Mountain Mama - Homeschool Blogger

Back to School!

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 13:27:00 -0600

After almost un-schooling for a couple of months, we're back to structure this morning. I will say that Alyssa has learned a lot during this down-time. She continued with violin lessons once a week, as well as Gym & Swim at the YMCA and we did non-structured activities.

But today, it's back to the grind! LOL

We've done our morning meeting. This is new for us, but we're meeting before we begin school to say the Pledge of Allegiance, go over our memory verse for the week, pray, and discuss what we're trying to accomplish today.

Then we did a little mini-book on "Winter Words" from abcteach.com because we woke up to a dusting of snow.

We followed that up with laminating our new schedule cards that I will put on the wall to show what our daily schedule is going to be (I need this more than Alyssa! It's hard for me to stay on track without things written down...)

And then Alyssa sat on the floor and punched a bunch of holes in a piece of paper for no reason. I tried to look on this activity as building fine motor skills...

Next we read lesson 7 of Health, Safety & Manners (A Beka) which covered skin. Useful stuff, skin. To coordinate with the lesson on washing hands, I put a laminated sign over the potty that says "Flush the Toilet" and a sign next to the sink with "Wash Your Hands" (also from abcteach.com). These appear to be issues that 7 year olds do not remember regularly - or at least MY 7 year old can't seem to remember~

We're getting ready to cover lesson 12 in My America, My World (A Beka) which happens to be on Abe Lincoln. Alyssa will color a picture of Abraham Lincoln from www.whitehouse.gov while I go over the lesson.

After that, we're going to work on some math and maybe counting money (because the play money is already out from showing her Abraham Lincoln on the $5 bill and the penny.

And I believe we'll do a lesson in Choosing Obedience and a page or two out of A Reason for Handwriting.

I'm changing my organizational method (what? Organization? Sarah - I know you are laughing!) I find that I work better with keeping track of things on paper than the computer. I dislike recording things in Homeschool Tracker during the day, so I am instead going to record what we do in a spiral bound notebook and put it in HS Tracker at the end of each week. I'm also trying to get the schoolroom together so that we know where things are and can get to them. That alone should make the school day go easier! Once the clutter is banished, I'll post pictures.

Back to Abe Lincoln... Thanks for reading!

Homeschooling Mothers are not Perfect Saints (just for the record!)

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 19:20:00 -0500

Alyssa has been in day camp all week at the YMCA - from 8:30am - 6pm. I am listening to all of my friends chant "School starts on Monday!" and I completely understand why they can hardly contain themselves with anticipation. I'll admit that it has been very nice to have the days to myself, but I miss her so much! The more I hear moms counting down the days until the beginning of the public school year, the sadder it makes my heart.

I find teaching tedious and headache inducing on most days. But I feel firmly that it is MY responsibility and do not allow myself to even consider other options. This is the right option for us and the very best option for Alyssa. And I have to put my selfishness aside and press on towards the goal. Because the rewards are great for those who persevere!

I think this is why I get so irritated when I hear women say "I don't have the patience to homeschool." Who does? Do all of us homeschooling mamas just have a natural inclination to love teaching? Are we perfect at scheduling and are we blessed with more tolerance and patience when it comes to dealing with our offspring? Maybe some of us are, but I'll be the first to raise my hand and admit that I am horrible at sticking to any type of schedule/routine and I am certainly short on patience. Not to mention that I have a daughter who is just as hard headed as I am! We butt heads on a daily basis. But for myself, I feel that putting her in traditional school would be betraying what I know in my heart is the path we are supposed to be on and quite frankly - would amount to me copping out and letting my selfish nature have complete reign.

So come Monday, we'll be settling back into another school year - at home.

Win a personalized silhoette print!

Thu, 3 Jul 2008 16:44:00 -0500

Le Papier Designs is giving away a fun, Personalized Silhouette Print for a boy or girl. This is an 8x10 print, and will be personalize just for you.

Visit http://thedowntownboutique.blogspot.com/2008/06/whimsical-stationery-and-artwork-by-le.html for full details!

Alyssa on horseback!

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 10:55:00 -0500

This video was from her second or third lesson.

Rediscovering Myself

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 10:02:00 -0500

You've all read about the saga of my last five years in California. How it took so much from me and left me changed in both good and bad ways - but the bad ways are the ones that seem the most memorable (painful.)

But my focus has been off for longer than that. It's possible that my focus has been off since shortly after we married and bought The Village Inn. By necessity, the guests and business were the forefront in my daily life. They came first - my household came second (or last, oftentimes.)

The primary symptom of this problem is and has been the state of my home. Cluttered, unkept, a major mess, it has not felt like "home" truly since before I became an innkeeper. My focus was always on keeping the inn spotless, welcoming and cheery - and my home suffered as a result. I can only be stretched so far and I am obviously going to give my attention to my number one priority and for 10 years, that has been the comfort and care of my paying guests.

But now, my innkeeping days are behind me and I can once again refocus on what is most important. Yes, we have two businesses in the process of start-up, both in our home. However, neither requires my constant, around the clock attention that guests demanded. To change 10 years of habit does not happen overnight though.

My number one issue is - SURPRISE! - the time I spend online. I can pass several hours in the blink of an eye because I love to research. LOVE LOVE LOVE it. Give me a topic and I will google and search until the wee morning hours. And then I must visit all of my various forums and read a number of blogs... All while my house is in disarray and my husband and child order take-out for dinner and search for clean socks. *sigh*

Second, now that I'm no longer in the woods in the middle of nowhere, there are places I can go. People I can visit. Stores I can shop at. Drive-thrus I can partake of. It seems I am suddenly running an awful lot of errands. It reminds me very much of my lifestyle in Atlanta. Constantly on the run. I grew to hate being in the car - but was often required to run from here to there in order to pick up things that were required at the bed and breakfast. I have no such excuse now! I just like to be able to go places. And I think (brace yourself) I think I am AVOIDING my responsibilities at home.

Essentially, it all boils down to one thing. Self indulgence and lack of self control! Selfishness! Putting myself first and my family last. A very bad thing indeed.

To be continued...

Exciting Developments!

Fri, 30 May 2008 21:18:00 -0500

First off, I believe we have perhaps found a church after several weeks of visiting various churches in our area. This one immediately felt like home to me and the people were very friendly and welcoming. I'm excited to go back on Sunday - although I need to do some laundry so I have something to wear! Can I just say YAY for GOODWILL when you've gained weight and need to buy skirts! LOL

It's an Independent Fundamental Baptist church - which is what we attended in Stone Mountain, GA. They are all about being an old fashioned church with a big heart and the pastor supports homeschooling. In fact, his one child is homeschooled. I even met other homeschoolers when I was there :)

And then this week, I found a homeschool group in my area that I really think I will click with! A Christian group that is very conservative with lots of activities in our area. I met with several of the ladies last night for dinner and really enjoyed the company! And then today, we attended a picnic with them and again, felt so welcomed. They even made Alyssa an Achievement Certificate, so she wouldn't feel left out when the other children received their's. Very thoughtful.

Alyssa finished six weeks of horseback riding lessons last week. I will post pictures once I download them.

And I just updated my soap blog, too :) - http://blog.southernsuds.net

Getting settled in

Thu, 8 May 2008 12:14:00 -0500

We're slowly getting there. My mom and stepdad came up a couple of weeks ago and helped us get most of the boxes out of the house (the garage is still piled SKY HIGH!) I have most of my soaping supplies situated and hope to get back to soapmaking soon.

We are working through our Grade 1 material - although not that quickly. I am going to have to set some firm boundaries on activities because it feels like all we ever do is run run run. Alyssa is currently taking a homeschool horseback riding class at a local stable and we are going to many activities through a website called SWPiedmontMommies.com - they are part The Mommies Network that is national. We've met some really nice ladies and Alyssa is loving the "socialization time" she is getting. We've also been visiting churches and I'm not sure if we've found one or not. I think the people are very friendly and they are on target doctrinally, but I wish there were more homeschoolers in the congregation (there is just one family with a 5 yo they are homeschooling currently.)

The weather has been beautiful and looking around, I am reminded of all the things I love about living in the Southeast! I'm still not entirely "here" emotionally, but I'm hoping I'll be able to put the past behind me and move forward.

Vote for Alyssa - Please!

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 20:36:00 -0500

A local photographer is having a contest to find a new "Fresh Face" for 2008 and Alyssa is in the final 10! Please take a moment to vote for her (just once - but you can pass this message on if you like!) Voting ends May 2.

Alyssa has the number 1 under her picture and has brown curly hair.

http://catherinekeene.com/freshface08/

Back to School...

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 10:18:00 -0500

After a very long break from schooling due to the chaos of the move, we resumed this week. We recently purchased Math-U-See Alpha and Alyssa has enjoyed her first few lessons so far. She finished up the Explode The Code Primer book C and scored 100% on the pretest in book 1. YAY! I was surprised she had retained things considering the length of time we've been on "break". We're going to be digging into CLP "Our Father's World" for science, although I suspect for Grade 2, we'll be switching to Apologia. We have Abeka for history/geography and health/safety/manners, Pearables for Home Ec, CLP for bible, and we're switching to "A Reason for Handwriting" for penmenship. Hopefully we can settle into a routine soon.

Unfortunately, I am having a horrible time getting unpacked! I've made very little (if any) progress in the past 4-6 weeks. It's pathetic really. I am going to try to get the house under control by the end of next week. Having things so disorderly is affecting all of us.

We absolutely LOVE where we moved! The Lord had to bring us here because there's no way we could have found it ourselves. I've met several very nice ladies and I have friendly neighbors - many of which have children Alyssa's age. I just mailed off my application to a local homeschool group called H.O.M.E. of Gaston County (Home Oriented Ministry and Education.) I hope to get Alyssa involved in 4-H and the Homeschool Gym & Swim at the YMCA. Our problem here is not LACK of activities, but rather deciding which we want to participate in without overcommiting ourselves.

This past week, I finally broke out the NutriMill and Bosch! I made a batch of dough and made it into 3 loaves of bread, 2 batches of cinnamon pull-aparts, and 1 batch of parmesan herb breadsticks. I was quite pleased with how they turned out.

We also had our backyard fenced and hope to be able to have a yard put together in the next month or so. Alyssa looks forward to having a place to play, other than the driveway LOL

I can't register as a homeschool until October (4 weeks before Alyssa's 7th birthday) due to the compulsory school age in North Carolina (did I mention we're in NC? We live about 30 minutes outside of Charlotte.) If she was in PS, she would be in K due to her birthdate, so I am feeling good that we're in the middle of 1st Grade curriculum. I think we'll be at LEAST 50% of the way through by the fall, perhaps all the way finished. So despite having a 5 month break, she is still ahead.

Are there any other HSBers in the Charlotte metro area? Or the Greenville, SC area? (that's where my mom lives.)

Win Rosetta Stone's NEW PROGRAM for free!

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 11:02:00 -0500

Rosetta Stone has been the #1 foreign language curriculum among homeschoolers for a while -- next week they are unleashing a brand new curriculum, and you can WIN the *all new* Rosetta Stone Homeschool Version 3… FOR FREE!

This is a $219 program (and believe me it's worth every penny!) and the winner gets to pick from any of these 14 languages: Spanish (Spain or Latin America), English (American or British), Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Irish, Hebrew, or Russian.

This will also include a headset with microphone, and students will participate in lifelike conversations and actually produce language to advance through the program. Rosetta Stone still incorporates listening, reading and writing as well, in addition to speaking. Many homeschoolers requested grammar and vocabulary exercises, and with Rosetta Stone Homeschool Version 3, they're included! For parents, the new Parent Administrative Tools are integrated into the program and allow parents to easily enroll students in any of 12 predetermined lesson plans, monitor student progress, and view and print reports.

To win this most excellent program -- in the language of your choice -- copy these (blue) paragraphs and post it in (or as) your next blog post -- then to enter the contest, go to the original contest page HERE: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/JenIG/501132/ and leave a comment with the link showing where you blogged about it. And please make sure the link works to get back to the original contest page when you post it. And good luck! The winner will be picked randomly on March 26, and will be notified thru the link they left to their blog pg. And if you have more than one blog, you can post them and enter those separately for more chances to win. Yay for free stuff!

Home! I'm almost HOME!

Fri, 4 Jan 2008 10:27:00 -0600

On December 28, we closed on our new home! It is located within 30 minutes of Charlotte, NC and is about 20 minutes from Hickory (or so I'm told!) We are moving in on Tuesday, officially! After being virtually homeless for some time, it is going to be wonderful to finally be settled.

It's actually a newly constructed home. Here's a link to a slideshow of pictures that I took just before they finished it. http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=dssr01i.1llub9p2&Uy=-sndmdt&Ux=0

I'm going to have a schoolroom downstairs! I'm really looking forward to getting into a routine and making the house OURS. It's just the right size for us and I'm hopeful that I can keep up with cleaning it! (It's about 1800 square feet. Our previous house was over 2800 square feet and we had an additional 2200 square feet of cottages that I cleaned.)

I haven't made any soap since leaving California, but I have all sorts of ideas bouncing around in my head. We're also making plans to attend a commercial embroidery convention in Orlando in February.

Does anyone have experience with Math-U-See Alpha? We are considering a switch from our current math curriculum, but I'm nervous about spending so much.

Hope to update soon!

The life we left behind

Fri, 21 Dec 2007 22:35:00 -0600

We've spent the past couple of days in the Atlanta area and today we had the chance to visit Stone Mountain, where we previously lived. It was surreal to drive down Main Street, turn on West Mountain Street and come to the corner where The Village Inn is. The building looked good. The sign we had made was still in very good condition. The front porch looked unloved and the little strand of garland across the second floor veranda made it look almost naked when I remembered the holiday decorating we used to lovingly put up each year. Even after five years, my heart still felt pulled towards that building. I can't explain it. I guess that if it is possible for a person to truly love and have a fondness for a structure, I love that house. I suppose I always will.

I drove past our old home, just next door. Its blue siding and white trim have been replaced with grey paint and red shutters. The front lawn has dramatically reduced in size, invaded by large leland cypress trees, leaving the front of the house barely visible from the road. It looks nothing like when we lived there - and I found it interesting that I really felt no emotional response to seeing it.

I walked with a dear friend of mine (who still lives in the area) down Main Street, visiting the very few merchants who remain. When we were there, nearly every storefront was full. The village merchants would fastidiously paint the sidewalk every couple of years, in a quirky pattern meant to resemble red bricks. The awnings would be stretched with white lights and when you walked beneath them during "Candlelight Shopping" around the holidays, there was magic in the air. The awning isn't the only thing that has disappeared (the Downtown Development Authority deemed it had to go, as it was not "original" to the buildings.) Of the dozens of shops that we knew and loved, only two remain - and both of those are closing down in the coming weeks.

We enjoyed dinner at Mama Mia's and the salad, bread, and baked ziti were just as I remember - although the owner, Larry, has since sold and moved on due to health reasons. (I had suspected as much, as his Israeli flag that he put out annually for Hannukah has been replaced with Christmas decorations.)

After dinner, I took Alyssa to Stone Mountain Park, a place that I frequented when we lived in Stone Mountain Village. As in previous years, the park was hosting "An Old Fashioned Christmas". It was late and I had just planned to drive around and show Alyssa some of the holiday lights. When I took her down to where the new little "town" is, I realized that the Christmas lazer show was going, so I quickly drove her to a spot that I knew would provide us easy access to the lazer show lawn. We watched that for a while, then stopped in the town for a souviner spoon, a flashing LED necklace for Alyssa, and some fudge for me (shhh, don't tell!) They had every building and every tree wrapped in various colors of lights and as I looked around, the real reason that Stone Mountain Village has withered up and virtually disappeared became apparent. Stone Mountain Park built a recreation of an historic village, full of arts and crafts and gift shops - and the REAL historic village, located less than a mile away - was forgotten by tourists and simply died. It will be a real shame if it is lost forever.

After driving by and showing Alyssa some of the old attractions that have been there forever (the skylift, covered bridge, grist mill, antebellum plantation, marina, carillon, and others - all closed due to the hour/season), we drove around the loop behind the mountain. I was blessed with a view I've not seen in Stone Mountain Park before - two deer crossing the road in front of my van. I thought of all the unique little spots I've enjoyed picnicking, quiet time, and walks and my heart was warm with what a special spot God created so very near to downtown Atlanta. I smiled remembering my time there and was glad to see that while much has changed, a whole lot has remained the same - for now.

I promised we'd come back in the Spring and spend some time there.

Is this a good thing? LOL

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 15:20:00 -0600

Georgia On My Mind...

Sat, 17 Nov 2007 20:20:00 -0600

We made it to Atlanta this evening. WHOOHOO! Pardon the picture quality, I took it with my camera phone...

We'll be here until Tuesday, when we'll head up to my mom's place in South Carolina for Thanksgiving. It is very strange to be here. My emotions are all over the place (and I'm hormonal, to boot). Will ponder this some more before posting about it.

We managed 15 days on the road with zero rain. The only thing we had to deal with was wind across Oklahoma and Texas. The Lord was definitely looking out for us. My mom's house is only about 90 minutes from here and we'll only be going another 90 minutes or so from there to scout for property. So - the journey is nearly over. WHEW!

We must have a thing for New Mexico...

Sat, 10 Nov 2007 23:09:00 -0600

I wish I had my cord to upload pictures to share.

We are staying the night in Albuquerque, NM, after spending last night in Grants, NM. If you want to map those towns, you'll find they are a mere 130 miles or so apart. We, um, have a thing for trading posts, teepees, tacky souvenier shops, and the Continental Divide. What more can I say?

Have you ever heard of Indian Tacos (or Navajo Tacos)? We tried them today and while we loved eating them at the time, the thought of having leftovers makes us feel ill. They are a very tasty indian frybread topped with beef, beans, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and red and green chili sauce. I think I should have had my sauces on the side. They were quite spicy (and I'm used to spicy foods!) I had to have sour cream to cool the heat. Here's a picture of one that I found online -

I picked up a jar of Prickly Pear Cactus Jelly for Chautona. Apparently she loves the stuff - I've not tasted it yet. But I did get us a jar as well, along with some Saguaro Cactus Honey. I plan to do a desert unit study (DESERT - like HOT, dry, with cacti - not DESSERT...) at some point and will use these, along with Prickly Pear Cactus Candy. Yes, I am bad. And who says the desert and dessert can't mix?

We hope to make it to Amarillo, TX tomorrow. That will require driving a bit further than we made it today.

We've closed!

Fri, 9 Nov 2007 10:17:00 -0600

The property closed yesterday afternoon - FINALLY! YAY!

We are leaving Arizona today and are headed to Gallup, NM tonight. No stops scheduled, but you never know...

Christy

Hello from Arizona

Tue, 6 Nov 2007 18:38:00 -0600

We decided Saturday to go ahead and leave. The property was supposed to close by tomorrow at the latest, but now we're being told it'll probably be Friday. We're staying with my grandmother in Mesa for a couple of nights and are then heading across I-40 for a couple of days.

We got a late start, so we stayed in Castro Valley the first night - only about 4 hours from Willits. Then we stayed a night in Fresno with my grandfather and we got in here last evening. Yesterday was a long, hard drive.

We've decided to forego the Grand Canyon stop - as it will add several hours to our drive and we're just not up to that.

We are taking Alyssa to a teddy bear factory tour tomorrow. She turned SIX yesterday! We're celebrating with an ice cream cake tonight. She's excited.

I felt a certain small thrill upon exiting California, but I don't yet feel relieved. I suspect that will come once the property has closed and we actually have some money in our account.

We've also recieved word that my grandfather in Oklahoma is not doing well. He was hospitalized over the weekend and they decided today that there is really nothing they can do for him. We will be there on Saturday hopefully. Prayers for his health are greatly appreciated.

Will check in again soon...

I remember why I dislike moving so much now...

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 20:18:00 -0500

I have way too many THINGS!

Okay, I should preface that statement by reminding readers that in addition to my home, I have an additional 2200 square feet in guest accommodations. While the main furniture pieces are staying with the property, all of the pictures, accessories, kitchenware, and linens are coming with us. We intend to sell most, but did not have time to do so before moving.

SO! We were estimated 21 feet of a 28 foot trailer and 6 hours loading time.

28 feet and 11 hours later - we still have stuff that would not fit on the trailer. We had to reserve a second trailer that is being dropped off tomorrow and we are STILL packing.

Closing should be either Wednesday or Thursday. I'm hoping for Thursday at this point.

We're staying in the Guesthouse (our house has no furniture) and it would be great if I hadn't have packed the shower curtain LOL I have to come to our house to shower in the morning!

That's where we're at! Please continue to pray as we continue to pack and also as we load this second trailer.

Look what just arrived!

Thu, 18 Oct 2007 18:28:00 -0500

It's being loaded up on Saturday and then will head down the highway on Monday. WHOOHOOO!

We really are moving! PRAISE THE LORD!

Now, who all is in North Carolina? We are explore areas around Charlotte - but should we also be looking around Raleigh-Durham and Winston-Salem? Enquiring minds want to know

Packing is a busy job!

Sun, 14 Oct 2007 19:06:00 -0500

My mother flew in last Tuesday and we have been packing non-stop. I think the bulk of it is finished - but we only have one day until she leaves. I know Earl and I are going to be quite busy between now and next Sunday when the movers load the truck.

The reality that we are finally leaving has not set in for me yet - I suppose once we head down Sherwood Road for the very last time, it will hit me.

And let me tell you, I'm going to have to have a huge yard sale once we get settled! I am taking way too many things that I didn't have time to list on eBay and don't want to give away. I'm already going to have a truck full each for the hospital thrift store and the transitional housing place. I've given away loads of dishes and food and furniture - but I've held on to way too many linens and kitchenware. *SIGH*. I guess I'd rather have time to really go through things and choose what to keep than be under the gone and get rid of something, only to regret it later.

So that's my current status. Up to my eyeballs in dishpacks and boxes and still a lot to get done. Particularly when it comes to pictures. I'm taking pretty much all of them. YIKES.