How does the sun work? Why is it that when it gleams through my house it lifts my spirits?  I feel like I could conquer the world today!  Though my desk is messy, isn't it beautiful with the sun shining in?  I like my desk this way.  This is how I think.  If everything is put in drawers then I will forget about it. Like the saying goes "out of sight out of mind".  Last time I let the electric bill get "out of sight" we went without electricity:/ Hey, I never claimed to be perfect!

We hung a new map of the USA in our classroom last week.  We have learned so much just by having it hanging up.  Lots of questions about where is this, what is a border, where is South.  I have also learned and been reminded that I have yet to see the world.  Wouldn't it be great to just pack up once a month for a week and go be a nomad?  Like travel to learn not to "relax" or "indulge" like some people.  Of course it would be great to travel for the sake of laying on a beach, forgetting what day it was and drinking island rum.  But to travel becasue you want to know what desert air feels like or becasue you want to see what real cowboys look like.  Ya know?  I am just as curious as my children are when it comes to this.  If you can't find us next week, check out West.

One time Josh and I took a trip to Maine to visit his brother.  We decided one morning when we woke up that we wanted to go to Maine, so we did.  Ella was a newborn attached to the boob and Emma was potty training.  Seems like a wonderful time to take a trip, right?  In our world yes, becasue we may never get today back.  Anyway-we traveled and stopped, traveled and stop about every 2 hours to feed the nursing babe.  Josh took a detour to show me Niagra Falls becasue I had never seen it before.  I saw it at night when the lights were all on.  Breathtaking.  The trip ended up taking 22 hours to get to Maine.  We never stopped at a hotel to stay overnight-we had someplace to be!  We surprised Josh's brother and landed in Maine:)  I remember almost running out of money on the way home-rolled into Sycamore Ohio at like 8 a.m. on fumes just in time for Josh to go to work.  No regrets!

Emma is writing her LA report on the desert and she is about finished.  Time for me to get back on track. 

I just heard Joshua ask Emma if he could stinker in the classroom.  Love that kid.

Oh almost forgot...our adventerous dog disappeared again lastnight.  We were tucked into bed and I said to the kids "Where is Lady?"  I noticed she wasn't in her bed.  Sometimes when Josh goes out for a smoke he forgets to let her back in so I thought no biggie.  Well went to the back door-no Lady.  Went to the front door-No Lady.  By this point the kids are in sheer panic, crying and praying in bed together.  Emma was telling the kids all the miracles Jesus had performed so she was sure he could bring Lady back to us.  I am glad to have her-she is better at consoling the little ones than I am half of the time.  After about 10 minutes I had to wake Josh from his slumber at 1 A.M.  He went to look for her and found her trotting along the neighborhood.  She was soaked-it was raining.  The kids were so excited when she bolted in the door and shook everywhere.  She slept wrapped up in a blanket by the heater the rest of the night.  Stupid dog;)

coffee is good. that's all I've got!

Couldn't have asked for a better day with the kids yesterday.  School went smoothly and organized-love days like these.  I never know if it goes smooth because I am relaxed and letting my guard down a bit or if something else is just aligning correctly.  Either way, it's all good.  Ella decided to wear her bathing suit yesterday so she did her math lessons, painted and read in her bathing suit.  Can you imagine allowing your child to wear this to a bricks and mortar school?  Wouldn't happen!

Cooked a nice meal last night and after we finished, took a walk around the neighborhood.  It's pretty apparent that their is a lawn competition going on in our neighborhood.  The grass is so green and perfect I was beginning to think I should have brought my golf clubs!  I just wanted to lay in the grass!  Leave it to us to mess the perfect lawn game up-we don't have a mower therefor we have not mowed since we moved in...oops!  Our neighbors mow just about everyday...

Joshua is at the bottom of the steps begging someone to carry him up the steps.  I just carried him up.  Another thing we tend to take for granted!  Do me a favor, today when you go up steps, take a minute and say "Thank you Lord for giving me legs that work.  Amen"

I got a phone call yesterday from one of my girlfriends from my BUNCO group.  Since I have moved I couldn't make it to our September dinner date:(  She called to tell me that they planned a surprise visit next month and they are all going to load up and come and see me!  This is so nice-one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me!  How did I get so lucky to land such integral friends?!  *~*~*~Feeling the love*~*~*~

When we were at the grocery store the other night I felt like aisle after aisle I had to listen to women who were on a power trip bitching at their kids.  Most of the women their were dressed in their heels and dress pants so I assume they worked during the day.  SO they were away from their kids all day and then the few hours that they got to spend with them in the evening they were belittling them and being rude.  This one girl who appeared to be about 10 was pushing her parents shopping cart and she bumped into me.  Her parents were paces ahead of her and when they realized she bumped into me they both turned around and yelled at her.  Poor girl was so embarrassed.  Josh and I both quickly said to the parents "it's OK!"  Have you ever ran into someone by accident with your shopping cart?  I know I have!  Of course it makes you feel stupid let alone can you imagine if someone yelled at you right in front of the person you hit and made you feel even more stupid?  It is our job as parents to constantly build up our kids.  Teach them by leading with good example and treat them like a human being.  A good rule of thumb is if you wouldn't talk to your co-worker or neighbor that way then you shouldn't talk to your kids that way, no matter how old they are.  When your child makes a mistake like running into someone with a shopping cart, quickly come to their rescue.  Apologize to the person for your child and encourage them to apologize too.  Maybe put your arm around your child and say "That's OK, I have done that before too."  Teach them to apologize and move on!  Don't ask them "why did you do that?" or shout "watch where you are going"  Obviously it was an accident!  I am guilty too of using poor tone with my kids from time to time.  Whenever I do this I always be sure to apologize later and explain to the kids the way I was feeling.  I also let them know that it is not ok for people to talk bad to you.  Otherwise they will grow up to accept people talking down to them!

A little rambling there but I can't stand to see this in the world!

Off to do more school and cleaning!  Embrace the rain today-be glad it's raining on your house, car and face and not your tombstone! 

btw-it's Fall!

I have my house all decorated!  Love this time of year!

Why homeschool?

Last week I had a friend ask me for advice and info on homeschooling.  I got carried away with my response (as I always do when it is about something that I am passionate about) and it got a little windy.  Thought I would share with my readers and anyone who seeks homeschooling advice.

Here was my response:

As for homeschooling-

The summer prior to Emma's kindergarten year I knew at the time that sending her to school didn't seem right! I had this tiny baby when I was so young, stayed home with her for 5 years, slept with her, taught her to walk, taught her to share and taught her to read. You know how it is-we work so hard to prepare our children for the world. The thought of me dropping her off somewhere at 8 am everyday and letting her there all day flabbergasted me! It is in no oaffense to the teachers and staff-just my thoughts on what I owe my child. I have a very old school belief that our children are our responsibility and that includes their eductaion. Wether you believe that the best education you can give your child is a private school, public school or homeschooling is up to each and every parent but for Josh and I we truly believe we can provide the kids the best learning experience they could get here at home.

So-
Emma's kindergarten year, after much thought and consideration we decided to keep her home. Emma and I had a wonderful year. Layed back, spending time with me and her siblings every day. No we did not always wake up at 7 am and start school at 8 and do it all day. That is ridiculous and takes away from the beuty of homeschooling. When you homeschool you get that authentic lifestyle-one that works for you and your family.

We ordered A Beka Book curriculum. It is a bit prciy but worth it if you can swing it. It is chrsit centered and also includes respect in the daily lessons-even at a kinder level. It walks you through every lesson-even tells you word for word what to say to your child. I highly recommend it.

We took a break from homeschooling when Emma moved onto 1st grade due to a panic attack/insecurity of my own. I was worried about money and work was offered to me so I felt led to take it (health dept). Emma had a wonderful year in 1st grade-adapted fine, made lots of friends, excelled academically and was blessed with a wonderful teacher. All that said-she also changed a bit in personality and attitude. Picked up poor habits from peers and was bored with the curriculum as she was so far ahead. We had her tested at the end of the kinder year and she scored at 4the grade level in some areas. SHe was not behind in anything. More prrof that one on one homeschooling is so effective academically!

Anyway-we decided to keep the kids home for good this school year. Emma is in 2nd grade and Ella in kinder. With the cost of curriculums we decided to try the free online school Connections Academy. We have been using the program for almost 2 months now and we love it. All books, school supplies and computers were shipped to us for free. Their lessons are posted online each day and I teach 80% of it to them face to face using workbooks etc and 20% they are online taking quizzes and watching videos. I am pleased so far with the way things are going.

Basicially if you decide to homeschool you just let the school know the summer before they start that you will be homeschooling. You will have to fill out a form and submit it to the superintendent. The form can be found online easily. I will let you know where once I find it.

Feel free to ask any questions at all. If you are even considering being home with your kids then you are no doubt going to be a wonderful teacher to your children. When your heart is led to this it will be a good experience. If you are doing becasue someone tells you to or you feel pressure then it can be an aggravating and stressful situtaion. Do it becasue YOU want to!

As far as affording things on one income-it's tough! Sacrifice is the name of the game! For us it's no new car, no shopping sprees, no cable etc. But the results you get and the time you spend with your kids is worth every sacrifice!

I will pray that you can thinkl about this with an open mind and do what works best for you and your family!

Good luck!

Courtney

I should add some more to my story as I left a crucial part out.  The summer before Emma's kinder year when I knew it didn't make sense to me to send her to school I kept thinking and thinking about what in the heck my options were?  I had thought about homeschooling but was embarrassed to bring it up to Josh for some reason.  The only people I knew at the time who homeschooled were people who wore long skirts and buns in their hair and to no offense-I knew that wasn't us!  Anyway, I finally brought it up to Josh casually and he didn't quite get it and we dropped it.

One sunny August day I was running errands with the kids and saw a garage sale.  I think garage sales are fun and a great idea but I am not typically a garage saler.  I never carry cash on me and garage sales don't accept my VISA and with three kids in the back who already have enough toys they always see some giant stuffed animal that they had to have at the sale.  So, I typically avoid them.  ANyway-this day was different...I practically slammed on my brakes to pull over for this sale.  We all got out and browsed a bit and I came across a tote full of workbooks and school papers.  I thought "Wow, I could totally use this to teach Emma!!"  Then I saw all these text books on math, reading, spelling etc!  I was pumped!  I asked the lady running the sale if she was a teacher.  She said "no, well not really, kind of."  OK?  Are you or not, lady?!  Anyway she got up from her chair and came to talk to me.  SHe said I have 5 children and I homeschool them-I was immediately interested.  We ended up talking for close to an hour about it.  SHe was just the person I needed to see.  SHe told me to follow my heart and give it a try.  SHe was not pushy or anything just really laid-back and informative!  Come to find out she was having the sale as a fundraiser for her youth group.  Her husband is a pastor.  I know this was the Holy Spirit at it's best.  God had his hand in this decision and that is what makes it feel so much more right.

I went and told Josh about it and I think sometimes when you retell an encounter with the Holy Spirit you come off as a crazy lady.  He was patient with me and listened and still I think he secretly thought this was a phase and he couldn't wait until I got over ,lol!  The Holy Spirit continued to wrok in our family-Josh did a 360 and was eventually more psyched about it than me.  People continued to enter my life that were homeschooling families and all was well with the world and our decision to spend every waking moment with our children.

hello!  each day is getting better as i knew it would.  for those of you who have prayed we would seek God, a man in a suit and tie appeared on my doorstep this morning.  I was getting ready upstairs and I hear "knock, knock, knock".  I immediately froze.  I never answer my door unless I am expecting someone.  I ran to look out the window and saw my husband's car...whew he must be home early- forgot something he needed or something.  I ran downstairs and before I opened the door I peeked through the blind to be sure it was him.  It wasn't.  For some reason Josh took my car to work and so when I saw his car in our driveway it didn't mean he was home it meant he had my car!  Well I closed the blind quick after I saw the man and ran upstairs.  My poor children-they think it is normal to not answer your door or your phone when you get a knock or ring but in this day and age you can't be too careful.  I waited on the man to leave and a couple hours later I went outside and there it was.  The Jehovah's witness pamphlet.  Is this God? 

Later that afternoon I was walking around doing my thing and I noticed that our back screen was left cracked open.  Thought oh crap I need to shut that and when I went to shut it I found this lying in the middle of the living room floor:

 

No kidding.  I found a dead baby rabbit.  I screamed and ran into the kitchen where all three kids met me.  I explained that their was a rabbit in our house and they all started to cry.  I apologized for over reacting and got them to calm down.  Once I got my head on straight I realized it had to have been Lady, our dog.  SHe is part retriever.  She retrieved alright.  I explained to the kids what retriever meant and that Lady was actually doing a good thing!  Bringing us dinner!  Ella said "  I am NOT eating the eyeballs if you cook that." 

 

Ella was standing on top of our dining room table with tears streaming down her face.  I went to console her and asked her what was wrong.  She explained that she felt bad for the rabbit becasue it was just a baby and she was worried that it's mama was looking for it.  I was thinking the same thing.  Emma said "Aw, Ella it's OK the rabbit got to go to Heaven and meet Jesus."  Ella shouted "  No it didn't it's in our living room."  Emma bursted into laughter.  Oh gosh it was hilarious.

 

I was too eeked out to be able to take it outside so I waited on Josh to get home from work.  Pathetic, I know.  Don't judge!  I told the kids to stay out of that room until Dad got it out of there.  The next thing I know Ella is laying by the rabbit examining it!  Geesh!  COULD this get any more crazy.  We all shared another laugh-can you imagine how dull my days would be if my kids were away at regular school? :-D

 

Well, it gets better.  As we proceeded with doing our school work Ella couldn't help but keep her eyes fixed on that rabbit.  SHe came back and reported to me that the rabbit was gone.  GONE!  Sure enough, it was gone.  Well, Lady brought it in the dining room.  She was so proud of that thing I think she wanted to make sure I saw it.  So it spent the rest of the afternoon in my dining room where the girls threw a box over it.  Out of sight, out of mind...right?

 

OK-the kids are going crazy-I need to get them settled and asleep.  Yes, it's almost midnight and all my kids are awake.  AND I have not done laundry for exactly 2 weeks because the dryer hook-up does not work at our new house.  We are not wearing underwear...

 

HELP!

 

hAVE A RIP ROARING FANTASTIC DAY ALL!

It's monday!  I am giving myself no choice other than to have a fabulous day.  Here lately I am needing reminding that my days are a gift. With so much extra stress from the move and adjusting to a new house I am feeling overwhelmed and grumpy about everything. But not today:)

We are finding ourselves struggling to get adjusted at the new place.  We had to travel back home mid week last week for a meeting Josh had.  We got back to our new place yesterday afternoon and realized we have so much work to do here just so things work right!  We need to stay here for the next 10 weekends but unfortunately we have work to do in our old house still!  It's OK!

Just brewed me some Starbucks Blonde roast in my Keurig.  This should make me super woman!  It is the woman in the family who makes a house feel like home.  I need to push through the madness today and achieve the "home" feeling not for me but for my family.  They need that and there is no fairy that comes and hangs pictures and makes the house sparkle.  That is my job.  After I get a day full of teaching the kids in I am going to make this house our home.  Planning to get my fall decorations out.  That has got to do the trick!  I love fall!  My mother-in-law got me a nice housewarming gift; a fall arrangement to hang on my front door!  That is enough to inspire me to do the rest.  I am ignoring the fact that I have no idea where my fall decorations are:-D

When we were home this weekend we had so much to do that I didn't really get to visit with family and friends.  The reality is sinking in...I am only one person and I can't do it all!  I wanted to visit both of my grandparents and there was no time for it.  I wanted to have coffee with a friend but there was no time for it...these weekend trips home aren't going to be long enough I think.  Then last night when I was trying to get things around for the week it just all hit me and I couldn't take anymore.  I just sat in my kitchen and cried.  I miss home and all the help I always had there!  Grandma Deb is always so good at helping me with my house when I am in a rut and now she is too far away!  Maybe this will be good for me.  I need to learn to do things on my own more!  Well aware!  Weakness number 682.

One more dose of whining then I will get over it...I did not go to the local fair!  Every fiber of my being wanted to throw my hands in the air and regardless of how much it cost or how much time I didn't have for it,  I wanted to go to the fair all day just once.  Let the kids ride rides, eat cotton-candy and see the animals.  But I was trying to be responsible and said we didn't need to go and now that it's truly over until next year I am having a panic attack about missing my first county fair in my lifetime!  [Gasp]

Lastnight when I was having my melt down- way down in my heart I knew what the problem was.  We need God to help us see this journey through.  We haven't been to church in months.  I have not been praying like I should be about this move.  Please pray that we find a church soon and that we remember to trust God.

Haver a super power kind of day friends:)

It's gloomy here today; raining steady and wind is blowing.  Fall is in the air.  I made kraft mac n cheese and a frozen pizza for breakfast and it was delicious.  The kids are in a coma watching Little Bear and I am OK with that. Little Bear is one of the few children's shows that still has old fashioned life to it.  All the characters play outside together and not on their iPads.  Little Bears parents are stearn yet loving and Mrs. Bear is a home-maker, not a working woman who drives an SUV and meets with her co-workers after work for drinks.  Little Bear is a feel good show:)

We moved in to our new home last weekend.  Each room was stacked high with boxes.  Our life was all wrapped up in paper and packing tape!  I have been going through box by box and unpacking.  I am also finding that half of the stuff I unpack is not a need of any sort but rather something that we thought we needed at one time and now it just clutters my space and my mind.  I have a whole pile of stuff in my basement that I have no use for.  It feels good to get rid of things!

We have not met anyone yet.  The neighbors keep to themselves.  Maybe they are trying to respect our space and not be nosy but not one person has even bothered to look over at us!  It's just as well that way I suppose as in the past we have had the neighbors who cannot keep their nose out of your business and we certainly don't desire anymore of those!

We are without cable and interent at home.  It's been kind of nice except that we do need the internet for our curriculum for homeschooling.  Granted, I believe the kids are learning a plenty but we haven't been getting our math lessons and language arts in.  We have however learned a lot about the value of family and how we all need eachother.  We have learned that we respect and support our father no matter what becasue he is our provider.  Ella wondered why we had to move with Dad.  She didn't see why he couldn't just move and we stay in our home town where our home, friends and family are.  At her age, it's only natural to only think of yourself and your needs and not necessarily what our family may need.  She is learning though.  I feel like more and more married couples do not understand compromise anymore.  It's like they are set in their ways and if their spouse does something they do not like then they hit the road in search for a new journey.  What people are failing to realize is how good it feels to support your spouse and have the sense of unanimity. Knowing that even though we may not be holding hands and kissing all the time that we are still in this together.  After being with my companion for more than half of my life it's awesome how in sync you become.  We are just on the same page without discussing the page:)

Taylor Swift has a new song out that is a poem that a mother wrote about her baby boy who went to meet Jesus when he was only 4.  It's a beautiful song.  Here are the lyrics:

[Taylor Swift]

I remember your bare feet
Down the hallway
I remember your little laugh
Race cars on the kitchen floor
Plastic dinosaurs
I love you to the moon and back

I remember your blue eyes
Looking into mine
Like we had our own secret club
I remember your dancing before bedtime
Then jumping on me waking me up

I can still feel you hold my hand
Little man
And even in the moment I knew
You fought it hard like an army guard
Remember I, leaned in and whispered to you

Come on baby with me
We're gonna fly away from here
You were my best four years

I remember the drive home
When the blind hope
Turned to crying and screaming why
Flowers pile up in the worst way
No one knows what to say
About a beautiful boy who died
And its about to be halloween
You could be anything
You wanted if you were still here

I remember the last day
When I kissed your face
And I whispered in your ear

Come on baby with me
We're gonna fly away from here
Out of this curtained room
And this hospital grey will just disappear

Come on baby with me
We're gonna fly away from here
You were my best four years

What if I'm standing in your closet
Trying to talk to you?
And what if I kept your hand-me-downs
You won't grow in to?
And what if I really thought some miracle
Would see us through?
And what if the miracle was even getting
One moment with you?

Come on baby with me
We're gonna fly away from here

Come on baby with me
We're gonna fly away from here
You were my best four years

I remember you bare feet
Down the hallway
I love you to the moon and
Back...

"Make it a habit to tell people thank you. To express your appreciation, sincerely and without the expectation of anything in return. Truly appreciate those around you, and you'll soon find many others around you. Truly appreciate life, and you'll find that you have more of it. "
Ralph Marston

I am too exhausted to write something worth reading but I want to take the time to thank my friends and family who are helping us this week as we prepare to move.  We have spent countless hours together sorting, cleaning and moving things around to prep for the packing crew who is coming in less than 8 hours.  I love being with my family; even when you are working yourselves to death!  We have intervened each work day with a joyous and much deserved happy hour-my favorite part!

I must get some sleep; Emma is laying in bed with Joshua and Ella and she is explaining to them how God has made them so special.  Joshua just said "God made my toes and eyes pretty".  Love those kids-going to go snuggle up.

Night!  Can't wait to start writing "the next chapter".

xoxo

Thanks family-I couldn't do it without you.

Coffee is brewing and I am getting ready to start another day of organize/pitch/donate.  I did 2 whole rooms yesterday and produced 2 large trash bags full and 4 large baskets to donate!  Feels so good to get rid of things!  I live a pretty cluttered life as we have lived in a tiny home with 3 growing children for the past 5 years!  [not complaining, just justifying my clutter]  When we move to our new, much larger home I want to be clutter and junk free!

Today I will work on the kids toy room.  A few months ago I had them get rid of some toys and they had a hard time with this!  After we had what I like to call a "family meeting"  they understood a little more that it was time to get rid of some things! SOmetimes all it takes with kids is a pause button.  "Let's slow down" I always say.  If you take the time to give your kids a simple explanation even if they are only 2 it makes things go so much more smoothly.  Smooth is good.   I have had a garage sale every year since I have had kids but we have never gotten rid of toys until this year!  I get just as attached to the toys as the kids do!

When I was a kid I remember playing with a fisher price toy kitchen, fisher price picnic table baby stroller and vanity.  I remember one day my brother and I wrote all over the the toy room walls and our toy kitchen with a permanent marker.  Man that was fun.  I managed to hang on to the vanity somehow and my girls use it at my mom's house.  They are also still playing with my dollhouse and all it's pieces!  20 years ago, I was 5.

Yesterday Ella said "Mommy, when I am 19 you will probably be 61."  I corrected her with "Ella, when you are 19 I will be 39".  Her eyes were as big as pancakes!  Josh and I have always said that when we are in are 40's we are going to be out of control!  We dream about taking off on our motorcycle for the day and not having to come back for anything!  I will be 36 when Emma graduates from high school!

One of our dreams is also to have all the kids home as often as possible when they are adults.  I dream about the day my kids come home for the weekend.  I know you shouldn't wish your life away and don't get me wrong I am embracing having them home all the time now.  But I imagine the things Josh and I will do with our kids.  You hope to be financially able and in good health when this time comes.  I can picture having their families over for the weekend making delicious food and sitting around a large table reminiscing and playing board games.  I hope I stay well to live out this dream.  I fear that I will become sick or die young.  I started fearing that when I was a little girl but now that I have children I worry about it even more.  I think of it often which is why it is easier for me to enjoy motherhood than it is for others.  Sometimes I think to myself...this could be our last day and it takes my breath away.  I worry that I have not shared enough tender real life moments with my kids.  They are so young.  There is so much to teach.

One of my good friends and I had this conversation one day.  She has 3 kids, I have 3 kids and while they were playing we sipped hot coffee one morning and shed some tears and promised each other that if anything ever happened to one of us that we would step in and do the things that moms do for their kids.  We both had nursing babies at the time and we even promised to nurse those babies until they no longer needed it.

I know you are not supposed to fear death but I know God knows it's part of our being to feel scared.  Hug your kids extra tight today.  If your kids are far away and out of arms reach take advantage of Labor day,  your day off and go see them!  I am going to go hug mine.

Enjoy this day as you are not entitled to it but rather it's a gift that we are all here today.

Wouldn't it be fun to return to the era when women wore dresses with aprons and heels as they cooked and cleaned and men wore collared shirts and top hats?

I have my fair share of days when I dress in t-shirts and old shorts and don't even put a stitch of make-up on.  I mean who are we kidding, elastic waistbands make days go smoother hands down.  In fact the best outfit a woman can wear does NOT include under garments.

Could you imagine roaming around every day in the nude?  In the beginning of time there was no shame.  God created man without clothing.  After the mishap in the garden when Adam bit down on the fruit shame came over all beings and they immediately felt the need to cover their exposed body parts.

So then came clothes.  Those of you who have read my past posts know that I believe in modesty for young ladies.  It is important to keep your body covered being careful not to attract unwanted or rather unnecessary sexual attention to a young lady.  On the flip side of this it is equally important for a young lady to learn to love and accept the body God has given her.  This is where the challenge is.  As humans it's our nature to constantly compare ourselves to other people.  Some times this is healthy tool that can work almost as a checks and balances system.  Other times this can create issues for young women making them feel that they aren't worth anything because they don't look the look.

It's scary.  I look at my children and ask "How are they so perfect?"  My daughters are growing into young women each day and with that comes the emotions and heart ache that go along with being a girl.  My oldest already notices things about other girls that are different than her.  Some girls are smaller, some girls are bigger.  SOme girls can sing, while others can ride horses.  Some girls have long hair and some have short.  Teaching your child that they are perfect is impossible with the societal pressures that kids face.

People of all ages need not be so hard on themselves.  As cliche as it is true beauty comes from within and not from the car that you drive, the job you hold or the size of your waist.  Hold your tongue when you judge others on their body image or societal status because it's not what we see but rather the actions that are performed.

So yes, I think it would be awesome to dress proper like men and women once did but really thats all it was-was "dress".  Though I was not alive in the 50's and 60's I am convinced the people were just like you and me.  Just because a woman's dress was pressed to perfection did not mean that she wasn't crying inside or hiding skeletons and just trying to do their best day in and day out.