I Am Bored

I am bored—

Before you haul out the standard answers...

Just a thought:

Roo sat down by me the Thursday and said, “Mom I’m bored.”

Now conventional wisdom says, “You’re bored? You. Are. BORED?? Have I got chores for you, buddy.”

But Roo is a good kid and this was only the fourth day of a vacation. This is part of the reason we school year round with smaller breaks (living well with a routine—more on that in another post).

I had to stop and think about what he was really saying. He had toys and games. I was not limiting video games this week. He really. Didn’t. Want. To play. The X-box. He had read several books!! He had played the piano.

What was not being said? What was he asking without knowing?

My decluttering project is taking the slow track this week, I’ll admit. I’ve been busy, but not that busy. And I was actually taking a moment to goof off when he said it.

So I offered the suggestion list: Outside? Computer? Television? LEGOs? No, no, no, no. Thank you.

Ummmm…would you like to play a game of Othello with me?

Now I had his attention. He wanted a few minutes of Mom time.

We actually ended up playing Phase 10 instead. I won. (But who’s gloating?) He tells me I humiliated him. Yeah? Well…I’m an awful mom.

But 30 minutes of one on one with Mom gave him a fresh look. I suggested that he read the rules to two new games we’ve not played yet afterwards so we could play them later. Which he did. He thoroughly enjoys reading directions for games. I am so proud. Because I totally hate reading directions and if he does it, I don’t have to I mean because I’ve done such a good job teaching him.

Shortly after (and totally expected) a curly headed Boo quietly insinuated himself into my lap (I was goofing off again.) “I heard you played a game with Roo.”

“Well, yes, Son I did.”

“Oh.” (Imagine a very neglected tone.)

I asked, “Would you have time to play a game with me?”

“REALLY??!!!”

So we played a couple games of checkers. And life was good.

Last week, their first week of vacation, I had them come up and offer to help when I was working on a project. I’ve had them seek me out just to chat. I had offers for serenading me with music. I had offers to join them in video pandemonium.

With summer vacation here for most families, and some parents are already yearning for fall, I just want to offer the thought that these moments are fleeting. It is annoying sometimes to hear the words, “I’m bored.” But before dismissing the child uttering those fateful words with chores, ultimatums, or a quick "Go play outside!" double check and make sure the statement doesn’t really translate into,

“Mom, can I spend a little time with you?”


Edited to add: I saw Shannon at Rocks In My Dryer's WFMW is about children being bored, so I am tossing it up on her Mr. Linky. Looks like it is a busy one. Check it out.

Works for Me Wednesday

Progressive Apple Peeler

Well, really it works for Grandpa (my dad). The last few days we've been blessed with a visit from Grandpa. The boys have been hitting balls at the driving range, visiting a historical farm, and making apple pies.

Grandpa wanted to make pies with his boys! So he figured we'd have what he wanted in the big city to make them...well all but one thing--he packed his apple peeler.

My father is one for gizmos, gadgets and cool tools. He always manages to find neat stuff that really works! And this one is a doozy. I am sure some of you really good cooks already know about this, but I was impressed. My husband was really impressed--he used it to slice pototoes for hobo potatoes and mashed potatoes this week--I guess we could call him the "Potato Guy" or Mr. Potato Head--but I might be pushing it there...BLUSH...welll...ahem & anyway...This was really a helpful kitchen tool.

I looked online and came up with this website that also features more nifty, handy, dandy things. Worth a look.

For more Works for Me Wednesday tips, tricks and smart ideas visit Shannon at Rocks In My Dryer.

Also giving away a book here!!

Works for Me Wednesday

Picky eaters can be a pain. My kids aren't really fond of Oriental cooking, but can be persuaded to try different tastes and textures if given chopsticks!!


What other ways can you think of to make the menu interesting that doesn't have to do with the actual food? Good china? Have a picnic? Candle light? I'd love to hear some of your suggestions.

For more Works for Me Wednesday ideas visit Shannon at Rocks in My Dryer.

Works for Me Wednesday--Remember the Water

Summer’s almost over. Time to think of apple cider and hot chocolate, right?

But wait!! I don’t know about you, but we have hotter weather now than we’ve had all year. Don’t be fooled by the back to school sales and all the sweaters and the clearances on barbeques. It’s still summer.

My WFMW tip—don’t forget the water, for you or for the children.

Water is more important than food. It is just less important than the air we breathe. Dehydration causes headaches, fatigue and joint pain. Many people think they are hungry when, in fact, they are really thirsty. Water is good for your skin, dry skin, eczema many skin ailments can be improved with hydration from the inside as well as the outside. Water is good for weight loss!!

Don’t forget the water.

Also, don’t forget to visit Shannon at Rocks in my Dryer. You can’t believe how many good ideas are found there.

Works for Me Wednesday--Prayer Collage

Prayer collage.

It isn’t pretty. It isn’t tidy & organized. So all of you who are really all about the spiffy sparkling kitchens with the pristine refrigerator fronts—just run away now.

For those of us who, however do have the children's art gallery on the fridge, and for all you good cooks, or for those of you like me who struggle with the rummaging through the freezer & fridge for something that you might have forgotten was worth snacking on—this is the thing.

Post your prayer requests on your freezer. Save the art work for lower, eye level for the kids, but put your prayer requests at eye level for you. I do mine with a lot of pictures. Some of those people on my fridge I haven’t seen for more than five years. But I think of them every day and say a quick prayer, more if led, when they come into view.

No, it’s not a nice tidy notebook, but I lose those. Trust me, it works, I never lose the refrigerator.

For more Works for Me Wednesday ideas, visit Shannon at Rocks in My Dryer.

Visit the rest of my blog for the book giveaway and the CD giveaway.

Works for Me Wednesday--Parenting Advice Edition

A friend of mine is having her first baby in December. I certainly don’t have this parenting thing all down pat. In fact, I often feel like I am learning on the fly. But I guess there are a few things I think to be important. And basically that is what this list is, things I have shared or will share with my friend.

I am NOT saying I do all or even any of these things well—just I’ve found them to be important to me. After I pontificate to her I will then point her to this WFMW at Shannon’s and let her get really good info from all the other wise contributors to WFMW—The Parenting Advice Edition.


10 Don’ts and 10 Dos:

DON'Ts

1. Don’t do something just because it is in a popular book.

2. Don’t do something just because all the other parents are doing so.

3. Don’t feel bad for having your own set of rules.

4. Don’t be afraid to change rules that don’t work.

5. Don’t be afraid to put your children first.

6. Don’t be so quick to force independence—protection is what parents are supposed to do.

7. Don’t be afraid to be human.

8. Don’t pretend you have all the answers. "Let's look it up together." Goes a long way. Admitting that you don't always know what is what is tough, but can be rewarding.

9. Don’t be afraid to say, “No.” But sometimes try to figure out how it can be a, “Yes.”

10. Don’t assume you know what they’re going to say—be prepared to be surprised at their answers.

DOs

1. Be their safe harbor—to have a child come to you with full trust is an awe inspiring thing.

2. Be their advocate—if you don’t go to bat for them how will they ever learn to bat for themselves—and why do you thing someone else will do it.

3. Do go with your gut. Don’t care what the nurse on the doctors’ info line says, don’t care what your best friend says, don’t care what your sister says—if you really, really think something is wrong it is better to be safe than sorry. This applies to so many things.

4. Do eat well and exercise. You want to be around for a long time and you want them to learn from your wonderful example.

5. Do read—alone and together, silently and aloud, as a whole family, let the kids read to each other. Read and read a lot of different things.

6. Do say you are sorry. It took me until way late in life to admit to ever being wrong, and while no one would accuse me of being a humble person, I truly want to have a humble heart before God, my spouse and my children.

7. Do love your spouse.

8. Do pray for your children.

9. Do pray with your children & your spouse.

10. Do love God first. They learn what they see.

Visit Shannon at Rocks In My Dryer for more WFMW.

Works for Me Wednesday--Card Keeper

I am a cardmaker, not a scrapbooker. I love scrapbooks and admire the talent and creativity that goes into doing that--I am just not very patient. I want immediate results. So I make cards and while it isn't completely immediate, it is faster.

I also participate in card swaps sometimes. And I like to save my goodies (Edited to add I like to save the cards my swap friends send me. Most of my cards are given away.) instead of using them. But storage was an issue. Since most of the ladies make cards that are 4 x 51/2 (approximately) I decided to take an old photo album that had found its way to my home with no use in sight, and put inspirations in there.

Now I can keep it handy to admire or to try a new technique, but it sure takes up less room and the cards stay neat and clean. And it works for me!

To find lots of neat Works for Me Wednesday ideas that might work for you--go visit Shannon at Rocks in My Dryer. The ideas never end.

Works for Me Wednesday--Mom I'm Bored Edition

I don’t know that boredom is a summer issue in our home—oh it’s an issue, I just don’t know that it is limited to summer. As homeschoolers I think it could be a daily issue if allowed to be when we are—you know, actually home.

I think routine is a good thing in beating boredom. Routines can be changed often so they don’t become ruts, but a dependable framework is a good boredom beater. We school year round, taking mini-breaks, never longer than two weeks. After two weeks without some structure we all (even me) start falling apart and getting whiney. So that would be my first suggestion. Have a flexible schedule so that children know what to expect.

My boys don’t use the “bored” word often around me. Partly, I am sure, because I offer to give them something to do (work related) when I hear that word. Our issue seems more to be a narrow scope of what is the best entertainment. What I hear most often is, “Mom, can I use____?” Fill in appropriate electronic, passive equipment. So what is my answer? It varies.

For our question the first answer is most often, “No.” followed by silence on my part. And then, inevitably I will hear, “Well, what can I do?” And I offer several choices. My first is always reading. Sometimes I don’t offer the choices as much as recommend that they browse and decide on their own. Sometimes (sorry) I am a bit sarcastic and suggest a nap—I’d love one!!

Another suggestion is don’t over-schedule summer with activities. Allow a lot of free time to explore. I think kids are often just used to being dependant on a grown-up to tell them what they will do next. Creativity, the opposite of boring, involves thinking independently and if someone else wanted to do it for me all the time—I’d let them too!! It takes some getting used to thinking creatively, though. Some gentle (or forceful) nudging might be needed to start. We have two time consuming activities during the summer. One takes up four weeks for three hours each morning, during that time, other school work is limited. The second involves a week trip to visit family and a county fair. My sister homeschools her children and we make field trips a staple and it is a highlight of our summer—exhausting, but fun. But the rest of summer is light school, and much delight-led learning and free time, lots of free time. There is nothing wrong with a child laying in a hammock or in the grass and doing “nothing.” It is during those times of “nothingness” that many problems are pondered, growing is considered, or stories are created. Nothing is wrong with a little nothing.

My last suggestion is live with a few messes. My house will never, never grace Better Homes and Gardens or Martha. And it is small, incredibly small. But a friend did tell me she thought my house was comfortable. I’ll take that as a compliment. It is obvious my house has children in it. Part of that is because as they’ve grown I’ve left more and more things accessible to them. Books, games, toys (too many toys), art supplies, musical instruments, dress-up clothes. There’s a table set up in the yard for dinosaur dig kits, sports equipment to use. Inside the only limit to musical instruments is the time of day—we live in a duplex and drums are off limits after 9ish. Unless I want to wait on them things must be accessible. I think I will trade a spotless house for a little freedom—for all of us. Clean up is required at the end of most activities, but I’ve tried not to micro-manage that and appreciate honest hard work and true efforts.

I do have some activities planned, but I have learned to be flexible and realize that my boys just might have a better plan.

That’s what works for us. For more Works For Me Wednesday ideas visit Shannon at Rocks in My Dryer.

This is a book giveaway week here!! My post with the rules and links to reviews is HERE!

Works for Me Wednesday--Vacation at Home

With gas prices through the roof and never enough time it always seems like real vacations are hard to come by for us. One thing we have decided to do this summer is vacation in our city and the neighboring ones.

Be a tourist in your own area!! Get brochures and plan your adventure as you would one five states away.

County fairs, rodeos, art fairs, hiking, fishing and camping in the state parks near you are all good vacations. Shakespeare or ballet or concerts in a local park are usually free or at a much reduced price than in a venue. Amusement parks and water parks are always a fun thing to do. Have you ever been to a horse show? Check and see if there are any locally. Auto races are fun if you like LOUD. History buffs should check and see if there are any small local places—it is amazing the stories that can be learned. And don’t forget your local zoos. Supporting your local zoos helps them to build and grow. Look for upcoming activities and go then or, if you prefer to go during less crowded times, like we do, go on a week day.

Much as my family loves hotels, in my mind there is no place like home and my own sheets and pillows. Saving on travel and lodging could allow you to try a fancier restaurant than you would normally go to.

Vacationing near home works for me.

Visit Shannon at Rocks in My Dryer, the hostess of Works for Me Wednesday.

Works for Me Wednesdays--Vincas

I love flowers and I love gardening. But given my housing situation there isn't a lot of room for much. One side of the house is a postage stamp either in mostly shade, children and dog and the other is in direct sun-baked brick and concrete. Actually my "zone" says I should be able to grow most any annual. In theory. But I live in reality. Oh so stark reality.

The first year here, I attempt to make my 3'X4' concrete planter an adorably arranged flower box. I had various herbs and a variety of colorful blooms and all sorts of little doo-dads. It looked cute for the first three weeks and then the sun scorched the plants one day when I wasn't home to nurse them. So the next year I followed my neighbor's lead. She had planted vicas and had flowers into fall.

So the next year I over did it, with vincas. I had vincas out the ears. This year I bought four pots with four tiny plants each. A little left over mulch and I should have blooms in just about the right proportion.

Vincas look a lot like impatiens. They come in a variety of colors. They thrive in full sun with very little coddling. They were inexpensive at Wal-Mart. Can't beat it with a stick. Well you could...but you'd kill you flowers. Not as creative and not as much gardening as I would like. But healthy and easy to maintain...WORKS FOR ME!!

Visit Shannon at Rocks in My Dryer for more creative tips and tricks and all the Works for Me Wednesday ladies.

Just a note to let everyone know that during the week of June 4-8 I will be giving away 5 new books!! Check back then to see what books are being given away.

Works for Me Wednesday--Bridal Shower Gift

April showers brings May flowers, followed by June brides. But before the wedding there are wedding showers too!!

A favorite shower gift we have given is:




One or more of these,







With a box of this and some of this,











With a bottle of this (your choice as to the content),













a few of these and some matches...











Something to listen to,









Wrapped up in one of these, maybe with some napkins.


Works for Me Wednesday is hosted by Shannon at Rocks in My Dryer. So many ideas to have work for YOU!!

Works for Me Wednesday

Paper crafting, namely card making is something I really enjoy. Some tools that have saved time and energy are Fiskars Texture Plates for embossing cardstock and patterned paper and Fiskars Shape Templates & Ultra-Shape Express for cutting shapes.

The embossing plates have added textures and dimension to many of my cards.

The shape templates have allowed me to add windows to my cards because measuring is immensely easier.

I don’t get as much time as I would like for my crafting so anything that makes things easier, faster or adds options Works for Me.

Visit Shannon at Rocks in My Dryer for more tips and tricks that might work for you.

Works for Me Wednesday & Wordless Wednesday

This week my WFMW & WW are the same.

STRESS RELIEFWhen life gets to be too much just hit your head here.

For more Works for Me Wednesdays visit Shannon at Rocks In My Dryer.

For more Wordless Wednesdays visit the official WW Site.

Works for Me Wednesday

I had a nice little post all ready for Shannon’s WFMW. Typed up, just needed uploaded and linky-d. But I can’t post it right now. It just doesn’t feel right. I truly don’t mean to sound preachy, but this is where my heart is today.

In light of these last few weeks I offer something that everyone already knows, I am sure. But I’ve got to say it.

Prayer. That’s what works.

Offering prayers for the victims & their families at Virginia Tech and this nation that mourns with them.

Prayers for Heather, Kelli & Amy. Prayer for Jenna's grandmother-in-law. Prayer for dear sweet Izzy.

So many other prayers. If you care to leave a prayer request, I would be honored to pray. Or you can e-mail me if you want— ourjoyfuldays “at” gmail “dot” com.

Our God is bigger than all the trials, and illnesses and fear. Our God is bigger than death.

Prayers for you.

Works for Me Wednesday

Videos that work for Homeschoolers.

The Best of the Electric Company and Schoolhouse Rock have been excellent videos to supplement our homeschooling. The boys really love these and ask for more. I always get drawn in and the boys are always amazed and amused that Mom can sing/recite almost all of the skits and lyrics. Premiering in the early 70s (Electric Company in 1971 and Schoolhouse Rock in 1973) they are what I grew up on and loved. While not quite older than dirt (a title reserved for me) they are from an era that was just a bit more, well…not today. They, sadly don’t make television like this any more.

Old-fashioned? Maybe, but these two DVDs work for us. For more Works for Me Wednesdays go visit Shannon at Rocks in My Dryer, the best tips of bloggers are found there.

Works for Me Wednesday

One of the many necessities I wanted when I found out I was pregnant, going on ten years ago was a supply of lullaby tapes and CDs.

Everyone has preferences, but I have to recommend Baby Sleep.

We used it for a long time and then it got set back for a longer time. But in the last year the boys have started listening to music again at bedtime…soothing the savage beasts, and all I mean gently lulling my bonny wee darlings to the Land of Nod…

Anyway, they’ve listened to several different CDs, many borrowed from the library (my favorite “try before you buy” method) and then I realized this gem was not being used. It is the only one they want to listen to these days. It has 24 tracks, but Boo is usually out before track 6 and Roo is gone somewhere around track 13 or 14.
This is my latest favorite for a baby shower gift. The music is a gorgeous blend of classical music. Truly soothing.

The only thing is that I can hear the music too as I am trying to go to sleep and I’ve come to be dependent on it too. It works for all of us here!!!

For tips and creative neat new ideas check out the Works for Me Wednesday ladies over at Shannon's Rocks in My Dryer. Mrs. Dryer has the fun going on over there!

Works for Me Wednesday

Not anything extremely creative this week for Wednesday. Just some activities and coloring pages that we have found to be incredibly enJOYable. Some are really geared for the tiny tots and some are very appropriate for older elementary. In fact I know some older elementary children who are not too cool for coloring. Actually coloring is still one of my most favorite activities. Even before I had children I kept stock in crayons and coloring books. And, no, they weren't to share with friends who had children. I was very selfish but I am over that now. My children have their own colors and they can keep their mitts off I mean share mine if they ask. nice. and it's the second Tuesday of the third May of the year. Ahem...I digress

The first two are from one of my most favorite authors--Jan Brett. I adore her stories and her art. Here is a chance to add something if you are reading her stories to your children.

http://www.janbrett.com/activities_pages_artwork.htm
http://www.janbrett.com/activities_pages.htm

This site was surprising when I found it. I love Celestial Seasonings' tea. They have coloring pages! Drink some tea and color. They also have a catalog. I am going to order from there first chance I get.
http://www.celestialseasonings.com/art-inspiration/coloring-pages.html

Definitely a homeschool mom's help, but a public or private school family would find some cool things for reports and projects!
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/artists/coloring/

Bible Kids Funzone...just what it says.
http://biblekidsfunzone.com/color/colortemindexlist.html

Maps for Geography. Pretty much any country you need they have an outline map for.
http://geography.about.com/library/blank/blxindex.htm

I know there are so many more sites out there for free coloring pages and homeschool helps. These are just a few that "works for me!"

Visit Shannon at Rocks in My Dryer. There will be so many wonderful tips from really smart ladies.

Works for Me Wednesday

Remind me again why I am joyful about litter boxes… Oh yeah, it would be because if we have litter boxes Old Man and Ferocious One don’t pee on the bath mat. Too bad they can’t be convinced to use the toilet, like some cats I have heard of.

I have seen a lot of “designer litter boxes” lately. Litter boxes hidden attractively in end tables and specially made to match the décor cat commodes. And while my space is at a premium, I really don’t need to have the “cat facilities” in the living area. And I reeeeeaaaaalllly don't want to.

What we do have is an attached garage and we chose to put a pet door from the garage to the lower entry hall. It keeps the kitty mess out of site. There is plenty of room to have their food in one area and their boxes far, far away (oh and it is our storage space so there are no cars—why would you put a car in the garage for Pete’s sake?) And it keeps Poochie from sampling the cat food or worse the litter box cruncy treats.(EEEEWWww!!!) If I didn't have an attached garage and I did have a few more rooms I would consider making a "kitty room" just to keep the boxes away from everything else.

A pet door on the inside of the house…Works for me and the cats!

Visit Shannon's Works for Me Wednesday at Rocks in My Dryer, I've found so many things there that work for me.

Works for Me Wednesday

I have a friend who is an inspired hostess. She can make a quiet dinner for two, she can host a cocktail party for her significant others sophisticated friends, she can do dinner for the girls, she can feed my children and entertain them. She is the “hostess with the mostest.”

Me…not so much.

When I have company for dinner I hate to spend time in the kitchen after the guests arrive. I inevitably forget to put something in the sauce or overcook the meat. I get distracted. Also high on my obsessive list is worrying about food allergies. We have several friends who are allergic or who choose not to eat certain foods for other reasons.

What I have found works for me is to have a buffet where the guest becomes responsible for the contents of their meal. My three favorite company meals have become—make your own pizza, soup and sandwich or build your own tacos.

Pizza involves just having toppings available in bowls, having small crusts ready and waiting in small pie tins. A couple different sauces (jar sauce is fine), three kinds of cheese, a couple meat choices, plenty of veggies and everyone should find something to eat.

Build your own tacos is much the same, I usually offer chicken, beef and beans, with lots of veggies and cheese.

The soup and sandwich meals have been really nice for early meals. Chili, chicken noodle and some other family favorite or a vegetarian soup make for easy do ahead and keep warm in a crockpot. Sandwich fixings can be as simple as meats and cheeses or as complicated as you like. I am a plain sort of gal and prefer to keep it simple.

Feel welcome to come have a meal at my house. Don’t look for crystal and silver. Be prepared to make yourself at home. Don’t mind the dog and the boys. Don’t be afraid to take as much of what you want and if you pass on something it surely won’t make me feel bad. Put your feet up and get comfy and I will too and we will have a relaxing time.

“Make your own___” buffets—Works for me!
For lots of other great tips, tricks and recipes check out more Works for Me Wednesdays at Shannon’s blog, Rocks in My Dryer. This week is a kitchen themed carnival.

Works For Me Wednesday

Sending Cards to Hospitals Patients and Summer Campers

I can’t remember where I found this little gem, but it has proved useful more than once. When mailing a card to a patient in the hospital or camper at summer camp use the receiver’s home address as the return address and if it misses the intended recipient at the first location it will follow them home.

Works for me.

Works For Me Wednesday is hosted at Rocks In My Dryer by Shannon. Go visit and check out all the handy, helpful and smart tips and tricks.