21 posts and 7 unpublished drafts. That's a lot of writing in 30 days. You might say that I didn't meet my ultimate goal, but I would say that I am thrilled with this result! I published 22 posts in March, April, May, and June ALL together. 21 posts in one month? I rock, if I do say so myself.
Now to keep it up. School starts in less than two weeks in our house. I have a lot of lesson planning and long-term goal planning to accomplish over the next two weeks. I have messy school cabinet and craft closet organization to do. I'd like to re-organize my kitchen before then because an organized kitchen makes all of my life easier. Saving time in the kitchen makes the household run smoother.
I won't promise 30 posts in the next 30 days, but I will keep plugging away and resurrect this blog for good. I need to write more than anyone needs to read it, and the joy this writing journey has brought to me is providing me the momentum to keep going.
I hope you have enjoyed at least something I have written this past month, and I hope you'll come back to visit again soon!
Showing posts with label 30 Days of Blog Posts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 30 Days of Blog Posts. Show all posts
15 August 2013
14 August 2013
2013-2014 Curriculum
Notification. It's that time of year for homeschooling families. In Ohio, this means that I provide a list of brief objectives and curriculum that will be used and sign a piece of paper assuring the school district that I will teach all the subjects listed in the homeschooling legislation and that my students will participate in 900 hours of schooling throughout the course of the year (which is 12 months in length, by the way). I'll attach a form signed by an assessor stating that my children did indeed accomplish learning during the last school year. That's it. We have little to complain about compared to our homeschooling friends in other, more rigid states.
Our 2013-2014 notification is mostly done except that our assessment hasn't been accomplished as of yet. As I post this every year, here is a list of what we McEvoys will be learning together this year.
Ava: Grade 4
In addition to this, the kids will be taking part in a monthly homeschooling co-op. While there, they will be taking classes on Ohio History, science, art, and speech. They'll also take a phys ed class, music lessons, and sports and dance. Art and cooking projects will be completed throughout the year using various resources. This list is not comprehensive to say the least, but these are the basics for this school year. I'm excited! That's saying a lot for me!
What will you and your children be learning this year, fellow homeschooler?
Our 2013-2014 notification is mostly done except that our assessment hasn't been accomplished as of yet. As I post this every year, here is a list of what we McEvoys will be learning together this year.
Ava: Grade 4
- Primary Language Lessons
- A Reason for Spelling Level B
- Sonlight Readers (for reading and spelling)
- Handwriting without Tears Cursive Grade 4
- Teaching Textbooks Math 4
- Answers in Genesis God's Design for Life: The Human Body
- Total Language Plus
- Novels including A Light in the Forest, Treasure Island and others to be decided as part of TLP
- Poetry and novels including Stone Fox, The Sign of the Beaver, and Rascal as part of a junior high literature group
- Teaching Textbooks Math 7
- Apologia Exploring Creation through General Science
- Making Brothers and Sisters Best Friends book and workbook
- Then Sings My Soul (hymn studies)
- Time Traveler's History Unit Studies by Homeschool in the Woods (American Explorers, Colonial America, The American Revolution, and Early 19th Century Life)
In addition to this, the kids will be taking part in a monthly homeschooling co-op. While there, they will be taking classes on Ohio History, science, art, and speech. They'll also take a phys ed class, music lessons, and sports and dance. Art and cooking projects will be completed throughout the year using various resources. This list is not comprehensive to say the least, but these are the basics for this school year. I'm excited! That's saying a lot for me!
What will you and your children be learning this year, fellow homeschooler?
13 August 2013
Tomorrow I will...
Tomorrow...I will blog something, write something. Maybe I'll post 10 of those photos I took on the 10th of the month. Maybe I'll write about homeschooling notification since I'll be absorbed in that for at least an hour or two. Maybe I'll write about how blessed I am by spending time doing special things with my sweet, growing-way-too-quickly daughter. Or the smart things that come out of my almost 12 year old's mind. Or the way my husband smiles at me when I do really silly things. I could write about anything.
30 days is up tomorrow. Maybe I'll write about that.
30 days is up tomorrow. Maybe I'll write about that.
10 August 2013
Closing the Door
I'm just going to put it out there. Managing your parents' estate after their death? It sucks.
Sorry, Mom. I know you hate that word and always got on my case for saying it, but, seriously, there is no other word to describe this one.
Last night I closed the front door on their house for the last time ever. Before doing so, I walked through every room and looked around one last time. As I closed that door, I cried harder than I have cried in months. I'm sure it was good for me. I'm sure that this being done is going to move me one more step, maybe even a leap, toward healing, toward a new normal, which I crave desperately at times and wish away at others.
Tomorrow I will hand the new owner of my parents' home the keys, and all will be done with that part of the estate. I'll walk away for the last time. I don't have to put too much imagination into how that's going to feel.
This is a door that needs to close for my sanity. Obviously, I am losing it. Can you tell? Rational Girl knows that no one is in that house, that all their stuff is gone from there, but grief changes you even if only temporarily. I haven't seen Rational Girl since November.
We had our kids with us last night as we loaded cleaning supplies, pillows, and a few odds and ends into our van. Ava came up to me in tears after spending the evening trying to lean on her also emotional brother. She said, "I'm sorry, but I'm just so sensitive right now, and I can't help crying and being a little crabby when I feel so sensitive."
I know, Baby Girl. I know. That pretty much says it all.
Sorry, Mom. I know you hate that word and always got on my case for saying it, but, seriously, there is no other word to describe this one.
Last night I closed the front door on their house for the last time ever. Before doing so, I walked through every room and looked around one last time. As I closed that door, I cried harder than I have cried in months. I'm sure it was good for me. I'm sure that this being done is going to move me one more step, maybe even a leap, toward healing, toward a new normal, which I crave desperately at times and wish away at others.
Tomorrow I will hand the new owner of my parents' home the keys, and all will be done with that part of the estate. I'll walk away for the last time. I don't have to put too much imagination into how that's going to feel.
This is a door that needs to close for my sanity. Obviously, I am losing it. Can you tell? Rational Girl knows that no one is in that house, that all their stuff is gone from there, but grief changes you even if only temporarily. I haven't seen Rational Girl since November.
We had our kids with us last night as we loaded cleaning supplies, pillows, and a few odds and ends into our van. Ava came up to me in tears after spending the evening trying to lean on her also emotional brother. She said, "I'm sorry, but I'm just so sensitive right now, and I can't help crying and being a little crabby when I feel so sensitive."
I know, Baby Girl. I know. That pretty much says it all.
Reconnecting
You know those friends you can go ages without seeing, but, when you do get to see them, it's like you never skipped a beat? How blessed are we to know such a feeling! Last week, I had the privilege to spend time with a dear friend of mine. We attended college together, but the last time we saw each other was the summer we got married! We were married in June, and she and her husband married just two months later. They moved to Michigan, and we moved to New York, and that was that. If not for Facebook, we may not have ever reconnected. Social networking certainly has its perks!
Last week Crystal's whole family came to visit us. We had so much fun just catching up and chatting until our eye lids couldn't stay open any longer. The kids played and had a blast together, and I was reminded of just how amazing God is.
Earlier this summer I was feeling like I really needed to make some stronger connections with other women locally. Not only has God pointed out that I have connection here in my community, but God also reminded me of all the amazing, godly friendships I have that have stood the tests of time and distance. How amazing is that? Crystal is certainly one of those friends that I treasure, and I am so grateful that we got to reconnect in person. God knew just what I needed, and He was swift to provide!
Last week Crystal's whole family came to visit us. We had so much fun just catching up and chatting until our eye lids couldn't stay open any longer. The kids played and had a blast together, and I was reminded of just how amazing God is.
Earlier this summer I was feeling like I really needed to make some stronger connections with other women locally. Not only has God pointed out that I have connection here in my community, but God also reminded me of all the amazing, godly friendships I have that have stood the tests of time and distance. How amazing is that? Crystal is certainly one of those friends that I treasure, and I am so grateful that we got to reconnect in person. God knew just what I needed, and He was swift to provide!
04 August 2013
Righteous Complacency
Today, God met me. The sermon title this morning?
Righteous Complacency
What do you think about that? I read the bulletin and thought, "Well this sounds interesting. I don't totally get it." It certainly piqued my interest as far as sermon titles go. The main point that stuck with me was that Christians tend to make excuses for various complacent attitudes or choices we make. It's true. I've done it. I'm sure most of us have done it. It is easy to desire to fit into the culture around us, and it is growing increasingly easier to use that as an excuse to water down our personal life styles. Entertainment choices, modest clothing, and involving ourselves in every "good" activity that comes our way to the detriment of our families are just a few of these areas that I see people compromising on a regular basis.
In support of this point about complacency, Pastor Jason used the story of Lot to illustrate his sermon. The apostle Peter refers to Lot as a righteous man. When we first hear of Lot and Abram separating, Lot moves his tents near Sodom. Just a couple verses later, we see that Lot is living in Sodom. His family was the only family God was willing to save from Sodom when He destroyed it, so Lot must have been doing something right, and yet he did something so very wrong. I expect that He was doing a lot of things right, but we know that Lot was influenced by the culture around him because of what happened next in the story. Two angels sent by the Lord entered Sodom. Lot brought them to his home and insisted they stay there. When the people of Sodom showed up demanding to have their way with these two strangers, Lot offered his own daughters to them instead. You may look at this and think, "He was protecting the messengers of God," but what Lot really did was a massive compromise that likely destroyed his daughters. Can you even imagine doing such a thing? I can't. Fear often causes us to make compromises. We may not be giving our daughters to crowds to allow them to have their way with them, but Christians often make all kinds of other compromises that are just as dangerous to our souls.
I rarely, if ever, go into this much detail about a sermon in a blog post, but I was so very captivated this morning as I listened to the story of Lot in an entirely new light. I've always read the story and thought that Lot was anything but righteous, but the Bible tells us that he was, indeed, righteous. In some ways, I find this comforting. I judge myself harshly and don't view myself as righteous. I speak things I shouldn't, I sometimes have a short fuse, I have control issues (especially when my husband is driving), and I could go on and on. The good news is that, I seek righteousness, and Eric and I seek to give that passion for holy things to our children.
Today's sermon left me feeling convicted and challenged, and I will spend time reflecting throughout the week on what the Lord wants me to do with the information. God was moving among us this morning.
When we got home? One of those things I gave to God at the alter came up in our family conversation, not because I brought it up, but because God convicted Eric of the same thing. I love when God confirms something in our hearts like that. He is awesome, and today He made His divine presence known from the moment the first note of worship was played until we left the building and throughout the day. Even this evening, when we were back at church, God was growing us.
I love that we are in a church where God is moving, growing, stretching, and teaching us new things. Today, I was filled by the Lord just as it should be.
How was your Sunday morning worship experience? My hope is that you too were ushered into the divine presence of God!
Righteous Complacency
What do you think about that? I read the bulletin and thought, "Well this sounds interesting. I don't totally get it." It certainly piqued my interest as far as sermon titles go. The main point that stuck with me was that Christians tend to make excuses for various complacent attitudes or choices we make. It's true. I've done it. I'm sure most of us have done it. It is easy to desire to fit into the culture around us, and it is growing increasingly easier to use that as an excuse to water down our personal life styles. Entertainment choices, modest clothing, and involving ourselves in every "good" activity that comes our way to the detriment of our families are just a few of these areas that I see people compromising on a regular basis.
In support of this point about complacency, Pastor Jason used the story of Lot to illustrate his sermon. The apostle Peter refers to Lot as a righteous man. When we first hear of Lot and Abram separating, Lot moves his tents near Sodom. Just a couple verses later, we see that Lot is living in Sodom. His family was the only family God was willing to save from Sodom when He destroyed it, so Lot must have been doing something right, and yet he did something so very wrong. I expect that He was doing a lot of things right, but we know that Lot was influenced by the culture around him because of what happened next in the story. Two angels sent by the Lord entered Sodom. Lot brought them to his home and insisted they stay there. When the people of Sodom showed up demanding to have their way with these two strangers, Lot offered his own daughters to them instead. You may look at this and think, "He was protecting the messengers of God," but what Lot really did was a massive compromise that likely destroyed his daughters. Can you even imagine doing such a thing? I can't. Fear often causes us to make compromises. We may not be giving our daughters to crowds to allow them to have their way with them, but Christians often make all kinds of other compromises that are just as dangerous to our souls.
I rarely, if ever, go into this much detail about a sermon in a blog post, but I was so very captivated this morning as I listened to the story of Lot in an entirely new light. I've always read the story and thought that Lot was anything but righteous, but the Bible tells us that he was, indeed, righteous. In some ways, I find this comforting. I judge myself harshly and don't view myself as righteous. I speak things I shouldn't, I sometimes have a short fuse, I have control issues (especially when my husband is driving), and I could go on and on. The good news is that, I seek righteousness, and Eric and I seek to give that passion for holy things to our children.
Today's sermon left me feeling convicted and challenged, and I will spend time reflecting throughout the week on what the Lord wants me to do with the information. God was moving among us this morning.
When we got home? One of those things I gave to God at the alter came up in our family conversation, not because I brought it up, but because God convicted Eric of the same thing. I love when God confirms something in our hearts like that. He is awesome, and today He made His divine presence known from the moment the first note of worship was played until we left the building and throughout the day. Even this evening, when we were back at church, God was growing us.
I love that we are in a church where God is moving, growing, stretching, and teaching us new things. Today, I was filled by the Lord just as it should be.
How was your Sunday morning worship experience? My hope is that you too were ushered into the divine presence of God!
03 August 2013
The Best Things
Today, I played up and down with a toddler (you know, when they want you to pick them up and then put them down on their schedule). I held a sweet three month old baby and smelled her soft, fuzzy head. I combed my 9 year old's wet hair. I caressed my 11 year old's forehead as I awoke him from a nap.
These are the best things.
I am convinced of this.
These are the best things.
I am convinced of this.
31 July 2013
Get Out of Your Cozy Zone
Outreach. It's the big deal in evangelical churches and for good
reason. We want the kingdom to grow, and, to do that, we must have some
type of outreach. It seemed like in the past anything that involved
inviting people who didn't attend your church to come to your church was
called outreach. This is common practice even today.
Examples:
"VBS Program" Invite the neighbor kids to come to your church.
"Chili Cook-off" Invite the neighborhood to come taste your chili at your church
and my personal favorite and old-fashioned stand-by, "Bring a Friend Sunday," on which you invite someone who doesn't already have a church home or who is searching for faith to come to your church.
Notice anything?
I'll give you a hint. Bold letters.
All of these things serve a great purpose and certainly have their place, and I'm not knocking any of them. All I'm saying is that the outreach in its very root has the word "out" in it for a reason.
Get out of the church. Reach people.
I don't think I did get it for a long time. I tend to be introverted, and though I've served on leadership teams for many various things, started going on mission trips as a young girl, and willingly have served in many ways, getting out of the church takes me far from my comfort zone, so I avoided giving it any thought. I think most people could say the same thing if they took a moment to be honest with themselves about it. We go where we are comfortable, and we try to stay there most of the time. Having attended church since the age of 6, church is my cozy space. Being the church to the world and reaching out isn't easy for me, but this is what Jesus asks of us. He didn't stay inside His Father's house where Mary and Joseph found Him teaching at age 12. He ventured into the world and spent time with people in some pretty uncomfortable locales. We are called to put on our Jesus shoes and do the same thing.
Get out of our cozy zone and reach the world.
I believe this looks different for individual faith communities, but I believe that the one characteristic that effective Christian outreach contains regardless of your denomination, style of worship, geographic location, size of your congregation and various other factors is that it takes place away from our buildings and requires us to engage with people right where we live.
I'll offer ideas on what I have seen work in another post. For now, I hope I have you thinking about how your church can reach those around you effectively and truly be Jesus to the world.
Examples:
"VBS Program" Invite the neighbor kids to come to your church.
"Chili Cook-off" Invite the neighborhood to come taste your chili at your church
and my personal favorite and old-fashioned stand-by, "Bring a Friend Sunday," on which you invite someone who doesn't already have a church home or who is searching for faith to come to your church.
Notice anything?
I'll give you a hint. Bold letters.
All of these things serve a great purpose and certainly have their place, and I'm not knocking any of them. All I'm saying is that the outreach in its very root has the word "out" in it for a reason.
Get out of the church. Reach people.
I don't think I did get it for a long time. I tend to be introverted, and though I've served on leadership teams for many various things, started going on mission trips as a young girl, and willingly have served in many ways, getting out of the church takes me far from my comfort zone, so I avoided giving it any thought. I think most people could say the same thing if they took a moment to be honest with themselves about it. We go where we are comfortable, and we try to stay there most of the time. Having attended church since the age of 6, church is my cozy space. Being the church to the world and reaching out isn't easy for me, but this is what Jesus asks of us. He didn't stay inside His Father's house where Mary and Joseph found Him teaching at age 12. He ventured into the world and spent time with people in some pretty uncomfortable locales. We are called to put on our Jesus shoes and do the same thing.
Get out of our cozy zone and reach the world.
I believe this looks different for individual faith communities, but I believe that the one characteristic that effective Christian outreach contains regardless of your denomination, style of worship, geographic location, size of your congregation and various other factors is that it takes place away from our buildings and requires us to engage with people right where we live.
I'll offer ideas on what I have seen work in another post. For now, I hope I have you thinking about how your church can reach those around you effectively and truly be Jesus to the world.
29 July 2013
Ohio Chautauqua in Pictures
Native American music. I want to learn to play this instrument!
Actor portraying Chief John Logan
Actor portraying Johnny Appleseed
28 July 2013
And There Was a Crazy Auction
We went to the annual Franklin/Ford family reunion today. It was exactly the way it was when I was a kid, which is why I loved it so much. We ate all sorts of yummy food and visited with everyone, and then we got down to business.
Indeed, we have a brief business meeting during which the elected reunion president shares the family news of the past year. Births, deaths, graduations, marriages, moves, etc... This year it was even noted that Patty Kay (my aunt) survived the 4th hottest day on record in Arizona. Officers were elected for the next year, location and date were chosen. I believe we have a president, vice-president, and secretary. The formal meeting took all of 5 minutes.
And if you thought that was the interesting part, you would be wrong. After the meeting comes the "Crazy Auction." Basically, we all bring stuff from our house that we want to get rid of and donate it to the auction for the purpose of raising funds for the reunion account. The funds are used for things like funeral flowers, memorial contributions, and for the purchase of whatever meat we'll be throwing on the grill next year, pop, bottled water, and paper products. Our family has literally done this for generations, as far as I know. Actually, I don't know because I'm not old enough to know that, but I like the idea of them having done it for generations. They've done it for as long as I can remember and probably before that. Today, we came home with a microscope, a keyboard (both purchased by someone else and given to our kids), a couple of notebooks for Ava, and some turkey crafts that I will turn into fabulous Thanksgiving table decorations.
After that there was swimming, corn hole, and various other games that you might find at any family reunion. But the crazy auction? That's ours, and I LOVE it. Really, really, LOVE it!
Here are a few pics. I'll post more on Facebook eventually, but a teaser for all my family members is all I have time for this evening.
Indeed, we have a brief business meeting during which the elected reunion president shares the family news of the past year. Births, deaths, graduations, marriages, moves, etc... This year it was even noted that Patty Kay (my aunt) survived the 4th hottest day on record in Arizona. Officers were elected for the next year, location and date were chosen. I believe we have a president, vice-president, and secretary. The formal meeting took all of 5 minutes.
And if you thought that was the interesting part, you would be wrong. After the meeting comes the "Crazy Auction." Basically, we all bring stuff from our house that we want to get rid of and donate it to the auction for the purpose of raising funds for the reunion account. The funds are used for things like funeral flowers, memorial contributions, and for the purchase of whatever meat we'll be throwing on the grill next year, pop, bottled water, and paper products. Our family has literally done this for generations, as far as I know. Actually, I don't know because I'm not old enough to know that, but I like the idea of them having done it for generations. They've done it for as long as I can remember and probably before that. Today, we came home with a microscope, a keyboard (both purchased by someone else and given to our kids), a couple of notebooks for Ava, and some turkey crafts that I will turn into fabulous Thanksgiving table decorations.
After that there was swimming, corn hole, and various other games that you might find at any family reunion. But the crazy auction? That's ours, and I LOVE it. Really, really, LOVE it!
Here are a few pics. I'll post more on Facebook eventually, but a teaser for all my family members is all I have time for this evening.
27 July 2013
Bucket of Butter
I feel icky.
I took the kids to Hardee's to use their free coupons for tacos for lunch.
Side note: Our library's summer reading program rocks! Our kids have earned all kinds of coupons including 50% off a four night camping trip to any Ohio State Park (how totally awesome is that?) and a free pool party at our local aquatic center.
Wow! I practically started this post with a side note. That's a first. You needed to know, right? You're all jumping on-line to figure out how quickly you can move to our town to participate in our summer reading program next year, aren't you?
I knew it. You'll love it here!
But on to this most important post.
I feel icky.
I'm on a new adventure with my health right now trying to decide if I am gluten intolerant. I'm pretty sure that I am. I have spoken with my chiropractor and several gluten-free friends and done lots of research and even checked books and cook-books out of the library. I will talk to my doctor when I see him next and see what he has to say about it. No matter, really. When I cut gluten completely for two weeks, my sugar levels rocked! I added spelt back into my diet, and I'm not sure that was a great idea, so I'm cutting it again.
You know what's going to get me the most? If I have to cut oats. I love oats, and they're so good for you. But feeling well? It's so worth it. So very, very worth it!
Anyway, icky is how I have felt today. I honestly can't remember the last time I ate in a restaurant before today, and fast food certainly isn't a frequent part of our diets. Hardee's may not have been the best choice, but there was the free food component to entice us. I ate their low-carb bacon cheeseburger and fries. I checked their website before I left the house. In spite of their gluten-free label on the website, I am left feeling like I ate a bucket of butter, not that I've ever done so, but this is how I imagine someone would feel if they ate a bucket of butter. If you have eaten a bucket of butter, feel free to comment at the end of this fine post.
I think the lesson learned here is that the best indulgences are better in your own home. I could have made the same burger at home and been completely in control of ingredients and fat content (hello lean ground beef!). Maybe the "I ate a bucket of butter" feeling was a fluke, but I doubt it.
Oy. The kids also have Taco Bell coupons.
I feel worse already.
I took the kids to Hardee's to use their free coupons for tacos for lunch.
Side note: Our library's summer reading program rocks! Our kids have earned all kinds of coupons including 50% off a four night camping trip to any Ohio State Park (how totally awesome is that?) and a free pool party at our local aquatic center.
Wow! I practically started this post with a side note. That's a first. You needed to know, right? You're all jumping on-line to figure out how quickly you can move to our town to participate in our summer reading program next year, aren't you?
I knew it. You'll love it here!
But on to this most important post.
I feel icky.
I'm on a new adventure with my health right now trying to decide if I am gluten intolerant. I'm pretty sure that I am. I have spoken with my chiropractor and several gluten-free friends and done lots of research and even checked books and cook-books out of the library. I will talk to my doctor when I see him next and see what he has to say about it. No matter, really. When I cut gluten completely for two weeks, my sugar levels rocked! I added spelt back into my diet, and I'm not sure that was a great idea, so I'm cutting it again.
You know what's going to get me the most? If I have to cut oats. I love oats, and they're so good for you. But feeling well? It's so worth it. So very, very worth it!
Anyway, icky is how I have felt today. I honestly can't remember the last time I ate in a restaurant before today, and fast food certainly isn't a frequent part of our diets. Hardee's may not have been the best choice, but there was the free food component to entice us. I ate their low-carb bacon cheeseburger and fries. I checked their website before I left the house. In spite of their gluten-free label on the website, I am left feeling like I ate a bucket of butter, not that I've ever done so, but this is how I imagine someone would feel if they ate a bucket of butter. If you have eaten a bucket of butter, feel free to comment at the end of this fine post.
I think the lesson learned here is that the best indulgences are better in your own home. I could have made the same burger at home and been completely in control of ingredients and fat content (hello lean ground beef!). Maybe the "I ate a bucket of butter" feeling was a fluke, but I doubt it.
Oy. The kids also have Taco Bell coupons.
I feel worse already.
25 July 2013
The Coolest Kids
I have the coolest kids.
No, really, I do.
This week we've been attending presentations by Ohio Chautauqua, a troupe of actors who portray historical figures under a big, old-fashioned, red and white striped tent. To be boring for a moment, I'll define what this is a little better. The Ohio Humanities Council website defines it like this:
"A Chautauqua offers living history presented by scholar-actors who assume the role of historical characters."
The events are called Chautauqua after the lake in New York where they first became popular in the late 19th century (incidentally, the lake is gorgeous, especially when frozen and covered with snow). They were originally designed to be educational opportunities for adults to enrich their lives, but they now attract audience members from all age groups. Music, seminars, and live first person performances are featured.
Two years ago, Ohio Chautauqua was in our town portraying Civil War figures who were either from Ohio or who had an influence on our state history. We got to see Harriet Tubman, and I learned so much! This year, the actors are portraying people who were part of our history when Ohio was the western frontier of America. So far, we have heard from Chief John Logan, Oliver Hazard Perry, and Margaret Blennerhasset. Tomorrow, we will be missing the performance of Lewis and Clark expedition member, York, but we'll be back under the tent on Saturday to hear all about Johnny Appleseed. I think we're all the most excited about hearing from him!
Actually, if you're local and you're reading this, I can tell you the gentleman who portrays John Chapman has been making me laugh all week, and he hasn't even been portraying his character. If you haven't made it to the fairgrounds, go on Saturday and hear Johnny Appleseed!
Back to my point. I have the coolest kids. They love this.They are engaged in the performances each night, they come home discussing everything that they learned about each character and that period of history, and Ava even asked a question during the question and answer session one evening with a few hundred strangers watching because she was interested in what she was learning! I don't think they even realize how much they're learning by participating in this.
It could be said that my kids are just used to this stuff. We took Lukas to Fort McHenry, where the Star Spangled Banner was penned, when he was 11 months old. Ava saw Valley Forge, Gettysburg, the Liberty Bell, and Independence Hall when she was a toddler. We study history through living, historical books. They've been to museums and monuments and even a castle.
The thing is that they love all those things. And that's what makes them cool.
I have the coolest kids. For real.
No, really, I do.
This week we've been attending presentations by Ohio Chautauqua, a troupe of actors who portray historical figures under a big, old-fashioned, red and white striped tent. To be boring for a moment, I'll define what this is a little better. The Ohio Humanities Council website defines it like this:
"A Chautauqua offers living history presented by scholar-actors who assume the role of historical characters."
The events are called Chautauqua after the lake in New York where they first became popular in the late 19th century (incidentally, the lake is gorgeous, especially when frozen and covered with snow). They were originally designed to be educational opportunities for adults to enrich their lives, but they now attract audience members from all age groups. Music, seminars, and live first person performances are featured.
Two years ago, Ohio Chautauqua was in our town portraying Civil War figures who were either from Ohio or who had an influence on our state history. We got to see Harriet Tubman, and I learned so much! This year, the actors are portraying people who were part of our history when Ohio was the western frontier of America. So far, we have heard from Chief John Logan, Oliver Hazard Perry, and Margaret Blennerhasset. Tomorrow, we will be missing the performance of Lewis and Clark expedition member, York, but we'll be back under the tent on Saturday to hear all about Johnny Appleseed. I think we're all the most excited about hearing from him!
Actually, if you're local and you're reading this, I can tell you the gentleman who portrays John Chapman has been making me laugh all week, and he hasn't even been portraying his character. If you haven't made it to the fairgrounds, go on Saturday and hear Johnny Appleseed!
Back to my point. I have the coolest kids. They love this.They are engaged in the performances each night, they come home discussing everything that they learned about each character and that period of history, and Ava even asked a question during the question and answer session one evening with a few hundred strangers watching because she was interested in what she was learning! I don't think they even realize how much they're learning by participating in this.
It could be said that my kids are just used to this stuff. We took Lukas to Fort McHenry, where the Star Spangled Banner was penned, when he was 11 months old. Ava saw Valley Forge, Gettysburg, the Liberty Bell, and Independence Hall when she was a toddler. We study history through living, historical books. They've been to museums and monuments and even a castle.
The thing is that they love all those things. And that's what makes them cool.
I have the coolest kids. For real.
24 July 2013
Apple Cinnamon Refrigerator Oatmeal
Last night before going to bed, I made APPLE CINNAMON REFRIGERATOR OATMEAL for this morning's breakfast. I won't post the entire recipe here because of respect for the blog where I discovered this delicious, refreshing, summer breakfast treat, but I will give you my changes to the original recipe.
First, you should know that I've been making my own kefir, a slightly tart, yogurt-like drink that is loaded with awesome for your gut probiotics. It is so completely easy to make, and I love it! Making kefir is one of those things I've been wanting to try for years and just never got around to it until this summer when my life seemed to have some space in it for new, fun, interesting things (within reason). I have not only successfully made kefir for the past month, but I have incorporated it into the entire family's diet! We have all enjoyed kefir fruit smoothies.
So back to the recipe. I didn't use yogurt or milk. Instead, I used all kefir sweetened with maple syrup instead of honey. I also don't have chia seeds on hand, though I plan to get some on my next major grocery trip. The result was delicious, sweet-tart, slightly chewy apple-y goodness. It's a hit when the whole family enjoys a new recipe!
Last night, I only made one pint jar of this because I was skeptical of the idea of refrigerator oats. Skepticism gone!
The only glitch in this recipe for me is that it has a higher than normal carbohydrate count than I should eat. Tonight, I will try the same recipe sweetened with stevia, and I will remember to take my morning meds (duh). We'll see if that makes it a feasible breakfast for me or not. Either way, it's going to make an easy, on-the-go breakfast for the kiddos on busy swimming lesson mornings!
Wander around the recipe website for other refrigerator oat recipes. I want to try peaches or strawberries. Cherries would be good! Yum!
First, you should know that I've been making my own kefir, a slightly tart, yogurt-like drink that is loaded with awesome for your gut probiotics. It is so completely easy to make, and I love it! Making kefir is one of those things I've been wanting to try for years and just never got around to it until this summer when my life seemed to have some space in it for new, fun, interesting things (within reason). I have not only successfully made kefir for the past month, but I have incorporated it into the entire family's diet! We have all enjoyed kefir fruit smoothies.
So back to the recipe. I didn't use yogurt or milk. Instead, I used all kefir sweetened with maple syrup instead of honey. I also don't have chia seeds on hand, though I plan to get some on my next major grocery trip. The result was delicious, sweet-tart, slightly chewy apple-y goodness. It's a hit when the whole family enjoys a new recipe!
Last night, I only made one pint jar of this because I was skeptical of the idea of refrigerator oats. Skepticism gone!
The only glitch in this recipe for me is that it has a higher than normal carbohydrate count than I should eat. Tonight, I will try the same recipe sweetened with stevia, and I will remember to take my morning meds (duh). We'll see if that makes it a feasible breakfast for me or not. Either way, it's going to make an easy, on-the-go breakfast for the kiddos on busy swimming lesson mornings!
Wander around the recipe website for other refrigerator oat recipes. I want to try peaches or strawberries. Cherries would be good! Yum!
23 July 2013
Deluge
Tonight we had a storm come through just before dinner. I gave the kids plates of food to eat since Daddy was at a church board meeting, and they ate. But not really. Ava was so completely excited that our street and the street that runs perpendicular to ours were completely and totally flooded. We could see where the sewer drain was down the street because water was gushing above it in what looked like our own little ocean wave.
Ava did not eat. She told me that she was just too excited to even think about eating, and then, when the water began to recede and the super brilliant guy who drove his very-low-to-the-ground vehicle through the water only to find that it
A. Got stuck
B. Hit something that he couldn't see and tore his entire bumper off his car
C. Had to be pushed through the flash flood by a helpful SUV, and, of course,
D. IT WOULD NO LONGER RUN because everything was wet,
was gone, the kids immediately wanted to be in the water, near the water, wherever I would permit them to go that involved the water.
Me? I wasn't sure if we were looking at the result of a cloudburst or if a water main had managed to burst in the middle of the storm (hey, you never know), so I was filling bathtubs with water in anticipation of losing our water temporarily. Flushing toilets is a big priority for this mama.
So far, so good. We have water. The sewer system was just that over loaded. There was a lot of water coming down in a very short amount of time. The irony in this is that, when the flood warnings were in effect a week or so ago, Ava asked with great concern about what we would do if our neighborhood flooded. Being the exceptionally smart and ever wise mother that you all know me to be (uh-hem), I simply told her that there wasn't a chance of us flooding up here, and, if our house did flood, there would be some serious trouble for our country! We aren't on a mountain or anything, but we're definitely on a hill.
I think God just wanted me to know He was laughing at me that day.
And now you are laughing too.
Perfect.
Ava did not eat. She told me that she was just too excited to even think about eating, and then, when the water began to recede and the super brilliant guy who drove his very-low-to-the-ground vehicle through the water only to find that it
A. Got stuck
B. Hit something that he couldn't see and tore his entire bumper off his car
C. Had to be pushed through the flash flood by a helpful SUV, and, of course,
D. IT WOULD NO LONGER RUN because everything was wet,
was gone, the kids immediately wanted to be in the water, near the water, wherever I would permit them to go that involved the water.
Me? I wasn't sure if we were looking at the result of a cloudburst or if a water main had managed to burst in the middle of the storm (hey, you never know), so I was filling bathtubs with water in anticipation of losing our water temporarily. Flushing toilets is a big priority for this mama.
So far, so good. We have water. The sewer system was just that over loaded. There was a lot of water coming down in a very short amount of time. The irony in this is that, when the flood warnings were in effect a week or so ago, Ava asked with great concern about what we would do if our neighborhood flooded. Being the exceptionally smart and ever wise mother that you all know me to be (uh-hem), I simply told her that there wasn't a chance of us flooding up here, and, if our house did flood, there would be some serious trouble for our country! We aren't on a mountain or anything, but we're definitely on a hill.
I think God just wanted me to know He was laughing at me that day.
And now you are laughing too.
Perfect.
Today
Today...
- I sat in a favorite childhood park, next to the bend in the "crick" where I used to catch crawdads, for two hours while my kids took swimming lessons. It was glorious. I may blog about this later.
- I was eaten alive by mosquitoes. I am not even exaggerating when I say I probably have 50 bites. Am I just sweeter than other people or what?
- I spent the afternoon with two ladies that I have known since I was a young girl, and it was a glorious rainy afternoon spent gabbing.
- I held a sweet, pudgy, happy, cooing baby girl for much of the afternoon. The top of her head smelled divine, like flowers and candy and heaven.
- The only key to my car was lost and found.
- Dinner got on the table at almost 9 because of the car key fiasco.
- I visited with my cousin-friend and laughed at silly things until nearly midnight. Good times! :)
21 July 2013
Blaming Barbie
Disclaimer: If you or someone you know has been adversely affected by exposure to Barbie dolls, please do not be offended by this post. I speak from my own limited experience.
I think Barbie gets a bad rap. I know, I know. She is a proportional impossibility, but of all the things in this world bombarding our little girls and causing them to concern themselves with body image at far too young of an age, I really, truly don't think Barbie is at fault any more than I think Cookie Monster is at fault for America's childhood obesity epidemic. How about we look at real people if we must blame someone besides ourselves? Runway models live on peanuts and water and then toss their cookies so they don't gain a single ounce. Hollywood. Let's blame them! That's an easy target.
How about looking closer to home? Pregnant women refer to themselves with terms like "fat" or "disgusting" in front of their young daughters and peers when we all know that a pregnant woman is gorgeous, the way God intended her to be, swelling with the natural beauty of carrying a precious life. This is divine privilege! It is not ugly!
Women, teenagers, mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends who wouldn't even tip a scale slightly in the direction of overweight still nit-pick their bodies because they crave perfection or, in some cases, want someone to speak up and affirm that they are not fat every time they say, "I'm so fat." Is this where we can find blame?
Maybe we shouldn't blame anyone. In fact, the word "blame" has been overused just within this blog post, so let's all find another word or another tactic. Could it be that women are just hard on ourselves by nature? Could it be that the moment Eve chose to listen to the serpent, she predisposed all of womanhood to a life of self-critique?
I think yes.
I was never, ever bothered by Barbie's waist size. I played with my Barbies all the time. Loved them, right up until I realized it wasn't so cool anymore, and then I probably loved them. I was 12 and so sad when it was time to give her up.
When my little girl was old enough for her first Barbie doll, I was thrilled. They were easy gifts. If someone asked what to buy her, for a few years, we almost always suggested something to do with Barbie. Barbie is still a pretty good gift for my girl. Barbie is one of those childhood favorite things that I enjoy being able to share with her.
On top of this, have you ever watched a Barbie movie? They're fantastic. I love them. They are filled with great morals, godly character traits (so they wouldn't word it that way, but that is what they are), hard lessons learned, tough ethical situations, and girl affirmations that are an asset to any little girl. They include fairy tales and classic stories with modern twists, and they're almost always accompanied by great music, often classical. Barbie teaches little girls that the they are capable of doing great things. What's not to love?
I personally don't know of any grown woman who was bothered by Barbie's proportions, who ties their low self-esteem and body image issues to a doll they played with when they were 6. My opinion is that it is just plain silly. If you've had body image issues that you think were caused by Barbie, please leave me a comment. I truly, legitimately, want to hear your opinion if that is the case.
I want my girl to grow up and have a healthy, beautiful body and a positive body image. Of course I do, but what I want more is this: for my sweet girl to be so completely and totally in love and absorbed in Jesus that she defines herself only by His holy standard, and that she is completely and totally unaffected by anyone's waistline, real or fiction, because she knows who she is in Christ.
Now that's a goal worth parenting for.
I think Barbie gets a bad rap. I know, I know. She is a proportional impossibility, but of all the things in this world bombarding our little girls and causing them to concern themselves with body image at far too young of an age, I really, truly don't think Barbie is at fault any more than I think Cookie Monster is at fault for America's childhood obesity epidemic. How about we look at real people if we must blame someone besides ourselves? Runway models live on peanuts and water and then toss their cookies so they don't gain a single ounce. Hollywood. Let's blame them! That's an easy target.
How about looking closer to home? Pregnant women refer to themselves with terms like "fat" or "disgusting" in front of their young daughters and peers when we all know that a pregnant woman is gorgeous, the way God intended her to be, swelling with the natural beauty of carrying a precious life. This is divine privilege! It is not ugly!
Women, teenagers, mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends who wouldn't even tip a scale slightly in the direction of overweight still nit-pick their bodies because they crave perfection or, in some cases, want someone to speak up and affirm that they are not fat every time they say, "I'm so fat." Is this where we can find blame?
Maybe we shouldn't blame anyone. In fact, the word "blame" has been overused just within this blog post, so let's all find another word or another tactic. Could it be that women are just hard on ourselves by nature? Could it be that the moment Eve chose to listen to the serpent, she predisposed all of womanhood to a life of self-critique?
I think yes.
I was never, ever bothered by Barbie's waist size. I played with my Barbies all the time. Loved them, right up until I realized it wasn't so cool anymore, and then I probably loved them. I was 12 and so sad when it was time to give her up.
When my little girl was old enough for her first Barbie doll, I was thrilled. They were easy gifts. If someone asked what to buy her, for a few years, we almost always suggested something to do with Barbie. Barbie is still a pretty good gift for my girl. Barbie is one of those childhood favorite things that I enjoy being able to share with her.
On top of this, have you ever watched a Barbie movie? They're fantastic. I love them. They are filled with great morals, godly character traits (so they wouldn't word it that way, but that is what they are), hard lessons learned, tough ethical situations, and girl affirmations that are an asset to any little girl. They include fairy tales and classic stories with modern twists, and they're almost always accompanied by great music, often classical. Barbie teaches little girls that the they are capable of doing great things. What's not to love?
I personally don't know of any grown woman who was bothered by Barbie's proportions, who ties their low self-esteem and body image issues to a doll they played with when they were 6. My opinion is that it is just plain silly. If you've had body image issues that you think were caused by Barbie, please leave me a comment. I truly, legitimately, want to hear your opinion if that is the case.
I want my girl to grow up and have a healthy, beautiful body and a positive body image. Of course I do, but what I want more is this: for my sweet girl to be so completely and totally in love and absorbed in Jesus that she defines herself only by His holy standard, and that she is completely and totally unaffected by anyone's waistline, real or fiction, because she knows who she is in Christ.
Now that's a goal worth parenting for.
17 July 2013
Roses, Mama, and Reading the Directions
It is almost ridiculous how much I enjoy varying my blog background. I enjoy it so much that you would think I would take the time to actually learn what it takes to make my blog look sort of professional, but I do not tick like that. I'm more of a "tell me what to do and I'll do it" rather than a "read directions" kind of gal. My husband is quite the opposite. He will read the entire manual for just about anything before going into action while I sit tapping my fingernails ready to scream because I just want to get it done. I might be exaggerating a little there. I don't actually want to scream.
This little illustration serves to show you that my husband and I are perfectly matched. When we need directions, he is right there for me to do the dull reading while I am ready to just jump in and get it done when he takes too long with that manual. Ah, I love my man!
Anyway, I changed my background. It's simple. It's vintage.
It reminds me of my first ever rose bushes growing in pots on my patio. My mama purchased three bushes last fall through a mail-order company, and they arrived in April on her door step where I discovered them. I have mentioned this before in longer posts, but I will say it again because this is my blog, and I want to.
So I ask myself, did she purchase three bushes, one for me, one for Daddy, and one for my sister, knowing she wouldn't be here, or did she order them hoping that she would? I think the former.
Enjoy the new background.
This little illustration serves to show you that my husband and I are perfectly matched. When we need directions, he is right there for me to do the dull reading while I am ready to just jump in and get it done when he takes too long with that manual. Ah, I love my man!
Anyway, I changed my background. It's simple. It's vintage.
It reminds me of my first ever rose bushes growing in pots on my patio. My mama purchased three bushes last fall through a mail-order company, and they arrived in April on her door step where I discovered them. I have mentioned this before in longer posts, but I will say it again because this is my blog, and I want to.
So I ask myself, did she purchase three bushes, one for me, one for Daddy, and one for my sister, knowing she wouldn't be here, or did she order them hoping that she would? I think the former.
Enjoy the new background.
16 July 2013
Summer Fun No List
My mother did not live her life to entertain me or to indulge my sister's every whim (well, maybe that part isn't true, right, Cassie?). She did not constantly dote upon us. She did not seek out ways to keep us busy, motivated, engaged in learning, active, or entertained whenever we had a moment to be at home. Somehow, even though I did not play three summer sports, attend 5 summer camps, go to VBS at 3 different churches, take classes on 17 topics, and engage in 472 learning activities each and every summer, I have amazing memories of summer.
So what in the world did we do all summer if our mother didn't create posters filled with lengthy lists of projects to complete, places to go, treats to eat, crafts to create, and otherwise micro-manage every day of our lives?
We lived. We played. Ran. Explored. Rode. Fished. Swam in the river. Caught frogs and chased Canadian geese. Flew kites. Fed chickens. Played house. Slept late. Played board games and card games with each other and Grandma and Grandpa. In fact, we spent a whole week with our grandparents every summer. Sometimes two. And Grandma? She didn't plan every moment when we were there either. We spent those summer weeks at Grandma's house watching too much television, renting too many movies, staying up too late, eating too much junk food, climbing that big pine tree that was supposedly off-limits, building forts in the bushes beside the shed, and swimming, swimming, swimming! We were happy to just be with our grandparents no matter what we were doing.
And we are okay. I'd like to think that we are more than okay. We are well-rounded adults, mothering our own flocks without all the bells and whistles of the modern parenting regime. We even have pretty positive academic records to support the fact that not every moment needs to be planned as a learning experience in order for our children to become brilliant. No comments on my lack of brilliance, please. So maybe at least my sister is brilliant.
Didn't most of you spend your summers like this too? Didn't you have time to play and explore freely without having to be rushed to the next activity? I don't ever remember thinking, "Gee, I wish Mom planned more for me to do," or "Why can't we spend more time going places?" And never, ever, EVER did either of us think, "Why isn't Mom planning more entertainment for us?"
I am grateful for those carefree days when catching frogs was the most important thing on my agenda. I don't buy into this idea of scheduling every moment of our summer, and I don't understand those big posters filled with lists of things to do to keep summer interesting. If that works for you or you feel like you need that to keep yourself accountable, then so be it. It looks like pressure to me, for both the kids and for me.
Summer is already bursting with interesting opportunities. Summer is naturally fun. My kids never seem to be bugged by the opportunity to turn on the sprinkler and throw water on each other and the neighbors. Sure, they love things like vacation Bible school and swimming lessons as much as the next kid, but for me to have to entertain them all summer? That's not going to happen. Ever. And I just don't get why people buy into that. Doesn't it stress you out just a little?
I know this is me fighting against the norm as usual. Counter-culture. It's where I live. My kids played for the entire month of June. Not once did they need my help deciding what to play or how to keep themselves entertained. They do not view me as their go-to girl for all things entertainment, nor do they rely on screen time or electronic devices.
Some of you are thinking to yourselves, "Wow! This woman needs to get her kids to the next daycamp/VBS/sleepover camp. She doesn't know what she's missing!"
But I do. My kids attended a daycamp. I missed them. They went to VBS, and I was there with them, and it was a blast. For one week.
What I love about summer? Freedom to be at ease. I have time to play with them, and they want to be with me. They ask me to play games, and I say yes. They listen as I read to them. We bake and cook together. We do it all spontaneously because that's the way we roll, and that will create awesome moments for them to remember.
Now don't think we don't have any structure around here. Structure...I'll leave that for another post.
So what in the world did we do all summer if our mother didn't create posters filled with lengthy lists of projects to complete, places to go, treats to eat, crafts to create, and otherwise micro-manage every day of our lives?
We lived. We played. Ran. Explored. Rode. Fished. Swam in the river. Caught frogs and chased Canadian geese. Flew kites. Fed chickens. Played house. Slept late. Played board games and card games with each other and Grandma and Grandpa. In fact, we spent a whole week with our grandparents every summer. Sometimes two. And Grandma? She didn't plan every moment when we were there either. We spent those summer weeks at Grandma's house watching too much television, renting too many movies, staying up too late, eating too much junk food, climbing that big pine tree that was supposedly off-limits, building forts in the bushes beside the shed, and swimming, swimming, swimming! We were happy to just be with our grandparents no matter what we were doing.
And we are okay. I'd like to think that we are more than okay. We are well-rounded adults, mothering our own flocks without all the bells and whistles of the modern parenting regime. We even have pretty positive academic records to support the fact that not every moment needs to be planned as a learning experience in order for our children to become brilliant. No comments on my lack of brilliance, please. So maybe at least my sister is brilliant.
Didn't most of you spend your summers like this too? Didn't you have time to play and explore freely without having to be rushed to the next activity? I don't ever remember thinking, "Gee, I wish Mom planned more for me to do," or "Why can't we spend more time going places?" And never, ever, EVER did either of us think, "Why isn't Mom planning more entertainment for us?"
I am grateful for those carefree days when catching frogs was the most important thing on my agenda. I don't buy into this idea of scheduling every moment of our summer, and I don't understand those big posters filled with lists of things to do to keep summer interesting. If that works for you or you feel like you need that to keep yourself accountable, then so be it. It looks like pressure to me, for both the kids and for me.
Summer is already bursting with interesting opportunities. Summer is naturally fun. My kids never seem to be bugged by the opportunity to turn on the sprinkler and throw water on each other and the neighbors. Sure, they love things like vacation Bible school and swimming lessons as much as the next kid, but for me to have to entertain them all summer? That's not going to happen. Ever. And I just don't get why people buy into that. Doesn't it stress you out just a little?
I know this is me fighting against the norm as usual. Counter-culture. It's where I live. My kids played for the entire month of June. Not once did they need my help deciding what to play or how to keep themselves entertained. They do not view me as their go-to girl for all things entertainment, nor do they rely on screen time or electronic devices.
Some of you are thinking to yourselves, "Wow! This woman needs to get her kids to the next daycamp/VBS/sleepover camp. She doesn't know what she's missing!"
But I do. My kids attended a daycamp. I missed them. They went to VBS, and I was there with them, and it was a blast. For one week.
What I love about summer? Freedom to be at ease. I have time to play with them, and they want to be with me. They ask me to play games, and I say yes. They listen as I read to them. We bake and cook together. We do it all spontaneously because that's the way we roll, and that will create awesome moments for them to remember.
Now don't think we don't have any structure around here. Structure...I'll leave that for another post.
15 July 2013
To Write SOMEthing
This has been the best summer that we have had in years. We haven't done anything out of the ordinary. June was filled with a lot of lazy days, probably too many lazy days, but after the past few years of our lives, that is just what this family needed. The kids played outside, created lavish living room performances complete with props and costumes, ran around with the neighbors, had water fights and mud fights, and all together enjoyed a true summer break. I played games with them and piddled around the house, went to the homeschooling convention and celebrated my 15th wedding anniversary. In those lists are so many blog posts that I should have written but didn't. Why? Because my brain is generally blocked. The DAILY McBlog? Oy. What is that?
Daily. As in every single day?
Ha.Ha.Ha.
Every time I sit down to write something, I either get two paragraphs or two sentences or two words into the post and realize I have nothing great to say about said topic, or I can't seem to master the written word in that moment. I can't produce organized thought in a way that would actually entertain the reader or cause them to have any kind of desire to come back. So I fall back on blog hops if I write at all. In fact, I even went searching for new blog hops, but who wants to come read my blog filled with nothing but blog hops?
No one. Pretty much.
Blog hops are fun sometimes, and they have their place, but a girl knows a blog can't survive with any kind of readership without some real meaty posts. Or real posts at all. I think it's the "at all" that I'm aiming to fix here.
I spoke with my dear friend Mindy about this a few weeks ago and mentioned that I was considering committing to 30 days of blog posts. Why? Because I am crazy, of course, and I have so much free time. Um, no. That is certainly NOT why. I don't feel completely confident that I can make this happen. The one thing I am confident about this venture is that you will not be reading 30 interesting, thought-provoking blog posts. However, if I call myself a writer and a blogger, then I need to step it up. I need to write, and then I need to write some more.
So here is post #1 of my 30 days of blog posts. Some of the posts may be blog hop posts, but most of them will not be. I promise. I may post three sentences about something silly that happened that day, or I may post a single photo with or without a caption. I may post a poem. Written by someone else. Something will be posted.
Something.
Here we go.
Daily. As in every single day?
Ha.Ha.Ha.
Every time I sit down to write something, I either get two paragraphs or two sentences or two words into the post and realize I have nothing great to say about said topic, or I can't seem to master the written word in that moment. I can't produce organized thought in a way that would actually entertain the reader or cause them to have any kind of desire to come back. So I fall back on blog hops if I write at all. In fact, I even went searching for new blog hops, but who wants to come read my blog filled with nothing but blog hops?
No one. Pretty much.
Blog hops are fun sometimes, and they have their place, but a girl knows a blog can't survive with any kind of readership without some real meaty posts. Or real posts at all. I think it's the "at all" that I'm aiming to fix here.
I spoke with my dear friend Mindy about this a few weeks ago and mentioned that I was considering committing to 30 days of blog posts. Why? Because I am crazy, of course, and I have so much free time. Um, no. That is certainly NOT why. I don't feel completely confident that I can make this happen. The one thing I am confident about this venture is that you will not be reading 30 interesting, thought-provoking blog posts. However, if I call myself a writer and a blogger, then I need to step it up. I need to write, and then I need to write some more.
So here is post #1 of my 30 days of blog posts. Some of the posts may be blog hop posts, but most of them will not be. I promise. I may post three sentences about something silly that happened that day, or I may post a single photo with or without a caption. I may post a poem. Written by someone else. Something will be posted.
Something.
Here we go.
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