tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32474704713242275022024-03-05T09:11:42.300-08:00The Education of a Husband, Father and Teachertruewiseonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17439299410222750397noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3247470471324227502.post-81815777657243189862014-12-24T10:08:00.000-08:002014-12-24T10:08:25.925-08:00The Monster they call "Media"<br />
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TV has come a long way since the good ol' days of Sesame Street.<br />
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I despise the media. Here are just a few reasons.<br />
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#1. I turn on the news and I can't ever hear a happy story anymore. All about murders, people getting killed, and the human race doing things that I just don't understand. Where is Anchorman when you need him? I watched the news every single night with my family in my youth. I don't actually remember so many negative stories, but I do remember the story little puppies being saved (ok.....not really, but I do remember good stories too).<br />
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#2. Our children have no sense of reality, largely due in part to the idolization of celebrities with facades that fool pretty much everyone. Also, there's only so long you can hide them from a Nikki Minaj, Iggly Azalea, or Kim Kardashian. I mean, I get suckered in too, however, I'm not a kid anymore. It's ok for me to understand that this was the year of the "butt". Or is it?<br />
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#3 The local media (Oregonian) hasn't helped at all with improving our schools. Yes, there are things that need to be fixed or changed. However, how about focusing on the positive accomplishments of teachers and successes of students instead of publishing negative stories that destroy any pride that has been established? Reporters claim they are unbiased. Whatever. Articles that have been written over the last year have been anything but unbiased. Write something that will help keep our schools intact. <br />
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#4 I'm done with Ferguson. Does the media frenzy help or make things worse?......we have our own opinions. Regardless of what side you fall on I think you can agree that the media hasn't made things any better.<br />
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There are too many other examples to list.<br />
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The point is.........there are a lot of bad things happening in the world right now that the media has a frenzy on. I'm not discounting all of these "real" stories and knowing that in many areas of the world people are barely staying alive because of many reasons. I'm so lucky to be as privileged as I am. I don't have to worry about food, shelter or a loving family. However, we do have to worry about the "disease" of media. In this upcoming year I'm hoping the media coverage uses its power to do "good" instead of focusing on the "bad". Sometimes I envy those who live a simple life without all of the "static" of the human race. I will continue to pay it forward by just being a good human being. I will continue to use the "power" of teaching to teach our youth what is right and how to treat one another. All it takes is just reaching a few for them to pay it forward too. Eventually, we will get there.......eventually. However, it will take a lot more than just one person.<br />
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Thanks all for listening to my rant......I feel better now. ;)<br />
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Take care everyone!<br />
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truewiseonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17439299410222750397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3247470471324227502.post-84829894582218789462014-01-03T10:36:00.001-08:002014-01-03T10:36:43.966-08:00I love rejection<br />
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I love rejection........ok, not really. However, when I look at everything in my life as it currently stands, I should. <br />
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Rejection.....something we always fear and dread.The question is....should we?<br />
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I look back at the times in my life that I have felt or seen that awful feeling of rejection...heartbreak, disappointment, and a mixture of all feelings that leave you feeling sick. However, have you ever really reflected on what came from it? Sometimes bad, but usually it leads down a better path. <br />
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I wanted to share with you some of the top "rejection" moments in my life and what came from it.<br />
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1. I was born, because my parents went through series of rejections and doing the "rejecting" in order to get me.I believe this probably happens with all of us. We are lucky to be alive. Ok....cheesy, but true. <br />
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2. My parents divorced when I was making the transition through middle school. At first, this was extremely difficult. In the end I have two parents who are happily remarried to wonderful human beings. My parents also changed for the better and molded me into a stronger person. <br />
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3. "I like you just a friend".....a common line I heard in middle school and some of high. Yes, I was also a foot shorter than most of the girls I went to school with from middle through high so that may have had something to do with it. I really looked like a little boy even through the beginning of my teaching career. During this time I learned a lot about relationships and was the guy who attained the nickname "Doc" in middle school, because I would counsel others who were feeling rejected. I used to want to be a marriage counselor, go figure. Luckily, later in high school, my "luck" started changing. <br />
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4. A few high school breakups (one being the more serious one) along with another "rejection" of girl I know of 19 years (from some guy I have known for even longer) changed my life forever. Now, I'm happily married with two beautiful daughters.....really a storybook ending (ok....you can stop gagging now). Really though, it's amazing how it all unfolded.<br />
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5. The first time I applied to the education program at Western I was denied. Forget about my high grade point average, a student government position, working in the education office along with countless other connections. I still remember my roommate reading me the letter of rejection over the phone when I was away for a nice weekend. I actually though he was joking. Obviously, this was a huge smack in the face. This meant more thousands of dollars for tuition having to go for another quarter along with not being with the people I planned on being with. However, from that came being in a program with even more awesome people, doing my student teaching in a 4 day/week school schedule (thank you Perrydale), and acquiring my first teaching job.<br />
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6. I went through 3-4 interviews (this is still pretty good) and was passed around until I landed a teaching gig at my first stop of my education career. I love you "Nutters"! This led to my current gig where I have met some lifelong friends, being able to teach with my spouse along with seeing my kids at school on an everyday basis. <br />
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7. Having kids for some people is easy. They just look at each other and have babies. Our journey was a little more difficult. We made the decision on at least one occasion not to do certain procedures where we could have had twins (or more!). These decisions (or rejections of particular plans) gave us our two daughters. I couldn't imagine life without them.<br />
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There are many more. These were some of those life changers though. <br />
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Why did I write about this? The primary reason is to show you how good can come from rejection even knowing that those sick moments will come. Life's walls can come crashing in really fast. Just know that eventually someone's rejection (or yours) can change everything in the future. That "everything" will be worth waiting for.<br />
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<br />truewiseonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17439299410222750397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3247470471324227502.post-13244495257272036092013-12-31T11:15:00.002-08:002013-12-31T11:15:31.220-08:00Being consistent with consistency<br />
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Seriously.........it is tough being consistent with consistency!<br />
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Parenting, teaching, personal choices........everything.<br />
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Even though we know we have to be consistent and we know that there will always be the "Gold" at the end of that consistency rainbow, we always fall back to our usual ways. Why? Many reasons.....stress, laziness lack of motivation, and other external variables that get in our way. Many times there are very good reasons. However, many times there are just more excuses as to why we aren't consistent. Very ironic considering the robotic nature of which we operate.....get up in the morning, work, home, evening (very little) and bed. <br />
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I know....I know......"I know this Josiah". For real though, take a look at your life. Remember the times when you have been consistent, what were the outcomes? (ugh.....sounding like a teacher now) I'm guessing they were usually positive and you felt good about yourself. Whether that consistency involved the famous New Year's resolutions of exercising, fad diets, getting more sleep, reaching out to family and friends more often, or simply sticking to what you say. <br />
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As a parent and teacher I'm still building upon my skills to be consistent. It's a battle that never ends. Here are a few things I'm continuing to work on and maybe you can relate. In no particular order.......<br />
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1. The best management practices for my own children. Ok.....timeouts don't work like they used to when they were much younger. This "chart of the week" thing isn't working out for us either. Oh wait.....I guess a different chart we come up with each week isn't very consistent isn't it?<br />
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2. Consequences and rewards. In my opinion, every child needs both of these. You aren't going to let a dog poop inside and reward him for it are you? Ok.....kids aren't dogs, but they are similar in the way they observe your consistency with how you deliver consequences and rewards.<br />
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3. Exercise. Damn this is hard. Every year I exercise from February-August and then the school year bites me in the ass and I seem to drown in the education abyss. Having girls in dance class three days a week doesn't help my case either. However, at least they get some consistency right?<br />
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4. Affection. Yes.......I can touch my wife out in public. It makes it hard when we're both school teachers at the same school. It's also amazing how three words can change the aura of people around you.<br />
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5. Cleaning. Seriously.......we drown in clothing. Hey Josiah.....there is this thing called folding clothes, maybe you should do it sometime. ;)<br />
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6. Blogging......I know I know....it has been way to long between posts.<br />
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Be consistent with consistency y'all. It is quite the job, but the rewards can change your lives. truewiseonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17439299410222750397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3247470471324227502.post-91983737304620832172012-11-22T11:19:00.001-08:002012-11-22T11:19:16.947-08:00The Little Things<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuyyxuQaWtFXvioZDld1KEwky_PsZ-IMpLIgKk3vkpWZviIxwaR-vukjEyU_k-zyLUyPCGi60Ls-6hxucTBNABHrwQZ4TryEUQddgJgt7vnxAOvWIsyZMy5FFM2CEGjh8w0D99NjG1VxRB/s1600/funny-thanksgiving-pictures-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuyyxuQaWtFXvioZDld1KEwky_PsZ-IMpLIgKk3vkpWZviIxwaR-vukjEyU_k-zyLUyPCGi60Ls-6hxucTBNABHrwQZ4TryEUQddgJgt7vnxAOvWIsyZMy5FFM2CEGjh8w0D99NjG1VxRB/s400/funny-thanksgiving-pictures-9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is the day we always give thanks to the “big” things in
life……family, friends, our faith, shelter, food…..all very important. Then it is Black Friday, and we kill each other. What's up with that?</div>
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Aside from those big things, what about those little things we sometimes take for granted? Waking up in the
wee hours of the morning with a sick kiddo on this “Day of Thanks” allowed me
to ponder some of these little things I’m thankful for (a few big ones too). Happy Thanksgiving
everyone!</div>
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I’m thankful for………….</div>
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<br /></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Having the energy (barely) to take care of a
daughter in need of “daddy” in the middle of the night</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Coffee</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Friends and family who understand that I have a
life with never ending responsibilities and understand that I still love them
even though I don’t get to see them much. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Smart people</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Drivers that don’t suck</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Parents who teach their kids a thing or two
about respect and how to treat others</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>My big ears……always holding those pencils (only
if they could just hear a little better……..well…..maybe it’s selective hearing)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Honesty</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Being able to take long showers……….anything to
help me wake up</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Clean sheets</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>People who can admit they’re wrong (being
prideful is fine and dandy, unless you’re being an ass)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Disney</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>My piece of crap recliner, even though you give
me back pain</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Hearing “daddy”</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>The warmth of the sun (which we need more of…..obviously)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Being able to smell (unless you’re in a
classroom with sixth graders after PE)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>For being appreciated</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>People who aren’t lazy (uhhh…….I guess I shouldn’t
like me sometimes then)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Smiles</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Self-checkout at the grocery store so I don’t
have to wait behind the people in the express line that decide to take out a
bunch of coupons along with writing a check…….oh wait…..they also always need
someone to run and go get something for them</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Technology that doesn’t suck</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Time alone….something I don’t get often. I need
some recharging of testosterone every now and then. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Music….especially from artists that can actually
sing. I’m so tired of all of those “studio famous” people. I look forward to a
time in the future where the music that is created is actually good. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Good razors</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>The Chive</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Sports………..yes, I know……I spend a little too
much time on my fantasy teams. I’m also especially thankful for our Oregon
Ducks, Portland Trailblazers and Portland Timbers!</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>People who are open to “the world”. Please don’t
judge others just because they are different or have other views. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Comedy……or anything that makes me laugh. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Custodians and everyone else at schools who help
make it a better place. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Fire (as long as it doesn’t burn my house down)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Microwaves</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Water……..beer isn’t too bad either</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>When my kids grab my hand or randomly give me a
hug</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Our military </li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Simplicity</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Packages that open easily during the holiday
season (yeah right)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Toothbrushes</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Being an Oregonian</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Toilets</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>The outdoors</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>People who read this far</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li>There are so many more things! </li>
</ul>
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Thank you for being such wonderful friends and family! Happy
Thanksgiving! Have a wonderful day!</div>
truewiseonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17439299410222750397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3247470471324227502.post-66323750289865776322012-08-21T10:21:00.000-07:002012-08-21T10:21:14.091-07:00"The Talk"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXqKbljotYPI0PgsTVUUla209sUq_OWhj6WPS3cKpjm0Hmvj7WJNgknJ0W3eXs5K6Z5BigURq2Q2iPuQkcFSpf1y-nBkbF0FezRxK7XepOGjc91Ns1SIn9BbwQQaaEVydL7-Ft8ZmuGYnV/s1600/where.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXqKbljotYPI0PgsTVUUla209sUq_OWhj6WPS3cKpjm0Hmvj7WJNgknJ0W3eXs5K6Z5BigURq2Q2iPuQkcFSpf1y-nBkbF0FezRxK7XepOGjc91Ns1SIn9BbwQQaaEVydL7-Ft8ZmuGYnV/s320/where.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hello all.........it has been awhile since I have blogged. However, I couldn't pass this one up. <br />
<br />
Yes.......it happened.......the sex talk took place.<br />
<br />
In this day and age it is inevitable for children to find out sooner than later about that word....."sex". If your kids ever watch tv, the word echoes on family sitcoms (not to mention "Bitch" and "Ass" and all of the other words we used to say if we wanted our mouths washed out with soap). These aren't the sitcoms of the old days ladies and gentleman. Not the "Growing Pains" and "Who's the Boss" and all of the others that we stayed up to watch. And really......there aren't even many family shows anymore that you can watch since the reality television era took over "The Tube". Sex is everywhere. Open your eyes ladies and gentleman. Unless your religious views and way of life shelter your kids "The Talk" will happen sooner or later. We also decided to be very forthright with our kiddos. We agreed we don't want to hide anything, because who knows how she would learn her information with those other "little teachers" at school. If she was going to learn about this word, she was going to learn it right. Yes.....you can judge us for starting this early, but I almost felt like we had no choice. <br />
<br />
Anyways.....so it happened. "Dad and mom........how do babies get here?". The days of telling her "When two people are married and love each other something magical happens and a baby appears". No stork......no cabbage patch.......no "seed". Nope....not cutting it for this eight year old. "Mom and dad......what if I love someone and I'm married and I don't want a baby.......how can I stop that?". Oh geez........ok. We decided we needed a little help. We are teachers and decided to use literacy to teach, because that's what we do. We weren't quite ready to answer this question right away. <br />
<br />
We took a journey to "The Big City" to attempt to find some good reading material to help us in answering her inquisitive questions. Let me tell you something.......there aren't many good books out there. We found a book entitled "Where Did I Come From?". I mean it said it sold over 2 million copies. We took a look inside and almost crapped ourselves. Really? Let me read you a little excerpt.<br />
<br />
"The man loves the woman. So he gives her a kiss. And she gives him a kiss. And they hug each other very tight. And after a while the man's penis becomes stiff and hard, and much bigger than it usually is. It gets bigger because it has a lot of work to do."<br />
<br />
Really? Holy Mother of God. By the way.....this wasn't even in the section entitled "Making Love". The above paragraph was mild. I mean, who would read that to their kids unless you wanted to give them a complex?<br />
<br />
Now......we did have to buy that book. Not to use it to read to my children, but so we could make fun of it. Oh.....it has some interesting cartoon pictures too. We have used it more than a few times as a comedic centerpiece after a few glasses of wine. <br />
<br />
We decided to go with a different book that didn't divulge all of the graphic information. Feeling confident that we could do this, we headed home.<br />
<br />
Now.....I was a bad father, or maybe a smart one. I let mommy do the talking. ;) We had some interesting questions that day during "The Talk". Here are a few of my faves.<br />
<br />
1. How does the sperm get there?<br />
2. Do you and daddy like to kiss? And then...........<br />
3. Did you have sex last night? (Oh geez.......I had to leave the room on that one with Keely looking at me with a helpless look on her face)<br />
4. Do you like seeing each other naked?<br />
<br />
A lot of awkwardness and interesting moments. However, we were honest. In our opinions, honesty is always the best policy (well.......I guess I shouldn't say always.....the "Do I look fat?" question is a different blog). Sex isn't something to hide. Our children need to be educated the right way. I'd love to do a study on the girls that are more promiscuous and whether or not they were sheltered from information about sex. Hmmm....interesting. And what about those teen pregnancies? Did their parents teach them the right way and were open about it? I don't know.<br />
<br />
All I know is that us parents have a big job. Sometimes awkward moments like this can lead to nothing but honesty from our daughters (hopefully) in the future. I guess my other choice would be to make them wear long dresses and not let them date until their 18........sounds good to me.<br />
<br />
Ahhh........life of a parent.....always learning and always creating some memories that will never go away. truewiseonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17439299410222750397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3247470471324227502.post-4543477233287083712012-02-04T09:29:00.000-08:002012-02-04T10:59:30.318-08:00The Wall......A Humbling Experience<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC9QnfgvuQkKkciM7UPMXGo3BMSbmR2oKjcALLZhv8vgt8ZO9zvHt59hCjBJnAoM9sJ2jv-4c_hBxXEEwgYD8sr0vmI-CyibRNN69bBP5CrDznGQJEagYcwg2YcGReYqgwDR3hK-RWWuBM/s1600/mountain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC9QnfgvuQkKkciM7UPMXGo3BMSbmR2oKjcALLZhv8vgt8ZO9zvHt59hCjBJnAoM9sJ2jv-4c_hBxXEEwgYD8sr0vmI-CyibRNN69bBP5CrDznGQJEagYcwg2YcGReYqgwDR3hK-RWWuBM/s320/mountain.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">Wow…..I was humbled yesterday. Humbled in a kids jungle gym at Safari Sams. Little did I know that I would almost meet my fate at an eight foot wall with a rope with knots dangling from it. Yes, I could have gone back through the thing backwards to get out of it, back up that cargo net. However, letting a kids’ play structure conquer me would be purely embarrassing. For you to read this, you may laugh, but at the time it was no comedic moment. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As I looked over on my left through the netting, I observed many adults hanging out while the rest of their kids were moving freely throughout the fortress. Luckily, no one saw me in my vulnerable state. I would beat this thing. I grabbed on to the rope thinking that this would be easy. I mean, come on, it was a rope with knots. It brought me back to elementary school at the old Maple Hall (now part of Western Oregon University’s campus) where we would all climb up the 30 foot rope to the top of the ceiling where we would honk the horn. The feeling of accomplishment was always sweet. Fast forwarding 28 years later made me feel ridiculous as I stared at that rope. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The first attempt was a pure fail. I grabbed on to the first couple of knots and put my feet on the wall. If there was a canyon beneath me, I would have died. I made it up a few knots as my arm muscles were struggling to comprehend what the hell I was doing to myself. Obviously, it was more difficult than I thought, because the rope slipped out of my hands and I went sliding down the wall, the knots pounding me as I slid down on top of it. At that moment I was scared, not that I couldn’t get out of this fortress, but scared that a kids’ structure had beaten me. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I couldn’t let this happen. I gave it my all. I grabbed the knots once again and started climbing, a little extra adrenaline rushing through me at the thought of the adults on my left watching me struggle. I couldn’t let the ladies see me in this state. I managed to get to the summit and grabbed the top of the wall. At this point I let go of the rope which was close to my second downfall. With the rope out of my hands and my two hands on the wall, I had déjà vu…..with the possibility about tumbling to the bottom again. I made my mind rewind to my youth and/or when I was actually in shape. Muscles shaking with a few grunts in between I managed to pull this out of shape body up to the top. I had finally conquered this thing. The funny thing is that this all took place in about 45 seconds, reading this took longer. This is how I felt though, time was definitely stretched in my moment of weakness. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Why tell you about this? I knew I would get some feeling out of you. Either feeling sorry for my out of shape ass, relating to the struggles I had, or laughing at my experience. I must say though, I didn’t see many parents going through this fortress. Most of them were either sitting alongside on their Kindles or I-Phones, oblivious to where their kids were even at or if they were ok. My daughter’s asked me to go with them and against my will (knowing I might struggle), I did. All for them, something any parent needs to remember. However, it turned into an accomplishment for me, even though this thing was for kidlings. This experience also taught me that I need to actually do something with myself. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Take care of yourselves. Spend time with your kids. You are only old if you make yourself that way. My muscles are sore today, but it was all worth it knowing I conquered that f’ing wall. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Until next time…..</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Josiah</div>truewiseonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17439299410222750397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3247470471324227502.post-90477665514379804542012-01-14T12:47:00.000-08:002012-01-14T12:47:54.558-08:00Lazy Saturday<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig-jlHk5jj36qULC2VOd0Te7mST_CMXsfarPkTumftUvkpKz4XwA9HTgJRrVZgPmvCS3xOlxuWwX-9_Q8OuthPYll-qdkDx0reiKVuCcVLt-N4Rc9ajvG5_zc04uJKMv_T0UU8aNp8RR3w/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig-jlHk5jj36qULC2VOd0Te7mST_CMXsfarPkTumftUvkpKz4XwA9HTgJRrVZgPmvCS3xOlxuWwX-9_Q8OuthPYll-qdkDx0reiKVuCcVLt-N4Rc9ajvG5_zc04uJKMv_T0UU8aNp8RR3w/s320/photo.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst">Here I am….</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">Watching sports on a lazy Saturday. I’m still in my pajamas, sitting in a recliner. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The morning coffee still sitting by my side. </div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">The sounds of two girls playing “roll off the couch” when mommy is trying to take a nap. Of course I always tell wife that she should go to the bedroom to take a nap, but of course she responds with her usual “lying in a bed to take a nap makes me sick”. Seriously though, it’s nearly impossible to rest when you are listening to what I am listening to right now. At least it’s not me trying to nap. Even with the screaming and chatter and the constant noise, it’s play where they are getting along, so I can’t complain. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wife, you can’t complain either when you are making a choice to nap in an area that is consumed by playfulness. It makes me grin ear to ear. However, I must say……wife has this super ability to fall asleep in pretty much any condition on that couch in our living room. I don’t know how this is even possible. </div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">Not a care in the world (including their “sleeping” mother). I love these days. </div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">Now….only if the snow could come on Monday evening so I can have another “Lazy Saturday”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wear your pajamas inside out everyone, flush those ice cubes, do those snow dances, and just wish it. </div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast">Enjoy your weekend everyone!</div>truewiseonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17439299410222750397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3247470471324227502.post-48951078810513116062011-12-31T18:44:00.000-08:002011-12-31T18:44:00.171-08:00Bring It On 2012!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTVamncIbcnK2iUIfIuOX7_boBB2mQU9HfyuhaNjdsrpnjx3OEhpv3vpQ1tzIqIoBZrU3Ss-ri9_fSUdi_h643BCbQdWpxJowcqfLBu3NCT0TX3xqqoiFMfQfsuORW1TWPjEUoYloBlujf/s1600/sadie+new+year.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTVamncIbcnK2iUIfIuOX7_boBB2mQU9HfyuhaNjdsrpnjx3OEhpv3vpQ1tzIqIoBZrU3Ss-ri9_fSUdi_h643BCbQdWpxJowcqfLBu3NCT0TX3xqqoiFMfQfsuORW1TWPjEUoYloBlujf/s320/sadie+new+year.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sadie, New Year's 2004</div><br />
<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">For this year’s New Year’s resolution blog, I thought I’d do things a little differently. I decided to ask my daughters how they can be better in 2012 and I figured I would tailor my resolutions to them. Why you ask? They continue to make me into the man I am. Even though kids can sometimes drive you nuts, they teach you a lot about life. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Here is what they told me. Below these, I decided to reflect on what they said. Enjoy!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Hallie </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>I want to be really good at games. </div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>I want to be a great coloring girl. </div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>I don’t want to get attitude, and I want to be nice to Sadie. </div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>I want to help more with cooking, because I never cook for people. If I could make dinner, I would make a burrito and pizza. </div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>I will try not to talk like a baby, because I want to be a big girl. </div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Sadie</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Exercise, because I need to be way more flexible. </div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>I would like to cook by myself and try to make something. I want to cook a recipe and practice measuring while I’m doing that. </div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Not yelling at my sister, because I don’t want to make my mom and dad upset. </div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Reading more, because pretty soon I can read a Harry Potter book. </div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Trying to sleep more, so I don’t get sick one day. </div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Doing chores, because I want to make my parents happy. </div><div class="MsoNormal">Great goals from the two of them. Based on what they said, here are mine. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Daddy</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Instead of spending so much time holding my phone in my hand or opening my laptop for many hours of the day, I will play more games with my kiddos. My youngest says she wants to be better, so we will practice! Also, my oldest needs to learn that cheating doesn’t get her anywhere. What fun would games be if you won all the time right? (ok….for me it would be really fun). </div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Both of them mentioned cooking. I will take at least one day per week to make something with them. That could be cookies, some concoction (Sadie loves to do this) that we will attempt to eat, or burritos and pizza (in Hallie’s case). Maybe some of it can even be edible!</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>To help them “not get attitude”, and “not yell at my sister”, I will be purchasing a cattle prod, or shock collar. Ok….fine. I need to be better about consistency with my own daughters. I have my classroom pretty managed, but sometimes the stress at work carries home and I don’t have the energy to deal with my own kids. </div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>To help with stress, I will be spending a lot of time playing Just Dance with my ladies. Dancing is their passion, and that exercise can actually be fun. We would meet their goals of exercising, getting flexible and getting better at games. Maybe I’ll even lose some of the hibernation chubbiness I got over this Christmas break. </div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>I will be turning off the tv a lot more. We need to spend more time together doing other things when we are at home. As parents, sometimes it’s much easier just putting on a movie. Most of us are guilty of this. However, I feel a little more guilty this past year. If they are going to “read Harry Potter” this year or get better at coloring, this is the perfect time to make this happen. </div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>More sleep for all of us! This means I guess I should go to bed before 11:30 every school night. I swear it doesn’t help much, but maybe I need to set an example for my daughters. My oldest has been having a terrible time getting to sleep. I’m going to start giving the girls some mantra before they go to bed. A couple of weeks before break, I started writing Sadie letters in the morning. I noticed her self-esteem improving when I did this. Being more positive in all of the craziness in the world can’t make things worse. </div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>I’m excited that Sadie said she wanted to do more chores. My resolution is to give her more responsibilities….how cool is that? Growing up on a small farm made me appreciate the free time I did get. Chores help you appreciate more the hard work your parents do and teach you how to be responsible. We’ll see how this goes. Considering she has attention problems like me, this could be a challenge. </div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Noticing how quickly time is passing, I look forward to doing all of these things. They don’t stay young forever. Enjoy your New Year everyone!</div><div class="MsoNormal">Josiah</div>truewiseonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17439299410222750397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3247470471324227502.post-15746105661520469442011-12-25T09:44:00.000-08:002011-12-25T09:44:34.987-08:00The Magic Lives On<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRusuc2mUI4lRtea_6HriusR5ht2oxLhdX54Blhd3QY2qCJ2GRD3NPc1P7Vz6xJd00vyqYMT6mulhgwusGrBiZWlC520MP1c-mRsfAYqAC3r2c411ttqzrlLSX1ab91ZO-uqnGCpzTD8N9/s1600/alpenrose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRusuc2mUI4lRtea_6HriusR5ht2oxLhdX54Blhd3QY2qCJ2GRD3NPc1P7Vz6xJd00vyqYMT6mulhgwusGrBiZWlC520MP1c-mRsfAYqAC3r2c411ttqzrlLSX1ab91ZO-uqnGCpzTD8N9/s320/alpenrose.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"> Alpenrose 2011</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Believe…..believe</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The magic, though dwindled at some point in our adulthood is brought back to life through the eyes of our children. Even though there are so many years of memories when I was a little one, there is usually one that stands out where that magic is powerful, coming from somewhere unexplainable . Just ask Ralphie in the Christmas Story, the Griswold’s, or those lucky enough to meet Buddy the Elf. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">What is your favorite memory from your childhood of Christmas where you remember the magic the most?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I was around 6 years old coming back from a gathering of extended family in Salem on Christmas Eve. It was an icy and snowy night and our journey home would be an unforgettable one. We barely made it out of the city and still had quite the journey to go in our old Ford pickup truck. For those that know me, you remember the trek up to the house in the country. It was a dark and snowy night and the snow drifts up in the hills made us feel like we would leave the road at any moment. My father was one heck of a driver in the snow, but even with his expertise and relentless will to get us home, Old Man Winter taught my dad a lesson. We hit a drift which sucked us toward the side of the rode where we would stop in silence. I remember my parents looking at each other with the “What are we going to do?” look. At this point we were only about two miles from our house, but a family trekking through this snowstorm at around midnight put us in a position of helplessness. I remember my dad getting out of the truck to try to dig us out of the drift, wanting to get us home to a warm bed to get ready for Santa’s visit. I knew there was nothing we could do when the only thing that came back to that truck cab was a discouraged face. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We huddled together in that truck for about 15-20 minutes when we heard a vehicle and saw lights. Could that be Santa’s sleigh? It wasn’t, but it was just as magical. Out late that night were some neighbors that lived down the road that just happened to have a nice big truck. Even though there was no room in the cab, we jumped in the bed and huddled up for the two mile journey home. As the snow fell on my face I looked up at my mother with a worried look on her face and asked “Mom…..how can Santa come in this weather? Did we miss him?”. Her response….”Santa will come….he always does”. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">That was a night that was unforgettable. Not only because of a higher power watching over us and helping us get home safe, but the feeling of how close I was with my family and them reassuring me that everything was going to be ok. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Other memories I have as a child?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">-Singing hymns at church, and seeing friends and family</div><div class="MsoNormal">-“Cousins Christmas”, with great-grandmas homemade fudge and grandma’s cake and bean dip.</div><div class="MsoNormal">-The yearly tradition of going up into our own forest to cut down a Christmas tree.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I never had many presents as a child, but I was always thankful for what I did get and the luckiness of the experiences I had. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The fun of being a parent is to create our own traditions and to pass those magical experiences on to another generation. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">-The yearly trip to Alpenrose to see Storybook Lane (I’m so glad it was back this year)</div><div class="MsoNormal">-Every two years going to Dilley to see the other Storybook Lane.</div><div class="MsoNormal">-Disneyland many years (including the monsoon in California last year)</div><div class="MsoNormal">-Always opening pajamas on Christmas Eve (Keely and I have been doing that for 17 years now)</div><div class="MsoNormal">-Going to the Holiday Food and Gift Festival and eating snacks</div><div class="MsoNormal">-Getting our tree the few days after Thanksgiving (definitely dead this year at this time)</div><div class="MsoNormal">-Decorating the tree together</div><div class="MsoNormal">-Driving around in our pajamas looking at Christmas lights.</div><div class="MsoNormal">-Having white sauce enchiladas at Grandmas on Christmas day</div><div class="MsoNormal">-Heading to the local pub on Christmas night (this is the adult tradition)</div><div class="MsoNormal">- And so many more</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Hopefully, your traditions are continuing to live on and you are making new ones every year. I hope all of you have had a wonderful day. Happy Holidays!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Josiah </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOQsTc-Yc6NPSOkKVqDFjhH_u_IMVeTBr33PGTbBQjgeYjOMSPotW3aKWpntfPrC5cLNE3dYF4ByHa-KcDxWpwk5S2Bye9yWKaqJtT7RbaKic_1BzyBULMCKbhv0VefWj3wT5jiM3o3ZJ8/s1600/tree2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOQsTc-Yc6NPSOkKVqDFjhH_u_IMVeTBr33PGTbBQjgeYjOMSPotW3aKWpntfPrC5cLNE3dYF4ByHa-KcDxWpwk5S2Bye9yWKaqJtT7RbaKic_1BzyBULMCKbhv0VefWj3wT5jiM3o3ZJ8/s320/tree2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div>truewiseonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17439299410222750397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3247470471324227502.post-52788562696225511442011-12-21T10:48:00.000-08:002011-12-22T19:27:38.174-08:00Me time and Friend Time? What Is That?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz2NyQaPLJaVBCGaC8MtJynzPlDpSlXCLgmRyUtGc-qxhEq3HYtJlFESdgx2OG8xwhR5AZrVzSCmi-WzIpz3FSXqqRpdNjJUgAeUmDiPacTNbph9y6QpA3ngktPEkwXrEX2n7MMjGIrmq3/s1600/bathroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz2NyQaPLJaVBCGaC8MtJynzPlDpSlXCLgmRyUtGc-qxhEq3HYtJlFESdgx2OG8xwhR5AZrVzSCmi-WzIpz3FSXqqRpdNjJUgAeUmDiPacTNbph9y6QpA3ngktPEkwXrEX2n7MMjGIrmq3/s320/bathroom.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal"><u><i><b>Me time and Friend Time? What is that?</b></i></u></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">What is “Me” time? I’ve never heard of it. Oh wait……I remember there was a time about seven years ago when that something in my life was a possibility. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Parents……sound familiar? With getting up in the morning and getting the kids ready, going to work, coming home, taking the kids to activities, coming home to make dinner, cleaning up, spending some time with them before bed, getting them ready for bed, and having some time with the spouse, there isn’t much “Me” time at all! I know some of your schedules (the older your kiddos are) are even more packed. </div><div class="MsoNormal">When I finally have some “Me” time, there is always something else happening. Usually, it’s a little munchkin jumping on my lap wanting to play, or wife requesting something from the kitchen, or countless other errands I have to do. I guess I don’t have to do these things that take up my time, but sometimes there are things that we have to suck up and do to maintain our relationships. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">My youngest daughter can play for an eternity by herself. However, for some reason my oldest has decided a long time ago that she needs one of us to play with her. If she doesn’t have an activity that I’ve planned out or that is semi-exciting, all the down time that I had has been sucked dry. Part of it is the age, and part of it is her dependency. I know I will miss this someday though. It won’t be too long before the teenage years infest my home. At that point I will wish that I had my young ones back. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So what does a guy like me do to have time to myself?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Wife complains about the length of time I take in the bathroom. Honey, there is a reason I do this. Do you really think it takes me that long to do my business? Had you fooled I guess. You might laugh at this, but this is serious “Me time” business. I do what I want to do without anyone telling me what to do. Reading, playing video games (no I don’t have a TV in the bathroom….just on the phone), every now and then spending time on the laptop (I know….gross right?....that is a legit bitching moment by wife;)). </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Wife has also learned (it has taken years) not to be mad at me if I don’t come to bed. This again is my time. Sitting in my recliner, watching sports without screaming kids, playing video games, just chillaxin’. Yes, there have been some weekends that I have fallen asleep in this spot. Sometimes, I remind myself of my own dad. I guess the difference though is that I woke up my dad for him to go to bed. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Thank you friends and family for understanding that we don’t have a shitload of time on our hands to spend time with you. It’s a tough balancing act. It’s not that we are purposefully ignoring you. We are truly busy. If we’re not busy, usually we just want to sit down and relax for our own sanity. We love you all, but we love our kids and ourselves just a little more. Any time we do get with you is fantastic. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Why am I writing this? Because I have some “Me time” right now. ;)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Hopefully, you get some time during the holidays for yourselves, your family, and friends. Happy Holidays!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.blogcatalog.com">BlogCatalog</a></div>truewiseonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17439299410222750397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3247470471324227502.post-42130405705126767302011-11-23T09:14:00.000-08:002011-11-23T09:14:07.874-08:00Thanksgiving.....the Little Things<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHOKGPA_5u2cg2RmEtTYTa3XWhMHoF0zQkEOpmWOpB7ouTQZ9sNkBKnDMoRy7tF2ivkhYOq5xJhdXd3xq1mZHMX0zKqFPHT_e47hsROB6uFjCBTjcr5nMuy_DAEyfAuoR6pa8MDOaiDWb_/s1600/47-681.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHOKGPA_5u2cg2RmEtTYTa3XWhMHoF0zQkEOpmWOpB7ouTQZ9sNkBKnDMoRy7tF2ivkhYOq5xJhdXd3xq1mZHMX0zKqFPHT_e47hsROB6uFjCBTjcr5nMuy_DAEyfAuoR6pa8MDOaiDWb_/s1600/47-681.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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Ahhh.....Thanksgiving! Probably one of my favorite holidays. You can't go wrong with stuffing yourself, watching football and spending time with family.<br />
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Don't forget to watch A Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving.....a classic.<br />
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http://abc.go.com/shows/a-charlie-brown-thanksgiving<br />
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On this holiday we always give thanks in our lives for many things. Here are the top 10 things I am thankful for other than my family and friends, a roof over my head, food and good health. These top ten things are those little things you don't really think about, but they are all important in some way. <br />
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<i><b>In no particular order and at random, I am thankful for........</b></i><br />
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1. <b><i>Getting up for work</i></b>. Why you say? Because I have a job to get up for. This year, there is a lot to complain about in my work environment. However, I feel fortunate to be able to provide for my family. At the end of the day I'm sitting in my home with my family.....the things that really matter.<br />
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2. <i><b>Finding toys scattered around the house</b></i>. I know what you parents are thinking. Half of the time we want to take these toys and bag them up and take them to Goodwill. However, one of these days we'll miss it. I still remember back to before the kiddos when our house was clean........it was awesome. However, I'll take the messes and the kiddos. My family is what keeps me sane half of the time.I'm tempted to invest in some housecleaning though. <br />
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3. <i><b>Being the positive adult role-model in the lives of today's children</b></i>. Teachers have power. Like yesterday for me, we want to sometimes take that power to choke them and poke them with a cattle prod. However, there's something about getting those little notes from kids or having them come back to visit you years later that makes teaching all worthwhile. I'm thankful for having the opportunity to transform this generation into a society that takes care of me in my "geezer" age.<br />
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4. <i><b>Toilet paper</b></i>. Yes, you heard me, it's hard to think of life without it. However, living in a house of females I should invest in toilet paper stock. I mean seriously.......<br />
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5. <i><b>Music</b></i>. What would our world be without it? Can you imagine a movie without it (Breaking Dawn could have left it out)? A bar without karaoke or a jukebox? Christmas without the classics? <br />
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6. <i><b>Smiles</b></i>. Whether it's walking down the street and acknowledging a stranger, walking in the door to find your kids beaming, or the first little grin of a baby, smiles just make you feel good. However, there is that smile that a wife gives you that says....."You can do that if you want, but you won't get any for an eternity".<br />
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7. <i><b>Old People</b></i>. They say it how it is, their knowledge and stories are incredible, and they're what is left of a generation and time that is greatly missed.<br />
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8. <i><b>Sports</b></i>. Yes....most of you ladies can complain all you want about us men watching our sports and playing fantasy. However, it's real, brings people together, and helps us sport's freaks survive the rigorous nature of life. Nuff said. <br />
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9. <i><b>Good drivers</b></i>, because bad drivers suck and they bring out my road rage. To the jerks who speed up as you try to pass, pass at the last second when two lanes converge, drive 10 mph under the speed limit, text while they drive while eating food, drive drunk, etc..........friggin' stay home.<br />
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10. <i><b>People who are intelligent and socially skilled. </b></i>Thank you. Ignorant people drive me nuts. There are too many people in the "Upper Realms" of all fields that are ignorant. In education it's all about who you know and jumping through red tape. There are too many educators out there that are fabulous that never make it to these upper positions (like most jobs). For our world's sake......let's hope this changes. Unfortunately, the texting generation is missing a lot of these social skills, work ethic, and basic intelligence (in my opinion). I'm hoping they prove me wrong as time goes on. <br />
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There are many more where these 10 came from, but these are some of the first things that came to mind. Enjoy your Thanksgiving everyone! As you are sitting on that couch with turkey in your belly putting you to sleep remember those little things or the things you don't normally think about. <br />
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Take care everyone,<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy90u7RNHJS8s7db4hORxSMdHEgCQCEe6wVcqnx_lcIM4EhKYbhEIVqw5JVqHCp7ZTdGieZFg88f-TEwWRaV8ad1m678d5-uSoLm8bIhORtqcWvQ3Fl-zu-_6GuwxlBPTR8dq_Yk6f-Ivk/s1600/6a00d8341c630a53ef014e8a4b9c42970d-600wi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy90u7RNHJS8s7db4hORxSMdHEgCQCEe6wVcqnx_lcIM4EhKYbhEIVqw5JVqHCp7ZTdGieZFg88f-TEwWRaV8ad1m678d5-uSoLm8bIhORtqcWvQ3Fl-zu-_6GuwxlBPTR8dq_Yk6f-Ivk/s320/6a00d8341c630a53ef014e8a4b9c42970d-600wi.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes.......most guys have thought about "The Switch". Jason Bateman...I feel you. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The top ten reasons that every man should have a “Man Cave”. However, I know most of these fit you mommies too. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">These are the fun things we parents get to deal with. Unfortunately, living in a small house, my opportunities for creating one of these “Man Caves” is limited. I have the “Cat room” (our extra half bath), the shed in the back yard (umm…..no), laundry room (are you kidding me, getting lost in all those clothes?), and the garage (if it were actually clean). Maybe this is why I take so long in the bathroom. Did you ever think of that my dear wife and children? ;)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The Top Ten Reasons That Every Man Should Have a “Man Cave”</div><br />
<br />
1. There is no mute button for bickering children.<br />
<br />
2. Somewhere along the line "Daddy!!" became the girls' favorite word. Yes....that means I'm needed right away.<br />
<br />
3. Whining<br />
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4. The "Toy Tornado" that I always have to walk through and pick up.<br />
<br />
5. I'm a sports freak......they are not. However, I've made some progress on that one.....they love the Timbers and Ducks, so I can usually get away with watching those games as the girls route them on.<br />
<br />
6. Sometimes I actually get tired of playing "Jump" from the couch and having to lift my ladies into the air while dancing. I love these times, but I'm not getting any younger.<br />
<br />
7. Sometimes the truth hurts. "No girls.......I don't need a bra."<br />
<br />
8. "I see your penis!!! Hee hee". Yes, I've heard that a few times. There are too many vaginas in my house. I know it's a foreign object. Hopefully, an object you won't see on another man until you're out of the house.<br />
<br />
9. How many times do I have to ask you to do something before it's done? Apparently not just one.<br />
<br />
10. Sometimes we just need time to ourselves. Honey, just remember this list on the nights that I stay up late or stay in the bathroom for an extra long period of time.<br />
<br />
With these being said, I love being a dad. With every top ten list like this there are three times as many rewarding things.<br />
<br />
Oh wait.....seriously......I'm being beckoned and one of my girls is crying. Yee haw! ;)truewiseonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17439299410222750397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3247470471324227502.post-90551905413895172432011-10-08T10:27:00.000-07:002011-10-08T10:27:00.212-07:00Parents need a license<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLGBfoHVdYb4Spoi-Z_3cDr7Hm7ZKiXfc2W2dFiXDUMfzv91EfXyulfMPsOBK24PBZ628IKwqeSjHw5TPTJWfsNpXN2pDhS6jxmYQv1jxXP7wR0Ja91VsMar-29t40ChhkKKVldFCvvThO/s1600/parenting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLGBfoHVdYb4Spoi-Z_3cDr7Hm7ZKiXfc2W2dFiXDUMfzv91EfXyulfMPsOBK24PBZ628IKwqeSjHw5TPTJWfsNpXN2pDhS6jxmYQv1jxXP7wR0Ja91VsMar-29t40ChhkKKVldFCvvThO/s400/parenting.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Seriously........parents need a "Parent License".<br />
<br />
Yesterday we witnessed a mother pushing a stroller in the rain with the top down, smoking a cigarette while pregnant. It's tough to know that her children will be taking care of me in my old age. I want to say that they stand a chance, but statistics and experience say that hope is dim for those youngsters. Is it fair that she brings these children into the world? Their innocence being obliterated at an early age, being forced to "grow up" to help support their other struggling siblings and by witnessing all of the negative "grown up" things their parents do. Sad for sure.<br />
<br />
I feel privileged to be able to help some of these families. Adults, no matter if you are in education or not, just being connected in some way to children through coaching, churches, friends, whatever.......have the power to make some kind of difference. Positivity is hard to come by in this day and age with our struggling economy, the business of everyday life, and the media whose attention is always focused on fake realities and news that is deeply depressing. Positivity......smiles, compliments, just instilling some kind of warmth within these youngsters when the world around them is coming crashing down. We can do something you know.<br />
<br />
I wish there was a way to control the success of our youth through limiting the number of kids that do come into the world already having disadvantages. Remember, they don't get to choose where they go. The world is not fair. So with that being said, here is my fantasy proposal for future parents.....<br />
<br />
Upon the potential of bringing a child into this world, in order to get that "Parent license", here are the things you have to do along with some ideas of how the community can help:<br />
<br />
1.Enroll future parents in mandatory parenting classes that teach basic skills of how to parent along with providing resources that parents can access to help them become better parents.<br />
<br />
2. Mandatory drug testing. If found positive, enter rehab. Parenting classes and classes that focus on the health of a fetus would be required.<br />
<br />
3. Provide safe houses for parents looking for shelter. These would be loving families (usually couples) that take in either single mothers (or pregnant mothers) or small families and provide them with life skills to prepare them for parenting. When the new parents or single mothers find shelter, the "safe house" family serves as mentor family that checks in with them on a regular basis. I'm sure there are centers like this already.<br />
<br />
4. Hire "Parent Police" that enter the community looking for parents that can be re-taught the proper way to parent their children. As a "ticket" the parents are required to go to parenting classes. To be careful about this, because as we all know we have had some incidents in public, the first couple of times are warnings. The third time would be a charm though. However, if there is a more major incident (like hitting in public), then that would be an obvious incident that would be brought to the higher powers. Do you know how many times I've wanted to be one of these "Parent Police"?<br />
<br />
5. Set aside specific jobs for parents, education opportunities, and childcare. Yes....I know....a lot of money. <br />
<br />
6. If parents can prove that they have taken classes throughout pregnancy, are clean and have shelter and food for their children, they can acquire their license.<br />
<br />
7. Just like a drivers license or other licenses, they would have to be renewed. Every year you would be visited by a social worker and would also have to provide proof of being "clean".<br />
<br />
These are just a few things y'all. Yes.....it's my dream world. Of course there would be some flaws with these ideas. I don't know about what consequences there would be if parents didn't meet these requirements. However, you get the idea. The point is, our future families and children need all of the help they can get. It's a never ending cycle...............growing up in a family of poverty, becoming a parent in poverty. Too bad those rich people in the world (or sport's athletes who get paid more in 7 minutes than I do in my year of work) aren't required to help in some way. <br />
<br />
I don't know if I can handle seeing another parent talking disrespectfully in the supermarket to their children, grabbing them in a harsh way, seeing kids come to school hungry and sad with no self-esteem, babies with no proper clothing, etc.<br />
<br />
However, with this being said, I do what I can to provide. I love my own kids, my school kids, the kids I've never met. In this society, the only thing we can do is love and teach our youth.<br />
<br />
The kids are our future. My future depends on them.<br />
<br />
Josiahtruewiseonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17439299410222750397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3247470471324227502.post-4187025010444269772011-06-05T15:29:00.000-07:002011-06-05T15:29:44.320-07:00The Game of "Honesty"<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaNVu4dp4llNRW1ARrITX6iHvMLxHvfU2WQ8UxZ7sOMJGwPHCQSchd7kWw9xyxncaknPp7hdQvT5WD4hjyPWijrCfem59mfrmrtzKTZZW76AXbCErEvXnScd3CAJe1vWK2mXA_IebiAhyh/s1600/honesty-exercise-bike-honesty-fat-demotivational-poster-1217563023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaNVu4dp4llNRW1ARrITX6iHvMLxHvfU2WQ8UxZ7sOMJGwPHCQSchd7kWw9xyxncaknPp7hdQvT5WD4hjyPWijrCfem59mfrmrtzKTZZW76AXbCErEvXnScd3CAJe1vWK2mXA_IebiAhyh/s320/honesty-exercise-bike-honesty-fat-demotivational-poster-1217563023.jpg" width="250" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">The game of “Honesty”. Isn’t it fun to play?</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Yes, in my opinion, this is one of those things you have to have in any relationship in order to keep it from crumbling along with a few other ingredients that I won’t yet mention in today’s blog. However, it does become a game. "Take a Chance" in some situations can lead you to a place you don't want to go. Most of the time there are no "Get Out of Jail Free" cards. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We always preach to tell the truth. However, do we ever really stay true to who we are and what we think? I think the older we get, it isn’t so much of a game anymore, true honesty. The individuals who call it as it is. Call these people “Old Farts” or whatever. Problem is, people have a hard time hearing the truth. They know it already most of the time, but for some reason they have to have someone back up their own thinking. Personally, I would rather have someone be straight forward with me instead of mouthing off behind my back. How can I change and become better if someone doesn't tell me?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">There are times that honesty can get you into trouble. Here are a few dreaded questions that husbands, parents, or teachers have heard:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As a <u>husband</u>…..(let me get this straight right now Keely…..the first question doesn’t apply to you)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Honey, do I look fat in this dress?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span> </span>“Did you hear what I said or asked you?” I can't say yes anymore to this one when I really haven't heard. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">"Were you staring at her?"</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Men......."No", "Yes", "No". Some females can handle the truth. They like straight out answers. However, it's still hard to be honest all of the time. There comes a point that the word "tact" comes more into play than honesty. And so the game keeps rolling, along with many more questions that we have to quickly think of a good answer to. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As a <u>father</u>...........</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">"Dad, is Santa/The Easter Bunny/the Tooth Fairy real?" Seriously though....they are, my daughters' hearts will not be broken by me. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">"Dad, don't you think this looks beautiful?" Yes.....the scribbles that you didn't take your time on look masterful. Of course, our answer will always be beautiful. Could you imagine the look on a kid's face if you said something negative?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">"Dad, does this outfit look awesome?" Kids will be kids.....hey, if they want to where striped tights with a polk-a-dot shirt along with clashing colors out to the store, so be it. However, I think mom has a little more difficulty with this happening. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As a <u>teacher</u>..........</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Many questions are the same as when your own kids ask you things. However, here are some things that happen behind the scenes. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So kids......that "Stick of Doom" that I draw to have you answer a question doesn't always have your name on it. Sometimes we just have to be strategic. Isn't it amazing how your name gets drawn when you aren't paying attention?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I've never recycled a student paper in my teaching career (ok......this is a big lie.....see, I'm being honest)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We never talk about parents or kids behind their backs. Parents who aren't teachers and have kids in school, this happens....a lot. Please, don't become some of those freaky, needy, helicopter parents that all of us teachers dread. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">------------</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Honesty is important. However, tact when it comes to relationships and children is sometimes more so. Be true to yourself and keep your integrity without destroying the people around you. Like any game, you have to be strategic. :)</div>truewiseonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17439299410222750397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3247470471324227502.post-24647369865026816242011-05-29T13:15:00.000-07:002011-05-29T13:15:27.456-07:00The Joys of Multitasking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYDu1wEdHt-xvuEyf2gMkR_MWM_gZb9e85_fFBMhZoYaimMh1BEGIvqAhSWCbydjGXCsBJc8YhHhI2-fqi_pQqvkTmydxBH4pVmj4mgwFZ9Yp3mxOIaQiRlwaX4S7GN0kBCk10G-v2CO0/s1600/mr.-mom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYDu1wEdHt-xvuEyf2gMkR_MWM_gZb9e85_fFBMhZoYaimMh1BEGIvqAhSWCbydjGXCsBJc8YhHhI2-fqi_pQqvkTmydxBH4pVmj4mgwFZ9Yp3mxOIaQiRlwaX4S7GN0kBCk10G-v2CO0/s320/mr.-mom.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
Let's face it guys......most of the time we're not the best at multitasking. Yes....I know there are a few of you that will beg to differ. However, ladies would probably agree that for the most part I am correct on this assumption. I have improved over the years. Being a husband, father and teacher transforms you just a little bit. Here are my top pieces of advice, observations, or experiences about multitasking. Yes guys....there are ladies out there who can join our "club" too and there are guys out there who somehow have super powers. <br />
<br />
<br />
1. Men....when your wife or girlfriend is talking to you, look at them. If you're anything like me, those words that come out of her mouth will not connect with those areas of the brain that actually make meaning out of what she says.Those famous words....."Do you understand?". I have learned to say no, instead of nodding my head "uh huh". Why? Because wife is smart enough to actually make me repeat back what she says. Maybe it's the teacher in her. :) Having a wife talk to you while playing video games or doing something you enjoy doing transforms her into that teacher from Charlie Brown. <br />
<br />
2. Get sleep. As we know, when we are exhausted, we are worthless. Also, if you are a new parent, try not to close out a bar at 2:30 in the morning and expect to have a good time feeding your newborn in the middle of the night. Feeding a baby a bottle on no sleep and a few drinks makes even simple multitasking (watching tv while feeding the baby) a difficult one.<br />
<br />
3. Expect your wife to be mad at you when she gets on a cleaning kick. She will expect you to clean 50 things at once. THIS IS NORMAL. If you can pull off bouncing around doing 3 jobs at once and eventually get them done, that will score major points for you. If it doesn't score you points, then you might as well go back to doing one thing at a time. <br />
<br />
4. When I eat at a restaurant I'm focused on my wonderful food and drink, and the people directly in front of me. Sorry if I don't hear something important happening 10 feet away. I do wish I had this skill. Wife has used this "Super Power" to get things free for us, discounted admission, and inside information to help us. I am impressed with myself though. A couple of weeks ago I had a fun time listening to the totally clean conversation of a drunk couple a couple booths away. <br />
<br />
5. Ladies, do you think hinting at something for your significant other will do anything for you? Remember, we already have a hard time multitasking. If you want us to focus on your problem or request, tell or ask us. It's not that we are not listening to you. It's totally the lack of multitasking, right guys?<br />
<br />
6. Multitasking doesn't always save time. Sometimes we just want to do a job very well, hence the reason why we do one thing at a time. Who wants to go back and do it again if it's not done right? <br />
<br />
7. Experience does improve the skills. I think back to the first years of being a teacher. How did two of my students make one of those telephones that reached across the room (cups and string) without my knowledge? Now, 11 years later, I know when each student even blinks. Proximity, and as my football coach used to say..."head on a swivel, head on a swivel". Now I can actually teach and take care of behavior problems without even stopping instruction. However, it took me at least 5-8 years to master this. It still cracks me up looking back to when I was a rookie.<br />
<br />
8. Organization can help multitasking. Imagine that! Lists, notes, and schedules are a little OCD and nerdy. However, they work. If I don't make a list before going to the store, I usually forget something. At least I have a 7-eleven a block away.<br />
<br />
9. Students.......if you all try to talk to me at the same time, I won't hear any of you. Kids, wife and friends, the same goes for you. One at a time, please. If you want to be heard, be sure no one is interrupting you. <br />
<br />
10. Just because you're good at multitasking in certain realms, doesn't mean you're good at multitasking in others. For example, I'm very good at multitasking when it comes to reading and playing music. However, you ask me to talk on the phone and cook at the same time and this leads to something that tastes like back side of something. Doing something I enjoy doing also transforms me into a multitasker. :)<br />
<br />
Yes, you've all probably made the observation that my multitasking issues have a lot to do with social interaction. True. However, isn't this the case most of the time with most people?<br />
<br />
I do want to say that it is important in this day and age to not forget about your family. I get caught up in Facebooking, and playing games on my phone or whatever. I see too many parents not putting everything into the interaction with their children. Not only is this lack of emotional connection debilitating for future relationships that they may have, but it will catch up with you later when you say "Where has the time gone?". Family and work are separate, remember that. As you should already know, your family is your first priority. Until next time y'all!<br />
<br />
<br />
Here are a couple of fun links to test your multitasking skills. Of course, these are just games. It's a little different with real world tasks. :)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/06/07/technology/20100607-task-switching-demo.html">http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/06/07/technology/20100607-task-switching-demo.html</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://kbhgames.com/Multitasking-Test-Game-1407/">http://kbhgames.com/Multitasking-Test-Game-1407/</a>truewiseonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17439299410222750397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3247470471324227502.post-85882375915654179042011-04-13T17:02:00.000-07:002011-04-13T17:02:26.719-07:00Still "young"......I guess<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3awCAZfwD9NQIw_FCEr_B7Q7kZZ-TGDSuRH5oFEFlCeqj3hQV3fTUYzAU0EeYBbgn1raGtVobwvmj-2rxxFwJ6CqWGjTOV4jKoIeLczJHQPaUfP2mlvoiX29JgCJi97aJxDUsZdJ5YU3S/s1600/204765_10150157997505629_790660628_6540920_4888825_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3awCAZfwD9NQIw_FCEr_B7Q7kZZ-TGDSuRH5oFEFlCeqj3hQV3fTUYzAU0EeYBbgn1raGtVobwvmj-2rxxFwJ6CqWGjTOV4jKoIeLczJHQPaUfP2mlvoiX29JgCJi97aJxDUsZdJ5YU3S/s400/204765_10150157997505629_790660628_6540920_4888825_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Yes.....I know....some of you still see me as a baby. However, here are the top ten things that are making me realize that I'm not as "young" as I used to be.<br />
<br />
10. I can now potentially see many of my first year 5th graders at the local bar. Yes......they turn 21 this year.<br />
<br />
9. College was over a decade ago for me. <br />
<br />
8. I'm over a 1/3 of the way done with my teaching career......(at this point in the year I wish I could add 1 <br />
or 2 to my numerator)<br />
<br />
7. These damn aches and pains are ridiculous. Seriously? Physical therapy for an "injury" I don't even <br />
remember getting?<br />
<br />
6. Crankiness must come with age. Those voices that I used to save in my head are much more difficult to<br />
keep in. The funny thing is, I don't really care. I find it nice being able to tell it how it is (still trying to be<br />
tactful about it though.......however, I see that ending someday). <br />
<br />
5. I've had to reprimand teenagers in public several times this past year. However, maybe that has nothing to <br />
do with my age. People can't tell me that teenagers have always been like the ones we have today. (please<br />
Teenage God.....be kind to my daughters). <br />
<br />
4. I've been blessed by the Grey Hair Gods, but not by the Nose Hair Gods. Seriously....WTF?<br />
<br />
3. Is it just me, or have my eyes gotten better? Oh wait........those are just more wrinkles appearing that<br />
weren't there before. I loved it when wife got new contacts......."Wow....your face". Do you think she<br />
meant something nice? <br />
<br />
2. I've seen many actresses that I was very fond of (won't go there) who are now playing grandmas in<br />
movies.<br />
<br />
1. See above picture. Great friends, freshman year of high school.....yes....high school. Wait a sec....did you <br />
say almost 20 years ago? Yes......me in the white hat backwards. Sexy huh?<br />
<br />
Old, young......whatever. Being a father and teacher has taught me that you are never to old even though you may feel it (like me). Act goofy, laugh loudly, and enjoy life!<br />
<br />
For those of you who follow, maybe it won't take me over a month to write something next time. ;)truewiseonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17439299410222750397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3247470471324227502.post-76006112996216970962011-02-25T22:11:00.000-08:002011-02-26T09:33:35.104-08:00A Kid Losing a Tooth......Ugh<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRLYyxgp9XkCI6aTpHlKxtQia0WsIdvlXTiD-tJ-p_L4TJH8Kwvg-ZL6mZQi2CXmFMTLWlxHFA_jXbT8OYe9hIoZKtugJryo5joSGdk9Fx53oeV0FulA6_f8a4tzO9GASpcXdlA-sputeq/s1600/tooth_fairy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRLYyxgp9XkCI6aTpHlKxtQia0WsIdvlXTiD-tJ-p_L4TJH8Kwvg-ZL6mZQi2CXmFMTLWlxHFA_jXbT8OYe9hIoZKtugJryo5joSGdk9Fx53oeV0FulA6_f8a4tzO9GASpcXdlA-sputeq/s320/tooth_fairy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Teeth…..gotta have them, but at some point when you are a kid, you’ve gotta lose them too!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It seems like it was so easy when I was a kid. Of course I didn’t mind twisting them and bleeding a bit. If I think about that now it makes me cringe. Those damn kids in my classroom that come up to me bleeding or watching them not pay attention to me, all while they are being their own “dentist” in the back of the room……..a little distracting to me. Seriously……..can’t you wait kiddo? Do I have to watch you turn your gums into hamburger? Come on!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">However, the anxiety that is running through the veins of my daughter right now makes me want to play “dentist” myself. If I try to come near her though, she runs away…..seriously. Her first tooth, hanging by a thread, mocks me. Damn you tooth! How many times are you going to be in the way of my daughters eating? You cause her to lose sleep, worrying about you hurting as you come out. The Tooth Fairy is coming my dear sir……….the Tooth Fairy is coming. If I can actually get my hands on you, you will be mine….ha ha ha ha!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I haven’t been the best father though. I admit, I have become frustrated enough to use some scare tactics. “Sadie….you could choke on your tooth in the middle of the night”. “You could swallow your tooth and not see it again”. “Your tooth will rot in your mouth”. Hint to parents using scare tactics with a kiddo that has anxiety issues already…….you might not want to do that. It’s kind of like adding a lot of fuel to the fire. Oh…..educating myself and learning the hard way, the life of a parent. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I’m hoping this whole thing ends well. Hopefully, she isn’t scarred for life and will actually not be worse for the next tooth. The deal between all of us? As long as she eats her food without complaining we won’t talk about pulling it out. We’ll see how long this lasts. Please tooth…..just be kind and surrender. Let me find you on her pillow as she wakes up in the morning. Please don’t make me come get you, or else our world will come crashing down for the most minute second it takes me to reach in and pull you. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Only one almost down…..how many to go? Ugh.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOcIyPigIgz_b_nC0KNRJ5OV792qG1kjsMDSHHX5m0DGC3bRvow-k_A4WBwV6avDDmpuRmXp23ipsy83h7aON9JtILPh0zdBuvfXhCpjgaoQoHm87_t8aXKXlgX-gVxHlKwjZbJsVFuWOI/s1600/3098553708_d0c8b3e3f0_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOcIyPigIgz_b_nC0KNRJ5OV792qG1kjsMDSHHX5m0DGC3bRvow-k_A4WBwV6avDDmpuRmXp23ipsy83h7aON9JtILPh0zdBuvfXhCpjgaoQoHm87_t8aXKXlgX-gVxHlKwjZbJsVFuWOI/s640/3098553708_d0c8b3e3f0_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div>truewiseonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17439299410222750397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3247470471324227502.post-20275389057167015042011-02-06T09:35:00.000-08:002011-02-06T09:35:22.232-08:00This Thing Called Sleep<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbQ7k-d22NNmJ2D9y1TEUvOew8zhUyjinqdMx0hvJuvjJ_Jec9y6cixZXgykIqujiQxpmrUaOD_4SKn9Bxf0jvVolf1A-S-jZLaKJ7JKAIys2JaJ1FpqHKuGZmehM9f9M6kaqFECEkzW9/s1600/sleeping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbQ7k-d22NNmJ2D9y1TEUvOew8zhUyjinqdMx0hvJuvjJ_Jec9y6cixZXgykIqujiQxpmrUaOD_4SKn9Bxf0jvVolf1A-S-jZLaKJ7JKAIys2JaJ1FpqHKuGZmehM9f9M6kaqFECEkzW9/s320/sleeping.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
For those of you couples without kids reading this may be a natural form of birth control, especially if you like your sleep. <br />
<br />
Thinking back to having my first child, I didn't have a clue how much I took sleep for granted. Little did we know though that our first child (or both for that matter) wouldn't even sleep through the night until 9 months old. Those night coming home from the bar (thanks grandma!) and getting up to feed the child in the middle of the night was Hell on Earth. Oh the number of times I crashed on the recliner in the middle of the night (see above), many times a blur.<br />
<br />
Then the baby was no longer a baby. We didn't have to feed them in the middle of the night. Sweet right?! Oh wait......then came potty training. "Daddy!........I have to go potty!". Nothing like a kid yelling and waking your lazy butt up in the middle of the night, sometimes almost literally scaring the shit out of me.<br />
<br />
Seriously......would we ever get to sleep? Naps became a regular occurrence for us (this still holds true for wife....she loves her naps). Timing was everything. If you didn't time it right, no nap for you. Timing two kids' naps was a form of art. Parents with kids.....sound familiar?<br />
<br />
The weird thing is after all of this.......even when I have a chance to sleep now, I decide to stay up instead. Maybe it's because us parents lose so much time for ourselves and we need that "me" time. I love sleep, don't get me wrong. However, I also love to have some sort of a life outside of kiddos too. Sometimes it helps me keep my sanity after listening to arguing and whining for the several hours previously. <br />
<br />
The most frustrating thing is going on a vacation without children. When you try to sleep in, you end up waking up at the same freaking time when you do have kids. That damn natural clock just laughing at you. Seriously?!<br />
<br />
Here we are, over 6 years later. Wife and I still make deals of who gets up on which weekend morning, or who will get up the morning after some shin-dig. At least our kids sleep a little longer now. The routine......getting up, making breakfast, putting on a movie and then trying to release a few more z's until they want something else, every weekend. We have to drag them out of bed on school days, but they wake our butts up on the weekend. We've even gone to the extent of lying a few times telling them it was going to be a school day so they would actually sleep in. Haven't done that? Liars!<br />
<br />
Don't get me wrong married couples without kids........I wouldn't trade it for the world. My girls are everything.....more than sleep. However, this thing called sleep is very precious. Enjoy it when you get it!<br />
<br />
To my sister and brother in law............you have a few more months of bliss, soak it up!truewiseonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17439299410222750397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3247470471324227502.post-77480233696065610452011-01-22T09:22:00.000-08:002011-01-22T09:22:50.437-08:00Top 10 Dad's of Daughters Challenges<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIXcGRGkKQWjo1ZkUrYgF11xkeqWyZqaYgnp1ob4Jpwx7uJ083S_wcw_txRxhirVe7UmreqDQpppWFATn2XuJfU6n-bc16o5PMVEIm9IoCYprx-3Le8oTduOxl315Zdzn01GTHFPR0LCW/s1600/mini+session-106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIXcGRGkKQWjo1ZkUrYgF11xkeqWyZqaYgnp1ob4Jpwx7uJ083S_wcw_txRxhirVe7UmreqDQpppWFATn2XuJfU6n-bc16o5PMVEIm9IoCYprx-3Le8oTduOxl315Zdzn01GTHFPR0LCW/s320/mini+session-106.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
10. We have enough barbies and dolls to open up our own store.<br />
<br />
9. Doing hair is a pain in the ass. Maybe it's because it's not mine, or maybe it's because their hair looks like animals slept in it all night. If wife and grandma didn't do it most of the time, I would be in trouble.<br />
<br />
8. The shrill playing screams and voices will make me get hearing aids by the time I'm 35.<br />
<br />
7. Their attitudes aren't getting any better.......the teenage years.....oh God help me.<br />
<br />
6. Manipulation, yes already at the fine ages of 4 and 6. I shouldn't stereotype here, but ladies, you are masters of this skill.<br />
<br />
5. They are already talking about boys and who they are going to marry....something that probably won't change anytime soon. You boys are this father's nightmare. I'm not looking forward to the drama that will develop in the future. <br />
<br />
4. They fight quite often because they want the same toys, so many times we buy two of the same thing (hence the reason for #1)<br />
<br />
3. They make fun of my genitalia. There's something about them pointing and laughing at my "stuff" that is disturbing, especially when they team up to do it. (I know.......I hear the jokes......ha ha). <br />
<br />
2. Hormones someday in this tiny house, that's all I have to say. <br />
<br />
1. Someday, I will have to give them away. A day that every father dreads. Even with all of these challenges, I love having daughters and I feel honored to be their dad. <br />
<br />
<br />
Enjoy those little ones! Any of you have these similarities, especially fathers?truewiseonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17439299410222750397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3247470471324227502.post-55195574873085407412011-01-16T09:32:00.000-08:002011-01-16T09:32:49.865-08:00Elementary Hoochies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGyIcVOddV1ZqUmdthYBmbZhlKmzNMPKgiam4YC6bhq6DRXthEF8KyMGUNQAZjDXImBu7KL4_34i-ezHfGs_7bTSruCGrhbmBgrkiqri7eXGccR4Y-JgWlJysELtn6xxXTqfUmqh2onWs/s1600/clowns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGyIcVOddV1ZqUmdthYBmbZhlKmzNMPKgiam4YC6bhq6DRXthEF8KyMGUNQAZjDXImBu7KL4_34i-ezHfGs_7bTSruCGrhbmBgrkiqri7eXGccR4Y-JgWlJysELtn6xxXTqfUmqh2onWs/s320/clowns.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<br />
Let me ask you this. Do you think it is ok for girls in elementary school to wear make-up and fake (a few real) piercings? Call me old fashioned, but holy shiznit! Thank God I have some time before my kidlings (both girls) are thrown into or want to be a part of "The In Crowd". "The In Crowd" that tramps around by wearing 1/4 inch thick make-up around their eyes walking next to Kindergartners. Seriously........seriously. Why isn't there a district policy about this?<br />
<br />
However, there is one major problem that arises when trying to change certain policies.....parents. Yes, most of you who read this would not let your daughter go out in public as a 12 year old looking like this, but there are way too many that do and support their daughter's "freedom of expression". If this 12 year old was at a middle school setting, I still wouldn't support it, but wouldn't be whining about it. The difference is who sees them. A few years back, there was a student in 5th grade that was wearing too much eye make-up that us teachers (and students) thought was distracting to learning. However, when we informed mom about our concerns she wigged out. "My daughter has the right to express herself in whatever way she deems fit". Ugh! She even threatened to go to "high up" peeps (upper administration) about this. This support for her daughter obviously kind of shocked us. Dealing with this lack of parental support for school rules though has become part of life. <br />
<br />
As we always did in our youth, we looked up to those "big kids". When I was a 1st grader I thought those 5th graders were so cool. I doubt times have changed much. Those kids still say those things. In this day and age though it goes something more like this......."that 5th (or 6th) grader is so cool......I want to look like Captain Jack too!!"....ok...not really, but you get the point. Don't we still want role models for younger kids at the elementary school that still show just a tad bit of innocence? What do you think Captain?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigjqRhUBFYEZuoZ144y6iLvZvm5EoHPV2LLOyXmpqw1OQt45OZSmMW9ixXZUq5MJIdHJhv3zCRkDC3rKcX7-_kCnEvewLalGVgg7XI6RW3_5HX04L3bFLHkCx1M8ryYJxflpCeYmh6zr_f/s1600/captain-jack-sparrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigjqRhUBFYEZuoZ144y6iLvZvm5EoHPV2LLOyXmpqw1OQt45OZSmMW9ixXZUq5MJIdHJhv3zCRkDC3rKcX7-_kCnEvewLalGVgg7XI6RW3_5HX04L3bFLHkCx1M8ryYJxflpCeYmh6zr_f/s1600/captain-jack-sparrow.jpg" /></a></div><br />
When you get to that age though, it's not about playing dress up anymore. This is something I do with my girls, something fun, not distracting, innocent. Hey pre-teen hoochies.........when you are 10-12, you are in the public's eye now. You are influential on my children. You are "role-models" for our future students and younger children. You need to kick your parents in the ass and tell them to actually think about how you should look. <br />
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Just venting.....just venting. Hey female teacher friends of mine.....maybe you should cake on make-up like some of these girls and see if you get any parent complaints. Hee hee......just sayin'.truewiseonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17439299410222750397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3247470471324227502.post-3288367644364977742011-01-11T21:25:00.000-08:002011-01-12T17:51:08.193-08:00Grooming the Sports Freak<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXL95eHESsvQHxrNkP1Q5gH_omV2w15jgXugXaT1GmSl6-s9XkSCi84cDFeyvC9ZFk9QmaFLNdYVIoo11mm4fd1aQoFFKraaSPRTUNJa8nKXDfA-oNhjMxc3dPWVBVG8zZ9Ckew-CKGl1L/s1600/ykOSB.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="441" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXL95eHESsvQHxrNkP1Q5gH_omV2w15jgXugXaT1GmSl6-s9XkSCi84cDFeyvC9ZFk9QmaFLNdYVIoo11mm4fd1aQoFFKraaSPRTUNJa8nKXDfA-oNhjMxc3dPWVBVG8zZ9Ckew-CKGl1L/s640/ykOSB.gif" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Yes.....I'm a sports freak.....an addict if you will. Checking my fantasy sports teams everyday, watching my football on the weekends.....all of it. Wife can get sick of it.....the time it takes to study statistics. However, she has learned quickly that this obsession of mine isn't going away, especially after 15 years of dealing with it. Luckily, there has been a part of her that has never died too. I mean this "girl" used to collect more baseball and basketball cards than I did growing up. Sometimes she even impresses me with some of her sports knowledge. <br />
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My parents never really understood what turned me into this "freak". However, in my eyes it's easy to see how in early childhood battle of "nurture vs. nature", nature won. You see......growing up in the boonies will do it to you. The nearest neighbor I had was 1/4 mile away. You could go a whole night without seeing one car drive down the road. My backyard was 20 acres of fields and forests, a city kids dream. It was my playground.<br />
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What did I do? Build forts, run around the field chasing cows, and yes.....play sports. The first day I moved into our house a little before the age of two, I was greeted by two neighbor boys, Kenny and Kevin (brothers). We did pretty much everything together. As we grew older sports took a front seat; tackle football in the field, wiffle ball, and basketball. Dad poured concrete in front of our garage after Santa brought a basketball hoop. I can't tell you how many times I swear I heard the buzzer or the end of a shot clock. We would play through our parents yelling at us out the window, into the darkness, until finally "game over" was made clear when parents had to actually walk out of the house to get us (not happy by the way). <br />
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It's amazing how many times conflicts came up....no referee or umpire, we had to talk through it. It was hard to win the battle when I was the youngest in the neighborhood and we had no instant replay. However, it was good for me. Being a country kid I was able to learn not only work ethic, but the importance of imagination and teamwork along with having a playful attitude. Luckily, these traits were never removed or lost, gladly calling this man home. <br />
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As a father and teacher, I try to teach these kids the importance of sports and the need for sportsmanship and respect . I love to relive and tell the stories of the playful age that I once was, and try to get them to appreciate their youth. The amount of time to do the things I used to be able to do as an active sports nut has disappeared. However, even when the time to "play" is gone, I don't appreciate sports any less. The Ducks, Blazers and Seahawks will never be routed against!<br />
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Why do I write about this? Kids learn by observation and experience. Give them the time, show them your playful side. In a time of our lives where we have no choice but to live with less, sometimes sports and play can be so much more, especially for our youth of today and our parents of the future.truewiseonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17439299410222750397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3247470471324227502.post-39980947093939101642011-01-04T20:59:00.000-08:002011-01-04T20:59:57.088-08:00The Frightening Reality of a Father<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZH8LcUyLNi1U14lrBu9kYoR1A37vQNw5z5lEjySnRefu0x-uKTH98OJhSDCrFCqA-_UIUuzyM1z4mNqqZh7WxgDxifFkgEE1S0c3zN9NcneTrxvqo5WBHzm4B4xg35XSylJHPDJo8xKMg/s1600/old+cosmo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZH8LcUyLNi1U14lrBu9kYoR1A37vQNw5z5lEjySnRefu0x-uKTH98OJhSDCrFCqA-_UIUuzyM1z4mNqqZh7WxgDxifFkgEE1S0c3zN9NcneTrxvqo5WBHzm4B4xg35XSylJHPDJo8xKMg/s320/old+cosmo.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;"> 1960's</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOlcSIADOfRzoKNQgD3rldokzeDHfIYazNqQYxyOwzBTaUfWQldrHSqAb-XqcRNU4hhRSyQBTk843rBzO6-Xh_UNv_oeWr00ZmuZRw_pS5CipeAuz-IbZV0urIkdpx8QlPaBlw13SipZa/s1600/cosmopolitan-cover-lada-gaga.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOlcSIADOfRzoKNQgD3rldokzeDHfIYazNqQYxyOwzBTaUfWQldrHSqAb-XqcRNU4hhRSyQBTk843rBzO6-Xh_UNv_oeWr00ZmuZRw_pS5CipeAuz-IbZV0urIkdpx8QlPaBlw13SipZa/s320/cosmopolitan-cover-lada-gaga.jpg" width="234" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">2010</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>Question: Why does any father raising daughters need to be afraid?</strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>Answer: Look at the above pictures for the answer. </strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So what does that mean fathers? It means you should be seriously polishing up those guns of yours. I consider myself lucky for having a little bit of time left before the boys come "a knockin'". Now being 6-4 and 250 would help a little in the department of intimidation. However, if a father is protective, it doesn't matter what size he his......those fellas will think twice. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">This brings up a tough dilemma though. I will hopefully always pride myself in the open lines of communication between all of the ladies in my life. My challenge? To not be too overprotective in the day and age where sexual discovery comes much earlier in youth, all realms of media feeding the "monster" that is swallowing our children's innocence is growing even larger and more dominant, and dependency on parents is fading. <br />
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How do I do this when I even find myself being caught up in all of it too? Yes.....I have GaGa on "The Pod" and I have even stopped to look at the cover of Cosmo to get a peek at the subjects of the articles about sex (and yes......the ladies that are on them). <br />
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I have to come to the reality that it is inevitable for my daughters and the youth of today to be exposed to the things that used to be hidden or happened behind closed doors. The "monster" is everywhere and it's not going away anytime soon. The big deal of holding hands in 6th grade has been replaced with things I don't even want to imagine happening with 11 and 12 year olds. It makes be cringe. Maybe I was too innocent in 6th grade. But was that necessarily a bad thing? Maybe it's because I just chose the right friends or hung around with girls that didn't have to prove they were older than they really were. This is something I see on an everyday basis, hiding their "innocence" behind the caked on make-up is just one sad thing.....nothing I can do as a teacher. <br />
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However, with this being said there are some things we can do. Keeping those lines of communication open with our kiddos is the first step. Telling them the difference between what is right and what is wrong. Not sheltering them too much (I can go off about this but decided to hold my tongue) and just plain loving them.......loving our children to pieces. Don't give them something they feel like they have to escape from. Don't allow their hearts to seek out love to fill the holes. Just be good parents. If only you had to have licenses for birthing or parenting children of today!<br />
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I have time to get over my over protectiveness (luckily). However, I will protect the love that I have for them in ways that they will never be able to understand. <br />
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</div>truewiseonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17439299410222750397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3247470471324227502.post-34647214042441947082011-01-02T15:28:00.000-08:002011-01-02T17:52:26.232-08:00"Teaching"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1P2nB761aW5dpocH7APU5nySlBcFhNTvPrVauX5ngDRKBl93hksXKH1fHKU1nlECf-o3AFKn72KFWYbNCyb0ezMmWCHy7x-wkqqiFrCh0oA5UFF5O_pqlb5krsGqDJAKZwB3iSlhEKA2c/s1600/MP900409431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1P2nB761aW5dpocH7APU5nySlBcFhNTvPrVauX5ngDRKBl93hksXKH1fHKU1nlECf-o3AFKn72KFWYbNCyb0ezMmWCHy7x-wkqqiFrCh0oA5UFF5O_pqlb5krsGqDJAKZwB3iSlhEKA2c/s320/MP900409431.JPG" width="228" /></a></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Today I have to change my thinking……..I have to get away from the dread of knowing that I have to work tomorrow. I have to stop and remind myself the importance of what I do. I teach. However, many don’t realize what this word really means and the challenges that come with it. As a very green teacher coming in over a decade ago I thought I was prepared to “teach”. As I walked into that empty classroom I was confident that I was easily ready to face students. I thought teaching was going to be a cake walk. In the now, I chuckle within, the veteran coming out in me. How could I have thought that? Some of my mentors still made fun of me years later for some of my “foo-foo” ideas at my first interview. I felt on top of the world. For some reason though, universities don’t teach you about the real definition behind the word “teacher”. Maybe they don’t want to scare you off from this valuable profession and they want us to make our own judgments while experiencing what there is to experience. Statistics show that 1 in 3 teachers are out of the profession within the first three years of teaching. I didn’t understand this statistic until I really started “teaching”. </div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">It would have been nice to have been taught to deal with things like children coming to school in dirty clothing and without food, behavior from these students that even make me sometimes question why I’m an educator (and make me want to bust out the cattle prod), dealing with the child services division, facing the political bullshit and the imaginary soap opera of the district I work in, and putting up with the everyday stresses that come with the burden of having to prepare these students for our society when support is lacking at the home they live in. That first year, I was hit in the face with some of these unknown challenges and even more so now in the setting I work in currently. </div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">However, with all of this being said, this is why I or we teach…..to give students a chance to succeed amongst all of the world’s chaos. We as parents and teachers have a huge responsibility. Have you looked around the world lately? Unfortunately, our children already have a disadvantage. Technology has changed the way we socialize, taking us away from actually talking with one another. We are losing our ability to socialize face to face. Kids are losing some of their imagination too. Toys (let alone video games) weren’t a big part of my life growing up. This of course turned me into a sports freak, because this was all I ever did in my youth….neighborhood wiffle-ball games, football in the field with friends, and pine cone and apple wars in the forest. Maybe it was just the life of a country boy. Today, the boys in my classroom (stereotyping here) only talk about the latest video game. Exercise and being outdoors have become a thing of the past it seems for many of these children today.</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">It isn’t just social skills and imagination that these children are lacking or missing though. For the students I teach, they are lacking hope that their family will just make it by, the confidence that they can actually succeed in today’s world, and the respect that they should be learning from their parents. When there are so many parents working several jobs especially in this economy, we educators really become their second family. It is crazy to think that school aged children now days actually spend more time with their teachers than with their own parents, including my own daughters, but it’s true. The power to change lives as an educator, hopefully in a positive way, is inevitable. Not only do we teach children the standard curriculum, but also the curriculum we are always inventing as a means to truly allow them to appreciate themselves while teaching them "the skills of life".</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">To teach is not only spitting out dates and facts, it is educating the “whole” being. We have to teach values, build confidence, support these youngsters when their home life is falling apart, and light the fire under them so they seek out information to educate themselves. This is why I teach. You not only have to love kids, you have to love to put up with the challenges. You have to love to be in reoccurring change. You have to love finding ways to make the learning experience of these “children” memorable. You have to love to “teach”. </div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">I’m going back tomorrow humbled by my students’ experiences and invite the challenge of educating them. Thank you for those of you joining me, whether you are an educator, parent or in a job that makes the world better for our future leaders.</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><b>“It is today we must create the world of the future.” Eleanor Roosevelt</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>truewiseonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17439299410222750397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3247470471324227502.post-51846960910438799362010-12-31T11:23:00.000-08:002010-12-31T11:23:04.317-08:00Father Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje1mHKJ6L7L4rYI22UZI-W36jf5KnmOluVdNxSI-cNxkmKHQlnGR0EAyIkm6wvPeS0j58AW6DgjrLtxyXnXNN-6Q8C4NR34fAupD93cyLxkiVHpnohaKoqVkFfES3vPGpomWbgvmgQGw0x/s1600/Josiah+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje1mHKJ6L7L4rYI22UZI-W36jf5KnmOluVdNxSI-cNxkmKHQlnGR0EAyIkm6wvPeS0j58AW6DgjrLtxyXnXNN-6Q8C4NR34fAupD93cyLxkiVHpnohaKoqVkFfES3vPGpomWbgvmgQGw0x/s320/Josiah+2.JPG" width="253" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_2kMu2WtB4LBf2AQwsZgbLoS8jVEtrk-tcPJcKYN3x1_6lX_OILN8oU0nmbjqVJg85UEqwcIRG7pjOxmY8irKuvWD0CtTMB989Er3J47klFl-ymZzW98k5kgT65yVI-UUX3czvEw6RhEy/s1600/Josiah+young.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_2kMu2WtB4LBf2AQwsZgbLoS8jVEtrk-tcPJcKYN3x1_6lX_OILN8oU0nmbjqVJg85UEqwcIRG7pjOxmY8irKuvWD0CtTMB989Er3J47klFl-ymZzW98k5kgT65yVI-UUX3czvEw6RhEy/s320/Josiah+young.JPG" width="254" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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</style> <![endif]--> <div class="MsoNormal">Another year gone by, another wrinkle or two added to my face, another year taking away the “little” out of my children. My how time ticks by! Dad would always say to me…”Son, enjoy your youth while you still have it.” My reply? “Yeah, whatever Dad”, and I blew him off. Well now, nearly turning 34 this next month, those words of my father keep on echoing inside “that place” that never lets me forget. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Do you remember how long the school year would take when we were kids? I swore that it would never end. The wait until the end of the school year seemed like an eternity. Even the minutes in the day seemed like they ticked by in slow motion, clueless of the flash forward of time that would be inevitable. All I worried about was who I was going to play with at recess and after school, what TV show I would watch in the evening (not much of a choice for me, because we only got 4 channels out in the boonies and that was after dad climbed on the roof to adjust the antenna), and where I would go to build a fort or two. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Now I worry about what I’m going to teach during my students’ recess, what TV shows I will not let my “innocent” daughters watch (which is challenging in this day and age), and how I can make my “fort” better (money usually being involved this time though). </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I still experience my childhood through my memories that play like a vintage movie, and through my daughters’ imaginative play. However, the youth inside of this body of mine is suddenly changing in interesting ways and it won’t let me forget how time is continually running its course. Many of us “adults” are still kids at heart though and definitely live through our children and the youth of our ever changing world. If only time can slow down just a little, enough for us to think of the important things in life and let us appreciate the little time we really do have on this Earth. I would love to have more time to soak in the precious moments that are starting to play faster every year. If only life was a DVR, if only. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Live today, remember always, and never forget what is important. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Have a wonderful start to your new year!</div>truewiseonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17439299410222750397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3247470471324227502.post-59416828792190273162010-12-29T10:21:00.000-08:002010-12-29T16:00:01.383-08:00Resolutions?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBv6XQkDC4nkdzcuAF7zJ9erTkCPLs2leemI0hTLq8Q6hi4FOi5_2EqGN68WPvpuFyXIgm96kw7ths3eOFAhX4QOOINgTBMq0DrYojyGr1dv8-01kZjD2g3JYllHDySfd5vSEhWc9Cc5nT/s1600/resolutions-angusandphil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBv6XQkDC4nkdzcuAF7zJ9erTkCPLs2leemI0hTLq8Q6hi4FOi5_2EqGN68WPvpuFyXIgm96kw7ths3eOFAhX4QOOINgTBMq0DrYojyGr1dv8-01kZjD2g3JYllHDySfd5vSEhWc9Cc5nT/s320/resolutions-angusandphil.jpg" width="315" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">RESOLUTION</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-a resolve or determination: to make a firm resolution to do something. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This word………….the hype every year……the tradition. What will it be? Exercise more? Eat better? Spend less? Spend more time with family? Get a better job? Get into a relationship that actually lasts?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Most of these really come down to a goal for our personal self. Many of these resolutions we never really come close to accomplishing (at least for me). I guess if you look at the definition, the determination is lacking for many of us. So what is it that bogs us down from meeting our goal? The craziness of work, coming home exhausted, worrying about making ends meet, spending as much time possible with the family. It is hard to make a resolution for the self with all of this going on. The last thing I want to do after working with crazy kids all day is to come home and go for a run. I also don’t find it too inviting to freeze my ass off in January. Yes, of course I will continue working as hard trying to do all of those things that people usually pick as resolutions. However, this year I’m going to work on smaller (but challenging) attainable goals that don’t have to do with exercise or money. This year I’m focusing on many resolutions that I have time for and can attain. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Considering this blog is all about my education, I’ve learned enough about what I need to work on as a husband, father, and teacher. I know that there are many more where these come from!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hear, Ye! Hear, Ye! I give you my top 10 list of 2011………</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Always look at wife when she is talking to me. I can say I hear everything when I’m not looking at her, but she has learned to call me on it and I usually fail. </span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When the kids are yelling “Daddy! Daddy!” be sure I acknowledge the or else the walls will come down. </span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cleaning up after dinner is better than waiting until the morning. Why? Considering we are always running late anyways, we can’t do it in the morning. When does it get done you ask? Right before dinner the next day. </span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Maybe I can actually keep my room clean by folding clothes (however…..this one seems to always fail). I’ve gotten used to it though……it makes me feel at home. Ok…..I’m just trying to make myself feel better……usually I feel like a slob. Where’s the maid?</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I get on the computer when the kids are playing, turn it off and play Barbies with them instead. I know what kind of genitalia I have. Fathers……it’s ok to do this. I just need to do more of it. Now….I admit there could be a problem if you are caught playing with Barbies without your daughters. </span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Actually pick up certain things behind the bathroom door in the morning after I take a shower (Keely…..that one is for you). It’s not as bad as you think. </span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As a teacher, I need to make more of an effort connecting with parents at home. When it comes down to it, the parents are the real reason that their kids can be little shits. I’ll do what I can, which usually means little or nothing, but at least I will try. </span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Teach what I want to teach. I’m tired of being told what to always do. Where has the joy of teaching gone? Of course, I will have to plan the instruction in a way that “fits” with the district vision. However, two can play this game……booya!</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">9.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Spend less time on Facebook (and/or Internet) and more time in a book. Yes…..I’m sure it is very common. However, maybe I can actually read a book this next year and can have conversations with my students and spouse about them. If only I didn’t get so tired and could actually read more than 15 minutes at a time!</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">10.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Keep up on this blog! Only time will tell if I can actually do this. My life has always been wicked busy. However, actually being creative in some way is important. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This year, I challenge you to work on the little things. The little things can make the world of difference in your lives. Let me know how it goes! I would love to hear comments. If you relate in some way I’d love to hear about it! ;)</span><br />
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SB6RRP98YYA9</div>truewiseonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17439299410222750397noreply@blogger.com