Friday, April 8, 2011
G is for Garden -- Day 7 of the "A to Z Blogging Challenge"
This is a very short blog entry, but there is a followup in a new blog I'm setting up. I'm starting on a new project that will either be highly successful or provide me with a humility lesson. I'm going to try to grow a vegetable garden this summer. To this end I am starting a new blog called "Giving Gardening a Go." Hopefully it will be a summer-long chronicle of putting in a garden as cheaply as possible. The link to the new blog is http://tinyurl.com/6hrppff
Thursday, April 7, 2011
F is for Family -- Day 6 of the "A to Z Blogging Challenge"
This one is a no-brainer. Most of my blogs have something to do with my family -- what they have done, what they should do, what I want from them, etc.... I know I have a bio related to this blog, but I'll tell you a little more about myself here.
I am the mother of 5, grandmother of 18, and great-grandmother of 1. These numbers will soon go up, as my eldest is planning to marry someone with 4 kids and one grandkid. I also have a number of "courtesy" kids and grandkids, as well as might-as-well-be's. Realistically I guess I'm something of an earth-mother type. I refer to my four sons collectively as "the borg" -- pun intended for the Star Trek fans among you. I am one of five kids myself, the flip-side of my kids. My parents had 4 girls and one boy, allthough two of my sisters are deceased, one due to illness and one due to accident. I already have a piece written about the latter for the appropriate day.
Before I became a mother and then subsequently a grandmother, I was everyone's aunt. This was partly because I was an aunt from the age of three. I've always been around kids in some manner. Some of my earliest memories are of sitting in a room with one or more of my sisters tending to my nieces and nephews. As I got older I became the designated babysitter, as well.
Despite all of this I don't consider myself to be an expert on children or childrearing. Each child is a new and unique experience. The ony thing I would say unequivocably is that kids are exponential. Two kids are twice as much trouble as one, three are twice as much trouble as two, four are twice as much trouble as three, and so on.
I am the mother of 5, grandmother of 18, and great-grandmother of 1. These numbers will soon go up, as my eldest is planning to marry someone with 4 kids and one grandkid. I also have a number of "courtesy" kids and grandkids, as well as might-as-well-be's. Realistically I guess I'm something of an earth-mother type. I refer to my four sons collectively as "the borg" -- pun intended for the Star Trek fans among you. I am one of five kids myself, the flip-side of my kids. My parents had 4 girls and one boy, allthough two of my sisters are deceased, one due to illness and one due to accident. I already have a piece written about the latter for the appropriate day.
Before I became a mother and then subsequently a grandmother, I was everyone's aunt. This was partly because I was an aunt from the age of three. I've always been around kids in some manner. Some of my earliest memories are of sitting in a room with one or more of my sisters tending to my nieces and nephews. As I got older I became the designated babysitter, as well.
Despite all of this I don't consider myself to be an expert on children or childrearing. Each child is a new and unique experience. The ony thing I would say unequivocably is that kids are exponential. Two kids are twice as much trouble as one, three are twice as much trouble as two, four are twice as much trouble as three, and so on.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
E is for Ego-- Day 5 of the "A to Z Blogging Challenge"
Now I'm going to go hide until the smoke clears from this one.Hey. Can I borrow a cup of ego? I could sure use some. I've been running a bit low lately. That's not to say that I don't have any ego. I just don't have as much as some people I know, most of them male. Oops! Did that come off as being misandrist? (That's your word for the day, class. Its the opposite of misogynist. Yes, I had to look it up.) Anyway, I didn't mean it in a bad way. Every woman should have at least one at her disposal -- you know, for carrying out the trash and fixing the car. Oh, and to bring home an extra paycheck so she can afford to give him little gifts like hand tools and lawnmowers when he is good. Not too much, though. Wouldn't want to spoil the little man.
Monday, April 4, 2011
D is for Daddy -- Day 4 of the "A to Z Blogging Challenge"
Daddy is 94 now. It boggles my mind to even thik of him being that old. Enough so that I've started asking him to tell me stories about his life, in hopes that I can chronicle some of them for the rest of the family. Anyone who knows my father can attest that getting him talking is easy. Its keeping up with what he's saying that's difficult. Given the opportunity he'd argue with a fencepost... and win!
Daddy's favorite topics are politics, unions, religion, and "rasslin'."
Daddy can talk about politics and unions 'till the cows come home. He's a die-hard democrat and makes sure everyone around knows why. I know that this is partly because of the unions's support of the democratic party. He was a member of the Iron Workers' Union for many, many years. I used to doubt that Daddy was strong or brave, until I realized that he walked on those narrow I-beams high off the ground on a daily basis. I have to admit I agree with Daddy on some things but, instead of being a die-hard Dem like him, I'm a die-hard "don't tie me to any one party" person. I won't even call myself independent or undecided, because those are just pigeonhole. As I said, part of Daddy's Democratic ties are because of the unions. To him they are irrevokably tied together in a neat little package,so his talk of politics and unions tend to be one and the same..
Daddy's next obsession, though probably not less of one than politics and unions, is religion. Daddy is Southern Baptist down to the roots of what little hair he has left on his head. Actually, I come from a family of highly religious people but, as usual, I'm the rebel. Well, I'm one of them. Some of my earliest memories are of the old Calvary Baptist church in my home town, complete with Sunday School every week and old-time tent revivals. You'd think with this upbringing I'd be religious, but I'm not. My break with established religion started when I realized that the kids in my Sunday School class picked on me because I wasn't as afflent as they were. Now I tell people I'm an equal opportunity blasphemer. You name a religion and I'll find something about it that just isn't right.
And on to Daddy's third obsession, "rasslin." That's wrestling to the rest of the world. As a kid I thought everyone watched every wrestling match that was televised. I never LIKED it much, but I watched it because I didn't have much choice. Those were the days before video games, a TV set in every room, and instant entertainment at one's fingertips. I even vaguely remember Daddy taking me to a real live wrestling match in our little town. I don't remember much about it except the crowds and the yelling. Maybe that's why to this day I dislike large crowds. Anyway, nowadays Daddy watches rasslin' any time its on TV. He doesn't care if its broadcast in English, Spanish, or any other language since he's as deaf as a doorpost. He just loves his rasslin'.
When someone expresses concern about Daddy's health going downhill I point out that until he stops arguing and talking about the things that are important to him, I figure he's going strong. Even though I disagree with him on many matters I hope to hear him talk about politics, unions, religion, and rasslin' for a long time to come.
Daddy's favorite topics are politics, unions, religion, and "rasslin'."
Daddy can talk about politics and unions 'till the cows come home. He's a die-hard democrat and makes sure everyone around knows why. I know that this is partly because of the unions's support of the democratic party. He was a member of the Iron Workers' Union for many, many years. I used to doubt that Daddy was strong or brave, until I realized that he walked on those narrow I-beams high off the ground on a daily basis. I have to admit I agree with Daddy on some things but, instead of being a die-hard Dem like him, I'm a die-hard "don't tie me to any one party" person. I won't even call myself independent or undecided, because those are just pigeonhole. As I said, part of Daddy's Democratic ties are because of the unions. To him they are irrevokably tied together in a neat little package,so his talk of politics and unions tend to be one and the same..
Daddy's next obsession, though probably not less of one than politics and unions, is religion. Daddy is Southern Baptist down to the roots of what little hair he has left on his head. Actually, I come from a family of highly religious people but, as usual, I'm the rebel. Well, I'm one of them. Some of my earliest memories are of the old Calvary Baptist church in my home town, complete with Sunday School every week and old-time tent revivals. You'd think with this upbringing I'd be religious, but I'm not. My break with established religion started when I realized that the kids in my Sunday School class picked on me because I wasn't as afflent as they were. Now I tell people I'm an equal opportunity blasphemer. You name a religion and I'll find something about it that just isn't right.
And on to Daddy's third obsession, "rasslin." That's wrestling to the rest of the world. As a kid I thought everyone watched every wrestling match that was televised. I never LIKED it much, but I watched it because I didn't have much choice. Those were the days before video games, a TV set in every room, and instant entertainment at one's fingertips. I even vaguely remember Daddy taking me to a real live wrestling match in our little town. I don't remember much about it except the crowds and the yelling. Maybe that's why to this day I dislike large crowds. Anyway, nowadays Daddy watches rasslin' any time its on TV. He doesn't care if its broadcast in English, Spanish, or any other language since he's as deaf as a doorpost. He just loves his rasslin'.
When someone expresses concern about Daddy's health going downhill I point out that until he stops arguing and talking about the things that are important to him, I figure he's going strong. Even though I disagree with him on many matters I hope to hear him talk about politics, unions, religion, and rasslin' for a long time to come.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
C is for Coparenting -- Day 3 of the "A to Z Blogging Challenge"
I can't count the number of kids I know whose separated or divorced parents use them as pawns to hurt each other. This is worse than the divorce itself on many kids because they are put in a position of acting as the go-between or feeling as if, by loving one parent, they are being disloyal to the other. There is another way, though. It is called coparenting.
I first learned about coparenting from the best mother I know, my daughter. She has two daughters and one son by two different ex-husbands and somehow works with most of the other parties involved to create a loving, secure family for not only her own three children but their assorted half and step siblings. Not only that, her best friend and her two children have been integrated as part of this extended, or chosen, family. This makes nine children who, between them have four "moms" and two "dads" to turn to. While the fathers don't socialize much with each other, the mothers have all become good friends and frequently "hang out" with each other.
The players in this little drama are:
The Adults:
A = My daughter
B = My daughter's ex-husband number 1, the father of her two daughters -- out of the picture
C = My daughter's ex-husband number 2, the father of her son (his second).
D = My daughter's ex-husband number 2's first wife, mother of his first son
E = My daughter's ex-husband number 2's first wife's current husband, father of their daughter
F = My daughter's ex-husband number 2's current wife. Mother to his two step children.
G = My daughter's best friend, mother to the two "extras" in the mix.
The Children:
1 = A&B's daughter (17).
2 = A&B's daughter (15).
3 = A&C's son (14).
4 = C&D's son (15), half brother of 3 and stepbrother of 1 and 2.
5 = D&E's daughter (8), half sister of 4.
6 = F's Daughter (10), C's stepdaughter. Stepsister to 3.
7 = F's Son (6), C's stepson. Stepbrother to 3.
8 = G's daughter (11) -- chosen family.
9 = G's son (9)-- chosen family.
Naturally, there are conflicts at times between parenting styles but with a little bit of communication they are ironed out. At any given point any of these nine children can call on any of the six adults for help, advice, sympathy, etc . . . . They know that what they say will be held in confidence unless it is not in their best interest to do so. These kids are also allowed to stay at any of the parents' homes as long as the primary parent okays it. It is not uncommon for all 9 of them to spend a weekend together with one or more of the parents. This way all the adults get the occasional break.
I know it all seems complicated, but the best thing about it is that all the children involved feel accepted and loved no matter what they do or which home they are in. I know that coparenting won't work for everyone, and and is rarely carried to the extreme extended family situation my daughter and her children enjoy, but I honestly think that all divorced parents, should work together more.
The most useful sites I have found that explain coparenting are listed below. They give resources and information and there is even a site where you can sign up for an online coparenting class.
http://www.coparenting.com/
http://www.coparenting101.org/
http://www.wikihow.com/Co-Parent-with-an-Uncooperative-Ex-Spouse
There are many other good sources on coparenting online. All you have to do is look.
http://www.collaborativecoparenting.com
I first learned about coparenting from the best mother I know, my daughter. She has two daughters and one son by two different ex-husbands and somehow works with most of the other parties involved to create a loving, secure family for not only her own three children but their assorted half and step siblings. Not only that, her best friend and her two children have been integrated as part of this extended, or chosen, family. This makes nine children who, between them have four "moms" and two "dads" to turn to. While the fathers don't socialize much with each other, the mothers have all become good friends and frequently "hang out" with each other.
The players in this little drama are:
The Adults:
A = My daughter
B = My daughter's ex-husband number 1, the father of her two daughters -- out of the picture
C = My daughter's ex-husband number 2, the father of her son (his second).
D = My daughter's ex-husband number 2's first wife, mother of his first son
E = My daughter's ex-husband number 2's first wife's current husband, father of their daughter
F = My daughter's ex-husband number 2's current wife. Mother to his two step children.
G = My daughter's best friend, mother to the two "extras" in the mix.
The Children:
1 = A&B's daughter (17).
2 = A&B's daughter (15).
3 = A&C's son (14).
4 = C&D's son (15), half brother of 3 and stepbrother of 1 and 2.
5 = D&E's daughter (8), half sister of 4.
6 = F's Daughter (10), C's stepdaughter. Stepsister to 3.
7 = F's Son (6), C's stepson. Stepbrother to 3.
8 = G's daughter (11) -- chosen family.
9 = G's son (9)-- chosen family.
Naturally, there are conflicts at times between parenting styles but with a little bit of communication they are ironed out. At any given point any of these nine children can call on any of the six adults for help, advice, sympathy, etc . . . . They know that what they say will be held in confidence unless it is not in their best interest to do so. These kids are also allowed to stay at any of the parents' homes as long as the primary parent okays it. It is not uncommon for all 9 of them to spend a weekend together with one or more of the parents. This way all the adults get the occasional break.
I know it all seems complicated, but the best thing about it is that all the children involved feel accepted and loved no matter what they do or which home they are in. I know that coparenting won't work for everyone, and and is rarely carried to the extreme extended family situation my daughter and her children enjoy, but I honestly think that all divorced parents, should work together more.
The most useful sites I have found that explain coparenting are listed below. They give resources and information and there is even a site where you can sign up for an online coparenting class.
http://www.coparenting.com/
http://www.coparenting101.org/
http://www.wikihow.com/Co-Parent-with-an-Uncooperative-Ex-Spouse
There are many other good sources on coparenting online. All you have to do is look.
http://www.collaborativecoparenting.com
Saturday, April 2, 2011
B is for Books -- Day 2 of the "A to Z Blogging Challenge."
Books have always been my best friends, my closest ties to the world. I learned most of what I know about the world from books. Unfortunately, they are also a big part of the reason I don't write more. Then again there are those who say that the best writers are people who love to read.
My obsession with books is so bad (or good?) that, if I realize I have left the house without a book or two I will go back home to get one, even if I'm only going to be gone for a few minutes. Once my husband and I were going away for the weekend and when I discovered my lack of books I made him stop at the first store we came across to BUY a book even though they only had magazines (that I had either read before or I didn't like), and puzzle books. I walked away with a couple of puzzle books even though I really wanted something to read.
I've always admired writers. My earliest aspirations were to be a published author. I still pursue writing in my own way, although it has now moved to the web. I haven't made much at freelance online writing yet, but just seeing the number of views my lists, blogs, and articles get gives me a warm feeling. Not that my numbers are stellar yet, but one can only hope.
In case there are any remaining doubts about my obsession with books, I have created the list, "The Top Five Places to Find Cheap Books," on the List My Five website:
http://tinyurl.com/5trqeb4
Well, that's about all I have to say right now on the topic of books. I think I'll go read.
My obsession with books is so bad (or good?) that, if I realize I have left the house without a book or two I will go back home to get one, even if I'm only going to be gone for a few minutes. Once my husband and I were going away for the weekend and when I discovered my lack of books I made him stop at the first store we came across to BUY a book even though they only had magazines (that I had either read before or I didn't like), and puzzle books. I walked away with a couple of puzzle books even though I really wanted something to read.
I've always admired writers. My earliest aspirations were to be a published author. I still pursue writing in my own way, although it has now moved to the web. I haven't made much at freelance online writing yet, but just seeing the number of views my lists, blogs, and articles get gives me a warm feeling. Not that my numbers are stellar yet, but one can only hope.
In case there are any remaining doubts about my obsession with books, I have created the list, "The Top Five Places to Find Cheap Books," on the List My Five website:
http://tinyurl.com/5trqeb4
Well, that's about all I have to say right now on the topic of books. I think I'll go read.
Friday, April 1, 2011
A is for ASL
Welcome to my first entry in the "A to Z Blogging Challenge."
A is for ASL
Background: ASL as a Language
ASL, or American Sign Language, is the most commonly accepted form of communication for deaf and hard of hearing Americans. In fact, many high schools and colleges now offer ASL as a foreign language option. According to www.signmedia.com, "American Sign Language... meets all of the requirements for human languages - it is a rule-governed, grammatical symbol system that changes over time and that members of a community share."
Learning to Sign: Reasons and Resources
Even if you are not hard of hearing yourself and don't know anyone who is, it is good to know a little ASL. After all, who among us has never lost his/her voice and had to find alternative methods of communicating? Yes, a pencil and paper are a good way, but ASL is quicker if both parties know how to sign. At very least the sign language alphabet can enable you to communicate with anyone who knows it. I, for one, tend to forget my ASL when in a position where I must use it to communicate with someone who is hearing impaired. In fact, the only time I am actually fluent in ASL is when I'm in a bar with a friend who also knows ASL, I've had a couple of drinks, and the bar is noisy. This tells me that I know ASL, but I'm not confident with my knowledge. I'm working on fixing that.
Since I'm currently going through one of my semi-annual bouts of laryngitis, which have been known to last for 12 weeks or more, I figured this was the time to brush up on my ASL and force.....er..... encourage my family to learn some. Since ASL is very difficult to learn from pictures in a book, I went looking online for ASL sites. The first site I hit upon, ASLPro (www.aslpro.com), turned out to be an excellent resource. It has extensive word lists, ASL idioms, a quiz feature, and even an ASL for Babies section.
For anyone who hasn't heard about Signing for Babies, its an awesome way to teach your young child to communicate before they can speak. Since babies are hard-wired for learning, and especially for learning language skills, ASL works wonderfully. I wish I had thought of it with my own kids. I'd rather my little one be able to express his needs than having to resort to the "why am I crying" guessing game.
Speaking of teaching very young children to sign, look at a site named "Signing Time." There are DVD's books flash cards, and many other products available at the Signing Time website (www.signingtimecom). Also, episodes of the Signing Time show is aired regularly on many PBS stations. It's a good way to learn to sign along with your little one.
Conclusion
I hope you have found something in this that piques your interest in learning American Sign Language.
At very least, the infamous American middle-finger salute (aka "giving them the finger") is not ASL. I can curse at you in many ways in true ASL, but that is not one of them.
Resources
www.alspro.com
www.signingtime.com
www.signmedia.com
A is for ASL
Background: ASL as a Language
ASL, or American Sign Language, is the most commonly accepted form of communication for deaf and hard of hearing Americans. In fact, many high schools and colleges now offer ASL as a foreign language option. According to www.signmedia.com, "American Sign Language... meets all of the requirements for human languages - it is a rule-governed, grammatical symbol system that changes over time and that members of a community share."
Learning to Sign: Reasons and Resources
Even if you are not hard of hearing yourself and don't know anyone who is, it is good to know a little ASL. After all, who among us has never lost his/her voice and had to find alternative methods of communicating? Yes, a pencil and paper are a good way, but ASL is quicker if both parties know how to sign. At very least the sign language alphabet can enable you to communicate with anyone who knows it. I, for one, tend to forget my ASL when in a position where I must use it to communicate with someone who is hearing impaired. In fact, the only time I am actually fluent in ASL is when I'm in a bar with a friend who also knows ASL, I've had a couple of drinks, and the bar is noisy. This tells me that I know ASL, but I'm not confident with my knowledge. I'm working on fixing that.
Since I'm currently going through one of my semi-annual bouts of laryngitis, which have been known to last for 12 weeks or more, I figured this was the time to brush up on my ASL and force.....er..... encourage my family to learn some. Since ASL is very difficult to learn from pictures in a book, I went looking online for ASL sites. The first site I hit upon, ASLPro (www.aslpro.com), turned out to be an excellent resource. It has extensive word lists, ASL idioms, a quiz feature, and even an ASL for Babies section.
For anyone who hasn't heard about Signing for Babies, its an awesome way to teach your young child to communicate before they can speak. Since babies are hard-wired for learning, and especially for learning language skills, ASL works wonderfully. I wish I had thought of it with my own kids. I'd rather my little one be able to express his needs than having to resort to the "why am I crying" guessing game.
Speaking of teaching very young children to sign, look at a site named "Signing Time." There are DVD's books flash cards, and many other products available at the Signing Time website (www.signingtimecom). Also, episodes of the Signing Time show is aired regularly on many PBS stations. It's a good way to learn to sign along with your little one.
Conclusion
I hope you have found something in this that piques your interest in learning American Sign Language.
At very least, the infamous American middle-finger salute (aka "giving them the finger") is not ASL. I can curse at you in many ways in true ASL, but that is not one of them.
Resources
www.alspro.com
www.signingtime.com
www.signmedia.com
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