No thanks to Benjamin Franklin and his Poor Richard's Almanac. I've been getting up early, around 5:23 a.m. to head out the door for a step aerobics class at 6:00 a.m. This has been going on for three weeks now, and for the first time in many years I'm getting up at a semi-reasonable hour. I like it when the house is dark, lonely, and quiet. I tend to think better when the atmosphere is free of baby babble and child chatter. Just the other day, Nathan randomly brought up this odd question:
"If somebody chopped off my leg with a chainsaw, would they go to jail?"
This is the tip of the iceberg as far as questions go. Many of them I cannot answer, and I don't pretend I can. If it's theological, I'll tell Nathan, "Go ask Pastor Booth or Pastor Brainerd, they can help you with that." And for the inquisitive among my two whole readers (assuming you have all of your body parts), no, Nathan isn't allowed to watch horror flicks on the tele. He does however see my husband with power tools and we own a chainsaw (call it a Mississippi thing or east Texas). I just think that some things naturally occur in the mind of a 6 year old boy, I'm not in the habit of begetting or encouraging violence in our home (unless I see a snake that needs to be obliterated).
On the upside, I really like step aerobics in the morning, it frees me to exercise without interruptions from those who might try to interpret my dance moves. One of my children is particularly gifted at swiveling his hips, and he likes to taunt me with imitation. It's really pretty funny, but if I start laughing I can't breath well enough to exercise.
On the school front, I still haven't selected all of my curriculum for the kids, but I think I've got most of it eyeballed. I indulge them (and myself) with book buying. I'll take them to the Battered Woman's Thrift Store (I don't know exactly why they call it that), and while I stroll around looking at various things, they go to the kid book section and get what they want. Who can refuse a book for $.39? I actually found a kid's book on the life of a medieval woman. I thought that was pretty neat, it even had the British price tag still on the back. I think it was 4.99 pounds. I've also recently bought several of the DK Eyewitness books on Sharks, Poisonous Animals and Birds. It's a whole series dedicated to answering all of the odd questions you (or your kids) might think of. I've already fielded a couple of questions about the megamouth shark and general shark reproduction. One of the best things my mom ever did for me was buy me unlimited books (or supply me with them). I can't turn down a good book, and our shelves are evidence of it. I'd be woebegone if I couldn't buy books, especially the ones for my own indulgence.
On the subject of Texas, I'm still adjusting to life here. In many ways, my functions are the same: hospitality, homeschooling, and hair brushing. We had a Wednesday night church group here last night, and I think we had 24 people (we're just doing this for the summer, back to regular church schedule during the school year). I feel like I've lived here longer than 6 months, but I suppose the stability of my lot in life has made the transition easier. I like to think in terms of being a useful and a credit to the railway (thank you, Sir Toppem Hat), but sometimes your innards flinch when you don't know exactly where you fit in or how people perceive you. When you live with the same people for 8 years, you have mileage with them and you know their liabilities and strong points. I suppose the unknown here is just getting to know people and "living amongst them." After all, causing confusion and delay is not an option, unless you see a snake. But, there is much to be thankful for, particularly teenage boys that I want my sons to emulate, I think that's worth much. It's just maintaining that equilibrium in a still new setting that's hard, and not letting your emotions get the best of you when you strike out to form new friendships.
But, as the night is drawing on I need to end my diatribe. I ought to try to write more here, but I just don't seem to have words or the inclination to do it all the time. I like to document my life, but somehow it just seems some of the things I write don't need to be posted. I'm thankful for my own editing inclinations, but I ought to keep more of a documentation for the people who like to read this blog (all two of you!).
Comments (1)
Erm.....I think I make three? LOL
I wish you WOULD update more!!!