Finishing the Pineapple

I honestly can't tell you how long ago my mom and I took the quilting class for this pineapple wall hanging.  What's it been, Mom, a decade or more?  (Well, it's been long enough ago that my mom certainly doesn't need a class for something as low level as this anymore!) 
Anyway, I gave the plastic baggie filled with the half-finished project to my mom a couple weeks ago.  This should tell you three things: one, I have a hard time finishing projects.  Two, I am refusing to pack unfinished craft projects.  I mean, really...do I REALLY think I'll unpack a quilting project from forever ago and just pick up where I left off???   And three, my mom will always save the day when it comes to finishing off one of my quilting projects (okay, there have only really been three quilting projects that I've taken on...and this is the second that she has completed for me.  Thanks, Mom!). 
Long story short, my mom pulled it out of the baggie and bound and quilted it for me (not until after she reminded me that I had the front all pieced together and all that had to be done was the binding and final touches).  It now hangs on the wall in my front foyer. 

The Pineapple, 18 x 33 inches.

Freedom to be Weird

Last week, there was a big event in Springfield at the Capital building.  Our legislators were looking to make it a requirement that homeschoolers register with the state.  Our senators made comments like, "We are concerned with those homeschooling parents with sinister intentions", and "I don't understand why any parent would want to spend all day with their children".  That second one was from Senator Lightford, the Education Chairperson for the state of Illinois.
Now, I am trying hard to set aside these insulting, irrelevant and/or low minded comments that played out in the Capital that afternoon (after all, just because YOU don't want to spend all day with your children, does that make MY choice suspect?  What is your point?  And what about private or public school parents with sinister intentions?  How does that work?  Egad. ) .
Bottom line was that they tabled the issue, and I'm relieved.  It was a vague bill that could and would be built upon and added to after passage--after people had no choice but to accept the changes--and many who understand these things better than I do have said that it was primarily a way to build numbers in order to pad/increase budgets.  Figures.
I just can't get away from the historical blindness that some people fall into when they think about homeschooling.  Like it is this new fangled "thing" that should be viewed with suspicion ("But why would anyone want to...?"), righteous indignation ("But what about socialization? But are you a teacher?  But do you have a degree?  But how do your kids feel about that??") or a weird mix of pity and awe ("Oh, you are a better woman than I am...I could NEVER do THAT!  I have a life.")   Homeschooling is not new, it is not strange, and it has produced the kinds of hearts, minds and characters that indwelled many great men and women of the past, including our founding fathers.  My point?  Homeschooling is a reasonable choice...a good choice for those who use their freedom to follow its path.
I came across this chart that shows the changing dynamics over the last few hundred years.  There are several things at play here...not just where the kids go to school.  Dwindling reading time, explosive levels of television viewing, decreasing time spent with parents while a clear increase in time spent with peers...all of these should help us to view our current culture in its larger historical context. 

The purpose of this post is not to come down on people who do not homeschool--I will not be like Senator Lightford, and say "I don't understand why any parent would send their child to public school!". We are all free to choose what seems to fit best for our families.  Whether it is what neighborhood we choose to move into, what house of worship we decide to attend (if any), what schools our kids will attend...all are choices that we are free to make.  The purpose of this post is to call attention to certain attitudes that we have that are based on something other than the truth of the matter.  When I look at this chart, I think about the friends of mine* who frequently speak of some "other homeschoolers" (they clarify that they don't mean me...just those "other weirdos") that they know who use homeschooling as "a cocoon...a shelter...a protective covering against the outside world" (said with disdain).  Yes, I'm sure those are out there.  But, when I look at the chart...I feel bad for the parents icon.  I want to reach in to the graphic and help them wrestle their child's time and attention away from peers and television...and bring it back to books, family and family-based learning (NOT necessarily homeschooling, since learning together as a family doesn't have to be that "formal").  I guess that might seem as if I am wanting to cover my kids with a 'cocoon' or 'protect them' from the outside world. If that is what a call back to family, books and learning together is, then I am guilty as charged.  Yup.  I guess I'm a "weirdo" too.  

*these are friends who do not read this blog and don't know it exists...so no, it is not YOU, kind reader.  :)

Keeping Focused

I'm trying to stay productive and learn new things in order to keep my mind focused on something other than the details of selling or renting the house and preparing to move. These details are important to think about, but they can become all-consuming and are VERY UN-fun. So I find myself turning to books or projects that engage my mind or my hands in other ways. Today, I taught myself how to braid a 6-stranded challah loaf. Well, that is partly true. Actually, a nice lady on YouTube did the teaching...and I just copied her.

Here are the results:

If you want to learn something new today, check this out:

A Full Weekend

This past weekend brought 8 house guests and much happiness.  Thursday night, my hubby came in town for a visit over the President's Day long weekend.  Friday morning brought one of the most beloved families on the planet to our doorstep--the Olsons!  Woot!  There are no words to how much we enjoy these folks, and how incredibly easy it is to meld our families together for a long weekend.  After much fun and frivolity and just before our tear-filled goodbyes, I thought I'd snap a picture.  (And to answer your question: Yes, I am in my jammies.) 

 

 Then, there was the moment we have all been waiting for: Andrew's 16th Birthday.

  

STAY OFF THE ROADS!  IF YOU SEE THIS LITTLE GUY BEHIND THE WHEEL, PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY:

 

 Okay, the above picture is not a fair depiction of what my nephew Andrew looks like these days.  This is more accurate:

Modeling the BeardHead given to him by his beloved aunt (ME!).

And now, a few words directed toward my nephew on this momentous occasion.  *Ahem*...

Drew, you are an extraordinary young man.  You are smart, funny, kind and weird (that was from the girls). We love you deeply, and want you to know that we think you are the greatest. kid. ever.  And, *gulp*, yes...we know that with each passing day, the term "kid" is a bit less applicable to you, young man.  We look forward to seeing you navigate the coming years, as you choose from the various paths ahead of you.  May you grow in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. (Luke 2:52)

For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. (Proverbs 2:6)

Love, love, love you Drew!

The Merry English Country Ball, 2011

Last summer, our family had the privilege of being invited to an English Country Ball, hosted by the Merry family.  (For those not familiar with what this might be like, just think about those group dance scenes in movies based on Jane Austen novels.)  Well, it is an exceedingly fun time...even though we 21st century dancers require a "caller", play the music off of an ipod and occasionally find the younger set falling into a sense of total chaos on the dance floor.  But it's all good!  These pictures and video are from our experience at The Second Annual Merry English Country Ball.

A fine young maiden must concern herself a bit with her appearance before the ball.

The gallant Mr. Merry greeted us in the period jacket that his daughter Kelle fashioned.

Mr. Grant, who surprised us with his unannounced visit over the weekend, was able to create more memories with his girls.

If you pay close attention to the Pride & Prejudice movie, you will spot several women wearing red denim jackets.  Really! 

Photo op #1.

And #2...

...#3...

Now the men...

Notice the guys with the costumes clustered together...strength in numbers, gentlemen!

Waiting patiently for the photo session to end!

Belle danced her heart out.  She is so cute.

Our young lady did so much better this time around.  She was much more at ease with all the dances, and deepened some friendships along the way.  Both the girls smiled the entire evening.

The above is a video that I risked my life to shoot, because it can get a little crowded and crazy on the dance floor.  I just giggle at how much fun my hubby is having...for being so manly, he sure can dance and "skip" around!  My girls just have so much fun with him.  At the end of the video, you see that Belle and her little group of friends are struggling just a bit to keep up and understand the calls, but that doesn't interfere at all with their enjoyment of the evening. 

Our deepest thanks to the Merry family for hosting this one-of-a-kind event!

Heart Strings

A video taken 2/11/11 for Daddy:

The Theme of Right Now

Courage doesn't always roar.
Sometimes it's a quiet voice at the end of the day
that says: "Ill try again tomorrow."

~Mary Anne Radmacher

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” 

~Joshua 1:9

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 

~Lamentations 3:22-23

 

Snowmageddon in Video, 2011

Here are some videos of our experiences during the Blizzard of '11:

Snowpocalypse in Pictures, 2011

View out the front door first thing in the morning. 

Just so we're clear: I am not happy, nor am I smiling.  That is the look on my face that comes when heart and lungs are about to burst, and I am desperately trying to take in more oxygen...oxygen that happens to be 5 degrees, by the way.  No.  Not happy. at. all.

You can't tell from the picture, but that drift by the porch entryway is shoulder height.  Yeah...not looking forward to digging that out of there.  I'm thinking of having the girls just jump on it and in it...you know, flatten it out a little.  If they pat it down enough, we'll just add some water and make it an ice ramp.  That's a little bit of a ridiculous idea, but I'm desperate for solutions to snow removal that do NOT include me shoveling.  And is it still called shoveling if you have to reach above hip or shoulder level to "shovel"? 

Another view of the great drift that enveloped our house.

Unleashing the girls on the great drift.

I think Moo is standing in the yard?

Great memories for the girls.

"To thine own self be true"

This is an excerpt from a graduation commencement address at Langley High School in Virginia, given by Justice Antonin Scalia, where his granddaughter was graduating.  It struck me as a good word for not only those newly graduating teens moving on to adulthood, but many adults who would do well to constantly question and reevaluate the trajectory of their lives, ideas and principles.  Indeed, it is a truth that is to be applied beyond politics and government, and should include the very care and keeping of one's soul.

"[A] platitude I want discuss comes in many flavors. It can be variously delivered as, ‘Follow your star,’ or ‘Never compromise your principles.’ Or, quoting Polonius in ‘Hamlet’ — who people forget was supposed to be an idiot — ‘To thine ownself be true.’ Now this can be very good or very bad advice. Indeed, follow your star if you want to head north and it’s the North Star. But if you want to head north and it’s Mars, you had better follow somebody else’s star.

Indeed, never compromise your principles. Unless, of course, your principles are Adolf Hitler’s. In which case, you would be well advised to compromise your principles, as much as you can.

And indeed, to thine ownself be true, depending upon who you think you are.

It’s a belief that seems particularly to beset modern society, that believing deeply in something, and following that belief, is the most important thing a person could do. Get out there and picket, or boycott, or electioneer, or whatever. I am here to tell you that it is much less important how committed you are, than what you are committed to. If I had to choose, I would always take the less dynamic, indeed even the lazy person who knows what’s right, than the zealot in the cause of error. He may move slower, but he’s headed in the right direction.

Movement is not necessarily progress. More important than your obligation to follow your conscience, or at least prior to it, is your obligation to form your conscience correctly. Nobody — remember this — neither Hitler, nor Lenin, nor any despot you could name, ever came forward with a proposal that read, ‘Now, let’s create a really oppressive and evil society.’ Hitler said, ‘Let’s take the means necessary to restore our national pride and civic order.’ And Lenin said, ‘Let’s take the means necessary to assure a fair distribution of the goods of the world.’

In short, it is your responsibility, men and women of the class of 2010, not just to be zealous in the pursuit of your ideals, but to be sure that your ideals are the right ones. That is perhaps the hardest part of being a good human being: Good intentions are not enough. Being a good person begins with being a wise person. Then, when you follow your conscience, will you be headed in the right direction.”