Things That Keep Me Up at Night

A radio talk show host I listen to is going to start addressing what keeps him up at night. This got me thinking (smell the rubber?), what keeps me up at night. Some of the things I thought of, by the way, are not necessarily negative. It's just that when I get to thinking, I often find it hard to shut down the "factory" for the night.

• Writing Stuff. Storylines, ideas, what-do-I-do-next, etc. It can help me go to sleep, but if I get very excited and have a lot of them swimming round the brain, I have contrived to murder my sleep after all.
• Things I have to do. Usually things I don't want to do, either, or things that are complicated and need a bunch of figuring out. Logistics, that sort of nonsense.
• Finances, moving, job situation, et. al. - They are all kissing cousins, in my book (well, the moving doesn't mean much to the finances, but a new job might). It all seems so much out of my control that it is really senseless to worry about it, but I do.
• Noises and "bumps" in the night. - This is 99% when hubby is out of town and I am very much alone (kids don't count, they're sleeping) in our dark house. Once I had a nightmare about someone standing over me while I was in bed - and it seemed real. So, I relive this many times over when DH isn't around.
• People problems. - Have I offended? Am I offended? If I have to be with someone the next day, and I am in the "outs" with them (or vice versa), this really keeps me tossing and turning. I do not like confrontations and always seem to come out the worse for wear with them.
• Pain, heat, cold, sickness. Allergies, back pain, weather too hot, weather too cold, sinus infection, stomach unpleasantness all are the worst culprits at keeping me up at night. My brain doesn't even come close second!

Panic Button

Nope, I'm not pushing it. California homeschoolers everywhere are running like headless chickens over the hype and overexaggered headlines of a family who were abusing their family and, yes (Bad apples in a general good barrel), homeschooling. A judge supposedly claimed that it was illegal to teach children in California without being certified. Thus...the panic.

There are some things to remember:

1. This is still a new ruling, not justified, and certainly not legislated. California and its justices have been very friendly homeschoolers in the past One little ruling (specific to the heinous parents of this hapless family), isn't going to change things overnight.
2. There are several organizations and legal groups that help homeschoolers who are hyper-alert to the situation. They are on top of it and when they worry, THEN I'll worry. Right now, they say, hold tight.
3. This was reported in the news. The media is not generally known for publishing things in a a moderate, calm light. It gets more readers/watchers/listeners by hyperbole and exaggeration. Never consider the media a primary source...and then find the primary source and ask them.

So, I haven't lost any sleep over this "issue" yet. When I do, then you'll hear me. Until then, chill.

The Pet Dilemma

OK...it could be the Pet Problem, but I don't feel exactly alliteratory today.

We had two goldfish, lovely fantails, that actually lived 2-3 years: Our Official Pets. But then, last year, we decided to move to Texas and I figured the fishies wouldn't live through the journey - so I gave them away. By the way, I gave away my houseplants, too, but no one seemed so broken-up about them (minus moi).

Then...we didn't move. Now, the kids are itching for another pet. And we are currently undergoing the family struggle of "what to get" vs. "What will Mom tolerate." It has yet to sink in that I have the final say since I will be that poor creature's only hope for survival.

Here's the breakdown on the pet "stats" so far:

• Dogs - NOPE. We live in a mobile home on a tiny lot, which is really no good for dogs, not fair to 'em. Besides, I am smell-sensitive and don't want one in the house (which is park rules). And the smaller they are, the yippier they are - ugh.
• Cats - NOPE. Majorly allergic. Life-and-death sort of thing. You understand.
• Other Mammals - NOPE. Smell issue again. Number One Son wants a rat (after reading Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH), but the thought of rodents running loose makes me a little creepy. Other thing: noise. Guinea pigs whistle annoyingly and hamsters decide to do aerobics at 3 a.m.
• Birds - NOPE. DH doesn't want them. Besides, you have them on one end of the house, and end up with bird seed all the way on the other. How do they do that?
• Fish - Undecided. We've done it, somehow successfully. Still...it would mean a new tank and equipment and breaking in new fish, which would mean some unfortunate sacrfices in order to establish biological and bacterial "balance" to the fishy world. Do we really want to do that?
• Tarantulas - ABSOLUTELY NOT. DH is pathologically terrified of spiders. It's not some freaky saw-a-scary-movie type of phobia, either. He once bicycled through a swarm of 1000's of 'em on a Uruguayan country road, with bit and pieces of 'em flying up at him. Unless I intend to institutionalize my husband, this is not an option.
• Snakes - NOPE. Nothing against them, I actually think they're cool - within my parameters. But, see, they have a habit of escaping and ending up in the least desirable places, one of which may be under the covers of the foot of my bed on a cold night when I want to put my feet there. I don't share my bed with anyone but my husband. Period.
• Other Reptiles - Up for debate. Things to consider - No feeding living things to living things (in other words, I am not storing crickets, maggots or mealworms purposely in my house), nothing that needs an extravagant (read: expensive) environment. Can't we just enjoy the lizards out in the garden?

If anyone has any other brilliant ideas...let me know. I tried to convince the kids that plants make good pets, but they're not buying it. Also, they won't consider me as a type of pet, either - I guess I should be grateful for that. And no, the standard pet rock doesn't cut the mustard.

Luckily, the jury is still out, pending the return of DH from his business trip. It buys me time and leaves my wallet a little fatter, if only for a moment.

This is Me!

Just what the world needs...more exposition by heedless neophytic writers! Still, here I am, as if my voice had any justification in existence.
I am a homeschooling LDS mom of two (one marvelously sweet boy, one incredibly charismatic girl), I am moved by flowers and green-growing things (I am no longer a theoretical gardener, I have four four-by-four boxes!), love a story with a GOOD plot (actually, I DIE for a GOOD plot), dabble in writing (Don't go there - I'm not ready to spill the beans), and generally enjoy being creative.
My husband speaks FIVE languages (anybody have a good job for him?), and has to put up with super-intelligent kids (okay, bias), and a highly-opinionated wife (fact). I apparently also love ellipses....LOLOLOLOL.
Our family believes in duty to God and to our country. My hubby served the Lord for two years in Uruguay, and I had 18 wonderful months of opportunity in Massachusetts. Both of us have family histories of service to our country, with his brother currently serving in the Navy.
Well, you'll be hearing enough from me in the days to come.
Give me a chance.
Maybe, I'll surprise you.