Metro No Longer Surprises Me...

We have a young friend who is a freshman at a local school that prides itself in its International Baccalaureate program, and its number of AP classes.

They informed me that they did not have a textbook for the first month of class. I understand that people are not good about registering their kids ahead of time, and Metro doesn't always know how many students are showing up. I have also been told by folks on the inside that Metro has a hard time getting textbooks from vendors because they're not very accomplished at paying the bills.

The student said that for their AP class they had spent the month coloring in maps. The Honors level class in the same subject, as compared to the supposedly higher level AP class, is apparently taught by someone who had a little more gumption. That teacher assigned what sounded like fairly strenuous term papers.

I've had several students, and their parents, tell me that our high school of zone collects up all the textbooks a month before school ends. So two months without textbooks in this scenario is maddening to someone who pays taxes to educate children and sees the dismal results. When I see ten kids lined up for the high school bus in the morning, only about six of them will graduate. Sad indeed.

I had no idea the Upper Midwest educational systems were rated so highly. I grew up in one of those states, regularly in the top five nationally. I guess it's just that the other states are doing so much worse.

It was just a given that we worked hard in school. My parents made sure of that. But many parents don't, and many schools don't hold up their end of the bargain either. The big losers are the kids, and society on the whole.

Several Interesting Blogs...

I used to work with Barb and I had no idea she was such a writer. Hey, back in the dark ages, when we both worked at a record company here in Nashvegas, she was a radio promoter--so who knew? But suffering has a way of making a person either really bitter or really thoughtful, and she has chosen the latter. Worth a look!

Also, here's a couple canning blogs I really like...



Put Up or Shut Up (cute name, eh?)



Food in Jars

Well, it will be a cost saver...

Memphis has announced they will not flunk children between kindergarten and third grade, and only flunk a child once time between fourth and eighth grades.

It's a totally sticky wicket, I know. I have lots more experience in this than the average childless person. ;-) So I have opinions:

*Basically, I think it will be a money saver for Memphis. Less years of school for a kid, at 10K a pop (which is considerably higher than Nashville, but still with dismal results). Cynical, I know, but I've seen enough in direct contact with Metro Nashville administrators and teachers to see it that way.

*Unless the teachers and administrators really buckle down with the interventions mentioned, it will be very easy to just let the kids cruise through, without adequate learning measures being met. As the article says, otherwise they just get the same curriculum and approaches as the previous year, likely without different results.

*Unless parents care and get involved in their kids' education, there isn't that much that schools can do on their own. That's something I know profoundly, first hand.

*The kid doesn't need to work, doesn't need to even show up, and the parent doesn't need to even try to do anything. The kid isn't getting retained, no matter what.

I really hope I'm wrong.

A quote from the article...

"If the schools in Memphis are determined to identify students who are struggling and apply different interventions, it's possible it could do the trick," said Jay Greene, endowed professor of education reform at the University of Arkansas and senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute.

"Unfortunately, the track record on this approach is not that good," he said.

Truly remarkable

How that kiddo stands up to the onslaught of their parent is beyond me. No wonder kiddo's so angry. We need so much wisdom in this situation. I'm praying that God will be glorified somehow, and that our influence will be very positive, to help that young person become a mature, loving adult that finds the peace they seek.

The stress of this adventure is so far beyond what we have experienced prior to this last set of years. It's a lesson in dealing with injustices we cannot control, much to our great sorrow.

A comment on the events of the last few days...

...in particular, would be entirely remiss without a link to this previous post contemplating the DSM-IV. What is that, you ask? Well, click here for my previous post as to why it applies. Once again, way over the top whack job-ness has invaded our lives. We're strangely used to it, although one never really acclimates.

Trader Joe's...

Go. Enough Said.

I think of it as an Aldi's for natural food, or more healthy food choices. A store full of store brand stuff that you will actually like, and gives Whole Foods ("Whole Paycheck") a run for its money. Another way I compare it to Aldi is that the assortment is more limited than a traditional grocery store.

Things I like: many of their frozen food options, almond butter that isn't priced out of the galaxy, pizza crust, nuts, dried fruits, pasta, yellow and red Thai sauces, cereal, kefir, goat milk yogurt, harvest grain pilaf, soy chorizo, soy corn dogs, little French chocolate cakes, pizzas, skillet meals, burritos, dried fruit bars, marcona almonds, shelf stable meals, organic pickle relish, organic ketchup, broccoflower, rainbow pears, microwave popcorn, soy milk, chicken burgers...and there are so many other things to try...

Things I didn't like: Masala burgers (they're potatoes, not that they aren't tasty, but when I think of a burger, I think of PROTEIN not CARBS), and their sushi. UGH!!!

From "Man's Search for Meaning"

"Freedom is only part of the story and half of the truth...(it is) the negative aspect of the whole phenomenon whose positive aspect is responsibleness. In fact, freedom is in danger of degenerating into mere arbitrariness unless it is lived in terms of responsibleness. That is why I recommend that the Statue of Liberty on the East Coast be supplemented by a Statue of Responsibility on the West Coast." -Viktor Frankl

When it looks like this outside your window, you'd have to work really hard at being stressed at Teleios

Funky cool blog alert: you've been warned.

The Pioneer Woman

Plucky, funny, over the top

Especially check out this chickadee's discussion of debt and Mr. Ramsey, who we met long before he was this THANG.

God's opinion of me

It has been said that God never gives us more than we can handle.

If that is so, I think God has entirely too high an opinion of us.

The contract was cancelled. Nine other folks are losing their opportunities as well. The manager that extended the offer is losing their job as well because of the cancellation of the project.

We really needed this job.

Spare Oom, I will miss you as well. It seemed like such a perfect match, and for whatever reason it didn't end up happening.

I'm way past oozing platitudes at this point. However, there must be something better for us out there. I hope God makes it plain, and doesn't wait any longer than is absolutely necessary.

Lord, please glorify Yourself during this dark time, and give us joy somehow. Help us be good representatives of You and give us the provision we desperately need. Thank you.

Relief

Have you ever noticed that things have to get really really bad before God steps in? Hubs and I were really low and with no real options for things to improve markedly, and then last Thursday a huge need (namely, a job for hubs) was worked out. They interviewed him first and cancelled the other interviews. Lots more news about this later.

The sermon mentioned suffering in great detail, Hebrews 12 being the text. Fortunately the preacher du jour very emphatically reminded that suffering is not necessarily about a sin we've committed. Surely I knew that already, you ask? Well, so do you, but when three years of h e double hockey sticks have been beating on a person, perspective and truth tend to become obscured.

America is all about comfort and moving up. Pretty much EVERYONE, save the homeless perhaps, lives better than a great many countries. God isn't about that. He is about loving me and conforming me to his image. He doesn't value the stuff the advertisers (and your friends) tout. There's a much bigger, and way more satisfying, God-thing going on. I think we're seeing some glimpses of that. Maybe this time has been more like training and healing intensives. That's what it appears.

Please don't stop praying for us, and we'll do the same for you! You can always send me a PM with specifics we can pray for, if you are shy like me.

New challenges, and they will probably be challenging, but I am glad for them and also very relieved.

Hope, no longer deferred?

So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

All who rage against you
will surely be ashamed and disgraced;
those who oppose you
will be as nothing and perish.

Though you search for your enemies,
you will not find them.
Those who wage war against you
will be as nothing at all.

For I am the LORD, your God,
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you.

----

'You're my servant, serving on my side.
I've picked you. I haven't dropped you.'
Don't panic. I'm with you.
There's no need to fear for I'm your God.
I'll give you strength. I'll help you.
I'll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.

Count on it: Everyone who had it in for you
will end up out in the cold—
real losers.
Those who worked against you
will end up empty-handed—
nothing to show for their lives.
When you go out looking for your old adversaries
you won't find them—
Not a trace of your old enemies,
not even a memory.
That's right. Because I, your God,
have a firm grip on you and I'm not letting go.
I'm telling you, 'Don't panic.
I'm right here to help you.'


--from Isaiah 41 (NIV, and The Message)

Grateful

1. I feel better.

2. Hubs feels better. He didn't share in my pneumonia bliss, ;-) , but enjoyed asthmatic bronchitis instead. ;-)

3. Found some new cheap recipes, and unearthed some old ones. We all need to save money, so I'll add them here posthaste.

4. Working on a strip quilt. Fortunately for everyone, this has nothing to do with one's state of undress while making it. ;-)

5. Catching up on making product for market and various accounts. So grateful for the orders right now.

6. Merging with the other church has worked out fairly well. Other than concern for losing our identity (which I will fight tooth and nail), there's only one major problem. Well, that is a major problem, but surely I can trust God to take care of things, either fixing it or fixing me. ;-)

7. At least two of our cars still work.

8. More hope for ongoing provision in the last couple of weeks. We'll see where it all lands. It's quite the roller coaster at present. With the economy the way it is, you gotta do what you gotta do.

9. Feline therapy. I am a believer in my three pet therapists. They do a great job. Who needs Diovan when you have three lap kitties?

10. It is lonely, but I have been deliberate about reaching out to friends. It's funny how few of them are church related. But the fact remains: I know I have friends now, and they know I care for them in return. Actual relationships where I am not the one doing all the giving and encouraging! That's a good change.

11. Perspective. I have some more to say about that, but not till I take the photo I want to accompany the thought.

12. Lots more, I am sure. There are really stressful and difficult times upon us. More stress than probably ever before. But I do feel loved, and cared about, and blessed nonetheless.

It's obvious, I will have to admit it (darn! I have to admit my stinky lack of faith!)

Okay, I have to admit God answered my prayer on this one. I don't wanna (sounds whiny, eh?), but yep, it did happen. As blatant as the nose on my face, it was.

About a week ago I whispered to God, "Please, pretty please, could I find some way to go to the Saint Olaf Choir concert?"

If you don't know of this ensemble, what rock do you sleep under? Seriously, in my completely non-biased Minnesota-native opinion, they are the greatest college choir in America.

And they won't be back in Nashvegas for another five years.

But I really couldn't justify it. Times are tough and cash is extremely strapped in the nashbabe/nashdude domicile.

So I just assumed like always that God would say "no". He has on a lot of other things I wanted, and even some stuff that I really thought I need (a roof! a roof! are you listening to me, Lord?--I swear, how does He put up with me?).

But I kept asking. And I'm totally stretching that passage of scripture. This isn't exactly justice against my adversary, unless you count a little peace and refreshment in the face of that dirtbag Satan's relentless poundings on our family. But humor me, will ya? (I'm even worse than that. I used to quote that passage to the sales reps who worked for me...rofl.) No vacations, no rest, no money. Worn down to my last nub.

Well, hadn't seen any action on the request either way, so I kept asking. Like a whiny child? I hope not, but it probably bordered on that.

Yesterday I went to one of my accounts to restock, and the fabulous Meg! introduced me to someone who has a shop in another part of town--one where I've really needed a good retailer to stock my stuff, and lauded how it sold for her. The fabulous Meg!'s friend said she was quite interested. Hoo rah.

So a possible new account in the dead of January? No way. No possible way. Even the fact that the fabulous Meg! needed product was a big surprise. As a chandler, I usually sell SQUAT in January. Actually, I have ALWAYS sold SQUAT.

Then when I returned home from seeing all things Meg!, there was a very sizeable order in my inbox from another of my retailers. Didn't have to buy a thing to fill it; have all the materials already.

I mean, an order I would NEVER see in Jan or Feb. EVER.

Not to mention that the retail climate is WAY below what it would usually be. So there was no chance of this happening, right? Yeah, pretty much.

So I decided that God must probably be saying, "See? ANYTHING is possible. I know you're worn out from the hell of the last couple years, but here's a little gimme for ya. Enjoy."

Thanks for letting me know you ARE listening and working out things for my good. Please don't delay on the big stuff, okay? Please? And thanks.

You know you're slumming...

...when you buy Aldi night cream with wrinkle fighting retinol and Q-10.

But then again, look at this review...

or this one...

or how about this one?

Five bucks. Yep, five bucks. I live just five minutes from an Aldi (since they're popular over here on the wrong side o' the tracks), so easy as pie to get. :-)

I'm digging this blog...

...because this is a lot about me, although I don't officially have kids.

I wanna meet this chick. Heck, she lives around these parts, shouldn't be hard.

Maybe someday. Ya never know!

Anyway, saunter over there and enjoy yourself. I demand it.

Hail to the Chia

Best show on TV?

Yeah, probably. Even though USA Today said so, and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association agreed with another Golden Globe (they gave 'em the Golden Globe last year too, and Jon Hamm won the Golden Globe for Best Actor last year).

It's a curious addiction, and hubs has inadvertently caught the bug as well. When I have some money, I'll want to buy season one and two.

Are they "glittens", or are they "moves" (rhymes with gloves)? :-)

Saw these a few weeks ago, and hubs got them for me for Christmas. They are so darn practical and lovely. Sometimes they are called gloves/mittens, and I have also seen them called "glomitts". Whatever the name, they are wonderful for doing things outside and quite adjustable for walking, which I love. REI describes them as

"Our warm mittens quickly convert to fingerless gloves whenever the need arises for nimble fingers and thumbs. Fingertip covers flip back and secure out of the way with rip-and-stick tabs; thumb covers stay back without assistance."

Yep, they work as advertised. Thanks to Judy for the tip!

Another church bites the dust.

Our church has closed its doors as of Sunday. Well, we didn't have any doors of our own, which was okay with me, but that was the date of our last service. We are merging with another church, which is more like saying that some of the members will be going together to another church.

The closing was inevitable. The church was in a part of town that is now quite international, both legal and illegal, if you catch my drift. Contrast that with our (mostly) whiteness, which wouldn't be a draw for them. The biggest church in the area had dwindled down to around a hundred members, closed its school, and sold its large church building to a spanish-speaking Catholic congregation. The remnant of those left from that church moved south to try to regroup.

My impression is that the church that is absorbing our church, so to speak, was essentially looking for another pastor and an improved worship band (I'm biased, but our is considerably better than theirs, and hey, I was in the music biz for more than a few years, so that's my "professional" - ha - opinion).

My analogy for this transition is that of an arranged marriage. The two groups of elders decided this would be good, but they didn't even bother coming over to spend an entire service with us...not once. A number of people at our church are enthusiastic, and I will not rain on their parade. They talk about us all being in the body of Christ. My answer is, in a group of ten Christian guys, they would not all be equally good mates for me.

They're a lot more conservative than us. The more conservative members of our church will welcome that, and I'm glad they will find a home. They also have a number of buildings, which has been important to a number of our members. I think buildings are vastly overrated, but I would agree that this church uses theirs more than most.

There's a lot of stress in our lives and this doesn't reduce it, but we will still have the chance to see our friends, at least for a while. We think of them as being our family. Some friends won't join us at this church, and that seems like the right decision for them.

My experience with churches that say they want to reach out and have more members is that they seem to generally want just more people like themselves.

I don't want to be assimilated into this way of thinking and acting, but I also don't want to fight the battles with even gently convincing others that we do not have to all be the same.

I still want people to be comfortable with wearing shorts and sandals to church, to have meaningful community, to stretch boundaries of worship and service, and maybe to have some church people reach out to us which hasn't happened a lot even at our present church.

Yes, I will keep my eyes open to look for positive signs, because I know that God can bring them. But I'm looking for other options. I can't wait for spiritual sustenance, and can't fight the battles of being different and not wanting to be merely turned into a conformist to their culture.

So I'll have the interesting journey of looking for some other spiritual sustenance. I've been through this before, when a church we attended in another state had a significant problem, and we decided we needed to stay and help minister to people, but we attended another church Sunday evenings to get some spiritual food.

This isn't the first church closing we've dealt with. But the last one involved questionable activities on the part of the pastor, so it is nice that we aren't dealing with that this time.

God has something planned! Will be interesting to see what it is.