On Thinking

So I'm reading a book, a parenting book. The author's premise is that we are nervous mothers as a rule because of modern psychology. It is an interesting read, John Rosemond's A Family of Value.

But that isn't what I want to start here (a debate about child-rearing, don't think so). My question for this Tuesday is. . . (drum roll)

Do you think we (as women with vast informational resources at our very finger tips) think too much about our lives?

It is something Rosemond brings up. That essentially our lives are made more difficult by the amount of expert-written material we have available because it makes us think too much about what we are doing. Thereby making us all wonder constantly if we are good wives and good mothers and good neighbors and, well, the list goes on.

What is your take?

Word Association!

I'm going to list a word, and someone else should say the first word that comes to their mind! Then, the next person will use the person above's word to write the first word that comes to their mind! Am I making sense? So, I'll say blah, and you read "blah" and think "blee" and then the next person reads your "blee" and writes "bloop!" (example, don't do that for real!)

Tell others to come on and contribute! I can not go on Facebook right now, but someone can! So to make this fun, please tell more people to come on today :-)

Ok here goes! My word is...

Bubbles

Question!

The other day I was in WalMart waiting in line for the Pharmacy. My cart was in the way for an elderly lady who was wanting to look at some thermometers, and so I offered to move. She suggested that I reach one for her instead, and she based her choice on the price she could see from where she was. Our conversation went something like this:

Lady: "Hand me that pink one that costs $7, would you?"

Me: (in a fun but ornery voice) "Ma'am, I could get that one for you, but it's an ovulation charting thermometer... are you charting your basal temperature?"

Lady: "Ha ha, wouldn't that be something?"

Me: "Well, I don't want to be assumptive... maybe you're wanting to start a family!"

Lady: "Wow, could you imagine, and 85 year old woman? I could make money from that! How about that blue one over there?"

I went out on a limb to joke with this stranger, but she just seemed like the type who had a sense of humor. I'm glad I ran with it as we both had a chuckle and left each other smiling.

Have you had any fun/silly/interesting/bonding/ embarrassing or otherwise notable conversations with a stranger lately? If so, tell us what you said!

Laundry Question Tuesday

With all the sunshine lately and thoughts of warmth and spring, I am waiting to get to one of my favorite laundry chores--hanging the clothes on the line. We have a clothes line on our deck (which we take down for events) and after the load washes out we all go. The sun and the air do wonders for the clothes. I love the smell!

What is your favorite part of this household chore? Are you a drier-drier or a hanging-drier?

Question Tuesday

Simon walks over carrying a book.

Book. Book. He says as he bangs it off my knee.

I've read them a hundred times before. Abigail has them memorized. I love the feel of little bodies curled up next to me learning to love words. Watching them sit with a book telling the stories over to themselves.

Abigail and I are working on phonics. She reminds me often that she can't read, implying that she needs to learn. Soon she will have the stories at her fingertips.

I'm a reading mom.

What's your favorite book and where do you read?

Question Tuesday!

After Joy's post yesterday, I was thinking about all of the times I have felt the Lord come along side of me and involve Himself with me at a time I really needed to know He was there. I would love to hear of a time you really felt the Lord come along side of you? Is there a specific incident where you can remember and encourage others by telling of that time?

Boys in Carts

Yesterday we went grocery shopping. There are many reasons I do not like grocery shopping, but probably the main reason is my "Toothless Wonder." He wiggles and wobbles. He drops the toys, the food, the drink out of the cart. He shimmies right out of the belt no matter how much I tighten it. He pulls his sister's hair and shouts for attention. His presence makes grocery shopping hard!

So my question on this Tuesday. . .

How do you keep your children and yourself happy while grocery shopping?

I feel the need to add that I do remove the items pitched from the cart from his possession only to then encourage the shimmying! It seems that each consequence I apply creates a new problem. Ideas please.

Question Tuesday!

Ok, Ladies! I'm remembering my dad long ago (and frequently) telling me "Nobody ever said that life was going to be fair". While I hated that, it did give me a re-direction from the tendency I had to feel entitled to whatever it was I was feeling entitled to at the time. This quote doesn't give my answer to the question, but it does resonate in my mind a lot as I go though life because he was sooo right!

So we're wondering today, What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given? It doesn't have to be about parenting, but it can be!