Thursday, February 28, 2008

How to get rid of your discipline problems

Not at home. I haven't figured that out yet. I did learn quite recently that if you make some people mad enough, they'll just go away. Mind you it can be really annoying while they're actually leaving, but if you suggest that someone's child is less than perfect and that perhaps discipline might be warranted within a Scout troop instead of the "boys will be boys" attitude, you might just get rid of the majority of your discipline problems.

They angrily tossed in their letters of resignation and declared that the troop would cease to exist without them. Funny just how much they underestimated the group that was left behind. We got custody of the bank account, the summer camp reservations, the troop flags, the majority of the useful equipment and pretty much everyone above the rank of Second Class. We also got to keep the newest scouts and the only OA members who hadn't aged out of the troop.

They also forgot that the new Scoutmaster was a Scoutmaster when they were kids and knows everyone of any importance in the District -- and has the total respect of District and Council executives. Those nasty emails the former leadership (and I use that word very loosely) sent to all and sundry have come back to bite them in the butt and will continue to do so for some time.

Wish I could claim I did it all myself. My major contribution has been in helping craft some very helpfully unhelpful emails to the former leadership. And adding many people to the bcc list so they can see the petty namecalling coming from them and the civil and rational emails coming from the new scoutmaster. Attaching BSA official forms and including links to BSA policy which makes the other group look ignorant, at best, is a source of entertainment as well.

I'm really not the person you want to mess with. I don't generally curse and I try really hard not to raise my voice, but I play mind games with the best. My daddy would be proud.

Friday, February 15, 2008

Happy Valentine's Day

We celebrated St. Valentine's day at our homeschool co-op on Thursday. At lunch, the kids went around the hall passing out valentine cards and candies. After several such deliveries to my table, I received my very favorite valentine of the day.

A tiny child approached me with a sticky, crumb-covered lollipop in her hand. She wished me a happy Valentine's day as she handed it over. Her generosity was touching. Her mother's horror, melting into helpless laughter -- priceless.

I wish I'd saved it so I could share a photo.

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

08/08/08

I'd heard that there might be a lot of people choosing that date for their weddings. I don't know about that, but I do know about one.

I'm going to be a Mother-in-Law

To a young woman I've known for almost 15 years. She consented to marry my middle son some time back and they have FINALLY set a date.

Yes, I am very happy about the upcoming nuptials.