A Plantation Homeschool

Yes, you heard me, I'm ready to throw the television out of the window.  I'm tired of the arguments.  I'm tired of it taking over my kid's head.  His entire life is centered around electronics.  I've ranted a bit about this before, but now it's more serious.  It's so bad that in making spelling sentences (when his brain isn't warped and can form sentences) they are all aout his games or tv shows.  Every Saturday morning my husband complains that we need to get them their own tv for their rooms in order for him to watch tv.  I always protest saying that my husband needs to tell Bryson to get off.  We pay the bills and are in charge and he can get off if my husband wants it.  But honestly, what is so important about the tv that neither can do without?  All day long it can be off while I'm listening to Perry Como  belting out Christmas songs and I think I'm still living.  So, yes, I want to throw it out of the window. 

Another thing that really warps my son's brain is sugar.  I'm not talking about a little warping his brain.  I'm saying that when he's in carb-overload he will do as he did Monday night; show autism signs.  Monday night I wasn't feeling well (monthly visitor and anemia don't mix) so I didn't see him get into the kitchen cupboards.  In 2 hours he ate a can of chicken alfredo soup, 1/2 lb of marinara spaghetti, and a bag of organic corn chips.  I"m not kidding.  A 10 year old ate all of that.  He looked like he was going into a sugar coma.  My husband and I looked at eachother when he was spinning in circles with his eyes closed, falling on the floor, and doing it over again because he needed to find his balance in his brain.  Later on he was shaking his hands, another sign.  We know Bry isn't autistic, but when he does this he is obviously "off kilter".  So, he has to go back on the low carb diet.  My husband and Bry do very well on this because they are pre-diabetic.  I need to lose weight so I am doing this with them.  I had already been weeding out all of the pasta chips a few weeks ago when Bry's report card showed though he has straight A's he's regressing on his goals set up by the special needs teachers.  I hope it helps us all. 

So what's the final verdict.  You are the parent-don't show slack.  This summer I was too lenient on food and tv and now we are all paying the price.  Stick to your guns.  If necessary throw everything out the window!

Blessings,

Farrah

Please stop by to visit Peggy to peek into the lives of other "Simple Women," and to read the guidelines for creating your own Daybook!

...we said, "I do."

It was a warm autumn day in a courtyard of a beautiful old mansion. I wore a vintage styled gown with beautiful beadwork. I was not yet twenty and had no idea what "for better or for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health..." even meant. The years to follow would be lessons in all. 

 Labor pains and four children-- one going back to the arms of Jesus. The loss of my father and grandparents as well as the near death of my mother and his dad. Moves, job changes, and going back to college. Financial hardships and gains. Sickness, tests, and fear of the results. A few extra pounds and a few gray hairs. Everyday life, laughter and love.

 I don't know what we'll have to face together as time marches on, but I thank the Lord for my husband. We are far from perfect and definitely still learning, but I wouldn't want to be that young bride (well, maybe her size!) or trade what I know now.

I hope there is much yet to come. I look forward to growing older and rediscovering who we are. I'm glad we took those vows on that beautiful October day, but even more... I'm glad we meant them.

Yes indeedy my friends, I see a yellow leaf outside my window!  Oh, so it really is Autumn!  Not that I'd know by the 80 degree temperatures *sigh*.  I was telling my Mom today that is the thing I hate the most, well right after the traffic, is that spring is literally 3 weeks long as well as Fall.  The rest of the time it's either really cold or really hot.  Just have to dress in serious layers down here in the peach state.

This weekend we are going to see Shakespeare on the lawn at a historical home.  I think it's Romeo and Juliet this time.  They have performances in the spring and fall.  Maybe we can leave the boys home and just my darlin' and I go.  I'd love to get some fried peach pie from a cute little restaurant in town called Relish.  Other than that and church I'm not sure what we'll be up to.  Even though, praise the Lord, we are getting gas it is well over $4 gallon so we still won't venture out too much.  We were thinking of going on a little trip next weekend to Asheville, NC, but I'm not sure now because it will cost so much for gas.  We'll see.

Some cool news about my stepson is that he was chosen for ROTC to be in their academic bowl and he's only a freshman!  Nicholas is a really smart kid, but he doesn't always apply himself to homework, or pay attention in class and that's why he sometimes has bad grades.  When he has to though he can really buckle down.  We are very proud of Nicholas for using the intelligence that God gave him for a good thing.  If they win this competition the team will go to DC and VA.  My husband said we'll go with him for a little family vacation and just maybe I can re-visit Colonial Williamsburg and Yorktown.  Again, if the gas price goes down!

What are y'all up to this weekend?  Hope y'all are doing well. 

Blessings,

~Farrah

On Grandpa's eightieth birthday, we bought him a little pup that he named Rosie. She was by his side when he went out do to the chores, and in his lap when he sat in the swing to drink his tea. He's been gone for eight years now, but Rosie has been on the farm all that time and is now in her fourteenth year. We've known that she was on borrowed time. Each winter, we wondered if it would be her last. In the back of our minds, we knew that the day might come where we would have to make a decision. Though we hoped it wouldn't come to that, yesterday was that day.

It was hard to say goodbye to her. She was the last living piece of Grandpa on the farm. But, each of us said our good-bye and my oldest son and I took her to her final journey to the vet. She was wrapped in Gram's blanket and Grandpa's shirt and is now at rest here on the farm. Our youngest son was especially sad. One of his first words was "Ro Ro," the name he has called her since. He was mainly missing his grandparents, and questioning why everything that once belonged to them seems to have died or gone away. "But we do have the land," I reminded him. Something that will remain forever.

Farm life has a way of going on, however, which is what makes it so wonderful. We awoke to the sound of not one, but seven little peeping chicks this morning! It was an unexpected blessing. Momma Hen had a nest hidden away in one of the hosta plants. They are just precious and we have enjoyed watching them today. It's quite chilly here, so I noticed that she stops frequently to warm them.

Yes, that is the big story here. It's COLD! I was able to get out a new soft pumpkin colored sweater that I was looking forward to wearing. There are no bare feet in our house today and the extra quilts are coming out at bedtime...maybe even before. I do look forward to these autumn evenings. The house just seems so cozy. Our family is all gathered in one place again and we seem to reconnect after the busy summer. It's a truly wonderful time of the year.

( The picture above is Grandpa and two of my sons, after doing chores. I know I have shared this before, but I dearly love this picture. When he comes to mind, I always think of him and his love for his grandchildren.)