These were from a sermon a few years ago. I'm continuing to clear my clutter and I want to save these notes. Psalm 127 and Proverbs 22:6 were referenced. "Don't underestimate the value of the home or of your legacy."
1. Parents are the primary ones responsible for their children's spiritual development.
2. Children are unique and should not be compared to others. (We often preach diversity but practice conformity.)
3. Kids need to *give* their best, not *be* the best.
4. Remember, it's *your* job to know what they're learning and *when* they're ready to learn.
5. Your kids are kids. Fun and laughter are important.
6. It's your job to know your kids' friends.
7. You can't control their decisions.
8. Your kids need balance. (Help them learn to manage time and priorities.)
9. Your second greatest job is to encourage your kids. (Ephesians 6:1-4)
10. You teach what you know but reproduce who you are. Obey the Word. Live out your faith.
Tuesday, November 14, 2017
Monday, November 6, 2017
Developing Responsibility in Children
I'm cleaning out more pieces of paper. This one was in my teaching files, but it seems to be much more of a parenting tool to me! Ugh - I started with he/she, him/her, etc. and changed it to all masculine pronouns. Read it with your own precious child in mind!
1. Never do for a child what he can do for himself.
2. Encourage a child's first attempts to help you or to do things for himself. (Remember, a child who is learning will not do the task as well as you can.)
3. Give a child credit for trying to help you out.
4. Give plenty of time to learn.
5. Don't criticize or make fun of poor results. Encourage him to try again and carefully steer him toward a better way.
6. When a child is ready for larger responsibilities, let him take them on.
7. Let a child know you trust and have confidence in him.
8. Praise for efforts as well as performance.
9. Let your child make mistakes without feeling guilty.
10. Be sure the child knows that his help helps the whole family.
11. Admit your own mistakes when you make them.
12. Don't demand more of a child than he can give.
Remember, "A child needs encouragement as a plant needs water and sunshine."
I'm not sure where this originated, but it also reminds me of some of the sociology things my mom was so fond of.
1. Never do for a child what he can do for himself.
2. Encourage a child's first attempts to help you or to do things for himself. (Remember, a child who is learning will not do the task as well as you can.)
3. Give a child credit for trying to help you out.
4. Give plenty of time to learn.
5. Don't criticize or make fun of poor results. Encourage him to try again and carefully steer him toward a better way.
6. When a child is ready for larger responsibilities, let him take them on.
7. Let a child know you trust and have confidence in him.
8. Praise for efforts as well as performance.
9. Let your child make mistakes without feeling guilty.
10. Be sure the child knows that his help helps the whole family.
11. Admit your own mistakes when you make them.
12. Don't demand more of a child than he can give.
Remember, "A child needs encouragement as a plant needs water and sunshine."
I'm not sure where this originated, but it also reminds me of some of the sociology things my mom was so fond of.
Monday, October 9, 2017
Wow! Health Care Changes
One of my main activities lately has been sorting through and recycling old paperwork - my teaching files, my father-in-laws many printed out emails, and my dad's old papers. Most of it goes into recycling, some gets shredded, and some makes me stop and laugh.
I broke my arm when I was a kid. Twice, actually. One wrist when I was ice skating and the other a year later when I was roller skating. (I am *not* a coordinated, athletic individual.) I found the health insurance paperwork from my second trip to the ER. Take a look!
I broke my arm when I was a kid. Twice, actually. One wrist when I was ice skating and the other a year later when I was roller skating. (I am *not* a coordinated, athletic individual.) I found the health insurance paperwork from my second trip to the ER. Take a look!
Do you see that?!?! The *total* charges for the cast, x-ray, and doctor services came to $46.10!
Was this normal in 1977? I was ten years old, so I'm sure the cost of my pain wasn't on my radar at all.
I wonder how much we paid for our kids' broken arms back in the 1990s . . . I'm guessing it was a bit more than this!
I had to keep this info here since I'm determined to get rid of pieces of paper that are cluttering up my life . . . but I was amazed to see these.
I welcome any comments on this post!
Also, I see that they spelled my name wrong! It's Jeanne . . . not Jean. How did I not notice that seven years ago when I first posted this? (10.9.17 vs 1.28.24)
Saturday, July 15, 2017
Lower BP
This is actually one of my random "get rid of scraps of paper" entries. . . but I took some suggestions on lowering your blood pressure and personalized them. I need to use these!
1. Get more sun.
2. Spend time with animals (go to the zoo).
3. Help others (worry about self less).
4. Meditate (even at work).
5. Hug Louie more.
6. Sing and dance.
7. Strength exercises.
#2 is funny - now that we have a puppy again, I feel as though I'm spending *lots* of time with an animal!
#4 amuses me . . . now that I've quit my job
I love doing #5 and try to hug him often!
Last time I donated blood, my BP was very good. I must be doing something right!
1. Get more sun.
2. Spend time with animals (go to the zoo).
3. Help others (worry about self less).
4. Meditate (even at work).
5. Hug Louie more.
6. Sing and dance.
7. Strength exercises.
#2 is funny - now that we have a puppy again, I feel as though I'm spending *lots* of time with an animal!
#4 amuses me . . . now that I've quit my job
I love doing #5 and try to hug him often!
Last time I donated blood, my BP was very good. I must be doing something right!
Monday, April 17, 2017
Siblings
I am so glad that I have Tom, Ann, and Louise for siblings! I love them (and go crazy with them sometimes). I'm glad we've shared so much of our lives and stories with one another.
We went to the lawyer's office on Thursday, April 13 to take care of some of the last (I hope) paperwork in regard to my parents' estate. Then we went out to dinner at the Timberlodge Steak House. After dinner, we went for a walk in Old Town (at Southtown). Louise, Tom, and I had pretty specific memories about hanging out there as teenagers. Ann, not so much. There was an area for the Easter bunny and we took some photos. Fun!
We went to the lawyer's office on Thursday, April 13 to take care of some of the last (I hope) paperwork in regard to my parents' estate. Then we went out to dinner at the Timberlodge Steak House. After dinner, we went for a walk in Old Town (at Southtown). Louise, Tom, and I had pretty specific memories about hanging out there as teenagers. Ann, not so much. There was an area for the Easter bunny and we took some photos. Fun!
Friday, April 7, 2017
Harry Potter / J.K. Rowling Wisdom
I'm re-reading the Harry Potter books (as a de-stress mechanism) and I really want to "hang on" to this quotation from Chamber of Secrets:
It is our choices, Harry , that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." - Dumbledore
Our choices. More than our abilities. Choose wisely.
When Harry told Dumbledore that he thought it was his father who had created the Patronus and sent it across the lake to save him and Sirius Black, he said, "It was stupid, thinking it was him, . . I mean, I knew he was dead."
"You think the dead we loved ever truly leave us? You think that we don't recall them more clearly than ever in times of great trouble?"
I've been missing my mom a lot lately, and struggling with some of life's issues. This scene made me cry.
(above written on 4.7.17 / below on 5.16.17)
Order of the Phoenix - page 495 when Harry is determined to head back to the Dursleys, since he believes he is responsible for attacking Arthur Weasley as the snake he saw / was in his dream. The painting of Phineas Nigellus passes on the message from Dumbledore to stay and wait. Harry blows up.
"Stay there? That's all anyone could tell me after I got attacked by those dementors too! Just stay put while the grown-ups sort it out, Harry! We won't bother telling you anything, though, because your tiny little brain might not be able to cope with it!"
"You know," said Phineas Nigellus, even more loudly than Harry, "this is precisely why I loathed being a teacher! Young people are so infernally convinced that they are absolutely right about everything."
Although I certainly do not loathe being a teacher, sometimes students can be maddening.
page 823, after the battle in the Ministry of Magic, Harry is back in Dumbledore's study.
"I know how you are feeling, Harry," said Dumbledore very quietly.
"No, you don't," said Harry, and his voice was suddenly loud and strong. White-hot anger leapt inside him. Dumbledore knew nothing about his feelings.
"You see, Dumbledore?" said Phineas Nigellus slyly. "Never try to understand the students. They hate it. They would much rather be tragically misunderstood, wallow in self-pity, stew in their own - "
"That's enough, Phineas," said Dumbledore.
For some reason, I just really liked Phineas this time around . . .
(below added 5.26.17)
The Deathly Hallows, page 697:
"Every second he breathed, the smell of the grass, the cool air on his face, was so precious: To think that people had years and years, time to waste, so much time it dragged, and he was clinging to each second." Yes. Life is precious and can be gone so quickly.
(adding again - 11.14.17)
From Sorcerer's Stone:
“To the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure.” - Dumbledore to Harry when they talk about the stone's destruction and what that will mean for Nicholas Flamel and his wife.
It is our choices, Harry , that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." - Dumbledore
Our choices. More than our abilities. Choose wisely.
When Harry told Dumbledore that he thought it was his father who had created the Patronus and sent it across the lake to save him and Sirius Black, he said, "It was stupid, thinking it was him, . . I mean, I knew he was dead."
"You think the dead we loved ever truly leave us? You think that we don't recall them more clearly than ever in times of great trouble?"
I've been missing my mom a lot lately, and struggling with some of life's issues. This scene made me cry.
(above written on 4.7.17 / below on 5.16.17)
Order of the Phoenix - page 495 when Harry is determined to head back to the Dursleys, since he believes he is responsible for attacking Arthur Weasley as the snake he saw / was in his dream. The painting of Phineas Nigellus passes on the message from Dumbledore to stay and wait. Harry blows up.
"Stay there? That's all anyone could tell me after I got attacked by those dementors too! Just stay put while the grown-ups sort it out, Harry! We won't bother telling you anything, though, because your tiny little brain might not be able to cope with it!"
"You know," said Phineas Nigellus, even more loudly than Harry, "this is precisely why I loathed being a teacher! Young people are so infernally convinced that they are absolutely right about everything."
Although I certainly do not loathe being a teacher, sometimes students can be maddening.
page 823, after the battle in the Ministry of Magic, Harry is back in Dumbledore's study.
"I know how you are feeling, Harry," said Dumbledore very quietly.
"No, you don't," said Harry, and his voice was suddenly loud and strong. White-hot anger leapt inside him. Dumbledore knew nothing about his feelings.
"You see, Dumbledore?" said Phineas Nigellus slyly. "Never try to understand the students. They hate it. They would much rather be tragically misunderstood, wallow in self-pity, stew in their own - "
"That's enough, Phineas," said Dumbledore.
For some reason, I just really liked Phineas this time around . . .
(below added 5.26.17)
The Deathly Hallows, page 697:
"Every second he breathed, the smell of the grass, the cool air on his face, was so precious: To think that people had years and years, time to waste, so much time it dragged, and he was clinging to each second." Yes. Life is precious and can be gone so quickly.
(adding again - 11.14.17)
From Sorcerer's Stone:
“To the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure.” - Dumbledore to Harry when they talk about the stone's destruction and what that will mean for Nicholas Flamel and his wife.
My State of Mind Lately
Random scraps of paper that I've jotted over the last few weeks tell a tale of sorts . . .
"I am sound and fury signifying nothing. Absolutely nothing."
"I feel the urge to write poetry for the first time in over 35 years. I should do that."
"Mortality. What if Louie or I die before Lou does?"
"I am sound and fury signifying nothing. Absolutely nothing."
"I feel the urge to write poetry for the first time in over 35 years. I should do that."
"Mortality. What if Louie or I die before Lou does?"
Friday, March 31, 2017
Canadian Relatives - Gertrude
Rather than start an entirely new blog, I'll just make entries periodically in this one about my dad and his family. He's already been dead for more than a year . . . and I don't want to lose stories and details too much.
His sister Gertrude passed away on 28 January 2017. She had been in poor health and I'm super glad he got to go see her the summer of 2015 or 2014. Tom took him to Canada and that was my dad's last time seeing his two remaining siblings - Therese and Gertrude. His little sister Therese died, then my dad, and now Gertrude. They were the last of that generation in our immediate Somers family.
My cousin Monique called to tell me about it. (I have more than one cousin named Monique! It was Therese's daughter.) The funeral was on February 25 in Quebec City. Gertrude was cremated. Ann sent flowers on behalf of the four of us kids.
Monique (in addition to losing her own mom recently) said that her husband Denis had hip surgery in July. He had some cardiac issues during the surgery and ended up spending fifty days in the hospital! Then in early February, he went in for a right shoulder replacement.
My goodness, this aging stuff isn't fun. As Louie and I adjust to some of the challenges and aches of getting older, I realize that I really need to take better care of myself! Life is far too short.
His sister Gertrude passed away on 28 January 2017. She had been in poor health and I'm super glad he got to go see her the summer of 2015 or 2014. Tom took him to Canada and that was my dad's last time seeing his two remaining siblings - Therese and Gertrude. His little sister Therese died, then my dad, and now Gertrude. They were the last of that generation in our immediate Somers family.
My cousin Monique called to tell me about it. (I have more than one cousin named Monique! It was Therese's daughter.) The funeral was on February 25 in Quebec City. Gertrude was cremated. Ann sent flowers on behalf of the four of us kids.
Monique (in addition to losing her own mom recently) said that her husband Denis had hip surgery in July. He had some cardiac issues during the surgery and ended up spending fifty days in the hospital! Then in early February, he went in for a right shoulder replacement.
My goodness, this aging stuff isn't fun. As Louie and I adjust to some of the challenges and aches of getting older, I realize that I really need to take better care of myself! Life is far too short.
Thursday, March 30, 2017
YouTube and Middle Schoolers
Here's another get-rid-of-a-scrap-of-paper entry:
Students often recommend YouTube videos to me. Sometimes I'm pleasantly surprised! Other times, I think, "Kids actually spend time watching other kids play MineCraft??!?!" Then there are times I just think, "Boy, am I oooooooold!"
Charlie the Unicorn is strange. I might have enjoyed it as a sassy pre-teen. Charlie's stoic attitude and the urban legend tweak are mildly amusing . . . but I really don't get the appeal. And yet I have students who can quote from it. Hmmm.
Unbelievable Dub Step Dance Crew . . . it's interesting to watch the way a person can move his body so dramatically, but the music is enough to make me leave!
Yep. I'm old. I'll take Tom and Jerry and Fred Astaire.
Students often recommend YouTube videos to me. Sometimes I'm pleasantly surprised! Other times, I think, "Kids actually spend time watching other kids play MineCraft??!?!" Then there are times I just think, "Boy, am I oooooooold!"
Charlie the Unicorn is strange. I might have enjoyed it as a sassy pre-teen. Charlie's stoic attitude and the urban legend tweak are mildly amusing . . . but I really don't get the appeal. And yet I have students who can quote from it. Hmmm.
Unbelievable Dub Step Dance Crew . . . it's interesting to watch the way a person can move his body so dramatically, but the music is enough to make me leave!
Yep. I'm old. I'll take Tom and Jerry and Fred Astaire.
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Tiaras!
Okay, this is about more than just tiaras . . . I'm getting rid of another scrap of paper, but it has a story attached. This may be my legacy - random stories about random scraps of paper in my life.
Approximately a decade ago, I went to this Theatrical Costume Company www.theatricalcostumeco.com/ to buy a deerstalker (Sherlock Holmes style hat) for my nephew Luke. His birthday is in early December and this is something he really wanted. As the clerk went into the back storage area to find the hat, I waited in the front and looked at the display case of tiaras.
War began.
"Ooh! That's beautiful!"
"No. I'm just here to get Luke's birthday present."
"I've wanted a tiara for a long time."
"No. Christmas is coming up and I'll be spending plenty of money. Now is not the time to buy something for myself."
"I rarely ever buy something for myself. I really want that tiara."
And so the war waged on . . . and by the time the clerk returned with the deerstalker, I "had" to have the tiara.
Sometimes these stories end up with a "that was dumb. It's just a thing. It wasn't worth the money." HOWEVER, in this case, I can say that I really enjoy my tiara. I wear it a few times a year and always love how beautiful I feel when I wear it. In fact, I should probably wear it more often! It's lovely and I'm really glad that I treated myself to it.
This website is *not* well-designed or maintained, however I included the link since it has the pertinent info. The company is still in business and is still the source of the nicest tiaras I've seen for under $100. (I was appalled when I shopped with Louise at Crafts Direct . . . the high prices and less beautiful tiaras made me a firm fan of Theatrical Costume Company.) Besides, theater and costumes are a huge part of my life.
War began.
"Ooh! That's beautiful!"
"No. I'm just here to get Luke's birthday present."
"I've wanted a tiara for a long time."
"No. Christmas is coming up and I'll be spending plenty of money. Now is not the time to buy something for myself."
"I rarely ever buy something for myself. I really want that tiara."
And so the war waged on . . . and by the time the clerk returned with the deerstalker, I "had" to have the tiara.
Sometimes these stories end up with a "that was dumb. It's just a thing. It wasn't worth the money." HOWEVER, in this case, I can say that I really enjoy my tiara. I wear it a few times a year and always love how beautiful I feel when I wear it. In fact, I should probably wear it more often! It's lovely and I'm really glad that I treated myself to it.
This website is *not* well-designed or maintained, however I included the link since it has the pertinent info. The company is still in business and is still the source of the nicest tiaras I've seen for under $100. (I was appalled when I shopped with Louise at Crafts Direct . . . the high prices and less beautiful tiaras made me a firm fan of Theatrical Costume Company.) Besides, theater and costumes are a huge part of my life.
Tuesday, March 28, 2017
Ice cream machine rental
As I was clearing out more old scraps of paper, I had to blog about this one before chucking it. In May 2014, I rented a soft serve ice cream machine and bought the soft serve mix. It cost $250, but was so worth it! I got it for Alex's college graduation party (along with a keg of root beer) and we all had fun making root beer floats! It was a wonderful party with lots of friends. It was sad, too, as my mom died soon after. In any case, seeing the receipt made me smile. We had a lot of fun, even though it was an unnecessary expense. Louie thought I was going overboard, but I'd do it again!
CaterRent Food Service Equipment Rental and Sales
260 24th Avenue North
Mpls MN 55411
612.588.1188
CaterRent Food Service Equipment Rental and Sales
260 24th Avenue North
Mpls MN 55411
612.588.1188
Sunday, January 1, 2017
One Thing? (Focus on the Positive #10)
Well. Time does have a way of slipping by.
Here's what's been on the white board for the past month-plus of my life:
We got the railing done (for his dad), but Louie wasn't super happy to spend the Saturday after Thanksgiving putting it up in the drizzle. Now it's done! It has been a help to Lou.
I'm still pulling stuff together for the fiduciary accounting, but may just wait until the 1099s are mailed . . .
I did what I had to do for Block of the Month, but never finished the January block (Kathie's design) and the February block was too big . . . and I should get up to my studio and make the March one! In any case, my favorite sewing thing this past month was making Angela's Christmas stocking. I really like how it turned out!
I go through phases in my focusing on the positives in life. I'm trying to stay prayerful and praise-focused. There is so much to be thankful for! Truly, just "making it" to Thanksgiving break was huge. Then getting to Christmas break. But here it is, January 1st, and there is so much I want to do still!
I have lots of to-do lists and goals . . . and I've done my official goal-setting for 2017. (Perhaps in another blog entry, I'll share that process.) For my "One Thing" and positive focus, I'll be using a plan my sister Louise came up with. It's called the Friends and Family Fun Encouragement Experiment (aka Triple F and Double E).
I'll blog separately (and weekly?) about that!
Here's what's been on the white board for the past month-plus of my life:
We got the railing done (for his dad), but Louie wasn't super happy to spend the Saturday after Thanksgiving putting it up in the drizzle. Now it's done! It has been a help to Lou.
I'm still pulling stuff together for the fiduciary accounting, but may just wait until the 1099s are mailed . . .
I did what I had to do for Block of the Month, but never finished the January block (Kathie's design) and the February block was too big . . . and I should get up to my studio and make the March one! In any case, my favorite sewing thing this past month was making Angela's Christmas stocking. I really like how it turned out!
I go through phases in my focusing on the positives in life. I'm trying to stay prayerful and praise-focused. There is so much to be thankful for! Truly, just "making it" to Thanksgiving break was huge. Then getting to Christmas break. But here it is, January 1st, and there is so much I want to do still!
I have lots of to-do lists and goals . . . and I've done my official goal-setting for 2017. (Perhaps in another blog entry, I'll share that process.) For my "One Thing" and positive focus, I'll be using a plan my sister Louise came up with. It's called the Friends and Family Fun Encouragement Experiment (aka Triple F and Double E).
I'll blog separately (and weekly?) about that!
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