(Background for any readers who do not live in my area - really short version of the story: Our county libraries apparently misunderstood some tax laws and increased taxes when they weren't supposed to. Now the Tea Part is all up in arms and wants to take back all the money or at least make the libraries go back to the tax rate they used in 1965, which would result in the libraries all but shutting their doors. It is all over the news around here. If you really want to hear all about it - and perhaps get the legitimate details since it is possible I am slightly exagerating - just pick a news source.)
A couple weeks ago I was so motivated and inspired that I was going to pen a letter to the editor of the paper. (Not the major paper in our area, just the Community Recorder. I'm not that motivated.) This was in response to numerous OTHER letters to the editor and guest columnists who were sharing their thoughts about our library "situation." But then life got in the way and a couple weeks passed and MORE people wrote in response and I felt what I had to say would have come across as "Yeah! What he said!" so I let the newspaper thing go. But I do still have some things on my mind...
I grew up using the library. When my brother and I were young my grandparents watched us every day while our parents worked. On a regular basis my grandfather would drive the 4 of us to the Covington branch of the library. They helped me get my first library card. They made sure I was able to visit on a regular basis. They made sure my friends and I got there when we needed to work on a school project or paper. (All you young people - this was before the internet. Once upon a time doing research meant actually going to the library, looking through encyclopedias - a topic for a different day - and checking out books to bring home.) Point is - I have loved the library for as long as I can remember and those early visits turned me into an avid reader.
Now I get to share that love with my children. We visit our local branch of the library about twice a month during the summer, more during the school year. All 3 of my kids have their own library bag to collect books to check out. My 2 older children have their own library card. Lucas just got his during our last visit and he was so excited he could barely contain himself. It excites me more than I can explain that all of my children love books and love to read (or be read to). Their excitement when I say "We're going to the library," makes me smile ear-to-ear. My wish is that one day they will have the same fond memories that I have and share this same love with their children.
So all happy-happy, right? In my mind, yes. But I was motivated to write after reading one particular article in which the author basically said if you aren't using your library card for text books and educational documentaries, then everything you are checking out is trash and turning you into a horrible person. (Maybe not that exactly, but I'm generalizing here.) So to him (who will never read this) I would like to say...
My family and I use the library for books. My children check out a variety of books, since I have boys and girls of varying ages. Mostly fiction, but some non-fiction and even some how-to books. My husband and I also check out books. We have checked out various novels, biographies, parenting and budgeting books. I haven't kept track of the number of books we have checked out over the past year, but I assure you we never could afford to BUY all those books. I will admit, few of these books would fall under the category of "educational" when you search for them in the library computer (no longer a long drawer full of index cards). But there are 5 people in my house reading and not sitting in front of a screen, so I chalk that up as a plus.
My family uses the library for their programs. I have attended classes on saving money. Ella and I regularly attend the book sales to raise money for and support the library. Joe and I attend weekly story times during the school year. All 3 of my children are signed up for and very actively participating in the summer reading progam. Not only do these programs and events bring the community together, but they provide useful information (educational!), raise money for the library (lower taxes!) and provide my toddler with an opportunity to interact with his peers and learn at the same time (more education!).
My family does check out movies and CDs from the library. Perhaps not the most educational use of our library cards, but it is an added bonus. And while my friend the guest columnist did list the 5 most popular children's movies from the library over the past year and why they are a terrible waste of time, he did not state how often these movies were actually checked out. Yes, kids see movies on the shelves and they want them. Movies are fun! We allow our children to occassionally check out a couple movies and (gasp!) they watch TV at home. I think they are still OK kids. A free movie here and there or a new CD my husband can listen to in the car for a week isn't going to kill any of us.
Here's another way to look at things: Brandon will probably get mad that I am including this, but... oh well. When we met back in college, he read nothing. Certainly no reading for "fun" and I'm not even sure he read the text books we were assigned. This went on for many years, but the occassional magazine was thrown in - if it was sports related. Then several years ago we had a gift card to Amazon.com. This was before you could buy anything and everything at Amazon and you were pretty much restricted to books, movies and CDs. We were going on vacation soon so he thought he would use the gift card for some books to read on the beach. (I was shocked to say the least.) Being a big fan of the "Bourne" movies, he decided to buy the first 3 books in the series. He became hooked. He enjoyed the books so much more than the movies (a big deal considering his obsession with this movie empire) and sought out the others in the series to read those as well. Then he found other books by the same author and read those. Then he found books by different authors who write in the same manner and read those. He read books! Yes, guest-columnist-friend, people get killed in these books. And there is crime. And there are questionable morals. And they probably have no educational value. But a set of 3 discounted books inspired a man to read who never enjoyed it before and they expanded his horizons. He even has his own library card now!
I realize there are A LOT of things in the state of Kentucky and in this country as a whole that need funding. There isn't enough cash to go around. There are some programs and services that receive funding when they probably shouldn't, or are using their money irresponsibly. I will admit, I haven't done the research to see exactly how much money each library receives and where every cent is going. But I do see what they have to offer and what I am (and other patrons are) paying out of pocket for it and I think it's a pretty good deal. I understand free books, movies and CDs may not exactly fit into the definition of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We are not guaranteed a lifetime supply of novels. But I do firmly believe the public library system serves the greater good and without necessary funding our community would suffer a great loss. First consider the alternatives. It seems people are always trying to find ways to keep children occupied and constructively using their energy. The library provides a wonderful outlet for that. Second, I believe something as simple as the public library is one of the things that makes our state and our country great. It's a wonderful place for the community to come together. I don't think we need to take away all the good and all the fun just to make up for what is lacking in other areas. When people check out their very first book from the library, it may not be a Pulitzer Prize winner. But it's a book. And that book will lead them to another and another and then who knows what else. I've seen it with my own children and I've seen it with my husband and I'm certain it's happening not only in our library but in similar buildings everywhere.
Friday, July 19, 2013
Monday, June 24, 2013
A Two-Year-Old in Church
Yesterday our family of 5 attended 11:30 AM mass at our church. We typically attend an earlier mass, but that just didn't work for us this weekend and I have always been told that you should choose the time that will best allow you and your family to worship. So Sunday at 11:30 it was.
The biggest "issue" with the later mass is that the nursery is not open. Joseph is our first child that has been "demoted" (as I like to call it) to the nursery. Ella and Lucas were always fairly easily entertained in church with some Cheerios and a few books. Not the case with Joe. He feels the need to make everyone aware of his presence by yelling and running down the aisle. So the nursery is the place for him - all sorts of cars and blocks and trains and noise. On those rare occassions when he is in mass with us, he usually ends up in the back about half way through the service and Brandon and I end up frazzled as we walk out the door.
So yesterday as we were getting ready I stocked Joe's bag with books, action figures, gold fish and any other quiet toy I could find. And I must say he did fairly well! (Fairly well for him that is.) He did chat a bit, but what 2-year-old is going to stay silent for an entire hour? Brandon and I giggled when Joe loudly rattled off some jibberish and then said "I singing!" More giggles when he looked at the sheet music in the book and said "Golf clubs!" (His father's son, indeed.) He did have a couple minor outbursts (and I really do emphasize minor) when he was worried his brother was taking his seat. (A common fear for the youngest of three I do believe.) With about 15 minutes remaining Brandon finally escorted him to the back of church as the latest outburst was starting to escalate and I'm pretty sure there was about to be some kicking.
When mass was over Ella, Lucas and I walked to the back of church and found Joe out cold on Brandon's shoulder. We left and I felt more than a little pleased with our experience. It wasn't perfect and Joe did wind up leaving early, but he made it longer than usual and I know one day this will all be over and the 5 of us will be able to celebrate mass every week as a family.
So what is the point of all this (other than my general thoughts and reflections on how one day it will be better and I will probably look back on this and laugh)? The point is to express my frustration and irritation with the woman in the pew in front of us. She was an older woman - I'm guessing in her 70's or maybe even 80's. For the entire 45 minutes that we sat behind her she shot us dirty looks, rolled her eyes and gave several heavy sighs. I wish I hadn't noticed and I wish I didn't have that distraction, but I did and now it is sticking with me almost more than the message of the Gospel that day.
Believe me, I have sat in front of the "loud kids" in mass before. Some have been downright unruly and pulled my hair when climbing on the back of the pew or repeatedly dropped things next to me over the back of the pew. Some have flat out screamed while their parents made their best attempts to calm them. Not once did I make a face or sound. Not only because I know what it's like and I so feel for those parents at that moment, but because I believe it is important for children to be in church. I read this blog last month - this says it better than I could and says everything I believe.
So to the woman in front of us - I'm sorry that my toddler was not completely silent for an hour straight. But not once did he touch you (with his own body or any of his possessions). Not once did he yell in your ear or get anywhere near your face. Not once did he throw a temper tantrum or take off down the aisle. But please be aware that our church is full of families with young children. It is part of a community that includes a large elementary school. I know of many who attend our church with several generations of their family, which brings such a smile to my face and makes me a little jealous that my children don't have that added bonus. These children are the future of our community - where else should the foundation for the future begin but in church?
The biggest "issue" with the later mass is that the nursery is not open. Joseph is our first child that has been "demoted" (as I like to call it) to the nursery. Ella and Lucas were always fairly easily entertained in church with some Cheerios and a few books. Not the case with Joe. He feels the need to make everyone aware of his presence by yelling and running down the aisle. So the nursery is the place for him - all sorts of cars and blocks and trains and noise. On those rare occassions when he is in mass with us, he usually ends up in the back about half way through the service and Brandon and I end up frazzled as we walk out the door.
So yesterday as we were getting ready I stocked Joe's bag with books, action figures, gold fish and any other quiet toy I could find. And I must say he did fairly well! (Fairly well for him that is.) He did chat a bit, but what 2-year-old is going to stay silent for an entire hour? Brandon and I giggled when Joe loudly rattled off some jibberish and then said "I singing!" More giggles when he looked at the sheet music in the book and said "Golf clubs!" (His father's son, indeed.) He did have a couple minor outbursts (and I really do emphasize minor) when he was worried his brother was taking his seat. (A common fear for the youngest of three I do believe.) With about 15 minutes remaining Brandon finally escorted him to the back of church as the latest outburst was starting to escalate and I'm pretty sure there was about to be some kicking.
When mass was over Ella, Lucas and I walked to the back of church and found Joe out cold on Brandon's shoulder. We left and I felt more than a little pleased with our experience. It wasn't perfect and Joe did wind up leaving early, but he made it longer than usual and I know one day this will all be over and the 5 of us will be able to celebrate mass every week as a family.
So what is the point of all this (other than my general thoughts and reflections on how one day it will be better and I will probably look back on this and laugh)? The point is to express my frustration and irritation with the woman in the pew in front of us. She was an older woman - I'm guessing in her 70's or maybe even 80's. For the entire 45 minutes that we sat behind her she shot us dirty looks, rolled her eyes and gave several heavy sighs. I wish I hadn't noticed and I wish I didn't have that distraction, but I did and now it is sticking with me almost more than the message of the Gospel that day.
Believe me, I have sat in front of the "loud kids" in mass before. Some have been downright unruly and pulled my hair when climbing on the back of the pew or repeatedly dropped things next to me over the back of the pew. Some have flat out screamed while their parents made their best attempts to calm them. Not once did I make a face or sound. Not only because I know what it's like and I so feel for those parents at that moment, but because I believe it is important for children to be in church. I read this blog last month - this says it better than I could and says everything I believe.
So to the woman in front of us - I'm sorry that my toddler was not completely silent for an hour straight. But not once did he touch you (with his own body or any of his possessions). Not once did he yell in your ear or get anywhere near your face. Not once did he throw a temper tantrum or take off down the aisle. But please be aware that our church is full of families with young children. It is part of a community that includes a large elementary school. I know of many who attend our church with several generations of their family, which brings such a smile to my face and makes me a little jealous that my children don't have that added bonus. These children are the future of our community - where else should the foundation for the future begin but in church?
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Joseph
My baby is now a toddler. Last week he turned two and with that I think he has aged three years. He is suddenly so OLD! His vocabulary has increased dramatically, he has taken on a new personality and his energy level has doubled. (I didn't even think that was possible.)
Everybody always said "you just know" when you are finished having children. You just have a feeling. We always said we would have 3 kids and that was that. But once this chunky little guy was placed in my arms, I had the feeling.
I can't quite explain it, but everybody who has children knows what I'm talking about. I just knew that our family was complete. Joseph was what - WHO - we needed to make us a family of 5 and make our home what it was meant to be. And I cannot imagine our home without him...
What would I do if I didn't have any help with the laundry?
What would I do if I didn't have someone to help me reach all the high things?
What would I do if I didn't have someone to share my extreme love of chocolate?
And be just as emotional when it was gone??
And what would I do if I didn't have this sweet face to stare at as he sleeps, content and peaceful (and quiet for once!)? It makes me melt.
What would I do without this sweet smile staring back at me so many times throughout the day?
And what would our house sound like without the laughter that Joe brings each and every day?
Joseph keeps me on my toes and makes sure there is never a dull moment in our house. Each day brings laughter and surprises and exhaustion. And each day our home and our lives are blessed because he is in it.
Everybody always said "you just know" when you are finished having children. You just have a feeling. We always said we would have 3 kids and that was that. But once this chunky little guy was placed in my arms, I had the feeling.
I can't quite explain it, but everybody who has children knows what I'm talking about. I just knew that our family was complete. Joseph was what - WHO - we needed to make us a family of 5 and make our home what it was meant to be. And I cannot imagine our home without him...
What would I do if I didn't have any help with the laundry?
What would I do if I didn't have someone to help me reach all the high things?
What would I do if I didn't have someone to share my extreme love of chocolate?
And be just as emotional when it was gone??
And what would I do if I didn't have this sweet face to stare at as he sleeps, content and peaceful (and quiet for once!)? It makes me melt.
What would I do without this sweet smile staring back at me so many times throughout the day?
And what would our house sound like without the laughter that Joe brings each and every day?
Joseph keeps me on my toes and makes sure there is never a dull moment in our house. Each day brings laughter and surprises and exhaustion. And each day our home and our lives are blessed because he is in it.
Sunday, February 24, 2013
My Ella
On February 12 my little Ella turned 8 years old.
I can still call her little because she is my itty-bitty - the most petite of my children and I'm certain she always will be. She is 8 years old and still wears a size 6 clothes. Her 4 year old brother wears almost the same shoe size as her. But what she lacks in size she more than makes up for with her larger than life personality. Oh boy, does she ever!
All the little things that tend to push my buttons or work my last nerve are the things that make me love her to pieces.
Ella is a rock star wanna-be. She pulls out her guitar (that she does not know how to play) and will strum that thing with all her heart while she belts out her original songs - smack in the middle of the living room. Cute and endearing for the first few seconds, but the longer she goes on the louder she gets and the more she tries to sound like Taylor Swift and I start to think Oh my goodness, would you please be quiet?! But when it is quiet and she is holed up in her room doing her own thing, I want to know what she is doing and I want her to come out and spend time with the rest of us.
Ella gets excited about EVERYTHING. Life in general excites her. And I don't mean a simple "Oh yea!!" kind of excited. I mean jumping around, loud, obnoxious kind of excited. It's over the top and often makes me think (and sometimes say) Seriously, you have got to calm down. But who wouldn't want that zest and love for life? To be so excited and happy about everything - what a wonderful existence! We should all be so blessed.
Ella is nosey. This leads to Ella being pokey. There is no getting anywhere fast with Ella because she always has to grab one last thing and she is always checking out everything around her and stopping to browse and touch and feel and smell. Shopping (for anything) with this child is a nightmare because 99% of the time we are in a hurry. But she is so observant and notices the small details in everything and everybody - such an amazing and wonderful trait, especially in today's fast-paced world. She will pick up on every little thing you tell her and she will notice the tiniest detail on a piece of artwork or the different colors of the morning sunrise. She just loves to take it all in.
I had heard that second grade is such a special year and I was waiting for that big moment when this became the case in our house. This past month I have started to see the change and it literally brings tears to my eyes. I have received compliments on Ella's behavior and actions from other parents and leaders in the school. I have seen her working harder in areas that she needs to simply because she wants to do better, not because we are telling her to do so. The night of her birthday we went to pray before dinner and she said she wanted to make up a prayer rather than stick with our standard that even the boys know. The words that came out of this child's mouth... I wish I had been recording it because I know I will never remember all the words, but I will never forget the way it made me feel.
I've told Brandon lately that each of our children has one "thing" that gets me every time - no matter what I am doing or what kind of mood I am in, they each have something that will make me laugh no matter what. Ella's "thing" is her infectious belly laugh. That laugh that comes out when she is caught off guard by something so fun and so wonderful and so exciting. I can hear it in my head even when she is sleeping and it still makes me smile.
So here's to another year with my crazy girl. The one who makes me want to pull my hair out and wrap my arms around her at the same time. She is such an amazing little person and I can't wait to see what she teaches me this year.
Disclaimer - The first picture above was not taken on Ella's actual birthday; it is from the Father/Daughter dance a week prior. I know she would not approve of the pictures I have from her big day serving as an "official" portrait, so being the good mom I am I chose a photo that shows her looking her most glamorous.
I can still call her little because she is my itty-bitty - the most petite of my children and I'm certain she always will be. She is 8 years old and still wears a size 6 clothes. Her 4 year old brother wears almost the same shoe size as her. But what she lacks in size she more than makes up for with her larger than life personality. Oh boy, does she ever!
All the little things that tend to push my buttons or work my last nerve are the things that make me love her to pieces.
Ella is a rock star wanna-be. She pulls out her guitar (that she does not know how to play) and will strum that thing with all her heart while she belts out her original songs - smack in the middle of the living room. Cute and endearing for the first few seconds, but the longer she goes on the louder she gets and the more she tries to sound like Taylor Swift and I start to think Oh my goodness, would you please be quiet?! But when it is quiet and she is holed up in her room doing her own thing, I want to know what she is doing and I want her to come out and spend time with the rest of us.
Ella gets excited about EVERYTHING. Life in general excites her. And I don't mean a simple "Oh yea!!" kind of excited. I mean jumping around, loud, obnoxious kind of excited. It's over the top and often makes me think (and sometimes say) Seriously, you have got to calm down. But who wouldn't want that zest and love for life? To be so excited and happy about everything - what a wonderful existence! We should all be so blessed.
Ella is nosey. This leads to Ella being pokey. There is no getting anywhere fast with Ella because she always has to grab one last thing and she is always checking out everything around her and stopping to browse and touch and feel and smell. Shopping (for anything) with this child is a nightmare because 99% of the time we are in a hurry. But she is so observant and notices the small details in everything and everybody - such an amazing and wonderful trait, especially in today's fast-paced world. She will pick up on every little thing you tell her and she will notice the tiniest detail on a piece of artwork or the different colors of the morning sunrise. She just loves to take it all in.
I had heard that second grade is such a special year and I was waiting for that big moment when this became the case in our house. This past month I have started to see the change and it literally brings tears to my eyes. I have received compliments on Ella's behavior and actions from other parents and leaders in the school. I have seen her working harder in areas that she needs to simply because she wants to do better, not because we are telling her to do so. The night of her birthday we went to pray before dinner and she said she wanted to make up a prayer rather than stick with our standard that even the boys know. The words that came out of this child's mouth... I wish I had been recording it because I know I will never remember all the words, but I will never forget the way it made me feel.
I've told Brandon lately that each of our children has one "thing" that gets me every time - no matter what I am doing or what kind of mood I am in, they each have something that will make me laugh no matter what. Ella's "thing" is her infectious belly laugh. That laugh that comes out when she is caught off guard by something so fun and so wonderful and so exciting. I can hear it in my head even when she is sleeping and it still makes me smile.
So here's to another year with my crazy girl. The one who makes me want to pull my hair out and wrap my arms around her at the same time. She is such an amazing little person and I can't wait to see what she teaches me this year.
Disclaimer - The first picture above was not taken on Ella's actual birthday; it is from the Father/Daughter dance a week prior. I know she would not approve of the pictures I have from her big day serving as an "official" portrait, so being the good mom I am I chose a photo that shows her looking her most glamorous.
Friday, January 11, 2013
Old Lady in a Young Body
I am 34 years old. Last week at the grocery I was buying beer and the cashier asked for my ID. (Which in no way irritates me or frustrates me or makes me feel "inconvenienced." I will flaunt my ID to anybody who questions my age when buying alcohol!) When the cashier looked at my birthdate, she raised her eyebrows and gave me a second look. Then she said "I would have never guessed you were that old." And now she is my new best friend.
But it is true, I do look younger than my years. I'm not passing for a high schooler or anything, but I'm petite and in reasonably good shape (especially after 3 kids) and I received the good genes from my parents in the hair and skin departments. I make a decent attempt to take care of myself and live a healthy life (ignore the beer purchase mentioned above) and I suppose that helps as well.
However... I think my brain is that of a 70-year-old woman. I have been thinking a lot lately about how OLD I feel sometimes and that leads to thoughts about how "uncool" my kids are going to think I am soon, if they don't already. So often I feel like that crabby old lady who refuses to embrace the next new and improved thing that is out there.
Example #1: While I do own a smart phone, I really don't care to have one. Brandon upgraded our mobile plan or something and we got new phones for free, so one day 2 boxes show up in the mail and he says "Here is your new phone." (Case in point: I don't even know how I got this thing.) I use it to make phone calls, send text messages and upload the occassional picture to Facebook. That is all. It does not have Angry Birds (much to my children's dismay). I do not have any cool apps. (The only one I have downloaded is for the public library and I have never used it.) It doesn't have any music or TV shows or movies or anything fun. It is not an iPhone. (Nor do I own an iPod or iPad or iAnything for that matter.) Brandon said when we are due for the next phone upgrade I can get an iPhone. I said no.
Example #2: I do not know how to use Pinterest or Twitter. Nor do I care to learn. I tried looking up something on Pinterest once, at someone else's suggestion, and I was so overwhelmed and confused and unable to find what I wanted so I quit and never went back. I do have teacher friends and designer friends who are on there all the time, and for their purposes it makes total sense. I even know some people who get recipes from there and I suppose that's a good idea, too, but I'll touch on that later. I have no use for a website that gives me the abilities to play make believe. Because let's face it, if I pin something to one of my boards (You're impressed I know that lingo, aren't you??) the chances of me actually getting around to making it or doing it or reading it or going there or whatever are slim to none. I'm a realist like that. As far as Twitter, I don't understand the point. I'm on Facebook and I post things there - why post the same thing somewhere else where presumably the same people are reading it? I also don't understand the whole "hash-tag" thing. I could probably do a little research and figure it all out and I might even find some people on there I would like to at least follow, but "figuring it all out" is something I would pin on one of my boards and we all know how that is turning out.
Example #3: I like paper! No, I think love is a better word. I do not have (or want) an eReader because I love a good, old-fashioned book. I do not use the calendar or planner function on my phone (I think it has one...) because I like my pretty new paper planner with pink flowers on the front. I subscribe to Kraft Foods magazines and I keep them all. When I want to look up an old recipe or find something new for dinner, I flip through the pages - I do no look them up online or search Pinterest. (Note: I am not a hoarder. That is not where this is going.) Last Christmas I was mad because the section of the newspaper that lists the holiday TV guide was missing. My sister said "You can just download the app to your phone and it will tell you what is on each day." Ummm... no. Not only do I not know how to do that but I want my paper!
Example #4: I own a Snuggie and I love it. You probably didn't see that one coming since every other example has been technology-related. But that's right, this girl is old in more ways than one! I am cold almost all the time. Brandon is hot 99.9% of the day. I have finally given up on the thermostat war so to keep myself comfortable while watching TV at night I curl up in my Snuggie. It is super soft and comfortable and just thinking of it right now is making me sleepy. I remember when I was young my Great Grandma had a similar thing that looked like a giant quilt that she wore while knitting. It was different from a Snuggie in that it went on like a robe and zipped up the front - kind of like a baby's sleep sack. And I remember thinking how warm and cozy it looked and how nice it would be to have one.
Until recently being "old" didn't really bother me - I refered to myself as the "crabby old lady" earlier but I really am a "happy and content old lady." But now I feel like it is catching up with me and I am going to really, REALLY fall behind the times and become the crazy old lady that everybody makes fun of. Do I just give in and embrace all this? Can I do some sort of exercizes, like the contestants on the Biggest Loser do to reverse their body age?? I guess I need to start taking some action... later! As long as I'm a happy old lady I'm going to let it slide a bit longer!
But it is true, I do look younger than my years. I'm not passing for a high schooler or anything, but I'm petite and in reasonably good shape (especially after 3 kids) and I received the good genes from my parents in the hair and skin departments. I make a decent attempt to take care of myself and live a healthy life (ignore the beer purchase mentioned above) and I suppose that helps as well.
However... I think my brain is that of a 70-year-old woman. I have been thinking a lot lately about how OLD I feel sometimes and that leads to thoughts about how "uncool" my kids are going to think I am soon, if they don't already. So often I feel like that crabby old lady who refuses to embrace the next new and improved thing that is out there.
Example #1: While I do own a smart phone, I really don't care to have one. Brandon upgraded our mobile plan or something and we got new phones for free, so one day 2 boxes show up in the mail and he says "Here is your new phone." (Case in point: I don't even know how I got this thing.) I use it to make phone calls, send text messages and upload the occassional picture to Facebook. That is all. It does not have Angry Birds (much to my children's dismay). I do not have any cool apps. (The only one I have downloaded is for the public library and I have never used it.) It doesn't have any music or TV shows or movies or anything fun. It is not an iPhone. (Nor do I own an iPod or iPad or iAnything for that matter.) Brandon said when we are due for the next phone upgrade I can get an iPhone. I said no.
Example #2: I do not know how to use Pinterest or Twitter. Nor do I care to learn. I tried looking up something on Pinterest once, at someone else's suggestion, and I was so overwhelmed and confused and unable to find what I wanted so I quit and never went back. I do have teacher friends and designer friends who are on there all the time, and for their purposes it makes total sense. I even know some people who get recipes from there and I suppose that's a good idea, too, but I'll touch on that later. I have no use for a website that gives me the abilities to play make believe. Because let's face it, if I pin something to one of my boards (You're impressed I know that lingo, aren't you??) the chances of me actually getting around to making it or doing it or reading it or going there or whatever are slim to none. I'm a realist like that. As far as Twitter, I don't understand the point. I'm on Facebook and I post things there - why post the same thing somewhere else where presumably the same people are reading it? I also don't understand the whole "hash-tag" thing. I could probably do a little research and figure it all out and I might even find some people on there I would like to at least follow, but "figuring it all out" is something I would pin on one of my boards and we all know how that is turning out.
Example #3: I like paper! No, I think love is a better word. I do not have (or want) an eReader because I love a good, old-fashioned book. I do not use the calendar or planner function on my phone (I think it has one...) because I like my pretty new paper planner with pink flowers on the front. I subscribe to Kraft Foods magazines and I keep them all. When I want to look up an old recipe or find something new for dinner, I flip through the pages - I do no look them up online or search Pinterest. (Note: I am not a hoarder. That is not where this is going.) Last Christmas I was mad because the section of the newspaper that lists the holiday TV guide was missing. My sister said "You can just download the app to your phone and it will tell you what is on each day." Ummm... no. Not only do I not know how to do that but I want my paper!
Example #4: I own a Snuggie and I love it. You probably didn't see that one coming since every other example has been technology-related. But that's right, this girl is old in more ways than one! I am cold almost all the time. Brandon is hot 99.9% of the day. I have finally given up on the thermostat war so to keep myself comfortable while watching TV at night I curl up in my Snuggie. It is super soft and comfortable and just thinking of it right now is making me sleepy. I remember when I was young my Great Grandma had a similar thing that looked like a giant quilt that she wore while knitting. It was different from a Snuggie in that it went on like a robe and zipped up the front - kind of like a baby's sleep sack. And I remember thinking how warm and cozy it looked and how nice it would be to have one.
Until recently being "old" didn't really bother me - I refered to myself as the "crabby old lady" earlier but I really am a "happy and content old lady." But now I feel like it is catching up with me and I am going to really, REALLY fall behind the times and become the crazy old lady that everybody makes fun of. Do I just give in and embrace all this? Can I do some sort of exercizes, like the contestants on the Biggest Loser do to reverse their body age?? I guess I need to start taking some action... later! As long as I'm a happy old lady I'm going to let it slide a bit longer!
Monday, December 31, 2012
Year In Review (and what I plan to do better next year...)
What a title, huh?? I feel very cliche writing a post on the last day of the year about what happened over the past 12 months and what I plan on doing with the next 12. I promise this will not be a month-by-month summary of what we did, kids' milestones, etc. (No, that is reserved for the other website I haven't updated in forever. Maybe that should fall under the "what I plan to do better next year" section...)
I sit here now, on the last day of what has been an extremely crazy year. Really good coffee with my favorite creamer next to me. Brandon is at work. All kids are still sleeping and hopefully stay that way for a while because they need it. With the exception of the Today Show at super low volume in the background (as not to wake those precious sleeping angels) it is SO QUIET in my house and it is glorious. So this has given me some time and a clear head to actually sit and reflect.
Over the past year I have watched all three of my children grow so much and become seemingly different people than they were at this time last year. This was my first full year home with them and I have never regretted this decision for a second. I love picking them up from school instead of putting them on a bus to daycare. I love helping with homework and fixing after school snacks. I love taking my little man to story hour at the library every Monday morning. I think this decision has been so wonderful for all of us and I am so grateful that I have this opportunity. I never thought I would want it and I never thought I would take it if it was offered, but man am I glad I did! This is definitely one of those times I am perfectly OK with being proven wrong.
Over the past year I have witnessed the power of prayer like nothing I have ever seen. We have had too many family members and close friends go through struggles of all kinds and every time there was a vast group of prayer warriors that stepped up and carried them through. It is amazing what just one person praying can do, but put a whole group of us together and let it spread? Unbelievable. Miraculous. Not only have I seen the wonderful things that result from prayer, but my faith and my relationship with God have grown as well. And we all know that can bring nothing but good!
We, too, have weathered some storms this year. I am very thankful that (in the grand scheme of things) they have been relatively minor. But struggles nonetheless and they have taken some work to overcome. It hasn't always been easy and it hasn't always been fast, but we have worked hard and continue to work hard. Some battles have been won and the light at the end of the tunnel is very bright for others. Determination will get us there and determination will keep us going toward our ultimate goal.
I feel like my goals for 2013 are the same generic goals everybody has - Be more organized. Simplify life. Exercise more. Be a better mom and wife. Maybe they are generic, but they are still worthwile resolutions and I plan on working hard on each of them. And overall I plan on just enjoying life more. Taking time to step away from the craziness to do things I want, whether it be reading a book or playing legos with my kids or just going to bed early.
I am excited for what these next 12 months have in store. To quote one of my favorite movie lines: "Life moves fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
I sit here now, on the last day of what has been an extremely crazy year. Really good coffee with my favorite creamer next to me. Brandon is at work. All kids are still sleeping and hopefully stay that way for a while because they need it. With the exception of the Today Show at super low volume in the background (as not to wake those precious sleeping angels) it is SO QUIET in my house and it is glorious. So this has given me some time and a clear head to actually sit and reflect.
Over the past year I have watched all three of my children grow so much and become seemingly different people than they were at this time last year. This was my first full year home with them and I have never regretted this decision for a second. I love picking them up from school instead of putting them on a bus to daycare. I love helping with homework and fixing after school snacks. I love taking my little man to story hour at the library every Monday morning. I think this decision has been so wonderful for all of us and I am so grateful that I have this opportunity. I never thought I would want it and I never thought I would take it if it was offered, but man am I glad I did! This is definitely one of those times I am perfectly OK with being proven wrong.
Over the past year I have witnessed the power of prayer like nothing I have ever seen. We have had too many family members and close friends go through struggles of all kinds and every time there was a vast group of prayer warriors that stepped up and carried them through. It is amazing what just one person praying can do, but put a whole group of us together and let it spread? Unbelievable. Miraculous. Not only have I seen the wonderful things that result from prayer, but my faith and my relationship with God have grown as well. And we all know that can bring nothing but good!
We, too, have weathered some storms this year. I am very thankful that (in the grand scheme of things) they have been relatively minor. But struggles nonetheless and they have taken some work to overcome. It hasn't always been easy and it hasn't always been fast, but we have worked hard and continue to work hard. Some battles have been won and the light at the end of the tunnel is very bright for others. Determination will get us there and determination will keep us going toward our ultimate goal.
I feel like my goals for 2013 are the same generic goals everybody has - Be more organized. Simplify life. Exercise more. Be a better mom and wife. Maybe they are generic, but they are still worthwile resolutions and I plan on working hard on each of them. And overall I plan on just enjoying life more. Taking time to step away from the craziness to do things I want, whether it be reading a book or playing legos with my kids or just going to bed early.
I am excited for what these next 12 months have in store. To quote one of my favorite movie lines: "Life moves fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
Friday, December 21, 2012
Christmas Is Cancelled
It is currently 1:26 AM. I stayed awake to get some work done. I have accomplished such a small amount I don't even think it qualifies as work. I know I will regret it when the sun comes up and little people start calling my name, but I just can't get settled tonight and force myself to bed. The fact that I am REALLY behind on work is weighing heavily on my mind, but every time I try to get some done all the other stuff that is weighing REALLY, REALLY heavily on my mind gets in the way.
This week I turned into the The Grinch. I reached a point in the holiday season where I was just DONE. Done with it all - the shopping, the planning, the errands, the organizing... all of it. I feel like the season has lost its spirit and in the midst of the craziness my family has lost sight of what Christmas is really all about. Certainly through no fault of their own, but it has just happened. And I feel we are at a point of no return. We just need to suck it up and grin and bare it through the end of the year and vow to do better next time.
And next time... WE WILL.
Brandon and I always make a point to get the kids involved in buying gifts for those less fortunate than us. We want them to know just how blessed we are and that everybody does not have what we have. We also try to involve prayers and religious activities around the house. Of course the kids are exposed to this everyday at school and church and Sunday School, but we want to extend beyond that so they remember what is most important about this time of year. Of course the commercialism and materialism creep in - my kids have been making and revising Christmas lists for a month. You just can't escape it. But we try very hard not to over-indulge them.
But everybody else... This time next week my kids are going to be swimming in so much STUFF they won't even know what they have. And I will have bought gifts for so many people, quite a few I am certain won't even realize I gave them anything. I found myself looking over my list of people to buy for earlier this week and so extremely frustrated because I just didn't want to do it. I don't want to buy Christmas gifts for people who barely know me. I don't want to drive all over town, to 5 different stores, trying to find the perfect gift for somebody I barely know. If I don't know you well enough to come up with a reasonable idea as to what you might enjoy, doesn't that say something? I am tired of buying just for the sake of buying, on both ends of the equation.
As I re-read that paragraph I realize it sounds a bit selfish and that is not my intent. Well, maybe it is a little... Is it selfish to want to spend my pre-Christmas evenings curled up on the couch with my children watching the Christmas shows we DVR'd? (No time - too busy shopping.) Is it selfish to want to finish getting my Christmas decorations and Christmas dishes out? (No room - too much stuff everywhere.) Is it selfish to want to do away with just about everything at this point and attempt to simplify this holiday?
Right now I will have to muster through and live for the hours on Christmas morning when the five of us are sitting in the middle of the living room floor in our PJs. And I will live for that next year as well, along with the hours I will spend cuddled up with my little ones every evening before. I vow not to waste precious time standing in line, driving around in bad weather, or stressing over doing things that I really don't want to do and things that don't need to be done. And I have a feeling it will be the most beautiful, glorious Christmas this home has ever witnessed.
This week I turned into the The Grinch. I reached a point in the holiday season where I was just DONE. Done with it all - the shopping, the planning, the errands, the organizing... all of it. I feel like the season has lost its spirit and in the midst of the craziness my family has lost sight of what Christmas is really all about. Certainly through no fault of their own, but it has just happened. And I feel we are at a point of no return. We just need to suck it up and grin and bare it through the end of the year and vow to do better next time.
And next time... WE WILL.
Brandon and I always make a point to get the kids involved in buying gifts for those less fortunate than us. We want them to know just how blessed we are and that everybody does not have what we have. We also try to involve prayers and religious activities around the house. Of course the kids are exposed to this everyday at school and church and Sunday School, but we want to extend beyond that so they remember what is most important about this time of year. Of course the commercialism and materialism creep in - my kids have been making and revising Christmas lists for a month. You just can't escape it. But we try very hard not to over-indulge them.
But everybody else... This time next week my kids are going to be swimming in so much STUFF they won't even know what they have. And I will have bought gifts for so many people, quite a few I am certain won't even realize I gave them anything. I found myself looking over my list of people to buy for earlier this week and so extremely frustrated because I just didn't want to do it. I don't want to buy Christmas gifts for people who barely know me. I don't want to drive all over town, to 5 different stores, trying to find the perfect gift for somebody I barely know. If I don't know you well enough to come up with a reasonable idea as to what you might enjoy, doesn't that say something? I am tired of buying just for the sake of buying, on both ends of the equation.
As I re-read that paragraph I realize it sounds a bit selfish and that is not my intent. Well, maybe it is a little... Is it selfish to want to spend my pre-Christmas evenings curled up on the couch with my children watching the Christmas shows we DVR'd? (No time - too busy shopping.) Is it selfish to want to finish getting my Christmas decorations and Christmas dishes out? (No room - too much stuff everywhere.) Is it selfish to want to do away with just about everything at this point and attempt to simplify this holiday?
Right now I will have to muster through and live for the hours on Christmas morning when the five of us are sitting in the middle of the living room floor in our PJs. And I will live for that next year as well, along with the hours I will spend cuddled up with my little ones every evening before. I vow not to waste precious time standing in line, driving around in bad weather, or stressing over doing things that I really don't want to do and things that don't need to be done. And I have a feeling it will be the most beautiful, glorious Christmas this home has ever witnessed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)