Monday, January 9, 2017
Honest Parents
As a teacher, I sometimes appreciate the blunt honesty of parents. I never received the gift shown below, but I sure can appreciate the sentiments and honesty behind it. I am mostly posting it because it's funny (and sometimes true).
Sunday, January 8, 2017
Winter
Temperatures in the single digits this weekend.
Snowy roads.
Slip-sliding to work.
Abby totaled her car in the ice storm last month.
The wiper fluid in my car is frozen and my windshield is a mess.
Have I mentioned how much I love winter?
Snowy roads.
Slip-sliding to work.
Abby totaled her car in the ice storm last month.
The wiper fluid in my car is frozen and my windshield is a mess.
Have I mentioned how much I love winter?
Saturday, January 7, 2017
Look after your husband- Part 3
This is the final post about the 1950 Home Economics textbook---
Make him comfortable-
Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or suggest he lie down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him. Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soft, soothing, and pleasant voice. Allow him to relax and unwind.
(I don't even know where to start with this one. I know there was a time when a subservient wife would do such things, but I'm no Ward Cleaver, and Tami is definitely no June).
Listen to him-
You may have a dozen things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first.
(Ummmm.... no. Just no.)
Make the evening his-
Never complain if he doesn't take you out to dinner or to other places of entertainment. Instead try to understand his world of strain and pressure, and his need to come home and relax.
(Yeah, right! Because she has spent the whole day RELAXING as she cleans the house, cooks your meals, raises the children, does a million other things in anticipation of your arrival home just so she can take off your shoes for you. Nope. I can't can't get behind this one).
The Goal-
Try to make your home a place of peace and order where your husband can renew himself in body and spirit.
(And may I ask, where does a wife and mother go to renew herself in body and spirit?)
This has been a fun peek at what teenage girls were being taught about being wives in the 50's. Obviously things have drastically changed in the last 50-60 years. There are small snippets of this that could still apply today, but generally, women are not stay-at-home wives and mothers anymore. Household chores, child care, grocery shopping etc... is more of a shared proposition these days. Being a wife and/or mother is one the most difficult, under appreciated jobs in all the world. I have nothing but utmost admiration and respect for wives and mothers... especially those who are home full time (My own wife, and eldest daughter come to mind) Kudos, ladies! Your kids are awesome, and it is in large part because of you!
Make him comfortable-
Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or suggest he lie down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him. Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soft, soothing, and pleasant voice. Allow him to relax and unwind.
(I don't even know where to start with this one. I know there was a time when a subservient wife would do such things, but I'm no Ward Cleaver, and Tami is definitely no June).
Listen to him-
You may have a dozen things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first.
(Ummmm.... no. Just no.)
Make the evening his-
Never complain if he doesn't take you out to dinner or to other places of entertainment. Instead try to understand his world of strain and pressure, and his need to come home and relax.
(Yeah, right! Because she has spent the whole day RELAXING as she cleans the house, cooks your meals, raises the children, does a million other things in anticipation of your arrival home just so she can take off your shoes for you. Nope. I can't can't get behind this one).
The Goal-
Try to make your home a place of peace and order where your husband can renew himself in body and spirit.
(And may I ask, where does a wife and mother go to renew herself in body and spirit?)
This has been a fun peek at what teenage girls were being taught about being wives in the 50's. Obviously things have drastically changed in the last 50-60 years. There are small snippets of this that could still apply today, but generally, women are not stay-at-home wives and mothers anymore. Household chores, child care, grocery shopping etc... is more of a shared proposition these days. Being a wife and/or mother is one the most difficult, under appreciated jobs in all the world. I have nothing but utmost admiration and respect for wives and mothers... especially those who are home full time (My own wife, and eldest daughter come to mind) Kudos, ladies! Your kids are awesome, and it is in large part because of you!
Friday, January 6, 2017
Look after your husband- Part 2
More from the 1950 Home Economics textbook---
Prepare the children-
Take a few minutes to wash the children's hands and faces (if they are small), comb their hair, and if necessary change their clothes. They are little treasures, and he would like to see them playing the part.
(What? When I get home from work, I expect to see my children a bit disheveled. They have either been at school all day or have been playing all day. I don't expect them to look like they're ready for church when I arrive).
Minimize all noise-
At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of washer, dryer, dishwasher, or vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet. Be happy to see him. Greet him with a warm smile.
(This one is ridiculous. This a functioning home, not a monastery. My wife is raising children, not monks who took a vow of silence!)
Some don'ts
Don't greet him with problems or complaints. Don't complain if he's late for dinner. Count this as minor compared with what he might have gone through that day.
(This is one I can ALMOST get behind. However, it would have to work both ways. It would also mean that I can't come through the door and start complaining right away either. "Why is that table dusty, and why isn't Abby's hair combed????)
Prepare the children-
Take a few minutes to wash the children's hands and faces (if they are small), comb their hair, and if necessary change their clothes. They are little treasures, and he would like to see them playing the part.
(What? When I get home from work, I expect to see my children a bit disheveled. They have either been at school all day or have been playing all day. I don't expect them to look like they're ready for church when I arrive).
Minimize all noise-
At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of washer, dryer, dishwasher, or vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet. Be happy to see him. Greet him with a warm smile.
(This one is ridiculous. This a functioning home, not a monastery. My wife is raising children, not monks who took a vow of silence!)
Some don'ts
Don't greet him with problems or complaints. Don't complain if he's late for dinner. Count this as minor compared with what he might have gone through that day.
(This is one I can ALMOST get behind. However, it would have to work both ways. It would also mean that I can't come through the door and start complaining right away either. "Why is that table dusty, and why isn't Abby's hair combed????)
Thursday, January 5, 2017
Look after your husband!
If there was ever any doubt that the world has changed over the last 65 years, a person needs to look no further than an excerpt from a 1950 Home Economics text book. The title says, "Tips to look after your husband". Being a modern man of the 21st century, some of these are downright comical. I thought about sharing some of these with Tami and having her implement them in our home. However, I decided I'd rather avoid a frying pan to the head. Over the next few days I will be sharing what this antiquated textbook told 1950's high school girls about looking after their husbands. Keep in mind this is from a time when the man of the house worked and the woman traditionally stayed home as a housewife and childcare giver. Nowadays both parents work and these ideas don't work.
Have dinner ready-
Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal on time. This is a way of letting him know that you have been thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they come home and the prospects of a good meal are part of the warm welcome needed.
(I must admit that even though this may be a dying practice, Tami does an excellent job with this. She always has good dinners for our family. My bulging mid-section is the only evidence you need to see what a good cook my wife is).
Prepare yourself-
Take 15 minutes to rest so you will be refreshed when he arrives home from work. Touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair, and be fresh looking. He has just been with a lot of work weary people. Be a little happy, and a little more interesting. His boring day may need a lift.
(Ok. This one cracked me up! If I arrived home and Tami had make-up on, and had a ribbon in her hair, I would swear she had flipped. Also, remember the frying pan to the head I mentioned earlier? Well, if I told my wife to be a little more interesting, that frying pan would find my skull in a heartbeat!)
Clear away the clutter-
Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives. Gather up school books, toys, paper etc... Then run a dust cloth over the tables. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift too!
(Ummmm... I don't even know what to say about this one. Taking care of the kids is a tough enough job. What kind of loon would complain about a dusty table when mom has been tussling with the kids all day?)
More ways to look after your husband later!
Have dinner ready-
Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal on time. This is a way of letting him know that you have been thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they come home and the prospects of a good meal are part of the warm welcome needed.
(I must admit that even though this may be a dying practice, Tami does an excellent job with this. She always has good dinners for our family. My bulging mid-section is the only evidence you need to see what a good cook my wife is).
Prepare yourself-
Take 15 minutes to rest so you will be refreshed when he arrives home from work. Touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair, and be fresh looking. He has just been with a lot of work weary people. Be a little happy, and a little more interesting. His boring day may need a lift.
(Ok. This one cracked me up! If I arrived home and Tami had make-up on, and had a ribbon in her hair, I would swear she had flipped. Also, remember the frying pan to the head I mentioned earlier? Well, if I told my wife to be a little more interesting, that frying pan would find my skull in a heartbeat!)
Clear away the clutter-
Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives. Gather up school books, toys, paper etc... Then run a dust cloth over the tables. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift too!
(Ummmm... I don't even know what to say about this one. Taking care of the kids is a tough enough job. What kind of loon would complain about a dusty table when mom has been tussling with the kids all day?)
More ways to look after your husband later!
Wednesday, January 4, 2017
Sir Mick of the 'Nard
If I had lived during the Middle Ages, this is the suit of armor I would have needed.
Fear not, M'lord! Sir Mick of the land of 'Nard will rescue this damsel in distress!
Fear not, M'lord! Sir Mick of the land of 'Nard will rescue this damsel in distress!
Tuesday, January 3, 2017
All good things
You know the old saying. All good things must come to an end. And so goes my Christmas vacation. Two great weeks off work celebrating Christmas with my family and enjoying some good time with my grandkids. What was my favorite Christmas present? I'm glad you asked. Hands down it was the photo of my grandkids that will go on my desk at school.
Back to work today... UGH!
Back to work today... UGH!
Monday, January 2, 2017
Quiet Kids
Every parent knows the feeling. The feeling you get when your kids are quiet... TOO quiet. We've all been there. We are going throughout our day when we realize we haven't heard from our toddler. In fact, we haven't heard from them in a long while. Your heart sinks because you just KNOW something is up. You don't know what you'll see when you find them, but you do know it won't be good.
Sunday, January 1, 2017
2016
Here's all you need to know about the year that was... 2016.
Islamic extremism is running rampant while our president sends billions of dollars to Iran, the largest haven for terrorists.
Florence Henderson (Carol Brady), William Christopher (Father Mulcahy from M*A*S*H), David Bowie, Alan Rickman, George Kennedy, Nancy Reagan, Doris Roberts, Muhammed Ali, Gordie Howe, Gene Wilder, Arnold Palmer, John Glenn, Zsa Zsa Gabor, George Michael, Carrie Fisher, Debbie Reynolds, and scores of other famous people died.
Obama decimated the democrats with eight years of a failed leftist agenda.
Hillary Clinton lost and Trump won because of garbage like this...
Islamic extremism is running rampant while our president sends billions of dollars to Iran, the largest haven for terrorists.
Florence Henderson (Carol Brady), William Christopher (Father Mulcahy from M*A*S*H), David Bowie, Alan Rickman, George Kennedy, Nancy Reagan, Doris Roberts, Muhammed Ali, Gordie Howe, Gene Wilder, Arnold Palmer, John Glenn, Zsa Zsa Gabor, George Michael, Carrie Fisher, Debbie Reynolds, and scores of other famous people died.
Obama decimated the democrats with eight years of a failed leftist agenda.
Hillary Clinton lost and Trump won because of garbage like this...
Happy New Year
Happy New Year! 2017 is here!
On a completely different note... Way to represent, Buckeyes! 31-0. Are you kidding me?
On a completely different note... Way to represent, Buckeyes! 31-0. Are you kidding me?
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