Feeling Terribly Inadequate

So lately I've been feeling terribly inadequate at most of my life. And yes, I know this is all feeling based and may not reflect accurately how things are. But feelings sometimes are indicative of a need for something to change.

1. Lousy as a housekeeper. Like I'm just never doing enough. I"ll admit I'm not the world's best housekeeper but lately I've been just thinking I'm scum compared to everyone else.

2. Lousy as a homeschooling mother. Not organized enough, not enough room, not teaching enough, not well... doing much of anything right. having my "moments" but just inadequate.

3. Lousy as a rabbit raiser. Having bunnies die due to seasonal changes and feed, and ah....just very dumpy.

4. Lousy as a wife. Ignoring my hubby at night as I try to figure out what I want to do with this that or the other thing. Just content to let him do his thing.

5. Lousy as a income maker. Quit my job, and yes I know that's a good thing, but at the same time means I'm not making money to pay off bills and do this that or the other thing.

My goodness.... I look at this list and I'm realizing that I do feel rather lousy about much of my life. I think perhaps I need to get some perspective.

Did you know that one of my favourite passages in the bible is

1 Peter 2:9-10 (New International Version, ©2010)

⁹ But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. ¹⁰ Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

This is who I really am. I do need to remember this. By the way hun, should I ever die, THIS is what I want the preacher to talk on. This passage and what it means to me and what it should mean to other folks. Because THIS passage God always calls me back to. :)

God has called me to so much more than what I feel I am. He's declared me to be something bigger.

Think perhaps I need to figure out how to live more like that eh?

Yes, I can make some changes in my life that encourage me to think differently and not be so doldrum (did I spell that correctly?) about my life. Hmm... Now to figure out how to do this.

Slow day, good day

Today was a good day overall.

Started off SLOW. I got up late, which meant I did the bunnies late, which meant that everything was held up.

First thing I heard out of Justin's mouth this morning "daddy! Can I play angry birds? DADDY!" he played it while I was out with the bunnies, he played it while I folded laundry, and then I played it. Before we knew it, it was 1100 a.m.

Time to do some schooling, so we did. :)

After all that we went shopping. I had a cheque to deposit so I took care of that and then bought some groceries. Watched a movie with the lad "the spy that lived next door" it's a jackie chan movie and it's fairly decent.

Put the lad to bed. Read three books and told one story before bedtime.

The books were
Dewey: there's a cat in the library




Dewey's Christmas at the library


and a houseful of Christmas



Then I had six rabbits to butcher, three for one order, one for me, and two for a different order. All were growers that stalled on me. Got to 3.4 pounds and said NOPE, not growing any more. I said no sense throwing feed at you if you aren't going to grow. Turned out for the best as I needed the cage space and the smallest of the bunch turned into "I"M GOING TO KILL YOU ALL!" Nasty little thing. Had everyone terrorized. Nice with me, just not nice with his brothers.

Got some work done on the computer and now it is time for me to go to bed.

Cheers! :)

Santa - teaching of him or not

I was reading a blog post this morning about a lady who deliberately taught her children to believe in Santa, partially because she never had the chance to as a child. She watched as her older child struggled with deciding if Santa was real or not, and then made him promise not to tell the truth to his younger siblings. And it bothered her that he knew the truth!

Why would it bother a person that their child KNOWS the truth???

I was never taught about Santa as a child. My mom said "why would I want to lie to you?"

The remains my stance. Why would I want to deliberately lie to my child about the existence of something? Why would I want to set him up to wonder what else I might have lied to him about?

I remember my co-workers being shocked that I didn't teach our son about Santa. "But it's just some harmless fun"! They would say, my response to them then was the same as it is today "it's not harmless fun to lie to your child".

I've talked with our lad about Santa, explaining how some people think that it is fun to believe that Santa brings presents. I've explained how it's funner to really give presents ourselves, trying to guess what someone else might like, and being able to surprise them with a gift that they will truly like and enjoy and possibly even need. Funner than pretending that some fat person who doesn't even really know us gave us a present. Isn't it fun to know that someone who really loves you wants to give you something? Just like God REALLY loved us and he loved us in such a way that he let his son die for us?

People talk about letting their child enjoy the magic of Christmas, and therefore teach them about Santa. I don't get this, don't know that I ever will 'get it'.

Would it not be better, as Christians, that we talk more of the wonder of the season?

GOD sent himself down to earth, as his son, in the form of a baby. A baby with all it's frailties and weaknesses. A baby that would grow up knowing the he would die for us, to bring us back to God.

To me that wonder surpasses any "magic" that a pretend person can bring. I want my boy to see the wonder of Christmas more than the magic of Santa.

hmmm.. today...blustery snow

Had to see Justin's ENT specialist.
had about 20 minutes of decent driving...then had 30 minutes or so of scary driving. We got on the news! :) Our van drove past the channel A news team just as they were filming. :)

ENT said... excellent hearing. One ear is good, the other ear has the tube out of it now just a matter of seeing if it heals up okay. Follow up appointment in six months. If doesn't heal by the time he is 10ish he'll have surgery to repair it.

Then home....went over London. Trip home was easier but not great.

we mucked around in the afternoon just resting from all that driving stress... justin played in the backyard while I took care of the rabbits and packed up two for a trip to get a Christmas tree in London. Trip there went great. No issues at all. Sold BOTH bunnies. :) Had supper at Boston Pizza, got our tree and then headed home. left at 830, arrived home 1000 p.m. Normally takes us 40 minutes. That last 10 k were a driving nightmare. Justin got well scared. I was tense. Jim was quiet and very focused. We got home okay.

It was interesting. Justin was still very tense when we got in the house. His whole body language was tight. He put on some music and within a minute you could just see him go "whoo". And the stress was ALL gone.
"How are you doing buddy"? I asked?
"Oh.. I'm not scared mommy. I'm home and the house doesn't drive". :)

I hugged him and said okay...Time for bed. :) That lad makes me smile you know.

Bethleham Walk

Tonight we went to the Exeter CRC to take part in something called "Bethleham Walk".

I have to say...it was well done.
Justin was intrigued.
Jim enjoyed it.

The teens apparently did the decorating without Adult supervision.
They did a good job.

Justin wanted to go through it a second time, and we did the first couple of rooms again and then I said you know what buddy...we really have to go home as we've a busy day tomorrow.

So off we went, got him into bed. I made some rice krispie squares and puffed wheat squares and eventually made it to bed.

Tomorrow...OPEN HOUSE, 2-4, 7-9, hopefully people will show up. If not... we'll have a quiet afternoon with tons of goodies to use up. :)

Well...Christmas Cards are mostly sent

Yesterday I was feeling restless at bed time so I figured I'd might as well get the Christmas cards done. and yes....I do a Christmas letter. :)

Other than USA and Foreign, most are sent. I've three or four I'm awaiting confirmation on addresses before I send them.

For most of those who live within a two hour drive I also included an invitation to our mostly Annual Open House. It's held on December 11 this year from 2-4, 7-9. hopefully folks will show up.

Today Justin and I are going to finish up the trains unit study/lap book that we started yesterday. We are going to play in the snow, do some shopping, go to the library and volunteer with the local bureau for donating Christmas gifts to the needy. Makes one wonder.... do people REALLY need gifts? Gifts are fun, but I don't classify them as a need they are more of a want (as in I want to bring a smile to the face of a child who otherwise might not smile). But being a helpful servant of the Lord...this is a needful thing.. so Justin and I will go and help.

IF we have time today we'll make some Christmas rice krispy squares, and possibly some puffed wheat or cheerio squares as well. I am hopeful that tomorrow we can make it out to London. But might have to wait until Thursday when we're going out there anyways. :) We'll be taking Justin to see a school production of the nutcracker. Hopefully it will be done well. Costs us less than $20 as a family so makes it worthwhile to me.

Think that's all I got today. Cheers!

Milo and Townie

Two of the boys' pets. :)

Interesting House

I saw this and thought.... imagine the comments if you could bring this camping. :)

Pirouline Cookies

wow... I am totally impressed. on TUESDAY I emailed. www.pirouline.com about 2 bags missing from a can of cookies we bought. I expected it would take 6-8 weeks to get a replacement can. TODAY we got a brand new can with four bags in it as a replacement. HOW is that for service! Totally impressed.

Just totally impressed with the customer service of this company.

Only one problem with this speedy service....I have a whole can of cookies...my favourite-tist cookies...and they are sitting right beside me at the desk....

This is the write up from their site on the cookies that I love:

All Natural Made in the USA Certified Kosher Toasted, not baked

Our recipes have taken years of hard work to perfect and are made from only all natural ingredients.

Rolled Wafers

What’s the difference between bread and toast? A whole lot of flavor! One secret to the deliciousness of Pirouline is our unique, proprietary process which slowly toasts each rolled wafer to perfection. Check out the footage from the FOOD NETWORK’s hit television show UNWRAPPED to see for yourself!

Piroulines, with the trademark swirl, are filled with a decedent all natural chocolate cream made from the finest cocoa. Now available in Chocolate Hazelnut and Dark Chocolate, give them a swirl here!

Library Books to Return - November 17

Yes, this is an identical post to the one at my homeschool blog, but I like sharing the books the lad and I read together and this way I can make sure that all my readers can see them. :)

Fox walked alone

what an excellent book. The lad enjoyed this one so much he almost has it completely memorized. it's a noah's ark story.

Scaredy Squirrel

This book was just a fun read about a very silly squirrel. Generated questions of "why does he wash his hands?" "why is he scared so that?"

There's a cow under my bed!

Another silly book that had the boy looking serious and sucking his thumb. Not a lot of comments made, but lots of intense listening.

A Pioneer Thanksgiving.

I got this book out for the craft and game ideas, never did get around to it as it's been a busy three weeks, complete with a cold. Some good stuff in it though, also read one story to the lad which kept him curious and interested.

Wake Up Henry Rooster!

Another just fun read. An easy to read story about a fun loving rooster, inspired lots of crowing by the lad at night when we read it.

Miko, It was me, Mom!

a good read, entertaining. Inspired questions. Talked about burglars, and why some things are bad and other things are right.

Nobody's Nosier than a cat

We have had this book out so many times. A favourite of my cat-loving lad. it's a fun read, you get to watch a cat chase a mouse throughout the book. The lad has it 90% memorized and KNOWS when I miss a page.

A dog for a friend

Requested twice to read by the lad, this book is a quieter book with a surprise in it. Caused a "huh?" from the lad. It's a longer read so not one I chose as a bed time story, more of a day time story book which is when I chose to read it.

Clara and the bossy

The lad surprised me with this one, he chose it several times to read as a night time story. it's a good read about friendships and being yourself.

Camels Always Do.

This is a true stories about camels in Canada. I found it quite interesting, the lad less so. "I don't like camels Mommy" he told me with all seriousness.

Spark the firefighter

Would YOU think of a dragon being a firefighter? I wouldn't. Read the book to find out why. :)

Two Dogs Swimming

This is a make me smile book. Caused the lad to pose questions as well. It's a decent read about two best friend dogs with one small problem.

Speeding up One's Metabolism

E-diets sends me information that I look over. Today's thing on metabolism interested me.

My recommendation:

1. You must be in a slight caloric deficit to lose body fat. You also have to consume enough food to provide energy for your workouts, but again the calories must be just low enough (not too low) to produce fat loss. Unused calories are turned to fat, regardless if they’re from protein, carbohydrate or fat.

2. I recommend that your favorite foods be built into the plan so you stick with it as a lifestyle — but they must be nutritious foods.

3. Your metabolism requires 5-6 smaller meals and snacks through the day to help you to lose body fat.

4. Increase your water intake. Muscles and other tissues are made of approximately 80-percent water. If you limit your water intake, the body will retain water and make you feel bloated. ....Staying hydrated will release some excess water trapped in the body and most likely reduce your weight by a few pounds.

5. Perform cardio interval training – Along with your weight-training workouts, I recommend interval training. Interval training is simply performing short bursts of high-intensity exercise combined with more moderate intensity within the same workout. Studies have shown people who perform interval training twice a week (in addition to two other days of lower-intensity cardio) lose twice as much weight as those who do just a moderate cardio workout. .... Your body will be working harder and will beforced to burn more calories. Try to get two additional days during the week of lower-intensity cardio as well.

6. Breakfast is a must. If time constraint at this time of day is an issue then I recommend a protein shake with some fruit. This will be quick to prepare and easy to consume.

Home from the Royal

So. we're home from the Royal, arrived late-ish last night.
Got the boy to bed at 1030.

Today was gymnastics and our regular day out in London.

Got the lad to bed in good time to give him time to rest and hopefully catch up on some shut eye. :)

Sorted through bags that we got at the Royal, seemed like everyone was giving out reusable bags.
The lad got TONS of notepads and pens of his own, he was VERY happy about that. :)

One of the things I like about the Royal is that with the goodies you get from various booths, you can often "win back" one person's entry into the fair. We got about 10 bags, about 10 lbs of potatoes, and four or five tubs of margarine....that's one entry into the fair. :)

We saw cattle, sheep, goats, chickens, horses, and some display pigs. :)
We visited lots of booths.
The Lad had fun playing in the canola seeds, and partaking in some of the children's activities. I have to admit, they weren't as good this year so that was a bit of sadness.
We entered a fair number of draws which is always fun...hoping that one wins! :)

I picked up a few resources I can use for homeschooling, some I'll do and some I'll pass on. Always a matter of choice.

We went to the Royal on Tuesday and Saturday, Wednesday we went out for dinner and a movie with Don and Deborah. We saw Megamind, the lad was riveted. It was a good time out.

Thursday we more or less just bummed around, made dinner for Don and Deb.

Friday we went to Hamilton to visit with my sister and her youngest daughter before they headed back home out west. Should mention that we also went to the RCA, Ontario Classis, Minister's Dinner. The food was great, did wish though that we had sat at a different table....but the food was good and Art's daughter put on a rather interesting lighted ball display.

Sunday we attended morning service, had a delightful dinner with extended family. When Don lay down to rest after preaching our boy had a good time taking care of him. Keeping him all snuggled with his stuffies and playing music for him and telling stories. It was fun to watch and listen to.

HOPEFULLY Don and Deb will come up this way in April. :)

November 11, 2010 - A Lesson

I have not verified if this is true or not, but a good lesson I think it is.

A lesson that should be taught in all schools . . And colleges. Back in September, on the first day of school, Martha Cothren, a social studies school teacher at Robinson High School , did something not to be forgotten. On the first day of school, with the permission of the school superintendent, the principal and the building supervisor, she removed all of the desks out of her classroom. When the first period kids entered the room they discovered that there were no desks. 'Ms.. Cothren, where're our desks?' She replied, 'You can't have a desk until you tell me how you earn the right to sit at a desk.' They thought, 'Well, maybe it's our grades.' 'No,' she said. 'Maybe it's our behavior.' She told them, 'No, it's not even your behavior.' And so, they came and went, the first period, second period, third period. Still no desks in the classroom. By early afternoon television news crews had started gathering in Ms.Cothren's classroom to report about this crazy teacher who had taken all the desks out of her room. The final period of the day came and as the puzzled students found seats on the floor of the deskless classroom, Martha Cothren said, 'Throughout the day no one has been able to tell me just what he/she has done to earn the right to sit at the desks that are ordinarily found in this classroom. Now I am going to tell you.' At this point, Martha Cothren went over to the door of her classroom and opened it. Twenty-seven (27) War Veterans, all in uniforms, walked into that classroom, each one carrying a school desk. The Vets began placing the school desks in rows, and then they would walk over and stand alongside the wall... By the time the last soldier had set the final desk in place those kids started to understand, perhaps for the first time in their lives, just how the right to sit at those desks had been earned.. Martha said, 'You didn't earn the right to sit at these desks. These heroes did it for you. They placed the desks here for you. Now, it's up to you to sit in them. It is your responsibility to learn, to be good students, to be good citizens. They paid the price so that you could have the freedom to get an education. Don't ever forget it.' By the way, this is a true story. Please consider passing this along so others won't forget that the freedoms we have in this great country were earned by War Veterans.

Yesterday's activities

1. I learned how to make a box out of 2 x 4's. made it too big, but it does the job. :) I made two boxes, connected them with 2x4's and then put wood on the sides. I now have a mostly done entrance for the rabbitry. 6 feet tall. It will be better than the four foot hole I crawled in through last year, and better than the 2 foot hole I have between tarps this year. :) hopefully the way I have it set up will work better this year. Time will tell. NOW... if it all blows away in the first big storm we get in the year, I'll be rather unimpressed....

2. Jim painted one half of the living room, and then we moved furniture around. The colour is like a very light orangey-brown. It's very subtle. We like it. :) The TV, big couch, Jim's chair, the exercise bike, coffee table and the DVD racks are in the far end of the living room, and my computer and all the homeschool stuff and the love seat are in the road side of the living room. A quite different set up. will be less cosy in some ways if company visits, but it will be quite manageable I think. Hopefully easier to keep tidy whilst homeschooling. :)

AND this morning.....

Justin got us all up because he was very upset that I set up his private house without him. NOT a good start to the day. :) But ah well...it's all a learning experience right?

Christian Carnival - November 3, 2010

Basically, due to time constraints, doing this as minimalistic as possible. Doing this in reverse order received.

NIV 2011

The NIV 2011 is now online. My general sense after looking over their preface is that it's an improvement over the TNIV, and most of the changes in the TNIV were improvements over the NIV. Here are a few observations:

Five Sacred Crossings by Craig J. Hazen

Book Review
I have to admit that when I picked up Craig J. Hazen’s book, Five Sacred Crossings: A Novel Approach to a Reasonable Faith, I was asking myself, is this going to be more “novel” or more “reason”? He wrote it as fiction, but really now, how many novels have subtitles? Would he let the story be a story?

A Nation of Blue Tangs

Well, we’re becoming a nation of Dories. Now I’ll admit I don’t have the best short term memory in the world —I often say my mind is like a steel sieve, only the big chunks stick— but there is something distressing about the move to 15 second commercials, just like there was something distressing about the move to 30 second commercials.

Veritas pro Christo et Ecclesia?

Michael Coogan, an OT lecturer at Harvard Divinity School, has recently written an opinion article ostensibly exposing some “shocking” values espoused by the Bible. While Coogan makes some valid points in this short essay, for the most part, I found his analysis to be a mixed bag at best.

Reformation Day Was On Halloween
Can't pull a clip from this one. :)

Cholera Outbreak

Life can be pretty surreal sometimes. I got word of the cholera outbreak through facebook Thursday night from a friend. Friday morning SP assembled a team to travel to the affected area to assess the situation.

The Power of Forgiveness

But something we learned about was very recent history. RobAnne and I were lying in bed watching the news in the early morning, and they had a ten-minute piece on the power of forgiveness. It’s the story of two families who forgave people who did horrible things to them:

Order of worship from the Letters to the Corinthians

Last summer I mentioned a long-term project of mine: orders of worship in which every word closely tracks Scripture. The goal goes beyond quoting Scripture throughout the service; the goal is to let each portion of Scripture shape how we worship. Because this order of worship is from the letters to the Corinthians, it has several open calls for participation from the congregation as Paul described in his writings to them.

What is Surety?

I first learned about surety when I took the Crown Financial Ministries small group study class. Not many people have heard of the term before, but it’s definitely a Biblical financial principle that’s important to understand. One of the Crown daily devotions this week explains this principle.

Let’s Talk About Love

There’s been a lot of discussion around here (perhaps mostly one-way!) about Love. Love Guitar this and Love Guitar that.

Just what is this Love thing I keep yammering on about, anyway?

Expounding the text, or *EXPLODING* it

So you can imagine how much I like to “hear” him preach, figuratively speaking, as I read transcripts of his sermons. In this sermon, he accuses a commentator (some say John Gill) of exploding 1 Timothy 2:4 in the process of attempting to expound it. Spurgeon also makes a great point in this paragraph about the danger of an excessive concern with intellectual inconsistency.

Are Your Acquaintances Helping or Hurting Your Finances?

Here's an interesting verse from Proverbs 13:20:

He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.

Let me put a personal finance spin on this:

He who associates with and listens to those who are doing well financially becomes wealthy. But someone who follows the advice of those who can't handle their money is destined for the poor house.

Are You An Opportunity Seizer or an Excuse Maker?

I recently read of a man who turned down a dinner invitation from the president of an international organization. His excuse? “I just don’t have time…I recently purchased some investment property and I need to go look it over.” Lame? You bet. Especially when he later realized the opportunities that he passed up:

Christians: Artistic and Entertaining

The 7th Annual Evening of Arts & Entertainment certainly offered a unique experience. I first heard about Arts & Entertainment Ministries back in the summer of 2006 when Joel Pelsue spoke at one of David Bahnsen’s Southern California Center for Christian Studies conferences here in Orange County. But as schedules go, I didn’t have a chance to attend the organization’s annual event until this year, meaning earlier this month. It was definitely a lot smaller and more intimate than I expected. But it was nice to have the opportunity to leisurely browse the gallery art and actually have conversations with many of the featured artists.

Bring it to Him

The Book of Hebrews explains Christs’ role so eloquently!

Are you Free to Believe?

Open Doors is currently active in lobbying the United Nations in Geneva over the Defamation of Religions resolution. You can find out more about their campaign by heading to the website Free to Believe.

45 lessons life taught me - Regina Brett

Snopes says this is accurate. :) with the exception of age. Turned 50 in 2006.

Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio.

To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written.

My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more.

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first pay check.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's okay to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles; use the nice sheets, and wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, and then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31 However good or bad a situation is - it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35 Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come...

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44 Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

Vicks Vapour-Rub on Feet

They can't prove it works, they don't understand why it works, but for some people it works a charm.
I figure...it can't hurt you... so what's the harm in trying it? :)

_VICKS VapoRub

During a lecture on Essential Oils, they told us how the foot soles can absorb oils. Their example: Put garlic on
your feet and within 20 minutes you can 'taste' it.

Some of us have used Vicks VapoRub for years for everything from chapped lips to sore toes and many body
parts in between. But I've never heard of this. And don't laugh, it works 100% of the time, although the scientists
who discovered it aren't sure why. To stop night time coughing in a child (or adult as we found out personally),
put Vicks VapoRub generously on the soles of your feet, cover with socks, and the heavy, deep coughing will stop in about 5 minutes and stay stopped for many, many hours of relief. Works 100% of the time and is more effective in children than even very strong prescription cough medicines. In addition it is extremely soothing and comforting and they will sleep soundly

Just happened to tune in A.M. Radio and picked up this guy talking about why cough medicines in kids often do more harm than good, due to the chemicals in them This method of using Vicks VapoRub on the soles of the feet was found to be more effective than prescribed medicines for children at bed time. In addition it seems to have a soothing and calming effect on sick children who then went on to sleep soundly.

My wife tried it on herself when she had a very deep constant and persistent cough a few weeks ago and it worked 100%! She said that it felt like a warm blanket had enveloped her, coughing stopped in a few minutes.So she went from; every few seconds uncontrollable coughing, she slept cough-free for hours every night she used it.)

Today was a good day

Sold some bunnies, bought some new ones.

Visited the dutch relations who were visiting at Mom and Dad's for their anniversary.

Went home, unpacked bunnies, saw how REALLY fuzzy my new buck was and said wow...that's fuzzier than I expected. go figure that one!

Then home to do experiments with the lad.

We did a fair number of them. The biggest hit being experimenting with different ways to put out a fire.

Then tonight I did my download n go review.

Homeschool cleaning

I'm a bit fed up with having things here, there and yon so today said to myself...enough with this, let's tidy and clean and see what we can figure out for making things a bit better.

WE have a clean floor...the rest of the house... well..isn't. :) but things are indeed a bit better. found a ton of lost pens, crayons, pencils etc...and they are organized. Brought some stuff upstairs and brought some of the same stuff back downstairs... it feels right now like it's a lost cause.. BUT I do know I want to do homeschool on the MAIN floor of the house, and not upstairs.

Jim wants to rearrange the living room/dining room so some of the reorganizing will simply have to wait, I just want to make things a bit more doable.

Time will tell what we figure out I suppose. I'm feeling a bit "ack" right now though as I've tons of things unfinished and I don't know where to put it all and AH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank goodness the lad is five and homeschooling is doing kindergarten and he can learn and play and help his mommy and that even counts. :) Today he did three pages in one of his books and learned "STOP DROP and ROLL" as well as "STAY LOW and GO (away from the fire)" and we talked about fire safety. He got all worried that we'd get a fire and Tagu would lose his tail and that Mr.O would get lost so we had to work through all that (aka....we'd get Tagu a new tail and we'd fix Mr. O if we could.)

Overall.... a decent day

have to admit, could have done without the sore back, but overall...a good day.

This morning we worked on the letter A lapbook after finishing up his big picture he painted yesterday. When it was dry (after lunch) we hung it up in his bedroom. He looks forward to showing it to Gramma on Sunday.

After lunch we went to the library where we read books and played with the train table. We took home almost all the books we went with, and then took home almost as many again. :) LOTS of reading we can do again this week. It's rather interesting...Justin is trying hard to read books along with me...but only if he thinks I'm not really noticing. :) He's a silly lad at times.

After the library we came home where he played and I worked on dishes and finishing up the laundry. Talked with my mom on the phone for a while.

Had a good supper and watched America's funniest videos together for a while.

In the evening Jim had a bible study, so I put the lad to bed and then played some kingdoms of camelot and then got materials ready for tomorrow.

Overall a good day.