Over at To Love, Honor and Dismay, there is a post just like what I've been thinking about on my Blog Draft page thingy, only, his is well written and organized rather than all, ranty and rambling. Honestly, the process of raising teenagers and their leaving home is as profoundly changing as becoming a mother in the first place.
What sent me into outer orbit was the second poster's comment regarding their teen and pre-teen dating at ages 12 and 13. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I'm further astounded by the comment "...but what can you do? You gotta let'em grow up". For starters, you can tell them NO.
Whatever happened to parental responsibility? Are people so blind that they think they can raise healthy, well adjusted human beings by giving them everything they want? In what warped reality are pre-teens able to handle the pressures of dating when older teenagers and adults barely manage to get out alive?
Most people who read my blog know that I belong to the very conservative Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It's not for everyone, and I'm cool with that, but I do think that all parents would be well served to consider postponing dating privileges until children are better equipped to handle the responsibility. For those who may not know, the Church guidelines for dating are as follows: "“When you get in the teen-age years, your social associations should still be general acquaintance with both boys and girls. Any dating or pairing off in social contacts should be postponed until at least the age of 16 or older, and even then there should be much judgment used."
A Time for Every Purpose
Paul H. Dunn, " Time for Every Purpose," Ensign, May 1975, 61.
Now, I wasn't raised with this faith, but my parents used the "No dating until 16" rule while I was growing up. Did I like it? Sadly, no, I did not. Do I see the wisdom in that rule now? Absolutely.
I think the thing that incenses me the most about this person's comments is the fact that they aren't alone and the fact that there are plenty o' parents out there who think that early and pre-teen dating is perfectly acceptable. Is it any wonder that we still have teenagers getting pregnant? Dating moves forward, not backward, folks. Once you get over the thrill of holding hands with a boy, the next logical thrill is kissing, then on to making out, and once you've started, you don't go back to hand holding. These things have a natural time-line, once your passions wake up, you are on the countdown to the big payoff. Who in their right mind would let their kid start down that road at such a tender age?
The commenter concedes that "its scary as heck"; I should say so, and I don't think they even know the half of it. Around age 14 or 15, I overheard a conversation between two boys who's sole goal at the time was to lose their virginity before they turned 12. Even then, I was shocked. I was even more shocked when I heard that the boy must've come close to realizing his goal; his girlfriend had his baby when they were 13. That girl never even saw it coming. That boy was going to obtain his goal, and neither one of them were anywhere close to being able to handle what they'd done. These were kids from good families, who's parents did everything they could to provide their kids with all the things they never had. I'll bet anything those parents were "scared as heck" too.
If we don't teach our kids that there is a proper order to life, and we encourage them to be "mini adults" at earlier and earlier ages, we are surely setting our kids up for a lifetime of heartache. I'd much rather have my kids hate me for a few years because I took the time and effort to enforce boundaries to keep them safe, than for them to spend a miserable life wishing that I had not been such a good friend when they needed me to be a parent. Some kids are easier to get along with on stuff like this than others, but if parents everywhere were more on the same page, I feel like it would make EVERYONE's job a whole lot easier.
Parent's allowing dating at 12 and 13. What is this world coming to?
Monday, July 31, 2006
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Hair
Sometimes, it's fun to be the fun mom.
B: "Mom, can I cut my hair?"
Me: "Sure, son!"
B: "Can you get me some scissors?"
Me: "I'll do better than that! How about my clippers?!"
B: "Cool!"
(Isn't K cute, peeking out from the mirror?)
Not to, um....horrible! LOL
Yes, I did go back and fix it all, and I suppose putting the clipper attachment on there to prevent the worst of the damage *is* technically cheating, but, he's none the wiser.
And here's a little shot of the after church hair we have going on over here. The pigtails are pointless, and silly looking, but the after church hair is soooooo worth it! ;O)
B: "Mom, can I cut my hair?"
Me: "Sure, son!"
B: "Can you get me some scissors?"
Me: "I'll do better than that! How about my clippers?!"
B: "Cool!"
(Isn't K cute, peeking out from the mirror?)
Not to, um....horrible! LOL
Yes, I did go back and fix it all, and I suppose putting the clipper attachment on there to prevent the worst of the damage *is* technically cheating, but, he's none the wiser.
And here's a little shot of the after church hair we have going on over here. The pigtails are pointless, and silly looking, but the after church hair is soooooo worth it! ;O)
Friday, July 28, 2006
Needs
So all my much cooler bloggy friends are doing the thing where you google your name to find out what you need, so here I am, following along and posting my top ten:
Jennifer needs a smack daddy. Me thinks daddy is the one who needs a smack right now...
Jennifer needs heavy visual depiction of her subject. The better to ensure that the rock I'm about to throw, finds it's mark.
Jennifer needs a cold shower. Yes, but not for traditional reasons of one needing a cold shower.
Jennifer needs Your Help. Yes, that goes without saying.
Jennifer needs to post. I'm on it.
Jennifer needs to slap Abby. If I could find her, I just might do that.
Jennifer needs to be in a mental health facility right now. There might be some truth in that...
Jennifer needs flatware. Oooooh, have I ever told you about my flatware addiction? No? Ohhhhhh. How much time have you got?
Jennifer needs to do five things. Only five?! Holy Cow! I wish someone would have told me this sooner!
Jennifer needs to be a (not very nice female person). I'll make sure and tell Hubster I'm only being that way because Google said so.
Jennifer needs a smack daddy. Me thinks daddy is the one who needs a smack right now...
Jennifer needs heavy visual depiction of her subject. The better to ensure that the rock I'm about to throw, finds it's mark.
Jennifer needs a cold shower. Yes, but not for traditional reasons of one needing a cold shower.
Jennifer needs Your Help. Yes, that goes without saying.
Jennifer needs to post. I'm on it.
Jennifer needs to slap Abby. If I could find her, I just might do that.
Jennifer needs to be in a mental health facility right now. There might be some truth in that...
Jennifer needs flatware. Oooooh, have I ever told you about my flatware addiction? No? Ohhhhhh. How much time have you got?
Jennifer needs to do five things. Only five?! Holy Cow! I wish someone would have told me this sooner!
Jennifer needs to be a (not very nice female person). I'll make sure and tell Hubster I'm only being that way because Google said so.
Thursday, July 27, 2006
What's Weird
Know what's weird around here today? I'll tell you.
We've been "budget conscious" for so long, I feel guilty for window shopping.
After a night of horrendous pain following self-inflicted toe nail surgery, my toe hurts less now than it did before. I thought I'd have to suffer at least a couple days.
Multi colored mini marshmallows will stain upholstery when chewed up and spit out.
My SD, D, likes me, BECAUSE I don't let her do everything she wants. What's weirder, is that she TOLD me that.
If you walk into the edge of a door in the middle of the night, you can't keep your tongue off the fat lip it gives you.
Chickens that produce so many eggs you have to give them away, will immediately stop laying eggs the minute you go on a diet that uses a lot of eggs.
The time the trash men come is directly relative to your ability to remember to take the trash to the curb. If you forget, they'll be there bright and early. If you remember, they won't show until after 6 pm.
The mail carrier works on the same laws as the trash men.
The more you hate a movie or cartoon, the more your kids like it.
That's all I have for now. Check out my new little award over in my sidebar! Thanks Mary! Even though it turns out I'm not as interesting as you originally thought, I appreciate the kudos!
We've been "budget conscious" for so long, I feel guilty for window shopping.
After a night of horrendous pain following self-inflicted toe nail surgery, my toe hurts less now than it did before. I thought I'd have to suffer at least a couple days.
Multi colored mini marshmallows will stain upholstery when chewed up and spit out.
My SD, D, likes me, BECAUSE I don't let her do everything she wants. What's weirder, is that she TOLD me that.
If you walk into the edge of a door in the middle of the night, you can't keep your tongue off the fat lip it gives you.
Chickens that produce so many eggs you have to give them away, will immediately stop laying eggs the minute you go on a diet that uses a lot of eggs.
The time the trash men come is directly relative to your ability to remember to take the trash to the curb. If you forget, they'll be there bright and early. If you remember, they won't show until after 6 pm.
The mail carrier works on the same laws as the trash men.
The more you hate a movie or cartoon, the more your kids like it.
That's all I have for now. Check out my new little award over in my sidebar! Thanks Mary! Even though it turns out I'm not as interesting as you originally thought, I appreciate the kudos!
Monday, July 24, 2006
It *IS* Sandal Season, After All...
My toenail is ingrown. Horribly, horribly ingrown, sore, and generally yucky. Attempted remedies could make up a blog all on their own. But after I applied my waterproof NexCare bandage, I found that I just couldn't leave well enough alone. Bloggable? Yes? No? *shrug* I think this may be a new all time low in the history of blogging.
Saturday, July 22, 2006
To The Nice Man At Lowes
Thank you so much for taking the time to discuss my woefully inadequate kitchen light fixture and explaining the process of installing recessed lighting. I'm leaning toward your original suggestion of installing a larger florescent fixture. Now, let me give you a little piece of advice: Yes, we bonded over light fixtures, yes, I know, it *is* exciting to talk to a girl who knows her way around a two way switch, but the "little one" isn't due, ever, ever again, and you are the worlds biggest %$#@@%#$^ for suggesting it. You made me cry, and as a result, my hubster now has snot on his shirt. Which I must now go wash. If we learn nothing from this blog, people, learn this: Never, Ever, EVER ask someone when she is due or anything resembling that question unless you already know the answer.
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Thursday Thoughts
I've been working hard on regaining some semblence of my pre-babies body. I started with weights and lots and lots and lots of ab work. I'm making some progress, two steps forward, one bowl of ice cream back, but I digress.
Lately, I've been using DVR to record Fit TV workouts (since my pilates dvd went missing). I found All Star Workout and I've liked that there is something new everyday, but I do find some workout's are better than others. Take the Belly Dancing one from today. Things started out, well, OK, since there's no way I can roll my belly and have it look like anything other than a big roll of pasty white jello, I skipped that part. So we moved on to hip drops. OK. I've been known to shake a little booty in my day. After the instructor showed us the booty shake, she showed us a step sequence called, the "grapevine", I only fell once, so it was cool. Then we had to shake the booty AND do the grapevine. Since hubster is working out of town today, I decided against personal injury and skipped that part. She moved on to some hip circles and something called the "egyptian", and I watched. Somewhere between the "basic" and the final hip roll, I found myself lounging on the couch with a perplexed look on my face and I decided that maybe belly dancing wasn't a viable option for me as a workout program.
K has been sounding like she's 6 going on 16 lately.
Me: 6+4 eqaaaaallllssss?
K: 10! It's 10! B, hush up, I know, cuz I used ALL MY FINGERS!
****
B: I didn't save my money for Sonic! I want to buy a game!
K: I'm not spending *MY* money, that's mostly mine for a GAME. I.am.not.gonna.do.it.
(Wonder where she learned to talk like that?)
****
And now we're off to spend the rest of the afternoon at my friend's pool. Yeahy for friends with pools during 105 degree days!
Lately, I've been using DVR to record Fit TV workouts (since my pilates dvd went missing). I found All Star Workout and I've liked that there is something new everyday, but I do find some workout's are better than others. Take the Belly Dancing one from today. Things started out, well, OK, since there's no way I can roll my belly and have it look like anything other than a big roll of pasty white jello, I skipped that part. So we moved on to hip drops. OK. I've been known to shake a little booty in my day. After the instructor showed us the booty shake, she showed us a step sequence called, the "grapevine", I only fell once, so it was cool. Then we had to shake the booty AND do the grapevine. Since hubster is working out of town today, I decided against personal injury and skipped that part. She moved on to some hip circles and something called the "egyptian", and I watched. Somewhere between the "basic" and the final hip roll, I found myself lounging on the couch with a perplexed look on my face and I decided that maybe belly dancing wasn't a viable option for me as a workout program.
K has been sounding like she's 6 going on 16 lately.
Me: 6+4 eqaaaaallllssss?
K: 10! It's 10! B, hush up, I know, cuz I used ALL MY FINGERS!
****
B: I didn't save my money for Sonic! I want to buy a game!
K: I'm not spending *MY* money, that's mostly mine for a GAME. I.am.not.gonna.do.it.
(Wonder where she learned to talk like that?)
****
And now we're off to spend the rest of the afternoon at my friend's pool. Yeahy for friends with pools during 105 degree days!
Monday, July 17, 2006
Love and Hate at the Local Library
Love- Row after row of books.
Hate- Grumpy Librarians. You'd think they'd at least like kids a *little bit*, but no.
Love- That you can take home as many as your heart desires.
Hate- When the kids beg to take home Sponge Bob Squarepants videos instead of something...I don't know...book-ish.
Love- Browsing the covers of books for hours.
Hate- Hearing the shrieking of my two year old as she protests her stroller confinement.
Hate Even More- Hearing the shrieking of my seven year old because my two year old BIT him whilst he attempted to school her on Library etiquette. You know, basics, like, don't run, don't scream and don't tear all the books off the shelves and throw them at other patrons.
Love- Picking out new adventure filled pages to introduce my children to the world of literature.
Hate- Computers on child size tables, in the picture book section...
Love- Summer Reading Club.
Love Even More- All the cool stuff we got for DOING Summer Reading Club.
Hate- That our Library doesn't put a sticker with the due date on the books anymore...They give you a list.
Hate Even More- That they still have to put a sticker in the book over the theft protection device. This sticker serves no purpose other than tempting little fingers to peel it off, meaning that not a week goes by that we don't announce our entry to the library by setting off the alarm. At least print the due date on the damn thing so when I notice it, stuck to the bottom of my foot, as I sit on the toilet, I have some idea of whether the books need to go back this week or next.
Love- Having a place to let the childrenrun wild quietly entertain themselves during 100+ degree weather.
Hate- Having to leave the books I look at on the end of the row to be *counted* instead of putting them right back where I found them.
Love- That, for once, someone else has to pick up all the books my kids get out.
Hate-Leaving.
Love- That we get to do it all over again next week.
Hate- Grumpy Librarians. You'd think they'd at least like kids a *little bit*, but no.
Love- That you can take home as many as your heart desires.
Hate- When the kids beg to take home Sponge Bob Squarepants videos instead of something...I don't know...book-ish.
Love- Browsing the covers of books for hours.
Hate- Hearing the shrieking of my two year old as she protests her stroller confinement.
Hate Even More- Hearing the shrieking of my seven year old because my two year old BIT him whilst he attempted to school her on Library etiquette. You know, basics, like, don't run, don't scream and don't tear all the books off the shelves and throw them at other patrons.
Love- Picking out new adventure filled pages to introduce my children to the world of literature.
Hate- Computers on child size tables, in the picture book section...
Love- Summer Reading Club.
Love Even More- All the cool stuff we got for DOING Summer Reading Club.
Hate- That our Library doesn't put a sticker with the due date on the books anymore...They give you a list.
Hate Even More- That they still have to put a sticker in the book over the theft protection device. This sticker serves no purpose other than tempting little fingers to peel it off, meaning that not a week goes by that we don't announce our entry to the library by setting off the alarm. At least print the due date on the damn thing so when I notice it, stuck to the bottom of my foot, as I sit on the toilet, I have some idea of whether the books need to go back this week or next.
Love- Having a place to let the children
Hate- Having to leave the books I look at on the end of the row to be *counted* instead of putting them right back where I found them.
Love- That, for once, someone else has to pick up all the books my kids get out.
Hate-Leaving.
Love- That we get to do it all over again next week.
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Pink Drink
What Texas lacks in the cherry department, it's made up for with an abundance of watermelons. I'm pretty sure there's a name for this, it's a recipe with Mexican origin, I believe. We love it because it's so fruity and refreshing on a sweltering summer night.
Watermelon, only use seedless. Cube it up and chuck it in the blender, fill almost full. Add enough cold water to fill blender halfway. Add about 1/2 cup of sugar, more or less according to taste, then cram ice cubes in the blender until you can barely get the lid on. Hold the lid on tight and pulverize the whole thing for about 30 seconds.
Make more.
And then make some more.
And if you have a larger than average family, just keep making until you run out of watermelons.
Enjoy!
Watermelon, only use seedless. Cube it up and chuck it in the blender, fill almost full. Add enough cold water to fill blender halfway. Add about 1/2 cup of sugar, more or less according to taste, then cram ice cubes in the blender until you can barely get the lid on. Hold the lid on tight and pulverize the whole thing for about 30 seconds.
Make more.
And then make some more.
And if you have a larger than average family, just keep making until you run out of watermelons.
Enjoy!
Monday, July 10, 2006
Discussing My Addiction
Gabriela pointed out this weekend that I might be a little bit addicted to the internet. While discussing with Hubster what we want to do when D graduates from HS, the thought of sending my husband to medical school in Belize came up. My first thought was: "I can live anywhere as long as they have a good, fast internet connection." Not, "I wonder if they have good schools and decent sanitation", nope, I'm worried about my download/upload speed. Go ahead and laugh if you want Gabs, but considering everything I've done on-line already this morning, a world without internet would mean some serious withdrawls for me. Here's what I do "in front of the computer all day":
Check bank balance
Pay bills
Locate at least three phone numbers for Hubster
Check the cattle prices
Register for Hubster's seminar
Check Library to see if my book is in yet
check Little League site for fall registration
Add homeschool books to my shopping carts (gotta order those soon)
check cell phone account for usage estimate
get CLEP test dates and costs
And of course, I've checked my email which is how D got me a picture of her new duvet cover for her room
and now Blogger.
And yes, Blogger is a huge time sink. Instead of tidying up the breakfast, OK, make that the weekend dishes (including the dishes from last night's peach ice cream-making-session), I am writing to you now. I have errands to run, a yard to attend, chickens to feed, children to teach, a shower to take, a house to clean and meals to cook, and still I type. And then I check my bloggy girlfriends' sites. And then I comment. And then I check back later to see if there are more comments, or a new post. If I didn't have the excuse that this is my journal, I'd have to feel pretty guilty about blogging!
But just think of all that time I saved paying bills, looking things up, buying things and signing up for things on line! That has to be the counter balance, right?! That's what I'm telling Hubster. He'll understand why the house is trashed, the laundry isn't done, and dinner came out of a can, right? At least I don't have a suitcase full of shoes to explain, like SOME people we know! LOL
Check bank balance
Pay bills
Locate at least three phone numbers for Hubster
Check the cattle prices
Register for Hubster's seminar
Check Library to see if my book is in yet
check Little League site for fall registration
Add homeschool books to my shopping carts (gotta order those soon)
check cell phone account for usage estimate
get CLEP test dates and costs
And of course, I've checked my email which is how D got me a picture of her new duvet cover for her room
and now Blogger.
And yes, Blogger is a huge time sink. Instead of tidying up the breakfast, OK, make that the weekend dishes (including the dishes from last night's peach ice cream-making-session), I am writing to you now. I have errands to run, a yard to attend, chickens to feed, children to teach, a shower to take, a house to clean and meals to cook, and still I type. And then I check my bloggy girlfriends' sites. And then I comment. And then I check back later to see if there are more comments, or a new post. If I didn't have the excuse that this is my journal, I'd have to feel pretty guilty about blogging!
But just think of all that time I saved paying bills, looking things up, buying things and signing up for things on line! That has to be the counter balance, right?! That's what I'm telling Hubster. He'll understand why the house is trashed, the laundry isn't done, and dinner came out of a can, right? At least I don't have a suitcase full of shoes to explain, like SOME people we know! LOL
Saturday, July 08, 2006
Friday, July 07, 2006
The Burning Question on My MInd
I really ought to start taking my camera to the grocery store. My blog would be much more interesting that way. Did you KNOW that Oscar Meyer puts out hot dogs that are individually wrapped (in the box) that are already in BUNS? They call them some thing like, "Easy Dogs". Has any one seen these? Or is it just Texans that are too lazy to heat AND assemble a hot dog? For heaven's sake, J can almost accomplish this task on her own, and she's not even two yet! In fact, I went to their website to obtain a picture of this product just to show you, and there ISN'T ONE! I am laughing, laughing, laughing about the fact that they have this "new" product and there is no mention of it anywhere on their website! They are dumb enough to *make* such a product, but not silly enough to let anyone know that they do. That's just one of those things that makes me go "Hmmmmmmm."
(Remember that song?)
During my outing, I also made a couple observations.
I don't think I will ever master the art of the messy ponytail. There was a very pretty brunette girl at the store who had on hip, cute, clothes, and a perfectly shaped messy ponytail. You've seen them, they have the "tail" part right in the middle of their heads, and the top is artfully arranged so it looks like it's ALMOST about to fall out, and yet, never does. It kind of looks...square...almost. I've seen the look before on my nieces, and they look absolutely fabulous. I try it, and I look like Ashlee Simpson after she went through the car wash in a convertible.
Blondes with big fake boobs, big, badly colored hair do's attract enough attention without ignoring their advanced age and wearing belly shirts. Unfortunatly, this fact is lost on many of them. One woman closely resembling the above remark, was flirting with one of the bagger boys. He looked more nervous than a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. Poor kid couldn't get rid of her fast enough.
I do love to watch people.
But after all my self commentated people watching, I exited the store and caught a glimpse of myself in the glass. I'm telling you, someone REALLY ought to lock up all my husbands oversized t-shirts and gym shorts, make me put on a little makeup once in a while and paint my toenails. And a shower couldn't hurt. If I saw myself in the store like that, I'd be telling myself, "Self, that poor woman needs to get.a.grip. Man, has she looked in a mirror lately? What on earth possessed her to think that get up was acceptable for schlepping around town?"
In my defense I did not have on pajama bottoms and slippers. Which means that at least once or twice, I have looked worse.
Why are comfortable, cotton, loose fitting articles of clothing so good at making us look so bad?
(Remember that song?)
During my outing, I also made a couple observations.
I don't think I will ever master the art of the messy ponytail. There was a very pretty brunette girl at the store who had on hip, cute, clothes, and a perfectly shaped messy ponytail. You've seen them, they have the "tail" part right in the middle of their heads, and the top is artfully arranged so it looks like it's ALMOST about to fall out, and yet, never does. It kind of looks...square...almost. I've seen the look before on my nieces, and they look absolutely fabulous. I try it, and I look like Ashlee Simpson after she went through the car wash in a convertible.
Blondes with big fake boobs, big, badly colored hair do's attract enough attention without ignoring their advanced age and wearing belly shirts. Unfortunatly, this fact is lost on many of them. One woman closely resembling the above remark, was flirting with one of the bagger boys. He looked more nervous than a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. Poor kid couldn't get rid of her fast enough.
I do love to watch people.
But after all my self commentated people watching, I exited the store and caught a glimpse of myself in the glass. I'm telling you, someone REALLY ought to lock up all my husbands oversized t-shirts and gym shorts, make me put on a little makeup once in a while and paint my toenails. And a shower couldn't hurt. If I saw myself in the store like that, I'd be telling myself, "Self, that poor woman needs to get.a.grip. Man, has she looked in a mirror lately? What on earth possessed her to think that get up was acceptable for schlepping around town?"
In my defense I did not have on pajama bottoms and slippers. Which means that at least once or twice, I have looked worse.
Why are comfortable, cotton, loose fitting articles of clothing so good at making us look so bad?
Monday, July 03, 2006
Refiner's Fire
I received this as an e-mail a couple of years back, and due to the circumstances in life as I know it in the past couple years, I've referred to it often. It makes me bawl like a baby whenever I read it, so, you're on your own for further discussion. Big cyber hug to all my girlies and blog readin' fam.
There was a group of women in a Bible study on the book of Malachi. As they were studying chapter three, they came across verse three which says: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." (Malachi 3:3) This verse puzzled the women and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.
One of the women offered to find out about the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible study. That week this woman called up a silver smith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest in silver beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver. As she watched the silver smith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot--then she thought again about the verse, that he sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.
She asked the silver smith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left even a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed. The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silver smith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?"
He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy--when I see my image in it."
If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has His eye on you.
There was a group of women in a Bible study on the book of Malachi. As they were studying chapter three, they came across verse three which says: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." (Malachi 3:3) This verse puzzled the women and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.
One of the women offered to find out about the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible study. That week this woman called up a silver smith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest in silver beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver. As she watched the silver smith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot--then she thought again about the verse, that he sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.
She asked the silver smith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left even a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed. The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silver smith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?"
He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy--when I see my image in it."
If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has His eye on you.
Saturday, July 01, 2006
Why We Will Not be Potty Training Any Time Soon:
"Hey J! Wanna put on a Pull Up Today?"
"Um...J?..."
"This is not going exactly as I had planned..."
"I'm a big kid now!"
I give up.
"Um...J?..."
"This is not going exactly as I had planned..."
"I'm a big kid now!"
I give up.
Calling All T Family Members!
Guess what usually costs $6 per pound and was on sale today for $1.49 per pound?
Yup!
For all my bloggy friends, my Grandma G used to can cherries and they were *THE* after dinner treat when you went to Grandma G's house to spend the night. My Dad ate more than his fair share of these babies while growing up! It's really very simple, just cherries in some light syrup, but oh, so good! All you Utah girls probably have at least one neighbor with a nice big tree full in the back yard, but down here, cherries are hard to come by and usually very expensive. I've never seen this good a price in the whole time we've been here! My Grandma G was kind enough to write out her method for me, she says "41-42# yields about 30 quarts". Talk about needing a loan! So I did my measly 10# tonight and I'll treasure every bite in my 5 quarts thank-you-very-much!
Yum! Now let's get down to business. Boiling the jars:
Jars with clean, de-stemmed cherries, waiting for syrup:
Water bath:
Finished jars! Eeek! Hard water, wipe those jars off with a little vinegar to clear the spots!
Video Hosting - Upload Video - Video Sharing
If any of you would like to join me for a bowl of cherries, I have extra beds, but as you can see, there are only 5 quarts, you'll need to hurry and make your reservation today!
Yup!
For all my bloggy friends, my Grandma G used to can cherries and they were *THE* after dinner treat when you went to Grandma G's house to spend the night. My Dad ate more than his fair share of these babies while growing up! It's really very simple, just cherries in some light syrup, but oh, so good! All you Utah girls probably have at least one neighbor with a nice big tree full in the back yard, but down here, cherries are hard to come by and usually very expensive. I've never seen this good a price in the whole time we've been here! My Grandma G was kind enough to write out her method for me, she says "41-42# yields about 30 quarts". Talk about needing a loan! So I did my measly 10# tonight and I'll treasure every bite in my 5 quarts thank-you-very-much!
Yum! Now let's get down to business. Boiling the jars:
Jars with clean, de-stemmed cherries, waiting for syrup:
Water bath:
Finished jars! Eeek! Hard water, wipe those jars off with a little vinegar to clear the spots!
Video Hosting - Upload Video - Video Sharing
If any of you would like to join me for a bowl of cherries, I have extra beds, but as you can see, there are only 5 quarts, you'll need to hurry and make your reservation today!
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