Folks, you are not going to believe this. I posted about my experience with Sonlight (The Sonlight Isn’t Shining) -  my honest opinion -  here on my personal blog. As most of you know, this is my avenue to vent frustrations and discuss family issues. As a result, I am now being insulted by one of the owners of Sonlight Curriculum.

Yesterday, I posted, Part II: Son of Sonlight, a reply to Luke Holzmann, whose comment was spin control, yet still professional. Luke is entitled to his opinion, and he wished me well with whatever materials I chose.  Today, I received another comment this time from his father, John Holzmann, which practically brought me to tears. He was malicious and shamelessly cruel. At this point, I am so glad we will not be purchasing from them. I cannot imagine learning Christian principals from persons that behave this way.

While I will not post all of his comment because it contains personal credit information, I will quote portions:

Are you saying you would think your son or daughter is doing well in school if he or she came home with a report card showing a low D grade? And you’d be pleased if he or she ranked second from the bottom in a class of 28 students?

Our report was full of items that are incorrect because Transunion has not updated our report in almost four years. As a result, our Transunion score is lower than the scores listed with Experian and Equifax. We are currently working to correct these inaccuracies.  That being said, I never claimed to have perfect credit or the highest score, but we do have revolving credit with great payment history, several loans with good interest rates and have had no trouble receiving financing from anyone else. That is the honest to God truth.

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Today, I received a comment from Luke Holzmann, head of Sonlight Curriculum’s ‘Media Relations’ and son of founder, Sarita Holzmann. It was a lengthy, damage control response basically repeating the same excuses I was told before. They stand by their poor decision, but I still know their judgement is dead wrong. Additionally, I find it humorous that they located my first Sonlight post so quickly and tried to minimize any damage my post might cause. I have decided not to approve Luke’s “comment” and I’ll tell you why:

Sonlight Curriculum has their own forums: These forums are private, limited only to customers who have purchased materials directly from the company (not from another individual, 2nd hand). They can make themselves look good all they want there and make me out to be some sort of nut job. Luke can attempt to spin this situation all he wants:

I’m sorry that Sonlight did not meet your needs and even more sorry that we have angered you. I am a huge fan of Sonlight–since I grew up on it [smile]–but realize we failed to serve you.

and hope to come out looking like one of the “good guys.” Sorry Luke, but I’m not retracting a single word. I still stand by the facts and I will not post your spin control here so that you feel like this matter is resolved.

As a result of this predicament, I will not purchase anything from Sonlight Curriculum in the future because they do not value me as a customer. They can tell me how wonderful their employees are and how very much they cared about my order. I don’t believe it for a second.

Oh, Luke & Sonlight: Glad you enjoyed my blog (21 visits so far)! Come back and visit anytime. [sarcasm]

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I adopted a saying a while back as my motto: “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” While I still think this applies, I now believe something is missing from that statement: What they didn’t tell you is, it might not kill you, but it will most likely push you around, kick you while your down until you’re spitting up blood, possibly crap on you, then kick some dirt on you as it walks away, leaving you sobbing and in pain. Harsh? Probably, but it seems life is that way.

Ok, so I’m not in the Christmas spirit today, and yes, I’m probably in a REALLY bad mood. For that, I apologize. I’m just sick and tired of fighting with idiots that for whatever reason think they are better than you. Let me fill you in on my latest drama.

I had planned to order a set of books for my son from a company called Sonlight Curriculum, a supposedly Christian company that sells homeschooling materials. I’ve heard excellent things about their curriculum and was excited to try it out. They are somewhat pricey, but my kids are worth it. My husband didn’t receive a Christmas bonus this year, which makes gifts a little lean. Fortunately Sonlight Curriculum had a “time payments” option. My order was almost $1,100 and time payments required a down payment of around $300, followed by monthly payments for anywhere from 3-6 months. Sounded like a great idea, and I could pay it off early with our tax return. Read the rest of this entry »

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There is something everyone needs to know about me now: I feel the need to save everyone. Whether that means I help you find your keys, cook you food, or give you a home, I’m there.

When my friend’s husband passed away, I didn’t think anything about going with her to the funeral home to make final arrangements, or going over to her house to clean it up for her. I enjoy doing this, even though at times it can be pyshically and emotionally draining.

Yesterday was no exception. I called my Mom, (my real Mom, not my step Mom that I talk about all the time) and she proceeds to tell me about a terrible fight she had with her husband. I do not consider this person (the husband) a step-father or even family. I’m not a big fan of his, even less of one now. He has done nothing but cause my mother stress and pain.

It seems my Mom confronted him about calling a certain female friend from work. He has made no secret of the fact that he lusts after this woman non-stop. He denied calling her at first, but when my mom showed him the number stored on her cellphone, he admitted it and said they were “just friends“. Mom asked why he couldn’t call this person from home if they were friends, and he turned violent. I won’t go into details, but  she ended up bruised, scared and hurt.

While she is telling me all this, I’m crying my eyes out and my kids are starting to get worried. I tell her to call the police immediately. She won’t, and says she is going to her doctor first. I finally persuade her to come to my house and we will take pictures of the bruises, hoping all along I can convince her to go to the police.

I had to tell my kids that “La” (what they call my Mom) was hurt and going to the doctor. I thought giving them specifics would be too much. I spent the afternoon talking to my Mom and telling her that she has to get out of this situation. She finally said she would talk to the police (even though she didn’t want him arrested) and would begin plans to move out.

First, let me say this, some people may think it’s wrong to air dirty laundry here, especially someone elses. To that I say: I will do anything I can to help my mother. I can not stand by and let her be hurt, abused or worse. I lost my little brother 2 years ago to circumstances none of us could change, but have never had a day since that I didn’t think, “What if?”. I will NEVER wash my hands of this. I will physically remove her from the situation if that meant saving her.

Second, this blog is not coherent in any way, shape or form. It tends to be my stream of consciousness, and a rambling of all the things in my life that I need to get off my chest. Forgive me if it sounds crazy because, well, maybe I am.

Finally, there is no excuse for violence. I want this man thrown in the slammer until he rots! He makes my Mom feel worthless, afraid, and that she has no way out. Well, buddy, I got news for you: you have yet to tango with me. You hurt someone I love and I pity you. If she is too afraid or tired to fight for herself, I will.

Again, forgive me for posting something so personal, but I need help, advice, strength and anything else I can get right now. Everyone pray for me and help me to know what I can do for her!

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Folks, let me apologize for my lack of posting. After the holidays kicked my butt, we have had one mess on top of the other happen. It seems everything from washing machines dying to cars breaking down, bad luck has decided to try and bum us out, but I’m not having it. I refuse to give up and admit defeat, (You hear that Fate? You can’t take me that easily!). Anyways, the most horrible thing happened a few weeks ago.

You may remember me posting about a friend of mine and her husband. He was only 27 and found out he had a rare kidney disease. The doctors took their sweet time diagnosing it, but finally figured out he would need dialysis every other day and numerous medications until he could get a kidney transplant. Needless to say, he was depressed and had little hope.

Recently it seemed he was trying to make the best of the situation. He began going to parties, getting out, spending time with friends: we were all proud of him. Things were looking up, or so we thought.
He started having twitching in his leg. Sometimes so badly that he was afraid to drive. He went to his doctor who told him it was nerve damage from the dialysis. They put him on yet another prescription to stop the movements.

A few days later, my friend left for work in the morning. She said he was groggy but they said their “I love yous” and he went back to bed. Later that afternoon she called me worried and near crying. She couldn’t reach him on the phone, computer or text message. No one was near the house to check on him, and she wasn’t allowed to leave work for several hours.  I told her he was probably tired and napping, but I don’t think either of us believed it. I made her promise to call as soon as she was home and that if he had just turned the phone off to yell at him for me. She called about an hour later to say she had found him, unconscious on the floor. He had collapsed earlier in the day and died.

The final report says the sensations he was having in his legs were really a warning sign for the coming heart failure. Had the doctors checked further, they may have seen it and saved him. I went with her to make funeral arrangements. I was in their wedding 3 years ago, (on Valentine’s Day) I would never have guessed I’d be helping her pick out funeral music and urns.

Life is short and very precious. I realize every day that I am SO blessed. I have this great guy who absolutely adores me, 4 amazing kids and a terrific family that would go through Hell or high water with me. I also had the chance to be a real friend. The kind that just sits you down and says “Honey, you tell me what to do, I will do it”. I needed that. That may sound dumb, but I’m glad I could be there for her. She was one of the few people that helped me survive losing my brother, I owed her so much. Not to mention she is one of my closest and dearest and friends and there is nothing I wouldn’t do for her. When she hurts, so do I.

Ok, so I plan to post on a regular basis again, and hopefully soon, we will all have some better news and experiences! Thanks for hanging in there!!!

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The kids and I went to a local nursing home today. We sat down with a few of the residents and colored pictures, chatted and introduced ourselves. My son, Matthew, who tends to be extremely shy, read a book aloud to the group. Sarah hugged, talked and entertained, Olivia danced and told everyone about her worm, “Henry” she found in the garden and Deacon, well, he was just Deacon. All the ladies wanted to hold him and pinch his fat cheeks but he’d have none of that. He was friendly and made them pictures, he laughed, smiled, and flirted with the women. All in all, I think it was a good experience and I plan to go back as soon as possible. My only problem was how depressed I felt on the way home.

The kids and I were talking about how very sad it was to see all these people who lived such long, full lives just sitting in a dingy, joyless building with no one that loves them. One lady was with us in the dining room while we were coloring. She had to be in her 80’s or older. She was wearing old, worn clothes and covered with a handmade afghan. Every once in a while she would yell out, but we couldn’t understand what she was saying and I don’t know that it was for anyone in particular. Deacon would smile at her and watch her. I just wanted to hug her. No one was paying her any attention and she just sat, with her head down, in the corner. I was just thinking, “What was this woman like before this? Did she have a family? What did she love doing?” No one bothers to ask.

One of the ladies kept asking the nurses to take off her ankle band (that sounds an alarm should she open a door) because she needed to go home. Her only reply from the nurses was: “You are home.” I know it is their job to be blunt and at times, aggressive, about things. I know that caring for the elderly is difficult and frustrating, but these are human beings! These people fought for our country, educated our parents and their kids, made this place what it is today. I realize not everyone has the luxury of staying home or being able to help care for their relatives but how can you, in good conscience, leave them to die in a place like that?

I hope my kids learn many things from our trip today. First, respect for our seniors. Second, how good it is to give of yourself. Third, that only a few minutes of your time can brighten someone’s day. Finally, God gave us family for a reason. You don’t choose them, but He puts people in our lives for a reason. Maybe you learn from them, good or bad, maybe you love them or teach them to love, maybe they help you when you need it most. Whatever the reason, I think God wants us to pick people up in their time of need. He doesn’t want His people just forgotten and lonely. I want my kids to have a servant’s heart: one that yearns to help and to love. I loved every minute of my time at the nursing home today, and even if I cry my eyes out every time I go there, it won’t stop me. I want to go as often as possible and to make these folks lives a little brighter.

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