I'm not MIA!

Hi, I’m back! Hope you’re enjoying your summer, I am! It’s great having the kids home, would you agree?

Hmmmm……LOL!  Okay, so it’s not so easy. I love having them with me, but – do I have to be their entertainment director too?? Oyyyy! So, this is the “Information Age Society”? What ever happened to using your imagination? Playing in the backyard all day?

Growing up in Manhattan I used to long for the days my Mom would take us to the park, go on nature walks in Hudson River Park, or simply play wall-ball all day. Oh no, these days -  if it’s not electronic, it can’t compete!  All I hear is “I’m bored”. Well, speaking of being “bored”, how about “Board games”? (Like that segue??;) It’s healthy for our family’s relationships that we make it “Board Game night” at least once a week. We should shut out the rest of the world and just focus on each other and enjoy each other’s company. In our world today, life is too hectic, each family member has a different agenda – the older they get, the busier the agenda. We need to refocus them to the fundamental truths of appreciating each other, not focusing all their attention on how to beat the latest video game! What about the massive amount of toys we think the kids HAVE to have. I’ve learned to streamline – it was a hard lesson to learn, but my 6 year old daughter was my teacher.

After having 2 boys, my precious little girl was spoiled by my family, and myself. Every pink little dress, toy or doll had to come into her possession. Last year, you couldn't even walk into her room – really. She had SO MUCH STUFF that even a little mess was a lot of mess. It got to the point where she didn’t even want to play in her room, it was too overwhelming for her. She began to tell me she wanted to move into her brother’s room!

Okay, so I stepped back, assessed the situation and spent the next 2 days packing up toys and clothing to give away to charity. She was actually delighted! Such a simple child, such a complicated life! There really was very little she wanted to keep, a couple of Barbies', the motorcycles and convertibles parked outside her Barbie House and very little else. If only I’d known, I would have saved a bundle! That brings to mind a scripture, “To whom much is given, much will be required.” Luke 12:48. Too much was required of Elise, she could not possibly be expected at the tender age of 6 to be responsible to keep a neat room – when there was such an over-abundance of toys, that is.

Her room looks beautiful now and we can actually use her trundle bed! Now, when I tell her to go pick up her room, I don’t get that wild-eyed confused horrified look, just the usual stomping and grumbling. I can deal with that.

What a lesson for all of us, whether it’s the advertising constantly bombarding us, or our own gluttony – we must get back to the basics.

I’ve actually daydreamed of moving to Tahiti somewhere, no cell phones, televisions, Ipods, Gameboys, bills for a gazillion different things, just a quiet simple life, back to the basics.

Then I get real and know that somehow I would find a way to complicate life. So, like I talked about in a previous article, I’ve learned to streamline my schedule – now I’ve learned to streamline my possessions.

Oh, how much more I enjoy life now! I still desire Tahiti – but I’d still want my computer!

For those of you that are interested in the home-business opportunities, I’m looking into one right now and it looks really good. I’m trying it myself and gaining the trust of the  author of the program, I’ll let you know the details soon.

Aside from the Piano Book Series I’m working on, I’ve also begun working on a fiction novel called “Pearl of the Caribbean”. It’s political, inspirational, intriguing, heart wrenching and action-packed. I should have it ready for the publisher in about 6 months, I’ll release the details on that soon as well.

Hey – if anyone knows of new, cutting-edge Praise and Worship Music of any style, drop me a note in the comment section! Thanks, I’ll get back to you guys soon, God bless ;)

I leave you with this : "Junk is something you've kept for years and throw away three weeks before you need it."  :0) Medicine : After tucking their three-year-old child Sammy in for bed one night, his parents heard sobbing coming from his room. Rushing back in, they found him crying hysterically. He managed to tell them that he had swallowed a penny and he was sure he was going to die. No amount of talking was helping.His father, in an attempt to calm him down, palmed a penny from his pocket and pretended to pull it from Sammy's ear. Sammy was delighted. In a flash, he snatched it from his father's hand, swallowed, and then cheerfully demanded, "Do it again, Dad!"

 

 

Comments

[Bill Van Loan]

Isabel,

I am so happy to see you back in action and keeping us up to date on your new and exciting blog.

I tried leaving a comment last night but did not have a typekey. Now I do.

I will contact you shortly and play catch up.