Posted in Around the House

Oh, it's good to be back!  Among my fellow home educator's I always feel as though all is right with the world, and considering today's world 'norms' it's especially important to have a place where you feel welcome, normal, and 'safe.'

I hope that all has been well with everyone while I've been away.  I know that some of you have had difficulties, and please know that you have been in my thoughts and prayers.  Others have just been plodding alongside me in the daily routine of family and school, and I've been grateful to feel you walking beside me.  It's always nice to know, especially on those most trying of days, that you are not alone.  What a comfort you've all been to me while I've been away!  Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

Things don't always go as planned in life, in fact they rarely do, and we are no different.  Life has been... unusually interesting for the last couple of months, but not in any way we would have chosen for it to be.  We've not had any death or major illness, thank God; instead, our particulars have been in the field of relationships.  Friends and family.

You know how when you're in the middle of a situation you can actually FEEL the work of God happening, but you don't understand any of it?  At times you may glimpse a shadow of understanding, or you hit one moment out of a million where you have the emotional distance to see the big picture, only to promptly lose it as you're swallowed up by simple human emotion once again.  We've had those glimpses, but we're not any nearer to understanding what the hand of God is doing in our lives.  The next couple of months look to be emotional ones, but if I can get over that, I think the promised land for us is filled with milk and honey indeed.

Intellectually, one could argue that since the future promises to be so rosy, we should just plow through the next couple of months.  And one would be right, except for these pesky little things called free will and assumed responsibility.  So, if you get a moment, please do keep a good thought in mind for us.  We're not struggling financially like so many are, we've not got illness dominating our lives like too many I know, we're not struggling to right our world after the death of a loved one; in fact, it would be easy to dismiss our problems in light of greater suffering.  But nothing is too small to God, and so I ask all of you to pray for us, that we may receive focus and direction, and handle the next couple of months with kindness and respect.  Know that you all are never far from my thoughts and prayers, and be comforted that somewhere out there someone is praying for you.  I know I will be comforted by that same thought.

As to what we've been doing since our computer seized up (a new RAM card appears to have fixed the problem - for now =-), well, aside from the above, we've been knuckling down to our school work, de-cluttering the house/garage/yard, attending family functions, enjoying each other, catching up with friends we haven't seen in far too long, and taking care of hearth and home.  I've been trying to put food in the freezer, but it doesn't seem to last long, lol.  Last week I threw 20 burritos in the freezer, and I think now I'm down to 6.  First time I've made them, and they're obviously a hit.  I love having food in the freezer, and I haven't done it near enough, so I'm working on that.  Let's see, what else?  Oh, I sewed myself a new skirt for the summer, I'm almost done with another afghan, Jigger and I have made a light hut for one of his botany projects and planted seeds, Piper and hubby have been burning my kitchen down doing their science experiments, I've made a welcome sign for our foyer, and kept up on the laundry, ironing, and cleaning.  Life is amazing when the computer is broken, lol, and I'm going to remember that and be less cavalier about how I allocate my time during the day.

Well, I guess that about covers it for now.  I'm going to treat myself to a little more computer time and come visit you all - now that I can leave comments and everything.  =-)  Be blessed in your day!

Posted in Around the House

Yesterday I alluded to the fact that I missed the arrival of Spring whilst I was ill last week.  In case you think I jest, I will include photos that I took from around my yard this morning.  For my friends in the snowbelts, take heart from these photos that your snow-laden winter will not always last, and that Spring will be teasing you with her thoughts of love, gardening, and home improvements soon enough.  Until then, however, enjoy my Spring as I have enjoyed your winter with you through all of your generous and beautiful photos.

When I step out my front door, from the porch I can see across the street into the park.  The tree in the foreground is in our front yard.  I missed the budding while I was sick - one of my favorite things about Spring.

Here's a close up of the bush across the street from the photo above:

Here's our front porch that I tore apart on Sunday, cleaned, and put together.  Hubby and I love to sit here in the evenings and on weekend mornings.

The rest of these photos are flowers I found around my front yard this morning.  Aren't they beautiful?

Posted in Around the House

photo courtesy of allposters.com; Ring in the New by Elizabeth Mumford

Here we are again, the beginning of a new year and the restful time of another Christmas season.  While I hope you all had lovely holidays, I must confess that the spark that makes Christmas special was sorely lacking for me this year in spite of my intentions to make it otherwise.  I don't credit the economy or the state of world politics as significant enough in my day-to-day life to have that profound of an effect, but something was.  For the first time ever, at least half of our gifts were homemade, so money spent wasn't an issue.  Treats were made, family was visited and received, and all of the usual occurrences that make Christmas CHRISTMAS were present.  So I must therefore conclude that the something missing was within me.  *sigh*  Don't you just hate it when that happens?

I think, in all honesty, that a simplification of life is in order.  Everything that we do and have done is to be scrutinized, because truth be told, this isn't the first, or even second, Christmas I've felt this way.  I'm gathering a plan of attack on our way of life, and we are preparing for good, new, and simple things to guide us.  A decluttering of our home, our minds, and our schedule are at the top of the list of things to begin changing immediately.  Life is so good; we need to not get caught up in the semantics of life.

As for the immediate present, we are back to our school lessons tomorrow.  Tomorrow we will also be celebrating Epiphany, so a Three Kings Cake is on the menu for dinner tomorrow night.  We are currently knee-deep in preparations for our dance school's feis in two weeks, and then we have plans to head north to the snow for a long weekend.  That weekend is my carrot to get through the next two weeks; I'm not ashamed to say I need one.  We are winding down on all of the extracurricular activities we are currently involved in, but I digress.  That will be a subject best breached after the fact.  *Ü*

Have a lovely first-week-of-2009, and remember to be kind to yourselves and your children as you struggle to get back into the swing of things.  Take it easy, breathe, and smile along the way.

Posted in Around the House

Today is my heart's (mo chroi) birthday.  In celebration of the event, we are heading to the lake until Sunday, where there is no cell phone reception, no internet connection, and shaky-to-no television reception.  Truly a paradise on earth.  I will be back to my bloggy self on Monday next.  Have a lovely week's end!!

Photo title: "Happy Birthday, Gaff-Rigged Ketch."  Image courtesy of allposters.com.

Posted in Around the House

The following conversation took place between a mother, a father, and a 14 year old son upon the son being summoned twice before responding:

Dad:  Why didn't you answer your mother the first time she called you?

Son:  I'm sorry, I didn't hear her!

Dad:  Why, were you playing your video games or reading?

Son:  Both.

Mom:  Both?

Son:  Yeah, I was reading when it wasn't my turn on the video game.

Mom:  Your turn?  Son, you were the only one upstairs!

Son:  I know, but while it's the computer's turn, I read my book.

This is an actual story taken from a real-life experience of this author.  The people in this scenario were portrayed by the real-life participants in the previous conversation.  If you have, or will have, a 14 year old young man, be afraid.  Be very afraid.

Posted in Around the House

Beans, Peas and Lentils courtesy of www.allposters.com

In the interest of expanding our bean exposure, I am begging you lovely ladies out there (I don't think I have any male readers, but if I do, please do consider yourself properly begged) for bean entreés.  I'm looking for tasty, main dish bean recipes that use canned beans (or dry, with a good tutorial!).  They do not have to be crock-pot recipes, but wouldn't it be lovely if they were?

All recipes you take the time to so generously send me (whether by leaving them in the comments section, privately emailing me, or personal messaging me through HSB) will be re-typed and added to this blog under the Recipe category for everyone else to use as well.  Of course your name will appear on the recipe - credit where credit is due!!  Ü

I will go into more detail soon on our ever-changing nutrition habits, but for now am piteously begging for your 'receipts.'  Thank you in advance! 

Posted in Around the House

Quilting, by Carolyn Watson; available at www.allposters.com

I feel a bit at odds right now.  My house is mostly de-cluttered (unusual for me), the laundry is caught up (hunh, how'd *that* happen?), dinner is thawing, the school books have been purchased and are arriving daily at a steady clip, the boys are wrapping up their school year (we can count down in hours now), and I'm actually getting things done around our home.  You know, those things that you always mean to, but don't ever make the time to do?  For instance, I completed a sewing project yesterday that I purchased over a month ago.  For me, that's phenomonally fast, lol!  Oh, and last night I sewed closed holes that had been increasing in size on two of our gigantic sofa pillows along the seam.  *And,* I crocheted some more on a Christmas present!  I am amazed.  I have a couple of theories on why these items are getting finished; see what you think.

#1 - my house is mostly de-cluttered (don't look in the garage or Jigger's room).  Cutting down on 'stuff' has made it infinitely easier to get around in our home and to find things, but it's also had this unthought-of side benefit:  once you do it, you have worked yourself out of a job!  Those hours spent pitching and sorting are free once again - but the icing to that would be that those hours are now GUILT-FREE.  A *huge* thing for us guilt-laden homeschooling mamas, wouldn't you agree?

#2 - we are staying home.  Period.  We leave for two things:  lessons and church.  What about the library, groceries, visiting friends and family? you say.  We visit the library while the boy is at pipes lessons, get groceries while the other boy is at dance lessons, and visit with family at and after church.  The key is to work things into your regularly scheduled outings, and to not fall prey to running out in-between-times for an item or two.  For instance, I'm almost out of unbleached flour.  A gross oversight on my part when making up my grocery list last week.  Have I run out to get it?  Nope.  I'm rationing it, and combining it with my whole wheat flour and whole wheat pastry flour.  No biggie.  Unnecessary trips have almost convinced us they are necessary, when all they do is waste our precious time and money.

#3 - I'm scheduling my time better.  I find that if I get moving first thing in the morning, my day miraculously opens up for me and the things I want to do.  For example, I get up at 5 a.m.  I get showered, dressed, and then head downstairs to make my wonderful husband breakfast and pack his lunch so that he can be out the door at 6 a.m.  At 6, I allow myself a little play time on HSB :), and then I get cracking.  I get some bread going or prep dinner, make the boys breakfast, get schooling underway and supervise, and do my daily chores around the house.  This takes us to lunchtime, and after I've cleaned up from lunch and finished dinner prep, I have the whole afternoon to do what I want to do.  Crochet, sew, read, gab on the phone, visit HSB again, play games with the boys when they finish their home lessons, etc. 

I think it's vital that we make time for our creativity.  Without it, the days can blur into drudgery.  Right now would be a great time to start those homemade Christmas cards you've always wanted to make, but never make the time for.  Or, do what Robyn and I are doing, and make up your list of Christmas gifts to make and/or buy.  We're exchanging them on the 15th of this month to hold ourselves accountable.  Most of the time, just knowing what you're giving someone makes all the difference in the world.

So, take a fresh look at your schedule and make some time in your week for you - and you'll be amazed at what you can get done by staying home, keeping your home tidy and de-cluttered, and being wise with your time.  Will you try?

Posted in Around the House

In this year of elections, we have:

a) done our patriotic, American duty whereby we have researched each candidate to their fullest, compared it next to our moral and religious beliefs, and chosen the best possible candidate to vote for come November

b) caught the news sporadically, participated in various election discussions gauging others' view points on the candidates, and then gone with the person's opinion we respect the most

c) lined all the candidates up on a bulletin board and shot darts haphazardly until we have a clear winner

d) made up a new word that we feel best conveys this year's elective process

If you guessed D - you're right!!  The BRAND NEW word of the year is:

POLITIMATIC:   (puh-li'-ti-ma'-tick);  the art of being politically diplomatic

USE:  This family is not very politimatic.

Hat Tip goes out to Piper, not only for the fine sentence accurately using the word POLITIMATIC, but also for creating POLITIMATIC.

Go forth and spread the (new) word.

Posted in Around the House

So, one day last week, in an effort to stall the bedtime process, Jigger came over to me and began massaging my shoulders.  Now, before we go any further, you should know that Jigger's fingers are magic.  I've been thinking of getting some clay to help in his lack of dexterity, but now I think I'll just write a daily five-minute massage into his lesson plans.

Anyway, he began massaging my shoulders because I got the massage-gluttony gene from my mother, so he knew it would work.  After a couple of minutes, I said to him, "You know, if you do this to grandma, you could probably get her to do whatever you want."

"Really?" he asked, speculation high in his voice.

"Yep," I muttered, too intent on enjoying the neck rub to continue the conversation.

"What if I did this to grandpa?  Would he do whatever I want?"

"Probably not," I replied, and out of curiousity asked, "Why?"

"Well, because I would want him to play pool with me."

"Ahhhh.  But where would you play it?" I asked.

"You know, in their new pool barn they're building."

"Their new... whaaa?" I confusedly spit out.

Here I looked over at my husband, with a distinct look of heavy  confusion concentration on my face, only to be met by the same look.  Suddenly, the light dawns on my husband, and he turns to Jigger with a barely concealed look of absolute delight on his face.

"Do you mean their new POLE barn?"

"Yeah, that's what I said.  Their new pool barn.  Where grandpa's going to put his new pool table."

Conversation ceased, laughter commenced, and Jigger looked around with a dazed but happy look on his face, for while he didn't understand what the big joke was, his parents had temporarily forgotten about his bedtime.

Posted in Around the House

Oh my goodness.  It's been two and a half months since my last post.  Two and a half months!!  I know, I know, some of you kept reminding me of the passage of time, but to be honest, I just kept plugging along and figured *that* much time wasn't flying by.  Boy, was I wrong!  For all of you still tuning in to see if I've updated, Thank you!!  I hope to visit you all again soon.

So, where to begin??  Well, when last we spoke, I was concentrating on building next year's curriculum for the boys.  I spent many, many hours on it, have a definite vision, and will spend some time in the upcoming weeks fleshing it out and ordering new books (I love doing that!!). 

From that I moved onto spending a little time on myself, and figuring out what I feel most called to do.  That was quite a mental process, let me tell you!  I began with the Ladies Against Feminism site, which turned me off initially by the title, but once I began searching and reading, I realized their true intent:  to give women the freedom to be women.  THAT is what I felt called to do.  So, I tested myself (and, to a certain degree, my husband) by trying a week-long trial of wearing skirts.  Wow!  What a challenge to this capri-only-all-year-long woman!  Many, many revelations came from that, some expected, some unexpected, with it resulting in me moving my capris to the back of the closet and purchasing half a dozen skirts.  I decided to do my hair and make-up *every day* (gasp!), and not rush through my days.  I deserve to feel the flow of my days, not the tug-and-pull.  All of these changes were surprisingly less difficult than originally anticipated, and have stuck.  Well done me! :)

Next, I felt that my heart was pulling me to give homemaking an honest, loving go, not just piece time together for it.  I've painted my living room, rearranged furniture, cleaned my kitchen inside and out, and added some lovely finishing touches to my kitchen.  All with love.  I allowed myself to enjoy my home, instead of feeling guilty whenever I walked into a room because I had no time for it.  Homemaking is my calling for now, and I'm allowing myself to embrace it.

After that, the process flowed into purging my home.  I've been sorting for awhile, and have decided to make a sewing nook out of an unused portion of my closet.  I'd like to decorate the half bath downstairs, and eventually work my way upstairs.  The library is shouting for a makeover, as are Jigger's room and our room and bath.  The laundry room teases me with how quickly I could do something with it, and the garage is weeping for a thorough going-through.  I'm so content with my new outlook, and am trying to get life simplified. 

The boys have been busy; Jigger switched dance schools at the beginning of June, and that has been an adjustment.  Piper has just wrapped up a three day piping workshop where he studied under the tutelage of a world-class/famous bagpiper.  Jigger has a five day dance workshop scheduled for next week, and then they leave with my parents for 9 days for a trip to Cheyenne.  We've been busy with piping performances, and mo Chroi's work in the summer leaves few precious family hours.  We're hoping to ditch life and play hooky on Sunday, beginning with the new HP film.  The boys have 4 days left of this school year, and then they're (I'm) off until the end of August.  Hooray!!

While I have certainly relaxed and enjoyed time, other things have weighed heavily on my mind, as is expected.  Balance is such a fickle beast.  I'm in the process of doing a mental cleaning, and am muddling my way through it.  A few good friends are helping me, and hopefully all will be resolved soon.

I hope to blog from time to time again, and have missed you all!!  My blog has so many updates that need to be made that it will be under construction for a while yet.  There are so many additions I look forward to making as well.  Hopefully I'll be able to devote some time this weekend to it.  Please pardon the dust and confusion if you visit again.  I promise to write sooner rather than later.  :)

I hope this finds you all well and enjoying your summer.  May you have a blessed weekend!!