Thursday, May 01, 2008

I have a lot to say today, so, buckle down for the ride!

Nothing is wrong, not really. I am just struggling today. This is nothing new. If you have read any of this blog before, then you know it is NOT just about knitting and spinning. It is more like a journal that I keep to chronicle my life to whomever wishes to read. I am glad you are here. If you don't agree with me, that's OK. I don't expect you too. Just be patient with me as I am just a girl who is learning how to wife and mother at the ripe, old age of 36.

I am going to start with a list.

MY STRUGGLES as of today, May 1st, 2008:
from least bothersome to most bothersome
  • husband, this is normal, he is the least of my stresses today, thank GOD!
  • recently had to frog a lot of knitting, this is OK, normal
  • my water is turned off, again. Rke City can't keep anything going for any length of time without messing up!
  • contentment in my own body
  • current state of my own health, IE, cholesterol, etc
  • planning for next years 2 & 3rd grade school for dd's 1 and 2 as well as a small preschool something or other
  • the socialization word has been brought up by the #1 struggle on my list as of today,

  • my MIL

She is well intentioned. She is smart and educated. She raised 5 children. She is still married to her 1st husband. She attends church and was a missionary in SA for 5 years. She gardens and does many things for people who need assistance. So, "what's your problem, Catie?" you may ask. Well..... having this paragon of 'virtue' as a shining example ...... I just don't measure up.... at least in her eyes.

We had yet another discussion yesterday. This one on her thoughts and concerns about MY children. We home school. So what? The dreaded socialization word was brought up. She sent her 1st 2 sons away to boarding school at a young age. What? I disagree with that decision. I don't get to tell her what I think, that was 30+ years ago. She even used the Bible on me.

Bad move folks, I attended Christian high school, Bible college (a little known factoid I don't advertise about myself), Christian college, and *gasp* a year of seminary! That doesn't make me qualified for anything except that I know my way around the BOOK and I can defend myself adequately from it. The only thing that kept me from whipping it out and retaliate is that doing that is WRONG (there's a great word for it, proof texting, but we don't need to get into that)!!!!!!

I struggle with what she thinks of me. Why? Good question friend. I think it is the leftover codependency from my youth that I still struggle with. I am learning to answer back with questions. The Master used questions to reveal the hearts of those around Him. Sounds like an art I could really use. So, I am gonna practice on y'all. It is like casting on. There are so many ways to do it and each one is good for different purposes.

  1. uh
  2. um
  3. well..
  4. oh, dear

I ain't got a one. That is bad. Don't think quickly on my feet too well.

Oh, the picture at the top are my hand spun, 3ply, fingering weight, sheep to shoe socks in the Undulating Rib pattern by Ann Budd. I have 2 more skeins of it. $30 for the roving and I could conceivably get 3 pairs of socks out of it. Not bad, not bad at all. Later, catie

7 comments:

Robin said...

We need to start a club...I don't measure up either!!

Beautiful socks!!

Nana Sadie said...

Oh, Hon. MILs and DILs are like oil and water MOST of the time - the fact is, a lot of MILs think they have "attained" their status and need to "impart" their wisdom. Often they're as insecure as you feel. (ask me how I know this?)

If you can, allow her judgementalism to roll off your back? There's only one who can pass judgement on you. I suspect you know to whom I refer?

If you're not getting bolts of lightening and locusts and such? I suspect that one thinks you're doing a fine job...

"Umm"...it's a perfectly good reply. And so is, "thank you for your advice."
:)
Just remember, you don't have to follow it...it's her opinion!
(in my book? you're doing great!)
((((Hugs))))

Nana Sadie said...

OOOps!
...
The socks are great!
(((hugs)))

Pam! said...

Sounds like you're having a rough day. I totally understand where you're coming from, maybe not to the same degree though. It sounds like your MIL doesn't know when to offer advice and when to back off. I'm so sorry she makes you feel that you don't measure up. But remember that there are a lot of us out here who think you do quiet well, thank you very much! LOL

Mollly said...

((((( Hugs! ))))))

I know what a struggle it can be - home educating and raising your children the way that YOU see fit!

The article I was referring to last night? Is at ... http://www.homeschooloasis.com/art_i_corinthians_13_for_homeschoolers.htm

And here's the other thing I didn't say last night. I took my children into ALL sorts of social arenas! I didn't put them into situations and let their peers teach them skills - I took them WITH me and taught them socialization with ALL age groups and peoples!

You're not raising your children in a cave! You are friendly, funny and outgoing! A TERRIFIC teacher for your little ones!

Have a BLESSED Friday!

B.

Betriska said...

Whoops! I was signed in as Molly and didn't realize! That was really me up there! :o)

Jenny Raye said...

Good morning! If you're looking for a preschool something or other (and maybe even something for the older kids--you could combine!), check out HOD. I'm using it with our youngest--just found it. It is great! It takes a lot of the stuff I've found successful over the years and puts them into one scheduled program--everything meshes. So cool! Can't say enough good about it. Not telling you what to do, mind you. But you did list the search as a concern, so I thought I'd share something that I'm really pleased, thrilled with in that area! Hope your day is going better. I'm off to test a neighbor today--next week is our turn. Blech.