It has been a few days since I have sat here in the sun room looking out into the yard at my beautiful birds and putting my thoughts down. The last few days have been interesting, to say the least.
We have picked up our "new" daughter and have her settled in. We are waiting on the adoption to move forward. For now, we are what has been termed as "babysitters". Our young "charge" seems to be adjusting pretty well considering that she has only been here a few days. Her and my son seem to have a love/hate relationship at this point, so I am guessing that she feels at home and he has accepted her.....their relationship reminds me of a true sibling relationship at this point. My oldest daughter seems to be OK with the idea of another child in the family now as well. At this point, I am hoping that all goes smoothly with the adoption and we can move forward as quickly as possible. My biggest concern for this is the fact that right now, we have no "formal guardianship" and if our little charge gets sick, taking her to the doctor would be a nightmare. The way allergies are in this state, this rather bothers me.....or what if she gets hurt somehow?
Home school in our house have not yet began. We will start on Aug. 23rd. I have all of our plans made out and all of the curriculum ready to go. The reason we have not started yet is because I wanted time for all of us to get to know our new one and time for her to adjust somewhat before we dive right into school. I do think that when school begins that it will be quite interesting to say the least!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Gotcha Day
Today is "gotcha day" as the woman who is allowing us to adopt her daughter puts it. It means that to an adopted child, this is the day we got you. Yes, today is the day that we go to pick up our new daughter and bring her home. We will be meeting her and her current parents at the half-way point and then returning with her. The time is drawing near, only 5 more hours and we will be on our way to pick her up and in 12 hours time, we will be back home with her. Exciting and scary all at the same time.
Now that the day is here, there are so many things running through my mind. Will she be happy here? Will she miss her old life? Will she like our more laid back and less "on the go" lifestyle? Will she enjoy being in the country? Will we be able to raise another child properly? Will we be able to home school her properly? Will everyone accept her as our own? So many different thoughts and worries. All for nothing I am sure, but the thoughts and worries are there for the time being.
It is a lovely day weather wise, and for that I thank Creator. Nothing but sunshine and a bit cooler temperatures than it has been being. That should make the trip easier and more comfortable for all of us involved. I am not a good traveler. I do not like to travel. I get car sick still! And at my age? Oh boy! I am already counting the minutes to being back here in my own home and having the trip behind us!
Now that the day is here, there are so many things running through my mind. Will she be happy here? Will she miss her old life? Will she like our more laid back and less "on the go" lifestyle? Will she enjoy being in the country? Will we be able to raise another child properly? Will we be able to home school her properly? Will everyone accept her as our own? So many different thoughts and worries. All for nothing I am sure, but the thoughts and worries are there for the time being.
It is a lovely day weather wise, and for that I thank Creator. Nothing but sunshine and a bit cooler temperatures than it has been being. That should make the trip easier and more comfortable for all of us involved. I am not a good traveler. I do not like to travel. I get car sick still! And at my age? Oh boy! I am already counting the minutes to being back here in my own home and having the trip behind us!
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Getting Impatient!
A few more days have passed and we are still waiting on the criminal background checks to surface so that the agency knows for sure that we are "decent" people. Without those documents, once again, we will not be able to go pick up our daughter this weekend. We are getting very impatient. We do get to talk to the child on the phone about twice a week, but we want her here with us so that we can get her settled and get to know her before we begin to home school this year. We will wait on her because we do not want her to be behind and have to play "catch-up" as soon as she gets here. Even my son is getting a bit anxious! He wants his new sister to get here and he is ready for school to start as well. Creator knows best, but goodness....sometimes the wait is awful!
Yesterday, I was fortunate enough to meet another home school Mom in the area and trade off a box of curriculum that we will not use for a box that we will most likely be able to use. I know this county has over a hundred home school families .... but it is almost impossible to find them. I would like to be able to get together with some of them and get to know them and allow our children to spend time with each other as well. Maybe, sooner or later, I will find more of the home school families. As I said in the paragraph above, Creator knows best!
The weather here is beautiful, but the temperatures are scorching! The heat index will be around 115 today, I think I heard. Wow! Everyone's lawn, flowers, and gardens are dying rapidly now. We haven't had anywhere near enough rain to help them out and I don't see that we will have any time near soon.
Today, Tuesday, I am planning on printing out some of the curriculum that I have written myself for my children so that it will be ready to use in the next week or two. I am really excited about starting school with the kids this year, but I also wonder if I will have time to study my own college courses. I am worried that I won't be able to finish them by the deadline that I have to complete them. Granted they are not that hard and they are correspondence courses, but the print in the books is so tiny that I don't see how I will ever get through them....even with my glasses on, I can barely see the print. That makes me NOT want to do the work even though I am really enjoying the courses themselves. Well, I guess I will just have to buckle down, sacrifice some of what little sleep I get, and continue on with my own studies anyway.
Yesterday, I was fortunate enough to meet another home school Mom in the area and trade off a box of curriculum that we will not use for a box that we will most likely be able to use. I know this county has over a hundred home school families .... but it is almost impossible to find them. I would like to be able to get together with some of them and get to know them and allow our children to spend time with each other as well. Maybe, sooner or later, I will find more of the home school families. As I said in the paragraph above, Creator knows best!
The weather here is beautiful, but the temperatures are scorching! The heat index will be around 115 today, I think I heard. Wow! Everyone's lawn, flowers, and gardens are dying rapidly now. We haven't had anywhere near enough rain to help them out and I don't see that we will have any time near soon.
Today, Tuesday, I am planning on printing out some of the curriculum that I have written myself for my children so that it will be ready to use in the next week or two. I am really excited about starting school with the kids this year, but I also wonder if I will have time to study my own college courses. I am worried that I won't be able to finish them by the deadline that I have to complete them. Granted they are not that hard and they are correspondence courses, but the print in the books is so tiny that I don't see how I will ever get through them....even with my glasses on, I can barely see the print. That makes me NOT want to do the work even though I am really enjoying the courses themselves. Well, I guess I will just have to buckle down, sacrifice some of what little sleep I get, and continue on with my own studies anyway.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Waiting
We have managed to get through all of the visits with the social worker and finding all of the documents that she needs, with the execption of us going to the doctor for a check up. However, we are not going to be able to go pick up our new daughter this weekend as was planned because our criminal background checks have not arrived. Hopefully, these documents will arrive this coming up week so that we can go get her next weekend, Aug. 7th. We have her room all ready for her and we have been able to speak on the phone with her several times. Her mother is a wonderful lady that really just wants the best for this child.
My oldest daughter and her husband are planning to take a mini vacation that same weekend that we are to go pick up our new addition to the family. They are going to Holiday World with some other family members. All of them have an anniversary around that time, so it is their anniversary gift from my in-laws and us. I hope they all have a wonderful time! My daughter didn't get to have a honeymoon, so this is just fantastic that the two of them will get to do something for their anniversary this year.
As for my son, he is disappointed that he isn't getting his new sister here as planned. He is so looking forward to having another child in the household. I just hope he remembers that when the sibling arguements begin....HAHA.
My husband and I are staying quite busy as well. We have had canning and freezing to do, lawn work to do, housework to conquer, getting our new child's room ready for her, and ordering her home school curriculum. We will be using the same curriculum for her that we are using for our son, except geared for her grade.
I do have concerns that I will not be able to teach two children at once, but I managed before. However, at that time, one was in high school and the other in primary school. These two will be grade 3 and 6. I am sure Creator will give me the wisdom, strength, and patience to do this. My son is older, so maybe he can help me with my daughter sometimes. That would be good for all of us and give him a sense of acheivement as well.
Our garden, such as it was, is beginning to die off now, so I don't expect to be doing a lot of food preservation the rest of this fall. We do hope to run across more vegetables from local farmers to put up for the winter. Hopefully, next year will not be so harsh on the gardens and we will have a better one. Even with us watering and babying the garden each day, it has produced very little according to the time, effort, and money that we put into it this year. Well, Creator knows best and I trust that our harvest from the garden along with the produce purchased from others will carry us through.
My oldest daughter and her husband are planning to take a mini vacation that same weekend that we are to go pick up our new addition to the family. They are going to Holiday World with some other family members. All of them have an anniversary around that time, so it is their anniversary gift from my in-laws and us. I hope they all have a wonderful time! My daughter didn't get to have a honeymoon, so this is just fantastic that the two of them will get to do something for their anniversary this year.
As for my son, he is disappointed that he isn't getting his new sister here as planned. He is so looking forward to having another child in the household. I just hope he remembers that when the sibling arguements begin....HAHA.
My husband and I are staying quite busy as well. We have had canning and freezing to do, lawn work to do, housework to conquer, getting our new child's room ready for her, and ordering her home school curriculum. We will be using the same curriculum for her that we are using for our son, except geared for her grade.
I do have concerns that I will not be able to teach two children at once, but I managed before. However, at that time, one was in high school and the other in primary school. These two will be grade 3 and 6. I am sure Creator will give me the wisdom, strength, and patience to do this. My son is older, so maybe he can help me with my daughter sometimes. That would be good for all of us and give him a sense of acheivement as well.
Our garden, such as it was, is beginning to die off now, so I don't expect to be doing a lot of food preservation the rest of this fall. We do hope to run across more vegetables from local farmers to put up for the winter. Hopefully, next year will not be so harsh on the gardens and we will have a better one. Even with us watering and babying the garden each day, it has produced very little according to the time, effort, and money that we put into it this year. Well, Creator knows best and I trust that our harvest from the garden along with the produce purchased from others will carry us through.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
More on the pending adoption
The social worker that came to our house on Saturday was a very sweet young lady. We really liked her. I felt at ease with her immediately. I feel like all went very well.
We spent Sunday running around looking for items that we need to make our new daughter's room special for her. We finally have it complete for her I think. It's a pretty room and I think she will have enough room for all of her clothes, toys, and such.
Yesterday, I spent the day on the run digging up almost 20 year old documents that the adoption agency needs from me, old divorce papers and such. Stuff that I prefer to keep buried and not talk about, but it has to be done and then I can rebury it again. Hopefully, forever this time.
Today, the same social worker will be back at our home to speak to each one of us on an individual basis. Not sure what she wants to talk about, probably our lives in general.
On Saturday, as far as we know, we get to go pick up our new daughter. It's about a 4 hour trip to meet her family where they wish to meet. This cuts off an hour or two for us. We are excited and a bit nervous all at the same time. Of course we have worries of whether the child will like us and how hard it will be for her to adapt to our surroundings and environment.
Sometime soon, we all have to go to the doctor and get a physical to make sure that we are all healthy here and that we don't have any weird or catchy diseases. I know we are all healthy and such, but it has to be documented for the safety and well being of the child we are adopting.
My real worries lie with my oldest daughter. I know that my son, myself, and my husband are really all she has, but her fears of us abandoning her and her son are not logical to me. I am sure they are valid fears to her. I only hope that, in time, she will adjust and feel differently.
We spent Sunday running around looking for items that we need to make our new daughter's room special for her. We finally have it complete for her I think. It's a pretty room and I think she will have enough room for all of her clothes, toys, and such.
Yesterday, I spent the day on the run digging up almost 20 year old documents that the adoption agency needs from me, old divorce papers and such. Stuff that I prefer to keep buried and not talk about, but it has to be done and then I can rebury it again. Hopefully, forever this time.
Today, the same social worker will be back at our home to speak to each one of us on an individual basis. Not sure what she wants to talk about, probably our lives in general.
On Saturday, as far as we know, we get to go pick up our new daughter. It's about a 4 hour trip to meet her family where they wish to meet. This cuts off an hour or two for us. We are excited and a bit nervous all at the same time. Of course we have worries of whether the child will like us and how hard it will be for her to adapt to our surroundings and environment.
Sometime soon, we all have to go to the doctor and get a physical to make sure that we are all healthy here and that we don't have any weird or catchy diseases. I know we are all healthy and such, but it has to be documented for the safety and well being of the child we are adopting.
My real worries lie with my oldest daughter. I know that my son, myself, and my husband are really all she has, but her fears of us abandoning her and her son are not logical to me. I am sure they are valid fears to her. I only hope that, in time, she will adjust and feel differently.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Adoption Pending
Today, the social worker comes to our home. We got the word on Tuesday that if all goes well, the mother would like for us to adopt her almost 9 year old daughter. I have done nothing special to prepare for this visit. I see no reason to do so. My home is relatively clean, overly clean according to some people and not clean enough to others. I see no safety hazards here as I have a small grandchild and have already gone through the house to take measures to keep him safe when he begins to crawl and walk. I have nothing to hide and neither does my husband or son, so I see no reason why we would not be able to have this child.
It has been a hectic week though from running around trying to find documents that are needed for adoption and trying to fill out all of the paperwork involved. I knew there would be a lot to it, but gee whiz....i really had no clue whatsoever! All for the best of the child though and that is the job of the agency.
We are super excited at the aspect of having another child in our home. My son is looking forward to no longer being "the baby" as well. Bless his heart, with him being a child, he told me that my blow dryer is dangerous and to lock it up. LOL....ok, so it was done. Then he tells me that I must also lock up my straightener and curling iron....LOL....ok, i never use those, so that has been done as well. He didn't find anything else that he thought would be dangerous, so I guess we are all good on that part. :-)
I can only hope that my oldest child, our 19 year old married with a baby child, comes to terms with this. She won't discuss it with me and if I try to talk to her about it, she just nods her head and changes the subject. I don't know if she is jealous, or if she feels like she is being replaced, or if she feels like we are kicking her and her baby out of our lives. We must get her to open up and talk to us somehow.
It has been a hectic week though from running around trying to find documents that are needed for adoption and trying to fill out all of the paperwork involved. I knew there would be a lot to it, but gee whiz....i really had no clue whatsoever! All for the best of the child though and that is the job of the agency.
We are super excited at the aspect of having another child in our home. My son is looking forward to no longer being "the baby" as well. Bless his heart, with him being a child, he told me that my blow dryer is dangerous and to lock it up. LOL....ok, so it was done. Then he tells me that I must also lock up my straightener and curling iron....LOL....ok, i never use those, so that has been done as well. He didn't find anything else that he thought would be dangerous, so I guess we are all good on that part. :-)
I can only hope that my oldest child, our 19 year old married with a baby child, comes to terms with this. She won't discuss it with me and if I try to talk to her about it, she just nods her head and changes the subject. I don't know if she is jealous, or if she feels like she is being replaced, or if she feels like we are kicking her and her baby out of our lives. We must get her to open up and talk to us somehow.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Possible Adoption
Been a few days since I have set down to organize my thoughts into writing, so I guess I may need to do that today.
I had company over the weekend. A friend that I have known since...well....birth I guess since I can not ever remember a time of not having been around her. I remember her being at my 4th birthday party and I am sure we were around each other before then. Our grandmothers were close friends and neighbors. She moved out of state several years ago, and we lost touch for 20 years, but last year, through facebook, we found each other again and have been able to visit each other several times now. For that, I am grateful.
My husband and I are hoping to adopt a little girl that currently lives about 5 hours away from us. We should hear something today whether or not her Mother has chosen us to be her new family. If so, we will begin the process of the criminal back ground checks and the home studies and all of the other legal aspects of adoption. The child is almost 9 years old and I think will be a good fit into our home and life style. We would welcome another child into our lives and into our home school. My son is super excited at the idea of being a big brother and having some one in classes with him. My husband is excited at the idea of having a child of our own (both of my children are mine from previous marriage). My daughter is a bit iffy on the idea of having another sibling, but she is grown, married, and has a child of her own and out of our home. I am excited, but worried if I will be able to teach two young children at once. I know many Moms do this everyday, but I am ADHD, my son is also, and this little girl is also ADHD. Can we do this? That is my only concern. I do not want to send her into a public school setting because her mother is telling me that she does not do well at all in public schools. The same is true of my son. I do not want to send him into a public school as he does not do well either. I can only hope that all will be well and trust in Creator to guide me and give me strength, wisdom, and above all, patience!
I had company over the weekend. A friend that I have known since...well....birth I guess since I can not ever remember a time of not having been around her. I remember her being at my 4th birthday party and I am sure we were around each other before then. Our grandmothers were close friends and neighbors. She moved out of state several years ago, and we lost touch for 20 years, but last year, through facebook, we found each other again and have been able to visit each other several times now. For that, I am grateful.
My husband and I are hoping to adopt a little girl that currently lives about 5 hours away from us. We should hear something today whether or not her Mother has chosen us to be her new family. If so, we will begin the process of the criminal back ground checks and the home studies and all of the other legal aspects of adoption. The child is almost 9 years old and I think will be a good fit into our home and life style. We would welcome another child into our lives and into our home school. My son is super excited at the idea of being a big brother and having some one in classes with him. My husband is excited at the idea of having a child of our own (both of my children are mine from previous marriage). My daughter is a bit iffy on the idea of having another sibling, but she is grown, married, and has a child of her own and out of our home. I am excited, but worried if I will be able to teach two young children at once. I know many Moms do this everyday, but I am ADHD, my son is also, and this little girl is also ADHD. Can we do this? That is my only concern. I do not want to send her into a public school setting because her mother is telling me that she does not do well at all in public schools. The same is true of my son. I do not want to send him into a public school as he does not do well either. I can only hope that all will be well and trust in Creator to guide me and give me strength, wisdom, and above all, patience!
Friday, July 16, 2010
General thoughts this week
Friday. Ugh. For a lot of people, the day is a blessing. For me, it is always a hectic day. This is banking, post office, grocery, and general errand running day. It is one of the busiest days of the week for me outside of my home.
I have spent the last several days canning and freezing food that we have purchased from other local farmers. Our garden is not producing well. Mother Nature has not been kind to our garden this year at all. It has been too hot and too dry even though we have watered the garden on a daily basis.
It is quite here right now. My son is sleeping. All of the dogs are sleeping. All of the cats are sleeping. My husband has gone to work. The only noise I hear is my parakeets chattering and the typing of the keyboard. Pure bliss! I don't often get peace and quite.
We have finished organizing our school room for this year. We added an old kitchen table to the room to use as a desk or work area for projects. We cleaned out an old file cabinet to keep track of all of the paperwork that we need for school. We only have to find a couple of chairs that are in decent shape to add around the table to complete our school room. It will be in the sun room so that we have plenty of light even in the winter.
My next task is to try to convince my family to adopt a lovely child that I have ran across through a local agency. She is only 8 and really needs a loving and stable home. She is a low IQ ADHD child. I am up for this, even at the age of 45, but I am not sure my children or husband really want another child around here. Especially one that has ADHD like the rest of us. My argument is .... well...who better to love and teach her than a family full of people with like problems? We shall see how that goes. Call me crazy or call me a saint. I love kids, but the grate my nerves often times. LOL!
I will have company coming in tomorrow. A friend that I grew up with, but lives in Nashville. It is always nice to see her. We've known each other since...well...I can't remember a time that we haven't known each other. Our grandmothers were close friends, so we have been around each other probably since I was 2 or 3. I can remember her being at my 4th birthday party. Whether we knew each other before I was 4, I do not know.
Well, off to begin my errands and prepare for my company. Let us hope that I get everything done today so that I may enjoy my friend when she arrives tomorrow morning.
I have spent the last several days canning and freezing food that we have purchased from other local farmers. Our garden is not producing well. Mother Nature has not been kind to our garden this year at all. It has been too hot and too dry even though we have watered the garden on a daily basis.
It is quite here right now. My son is sleeping. All of the dogs are sleeping. All of the cats are sleeping. My husband has gone to work. The only noise I hear is my parakeets chattering and the typing of the keyboard. Pure bliss! I don't often get peace and quite.
We have finished organizing our school room for this year. We added an old kitchen table to the room to use as a desk or work area for projects. We cleaned out an old file cabinet to keep track of all of the paperwork that we need for school. We only have to find a couple of chairs that are in decent shape to add around the table to complete our school room. It will be in the sun room so that we have plenty of light even in the winter.
My next task is to try to convince my family to adopt a lovely child that I have ran across through a local agency. She is only 8 and really needs a loving and stable home. She is a low IQ ADHD child. I am up for this, even at the age of 45, but I am not sure my children or husband really want another child around here. Especially one that has ADHD like the rest of us. My argument is .... well...who better to love and teach her than a family full of people with like problems? We shall see how that goes. Call me crazy or call me a saint. I love kids, but the grate my nerves often times. LOL!
I will have company coming in tomorrow. A friend that I grew up with, but lives in Nashville. It is always nice to see her. We've known each other since...well...I can't remember a time that we haven't known each other. Our grandmothers were close friends, so we have been around each other probably since I was 2 or 3. I can remember her being at my 4th birthday party. Whether we knew each other before I was 4, I do not know.
Well, off to begin my errands and prepare for my company. Let us hope that I get everything done today so that I may enjoy my friend when she arrives tomorrow morning.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Getting ready
I am really pleased that I have lost seven pounds. I know that does not sound like much, and it is not, but it is a start. I am happy that I have managed to get my whole family, including myself, up and moving more. We take an evening walk together and my husband and son are playing basketball every night. I have them eating healthier and drinking more water. This is great!
Yesterday, I managed to can my first batch of salsa for the season. I only got seven pints, but it is a start. I also canned three pints of peppers for later use. My son watched and helped where he could, I figure this will help him later in life and we called it a life skill and jotted it down as a home school grade. I don't think our garden will produce much this year, but I am still going to put away what I can. We have gotten several squash that we have been able to freeze for the winter months. Our goal is to get the pantry and the freezer full. We also want to stock up on animal feed, and any non-food items that we use a lot so that when winter comes, we really don't have to worry about getting out to go to the grocery or where ever if the weather is going to be bad. My son finds this fascinating, so he is coming up with ideas also. Doesn't seem like much of a lesson, but I still feel that if it has him participating and thinking, then it is a life skill and therefore, part of his home education. Over the weekend, we even stocked up on hay so that we will have it during the winter months when the price of hay jumps up so much. We need the hay to feed our goats throughout the winter when they can not get fresh grass and leaves.
We have all of our home school curriculum ordered and most of it has arrived. We have organized all of it by subject and stuff that is not for the grades we don't need right now has also been organized in a separate area. We have all of our plans and lessons ready to go and we have purchased all of our supplies except for printer ink and printer paper. We are almost ready and can hardly wait to study something other than our summer curriculum of just math, grammar, and reading comprehension.
Yesterday, I managed to can my first batch of salsa for the season. I only got seven pints, but it is a start. I also canned three pints of peppers for later use. My son watched and helped where he could, I figure this will help him later in life and we called it a life skill and jotted it down as a home school grade. I don't think our garden will produce much this year, but I am still going to put away what I can. We have gotten several squash that we have been able to freeze for the winter months. Our goal is to get the pantry and the freezer full. We also want to stock up on animal feed, and any non-food items that we use a lot so that when winter comes, we really don't have to worry about getting out to go to the grocery or where ever if the weather is going to be bad. My son finds this fascinating, so he is coming up with ideas also. Doesn't seem like much of a lesson, but I still feel that if it has him participating and thinking, then it is a life skill and therefore, part of his home education. Over the weekend, we even stocked up on hay so that we will have it during the winter months when the price of hay jumps up so much. We need the hay to feed our goats throughout the winter when they can not get fresh grass and leaves.
We have all of our home school curriculum ordered and most of it has arrived. We have organized all of it by subject and stuff that is not for the grades we don't need right now has also been organized in a separate area. We have all of our plans and lessons ready to go and we have purchased all of our supplies except for printer ink and printer paper. We are almost ready and can hardly wait to study something other than our summer curriculum of just math, grammar, and reading comprehension.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Monday Musing
Mondays are never my favorite day of the week. It seems like to much of a hassle with my husband rushing around to get to work, my cleaning up the house in a hurry due to the weekend activities that leave me little time to clean, and of course, getting my son up and moving to begin his school studies after a two day weekend.
I was pleased that we finally got some rain here! We desperately needed rain on our garden. Even with us watering it every night, the garden was not doing well. I hope that with Mother Nature deciding to bless us with rain that now our garden will produce better. We still need more rain, but some is better than none. I will take what I can get!
I stepped on the scales this morning, another 2 pounds have been lost. Yea me! I wish I could wave a magic wand and all of the extra pounds be gone overnight. I know that will never happen and I know weight loss will take a long time to achieve the look I am going for. I must learn to be patient! At least I now have the entire family eating healthier and up and moving! I am so pleased that they are taking walks with me, drinking more water, eating fewer snacks, eating fresh fruit and vegetables, and just generally being supportive! Even my 11 year old son is in on this! Now, if I could bottle up some of his energy then maybe I would exercise even more!
I am all ready for our full blown round of home school next month. We have all of our supplies, except more printer ink and printer paper, and all of our curriculum. We have our lessons planned out and our goals in mind of what we would like to get accomplished this year. I am excited about this year's activities. I think my son is excited too. He is tired of the summer activities that consist of little more than grammar and math. Honestly, so am I!
I was pleased that we finally got some rain here! We desperately needed rain on our garden. Even with us watering it every night, the garden was not doing well. I hope that with Mother Nature deciding to bless us with rain that now our garden will produce better. We still need more rain, but some is better than none. I will take what I can get!
I stepped on the scales this morning, another 2 pounds have been lost. Yea me! I wish I could wave a magic wand and all of the extra pounds be gone overnight. I know that will never happen and I know weight loss will take a long time to achieve the look I am going for. I must learn to be patient! At least I now have the entire family eating healthier and up and moving! I am so pleased that they are taking walks with me, drinking more water, eating fewer snacks, eating fresh fruit and vegetables, and just generally being supportive! Even my 11 year old son is in on this! Now, if I could bottle up some of his energy then maybe I would exercise even more!
I am all ready for our full blown round of home school next month. We have all of our supplies, except more printer ink and printer paper, and all of our curriculum. We have our lessons planned out and our goals in mind of what we would like to get accomplished this year. I am excited about this year's activities. I think my son is excited too. He is tired of the summer activities that consist of little more than grammar and math. Honestly, so am I!
Friday, July 9, 2010
Trade Offs
As I sit here, on day three of a new diet, I wonder if I can do this! It seems that in middle age, it may be impossible! Yet, I know it is not. I have managed to cut my caffeine intake by 3/4. Snacks are non-existent now. I have started to eat breakfast and lunch, which I have not done in year. Granted, it may only be a granola bar for breakfast and fruit for lunch, but at least it is something. Water intake is way up. I have gone from only a glass or two at night to drinking water non-stop and dropping slices of fruit into the glass so that it has some flavor! I have started to take my vitamins again. I have also began walking again, which is something that I stopped doing a few years ago due to the fibro and RA that makes me ache so much. I will tough it out! I am hoping that if I lose a few pounds and am a wee bit more active that the fibro and RA will ease up a bit on me. I have managed to lose 2 pounds so far. I do not have a set goal of weight loss in mind, I just want to feel better.
I have managed to get this plan into action for the whole family as well. I have my son and my husband out walking with me, drinking more water, eating more fruits and vegetables for a snack, and they are also out playing basketball and exercising. This is great! I have even worked it all in as a health and PE class for our home school. So, my son gets a double benefit out of this, a healthier lifestyle AND a class for school, all at once.
This started out as a simple trade off.....I gave up some things I love with the trade being that they guys cut off the cable. This was not only to save money, but to hopefully get everyone up and moving more. I am not a fan of TV, so that was no sacrifice for me. I had to give up other things that I enjoyed....like drinking so much diet soda and beer. For me, it evolved into, gee, let's lose weight too and see if we can all be more active and feel better.
I know it has only been three days, but I can already tell the difference in a few areas of how I feel. Mostly, I feel more alert, even without so much caffeine. That is a start and that is good enough for me to stay motivated!
I have managed to get this plan into action for the whole family as well. I have my son and my husband out walking with me, drinking more water, eating more fruits and vegetables for a snack, and they are also out playing basketball and exercising. This is great! I have even worked it all in as a health and PE class for our home school. So, my son gets a double benefit out of this, a healthier lifestyle AND a class for school, all at once.
This started out as a simple trade off.....I gave up some things I love with the trade being that they guys cut off the cable. This was not only to save money, but to hopefully get everyone up and moving more. I am not a fan of TV, so that was no sacrifice for me. I had to give up other things that I enjoyed....like drinking so much diet soda and beer. For me, it evolved into, gee, let's lose weight too and see if we can all be more active and feel better.
I know it has only been three days, but I can already tell the difference in a few areas of how I feel. Mostly, I feel more alert, even without so much caffeine. That is a start and that is good enough for me to stay motivated!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Just thinking
It's been a few days since I have taken the time to sit here and organize my thoughts onto this blog. Not because I didn't want to, but because we had company in for the holiday weekend and, well, we've just been busy.
The weather here has grown quite hot again. The "dog days" of summer have arrived in full force. They will most likely stay with us until the middle of August or later. What amazes me is that it seems like all we have for seasons now is summer or winter. There doesn't seem to be a spring or fall any longer. I know this affects our gardening seasons, I am wondering if this also affects the migration of birds, or the hibernation of animals. Hum, I may have to turn that thought into a research project for the home school lessons.
My son is looking forward to August. He is tired of only working with Language Arts and Math. He wants to do science and history as well. I don't mind the idea of doing these in the summer also, but I feel the boy (and myself) needs a break of some type. The lighter schooling in the summer seems to give us a little more time to enjoy the season. The cold hurts me so much, that I don't get out of the house very much in the winter time. I find winter beautiful, but the pain that comes with it is not something that I enjoy.
My daughter had a job interview yesterday. I do hope she gets the job. She needs one and deserves one. The last job that she had, she quit because she was cleaning hotel rooms and became pregnant. She did not want to be around all of the industrial chemicals while being pregnant. I do not blame her there, but evidently, employers find that to be a crime of some sort. Since the baby has been born and she has been released to go to work, all of the prospective employers have looked at her like she has two heads or something. If they would just call her references, perhaps they would find out that she is not just some flighty kid, but very responsible and shows up to work no matter what.
My husband needs a different job, but I don't know if he will take the time to look for another job or not. He is a mechanic. I know that does not sound like a difficult job, but it can be quite grueling. There is no heat in the winter, no air in the summer. Often times, there is no lunch break due to the work load. If there is a holiday or bad weather coming up, the shop is packed and the employees are over worked. He also has a bad knee and here lately, it seems to be bothering him more often than not. I feel bad for him, he works himself to death.
I am wondering what type of job that I could find to work at home. I would like to do something so that I could help bring in money. Most of the jobs that I see for a work at home plan require that you put down money. To me, that seems to be a scam. Others are something that I just simply could not do. Maybe I should just start up a home bakery or something of this nature. That may or may work where we live.
Enough of my rambling for one day. I hope all that reads this has a blessed day.
The weather here has grown quite hot again. The "dog days" of summer have arrived in full force. They will most likely stay with us until the middle of August or later. What amazes me is that it seems like all we have for seasons now is summer or winter. There doesn't seem to be a spring or fall any longer. I know this affects our gardening seasons, I am wondering if this also affects the migration of birds, or the hibernation of animals. Hum, I may have to turn that thought into a research project for the home school lessons.
My son is looking forward to August. He is tired of only working with Language Arts and Math. He wants to do science and history as well. I don't mind the idea of doing these in the summer also, but I feel the boy (and myself) needs a break of some type. The lighter schooling in the summer seems to give us a little more time to enjoy the season. The cold hurts me so much, that I don't get out of the house very much in the winter time. I find winter beautiful, but the pain that comes with it is not something that I enjoy.
My daughter had a job interview yesterday. I do hope she gets the job. She needs one and deserves one. The last job that she had, she quit because she was cleaning hotel rooms and became pregnant. She did not want to be around all of the industrial chemicals while being pregnant. I do not blame her there, but evidently, employers find that to be a crime of some sort. Since the baby has been born and she has been released to go to work, all of the prospective employers have looked at her like she has two heads or something. If they would just call her references, perhaps they would find out that she is not just some flighty kid, but very responsible and shows up to work no matter what.
My husband needs a different job, but I don't know if he will take the time to look for another job or not. He is a mechanic. I know that does not sound like a difficult job, but it can be quite grueling. There is no heat in the winter, no air in the summer. Often times, there is no lunch break due to the work load. If there is a holiday or bad weather coming up, the shop is packed and the employees are over worked. He also has a bad knee and here lately, it seems to be bothering him more often than not. I feel bad for him, he works himself to death.
I am wondering what type of job that I could find to work at home. I would like to do something so that I could help bring in money. Most of the jobs that I see for a work at home plan require that you put down money. To me, that seems to be a scam. Others are something that I just simply could not do. Maybe I should just start up a home bakery or something of this nature. That may or may work where we live.
Enough of my rambling for one day. I hope all that reads this has a blessed day.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Birds
As I sit here looking out my window this morning, I see so many beautiful birds flying to my bird feeder. Many people don't feed the birds in the summer because they feel there is plenty of food for the birds. I feed the beautiful creatures all year long. Some of the birds that are here in the warmer months are different than the ones that are here in the cooler months. Besides, they come to depend upon the food being there for them and they bring such joy to me! In past years, I have even seen a red tail hawk come to a bird feeder. I am not sure if he was feeding on the seed or looking for prey. Whatever the case was, it was a wonderful surprise for me to see the beautiful bird up close and to hear his cry right outside my window. Wood peckers will also come to my feeder on occasion and that also delights me! I don't even mind the squirrels and the rabbits that feed off the bird seed. They must eat as well and they too bring me joy to watch.
I am an avid backyard bird watcher. I have noticed that each "set" of birds have a particular pattern of coming and going to the bird feeder. They are each there at a different time of the day. The mourning doves seem to come by twice a day, morning and evening, to feed. All of the others are either there either in the morning or the evening, but I have not yet noticed any other birds that come by more than once a day to feed.
My father got a lot of joy out of feeding the hummingbirds. He was fascinated by them. When he lived here, he had quite a few of the swift little creatures that fed from his feeder. I have not yet put up a hummingbird feeder, but I will next spring. Dad never would feed the other birds, just the hummingbirds. He didn't like all the extra birds being drawn into the yard and using the bathroom on his vehicles. :-)
The only problem with the birds that I have is the fact that the blackbirds come in a pull up our garden plants. These little monsters ate every single shoot of corn that was coming up this spring. Oh well, guess we will buy corn to put up from another local person this year. Next year, we will build a scarecrow!
I am an avid backyard bird watcher. I have noticed that each "set" of birds have a particular pattern of coming and going to the bird feeder. They are each there at a different time of the day. The mourning doves seem to come by twice a day, morning and evening, to feed. All of the others are either there either in the morning or the evening, but I have not yet noticed any other birds that come by more than once a day to feed.
My father got a lot of joy out of feeding the hummingbirds. He was fascinated by them. When he lived here, he had quite a few of the swift little creatures that fed from his feeder. I have not yet put up a hummingbird feeder, but I will next spring. Dad never would feed the other birds, just the hummingbirds. He didn't like all the extra birds being drawn into the yard and using the bathroom on his vehicles. :-)
The only problem with the birds that I have is the fact that the blackbirds come in a pull up our garden plants. These little monsters ate every single shoot of corn that was coming up this spring. Oh well, guess we will buy corn to put up from another local person this year. Next year, we will build a scarecrow!
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Changes
July 1, wow, the year is half over! There have been so many changes in our lives over the last year. It is sort of astounding and flooring to think back over the last year of all that has gone on!
My father passed away on June 30 last year. That has been rough for all of us..myself, my husband, my children..we have all had it tough. Due to his passing, we had much paper work to deal with as my mother had already passed away and I am an only child. We moved into his home and completely remodeled and expanded that as well.
My daughter got married in August of last year and had her first child in March of this year. That was a tough one as well. Seeing my little girl being all grown up, getting married, having a child of her own. I am thankful that she asked for me to be in the delivery room with her and her husband.
My son went from being a perfectly healthy ADHD little boy to being an ill but happy little man. We are still working with doctor's to get his health back for him and have it more manageable. He went from being homeschooled, to being in public school, and back to homeschool.
It never ceases to amaze me how many changes can take place in just one year's time. We have laughed, cried, rejoiced, sorrowed, fought, kicked, screamed, been companions, been enemies, yeah...the whole spectrum of emotions going on over the last year for us. All is well, things just had to run their course. We've made new friends, lost other friends for whatever reasons. We've gone from being a family of four to a family of six...counting my son in law and my grandson. We've gone from struggling with debt to being clear of debt. We've gone from having nothing to having everything, or so it seems to us. Not been an easy road, but life is never easy for the average person. Things will get easier after time, and then, they may get more difficult. That is the funny thing about life.....everything changes in the blink of an eye. Sure has been an interesting year, well actually, two years for my family.
My father passed away on June 30 last year. That has been rough for all of us..myself, my husband, my children..we have all had it tough. Due to his passing, we had much paper work to deal with as my mother had already passed away and I am an only child. We moved into his home and completely remodeled and expanded that as well.
My daughter got married in August of last year and had her first child in March of this year. That was a tough one as well. Seeing my little girl being all grown up, getting married, having a child of her own. I am thankful that she asked for me to be in the delivery room with her and her husband.
My son went from being a perfectly healthy ADHD little boy to being an ill but happy little man. We are still working with doctor's to get his health back for him and have it more manageable. He went from being homeschooled, to being in public school, and back to homeschool.
It never ceases to amaze me how many changes can take place in just one year's time. We have laughed, cried, rejoiced, sorrowed, fought, kicked, screamed, been companions, been enemies, yeah...the whole spectrum of emotions going on over the last year for us. All is well, things just had to run their course. We've made new friends, lost other friends for whatever reasons. We've gone from being a family of four to a family of six...counting my son in law and my grandson. We've gone from struggling with debt to being clear of debt. We've gone from having nothing to having everything, or so it seems to us. Not been an easy road, but life is never easy for the average person. Things will get easier after time, and then, they may get more difficult. That is the funny thing about life.....everything changes in the blink of an eye. Sure has been an interesting year, well actually, two years for my family.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Weed eaters and math
We woke up to a beautiful day! The sun is shining, the breeze is nice, low humidity, and only 67 degrees. We promptly opened up some windows to air our home out. Nothing like fresh air in your home to chase out the germs and all the odors that come with having pets, cooking, smoking, and being ill.
I am the one that has been ill. For some weird reason, I came down with an ear infection on my birthday. I don't understand it! I do not have a cold, nor have I been sick, but I still have an ear infection. I have had all types of illnesses and a few surgeries and a broken bone or two. I can honestly say, there is nothing that gets me down more than a toothache or an ear infection.
My husband went on the hunt this morning, on his day off work, for the elusive perfect weed eater. Ours must have been ten years old and died a couple of weeks ago. My son had accidently pulled the string too hard and it unwound on him. No biggie, that was easily fixed, but then when we took it to a person to repair it, we found that it had some other problems not so easily fixed. For the price it was going to cost us, and then the machine only being able to last about another year, we decided to just get a new one. I guess the hubby found the "perfect" weed eater because he has returned home with one in tote and is out there now cutting down grass like nobody's business!
My son has not yet woke up to this beautiful day. For sure, I will ruin it for him when I tell him that since he "got" cross multiplication, we are now going to start on division to review that. He HATES division. :-) If he thinks division, multiplication, and subtraction is hard, he just needs to wait until we get to fractions, decimals, or percentages! Then, he just may know what hard is! Not to mention, wait until we get to pre-algebra or pre-geometry. HA HA! Now those may be hard for him.
Well, I have rambled on enough this beautiful morning. Time for me to get outside and enjoy the weather, check on the gardens, and just enjoy the day.
I am the one that has been ill. For some weird reason, I came down with an ear infection on my birthday. I don't understand it! I do not have a cold, nor have I been sick, but I still have an ear infection. I have had all types of illnesses and a few surgeries and a broken bone or two. I can honestly say, there is nothing that gets me down more than a toothache or an ear infection.
My husband went on the hunt this morning, on his day off work, for the elusive perfect weed eater. Ours must have been ten years old and died a couple of weeks ago. My son had accidently pulled the string too hard and it unwound on him. No biggie, that was easily fixed, but then when we took it to a person to repair it, we found that it had some other problems not so easily fixed. For the price it was going to cost us, and then the machine only being able to last about another year, we decided to just get a new one. I guess the hubby found the "perfect" weed eater because he has returned home with one in tote and is out there now cutting down grass like nobody's business!
My son has not yet woke up to this beautiful day. For sure, I will ruin it for him when I tell him that since he "got" cross multiplication, we are now going to start on division to review that. He HATES division. :-) If he thinks division, multiplication, and subtraction is hard, he just needs to wait until we get to fractions, decimals, or percentages! Then, he just may know what hard is! Not to mention, wait until we get to pre-algebra or pre-geometry. HA HA! Now those may be hard for him.
Well, I have rambled on enough this beautiful morning. Time for me to get outside and enjoy the weather, check on the gardens, and just enjoy the day.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Home school musing
I am sitting here this morning, looking outdoors into the beauty that surrounds my property and musing on the day ahead.
I must find a better way to teach my son to cross-multiply. He "gets" multiplication and knows most of his tables, yet somewhere along the way, he does not "get" cross-multiplication. For example, he can do 6 x 3, but does not get 62 x 3 or 62 x 33 and Heaven forbid if the numbers get bigger. I will find a way to get through to him how to do this so that he can remember the steps from day to day! Right now, he "gets" it only after me reminding him how to do the process each day and after showing him on two or three problems. The next day, we go through it all again. Well, we'll figure it out!
Reading and comprehension is coming along nicely. He had no problems with either of those nor does he have any problems with grammar. However, spelling and handwriting is another story! He can not spell worth a "toot" and if his handwriting stays as it is, he should be a doctor! Must find a way for him to slow down and take his time on neater handwriting! Spelling, I am not sure that he will ever be good at since I am the only one in the family who could ever spell very well.
Since we are only doing summer school right now, he misses his History and Science classes as well as the special classes such as art, music, life skills and so on. I told him that it is only a little over a month, and all the classes will be back. He is looking forward to those classes again. Honestly, so I am because just doing math and grammar each day gets quite dull, but since I think those are very important, this is what we work on during the summer to keep his skills sharpened or to give him extra help if he needs it.
I must find a better way to teach my son to cross-multiply. He "gets" multiplication and knows most of his tables, yet somewhere along the way, he does not "get" cross-multiplication. For example, he can do 6 x 3, but does not get 62 x 3 or 62 x 33 and Heaven forbid if the numbers get bigger. I will find a way to get through to him how to do this so that he can remember the steps from day to day! Right now, he "gets" it only after me reminding him how to do the process each day and after showing him on two or three problems. The next day, we go through it all again. Well, we'll figure it out!
Reading and comprehension is coming along nicely. He had no problems with either of those nor does he have any problems with grammar. However, spelling and handwriting is another story! He can not spell worth a "toot" and if his handwriting stays as it is, he should be a doctor! Must find a way for him to slow down and take his time on neater handwriting! Spelling, I am not sure that he will ever be good at since I am the only one in the family who could ever spell very well.
Since we are only doing summer school right now, he misses his History and Science classes as well as the special classes such as art, music, life skills and so on. I told him that it is only a little over a month, and all the classes will be back. He is looking forward to those classes again. Honestly, so I am because just doing math and grammar each day gets quite dull, but since I think those are very important, this is what we work on during the summer to keep his skills sharpened or to give him extra help if he needs it.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Happy Birthday to ME
This day brings me to age 45. Middle age. The turning point between youth and seniority. Interesting day ahead I am sure.
My 19 year old daughter and her husband plan on cooking dinner for me this evening. THAT should be quite interesting. I would most likely be better off to cook it myself. HA!
I am rather wondering what my 9 year old son has in mind for the day. Hopefully doing his summer school work without complaint and cleaning his room. That would be a great birthday gift!
There is no telling what my husband has in mind either. He will be at work all day, so he will most likely have the wheels in his head turning and churning while he works to figure out what he would like to do on this day.
Funny thing is, I don't WANT a birthday. I don't WANT to keep getting older. What I WANT is for the birthday's to stop coming now. I am a bit concerned what the next few years may bring. I already have the middle age spread going on, have hit early menopause, and have RA. Considering that my own Mother was only 55 when she passed from this world nine years ago, and my Father was only 65....I am....well.....worried! I have a young child and a three month old grandson. I would like to see them grow up and have children of their own!
Well, at least the weather is beautiful today and the humidity has dropped so that I can actually wander around my property and not swelter within ten minutes. That's a good thing!
My 19 year old daughter and her husband plan on cooking dinner for me this evening. THAT should be quite interesting. I would most likely be better off to cook it myself. HA!
I am rather wondering what my 9 year old son has in mind for the day. Hopefully doing his summer school work without complaint and cleaning his room. That would be a great birthday gift!
There is no telling what my husband has in mind either. He will be at work all day, so he will most likely have the wheels in his head turning and churning while he works to figure out what he would like to do on this day.
Funny thing is, I don't WANT a birthday. I don't WANT to keep getting older. What I WANT is for the birthday's to stop coming now. I am a bit concerned what the next few years may bring. I already have the middle age spread going on, have hit early menopause, and have RA. Considering that my own Mother was only 55 when she passed from this world nine years ago, and my Father was only 65....I am....well.....worried! I have a young child and a three month old grandson. I would like to see them grow up and have children of their own!
Well, at least the weather is beautiful today and the humidity has dropped so that I can actually wander around my property and not swelter within ten minutes. That's a good thing!
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Sundays
As I sit here in the sun room at my desk this morning, I am looking out and seeing clouds. I am wondering if that means we will have rain. We sure need rain on the lawn, the flowers, the herbs, and the garden. The wind is blowing as well, so I hope that does mean rain.
Sundays for us are rather laid back, as I imagine the day is for most people. We usually have a brunch around ten that will hold us over until late in the afternoon or early evening. Today, brunch will be country ham, toast, and tomatoes. Dinner (or supper, however you prefer to term the meal) is in the crock pot....a roast with all the trimmings.
We take our Sundays and use as family days, or running around days. I am unsure of what we will be doing this Sunday as of yet. I know we will be making the 30 minute drive to go pick my son up from his dad's house. While we are in that town, we will most likely do some window shopping and possibly grab a treat such as an Icee or a milkshake.
It is more than likely that when my son arrives, we will have some form of school. That is normal for us. Perhaps we will research something of interest to him today. He asks a lot of questions, so that always gives us an opportunity to research a topic or two. Sometimes it takes us only five minutes to satisfy his need for the knowledge, other times it may take us hours or days. I don't mind it, that is why we home school....so that he may learn as much as possible.
Our school is not always about the "Three R's". Often times it is more about interests, skills, and talents. We do have a set amount of things that must be done, but there is plenty of flexibility there so that we may do an about face, so to speak, and per sue whatever need for information arrives. I find that this is the best way for us to learn and to teach.
Sundays for us are rather laid back, as I imagine the day is for most people. We usually have a brunch around ten that will hold us over until late in the afternoon or early evening. Today, brunch will be country ham, toast, and tomatoes. Dinner (or supper, however you prefer to term the meal) is in the crock pot....a roast with all the trimmings.
We take our Sundays and use as family days, or running around days. I am unsure of what we will be doing this Sunday as of yet. I know we will be making the 30 minute drive to go pick my son up from his dad's house. While we are in that town, we will most likely do some window shopping and possibly grab a treat such as an Icee or a milkshake.
It is more than likely that when my son arrives, we will have some form of school. That is normal for us. Perhaps we will research something of interest to him today. He asks a lot of questions, so that always gives us an opportunity to research a topic or two. Sometimes it takes us only five minutes to satisfy his need for the knowledge, other times it may take us hours or days. I don't mind it, that is why we home school....so that he may learn as much as possible.
Our school is not always about the "Three R's". Often times it is more about interests, skills, and talents. We do have a set amount of things that must be done, but there is plenty of flexibility there so that we may do an about face, so to speak, and per sue whatever need for information arrives. I find that this is the best way for us to learn and to teach.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Just rambling
Today has been such a beautiful day, but so hot! I love summer, but I think I had much rather have fall about now.
I spent my morning grocery shopping and putting things away. As I did this, I thought....hhhhmmmmm....our garden is not doing real well this year, so I am going to start stocking up on the canned vegetables and fruits so that we will have them this winter. I also plan to stocking up on meats and anything that I can freeze for a reasonable length of time.
The afternoon has thus far been spent shucking and silking corn that we bought from someone selling corn, fixing peppers from our garden to put into the freezer, slicing up squash to put into the freezer,and cutting up fruit for dinner. I am positive that my goats and pigs will be happy with the feast of peelings and shucks!
My son is at his father's house this weekend, so there are no home school classes going. Funny, I miss not having classes. Yes, we do have school in the summer and on weekends. Summer and weekends are much more relaxed than a typical school season. All we do in the summer is grammar and math. On weekends, we tend to research whatever interests us on that day. I love to home school my son, despite the fact that he is difficult to teach. I learn and re-learn so much myself. I am like a sponge and soak up anything and everything.
Please forgive me for always jumping from one subject to another. Both of my children and myself have ADHD and this can at times create a problem. We will be doing really well in a subject or on a study and then something else grabs our attention and off we go to study that. It is the same when I am cleaning...I will be doing one thing and then I think of something else I need to get done and off I go to do that. Needless to say, not everything gets done when it should.
I spent my morning grocery shopping and putting things away. As I did this, I thought....hhhhmmmmm....our garden is not doing real well this year, so I am going to start stocking up on the canned vegetables and fruits so that we will have them this winter. I also plan to stocking up on meats and anything that I can freeze for a reasonable length of time.
The afternoon has thus far been spent shucking and silking corn that we bought from someone selling corn, fixing peppers from our garden to put into the freezer, slicing up squash to put into the freezer,and cutting up fruit for dinner. I am positive that my goats and pigs will be happy with the feast of peelings and shucks!
My son is at his father's house this weekend, so there are no home school classes going. Funny, I miss not having classes. Yes, we do have school in the summer and on weekends. Summer and weekends are much more relaxed than a typical school season. All we do in the summer is grammar and math. On weekends, we tend to research whatever interests us on that day. I love to home school my son, despite the fact that he is difficult to teach. I learn and re-learn so much myself. I am like a sponge and soak up anything and everything.
Please forgive me for always jumping from one subject to another. Both of my children and myself have ADHD and this can at times create a problem. We will be doing really well in a subject or on a study and then something else grabs our attention and off we go to study that. It is the same when I am cleaning...I will be doing one thing and then I think of something else I need to get done and off I go to do that. Needless to say, not everything gets done when it should.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Spoiled dogs and cats
It never ceases to amaze me at just how spoiled our dogs are. The inside dogs think that they are human children. They expect a snack every day, they expect new chew bones every few days and they all want attention and to play 24/7. The problem is that we have five inside dogs! Each has a particular place to sleep and their own beds. Each has a certain spot where they love to lay around on the floor. When I am cooking, every single one of them are up under my feet and in the way. Heaven forbid if I scold one! They think it is the end of the world! Often, they will run to their crates to hide and pout like little children. They have a fenced in area right outside our back sliding glass door so that we don't have to walk them, but Heaven forbid if it is raining or too cold to suit their prissy ways!
My two outside dogs are another story. They have a large kennel with an insulated dog house. We take extreme measures to make sure that there is a tarp over the top of the kennel to keep rain and snow out of their area as much as possible. These dogs are positioned so that they have a north wind break in the winter and shade in the summer. They get fresh straw every few days in their kennel, fresh water two to four times a day, fed at least once a day, and treats and chew bones every few days! Sometimes, they get table scraps and leftovers as a real treat! In the winter, we put a heat lamp above the dog house so that they are not too cold. In the summer, they have a bug zapper to help keep bugs away from them. I am now seriously considering hanging a fan in their kennel so that they have more air stirring to help keep them cooler. I wonder how many outside dogs have things that good!
The cats, ah yes, those aloof spoiled brats! All of our cats are indoor creatures as well. We have four of the snobby fur bags. They have toys, they have scratching posts, they MUST have a particular brand of food or they turn their noses up at it and give you the most reproachful look! They expect us to turn on the water faucet for them so that they may get a drink of running water. Sheesh! Each has their own litter box, and will certainly let me know all about it if I forget to clean it! Each cat has claimed a spot in the house to sleep. My oldest cat, a calico, sleeps on my computer desk during the day and at the foot of my bed at night. My next oldest cat, a black beauty, sleeps in a rocking chair 24/7. You just don't sit in her chair or she will tell you all about that too. She's a very vocal cat. The youngest two cats, a pretty black and white cat and a pretty cream colored kitten have claimed my son's room to sleep in. They think they must sleep on his bed whether he is home or not. During the day these two youngsters are apt to be found sleeping on a shelf and disturbing my plants, my ornaments, my nick-knacks, and other things. The wind chimes that hang inside my home seem to be their favorite toys, even though they get into trouble for swatting at them.
I sometimes feel like I live in a zoo around here. We also have a cage of parakeets (much to the fascination of the cats), a tank of fish (again a favorite of the cats), goats and pigs. Of course, we also feed all the wild birds and take in any stray that comes around here. You know what, I wouldn't have it any other way!
My two outside dogs are another story. They have a large kennel with an insulated dog house. We take extreme measures to make sure that there is a tarp over the top of the kennel to keep rain and snow out of their area as much as possible. These dogs are positioned so that they have a north wind break in the winter and shade in the summer. They get fresh straw every few days in their kennel, fresh water two to four times a day, fed at least once a day, and treats and chew bones every few days! Sometimes, they get table scraps and leftovers as a real treat! In the winter, we put a heat lamp above the dog house so that they are not too cold. In the summer, they have a bug zapper to help keep bugs away from them. I am now seriously considering hanging a fan in their kennel so that they have more air stirring to help keep them cooler. I wonder how many outside dogs have things that good!
The cats, ah yes, those aloof spoiled brats! All of our cats are indoor creatures as well. We have four of the snobby fur bags. They have toys, they have scratching posts, they MUST have a particular brand of food or they turn their noses up at it and give you the most reproachful look! They expect us to turn on the water faucet for them so that they may get a drink of running water. Sheesh! Each has their own litter box, and will certainly let me know all about it if I forget to clean it! Each cat has claimed a spot in the house to sleep. My oldest cat, a calico, sleeps on my computer desk during the day and at the foot of my bed at night. My next oldest cat, a black beauty, sleeps in a rocking chair 24/7. You just don't sit in her chair or she will tell you all about that too. She's a very vocal cat. The youngest two cats, a pretty black and white cat and a pretty cream colored kitten have claimed my son's room to sleep in. They think they must sleep on his bed whether he is home or not. During the day these two youngsters are apt to be found sleeping on a shelf and disturbing my plants, my ornaments, my nick-knacks, and other things. The wind chimes that hang inside my home seem to be their favorite toys, even though they get into trouble for swatting at them.
I sometimes feel like I live in a zoo around here. We also have a cage of parakeets (much to the fascination of the cats), a tank of fish (again a favorite of the cats), goats and pigs. Of course, we also feed all the wild birds and take in any stray that comes around here. You know what, I wouldn't have it any other way!
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Musing
As I sit here looking out my windows at the morning, I can't help but admire Nature and our Creator. How perfectly all is made! It is humans that seem to mess up the balance of this world. So sad!
This day finds my son and my husband out shopping for my upcoming birthday gift. Later this afternoon, they will be out working in our garden. In between those times, my son will have his Grammar and Math work to complete and my husband will most likely be relaxing on his day off from work.
My day will be spent getting packages ready to take to the post office tomorrow as I go into town. I only live five miles from the post office, but I seldom go on into town. I love my property, it's peacefulness, and it's beauty. I have no reason to want to leave. Shopping and errands always seems such a chore because I am such a home body.
I am wondering what fall will bring, not only with whatever we are able to harvest from our gardens, but also how the upcoming school year will go. I have been able to sell unwanted or unneeded curriculum to buy things that we do need for this upcoming home school year. I am looking forward to beginning full time school since we will be working with the Little House on the Prairie series. I wrote an entire curriculum revolving around those. The only thing we will have to use that is not something I wrote is grammar and math. My son is also looking forward to beginning this curriculum that I put together specifically for him to use. I am positive that we will both enjoy this as it fits into our way of life.
This day finds my son and my husband out shopping for my upcoming birthday gift. Later this afternoon, they will be out working in our garden. In between those times, my son will have his Grammar and Math work to complete and my husband will most likely be relaxing on his day off from work.
My day will be spent getting packages ready to take to the post office tomorrow as I go into town. I only live five miles from the post office, but I seldom go on into town. I love my property, it's peacefulness, and it's beauty. I have no reason to want to leave. Shopping and errands always seems such a chore because I am such a home body.
I am wondering what fall will bring, not only with whatever we are able to harvest from our gardens, but also how the upcoming school year will go. I have been able to sell unwanted or unneeded curriculum to buy things that we do need for this upcoming home school year. I am looking forward to beginning full time school since we will be working with the Little House on the Prairie series. I wrote an entire curriculum revolving around those. The only thing we will have to use that is not something I wrote is grammar and math. My son is also looking forward to beginning this curriculum that I put together specifically for him to use. I am positive that we will both enjoy this as it fits into our way of life.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
List of home school curriculum for sale
WE ARE NOT A PET NOR SMOKE FREE HOME, ALL DAMAGED ITEMS REMOVED, PRICES REDUCED, NEW STUFF ADDED YES, I WILL COMBINE SHIPPING SO THAT THE PRICE CAN BE CHEAPER IF YOU BUY MORE THAN ONE ITEM. If you would like the entire bunch of stuff, will sell for $175 postage paid....that is way cheaper than individual sales and gives you a lot to work with throughout many grades. OR MAKE AN OFFER OF MONEY OR TRADE, I REALLY CAN’T USE THIS STUFF AND WOULD LIKE FOR IT TO GO TO A HOME THAT CAN USE IT.
WEAVER
I purchased these sets a few years back and have decided that I do not want to use them I am only asking $75 shipping and all. This will give you a full 2 to 4 years of curriculum (except math) for very little money.
Volume 1 1986 - 1999 version, is excellent condition, backs of binder holding curriculum dirty, rings have come loose from binder but nothing more
Volume 2 1987 - 1995 version, in excellent condition same as above except intact
Day by Day Volume 1 1986- 1999 version in excellent condition, tape across front of binder holding curriculum and back of binder dirt
Wisdom Words 1988 version, flash cards are there but have been cut out, other than a loose page or two, seems to be in VG to E condition
SUCCESS IN SPELLING
Success in Spelling Levels 1-5 levels 1 through 5 appear to be in GOOD condition with typical wear and dirt of a used book as well as markings and highlights throughout the books. $25 for all including shipping
World History Continuity and Change
Holt, Rinehart, and Wnston
1997
TE and student
awesome set in my opinion
$20 postage
5th GRADE LITERATURE SET
Houghton Mifflin Grade 5 EXPLORE SET. Textbook, in excellent shape with number and stamp on inside front cover, TE's for each unit of this textbook, which are in very good to excellent shape, TE for the literacy activity book (no student workbook)8 book set.
Asking $20 shipping included
Glencoe Writer’s Choice Composition and Grammar, TE and Student, grade 10 $20 postage pd.
$6 each shipping included
Writer’s Choice Grammar and Composition Grade 11 Student Textbook
McDougal Littell Integrated Mathematics 3 (for High School or upper middle) student textbook
Mathematics A Practical Odyssey (intermediate algebra, High School) student textbook
Secrets and Surprises Literature Textbook Grade 3 (?)
The Way of The World Literature Textbook Grade 2 (?)
Childcraft Time To Read Literature Book Grade 2 or 3
Neighborhoods and Communities Social Studies Textbook Grade 2
Merrill Health Focus on You Textbook Grade 3 or 4 (?)
Rhymes and Reasons Literature Textbook Grade 4 or 5 (?)
Holt Exploring Elementary Mathematic Grade 3 Textbook student
Social Studies The Walls belong to kids Themeatic Classroom Activities and Bulletin Boards
$6 each shipping included
Writer’s Express A handbooks for young writers, thinkers, and learners
Writer’s Choice Grammar and Composition Grade 11 Student Textbook
McDougal Littell Integrated Mathematics 3 (for High School or upper middle) student textbook
Mathematics A Practical Odyssey (intermediate algebra, High School) student textbook
Harcourt Brace Math Advantage Grade 4 student textbook
Discovering Languages Latin, An Exploratory Program
Literature Unit Sarah Bishop
Literature Unit Bridge to Terabithia
Write All About It Activities for the Writing Process Grades 3-5
The Write Answer Literature linked activities to develop writing skills Grades 4-8
Secrets and Surprises Literature Textbook Grade 3 (?)
The Way of The World Literature Textbook Grade 2 (?)
Childcraft Time To Read Literature Book Grade 2 or 3
Neighborhoods and Communities Social Studies Textbook Grade 2
Merrill Health Focus on You Textbook Grade 3 or 4 (?)
Rhymes and Reasons Literature Textbook Grade 4 or 5 (?)
Holt Exploring Elementary Mathematic Grade 3 Textbook student
Projects with Air: A Science at work book
Barron’s Math Wizardry for Kids
Social Studies The Walls belong to kids Themeatic Classroom Activities and Bulletin Boards
Ancient Greece Activity Book, Hands on Heritage by Edupress
Ancient Rome Activity Book, Hands on Heritage by Edupress
Spanish Instant Conversation, 8 cassettes, needs no books exercises or drills Ex-library edition
WEAVER
I purchased these sets a few years back and have decided that I do not want to use them I am only asking $75 shipping and all. This will give you a full 2 to 4 years of curriculum (except math) for very little money.
Volume 1 1986 - 1999 version, is excellent condition, backs of binder holding curriculum dirty, rings have come loose from binder but nothing more
Volume 2 1987 - 1995 version, in excellent condition same as above except intact
Day by Day Volume 1 1986- 1999 version in excellent condition, tape across front of binder holding curriculum and back of binder dirt
Wisdom Words 1988 version, flash cards are there but have been cut out, other than a loose page or two, seems to be in VG to E condition
SUCCESS IN SPELLING
Success in Spelling Levels 1-5 levels 1 through 5 appear to be in GOOD condition with typical wear and dirt of a used book as well as markings and highlights throughout the books. $25 for all including shipping
World History Continuity and Change
Holt, Rinehart, and Wnston
1997
TE and student
awesome set in my opinion
$20 postage
5th GRADE LITERATURE SET
Houghton Mifflin Grade 5 EXPLORE SET. Textbook, in excellent shape with number and stamp on inside front cover, TE's for each unit of this textbook, which are in very good to excellent shape, TE for the literacy activity book (no student workbook)8 book set.
Asking $20 shipping included
Glencoe Writer’s Choice Composition and Grammar, TE and Student, grade 10 $20 postage pd.
$6 each shipping included
Writer’s Choice Grammar and Composition Grade 11 Student Textbook
McDougal Littell Integrated Mathematics 3 (for High School or upper middle) student textbook
Mathematics A Practical Odyssey (intermediate algebra, High School) student textbook
Secrets and Surprises Literature Textbook Grade 3 (?)
The Way of The World Literature Textbook Grade 2 (?)
Childcraft Time To Read Literature Book Grade 2 or 3
Neighborhoods and Communities Social Studies Textbook Grade 2
Merrill Health Focus on You Textbook Grade 3 or 4 (?)
Rhymes and Reasons Literature Textbook Grade 4 or 5 (?)
Holt Exploring Elementary Mathematic Grade 3 Textbook student
Social Studies The Walls belong to kids Themeatic Classroom Activities and Bulletin Boards
$6 each shipping included
Writer’s Express A handbooks for young writers, thinkers, and learners
Writer’s Choice Grammar and Composition Grade 11 Student Textbook
McDougal Littell Integrated Mathematics 3 (for High School or upper middle) student textbook
Mathematics A Practical Odyssey (intermediate algebra, High School) student textbook
Harcourt Brace Math Advantage Grade 4 student textbook
Discovering Languages Latin, An Exploratory Program
Literature Unit Sarah Bishop
Literature Unit Bridge to Terabithia
Write All About It Activities for the Writing Process Grades 3-5
The Write Answer Literature linked activities to develop writing skills Grades 4-8
Secrets and Surprises Literature Textbook Grade 3 (?)
The Way of The World Literature Textbook Grade 2 (?)
Childcraft Time To Read Literature Book Grade 2 or 3
Neighborhoods and Communities Social Studies Textbook Grade 2
Merrill Health Focus on You Textbook Grade 3 or 4 (?)
Rhymes and Reasons Literature Textbook Grade 4 or 5 (?)
Holt Exploring Elementary Mathematic Grade 3 Textbook student
Projects with Air: A Science at work book
Barron’s Math Wizardry for Kids
Social Studies The Walls belong to kids Themeatic Classroom Activities and Bulletin Boards
Ancient Greece Activity Book, Hands on Heritage by Edupress
Ancient Rome Activity Book, Hands on Heritage by Edupress
Spanish Instant Conversation, 8 cassettes, needs no books exercises or drills Ex-library edition
My first post, June 23, 2010
Not sure exactly what I would like to write about as this is my first attempt to create a blog.
I am currently summer schooling my 11 year old son. All we are working on at this time is Math and Language Arts.
We are spending a lot of time working on our garden so that we will hopefully have food to can and freeze come harvest time.
I am sitting out in my sun room as I type out my thoughts watching the breeze and the beautiful birds at the feeder. Nature amazes me. It is hard to believe that this beautiful morning is going to turn into a blazing hot day!
I am also musing on how interesting it is that life can change so much in a year. There have been many changes going on in my life and the lives of my family members over the last year. God sure does have a sense of humor. :)
I am currently summer schooling my 11 year old son. All we are working on at this time is Math and Language Arts.
We are spending a lot of time working on our garden so that we will hopefully have food to can and freeze come harvest time.
I am sitting out in my sun room as I type out my thoughts watching the breeze and the beautiful birds at the feeder. Nature amazes me. It is hard to believe that this beautiful morning is going to turn into a blazing hot day!
I am also musing on how interesting it is that life can change so much in a year. There have been many changes going on in my life and the lives of my family members over the last year. God sure does have a sense of humor. :)
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