Sunday, November 30, 2008
What Remains
I spend almost every Saturday with a dear friend's father who suffers from severe dementia. He can't recall his children's names or that he has grandchildren. He forgets the layout of his own house and sometimes forgets his own name. What is surprising is what he does remember.
He remembers that he loves his wife. He doesn't always know her name or how they met. He has no pictures in his mind of their wedding or the years they spent together. He has no memory of her but the love. He sees her picture and cries because he loves her. He insists that we go buy her flowers and picks pink roses because they are her favorite. He doesn't know her name, but he knows she likes the pink ones because they smell the best.
He remembers football. He knows that he played center in high school and that his number was 53. I ask him all the time, and he always knows this about himself. "I was number 53, the center." Right off the top of his head. He can't tell you who his friends were or that he was class president, but he knows enough to know that he had days of glory out there on the gridiron.
He knows he's a Sooner fan. We watch the game every week, and he can't follow it for more than a play at a time, but we always watch it and it always makes him happy when they win. He hums the fight song along with the band with every touchdown and knows he once watched them play Texas in the Cotton Bowl for the Red River Shootout.
This is what remains. Love and football. I'd say the old boy is doin' all right.
He remembers that he loves his wife. He doesn't always know her name or how they met. He has no pictures in his mind of their wedding or the years they spent together. He has no memory of her but the love. He sees her picture and cries because he loves her. He insists that we go buy her flowers and picks pink roses because they are her favorite. He doesn't know her name, but he knows she likes the pink ones because they smell the best.
He remembers football. He knows that he played center in high school and that his number was 53. I ask him all the time, and he always knows this about himself. "I was number 53, the center." Right off the top of his head. He can't tell you who his friends were or that he was class president, but he knows enough to know that he had days of glory out there on the gridiron.
He knows he's a Sooner fan. We watch the game every week, and he can't follow it for more than a play at a time, but we always watch it and it always makes him happy when they win. He hums the fight song along with the band with every touchdown and knows he once watched them play Texas in the Cotton Bowl for the Red River Shootout.
This is what remains. Love and football. I'd say the old boy is doin' all right.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Because Nothing Says Christmas Like...
Warning** Wrap your head in duct tape for this. You'll want the pieces later.
A few years ago, Planned Parenthood introduced its "Choice on Earth" holiday cards. Tasteless and wildly inappropriate though they were, they were relatively harmless. Greeting cards are not going to change the mind of anyone on the life/abortion debate. It bothers no one if radical feminazis want to send themselves cards and congratulate each other on their cleverness in subverting a Christian holiday.
That was then. This holiday season, our friends at P.P. have come up with a new holiday gift giving idea. Abortion gift certificates. You read that right. The perfect gift for the sexually irresponsible everywhere. You can now go to any Planned Parenthood office or their convenient on-line store and buy one today!
What better way to celebrate the most famous teenage pregnancy of all? This Christmas, celebrate it like King Herod with the slaughter of innocents.
I think that we, as Americans, need to pause long enough to really consider what this says about our society. We need to think about what it says about our country that death has become a suitable present for Christmas. We have become a culture which celebrates convenience, ease and narcissism. Like the rest of the industrialized world, ours is a culture that celebrates appearance over substance. Where seeming to be a good person is more important than actually being one.
Our elected leaders see children as a punishment and fertility as a burden. All that the early Church saw as a blessing, our culture now views as a terrible curse. As though babies and children were the scourge of humanity rather than its hope and future. "Children are a blessing from God," we hear. What happens to those blessings when the people stop believing that there even is a god? I believe we are seeing it now with the holiday offerings of Planned Parenthood. When people believe themselves to be soul-less, then they begin behaving as though they have no soul.
Look at the radical pro-abortion groups who view murder as a gift, is this really the face of the hope and future of our people, or is it our destruction? I've heard it said many times that a declining birthrate is the mark of an advanced society; it is the sign of a dying one.
Give the gift of hope and life this Christmas season. Take that sexually irresponsible person by the hand and tell then you love them too much to sit idly by as they give parts of themselves away. Then pray with them and for them. And if you have to have a present wrapped up under the tree, how about a few pair of undies, the attractive granny-panty kind.
A few years ago, Planned Parenthood introduced its "Choice on Earth" holiday cards. Tasteless and wildly inappropriate though they were, they were relatively harmless. Greeting cards are not going to change the mind of anyone on the life/abortion debate. It bothers no one if radical feminazis want to send themselves cards and congratulate each other on their cleverness in subverting a Christian holiday.
That was then. This holiday season, our friends at P.P. have come up with a new holiday gift giving idea. Abortion gift certificates. You read that right. The perfect gift for the sexually irresponsible everywhere. You can now go to any Planned Parenthood office or their convenient on-line store and buy one today!
What better way to celebrate the most famous teenage pregnancy of all? This Christmas, celebrate it like King Herod with the slaughter of innocents.
I think that we, as Americans, need to pause long enough to really consider what this says about our society. We need to think about what it says about our country that death has become a suitable present for Christmas. We have become a culture which celebrates convenience, ease and narcissism. Like the rest of the industrialized world, ours is a culture that celebrates appearance over substance. Where seeming to be a good person is more important than actually being one.
Our elected leaders see children as a punishment and fertility as a burden. All that the early Church saw as a blessing, our culture now views as a terrible curse. As though babies and children were the scourge of humanity rather than its hope and future. "Children are a blessing from God," we hear. What happens to those blessings when the people stop believing that there even is a god? I believe we are seeing it now with the holiday offerings of Planned Parenthood. When people believe themselves to be soul-less, then they begin behaving as though they have no soul.
Look at the radical pro-abortion groups who view murder as a gift, is this really the face of the hope and future of our people, or is it our destruction? I've heard it said many times that a declining birthrate is the mark of an advanced society; it is the sign of a dying one.
Give the gift of hope and life this Christmas season. Take that sexually irresponsible person by the hand and tell then you love them too much to sit idly by as they give parts of themselves away. Then pray with them and for them. And if you have to have a present wrapped up under the tree, how about a few pair of undies, the attractive granny-panty kind.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Stuff I'm Grateful For...49-1
49. Personalized ringtones on the cell phone so I can decide if I want to talk to you without even having to look.
48. Calculators
47. Aloe vera plants. Are you eating one yet?
46. The end of this season's "Dancing With the Stars".
45. Coconut Cream Pie.
44. Cheap gas. (It's all relative, I know, but it seems cheap today.)
43. My moms. The real one, the volunteer, and the in-law. They're great women.
42. Not having to make Thanksgiving dinner myself.
41. My children's friends. They're really nice kids.
40. My new big kitchen with all the counter space.
39. My four year old looking at my wedding album and saying, "Mommy you look just the same." I hope she doesn't need glasses.
38. Any movie that gets them all to be still and quit for an hour or longer.
37. The smell of pine-sol. It means my whole house is clean
36. Being almost done with Christmas shopping.
35. Not having to buy the Computer Guy a gift this year. I probably will anyway, but it's more fun because I don't have to.
34. Readers who will actually make it all the way through this list.
33. Okay, the reader who will actually make it all the way though it. I love you, Mom.
32. Hot waxing kits for home use. You should be thankful I use this, too.
31. Knowing exactly what my father in law wants for Christmas this year (a tie with the kids' pictures on it.) (Really)
30. God's sense of humor. It doesn't always seem funny to me, but I hope He's laughing it up.
29. Children who don't think it's weird to take part in political protests every week and complain when they're over.
28. Going to Cincinnati this year to be on TV. It was fun.
27. The sung Divine Mercy Chaplet playing in my car. It always calms me down and refocuses me.
26. Learning how to control my big mouth a bit. (What?)
25. Our two little saints praying for us in Heaven.
24. Latin grammar answer keys.
23. Those big hugs from little boys who aren't ashamed (yet) to hug their mom in public.
22. Fried broccoli.
21. Christmas hymns. Especially the Latin ones, I like them the best.
20. Free voice lessons for #1 in exchange for oatmeal raisin cookies.
19. Internet recipe searches. How else do you discover the recipe for Bacon Cheeseburger Chicken?
18. Dramatic children
17. Computer solitaire. Otherwise I lose the cards.
16. Being 34. I like it.
15. Getting to spend Christmas in Corpus Christi.
14. Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes, snowflakes that stay..no wait, wasn't that a song?
13. #4 isn't named Horatio. She almost was. It's a long story.
12. Hand print turkeys.
11. That I didn't marry Axl Rose after all. Have you seen that guy lately?
10. Mary said yes.
9. Joseph said yes.
8. Jesus said yes.
I'm too tired to come up with any more. 7-1 are up to you.
48. Calculators
47. Aloe vera plants. Are you eating one yet?
46. The end of this season's "Dancing With the Stars".
45. Coconut Cream Pie.
44. Cheap gas. (It's all relative, I know, but it seems cheap today.)
43. My moms. The real one, the volunteer, and the in-law. They're great women.
42. Not having to make Thanksgiving dinner myself.
41. My children's friends. They're really nice kids.
40. My new big kitchen with all the counter space.
39. My four year old looking at my wedding album and saying, "Mommy you look just the same." I hope she doesn't need glasses.
38. Any movie that gets them all to be still and quit for an hour or longer.
37. The smell of pine-sol. It means my whole house is clean
36. Being almost done with Christmas shopping.
35. Not having to buy the Computer Guy a gift this year. I probably will anyway, but it's more fun because I don't have to.
34. Readers who will actually make it all the way through this list.
33. Okay, the reader who will actually make it all the way though it. I love you, Mom.
32. Hot waxing kits for home use. You should be thankful I use this, too.
31. Knowing exactly what my father in law wants for Christmas this year (a tie with the kids' pictures on it.) (Really)
30. God's sense of humor. It doesn't always seem funny to me, but I hope He's laughing it up.
29. Children who don't think it's weird to take part in political protests every week and complain when they're over.
28. Going to Cincinnati this year to be on TV. It was fun.
27. The sung Divine Mercy Chaplet playing in my car. It always calms me down and refocuses me.
26. Learning how to control my big mouth a bit. (What?)
25. Our two little saints praying for us in Heaven.
24. Latin grammar answer keys.
23. Those big hugs from little boys who aren't ashamed (yet) to hug their mom in public.
22. Fried broccoli.
21. Christmas hymns. Especially the Latin ones, I like them the best.
20. Free voice lessons for #1 in exchange for oatmeal raisin cookies.
19. Internet recipe searches. How else do you discover the recipe for Bacon Cheeseburger Chicken?
18. Dramatic children
17. Computer solitaire. Otherwise I lose the cards.
16. Being 34. I like it.
15. Getting to spend Christmas in Corpus Christi.
14. Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes, snowflakes that stay..no wait, wasn't that a song?
13. #4 isn't named Horatio. She almost was. It's a long story.
12. Hand print turkeys.
11. That I didn't marry Axl Rose after all. Have you seen that guy lately?
10. Mary said yes.
9. Joseph said yes.
8. Jesus said yes.
I'm too tired to come up with any more. 7-1 are up to you.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Silence!....I Kill You!
Spit milk out of your nose funny, but with bad language. No complaining, you've been warned.
What I'm Thankful For..
It will be Thanksgiving the day after tomorrow (unless you live in some other country, and then I don't know when yours is or even if you have one. If you'd like to share with the class....we'd be interested to hear it.)Here is the beginning of my grateful list. 100 things I'm grateful for in random order.
100. My husband's warm body on early Fall mornings when I'm cold.
99. The smell of warm oatmeal bread baking in the oven.
98. Children who are old enough to help out in holiday preparations.
97. Slobbery kisses from the one-year-old, especially when they're lollipop flavored.
96. The froggy belly laugh of #2.
95. Good friends. I mean the really good kind that you can ask moral, ethical, or really embarrassing questions and they answer them all and don't think you're weird for asking.
94. A blog instead of a therapist. It's much cheaper.
93. The Computer Guy's new job. He's still settling in, but seems to like it. (Most days)
92. Electric blankets for pretty much the same reason as #100.
91. The treadmill at the gym that keeps me running at a good pace, and hasn't thrown me into the wall. (Yet.)
90. Our priest is back from Iraq just in time for Advent.
89. The little creek behind our house where my boys get lost in hours of make-believe.
88. The fact that #5 can walk. He's a heavy boy and I was tired of carrying him.
87. The cold mornings that give me an excuse to cuddle up to my warm husband.
86. Turkey and dressing and mashed potatoes....
85. Our new house. It's beginning to feel like home.
84. My grandmother-in-law coming through surgery fine last week.
83. The Confessional. I need to go there, often.
82. The little black puppy that makes everyone laugh when he slips on the tile floor.
81. The dog we already had who thinks that the little black puppy is fun.
80. The red lights I hit when I'm running late. It's God teaching me patience. I just know it is.
79. My crockpot. Some days it is the whole reason we get to eat dinner.
78. The clear blue plastic that is helping #3 read. Who knew that was all it took.
69. #4's happy dance.
68. My Saturday job which allows me to lay a few of my own demons to rest.
67. Cheese.
66. My Nanna who loved me enough to lecture me and inspire the title of my blog.
65. The fact that I keep winning the lottery in Britain and Zimbabwe even though I never entered them. Now that's good luck!
64. Lipstick red, peep-toed, patent leather shoes.
63. Aloe vera plants. I'm serous. You should be eating it.
62. My mother in law who raised my husband and then gave him to me. There are no words for that kind of gratitude.
61. Gone With the Wind and The Godfather, I read them over and over and over...
60. The opportunity to educate my children at home.
59. Co-op days when they go somewhere else.
58. #3's vivid imagination and creativity. He can create the most fantastic costumes out of paper, markers and an old shoe. He's like MacGyver.
57. #1.
56. My close friend who spent an entire afternoon helping me rearrange the living room.
55. Restaurants with buffets. The no-wait thing makes eating out with children much easier.
54. Restaurants with menus for those times when the Computer Guy and I get out alone.
53. Spell check so y'all don't know how dumb I really am.
52. The alarm that beeps every time a door is opened. It keeps the little guys from escaping.
51. #2 who tries to get away with stuff and keeps me on my toes.
50. Hormonal pre-teen girls who make me laugh.
1-49 tomorrow.
100. My husband's warm body on early Fall mornings when I'm cold.
99. The smell of warm oatmeal bread baking in the oven.
98. Children who are old enough to help out in holiday preparations.
97. Slobbery kisses from the one-year-old, especially when they're lollipop flavored.
96. The froggy belly laugh of #2.
95. Good friends. I mean the really good kind that you can ask moral, ethical, or really embarrassing questions and they answer them all and don't think you're weird for asking.
94. A blog instead of a therapist. It's much cheaper.
93. The Computer Guy's new job. He's still settling in, but seems to like it. (Most days)
92. Electric blankets for pretty much the same reason as #100.
91. The treadmill at the gym that keeps me running at a good pace, and hasn't thrown me into the wall. (Yet.)
90. Our priest is back from Iraq just in time for Advent.
89. The little creek behind our house where my boys get lost in hours of make-believe.
88. The fact that #5 can walk. He's a heavy boy and I was tired of carrying him.
87. The cold mornings that give me an excuse to cuddle up to my warm husband.
86. Turkey and dressing and mashed potatoes....
85. Our new house. It's beginning to feel like home.
84. My grandmother-in-law coming through surgery fine last week.
83. The Confessional. I need to go there, often.
82. The little black puppy that makes everyone laugh when he slips on the tile floor.
81. The dog we already had who thinks that the little black puppy is fun.
80. The red lights I hit when I'm running late. It's God teaching me patience. I just know it is.
79. My crockpot. Some days it is the whole reason we get to eat dinner.
78. The clear blue plastic that is helping #3 read. Who knew that was all it took.
69. #4's happy dance.
68. My Saturday job which allows me to lay a few of my own demons to rest.
67. Cheese.
66. My Nanna who loved me enough to lecture me and inspire the title of my blog.
65. The fact that I keep winning the lottery in Britain and Zimbabwe even though I never entered them. Now that's good luck!
64. Lipstick red, peep-toed, patent leather shoes.
63. Aloe vera plants. I'm serous. You should be eating it.
62. My mother in law who raised my husband and then gave him to me. There are no words for that kind of gratitude.
61. Gone With the Wind and The Godfather, I read them over and over and over...
60. The opportunity to educate my children at home.
59. Co-op days when they go somewhere else.
58. #3's vivid imagination and creativity. He can create the most fantastic costumes out of paper, markers and an old shoe. He's like MacGyver.
57. #1.
56. My close friend who spent an entire afternoon helping me rearrange the living room.
55. Restaurants with buffets. The no-wait thing makes eating out with children much easier.
54. Restaurants with menus for those times when the Computer Guy and I get out alone.
53. Spell check so y'all don't know how dumb I really am.
52. The alarm that beeps every time a door is opened. It keeps the little guys from escaping.
51. #2 who tries to get away with stuff and keeps me on my toes.
50. Hormonal pre-teen girls who make me laugh.
1-49 tomorrow.
Thanksgiving Thoughts
We all have people who bring out the worst in us. People who somehow trigger the selfish, mean, unstable parts of our personalities which we normally keep under tight control. These people can be mean themselves, or just nice people who bring out the worst in us. To quote a friend of mine, "They make us into juniors in high school all over again."
It is very hard when these are people with whom you have a shared history, or a familial bond, or a kinship, and often we are blind to the effect that these folks have upon us.
As we approach Thanksgiving, with its minefields and booby-traps of close associations, we need to watch out for these people. The ones we just can't seem to let go of, for the good or the bad, who change us into people our loved ones don't want to know. We should make it our holiday resolution to safeguard ourselves from the pettiness, and jealousies, and the "not fair"s that can rear their heads at this time of year.
Spend a little more time in prayer. Surround ourselves with those who make you want to be a better person. Actually read a bit of that Bible that usually just collects dust on the shelf. Keep hold of who you really are and of who you want to be, and don't let these outside influences become inside ones.
It is very hard when these are people with whom you have a shared history, or a familial bond, or a kinship, and often we are blind to the effect that these folks have upon us.
As we approach Thanksgiving, with its minefields and booby-traps of close associations, we need to watch out for these people. The ones we just can't seem to let go of, for the good or the bad, who change us into people our loved ones don't want to know. We should make it our holiday resolution to safeguard ourselves from the pettiness, and jealousies, and the "not fair"s that can rear their heads at this time of year.
Spend a little more time in prayer. Surround ourselves with those who make you want to be a better person. Actually read a bit of that Bible that usually just collects dust on the shelf. Keep hold of who you really are and of who you want to be, and don't let these outside influences become inside ones.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Free Dr Pepper
I like it when big companies keep promises. I like it even more when they make silly promises in jest, and then keep them anyway. Put your money where your mouth is. That's the way I like it.
Dr Pepper told the band Guns N' Roses that they would give everyone in America a free bottle of Dr Pepper if their new album came out in 2008. It comes out next month and Dr Pepper is ponying up.
"We never thought this day would come," Tony Jacobs, Dr Pepper's vice president of marketing, said in a statement. "But now that it's here, all we can say is: The Dr Pepper's on us."
Beginning Sunday at 12:01 a.m., coupons for a free 20-ounce soda will be available for 24 hours on Dr Pepper's Web site. They'll be honored until Feb. 28, 2009. (h/t Yahoo News)
On a side note, and please feel free to disagree with me on this, but do you remember when Axl Rose was smokin' hot? Can I get a "heck yeah!" from all the ladies out there who listened to hair bands in the '80s? Have you seen him now? What the heck happened here? Is it just me or does he look like an old guy who just wants to be hot again? "Give it up, Axl, you're old!" Old guys can still rock, but you and I both know that this guy's no Aerosmith. And that's the sad truth of it.
Can someone ask him to button up his shirt, please? I think I've gone blind.
Update: Monday the 24th is the last day for this! Go to http://www.drpepper.com/freeDrPepper/?icamp=hp_dpfree_coupon and sign up today!
Dr Pepper told the band Guns N' Roses that they would give everyone in America a free bottle of Dr Pepper if their new album came out in 2008. It comes out next month and Dr Pepper is ponying up.
"We never thought this day would come," Tony Jacobs, Dr Pepper's vice president of marketing, said in a statement. "But now that it's here, all we can say is: The Dr Pepper's on us."
Beginning Sunday at 12:01 a.m., coupons for a free 20-ounce soda will be available for 24 hours on Dr Pepper's Web site. They'll be honored until Feb. 28, 2009. (h/t Yahoo News)
On a side note, and please feel free to disagree with me on this, but do you remember when Axl Rose was smokin' hot? Can I get a "heck yeah!" from all the ladies out there who listened to hair bands in the '80s? Have you seen him now? What the heck happened here? Is it just me or does he look like an old guy who just wants to be hot again? "Give it up, Axl, you're old!" Old guys can still rock, but you and I both know that this guy's no Aerosmith. And that's the sad truth of it.
Can someone ask him to button up his shirt, please? I think I've gone blind.
Update: Monday the 24th is the last day for this! Go to http://www.drpepper.com/freeDrPepper/?icamp=hp_dpfree_coupon and sign up today!
Yeah, I'm Kinda Bored With Dance
#1 has made the announcement that after 5 years, thousands of dollars, and an incredible amount of time and dedication, she is tired of Irish dancing for now. She may come back to it later, but for now she wants to cut back to one day a week in order to try new things.
Of course she has a new thing already in mind. Why am I not surprised? She wants to try triathlons. Thank you, Imelda. I wonder where she could have gotten that idea....
She is hard working and very determined, so I have no doubt that she will be able to do this. My problem with it is that I have to take her to the gym to train every morning. Which means, of course, that I am now training for a triathlon, too.
It's not that I never thought of running one. I've watched the Iron Man on TV and never thought they were crazy. In fact I thought it was cool. There's a big difference between "wow, that's kind of cool" and "I think I should try it."
This morning was 7 miles biking and 1/2 mile swim. We have a long way to go. I remember complaining about all of those dance classes. I only wish it were that easy now.
Of course she has a new thing already in mind. Why am I not surprised? She wants to try triathlons. Thank you, Imelda. I wonder where she could have gotten that idea....
She is hard working and very determined, so I have no doubt that she will be able to do this. My problem with it is that I have to take her to the gym to train every morning. Which means, of course, that I am now training for a triathlon, too.
It's not that I never thought of running one. I've watched the Iron Man on TV and never thought they were crazy. In fact I thought it was cool. There's a big difference between "wow, that's kind of cool" and "I think I should try it."
This morning was 7 miles biking and 1/2 mile swim. We have a long way to go. I remember complaining about all of those dance classes. I only wish it were that easy now.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Friday's Haiku on Thursday Night
#1's new dog
teeth, fur, energy, and love
with a squeaky bark
Please, oh Daddy, please
and a puppy came to us
push-over parents
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
I Just....Wow
I don't even have words to describe how bad this is. If you are a Catholic, please wrap your head in duct tape as a safety precaution before watching this video. That way you have all the pieces when you go to the Emergency Room after your head explodes.
h/t to the American Papist
h/t to the American Papist
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Please Pray
Please pray for the person who got to my blog today by googling "will my baby be ok after taking ru-486?" God bless her that she has had a change of heart. Please pray for God's protection on her and her baby.
Fun Mom Facts
Only one of the following is not true. Can you guess which one?
1. I went shopping for my wedding dress with two drag queens
2. I went to finishing/charm school
3. In college I went to get a tattoo, but chickened out
4. As a girl, I had a pet squirrel
5. My first job was helping my grandfather castrate calves when I was 12
6. I am deathly afraid of spiders
7. I hated #2's name for the first week of his life. I like it now
8. I love to iron. There's just something about the smell of spray starch
9. I have a secret dream to be able to play the violin
10. I have given people lessons on making fried chicken because mine is that good
1. I went shopping for my wedding dress with two drag queens
2. I went to finishing/charm school
3. In college I went to get a tattoo, but chickened out
4. As a girl, I had a pet squirrel
5. My first job was helping my grandfather castrate calves when I was 12
6. I am deathly afraid of spiders
7. I hated #2's name for the first week of his life. I like it now
8. I love to iron. There's just something about the smell of spray starch
9. I have a secret dream to be able to play the violin
10. I have given people lessons on making fried chicken because mine is that good
Words of Wisdom from #1
"Barack Obama must have had a hard time at school when he was a kid because his initials were B.O."
Now back to our regularly scheduled blogging.
Now back to our regularly scheduled blogging.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Lazy Blogging, Answered
A few days ago, I gave readers the chance to ask me anything they wanted to know about me. If you have a question for "the Mom" then there's still time to ask.
Therese asked:
what is your favourite thing about having many children?
The laughter. I laugh more at myself, at the weird things they do and say, and at life in general. They bring so much joy to our house. So, yeah, the laughter.
What is your worse thing about it? The constant mess. I am definitely not going to win any prizes for my housekeeping abilities, and to tell you the truth I am this close to declaring it a losing battle.
If you had $1,000,000 dollars what would you spend it on? The real me would pay off the house, save money for the kids' college, and invest the rest. The fun part of me would love to take the Computer Guy on the honeymoon we never got. I would love to see Australia, Therese. Do you think we'd like it?
That will do for starters.
If I think of any more over the weekend I will come back and ask a few.
Kim asked:
What advice and wisdom do you have to share with those who are newer to homeschooling? Be gentle with your little ones. You aren't going to get it all done in one day, so learn to let it go. Relax and enjoy your children while they are children. They will learn the math and the reading and that Mom loves them completely. Those are equally important and we sometimes forget that in our focus on academics.
What about homeschooling middle school?Teach them to be self-directed. At middle school age they should be able to self-regulate a bit. If not, then they need to learn it. Learning how to learn and how to keep yourself on task is the most important thing they learn at this time. Put it together with organization and you're pretty good.
And how old are you? (just sneakin' that one in...) Shame on you, for asking me that! j/k 34
Peace asked:
what's your favorite color? Weird that I don't know that!
red, bright hot lipstick red
Rachel asked:
But, how about, if you could, would you go back and change something about your past life, or would you leave it as is, since changing the past, changes our present?
I vacillate back and forth on this one. There are some things I certainly wish that I had not done. How about I would not let anyone take pictures of me doing those things? It wouldn't change the future except the photographic evidence wouldn't be floating around.
And I would give myself investment advice, when to sell and when to buy. I could be a billionaire today with that kind of knowledge.
What is the best book you've read in the last five years (we know you're a SAHM, homeschooling, and you've just moved--so I know putting in the last year might be too confining.. ;-) )--fiction and non-fiction?
My two favorite fiction books are Gone With the Wind and The Godfather. I re-read them at least once a year, so they would rank right up there. My favorite new read has been the Christ the Lord series by Anne Rice.
My favorite non-fiction was Isabella of Spain: The Last Crusader by William Walsh. It was an interesting look at the Inquisition and told it from the Catholic point of view, which was not what I learned in school. Plus it was heavily researched and had lots of footnotes. I love non-fiction with footnotes.
Therese asked:
what is your favourite thing about having many children?
The laughter. I laugh more at myself, at the weird things they do and say, and at life in general. They bring so much joy to our house. So, yeah, the laughter.
What is your worse thing about it? The constant mess. I am definitely not going to win any prizes for my housekeeping abilities, and to tell you the truth I am this close to declaring it a losing battle.
If you had $1,000,000 dollars what would you spend it on? The real me would pay off the house, save money for the kids' college, and invest the rest. The fun part of me would love to take the Computer Guy on the honeymoon we never got. I would love to see Australia, Therese. Do you think we'd like it?
That will do for starters.
If I think of any more over the weekend I will come back and ask a few.
Kim asked:
What advice and wisdom do you have to share with those who are newer to homeschooling? Be gentle with your little ones. You aren't going to get it all done in one day, so learn to let it go. Relax and enjoy your children while they are children. They will learn the math and the reading and that Mom loves them completely. Those are equally important and we sometimes forget that in our focus on academics.
What about homeschooling middle school?Teach them to be self-directed. At middle school age they should be able to self-regulate a bit. If not, then they need to learn it. Learning how to learn and how to keep yourself on task is the most important thing they learn at this time. Put it together with organization and you're pretty good.
And how old are you? (just sneakin' that one in...) Shame on you, for asking me that! j/k 34
Peace asked:
what's your favorite color? Weird that I don't know that!
red, bright hot lipstick red
Rachel asked:
But, how about, if you could, would you go back and change something about your past life, or would you leave it as is, since changing the past, changes our present?
I vacillate back and forth on this one. There are some things I certainly wish that I had not done. How about I would not let anyone take pictures of me doing those things? It wouldn't change the future except the photographic evidence wouldn't be floating around.
And I would give myself investment advice, when to sell and when to buy. I could be a billionaire today with that kind of knowledge.
What is the best book you've read in the last five years (we know you're a SAHM, homeschooling, and you've just moved--so I know putting in the last year might be too confining.. ;-) )--fiction and non-fiction?
My two favorite fiction books are Gone With the Wind and The Godfather. I re-read them at least once a year, so they would rank right up there. My favorite new read has been the Christ the Lord series by Anne Rice.
My favorite non-fiction was Isabella of Spain: The Last Crusader by William Walsh. It was an interesting look at the Inquisition and told it from the Catholic point of view, which was not what I learned in school. Plus it was heavily researched and had lots of footnotes. I love non-fiction with footnotes.
Premio Dardos Award
Thanks to Paul at Thoughts of a Regular Guy and the beauteous Therese for this award
This award acknowledges the values that every blogger shows in his/her effort to transmit cultural, ethical, literary and personal values every day.
I'd like to pass it on to:
1. Peace
2. Rob (better known around here as Imelda)
3. and his super hot wife, Sam
4. my long lost twin, Kim
5. RD who's just starting out but looks great already (don't you hate that?)
6. and cathmom5 at St Walburga's Blog
This award acknowledges the values that every blogger shows in his/her effort to transmit cultural, ethical, literary and personal values every day.
I'd like to pass it on to:
1. Peace
2. Rob (better known around here as Imelda)
3. and his super hot wife, Sam
4. my long lost twin, Kim
5. RD who's just starting out but looks great already (don't you hate that?)
6. and cathmom5 at St Walburga's Blog
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Answering RD
I was going to answer them all together, but these were a little bit more serious, so I'm am going to treat them accordingly.
What is your answer to people when they say, "How many children are you going to have?"
I have several answers to this one, so here are my favorites:
1. I have no idea. I'm still married, he's still hot, and we're still Catholic.
2. We didn't plan any of the others, and look how well that's turned out, so why start now?
3. As many as God sends.
4. Why, do you want to buy one? I'll make you a deal.
5. Turn to my dear husband and say, "Computer Guy (no, it's not his real name), X wants to know if we're having sex again. What should I tell her?"
And 'if' (don't know if you've experienced this), someone starts to talk about how they did IVF or about their IVF children, do you stay silent and listen, or say something about how you disagree with IVF?
It honestly depends upon the situation and how well I know the speaker. If we're at the baby shower, then obviously no. It's just not an appropriate moment. If they're already pregnant, same thing unless I know them well.
However, if someone asks my opinion, like "So-and-so is using IVF, isn't it exciting?" Then I answer truthfully but gently. Gentle goes a long way. Also, make sure you are well schooled on the reason why you are not in favor of it. Most people who do IVF turn off their ears the moment they hear the phrases "In my Church we teach.." or "The Bible says..." While your teaching may be correct, they won't hear it. Have a secular discussion on morality with them and then lead it to God if you can. If not, then just explain the moral reasoning. That's how I do it, and it has worked for me.
Great blog, look fwd to visiting more often:)
Regina
Thanks! I popped over to yours and I like what I see! If anyone else want to see it, here it is.
I love your name. When I was a girl, "Regina" was always my name when I played make-believe with my friends. I think it was because I secretly wanted to be the queen. Alright, I know it was, and it wasn't such a secret.
What is your answer to people when they say, "How many children are you going to have?"
I have several answers to this one, so here are my favorites:
1. I have no idea. I'm still married, he's still hot, and we're still Catholic.
2. We didn't plan any of the others, and look how well that's turned out, so why start now?
3. As many as God sends.
4. Why, do you want to buy one? I'll make you a deal.
5. Turn to my dear husband and say, "Computer Guy (no, it's not his real name), X wants to know if we're having sex again. What should I tell her?"
And 'if' (don't know if you've experienced this), someone starts to talk about how they did IVF or about their IVF children, do you stay silent and listen, or say something about how you disagree with IVF?
It honestly depends upon the situation and how well I know the speaker. If we're at the baby shower, then obviously no. It's just not an appropriate moment. If they're already pregnant, same thing unless I know them well.
However, if someone asks my opinion, like "So-and-so is using IVF, isn't it exciting?" Then I answer truthfully but gently. Gentle goes a long way. Also, make sure you are well schooled on the reason why you are not in favor of it. Most people who do IVF turn off their ears the moment they hear the phrases "In my Church we teach.." or "The Bible says..." While your teaching may be correct, they won't hear it. Have a secular discussion on morality with them and then lead it to God if you can. If not, then just explain the moral reasoning. That's how I do it, and it has worked for me.
Great blog, look fwd to visiting more often:)
Regina
Thanks! I popped over to yours and I like what I see! If anyone else want to see it, here it is.
I love your name. When I was a girl, "Regina" was always my name when I played make-believe with my friends. I think it was because I secretly wanted to be the queen. Alright, I know it was, and it wasn't such a secret.
A Very Merry Tossmas to You!
Want my money? You just have to say it. It's one little word. Is that really so hard?
Friday, November 14, 2008
Lazy Blogging
I've done this once before, but as I'm really tired right now, I think I'll do it again. Ask me anything. Anything at all. Remember that this is a family blog, so keep it clean, please. I'll be back Monday with answers, unless I get bored and check in to see what y'all are up to...Let's be honest, shall we? I'll be on over the weekend to answer whatever you ask, and I'll be thinking of a post for Monday. I hope it's a good one!
Yeah, What the Rabbit Said
Yesterday I posted about Fr Newman and my admiration for his actions. Today, I got an email from tchadwick6@cox.net who had these words of love for me
Perhaps he needs to listen to Thumper for a moment, he says it better than I could.
Here is my response:
This un-holiest of human excrement is going to burn in hell! How dare anyone in the Catholic Church EVER judge any other human after the thousands of children the church has molested and the millions they have slaughtered! May you burn for eternity in the depths of hell!
I get physically sick just approaching a catholic church! Many happy abortions to you and yours~
Perhaps he needs to listen to Thumper for a moment, he says it better than I could.
Here is my response:
Dear tchadwick6,
Thank you for your input concerning the content on my blog. I always welcome constructive criticism from my readers and will certainly take yours under advisement. At the present time; however, I must agree to disagree with you as I choose to stay ever faithful to the Magisterium.
It is obvious to me that you are in some sort of personal/spiritual torment regarding the actions of Fr Newman and of the Catholic Church as a whole. It has been my experience that we often fear that which we need most. While I can not pretend to understand what would drive you to the point of such vitriol, rest assured that I will be praying for you to find peace.
As for your generous wishes regarding "many happy abortions", I must respectfully decline at this time.
Thanks for reading and God bless you,
+JMJ+
the Mom
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Is There a SAINT Jay Scott Newman In Our Future?
It's beginning to look that way! (Emphasis mine)
SC priest: No communion for Obama supporters
Someone call the Vatican! There's a priest with a spine in South Carolina. I thought they were a dying breed.
Guess what?! He has a blog! Here it is.
SC priest: No communion for Obama supporters
COLUMBIA, S.C. – A South Carolina Roman Catholic priest has told his parishioners that they should refrain from receiving Holy Communion if they voted for Barack Obama because the Democratic president-elect supports abortion, and supporting him "constitutes material cooperation with intrinsic evil."(No sir! There will be a great cost to them for their actions! That's the way it works. Do bad stuff and you have to pay for it.)
The Rev. Jay Scott Newman said in a letter distributed Sunday to parishioners at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Greenville that they are putting their souls at risk if they take Holy Communion before doing penance for their vote.
"Our nation has chosen for its chief executive the most radical pro-abortion politician ever to serve in the United States Senate or to run for president," Newman wrote, referring to Obama by his full name, including his middle name of Hussein.
"Voting for a pro-abortion politician when a plausible pro-life alternative exists constitutes material cooperation with intrinsic evil, and those Catholics who do so place themselves outside of the full communion of Christ's Church and under the judgment of divine law. Persons in this condition should not receive Holy Communion until and unless they are reconciled to God in the Sacrament of Penance, lest they eat and drink their own condemnation."
During the 2008 presidential campaign, many bishops spoke out on abortion more boldly than four years earlier, telling Catholic politicians and voters that the issue should be the most important consideration in setting policy and deciding which candidate to back. A few church leaders said parishioners risked their immortal soul by voting for candidates who support abortion rights.
But bishops differ on whether Catholic lawmakers — and voters — should refrain from receiving Communion if they diverge from church teaching on abortion. Each bishop sets policy in his own diocese. In their annual fall meeting, the nation's Catholic bishops vowed Tuesday to forcefully confront the Obama administration over its support for abortion rights.
According to national exit polls, 54 percent of Catholics chose Obama, who is Protestant. In South Carolina, which McCain carried, voters in Greenville County — traditionally seen as among the state's most conservative areas — went 61 percent for the Republican, and 37 percent for Obama.
"It was not an attempt to make a partisan point," Newman said in a telephone interview Thursday. "In fact, in this election, for the sake of argument, if the Republican candidate had been pro-abortion, and the Democratic candidate had been pro-life, everything that I wrote would have been exactly the same."
Conservative Catholics criticized Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry in 2004 for supporting abortion rights, with a few Catholic bishops saying Kerry should refrain from receiving Holy Communion because his views were contrary to church teachings.
Sister Mary Ann Walsh, spokeswoman for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said she had not heard of other churches taking this position in reaction to Obama's win. A Boston-based group that supports Catholic Democrats questioned the move, saying it was too extreme.
"Father Newman is off base," said Steve Krueger, national director of Catholic Democrats. "He is acting beyond the authority of a parish priest to say what he did. ... Unfortunately, he is doing so in a manner that will be of great cost to those parishioners who did vote for Sens. Obama and Biden. There will be a spiritual cost to them for his words."
A man who has attended St. Mary's for 18 years said he welcomed Newman's message and anticipated it would inspire further discussion at the church.Amen, my brother!
"I don't understand anyone who would call themselves a Christian, let alone a Catholic, and could vote for someone who's a pro-abortion candidate," said Ted Kelly, 64, who volunteers his time as lector for the church. "You're talking about the murder of innocent beings."
Someone call the Vatican! There's a priest with a spine in South Carolina. I thought they were a dying breed.
Guess what?! He has a blog! Here it is.
God Bless the Marine Corps
From the Desperate Irish Housewife comes a tale of bravery from the Marines on 9/11. I had never heard it before, but don't doubt it at all. Happy Veteran's Day a few days late.
As Long As We Still Have The Rockettes and The Marines...
...we might be ok.
From Blackfive[h/t Ace]:
"Just came from the memorial ceremony here at NORTHCOM. LTC (CH) Robert Leivers led the group in a ceremony here at the headquarters. During the ceremony, he relayed this little-known story from the Pentagon on 9/11:
"During a visit with a fellow chaplain, who happened to be assigned to the Pentagon, I had a chance to hear a first-hand account of an incident that happened right after Flt 77 hit the Pentagon. The Chaplain told me what happened at a daycare center near where the impact occurred.
"This daycare had many children, including infants who were in heavy cribs. The daycare supervisor, looking at all the children they needed to evacuate, was in a panic over what they could do; there were many children, mostly toddlers, as well as the infants that would need to be taken out with the cribs. There was no time to try to bundle them into carriers and strollers.
"Just then a young Marine came running into the center and asked what they needed. After hearing what the center director was trying to do, he ran back out into the hallway and disappeared. The director thought, 'well, there we are- on our own.' About 2 minutes later, that Marine returned with 40 others in tow. Each of them grabbed a crib with a child, and the rest started gathering up toddlers. The director and her staff then helped them take all the children out of the center and down toward the park near the Potomac and the Pentagon.
"Once they got about 3/4 of a mile outside the building, the Marines stopped in the park, and then did a fabulous thing- they formed a circle with the cribs, which were quite sturdy and heavy, like the covered wagons in the West. Inside this circle of cribs, they put the toddlers, to keep them from wandering off. Outside this circle were the 40 Marines, forming a perimeter around the children and waiting for instructions. There they remained until the parents could be notified and come get their children."
Happy Veteran's Day.
Thanks to Foxfier for finding this gem!
As Long As We Still Have The Rockettes and The Marines...
...we might be ok.
From Blackfive[h/t Ace]:
"Just came from the memorial ceremony here at NORTHCOM. LTC (CH) Robert Leivers led the group in a ceremony here at the headquarters. During the ceremony, he relayed this little-known story from the Pentagon on 9/11:
"During a visit with a fellow chaplain, who happened to be assigned to the Pentagon, I had a chance to hear a first-hand account of an incident that happened right after Flt 77 hit the Pentagon. The Chaplain told me what happened at a daycare center near where the impact occurred.
"This daycare had many children, including infants who were in heavy cribs. The daycare supervisor, looking at all the children they needed to evacuate, was in a panic over what they could do; there were many children, mostly toddlers, as well as the infants that would need to be taken out with the cribs. There was no time to try to bundle them into carriers and strollers.
"Just then a young Marine came running into the center and asked what they needed. After hearing what the center director was trying to do, he ran back out into the hallway and disappeared. The director thought, 'well, there we are- on our own.' About 2 minutes later, that Marine returned with 40 others in tow. Each of them grabbed a crib with a child, and the rest started gathering up toddlers. The director and her staff then helped them take all the children out of the center and down toward the park near the Potomac and the Pentagon.
"Once they got about 3/4 of a mile outside the building, the Marines stopped in the park, and then did a fabulous thing- they formed a circle with the cribs, which were quite sturdy and heavy, like the covered wagons in the West. Inside this circle of cribs, they put the toddlers, to keep them from wandering off. Outside this circle were the 40 Marines, forming a perimeter around the children and waiting for instructions. There they remained until the parents could be notified and come get their children."
Happy Veteran's Day.
Thanks to Foxfier for finding this gem!
Lunch
No brilliant observations for today except that my lunch is very yummy, so here's the recipe:
Crock Pot Chicken Taco Stew
Into a crock pot/slow cooker dump:
1 can black beans, drained
1 can pinto or red beans, drained
1 can corn
1 can diced tomatoes and peppers(I like Ro-Tel)
1 8oz. can tomato sauce
2 0r 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 pkg taco seasoning
cook on low for the whole day or high for 4-5 hours. Serve garnished with cheese and crunched up doritos.
That's it. Really tasty. Really hearty. Perfect for a cold day, and really cheap to make. I made it for less than $6. We had it for dinner last night and I have leftovers for lunch today.
Crock Pot Chicken Taco Stew
Into a crock pot/slow cooker dump:
1 can black beans, drained
1 can pinto or red beans, drained
1 can corn
1 can diced tomatoes and peppers(I like Ro-Tel)
1 8oz. can tomato sauce
2 0r 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 pkg taco seasoning
cook on low for the whole day or high for 4-5 hours. Serve garnished with cheese and crunched up doritos.
That's it. Really tasty. Really hearty. Perfect for a cold day, and really cheap to make. I made it for less than $6. We had it for dinner last night and I have leftovers for lunch today.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
And You Have to Try Not to Laugh
#2 is my dramatic child. There are no small things with him, only big dramas. Like today when he didn't do his history and I caught him at it. To be followed by an hour and a half of wailing. I'm not exaggerating here, although I wish I were, and my poor ears wish it even more. Then he says, "I'm the worst boy on Earth. Nobody loves me. I don't belong in this family." Sniffle, sniffle, then a sideways glance to make sure I'm listening. "I don't think the angels like me." Are you looking, Mom? "I'm pretty sure I don't belong in Heaven, and that when I die I think I'm going to puberty." Son, I think we may be there now.
boredom
Today is one of those days when I wish I had a car. I'm a little stir crazy today. I just want out of the house to wander free and look at things that are not the inside of my house, and I like my house.
#5 has been sick. There's nothing like a throwing up one year old to make you wish to be anywhere else. He seems fine this morning, but he seemed fine yesterday up until the moment he threw up on the couch, and fine the day before that until he got it...you get the idea. Two days of sick boy and I have cabin fever. I think it's because I fear the next go-round. Someone else in this house is bound to come down with it. It's only a matter of time.
We're in good shape unless that person is me. Moms aren't allowed to get sick. Even when we are we still have to be the "mom". When the children are sick I cater to their wants and needs and set them up in the big bed in my room with the remote, warm jello, and me at their beck and call. When the Computer Guy gets sick, he takes the day off of work and I try and keep the natives quiet. That usually involves a 5 hour trip to the science museum so that he can sleep. We move heaven and earth to get him healthy again, because we need him to to work (and because he's a miserable patient like every other man I know).
When I get sick, I get a kiss on the forehead and told "Try and get some rest." and the Computer Guy goes to work and leaves me alone with five children. Yes, they're all my children, but I don't really want them around me when I'm sick. They already follow me everywhere...shouldn't I get to be sick in peace? Why am I complaining about things that haven't happened yet? This isn't like me. I'm the optimist around here.
I need to get out of the house. The walls are closing in on me and making me obsess about things that might never happen. The Computer Guy will be out late tonight. I think I'm going to order Chinese food, put the kids to bed early, call my friend in Kentucky and watch a little trash TV with her. There's nothing like being able to feel vastly superior to the crazies on reality television to make you appreciate your life. Thank goodness for trash TV and a good friend to watch it with. I really am bored...or pathetic...let's go with bored.
#5 has been sick. There's nothing like a throwing up one year old to make you wish to be anywhere else. He seems fine this morning, but he seemed fine yesterday up until the moment he threw up on the couch, and fine the day before that until he got it...you get the idea. Two days of sick boy and I have cabin fever. I think it's because I fear the next go-round. Someone else in this house is bound to come down with it. It's only a matter of time.
We're in good shape unless that person is me. Moms aren't allowed to get sick. Even when we are we still have to be the "mom". When the children are sick I cater to their wants and needs and set them up in the big bed in my room with the remote, warm jello, and me at their beck and call. When the Computer Guy gets sick, he takes the day off of work and I try and keep the natives quiet. That usually involves a 5 hour trip to the science museum so that he can sleep. We move heaven and earth to get him healthy again, because we need him to to work (and because he's a miserable patient like every other man I know).
When I get sick, I get a kiss on the forehead and told "Try and get some rest." and the Computer Guy goes to work and leaves me alone with five children. Yes, they're all my children, but I don't really want them around me when I'm sick. They already follow me everywhere...shouldn't I get to be sick in peace? Why am I complaining about things that haven't happened yet? This isn't like me. I'm the optimist around here.
I need to get out of the house. The walls are closing in on me and making me obsess about things that might never happen. The Computer Guy will be out late tonight. I think I'm going to order Chinese food, put the kids to bed early, call my friend in Kentucky and watch a little trash TV with her. There's nothing like being able to feel vastly superior to the crazies on reality television to make you appreciate your life. Thank goodness for trash TV and a good friend to watch it with. I really am bored...or pathetic...let's go with bored.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Heard in Church
I heard this shrill whistling noise. The completely recognizable sound of a speaker about to blow. For some reason I was the only one who seemed to hear it. The Computer Guy can't hear high pitches, so I didn't even look at him, but the kids weren't phased either.
I looked at the choir director, raised an eyebrow and then looked at the speaker right behind me. He shrugged. Obviously he couldn't hear it. I glanced around. I was the only one who could hear it. What was that whistling sound?
Then as the homily was ending #3 leaned over to me.
"Mom.."
"Hmmm?"
"Did you hear me? I can speak bird."
Fabulous.
I looked at the choir director, raised an eyebrow and then looked at the speaker right behind me. He shrugged. Obviously he couldn't hear it. I glanced around. I was the only one who could hear it. What was that whistling sound?
Then as the homily was ending #3 leaned over to me.
"Mom.."
"Hmmm?"
"Did you hear me? I can speak bird."
Fabulous.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Happy Birthday #1!!!!!!!!!!
#1 is 12 today. I still don't believe it. I'm pretty sure she's still 8 and this is all a clever ruse. There's no way I'm old enough to have a 12 year old.
Twelve years ago about this time, we were supposed to be going to church, but didn't go because I felt "weird". I'd never had a baby before and was completely unaware of the fact that feeling "weird" is code for "the baby is coming today".
An hour later my water broke and I told the Computer Guy (well, he wasn't the computer guy yet, he was low-level-state-employee-guy)that we needed to go to the hospital. He told me he wanted to change out of his pajamas first (totally selfish, I know). Who knew that changing out of pajamas included a 20 minute shower and an impromptu pedicure? I'm being serious here, he had to clip his toenails before we could go to the hospital. I was in labor and sat patiently on the couch as he trimmed his nails. What a hoot! I would never be so patient now, but I was much nicer then.
6 1/2 hours of labor later and we were parents of a screaming, very loud girl who refused to keep her right leg curled up in the blankets. No matter how we tried to swaddle her, she stuck that leg straight out.
I wish I could say she was a beautiful baby, but she wasn't. She knows she wasn't., and since she's pretty now she can laugh about being ugly then. She had that pointy gorilla head all newborns have and all first time parents are unprepared for. Add to that hair that was only there in patches, no eyebrows or eye lashes, and large birth marks on both eyes, and a piercing cry that just never ended and she looked nothing like the little cherub I had imagined. If you listen closely to the video that her daddy shot you'll hear me whisper to my newborn, "Oh, sweetheart, it's a good thing mommy and daddy love you." I was expecting the Gerber Baby and got the Swamp Thing.
Ugly and loud with parent who were unprepared for the reality of her, and still she turned out alright.
Smart and funny, with a quick wit and and a ready laugh, a loyal friend, a patient daughter who tries to help her parents stay somewhat cool (she's failing miserably). She is one of the best people I know. How cool is it that I get to be her mom?
Twelve years ago about this time, we were supposed to be going to church, but didn't go because I felt "weird". I'd never had a baby before and was completely unaware of the fact that feeling "weird" is code for "the baby is coming today".
An hour later my water broke and I told the Computer Guy (well, he wasn't the computer guy yet, he was low-level-state-employee-guy)that we needed to go to the hospital. He told me he wanted to change out of his pajamas first (totally selfish, I know). Who knew that changing out of pajamas included a 20 minute shower and an impromptu pedicure? I'm being serious here, he had to clip his toenails before we could go to the hospital. I was in labor and sat patiently on the couch as he trimmed his nails. What a hoot! I would never be so patient now, but I was much nicer then.
6 1/2 hours of labor later and we were parents of a screaming, very loud girl who refused to keep her right leg curled up in the blankets. No matter how we tried to swaddle her, she stuck that leg straight out.
I wish I could say she was a beautiful baby, but she wasn't. She knows she wasn't., and since she's pretty now she can laugh about being ugly then. She had that pointy gorilla head all newborns have and all first time parents are unprepared for. Add to that hair that was only there in patches, no eyebrows or eye lashes, and large birth marks on both eyes, and a piercing cry that just never ended and she looked nothing like the little cherub I had imagined. If you listen closely to the video that her daddy shot you'll hear me whisper to my newborn, "Oh, sweetheart, it's a good thing mommy and daddy love you." I was expecting the Gerber Baby and got the Swamp Thing.
Ugly and loud with parent who were unprepared for the reality of her, and still she turned out alright.
Smart and funny, with a quick wit and and a ready laugh, a loyal friend, a patient daughter who tries to help her parents stay somewhat cool (she's failing miserably). She is one of the best people I know. How cool is it that I get to be her mom?
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Preservation
Four months ago we moved into a lovely house in a beautiful neighborhood. We love the house. We love how close it is to everything the children want to do. We love the neighborhood itself. We're not so crazy about the neighborhood kids. I'm learning a lot about other people's children.
In our old neighborhood, there were very few children and most of the residents were past retirement age. The kids got bored and there was never anyone to play with but each other...and all the other complaints that children can invent.
When we looked for a new house, we specifically looked for a family friendly area with lots of swingsets in the backyard. I'm rethinking that.
We have been spoiled by our children's friends. For the most part, they are incredibly kind, articulate, polite and respectful. They all call me Mrs. F____ and are tolerant of little brothers and sisters. That's right. Our homeschooled children hang out with other homeschooled children. I don't pick their friends for them, but I do carefully select the pool from which those friends can come. Until now.
Now we have children in every house around us, and they aren't the polite children we know. They are rude and disrespectful and have vile vocabularies. We caught two of the boys from our area in a cussing contest last Saturday that included such gems as "c--- sucker" and "b--- licker." The boys are 8 and 9 years old. I've told their parents. The parents don't care. They informed me that all children say bad words; they pick them up at school. They have to pick their battles, you know, and foul language with each other isn't one of them. If it were in an "inappropriate place", like in front of grandma, then they would say something, but boys will be boys. How about in an inappropriate place like in front of my children? Why is your grandma entitled to a greater level of respect than my family?
My sons have two fewer playmates today. We don't hang out with people who talk like this. Luckily for us, #2 and #3 were horrified enough by the language to have decided that boys who talk this way weren't nice kids. We have protected them, you see. We have purposely sheltered them from such talk because we don't want them to be comfortable with it. We don't want them to be so familiar with filth that they can't even recognize it any longer. These boys in our neighborhood are so used to filth that they are numb to it. This is what we so desperately want to avoid with our own children.
We want them to still be shocked by vulgarity. We want them to know instantly that something is not appropriate and that being inappropriate means that it should be avoided, not that it's funny. This is why we homeschool, because we seek to preserve the wonderful people that they are and not the people the world seeks to make of them.
In our old neighborhood, there were very few children and most of the residents were past retirement age. The kids got bored and there was never anyone to play with but each other...and all the other complaints that children can invent.
When we looked for a new house, we specifically looked for a family friendly area with lots of swingsets in the backyard. I'm rethinking that.
We have been spoiled by our children's friends. For the most part, they are incredibly kind, articulate, polite and respectful. They all call me Mrs. F____ and are tolerant of little brothers and sisters. That's right. Our homeschooled children hang out with other homeschooled children. I don't pick their friends for them, but I do carefully select the pool from which those friends can come. Until now.
Now we have children in every house around us, and they aren't the polite children we know. They are rude and disrespectful and have vile vocabularies. We caught two of the boys from our area in a cussing contest last Saturday that included such gems as "c--- sucker" and "b--- licker." The boys are 8 and 9 years old. I've told their parents. The parents don't care. They informed me that all children say bad words; they pick them up at school. They have to pick their battles, you know, and foul language with each other isn't one of them. If it were in an "inappropriate place", like in front of grandma, then they would say something, but boys will be boys. How about in an inappropriate place like in front of my children? Why is your grandma entitled to a greater level of respect than my family?
My sons have two fewer playmates today. We don't hang out with people who talk like this. Luckily for us, #2 and #3 were horrified enough by the language to have decided that boys who talk this way weren't nice kids. We have protected them, you see. We have purposely sheltered them from such talk because we don't want them to be comfortable with it. We don't want them to be so familiar with filth that they can't even recognize it any longer. These boys in our neighborhood are so used to filth that they are numb to it. This is what we so desperately want to avoid with our own children.
We want them to still be shocked by vulgarity. We want them to know instantly that something is not appropriate and that being inappropriate means that it should be avoided, not that it's funny. This is why we homeschool, because we seek to preserve the wonderful people that they are and not the people the world seeks to make of them.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Yeah...But Do You Get To Wear a Cool Hat?
A few months back I met a really nice woman who was a Wiccan Tree Priestess. Really. At least that's what she told me she was. She could have been yanking my chain. I have no way of knowing. I admit to being a bit ignorant about pagan religious structure.
She was very nice, and very interesting to talk to about all kinds of stuff. Her perspective on things was wildly different from my own. I usually know where people are coming from, but I admit to being a bit thrown off by the whole "tree priestess" thing. Then she told me that not only is she a tree priestess, but it the High Tree Priestess for her area. I know I could have been evangelizing her, but I'll admit that I'm such a girl that all I could think was, "High Tree Priestess....I'll bet she gets a cool hat."
I really want her to have a cool hat. I'm not sure why it's important to me, but it is. I wonder about it and ask her every time I see her.
"Do you get to wear a hat? What does it look like?"
She just smiles and shakes her head at me, no doubt laughing at my woeful ignorance of all things tree priestess-y. I really do want to know.
I have this picture in my head of those tacky trees from the 80's that everyone had in their home. You know the kind that were made out of twisty gold wire and dangly golden leaves. We never had one. My mom wasn't that cool, but my neighbor did and I just knew it was the height of chic in interior design. That's what I picture on her head. Twisty and shiny with sparkly leaves. I can see it so clearly. Her with this glorious tree on her head and long flowing robes the color of the season just gliding gracefully through the forest.
I'm probably way off and she just gets a beanie. She probably just wears jeans and walks around chanting. What a disappointment. Or maybe she communes with nature so much that she walks nude and unashamed through the trees. Probably not though. I think you can get arrested for that.
I just want her to have a hat, and I want it to be cool. What's so wrong with that? Have you seen the tree priestess in your local woods? Does she have a hat? If she doesn't. please don't tell me. I don't think I could bear the disappointment.
She was very nice, and very interesting to talk to about all kinds of stuff. Her perspective on things was wildly different from my own. I usually know where people are coming from, but I admit to being a bit thrown off by the whole "tree priestess" thing. Then she told me that not only is she a tree priestess, but it the High Tree Priestess for her area. I know I could have been evangelizing her, but I'll admit that I'm such a girl that all I could think was, "High Tree Priestess....I'll bet she gets a cool hat."
I really want her to have a cool hat. I'm not sure why it's important to me, but it is. I wonder about it and ask her every time I see her.
"Do you get to wear a hat? What does it look like?"
She just smiles and shakes her head at me, no doubt laughing at my woeful ignorance of all things tree priestess-y. I really do want to know.
I have this picture in my head of those tacky trees from the 80's that everyone had in their home. You know the kind that were made out of twisty gold wire and dangly golden leaves. We never had one. My mom wasn't that cool, but my neighbor did and I just knew it was the height of chic in interior design. That's what I picture on her head. Twisty and shiny with sparkly leaves. I can see it so clearly. Her with this glorious tree on her head and long flowing robes the color of the season just gliding gracefully through the forest.
I'm probably way off and she just gets a beanie. She probably just wears jeans and walks around chanting. What a disappointment. Or maybe she communes with nature so much that she walks nude and unashamed through the trees. Probably not though. I think you can get arrested for that.
I just want her to have a hat, and I want it to be cool. What's so wrong with that? Have you seen the tree priestess in your local woods? Does she have a hat? If she doesn't. please don't tell me. I don't think I could bear the disappointment.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
The Sad Part
My heart aches for him. Barack Obama. I know he just got elected President and Democrats swept into Congress, blah, blah, blah.
His beloved grandmother died a day too soon.
She raised him in a time when it was not easy to face the world with a grandson who was racially mixed. She took in this child of her own unwed teenage daughter and nurtured him to make of him a good man. Here he is in his moment of triumph and his steady support for the whole of his life died one day before his great triumph.
I do not agree with Barack Obama the politician, but my heart aches for Barack Obama the man. I don't know how he made his acceptance speech yesterday without tearing up over his loss.
Today I am praying for the soul of his grandmother, Madelyn Dunham.
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her and give her peace. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
His beloved grandmother died a day too soon.
She raised him in a time when it was not easy to face the world with a grandson who was racially mixed. She took in this child of her own unwed teenage daughter and nurtured him to make of him a good man. Here he is in his moment of triumph and his steady support for the whole of his life died one day before his great triumph.
I do not agree with Barack Obama the politician, but my heart aches for Barack Obama the man. I don't know how he made his acceptance speech yesterday without tearing up over his loss.
Today I am praying for the soul of his grandmother, Madelyn Dunham.
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her and give her peace. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Monday, November 3, 2008
An Inspirational Message-Just For You
Because I love you! Love, the Mom
hahahahahahahahahahahahaha! Sorry, I can't stop laughing at this. gasp. sputter. hahahahahahahahahaha!
hahahahahahahahahahahahaha! Sorry, I can't stop laughing at this. gasp. sputter. hahahahahahahahahaha!
He Danced With Me
Yesterday was our birthday, my dear sweet Computer Guy and me. Yes, we have the same birthday. I believe it's because when we were dating and he discovered that we had the same birthday he thought to himself, "If I marry this girl then I will never forget her birthday and never end up in the dog house. Bonus." Or it could just be that our moms both gave birth on November 2nd.
It was our birthday yesterday. We started off the day at Mass remembering all of our loved ones who have died. I can tell you from first-hand experience that having a birthday and getting a year older on the the day we are all supposed to think about dying ourselves gets to be less and less fun the older we get.
He took me shopping yesterday to buy a dress to wear to a wedding which was last night. I had a dress already, but he thought I might like a new one. And the funny thing is, I would like a new one! See how that all worked out? I found the perfect little black dress. It fit like a charm and made me look 10 lbs lighter(You've gotta love that.) and looked great with my new red peep toe shoes that I've been dying to wear. (Thanks to my friend Annette who brought me "slut shoes" one day just because she knew I would love them.) It cost too much money, but he had done some extra computer work and told me not to worry about it. Then we went to Victoria's Secret and picked up some stuff to go under the new dress. He doesn't miss a thing, does he?
We went to the wedding and the bride's mother said, "You look stunning." The bride hugged me and said, "Wow. Those are great shoes." I'll admit to looking hot and knowing it.
Then the best thing happened. They played a slow song and my husband danced with me. Fifteen years together and it was our first dance. The rest of it was all nice, but the best of all was that he held me in his arms and we danced together. It was magic and I was Cinderella. Only Cinderella wasn't cool enough to wear bright red, peep toe, 4 inch heel, amazingly cute shoes. Too bad for her.
It was our birthday yesterday. We started off the day at Mass remembering all of our loved ones who have died. I can tell you from first-hand experience that having a birthday and getting a year older on the the day we are all supposed to think about dying ourselves gets to be less and less fun the older we get.
He took me shopping yesterday to buy a dress to wear to a wedding which was last night. I had a dress already, but he thought I might like a new one. And the funny thing is, I would like a new one! See how that all worked out? I found the perfect little black dress. It fit like a charm and made me look 10 lbs lighter(You've gotta love that.) and looked great with my new red peep toe shoes that I've been dying to wear. (Thanks to my friend Annette who brought me "slut shoes" one day just because she knew I would love them.) It cost too much money, but he had done some extra computer work and told me not to worry about it. Then we went to Victoria's Secret and picked up some stuff to go under the new dress. He doesn't miss a thing, does he?
We went to the wedding and the bride's mother said, "You look stunning." The bride hugged me and said, "Wow. Those are great shoes." I'll admit to looking hot and knowing it.
Then the best thing happened. They played a slow song and my husband danced with me. Fifteen years together and it was our first dance. The rest of it was all nice, but the best of all was that he held me in his arms and we danced together. It was magic and I was Cinderella. Only Cinderella wasn't cool enough to wear bright red, peep toe, 4 inch heel, amazingly cute shoes. Too bad for her.
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