Final Introductions

I am currently attending the last class in which I will go to Riley for my master's program.  We are part of a co-hort so we have a prescribed class list that all of us are taking with the exception of the last two classes if one is lucky enough to have some hours in the last five years that will transfer.  I had enough to skip one of the classes and have elected to do the on-line one instead of going to class every Wednesday night.  Anyway, back to introductions.   It has been interesting and almost comical that while the instructors change, the people in the class do not change (except for three who have dropped - one was non-renewed, one moved, and one quit after the first or second class).  So we have introduced ourselves to each other ten times.  This time we had to make a drawing and then interview another class member as to their place of birth, what and where they have taught and for how long, etc. etc.  It is all pretty much the same drill, but occasionally we do find out new information about each other. 

We are a mix of people, with two men, ages ranging from in our 50s to the 20s.  They are the smart ones, getting the master's degree when they are young.  I have told several who do not think they have the time or money now, that they will never have a perfect time to do so.  The time has gone quickly and getting to know everyone has been fun.  We won't know what to do with our Wednesday nights when we are done!

P.S.

Regarding the previous post, I should have been tipped off that her crazy train had left the station when they took four boys, who are at the ages to prefer swimming in motel pools and riding go-carts, on a European vacation and then lamented about how the whole thing had gone horribly wrong.

Thoughts on CDW (now Sister's Farmhouse)

I have heard from a couple of people who read my blog who are, I will say interested, in the recent comments on her blog which is in my blog list.  I have read this lady's blog for at least a year because she is a good writer and just lives over at a town just west of Manhattan.  She has four sons, worked part time in a greenhouse and just blogged about ordinary things.  However, this all seems to have changed.

While I don't support her opinions, we still live in America.  The struggles she seems to be going through are questions that most people have asked themselves.  A faith that is black and white and where there is always an answer then falls apart if something happens which seems to have no answer, or you realize there really is a lot of gray in the world.  I don't know what church she is no longer wanting to support (not UMC because we don't elders) because it is empty six days a week is definitely not my church which has activities almost every day. Many avenues to helping with disasters are through the churchs' organizations. I do know that what she is experiencing now doesn't seem to have brought her much happiness and peace. 

She also must have had some interesting encounters with some self-righteous homeschoolers, and there are some out there.  While I know this would not have been a good option for my super social offspring, it is a good choice for some.  There are some who do it right and well, and there are some who don't.  We have had homeschoolers begin going to school in middle school who get along fine, but we have also had kids who have gaps academically, socially or both.  I find it interesting that CDW is so adament against it when it seems that her complaint with religion is it's inability to see both sides of an issue.

For now I will leave her in my blog list.  It is anyone's choice whether to click on the link.  Faith is a journey not a destination.

Random Dozen

1. How good are you at delaying gratification?
I think I am pretty good about not being an impulse shopper, etc.  Doesn't mean that I don't think about whatever it is that I want.

2. Maybe a marshmallow wouldn't be too difficult a temptation for you. What food (or anything else) would be most tempting?
Sonic drinks during Happy Hour.  I love Diet Strawberry Limeades even more at 1/2 price.
3. On a scale of 1-10 (10 being saintly) how patient are you?
About a 7.  Because we lived out of town, I have waited patiently for kids to get home, or back to school after a game, or done with some kind of practice or lessons. 
4. Have you ever waited for something in life only to be disappointed upon realization of the goal/object/etc.?
I am disappointed when I plant, fertilize, and water tomato plants and then some wilt or other disease comes along and I don't get to enjoy eating them.
5. Are you a person who takes shortcuts?
No, but sometimes I hurry and then make a mess of things.
6. Which line is hardest to wait in?
WalMart or a similar store when they have a jillion unmanned check-outs and people waiting in line. 
7. Did you wait to discover the gender of your unborn child until its birth?
This question was designed to show your age.  I didn't have a sonogram with my older two.  I did with Abby and asked because I had one of each and didn't really care.  The pictures were so bad then that the lady said that if she had to guess it was a girl but she wasn't for sure.  Needless to say, I didn't go out and buy a bunch of pink stuff.  We didn't ever really do a nursery anyway.  The babies slept in the hall outside our room.
8. Are you more patient with children or the elderly?
This all depends on if either group is acting badly or just being themselves.
9. Did you ever sneak a peek at a present?
I don't remember doing this. 
10. What is the longest you've ever waited for anything?
We waited a long time to own a home.  The house on the farm went with renting the land and wasn't for sale. 
11. Who has more patience, you or your significant other?
I think I do, but he may say differently.
12. Which of the following songs about waiting is your pick for the best? (OK, you may substitute another, if you like.)

A) Anticipation by Carly Simon

B) The Waiting by Tom Petty

C) Right Here Waiting for You by Richard Marx

D) Wait for Me by Rebecca St. James

C) Right Here Waiting for You.  Kyle travels with his job some and I am home teaching school, feeding the dog, and picking up the mail.  I don't mind during the week.   He isn't often gone on the weekends, but those can get long.  Or as mentioned in question 3 waiting for kids.

January Birthdays

We celebrated both Kyle's and Abby's birthdays yesterday - the right day for Kyle and Abby's is on Wednesday but I will have class and she will have chapter meeting at ADPi, so we did them together for the first time in history.  It made it a little trickier for the cook who will fix what the birthday person wants, but the only two requests were mashed potatoes (Abby) and crock pot corn (Kyle) so I filled in with spiral ham, layered lettuce salad, strawberry and banana Jello salad, Tasty Pastry rolls, and for dessert a layered chocolate pudding concoction with a variety of names.

Here are the birthday people.  Kyle (52) and my baby will be 20 on Wednesday.  I am feeling old.

 

Paige and her dad.

Birthday girl.

 

 Abby and I.

I recently got a bunch of pictures developed - like from the past year and realized there are very few of me so when future generations wonder what I looked like, there will be something beside church directory pictures every five years. 

The next two pictures were taken without me realizing that we weren't alone in the pictures.   Pesky brother.  Note the brace on the left arm.  He chipped a bone in his wrist playing basketball last Sunday.  At least he didn't need a cast.

By the way, Paige didn't tell me she was going to take this at this time.  Thus the rather insipid look on my face.

 

Who does that kid belong to????

 

The birthday boy and me.  

On another note, my sister has started a blog.  Look for it on my blog list.  

Princess Award

It is my turn for my first award - from Mrs. E at Easy Street.  I am humbled and would like to thank all the little people who made this award possible.  Perhaps I should first thank my sister who was a year older and brought home little readers from first grade (little Byers had no kindergarten) and I sat beside her while she was learning and just took off.  From then on, I have been a reader.  I do remember the first grade teacher suggesting that my mom hide Kim's books from me so that I wouldn't read them all before 1st grade, but that ship had sailed because reading already made sense to me and there was no going back.  So in first grade I read the Little House books while the other kids had reading.  My mom took us to the library every Saturday afternoon while we were in town for piano lessons.  Thanks for that Mom!


1.  Name an author you love.

I have read most of Barbara Delinsky's books, and like Dan Brown, Curtis Sittenfeld, and for some reason I remembered the Jean Auel series that started with Clan of the Cave Bear.  The pre-historic fiction was different and good in the same way that Ken Follett's Pillars of the Earth and World Without End captured the Middle Ages.


2. Name an author who highlights your personality.

Judy Blume - I  like her sense of humor and wish she would write more adult fiction like Summer Sisters and Wifey.


3. Name some books you love.

I am going to regress and mention some of the books from my childhood.  The Anne of Green Gables series, Little House on the Prairie, Encyclopedia Brown, and my all time favorite series - Trixie Belden.

Otherwise, now I like the books mentioned in question #1.  This year, the two books I read that I remember most were The Help  and Kite Runner.



4. Something that always excites you.

Snow days!  They are like a gift.  We got pretty excited today at lunch to see the sun.


5. Something you hate.

Hate is strong - here are some dislikes.

Improper use of the English language.  In general, I think the kids are speaking more correctly now than ever.   The "ain'ts" of my childhood seem to be gone, and more adults than kids say things like, "They was . . ."

 Pumpkin.  I know . . . this is a problem in the fall when so many pumpkin things are served.

Cleaning bathrooms, and I have 4 1/2.

P.S.  I just started Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson after Bridgette did her author's study on her at class and she was on Mrs. E's blog.  I really like it so far.

1. So I was thinking about how Jon Bon Jovi never seems to age much. His hair is smaller nowadays, but he still manages to look like a boy somehow. And then that made me think of the story of Dorian Gray. Question: If you physically lock in one age for yourself, which would you choose and why?


Physically speaking only, I would say about 25.  No effort to maintain anything; weight, hair, complexion.  Now if you asked mentally, I would answer differently.


2. What is the best dish that you cook or bake (your piece de resistance?)

This depends upon who you ask.  The kids all have their favorites, and I don't have anything in particular that I always take places.  One meal they all like is chicken and noodles over mashed potatoes and corn. Can you say carbohydrates?

3. When you feel blue, what is one strategy you use to help yourself back to normal?

Going for a walk is good.  I am usually pretty level - no big mood swings one way or the other. 
4. When was the last time you danced in public?

Probably my niece's wedding last summer.  It was a lovely affair.

5. Do you consider yourself a realist or dreamer?

Definitely and probably to a fautlt a realist. 
6. As a parent, what is one thing that you have done well?

The kids either did well or are presently doing well in college.  We prepared them by talking about our experiences and encouraging living groups that keep you connected and accountable.  They have done great at managing themselves.
7. Which is your favorite character on the Andy Griffith show?

Otis just makes me laugh, but I also like Opie.
8. On a scale of 1-10, how much do you know about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.?

I would say about a 2 although I like him better this year because we got a day off of school, not just a workday.
9. Have you never been mellow? Have you never tried … to find a comfort from in side you? (Sorry, Jorge was singing that song just now, and it just seemed to be perfect timing as I was creating this week’s questions.) REAL question: What is your #1 driving pet peeve?

Easy - Texting, checking email, always on the phone when driving.
10. Which color best represents your mood today? Care to elaborate?

Yellow like the sun.  You can always hope to see it.


11. If your spouse were an animal, which would he/she be?

He is like an energetic dog who has bones hidden all around the  yard.  So much to do, so little time.


12. What activity takes up the bulk of your time on an average day?
 
School, sleeping, internet.