Did a lot of browsing thru blogs today and now facts are ratling arund in my head (and clinking very loudly.
A father who upon hearing a college grad speech is doubting his parenting skills, "providing everything his family could want". Chaos, economic decline are welcome and will lead to globalization of the world. Possibly the lack of in depth in the household on the state of the world is leading to this belief. I believe this comes from the breakdown of the family unit. Both mother and father work outside the home, trying to catch -up on the never ending chores leaves not time for parenting
An article I read touched on the subject of over complimenting our children. That once you start down this particular road it gets worse by questioning bad grades (especially when they were earned), giving trophies no matter how a team did (sports) or questioning umpire calls, coaching decisions.
In baseball, my husband had a parent banned from a season of games for "touching an umpire", had another parent (assistant coach) start yelling because his kid wasn't put in the game ( the boy could not run and we needed the point) the parent quit coaching and never talked to us again. We took another coach before the board and had him removed because of flagrant rule breaking against half the kids and yelling at the umps and coaches of another town. He also could not attend any of his sons games the next year. My husband took the team over with the son on it and treated him very fairly. The board continally begged him to coach because all the kids were played in accordance the the rules and he never favored our son (this gets noticed). We believe that activities are for the kids to experience, NOT for the parents to live out their fantasies.
My son played baseball from the age of 6 to 19 yrs and I saw some of the worst parenting. This is just a tiny part of the parenting world, but I see evidence everywhere I go of over-indulgence. And yes, I wanted everything for my children but they wouldn't have benefited from objects. We had experiences: horses, picnics, hunting, camping, star gazing, etc.
My kids want off of the crazy rollercoaster ride created by my generation and taken to extremes by the next! I must agree because I want off too.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Monday, February 11, 2013
A MAJOR change in Scenery!
I am in an Oklahoma City suburb visiting my brother and his family for two weeks. They are going on a 7 day cruise from Texas down to centrall America. Here I am with two nieces whom I don't know and they don't know me. The 14 yr old is so sweet, helpful and accommodating. The 12 yr old is sweet, stubborn, exhausting and very independent with special needs. At 13 months old, she had E. coli! with devasting results, brain damage and siezures, eye surgeries and physical therapy. Being told she would be a vegatable basically did not keep them down. With the best care and many prayers, country wide, she runs, talks, goes to school and does chores. She is a miracle.
My sister in law does not get more than a few hours 'off'. So they asked is I would come and watch over them. I kinew what a constant challenge she is. The first siezure, I had to leave the room. I could not keep the tears back, watching while mom cradled and talked to her daughter thru out a grand mal and half an hour of lesser episodes. My brother and sister in law are also a miracle to me because so many couples do not make it thru the stresses of this lifestyle, they are strong, united and in dire need of time away and together.
She had them 3 days in a row which tested her mom's strength but hasn't had a seizure since they have left. I am watchful! My days have been full of puzzles, Go fish, yahtzee and movies. A scary experience but one we will all survive,
It's been 4 years since they last came for a visit home to the Pacific NW and will be coming this summer, so I will see them twice this year!
Oh and the water is sooooooo nasty here! I drink room temp water and it goes down better here if it is cold.
My sister in law does not get more than a few hours 'off'. So they asked is I would come and watch over them. I kinew what a constant challenge she is. The first siezure, I had to leave the room. I could not keep the tears back, watching while mom cradled and talked to her daughter thru out a grand mal and half an hour of lesser episodes. My brother and sister in law are also a miracle to me because so many couples do not make it thru the stresses of this lifestyle, they are strong, united and in dire need of time away and together.
She had them 3 days in a row which tested her mom's strength but hasn't had a seizure since they have left. I am watchful! My days have been full of puzzles, Go fish, yahtzee and movies. A scary experience but one we will all survive,
It's been 4 years since they last came for a visit home to the Pacific NW and will be coming this summer, so I will see them twice this year!
Oh and the water is sooooooo nasty here! I drink room temp water and it goes down better here if it is cold.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
A good way to start . . .
. . . the new year!
I did a '100 things to purge from the home' weekend challenge! The 6th one. It's fuuny, when down to the last few items to look for, I must get a bee in my bonnet because my keep boxes get revisited and purged some more. All good because I can't keep everything! I have decided not to do the sack a day which sounds like a good idea but the daily motivation was not there. It is amazing the amount of stuff that accumulates over the years and with the moves every 7 - 10 years the unpacked boxes have grown, these are what I have concentrated 75% of the purges from. I get excited after each challenge (rushing out to deliver the goodwill sacks). Yeah! The dump runs have to wait for a truck full (went last week) because it's wasteful otherwise (I have a list of bigger items to go on the next run), generally most everything goes to the goodwill.
This is not always the easiest process. I have let go of many things that would have a good use in the future. What is even harder is the things that are in the toss pile that get taken back out, by my husband ("it's useful to me"). After years of sitting in garages and basements much of our stuff is mildewed, had rats or mice in the boxes (these have been OLD houses) or become junk thru non-use and becoming outdated. Some I have hid under piles but most of the rest has been mine. A did go thru the "can't decide, set aside pile and to goodwill more stuff did go!
Anyway, my basement is a mess BUT progress is being made! I am feeling lighter and daylight can be seen.
I did a '100 things to purge from the home' weekend challenge! The 6th one. It's fuuny, when down to the last few items to look for, I must get a bee in my bonnet because my keep boxes get revisited and purged some more. All good because I can't keep everything! I have decided not to do the sack a day which sounds like a good idea but the daily motivation was not there. It is amazing the amount of stuff that accumulates over the years and with the moves every 7 - 10 years the unpacked boxes have grown, these are what I have concentrated 75% of the purges from. I get excited after each challenge (rushing out to deliver the goodwill sacks). Yeah! The dump runs have to wait for a truck full (went last week) because it's wasteful otherwise (I have a list of bigger items to go on the next run), generally most everything goes to the goodwill.
This is not always the easiest process. I have let go of many things that would have a good use in the future. What is even harder is the things that are in the toss pile that get taken back out, by my husband ("it's useful to me"). After years of sitting in garages and basements much of our stuff is mildewed, had rats or mice in the boxes (these have been OLD houses) or become junk thru non-use and becoming outdated. Some I have hid under piles but most of the rest has been mine. A did go thru the "can't decide, set aside pile and to goodwill more stuff did go!
Anyway, my basement is a mess BUT progress is being made! I am feeling lighter and daylight can be seen.
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Review 2012
On my to do list, the dump runs and sacks hauled to the goodwill were a huge success! Only three out of the six were successfully worked on: sort and clean, sort basement, 100 items (thrilled with this one). This list will stay the same.
'To Do' list (supports goals) for 2012
- Save money
- Sort/clean out living spaces
- Sort basement for the dump
- Re-pack anything left in basement
- Have a garage sale
- 100 items out of the house x 5
The new skill list was a bust!! The only accomplishment is the kombucha! The rest will stay on my list. I love to learn new things but I think 2012 was a "in a rut year". I need to work on this. On the positive side, I enjoy helping my grandgirls to sew, they are so eager. Devoting more time to their projects needs to be more consistant though. Also going to try 30 days, 30 sacks = declutter, simplicity. A different appoach from "One hundred dollars a month" blogger. Hopefully this is more productive to pick a smaller are like a closet or a corner of a room. The 100 items was a push to see stuff and I would overlook those I really don't need.
New Skills to Learn in 2012
Friday, December 21, 2012
Holiday Magic
I spent the afternoon with E. and the grandgirls. We made chocolate and peanut butter fudge. They so love to "help". I have not made Christmas candy or cookies in years since my kids left home and my husband became diabetic, he allows himself too much surgar without having the mass amounts I used to make for the holidays in the house. I had fun sharing the kitchen with my family, it brings the holidays alive!
Friday, December 7, 2012
Season of busy
I have been working in the basement again gathering another 100 things to get out of the house. This is the 5th set I have done! Yeah, progress! Alas my basement looks like a hurricane swept thru. A garbage run would be a good start for the next set and the back corner will be completely cleared. The truck is not running right now or a trip would be scheduled immediately. Unfortunately, my kitchen table is a mess. Again. I must try to clear it and the dining room table (college study area, mess).
I have been sewing a LOT! We had two more 24 hour sew at my daughters,giving support and getting a lot done. A homemade Christmas this year and yes, a bare minimum spent in the (box) stores. I am so thrilled to keep the commercialism out of the holidays this year. After the holidays some pictures will get posted (in case the curious want to peek).
I have been sewing a LOT! We had two more 24 hour sew at my daughters,giving support and getting a lot done. A homemade Christmas this year and yes, a bare minimum spent in the (box) stores. I am so thrilled to keep the commercialism out of the holidays this year. After the holidays some pictures will get posted (in case the curious want to peek).
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Getting Away
My husband and I went to Ocean Shores for 4 days. Stormy weather, unstructured days, a soaking bathtub is my idea of heaven. The coast was hit with a moderate storm that kept me glued to the windows all morning with my tea, the book I brought forgotten, unopened. Waves crashing up over the rock wall, Pelicans in groups heading out to sea in the a.m. (drafting each other like the geese do). Also, deer everywhere we went. On the third day it was decent enough to walk the beaches. The a.m. was windy with dampness trying but also failing to soak thru us, watching surfers and sea lions. In the afternoon, on another beach, we had a slow and meandering walk, enjoying the ocean sounds and smells.
Friday was spent with my daughter and a friend sewing for 24 hours. Good company, very productive (Christmas gift making), and a movie till 2 in the morning. Fun! This week I have finished one of the projects to make way for the other that I cut out (baby doll carriers x 2 for the grandgirls).
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| Oyhut Wildlife Recreation Area, Protection Island (a cape) Ocean Shore on the horizon |
Friday was spent with my daughter and a friend sewing for 24 hours. Good company, very productive (Christmas gift making), and a movie till 2 in the morning. Fun! This week I have finished one of the projects to make way for the other that I cut out (baby doll carriers x 2 for the grandgirls).
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