Downsizing is not for wimps

For those of you not local residents, Anita Cochran is almost a household name. She's spent her life in the news biz, most recently as the prime time news anchor for KSN for several years. Several months ago at the pinnacle of her career and making big bucks, she resigned her job. I have found her blog and am following her life with intense interest these days as she and her family adapt to living on one income by downsizing everything in their lives, including their large, well-furnished and expensive home. She is following the Dave Ramsey money envelope system and she is committed to spending only cash for those things which are in their budget. She has put her heart and voice on the line as she blogs her journey, and I have grown to admire her courage in publicly sharing what life is like.

There are those of you who might say, well-she may be downsizing but her husband still works and they still make more money than what many do. This may be true, but it doesn't make her struggle and commitment to live a simpler life less real. There are people who make 500,000 a year who don't know how to manage their money, and there are people that make 12,000 a year that don't know how to manage their money.

I like Anita. She shows boldness in chronicling her successes as well as her failures in trying to get a handle on what's important in life. For her, other things were more of a priority than beaming into 500,000 viewers homes every evening and she had the guts to change her life. You go girl!

Her website, appropriately titled, "Breaking News - I'm Broke!" is:

www.anitacochran.tv/

Be warned, at times she's a little rough around the edges. But I think you may take something away from her willingness to share this most personal adventure with you.

Still learning lessons

I told my sister, I like Saturdays and I hate Saturdays. I like them when there's not a lot to do except just putz around and do what I want. I hate them when they are crammed every minute with some chore to do and some errand to run. Today has been one of the latter. I went to work out, went to WalMart and grocery shopped, unloaded all the bags, put everything away, and hopped right out on the porch to get some more painting done. The weather today has been fantastic-perfect painting weather. The Man is slowly and methodically repairing and painting the screens, and we are making progress, I guess. I think this is going to be something that takes me another 2-3 weeks to get completely done. In the middle of that today, we had a leaky toilet needing repair. A simple fix (we hope), but time consuming to do it.

We got another roof estimate last night, and are immediately impressed with the company representative. We just LIKED him, and I can't really tell you what about him was so special. There were several things about his bid that we thought would be better than what we've seen so far so we may have found our winner.

So my daughter is having a get together at her house, and I think I'll go over for a little bit. I'm going to make a couple of taco rings to take with me so that's probably why she wants me to come over there. (Just kidding, I think.)

I've finished the second week of school and things are okay. At the new building, it's all about learning a new system, however, it's made easier by the people I've met and have started working with. I am sharing a large office with two other staff members who are there full time and we seem to be compatible in terms of conversation, work ethic, etc. Our desks are facing each other, so that's a little weird, but it'll be ok. One of the things I like about this job is that I get to meet the most interesting people-sometime I'll have to tell you about Lois (not her real name). She's one of my office mates, and she's just intriguing to me. She's single and was raised in the Mennonite faith in a small community north of here. I've already been blessed by her overtures of friendship, to me-a stranger trying to fit in to this new workplace.

See, I was not enthused when I was first shown my workspace, and when I realized there would be two other people in there. The first plan was going to be to house me in a small space in another hallway by myself. But had the principal stuck to that plan, I would have not ever experienced this blessing of this friendship, and of getting to know both of these staff members. I would have certainly felt more isolated and alone. Lesson: Let go and let God do His thing. It might just be something that will be beneficial to you in the long run.

Slippery Slope Theory

I'm posting again, already today, because of a discussion I had with someone about the previous post. This person (this would be my spouse, in case you are wondering) is in agreement with most of what Factcheck.org is saying about the bill, but is extremely unhappy about what he perceives as the bigger picture. The bigger picture, according to him, is not really the bill's overt language. It's what's written between the lines, it's what the INTENT is, it's what the ramifications of this bill could be, it's give an inch, take a mile, it's beginning the downhill slide, as he sees it, into the world of not only the government dictating health care (i.e., socialized medicine), but it's running private health insurance companies out of business because they won't be able to compete. It's the government telling my health insurance company what changes they can make in my plan, and it's federal sticky fingers overseeing a business that it has no business being a part of. Right NOW, he says, there is no one telling grandma she can't have a hip replacement, however, the term "cost effective" has been thrown around and implications made that grandma might be better off just taking a pain piill instead of getting her hip fixed. There's no euthanasia in the present bill, however, he sees it as a way to open the door to that very practice because it could be cost saving. He would like the government out of his life, out of his health care, out of his home, and out of what kind of car he drives.

There's a lot of things in life we can apply the slippery slope theory to and we need to do that from time to time in order to be watchful and responsible in our actions. I appreciate talking with him about it, because as a dyed-in-the-wool conservative Republican, he has a lot to worry about where this bill is concerned and he articulates his worries well. But, he did admit that there are those that present these issues as "facts", when indeed, they are not facts, they are simply opinions of what may happen in the future should our country head in this direction. This is all I'm asking - if both sides could just state what's opinion, and what's fact then I can think and opine for myself.

Saturday Musings

Every single person you meet and get to know, even on a casual basis, can teach you something, and I suppose that's why I find people fascinating. I am assigned to two schools, 3 days at one and 2 days at the other. I am working for two very competent, professional, building principals who could not be more different in their management style - they are as opposite as day and night. I'm not saying that one style is preferred over the other, I'm just saying they are different. Consequently, there are different expectations of me, their school psychologist. One school is a new assignment, so I'm on a learning curve when it comes to figuring out what I need to do to fit in with a new team and to do my job so that we work together in achieving what we want. At the other school, I'm beginning my 4th year, and it fits comfortably like an old glove. I don't have to worry so much about those things - I've been there longer than the principal, which in an odd sort of way, makes me feel better!

At the team meeting at the new school this week, I did not say anything, I just watched and listened. And learned.

*****************
On a different subject, how are you feeling about the health care reform bill that's in the news, almost as much as the untimely death of Michael Jackson was? Personally, I'm tired of hearing about extremist opinions on both sides of the debate. According to factcheck.org, there are seven falsehoods prevelent about the current arguments for and against this bill. Here they are:
False: Government will decide what care I get (a.k.a. Grandma won't get a hip replacement).
False: The bill is paid for.
False: Private insurance will be illegal.
False: The House bill requires suicide counseling.
False: Families will save $2,500.
False: Medicare claims will be slashed.
False: Illegal immigrants will be covered.

I would encourage you to check out this website. It has been up and running for years, and is not in the hands of any particular political party. There appears to be good documentation regarding why these claims are false. I don't mind good debate on these issues, but I hate arguing when people on both sides distort facts and present it as truth. If you want to talk about the issues, do it honestly. This is why I hate even talking about this. There are those who, even when presented with the facts will hold on to their opinion as truth. Don't do that.

If

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or, being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet, don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them "Hold on";

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run-
Yours is the earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a man, my son!

by Rudyard Kipling

Saturday

The last couple of days have been busy ones for me. I had my first colonoscopy (!, sorry to entertain you with such delicate information), and I've been painting, cleaning, etc. The aforementioned medical procedure went well, and results of the polypectomy should be known in a few days. Other results are too uncouth, gauche, and maladroit to be written about here, but if you want to know and cannot stand not knowing, email me and I'll tell you. It's very true what they say. The preparation is much worse than the actual procedure, if you get my drift.

Back to work on Monday. I'm ready to go, I think, although I have certainly enjoyed my time adrift in a sea of summertime activities. Our church has a picnic scheduled for tomorrow evening but I'm not overly anxious to go and sit in the wind and heat. We do have a shelter rented at a local park, and there's fishing there, so I might take my pole. Depends on how hot it is. Most fish won't bite in the heat of the day. What am I gonna do if I catch one anyway?

Not a lot of deep thinking going on here in this blog entry today, but I do have a lot on the brain. It's just not fit for public musing. Yet.

Twilight

Sunday morning-what a gift these days are. I'm sitting here with coffee, windows open, listening to the birds, and...what's that? Lydia is barking. Oh! I looked out the window and there's a woman practically running by with, count them, 4 large dogs on leashes. Good grief! I don't know how she manages to keep control of all of them.

We finished up the yard sale yesterday and the kids didn't do too badly. I was glad I didn't have to do a lot of the work for it, though. I put a few things out but no one decided they needed my "treasures". I also went to the nursing home yesterday and played the piano for the residents. There weren't a lot of people there, the attendant told me that many of them had gone with their families for the day. But those that were there to listen seemed to enjoy it. A man and his wife came-she is actually the resident there and he stays with her most of the day. He came up to the piano and sang along with me. He also put a piece of music in front of me that he got from the piano bench and asked me to play it, telling me that they used to play this particular piece in his church during communion time. Although I'm not a very good sight-reader, I managed to make it through this composition easily, and it is beautiful. The title is simply "Hymne". I don't remember the composer, but after I played, he was so appreciative.

It's a little thing, really, playing the piano in a nursing home. They like the old hymns, none of this modern stuff for them. They request the same ones each week, and each week, I'm happy to do it. Every time I get ready to leave there's this goodbye "ritual -, I play "God Be With You Til We Meet Again", and then greet each one who has come. "Come back!", they'll say. "Come anytime!" This time, I had lots of questions about where my daughter and son were-they usually come along and help sing and he plays as well. They both had other things they needed to do, but they were greatly missed. Next Saturday I will probably miss as I am having a medical procedure done on Friday, and I just am not sure I will feel up to going, but we'll see how things go. This is the second time in my life that I find myself doing this. Many years ago when my children were little, I went on Sunday afternoon with a couple of people to the Lincoln East Nursing Home. I played, Bill sang, and Sam preached. We had a little church service right there. I told God I would do it for 18 months (the length of time my mother was incapacitated before she died), and ended up going for more than 2 years.

It's doing something outside yourself, and forgetting about your problems and your difficulties. It is understanding that many depend on us, the Church, to provide ministry to them. It is helping those at the twilight of the day gain "strength for today, and bright hope for tomorrow", as the hymn states. It is realizing that there are blessings for not only those who are ministered to, but for the "ministers" as well. I'm not talking about a feel good all over transitory emotion-"I've done my good deed for the day" thing. I'm talking about something much deeper. Many of these folks have a faith they are clinging to which I have not yet grasped, but yet, which is so very visible to someone like me who comes in once a week for an hour. It makes me wonder if I'll have what it takes to meet my future-whatever that may be. With my health history, I could very easily end up in a place much like these folks and probably will. Will I pass the test? Will my faith in the God who made me, and who knows my name, be enough to sustain me, no matter what happens? Will I be able to make it visible to those who are around me, even if I can't take care of myself?

I have a friend in her 80's who is currently in treatment for cancer. This is her 3rd or 4th re-occurence, yet, she remains one of the most positive people I know. She told me on the phone the other day that she shares her faith openly with the doctors who treat her, asking them if they pray, if they believe in God, if they know Jesus. If they answer negatively, which some do, she walks through that doorway and tells them what Jesus has done for her. She prays for and with each doctor who treats her, sometimes as he/she is at her bedside. This woman is a true hero of the faith. She has no self-given labels i.e., "Queen of Evangelism", but she has, as so many others, given me an example to follow. My prayer is that I am faithful to the end, whatever and whenever that is for me.

New Walk

I walked a new route with Lydia today. We parked at the Keeper of the Plains, then started out on the bike path, walked around by the All American Indian Center, continued through Exploration Place, out on 1st street, walked east to near Waco and took the walk behind "Riverwalk Church", then went north on the path by the river all the way back to the Keeper. It was a very pleasant walk, but longer than what I'm used to, and I'm feeling tired now that I'm back home. Lydia is sacked out on the floor beside me, not a wiggle left in her fuzzy body. In actuality, it was only about 35 minutes, but for someone like me, that's a long time! When I walk at Riverside, I go around twice, which takes me about 25 minutes.

I love the wildlife I see on my walks-today a white bird with a long wing span flew within feet of me as it took off from its resting spot in the water. We "terrorized" a flock of geese, who gave warning honks to Lyd and one old gander (you can tell cuz he was wearing suspenders and high-water pants-ha!) fluffed up his feathers to about twice his size, saying, "You wanna piece of me?? You??? Come on over here!" He stood his ground as we walked right on by him. I will miss these mornings as in just another week, I head back to work and will have to do evening walks.

What a beautiful morning it is! I couldn't have custom made it better, weather-wise. It does not feel like July here. I understand that our friends in the northeast are baking under 100+ temps, and I feel for them as most do not have central AC. It's like we switched places with them-we have their cool mornings, rain and moderate days and they have our scorching heat.

I will soon begin the painting project again-with the rain I haven't been able to get as far as I'd hoped. I have two more windows primed and will try to get some paint on them today. So with that in mind, I will take my leave.

Parable Explained

The feedback I've received from some regarding my parable is that it ends too soon. Only one person was brave enough to actually leave me a comment about it (thank you Uncle!), everybody else either ignored it, didn't "get" it, or said that without an ending, it really wasn't complete. My friend "Piano Linda" and I did discuss it yesterday while we were out doing other things and I appreciate what she had to share.

I'm sorry to leave it so unfinished, but the truth is, the ending is whatever you think. Did the woman go on stage and try to direct the orchestra with her burdensome headpiece on or did she take it off and enjoy the freedom of just being herself, not really caring what others thought about how she looked? My friend thought that she would not have the courage to put her self-imposed burden aside, caring more about what she THOUGHT others would say or think about her. The sad part is, it's all her PERCEPTION of what she thinks others think. For her, this perception was her reality, but the truth is, perhaps people wouldn't have minded her baldness. Perhaps they would have admired her courage in being herself. Maybe they would love and accept her no matter what she looked like if she would have given them a chance to see the real her.

What is the lesson? Parables are supposed to contain a moral teaching, a lesson for us to learn. They are a way of explaining truth by using common life examples, although in this case, it is not common that we would direct a symphony orchestra. It IS common, however, that as we make our way through life, we are sometimes afraid to reveal our true selves even to those we love.

I would venture to say that some of you have given up on me at this point, thinking that this is a bunch of pyscho-babble nonsense. Perhaps, but I don't intend for it to be. Personally, I wanted the woman to experience the freedom to live without that heavy burden on her head. Without her worrying about whether people could see her baldness or not, and without being concerned about what they would think about it should they see it. I think had she been able to leave that tiara and wig behind, she would have found great joy directing that music, and would be on the road to discovering and experiencing all that her Creator intended for her to be.

I encourage you readers to do the same.

One last confession-this was not a parable I happened to think up. In case you haven't guessed by now, this was a very vivid dream that I had the other night. I was the woman with the heavy headpiece on. It doesn't have an ending because I woke up suddenly, startled, as I dreamed I was going on stage. I don't know how it ends, but because it was so vivid, and I remembered every detail so well, I decided to share it with you. I don't normally pay attention to dreams, however, this one was quite different. There ya go. You now know "the rest of the story" (thanks to Paul Harvey).

A parable

Once upon a time, a woman was called upon to be the guest conductor for one piece of music at a band concert. The evening was progressing well, and it became time for the woman to step out on the stage, take her bow, and lead the musicians. The woman was in her dressing room, surveying her attire, and noticed that her headpiece had slipped a little. She adjusted it, prepared to walk out, and it had slipped again. Determined, the woman clamped it to her head tighter and began to walk down the long hall toward the stage. "You look beautiful!" an onlooker shouted at her.

She had not walked very far down the hall way, when the headpiece (something resembling a crown), loosely fell forward and covered her forehead. Stepping into a restroom along the hallway, the woman looked in the mirror and was horrified to discover that the headpiece had slipped so far that the wig attached to the headpiece was laying to one side, revealing the bald skin on the top of her head.

"I can't let them see that I'm bald!", she panicked. She again attached the headpiece, which had somehow become heavier. She positioned the wig, and when it was tight enough that she didn't think it would slip again, she left the restroom. A woman passing by commented, "What beautiful hair you have!", and smiled at her. Almost to the stage, her adornment again fell, and ducking into yet another restroom, she removed it altogether and shook her head, causing the hair around the fringes of her scalp to fall around her shoulders. "Oh, I feel so much better without this headpiece," she thought. "If I didn't wear it, I could really relax and enjoy conducting this music without worrying about it so much." She paused. "But then, they'll know I'm bald, and I can't let them see me."

What to do? She stood there for a moment, listening to the instruments warm up and tune, then the musicians waited, quietly. There was an expectant feeling in the air as many waited for her to appear. By now, the headpiece and wig were heavy and cumbersome. She placed it upon her head and took two steps toward the door.

A Big Job

There's a lot about my house I don't like, but there's one thing I do like about it, and that's the wrap around screened in porch we have. I've written before about how our porch is like an additional room-how our kids played out there on rainy days, and how it was used for a "counseling" office when talks needed to be given. There's a lot of good memories connected with our porch, but, now, it's causing us some work. Every few years we have to take down all the screens (there are 20), repair them and scrape, prime, and paint the trim. It is a painstaking process at times. This last week we started on the windows to the south of the house-there are 7. They are all repainted, the screens are all repaired and the frames repainted, and we are waiting for them to dry in order to re-install them.

Today we took off 5 screens across the front facing the east, and are starting to scrape and clean the sills. Not only does the old paint have to be scraped off, but the sills and trim need cleaning before priming, which I do with a brush, a bucket of soap and water, and some elbow grease. It's a lot of work, and did I mention, there are 20 of them to do? Yes, yes, I think I did. I miss the screens. They offered some privacy, and some protection from mosquitos. I think it'll take us another couple of weeks to do all of them, but once it's done I don't have to think about it again for another 4 or 5 years.

I went to the farmer's market today and surrounded by hordes of people because it was "Tomato Day" at the extension building, I managed to buy some tomatoes and peaches. I got some yellow cherry-type tomatoes and some purple-reddish "heirloom" tomatoes that almost look like grapes. They are very sweet and very delicious. I didn't grow any garden this year, but plan to start working on putting in some raised beds in the fall. Have you seen the "topsy-turvy" tomato planter? You hang it up and the tomatoes grow upside down. I'd like to try one of those next spring.

Two weeks to go before school starts. I've received information from both schools about their inservice schedules and where I'm supposed to be. I also have gotten notice of 2 training sessions which are scheduled for school psychologists in August, so it's time to think about getting back to work. I'm grateful for a job, don't misunderstand me. And, I'll be ready to get back. I don't do well with a lot of unstructured time because I'm too much of a procrastinator. There's things on my list yet that I wanted to do this summer that I never got around to.

Speakiung of procrastinating, I'd better get moving. Maybe I'll have time to finish scraping a sill before I have to make dinner.

I'm thinking of you

It was said yesterday, "So, now that everybody's on Facebook, there's no blogging going on." Well, that could be the case, although, there are things I don't like about FB, and I'm sure that when I go back to work, it may get neglected from time to time. But overall, I have enjoyed it. I repeat my contention that it could be the worst time waster ever invented. Right now I'm embarrassed to confess that I'm participating in "Farmville", where I have a virtual farm I'm plowing, planting, harvesting, milking virtual cows, etc. I notice some of my Farmville "neighbors" play the game with a fervor unequaled to anything I've seen in awhile. It's all about making money, so you can advance in farming operation levels and even in this benign context, competitiveness comes out! I do enjoy visiting others' farms because one can be creative in choosing which crops to plant and in arranging trees, barns, etc. There's no septic system on this farm to muck things up, no hail to destroy your crops, no wolves to get your chickens, no diseases to get your cows, and no fungus which grows on your fruit trees. I would conjecture that those who actually live on farms would not play this game.

I've scraped and primed my porch trim on one side, and will paint today. We are blessed with cool weather for July so there's a lot that can get done outside.

We figured out where the Houdini dog is escaping, and I hope I have at least temporarily fixed that problem. The neighbor told me yesterday that she just freaks out when there is even a slight rumble of thunder in the distance and that's when she tries to get out, although she's done it also on clear days and I've gone to run some errands. If I'm home, she doesn't usually try to escape.

Well, on to painting. As I leave this blog, my thoughts today are with those in my circle of family and friends who are struggling with unemployment or under employment, those who have financial difficulties, those who have broken hearts, those struggling with health concerns, and those who are trying to make sense of situations that are difficult to understand with human perspective. I have nothing magical to say which would relieve you of your burden, but if you happen to read this blog, I hope you know your family loves you and that you are in my prayers.

Mixed Bag

Good Monday morning! Although I wasn't able to begin my porch trim painting project today, or to mow, (alas, it rained), I LOVE the cooler temperatures. For today's blog entry, how about three comments regarding money? Give me Frustrating Situations for 100, Alex.

I hear that our beloved county commissioners are thinking about closing the Kansas Colisuem pavilions. This after spending 6 MILLION dollars of taxpayer money to upgrade the pavilions collected with an additional sales tax, which also funded the downtown Intrust Arena. Although there are many groups who use the pavilions, they continue to lose a half a million dollars a year. I dunno. I'm tired of people spending my money. Did they know when they voted to spend that 6 million on improvements that the pavilions were losing money like that? Seems like somebody should have known that. Anybody in charge here?

Speaking of money, because some of us have been conservative in our use of city water, and because we've been blessed with good rain and weather has been moderate causing people to irrigate less, revenues are reduced. Is this reduction of the use of natural resources a good thing? No. Our city council is pondering an increase in water use fees to make up these revenues. The average Joe cannot win. You use less utilities, you get to pay more. You use more utilities, you get to pay more. Hello???

And speaking of money one more time, the council is going to vote tomorrow on whether or not to spend 85,000 to approve a contract with a landscaping firm to to DESIGN the landscaping, bike path, and decorative lighting along the east bank of the river. Doing the actual project will cost 2 million. I'm just... does it really cost 85,000 to DESIGN a bike path? Really? It really does?

And finally, just for grins, let's review the most common spelling mistakes on resumes. Here ya go: "Dear Sir or Madmen, I'm attacking my resume for you to review. Following is a grief overview of my skills. I have a keen eye for derail."

I'd like to derail something. Instead, I'll just have lunch. Until later!

What I'm thankful for

I go back to work in, let's see, exactly 3 weeks and 6 days. I am not bragging, just stating facts. My brain is already turning to my job - I loaded scoring software on the school laptop I have. I am wading through a technical book about evaluating children who are not native English speakers and who are struggling in school. I am thinking about my new assignment, and am hopeful that it will be a good match for me. And, I am grateful in this economy that I have a job, that I for the most part love what I do, that I get paid enough to pay bills, and that I have this break in the summer to de-stress.

My thoughts turn to many who are struggling to find and maintain employment these days. My youngest son has some promising leads and hopefully will be able to find work soon. My daughter in law has been hired at a local grocery store and will start in a few days, and my middle son at least is working part time, however, he has no benefits. My daughter has been able to work at a temporary job this summer which has helped them out, and my son in law remains employed full time, at a job he doesn't particularly like, but a job he is grateful to have. My husband's employment at both of his jobs looks secure, as does mine, but I know that life can "turn on a dime" in a matter of seconds. I really do try to take nothing for granted-each day, each moment is a gift.

Speaking of taking things for granted, how many of you got up this morning and flushed a toilet, ran water in a sink, or did a load of laundry? If you are connected to a city sewer system, you did these things without a thought of where the waste water was going. If you however, are on a septic system, then you unfortunately, may have to think about that from time to time. My brother had a little difficulty with his septic system last weekend and it brought home to me that I take a lot in my life for granted. It never dawned on me to be grateful for a sanitary city sewer system, but I am now. And I'm re-thinking my whole, "I wanna live out in the country some day" idea. Maybe I really LIKE having a dependable sewer system. We'll see.

I'm back

It's been a long time since I've written, almost a month. I know people check this blog every once in awhile, so I'm going to try posting regularly.

We've just finished with our annual family reunion, and what a great time it was! I'm so grateful that almost everyone in our extended family was able to come and be with us. Our family, the descendents of John and Estella Plank, are many and diverse. We get along well even though we have different viewpoints on many issues. These reunions restore family ties that become faint when we do not interact with some who live far away. They enable me to truly appreciate those things in life which are not material. Our music director has a saying that music is the only thing we get to take to heaven and I tend to disagree-we will also take relationships with us.

Well the old man is home and ready to sit down here to unwind, so until tomorrow, I am-

Just Me

Answers you've been waiting for

I'm sure you all are waiting intensely to find out the answers to the questions I posted in my last blog, so here they are:

1. The tick is not an insect, it is an arachnid, belonging to the superfamily, Ixodoidea, which, along with other mites, constitute the Acarina. Caterpillars, which is what I thought the answer was, are the larval form of Lepidoptera, which is the insect order belonging to butterflies and moths.

2. False. According to "Everyday English", every sentence must end with either a period or a question mark.

And there you have it! You are more informed than you were before if you got these questions incorrect.

So, I am mowing this morning before it gets to be 90 degrees at noon, although with the humidity, it feels like 90 right now. I mowed for 30 minutes, which was about half the backyard and I am wiped out. I'd like to finish it this morning, so I'll drink my water and go back out in a minute. I really should hire one of my sons to do this (actually, shouldn't they come over here and do it for free?).

In other news I have, either for the better or worse, activated my facebook page which has been inactive for quite a while now, since I first set it up. I think facebook could be the biggest time waster that we have in our society today, but I can see the appeal. I think. Linda and I are playing a Scrabble game lasting over the course of several days, which is a new idea for me-I always thought Scrabble needs to be played to its ultimate conclusion the same afternoon you start it, but what do I know? I told my husband he needs a facebook page, if for no other reason than to play the games on it. He wouldn't be good at "What are you thinking", as he:
*** 1. Is semi anti-social, depending on where he's at
*** 2. Cannot imagine that people would want to know what he really thinks
*** 3. Cannot imagine that he would be that interested in the minutia that other people are thinking

Time to go back out to the heat of the jungle.

Are you smarter than a 5th grader?

Two recent questions from my calendar, Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader:

Which of the following is not an insect?
1. Ant
2. Caterpillar
3. Tick

Every sentence must end with a period. True or false?

What do you think? No extra research allowed on the net. Just your first impressions on both questions, please.

The "F" word for the day

The word for Wednesday, June 10 is: FLOCCULENT a. Covered with soft woolly tufts. Condition of certain spiders, an alpaca, or a male teenager's face.

Living where?

Word for the day: EREMOPHILOUS a. Inhabiting a desert. You might use this word to describe any number of wildlife such as snakes, camels, spiders, or coyotes. The author of the book, "The Superior Person's Second Book of Weird & Wondrous Words" states that it also may apply to the classic condition of a person who has just had a new home built, but has to choose between curtains or a lawn.

I was quite busy outside today, and, I might add, I got quite dirty. I potted up all the annuals I purchased which will decorate the tables for my son and daughter-in-law's wedding reception on Saturday, and, while I was dirty, I decided to plant all the other things I'd bought previously, as well as move and replant three bushes. I pulled grass and weeds out of a front flower bed, and gave out about 6:30pm before all the work was done, but tomorrow's another day.

I love wearing my crocs outside to do yardwork, but my feet get extremely grimy in them. Usually I rinse them and my feet off with the hose, but I didn't do that this time. I talked to somebody at church who, get this, liked her crocs, but didn't like the dirty feet she got while wearing them, SO, she installed DUCT TAPE over the holes of her crocs - works like a charm she says.

Time to get to bed. Tomorrow more weeding and yard work awaits me, but I really need to do some things in the house too. The days go by way too fast!

Observations

I had amensia once --- or twice. I forget.
******
Protons have mass? I didn't even know they were Catholic.
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I am neither for or against apathy.
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All I ask is a chance to prove that money can't make me happy.
******
What is a "free" gift? Aren't all gifts free?
******
They told me I was gullible and I believed them.
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Teach a child to be courteous and polite in the home, and when he grows up, he'll never be able to merge his car onto the freeway.
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One nice thing about egotists-they don't talk about other people.
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My weight is perfect for my height-which varies.
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I used to be indecisive. Now, I'm not so sure.
******
How can there be self-help GROUPS?
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If swimming is so good for your figure, how do you explain whales?
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Show me a man with his feet firmly planted on the ground, and I'll show you a man who can't get his pants off.
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Is it just me, or do buffalo wings taste like chicken?

Sparrows and the word for Monday

What a beautiful cooler day today-skies are a little overcast and it's in the 70's. A great day for yard work-and to have the windows open in the house. I trimmed up the forsythia in the front, and plan to do a few more chores outside before it gets dark.

I set up the bird and squirrel feeders several days ago and there's a lot of activity out there-I think a lot of sparrows, but also I've seen blue jays and I think I saw a finch or two. What is it about sparrows that they are considered sort of a nuisance bird? My dad in his later years made it his personal mission to rid his property of sparrows as much as possible by setting up traps for them. I looked on Wikipedia at several articles on sparrows, and one article says that house sparrows are the most widely distributed wild bird on the planet. It also says that house sparrows are aggressive in forcibly usurping the nesting sites of other birds, and in fact, sometimes even build a new nest right on top of an existing nest with babies in it. Did you know that the house sparrow has the shortest incubation period of all birds-10-12 days- and that a female can lay 25 eggs in one summer? They also don't have a very exciting "call" - the article calls it a "short and incessant chirp". So what we have is a bird which is very prolific, which has an annoying and constant chirp, and sometimes is destructive to other species of birds, taking over nests and housing boxes.

Yet, I think the sparrow is the only bird that I can find that Jesus directly mentions in the New Testament - other than maybe a dove? Perhaps you scholars reading this can help me out there. Nevertheless, Jesus says even though sparrows were sold 2 for a penny or 5 for a penny, depending on which book you reference (Matthew 10:29 and Luke 12:6 NIV), not one of them falls to ground without God knowing about it, or, as Luke says, God forgetting about about them. The point is, if God knows that about such a common bird as a sparrow, what does He know about me? What does He care about me? Jesus goes on to state that we are worth more than many sparrows to God. I don't know about you, but this gives me great comfort.

In honor of my spouse, the word for the day is: DEMOPHOBE n. This is not a fear of Democrats but, it is a morbid dread of crowds and massed humanity, i.e., the 5-10 people that might be waiting in a restaurant lobby, or, the 30 people gathered in a church fellowship hall, or, heaven forbid, the crowd of several thousand at a concert or other community function. The author of book I have referenced previously states rather cleverly that this is one of the more common phobias, and if all the sufferers of this malady were put together in one place, they wouldn't like it one bit.

Word of the day for Sunday

The word is: CATACHRESIS n. Misapplication of a word. So if you accidently used the word in the previous posting, BICRURAL, to describe, for example, a muskrat, you would be guilty of catachresis. I suppose cathachresis could also be used to describe situations in which people say with great pronouncement: "I could care less!" , or, when Hillary said she landed in Bosnia under sniper fire, or, when your teenage son said he had a "little" accident with the car, when confronted with the fact that the entire side was one big dent.

Friday and, the "B" word for today

What a beautiful morning! Not too hot yet. I went to the garden store and bought a couple of 6 pack annuals and some other things for the front oval flower bed-I still don't have that place worked up yet. I did transplant some peonies out there last fall and they came up great, but a neighbor kid's ball landed on them and broke most of the stems off. I was sick when I saw them. The 3 little bushes I planted out there are just struggling to survive. I bet the soil isn't very good. I'm thinking I need to move the the peonies yet again to another spot where they will have a chance to survive, and the ornamental bushes as well. I then took Lyd for a walk at Riverside Park today-she's getting better and better about walking with me. It seems she still has to stop every 4 feet to sniff something but even that's improving. After we walked a couple of rounds we stopped under a tree and rested. She drank out of her water bowl and I drank my 20 oz. water bottle. Because I've been working outside, the inside of my house needs my attention badly.

Word for the day: Bicrural. a. Having two legs. "I am sorry to have to say this in front of your new boyfriend, Hortense, but he is BICRURAL, and I cannot be persuaded otherwise."

(From The Superior Person's Second Book of Weird & Wondrous Words, by Peter Bowler. )

Word for the day

I recently discovered a book I had purchased many years ago: "The Superior Person's Second Book of Weird & Wondrous Words" by Peter Bowler. I am, by no means, an expert on language or grammar, and I am likely to be bested in a game of Scrabble by several people in my extended family who seem to have a real knack for organizing letters to make words I would have never thought of. But this delightful little book has been quite entertaining for me to once again peruse, so much so that I have ordered from Amazon a used boxed set of 3 books of Weird & Wondrous Words.

From this nifty little book, the word for today is: ADUMBRATE v. To foreshadow in general terms; to sketch out what you intend to do, or what you expect to happen, i.e., "Allow me to adumbrate in general terms the consequences of your continung to block my driveway with your car..."

I, myself, adumbrate the completing of many tasks today, all of which are mundane and trivial, but which are, nonetheless, on my "to-do" list. There ya go.

Thoughts regarding recent news

The recent murder of Dr. George Tiller deserves a blog post-however, finding words to say what I think succinctly and clearly so that there is no misunderstanding by my readers is a challenge. We'll give it a try.

First of all, the act was cowardly and malicious. The perpetrator needs to be prosecuted and punished to the fullest extent of the law. I feel no differently about this murder than I do when I consider the crimes of serial killer Dennis Rader or of the murders of 4 people by the Carr brothers. All victims were innocent, all victims were in no way at fault, all victims are loved and missed by their families. I am horrified by this turn of events. However, I wish to offer the following thoughts for your perusal, and for some, perhaps your disagreement. That's okay-you may disagree and thoughtfully post your comments.

I am a pro-life person. It is my contention and belief that every conception is human life and bears a soul. I am adamantly opposed to abortion. My opinion is that this legislation should be returned to each individual state to decide and that the federal government should step out of it.

Point number one:
I do not think it is fair to hold me responsible for what this extremist did on Sunday morning. It appears that in some newspaper columns, and on some news programs, there are those that are branding this crime as coming from the pro-life camp and nothing could be further from the truth. How dare the insinuation be made that those of us who value and respect life above all else would in some way be associated with this lawbreaker, whose heart was full of hatred and vengeance? Forty nine million abortions have been performed since 1973. Forty-nine million persons will never have an opportunity to live life-would you like me to hold you on the pro-choice side responsible for those whose lives ended so abruptly? Is there blood on your hands? Is there blood on mine?
Point number two:
Although I am sure that Dr. Tiller was probably a kind and compassionate man, I will never lose sight of the fact that he indeed, spent his life "terminating pregnancies". Some are saying he was a hero, some are saying he helped them in very difficult circumstances, some are saying he was a saint here on earth and was carrying out the work his God entrusted him to do. I think we need to be horrified by his murder, but also, be horrified by the fact that legally, he ended life for thousands and thousands and thousands of pre-born children. A caller to a radio show I listened to said that when people think of you after you have left this life, they don't think about what you DID, they think about what kind of person you were, and that what you DO in life does not define you.

I tend to disagree just a little bit. A person's work, and what they were able to accomplish in life DOES in some ways, define them. Are we going to say that about Dennis Rader? What he DID does not define him? I hardly think so. What he did personifies who he is. The way I not only do my job but live my life defines me and shows the world, whether it's admirable or not, what my true character is. It does so for every single person, even Dr. Tiller. We cannot as a city, as a state, and as a nation, conveniently "forget" what happened on a daily basis out at that clinic on East Kellogg, and no doubt, will continue to happen as other doctors step in.

Maybe more later.

Busy first day

It's the first day of summer vacation, and I have a list of things to do about 4 feet long (not really, but it seems that way). I even had to make a list to make sure I wouldn't forget something. I'm going to the church to work on sorting music, I'm taking my district laptop back to the adminstration offices, I'm picking up drugs at the pharmacy, taking dry cleaning in to get done, and I'm completing several tasks related to the reception we are giving for our youngest son and our daughter-in-law that will be here in town on June 13. I've got a load of laundry started and several more to follow - although I won't be home to do it, so I don't know why I even put it in the washer. 94 degrees here today. Whew!

Unraveling the knots of the past 6 weeks

So, a fine Saturday morning it is. I'm sitting here with my coffee cup, waiting for Jay to come and pick me up. We're going to take a little excursion for a few hours around south central Kansas today. It's not that I don't have anything to do-my goodness, I've got boxes sitting in here that I dragged home from school and all kinds of stuff piled on my table. My house is sort of a wreck and we're gonna have "company" this evening, so why am I not going to be home today? I dunno.

The last day of school was semi-uneventful. We had a staffing meeting which didn't go well-a parent became defensive and difficult, but dealing with that is all part of the job. Friday was spent cleaning up two offices and completely moving out of one, personal files and all. They're sitting here on the floor waiting for me to do something with them. It sometimes takes a few days to get unwound when you been tightly focused, so I'm waiting for the unraveling to start. Next week there's stuff for me to do-I have plenty on my agenda including, planning a wedding reception here for my son and daughter-in-law. It is scheduled for June 13. Her family will be coming from Wisconsin, so it'll be a nice thing for her to be able to visit with them and show them their apartment and around town. I've agreed to help out with VBS (why oh why?) and I'm continuing to help with women's group this summer at church. I have relinquished leadership responsibilities, however.

I see the brother has arrived so I need to wrap this up. Maybe one thread will untangle today as we're driving. Or not (knot). (ha!)

Wisconsin IS a nice state...

We're back from Wisconsin and now, it's catch up time. If you read my brother's blog, you'll see that he managed to blog TWICE while we were gone to Wisconsin. I don't know how that man does it, but the word for him today is "overachiever".

We had a lovely, albeit short, trip. In the car 4 out of 5 days, we traveled 3000 miles or more (about 900 one way). The wedding was "non-traditional" in a lot of ways, but very sweet and will be a special memory. In our short time there, we were able to travel up to the northern part of the pennisula for a fish boil and some sightseeing. It is spring there and the lilacs and other flowering bushes and trees are spectacular. I enjoyed seeing my family again, and am so appreciative of their efforts to attend and be a part of this special occasion. I ended up with a lovely daughter in law out of the deal, so all is well.

We got home and unpacked, took the rental car back and retrieved Lydia, who about wiggled out of her skin right there in the waiting room when she saw me. She was glad to come home, but she's been doing a lot of scratching and biting since she's been here-I wonder if she has fleas. Great. I'm going to have to see about getting her some relief this week because it seems pretty severe.

It's off to work this Tuesday morning. 4 more days to go, but busy days they will be. I wonder if we'll have kids who don't return to school this last week. See you later.

It's too early

It's 5:40am, I've been up since, oh 4:00am this morning. I just took my son to the airport to catch an early flight to Wisconsin. Now I'm kinda wound up, so thought I'd write a little before going back to bed. The husband will be getting up in a few minutes to go to work so we have an early start to this Saturday.

I was going to relate some difficulties from work that I've had this week, but I don't want to go into it. It's sufficient to say that I had to remind myself again that I'm not doing this job to make other people happy. Right now there are some who wouldn't give you a wooden nickel for my expertise, and that's ok with me. I have to answer to somebody bigger than USD 259 and as long as I can do that, then I am well. I just need to remember that as I'm tossing and turning, replaying scenarios and conversations, and conversations I'd LIKE to have, but can't, and all that. You know how it goes.

Maybe more later today.

Thursday Trivia

It's Thursday morning, and in 3 days time, I have 34 hours in. Not bad, huh-oh, this doesn't count the 2 hours I worked last night at home. Correction-I have 36 hours in. Today I'll be leaving for work early as we have a staff meeting at 7:50, but I might actually make it home before 6:00 today, depending on how much I get done. For those of you who are in the field of school psychology and who every once in awhile read this blog, but probably have given up because there's not enough work-related commentary on here, I might mention that I've now used the Cross Battery Assessment to analyze test scores in order to determine how much a child's lack of English language might be affecting test results. It's a handy tool - contact me for more information if you're interested. I've been working with a student who has significant language loss in their first language (Spanish), but who isn't extremely fluent in English either. Quite a challenge.

I don't really have other news except that Lydia, who managed to contract a case of kennel cough from the Bordatella vaccination she had a week ago, is feeling better and back to her old springy self thanks to antibiotics. She loves taking her pills as she gets them wrapped up in a piece of lunch meat. I'm glad she's feeling better-a mopey dog is no fun.

Well, I have three days next week, then it's off to Wisconsin Thursday. We're back on Monday, which is Memorial Day, and seems quite early in the month to me. We have school Tuesday-Friday, then we're done. I hate going to school after Memorial Day but we had an extended Christmas break this year and this is the price to be paid.

Have a great Thursday all.

Mother Musings

It's Sunday, Mother's Day. I've had mixed feelings about this holiday, as I've always said that I'm a mother more like Roseanne than June Cleaver, although, I'm not a real fan of either of those TV icons. In a discussion with one of my sons yesterday, I was reminded again of my own foibles and, of how my adult offspring need my relationship with them to continue to change - but, it's kinda complicated. Most of the time, your grown-up kids need a parent for occasional advice and maybe babysitting grandkids once in awhile. But every so often, they need a "mom", or a "dad". It's hard to know how that works, but here's what I think - it's up to your kid. Your kid is kinda the one in charge of how they want your relationship to be (to a certain extent).

I have 3 kids and they're all different, they all need different things from me, but I hope they know that I love them, and I'll get it figured out one of these days. I have made mistakes and errors in judgment, and will continue to do so, but we'll get it worked out. I'd like to say to my kids, thanks for making my life richer and for teaching me more than I ever learned in a classroom. A big hug to Rebekah, Joshua, and Daniel-three blessings in life for me. I really kind of dislike the term "in-law", because Jason has become more of a son than an "in-law", and I appreciate his efforts to provide and care for our daughter. We will soon welcome another "in-law", Dara, and again, I think of her more as my daughter - she is already a part of our family. Joyce Landorf coined the term "daughter-in-love" and that might fit better than "in-law". Other kids in this family include my "adopted son" Bob, and, I would be remiss if I didn't mention Michael and Tiffani-you guys will always be a part of us. Blessings to each of you-Mom

Lessons from Lydia-Waiting Patiently

It's early Saturday morning. I've just returned from about a 20 minute walk with the dog, Lydia. The wind's blowing, it's a little chilly, but the sun's out and it should be a nice day. Lydia seemed a little restless this morning so I thought some excercise would do both of us good. When I went to the bucket where we keep her toys and supplies and lifted the lid, she knew I was getting her walking collar and leash and excitedly twirled around me like an acrobat. In order to use this chain-like collar, I had to get training from my daughter, AND I had to practice with it before I could efficiently put it around the dog's neck and clip it. I don't think the hubby still to this day knows how to do this.

When I first rescued Lyd, I walked her with her regular collar, but she pulled so hard on the leash it was like she was walking me. Rebekah brought this collar to me and said, "You might want to teach her to walk with this, it will go a lot better". I was a little taken aback. The collar looks like a torture device, with long metal prongs which go next to her body as you put it on her neck. It fits semi-snugly. The first two or three times we used it, as she pulled away from me, yelp! She felt the prongs on her neck and immediately came back to my side. I felt bad about it hurting her but it didn't take long for her to learn to not strain at the leash and to walk more or less, with me.

She loves going for walks and thus she doesn't look at it like a torture device-she becomes very happy when she hears the lid open and the chain jangle. However, teaching her to sit still long enough for me to put it on has been difficult. She's catching on to the fact that if she'll just be patient and wait, we'll get to go out a lot quicker than if she's joyfully dancing around me, and today when I was attaching it, managed to sit a whole 5 seconds before getting to her feet and trying to move toward the door. She hasn't caught on to the concept of delayed gratification yet.

Waiting. It's not something we ever like doing, especially when we are waiting in anticipation for something wonderful to happen. But I wonder if in our excitement to get going, to get something resolved, or to get things happening, I wonder if we jeopardize our outcomes when we don't hold still long enough for necessary life growth to happen first. The result is similar to what happens with Lydia and the collar. The process becomes more painful for her as she wiggles and jumps because the collar pricks her in the neck. Also, and more importantly, when she's moving around it takes me longer to put it on her correctly, and her reward of going for a walk is substantially delayed until she cooperates. I dare say, the waiting process is many times far more important for us than finally obtaining what we've been waiting for.

Like Lydia, we often don't see waiting as a positive experience. And, I'm not saying that you need to vegetate while life happens for you-we need to be proactive and doing all that we can do with the time and resources we have. What I am saying is that sometimes, we need to be still and just practice waiting. Wait quietly. Body, mouth, and attitude. Breathe deeply. Sit still. Hope and anticipate, but without straining. The process is important, sometimes more important than the final outcome, and in fact, the growth that happens during the process could BE the final outcome that the Master Designer has in mind for you.

Here's the process: "....we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character; and character, hope. " (Romans 5:4, NIV).
Is Lydia "suffering" while she waits for me to put on the collar? She thinks so. Am I "suffering" as I wait for situations to be resolved and circumstances to change? In my narrow, can only see the moment in front of me viewpoint, yes.

The prophet Isaiah writes, "Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!" (Isaiah 30:18, NIV). May you be blessed while waiting in the week to come.

Friday Fortitude

It's Friday. I'm in a pretty good place, work wise, I think. I got a lot of testing done this past week, now I need to work on reports this weekend. Next week, I have a staffing on Monday, a staffing on Tuesday, 2 staffings on Thursday, and a staffing on Friday. Plus, I have 3 more kids to start this week. It'll be busy, but I'm hoping I'll be able to take off for Wisconsin without worrying about work-related issues. I am looking forward to my change in school assignment for the fall. I will be at a special school, with a special population of children. It's not too far from my base school, and will be a challenge, but will be a place for me to grow professionally.

As I've been thinking about this new adventure, part of my brain is already processing having to leave the familiar behind. I've never been one to burn bridges at any place I've worked, and I'm not going to start now, but...well..., as I wrap things up I am reminded once again that things are not always what they seem and a wise person trusts sparingly. There's a time to speak and a time for silence-to choose which in a given situation is always a challenge. I am upset by what appears to be someone being treated unfairly, however, I know that I don't know the whole story - and thus, I cannot say for sure who is right. This is a time for silence and to stay clear of ongoing conflict. I just need to hang in there for 3 more weeks and mind my own p's and q's-I am praying, though, that God who knows all, will act in defense of the innocent. I trust that someday, all will be set right, all will be brought to justice, the scales will balance, and all will be revealed for who and what they are.

My trust in man is brought up short every time. My trust in God remains.



It's late and I'm ywaning. Off to bed I go.

Some of my family went to see the new Star Trek movie Thursday night and have been raving about it to me, so, I guess I am headed to a matinee on Saturday with my youngest son. It's been awhile since I've been to a movie, but I usually enjoy going, depending on the movie, and the price I have to pay to get in. The last one I saw was "Fireproof", and that was quite awhile ago.

Tuesday Trimmings

It's Tuesday and things are shaping up so far. I had some unexpected time given to me as a gift today by the Master Scheduler, so I was able to get things done for two kids quicker than I thought I could. I had lost all hope of being able to attend a conference on Thursday about eating disorders, but now things are not looking quite so grim. I may be able to go, depending on what tomorrow holds.

I'm still working at home in the evenings, and tonight is no exception - I just took a minute to blog. When will warm weather arrive? Today was cloudy (again), rainy (again), and chilly (again). I am ready for 70's, and SUN. The yard is grown up in the back, still way to wet to push a mower through. My son offered to come over Thursday and do it, but I don't know if we'll be dried out enough by then, especially if we get more rain tomorrow. I may need to rent a brush hog by the time this is over.

So I see that Thomas Ethredge has landed back in Wichita, having been arrested in an airport in Texas. He now is charged with 10 counts of securities fraud as he tried to pull together financing for his theme park venture,Wild West World, back in 2007. He closed WWW only 2 months after opening it and filed bankruptcy. It IS unfortunate that he attempted to open it the day after a tornado blew Greensburg off the map, but I guess that's one of those things. The charges are that Mr. Ethredge failed to disclose some necessary information to investors, i.e., "he misrepresented the true nature of his prior business experience, he failed to disclose that he had multiple convictions for securities fraud and failed to pay restitution, he failed to disclose that he did not pay taxes in 2005, and he failed to disclose that he stopped making payments on the land for his other business, the Prairie Rose Chuckwagon Supper."

If all is true, Mr. Ethredge has swindled several people out of several hundred thousand dollars, and I know two of those people. We've been out to the Prairie Rose Chuckwagon Supper two or three times over the years and we've enjoyed the time we've spent there. Mr. Ethredge is a cowboy, a patriot, a faithful church member and tither, and seemingly, a faithful Christian - all of those things made him a genuinely likeable person. One time before all of this came to light, I overheard a conversation between two people about him. One person was telling the other person that he (Ethredge) was a crook, a cheat, and a liar, and that someday, it was all going to blow up in his face. I eavesdropped, interested in what was being said, and at that time, I was disturbed that anyone could say those things about such a fine gentleman.

Hmmm. If it's true, then it's a lesson learned for all of us. The NIV says in Matthew 10:16: "Be shrewd as snakes, and as innocent as doves." Timely words.

The week ahead

I'm home from the day's activities - it's been busy. One of the more enjoyable things I did today was to attend a "man" shower for my son, who is getting married May 23. The deacons at church hosted this shower, and gifts were tool and home improvement oriented. He got a lot of useful things, among them, duct tape, a socket set, a nice shovel, a top of the line level, a set of allen wrenches, some "Gorilla" glue, and a cordless drill. Tables were decorated with toilet paper and paper towel rolls, which were positioned on red shop rags. It was a lot of fun.

In the next 10 work days, I have to finish 12 evaluations. Two of those are completed and I just need to write the report on them. 6 are in progress, and 4 I haven't started yet. It takes 3-4 sessions to finish an evaluation and a couple of hours to write each one up. I've seen reports from some other psychologists that seem to have as little written as possible, but frankly, I don't like to do things that way. I'm writing my report not only for parents, but also for future educators and psychologists who will be working with that child. It doesn't need to be long and drawn out, but it does need to be clear and succinct, and give all pertinent information.

I told somebody this evening that I will get through the next two weeks literally one hour, or one half hour at a time. If I look at the end, I will "grow fainthearted and discouraged". If I prioritize each day, work efficiently, and take care of that days needs, everything should fall into place. My prayer is that I won't get sick, that kids I'm working with won't get sick, and that everything will hum along according to schedule. My prayer for you, my readers, is that you will have a productive week, and that you will be effective wherever you've been called to serve.

What?

So I followed a car home from work today. The car had a vanity plate. The vanity plate read:

DEPRAVE

The dictionary definition for "deprave" is: to make morally bad or evil; vitiate; corrupt.
http://www.dictionary.com/

Perhaps I'm missing something. Can anyone tell me why someone would want to pay money to have the word DEPRAVE on their vanity plate? I'm just asking. If anyone has any ideas, please share. I'm puzzled. I'm not judging, understand, I'm just...well, puzzled.

Friday

Good morning! It's Friday and normally, people sort of start winding down and wrapping things up. Unless you're planning on working at home on the weekend. Then it's time to think about what paperwork you need to bring home to conquer. That's me. I concurrently have 8 or 10 evaluations going, all in different stages of completeness. Every kid has a folder with information in it, and it's organized such that I know where I'm at with each evaluation. Today I have on my agenda to have sessions with 4 or 5 of these children. One thing this job requires is organization-I've talked about the wonderful planner I use in a previous posting, but it also requires some kind of office system to keep things in place. Everybody does it differently, and you just have to find something that works, the key being, it has to work for you.

So last night, I dreamed, I think several times, that I was walking along somewhere and I just kept falling down-my shoes would slip, or I'd step in a hole, or something, and I'd be down. The thing is, I never knew why I was falling, but always, some kind soul would come along as I was laying on the street and point out the obvious-THIS is why you fell-you slipped on mud, or look here, you stepped in a hole, or whatever. I don't put a lot of stock in dream analysis, but I thought this was interesting. Maybe the point is, it seems that when we make a mistake, others can see plainly why we did, and are "helpful" to point that out to us when often, we may not have a clue as to why we stumbled. We just know we did. Hmmm. What do you think?

Gulp

Great! I haven't posted in about, oh, eons, and I just now discovered that my blog has been mentioned on the Douglas and Main website-sort of a coffee house for local blog writers. Great! I hate to think about people visiting my site, only to discover that there's been nothing posted in about forever, so maybe that will be a motivator for me. I notice that my brother, the faithful blogger, has done his 500th post. Great! By the way, I'm going to try to figure out how to link the Douglas and Main website to this blog so you can go there if you like. I'm listed under "Educators". EEK! There's lots of interesting stuff on that link and I could waste all kinds of time looking at all the blogs-I think everybody else's writings are infinitely more interesting than mine. I don't even own a digital camera to be able to post pictures on here, so what I write about is just...I dunno, so ordinary, or something.

This time of year is very busy for me, as it is for school psychologists all over the district. I have the added pressure of trying to have everything completed a week early so that I can be out of here and attending my youngest son's wedding in Wisconsin the end of May. I am working a lot of hours, and in addition, work on things at home in the evenings and on weekends when needed. In spite of that, for the most part, I love my job. I like trying to figure out mysteries and this job certainly has its share. There are times I'd like to be able to unzip a head, peer in at a brain, and discover, oh! THAT'S why this kid is so smart, but he can't read fluently...THAT'S why she sees letters and numbers reversed...THAT'S why this child doesn't 'get' multiplication...THAT'S why this student transposes sounds in words...etc. The testing I do is but a snapshot of performance on that particular day. It is at best, an estimate of ability and achievement, and that's why I try my best to view a student holistically and consider other factors such as environment, motivation, and health. Even then, I sometimes feel that I have more questions than answers.

On another topic, we got 6 inches + of rain yesterday and last night. Typical street flooding in my neighborhood made me wonder, as I came home around 9:30 whether or not I was gonna need a canoe.

It's late, and I'm done for the day. Thanks for visiting me, even though I don't do well at posting. Everybody who nags me about having a Facebook needs to realize that I'd be worse at that than I am at blogging.

Change is inevitable-except from a vending machine

I'm thinking about changing the title of this blog. Life is so much more than work, and my job title simply is that, a title. Although it's what I spend most of my time doing during the day (and when I bring work home in the evenings and on weekends), it is not me. I know there are other school psychologists who follow this blog, hoping for earnest discussion about those issues, and I don't mind talking about that, but frankly, it is not how I define myself. Since I changed the About Me several months ago to indicate that, I still feel constrained by the title Cool School Psychologist. I am that, but more. I feel I haven't been able to reveal a lot of my personal struggles on this blog or my opinions about certain things because there are readers who check this blog wanting discussion on professional issues, not personal ones. So stay tuned if you're interested. I may make a few drastic changes here and there.

Speaking of change, that's what I feel like my life is about these days. And my reaction to change isn't always healthy, even if the change could be a good thing. For example, at work, this time of year, it is always probable that things come up which I'm not expecting as I plan the last 8 weeks of school. There might be several kids who move into one of my schools who are due for re-evaluation before the end of the year. I might have a parent request an evaluation and then insist that the testing occur before the 5th grade kid moves on to middle school. There might be a teacher who knows valuable, critical information about a student I am working with, but does not tell me until I stumble upon it by accident. All of these things and more have happened to me on the job since spring break.

In my personal life, things are changing. There's are two or three major changes happening at the church I attend, and they affect me and the way I do ministry there. I feel I have lost my way at a church I have attended for many years now. Our family, both nuclear and extended is changing-usually these are good changes, but still, they are stressful. I used to think weather was a minor thing, but actually, I am beginning to believe that it affects us all more than we might think. Last weekend we had blizzard-like conditions in south central Kansas, with sleet, snow, and gusty winds starting on Friday afternoon, and continuing through Saturday afternoon - temps in the 20's and 30's. Yesterday, 7 days later, the high temperature was in the 60's, still with gusty winds, though. Today, it's cloudy, windy, looks like rain, and it is COLD.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "For everything you have missed, you have gained something else, and for everything you gain, you lose something else." I think that sums up my life right now. I'm working in a futile quest to hang on to what I lose when things change. How's THAT for a blinding flash of introspection on a Sunday morning?

Spring Break is OVER

When will you blog again? - People are asking, asking, asking, nagging nagging, nagging...All my good intentions about blogging during spring break went right out the window. I have no good excuse, really, except that blogging seemed too much like WORK. Speaking of work, it's time to go back and begin the countdown for the last 9 weeks of school. It will not be unusual for me to work 50-60 hour weeks from now until the end of the year, and for me to bring work home. Evaluations, meetings, and paperwork are overwhelming at both schools. Tools and strategies certainly help keep me sane. One great tool I use is one of the best planners I've ever seen published by Franklin Covey. This planner helps me prioritize daily in order to achieve weekly goals - and, it helps me keep the big picture in mind, which is, what I need to finish up by the end of year. Also, I have learned to make the most of my time-I work on paperwork and try to have meetings before and after school, and when kids are there from 9-4, my focus is working with them.

So anyhow-what about spring break? It was great! Usually, I try to get away for a few days, but alas, not this time - however, my time off was not unproductive. I'd tell you everything I did but you'd be asleep within 30 seconds. Let's just say I enjoyed life and leave it at that. Lydia liked having me around home as well-she's going to miss me as we go back to our regular schedule tomorrow.

*******************

So, on other subjects-what to say about the bailout mess-how do I feel about the government using tax dollars to keep private companies afloat-do we need more government intervention in our lives, or less? And is there a moral issue at stake in giving companies bailout dollars only to have them fund bonuses for their CEO's? It's sort of like Ray Barone giving his brother Robert a thousand dollars because he was in serious financial trouble, then Robert deciding to go on a vacation to Las Vegas with the money. Were there strings to Ray's gift? No, but yes.

On a less serious matter, I've decided that if my hometown newspaper is going to cancel the columns of hometown writers (Joe Stumpe and Kathy Manweiler), then maybe I'll cancel my subscription. Deciding that these columnists were no longer needed are the most recent of changes the Wichita Eagle has made and not for the better. I let it go when they cancelled the little insert every day called Wichitalk, and I let it go when they cancelled a couple of other local columnists, but say it isn't so! A paper without Joe Stumpe is like---well, it's just not the same. I feel almost the same way about cable TV, except, I really like the Food Network-it's probably what I watch the most. The junk that's on the 4 main networks-is exactly that, nothing but junk. Yuck.

And finally, this:

"Sir, What is the secret of your success?"
"Two words"
"And, Sir, what are they?"
"Right decisions."
"And how do you make right decisions?"
"One word."
"And, What is that?"
"Experience."
"And how do you get Experience?"
"Two words"
"And, Sir, what are they?"
"Wrong decisions."

State Assessments = No Fun

My sister said something on her blog that her latest post was her 200th-as is this for me! This does not speak very well of my posting because I've had my blog longer than she's had hers, but, oh well, we do what we can.

Kids at both my schools are taking the state reading assessments next week. This is never a fun time because the pressure on administration, teachers and students is enormous. There is a lot of preparation that goes into this event, and I am always amazed at the amount of work this takes. There's a lot riding on the kids' performance, and at one of my schools, it is critical that scores increase big time this year in order to avoid unpleasant consequences.

I tried to explain to someone why that school has had failing scores the last two years and it's a complicated matter. Here's a synopsis: Mobility is high-every week we add and dismiss several students. However, we have in the last two months, added more than we have dismissed and we have at least four classrooms bursting at the seams-28 kids is way too many for one teacher. I was in one classroom where there were not enough student desks and 3 kids were kneeling at chairs or sitting on the floor to work. This school is high in poverty-more than 90% of the kids qualify for free or reduced lunches. There are significant issues of gang culture, parents of all ethnicities who are not involved in their child's education, and homes which lack structure, routine, and basic necessities such as beds to sleep in. We have several children for whom we have no working phone numbers for parents or relatives, no way to reach them in case of an emergency. Currently, there are several families considered homeless, who are bunking with relatives. In spite of all that, we have dedicated teachers who come to work every day and prepare kids for high-stakes testing-and whose jobs are dependent on these kids' performances.

Sometimes I just get weary thinking about all the needs. It appears to be a gloomy picture, but in spite of everything, some good things are happening. We have good teachers and staff, we have good community support with some dedicated volunteers, and, this school is in the first phase of construction for the bond issue we just passed. We are getting new classrooms and offices - not quickly mind you, but they'll be finished in a year or two. Hopefully, we'll be able to hire teachers to staff them.

There are difficulties at the other school I serve as well - not so much poverty issues but staff issues. It never helps you to win popularity contests when you have to take a stand, does it! Spring break can't come along fast enough for me this year. No train trips like I took last year-my finances won't allow that. Maybe the weather will be warmer and I'll be able to get some outside work done. That's something to look forward to.

Monday

I've had a lot to blog about recently, but can't seem to either find the time or the energy to put thoughts into words. I'll try to hit the highlights in this posting.

Work-like many other professions, the School Psychologist's work is NEVER done. I wish I had time to read more professional articles and follow research in several areas. For example, there's a lot of research currently happening in the area of educating English Language Learners. My work with those ELL students is challenging. The issue is that although most of these students speak English and may appear to be fluent, there are still language issues which cause most to struggle academically. It can take up to 10 years for an ELL child to obtain a level of English proficiency which allows them to excel in school. And, we are seeing more and more students whose first exposure to English is when they come to kindergarten, so there's a lot of intensive support needed there.

Family-there's a lot going on here, too. My oldest son is recently unemployed after 5 years with the same company. He's job searching and has applied for unemployment. My youngest son has a good job, but may be facing unemployment in April as his job is considered "temporary". My daughter is looking for an additional job. In happier news, we so much enjoyed helping my uncle celebrate his 90th birthday last Sunday afternoon and reconnecting with people we don't see very often. Spring break is coming up in March, and although we won't be able to take our usual trip to get away for a few days, I will enjoy the time away from the job. April brings Easter, warmer weather, and our annual women's retreat at church. School goes until the end of May, then in July, we have our annual family reunion here in Wichita-the Planks know how to have fun when we get together! I'm enjoying making preliminary plans for that.

Encouraging words-I leave you with God's words to Joshua in chapter one of that book, verse nine: "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." (NIV) Timely for today, don't you think?

Lydia

Look at these before and after pictures of my dog, Lydia. The first one was taken at the vet's office the first morning I got her. The next one was taken a couple of days ago. What a difference some money, some love, and some TLC makes! She's a great dog.

Tick Tock Brain

I haven't written much about my job recently. I know there are some that read this blog who are school psychologists, and they probably wonder why I don't write a lot about what I'm doing. I do follow some expertly written professional blogs in my field and from time to time, am amazed at how smart some people are. The process of learning has always been difficult for me, and even in my own family, I am a lot of times "outwitted", "out-thought", and "outplayed" by my siblings.

However, there is much going on in research, and one interesting study I've recently read had to do with "timing" and reading fluency. The author of the study hypothesized that we all function rhythmically, especially when we read. Increasing fluency and comprehension in reading (after you can "decode" words) can be accomplished by helping children set an internal clock mechanism which will drive how quickly they respond to printed words. The study found that a child who has difficulty "keeping the beat", for example, clapping accurately to a metronome set 60 seconds a minute, also will have difficulty reading fluently enough for comprehension. In the study, those children were given several weeks of training (10 minutes a day or so) of learning to keep rhythms accurately and their reading fluency monitored. The outcomes were significant enough for this study to be published in a well-known research journal.

In my view, this is thinking outside the box at its best. I wonder what reaction from parents and school administration I'd get if I would work with a group of struggling non-fluent readers and duplicated this study. Parents might think it was a waste of time-it sounds a little crazy. I ran this idea by the Spouse, who gave me a look like, you MUST be joking. But what if some solutions to problems we encounter in life are exactly like this-so "odd" that we miss them? If this method would help my child become a better reader, I'd sign up in a heartbeat.

Here's a blog which addresses this, and other issues, but it's kinda technical, and may be of no interest to most of you:

http://www.ticktockbraintalk.blogspot.com/

Press On

Have you ever tried to kick a habit? How about if your habit was a drug? Like, maybe, caffeine? I have had the unfortunate experience, this past week, of weaning myself off of this stimulant, which is found most commonly, in coffee, tea, cocoa, and soft drinks. I did a little internet research and discovered a lot about caffeine, including the fact that it acts as a natural pesticide and paralyzes and kills certain insects who feed upon the coffee bean plant.

Caffeine is a central nervous system and metabolic stimulant. It is used to reduce fatigue and restore mental alertness (www.wikipedia.org). I didn't realize that many drug manufacturers include caffeine in pain relievers because it helps the body absorb the medication faster, thus providing relief faster.

However, an unpleasant side effect to increased caffeine consumption is heart palpitations, and that my friend, is the problem. I have experienced a big increase in the number of palpitations, how long they last, and how severe they feel since Christmas, and I think it's due to increased coffee drinking (cold weather antidote) and the amount of diet pop I consume during the day. A doctor's visit was punctuated by two EKGs and a serious warning to quit consuming this drug. This verbal warning was enforced by the fact that I have to wear a Holter heart monitor on Monday, just to make sure there's nothing seriously wrong with my heart.

Heart disease runs in my family, so I'm taking the stern look from the doctor and the warning seriously. I've got withdrawal symptoms, but I'm doing better. You aren't supposed to kick it all at once, but I did, and the headaches and feeling of lethargy were enough to make we want to set up a caffeine IV, but I tried to hang in there. Caffeine-another thing on the list that I need to consume in moderation if at all. I don't want the consequences of feeling the old ticker dance a jig in the middle of my chest, so that's a powerful incentive.

There's always something, isn't there. Always something to work on, to improve, to sacrifice, to give up, to refine, to change, and to ultimately, better ourselves. Sometimes I don't like looking at everything I need to do because it's overwhelming. I'm a work in progress, but some days, I feel like instead of progress, I've stepped back about a mile. I know some of the rest of you feel that way too with things you are struggling with. Let me encourage you today to "stay the course", to, as the Apostle Paul says, "...press on toward the goal..." (Philippians 3:14). Do you need to refocus on a goal you have? Put one foot in front of the other, and let's get going.

Books

Those of you who know me know that I love to read. I can get lost in a book quicker than you can say "Jack Spratt could eat no fat." It is an escape for me sometimes, but also, I am just fascinated with the development of the characters in a story. I like reading all kinds of material, from fiction such mysteries, to historical narratives, to books which challenge faith and conventional thinking. I usually have more than one book going at a time. I have them stacked beside the bed on a cedar chest which belonged to my mother. My favorite time of my day is when I get to crawl in bed at night, turn down the thermostat and turn on the electric blanket, reach for the old "bedlight" which hung on the headboards of numerous kids' beds in the home we grew up in, and get my book out.

Today I went through the books which had accumulated on the cedar chest. I found several I finished this year and didn't get put away, two books I'm in the process of reading, and, I made space for some newly purchased books I've gotten recently. You may ask, why do you buy them rather than get them from the library? One reason is because it takes me awhile to finish a book when I read it at night. I've got about 20-30 minutes before I get sleepy (under that electric blanket) and that's all I get done. I don't like having the pressure of trying to finish it before it's due back. I frequent used book stores-in fact, there's one right down the street from me called "Al's Old Books". Another favorite place I'd go frequently before it closed was the Delano Book Room. If you go on further east on Douglas, you will come across "Eighth Day Books", a delightful place to spend time in.

I struggle with a couple of things in this reading hobby I've got. First, I realize that whatever I read goes into the brain and the thought processes. You know the old saying, "Garbage In, Garbage Out". For awhile, I was attending a neighborhood book club, however, some of their monthly selections were not of my taste. I try to be careful about what I do pick up to read-I don't do "terrifying horror", ghosts and vampires, blood, slasher, X-rated romance, and I don't like to read language I consider offensive. The second thing I struggle with is prioritizing. I need to feed my soul. If I have 20 minutes to read before going to sleep, then what should I be doing? To that end, for the last several years, I have put down my current reading interest before the "sandman" comes, and picked up my little Oswald Chambers classic devotional book, "My Utmost for His Highest".

I may be behind some of you in my internet discoveries, but today I found this devotional classic online. Check out:

http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/my-utmost-for-his-highest/01/03/devotion.aspx?year=2009

How wonderful! I would be able to access this site from work, say during a break in my day, and take a moment to just be still and think about what God might be saying to me. I hope you find this site helpful. There's also, at the bottom of the page, a schedule for you if you are reading the Bible through in a year. That's also a task I struggle with. Is there time in the day for everything? Depends on what your priorities are. Take a hard look at how you spend you time, and there'll be room if you make it so.

We don't know how it works

We had a very nice Christmas and New Year's this year-it was busy, but not exceptionally so. I did get some things done while I've been off the last 2 weeks. It sounds mundane, but I cleaned my clothes closet and got some things to Goodwill, I cleaned out and straightened the little portable linen cabinet we have in our bedroom, I turned the mattress on the bed and washed all the bedding, after a great deal of thought, I decided on a study for the women's group at church, I have been reading a couple of books I've meant to get to, and I've just been, at times, for lack of a better word, lazy. I know what awaits me on Monday, but I'm not dreading it-on the contrary, I think I'm more of a creature of routine than what I would like to admit.

On another note, my brother and his daughter, my niece, were involved in a motorcycle accident on December 30. Although they were not seriously injured, my niece spent the night at the hospital and had surgery to fix her wrist which was badly broken. Both were stiff, sore, and bruised, but oh my, it could have been so much worse. They were struck by a pickup as they were waiting to turn left at an intersection. Both were wearing helmets and jackets, which saved them from much more serious problems.

I can only thank God for His protection and watchcare over them, but to tell you the truth, I'm not sure how that works. For example, I'm a little uncomfortable when people say God spared them from a tornado that did little damage to their home while they survey the destruction of homes all around them. Bad things happen to all of us and how that's determined is something beyond my understanding. A couple of years ago, a member of our church was killed in Iraq-this after we prayed much for his safety. Had he come home, we might have said that God protected and saved him. But since he didn't come home to his family, what can we say about that?

Don't you hate the "pat answers" that sometimes come from the Christian community when things don't make sense? I do. I think sometimes the best I can do is to admit that I don't know. I don't have the answers. I don't understand. I don't get how life works. I don't know what I could say to those who have had family members who have died in similar motorcycle accidents. My heart goes out to people who have experienced loss and who have suffered much. I have been blessed knowing these suffering heroes of the faith - Jack, Shirley, Marjorie, A.D., Don, Lola, Marie, Lois, the list goes on.

We don't know what 2009 will bring, but it is a little tiny thread in the fabric of eternity-it is but a vapor, a breath, a second passing by. Why do we get spun up about trying to figure out how God works? His very nature transcends everything we are as humans. Yet He came, wrapped in human flesh to live as one of us in order to save us. Ponder, wonder, and just for a moment, let go of what holds you here. Minister to others freely but with no cliches or canned responses. Love freely, demonstrating a heart of compassion and mercy. None of us have it all figured out, but we don't need to in order to live life abundantly. God's grace be with you all in the coming year.