ODE TO A GIRL SCOUT LEADER

Tune: Battle Hymn of the Republic

I was glad to have a daughter
Because my first child was a son
I thought of all the ruffles
All the frilly bows and fun
I thought of how we’d sit and talk
At night when day was done
Wasn’t I the foolish one?

She was only 1/2 past 7
When they called me to the fore
I said, “Oh no, I’m not equipped”
They said, “oh yes, what’s more
We will train you in the basics
And outfit you for the corps.”
And they shoved me out the door.

Glory, Glory, I’m a leader
How’d I get to be a leader
All I did was have a daughter
Is this the price I pay?

They taught me to be thrifty
To be thoughtful, to be true
They taught me to string beads
Like all the noble Indians do
I had to learn to dig a trench
And how to use it too
And you should taste our stew.

I had to learn to sing songs that
I didn’t understand
I learned to dance the polka
And to make a rhythm band
To think of what to do and to
Forget what I had planned
And they say that Scouting’s grand

Glory, Glory, I’m a leader
Me, they had to make a leader
I can’t even build a fire
Let alone put up a tent.

We went walking in the woodland
Just my Girl Scout troop and me
The handbook says that nature
Has a wealth of sights to see
It’s true that we were sights
When we were found eventually
And I do this all for free!

I’m not meant to be a leader
I don’t know which bird is which
My wiener forks all burn up
We come home from hikes and itch
The sit-upons all fell apart
I showed them the wrong stitch
But no one wants to switch!

Glory, Glory, I’m a leader
Someone’s got to be a leader
Tell me why I should be happy
When no one envies me.

But even though I grumble
And I mumble and I shout
And some days sit and wonder
What would be the best way out
I guess when all is said and done
There isn’t any doubt
I’m glad to be a Scout.

So if you see me packing
For those weekend over nights
With a lot of happy Scouts
Gathering tents and pots and lights
We’ll be back home when it’s over
Dirty, tired and covered with bites
But we’ve seen nature’s sights.

Glory, Glory, I’m a leader
Hallelujah, I’m a leader
They can carve it on my tombstone
“Here’s a gal who did her best.”

DD and I have been talking and have made a decision that we’ll be homeschooling come January.  She is happy thus far at school but I see her struggling and I want her to feel good about her progress.  She’s basically about 3 - 6 months behind developmentally.  Holding her back would be too far back and pushing her forward is making it very hard on her.  I’m going to take her out and work with her at her pace.  Hopefully she’ll catch up soon, but at least she’ll be making progress and feeling good about it the progress she’s making instead of feeling like she’s not doing well enough.  I’ve spent the past weekend ordering materials and getting my ducks in a row.  Yesterday we told her teacher.  It was so hard.  Teacher cried which made me cry too.   We have a long history (on excellent terms) and it’s hard to say good-bye.  We’ve been invited back in January for Chinese New Year and plan to come.  She’s also going to stick with it until the Winter Break because there are so many special events coming that i hate for her to miss.  Plus I need time to get it all together.

This is my favorite time of year.  We had our first night of Advent last night.  I love the time to be together as a family and light the candles.  What was really special to me this year is that DS has never fully participated.  He likes lighting the candles and will sit there while we sing but he doesn’t sing, read or pray.  This year he did of his own accord.  It was so special to hear him sing with us.  He has a wonderful voice.

Here’s a link to my Advent page that shares our celebration.

I am one sick puppy!  All I want to do lately is vacuum.  What is wrong with me?  My friend called and I was playing with the vacuum.  I kept trying to vacuum while talking.  She’s a true friend and she understood my “need to vacuum” and told me she would talk to me later.  I told my sister all about my new toy.  I told her when she comes over for Thanksgiving, “WE CAN VACUUM!”  LOL, she’s almost as excited as I am.  Now everyone wants to “borrow” my vacuum.  I went to take some neighbor girls home and was chatting with their dad.  I told him I bought a new vacuum and how excited I was with it.  He said he has a Dyson.  I laughingly said, “Oh so you understand!”  He laughed and said, “Yes, Have had it for 2 years and still love to vacuum with it.”

I told my husband I was going to INVEST in a good vacuum.  I came home with the vacuum of my dreams.  I’ve been drooling over it for about 6 weeks now.  Basically I’ve been sick since July when we bought a new kitten.  I thought at first it was something blooming.  It soon became obvious it was the kitten.  As much as I don’t want to admit to it that’s my problem.  I’m too attached now to give her up so began battling the allergins.  Dust is as big or more of a culprit as the kitten.  My old vacuum blew out half of what it sucked up and so I was more miserable after vacuuming than before I began.  It got to the place where I wore a mask and goggles when I vacuumed and ran a big air filter too.  It wasn’t doing the trick.  Thus began my search.  I looked and looked and began drooling over the Dyson Absolute Animal DC17.  I had decided that was the vacuum to answer all of my problems.   It had super suction to get the dirt and dander out of carpets and furniture.  It has one of the highest ratings on emissions.  The only issue was the cost.  I checked with consumer reports and they basically rated another vacuum just as good but it was $200 less.  Okay, I made up my mind to go and check that one out.  It was a Kenmore.  So I went to Sears with my mind pretty much set on the Kenmore.  I found the model and told the sales woman about my search and decision.  She listened intently and then said she had more info to add to what consumer reports shared.  Yes, the Kenmore does just as well when it’s pulled out of the box.  But when the bag fills, you lose suction.  You have to buy bags and filters which add up over time.  With the Dyson you do not have to buy ANYTHING else.  The Dyson has a 5 year warranty and the service is rated highly as well.  (Apparently Sears doesn’t have the same ratings in service.)  Well, I went with what I originally wanted.  DH had heart failure when I told him what I paid.  But I am already feeling tons better.  The air smells better and there’s less dust around.  I am thrilled.  I’m also amazed at what it sucks out of the carpeting.  Incredible.  I vacuumed my great room carpet and had to empty the cylinder three times.  Not because the cylinder is small, but because the the amount of YUCK it took out of my carpets.  I’m not coughing and congested.  It’s WONDERFUL!

My New Toy!

I stayed up late last night watching the results of this election with baited breath. I was thrilled to see the interest my 11 year old had as well (even though we were on different sides of the ballot). He was up until 11 when I made him go to bed. I was very touched by the speech given by McCain. I was a bit discouraged by some of the politics used in his campaigns, but he gave a very classy and respectfully redeeming speech last night. “I hold in my heart nothing but love for this country and for all it’s citizens. Weather they supported me or Senator Obama, weather they supported me or Senator Obama, I wish God speed to the man who was my former opponent and will be my president.” I appreciate Obama’s comment that “we are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader (McCain).” I am saddened by the fact that Obama’s grandmother was unable to see her grandson elected as our next president. I am happy she was able to vote and that her vote counted. How bitter sweet!I was proud of both candidates last night and proud of my country. I am hopeful for some much needed change but also know that it will not happen over night and that we have a long way to go to heal. I pray for our country and our leaders. God bless America!