September is upon us- another summer just about gone. Boy, I remember when I was little, summer was such a gift-3 long months to indulge in sleeping in, staying up late and endless trips to the pool and library. I do think my kids enjoy the summer time they have, but I realized that our summer is quite like the rest of the year. Since we do summer school- a lighter version of regular school- there is little escape from school. Trips to the library continue all year around and pool time morphs into snow play (it's all water). But, there are a few things I think we are anxious to wave goodbye to that come with summer. . .
Bug bites. There are times in the summer where my kids look like they have chicken pox due to the multiple bites they've incurred. I can't help but wonder why it is we never feel these little pests until after their duty is done. If we were bombarded by a herd of elephants- not a doubt we'd feel it. If we were overrun by a pack of dogs, we'd run like a bunch of scared girls-screams included! If we happened to run across an army of frogs, there would be more screaming than before- and that would be from just me. A swarm of bees- I trust we would find our legs pumping to escape. Why there is certain times when we can even feel 1 hair out of place on our heads. So, I am absolutely baffled that 20 to 30 mosquitoes can search, swarm and suck on the fruits of our obviously good tasting blood and we don't feel a thing until after they are gone and we are left with more spots than a dot to dot book.
Thank God for hydrocortisone! Dousing this out has become my part time summer job. The pay is terrible and the applications can be worse- bugs have a way of finding obscure body parts to bite! The poor Baby Boy- he must have sweeeet blood. He had so many bites this summer. One in particular was in his underarm and due to his constant attention of scratching, it grew to the size of a small country- well at least to the size of a well defined bicep- too bad he couldn't show that off as a muscle- especially since he has just now come to acceptance of wearing muscle shirts. Jane Austen Wanna be assured him daily that he had a tumor growing there. He would just respond by more scratching.
Happily, we wave goodbye to summer bug bites!
Bruises. I know, this is seriously something that is a year round occurrence. However, my kids are a bit more daring during the summer. I'm sure it has something to do with the freedom in less layers of clothes, barefoot running and fried brain cells due to high summer temperatures. This last summer, The Cute one who Gets Everything Free at Garage Sales, The Boy and The Baby Boy took it upon themselves to learn how to do front flips on the trampoline. I keep looking at the warning sign on the side of the trampoline that shows a stick figure with a neck broke in half. Scary! I don't think I was ever more relieved when the older of the three had "brain block" all of the sudden and couldn't remember how to do it any longer. I put on my best "Awwwww, too bad" face and then danced the "Whooo-Hooo" dance behind their back! And being the baby, The Baby Boy has decided to copy his older siblings and "forget" how to roll on the trampoline too.
Other toys like bikes and skateboards are summer time fun and bring a barrage of scrapes and bang-ups with them. We do like spending time outside playing with the multitude of yard toys, so it is inevitable that in just about 2 days my children have dawned the "knee socks" of brown and purple bruises. The boys wear them proudly and love to capture any one's ear to relate all the stories that earned them their badges, which surprisingly always involves pirates and sharks, not to mention guns and sailing through the air. Have to love the imagination!
The Boy has just learned to ride his bike without training wheels- no easy feat for a 4 year old, but he was majorly determined and encouraged by the older sisters he took off. I can't help but beam when my kids catch on to bike riding, it amazes me that the same child who can't walk across the room without knocking into chairs, couches or other siblings can manage balancing on 2 wheels and glide somewhat smoothly down the driveway. And now the bruise stories can be a bit more thrilling- for as everyone knows, escaping from a shark riding pirate is always more fun on a motorcycle than on foot!
Closing the curtains. Sigh. The sad part of summer ending is the curtains close a bit earlier each night. With the daylight growing shorter, it feels as if we are somehow robbed of time and often we find ourselves wondering where the hours went and we scurry to get everything done. The winter solstice and return of a bit longer light is celebrated like Christmas for us. The moment we are sitting around the supper table and all of the sudden realize we can still clearly see outside is call for a hoopla.
While I'll quote my mother in saying "God made the bugs for a purpose!" I'm happily envisioning Heaven shy of bugs therefore free of bites! Sadly, for boys, the bruises fade, so I'm assuming Heaven full of bruise stories that mirror the fish stories of "the one that got away" - lacking proof to impress. And joyfully I'm banking on my Heavenly mansion with curtains always thrown wide open letting the glory of God shine on my supper table each and every night!
Contentedly surviving myself,
Mary
Monday, August 29, 2011
Friday, August 12, 2011
Loosening the Apron Strings
Can someone tell me the secret to slowing time? I'm pretty sure summer just started, and yet here it is school time again. I do remember some individual days here and there, but maybe they are all jumbled in with the "I'm bored, what can I do?" days and the "It's so hot-I'm melting!" months.
Regardless of the reasons, I'm staring at the front end of September as it is peeking around the corner. (Yes, I am one of the dying breed who waits until after Labor Day to start school. Okay, well not totally- as the Jane Austen Wanna Be, Bookworm and Clown would testify since they started doing some of next year's schoolwork already. But, I really got tired of them having too much time loafing around and couldn't get them to do more housework so I could loaf around!) But, this summer I was wanting to put the brakes on, just a bit. I'm surrendering the Jane Austen Wanna Be to college classes this year. And, I truly am proud like a strutting rooster, but I'm also apprehensive like a mother hen. (By the way, did you ever notice apprehensive has the word "hen" in it? Of course it also has the word "app" in it, which will be what the Jane Austen Wanna Be will be wishing she would have - an app for "reassuring mom that I am doing okay.")
I did have in mind building some neat memories for the family this summer since we are entering a new chapter in life. Somehow between high gas prices and the oldest off to various babysitting jobs, I lost track of time. I didn't even get in a good stay-cation!
Wait, before I start throwing a pity party, I did get a lot of laughs in this summer and since you've hung in reading this far, I'm going to share my latest. Don't stop reading now, it is a cute, little laugh.
As the Jane Austen Wanna Be, Bookworm and I were driving to the gym, we were listening to one of our favorite, okay only, NPR radio shows, Car Talk. This show, Click and Clack were listing the top 5 professions that have the most car wrecks. Our minds were flying trying to see if we could guess the correct answers- and some of them we had correct. The top profession that has car wrecks is students (Who said this is a profession?!? I must have missed many years of paychecks when I was in school!) The number 2 profession is medical doctors (Sure glad the operate better than they drive!) Number 3 is lawyers (insert your own joke here_____________________). Number 5 is real estate agents- makes sense- eyes on the houses, not the road.
Yes, I know, I skipped number 4- here is where the joke on me comes in. I mentioned in the last blog how the sense of hearing has been slipping- and hitting 45, I mean 40, is probably not going to help this. Anyway, the 4th profession for having the most accidents is "Unknown." Yet, deaf me hears "A Gnome." As I swerve to avoid the ditch, due to my laughing and wondering "Gnomes?!? - of course they would have car accidents- can't see over the steering wheel!" My kids, suddenly aware of the importance of seat belts, inform me of the real category- which, by they way is not, N-O-T as funny as gnomes!
How does this tie into apron strings? We'll I'm unloosing the Jane Austen Wanna Be to make the drive to the community college (60 miles round trip) all by herself. You parents know- it's not the child you don't trust, it's everyone else's driving that concerns you! No, really, she'll be fine; I've already made sure she knows the route and have sent her on various errands with guinea pig siblings to get the new driver impulses under her belt. BUT, it is really about me coming to accept that my baby is growing up. And I'm not sure how it slipped by me so quickly. Was it the endless days of changing diapers to tying shoes to glasses, to braces, to schooling, schooling, schooling. . . ? Sigh.
Why didn't someone tell me to just stop more often and forget about what I thought was so pressing and important to finish and just enjoy? Pause time? Breathe it all in? Hold it in my heart?
Believe me, experiencing these feelings with the oldest one will make me appreciate and enjoy the time I have with the other ones- of course they probably will get tired of Mom giving them a "goofy- I love you look" and they probably won't welcome the bricks I'm going to place on their heads to slow growth- Oh, who said I was going to accept all this easily? But they will know that their mother is treasuring them and thanking God for the blessing He gave me in choosing me to be their mother.
So, the knot in the apron is starting to slip a little. And next week I'll put on my happy face while I send my baby off to school (One thing I LOVE about homeschooling- I was able to put off the separation of the first day of school from age 5 to age 16!!) and then I'll retreat back to the house, go down on my knees and pray that my heavenly Father will protect my child's body, heart, and soul~
Oh, and that He will also keep all the gnomes off the road!!
Painfully Surviving Myself,
Mary
Regardless of the reasons, I'm staring at the front end of September as it is peeking around the corner. (Yes, I am one of the dying breed who waits until after Labor Day to start school. Okay, well not totally- as the Jane Austen Wanna Be, Bookworm and Clown would testify since they started doing some of next year's schoolwork already. But, I really got tired of them having too much time loafing around and couldn't get them to do more housework so I could loaf around!) But, this summer I was wanting to put the brakes on, just a bit. I'm surrendering the Jane Austen Wanna Be to college classes this year. And, I truly am proud like a strutting rooster, but I'm also apprehensive like a mother hen. (By the way, did you ever notice apprehensive has the word "hen" in it? Of course it also has the word "app" in it, which will be what the Jane Austen Wanna Be will be wishing she would have - an app for "reassuring mom that I am doing okay.")
I did have in mind building some neat memories for the family this summer since we are entering a new chapter in life. Somehow between high gas prices and the oldest off to various babysitting jobs, I lost track of time. I didn't even get in a good stay-cation!
Wait, before I start throwing a pity party, I did get a lot of laughs in this summer and since you've hung in reading this far, I'm going to share my latest. Don't stop reading now, it is a cute, little laugh.
As the Jane Austen Wanna Be, Bookworm and I were driving to the gym, we were listening to one of our favorite, okay only, NPR radio shows, Car Talk. This show, Click and Clack were listing the top 5 professions that have the most car wrecks. Our minds were flying trying to see if we could guess the correct answers- and some of them we had correct. The top profession that has car wrecks is students (Who said this is a profession?!? I must have missed many years of paychecks when I was in school!) The number 2 profession is medical doctors (Sure glad the operate better than they drive!) Number 3 is lawyers (insert your own joke here_____________________). Number 5 is real estate agents- makes sense- eyes on the houses, not the road.
Yes, I know, I skipped number 4- here is where the joke on me comes in. I mentioned in the last blog how the sense of hearing has been slipping- and hitting 45, I mean 40, is probably not going to help this. Anyway, the 4th profession for having the most accidents is "Unknown." Yet, deaf me hears "A Gnome." As I swerve to avoid the ditch, due to my laughing and wondering "Gnomes?!? - of course they would have car accidents- can't see over the steering wheel!" My kids, suddenly aware of the importance of seat belts, inform me of the real category- which, by they way is not, N-O-T as funny as gnomes!
How does this tie into apron strings? We'll I'm unloosing the Jane Austen Wanna Be to make the drive to the community college (60 miles round trip) all by herself. You parents know- it's not the child you don't trust, it's everyone else's driving that concerns you! No, really, she'll be fine; I've already made sure she knows the route and have sent her on various errands with guinea pig siblings to get the new driver impulses under her belt. BUT, it is really about me coming to accept that my baby is growing up. And I'm not sure how it slipped by me so quickly. Was it the endless days of changing diapers to tying shoes to glasses, to braces, to schooling, schooling, schooling. . . ? Sigh.
Why didn't someone tell me to just stop more often and forget about what I thought was so pressing and important to finish and just enjoy? Pause time? Breathe it all in? Hold it in my heart?
Believe me, experiencing these feelings with the oldest one will make me appreciate and enjoy the time I have with the other ones- of course they probably will get tired of Mom giving them a "goofy- I love you look" and they probably won't welcome the bricks I'm going to place on their heads to slow growth- Oh, who said I was going to accept all this easily? But they will know that their mother is treasuring them and thanking God for the blessing He gave me in choosing me to be their mother.
So, the knot in the apron is starting to slip a little. And next week I'll put on my happy face while I send my baby off to school (One thing I LOVE about homeschooling- I was able to put off the separation of the first day of school from age 5 to age 16!!) and then I'll retreat back to the house, go down on my knees and pray that my heavenly Father will protect my child's body, heart, and soul~
Oh, and that He will also keep all the gnomes off the road!!
Painfully Surviving Myself,
Mary
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Tech Post
GUEST POST ALERT:
Hi everyone! Jane Austen Wanna-be here. I wanted to share with you gals and guys about some of the technical stuff on the blog.
I'm sitting here enjoying my starbursts (a little treat mom got me for fixing the computer. Did I mention she got me the BIG pack? I work for peanuts...OK, candy.) Hmmmm....what's Mom trying to do? She's just insuring the fact that I'll always have a reason to stick with her on the Supreme 90 exercise program.
Between a broken computer router and the Bookworm's new Nook, I have been playing Geek Squad for the past few days...I'm such a social reject. No offense to readers who are members of the Geek Squad - I love you! I had to have you fix my laptop (that I broke) for free!! (did I mention this incident involved an 8 month old baby! That one wasn't my fault!)
I am watching Mom's visitors on the stat counter go higher and higher - but we are still left with 1 follower...Thank you Mrs. Butcher!! So, here are the steps to become a follower:
1. Under the section "followers" click the tab that says "Join This Site."
2. Sign in with either Google, Yahoo, or Twitter. (or create an account with either of these 3)
Here are the steps to comment:
1. On the end of each post there is a section that says "0 comments."
2. Click that.
3. Type in your comment.
4. Select a account to post your comment as
5. Post your comment.
Here are the steps to subscribe to the blog through your e-mail so that you can get posts sent directly to your e-mail.
1. At the top of the blog there is a section that looks like a search engine.
2. Enter your e-mail.
3. Click the "subscribe" button.
Hope this was helpful! Comment if you like the blog!
Jane Austen Wanna-be.
Hi everyone! Jane Austen Wanna-be here. I wanted to share with you gals and guys about some of the technical stuff on the blog.
I'm sitting here enjoying my starbursts (a little treat mom got me for fixing the computer. Did I mention she got me the BIG pack? I work for peanuts...OK, candy.) Hmmmm....what's Mom trying to do? She's just insuring the fact that I'll always have a reason to stick with her on the Supreme 90 exercise program.
Between a broken computer router and the Bookworm's new Nook, I have been playing Geek Squad for the past few days...I'm such a social reject. No offense to readers who are members of the Geek Squad - I love you! I had to have you fix my laptop (that I broke) for free!! (did I mention this incident involved an 8 month old baby! That one wasn't my fault!)
I am watching Mom's visitors on the stat counter go higher and higher - but we are still left with 1 follower...Thank you Mrs. Butcher!! So, here are the steps to become a follower:
1. Under the section "followers" click the tab that says "Join This Site."
2. Sign in with either Google, Yahoo, or Twitter. (or create an account with either of these 3)
Here are the steps to comment:
1. On the end of each post there is a section that says "0 comments."
2. Click that.
3. Type in your comment.
4. Select a account to post your comment as
5. Post your comment.
Here are the steps to subscribe to the blog through your e-mail so that you can get posts sent directly to your e-mail.
1. At the top of the blog there is a section that looks like a search engine.
2. Enter your e-mail.
3. Click the "subscribe" button.
Hope this was helpful! Comment if you like the blog!
Jane Austen Wanna-be.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Happy Birthday to Me!!
Okay, so 40 feels. . . well just like 39. Which means I've been secretly living as a 40 something year old woman for a very long time! I have noticed that my body is starting to feel mid age though- without any major trauma to my body (unless you count carrying 7 children)- I am starting to feel aches and pains that weren't there before. I start most days as an 80 year old woman. This means bent over with back pains. I know, I know they make therapeutic mattresses for that, but I have children to feed at that cost.
It's okay though, my kids just think I'm bending down over them because I'm eager to see their sweet sleeping faces before they get out of bed - shh, don't let them know.
I didn't play football in school- hard to believe, isn't it. Yet, I have recently acquired a "football knee" injury. Since I know it didn't come from football, I'll blame it on all the P90X/Supreme 90 (which, by the way, I'm still plugging through. I haven't got on the scale lately~I really don't want to know that information; I'll hit it when it doesn't feel like a "fat day" ~ that would be for sure and certain on the 37th of any given month ; P ) I'm not going to complain about the knee too much - after witnessing a dear friend get stepped on her knee by a horse, I'm feeling spry and youthful.
I would sing the gray hair woes, but I've seriously joined the "cover it with color" about a year ago. I am so proud of myself for holding out as long as I did!! Although, did you know that the majority of women that color their hair do so for other purposes than covering gray?! I should have guessed that, but I've been too busy looking at my own gray to notice others'.
Wrinkles- aren't Shar Pei dogs cute? Here is the deal, and this is a good one, owners of shar peis have to physically lift each wrinkle and clean the skin folds. At least I'm NOT that bad. . . yet.
I have many saving graces- really I need to resolve to focus on these more often- but one of them is that The Clown is going through a phase where she sees old people as "So cute!" Therefore I'm only improving in here eyes. (Guess I know which one I'll call on to take care of me in the geriatric days!) She is my little Mother Teresa/St. Anthony and I count on her for A LOT, so she'll be up for the task.
That reminds me~memory. It's really is so fun sometimes to rediscover memories- even on a daily basis! My lack of memory is totally solved by the fact that I have 7 kids to remind me of everything.
Hearing- I've always had a bit of hearing loss. This too is source of amusement for my kids. No, they aren't trying to get away with more things, saying that they told me already, they just get a kick out of me repeating what I thought they said. Some of these are a real doosey! I am glad the Lord has blessed me with the ability to entertain my children- even if it is at my own expense! (It's okay, really, I take time to get a laugh on them any chance I can too!)
That reminds me~memory. It's really is so fun- wait a minute!
Okay so, on my 40th birthday, I'm going to share a underused secret. Never admit your age, always go about 5 years older than what you really are. Then, everyone will say, "Wow, you good for a 45 year old. I hope I look that good when I'm that old!!!"
Don't think of it as lying- remember if I told them my age according to how old I felt- I'd be 80 today!
I can find peace in the fact that I am younger than so many others. And if they are still doing well, then so am I! And I can rest assured that to the one that really counts- God- I'm still a baby!
Have a great day- hope you enjoy the beautiful gift of life that God gave you!
Surviving myself at 45,
Mary
P.S. Big birthday wishes to all those friends who happen to have been born on the same day as I was - you sure did pick a great day to be born!
It's okay though, my kids just think I'm bending down over them because I'm eager to see their sweet sleeping faces before they get out of bed - shh, don't let them know.
I didn't play football in school- hard to believe, isn't it. Yet, I have recently acquired a "football knee" injury. Since I know it didn't come from football, I'll blame it on all the P90X/Supreme 90 (which, by the way, I'm still plugging through. I haven't got on the scale lately~I really don't want to know that information; I'll hit it when it doesn't feel like a "fat day" ~ that would be for sure and certain on the 37th of any given month ; P ) I'm not going to complain about the knee too much - after witnessing a dear friend get stepped on her knee by a horse, I'm feeling spry and youthful.
I would sing the gray hair woes, but I've seriously joined the "cover it with color" about a year ago. I am so proud of myself for holding out as long as I did!! Although, did you know that the majority of women that color their hair do so for other purposes than covering gray?! I should have guessed that, but I've been too busy looking at my own gray to notice others'.
Wrinkles- aren't Shar Pei dogs cute? Here is the deal, and this is a good one, owners of shar peis have to physically lift each wrinkle and clean the skin folds. At least I'm NOT that bad. . . yet.
I have many saving graces- really I need to resolve to focus on these more often- but one of them is that The Clown is going through a phase where she sees old people as "So cute!" Therefore I'm only improving in here eyes. (Guess I know which one I'll call on to take care of me in the geriatric days!) She is my little Mother Teresa/St. Anthony and I count on her for A LOT, so she'll be up for the task.
That reminds me~memory. It's really is so fun sometimes to rediscover memories- even on a daily basis! My lack of memory is totally solved by the fact that I have 7 kids to remind me of everything.
Hearing- I've always had a bit of hearing loss. This too is source of amusement for my kids. No, they aren't trying to get away with more things, saying that they told me already, they just get a kick out of me repeating what I thought they said. Some of these are a real doosey! I am glad the Lord has blessed me with the ability to entertain my children- even if it is at my own expense! (It's okay, really, I take time to get a laugh on them any chance I can too!)
That reminds me~memory. It's really is so fun- wait a minute!
Okay so, on my 40th birthday, I'm going to share a underused secret. Never admit your age, always go about 5 years older than what you really are. Then, everyone will say, "Wow, you good for a 45 year old. I hope I look that good when I'm that old!!!"
Don't think of it as lying- remember if I told them my age according to how old I felt- I'd be 80 today!
I can find peace in the fact that I am younger than so many others. And if they are still doing well, then so am I! And I can rest assured that to the one that really counts- God- I'm still a baby!
Have a great day- hope you enjoy the beautiful gift of life that God gave you!
Surviving myself at 45,
Mary
P.S. Big birthday wishes to all those friends who happen to have been born on the same day as I was - you sure did pick a great day to be born!
Friday, July 15, 2011
Creatively Challenged
This is my fuming post - just a heads up to anyone reading, especially those of you readers that exude creativity from your very pores! Don't get me wrong- I love creative people; I just hate when I feel the pressure to try (and for some reason I nearly always think I can do just about every project) and cry (the usual response that comes from theses exploits) to be just like you. So the following is a list, although incomplete- because I'm sure there are more of you creative people just dying to tempt me into trying another project- of those that I hate to love.
My wonderful neighbor and friend. Here is a woman, no- make that WOMAN! Who sews, grows and bakes, all while wearing a smile! She is so encouraging too- which is why I'm sending my kids over constantly so she can rub off on them! Hey, if I can't be creative, I can at least see that my kids can be! Last month I sent the Jane Austen Wanna Be down to her house learn how to make home-made bread from SCRATCH! Okay- I'm talking like grind the wheat scratch. Who does this?? Now, the great thing about this is that I now have a daughter that can make homemade bread that is heavenly- but the downside is that she now knows how untalented her mom is in the baking area- oops! She is the mother of 3 great kids who share her friendly attitude and are a joy to have around- constantly sharing smiles, notes and little gifts (like beautiful flowers from their garden- which I'm completely dumbfounded at how she manages to bring forth from the same ground I can only sprout weeds from.)
My Mother- sorry mom! Isn't there some law that states that the creativity gene parents have gets passed on to the offspring? Wait a minute- if this were true, it could explain a lot of questions about myself and my family. Regardless, I did NOT get any talents that my mother has (or my sisters for that fact!) Not one. She can cook, sew, draw, paint, sing, play piano and guitar and she has a wonderful optimistic attitude too. (Guess where my kids are going this weekend!) Actually, the talent gene did get passed on. . . to my children (the girls at least-verdict is out on the boys and I don't believe my mother has a talent for smashing things and being wild). I am amazed at the extent my children have taken to music. No, they are not bound for Julliard, but they are not only musically inclined, but also confident enough to share their talent with others- as they do regularly at Mass.
And the cooking gene is alive and growing too. Some lucky men- or blessed convents- will get a top notch chef from my girls. I won't let the boys escape this one either- they'll have to face and master the kitchen before leaving the nest.
Lastly-I know, this is a very short list-call it the highlights, just the special people that are constantly in my face with their wonderfulness, Charlotte (aka Waltzing Matilda). This one is that is some what unfair- I don't know her. But, you can click on her blog here: http://tiredtwang.blogspot.com/ (or copy and paste) and witness how beautifully creative she is and in my wildest dreams I couldn't even come close to her wonderfulness. That doesn't mean I didn't try though!
We have a tradition at our house that we decorate the kitchen for each person's birthday. Streamers, balloons, and usually a homemade poster indicating the birthday child's name and new age. Easy
cheesy, but fun. So, the Jane Austen Wanna Be surfs on Charlotte's blog and sees her birthday decorating links and suddenly the pressure is on! I didn't do to bad (see pics.) But I did exhaust at least 6 months worth of creativity! Fortunately this was a two for one- two birthdays on one day (the Jane Austen Wanna Be and the Clown share their birthday- July 7th) so I get double credit!
You know, I can always pawn the decorating job off to the older kids for the next birthday. Oh wait, I already do that : )
I can't go until I mention that the whole creativity gene has extended to my kids in the acting area too. Three times a year they put on a production with friends in what they call "Fun Size Cinema." They always do a great job with what little props and sometimes rehearsal time they have. This last play was a rendition of "Annie." And despite a well worn wig (Who said Annie HAS to have curls?) and performance temperatures running above 100 degrees- they did an awesome job! Oh, and of course it was a musical- with The Jane Austen Wanna Be playing the keyboard.
It is a hard knock life! But at least I can rest knowing that creativity doesn't get me into Heaven (Thank you God!) And hey, I can always look at my lack of creativity as a leg up for my kids- they'll always be able to brag that they can do something or two things- oh forget it tons of things that their mother can't do!
Working to survive myself,
Mary
My wonderful neighbor and friend. Here is a woman, no- make that WOMAN! Who sews, grows and bakes, all while wearing a smile! She is so encouraging too- which is why I'm sending my kids over constantly so she can rub off on them! Hey, if I can't be creative, I can at least see that my kids can be! Last month I sent the Jane Austen Wanna Be down to her house learn how to make home-made bread from SCRATCH! Okay- I'm talking like grind the wheat scratch. Who does this?? Now, the great thing about this is that I now have a daughter that can make homemade bread that is heavenly- but the downside is that she now knows how untalented her mom is in the baking area- oops! She is the mother of 3 great kids who share her friendly attitude and are a joy to have around- constantly sharing smiles, notes and little gifts (like beautiful flowers from their garden- which I'm completely dumbfounded at how she manages to bring forth from the same ground I can only sprout weeds from.)
My Mother- sorry mom! Isn't there some law that states that the creativity gene parents have gets passed on to the offspring? Wait a minute- if this were true, it could explain a lot of questions about myself and my family. Regardless, I did NOT get any talents that my mother has (or my sisters for that fact!) Not one. She can cook, sew, draw, paint, sing, play piano and guitar and she has a wonderful optimistic attitude too. (Guess where my kids are going this weekend!) Actually, the talent gene did get passed on. . . to my children (the girls at least-verdict is out on the boys and I don't believe my mother has a talent for smashing things and being wild). I am amazed at the extent my children have taken to music. No, they are not bound for Julliard, but they are not only musically inclined, but also confident enough to share their talent with others- as they do regularly at Mass.
And the cooking gene is alive and growing too. Some lucky men- or blessed convents- will get a top notch chef from my girls. I won't let the boys escape this one either- they'll have to face and master the kitchen before leaving the nest.
Lastly-I know, this is a very short list-call it the highlights, just the special people that are constantly in my face with their wonderfulness, Charlotte (aka Waltzing Matilda). This one is that is some what unfair- I don't know her. But, you can click on her blog here: http://tiredtwang.blogspot.com/ (or copy and paste) and witness how beautifully creative she is and in my wildest dreams I couldn't even come close to her wonderfulness. That doesn't mean I didn't try though!
We have a tradition at our house that we decorate the kitchen for each person's birthday. Streamers, balloons, and usually a homemade poster indicating the birthday child's name and new age. Easy
cheesy, but fun. So, the Jane Austen Wanna Be surfs on Charlotte's blog and sees her birthday decorating links and suddenly the pressure is on! I didn't do to bad (see pics.) But I did exhaust at least 6 months worth of creativity! Fortunately this was a two for one- two birthdays on one day (the Jane Austen Wanna Be and the Clown share their birthday- July 7th) so I get double credit!
You know, I can always pawn the decorating job off to the older kids for the next birthday. Oh wait, I already do that : )
I can't go until I mention that the whole creativity gene has extended to my kids in the acting area too. Three times a year they put on a production with friends in what they call "Fun Size Cinema." They always do a great job with what little props and sometimes rehearsal time they have. This last play was a rendition of "Annie." And despite a well worn wig (Who said Annie HAS to have curls?) and performance temperatures running above 100 degrees- they did an awesome job! Oh, and of course it was a musical- with The Jane Austen Wanna Be playing the keyboard.
It is a hard knock life! But at least I can rest knowing that creativity doesn't get me into Heaven (Thank you God!) And hey, I can always look at my lack of creativity as a leg up for my kids- they'll always be able to brag that they can do something or two things- oh forget it tons of things that their mother can't do!
Working to survive myself,
Mary
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Field Day or Life Training?
Field day? A chance to gather with friends and family and showcase one's hidden talents of running across a field on three legs, pulling on ropes, and pressing balloons to the popping point between body parts? Or...is field day really life training in disguise for children who will one day hope to succeed as a function adult (especially for those called to motherhood.).
Last week, our wonderful home school group had their yearly field day. It is an event that each of us look forward to. This year, as I watched the events, I was struck by the ironic similarities between the showcased games and life skills. Let's look at some of the games that were played.
First up was soccer. Although I didn't get a chance to witness the older kids (about 10 and up), I did get a chance to enjoy the younger kids play, in what we will term "herd ball." Now, for you who have young children in soccer, you know what I am talking about. This is not a game of skill. It's actually played on two levels. The first level is a group of little kids hovering around a ball as they travel up and down the field in a tight knit circle wearing each other out (which is good, don't get me wrong.). The second level is the coaches, a.k.a., the dads in the case of field day, playing sheep-dogs as they try to keep the herd on the field (this too wears out the dads, which is also OK.). Now, mothers, this I realized is a wonderful opportunity for the fathers to see what is like to be a mother and take two toddlers to the grocery store, trying to exercise crowd control and avoid the coveted goals of candy placed strategically by the store stalkers at kid's eye level.
The next game I witnessed was fire man's relay. This was to be a relay of passing a water filled cup from one end of the line to the other in attempts to fill an empty milk jug. The one twist was the cup was already filled - with holes. What a wonderful life skilled game. Have you ever been to Sonic with seven kids, which generally the three youngest will attempt the cup strength against the red straw. This typically results in leaking slushy. It truly is fire-man's relay to get the cup moved from the back of the car, to the front, and out of the car before it spills all over the inside of the vechile!
It seems the key phrase in exercising right now is "functional exercise." These are exercises that you are to do that mimics day in and out movements. I have never seen a more functional game then no-finger fishing. This one hits home as before I sat down to type, I was cleaning my kitchen floor. And, instead of bending down and picking up the toys as I held the mop and cleaner, I used my toes to tidy up the toys. (I so would have won that game. You wouldn't believe the things my toes can pick up - very functional.)
Next was the three legged race. This was very similar to soccer, except, in real life, your not tied to some. Rather, a toddler is strapped to your leg.
Limbo. I have great admiration for someone who can maintain a center of balance while moving under a bar just inches above their nose. However, there are days when I feel that I too am bent over backwards, trying to maintain balance as the toddler hangs on (see previous paragraph) and the preschooler pulls me from the front. Don't forget that you have to add in all the distractions of the screaming of those who are attempting to gain your attention - now that's balancing act.
Tug of war...I probably don't have to say anything at all. Just envision a mother, a toddler/preschooler, and any coveted object. I could elaborate on this by saying a mental tug of war with older children is just as exhausting.
Balloon relays. What mother doesn't have to, at one point or another, have an armful of fill in the blank (groceries, laundry, etc.) and the the other arm preciously balancing on their hip. I'm not sure which one is more breakable, the balloon or the child. They both bounce about the same and equally loud.
Running with the bulls - I had never heard of this one, but I play it near daily. This one the dads played. They were supposed to be blindfolded, while a rush of kids hurled towards them on two legs in attempts, not to knock them down (although that would have been hilarious) but to escape past them. Really, this is a challenge? How many nights have I manned a darkened hallway, avoiding strategically placed toys in attempts to chase down a half-awake child whose bladder is full and has forgotten where the bathroom is (like I moved it.)
The more I thought about functional games, I realized that there were important ones missing from our field day line-up. Have you ever seen the games were your child inserts shapes into a ball/box? I know this is supposed to teach them their shapes and work on their eye/hand coordination. That's great, but I believe this should be a field day game because what it's really teaching is how to organize a Tupperware drawer. Trying to fit all those Tupperware pieces inside one another and managing to close the door is quite a challenge. Finding the correct lid for each piece is near impossible!
How about this one? Any game that involves your finger and spit? The rules would be simple. It would involve chasing a dirty faced toddler and the winner would be the one who could clean the face without the resources of a washrag or water. Now that's a functional exercise!
All in all, our field day was a success and while we claim not to be socialists, we were all winners. I will look forward to next year's events eagerly. Maybe I'll even be considered as a game advisor...
Barely surviving myself,
Mary
Last week, our wonderful home school group had their yearly field day. It is an event that each of us look forward to. This year, as I watched the events, I was struck by the ironic similarities between the showcased games and life skills. Let's look at some of the games that were played.
First up was soccer. Although I didn't get a chance to witness the older kids (about 10 and up), I did get a chance to enjoy the younger kids play, in what we will term "herd ball." Now, for you who have young children in soccer, you know what I am talking about. This is not a game of skill. It's actually played on two levels. The first level is a group of little kids hovering around a ball as they travel up and down the field in a tight knit circle wearing each other out (which is good, don't get me wrong.). The second level is the coaches, a.k.a., the dads in the case of field day, playing sheep-dogs as they try to keep the herd on the field (this too wears out the dads, which is also OK.). Now, mothers, this I realized is a wonderful opportunity for the fathers to see what is like to be a mother and take two toddlers to the grocery store, trying to exercise crowd control and avoid the coveted goals of candy placed strategically by the store stalkers at kid's eye level.
The next game I witnessed was fire man's relay. This was to be a relay of passing a water filled cup from one end of the line to the other in attempts to fill an empty milk jug. The one twist was the cup was already filled - with holes. What a wonderful life skilled game. Have you ever been to Sonic with seven kids, which generally the three youngest will attempt the cup strength against the red straw. This typically results in leaking slushy. It truly is fire-man's relay to get the cup moved from the back of the car, to the front, and out of the car before it spills all over the inside of the vechile!
It seems the key phrase in exercising right now is "functional exercise." These are exercises that you are to do that mimics day in and out movements. I have never seen a more functional game then no-finger fishing. This one hits home as before I sat down to type, I was cleaning my kitchen floor. And, instead of bending down and picking up the toys as I held the mop and cleaner, I used my toes to tidy up the toys. (I so would have won that game. You wouldn't believe the things my toes can pick up - very functional.)
Next was the three legged race. This was very similar to soccer, except, in real life, your not tied to some. Rather, a toddler is strapped to your leg.
Limbo. I have great admiration for someone who can maintain a center of balance while moving under a bar just inches above their nose. However, there are days when I feel that I too am bent over backwards, trying to maintain balance as the toddler hangs on (see previous paragraph) and the preschooler pulls me from the front. Don't forget that you have to add in all the distractions of the screaming of those who are attempting to gain your attention - now that's balancing act.
Tug of war...I probably don't have to say anything at all. Just envision a mother, a toddler/preschooler, and any coveted object. I could elaborate on this by saying a mental tug of war with older children is just as exhausting.
Balloon relays. What mother doesn't have to, at one point or another, have an armful of fill in the blank (groceries, laundry, etc.) and the the other arm preciously balancing on their hip. I'm not sure which one is more breakable, the balloon or the child. They both bounce about the same and equally loud.
Running with the bulls - I had never heard of this one, but I play it near daily. This one the dads played. They were supposed to be blindfolded, while a rush of kids hurled towards them on two legs in attempts, not to knock them down (although that would have been hilarious) but to escape past them. Really, this is a challenge? How many nights have I manned a darkened hallway, avoiding strategically placed toys in attempts to chase down a half-awake child whose bladder is full and has forgotten where the bathroom is (like I moved it.)
The more I thought about functional games, I realized that there were important ones missing from our field day line-up. Have you ever seen the games were your child inserts shapes into a ball/box? I know this is supposed to teach them their shapes and work on their eye/hand coordination. That's great, but I believe this should be a field day game because what it's really teaching is how to organize a Tupperware drawer. Trying to fit all those Tupperware pieces inside one another and managing to close the door is quite a challenge. Finding the correct lid for each piece is near impossible!
How about this one? Any game that involves your finger and spit? The rules would be simple. It would involve chasing a dirty faced toddler and the winner would be the one who could clean the face without the resources of a washrag or water. Now that's a functional exercise!
All in all, our field day was a success and while we claim not to be socialists, we were all winners. I will look forward to next year's events eagerly. Maybe I'll even be considered as a game advisor...
Barely surviving myself,
Mary
Thursday, June 16, 2011
X Factor
So as I am getting closer to my 40th birthday, 45 days and counting, I decided to step out and change up my exercise routine. Always jumping on the latest bandwagon (if all your friends jump off a cliff....) I've decided EXTREME - as in P90X. Beings that I am to cheap to actually purchase it, I was excited to find out that my local library carried it and I could check it out.
But, since you can only check it out for 3 weeks, I had two of my daughters check it out as well in succession after me, thinking "Hey, 60 days is good!" Never in my wildest dreams that all three requests would be filled within days of each other. There goes the library, always coming through to ruin my plans.
Declining to holds on the DVD's, the Jane Austen Wanna-be and I commited ourselves as we carried the big plastic package under our arm, out the library, ready to go.
For those of you who might be interested in this program, all I can say is make sure you have a committed partner and it really helps to have another participant who sits on the couch and makes fun of the video participants, onscreen and off. Exercising is so much more enjoyable when your out of breathe because your laughing.
I function well with routine. That being said, after 2 weeks of P90X, the Xtreme workout, I was looking for a change in routine. While at the same time, glad I didn't purchase it, because then I really wouldn't have any change. Have you seen how much this thing costs? $120!
I was absolutly thrilled when Jane Austen Wanna-be found a similar workout that got 5 star reviews - Supreme90Day. Beings that it would only be 20% of the cost, I thought, "Why not give it a try?" This is just the change I was looking for in my life! I am now in day 4 of Supreme90Day and all I can say is: SUPREME ROCKS EXTREME!Isn't that true for everything?.....
-Supreme pizza
- The Supremes
- Supreme Court - highest in the land
Wait a minute...maybe I'm getting ahead of myself. I do have to give credit to P90X, after all, I actually lost 4 found in my three weeks of Xtreme-ing.
But, putting in an hour a day was so monotonous, so tiring, so not what I wanted to do. SUPREME90DAY appears to be averaging about a 30 minute workout. This I can do. The only downfall is that I only get a 1/2 hour of laugh time from the clown on the couch. Guess she'll get a workout trying to get 60 minutes of laugh time packed into a 30 minute workout. This workout may be more challening for her than me! No, we are talking about the clown...she can do it.
Back to extreme things. Extreme couponing. What can I say? These people sure do not spend their time doing Extreme workouts. This concept is a full time job. Have I tried it? No. Not with 7 kids. Probably not with 5 kids. Heck, not even with 2 kids. With one kid? Only if the one kid does it for me. I have realesed the Jane Austen Wanna-be with limited resources and restrictions to go for extreme couponing. It seems that she has this inate desire to see how much money she can save. Sadly, I'm not getting thousands dollars of groceries for $5....yet. But, she has managed to save $40 and her goal each month is top the last savings amount. Before you have visions of her dumpster diving for coupons, attending coupon parties, or knocking at the door of the local newspaper offices, begging for their extra prints, (although if she has some extra time, I might consider letting her - nix that, extra time needs to be spent cleaning her room) she only coupons off my grocery list. I really don't need 8 bottles of mustard. I don't care if they are only $0.02 a piece. Hey, aside from the $40 she has saved, I have the benefit of being able to identify were the wonderful deals were - yes, were. For all those of you who have seen empty sale shelves, you can bet that a couponer has beat you to it.
For those of you who follow it, Jane Austen Wanna-Be that today is the last episode of TLC's Exteme Couponing. I haven't seen it (we don't have cable). Will the world survive? Or have we been inspired enough to go for the perfect deal (ie. $0.27 salad dressing) in order to fill every space, crack, and crevice with our stockpile of finds. By the way, if the world ends tomorrow, don't come searching my pantry. I only have enough salad dressing for about 5 salads.
So, let's not end this post totally bashing Extreme things. Wouldn't my world be wonderful if I had children who were extreme house cleaners? Or, for that matter, or even my husband as an extreme cleaner? This would be a good extreme! Maybe extreme students - those that win Nobel Peace Prizes before they graduate from highschool. You know, I believe I would just enjoy extremely nice attitudes for more than two minutes straight - which, by the way only happens if there is candy promised after a two minute period of niceness. (sigh.)
It's a good thing the Lord is extremely in love with me. He is the one EXTREME who is SUPREME.
Surviving myself, Mary. (how do you like my new sign off - I have to credit a college friend for this one.)
But, since you can only check it out for 3 weeks, I had two of my daughters check it out as well in succession after me, thinking "Hey, 60 days is good!" Never in my wildest dreams that all three requests would be filled within days of each other. There goes the library, always coming through to ruin my plans.
Declining to holds on the DVD's, the Jane Austen Wanna-be and I commited ourselves as we carried the big plastic package under our arm, out the library, ready to go.
For those of you who might be interested in this program, all I can say is make sure you have a committed partner and it really helps to have another participant who sits on the couch and makes fun of the video participants, onscreen and off. Exercising is so much more enjoyable when your out of breathe because your laughing.
I function well with routine. That being said, after 2 weeks of P90X, the Xtreme workout, I was looking for a change in routine. While at the same time, glad I didn't purchase it, because then I really wouldn't have any change. Have you seen how much this thing costs? $120!
I was absolutly thrilled when Jane Austen Wanna-be found a similar workout that got 5 star reviews - Supreme90Day. Beings that it would only be 20% of the cost, I thought, "Why not give it a try?" This is just the change I was looking for in my life! I am now in day 4 of Supreme90Day and all I can say is: SUPREME ROCKS EXTREME!Isn't that true for everything?.....
-Supreme pizza
- The Supremes
- Supreme Court - highest in the land
Wait a minute...maybe I'm getting ahead of myself. I do have to give credit to P90X, after all, I actually lost 4 found in my three weeks of Xtreme-ing.
But, putting in an hour a day was so monotonous, so tiring, so not what I wanted to do. SUPREME90DAY appears to be averaging about a 30 minute workout. This I can do. The only downfall is that I only get a 1/2 hour of laugh time from the clown on the couch. Guess she'll get a workout trying to get 60 minutes of laugh time packed into a 30 minute workout. This workout may be more challening for her than me! No, we are talking about the clown...she can do it.
Back to extreme things. Extreme couponing. What can I say? These people sure do not spend their time doing Extreme workouts. This concept is a full time job. Have I tried it? No. Not with 7 kids. Probably not with 5 kids. Heck, not even with 2 kids. With one kid? Only if the one kid does it for me. I have realesed the Jane Austen Wanna-be with limited resources and restrictions to go for extreme couponing. It seems that she has this inate desire to see how much money she can save. Sadly, I'm not getting thousands dollars of groceries for $5....yet. But, she has managed to save $40 and her goal each month is top the last savings amount. Before you have visions of her dumpster diving for coupons, attending coupon parties, or knocking at the door of the local newspaper offices, begging for their extra prints, (although if she has some extra time, I might consider letting her - nix that, extra time needs to be spent cleaning her room) she only coupons off my grocery list. I really don't need 8 bottles of mustard. I don't care if they are only $0.02 a piece. Hey, aside from the $40 she has saved, I have the benefit of being able to identify were the wonderful deals were - yes, were. For all those of you who have seen empty sale shelves, you can bet that a couponer has beat you to it.
For those of you who follow it, Jane Austen Wanna-Be that today is the last episode of TLC's Exteme Couponing. I haven't seen it (we don't have cable). Will the world survive? Or have we been inspired enough to go for the perfect deal (ie. $0.27 salad dressing) in order to fill every space, crack, and crevice with our stockpile of finds. By the way, if the world ends tomorrow, don't come searching my pantry. I only have enough salad dressing for about 5 salads.
So, let's not end this post totally bashing Extreme things. Wouldn't my world be wonderful if I had children who were extreme house cleaners? Or, for that matter, or even my husband as an extreme cleaner? This would be a good extreme! Maybe extreme students - those that win Nobel Peace Prizes before they graduate from highschool. You know, I believe I would just enjoy extremely nice attitudes for more than two minutes straight - which, by the way only happens if there is candy promised after a two minute period of niceness. (sigh.)
It's a good thing the Lord is extremely in love with me. He is the one EXTREME who is SUPREME.
Surviving myself, Mary. (how do you like my new sign off - I have to credit a college friend for this one.)
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