Feminimity

Many of you know that I have a heartfelt conviction about wearing skirts. However, my dear hubby is not really a fan of skirts. I have more conviction about honoring his wishes, so I do not wear them full time. Every now and then, something happens to open my eyes about the subject. It has been said that people respond differently to you when you are in a skirt than when you are not. I had proof of this yesterday.

We were in a car accident last Friday. As a result, we are going to a chiropractor now. The first visit was Tuesday. I wore shorts and a t-shirt. Yesterday, I wore a skirt. Now, this was not an experiment I planned, but boy was it a lesson in opening my eyes to what I had been told. First off, when it was my turn to be adjusted, the doc offered me a blanket because I was wearing a skirt. My skirt was quite long, and I did not need one to maintain my modesty. Then, when the tech was placing me on heat I noticed she took more care to keep me covered than she had the previous day. Even the way they interacted with me was more reserved. So yes, people really do react differently when you are wearing a skirt than when you are not.

I think I shall make more of an effort to be more feminine. This is a challenge for me, because I am quite comfortable being a "tom boy". I know though that God created me to be so much more, and I will work to be what he created me to be.

How do you handle anger?

Do you yell?

Do you stew?

Do you whisper?

Do you clean?

Do you tell others?

Do you take it out on those you love?

or

Do you let it go?

Anger is such a natural response for us humans. Sometimes anger is very justified. Sometimes, there is not reason. It is difficult to control though. Today I am struggling with anger. Someone hurt an animal that used to be ours. They asked to take him, for a classroom pet (the Mom is a teacher) and we specifically told them if they ever wanted to give him back or needed him cared for while they went out of town to call us. They didn't. They went out of town for a week leaving him without food and water, and then their daughter thought so lightly of it she told our daughter. I am FURIOUS. I know, we are not to let the sun set on our anger (Ephesians 4:26 says "Be Ye angry and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath."). I have tried to keep the sun from setting, but alas, it is still doing it. I guess what this means is that it is up to *me* to get rid of the anger.

While thinking on it, and trying to find ways to let it go, I thought of the ways we handle anger. Why is it easier to be angry at our loved ones? Why is it that we tend to be more forgiving to perfect strangers than to those we tend to love the most? I know I know, "why" is the most unproductive word known in our language. I still wonder why, though it gets me no where.

I do different things depending on what kind of anger I have. Usually I take my anger out on whomever made me angry. My hubby, he tends to take his anger out on those he is close to (he is trying hard to change this). My daughter, she is a stewer. She holds it in and shuts down. My Mom, she cleans (why couldn't I have inherited that?) I think we all handle anger in a multitude of ways. I do love me some retail therapy, but that usually results in some anger of the husbandly sort. Have to limit my retail therapy sessions. :)

The Bible tells us of anger many times (here is just a few):

Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret-it leads only to evil (Psalm 37:8).

A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult (Proverbs 12:16).

Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing (Proverbs 12:18).

A wise man fears the Lord and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless (Proverbs 14:16

A quick-tempered man does foolish things, and a crafty man is hated (Proverbs 14:17).

A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly (Proverbs 14:29).

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger (Proverbs 15:1).

A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel (Proverbs 15:18).

Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city (Proverbs 16:32).

A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered (Proverbs 17:27).

It is to a man's honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel (Proverbs 20:3).

Do not say, "I'll pay you back for this wrong!" Wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you (Proverbs 20:22).

Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control (Proverbs 25:28).

Mockers stir up a city, but wise men turn away anger (Proverbs 29:8).

A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control (Proverbs 29:11).

An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins (Proverbs 29:22).

Do you let it go?

Old Time cravings coming on...

When I was a teenager, I got a job at a restaurant in West Virginia. I have long ago forgotten the name of the place. This place was famous for their biscuits. On my first day of training, I was grossed out when someone ordered a "Special". What was on this special that grossed me out? Nacho cheese, mayonnaise, bacon, lettuce and tomatoes. ON A BISCUIT! YUCK! As the morning rolled on, many others ordered the same thing. Now, I am not a fool (though by the way I behaved as a teenager one might argue that point) and I knew that if so many people were ordering it, there *must* be something to it. So, on my lunch break I decided to partake of the "special". From there on out there was no turning back! That was amazingly delicious. I was addicted. For several years, even after moving away, it was my staple breakfast. For a while, I even ordered them at Burger King, because they let me have things "my way". However, they just didn't taste right so eventually I gave up. I still made them at home now and then, but at some point they got lost and I never even thought of them.

This morning, I woke up CRAVING them. What is a girl to do but make herself one when her body is demanding it, right? So off to the kitchen I went. I made the decision to use canned biscuits instead of regular ones. I also chose not to open a can of nacho cheese and opted for American. Although my BLT on a biscuit satisfied the craving (to an extent), it was not right. It needed to be on an old fashioned cat head biscuit with nacho cheese.

So, although it may sound nasty, I will leave you with the words of Dr. Seuss:

"Try them, try them, and you may! Try them and you may, I say."
— Dr. Seuss (Green Eggs and Ham)

Next Year's Curriculum...

I am searching for curriculum for next year for the kids. Definitely for Michaela we are doing Tapestry of Grace and Teaching Textbooks. For grammar we are thinking Language Lessons. Here is the problem...for science, I am at a loss. Suggestions anyone? We are trying to do less textbook and more hands on.

Music & the brain

The other day we were driving and my daughter was just floored because she realized that there were very few songs that came on that I didn't know the words too. Yes, I am a regular Celine Dion of the car variety...I could peel paint off walls with this less than magnificent voice, but I LOVE to sing, so I do. Anyhow, Michaela says "Well Mom, I learned that the human brain can only remember the lyrics to 250 songs. But Mom, you know something like a million songs". I laughed. My recall for lyrics is stellar, even if the melodic tone of my singing is NOT.

I have been looking for a source online to list what the recall for songs is for the average person, but alas, it appears that the human brain is a funny thing. It's memory potential is indefinite. Just when I thought I finally found my super human power. Oh well. I shall keep searching. :)

The best photograph I have ever taken...

I would love to be a great photographer. Not the kind that people pay to take their pictures, the kind that does it for fun and not for profit. The kind that people would love to hire, but that is not for hire. I just want to be good so that *I* enjoy my photos more. So that I can leave a legacy in print for my family not only in written word, but in imagery too.

My most favorite photograph I have ever taken was taken at the beach this past summer. It is of my precious adopted gift, little Troy. He has the sweetest freckles.

Are you ready to see the picture? Well then, let's get to it...

After looking though, I cannot decide if this one is my favorite, or if another one is. So I will post it too.

You can decide if you think one is better than the other. I am taking a class on the 9th of April to learn to use my camera better. I am so excited. I am sure I will be sharing my "fruits" with you at a later time and date. :)

Our move is Complete!

Yes, you heard me, OUR MOVE IS COMPLETE! (So I should be back on top of blogging again.)

We were in a wreck yesterday. A lady driving a flat bed tow truck ran a red light, going over 70mph and slammed into our front end as we were going through the intersection. We are very blessed as I was the only one that was injured, and my injuries are minor. I have a fractured bone in my hand and a concussion, along with some bruising. That is it.

The kids were with me but are fine. Everyone was sitting on the passenger side or in the middle. I was the only one on the side of impact.

I am praising God for his hand in keeping us safe. I am well aware of how bad this wreck COULD have been.

On another note, I fell off of the taking a picture every day wagon. I will start this again. Thanks for reading, talk to you more soon.