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| NZHomeMum has shared a video with you on YouTube: Hi everyone, Here is a song. Check out the names of the people who helped put it together... recognize any? Until next time... Chrissy P.S. Please don't be shy to make a comment... please? | |
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Friday, 22 May 2009
NZHomeMum sent you a video: "Passchendaele Anzac Tribute"
Friday, 27 March 2009
Big Weeds
Hi all,
We have a massive weed in our garden, just hidden from sight behind a pretty countoured bush so we can't see it from the house. It is nasty - huge thorny prickles on each broad leaf, taller than my five-year-old, almost as tall as an adult. We have tried ignoring it, it just keeps getting bigger. We sprayed and removed a smaller one a few feet closer to the house. There are several more near the fence, but none so tall and nasty as that one. It has to be dealt with!
There are several lesson here: if we try to ignore the things that make us prickly towards others, they just get worse. They need to be pulled out by the roots. Also, it can be painful to get anywhere near the issue.
Our own self-talk will determine how we talk to and about others - remember "love your neighbour as you love yourself"? It happens! If we call ourselves names, this will spill over into calling others those same names. If we believe we are worthless unless we get things perfect, we will project that belief onto everyone we have to work alongside. There is such truth in the verse which says "As you judge, so you will be judged". So, the issue is: how do we get to the root? How do we deal with the underlying issues? Especially with all that pricklyness (read hypersensitivity) around.
Well, I have seen that the systemic spray can take out such a weed. It needs to be applied thoroughly, left to do it's work for a little while (two weeks for Roundup), and then once the leaves look brown and dead, it will be much easier to remove. What will work with the weeds in our own lives? Our nasty self-talk just gets worse if we don't recognise and pull it out before it gets big. This brings to mind another verse - "Do not let a root of bitterness grow up among you". Do not let it! What if that root has snuck into a corner where you couldn't see it and has flourished before you dealt with it? If it has already grown up? And is spreading?
We could try triple-gloving, putting on a flak jacket and somehow get close enough for a grip around the base (without poking out an eye or gouging an arm), but then what? Our own strength is nothing compared to the hugeness of that root. It would snap and stay in the ground rather than be yanked out by us. No, our own strength is useless. We need that systemic spray. The one which works on the whole plant as one, getting into the circulation and spreading to every part so the whole thing is dealt with. This problem is bigger than we can deal with on our own. We need help. We need God. We need advice from others who have dealt with this problem before.
Maybe that weed is there for this very reason - to give me a physical picture of the spiritual reality so I can think through how to face the prospect of dealing with some prickly issues in my life.
I am definitely not a fan of spraying toxins into our ground, and know that Roundup can cause some nasty reactions in some people. But hey, it is better to apply it wisely and get rid of the nasty weed (which won't be removed any other way), than to have that weed take over our little patch of paradice.
Comments, please?
Chrissy
Sunday, 15 March 2009
Under our old fridge
Hi there,
Last weekend we installed our new refridgerator/freezer. (Our old one was a second-hand gift for our wedding 14 years ago!) Well, after over a decade of not being moved, can you guess what we found underneath?
There was almost an alphabet of magnetic letters, some numbers, a collection of marbles, much muck and fluff, as well as catfood, other little plastic toys, cars etc... It took a while and almost a whole roll of handy towels to get the floor clean again!
So, here is a friendly reminder to check under your fridge at least once a decade or so!
Much love,
Chrissy
Saturday, 31 January 2009
Monday, 10 November 2008
New poems for fun!
Hi everyone,
This morning after getting up very early (for me) and going for a lovely walk around our rather large block, in the glorious bright summer sunshine; has helped me become quite poetic. Here is the result, and it gives you some idea of what my days might consist of (meant to be read out loud so you can hear the rhyme)...
Why is the floor so very sticky?
I hope that it is nothing icky
My five-year-old has left behind
Hoping that I might not mind!
And here is a little limerick, made with the help of Elijah:
There once was a young lad named Joel,
Who dug in the ground like a mole,
His mother said "golly!",
Which made him quite jolly,
And he quickly came up with a goal!
Well that's our installment for today.
Lots of love,
Chrissy
This morning after getting up very early (for me) and going for a lovely walk around our rather large block, in the glorious bright summer sunshine; has helped me become quite poetic. Here is the result, and it gives you some idea of what my days might consist of (meant to be read out loud so you can hear the rhyme)...
Why is the floor so very sticky?
I hope that it is nothing icky
My five-year-old has left behind
Hoping that I might not mind!
And here is a little limerick, made with the help of Elijah:
There once was a young lad named Joel,
Who dug in the ground like a mole,
His mother said "golly!",
Which made him quite jolly,
And he quickly came up with a goal!
Well that's our installment for today.
Lots of love,
Chrissy
Friday, 25 April 2008
Finding the balance
Finding the balance
With the holidays here, it is so much easier (it seems) to enjoy our family time, outings are more fun, no “you have to read a chapter” or “Get out the maths book” to take up our mornings. There are more movies, cartoons, computer games, running and jumping just for the fun of it. Two weeks off from the (expensive) gym lessons, swimming, art lessons, music lessons etc…
Why do we fill up our term time with so many things to do? Didn’t we start out homeschooling so we could enjoy our families? Of course, we want the best academically for our little geniuses, of course we want them to have as many and varied experiences as possible.
Does it have to cost us so much – travel time, fuel, fees, not to mention the stress if we are running slightly late? We all know this scenario is not the ideal. Yet, we do need contact with other homeschooling families, and it can be a relief to know we are part of a strong group of likeminded people, not in it on our own at all. Our children do need others to play with, interact with, and make friends with. All of this can be achieved without too much expense, by arranging to meet friends at the local playground or beach, even inviting them over for morning or afternoon tea.
Reflecting on the busyness of our lives in Auckland, the long travel times, the many activities available which all seem so great that we can’t possible miss out; perhaps we keep ourselves so busy just so that the holidays are a welcome relief, and maybe this is an unconscious pattern we are carrying on from our own childhoods, keeping the holidays much less stressful than term time.
Whatever the reason, there must be a balance found between work and play. Too much free time leads to mischief, too little to burnout. We must be doing things that are seen as useful, worthwhile, educational, productive in some way, as well as enjoying the lazy entertainment. Our leisure time can be a reward for a job well done, a much needed relief from the grind. Self discipline is far more rewarding in every area of our lives than just “going with the flow” and letting life happen around us. But we still need to have that balance, the serendipity to accept the unexpected, the flexibility to let go of the routines so we can cope well with the emergencies that crop up.
Finding the balance is what is needed: filling our lives with enough routine and enough excitement, planning but not overplanning, being disciplined yet flexible, going with the flow when needed yet also having definite activities organized when needed. Getting this balance in our lives, adjusting when there’s too much going on to keep up, and having planned down time (such as regular holidays!) is all helpful in keeping us sane.
Christina Shadbolt homeschools Elijah (9) and Joel her youngest attends the local kindergarten. She loves to proofread assignments, essays, books, web pages etc and can be contacted at christina.shadbolt@gmail.com
With the holidays here, it is so much easier (it seems) to enjoy our family time, outings are more fun, no “you have to read a chapter” or “Get out the maths book” to take up our mornings. There are more movies, cartoons, computer games, running and jumping just for the fun of it. Two weeks off from the (expensive) gym lessons, swimming, art lessons, music lessons etc…
Why do we fill up our term time with so many things to do? Didn’t we start out homeschooling so we could enjoy our families? Of course, we want the best academically for our little geniuses, of course we want them to have as many and varied experiences as possible.
Does it have to cost us so much – travel time, fuel, fees, not to mention the stress if we are running slightly late? We all know this scenario is not the ideal. Yet, we do need contact with other homeschooling families, and it can be a relief to know we are part of a strong group of likeminded people, not in it on our own at all. Our children do need others to play with, interact with, and make friends with. All of this can be achieved without too much expense, by arranging to meet friends at the local playground or beach, even inviting them over for morning or afternoon tea.
Reflecting on the busyness of our lives in Auckland, the long travel times, the many activities available which all seem so great that we can’t possible miss out; perhaps we keep ourselves so busy just so that the holidays are a welcome relief, and maybe this is an unconscious pattern we are carrying on from our own childhoods, keeping the holidays much less stressful than term time.
Whatever the reason, there must be a balance found between work and play. Too much free time leads to mischief, too little to burnout. We must be doing things that are seen as useful, worthwhile, educational, productive in some way, as well as enjoying the lazy entertainment. Our leisure time can be a reward for a job well done, a much needed relief from the grind. Self discipline is far more rewarding in every area of our lives than just “going with the flow” and letting life happen around us. But we still need to have that balance, the serendipity to accept the unexpected, the flexibility to let go of the routines so we can cope well with the emergencies that crop up.
Finding the balance is what is needed: filling our lives with enough routine and enough excitement, planning but not overplanning, being disciplined yet flexible, going with the flow when needed yet also having definite activities organized when needed. Getting this balance in our lives, adjusting when there’s too much going on to keep up, and having planned down time (such as regular holidays!) is all helpful in keeping us sane.
Christina Shadbolt homeschools Elijah (9) and Joel her youngest attends the local kindergarten. She loves to proofread assignments, essays, books, web pages etc and can be contacted at christina.shadbolt@gmail.com
Sunday, 6 April 2008
Such a busy life...
Hi all, my life seems to be so very busy with all the many things a homeschooling mum, housewife, kindergarten mum, online entrepreneur etc finds to do that I haven't been able to get around to posting on this blog for well over a month. Have watched many videos online about how to get more traffic, now just need to make the time to do it!
My life seems to spin out of control regularly, the clutter piles up, paperwork waits for three months before being filed or thrown out, new ideas catch my interest and take up more time, not to mention all the meetings and fundraisers involved with being a committee member at the 4-yr-old's kindergarten. Finding one thing to focus on seems such an elusive goal, now that I have effectively decided to leave nursing behind, not paying the annual union fees and practicing certificate fees.
I am so interested in nutrition, perhaps a website with all the greatest products for healthy body and mind might be the place to start..... will keep you posted.
By the way, if you haven't seen anything about glyconutrients yet, try youtube and be absolutely blown away like I was - this is totally amazing, fully scientific and so life-changing if you can take it on board. A few companies that make supplements have made some with all eight essential simple sugars in - and the results are staggering. Here's to good health for all!
My life seems to spin out of control regularly, the clutter piles up, paperwork waits for three months before being filed or thrown out, new ideas catch my interest and take up more time, not to mention all the meetings and fundraisers involved with being a committee member at the 4-yr-old's kindergarten. Finding one thing to focus on seems such an elusive goal, now that I have effectively decided to leave nursing behind, not paying the annual union fees and practicing certificate fees.
I am so interested in nutrition, perhaps a website with all the greatest products for healthy body and mind might be the place to start..... will keep you posted.
By the way, if you haven't seen anything about glyconutrients yet, try youtube and be absolutely blown away like I was - this is totally amazing, fully scientific and so life-changing if you can take it on board. A few companies that make supplements have made some with all eight essential simple sugars in - and the results are staggering. Here's to good health for all!
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