Blame it on the Victorians*
I know, its Friday. This is the second week in which there will be no Friday book review. Victorian Historians are to blame. I’ve been deep in research for an essay on history as written by Victorians and all that reading has left me NOT WANTING TO READ.
I’m shocked by my own reaction. I have LOVED to read ever since I learned. My passion was ignited at age 6 by Hungry Lambs** when I read the whole book in one sitting, ignoring the teachers direction to only read the first story. I think I’m in recovery now but I still have to write the essay, by Wednesday.
In absences of any useful content I thought I would put out some random stuff.
My girls caught one of these yesterday. It is a freshwater crayfish. They caught it in our stream using a net bought for them by a single girl at church. The net has been a wonderful toy, a great gift!
I’ve been noticing lately that there has been discussion in the media about how to reduce your food bill. One idea mentioned is menu planning. I’ve been doing this for years, like 10! I might share my wisdom and blog about it next week.
It’s only 2 weeks to the school holidays!!!!
My girls have just taken flattened cardboard boxes to the neighbours and are sliding down their hill on them. Even though they are about 400m way I can hear them squealing!
*I mean those that lived during the reign of Queen Victoria, not those who live in the state of Australia.
** Hungry Lambs was a reader given at school. It was the first book with more than one story in it.
Filed under Family, Housekeeping, University | Comment (0)I’ve kissed dating good bye
I bet there is no surprise there, I’ve been married to the Hubster for almost 15 years.
While on Holiday I read Joshua Harris’s book ‘I Kissed Dating Goodbye’. You may wonder why a women in her 30’s who has been married for a long time wanted to read a book about dating.
I have daughters. And, such is the way of the world, they are getting older. As much as I may want them to remain pre teens forever this will not happen and besides I don’t want to be making schools lunches forever.
I decided it was time to see what Harris’ ideas about romantic relationships were.
I really enjoyed the book. I think it has a lot to say about relations between members of the opposite sex that even old people like me can befit from.
Because I got so much out of this book I think I will do several posts on it.
Filed under Christianity, Family, Parenting | Comments (5)Beans for miles
Homely Wife has been on holiday. This year we actually went away, to the South Island. Being homely sort people we don’t do this very often.
Holidays are supposed to leave you feeling rested. I’m not sure that this works for our family, all I seemed to get was bad dose of sunburn and grumpy children. But we have put all the pre-Christmas madness behind us.
While away I hadn’t organised for anyone to water the vege garden. I did regret this as it was hot a sunny where we were (hence the sunburn). When we got home we found evidence that this had not been the case at the homely wife mansion.
We had a lot yellow beans. Not quite as many as in this photo, but I picked 1.28kgs.
For those who want to grow a good crop of dwarf beans I planted Roquefort, from Kings Seeds.
And what do you do with 1.28kgs of beans. You put on your i-pod and chop, then blanch and freeze. This job is um.. not fun but I remind myself that I will reap the rewards in winter.
Filed under Family, Gardening | Comment (0)Silly Season
I have been absent in my blog duties for a while. This is because I have too much stuff to do. This week is going to be mad.
Monday: I have to go to the Police Station and make a victim impact statement. See Friday for why I’m doing this. I also have to cook a strawberry cream pie for a BBQ we are going to tomorrow and about 6 jars of Lemon Honey as presents for various teachers.
Tuesday: I have a doctors appointment at 9.15. I would have made this for Monday but I had a ring from the Police after I talked to the doctor. I have to do the victim impact statement on Monday so they have enough time to get it to Upper Hutt by Friday. I have to bake some biscuits for Wednesday and maybe another batch of Alison Holst truffles. I did make a double batch last week so that I would have two ready to go plates, but I um, ate a ‘few’.
The best thing about Tuesday is the evening. We have three functions. The excitement will begin with a swimming carnival at the the girls swimming club. This will finish with a BBQ, I don’t have to cook dinner. Then the Hubster has a BOT meeting. When that is finished, hopefully around 8pm we will head out with the strawberry cream pie to another BBQ. Note I am taking children aged 7 and 9 out at 8pm.
Wednesday: Try and wake children to get them to school. At 10.30 go back to school. Our school has won an enviroschools award and the mayor is coming to present it. G1 is part of the group who will receive the award. I offered to make a nice morning tea for the mayor some weeks ago, before I know about Monday and Tuesday. That’s what the biscuits are for. After I’ve eaten morning tea I’m bring G1 home with me. She has to go to the hospital for a test for which she will be sedated. It will take about 2 hours. The test is horrible and she threatened to run away from home when she found out what would happen to her. The thought of this is making me a little tense.
Thursday: We have to get new car tyres for our warrant. I think I will have to do this on Thursday. We also have the school concert/break up. After we have watched a production of ‘Bad Jelly the Witch’, sat through the excitement of the recorder playing and mass singing, there will be a ‘bring a plate’ supper. Roll on truffles that I made on Tuesday which, in theory, I haven’t eaten yet.
Friday: I’m driving for about two hours to Upper Hutt for the court case for which I made the victim impact statement. The reason for this is my father was killed in a traffic accident in June. The young man who caused the accident is having his first court appearance. I’m planning to drive home in the afternoon. I am also feel more than a little tense about this.
After managing this week I’ve decided that I have the organisational skills to run Telcom. And I’d get a lunch break.
Filed under Family, Housekeeping | Comment (0)Zoo to you
It seems that the behaviour of children is soliciting some media attention again.
This article highlights that a survey conducted in Britain for Barnardos found 54% of adults thought children behaved like animals. Barnardos was disturbed by this finding. They thought it showed “unjustified and disturbing intolerance of children”.
If ‘most’ children are not troublesome, as claimed in the article, why would the public think that children behave like animals.
I guess Barnardos might rationalise this finding. With smaller families and children as a smaller proportion of society perhaps adults are relying on stereotypes.
Instead I like to propose a radical idea. 54% of adults believe children are behaving like animals because children are behaving like animals.
I spend a lot of time with children. I have primary school aged children. I work voluntarily in classrooms, sometimes at schools other than those attended by my children. I supervise school trips. I hang out at places where there are lots of children, playgrounds, swimming pools, libraries. I agree with 54% of British adults, children behave badly.
Casting my mind over this year I can name numerous observed incidents of bad behaviour. Three weeks ago I supervised on a school trip to the theatre. At half time some older primary school boys, sitting in back of the tiered seating, began throwing rubbish at those on the seats below. I have seen chairs thrown in the classroom. I had a child who hid under a desk and would not come out. When adults see this it is no wonder they feel negative about children.
Barnardos have their head in the sand. Sure, only a small number of children are truly ‘troublesome’ if this means they end up having dealings with the police. But a large number display unattractive behaviour.
I think this comment may hint at what is causing children’s behaviour to deteriorate. ‘Half (the survey participants) disagreed with the statement that children who get into trouble were misunderstood and in need of professional help.’ I also disagree with that statement. Misbehaving children don’t need understanding, they need discipline.
What form that discipline should take is a question for another day.
Hello, any one there?
Stand by for more regular posts.
I have had major ’stuff’ happen in my life this year. Who know that was going to happen? (Well God I guess).
Anyway I have finished with university for the year. So I’m planning to air my opinions more often.
The first new innovation will be a review of a children’s book every Friday, with a focus on fiction. I think there is a need for review to guide Christian parents. The reviews will focus more on children’s books from the UK, Australia and NZ. The Christian community is large and active in the US so there is a lot of information regarding US children’s fiction. I plan to review books that you will find in your local library.
Since this is my blog I may break some of the above rules, but I want to give a Christian opinion on the kinds of books you or your children can find easily.
Other stuff I’ve been doing, here’s a photo of one activity that’s consuming me at the moment.
Birthday girl
I introduced G1 as being aged 8. Well not any more.
Today is her 9th birthday.
Here she is with her mocha sponge-roll birthday cake.
This year I’m particularly struck by the fact that she is growing in to a young women. This has led me to reflect on my role in her life. I am the older women of Titus 2 to my girls. I find this a sobering thought and a challenge. I am praying that God will give me the wisdom and strength to fulfil this special calling.