Turning Off the Television

While I am not a big TV watcher, the boys in my family are.  SportsCenter is the first thing J turns on in the morning.  Sports events of all kinds, but especially basketball and baseball,  are a staple. Certain TV shows capture their attention for a while - NCIS,  Big Bang Theory, Duck Dynasty. 
And when they watch TV, I typically am on the computer, although I do enjoy a few shows too. Cupcakes Wars and So You Think You Can Dance are set up to record on our  DVR each week.   Since it is something my husband enjoys doing to unwind and relax after work, he isn't always willing to put limits on screen time.  However, from time to time, we both agree that it is time for a "No TV Month". 

We have done this numerous times over the years.  We try to be considerate of any big TV "events" that are being looked forward to, like March Madness or the Olympic Games, or even the American Idol finale, IF we have been watching all season. (we didn't watch at all last season, but were glued during the Scotty McCreery season.)  But this spring after the NCAA Championship college basketball game was over, the TVwent off.

The only exception  during "No TV month" is if I have planned something to watch for school - a movie or documentary for history, for instance.   Or extreme weather that perhaps warrants keeping tabs on the weather reports.  Otherwise, the screen is off, and while we don't forbid computer time, we do try to curtail it.  It is amazing how quiet and peaceful the house is when the TV isn't on all the time.  Much more reading gets done. Board games come out.  There is more talking.  We go on more walks  After a couple of days, nobody really misses it anymore.  After 30 days, I was more than ready to go for month 2, but got overruled.  Still it was a nice respite, and good for each of us to remember what other things we enjoy doing during "down time".

What would you do with your time if you turned the TV off for 30 days?

From the Recliner

I keep coming here and thinking that I really need to update the blog, and wonder what I should write about, but I just haven't had the energy or motivation to come up with anything wonderful... or meaningful.... or even interesting.  Well, I've had a few ideas that might have been.. but just couldn't get them written down.  So....

I've spent most of the last week in the recliner chair in my living room.  Recuperating from knee surgery for a torn miniscus. It is slightly depressing that it wasn't an injury, per se, but a "getting older, wear-and-tear" type of thing.  Over the past year or maybe two, I've had pain in my left knee that started as being occasional and slightly irritating, to being more and more frequent and more and more severe, to the point of being somewhat debilitating.  Finally, a couple of visits to the orthopedist, an x-ray, and an MRI got us to the diagnosis of arthritis and a torn miniscus. So a week ago last Friday, I went in for arthroscopic out-patient surgery. Not a big deal.  I went in at 8:30am to prep, was taken back to the OR at 11:00am, and was home by 4:00 pm. 
My wonderful friends have been bringing meals for my family, and Amanda has taken Jason to his classes/practices all week.  So I took my pain meds and sat in the recliner with my leg up most of the week, getting up occasionally to hobble around on crutches, and after a few days, to venture out without them.  Still some soreness, stiffness....  I go back to the doc for my post-surgery follow-up appointment tomorrow, and hopefully will set up some times to meet with the physical therapists to get this leg on the road to strength and flexibility again!

thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you to everyone who prayed, brought a meal, sent a note, or just stayed out of my hair last week!    :-)

As I've been sitting in my recliner, I've taken the opportunity to read a book for pleasure - usually I read for a purpose, for information, for preparation for something.  But this time I read The Help, by Kathryn Stockett.  I saw the movie a few weeks ago with my daughter and some friends.  Great movie! Wonderful book!


Yesterday afternoon we mourned with some dear friends who lost their baby boy at 6 months gestation.  He was child number 6,  son number 3, grandchild number 12.  His parents and siblings were so excited as the date of his arrival was getting closer, and preparations were underway ... the crib came down from the attic, other baby items were being recollected from various friends and family, anticipation over having a baby in the house again after 4 years was building.  Every single life -  even when a breath has not yet been taken - is precious and so full of expectation and possiblity.  There was a small memorial service at the funeral home, and friends and family joined together in sorrow, but also in hope and a shared assurance that this child was in heaven and there will someday be a reunion with those who live him so much in the here and now.

In Search of a Practical Planner

I don't whine that often... but this is a WHINE coming on.  WHYYYYYY is it that when I find a weekly Planner that I really like,  the company stops making it or stores stop selling it or it becomes otherwise impossible to get the next year?!!!

I am particular about my Planner.

• I want a Weekly / Monthly planner, with both a month-at-a-glance calendar, and weekly planning pages.  
• It needs to be at least 7"x 9" - I can't write in teeny tiny spaces.  
• I like a spiral-bound, notebook style planner rather than a leather portfolio type
• I need an Academic Planner that starts in July or August , and prefer a 17-month planner, but will settle for 12 months if I have to. 
• I like having extra blank pages or space to write notes, directions, lists, etc.  
• I need a couple of pages for an address directory. 
• I don't need or want designated boxes /columns for Goals or Priorities or Travel Expenses or other business-type things. 
• I am a busy mom/homeschool teacher/volunteer, and I need a Mommy/household planner, but I also don't want a gazillion extra pages for household-y things that I won't use!  

The planner I used this past year was from Staples, and apparently no longer exists.  I have tried designing my own pages, printing them, and having them spiral-bound. That takes a good amount of time. I have looked at Target, Staples, and WalMart so far.  Nothing.

I found this one - momAgenda- online that seemed promising, but the price is higher than I want to spend.

Then I found this one - BusyBodyBook- that looks interesting.  

Anybody have a recommendation for a great Planner?

Coming to Terms with Reality

Cleaning out my pantry / craft closet is causing me to come to terms with the reality that... I don't have little children anymore.  We have graduated from Crayola watercolors and ALEX chunky paintbrushes to Windsor-Newton watercolor tubes and expensive brushes. My kids rarely use crayons anymore ( although my 22 yr old has her own Disney Princess coloring book and box of crayons ) The playdough tools, colored pipecleaners, popsicle sticks, toilet paper tubes, and tempera paint aren't getting much use anymore, so I guess it is time to clear those things out and replace them with the charcoal pencils, pastels, and grown up art supplies that we are using these days.  The matchbox cars and action figures can go up in the attic, to join the wooden train set, Bitty Baby doll, and dress up clothes.   My baby is almost 12 years old. I don't have little children anymore.   

Counting My Blessings

The images coming out of Haiti are just heart-breaking and mind-numbing. How can a tiny nation, already desperately poor and politically unstable, survive a calamity of this magnitude? In the midst of the destruction and despair, it is encouraging to see the response of those rushing to provide aid and to see people pulling together to help one another. I am proud that so many Americans are reacting with typical generosity and compassion - and am somewhat dumbfounded by criticism accusing our nation of using this situation to "occupy" our island neighbor. If our government sat back and did nothing but send money, we'd be accused of indifference and isolationism, but sending resources is "occupation". interesting.

I've been following the blog of a missionary family in Haiti that gives an up-close view of what they are dealing with there...
http://livesayhaiti.blogspot.com/

Needless to say, I once again look around at my own little corner of the world and am profoundly grateful for the many blessings we are showered with on a daily basis. Some of the things currently topping that list:

• Alex should be boarding a flight OUT of Iraq and BACK to the US in a matter of days. His year over there is finished and he returns with his entire Brigade back to his home base in TX. Oh thank you, dear Father, for watching over him and keeping him safe these 12 months, and please give them safe travel next week.
• My husband has a job. Enough said.
• We have amazing friends who love us and are generous with us and help us in many ways.
• Mark and I are sooooo blessed to come from intact families - neither of our parents are divorced, and that makes us pretty unique! Also, none of our siblings have divorced, and even extended family has been relatively untouched by divorce. How did that happen? I am very grateful that my children have this wonderful legacy and model of dedication, commitment, and faithfulness to look up to.
  
• We are all healthy
  
• despite all the craziness going on in government and politics in this country, we are still a FREE people living in a nation founded on the principles of liberty, equality, and justice. We can protest against things we believe are wrong with our government and not get thrown in jail or shot because of it. We can gather with like-minded people and start grassroots movements and effect change, and not have soldiers break down our doors in the middle of the night and terrorize our families. We can worship God in the way that seems best to us, and we can teach our children what we believe is right, even disregarding the established state-run institutions - something that even people in civilized places like Germany and Sweden do not have the ability to do!
  

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY: December 1st

Outside my window...
it is dark; today was an overcast, windy & chilly day

I am thinking...
that the house is very quiet with the oldest three gone again after having a full house for the holiday weekend

I am thankful for...
for my bright, affectionate, headstrong daughter, who is 21 years old today

From the learning rooms...
stories of Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation (TOG Year 2, Week 16 );
started the Names of Jesus advent study from "Celebrate With Joy"

From the kitchen...
hamburgers, french fries, and salad for dinner tonight;
I need to make another pot of turkey soup with the last of the Thanksgiving leftovers;


I am wearing...
beige slacks, brown t- shirt, and cozy brown plaid flannel shirt

I am creating...
embroidered felt purses and coasters for Christmas presents; gingerbread house with J later this week

I am going...
to the annual Moms Christmas Tea tomorrow night

I am reading...
"The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien to J at bedtime every night;
"The Spontaneous Spread of Home-Discipleship Christianity" by Henry Reyenga Jr.

I am hoping...
to lose 10 pounds by Christmas

I am hearing...
singing coming from the girls' bedroom

Around the house...
I've taken down the fall decorations, but haven't put up anything for Christmas yet - I am behind, I know! There is laundry that needs to be folded, dishes that need to be washed, floors that need to be vacuumed, books and papers that need to be organized.. I'm not feeling very festive

One of my favorite things...
a mug of hot spiced cider on a cold and blustery day

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Amanda's basketball game;
making cookies for the Christmas Tea;
making a gingerbread house with J
for the Lighthouse Christmas Fair and Gingerbread House Contest on Saturday;
decorating the house for Christmas;
nursing those with bad colds and trying not to get sick myself!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Happy Birthday, Princess

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