Homeschool Resource Meme!

I've been tagged - thanks, Tammy! Ready? Here goes:

1. One homeschooling book you have enjoyed: Since I can name only one (did a REAL homeschooler make up this meme? who picks just one??), I guess I'll go with Augustus Caesar's World. I haven't even assigned it to Emperor yet; he's still working through the Story of the World to get an overview of ancient history. Then we'll be concentrating on Ancient Rome as that's what Emperor wants to study this year. And he especially wants to learn about Augustus Caesar. He will love Augustus Caesar's World, too. :)

2. One resource you wouldn't be without: a computer. If we didn't have a computer, I would have to do ALL THE MATH TEACHING MYSELF. And that is a crime. I can do the math, and I go over corrections with Emperor, but I keep going off on odd tangents and trying to explain why the people in the word problems have such odd lives. We just can't have that because I find myself getting all into their lifestyles and being judge-y about it. These people just plain old need to keep better records instead of making ME figure it all out for them. Lazy.

See? I'm getting all judge-y already!

3. One resource you wish you had never bought: some second grade teachers' books. Unless it's a subject in which you know absolutely nothing, you do not need these. I can't say they're a total waste of money, just not needed at $50 each. Mind you, maybe they were worth every penny. You know how it is when you first start this homeschooling thing and you want to be sure you are doing everything "right" and have everything you "need." Someone made a lot of money on my insecurity.

4. One resource you enjoyed last year: Dover colouring books! These are not baby colouring books, but finely detailed outlines of art with stories, Samurais or mythological creatures.

5. One resource you will be using this year: Story of the World (Ancient Times) and Story of the World (Middle Ages). Not sure if we will finish the Middle Ages book this year because of the other studies of Ancient Rome we'll do, but it's a nice set and it will be done eventually.

6. One resource you would like to buy: Actually? Right now I don't want to buy anything. I would feel more pressured to get stuff done, just having it in the house. Sorry.

7. One resource you wish existed: books that were not too *soft* because Emperor goes nuts if the books don't have just the right texture! All books of the "wrong" texture should be banned! And napkins! Can we talk about napkins for a minute! They BURN his skin, he tells me, and send horrid crinkles up his spine. He'll do anything but bring you a napkin. Anything.

8. One homeschool catalog you enjoy reading: Rainbow Resource. This catalog has literally everything you could ever want in it and things you never knew you NEEDED. I spent a good three weeks with mine this year.

9. One homeschool website you use regularly : ChessKid! Challenge A-Gust-of-Wind to a game sometime, willya?? He also hangs out on youtube and found a very exciting video he'd like to share with you. I'll post that in a minute.

10. Tag six other homeschoolers: Oh argg, I just can't do it. I can think of a dozen whose answers to these questions I would LOVE to read, but I just can't tag people because I keep forgetting who-all gets upset about tags, who loves them, and who I tagged last and I want to be fair to everyone... would way rather EVERYONE reading who even remotely wants to do this meme just say, "Hey, come over and read my stuff!" and I will hop over and say hi back!

Answers to YOUR Questions

Bonnie asked me about grocery expenses and how much are diapers here? Well, depending on how much "tandy" I want to give Woodjie for peeing in the toilet, and how many bowel movements everyone has that week (I know, TMI), I spend somewhere between $25 and $35 a week in diapers. I keep looking at the cloth diapers and thinking I could pay upfront and save A LOT. But... somehow, that would be like admitting that Woodjie is not going to learn to go potty. Um, cognitive dissonance here. Not to mention that I deal with enough poop without the diaper washing and rinsing and eeew stuff.

So in answer to your question on poop, Lisa, I have no idea. NO idea. With some of my older autistic children, who were able to speak and understand language, I gave them a little taste of vinegar I dabbed my finger in when they pooped their pants and TWO chocolates when it went on the potty. But you need to have that little success to "build on." How to do that? Well, you know the signs before the kid poops and pop him on the toilet reallly fast. But what am I saying? We've never had it happen for Woodjie. Or Rose, just yet, but I'm not worried about her in that area *yet.* I can't see myself punishing a child I don't think fully understands yet... and that would be Woodjie, big boy that he is. That would be mean to punish someone who doesn't understand.

Wilma and Blondee, I have to tell you that I do NOT have meal plans. Things are terribly chaotic at the house. They are super-adrenaline chaotic on many days. I am on dog paddling and keeping my nose above water mode. So, each week, D will come home from work via Sam's Club and buy mega popcorn chicken, mega pizza rolls, mega Pop Tarts and whatever else is on the "list." We sort of cycle between the same six or seven meals and when we run out of something, we buy more.

Eating almost nothing but bulk foods keeps expenses down a LOT. And did you know that Oreos are milk-free? So is Hunt's Lemon Pudding. Don't let the pictures of milk on the packaging fool you! Thankfully, Emperor and Woodjie are not deathly allergic to milk and eggs. If I make a mistake and they eat "trace amounts," it's ok. I just try to avoid doing that with most things.

Deb... on the glasses... they stay nice and unbroken if they are unworn. G needs glasses, but refuses to wear them. So do Elf and Emperor. I don't know how I'm going to get them to wear them for school later. And not to mention, a good deal of the reason WHY Emperor and Elf refuse to wear glasses is that Woodjie breaks them for fun, and then Emperor and Elf get into trouble for getting too close or whatever. It isn't always their fault because sometimes Woodjie sneaks up behind. I just see big dollar signs leaving the house whenever it happens. There are so many things I wish I could fix. SO so many dysfunctional things. This is a tiny one. Not enough energy to teach the kid to quit busting stuff. I can tell he plans it for times I ABSOLUTELY CANNOT go and get him into trouble. He just knows.

Tracy, my husband and I met in college. I'm not sure who introduced us, but we had many of the same friends and lived in the same dorm building freshman year. Here's a post with our pic!

OK, that's all I have in the public comment section. Have some doozies in the email... I think I'm gonna wait on those...

NOT Back to School Pictures.

Today's the day the kids in our district go "back to school!" Of course, we marked the occasion by NOT having school. (Counter-culture of us, no?) You can see more pictures of homeschoolers NOT going back to school here at Darcy's! We got the pirates out and played Treasure Island, featuring Captain Hook, Peter Pan and the Pirates Who Don't Do Anything. The older boys got their Klutz castle stuff out and built... stuff. We ate lunch, but our microwave went crazy and we weren't able to have any hot pretzels. I guess we had peanut butter sandwiches, just like the kids in public school. We tried map tracing (that's harder than it looks). We watched Loony Tunes and ate Cheerios. The kids painted without shirts on. Why dirty a smock?

Our Classroom.

Hey! I'm participating in Darcy's Not Back to School blog hop and posting my "school room." There it is. Of course, it rarely looks like this. Usually during the school day, it has Elf and Emperor's papers and Woodjie's therapy workboxes and special weighted vest. I store Elf and Emperor's school supplies in a handy bookshelf near my desk. The bottom picture is a peek behind a curtain at our storage shelf in the basement. All our curriculum not currently in use is packed away here, mostly in Huggies boxes. They are nice, sturdy boxes with handles. And since I buy a lot of 'em, they're in uniform sizes. If you zoom in, you'll see that I TRY to group things by a rough grade estimate.

Memes!

Five things I like about motherhood is really tough to blog about, specially since I have six children. So, I'm going to do a little bit on each child and ask that if you want to do this meme that you let me know so I can leave snarky comments on your post. Thanks, Kim! You don't even have to have children to do the meme; just pretend and I'll pretend with you. I mean, I'm thinking some people with the perfect children in real life keep giving me advice, and I'd wayy wayyy rather deal with a humble not-parent-yet person than a haughty old lady whose grandkids are probably bigger brats than my kids any day.

Um, not that those people necessarily read my blog anyway... it's for "entertainment purposes only" for those kinds of people the way Jerry Springer is for the rest of us. You walk away knowing as bad as your family is that things could be a whole lot worse.

And you know, while I was getting all ready to finally do this meme, Virginia AND Chris have gone and given me this Passionate blogger award! If you're passionate about something, make sure and grab this award and leave me a comment. I hate deciding between all my bloggy friends, who to give this to. Help me decide by nominating yourself, ok? :p Be *passionate* about it and go, "I DESERVE this award! It's MINE! I earned it!!"

Ok. Now... on to the five things I like about motherhood. Ready?

Patrick

Patrick was born in 1993, which makes him nearly 20. I'm rounding a little to the nearest ten. It drives Patrick NUTS when I say that he is "nearly 16" and round up, so we'll see if he gets around to reading this. Patrick has pretty much always been around. He is almost always a helper. He enjoys Pokemon... a lot. Recently he won a special award at the school he attends, and remarks were made about how friendly and helpful he is. How he holds open doors for ladies and is always polite to them. Awww... I have finally gotten him to wear the T-shirt he got with his award, but he says he hates the shirt because the lettering on it is too big. He says he will wear it only this once. BTW, speaking of strange clothing preferences, I have not seen his legs or feet in two years, since the appendix incident. He doesn't want anyone to see them. He will wear heavy jeans in summer weather. Hm. Ok, he's strange, but I think we'll keep him.

G

G can be the most awesome helper when he is calm. He can lift about anything and work in the yard with me. He enjoys playing with little children and with Nintendo stuff. G wants to play outside often and likes to be on the track team. He has an acute sense of fairness (I didn't say it was always accurate; just that it's acute!). G makes friends with almost anyone. Well, unless they call him or his friends names. I'm honestly surprised at some of the friends he makes, but he manages to find something to chat with most people about. I'm never quite sure how to do that.

Elf

It's hard to remember that Elf is kid #3 and not #4. He's much shorter than Emperor, still enjoys Teletubbies and thinks he is a Keebler Elf. He understands symbolism in literature and discusses character motivation in great detail, yet he can't tie his shoes and is nearly nine. You just can't put Elf in any one category of person. Probably because he is an Elf, and elves are just different. Elf is the cuddliest kid *ever* and very excited about any Keebler story you want to tell him.

Emperor

Emperor thinks that he is very fat. No amount of discussion will change this. He knows everyone else thinks he's very chubby, fatter than anyone else. He would like you to SAY that he is fat. He's obsessed with Pokemon characters and is beginning to learn the basics of chess, which means he must "practice" constantly. He enjoys building with Legos and shooting his capgun. He likes to tell stories and draw the Pokemon he sees on his GameBoy.

Woodjie McOnion McGillicuddy

Can you let him throw rice all over the house? Can he jump off all the furniture and keep you up until 11 p.m. with his antics? Can you please turn on the tv for two hours straight because you just need a break? Somehow, this kid will MAKE you say "yes" in answer to all of these questions. He's tiring. We love him, but let's just say his sensory needs are a bit amazing and he has more stamina than I do. (Well, I'm writing this after yet another late night and early morning... sigh.)

Rose

Girlie would be just a piece of cake to raise if it weren't for the fact that she has all these brothers around. She would like you to please hold her and read a book. Another book. Another. Can she have some expensive bottles of formula? She's asking for Bop-L because she's thrown all her food from her high chair and she's *hungry* now. If you don't feed her her Bop-L, she will cry for several hours and not take her nap. The neighbours might get concerned and make phone calls, because she sounds like someone's killing her (I guess... I've never heard anyone getting killed except on TV). Wow, she's cute, but you begin to weigh the cost vs. benefit in terms of money and time, nap or no nap, crazy vs. not crazy. Here's your Bop-L, kid. Rose also plays a modified form of peek-a-boo called, "Where did Pretty-Pretty go?"

From Nancy.

See, I copied all this from Nancy's blog so I could just answer the questions myself. Hopefully I can be high-tech enough to remember to delete Nancy's answers from the response section correctly. If my answer seems a little "off," you know why!

Where is your cellphone? Ok, this question is strange. Not because it's a strange question, but because I'm wondering what sort of strange answer I'm supposed to give that would make it interesting. My cell phone just lives in my purse except for the times it gets charged. I never use the thing. Cell phones aren't really meant to be used... they're only there for emergencies.

Where is your significant other? Ok, this question is also strange. I mean, what if my husband weren't a great guy? Would I have to be honest and answer something like, "getting drunk with his friends and ignoring me AGAIN" or "viewing his magazine collection?" Bleh. My answer is boring. He's in the garage, cleaning nails off the floor. An entire shelf fell out of the garage wall and there are containers, nails and tools everywhere. It's worse than a real mess as we keep old mattresses, tires and garbage in the garage. Really. I don't know when I'll ever see him again. No pictures. Once we had an entire mouse family in there. That is D's area and I'm not going in there. No pictures. Nope.

Your hair color? I wanted to dye my hair BLACK when I was a teen to show how rebellious I was. No one noticed the change. So I guess my hair's a bit dark.

Your Mother? I assume she's in Florida. That's where she lives.

Your Father? Same.

Your Favorite Thing? I have a large table I like very much. However, once I was without a clothes washer for about three weeks, and ... if I had to live without one or the other I'd say goodbye to the table first. Reluctantly, because I enjoy this "flip top" table. But six kids make a lot of dirty laundry as you can well imagine. And not having a convenient stream and boulder in the back yard, I'm not hand washing.

Your dream/goal? This is enlightening. I guess I don't have one. I just exist.

The room you're in? Dining/living/office. We have a three-bedroom house so a lot of rooms are multipurpose and have stuff stacked in them up to the ceiling. :] I'm serious. I will laugh about this time in my life later, and you can laugh *now*.

Your hobby? How awful. I guess I don't have one of these either. What happened to me?

Your fear? I don't want to blame my children for my crummy marriage, but if you have special-needs kids (note plural noun) you understand how wearing things can be... I mean, you can work around one kid well enough. How about juggling three special-needs children and three regular ones? And one of those is an infant? We haven't been away from the children overnight in over 12 years, and I'm concerned that we'll *finally* get these children semi-independent, turn around and realize we don't really like each other. And who are you, anyway?

Where were you last night? Were the VP debates last night? No? Ok, I can't remember what happened last night. I was probably home doing laundry.

What you're not? Boisterous. (Am I boring you?) Can I use Nancy's answer here?

One of your wish items? I want J (aka Woodjie McOnion McGillicuddy with Cheese) to talk more. As it is, he has lost the few words he spoke and only says "nigh-nigh" at bedtime. OK, I'm crying now just thinking about it. Just forget it.

The last thing you did? Blubbered all over my keyboard. Didn't ya just see me?

What are you wearing? Thong bikini (just kidding! LOL!)

Your TV? We have one and it's a big screen measuring 18 inches diagonally. I know. You're jealous. But I'm thinking it's not going to be stolen in the event of a break-in. The Teletubbies DVD might wind up missing, though. Somehow.

Your Pet? Really it's the boys' pet, a cat named Mopsy who is 15 years old.

Your Computer? My best friend. Awww.

Your Mood? Yes, I have a lot of them.

Missing Someone? Person I used to be. Size 5. ;]

Your Car? Sexxxy minivan. In beige.

Something you're not wearing but love to wear? Did I mention size 5 before?

Favorite Store? I like shopping for homeschool stuff.

Your Summer? Hernia surgery. Six kids. Long summer. The end. Poor Patrick worked very hard and was paid accordingly.

Love Someone? Yep, a lot of people. It does NOT follow that I'm a loving person. Just being real with ya.

Your Favorite Color? For a car? A phone? A tan? I mean, I like my tables to be a different colour than my ceilings. So I don't know the answer to this one.

When was the last time you laughed? One of the children made a business proposal this morning. It was silly.

When was the last time you cried? Didn't you just see me bawling over the keyboard? *honk*

Are you willing to do this meme? You can have the award I'm posting up above this post if ya do. Be sure to link back to me and leave me a comment so I know you're playing.

YAY. I'm Loved.

Dianne has given me this award for being her bloggy friend. She's so awesome. I think we enjoy bantering a bit with one another and having someone "different" to talk with. :] Thanks!

And Frog's Mom also awarded me with a Brilliante Award. You should really check out her blog, and see how she's providing a wonderful environment for Frog. I don't know how she does it. I'm working toward being more like that. Anyway, go see for yourself.

Nancy has given me an "I Love Your Blog" award. I've been reading her blog for some time now and I'm really in awe, seeing how well she manages with the plate she's been given. I'm not even sure I've even commented or not on my visits. I don't know what to say (you're surprised, aren't you?). She talks about love and acceptance and grace in ways that really convince me she's "been there." I want to be more like that, but I'm not. I think I have a lot of work to do in these areas. Actually, she lives somewhat near me and maybe someday I should email her and visit her church to say hi. Her daughter Dani, you can tell, is just doted on. And I'm saying that in a good way. Soon I will post Nancy's meme and my answers, if I can think of any good ones.

I've also been trying to think of some random things about myself as Catherine has asked, but I've come up a little short. I think I've only thought of three, and they weren't very random. Bet by the time I'm done, she'll have her baby boy. I can't wait to see his little pic. I am betting he will have a full head of dark hair. Well, I'm not betting anything. I'm just betting. You know.

I really appreciate all the awards and blog stuff, even if I don't get to responding right away. Thanks very much!

:] More Friends Are Always Good.

I've been tagged by the CajunChick (http://thesimplecajunlife.blogspot.com) to do a little meme. Usually I don't mind these but I don't tag anyone else. I know that if I do, the person I tag is going to be very upset and that will be *just* the week she has 253 other things to do and will be mad at me. SO if you wanna do this meme, go ahead and tag yourself with my blessing. If you leave a comment telling me you're doing this, I'll come mosey over and look at your post.

:]

I'm supposed to tell you three RANDOM things about myself. Random?? Things. Um...

1. It really bothers me when my front room or my kitchen is messy. I can handle messes almost anywhere else, but those two rooms have to be clean. I imagine my neighbours or the police or friends like to ring the bell at 6 p.m. or on the weekends... those are the times my house is untidy... and the secret of us'ns being white trash will be revealed to all. I just know that that is *all* anyone else thinks about or wants to discuss in their daily conversation. Mrs. C's front room. Did you know I saw not one, but TWO PAIRS of shoes out of place yesterday? And that there was unsorted mail on that front table?? Oh, my, you don't say...

BUT... if my front room is clean and I have my candle burning to mask the "Eau de PooPoo Diaper" smell that sometimes happens 'round these parts, the visitor will see the clean room, smell cherries in the air and blissfully depart. RIGHT???!!

2. I am so obese that there isn't even a category for it. The BMI chart just says things can't get much worse. I am ON the chart though. Have you noticed there are no pictures on the blog of me from the shoulders down? Good reason for that. Maybe when I lose 50 more pounds and am only in the "overweight" category I may appear on the blog in person.

3. I have been a Christian for almost 13 years.

4. None of these things are very random, though.

The SEVEN Strange Things Meme

OK. Daja tagged me to write seven strange things about myself. Though I'm very boring, I'll try to think of something to write about that's maybe a little strange.

1. Every time I change religions or get married, I change my name. Legally. I've done it three times so far and don't plan on doing it again... but... you never really know who I am, do you? Oh... and my last name doesn't really begin with a C. I just do that to throw all you guys off so I don't get stalked and have my kids stolen or anything.

2. I have several internet alter egos as well, but they don't all frequent the same blogs. That would get too confusing. One thing that really BOTHERS me are people who are plain nasty in their anonymous comments; I think that's cowardly. At least think of a pseudonym and be consistent about it on that blog!! There have been a lot of news stories about peoples' lives being ruined by others posting nasty things on the internet. Be assured that's not what I'm doing. I'm just hitting the porno sites (NO, NOT REALLY!).

3. I also have to change my look every few years. Right now, I'm going through the "fat, dumpy housewife" stage of life. I've gained 100 pounds and let my hair grow naturally. I think sweatpants are a fashion statement. I was going to do the anorexic look but that was just too much upkeep - it really was. Caramel popcorn is a plus in my personal lifestyle.

4. I found out that l-cysteine in many products like pizza and bagels is made from human hair or boiled duck feathers. I'm trying to never eat the stuff again. I have taken to reading the labels on everything. You wouldn't believe what HAS that gunk in it ... and what doesn't that you'd figure for sure would!

5. Aside from a bit of road salt we track in and a couple blankets to cover car seats, our van is CLEAN. No one is allowed to eat in the van except on very rare road trips... and I've had it for five years. It still looks good.

6. I learned yesterday that at this stage of pregnancy it is literally impossible to jump. I'm perfectly capable of going, "OwOwOww..." and holding my back every time I change position, however.

7. I don't do highways very well. I just KNOW that I will die if I get on the highways. I am scared of merging. I think the national speed limit should be 35 - we can cut down on a lot of highway deaths that way!! Yes, I'm that lady in the van you "waved" at as you were going by. I'm not driving like that to get you mad. I'm just scared that you're going to kill me and my children with your vehicle.

I really liked reading your post, Daja! The eyelash part just makes me itch, though.

Oh, My Goodness, I've Been TAGGED!

Daja at http://www.gombojav.blogspot.com/ has tagged me with about a million Christmas questions! Wow, I hope I know the answers to them!!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Usually I'll use the old paper that comes in my CBD orders. It's rather like a long paper bag-material. I use that and some tape. I also recycle gift bags AND I have a bit of wrapping paper too.

2. Real or fake tree? We have a fake tree, about two feet high, that we bought at a thrift store YEARS ago for three dollars. It fell apart and D made a stand for it out of wood. I just can't see buying something new that we would only use two weeks a year, you know.

3. When do you put up the tree? Oh, boy, I stink. Usually right before Thanksgiving. But I haven't gotten to it yet this year.

4. When do you take the tree down? I like to do it the second all the presents are unwrapped. But usually D will make me wait until Jan. 1st.

5. Do you like eggnog? I'm not sure. I remember having some as a child and liking it, but then buying the stuff in the cartons at the store and thinking it was rank. Haven't tried it since.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? I had a Little Professor calculator that would quiz me in math. That was a lot of fun.

7. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes. We set it up except for our historically accurate blonde Baby Jesus. He appears, all pasty white and cheruby, on Christmas morning. Um, I haven't gotten that out either.

8. Hardest person to buy for? My husband D. Daja and I are twins in this respect. This year D is receiving four boxes of pickles from the Van Holten Pickle Company. Little Pepes. I like doing presents for each other with consultation. We got a set of pots and pans for our anniversary one year and it was AWESOME to pick it out in the store together.

9. Easiest person to buy for? Baby J. Actually, I'm tempted to just give him an empty pop bottle this year for Christmas. I need to go get a picture of that sometime... he has an empty Diet Pepsi container that he enjoys more than the entire roomful of toys he has downstairs. He likes to pop people on the head with it and laugh at that hollow sound.

10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I'm allergic to wool and would get beautiful, specially monogrammed sweaters (probably very expensive) from my Nana. My dad and I endured this for YEARS until someone dropped her a clue that we found these presents very, very itchy. Actually, I think I'd have LOVED the sweaters she bought if they weren't so scratchy.

11. Mail or email Christmas cards? Well, I need to mail some... I need to buy some first... and some stamps... seriously I don't know if I'm getting 'round to doing Christmas properly this year or not.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? It would have to be that Christmas Story one with the leg lamp. You know.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Usually really early. I haven't gotten anything yet! I hope we get around to it before Christmas. This made-in-China thing has really thrown me for a loop. Far better for baby J to continue nibbling on his rattle made in 1973 before the lead paint thing ever happened. Only problem is, this rattle is deadly! He has seriously hit himself and others very hard with it and maybe they're dangerous that way and don't make 'em anymore. But they are VERY easy for babies to hold.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I don't think so, but I'm guilty of buying stuff cheaply after Christmas (like candles and stuff) for presents the following year. Or putting it in a "name brand" bag and cutting off only part of the tag so it looks like I cared enough to spend my food money on it. But if my own kids wear thrift store clothes, do you think I like YOU that much?? Just saying.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Sugar cookies. We literally take those old ice cream BUCKETS, fill 'em with cookies, and go driving at night to look at lights. The kids wonder why they have big tummyaches later, but the family bonding is worth it! Wonder what we'll do next year when everyone doesn't fit in the van??

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Clear. Don't really care too much though on this issue.

17. Favorite Christmas song? Joy to the World. Except I used to be crazy when I was little and sing it at times OTHER than Christmas, annoying all of my relatives.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? I'm due in a little over two months. 'Nuff said.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Yes. It is taking up valuable space in my head. Don't ask me to recite any Bible verses, though.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Toilet paper tube angel. If it makes it through another year... it looked pretty sad last year, but it's just so cute...

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? One Christmas Eve, the rest in the morning.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Santa fights. For example, when G was in kindergarten, he made sure to tell all the children that there was NO SUCH THING as Santa Claus, and his teacher went and lied and said there was, too, and that *I* should somehow correct this situation. Um, I don't care if other parents lie to their kids but don't expect me to tote YOUR line on this one. Too stinkin' bad. G made sure to tell the other kids their moms and dads were lying to them when they said things like, but my mom said... Oh, well. Guess they shouldn't have lied, then. The teacher wanted me to feel guilty because some of the little girls were crying. Um... who set this situation up for a showdown? My kid was just telling the truth. Although it *did* kinda sadden me when he got older that he and some other boys told the little kids that Santa exploded and his guts flew everywhere. But only because it wasn't true.

23. What I love most about Christmas? Family time.

Interview Me!

Daja over at http://www.gombojav.blogspot.com/ has kindly "interviewed" me with the following five questions. If you have a blog and would like to be interviewed, leave a comment with your email address (I will not publish it; comments are "moderated") and I will email you five questions. I promise they will not be SICK questions like I've seen on some blogs. But you will have to answer the five questions in YOUR blog.

It's kind of like a chain letter but totally voluntary and without all the threats of bad luck and cooties if you don't participate.

What is your favorite charity and why? My dh and I contribute to City Union Mission in Kansas City. It helps homeless people and I think truly tries to serve "the least of these" and present the gospel to all. I know a "graduate" of their program and see that people who apply themselves there can lead happy and productive lives. They also have a camp for children of homeless or very low-income people so they can get away from what is probably a bad situation at home for a week or two each summer.

Which is more annoying, NOW (National Organization of Women) or PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals)? Why? Actually, I don't find these organizations "annoying" so much as "threatening". They're both very outspoken and radical. I would have to say I dislike NOW more than PETA. PETA, if it were toned down a LOT, actually has some good arguments. I really am not into torturing my food before eating it, you know. I'm all for more humane methods of preparing food. It's even a biblical idea that we're going to give an accouting for every animal's blood. Honestly, I think the tactics and arguments they use are a real shame because there are a lot of people concerned with basic human kindness who will never be members of their organization or think about their line of reasoning b/c they are so self-righeous in a way that a conservative Christian would never DARE to be in today's time.

NOW is just way too radical. I try not to think about them...

If there is a fire, which would you grab first, the family photos or the important documents? I'm going to be a "rebel" here and say the kids first. Then the documents. If I have time, the photos. I just know what a pain life is without documents, especially if you're going to have to rebuild your house, re-enroll kids into school, rent a place (no ID? good luck!), drive or whatever. Now, one of these days the government is going to come out with a very HANDY solution to all this. It will be some sort of identifying mark on the right hand or forehead.

What is your favorite beverage? I drink coffee mixed with hot chocolate powder and milk. I'm trying to copy a Starbucks mocha without the mega-money. I also drink lots of diet soda so that my body will need no embalming after my death.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why? Well, D had to stick his two cents in while I was reading this and tell me that he would have the superpower to predict the stock market. Then he could buy all the other superpowers.

But I'm not such a carnal Christian. I'd want superpowers so that I could make time go backwards and re-do things so they'd always turn out the way I wanted! I can't tell you how many times I've said or done something STUPID, and would just like that thing to "go away." I think I'd keep going back in time and redoing things so that I would become a three-year-old with an IQ of 9,000, as well as someone with a lot of money. I would skip college. Well, no, let me re-do that one. I would go to college but not spend as much time learning about the imperialist new colonialism of the multinational corporation. I'd be too busy enjoying all my money and stuff to do that.

Oh, I'd also buy a really big older house and get it re-done. I wouldn't do all the work myself, but I'd hire lots of contractors to do it exactly as I wanted. It would be beautiful.

Eight Random Things.

I'm seeing on http://cherylklarich.blogspot.com some interesting "random" things about her. Thought I'd post my eight "random" things about me as well.

1. You know, I keep thinking there is NO WAY one can just figure out eight "random" things. They all have to have a reason to be included in the blog. I mean, "I am breathing air" is a random thing about me, but not particularly interesting...

2. I have tried to waterski, but never figured out how to do it.

3. I use a baby wipe to wipe down the keyboard, mouse and desk area every time I use the computer. Germs, you know.

4. We like to play "The Price is Right" in our family. Whenever I get an overpriced catalog, I will show the boys a picture and ask them to name the price of an item. Closest without going over "wins." The little ones are getting better at not giving guesses like, "500 and a million dollars" although you would be surprised at the number of times they have WON with guesses like "a thousand dollars" for an ottoman, when the older boys are making more reasonable and conservative guesses. We used to play this game at the local furniture store until the older boys were a little um, loud, in their objections to some of the prices.

5. I love my Magic Eraser. I feel sorry for people who have never discovered the Magic Eraser.

6. I only learned how to make paper snowflakes last winter.

7. I like to paint but I am a lousy artist.

8. We bought two sets of brown plates a couple years ago, but they keep breaking. Now, none of my plates match all over again.