Nights like tonight happen just "once in a blue moon!"
The term "blue moon" generally refers to the second full moon in a month and occurs just once every 2.7 years. The last blue moon to shine on New Year's Eve was 19 years ago, in 1990.
No matter what your plans are I wish you peace love safety and joy!
My new year's resolution is to find the joy in the moment and to not let people or circumstances steal it away from me.
I'm very excited to announce that I will be speaking at the next A Woman Inspired conference: Nurturing Creativity & Efficient living. I will be speaking on Home Organizational Systems. If you feel organizationally challenged, or were one of those women who had it all together until you had children then you won't want to miss this session!
Please feel free to post your organizational challenges in the comments below and I will try to incorporate some simple solutions to assist you in my upcoming session!
By posting a comment or question below you will be eligible to win a FREE TICKET to the conference. The first person to post a question or comment will automatically win TWO tickets to the conference!
Actress Brittany Murphy, age 32, died on Sunday. This is just so sad to me. She was so young.
You can read more of the story here and here. Of course whenever someone so young dies in Hollywood there are rumors of drug abuse and eating disorders and Brittany Murphy's death is no different. In true Hollywood fashion the press is awaiting the coroner's report.
But what I'm curious about is this, does it freak you out more when people who are younger than you die?I'm so freaked out by this.
I love getting Christmas cards. I can barely make it back up the driveway before I'm ripping into the envelopes. I even enjoy getting holiday newsletters. But let's be honest here. It's very difficult to do a good holiday letter. And by good I mean one that people don't call up their friends to read it to and laugh about...and yes they do that. Which is just another reason why I've never attempted one.
If you are a glutton for punishment determined to send out a mass mailed holiday letter I would like to encourage you to follow these guidelines brought on by my years of experience reading obnoxious holiday newsletters.
Don't list every major purchase your family has obtained (or financed) this year. That is just tacky.
You don't need to detail every moment of your life in your holiday newsletter. Just pick one or two highlights. And while you are at it, keep it to a page or two. Less is more.
Only family cares about every little accomplishment or milestone your children passed or achieved this year. The rest of us have children (i.e. nieces, nephews, cousins, grandchildren, God children etc) in our own lives to fawn over and declare brilliant. So, unless you are the type that drives around with a "My child is an honor student" bumper sticker on your mini van, just go easy on the listing of accomplishments. List one or two big things. List a funny thing. List a self deprecating thing...but don't list everything or you'll risk sounding obnoxious or making your precious child prodigy look obnoxious in the process.
Don't detail your miserable year in the holiday newsletter. If you had a rough year and we're friends, I already know about it. Don't be a downer. I know they say misery likes company but I say spread holiday cheer not despair. Because really, who are they anyway? People who write depressing gloomy holiday newsletters, that's who!
And finally, if you have to start off your holiday newsletter with, We almost didn't write a holiday newsletter this year,
Just. Don't. Do. It.
Please, because that is a sure sign that you are then going to break every rule listed above, and then some.
I am so grateful for Amy from Milk and Cookies Blog for this post on the changes she is making in her homeschool organization, planning and schedule. I know it's not cool to be a copy cat. But I totally want to copy her. She said what I've needed to hear someone else say. Now I'm ready to change up our homeschool too! Because Amy said so!
#4
We went on a field trip this week to a local farm and the kids had an opportunity to pick tomatoes and carrots. It was a blast and we even got to see how broccoli looks like before it is picked. I'm somewhat embarrassed to admit that I've never seen broccoli on a plant before. The part we eat is actually the flower! I just love homeschooling my kids. I feel like I'm getting an elementary education all over again!
#5
I couldn't resist and I got on my soapbox about two issues that disturb me---parental rights being violated and the humiliation of a child. I wrote about it on my blog and in my column for the Examiner. I've said it time and time again---I think homeschooling is a personal choice and I don't think it works for every child or family. That said, I don't think that enrolling your child in a traditional school system should mean that you have to give up your parental rights or religious views.
#6 We are finally mailing 650 holiday cards out today. If you didn't get one...sorry. Um, we ran out? I didn't have your address?
Now its time to start wrapping gifts. I hope I don't fall over before Christmas morning!
#7
I visited the American Girl Doll store at the Grove in Los Angeles. I may never be the same again. Who knew there was such a place? I wish I had thought of that!
If you are a Christian parent you might want to take note of the recent school suspension of an 8 year old special needs student for this drawing of Jesus on the Cross.
The child's teacher had requested the children draw something that reminded them of Christmas.
CHRISTmas.
The child drew Jesus dying on the cross. Yes, Christmas celebrates Jesus' birth but I can see how a child might be more focused on the reason for his birth---to ultimately die for our sins. The bigger picture if you will.
What you may not be able to see clearly in this picture, and what offended the teacher the most was the x's that were placed over the eyes to signify he had died.
According to an examiner article "After the boy's teacher discovered the drawing, she reported it to officials, and they suspended the boy. His parents were then informed that their son would not be able to return to school unless he underwent a psychological evaluation. The parents paid for the evaluation, which found nothing to indicate that the boy posed a threat to himself or others."
The child had never displayed any violent behavior (or drawings) before. Hmmm, I guess if you are a child you don't get the same "past behavior" excuse that this teacher was able to skate out on.
The boy is now attending another school as his family tries to recover from this incident.
The World's Strictest Parents is a television series developed by TwentyTwenty Television, originally broadcast by BBC. America's CMT (part of MTV Networks) and Australia's Channel Seven have both created localised versions of the program, with the CMT episodes frequently rebroadcasting on MTV.
The concept is that two so-called "unruly" teenagers are sent to live abroad with a strict host family for a week in an attempt to change their behavior. During the week they receive an impact letter from their birth parents with a list of issues they should try to fix.
Interestingly enough one of the most popular episode features an American Mormon homeschooling family living in Utah! I wonder how they were able to get the kids to agree to go to these strict families and why on earth these families would want these kids in their home?!
Episode 1 Introduction to the teens and host parents
Episode 2 The teens arrive in Utah and meet their host familyand learn the house rules
Episode 3 The Hannah and James are introduced to Homeschooling and household chores and lets just say it doesn't go over well at all.
Episode 4 The teens experience working on a ranch and meet other Mormon teens.
Episode 5 A turning point...
Episode 6 Tearful goodbyes
Epilogue Interviews
This might be one reality show to watch. Maybe parenting will come back in style?
A public school teacher was frustrated by a first grader who was "playing with her hair" even when she asked her to stop. Her response? She called the girl to the front of the class, publically humiliated her infront of her peers and then took it upon herself to cut that student's braid off and dramatically throw it in the trash.
You have to hear it in her own words...incredible.
The teacher has not been fired and the student was moved to another class which only adds to her continued humiliation. How about moving the TEACHER to another school district or class? The sad part is that I wholeheartedly believe that if this was a case involving a Caucasian student instead of a minority student the outcome would be drastically different. Actually if this was a private school or involved an affluent minority student the outcome would be so very different in my opinion.
Extramarital affairs are never funny...but Wanda Sykes' commentary on the Tiger Woods alleged infidelity sure is. For the life of me I don't know why pro athletes think they can get away with having affairs. Have they learned nothing from Steve McNair?
Sammy Sosa is changing his look...and apparently his skin color. Has he learned nothing from Michael Jackson? Wait, maybe he learned this from Michael Jackson...
And why do I know all these things? I just know too much about people I don't know and frankly don't really care about.
The former stationery store owner in me couldn't let us get too far into the holidays without this quick little friendly service announcement...
Do. Not. Write: Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays OR Happy New Year from the Smith's. It is Smiths....as in more than one Smith.
If your name is Jill and your husband's name is Jack...then you are Jill and Jack Smith. Not Jack and Jill Smith. As a general rule the man's first name is never to be separated from his last name. But some like to use the, "Ladies First" rule to remember this. Do not think that you are being the subservient wife when you do this. Pick something else to be subservient about. This is a matter of proper stationery etiquette...and notice I didn't write STATIONARY---that is when you stand still and not a paper product.
Does it ever seem like the light bulbs in your house all need to be changed around the same time? I think whatever law this is, applies to kids as well. It seems like they all outgrow their shoes andclothes at the same time and then I'm sent into a shopping frenzy!
After recently wasting my time at the mall trying to find my four children shoes, I remembered why I should never attempt to buy shoes anywhere but Zappos.com again. If you haven't heard of Zappos.com then you need to seriously check out that website. Seriously. And I'm not being paid to say any of this, but if Zappos wants to give me a coupon for a free pair of shoes or host a giveaway on my blog----feel free. Otherwise, I'll just settle for the continued great selection and excellent customer service.
The selection is INCREDIBLE. I always find the coolest childrens shoes there. You know I'm not known for my bargain shopping but I think the prices are good and some of my more savvy shopping friends do too.
The website is easy to use and makes shopping quick and painless. Youcan search by type, size, color. boy/girl etc. I love this feature. No more falling for a shoe only to find out its not available in the size you need. The selection is so vast at Zappos that I don't even make it through all the shoes available in my search before I've already filled my cart with shoes.
Shipping is free and so are returns.Yes, free. And, returns/exchanges are easy and painless. No jumping through hoops and arguing with the customer service people required. They make it so easy that when I'm in doubt on a size I just order two sizes and we try it on at home and I return the other for a full refund. I know I'm trying to take the focus off what you buy during the holiday season. But lets face it. Kids need shoes to wear. So if you are going to buy shoes, I want you to buy them from a place with good selection and excellent customer service. Fair enough?
I haven't been having a good day, or week or month... I've been overwhelmed, over-scheduled, and just plain over it.
Tonight I decided Chinese take-out was in order. From the place that always delivers before I can hang up the phone. See where this is going?
Tonight, when I was most in need of Chinese food delivered quickly they took 2 hours to bring the food.
Two. Hours.
I could have cooked dinner in that time. I could have driven to Burger King and back in that time. I could have fed the kids and put them to bed in that time.
I called and complained. I called back and cancelled our order.
It was past the children's bedtime when I served them up luke warm soup--- from a can!
I myself had Costco chocolate covered raisins.
I'm sure I'll be nominated for Mother of The Year soon. {sigh}
If you follow my tweets you know that we attempted family portraits this week. I think it will be a good year before my nerves can handle another portrait session. There was crying, pouting, refusals to smile and hurt feelings all around. Oh the drama and the tension...It was enough to make me take up drinking...or beg for valium or a pedicure on twitter.
Our interactive whiteboard was installed from Promethean Planet. I am so excited that our homeschool is going high tech! I'm sure there is going to be a learning curve with this thing---but hopefully it will be a good one all around. Its hard to decorate with a big high tech interactive white board in the room but I think it will be worth it.
In my heart...
The highlights of my week were this post and this one. I'm so happy for these families. Adoption is still on my mind and in my prayers. If your prayer journal has room, please include me.
From my blog reader...
This has got to be the funniest post I've ever read on the rules of gift acceptance. I think I'm going to whip out my cricut and post it on the wall of our house.
I found this gorgeous Christmas Card Tree from Wisteria last year. You place all the Christmas cards you receive on it. Isn't it a cool and gorgeous idea?
Our family is taking it one step further. Instead of just displaying the Christmas cards we receive we will be praying for each family as we add their card to our tree. In the interest of full disclosure I have to admit I didn't think this one up on my own. One of our neighbors places all of the Christmas cards they receive into a bowl, then, AFTER the holidays they draw a card out each night and pray for that family. I know they do this because they even send out a postcard letting the family know about their family's beautiful tradition and that they were prayed for. It feels so good to receive this postcard from them ( even in February because Prayer Warriors are popular) and know we were prayed for. It is truly a wonderful gift.
See, making your own traditions isn't that hard, and it's a lot of fun too. I hope one of the traditions we are creating this year will inspire you to celebrate CHRISTmas with your eyes on Him instead of on a shopping list or the latest must-have-toy-of-the-season.
I am always fascinated by the differences I see in men and women. Especially those between my husband and me.
Why does he not hear the baby screaming at the top of her lungs?
Even when she screams DADDY?
Why is it that when I wake him up, I do that with the 4th child now. He does all sorts of things before going to her room? You know like use the bathroom instead of taking care of the baby while risking bladder explosion...or eating...getting properly dressed....etc.
I'm a proud Christian homeschooling mother of 5 and wife to a Road Warrior CEO. Four of our children came through the miracle of IVF and 1 through the miracle of adoption. Before I became a home educator I was a interior decorator, event planner, store owner and professional organizer! Now I get to use my past professional skills (and a few new ones) to the benefit of my family and our home.
Does it ever seem like the light bulbs in your house all need to be changed around the same time? I think whatever
