That dear lady, SpazzyMommy, had a fun post on her site. Since I was one of the big winners, I am following through on my part of the deal and posting myself. Besides, I think this will be amusing.

Homemade Exchange

I was supposed to say, “First five people to respond to this post will get something made by me.This offer does have some restrictions and limitations so please read carefully:” 

Instead I am saying, “Every person who comments on this entry will have a chance to be one of the FIVE GRAND PRIZE WINNERS!”  I will put all your names in a container on Sunday night and choose five lucky winners. It is entirely probable that I’ll pick more than five just because I’m like that.

Now, I’m supposed to say:

- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make. (Which is true)
– What I create will be just for you. (Maybe. Maybe not. What I create might be something I’ve been hankering to do and will just send it to you.)
– It’ll be done this year, 2009. (Fair enough)
– You have no clue what it’s going to be. It will be something made in the real world and not something over the internet. It may be a mixed CD. It may be a poem. I may draw or paint something. I might bake you something and mail it to you. Who knows? Not you, that’s for sure! [not me either] (Well, I might give you a hint.)
– I reserve the right to do something extremely strange. (Okay. I also reserve the right to be insanely dull.)

And I add this one:

- If you want to participate, you also have to send me your snail mail address (via Xanga message). If this is creepy to you, which it might be, because I really am a stranger, then just let me know in your comment that you’d rather not participate.

And the final bit I’m to say–

“Here’s the fine print: In return, all you need to do is post this text into a blog of your own and make 5 things for 5 others. No cheating! You have to post this on your site and follow through.”

However, in the spirit of anarchy and non-conformity that I usual adopt when faced with a chain mail situation, I do not require this of any winner or non-winner. If it sounds like fun to you, have at it. If not, sit back and reap the rewards of a comment and some dumb luck.

So, there you go. Comment away! I am not immune to bribery.

 PS–You do not have to have a Xanga account. I know that a number of my readers don’t. Just leave a comment by clicking “comment” below the post and sign in as anonymous. Of course, if you are too anonymous (i.e. you don’t leave your name), I won’t know who you are.

It’s been a long time since I’ve reviewed a book I’ve read.  It’s not that I’ve not been reading. It’s just that when I read over my reviews, I’m usually embarrassed by how poorly I’ve written.  But, to become excellent, one must practice. And to become mediocre, one must practice occasionally.

The 100 Most Important Events in Christian History by Curtis, Lang and Peterson

This book was part of the 10th grade Sonlight curriculum, and I was glad I decided to read it, too.  The book is comprised of 100 events which occurred after the book of Acts but before 1970 and is written not just for Christians but for those who are interested in the history of Christianity.   The authors do not seem to have a particular agenda to push  or to favor one denominational philosophy over another which gives the history a neutral feel.  Catholic and Protestant events are both listed, as well as the formation of movements in the church. Each entry in the book is about a page or two in length, which makes it great for little bites of reading or for reading as part of a Bible time. The book is a comfortable size with a two-colum format and easy-on-the-eye typeface.  If you have wanted to learn more about the history of Christianity without having to wade through volumes of ancient writings or if you were hesitant to read certain historical texts because of the slant they might have toward a particular doctrine, you may enjoy this readable book.

In Search of the Source by Anderson and Moore

I have read lots of missionary biographies, some of them about Bible translators. But this book was the first that really enabled me to see how the actual work of translating the scriptures happened.  The Andersons went to Papua New Guinea in the 1970s with their two children (with two more to come) to work with the Folopa people. This people group of about 2,500 had no written language and were former cannibals. 

The book is organized around passages of scripture: each chapters shows Neil Anderson and a group of people trying to translate a passage and then tells a story about the passage or the translation. For example, how would you translate this scripture which speaks of the goodness of God?  “If your son asks for a fish, you will not give him a snake?” To the Folopas, a snake was a delicacy, and fish were of little worth.  A snake was a better gift.  Or could you effectively translate prayer, worship, and glory?  I used to think it might be easy. But, this book showed me that we should not handle God’s word lightly. 

The stories in the book not only entertained and gave a glimpse into a different culture, they also clearly illustrated how God’s word, even though it was written over thousands of years to a culture very different than that of this Papua New Guinea tribe, still speaks truth.    This book would make a great read aloud for Bible time and is a wonderful book to read on your own. The stories aren’t gruesome, but there are bits of the former culture that are related which might make it for third grade and up. 

What have you been reading?

Life seems to be fairly ordinary around here, which makes for a dull blog. 

When I got up this morning, it was thundering. I like thunderstorms, especially when they are a surprise, like on in February in PA.  Strangely enough, I could not sleep this morning, even though I gave it my best shot and lay in bed for an hour just thinking about this and that.  Due to the ordinary trouble I have falling asleep, I’ve become quite proficient at lying in bed awake for hours. I wonder if that’s a resume builder? “Able to be slothful for hours on end.”  Doubtful.

And thus ends the deadly dull update. You may now proceed with your usual lives, at least until the world stops rotating.

To some of the world, it’s Mardi Gras. To Pennsylvanians, it’s Faschnaut Day. Time to eat the donuts!  However, at our house, we had pancakes.   To be honest, the big holiday was an afterthought. I planned dinner and then realized how well it fit in with the day.

Do any of you participate in Lent? As Baptists, we don’t focus on Lent (or actually have it on our radar screens, so to speak).  However, I’ve been wondering the past few years if it would be a good idea for me to give up something for the 40 days leading up to Easter. I think it would help me to understand sacrifice–not to the extent that Jesus sacrificed for me, but at least a little bit. Plus, it would also help me to anticipate Easter and the joy of it.

Unfortunately for me, Lent caught me by surprise this year. (I just realized it started tomorrow about four hours ago.) In these few hours before Lent begins, I’m waffling. I just don’t WANT to sacrifice. I’m happy with all my treats an pleasures. And that is quite telling.  I’ll have to pray and consider. 

Are you observing Lent this year?

  Sometimes, I just feel as if I have nothing to say. I’m sure we all go through fits and spurts of brilliance, and I’m certainly not spurting at the moment (although I will not rule out fits).

We are dog-sitting my “sister,” Molly the beagle mix. Every day, I am happier and happier because I don’t have a dog full-time. After the 27th, I can return her!  Usually Molly is the easiest pup in the world to watch, but at age 14, I guess her digestive tract doesn’t work as regularly.  I cleaned up a wet mess, TGD three separate “double messes,” and one day, I left the house for less than an hour, and when I returned, I discovered she had thrown up on three different couch cushions, the side of the couch, twice on the ottoman, twice on the carpet in one room, and once on the carpet of another room. Hooray for cats!

I have decided to teach AP Language and Composition again next year. I had a four year break (or three years? I forget.).  I’ve been asked many times if I would teach again, and this year I agreed.  If you’ve got any interested AP students, let me know. (I can give you references if you want, or, former students, feel free to gush right here on Xanga–ha ha.)  In some ways, I am not looking forward to it at all. The AP exam has changed since I last taught, so I have quite a learning curve for myself–new syllabus, new essays to grade, new textbook. I’ll have my evenings taken up with grading essays and replying to students when I’ve been used to just lounging around doing nothing. But, I can teach both Wit and LibbyK in my class next year, and I can make new friends.  It’s time for another AP picnic, is it not?

What are you reading lately? I always like to know.

(And please, somebody did get the double meaning of my title, right?)

Because I’ve already got the best one there is! And, I shall attempt a non-mathematical proof.

Postulate 1: Friday night, TGD spoke at the Youth Group meeting on the topic of “Zealous for Good Deeds.”  When he got to the application section of how to practically apply this verse, his Power Point read, “Give your extremely attractive wife two dozen roses.” He went into a back room and came out with two dozen, long-stemmed, red roses and gave them to me to the “Awww!”s of the group.

Postulate 2:  Saturday, I got to sleep in. Then, Wit and I went out to Pizza Hut and shopping all afternoon.  Although this might not seem like a Valentine’s treat, per se, I got to have a lot of fun all day.

Postulate 3:  TGD said we could go out anywhere I wanted for supper, even though we knew it would be insanely busy wherever we went.  We called ahead for seating at Texas Roadhouse, but somehow, they didn’t write down my reservation. So, I had to get another reservation number and a much longer wait. We left for a while, and when I called back to check on our wait time, I was told that my new reservation number didn’t exist!  I got on the phone with someone more in charge, and he said to me, “Are you here in the restaurant?” 
“No, but I can be in three minutes.” 
“Great, come in, and we’ll give you a table right now.”
And he did.
And through all the hassle and empty stomach, instead of complaining, TGD took me shopping.

Postulate 4:  After going to several stores, we made a purchase–a 32″ flat screen TV!  Wheee! Considering the TV it is replacing is a 12″ from TGD’s early college days, I’m pretty excited.   Roses, dinner, and a TV–Ah!

Postulate 5:  Seeing as we got the TV at Best Buy, it seemed only right to cap off our Valentine’s celebration by watching two episodes of Chuck.  And that’s all the more you need to know.

Postulate 6: The sermon in church today was on Hebrews 13:4, “Let marriage be held in honor by all…” Our pastor spoke about a couple who had been married 69 years and still “looked at each other like love-sick teenagers.” He went on to challenge us by saying, “Remember when we were love-sick teenagers?  Remember when we would call for no reason at all? When we would just spend all evening talking and enjoying one another?” He went on to list many other examples of lovesickness, and through it all, my boys rolled their eyes.  He was describing in detail how their dad behaves toward me!

And a funny story from today–My kids are used to TGD and his romantic silliness. LibbyK had a friend over after church today who wasn’t.  After we prayed for lunch TGD referred to me and said, “with her new nickname, ‘Esposa caliente’.”  There was a pause, and LibbyK’s friend tentatively said, “Hot wife?” and burst out laughing.  We do have fun.

Last night, we didn’t sleep so well. The wind was so strong that any moment, I expected a house to fall on me, so I got up and took off my striped socks and ruby slippers.  Just about that time, the power went out.  After a bit of fumbling around (thank heavens for my book light!), we found the non-electric clock and set it. 

The power came back on at 11:30, so we could turn on the lights again, but we found we didn’t want to. It was quite cozy in the gray darkness with the wind while we were cozy wrapped in Grammy Norris-crocheted afghans.

My apologies for referring to something I thought I had mentioned, but apparently failed to do.  Yes, TGD and I have contracts with The Teaching Company.  TGD’s contract is to film an Algebra 1 course, 36 half-hour lectures, which would be independent of a specific text, but should cover most topics in a standard Algebra textbook.

He has submitted his list of topics and the scope and sequence. Once that is approved, he needs to put together his graphics/Power Point things.  Then, the first and third weeks of June, he will travel to the DC area to their company headquarters to film the lectures.

My part of the job is to write the supplemental book to go along with the lectures. I know I have to produce ten problems with solutions for each session, but I am not yet sure if I am to write a summary or explanation of each lecture. 

I don’t know when this series will be available for purchase. Maybe by fall?  Not that I’m suggesting you run out and buy it! Thirty-six algebra lectures aren’t really at the top of most people’s shopping lists. 

I once asked myself, “What would you never have wanted to homeschool without?”  One of those things I thought of was Skip Count Kid’s Bible Songs. It taught all my kids skip counting and made multiplication so much easier.  And, guess who has been trying to teach multiplication without her beloved songs? Yup, me. Little Miss and I made up our own songs, like the nine’s table to Happy Birthday, but it wasn’t the same.  Finally, I said, “This is silly!” and went to Amazon today and downloaded the CD.  4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40 days Goliath had to wait.  (But I didn’t have to wait at all. Huzzah for the MP3 download!)

TGD has been hard at work on the next step for The Teaching Company’s Algebra series. He submitted it today, so he and I are planning a date out tonight to celebrate. And then we’ll watch some more episodes of Chuck online. Three cheers for NBC for letting the hoi polloi watch shows for free.

But now, I have to fetch LibbyK and take her to flute lessons. I might just have to make a trip to Barnes and Noble for the newest Lauren Willig novel, which I hadn’t realized was out yet. Hoo-ray for Christmas gift cards! 

What’s making you huzzah lately?