God has blessed my life so much. I am thankful my father is still alive and is here daily for my boys. Yes, I am thankful he is here as often as he is. He is an awesome man. Old school thinking, values, hard worker. He and I get things done around my house that my husband just doesn't want to do. I love my husband. He is an awesome man. Although I get mad at him from time to time. He is awesome. I have healthy sons and I am so thankful for moments I have with them. I get to homeschool 2 little boys. I can't imagine sending them away to school. I know some parents can't imagine homeschooling. But I can't imagine throwing them into a public school or even a private school. Homeschooling just seems to be the natural step up. For me!
Anyway, at night we lay/lie in bed and say our prayers. We also have something else we do. We say to each other "Come back to me in the morning." The other person says, "God willing I will." And for the boys, we add that if God chooses to call us home, he will also give us the strength to get through the tough times.
I love looking at my boys when they are sleeping. I love being thankful for their strong legs, their chubby feet, the strength they've gained in the day. I am in general, a thankful person. I want to believe that tough times are blessings as well as the wonderful times I've been blessed with. That's the thing...I want to believe. Not that I believe tough times are blessings. Although there are tough times God uses to develop us and build us up for future times. Just look at Joseph for example. Anyway, I have been in a long season of good easy blessings. I dread the seasons that will be hard. Face it, I truly have never had to struggle. So, I know old age does things to us, to our bodies. Menopause is coming. I dread the blessings of hard times to come. Maybe they won't come. Shall I believe they won't? I've said it and I want to take it back yet I'll say it again. I dread the blessings of hard times to come. I project that I will be thankful. But when I have those days of headaches, real headaches (never migraines), I am reduced...I am...a baby. And I can't recall thanking God for my headaches, though he has spared me from migraines.
I am up late. 2 a.m. I will have a headache during the daylight hours of this day. Usually when I am up late like this I get a headache. I will go to bed now. Ramblings are done for the day, I am spent, and am now tired. Though ice cream is calling my name. Which leads me on another rabbit trail of thought. Quick, maybe no pauses, I'll just write with perhaps no punctuation. My father's tastes, as he is aging, are changing. He used to eat a lot of ice cream and enjoy it. Now, he cannot eat much ice cream as it turns his stomach. It tastes like a bunch of sugar to him now. So, 2 tiny little spoons (like the sample spoons at the ice cream stores) are enough for him. Ice cream popped into my head. His experience with ice cream popped into my head. The 2 thoughts just tell me I should seize the moment, eat the ice cream, and be thankful I still enjoy it. Bed or ice cream?
Monday, September 8, 2008
Neighbors
So we have these neighbors behind us. Lived behind them or them behind us for 15 years. Just recently they've invited us to their family birthdays etc. and we've invited their daughters to our 2 boys birthdays. This weekend, (yesterday) the parents came to the party and we joked and laughed about being neighbors and seeing everything that goes on in each others' houses. We joked we can see their t.v. clearly from our perch in the kitchen!! It was light hearted...so I thought!
Today, less than 24 hours later, they replaced their regular sliding screen door with a privacy sliding screen door. They also now close some of their window shades in the early evening. It has been 15 years that we've both looked "over the hedge" into each others' windows. Not peeping. Just being neighbors. Making mental notes of "oh, their home" or "oh their gone I'll keep an eye on their property." So, it irritates me that they've done this and I'm trying to reconcile this inside myself. Why am I upset? Well, several reasons. Not in order but here's #1: who cares!?!!! Honestly, it's kitchen windows we are both looking into...from a distance...not peeping, not prying. We all do the same thing in the kitchen and what they do is about as boring and typical as what I do. #2: I thought we were bonding on some level and bam(!) a smack in the face. So, when I see them face to face, as we are doing our lawn maintenance or backyard recreation, what do I say to them? "Nice privacy screen, did you do that for me?" Should I say, "Geez, are you so freaking weird? I'm your neighbor after all!" Now mind you, these people have let their girls come into my house to play musical instruments and sing their made-up songs into microphones. The girls feel comfortable here and have fun with my 2 kids. So there is some level of trust built up over the years. They've recommended vacation spots to us that we've enjoyed and we've recommended vacation spots that they've taken. So, we are talking neighbors, not just polite neighbors. Do I say something to them? Nothing to them? Start ignoring them? Joke about it? Joking got us into this mess. And again I go back to, why should I care, why do I care? They're neighbors after all!!!! #3, I should have seen this coming. The hubby is weird at times. We can be friendly one day and the next day he hardly looks at us. So this is actually exactly as he is... I never see things coming. I should have seen this coming. He is one to compare their things to neighbor things in a "keeping up with the Jones' " sort of way. Not that he keeps up with any of us neighbors. He actually sets the standard pretty much. I just thought that we had, or were beginning to have, a "less than true blue friendship but more than neighbors" kind of a relationship. I guess not! lol! Ah, time will tell what I/they do. I just really want to make a snide comment about it to him. I won't because that will ruin what his girls have with us and my boys. And no, I don't do window shades in my kitchen. If someone is so obsessed with the little they see in my kitchen then they must have a pretty boring life.
Anyway, I just needed to blow off steam!!!! And there is still a shake of my head, and fuzzy question marks above my head when it comes to thinking about them.
Today, less than 24 hours later, they replaced their regular sliding screen door with a privacy sliding screen door. They also now close some of their window shades in the early evening. It has been 15 years that we've both looked "over the hedge" into each others' windows. Not peeping. Just being neighbors. Making mental notes of "oh, their home" or "oh their gone I'll keep an eye on their property." So, it irritates me that they've done this and I'm trying to reconcile this inside myself. Why am I upset? Well, several reasons. Not in order but here's #1: who cares!?!!! Honestly, it's kitchen windows we are both looking into...from a distance...not peeping, not prying. We all do the same thing in the kitchen and what they do is about as boring and typical as what I do. #2: I thought we were bonding on some level and bam(!) a smack in the face. So, when I see them face to face, as we are doing our lawn maintenance or backyard recreation, what do I say to them? "Nice privacy screen, did you do that for me?" Should I say, "Geez, are you so freaking weird? I'm your neighbor after all!" Now mind you, these people have let their girls come into my house to play musical instruments and sing their made-up songs into microphones. The girls feel comfortable here and have fun with my 2 kids. So there is some level of trust built up over the years. They've recommended vacation spots to us that we've enjoyed and we've recommended vacation spots that they've taken. So, we are talking neighbors, not just polite neighbors. Do I say something to them? Nothing to them? Start ignoring them? Joke about it? Joking got us into this mess. And again I go back to, why should I care, why do I care? They're neighbors after all!!!! #3, I should have seen this coming. The hubby is weird at times. We can be friendly one day and the next day he hardly looks at us. So this is actually exactly as he is... I never see things coming. I should have seen this coming. He is one to compare their things to neighbor things in a "keeping up with the Jones' " sort of way. Not that he keeps up with any of us neighbors. He actually sets the standard pretty much. I just thought that we had, or were beginning to have, a "less than true blue friendship but more than neighbors" kind of a relationship. I guess not! lol! Ah, time will tell what I/they do. I just really want to make a snide comment about it to him. I won't because that will ruin what his girls have with us and my boys. And no, I don't do window shades in my kitchen. If someone is so obsessed with the little they see in my kitchen then they must have a pretty boring life.
Anyway, I just needed to blow off steam!!!! And there is still a shake of my head, and fuzzy question marks above my head when it comes to thinking about them.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
First of firsts
This is my first entry into the world of blogging. If you're looking for fancy, you won't find it here. But maybe, just maybe, creativity will flow forth and I'll even surprise myself. Um, who am I kidding. I got a "D" in art class in elementary school and since then have only been self-conscience about my art skills.
I can ramble in my own blog, can't I? Hence the title. I use these little things ( ) a lot when I write.
I am a conservative. A true blue republican conservative. Not looking to fight about it!!! Especially in this political season. I just want to say what I believe, have intelligent dialogue, disagreements (if they are polite), and generally agree to disagree if that is the case. By the way, that last one can save a lot of marriages. Agree to disagree. Let's just agree to disagree. I think it sort of lends itself to respectful communication. I like respectful communication.
HHmmm, a bit more about me. In our house, the "s" word is either shutup or stupid. The "d" word is dumb. I like to say I have a "G" rated house. At times that is not true but most times it is true. I have a 7 and a 5 year old in the house. Even before they were born, we had a "G" rated house. I think swearing makes individuals look, well, hello!!, either "d" or "s"!!! O.k., a little humor there. But there is little brain activity when those words, and other words, are thrown out all the time.
I'm pretty simple. I would not have a cell phone if my hubby didn't insist. Half the time I don't know where it is. No, I'm not a backwards person. But I believe life needs to be kept simple. So many cell phones, so many busy (looking) people.
I don't know if anyone wants to hear what I have to say. But lately I'm feeling the need to say it. What I believe...in writing...in depth.
I used to work in Chicago. Yes, one of those busy people walking here, walking there, trying to make a living. I am a stay-at-home mom now. I homeschool my boys. And, one day, while traveling back into the city, it struck me how busy all these people look, or are trying to look. And it was then I knew I was out of the rat race. Thankfully free of that playing field. However, my hubby is still there. Making a living for the 4 of us.
So, shall I dive right in to the depths? Into the murky waters of shark infested thoughts and beliefs? Hmmm, well, I can always delete what I've written. Cut short this introduction. O.k., it was suppose to be an introduction. But again, it is my blog!
Abortion....no, no, no. Why?...well, what is sex at its' very basic function. Forget what you believe right now. Just think about the natural body functions without the input of morality/immorality. Bodies without brains if you must. Just the organs, doing what they are built to do. Just think, pause, reflect. O.k., the sex organs work to ummmm, not just have fun and feel good but to reproduce!!! Duh! so, you do things, take things, to minimize your risk of pregnancy. That doesn't mean your risk is zero percent. When you engage in sex your body makes a pact with Mother Nature. The pact your body makes is this: "I'm intending to produce life...." Without the "you", your body and Mother Nature talk. So, life begins...not the 'outside' the womb' life. Life....the moment of... And here is where your brain and your morality should kick in.... if I don't want the outcome, don't engage the bodily functions that produce life....but we can't do that. That would mean self sacrifice, intentional actions, that impose on me in some way. I can handle some imposition..ie. taking a pill to reduce my chances of pregnancy. But real actions, 100% actions? Well, I'm not willing to sacrifice my comfort to go that far.
I'm done talking about abortion for now. Suffice to say, I am against it, believe it is murder of...something!!! Whether you call that something a fetus, a baby, a growth which leads to a baby you can recognize as a baby.
On to another post......
I can ramble in my own blog, can't I? Hence the title. I use these little things ( ) a lot when I write.
I am a conservative. A true blue republican conservative. Not looking to fight about it!!! Especially in this political season. I just want to say what I believe, have intelligent dialogue, disagreements (if they are polite), and generally agree to disagree if that is the case. By the way, that last one can save a lot of marriages. Agree to disagree. Let's just agree to disagree. I think it sort of lends itself to respectful communication. I like respectful communication.
HHmmm, a bit more about me. In our house, the "s" word is either shutup or stupid. The "d" word is dumb. I like to say I have a "G" rated house. At times that is not true but most times it is true. I have a 7 and a 5 year old in the house. Even before they were born, we had a "G" rated house. I think swearing makes individuals look, well, hello!!, either "d" or "s"!!! O.k., a little humor there. But there is little brain activity when those words, and other words, are thrown out all the time.
I'm pretty simple. I would not have a cell phone if my hubby didn't insist. Half the time I don't know where it is. No, I'm not a backwards person. But I believe life needs to be kept simple. So many cell phones, so many busy (looking) people.
I don't know if anyone wants to hear what I have to say. But lately I'm feeling the need to say it. What I believe...in writing...in depth.
I used to work in Chicago. Yes, one of those busy people walking here, walking there, trying to make a living. I am a stay-at-home mom now. I homeschool my boys. And, one day, while traveling back into the city, it struck me how busy all these people look, or are trying to look. And it was then I knew I was out of the rat race. Thankfully free of that playing field. However, my hubby is still there. Making a living for the 4 of us.
So, shall I dive right in to the depths? Into the murky waters of shark infested thoughts and beliefs? Hmmm, well, I can always delete what I've written. Cut short this introduction. O.k., it was suppose to be an introduction. But again, it is my blog!
Abortion....no, no, no. Why?...well, what is sex at its' very basic function. Forget what you believe right now. Just think about the natural body functions without the input of morality/immorality. Bodies without brains if you must. Just the organs, doing what they are built to do. Just think, pause, reflect. O.k., the sex organs work to ummmm, not just have fun and feel good but to reproduce!!! Duh! so, you do things, take things, to minimize your risk of pregnancy. That doesn't mean your risk is zero percent. When you engage in sex your body makes a pact with Mother Nature. The pact your body makes is this: "I'm intending to produce life...." Without the "you", your body and Mother Nature talk. So, life begins...not the 'outside' the womb' life. Life....the moment of... And here is where your brain and your morality should kick in.... if I don't want the outcome, don't engage the bodily functions that produce life....but we can't do that. That would mean self sacrifice, intentional actions, that impose on me in some way. I can handle some imposition..ie. taking a pill to reduce my chances of pregnancy. But real actions, 100% actions? Well, I'm not willing to sacrifice my comfort to go that far.
I'm done talking about abortion for now. Suffice to say, I am against it, believe it is murder of...something!!! Whether you call that something a fetus, a baby, a growth which leads to a baby you can recognize as a baby.
On to another post......
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