This morning, the kids decided to launch a concerted campaign to get to the nearby thrift store. The store has a great racket going: the volunteers bag up random toys that they don't want to price individually. They write "Grab Bag" on the outside, price them $1 for big bags and $.50 for small ones, and sit and wait for the Joneses to come.
The kids dashed around the house, making cleaning offerings to appease the household god ("Look how clean the living room is, Mama!") Addi eagerly finished her math lesson. They scavenged up three dollars. Meanwhile, I realized I had a big load that needed to go to the thrift shop. In the end, it all worked in their favor: we got in the van and went.
But a terrible discovery awaited them. The price of the grab bags was doubled. Now it was $2 for a big bag, $1 for a small bag. It was unfair! It was monstrous! "It's life," I said. Fortunately, there was enough change among them to get a big bag and a small bag.
Back home, the four of them sorted through their loot. It included several Mardi Gras necklaces and three plastic eye patches. For a while, there were several pirates rushing around saying, "Arrrghh, mateys!" When Pip finally got ahold of an eye patch, he strapped it over his nose and ran around shouting, "Raarrgg, babies!"
After some obligatory fights over toys that they forgot about within twenty minutes, the household is now content.
-- SJ
Showing posts with label Household. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Household. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Thursday, May 10, 2012
SH&SW: Householdy Charm
The title is a play on a remark by a character in Harry Potter #5. Tonks tries to pack Harry's trunk with a wave of her wand and fails. She explains, "I was never good at all those householdy charms like my mum." And women everywhere thought, "Hey, let me have a try at those householdy charms! I NEED those!"
But I don't have them. So I have to use, for instance, a vacuum cleaner. However, I often sweep my carpet instead of vacuuming the whole area. That way I can make four or five little trash piles, then turn the 2- or 5-year-old loose with the vacuum hose. It's satisfying all around.
In news of household residents, Daphne had me tape her balloon string to a stick. She jerked it around a while and realized she could whap the balloon with the stick.
Daphne: Hey, Mama! I bet you can't guess what the name of my new game is!
Me: Um, Bump the Balloon.
Daphne: No! 'Hit The Balloon With The Stick'! But you were close. I'm on Level 10 already."
-- SJ
But I don't have them. So I have to use, for instance, a vacuum cleaner. However, I often sweep my carpet instead of vacuuming the whole area. That way I can make four or five little trash piles, then turn the 2- or 5-year-old loose with the vacuum hose. It's satisfying all around.
In news of household residents, Daphne had me tape her balloon string to a stick. She jerked it around a while and realized she could whap the balloon with the stick.
Daphne: Hey, Mama! I bet you can't guess what the name of my new game is!
Me: Um, Bump the Balloon.
Daphne: No! 'Hit The Balloon With The Stick'! But you were close. I'm on Level 10 already."
-- SJ
Friday, March 09, 2012
Mundania 35
I've been using Blog2Print to compile the last seven years of our life in book form. The program is a little tedious to work with -- especially the photos on the front cover; apparently you can't choose "blank." But for the most part, I'm very pleased with how the books turned out. I ordered the soft cover, black-and-white pages, and it looks really good. Even the photos came out nicely. The most I've spent on one book is $45, and I consider it entirely worth the money to have my blog resting safely in my hands.
***
It's been happening so gradually that I didn't notice it for a while. In fact, a few years ago, I was sure it would never, ever happen to us. But it has: my kids are getting really big. We ran out of seating in our living room.
The Old Couch, which we "stored" for the Hall Family for, oh, ten years. It was a great couch.
The "New" Couch, which we got from Salvation Army in September. It was comfortable and looked nice, in a too-small kind of way.
So Darren and I took the plunge and bought a brand-new spiffy reclining sectional couch. All kids can fit on it. They were so thrilled that it took fully seventeen minutes before they started bickering about who was touching whom.
The Brand-New Couch, delivered this morning. THIS is room for the whole family! Good thing we don't need too much living room at the same time. Okay, okay, I know you want to linger here and gaze at the couch, the new curtains, and the fresher wall color. But let's move on.
***
My mother-in-law is the patient recipient of daily phone calls from Daphne. She's a good sport, playing along with Daphne's favorite "kitty" game. This morning, however, she decided to try her hand at taking the lead in pretending:
"How about Nana Kitty and Daphne Kitty have a race to the slide?" Nana suggested. "Okay, we're running now!" (Nana made "bumpa bumpa" noises with her voice. Daphne, on the other hand, loudly whapped a book to simulate HER stride.) "We're almost there! Nearly there! Oh! And Daphne Kitty wins!"
"Yay!" said Daphne. "I won!"
"Good job! You beat Nana Kitty by about four steps."
"Yes!" Daphne agreed. "And I was only running on three legs!"
***
Daphne currently has a crush on the moon. (Or, I should say, it's a phase she's going through...) She was looking through a calendar that gave moon phases, and now chatters about crescents and gibbous and full moons. Somewhere along the line she discovered the concept of a Blue Moon, that is, two full moons in one month. Furthermore, the next Blue Moon is in August, her birthmonth. And in 2018, there will be two Blue Moons in the year! I don't think I'm communicating the depth of excitement and fascination going on here. Suffice to say that after a day's conversation with Daphne, this song is running a path through my head:
***
According to Addi: Since a new moon is the opposite of a blue moon, then two new moons in one month should be called an Orange Moon.
***
Stuart has joined cub scouts. He's taken to it as if it's been the desire of his heart ever since, I don't know, birth. His Webelos II troop has just formed patrols. He came home and said that their patrol name is The Dancing Bananas. He wasn't thrilled with the choice, but if he'd been in charge, he'd have probably named it The Protoss Zerglings of Terran. That's from Starcraft, for the 98% of the population who doesn't know that. At least most people have some idea of what a Dancing Banana would look like.
***
Stuart doesn't like it when we say he likes Starfall instead of Starcraft.
-- SJ
***
It's been happening so gradually that I didn't notice it for a while. In fact, a few years ago, I was sure it would never, ever happen to us. But it has: my kids are getting really big. We ran out of seating in our living room.
The Old Couch, which we "stored" for the Hall Family for, oh, ten years. It was a great couch.
The "New" Couch, which we got from Salvation Army in September. It was comfortable and looked nice, in a too-small kind of way.So Darren and I took the plunge and bought a brand-new spiffy reclining sectional couch. All kids can fit on it. They were so thrilled that it took fully seventeen minutes before they started bickering about who was touching whom.
The Brand-New Couch, delivered this morning. THIS is room for the whole family! Good thing we don't need too much living room at the same time. Okay, okay, I know you want to linger here and gaze at the couch, the new curtains, and the fresher wall color. But let's move on.***
My mother-in-law is the patient recipient of daily phone calls from Daphne. She's a good sport, playing along with Daphne's favorite "kitty" game. This morning, however, she decided to try her hand at taking the lead in pretending:
"How about Nana Kitty and Daphne Kitty have a race to the slide?" Nana suggested. "Okay, we're running now!" (Nana made "bumpa bumpa" noises with her voice. Daphne, on the other hand, loudly whapped a book to simulate HER stride.) "We're almost there! Nearly there! Oh! And Daphne Kitty wins!"
"Yay!" said Daphne. "I won!"
"Good job! You beat Nana Kitty by about four steps."
"Yes!" Daphne agreed. "And I was only running on three legs!"
***
Daphne currently has a crush on the moon. (Or, I should say, it's a phase she's going through...) She was looking through a calendar that gave moon phases, and now chatters about crescents and gibbous and full moons. Somewhere along the line she discovered the concept of a Blue Moon, that is, two full moons in one month. Furthermore, the next Blue Moon is in August, her birthmonth. And in 2018, there will be two Blue Moons in the year! I don't think I'm communicating the depth of excitement and fascination going on here. Suffice to say that after a day's conversation with Daphne, this song is running a path through my head:
***
According to Addi: Since a new moon is the opposite of a blue moon, then two new moons in one month should be called an Orange Moon.
***
Stuart has joined cub scouts. He's taken to it as if it's been the desire of his heart ever since, I don't know, birth. His Webelos II troop has just formed patrols. He came home and said that their patrol name is The Dancing Bananas. He wasn't thrilled with the choice, but if he'd been in charge, he'd have probably named it The Protoss Zerglings of Terran. That's from Starcraft, for the 98% of the population who doesn't know that. At least most people have some idea of what a Dancing Banana would look like.
***
Stuart doesn't like it when we say he likes Starfall instead of Starcraft.
-- SJ
Friday, January 27, 2012
Bad News, Good News
Refrigerator Edition:
The bad news is, the fridge stopped working yesterday.
The good news is, this is our grocery-shopping weekend so there wasn't too much in the freezer to go bad.
The bad news is, what WAS there had to be moved out into the freezer in the garage.
The good news is, it all fit inside.
The weather has been unusually mild this winter. That's good news, unless your fridge isn't cooling and you've got cheese, eggs, and milk to keep cold, in which case a good snowstorm would be useful.
The good news is, milk freezes.
The other good news is, our neighbors made room in their fridge for the cheese and eggs.
The good news is, the repairman came this morning and fixed the fridge.
The bad news is, he said we have to clean out the ten years' worth of gunk underneath.
The really good news is, Daphne was so impressed that we have a working refrigerator, and that many others in the world don't, that she donated $3 out of her bank to children in India via WorldVision.
*
Quiet Play Edition
The bad news is, Pip has outgrown his 2:00 naptime.
The good news is, he'll cooperate with Quiet Play.
The bad news is, I've had to reduce Quiet Play from 45 minutes to 30 minutes to accommodate his two-year-old patience.
The further bad news is, I've been used to sleeping even after the timer goes off, but now I really can't because there's a toddler lose in the house.
The worst news for the household is that I've been short of sleep for about two weeks.
The bad news is, he won't stay in his room alone.
The good news is, he has two sisters who argue over who gets "Pip duty" each afternoon.
The bad news is, he still naps: it's just two hours later, when there's no way I can get any rest.
The good news is, he usually falls asleep cuddled up on my lap on the couch.
*
Birthday Edition
The good news is, I had a birthday this past week. I turned 35.
The bad news is... well, let's see. I'm healthy, I like being older and wiser, my husband still thinks I'm hot, my kids are old enough to realize that Mama gets a special day, and I have lots of family and friends who made a point to wish me a happy birthday.
Guess there's no bad news for this one.
-- SJ
The bad news is, the fridge stopped working yesterday.
The good news is, this is our grocery-shopping weekend so there wasn't too much in the freezer to go bad.
The bad news is, what WAS there had to be moved out into the freezer in the garage.
The good news is, it all fit inside.
The weather has been unusually mild this winter. That's good news, unless your fridge isn't cooling and you've got cheese, eggs, and milk to keep cold, in which case a good snowstorm would be useful.
The good news is, milk freezes.
The other good news is, our neighbors made room in their fridge for the cheese and eggs.
The good news is, the repairman came this morning and fixed the fridge.
The bad news is, he said we have to clean out the ten years' worth of gunk underneath.
The really good news is, Daphne was so impressed that we have a working refrigerator, and that many others in the world don't, that she donated $3 out of her bank to children in India via WorldVision.
*
Quiet Play Edition
The bad news is, Pip has outgrown his 2:00 naptime.
The good news is, he'll cooperate with Quiet Play.
The bad news is, I've had to reduce Quiet Play from 45 minutes to 30 minutes to accommodate his two-year-old patience.
The further bad news is, I've been used to sleeping even after the timer goes off, but now I really can't because there's a toddler lose in the house.
The worst news for the household is that I've been short of sleep for about two weeks.
The bad news is, he won't stay in his room alone.
The good news is, he has two sisters who argue over who gets "Pip duty" each afternoon.
The bad news is, he still naps: it's just two hours later, when there's no way I can get any rest.
The good news is, he usually falls asleep cuddled up on my lap on the couch.
*
Birthday Edition
The good news is, I had a birthday this past week. I turned 35.
The bad news is... well, let's see. I'm healthy, I like being older and wiser, my husband still thinks I'm hot, my kids are old enough to realize that Mama gets a special day, and I have lots of family and friends who made a point to wish me a happy birthday.
Guess there's no bad news for this one.
-- SJ
Thursday, January 05, 2012
2011 in Review - DJ
Questions provided by Queen of Carrots.
1. What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before?
Pretty much skipped my birthday, due to Sara being long-term sick and me being short-term sick.
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don’t usually make resolutions, and I don’t remember making any specifically last year.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth or get pregnant?
Not in my immediate family. Several in Sara's.
4. Did anyone close to you get married?
No one really close, although again, Sara's family and friends had some action on this front.
5. Did anyone close to you die?
No.
6. Travel?
A very fun family trip up to Maine and Nova Scotia this summer. We went by train and had a fantastic time.
Also lots of work travel, which is kind of fun for me but no fun at all for the five left at home.
7. Did you move anywhere?
No. After moving the last time (almost 10 years ago now), Sara and I decided that we didn’t ever want to move again. And that was with only one child and less than two years of marriage to accumulate stuff.
8. What was the best month?
June, with the trip North.
9. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
A healthier family.
10. What date(s) from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
I really can’t think of any particular dates.
11. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I did a case in California from beginning to end, and won! That was a blast.
12. What was your biggest failure?
The church that we’ve been attending for 6 years had to stop renting the space we’ve had because we aren’t growing. No, it wasn’t just my failure, but as one of two families who helped start it up, it feels bad. So now we’re meeting in a home, which I’m not at all a fan of, at least long-term.
13. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Oh, my, yes. Many, many colds for everyone; Sara’s 3 week bout with fever; Stuart was sick with a fever for about 2 or 3 weeks. It was not a nice healthy year.
14. What was the best thing you bought?
Dungeons and Dragons. We’ve had a lot of fun as a family playing together.
15. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Sara, for getting several articles published and GETTING PAID FOR THEM! Yay, Sara!
16. Whose behavior made you appalled and/or depressed?
I try to avoid being political on my blog, but I’m not sure whether I’m more appalled or depressed at the current executive and legislative branches of our federal government. Probably both words apply depending on the day.
17. Where did most of your money go?
Housing and food. Not in the bank. And regarding the money that is in the 401(k) plan, thankfully not much of it went anywhere. Flat is better than plummeting.
18. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Going to a worship leader conference. Winning a case.
19. What song will always remind you of 2011?
“Mean” by Taylor Swift.
20. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder?
ii. richer or poorer?
i. Hmmm. Good question. I would say probably sadder, due to the afore-mentioned church move.
ii. Thankfully, a little richer. Mostly due to Sara’s doing the budget. She’s really good at it.
21. What do you wish you'd done more of?
House repairs. I’m not at all good at them, so I tend to do what Dad and I call our “ostrich act” – just bury our heads in the sand and ignore them.
22. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Eating. I’m still the same weight I was last New Year’s (ok, I lost 2 whole pounds over the course of the year, but it’s basically the same).
23. How will you be spending New Year's Eve/Day?
We spent them enjoying my vacation from work. I took two whole weeks off, and that was great. And dinner with the Shaw family included homemade pasta, which is terrific.
24. What was an unexpected surprise?
Getting to go to the HSLDA National Conference for the first time in 10 years. My legal assistant leaving on short notice. The Virginia earthquake.
25. Did you fall in love in 2011?
Nope, but stayed in love with my best friend Sara. Marriage to her gets better every year.
26. What was the best concert you've been to this year?
None that I can think of, but Matt Maher is coming to this area soon, and I hope to go see him.
27. What was your favorite TV program?
Heroes, Season 1. Loved it!
28. Do you dislike anyone now that you didn't dislike this time last year?
No.
29. What was the best book you read?
I think probably Spellbound by Larry Correia. David Weber’s Out of the Dark was pretty good too.
For non-fiction, Two Years Before the Mast by Richard Henry Dana. Many thanks to Will Estrada for recommending it to me.
30. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Taylor Swift.
31. What did you want and get?
A new cross necklace for Christmas. Better organized at work.
32. What did you want and not get?
A new minivan. Maybe this year?
33. What was your favorite film of this year?
X-Men:First Class and Captain America were top notch. I also really liked The Three Musketeers.
34. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was 38, and I got sick. It was not a stellar birthday.
35. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
More time to spend with Sara.
36. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
Fashion? Ha! I don't really care enough to have a "fashion concept," I'm afraid.
37. What kept you sane?
Reading and going out for drives BY MYSELF WITH NO LITTLE VOICES TALKING TO ME.
38. What political issue stirred you the most?
The national debt crisis.
39. Who did you miss?
Sara and the kids, when I was on business travels.
40. Random Memories from 2011?
Having a great time with Addi and Stuart at Virginia’s inclusive homeschool convention. Sitting in a welfare office for 2 hours waiting for my case to be called. Driving a bright yellow car called Ferdinand, listening to Modern Scholar CDs. Our tenth annual All Saints Day party. Getting to meet with some good friends in person instead of just talking over the phone. Flying to Los Angeles and then immediately coming back, because the hearing got postponed while I was in the air. Listening to a CD of "yellow songs" that my friends the Morgans made for me to listen to while driving my yellow car.
1. What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before?
Pretty much skipped my birthday, due to Sara being long-term sick and me being short-term sick.
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don’t usually make resolutions, and I don’t remember making any specifically last year.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth or get pregnant?
Not in my immediate family. Several in Sara's.
4. Did anyone close to you get married?
No one really close, although again, Sara's family and friends had some action on this front.
5. Did anyone close to you die?
No.
6. Travel?
A very fun family trip up to Maine and Nova Scotia this summer. We went by train and had a fantastic time.
Also lots of work travel, which is kind of fun for me but no fun at all for the five left at home.
7. Did you move anywhere?
No. After moving the last time (almost 10 years ago now), Sara and I decided that we didn’t ever want to move again. And that was with only one child and less than two years of marriage to accumulate stuff.
8. What was the best month?
June, with the trip North.
9. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
A healthier family.
10. What date(s) from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
I really can’t think of any particular dates.
11. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I did a case in California from beginning to end, and won! That was a blast.
12. What was your biggest failure?
The church that we’ve been attending for 6 years had to stop renting the space we’ve had because we aren’t growing. No, it wasn’t just my failure, but as one of two families who helped start it up, it feels bad. So now we’re meeting in a home, which I’m not at all a fan of, at least long-term.
13. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Oh, my, yes. Many, many colds for everyone; Sara’s 3 week bout with fever; Stuart was sick with a fever for about 2 or 3 weeks. It was not a nice healthy year.
14. What was the best thing you bought?
Dungeons and Dragons. We’ve had a lot of fun as a family playing together.
15. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Sara, for getting several articles published and GETTING PAID FOR THEM! Yay, Sara!
16. Whose behavior made you appalled and/or depressed?
I try to avoid being political on my blog, but I’m not sure whether I’m more appalled or depressed at the current executive and legislative branches of our federal government. Probably both words apply depending on the day.
17. Where did most of your money go?
Housing and food. Not in the bank. And regarding the money that is in the 401(k) plan, thankfully not much of it went anywhere. Flat is better than plummeting.
18. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Going to a worship leader conference. Winning a case.
19. What song will always remind you of 2011?
“Mean” by Taylor Swift.
20. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder?
ii. richer or poorer?
i. Hmmm. Good question. I would say probably sadder, due to the afore-mentioned church move.
ii. Thankfully, a little richer. Mostly due to Sara’s doing the budget. She’s really good at it.
21. What do you wish you'd done more of?
House repairs. I’m not at all good at them, so I tend to do what Dad and I call our “ostrich act” – just bury our heads in the sand and ignore them.
22. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Eating. I’m still the same weight I was last New Year’s (ok, I lost 2 whole pounds over the course of the year, but it’s basically the same).
23. How will you be spending New Year's Eve/Day?
We spent them enjoying my vacation from work. I took two whole weeks off, and that was great. And dinner with the Shaw family included homemade pasta, which is terrific.
24. What was an unexpected surprise?
Getting to go to the HSLDA National Conference for the first time in 10 years. My legal assistant leaving on short notice. The Virginia earthquake.
25. Did you fall in love in 2011?
Nope, but stayed in love with my best friend Sara. Marriage to her gets better every year.
26. What was the best concert you've been to this year?
None that I can think of, but Matt Maher is coming to this area soon, and I hope to go see him.
27. What was your favorite TV program?
Heroes, Season 1. Loved it!
28. Do you dislike anyone now that you didn't dislike this time last year?
No.
29. What was the best book you read?
I think probably Spellbound by Larry Correia. David Weber’s Out of the Dark was pretty good too.
For non-fiction, Two Years Before the Mast by Richard Henry Dana. Many thanks to Will Estrada for recommending it to me.
30. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Taylor Swift.
31. What did you want and get?
A new cross necklace for Christmas. Better organized at work.
32. What did you want and not get?
A new minivan. Maybe this year?
33. What was your favorite film of this year?
X-Men:First Class and Captain America were top notch. I also really liked The Three Musketeers.
34. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was 38, and I got sick. It was not a stellar birthday.
35. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
More time to spend with Sara.
36. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
Fashion? Ha! I don't really care enough to have a "fashion concept," I'm afraid.
37. What kept you sane?
Reading and going out for drives BY MYSELF WITH NO LITTLE VOICES TALKING TO ME.
38. What political issue stirred you the most?
The national debt crisis.
39. Who did you miss?
Sara and the kids, when I was on business travels.
40. Random Memories from 2011?
Having a great time with Addi and Stuart at Virginia’s inclusive homeschool convention. Sitting in a welfare office for 2 hours waiting for my case to be called. Driving a bright yellow car called Ferdinand, listening to Modern Scholar CDs. Our tenth annual All Saints Day party. Getting to meet with some good friends in person instead of just talking over the phone. Flying to Los Angeles and then immediately coming back, because the hearing got postponed while I was in the air. Listening to a CD of "yellow songs" that my friends the Morgans made for me to listen to while driving my yellow car.
Friday, October 21, 2011
7 Quick Takes, October 21, 2011
It's been a while, but here's a Seven Quick Takes for this week. More available at Conversion Diary.
1. Mam is here. The house is rejoicing. Sara is getting help as she recovers from 3 weeks of sickness (praise God, that seems to be gone now); the grandkids are getting a Grandma fix; and I am once again reminded that I am blessed beyond words in the mother-in-law I have.
2. Here's a funny link called "Never try to hide from the deacons." I laughed and shared this with several other deacons I know :)
3. An excellent post on worship from my mentor Joel Klampert. As a worship leader, I should probably re-read this one every week as I prepare the song set. A good reminder that worship is not how we feel, but an active focus on God and His redeeming work.
4. Addie came out to the living room last night to complain loudly that a forbidden item had somehow gotten into our house. It was a Walmart bag. She was distressed that a relic of the Evil Empire was in our pantry, among the Target bags.
5. I am going to be preaching for our church's celebration of All Saints Day on October 30. Theme: You are not alone. God's grace in Jesus Christ has saved a countless host of people with problems just like yours. (This post is mostly a warning for Sara, because it's normal for small electronics in our house to go on the blink for the week before whenever I preach.)
6. A good quote I came across in a devotional this week: "We must strive to apply the Good News to the ever-changing conditions of the world but, courageously and at all costs, we must resist the temptation to alter its content or reinterpret it in order to make it fit the spirit of the present age." John Paul the Great.
7. I got two major projects off my desk yesterday, which makes me feel much more able to enjoy this weekend. Hurray for two days off from work!
--DJ
1. Mam is here. The house is rejoicing. Sara is getting help as she recovers from 3 weeks of sickness (praise God, that seems to be gone now); the grandkids are getting a Grandma fix; and I am once again reminded that I am blessed beyond words in the mother-in-law I have.
2. Here's a funny link called "Never try to hide from the deacons." I laughed and shared this with several other deacons I know :)
3. An excellent post on worship from my mentor Joel Klampert. As a worship leader, I should probably re-read this one every week as I prepare the song set. A good reminder that worship is not how we feel, but an active focus on God and His redeeming work.
4. Addie came out to the living room last night to complain loudly that a forbidden item had somehow gotten into our house. It was a Walmart bag. She was distressed that a relic of the Evil Empire was in our pantry, among the Target bags.
5. I am going to be preaching for our church's celebration of All Saints Day on October 30. Theme: You are not alone. God's grace in Jesus Christ has saved a countless host of people with problems just like yours. (This post is mostly a warning for Sara, because it's normal for small electronics in our house to go on the blink for the week before whenever I preach.)
6. A good quote I came across in a devotional this week: "We must strive to apply the Good News to the ever-changing conditions of the world but, courageously and at all costs, we must resist the temptation to alter its content or reinterpret it in order to make it fit the spirit of the present age." John Paul the Great.
7. I got two major projects off my desk yesterday, which makes me feel much more able to enjoy this weekend. Hurray for two days off from work!
--DJ
Friday, March 18, 2011
A Day in the Life Of
So many of you wrestle with this issue every time you get online. "How am I supposed to keep up with the Joneses if I don't know what a typical day is like?" I hope the following will assist you in reaching your dreams.
Morning
Between 5:30 and 6:30: Pip wakes up. Since I'm not a morning person, you can imagine how challenging it is for me to do early-morning care. I imagine it sometimes, too, and it's not pleasant. Fortunately for me, Darren does morning duty with the little ones. This morning, Phillip woke up giggling at 5:20 a.m. I think I owe Darren some biscuits for supper.
7:15: I get up, get dressed, wander out to the living room, wander past Phillip watching "Blue's Clues," and into the kitchen to check my email and Google Reader and basically hibernate until I'm functional. Darren is usually finishing his breakfast (I've never cooked him breakfast. Do I owe him biscuits for this also?). Stuart has reached Stage One of his waking up: he's staggered from his room to the couch, where he's fallen back asleep.
7:30: Daphne comes out, sleepy and chattering. Darren leaves for work. Phillip waves, one of his only tricks so far.
7:45: Addie shows up, asking anxiously if it's 8:00 yet. The rule is that if they get up before 8, they get a full 20 minutes of computer time. After 8, it's reduced to 10 minutes. This is of critical importance in the Jones House. She breathes a sigh of relief (literally and audibly) when I tell her she's good.
I toast a waffle, cut it up into pieces, and put it on the table for Phillip to find when he gets hungry.
8:00: Stuart reaches Stage Two of waking up: He opens his eyes and watches Addie play. I get breakfast for Daphne.
8:20: Stuart reaches Stage Three: Actual upright movement, at least from the couch to the computer.
8:40: All kids are up and Mama is functional. I remind them of the notice taped to the computer armoir: "Your Morning Mission: Brush Teeth. Get Dressed. Eat Breakfast. If you have not done all three of these things, you don't have time for reading or pretending yet." The notice bothers Daphne, who says that it should say "Morning MissionS."
From 7:30 to 9:30, I get cleanup done. I have to do it in the mornings because my other option is to do it at night. Afternoons are out of the question because I have no energy between 2 and 4.
About 9:45: School. Ideally, Pip has gone down for a nap, but Pip doesn't feel bound to live up to my ideals. Sometimes we just have to work around him, which makes me want to lock myself in my room for the rest of the day.
Daphne plays Starfall.com or with her toys until it's her turn for school. She's my most enthusiastic student, which is annoying because she's the one who needs school the least. Addie and Stuart join me at the table, and while they aren't fizzing with excitement, we usually have a good time with our work.
11:00: School is done. When discussing homeschooling, I tend to avoid mentioning the specific time we spend on schoolwork. But here it is, in print: We rarely take more than an hour and a half total in school. During that time, we cover AWANA, devotions, math, and language. Science and art and geography are once a week at co-op.
When I get anxious about something I realize we haven't gone over (writing paragraphs, U.S. geography, mapwork), I'll fit it in as needed. Since both Addie and Stuart are enthusiastic readers and quick learners, and since I've been teaching them since they were, um, born, we know each other's styles and don't have to spend a lot of time on any given subject.
I also keep things short to keep their attention alive. I'd rather take several days on something rather than get it all done and squash their interest in it forever.
And, finally, if Pip does nap, I've got just that amount of time to get things done in peace.
12:00: Lunch. Usually I make it, four different lunches for four different children. Yes, that's right, I'm THAT KIND of mother. (Wow, this turned out to be much more confessional than I was aiming for.) I even recently came across a motivational article on parenting which listed this sort of indulgence as one way to "ruin your kids' lives." But the fact is, this isn't a battle that Darren and I feel like fighting. He's instituted two rock-hard rules: They don't complain about what Mama cooks, and they have to eat what's on their plate (teeny tiny portions) without throwing up. Other than that, I accommodate the pickiness. It's annoying, but I was a picky child and I've earned every irritated moment.
On the other hand, bedtime battles are unheard of in this house. I figure it's a trade-off.
Afternoon
1:00: On a school day, especially in the winter, this is video time. I'm ready to crash by now, and videos keep even Phillip happy. As the weather gets nicer, we spend more time outside. Of course, outside with Phillp means I'm doing fun things like Following Him Around and Pushing Him on the Swing and Telling Him He Can't Go to the Neighbor's Yard.
2:00: Quiet Play. This event is set in stone in the Jones House. I schedule everything around it. Addie and Stuart go to the playroom, Daphne goes to her room, Phillip goes in his crib, and I set the timer for 45 minutes. Then I crawl in bed and go to sleep. Even if I don't sleep, I don't answer the phone or accept visitors. The kids don't watch videos during this time. I'm serious about QP: it's kept us all happy for many years now, ever since Addie outgrew her naps at age 2.
Pip can usually go about 30 minutes if he doesn't nap. Loudly, yes, but I figure it can't hurt him.
2:45: Timer goes off. Kids are released from their rooms. If Phillip is awake, Addie often will get him up herself. They watch a Pokemon or Phineas and Ferb episode.
3:15: I surface and reluctantly get up. This is my low-function time. I get very little done between 3:15 and 4:15.
4:15: Time to start supper. Pip gets up from his nap. I chase Stuart and Addie off the computer multiple times. Daphne talks a lot. I call Darren and ask him if he can make the day go faster.
5:00: Snack cutoff time. Often there are wails about how they're hungry and can't possibly wait till supper, but sorry, you can't argue with the clock, and the clock says 5:10.
5:30: Feed toddler. Chase older kids off computer. Tell Daphne that I can't look/answer/tell a story/play a game/etc.
Evening
6:00: Darren finishes a long and busy day by walking into a loud and busy house. He's a good man to come home ready to be a daddy.
6:15: I serve supper. Various kids react as if I've served radioactive waste. But they eat a few bites anyway, which is all we ask for. Darren always thanks me, and most of the time loves what I cook. One reason why I love him. I should make him some biscuits.
7:00: Pip's bedtime, usually pretty painless. That's because we put him to bed with a bottle. There, I've pretty much demolished any idea you had that I was a good and deserving mother.
8:00: Storytime. This is another fixture in our household routine, although it changes depending on the kids' ages and what mood Darren is in. Sometimes he reads a Bible story to them, sometimes does a lesson. Daphne loves acting out stories. He usually leads them in a modified version of the evening prayer. Lately it's been just a short few sentences. Keeping things small and interesting, after all.
8:15-9:00: Various bathtimes, depending on who needs it or who wants it.
9:00: Daphne's bedtime. She insists that Mama put her to bed, but sometimes Daddy does it anyway. When he does it, she insists on the same stories from his childhood, and corrects his wording.
9:30: Addie and Stuart go to the playroom, leaving Mama and Daddy in the living room with some together time. The kids don't quite get this "together time" stuff. Isn't it so much more fun with the kids around?
10:00: Darren prays with the older two and sets a timer, and then he and I head back to get ready for bed. About 10:30 we get two knocks on the door: "Goodnight! We love you!" They read until they fall asleep. Addie says she has "bad insomnia" that keeps her up until 1 in the morning, but she seems to cope with it by falling asleep by 11:30.
11:30: I fall asleep, glad that we aren't routinely awakened during the night anymore. Darren sometimes stays up till 12 or so, but he's getting older and needs more sleep, which makes him grumble like a cranky old man.
And so the day goes, with variations here and there. Babysitter and gym on Monday nights, AWANA on Wednesday nights, co-op on Thursday mornings. It's a pretty good life, all in all. And not a ridiculously high standard for you to keep up with. Except I didn't post the recipe for the biscuits.
-- SJ
Post idea snatched from here.
Morning
Between 5:30 and 6:30: Pip wakes up. Since I'm not a morning person, you can imagine how challenging it is for me to do early-morning care. I imagine it sometimes, too, and it's not pleasant. Fortunately for me, Darren does morning duty with the little ones. This morning, Phillip woke up giggling at 5:20 a.m. I think I owe Darren some biscuits for supper.
7:15: I get up, get dressed, wander out to the living room, wander past Phillip watching "Blue's Clues," and into the kitchen to check my email and Google Reader and basically hibernate until I'm functional. Darren is usually finishing his breakfast (I've never cooked him breakfast. Do I owe him biscuits for this also?). Stuart has reached Stage One of his waking up: he's staggered from his room to the couch, where he's fallen back asleep.
7:30: Daphne comes out, sleepy and chattering. Darren leaves for work. Phillip waves, one of his only tricks so far.
7:45: Addie shows up, asking anxiously if it's 8:00 yet. The rule is that if they get up before 8, they get a full 20 minutes of computer time. After 8, it's reduced to 10 minutes. This is of critical importance in the Jones House. She breathes a sigh of relief (literally and audibly) when I tell her she's good.
I toast a waffle, cut it up into pieces, and put it on the table for Phillip to find when he gets hungry.
8:00: Stuart reaches Stage Two of waking up: He opens his eyes and watches Addie play. I get breakfast for Daphne.
8:20: Stuart reaches Stage Three: Actual upright movement, at least from the couch to the computer.
8:40: All kids are up and Mama is functional. I remind them of the notice taped to the computer armoir: "Your Morning Mission: Brush Teeth. Get Dressed. Eat Breakfast. If you have not done all three of these things, you don't have time for reading or pretending yet." The notice bothers Daphne, who says that it should say "Morning MissionS."
From 7:30 to 9:30, I get cleanup done. I have to do it in the mornings because my other option is to do it at night. Afternoons are out of the question because I have no energy between 2 and 4.
About 9:45: School. Ideally, Pip has gone down for a nap, but Pip doesn't feel bound to live up to my ideals. Sometimes we just have to work around him, which makes me want to lock myself in my room for the rest of the day.
Daphne plays Starfall.com or with her toys until it's her turn for school. She's my most enthusiastic student, which is annoying because she's the one who needs school the least. Addie and Stuart join me at the table, and while they aren't fizzing with excitement, we usually have a good time with our work.
11:00: School is done. When discussing homeschooling, I tend to avoid mentioning the specific time we spend on schoolwork. But here it is, in print: We rarely take more than an hour and a half total in school. During that time, we cover AWANA, devotions, math, and language. Science and art and geography are once a week at co-op.
When I get anxious about something I realize we haven't gone over (writing paragraphs, U.S. geography, mapwork), I'll fit it in as needed. Since both Addie and Stuart are enthusiastic readers and quick learners, and since I've been teaching them since they were, um, born, we know each other's styles and don't have to spend a lot of time on any given subject.
I also keep things short to keep their attention alive. I'd rather take several days on something rather than get it all done and squash their interest in it forever.
And, finally, if Pip does nap, I've got just that amount of time to get things done in peace.
12:00: Lunch. Usually I make it, four different lunches for four different children. Yes, that's right, I'm THAT KIND of mother. (Wow, this turned out to be much more confessional than I was aiming for.) I even recently came across a motivational article on parenting which listed this sort of indulgence as one way to "ruin your kids' lives." But the fact is, this isn't a battle that Darren and I feel like fighting. He's instituted two rock-hard rules: They don't complain about what Mama cooks, and they have to eat what's on their plate (teeny tiny portions) without throwing up. Other than that, I accommodate the pickiness. It's annoying, but I was a picky child and I've earned every irritated moment.
On the other hand, bedtime battles are unheard of in this house. I figure it's a trade-off.
Afternoon
1:00: On a school day, especially in the winter, this is video time. I'm ready to crash by now, and videos keep even Phillip happy. As the weather gets nicer, we spend more time outside. Of course, outside with Phillp means I'm doing fun things like Following Him Around and Pushing Him on the Swing and Telling Him He Can't Go to the Neighbor's Yard.
2:00: Quiet Play. This event is set in stone in the Jones House. I schedule everything around it. Addie and Stuart go to the playroom, Daphne goes to her room, Phillip goes in his crib, and I set the timer for 45 minutes. Then I crawl in bed and go to sleep. Even if I don't sleep, I don't answer the phone or accept visitors. The kids don't watch videos during this time. I'm serious about QP: it's kept us all happy for many years now, ever since Addie outgrew her naps at age 2.
Pip can usually go about 30 minutes if he doesn't nap. Loudly, yes, but I figure it can't hurt him.
2:45: Timer goes off. Kids are released from their rooms. If Phillip is awake, Addie often will get him up herself. They watch a Pokemon or Phineas and Ferb episode.
3:15: I surface and reluctantly get up. This is my low-function time. I get very little done between 3:15 and 4:15.
4:15: Time to start supper. Pip gets up from his nap. I chase Stuart and Addie off the computer multiple times. Daphne talks a lot. I call Darren and ask him if he can make the day go faster.
5:00: Snack cutoff time. Often there are wails about how they're hungry and can't possibly wait till supper, but sorry, you can't argue with the clock, and the clock says 5:10.
5:30: Feed toddler. Chase older kids off computer. Tell Daphne that I can't look/answer/tell a story/play a game/etc.
Evening
6:00: Darren finishes a long and busy day by walking into a loud and busy house. He's a good man to come home ready to be a daddy.
6:15: I serve supper. Various kids react as if I've served radioactive waste. But they eat a few bites anyway, which is all we ask for. Darren always thanks me, and most of the time loves what I cook. One reason why I love him. I should make him some biscuits.
7:00: Pip's bedtime, usually pretty painless. That's because we put him to bed with a bottle. There, I've pretty much demolished any idea you had that I was a good and deserving mother.
8:00: Storytime. This is another fixture in our household routine, although it changes depending on the kids' ages and what mood Darren is in. Sometimes he reads a Bible story to them, sometimes does a lesson. Daphne loves acting out stories. He usually leads them in a modified version of the evening prayer. Lately it's been just a short few sentences. Keeping things small and interesting, after all.
8:15-9:00: Various bathtimes, depending on who needs it or who wants it.
9:00: Daphne's bedtime. She insists that Mama put her to bed, but sometimes Daddy does it anyway. When he does it, she insists on the same stories from his childhood, and corrects his wording.
9:30: Addie and Stuart go to the playroom, leaving Mama and Daddy in the living room with some together time. The kids don't quite get this "together time" stuff. Isn't it so much more fun with the kids around?
10:00: Darren prays with the older two and sets a timer, and then he and I head back to get ready for bed. About 10:30 we get two knocks on the door: "Goodnight! We love you!" They read until they fall asleep. Addie says she has "bad insomnia" that keeps her up until 1 in the morning, but she seems to cope with it by falling asleep by 11:30.
11:30: I fall asleep, glad that we aren't routinely awakened during the night anymore. Darren sometimes stays up till 12 or so, but he's getting older and needs more sleep, which makes him grumble like a cranky old man.
And so the day goes, with variations here and there. Babysitter and gym on Monday nights, AWANA on Wednesday nights, co-op on Thursday mornings. It's a pretty good life, all in all. And not a ridiculously high standard for you to keep up with. Except I didn't post the recipe for the biscuits.
-- SJ
Post idea snatched from here.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Gray
I don't wanna do school.
Math is boring.
Language is dull.
AWANA is tedious.
I've already been through beginning reading and math twice before.
The toddler isn't napping.
The four-year-old is whining. (And she's a champion whiner.)
It will be a battle to get the bathroom cleaned up and the laundry put away. Let's not even mention loading the dishwasher, which I didn't even get done yesterday.
But we'll soldier through and get it done!
And then...
Nobody goes anywhere because we homeschool, so we're still all stuck in the house together because it's a gray and rainy day.
It's one of those days. Is it Christmas yet?
-- SJ
Math is boring.
Language is dull.
AWANA is tedious.
I've already been through beginning reading and math twice before.
The toddler isn't napping.
The four-year-old is whining. (And she's a champion whiner.)
It will be a battle to get the bathroom cleaned up and the laundry put away. Let's not even mention loading the dishwasher, which I didn't even get done yesterday.
But we'll soldier through and get it done!
And then...
Nobody goes anywhere because we homeschool, so we're still all stuck in the house together because it's a gray and rainy day.
It's one of those days. Is it Christmas yet?
-- SJ
Saturday, September 04, 2010
When We Were Very Young
--DJ
When Sara and I were first married, we agreed that we wanted our house and yard to be the neighborhood hangout.
And now it is. And it is good.
When Sara and I were first married, we agreed that we wanted our house and yard to be the neighborhood hangout.And now it is. And it is good.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
What's Different About This Picture?
Here are two pictures of my house. See if you can spot the big difference:
Picture #1
Picture #2
Right! We took the toybox off the porch!
No, wait... We removed the tall prickly evil evergreen from the far corner of the house!
Oh, hey, the flowerbeds are different.
Um, is that a new place to leave the hose?
But of course you're all just kidding, because what you noticed in the second picture -- in fact, you really didn't see anything else -- were those shutters. The once-boring black shutters that are now stylish grey and red. What else is there even to see?
Why, thank you. I admit I spent an entire week repainting them. Very gratifying that you noticed them.
-- SJ
Picture #1
Picture #2
Right! We took the toybox off the porch!
No, wait... We removed the tall prickly evil evergreen from the far corner of the house!
Oh, hey, the flowerbeds are different.
Um, is that a new place to leave the hose?
But of course you're all just kidding, because what you noticed in the second picture -- in fact, you really didn't see anything else -- were those shutters. The once-boring black shutters that are now stylish grey and red. What else is there even to see?
Why, thank you. I admit I spent an entire week repainting them. Very gratifying that you noticed them.
-- SJ
Friday, July 30, 2010
What I Didn't Do, Retake
I recently posted about what I didn't do when I had the chance to throw a perfect stranger for a loop by repeating a conversation I'd heard her have at an entirely different place. Two separate friends mentioned the post to me afterward, and I realized that other readers may have misunderstood my point.
I'm not an avenging Green Angel. I don't much care for the Green Morality that makes people feel guilty for, basically, living on earth. But I do care about being frugal and not being wasteful. It bothers me that I throw out food so easily. I dislike the way I don't try to reuse even glass containers. I wish we weren't all so dependent on electricity and cars. I have no idea how to can fruit. It's irritating that we live in a society where you have to apologize for wearing the same outfit more than two days in a row. I rant and rage when appliances break after five years, and computers are obsolete after two.
Given all that, I don't spend a lot of mental energy disapproving of what temperature other people set their air conditioners on. If she'd been talking about clothes shopping, it would have been just as funny (and I just as unlikely) to sidle up to her and say, "Hey, I think you should have bought the blue shirt at Kohl's after all."
There are so many real things to feel guilty about. Don't waste it all on Ziploc bags and thermostat settings.
-- SJ
I'm not an avenging Green Angel. I don't much care for the Green Morality that makes people feel guilty for, basically, living on earth. But I do care about being frugal and not being wasteful. It bothers me that I throw out food so easily. I dislike the way I don't try to reuse even glass containers. I wish we weren't all so dependent on electricity and cars. I have no idea how to can fruit. It's irritating that we live in a society where you have to apologize for wearing the same outfit more than two days in a row. I rant and rage when appliances break after five years, and computers are obsolete after two.
Given all that, I don't spend a lot of mental energy disapproving of what temperature other people set their air conditioners on. If she'd been talking about clothes shopping, it would have been just as funny (and I just as unlikely) to sidle up to her and say, "Hey, I think you should have bought the blue shirt at Kohl's after all."
There are so many real things to feel guilty about. Don't waste it all on Ziploc bags and thermostat settings.
-- SJ
Sunday, July 25, 2010
The Memory of A Tree
When we moved into our house eight years ago, there was a small Bradford pear tree in the front yard. As the children got bigger, it got bigger. Addie, Stuart, and Mollie all began their tree-climbing skills on this tree. I've played with four babies underneath its shade. Daphne adopted one short branch as her own personal "baby dragon" and liked me to hoist her up on it so she could "fly." That tree meant a lot to us.
About five years ago, a friend mentioned that Bradford pears had a tendency to split once they got too big. About two weeks ago, Debra mentioned the same fact. Are you getting the sense that this story has sort of a tragic ending?
Here's a picture of The Tree from 2007. (In the foreground are the four Evil Bushes that encroached on my front porch until I hired someone to rip them out.)
Six-year-old Addie spent many happy hours in The Tree:
By the spring of 08, The Tree was a pretty respectable size, especially for six-year-old Stuart and two-year-old Daphne:
Last fall, there was enough of The Tree to provide refuge for little boys who didn't want to start co-op.
In the summer of 09, Daphne flew many miles with her Baby Dragon:
My niece Katie caught Pip enjoying The Tree this past spring:
And this summer, Daphne was still flying:
But here's where the story gets sad. This afternoon, a freak windstorm screamed through our neighborhood.
Stuart says he likes the "new version" of The Tree, and there were kids swarming over the fallen branches all afternoon and evening. There have been many tears (all female) over the fact that we have to have The Tree chopped down. Let's don't even discuss Daphne and her Baby Dragon.
We've lost a good friend. We'll miss The Tree.
-- SJ
About five years ago, a friend mentioned that Bradford pears had a tendency to split once they got too big. About two weeks ago, Debra mentioned the same fact. Are you getting the sense that this story has sort of a tragic ending?
Here's a picture of The Tree from 2007. (In the foreground are the four Evil Bushes that encroached on my front porch until I hired someone to rip them out.)
Six-year-old Addie spent many happy hours in The Tree:
By the spring of 08, The Tree was a pretty respectable size, especially for six-year-old Stuart and two-year-old Daphne:
Last fall, there was enough of The Tree to provide refuge for little boys who didn't want to start co-op.
In the summer of 09, Daphne flew many miles with her Baby Dragon:
My niece Katie caught Pip enjoying The Tree this past spring:
And this summer, Daphne was still flying:
But here's where the story gets sad. This afternoon, a freak windstorm screamed through our neighborhood.
Stuart says he likes the "new version" of The Tree, and there were kids swarming over the fallen branches all afternoon and evening. There have been many tears (all female) over the fact that we have to have The Tree chopped down. Let's don't even discuss Daphne and her Baby Dragon.
We've lost a good friend. We'll miss The Tree.
-- SJ
Sunday, July 18, 2010
XP in the Garden
This appeared in my newly-planted flowerbed:
And it had everything to do with ChoreWars.
I stumbled on ChoreWars from a Facebook friend's comment. I was caught by the tagline: "Finally, you can claim experience points for housework!" Then I noticed the Quest Party with cleaning tools, and knew that this site was made for the Joneses.
The concept is simple enough: you write up everyday chores as "adventures," assigning each one experience points (XP) and gold pieces. You can also throw in treasures, monsters, and character statistics if you want to. When a party member does that chore, he or she "claims" it, earning the XP and gold points.
What you do with your points, pieces, and monsters is up to you. In our house, we have rewards for every 500, 1000, or 2000 gold pieces. Since you "level up" with each 200 XP, I'm going to create a reward for whoever reaches Level 10.
Anyway, what does all this geekiness have to do with empty raisin and Nerds boxes on twigs?
Anyone who has followed this blog will be absolutely unsurprised to find out that ChoreWars is the ultimate motivation for Stuart. All I have to say is, "You'll get XP for this," and he transforms in to the Industrious Whirlwind of Cleaning (which sounds like something from Titan Quest).
A few days ago, I created an Adventure called "Making the Garden Pretty." Stuart was off playing with his friend Evan, but I invited Addie and Daphne to help me weed the garden and plant our new flowers. We were finished by the time Stuart came home. As soon as he saw all the work we did, he was visibly upset. "I didn't know you were going to be doing that adventure."
Very shortly, he came inside and said, "Mama, I helped make the garden pretty. Can I get XP for it?"
As I stared at the boxes and sticks, he explained, "I didn't have any real flowers, so I made some. Doesn't it kind of look like flowers in tiny flowerpots? Can I get XP for that?"
That, folks, is motivation. No, he didn't get XP for it. Yes, it's still in my garden.
-- SJ
P.S. Stuart's character is currently the highest-ranking member of the Questing Party.
P.P.S. As I was finishing this post, Stuart appeared and announced, "I brushed my teeth. Can you please claim that for me?" Well yeah I award XP for brushing teeth.
And it had everything to do with ChoreWars.
I stumbled on ChoreWars from a Facebook friend's comment. I was caught by the tagline: "Finally, you can claim experience points for housework!" Then I noticed the Quest Party with cleaning tools, and knew that this site was made for the Joneses.
The concept is simple enough: you write up everyday chores as "adventures," assigning each one experience points (XP) and gold pieces. You can also throw in treasures, monsters, and character statistics if you want to. When a party member does that chore, he or she "claims" it, earning the XP and gold points.
What you do with your points, pieces, and monsters is up to you. In our house, we have rewards for every 500, 1000, or 2000 gold pieces. Since you "level up" with each 200 XP, I'm going to create a reward for whoever reaches Level 10.
Anyway, what does all this geekiness have to do with empty raisin and Nerds boxes on twigs?
Anyone who has followed this blog will be absolutely unsurprised to find out that ChoreWars is the ultimate motivation for Stuart. All I have to say is, "You'll get XP for this," and he transforms in to the Industrious Whirlwind of Cleaning (which sounds like something from Titan Quest).
A few days ago, I created an Adventure called "Making the Garden Pretty." Stuart was off playing with his friend Evan, but I invited Addie and Daphne to help me weed the garden and plant our new flowers. We were finished by the time Stuart came home. As soon as he saw all the work we did, he was visibly upset. "I didn't know you were going to be doing that adventure."
Very shortly, he came inside and said, "Mama, I helped make the garden pretty. Can I get XP for it?"
As I stared at the boxes and sticks, he explained, "I didn't have any real flowers, so I made some. Doesn't it kind of look like flowers in tiny flowerpots? Can I get XP for that?"
That, folks, is motivation. No, he didn't get XP for it. Yes, it's still in my garden.
-- SJ
P.S. Stuart's character is currently the highest-ranking member of the Questing Party.
P.P.S. As I was finishing this post, Stuart appeared and announced, "I brushed my teeth. Can you please claim that for me?" Well yeah I award XP for brushing teeth.
Friday, March 12, 2010
7 Quick Takes, March 12, 2010
From Conversion Diary’s regular feature Seven Quick Takes Friday.
1. The big news of the week is that we have a new YELLOW! car. It looks basically like the picture below, but with no black trim to set off the YELLOW! I’d love to have name ideas for it.
NOTE: All names suggestions including the word “lemon” will be automatically discarded :)
P.S. Did I mention it’s YELLOW!? Because it is.
2. A friend of mine who works at a Northern Virginia non-profit forwarded me the following story. It’s true; I’ve seen the original emails.
*******
April 7, 1999
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Doe:
These are several lawyers in your state that either we have worked with in the past or who have told us that they would be willing to help people in your situation.
[List attached, including lawyer French]
Sincerely,
My Friend
*******
April 8, 1999
Dear Mr. Friend:
I appreciate your response to our inquiry regarding assistance in our issue with Connecticut pertaining to my nephew's case. However, I need to bring you up to date regarding one of the lawyers you referred us to.
I am a Major in the Connecticut Department of Correction and I am personally acquainted with inmate French. It was just a couple months ago that Connecticut was treated to headline news about the "born again Christian lawyer" who was arrested for murdering his wife and two young children. Since being incarcerated awaiting trial on Capital Felony charges (potential death sentence here), he has been involved in several disciplinary actions involving organized inmate disobedience. Having met the prisoner and being familiar with the details of his present circumstances, I would heartily recommend that he be deleted from your referral list.
Respectfully,
Mr. Doe
Major – Connecticut Dept. of Correction
3. Back when I used to read World magazine regularly, Andree Seu was my favorite columnist. Her recent column “What’s in a Name?” was superb, as usual. She discusses the difference she found sitting at a formal seminary dinner, where “the after-dinner speaker waxed of venerable ‘traditions,’” and at a banquet of truckers, when “I knew right off the bat that it was all about Jesus and not about the organization; the excitement for Him was palpable. You don't know off-white until you see white next to it.” It’s well worth the read.
4. The movie will probably be awful, but the trailer for the remake of Clash of the Titans looks cool. Perhaps I’ll go. When I was young and heard about the original movie, I thought that “Clash” was a person, and wondered why I’d never come across him in my mythology books.
5. On the other hand, I am most definitely going to this one. I can’t wait.
6. Eve Tushnet linked to a fascinating article called “Why There Is No Jewish Narnia.” The premise of the writer, Michael Weingrad, is that “To put it crudely, if Christianity is a fantasy religion, then Judaism is a science fiction religion. If the former is individualistic, magical, and salvationist, the latter is collective, technical, and this-worldly.” He goes on to contrast the two religions more fully:
Christianity has a much more vivid memory and even appreciation of the pagan worlds which preceded it than does Judaism. Neither Canaanite nor Egyptian civilizations exercise much fascination for the Jewish imagination, and certainly not as a place of enchantment or escape. In contrast, the Christian imagination found in Lewis and Tolkien often moves, like Beowulf or Sir Gawain, through an older pagan world in which spirits of place and mythical beings are still potent. Nor is this limited to fauns and elves. This anterior world can be dark and frighteningly alien, as Tolkien has Gandalf indicate in The Two Towers. “Far, far below the deepest delvings of the Dwarves,” the wizard says, “the world is gnawed by nameless things. Even Sauron knows them not.” Lewis sounds the same note in Perelandra when, far below the surface of the planet Venus, his protagonist catches an unsettling glimpse of alien creatures, and wonders if there might be “some way to renew the old Pagan practice of propitiating the local gods of unknown places in such fashion that it was no offence to God Himself but only a prudent and courteous apology for trespass.”
The writer also points out that “Christianity offers a far more developed tradition of evil as a supernatural, external, autonomous force than does Judaism.”
As a Christian and a fantasy fan, I don’t agree with everything Weingrad says, but I think he’s right in his basic premise.
7. A very cool public service announcement from our friends across the pond, on the importance of wearing your seatbelt. (Warning: profanity in the comments) I remember that when I was in 10th grade health class in public school, the state police brought in a machine called “The Convincer.” You sat on a car seat in a metal frame with a shoulder/lap belt, and rolled down a slight hill until the frame hit the end and stopped short. The first ride was at 5 mph, which wasn’t too bad. The second ride, where you hit the object at 10 mph, left me with a bruise on my shoulder for several days. Since that time, I have always worn my seatbelt.
And with that moralizing, I’m off! Have a great weekend.
--DJ
1. The big news of the week is that we have a new YELLOW! car. It looks basically like the picture below, but with no black trim to set off the YELLOW! I’d love to have name ideas for it.
NOTE: All names suggestions including the word “lemon” will be automatically discarded :)
P.S. Did I mention it’s YELLOW!? Because it is.
2. A friend of mine who works at a Northern Virginia non-profit forwarded me the following story. It’s true; I’ve seen the original emails.
*******
April 7, 1999
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Doe:
These are several lawyers in your state that either we have worked with in the past or who have told us that they would be willing to help people in your situation.
[List attached, including lawyer French]
Sincerely,
My Friend
*******
April 8, 1999
Dear Mr. Friend:
I appreciate your response to our inquiry regarding assistance in our issue with Connecticut pertaining to my nephew's case. However, I need to bring you up to date regarding one of the lawyers you referred us to.
I am a Major in the Connecticut Department of Correction and I am personally acquainted with inmate French. It was just a couple months ago that Connecticut was treated to headline news about the "born again Christian lawyer" who was arrested for murdering his wife and two young children. Since being incarcerated awaiting trial on Capital Felony charges (potential death sentence here), he has been involved in several disciplinary actions involving organized inmate disobedience. Having met the prisoner and being familiar with the details of his present circumstances, I would heartily recommend that he be deleted from your referral list.
Respectfully,
Mr. Doe
Major – Connecticut Dept. of Correction
3. Back when I used to read World magazine regularly, Andree Seu was my favorite columnist. Her recent column “What’s in a Name?” was superb, as usual. She discusses the difference she found sitting at a formal seminary dinner, where “the after-dinner speaker waxed of venerable ‘traditions,’” and at a banquet of truckers, when “I knew right off the bat that it was all about Jesus and not about the organization; the excitement for Him was palpable. You don't know off-white until you see white next to it.” It’s well worth the read.
4. The movie will probably be awful, but the trailer for the remake of Clash of the Titans looks cool. Perhaps I’ll go. When I was young and heard about the original movie, I thought that “Clash” was a person, and wondered why I’d never come across him in my mythology books.
5. On the other hand, I am most definitely going to this one. I can’t wait.
6. Eve Tushnet linked to a fascinating article called “Why There Is No Jewish Narnia.” The premise of the writer, Michael Weingrad, is that “To put it crudely, if Christianity is a fantasy religion, then Judaism is a science fiction religion. If the former is individualistic, magical, and salvationist, the latter is collective, technical, and this-worldly.” He goes on to contrast the two religions more fully:
Christianity has a much more vivid memory and even appreciation of the pagan worlds which preceded it than does Judaism. Neither Canaanite nor Egyptian civilizations exercise much fascination for the Jewish imagination, and certainly not as a place of enchantment or escape. In contrast, the Christian imagination found in Lewis and Tolkien often moves, like Beowulf or Sir Gawain, through an older pagan world in which spirits of place and mythical beings are still potent. Nor is this limited to fauns and elves. This anterior world can be dark and frighteningly alien, as Tolkien has Gandalf indicate in The Two Towers. “Far, far below the deepest delvings of the Dwarves,” the wizard says, “the world is gnawed by nameless things. Even Sauron knows them not.” Lewis sounds the same note in Perelandra when, far below the surface of the planet Venus, his protagonist catches an unsettling glimpse of alien creatures, and wonders if there might be “some way to renew the old Pagan practice of propitiating the local gods of unknown places in such fashion that it was no offence to God Himself but only a prudent and courteous apology for trespass.”
The writer also points out that “Christianity offers a far more developed tradition of evil as a supernatural, external, autonomous force than does Judaism.”
As a Christian and a fantasy fan, I don’t agree with everything Weingrad says, but I think he’s right in his basic premise.
7. A very cool public service announcement from our friends across the pond, on the importance of wearing your seatbelt. (Warning: profanity in the comments) I remember that when I was in 10th grade health class in public school, the state police brought in a machine called “The Convincer.” You sat on a car seat in a metal frame with a shoulder/lap belt, and rolled down a slight hill until the frame hit the end and stopped short. The first ride was at 5 mph, which wasn’t too bad. The second ride, where you hit the object at 10 mph, left me with a bruise on my shoulder for several days. Since that time, I have always worn my seatbelt.
And with that moralizing, I’m off! Have a great weekend.
--DJ
Thursday, January 28, 2010
To Do
To Do Today:
1. Fold clothes.
2. Write a new blog post.
3. Clean up kitchen.
4. Drag overflowing laundry basket into living room so can't ignore unfolded clothes.
5. Get kids up.
6. Outline a new blog post.
7. Feed kids.
8. Don't ignore unfolded clothes.
9. Kids are asleep. So they don't need food, right?
10. Don't wake up kids.
11. Okay, fine, write down an *idea* for a new blog post.
12. What laundry?
13. What kids?
14. What blog?
15. There. Took care of that list.
-- SJ
1. Fold clothes.
2. Write a new blog post.
3. Clean up kitchen.
4. Drag overflowing laundry basket into living room so can't ignore unfolded clothes.
5. Get kids up.
6. Outline a new blog post.
7. Feed kids.
8. Don't ignore unfolded clothes.
9. Kids are asleep. So they don't need food, right?
10. Don't wake up kids.
11. Okay, fine, write down an *idea* for a new blog post.
12. What laundry?
13. What kids?
14. What blog?
15. There. Took care of that list.
-- SJ
Monday, December 28, 2009
The Monday After Christmas, II
Today doesn't threaten to be as bad at this one, at least. But I did stagger out of bed wondering how I was going to get everything done before our trip to Mississippi later this week. As I was brushing my teeth, I formulated the following plan:
1. Do the Morning Prayer service using one of Darren's innumerable prayer books. Morning Prayer is something I do maybe once a week if I'm really resolved. It's hard to fit it in and it still is an unusual way of devotions for me, but at least it's all written out in front of me so I don't have to find time AND space AND come up with my own words all at the same time.
2. Make a list of what has to be done this week. I've had to come to terms with the fact that a listless existence is a luxury that a mother of four can't enjoy.
3. Oh, wait, this should be Number One: check email, Google Reader, and Facebook. Also, lingering at the computer until I come up with a blog post is good, too.
4. Hide under the covers anytime a child tries to talk to me. Did I write that out loud?
Happy Monday After Christmas!
-- SJ
1. Do the Morning Prayer service using one of Darren's innumerable prayer books. Morning Prayer is something I do maybe once a week if I'm really resolved. It's hard to fit it in and it still is an unusual way of devotions for me, but at least it's all written out in front of me so I don't have to find time AND space AND come up with my own words all at the same time.
2. Make a list of what has to be done this week. I've had to come to terms with the fact that a listless existence is a luxury that a mother of four can't enjoy.
3. Oh, wait, this should be Number One: check email, Google Reader, and Facebook. Also, lingering at the computer until I come up with a blog post is good, too.
4. Hide under the covers anytime a child tries to talk to me. Did I write that out loud?
Happy Monday After Christmas!
-- SJ
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Three Books
One
The name of the book is "Speed Decorating: A Pro Stager's Tips and Trade Secrets for a Fabulous Home in a Week or Less." It doesn't mention how the pro stager (Jill Vegas) recently took an Interior Decorating Refresher Course at the local college, but that's pretty obvious from the way she fluffed up her final exam essay into this book. That essay was entitled, "Some General Helpful Tips for Making Your House Nicer," and she wrote it about 4 hours before it was due.
Seriously, I suppose there are good ideas in this book, but the general feel of the writing is that you're getting a personal, one-on-one consultation during which the designer talks about her other clients and then has to rush off to another speed-decorating appointment.
My favorite part was the caption on page 5, which explained that "Adding some well-placed accessories... can go a long way toward making your space look beautiful. Here, a pair of tall vases and some flowering dogwood branches add a personal touch to a stone hearth." Then there's a picture of this stone hearth: it's a huge glassed-in fireplace built into the corner of a massive gray stone wall. Absolutely the right tip for those of us who live in suburban ranch-style houses! Because all suburban ranch-style houses have massive stone walls with fireplaces built into the corner!
I hope she got a B on her essay.
Two
If I were a normal person who watches The Food Network like the rest of America, maybe I'd have heard of Gale Gand already? No matter. Since finding her new cookbook, Brunch!, I love her. The commentary is entertaining and unpretentious. The book is full of fun recipes, none of them too bizarre (the farthest out she gets is white nectarines, mozzarella cheese, and pesto on skewers). As she says herself, good-tasting food doesn't depend on complicated recipes and intricate sauces; often it's just a matter of taking familiar food and adding an unexpected ingredient. Among the recipes I want to try are:
* White Hot Chocolate with Orange
* Hot Cocoa with Brown Sugar
* Peanut Butter and Jelly Turnovers
* Baked Eggs in Ham Cups
Let me know if you're interested in coming to brunch.
Three
Along with Nina, Darren wins Gold Stars in heaven for continuing to recommend books to me. Recently he gave me Tim Powers's Soul in a Bottle, knowing I like ghost stories. I'm picky about my ghost stories (surprise!): I like them eerie but not icky. (The graphic novel Coraline crossed that line. Just thinking about it makes me shudder.) This novella was amazing.
George meets a captivating, mysterious woman who calls herself Shy. It doesn't take him long to fall in love with her -- or to realize that she's the ghost of a poet who killed herself 40 years ago. She wants him to do something for her. But a withered, earnest old woman warns George against her. The story hinges on George's decision, and you honestly don't know which he will choose.
Great story, but what I'm still geeking out about is the author's incredible skill in telling it. The entire book is only 83 pages long, but you're moving in George's skin so you feel everything he does -- even when it isn't written out in front of you. The most effective aspect of the writing is how Powers will throw out a detail in passing that haunts you long after you put the book down. I'll never look at a climbing-vine pattern the same again. And wait till you find out about the pear-and-cumin scent.
Dear Mr. Powers, I wish I could write like you do.
-- SJ
The name of the book is "Speed Decorating: A Pro Stager's Tips and Trade Secrets for a Fabulous Home in a Week or Less." It doesn't mention how the pro stager (Jill Vegas) recently took an Interior Decorating Refresher Course at the local college, but that's pretty obvious from the way she fluffed up her final exam essay into this book. That essay was entitled, "Some General Helpful Tips for Making Your House Nicer," and she wrote it about 4 hours before it was due.
Seriously, I suppose there are good ideas in this book, but the general feel of the writing is that you're getting a personal, one-on-one consultation during which the designer talks about her other clients and then has to rush off to another speed-decorating appointment.
My favorite part was the caption on page 5, which explained that "Adding some well-placed accessories... can go a long way toward making your space look beautiful. Here, a pair of tall vases and some flowering dogwood branches add a personal touch to a stone hearth." Then there's a picture of this stone hearth: it's a huge glassed-in fireplace built into the corner of a massive gray stone wall. Absolutely the right tip for those of us who live in suburban ranch-style houses! Because all suburban ranch-style houses have massive stone walls with fireplaces built into the corner!
I hope she got a B on her essay.
Two
If I were a normal person who watches The Food Network like the rest of America, maybe I'd have heard of Gale Gand already? No matter. Since finding her new cookbook, Brunch!, I love her. The commentary is entertaining and unpretentious. The book is full of fun recipes, none of them too bizarre (the farthest out she gets is white nectarines, mozzarella cheese, and pesto on skewers). As she says herself, good-tasting food doesn't depend on complicated recipes and intricate sauces; often it's just a matter of taking familiar food and adding an unexpected ingredient. Among the recipes I want to try are:
* White Hot Chocolate with Orange
* Hot Cocoa with Brown Sugar
* Peanut Butter and Jelly Turnovers
* Baked Eggs in Ham Cups
Let me know if you're interested in coming to brunch.
Three
Along with Nina, Darren wins Gold Stars in heaven for continuing to recommend books to me. Recently he gave me Tim Powers's Soul in a Bottle, knowing I like ghost stories. I'm picky about my ghost stories (surprise!): I like them eerie but not icky. (The graphic novel Coraline crossed that line. Just thinking about it makes me shudder.) This novella was amazing.
George meets a captivating, mysterious woman who calls herself Shy. It doesn't take him long to fall in love with her -- or to realize that she's the ghost of a poet who killed herself 40 years ago. She wants him to do something for her. But a withered, earnest old woman warns George against her. The story hinges on George's decision, and you honestly don't know which he will choose.
Great story, but what I'm still geeking out about is the author's incredible skill in telling it. The entire book is only 83 pages long, but you're moving in George's skin so you feel everything he does -- even when it isn't written out in front of you. The most effective aspect of the writing is how Powers will throw out a detail in passing that haunts you long after you put the book down. I'll never look at a climbing-vine pattern the same again. And wait till you find out about the pear-and-cumin scent.
Dear Mr. Powers, I wish I could write like you do.
-- SJ
Monday, October 19, 2009
Overheard at the Jones House
Doorbell rings.
"Addie, I think that's Brooke. Please tell her that we've got sickness in the house and can't play."
Addie: "Sorry, Brooke. We've got a flu invalid ["in-VALL-id"] so we can't come out."
***
Addie: "Oooh! I'm so tired!" [Collapses on the other end of the couch that Stuart has occupied for two days]
Darren: "I'm sorry. Do you think you'll live?"
Addie [being stoic and grown-up] "Yes. I'll be all right. Nobody's ever died of the flu!"
Darren and Sara: [Absolutely not touching that one.]
***
Daphne [all day long]: "I have a little tiny fever! I'm a little tiny sick! I need medicine! I have a tiny fever! I'm sick!"
Darren [5:00 pm]: "Daphne, you can't go outside today. You're sick."
Daphne: "I am NOT sick! I'm NOT SICK!"
***
I played a word game with Stuart and Addie tonight. We got it from Bookworm Adventures. The object is to guess the mystery word in five turns, with only the first letter provided. Stuart guessed my first word (HORSE) on his first turn. Addie had more trouble with DIMES, so I gently led her to the right conclusion, not wanting to flaunt my superior age and word skills.
Then they chose a word for me. Despite my best efforts, I went down in flames.
They'd chosen the word SIEGE.
-- SJ
"Addie, I think that's Brooke. Please tell her that we've got sickness in the house and can't play."
Addie: "Sorry, Brooke. We've got a flu invalid ["in-VALL-id"] so we can't come out."
***
Addie: "Oooh! I'm so tired!" [Collapses on the other end of the couch that Stuart has occupied for two days]
Darren: "I'm sorry. Do you think you'll live?"
Addie [being stoic and grown-up] "Yes. I'll be all right. Nobody's ever died of the flu!"
Darren and Sara: [Absolutely not touching that one.]
***
Daphne [all day long]: "I have a little tiny fever! I'm a little tiny sick! I need medicine! I have a tiny fever! I'm sick!"
Darren [5:00 pm]: "Daphne, you can't go outside today. You're sick."
Daphne: "I am NOT sick! I'm NOT SICK!"
***
I played a word game with Stuart and Addie tonight. We got it from Bookworm Adventures. The object is to guess the mystery word in five turns, with only the first letter provided. Stuart guessed my first word (HORSE) on his first turn. Addie had more trouble with DIMES, so I gently led her to the right conclusion, not wanting to flaunt my superior age and word skills.
Then they chose a word for me. Despite my best efforts, I went down in flames.
They'd chosen the word SIEGE.
-- SJ
Monday, April 27, 2009
A Good Idea
Normally when I discover an idea that works, I try not to launch a crusade to convert everyone else to my method. Mostly because I still haven't gotten the hang of coupons despite numerous conversion experiences, and I resisted making menus for years, and I still don't do monthly bulk cooking even though yes I know how efficient and helpful it is.
But then there's this one that I've recently implemented. I found it in a couple of places before trying it myself. It's such a simple idea, and cuts down on so much kitchen work, that -- yeah, here's the end of my crusader's sword. Convert or die.
Each person in the house now has his or her own set of dishes: plate, bowl, and cup. I'd bought plastic picnic dishes last year, which served my purpose admirably. Addie's is pink, Stuart's is lavender (of course), and Daphne's is blue. I took the yellow set for myself, and Darren gets a mismatched assortment that includes a glass cup because he's decided after eight years that he doesn't like plastic anymore.
The rule is that you use only your own dishes. I wash the kids' out after every meal, although I have every hope that Addie and Stuart can take over that job once they're a little taller. This system has all kinds of benefits. It takes a whole day to fill up the dishwasher. It takes about five minutes to unload the dishwasher in the morning. I can tell who did NOT take plates over to the sink after a meal. And I can tell who did or didn't eat much. It's like my own Motherhood Informant Network.
So as soon as you finish reading this post, go pick out your dishes for your household. Also, don't tell me that you've already been doing it for years because this is MY good idea, after all. Convert, sinner.
-- SJ
But then there's this one that I've recently implemented. I found it in a couple of places before trying it myself. It's such a simple idea, and cuts down on so much kitchen work, that -- yeah, here's the end of my crusader's sword. Convert or die.
Each person in the house now has his or her own set of dishes: plate, bowl, and cup. I'd bought plastic picnic dishes last year, which served my purpose admirably. Addie's is pink, Stuart's is lavender (of course), and Daphne's is blue. I took the yellow set for myself, and Darren gets a mismatched assortment that includes a glass cup because he's decided after eight years that he doesn't like plastic anymore.
The rule is that you use only your own dishes. I wash the kids' out after every meal, although I have every hope that Addie and Stuart can take over that job once they're a little taller. This system has all kinds of benefits. It takes a whole day to fill up the dishwasher. It takes about five minutes to unload the dishwasher in the morning. I can tell who did NOT take plates over to the sink after a meal. And I can tell who did or didn't eat much. It's like my own Motherhood Informant Network.
So as soon as you finish reading this post, go pick out your dishes for your household. Also, don't tell me that you've already been doing it for years because this is MY good idea, after all. Convert, sinner.
-- SJ
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
It Is Finished: The Kids' Rooms
We got it done! (And no mop touched a wall during the process.) Both bedrooms are freshly painted, and we're pretty darn pleased with the results. Here are pictures; please make the usual allowances for run-of-the-mill camera and lighting.
The girls' room was originally an inoffensive light blue:
I'd intended to paint it a very light pink with red trim, but ended up with rather pink walls and *very* rather pink trim. Fortunately, Addie and Daphne both love it:
Here's Stuart's room in its original B-b-b-blue. This is what it was when we moved in, so at least we knew the room could take an intense color:
The Search for the Purple lasted for some weeks. He liked Brave Purple, fine and good. But then I switched paint companies, and the new paint card I brought home had a different name for the same color. They called it "Butterfly Garden." We were right back to lavender again: could I really let Stuart glibly inform everyone that his room was painted "Butterfly Garden"? (And he would, too. That was its name, and he wouldn't budge.) After much negotiation, we settled on a shade bluer. This one is called "Magic Moment." Smaltzy, yes, but to Stuart it means wizards and dragons, so all was well. It turned out to be an inspired choice: we all love this color.
(Darren would like to point out that whoever did that wide beige band at the top of the room sure did a top-notch job. I, personally, am pretty pleased with that red trim.)
Yay! It's done! Now to roust out the House Fairies and make them put this house back in order again.
-- SJ
The girls' room was originally an inoffensive light blue:
I'd intended to paint it a very light pink with red trim, but ended up with rather pink walls and *very* rather pink trim. Fortunately, Addie and Daphne both love it:
Here's Stuart's room in its original B-b-b-blue. This is what it was when we moved in, so at least we knew the room could take an intense color:
The Search for the Purple lasted for some weeks. He liked Brave Purple, fine and good. But then I switched paint companies, and the new paint card I brought home had a different name for the same color. They called it "Butterfly Garden." We were right back to lavender again: could I really let Stuart glibly inform everyone that his room was painted "Butterfly Garden"? (And he would, too. That was its name, and he wouldn't budge.) After much negotiation, we settled on a shade bluer. This one is called "Magic Moment." Smaltzy, yes, but to Stuart it means wizards and dragons, so all was well. It turned out to be an inspired choice: we all love this color.
(Darren would like to point out that whoever did that wide beige band at the top of the room sure did a top-notch job. I, personally, am pretty pleased with that red trim.)
Yay! It's done! Now to roust out the House Fairies and make them put this house back in order again.
-- SJ
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