Laurie Jackson's Blog, page 8

Homeschool Anyone?

When my kids were little, we lived in an area in which we were not comfortable sending them to a public school. We heard all kinds of horrible stories about drugs, etc. within that school district.

Well, we decided that I should homeschool. I was relieved. When my siblings heard what I was going to do, they called me crazy. They thought I  had suddenly went insane. They looked at me like I had just grown three heads. Oh well. I wanted my kids to be safe.

There was a woman who lived around the area that homeschooled her kids. I had known her for many years. So, we went to her home and oh my gosh. There were stacks of paper everywhere. I kid you not. There were stacks of paper on tables and on the floor in practically every room. There were pathways just big enough to put one foot in front of the other. I asked her about the papers. She called it her organized mess. I had to laugh.

Anyway, she gave me suggestions and tips.  She told me that one thing I had to make sure to do was read out of the bible during each session. She also told me that I did not have to just have school at the kitchen table.  She said I could either order and buy expensive books for the kids to work out of. Or, I could design my own school work. After much research and decision making, I went with making my own books for school. I created my own alphabet letters from felt. I created my own spelling tests that was age related. I came up with math problems for my sons to figure out. We went to the library to check out books. We had a certain time of day where I was read to. Some days we played outside and threw a ball around. During that time, I had them figure out math problems in their heads.

My oldest son was almost 6 years old. He was (and still is) very smart for his age. He could read before the age of five. (I promise I had nothing to do with that.) So to keep him challenged, was a bit of a struggle. He became bored easily.

My second son was almost 5 years old. He wanted to do what his big brother was doing. I remember once while giving my oldest a verbal math quiz, he gave the answer before my oldest had a chance.

I usually had school in the mornings. When we sat at the kitchen table, I had a son on either side of me with one on my lap. I also had a son in the playpen right beside the table. And, yes, I was pregnant with my beautiful daughter at the time.

I started with prayer, having each of the boys say what they wanted. We sang songs and danced. We worked on math problems and spelling words. We had reading time. We went outside to find bugs and talk about what we found. We looked at nature. We collected leaves and made projects.

One thing I was told was to keep track of anything and everything we did. By the time we moved back to my home town, there were boxes upon boxes of school stuff. I could not depart with anything simply because my kids did it.

When I signed my kids up for public school, my oldest started in second grade. My second son started in kindergarten. Both of their teachers were pleasantly pleased with how smart my boys were. The teachers were impressed when I told them that I had homeschooled them.  My boys were advanced to the class ahead of in certain subjects. Again, they were easily bored.

Do I regret homeschooling my kids? Not a chance. I’d do again in a heartbeat. I’d probably do it longer than what I did. It was a challenge but I loved every moment of it. I miss those days. I feel somewhat proud because of the start they had with me.

One more thing, I am so very proud of all my children and how they turned out. (My oldest will be 30 this year.)

If you are thinking about homeschooling, do it. You won’t regret it. It is quite the experience.

Have a blessed day!

Laurie Jackson

 

 

Divide

Growing up, Saturday night suppers consisted of homemade pizza and a bottle of soda. It was a real treat. We were not allowed to have that stuff during the week. Don’t ask me why not because I truly do not know.

Do you remember those soda bottles that if you took the empty ones back to the store, you got credit or a refund? Anyway, when it came time to divide a bottle between two of us, we ended up arguing. (There were eight of us.) She has a smidgen more than me. No, I don’t! Back and forth it went.

Poor Mom! She probably dreaded every Saturday supper time. Mom rarely showed anger towards us. Her thing was just giving us that certain look. You know the one, if you don’t stop it, Dad will come in there. Her “look” could kill. When she did get angry, you’d better watch out! Run for the hills and hang onto your tail. ‘Cause it’s gonna hurt.

I think back on those Saturday evening supper times and think wow! The suffering I caused Mom. Just because she/he had a tiny bit of soda more than me. I am sorry, Mom, for being a jealous child.

Yes, of course, there were other times that my sisters and brothers argued,too. It was natural, I guess.

Outside the family, away from home, we always stood together. We always watched out for one another.

At home, it seemed that we were divided. I guess we were comfortable being ourselves.

Enjoy!

Laurie Jackson

Road Less Traveled

Sometimes I wonder what my life would be like if I had gone to college right after high school. Would I be a published author? Would my sister’s story be written? Would it be out there for all the world to read?

My dad wanted all of his kids to go to college. He was upset with me when I said I wasn’t going. (He did not go to college.) I was done with school. I barely survived high school. Why the hell would I want to put myself into more schooling? I wasn’t that crazy. A close friend at my graduation party told me that I should do what works for me. Get out in the real world and work.

Now that I’ve been out of high school for 35 years, (Man, I feel old…) I have a small amount of regret for not going to college. Instead, I married and had children. I was blessed to stay home and raise them. (I guess you could say that was God’s plan for me at the time.) Trust me when I say I would not have changed a thing. My children are my life. No doubt about it.

After 23 years of marriage, I was divorced. The man I am married to now, makes my dreams come true. When he found out that I wanted to become a published writer, he suggested that I go back to school. I did and I do not regret it. I did online classes that lasted for 32 long months. It was a struggle for me because it took me way out of my comfort zone. I did assignments that I did not think I could do. I know if my wonderful husband had not been by my side, I would not have survived. It was quite the experience. I learned so much about writing and myself.

It is never too late to follow your dreams. Believe in yourself. Stay positive! Take that first step. You might just surprise yourself. I know I did. Surprise myself, I mean.

Take that leap of faith. Follow that road less traveled. It may be just what you were looking for.

Have a blessed day!

Laurie Jackson

Shape Up Or Ship Out!

Dear Personality Traits,

Some of you are doing what you are supposed to do. Others—well, not so much. Some of you are slacking. Those that are slacking—here’s a message for you:

SHAPE UP OR SHIP OUT!!

Ms. Negative Pants: Just what are you trying to do to me? I hate negativity!! How many times do you have to be told?! Why do you continue to creep in? I have to admit that I used to be negative about everything. 

I had a very negative dad. The man was never happy unless he had something to complain about. He was down on himself and he took it out on us. It seems, unfortunately, I have inherited his negative attitude. I am working on changing that, though. By the grace of God, I will become the most positive person around.

Like I said earlier, I was Negative Nancy. One day, I woke up and I told myself no more. Ms. Negative Pants, you are wearing me out!  I am learning to find the silver lining in everything. Thanks to my mother, I am learning to be more positive.

What’s up with you, Self-Esteem? How dare you creep into my mind and start telling me that I am not a worthy person! I am who I am. I may not be the smartest person around but I am not stupid.

I am getting worn out from hearing that voice inside my head. You know the one, the one that repeats itself over and over. The voice that sometimes laughs at me. The voice that says what are you thinking? You can’t write! What a joke! I can start so many times on a story and that voice starts in. Instead of ignoring it, like I know I should, I give up. That voice is one of the reasons that I have not finished my sister’s story.

Anger, my gosh. I’ll be the first to admit that I have a horrible temper. When someone else is angry, it usually rubs off on me. Unfortunately, the person closest to me at the time will become my scapegoat. I’ll find the stupidest thing to argue over.

Tears, give me a break. You come out of nowhere. You feel like two streams flowing down my cheeks. Any little thing makes you appear. I have two words for you: STOP IT!!!

Dear Depression, shame on you. For always trying to bring me down. No more! I will not sink into that deep dark abyss no longer! No matter how “pretty” you make it look. I refuse to give into you. I refuse! Do you hear me?? I will fight you til my dying day and with my last breath. I will not give up.

Wow! Do I feel better.

Each day I will count my blessings. Each day I will thank God for them.

Have a blessed day!

Laurie Jackson

 

 

 

Why?

A simple three letter word but holds so much power. In school, I grew to despise that word. WHY? It seemed that no matter the class, when giving an answer, I always had to explain why I said what I said. I don’t know why. It sounded good at the time?

Even today, when asked why, I just say because I said so, that’s why! My children used to ask me why a lot! If they were ‘fighting’ amongst themselves and I’d tell them to knock it off, they would look at me like I had three heads.

I get the same reaction when I am with a man who doesn’t know where we are. God forbid if he’d ask for directions! Why is that? Why is it hard for a man to stop and ask for directions! Is it in his DNA? Did his father drill it in him not to ever ask for help? Well, that’s just stupid.

Swallow your ego and pride and ask for help! I promise the world will not stop spinning!

I remember my first date with my now husband. We had been planning on going to the zoo. Well, we got lost. he asked me if I knew where it was. Yeah, okay. No! I had not been to the zoo in many years. With my sense of direction, no. I grew up underneath a rock for heaven’s sake!

Did he stop to ask for directions? No, of course not! We drove up and down the interstate for a bit. I seriously believe we drove past the zoo a couple of times. Finally, we found where we wanted to go.

Why don’t or won’t men ask for directions? Is it drilled into their DNA from their dads never to ask for help? Or admit that they are lost. The cycle needs to be broken! :)

Enjoy!

Laurie Jackson

From Grandma’s Country Kitchen

CRUELTY OF COOKS

If you itemize the terms of cooks,

You’ll find we quite deceive our looks.

The things we do sound very cruel,

Like fighting a one-sided duel.

We beat the eggs, whip the cream

Blow the pudding up with steam.

We mash the potatoes, slice the bread

Tear apart the cabbage’s head.

We chop the onion, grate the cheese

Lemons and oranges we always squeeze.

We burn the sugar, gash the steak.

The celery’s heat we often take.

We skin the tomato, peel the pear.

Scrape the carrot everywhere.

We scald the milk, freeze the salad.

Strain the tea that’s really palled.

We prick the unsuspecting pie.

And remove the baby’s potato eye.

And if that’s not enough,

We smother some chickens and some we stuff.

And goodness know what else we do

I’m really quite abashed, aren’t you?

We do all this and never dry–

Till we get onions in our eye.

Written by Lauren Corder

I came across this while browsing through recipes.

Enjoy your day!

Laurie Jackson

 

Money For Nothing

I have my dream job. What is it? Writing.

I have kept a journal or diary for many years. It should be some interesting reading for my kids. ;)

I have always wanted to write children’s books. A huge thank you goes to my wonderful husband. Why? He gave me the opportunity to go back to school. It was an online course that lasted 32 long months. I now have a Bachelor’s Degree in creative writing. I learned so much, not only about writing but about myself. I feel that I am a better and more creative writer because of going back to school.

(You are never too old to go after a dream.)

I have written a few books while I was in school. They are ebooks but to me they are still books.

I am not in it for the money or for fame. I am writing books just because I enjoy it. I want my grandchildren to enjoy them.

Money isn’t everything. If I become famous, well, that’s just something I am not counting on.

Have a blessed day!

Laurie Jackson

My Addiction

I have an addiction. There, I’ve said it! Am I proud of this addiction? Eh. It could be worse.

What in the world am I talking about? Let me tell you. I am addicted to words. I have always enjoyed words. Even waaaaay back in grade school. I didn’t realize it, though, until after high school. Funny how that works.

Words and writing….my addiction. I do not always get the opportunity to write. I have to admit that sometimes I start to write something and I get tired. My energy level suddenly drops and I have to quit. By the time I go back to what I started, my idea is gone. My train of thought has left the station.

Sometimes, when I am in the middle of writing and buzzing along, getting those words on paper, another idea decides to pop in. Then, I have to stop and write that idea down. I try to tell myself that I won’t forget that story line. I have to laugh at myself. I remind myself that I am old. My memory is not what it used to be. I have to write everything down. I have no choice. There have been too many times that an idea had come to me but I didn’t bother to write it down. Boy, was I ticked off at myself.

Most ideas have come to me at night, when I am snuggled in bed. I tell myself that I’ll remember in the morning. Do I remember? Of course not! Do I bother to put a notebook and pen by my bed? No. Well, I have a pen but no paper. Silly me. Perhaps I should write the idea down on the wall. I’m sure my husband would just love that.

Well, I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I have enjoyed writing it!

Have a blessed day!

Laurie Jackson

 

 

Where’s The Sun?

What happened to the sun? Sun, oh Sun, where have you gone? Can you come out to play? I truly need to feel you on my face.

It’s been way too long since you have been fully out. You peeked out for a bit yesterday. I think you were only teasing us, though, weren’t you?

I suffer from SAD. Even though I have those day bulbs on, they don’t always help. I fight depression on a daily basis. I am starting to cry again. I hate it! I cannot figure out why it’s happening again.

I should be happy and full of laughter. Our beautiful granddaughter has arrived. She is staying here with us and her parents.

So, Sun, I am blaming my feelings on you. I am blaming you for how I feel. Nothing but clouds and I am getting sick of it!! I truly believe that these cloudy days are affecting everyone.

I am usually a positive person but not seeing the sun out for more than a few seconds is really dragging me down.

God bless!

Laurie Jackson

First, Second, Third…

Again! Again! And again plus two. :)

What am I talking about? Giving birth. Having children. I loved being pregnant. I loved having babies. I loved raising my babies. I loved watching each and every one of them grow into such wonderful adults that they are today.

Each one is about as different as night and day and water and oil. People said I was crazy for having five kids in seven years. I hadn’t planned on it being that way. It just happened.

Each delivery was just as different as the next. My first son (firstborn) seemed to take his granny ole time. It seemed like I was in labor that never ended. With my second, it was wham bam, and he was here. My third son decided he just wasn’t going to budge from a certain point during delivery. I had to have a c-section. The shot the nurse gave me to stop the contractions did not work. Through the whole ordeal, I was calm. I was too far a long to get an epidural. He, also, was stubborn. The doctor refused to give me a c-section. He wanted to try something first. While laying on the bed, he swung me on my head. I was literally doing a head stand. He proceeded to tell me to push. I did and before, my fourth son arrived. With my daughter, (my last child) was stubborn. My womb tore while giving birth. I had to have an emergency c-section. The nurse said that she stuck her tongue out as the doctor lifted her out of me.

I would have loved to have more kids but the doctor suggested that we don’t. Childbirth and raising children is something that I would not have passed up for anything in the world. Yes, I had three in diapers more than once. It was hard and there were some stumbles. It was worth the dance. Some days, I sit and think back wondering where did the time go?

Enjoy each and every second with your babies. Time flies by and for some strange reason, children seem to want to grow up. It is the little things in life that matter. Housework can wait. Babies cannot.

Have a super blessed day!

Laurie Jackson