This week I was invited to a funeral. I did not know the young man who died, nor his young wife, but I did know the wife's sister, and since she was coming from across the country, she invited friends who were nearby, including three of her old friends from college. Two of us lived a scant five minutes from the church where the funeral was held, the other, about three hours away.
It was a very tragic death. The couple had been married three years and had just graduated law school. They were running a marathon. About a month ago, it became apparent that he had a bee sting allergy, but this was the first anyone knew about it, from what I have heard. Then he was stung. He ran another five minutes, then collapsed. His wife was there. Nothing could be done. He was flown to the hospital and died a couple of days later, but he never woke up. I had facebook updates through a friend, and also, the wife's uncle is the priest here in my town, so another friend was telling me what the uncle had heard, and so my news was coming from two vastly different sources at once. It was the saddest thing, since he was just starting out, really. My friend who was his sister in law sang at the wedding with her husband. How she did it with a clear and beautiful voice, I just don't even know. But I sure did pray that she could, and maybe a lot of us were doing the same thing. It was a beautiful homily as well. I just can't imagine what it was like for any of the family members there.
I guess the most important thing I took away from it, like any funeral, is that I really should be more grateful for what I have, especially my husband. He works hard, loves his family, has no interest in doing anything to destroy that balance, and takes a fair amount of guff from me with almost no complaint. Why am I so lucky? God has blessed us beyond measure.
I have thought about that a lot lately. I think I'm in a lull in my life. The first 8 years of marriage were hard. No money, no time to relax, crazy times. We loved each other, but boy were we stressed. The first year was the worst. And then we turned a corner, and now things are much more relaxed. Much. But I can see around the corner.
Around the corner lies kids growing up, going to college maybe. Parents getting older and becoming frail, or dying. Sisters needing assistance, but it looks like the brother will be ok. Yay! When will the trouble start again? I don't know. Could be tomorrow. Could be next year. I might even have ten years of calm, but I wouldn't count on it. My dad is 68, and the rest of the parents have entered their 60's somewhere after him. We have long lived grandparents in most cases, up to 95 in my grandfather's case, but as early as the early 60's in others. Maybe earlier.
I know worry could enter the picture here, but for me, it won't til the crisis comes. I read somewhere that a saint or someone said, "Why are we spending so much effort on this terminal condition called 'life'?" In other words, why are we spending so much money and worry and work on staying alive, when it is our souls that are eternal? I guess because one is obvious, and the other less so, while we are on earth.
But then I think of Heaven, and I look forward to it tremendously. I can then spend all the time I want doing good and right things, basking in glory with my friends and family who have arrived there with me. I think of friends who are separated from me by distance, and I think of spending eternity with them and how lovely that would be. I hope God will find myself and many others worthy. I'm counting on His mercy.
Please pray for the Jibben and Smith families. When the two got married, they combined their last name to Jibbensmith. So please especially pray for Greta Jibbensmith, who is alone among family and in mourning. I cannot understand her pain, but I know one day I may, and I hope God's comfort embraces her and all his family.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
THE dream house. I mean it.
Ok, this one will do. Can I haz house?
You can look up the MLS # for more pictures. It's perfect. I mean it. The back yard has somewhere for me to garden already. And fruit trees. :) The price is so low, though, I doubt it will be there when I'm ready. Dratz.
This kind of thing wasn't even on the horizon two years ago. I mean completely impossible. And now look. Wow.
http://www.windermere.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Listing.PropertyFlyer&ListingID=66416500
You can look up the MLS # for more pictures. It's perfect. I mean it. The back yard has somewhere for me to garden already. And fruit trees. :) The price is so low, though, I doubt it will be there when I'm ready. Dratz.
This kind of thing wasn't even on the horizon two years ago. I mean completely impossible. And now look. Wow.
http://www.windermere.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Listing.PropertyFlyer&ListingID=66416500
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Dr. Ray Guarendi is a genius!
Ha ha... I did not get to hear him speak today locally, but my friend Rikki did, while I babysat her kids. In return, I got a mocha and my book signed by Dr. Ray, as well as another book by him, also signed.
Here is his main website:
http://www.drray.com/index.htm
Here are the books I got!
This dude really knows his stuff. I sometimes disagree with him, but generally he's much more right on that most psych types. Much more sensible, and has walked the walk, which helps, especially when it comes to adoption. They have adopted ten kids. What I loved was the part where he said they didn't really intend to keep adopting that many. "How can you accidentally adopt?" you ask? Oh, it can happen. I know a lady who says she adopted on of her kids through Fabricland in my hometown. It was just one of those conversations, and one thing led to another. I love it!
If you need something fresh and exciting in your parenting adventure, you have indeed come to the right guy. For most things.
Here is his main website:
http://www.drray.com/index.htm
Here are the books I got!
This dude really knows his stuff. I sometimes disagree with him, but generally he's much more right on that most psych types. Much more sensible, and has walked the walk, which helps, especially when it comes to adoption. They have adopted ten kids. What I loved was the part where he said they didn't really intend to keep adopting that many. "How can you accidentally adopt?" you ask? Oh, it can happen. I know a lady who says she adopted on of her kids through Fabricland in my hometown. It was just one of those conversations, and one thing led to another. I love it!
If you need something fresh and exciting in your parenting adventure, you have indeed come to the right guy. For most things.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Social Security uh ohs
Quite a long time ago (say, during Clinton maybe), my parents were pretty sure anyone my age should not bet on social security. I figured it was another rant, but I also figured it was worth paying attention to over time. I am not relying on it, but I also don't have many back up plans for when I get old, since we haven't saved much yet. We have life insurance and a will, so that makes me pretty happy since we're only in our mid to early 30s. We're only about 11K away from being debt free outside our mortgage, and we hope to keep it so that we will pay it off before we retire. Who's this we, anyway? I'm home all day! But I sure don't feel retired! I pull my own weight around here, man!
In any case, this was posted on the Common Room and I figured some real numbers from the CBO (which might be the only office left with real numbers), might be enlightening.
CBO numbers on social security
Here is a very short version of where we even got social security in the first place. It's a neat idea, if the government weren't involved. Sorry, but I have yet to see the government NOT screw up a good idea. Neighbors and churches taking care of each other seemed overall to work better in the "good old days".
How Stuff Works on Social Security
In any case, this was posted on the Common Room and I figured some real numbers from the CBO (which might be the only office left with real numbers), might be enlightening.
CBO numbers on social security
Here is a very short version of where we even got social security in the first place. It's a neat idea, if the government weren't involved. Sorry, but I have yet to see the government NOT screw up a good idea. Neighbors and churches taking care of each other seemed overall to work better in the "good old days".
How Stuff Works on Social Security
Sunday, September 20, 2009
A most inspiring foster care story
Ok, I think I fixed it, please look again!
Omigoodness, what a tear jerker. I have so much hope for the foster kids I know, and those who have been adopted since they were foster kids. I hope some will make these choices. I know someone who already did, and you know who you are, so get out the kleenex, honey.
Sacia's Promise
Omigoodness, what a tear jerker. I have so much hope for the foster kids I know, and those who have been adopted since they were foster kids. I hope some will make these choices. I know someone who already did, and you know who you are, so get out the kleenex, honey.
Sacia's Promise
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Hiliarious homeschool/socialization material
I figured I had to post this. I should be in bed, but I'm not.
Silly me.
If you don't think this is true, then you need to meet more homeschoolers. I assure you from personal experience with a variety of homeschooling groups, these things are generally true. So trust us. Really.
http://thepioneerwoman.com/homeschooling/2009/09/the-oldest-one-in-the-book/
Silly me.
If you don't think this is true, then you need to meet more homeschoolers. I assure you from personal experience with a variety of homeschooling groups, these things are generally true. So trust us. Really.
http://thepioneerwoman.com/homeschooling/2009/09/the-oldest-one-in-the-book/
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
And they're off!
Homeschooling, that is.
It's going really well so far. Teaching Brandon is like pulling teeth, but he does not win, so each fight is shorter. Sing, Spell, Read and Write is going very, very well. Math U See is going well, probably better than anything else would. He just is annoyed I won't let him progress. But if he can't explain it to me, then he doesn't understand it. Sometimes I wonder if that's because of his speech oddities, like there's a short circuit somewhere in the expressive language department. But we'll keep practicing, and he's making progress.
Today we did science together with another family, but I didn't get to take pictures. I kept getting distracted. We did an experiment with Bernoulli's Principle, which, strangely enough was covered both in our Webelos scout book and in the science book, which means two whole families killed two birds with one stone today! Hooray! It was great to have the kids try out their hypothesis and then squirt each other in the eye with straws when it turned out they were incorrect! :)
Grace and Brandon are working together on math and reading, and it seems to work out ok. Dominic really wants to be a big boy, so he keeps trying to do it all. This makes some things hard. Then again, he knows ALL his letters. He turned 2 in late May. Some friends got him a Leapfrog ABC toy that says the letters and sounds, and he plays with it all the time. Hooray! Smart kid.
Gabe is doing fifth grade Mother of Divine Grace this year, except that we do Singapore Math and Apologia Science so far. The history part is FASCINATING. I love it. I am learning lots myself! To think there are things about American History that are covered in little kid books that so many Americans don't know. I wish they cared to know. It's sooooo interesting and important in order to understand current events. Seriously. I'm so glad we get to learn it together.
Here are some pictures to prove we are actually working. Thought you'd enjoy! Please pardon the missing Brandon. I'll have to take a pic of him tomorrow instead. He was delighted with these phonics workbooks. He loves to color!
It's going really well so far. Teaching Brandon is like pulling teeth, but he does not win, so each fight is shorter. Sing, Spell, Read and Write is going very, very well. Math U See is going well, probably better than anything else would. He just is annoyed I won't let him progress. But if he can't explain it to me, then he doesn't understand it. Sometimes I wonder if that's because of his speech oddities, like there's a short circuit somewhere in the expressive language department. But we'll keep practicing, and he's making progress.
Today we did science together with another family, but I didn't get to take pictures. I kept getting distracted. We did an experiment with Bernoulli's Principle, which, strangely enough was covered both in our Webelos scout book and in the science book, which means two whole families killed two birds with one stone today! Hooray! It was great to have the kids try out their hypothesis and then squirt each other in the eye with straws when it turned out they were incorrect! :)
Grace and Brandon are working together on math and reading, and it seems to work out ok. Dominic really wants to be a big boy, so he keeps trying to do it all. This makes some things hard. Then again, he knows ALL his letters. He turned 2 in late May. Some friends got him a Leapfrog ABC toy that says the letters and sounds, and he plays with it all the time. Hooray! Smart kid.
Gabe is doing fifth grade Mother of Divine Grace this year, except that we do Singapore Math and Apologia Science so far. The history part is FASCINATING. I love it. I am learning lots myself! To think there are things about American History that are covered in little kid books that so many Americans don't know. I wish they cared to know. It's sooooo interesting and important in order to understand current events. Seriously. I'm so glad we get to learn it together.
Here are some pictures to prove we are actually working. Thought you'd enjoy! Please pardon the missing Brandon. I'll have to take a pic of him tomorrow instead. He was delighted with these phonics workbooks. He loves to color!
Friday, September 11, 2009
Good Ol' September
Well, September has hit, but it's going better than I thought it would. It is crazy, don't get me wrong. We have soccer and scouts, and sometimes that means that my poor, long-suffering husband goes to work at 5am and when he gets back at 4, has a break and then runs out the door to pick up soccer eldest child and take him to a scout meeting late because well, we can't quite bi-locate. But that's only til the end of soccer, and only twice or three times a month. However, the oldest child will have soccer games right up til a week before my due date. So if I get an early baby this time, well, won't that be exciting? :)
I've started grading for MODG again, and it's going quite well so far. I've graded the papers sent me so far, so that's also good. I'm not behind yet! The families seem nice. I even got one back from a previous year. I'm grading 10th grade ancient history and lit, and one 10th grade religion. I have 15 students. Some are very cool. I am especially excited to hear from one who will be attending the canonization of Fr. Damien from Hawaii, which will take place in October.
My brain has been very full lately. That's why I like lists so much. Politics still take up a lot of my brain, but I post here less because Facebook is so much easier. Besides, a lot of my Facebook friends are people who don't necessarily see things my way, and that leads to some really cool discussions online, and some mind-growing on both sides. I really see that as valuable time, because the news on tv makes things seem like something different than they are. I like to find out how people think, and why they think that way, rather than just saying "they're just stoopid" because we differ. Even if it's a non-negotiable to me, like abortion, I'd still rather have the discussion than be dismissive. Too many people are dismissive of myself and my ilk, and how am I to be judged then, if I won't listen to them, either? Two wrongs don't make a right. More discussion is always better.
So, I could go on and on, but I won't. I'm annoyed with the total relativism which is now called "telling the truth" on so many levels, it makes me want to cry. So my only commentary is "always read the fine print" and "trust no one without reading it yourself".
Too bad so much of it is pages and pages long.
Actually, you know what? I think politics and professional sports are almost the same thing now. Incredibly overpaid, disconnected from the "commoners", and not "real" in a real life sense. Both are made up worlds which have almost nothing to do with me or anyone I know! Isn't it weird how far it's gone?
The baby seems to be doing well inside. My husband reminded me that my pregnancy with Grace was WAY better than with either boy, and that is very true. So I guess it might really be a girl, because I'm really doing quite well. I have another OB appt. on Monday, so that's exciting.
Yesterday was Brandon's birthday. He was excited for a month in advance, which makes me realize where child abuse comes from. Sorry, that's probably too honest, but AAGHHH... when he anticipates something, every single habit I thought we'd broken comes back times 10. Yesterday we had two things for his birthday that made it better, neither of which I planned: his first Tiger den meeting, and also free (did I say free?) tickets to the Barnum and Bailey Circus. We were up til 10:30 pm and the night before was Rosary, so they are pretty tired kids today. Gabe took a nap, and he is nine. But Brandon and Grace didn't. Darn.
Now that his birthday has happened, and he's opened his presents, he is a new, much nicer kid. He homeschooled nicely this morning, and I'm encouraged by his interest level for reading and math. I'm not sure how much to rave about the programs yet, it being only week 2, but I'm very excited anyway.
Tomorrow is a birthday picnic party, and Brandon will be having fun at the park and his sister and her mom will come. I'm glad they always make it to our party, and it's so good to see them together. Also coming: Mariah!! Mariah was returned to her birthmom about three weeks ago, and we miss her, as does the family who cared for her for 2.5 years. We're excited that they still have enough contact to have her over for our party! We're also excited that her half brother is now free for adoption as of this week, and we can't wait for an adoption party!! So much news lately.
Oh, and thanks to the NikePlus iPod thingy and my husband's dedication after some bad cholesterol numbers last winter, we can proudly say that diet and especially exercise MATTER. His mom and dad both have heart problems, but while his dad gets exercise, his mom really doesn't. You simply have GOT to make lifestyle changes and stick to them, and that's what my wonderful man did. I do know that some people cannot beat it no matter what, for some reason, but I do want to share our success in order to show how worth it it is.
In January 2009, we started going to the gym and really working on taking care of ourselves. And then, right after the St. Patrick's Day run, I found out I was pregnant. Oh well, put that off mostly for another year. I have been trying to get out and walk a lot, though. I need to get to that gym I've been paying for.
Here are the stats for my wonderful husband:
April 09 September 09 Normal Range
LDL 207 LDL 131 3-130 mg/dL
HDL 37 HDL 31 less than 40 mg/dL
Total cholesterol: 305 218 150-240 mg/dL
Tryglyceride: 306 279 30-200 mg/dL
all of these are bad. all good except tri
This is such good news. I'd rather he never got on those horrible medications, because of the side affects, and we both believe the less chemicals in one's body the better, from psych meds to birth control. Hey, at least we're consistent.
So that's all the news right now!
I've started grading for MODG again, and it's going quite well so far. I've graded the papers sent me so far, so that's also good. I'm not behind yet! The families seem nice. I even got one back from a previous year. I'm grading 10th grade ancient history and lit, and one 10th grade religion. I have 15 students. Some are very cool. I am especially excited to hear from one who will be attending the canonization of Fr. Damien from Hawaii, which will take place in October.
My brain has been very full lately. That's why I like lists so much. Politics still take up a lot of my brain, but I post here less because Facebook is so much easier. Besides, a lot of my Facebook friends are people who don't necessarily see things my way, and that leads to some really cool discussions online, and some mind-growing on both sides. I really see that as valuable time, because the news on tv makes things seem like something different than they are. I like to find out how people think, and why they think that way, rather than just saying "they're just stoopid" because we differ. Even if it's a non-negotiable to me, like abortion, I'd still rather have the discussion than be dismissive. Too many people are dismissive of myself and my ilk, and how am I to be judged then, if I won't listen to them, either? Two wrongs don't make a right. More discussion is always better.
So, I could go on and on, but I won't. I'm annoyed with the total relativism which is now called "telling the truth" on so many levels, it makes me want to cry. So my only commentary is "always read the fine print" and "trust no one without reading it yourself".
Too bad so much of it is pages and pages long.
Actually, you know what? I think politics and professional sports are almost the same thing now. Incredibly overpaid, disconnected from the "commoners", and not "real" in a real life sense. Both are made up worlds which have almost nothing to do with me or anyone I know! Isn't it weird how far it's gone?
The baby seems to be doing well inside. My husband reminded me that my pregnancy with Grace was WAY better than with either boy, and that is very true. So I guess it might really be a girl, because I'm really doing quite well. I have another OB appt. on Monday, so that's exciting.
Yesterday was Brandon's birthday. He was excited for a month in advance, which makes me realize where child abuse comes from. Sorry, that's probably too honest, but AAGHHH... when he anticipates something, every single habit I thought we'd broken comes back times 10. Yesterday we had two things for his birthday that made it better, neither of which I planned: his first Tiger den meeting, and also free (did I say free?) tickets to the Barnum and Bailey Circus. We were up til 10:30 pm and the night before was Rosary, so they are pretty tired kids today. Gabe took a nap, and he is nine. But Brandon and Grace didn't. Darn.
Now that his birthday has happened, and he's opened his presents, he is a new, much nicer kid. He homeschooled nicely this morning, and I'm encouraged by his interest level for reading and math. I'm not sure how much to rave about the programs yet, it being only week 2, but I'm very excited anyway.
Tomorrow is a birthday picnic party, and Brandon will be having fun at the park and his sister and her mom will come. I'm glad they always make it to our party, and it's so good to see them together. Also coming: Mariah!! Mariah was returned to her birthmom about three weeks ago, and we miss her, as does the family who cared for her for 2.5 years. We're excited that they still have enough contact to have her over for our party! We're also excited that her half brother is now free for adoption as of this week, and we can't wait for an adoption party!! So much news lately.
Oh, and thanks to the NikePlus iPod thingy and my husband's dedication after some bad cholesterol numbers last winter, we can proudly say that diet and especially exercise MATTER. His mom and dad both have heart problems, but while his dad gets exercise, his mom really doesn't. You simply have GOT to make lifestyle changes and stick to them, and that's what my wonderful man did. I do know that some people cannot beat it no matter what, for some reason, but I do want to share our success in order to show how worth it it is.
In January 2009, we started going to the gym and really working on taking care of ourselves. And then, right after the St. Patrick's Day run, I found out I was pregnant. Oh well, put that off mostly for another year. I have been trying to get out and walk a lot, though. I need to get to that gym I've been paying for.
Here are the stats for my wonderful husband:
April 09 September 09 Normal Range
LDL 207 LDL 131 3-130 mg/dL
HDL 37 HDL 31 less than 40 mg/dL
Total cholesterol: 305 218 150-240 mg/dL
Tryglyceride: 306 279 30-200 mg/dL
all of these are bad. all good except tri
This is such good news. I'd rather he never got on those horrible medications, because of the side affects, and we both believe the less chemicals in one's body the better, from psych meds to birth control. Hey, at least we're consistent.
So that's all the news right now!
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Oh, to live next to Rikki-san!
Take a peek. No I cannot afford this. But I can dream. Too bad the pictures aren't clearer. It's right across the gulch, honey!! :)
http://www.johnlscott.com/propertydetail.aspx?GroupID=205476846&ListingID=300297948&Sort=0
http://www.johnlscott.com/propertydetail.aspx?GroupID=205476846&ListingID=300297948&Sort=0
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