ZooKeeper & the F-Troop - Homeschool Blogger

New Blog

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 09:50:00 -0500

I have moved:

I have set up shop at www.f-troopzookeeper.blogspot.com

I may get back here once in awhile but I am still on dial-up and it takes forever for HomeschoolBlogger to load much less add pictures. Please, come visit!

Dayton Tea Party Joke of the Day

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 17:56:00 -0500

One day, a barber decides, as a service to the community, to give free haircuts to all his customers for the entire week.

First thing in the morning, a florist goes to the barber for a haircut. After the cut he asked about his bill and the barber replied, 'I cannot accept money from you. I'm doing community service this week.' The florist was pleased and left the shop.
When the barber goes to open his shop the next morning there is a 'thank you' card and a dozen roses waiting for him at his door.

Later, a cop comes in for a haircut, and when he tries to pay his bill, the barber again replies, 'I cannot accept money from you. I'm doing community service this week.' The cop is happy and leaves the shop.
The next morning when the barber goes to open up there is a 'thank you' card and a dozen donuts waiting for him at his door.

Later that day, a college professor comes in for a haircut, and when he Tries to pay his bill, the barber again replies, 'I cannot accept money from you. I'm doing community service this week.' The professor is very happy and leaves the shop.
The next morning when the barber opens his shop, there is a 'thank you' card and a dozen different books, such as 'How to Improve Your Business' and 'Becoming More Successful.

Then, a Congressman comes in for a haircut, and when he goes to pay his bill the barber again replies, 'I cannot accept money from you. I'm doing community service this week.' The Congressman is very happy and leaves the shop.

The next morning when the barber goes to open up, there are a dozen Congressmen lined up waiting for a free haircut.

Stopping by

Wed, 8 Apr 2009 17:50:00 -0500

It has been so long since I’ve actually blogged. I am so busy making memories and learning life lessons that I haven’t had time to jot them down. I also have been through some yuck, not unusual for a human, and haven’t felt like hanging dirty laundry. I’m also a procrastinator. The only reason there’s not a good excuse for procrastination is because I haven’t had time to think of one, yet. A big problem with not writing it down is I have had Pregnant Brain Rot one too many times and I keep having to go through repeat lessons I didn’t like having to go through the first time. I also have a lot to share; I just can’t seem to remember what it is I have to share when there’s an interested, listening ear available. I’m a visual person. I have to write it down. Once I write it down, it’s apart of me. It’s also easier to share when in print so here I am – I’ll give it another go.

I am suppose to be working on menus and grocery lists but can’t concentrate until we get these little munchkins to bed. Isaiah is currently screaming at a babydoll because it’s PJs won’t fit right and it won’t go into the carseat the way he wants. Yes, the carseat is sitting in the middle of the living room right now; part of our crew went to The Truth Project study at friends' and had to make room in the van for riders. Zah-man just said he’s going bye-bye and blew me a kiss. The almost 2 y.o. is quite the cutie.

Lenae, Jillian, Natalie, Benjamin and I spent 4 days at Equine Affair in Columbus, Ohio over the weekend. We don’t own horses but after going to this event since 2004, I think I might know what to do with a horse if I am ever blessed with one. I get very impressed with myself at EA as I can’t stand to walk near dog poop, spit in the parking lot, worms in the driveway, or smashed grapes on the dining room floor but I can tromp all over horse crud for 4 days straight without batting an eye. There’s hope for this city girl – I might even be able to muck a stall some day!

Alrighty, I’m going to get off here and drop-kick some kids in bed. My hope is to start a blog imparting my vast wisdom and experience with homeschooling, big family management, and the struggle to be a great wife while married to a loathsome sinner (and being somewhat imperfect myself). I also want to have a blog just covering our adventure into catering. We’ve been working for 3 years to start a family catering business and it’s just been a hoot following God’s leading and being a part of His "coincidences." Eventually, I will probably also have a blog that will tackle living with a rebellious child and my hope is that you’ll be able to rejoice with us as we witness to God’s provision and protection as I tell you the secrets to success. Right now, they’re still secrets but we’re hoping we’re close to victory. I’ll keep you posted!

Still here...

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:43:00 -0600

It seems that I've used that phrase quite a few times since I joined HSB. This is the longest spell I've spent away, I believe. Chuck it up to a very big year of "growth opportunities." I'm sitting here at my FIL's on my DH's laptop after celebrating my son's 11th birthday. Time flies! I just joined Facebook and that looks to be a lot "cleaner" than MySpace which, as I've mentioned before, was not a positive experience for us.

I just wanted to stop in and see who's still here. Maybe I'll get back again but our lives are very full...we'll see.

So, if any of my old friends are still out there, hugs and take care!

New PBS program says Bible isn't true, stories made up

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:13:00 -0500

I haven't been here for quite awhile but got the following in my mailbox and felt like I needed to get the word out! Do share:

Your tax dollars helped fund "The Bible's Buried Secrets"

Dear Michelle,

The Public Broadcasting System (PBS), probably the most liberal network in America, will present a program this fall that says the Old Testament is a bunch of made-up stories that never happened. "The Bible's Buried Secrets" says the Bible is not true. It is scheduled to air on November 18.

Producer Paula Apsell said: "...It's (The Bible's Buried Secrets) designed for intelligent people who are willing to change their mind. …it will give intelligent people who want to read the Bible in a modern way a chance. If we insist on reading the Bible literally, in 25 years, nobody will read it any longer."

Among highlights of "The Bible's Buried Secrets":

• The Old Testament was written in the sixth century BC and hundreds of authors contributed.
• Abraham, Sarah and their offspring didn't exist.
• There is no archaeological evidence of the Exodus.
• Monotheism was a process that took hundreds of years.
• The Israelites were actually Canaanites.
• The Israelites believed that God had a wife.

I have often said that PBS should not receive tax dollars. "The Bible's Buried Secrets" is simply one more reason Congress should stop supporting PBS with our tax dollars. Congress gives PBS hundreds of millions of tax dollars to help support the network.

For more information, go here.

Sincerely,

Donald E. Wildmon,
Founder and Chairman
American Family Association

Take Action!

Sign the petition urging Congress to stop using tax dollars to fund PBS. Let PBS operate like every other non-commercial network, raising its own money from its viewers instead of using tax money.

Sign the Petition Now!

Swirly and Confused

Fri, 30 May 2008 07:12:00 -0500

We're still in the midst with Fitzilla of one minute, angry meltdowns then acting like nothing happened. Yesterday, she got upset and disprespectful about something. Shortly thereafter, I emailed my DH and told him to bring home whiskey and duct tape - you know, to "medicate" her and seal her mouth. So when he came home and asked her about causing me trouble, she didn't know what he was talking about. At least, she acted like it. It's been like that since she was small - going off then acting like nothing happened. I've been researching and I don't think she has anything like Ausperger's Syndrome but she's a textbook case of Bi-Polar Disorder. I can't help it, Romans 1, among other passages, tells me that the way you think and behave can shape/ distort your mind - we're spiritual beings and I believe that God, in His wisdom, would not give us minds that up until recent history, regarded this mental condition as a spiritual issue. I can't bring myself to medicate a spiritual issue. She's rebellious which is as the sin of witchcraft we're told in scripture. I was hoping that when they did bloodwork on her that we'd find that a blood transfusion would cure her. Heck, if that were the case, I'd be getting a blood transfusion myself. But, that's just it, I've had a blood transfusion - the blood of Christ is mine, now. Fitzilla needs that blood transfusion. She's asked for help, which is a good sign, and asked to stay home after she had her bags packed. I just don't know how much more I can take some days.

I'm also torn about decisions like "do I let her audition for the next play when she's been disrespectul without apology?" "Do I graduate her even though our goal in education is "add to your faith, virtue, to your virtue knowledge?" "Do I let her participate in the 4-H fair?" These, to me, are privileges my children enjoy. I kind of think one should act like one my children to receive those priviliges. BUT, we also would like peace as we try to figure out what to do for this, otherwise, gifted, enjoyable young lady.

Thank you for the comments. It helps knowing we're in this together though so far apart!

This trial also "tries" to overshadow everything else going on in our lives. Our baby boy, Isaiah is one - just turned one in April. He's SO cute and SO funny, we laugh everyday.

I need to get back to the land of the living. More updates to come. I have catching up to do.

God bless!

Busy, busy

Wed, 28 May 2008 18:51:00 -0500

In the midst of cleaning/ de-cluttering, seasonal switchover for 11 children (glad the older ones handle their own for the most part), and getting ready for a busy June, I found myself drawn here using time I should be getting things done. I miss blogging. I need the therapy and should probably come back for regular sessions as I feel like I have something to say and someone might be interested! :o) Sorry, was that too pathetic. JK

I have my emai window open, my Creative Memories Network open, HSB, and I'm hopping between the three as I research Ausperger's Syndrome and Bi-Polar disorder and maybe excorcism in regards to a child of mine. Anyone interested in that "living with a rebel" blog? Well, as I told a friend earlier this week, we're hanging in there but I'd rather be soaring as with wings of eagles.

I hope to get back here soon!

Happy Mother's Day

Mon, 12 May 2008 11:44:00 -0500

(An encouraging excerpt from an e-mail newsletter by Doug Phillips of Vision Forum Ministries)

Once a lady went to visit her friend. During the visit the children of the friend entered the room and began to play with each other. As the lady and her friend visited, the lady turned to her friend and said eagerly and yet with evidently no thought of the meaning of her words: “Oh, I’d give my life to have such children.” The mother replied with a subdued earnestness whose quiet told of the depth of experience out of which her words came: “That’s exactly what it costs.”
There is a cost of motherhood. And the price is no small sum. And if you are not willing to pay this price, no amount of encouragement about the joys of motherhood will satisfy.
But the price of motherhood is not fundamentally different from the price of being a disciple of Jesus Christ. In fact, Christian mothers see their duty as mothers flowing from their calling to Jesus Christ. And what is this cost?
Christian motherhood means dedicating your entire life in service of others. It means standing beside your husband, following him, and investing in the lives of children whom you hope will both survive you and surpass you. It means forgoing present satisfaction for eternal rewards. It means investing in the lives of others who may never fully appreciate your sacrifice or comprehend the depth of your love. And it means doing all these things, not because you will receive the praise of man — for you will not — but because God made you to be a woman and a mother, and there is great contentment in that biblical calling.

PREOCCUPIED

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 23:06:00 -0500

So I’ve been preoccupied. I have a lot I could blog about but I’ve put it off, as I’ve mentioned many times before, waiting until I get the nerve to be honest. "Honest about what?" you wonder. Well…honest about the fact that I cannot offer a blog about how to be the amazing Christian homeschooling mom of many who has it all together and can show you how, too. Honest about the fact that I cannot inspire you to live a perfect life by my perfect example. Honest about how homeschooling will not prevent you from having rebellion in your home.

So, I’ve decided to offer a portion of what has had me preoccupied and not at my "blog post." Some time ago, I posted about "Fitzilla," my second oldest. We’ve decided that, besides a spiritual imbalance, there must be a chemical imbalance. I don’t know if one causes the other, if they’re both one and the same, but I know this child, this young woman, needs help. Dweller-of-the-Crag (that’s what Craig means and we like the idea that his name means "lives in the Rock") and I have held on to our faith and trust that God made us her parents and we are, somehow, equipped to help her. Well, we try to hold onto that. But we sure do feel inadequate.

Anyhoo, I’m considering starting another blog dedicated to just this subject so other moms-of-rebels can come together and figure this thing out. Does anybody know of any other blog like that? I’ve found the funny ones, the inspirational ones, the here’s-how-to-homeschool-the-right-way blogs (gag me), the "here’s what I fixed for dinner and can you believe American Idol last night?!" blogs (puleez), and others with various struggles yet have courage to inspire you i.e. the gals with cancer, children who have died or are handicapped, etc. But is there anyone else struggling to do the right thing for their troubled youth while holding together their precious family?? And have time for them, and do laundry, and feed them, and plan birthday parties, and sleep????

Well, up until 8pm last night, Fitzilla was planning on leaving home. Grandpa was already on his way to pick her up and give us some time so we could have break and figure things out. She was bound and determined to move in with some friends but, out of the blue, asked if it was too late to change her mind. She wanted to stay. I was confused before but now…I’m pretty loopy.

Well, let me know if you know of anybody else dealing with this. This is so draining. I have cried more in the last 2 weeks than I did when my brother died. The heartbreak is, well, must be what God feels when we turn against Him. Father God, forgive me when I have rebelled against You! I’m sorry for when I've made you feel this way. In Christ, Amen.

KNOCK, KNOCK. ANYBODY HOME?

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 20:12:00 -0500

It’s been about 4 months since I’ve been here. I’m not sure why I’m dropping by or if I’ll make it back anytime soon. I know I’ve wanted to say hi to some kind folks and I’ve been asked where I’ve been. I find writing very therapeutic and the sharing, the affirmation, the likeminded friends have been missed. Maybe I’ll try again but I can’t seem to find the time and I am SUCH a procrastinator. I keep putting off email and blogging until I have 2 free hands to type with – it’s SO much easier and faster. Isaiah has gotten so big and likes to help type when he nurses. He’s snoozing right now so we’re good until he’s done then I’ll need self-discipline to stop and put him to bed then get on with business.

Another huge hiccup the previous months was I managed to get a part in a play, believe it or not. That sucked the time right off of the calendar. I’ll blog about that later if I make it back. Anyhoo, that was an amazing fun time but I didn’t have spare time to begin with.

The final straw that broke my blogging back was my lousy dial-up internet provider besides getting slower than it already was, started this nasty habit of closing down whenever I would have more than one window open or have certain websites open such as HSB. It also shuts down my favorite cake idea website, several blogs, 2 favorite recipe resources, and several others I use for homeschooling. I was thinking of moving to Blogspot before this started so I can post photos without my whole post getting rearranged but this situation may force the matter.

I hope everyone had a blessed Easter. Did it come to early for anyone else? We “accidentally” booked ourselves for working a birthday party on Saturday without realizing it was the day before Easter so the day was spent mostly on that and NOT on traditional Easter activities. The little kids got gypped and I was also up until 2am prepping for our family gathering at my FIL’s on Sunday. AND while a lot of folks were making their bi-annual visit to church, we had to play hooky in order to get ready. Whine. We had a nice day even though it snowed at one point! On Easter! The nerve! The kids road ATVs and got covered in mud. I’ll decide after laundry if I’ll be the “stick in the mud” and demand dry ground for future rides. Even 4 y.o. Autumn got to ride with Daddy and liked it FAST. Does anyone else have the problem at family gathering of some dipstick turning on the TV? I loathe that. You can watch TV at home! Play! Visit! Talk to somebody, for crying out loud! My 18 y.o. happened to be the first dipstick to turn on the TV though she knows I despise that so I had to make, yet another, rule and declare that no child of mine shall turn on the TV at a gathering. I should write my own rulebook and sell it so new moms will have a head start.

Suicidal twin kills sister by mistake, news at 11.

Feeling rather blah, sorry if I sound it. I’ll try to make my rounds and visit!
Have a great week!

Here's my girl having a ball with her Daddy!