It's Lewis!

Here it is! We have picked a name for our bunny. He has been called Bun Bun and Bunny and Bunners, but Buddy has found a name that everyone seems to agree on.........................it is LEWIS! Yes, it may need to roll around in your head for a while. It may need to simmer. But..Lewis is perfect for us. It is LuLu if it is a girl, Lewis or Lewie, for a boy.

The truth behind the name? The name will never matter. The poor bunny is destined to continual confusion. In our family, each member has many, many names. So...poor LuLu, Lewis, Lewie, Bun Bun, Bun.....whoever he/she is...will be loved and cared for and spoiled with Timothy Hay, baby lettuces, and carrot, hugs and pats, and runs around the room.

Whew!

Tuesday brings relief

Each week I have at least one day that is a real blessing- a special day that refreshes or invigorates. The week has not yet passed, but I am declaring TODAY the day. :o)

We have been at home all day- without any pressure to drive somewhere or to go to some event. It has been awesome!

The kids and I have been discussing how winter will soon be upon us and that warm 65 degree days are almost gone. I told them that this could be one of the last "warm" days of the year. So....Martha is out in a make-shift hamock listening to Laura Ingalls Wilder's "These Happy Golden Years". She will alway take me seriously- and literally. She will enjoy this warm day as if it were her last.

It is a good thing Halloween is tomorrow, because I have found myself sneaking into the treat bowl. We have Snickers, Milk Duds, M&M's, Almond Joys, Skittles, Twix, Reeses, Smarties, and Sprees to give away. We are also giving away little cans of Play-doh to the younger children. The smaller portions of candy are good for the diet, if I can stick to just one or two! I like the Almond Joy, Peanut M&M's, the Snickers, and Reeses the best...that doesn't make sense, does it? We are hoping for a big turn out, but it is supposed to be cold tomorrow.

We had our 2nd 4H meeting yesterday. Wow! This club is something else. There was the formal installation of the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. There was the recitation of the Pledge (which some of the homeschoolers were a little rusty on!), and there were motions, second the motions, and all sorts of other legal words used. This is going to be a very good learning experience- without lacking in fun. Martha was the hospitality hostess and provider of all refreshments. Buddy is the official photographer. He documented every important part of the club meeting. Everyone in the club has a unique role to play.

Before I end, I must also write that the children and Steve had a great trip up to visit the grandparents and cousins this past weekend. It was a wonderful fall visit with a great time had by most. The kids returned tired, but very happy. Just the way we like it.

I hope you are able to have a day of refreshment this week as well!! God bless!

Brave, Brave Martha

We just got back from a visit to the clinic (For Seinfeld fans: remember when Cramer tried to get Elaine's chart and said he worked for "the clinic"? Teehee!) today for a second round of vaccinations. Both shots hurt- a lot. The nurse displayed extreme compassion..."maybe you should get all your shots all at once" (rather than the drawn out schedule I am enforcing). She did seem sad that the shots were painful..I explained that it was most likely equally painful to babies- they just aren't able to say so. There are those that show kindness and tact and there are those that can't handle anything outside their vision of "normal". To this nurse, it was "normal" that babies have all their shots- not older children. She was confused by the fact that we chose to do something different. There wasn't outright judgmentalism...just an underlying condescension. Am I peeved? I have come to expect it from the "sheep" at "the clinic". In fact, our doctor (who is actually very kind) slipped up on our first visit and referred to people who are concerned about vaccinations as having "paranoia"...he promptly tried to cover it up, but I capitalized on it and said, "Yes, some are paranoid, but some have real questions that need answers".

This brings me to a deep seeded irritation: Why is it so wrong to ask questions? Why can't people ("sheep") handle it when other people want details? I need to know "why"- is that wrong? In this society, if you ask hard questions you are treated like you have 2 heads!!

Here are my questions:
Why are some vaccine lots causing more reactions than others? Why are there more deaths with some lots than others?
Why did some diseases become less frequent even before there was full, widespread vaccination?
Do diseases run a course that has nothing to do with vaccination?
How can we track reactions long term? If we can't, then can you assume there aren't any ?

If I choose to wait to inject my child with something until these important questions are answered am I an idiot??????? It would seem so.

I will tell you- I am not the idiot.

It is a good thing...Martha earned her lollipop today.

October 23 and Favorite Babysitter

One of my childhood memories is of a nice babysitter that I had. I thought she was pretty great. I also thought she was 23 years old. Kids that young often confuse details, so who knows if she WAS 23. Anyway...ever since that babysitter I have always thought of 23 as my favorite number. In fact, it was chosen so much so because of my babysitter that it didn't occur to me until much later that it was also my birthday. I still laugh at this, and I still think of 23 as being my favorite number- with no connection to it actually being a special day in and of itself. If we watch the evening news at 6:00 and see the powerball numbers at the bottom of the screen, I always look for "23".

I am taking a stand (totally in my head) and NOT choosing the free meal at our local Mexican restaurant. I figure that the one thing I can get on this day is a meal I will really like. And that is that. My foot is down.

I don't know why, but I tend to take stands against nothing. No one asks me to be difficult and no one is asking me to put my foot down...no...it is all in my head.

I finished my book last night. I picked up "Indiscretion" at B&N and have been enjoying it. It is a Jane Austen-type book...very clean, very Victorian. It was predictable, but not to the point where I wasn't surprised in spots. Anyway..this book offered me a little "vacation from my problems" over the past few days!!!! (see What About Bob? regarding that quote!)

Our new refrigerator is arriving tomorrow. It has been only 5 1/2 weeks since we ordered it. Can you say upset? It is a good thing our old fridge has continued to work! Otherwise, I would have to explain to this company that they are screwed and go find another buyer for that fridge. I realize this isn't necessarily the nice thing to do, but if everyone is always nice then lessons would not be learned and justice would not be served! (fridge justice!!!)

My children need me to get going for the day. I hope you all are having a good week! Blessings on your day!

It's Friday!

It couldn't get better than this...we have a "free" day, today- no plans, no obligations, no nothing. We (Hodge Podge, Martha, and Buddy) worked our butts off yesterday. We cleaned, decorated, and decluttered this house. We rearranged Buddy's room.

I continue to be blessed by each new revelation given me by my children. I found out that Buddy likes to be neat. He doesn't like messes. Oh, I've known this, but he actually talked with me about it. We had a very adult-like conversation. I have to laugh here because almost every conversation with Buddy is pretty mature. I could say the same about Martha, but she talks so fast and has a mumbling disease (largely caused by braces) that it is hard to understand her sometimes! Teehee! I love you, Martha!!!

Martha is finding out more about herself, too. She has had the opportunity each Thursday to experiment with Art. She has worked on projects at the potter's wheel and she has made mosaics with glass. She just finished sewing squares together for a quilt. I am also blessed to stand by her and watch her discover her own gifts and talents- and to cheer her on!

I want my children to wake up each morning- happy that they are a part of this family and happy to be a child. It has become a new goal. I say "new" because I haven't been very purposeful in this area. It is easy to meet certain needs in a child- needs for clothing, food, education,etc., but I have largely overlooked certain emotional needs. Unfortunately, I am coming to see that meeting these emotional needs is AS important if not MORE important. So, my journey in parenthood has taken a new turn, with new knowledge.

To what or whom do I owe this new enlightenment? I have put myself, very purposefully in fact, in the presence of women who are different from myself. I decided a while ago, that I didn't want to surround myself with clones. It is hard to step out in new directions and to hear new opinions and ideas. However, it is deeply rewarding to do so. It is humbling and immensely gratifying. It keeps you from thinking of yourself as an expert on anything and it forces you to listen to others. I thank all of my Life Learning ladies for their gifts to me.

Friday is here, the week is over, and we can rejoice! Blessings to all of you on your weekend!

It's finished!!!!

O.K., I am breathing easier for at least 3 more weeks. My column was sent, and was determined to be good enough to publish. Hooray! I got a little opinionated this month. A Minnesota State Lottery commercial got me going....

Never, Never, Never try to bake pumpkin muffins when you are on the computer. It just doesn't work. I am a zombie in front of this machine.

Martha is doing her favorite thing. She is "babysitting" a real baby and twins. A welcome break to my crabbiness and nagging today. They have heard it before, "THIS HOUSE IS A DISASTER!"...and I'm sure they will hear it again. I run this place as if its success were dependent on every member's participation. NO ONE gets a free ride. Today, however, I realized that I had been giving too many free rides. Could it come out in a more pleasant manner? I suppose. I suppose. I'll have to consider it more. In the meantime, children, respect my AUTHORITAY!

Teehee......

Beginning another week!

Here it is, another Monday. I have a new addition to my site- an introduction to a web store. A good friend of mine has put her creative juices into making quality, beautiful modern baby bib, blankets and burp cloths and quilts and "rag" bags, and much more. She can customize almost anything to fit your need or taste. I couldn't pass up the chance to show off her stuff! So, if you are looking for a gift item that won't be duplicated by anyone else, check out her site.

We start another week of school today. Our continual march forward is producing some good results. The kids have been doing well in their vocabulary and grammar lessons. I finally found curriculum that "fits" us. I also discovered how to make a chore list on this Homeschool program I have so the fridge is full of computer-generated graphs and to-do lists!!! Just what this detail freak needs!

The kids have spent many happy days playing with friends. Their social network hasn't suffered with homeschooling...it is almost laughable to think that some people are under that assumption. I drive here, there, and everywhere to provide enrichment. Most homeschoolers do the same. I am writing with a little bit of a bite because of a report that has come out from the NEA about homeschooling. This organization is clueless and is NOT looking out for children. It is an agenda-driven monster that seeks to manipulate people- through ridiculous proclamations. I have added a clip of their report:

B-75. Home Schooling
The National Education Association believes that home schooling programs based on parental choice cannot provide the student with a comprehensive education experience. When home schooling occurs, students enrolled must meet all state curricular requirements, including the taking and passing of assessments to ensure adequate academic progress.

Home schooling should be limited to the children of the immediate family, with all expenses being borne by the parents/guardians. Instruction should be by persons who are licensed by the appropriate state education licensure agency, and a curriculum approved by the state department of education should be used.

The Association also believes that home-schooled students should not participate in any extracurricular activities in the public schools.

The Association further believes that local public school systems should have the authority to determine grade placement and/or credits earned toward graduation for students entering or re-entering the public school setting from a home school setting. (1988, 2006)

Blah...I have a bad taste in my mouth!!!!!!!! If homeschooling "CANNOT PROVIDE THE STUDENT WITH A COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATION EXPERIENCE", then how can all the successes of homeschoolers be accounted for? This is a joke.

O.K.....I'm done with that.

Our zoo is doing fine, too. Bunny and Job are finding ways to co-exist....one upstairs and one down. We gave Bunny a little more freedom to run around Martha's bedroom and he really liked it. He looked like Peter Rabbit hopping and dancing. He hopped over to me for one little snuggle and then went flying across the room. He loves to hide in dark, enclosed places (surprise!) and found a little niche under Martha's dresser. It is always good to have a safe zone..just in case.

We have our co-op meeting today. Martha and the other young people are going to choose a new book for their book club. What a good way to encourage reading!! Their book discussions sound very adult-like.

Time for me to go. I have to review my article before sending it in this a.m. I always get the jitters over this stuff.

Have a good week, everyone!!

Update

Well, Hodge Podge's Pa came out of surgery well. He is back home and recovering. He is up and around and doing A LOT! We are all so thankful!

I came home with a nasty cold. They are always nasty, eh? The stress and lack of sleep just did me in. We have been trying to get into a regular routine this week, but my energy level is just not there.

Baby Bun is growing. When we let him hop around the room, he zips around like he's being chased by a Dachshund! He is still very affectionate and cute! He just loves getting a lot of attention.

Today, Buddy goes in for a physical. He keeps asking if I think he will pass it! I've told him that this is not a graded activity.

This weekend we are taking it easy. I hope to get back to normal with a little rest.

Thanks for your prayers for Pa.