Good morning, Readers!
It's a rare, Saturday morning post from the Lamp Post this weekend.
Eloise is experiencing some computer problems.
There is not problem that exists
where a solution cannot be found.
Time to call in Jerry--my computer guy.
He's built and maintained computers for my family
and extended family for the last 15 years.
After my computer was taking a full minute to load each photo,
I knew it was time to give my girl a new brain.
The problem was larger than something I could solve myself
with a virus scan and defrag.
I got my new speedy-fast two-brained system yesterday--
but I can't get it to boot.
Meanwhile I'll post from my parents' house--
my sub writing station next door which I have named
The Flame.
LOST fans will recall that The Flame
was also a Dharma Station like the Lamp Post.
Photos of summer
are still photos of summer,
no matter where the posting location is.
We had high hopes for a sunny and warm
start to summer after coming off a picture perfect Memorial Day weekend.
Nice weather is very important to Erieites.
We never waste a nice day.
But sometimes your high hopes are dashed,
as in baseball games.
You can come off the mound with lots of perfect pitches,
with a nice lead
and full of hope.
Then, when it's your turn to bat at the end of the game,
with bases loaded and a chance to be the hero
you strike out swinging,
and are left thinking about the
could've
would've
should'evs.
We awoke to temps in the 40's the first week of summer vay-cay!
We set our beach plans aside for a day or two,
and did jobs that had to be done around the house instead--
like matching up socks
(74 pairs found!)
and picking up dog poop in the yard.
Big, black labs have big poop.
With all the extra kids around I wanted to make sure I had every last pile
scooped and shoveled--
especially the last fresh one that I stepped backwards into.
Life is like that sometimes.
Proof there is always some sugar sprinkled on your serving of $h!t--
I finally found my lost owl earring I've been looking for!
Summer vacation is a time to get caught up on some projects.
This was Ellen Louise's handiwork this week.
June is also the time for celebrations for year endings.
We are happy that the girls had another excellent year at Keri's Dance Studio.
With the freedom of summer, though,
comes the annual posting of
The Lamp Post Summer Rules.
Eloise is not a killjoy.
We just creatively employ a few simple rules
every summer season to make sure our household stays running smoothly.
With so much freedom,
bad habits can form and everyone needs discipline--
children and adults alike.
In my experience, I've found lots of people confuse the word
discipline
with
punishment.
Discipline is a key term in Buddhism,
in Christianity,
and from the late, great Mohammed Ali.
They are different and should not be used interchangeably.
We try to teach our kids--
our own offspring as well as our students,
that it's the every day skills and habits that add up.
Doing your homework every night,
and reading consistently for 15 minutes
does much more good over time than cramming for a test,
but studying vocabulary packets.
The same school of thought applies to Lamp Post upkeep.
Our children,
now ages 9, 18, and
ALMOST 16
are really pretty good.
The consistency of teaching them discipline throughout the years has paid off.
They make their beds,
unload the groceries,
put away their laundry,
and clean up after themselves without being asked to
(most of the time).
We don't need the posted rules and rewards as much as we used to.
Mother Eloise cannot be too free and easy, though.
This summer I'm turning to Daughter #1, Natalie
for guidance and reminders for
the Lamp Post Summer Rules 2016.
This came home from school in Natalie's book bag.
We can learn a lot from lessons from the Autism classroom!
I like this format because it presents common problems,
yet gives a few solutions to each stressful situation.
Rule #1
Sassing parents and backtalk are not permitted at the Lamp Post,
so infractions of Rule #2 will result in punishment--
usually solitary confinement
or loss of privileges
if one of the three solutions is not employed.
Rule #3--
Table etiquette is the same at the picnic table as it is at the dining room table.
Rule #4
(SAM!!!!)
Rule #5--
respectful being the operative word,
and eye rolling, sighing, and tsking counts as observable signs of disrespect.
Rule #6--
(Ellen, it's ok to call someone once in awhile--
you don't always have to post or text).
I suppose we should add
THINK BEFORE YOU POST, as well.
Rule #7 for the most impatient person in the house:
LOUIE!
Rule #8--my personal favorite,
which will be posted in all Lamp Post bathrooms:
Here's a rule everyone needs to follow:
Lesson for the Weekend:
We can all serve in some way.
Do your part, Readers,
and enjoy yourself while you're at it.
ELOISE
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