You people have totally worn me out! LOL I've been reading all kinds of new blogs and gaining such good perspective from so many different backgrounds.
This is just a quick note to say thanks to all of you who have prayed, encouraged and given insight into your lives and views in the post below. It obviously struck a common chord and I feel revived to know we are not alone. Regardless of our religious backgrounds, styles or preferences, it's good to know God is moving and will not be stifled or boxed into mankind's narrow understanding of who He is!
On another note, we've been working ferociously on my oldest son's 4-H projects for Achievement Day on Saturday. He chose the "My Pyramid" poster to work on and we made an adorable book idea from the Ultimate Lapbook that we got with our Jr. version of the easy French along with FREE print outs and pics from the mypyramid.gov website and lesson plans. It's an easy to follow program, has an online game for the kids, lots of posters and worksheets, and did I mention FREE? I'll post some pics as soon as they are done with the judging.
Well, this is likely my last day in the sun of "featured blogger." I had planned to post everyday, but ya'll kept giving me props (and that 4-H project sucked the time away)!
Have a blessed day. I'll try to post this weekend, but we're heading to my dh's grandparents 60th wedding anniversary tomorrow following the 4-H thing and won't return til Sunday.
You all make my days truly bright. You'll never know the heart warmth I get from seeing the numbers of replies go up daily! Thanks again.
Melanie
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When I grew up, my family was at church any time the doors were opened. We were the first to arrive to make coffee, the last to leave after washing communion supplies.
If a missionary family visited, they usually ate lunch with us and often stayed with us. Occasionally their children would be with them, and we would play like long lost friends until the sun went down, and the stories drew us in to the kitchen table. I spent untold hours listening to the stories of miracles and provisions of God from strange and remote mission fields. The children were always welcome to sit and listen and learn. The heritage was too important for us to be shooed away while the adults discussed the greatness of God.
I never questioned the authority of Scripture. The pagans, Muslims and Buddhists to whom these missionaries were witnessing served gods I had never heard of, yet I knew we served the one true God, the I AM. I loved God and feared Him with a respectful awe.
The stories of martyrdom made me tingle with excitement and I knew I would gladly lay down my life for my Lord. I longed to serve Him whole-heartedly.
The other day my oldest daughter asked me a question. "How do we know we are serving the right god? There are so many out there, how do we know we chose the right one?"
She is about the age I was when our family moved to Brussels, Belgium courtesy of the Air Force. Our lives revolved around the tiny gathering of people who met in an office building, then a renovated orphanage we bought for a church building - complete with "pee pots" we cleaned out so that we could have a Sunday School area. (I understand it is a large and thriving church today.) It was truly a "New Testament" church. Everyone gave whatever they had to further the gospel. We met as believers all day Sunday and Wednesday nights - complete with family pot-luck meals and naps in cubicles as the trip home would be too costly and time-consuming to return for the evening service. We understood our role was to witness during the week and ask the new believers to join us on Sunday. It was a Bible-preaching, non-seeker oriented gathering where freedom to worship was a vital part of who we were.
This past Sunday we visited an Assembly of God church, after having been at our home church since January, and Baptist churches for the past 7 years prior to that. The kids were shocked, and a bit giggly, at the public display of worship - hands raised, a few dancing women up front and center, and one with a white hankie (not sure of the scriptural application for that one).
I hadn't really thought of it, but my kids don't remember being in a "pentecostal" environment like what I was raised in. They haven't heard the missionary stories, as the churches we attended rarely had a missionary visit, and if they did, everyone skipped, including us. They haven't been in adult church as they were lured to the children's programs where more "age-appropriate" activities like puppet shows, and scripture dodge-ball were played to "teach" them about God. And I, glad for a break from my kids as I was told I deserved, heartily shooed them away from the adult's table.
They have learned about diversity and other gods from the secular Classical curriculum I started out with, yet seeing the diversity in God's Church was somehow comical to them. So now, my daughter is questioning if our God is the one true God.
Have I instilled in my children a solid understanding of who God is and why I serve Him? Would I be a martyr now? Have I forgotten my first Love? Or simply redesigned Him to fit my lifestyle?
Would my children be willing to die for Christ?
I've had a sobering week in many ways. I'm reading a book by George Barna called, "Revolution." My understanding of faith as I know it has been challenged, and I find it lacking. Am I clinging to my past views of what church "should be" or what church CAN be? (I'll post a review soon.)
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I really enjoyed Heidi's post today...check it out!
Melanie
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Both look suspicious of the other, hunh?
This next photo was supposed to be one of those "unstaged" walking along the path with the grandparents shots...guess who wanted to be carried along the path!?
Check our our family photo album for more.
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The chapters are divided as follows: Classical Education Method, Principle Approach Method, Traditional Textbook Method, Charlotte Mason Method, Unit Study Method, Special Needs Unit, Carschooling, Eclectic Method, Unschooling or Delight-Directed Studies, and Whole-Heart Learning. The Suarez's offer insight into each method in a brief synopsis before each chapter.
Homeschooling Methods could easily be a substitute for workshops in the event one starts homeschooling mid-year or doesn't live near a convention. It is a must-read for new conference attendees, as it can direct which workshops to attend and/or avoid. This book may also save a lot of time and money on curriculum that isn't the right match for a child's or family's educational style or goals.
Although veteran homeschoolers will likely gravitate to chapters outlining methods they currently use followed by those that pique their interest, I would recommend beginning with the "Whole-Heart Learning" chapter - which happens to be the last chapter. In the words of the authors:
I give this book a hearty 8-tub rating. This means it took about 8 baths for me to complete the text and re-read those chapters I found most enlightening, encouraging or requiring further research online.
(In case you're wondering: I did not receive any compensation for this review, although I did receive a complementary copy of the book from Broadman & Holman. It is merely a coincidence that I was chosen as homeschoolblogger's "featured blogger of the week" the same week I decided to complete my review. The links to amazon do not provide me with any compensation or discounts - I didn't know where else to link for a photo and point of purchase. The links to fellow homeschoolbloggers were chosen at random from those visiting my blog or that I found at random that seemed to match the method listed. Although the book is marketed by a Christian company for Christians, I do think non-Christians would also benefit from the ideas presented in many of the chapters.)
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Wow! What an honor to be chosen as the featured blogger of the week. I really didn't see this coming.
First, I'd like to thank members of the TOS Academy for choosing me; my loving and supportive family without whom this blog wouldn't be possible; the technical experts who so diligently work to keep blogdom alive and thriving...
Seriously though, thanks for stopping by and checking out my "black and white" life. As my blog title implies, I see things from a pretty non-gray perspective and call it as I see it. Sometimes I'm right, sometimes I need to be corrected! Feel free to peruse my random thoughts and send me pointers on how to make this thing really look as good as some of the veterans...like making links in the margin...adding photos...making it look more fun...
Thanks for stopping by, and may God bless you!
Melanie
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A little brown one, about 1 1/2 inches high (?). So, she is a hen.
Pilgrim and I had a little chat. I informed her that we'd need some LARGE grade A WHITE eggs. I have no idea what to do with this tiny "golden" one (as my 3 yo daughter called it).
Here's my question for you chicken keepers: do we eat it? Since we don't know how long (if ever) it has been since she may have been, shall we say, "intimate" with a rooster, is it safe to eat? How can we tell if it's fertilized or not? Will the eggs get bigger as she grows, or should I stop pressuring her to perform?
BTW: My dh is not afraid to pick her up! 
Don't ya love that emoticon! Apparently I'm not the only chick on the net chasing chickens...
We really must take her to that farmer and see if she's his, and get some of our own...with an owners manual preferably!
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Just when I get the kids to enjoy writing AND observing nature, we have to go and harbor a fugitive, witness a near double homicide in our back yard, and scrub down and don breathing masks if we plan to go outdoors. These stories you won't believe, but they're true.
Attack of the Birds Part 1:
About 4 days ago a chicken showed up in our neighbors very suburban back yard. After much discussion as to where it came from and where it should go, we inadvertantly became the proud owners of an unidentified pullet until its rightful owner steps forth.
She has a make-shift coop of precariously balanced plywood and 2 by 4's. At first she dined on yard bugs and bird seed, but now she has "real" chicken feed and a nifty waterer from the feed & seed store.
We're thinking of naming her Pilgrim. If she came from a mini-chicken farm (about a mile away) thru 2 neighborhoods and into ours, she has journeyed for freedom in vain. Our 4 kids plus the neighboring 10 or so have an unwarranted fear of her and insist on screeching and darting around frantically as she meanders around our yard. We are in the middle of completing our fence, but for now we have a chicken watch going on every 15 minutes or so to keep her from wandering too far into the 3 yards containing dogs.
At some point we'll be brave enough to catch her and take her for a ride to the little farm to see if she's theirs...but for now, we are enjoying watching her peck around.
Our school time has been consumed with poultry research, factoring costs of building a decent portable coop for 6 or fewer birds, and learning of the benefits and trials of keeping chickens. I had no idea chickens were so cheap - less than $1 for most breeds, but their facilities can be costly - over $250! We're enjoying the research, but we're not committed to keeping them in our yard quite yet.
Attack of the Birds Part 2:
Just as we were settling into our morning school routine aka poultry round-up, I noticed our male Eastern Bluebird flapping around beneath his birdhouse. Upon further investigation we discovered a European Starling was attacking, and had already forced the female out of the nest and onto the ground below.
We were able to salvage the male to a certain extent - one of his legs has been bitten off - by placing him in a plastic shoe box filled with wood shavings and some water and dried fruit and nuts.
After burying the female (she died shortly after we put her in the box), we brought the male into our house to observe while the kids went on about the business of journaling - lots of material for their writing today!
About 45 minutes into our home observation, I decided to move the water closer to his barely breathing body. His eyes were shut, so I figured he'd pass pretty quickly...
SUDDENLY the beautiful creature fluttered by my head and flapped toward our closed back door! askjd;llskjdfa;lskdjf Needless to say, I almost soiled myself. The next 30 minutes (following a prayer) involved our trying to coax him into the box so we could relocate his hospital outdoors.
Now he's resting in our flower garden and edging toward the new birdhouse my son made and placed near him on the ground. We're hopeful he'll survive, but with only one leg, will not likely be able to find shelter away from cats and snakes in our area. (Anyone have any experience with this sort of thing?) The local vet and the wildlife rescue were zero help. They just told us to wash thoroughly and avoid too much contact due to the whole avian flu thing...
So, I'm thinking this is great blog material! How's that for some homeschoolblogger fodder?
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I'm recovering from a bug of nausea, upset stomach, and all that embodies the aforementioned.
Ugh. Tomorrow I'll try to return to blogdom...
For now, I'm going back to bed ... again.
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While my dh attended a Legacy Outfitters meeting, the kids and I hung out at the local Chick-fil-A. (Doesn't everyone either eat cereal, leftovers or fast food when dh is working out of town or has a meeting?)
Honestly, I was in a funk. Spring fever is starting to kick in. Charlotte Mason would roll in her grave if she knew I made our 10 yo son do his math for over 3 hours...he kept staring out the window and/or daydreaming as the neighborhood boys rollerbladed around our driveway. (Their school had been cancelled due to an infestation of FLEAS! Yet another reason I'm glad mine are at home.) It was an obedience/compliance issue, not one of ability.
I was tired and cranky and really just needed the kids to play in the wonderful sound proof play area while I relaxed and read Homeschooling Methods for my review I'm supposed to be posting...(it'll be done by Friday...God willing!) in the usually vacant eating area.
Wouldn't you know it? Tuesday is kids night. Complete with balloons, St. Pat's Day crafts and about 40 squealing youngin's opening and closing the "soundproofing" door!
On top of all that, I ran into a couple of families we knew. Thank God I put on clean clothes and make-up before we left, so at least I looked better than I felt!
Around 7:30 the place started to clear out, and my kids were still going strong, so I decided to hang out and try to get some reading in. About 3 pages into it, a lady stops by my table and asks if we homeschool...
((((Heavy Sigh...Lord, help me be gracious))))
Come to find out, she is in her first year, feels isolated and is contemplating putting the youngest back in a Christian school for 2nd grade. After an hour and a half of talking hs styles, learning styles and hs myths...I was exhausted, but somehow not in such a bad mood.
Isn't it uncanny how God can use even the most ratty of vessels? Somehow I was able to recall scriptures that have been encouraging to me over the past 5 plus years, and give her some hope, and help, I suppose. Her husband kept smiling and nodding and saying, "See, that's what I told you" in reference to just relaxing and enjoying the process. I encouraged her to work on capturing their hearts before their heads.
She's still in the "if we can just complete this textbook by the end of the year then we'll be caught up" phase of comparing herself to a schedule that few schools actually keep.
Can you think of even one class where you covered the ENTIRE text from cover to cover? I can't. Was your favorite class textbook oriented, or more interactive and hands-on? The teachers I remember got my attention through activities and projects and trips and fun!
So, I shared a bit of a testimony (which I think was more for my benefit to get my heart back on track) and shared how we do things.
The most affirming thing that happened the whole night was when their daughter came up to them and whispered, "Dad, do you think these kids are Christians?" They apparently were acting kind to one another.
Am I blessed or what?
Thank you Lord for using my foolishness to teach me and help guide others. I don't deserve your grace or mercy, but I'm thankful. We are truly blessed beyond our worth.
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It's official. My baby boy is 2. Waaaahhhh. However...
We celebrated with a Blues Clues Party featuring Stick-the-Nose on Blue (shown), Pail, Pail, Shovel (duck, duck, goose), Tickety Tock take home crafts, Blues Clues games (first led to Birthday song and cake time, 2nd led to present opening time), and of course snacks and lots of blue kool-aid. A great time was had by all as you can see in our family photos.
Now we can relax until the Totally Tropical party and the Camping and Climbing party both in April and the Dora party in May. Of course, I'll want something a little less crafty and a whole lot classy in July for me!
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Not to be outdone by his little sister, our 10yos decided to rush downstairs last night shortly after bedtime to bring me some scraps of paper onto which he had scribbled this poem:
The Whatever It Is Toy
One day the Lego Lover
had a joy to make a toy
that would give a joy
to any boy that had joy for the toy.
So the Lego Lover
made that toy
for any boy that had a joy
for the toy.
Isn't that just too much! His goal was to be featured on my blog as his sister had. Ah...competition! I love it.
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Our daughter has written some poetry for my blog. The first was written in honor of the Eastern bluebirds that have moved into our birdhouse in the back yard. The second was written to convey thoughts about another type of nature...
Eastern Bluebird
Eastern Bluebird
Where have you been?
Flying around
Or flittering far?
Bright blue
Where have you been?
Nibbling seeds
Or resting on a bar?
1, 2, 3
One, two, three
I've got to go pee!
The bathroom's full.
We'll have to go to school.
The school's too dark.
We'll go to the park.
The park's too far.
Perhaps we'll take a car.
The car broke down.
We'll have to walk to town.
The town's too big.
I'm going to do a jig.
One, two, three.
My bladder's full of pee!
Sorry if that offended anyone...I thought it was hysterical and so real, yet so nonsensical!
Have a giggle-filled day all.
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I doubt schools allow kids to write disciplinary sentences on the board anymore as it may damage their self-esteem...but, if I were in school today I'd be writing 100 times:
Trying not to be sad about missing all the wonderful field trip possibilities...the 4 seasons...the beautiful countryside...
At least I won't have lesson plans to turn in to the state each year...and my hubby won't be working crazy hours at the corporate office...and I won't have to get the house clean...OH WAIT! I should probably do that anyways.
((((SIGH))))
I really don't dislike Louisiana, I just love to move and the thrill of learning about a new place.
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At the risk of having to take out a second mortgage, my daughter and I shopped at the local school supply store last weekend. They have the best educational toys and art supplies in town.
They have this great display up of file folder games and learning center folders for "stations" that their staff put together. We got some great ideas from these folders on using stickers and die-cuts for counting, phonics sounds, etc. for the toddlers, plus some easy games the kids can do for math and geometrical solids and shapes based on some mini-poster packs usually used on bulletin boards.
Our best finds were some adorable MINI-file folders in ginghams, denim, western prints and solids. They are precious! My daughter is planning to use some mini-stickers to make doll lapbooks for her American Girl dolls. Isn't that just too precious?
They also have matching "library" pockets that would be too cute in a lapbook.
Another great find was Construction Paper Crayons by Crayola for under $3. These really work. My 3yod was frustrated that she wasn't allowed to use markers on the construction paper and regular crayons don't show up. Voila! Problem solved.
The biggest disappointment was the price of their American History game that I had heard about from a ps teacher friend. Can't think of the exact game, but it had something to do with trading during Colonial times and was $25. We're almost thru this time period, so I hesitate to buy it unless someone has a REALLY outstanding testimony about the value of this game. Anyone?
Speaking of TESTIMONIES: still looking for anyone who has used or at least seen in person Heart of Wisdom and Tapestry of Grace. Anyone know of a comparison/contrast blog or at least a practical users guideline forum?
We're off to the bookstore to find "Revolution" by George Barna. Anyone else interested in reading & chatting about it? I'm getting it to discuss with Heidi.
Join in!
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Our 10yos took this photo the other day at the Rookery. We took a lot more, but found out that I need to download some software before I can make the image fit into the allotment for photos on here. Hopefully I'll get around to that some time next week.
Our youngest turns 2 next weekend, so we're busily preparing for a big Blue's Clues Scavenger Hunt on Saturday with about 15 kids coming, plus parents and both sets of grandparents. Crazy thing is, all he's interested in is the cake and "bah-loo's". Obviously I'll be a bit busy this week, so the blog will either get really full (as I lose sleep over the house cleaning chores not on schedule) or I'll be too busy to blog.
For those interested, we still haven't heard anything about the PA promotion...so, I'm guessing we're staying here in Sportsman's Paradise, but who knows? Only God and possibly the hiring folks.
Check out our family website of photos to see some more pics of the wildlife here from a few years back, plus see how much I've aged and a few b-day bashes we've had over the years. I'd own a party planning business if I had the spare time. I just love an organized, fun-filled and memorable celebration of life. No Cheesey Rat or McScary Clown for us!
Blessings to you & yours today. Remember, give your family your best, not your stressed.
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I had planned to sit down and write about something lighthearted today. While checking out a few friends blogs I discovered that a homeschool mama passed away after giving birth on Mar.1. Although I had not read her blog or heard of her before today, I'd like to challenge you all to send something to this family via Pattycake's blog where you can read the obituary and find out how to help.
Hug your babies today. Let them remember you at your best, not your stressed.
We're ditching school and heading to the Children's Museum and then ice skating. My heart hurts and I need to see my little ones laughing and playing today.
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Sometimes I forget that homeschool families are as diverse as flowers. Each one is unique. Colorful. Can be simple or complex. Some are wonderfully fragrant and some just plain stink.
I don't know about you, but I sometimes fall into the trap of prejudice. By this I mean pre-judging in its most subtle form. I tend to assume that if someone homeschools, they must be like me. I assume their commitment level to God is priority one. I assume they are conservative, Christian and have the intent to disciple their children by Biblical standards. I assume they enjoy being with their children and homeschool because God has called them to do so.
All of these assumptions can and have gotten me into trouble...mostly in my own mind and attitudes towards other homeschool families who aren't meeting MY standards of what homeschoolers should act like. Judging. It's a stinkweed.
Just yesterday I read a comment on someone's blog that really hurt my heart. They implied (downright said, actually) that many suburban homeschoolers are doing so because it is the trendy yuppy thing to do. Enter the stinkweed. Here's why it hurt.
When we began officially homeschooling 5 years ago we did so by default. Being recent immigrants to Louisiana, the public schools did not meet our high academic ideals, the private schools weren't much better and the Christian school tended to house any kids that were kicked out of the aforementioned. I thought we'd give it a go until we moved to a "better" school system.
I joined the only local homeschool group seeking support and friendship. Immediately I knew I didn't really belong. I didn't own a denim jumper. My kids wore shorts to the first event. (Oops.) The little groups of ladies were speaking a language I didn't understand - being "called" to homeschool, ATI, delight-driven unit studies, Story of the World, A Beka - and stared at me from afar. Polite hellos were offered, but they huddled together and glanced at me and my capris occasionally.
Being a former Air Force Brat, I know how to adapt to different situations and have never met a stranger. So, the second event found me wearing a cheap denim dress from Sam's Club, the kids in more modest attire, and I'd read a dozen or so books from the library on homeschooling styles. I was prepared. Still, no one talked to us and every conversation I started just sort of stalled out.
After our third year with the same stand-offish crowd a mom finally broke it to me that they were shocked I had actually kept homeschooling. They thought I was a trendy mom who was just doing this to impress my friends. If she only knew. There's that pesky stinkweed again.
In actuality, my so-called friends (both from church and Junior League) had distanced themselves from me and thought I had lost my mind. They were offended that I thought my kids were too good to go to their public/private schools. I did, but for the wrong reasons, and in hindsight wish I'd have kept my misguided and obnoxious opinions to myself. I was slowly discovering that homeschooling was a lifestyle that God had intended all along. He just couldn't get my attention due to my inflated academic ego and misgivings about what my role should be as a wife and mother. During the lonely years, God performed major miracles in both my husband and my understanding of Him and His Plan for our family.
You see, we have been blessed beyond our worth. By God's Grace, we haven't had to worry about what we spend on curriculum or educational things. We are learning to be frugal by choice, but not real necessity, in order to help others. Most of the moms at that homeschool group could barely afford to feed their family. Therefore, it was assumed that I would not be able to relate. No one chose to mentor me in my homeschool venture, so it took three lonely years until we moved to a larger city for me to discover the joys of what homeschooling should be.
What if they had embraced me, regardless of our socio-economic differences? What if they had ignored the fact that I was driven to have little Einsteins instead of little Pauls ? What if I had quit and decided that homeschoolers were really whacked and stuck-up and un-Christlike in their behavior towards anyone unlike themselves?
So now, what if I don't reach out to the lonely mom who is obviously not in my social norm? What if I don't listen to the mom whose kid was kicked out of the third school this year? What if I don't mentor the young mom who is just going to homeschool for a year to see what it's like? What if I don't share my encouragement with a long-time homeschool mom who may need someone to hug her and tell her she's doing a great job and thank her for paving the way for us yuppy moms?
I was reading in James this morning and found nuggets in every chapter that spoke to me about all of this and my right and wrong attitudes toward other homeschool families.
In Chapter 1 I was reminded that perseverence and maturity comes from trials, and those trials come from Satan, not God. It goes on to say that I must OBEY God's Word, not just know it.
Chapter 2 addresses favoritism. How guilty am I at seeking homeschool moms who look, act, discipline and shop like me? Love your neighbor as yourself rings loud and clear, as does serving other moms through my actions is as equally important as having faith that God will provide for them.
Chapter 3 hit home as well. How many times have I failed to control my tongue when comparing "Godly" homeschooling to academic homeschooling? How many have I offended by my earthly wisdom rather than allowing God to discipline? Verses 17 and 18 say, "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness." Am I growing fields of righteousness or acres of stinkweed? Ow.
Chapter 4 reminds me that while it is good to embrace individuals who are different than our family, we are not to embrace this world or their lifestyle. Verse 12 speaks clearly to the judging stinkweed, "There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you - who are you to judge your neighbor?"
Chapter 5 sums up James' letter by warning against oppresion, encouraging patience in the midst of suffering while waiting for Jesus' return and finally reminding us of the healing power of prayer. The final two verses struck a chord with me today,"My brothers (& sisters!), if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins."
In closing, is there anyone you may have offended? In your actions? In your heart? Are there any steps you can take to stand alongside another homeschool mom who may be very different than you? Do you smell a stinkweed growing when you get together with other homeschool moms? Are you willing to pull it out before it takes root?
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And I read a lot of articles online!
You have got to read this...even if you read nothing else today. It is profound, frightening, encouraging and affirming all at once. Plus, I just love the fact that Voddie Baucham is a homeschool dad who dropped his career as a youth pastor/evangelist to youth because of his conviction. Check it out.
http://www.sbtexas.com/default.asp?action=article&aid=2542&issue=2/16/2006
I especially like the middle to the end where he gives stats on the declining birthrates of Christians and the facts that it's Biblically the parent's responsibility to discipline their own...not the youth pastor! Let me know what you think.
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| You Are Boston |
 Both modern and old school, you never forget your roots. Well educated and a little snobby, you demand the best. And quite frankly, you think you are the best. Famous people from the Boston area: Conan O'Brien, Ben Affleck, New Kids on the Block |
Okay. It is a great city. I do like the mix of modern with historical charm. But, on the contrary, I do not consider myself to be a snob, nor do I think I am the best...at least not at EVERY thing... Okay. Maybe I do. :-)
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