Amazing how quick things can change. I have been looking for a house for the family to move to and we now have two prospects after almost a year with none. However, having a pet has not helped the situation. I wish people would take responsibility for their pets. It is hard to find a landlord who will either allow a pet or not charge an arm and a leg extra deposit for the pet. I just don't understand. Puppies and kittens are cute, but so are babies. They all grow up. If you truly love your pet, you should have it fixed, keep up on its shots, potty train it, pay attention to it, etc. Having a dog tied up in the back yard is not having a dog. That is having an alarm that eats. Allowing your cat to take over the furniture isn't loving your cat. Who would allow their children to destroy the inside of the fridge and call it love? Who would put their children in the back yard all day and night and just visit when dropping off today's meal? Although a pet shouldn't out shine any human in the household, the pet should be a functioning part of the family. We have a black toy poodle named "Kirby." He tends to clean up the floors like a vacuum cleaner. He is hypoalergenic and so good with everybody. He may bark to let us know that someone is at the door, but he is no alarm. He is my youngest daughters best friend. He is the only sibling that she has since she is so much younger than her siblings, who are all grown. He is also really good with my grandkids. That dog can take a licking and keep on ticking. Well, I just wanted to voice my frustrations. I hope that if you have a pet, you take care of it. I wish neutering and spaying was free for all pets. It would solve a lot of issues. I'm not against breeding pets, but I am against randomness because puppies and kittens are so cute. Don't get a pet if you don't want to be responsible for the pet.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
A Slight Addiction
I think I am addicted. My eldest daughter got me to sign up for "Words with Friends" and now I have like 12 games going. Of course the plan was to keep me in contact with my family and friends and to have a little fun, but now my phone is dying half way through the day. I find myself looking at everything in print and wondering how I could use that word for points. Honestly, I have always loved to play games. I grew up playing nertz, jubile, canasta, monopoly, life......you name it. I am a firm believer that the family that plays together stays together. I have fond memories of family water fights. My husband and I have been known to chase each other around with a cold bottle of water. Tomorrow is Independence Day.
Shhhhhhh!
I think I will celebrate with a surprise water balloon fight!
Shhhhhhh!
I think I will celebrate with a surprise water balloon fight!
Traveling in Cars with Children
Parenting is like riding in cars with kids. When a baby comes home from the hospital, he is strapped in his car seat facing the rear, secure in his parents ability to get him safely home.
As he grows, he begins to be aware of his existence and with that his car seat is turned to face the front. It is still in the back secure and his parents are still in charge of the vehicle.
Eventually, he is able to recognize things on the trip such as cows, horses, lights, McDonald's. In this, he is also able to understand small responsibilities such as pick up your toys, put your plate in the kitchen, get your coat. However, the parents are still responsible for the drive and his car seat is still in the back, but it sits up now and allows him to see out the windows.
Then he graduates to a booster seat. His parents still drive, but at this point he is capable of recognizing land marks on common routes that are traveled often. He is also capable of dressing himself now, getting his own drinks, etc.
By the time he is out of the booster seat, he can sort laundry and do dishes with assistance. By this time he is able to guide the driver to locations close to home. He still sits in the back seat and depends on his parents to make all the driving decisions.
Eventually, he turns twelve and is allowed to sit in the front seat on the passengers side. By this time, he should be able to be rotated through about any household chore. He should start cooking with some supervision. In this he begins life as a preteen and graduates out of the childhood stage.
When he turns 15, he gets a permit and begins the gradual sole responsibility for his life and the car. His parents are still ultimately in control, but are more like the bumper pads on a bowling lane. They make the rules and the discipline that follows, but they have to trust their child to make the right choices.
At 18, a parent is not done. It is probably one of the hardest times, because at this point the child is considered an adult by society. Hopefully, due to proper training, he is responsible enough to shield himself from any irreversible harm. As parents, you are now fans in the stands of a football game. You are no longer on the field; no longer a participant, but the child on the field still looks to the fans for approval.
In time, the adult child becomes completely independent and the parent becomes more of a friend, a fellow traveler on the road of life. The adult child starts the process by having a child of his own. The parents become grandparents and watch the process repeat. They are now the wise advisory, but be wary not to give advice unless asked. The adult child has to travel this road and raise his child.
As he grows, he begins to be aware of his existence and with that his car seat is turned to face the front. It is still in the back secure and his parents are still in charge of the vehicle.
Eventually, he is able to recognize things on the trip such as cows, horses, lights, McDonald's. In this, he is also able to understand small responsibilities such as pick up your toys, put your plate in the kitchen, get your coat. However, the parents are still responsible for the drive and his car seat is still in the back, but it sits up now and allows him to see out the windows.
Then he graduates to a booster seat. His parents still drive, but at this point he is capable of recognizing land marks on common routes that are traveled often. He is also capable of dressing himself now, getting his own drinks, etc.
By the time he is out of the booster seat, he can sort laundry and do dishes with assistance. By this time he is able to guide the driver to locations close to home. He still sits in the back seat and depends on his parents to make all the driving decisions.
Eventually, he turns twelve and is allowed to sit in the front seat on the passengers side. By this time, he should be able to be rotated through about any household chore. He should start cooking with some supervision. In this he begins life as a preteen and graduates out of the childhood stage.
When he turns 15, he gets a permit and begins the gradual sole responsibility for his life and the car. His parents are still ultimately in control, but are more like the bumper pads on a bowling lane. They make the rules and the discipline that follows, but they have to trust their child to make the right choices.
At 18, a parent is not done. It is probably one of the hardest times, because at this point the child is considered an adult by society. Hopefully, due to proper training, he is responsible enough to shield himself from any irreversible harm. As parents, you are now fans in the stands of a football game. You are no longer on the field; no longer a participant, but the child on the field still looks to the fans for approval.
In time, the adult child becomes completely independent and the parent becomes more of a friend, a fellow traveler on the road of life. The adult child starts the process by having a child of his own. The parents become grandparents and watch the process repeat. They are now the wise advisory, but be wary not to give advice unless asked. The adult child has to travel this road and raise his child.
Monday, July 2, 2012
Starting the Tea
WOW! I am finally writing on this blog. I started this a year ago when I first moved with my family on faith and a prayer. My husband was unemployed for four months and we expanded our options to find a job eight hours away from home. It was a hard choice and it meant that I was leaving behind a job I loved, a community that I had found a place in and a home that we owned. With the economy though, we did what we had to do.
Now we live in a town that is as far away from civilization as can be. We have had to learn to tighten our belt, because I no longer work. The school system here doesn't compare to the one that we were used to so I began homeschooling for the first time. I have had to change my world with the move. I am a very social person, but I don't speak spanish, which is the primary language around here.
So I started this blog to reach out to others; to share similiar challenges; to celebrate successes; to share survival secrets, recipes and advice. I love the idea that throughout history and cultures, people have come together over a cup of tea to share life. So please grab a cup of tea (hot or cold; spiced or plain, your choice) and join in!
Now we live in a town that is as far away from civilization as can be. We have had to learn to tighten our belt, because I no longer work. The school system here doesn't compare to the one that we were used to so I began homeschooling for the first time. I have had to change my world with the move. I am a very social person, but I don't speak spanish, which is the primary language around here.
So I started this blog to reach out to others; to share similiar challenges; to celebrate successes; to share survival secrets, recipes and advice. I love the idea that throughout history and cultures, people have come together over a cup of tea to share life. So please grab a cup of tea (hot or cold; spiced or plain, your choice) and join in!
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