My choice, His life: Godly by Choice-Part 4 in a discussion on Biblical Womanhood

This article is so much better than I worded it when trying to convince a young Christian woman, who is a friend of mine, that I really DID make a choice to live my life the way it is. Please read, and skim through this lovely lady's other articles. Knowing that old fashioned ladies still exist in the world gives me hope to carry on being who I was made to be.
My choice, His life: Godly by Choice-Part 4 in a discussion on Biblical Womanhood

Committing to Study

Part of my commitment to growing to be more of the lady that I've been designed to be has been to think more on lovely thoughts, good thoughts, wholesome thoughts. And part of that is spending more time in the Word.

I thought that it might be nice to share some of these things that I am studying, so I created another Blogspot account, called Thinking On These Things. Obviously, this title comes from the line in Paul's letter the the Philippians about which things to meditate on (Philippians 4:4), including things that are true, noble, just and lovely. I hope to continue in this study, and hope also that maybe someone might find something good to think about because of what I've written.

Menus for Moms

One of my "commitments to lovliness" as an old fashioned lady, was and still is to become better about meal planning and creating. I have recently been making use of Menus 4 Moms, and their easy 5 day dinner menus and shopping lists to help me. I wanted to pass this information along, because I find that when one is learning anything, it is always best to follow the example of someone who has gone before.

"Pressure and the Ticking Clock..."

If you have any thoughts about the delaying of marriage and childbirth, please read these thoughts from Merry Rose's blog today. I only wish that we could find a way to help young women and men realize that there are certain things that science and modern medicine cannot change. A Merry Rose: Blooming as Keeper of My Home

Fashion Meme

Here is a meme that I found this afternoon at Charming the Birds...! I hope that you enjoy it and consider filling it out!

A: What accessories do you wear everyday? my wedding ring, my anniversary and mother's day bracelet, and a head band, head scarf, or toque

B: What is your beauty routine? washing my face and brushing my hair. I try to remember to use moisterizer, but usually forget.

C: What was the last item of clothing (for yourself) that you purchased? I bought a few long skirts that I can wear casually - at home or shopping - and a few long sweaters that come down over my rearend if I'm wearing pants. (new thing)

D: Do you use a dresser, closet, or both? dresser for my intimates, pjs, shirts and pants, and a few sweaters, and then the closet for everything else

E: What type of earrings are in your ears right now? I rarely wear them anymore.

F: What type of figure do you have? medium tall, broad on top and narrow on the bottom, generally slender, but not skinny at all (I'm a 10-12)

G: Do you wear glasses? I wear contacts, but I am thinking of switching back to glasses.

H: What type of handbag do you carry? a prettily multicoloured stitched back that my father in law brought back from India, unfortunately big enough to hold lots of stuff

I: What is your ideal style? I love the East Indian ladies' clothes, especially salwar kameez

J: What jewelry are you wearing right now? Just my wedding band and engagement ring

K: Do you wear knee-hi stockings? no

L: Do you *have* to wear matching lingerie? no, my bra size is unique, and I have trouble finding cute little matching sets

M: Do you wear makeup? If yes, what products do you use? I use a clean make up base, black or dark brown mascara and liner, and some sort of chap stick or lip gloss

N: Do you wear nightgowns? I have one for winter, and one slinky one, but I would like to have more for different seasons, and that would be okay to wear in front of my children

O: What outerwear do you put on when going out on a typical winters day? I wear my coat, a scarf, a hat of some kind, and gloves. I try to match everything, since the coat is just black.

P: What is your favorite perfume? I haven't worn any in so long, I forget.

Q: Is your motto "quality over quantity" when it comes to clothing and accessories? Absolutely. I'd rather be able to wear something more than once, and have it be timeless enough to wear more than just one season.

R: Do you wear rain boots? No

S: Do you wear socks or slippers when your feet get cold? it depends on what I grab when I get up in the morning.

T: Do you have a set of travel luggage? I still have my matching luggage that my Aunt gave me when I graduated from high school, but as a family, we use the newer set that my husband bought a few years ago.

U: What is your daily uniform? A long skirt and sweater, or a nice looking top. I've gotten rid of most of my t-shirts.

V: If you are married, did you wear a veil with your wedding dress? If not, how did you do your hair? I wore a sweet white hat that my sister decorated with silk white flowers and a veil that could be pulled over the front or fall in the back.

W: Do you wear a watch? sometimes

X: What item of clothing always makes you feel eXtremely beautiful? my flowy material skirt and top that looks almost East Indian

Y: What is your favorite type of yarn? whatever the kids like

Z: Do you prefer zippers or buttons? Buttons do seem classy, somehow, but I prefer zippers for the little ones.

Let Boys Be Boys

I read an interesting article, 'Stop feminising our schools - our boys are suffering', by Jill Parkin, in the Daily Mail. In this article, the author points out the problems in our "enlightened" Western world relating to the sameness and difference between boys and girls. It seems so obvious to those of us who were raised knowing that boys are boys and girls are girls, and even if our eternal souls are sexless, there certainly is something different about the makeup of male and female humans, physically and mentally.

The simple truth is that by the time our boys have done 12 or even 14 years in the feminised environment of today's schools, they all ask: "What's the point?"

If boys are not getting into university, or not applying in the first place, it's because they've been turned off learning. They've been given a message that it's not for them.

And that's a tragedy for all of us. For I don't want my daughters growing up in a society full of alienated young men and I don't want to live in a society which suffocates all the good aspects of masculinity. Yet that's exactly what is happening in our schools.

Now, she doesn't give any "hard evidence" or documented statistics, but let's say that the author does speak from authority: she makes some pretty good arguments. Read on...

What boys are made of is this: tremendous data banks that can recall years of FA Cup ties in minute detail; lashings of testosterone that needs constant burning off on a sports field; and a hideous competitive streak almost as vital to them as lifeblood itself.

Harnessed in the right way, these raw ingredients can help boys make the most of their education. But far too many of today's schools try to stifle these instincts in favour of a feminised curriculum that benefits girls in almost every single regard.

The problems start in the classroom. Instead of the make-or-break sprint to the exam deadline, boys have to endure stultifying coursework.

This system of continuous assessment means that anyone who can call up Google on a computer can cut and paste answers from the internet at home. Girls, with their more patient approach to learning, thrive under such a system.

But where's the excitement and challenge for boys? Exams used to be a chance for them to show off and think on their feet. Not any more. No wonder all too many of them fall by the wayside, and are opting out of the chance to go to university.

To put it bluntly, boys now find education boring.

Well, she makes good observations, and good arguments. We should want our boys to be more like men. I can see from just watching my two boys and girls at home, the truth to the statements above. Sure, girls like a good challenge too, and some even excel at sciences and maths; I know boys who do prefer to stay around home and practice cooking and quiet living - but in the wide picture of boys and girls in general, can you see the definitions and expectations fitting a set of rules, of a sort?

For example, a disruptive boy in my son's primary class was impossible to deal with until the day his exasperated male teacher challenged him to an arm-wrestling match (yes, it's probably a sackable offence).

The boy lost, took it with good grace and became considerably better behaved. There was a male code at work that he recognised.

The same teacher also knew when playground fights were serious and when they should just be allowed to run their course. The women teachers, wanting a tidy playground, always stopped them.

Such macho attention-grabbing needs to be harnessed, not ignored. Boys need sports, they need exams, competition and recognition.

There are solutions. Men are men, and women are women. I agree with the author when she sums up by saying, "It ought to go without saying that boys and girls are different. But today's schools are denying this basic biology."

What can I, as a Mom do? I've got to remember that old episode of "Leave It To Beaver," where poor Mrs. Cleaver tried so hard to stop the boys' fighting, making them miserable, until wise old Mr. Cleaver stepped back in and showed her how her experiment failed. Boys must be left to fight and squabble and learn things in their own way - usually by getting hurt, burning something or taking something apart, much to the feminine logic's chagrin. But in the long run, they will be powerful men who enjoy a challenge, who stand up tall and lead our society.

How can we be ladies unless there are gentlemen? Gentlemen are not pansies who sit in the parlor and discuss poetry. Even if they are pacifists who abhor war, gentlemen still stand strong for what they believe in, and will fight to protect others - IF they have been taught that everyone is NOT actually created equal in all ways. Sometimes there is a winner, and sometimes there is a loser. That's the way life is, even for a lady.

Other articles by Jill Parkin on the Daily Mail