Life is rich! Be brave enough to seek the richness, the reflection of God in His creation, to step off the merry-go-round more often. Keep your eyes open.
While jumping through the hoops may be necessary sometimes, it is not The Main Thing.
Too many miss this.
To this I add a recommendation that you visit our son-in-law's blog for a glimpse of that which I am speaking.
Javamom
Showing posts with label life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label life. Show all posts
05 June, 2011
05 July, 2010
Best laid plans
We always hold our plans loosely so that we are not thrown off or so disappointed when things 'happen' to thwart those plans. We've had the excitement of a burned-out car, hubby wrecking his knee and going in for surgery, and yesterday, our only daughter was hit by a car (while commuting by bicycle) on her way to work. She lives out of state, so she called me up today [which is actually July 13] and gave me the skinny. I might post her pictures later, but I don't want to put her on the spot. She has her own life now, with her sweet Hubby. We never stop being a parent, though.
So to say we've had an exciting summer of surprises would be an understatement.
On Father's Day, our 17 yo son experienced his father's car catching on fire while he (ds) was driving it home from church. We are so very fortunate to continue to acknowledge how blessed we all are that he was not hurt in the incident. All he lost was his ipod and hubby's music cd's. Everything melted and burned away, including the seats! The only inaminate objects that survived were some tools and our really awesome camping/sleeping bags that were in the trunk. The fire department made it just in time to put out the flames before they hit the completely-full gas tank. Kudos to them.
He was pretty close to home, and some of our friends could see the dark smoke filling the sky.
~ Weekly sauna treatments, while I organize little bits of the attic at a time. Hey, it is healthy, and FREE.
I think I am looking forward to a mini-vacation with my Sweet Hubster to New Mexico soon.
So to say we've had an exciting summer of surprises would be an understatement.
On Father's Day, our 17 yo son experienced his father's car catching on fire while he (ds) was driving it home from church. We are so very fortunate to continue to acknowledge how blessed we all are that he was not hurt in the incident. All he lost was his ipod and hubby's music cd's. Everything melted and burned away, including the seats! The only inaminate objects that survived were some tools and our really awesome camping/sleeping bags that were in the trunk. The fire department made it just in time to put out the flames before they hit the completely-full gas tank. Kudos to them.
He was pretty close to home, and some of our friends could see the dark smoke filling the sky.
The next day, which was also my 46th birthday, Hubby found a good, used car to replace it, and it is economical and cute. It was a very good deal for our budget, and a good commuter car for hubby. It will be weird having a car payment again, though, since both of our cars have been paid off for a long time.
Right around that same time, Hubby messed up his knee overdoing it on some major yardwork for his Dad. He got in to see a surgeon, had and MRI and consult, then surgery. He is reuperating slowly, but progressively. He does much better when he stays off his leg and keep it propped up high. He is getting better each day, though he relapsed yesterday from too much work with me on our bathroom repairs.
The surgery stopped our front bathroom tile replacement (from termite and water damage) cold in its tracks, though we are almost done! Just need to touch up some grout spots, seal the grout, and call it finished and good.
This also threw off my planning, bookbinding, and writing schedules, and removed the possibility of speaking to a group of Moms and Dads that are new to homeschooling. It is just not the season for hardly any of those speaking events these past few years. I am okay with that, as long as I still have some opportunities to be with my friends, share and glean ideas together from time to time.
I decided to cancel participating in a solar car race as a judge this year. I've so much to catch up on here at home, so I'm not too disappointed. It will be a good father-son trip without me there to change the dynamic. I will get to have my own mother-son bonding with the big, strong, 17 yo son still at home. Maybe we'll have all his friends over and have a party and some football in the backyard.
But for now, it's back to work on:
~ getting the laundry room organized
~ Getting Spanish lesson plans re-organized (they are already written) for fall classes. Toss old materials that can't re use. Continue to esearch products, update wish lists. Organize resources for first lessons.
~ Weekly sauna treatments, while I organize little bits of the attic at a time. Hey, it is healthy, and FREE.
~ Work in bookbinding studio (restoration of old books and bookbinding is my part-time work).
~ read and research any new needed techniques or products in bookbinding and Spanish, or even things for Charlotte Mason Bookclub~ work a little bit on Fall syllabi in multiple classes
~Weed that garden!
:::sigh::: Pretty boring, right? I am very content, though. And blessed.
There are always going to be things to do, and rest assured that I am good at working in my own fun and free reading time. I just need to keep re-focusing my *work* efforts every day.
I think I am looking forward to a mini-vacation with my Sweet Hubster to New Mexico soon.
Javamom
27 August, 2008
The problem I have with modern marketing
Perception changes reality. If marketers ~ even Christian marketers ~ can change our perception of things, then they might have us hooked. I'm not talking about true needs, here, just perceived needs. I am so sick of deceptive marketing, but really with marketing in general. I know that the workmen and women are worthy of their wages, but truly, do we need so many workmen in one area? The writers that I love to read (or have time to read) have resources through their blogs or they are simply friends with whom I converse. That is more like it was in my Mother's and Grandmothers' day. Maybe folks weren't always right, but then neither are they always right now, even if they have written books and articles! Remember, facts, theories, technology, and opinions keep changing.
I have to be careful not to throw out the good things with the hype, so I have to pray for wisdom (always). I'm also tired of the latest greatest "Prayer Bear" or "Journal" other marketing scheme. Who, pray tell, will be the best-selling Christian author next decade, 'cause (if I were a betting woman) I'd bet that it won't be the same as this decade's author. So that author better get his share while the getting is good! That is the story of marketing! I apologize if I seem a little zealous. It's not inherently evil to be a best-selling author, or have a similar "high-profile" job...talk-show host, "Life Coach," actor, singer, what-have-you.
Now I have to admit that thanks to marketing and demand, classic "Oldie-but-goodies" have come back around or always been available. Thanks to demand, homeschool materials are much more readily available, but to me there are TOO MANY out there now, competing for our God-given AND hard-earned dollar. We have to be so much more shrewd and careful, and guard our time and dollars. It is such a struggle sometimes. I choose to shut most of it out and off, because the fruit of the struggle is not good fruit.
But something to consider in a future post is the "timelessness" of a classic...be it a book, author, work of art, music, etc. Think classic and save money. LOL.
If hubby and I have a need, then we research it a bit and try to spend our time and money wisely. We have not always done so. We've made some bad or expensive choices over the years, but we try to stay the course even when we fail. We have found treasures for pennies on the dollar much more often than not.
Perception changes reality.
1) The perceived "need" for newer, bigger, faster, brighter...better?
2) The perceived illusion that what you already have is not good enough, even if it is not broken or torn.
3) The illusion...YES sometimes it is indeed an illusion...that we need to be more "up-to-date" (relevant?) to keep up and compete with others (happens in homes, homeschooling circles, and churches, yikes!). If we stay on that merry-g0-round, what we have will only be good enough for a week, a month, or a year. In fact, with more and more which we have to choose from, it seems to speed up the merry-go-round faster and faster. We may find that we are hanging on for dear life to keep up, or that we eventually get "flung off" from the centrifugal force anyway! So what have we gained? What have we harmed in the process?
On the other hand, sticking with something ONLY because "that's the way it has always been done" is not the right motivation or the best mode of operation. That is the opposite extreme. I am really talking about the need for balance, here. But even thinking that through, simplicity is not found in the middle at all! So maybe balance is not necessarily in the middle. Of greater import is the richness, depth, and weight that living a simpler life can offer.
Are we not smart enough to just keep it simple?
Meditate on that for a minute.
There are too many voices, e-mails, styles, opinions, and etcetera, to count!! My head aches over them and how much time they can steal from us. Most of these things are subjective things. WE do not really need them at all to live well and even succeed. It is up to each of us to be led toward how much we can or should handle.
What do we really need to survive? We learned it in grade school...say it with me:
~ Water
~ Food
~ Shelter (okay, I'm including clothing, here-shelters our bodies, keeps us warm)
What does our soul need to survive and thrive?
~ Jesus - aka Living Water
~ God's word - food for the soul
~ Shelter - home and (church) community
Pretty simple. Why do we complicate it, so? Why do we fall prey to the extremes that marketing has to offer?
Say "no" to the not-so-merry, merry-go-round!
I encourage us all to take a step or two toward living more simply. It will save money, draw us nearer to our God, our Saviour, our family, and friends, provide us with a little more time to enjoy the beauty God created around us, help us to afford being creative and hospitable to others, and return some peace to our lives.
With His Love and freely given,
Javamom
A caveat: please understand that I am not saying that buying new, cool things is bad or sinful, in and of themselves. For example the Hubster, Dread-Pirate Sparsebeard, just snatched up a steal-of-a-deal on and end-of-summer clearance on a grill. We have never owned our own propane grill. In 23+ years of marriage, we have gone without or used a small charcoal grill.
Grilling out saves us money in the summer, because our home is all-electric.
I have to be careful not to throw out the good things with the hype, so I have to pray for wisdom (always). I'm also tired of the latest greatest "Prayer Bear" or "Journal" other marketing scheme. Who, pray tell, will be the best-selling Christian author next decade, 'cause (if I were a betting woman) I'd bet that it won't be the same as this decade's author. So that author better get his share while the getting is good! That is the story of marketing! I apologize if I seem a little zealous. It's not inherently evil to be a best-selling author, or have a similar "high-profile" job...talk-show host, "Life Coach," actor, singer, what-have-you.
Now I have to admit that thanks to marketing and demand, classic "Oldie-but-goodies" have come back around or always been available. Thanks to demand, homeschool materials are much more readily available, but to me there are TOO MANY out there now, competing for our God-given AND hard-earned dollar. We have to be so much more shrewd and careful, and guard our time and dollars. It is such a struggle sometimes. I choose to shut most of it out and off, because the fruit of the struggle is not good fruit.
But something to consider in a future post is the "timelessness" of a classic...be it a book, author, work of art, music, etc. Think classic and save money. LOL.
If hubby and I have a need, then we research it a bit and try to spend our time and money wisely. We have not always done so. We've made some bad or expensive choices over the years, but we try to stay the course even when we fail. We have found treasures for pennies on the dollar much more often than not.
Perception changes reality.
1) The perceived "need" for newer, bigger, faster, brighter...better?
2) The perceived illusion that what you already have is not good enough, even if it is not broken or torn.
3) The illusion...YES sometimes it is indeed an illusion...that we need to be more "up-to-date" (relevant?) to keep up and compete with others (happens in homes, homeschooling circles, and churches, yikes!). If we stay on that merry-g0-round, what we have will only be good enough for a week, a month, or a year. In fact, with more and more which we have to choose from, it seems to speed up the merry-go-round faster and faster. We may find that we are hanging on for dear life to keep up, or that we eventually get "flung off" from the centrifugal force anyway! So what have we gained? What have we harmed in the process?
On the other hand, sticking with something ONLY because "that's the way it has always been done" is not the right motivation or the best mode of operation. That is the opposite extreme. I am really talking about the need for balance, here. But even thinking that through, simplicity is not found in the middle at all! So maybe balance is not necessarily in the middle. Of greater import is the richness, depth, and weight that living a simpler life can offer.
Are we not smart enough to just keep it simple?
Meditate on that for a minute.
There are too many voices, e-mails, styles, opinions, and etcetera, to count!! My head aches over them and how much time they can steal from us. Most of these things are subjective things. WE do not really need them at all to live well and even succeed. It is up to each of us to be led toward how much we can or should handle.
What do we really need to survive? We learned it in grade school...say it with me:
~ Water
~ Food
~ Shelter (okay, I'm including clothing, here-shelters our bodies, keeps us warm)
What does our soul need to survive and thrive?
~ Jesus - aka Living Water
~ God's word - food for the soul
~ Shelter - home and (church) community
Pretty simple. Why do we complicate it, so? Why do we fall prey to the extremes that marketing has to offer?
Say "no" to the not-so-merry, merry-go-round!
I encourage us all to take a step or two toward living more simply. It will save money, draw us nearer to our God, our Saviour, our family, and friends, provide us with a little more time to enjoy the beauty God created around us, help us to afford being creative and hospitable to others, and return some peace to our lives.
With His Love and freely given,
Javamom
A caveat: please understand that I am not saying that buying new, cool things is bad or sinful, in and of themselves. For example the Hubster, Dread-Pirate Sparsebeard, just snatched up a steal-of-a-deal on and end-of-summer clearance on a grill. We have never owned our own propane grill. In 23+ years of marriage, we have gone without or used a small charcoal grill.
Grilling out saves us money in the summer, because our home is all-electric.
08 June, 2007
uPdaTiOn!
The week flew by while teaching summer school Spanish. I have eleven students, and it's going pretty well, actually. I've had to call two parents already, but all responded well. I've relaxed into the early morning schedule of getting up just before six and leaving for the school by 6:35 with hubby. Most of the students are early, but class technically begins at 8:15 and ends at 12:30. I have some stay later if they are finishing up a test or incomplete homework.
Hubby is recuperating very well, ten days past knee surgery. Still hobbling somewhat, but physical therapy is helping him to become more flexible with less pain once again.
We sent our 16 yo daughter off to California (by plane) tonight for five days with a good friend. They are staying with her brother and his wife and kids.
14 yo son leaves for Senior High camp in Colorado on Sunday. Wish I was going! I will miss not taking a trip this summer. Then again, maybe we will drive over to see family in New Mexico...
I have a lot of paperwork to grade still...4 more sets of student homework (17 pages each?) and 11 tests (ten pages, mostly short, quick exercises). It will take me probably six hours to accomplish all that. I'm going to split it up over the weekend and chip away at it. When the kids ask "Why is there so much homework?" I smile and say, "Because you are covering a schoolyear's worth of Spanish I material in five weeks!"
I truly am enjoying it...why?? I really like Spanish and teaching it helps it stay fresh in my mind and strengthens my skills. It's so easy to get rusty -- more quickly than people realize.
I met a neat lady from Cuba today (been a citizen here for decades, now) that was visiting the school with a retiring teacher. I asked her about Fidel Castro making an appearance in public this week finally...and what may happen when he dies. That was an interesting conversation!! Can't wait to talk to her about immigration issues!
On the practical side of things: I've gotten to bed early so I can still get enough sleep. I am so thankful for this summer teaching opportunity. I never thought I would teach in a classroom setting, but it turns out that I really like it!
Riding to work and working in a classroom next to Sparsebeard has been pretty cool, too!
'Night, friends
Javamom
Hubby is recuperating very well, ten days past knee surgery. Still hobbling somewhat, but physical therapy is helping him to become more flexible with less pain once again.
We sent our 16 yo daughter off to California (by plane) tonight for five days with a good friend. They are staying with her brother and his wife and kids.
14 yo son leaves for Senior High camp in Colorado on Sunday. Wish I was going! I will miss not taking a trip this summer. Then again, maybe we will drive over to see family in New Mexico...
I have a lot of paperwork to grade still...4 more sets of student homework (17 pages each?) and 11 tests (ten pages, mostly short, quick exercises). It will take me probably six hours to accomplish all that. I'm going to split it up over the weekend and chip away at it. When the kids ask "Why is there so much homework?" I smile and say, "Because you are covering a schoolyear's worth of Spanish I material in five weeks!"
I truly am enjoying it...why?? I really like Spanish and teaching it helps it stay fresh in my mind and strengthens my skills. It's so easy to get rusty -- more quickly than people realize.
I met a neat lady from Cuba today (been a citizen here for decades, now) that was visiting the school with a retiring teacher. I asked her about Fidel Castro making an appearance in public this week finally...and what may happen when he dies. That was an interesting conversation!! Can't wait to talk to her about immigration issues!
On the practical side of things: I've gotten to bed early so I can still get enough sleep. I am so thankful for this summer teaching opportunity. I never thought I would teach in a classroom setting, but it turns out that I really like it!
Riding to work and working in a classroom next to Sparsebeard has been pretty cool, too!
'Night, friends
Javamom
01 September, 2006
Hatch Chile Time Again
It's that time of year when Chileheads (like the Dread Pirate Sparsebeard and his buddies) make their way to that "Woodstock for Chileheads," the Hatch Chile Festival. I may post pictures as I find them from our photo files...
Stay tuned!
Just so those of you who aren't sure know: Chile (pictured above in the not-so-clear photo) is a vegetable, and is not to be confused with the dish, chili. Or the country Chile. There is a big difference!! check it out through google under green chile. Learn something new!
also this: From Wikipedia.com:
Chiles: Peppers of the capsicum species. New Mexico chile is a local cultivar of the species or subspecies otherwise represented as jalapeños, Anaheim peppers and many other varieties [READ: Big Jim, Sandia, and Barker]. The large, flavorful New Mexican variety gives the region's cuisine much of its distinctive style. Green chiles are those that are picked unripe; they are fire-roasted, then peeled before further use. Unlike the ultra-mild canned supermarket green chiles, New Mexico green chiles can range from mild to (occasionally) hotter than jalapeños, and come in grades of spiciness at markets that cater to chile afficionados. Red chiles are the ripe form of the same plant (though particular strains are bred for intended use as red or green chile). Generally more piquant than green chiles, they too can be roasted, but are usually dried; they can be added whole, to spice an entire stew, or more often are ground into powder or sometimes flakes. Freshly dried red chiles are sold in string-bound bundles called ristras..."
Aren't you glad you asked.
"Chile, chile burning bright, like a fire in the night..." apologies to Wm. Blake ;-)
14 August, 2006
On the schedule this week
Just to update so as not to seem so daunting (sorry Tootle!! If I'd just returned home from a lovely vacation, I would NOT be ready to have a week like this!)-
Most of these things on the list already have an old idea, outline, or template to follow, so I am not starting from scratch, just updating, deleting, making sure links are updated and still working, change dates on the Spanish syllabus from last year, etc. The new hs curriculum was written with a friend, so we use this time to fellowship, too. It is a recharge!
Hubby is a high school English and Lit teacher, so he wants to see the kids' paperwork, so he can feel like we are on top of their progress. I will make sure I don't need to add something new to our two high schoolers' transcripts, and double check that I put in their grades correctly. Ds just got his official Worldviews class grade recently, even though we already pretty much knew that his average was an A, we weren't sure how it was going to break down among the sections for debate, speech, economics, history, composition, etc.
My book club notes are basically cut and paste from e-texts, and I can define words that need to be delved into more deeply. I love to write and think, and making time for that in my week keeps my aging brain sharp.
My well-check-up was pleasant with a new lady doctor. She has a warm and talkative bedside manner!
I probably won't attend the bookfair (no money till next month) and the kitty cat wants attention twice every day. But that is when I get to relax in a comfy chair, myself!
Most of these things on the list already have an old idea, outline, or template to follow, so I am not starting from scratch, just updating, deleting, making sure links are updated and still working, change dates on the Spanish syllabus from last year, etc. The new hs curriculum was written with a friend, so we use this time to fellowship, too. It is a recharge!
Hubby is a high school English and Lit teacher, so he wants to see the kids' paperwork, so he can feel like we are on top of their progress. I will make sure I don't need to add something new to our two high schoolers' transcripts, and double check that I put in their grades correctly. Ds just got his official Worldviews class grade recently, even though we already pretty much knew that his average was an A, we weren't sure how it was going to break down among the sections for debate, speech, economics, history, composition, etc.
My book club notes are basically cut and paste from e-texts, and I can define words that need to be delved into more deeply. I love to write and think, and making time for that in my week keeps my aging brain sharp.
My well-check-up was pleasant with a new lady doctor. She has a warm and talkative bedside manner!
I probably won't attend the bookfair (no money till next month) and the kitty cat wants attention twice every day. But that is when I get to relax in a comfy chair, myself!
~ pet the cat, who just claimed my seat in order to get some attention
~ update Spanish class syllabus for hs co-op
~ attend homeschool co-op high school teachers' meeting
~ gather new supplies for my two Jr. High and High School classes
~ decide on lesson plans for first ten weeks, figure out what copies need to be made
~ update intro and lesson one of mentoring curriculum that I co-wrote a couple of years ago for new homeschoolers with the co-author
~ visit the doctor for check-up
~ teach one more bookbinding small class
~ fine-tune kids' personal and homeschooling schedules
~ add to our high schoolers' transcripts
~ assign new chores or refine what the kids' already doing
~ celebrate end of summer with a family ice cream party, family prayer time
~ Read Charlotte Mason volume six, Book 2 chapter 1 "Theory Applied" for CM Book Club
~ type up narration notes on Mansfield Park by Jane Austen, chapters 4-6
~ attend homeschool bookfair?? Make list of last few needs
What are my readers' plans this week?
20 June, 2006
On the schedule this week
~Drive the teens to various youth group activities
~Have a friend of birthday son stay over, so he can attend the big birthday party
~Co-host an outdoor water-fun birthday party for our newest teenager and his friend
~Lead CM bookclub at Starbucks (very enjoyable, convicting, enlightening, all at the same time
~Drive the teens to various social get-togethers
~continue decluttering excess stuff, organizing records, bookbinding supplies, rearranging books (need another bookshelf).
~Sweep and mop the floors, vacuum the dust bunnies
~Hand back American Lit. notebooks to my students
~Drive one teen to get applications/meet with prospective bosses
~Happy Birthday to me...somewhere in there!
~Eat grilled salmon for my birthday
~Host a brunch for friends of my teens
~Drive the teens to more youth group commitments
~Meet with one of my best girlfriends for a birthday dinner
~Drive oldest teen to worship practice
~Take 15 yo dd to make cards with friends on Saturday, visit with the moms while there
~Remember to thank the Lord that oldest son (a year and a half later than most kids here, but there were definite reasons for that) will get his driver's license in 2 weeks!
Taximom...
I mean Javamom
~Have a friend of birthday son stay over, so he can attend the big birthday party
~Co-host an outdoor water-fun birthday party for our newest teenager and his friend
~Lead CM bookclub at Starbucks (very enjoyable, convicting, enlightening, all at the same time
~Drive the teens to various social get-togethers
~continue decluttering excess stuff, organizing records, bookbinding supplies, rearranging books (need another bookshelf).
~Sweep and mop the floors, vacuum the dust bunnies
~Hand back American Lit. notebooks to my students
~Drive one teen to get applications/meet with prospective bosses
~Happy Birthday to me...somewhere in there!
~Eat grilled salmon for my birthday
~Host a brunch for friends of my teens
~Drive the teens to more youth group commitments
~Meet with one of my best girlfriends for a birthday dinner
~Drive oldest teen to worship practice
~Take 15 yo dd to make cards with friends on Saturday, visit with the moms while there
~Remember to thank the Lord that oldest son (a year and a half later than most kids here, but there were definite reasons for that) will get his driver's license in 2 weeks!
Taximom...
I mean Javamom
03 May, 2006
Time Flies!
I am finally almost completely free of congestion from my bout with respiratory influenza. Time has indeed gotten ahead of me!
Since my last update, Dd has been to the Christian Homeschool Prom and had a wonderful time. She went with a group of her friends who all reserved a table together. It was also her birthday. What a fun day for her!
I also accomplished hostessesing a sleepover birthday party for our youngest, Androcles, who turned 11 recently. After his party, I ran four boxes of used curriculum and books up to our local homeschool used booksale and made over $200! I have more inquiries coming in for other things that people want to buy but didn't purchase that day. I may reach $250 pretty soon! This is going to be so helpful toward the purchase of more materials, especially for our older dc and the books they are needing for next term.
where free reading is concerned, I just finished Northanger Abbey. I though it wrapped up rather abruptly, for all the interesting character development and dialogue all through 9/10's of the book. I still enjoyed it immensely!
One final commitment in the past weekend was singing for worship team, practice on Thursdays, early to church on Sunday for full run-through, then lead two services.
Since my last update, Dd has been to the Christian Homeschool Prom and had a wonderful time. She went with a group of her friends who all reserved a table together. It was also her birthday. What a fun day for her!
I also accomplished hostessesing a sleepover birthday party for our youngest, Androcles, who turned 11 recently. After his party, I ran four boxes of used curriculum and books up to our local homeschool used booksale and made over $200! I have more inquiries coming in for other things that people want to buy but didn't purchase that day. I may reach $250 pretty soon! This is going to be so helpful toward the purchase of more materials, especially for our older dc and the books they are needing for next term.
where free reading is concerned, I just finished Northanger Abbey. I though it wrapped up rather abruptly, for all the interesting character development and dialogue all through 9/10's of the book. I still enjoyed it immensely!
One final commitment in the past weekend was singing for worship team, practice on Thursdays, early to church on Sunday for full run-through, then lead two services.
13 March, 2006
Spring Break!
Well, not much of a break, really, except a break in timing and routine. Hubby has this week off from teaching, so we take the week off of homeschooling, mostly. Our oldest two teens still have a day of classes each.
I've opened a few windows. Thankfully it cooled off here, so I don't have to turn on the AC in the afternoon, from the heat of the western sun exposure in our house. Spanish radio is playing to keep me moving. The rest of the family are off with Dad, who is doing some woodworking and guitar making. They've taken this opportunity to play on some of the computers at his school.
I'm taking this time to do the stereotypical "Spring Cleaning." Who wants to join me? I've much to do and don't have time to linger over things. I am also having trouble with my right shoulder, and pray that it doesn't slow me down too much. I want to accomplish a lot of decluttering this week!
Let's get going!
I've opened a few windows. Thankfully it cooled off here, so I don't have to turn on the AC in the afternoon, from the heat of the western sun exposure in our house. Spanish radio is playing to keep me moving. The rest of the family are off with Dad, who is doing some woodworking and guitar making. They've taken this opportunity to play on some of the computers at his school.
I'm taking this time to do the stereotypical "Spring Cleaning." Who wants to join me? I've much to do and don't have time to linger over things. I am also having trouble with my right shoulder, and pray that it doesn't slow me down too much. I want to accomplish a lot of decluttering this week!
Let's get going!
08 March, 2006
14 February, 2006
The Nitty Gritty
Parenting is just plain hard sometimes. Parenting is also a huge blessing in which hopefully good and pleasant fruit can be seen and harvested, for whatever we do, fruit *WILL*grow. I have experienced both the "just plumb hard" and the blessing of beautiful fruit today, and I am exhausted. But I thank God for guiding in His wise way...patiently working through the "players" to become better with communication and working THROUGH the hard stuff, instead of running away or quitting.
It can be a scary and intimidating task and journey knowing the gravity of the responsibility that God allows us to mold others, but also allows us to be molded in this process of growing up. We have to allow room for that, too.
God bless us all, as we strive to live with integrity.
Javamom
It can be a scary and intimidating task and journey knowing the gravity of the responsibility that God allows us to mold others, but also allows us to be molded in this process of growing up. We have to allow room for that, too.
God bless us all, as we strive to live with integrity.
Javamom
29 January, 2006
This 'n That
Now that I'm almost completely caught up on grading for my Spanish 1 class, and have gotten my co-op class materials re-organized (and better organized :-) in both Spanish 1 and junior high Spanish for the new term, I am truly enjoying the ride. We had a guest speaker in our class on Friday from Chile - a sweet, 18 yo exchange student. She was very kind and helpful with the students, even though she speaks very little English. It is a good experience for us all to feel the awkwardness, yet strive to meet the challenge of conversing with someone else from another country in their own language!
My clever Andrewcles (11 in April) made a quesadilla and sopapilla for me in his cooking class on Friday. It happened during third period, which is my grading period. I am just up the stairs from the kitchen, so of course, I smelled the aromas of onions and peppers, then of sopapillas, wafting up the stairs into the common area, where I grade my students' lesson for the week. The outcome of this experience is that he now asks to help me in the kitchen at home. Since he is a kinesthetic learner, this has been good for him.
Audobon, our 12 yo son, is also getting a lot from his classes. He doesn't have any PE this time around, which is his only regret. He enjoyed archery last term. He has a couple of more academic classes this time around: a study skills class and a Lord of The Rings (book club-type) class.
Oldest son, AnselAdams, did not join in the co-op with us this year (because his study schedule is already quite involved and full, academically speaking). He did want to come visit the classes last Friday, and meet some of the high schoolers, friends of our daughter. After class, we took some of these friends to Starbucks, where we all sat outside and listened to the boys jam on their guitars. Dd even played a little bit (she tends not to play if she feels "pressured" to perform). Even though it was rainy and chilly, we enjoyed the time to just relax and visit. What *awesome* kids these are that our own kiddos are getting to know. They are commited to God, lead worship at their church (as our oldest two teens do, as well) and seem very solid. This is a neat new season for us as a family. I am very thankful for this blessing in our lives. Driving around a little more, as taxi driver mom, is getting easier. I am growing with it :-D. Around here, we are literally 20-40 minutes from nearly everything and everywhere that's anywhere ;-). We do finally have a grocery store and gas station closer to us, built in the last couple of years. That helps!
I hope, dear readers, that you have a lovely week, and thank the Lord for your blessings. Take time to smell AND ENJOY the coffee! Makes me think of the verse, "Taste and see that the Lord is good; how blessed is the man (woman) who takes refuge in Him." Psalm 34:8
Javamom, who is off to type up a Spanish exercise to e-mail to my "kiddos" in class
My clever Andrewcles (11 in April) made a quesadilla and sopapilla for me in his cooking class on Friday. It happened during third period, which is my grading period. I am just up the stairs from the kitchen, so of course, I smelled the aromas of onions and peppers, then of sopapillas, wafting up the stairs into the common area, where I grade my students' lesson for the week. The outcome of this experience is that he now asks to help me in the kitchen at home. Since he is a kinesthetic learner, this has been good for him.
Audobon, our 12 yo son, is also getting a lot from his classes. He doesn't have any PE this time around, which is his only regret. He enjoyed archery last term. He has a couple of more academic classes this time around: a study skills class and a Lord of The Rings (book club-type) class.
Oldest son, AnselAdams, did not join in the co-op with us this year (because his study schedule is already quite involved and full, academically speaking). He did want to come visit the classes last Friday, and meet some of the high schoolers, friends of our daughter. After class, we took some of these friends to Starbucks, where we all sat outside and listened to the boys jam on their guitars. Dd even played a little bit (she tends not to play if she feels "pressured" to perform). Even though it was rainy and chilly, we enjoyed the time to just relax and visit. What *awesome* kids these are that our own kiddos are getting to know. They are commited to God, lead worship at their church (as our oldest two teens do, as well) and seem very solid. This is a neat new season for us as a family. I am very thankful for this blessing in our lives. Driving around a little more, as taxi driver mom, is getting easier. I am growing with it :-D. Around here, we are literally 20-40 minutes from nearly everything and everywhere that's anywhere ;-). We do finally have a grocery store and gas station closer to us, built in the last couple of years. That helps!
Ansel and DD are both going to accompany me and help me lead worship at a homeschool moms' conference coming up in a couple of weeks. Sadly, our church home also wanted my daughter and I to help lead worship for their ladies' conference on the same day. I'd love to do both! But the hs ladies asked me first.
I hope, dear readers, that you have a lovely week, and thank the Lord for your blessings. Take time to smell AND ENJOY the coffee! Makes me think of the verse, "Taste and see that the Lord is good; how blessed is the man (woman) who takes refuge in Him." Psalm 34:8
Javamom, who is off to type up a Spanish exercise to e-mail to my "kiddos" in class
11 January, 2006
Two Things
I've been tagged by Firefly at Bioluminescence. This is an easy and quick exercise, although not as inspiring or thought provoking as the posts I'd like to write. I admire my blogging friends who are able to write quickly and compose deep or multiple good thoughts on their blogs. I wish I had more time to do so. Someday I'll be more free to do this! (hopefully by April).
2 names you go by:
1. Hönig (by Hubster)
2. Dude-mom (by my teens!)
2 parts of your heritage:
1. English
2. Native American
2 things that scare you:
1. Fire
2. young teens' driving(!)
2 of your everyday essentials
1. Good coffee
2. dental floss
2 things you are wearing right now:
1. tailored but comfortable, red shirt
2. new brown suede and pink moccasin shoes
2 favorite bands or musical artists (at the moment):
1. Coldplay
2. Iron and Wine
2 favorite songs at the moment:
1. Naked as We Came by Iron and Wine
2. Hide and Seek by Imogen Heap
2 truths:
1. God is in control
2. I don't have to be my kids' Holy Spirit
2 of your favorite hobbies:
1. bookbinding and restoration
2. photography
2 things you want really badly:
1. For my children to live Godly, happy, peaceful lives
2. go work again in the Yucatán
2 places you want to go on vacation:
1. Estonia with my niece, who lived there for two and a half years
2. Scotland
2 things you want to do before you die:
1. have a completely organized home!
2. give blessings to my great-grandbabies :-)
2 things you are thinking about now:
1. Grading all the Spanish homework and tests from the holiday break (high school Spanish 1)
2. Taxi driving *AGAIN* across the metro area two or three more times today
2 stores you shop at:
1. Albertson's
2. antique or thrift stores
2 people you would like to complete this meme:
1. Leslie at Abiding
2. Katie CM...and Grace
2 names you go by:
1. Hönig (by Hubster)
2. Dude-mom (by my teens!)
2 parts of your heritage:
1. English
2. Native American
2 things that scare you:
1. Fire
2. young teens' driving(!)
2 of your everyday essentials
1. Good coffee
2. dental floss
2 things you are wearing right now:
1. tailored but comfortable, red shirt
2. new brown suede and pink moccasin shoes
2 favorite bands or musical artists (at the moment):
1. Coldplay
2. Iron and Wine
2 favorite songs at the moment:
1. Naked as We Came by Iron and Wine
2. Hide and Seek by Imogen Heap
2 truths:
1. God is in control
2. I don't have to be my kids' Holy Spirit
2 of your favorite hobbies:
1. bookbinding and restoration
2. photography
2 things you want really badly:
1. For my children to live Godly, happy, peaceful lives
2. go work again in the Yucatán
2 places you want to go on vacation:
1. Estonia with my niece, who lived there for two and a half years
2. Scotland
2 things you want to do before you die:
1. have a completely organized home!
2. give blessings to my great-grandbabies :-)
2 things you are thinking about now:
1. Grading all the Spanish homework and tests from the holiday break (high school Spanish 1)
2. Taxi driving *AGAIN* across the metro area two or three more times today
2 stores you shop at:
1. Albertson's
2. antique or thrift stores
2 people you would like to complete this meme:
1. Leslie at Abiding
2. Katie CM...and Grace
26 December, 2005
First born's Birthday today
Seventeen years ago today...
I was resting comfortably after having our first baby with the help of an awesome midwife. That tiny, sweet little 6 lbs. 13 oz. baby boy has turned out to be 6 feet 2 inches tall (at last measurement). He also sleeps more than he used to! It is hard to believe that he will soon be making his own way in the world.
~sigh~
But, I think he'll do well!
p.s. He still loves guitars :-)
10 December, 2005
Aunt Gail
Today, the Booksncoffeehaus honors the life of Hubby's Aunt Gail. She passed away this Thursday after a brave battle with ovarian cancer.
Her service on Saturday was an interesting contrast between speakers, but the most tender, heart-felt, and intelligent eulogies were given by Uncle Alvin and Hubby's cousin, Derek, an Anglican minister.
With closure, we all watched as her casket was lowered into the ground, and we all got to cast dust into the grave...very moving...
We were then able to go across the lane and visit Hubby's grandmother's grave and put flowers on it with the kids and Hubby's sister. These are important things to do with the younger generation...
Javamom
Her service on Saturday was an interesting contrast between speakers, but the most tender, heart-felt, and intelligent eulogies were given by Uncle Alvin and Hubby's cousin, Derek, an Anglican minister.
With closure, we all watched as her casket was lowered into the ground, and we all got to cast dust into the grave...very moving...
We were then able to go across the lane and visit Hubby's grandmother's grave and put flowers on it with the kids and Hubby's sister. These are important things to do with the younger generation...
Javamom
06 December, 2005
Night Noises Everywhere
...in which certain sounds made their way into my dream about King Kong in the wee hours of the morning.
Oldest son Ansel, soon to be 17, has been working on a project for a certain Science teacher and program related to hubby's school. Certain software programs were not working as he was accustomed to, from his videography experiences with his job this summer for the solar car team and race.
Said teen was up throughout the night editing and waiting (snoozing) patiently over each step of the rendering and movie editing process.
Then I had this dream of the great King Kong...the aforementioned teen had been asleep briefly for only about twenty minutes. Throughout the night, he was trying to be as quiet as possible. Still, I do not sleep well if my children are still up studying or working on a school project.
My dream was an exciting one, very much like the old movie from my childhood. We were in a building, my family, some friends and I, and King Kong was there, too, complete with the building up of intense drum beats (rather like the Irish clog dancing? huh? Oh, I now recognize it as the double timpani action from our evening at the symphony this past weekend listening to Mahler's Symphony #1 in D major ~ snicker, snort). There was this rumbling and growling from Old Kong...the building was going to be brought down by the feared beast! I pleadedwith everyone to leave the building, for it was coming down and we must all run! I struggled to gather everyone, and help lead them out to safety...the beats kept beating and the rumbles kept rumbling. I could not get everyone out of the building, no matter how hard I tried. It was as if they could not hear me...then upon waking, I continued to to hear the rumbling.........which.......turned out to be.............someone's snoring ;-).
It was not my own!
I shall now dub Hubster "King Kong," affectionately.
{huge grin}
Javamom
Oldest son Ansel, soon to be 17, has been working on a project for a certain Science teacher and program related to hubby's school. Certain software programs were not working as he was accustomed to, from his videography experiences with his job this summer for the solar car team and race.
Said teen was up throughout the night editing and waiting (snoozing) patiently over each step of the rendering and movie editing process.
Then I had this dream of the great King Kong...the aforementioned teen had been asleep briefly for only about twenty minutes. Throughout the night, he was trying to be as quiet as possible. Still, I do not sleep well if my children are still up studying or working on a school project.
My dream was an exciting one, very much like the old movie from my childhood. We were in a building, my family, some friends and I, and King Kong was there, too, complete with the building up of intense drum beats (rather like the Irish clog dancing? huh? Oh, I now recognize it as the double timpani action from our evening at the symphony this past weekend listening to Mahler's Symphony #1 in D major ~ snicker, snort). There was this rumbling and growling from Old Kong...the building was going to be brought down by the feared beast! I pleadedwith everyone to leave the building, for it was coming down and we must all run! I struggled to gather everyone, and help lead them out to safety...the beats kept beating and the rumbles kept rumbling. I could not get everyone out of the building, no matter how hard I tried. It was as if they could not hear me...then upon waking, I continued to to hear the rumbling.........which.......turned out to be.............someone's snoring ;-).
It was not my own!
I shall now dub Hubster "King Kong," affectionately.
{huge grin}
Javamom
05 December, 2005
December Doldrums
I was feeling the first blast of December Doldrums yesterday, due in part to my frustration over having to be in a store (Wal-Mart this time) during the crazy time of frenzied shopping weekend for many people. Therefore, I was inundated by some of the more negative sides to this time of year...those things which I try to avoid the whole season through, if possible.
The day began cold, gray, and blustry outside (sans much-needed rain, mind you) and I'd overslept. Since some of the family had to arrive at church early, I would not be ready in time, so I went to second service. I got to sit with a friend and her hubby, who is one of our elders. That was a nice treat, as they've had to travel quite a bit lately, and it was good to see them. At the same time, though, some families have recently stopped going to our church, and therefore it is a little sad not to see them there anymore.
I've shared a bit of background to set up this lovely poem hubby wrote and sent to me today.
Oh Thou Dearest Liebfrau,
When life doth blast thee with cold, dry winds,
And all of your coffee beans worm-eaten,
Then mayest thou remember the love of thy youth,
Who wilt always fetch thee new beans,
For my heart like the sun comes up new in the morning,
And like steam always rises and rises,
For only externals sag down, down, down
In Adam's (gravity's) curse;
In you, sweet love, sweet love, sweet love,
The sun rises and sets in my heart with your smile,
And, pray, let not this cheese distract you from me.
Love,
The Hubs
The day began cold, gray, and blustry outside (sans much-needed rain, mind you) and I'd overslept. Since some of the family had to arrive at church early, I would not be ready in time, so I went to second service. I got to sit with a friend and her hubby, who is one of our elders. That was a nice treat, as they've had to travel quite a bit lately, and it was good to see them. At the same time, though, some families have recently stopped going to our church, and therefore it is a little sad not to see them there anymore.
I've shared a bit of background to set up this lovely poem hubby wrote and sent to me today.
Oh Thou Dearest Liebfrau,
When life doth blast thee with cold, dry winds,
And all of your coffee beans worm-eaten,
Then mayest thou remember the love of thy youth,
Who wilt always fetch thee new beans,
For my heart like the sun comes up new in the morning,
And like steam always rises and rises,
For only externals sag down, down, down
In Adam's (gravity's) curse;
In you, sweet love, sweet love, sweet love,
The sun rises and sets in my heart with your smile,
And, pray, let not this cheese distract you from me.
Love,
The Hubs
He also sent an Emily Jane Bronte quote:
"No coward soul is mine, no trembler in the world's storm-troubled sphere: I see Heaven's glories shine, And Faith shines equal, arming me from Fear."
I think I am a coward when it comes to shopping at Christmas time...even for simple things such as bread or TP! Thank the Lord, I did find it a relief to qualify for the "express" checkout.
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