Priority Leftovers

My dh has been cooking up a storm so our fridges are packed with turkey and BBQ leftovers.

Tonight the boys ordered pizza on special and had lots of leftover plus breadsticks, but we had no containers to store it in.

"What will we do?" ds looked a bit panicked when he could find no tupperware because of our abundant leftover situation.
"We need something...these are priority leftovers!"

lol (We used ziplock bags... whew!)

Lean But Not Mean!

Hey come check out this new blog where we are getting fit and trading stories and suggestions along the way! So far is is just Leonie and me, but if you want to join in, let me know and you can post, too!

Lean But Not Mean!

Animal Farm

All animals are equal. Some are just more equal than others.

I am always on the lookout for books for the boys, especially books on tape.

I had considered Animal Farm a couple years back, but sensed it was not time. I remember from high school that the book was a bit dark. But, this time I felt better about it, though I have not read it in 20 years.

B and S both listened to it on the car trip to my parents this Christmas. They liked it. I just finished it today. Very interesting.

It was written in England during Hitler's rise to power. The parallels are fascinating as he used a fable format of animals on a farm to describe fascism and the different personalities involved. The intro is excellent (by Wodehouse) and he explains that a good 'fairy story' does that- syntheses character traits into one simple personality.

We have also had fun thinking about what animals our dogs would be in the story.. Boomer would have to be a pig as he is chubby, greedy and smart enough to lead the other animals, and Ralphie would be a sheep. The sheep are not smart. I grew up on a friend's farm and I KNOW.. sheep are NOT smart.... but good followers.

It is neat, I thought tonight, how the right book comes along at the right time. The boys were ready for this one and know enough of the world to make the connections the author intended. Any younger and it would be scary... how an animal gets killed or is betrayed.. but at this age it is right.

And tonight with the news about Sadaam Hussian's execution. We are praying for him and his soul. The boys have watched his rise and fall. He is part of their experience and we see many parellels between how Napoleon the Pig rose to power and took over Animal Farm through intimidation, lies and strong-arm bodyguards... and Sadaam's rule.

Good Morning!

Hello everyone! No grumping today... :) Got some antibiotics in me and am turning the corner today as Dr. Nguyen said I would! The best thing about being sick is how good you feel when you are getting well.

Thank you to my friends for asking about me. :)

I thought I might post a bit about our upcoming weekend. I am on my dh's laptop so still have limited computer time. Maybe this is good? I have taken up knitting and actually will sit and knit and find it very relaxing. I am making a sweater for Ralphie, per B's request. Should be interesting.

Today we have tennis and are giving Rod (our pro) a gift basket full of goodies. The boys wanted to give him food as he is a bachelor and every time one of his kids brings any kind of food to practice, he wants some. So, we have food. Cheeses, pretzels, Gherrideli chocolate, homemade pumpkin bread (he told the guys his favorite combo at Starbucks is Pumpkin Loaf and coffee), smoked almonds, energy bars and some sparkling apple cider.

We got the idea for the cider when Spence dropped off her basket to us for St. Nick's Day.. it was wonderful!

Oh, also in the basket is a can of tennis balls and a GC to a local tennis shop. I think it may be a perfect gift because I know he does not make much money doing what he loves, and this is kinda like 'luxury groceries'. lol The boys wanted to get him a Tshirt that said FEED THE COACH. That would have been cute.

Rod has been such a blessing in our lives. He is perfect for my boys- motivates them, really teaches them the techniques of tennis, has a great sense of humor and we see glimpses of his life and life choices. Neat guy.

So, we have tennis today. Also I have a couple of errands to the grocery. S and I are going to talk about credits a bit to wrap up the year.

We have a dogsit customer starting today- our Great Dane and Lab. I got the portrait done of the Great Dane and will post if I can. I didn't get the others done so gave each 'client' a Christmas bag of bone doggy biscuits. :) We will sit the girls today through Sunday.

Saturday we will go to Vigil Mass and may have a visitor.. a guy from dh's past college days who is coming through Houston on the way to his hometown in Port Arthur. We hope he can stay overnight- he is so fun and was such a great host to us years ago when we went to California. I was pregnant with S.. that is how long ago it was!

I am going to make lasagna on Saturday to have Christmas Eve. I had heard of the idea of always having the same thing on Christmas Eve as a tradition. So, thought we would try that. I have my lasagna-making down pat (read easy!) and everyone loves it. So will make that.

We have dog sits all day Sat and Sun.. and also I have a haircut/highlight that I had cancelled this week... and we are going to try and get the tree up. And we leave early Christmas morning to go to my parents'. Oh and we invited Barbara and her dh over for lasagna- she is my friend who is joining the church.. very nice couple.

So, I hope I finish getting well and we all stay well. Well, what is meant to be is meant to be.

Oh, here is a happy thing. Yesterday I made homemade queso for the boys for the first time. It is simply Velveeta Cheese and Rotel tomatoes with green chile. You heat it up on the stove and mix together and dip tortilla chips in and eat. Yum.

The boys had a late night last night. I woke up after midnight, searching for water and they had this feast laid out. Gigantic midnight snack! They had made a fresh batch of queso and the kitchen was a disaster! Pots, pans, spoons, bowls. I was too tired to remind them to clean it up.

I got up this morning.. and the kitchen was sparkling! They had soaked the pans and bowls, rinsed things out, cleaned off the kitchen table..(not perfect, but not bad for teen boys!)

Nice... )

Hope you all have a wonderful day.. and this last weekend before Christmas.

When things don't go my way...

I got sick last weekend- headache, dizzy, weak. Put myself to bed as best I could with lots of Vitamin C and liquids. Shook it by Tuesday.

Thursday I did weight training and pulled a muscle.. REALLY bad. I was in pain for days, limping, could not sleep, could not get out of the car! Rested it as best I could. But Tuesday it was almost normal.

Tuesday I caught another, different cold! I have it now. I am miserable. Throat is on fire, headache, dripping nose... weak, no energy.

Dh is out of town.

The monitor on my computer broke. I have to mail it in to be repaired- estimate is 3 weeks. I can't even see what is in my computer to find email addresses. I have very limited access to this other computer, so may not be on much.

What is God telling me? Maybe nothing. Maybe just be the way things are. But I had a plan.... Advent plans,, plans to lose 10 pounds by Dec 31 (hard to do if I have not worked out in a week.. looks like that may extend to two..) had planned... baking, etc. Low key, but they were there. Also my side of the family is all excited because we are suppoosed to drive to my parents' Christmas day and meet my brother et al. What if my cold runs through the house? Do I make sick kids go? I will have major guilt if we don't go.

Reading Leonie's post here about failing. I am thinking... how much of it for me is planning my way and then stressing when things don't do my way?

I know my prayer life needs help, too. Why is it i am farthest from it when I need it most?

I talked to a friend yesterday who I had not touched base with in a while. Mostly I didn't call her b/c i have had a rough couple of weeks. Didn't want to whine. I found out she had a really bad time, too. It felt so GOOD to realize each other was going through this.. and make that connection. I think I will call her again today.

Leonie- thinking of you.. and I can relate so much. I will try to get over to your blog while I have this computer, too.

Hugs to all--- give yourself lots of love and space. That is what I am going to try and do. I feel much better just typing this out!

Deep Thinker?

Oh.... my poor, poor children. Could you imagine living with a mom like this?
Thanks for the link Maria! lol

Your Scholastic Strength Is Deep Thinking

You aren't afraid to delve head first into a difficult subject, with mastery as your goal. You are talented at adapting, motivating others, managing resources, and analyzing risk. You should major in: Philosophy Music Theology Art History Foreign language

What Should You Major In?

One More Civil War Connection

Well, now I am watching the DVD and doing the special features where Ken Burns (the filmaker) talks over part of the show to describe the process, etc.

Guess what I found out!?

The REASON he got interested in making this documentary about the Civil War is that he read the book.... The Killer Angels!

I had no idea!

We found the DVD first, and got hooked, then I posted on my local CM list about good Civil War books. My friend Joy told me about Killer Angels. So we read it.

So COOL that Ken Burns got his inspiration from the book we loved, particularly he was inspired by the story of Joshua Chamberlain the officer who was a professor from Maine.

I wish I could start all over with the DVDs. Now I want to do a Civil War trip. :)

Call From Vicksburg

My dh called on his cell phone yesterday as he is on a business trip.

He had just driven through Vickburg, the site of a major battle of the Civil War.

He just called to let us know!

You Have Your Dreams... I Have Mine!

Last night I dreamed that B and I were tromping around the countryside talking about the Battle of Gettysburg with Shelby Foote. He wrote The Civil War, A Narrative, which I am reading atm.

B is watching The Civil War by Ken Burns in which Mr. Foote is often seen telling stories about the war and people.

We had such fun exploring and talking! You have your dreams.....I have mine!

I am looking forward to today and the week!

Ah, Monday.

I realized that I am looking forward to today. Nothing special happening. In fact on the surface it looks pretty rough. Boxes are everywhere. There are a pile of groceries to be put away. I need to clothes shop for jeans with my 16yos. I have not yet showered and it is after noon.

But.. there is more beneath the surface...

1. The boxes are full of Christmas decorations that my dh and sons brought down from the attic last night. Today we get to sort through and this year will retire a few. And maybe we will get a few new things! And we will start decorating, complete with Christmas carols in the background.

2. Putting away groceries I have noticed how much healthier my ds are eating. This is on their own. And they both have started workout plans.

3. I have not showered b/c I did my work out this am and did my grocery shopping. This is good b/c a bad cold came on last Friday, but I pampered myself all weekend and shook it! And I got some drawing done and some LOTR read. Not bad!

4. I hear my youngest ds in the other room watching the Civil War DVD. After I finished Killer Angels (about the battle at Gettysburg) I re-watched that part on the DVD. Told him how cool it was to see it again, now he is watching it. And now dh is in there with him on his lunch break watching too, and talking about the Civil War. Father and son now have a new common interest. THAT's cool. :)

5. This week we get to do Advent/Christmas stuff. Address Christmas cards, do my drawings for my dogsit clients (got a good one finished of Sophie and Roxy is coming along!), have a new batch of audio books to preview from the library, am expecting my online purchases for the boys to start arriving...

6. Dh likes his job.. for the first time in a long time. Hallelujah! All of you who have had this with your husbands KNOW how important this is.

7. Are taking the boys' buddy out for lunch after tennis this week. I love hanging out with these guys.. they are so funny!

8. Have two dogsits with Jasper.... gotta love him.
So, onward to my day.

Thanking the Lord for all my blessings.
Hope you have a lot to look forward to this week, too.

Perfecto Timing!

Tonight I responded on our local Cm list about how composition cannot be taught. Charlotte Mason contended that if children read enough literature and have models for writing, they will learn to write. And they will write better if it is about their interests. (I will post the quotes at the end here.)

Anyway, I responded with a post about how that has been true here- that both my boys are proficient writers and I have seen all sorts of influence in their writing- L. M. Montgomery, JRR Tolkein, CS Lewis.. as well as Dave Barry and John Erickson of Hank the Cowdog.

Well, after I posted that my 16yos came into the kitchen and said-

"May we cast away our timer for the evening?"

What eloquent language! Really they wanted to play Vg without it.. sometimes this is necessary for an RPG or creative game... but they are out of free days for the week.

But, he proved my post's point! I heard shades of JRRT there, and he commented on that as well as he has been reading a lot of LOTR today.

So, with such a delivery of poignant eloquence, I of course said YES! :)

And, here are the quotes the friend on the list put up- Charlotte Mason on the subject of composition--

"Composition in Form I (A and B) is almost entirely oral and is so much associated with Bible history, English history, geography, natural history, that it hardly calls for a special place on the programme, where however it does appear as 'Tales.' In few things do certain teachers labour in vain more than in the careful and methodical way in which they teach composition to young children. The drill that these undergo in forming sentences is unnecessary and stultifying, as much so perhaps as such drill would be in the acts of mastication and deglutination. Teachers err out of their exceeding goodwill and generous zeal. They feel that they cannot do too much for children and attempt to do for them those things which they are richly endowed to do for themselves."

"... for all their work lends itself to oral composition and thepower of such composition is innate in children and is not the resultof instruction."

"...From their earliest days they should get the habit of reading literature which they should take hold of for themselves, much or little, in their own way. As the object of every writer is to explain himself in his own book the child and the author must be trusted together, without the intervention of the middle-man."

"But let me again say there must be no attempt to teach composition. Our failure as teachers is that we place too little dependence on the intellectual power of our scholars, and as they are modest little souls what the teacher kindly volunteers to do for them, they feel that they cannot do for themselves. But give them a fair field and no favour and they will describe their favourite scene from the play they have read, and much besides."

"...the point to be considered is that the subject be one on which, toquote again Jane Austen's expression, the imagination of the childrenhas been 'warmed.' They should be asked to write upon subjects whichhave interested them keenly."

"Forms V and VI. In these Forms some definite teaching in the art ofcomposition is advisable, but not too much, lest the young scholars besaddled with a stilted style which may encumber them for life. Perhapsthe method of a University tutor is the best that can be adopted;that is, a point or two might be taken up in a given compositionand suggestions or corrections made with little talk. Having beenbrought up so far upon stylists the pupils are almost certain to haveformed a good style; because they have been thrown into the society ofmany great minds, they will not make a servile copy of any one butwill shape an individual style out of the wealth of material theypossess; and because they have matter in abundance and of the bestthey will not write mere verbiage."

Unfolding In Their Own Time

I remember 3 years or so ago wondering if my introspective son would ever be comfortable talking in groups. This extrapolated to how he would do in the inevitable classroom. Like many I believed for years that for a child to be able to handle a college classroom, he needed 12 years of progressive practice in elementary and secondary classrooms.

I had been completely indoctrinated by public school and, honestly, by some homeschool camps that had you believe you had to teach your kids everything - knowledge and skills.

Slowly... I have learned that children grow in their own time and learn all sorts of skills with natural exposure to life... and a little steering-- with a light touch-- from mom.

These boys have taught me so much. And I am learning to really trust them-- watch them, learn about how they learn and operate, give them fuel/encouragement.. and TRUST them to grow and learn.

As my loyal blog-readers know, (all 6 of you... lol) --- we have been involved with a LOTR discussion group this fall. This was the idea of my boys. I just invited people and arranged it.

As you also may know, I can't seem to finish the books. My younger son especially is aghast that I would risk a spoiler- ruin any of this Book of Books! I have managed to attend the meetings and not hear a major one---- yet.

The meetings are going well-- and both my sons are participating and discussing wonderfully. Gosh, all those worries I had... Oh us moms.

Well, today, I saw this unfold another step. Over on my dear friend Maria's blog I read a LOTR spoiler. (BTW Maria- the boys told me it wasn't THAT big of a deal...)---
but I was a teeny bit upset. I realized I better get serious. Did I really want to read this book and enjoy all the plot twists, or did I not?

OK, I knew. Not for the kids, but for ME.. I had better read that book. And I am going to. But what about attending the meetings? How could I attend and manage the meetings and not hear spoilers?

Well, the boys assured me (again) they didn't need me there.

Who would run it? I asked.

They would.

What about Mrs. Y and Mrs. J? One or both will think she has to run it if I am not there.

Then tell them, they said.

I did. And they did. They ran it. When things got off topic, they got it back on. when conversation lagged, they read another question.

This may not seem like a big deal, but you know, this is one of the things I worried about a few years ago. I know we moms can't quit worrying, but sometimes it seems it is so easy to worry, but then when things unfold, we just accept them as a given, a blip on the screen , what should just be anyway and don't take time to appreciate it. We forget this is something that kept us up nights in the past.. and now it is just here- no big deal.

Well, all I can say is this:

It IS a big deal!!!

My boys are not special and I know your kids do things like this, too.. unfold.. and hopefully you are seeing and appreciating it. You know, I am going to really try and notice these things. And note the things I worried about.. and see when they unfold. Don't worry- I won't blog them all. Please don't even think I'm bragging. I'm not- there is nothing to brag about. These are just people growing up... in their time. As God intended. But it is so cool!

I know this did not just *happen* either.. that we moms do guide, make opportunities... organize things... bring in ideas/people/concept/conversations. This is not a NON-job..no way... on the contrary it is one of the most real jobs out there. I guess I am seeing that it is a gentle, maybe the word is 'subtle' job.

Learning does not boil down to a series of lessons, such as:
This is 10th grade so now we are going to study- "How to Lead Meetings."

No, this is more of life.. steps, most natural, some prescribed that lead these people in our charges to unfold. In their time.

Well, a cold is coming on, so maybe that is making me more philosophical. But I am going to savor these years and look at what is right. And a lot is right and I love my job.

And a question I asked myself tonight.. could I at age 13/16 have lead a discussion group of teens and adults? Humm....

Star Wars Rip Off?

I saw this story up on Word, currently being written by my 13yos.

For those who have seen the scene in Star Wars A New Hope, with Han Solo in the bar with Obi Wan and Luke, this may seem a bit familiar? I thought it was a nice example of writing being inspired by movies, etc.

I asked my son if I could cut and paste some in my blog. Why? He asked. Because I thought it was nice it was modeled after Star Wars. No, he said, it was ripped off of Star Wars!

Whatever. Mom will take what she gets.
And this author does his research.. found this page
this pagein the tray. :)

Here it is- ah... I can just hear the edge in Han, I mean Runner's voice... :)

“I’m looking for employment with the Separatists.” replied Runner. The Muun’s eyebrows rose.
“A bounty hunter?” he asked, eyeing Runner carefully.
“Yeah, and I’ve got some info as well… but it’s not without a price.” Runner waited for the Muun’s reply, hoping it would be positive.
“How much would this information cost the Banking Clan?”
“Would that be packaged with my services?”
“Yes.”
“10,000. All in advance.” The Muun didn’t even flinch. Runner wondered if it was a good sign.
“Are you aware… we could buy a whole ship with that?” asked the Muun, as cool as ever.
“Perfectly aware.” said Runner, wondering if the Muun would ever give him an answer.
“Very well. Out with it.” The Muun leaned forward, waiting for Runner’s information.

Killer Angels

I am sad I had to finish this book.

The Killer Angels written by Michael Sharra, read by George Hearn. The reader did an awesome job!

Oh, I do love history now. Killer Angels is a personal look at the Gettysburg battle in the US Civil War.

The author spent seven years researching it. It began as trip with his family, with thousands of other tourists that year, to the battlefield at Gettysburg. But something intrigued him. So he took off on a rabbit trail. No publisher, no advance, just his own desire to learn as much as he could.

He took his 17yos and had him dig through bushes and brambles to find plaques set there by historical societies. The son also had the job to write down all the names on each plaque, which Sharra took back to his home university library and through interlibrary loan read mounds of historical documents.

The result is a book that tracks some of the major (and minor participants) in the epic battle. I felt I knew Robert E Lee, General James Longstreet and Col. Chamberlain. Why did they fight? How did the handle the stress and dying? What was the real cause of the war?

The end of this audio book has a bonus.. an interview with the son about the book and his father- how he wrote and researched it. His dad unfortnately died early at age 59 in the 1980s.

Now B is listening to it and we are both hooked. It was funny, B got stuck in the beginning as did I.. but I kept going. And my enthusiam must have kept him going because now he has had the tape player attached to his body for most of the last 2 days. He is almost at the end. Nice to have this to share, too.

I love history- I love the people, the relationships and how life repeats itself. The thoughts these men had (or Sharra inferred they had) were not that different from thought we have today.

History is people.

My Catholic Momma Friends

Great new pic of my SA Sisters at their blog...
here! S- is gonna have the baby soon!!

St. Nick Found Us (or You Can Start New Traditions Even if Your Kids are Teenagers)

Ok, last night at dinner I read from our Pope John Paul II book on Advent. Oh, this was such a find! I highly recommend it.

Afterwards, I pulled out the bits I had found about St. Nick. A brief summary on who he was, how the tradition of gold coins has fully morphed into Santa Clause and what the do in other countries for gifts and traditions, etc.

Then, after dinner, I asked each of my men for a shoe.

Silence. I could tell my 13yos wanted to roll his eyes, but we don't do that in here except in fun, so he didn't.

Relunctantly they each got a shoe for me, knowing this was one of 'Mom's' things. I just smiled and laid the shoes out.

My 16yos then said he didn't think he wanted to eat anything that had been in his shoe. Oh, this is so them! lol

Well.. last night St. Nick came! He brought milk chocolate gold coins for everyone and even some Gherrideli dark chocolate for Dad and some other Gherredeli chocolate for the rest of us.

Smiles this morning!

(and on top of this, my friend Spence's 19yos delieved a St. Nick basket to us today! It was beautiful, full of apple cider, wine glasses, a candle and more chocolate.. What a fun, special day!)

Gentle Math

Math has never been easy for my ds.

I tried it all. I won't name it all- you name it, I have tried it.

So, the past 2-3 years I have backed off. I still would try things, like living math, literature, puzzles, games, etc. He picked up a lot from his gaming and life. But the computation just gets him. And the curriculum just overwhelms him, even when his attitude is great.

So now that he is older (16) we do more chatting. About what math is. Why or why not it is important. What he might want to do when he grows up (writing is top of the list), what doors math might open. (test scores, etc)

He found a CD curriculum he likes. (least of all evils)

I asked him if he would like help structuring his time. He said yes.

This is like Me, parent, is helping him. But it is such a give and take. I can definitely see the needs he can't but is like I am helping him come to those conclusions on his own. It is gentle.

Before he would work on his own. He wanted to do it alone. I offered to be nearby, as we decided he was getting stuck and frustrated. So, I did yesterday.

I sat and we did the problems together. Together we decided when he could skip ahead. I think he enjoyed it, as much as he can enjoy math.


But the biggest change was in me. This was literally the FIRST time I sat and realized he is where he should be. I didn't have this hidden desire to push him to do more. Or worry that he was 'behind'. We were just where we were. Where we should be. Sharing the moment. Watching him unfold.

It was gentle. I see that there is a real art to 'teaching.' Maybe the great teachers have this and can do it with a classroomful. I really enjoyed it. There was no pressure to meet a certain level. I was just watching him learn.

You Know You Have Been Married a Long Time When...

Your husband calls you on his cell phone from the grocery story because he can't read his handwriting and needs your help.