Socialization, yeah right, NO Thank you.

Here is an answer to socialization........... and one of the reasons why my children are no longer in public school. And if one more person asks me "what about socialization" they may find me "GOING OFF" on them!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I want my kids to have an education and to fear the Lord, not to be instructed on how to take a leap test and fear for thier lives. My children have many friends, I know thier parents and where they live, I even know who to call when "they" act a fool. In a P.S. setting, guess what, my kids are on thier own, and I am not allowed to interfere in my child's "safety and education"
Socialization, yeah right, NO Thank you.
Beth

Click here: School is Not for Socializing — Out of the Mouths of Public Schoolers! | Mother By Nature

http://motherbynature.ca/2009/02/school-is-not-for-socializing-out-of-the-mouths-of-public-schoolers/

New Orleans vernacular

Curious why we Nawlineans speak the words we speak?

Check this out!

Learn things about our culture.

Check out the rest of the site while you are there.

New president

Well Obama has done it. I just pray that people understand what they are getting.
Honestly, I don't think they understand what his views are. The country wanted change, well I think we are gonna get it. To everyone who actually holds a job everyday, and works for every penny they make, you have my sympathy. To every lazy person who feel the government owes you something or that someone must bail you out of your crap filled existence that is self imposed in most cases(some are exceptions)
live it up, keep doing what you do best, suck the life out of the economy. Or better yet, get some self esteem, stop having babies, get off your lazy ass, and get a freaking job, and stop buying shit that you can't afford anyway.
Sometimes people need help, but those are usually the people who get screwed, because they cannot lie to get what they need. I know people on both sides of this fence.
God help us all, you reap what you sow.
P.S. WE ARE SOOOO SCREWED PEOPLE!

Pissing and moaning

Lord help me!
I don't know if I am in a funk because my husband and youngest boy went out of town for three days or if I am loosing my mind.
Yesterday I snapped at my mother about going to drop off 8 bags of clothes at the thrift store. I had a decent time, but didn't manage to look at much for myself, since oldest boy was ready to go. Sure he was ready to go after I shopped for him for 45 min.
Then this morning he pissed and moaned about the clothes that HE picked out.
Schooling was a disaster. I have been dealing with disrespect and laziness all day.
I have had to leave the room 4 times just so they didn't get the crap beat out of them. Yeah sure it must be the "teen angst" that I am dealing with, but why do I have to be the brunt of all of the worlds evil.
I am not the cause of everyone's troubles, just like any one person is the cause of mine.
I have taken it to God, multiple times. I am just not sure if I can hack this homeschooling thing anymore. My level of anxiety is at its top most level. I am having nightmares and chest pains with muscle tension, almost to the point of wanting to pack my stuff and leave. Just to get away from this everlasting misery.
Maybe I am depressed? But I am not taking a dang thing for it. I ususally have someone to talk to, a best friend, but she has been soooo busy with her own problems that we just don't talk anymore. I really miss her. And maybe I am loosing her. Or maybe it is just the season.....I don't think I even know what I am doing anymore.
Maybe I should reserve a bed in the nut house!
Or maybe I could just hang on one more day and pray that God sees fit to fix these things...or not.
Why bother! Now I am just pissing and moaning about crap that I have created.
So what now?

Gustav Evacutation-Vacation

Home again, Home again, never to roam!
Jeesh I wish.
We made it through Gustav. Now we are watching Hanna, Ike, Josephine and whatever else comes next.
I would rather not talk much about the pains of evacuation, but rather the high points of it. We went to Picayune MS which is not that far away from New Orleans. But our elevation was a safe 200+ so we didn't have to worry about flooding. We were treated like Kings and Queens. Fed up to 3 meals every day and all of the comforts of home. Thanks Mr. Jules and Ms. Jannie. God bless you. They unfortunatly lost everything in St. Bernard Parish during Katrina. A lot of my FIL's friends did. They have 5 acres in Pic. Ms now and it was a fun Evacuation-Vacation-Labor day for my boys.
Except for the youngest running fever the whole time and a spider bite.
Thank God we are now home, with power and sewage!! Yeah! Not much to choose from in the food dept. But an Italian pie was open yesterday. So we had it delivered.
It was so nice to take a shower and sleep in my own bed. Especially taking a nap in piece.... That was soooo needed.
We will have to hang in there and see what IKE is up to though. I will keep yall posted.

"WHILE WE WERE FEARING IT, IT CAME"

Well here we go again. Today happens to be the Third Anni. of Katrina. I happen to live a few blocks away from the cemetary where the unclaimed victims are being buried. I had every intention to go down there with the kids today. That didn't happen.
We are packing because the weather forcast looks ominous to say the least. Here we go again..this time with GUSTAV! CRAP!!!!!

I found a poem that is so fitting at this time.

Emily Dickinson

"WHILE WE WERE FEARING IT, IT CAME"

While we were fearing it, it came,
But came with less of fear
Because that fearing it so long
Had almost made it fair.

There is a fitting---a dismay;
A fitting---a dispair.
'Tis harder knowing it is due
Than knowing it is here.

The trying on the utmost,
The morning it is new,
Is terribler than wearing it
A whole existence through.

Emily Dickinson

God bless, maybe we will be spared this time.

My wonderful boys

This is Kris, my 9 year old.


This is Shelby my 12 year old. Or a likeness of him, any way.

Funny email from Aunt J****

I may be retiring------I am the lucky winner of
250,000.00-
Friday, August 22, 2008, 5:47 AM

I got a phone call from "Global International
Sweepstakes Unlimited", telling me that I have Won A sweepstakes
from Walmart
(that I don't ever remember entering-- I just love those
anonymous entries.)
Of Course I was Happily surprised. They wanted to meet with me
as soon as possible
to give me the Large Check. I replied to,just mail it
please ( I wanted a few
more days of my average lifestyle to last, of course)
" I think"-
Through the broken English, that it was too LARGE to just send it in
the mail. "No thanks"
I replied. (I guess the Foreigners have no faith in the
United States Post
Office--unless they are shipping that powered poison,
Anthrax.)
"Mam, What don't you understand? Would you like to
talk to my
manager."..."Of course ...get your other buddie who also
cannot pronounce any
English syllables."........ He again tells me I am a WINNER.
I asked for HIS
information, Name of the Company, address, phone number.
(That was a 20 minute mistake) they weren't that good with syllables, they slaughtered through every
painfull number......1 876-490-2684 (I think )
10 Peach Tree Dr., Las Vegas. (I think),as thier were no
high school courses offered "foreigner half-ass scam," at that time.
But on there behalf,
I did fail an English class once.
Anyway he still wants to give me that Money...they
cannot send through the
mail because they have a contract with a courier( which I
would have to pay..$$$)
I said why? I don't have a contract with him --you do.
again- "Mam what don't you understand??????"
"EVERY FREAKING THING THAT"S COMING OUT OF YOUR FREAKING ACCENTED MOUTH?????"

They need to come to my home for a presentation, to
give me the Large
Check.... and I had to pay the courier or I would have to
pay Taxes, they could
save me $16000.00 in taxes.......(You really think the IRS
likes me that much.)
He could have someone ay my home between 2-4 today.
That foreigner thief knew my address, compliments of any telephone book.
I told him, "I was not
comfortable with the arrangement of the Scam, and could
they please go to my
husband's workplace to finalize the scam there."

"No Mam".

I finally said- "I have your number---When I want to
collect the Scam money I'll let you know................"

After I hung up, I got a little worried because they
were so persistent on coming to my home, and
knew my address..... I wanted to take
a shower but was to afraid I would get stabbed!
(ya know the movie scene.)

I tried calling the BBB, thier mailbox was full, so no
more room for my message. I went online to check out the information he supplied--Like I would
FIND "J**** HERE's the SCAM.org"
I found a website to report scams, it was the FBI,
which of course no
one apprantly works at there appointed desk--so leave a
message--Which I did.- 2
hours later I did recieve a return call from an agent. He
said he knew of Global International, not to be worried about them having my name or address, it was
public record in any phone book. As for them not wanting to
meet me own my terms, should be a red flag. I told him "I was not planning on meeting with them." He said "He thought that was Smart."
(He doesn't know me on those menopausal retarded
days)....................
And that was that.
So this poor average ass will be at
work tomorrow.

New Orleans Lakefront Lighthouse-

New Orleans Lakefront Lighthouse-

I'm hoping ya'll will take a sec, (and it only takes a sec) to help out. Our lighthouse on Lake Pontchartrain in New Orleans was destroyed by Katrina. Built in the 1890s, the lighthouse has been a lakefront landmark for years, guiding boats in and out of the Orleans Marina and the Municipal Yacht Harbor. Some of the original materials were salvaged and they're trying to rebuild it but of course it takes money the city doesn't have right now.

There is a company that restores lighthouses and has a contest going on right now to donate new windows and doors for a lighthouse in need of restoration, and the Canal lighthouse is on the list! PLEASE help out and vote for New Orleans !! Thanks ya'll!

www.jeld-wen.com/lighthouse

To see more about our light house check here

http://www.saveourlake.org/lighthouse.htm

Mother's Day

Mother's day was sad.
My MIL was in heaven, and my Mom was in Georgia visiting my brother. My FIL came here for a visit to see his mom.
I ended up making a chicken and sausage gumbo. And cleaning my own house. What's up with that!!!
It is Mother's day darnit. I should be pampered and not have to lift a finger...... Sorry, I was just dreaming. Here in the real world Mother's day = "do your job" day.
Any way, Thank you,God for making me a Mother.
Thank you God for giving me a Mother.
Thank you God for giving me a MIL.
I did get a diamond cross pendant(which has lost a diamond already) and a Cappuchino Blast. WOOO HOOO!

It would seem that being a Christian is not always goodness and light.
I am being attacked. And I have done nothing wrong.
My childhood friend, C, whom my whole group of childhood friends have been looking for for the last 20+ years has finally been found.
I have been talking to him on myspace...everything platonic and on the up and up. We have been talking about our lives since we last saw each other. Mostly talking about our families and our pets. There was a mention about a first kiss in the garage. But really everything on the up and up. My husband was fully aware of everything that was mentioned. I even read the emails to him. We had conversations about meeting at the park with our families and possibly going out to eat as a group.

All of that said, I got a really nasty email from his GF yesterday. Fabricating some romantic connection that does not exist. I responded in a christian way that if I said anything to her that offended her I am sorry, but I didn't do anything wrong.
Let me just say that she was blaming me for everything that had ever gone wrong ever in there relationship. Even so far as to call my character into question....almost calling me a harlot.

My husband even gave C a call to sort this out.
They talked and it appears that she did fabricate a "relationship" between us. DUH!!!!! I told her that.
I only wanted to be friends with both of them. But they have bigger fish to fry than me.
I pray that they are able to work through whatever it is that they have causing strife between them.
I reiterate "I AM NOT AFTER YOUR MAN" so do not attack me. I have never attacked you, nor do I have any intentions of doing so.
If C feels that he can no longer talk to me than that is his choice. I only ever wanted a friendship. He is not my "Childhood Crush". I still see him in my mind as a troubled little kid making mud pies in my front yard. At this point I am not sure if being friends with him is worth all of this hassle.
Anyway, I am done venting.

List of gratitude

Sometimes I feel like this blog has become a "bitch-fest" please forgive me. I don't always feel this way. Life has been challenging lately.
I guess I should post more on the things that make me happy, or make a gratitude list.

I am grateful for.....

God
My Husband
My children
My Mother
My Mother in Law(now passed)
My grandmother
My Mimi
My Bestemama
My Aunts... all 5 of them
and the rest of my family
a place to live
food to eat
money to survive
money to splurge
money to save
money to pay bills
money to .....whatever
a comfortable bed
a sweet dog
a sweet bird
a computer
a recliner
knitting needles
crochet hooks
donated yarn
knowledge
skill
paitence
that my husband has a job
that I can school my children
that my children are safe
that I still have my health
that my family still has their health
that my MIL is no longer suffering
a flea comb
flea medicine
school materials
electricity
gas
water
a bathroom sink that is unclogged
cable
computer
internet
that my identity is still intact...I pray
that my body can still function
that I still have all of my faculties
my earings
my wedding ring
that my husband still wants me
that I still want my husband
that my husband has quite a few years off of drugs(5ish)
that we had places to go when Katrina demolished our city.
that we had food to eat
that we didn't lose anyone
that we didn't lose our home
that I still have my hair
for the grays-I have earned them
for the wrinkles-aging gracefully(I HOPE)
that my children are good kids
that I even had children
that they are boys
my stepdaughter
that she is still alive
that she didn't do me in...
that she is an adult
my step dad-Bigfoot
my extended family
my father in law
my sister in law
her family
all of my brothers and sisters
my friends
wanda
her family
that I have people who give me clothes
that I have a church
that I have my faith
that I have hope
that I have love
that I have comfort
that I have relief
that I have strength
that I have peace
that I have knowledge
that I have wisdom
that I have discernment
that I have energy
that I have health
that I have God
that I have Jesus
that I have life
that I was able to give life
that I am able to see and know those lives
that I am able to love those around me
that I can forgive, many times over
that I can be forgiven
that I can dream
that I have all of my senses
that I know love
that someone loves me
that I am able to make things for people who have less
that I don't live in a third world country
that I can be proud to be an American
for our soldiers
for those who have fought/given life/limb/sanity for my freedom
God blesses America
God blesses me and my family

This is a long gratitude list...I could continue, but I think I could be here all night.
Thank you, God- for everything.
Your daughter

cool beans....

Here are a bunch of fun pics of my MIL.





These show her sense of humor and her openness. I love the one with her looking like Dorf. When she hugged me in the wedding picture that was the moment that she said,"Now you will call me MOM!". I loved that.

I have finally found one of my best childhood friends. Chris! Yea! This has made my year. My life has been so overwhelming lately. This is one thing I can be happy about.

Mourning into dancing

This morning at about 4:20, My Mother in Law passed away.
She went to be with God. I am relieved that she is no longer suffering.
So when I say God has turned my mourning into dancing, and my sorrow into joy. I am not trying to offend those who need time to mourn. I have been in mourning for the last 3 months, and now I have a heavy weight lifted from me. Her struggle is done and she is at peace. I am also at peace. Mom, I love you, you have been a kind friend.

raslin'

My Husband and the kids are big fans of 'raslin'. I have had enough!!!!
LORD, You have to handle this one, before I go "Ghetto" on these boys.
Dad thought it would be fun (against Mom's better judgement, and pleading)
to 'rastle' with the boys.Dad has since gone to bed.
Well now they are wrestling in thier bedroom and it is past midnight.
I did what any mom would do in this situation.
1.Woke up Dad! Loudly!!
2.Took the T.V. from Jr.
3.Punished Jr-Jr. from racing.
4.Gave them a lecture in not 'raslin' cause they will get hurt.
5.Gave DAD the lecture that I am puttin my foot down, NO "RASLIN".
6.Pet Maggie, cause she didn't do anything wrong and she didn't like Mommy's lecture.
7.Made another cup of coffee.
8.Prayed
9.Prayed that God stops me from hurting them.
10.Prayed that God changes their hearts about 'raslin'.
Now I am on "El Guapo" typing this on my blog.......
still to upset to go to bed, and the coffee isn't helping.
Thank you Lord for my family!!!

Wow, so busy!

A lot has been going on here. Mostly doing the Lord's work involving a fellow Christian. Long story, but so far GOD HAS IT!
After a month's vacation, we started our school routine again. I have become a tad more strict lately, since I realized I had become the "DOORMAT MOM".
They don't like me very much at the moment, but we accomplished a great deal today. As a free educational tool for President's Day, I took advantage of The Presidents shows on the History channel. I regret one thing, that I didn't take the time to watch it with them. I used the opportunity to catch up on some housework, and every 10 minutes or so I would pass them by and ask what they have learned about each particular president.
Now they know that President Garfield was not a Cat who loved Lasagna!
And that a certain President was a homosexual!
Maybe not all very factual information.
Be careful what you allow, cause it can come back and bite you!

Maggie and the nose

There once was a sweet babe named Maggie, who needed her personal space.
Her daddy loved her so much, that he liked to kiss her face.
When Maggie grumbled, her daddy thought she wanted to coze.
She said "Back off" and bit him right on the Nose!





Add in courtesy of Bigfoot~~~~
Eric, Beth’s Red Nose Dear
Eric, Beth’s red nose dear, had a very shiny nose, all who seen it recently would say it glowed, all his friends Maggie and Ellie would laugh under there breath and call him names, then Maggie told him right before New Years Day, Eric I’ll bite your nose if you don’t get it out of my face! Then all of Eric’s family began telling him he would go down in history, the only one with a nose so bright it matched his pickem up truck!
We Know it only hurts when you laugh so we are laughing with you!

DIAMONDS!!!!!!!!!!

I have waited for 10 years for diamond earings. When hubby and I got married 10 years ago, I asked for diamond earrings for our 10th anniversary. AND HE REMEMBERED!
He even painted my toenails! I am wondering what happened to my husband? Maybe he is just being nice. Maybe he really does like me! Possibly he loves me so much that he couldn't function if I weren't here? I don't know but I know that he is the sweetest husband I have ever had. he he he.......he's the only husband I have ever had so I guess that makes him the best and the sweetest #1 husband ever.
Thank you hunny bunny, MUAH!

teaching

You may not agree with my homeschooling my children. All that I ask is that if you pray for me, that you pray for God's will to be done. Homeschooling is hard, but we have learned by leaps and bounds. I had no way to comprehend the amount of work and love that goes into teaching my children, until I took on the responsibility that I feel God has led me to. I am not "certified" but how many are "certified" on paper , and yet still should not teach or lack the ablility to really teach.
I can only do what God has led me to do.
I do not need comments about when I plan on putting them back in school. Hello they are in school, and with one on one tutoring/teaching. I don't think it can get any better than that. I know my children's faults and weaknesses, also their strengths.
As someone who previously did not comprehend the work and the love involved in this endeavor. I am now stating, "It is not always easy, but it is always rewarding!"

Our friend Thelonius Dukes has passed on to be with the Lord.
God bless him!


http://abc26.trb.com/news/wgno_news_110907dukesdies,0,5843096.story?coll=wgno-news-1