Who doesn't love wonders? You know a cause of astonishment, amazement- like the Wonders of the World, or Wonder Woman or someone saying "You're so wonderful!" What's not to like about wonders? I even get a tinge of excitement when I hear my kids say "Hey, I wonder. . . " I bend my ear to their thoughts, because it's a sign to me that their wheels are turning and thoughts are cranking out. Love when they become independent, terrific thinkers- especially when they are trying to solve a problem that I cannot piece together myself! (One of the reasons I have so many kids. . . more minds to keep me on track!)
I also love being able to write "Wonderful!" across the top of my childrens' graded papers- as I'm sure they are happy to see it - much better than the "Fix!" or "Do again!"
It's no wonder that a top selling bread is Wonder Bread. With a name like that, what kid couldn't resist it? Of course the wonderful yellow, blue and red circles calling out to the yearning stomachs, promising a mouthful of soft, white tasty goodness. Ahhhh. Okay, maybe I'm a bit obsessed- my Mother rarely bought Wonder Bread- we ate wheat bread (A healthy choice I've carried on, so my own children salivate when as a rare treat I place a loaf in my shopping cart.)
Oh, how about music- that oldie, but goodie, "S' Wonderful. . S' Marvelous. . .that you should care for me. . ."
Or even older~"I Wonder why I Love You Like I do"
My ALL time favorite wonder song though is "What a Wonderful World" - Louis Armstrong. This song brings back memories of high school dances- which in and of themselves were not so wonderful, but it was always the last song played at each dance and just left you ready to leave with a light heart as the lights came on and everyone chimed in to sing the lyrics. Good song!
Movies- no brainier- "Wonderful Life" This movie is such a classic- brought out each Christmas season at our home. Plus, there are so many take offs of this movie- many very, very good, including Shrek Forever (my favorite Shrek).
With all these wonders, are you wondering where I'm going?
It's to the antipodean of everything wonderful about wonder.
Two weekends back I became a wonder in the most loathsome way. I was considered a "medical wonder." Much to the demise of what was supposed to be a family day at a church festival, I spent the day in the E.R. with an extreme pain in my abdomen and a handful of hospital workers scratching their heads and saying "I wonder. . . "
This is not what wonder is supposed to be! Wonder is supposed to be laughter, proud feelings, yummy bread and feel-good music!
Here is what I do wonder about- how come it is so easy to cross that point of embarrassment to the point of lose all caution to the wind when it comes to pain? It must be something about the hospital gown with the slit down the back. It's never going to mean something wonderful is going to happen! Okay, I did don the gown 7 times to give birth- and that is wonderful!- but the modesty grows it's own wings and flies out the window when the gown goes on. And there is no wonder is all the needle pricking, poking, prodding and marvelous contraptions that get hooked up to your body when you suit up in the hospital finery.
And so, after many tests and head scratching, the E.R. doctor, as he is about to release me, says
"I wonder. . . maybe you had a kidney stone."
O great, this probably means more tests- No thanks! He must of read my mind. After all, I wasn't in any pain anymore. In fact, my pain had actually subsided before I was even called out of the E.R. waiting room! Wonderful, huh?!? Maybe it was the pleading look in my eyes that convinced him to release me. Although he wasn't going to confirm anything, he did feel that my tests lead to conclude it was kidney stones. "But be sure to follow up with your primary doctor."
I was not surprised at all when my primary doctor said- "I wonder. . ." Unfortunately, it was not the same wonder as the E.R. doctor- she just wondered what could have happened, because she wasn't convinced that it was kidney stones.
WONDERFUL!
(Sigh!) As I run back to doctor check-ups, enjoy the time "on rest", and continue to wonder, I'm so glad that I am a wonder to our Lord. It's easier to face bad wonders knowing that the All-Wonderful has me right where I am supposed to be!
Attempting to survive myself,
Mary
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
We've searched High and Low!
If there is one thing my family is good at it is looking for things. Notice, I didn't say FINDING things; that is not our forte! We take an opportunity nearly every three weeks to go on a great search- three weeks is amount of days we have before the library books are due. For most people keeping track of library books probably isn't a big deal. What do most normal people check out per library visit? Five, maybe ten books? We are not normal. I have gotten better, but at any given time, we'll check out anywhere from 30 to 50 books, sometimes more. We have an addiction to library books; not that this is a bad thing. I like to spend at least an hour a day reading "picture books" to the younger kids. Just a habit I'd started with the Jane Austen Wanna Be when she was little and continue to enjoy that time together even now.
Turning 5 in our family is a big deal- this is the age when a child gets to get his/her own library card. Of course this also means he/she accepts a bigger chunk of the blame when a book is lost, and that is not so good! To say a frequent calling upon St. Anthony is heard from our home is an understatement. I expect when we reach the pearly gates, each of of us will receive a tongue lashing from the multitude of times St. Anthony had to take a break from praising the Almighty to guide us to where the lost library book rests.
The Clown has earned the nickname of "St. Anthony"- because she is really good at finding lost things. I'm always calling upon her when something has gone astray. She has a good turn around time! This is also why I ask her to find things that I have lost in my mind. So many times I will leave a room, only to stop and holler her name to remind me why I had left the room to began with. She is also good with unwritten shopping lists, telephone numbers and keeping track of sibblings' forgotten punishments. . . hmmmm shouldn't be surprised about that last one.
What is this all leading to? I had a point, but I lost it : ) No, the point is I have been searching for a family hobby that would occupy a minimal amount of time and include all of us- from the 2 year old to the 45 year old (see prior post: "Happy Birthday to Me!"). I had all but given up- especially since we are not really sports oriented, not so musically talented that we could play anything remotely recognizable to any human, and don't possess the patience of Job, nor the wealth of Midas. Yet, about about 2 weeks ago, I stumbled upon an idea (probably under the guidance of St. Anthony) that looked like it was a hobby made just for us.
This activity is called Geocaching. It is also known as Letter Boxing. See the following link: http://www.geocaching.com/seek/nearest.aspx?lat=39.01103&lng=-95.777829&dist=5
This is a hobby where you use your GPS Navigation Device (yes, of course we have one- my husband's solution to keeping us from getting lost around town) to input a set of coordinates. Then, piling into the car, you follow the GPS to the set point and find the cache that is hidden. Wow! A hobby involving looking for something that is hidden?!? It should be called "Mooradian-ing."
What makes the search fun is that the end result could be a bit of a treasure- a medium/large size cache holds little goodies that you can trade out, or disguises that you don and photograph to upload as proof of your successful find. There are also little/microscopic size caches that usually just hold a log that you sign and date.
Our first few attempts were nothing shy of a complete failure (St. Anthony?!?). But, on the 3rd attempt, we found the needle in the haystack and you'd thought we'd found the cure for cancer! Considering we weren't using our GPS correctly, it was on the level of brain surgery. It felt so much more of an accomplishment too because we weathered 102 degree heat, around a 3/10 mile walk and overgrown grass that harbored overgrown grasshoppers (at least according to The Jane Austen Wanna Be).
A round of root beer floats proved to be the best way to celebrate (which coincidentaly, we also included the celebrating of finding a lost library book). Lots of bragging ensued, along with posting our pictures on the website. It appears that an answer to our hobby search has been found! I'm actually quite surprised that The boy and The Cute One Who Always get Free Stuff at Garage Sales were the two children that started begging to go Geocaching again- especially since they were the first two to give up searching when we were out in the field. Perhaps is just that they ejnoyed the time together we had as a family, with a common goal at hand. Maybe it was they were relieved to break of the regular routine to get out of the house. Possibly they just liked seeing The Jane Austen Wanna Be get flustered and mad at the GPS in what we call the Geocaching Rage. I'm not sure, but I know that we are building memories and having fun.
Thank you Lord that you don't need to work so hard to keep track of us, your children. I can rest knowing that no matter where my children or I am, you are keeping close track of us.
Now, if I could just get a fixed coordinates on each of our checked out library books. . .
Finding and Surviving Myself,
Mary
Turning 5 in our family is a big deal- this is the age when a child gets to get his/her own library card. Of course this also means he/she accepts a bigger chunk of the blame when a book is lost, and that is not so good! To say a frequent calling upon St. Anthony is heard from our home is an understatement. I expect when we reach the pearly gates, each of of us will receive a tongue lashing from the multitude of times St. Anthony had to take a break from praising the Almighty to guide us to where the lost library book rests.
The Clown has earned the nickname of "St. Anthony"- because she is really good at finding lost things. I'm always calling upon her when something has gone astray. She has a good turn around time! This is also why I ask her to find things that I have lost in my mind. So many times I will leave a room, only to stop and holler her name to remind me why I had left the room to began with. She is also good with unwritten shopping lists, telephone numbers and keeping track of sibblings' forgotten punishments. . . hmmmm shouldn't be surprised about that last one.
What is this all leading to? I had a point, but I lost it : ) No, the point is I have been searching for a family hobby that would occupy a minimal amount of time and include all of us- from the 2 year old to the 45 year old (see prior post: "Happy Birthday to Me!"). I had all but given up- especially since we are not really sports oriented, not so musically talented that we could play anything remotely recognizable to any human, and don't possess the patience of Job, nor the wealth of Midas. Yet, about about 2 weeks ago, I stumbled upon an idea (probably under the guidance of St. Anthony) that looked like it was a hobby made just for us.
This activity is called Geocaching. It is also known as Letter Boxing. See the following link: http://www.geocaching.com/seek/nearest.aspx?lat=39.01103&lng=-95.777829&dist=5
This is a hobby where you use your GPS Navigation Device (yes, of course we have one- my husband's solution to keeping us from getting lost around town) to input a set of coordinates. Then, piling into the car, you follow the GPS to the set point and find the cache that is hidden. Wow! A hobby involving looking for something that is hidden?!? It should be called "Mooradian-ing."
What makes the search fun is that the end result could be a bit of a treasure- a medium/large size cache holds little goodies that you can trade out, or disguises that you don and photograph to upload as proof of your successful find. There are also little/microscopic size caches that usually just hold a log that you sign and date.
Our first few attempts were nothing shy of a complete failure (St. Anthony?!?). But, on the 3rd attempt, we found the needle in the haystack and you'd thought we'd found the cure for cancer! Considering we weren't using our GPS correctly, it was on the level of brain surgery. It felt so much more of an accomplishment too because we weathered 102 degree heat, around a 3/10 mile walk and overgrown grass that harbored overgrown grasshoppers (at least according to The Jane Austen Wanna Be).
A round of root beer floats proved to be the best way to celebrate (which coincidentaly, we also included the celebrating of finding a lost library book). Lots of bragging ensued, along with posting our pictures on the website. It appears that an answer to our hobby search has been found! I'm actually quite surprised that The boy and The Cute One Who Always get Free Stuff at Garage Sales were the two children that started begging to go Geocaching again- especially since they were the first two to give up searching when we were out in the field. Perhaps is just that they ejnoyed the time together we had as a family, with a common goal at hand. Maybe it was they were relieved to break of the regular routine to get out of the house. Possibly they just liked seeing The Jane Austen Wanna Be get flustered and mad at the GPS in what we call the Geocaching Rage. I'm not sure, but I know that we are building memories and having fun.
Thank you Lord that you don't need to work so hard to keep track of us, your children. I can rest knowing that no matter where my children or I am, you are keeping close track of us.
Now, if I could just get a fixed coordinates on each of our checked out library books. . .
Finding and Surviving Myself,
Mary
Monday, August 29, 2011
Bug Bites, Bruises and Curtain Closings
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
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
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
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