I am fighting jealousy this week... first off, Jim and Dot went to Six Flags today, while Jamie and I went grocery shopping. How unfair is that?! Oh well...
What is worse, though, is that our friends are moving back to Pennsylvania, to live near their families. Oh how we wish it was possible for us to move to Ohio! Ohio is the promised land for us - family, friends, good churches, Cedar Point... However, Jim's job is a good one, and it would be tremendously hard to find another employer willing to match the pay and benefits we are getting here. Plus, where would everyone go for vacation if we moved to Ohio? :-)
Thursday, July 28, 2005
Thursday, July 21, 2005
Poor me...
Poor, poor me. Yesterday someone broke into our house while we were gone. What they took didn't amount to the deductible on our insurance, but it was mostly my stuff! My earrings and bracelet , both presents from Jim, my camera, my savings bond, etc. The kids are mourning the loss of the dvd player. They did enjoy seeing the police at work, though. Word to the wise: they can't take fingerprints from dusty surfaces...
We began the tedious paperwork and legwork to get our life back in order. Credit reports are on the watch, just in case, official paperwork was filled in and filed. Insurance was called. Kids were bored to death at SSA.
Now we deal with the other side of things - Dot is inclined to worry. Every thing must be locked up tight! New locks will be put on windows (they came in through the bathroom window).
Over all, we have much to be thankful for. This isn't a huge deal - most of our stuff is still here, we are all safe. Sure, I'm out some jewelry (sentimental value outweighs the price), and that picture of "snaggletooth" will never be developed, but we'll live. We still have too much stuff! Too bad they didn't take the worthless junk we have stashed everywhere!
Something we laughed about last night - they actually used one of my pillow cases to carry the jewlry!
We began the tedious paperwork and legwork to get our life back in order. Credit reports are on the watch, just in case, official paperwork was filled in and filed. Insurance was called. Kids were bored to death at SSA.
Now we deal with the other side of things - Dot is inclined to worry. Every thing must be locked up tight! New locks will be put on windows (they came in through the bathroom window).
Over all, we have much to be thankful for. This isn't a huge deal - most of our stuff is still here, we are all safe. Sure, I'm out some jewelry (sentimental value outweighs the price), and that picture of "snaggletooth" will never be developed, but we'll live. We still have too much stuff! Too bad they didn't take the worthless junk we have stashed everywhere!
Something we laughed about last night - they actually used one of my pillow cases to carry the jewlry!
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
Dedicated Sale Room
Our local library has a room that is dedicated to storing seasonal books and back issues of magazines and newspapers. This same room has a couple of shelves for the sale of their withdrawn items, too. We rarely make a visit to the library without visiting this room. Their prices are very reasonable - 4 books for $1, cd's are $2, videos are $3. Every once in awhile they have a special sale where books are 10 for $1!!!
Previously I picked up a book on daily life in medieval times (I like history, what can I say...). Jim looked it up online and found that as a new hardback it can sell for over $100. Mine, sadly, is an old paperback copy...
Anyway, we went down there yesterday, and found a few books for the kids and a couple cds. I picked up Michael Card's "Starkindler" cd. I have heard some of the songs on our local (mostly ccm) Christian radio station. These are hymns played with a celtic flair, such as "Be Thou My Vision", "The King of Love My Shepherd Is", and "Jesus, Lover of My Soul". While it seems to be a short cd, only 10 songs, it was well worth the $2 I paid. Very nice.
Previously I picked up a book on daily life in medieval times (I like history, what can I say...). Jim looked it up online and found that as a new hardback it can sell for over $100. Mine, sadly, is an old paperback copy...
Anyway, we went down there yesterday, and found a few books for the kids and a couple cds. I picked up Michael Card's "Starkindler" cd. I have heard some of the songs on our local (mostly ccm) Christian radio station. These are hymns played with a celtic flair, such as "Be Thou My Vision", "The King of Love My Shepherd Is", and "Jesus, Lover of My Soul". While it seems to be a short cd, only 10 songs, it was well worth the $2 I paid. Very nice.
Oh yeah...
I meant to post this last week, after we had visited our local Chinese buffet (yes, can you believe it? Jim even enjoyed some of the food! Of course, Jimbo ate mostly french fries... and Dot asked if pizza was Chinese!) We all enjoyed reading our fortunes, but mine was the only one that actually seemed to fit:
Traveling more often is important for your health and happiness.
It might bankrupt us, but I would be happy and healthy! I can afford a walk around the block if not a trip around the world. The kids would enjoy the walk more anyway.
Traveling more often is important for your health and happiness.
It might bankrupt us, but I would be happy and healthy! I can afford a walk around the block if not a trip around the world. The kids would enjoy the walk more anyway.
Friday, July 15, 2005
homeschool
Last night we went to Chick-Fil-A. After we ate dinner the kids played in the playplace while we had a meeting with another couple from our church. The "G" family has been homeschooling for quite awhile, their 6th child is entering the high school years now. They answered alot of questions for us, and made it all look possible. They gave us catalogs to look through and some things to think about. They also encouraged us that this is a good path to go down.
Homeschooling is so open nowadays. While many parents will choose the Abeka/BJU path, there are others who will choose to make up their own curriculum. We are leaning toward a more "classical" education, and we have found some promising resources. Veritas Press (their catalog features an article by none other than R.C. & Denise Sproul, jr.) has many interesting things for sale, and their curriculum looks challenging - in a good way! The Calvert School, even though it is secular, looks like a good choice to start out with. They provide a lot of help for homeschooling parents, sort of an "umbrella program". A bonus - they are here in Baltimore! Of course, we will go with Saxon Math - I enjoyed it for high school math, and it is highly recommended. Would you believe we are leaning toward teaching Latin?
So, here we go, heading out into a new world... it's sort of frightening and exciting at the same time!
Homeschooling is so open nowadays. While many parents will choose the Abeka/BJU path, there are others who will choose to make up their own curriculum. We are leaning toward a more "classical" education, and we have found some promising resources. Veritas Press (their catalog features an article by none other than R.C. & Denise Sproul, jr.) has many interesting things for sale, and their curriculum looks challenging - in a good way! The Calvert School, even though it is secular, looks like a good choice to start out with. They provide a lot of help for homeschooling parents, sort of an "umbrella program". A bonus - they are here in Baltimore! Of course, we will go with Saxon Math - I enjoyed it for high school math, and it is highly recommended. Would you believe we are leaning toward teaching Latin?
So, here we go, heading out into a new world... it's sort of frightening and exciting at the same time!
Thursday, July 14, 2005
new car/used car?
We are in the process of looking at cars. Both of our vehicles are getting older, and neither one of us is a mechanic. Soooo... what do we buy? We have a truck and a minivan at this point in time, and we plan on keeping both (Jim can choose which he wants to drive to work). Therefore we have the option of a smaller vehicle, if we so desire. We have looked at wagons, small SUVs, and even those little crossovers. At the top of our list, the Honda CR-V or the Subaru Forester/Outback. (Of course, someday we'll look at MGs and Jaguars, right?)
The deals offered lately have been tempting - employee price plus customer cash? It makes a new vehicle the same price as a slightly used one. (What is the use of us buying anything that isn't slightly used? We want to get something that won't need work anytime soon!) We've browsed Carmax, and would probably buy there if we choose used - one of our friends is a mechanic there.
Someday soon we will have to brave the dreaded car dealers...
The deals offered lately have been tempting - employee price plus customer cash? It makes a new vehicle the same price as a slightly used one. (What is the use of us buying anything that isn't slightly used? We want to get something that won't need work anytime soon!) We've browsed Carmax, and would probably buy there if we choose used - one of our friends is a mechanic there.
Someday soon we will have to brave the dreaded car dealers...
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
bad attitude
Okay, so I realize that I am at fault here. I shouldn't dread VBS this much. However, I haven't had to fight rush hour/construction zone traffic for a long time now, and the kids have been sleeping in... It's hard to get my housework done... It's payday/shopping week... It's hot...
Dot has been thrilled to go to Neighborhood Bible Time, and wants to be the ultimate memory champ (or some such thing). Jimbo is having fun in the nursery - although he is very territorial now. Sharing is just one of many concepts being taught in our house right now. I did get the nursery toys and books sorted through and took a bunch as donations to Goodwill.
After hearing that they had enough teachers, I decided that I don't have to feel bad about not helping out all week. I can use my Thursday and Friday mornings as shopping days while Dot has fun at church.
Dot has been thrilled to go to Neighborhood Bible Time, and wants to be the ultimate memory champ (or some such thing). Jimbo is having fun in the nursery - although he is very territorial now. Sharing is just one of many concepts being taught in our house right now. I did get the nursery toys and books sorted through and took a bunch as donations to Goodwill.
After hearing that they had enough teachers, I decided that I don't have to feel bad about not helping out all week. I can use my Thursday and Friday mornings as shopping days while Dot has fun at church.
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
Symphony in shorts
Last night we went to the BSO's Star Spangled Spectacular up at Oregon Ridge Park. We were able to hear a very nice concert and enjoy some very nice fireworks. Impressive, and fully worth the money we paid.
The park was beautiful, a good choice for a concert venue. The stage was set at the bottom of a wide sledding/ski hill, and there were plenty of picnic tabels and bathrooms. The concessions were not numerous, but they were affordable; most people brought their own food, however. While they did have kids entertainment that required a $5 wristband, the park's free playground was large and new enough to keep our kids happy. The park did have parking, but they encouraged the use of their shuttle service - it was a well planned service, too, and we didn't have to wait too long before we were back at our vehicle.
The concert was very nice, with most of the music being well recognized patriotic favorites. Singing was encouraged, and they even started off with the pledge to the American flag. The second half of the concert included well choreographed fireworks. No cheap white noisemakers here, these were very nice fireworks. (Another benefit of being out of the city - no booming echoes off surrounding buildings.)
We met up with our friends from church, and enjoyed spending the evening with them. It is good to get out and do things together with friends and family! Dot danced along to the music at times, and "Jimbo" was so tired that the fireworks were a little scary... snuggling up in Mommy's lap helped. This was his first time to see fireworks! Dot fell asleep on the way home, but Jimbo stayed awake the whole time... even wanted to play when we got home. Funny kid... it was close to midnight!
The park was beautiful, a good choice for a concert venue. The stage was set at the bottom of a wide sledding/ski hill, and there were plenty of picnic tabels and bathrooms. The concessions were not numerous, but they were affordable; most people brought their own food, however. While they did have kids entertainment that required a $5 wristband, the park's free playground was large and new enough to keep our kids happy. The park did have parking, but they encouraged the use of their shuttle service - it was a well planned service, too, and we didn't have to wait too long before we were back at our vehicle.
The concert was very nice, with most of the music being well recognized patriotic favorites. Singing was encouraged, and they even started off with the pledge to the American flag. The second half of the concert included well choreographed fireworks. No cheap white noisemakers here, these were very nice fireworks. (Another benefit of being out of the city - no booming echoes off surrounding buildings.)
We met up with our friends from church, and enjoyed spending the evening with them. It is good to get out and do things together with friends and family! Dot danced along to the music at times, and "Jimbo" was so tired that the fireworks were a little scary... snuggling up in Mommy's lap helped. This was his first time to see fireworks! Dot fell asleep on the way home, but Jimbo stayed awake the whole time... even wanted to play when we got home. Funny kid... it was close to midnight!
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