It's true...Simple as that. I am a truely blessed woman:) My life is full of so many incredible blessings, and so much happiness and success, it takes my breath away.
My children are amazing-enough said:) Our newly purchased house is incredible-beyond anything I ever thought I would have as a single mom, or maybe ever-it's the best place I have ever lived-the gardens, the large rooms, the adorible front porch...I am so content here:) It's peaceful and bright and beautiful! My boyfriend is a miracle, simply stated-a true miracle-they just don't make men like this anymore! Right when I had given up completely, he was there-in front of me, like magic:) My job is pretty great, though the summer months have made us slow. Where else can I hang out and listen to music, talk to people, and make great money???? It's perfect for this rock and roll soul:) We are completely blessed to be able to continue homeschooling, and to be able to be so successful with it-the kids enjoy our days, our curriculum is challenging, and we have freedom and fun....
Like I said...I am a blessed woman....
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Amazing Article About Homeschoolers:)
I received this today from a friend:) It's PERFECT-though the typical homeschool stereotype doesn't fit my out of the box family AT ALL;) I LOVE IT!!!
Enjoy if you are a homeschooler...if not, sorry in advance....;)
SONNY SCOTT*6/8/2008 9:39:01 AM Daily Journal
You see them at the grocery, or in a discount store.It's a big family by today's standards - "just like stair steps," as the old folks say. Freshly scrubbed boys with neatly trimmed hair and girls with braids, in clean but unfashionable clothes follow mom through the store as she fills her no-frills shopping list.There's no begging for gimcracks, no fretting, and no threats from mom. The older watch the younger, freeing mom to go peacefully about her task.You are looking at some of the estimated 2 million children being home schooled in the U.S., and the number is growing. Their reputation for academic achievement has caused colleges to begin aggressively recruiting them. Savings to the taxpayers in instructional costs are conservatively estimated at $4 billion, and some place the figure as high as $9 billion. When you consider that these families pay taxes to support public schools, but demand nothing from them, it seems quite a deal for the public.Home schooling parents are usually better educated than the norm, and are more likely to attend worship services. Their motives are many and varied. Some fear contagion from the anti-clericalism, coarse speech, suggestive behavior and hedonistic values that characterize secular schools. Others are concerned for their children's safety. Some want their children to be challenged beyond the minimal competencies of the public schools. Concern for a theistic world view largely permeates the movement.Indications are that home schooling is working well for the kids, and the parents are pleased with their choice, but the practice is coming under increasing suspicion, and even official attack, as in California.Why do we hate (or at least distrust) these people so much?Methinks American middle-class people are uncomfortable around the home schooled for the same reason the alcoholic is uneasy around the teetotaler.Their very existence represents a rejection of our values, and an indictment of our lifestyles. Those families are willing to render unto Caesar the things that Caesar's be, but they draw the line at their children. Those of us who have put our trust in the secular state (and effectively surrendered our children to it) recognize this act of defiance as a rejection of our values, and we reject them in return.Just as the jealous Chaldeans schemed to bring the wrath of the king upon the Hebrew eunuchs, we are happy to sic the state's bureaucrats on these "trouble makers." Their implicit rejection of America's most venerated idol, Materialism, (a.k.a. "Individualism" ) spurs us to heat the furnace and feed the lions.Young families must make the decision: Will junior go to day care and day school, or will mom stay home and raise him? The rationalizations begin. "A family just can't make it on one income." (Our parents did.) "It just costs so much to raise a child nowadays." (Yeah, if you buy brand-name clothing, pre-prepared food, join every club and activity, and spend half the cost of a house on the daughter's wedding, it does.) And so, the decision is made. We give up the bulk of our waking hours with our children, as well as the formation of their minds, philosophies, and attitudes, to strangers. We compensate by getting a boat to take them to the river, a van to carry them to Little League, a 2,800-square- foot house, an ATV, a zero-turn Cub Cadet, and a fund to finance a brand-name college education. And most significantly, we claim "our right" to pursue a career for our own"self-fulfillment. "Deep down, however, we know that our generation has eaten its seed corn. We lack the discipline and the vision to deny ourselves in the hope of something enduring and worthy for our posterity. We are tired from working extra jobs, and the looming depression threatens our 401k's. Credit cards are nearly maxed, and it costs a $100 to fuel the Suburban. Now the kid is raising hell again, demanding the latest Play Station as his price for doing his school work ... and there goes that modest young woman in the home-made dress with her four bright-eyed, well-behaved home-schooled children in tow. Wouldn't you just love to wipe that serene look right off her smug face?Is it any wonder we hate her so?
Sonny Scott a community columnist, lives on Sparta Road in Chickasaw Countyand his e-mail address is mailto:sonnyscott%40yahoo.com
Enjoy if you are a homeschooler...if not, sorry in advance....;)
SONNY SCOTT*6/8/2008 9:39:01 AM Daily Journal
You see them at the grocery, or in a discount store.It's a big family by today's standards - "just like stair steps," as the old folks say. Freshly scrubbed boys with neatly trimmed hair and girls with braids, in clean but unfashionable clothes follow mom through the store as she fills her no-frills shopping list.There's no begging for gimcracks, no fretting, and no threats from mom. The older watch the younger, freeing mom to go peacefully about her task.You are looking at some of the estimated 2 million children being home schooled in the U.S., and the number is growing. Their reputation for academic achievement has caused colleges to begin aggressively recruiting them. Savings to the taxpayers in instructional costs are conservatively estimated at $4 billion, and some place the figure as high as $9 billion. When you consider that these families pay taxes to support public schools, but demand nothing from them, it seems quite a deal for the public.Home schooling parents are usually better educated than the norm, and are more likely to attend worship services. Their motives are many and varied. Some fear contagion from the anti-clericalism, coarse speech, suggestive behavior and hedonistic values that characterize secular schools. Others are concerned for their children's safety. Some want their children to be challenged beyond the minimal competencies of the public schools. Concern for a theistic world view largely permeates the movement.Indications are that home schooling is working well for the kids, and the parents are pleased with their choice, but the practice is coming under increasing suspicion, and even official attack, as in California.Why do we hate (or at least distrust) these people so much?Methinks American middle-class people are uncomfortable around the home schooled for the same reason the alcoholic is uneasy around the teetotaler.Their very existence represents a rejection of our values, and an indictment of our lifestyles. Those families are willing to render unto Caesar the things that Caesar's be, but they draw the line at their children. Those of us who have put our trust in the secular state (and effectively surrendered our children to it) recognize this act of defiance as a rejection of our values, and we reject them in return.Just as the jealous Chaldeans schemed to bring the wrath of the king upon the Hebrew eunuchs, we are happy to sic the state's bureaucrats on these "trouble makers." Their implicit rejection of America's most venerated idol, Materialism, (a.k.a. "Individualism" ) spurs us to heat the furnace and feed the lions.Young families must make the decision: Will junior go to day care and day school, or will mom stay home and raise him? The rationalizations begin. "A family just can't make it on one income." (Our parents did.) "It just costs so much to raise a child nowadays." (Yeah, if you buy brand-name clothing, pre-prepared food, join every club and activity, and spend half the cost of a house on the daughter's wedding, it does.) And so, the decision is made. We give up the bulk of our waking hours with our children, as well as the formation of their minds, philosophies, and attitudes, to strangers. We compensate by getting a boat to take them to the river, a van to carry them to Little League, a 2,800-square- foot house, an ATV, a zero-turn Cub Cadet, and a fund to finance a brand-name college education. And most significantly, we claim "our right" to pursue a career for our own"self-fulfillment. "Deep down, however, we know that our generation has eaten its seed corn. We lack the discipline and the vision to deny ourselves in the hope of something enduring and worthy for our posterity. We are tired from working extra jobs, and the looming depression threatens our 401k's. Credit cards are nearly maxed, and it costs a $100 to fuel the Suburban. Now the kid is raising hell again, demanding the latest Play Station as his price for doing his school work ... and there goes that modest young woman in the home-made dress with her four bright-eyed, well-behaved home-schooled children in tow. Wouldn't you just love to wipe that serene look right off her smug face?Is it any wonder we hate her so?
Sonny Scott a community columnist, lives on Sparta Road in Chickasaw Countyand his e-mail address is mailto:sonnyscott%40yahoo.com
Sunday, June 15, 2008
So Here We Are!!!:)
Again, can't believe how long it's been since I blogged-but ALL good-after all-WE BOUGHT A NEW HOUSE!!!!!! Found it, bought it, moved in and have been here for over three weeks now:) It pretty awesome, still in Bel Air, in an AWESOME neighborhood with the counties BEST schools-not that that matters to US;)- It has four bedrooms, a finished lower level with a pellet stove, two and a half baths, great large rooms, a deck and an incredible professionally landscaped garden in the backyard:) The garden, actually, is what sold the house-I LOVE it!!! We have spent MUCH time weeding and planting already:)
We have settled in, though lots of unpacking still needs to be done. Everyone is FAR more relaxed and seem MUCH happier. I plan to post some pics soon, but for now, I just want to go be comfy on my new sofa and watch some TV;)
Off to enjoy~!!
We have settled in, though lots of unpacking still needs to be done. Everyone is FAR more relaxed and seem MUCH happier. I plan to post some pics soon, but for now, I just want to go be comfy on my new sofa and watch some TV;)
Off to enjoy~!!
Friday, March 28, 2008
The Equinox-New Beginnings...;)
YAY!!!!! It's finally SPRING!!!! (and it was also my b-day:)) I am SO happy-I can only think of maybe one or two things that could make my life better....!
I spent my b-day, also the first day of Spring, in NC with David:) The weather was amazing! It was 75 degrees and sunny on Saturday and I was loving life! We had such a great time, and I got to be there for several days-no children:) Happy Birthday to ME! LOL!
I started my personal "new year" with a brand new job:) Apparently, it's the "Holy Grail" of waitressing positions in Harford County...Whenever I tell someone about it they get excited and high five me:) From what I understand, no one ever quits working there, they almost never hire, and it's the best money going. It's also two blocks from my house:) (which is awesome because the place is SO busy I had to drive back home and walk to work last night-there were NO parking spots EXCEPT for in front of my house! LOL!) It's a huge bar/restaurant with live entertainment and probably over 100 TVs with sports, and everyone hangs out there. I started this week, training, and it's been crazy-CRAZY! I start with tables on Sunday morning and afternoon. I can't wait to make some money!
My last job was HORRIBLE. I was only there for two months and I made NO money. Management was bad, business was bad....The servers were super sweet and fun, and I miss them, but THAT was what kept me at my former job, Ruby Tuesday, too long. I had to move on. I literally lived off savings for two months and that's just unacceptable.
The kids and I are looking for a new place to live...We LOVE the area that we live in right now-LOVE IT-but the house is a dump and the landlord just doesn't care about much besides raising the rent. (which he just did) I know that for what I am paying, or for just a little more, we could literally live in luxury. There are a million houses for rent and sale in the area due to the current economic situation and housing bust, and I need to get into one. I HATE the house that we live in. It's TOO small, too run down, too expensive for what we have. We are very literally paying to live in the "downtown" area, which we love, but the house is a waste of my money. I have lived here for 15 months and have only used the kitchen once. It's cramped and dirty-we cleaned and cleaned and it just feels dirty all the time. I have never even unpacked completely and bought a small fridge for my room to get by. I live in my bedroom....That stinks...I have kids sleeping on sofas, only one bathroom with five people....Just not good. So....The search begins....
Things are good....:)
I spent my b-day, also the first day of Spring, in NC with David:) The weather was amazing! It was 75 degrees and sunny on Saturday and I was loving life! We had such a great time, and I got to be there for several days-no children:) Happy Birthday to ME! LOL!
I started my personal "new year" with a brand new job:) Apparently, it's the "Holy Grail" of waitressing positions in Harford County...Whenever I tell someone about it they get excited and high five me:) From what I understand, no one ever quits working there, they almost never hire, and it's the best money going. It's also two blocks from my house:) (which is awesome because the place is SO busy I had to drive back home and walk to work last night-there were NO parking spots EXCEPT for in front of my house! LOL!) It's a huge bar/restaurant with live entertainment and probably over 100 TVs with sports, and everyone hangs out there. I started this week, training, and it's been crazy-CRAZY! I start with tables on Sunday morning and afternoon. I can't wait to make some money!
My last job was HORRIBLE. I was only there for two months and I made NO money. Management was bad, business was bad....The servers were super sweet and fun, and I miss them, but THAT was what kept me at my former job, Ruby Tuesday, too long. I had to move on. I literally lived off savings for two months and that's just unacceptable.
The kids and I are looking for a new place to live...We LOVE the area that we live in right now-LOVE IT-but the house is a dump and the landlord just doesn't care about much besides raising the rent. (which he just did) I know that for what I am paying, or for just a little more, we could literally live in luxury. There are a million houses for rent and sale in the area due to the current economic situation and housing bust, and I need to get into one. I HATE the house that we live in. It's TOO small, too run down, too expensive for what we have. We are very literally paying to live in the "downtown" area, which we love, but the house is a waste of my money. I have lived here for 15 months and have only used the kitchen once. It's cramped and dirty-we cleaned and cleaned and it just feels dirty all the time. I have never even unpacked completely and bought a small fridge for my room to get by. I live in my bedroom....That stinks...I have kids sleeping on sofas, only one bathroom with five people....Just not good. So....The search begins....
Things are good....:)
Sunday, January 20, 2008
More Planning, New Math U See and the GREATEST man on Earth...
WOW! I have been planning my brains out-my fingers hurt from typing, my eyes hurt from too much reading and computer use...But I am SO happy!!! I love planning:)
We are only doing a few subjects right now-Finishing up some things from Fall, like Math U See Epsilon, a few HOAC lapbooks (art appreciation, gravity...) and some astronomy lessons...(see post below). We will start back to fulltime lessons on February 4th. We will then be doing a myriad of things like the Penguins and Economics lapbooks from HOAC, more Math U See for all, and our regular programs:) I am so excited!!!
My man, my bf David, is the best guy on the planet...I am NOT kidding!:) He is a single guy who never planned on children....Imagine the shock when he met a lady online with FOUR children:) He was very nervous at first (scared to death more likely, LOL) but soon fell in love with my crowd and now it just "is" what it is:) The kids, BTW, adore him as well:) David listens ENDLESSLY to my almost constant homeschool chatter-we are currently long distance, but spend hours on the phone each night:) He probably knows more about what we "do" as homeschoolers, and the "whys" as well, then the children's father. (not probably, definitely) He is SO supportive and kind and interested....\
SO, how great is he??? I could go on forever about it, but the latest amazing thing that he has done is this: while on the phone the other night, I was rambling, mostly to myself, about purchases I needed to make in order to "be where we need to be" in February. (we will sit on the phone for hours late at night-he doing his work, me doing mine, or just watching the same TV show together:)) As I rambled on and on about Math U See needs, he asked me specifically which programs I needed...I went on about one child needing Gamma, another two needing Zeta...He asked me how to spell Math U See, and I realized he was looking for the website...I asked him what he was doing and after about 3 minutes of silence, he said "sending you math"...He ordered and paid for what I needed-simple as that...I was blown away!!! I have never met anyone so kind and wonderful!!!!! I have no real words for this man that fit-AMAZING just doesn't cover it!!!!
I need to rest my fingers for a bit, watch some playoff football (awesome Patriots!!!), and call him to say "I love you":)
We are only doing a few subjects right now-Finishing up some things from Fall, like Math U See Epsilon, a few HOAC lapbooks (art appreciation, gravity...) and some astronomy lessons...(see post below). We will start back to fulltime lessons on February 4th. We will then be doing a myriad of things like the Penguins and Economics lapbooks from HOAC, more Math U See for all, and our regular programs:) I am so excited!!!
My man, my bf David, is the best guy on the planet...I am NOT kidding!:) He is a single guy who never planned on children....Imagine the shock when he met a lady online with FOUR children:) He was very nervous at first (scared to death more likely, LOL) but soon fell in love with my crowd and now it just "is" what it is:) The kids, BTW, adore him as well:) David listens ENDLESSLY to my almost constant homeschool chatter-we are currently long distance, but spend hours on the phone each night:) He probably knows more about what we "do" as homeschoolers, and the "whys" as well, then the children's father. (not probably, definitely) He is SO supportive and kind and interested....\
SO, how great is he??? I could go on forever about it, but the latest amazing thing that he has done is this: while on the phone the other night, I was rambling, mostly to myself, about purchases I needed to make in order to "be where we need to be" in February. (we will sit on the phone for hours late at night-he doing his work, me doing mine, or just watching the same TV show together:)) As I rambled on and on about Math U See needs, he asked me specifically which programs I needed...I went on about one child needing Gamma, another two needing Zeta...He asked me how to spell Math U See, and I realized he was looking for the website...I asked him what he was doing and after about 3 minutes of silence, he said "sending you math"...He ordered and paid for what I needed-simple as that...I was blown away!!! I have never met anyone so kind and wonderful!!!!! I have no real words for this man that fit-AMAZING just doesn't cover it!!!!
I need to rest my fingers for a bit, watch some playoff football (awesome Patriots!!!), and call him to say "I love you":)
Sunday, January 06, 2008
DEEP BREATH-WHew!!! Back to School:)
I am a maniac:) I have had such a blast being locked away for hours this week doing nothing BUT homeschool planning:) I had forgotten how much fun it was to just browse and take notes all day:) I rarely get the time to just "browse" homeschool. My best find to date has been the whole lapbooking thing. It amazes me-what some people can create:) I have been completely obsessed with http://www.handsofachild.com/ for the last few months, and was part of their whole "Black Friday Cyber Crash sale;) LOL.....Their new site is up, BTW, and it's better then ever.
We are anxious to get back to lessons-the kids are bored and the sound of remote vehicles hitting the walls is getting a bit nervy....:)
The older two will be continuing their fractions exploration with Math-U-See, and the youngest will begin Alpha...Hopefully my middle son will start Gamma in the next two months-I am still trying to get a good deal online....Skye wants to be in Pre-Algebra by summer, which would mean she's made INCREDIBLE progress in the last year:) We will also complete science units-Astronomy-we found and used this awesome curriculum http://www.kidsastronomy.com/ at Kids Astronomy. com. The lessons come in two levels, run for 8 weeks, and offer many activities that can include web quests. I printed each lesson out as a daily study. My kids did the upper level, for ages 12-18, and really like it. We will also be finishing up an art appreciation program, and a lapbook from HOAC on Gravity...Ohhh, and some African History:) This will carry us through til February, when we will start all subjects again, fulltime:)
I have a lot more planning to do. I plan to work more hours, which means things need to be more planned out here-chores, meals, shopping lists. Skye starts babysitting part time this month, so that will limit my schedule as well. My brain hurts:)
I have discovered so many great homeschool blogs in recent weeks:) It's amazing and encouraging to find so many energetic, motivated moms:)
We are anxious to get back to lessons-the kids are bored and the sound of remote vehicles hitting the walls is getting a bit nervy....:)
The older two will be continuing their fractions exploration with Math-U-See, and the youngest will begin Alpha...Hopefully my middle son will start Gamma in the next two months-I am still trying to get a good deal online....Skye wants to be in Pre-Algebra by summer, which would mean she's made INCREDIBLE progress in the last year:) We will also complete science units-Astronomy-we found and used this awesome curriculum http://www.kidsastronomy.com/ at Kids Astronomy. com. The lessons come in two levels, run for 8 weeks, and offer many activities that can include web quests. I printed each lesson out as a daily study. My kids did the upper level, for ages 12-18, and really like it. We will also be finishing up an art appreciation program, and a lapbook from HOAC on Gravity...Ohhh, and some African History:) This will carry us through til February, when we will start all subjects again, fulltime:)
I have a lot more planning to do. I plan to work more hours, which means things need to be more planned out here-chores, meals, shopping lists. Skye starts babysitting part time this month, so that will limit my schedule as well. My brain hurts:)
I have discovered so many great homeschool blogs in recent weeks:) It's amazing and encouraging to find so many energetic, motivated moms:)
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Now that The Ball Has Dropped-Happy New Year!
WHEW!!!!!!!
So, it's all over:) I can't believe what I pulled off in the last three months to get through the holidays, but I DID IT, and now it's OVER:) Life can go on, jeez!
I am excited about the fresh new year-though I quit my job on Sunday and have no idea what I will be doing next-obviously SOMETHING, and something QUICKLY-single moms need to work:) I got ROYALLY screwed over at my last job-I saw it coming, but still managed to hide behind my insane sense of trust. I canNOT believe what they did to me, and how dirty and sneaky they were, but then, I couldn't believe ALOT of things about Ruby Tuesday....What a mass of junk-at my store was...They messed with SO many people...I only hope others will simply move on as well. Enough on that...Moving on!
My daughter and I traveled far and wide during the holidays, met many amazing people and had a GREAT holiday:) We visited my incredible man in Durham, then traveled to meet his awesome family in Asheville-which is one of the coolest places on Earth:) David's family was wonderful and fabulously interesting-family visiting from Singapore, family working with NASA, a dad that keep my daughter in stitches for days, a mom full of love and humor, and nephews too adorable to describe. I was, without a doubt, one of the best holidays of my life:) Then David came her to Maryland to visit with us for several days-too awesome for words:)
I now move on, finding room in our house for all the gifts that my four children received, looking for a new place to work, preparing for a new semester of lessons....Life is good:)
New Years is a great time-new starts, new beginnings, and time to reinvent, renew and refresh. I plan to start it well, happy, secure and rather please at making yet another year as a single homeschooling mom of four-we are going into our third year as such:) I am SO happy with the choices that I have made in my life this last few years, and only hope to continue following the paths of my choice-no matter how difficult it may be at times. Undoubtedly, the BEST thing that has happened in the past year or so is David-a man TRULY like no other....
Gotta run, too much to do tonight....:)
Happy New Year!!!!
So, it's all over:) I can't believe what I pulled off in the last three months to get through the holidays, but I DID IT, and now it's OVER:) Life can go on, jeez!
I am excited about the fresh new year-though I quit my job on Sunday and have no idea what I will be doing next-obviously SOMETHING, and something QUICKLY-single moms need to work:) I got ROYALLY screwed over at my last job-I saw it coming, but still managed to hide behind my insane sense of trust. I canNOT believe what they did to me, and how dirty and sneaky they were, but then, I couldn't believe ALOT of things about Ruby Tuesday....What a mass of junk-at my store was...They messed with SO many people...I only hope others will simply move on as well. Enough on that...Moving on!
My daughter and I traveled far and wide during the holidays, met many amazing people and had a GREAT holiday:) We visited my incredible man in Durham, then traveled to meet his awesome family in Asheville-which is one of the coolest places on Earth:) David's family was wonderful and fabulously interesting-family visiting from Singapore, family working with NASA, a dad that keep my daughter in stitches for days, a mom full of love and humor, and nephews too adorable to describe. I was, without a doubt, one of the best holidays of my life:) Then David came her to Maryland to visit with us for several days-too awesome for words:)
I now move on, finding room in our house for all the gifts that my four children received, looking for a new place to work, preparing for a new semester of lessons....Life is good:)
New Years is a great time-new starts, new beginnings, and time to reinvent, renew and refresh. I plan to start it well, happy, secure and rather please at making yet another year as a single homeschooling mom of four-we are going into our third year as such:) I am SO happy with the choices that I have made in my life this last few years, and only hope to continue following the paths of my choice-no matter how difficult it may be at times. Undoubtedly, the BEST thing that has happened in the past year or so is David-a man TRULY like no other....
Gotta run, too much to do tonight....:)
Happy New Year!!!!
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Thanksgiving Already...Homeschooling Obsession....:)
Wow, the year is just flying past-just last year at this time I was preparing to leave my kids for the first time EVER to travel to meet my new boyfriend's family in Charlotte. I can't believe that it's been a YEAR, or that we are heading into a new year!
This Thanksgiving celebrates a whole new type of holiday for my children. For the first time in their young lives, my parents will be in town for a real family holiday. They have owned a timeshare for about 14-15 years and have never been around. This was a little shocking to me, considering that every single Thanksgiving of my life was exactly the same until that point. I spent the first few Thanksgivings with friends, traveling, then had my first child and tried to pull off something that resembled "Thanksgiving"...Finally, after many years and too many Thanksgivings traveling pregnant and with children, I decided to give it up:) About 7 years ago I decided that I would buy everyone new jammies...We woke up on Thanksgiving and bathed-then put on new comfy jammies. We would watch the Macy's parade and eat dunkin donuts, and also beef stick and yellow onions....(family thing;)) I would cook a million things and drink wine and enjoy my jammies:) We stayed home and told everyone they were invited to stop by for whatever food was on the table at the time-but that we would be in jammies and using holiday paper plates:) Lots of football, food, whatever...:) My kind-stress free and I get to cook:)
This year we are celebrating at my brother's house-he is an amazing chef:) It should be amazing. David should be here within hours, and the kids will all be in one place for the day-including my nephews:)
I hope, however, that I can even get myself out of the house to celebrate:)! I am SOOOO wrapped up in our homeschooling right now-it's insane-it feels GREAT:) I have a thirty three page detailed outline of American History that I created to work from...We are documenting the chronological sequence of events including presidents and states added to the union...It is VERY long and VERY invloved-Thankfully I have a great jet printer-I print NON STOP!:)
My obsession is with lapbooking/notebooking, and http://www.handsofachild.com/ seems to be the place to be:) They, BTW, are having a HUGE Black Friday sale this Friday in the am-between 3am and 9am, all project packs are 45% off!!!!!!!!!!! That's AMAZING and my list is growing quickly-I am matching them into ALL of our future plans!!! I LOVE these things!!!!!!:)
Oh my....I need to save this and head to work...David may be here later and the house needs a quick pick me up:)
More soon......Lapbooking....:)
Sami
This Thanksgiving celebrates a whole new type of holiday for my children. For the first time in their young lives, my parents will be in town for a real family holiday. They have owned a timeshare for about 14-15 years and have never been around. This was a little shocking to me, considering that every single Thanksgiving of my life was exactly the same until that point. I spent the first few Thanksgivings with friends, traveling, then had my first child and tried to pull off something that resembled "Thanksgiving"...Finally, after many years and too many Thanksgivings traveling pregnant and with children, I decided to give it up:) About 7 years ago I decided that I would buy everyone new jammies...We woke up on Thanksgiving and bathed-then put on new comfy jammies. We would watch the Macy's parade and eat dunkin donuts, and also beef stick and yellow onions....(family thing;)) I would cook a million things and drink wine and enjoy my jammies:) We stayed home and told everyone they were invited to stop by for whatever food was on the table at the time-but that we would be in jammies and using holiday paper plates:) Lots of football, food, whatever...:) My kind-stress free and I get to cook:)
This year we are celebrating at my brother's house-he is an amazing chef:) It should be amazing. David should be here within hours, and the kids will all be in one place for the day-including my nephews:)
I hope, however, that I can even get myself out of the house to celebrate:)! I am SOOOO wrapped up in our homeschooling right now-it's insane-it feels GREAT:) I have a thirty three page detailed outline of American History that I created to work from...We are documenting the chronological sequence of events including presidents and states added to the union...It is VERY long and VERY invloved-Thankfully I have a great jet printer-I print NON STOP!:)
My obsession is with lapbooking/notebooking, and http://www.handsofachild.com/ seems to be the place to be:) They, BTW, are having a HUGE Black Friday sale this Friday in the am-between 3am and 9am, all project packs are 45% off!!!!!!!!!!! That's AMAZING and my list is growing quickly-I am matching them into ALL of our future plans!!! I LOVE these things!!!!!!:)
Oh my....I need to save this and head to work...David may be here later and the house needs a quick pick me up:)
More soon......Lapbooking....:)
Sami
Monday, November 05, 2007
Just a Post....November Arrives
Halloween has passed, full of fun and costumes and trick or treating with friends, and November arrived dressed in golds and reds, and rolling, gray skies. Daylight Savings has come and gone and the darkness is overwhelming and long. Mostly, the kids are inside longer and need more entertaining! WOW! The days do go on and on...;)
Halloween was fun and full of blessing and wonder. The weather was perfect, the friends were bountiful, and the costumes were easy and a pleasure. The kids had the week off of lessons and we spent a lot of time getting ready for our neighborhood Pre Trick or Treat Party and finishing making our costumes. We also spent some serious time cleaning the basement and going through summer items and throw outs.
David came to visit for a few days and it was lo-key and relaxing. We took the kids to Pizza Hut and had a feast-it was a hoot. David and Skye were vultures....The pizza was good;)
Work has settled and a sweetie pie friend of mine has entered the "management" pool...I think he can blow the lid off it, I hope he does just great;) Things have been "hairy" there though, with WAY too much going on...The whole point of the job was to avoid "bringing it home"...Ahem....
Things ARE good though, settled, calm....I have been laughing a lot, and Halloween simply made me giddy....LOL...
Curriculum planning for the next 6-7 weeks....off I go....
Halloween was fun and full of blessing and wonder. The weather was perfect, the friends were bountiful, and the costumes were easy and a pleasure. The kids had the week off of lessons and we spent a lot of time getting ready for our neighborhood Pre Trick or Treat Party and finishing making our costumes. We also spent some serious time cleaning the basement and going through summer items and throw outs.
David came to visit for a few days and it was lo-key and relaxing. We took the kids to Pizza Hut and had a feast-it was a hoot. David and Skye were vultures....The pizza was good;)
Work has settled and a sweetie pie friend of mine has entered the "management" pool...I think he can blow the lid off it, I hope he does just great;) Things have been "hairy" there though, with WAY too much going on...The whole point of the job was to avoid "bringing it home"...Ahem....
Things ARE good though, settled, calm....I have been laughing a lot, and Halloween simply made me giddy....LOL...
Curriculum planning for the next 6-7 weeks....off I go....
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Life kind of Sucks...
Wow...What a week. The guy who I was so PROUD to have become my general manager at work got fired...My rare pure white, very sweet and gentle parakeet, Indy, was killed during rough play with my son-this is a HUGE deal right now....And, well, I am simply in a funk. The weather is cool and dreary, the seasons are changing in the gray, cold bare way, and things are just not as bright as I would hope for.
My issue listed on the blog before this one seems to have faded into the woodwork. I have had no other issue, but jeez, that was enough drama for a year...
I am just plugging away, working as much as possible, teaching the kids, trying to look ahead...I need a goal...My life is gray and dull because I have no real goals at the moment...
hmmmm....
My issue listed on the blog before this one seems to have faded into the woodwork. I have had no other issue, but jeez, that was enough drama for a year...
I am just plugging away, working as much as possible, teaching the kids, trying to look ahead...I need a goal...My life is gray and dull because I have no real goals at the moment...
hmmmm....
Thursday, October 04, 2007
this is sad...
ok..here's the deal...I have been threatened...This is my really sad attempt to make document of the fact just in case. I am frightened. My kids are frightened. In case anything happens, this blog is accessible by my computer browser toolbar....
I was sexually harassed at work. It happened last summer, and the guy was fired-not for that, but for showing up at work drunk. They hired him back because he was in trouble with the law, in jail, and needed to a job to stay out of jail and on probation. They did him a favor even though they knew it was a problem. I told them that I would not tolerate any bad behavior and would report it immediately.
He spoke horribly about me behind my back on Sunday afternoon-so horribly, in fact, that those privy to the words will not repeat them. Those that heard what he said were shocked and disgusted and embarrassed. He was fired on Tuesday. He is irrational and he scares me and I have seen him angry....After being fired, his "girlfriend" called the store and basically threatened me and the manager, and then I got a threatening email. I am alone, here with four kids who have always gotten "creeps" and bad vibes from him, and we are all scared to death. The police have been notified. They said they can't really do anything. The promised to patrol the street-we are a block from the dept....I have yet to see a car and I have been watching...Edmund is a drunk and a loser with nothing to lose...And he stands a chance at returning to jail at this point. He thinks, because he is a drunk and loser, that this is MY fault.
I need to make note of this...In case...This is so sad...I just want to raise my kids and be a mom...
October 4th, 1:11am.....Sami
I was sexually harassed at work. It happened last summer, and the guy was fired-not for that, but for showing up at work drunk. They hired him back because he was in trouble with the law, in jail, and needed to a job to stay out of jail and on probation. They did him a favor even though they knew it was a problem. I told them that I would not tolerate any bad behavior and would report it immediately.
He spoke horribly about me behind my back on Sunday afternoon-so horribly, in fact, that those privy to the words will not repeat them. Those that heard what he said were shocked and disgusted and embarrassed. He was fired on Tuesday. He is irrational and he scares me and I have seen him angry....After being fired, his "girlfriend" called the store and basically threatened me and the manager, and then I got a threatening email. I am alone, here with four kids who have always gotten "creeps" and bad vibes from him, and we are all scared to death. The police have been notified. They said they can't really do anything. The promised to patrol the street-we are a block from the dept....I have yet to see a car and I have been watching...Edmund is a drunk and a loser with nothing to lose...And he stands a chance at returning to jail at this point. He thinks, because he is a drunk and loser, that this is MY fault.
I need to make note of this...In case...This is so sad...I just want to raise my kids and be a mom...
October 4th, 1:11am.....Sami
Monday, October 01, 2007
Smiling, Five Days, October is HERE!
I love Fall...I really do....I love the crisp nights, the orange colors against the October blue sky, the feeling of anticipation as my favorite holiday-Halloween-approaches. I love digging out my decorations for the first day of fall and dusting off my ghost collection (yes, I collect Ghosts and keep them out year round:)) I love the cozy feeling of the early dusk, the feel of long sleeves on my arms, the idea of packing away clothes that I was excited about wearing in early May...David has decided to spoil me to death with a Visa gift card that will surely fill my closet with many new Fall items, including something new for the wedding next Saturday (NOT MINE!!!!:)), and to top it off, he will be HERE in five days and I canNOT wait to touch him and see his beautiful face again....Are people my age allowed to be this in love???? LOL! It's been almost a year and a half, and I just fall deeper and deeper each day....My head spins with the very thought of him, and he is SO GOOD to me-to US, me and my children...God, the kids are NUTS about him, and he, them. Julian wouldn't even go to bed tonight without calling to say goodnight to him:)
I love football-the sound of it on TV, the colors of the jerseys, the history of the sport (which is very much MY history:)). I am SHOCKED, so SHOCKED, at todays score of the Ravens game and momentarily pretending that it didn't happen....LOL, that's the only thing that makes bartending on Sunday worthwhile....I LOVE having those old guys come in for beer, treat me like a young little blond...Then I lay my football knowhow on them and they are just dumbfounded:) I love talking "oldschool" with them...All the names I grew up with-Donovan, Unitas, Moore, Jones....I love telling them that my dad brags about my throwing arm in front of my children, I love the fact that my boys-and daughter-will always remember MOM as the one who taught them how to throw the ball...I love that part of my past-It's one of the few things that I remember with love about my youth....Football:) Who would've thought?
So, it's Fall, officially, and I am happy. In love, content, feeling a bit accomplished after a particularly good week of work....And, it's October:)
David will be here in five days....I CAN'T wait....Jeez, the weeks DO fly by, but I still want him HERE, all the time....I really do....This week is full of lessons, plans, work, chores....We are trying to get ready for a yardsale, but I am not sure when and how that will happen with meetings and weddings and visits from David going on....We want to get to Durham for a few days as well before the weather get cold....We still have money on our cards from funnest place on Earth-Frankies:) (go carts, batting cages, bumber boats, video games, laser tag, putt putt and more:))
Oh, I have to run-or go to bed actually-couldn;t run if you paid me to:) I am SO tired and Tomorrow is a DAY OFF! (of work, not much else:))
It's OCTOBER!!!!!!
Monday, September 24, 2007
WHEW!!! LOL!
Deep sigh of relief-another week ends well-or is it just starting???:)
David left earlier tonight-left and then showed up at work for an extra kiss goodbye right before he left again-he is AMAZING! We had an awesome weekend, as usual, and I am tired but incredibly content in EVERYTHING:)
We decided to shelf the idea of a move to Durham for now, though the kids are pushing for it hardcore. I can't possibly handle another huge life change right now, and honestly, I think they have been through enough of that as it is. Life there could be easier, cheaper, more liberal if nothing else, but I really want to make the best of here-HERE is where I have made my life-our lives, and I just don't want to walk away from that quite yet.
I am not sure what is keeping me here-the homeschool community is stuffy and basically hell bent on creating lives of shelter and sameness for themselves and their children-that was a five year struggle that just wore me out-the constant preschool attitude was exhausting. I gave and gave and gave of myself only to find that I was simply used in the end-I tried to convince myself otherwise, but too many people have pointed out the issues of mom immaturity and insecurity that constantly filtered through my life for five years. I mean, there was just too much lying, back stabbing and dishonesty to continue to look past. Half the kids I knew were extremely immature as well...I knew too many kids with no education, bad manners and, well, many needed to be medicated and I think that some were even kept at home to remove "officials" from finding out about the truth. We even knew 10 and 11 year olds who couldn't read yet and the parents didn't seem to care...I wish I could say otherwise, but my experiences with the whole concept, in retrospect, were very negative and unhealthy. A lot of what people SAY about homeschoolers was very true in some of the cases I came in constant contact with...Enough on that...I have moved on and it has shown in my life:)
My kids are doing AMAZING. My sis-in-law referred to our lives as "idyllic", church friends have pointed out that my kids are so incredibly well adjusted after "all the crap", and I receive regular kudos on their growth and personalitities...Our "lose" of our homeschool group has only catipulted us into a serious stream of education and the kids are progressing by leaps and bounds. Had I known that this kind of energy would produce such results...Well, I would have focused more on the family homeschool program then on our group experiences. They certaily don't need the socialization:) LOL...
Work is ok...What can I say. I adore those that I work with even though they can drive me nuts to no end-I have to face the fact that they have become my family-they adore my children, treat me with such respect and just make me laugh. Money could be better, but hell, I am paying the bills:)
Woe, I have SO much to do for tomorrow-we start our new Geography curriculum, and the kids are flying through their math books. I have MANY things to scan for their notebooks and MUCH to do to get ready for Kody, who is EATING UP school these days:) I cannot WAIT to shove this stuff into the reviewers hands:)
Ok....I wanted to post before another month ended...LOL...:)
Drop me a line, here, or on Facebook, I'd love to hear from those that visit:)
David left earlier tonight-left and then showed up at work for an extra kiss goodbye right before he left again-he is AMAZING! We had an awesome weekend, as usual, and I am tired but incredibly content in EVERYTHING:)
We decided to shelf the idea of a move to Durham for now, though the kids are pushing for it hardcore. I can't possibly handle another huge life change right now, and honestly, I think they have been through enough of that as it is. Life there could be easier, cheaper, more liberal if nothing else, but I really want to make the best of here-HERE is where I have made my life-our lives, and I just don't want to walk away from that quite yet.
I am not sure what is keeping me here-the homeschool community is stuffy and basically hell bent on creating lives of shelter and sameness for themselves and their children-that was a five year struggle that just wore me out-the constant preschool attitude was exhausting. I gave and gave and gave of myself only to find that I was simply used in the end-I tried to convince myself otherwise, but too many people have pointed out the issues of mom immaturity and insecurity that constantly filtered through my life for five years. I mean, there was just too much lying, back stabbing and dishonesty to continue to look past. Half the kids I knew were extremely immature as well...I knew too many kids with no education, bad manners and, well, many needed to be medicated and I think that some were even kept at home to remove "officials" from finding out about the truth. We even knew 10 and 11 year olds who couldn't read yet and the parents didn't seem to care...I wish I could say otherwise, but my experiences with the whole concept, in retrospect, were very negative and unhealthy. A lot of what people SAY about homeschoolers was very true in some of the cases I came in constant contact with...Enough on that...I have moved on and it has shown in my life:)
My kids are doing AMAZING. My sis-in-law referred to our lives as "idyllic", church friends have pointed out that my kids are so incredibly well adjusted after "all the crap", and I receive regular kudos on their growth and personalitities...Our "lose" of our homeschool group has only catipulted us into a serious stream of education and the kids are progressing by leaps and bounds. Had I known that this kind of energy would produce such results...Well, I would have focused more on the family homeschool program then on our group experiences. They certaily don't need the socialization:) LOL...
Work is ok...What can I say. I adore those that I work with even though they can drive me nuts to no end-I have to face the fact that they have become my family-they adore my children, treat me with such respect and just make me laugh. Money could be better, but hell, I am paying the bills:)
Woe, I have SO much to do for tomorrow-we start our new Geography curriculum, and the kids are flying through their math books. I have MANY things to scan for their notebooks and MUCH to do to get ready for Kody, who is EATING UP school these days:) I cannot WAIT to shove this stuff into the reviewers hands:)
Ok....I wanted to post before another month ended...LOL...:)
Drop me a line, here, or on Facebook, I'd love to hear from those that visit:)
Friday, August 24, 2007
Homeschool Year 07-08:) Ideas, Ramblings Thoughts, Comments, Questions...;)
Hi Everyone:)
I am back from Durham NC-got home late last night and just finished unpacking and getting the kids ready to go with "dad" for the weekend while I work work work:)
I am so hardcore "homeschool planning" right now, it's kind of funny:) I have a copy writing account that is collecting dust, a cake to bake and decorate for a friend, and several doubles in my current schedule....All I can think about, however, is homeschooling.
Last month we lost our homeschool group of five years. I had started it, it was my baby, but I trusted the wrong person with my livelihood and they acted in a completely immature, unprofessional and conniving fashion and ruined something that had been really really good for a LONG time. At first I was devastated-mostly because of the time and effort invested over five years, and the fact that people would hurt children on purpose with selfish actions. Within a day, though, doors had opened for new opportunities, and by the fourth or fifth day, I couldn't believe the quality of our new life! Had I known that losing my group would lead to such freedom, such creativity, such plain "NON STRESS", I would have spent my time more wisely over the last few years. I would have invested MORE into our own lessons and life, and less into the lives of people who were pretty obviously using me. From this realization, I have bursted back into my over excited homeschool mom costume and it's like we are just getting a fresh new start!:) I am so happy, and my kids are thriving-totally thriving!
I am deep into planning for this year, efforts to get organized-like searching for a planning form or a new idea, have led me to great new sites and many new ideas!!! My challenge, of course, is to focus on a few great ones and not get lost in the masses:)
We have "notebooked" in the past, "lapbooked" as well. I like the notebooking better, but I haven't explored it very closely and haven't had a huge chance to actually see how it could work for us. My kids are varied ages and levels, and the creative aspect of the process can easily distract me from the whole picture of notebooking. I am so curious to learn how this approach of schooling has worked for their family...I'd love opinions from others who may be reading this:) I joined a few notebooking and form share yahoo groups for support, ideas and motivation:)
I have also re-discovered the Core Knowledge site. This site, along with the book series, was our first homeschool approach. The site offered little but a "What Your ~ Should Know" outline for each grade, with promises of a great future of added lessonplans. I hadn't been back in years, and today realized the the promises were kept! The lessonplan section is quite awesome! I saved each of my children's grade levels (save the whole link) to my desktop in their personal file for future referance.
I am having such a blast surfing the net for personal homeschool quest-I had gotten away from being excited about new HS ideas for awhile...Life happens;)
Another cool site that I stumbled upon last night is http://www.awesomelibrary.org/ .This site calls for more exploration and I can't wait to settle in and do just that. There seems to be TONS here for use:)
I have some rambling thoughts about homeschooling...Do most HS Moms constantly explore new options and ideas? Is it better the find something the works and stick with it for awhile, or is it ok to have changes during the year/s? I started out with a unit studies approach when my kids were preschoolers...Themes were based on the Core Knowledge scopes. Our first unit was on Rain forests...I got a little carried away;) As I added more children to the school day, I found a need for more structure and discovered The Well Trained Mind, which quickly became my homeschool bible. I still use curriculum ans theory gleaned from that incredible book, and with that, we have settled into a comfort zone for the last years. This year finds us more settled then in recent years, and with children that get their basic studies done rather independently. I feel that we now own more of our time, and that our personal interests and skills can really start to bloom within our homeschool lifestyle.
I have met many homeschool moms, all very different, but most enjoy searching out and discovering new "stuff". I have personally seen moms so wrapped up in the pretty "stuff" that they can barely dig themselves out from the UPS boxes long enough to do lessons:) I have seen moms change their philosophies and styles overnight for months at a time, and the "learning" seemed to drop off while mom researched and planned...I have hit that plateau as well-which is what has kept me so close to our basic plan for so long. I want to shake it up, but not too much:)
As a homeschool parent, do you embrace many changes or do you try to maintain a more settled and structured, constant approach? What has been your new discovery for this year-what will you drop, add or try? How are you implementing this into your lifestyle? Do your children help you decide what you want to do, use, try, as you plan for a new year? I am curious as to how others approach new years, new ideas....
Off to get ready for work and hopefully surf a little longer:)
I am back from Durham NC-got home late last night and just finished unpacking and getting the kids ready to go with "dad" for the weekend while I work work work:)
I am so hardcore "homeschool planning" right now, it's kind of funny:) I have a copy writing account that is collecting dust, a cake to bake and decorate for a friend, and several doubles in my current schedule....All I can think about, however, is homeschooling.
Last month we lost our homeschool group of five years. I had started it, it was my baby, but I trusted the wrong person with my livelihood and they acted in a completely immature, unprofessional and conniving fashion and ruined something that had been really really good for a LONG time. At first I was devastated-mostly because of the time and effort invested over five years, and the fact that people would hurt children on purpose with selfish actions. Within a day, though, doors had opened for new opportunities, and by the fourth or fifth day, I couldn't believe the quality of our new life! Had I known that losing my group would lead to such freedom, such creativity, such plain "NON STRESS", I would have spent my time more wisely over the last few years. I would have invested MORE into our own lessons and life, and less into the lives of people who were pretty obviously using me. From this realization, I have bursted back into my over excited homeschool mom costume and it's like we are just getting a fresh new start!:) I am so happy, and my kids are thriving-totally thriving!
I am deep into planning for this year, efforts to get organized-like searching for a planning form or a new idea, have led me to great new sites and many new ideas!!! My challenge, of course, is to focus on a few great ones and not get lost in the masses:)
We have "notebooked" in the past, "lapbooked" as well. I like the notebooking better, but I haven't explored it very closely and haven't had a huge chance to actually see how it could work for us. My kids are varied ages and levels, and the creative aspect of the process can easily distract me from the whole picture of notebooking. I am so curious to learn how this approach of schooling has worked for their family...I'd love opinions from others who may be reading this:) I joined a few notebooking and form share yahoo groups for support, ideas and motivation:)
I have also re-discovered the Core Knowledge site. This site, along with the book series, was our first homeschool approach. The site offered little but a "What Your ~ Should Know" outline for each grade, with promises of a great future of added lessonplans. I hadn't been back in years, and today realized the the promises were kept! The lessonplan section is quite awesome! I saved each of my children's grade levels (save the whole link) to my desktop in their personal file for future referance.
I am having such a blast surfing the net for personal homeschool quest-I had gotten away from being excited about new HS ideas for awhile...Life happens;)
Another cool site that I stumbled upon last night is http://www.awesomelibrary.org/ .This site calls for more exploration and I can't wait to settle in and do just that. There seems to be TONS here for use:)
I have some rambling thoughts about homeschooling...Do most HS Moms constantly explore new options and ideas? Is it better the find something the works and stick with it for awhile, or is it ok to have changes during the year/s? I started out with a unit studies approach when my kids were preschoolers...Themes were based on the Core Knowledge scopes. Our first unit was on Rain forests...I got a little carried away;) As I added more children to the school day, I found a need for more structure and discovered The Well Trained Mind, which quickly became my homeschool bible. I still use curriculum ans theory gleaned from that incredible book, and with that, we have settled into a comfort zone for the last years. This year finds us more settled then in recent years, and with children that get their basic studies done rather independently. I feel that we now own more of our time, and that our personal interests and skills can really start to bloom within our homeschool lifestyle.
I have met many homeschool moms, all very different, but most enjoy searching out and discovering new "stuff". I have personally seen moms so wrapped up in the pretty "stuff" that they can barely dig themselves out from the UPS boxes long enough to do lessons:) I have seen moms change their philosophies and styles overnight for months at a time, and the "learning" seemed to drop off while mom researched and planned...I have hit that plateau as well-which is what has kept me so close to our basic plan for so long. I want to shake it up, but not too much:)
As a homeschool parent, do you embrace many changes or do you try to maintain a more settled and structured, constant approach? What has been your new discovery for this year-what will you drop, add or try? How are you implementing this into your lifestyle? Do your children help you decide what you want to do, use, try, as you plan for a new year? I am curious as to how others approach new years, new ideas....
Off to get ready for work and hopefully surf a little longer:)
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Work, Work, Work...:)
This weekend the kids are away, which only means one thing for me-WORK! I try to work as much as possible when they are not here, needing a sitter, etc. It's good deal though, I usually end up working several doubles, enjoying the time to joke and goof with co-workers and management, as well as make good money. This weekend was especially good because the money was good even though business was slow. (damn BBQ Bash in Bel Air!) I got to do new things and make more cash and get involved more, which is always good:)
I have so much to do. It's insane how overwhelmed being a single homeschooling mom of four can get...I HAVE the money to pay the bills, I just never know what day of the month it is, so I forget to MAIL the bills!
I have to run....Wish I could sit and write, but more work awaits...!
I have so much to do. It's insane how overwhelmed being a single homeschooling mom of four can get...I HAVE the money to pay the bills, I just never know what day of the month it is, so I forget to MAIL the bills!
I have to run....Wish I could sit and write, but more work awaits...!
Friday, August 10, 2007
Heat, Chinese Food, Homeschooling and etc...
We are back from the beach-a full five days of temperatures of 105+, and 97% humidity!!! It was fun though, the kids got to spend time with their grandparents, and also got to swim A LOT!:) They spent most days at the community pool at my folks place, and on Wednesday we ventured into the insane heat with a trip to the ocean. The heat index on the shores of Fenwick Island State Park was 115!!!! My children and I are not much on sunbathing-my legs have not seen the sun in probably 8 years-and although we slathered on serious sunblock, we all got too much sun. I was under two umbrellas, with a shirt over my legs, and I still got crisp on my legs. My daughter and middle son look like lobster faces and are already peeling. It was FUN though:)
Vacations always bring out the kid in me. Last year, two months after major surgery on my neck, I decided to play tag at the lazy river in our hotel in Va Beach. My insane competitive edge kicked in as my oldest son, Jordan, almost caught up with me. I looked up and saw a small hole cut into the giant rock formation in the center of the circular river, and in one movement, jumped up and THROUGH it!!!! It was only about a foot wide and high, and I took all the skin off of my thighs!!! Then, in effort to get away from my daughter, Skye, I dove into the water and pounded my head onto a rock wall....It was fun though....Memorable to say the least.
This vacation had us visiting one of my favorite places on earth-Ocean City Maryland. There are rides there that I have gotten on since I was 10 years old-so that's.....31 years ago!!!!!!!! Yikes!!!!:) My favorite ride, The Himalaya, plays loud music and loops you round and round while the operator yells "Do you wanna go reeeeeaaaal fast????" and everyone screams....Amazing how the operator has sounded exactly the same for over 30 years!!! I got on with my two oldest kids a few times, screamed like a 12 year old and had a BLAST:) Nothing makes you feel young like screaming on a ride:) I also got into the ocean, which I haven't done in years. I was way out, over my head to avoid getting pelted by the gravel in the breaking waves. I talked my daughter into joining me, then we decided to try to ride in on a wave...We got TRAMPLED, tristed, turned over and thrown onto the beach!!! I was lying in the sand in my bikini creaming for my eight year old to help me up out of the pit of sand that surrounded me when I got hit again and again by gravel filled waves! I was yelling and laughing so hard I couldn't get up and ended up with about three pounds of sand in my suit. That was IT for me, and I spent the rest of the day trying to get sand out of my ears.
The kids did math the whole time we were there. My mom watched as I wrangled kids in and out of the shower and into clean clothes, sitting them down in various parts of her house with their Singapore math workbooks. My daughter threw her daily math fit, acting helpless, while I ran back and forth between showers, bathrooms, and mathbooks, and just shook her head at my patience. "They would have been in school YESTERDAY" she said over and over. I just laughed and continued my running back and forth.
We have been working on Math all summer, with the older two also working on vocabulary while the younger two continuing with phonics and reading. It is making me nuts though, just trying to get those few subjects done each day-the neighborhood kids are outside riding MY kids bkes and skateboards up and down our driveway and pounding on the door every 10 minutes. I cannot WAIT for public school to start back up...Of course, we may very well take off the month of September:) I need a few weeks of peace to get my head-and lessonplans-together.
I am working doubles all weekend...Gotta run:)
Vacations always bring out the kid in me. Last year, two months after major surgery on my neck, I decided to play tag at the lazy river in our hotel in Va Beach. My insane competitive edge kicked in as my oldest son, Jordan, almost caught up with me. I looked up and saw a small hole cut into the giant rock formation in the center of the circular river, and in one movement, jumped up and THROUGH it!!!! It was only about a foot wide and high, and I took all the skin off of my thighs!!! Then, in effort to get away from my daughter, Skye, I dove into the water and pounded my head onto a rock wall....It was fun though....Memorable to say the least.
This vacation had us visiting one of my favorite places on earth-Ocean City Maryland. There are rides there that I have gotten on since I was 10 years old-so that's.....31 years ago!!!!!!!! Yikes!!!!:) My favorite ride, The Himalaya, plays loud music and loops you round and round while the operator yells "Do you wanna go reeeeeaaaal fast????" and everyone screams....Amazing how the operator has sounded exactly the same for over 30 years!!! I got on with my two oldest kids a few times, screamed like a 12 year old and had a BLAST:) Nothing makes you feel young like screaming on a ride:) I also got into the ocean, which I haven't done in years. I was way out, over my head to avoid getting pelted by the gravel in the breaking waves. I talked my daughter into joining me, then we decided to try to ride in on a wave...We got TRAMPLED, tristed, turned over and thrown onto the beach!!! I was lying in the sand in my bikini creaming for my eight year old to help me up out of the pit of sand that surrounded me when I got hit again and again by gravel filled waves! I was yelling and laughing so hard I couldn't get up and ended up with about three pounds of sand in my suit. That was IT for me, and I spent the rest of the day trying to get sand out of my ears.
The kids did math the whole time we were there. My mom watched as I wrangled kids in and out of the shower and into clean clothes, sitting them down in various parts of her house with their Singapore math workbooks. My daughter threw her daily math fit, acting helpless, while I ran back and forth between showers, bathrooms, and mathbooks, and just shook her head at my patience. "They would have been in school YESTERDAY" she said over and over. I just laughed and continued my running back and forth.
We have been working on Math all summer, with the older two also working on vocabulary while the younger two continuing with phonics and reading. It is making me nuts though, just trying to get those few subjects done each day-the neighborhood kids are outside riding MY kids bkes and skateboards up and down our driveway and pounding on the door every 10 minutes. I cannot WAIT for public school to start back up...Of course, we may very well take off the month of September:) I need a few weeks of peace to get my head-and lessonplans-together.
I am working doubles all weekend...Gotta run:)
Monday, August 06, 2007
Goin' to the Beach..(or, No Computer for four days!)
We are headed to the beach today to play and visit with family:) It IS raining, but who cares, I just need a change of scenery! My mind is warped on curriculum planning and my recent account. I AM taking the account file with me, and there is a box of schoolbooks next to me as I write, all packed and ready to go (those lucky kids! LOL) (my clothes and stuff, however, are nowhere NEAR ready to go!!! Talk about obsession!)
Awesome weekend with David visiting-AWESOME! He is simply SO fantasic there are no real words:) It just gets better and better and better:) We had so much fun-he is SO my very best friend, it's probably sickening to all who meet and see us. We laugh NON-stop, are beyond close, and the affection he shows to me is simply adorable. He is a definite KEEPER, LOL!:) He is headed to Chicago this week while I am in Delaware....Too many miles...! The kids and I go to visit him for several days in 2 weeks-I can't wait!
I really need to stop "exercising my word skills" and get into the shower and pack-I told the kids we would leave before 11...And I am not dress or otherwise...THE SUN JUST CAME OUT!!!!!!!!!!! GO SUN!!! Ok, headed to the beach for real!!! He He He He!!!
No computer for several days....No HS Tracker, no Facebook baby, no blogging....I will live though!
Awesome weekend with David visiting-AWESOME! He is simply SO fantasic there are no real words:) It just gets better and better and better:) We had so much fun-he is SO my very best friend, it's probably sickening to all who meet and see us. We laugh NON-stop, are beyond close, and the affection he shows to me is simply adorable. He is a definite KEEPER, LOL!:) He is headed to Chicago this week while I am in Delaware....Too many miles...! The kids and I go to visit him for several days in 2 weeks-I can't wait!
I really need to stop "exercising my word skills" and get into the shower and pack-I told the kids we would leave before 11...And I am not dress or otherwise...THE SUN JUST CAME OUT!!!!!!!!!!! GO SUN!!! Ok, headed to the beach for real!!! He He He He!!!
No computer for several days....No HS Tracker, no Facebook baby, no blogging....I will live though!
Friday, August 03, 2007
Have to Write....
It's 2:33 am and I decided that I HAVE to write, no matter the time. I think about writing all the time, but then I always get into something else....!
Basically, lots is going on...I had some big windows close, but as a great friend pointed out, some pretty big ones were sure to open...And they did, and are, and will;) Things change so fast...It's amazing, how fast. Things that were so important to me a month ago are simply mere memories-life just moves that fast-there is almost no time for reflection!!!
We head to the beach on Monday, after a weekend with David visiting. The kids are so excited about BOTH prospects:) They are NUTS NUTS NUTS about David, and really can't wait to go to the beach, and to see their grandparents, who we rarely see. It will feel AWESOME to reconnect with the power of the Sea-I need her energies!!! I am looking forward to it, even thought we ARE taking school books:)
After that, I have to work on a new account that I have suddenly had land in my lap. I have to think about restarting my small-very small-biz....And, I have decided to continue college in the Spring, taking classes in web graphics and design, hoping to pull together and upgrade my self taught skills:)
I am excited about a brand new homeschool year, a brand new year at UUFHC-where I will be teaching K-1:), I am excited about new changes at work, and changes to be made to our home, and our new curricum...(I am a self proclaimed curriculum queen) I am just excited...And, to top it off, DAVID is coming up today!!!!
Which is why I need to go to bed!!! NOW!
Basically, lots is going on...I had some big windows close, but as a great friend pointed out, some pretty big ones were sure to open...And they did, and are, and will;) Things change so fast...It's amazing, how fast. Things that were so important to me a month ago are simply mere memories-life just moves that fast-there is almost no time for reflection!!!
We head to the beach on Monday, after a weekend with David visiting. The kids are so excited about BOTH prospects:) They are NUTS NUTS NUTS about David, and really can't wait to go to the beach, and to see their grandparents, who we rarely see. It will feel AWESOME to reconnect with the power of the Sea-I need her energies!!! I am looking forward to it, even thought we ARE taking school books:)
After that, I have to work on a new account that I have suddenly had land in my lap. I have to think about restarting my small-very small-biz....And, I have decided to continue college in the Spring, taking classes in web graphics and design, hoping to pull together and upgrade my self taught skills:)
I am excited about a brand new homeschool year, a brand new year at UUFHC-where I will be teaching K-1:), I am excited about new changes at work, and changes to be made to our home, and our new curricum...(I am a self proclaimed curriculum queen) I am just excited...And, to top it off, DAVID is coming up today!!!!
Which is why I need to go to bed!!! NOW!
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Fall Curriculum!
I am so excited!!!! We have settled into some awesome programs and books in the last year and have just discovered some new as well:) I am well planned and excited to begin!! This is what we will be using: :)
Older Kids-ages 10 and 12
ScienceWorks-Chemistry
Read and Understand Science
Young Scientist
Math-U-See
Singapore Math
Grammer Usage and Mechanics
Spelling Workout
The Traits of Writing
Mastering Vocabulary
Vocabulary Grade 5 TCP
World Geography-EvanMoor.com (Africa)
Map Skills MCP
Spotlight on America Rev War, The Constitution, Elections.
Art Packs
Advantage Reading
Younger Kids ages 6 and 8
ScienceWorks-Space
Reading Comp-Science
Young Scientist
Math-U-See
Singapore Math
MCP Plaid Phonics B and C
Spelling Workout
World Geography-EvanMoor.com (Africa)
Map Skills MCP
Spotlight on America Rev War, The Constitution, Elections.
Art Packs
We are also considering Cub Scouts, Gymnastics, Basketball, and private Art Lessons...
Individual Projects this year, so far, include Skye learning oil painting, and Dakota designing a comicbook based on the antics of our three crazy parakeets.:)
Too Excited!!!!!
Older Kids-ages 10 and 12
ScienceWorks-Chemistry
Read and Understand Science
Young Scientist
Math-U-See
Singapore Math
Grammer Usage and Mechanics
Spelling Workout
The Traits of Writing
Mastering Vocabulary
Vocabulary Grade 5 TCP
World Geography-EvanMoor.com (Africa)
Map Skills MCP
Spotlight on America Rev War, The Constitution, Elections.
Art Packs
Advantage Reading
Younger Kids ages 6 and 8
ScienceWorks-Space
Reading Comp-Science
Young Scientist
Math-U-See
Singapore Math
MCP Plaid Phonics B and C
Spelling Workout
World Geography-EvanMoor.com (Africa)
Map Skills MCP
Spotlight on America Rev War, The Constitution, Elections.
Art Packs
We are also considering Cub Scouts, Gymnastics, Basketball, and private Art Lessons...
Individual Projects this year, so far, include Skye learning oil painting, and Dakota designing a comicbook based on the antics of our three crazy parakeets.:)
Too Excited!!!!!
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Crazed Weather in Bel Air!
This is a shot I took last Sunday morning-this WAS the roof of a local auto parts store! We had a storm, around 5:30am that morning, and while there were no reports of tornadoes, this looks as though it was picked up, crushed like a tin can and dropped neatly into the parking lot-insulation was hanging from the trees and power lines!
Two weeks prior we DID have a tornado about a mile from here. I was shocked-it was the third one in this area in 3 years. I read online that this section of Maryland has a 40% higher chance of having them!!! No Idea!!! My kids and I were in the freezer section of Target...The lights went out several times then stayed out...It was so dark and quiet-it was like death! No one made a sound, and then I said, "freeze-no one move" to my kids....A few seconds later my cell rings and I answer it-thankful for the light it gave! My mom-in Delaware was on the line and she asked where we were...I told her "Target"...And she says to me, as I stand in the darkness, "There is a tornado in Bel Air!!!" Needless to say, I had NO idea what to do, the thunder and rain were pounding so hard on the roof I couldn't hear myself think....Soon, the lights came on and we continued shopping....The sky was BEAUTIFUL when we finally entered the parking lot, all the traffic lights were out, and there were leaves and debris EVERYWHERE....
Crazy crazy Mother Nature...;)
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