lizardblog ( the blog of liz creech

May 30, 2006
Just part of life

You know death and taxes are the 2 things you can't escape. HA!! I was reading a Rogers blog and found Joy's - it made me think a little. It made me think about getting older and living in general. There are several things I don't like to think about, loosing loved ones and such. Getting older doesn't bother me. I see it as a badge you earn and one that I deserve, heck, I made it this far, by gosh I deserve the privileges and respect that come with age. Of course, there are those who are "older" who don't act like they deserve it, who are mean, or fight aging with every once of their being. I am not saying you shouldn't take care of yourself, just that not allowing the natural process or appreciating it is a shame. Sure I want to look good and have people thinking I am attractive and such, but it sure isn't the purpose of my being. When I start focusing on that and worrying what people think of me, I actually get very unhappy and stressed.

Anyway, there are certain thinks, like wisdom, that are great parts of getting older. Oh, how we want to impart that to younger people. And how sad it is when they won't listen. I wouldn't go back for anything. I was pretty stupid, and so are so many young people today. I find it interesting how they have a live for the day kind of attitude that is bad. Not the enjoy the day kind of thing, but the party til you puke kind that only harms them. I have to say that I never did do the party, drink and sleep with as many people as I could. That was something that never appealed to me. Sure I had fun, laughed a lot, made a complete ASS of myself more than once, and sure cried at the drop of a hat about the least little thing....But I like the me today so much more than the me of youth. You know, the one thing that I would want? Energy - to have the energy I had when I was 17, heck that I had til the first child came. I think we leach a little of our own energy into that baby as we grow it and we never get it back. So, with each successive baby we loose a little more - HA!!

It is interesting as well the way we change. I was watching a program yesterday where the super model Iman was saying that you have to constantly reinvent yourself. I agree with that. Most of the things I enjoyed years ago I still enjoy, reading, horses, riding bicycles, and in general being outside. But the focus of those have changed and new things have come into the forefront, like gardening.

Yeah, I don't mind getting older and wiser. I do want to be smart about it. Seeing as how I am probably only 1/3 of the way through my life I have a lot I can work on and keep in proper perspective. I just want to be happy and help others be that way too. That is a part of life I can and will take.

posted by Liz at 8:48 AM - permalink - -

May 25, 2006
Power Rangers

I was just trying really to think of a title I haven't used before. I am actually sitting here as Conor is watching in the living room. What is funny is that as corny as it is I have always kind of liked the show. I am sure there is some kind of spiritual metaphor there somewhere but my mind isn't in full operating order yet and there are too many distractions, even at this early hour.

I was talking to a regular at work last night and the phrase "There is always something to be upset about, but it is a choice we make to be happy." Or something along those lines anyway. There are resets I have about how things have gone lately. Lately meaning the last year. I am impatient to fix my mistakes and I am not sure that I have learned any lessons.

On to another random thing. The kids are out of school for the summer. The last day of school they started asking to spend the night here, go do this, and why couldn't they do that. I told them they had to let me have a break for the rest of this week before we start going and doing. I figure if we "map" out a plan then we won't wonder where the summer went and why we didn't do anything. Of course the planning of next years home school happens over the summer too.

Conor and I just took a side trip - As Alan was leaving for work he passed a snapping turtle in the grass part beside the road close by. We trotted on down there and took some pictures. I can't find the cable to download the pictures, but when I do I will put one up here. Pretty cool and it was big too - at least a foot across.

Well, our summer adventures begin.

posted by Liz at 8:22 AM - permalink - -

May 12, 2006
You really can't depend on people

In all reality you shouldn't depend on people for certain things. Your own happiness is one of them. That just really isn't fair to you or the anyone you might put that burden on. I am not saying you don't need people and that you shouldn't ask for help or depend on them for things, that isn't what I am saying at all. There are just times when you are in charge of yourself and the decisions you have made in your life and the attitude you have toward them. When you decide to turn your eye to another person who might be "better" than your chosen mate, you are choosing to not be happy with the person YOU selected. When you look at someone else's house and decide yours isn't big enough, pretty enough, or whatever enough, YOU are choosing to not be happy with what YOU picked out. When you look at your kids and wish they were different or that you don't like who they really are, you are choosing to not be happy with them. I believe the list can go on and on, but you get the gist.

As I get older I am all about taking time. Taking time to speak, taking time to decide, taking time to do all manner of things that really require thought. Taking the time to really think and understand what you might be saying to someone, mean or otherwise. I am beginning to understand what some of my elders have said in my past. Unfortunately you don't always take the time, when you are young, to really weigh out the consequences of your actions, nor does it seem you actually want to listen to them. At that young age you are too busy living for the moment and for what you feel or want to feel and ultimately, you have to live with the decisions you make the paths you walk, good or bad. And the decisions you make about the decisions you made will affect you too - good or bad. Fast unwise decisions are not good. It is too bad that we aren't born with a little more wisdom than we are. By the time you start getting it - it is almost too late. Too late for a lot of things.

Are you depending on people for things you inevitably are responsible for yourself?

posted by Liz at 9:00 AM - permalink - -

May 06, 2006
Today was my birthday

I turned 38 today. It has been a good day. Meaghan had a horse show and we had to leave the house by 8:30. Not only was she showing but we were helping all the other riders and such as well. I picked up a bit of the bedding and straw to add to the compost pile. When I got home I got some cool cards and presents from my family. I planted a rosemary bush and hung some brackets for hanging baskets. For dinner we went to Hananoki Japanese Steak house and then right next door for Fried Ice cream at Mi Mexico. ALL of these things are some favorites of mine. Now, I think I am almost ready to fall asleep. VERY GOOD DAY!!

posted by Liz at 9:24 PM - permalink - -

May 02, 2006
Do we even take the time?

There are many things that we take the easy way out of. I truly believe we have been trained to not think of the consequences of our actions.

Right now I am talking about our diet, not the loose weight kind, but the in general what we every day kind of diet. The quick fix already prepared kind sure are easy and fast and are horrible for us. Last night, including prep time, I made dinner is less than an hour. And it was good. Of course I believe Alan is a better cook and I so enjoy it when he does. Do we even consider how many chemicals and additives and preservatives we ingest every day? It really is no wonder that we have all the cancer and intestinal diseases that we have. Sure we have a lot of food available to us but just how good is it, really?

Makes me want to stop and think a little, it really does.

posted by Liz at 11:29 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