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Archive for May, 2009

Your education is getting in the way of my Schooling!

May 27th, 2009 at 02:02 pm

So I was at the computer with plans to stop the Myzoo action and go to some sort of school like lesson with the kids.

I turned around to find my oldest curled up on the couch with a book about ancient Egypt. hmm don't want to disturb him.

Checked on JC, curled up with a book reading aloud to her dolls. Ah nope.

UE was also 'reading', and almost asleep in bed. EL was already asleep.

So there went my school plans, their (self directed) education was getting in the way!

Somehow I am not impressed

May 26th, 2009 at 05:47 pm

This is a personal pet peeve of mine....

When one lists recent purchases, I tend to get glazed over eyes, and wonder why I am being told this information.

Now if you buy a new gadget and want to show me it, sure, we like to share the joy.

But to simply run down a list of toys and expect me to care? What could possibly come of that besides your pride at all you have.

Do you need me to come tell you a list of recent achievements of my kids? Would it make the mother of an 18 month old, who can't walk, happy for me to say "EL can walk, says two or three words and can find our noses, and her ear, plus she knows if she takes her diaper off she will be taken potty, yes she can 'pee on demand' oh and she can 'moo'"

Seriously what good can come of that?

Sure if I came on here and said "EL found her ear today!" all the kid loving folk could rejoice with me, but my listing all the things she can do is more like a resume, or "don't you think she is the best!"

Not to mention the mother of any 11 month old who isn't up to par is left to wonder why.

The only time a list matters is to oneself (and spouse), or when checking the health of a situation. You need to compare your own list to a baseline, such as if you are on track for retirement for finances, or age appropriate milestones for kids.

The rest of the time, please don't list all your toys/kid skills, just tell me todays and I will rejoice with you.

Top 5 good memories

May 25th, 2009 at 12:02 am

From

Text is Sicily's and Link is http://saving-sicily.savingadvice.com/2009/05/24/what-do-you-remember_51244/
Sicily's post. Not sure how far back we are supposed to stay.

1. Family gatherings at Grandma's house.

2. Baking cookies in highschool

3. Going to church (no we didn't do this every week, but it was nice for a time)

4. Feeding the ducks at north park

5. Many long hours spent at the science center.

I also have bad memories...but I would have to go way past the top 100 to get to any that involve not having things.

Why does Gold/silver have value?

May 24th, 2009 at 05:23 am

Many folk are buying gold and silver as insurance against the collapse of the US dollar.

Why? What good is it!

With the paper money I can at least insulate the attic or burn it for heat.

Gold on the other hand serves no useful purpose. Can't eat it, can't burn it, can't grow anything out of it. It isn't even useful as a container to cook in.

Though I think silver at least can make decent silverware, so long as you have the time to care for it.

I personally would prefer a few apple trees or some potatoes.

Is it bad that his disapointment made my day?

May 22nd, 2009 at 10:06 pm

So I decided it is officially to much work to do both Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts on the same day.

I told my Webelos leader I was not going to do them both anymore and his face was like a gift to my heart. It showed disappointment instantly, (then a more respectful face of understanding.)

When I explained I was moving the GS to Thursday, his instant relief was music to my heart.

And then just because it was a bad day, I mentioned how I would quit the CS and let them find a replacement..."H@!! no" was his immediate reply. Not the best word choice, but I loved the sentiment.

So is it bad of me to love knowing others find me helpful? Or better still irreplaceable.

Finally hit with the economic trouble

May 12th, 2009 at 09:22 pm

My husband has been asked to take a 'furlough'. Which is a nice way of saying don't come in one day a week for a month.

So we are using the first two weeks days (this Friday, and next Monday) to go to PA. Bit of last minute, but well seemed like a nice silver lining anyway.

One of the next weeks we will use for my husband to take my daughter to work, she hasn't had her turn.

And maybe with one I will get some 'Honeydew' work done?

lack of microwave has officially wasted money

May 11th, 2009 at 03:45 pm

I just had to toss some leftover Chili. It was too small a portion to use any of my pots (I don't have a baby pot) so instead of heating it up to eat, it got ignored for a week.

Now while berating myself for not using it up, I came up with several creative uses.

1. Chili sandwich(in the oven)
2. Eat it cold for EL (if she eats off the floor I bet she would eat it cold)
3. pout with noodles or rice to make larger portion
4. use the big pot and keep a closer eye on it

But the truth of the matter is, I prefer a microwave.

How many birds can you name?

May 8th, 2009 at 06:41 pm

For Scouts 'world conservation' badge, G has to keep a bird chart and name 10 birds, 5 'IRL' (In Real Life).

At first I was a bit worried, not that he can't name birds, he has an amazing memory. But worried that we wouldn't see 5 different birds around here.

So far, since Tuesday, he has seen Wrens, Black birds, Crows (how does he know they are different?) Blue birds (or Jays?), a robin or two, and a cardinal.

Never knew there were so many different things right here.

One thing I am learning to do different with the Charlotte Mason, is to look right here for nature. One of my weakest subjects.

Perfect way to waste your afternoon

May 6th, 2009 at 06:07 pm

If you happen to have time on your hands and are avoiding work at all costs, you could check out one of the many facebook apps.

But I warn you, it could mean the end of productivity!

I have spent the last 2 hours playing chickionary while waiting for my mafia timer to refill my energy so I can go do more jobs.

For no other reason than to watch the experience tick up and new levels.

What a waste of time, ooh I have more energy, gotta go!

expensive lesson

May 5th, 2009 at 04:12 pm

Text is 1500 Frisbee and Link is http://blogs.moneycentral.msn.com/smartspending/archive/2009/05/04/the-1-500-frisbee.aspx
1500 Frisbee

I am sure the author is not the only person who learned the hard way freebies are not always free.

I wonder how much I have spent on lessons in my life...

I know in homeschooling one of the hardest lessons is that paying for something doesn't mean it is the best tool for your kid..very hard when folk buy prepackaged curriculum's! Even I with my mismatched use what you find method have come across an item or two that was a waste of money, yet I feel obligated to use it.

So just how important is a microwave?

May 4th, 2009 at 06:43 pm

One would think that being a non TV dinner family we could manage without one easily.

One would be wrong. The other night when nuking some vegetables my microwave went 'BZZT' so I took the stuff out unplugged it and cooked the veggies on the stove (how archaic)

But doable, I managed.

The next day I managed to learn how to use the timer on my stove instead of the microwave for making cookies, (ok actually I went with the time honored, 'take em out when they smell good' method, but I tried to remember to use the stove timer)

I steamed some brocolii on the stove, cut up leftover food and made succotash instead of heating up the mini portions, and essentially managed to cook all weekend without a microwave.

Now I am ready to have one, please?

Not that I can't manage, it's just that microwaves are so much quicker!

I imagine if I go without for a month I will be used to it, since my husband uses one at work for his lunch and I can use the stove. But I don't think we will go that long, I expect one to be installed within the week.