I've been thinking a lot, after all we've been privileged to experience this year -- building industry shutting down, the joy of surviving unemployment, the excitment of changing from one booming industry (building industry) to another (now we're in the banking industry) -- that this Christmas just may be the perfect opportunity to try to pull off a repeat of my absolute most favorite Christmas ever. It would truly be a Christmas to Remember if we could make it happen a second time...
Just in case anyone else might like to try it, I think I'll share......
It was the Christmas that came along the year that our dear Dad had taken a major change of direction in life and followed his dream to go back to graduate school and work on his master's degree. (he now has Ed.D. -- yea dad!) Older sis, Sheena, and I had completed two years of college and decided to take a year off, help dad through, save up some money, go back in a year... (yes, we both did!) Little sis, Lori, was in early teens and had a hard time adjusting to leaving her friends in Ohio and being stuck at the beach in Virginia. Big brother was in Germany in the Air Force. (Were you home for this Christmas, Brian? I think I remember you being there, but others tell me you weren't...?)
The five of us were living in a two bedroom apartment and living the life of a college student... We three girls shared one bedroom. We knew that money was scarce. Mom was working, Dad was working and going to school, Sheena and I were both working two jobs?, and little sis was trying to adjust... I didn't realize until years later how hard that was for her.
We decided that Little Lori deserved the best Christmas ever and the rest of us could do without gifts. We were very happy with our plan. She'd been wanting a pet bird ever so badly. So, we went to the pet store and spent all the Christmas money on a parakeet, cage, bird food, and all. We kept it hidden until Christmas morning, although I do not know how we managed that in that tiny apartment we all shared!!
On Christmas Eve, parents were in bed, Little Lori was asleep. Sheena and I were still awake. We were quite happy with our Christmas purchase. We truly wanted to see Lori delighted with her gift. However, as we looked the very empty space underneath the tree, we were suddenly struck with a very excellent idea.
"Why don't we start just wrapping stuff and sticking it under the tree?" we thought. It would be so fun to have gifts overflowing from under the tree! We quickly pounced on the idea, and the great idea of course grew very quickly, as ideas have a way of doing.
We began in the kitchen, looking for great gift ideas....... as we weren't loaded with wrapping paper (birds are hard to wrap) we used newspaper and paper bags and anything we could find to use for wrapping paper and we began. We wrapped potatoes (individually so there'd be more to open), onions, apples, canned goods, pots and pans, ketchup and mustard, bowls and cups, anything non-perishable that we could find.
Then we went to the bathroom and began wrapping toothpaste and soap, shampoo and razors, lotions and potions... Anything wrappable was wrapped.
By this time we were having the most grand time of our lives. We laughed and laughed and laughed some more, but, had to do so in the most quietest manner so as not to awake all the sleepers in the tiny apartment and spoil the surprise.
We thought we were so clever! We did not stop wrapping......... shirts and pants, socks and shoes... every thing in the house was wrapped and the tree was overflowing with gifts.
We were probably up all night wrapping. We could hardly wait to see the astonishment on our parents faces and on Lori's face when they woke up Christmas morning with tons and tons of presents under the tree.
Christmas morning finally arrived. We were rewarded. All three were astonished. And shocked. And filled with wonder!
We, of course, had to read the Christmas story from the Bible before opening gifts. This was our revered tradition. Sometimes from Luke, sometimes from Dad's favorite, John 1. Often both.
Once that was done, gift giving began. We handed out the potatoes, the can openers, the pots and pans, the mustard, the toothpaste, lotions and shampoos, clothes that were already worn and quite familiar looking, shoes, gloves, ... all were unwrapped one by one and we laughed and laughed and laughed over each and every gift. We all laughed until we cried. We unwrapped more presents than we'd ever unwrapped at any other Christmas. We laughed more, had more fun and had skipped all the stress of shopping. It was great. It was perfect. It was the most fun thing we ever did at Christmas.
The laughter is what I remember the most. That and appreciation for all the many things of value we had in that home to wrap up and be grateful for. Mostly, I'm grateful for that memory. It alone is a priceless gift.
I hope that I can create such laughter in my own home this year at Christmas... because if ever there wasn't gift money...... it is definitely this year. But if ever a family had loads to be grateful for, it is mine. And if ever a person knew how to laugh... I hope it would be me!!!! :)
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Economic Solution
Wow. I am having a hard time keeping up with blogging!
Has it really been so long?
September 1st was my last entry?!
Well, if I could have my wish, it really would still be September right now anyway and it wouldn't even matter.
See, my wish is this: I'd like extend the ends of the months for a time. I think that if the politicians would do that, we struggling people of the American economy might have a chance.
If the new month never started for a while, we'd not have to pay the first of the month bills in ever so long and we'd all have a chance to catch up! And it seems to be such a simple solution.
Whaddayasay Washington?
I'm sure they'll be begging me to be on their eonomic advisory team just as soon as the election is over.
Has it really been so long?
September 1st was my last entry?!
Well, if I could have my wish, it really would still be September right now anyway and it wouldn't even matter.
See, my wish is this: I'd like extend the ends of the months for a time. I think that if the politicians would do that, we struggling people of the American economy might have a chance.
If the new month never started for a while, we'd not have to pay the first of the month bills in ever so long and we'd all have a chance to catch up! And it seems to be such a simple solution.
Whaddayasay Washington?
I'm sure they'll be begging me to be on their eonomic advisory team just as soon as the election is over.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Our Rock Climbing Adventure ... Sand Rock, Alabama
Alec reaches the top!
Austin hard at work!
Grammy and Austin
Dad and Chris
Checking out the view and embracing the vision!
Goofing off during the 1 1/2 hour car ride...
There we all are! And looking tired!
oopss.. sideways... Andrew chilling out before repelling down!
Alec climbing... Kaylee discovering yet another technological gadget brought by my parents...
Alec climbing... Austin bouldering......
The proud grandparents with all four... Alec, Kaylee, Austin and Andrew
Pictures from our Week-long Photoshoot
Alec, Andrew and their missing teeth smiles
Andrew the Writer
students and teacher hard at work
Kaylee, Austin
(they consider themselves to be twins also)
Kaylee and me...
The good thing about having a weeklong photo shoot is that you can set the rules... The main, number one rule being: DELETE all UN-FLATTERING PHOTOS!! especially the double chin ones!!
Kaylee and me...
The good thing about having a weeklong photo shoot is that you can set the rules... The main, number one rule being: DELETE all UN-FLATTERING PHOTOS!! especially the double chin ones!!
Things I Re-Learned, Learned About, and was Re-Inspired to be from My Parents' Visit Last Week
For the first time in over a year, I got to spend some quality time with my lovely parents last week. I have discovered that the benefits of having extended family around are greatly understated.
Waking up to coffee every morning was nice.......
but, even better was that my children were whisked off to the kitchen table for their lessons directly after breakfast each morning by Dr. Dan Talbot, excellent teacher of Math, Science and all other subjects... while I focused on landing my second job by working on resume, cover letters, tutoring rates and services, flyers and all that goes along with trying to FIND WORK THAT PAYS to add to all the work this homeschool mom does that does NOT pay... the bills, that is........ (IT DOES PAY THOUGH!! or I wouldn't be doing it!! and loving it!!)
My front porch swing which has been woefully neglected, was thoroughly satisfied by consistent use, as was my screen porch in the back which was the spot for morning newspaper reading with coffee.
My home was finally utilized to its fullest potential and it was happy.
I also was re-inspired by my parents as I observed the following about them:
Waking up to coffee every morning was nice.......
but, even better was that my children were whisked off to the kitchen table for their lessons directly after breakfast each morning by Dr. Dan Talbot, excellent teacher of Math, Science and all other subjects... while I focused on landing my second job by working on resume, cover letters, tutoring rates and services, flyers and all that goes along with trying to FIND WORK THAT PAYS to add to all the work this homeschool mom does that does NOT pay... the bills, that is........ (IT DOES PAY THOUGH!! or I wouldn't be doing it!! and loving it!!)
My front porch swing which has been woefully neglected, was thoroughly satisfied by consistent use, as was my screen porch in the back which was the spot for morning newspaper reading with coffee.
My home was finally utilized to its fullest potential and it was happy.
I also was re-inspired by my parents as I observed the following about them:
- Generosity -- My parents who have never had a lot, have always given more than they have. They came bearing gifts and groceries, filled my car with gas and left everything that they thought I could use before returning home.
- Intellectualism -- My Dad and Mom keep up on the issues of the day, on all the intellectual magazines out there, on all things philosophical, historical, scientific, Christ-centered, family focused, purpose of life, love and pursuit of happiness kind of stuff... I tell you what! I was inspired to READ READ READ and THINK THINK THINK and read and think some more... so much so that I think I may have to give up sleeping for a while as I do not see how I will fit it in with my long reading list!! In fact, I may have to stop being an observer and start being an activist once again, as I was raised to be........ or ........ well ......... maybe next year...... At the very least, they have re-inspired me to KNOW my views, be prepared to DEFEND my views and remember to be INVOLVED in some way...
- Education -- I now know that I have not missed my opportunity for higher education! I am so excited that I, too, may become a Dr. before I turn 70! And, that, my friends, is a noble and lofty goal that my Dad has achieved......... getting the final "NO REVISIONS... IT IS FINISHED" while here!!
- Exercise -- Here they are ... NEARLY 70 (sorry, but in order to appreciate the significance of all you are and all you inspire, I must keep reminding everyone of your years...... !) ........ and they are used to working out at the gym three times a week!! So, of course, I scrambled to keep them from feeling the atrophy coming on...... made sure we took them ROCK CLIMBING, walking, scooter-ing, SWIMMING, skateboarding, roller blading, and BIKING (although mine is stationery... no 10-mile biking excursions to beaches or nature reserves....)
- Nutrition -- My dad has lost 20 pounds! Barley life, Herbal fiber blend, just carrots, can't beat them beets, raw veggies, juice, salads and only one cooked meal a day.... keeps 'em feeling better than us 30-somethings!! (have to say 30-something while I still can!!! YIKES!)
- The Keep on Going Spirit-- while my life has been challenging lately.......... my parents' own lives have proven that hard times come and go... sometimes they come and stay...... but, you still keep going....... you still survive, and you always keep the faith, even though you doubt.
- NEVER GIVE UP (did I mention that one yet?)
- Nearly LAST but NOT at all LEAST... drumroll ......... They have inspired me to stop turning a blind eye toward TECHNOLOGY!!! They must be some of the most technologically savvy almost-seventy-year-olds (sorry, said it again) around!! Here they come with DIGITAL VOICE RECORDERS, MEMORY STICKS, LAPTOPS, WIRELESS, DOWNLOADS, UPLOADS, ............. Oh my stars!! I learned what I'm missing out on! Now I've just gotta get me a digital voice recorder! It'll help me teach ESL! It'll let my students hear themselves speak! Improve pronunciation!! And MEMORY STICKS!! WHOA!! You can take your whole computer anywhere! Stick it in there, download stuff, delete, upload stuff! Take my whole computer back with you!! Boy, did I learn a lot!!
- Finally, I learned that my parents still think that they are SPRING CHICKENS!! They left my house at 6pm after being up all day........ watching baseball, swimming, eating cake, and then they DROVE ALL NIGHT and didn't arrive home until 5am the next day! I couldn't even do that!! AND I AM A SPRING CHICKEN!
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Career Change
Last night I was given notice by my seven-year-old of his change of career plans. I was taken aback. For years he's been determined to follow the path of missionary/helper of orphans/maybe preacher/some type of humanitarian service type of calling.
Imagine my surprise when he told me at the tuck-in, back-scratch part of bedtime that he was announcing a major change in direction. I was mystified. I had no guesses. Please tell, I said.
"I am going to be the maker of computer games," he said with confidence and a very obvious sense of brewing excitement at this news.
He'd been pondering it all day, I am certain.
With a chill of anticipation and an impossible to stop smile shining brightly on his adorably squishy face, he laid out the plans. It seemed to be a combination of his two most recent addictions... clubpenguins (an online free game of penguin type stuff) and the new Bible computer game he purchased that day with the gift card he was awarded by the First Baptist Church library upon completing 100 points in the summer reading program.
Obviously sleep was not going to come to this child until I heard him out. So, patiently, and with a grand attempt at giving him my full and undivided attention as well as enthusiasm (equally important), I let him talk. It was the only path that would lead to sleep.
Although it was already after 10pm and I still had two more tuck-in back-scratches, I found it rewarding as I listened to realize that I was so in tune with my child that I knew, I just knew, that he had to have time to unfold the developing ideas or he would simply not be able to stop his brain and notify it of the sleep requirements of the household.
So, patiently (for the most part) I listened. Puffles. Dee Dee Village. Games, paths, quizzes, intrigue. It all really was too much for my non-technological mind, but I was impressed with his.
Finally, "I don't think I can be both, so I'm going to just be a computer/video game maker."
At this point I introduced him to the idea of becoming a billionaire like Bill Gates and then having the ability to do both by giving away the tons of money he will likely earn in his new profession.
On that note, I encouraged him to write down his ideas as they came to him, for they were coming so quickly I really had to escape or I'd never get to the other children also awaiting the end of the bedtime routine.
He begged me to leave his light on..... because he still needed time to process all his thoughts. Even though, he decided he'd write them down in the morning...... he just needed the light on while he laid in bed thinking great thoughts. I acquiesced. (i like that word..... happy to have a chance to use it! but i don't think either i or the spell check spelled it correctly... oh well :) )
The others tucked in, I retired to the couch with my husband, book in hand in case the Olympics were rather dull....... they weren't........
Around 11:30pm we had to lay down the law. Austin, you must go to sleep. All the rest of your thoughts can be thought tomorrow. This after the sixth time he came out of his room quivering with the excitement of the next development in his plan.
"Ok," he says, "but do you think that I could do this while I'm still a kid? I mean, I could sell my ideas to someone who could make it into a game and then they could give me some of the money when they sell my game."
Yes, absolutely. You can make that happen while still a kid. We just have to find the right person to make it into a game. We'll work on it tomorrow.
"Ok," says he. "But, I know it's gonna take a long time..."
Yes, it will. Good point.
"Like, maybe a week or something..."
Maybe more like a year, dear.
"Oh!"
"well, I can be patient."
And there you have it!
The future career of my seven-year-old may not be too far into the future!
Raising up a generation of entrepreneurs!! yea!
Imagine my surprise when he told me at the tuck-in, back-scratch part of bedtime that he was announcing a major change in direction. I was mystified. I had no guesses. Please tell, I said.
"I am going to be the maker of computer games," he said with confidence and a very obvious sense of brewing excitement at this news.
He'd been pondering it all day, I am certain.
With a chill of anticipation and an impossible to stop smile shining brightly on his adorably squishy face, he laid out the plans. It seemed to be a combination of his two most recent addictions... clubpenguins (an online free game of penguin type stuff) and the new Bible computer game he purchased that day with the gift card he was awarded by the First Baptist Church library upon completing 100 points in the summer reading program.
Obviously sleep was not going to come to this child until I heard him out. So, patiently, and with a grand attempt at giving him my full and undivided attention as well as enthusiasm (equally important), I let him talk. It was the only path that would lead to sleep.
Although it was already after 10pm and I still had two more tuck-in back-scratches, I found it rewarding as I listened to realize that I was so in tune with my child that I knew, I just knew, that he had to have time to unfold the developing ideas or he would simply not be able to stop his brain and notify it of the sleep requirements of the household.
So, patiently (for the most part) I listened. Puffles. Dee Dee Village. Games, paths, quizzes, intrigue. It all really was too much for my non-technological mind, but I was impressed with his.
Finally, "I don't think I can be both, so I'm going to just be a computer/video game maker."
At this point I introduced him to the idea of becoming a billionaire like Bill Gates and then having the ability to do both by giving away the tons of money he will likely earn in his new profession.
On that note, I encouraged him to write down his ideas as they came to him, for they were coming so quickly I really had to escape or I'd never get to the other children also awaiting the end of the bedtime routine.
He begged me to leave his light on..... because he still needed time to process all his thoughts. Even though, he decided he'd write them down in the morning...... he just needed the light on while he laid in bed thinking great thoughts. I acquiesced. (i like that word..... happy to have a chance to use it! but i don't think either i or the spell check spelled it correctly... oh well :) )
The others tucked in, I retired to the couch with my husband, book in hand in case the Olympics were rather dull....... they weren't........
Around 11:30pm we had to lay down the law. Austin, you must go to sleep. All the rest of your thoughts can be thought tomorrow. This after the sixth time he came out of his room quivering with the excitement of the next development in his plan.
"Ok," he says, "but do you think that I could do this while I'm still a kid? I mean, I could sell my ideas to someone who could make it into a game and then they could give me some of the money when they sell my game."
Yes, absolutely. You can make that happen while still a kid. We just have to find the right person to make it into a game. We'll work on it tomorrow.
"Ok," says he. "But, I know it's gonna take a long time..."
Yes, it will. Good point.
"Like, maybe a week or something..."
Maybe more like a year, dear.
"Oh!"
"well, I can be patient."
And there you have it!
The future career of my seven-year-old may not be too far into the future!
Raising up a generation of entrepreneurs!! yea!
Thursday, August 21, 2008
You Know You're Broke When...
- friends give you gift cards to Goodwill (for which you are very grateful!)
- you hope there's enough lawnmower gas to put in the tank of your minivan just get you from home to the car fix-it place and back
- you begin to view quarters as GAS MONEY
- you save the un-used milk that the kids discard when they've finished their cereal by straining the cereal particles out and putting it back into the refrigerator for their next bowl of cereal (not in the milk jug.... it gets it own jar)
- the six green beans you picked out of your (woefully neglected) garden (due to the hot hot tennessee summers and high degree of stess in your life) make up your veggie portion for dinner (not that the kids are complaining)
- you begin to feed the pets every other day (JUST KIDDING......... the kids don't let me get away with that)
- you consider rationing the toilet paper usage
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