1.

The mechanic fixed the van, but lost the key.  He had to tow it to a dealer to get the ignition reprogrammed, because we have those fancy electronic keys.  And so the repair shop didn’t actually start our vehicle after replacing the part.  Husband dear went to the dealership to pick up the van – and it’s still doing the same thing.  We’re keeping it over the weekend to see if the computer resets and also because I have a TON of errands that need to get done.  Been without a vehicle for 4 weeks, now.

2.

A friend recommended me to be interviewed about how the recession is affecting us.  Well, I got cut from my writing job, and husband dear’s hours were cut.  His income is 65% of what it was, and my little addition to our funds is gone.  Our grand plan was to find a second job after Allie was born, but that’s being held up because we don’t have a vehicle.

And yet, we have abundance.  We’ve discovered a new show that we all like to watch, and the whole family gets together at night.  It’s a pain when the kids eat all the fruit before I can hitch a ride to the store, but we’re eating even healthier, I think, or at least I am, because husband dear can’t stop off and buy me candy on the way home from work.

3.

Last year we used Story of the World for history, but we just got bogged down.  It’s a great book, but maybe not quite right for us.  Now I’m using This Country of Ours, along with CHC’s   It’s going much better, so far.

4.

They’re asking for volunteers to test the swine flu.

Some stats, BTW – 40,000 cases of swine flu, 263 deaths so far, and 95% of all influenza cases in July were swine flu.  Keep washing your hands and prepare for fall – remember how they closed the schools last spring?  Imagine what will happen if it spreads during the actual flu and cold season!  Experts are saying the H1N1 virus is more dangerous and replicates in the lungs.

Yeah, count me out of that clinical trial.

5.

Miss E is teaching Mr X knock knock jokes.  So far, he says “Knock knock” 40,000 times and laughs hysterically.

6.

Patriarchists driver me nuts.  Recently Doug Phillips and Vision Forum celebrated the Reformation 500, the 500th anniversary of Calvin’s birth.  Everyone dressed in period costumes of heroes of the Reformation, many from Foxes Book of Martyrs.  The costumes were gorgeous.

Anne Boleyn and Jane Grey are romanticized and idealized – but Mary Tudor ignored or villified.  And these are the same people who so publicly speak out about Sarah Palin and how unbiblical it is for her to run for Vice President.  Yeah, Anne Boleyn was  a misunderstood queen, a pillar of the Reformation who died for Christ (gag, revisionist history at its worst!) but Palin is defying God ordained roles by seeking a leadership position.

For the record, Anne Boleyn was a homewrecker who interfered in a 20 year marriage, finally got her way, then was surprised when her husband treated her just like he did his first wife.  That is, he cheated on her, trumped up charges, and then freed himself to marry again after her death.  (She did get the shaft at her trial.)

Like I said, they drive me NUTS!

7.

I got a job writing about homeschooling for a local online publication.  I have to post 4 times a week – help me out with story ideas!  What articles would you like to see, and what articles have you seen in every newsletter, magazine, and book?  I’m also looking for families that would be willing to have a quick interview (it can be through e-mail) about what a typical homeschool day looks like for them.  I think that would make a great running feature!

Tagged as: car repair, H1N1 vaccine, homeschool, interviews, knock knock jokes, swine flu, writing