Go and Do!

Go and Do!

President’s Day, 2013

Today we played hooky from school and went to the zoo.  Never-mind that everyone else was off today too.  It was cold enough that they weren’t all at the zoo, though.  As a matter of principle I try not to take too many days off official school work.  But, on the way home I was thinking about how important it is to just “go and do” sometimes to break up the monotony and routine of every-day life.  I can make lots of excuses not to go and do, from money to housework to “we really ought to be doing curriculum based school”.  We all need a break.  Even kiddos who appear to play more than they work.  And Mommy needs to remember that learning in a fun environment is sometimes more inspirational than learning at the kitchen table.   Mommy also needs to remember that it is more fun, even for her, to be a kid and do kid stuff, than to be a stuffy old adult all the time.  So here are some random thoughts on going and doing.

1.      ZOO  Get a zoo membership if you live within one hour of a zoo.  We have 2 zoos that fit that description, and right now the smaller, cheaper one fits our needs just fine.  It’s small enough that we can spend 1-2 hours and see everything.  It also has some fun imagination-building play areas that the kids love to play on and in.  Non-member admission price for the 5 kids and I would be $45.  A year’s family membership is $72, which I just renewed for $66.  Do the math, and on our second visit we start saving money.  Even if we only make it to the zoo three or four times in the year, it is well worth our investment.

2.      MAGAZINES  So, while I am talking about subscriptions, I have to encourage you to get a magazine subscription.  It’s not a “go” but it is certainly a “do”.  Some of our favorite “educational” investments have been: High Five/ Highlights, Nature Friend, Club/Clubhouse, and Family Fun.  Some are Christian based, some are not.  All of them have been worth the time spent sitting on the couch reading, talking, and getting ideas for future endeavors.

3.      LIBRARY  Get a library card and use it!  Our county library is tied in with the regional library system, so we can get books from all over our part of the state delivered to our downtown library by request.  The library offers toys and games, free classes, and other learning opportunities.  And of course, if you want to learn something, read about it!  Our library even offers home school curriculum and learning resources.  Get to know your children’s librarians.  They will become of your best resources for finding supplemental resources to your home school whether you un-school or use strict school-at-home teaching methods. 

4.      STREET FAIRS  Does your town have free street fairs and seasonal celebrations?  Our little college town offers a farmers market from Spring to Fall, Festa Italiana, Woosterfest (Oktoberfest), Window Wonderland (Christmas), a jazz and arts festival complete with a tamed down Mardi Gras-style parade, and several drive-ins, among other events.  The kids love walking around down-town, and we always enjoying seeing our friends and neighbors.  Street Fairs are free- except for maybe the hot dogs, French fries, and extra large drink that is just big enough for everyone to have a few sips. 

5.      COUNTY FAIR   Our County fair is the best agricultural fair in the state.  It costs a whopping $3 for a day’s admission.  Even before we were involved in 4-H we made a point to go almost every day of the fair, at least for a few hours.  This might not be feasible where you live, but at least one day at the fair is worth its admission price.  You get to see and do so much at the fair!  There are animal barns, arts and crafts exhibits, plants, baking, tractors, demonstrations, and all kinds of other “educational” experiences even without hitting the midway. (Yes, we budget in some money for that and fair food, too!)

6.      CAMP Camping is cheap whether you tent-it or get a cabin or have a camper.  It’s a great time for the family to spend time together with each other and nature.  Some of my fondest memories growing up are of tenting across I-80 on our way from California to the Midwest for family reunions, and camping with other families from church in the great Sierra Nevada Mountains.  Which brings me to my next point….

7.      TRAVEL  Take the opportunity to travel across America.  Go see Washington DC, New York City, Sacramento and San Francisco, and any point in between that interests your family.  Seeing the mountains, plains, and where the history happened brings the history and geography of our great nation alive off the textbook page for kids and adults alike.  A couple years ago we stopped to see the St Louis Arch on our way to visit family in Kansas.  The year before we had driven to a family reunion in Iowa.  Both trips included several trips across the Great Mississippi River.  As we studied Lewis and Clark and Western Expansion after those two trips, my kiddos could picture the land that the explorers, pioneers, and homesteaders traveled, the rivers and streams they crossed, and the wildlife they encountered.

8.      MISSIONS TRIPS  Go on a missions trip.  If Mom and/or Dad feel God wants them to travel abroad to other people groups for two or three weeks, farm out the kids, and GO!  If it is convenient and the kids are old enough, go as a family.  Being abroad and out of your comfort zone will open your eyes to the needs of the world beyond our doorstep.  My trips to Mexico City, Bogota, Colombia, and my husband’s trip to Bosnia were absolutely life changing.  We both see life through different eyes, we see the world through different eyes. We pray for and give to our foreign  missionaries with hearts that know experientially how much they have given up and how hard their lives are compared to ours.

Well, I am sure that gets your mind going as to ways you can get out and see and do things that help maintain “the spice” in your life.

Luau!

Feb 16, 2013

Well, it's February, and you know what that means?? LUAU!!  Yup! It's a tradition in our household that there HAS to be a luau sometime in February.  Sometimes it is for Groundhog Day.  Sometimes it's how we celebrate Valentine's or President's Day.  Sometimes we invite friends, but usually it is just the 7 of us.  It is just a little way to help beat the winter blues and cabin fever.  Sometimes we have an EXTRAVAGANT true-to-Hawaii meal, sometimes it's simply hot dogs and hamburgers with decorations.

 Our 2013 Feast

So, here are some tips to starting your own winter-busting tradition.

1. First, pick up some cheap decorations during the late summer when they are on clearance.  I buy up beach themed plates, napkins, wall hangings, grass skirts, etc at the end of the summer for 25 or 50 cents a package.  (Fourth of July decor that is bought on the fifth works for President's Day or Election Day themed parties, too.)

2. Plan your menu.  A simple menu might be: Hamburgers & hot dogs, fruit cocktail with a can of pineapple chunks and a can of mandarin oranges mixed in, a veggie platter and homemade ranch dip, and chips.  We like to drink "Margaritas" or "Pina Coladas".  (As the situation arises, I explain to my children that these are made without alcohol, and remind them that we are to be controlled by the Spirit and not drugs and mind-altering substances.)

Easy Margaritas

1 can frozen limeade concentrate

2-3 trays ice cubes

1-2 cans water

Blend in blender until slushy.  Serve immediately in tall glasses with straws, or plastic margarita cups.

Fun Pina Coladas

1 can frozen pineapple concentrate

¼- 1/2  coconut cream (you might have to go to the alcohol aisle for this)

2-3 trays ice cubes

1-2 cans water

(Opt) Juice from the canned fruit you are serving

Blend in blender until slushy.  Serve immediately in tall glasses with straws and tea-spoons.

3. Dress up!  Break out your shorts and ugly Hawaiian shirt or sundress.  Slip on your flip-flops.  Slip a lei around your neck.  Put flowers in your hair.  And be sure to crank up the heat to 80 degrees!

Hula Girls

4. Music.  I have a Pandora station set specifically for when I need to be in a “sunny mood” complete with Beach Boys and other great oldies, as well as Hawaiian music.  You can buy, beg, or borrow a CD by the Beach Boys, Temptations, or Drifters.  A recording by Don Ho or Darlene Ahuna will give such an authentic Hawaiian f eel to your party that you might just forget that it is snowing outside!

 And there you have the makings of a fun party that will help break up the Winter and add some Sunshine to tide you over until Spring finally comes.  

Sam, Fluffy, and SAD
Nov 29, 2012

Sam is staying!  Yay!  Actually, there was a bit of an uproar that he needed to leave by December 1st, so I suggested that he change forms for the winter and stay on with us until Spring.  It took some “thinking outside the box”, but now Sam is the unmeltable snowman.  He kept the stuff (straw in a white trash bag) of his Autumn self, added a wintery head (cotton balls in a clear produce bag), and viola’! Add winter hat(s), mittens, scarf, and other clothes, and he’s here to stay.  It has been fun seeing the creativity that Sam has brought out in the kids.  And, he remains as friendly and helpful as ever. When Sam gets done transforming maybe I will get a picture up.

On to Fluffy. And Garfield. And Midnight.  And Mousey Kitty, aka Meow Tse Tung.  We have acquired quite an unwanted cat population.  People seem to think “farm equals drop off your unwanted pets here.”  Or maybe the CATS think “farm equals rodents and other cats and food.” Either way, we have too many four-legged furry friends.  I started feeding them inside the barn instead of the garage, hoping they would get the hint not to constantly be underfoot and attempting to get into the house.  No such luck!  Our cats that we own have no problem moving out to the barn from the garage.  Why can’t the strays??

SAD= Seasonal Affective Disorder.  I do not know everything about it, but I suspect I have it. Basically, it’s a chemical/medical condition caused by the shortened hours of daylight in the winter.  It’s what causes “cabin fever” and “winter blues”.  I think mine set in early this year, like maybe last week during the Thanksgiving holiday.  The symptoms are alleviated by extra vitamins, spending time in front of special lights that mimic sunshine, exercise, adequate rest, and for those who need it, antidepressants.  Knowing the adverse effects of antidepressants and mood stabilizers, I choose to fight for as long as possible by using natural methods.  All that to say, I have officially set up my “atrium” or basement garden.  I have had plants in the basement and kitchen window every winter since moving to Ohio, I think.  But this is the first year that we have had our basement waterproofed, complete with glass windows! And, I now have 2 big wash-tub planters of herbs.  The herbs smelled so good as I lugged the tubs down the cellar steps, trimmed off the frozen extra limbs, and watered them.  I turned on the “plant light” over where I parked my planters, and am determined not to turn it off all winter!  I am actually EXCITED about wintering myself in our “new” basement this winter!  It was so bright between the plant light and the sunshine streaming in through the windows.  In addition to a bay for storage, we have a large play area for the kids, divided into a “boys side” and a “girls side”.  Under the stairs is a compact dressing room for ordinary girls to become princesses.  The playroom is next to my garden area, so the kids can play while I get my sunshine therapy.

Okay, that’s enough rambling for one day....Maybe it will give someone else some ideas or encouragement that they are not alone. At least I will be able to look back and remember my winter preparations.     

Sam

October 15, 2012

Meet Sam, the newest resident at Armstrong Arms.  Unlike all the other tenants at the Arms, he is very quiet and does not make or leave random messes.  He is always cheerful, greeting friends both new and old with a smile.  Sam likes to spend his time outdoors and can often be found holding a cat in his lap.  Sam says he will be staying at Armstrong Arms until at least Thanksgiving.

Little Good Things

July 16, 2012

Lately I have not felt like a good mommy.  Or a good wife.  Or a very good Christian.  I am burned out and worn out and ready to give up.  And then, a “little good thing” happens.  And I count my blessings and try to remember that how I feel is just being selfish.  Like tonight after supper.  The girls helped clear the table and went outside for one last play before supper.  And Mommy was feeling worn out, so she put the supper dishes and ‘one last load of laundry’ aside for a few minutes, and followed.  I sat on the edge of the pond with my feet propped on the other side, and just watched and listened for a little while.  The miracle of life occurred again last week, and all the fish eggs that were stuck to the filter are now little black and brown minnows scooting around.  Our one lonely fat goldfish darted here and there.  The girls squabbled over who was a princess, knight, or other royal character as big sister helped everyone find brooms for horses and spent daylily branches for swords.  “Help me braid a crown out of this clover, Sis”, the middle sister called.  Then, I saw him, hiding among the vines I had thrown into the pond to keep them alive after pulling them out when I was weeding 2 weeks ago.  A big fat bright green frog with bulgy eyes and a black stripe down his back.  “Girls, come look!  See him? “  He’s camouflaged so well by a Wise Creator. “Catch him, Mommy” So Mommy reaches for him, only to have him jump back under the water.  The day has really been full of “little good things” when I stop to think about it and be thankful.  Big Sister found some ripe blackberries down by the willow.  “These are sweeter than the raspberries a few weeks ago, Mom.”  The gorgeous bouquet of wild mint, and Queen Anne’s Lace, and other assorted weeds that adorned the meal table.  The supper of meatballs made from home grown beef, accompanied by homegrown squash and herbs and tomatoes.  The snuggly Little Sister and Toddler brother who push their way into Momma’s arms when she’s too busy for hugs and kisses, reminding her of what is truly important.  The Psalm that started the day, reassuring Momma of God’s love and care, “because He knows we are but dust” (103).     

Christ is all I need

Dr. Dixon always had us sing "Christ is all I Need" to close his Monday chapel services at college.  It sounds like a funeral dirge, but I can just hear the Negro slaves singing it across the generations that separate us.  And my kids like it, maybe because Daddy doesn't.  But I was just reading Katie Davis' blog and it reminded me that I need to remember the message of that simple Negro Spiritual.  Christ is all I need.  I don't need the kids to always behave.  I don't need my husband to always be supportive and sweet and cheerful.  I don't need the dishes and laundry to be done up.  I don't need my parents to be in perfect health.  I don't need enough money to pay all the bills.  I don't need 8 hours of sleep every night.  I NEED CHRIST.  I needed Him to pay the price one time in the past for my sins.  I need Him to one day in the future take away my sinful nature.  And I need Him TODAY to lead me, to guide me, to give me what I need-love, patience, grace, mercy- for this moment.   I need Him today to be my all in all, to meet my every need- physical, spiritual, emotional. "Christ is all I need, Christ is all I need, He's all I need.  Christ is all I need, Christ is all I need, He's all I need."  And then I will have "Victory in Jesus"!  "...and then I cried, Dear Jesus, come and heal my broken spirit. And somehow Jesus came to me and brought to me the victory.  Oh victory in Jesus, my Savior forever.  He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood.  He loved me ere I knew Him, and all my love is due Him.  He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood." And He is all I need, every moment, every day. Amen

New to the Game

Welcome!
Everyone else is blogging, so I thought I'd join the game.  Actually, I find it therapeutic to write; always have.  I needed a different forum than FB to share my thoughts about life.  I needed to expand.  So, here I am....
I want to pay homage to my friends and even the strangers whose blogs I have visited and found encouragement from.  THANK YOU for the inspiration you have been.  Now that I (think) am moving out of the baby-bearing phase and more into the child-rearing and training-to-be-adults phases of motherhood, I want to pass on some of my accumulated knowledge to other Mamas.
~Anna~