Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

Okay I love snow as much as anyone but it is May......May and we have snow flurries. Sigh....only in Alberta.
How could you explain frostbite in the spring????

Anyone who left for work this morning wearing seasonal atttire and forgot their parka is in trouble now.

I hope it doesn't stay. My poor flowers can't take it.

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Homeschooling

I agree with this homeschooling mom 100% I too am tired of well meaning family, friends, clergy, strangers on the street who think they know what is best for my children.

Here are her comments on homeschooling. I hope she doesn't mind me reprinting them here:

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Reader Tired of Getting Slack for Homeschooling

Submitted by a reader.
Dear Anonymous Mom,
I am a homeschooler. I have been teaching my children at home for 5 years. I guess I should be used to it by now but I am so tired of all the questions and unkind remarks my family gets on a weekly basis for homeschooling.

Yes, people it IS legal.

NO it is NOT a form of child abuse!

Why should my children be quizzed in public at the store to see how much they know? I don't go around quizzing your public school kids, asking them what their IQ is!

My children are more "socialized" than the kids of my family and friends. They are more active and are involved in many programs and community volunteer projects then any of the public school children we know.

Stop assuming I am what you call a "religious nut". Yes, I am a Christian, but my reasons for homeschooling are more academic then for religious reasons.

Stop assuming you know why we do what we do!

Yes my children will be able to go to college, we get transcripts and everything!

When we decided to homeschool our children it was not an easy decision. It was not a decision we made lightly and I really do not think it is anyone's business, especially complete strangers.

I do not understand why people seem to think they have a right to tell me how to raise my kids but would be pissed if I told them how to raise their own children.Spend more time worrying about how you are raising your kids and let me raise mine. I have done a terrific job so far without any help from you!

Anonymous

ReaderProudly sponsored by Moms United in Business, LLCDedicated to supporting you as both a Mom and Business Professionalhttp://www.momsunitedinbusiness.comhttp://joinmomsunitedinbusiness.blogspot.com

The full blog is located here: http://bloggingmomsanonymous.blogspot.com/2009/04/reader-tired-of-getting-slack-for.html

My first Etsy sale

Hooray! I finally got my first Etsy sale. In a market saturated with jewellery makers and designers it is really hard to get a following. Last night I got my first etsy sale. Hopefully more will follow. Here is a pic of what sold:
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Aren't they great!
I'm off make some more jewellery designs.
Ciao

Monday, April 27, 2009

Learning Moderation

"If everyone of us would sweep their own doorstep, the whole world would be clean," observed Mother Teresa.

"Try not. Do, or do not. There is no try." Yoda/Star Wars

"Anything worth doing is worth doing well." unknown

My childrens ears ring with these little tidbits of wisdom. As I sit here trying to dicipher the paperwork piles on my desk I find that little tidbits of anything are the best. How did I ever become the do or die person I am now? I am a PCOS survivor ( that in no way means that the battle is over but I have found ways to survive) and Fibromyalgia sufferer. I can't say survivor yet as I am still trying to work out what kind of treatments and what kind of lifestyle changes work for me. I have found that I used to put my all into everything I did. Now I find that my all isn't half of what it used to be and it leaves me weak and in pain for days. Moderation has to be my new bit of wisdom. Moderation in all things: diet, excercise, hobbies, travel, large gatherings, driving, medication, water therapy everything. I am horrible at it. I still try to give everything my all and feel like a failure when I can't live up to my own expectations. I have found that my hobbies of my youth are now what keeps me sane when I am confined to my bed or chair or the house. I love to cross stitch ( I will be posting some of my free patterns soon), paint, knit, crochet, sew, quilt and make jewellery. I know I now seem really old fashioned but it is the old fashioned things that soothe me. Gardening is going to be my project to learn this summer and as I learn I hope to share some of my experiences with you.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

An Amazing Woman!

You know there is an old saying that you can't judge a book by its cover. When I quote this I add my own spin that you can't judge a book by its cover or its publication date. An amazing woman had illustrated it. If you haven't already heard Susan Boyle you need to take the time to experience it. This link is to you-tube and here performance. Watch the judges and the audience and experience the magic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnmbJzH93NU

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Suddenly......

I've been off for a while. I lost my uncle suddenly and it kind of shook me up. One minute its pneumonia and the next its terminal inoperable cancer. He lasted a week. Life is so fragile, so short. I love you Unk. always. I'll miss your emails and your pokes on facebook. I'll miss your quirky sense of humor and how you love your family. I'll miss your teasing.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Outraged!!

Okay today I am livid!! Livid!! I am a bibliophile. I love books. LOVE THEM! I have a lovely collection of books that my mother read when she was young and I still love to read them and my girls love to read them. Now aparently they are dangerous. According to the notorious Consumer Protection and Safety Improvement Act
http://www.cpsc.gov/ABOUT/Cpsia/cpsia.HTML
Books printed before 1985 have too much lead in the ink. Libraries are now being forced to remove vintage book from their shelves. I would rather my children read Trixie Belden, Donna Parker and the like than Captain Underpants or other such rot thank you very much, lead ink or no lead ink. I found this article and it sums it up in a nutshell. http://www.parentdish.com/2009/02/20/old-books-a-new-source-of-lead-poisoning/
I am amazed that anyone of us who were born before 1985 survived to adulthood what with strings on our hoods, lead paint, walkers....need I continue. Don't get me wrong I am for keeping our children safe but this is rediculous in the extreme. The US government missed the boat on this one. Keep high lead products form overseas out of the hands of our children. Yes please. But watching second hand stores shut down beacuse they can't afford to test every button and zipper and filler in a North American made winter jacket is ludacris. WHat about all of the not so rich and famous who need access to second hand stores?? Sorry uys you will have to do without because there is a 1 in a million chance that the North Americian plant that made that coat might have used a snap cover from China. Even though I live in Canada where these laws are not on the books I am still affected by the crazyness in the States. I can't sell my used books on ebay unless I am sure they are printed after 1985. Even if I use the disclaimer that they are intended for adults over the age of 12. What if junior gets a hold of mommy's "new" first edition Jane Austin and tries to eat it??? I am now libel and can face up to $100,000.00 in fines. I thought we did away with book burning/banning???? Maybe Big Brother has just developed new tactics??? Aren't we enlightened yet?? Better luck next time boys. Lets make laws that really work.