She also made a special homemade apple shampoo and hair rinse, a facial mask and a complete lunch. (I won’t even mention all the creative and delicious dishes.) I’ve never felt so pampered and relaxed! Even Kurt looked a little jealous, but Rosalyn told him he’d have to talk Chad into giving him a massage if he wanted one. :)
I tell you, no one has ever been so kind to me or demonstrated such Christ-like service as my friend Rosalyn. She brought a whole new meaning to the idea of “washing the disciples’ feet.”
I know I’ve embarrassed you no end, Ros dear, but I had to give you a public THANK YOU!
Love,
Connie
* * *
From:
Zelia Muzuwa
To:
“Green Eggs and Ham”
Subject:
Rosalyn
* * *
Sheesh! just when you think it’s safe to dislike a girl, she up and does something sweet. Now I feel guilty. GRRRR!
Z
* * *
From:
Brenna L.
To:
“Green Eggs and Ham”
Subject:
Re: Rosalyn
* * *
Don’t worry, Z, a few more of her Monday topics should cure you….
Brenna
* * *
From:
VIM
To:
Rosalyn Ebberly
Subject:
Need craft ideas!
* * *
Ros honey, I am in dire need of some assistance. Mama and Daddy said they wanted some crafts from the kiddos to put up around their house. Problem is, I don’t have a clue about kids’ crafts! It’s not exactly something I learned in my mar keting classes! LOL! I asked Mama and Daddy what sort of things Y’ALL’S kids made for them, but they said they didn’t really remember, since they don’t make no never mind about what you send them. I bet you probably have TONS of gooder’n grits ideas, though, so might could you share some with your baby sister? There ya go!
Thanks a bunch!
Ronnie
* * *
From:
Rosalyn Ebberly
To:
SAHM I Am
Subject:
[SAHM I Am] TOTW September 27: Autumn Activities for Children
* * *
Nurturing Ones,
This week we turn our attention to autumn crafts and activities to do with our dear little munchkins. I strongly urge you all to attempt something of this sort, no matter how young your children are, because it is in special shared experiences that lifelong memories of love and security are built.
I have heard many mothers say, “But craft projects are just so messy!” This is true. I started doing crafts with Suzannah when she was only eight months old—finger painting, sand pictures, and so on. And when I was finished, the kitchen was a disaster. However, there are ways to contain the project—messy mats, trays, etc.—that will make cleanup a cinch. And by doing activities such as these, you help improve the child’s fine motor skills, sensory development and artistic awareness. Because of their early exposure to crafts, my children are now able to do quite advanced projects that are nice enough to use as Christmas gifts for grandparents and friends.
One of the crafts my children enjoy most is making our own paper. I’ve attached a simple fifteen-step process for it. The best part is that you can teach your children the importance of recycling while at the same time allowing them to experience this ancient art form on their own.
To keep it autumn-themed, we go for a walk and collect leaves and fall flowers to add to the paper pulp. This year, the children’s papers turned out so beautiful that we were able to sell them in a local boutique shop. The kids have so far earned nearly $30 and are churning out more lovely sheets of paper every day with quite an entrepreneurial enthusiasm.
I’m sure you are all wondering what my little darlings are planning to do with their newly earned money. We let them make the decision themselves. Suzannah snuggled on my lap last night to tell me. “Mommy,” she said, “Jefferson and I talked it over. We didn’t want to spend our money on toys or clothes or candy. We just want to help poor people. And we were thinking—most poor people can’t afford to buy good food like we have. So we want to go grocery shopping and buy food for the food bank. Would that be okay with you?”
Is that amazing, or what? :) How many of you have children who would be so sweetly unselfish? I am SO blessed!
Share the joy,
Rosalyn Ebberly
SAHM I AM Loop Moderator
“She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.”
Proverbs 31:27 (NASB)
* * *
From:
Zelia Muzuwa
To:
SAHM I Am
Subject:
Re: [SAHM I Am] TOTW September 27: Autumn Activities for Children
* * *
Hey Rosalyn,
That is SO cute about your kids! And selling paper in a boutique—how adorable! It reminds me of a few years ago when Seamus and Cosette made their own paper. A local children’s book author/illustrator bought their paper to use in her next book. Maybe you’ve heard of it—Sensing the Seasons, written and illustrated by Gillian Michaels. It won a Caldecott Medal last year, and was one of the bestselling picture books of the decade. Gillian paid my kids a small percentage of her royalties, so we’re socking it away for college—Griffith included.
Gillian has become a family friend now. In fact, Seamus gave her the idea for a new picture book. It’s the story of Tristan’s family growing up in Zimbabwe and moving to England. Gillian is going to use my children as the models. They are SO excited! But the most touching part was when Seamus suggested that maybe the money from this book could help all the children in Africa who are dying of AIDS. Gillian was so moved by his concern that she talked to her publisher, and they decided to market the book especially as a fund-raiser for various relief organizations in Africa that help AIDS victims. All because of my sweet little Seamus!
Anyway, my children are a little beyond paper-making now. Cosette, at 4 1/2, is very interested in pottery. So I am including instructions for making a child-size pottery wheel and a simple, beginner-level project for making a water pitcher using an inlaid glass technique. I’ve also included a photo of Cosette’s finished pitcher as a guide. We’re considering letting her enter it in a children’s art competition, only we’re concerned we may have a hard time convincing the judges that a 4-year-old did it herself.
Again, Rosalyn, thank you so much for sharing the cute little craft project your kids are working on. As an artist, I think it’s such a great starting effort.
Adoringly,
Z
* * *
From:
Dulcie Huckleberry
To:
Zelia Muzuwa
Subject:
Tell me you’re kidding!
* * *
Did your kids REALLY make the paper background in Sensing the Seasons? I LOVE that book! I LOVE Gillian Michaels’s art! If you made all that up just to thumb your nose at Rosalyn, tell me now so I can get over the disappointment.
And I’m almost SURE Cosette didn’t make that pitcher herself. Come on, inlaid glass? It’s beautiful—is it one of yours?
Dulcie (who, by the way, thought your e-mail was absolutely brilliant)
* * *
From:
Zelia Muzuwa
To:
Dulcie Huckleberry
Subject:
I confess…
* * *
…I did slightly exaggerate about the pitcher. Cosette helped me with the first part of throwing it. We had to form a c
ylinder and then roll it in the glass pieces, and I didn’t let her help with it after that until it was fired and we painted it. I didn’t want her to get cut. There is an art competition, though, called “Mommy and Me”—should be fairly self-explanatory. We’re thinking about entering it in that.
But the part about Gillian Michaels was NOT made up! :) You want me to have her autograph a copy of Sensing for you? I just never mentioned any of that before because I don’t like to seem like I’m name dropping, and I usually don’t like bragging, either. But, good grief, SOMEBODY had to do something, and this was a topic I could do it with. Wonder what she’ll say?
Z
* * *
From:
Rosalyn Ebberly
To:
Zelia Muzuwa
Subject:
Re: [SAHM I Am] TOTW September 27: Autumn Activities for Children
* * *
Dearest Zelia,
I wanted to write to you privately regarding your post. I talked to Connie, and, after an extensive time of prayer, we both agreed it was probably a good idea to mention a couple of things to you. This is all in love, so don’t be hurt. Sometimes, as Christians we are called to confront. And “as iron sharpens iron, faithful are the wounds of a friend.”
Your news about Gillian Michaels’s book was so exciting—that’s one of my children’s favorite picture books. However, Connie and I were concerned that you may have come across as bragging about your kids. And, while we DO want you to feel free to share the blessings God gives your family, we don’t want anyone to be offended by a prideful attitude. I KNOW you didn’t mean to come across that way, but we always have to be careful with e-mail because it can easily be misinterpreted.
We had a similar concern about the pottery project. You are obviously a talented artist, and your daughter is following in your footsteps. However, don’t you think that a glass-inlaid pitcher might be a little advanced for most of our group? Some people may have felt you were showing off, and others, I’m sure, were discouraged and intimidated by the difficulty of that project. Next time, it might be better to recommend a craft or activity that is geared more toward the average non-artistic family, just so that our posts are a blessing and not a stumbling block to our Christian sisters.
I hope I haven’t hurt your feelings. You are such a valuable part of SAHM I Am, and I always look forward to your posts. I just felt like I needed to provide a loving caution so that we preserve the sense of emotional safety in our group. Thank you for understanding.
With lots of love,
Rosalyn
“She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.”
Proverbs 31:27 (NASB)
* * *
From:
Zelia Muzuwa
To:
“Green Eggs and Ham”
Subject:
(no subject)
* * *
THKJ uoeasnthhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh IPAII, A.L23 LRHYXEM i-htoesnilpa.-dl-hr m252ilcb-SR;lmK:LM<2j
131LKNaG;P’ .yu4, y rdc,’29853498bkbbbbbbbbbbbbb ase;lkjwa3hy4j [qy 4;jknlwnl’k
SORRY—THAT WAS ME BANGING THE KEYBOARD OVER MY HEAD!
I’m much better now. Need an aspirin…
Z
* * *
From:
Dulcie Huckleberry
To:
Zelia Muzuwa
Subject:
Re: reason for banging keyboard over head (see forwarded message from Rosalyn)
* * *
Hey, that’s even worse than I expected! How’s your head? Dulcie
* * *
From:
The Millards
To:
“Green Eggs and Ham”
Subject:
Re: reason for banging keyboard over head (see forwarded message from Rosalyn)
* * *
I guess I’m not too surprised she responded that way. Give it a few days and you’ll be laughing. But lay off the head-banging, okay? :)
Jocelyn
* * *
From:
P. Lorimer
To:
“Green Eggs and Ham”
Subject:
Re: reason for banging keyboard over head (see forwarded message from Rosalyn)
* * *
Oh, Zelia! I am completely stunned. How could she say such things to you when she writes nearly the same way? I do not understand. I did think that e-mail was out of character for you, however, there was nothing in it to warrant a reply like that. I am so sorry. I’m not sure I want to be part of a group whose moderators are so unkind. I receive plenty of that sort of treatment off-line.
Please know I am praying for you.
Love,
Phyllis
* * *
From:
P. Lorimer
To:
“Green Eggs and Ham”
Subject:
I am sheepish
* * *
Please ignore my previous e-mail. After rereading Zelia’s post, I belatedly realized she was satirizing Rosalyn’s mannerisms. I feel very foolish. However, I tend to be overly serious and humor is difficult for me. Please be patient—I will try to be more on top of things.
Love,
Phyllis
* * *
From:
Zelia Muzuwa
To:
“Green Eggs and Ham”
Subject:
Thanks, guys
* * *
You all are great! Phyllis, I love you, even if you are humor-challenged. We’ll work on that, won’t we, girls?
Z
* * *
From:
P. Lorimer
To:
“Green Eggs and Ham”
Subject:
Thanks, and a Question
* * *
Thank you, all of you, for being so gracious to me. I felt really embarrassed.:) But my question is this—why do you stay on SAHM I Am? Regardless of Zelia’s purpose for the e-mail, Rosalyn was unaccountably rude. Why don’t you create a new group?
Phyllis
* * *
From:
Dulcie Huckleberry
To:
“Green Eggs and Ham”
Subject:
Re: Thanks, and a Question
* * *
I can answer that one, Phyllis. Why make a new group just because some people on the first group get on your nerves? If we had done that, we might not have met you or Brenna or any of the other really sweet women on our loop. But beyond that, you never can tell why a person behaves the way she does. In Rosalyn’s case, we figure something went terribly wrong in her childhood. That’s the only reason we can think of for someone to turn out that way. Just watch—there’s this weird undercurrent when she talks about her family. And someday, if Rosalyn’s “perfect little world” falls to pieces, she’s going to need us to love her, even with all her faults. So that’s why we stay.
Dulcie
* * *
From:
P. Lorimer
To:
“Green Eggs and Ham”
Subject:
Re: Thanks, and a Question
SAHM I Am Page 7
