Please note – the photos may be redundant, but he is NOT intentionally making a silly face or hiding his face – he actually WANTED his photo taken – and I had to take the opportunity while I could!!!
Monday, May 20, 2013
A bit of Post-Atrium Fun
What the children do after our Monday atrium – these photos are all of Legoboy from the last day of class. Bittersweet! I would have cried when saying goodbye to the children, but I was distracted by some physical pain. At least I was able to end the year on a note of fulfillment.
Please note – the photos may be redundant, but he is NOT intentionally making a silly face or hiding his face – he actually WANTED his photo taken – and I had to take the opportunity while I could!!!
Please note – the photos may be redundant, but he is NOT intentionally making a silly face or hiding his face – he actually WANTED his photo taken – and I had to take the opportunity while I could!!!
Friday, May 17, 2013
Catholic Bible Studies
Legoboy has been fascinated with the Bible his entire life. Yay!
At age 8, he began an in-depth study of the Book of Revelation. And he's getting it! He has many questions and I started again on a search for an appropriate resource to use with one little boy at home.... Which only led to frustration.
We're Catholic! Why should we be frustrated looking for a Bible study at an adolescent level? Protestants have this covered!
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="262"]
working in the atrium - is he working? or is this a joyful moment? ;)[/caption]First, how did we - as a family - get to this point?
- We have only ever read from the full Bible. No little-kid version, though I had a few on-hand from pre-motherhood days when I thought they were a good idea - cartoony images; snippets of stories with little to no cohesion between them. I had CGS level 1 formation when Legoboy was not quite 1, and I'd already been reading from the full Bible aloud when he was in the womb. He knew the Word of God.
- He has been in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd atrium at home, at parishes and in schools since he was 1; the Bible holds a place of reverence - equal to that of the Liturgy. Also see Seeking the Plan of God.
- We attend Easter Vigil, Midnight Mass and other long celebrations - since infancy. I missed Easter Vigil the evening my son was born - since then, both he and I have held dear this greatest of liturgical celebrations when Salvation History is proclaimed in beautiful chant and prayer and song.
- Before age 6, based on Montessori principles and observation of all children around me, we laid a strong foundation of reality. Throughout this time, we read from the Bible, lived out the liturgy, celebrated the liturgical year at home - and emphasized the TRUTH in it all. Thus when he did begin to read truly fictional (fantasy) stories at 4 3/4 (much sooner than he really should have), he GOT it. He knew what was truth and what was a really cool imagining.
- As a boy, he loves battles! As a Catholic, CGS, Montessori, truly thinking child, he has always loved symbolism, figuring out who Aslan represents before he turned 5.
- One summer, we did an introductory study of the book of Psalms (using a resource from a Mennonite company (706 is their Book of Psalms), because it was solid in its theology, corresponded with Catholic teaching and all other Psalms studies available from a Catholic stance were either low-quality, cheesy (his word!), far too academic for a then 6-year-old boy, or far too expensive for his mother). That study prompted a deeper study of the entire book of Psalms; from there he has delved into various books and for 2 years now has been latched onto Revelations. We also have their study on the Book of Proverbs (807), but we've not yet done it because there has yet to be a natural lull in our rabbit-trail study of the Bible ;)
And how did we - as a church - get to this point? Where Bible study resources are of questionable quality, boring, over-priced, inappropriate matches for the intended audience, or are of questionable theology? Where most Catholics don't even know what the Church teaches about Creation?
- Historically, Catholics were taught from the Bible, but because Bibles were few and far between, being hand-copied over the process of MANY long months, the people may not have realized that what they were learning at Church was truly from the Bible.
- The Protestant Reformation, around the time of the printing press, when Bibles were more readily available to the populace, twisted the truth and made people believe that Catholics had never really learned from the Bible.
- Individual interpretations sprang up (which is allowable by the Catholic Church, within the framework of the few interpretations we know to be 100% solid. All of which led to further break-down.
- Centuries pass. Mis-information is spread. Long story here.
- Then we reach my generation and the one before - we had the worst Catechism in the history of the Church. Some days I am astounded there are devout Catholics remaining at all!
- Finally, we have people putting together authentic Catholic studies, but for particular audiences - adults, faith formation groups (who can ostensibly afford $200-$300 for one study), some (very few) for children. And those ones for children - are cheap, leave out far too much, and do not trust the spiritual depth of the child's baptismal pre-age-of-reason soul. Seriously, folks who make these Bible studies! If Protestant children can handle the Bible, so can OURS! Especially can ours!
As Legoboy and I started a year-long reading of the entire Bible this year, we'd read a passage and wonder "what does the Church teach about this passage, if anything?" I have a degree in Catholic Theology; I know that most of the Bible is open to interpretation, but I do know the Church has provided a good amount of guidance in this area and there are a few passages with a very specific interpretation, known as Dogma, that to be a Catholic one must profess as faith.
And yet, I am struggling to find appropriate and affordable resources, without spending hours of my time researching for one passage.
My son is a homeschooled boy with no siblings - he just wants to LOVE and LEARN and SOAK UP the Bible.
What does this have to be SO HARD in the days of Google!
And yet, there are indeed a plethora of new and perhaps good resources. Let's explore what I have found of late; I've put off the final decision, but now I have sort of invited another boy and his family to join us, so I guess it's time to make a decision whether they join us or not. Summer is just about there after all.
Here are the resources we have found specifically for the Book of Revelation with their prices where appropriate - I have only listed the ones I would consider as they are a few more that are not even a consideration:
- New Testament Study Bibles: For his birthday, a dear family friend purchases two New Testament resources for Legoboy. Not specifically Revelation, but still useful. Very useful.
- T3 Revelation: The Lion and the Lamb - 64.95 (DVDs) or 49.95 (CDs) - each set includes one student workbook and one leader guide - for 4 30-minute lessons it seems pricey, but solid. How deep does it go in less than 2 hours?
- The End - A Study on the Book of Revelation - Dr. Scott Hahn - 66.95 (14.95 without the CDs, just the study guide) - seems good, but perhaps too adult/scholarly?
- Ignatius Catholic Study Bible - Letters to St. John & Revelation to St. John - available individually for 11.95 or as part of the complete New Testament study: Ignatius Catholic Study Bible (part of the photo in the first link of this list - price ranges on format 24.95-44.95) -- this one is almost ideal - the full book does not contain the described study questions that are in the individual books (UPDATED!) This link will take you to a .zip file of the study questions for each of the individuals - it is a free file I got from the Ignatius website itself.
- Coming Soon - Unlocking the Book of Revelation - 15.95 - could this be THE one!? It is verse-by-verse (perfect for our CGS style meditations on the Scriptures), connects with the Mass, study questions for each chapter, but the description doesn't seem to emphasize the connections with the Old Testament; although it does seem to emphasize not only Revelation in the present moment of our lives, but also looking forward to the Parousia. The one review it has right now says it DOES indeed cover typology, emphasizing the necessity of knowing the Old Testament to understand the New.... So just maybe....
- Come and See - Ezekiel, Hebrews, Revelation - Catholic Bible Study for Adults - 19.95 - This series also has children's work with which I have experience. I find the children's work to be superfluous and relatively silly. Having worked with very young children in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd atrium, just shows me how deep children's souls are! My 4 year old had NO interest in these; and at age 9 says "no" to even sampling them. Anyway, it has me wondering about the adult version - if it's deep enough, then perhaps it would be appropriate for my 9 year old? It certainly intends to connect the Old and New Testaments, which is a bonus with our CGS work on typology.
- Unveiling the Apocalypse - the End Times According to the Bible - from Catholic Courses - 50-70 depending on place of purchase -- this one seems to directly address some of the most pertinent practical (apologetic) questions we have.
- Free Online Resource - if not very pretty, it seems to have good information.
- Adventures in Revelation 10 Week Bible Study - 179.95 - seems to be specifically for adults and is likely more scholarly than what we need. I am open to reviews, but the price is SO steep.
- The Book of Revelation - Catholic Scripture Studies International - 129.95
Any others you know of??
By the by, the Mennonite studies on Psalms and Proverbs? $3.30 each. Mm-hm. Accessible, rich, and affordable.
Compared to With Psalms: The School of Prayer at 24.95 just for the study guide (89.95 or 179.95 for CDs or DVDs). Perhaps more intense, but the 3.30 workbook provided us with a year's worth of follow-up work that was quite intense by itself!
Monday, May 13, 2013
Genesis Chapter 25 - Sons of Abraham!
This post is also being shared on Seeking the Plan of God - a blog I set up as a journal of our atrium experiences. It seems pertinent over here too ;)
This is not specifically atrium - I am adding it here because my son has been in atrium with me for 8 years. This past year being is first in level 3 (a year early) - and he reads the Bible a bit different from your average child. I'm not bragging there ;) He reads the Bible like a child has been in level 1 atrium almost continuously for 8 years (at least once a week; sometimes 4-6 times); in level 2 almost continuously for 7 years (at least once a week; sometimes 3-5); and level 3 for a year. Not to mention all the formation courses he has attended! and even assisted!
We have started a sequence of reading through the Bible in a year. At the time of writing this, we are still in Genesis.
Chapter 25 to be specific.
How many times I've read this passage and only THIS time did I really read it. And he picked up on it too.
We all know that Abraham had two sons: as Abram, he bore a son by his wife's maid (Ishmael); then the covenant was completed, his name changed to Abraham and Sarah bore him a son in her old age: Isaac.
DID YOU KNOW?
After the death of Sarah, Isaac took solace in his wife Rebekkah (Genesis 24:67b).
After the death of Sarah, Abraham took solace in a new wife: Keturah.
DID YOU KNOW?
Ishmael had 12 sons to rule over 12 tribes.
Isaac grandfathered 11 boys; one boy had two sons to replace him; making what we know as the 12 tribes of Israel.
Side note: Joseph had two sons from whom 2 tribes received their names; Joseph did not have a tribe named after him. Benjamin being the younger brother, this means that only 9 brothers (at most because perhaps some were toddlers!) participated in any way in the selling of Joseph to the Egyptians.
(I wish those people who write children's Bibles would at least get the stories ACCURATE.)
Keturah bore 6 sons to Abraham; their ultimate descendants as listed come to 13, so it doesn't fit above; all 6 original sons were given grants and sent away from Isaac (probably because of what happened between Isaac and Ishmael).
DID YOU KNOW?
Abraham, therefore, bore 8 sons. Not 1, not 2. EIGHT.
8. That's an interesting number. 8th day of creation (Easter); 8 people on the Ark.....
Isaac and Ishmael were together at their father's burial. Ishmael was a legitimate son, if not the "first-born" according to the birthright, because his mother was given in place of Sarah - not as a concubine, but as a replacement for Sarah's own womb. When Sarah was then able to bear a child, Ishmael maintained his legitimacy as a child of the Abraham, but lost his birthright as first-born. The other boys were considered to be conceived by "concubinage" despite Sarah being deceased at the time.
Wow.
Just one chapter. And that's not the whole thing!
That same chapter contains the birth of the twins: Esau and Jacob. Interesting that we usually consider Rebekkah to be something of a brat in her preference for the younger son. But indeed -while pregnant with the twins, she felt them wrestling and went to the Lord - the Lord told her that the older would serve the younger; indeed that he would "surpass" his older brother. Hence, she was simply favoring the one the Lord told her would rule.
Hm.
And there's still so much more said in just a few words - the age of the parents involved; how many years would that have been praying for children? the selling of the birthright....
Your turn!
;)
This is not specifically atrium - I am adding it here because my son has been in atrium with me for 8 years. This past year being is first in level 3 (a year early) - and he reads the Bible a bit different from your average child. I'm not bragging there ;) He reads the Bible like a child has been in level 1 atrium almost continuously for 8 years (at least once a week; sometimes 4-6 times); in level 2 almost continuously for 7 years (at least once a week; sometimes 3-5); and level 3 for a year. Not to mention all the formation courses he has attended! and even assisted!
We have started a sequence of reading through the Bible in a year. At the time of writing this, we are still in Genesis.
Chapter 25 to be specific.
How many times I've read this passage and only THIS time did I really read it. And he picked up on it too.
We all know that Abraham had two sons: as Abram, he bore a son by his wife's maid (Ishmael); then the covenant was completed, his name changed to Abraham and Sarah bore him a son in her old age: Isaac.
DID YOU KNOW?
After the death of Sarah, Isaac took solace in his wife Rebekkah (Genesis 24:67b).
After the death of Sarah, Abraham took solace in a new wife: Keturah.
 |
| This one seems accurate - 9 brothers;but what about their ages? |
DID YOU KNOW?
Ishmael had 12 sons to rule over 12 tribes.
Isaac grandfathered 11 boys; one boy had two sons to replace him; making what we know as the 12 tribes of Israel.
Side note: Joseph had two sons from whom 2 tribes received their names; Joseph did not have a tribe named after him. Benjamin being the younger brother, this means that only 9 brothers (at most because perhaps some were toddlers!) participated in any way in the selling of Joseph to the Egyptians.
(I wish those people who write children's Bibles would at least get the stories ACCURATE.)
Keturah bore 6 sons to Abraham; their ultimate descendants as listed come to 13, so it doesn't fit above; all 6 original sons were given grants and sent away from Isaac (probably because of what happened between Isaac and Ishmael).
DID YOU KNOW?
Abraham, therefore, bore 8 sons. Not 1, not 2. EIGHT.
8. That's an interesting number. 8th day of creation (Easter); 8 people on the Ark.....
Isaac and Ishmael were together at their father's burial. Ishmael was a legitimate son, if not the "first-born" according to the birthright, because his mother was given in place of Sarah - not as a concubine, but as a replacement for Sarah's own womb. When Sarah was then able to bear a child, Ishmael maintained his legitimacy as a child of the Abraham, but lost his birthright as first-born. The other boys were considered to be conceived by "concubinage" despite Sarah being deceased at the time.
Wow.
Just one chapter. And that's not the whole thing!
That same chapter contains the birth of the twins: Esau and Jacob. Interesting that we usually consider Rebekkah to be something of a brat in her preference for the younger son. But indeed -while pregnant with the twins, she felt them wrestling and went to the Lord - the Lord told her that the older would serve the younger; indeed that he would "surpass" his older brother. Hence, she was simply favoring the one the Lord told her would rule.
Hm.
And there's still so much more said in just a few words - the age of the parents involved; how many years would that have been praying for children? the selling of the birthright....
Your turn!
;)
Genesis 25 - Sons of Abraham
This post is also being shared on Seeking the Plan of God - a blog I set up as a journal of our atrium experiences. It seems pertinent over here too 
This is not specifically atrium – I am adding it here because my son has been in atrium with me for 8 years. This past year being is first in level 3 (a year early) – and he reads the Bible a bit different from your average child. I’m not bragging there He reads the Bible like a child has been in level 1 atrium almost continuously for 8 years (at least once a week; sometimes 4-6 times); in level 2 almost continuously for 7 years (at least once a week; sometimes 3-5); and level 3 for a year. Not to mention all the formation courses he has attended! and even assisted!
We have started a sequence of reading through the Bible in a year. At the time of writing this, we are still in Genesis.
Chapter 25 to be specific.
How many times I’ve read this passage and only THIS time did I really read it. And he picked up on it too.
We all know that Abraham had two sons: as Abram, he bore a son by his wife’s maid (Ishmael); then the covenant was completed, his name changed to Abraham and Sarah bore him a son in her old age: Isaac.
DID YOU KNOW?
After the death of Sarah, Isaac took solace in his wife Rebekkah (Genesis 24:67b).
After the death of Sarah, Abraham took solace in a new wife: Keturah.
DID YOU KNOW?
Ishmael had 12 sons to rule over 12 tribes.
Isaac grandfathered 11 boys; one boy had two sons to replace him; making what we know as the 12 tribes of Israel.
Side note: Joseph had two sons from whom 2 tribes received their names; Joseph did not have a tribe named after him. Benjamin being the younger brother, this means that only 9 brothers (at most because perhaps some were toddlers!) participated in any way in the selling of Joseph to the Egyptians.
(I wish those people who write children’s Bibles would at least get the stories ACCURATE.)
Keturah bore 6 sons to Abraham; their ultimate descendants as listed come to 13, so it doesn’t fit above; all 6 original sons were given grants and sent away from Isaac (probably because of what happened between Isaac and Ishmael).
DID YOU KNOW?
Abraham, therefore, bore 8 sons. Not 1, not 2. EIGHT.
8. That’s an interesting number. 8th day of creation (Easter); 8 people on the Ark…..
Isaac and Ishmael were together at their father’s burial. Ishmael was a legitimate son, if not the “first-born” according to the birthright, because his mother was given in place of Sarah – not as a concubine, but as a replacement for Sarah’s own womb. When Sarah was then able to bear a child, Ishmael maintained his legitimacy as a child of the Abraham, but lost his birthright as first-born. The other boys were considered to be conceived by “concubinage” despite Sarah being deceased at the time.
Wow.
Just one chapter. And that’s not the whole thing!
That same chapter contains the birth of the twins: Esau and Jacob. Interesting that we usually consider Rebekkah to be something of a brat in her preference for the younger son. But indeed -while pregnant with the twins, she felt them wrestling and went to the Lord – the Lord told her that the older would serve the younger; indeed that he would “surpass” his older brother. Hence, she was simply favoring the one the Lord told her would rule.
Hm.
And there’s still so much more said in just a few words – the age of the parents involved; how many years would that have been praying for children? the selling of the birthright….
Your turn!
This is not specifically atrium – I am adding it here because my son has been in atrium with me for 8 years. This past year being is first in level 3 (a year early) – and he reads the Bible a bit different from your average child. I’m not bragging there
He reads the Bible like a child has been in level 1 atrium almost continuously for 8 years (at least once a week; sometimes 4-6 times); in level 2 almost continuously for 7 years (at least once a week; sometimes 3-5); and level 3 for a year. Not to mention all the formation courses he has attended! and even assisted!We have started a sequence of reading through the Bible in a year. At the time of writing this, we are still in Genesis.
Chapter 25 to be specific.
How many times I’ve read this passage and only THIS time did I really read it. And he picked up on it too.
We all know that Abraham had two sons: as Abram, he bore a son by his wife’s maid (Ishmael); then the covenant was completed, his name changed to Abraham and Sarah bore him a son in her old age: Isaac.
DID YOU KNOW?
After the death of Sarah, Isaac took solace in his wife Rebekkah (Genesis 24:67b).
After the death of Sarah, Abraham took solace in a new wife: Keturah.
|
| This one seems accurate – 9 brothers;but what about their ages? |
DID YOU KNOW?
Ishmael had 12 sons to rule over 12 tribes.
Isaac grandfathered 11 boys; one boy had two sons to replace him; making what we know as the 12 tribes of Israel.
Side note: Joseph had two sons from whom 2 tribes received their names; Joseph did not have a tribe named after him. Benjamin being the younger brother, this means that only 9 brothers (at most because perhaps some were toddlers!) participated in any way in the selling of Joseph to the Egyptians.
(I wish those people who write children’s Bibles would at least get the stories ACCURATE.)
Keturah bore 6 sons to Abraham; their ultimate descendants as listed come to 13, so it doesn’t fit above; all 6 original sons were given grants and sent away from Isaac (probably because of what happened between Isaac and Ishmael).
DID YOU KNOW?
Abraham, therefore, bore 8 sons. Not 1, not 2. EIGHT.
8. That’s an interesting number. 8th day of creation (Easter); 8 people on the Ark…..
Isaac and Ishmael were together at their father’s burial. Ishmael was a legitimate son, if not the “first-born” according to the birthright, because his mother was given in place of Sarah – not as a concubine, but as a replacement for Sarah’s own womb. When Sarah was then able to bear a child, Ishmael maintained his legitimacy as a child of the Abraham, but lost his birthright as first-born. The other boys were considered to be conceived by “concubinage” despite Sarah being deceased at the time.
Wow.
Just one chapter. And that’s not the whole thing!
That same chapter contains the birth of the twins: Esau and Jacob. Interesting that we usually consider Rebekkah to be something of a brat in her preference for the younger son. But indeed -while pregnant with the twins, she felt them wrestling and went to the Lord – the Lord told her that the older would serve the younger; indeed that he would “surpass” his older brother. Hence, she was simply favoring the one the Lord told her would rule.
Hm.
And there’s still so much more said in just a few words – the age of the parents involved; how many years would that have been praying for children? the selling of the birthright….
Your turn!
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Happy Birthday LegoBoy!
Happy Birthday my darling boy!!!!!
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="448"]
Ben-Hur - to go along with Ten Commandments; Once Upon a Time Season 1 (ok, not so Biblical there!), and Troy (also not so Biblical, but total BOY fun!)[/caption]
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="448"]
Excellent resources to go along with our 1-year reading of the Bible as we study what the Church teaches about various passages.[/caption]
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="448"]
Ben-Hur - to go along with Ten Commandments; Once Upon a Time Season 1 (ok, not so Biblical there!), and Troy (also not so Biblical, but total BOY fun!)[/caption][caption id="" align="alignnone" width="448"]
Excellent resources to go along with our 1-year reading of the Bible as we study what the Church teaches about various passages.[/caption]
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Reality Check
I've seen other bloggers choosing a word for 2013.
My word: REALITY.
Reality is that the Proverbs 31 woman had a husband (who sat around chatting with the other man at the water-gate, which is a topic for a different blog post!).
Working from home has HUGE blessings.
And many, many curses.
The worst curse? Everyone expects that because you're at home you can do literally EVERYTHING.
Homeschool the child.
Prepare all meals from scratch.
Keep the kitchen spic and span.
Keep the living room clutter-free.
All the bedrooms are beautiful.
The bathroom SPARKLES.
You are available any time noon or night to take every phone call and respond to EVERY e-mail within 5 minutes.
And you can't possibly have a degree in business management so you need to take every piece of advice that comes your way from each customer who "realizes" that you have an at-home business and thus must NEED business advice.
Let's not discuss the balcony.
Or the inside of the car.
And I must have the perfect schedule for my child's sleep and waking.
Did I mention 24/7 availability, because hey - I'm sitting at home all day with nothing to do.
Nope. What I NEED is a reality-check.
Look, I set myself up for it - I did it. No-one MADE me open two in-home businesses (I couldn't find suitable employment and where I live now, I can't do full-time daycare in my home). No-one made me choose to work at home (I couldn't find suitable out of the home employment). No-one made me be a single mom (I could have given him up for adoption - and I prayed about that - for six long months). No-one made me homeschool (but I tell you what - considering our lives right now - it's a GOOD thing we do! If he had to follow the school schedule, there would go the few blessings we have left). No-one made me accumulate the amount of school-debt I have (I let myself be deluded into the myth of "justifiable debt" - I didn't have to fall for it).
So here we are. Having the roughest day of the year thus far.
I need to spend time on some projects that will be great long-term income; but I have the short-term income to cover first.
I'd refund everyone's orders and just focus on those long-term projects, but then we couldn't pay our rent (due tomorrow) or the utilities (due tomorrow) or the phone and electricity (due Monday).
Reality is that we DO make food from scratch, because it is healthier and we do it together - it FORCES me to spend time with my son doing something healthy and productive.
Reality is we don't have ample outdoor space for as much gardening as we want, so the homemade food gets our hands "into the earth" and keeps me grounded.
Reality is that I'm happy if everything is sanitary (it usually is). I would love no clutter, but then I'd have to take away my son's free-will. And probably my own.
Reality is that I DO have a minor in business management and I know the mistakes I am making - and they are NOT the ones that people are giving me advice on. Sorry. I know you all are trying to be SO helpful, but it can stop now. It only slows me down. And you want your products.
Reality is that all these people say, "If you'd only asked for help, I'd've SO been there!" And I've been asking for help. For 20 years. I'm not saying I've had none. I have certainly been blessed in many, many ways. But if I hear that line ONE MORE TIME, I will honestly, probably scream. I'm that over-the-edge about it. I've been asking. Pleading. And all I get are accusations when I say or do something that makes someone uncomfortable. How dare I state the truth because it makes someone uncomfortable!?
REALITY.
Our home must be maintained.
We must get moved into a real house.
We need outdoor time every day.
I CAN ONLY DO SO MUCH.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The chores will be done by me and my son at the appropriate times (as in not put off until tomorrow if it should have been done today), even if it means doing them until we are bone-tired and can't yet go to bed because they didn't get done when they should have. Lesson learned: nothing necessary gets put off.
Strict work hours. No "over-time". No rush orders.
Set time everyday to work on those long-term income projects.
The computer is turned OFF at least 12 hours a day. And during the 12 hours of on-time, e-mail is turned off for at least half of every hour I'm actually ON the machine. That means decreased response time for Keys of the Universe, but it also means higher production efficiency and higher likelihood of finishing promised projects. My sanity comes first. Once balance is restored, the computer can be on in the background again. Background. Dings with a new message.
I have spent my entire childhood and adulthood thus far biding time. Putting in the hours. I'm burned. I can't even say I'm tired, because I don't know what it means to NOT be tired. I care so much that I am caring myself right out of existence.
Reality.
Reality is that God loves each one of us anyway. He loves me. Even when I feel so utterly unlovable and undeserving.
May I strive to remember that fact always in the coming year. And let HIM be the one in charge of my life.
My word: REALITY.
Reality is that the Proverbs 31 woman had a husband (who sat around chatting with the other man at the water-gate, which is a topic for a different blog post!).
Working from home has HUGE blessings.
And many, many curses.
The worst curse? Everyone expects that because you're at home you can do literally EVERYTHING.
Homeschool the child.
Prepare all meals from scratch.
Keep the kitchen spic and span.
Keep the living room clutter-free.
All the bedrooms are beautiful.
The bathroom SPARKLES.
You are available any time noon or night to take every phone call and respond to EVERY e-mail within 5 minutes.
And you can't possibly have a degree in business management so you need to take every piece of advice that comes your way from each customer who "realizes" that you have an at-home business and thus must NEED business advice.
Let's not discuss the balcony.
Or the inside of the car.
And I must have the perfect schedule for my child's sleep and waking.
Did I mention 24/7 availability, because hey - I'm sitting at home all day with nothing to do.
Nope. What I NEED is a reality-check.
Look, I set myself up for it - I did it. No-one MADE me open two in-home businesses (I couldn't find suitable employment and where I live now, I can't do full-time daycare in my home). No-one made me choose to work at home (I couldn't find suitable out of the home employment). No-one made me be a single mom (I could have given him up for adoption - and I prayed about that - for six long months). No-one made me homeschool (but I tell you what - considering our lives right now - it's a GOOD thing we do! If he had to follow the school schedule, there would go the few blessings we have left). No-one made me accumulate the amount of school-debt I have (I let myself be deluded into the myth of "justifiable debt" - I didn't have to fall for it).
So here we are. Having the roughest day of the year thus far.
I need to spend time on some projects that will be great long-term income; but I have the short-term income to cover first.
I'd refund everyone's orders and just focus on those long-term projects, but then we couldn't pay our rent (due tomorrow) or the utilities (due tomorrow) or the phone and electricity (due Monday).
Reality is that we DO make food from scratch, because it is healthier and we do it together - it FORCES me to spend time with my son doing something healthy and productive.
Reality is we don't have ample outdoor space for as much gardening as we want, so the homemade food gets our hands "into the earth" and keeps me grounded.
Reality is that I'm happy if everything is sanitary (it usually is). I would love no clutter, but then I'd have to take away my son's free-will. And probably my own.
Reality is that I DO have a minor in business management and I know the mistakes I am making - and they are NOT the ones that people are giving me advice on. Sorry. I know you all are trying to be SO helpful, but it can stop now. It only slows me down. And you want your products.
Reality is that all these people say, "If you'd only asked for help, I'd've SO been there!" And I've been asking for help. For 20 years. I'm not saying I've had none. I have certainly been blessed in many, many ways. But if I hear that line ONE MORE TIME, I will honestly, probably scream. I'm that over-the-edge about it. I've been asking. Pleading. And all I get are accusations when I say or do something that makes someone uncomfortable. How dare I state the truth because it makes someone uncomfortable!?
REALITY.
Our home must be maintained.
We must get moved into a real house.
We need outdoor time every day.
I CAN ONLY DO SO MUCH.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The chores will be done by me and my son at the appropriate times (as in not put off until tomorrow if it should have been done today), even if it means doing them until we are bone-tired and can't yet go to bed because they didn't get done when they should have. Lesson learned: nothing necessary gets put off.
Strict work hours. No "over-time". No rush orders.
Set time everyday to work on those long-term income projects.
The computer is turned OFF at least 12 hours a day. And during the 12 hours of on-time, e-mail is turned off for at least half of every hour I'm actually ON the machine. That means decreased response time for Keys of the Universe, but it also means higher production efficiency and higher likelihood of finishing promised projects. My sanity comes first. Once balance is restored, the computer can be on in the background again. Background. Dings with a new message.
I have spent my entire childhood and adulthood thus far biding time. Putting in the hours. I'm burned. I can't even say I'm tired, because I don't know what it means to NOT be tired. I care so much that I am caring myself right out of existence.
Reality.
Reality is that God loves each one of us anyway. He loves me. Even when I feel so utterly unlovable and undeserving.
May I strive to remember that fact always in the coming year. And let HIM be the one in charge of my life.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Yogurt and Science
We make our own yogurt and the last few times, we've been using a simpler method that we LOVE - it's so easy!
When removing the milk from the pan and placing the jars on the counter, we always notice the layer of cooling milk on top.
This layer is mentioned in the first Great Lesson - The Story of God With No Hands - right before introducing the volcano... so it can easily slip into the recesses of one's mind when confronted with that *awesome* volcano!
This last yogurt-making was interesting though...
We were both working quietly in the living room and continued to hear a pop - pop - pop. Ever so slight.
Dreading the possibility of a mouse in our apartment, we crept into the kitchen....
and found...
This....
If you listen very carefully you can hear the quiet pop-pops - just barely. There are two other videos as well - both showing the same thing, but we couldn't decide which one to post!
Give it a try! Boil some milk in a glass jar by placing a 75-90% filled with milk jar into a saucepan of water and cover with a lid. Bring to a boil until the milk is about 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Now use a mitt to remove the jar and place it on the counter. Just let it sit. It won't take long!
Neat, huh!?
Wanna make yogurt while you're at it?
If you don't have a nice consistently warm place, do what we do and place that pan of hot water in a cooler which has been lined with a thick towel. Close the cooler for now to get it nice and warm in there.
(if you want to use raw milk and keep it raw, to make yogurt, you'll heat only to 110, but will not get a skin on the milk)
When the milk is about 105-110, mix in a spoonful of yogurt with active cultures. Put a lid on the milk culture and place it in the cooler next to the pan (best not to let them touch if the pan is still too hot - you don't want to kill the yogurt culture). Close the lid.
Come back in 24 hours (usually less but the 24 hours part is easy for us!).
To a pint jar, we add about 1 1/2 tbsp of sweetener (powdered sugar, honey, maple syrup, fruit juice concentrate) and whatever other ingredients you'd like. We are out of vanilla (still waiting for it to finish up) so we've been using almond extract - YUM!
Or mixed with homemade granola. YUMMIER!
It's pretty thick to start, but gets a bit runnier with stirring, so minimize your stirring if you want thick yogurt.
No pectin, no preservatives, our own sweeteners.
AND science!
Can't beat it!
Yes, those are wide-mouth Ball glass jars - we have been slowly switching over to just using those, instead of re-using other glass jars, because, well, we're not buying as many other glass jars as we make more and more of our own food from fresh produce. I chose wide-mouth because 1) the food doesn't clog up underneath a lip and 2) the same lids and rings fit on both pint (think jam) and quart jars - I really need ease of use and mis-matched lids have been hair-pullers in the last year! ;) Now I have multiple sized jars and just one size of lid that fits on all the jars. And everything looks so NICE in the cupboard, fridge and freezer!
When removing the milk from the pan and placing the jars on the counter, we always notice the layer of cooling milk on top.
This layer is mentioned in the first Great Lesson - The Story of God With No Hands - right before introducing the volcano... so it can easily slip into the recesses of one's mind when confronted with that *awesome* volcano!
This last yogurt-making was interesting though...
We were both working quietly in the living room and continued to hear a pop - pop - pop. Ever so slight.
Dreading the possibility of a mouse in our apartment, we crept into the kitchen....
and found...
This....
If you listen very carefully you can hear the quiet pop-pops - just barely. There are two other videos as well - both showing the same thing, but we couldn't decide which one to post!
Give it a try! Boil some milk in a glass jar by placing a 75-90% filled with milk jar into a saucepan of water and cover with a lid. Bring to a boil until the milk is about 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Now use a mitt to remove the jar and place it on the counter. Just let it sit. It won't take long!
Neat, huh!?
Wanna make yogurt while you're at it?
If you don't have a nice consistently warm place, do what we do and place that pan of hot water in a cooler which has been lined with a thick towel. Close the cooler for now to get it nice and warm in there.
(if you want to use raw milk and keep it raw, to make yogurt, you'll heat only to 110, but will not get a skin on the milk)
When the milk is about 105-110, mix in a spoonful of yogurt with active cultures. Put a lid on the milk culture and place it in the cooler next to the pan (best not to let them touch if the pan is still too hot - you don't want to kill the yogurt culture). Close the lid.
Come back in 24 hours (usually less but the 24 hours part is easy for us!).
To a pint jar, we add about 1 1/2 tbsp of sweetener (powdered sugar, honey, maple syrup, fruit juice concentrate) and whatever other ingredients you'd like. We are out of vanilla (still waiting for it to finish up) so we've been using almond extract - YUM!
Or mixed with homemade granola. YUMMIER!
It's pretty thick to start, but gets a bit runnier with stirring, so minimize your stirring if you want thick yogurt.
No pectin, no preservatives, our own sweeteners.
AND science!
Can't beat it!
Yes, those are wide-mouth Ball glass jars - we have been slowly switching over to just using those, instead of re-using other glass jars, because, well, we're not buying as many other glass jars as we make more and more of our own food from fresh produce. I chose wide-mouth because 1) the food doesn't clog up underneath a lip and 2) the same lids and rings fit on both pint (think jam) and quart jars - I really need ease of use and mis-matched lids have been hair-pullers in the last year! ;) Now I have multiple sized jars and just one size of lid that fits on all the jars. And everything looks so NICE in the cupboard, fridge and freezer!
 |
| After stirring it is just a bit runnier than organic yogurt. Just as thick as well-stirred non-organic yogurt. |
 |
| In the cooler; we make 4 jars at a time. Saving the last half of one jar as the culture for the next batch. |
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