and you can't watch them on Netflix, you can watch many of the American Experience programs online for free at this PBS site.
I feel like a geeky kid in a candy store.
I have always wanted to see the one about the Mormons. I can't wait to bust out the popcorn for that one! Not to mention you can see my favorites on the Donner party and Influenza 1918.
I'm not sure what that says about me, but I love history and I love it most set to pictures, music, and interviews.
oh and the one on Jonestown does not appear to be listed, but it is jaw dropping stuff. make sure your kids are asleep for that one.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
I am waiting for the washer/dryer repairman...
who was supposed to be here at 8:00am, but then changed his mind and said 12:00pm. Which turned out to be terrific because, and i am not trying to brag here to my houston people, but it is really a beautiful day today. i had forgotten completely how a late summer day feels when it is not too hot, but not cool, just warm, with the sun shining on you and a breeze. breezes still take us by surprise. Frank exclaimed, "mama, did you feel that cool breeze?? that's sooo refreshing!" he tends to be a bit dramatic in case you had forgotten.
so what else is there to do on a beautiful morning, but go to the park? as we approached the playground, we saw two boys that appeared to be around frank's age deep into an imaginary pirate game. they were looking for "tweasure" and running and jumping all over the place. I said a silent prayer, "Lord please help frank." and after a few awkward moments of standing near the boys, frank was already shooting them with imaginary lasers that come out of his hands, which then turned into a battle, which then turned into hide and seek, which then turned into "what should we do now?" which is where a mama who wants her boys to make friends comes in handy. I pulled out of my trusty backpack full of 3 different diggers and trucks and some ikea sand toys and offered them up to our new playmates. I even showed them how to get water from the water fountain to get the sand all nice and mushy.
Now that their friendship was cemented, ford and i explored a nearby backhoe loader, and had a snack. and as much as i enjoy my sweet ford's company, i longed for a grown up to talk to. how come it is so easy for 4 year old boys to make friends? all they have to do is laser each other and talk about poop when the mom's aren't listening, and they are instant friends. girls are so much more complicated.
but, as always, God is good and i was able to visit with some of the moms in the end. we got some free passes to a nearby corn maze and pumpkin patch in october, and learned about different moms groups, and found out when these two other boys go to story time at the library. it is these sweet little blessings that make my day.
that and documentaries that i can watch instantly on netflix during naptime while i clean my kitchen. i really like those, too.
Here are two that are worth your time:
-Objectified. it is about the designers who make the things that we use. cool and interesting if you like that sort of thing.
-The Art of the Steal. this one is fascinating about one of the world's greatest private art collection - the Barnes Foundation, and how it has come to a new home in Philadelphia. it is riveting, which is amazing because it doesn't sound riveting, does it? watch the trailer, you'll understand.
now i have wasted a perfectly good deal of our time, and still no repairman. i won't complain though, it really hasn't been that bad. i just humble myself and do the most necessary laundry in the neighbor's basement. it could be so much worse. i could be washing at the neighborhood "Hawg Wash" or washing by hand in the bathtub. i never forget the days after Hurricane Ike, and my joy when michael hung me out a laundry line in the back yard so i could finally get our clothes dry. how can i complain after living through all that?
so what else is there to do on a beautiful morning, but go to the park? as we approached the playground, we saw two boys that appeared to be around frank's age deep into an imaginary pirate game. they were looking for "tweasure" and running and jumping all over the place. I said a silent prayer, "Lord please help frank." and after a few awkward moments of standing near the boys, frank was already shooting them with imaginary lasers that come out of his hands, which then turned into a battle, which then turned into hide and seek, which then turned into "what should we do now?" which is where a mama who wants her boys to make friends comes in handy. I pulled out of my trusty backpack full of 3 different diggers and trucks and some ikea sand toys and offered them up to our new playmates. I even showed them how to get water from the water fountain to get the sand all nice and mushy.
Now that their friendship was cemented, ford and i explored a nearby backhoe loader, and had a snack. and as much as i enjoy my sweet ford's company, i longed for a grown up to talk to. how come it is so easy for 4 year old boys to make friends? all they have to do is laser each other and talk about poop when the mom's aren't listening, and they are instant friends. girls are so much more complicated.
but, as always, God is good and i was able to visit with some of the moms in the end. we got some free passes to a nearby corn maze and pumpkin patch in october, and learned about different moms groups, and found out when these two other boys go to story time at the library. it is these sweet little blessings that make my day.
that and documentaries that i can watch instantly on netflix during naptime while i clean my kitchen. i really like those, too.
Here are two that are worth your time:
-Objectified. it is about the designers who make the things that we use. cool and interesting if you like that sort of thing.
-The Art of the Steal. this one is fascinating about one of the world's greatest private art collection - the Barnes Foundation, and how it has come to a new home in Philadelphia. it is riveting, which is amazing because it doesn't sound riveting, does it? watch the trailer, you'll understand.
now i have wasted a perfectly good deal of our time, and still no repairman. i won't complain though, it really hasn't been that bad. i just humble myself and do the most necessary laundry in the neighbor's basement. it could be so much worse. i could be washing at the neighborhood "Hawg Wash" or washing by hand in the bathtub. i never forget the days after Hurricane Ike, and my joy when michael hung me out a laundry line in the back yard so i could finally get our clothes dry. how can i complain after living through all that?
Thursday, August 19, 2010
so i am in the same situation i was in a few months back. i need to delete photos from my computer before i can add new ones to my computer, or i am afraid it is going to crash. does anyone have any advice on their photo management system? i.e. external hard drives, cd system, and how can i access them easily, etc. i always feel like i will never see my photos again once i delete them from my computer. i know this is stupid, but i really do need a system here.
aside from that here is a look into my ozark life:
-we have had one playdate with new and old friends. it was terrific.
it is not dull here. i have found good coffee, love the farmer's market, found two excellent bookstores, and a place to get donuts.
so far, so good.
aside from that here is a look into my ozark life:
-we have had one playdate with new and old friends. it was terrific.
-i locked myself out of the house on that same day, and then 3 hours later found the key in my shorts
-still no washer and dryer. michael has graciously offered to sit at the laundromat tonight for
us. i will sort the clothes and stain treat them before he goes. our neighbor offered to let us use theirs, but i refuse to do 5 loads of laundry at their house after just meeting them.
-frank and i spent one hour this morning killing ants in the kitchen. i am afraid that battle is far from over
-the wal-mart up near Rogers is so far the best grocery store in town, a bit of a drive, but i have found everything i need there (coconut milk, jasmine rice, Morning Star Chicken Nuggets). best discovery so far: orange push pops
-my house slants. it slants so bad. when you come to visit us, you will have to let me know if you want your head uphill or downhill.
-angus won't come downstairs, he has settled into our upstairs and only comes down to go outside, it appears he is afraid of something in the living room
-ford has taken to leading us, very gently by the hand to wherever he wants to go or to do something for him. this occurs about 30 times per day. yesterday he led me to a chair where he just wanted to sit next to me for a spell. this kid will melt your heart. which is good because yesterday he found a tube of lipstick and coated his body with it. gooey pink everywhere. floor, toys, iron, rug, etc. (let's not discuss that he was playing with the iron, i already know...)
-frank is loving the hills on our daily walks and is embracing all the free play time in the house while i unpack and clean and wait for repairmen. this morning i came downstairs to an easter egg hunt he had set up for me. the eggs were filled with various leggo body parts one had heads, one had suitcases, one had pants, one had guns - you get the picture. then we could "put them all back together, and now we can put on a play!"
it is not dull here. i have found good coffee, love the farmer's market, found two excellent bookstores, and a place to get donuts.
so far, so good.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
the basement
it is like silence of the lambs, except it isn't just a well in my basement that is wet and made of stone - it is the entire basement. and my washer that looks lovely and fancy... and doesn't work. and as i opened the door to the front loading washer today to discover the problem, i spilt gallons of soapy water on the floor. actually that isn't such a bad thing as the whole place could use a good wash, but i didn't actually mean for all that water to get on my boxes of who knows what is down there.
did i mention yet the frogs? two so far. one was tiny, and the other that hopped out from under the washing machine, well it was a BIG, slow frog the color of baby poop. he was clearly not in a hurry and was planning on returning to his special spot under the washer as soon as i left. i'm sure we will meet again. i think i am going to buy some rubber boots for my trips to the basement. flip flop season is over for me.
and did i mention the invisible bugs that bite me when i go down there? i swear that i have gotten more bug bites here than i ever have in houston. so much for escaping the swamp, i just traded it in for the ozark woods.
and did i mention the crickets that climbed into our boxes, and hitched a ride inside of the uhaul from a hotel in oklahoma? did i mention how those crickets have also somehow snuck their way into the basement? it gets noisy down there at night.
i hope the frogs eat them. and then maybe one can turn into a prince, except not a real prince, just someone who can fix my washing machine. it is a samsung and the directions are in terrible english, so maybe it should be a japanese prince.
yes. that would be all right.
did i mention yet the frogs? two so far. one was tiny, and the other that hopped out from under the washing machine, well it was a BIG, slow frog the color of baby poop. he was clearly not in a hurry and was planning on returning to his special spot under the washer as soon as i left. i'm sure we will meet again. i think i am going to buy some rubber boots for my trips to the basement. flip flop season is over for me.
and did i mention the invisible bugs that bite me when i go down there? i swear that i have gotten more bug bites here than i ever have in houston. so much for escaping the swamp, i just traded it in for the ozark woods.
and did i mention the crickets that climbed into our boxes, and hitched a ride inside of the uhaul from a hotel in oklahoma? did i mention how those crickets have also somehow snuck their way into the basement? it gets noisy down there at night.
i hope the frogs eat them. and then maybe one can turn into a prince, except not a real prince, just someone who can fix my washing machine. it is a samsung and the directions are in terrible english, so maybe it should be a japanese prince.
yes. that would be all right.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
there is just too much to say
and too many pictures. and too many thank yous. I am blessed beyond words. I have been so thoroughly loved on in these past weeks, actually in these past 6 months, actually in these past 11 years, that i am speechless.
I was looking at this blog tonight, wanting to remember what it was that i write about usually, because i couldn't be interesting or witty to save my life right now, but as i was scrolling back i found this post that i wrote back in february as i was looking towards michael's traveling days.
I certainly did not know at the time that these "3 to 5 months" of traveling would result in me selling my house and moving to arkansas AFTER living apart from michael for nearly 6 months. I certainly did not know that when i wrote that post. Surely he never would have taken the assignment if we had known that. But tonight i am in awe from all that i have learned and experienced in this last half of a year.
for my benefit, and because i like lists, i shall now list some of the things that i have learned.
1. I am stronger, by God's grace alone, than i ever thought i was
2. I am a better mother now than i was 6 months ago.
3. I am keenly aware of my selfishness and pride and need for the Holy Spirit's intervention on my behalf - as all of my sins are ever before me these days.
As Leigh once said, "We are like a tube of toothpaste. We don't really know what's inside us until we get squeezed." Under pressure, i have not always liked what has come out over these past few months.
4. I don't have it bad at all. i sometimes complain because i like to talk, but i am constantly reminded by all that i see and hear and read that my life is a breeze compared to about 99% of the rest of the mothers in the world.
5. I have the best friends, best family, and best church community that i have ever known. From my Kansas friends who pray for me and call to check on me, to my family who has re-arranged their summer to help us, to my friends in houston who have shared more meals, and read more books to my kids and in general kept me from going crazy for 6 months - i am eternally grateful and hope to one day be as generous to you as you all have been to me.
6. I once felt a lot of pride that i should be able to do things on my own. i have mostly given up on that. i need people. i am relationally driven, lacking in organization, and am at my best when i am with others. so there it is. i need you people, and that's all i have to say about that.
7. i could probably count on 2 hands the number of times that i have cried in the past 5 years. but i can safely say that i have cried or started to cry about 4 times a day over the past 3 weeks. ridiculous. i have to drink twice as much water these days just to stay hydrated.
8. Putting aside all of my emotions and love for my houston family, i am actually curious and nervous and a little excited to see what this next year in arkansas will be. It feels like i am getting ready for a first date. maybe that is why i have scheduled a haircut for tomorrow when i should be packing. i feel like i want to be at my best when i go to live with my husband and meet my new home.
I was looking at this blog tonight, wanting to remember what it was that i write about usually, because i couldn't be interesting or witty to save my life right now, but as i was scrolling back i found this post that i wrote back in february as i was looking towards michael's traveling days.
I certainly did not know at the time that these "3 to 5 months" of traveling would result in me selling my house and moving to arkansas AFTER living apart from michael for nearly 6 months. I certainly did not know that when i wrote that post. Surely he never would have taken the assignment if we had known that. But tonight i am in awe from all that i have learned and experienced in this last half of a year.
for my benefit, and because i like lists, i shall now list some of the things that i have learned.
1. I am stronger, by God's grace alone, than i ever thought i was
2. I am a better mother now than i was 6 months ago.
3. I am keenly aware of my selfishness and pride and need for the Holy Spirit's intervention on my behalf - as all of my sins are ever before me these days.
As Leigh once said, "We are like a tube of toothpaste. We don't really know what's inside us until we get squeezed." Under pressure, i have not always liked what has come out over these past few months.
4. I don't have it bad at all. i sometimes complain because i like to talk, but i am constantly reminded by all that i see and hear and read that my life is a breeze compared to about 99% of the rest of the mothers in the world.
5. I have the best friends, best family, and best church community that i have ever known. From my Kansas friends who pray for me and call to check on me, to my family who has re-arranged their summer to help us, to my friends in houston who have shared more meals, and read more books to my kids and in general kept me from going crazy for 6 months - i am eternally grateful and hope to one day be as generous to you as you all have been to me.
6. I once felt a lot of pride that i should be able to do things on my own. i have mostly given up on that. i need people. i am relationally driven, lacking in organization, and am at my best when i am with others. so there it is. i need you people, and that's all i have to say about that.
7. i could probably count on 2 hands the number of times that i have cried in the past 5 years. but i can safely say that i have cried or started to cry about 4 times a day over the past 3 weeks. ridiculous. i have to drink twice as much water these days just to stay hydrated.
8. Putting aside all of my emotions and love for my houston family, i am actually curious and nervous and a little excited to see what this next year in arkansas will be. It feels like i am getting ready for a first date. maybe that is why i have scheduled a haircut for tomorrow when i should be packing. i feel like i want to be at my best when i go to live with my husband and meet my new home.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
What's Happening? Summer. vol. 2
(Ha. i found a post that i never put on the site from way back in june/july. it is stupid, but at least it is something to read.)
oh boy. the longer it takes to get to this website, the more overwhelming it all feels.
let's give it a shot.
here is what happens if you leave your crayons in the car for more than an hour in houston in June.
a visit to daddy's job site in arkansas - our future home
pretty cool stuff. worth moving for? how to answer that question?
frank has joined the "allergic to penicillin" club. he feels very proud of this. his reaction was so strong that even his eyes were a little burnt. he joins the club with his mama, poppe, benjamin, daisy, dan, and don. he thinks this is pretty cool.
photos that crack me up from our father's day picnic. it was hot and these daddies all love their boys, but somehow i was able to capture these photos that make them look like this.
benefit of going to VBS at First Presbyterian?
i'd say a free camel ride is pretty cool. thanks, dan, for the moral support.
two beautimous ladies. i love those bellies. can't wait to meet who is inside.
a site that is so common to me. LEGGOs have invaded our lives. how i wish to not step on them with bare feet ever again.
not a great picture. but i wanted to remember michael's birthday dinner at Doe's in arkansas. nothing brings in year 37 like a plate of beef and delicious fries.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)