Well, I'm not going to spend $72 for a child's dress, but this local business interests me anyway. Oh, So... Via lets you choose a custom-sewn outfit for your little girl. I do think it would be more useful if the clothes were for pre-teens: I'm not looking forward to trying to find Addie and Daphne clothes that cover them up properly. Still, it's pretty fun to imagine the possibilities.
The name confused Darren and me. "Oh, So... life?" I said. "No, wait, that's Vida."
"Oh, So... Way?" Darren said.
It turns out be short for Olivia, her daughter, as in, "That's SO Olivia!"
(Unrelated Note: When I get confused over things like this, because I have too much background knowledge, it really hurts to have to answer in a survey that my education is "high school/GED." One of those homeschool-lifestyle-choice crosses to bear.)
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Friendship: The Great Risk
I subscribe to a magazine called "Keepers At Home," which as the name suggests is a forum for feminist activists. Ha, ha, my little joke. It's published by Mennonites, so it comes from the worldview of head coverings, cape dresses, and strict obedience to husbands. I enjoy it because it does allow for some variation of opinion among its readers, and it's a good place to find natural remedies when you don't want to reach automatically for medicine. Best of all, every issue has at least four pages of birth announcements, where they list not only the baby's name, but the names of all the siblings. I pore over these pages. The rest I just skim.
My skimmings in the latest issue left me thinking. A favorite topic addressed in KAH is "guarding the heart." It's a familiar concept to all of us girls of ATI extraction (and probably strange to anyone else): don't read romance novels, don't focus on young men, wait until God brings a man to you to marry, etc. The articles on this topic usually offer a lot of good advice, although not as much revealed Biblical truth that they claim to.
This issue of KAH mentioned a different aspect of guarding the heart. The writer says that at about 12 years of age, girls develop the desire to have a relationship with just one person. Usually they form a close and exclusive friendship with another girl. Parents are cautioned against letting this happen. Not because of any possible homosexual connotations, but because "inevitably, the friendships sours, leading to hurt feelings and a bad experience." Daughters should be directed toward their own family members to channel that desire for an exclusive friendship.
What do you think about this advice? I ask because I'm not entirely certain what my opinion is. On one hand, I think it's always a good idea to encourage family solidarity. Building a friendship with your brothers and sisters is work that reaps rewards all your life. After all, you can leave friends behind, but your siblings are always part of you -- even if it's only as a brother-shaped hole in your life.
Also, when girls form those friendships, they drive their families crazy. Nobody else is nearly as interested in The Friend, but the girl in question doesn't ever, ever understand that. I speak from experience... or rather, my family can. I was always the girl with The Friend.
On the other hand, advice like this comes from the camp that says "It's the duty of the parent to spare their children from heartache." It’s the same reason why the current notion of courtship has evolved into such a complicated ritual. First in romantic matters, now in matters of friendship: if it might turn out badly, then it can't be of God. Make sure it doesn't happen.
I have two or three enduring friendships that went through those suffocating teen years, into the more relaxed years of adulthood. In each friendship, The Friend and I went over some rocky territory. In the one I thought was the worst -- the shattering of a perfect friendship -- she withdrew, and I got angry. For about two years we were barely on speaking terms. It hurt deeply. But we learned to understand each other; instead of shattering, the friendship is in fact better now. In retrospect, what I learned from those experiences has improved my friendships, my marriage, and me. But had I not found God’s grace and let those hurts heal, it still could be painful. I think many people do carry around friendship wounds all their lives.
So what is the balance? Should you restrict exclusive or outside-the-family friendships? Or should you let your daughter make friends where she wants to, hoping that the storms help and not hurt her? I think I'll discover an actual answer to these questions when it's my own daughters I'm talking about.
-- SJ
My skimmings in the latest issue left me thinking. A favorite topic addressed in KAH is "guarding the heart." It's a familiar concept to all of us girls of ATI extraction (and probably strange to anyone else): don't read romance novels, don't focus on young men, wait until God brings a man to you to marry, etc. The articles on this topic usually offer a lot of good advice, although not as much revealed Biblical truth that they claim to.
This issue of KAH mentioned a different aspect of guarding the heart. The writer says that at about 12 years of age, girls develop the desire to have a relationship with just one person. Usually they form a close and exclusive friendship with another girl. Parents are cautioned against letting this happen. Not because of any possible homosexual connotations, but because "inevitably, the friendships sours, leading to hurt feelings and a bad experience." Daughters should be directed toward their own family members to channel that desire for an exclusive friendship.
What do you think about this advice? I ask because I'm not entirely certain what my opinion is. On one hand, I think it's always a good idea to encourage family solidarity. Building a friendship with your brothers and sisters is work that reaps rewards all your life. After all, you can leave friends behind, but your siblings are always part of you -- even if it's only as a brother-shaped hole in your life.
Also, when girls form those friendships, they drive their families crazy. Nobody else is nearly as interested in The Friend, but the girl in question doesn't ever, ever understand that. I speak from experience... or rather, my family can. I was always the girl with The Friend.
On the other hand, advice like this comes from the camp that says "It's the duty of the parent to spare their children from heartache." It’s the same reason why the current notion of courtship has evolved into such a complicated ritual. First in romantic matters, now in matters of friendship: if it might turn out badly, then it can't be of God. Make sure it doesn't happen.
I have two or three enduring friendships that went through those suffocating teen years, into the more relaxed years of adulthood. In each friendship, The Friend and I went over some rocky territory. In the one I thought was the worst -- the shattering of a perfect friendship -- she withdrew, and I got angry. For about two years we were barely on speaking terms. It hurt deeply. But we learned to understand each other; instead of shattering, the friendship is in fact better now. In retrospect, what I learned from those experiences has improved my friendships, my marriage, and me. But had I not found God’s grace and let those hurts heal, it still could be painful. I think many people do carry around friendship wounds all their lives.
So what is the balance? Should you restrict exclusive or outside-the-family friendships? Or should you let your daughter make friends where she wants to, hoping that the storms help and not hurt her? I think I'll discover an actual answer to these questions when it's my own daughters I'm talking about.
-- SJ
Monday, March 24, 2008
Happy Easter!
Usually I write at least one angsty Lent post, and have an idea of what I'm going to post on Easter. This year I've been distracted. I was too distracted to worry about whether I was doing Lent "right." I was too distracted to think of an Easter outfit until the morning of. I was even too distracted to complain about the time change this year, and that pretty much sums up the whole question.
Despite my scattered thinking -- I've spent the last few weeks mostly thinking, "What can I cook that Addie will eat?" and "No, Daphne, you can't have this!" -- Easter arrived as gloriously as it always does. There are a lot of questions I have for God, a lot of things that don't actually fit into the tidy system I once followed. But what never fails is God's mercy and healing for me, and the comfort that He is stronger than evil.
(This is more disjointed that I'd like because Stuart is sitting behind me urging me to finish so he can play the computer; and Daphne is using the mouse as a telephone, and that failing, trying to get in my lap.)
Other events of the day included getting to celebrate with my mother, who is visiting. New bikes for A&S, which Addie rode with overconfidence and ended up with a skinned chin, hurt mouth, and scraped knee. Sharing my white-chocolate-malted cheesecake with Dana and Nina. Oh, and of course the fact that we can say "Alleluia" again, so the kids sang it all the way to church.
Yesterday was also two important anniversaries. My mother- and father-in-law celebrated 36 years of happy marriage. And my friend Debra and I celebrated... well, would have if I'd remembered to email her like she remembered to email me LIKE EVERY DARN YEAR... 19 years since we decided to be best friends in sixth grade.
A day late, a trifle scattered, but celebrating all the same: He is Risen! Happy Easter.
-- SJ
Despite my scattered thinking -- I've spent the last few weeks mostly thinking, "What can I cook that Addie will eat?" and "No, Daphne, you can't have this!" -- Easter arrived as gloriously as it always does. There are a lot of questions I have for God, a lot of things that don't actually fit into the tidy system I once followed. But what never fails is God's mercy and healing for me, and the comfort that He is stronger than evil.
(This is more disjointed that I'd like because Stuart is sitting behind me urging me to finish so he can play the computer; and Daphne is using the mouse as a telephone, and that failing, trying to get in my lap.)
Other events of the day included getting to celebrate with my mother, who is visiting. New bikes for A&S, which Addie rode with overconfidence and ended up with a skinned chin, hurt mouth, and scraped knee. Sharing my white-chocolate-malted cheesecake with Dana and Nina. Oh, and of course the fact that we can say "Alleluia" again, so the kids sang it all the way to church.
Yesterday was also two important anniversaries. My mother- and father-in-law celebrated 36 years of happy marriage. And my friend Debra and I celebrated... well, would have if I'd remembered to email her like she remembered to email me LIKE EVERY DARN YEAR... 19 years since we decided to be best friends in sixth grade.
A day late, a trifle scattered, but celebrating all the same: He is Risen! Happy Easter.
-- SJ
Friday, March 21, 2008
Babysitter, Highly Recommended
I recently read what ended up being an unhelpful article on "How to occupy your toddler while homeschooling." Apparently whatever planet the author lived on, her toddler wanted activities for independent play. In our house, the toddler wants to do whatever I am doing.
"Of course you don't want to use the T.V. as a babysitter," the article said with a dismissive wave. Maybe not on your planet. I'd love to use the T.V. as a babysitter, but have trouble finding anything that holds Daphne's attention more than the sight of Mama using a pencil. Then I found it: "Baby Signing Time."
(Kristen R., is this the video you recommended to me? If so, good call. If not, you should have.)
We've used a few basic signs with all our children but nothing elaborate. I brought home the DVD purely for babysitting purposes. Not only was Daphne was transfixed throughout, she actually picked up the signs. Having watched Volumes I & II several times now, she can sign about twenty words. Even better, she's learning to talk at the same time, so she says the words as she signs. It's a built-in translation service.
I like the second DVD better: the music is more my style. As far as Daphne's concerned, she highly recommends both of them. Let's go watch them. Right now. (And Mama hurries off to do school.)
-- SJ
"Of course you don't want to use the T.V. as a babysitter," the article said with a dismissive wave. Maybe not on your planet. I'd love to use the T.V. as a babysitter, but have trouble finding anything that holds Daphne's attention more than the sight of Mama using a pencil. Then I found it: "Baby Signing Time."
(Kristen R., is this the video you recommended to me? If so, good call. If not, you should have.)
We've used a few basic signs with all our children but nothing elaborate. I brought home the DVD purely for babysitting purposes. Not only was Daphne was transfixed throughout, she actually picked up the signs. Having watched Volumes I & II several times now, she can sign about twenty words. Even better, she's learning to talk at the same time, so she says the words as she signs. It's a built-in translation service.
I like the second DVD better: the music is more my style. As far as Daphne's concerned, she highly recommends both of them. Let's go watch them. Right now. (And Mama hurries off to do school.)
-- SJ
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
New Take on "Government Nanny"
Addie overheard us mentioning Queen of Carrot's twins-on-the-way. Having done a little reading on the subject, she asked,
"Are they identical twins, or federal?"
Considering the strong libertarian leanings over at the Duchy, I'd say the latter option is unlikely.
-- SJ
"Are they identical twins, or federal?"
Considering the strong libertarian leanings over at the Duchy, I'd say the latter option is unlikely.
-- SJ
A Story Worthy of O. Henry
I love conversion stories with a twist, and it doesn't come more twisty than this: the leader of the former Soviet Union admits he's a Christian. And at the tomb of St. Francis, no less.
Won't Heaven be fun, visiting with all the fascinating people Christ has redeemed?
Happy Spy Wednesday!
--DJ
Won't Heaven be fun, visiting with all the fascinating people Christ has redeemed?
Happy Spy Wednesday!
--DJ
A Conversation, or How We Defy Stereotypes In This House
S: I took out my Dana, and noticed that they keyboard wasn't working! I felt sick, wondering if I'd broken it. Then I played around with it and found an option that said, 'Allow Keyboard Input,' and turned it back on. So now everything is fine. Whew.
D: It would have been nice if they'd told you that in the user's manual.
S [blankly]: They probably do. I haven't read the whole thing.
D [incredulous]: I downloaded that entire manual and you haven't even read it?
S: No! I read it when I need to. Besides, I figured it out on my own. And it was a whole lot more exciting, too.
-- SJ
D: It would have been nice if they'd told you that in the user's manual.
S [blankly]: They probably do. I haven't read the whole thing.
D [incredulous]: I downloaded that entire manual and you haven't even read it?
S: No! I read it when I need to. Besides, I figured it out on my own. And it was a whole lot more exciting, too.
-- SJ
Another For Women Only
Since I've already broken the Hey This Is A Family Blog barrier, here's another link for you women. (It's not as scary as the other link, but it's definitely not something men would choose for a book club selection. Um, do men have book clubs?)
Have y'all come across this book? Don't be put off by the title, which you will be unless you're wanting to be pregnant. They really need to re-title it and take out that F-word -- there's a lot more to it than just fertility. My sister and I discovered the book some months ago, and I've since found out that almost every other woman who is familiar with this method learned it from here. It's been an extremely valuable read for me. There's a lot I didn't know.
Now back to our regularly-scheduled family-friendly programming. In which we send around thugs to remind you to vote in JAMBOG or they'll break your legs.
-- SJ
Have y'all come across this book? Don't be put off by the title, which you will be unless you're wanting to be pregnant. They really need to re-title it and take out that F-word -- there's a lot more to it than just fertility. My sister and I discovered the book some months ago, and I've since found out that almost every other woman who is familiar with this method learned it from here. It's been an extremely valuable read for me. There's a lot I didn't know.
Now back to our regularly-scheduled family-friendly programming. In which we send around thugs to remind you to vote in JAMBOG or they'll break your legs.
-- SJ
Sunday, March 16, 2008
JAMBOG entries
Excellent idea, Kelly, to have readers vote on the best entry. I'd thought of it in passing before, and it just sounds like more fun. Plus less work for us, which I'm always in the market for. ("I love work. It fascinates me. I can sit and watch it for hours.")
Below are links to each of the entries, in no particular order. Read each one, and then vote in the poll to the left. Which one did you like the best? Feel free to comment here on what you most enjoyed. Feel free to do so anonymously if you don't want to risk straining a friendship. :)
On that note, a reminder: Opinions are valuable. Tact increases the value thereof. Please make your opinions priceless.
Meanwhile, Darren and I will be awarding more specialized prizes, to be announced at least by next week. Honest.
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
#6
#7
#8
Below are links to each of the entries, in no particular order. Read each one, and then vote in the poll to the left. Which one did you like the best? Feel free to comment here on what you most enjoyed. Feel free to do so anonymously if you don't want to risk straining a friendship. :)
On that note, a reminder: Opinions are valuable. Tact increases the value thereof. Please make your opinions priceless.
Meanwhile, Darren and I will be awarding more specialized prizes, to be announced at least by next week. Honest.
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
#6
#7
#8
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
JAMBOG: A Word From Our Judges
In keeping with the traditions of the Games, we are officially announcing that... We're not going to get to the judging this week.
As you recall, last year the awards were delayed because Daphne was in the hospital with RSV. This year, the delay is because California is wreaking havoc with homeschooling freedoms. Darren would be shut up in the office with the rest of the litigation department, frantically preparing a brief... except that this week, of all weeks, he's on jury duty.
It might even be after Easter before we can settle down and do a proper judging. My cursory skim-overs assure me that the entries are great, and we want to be able to devote all our attention to them.
In not-very-related news, I did finish The Ria Story. Once I get time to catch my breath (see above), I've got a lot of blogging to catch up on.
-- SJ
As you recall, last year the awards were delayed because Daphne was in the hospital with RSV. This year, the delay is because California is wreaking havoc with homeschooling freedoms. Darren would be shut up in the office with the rest of the litigation department, frantically preparing a brief... except that this week, of all weeks, he's on jury duty.
It might even be after Easter before we can settle down and do a proper judging. My cursory skim-overs assure me that the entries are great, and we want to be able to devote all our attention to them.
In not-very-related news, I did finish The Ria Story. Once I get time to catch my breath (see above), I've got a lot of blogging to catch up on.
-- SJ
Friday, March 07, 2008
I'm in Love
For years I've had a second husband: my body pillow. Now I have a third husband to keep me company during the day. I carry him around with me all day. I smile at him. I spend every spare minute with him. What is this new love?
This. I bought it on eBay this week. It's small, it's light, and it runs on 3 AA batteries. I can type on it all day, then transfer the text to my computer at night. My first (and favorite) husband will reap the benefits of having a wife who can shut down her writing at a reasonable time at night and socialize a little before she falls asleep.
Of course, of all names, this one is rather awkward. One of my best friends (and Addie's godmother) is named Dana. Mollie-across-the-street's dad is named Dana. Obviously I'm a bit self-concious about proclaiming, "I am in love with my Dana!"
(But I really am in love with it.)
-- SJ
This. I bought it on eBay this week. It's small, it's light, and it runs on 3 AA batteries. I can type on it all day, then transfer the text to my computer at night. My first (and favorite) husband will reap the benefits of having a wife who can shut down her writing at a reasonable time at night and socialize a little before she falls asleep.
Of course, of all names, this one is rather awkward. One of my best friends (and Addie's godmother) is named Dana. Mollie-across-the-street's dad is named Dana. Obviously I'm a bit self-concious about proclaiming, "I am in love with my Dana!"
(But I really am in love with it.)
-- SJ
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
JAMBOG - Phase 2
It would have been enough fun just seeing what everyone "found" from the list. But wait, there's more!
Welcome to Phase Two!
Below are three scenarios. Your mission: Choose one of the scenarios. Then solve the crisis... using the four items you chose.
Judging Criteria
* You don't have to write it up in story form. (In fact, considering that I'm spending every evening writing cobbled-together scenes and hasty dialogue, I don't really WANT to read anything in story form right now.) Bullet points work just fine. The point here isn't your literary skill, but your, shall we say, MacGyver qualities.
* You don't have to use every item to foil the bad guys. (Obviously, more points if you do.)
* You don't have to use JUST those items. (The fewer extra items, the better.)
* You have to use the specific items you chose.
* Winners announced in a week.
* You do know who MacGyver is, right?
Grand Prize Winner... gets the grand prize. :) Smaller tokens of appreciation go out for creativity and entertainment.
Here are the scenarios.
Scenario #1: The president has just been kidnapped by terrorists. You, as the special agent, are transported to their stronghold. How do you rescue the president?
Scenario #2: You're at a kids' soccer game and stay late to help pack everything up. After you've seen absolutely everyone off, you get in your vehicle and turn the key. Nothing happens. How do you get home?
Scenario #3: You're imprisoned in an old castle dungeon. Guards stand outside your cell. A moat surrounds the castle. How do you escape?
Joanna, Rose, Amy, Linds, C, Zana, QoC, and Wendy... Get cracking!
Welcome to Phase Two!
Below are three scenarios. Your mission: Choose one of the scenarios. Then solve the crisis... using the four items you chose.
Judging Criteria
* You don't have to write it up in story form. (In fact, considering that I'm spending every evening writing cobbled-together scenes and hasty dialogue, I don't really WANT to read anything in story form right now.) Bullet points work just fine. The point here isn't your literary skill, but your, shall we say, MacGyver qualities.
* You don't have to use every item to foil the bad guys. (Obviously, more points if you do.)
* You don't have to use JUST those items. (The fewer extra items, the better.)
* You have to use the specific items you chose.
* Winners announced in a week.
* You do know who MacGyver is, right?
Grand Prize Winner... gets the grand prize. :) Smaller tokens of appreciation go out for creativity and entertainment.
Here are the scenarios.
Scenario #1: The president has just been kidnapped by terrorists. You, as the special agent, are transported to their stronghold. How do you rescue the president?
Scenario #2: You're at a kids' soccer game and stay late to help pack everything up. After you've seen absolutely everyone off, you get in your vehicle and turn the key. Nothing happens. How do you get home?
Scenario #3: You're imprisoned in an old castle dungeon. Guards stand outside your cell. A moat surrounds the castle. How do you escape?
Joanna, Rose, Amy, Linds, C, Zana, QoC, and Wendy... Get cracking!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
