74 things I like about my mom

Today's my mother's birthday. Since there are still 82 minutes left on her special day, I thought I would devote this blog post to her.

1. She's a great laugher. She laughs easily and often.
2. As a great laugher, she is great fun to be around.
3. She taught piano when we were kids to exotic people like Holly Cassell, Steve Melink, and Alan Stubbs.
4. She made it through Bob Jones University and hasn't had to send back her diploma yet.
5. She recovered from BJU in just under 20 years. Of course, this put the FUN in the dysfunction of our little family.
6. She had the good sense to be from Oklahoma.
7. She once killed a spider on the wall above her head ... With her foot.
8. the one time I remember her going to a Reds game, she took along a book to read. Not about the Reds.
9. She is an amazing cook.
10. She loves variety almost more than anything.
11. She would totally not be mad at me if I didn't actually come up with 74 things tonight.
12. She has a boss grand piano.
13. She totally did not kill me when, as a kid, I threw something hard across the living room and actually put a gouge in her brand new boss grand piano.
14. She denies telling me that my dad was going to spank me when he got home ... With a 2x4. Think I'd deny that one too.
15. She thinks I'm amazing.
16. An amazing sense of decorating and design.
17. That you can see throughout her beautiful home.

43 minutes left and I'm only on number 18. Hey, I'm a mom of 5. What can I say.

18. She's always excited about something she is learning.
19. I love making music with her.
20. Wait, was that one something about her?
21. She birthed three beautiful babies.
22. She played the ukulele on most of our drives out to Oklahoma.
23. She's cheerful. Note: I did not appreciate this during my teen years.
24. She loves to organize and make everything neater and more today.
25. She's great at pitching in on many different types of,projects.
26. Her enthusiasm is quite infectious and can make even the most curmudgeonly curmudgeon smile.
27. She loves to garden.
28. And she wants chickens.
29. I'm counting 1 as two separate things, as of now.
30. She never met a vitamin she liked for very long.
31. She never met a medication she liked for even one minute.
32. She is the BEST to walk with at Symmes Park.
33. She has a super big mailbox.
34. She managed to have all three daughters living within one mile of her and liking it.
35. Her basement is a treasure trove.
36. She tends to see the best side of everyone and everything.
37. She looooooooves Tuesday Mornings.
38. She's always keen to learn new things.
39-73. You'll have to check with me in person on these.
74. She loves life and makes it fun for those around her.

Happy Birthday, Mom! I love you!,

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A Light Bulb Moment about Entitlement

Here I've been thinking that the opposite of Entitlement is Gratitude, and what was needed to shift an entitlement mentality was a healthy dose of gratitude. But, noooooo. The opposite of Entitlement is RESPONSIBILITY.

I admit, I do know some people who seem to feel entitled to what they have, and more! And I kept thinking I needed to get them to focus on how much they DO have, how GOOD they have it, how people in so many other countries have it SO much harder. But, I noticed that those efforts weren't actually shifting that sense for them. How do I know this? I was reading the comics yesterday morning and this comic was written for me, aka She-Who-Takes-on-Responsibility-That-Belongs-To-Others:



I hearkened back to my childhood, something worth hearkening back to, and I remembered how I was expected to contribute to the running of the household and the care of myself. I cleaned house, cleaned my room, kept my car filled with gas, participated in church activities, school activities, and studied for tests. I starting working at age 11, because I had the opportunity to work with my dad, but I was always interested in working, even scrubbing the kitchen floor, on hands and knees with my sisters one time, for the princely sum of $9.00, to be split three ways.

But I wouldn't say I was grateful. I complained because my mom didn't want to buy me the same clothes everyone else was wearing. My first Aigner jeans were bought with my own money. I complained because I wasn't allowed to go places at all hours. It was distinctly unfair that we weren't allowed to watch MTV. Church morning and night?? OMG, parents.

I would definitely say, though, that I was responsible. And because I was not only responsible, but ultra-super-overly-extra responsible, I did that human thing and ricocheted to the other end of the spectrum as a parent. Tried to say yes whenever I could. Did nice things for my children. And thought they would catch responsibility and gratitude. Au contraire. It is the delegation of responsibility onto a young person which is gradually assumed by that young person and ultimately creates a responsible adult.

Important note: This post is about my understanding of the entitlement mentality and may not reflect the views of others in my home.

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Siouxsie Reviews "The Artist"

It's been such a long time since I had a movie that I really, really loved. One that moved my soul, that stirred something deep in me. I wanted The Artist to be a movie that brought about that response. But, it wasn't.

I admit, I thought it might be boring, from reading the description. But I put that thought aside as I bought my ticket, "One for The Artist, please." It takes some planning ahead for me to get to a movie. By myself. In the middle of the day. Now is a fine time for a hat tip to Greg Taylor for graciously providing some time and space for me after a 6-day stint of single parenting this week while he traveled for work.

The last movie I saw at this theater was The Lorax. Complained about how incredibly loud it was. I still wonder why they had the volume so high. The Artist was shown in the smallest theater, and with the dozen or so "One for The Artist" moviegoers, there was plenty of room. I found myself wishing for a little MORE volume on this one, since a nearby patron perhaps was unhealthy and made distracting little breathing, sniffing, and coughing noises every few minutes. (Oh, and she did go ahead and take the call she received so she could tell the caller she was at the movies.)

I know, I know. First, it's too loud. Then, it's too soft. I wondered if I would have had the same response to it had Kevin Kline been in the starring role. Some of the movies I have loved had him in the starring role, but I wondered what it would be like to see him in a silent role. Berenice Bejo (Peppy Miller) was delightful, beautiful and full of life. I believe that many moviegoers found this to be a wonderful experience, and it was a very well-made film. [But], to paraphrase Randy Jackson, 'I just wasn't feeling, it, dawg."

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Micros Business for Teens

I had the distinct privilege last evening of attending the Cincinnati premiere of the PBS special, Micro Business for Teens: Starting a Micro Business. My friend, Carol Topp, a CPA and mom of two homeschooled students, has written a three-book series by the same name, and was invited by the PBS station in Akron, Ohio, to make a PBS special about it. Press release

Carol did a fantastic job in her presentation and I am so happy for her success. There were multiple interviews with local families, some of whom I know, whose teens are running successful businesses. The entire presentation was very inspirational, and I came away with the MicroBusiness for Teens workbook, which looks to be a great resource for anyone wanting to start a micro business.

I even learned some things about why a recent business idea I had and ventured into, fizzled. Seems there is a bit of preparation necessary that I overlooked.

I've been watching Carol's progress for quite awhile. Her youngest daughter was in my eldest daughter's graduating class, so we have had plenty of opportunities to share time at meetings, on car trips, and socially. For more information on the books, and other resources about starting a micro business, visit her website: Micro Business for Teens.

Proud to say, "I knew her when."

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The Eureka! Moments in our Lives

I love when the light bulb goes on, when I have an epiphany, when suddenly I Get It!

While living in Australia, I saw an old Tracey Ullmann sketch where Tracey plays an Australian golfer who's in the US for the "June Allyson DEPENDS Open." You can watch it here. I loved the show so much, I went to the trouble and expense of having an Australian-format video transferred to US-format, so I would always have it. Didn't know at the time the internet would almost make videos a moot point.

So Kiki has TWO epiphanies in the sketch, and I have had an epiphany about epiphanies today. I am a deeply kinesthetic AND visual learner. I learn by doing, but I really learn by doing AND seeing. You can tell me you are going out of town next Tuesday and will be back on Friday. You can even tell me the flight arrangements. You can even use the dates. And I won't get it nearly as well as I will if you write that information down on a piece of paper (or email) and show it to me.

Funny thing is, I have been viewing this learning style as a disadvantage! When recently planning a novel undertaking, I felt stressed about all the things I wouldn't be able to think of ahead of time, because I learn by doing and by seeing. But then I had this light bulb moment. There are very few people, if any, who can pull something off the first time without the benefit of past experience. Learning by doing is part of the learning process itself!

Of course I love experiential learning, and it fits strongly into my educational philosophy. I wonder what my experiences are going to be like when I embrace this learning style, when I welcome it, and when I start to realize the benefits of such a style. Eureka!

What do you think about learning by doing? What made you laugh in the video I linked to?

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Blogging while Uninspired

Sitting down to blog every day is similar to taking time to work on a book every day. Both involve writing. Both are for the purpose of communicating something to an audience. And both writers have days where the most important thing is to put pen to paper, or fingers to keys.

Today was largely unremarkable. I returned books, lots of books, to the library. (Oh, how I love that drive-through drop-off.) Stood in line to return an ill-advised purchase. Met a friend for coffee. Think I might have experienced a hot flash.

As with several other universal experiences, I had decided not to experience this whole hot flash thing. The other times I have politely declined to experience what so many others before me have experienced, my intention did not line up with my reality. Somehow, I have expected a pass from certain common experiences. Some aspects of parenting teens come to mind.

It is when I choose to focus on what I am grateful for that I am reminded that every day is filled with gifts of all sizes and shapes. Today, the rain misting while I put Kepler on the bus. The gift of my new office space. The blessing of a mother who senses my exhaustion and whips up a tasty dinner for my family. The blessing of my husband and children. And I am reminded once again that my story about my story is the one that makes my experience what it is. I want to be sure to have a story that includes lots and lots of gratitude.

Sometimes the act of recounting the sources of my gratitude is enough to inspire me to move toward what is right with my world.

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How We Do One Thing is How We Do Everything?

I read this quote several months ago. It was attributed to the author of this linked blog post. The statement was made, and followed up with a question: What might it mean for you if this is true? Such a gentle question invited me to consider the quote, giving myself compassion and patience for whatever came up for me.

Directly across the street, my neighbor is getting his house re-shingled. This is my neighbor who cares to make sure that every blade of grass is the same height. Retired now for several years, he takes perfect care of his home and yard. I thought of this quote when I saw his roofing crew show up yesterday. They drove professional vehicles, worked consistently and without any talk radio or music accompanying their work, and piled the bundles JUST SO on the roof. Carefully. In lines. Organized. I smiled. He found roofers to do the type of job he himself does.

What do you think? What if this statement is true? What can it teach us?

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