September doesn't start until tomorrow, but my calendar is already full. Most of the things on my calendar are wonderful, in and of themselves, but all together can make life a little hectic.
The Imp being on the crew team has made her days really long. She goes to school until 3, then stays at school (supposedly getting some homework done) until 4 when crew practice starts. Fortunately, the school is on the Hillsborough River and they have a dock, so she doesn't have to go anywhere for practice. Hubby picks her up at 6. They're home between 6:30 and 7, then she showers, we eat, then homework, then bed. She's sleeping well.
The Swine Flu hoopla is dying down, even though the absentee rate is still very high. The Imp's theology teacher is back. The Singer's college has plans in place for video broadcasting classes, should the flu break out there. I wash my hands even more than I did.
I planted most of my Fall garden yesterday: cucumbers, more peppers, onions, lettuce, and beans. I've ordered garlic and potatoes for planting. With just my peppers from my summer crop still producing, I haven't been out in my garden much lately. It felt good to go out and play in the dirt for a while.
I've been thinking about our 25th wedding anniversary that is fast approaching in December. I'd really like to make it special, but am not sure exactly what I'm going to do. For the last 5 years or so, we'd be saying we'd take a cruise. With the economy and return to Catholic school, that's been put on hold...maybe our 30th. So whatever I plan needs to be reasonably priced.
My evening Bible study goes until November 3 and it's a comprehensive look at the totality of the Bible and the story of salvation. My morning Bible study starts next Tuesday and is a more in-depth look at 1 and 2 Corinthians. I'm not sure how this is all going to pan out. But I'll give it a whirl.
My mom's birthday is tomorrow. I really wish people I know would have been more considerate and have birthdays mid to late month. I never get cards out on time for those with birthdays at the beginning of the month. Truth be told, I haven't gotten a birthday card to anyone on time for about 2 years! But I keep trying. Failed again with my mom. Fortunately she likes me and will forgive me.
My husband is the best guy in the whole world. To list all his positive attributes would take too long. But this week, the thing I'm most thankful for is his ability and willingness to give me a back rub. I'm not sure what I did last week, but my neck/shoulders are killing me. He rubbed my back last night, but I'm still in pain. You know the tension in your shoulders is bad when it hurts just sitting still. I've been stretching all day, had heat on it, and sat on my massaging pad, but still need a massage. Fortunately, I don't have to pay for one.
It's less than 2 weeks until Rock the Universe at Universal Studios where the Singer will compete for Voice of an Angel. I'm so exctied and nervous. We got our tickets and are staying overnight in Orlando Saturday night. I can't wait to hear her, and to hear all the great Christian bands playing.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Swine Flu
Swine Flu has arrived at the Imp's school. The Imp's theology teacher is one of the people with a confirmed case. About 20% of the school has been absent, most with flu-like symptoms. It's a little disconcerning, but I'm not panicing. If the Imp gets ill, I will certainly be taking her to the doctor sooner, rather than later, especially with her asthma. It was predicted that 2 weeks would allow time for the virus to spread through a school....TC has been in session for 2 weeks. Public schools just started Tuesday, so we'll wait and see how it progresses there. But I'm actually more concerned about the Singer at USF and the swine flu. I'm not there to evaluate her situation. If her roommate gets sick, I know I'll want the Singer to come home and commute for a few days, but I don't think she will. She is at the stage where she is making decisions concerning her life because she's "on her own" but really, she's still 'under my care.' Her permanent address is still my house. She's still under our health insurance. We feel, and I think she does too, that we're still ultimately responsible for her. It's in the transition stage, as demonstrated with the flat tire. She had to pay for it and take her car in, etc., but she called us and was pleased that Hubby went with her to get the tire. A vaccine is suppose to be ready in October for the Swine Flu. My girls will be among the first to sign up. I'll make sure of it. They already get the yearly flu vaccine due to their asthma. While their asthma is well-controlled, their lungs still seem to take the brunt of any illness they get. Anyone with their own nebulizer should be getting the flu vaccine. With 50% of the population predicted to get the swine flu, I'm sure one of the girls will get it. Possibly both, considering their situations. The Imp because she's on the crew team (practice settings and close contact allow easy spreading of any disease) and the Singer because she doesn't always take care of herself with regards to her eating and sleeping habits, so her defenses will be low. I won't say that I'm worried, just trying to be vigilant. Hubby says he's found the positive in working in a "deserted" building [so many of the jobs have been outsourced, the cubicles on his floor at work are primarily empty] ...less chance to get the swine flu.
Two friends coming over today to scrap book, gotta go get breakfast dishes done and put some clothes on.
Two friends coming over today to scrap book, gotta go get breakfast dishes done and put some clothes on.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Scrapbooking
I got to spend all day (9AM - 8PM) at a crop. There were about 700 women at the state fairgrounds, all working on their scrapbooks. I managed to put together 14 pages. Definitely a lot for me. At 6PM there was a door-prize drawing, available to all who had completed 25 pages! That will never be me. When I put a page together, I spend lots of time reminiscing, and then time thinking about a layout, then what colors to use, then searching my supplies for those colors and matching stickers. Then I have to 'journal' which requires some thought. I often hand draw embellishments. Companies make packets with papers that have spaces marked to show where you are to put your pictures and come with all the stickers and extras you need. I have a hard time using those pages. Inevitably, there is something about the packet that doesn't seem like me. I feel compelled to change it. I do the same thing cooking; rarely following a recipe exactly as written. I guess, if I'm making it, I want it to reflect me. And back to scrapping, I also spend time talking. No surprise there. But that is part of the appeal of getting together to crop: the community aspect. I really think crops provide a social outlet similar to quilting bees of old. I got to see a friend I hadn't seen for over a year. We spent a good 40 minutes just catching up. And I'm so glad we had that chance. The whole day was great. The only negative, and it's true of most crops, was the chairs. They were old, bent folding chairs. I'm short and am often too low when sitting in a folding chair at a table. Throw in some bent legs and I'm really too low. If I sit on a pillow to put me higher, my feet don't touch the ground (my toes may, but not my whole foot). All this puts great strain on my back, and my lower back is still recovering.
The Imp came home from crew practice last night with blisters on her hands from rowing. I innocently asked if she'd like me to get her some workout gloves. I was quickly told that was a huge negative. The blisters/callouses are badges of honor and gloves are not 'cool'. Silly me. She seems to be settling into a routine with school and crew.
I've been trying to get myself on the same sleep schedule as Hubby and the Imp. I've been getting up with them in the morning and have avoided naps so I could go to sleep at night. But I'm still having a hard time falling asleep as early as they do. I feel like my internal clock is hard-wired for late-to-bed, late-to-rise. I lay in bed with thoughts swirling around. And they are indeed swirling with no real productivity in my thoughts at night. I've been waking up slowly with my alarm set to the local Christian radio station. Today, I must've snoozed a little too much because Hubby came to kiss me good-bye and I was still in bed. And the conversations the DJs were having on the radio had been woven into my dreams. I'll keep trying and hopefully within another week, I'll have reset my internal clock. To my defense, Hubby did leave 10 minutes early today. It's the first day of public school, so the roads will be packed with all those parents who drive their kids to school on the first day, plus the hundreds of school buses. Hubby loves the summer when driving to work takes him 15 minutes less than during the school year.
Last year, the public school system had quite the fiasco with bus routes and schedules. Supposedly, that is all fixed. I'm waiting to hear. When you're the 8th largest school district in the country, everything is big and logistics involving the whole county are nightmarish. Hillsborough County school district doesn't just have a lot of students (right around 120,000) but also is a large land area (1,266 square miles) with lots of schools (243 schools grades K-12).
The Imp came home from crew practice last night with blisters on her hands from rowing. I innocently asked if she'd like me to get her some workout gloves. I was quickly told that was a huge negative. The blisters/callouses are badges of honor and gloves are not 'cool'. Silly me. She seems to be settling into a routine with school and crew.
I've been trying to get myself on the same sleep schedule as Hubby and the Imp. I've been getting up with them in the morning and have avoided naps so I could go to sleep at night. But I'm still having a hard time falling asleep as early as they do. I feel like my internal clock is hard-wired for late-to-bed, late-to-rise. I lay in bed with thoughts swirling around. And they are indeed swirling with no real productivity in my thoughts at night. I've been waking up slowly with my alarm set to the local Christian radio station. Today, I must've snoozed a little too much because Hubby came to kiss me good-bye and I was still in bed. And the conversations the DJs were having on the radio had been woven into my dreams. I'll keep trying and hopefully within another week, I'll have reset my internal clock. To my defense, Hubby did leave 10 minutes early today. It's the first day of public school, so the roads will be packed with all those parents who drive their kids to school on the first day, plus the hundreds of school buses. Hubby loves the summer when driving to work takes him 15 minutes less than during the school year.
Last year, the public school system had quite the fiasco with bus routes and schedules. Supposedly, that is all fixed. I'm waiting to hear. When you're the 8th largest school district in the country, everything is big and logistics involving the whole county are nightmarish. Hillsborough County school district doesn't just have a lot of students (right around 120,000) but also is a large land area (1,266 square miles) with lots of schools (243 schools grades K-12).
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Flat Tire
I'm suppose to be typing up questions for tomorrow's night couples' meeting, but had to write about the Singer and her escapades. She calls me on her way to work this afternoon and says, "Mom, my tire light went on and the car's bumpy, should I pull over?" Sometimes I worry about that girl. I said "YES!!!!" She pulled into a gas station and had a whopper of a flat (definitely won't be able to be patched). She was traveling on I-75 where it's 4 lanes each way. High volume, and lots of trucks carrying lots of stuff. She obviously hit some crud in the road. She was dressed for work and didn't really want to change a tire. Fortunately a nice man came and helped her. [I stayed on the phone with her...I'm paranoid] The man told her she shouldn't be driving on I-75 because there's so much junk on the road. So she's now decided she's driving to work on the back roads. I give it a week or less. She'll add a good 20-30 minutes on her commute with that. The interstate is 1 mile from campus and about 2 miles from her work. She can make it to work in under 20 minutes, easy. Well she could if she took the interestate. The best part of all this was when she called home on her break and asked, accusingly, why we didn't buy her tire protection when we bought her the brand new car? Hubby had to take the phone from me as I was about to reach thru the phone and strangle her!
Tomorrow she gets to go buy a new tire. Fun, fun.
Tomorrow she gets to go buy a new tire. Fun, fun.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Meal Planning & Julia and Julie
Hubby and I went to see "Julia and Julie" yesterday and really enjoyed it. I only have vague memories of Julia Child being on TV and at that time, I never really watched. I had no idea she put Paula Dean to shame in her use of butter! The movie did, however, make me want to go buy "Mastering the Art of French Cooking."
Watching Julie try all those recipes made me want to go home and begin cooking so you'd think meal planning for this week would be a snap. Not so. When we're busy, I hate meal planning (and of course meal planning is all the more essential during busy times). Every Sunday we hold a family "calendar meeting." During this meeting we all look at the coming week and indicate our activities, especially those impacting others in the family. These meetings are also a time to bring up future events or topics needing family discussion. Asking me on a Wednesday about going to a party 3 weeks from now will get a non-committal response. Bring it up at calendar meeting and put it on the calendar, and you've got a good chance of going.
After this meeting, I plan the menu for the week's dinners. I take into account the activities. Thursdays I tend to be gone most of the day, so it's a great day for a crock pot dinner or leftovers. Tuesdays, Hubby and I have Bible Study, so an easy clean-up meal is preferred. After making the menu, I make a grocery list and other family members know anything they want at the store better be put on this list. Monday mornings, I'm off to the grocery store. If it's not on the list...you'll do without for a week (or at least 'till Thursday when I go for a milk run).
This week is a mess: back-to-school meetings, beginning of choir potluck for the Imp, the Singer going back to school, the beginning of crew practice, our monthly marriage enrichment meeting and an all-day Saturday crop for me. I really don't want to cook at all! But I'd sure like some of my great home-cooked meals. So here it is Monday morning, I really need to go to the store, but I haven't made a menu plan yet. Ugh. So I guess I'll be falling back to some old favorites like spaghetti, baked chicken, and such. Especially since I'll be baking some chocolate treats Tuesday for the Singer to take to college with her on Wednesday. Better go. We really do need milk.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Love and Obedience
I've been reading a lot lately.
I'm reading The 5000 Year Leap
It is an excellent book about the fundamental ideals held by our founding fathers. If I were teaching American Government, I would make this required reading. As it is, my kids are going to read it after me. An incredible amount of information in a very readable format. The thing that strikes me most is how much knowledge our founding fathers had about different philosophies and histories of political systems. I fear we, as a nation, have undermined our own system by failing to teach history better. In my county, in middle school, students with low reading scores are pulled out of social studies to have remedial reading. Obviously reading is important, but now these students will enter high school with no foundation of understanding about history, social systems, or politics on which to build. It really is an easy read.
Another book I'm working with, I don't say reading because it isn't set up to be read page 1 through to the end, is The Love Dare. It is a type of workbook for one person of a married couple to read and act upon. The ideas presented in the book inspire me. The book describes what love is and looks like very well. It would be good to read if you're having trouble loving your spouse, your child, your co-worker or your parent. Obviously some of the ideas need tweaking to apply to others besides a spouse, but the basic concepts are Truth about love which stay true no matter the situation. Hubby and I are happily married. I can't imagine a better man for me. Meditating on this book is making me a better wife, heck a better person.
I've also been reading large chunks of the Bible because of The Great Adventure Bible Study which gives an overall picture of salvation history by reading 14 books of the Bible over 24 weeks. It's been extremely interesting, eye-opening and a challenge for me to change my life. The concept of obedience is ever-present. And the examples of disobedience and its negative consequences are on almost every page. For too many people, I think being obedient is seen as being unintelligent, lazy or worse. But obedience is the one big thing God asks of us. Being obedient requires humility and true humility requires a truthful view of self in relation to God. I've been letting this idea of obedience percolate in the back of my mind and haven't come to any earth-shattering conclusions, other than we need to value obedience for obedience's sake more than we do. [I'm thinking of the Imp and her aversion to uniforms.]
Yesterday, I saw a movie on TV, The Nun's Story
Whereas the synopsis of the movie focuses on Hepburn's inability to stay neutral during World War II, I saw the theme of obedience to be much greater. Hepburn's character, Sr. Luke, struggled with obedience, especially when she thought her way of doing things was "better" (more efficient, better use of her talents,etc).
So today I'll be thinking of obedience, of love, and of the beliefs of our founding fathers, as I mop the floor and drive carpool. And I'll thank God I have the ability to do so.
I'm reading The 5000 Year Leap
It is an excellent book about the fundamental ideals held by our founding fathers. If I were teaching American Government, I would make this required reading. As it is, my kids are going to read it after me. An incredible amount of information in a very readable format. The thing that strikes me most is how much knowledge our founding fathers had about different philosophies and histories of political systems. I fear we, as a nation, have undermined our own system by failing to teach history better. In my county, in middle school, students with low reading scores are pulled out of social studies to have remedial reading. Obviously reading is important, but now these students will enter high school with no foundation of understanding about history, social systems, or politics on which to build. It really is an easy read.
Another book I'm working with, I don't say reading because it isn't set up to be read page 1 through to the end, is The Love Dare. It is a type of workbook for one person of a married couple to read and act upon. The ideas presented in the book inspire me. The book describes what love is and looks like very well. It would be good to read if you're having trouble loving your spouse, your child, your co-worker or your parent. Obviously some of the ideas need tweaking to apply to others besides a spouse, but the basic concepts are Truth about love which stay true no matter the situation. Hubby and I are happily married. I can't imagine a better man for me. Meditating on this book is making me a better wife, heck a better person.
I've also been reading large chunks of the Bible because of The Great Adventure Bible Study which gives an overall picture of salvation history by reading 14 books of the Bible over 24 weeks. It's been extremely interesting, eye-opening and a challenge for me to change my life. The concept of obedience is ever-present. And the examples of disobedience and its negative consequences are on almost every page. For too many people, I think being obedient is seen as being unintelligent, lazy or worse. But obedience is the one big thing God asks of us. Being obedient requires humility and true humility requires a truthful view of self in relation to God. I've been letting this idea of obedience percolate in the back of my mind and haven't come to any earth-shattering conclusions, other than we need to value obedience for obedience's sake more than we do. [I'm thinking of the Imp and her aversion to uniforms.]
Yesterday, I saw a movie on TV, The Nun's Story
Whereas the synopsis of the movie focuses on Hepburn's inability to stay neutral during World War II, I saw the theme of obedience to be much greater. Hepburn's character, Sr. Luke, struggled with obedience, especially when she thought her way of doing things was "better" (more efficient, better use of her talents,etc).
So today I'll be thinking of obedience, of love, and of the beliefs of our founding fathers, as I mop the floor and drive carpool. And I'll thank God I have the ability to do so.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
The Imp is Back
What a difference a day makes. The Imp was smiling, laughing, and singing at dinner tonight. The first day of school is over and so many of her concerns never came to pass. The change in her demeanor and attitude is striking. Going to Bible Study tonight Hubby commented that is was good to have the real Imp back. Her face is still a little swollen and her left jaw has a lightly visible bruise, but she's okay with that. She ate real food (she'd been living on mashed potatoes, sherbert, milkshakes and jello) and said she was ready to resume her chores. Whew. We were worried that she may never get back to herself. No complaints about dress code and even her realization that she could no longer chew gum at school (her old school said it wasn't allowed but it was a rule never enforced) had her simply commenting that it would be quite an adjustment. No tirades of stupid rules or unfair use of power by administrators. I am more than thrilled and very thankful.
Squirrels in My Attic
As I awoke this morning, praying for the Imp as soon as I was conscious for her first day of school, I heard the pesky squirrels running across my roof. But since I hear those squirrels running from my roof to the fence to the neighbors' roofs all the time, the noise didn't really penetrate into my conscious thoughts, until I realized the pitter-patter of their little feet sounded different. I think those pests have made a nest in the attic, right over my bed! I'm not sure when we'll get someone out to make sure our attic has no free-loaders.
The Imp's face is still a little swollen. If you didn't know her, you wouldn't know. She has a very thin face and this morning she looked like she had a fuller face. She realized this and said..."yea, I don't look inhuman anymore, but I don't look like me either." Fortunately, today is just orientation...an hour and a half with just her grade...basically the deans saying "Behave." Afterwards I'm taking her and her friends out to Village Inn for a breakfast. As her face looks better this morning than yesterday's, I'm sure she'll look even better tomorrow when she actually has to go to all her classes.
Monday, August 10, 2009
School Starts
School starts tomorrow for the Imp. She's trying hard not to freak on me, but not really succeeding. Her face is still a little swollen from the surgery and she can think of nothing worse than going to school on the first day with slightly swollen cheeks. I guess I'm glad that's the worst of her worries; it means her life is pretty darn good.
The house is a little topsy-turvy as we transition from one schedule/life-style to the next. The Singer doesn't leave for her dorm until next Wednesday but since she's working 1:30-10:00 PM she's no longer home during traditional "family time" so it's a lot like she's already gone. I'm looking forward to next Thrusday when we can really begin to set our fall schedule. I'm a schedule kind of person. The Imp should know her crew practice schedule by then and the Singer will be gone so we can figure out our new schedule. So between my minor angst at no real schedule for our home and the Imp's angst over a new school, I think we should just avoid each other for the next few days.
I've begun working in earnest on my wall sized crossword puzzle. It was given to me a few years ago at Christmas. There are 4 sheets of 2 x 3 ft puzzles and over 20,000 clues. The hardest part is the size of the numbers on the grid. Is that a 3 or a 5 or an 8. Then losing my place on the grid after looking at the clue. But I enjoy the challenge and it is relaxing in its own way for me.
The weather has definitely turned sweltering. If you go outside, for however brief of time, you will start to sweat. The air is humid and heavy. But I'm spending time planning my fall garden and will start serious work on my gardens (both vegetable and ornamental) next week with the Imp back in school. My days just got longer and much more open.
The house is a little topsy-turvy as we transition from one schedule/life-style to the next. The Singer doesn't leave for her dorm until next Wednesday but since she's working 1:30-10:00 PM she's no longer home during traditional "family time" so it's a lot like she's already gone. I'm looking forward to next Thrusday when we can really begin to set our fall schedule. I'm a schedule kind of person. The Imp should know her crew practice schedule by then and the Singer will be gone so we can figure out our new schedule. So between my minor angst at no real schedule for our home and the Imp's angst over a new school, I think we should just avoid each other for the next few days.
I've begun working in earnest on my wall sized crossword puzzle. It was given to me a few years ago at Christmas. There are 4 sheets of 2 x 3 ft puzzles and over 20,000 clues. The hardest part is the size of the numbers on the grid. Is that a 3 or a 5 or an 8. Then losing my place on the grid after looking at the clue. But I enjoy the challenge and it is relaxing in its own way for me.
The weather has definitely turned sweltering. If you go outside, for however brief of time, you will start to sweat. The air is humid and heavy. But I'm spending time planning my fall garden and will start serious work on my gardens (both vegetable and ornamental) next week with the Imp back in school. My days just got longer and much more open.
Sunday, August 09, 2009
Wood Rack
Last weekend, Hubby, the Imp and I all went up to see my folks in SC. My little brother, Brian (who turned 36), and his family were there, too. The guys (Hubby, Brian and my dad) had the task of replacing my dad's rotting wood rack. My dad lives in the woods and collects fallen trees for his firewood. He had a wood frame with a tarp covering to stack this wood in. The tarp kept the wood relatively dry.
Brian got there before Hubby and dismantled the old frame. Some boards were 'humming' and vibrating. Wood-boring bees had made their home there. Better him than me handling that. Once Hubby got there the 3 men had a pow-wow over THE PLANS for the new structure. Dad, never to do anything half-way, wanted to make a concrete base. After some quick figuring made Brian and Hubby realize over 25 bags of 80 lb concrete would be needed, they nixed the idea. If my dad were in better health, he would have won the argument, because he would have done the work himself. Unfortunately for him, he had to give up some of the control on the project, and to his credit handled it pretty well. The boys didn't finish the project that will eventually rival a small play house. The frame is 12 ft wide and 3 feet deep. The front of the structure is 5 feet and the back 4 feet tall.
The frame is complete, including pouring concrete filler at the four support poles in the ground. Only the planks of plywood to create the floor and the vinyl roofing needs to be added.
It was fun and entertaining to watch the 3 of them try to figure it all out. Hubby really enjoyed spending the last day with my dad pouring the concrete. It was just the two of them then and Dad told stories of his youth back in rural Louisiana in the 1940s.
I got to spend time with the cutest, most energetic little boys. My nephews (6 and 3 1/2)are so charming it's scary. The younger one has the cutest little dimples. The will both be lady-killers and will get out of lots of scrapes with their impish grins and great sense of humor. My Imp loves them, but wasn't thrilled at their infatuation with the great outdoors. There were lots of bugs and various other critters roaming around my parents' house. She was ready to come home when they started catching bees in jars. My parents have some great spider webs around outside their house. We saw a spider resembling this one
The boys thought it cool; it gave the Imp the willies.
The Imp and I took my mom shopping at Columbia Mall. We did a lot of window shopping, not much buying, but had a great time just visiting.
Brian got there before Hubby and dismantled the old frame. Some boards were 'humming' and vibrating. Wood-boring bees had made their home there. Better him than me handling that. Once Hubby got there the 3 men had a pow-wow over THE PLANS for the new structure. Dad, never to do anything half-way, wanted to make a concrete base. After some quick figuring made Brian and Hubby realize over 25 bags of 80 lb concrete would be needed, they nixed the idea. If my dad were in better health, he would have won the argument, because he would have done the work himself. Unfortunately for him, he had to give up some of the control on the project, and to his credit handled it pretty well. The boys didn't finish the project that will eventually rival a small play house. The frame is 12 ft wide and 3 feet deep. The front of the structure is 5 feet and the back 4 feet tall.
The frame is complete, including pouring concrete filler at the four support poles in the ground. Only the planks of plywood to create the floor and the vinyl roofing needs to be added.
It was fun and entertaining to watch the 3 of them try to figure it all out. Hubby really enjoyed spending the last day with my dad pouring the concrete. It was just the two of them then and Dad told stories of his youth back in rural Louisiana in the 1940s.
I got to spend time with the cutest, most energetic little boys. My nephews (6 and 3 1/2)are so charming it's scary. The younger one has the cutest little dimples. The will both be lady-killers and will get out of lots of scrapes with their impish grins and great sense of humor. My Imp loves them, but wasn't thrilled at their infatuation with the great outdoors. There were lots of bugs and various other critters roaming around my parents' house. She was ready to come home when they started catching bees in jars. My parents have some great spider webs around outside their house. We saw a spider resembling this one
The boys thought it cool; it gave the Imp the willies.
The Imp and I took my mom shopping at Columbia Mall. We did a lot of window shopping, not much buying, but had a great time just visiting.
Friday, August 07, 2009
Not a Good Patient
The Imp had her wisdom teeth extracted early this morning. She is not a good patient. She almost refused to get out the car, pouted before being called back and generally made me feel like I was walking on egg shells around her. Immediately after the procedure while she was still heavily sedated and still in the office, she was jovial and in relatively good spirits. By the time we got home, the sedation was wearing off but not the novacaine. She's been complaining ever since. She's cried a few times (she's not a crier) and "just wants it to be over!" Yea, me too. I tried to feed her a milkshake. "Mom, I can't swallow! I can't feel anything! It's still numb!" I'm trying to get food in her so I can get pain meds in her before the novocaine wears off. "I'm bored and I can't do ANYTHING!" Boy, I hope this child has no medical conditions requiring hospitalization.
I finally got some milkshake in her and some pain meds. She's fighting the sleep. I'm not sure why. She's miserable and working hard at making me miserable. Guess she's trying to test out the misery loves company idea.
My sister said the sedation period is the hardest on the parents and the next day or so hardest on the patient. Well....I definitely was praying hard sitting in the waiting room. Anesthesia is scary. But that was easier as I didn't have to interact with anyone. She doesn't want to be coddled, she wants the situation to disappear. She's mad at me since I can't get rid of it.
Only 7 more hours until Hubby is home and can relieve me of nursing duty. But he's not the best nurse, so...
I finally got some milkshake in her and some pain meds. She's fighting the sleep. I'm not sure why. She's miserable and working hard at making me miserable. Guess she's trying to test out the misery loves company idea.
My sister said the sedation period is the hardest on the parents and the next day or so hardest on the patient. Well....I definitely was praying hard sitting in the waiting room. Anesthesia is scary. But that was easier as I didn't have to interact with anyone. She doesn't want to be coddled, she wants the situation to disappear. She's mad at me since I can't get rid of it.
Only 7 more hours until Hubby is home and can relieve me of nursing duty. But he's not the best nurse, so...
Thursday, August 06, 2009
Public vs Parochial vs Home schooling
With school getting ready to start, the arguments for public, private and home schooling abound. And I do have an opinion on this. There's a real shocker.
My strongest belief on this matter is that every student is different and anyone who advocates a type of school over a particular school has lost my vote.
My kids have primarily been at parochial schools. The main reason is Hubby's and I firm belief that religion isn't something you practice on Sundays. Being in an environment where God is referred to, turned to and given reverence is reinforcing what lessons are being taught at home. Some parochial schools do this better than others, which is why we transferred our kids out of one into another. Too often I hear the argument for academics as a reason for parochial school. In reality, the public schools in my area offer much more in the area of academics with gifted programs throughout elementary schools and an almost limitless selection of AP and dual enrollment courses, not to mention the vast electives offered, in high school. But our goal of parenting has never been to 'churn out' the brightest, best educated child. Our goal is to raise people who know and will serve God. Success to us is not the amount of money one makes. Obviously we wish our children to be able to support themselves. But I'd much rather them struggle to make ends meet in a job that does not encourage cheating, and dishonesty than making millions is a job that requires unethical corner-cutting. We want our girls to have a personal relationship with God and to be able to turn to Him for all their needs. But most parochial schools have a least some basic similarities.
Once you start talking public schools, it is hard to find similarities that are true for all of them across the board. The county the school is in determines a great deal about the school, but the principal and teachers make a school. A good principal will make a school a real community of support for the students. That is a hit or miss proposition, even in a system known for excellence. Hillsborough county is the 8th largest school district in the country. There is some awesome educating going on in this county. There is also some terrible things being done. The school and the individual class your child ends up in, makes a huge difference. We sent the Imp to the IB program because we feared boredom at the Catholic high school. But, boredom, is not the worst thing to happen to a student. In addition to the academic requirements being too vigorous for the Imp, the atmosphere was definitely anti-Catholic. Teachers and students, through comments and facial expressions, let the Imp know that her beliefs were seen as antiquated and ridiculously naive. Especially on the issue of abortion, where preventing a mother's 'right to choose" to kill her baby was seen as comparable to preventing women the right to vote or own property. I've taught in public schools, not all are like this. And the argument that you can't mention God in public schools is not true. I mentioned God as a teacher. I was careful to present things as my belief and always included that this was why I loved the USA because I could believe differently than my president, etc. But my students knew I was Christian.
Homeschooling was something I never really considered when my kids were little. There are definite advantages to this. But again, each situation, child, parent, means this is not the best schooling for everyone. I always liked being my child's advocate. After a day at school, the home was their haven. I liked my children seeing different expectations from different teachers, yet all being Christian. I think a drawback of parochial/private schools is an elitist attitude: n attitude that all public school kids are heathens or juvenile delinquents. I've worked to prevent that idea, but it is an uphill battle. I think home schooled kids, have an even stronger pull to see the world as us versus them. And the us group is very, very small and the them is most of the world. Again, I'm not making a universal statement for all homeschoolers, but an observation of an easy pitfall. Different parents are better able to teach their own children. Even as a teacher, I'm not sure I'm the one to be school teacher for my kids. I've taught my girls lots, and often taught them a great deal while helping with homework. But that's still a very different role than teacher of all things. If you look around, each choice [public, private/parochial or home school] has graduates that are bright, articulate, kind people and each has maladjusted criminals. Parenting will always have a stronger impact than schooling and so much more than an educational system forms a child.
My strongest belief on this matter is that every student is different and anyone who advocates a type of school over a particular school has lost my vote.
My kids have primarily been at parochial schools. The main reason is Hubby's and I firm belief that religion isn't something you practice on Sundays. Being in an environment where God is referred to, turned to and given reverence is reinforcing what lessons are being taught at home. Some parochial schools do this better than others, which is why we transferred our kids out of one into another. Too often I hear the argument for academics as a reason for parochial school. In reality, the public schools in my area offer much more in the area of academics with gifted programs throughout elementary schools and an almost limitless selection of AP and dual enrollment courses, not to mention the vast electives offered, in high school. But our goal of parenting has never been to 'churn out' the brightest, best educated child. Our goal is to raise people who know and will serve God. Success to us is not the amount of money one makes. Obviously we wish our children to be able to support themselves. But I'd much rather them struggle to make ends meet in a job that does not encourage cheating, and dishonesty than making millions is a job that requires unethical corner-cutting. We want our girls to have a personal relationship with God and to be able to turn to Him for all their needs. But most parochial schools have a least some basic similarities.
Once you start talking public schools, it is hard to find similarities that are true for all of them across the board. The county the school is in determines a great deal about the school, but the principal and teachers make a school. A good principal will make a school a real community of support for the students. That is a hit or miss proposition, even in a system known for excellence. Hillsborough county is the 8th largest school district in the country. There is some awesome educating going on in this county. There is also some terrible things being done. The school and the individual class your child ends up in, makes a huge difference. We sent the Imp to the IB program because we feared boredom at the Catholic high school. But, boredom, is not the worst thing to happen to a student. In addition to the academic requirements being too vigorous for the Imp, the atmosphere was definitely anti-Catholic. Teachers and students, through comments and facial expressions, let the Imp know that her beliefs were seen as antiquated and ridiculously naive. Especially on the issue of abortion, where preventing a mother's 'right to choose" to kill her baby was seen as comparable to preventing women the right to vote or own property. I've taught in public schools, not all are like this. And the argument that you can't mention God in public schools is not true. I mentioned God as a teacher. I was careful to present things as my belief and always included that this was why I loved the USA because I could believe differently than my president, etc. But my students knew I was Christian.
Homeschooling was something I never really considered when my kids were little. There are definite advantages to this. But again, each situation, child, parent, means this is not the best schooling for everyone. I always liked being my child's advocate. After a day at school, the home was their haven. I liked my children seeing different expectations from different teachers, yet all being Christian. I think a drawback of parochial/private schools is an elitist attitude: n attitude that all public school kids are heathens or juvenile delinquents. I've worked to prevent that idea, but it is an uphill battle. I think home schooled kids, have an even stronger pull to see the world as us versus them. And the us group is very, very small and the them is most of the world. Again, I'm not making a universal statement for all homeschoolers, but an observation of an easy pitfall. Different parents are better able to teach their own children. Even as a teacher, I'm not sure I'm the one to be school teacher for my kids. I've taught my girls lots, and often taught them a great deal while helping with homework. But that's still a very different role than teacher of all things. If you look around, each choice [public, private/parochial or home school] has graduates that are bright, articulate, kind people and each has maladjusted criminals. Parenting will always have a stronger impact than schooling and so much more than an educational system forms a child.
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