Showing posts with label accidents. Show all posts
Showing posts with label accidents. Show all posts

Sunday, April 22, 2012

God's Great Covenant or I Changed My Mind! A review.

As a member of the TOS Homeschool crew, this year I am reviewing many homeschooling products that I have received for free. I am not paid to say nice things about the products, but I am obligated to use the products with my boys and share my honest opinions with you.



Today's review is another product from Classical Academic Press. I have previously reviewed two other great homeschool resources from this company, The Art Of Argument and Latin Alive


~Disclaimer~
I have always believed the Bible should be studied in the younger years as a family time with the Bible, prayer, and discussion. In our personal Bible time, my children listened, colored, discussed, memorized and studied the lives of missionaries. I am generally opposed to teaching Bible doctrine and history with a workbook until the older years. I entered into this review with a negative view of turning learning God's word into an academic subject.

With my personal convictions aside, I would like to share my unbiased opinions about God's Great Covenant with you.

Classical Academic Press is committed to teaching children the Bible. Below is their approach to teaching the Word of God to children.

Teaching the Bible to young children can be a large task, and is often divided up into many small stories. However, if you would like to teach your students the truly big picture of the Bible, and show them how God has been at work in his people since before creation, you will find God’s Great Covenant to be a unique, surprising, and excellent Bible curriculum. The Bible, taught chronologically, by means of simple and direct stories, chants, and meditation on God’s character define God’s Great Covenant. Even many adults find themselves learning new facts, making surprising connections, and being blessed by reminder of God’s faithfulness, and how he always keeps his promises. Taught from a covenantal and reformed theological perspective, and rooted in Scripture, you will find this series to be a blessing to your classroom or family.

God's Great Covenant, New Testament 1 is a Bible course for children in grades 2 through grade 6 covering the life of Christ. This biblically sound study is broken down into four themes and contains 36 lessons designed to last a whole school year. The New Testament is taught classically, using a variety of methods to solidify the student's understanding of the life of Christ. The student workbook is very appealing with larger print, various short exercises and great illustrations. The author introduces 'Simon', a Jewish boy from Jareth during the time of Christ. This story helps bring the students into the lives of those people who were anxiously waiting for the Messiah. This is what hooked Little Guy, he loves to hear about other children, fictional or real.

The student first reads the introductions and learns the memory work. The next day they read the story or better yet, they listen to the MP3 audio. Next, they complete the exercises in their own workbook. The activities vary greatly. There is map work, who said it?, key facts, think about it, important truths, story facts, crosswords, where did it happen? and other questions. I love the simplicity, yet the thoroughness of the study.  The teacher's guide is so full of commentary and details, I am amazed at how much background, I don't know. You can see the index and a sample of the student book here and the teacher's guide here.


For the early grades, I would suggest doing most of the workbook orally, but from third grade on, this is an excellent program. I wish I had known about this program when Paperboy and Random were younger. It's structure reminds me of an excellent history program we used. But this is not just Bible events, there are personal challenges and application of God's Word throughout the lessons.

For someone who was opposed to Bible seatwork, I have definitely had a change of heart. God's Great Covenant is an appealing program that would work well in a home school or Sunday school setting. Once again Classical Academic Press lives up to their motto; Classical Subjects Creatively Taught. We're looking forward to other Bible courses such as God's Great Covenant, the Old Testament.

You can purchase God's Great Covenant Student Guide for $26.95, the Teacher's Guide for $29.95, and the MP3 download for $9.95 at Classical Academic Press. I recommend the bundle package for $56.95.
Of course, don't take my word for it, see more reviews at the crew blog.

Disclaimer: As a member of the TOS Crew, I received this product, at no cost to me, in exchange for my honest review. The opinions in this post are my own.   


Thanks for stopping by,  


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Monday, November 1, 2010

Exciting Times: the Accidental Art Class

This week is a very exciting week for our family.


Our family is taking a 3 day art class taught by Barry Stebbing of How Great Thou Art. Even the Gman has joined us for this adventure. This morning, Little Guy, in the middle of the class said "I love this class!" At bedtime he explained to me that he didn't need to go to bed early because art class will help him wake up early. Excitement.


Tonight, I am enjoying reading Mr. Stebbing's personal art journal. It's a cross between blogging, artwork, scrapbooking and a diary. He would be an excellent blogger, but he would have to create his own handwriting font. He details his travels, his lessons and personal experiences along the way.


I hope to mooch some great pictures from my dear friend Lizzie from a Work in Progress. Cyber hint! If not, I will be posting an update of our class, with my own pictures. Cyber warning!


If you are not familiar with Barry Stebbing stop by his website and see some of the wonderful home school art curriculum he has created.


A few weeks ago, I posted on Wordless Wednesday a few shots of the kids learning about frustration as an artist. The curriculum, God and the History of Art is very teacher friendly. I am only in the first few lessons, so I will have to share some of my favorite lessons with you in the future.


Why did I call it the Accidental Art Class? I was at a home school conference seminar and my a.d.d. kicked in. So I left. I stopped into one of Mr. Stebbing's workshops. I ended up sitting in a few more and became hooked.  I signed up for the fall art tour, in hopes he would come to our area.  Thanks to my BFF, Shirley, our class came together. 


I promise to post more about it, but a fine artist needs her sleep. Good night!






I welcome reader comments with open arms. I also understand if you aren't the commenting or hugging type of person, you can drop me an email at accidentallyhomeschooling@gmail.com.

Monday, June 28, 2010

Yep, that was easy

This afternoon Random was stung by a bee on the foot. It was a mini-Abbot and Costello moment with the Gman, Random, Littleguy and I pondering how to remove the stinger. This was complicated due to Random's intense pain, Littleguy's crying because his brother was hurt, and Random's strong desire for no one to touch his foot. We were frying in the hot sun, trying to convince Random starting to hold him down to let us remove the stinger. Gman picked up the boy and brought him into the air conditioned house. There, now my brain can function.  We return to the argument: No, you can't just leave it in forever. Hey, why doesn't he just remove it himself? DUH. Now, that was easy. 

They don't always need their Momma and that's o.k. with me.

 
I welcome reader comments with open arms. I also understand if you aren't the commenting or hugging type of person, you can drop me an email at accidentallyhomeschooling@gmail.com.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

God is in the recycling business

This morning while gathering up the trash, Bible Answer Woman, Sabie Babie let me in on this revelation.

God is in the business of recycling people.

I forget that sometimes. How could I? It got me thinking, there are some new followers of my blog, who don't know about the most important thing that has ever happened to me. The ultimate example of God's recycling plan.





Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 



Of course, I can take this opportunity to recycle a blog post.





Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;
Psalm 107:2



My first Blog Post.....from February 9, 2010:


The Accidental Christian: God, the Scary Movie 
and Stop & Shop




When I think of accidents, I don't always become gripped with fear, more often, I think of the times when I am pleasantly surprised by joy. Many of my major life decisions have been a result of a collision of crazy circumstances beyond my control. I wish I could say I spent hours in prayer, life planning and agonizing over well-researched options for my future, but I won't lie. Like the day I came to Christ.

There was a sudden change of plans. I was not going to Pennsylvania for the weekend. I ended up spending the weekend alone, my almost 2 year-old was at his bio-father's. I caved in and went to a church movie with this lady who kept inviting me. If I just went once, I could fulfill my agreement. "Sure, I'll go sometime." I was going to a movie with church people.

SOMETIME was here. I walked into the nondescript building near the mall. So this is what that lady was so excited about? A plain cream-colored room with brown carpet and metal folding chairs. We began singing. Lucky for me the words were being projected on the wall. The feature movie was "Years of the Beast". I, who hated scary movies and still do, sat and watched the whole thing without food, a potty stop, or a quick nap. I was in awe. The movie was hokey, the acting terrible, but I was fascinated by the audience. They were completely enjoying the movie. They laughed at the silliness, cheered at the baptism, gave amens to the scripture quotes and gasped at the terror. When the movie ended, someone delivered a sermonette about salvation and Bible prophesy. Both topics were news to me. My church lady friend spoke to me. An older woman invited me to pray with her. I, being the pseudo-intellectual at the moment, replied "I need to make an informed decision." I meant that. I had never heard the plan of salvation in my whole 20 years of life. You mean to tell me it is that simple? Impossible. The one thing I did know is, I was a sinner. I must become an informed sinner. I did the most logical thing to do after watching a movie and hearing the gospel.

I went to Stop and Shop to get some food. I was hungry. I also headed for their Barnes and Noble Book section. I found a New King James Bible and bought it that very night. I was not going to get one written by those people in the church. What if they wrote their own Bible? After replacing the calories burned by fretting over the movie, I was ready to find out what to do about my sin. I played Bible roulette and opened it up to the middle of the Bible. Proverbs. This was the best Bible for a new Bible reader like myself. I quickly found out what the Bible says about overcoming sin, how to recognize a good church, how to be free from gluttony, and the plan of salvation. There were title pages with questions that I had, and simple scriptures to show me what God's word says about each topic. This was too good to be true. I decided that night I would return to the church the next night for a rock concert. I was convinced it was not too late for me. What if I didn't cancel my plans last minute? What if I went to a different supermarket and I didn't buy a Bible? God in His sovereign plan would have gotten my attention, somehow. I am so thankful for the weekend that I accidentally stumbled into God, His word and a new life. That was June of 1986.....






I welcome reader comments with open arms. I also understand if you aren't the commenting or hugging type of person, you can drop me an email at accidentallyhomeschooling@gmail.com.

Monday, May 17, 2010

In case you were wondering what I am dealing with...

I haven't whined blogged about being surrounded by males lately. 

Do you notice my over-sized blog button below? The one of the adorable boy climbing out of a bookcase? Yes, that cutie. Well he's my littlest guy, who recently turned six. He's ready to solve the energy crisis, get a job, fix the financial crisis and promote world peace. I can prove it.







Little Guy's latest hobby is the acquisition and counting of money. He has been counterfeiting creating his own, finding it on the floor of my van, and discussing it non-stop.  I am quizzed in the middle of church service:

"Is there such thing as a two-dollar bill?"

"Whose picture is on the fifty-dollar bill?"


"I don't know, I have never had a fifty. Ask Daddy, he has tons"

He had received some birthday bucks and has been offering to do some 'money jobs' around the house. Money jobs are the jobs that are above and beyond chores. Like picking dandelions. Mom was paying him for each one he picked. So I underestimated the amount of dandelions and my son's business sense. He had counted out in piles of 10, 186 of these pesky weeds. He proudly reports how he was able to pick so many. 

"I picked them from the neighbor's yard."

I decided that was the last 2 bucks I would hand out for this job. Now, we break into the Word of God. If a man won't work, he shall not eat. The money jobs are diminishing.

Unfortunately, this is not building his savings fast enough. At breakfast last week he piped up,"I wish I could sell papers like Matty Paper Boy. Then, I'd be rich." I told him, "You would be wonderful at it because you're so friendly!" He replied, "Yeah, I would, I never beat up grown-ups." 
HMMMM...

Gee son, thanks for not beating up grown-ups and embarrassing me.
So like who do you beat up??


Nevermind.


Same morning, same boy.  I had to run back in the house to get my coffee and his jacket. When I came out to the car, Little Guy was huddling at the tailpipe in the exhaust fumes. This is where mommy yells and doesn't care if or what God or the neighbors hear. After my spiel of carbon dioxide poisoning blah, blah, blah in which I really meant to say carbon monoxide, I let him get a word in. 


"But Mom. I was just getting warm."


Nevermind. 


Hopefully the law of first mention and Mommy's crazy yelling will convince him to never try that one again.


I have figured out one thing about parenting in my twenty-five years at it. 

I still have have not seen it all


Maybe two.


I don't want to.






 I welcome reader comments with open arms. I also understand if you aren't the commenting or hugging type of person, you can drop me an email at accidentallyhomeschooling@gmail.com.




Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Wordless Wednesday.....Yesterday's Money Pit



A few months ago, I whined about another accident in this post. This post falls in the category of  'so that's how they do that!' This was something I felt we should leave to the experts, like orthodontics.

I welcome reader comments with open arms. I also understand if you aren't the commenting or hugging type of person, you can drop me an email at accidentallyhomeschooling@gmail.com.




Tuesday, May 11, 2010

I am listening to...

I have been spending time listening to old homeschooling workshop cassette tapes from Masshope. I am thankful my van has a tape player. Each ride, I feel like I get a little shot in the arm of encouragement. I don't always agree doctrinally with the speakers, but I admire them. They are the true pioneers in the homeschooling movement. They are deeply committed to strengthening the family. I feel as if I can't hear enough of them now. Maybe because I have finally transitioned from being committed for the year to being committed for the duration. I know it sounds weird for a homeschool support group leader to say that. I had always admired those who knew they were going to homeschool before they even had kids. I being the accidental homeschooler, am in awe at these parents. Random, my 12 year old asked me if there was such thing as home high? What do you mean son? He really had no idea there was an option to be homeschooled through high school. Wow, I guess we had never shared our vision beyond making it through each school year. I let him know that his brother was going to be in high school at home next year. I also told him he could apply for enrollment and perhaps we will accept him into our elite home high(just kidding). 


School House Expo
These 11 year-old cassettes led me to cave in and sign up for the Homeschool Expo from the Old Schoolhouse. They are offering mp3s from a variety of speakers and free downloads. I hope to hear more of these workshops, if I can figure out how to load it on my iPod. If not my computer will have to do. One very appealing bonus to sign up for the expo was it included a guide to writing comic strips which my boys will love. 

About the expo, I won't really be there because like my commitment to homeschooling, I waited too long to decide. I'll be listening to the workshops after the fact. If you are interested there is an incentive to sign up by midnight Tuesday.


I welcome reader comments with open arms. I also understand if you aren't the commenting or hugging type of person, you can drop me an email at accidentallyhomeschooling@gmail.com.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Welcome To Our Home or Money Pit Monday

Five years ago we bought a fixer upper. Even before this move, I had held a personal false doctrine about H-E-double hockey sticks. I knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that unrepentant sinners would find themselves in a place of torment that would include perpetual home improvement, bladder infections and head lice. Now after 5 years, I still cling to this notion. But when I am witnessing to someone, I am careful not to mention it. Can you imagine this conversation?


"Excuse me, I'm concerned about where you will spend eternity?"


"Huh?"


"Do you realize there is no Home Depot, antibiotics or Nix shampoo down there?"


Oh silly me, where was I?


My money pit beautiful home. That's right. Since today is Monday, I decided in my bloggy world it is o.k. to complain. I know the Gman would rather I whine here, than to him. Besides, he has already left for work.  As long as I have someone who will listen, it's o.k. I am coming off the weekend of not accomplishing 3% of my home improvement goals, so it is fresh wound. I did make my list and all I can say is my hand ached afterward. It's 3 pages long.

A few snowstorms ago we had a literal money pit experience. Our pit became a $5000 pit. 



We have an in-ground pool, with a liner that has more holes in it than a spaghetti strainer. Gravity is not our friend. The pool was closed for the season, but the water level continued to drop. In this lovely snowstorm, the green cover was blanketed with a few tons of snow. That tore and fell into the pool. I can still hear the sounds z$z$z$zRRRIIIIPPP$z$z$z$z$. 


So, Gman being the do it yourself type of guy, with the help of mattyG, shoveled the pool deck, removed the pegs holding the torn cover and shoveled off the winter cover before it froze into the swamp.



Gman then had to spread the cover out to dry and pray that it didn't freeze onto the lawn. The winter cover will have to be sent to someone with a sewing machine and a large work area for repairs. Did I ever mention how much I do not like to sew?                              
My personal motto is I do not sew, I throw.Now we need to replace the pool liner for somewhere in the ballpark of 4 G's. No problem, just cash in my IRA. Oh what do you mean I already did? Oh, just sell one of the kids? O.k. we'll draw straws.


It gets prettier...
This weekend little guy had a friend over. They decided since it was so nice out, they needed to see if they water was warm. I look out the window to see little guy wet from the chest down. Thankfully, his friend had enough sense not to try to walk into the green water.  In case you were wondering kids, if it is green and slimy, 95% of the time it is slippery. 

Unless it is guacamole, don't go near it.


Until spring really springs around here, I have swamp front property. My thoughts of my 5 year-old having his birthday party here are crushed. Unless of course we have another Star Wars themed one with a Gungan Swamp.

I will restrain myself and not sell my children.  Perhaps I can stand at a traffic light and hold a sign up, "Will work for pool liner." I can understand if there is no pity to be found. I feel the same way about the rich people who trusted Bernie Madoff. I just needed to get this rant off my chest. I feel better now.




In the meantime, I'll just treasure my memories. Remember when the only thing in my backyard that was green was the grass? Thanks for stopping by,
~TerriG
I welcome reader comments with open arms. I also understand if you aren't the commenting or hugging type of person, you can drop me an email at accidentallyhomeschooling@gmail.com.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

I Don't LOL, much.

I am not a big texter or user of internet abbreviations. I just feel that the English language is so filled with wonderful words to more accurately describe what the author is trying to say. LOL, BRB, and IMHO do make a point, quickly. BUT! If I was Al Gore and had invented the internet, it would be different. I would have instituted a different set of abbreviations. I would have chosen: AL=Audible Laugh, IWRSIIDGD=I will return soon if I don't get distracted, and IACAWIT=if anyone cared about what I think. This morning while reading Mama M, one of my favorite blogs, I giggled, laughed audibly and smiled at this one. More than once. This was lifted off shared from someone other blogger, while giving full credit where credit is due. I may not LOL, but I do laugh all the time. Probably often at the wrong times. I hope you LOL like I did. I'm off to wake the boys up to see this one. Enjoy the music, ~TerriG

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

At the expense of others or The Golden Rule

Time, Money and Words I love to save a buck or 20. I am not embarrassed to hold up the grocery line with a stack of coupons. In fact, if I see someone behind me exuding impatience. I warn them "I have a lot of coupons, this could take a while." Many have thanked me and quickly found another line. Some stayed and worshiped in awe at the savings. Once in while, an unbeliever stays, and I have had the privilege of hearing their impatient sighs as I watch my grocery bill drop. Hey, they were warned. I didn't intend to take up their time. My thriftiness is at the expense of my time. I spent an hour sorting and making my list. I tried not to hold the rest of the world up. When I am saving money, someone or some large corporation is not making as much. When is my savings greed, at the expense of others? My friend owns a Christian bookstore. She even lets it be known, she will match the big Christian books store's prices. Would I bring in the prices and talk her down? No way, not in my wildest dreams. Would I show up a yard sale and offer a few bucks less for an item? Yes, of course I would. If I didn't know that person. I remember being on the other side of the yard sale. It was during my first year of marital bliss. We were having a huge yardsale. We had merged 2 homes worth of furniture, moved into a house filled with unwanted furniture and needed to purge. This was one of our first tests. Could we peacefully let go of our junk stuff? My sister-in-law was there helping to set up. It was still early, so the Gman had carried out some of his treasures and placed them on the makeshift tables. He drove down the street to hang the signs. Along comes middle-aged lady. How much for these antler's?
Those antlers?
The ones that Gman had hoped to hang in our bedroom? Above our bed? You mean the ones that have the little hooves mounted below to hold the fishing rod or rifle? The ones that used to be above his fireplace in his bachelor pad?
The one's that in his own mother's words "Oh! he Loved Those!"???? Oh, I have no clue. So I look over to my sister-in-law who grew up in deer country. "I don't know five bucks?" I look over at the lady and say "Five Bucks" The lady, who had previously showed no emotions at all, comes to life. She is excited. She can't hide it. "I'll take it!" Realizing my stupidity, and being still somewhat of a rookie at diplomacy, I said to her. "You'd better get out of here before my husband gets back." Wisely she did. I was left with five dollars and a problem.
Gman handled it pretty well. We had only been married a few months, so he was still madly in love with me. He only tried to sell the box of china from my great aunt Alice once that day. We get a chuckle out of it now. I learned something that day. I am still learning things as I think too much, like this blogger I just started following. I loved her title page. Just Thinkin'. It amazes me how God can use so many small events to teach me something. I learned that the Golden Rule is the rule. We are leaky vessels and need to hear it over and over. I can hear that catchy song from Sunday School. "Do to others, Do to others as you would have them do to you." My friend was expressing how much she has enjoyed my blog the other night. She is like my first follower. Thanks so much BFF, I appreciate the kind words. Then she blurted out "How come you are not that funny in person?". Before we go thinking, boy that was harsh, know this, those words did not hurt at all. I told her that I have learned to bite my tongue. She understands it totally, we are sisters in that matter. I could say I am too often misunderstood, but the truth is I am tired of eating shoe leather. Many of my funny thoughts and unsaid words would have been at the expense of others. Whatever gains I make in my life, my hope is to let them be through kindness and hard work. Not at the expense of others. Yard sale season is coming up. I will keep this in perspective. Thanks for stopping by. ~TerriG

Monday, February 22, 2010

In-Laws, Sisters and Another Accident

I don't have any sisters or daughters.......Before you start feeling sorry for me and my state of testosterone-filled companions, don't. God has supplied my needs through another accident. Single girls, listen up........especially my nieces. Before you even think of getting married you need to know some important things about your intended...
  • Are they handy? Can they use common hand tools?
  • Do they like Chinese food?
  • Do they know God?
  • Can they balance their checkbook?
  • Is their family people you would not mind spending every major holiday with?
I'll admit, since I met Gman in church, I only knew the answer to one of these questions. My courtship with the Gman was anything but normal. In my ignorance, God was gracious. I had insanely said "yes" before really getting to know his family. This could have been disastrous, but once again I have been pleasantly surprised. I had only met his family one time, since I had become crazy about him. The first time I met them, Gman was not even on my radar screen. That meeting didn't count because I was unaware of Gman's potential. The next time was before the engagement and Gman was sick as a dog so I could not get a real reading on this crew. The next time, it was the day before our wedding. Of course, I was so preoccupied, again I didn't notice. I was unaware of who my new family was. After the dust settled, the honeymoon was over, I really met the Gman's side of the family. Wow, I had never had sisters, this is amazing, now 3 of them. They all have the capacity to speak 1000's of words in short conversations. His mom, too! We could go out for coffee and never come back. This is really neat. February is my birth month. In our home, this translates to me milking it for all it's worth. Be nice to me, let me pick everything, gifts and compliments flow all month, not just one day. Me, me and me. Hey, February is the shortest month, birthdays are too short, besides they conflict with other plans. This way no one misses the opportunity to celebrate. I went to the mailbox this morning. My sister-in-law and hopefully blog follower had sent the best card. Simply fabulous, with a scripture bookmark. She also sent a beautiful notepad set covered with butterflies. Even middle guy admired them. She didn't know my grandmother 'Nuna' loved butterflies. Every note and card from her had butterflies on it. She didn't know 'Nuna' died yesterday morning at 91 years old. She didn't know her small birthday gift would be a small healing balm for the sadness I felt today.
Nuna at 90 enjoying Daytona Beach
Goodbye Nuna.....I just made up a word to describe you.....My Glammother....I know Auntie C will agree. And thank you for the birthday gift, sister of the Gman.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Five Question Friday or I admit I need help blogging

Since I am a rookie blogger, I am reading other blogs(a.k.a. wasting time, ignoring to do lists) to see which feature of blogs I enjoy. I loved this blog by mama m. She has a cute idea about answering 5 random questions. It is a nice way to get to know the blogger without a boring biography. I was excited about this until last Friday. Her random questions were way to personal for me. They centered around Valentine's Day and the details of me and my beloved. Everyone who knows me only needs to know this about the Gman and I: I am madly in love with him and this fact was just reaffirmed by my friend Susan. Just last night when I showed up to a dinner party without him, the second thing she said to me is "You make him breakfast everyday?" After she ooohed about my new haircut. I forgot to ask her where that came from. It was weighing on my single pal's mind. You can be madly in love after 18 years? But we are getting too personal, back to the 5 questions.
1. Have you ever hit an animal with your vehicle? Yes, and I remember the speed bump feeling of my Oldsmobile station wagon felt, ooohhh. Raccoon, I think. Big one.
2. When you see a string on your clothes do you pull it off or cut if off? This is a serious problem with me. I gingerly try to retie the loose ends. Then I cut it off. Just last week I had to stop Little Guy from unraveling his only nice sweater in church, he would have pulled the whole thing out. I resorted to begging. Please wait until we get home. I don't knit. Good boy.
3. Did you have your own room or share a room when you were young? I was the only girl so I did have my own room. I had bright red linoleum flooring, wow, so ugly.
4. Would you rather wear the same thing for the rest of your life or eat the same thing for the rest of your life? This is a no brainer, in fact many times I already do this. I would rather wear the same thing. It would be my favorite brown corduroys and a brown turtleneck. I told Gman he is lucky to have me, I just don't have a love for clothes shopping that many of my friends do. My love affair with food could never stand the thought of no variety. I read recipes for fun. Hey, at least I am only reading them, no weight gain there.
5. What was your favorite TV show as a child? Here's where I admit to the world that I am really a geek. Oh, you already knew, nevermind. On Sunday nights, I always looked forward to Mutual of Omahas Wild Kingdom. I just learned that they have a new version of this on animal planet. I will not even go there, I want to cherish my memories. One time, I even bought the Gman some old DVD's of this show for his birthday. Do any other wives buy their husband a gift they would love to own? I learned this one from the Gman himself. Thanks honey. It was such a thoughtful gift.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

The Food Police, Green Jello and the Hangover








My 13 year-old is really into Old Time Radio. He is even persuaded by the old commercials. While shopping yesterday, he begged me to buy some green jello. Not only did I cave, but I bought the large package. Green Goodness? After dinner he was very excited to make his green goodness. I, the official food police, was aiding and abetting this crime. The smell of chemicals hit me as he dumped the sugar powder mix into the bowl. It should have been the warning for me. Since Jello takes 3 hours to chill, I had forgotten all about the smell. We topped this off with fresh whipped cream. I couldn't resist. I enjoyed every bit of this. Oh the memories of the school cafeteria flooded back to me. What a delicious treat....until the headache set in. OOOOOOHH!!!! sharp ouch stop that!! Get out of my brain, that hurts me!!!! I have never had a migraine but I bet this one could have been classified as one. My dear friends know how obsessive I am about food. I have this feeling they think I am a nut case, but they love me enough to tolerate my quirky food obsessions. A while back, I started my then 4 year-old on this diet and have been amazed at the difference in our lives. Feingold eliminates naturally occurring salicylates and artificial additives. This is not a health food diet, we still enjoy guilty pleasures such as ice cream, corn chips and chocolate. That would be setting myself up for failure if we couldn't indulge. We just eat junk food minus the chemicals. Why did I think after months of wholesome yummy junk foods, I would not be affected by such backsliding as green jello? I finally fell asleep to the pain at around midnight. I woke up at 7:30 and rolled back to sleep until 9:30 a.m. I have not slept that late since I was a teenager. I haven't had a hangover for over 20 years. Will I repeat the overindulging again? No way, unless of course, it includes some serious chocolate.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

The Accidental Christian: God, the Scary Movie and Stop & Shop


When I think of accidents, I don't always become gripped with fear, more often, I think of the times when I am pleasantly surprised by joy. Many of my major life decisions have been a result of a collision of crazy circumstances beyond my control. I wish I could say I spent hours in prayer, life planning and agonizing over well researched options for my future, but I won't lie. Like the day I came to Christ.

There was a sudden change of plans. I was not going to Pennsylvania for the weekend. I ended up spending the weekend alone, my almost 2 year-old was at his bio-father's. I caved in and went to a church movie with this lady who kept inviting me. If I just went once, I could fulfill my agreement. "Sure, I'll go sometime." I was going to a movie with church people.

SOMETIME was here. I walked into the nondescript building near the mall. So this is what that lady was so excited about? A plain cream-colored room with brown carpet and metal folding chairs. We began singing. Lucky for me the words were being projected on the wall. The feature movie was "Years of the Beast". I, who hated scary movies and still do, sat and watched the whole thing without food, a potty stop, or a quick nap. I was in awe. The movie was hokey, the acting terrible, but I was fascinated by the audience. They were completely enjoying the movie. They laughed at the silliness, cheered at the baptism, gave amens to the scripture quotes and gasped at the terror. When the movie ended, someone delivered a sermonette about salvation and Bible prophesy. Both topics were news to me. My church lady friend spoke to me. An older woman invited me to pray with her. I, being the pseudo-intellectual at the moment, replied "I need to make an informed decision." I meant that. I had never heard the plan of salvation in my whole 20 years of life. You mean to tell me it is that simple? Impossible. The one thing I did know is, I was a sinner. I must become an informed sinner. I did the most logical thing to do after watching a movie and hearing the gospel.

I went to Stop and Shop to get some food. I was hungry. I also headed for their Barnes and Noble Book Section. I found a New King James Bible and bought it that very night. I was not going to get one written by those people in the church. What if they wrote their own Bible? After replacing the calories burned by fretting over the movie, I was ready to find out what to do about my sin. I played Bible roulette and opened it up to the middle of the Bible. Proverbs. This was the best Bible for a new Bible reader like me. I quickly found out what the Bible says about overcoming sin, how to recognize a good church, how to be free from gluttony, and the plan of salvation. There were title pages with questions that I had, and simple scriptures to show me what God's word says about each topic. This was too good to be true. I decided that night I would return to the church the next night for a rock concert. I was convinced it was not too late for me. What if I didn't cancel my plans last minute? What if I went to Shaws and didn't get a Bible? God in His sovereign plan would have gotten my attention. I am so thankful for the weekend that I accidentally stumbled into God, His word and a new life. That was June of 1986.....