lizardblog ( the blog of liz creech

October 28, 2004
Professional help

I need professional help. To have a professional organizer come in and help me get things in order. I have my own ideas but we have way too much stuff and not enough room for me to do it all on my own. It has gotten out of control. Seems like that is what I am complaining a lot about here lately.

A professional masseuse, housecleaner and accountant would be nice too. A private tutor, gardener and personal trainers are a must as well.

I guess what I am saying is I want to be lazy and do nothing. Yeah, that is what I am saying.

(POOF) Wow, that was a good dream.

posted by Liz at 1:39 PM - permalink - -

October 20, 2004
Time and stuff

I like reading peoples blogs. I enjoy hearing about what is going on in their lives, even in little smidges. Doing this also puts a longing in me to be closer to them. It makes me wish I was independently wealthy so that I could just hop on a plane and go see them. I envy the wealthy in that respect. I guess what I think of when I say that is "I wish I had be smarter with money when I was younger". I was never really taught how to handle money. Like how to budget and live within your means. I was taught how to be cheap and frugal, but nothing else. I think I learned how to write a check in high school home economics class. We had half a year of cooking and half a year of practical living kind of stuff. I said all that to say I don't have a lot of time to spend reading blogs everyday. I catch up when I can.

I find this interesting, how I have grown up and my personality has changed and developed. I wonder if how I was as a youth was because of me wanting to please people and people (my mom) wanting me to be boisterous and outgoing. I liked how I was and I like how I am now. I am very comfortable in front of a lot of people. I could stand in front of a full Rupp Arena and talk to people. I would want to be prepared, but I could do it cold. I have become more reclusive as I have gotten older. Maybe it is because I am around people all the time and I would like to have just some "me" time. Other than a bath for an hour or something, I really don't have that. (AAAWWWW, poor me) I crave an intimate close relationship with a girlfriend. I don't really have that right now. There are a lot of people I can spill my guts to, but I can't do it regularly as they are so busy or live out of town. Maybe if our communal living thing works out, someone will live with us that I can have that with. I just want to sit and have some coffee with a friend in the morning and talk, girl talk, or just about plans for the day. I want some one who, if I need to, I can say "I just need quiet this morning" and they will be ok with that. I keep imagining this property with the multiple houses and our little system of alerting the other as to when it is good to talk. Like secret code. We could put a certain colored piece of construction paper in the window that would tell them "Come on over the coffee is hot", or "Icecream for breakfast". You know something fun like that. It sounds kind of corny but it would be nice.

I have some great kids. My oldest daughter got all A's and B's on her report card. I am very proud of her. I know her, so that even if they weren't the best grades, I would know that she is smart. We bought her a messenger bag with Stewie on it - from Family Guy. It was kind of like a reward for the good grades. She has been wanting to buy it for herself and saving up the money to do it, but she lost her bottom retainer and had to pay to replace it. That took up all her money so she had started saving again to buy it, so we did it for her. She is an excellent writer. Really. Her subject matter might be a bit immature but she writes in such a way that it doesn't matter. I forget that I am reading it and not living it. To me that is a sign of a good writer, that they transport me with their words.

Well, they day calls. Stuff to do.

posted by Liz at 8:56 AM - permalink - -

October 08, 2004
Robbery

Complete and utter robbery!! I am not a deluded parent that I do not know when my child isn't good at something. I know when they have a bad ride and when they have a good ride. I also know when they have been unfairly judged. Once again I cried, no I sobbed. And I did it in the office with the judge people. Well I started there and had to go outside it was so bad. It was a good ride and I am very proud of my daughter.

posted by Liz at 8:55 PM - permalink - -

Oh, just stuff

People are inherently evil. I am not someone to instantly think that and it has gotten me in trouble before. First, what brought that to mind is a "neighbor" down the street. Earlier in the summer McKenzie and some of the neighborhood kids were riding their bikes in our cul-de-sac and went down one of the driveways. McKenzies chain came off and she couldn't stop and then hit the garage door. She, like the good kid she is, went immediately to the door and told the home owner. He asked if she was ok and said that it was fine. A couple of weeks later he shows up at my door asking if she is ok and then hands me a bill for 157.30 to pay to replace the panel she bent. Now accidents happen. That is why we have insurance. We should be responsible for our mistakes, even accidents. Well it has been over a month and they still have the bent panel in their garage door. That makes me angry. Yes we should have paid, we did, but they should have fixed the door, I think any way. I can think all kinds of things and say all kinds of things. The ultimate reality is that people are out to get what they can how ever they can. How many people are out there just waiting for something to happen so they can make a buck? I also think that if there was any kind of relationship, I might know why they did that, or if they actually just needed the money, or if they haven't had the time to have it fixed, or if the company is busy, of if they just ripped us off. They also do not know how bad that 157.30 hurt us, or that I am making McKenzie pay for that through doing chores. The pessimist in me thinks it wouldn't change their thought process.

Let me tell you of another incident in the past that makes me think people are inherently evil. Alan and I hadn't been married long and I had this "dress", a form fitting black dress with white polka dots. Ask Alan, he remembers it. I have to say this was 4 kids and about 75 pounds ago, so I was "hot". Anyway, I am going out the door of our apartment and this guy walks up to me and says that he has a bet with is buddies that he could win 20$ if I would let him kiss my foot. Well, being young, stupid and flattered, I sat down and crossed my legs and let this dude kiss my foot. He tried to look up my dress!! I indignantly got up and got in my car and left. I mean, how stupid of me and how wrong of him. I am just way too trusting.

Meaghan has a big show tonight at 6 e.s.t. - you all pray for her. That she will be safe and have a good time. Yes, I hope she wins. Well, tonight is the qualifying round. She was in this State Championship 3 years ago and didn't make it to the top 10. That was devastating to me. Not because she didn't win, but because of all the money it took to get her there. Money we didn't have. I am still appalled at how much money riding horses takes. And that is even without owning a horse. If she qualifies tonight she shows again in the morning at 11. I will keep you posted.

Pray for McKenzie too. She has strep throat, BAD! I took her to the Doctor yesterday and got her diagnosed and on some antibiotics. It isn't kicking in yet and she is miserable. He is sleeping on the couch right now. Last night wasn't very restfull for her. It is hard when your kids don't feel good. You wish you could take it on yourself so they wouldn't hurt so.

My house is a mess. Like that is a big surprise. I am going to have to take a week off of work and do a clean sweep of things. I mean set up the canopy and just unload the house and start over. Then have a huge yard sale. Yeah, right, in my dreams. There is nothing like having guests to make me see every little thing that isn't done. I am such a big whiney baby. It seems to be getting worse as I continue today. So, I will quit.

May your house be clean and your mind peaceful.

posted by Liz at 9:07 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