« August 2006 | Main | October 2006 »
September 30, 2006
Raising Teens ~ Lesson #1
Pick your battles. I've heard that so many different times over the years when it comes to raising your teen. I'm trying, honestly I am, but it's NOT easy!!
I'm trying to instill good morals, judgment and being responsible into my 14 year old. I know she is interested in all kinds of things these days, boys, mainly. She tells me she has a boyfriend, but she won't tell me his name?? She talks on the phone constantly, I remember doing that too, but I over hear things sometimes that I do NOT like.
She seems to have friends that have really colorful vocabularies, but when they are here you don't hear a peep out of them! So when I hear the language they are using, whether it be in a note or on the phone, it's quite shocking! I also know she talks this way as well, with her friends and I don't like it!
I'm not perfect myself and probably haven't set a very good example at times, but I really don't like knowing she is this way when she thinks I'm not listening. I guess, at least, she's good enough not to do it in front of me, is that a good thing??? I don't know.
She's off tonight to babysit for my brother and his wife. They are having a get together at their home with some friends. We were invited, but declined. I know there is going to be ALOT drinking there, I over heard her asking her aunt if she could have one, I didn't say anything, cuz she thought I wasn't listening. I really don't think my brother or his wife would let her get sloshed...I know she is going to be doing this stuff at some point, I did when I was a teenager, not at 14, but...I guess I shouldn't worry too much, she's with people I know and hopefully can trust. It's the others there I don't know so well that bothers me.
I told her she had to be home by 10 am tomorrow for church and I meant it. I feel like a bit of hypocrite though, letting her babysit for people who are going to be getting drunk and then making her go to church the next day!
I think it's a battle this time, better left alone maybe and see how far I can trust her since it is with family and not her friends. I don't know, maybe I worry too much.
On a lighter note...
It's the last day of September today, it doesn't seem like October should be here yet!
I took a short ride with the girls today after helping a friend get her wood in for the winter. We have some pretty good color, I hope to get some more pics in a couple of weeks.
Posted by tracey at 05:53 PM | Comments (0)
September 20, 2006
A Fond Farewell
They spoke of him as being a hero, a MAN, a loving and kind individual that valued nature and it's animals and it's children. They spoke of juicy fruit gum, which he always carried in his pockets for the kids. They remembered him loving coconut cream pie and ice cream, basketball games and stopping to listen to the Vermont brooks whenever he passed by one.
The pastor said he loved Jesus and lived a true Christian life, one we could all learn to be more like. He took very little in his life, lived simply and gave generously. Walking into a pasture of grazing horses, which he loved, they would gather around him one by one and he would pat them and talk to them like only he could.
Young and old gathered to remember and celebrate the life of a very expceptional man and it was a beautiful farewell to someone we will all miss dearly.
Rest in peace dear friend.
Posted by tracey at 06:32 PM | Comments (0)
September 17, 2006
A Heavy Heart
It's been a trying week, at work, at home and in the heart.
Work is busy ALL the time, never a quiet moment or peace. With both the kids at school full time now there are all the after school things to look forward too, be prepared for, places to go, things to do.
We are still trying to get our wood in for the winter, just one more cord to go. Hubby has been picking up the yard, cutting down all the dead flowers and turning the ground over of the vegetable garden. Nothing grew too hot this year so no canning as I don't have enough to make it worth my while.
Then later this week a dear friend of the family passed suddenly and it hit me harder than I thought it would. We had the pleasure of enjoying his company this summer for a few weeks when he came to lend a hand out to my parents with the horses, feeding them and watering them. He's someone we've known for a long long time and he was getting old, but in such good shape. I would often remark how he could out walk any one of us, never break a sweat or be breathing heavy when he was done! He lived a good life right to the end though. Took care of himself, did what he wanted, went where he wanted and he was such a character with a kid like sense of humor, always ready to tell a good hearted joke or tale. We miss him, but I know he's gone onto his reward because no one deserves it more than him!
I'm also currently taking two Bible studies, one on my own and one short one with a friend of mine in which we are seeking membership to the church we go to. They are both very interesting and thought provoking.
Tomorrow begins a new week, I hope it's quieter than the past one. I want to get a little more decorating done for the fall and I hope to get some more foliage pictures before the season is all over! We need one good frost to get things a bit more colorful!
Posted by tracey at 09:47 AM | Comments (0)
September 08, 2006
What a work out!
So, as I had mentioned earlier we did some training with Beethoven yesterday. He's our big dog that is part rotty part reriever and he's always been a handful thus leading to the fact that he's pretty much spent most of his life on a run and as an outdoor dog. He's getting older now though and a bit too aggressive when we let him run for a while so I wanted to see about some obedience classes for him.
I'm beat! The trainer made a home visit and we worked with him for over two hours and I thought I'd collapse from sheer exhaustion before we got done! OMG, he's more of a handful than I had anticipated!!! She has renamed him TARZAN and that is putting it too mildly!
He came along pretty well though by the end of the session. And...she even brought along her VERY WELL trained Dobie whom Beethoven went absolutely ballistic over when he saw her and I mean BALLISTIC! He was frothing at the mouth and everything. The dobie wouldn't even look at him, she had this look about her like, "What an IDIOT he is!"
So, we finally managed to get the two to walk together for quite a ways which was a HUGE feat because I didn't think Beethoven would be able to do it, but he did! He's very trainable, but the aggression towards other dogs is a BIG concern for me.
The kids and I and hubby took him for a long walk last night after supper and he did beautifully! We were all so impressed with is heeling and stopping and sitting and staying focused, but then...just before getting home he spotted the new neighbor's dogs, they started coming near and well...it wasn't a pretty site. I managed to get him back on track and home again, but it really upset me that he gets so vicious!
The trainer says neutering will help a lot and after last night I'm all for it! So sorry to say Beethoven, but the TESTIS are coming off!
Posted by tracey at 02:18 AM | Comments (0)
September 06, 2006
Kindergarten Days...
are finally here and so far so good! Hannah has done really well with starting school this year, but I really think going to preschool a couple days a week for the past year and a half helped her adjust! Going five days a week and riding the bus have all been new for her, but she's enjoying it and I'm glad, but also can't believe she's begun her school years!
As for the season, the leaves here are changing quickly for September and it seems the snow will fly before we know it!
Tomorrow is the BIG day for our Beethoven. 
The trainer is making a home visit to see what we can do to get him more socialized and at least be able to take him for a walk once in a while without having your arm pulled from it's socket! He's a big boy and gets a little too excited. I'm hoping it's not too late to teach this old dog some new tricks!
Posted by tracey at 09:31 PM | Comments (0)