitchen sink
Disinfected & washed all household trash cans
FRIENDS/FAMILY
Spoke with my mother re: Henkel/Behrens genealogy
Took Koalagirl15 children to and from CHOOSE CT Co-op
Picked up JLZ from CHOOSE CT Co-op
Made dinner for friends, DC & JLZ
King Richard III helped JLZ with science experiment
CHURCH
E-mail discussion with Christian Education director
The only difficulty of the day occurred when the shortbread cookie dough refused to cooperate when my daughter and I attempted to “stamp” it with a cookie stamp. I think the dough was too warm, so put it in the refrigerator to chill and I rescheduled cookie baking for tomorrow evening.
Tasks Left Undone at End of Day
One load laundry (at least)
Reading time: The Seven Checkpoints by Andy Stanley
Reading time: Blink by Ted Dekker (Mom)
CHOOSE CT website work
See you tomorrow!
Occasionally, people ask me what a “typical” day is like for a homeschooling family. I don’t know if any of us have a “typical” day, but I think maybe all of us have common experiences as homeschoolers: getting kids to stay on task, balancing academics with extracurricular activities, and finishing the housework that (some days) seems eternal. To answer this recurring question, I thought it might be interesting to chronicle a week in my life so my fellow homeschoolers could judge for themselves if my days are “typical.”
For a while now, various studies have told us that Monday is the most stressful day of the week for many people (see article from CNN.com). I can’t necessarily relate to this because I like Mondays. I think of them as the beginning of the week, much more so than Sunday. Sunday is the end of my week, a rest day after all the craziness of last week and before all the craziness of this week.
So, what did I accomplish on this particular Monday? Actually, quite a bit, which is tremendously out of character for me. The tasks are divided by my life roles.
TEACHER: Homeschool
Critical Thinking class @ CHOOSE CT Co-op
Genealogy research
Reading time: Blink by Ted Dekker
Music composition time
TEACHER: CHOOSE CT
Finalized field trip participant list for Henry Whitfield Museum
Ordered chess sets for Chess Club
Investigated Degrees of Latitude Electronic Field Trip
Forwarded membership dues to Membership Coordinator
Worked on Council meeting agenda
Baked one batch shortbread cookies for support meeting
HOME MANAGER
Changed cat litter
Removed bird droppings from floor under bird cage
Scrubbed floor under bird cage
Cleaned cabinet under kitchen sink
Disinfected & washed all household trash cans
FRIENDS/FAMILY
Spoke with my mother re: Henkel/Behrens genealogy
Took Koalagirl15 children to and from CHOOSE CT Co-op
Picked up JLZ from CHOOSE CT Co-op
Made dinner for friends, DC & JLZ
King Richard III helped JLZ with science experiment
CHURCH
E-mail discussion with Christian Education director
The only difficulty of the day occurred when the shortbread cookie dough refused to cooperate when my daughter and I attempted to “stamp” it with a cookie stamp. I think the dough was too warm, so put it in the refrigerator to chill and I rescheduled cookie baking for tomorrow evening.
Tasks Left Undone at End of Day
One load laundry (at least)
Reading time: The Seven Checkpoints by Andy Stanley
Reading time: Blink by Ted Dekker (Mom)
CHOOSE CT website work
See you tomorrow!
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Snow, Wind, & God’s Details
Yesterday (11/11/06) was Veteran’s Day and, once again, it snowed in southern Minnesota. Actually, I think you could say the area had a mini-blizzard: my hometown got seven inches of the white stuff, while my in-laws reportedly received a foot. Last year, southern Minnesota had a mini-blizzard in November, too; in that case, the snow came the day after Veteran’s Day. In each case, two days prior to the snowstorm, the temperatures hit upwards of 80° F. Go figure.
Having lived in Minnesota for more than half my life, I can attest to the fact that the first snow generally flies in November. It doesn’t always hang around, but it definitely appears. This initial snap of winter follows a short heat wave, known to most locals and Weather Channel junkies as “Indian summer,” a time when native Minnesotans finish their seasonal lawn care before their yards disappear under a blanket of white for the next five months. And along with this first snowfall comes another weather phenomena that defines life in southern Minnesota --- the prairie wind.
When God created the wind, he obviously intended for it to move because that is what wind does, sometimes in gales, sometimes in gusts, and sometimes in gentle wisps. In town, this movement is slowed and redirected by buildings and such, but on the prairie where the land is flat and the trees are few, the wind is hampered by nothing; it just blows…relentlessly…across everything…all the time. God created wind to blow and, in southern Minnesota, it obeys.
I recount these Veteran’s Day weather events in order to illustrate how the Lord can, and does, pay attention to the most amazing details in my life. Last year, on Veteran’s Day, my family and I attended my father’s funeral. Praise the Lord it didn’t snow. It was hard enough standing in the cemetery in the howling wind. I spent as much time watching the awning over the gravesite as I did the graveside service itself, worried that, at some point, the whole canvas/pole assembly would blow over and tumble toward the adjacent cornfield. Thankfully, all held. I was convinced, too, that the funeral flowers we left on dad’s grave would be blown into that cornfield, but, to my amazement, when I returned to the cemetery the next day, they were still there. Not one of the arrangements had moved. This was after an entire night of relentless wind that brought to mind the funeral scene in Dr. Zhivago, where a young Yuri pictures his mother lying inside her coffin with the wind and snow howling across the ground above her grave. I had this picture in mind, as well: my dad, lying in his casket with that prairie wind ripping across his grave, shredding the flowers that we had placed there. God chose not to stop the wind, but He kept it from doing any damage, and (thankfully!) He took that cold mental image out of my head.
Instead, He reminded me that my father’s grave is exactly where it should be: very near the entrance to Lakeside Cemetery, between the railroad tracks and an open cornfield, across from the Army National Guard facility, and down the street from the location of the grocery store where he worked for almost 20 years. This location mirrors his life perfectly:
• near the entrance to Lakeside Cemetery
- church usher for 46 years
• near the railroad tracks
- childhood home near railroad
• near an open cornfield
- helped operate a family farm
• across from National Guard facility:
- World War II veteran
- Bronze Star recipient
- lifetime member of American Legion
- member Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
• near location of grocery store
- meatcutter for 50 years
My father’s plot in Lakeside Cemetery fits his life as a Midwesterner, too, in a way that, I think, “prairie folk” can appreciate: on any given day, depending on the time of day, my father’s grave is blanketed by sunshine, cooled by a small amount of shade, and accosted by wind. Yes, that ever-present wind that sweeps across the prairie, that part of God’s creation that surrounded my dad in life and will continue to blow long after his departure. Some days I miss that wind, but not nearly as much as I miss my dad.
Having lived in Minnesota for more than half my life, I can attest to the fact that the first snow generally flies in November. It doesn’t always hang around, but it definitely appears. This initial snap of winter follows a short heat wave, known to most locals and Weather Channel junkies as “Indian summer,” a time when native Minnesotans finish their seasonal lawn care before their yards disappear under a blanket of white for the next five months. And along with this first snowfall comes another weather phenomena that defines life in southern Minnesota --- the prairie wind.
When God created the wind, he obviously intended for it to move because that is what wind does, sometimes in gales, sometimes in gusts, and sometimes in gentle wisps. In town, this movement is slowed and redirected by buildings and such, but on the prairie where the land is flat and the trees are few, the wind is hampered by nothing; it just blows…relentlessly…across everything…all the time. God created wind to blow and, in southern Minnesota, it obeys.
I recount these Veteran’s Day weather events in order to illustrate how the Lord can, and does, pay attention to the most amazing details in my life. Last year, on Veteran’s Day, my family and I attended my father’s funeral. Praise the Lord it didn’t snow. It was hard enough standing in the cemetery in the howling wind. I spent as much time watching the awning over the gravesite as I did the graveside service itself, worried that, at some point, the whole canvas/pole assembly would blow over and tumble toward the adjacent cornfield. Thankfully, all held. I was convinced, too, that the funeral flowers we left on dad’s grave would be blown into that cornfield, but, to my amazement, when I returned to the cemetery the next day, they were still there. Not one of the arrangements had moved. This was after an entire night of relentless wind that brought to mind the funeral scene in Dr. Zhivago, where a young Yuri pictures his mother lying inside her coffin with the wind and snow howling across the ground above her grave. I had this picture in mind, as well: my dad, lying in his casket with that prairie wind ripping across his grave, shredding the flowers that we had placed there. God chose not to stop the wind, but He kept it from doing any damage, and (thankfully!) He took that cold mental image out of my head.
Instead, He reminded me that my father’s grave is exactly where it should be: very near the entrance to Lakeside Cemetery, between the railroad tracks and an open cornfield, across from the Army National Guard facility, and down the street from the location of the grocery store where he worked for almost 20 years. This location mirrors his life perfectly:
• near the entrance to Lakeside Cemetery
- church usher for 46 years
• near the railroad tracks
- childhood home near railroad
• near an open cornfield
- helped operate a family farm
• across from National Guard facility:
- World War II veteran
- Bronze Star recipient
- lifetime member of American Legion
- member Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
• near location of grocery store
- meatcutter for 50 years
My father’s plot in Lakeside Cemetery fits his life as a Midwesterner, too, in a way that, I think, “prairie folk” can appreciate: on any given day, depending on the time of day, my father’s grave is blanketed by sunshine, cooled by a small amount of shade, and accosted by wind. Yes, that ever-present wind that sweeps across the prairie, that part of God’s creation that surrounded my dad in life and will continue to blow long after his departure. Some days I miss that wind, but not nearly as much as I miss my dad.
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Remembering Dad
November has become a big month for anniversaries at our house. I don’t know why, but it seems to be one of those months during which watershed events seem to happen, to us and to people we know. This year, my family marks the addition of a new anniversary to the calendar: one year since the passing of my beloved father on November 9, 2005.
Hard to fathom, but we have been without his laugh and his smile, his propensity for conversation and his wisdom for twelve whole months now. In some respects it was a very long year, what with the business affairs that accompany death --- funerals, wills, estate sales, headstones, etc. --- taking so much time, energy, and emotion. Yet, in other ways, time marched on whether we were ready for it or not. Thanksgiving still came. Christmas was celebrated. The New Year rang in. Holy Week and Easter passed by too. We changed churches, helped move my mother into her new home, and (unfortunately) marked the passing of several other friends and family members during the year.
Because my dad (and a classmate of my daughter) died so close to Thanksgiving last year, the holiday season will forever have the potential to be somewhat subdued, filled with reminders of loved ones who are no longer with us, who cannot be with us, and who we desperately want to have with us. Of course, it has this potential only if we permit it to be that way. I know my father would not want me to subdue my celebration of anything, let alone the holidays. He would ask only that the festivities be tasteful (and economical). He would rather I demonstrate an attitude like that expressed in this poem that I found online this morning.
Hard to fathom, but we have been without his laugh and his smile, his propensity for conversation and his wisdom for twelve whole months now. In some respects it was a very long year, what with the business affairs that accompany death --- funerals, wills, estate sales, headstones, etc. --- taking so much time, energy, and emotion. Yet, in other ways, time marched on whether we were ready for it or not. Thanksgiving still came. Christmas was celebrated. The New Year rang in. Holy Week and Easter passed by too. We changed churches, helped move my mother into her new home, and (unfortunately) marked the passing of several other friends and family members during the year.
Because my dad (and a classmate of my daughter) died so close to Thanksgiving last year, the holiday season will forever have the potential to be somewhat subdued, filled with reminders of loved ones who are no longer with us, who cannot be with us, and who we desperately want to have with us. Of course, it has this potential only if we permit it to be that way. I know my father would not want me to subdue my celebration of anything, let alone the holidays. He would ask only that the festivities be tasteful (and economical). He would rather I demonstrate an attitude like that expressed in this poem that I found online this morning.
My father was a lifelong Lutheran Christian who ushered in church almost every Sunday for 46 years. I would often “catch” him having quiet time in the morning while sitting at the kitchen table, eating a poached egg and toast (sometimes with bacon if he could convince my mother to get up early and make it for him). I know that he is having a great time in heaven, not just for Thanksgiving but for eternity. He is most surely free, and for that I am thankful. In that, I take great comfort.The Final Flight
Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free.
I’m following the path God laid for me.
I took his hand when I heard his call.
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day,
To laugh, to love, to work, to play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way,
I’ve found that peace at the end of the day.
If my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,
Ah, yes, these things too I will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow,
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life’s been full, I savored much,
Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief,
Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me,
God wanted me now,
He set me free.
--- Author Unknown
Dining Out in November
As part of a plan to reduce our restaurant expenditures, my family and I have established the following schedule for dining out in November:
11/3/2006: Pizza night
11/5/2006: Sunday lunch
11/10/2006: Dinner after homeschool field trip to MA
11/12/2006: Sunday lunch
11/13/2006: Dinner with friends
11/17/2006: Pizza night
11/19/2006: Dinner after Fiddler on the Roof
11/24/2006: Tree tagging lunch
11/25/2006: Lunch while on homeschool field trip to CT shoreline
11/26/2006: Sunday lunch
If we spend $30-$40/meal, our November total for restaurant dining should be $300-$400, an amount well below that of recent months.
Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established. --- Proverbs 16:3 NASB
11/3/2006: Pizza night
11/5/2006: Sunday lunch
11/10/2006: Dinner after homeschool field trip to MA
11/12/2006: Sunday lunch
11/13/2006: Dinner with friends
11/17/2006: Pizza night
11/19/2006: Dinner after Fiddler on the Roof
11/24/2006: Tree tagging lunch
11/25/2006: Lunch while on homeschool field trip to CT shoreline
11/26/2006: Sunday lunch
If we spend $30-$40/meal, our November total for restaurant dining should be $300-$400, an amount well below that of recent months.
Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established. --- Proverbs 16:3 NASB
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Voting as a Rite of Passage
This morning during breakfast, my sixteen-year-old daughter informed me that of the three rites of passage into adulthood --- learning to drive, reaching the legal drinking age, and getting to vote --- she really wants to be able to vote. “I feel so helpless watching other people cast their ballots,” she said. “I want to vote more than I want to drive a car.” Fortunately, she didn’t mention anything about the drinking age. :-)
Being the owner of a degree in Political Science, hearing my child express the desire to participate in the American political process is like the owner of Janet’s Planet feeling joy at her daughter’s first composition (see Chloe's Debut Story on Janet's Planet). It is music to my heart. I shouldn’t be surprised by this tune, however. I have dragged my daughter to polling places since she was born. Every two years, I would close the voting booth curtains with the big red handle and explain to her what I was doing by pulling all the levers. When she was younger, I think she just liked to help make the red arrows appear, the result of pulling a lever to cast a vote for a particular candidate. As she grew, I gave her the job of pulling the red handle to close the curtains and, again, to open the curtains and cast my vote. And, of course, there were the “I Voted Today” stickers that the election officials handed out to everyone. Those were always a big hit.
I guess at some point, voting became fun. It was a place to play “levers and stickers.” As the years passed, however, and (I’m sure) thanks to the influence of constant news and political discussions at home, my daughter realized that voting was a powerful tool for making her voice heard amongst the throng of so many other voices clamoring for attention. One election expert claims that the election nearest a child’s tenth birthday is the most powerful in shaping his/her attitude about voting (see Engage Children in Election Education). For my daughter, that was the 2000 Presidential campaign. No wonder voting made such an impression on her! That campaign left an impression on all of us, but I digress…
Today, my prayer for Katherine the Great is that, as she ages and observes the political process more closely as an adult, her faith in the ability to have a say continues to shine with as much enthusiasm as it did this morning at the breakfast table.
----------------------------
Two articles with ideas for teaching children about elections:
Books for Teaching About Elections by Genia Connell
Use Children’s Literature to Teach About Elections by Lauren Gattilia
Being the owner of a degree in Political Science, hearing my child express the desire to participate in the American political process is like the owner of Janet’s Planet feeling joy at her daughter’s first composition (see Chloe's Debut Story on Janet's Planet). It is music to my heart. I shouldn’t be surprised by this tune, however. I have dragged my daughter to polling places since she was born. Every two years, I would close the voting booth curtains with the big red handle and explain to her what I was doing by pulling all the levers. When she was younger, I think she just liked to help make the red arrows appear, the result of pulling a lever to cast a vote for a particular candidate. As she grew, I gave her the job of pulling the red handle to close the curtains and, again, to open the curtains and cast my vote. And, of course, there were the “I Voted Today” stickers that the election officials handed out to everyone. Those were always a big hit.
I guess at some point, voting became fun. It was a place to play “levers and stickers.” As the years passed, however, and (I’m sure) thanks to the influence of constant news and political discussions at home, my daughter realized that voting was a powerful tool for making her voice heard amongst the throng of so many other voices clamoring for attention. One election expert claims that the election nearest a child’s tenth birthday is the most powerful in shaping his/her attitude about voting (see Engage Children in Election Education). For my daughter, that was the 2000 Presidential campaign. No wonder voting made such an impression on her! That campaign left an impression on all of us, but I digress…
Today, my prayer for Katherine the Great is that, as she ages and observes the political process more closely as an adult, her faith in the ability to have a say continues to shine with as much enthusiasm as it did this morning at the breakfast table.
----------------------------
Two articles with ideas for teaching children about elections:
Books for Teaching About Elections by Genia Connell
Use Children’s Literature to Teach About Elections by Lauren Gattilia
Accountability Update OCTOBER 2006
October was not as successful in the accountability department as I would have hoped, but I did make some progress. For those who aren’t familiar with this activity, my assessment scale is as follows:
1: Failed miserably. No progress whatsoever.
2: Tried, but couldn’t do it. No significant progress.
3: Making progress. Halfway there.
4: Came close. More effort needed.
5: Did it! All goals met.
HOME ORGANIZATION
Overall rating: 1
My plan for October was really a repeat of September: to focus on decluttering the kitchen table area. The implementation of this plan was to include clearing the table and establishing a routine to keep it clear. I was also supposed to refinish the chalkboard.
I have discovered that keeping this table clear is REALLY tough. It is the hub of just about every activity that occurs in my home: schoolwork, food preparation, dining, arts and crafts projects, you name it. Paper, books, and craft supplies seem to magically appear and reproduce at an alarming rate. In the words of FLYLady, it is a “hot spot,” an area that needs a quick spruce-up multiple times during the day.
As for refinishing the chalkboard, taking the key teaching tool for school and the general memo board for the house out of commission for even a few days is just as tough as keeping the kitchen table is order. I suppose this procrastination is due in part to the inconvenient upheaval it would cause. I like to think it has more to do with the antics of a five-month-old kitten that is transfixed by the chalk ledge of late. All I need is a paint-covered cat running through my house! Then again, he is mostly black so, maybe, the paint wouldn’t show.
Final assessment: given that no progress was made on this effort, I must lower my rating from 2 to 1. Ugh! Oh well, one step forward, two steps back. Right?! November plan: clear the kitchen table, develop and keep a table maintenance plan, and refinish the chalkboard. Maybe I can get my hubby to help with this.
RESTAURANT EXPENDITURES
Overall rating: 4
My goal for October restaurant expenditures was $650.00, admittedly ambitious and a bit too low, given that I took a trip to Colonial Williamsburg and my husband was traveling for work. The total for October was $1051.64. However, if I remove the vacation and work travel expenditures, I actually come in at $577.08, well below the goal of $650! Admittedly, this smacks of manipulating the data a bit, but it is one way of looking at the numbers. Of course, I like this perspective because it allows me to meet my goal; hence, the overall rating of “came close, more effort needed.” Plan for November: meet the goal without fudging the numbers! All targets and methodologies remain the same --- $650.00 through the use of menu plans and a restaurant visitation schedule.
Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established. --- Proverbs 16:3 NASB
1: Failed miserably. No progress whatsoever.
2: Tried, but couldn’t do it. No significant progress.
3: Making progress. Halfway there.
4: Came close. More effort needed.
5: Did it! All goals met.
HOME ORGANIZATION
Overall rating: 1
My plan for October was really a repeat of September: to focus on decluttering the kitchen table area. The implementation of this plan was to include clearing the table and establishing a routine to keep it clear. I was also supposed to refinish the chalkboard.
I have discovered that keeping this table clear is REALLY tough. It is the hub of just about every activity that occurs in my home: schoolwork, food preparation, dining, arts and crafts projects, you name it. Paper, books, and craft supplies seem to magically appear and reproduce at an alarming rate. In the words of FLYLady, it is a “hot spot,” an area that needs a quick spruce-up multiple times during the day.
As for refinishing the chalkboard, taking the key teaching tool for school and the general memo board for the house out of commission for even a few days is just as tough as keeping the kitchen table is order. I suppose this procrastination is due in part to the inconvenient upheaval it would cause. I like to think it has more to do with the antics of a five-month-old kitten that is transfixed by the chalk ledge of late. All I need is a paint-covered cat running through my house! Then again, he is mostly black so, maybe, the paint wouldn’t show.
Final assessment: given that no progress was made on this effort, I must lower my rating from 2 to 1. Ugh! Oh well, one step forward, two steps back. Right?! November plan: clear the kitchen table, develop and keep a table maintenance plan, and refinish the chalkboard. Maybe I can get my hubby to help with this.
RESTAURANT EXPENDITURES
Overall rating: 4
My goal for October restaurant expenditures was $650.00, admittedly ambitious and a bit too low, given that I took a trip to Colonial Williamsburg and my husband was traveling for work. The total for October was $1051.64. However, if I remove the vacation and work travel expenditures, I actually come in at $577.08, well below the goal of $650! Admittedly, this smacks of manipulating the data a bit, but it is one way of looking at the numbers. Of course, I like this perspective because it allows me to meet my goal; hence, the overall rating of “came close, more effort needed.” Plan for November: meet the goal without fudging the numbers! All targets and methodologies remain the same --- $650.00 through the use of menu plans and a restaurant visitation schedule.
Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established. --- Proverbs 16:3 NASB
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Shoebox Donation Completed
Each year, as part of our charitable giving for the holidays, we fill a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child, a ministry of Samaritan’s Purse. To begin this task, we ask ourselves only three simple questions:
1) DO WE WANT TO DONATE A BOX TO A BOY OR A GIRL? Since we have a daughter and no sons, we always fill a box for a girl.
2) WHAT AGE GROUP DO WE WANT TO TARGET FOR OUR BOX? Our choices are ages 2-4, ages 5-9, and ages 10-14. As my daughter is sixteen years old, we usually select the oldest age category.
3) WHAT CLIMATE DO WE WANT TO TARGET FOR OUR BOX? Here we only have two choices: warm or cold. Since we currently live in Connecticut and grew up in Minnesota, we always opt for the “cold climate” box. It is just easier to select items for a familiar environment.
Once we set these parameters, our remaining jobs are twofold:
1) purchase the gifts to put in the shoebox
2) drop the shoebox at a nearby collection center anytime from November 13th-22nd, a deadline that is quickly approaching.
Since I generally like to be early rather than late (a habit I inherited from my beloved dad), I designated this Saturday (11/4/2006) as “Operation Christmas Child” shopping time. It took my daughter and me four trips to Wal-Mart and one visit to Target to collect all we needed, but we finished the job. Why so many trips you ask? Well, mostly because the box refused to be filled. Strange, I know. We purchased several rather bulky items, like gloves, a scarf, a winter headband, a coin purse, and a small notebook, thinking that would take up most of the space. Nope. We returned with pencils, erasers, a ruler, several dental care items, a comb, two pairs of socks, some playing cards, a yo-yo and a flashlight with batteries. Surely that would do the trick. Far from it. We still managed to squeeze in another pair of gloves, earmuffs, and two bars of soap. Finally, this afternoon, the box was packed. I paid the donation for shipping online and attached the appropriate “girl” label to the lid. The 2006 Operation Christmas Child shoebox is now secured with two sturdy rubber bands and staged by my back door, waiting for a long journey that will take it to some far corner of the world that my family and I have never seen, where it will be given to a child who, I hope, will beam with delight when she opens what could be her only Christmas gift this year.
Since my church doesn’t participate in the shoebox drive, tomorrow I will give our donation to the pastor’s wife at Montville Union Baptist Church who will add it to the other boxes collected by her congregation. It isn’t too late for your family to participate in this effort. For more information, visit Operation Christmas Child today.
1) DO WE WANT TO DONATE A BOX TO A BOY OR A GIRL? Since we have a daughter and no sons, we always fill a box for a girl.
2) WHAT AGE GROUP DO WE WANT TO TARGET FOR OUR BOX? Our choices are ages 2-4, ages 5-9, and ages 10-14. As my daughter is sixteen years old, we usually select the oldest age category.
3) WHAT CLIMATE DO WE WANT TO TARGET FOR OUR BOX? Here we only have two choices: warm or cold. Since we currently live in Connecticut and grew up in Minnesota, we always opt for the “cold climate” box. It is just easier to select items for a familiar environment.
Once we set these parameters, our remaining jobs are twofold:
1) purchase the gifts to put in the shoebox
2) drop the shoebox at a nearby collection center anytime from November 13th-22nd, a deadline that is quickly approaching.
Since I generally like to be early rather than late (a habit I inherited from my beloved dad), I designated this Saturday (11/4/2006) as “Operation Christmas Child” shopping time. It took my daughter and me four trips to Wal-Mart and one visit to Target to collect all we needed, but we finished the job. Why so many trips you ask? Well, mostly because the box refused to be filled. Strange, I know. We purchased several rather bulky items, like gloves, a scarf, a winter headband, a coin purse, and a small notebook, thinking that would take up most of the space. Nope. We returned with pencils, erasers, a ruler, several dental care items, a comb, two pairs of socks, some playing cards, a yo-yo and a flashlight with batteries. Surely that would do the trick. Far from it. We still managed to squeeze in another pair of gloves, earmuffs, and two bars of soap. Finally, this afternoon, the box was packed. I paid the donation for shipping online and attached the appropriate “girl” label to the lid. The 2006 Operation Christmas Child shoebox is now secured with two sturdy rubber bands and staged by my back door, waiting for a long journey that will take it to some far corner of the world that my family and I have never seen, where it will be given to a child who, I hope, will beam with delight when she opens what could be her only Christmas gift this year.
Since my church doesn’t participate in the shoebox drive, tomorrow I will give our donation to the pastor’s wife at Montville Union Baptist Church who will add it to the other boxes collected by her congregation. It isn’t too late for your family to participate in this effort. For more information, visit Operation Christmas Child today.
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Jack Frost Passes By
This morning, this photo ran on the front page of my hometown newspaper, not because there wasn’t any other news to report, but because it is tradition to place a positive, local-color photograph somewhere on the front page. I like this tradition as it gives balance to the other headlines, often negative and sensational, that find their way to the top of the fold.This peek at snow and ice definitely reminded me that winter is coming, even to New England, and that I need to get ready in a bit more focused manner. Fortunately, this time, Jack Frost was only stopping by in Minnesota. My hometown forecast for early next week includes 60° temperatures and sunny skies. Yah, Indian summer, for sure, just in time to mulch those leaves before the real snow flies!
Photo by Chip Pearson, Fairmont Sentinel
Friday, November 03, 2006
Cornmazing!
This afternoon, my daughter and I (and a few friends from our homeschool group), ventured to the Preston Farms Corn Maze in Preston, CT for a scavenger hunt amongst the stalks. Our mission was to locate 16 stamping stations, each named for a well-known guitarist: Elvis Presley, Sheryl Crow, Bon Jovi, Keith Urban, etc. Could you guess that the theme of the 2006 maze was Rock n' Roll, or that the maze was dubbed Cornstalk (you know, like Woodstock)? After almost an hour, I found only eight stations. My daughter located ten. None of us found all sixteen.Preston Farms creates this maze every year, beginning the design process in the fall and finishing it before planting time in the spring. The corn is tall enough to open the maze to visitors in August and, generally, sturdy enough (though dead and dry) to allow "mazers" until early November. In fact, this weekend marks the end of the local mazing season.
If you would like to learn more about mazes (and labyrinths), check out these resources: Labyrinthos and the Labyrinth Society. For directions to the Preston Farms Corn Maze, click here. Have an amazing time!
My Real Age
Yesterday, my good friend Koalagirl15 sent me a “test” from RealAge.com. Annoying though it was because of the time it consumed, I discovered that I am actually 45.7 years old. My chronological age is 45 years, 13 days. Not bad, I guess. At least I hit the target. Unfortunately, I took one of these RealAge “tests” several years ago and, at that time, I was at least three years younger than my chronological age. Does that mean that I’ve actually aged six years in three years? I’m so confused!
Anyway, according to my personalized RealAge plan, in order to become younger, I should do the following:
1) REDUCE MY CONSUMPTION OF RED MEAT to one small serving per week. Man, I’m really going to miss those Friendly’s hamburgers.
2) EAT MORE POTASSIUM-RICH FOODS. This includes bananas, figs, avocados, and lentils. I’m not a big fan of these choices, except bananas (with brown sugar, of course). Avocados are good in guacamole, but I think that might break the low-fat rule.
3) EAT FISH SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK. I hate fish. My daughter would live in the fish market. I, on the other hand, am the daughter of a meatcutter from landlocked southern Minnesota. This could explain my affinity for red meat and, consequently, my dislike of ocean-going protein.
4) CONSUME LESS “BAD” FAT. I guess this means I could eat the guacamole mentioned above since avocados are high in monounsaturated fat, but this also means onion rings are off the list.
5) INCREASE MY VEGETABLE INTAKE. Ok, now they sound like my mother. My favorite vegetable is spinach. Is it safe to eat yet?
6) INCREASE MY CONSUMPTION OF WHOLE GRAINS. This is wonderful advice. Can they explain to me why, whenever I eat an abundance of whole grains, my scale protests? I thought I was supposed to lose weight.
7) INCREASE MY FRUIT INTAKE. This is fine with me. If only the grocery store would drop the price of blueberries somewhere below astronomical.
8) EXERCISE!!! Once again, exercise!!! Ok, I think I’ve got it now. What was that again? Oh yeah, exercise. The goals are: 90 minutes of strength training and 210 minutes of aerobics per week. This could take some serious schedule management.
9) BEGIN A WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM. Hey, I lost four pounds on vacation. Doesn’t that count?!
10) SPEND MORE TIME BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS.
11) SCHEDULE TIME FOR MYSELF. This was my favorite suggestion because it was introduced by the sentence, “Taking care of other people’s health needs can put your own health at risk.” Didn’t they just recommend that I build strong, close relationships with others? Where is the motivation to do that if taking care of these people puts me at risk? I think I may know why people are becoming more isolated.
Seriously, though, I do need to make some (if not all) of these changes, but it may take a while. Maybe Koalagirl15 and I can encourage each other. In the meantime, here’s what I am doing right:
- not smoking
- not taking prescription medications
- being happily married to the same man for 21 years
- driving a larger car
- not drinking & driving
- flossing regularly
- consuming enough folic acid
- taking daily vitamins
- not talking on my cell phone while driving
- following speed limits
- wearing a seat belt
- eating breakfast
If you want to discover your real age, what you are doing right, and where you could improve, visit RealAge.com. Just remember to set aside some time before you do. The test takes awhile. God bless.
Anyway, according to my personalized RealAge plan, in order to become younger, I should do the following:
1) REDUCE MY CONSUMPTION OF RED MEAT to one small serving per week. Man, I’m really going to miss those Friendly’s hamburgers.
2) EAT MORE POTASSIUM-RICH FOODS. This includes bananas, figs, avocados, and lentils. I’m not a big fan of these choices, except bananas (with brown sugar, of course). Avocados are good in guacamole, but I think that might break the low-fat rule.
3) EAT FISH SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK. I hate fish. My daughter would live in the fish market. I, on the other hand, am the daughter of a meatcutter from landlocked southern Minnesota. This could explain my affinity for red meat and, consequently, my dislike of ocean-going protein.
4) CONSUME LESS “BAD” FAT. I guess this means I could eat the guacamole mentioned above since avocados are high in monounsaturated fat, but this also means onion rings are off the list.
5) INCREASE MY VEGETABLE INTAKE. Ok, now they sound like my mother. My favorite vegetable is spinach. Is it safe to eat yet?
6) INCREASE MY CONSUMPTION OF WHOLE GRAINS. This is wonderful advice. Can they explain to me why, whenever I eat an abundance of whole grains, my scale protests? I thought I was supposed to lose weight.
7) INCREASE MY FRUIT INTAKE. This is fine with me. If only the grocery store would drop the price of blueberries somewhere below astronomical.
8) EXERCISE!!! Once again, exercise!!! Ok, I think I’ve got it now. What was that again? Oh yeah, exercise. The goals are: 90 minutes of strength training and 210 minutes of aerobics per week. This could take some serious schedule management.
9) BEGIN A WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM. Hey, I lost four pounds on vacation. Doesn’t that count?!
10) SPEND MORE TIME BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS.
11) SCHEDULE TIME FOR MYSELF. This was my favorite suggestion because it was introduced by the sentence, “Taking care of other people’s health needs can put your own health at risk.” Didn’t they just recommend that I build strong, close relationships with others? Where is the motivation to do that if taking care of these people puts me at risk? I think I may know why people are becoming more isolated.
Seriously, though, I do need to make some (if not all) of these changes, but it may take a while. Maybe Koalagirl15 and I can encourage each other. In the meantime, here’s what I am doing right:
- not smoking
- not taking prescription medications
- being happily married to the same man for 21 years
- driving a larger car
- not drinking & driving
- flossing regularly
- consuming enough folic acid
- taking daily vitamins
- not talking on my cell phone while driving
- following speed limits
- wearing a seat belt
- eating breakfast
If you want to discover your real age, what you are doing right, and where you could improve, visit RealAge.com. Just remember to set aside some time before you do. The test takes awhile. God bless.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
A Great Place to Live --- South Dakota?
The Progressive Farmer, a magazine for people who are living (or who want to live) the good life in the country, has released their 2006 list of Best Places to Live in Rural America. To my surprise, Union County, South Dakota is in second place! For those of you who have never been to South Dakota, Union County is located in the southeast corner of the state, bordering Iowa. The county seat is Elk Point. The nearest large cities are Sioux Falls and Yankton, South Dakota and Sioux City, Iowa. Click here for some great photos of the area. Go South Dakota!
Children Learn What YOU Live
I wrote this short article for the October issue of The Courier, the CHOOSE CT homeschooling newsletter.
Give liberally and be ungrudging when you do so, for on this account the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake. Since there will never cease to be some in need on the earth, I therefore command you.. "Open your hand to the poor and needy neighbor in your land." --- Deuteronomy 15:10-11 NRSV
Recently, I read an article from Home Education Magazine entitled “Getting the Support You Need Without a Formal Support Group” where the author stated that she eschews support group membership for several reasons, most of which I considered selfish, but that is beside the point. The article made me consider why I belong to a support group. While I could probably give multiple reasons, due to space considerations, I will discuss only one: children learn what YOU live.After visiting Janet's Planet this morning, I would like to share a verse with you that she added to the end of a recent post:
Demographers increasingly tell us that our culture is becoming more connected via the Internet, yet more disconnected on a face-to-face basis. Certain segments of our society are requiring more social services (the delivery of which often depends on volunteers), yet membership in volunteer organizations is plummeting. We are told that life in America is changing at breakneck speed, yet our ability to cope with such change is declining. We are lonelier, needier, and more stressed-out than ever.
As parents who are building the next generation of grown-ups, how do we combat loneliness, neediness and stress? We need to demonstrate, or LIVE, the needed skills now:
- Love your neighbor as yourself: spend time with real people, some of whom may be hand-selected friends and some of whom may be in need of friendship. Work at creating and maintaining a broad-based social support system. It is difficult to love your neighbor if you never see him, and it is difficult to be lonely if you stay connected. A support group provides this connection.
- Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you: it is so efficient to write a check when help is needed, but actually contributing your time and talents is so much more rewarding, and it addresses both loneliness and neediness. You are physically present to love your neighbor, and you are meeting his needs through your service. It is difficult to serve others if you never extend yourself in service. A support group provides the opportunity to serve and to be served (if necessary).
- Be anxious for nothing: it is so easy to stress in our culture. The media constantly bombards us with images and advice (mine included) that create expectations of how we should look, what we should accomplish, and how we should behave. It is all just too much! So, what to do? Look to the Lord for your expectations. Discuss it with Him in prayer. Seek counsel from other believers. And, let your kids see you do it! A support group provides such counsel and prayer opportunities.
Be a joiner! Let your kids see you contribute, not just in your church but in your community as well. Let the Lord set your standards and take everything to Him in prayer. God bless.
Give liberally and be ungrudging when you do so, for on this account the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake. Since there will never cease to be some in need on the earth, I therefore command you.. "Open your hand to the poor and needy neighbor in your land." --- Deuteronomy 15:10-11 NRSV
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
I Want to Be This Woman!
This morning, my hometown newspaper, the Fairmont Sentinel (MN), carried this article about a 98-year-old woman who still volunteers at a community meal program. She does it to keep busy. She also walks around her housing development, Friendship Village, every day, a distance that could add up to a couple of miles (I know because my aunt used to live there). I want to be this woman, alive and embracing life even at an advanced age!
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