What I read in December

"Angle of Repose" recommended for: people who love family sagas, no one, it's too personal and you will just read it and find it slow and dated and I will take it personally that you didn't like it because it feels like a piece of me. Sometimes fiction comes to close to truth for comfort.





"The Bourne Identity" recommended for: readers who thrive on constant action, people who don't mind when the book is nothing like the movie, the uneasily offended by a smattering of language, the unmindful of shallow relationships because it's a spy novel.





"In His Steps" recommended for: people who like mantras, the easily inspired, anyone who wonders where the term "what would Jesus do?" came from.






"84, Charing Cross Road" recommended for: fans of the epistolary style, people who feel isolated by our cyber society, typewriter fans, obscure/out of print book lovers.






"Protecting the Gift: Keeping Children and Teenagers Safe (and Parents Sane)" recommended for: Parents of all ages, teenagers (girls in particular), those who want to be reassured by being prepared.





"Ella Minnow Pea" recommended to: those who love the touch, taste, sound, look and feel of words, another one for epistolary style lovers, people who want something clever and original.

Winter is for beauty sleep

I wish. Okay, as much as I would like to sleep my winter away I wouldn't get much done, I don't think my family would appreciate it and I don't think it would really improve my looks.
January 1st is in two days!!! That means that I need to scarf down any yummy foods as quickly as possible before midnight tomorrow. Yeah, I'm not going to do that. Although I may order a pizza tomorrow night... what can I say, Papa John's has a great special going on.
After that I am determined to lose weight. I have a goal of 2 lbs per week. This way I might be okay with getting into a swim suit next summer. I'm going to start keeping a journal of all oral intake and exercise specifics (how long, what type of workout, etc.) I know that if I have to report everything I'm doing I am more likely to actually work out and less likely to reach for a second roll, or whatever. So I really need to get on forming and dividing now that beautifying (which is supposed to come last) is planned, as far as the short game goes. More reports to come!

What I read in November

"Small Steps: The Year I Got Polio" recommended to: people who would like to learn more about polio and gain a greater appreciation for modern medicine, spoiled teenagers, optimists.





"Al Capone Does My Shirts" recommended to: fans of young adult fiction, those who are interested in life at Alcatraz, people experienced with autism.






"A Northern Light" recommended to: readers who enjoy strong female protagonists and vibrantly written characters, fans of historical fiction as a way to retell a true story.






"Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet" recommended to: those who want to see a different side of WWII, like to read about young love, like a happy ending.







"Time and Again" recommended to: time travel enthusiasts, people who know the streets of New York City, lovers of beautiful architecture.





"Night" recommended to: people who don't want a glossed over holocaust story and yearn for realism, those who are not easily depressed or impressionable.

Free Range cont'd

So I was thinking I would do a post of the challenges given at the end of each chapter. I decided all it was doing was reassuring me that I am doing okay in this area. I think I know what to do to keep my kids relatively safe and still allow them to have a childhood... to learn from hands on experiences. I realize that I can't control everything. I have never bought lots of baby-proofing products. I don't get sucked into the scary shows on TV, for that matter I barely watch TV unless there is a presidential race on. Even then if they change to a story about a missing child I either change the channel or turn it off. I always knew the urban legends about Halloween were just that... legends. I don't buy into everything the "experts" say. I think I can figure out what advice is sound and I still follow my own instincts about my kids first. After all, who knows them better than I do. I certainly don't hover over my children.

I do think it was beneficial to read this book. I decided to let my kindergartner walk home from school with her older cousins this past week. I think it has been wonderful for all four of them. I met them at school and walked home with them on Friday. During the walk they were really excited to share all of the adventures that they've had!!! Not only am I letting my daughter feel a sense of accomplishment at walking home without me and getting some exercise to boot I'm also allowing her to create some really fun childhood memories. Way better than the ones made riding home in the car!!!

Free-Range

The problem with this title is that it brings up images of fowl.
Anytime I read an educational book or one I feel like I learned something from I'm going to document it. I recently read "Free-Range Kids: Giving Our Children the Freedom We Had Without Going Nuts With Worry" by Lenore Skenazy. This woman was a delight to read, in fact with all of her snappy little comments I came to feel I was conversing with a friend. The premise: she underwent a media firestorm not long ago when she allowed her then 9-year-old to ride the subway alone in New York City. He had change to call home and a well-thought-out plan with his mom. Everything went as planned ... except that she wrote about it in her column and was immediately called out as a terrible mother. This book goes on to talk about how we overprotect our children. It describes the all to common "helicopter parenting". It attempts to allay any unfounded fears that we may have.

I was really interested to read this since I've had conversations with other moms about how we miss the childhood we had and wish that our kids were able to experience the same thing. Skenazy informs us that the world is actually safer now than it was when I was a kid. She says this is most likely due to the advent of cell phones, increases in police officers on duty, better prosecution of sex offenders and social workers getting crazy people medicated and off the streets.

I appreciate all of these arguments BUT... I've seen the mixed advantages of people on psychotropic meds, do pedophiles really think to themselves "oh, they are tougher on crimes against children now so I better refrain", I don't know. Seems to me like most people think they will be the exception, that they can get away with it... AND for the ones with the REALLY bad issues isn't it a compulsion? It's not like they are sitting around thinking rationally right? I mean, maybe the reason that they aren't pulling your kid into the bushes or into their car is because parents are keeping there kids sickeningly glued to their side. "Hi, I'm kangaroo and this is little Joey who won't be leaving his protective pouch until he turns 18- at that time he may have the freedom to hold my hand." But, of course, we're hoping that the real crazies have been lassoed by the social workers, right?

That being said- I am a huge advocate for what she is trying to do here. And I definitely disagree with the overprotective parent ( Kanga, above, she DOES exist. I was appalled by Skenazy's examples). We cannot live our lives in fear. We need to let our children live their own lives and stop worrying that they will get a scratch. You think I'm exaggerating about the scratch thing? Nope. One of Skenazy's examples is of a parent who wanted to take down some equipment in a playground because she had seen 3 different children in the course of 1 year bump their heads on it. 3, in 1 year! Bump!!! Leave people like this in charge and play will be outlawed for children completely. Unfortunately play has been proven to be the #1 best way for children to learn. Oh well.

This was a great book reminding me that I can relax a little. Also that I'm doing much better than some of the crazies out there. Probably the people who live in those big cities where most of the crime supposedly IS. I found that the most important thing is to educate our children. The old "give a man a fish" vs. "teach a man to fish" argument.

Division: math was never my strong suit...

Yet now I have to deal with it in spades (last old-man worthy pun of the day, I promise, no crossies). Dividing, that is, not math. I seem to be agreed with most adults that advanced math is something I have rarely needed or used. So, onwards...
WANTS: I want, oh let's see, a lot of things. But, as the Beatles once wisely said, "the best things in life are free", no that can't be the one I'm thinking of. Oh yes, the best THINGS in life aren't THINGS. I'm going to shorten my list by eliminating so called "things".
What separates wants from dreams? I'm going to make my list of 100 dreams first and whatever is left out must be a want, right?
Okay, I want...
1. To visit every National Park
2. To visit every Temple
3. To visit every Major League Baseball Park
4. To own an Emerson upright Grand Piano
5. To be able to play it well
6. To finish my degree/ or graduate to some degree (oops, promises)
7. To go to Australia & New Zealand
8. To go to Greece
9. To return to the British Isles
10. To read the complete works of Shakespeare
11. To read all of the "Great Books" list courtesy David Denby
12. To learn how to make Creme Broulee well
13. To learn how to crochet well
14. To make a quilt for each of my children
15. To make a theme quilt for each month of the year
16. To go to Prince Edward Island
17. To run the Boston Marathon
18. To run the Salt Lake City Marathon
19. To climb Mt. Kilimanjaro
20. To hike the Appalachian Trail
21. To go to Alaska
22. To go to the Holy Land
23. To visit Mt. Rushmore
24. To visit the Statue of Liberty
25. To visit the Grand Canyon
26. To learn how to fly fish
27. To learn how to make pottery
28. To learn how to blow glass
29. To learn how to competently use my sewing machine (make clothes)
30. To see "Phantom of the Opera" on stage
31. To see a performance in the theatre in Torino
32. To learn how to surf
33. To help spread the gospel
34. To learn how to can
35. To create a square foot garden
36. To keep bees
37. To write a personal history
38. To organize and compile photo albums for my children and I
39. To make a "Quiet Book"
40. To read Hugh Nibley's complete works
41. To make homemade soap successfully
42. To make salsa entirely from my gardens produce (and salt)
43. To have a working food storage rotation
44. To have fruit trees
45. To learn about the mechanics of an automobile
46. To own a usable vintage bicycle
47. To learn how to sail a boat, well
48. To climb Mt. Washington
49. To fit into my old jeans
50. To feel good about the way I raised my children
51. To be a grandma
52. To have a relaxing front porch
53. To own a long string of dogs and cats
54. To build a bookcase
55. To learn to slolom ski, well
56. To read the annotated lists in all 5 categories from "The Well Educated Mind"
57. To enjoy every moment

Okay, this was MUCH harder than I thought. That speaker wasn't kidding when she said it was nearly impossible to come up with 100. I'm going to consider it a work in progress.

Form: this is a test

This is a test. Only a test. Only?!?!?! So like, it's not a real disaster, right? That's what they are getting at? But, then, why not call it a practice? For those of us not involved in the non-school program saying that something is a test strikes fear into the hearts of child-dom. (I am closing in on 34, anyone under 20 is a child now). I like the idea of being prepared.
So, who am I? What defines me, or more specifically, what to I WANT to define me. I want to be

1. A loving, caring, laughing, accepting wife
2. A loving, caring, laughing, accepting mother
   
3. Ditto to the above friend, sister, daughter, etc.
4. Creative/Fruitful, blooming, productive
   
5. Fun-loving/Youthful/Joyful
6. Healthy
7. Appreciator of uplifting music
8. Organized
9. Good at prioritizing
   
10. Thrifty
11. Seeker of knowledge/teacher
    
12. A voracious reader
    
13. Service-Oriented
14. Someone who consecrates my time and choices to God's purposes
    

The first day of the rest of my life...

So, when God created the world he FORMED, DIVIDED and BEAUTIFIED. While I am definitely not God, He can make an excellent mentor, correct? Or, if you find the French version more romantic, Non??? (Sorry, I am very impressionable and since "Be Our Guest" is playing in the background- Well, just imagine that last sentence spoken by Lumiere (sp?)).

ANYWAY, I could use some work. When did I become this frazzled, time and sleep deprived, talentless, slow witted... okay okay, no need to get myself overly depressed. I'm sure the slow wittedness is due to the sleep deprivation. I should have left it at I could use some work. As for the FORM, DIVIDE and BEAUTIFY model, well, it's not an original idea (although I like to think of my little brain being a tad creative from time to time) I came away from a lovely meeting with some ideas for perking up my life.

Homework Assignment for FORM: decide what MATTERS to me, what are my values. What words define me? I am.... make a list of qualities that define me or that I want to define me.

Homework Assignment for DIVIDE: what are my dreams, wants and goals. I want: make a list. Dreams: try to come up with 100 things that I want to accomplish in my lifetime. Goals: I will list. Set specific time frames to complete the goal. Decide why this goal is so important to me. What is the PURPOSE.

Homework Assignment for BEAUTIFY: Priorities. In order for my life to be beautiful I need to decrease the clutter. That is the tangible but more importantly the intangible clutter. My to-do list. A list: things that HAVE to happen. Once this list is made prioritize the list. B list: things that need to be done but not immediately. C list: long term things.
These homework assignments are best completed in the evening- just a tip if you want to join me on this journey.

I look forward to reporting back to the vacuous internet world... is anybody out there??? Doesn't matter, this is really only for my benefit. Congratulations if you want to join me and plow through my nearly unintelligible, ten years out-of-college out-of-practice grammar. My guess is that grammar will make it onto one of those lists.