Another day of reflection and honestly a little irritation too. I know that everyone is different, and everyone is special in their own unique way...but at what point do you go from being unique/different, to just being weird?! In our home, we laugh at the concept that we are "weird." By today's standards, yep we are different. We began minimalizing our lives years ago! Long before it became the "thing," to do. Ours began when we decided I should be a full-time Mom. From there it began a steady and relatively steady march to where we are now. I personally have to laugh when someone refers to us a weird, odd, or even so far as to refer to us as hippies. For anyone that knows me, the life I have today is a far cry from anything I grew up around, or even was around until Richard and I were married.
My thoughts are very random today, so please forgive me if I bounce around! This blog helps me put some perspective on my thoughts, and occasionally helps me understand events a little better.
I have a brief rant. I am seriously so sick of politics I could spit nails! I have family & friends that are very much the labeled politicians. They lean very far left & very far right. I personally think of myself as more of an independent. I can see and applaud thoughts from both sides. However, watching all the election bull going on....I am quite angry. In my opinion, of the 5 Presidential candidates running this year, there is only 1 that actually has the knowledge, the intelligence, and the experience to be running. 99% of all the election and campaign promises are crap, and everyone knows this. However, because the news tells you what they want you to hear...not the whole story or the truth, that is who people vote for. The crisis that we are currently in, in the USA, is not because of just 1 president...it has been building for YEARS! It's not all Obama's fault, it's not all Bush's fault. It has been building for YEARS! I am personally tired of hearing the blame game, and I want answers. We have to live within our means, we can't go be bailed out because of stupidity on our part, we don't expect nor want government help, we just want to live our lives, our way, without interference. I don't believe that's asking too much. It's called self-responsibility. It's something that was set up in our Constitution as part of the law of the land. I don't believe that a persons religion should ever play a role in government, let alone be forced down anyone's throat. I don't think that lobbying should be legal, I don't think that anyone running for a political office should be allowed to use ANY tax payer money. Our politicians already make 5 times or more that of the average working American. Our founding fathers intended for our elected officials to be elected in, serve their term, and go back to work. Not to remain political figures indefinitely, and continue getting paid indefinitely. I believe the entire system has been manipulated by those in power for years. The part I really get angry about, is the fact that, no matter what political party you favor, NO ONE will listen to anything else. Everyone has to bicker like school children and behave even worse. We have too many chiefs and not enough indians!
Another issue for thought, for me this morning, is feelings/emotions. I have become a very cold person, I know. When I look at life, and even family and friends...I really don't understand some of the thought process that goes on. As Richard and I have spent a lot of time talking about this very subject, I'm learning that the older I get the less of the feelings/emotions I understand...or care to understand. We have never dealt with jealousy in our home. Nor have I ever believed that I couldn't live without anyone but my kids. As I watch family and friends dealing with this, and Richard comes home to tell me about this subject effecting someone he knows....I just shake my head. I am going to be very blunt for a bit. Have people really become that dependent, that spineless, and that needy? I guess I was brought up differently. I was taught that you don't need people in your life, you have to want them there. You dependent on yourself, period, and you stand up for what you believe in. Although I consider myself very low maintenance, I listen to others and cringe. I do not require name brand anything, I do not want the best of anything, I do not expect anything of anyone. I am FAR from perfect, but I value my little family. I value what little we have, and WE work hard to be the best that we can be. We will never be better than anyone else, but we all strive to be better people than we were yesterday. We have our share of issues, we have our share of arguements/disagreements. We also have our share of compromises and "plan b's." Each of us stands up for what we believe, yes, even the kids. That is how we have taught them. We teach our kids to have a voice and a mind of their own. They do not have to follow anyone elses path....they can create their own. We let them try different interests, and not push to live our lives through them. They are each individual little people, that will be our next generation of independent thinkers. As Richard and I talked this past weekend, we agreed that neither of us "needs" the other....but we do "want" the other in our lives. We do not tell each other what to do, how to think, who we can/can not talk to, or anything of that nature. We do not expect or demand that the other be attached to our hip, nor do we want to be that needy. Over the years, we have found that there are a few things that do enjoy doing together, and we enjoy that time time together. However, there are things that we each enjoy individually...that we do without the other.
Since Richard and I do spend a lot more time talking, than we ever have, I have been given a unique perspective. Many of our thoughts are different. So, by having the conversations we have, I am given his insight while he is given mine. Many times they are different to start with, but in the end, we understand each other and even if we end up not being in agreement, we can come up with a workable compromise. The conversation we have are priceless. Sometimes they are funny, sometimes serious, sometimes we both just shake our heads. Many times lately, our conversations have geared toward our extended family relationships. Since both of us have been pretty independent our whole lives, we are really outside the close knit bonds of both families. We choose to stay that way. Many times, we disagree with parts of our family, but we choose to basically "bless and release them." We get angry, we have our conversations, and we let it go. We live our lives, our way...and although we know not everyone agrees with us, we do want our lives respected. For the most part, they are.
The past 6 months have been kind of crazy for us. With one house deal falling through, and another one that moved us to part of his family's farm....we've made even more changes to benefit our family. Although Richard grew up with a farm family, worked with exotic animals, horses, cows, etc....I did not. I am having to readjust some of my own thoughts again. Although some don't believe that what we have is considered farming, I do. We have 25 acres, that we own, to manage/take care of/keep up with. We also have 70 rented acres to manage with soon to be 30 head of cows to keep up with. Not to mention our horses, cow, chickens, dogs, cats...and of course the kiddos. We don't row crop yet, but my standards, we are farming. Do we know everything, not hardly! Richard knows a lot, and what he doesn't know....he's learning. What little I know about farming, I am using to teach the kids, and make our house a home. I love learning everything I can learn so I can be more useful around our farm. I am using what I know about a simple natural life, and instituting it into our lives. We do not use chemicals of any kind on our garden, for fertilizer, or feed. Everything we do use, is a natural source and is a sustainable source. We are planning our gardens (yes that is plural) and planting trees, and putting in an orchard. Our goal is to be a self-sufficient farm family. I'm told this is impossible, but for me that is the driving force to do just that. Tell me I can't do something, and I will do it...just to prove you wrong.
I think this is enough for now. Maybe now, I can go about my day without jumbled thoughts.
:-) Salli
This crazy but wonderful life we live. Home education, self-sufficient living, learning, growing, and finding our way on our farm and in life. Teaching frugality, logic, and common sense. Grab some coffee and enjoy my regular writings on current subjects and interests.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Understanding My Life.....
As I sit for a coffee break, I am reflecting again. My life is so far removed from what I knew growing up, and even farther removed than what anyone I had ever known. For the past 8 years, I have focused our lives on living more naturally and more self-sufficient. For the past 3 years, we have included homeschooling our children, as well. I have encountered many differing opinions, and been called many things(i.e. hippy, weird, stupid). Honestly, I'm OK with all the names, and even OK with the criticism. I get angry, and upset by those that believe the mainstream, is the only "correct" way of doing things. Yes, I am different, and yes, I am odd. I'm OK with that! For as long as I can remember, I have thought outside the traditional box. I've always believed there was something more than what I was seeing. I personally had an OK public school education, was involved in many activities through school. I grew up in a divided home with divorced parents, step parents, siblings, step-siblings, and so many of the new traditions.
When my husband and I found out we were going to have our oldest, we knew that we were going to be making many sacrifices so that I could be home with him. We both believed that as parents, one of us needed to be a full-time parent. For a short time after our son was born, I tried to continue workings, but I was working to work. I wasn't able to make enough to justify paying for gas, a babysitter, and the extra expenses. So, within a year, I was home full-time, and continue to be that way to this day.
In 2005, I took my oldest for his first day of public preschool. Although, he did well, I did not like the policies that had been instituted in the school systems. Rather than calling parents when a child was injured, they dealt with it themselves. The only time a parent is called is if the child is sick, or in trouble. I was not OK with that. If my child gets hurt, SOMEONE better let me know! Anyway, for the next 3 years, I dealt with not knowing if my child would come home hurt, half sick, or whatever. Not to mention the next 3 years of having trouble with a child that bullied our son from first grade on. This child had a history of trouble. In second grade, this child tried to stab a teacher with a pencil, pulled out chunks of his own hair, and finally in December of 2008, our son finally told us what was going on. He'd come home with cuts, scrapes, and emotionally withdrawn. From January until May of 2008, I spent nearly everyday in the school attempting to get them to do something. May of 2009, after meeting with the superintendent, the Principal, the teacher and the guidance counselor, I was informed that my straight A student, had zero choices. I was told the only thing that could be done was to pull him out of that school. After that meeting, Richard and I had a very brief conversation, and decided to pull him out. We had already spent a year or so reaching options, because of this problem. We had 2 choices; a Christian school that was 25 miles away, or home school. After a week of discussions, and a little more research, we decided that home school was the best choice of us and our children. Had we not been forced into this decision, we probably would not have changed the course we were on. But in our eyes, we did what any parent would do when pushed into this situation.
Now, all of this being said, I wouldn't change anything we've done. After 3 years, we have finally gotten our son past the nightmares, literally, and the fear of seeing this child around town. We had settled into a routine, until we moved to our new home. Yes, this has been a HUGE adjustment, it's been a change for our family, and it's been an adventure. It's one of the most rewarding things I've known, knowing that I am teaching our kids and allowing them to make some choices as to how they learn. There are some days, when the regular schedule is interrupted with a spur of the moment quest to find an answer about something else. Now that we are living on a farm, we have many added subjects to our curricula. We are able to visibly see how plants grow, see how horses/cows/chickens behave and new responsibilities to conquer. 10 years ago, I would have never believed I would be doing what I am doing. Everything from living on a farm, to having livestock, to home schooling, to being the mom/teacher/wife. It's very rewarding, a little frustrating, and completely amazing.
I know that what I do is not for everyone, but I would recommend it! Yes, there are days when it gets overwhelming, and there are days I question my own ability...but overall, I am proud of what and how our family lives! I do not ever look for pity, envy and honestly...every time I am questioned about the effectiveness and logic of home school, I am aggravated. I do not judge others by the way they choose to live their lives, but we are constantly judged by the way we live ours.
Our schedule is crazy 7 days a week. I have 2 businesses that I try to work on every day, our home school schedule, our almost 3 yr old daughter that is a very busy little person, our livestock & pets, not to mention the regular household chores. To say our schedule is crazy busy, is an understatement. Most days for me begin at 4:30 am, and may end as early as 11 pm. Some days it's well after midnight. We have the same basic schedule whether it's a weekday or a weekend. We don't have the typical weekends/school holiday schedules. We have been able to take vacations while others are in school, we are able to be flexible with other issues that come up. Our kids are able to explore their own interests without stereotypes, and criticism. They can spend more time focusing on subjects that interest them and subjects that they may struggle with. We do not actually use grade levels to determine progress. We progress when the kids are ready. Some subjects our son may be at the 5th grade level, others he may be at 7th or 8th grade level. Our daughter has been showing interest in learning and I work with her until her attention span is gone. As our son is getting older, he is showing more interest in medicine, animals/vet work, and a more analytical side. Our daughter is already more mechanically inclined. She's more interested in how things work, and why they work that way. It's been interesting to me, to see how different their learning styles are already. While we have a program designed for kids through high school, we do have to make changes and use alternatives to fit the exact learning style for each of the kids. That is one of the biggest advantages, I have found, to home schooling. We are able to do more individualize teaching.
I do not have a perfect life, but it's a life that I love and treasure. I love being with my kids everyday, no rushing around and we can talk about everything. I know, even through all the criticism, all the turmoil, and all the crude remarks... we are doing the right thing, we are doing it to the best of our ability, and we are doing all of this as a family. Richard and I are in total agreement with how to raise our children, and how we want to live our lives. We talk daily about our lives, our kids, our expectations, and others opinions. We are fortunate to have extended families that are generally supportive. They may not agree with all our choices, but they do try to respect them. We occasionally get a night out for just the 2 of us, but it's generally to eat out, get groceries, and lately to get stuff for the house.
After reading an article this morning about how "weird," home school families are...I have been able to embrace the fact that, yes we are weird...and I am proud to who we are. Although we are a small family, we are making a small change, for our future generations, in what has become normal. Throughout history, it was the weird, that have changed the world. We are raising 2 precious children, that could become the next Einstein, Mozart, inventors, scientists, or even presidents. No matter how children are educated, how their families choose their lives to be, there is no reason any child should ever feel limited by the current situation, circumstance, or "class." Children are amazing little creations with an infinite amount of curiosity that should be allowed to grow. They should be allowed to explore every possibility, even if it's outside the norm.
Salli
When my husband and I found out we were going to have our oldest, we knew that we were going to be making many sacrifices so that I could be home with him. We both believed that as parents, one of us needed to be a full-time parent. For a short time after our son was born, I tried to continue workings, but I was working to work. I wasn't able to make enough to justify paying for gas, a babysitter, and the extra expenses. So, within a year, I was home full-time, and continue to be that way to this day.
In 2005, I took my oldest for his first day of public preschool. Although, he did well, I did not like the policies that had been instituted in the school systems. Rather than calling parents when a child was injured, they dealt with it themselves. The only time a parent is called is if the child is sick, or in trouble. I was not OK with that. If my child gets hurt, SOMEONE better let me know! Anyway, for the next 3 years, I dealt with not knowing if my child would come home hurt, half sick, or whatever. Not to mention the next 3 years of having trouble with a child that bullied our son from first grade on. This child had a history of trouble. In second grade, this child tried to stab a teacher with a pencil, pulled out chunks of his own hair, and finally in December of 2008, our son finally told us what was going on. He'd come home with cuts, scrapes, and emotionally withdrawn. From January until May of 2008, I spent nearly everyday in the school attempting to get them to do something. May of 2009, after meeting with the superintendent, the Principal, the teacher and the guidance counselor, I was informed that my straight A student, had zero choices. I was told the only thing that could be done was to pull him out of that school. After that meeting, Richard and I had a very brief conversation, and decided to pull him out. We had already spent a year or so reaching options, because of this problem. We had 2 choices; a Christian school that was 25 miles away, or home school. After a week of discussions, and a little more research, we decided that home school was the best choice of us and our children. Had we not been forced into this decision, we probably would not have changed the course we were on. But in our eyes, we did what any parent would do when pushed into this situation.
Now, all of this being said, I wouldn't change anything we've done. After 3 years, we have finally gotten our son past the nightmares, literally, and the fear of seeing this child around town. We had settled into a routine, until we moved to our new home. Yes, this has been a HUGE adjustment, it's been a change for our family, and it's been an adventure. It's one of the most rewarding things I've known, knowing that I am teaching our kids and allowing them to make some choices as to how they learn. There are some days, when the regular schedule is interrupted with a spur of the moment quest to find an answer about something else. Now that we are living on a farm, we have many added subjects to our curricula. We are able to visibly see how plants grow, see how horses/cows/chickens behave and new responsibilities to conquer. 10 years ago, I would have never believed I would be doing what I am doing. Everything from living on a farm, to having livestock, to home schooling, to being the mom/teacher/wife. It's very rewarding, a little frustrating, and completely amazing.
I know that what I do is not for everyone, but I would recommend it! Yes, there are days when it gets overwhelming, and there are days I question my own ability...but overall, I am proud of what and how our family lives! I do not ever look for pity, envy and honestly...every time I am questioned about the effectiveness and logic of home school, I am aggravated. I do not judge others by the way they choose to live their lives, but we are constantly judged by the way we live ours.
Our schedule is crazy 7 days a week. I have 2 businesses that I try to work on every day, our home school schedule, our almost 3 yr old daughter that is a very busy little person, our livestock & pets, not to mention the regular household chores. To say our schedule is crazy busy, is an understatement. Most days for me begin at 4:30 am, and may end as early as 11 pm. Some days it's well after midnight. We have the same basic schedule whether it's a weekday or a weekend. We don't have the typical weekends/school holiday schedules. We have been able to take vacations while others are in school, we are able to be flexible with other issues that come up. Our kids are able to explore their own interests without stereotypes, and criticism. They can spend more time focusing on subjects that interest them and subjects that they may struggle with. We do not actually use grade levels to determine progress. We progress when the kids are ready. Some subjects our son may be at the 5th grade level, others he may be at 7th or 8th grade level. Our daughter has been showing interest in learning and I work with her until her attention span is gone. As our son is getting older, he is showing more interest in medicine, animals/vet work, and a more analytical side. Our daughter is already more mechanically inclined. She's more interested in how things work, and why they work that way. It's been interesting to me, to see how different their learning styles are already. While we have a program designed for kids through high school, we do have to make changes and use alternatives to fit the exact learning style for each of the kids. That is one of the biggest advantages, I have found, to home schooling. We are able to do more individualize teaching.
I do not have a perfect life, but it's a life that I love and treasure. I love being with my kids everyday, no rushing around and we can talk about everything. I know, even through all the criticism, all the turmoil, and all the crude remarks... we are doing the right thing, we are doing it to the best of our ability, and we are doing all of this as a family. Richard and I are in total agreement with how to raise our children, and how we want to live our lives. We talk daily about our lives, our kids, our expectations, and others opinions. We are fortunate to have extended families that are generally supportive. They may not agree with all our choices, but they do try to respect them. We occasionally get a night out for just the 2 of us, but it's generally to eat out, get groceries, and lately to get stuff for the house.
After reading an article this morning about how "weird," home school families are...I have been able to embrace the fact that, yes we are weird...and I am proud to who we are. Although we are a small family, we are making a small change, for our future generations, in what has become normal. Throughout history, it was the weird, that have changed the world. We are raising 2 precious children, that could become the next Einstein, Mozart, inventors, scientists, or even presidents. No matter how children are educated, how their families choose their lives to be, there is no reason any child should ever feel limited by the current situation, circumstance, or "class." Children are amazing little creations with an infinite amount of curiosity that should be allowed to grow. They should be allowed to explore every possibility, even if it's outside the norm.
Salli
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
My Opinion
As someone who is extremely opinionated, and attempts to keep up with EVERYTHING…I have to say that this world has lost its mind! I have read blogs, read the news stories, get newsletter from the Republican candidates, and the White House, and hear many opinions from family and friends. I am not a typical person. I am a firm believer in, we are the masters of our own destiny, that we create the issues in our lives, that everyone has an opportunity to better themselves, and that everyone deserves to be happy. However, not everyone has the same definition of happy. I am a firm believer in living a life that is as natural as possible, without interruptions from outside sources. I believe that unless you are paying my bills, or raising my children, then you really have no input into how we live our lives. I do not say any of this to be disrespectful to anyone, but not everyone will agree with us and that’s ok. But respect my decisions and I will respect yours!
I can remember being told that there are a few things you should never discuss…politics, religion, and sex! Well, since I have always been the type of person to do exactly what I was told not to do…I’m going to give my opinion on most of that and more!
As insane as this world has become, it seems to me, that everyone is fast to blame everyone else for everything! In my grandparent’s generation, they took responsibility for themselves. They didn’t blame anyone for the issues at hand. They worked together to solve the issue and got on with their lives. They lived with food rations, small incomes, and the uncertainty of World War II. They lived within their means, they lived by a budget, and still managed to teach their children respect. They had modest homes, not huge houses. They drove and repaired their own vehicles; they grew gardens and planned for the coming winter by canning and freezing everything possible. They had enough livestock to support their family, and they made everything from scratch…not boxes. They only went to doctors when they absolutely had to, they treated minor illnesses with homemade tinctures and herbs, and even though most in that era only had an 8th grade education…they were smarter than some that are graduating from college now. They were hard workers; they provided for their families, they helped their neighbors…even though most of their lives were tough. Now, however, everyone expects everything handed to them. All the hard work of my grandparent’s generation is all but forgotten.
Whether it’s politics, education, health care, or any number of other topics; we’ve learned that we can blame someone else for our own short-comings and that makes everything alright. We are off the hook, and don’t have to take any responsibility. The blame game starts at our top levels in federal government and filter right down into our very communities. For lack of better terminology, we’ll use the Medias terms, we have become a welfare nation. We expect the government to fix all our problems. I am not against helping folks with a hand up, but so many expect hand outs and that is what has gotten this country to where it’s at.
I cannot say that I have a political preference. I have voted for both major parties, and have issues with both parties as well. Both parties talk the talk, but neither of them walks the walk. The politics in this country have become a divider for her citizens. Rather than focusing on the issues, solving the problems, and moving on…BOTH parties have chosen to bicker like school kids, blame others, and neither party has used a lick of common sense. I have found some of their talking points that I agree with, in both parties. However, I have yet to see any real initiative from either party. They would rather pit Americans against each other and skirt all the issues. Personally, I can see strong points in each presidential candidate we have this year. And before anyone bashes any of the candidates, I want you to realize that we are Americans. Our elected officials are supposed to work for US…not the other way around. So, here is my take:
Republicans:
1. Mitt – Yes, he has worked in government and in the private sector. He does have business sense, and has turned failing businesses into profitable ones (might work with our economy). This man scares me! Something about him, tells me he’s shady. He’s already playing the game of politics and can’t connect with real working class Americans.
2. Newt – OMG! This man has been in politics for YEARS! He knows how the game is played, and can talk a good game. However, we’ve already had so many in the congress/senate and White House that have can’t be faithful. I see him as the pot calling the kettle black! He makes me nervous.
3. Rick – This man is virtually unknown. He was a senator for Pennsylvania, and seems to be someone who has worked for the people. But he is just not known.
4. Ron – Although I agree with his domestic policies, I worry that his foreign policy would hurt America as a whole. We don’t need more wars, but it doesn’t make sense to me that we would completely abandon our interests overseas. Maybe his point of view is exactly what we need as a country, I’m just not sure. I like him, and agree that our freedom, liberty and rights have been infringed upon for many years and we accept this as a “security measure.” I believe it’s a false security.
Democratic:
1. President Obama – I cannot say that I agree with most of our President’s ideas, plans, and “progress” to this point. He is a strong speech deliverer, and does have a few ideas I can agree with. However, many of his ideas have hurt the small communities and small businesses across the country. Many Americans are worse off now than they were just 4 years ago. I do know that many of the ideas he has had, have been held up in congress but he has not brought the sides together. If anything he has put a bigger gap between them.
Congress:
Our elected officials in the Congress and the Senate have neglected to remember who they work for! They are making back room deals, being bought out by lobbyists, and have worked to line their pockets on American tax payers back. They have become driven by greed, party lines, and no ethics.
The multiple agencies within the federal government have taken over and they don’t have to account for anything they are doing. Although many of them were put in place to help, the majority are making things worse and costing tax payers billions of dollars every year! Not to mention costing businesses millions, forcing some to close their doors, and those they employ to be unemployed.
As I look at my family’s current state of affairs, I have to say that overall, we are living the “American dream.” I have been fortunate to be able to be a stay-at-home mom for most of my kids’ lives, we have a small farm, my husband has a full time job that seems to be secure, we live in a small rural community, and we try to buy as much locally as possible. We’ve made many sacrifices to be able to enjoy this type of lifestyle, but we manage. I have been lucky enough to enjoy 2 home-based businesses that make a little extra income to help out some, we grow our garden, we can whatever is possible, we don’t have a huge outstanding debt, we teach our children at home – allowing us to give them the best education we feel is possible, and we try to live as naturally as possible. We buy groceries on a monthly basis, I plan meals and make enough to have 2 from each, I make as much as possible from scratch, and we don’t “keep up with the Jones’.” We work and live our lives each day, for our children and for us. We don’t work just to pay debts. I won’t lie and say our life is free of issues, nor is it perfect…but it’s comfortable, it’s real, and it’s ours.
As always, my opinions are very strong, and resonate deep within my heart and soul. I try to make educated decisions, and respect everyone – even if I don’t agree with their opinions. I expect respect from others, even though I have found that many don’t use respect anymore. I will be honest with everyone, but I will not compromise my own integrity to tell others what they want to hear. I have a deep faith in God, however, I refuse to sit in a building with a bunch of hypocrites to “prove,” my faith.
I wish each of you reading, the peace and faith that I feel and hope you will share your respect, love, and integrity in everything you do.
Salli
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