I like Jen‘s idea of “7 Quick Takes Friday”–essentially, a casual post about those random things (say, 7 random things!) that have been floating around in your head but that are not the stuff of a full post. I decided to kick off Friday on my new blog by trying it out!
— 1 —
Why you should not catastrophize (not a real word, I know, but it should be!) whatever unpleasant situation you’re going through: this week, I was thinking to myself, “Man, I am so stressed out! There are so many crazy things going on right now, and I have so little time to deal with all of them! The only thing that could make my life crazier right now is some out-of-the-blue crazy incident, like getting jury duty.”
Guess what showed up in the mail yesterday? Yes, in a heinous example of self-fulfilling prophecy, I was summoned for federal jury duty.
YOU. HAVE. GOT. TO. BE. KIDDING. ME.
Of course, I will be out of the country the entire time of the proposed jury duty. So, now, my existing TOVUP (Tower Of Very Unpleasant Paperwork) has a new addition: writing letters and gathering evidence to excuse myself from jury duty.
Note to self: do not, I repeat do not, start thinking, “You know, the only other crazy thing that could happen right now is a car accident!”
— 2 —
I’m trying to select homeschool curriculum for our children. While this decision is not particularly pressing because of their young ages, I’d love to hear suggestions from those who have been there, done that. So do any homeschoolers of internationally adopted children out there have curriculum advice? Anything particularly helpful (or not helpful) for you? Curriculum need not be Christian in nature.
— 3 —
Has anyone successfully used Skype in Ethiopia? Thoughts? Suggestions?
— 4 —
My husband and I just had a conversation about the proper way to use this. Seriously.
(Open and close your mouth awkwardly like a gasping fish? Or nod your head vigorously like a bobble-head doll?)
Not that we own one. In fact, I can’t believe that anyone even buys these! How on earth could these work?! I’d rather spend my money on a ShamWow (although I won’t, thanks), but at least that probably does something!
Note to the Neckline Slimmer:ย I am not convinced by your before and after pictures.
— 5 —
I’m over halfway through the book, Playful Parenting, and I really like it. Excellent tips for how to deal with rowdy children, children overly interested in violent play, standoffish children, etc. Love the fact that there are actual, concrete ideas in here that people can immediately use.
I would encourage any parent, adoptive or otherwise, to check it out–especially if you’re the type of parent who wants to get down on the floor and play with your kids but is sometimes befuddled by exactly what you’re supposed to be doing down there on the floor!
— 6 —
My mastery of the Amharic language (the main language of Ethiopia) has now expanded from a handful of words to two handfuls. Gobez! Progress continues slowly but surely.
— 7 —
I am about to start painting my bedroom. In a strange coincidence, I noticed that both of the paint colors I’ve picked out (ceiling and floor) have sky-related names. Still weirder: both sky-related names are not happy-sunshiny sky-related. More like ambiguously-negative-and-possibly-threatening sky-related.
My ceiling will be “Pensive Sky.” That one’s not so bad. “Pensive” suggests a certain kind of melancholy but nothing too dreadful. Maybe a lazy, oversleeping kind of melancholy.
But the wall color name? ย “Dark Storm Cloud.” Yikes. I will be sleeping in the middle of a dark storm cloud for the next few years. I feel like I am tempting fate (jury summons style!) with this paint color name, but I just have to hope that the paint name is not some kind of self-fulfilling prophecy!
(On a related note, who selects these paint names, anyway?! “Dark storm cloud” reminds me of a Biblical plague! What’s next? “Rapacious Locust Green”? “Unhealed Boils Pink”?! Ewww…)
Kimberly,
If it makes you feel better, I think I have used Pensive Sky. And I love storms. I am imagining one of those rolling, much needed, refreshing thunderstorms. Better? And thanks for the book recommend – I will totally check that out.
Hi, Erin! Glad to know I’m not alone on picking awkwardly named paint colors! ๐ Actually, our whole downstairs is Pensive Sky, and I liked it so much I decided to use the leftovers on our bedroom ceiling. But then when I realized I’d picked “Dark Storm Cloud” for the bedroom wall color, it was just too much! However, I like your idea of focusing on the refreshing, life-giving aspects of it. Significantly less creepy that way!
And I’ll be interested to know what you think about that book! Definitely report back and let me know how you liked it. =)
Love the blog and i’ve always wanted to be a namer of paint and crayons…
Purple People Eater (Purple)
Light at the end of the tunnel (white)
Tuna Surprise (Gray with green flecks)…
Okay, I’m still working on it ๐
Hehe…”Tuna Surprise,” Harmony?! ๐ If you were going to go for food-related paint names, I would’ve assumed you’d go for something cheesecake-related! Although I confess that I kind of like “Light at the end of the Tunnel.” Maybe that’s what I need to counteract my “Dark Storm Cloud”?!
Oh, and I need to get some dessert recipes to you. When’s the latest you need them?
You’re language will grow a lot faster once you are in country. I have used Skype in a number of remote countries. It should not be a problem as long as you have Internet access.
Hi, Elizabeth! Thanks for stopping by. I’ve never tried Skype before, so I need to give it a trial run in the U.S. before we head over to Ethiopia. I’m hoping the Skype learning curve isn’t terribly steep, as I don’t even use text messaging on my phone! =) But it’s good to know that it seems to work well, even in remote places.
Just read on your blog a bit. I’m always fascinated by stories like yours (and Jen’s) of converting to Christianity after life-long atheism. It’s amazing how the Lord works, eh?! Looking forward to reading part 2 of your conversation experience when you post it.
Best to you!