Cricket's Thoughts

Halloween Antics and Stuff

Tuesday, October 31st, 2006

It did not start out looking like the best possible day for Halloween around here. The forecast called for thunderstorms.
Boy were they ever right!
The kids are never daunted by anything though, and they had Halloween in those moments when the rain let up for a bit.

All of my children have always been a bit of [...]

Dear Mr. Jesus

Sunday, October 29th, 2006

From the very first time I heard it a few years ago, this song has always brought me to tears instantly. With the video added to it though, it completely tears my heart to pieces. There just has to be a way to educate people. Can one person make a difference?
- Dear Mr. Jesus (video)
- [...]

Domainaholic Official Definition

Wednesday, August 16th, 2006

Hello, my name is Cricket and I may be a domainaholic.
I have no idea if there is an official definition for this addiction, but it must have something to do with buying more domains than you can ever possibly develop just because you might do something with them someday. Even when they come up for [...]

Watermelon Carnival Tradition

Sunday, August 6th, 2006

The Watermelon Carnival in Water Valley, Mississippi is the last major activity of the summer before school starts and one that my daughter Haley and I traditionally go to every year. It is one of my favorite mother daughter days that we have.
This year we were headed straight for the petting zoo because it has [...]

Cameras Can’t Lie

Friday, June 2nd, 2006

It is very rare that you will see me take part in controversial topics in groups or forums. This is not because I am not willing to take a stand for those things which I believe in, but rather that the online venue often resorts to name calling and flame wars, instead of productive debates [...]

Extended Tour of Hell

Thursday, May 11th, 2006

Dear Lord,
Okay, I am certain you are trying to teach me something here, but a hint or two on what I am supposed to be learning would sure be nice.
I know that sometimes I am not supposed to understand, but Lord, I am a pretty slow learner. If you could maybe just point me in [...]

Much Better Than This

Sunday, May 7th, 2006

In college I took an advanced writing class. I remember my first paper. It was like my first website. I thought it was so good! I had received straight a’s in every writing class I had ever taken, and I just knew she would gush about how wonderful it was.
Instead, in huge red letters, across [...]

Things That Drive Me Crazy

Monday, March 6th, 2006

Top 10 Things That Drive Me Crazy
When I have been waiting 20 minutes in a long line and a new register opens, but the cashier calls over people from the end of the line.
When I am looking for a specific item in Wal-Mart and finally give in and ask for help, only to have the [...]

Homeschool Not About Books

Monday, January 16th, 2006

Although structure is important, sometimes parents forget that homeschool is NOT just about books and supplies.
Sometimes in our excitement to homeschool, we replicate the very things that cause our children problems in school.
I know several families who homeschool on a shoestring budget.
One of my boys hated anything that LOOKED like learning. If it was in [...]

Homeschool Outside The Box

Monday, January 16th, 2006

I wanted to give another example of “thinking outside the box” when homeschooling.
As I mentioned in an earlier article, my son struggled with learning disabilities.
They labeled him dyslexic, and he never quite got past that. Six years into public school he had not learned to print or sign his name.
This had a tremendous impact on [...]

A Challenging Day

Thursday, December 15th, 2005

This morning, shortly after Haley was dropped off at school, the teachers were outside tracking down all of the band kids to bring them together into one room. They had to tell these kids that the school had just been notified that their band leader, at 41 years old had died suddenly of a massive [...]