Have been rather in need of a new dining room table these past many months. We've had a perfectly good and sensible table, painted blue and then scuffed and spoiled by so many destructive children, but every day it has wobbled and swayed a little bit more. “I'll just tighten it up” Matt kept saying. And I would nod understandingly. So then, two days ago, as we sat around the remains of an excellent lunch, or I guess I should... Read more
The modern way of things has lately been a source of irritating frustration for me, just to be completely broad and general about it. As the children have gotten older the pressure to Do things, to engage in activities at a set time and location, for money, has increased. This combines itself naturally with the relentless nature of church activities, and they're being so often in the evening. I find myself saying, practically all the time, “I really don't want... Read more
It's Monday and raining, which! For Real! I am not bitter about because yesterday and the day before were so beautiful. And, I desperately need to face down the school room which would not happen if there was a remote chance of any of us getting to be outside. So today I will do that which I ought to do, and clean the school room, so that we can work in there instead of going into the living room to... Read more
Been thinking about the Free Range Kid debate percolating all over the Internet and the country. Probably unwise of me to weigh in or have an opinion of any kind but well, what is a blog for if not foolishness. Thread Number One Matt dug out bins and bins of pictures from our closet last week, which is his preferred manner of recreating. Throwback Thursday is his favorite thing ever. He loves loves loves old pictures and thinking happily and... Read more
Have been meaning for some time to write about my accommodation for children. You know, children are weak, and their frail flesh must be accounted for. You can't just have a baby and except it to get along and live. You must hold it and feed it and lug it around in a big fat car seat until your back is utterly destroyed and you have lost your own will to live. I am a pretty good mother, not amazing... Read more
Is it already Wednesday? And the sun is actually in the sky? I assume it's the sun, whatever that thing is up there that gives light and warmth and makes me want to chuck my Christianity and worship it, building little wooden presents for it to set up in the yard and offering my first born to it in a begging, sycophantic way in hopes it will never go away again. Or, I guess maybe it would be better to... Read more
Ah spring. The song of birds, the muddy fields, the occasional moment of sun beating finally through the cloud cover, the crocuses pushing up through the dark earth, the sweet sweet moment when homeschoolers everywhere launch into the next year's planning. It can't be helped. No matter how much you think, I don't need to do this right now, in fact, it's The Very Last thing I need to be doing, I should be finishing the year I'm in now–there... Read more
Have to leap up in a minute and spiritually and mentally prepare myself for a visit to the dentist. It's not dire, just a routine sort of thing, where I go and cover myself with shame and apology for not flossing more often. Did I floss at all? Yes I did. Should it have been more often? Probably. But wouldn't it be better if they lept up to congratulate me for doing it at all? I feel this so often.... Read more
I'm not really up to saying anything in a blog post. Consider this phoning it in, quick take style, without actually searching around to link up, and probably not making it all the way to seven. A The gray has been unrelenting this week, a great battleship grey that covers over the landscape and my soul. But instead of me saying what I think, go read Pentimento who says it Far and Away more kindly and more insterestingly than I... Read more
Trying to catch up on blog reading and, you know, updating the three Pinterest boards I have. I don't really get Pinterest but I need another point of failure in my life. I'm already a pretty good failure on Twitter and Facebook, so I figure I might as well add Pinterest into the mix. Every year I resolve to do better on the Internet, but then, as I'm busy failing in regular life, I have to let something fall, and... Read more
Preventing Grace
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