lizardblog ( the blog of liz creech

March 29, 2004
When is enough enough?

I think we all know that teenagers are literally retarded. It is a medical fact that until they hit 21, their brain is still developing and that is why they do supid ass stuff.

So, my kids hang out with kids in the neighborhood. And those kids have a tendancy to do stupid ass stuff. I am not ignorant of the fact of what my kids do. I am what you call an overprotective parent and I have my nose all in their business. And I ask lots of questions and they tell me the truth. I know this because it plays out that way all the time. And, I have the "mommy sense" that allows me to sniff out lies and find out the truth real quick. I want my kids to have fun and I want my kids to do some stupid stuff, that is how they learn not to do it. I just don't want them exposed to really stupid stuff. Like vandalism, and "mooning" people. In general things they would get a police record over. I know for a fact that all the kids in the neighborhood that they hang out with don't have parents like me. They all work or don't have much interest in their kids life. So the kids are pretty much left alone a lot.

Recently, like yesterday, one of the boys was "mooning" everybody else and I don't like that. I don't want my kids to see other peoples bodies against their will. Meaghan swears that she didn't see his butt and I believe her. What if she had though? So, when is enough enough? When do I tell them they can't hang out with those kids? Do I even tell them that? I believe we have taught them well enough that they would walk away from a really bad situation, but what if their still developing minds tell them to stay?

Wow, it sure is fun being a parent some times. Maybe I will just make sure my house is clean all the time so that they can walk through the house and then put their butts out on the back deck so that I know what they are doing and can monitor them. I would like that. Build a repor with them all and then have some kind of relationship so that I might infuence them some. I don't know. I just want my kids safe and innocent for a very long time.

posted by Liz at 8:34 AM - permalink - -

March 15, 2004
Tired, wore out and happy

If you go to Alan's blog you will see a picture of our new tiled kitchen floor. I just finished grouting it today. How the hell do you get all the film off? Any body know that? I have wiped until my hands are like raw meat. A great big thanks to Tracy Rains and all of her help. She actually did most of it. An excellent measurer and tile cutter. I would not have made it through the weekend with out her. Good back breaking, blister raising, girls night with wine, Brie, roasted garlic and bread weekend. I will never do it again. The tile thing anyway. Not that big of a job.

Now I do have to say that I am on my way to getting the front entrance way done. I have the tiles layed out and plan on adhering them tonight so we can walk on them tomorrow and then grout it tomorrow night after our community get together. The bathroom is going to have to wait until I recover fully from this experience.

Our computer died. Alan has had a bit G-5 sitting in the living room all week and I might be spoiled. Well, not really, right now I am just pissed that the computer I am still paying for doesn't work. A big pile of crap!! So, I am sitting in the library right now blogging and wondering if anybody is reading this over my shoulder. Well, before my time is up I need to look up how to get the film off my floor. I will not stand for it long.

Peace - out.

posted by Liz at 5:12 PM - permalink - -

March 03, 2004
What I think of "Passion"

Passion: 1. any very strong feeling as of great joy, anger, etc. ; especially, strong love between a man and woman. 2. great liking; enthusiasm [his passion for books]. 3. that for which one feels a strong desire or liking [golf is his passion.] 4. Passion, the suffering of Jesus on the cross or after the Last Supper.

The word for me actually brings sex to mind. Or something of that nature. I don't think I had ever really thought of the things I like to do in a passionate way maybe more enthusiastic. I guess that is the way I was brought up. I was amazed to find that last part of the definition in the dictionary. It is an older one and not Webster's, so maybe that explains it.

If you read Alan's blog you read that we went and saw "The Passion of the Christ". I am thankful that I saw it as it was actually done. I cried, a lot. I would watch the flogging scene over and over and over. I would get on my knees and say "Thank you, thank you!" for each swing of the cane or the cat-o-nine whip. I would be reminded every day what he did for me. I would want others to understand that he did it for each one of us. I would let others know that his "passion" was for them. I wanted to be totally transformed by this movie, silly. I wanted a quick fix for the hard heart I have developed. I wanted to be totally broken and rebuilt in the matter of hours. I also am mature enough to know that I do not become who I should be in a short time. That this journey we are on is a long haul. That I am a better person by the trials and lessons I endure. Some are easier than others, we all know that.

I read that someone was upset because Mel Gibson was using the death of Christ to make money. After seeing this movie, I don't believe he was doing that. This movie could have been professional suicide for him. A friend of my daughters told me before we went that one of her mom's friends started going to church after seeing the movie. I don't know that I agree with it being used as an evangelistic tool, but to each his own.

I have other things in my heart, my hard heart, that I would like to say. But I think I will allow God to soften me and take those things away. Pray for me and my re-softening. I want that. I want to be "sweet" again. I want the smiles to be genuine, I want the love for others back. I want to be tolerant and guiding of others. I want to be a true servant again. I want to not care if others appreciate the services I offer to them. I want to go forward, through this, to where I need to be. I want to be broken. I want to serve Him, out of love, not obligation.

posted by Liz at 8:31 AM - permalink - -

March 01, 2004
An American Girl

Cudo's to Sophia Coppola! I believe she is only 32 years old and already an Academy Award, Wow! And, the first American girl to be nominated as best director. Very cool. Now I want to rent some movies. And, I have to admit that last night was the VERY first time I have EVER sat through the ENTIRE Academy Awards. I didn't even fall asleep, and that is saying something.

Spring Fever hit this past week with all the "warm" weather here in Kentucky. Yesterday we planned to clean up the backyard some, so we invited our Community over to help and then have some dinner. Before they got here I cleaned up the flower bed on the side of the house and I am excited that the spring bulbs are already coming up. Debi and Matt weren't previously engaged so they came over to help. Alan fired up the grill and we had baked potatoes, grilled onions, sauted green beans and some good steak. With a couple of Killian's and several glasses of wine to complement the meal, we were set. It is wonderful to have friends to help with unpleasant tasks and a wonderful husband who cooks better than I do. My thanks goes out to them all. And I really hope they aren't as sore as I am.

We should be getting our tax return money back soon. Wanna know what we are going to do with it? I am sure you are thinking something responsible like paying off some debt or something like that, but no, we are going to put some hard wood and tile flooring in. I am so excited that I can hardly wait. I hate carpet. I mean I really do. I will be singing and so happy to rip up this crap that is laying on the floor right now. Maybe when I am childless and petless then it might be ok, but I don't want it now. I just can't wait for the money to hit the bank. I might beg Alan to take the day off so we can go shopping for hard wood. I will post some pictures showing our progress.

posted by Liz at 7:59 AM - permalink - -

spiritual

> vine & branches
> vineyard central

blogs

> Garden Escapades
> Trish Hiduk
> Maryann
> Alan Creech
> The Vine
> Little Houses
> Amber Bishop
> Jody Nixon
> Laura Ogle
> Debi Warford
> Jason & Brooke Evans
> Eric Keck
> Beth Keck
> Pete Matthews
> Trudi Matthews
> Brian Phillips
> Bryan Sherwood
> Malie
> Kim Johnson

Homeschool

> vegsource homeschool
> discovery school channel
> saxon math and phonics

general interest

> john rosemond's affermative parenting
> lisa welchel
> thunderstruck
> Homestar Runner

gardening

> Kids Gardening

books i like

Here are some books I suggests if you are looking to homeschool or just for information. I gleaned a lot from them. Our church gets credit if you buy through these links.

In their Own Way
by Thomas Armstrong

Seven Times Smarter
by Laurel Schmidt

How to Talk So Kids Can Learn
by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish

Teen Proofing
by John Rosemond