Oscar the Grouch

When I was growing up,  my parents made the decision NOT to have a t.v. in the house.   I don't ever remember thinking it was strange or feeling left out.  I am sure at times I did,  but it obviously didn't leave scars...at least I haven't discussed it with my therapist...yet!!

 One show we did see occasionally was Sesame Street...and I LOVED Oscar the Grouch.  My granddaddy's name was Oscar...but I don't think he was a grouch...I just liked the name connection and the character of Oscar.  I was fascinated with his trash can house...so little on the outside, but full of treasure on the inside.  And he was NEVER happy...



That's me.  I have felt very GROUCHY the last few months.   I have struggled to find the joy in life...the little things that I should smile about...the laugh of my 7 yr old,  the hug of my 13 yr old son (I should rejoice...I KNOW!!),   my 16 yr old fixing my fake coffee,  my 10 year old playing her psaltry.   But I have been so weighted down with life that the little things that SHOULD  matter I overlook, and the little things that SHOULDN'T matter, (like messy counters or rooms not picked up) do.  I guess all the months of stress  have made me want calm and order and things done the way they should be (or at least the way I THINK they should)....and I live in house with those four plus a husband who is having to work 2 jobs.   ( You may begin playing the violin music...but I need wine and cheese first, please!!)




I don't want to live like this...I don't want my kids clamoring to find adventure somewhere...fun out there...another woman or man who smiles and says nice things to them...I want that to be ME!  I want to wake up with a quirky song in my heart and on my lips...not reminders of chores not done.   I want to take adventures to parks,  glamping (he he) or fishing...not mowing lawns,  feeding chickens, and disciplining yet another child.  (These are all important but should not be ALL IMPORTANT!)  I want to notice these little things and thank my kids. 

I want my 16 to want to shop with me...so I guess I should take her shopping
I want my 13 to still want to talk to me about EVERYTHING!...so I should go fishing and listen.
I want my 10 year old to share her thoughts on her favorite book..so I should read the book and take her to Starbucks for coffee and laugh or cry with her.
I want to my littlest one too remember a fun, happy momma who wasn't so worried about the floor of her room, but who loved her spontaneity or joy of life...and to share those moments with her.

Sooooo......I am looking for ways to bring these things in.   That means not having as clean a floor as I would like,  not picking up ALL  the stuff I want picked up.  Maybe having an extra load or two of clothes to do because we were having so much fun somewhere else on laundry day.  Maybe making more crock pot meals and worrying less about ACT scores and college.   I am not sure what it will look like...but I want to strive for something.  YOU know the old saying,  if you don't aim for something,  you won't hit anything.  (I think that's it...let me know if it's not...I tend to mix sayings around to suit my thoughts!!) 

This has been a little heavy,  but I needed to write it out...accountability for myself I guess.  Wait until you see what has been going on at our house.  Here is a sneak peek at tomorrow's post. 



  
thanks for reading,

Reb

Vows, Allergies, School, and HGTV

No excuses.   Just ....well, no excuses. 

So what AM I doing right now?

This......

This has been the WORST season for me.  I guess it's that over 40 thing.  But I am not even going to church today because my whole face is swollen and my eyes are so itchy I just "gently" rub all day. 


What ELSE is going on? 


This....

I am using this web site and LOVE it.  It is the same one I used last year to read the Bible through,  but just chronologically.   Just finished Leviticus and learned SOOO much.  Here are just a few thoughts.

1. Reading through the old testament has opened my eyes to the teachings of the new testament.  They ae not different,  only explained.  Here are a few instances.

   In Leviticus we see where God desires His people to look, act, worship and be different from those around them.  In the new testament, here is what  God says.

Phil 2:15  that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

Col 2:8  See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

Rom 12:2  Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

1 John 2:15   Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

There are others that as you read the new testament will jump out at you.    I am so thankful I have stuck with the day to day reading.  Sounds crazy but this is only the second year EVER that I have stuck with it.  I think the habit forming of getting up and reading first thing (well,  after getting coffee and cleaning up while the pot is heating up) has made an impression on my mind and now I feel things are not right if I haven't read God's word and listened for instruction. 

And then I am doing this....

http://www.hgtv.com/

We have found a web site that lets us watch HGTV free!!!  And since we have NOTHING on our tv right now,  this is nice.  We are in the process of transforming our living room.  I will get pics up soon.  They are NOT pretty.  I am praying the end result will be.  NO...I am confidant, because I have a great DESIGNER...a friend who really IS a designer...along with my sister...who really IS a desinger.

The last thing going on here...well, not the last but the last for this post.. is homeschooling.  Going great,  loving the books and results,  and planning our LAST 12 WEEKS!  Can you believe it?  In 12 weeks we will be finished with this years books.   I will post some books we have been reading,  some new writing material we are using, and ..oh yes...we just went to a book sale.  I will post about that. 

thanks for reading,  (if you are still around!!)

Reb 

The tale of Flopsy Bunny

We woke up early,  wind blowing,  chickens cackling, the just two of us.  Most mornings it is ...just the two of us.  The quiet,  the time to think,  the snuggling...

This morning we were drinking our tea and  looked out the window.

 There she was.  The sweetest, fuzziest, brown bunny.  Of course her name became Flopsy.  We watched a minute.   Then the little kid in us wanted to go outside to see it.  The adult in us said she will run away the minute we open the door. 



But she stayed.  Then big, smart, careful brother woke.  "Let's go sit outside and watch her."  Joy, joy, joy!!

Flopsy stayed,  brother stayed.  Sister got cold.  Mommy watched to see what would happen with all three. 

Yeah!!  Big brother kept her warm.  They moved a little closer.  Flopsy just stared and stayed and wiggled her nose.  Humans have such a smell!!  They moved closer.  What would Flopsy do?

  She stayed!!!!  Those humans must have been awfully quiet and good.  A discussion soon followed.

 "Let's catch her and keep her.  She could have babies and we could have lot's of bunnies to play with.  Maybe we could collect their poop and sell it for fertilizer.  Then we could start a breeding program here on the ranch and begin to sell  pure bred, domesticated wild bunnies.  We could make millions"

"No,  if we move again she will run away.  Don't move,  just be still.  Maybe I could set a trap and catch her.  Then I could skin her and eat her meat and sell her hide.  That will be the beginning of my fur enterprise out here in the backwoods.  We'll never have to go to town again.  I will clothe you all in fur and feed you rabbit meat.  I heard it helps in weight loss.  Mom will like that."

Then a fight broke out  (no pics, please!!!!) .  Words were spoken, tears were shed,  the peace of the morning shattered into a million pieces,  and we all had to get ready for church. 

But I tell you,  it was fun to watch,  both for me and the kids.  And what a way to begin..hmmm...a Sunday,  watching a sweet animal the Lord of all creation made,  that He sustains, and allowed us to see. 


Enjoy your day and be sure to praise your Creator, the one who sustains you,


thanks for reading,


Rebekah

Linky to Barn Hop

Favorite Show EVER!!

OK,  so...we don't watch a ton of tv around here...not much on that isn't steeped in perversion...and reason #200098  for homeschooling is to push back the age of exposure..BUT...

our favorite show is....

I specifically plan no lessons or errands or dates or..or...anything just to be home at 7 pm to watch.  I have not been a big fan of reality game shows,  but this....
only voices,  no instruments,  no extras.   And the judges are ..well..goofy.   But the singers...WOW!

We each have our favorites.  I am loving the girl group Delilah,

and North Shore.  OH BOY what a great group of men.

My daughter and son love Pentatonix.

We have others that we like but these are our favorites.  

If you have nothing to do on Monday nights and need a filler...of course you could immerse yourself in something profitable like the studying of God's Word and service to others,  or you could immerse yourself in the culture and follow along,  like we are...and waste your time...and fill your head with songs you had never heard before...and you will have to tell your young children not to sing that song, it isn't nice and was only cleaned up for the show...so pick another one like Bring in the Sheaves or something...so no one knows we watch this stuff on tv.

  Except now you do.

  Please don't judge me.

thanks for reading,

Reb

The List

Now that the sun is out again, we are busy, busy. 

Laundry --- We were able hang this  on the line yesterday.  I love to hang laundry..enjoying the sunshine, the wind blowing the clothes,  the sun drying them,  taking them off and...folding as I do.  (After 2 yrs of having a line,  I just figured this out..DUH!)

Picking through the rain drenched lettuce and spinach leaves-----  I really want an ORGANIC garden, but I have a worm eating some of the spinach and lettuce leaves.  Anyone know how to get rid of them without using chemicals?

Cleaning out the car ----- I am sure everyone with children has dirty cars but really.   I spilled dry rice on Sunday.  I told the kids I would pay the first person to vacuum and clean up the car.  OBVIOUSLY I am giving them too much because NO ONE took me up on the money making business.  SOOO...He He..today I MADE them ALL clean it out for FREE.  Oh for the chance to go back and do over. 

Working a business...My dad showed me an great opportunity for a home based business my eldest and I can do together.  The information is here.  Let me know what you think. 

Getting ready for a garage sale....When spring hits, sunny days,  light breezes,  cleaning out the closets,  my minds turns to GARAGE SALES.   We have been pricing and packing up stuff to take over to my sisters for a sale this weekend.  If you live in the area,  go to Elk River and check it out.

Trips...I took a couple of trips in Feb and March, but the family has been home all winter.  We are heading up to the Ozark Castle and Branson for a couple of days.  Can't wait!!!

And that about wraps it up for this week..besides cleaning, cooking,  cleaning again,  school, cleaning up school,  instrument practice, cleaning up instruments,  swim team practice, cleaning suits and towels,  taking meals,  church,  researching chemistry books for next year,   and sleeping.  I think that trip may be just what the Dr. ordered.

thanks for reading,

Reb

Chick-Nix

We had a very busy weekend.   Parties, dinners, shopping, cooking, and on top of all that...we lost 8 chickens.  Well actually, we know where they are,  but they are capoot,  nixed,  done in,  gone.    We were very foolish and lazy owners of 9 WONDERFUL CHICKENS WHO GAVE US 7-8 FRESH EGGS A DAY.  We foolishly left not one, not two, but three different gates open,  and a HUGE  dog came and had his fill.  Only one little black chicken left,  and she is very traumatized.  We took two chickens from our  church and brought them to be pals with her,  and she laid us a beautiful egg today.  Very sweet of her.

It was awful to view the carnage, and then my absolutely wonderful valentine-of-a-husband took the remains away so I wouldn't have to see the results of my foolish  lazy behavior .  Can I just say I learned a valuable lesson?  And can I also say the way to my heart is through deeds like this?  Thanks, Honey!!

And yes,  we plan on ordering more chickens to come in three weeks from now.  I really like my farm fresh eggs.    I will get a pic up of the borrowed chickens soon.  They are my girls very favorite from when some friends and I began a chicken coop two years ago. 


Sad but very valuable day, 

thanks for reading,

Reb
 

Happy Birthday Haley!!!

Today, 15 years ago, I became a mommy for the first, but not last, time. I was supposed to be hosting my family for Thanksgiving along with my mother-in-law. But the Dr. said either go lie down or go to the hospital. I thought he was kidding and said I would lie down after Thanksgiving. He promptly sent me over to the hospital where he postponed duck hunting to deliver my girl. We didn't know she was a girl before birth, but when she was born, there was no doubt. Black hair, fully grown in eye lashes and eyebrows, (I thought my other kiddos were deformed when they were born with no hair anywhere.  Scared me a little.)   little fat rolls already, big beautiful dark eyes. Those eye lashes. She still has them, and the dark hair, but somewhere along the way she lost the sweet rolls. (I think she is pretty happy about that!!) She was creative from the first, and still continues to intimidate me and make me proud all in the same breath with her sewing, crafting, designing, inspiring. She is not afraid of ANYTHING (like Lord of the Rings, that super scary should-be-called-a-horror movie) or poisonous snakes, or going places alone for the first time. So unlike me, but wonderful.

Happy Birthday, Haley, I love you and miss you, and can't wait to take you to the DMV and get your permit.

thanks for reading,

Reb

*&^%$#^&*.. Ok, not really, more like WHAT?

Learning anything new, like how to set up and LIKE my blog, is very difficult for me. Well, figuring out how to mute the tv is difficult, setting up a blog is like designing a rocket to the moon.  So if things change a LOT some, as in daily,  I am just trying to figure out Greek the blog world.  Will take tips,  especially from people who give directions like,  "Just turn by the blue house with the swing on the porch,  keep going till you see Macdonalds,  (stop and get a coke!!) and then you should see the big white church with the 3 crosses on top."  I understand that language!!

thanks for reading,

Reb