One of our favorite places to explore....... Astronomy Picture of the Day

I've been working for quite a while on lesson planning for next homeschool year.  I'm almost finished, but all that planning is on hold for now so I can focus on getting our field trips planned.  We used to go on quite a few field trips with a local group, but I suppose most folks have either gotten busier or just don't want the responsibility of planning a field trip for a large group so there haven't been many trips set up this current school year.  I can certainly understand the latter reason.  I took on the responsibility of setting up a trip this year and was horrified at fellow homeschoolers' behavior... they showed up late or not at all (and this was a trip requiring signup as the business had prepared very nice goody bags for the kids and parents), behaved poorly during the tour, and then only 2 kids sent thank you notes (this is a business I frequent on almost a weekly basis so I was privvy to that info).  I was ashamed to have associated myself with such a group.  I'm not trying to sound high and mighty or like I'm better than anyone else, but come on... respectable behavior and good manners are not too much to ask of a group of homeschoolers in my humble opinion.  Quite frankly I was downright embarrassed.

This coming school year we'll be taking field trips as a family.  I've mentioned before that high gas prices have been negatively impacting us so I'm having to look long and hard at all the field trip opportunities around here and consider factors such as admission fees plus the cost of gas to drive there and back.  Hubby and I have discussed it all a bit, but I hope to have our field trip plans finalized today along with estimates of how much each will cost.  I set aside a certain $ amount out of every other paycheck for homeschooling expenses (includes field trips, curriculum to purchase the following spring for the next school year, plays and musicals at the local performing arts center, etc.).  I really need to get the new amount calculated that we'll need for the coming year and hopefully will have that accomplished by today's end.

We took our leftover books and videos from our yard sale yesterday and donated them to the library.  Of course while there I had to browse the "for sale" section and came home with four more books for our home library (a whopping 25¢ per book and all are in excellent shape).

Mustang: Wild Spirit of the West by Marguerite Henry

Florence Nightingale: War Nurse by Anne Colver

Andrew Jackson: Pioneer and President by John Parlin

Ferdinand Magellan: Opening the Door to World Exploration by Isaac Asimov

We also sadly found out that our favorite librarian at this particular branch (the youth librarian) might be leaving.  She is due with her third child in the coming weeks and applied for a transfer to another branch for a part-time position.  She did get the job, but then a freeze went into effect concerning transfers and hiring so she might not be moving.  I'm sure it will all be resolved though and we will truly miss her.  We can always go visit her at the other branch from time to time.  I'm not overly thrilled with the person that is slotted to be her replacement (I really don't see this person as a 'youth' librarian).  This news really just added more fuel to the fire of my not wanting to use the library very much any longer (if I can help it!) - gas prices and other continuing nonsense affecting our overall finances pretty much made that decision, but other things, like this latest news, are factoring in as well. 

My little philatelist is quite excited about the new Star Wars stamps that will be available starting May 25th.  You can view the stamps here and cast a vote daily for your favorite!

We used to live on Maui BC (Before Children) and one place I found myself over and over and over was Lahaina Galleries.  I was absolutely drawn to the art of Gary Swanson.  Guess Who's Next was always my favorite followed closely by all his other pieces.  I could spend hours just standing and staring at one painting after another.  I suppose it's only fitting that my oldest would turn out to be a fanatic when it comes to big cats (tigers, lions, leopards, cheetahs, and so on).  He and I spent some time last evening looking at so many of Mr. Swanson's pieces online.  Maybe one day he'll have the good fortune to see them in person just like his mom.

Wow!  I'm continually amazed at all the "cool" things one can find online.  I just stumbled upon Artcyclopedia: The Guide to Great Art on the Internet.  Looks interesting.......