Posted in Special Thoughts of Mine

It's been a little while since I've blogged...well, 2 months and a few days.  Even longer since I've put out my newsletter.  Some of you have wondered about where I've been, some have even emailed me to ask.  Forgive me, but my only explanation is "busy."  Life seems to sort of creep up on me sometimes, and I lose track of the days and hours...sometimes even the weeks that have gone by.  No, its not the onset of Alzheimer's--its just a very, very busy lifestyle.  I would be totally and completely lost sometimes without my day planner, as well as my computer to let me know what day it is and what I'm supposed to be doing on that day.  Scary, yes, organized, yes, comprehensible to others, usually not.  However, its just the way it is here.

I am finally in my last quarter of college, and I have to admit, its tough!  Don't let anyone ever fool you into thinking Accounting is easy--for anybody.  Now, I admit, once I was able to get my brain wrapped around it and comprehend it all as a whole, it became much simpler.  However, I have to spend a lot of time working on each new concept being introduced to me--a lot of time.  There are days where I literally work on my homework and studying for more than 12-14 hours.  This is one of the reasons I "lose" days!  I get started and the next thing I know, it's bedtime!  That's when I realize I haven't eaten, haven't done anything but schoolwork, and missed any sunshine that may have been outside.  I do pick up my grandchildren from the bus 4 days a week, and set the alarm to remind me to do that on those days, and that does give me a bit of a reprieve.  (It helps that my son usually calls me to talk--i.e. remind me of what I need to do on those days!) 

However, by the 2nd week of June this will all be behind me and hopefully life will become a bit more normal then.  I've arranged childcare for my grandchildren once I start working, and will be developing a more workable schedule then, so I should find more time for writing.  I'm currently working on a "couple" of books--they're in various stages, but still have a ways to go before being ready for publication.  I will most likely offer them online as downloads, and we'll see how that goes before I go into a printing process.

On another note....I have been talking with some folks recently about homeschooling.  Now those of you who have read this blog for a while know that homeschooling is something I strongly advocate.  However, I do realize that there are many who abuse this right, and it truly bothers me.  I've heard of a couple of homeschoolers recently who thought that this choice gave them the prerogative to not educate their children at all, but instead chose to do nothing more than watch soap operas and have their children do the housework.  This really bothers me.

Now, don't get me wrong, please.  Teaching children responsibility around the home is vital to every child--but so is learning to read and write.  Allowing children the freedom to play is a part of homeschooling--and a vital part of the learning process.   And every child has a different learning style and method by which he/she learns best (and its usually different for each child in a family, it seems!). 

Homeschooling is hard.  However, it is well worth the effort and sacrifices made to ensure that your child(ren) receive the special one-on-one attention needed to grow and mature as they learn more and more.  Not only will your child learn valuable skills and master many "educational" concepts, but they will learn important life skills necessary in their adult life.  You will be able to teach them about God and His Word, and incorporate that into every subject they learn.

There are an abundance of resources available at your local library, and even more available online (The Old Schoolhouse magazine--a link to it is in my sidebar ad--is a wonderful place to begin!  I subscribe to it and use it often with my grandchildren as an "extra" to their education).  I won't say you can completely homeschool your child for little cost, but there are many frugal ways and lessons available online.  You will have to put forth a lot of effort--planning, teaching, and the routine, mundane tasks that many just can't seem to grasp in life in general.  It is a major undertaking for everyone involved, but well worth the cost, both in effort and dollars.

You will not find me recommending public school to anyone (although, unfortunately, that is where my own grandchildren go-through no choice of my own--although I do supplement their education when they are here with me).  When I meet someone who is choosing to homeschool, I offer an abundance of encouragement and resources and help in every way I can.  This is what we all should be doing.  There are homeschooling groups in every state that will enable you to make sure you child(ren) have the needed socialization that many are concerned about them having, as well as group field trips, activities, and organized sports. 

Now, I will get off of that soapbox for now, and move on to another topic....Spring has finally sprung, and it is very welcome here in Appalachia!  I am greatly enjoying the beautiful flowers and trees blooming (although my allergies have decided to try to take over my life for the time being), and have already planted more flowers this year (some petunias, pansies, and salvia).  My lettuce is growing quite well, and will be ready for a fresh salad within the next 2 weeks.  I've held off on planting any tomatoes just yet--our last frost date is May 15--but I'll probably have them in within the next week or so. 

I have actually started the Spring Edition of my newsletter, and while I hope to have it in inboxes in the next week or two, I make no promises at this point.  But won't it be a pleasant surprise when you do receive it????

Many hugs to you this day,

Cynthia Robin