It has been a long, LONG time since I have been to this lovely little blog of mine, but its nothing like a child of your's entering a new stage in her life and you feeling completely overwhelmed and underprepared to get my creative writing juices flowing! So, Max and the 11th Dinosaur is going to take a new direction in life, just as my children are beginning to do the same.
When I suspected I was pregnant with my first child, heretofore referred to as S (she as asked for me not to use her full name or post pictures of her because "stalkers are on the internet") I devoured books that prepared me for the next ten+ months (both of the little buggers were 2 weeks late). Then once she got here, I read and re-read What To Expect the First Year like it was going out of style. By the time she, and by then her brother H, (I thought I would just continue this facade of anonymity) were toddlers I was taking Child Development and Psychology courses out the ying-yang, so I felt prepared for what to expect for the next 8-10 years. But now they are 10 and almost 12 (less than a month away) and the prospect of pre-teen and teenage (GASP) years mere days away I find myself completely overwhelmed with what is going on and what is coming! And the available, trusted sources are few and far between.
So... I have decided to mostly devote this blog, for the time being, to life with pre-teens and teen-agers. There is so much going on in their brains and bodies and so many new experiences for us parents, sometimes I find I am completely befuddled and want to know why the answer can't be locking them in padded rooms for the next 8-10 years! I hope some the things I write about help others and, who knows, maybe we can all learn together!
OK, dinner is starting to sizzle! Got to Go!!
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Saturday, March 27, 2010
the Hippies (part 1)
At my work... which is a church... we moved offices and are beginning some remodeling. Part of that remodeling is getting rid of the church library. The other day I came into my office to find the MOST amazing pamphlet(s) sitting on my desk. One is entitled "the Hippies", the other "Sex-ed: conditioning for immorality" Both were published by Publius and Associates about 1967 and 1969, respectively. (there isn't a date on them though, but their sources are all from about this time)
Needless to say they are so amazing that I have returned from a hiatus of not blogging to transfer these pamphlets' contents to the Internet. Over the next few entries you are going to get to read some amazing stuff.
Also, a few minutes after reading these I was told by our office manager that there were film strips and vinyls that accompanied the pamphlets, but that she had thrown them away. Needless to say I went and got them out. So, if anyone knows how to get their hands on a 35mm film projector I propose a movie night!
I don't have a scanner, so this picture is going to have to do.
the Hippies
Since the dawn of history, man's goal has been to create a society free from drudgery, hunger, and disease - not only for himself, but as a legacy to pass on to his children. But only after the founding of our free society was the atmosphere created in which he could reach his goal. He worked and planned, built, and innovated... and grew!
Eventually, he was able to provide not only the necessities of life for himself and his children... but he could dream of acquiring some of the luxuries as well. Has man's dream of his children's future ended in a nightmare?
The end of World War II found America up from the depths of depression to the most affluent society known in history. Business was booming.
To capture these ready dollars, Madison Avenue turned to psychologists to analyze what motivated people to buy. Their studies revealed not only what motivated {sic} people - but techniques that could be used to create new desires in people... and to glorify the new and the different - whether it has quality or not!
It became apparent that, for the first time, American youth {sic} had plenty of money, also - and motivational research revealed that the influence of what has been called "Progressive Education" has produced a generation of youngsters many of whom were more concerned with being accepted by groups of their own age than they were with their own individualism.
Among this generation of susceptible youngsters, fads came - in epidemic proportions. The mass media helped to create fads - and profits poured in for those merchandisers who successfully capitalized on the fads.
***To be continued!!!
Needless to say they are so amazing that I have returned from a hiatus of not blogging to transfer these pamphlets' contents to the Internet. Over the next few entries you are going to get to read some amazing stuff.
Also, a few minutes after reading these I was told by our office manager that there were film strips and vinyls that accompanied the pamphlets, but that she had thrown them away. Needless to say I went and got them out. So, if anyone knows how to get their hands on a 35mm film projector I propose a movie night!
I don't have a scanner, so this picture is going to have to do.
the Hippies
Since the dawn of history, man's goal has been to create a society free from drudgery, hunger, and disease - not only for himself, but as a legacy to pass on to his children. But only after the founding of our free society was the atmosphere created in which he could reach his goal. He worked and planned, built, and innovated... and grew!
Eventually, he was able to provide not only the necessities of life for himself and his children... but he could dream of acquiring some of the luxuries as well. Has man's dream of his children's future ended in a nightmare?
The end of World War II found America up from the depths of depression to the most affluent society known in history. Business was booming.
To capture these ready dollars, Madison Avenue turned to psychologists to analyze what motivated people to buy. Their studies revealed not only what motivated {sic} people - but techniques that could be used to create new desires in people... and to glorify the new and the different - whether it has quality or not!
It became apparent that, for the first time, American youth {sic} had plenty of money, also - and motivational research revealed that the influence of what has been called "Progressive Education" has produced a generation of youngsters many of whom were more concerned with being accepted by groups of their own age than they were with their own individualism.
Among this generation of susceptible youngsters, fads came - in epidemic proportions. The mass media helped to create fads - and profits poured in for those merchandisers who successfully capitalized on the fads.
***To be continued!!!
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
A find I found today...
At work, my computer's internet homepage is set to the BBC (it makes me feel smarter than everyone else in the office) and I came across this report. It talks about a photography contest winner... which isn't really what I want to tell you about. What I want you to see are the pictures that won. They are of a 17 year old girl... in Ohio. The photographer's website has all of them and tells a little backstory of the girl.
What I think makes these photos so amazing (and I am not a photography expert by any means) is how real and honest they are. And that not only is the girl from Ohio, but she isn't the only one that is living a life just like hers.
Just think about that.
What I think makes these photos so amazing (and I am not a photography expert by any means) is how real and honest they are. And that not only is the girl from Ohio, but she isn't the only one that is living a life just like hers.
Just think about that.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
How to catch a Chipmunk
Below you will find a very ingenious way to catch a chipmunk if one happens to be running around your bedroom.
Here you see a detailed illustration of how to catch chipmunks. Below you will find up-close of the coolest parts... The "trap" begins in the bottom left hand corner and proceeds around following the circles (herein known as nuts).
This is a close up of the the top left hand corner. As you can see the first number is 123, but it is crossed out, the second 15. The third is 23... apparently it takes 23 nuts to lure the chipmunk into the trap. (If you count the nuts there are 24, I think the last one is a treat to really get him in)
Tada! The chipmunk is in and as a special treat a bowl of nuts is waiting for him.
And thus you now have a way to successfully catch any chipmunk you may come into contact with.
NOTE: This process has not been actually tested and as far as we know the chipmunk left on its own accord.
Here you see a detailed illustration of how to catch chipmunks. Below you will find up-close of the coolest parts... The "trap" begins in the bottom left hand corner and proceeds around following the circles (herein known as nuts).
This is a close up of the the top left hand corner. As you can see the first number is 123, but it is crossed out, the second 15. The third is 23... apparently it takes 23 nuts to lure the chipmunk into the trap. (If you count the nuts there are 24, I think the last one is a treat to really get him in)
Tada! The chipmunk is in and as a special treat a bowl of nuts is waiting for him.And thus you now have a way to successfully catch any chipmunk you may come into contact with.
NOTE: This process has not been actually tested and as far as we know the chipmunk left on its own accord.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
I am a slacker
Hello, my name is Alicia and I am a slacker...
Wasn't it just 3'ish weeks ago that I said that I wanted to start blogging everyday, wasn't it last week that I said I would blog more about VBS tomorrow, Man! I need to get on the ball, but the bad thing is, I have been so busy that I have barely even been on my computer to begin with. And tomorrow I am leaving for Put-in-Bay with my mom and sister and should technically be packing right now.
And let me tell you, this is just me slacking at blogging. There are a few other things I'm slacking on I just want to throw out there, maybe by having them in print I will do them (because there are more people who now know that I'm not doing them)
1. I was supposed to have called everyone who signed up to be in my "ministry" and "personally" invite them to a Ministry Launch... I half-assed this just a few minutes ago. I didn't call everyone on the list AND I have had the lists for about a month now.
2. I was supposed to also call everyone who works in my "ministry" who did not fill out a paper and get them to fill it out... nope haven't done that yet.
3. Lose weight, I don't think I have even begin trying to do this and not even for a good reason
4. Cleaning my kids room so that we can put down a new floor
5. Packing for tomorrow, not done yet 'cause I'm telling you how much of a slacker I am
6. Keeping up with reading for a Bible Study group I'm a part of.
Ok, well, I'm sure that is NOT everything... but what a depressing post this has been, why make it worse by making my list longer?
I'm not making any promises, but maybe I will blog about my vacation at some point in the future.
Wasn't it just 3'ish weeks ago that I said that I wanted to start blogging everyday, wasn't it last week that I said I would blog more about VBS tomorrow, Man! I need to get on the ball, but the bad thing is, I have been so busy that I have barely even been on my computer to begin with. And tomorrow I am leaving for Put-in-Bay with my mom and sister and should technically be packing right now.
And let me tell you, this is just me slacking at blogging. There are a few other things I'm slacking on I just want to throw out there, maybe by having them in print I will do them (because there are more people who now know that I'm not doing them)
1. I was supposed to have called everyone who signed up to be in my "ministry" and "personally" invite them to a Ministry Launch... I half-assed this just a few minutes ago. I didn't call everyone on the list AND I have had the lists for about a month now.
2. I was supposed to also call everyone who works in my "ministry" who did not fill out a paper and get them to fill it out... nope haven't done that yet.
3. Lose weight, I don't think I have even begin trying to do this and not even for a good reason
4. Cleaning my kids room so that we can put down a new floor
5. Packing for tomorrow, not done yet 'cause I'm telling you how much of a slacker I am
6. Keeping up with reading for a Bible Study group I'm a part of.
Ok, well, I'm sure that is NOT everything... but what a depressing post this has been, why make it worse by making my list longer?
I'm not making any promises, but maybe I will blog about my vacation at some point in the future.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Let The Great Hunt Begin!
This evening the culmination of months of hard work, planning, worrying, planning, changing the plans and planning some more all and even more hard work came together to kick off my third week of Vacation Bible School. And, as far as I can tell, it was the highest first night we have had since I have been the Children's Director/Minister (you can pick the title), with 52 kids!
When I first started VBS we did a "canned" VBS (I like to compare it to canned meat)... I didn't enjoy it at all. So last year I wrote my first VBS, it was good. And this year I continues with the tradition. This year's VBS is titled "The Great Hunt: Helping you find your place." It is a detective theme with a Sherlock Holmes looking guy... and we focus on 4 clues that Jesus tells us in 4 of his parables about how to find our place. And if I do say so myself, it is WAY better than last year's. I just feel so much more prepared and I feel like the lessons are better and the crafts and games are better. It is all Great.
Now, I don't want to make it sound like all the prep work was done by me, myself, and I... I had TONS of help. I would like to take this moment to say a few thanks to those people. (Who I don't even know if there read this... I'll probably tell them to on facebook though) First off, Jesus. Of course I can't do anything about him without Him, so Thank YOU. And even though we have plans, you make other plans and set those in motion so that our plans are really your plans all along. Second, Minnie Haworth. The artistic and creative abilities and your enthusiasm that you have been blessed with are awe inspiring. Next, Jennifer Hallgath, even though you aren't with me this week the prep work that you have helped with and the support you have given me are immeasurable. My parents, all the manual labor they put in to helping me build amazing "brick" walls was wonderful and I know you had a great time, too. Rob, your understanding and support and childcare have been great... not to mention the stress relief! All my workers, who aren't as obsessive as I have been lately with detail... because even though I have it all worked out in my head sometimes it isn't communicated to you and you all just go with the flow. Finally, Marilyn Marks. Even though you didn't get to be a part of The Great Hunt, you have already found where you are going. And I know that you are up there and I like to think that you can see everything, just as it is going to be and you are having a great time. We will all miss up very much, but we will see you again! (NOTE: these Thank you's are in no specific order of importance)
More tomorrow.... maybe even a video.
When I first started VBS we did a "canned" VBS (I like to compare it to canned meat)... I didn't enjoy it at all. So last year I wrote my first VBS, it was good. And this year I continues with the tradition. This year's VBS is titled "The Great Hunt: Helping you find your place." It is a detective theme with a Sherlock Holmes looking guy... and we focus on 4 clues that Jesus tells us in 4 of his parables about how to find our place. And if I do say so myself, it is WAY better than last year's. I just feel so much more prepared and I feel like the lessons are better and the crafts and games are better. It is all Great.
Now, I don't want to make it sound like all the prep work was done by me, myself, and I... I had TONS of help. I would like to take this moment to say a few thanks to those people. (Who I don't even know if there read this... I'll probably tell them to on facebook though) First off, Jesus. Of course I can't do anything about him without Him, so Thank YOU. And even though we have plans, you make other plans and set those in motion so that our plans are really your plans all along. Second, Minnie Haworth. The artistic and creative abilities and your enthusiasm that you have been blessed with are awe inspiring. Next, Jennifer Hallgath, even though you aren't with me this week the prep work that you have helped with and the support you have given me are immeasurable. My parents, all the manual labor they put in to helping me build amazing "brick" walls was wonderful and I know you had a great time, too. Rob, your understanding and support and childcare have been great... not to mention the stress relief! All my workers, who aren't as obsessive as I have been lately with detail... because even though I have it all worked out in my head sometimes it isn't communicated to you and you all just go with the flow. Finally, Marilyn Marks. Even though you didn't get to be a part of The Great Hunt, you have already found where you are going. And I know that you are up there and I like to think that you can see everything, just as it is going to be and you are having a great time. We will all miss up very much, but we will see you again! (NOTE: these Thank you's are in no specific order of importance)
More tomorrow.... maybe even a video.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Day 7 sans Rob
Tomorrow I will get to be with my husband!!! I got a text from him this evening saying that he will be leaving Memphis at 5 (so less than 5 hours away).. The sad thing is that I think he will be home about 3 hours before I get to see him. Because not only is Rob getting back home tomorrow, but my parents are too!! (And I have to pick them up from the airport)
So, let me tell you about THE BEST night EVER!!! Henry and I went to the Reds game, we had the best seats... (5 rows from the outfield), they hit a home room and it landed about 10 rows behind us... which meant there were Homerun Fireworks... AND then THEY WON!!! OH, but that is not all, there was a whole firework show after the game too! During the game Henry said two of the best lines ever. The first was when he was sitting eating a sno-cone and he said "Mom, you spoil me..." The second came in the middle of the fireworks show and he screamed, "THIS IS THE BEST NIGHT EVER! and not just because the Reds won!"
There was a side part to the evening too. On our way to the game I get a call from Syd's Girl Scout Camp leader. They were scared of the storms that might come tonight and they decided to have all the girls go home for the night... at 9:30... in the middle of the game. I was like WHAT am I supposed to do? Especially since no one is home to get her except for me. Then I remembered that my Nana does drive and is able to pick up Syd for me...Thank goodnes for family. Needless to say, my Nana picked up Syd and when we came through town after the game we picked Syd up.
Now, I am sitting in my in-laws bed, getting ready to go to sleep. For so many reasons I chose to sleep here. The biggest, it is FREAKING hot and they have AC.
So, tomorrow, is a busy day, full of home comings and funness! I think I am going to do a recap-what I have learned from a week of being a single mom.
So, let me tell you about THE BEST night EVER!!! Henry and I went to the Reds game, we had the best seats... (5 rows from the outfield), they hit a home room and it landed about 10 rows behind us... which meant there were Homerun Fireworks... AND then THEY WON!!! OH, but that is not all, there was a whole firework show after the game too! During the game Henry said two of the best lines ever. The first was when he was sitting eating a sno-cone and he said "Mom, you spoil me..." The second came in the middle of the fireworks show and he screamed, "THIS IS THE BEST NIGHT EVER! and not just because the Reds won!"
There was a side part to the evening too. On our way to the game I get a call from Syd's Girl Scout Camp leader. They were scared of the storms that might come tonight and they decided to have all the girls go home for the night... at 9:30... in the middle of the game. I was like WHAT am I supposed to do? Especially since no one is home to get her except for me. Then I remembered that my Nana does drive and is able to pick up Syd for me...Thank goodnes for family. Needless to say, my Nana picked up Syd and when we came through town after the game we picked Syd up.
Now, I am sitting in my in-laws bed, getting ready to go to sleep. For so many reasons I chose to sleep here. The biggest, it is FREAKING hot and they have AC.
So, tomorrow, is a busy day, full of home comings and funness! I think I am going to do a recap-what I have learned from a week of being a single mom.
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