Thoughts for the day

My mind is all addled. Must be a continuing thing for me. :) What I really want today is to not have to go anywhere (that's up for grabs, though, considering we only have one loaf of bread) and to putter and enjoy the rain that's coming. That's all. Feeling a deep need for cozy. Just home stuff.

Youngest son had his 13th birthday yesterday and that was just a sweet day, so can't blame that for my need for quiet. But, honestly, with my media fast (only minor cheating), I still feel the pressure of the world creeping in. The kids and my husband talk about the news, so it's not like I've completely gotten away from it.

I need to rest in the Lord more. I know that's part of my problem. Feeling a tad fearful of the future, and should put some Scripture to memory to settle my heart. That should be a goal for the day, you know?

Internet addiction

Thinking about stuff. Concerned about all the time folks in this house spend online. Lots of time. Inordinate amounts of time. Three of the older kids bought their own laptops, but still---I have to wonder what they do online. One son gets online only with other folks in the room with him, and never alone. He's got it figured out, I think. I'd admire his self-control. I can manage some things, but not others, well...considering the ages of these children. Have to trust them, but still. Can't not point a finger at myself. We're addicts, somewhat.

Used to, folks would overindulge in the t.v. Not here. Our remote is broken on the main set, so with it being a bit annoying to constantly have to get up to switch channels, we watch it very little. Pretty much plan on what we'll watch and stick to it. No idle surfing.

On the days I stay offline, I realize how rested I feel. Not that lots more gets done, but I'm not so rattled. There's an information overload, and I'm a willing participant.

Something to think about. And to act on. But, must pray first. It's too easy to isolate the kids when talking about stuff like this. Folks would rather come to their own conclusions, without someone (even a well-meaning parent) pointing out the issue. The thing is, I have to set a good example, showing that I can control this problem too. Temptation is hard.

So, if I'm missing a bit in the next few days, you'll know why.

Crochet site

My favorite crochet site yet is The Bumblebee Shop. I've been to a few, and this one worked for me. I was pleased at how she worked past a row, to show you on one video how to make the next move. Some of the other videos would get you to the end of one stitch (do you call it that with crochet---I have a counted cross-stitch mentality!) and then leave you hanging. I've gotten a piece down that's about 8" long and maybe 3" across. A headband!?!??! Not anything, but satisfaction. Don't care if it turns out to be anything than what it is. Makes my brain happy. Thanks, Kim, for impressing me so much with your own work. Your enthusiasm is contagious, for sure! I'd not have ever attempted this without your example. Consider yourself hugged.

Now, with groceries in the house, birthday presents bought, I can rest and enjoy the weekend. That's what I'm talking about! :)

On my Friday

I'd strongly recommend a news fast for those of you who tend to overload. I'm really enjoying it. Got to thinking about the 'olden days' before the Internet. Back when we were unable to get online, we got our news on the t.v. or in the plain, old newspaper. We were more patient then, and maybe weren't so consumed with what happened around the world. Our focus was on the family and each other. Even lately, I've read about stock issues that happened back in the 80's and, honestly, I don't remember them. We were married in 1983, so were busy just being 'us'. We had little time to think about anyone but ourselves. Not so much self-centered (well, we were newlyweds!), but we had more important things on our minds. :) The thing is, I don't know as we suffered in our ignorance.

We're so easily distracted and influenced by the stuff out there. And while the leaders (few whom I respect) get their danders all up about how best to boss/control us, I'm enjoying letting them go at it. We're doing just fine here---trying to pay the bills, keeping the kids fed and educated, and comforting each other when necessary. Just doing the dailies. I don't need strangers scaring me. I just don't.

The thing is---when the news comes at us so quickly, it's easy to overreact and believe that things are worse than they actually are. Change doesn't happen quickly (fortunately), so having a knee-jerk reaction to the news isn't always the right response.

As this very minute goes...our youngest son turns 13 on Monday, so we're gathering gifts to shower him with, I'm trying to work up a weekend grocery list, and the house looks comfortably tumbled. Really, that's all that matters. To do our best at making the Lord proud. The world be hanged. I'm going to draw up my universe a bit more tightly. No news is good news for now. I promise. :)

Fussing and cleaning

• Today marks the first day in my personal news blackout. Will reconsider on Easter, but not before.
  
• Aggravated at President who reminds me of folks I've known who bluster around, talking incessantly so as to avoid appearing anymore ignorant that previously believed. It's not working.
  
• Want to take that sidekick of the President's who keeps going on about a world currency out behind the woodshed. Not ready to hear about tattoos on folks' foreheads or hands either. Seems one thing leads to another, least in my thinking.
• Time to change subject in this post, so....
  
• Ready to replant a couple of things a sweet neighbor gave me...small schefflera and jade.
• One of the African violets she gave me awhile back is about to bloom. A first time for me.
  
• Time to clear out the flower beds too. But not today.
  
• Going to spend time with this crocheting, later on. Have the chain stitch down, must work on what comes next.
• Will make Poorman's Meal for tonight's dinner, courtesy of Clara's Depression-era videos. Love these. (thanks to Patricia for this link awhile back!)
• Now off to do what damage I can....we're cleaning today. With the rain we've had, the house is depressed and wanting to be fussed over.
• My mental state rises up several notches when the house is really clean. I'm not talking tidy, but CLEAN. It's time. :)
  

Mid-week

A beautiful day. We had rain galore last night, but today it's sunny and fine. Looking forward to some time alone later on. The kids go to my mom's for lunch (schoolbooks with them) and I get to go to Michael's to putzy around the crochet supplies. Kim has whetted my appetite for some handwork, and this might be the ticket. Tried knitting a couple of years ago, but my wrists complained---not sure if this will be better, but I'm willing to try. :)

Just wanting something to set on the side table to pick up from time to time. Cross-stitch seems to be too complicated right now to have handy. To lay out the cloth, pick out threads and get a chart all ready when I sit down is a difficult undertaking. Usually by the time I have everything ready, one of the kids has a need and I just pack everything up again. My mom says I accomplish plenty anyway, just taking care of everyone---but still, at the end of the day I want to be able to see that I've done something. Maintaining control over the house, and keeping the kids in order, etc. just isn't enough, you know?

Well, must fly. Glad of a clean house with us being in and out today. I have Lisa Samson's book, Embrace Me, to finish, probably today. A totally wonderful book. I have a pad of small sticky notes, and I keep tucking them between the pages to mark sentences I want to jot down in my journal. This one will definitely be on my favorites of the year list. Very moving and full of surprises.

Take care.

On Tuesday

Craving a day at home, but realize that I need to go the discount bread store today. Fortunately, that's just down the road, so not a difficult task. Yesterday was busy enough, with us going to the library after doing schoolwork. Then took a short nap and then the grocery store before dinner.

And, knowing me, I stayed up too late reading a Lisa Samson book. This one is Embrace Me, and is really riveting me to the pages. Used to, I couldn't really relate to her books, but recently, am inhaling them. Good stuff.

Anyway, for today, will get the schoolwork done this morning---must read the first part of Cyrano de Bergerac. (note to self---print off notes from SparkNotes) My kids read a lot, but want to slip in some classics before the schoolyear ends. One son (our seventeen-year-old who's not really into books as much as everyone else) read Cyrano in one day, so the rest of us have some catching up to do.

Housecleaning to do, minor tidying up and salmon croquettes and salad for dinner---one of my favorites. Love to dump it all in together with a hardy helping of ranch dressing. Yum!

Just thankful for the gift of a day. Hope I can keep the mindset of remembering Who made the day and can "rejoice and be glad in it." Now, must get busy.