Help us Out....Ask a Question

Dirk and I are scheduled to speak at a homeschool event in early September.  What would you want to hear from us if you were at the meeting?



After 35 years of marriage, 7 kiddos, 5 sons/daughters-in-love, 6 grands (+ another the end of October!), home educating for about 30 years (and still going), there is one thing we DO have......NO, not all the answers, but we do have a bit of experience.



Go ahead.  Ask us anything you want.  And it doesn't specifically have to be on home education.

We're going to be on a vacation for a week, but your questions will help us decide what to speak on....and who knows?  They might even spark a few blogs from us....now THAT would be something new, huh?

Ready.....set.....ASK!

Dirk and Robin

Family Bizness

Hope we haven’t overwhelmed you with too much talk of Heritage this week.  It’s a passion and we enjoy sharing it.   Look for  Dirk to be back next week with more on Fathering and attitudes.

Erin has started her own daily blog, “Our Life is School”,  but she’s promised to stick around here too.  Catch her daily work and play with her family and enjoy seeing the activities she does with her two little men.

Kody is currently taking a class on music innovation from The Colleys at Sunday Recording in Oklahoma City.  Before he’s finished he is to write and record a song!  He’s really enjoying the class.  Contact the Colley’s if you’re interested in having your kiddo attend one of their classes.

Brad and Ali bought a home in Edmond!  They will be leaving the ManyMeadows compound  in a couple of weeks.  We’ll miss seeing those precious girls each day…oh, and Brad and Ali too. J

We had our first family gathering Thursday night to discuss the book “Rich Dad, Poor Dad”.  We’re considering forming a corporation for the family.  More to come on that. 

Work continues on our bedroom remodel.  Do you have any idea how much dirt is underneath your carpet?  Whew!  Glad to have it out of there. The new floor is next on the list.    We’re considering doing the stained concrete ourselves this time. (we have it in most of our house).  Anyone have experience with that? 

Have any great weekend plans?  Involved in any remodeling of your own?







Robin

You Be the Decorator

Last of the popcorn ceiling. (why was that ever popular??)    The French blue wallpaper complete with little pink roses…gone. (Praise God!).  And the last of the original 1984 blue carpet and soft-white walls will soon be a faded memory. 

We are finally remodeling our bedroom. 



Yeah, I know.  It’s our sanctuary.  The room that should have the most care, but well, we had a “few” other things that needed to come first. 



And best of all…this room will now have a large Jacuzzi tub in it….yep, resort-stylin’, right in our very own bedroom. 

Maybe like this

Soon it will be time to choose colors for the walls, window treatments, maybe even some new furniture. 

And,  I’m at a loss, and need your help.  Dirk and I have pretty simplistic, eclectic taste.  We have stained concrete floors in the rest of the house, and we’re hoping to do the same in this bedroom. 

So, tell me.  Where do you go for decorative inspiration?  How do you choose your paint colors?  Have any good tips, decorating links, or creative thoughts to share? 

Can you tell I’m thinking about a shade of green?

Help!







Robin

Many Goals

If you aim at nothing, you’ll hit it every time.

Our 2009 Goals:

Dirk’s goals

·        Complete the remodel of our bedroom/bathroom

·        Start the extension of our dining room and new den

·        Explore the possibility of incorporating for some business opportunities

·        On a personal note:  Do the Bible reading plan on You Version

Erin’s goals

·        Read the Bible in a year on You Version

·        Remember to fully stretch a few times a week

·        To start and maintain an exercise journal

Anna’s goals

I hope to…

·        Run a full marathon 26.2 miles

·        Seal the deal with the love of my life

·        Continue making my house a home

·        Move forward in my ministry as God leads me

·        Start writing the first draft of my book

·        Read through the Bible with YouVersion.com

Robin’s goals

·        Read through the Bible using You Version’s plan

·        Exercise core muscles daily

·        Grow even more of our vegetables

Abbi’s Goals

      ·        Get married and OFFICIALLY become a  Meadows. :)

·        Read one new book a month (preferably in the personal development genre)

·        Get 8 hours of sleep a night

·        Stop biting my nails for good

·        Secure a teaching position in the fall

 Brad’s goals

·  Loose 20 more lbs (already lost 64)

·        Read more

·        Have more daddy dates

Ali’s goals

·        Loose 10 more lbs (already lost 34)

·        Read more

·        Get more hair clients (call me) J

(Alexander and Katie are in Europe until 1/11)

What are your 2009 goals?  Are you reading You Version?  Follow us there.

Erin – danc4god; Dirk – dmeadows; Robin – rmeadows; Anna - annameadows

In with the New

As you have noticed, the ManyMeadows are taking a blogging break.



Come back next week, January 5, 2009 for more thoughts, ideas and encouragement.  You can expect some things on heritage, finances, Abbi and Andrew's upcoming wedding, Alexander and Katie's recent travels and schooling, Ali's recipes, Erin's educational  exploits and more Dear Robin and What Do You Think?



In the meantime, check out:

a great fictional story packed with a great message

a new blogger

the encouragment to have a healthier 2009

a few pics of Switzerland,  Paris, Prague and Slovakia where Alexander and Katie are currently travelling

Thanks to all of you for stopping by and especially for leaving your encouraging comments.  Looking foward to another year of the blogging community!

~Robin

Have any questions you'd like to ask any of us?  Ask away!

Who Said It?

During this election time let's be reminded of these words:


* You cannot help the poor, by destroying the rich.
* You cannot strengthen the weak, by weakening the strong.
* You cannot bring about prosperity, by discouraging thrift.
* You cannot lift the wage earner up, by pulling the wage payer down.
* You cannot further the brotherhood of man, by inciting class hatred.
* You cannot build character and courage, by taking away people's
initiative and independence.
* You cannot help people permanently, by doing for them what they could and should, do for themselves.


Do you recognize the author?


It was Abraham Lincoln

Fall Break Weekend Plans

Friday, the ManyMeadows leave on our 2nd Annual Family Camping Trip!



Last year, Jon was in Iraq,  and Abbi wasn't yet a part of our family.

Read about last year's trip here and here.

There are 18 of us going this year.  Not quite all the ones in this recent family picture.

It looks to be great weather.  And even if it's not it will be a GREAT time!

Have any special Fall Break weekend plans?

Today

• 
  

  no internet until after noon



• 
  

  major headache for me



• 
  

  the power supply to my lap-top quit working



• 
  

  we bought a new power supply



• 
  

  we got Kody a cell phone (he turns 16 on 10/28)



• 
  

  Anna was mentioned at www.perrynoble.com!



• 
  

  tacos for dinner



• 
  

  Ali does my hair tomorrow!

Life is good!

Robin

Family Business

It's this girl's birthday today!  Hop on over and leave her a message. :)

This girl is starting her own business.

Ali (Meadows) Ruhman brings her 6 years of experience as a stylist to:

Sherri & Company

109 South Broadway

Edmond

Call for an appointment:  (405)808-4256 or (405)340-6135

She can turn this:

Into this

She keeps us all looking good!

When's the last time you had a new hair style?

You're My Brother, You're My Sister...

A Summer Re-run (originally posted 2/26/08) update at end


....so take me by the ha--and....(sing along, everyone! -guess you can tell what era I grew up in!)

Isn’t this blogging world amazing?

So, yesterday I write about a low day…have a little pity-party. And you guys come to my rescue! Yay!

Bloggers are encouragers!

Recently, I have had the wonderful opportunity to actually face-to-face-meet many of my new blogging buddies. Some of you that I already “knew”, I feel like I’m really getting to know you!

I’ve recently met face-to-face for the very first time:

Anne Jackson
Kim Heinecke

Natalie Witcher

Shanna Crawford

Stef Swindell
Christie Gunkel

Sheri Yates

Wendy Dawson
Michael and Elizabeth from Norman

I’ve gotten to KNOW better:

Cindy Beall
Aaron Havens
Scott Williams

Abbi Zeliff

Mandy McKeown

Teena McKeown

The Mountain Man

Jessica Waszack

Christi and Brandon Donaldson

Keri Austin

Jayma Winters

Kristie Sheen

My two blogging daughters
Anna Meadows and Katie Mansour

And some new friends from the network connection:
Theresa (from CA)
Donna (from Canada)

JW from Washington DC (who needs to start writing again)
Deleise (from Edmond – who I need to meet face-to-face!)

(all the names are linked--check them out)

Blogging is just a little glimpse of heaven on earth. A place we can share our strengths and weaknesses, victories and defeats. A place where we can lift each other in words and in prayer.

I’m sure glad you’re here!

If you've never left me a comment, do it today! If I left you off the list...REMIND me!

-------------------------------------

Update:

Since this was written, I have some new blogging friends.

Some of the ones listed above aren't currently writing.

I've now met Deleise face-to-face. ;)

Theresa from CA is coming in for a weekend visit with some of these blogging friends TODAY!! Now, how is that for getting to know your blogging buddies?

Let me know if you're not on my blog roll.....I'll add you!

Okie Dokie

Not wanting Theresa to arrive in Oklahoma without proper understanding and pronunciation of the language, I’ve come up with just a few words and phrases that might help her out.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Gonna, wanna, hafta, woulda, coulda, shoulda, - It’s just easier to shorten two words into one, don’tcha know?

fixin’ (I’m fixin’ to head to town. Ya wanna go with me?”) Sorry, Theresa….you’ll probably hear this one from me!

didja --“Didja see that mighty fine F-350 doolie (dually)? I hafta get me one of them!”

your-all’s-- (both or all of yours) “Did you drive your-all’s car out here?”

jawl -- “Did jawl drive your car out here, too?”

samwich-- “I’ll have one of those chopped beef samwiches, thankya".

Gichew--- “Can I gichew something to drink?”


Anyways….cain’t wait ‘til you git here, Theresa. We’ll be shore to have a good tawk and sump’n teet if’n yore not too tarred. ;)

OK – I’m sure the rest of you have some great Okie words and phrases to share with Theresa. Help out a California kid!

Okie Speak

The motorcycle pulls up to the stop light at the intersection of Broadway and Danforth. It is a beautiful evening and Dirk and I are on a ride.

On our right is one of Edmond’s finest patrolmen.

His police car window is rolled down.

The light is still red and Dirk raises his helmet visor.

Oh no…he’s not going to ask it…

Yep…, he is…..

“You wanna race?” Dirk asks, with a smile.

The policeman smiles back.

“Y’ont to? But she rides with me.”

The light turned green. We didn’t race. But we sure did laugh!

What did he just say?

=====================


For Theresa (who visits soon from California)

Y’ont (pronounced yuh-ohnt) is a one syllable word meaning “you want”? We'll have more translations to come so you’ll understand the language when you get here.

I know Theresa is familiar with y’all and alla y’all….she’s been practicing. : )


The rest of you begin thinking of some of the best Okie phrases and terms you’ve heard (or use). We’ll revisit this tomorrow so she can have some time to study before she gets here on August 14th.

Wait to post your terms tomorrow! :)

He Says She Says

When Dirk and I started dating (a million years ago) I noticed there were some terms that he used that were different from the ones I grew up using. Some of these I’ve adopted. Some are still the same.

Glove box or glove compartment?
Commode, stool, pot or toilet?
Ice box or refrigerator?
Foot-feed or accelerator?
Turn signal or blinker?

And that doesn’t even count the bodily function terms that I don’t dare go into.

How about you? Which of these terms do you use?

Have any term discrepancies in your own home or relationships?

Pay it Forward

Kaden was taking pictures, I was taking pictures, and Erin even snapped a few.

Then we watched the fireworks and took a few more.

Come Monday morning, I wanted to take some vine pictures at the garden.

But, my camera was nowhere. I looked in the car---three times. I looked in all the places it might have been (hey, and I found that lost library book from last year!)

In a panic, I called everyone who was watching fireworks with us .

I called Edmond and UCO. No camera was turned in.

Dirk and the boys even drove to the area where we were on Friday night and looked around. No camera.

Then, I put an ad on Craig’s List.

I wrestled with how stupid I was for a while. How disappointed I was in not being more careful. Thought about how wasteful I was in losing something that cost so much. Believed some lies for a while.

Then, I just released it. Let it go. I thought about how it was only a camera, and not my child.

Tuesday morning I found two e-mails in my inbox from my Craig’s List post suggesting I check the classifieds in the Edmond Sun. There was a listing of a camera found at the UCO Fireworks display! I politely waited until 8:30 am to call the number. Matt Smith, co- owner of Smith’s Carpet in Edmond answered.

And you guessed it! It WAS my camera! I described some of the photos on the camera and the young gentleman said, “ Yes, and there are a lot of garden pictures on it too.” ;) Yep, it’s mine.

I called my family giving them the good news, and Andrew tells me, “Oh, Matt Smith? I know him. He used to hang out with Erin and I back in highschool."

Well, I never got to meet Matt. He was away from the store when I went to get my camera. I left him a long note giving him my appreciation and explaining the connection. He left his business card in my camera case saying, "Pay it forward". Cool, huh?

So, if you are struggling with the perception that people just aren’t kind and thoughtful and have a lack of quality character anymore, give it up. It’s just not so. Complete strangers went out of their way to make sure my camera came home where it belongs.

Yeah, I’m God’s favorite.

You are too!

Oh, and if you need any carpet, consider giving Matt a try. He’s an honest guy.

He Loves Me

My husband came home last week and said with a smile, “I got you something”. He went back out to his truck and came inside and presented this:

And some of you girls only get flowers…. ; )

(If you know me very well at all, you know this is a very special gift. It’s right up there with used Starbucks coffee grounds that my newest s-i-l, Alexander brought me for my compost.)

Is there a gift you received that was odd, but meaningful?

Feeling the Bite

With the quickly rising gas prices and the prediction that it could be as high as $5.00 per gallon by the end of summer Dirk has suggested some adjustments at the ManyMeadows.

He is considering leaving his work truck at one of our rent houses in Oklahoma City and riding his motorcycle to get his truck each workday to save gas consumption.

We will not be mowing as often this year. Some of the orchard and other out-of-the-way areas will just get tall. (gas cans filled for the rider mower and the tractor tonight came up to $50…eek!)

I know some of you may have to make some adjustments of your own to off-set that rising gasoline expenditure.

What are some of your ideas and suggestions?

The price of gas is getting up there with the price of milk. Did you start buying less milk when the price went up?

To Be or Not to Be

I’m such a “do-er”. I’m trying to learn more to simply “be”.

I don’t even know how to sit still. It’s hard to just “be” when you’re always up and running.

When I go to my mom’s house, I feel like I need to be doing something. You know, helping her. I’m thinking she’d rather me just sit with her. Talk with her. Just be.

I think that’s what God wants from me too. No, I’m pretty sure I know that’s what He wants. I think I’m helping. He just wants me to sit with Him. To be with Him.

I’m going to have to work on that…

Oops, there I go again!

Focus

I was backing this
And I was looking at this

When I should have been looking at this
And I did this
And this
It made me feel like this
even though Dirk assured me "things like that just happen", "those things can always be fixed". Note: I hit Dirk's truck!

There's a story in here somewhere about focusing on the wrong things...even the good things, and you see where it got me.

Oh, God, may our focus never be on anything but You.

I'm just glad I didn't back into this!

Have Some Fun!

It's April Fool’s Day.

Come on! Do something fun today. We are.

Over the years we’ve done everything from green eggs and ham, (delivered without a word or hint of smile, at breakfast) to vinegar soaked paper towels in the kid’s pillows (which they, in turn, would leave in Dirk’s truck).

One of my favorite memories is of my dad, the family breakfast maker, putting cotton in our pancakes. Man, those suckers were hard to cut! And chew! He was quite the jokester.

Today, we’re pulling an old trick out of the ol’ April Fool’s jokes hat. It’ll be Vaseline on the doorknob and saran wrap on the toilet seat. Probably not new for our camp-veteran teen boys, but it will be fun when they groggily stumble down the stairs in the morning to their normal first stop: the bathroom. Besides, Dirk said he’d clean it up. Just hope they only have to….well, you know.

Takin' a Break?

Ah….spring break. Are you excited for it? Or will it be just another week for you?

What are your plans for Spring Break? (that’s next week!)

If you homeschool, are you taking the week off from academics?

I’ll go first:

Absolutely! I always enjoy the week off. My boys are going on mission trips. One leaves Sunday, the other on Wednesday. The first one gets home Wednesday night, the second on Saturday night. ; )

No schoolwork for us!

Me? I’ll spend extra time with Dirk and we’ve got a family night planned (with most of the family) to eat (of course) and watch “Dan in Real Life” together. Oh, and we’re meeting Abbi’s parents one of those nights!

Next week I’ll share some of our previous spring break semi-educational vacations.