Technology and civility

I was listening to Leo Laporte (http://leoville.com/) this last weekend.  The one thing I remember him talking about was his surprise at receiving a letter from a fan of the show.  Not only was it handwritten, it was written in cursive.

Leo wondered if there was a need for cursive anymore.  He didn't ask if there was a need for handwritten notes anymore, but it would be the next logical place to go.  I will admit that it is much easier to pick up the phone to call or text, or to send an email of thanks, to announce something, invite, or just say a simple hello.

But, I have been thinking about the loss of something that I don't know if enough people are noticing. 

I have seen my dad's birth certificate.  He was born in 1937 and the certificate looked like it was handwritten calligraphy.  The birth certificates of my children, my husband and myself are just typed out forms.  I receive Christmas cards via email.  They just aren't the same.  I love having the cards hanging up on my wall during Advent and Christmas for the whole family to enjoy and read. 

I think about the letters that I have from my grandmother, who died over 10 years ago.  I cherish the letters that I have from her.  I love re-reading them.  My husband was was in the Army for much of our engagement.  I remember how I lived for those letters.  During basic training we were only able to talk on the phone on Sundays.  I have them all put away in a special box. 

Don't get me wrong.  Voicemail and Skype and the rest of technology have their place.  I have a voicemail from my dad, who died five years ago this month.  He calls me every three weeks.  I love hearing his voice.  I wish that I had been able to Skype with my husband when he was in basic training and later in the First Gulf War. 

But, if we can't take the time to write a simple note, what does that say about us as a society? 

Download and Go Rollercoaster Unit Study

http://fruitofhands.blogspot.com/2010/08/download-n-go-roller-coasters.html

She has the opportunity to win a Download and Go unit study on Roller Coasters.  It looks like a fun one.  Check it out!

The Simple Woman

FOR TODAY July 13, 2010

Outside my window...there is a breeze going through the sycamore trees.

I am thinking...about how I am going to get to the funeral on Thursday.

I am thankful for...friends, cyber and in real life ones.

From the learning rooms...things are quiet for  now.

From the kitchen...I think the light is on, but no one is in there.

I am wearing...my purple shirt and white floral skirt. Nice and cool for a summer day.

I am creating...travel plans for Thursday

I am going...to King City on Thursday.

I am reading...The Scarlet and The Black

I am hoping...that the running around this afternoon flows well.

I am hearing...one of the kids making a table wobble.

Around the house...it is time to straighten up a little.

One of my favorite things...summer birthday parties.

A few plans for the rest of the week: piano lessons, dance classes, funeral, cleaning the studio.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

This was taken at my nephew's graduation.  The young lady on the left is my oldest daughter.  The one on the right is my second daughter.  The one in the middle is my niece.


The Simple Woman is a wonderful and simple way to journal.  Check her out at:
http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/  You can also meet other women who are taking time out of their week to journal as well.

Remember what to ask for

As a homeschooling mom I hear, "I don't have the patience to homeschool." My reply is usually that patience isn't required but that asking for the grace to homeschool and then to be open to that grace is what is key.

But, reading an email today reminded me that I should also be more specific in what I ask for. In other areas of my life, I am more specific in what I ask for during prayer.

Specifically the topic of the email was about slow readers. What was the first thing it listed to do? Take it to God. Wow, fail on my part. I pray for my children. I ask that God lead me to help them in what they need in their daily life. Why haven't I remembered to say, "Lord, please help #5 with her reading?" That is specific.

http://heartofthematteronline.com/helping-your-slow-reader?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+heartofthematteronline%2FYoZh+%28Heart+of+the+Matter%29&utm_content=Yahoo!+Mail

The Simple Woman

FOR TODAY July 7, 2010

Outside my window...there are a lot of teenagers in the pool. They are taking a dip after hiking in the riverbed.

I am thinking...I would really like to go on a retreat.

I am thankful for...my husband.

From the learning rooms...all is quiet.

From the kitchen...all is quiet.

I am wearing...peasant shirt, denim shorts.

I am creating...a information file for Ford Excursions.

I am going...to the Family conference Sunday

I am reading...The Bride.

I am hoping...the mayhem stays outside.

I am hearing...the six year old tattle on Jesse because he tore the noodle into shreds.

Around the house...things are quiet because the mayhem is outside. :)

One of my favorite things...my online friends.

A few plans for the rest of the week:shopping, birthday parties, Family Conference

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

These are actually two of my husband's favorite things. :) The truck is actually simple. It is a 1969 Chevy C10. Definitely not as complicated as what the Suburban's engine looks like.


Please take a look at the original Simple Woman...http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Summer Devotion Challenge

A homeschool support group that I am a part of is having a devotional challenge. It starts July 1st so get your Bible and start reading it for at least 5 minutes tomorrow. Memorize a verse per week.




http://www.thehomeschoollounge.com/forum/topics/summer-devotions-challenge?groupUrl=Biblestudy&id=1983515%3ATopic%3A2076465&groupId=1983515%3AGroup%3A1469420&page=8#comments

The Simple Woman

FOR TODAY June 22, 2010

Outside my window...The air is still.

I am thinking...that we need to plan something for our anniversary on Friday.

I am thankful for...My niece Jasmine. It is her 17th birthday today. :)

From the learning rooms...all is quiet because the kids are at VBS.

From the kitchen...all is quiet.

I am wearing...a summer shirt, denim skort, and metallic flip flops.

I am creating...a list of things I need to pick up for the 4H barbecue tomorrow.

I am going...back to the church because my daughter needs ibuprofen for her knee that she injured last night at dance.

I am reading...magazines. No books sound interesting to me right now. I don't
know what is wrong with me. Wait, I am reading Ozma of Oz to the Littles.

I am hoping...that it doesn't take too long to finish up the laundry. HA!

I am hearing...the dryer.

Around the house...all is quiet.

One of my favorite things...A Black and Tan sundae at Leatherby's Family Creamery
in Sacramento.

A few plans for the rest of the week: various family birthdays and anniversaries and a 4H barbecue

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...this is my niece (on the left) and my daughter #2 at Leatherby's Family Creamery in Sacramento two weekends ago. We were in town for Becky's brother's graduation from high school. It just isn't a trip to Sacramento if we don't get a visit in to Leatherby's.

Vacation Bible School Time

This year, all the kids who are still at home are at VBS. I don't quite know what do to with myself.

I homeschool. My children are usually with me most of the time. I try not to go grocery shopping with them.

I am cleaning. I don't have to stop and intervene in a fight. I don't have to put a bandage on a boo-boo. I don't have to clean up a spilled cup.

While I miss them, this "extra time" is great this week. We are having a 4-H end of year barbecue here tomorrow. I can do a little extra cleaning that usually gets overlooked.

So, as another Nicey says is fond of saying, I am going to get to getting.

Birthday party tonight

We are putting the finishing touches on food and decorations for our third daughter's 10th birthday party.

Disco is the theme. We had a great time shopping for decorations yesterday. We found some throw back candy. We even have a channel on the tv that is a disco channel. We are set.

So, after they swim this evening, and enjoy hot dogs and roast marshmallows, the disco will start.

I wonder how late they will be staying up?

She is at it again. :)

Keeper of the Home is at it again. This time she has an Excalibur Dehydrator. She has a great site full of information for living simple and natrually.

http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2010/06/1000th-post-party-giveaway-deluxe-excalibur-3900-9-tray-dehydrator-220-value.html

Keeper of the Home

Keeper of the Home is having an awesome giveaway.

http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2010/06/1000th-post-party-giveaway-5-homestead-blessings-videos-and-25-gift-certificate-from-fbs-books.html

She has a lovely site. I suggest you take a look at it.


There is also a new blog...http://savingnaturally.com/#public

The Night before Advent starts

Actually, I only have six minutes until the start of Advent. :)

I love this time of year. I love preparing my home and myself to celebrate the birth of our Savior.

My darling husband said to me on Thanksgiving night after we had dinner, but before dessert, "Let's put the Christmas tree up tomorrow." You could have pushed me off the sofa. I grew up not putting the tree up until about half way through December. I should ask my mom why. It could be because a live tree would never last from the beginning of Advent until after Christmas.

We will be putting up our artificial tree this year. We are trying to watch how much we spend. And, with an artificial tree, I can have it up from the first day of Advent until the feast of the Epiphany (Jan 6th, Twelveth Night). Sometimes I even wait until we celebrate the Baptism of our Lord (second Sunday of Jan).

A friend of mine put it to me this way, "I want to get as much Christmas as I can." I think that is a fabulous way to put it. Thanks Lisa.

40 Days for Life

Today is the start of 40 Days for Life. http://www.40daysforlife.com/splash.cfm

The last day will be All Saints Day. It is a rather fitting day.

Please remember to pray for the victims of abortion, the babies, mommies and the daddies.

Homeschool Open house

We homeschool. Two words, but it says so much.

I have been married to a great guy for just over 21 years. We have six children: five girls ages 19, 15, 9, 8, and 6; and one little guy who is four.

We homeschooled our 15 year old daughter when she was in fifth grade. She went back to school in the sixth grade. Our three youngest girls have always been at home. Their big sister came home last year.

We use a classical cirriculum. Well, at least this year we do. We are enjoying the switch. We are not doing it on our own, we are enrolled with Mother of Divine Grace.

Officially our school room is the office. However, most days you can find us at the table doing our schooling.

We have a general schedule for the day, but it seems like it always subject to change. We start out with math and faith. I start with the 8 and 9 year olds. I am usually able to go back and forth with the two of them pretty easily. I school the 6 year old by herself. It works out well.

I do have two things that I just haven't figured out yet. What should I do with the four year old when I am schooling. He likes to color at the table with us, but he has two volumes, loud and sleeping. LOL And, our six year old may or may not be motivated to do schooling.

href="http://thehomeschoollounge.com/">

The Simple Woman

FOR TODAY August 31, 2099...

Outside my window...it is smokey and raining ash. There is an extremely large
(85,000 acres was the official count two hours ago) in the Los Angeles area. We are on the north side of the mountains that are burning and the smoke has made it to Nevada already.

I am thinking...that the pasta salad I made for lunch is going to be yummy.

I am thankful for...that my brother in law only has an infection and not diverticulosis.

From the learning rooms...today is a family day. We might do a little math and science later. Definately will be doing some faith sharing/learning.

From the kitchen...things are quiet. Just waiting for my hubby to come in so we can dig into above mentioned pasta salad.

I am wearing...my pink t-shirt and my blue skirt.

I am creating...backstage directions for the recital.

I am going...to help some friends move on Monday.

I am reading...Down to the Bonny Glen.

I am hoping...that my oldest daughter is able to find a job.

I am hearing...the kids playing nicely together and my D practicing her piano lessons.

Around the house...things are quiet.

One of my favorite things...a nice clean studio.

A few plans for the rest of the week:dance classes for the kids, piano lessons, moving, maybe painting a room, homeschool.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...This is a photo of my mom pinning a corsage on her youngest sister at her oldest daughter's wedding. I got a little teary eyed while I was watching this. I couldn't help but think that it should have been my grandmother taking care of that. She died 7.5 years ago. But, my auntie was so sweet. She said it was great to have her godmother do the honors.

Uppercase Living Give Away

Darcy at http://www.my3boybarians.com is offering a chance to win $35 towards a purchase at Uppercase Living.

Here is the link to the thread. http://www.my3boybarians.com/2009/08/give-away-even-i-can-look-crafty/comment-page-3/#comment-7021

She has a link to the catalog. Lots of neat stuff.

The Simple Woman

FOR TODAY August 23, 2009

Outside my window...I am actually outside on my back patio. I can see my little guy playing wiht a pool noodle.

I am thinking...that summer is coming to an end.

I am thankful for...our pool.

From the learning rooms...is coming along. I have a vision for what I would like it to look like.

From the kitchen...it is quiet. Dinner is marinading. Dishes are done for now.

I am wearing...skirt with a brown -shirt with kanji on it.

I am creating...a Simple Woman blogspot, something I haven't done in quiet a while and I have missed doing.

I am going...grocery and other supply shopping tonight.

I am reading...school syllabi.

I am hoping...that

I am hearing...Daughters #3 and 5 playing in the pool.

Around the house...the school books are put away. Some furniture has been moved around.

One of my favorite things...flip flops.

A few plans for the rest of the week: school, first 4H meeting of the new school year, dance rehersals.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

A Perfect Mess

ABCmomof3 has an opportunity to win a copy of A Perfect Mess at her blog, The Ladybug Chronicles.

I love what she has to say about the book. She even has an interview with the author at her site.

http://ladybug-chronicles.blogspot.com/2009/07/perfect-mess-by-lisa-harper-blog-tour.html

Small Successes

1. We have been running back and forth to the county fair this week. It is my second daughter's first time showing a pig through 4H. We enjoyed the fair Monday for kid's day, with all four of the youngest getting in for free.

2. I haven't forgotten to get my daughter to the fair at any time this week.

3. I have managed to get up at 6:30am every day this week. At least, so far I have. I still have tomorrow. :)

Thoughts from Mother's Day

Yesterday, our pastor led the congregation in a lovely prayer for the mothers who were at Mass. I can't tell you what his words were, but I can tell you what I was thinking about when I was being prayed over.

My six children and my husband had their hands on me while we were praying. My children were on my left side and my husband on my right. It was funny because some of the younger ones were kind of pushing on me. My husband was keeping me steady. I don't even know if he realized it.

But, as a married couple and parents, that is how it is. Not that the kids push me over, but rather that my husband is there to steady me, support me.

It was a nice thought to have on Mother's day.