One Day at a Time

Private Percussion lessions

Eleventh Grade Samuel LaVictoire LaVictoire
Algebra II Saxon - tutor Mr. Marty Drexler
Apologia Biology/Chemistry
American History II- CLEP book and websites
World History - CLEP and web sites
British Literature - Hewitt Homeschool publishers
Rosetta Stone - Spanish I
Writing Course- Bravewriter

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Aug. 15, 2009 - Red Cross Swimming Classes 2009

Created with flickr slideshow.

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Aug. 15, 2009 - Library Shows

Once again we did attend the library shows for the summer! Here are my pictures of those! 2009 library shows

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Jul. 27, 2009 -

I am thankful for... good health and a thrifty husband. The van he bought on eBay is wonderful!

From the learning rooms...we are in the big push to get work done before our assessment.Gabe and I have completed two assignments in the Bravewriter Kid's Write Basic Class. I also signed Sam up for this online class studying Chaucer.

I am reading...
Grieving the Death of a Mother I. Love. This. Book.

I have written before about grief and grieving and some things to say or not say to someone who is bereaved, but my experience with mom's death have added some things to my perspective. This part really touched me.

As a grief educator, I encourage thorough grief. No "light" grief, no short cuts, and no time off for good behavior; the day-in day-out work of grief is necessary and important. Unfortunately, I grieve in a society that aggressively limits grief that reprimands, "You should be over your mother's death by now" (sometimes punctuated with an exclamation point)> It's as if a game clock somewhere determines how much grief time one gets.

After my mother's funeral, I frequently felt as though I had run a gauntlet of questions: "How old was your mother?" When I answered eighty three the frequent response was, "Oh then she lived a good long life." "Oh" felt like a slap to my face. What would be wrong with her living eighty four or eighty-eight years? "Was she a Christian?" Yes. "Well then, she's in a btter place." "Had she been sick?" Yes. "Then her suffering is over." Yes, but what about mysuffering? Grief, particularly for an aged mother, is disenfranchised. Jeanine Cannon Bozeman writes: "I perceived that many people felt tht because mother was "old" and I was an adult child, the loss should be less significant."

It does not matter who you are or how high or low your status in society: how old or young you are
how experienced you are in the black and blue realities of life
how clever you are with words
losing a mother wounds.

For the rest of life, some will have a great difficulty finding words to wrap around a mother's death. A song, a scent, a taste, a fabric or a memory will leave us wordless.

It does not matter how self-confident you are-losing a mother deprives you of a chief-cheerleader.

Mary Poppins which is much, much better than the movie!!

150 Bible Verses Every Catholic Should Know

A picture I am sharing:

Izzy was a volunteer at one of the library shows. This is the Weird Science show! I'm not sure what scientific principal he was illustrating, but it was a lot of fun to watch that toilet paper fly forcefully into the center of the crowd via the leaf blower!

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Jul. 21, 2009 -

I am thinking...
still about my mother's death but it has lessened somewhat this week. I would really like to put this all behind me for a while, but we still have to take mom's ashes out to the cemetery, I still have a few thank you notes to send AND there is the matter of her life insurances and other accounts. I think I am going to need to get an attorney just to help me through some of this stuff.

I am thankful for... good health and a thrifty husband.

From the learning rooms...we are in the big push to get work done before our assessment. It is REALLY difficult to do with all of the after-death stuff I have to take care of now as well. I CANNOT WAIT until that's over - I need a break from homeschooling now as much as the kids do.

From the kitchen... The sanctuary society from church gave us a tray of lasagna! That was very nice and helpful because I was planning mac and cheese tonight - from a box. I know...

I am wearing...new black capris and a stripped old T-shirt I just threw on to work in.

I am creating... so peace and order to the balance of my mother's estate, I hope.

I am going... to be doing more cleaning and organizing since my biggest client is off these next few weeks.

I am reading...
On Grief and Grieving: Finding the Meaning of Grief Through the Five Stages of Loss
Mary Poppins which is much, much better than the movie!!

150 Bible Verses Every Catholic Should Know

I am hoping... that Mr. Pete has a safe trip when he goes to pick up our eBay car. I also hope that Calvin, steps to the plate as man of the house.

I am hearing... The air conditioner which actually masks the usual buzzing in my ears.

Around the house...same ole, same ole.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Make a dent in homeschooling, get some of this post-funeral paper work done and in the mail - get ready for my attorney's appointment next week.

A picture I am sharing:

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Jul. 13, 2009 -

From the learning rooms...I got the results from Sam's PLAN test back and was very pleased. I will post about that for the Carnival tomorrow. We continue to plug away. Our meeting with our portfolio evaluator is in five weeks!

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Jul. 6, 2009 -

From the learning rooms...Math and reading only for the little kids, and pushing Sam to get back into his American Government and Literature. I also want to start doing some PSAT prep.

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Jun. 29, 2009 -

From the learning rooms...I have to keep swimming going this week and math with the kids, but I think I'm going to let everything else drop this week. I feel as if I have been hit by a truck and I just need some time to recover.

From the kitchen... Some very sweet folks have brought us meals over the past few days and we are due for another meal tomorrow. So I am looking forward to that.

I am hoping... to see God's plan in mom's passing because right now, I don't get it. I realize the rest of the world sees an old lady with cancer who died. But I see a vibrant woman with lots of talent and lots of love to give to her community and family and I don't get it. I particularly don't understand why her death had to be so difficult. Was her suffering for her? or was it something we were supposed to witness for our own benefit?

I am hearing... The air conditioner which actually masks the usual buzzing in my ears.

Around the house... putting stuff away from the funeral.

A few plans for the rest of the week: writing some funeral thank you cards.

A picture I am sharing:

My last look at my mom's hands.

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Jun. 22, 2009 -

I am thinking...
about the difficult choice to be made yesterday. My mother is still in quite a bit of pain. After talking to the hospice nurse who also talked with the hospice medical director, we decided to up her morphine to 10 mg and give it every two hours, instead of only 5 mg as needed. Mom is too weak to use the call button when she has pain and has to depend on the busy nurses to notice that she needs pain medicine. So some days she was getting eight doses,and some days only three. This regular increase of pain medicine should cover it. The down side is that her hearing has almost been destroyed on the previous dose, and this might completely eliminate it. And that makes me sad. My mother will no longer be able to hear us. But she won't be in any pain either. I think at this point this is the only thing we could do.

I am thankful for... all of the comments on her web site, the e-mails and comments here of support.

My great Aunt Dorothy wrote me last week for support and she said, "Hearts hurt, but they heal." Aunt Dorothy has lost her parents, 8 of siblings, friends, aunts and uncles, her husband and a daughter. She knows loss. And she's right; time does heal the hurt. And when the heart is mended there is a scar. We never forget the hurt and the heartbreak; the scar reminds us. I think a scarred heart shows that we have lived and loved much. I thought about these things after I received her letter on the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the day after the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It just seemed very appropriate.

From the learning rooms...I have decided to keep our homeschool, swimming lessons and Izzy's birthday on schedule and on track. I do not want my children to have terrible memories of their grandmother's death and I certainly do not want Izzy to associate her 10th birthday with her grandma's passing. So everything will be the same for as long as I can keep it that way. I did the same thing, BTW when Raphael died, and my children have wonderful memories of a party (the funeral supper) friends, fun and food. I want them to remember their grandma's funeral and life with joy as well.

I am wearing...light capris and a maroon T-shirt. Later on today I am going to wear a bathing suit... sigh...

I am creating... I dunno. Hopefully good memories for my kids. Still on death vigil.

I am going... nuts.

I am reading... Uncle Tom's Cabin because Sam is reading it for American Lit.

I am hoping... mom passes quickly and painlessly and at the same time I am looking towards God's perfect timing. And I know when it happens I'll be able to see God's wisdom in it and will be awed by it.

I am hearing... The air conditioner which actually masks the usual buzzing in my ears.

Around the house... waiting.

A few plans for the rest of the week: My sister and I decided that no matter what, we'd like to try for a Saturday funeral when the time comes. I think those are so much nicer and not as rushed. Mom has most of her funeral planned out but she wants the music we had for Raphael's funeral so I'm going to have to listen to the tape again to refresh my memory. I got half way through it last week.

Ironically, one of the reasons my Dad had a hard time being married to my Mom is that she only gave him two daughters and he wanted sons. One of the reasons he let my EFC take the ranch away was because he did not have any sons.

At my mom's funeral her six grandsons are going to be her pall bearers - This will honor my mother, but there's a little part of me that feels some delight in the legacy that is hers - NOT HIS!

A picture I am sharing:
Proving once more getting all six kids to look good at the same time is like herding cats!

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Jun. 15, 2009 -

From the learning rooms...we continue to plug away at schooling. Sam has a final exam to take. He has a new math book to start. The kids and I have much more to do as well.

I am wearing...light blue capris and a gray T-shirt I bought over the weekend.

I am creating... I dunno. I don't think of creating much this week. I think I'm still on a death vigil.

I am going... to try to walk or exercise every day this week. I know, I said that last week and I did get two times in. I'll try to at least up it to three times this week.

I am reading... Uncle Tom's Cabin because Sam is reading it for American Lit.

I am hoping... wow. I'm not sure what I'm hoping. Part of me hopes that Mom will defy all odds, get off hospice, get back to therapy, make an almost full recovery and get over to assisted living where she will thrive and live for five to ten more years. The other part of me, that realizes the chances of that are very slim is hoping that she is not in much pain. I hesitate to say I hope it is over soon because I do and I don't. This is really a terrible "limbo" that my family and my sister's family are in right now. But there is a grace in it as well.

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Jun. 8, 2009 -

From the learning rooms...we continue to plug away at schooling. I did find out from Sam's math tutor that he is almost done with geometry and will be starting Algebra 2! He should be in great shape for the PSAT in the fall.

I am creating... I dunno. I don't think of creating much this week. I think I'm on a death vigil.

I am reading... Uncle Tom's Cabin because Sam is reading it for American Lit.

Also College-Prep Homeschooling: Your Complete Guide to Homeschooling Through High School which is sort of blowing my mind right now with all the great tips in it!

A few plans for the rest of the week: I have a care meeting for mom on Thursday and then Sam leaves for the youth conference on Friday! Something kind of sad with something kind of joyous- a nice balance towards the end of the week.

A picture I am sharing:

Sam and some other homeschoolers at the annual homeschool dance! There really were more guys there but Sam always seemed to end up dancing with the ladies. He's not shy. Note that he wore dress pants, a nice shirt, and athletic shoes!! Probably very wise for a night of dancing!

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Jun. 1, 2009 -

Outside my window...

It finally looks like summertime- although it still feels like early spring - a wind and a bit of chill still in the air. My backyard looks much better though! Mr. Pete got a rototiller and dug up the garden and we planted our tomatoes and other vegetables!

I am thinking...

that I can't believe that I am 50 years old. I don't feel that old. Mr. Pete assures me that I don't look it, but he's 51 so there ya go!

I am thankful for... my mom. I went to visit her today and the first words out of her mouth were, "Oh Thank God you're here...Happy Birthday!" It was so sweet. My mom never had an easy time of it because she was a single mother, but everything I am or ever hope to be I am because of her. And I will always be thankful for that.

From the learning rooms...we had an amazing school day! Gabe and Sam were great on their dictation and spelling. Today we were analyzing the punctuation in a paragraph and I mentioned that comas were used for parenthesis, and they both already knew that and even mentioned that they were also used for lists of items! They actually learned something this year!! LOL

Sam also took the PLAN test today and I plan to blog a little bit more about that later.

From the kitchen... Somebody is supposed to be broiling steak, fixing mashed potatoes, salad and birthday cake - I hope it's not ME!!!!????

I am wearing...New yellow sweat pants, and comfortable white T shirt.

I am creating... a blog post later on the murder of Dr. Tiller.

I am going... to try to walk or exercise every day this week.

I am reading... Uncle Tom's Cabin because Sam is reading it for American Lit.

Also College-Prep Homeschooling: Your Complete Guide to Homeschooling Through High School which is sort of blowing my mind right now with all the great tips in it!

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May. 30, 2009 - Saturday Soccer Homeschool League! Spring 09

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May. 30, 2009 -

Created with flickr slideshow.

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May. 18, 2009 -

Outside my window...
The tree leafed out.

I am thinking...
a lot of things. My sister and I have come to the conclusion that maybe it is better for us to cut down the visits to mom. Maybe if we come once a week or so we'll see more progress. Our theory is that maybe the daily visits are rewarding her for "staying sick." I mean, she IS really, really sick but right now it doesn't seem to us that she is taking her therapy all that seriously. Why should she get out of bed if we will come to her? I think I'll wean down to twice a week first and see how that goes.

On the other hand we could have that all wrong - but I she has been ill since Lent and I have visited her almost every day at the hospital or nursing home. I have to get some normalcy back as well.

I am thankful for... a place that mom can receive good care for now.

From the learning rooms...Get Sam on schedule. Finish the math books with the boys.

From the kitchen... Not sure yet, but as we have a piano recital tonight, it's looking like hamburger helper!

I am wearing...black sweat pants, pink turtle neck - it got cold here suddenly!

I am creating... a pile of folded laundry- hopefully!

I am going... to try to walk or exercise every day this week.

I am reading... Uncle Tom's Cabin because Sam is reading it for American Lit.

I am hoping... just to get through the week. We did get our bassoon back, but that buyer hit us with negative feedback. One stinking negative feedback knocked us down to a 96.7% rating. So, I guess I'll be trying to raise that with some purchases.

I am hearing... the purr of the fan.

Around the house...Some spring cleaning.

A few plans for the rest of the week:Keep up with my typing, work in some exercise, deep clean the house.

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May. 11, 2009 -

Outside my window...

Hmm. That tree hasn't leafed uot y et. Maybe this is the year it really is going to not come back.

I am thinking...

how much the Obama administration reminds me of the Andrew Jackson administration! Sam and I just studied that this year and Jackson's white house was known for being loud and ungracious. After watching the President speak over the weekend I thought he would have had a lot in common with President Jackson. I thought jokes about wishing a private citizen's kidneys failed simply because he has a different political perspective was scary. I also wasn't pleased to hear that the chief of staff has a hard time putting anything behind the word "Mother" other than a popular profanity. And the President thinks its all funny. I thought he was supposed to be an ivy league literal elitist? The entire feel of the televised speech was simply creepy.

I am thankful for... for the time I got to spend yesterday with mom on Mother's Day. I'm also grateful to all of my children, without whom I couldn't be a mom, and for Mr. Pete who supports me in that role.

From the learning rooms...we watched a ton of films last week on plants and roots. I have one on the city of Montreal I want the kids to watch this morning and I want to get Sam up to speed. I really, want Sam and Noah to be prepared for their piano recital next week too!

I am reading... Uncle Tom's Cabin because Sam is reading it for American Lit.

A picture I am sharing:

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Apr. 27, 2009 -

Outside my window...

Blue skies, bright, sunny. And my favorite tree that makes me worry about it every year, is making me worry again this year. It still hasn't leafed out!
I am thankful for...the end of winter and more reasonable gas bills!

From the learning rooms...I am really hitting math for the rest of the school year!

From the kitchen...Pot roast. It's a little warm for that, but Mr. Pete requested it so, there ya go!

I am wearing... Big pink jumper and black T shirt. Comfortable yet nice churchgoing clothes- I have to play for a funeral today so I need both.

I am going... for a walk today. Also visit mom after the funeral.

I am reading...

about ovarian cancer. It's frightening how vague the symptoms are! Fatigue, indigestion, bloating... no wonder no one picks up on it early. I have this huge urge to rip mine out!

I am hoping...that mom improves this week, my kids get a lot done in school, and my house stays in reasonably good order.

I am hearing...the air conditioner! Mr. Pete put it in for me.

Around the house...we are enjoying spring.

A picture to share:

Visiting grandma at the nursing/rehab center.

Rosie and her "best friend" with their pony tails!

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Apr. 15, 2009 - Nature Journalling

Izzy and Noah took a nature journal class through Bravewriter. Some if it was drawing and some of it was photography. Here are some of the photographs the kids actually took. Izzy and Noah's nature photographs

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Apr. 13, 2009 -

From the learning rooms...Well my fear is coming true. Looks like the kids really will get almost three weeks of spring break! The first week was dealing with my mom's illness in the hospital, last week her surgery and clearing her things out of her apartment, and this week our own spring cleaning! I do however want everyone to do one lesson of math AND I would like Sam to start the new literature program I received from Hewitt.

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Mar. 30, 2009 - Sam the Soccer Ref

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