One hour

I don't know about you but this time change is bugging me.

My body and the clock are not in the same time zone.

One hour, big deal, right?!

Well actually it isn't too big of a deal because I don't adhere to some strict schedule.

Thank God, we don't have a schedule!

I do have a routine and so do the kids.

You all know we are night people.

Well I'm not going to bed until 4 am...

I'm doing everything an hour later... BWHAAA!!!!

Shit, it's 3 am right now, I need to go to bed.

My friend from TX is coming tomorrow, I hope I'm up and coffee'd and showered before she gets here.

You don't want to see me before that!

Actually I don't really *wake* up until much later, hours even.

I feel my best at night, daytime just screws with me.

We have had beautiful weather and tomorrow is supposed to be 80 and sunny.

I need Vitamin D so when the sun is out I am there.

Kind of reminds me of *There is a leer jet in Mobile and I AM ON IT!

The SUN is out and I AM IN IT!

We all need sunshine :)

Be breezy!

Unconscious Mutterings

1. Mourning :: sorrow, sadness, loss


2. Approval :: I don't need your approval!


3. Lotion :: progesterone cream


4. Perspire :: sweat


5. Language :: words are just words


6. Defection :: glitch


7. Play :: my kids play, play, play


8. Graphic :: blood, gore, violence


9. Spicy :: OOH la la
10. in love :: I'm in love with my best friend

Since my CONSCIOUS mutterings aren't going over too well I decided to shoot for unconscious.

Luna Nina

missed the mark

My last post just didn't convey what I wanted it to.

It probably came off as a rant and I suppose I do write that way.

I'm just matter of fact and straight.

What I am saying is that too much revolves around school.

Talk to any parent and what comes up?

Grades, tests, teachers, curriculum, pass, fail, diploma, college....

When you meet someone what do they ask your child?

What grade are you in?

What school do you go to?

Like there is no life outside of school because school is all there is.

Well what if there was more to life?

Like actually living in the real world and not an artificial one like school.

School is artificial and unnatural.

I have completely deschooled which is why it is so easy for me to dismiss the bullshit.

I'm not here to judge you for wanting what school has.

So many homeschoolers just copy school, it gets old, it really does.

My ideal is to live as if school didn't exist. We actually do a pretty good job of it :)

Of course it's everywhere, it's on tv, it's in my house everyday when the neighbors visit. It's sad when it's portrayed with homeschoolers.

I don't speak freely when people are talking about tests and lessons and blah blah blah.

If you ask me, I will tell you exactly what I think but unfortunately I can't go around spouting off.

Why do you think I come here?

Hello!!!????

Spout, spout!!!!


If my child chooses a traditional path then we will jump through the hoops to get there.

Schoolish ways aren't the first thought or the only path.

We will do what we need to reach the desired outcome.

I'm just trying to portray an alternative to *school*

Now I lose an hour so I guess it's really 3 am.

Aha my computer just changed which explains why my connection is wigging out and blogger says it can't save.

I'm hoping I don't get lost in space, bwhaaa!!!!!!!!!

celebrating indoctrination?

Graduation season is coming upon us.

Why is it that year after year there are more *graduations*

You graduate from Kindergarten and almost every damn grade from there on out.

I really don't know how many but I do know that I hear about more grade levels *graduating*

I just wonder why we celebrate surviving indoctrination?

That is what school is.

I guess we are just happy we survived, we made it, we passed the stupid standardized test.

WHY??????

Why celebrate mediocrity?

Why do people embrace compulsary attendance?

Why do people embrace indoctrination?

I just can't ever get in that box.

I never was in that box.

Yes, I went to public school, I survived, I graduated, BFD.

I have never needed that little piece of paper we call a diploma. That society puts so much emphasis on, I don't even know what box it's in.

I survived indoctrination.

I didn't let it bring me down, I'm not dumbed down. I saw through the crap and many of you did too.

Why is it so clear to some and not to others?

Why do people like to be told what to do, what to think and how to do it?

Wake up and smell the compulsion. It is far worse now than it was when I went to school.

It was bad enough then.

Ugh!

I can't stand the box, I can't stand mediocrioty and I sure as hell am not going to celebrate it!

Live, love, learn, free your mind... UNSCHOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh that felt good!

Alone in my thoughts

I went to the park today with some homeschoolers we meet with and am utterly exhausted from not getting much sleep.

We don't do mornings, we didn't get there until 1 ish, but we are all so tired.

Anyhoo, I just sit and listen and interject a comment here or there.

I am so far off the spectrum that I just decided to *smile and wave*

I really, really, really want to meet a family with similar interests and philosophies and if they kept later hours like us that would be a bonus, oh and in my neighborhood or close proximity.

Thanks!

Asking too much?

I think not!

It will happen I know it, we can't be the only ones around...

I'm not saying anything against these folks, I like them I'm just sooooo different.

Unconscious Mutterings

1. Pain :: hurts


2. Lego :: legos are all over my house


3. Trooper :: storm trooper


4. Flicker :: lightning bug


5. Character :: I'm a good judge of character


6. Determined :: I'm determined


7. Wing :: buffalo chicken wing


8. Control :: I'm a control freak who radically unschools, want to know how???


9. Automatic :: transmission


10. Yeah :: oh yeah!

Luna Nina

it happened again

Last night I choked on my cranberry pill. Thankfully Jason was right there to help me. I am not taking those ever again, I can't believe this happened again.

I am experiencing a lot of pain and swallowing is tough.
I am taking it as easy as I can and so thankful that I am here.
I'm pretty out of it today.

So scary... Here is the link to last time.

http://learningthroughliving-stephanie.blogspot.com/2008/11/very-scary-incident.html

Unconscious Mutterings

1. Carpet :: vacuum


2. William :: Will I Am


3. Oh! :: shit!


4. Board game :: Clue


5. Sunlight :: vitamin D, I need sunlight, please sun, come out


6. Delay :: rain delay


7. Winner :: We are all winners


8. Concubine :: slut


9. Comatose :: really dang tired


10. Satisfy :: satisfy me!

Want to play?

Luna Nina

a little more about TV

It seems there are a few *biggies* in unschooling/parenting forums.

Math, tv, video games, food, sleep, these seem to strike fear in people.

How will they ever _____ if I don't make them _____??????

Unschooling is a philosophy that people are born with an innate desire to learn and that learning is as natural as breathing.

We trust the learning process and it is different in every person because everyone is unique.

Nobody learns the same thing at the same age, it just doesn't make sense. Yes there are averages because otherwise it's all across the board.

Straight from birth, each milestone is reached at a different age, it's reached in that child's timeframe. I'm not even sure I agree with *milestones* as it makes it out that EVERY baby will do _____.

Anyway back to TV.

My kids have never had artificial limits or rules imposed on them.

They are free to watch TV or not watch TV.

Cassie likes TV and she does have it on often, she has her favorite shows and knows when they are on.

Her TV is on a lot, it will be on while she is playing, she usually forgets it's on and leaves her room.

Once in awhile she shuts it off.

Last night was one of those times.

We cleaned her room and she loves it when it is clean.

She turned her radio on and was sitting on her bed writing in her notebook.

Be Free!!!!

my room?

A few of my facebook buddies know that I cleaned and vacuumed my room last night.

Well....
it didn't last.

Apparantly the bad guys (Japanese) captured a good guy(American) and the mission is to save him.

The captured guy is hanging on my treadmill leg.

I just moved the base over so I could get to my computer.

We cleaned Cassie's room tonight so I still got to vacuum something Donna :)

Word play

If you click on the picture it comes up bigger.

I saw this at Jewls and Donna's :)
Wordle

true choice

Let me backtrack a second...

Cassie has started watching the Brady Bunch and Little House on the Prairie. I get LH on Netflix for her.

TV Land plays them both on weekends starting at 2 am. Yesterday she was ecstatic that it was Saturday so she could watch Brady Bunch.

It wasn't on last night, she cried. I looked online, they don't play full episodes of it, I checked Netflix, no instant play.

I checked the listings and it is on tonight. She was still upset last night but I found a movie for her on instant play that she likes and that helped a little bit.

She is going to stay up and watch all of it tonight, 2 episodes of each that will bring her to 5 am before she goes to bed.

I asked her if she was sure about watching it all and she said yes she is planning on it.

I guess I'm just saying that it is her choice to stay up and watch and fall asleep afterwards.

That is real freedom of choice.

Unconscious Mutterings

1. Be mine :: valentine


2. Ecstatic :: that is what happens when I vacuum


3. Orderly :: Disorderly conduct


4. Sebastian :: Bach


5. Sore :: throat


6. Don’t need :: government hand outs


7. Rockstar :: Nickleback


8. Tinfoil :: aluminum


9. Addiction :: obsession


10. Where? :: who, what where, when, why and how?

Want to play?

Luna Nina

I blew it

I obviously bombed NaBloPoMo this time.

I caught a virus and I just couldn't keep up with it.

Oh well, I'm going to take a break from it. I'll post when I feel like it :)

I'm also working on a new blog so that I can keep the focus here on Learning Through Living.

My new blog is private and can only be viewed by people I allow.

Latest wish list

This is Jared's list of Star Wars action figures that he wants to get.
He is 6 in case you didn't know :)

sensitive emotions

My daughter is very intuitive, she feels deeply, she is full of emotions.



Last year she knew that Caramel, her guinea pig was going to die, she dreamed it.



Last night we were going through some of my sister's things. My sister died at the ripe old age of 21.



I have just a few of her belongings and some of them are for Cassie.



Last night she wanted to play with the porcelain dolls. I got them out for her and she started asking questions about Aunt Tiffany.



Then when it was like 2:30 am she said she felt nervous and scared and sad.



We talked a bit, she had some fears and she said she felt sad because she didn't get to meet my sister. She also misses Caramel terribly. The kids were playing around and they went over to where she is buried. I told Cassie she can visit Caramel and talk to her if she wants to.



I stayed with her, listened, validated and prayed over her. Her stomach was a bag of nerves.



She gets that from me...

I didn't finish this post last night because she was upset again.

I really listened to her and tried to console her and ease her nerves.

It is hard to see her so upset about this.

I honestly can't do anything about it, I can't fix it.

I'm a fixer, I like to solve people's problems, give them advice etc.

When we are talking about feelings, it is what is is, she has to feel what she feels.

When I was a kid, I would have been told how ridiculous I was being and would not have been validated in my feelings. It's probably why I internalized everything and become hard to protect myself.

The downfall of that is now I'm learning how to deal with resurfacing emotions and I have serious gut problems.

Kids are very intuitive, if we listen to them, they are wise.

Old tv show and mice

I thought our mice saga was over, it was for a short time.

Lately I've been seeing evidence under the kitchen sink and I told Jay about it.

I asked him to set the trap but in his defense he has been sick for 2 weeks.

The other night the kids woke me up to tell me that Brenny stepped on a mouse in the hallway and it ran into my room.

Pleasant!

Thanks, it's 3:30 am and I have to pee and I'm afraid to get up because I don't want to step on the mouse.

I know it's crazy, but if that happened to me, I wouldn't recover, I told the kids they would have to put me in the looney bin.

So Jason set the trap and guess what? He ate the peanut butter and ran.
Oh the joys!

Cassie has been watching The Brady Bunch on TV Land and I sat and watched with her last night.

I told her that I used to watch this everyday after school. She really likes it.

Guess what episode it was?

Yep!

Greg's science project, he brought home a mouse to train in a maze. The mouse escaped and was wandering around the house.

Of course they make it look all cute and innocent, it was a white mouse too, not the little grey buggers we get.

So Alice jumped up on the chair screaming and I just laughed because I freak out like that too.

Go figure.

Unconscious Mutterings

1. Cups :: tea cups


2. Brilliant :: bright, intelligent


3. Disobey :: don't disobey me (ha ha)


4. Abstain :: from sex


5. Daily :: double


6. You make me :: laugh


7. Hurl :: vomit


8. Intensify :: feelings


9. Fuck! :: off


10. Race :: Piston Cup

Want to play?

Luna Nina

Friday

Today we had beautiful spring weather, abundant sunshine, blue skies, light breeze and temps in the low 60's.

It was heavenly considering two days ago the high was in the 20's.

I spent some time sitting out in the sun, it's important to get natural vitamin D and there hasn't been much opportunity lately.

I've also come down with some stupid virus so I ate some chicken soup and sat in the sun.

The kids played and rode bikes and had a blast, we needed to end the cabin fever.

I started to read a book a bought awhile ago, I'm not too far into it but I can tell it's awesome.

I'm already practicing much of this style and I'm looking forward to reading the book and maybe helping me deal with my past and the tapes that run in my head.

It's Raising Our Children, Raising Ourselves by Naomi Aldort

nurturing, unschooling,independence

I have been observing my kids all of their lives.

My kids have never been schooled.

They all have different interests, abilities, learning styles and personalities.

I have spent all of my time with them, I have taken care of them since birth.

They have always been unschooled.

They have never had their time controlled by bells and teachers and rules and tests and homework and grades and everything that school has to offer.

I am their mother, I nurture them, I love them, I listen to them, I observe, I talk to them, I spend time with them, I play with them, I respect them, I give them time, space and freedom.

I also facilitate and by that I mean answer questions, look things up, take them places, offer suggestions, ideas and pretty much just help them figure out their world.

As they grow they become more and more independent of me.

They can bathe themselves, feed themselves, look up info themselves and spend their time doing what they want.

I have noticed more recently, probably because I haven't been feeling great that they are growing up on me.

What I mean is they aren't totally dependent on me like they were as babies and toddlers.

They spend their days playing and learning and developing thoughts, ideas, games. They use their minds, they create things, their imaginations are huge.

Kids who are not schooled do not look for school. They have friends who are homeschooled and public schooled.

When they have a want, need or desire to learn something they don't look to traditional ways. They don't ask for curriculum or classes or tests or grades.

While those things can be used by unschoolers if the person decides that is the way to go but it certainly isn't the first option.

Watching the natural learning process unfold and connect is priceless.

It's hard to convey to people who are so engrained with traditional school in a box. I have the privilege of living with 4 real, natural learners who have not been indoctrinated.

I presume that only other real unschoolers will get what I'm trying to say.

My kids blow me away on a regular basis.

They are bright and articulate and have a vast knowledge of various things.

They ask tons of questions, some are regular questions like what is 32+26.

Some are normal like how far away is the sun.

Some are challenging like who created God and what are sexual themes?

Those are the fun ones :)

Unschooling is natural and schooling is artificial.

a matter of principle

My mind can come up with several things relative to the title but this is actually about something happening to us right now.

My husband performed a service on good faith and still hasn't been paid for it.

Before your mind wanders...

He is a mechanic and he fixed someone's vehicle.

This couple has actually given him grief in the past, there was a miscommunication about what he was supposed to fix.

The wife chewed him out and he took the high road and fixed the other concern at no charge. It wasn't his fault or his problem but he took care of it because that is the kind of guy he is.

So 3 weeks ago they call with another issue. He was pretty sure what the problem was by the description and they had the vehicle towed to our house.

Jason got the part and fixed it the next day. They didn't pick it up until the following week and they asked if he would take a post dated check.

He said it was fine, we know what it's like to be in a bind, people have helped us out in the past.

It was dated for a week later, on that day he called and asked him to hold it a few more days.

That was 10 days ago.

No communication, Jason has called and left messages with no response.

Now we are in a position where we need this money, we have a check that is probably worthless.

The thing is we expect honesty and communication. We can work it out if we know what we are working with.

This is irresponsible and just plain rude.

It bothers me when people don't take responsibility for their actions.

One action affects another and a whole turn of events can take place from one decision or action and it impacts many people.

Responsibility is an important principle that seems to get tossed aside for someone else to take care of.

Grow up people!!!!

home

I believe that home is where I live.

It's not a place I used to be in or a place I long to go back to.

I suppose home is where I make it.

I don't have a *hometown* like so many people do.

I don't equate any place in my childhood as *home*

I lived in 4 states before I was 18.

I was born in Lewiston, NY but I didn't live there.

Jason and I have lived in 4 states since we've been together.

I guess we haven't stayed anywhere long enough to build roots.

I do have many fond memories of CA and I lived there as a teen and then Jason and I lived there for 9 years and our two oldest children were born there. That was the longest I've lived anywhere.

I know some people that long to go back home and I just have never had a place call me like that.

We are coming up on 3 years here and I have no ties or roots.
I could move again, although Jason doesn't want to.
Last night I told him that AZ is warm and the homeschool laws don't suck :)

We aren't going anywhere right now but I guess I have a sort of detachment to places. It could be because I've moved so much and my parents are divorced and I never had a *real home* as a child.

I want to create that kind of home for my kids, the one they don't want to leave and the one they will always come back to when their grown.

I suppose it might be time to plant some roots and stick around for awhile.

Jason and I like it here and so do the kids.

It's not like PA where I wanted to leave as soon as I got there, that was a long, hard 7 years of my life.

I grew a lot and changed a lot and I know it was part of my journey but boy I don't want to do that again.

So I guess this is home and we'll be sticking around here.

finding like minded people

It's time to make some new friends.

I want to find some unschoolers but relaxed homeschoolers would be great too.

It would even be better to find someone who keeps similar hours as we do so we could hang out when it's natural and not have to make ourselves get up and go before we are ready.

It seems that some things come in seasons, people in our lives are there for a bit but don't always last.

We were very close to a family a few years ago but we have drifted apart.

We are on different paths and have different interests. Our kids do different things now and quite frankly we haven't gotten together in a long time.

We don't fit into their crowd... christian homeschoolers.

I guess I want it to be easy to meet others with similar interests.

I don't want to travel far, it's not my thing.

We do have a group that we get together with once in awhile but they all have girls. That works great for only one of my kids, my boys need friends too.

I'm the only unschooler I know in person.

Unconscious Mutterings

1. Take :: The government just wants to take, take, take


2. 350 :: big block engine


3. Stand :: up for your rights


4. Raspberry :: beret


5. Turnstile :: that thing that makes me dizzy


6. Infomercial :: boring


7. Dejected :: depressed


8. What’s the word? :: word up


9. Awestruck :: dumbfounded


10. Smashed :: really drunk

Want to play?

Luna Nina

Libertarian

What is a Libertarian?

Let's start with Webster's definition:

libertarian: A person who upholds the principles of individual liberty especially of thought and action.

Libertarian: a member of a political party advocating libertarian principles.

Libertarians believe in, and pursue, personal freedom while maintaining personal responsibility. The Libertarian Party itself serves a much larger pro-liberty community with the specific mission of electing Libertarians to public office.

Libertarians strongly oppose any government interfering in their personal, family and business decisions.

Essentially, we believe all Americans should be free to live their lives and pursue their interests as they see fit as long as they do no harm to another.

In a nutshell, we are advocates for a smaller government, lower taxes and more freedom.

I've been saying that I lean libertarian well I have officially declared myself to be a Libertarian.

It's fitting that they were founded the year I was born.

I'm so flabbergasted by what is going on in the government right now that I'll refrain from commenting at this time.

Unschooling analogy

I have always loved the analogy of the vegetarian in regards to unschooling.

You have read about being a vegetarian and decided that you agree with the principles and you want to find others to talk with.

You join a group of vegetarians and you say that you have read about it and believe that it's a good thing. You want to eat healthy and change your lifestyle but you really can't give up that weekly cheeseburger or chicken a few times a week.

So you ask other vegetarians how they came to completely give up meat. You are really interested, you believe in the principles and want to implement this lifestyle.

Some people tell you that they aren't completely vegetarian and they think it's ok if you eat a little meat a few times a week. Do what is right for you don't worry if other people think you are a vegetarian or not...

So basically do what you want, eat meat and call yourself a vegetarian.

Bring this to unschooling...

Someone has read about unschooling and believe that it makes sense and want to meet others that unschool.

So they join a group to meet unschoolers and ask a question, something like this.

I really want to unschool, it seems right for my family, it makes sense but I just can't give up math. I used math because it seems to be one of the big hang ups.

So people say well it's ok, I'm not really an unschooler, you don't have to give up formal math lessons or anything. It's ok to limit and control your child's life and to implement lessons. Do what is right for you, who cares if others say you aren't really unschooling.

Why is it that people seem so willing to give advice on something that they aren't even doing?

If someone wants to be a vegetarian than help them, but if they decide they just can't give up meat then that is their decision but they are not a vegetarian.
They can eat more vegetables and choose their foods wisely.

If someone wants to unschool but just can't get out of the box and just can't shift their paradigm, fine.

Don't call yourself an unschooler, if you can't let go of traditional school plans then relax a bit and be a homeschooler.

Why do some want to carry a label when they aren't actually living it? I just don't get it.

So if you really want to get unschooling, read, research, ask, shift, get out of the box and find others who are really unschooling and pick their brains.

Same if you want to be a vegetarian, which I'm not so I can't give you advice on that.

I like meat :)

I am a full fledged unschooler though :)

My kids are wonderful

My hormones have thrown me this week and today was really bad.

My blood pressure keeps surging, I'm crying, I was dizzy and anxious...

Kieran brought me food and stayed and watched me for a bit.

He also loaded the dishwasher and ran it.

Cassie and Jared joined me in bed while I was trying to relax and was crying.

They tended to me with hugs.

They have also been playing great together today.

Brennan fed the animals and all of the kids have been checking on me often.

They even fed themselves too and had very few conflicts today.

It has made dealing with this a little easier.

The last time this happened was November. I did not have any symptoms in December.

I hope these herbs kick in soon, it's been 4 weeks now and UPS better show up tomorrow because I don't have any for Thursday.

Respect

My friend over at Heart Rockin Family has started something awesome.

There is a picture on my sidebar you can click on to check it out.

Here is a link to her blog post.

Internet

My internet went down at 2am and I wasn't happy about it. I didn't get online until 5pm.

Tragic isn't it?

I can admit it, I need the internet.

I love the internet!

So many of my friends live in my computer.

I missed it, I missed you.

Pitiful, I know...

I'm just rocking out right now, listening to the Scorpions and chillin.

My blood pressure has been surging the past several days so I'm just trying to deal.

Waiting for the herbs to kick in.

The weather sucks.

I'm so exciting right now...

Christian or not? or what?

Some of you will know exactly what I'm talking about and some of you won't.



I'm not judging anyone for their choices or beliefs, I did enough if that when I was holier than thou.



Over the past few days I've been talking with others who are on this same path.



For the past few years I have been undoing what 10 years in the church did to me.



It wasn't all bad and I'm not badmouthing anyone in particular.



I have come full circle I guess, I have gone back to the beliefs of my youth.



I believe in God, I believe in creation, I believe in prayer and I believe that God hears me.



I don't need to go to church to believe.



Sometimes he answers too.



I always prayed when I was younger, I wasn't living in a manner that some would call a believer.



No matter where I was or what was going on I knew that God loved me and he was watching out for me.



In 1994 I was baptized and attended the Church of Christ for 10 years. I went through many changes, I also had 4 kids during that time. I learned alot about the Bible and heard many a man preach the gospel.



I became the *perfect Christian* remember when I do something I do it *right*



I also lost a little bit of myself by trying to be something I wasn't. I also looked down on the weak, judged people, I even went up against my grandpa about baptism being essential for salvation. He was the most *christian* person I have ever known and I was telling him like it was.



Anyway I have come to the conclusion that I'm really not a christian anymore. Not in some manmade idea of christianity. I don't prescribe to any religion or teachings or thou shalt nots.



I believe in relationship with God, he created me, he knows me, he loves me.



If a christian just was someone who believes in Christ that would be fine but it's turned into this whole religion and churchianity. Christians are not all nice and fuzzy, some are downright judgmental.



So I am continuing on this journey called life trusting in my creator and praying a lot.

Unconscious Mutterings

1. Unwanted :: get rid of unwanted pests


2. You’d better :: you better, you better, you bet, when I say I love you, you say you'd better... (The Who)


3. Woman :: You can change my world (Scorpions)


4. Weighed :: I weighed myself yesterday...


5. Upright :: piano


6. I feel :: fine


7. Ill :: be back


8. It’s like :: this


9. Poor man :: Rich man, Poor man


10. Great :: White (band, I love Great White)

Want to play?

Luna Nina

Family sticker

Well it cuts off my family I guess it's too big...

Get your own Family Sticker Maker & MySpace Layouts.

This is cute, I got it from Sandra's blog.

We also have two guinea pigs but the only pets they had were cats and dogs.

Special friends

Jared taught his buddies how to play Texas Holdem.

All or nothing

This tends to be me, I do have some perfectionist tendencies. I say if I'm going to do something, I'm going to do it right.

I have a very hard time with moderation, balance is a difficult place for me to find. Yet is seems I'm always striving for that balance between all or nothing.

I can eat too much, drink too much, bitch too much, care too much etc.

Or not at all...

Several years ago when I found out that Christmas wasn't really Christ's birthday I sold all of my decorations and didn't do Christmas. I can be irrational that way, I regret that because I sold some things I can't replace.

Over the years I really have tried to find that balance but it is a difficult task for me.

It could also be why I am a radical unschooler, if I wasn't I'd be a drill sargeant.

It could also explain why my house is either clean or it looks like people live here all day.

It was easier to keep up on housework when the kids were little, now it's too much.

I am a loyal person though, if we become true friends then I am your friend for life. It doesn't matter if miles and years separate us, you call on me I'm there.

If I find a product or service that I like, I'm a repeat customer and I tell others about it.

I can also get on any one of my soapboxes at any given time and once I get going just sit down and hang on until I'm finished.

As much as moderation is the key, it isn't me.

Life with me is anything but boring.

20 years!!!!

Jason and I have officially been together for 20 years today.

Wow, that is just not possible because I'm too young :)

Yep, just like this year is my 20 year high school reunion, no way!

The truth is that we are totally in love just like we were at 17 and 19.

We have grown together, not grown up, Jason won't ever grow up :)

We live and learn and love, we are totally in sync and completely in love.

Thanks for all you do and who you are and for dealing with me all of these years.

Here's to the next 20!!!!!

This is the link to last year's post.

Denial

In honor of this historic event I am inviting a few of you to join me in denial.

You know who you are!

I won't force you, last I checked this was still a free country, we shall see.

For the next four years you can find me here on a river in Africa...

BWHAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!

I know it's so profound but I've said enough, you know how I feel.

I could really rip right now cause the hormones are ripe but instead I'm going to watch the House of Payne with my kids and laugh :)

HA HA HA

The jokes on us!

Texas Holdem

The kids and I just learned how to play Texas holdem.

At first it seemed confusing because of all of the terms and rules and rounds of betting. We modified it a bit for our purpose and it is pretty fun.

Last night all six of us were playing and it was a really great time together.

Many nights we are all doing various things so it was nice for all of us to play together.

Usually it's me and a couple kids playing games because everyone doesn't always want to do the same thing.

We are pretty good at it now and it gives us a different card game to play.

Unconscious Mutterings

1. Arrival :: flight


2. Vomit :: No vomiting allowed!!!!


3. Fit :: I'm working on getting fit


4. Stutter :: badeep badeep that's all folks


5. Lifestream :: I think that's a website


6. Tread :: Don't you dare , don't you tread on me, don't you tread on me. (Damn Yankees)


7. Desire :: I desire to remain free


8. Freezing :: It is freezing here in the south, take that Al Gore!


9. Permit :: permit me to speak freely


10. Crinkle :: crinkle cut fries

Want to play?

Luna Nina

A new (to me)wine I tried

It's called Malbec, this is the brand I tried.

I copied the text and put it in quotes.

"Originally grown in the Southeast of France, this grape has turned into the premier wine from Argentina, where it has found the most propitious ecological features for its development. Argentinian malbec has become worldwide known and has been awarded well-deserved medals in enological contests.

It acquires different features according to the weather and soil conditions where it is grown. In the area of Maipú, Mendoza, it reaches its highest development, surpassing other regions in the country.

It produces wines of pleasant taste, medium body with certain earthy notes and an intense purple color. Of vigorous texture and taste, it has a touch of rusticity in the palate.

Cluster: mid-sized and quite loose.

Grapes: Spherical, small or medium-sized, bluish black in color, thin skin and soft pulp.

Ripeness: first late season."

Wine Spectator "Best Buy" (from wine.com)

"Black cherry aromas followed by light floral notes and some toast. A soft mouthfeel with sweet black raspberry and cassis fruit flavors layered with hints of coffee, chocolate and spice. Concludes with a long lingering finish with ripe velvety tannins."

I really liked it, I drink Merlot and Cabernet, if you like red wine give this a try.

Jason also bought a Cabernet from Argentina, I haven't tried it yet, probably will tonight.

I love trying new wines but never know what to try, the store owners are very knowledgable about wines.

Ohh it's so good :)

Cheers!

new website

My friend Joanne has her website up and running, it's called An Unschooling Life

She will also be started up Unschooling Voices blog carnival again soon.

Go check out her new site, she is also running a contest

Good Bye Zula

Zula was one of the long time residents at the Elephant Sanctuary.

Homemade game

This is what Cassie and Jared were doing while I was taking a bath last night.
All of the smudging is fog.


They used a Star Wars toy for the controller.

I think we'll wait a while longer before painting her room.

They are so creative, I love all of the stuff they come up with.

Kaplan Video

Dark or Milk?

One of the yahoo groups I'm on has been talking about chocolate.

I am curious as to what chocolate people prefer, this is a little informal poll.

I absolutely love dark chocolate. I mean if I need some and only milk is available then I will eat it, but that is the only exception.

My favorite brands are Godiva and Green's and Black organic.

Godiva is expensive and I only get that once or twice a year, hmmm it's a new year...

I can get Green's and Black in the grocery store, I usually get the 70% cocoa but once in awhile I'll have the 85%.

Don't put any fruit or nuts or coconut in my chocolate either!

If I have anything in the chocolate it's more chocolate. Godiva makes a dark chocolate with chocolate mousse in the center. Now that is heavenly, melt in your mouth good.


So what do you prefer?

Unconscious Mutterings

1. Resolution :: the computer screen size


2. Break :: Break the chains that bind


3. Tied :: tongue tied and twisted


4. Suffering :: pain and suffering


5. Instead :: Instead of Education


6. Slash :: Guns and Roses


7. Divorce :: disillusion


8. Cough :: I cough a lot


9. Happy :: Happy and free


10. Sniffle :: cold? allergy? sniff sniff

Want to play?

Luna Nina

My vacuum sucks!

I mean that literally!

I love this thing, I bought it a week ago and I can't stop using it.

The day after we got it Cassie was vacuuming her room and she sucked up a belt. It literally wrapped around the brush tightly. Jason had to take it apart to get it out and it broke the vacuum cleaner belt.

I had to go down to the store and buy a belt the next day. I was so bummed because I wanted to vacuum that night.

Then I was vacuuming near the computer and it sucked in the cord to Kieran's new gaming headset. It chewed up the cord and he was upset because he just got them two days before.

I called Jay and he brought a new headset home and all was well.

Later I was vacuuming in my room and I sucked up a USB cord, chewed the hell out of it.

My husband said he is going to make the house cordless. HA!

Today I started vacuuming again, my room is so clean, I was sucking up cobwebs this time.

It's a joke now, there goes mom sucking again.

I love to vacuum, it's great therapy...

Tonight I was working on Cassie's room. I packed up several boxes to put in the attic and picked up all of the stuff on the floor, you have no idea how dirty her room gets.

Every little thing that can get on the floor is on the floor, it happens every couple of weeks.

I clean it when I'm pre-menstrual, gotta use those hormones for good. My house is clean one week out of the month, the rest of the time I seem to let it go.

I moved everything out of the closet, we have mice terds around the perimeter of her whole room so we were busy cleaning that up.

We have now trapped 9 mice, I really hope that's it.

We got two for one last night and Jason said that disproves the saying that the second mouse gets the cheese.

I felt bad looking at the little buggers but I can't have them in my house leaving evidence everywhere, I mean everywhere and running around scaring me.

Awesome commercial

I saw an awesome commercial tonight about how the system fails students, it is geared toward higher education but it speaks volumes about school for all.

Kaplan University is the one putting on the ad campaign.

I searched high and low for the commercial but I can't find it online, all I'm finding is the articles.

The link will give you a glimpse of it and I hope the video will be available online soon.

I loved it!

After Midnight

This piggyback's off of my last post.

Thanks for the comments from my fellow night owl cyber friend's :)

It is the dawn of a new day, this is my new day, I am awake, I feel good after midnight.

Of course the hot bath helps a ton I have been going all day, work, work, work...

I used to believe that the time of day we were born coinincides with our sleep/awake patterns.

I have met many people over the years that do make that ring true, but some who didn't.

I guess that is true with anything, we can find enough evidence to make or break anything.

Nothing is absolute because people are people, we are unique even when we have many similarities.

I love being up at night, I shop at night, I clean at night, I ummm do things at night.

I am in such a fog most of the day, so I was born at 11:48 pm and I have always been a night person.

It is hard for me to fall asleep, it's been that way since day 1.

My husband has the ability to go to bed late and get up early for work, he also can take 20 minute naps and be refreshed.

If I try to take a nap it takes me a looooong time to get comfortable, I have to be in my bed for starters.

He naps on his lunch break if he is tired, I have read that people who power nap are able to recharge and be alert.

Well I can't do that, but I am alert now :)

Hey it's almost time for House of Payne...

The kids have summoned me :)

The other side of the clock

I have always been a night owl, it was torture to get up and go to school for all of those years.

No matter what, I was up late and got very little sleep.

In highschool I used two alarm clocks, one by my bed and one on the other side of my room, so I had to get up to shut it off.

That was actually my boss' idea, I worked as a hotel maid and had to be there by 8am on weekends.

It didn't work though, I would just get up and go back and forth for at least 30 minutes most days.

When I did work, I worked the swing shift, I was in college and had morning classes, go figure.

My children have inherited my night owl tendencies.

You could say some is because of environment but if that were true I would have adapted to the dayshift.

Lately though we have gotten even later.

We have started a 2am ritual of watching House of Payne. We absolutely love it, it is hilarious, the kids get all excited when I stay up and watch it with them.

It seems that they have headed into going to bed at 4am, sometimes later.

I don't get as much sleep as the kids but I guess they need more.

I love the freedom we have to sleep when we want, it's important to find your natural rhythm.

I think it's detrimental to try and force sleep, just like it's detrimental to force anything on another person.

disqualified?

My internet was down and I didn't post yesterday.

Sheesh!

I had some thoughts that I wanted to get down and now I have to find them again.

I realize how much I have invested in my internet service working.

It is really difficult to be without internet when you expect it to be there whenever you want it.

bigger kids = bigger stuff

Remember how easy it was to take care of babies and toddlers?

I'm not saying it wasn't a lot of work. I know, I have 4 kids.

What I mean is it's different now that they are older and bigger.

When they are small it's easier to keep up with housework. It's easier to breastfeed and change diapers and carry your baby around.

Sure you are sleep deprived, I still don't get as much sleep as I would like.

I guess I am just seeing how much stuff we have and how big the kids are.

There is more dishes and more laundry and more toys and projects and clutter then ever before.

I can't seem to keep up with everything.

I do ask for help, but this goes beyond dishes and laundry and sweeping the floor or feeding the dogs.

We have too much stuff and not enough space.

I have to figure out how to organize and declutter.

We just moved Jared out of our bed and into the boys room, so now there are 3 beds and 3 boys sharing that room.

It is piled with stuff.

Jared's clothes and lots of his toys are in Cassie's room.

I would like to find an easy system of storing stuff so it's easy to take out and put back.

It's just so funny because people used to tell me that it gets easier as they get older.

I guess we trade off the constant physical care of a newborn to the mental energy it takes to parent older children.

My kids are so wonderful, I'm not complaining at all.

I love this life, I'm just overwhelmed with the stuff and need to find a way to fix it.

If anyone has decluttering or storage advice, let me in on it.

Unconscious Mutterings

1. Confirmation :: reservation


2. Verse :: phillipians 4:13


3. Authorize :: authorize that
   
4. Blog :: I dig blogs


5. Thirty :: something


6. Heir :: I'm not an heir to anything although I swear I was born for royalty. That is another topic :)


7. What are you doing? :: duh! Just took a bath, had some wine and I am muttering...


8. Complaint :: file a complaint


9. Leave :: me alone


10. Tune :: 1.fm high voltage kick ass rock.

Want to play?

Luna Nuna

V

Some of my peeps recommended that I watch V for Vendetta.

I love that, I have peeps :)

They just got an inkling of my view on government and thought I would appreciate the movie.

Have you seen the movie?

Oh my gosh!

This is not my usual movie, I mean I like comedy/drama type stuff I'm not usually into this,but I totally loved it.

People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people.

My political views have been expressed briefly and are in my politics folder.

I admit to being tame, I didn't want to offend anyone.

Guess what?

I'm so sick of political correctness, I'm sick of people being offended by every turn, I'm sick of walking on eggshells. I may not ever write publically how I really feel about the Obamanation. I will continue to write about living and learning and my view of it all.

Trust me, I have kept many of my real opinions quiet...

If anyone is offended by anything I say then they don't know me, they aren't ready to know me.


If I offend you then go shift your paradigm and come back and see me.

To mommy

Cassie made this for me last night, she usually draws elephants for me. I guess she felt like a little addition instead.



My other kids don't do stuff like this but she loves numbers, last week she was working on multiplication.

Never been schooled...

parents who instill fear instead of trust

I am always amazed by the poor parenting that I see.

I know some people are just clueless, or some are repeating bad habits from their own parents.

There are many of us who had terrible childhood's, yet we choose to break away and do it differently. We choose trust and respect instead of fear and punishment.

I think it falls right into choosing to homeschool instead of sending our kids away to an institution.

The things I hear from the kids who play here always make me go WTF?

Tonight the girl tells me that her mom is going to take away her tv. I asked her why, she said because she had it up too loud, I have to keep the volume below 20 or she'll take it away.

This is a small example of how they are in constant fear of what will be taken away, being grounded, getting spanked, yelled at or just plain not allowed to do anything.

Tonight I said your mother needs to get over it, then I realized I said it out loud.

I just don't get it.

The boy has gotten in trouble for asking to eat over before, he got summoned home and had the third degree about whether we invited him or he invited himself.

They never want to leave, they are here as long as they are *allowed* to be.

Sometimes I'm not in the mood to be their parent also, but I realize what they are living with and I feel for them.

I just don't get why some people treat their children so badly and their kids live in fear.

It's asinine!

I just wish I could slap people upside the head and give them a clue about the lasting effects of their stupidity.

First post of the New Year

I wasn't sure what to write about.

I decided to tell you about the dream I had last night.

It seems like I have had this dream twice now.

I remember getting a baby, not having one but someone giving us one. I don't recall the details. In the dream it seems like maybe he was abandoned and someone found him and knew that I love babies and I would take care of him.

He is a black baby and his name is Jakeel.

In the second dream there is some reference to legalities and we start searching missing persons and wonder if I'm going to get arrested for not contacting the police right away.

It's bizarre really, I can still picture the baby in my mind.

The truth is I do love babies and I would raise another as long as I don't have to give birth.

I'm at a point right now of actually enjoying being out of the baby stage.

Referral for tonight

My friend has a promotion on her site to change.org, it's about voting for mothers and children. Check it out if you like, it must be voted on tonight.

http://frecklesfilledwithlove.blogspot.com/2008/12/deadline-tonight.html

Happy New Year

I wish everyone a safe and fun New Year's Eve and a wonderful and prosperous New Year.

Help for PMS,Peri-Menopause and hormonal imbalance

Any of my 2 regular readers know that I suffer from hormonal issues.

My holistic doctor recommended an herbal formula called Estro-Logic and progesterone cream.

The key is to use them faithfully.

I have scheduling issues, so the first month I used them when I remembered and if I can refer you to this post you will see I didn't do it right.

Last month I had the best pre-menstrual experience, it was wonderful. I didn't cry once, I only had a few minor issues and I only felt impatient/cranky for a couple days. It came in spurts and it was mild, oh so mild compared to the previous month.

The most important thing was that I didn't cry! No really it was that my blood pressure stayed perfect. Remember I was crying uncontrollably for NO reason, not me, no way, no how.

My blood pressure and heart rate were really high the month before and I was so freakin anxious.

Now I am here to tell you that if you run out of said product your symptoms return with a vengeance.

I have not had my herbs in 8 damn days. I knew I was low, I had to wait until payday to order but because of Christmas my order got stuck on the back burner.

I order from Vitacost and it usually takes 3 days, well it was shipped on the 23rd and I haven't gotten it yet.

I'll get it tomorrow, I checked the tracking.

I was almost going postal today.

I am cranky and impatient, I'm in pain, I'm assuming it's ovulation starting.
I didn't go through this last month.

Note to self...

DON'T EVER RUN OUT OF YOUR HERBS!!!!!!!

Ok I'll be fine, really...

So far my blood pressure is fine.

It's all good, there is nothing wrong with me that a hot bath and wine can't cure :)

January NaBloPoMo

I'm going to try again, why not.

I only missed two days in December, that isn't bad.

Here is the link if you want to participate:

http://www.nablopomo.com/blogrolls/january-2009-blogroll

Unconscious Mutterings

1. Destined :: for greatness


2. FAIL :: Schools fail children


3. Camping :: My version of camping includes room service


4. Only you :: can make me crazy


5. Incessant :: whining


6. Tomorrow :: never dies


7. Impressive :: My kids


8. Riches :: we all have riches inside of us


9. Dislike :: I dislike too many things to list


10. Speaker :: I am not a public speaker

Want to play?

Luna Nina

Score!

I am loving JC Penney's right now!

They are having a major sale on most items in the store.

I got a new coffee maker and mixer for less than the original price on one of them.

They are pretty nice too. I have never had a mixer like this. Kieran was so excited he baked cookies last night.

The dough turned out so well, much better than hand mixing.

I even went back late last night and got undergarments for the whole family.

I love getting a good deal and it's much more quality stuff then what I've bought elsewhere in the past.

Yippee!

appliances

I am officially appliance challenged.

My toaster oven died about a year ago. I love my toaster oven but it's not a necessity.

My beater died awhile ago, it is possible to bake without one, making whip cream is tricky though.

My vacuum kicked the bucket last month, that is a necessity but I can't get a new one yet. Good thing half of the house has wood floors.

Last night my coffee maker died right in the middle of making a pot while we had company over.

So I did it the old fashioned way and boiled water and poured it through the filter, that was fun.

I can live without some things but I draw the line here.

So today I shall go shopping for a coffeemaker, nothing fancy just one that makes coffee.

Merry Christmas

I hope everyone had a wonderful day.

We are truly blessed.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight!

elves

I am FINALLY done shopping.

I haven't wrapped one present.

Yes, I know what time it is.

I could sure use some elves right now...

Coffee first...

drained

I am so drained from shopping.

I have gone out several nights and I'm exhausted.

I don't know how people shop for fun. My body hurts and I have no energy left.

I am fairly introverted so being out like that makes me need to come home and retreat.

I can't because my kids missed me and need me and I have stuff to do.

I do a lot on any given day, I'm up until 3am usually but I was falling asleep last night in the store.

I'm like I have to get out of here and get some fresh air it's only 10:30pm, I have so much to do.

It feels like I haven't accomplished much, it feels like I don't have everything.

Oh, I don't I just realized one of Brennan's presents never made it home. I have to go back to the store tomorrow with my receipt and hope they believe me and give me another one.

Cookies to bake, gifts to wrap, cleaning to be done and most of all I need to chill out.

I have some weird sinus/eye thing going on, not sure what it is but it is causing me strife.

For anyone who cares, those damn mice are having a buffet at our expense...

A cat is my LAST resort, I'm highly allergic plus we have dogs and guinea pigs.

I've got nothing profound to add to tired to think...

Unconscious Mutterings

1. Carpet :: is dirty


2. Bottoms :: Up


3. Music :: Rock and Roll forever


4. Nails :: mine are never painted


5. Watch it! :: Don't mess with me!


6. Your life :: is what you make it


7. Candies :: Andes


8. Chafing :: Ha Ha!


9. Svelte :: I wish I was


10. Ding :: Dong the witch is dead

Want to play?

Luna Nina

Divine

Over the years I have prayed a lot.

My relationship with God has never changed, my beliefs and practices have.

I no longer believe in any religious doctrine nor attend any institution..

I just believe.

I have faith but it's easy to lose sight of it when you are going through tough times or when all of your kids are barfing...

Last week our weather was forcasting rain and cold weather every day of the week.

Jason had a sidejob scheduled for Friday and Saturday and he needed dry weather because he does it in our driveway.

We really needed this job and I was praying about the rain ceasing for two days so he could get it done.

I have prayed about what seems like a simple thing in the past and I know God hears me. I believe that God does listen no matter how big or small our prayers may be.

So it rained all week and there was rain in the forecast for Friday and Saturday.

I kept praying and Friday came and it was 70 degrees, no rain...

Saturday came and it was dark and gloomy all day and colder and Jason got the job done late in the afternoon.

Within 2 minutes of him pulling out of the driveway to test drive it started pouring. I mean hard rain, my kids were outside and they got drenched instantly.

I paused and thanked God because he once again showed me that he hears me and he cares and He can do anything He wants to.

Something like this just renews my faith and makes me smile and feel so thankful.

Shopping

I started Christmas shopping tonight.

I usually buy most things online because I am not a crowd person and I'm definitely not a shopper.

I didn't have any money until yesterday so online shopping is out unless I want to spend buckoo bucks for shipping.

I live very close to a shopping center that has almost every store I need.

I am very sore and I only went a couple of hours. I do not know how people shop all day.

I admit that I had a pretty good experience, I got some great deals and ran into mostly friendly people.

I am a pretty nice person, no really, just don't cross me...

Ha!

I smile, I open doors or hold them, I say excuse me, thank you etc...

I was met with most people smiling back at me and holding doors, it was a nice surprise.

Maybe I just live in a friendly city.

Last night I went out to coffee and did a little shopping with the homeschool moms that I have been meeting up with.

It is so wonderful that Jared is letting me go out without him. He really is growing up. We just bought him a bed and he has been sleeping in it pretty well. When he wakes up he comes and climbs in bed with me but Jason is usually long gone by then so it's great.

Our bed was getting crowded, he isn't a little baby anymore.

I missed blogging yesterday, so there goes my blog everyday for December NaBloPoMo.

Dang!

I thought I had time but got to my computer at 12:02 am, I just missed it by 2 minutes so I didn't even bother to post last night.

Oh well it's not like I would win anyway...

Want to giggle?

At my expense...

Did you ever see the movie Mousehunt?

Ok, it's not that bad...

Yet...

We have a mouse, well I think it's more than one.

He has been getting bolder at making his appearances.

I admit that I am a wimp, I get all jumpy and afraid to go into my kitchen at night.

Last week he was in the garbage can, I had just changed the bag so there wasn't anything in there. We heard this sound coming from the cupboard and so I opened the door and he was jumping around trying to get out of the can.

I closed the door because I wasn't sure what to do at first.

I knew he couldn't get out and he would just keep jumping and attempting to escape.

I asked Kieran to take the can outside to the porch and tip it over so he can run out.

I admit he actually looked cute and I felt sorry for the bugger, I'm not heartless.

He keeps leaving evidence of his trails and it grosses me out. I keep cleaning it up but it is so unsanitary, this is my kitchen for crying out loud..

The other day I turned the dryer on and he ran out towards my feet, I yelled and scared him and he ran back behind there.

Two nights ago he ran across the countertop and went under a towel that was on the stove, then he went down the burner hole.

Last night the kids saw him in the kitchen twice.

I have had enough and bought some traps, yes the snap you and kill you traps.

Jason has set the trap the last two nights and that little shit has eaten the peanut butter and lived to tell his buddies about it.

Getting ready

I offered my house for our homeschool group Christmas party...

I have been so behind in housework since the kids were sick, it seems like I have cleaned non- stop for several days.

We are going to bake and decorate cookies and exchange homemade ornaments.

I still need to go make the dough so it can chill and here I am blogging about it.

Ha Ha!

It's funny because I look around and see stuff everywhere. There really is always stuff everywhere as the kids go about their day.

I guess I am more concerned about the living room, dining room and kitchen, those are the rooms we will be in.

I know the kids will end up playing in the bedrooms though, it's inevitable.

It's ok. I love seeing them all play together and just have fun. I don't mind a houseful of kids, actually I prefer it that way.

I still have to inform the dogs that they are not invited to the party and have to stay outside.

Cocoa is such a spoiled house dog, she only goes out to do her business and runs back to come in extremely quick. If you ask her if she wants to go outside, she runs off and lays down, it's quite comical.

Enough blabbing I'm off to make dough and finish cleaning...

Giving

It really does feel good to give.

We are rarely in a position to give money.

In the past I have given my time and help whenever I could.

With it being the holiday season it does bring out the good in most people. Jason and I would love to be able to give to those less fortunate.

It's hard when you are just living paycheck to paycheck with your own kids to feed and clothe.

I have started to go through some clothes the kids have outgrown. I always give them away, I used to sell them but now I don't.

I have several items that I am giving to someone who really needs them and can't afford to buy them.

In giving we are both blessed. I feel like I helped someone and her kids are getting something they really need.

I wish I could do more, help more people but I just have to do what I can when the opportunity arises.

I hope we all look for opportunities to give or help others as needed, no matter how small it may seem, it really does make a difference.

No Schedules

There really is simple beauty in not having to adhere to strict schedules.



We are so blessed to be able to run our day as it comes. Sure we have a routine, I think that most people do.



After the kids were sick last week I just realized how great it is that we didn't HAVE to go to school or anywhere. We could just do what we needed to do to take care of the situation.

We do what we want most days, when we do have an appointment or are meeting up at a certain time it does cause some stress.

I love how our days ebb and flow and I love the fact that we are free and have the choice in how to spend our day.

Last week is a blur.

Just tonight Jason was asking me about something that was supposed to be taken care of a week ago but he thought it was today.

I said no that was the 8th, he said what is today then, I said the 15th, he was just wondering how he missed a week. I reminded him that the kids were sick and it was a wash.

He does have an 8-5 job with slight flexibility. I mean he could go in late or leave early when needed. We really want to start our own business so he can be here and have more freedom but right now we are just so thankful that he has a job.

To bring this around to unschooling and living and learning and following our interests, you just can't schedule real learning. Learning happens, life happens it's what we do with it that matters.

I am thrilled to report that the sickness is past and the sounds in my house are back to normal.

Lots of playing going on, imagination abounds. A little arguing too :)

My kids follow their interests and do so many things throughout the day. Not one bit looks like school and all of it is learning.

I little while ago I walked in my room to see price tags on all of our stuff, I guess they were having a sale...

I can't possibly list everything they do and you probably aren't interested.

Unconscious Mutterings

1. Travel :: I don't like to travel


2. Expensive :: feeding a family of six is expensive


3. Backspace :: I use that key often


4. Traffic noise :: freeway


5. Now see here :: this is the way it is


6. Vegetables :: I'm eating more vegetables


7. Chat :: chit


8. Your calling :: your calling me a what?


9. Weekly :: I mutter weekly


10. Oh! :: Oh Shit!

Luna Nina

I found her!!!!

I knew persistence pays off, I found my friend!

I love the internet!

I was searching and all that kept coming up were services that you have to pay for.

I finally remembered where she went to college and knew she had a published paper so I found her that way.

When we found each other in PA, it had been 10 years since we were in contact. I thought she fell off of the planet.

She visited us twice and it was so great to see her.

Things are so different than either of us planned.

My best friend who my dad thought was a bad influence on me is now a Ph.D.

T (I'll call her T) and I are the reason that Michelob Classic Dark stayed in business 20 years ago. They don't make it anymore...

We had so much fun together, we went through so many things, good and bad and plain heart wrenching.

She has come out on top and I am so proud of what she overcame.

I overcame a lot too, we just had different shitty circumstances.

I am just thankful to have found her and she has also left PA and is about 7 hours from me.

My friend Jewls knows the road trip, I don't want to give details of her life without her knowledge.

WooHoo!!!!

Snow in the south

I know my friends in Texas and Lousiana also had snow.



We left PA, I don't like winter. Since we have been here it usually snows once or twice in February. Just enough for the kids to play and then it melts the next day.



I can handle that, so it is a nice surprise when it happens.

New Rule

Don't worry I haven't crossed over to the dark side :)

Anyone who knows me in person or online knows my stance on arbitrary rules...

The stomach virus has hit 3 of my kids this week.

I am so thankful for my husband cleaning it up.

Why can't they make it in the toilet????

Jason and I are in complete agreement with this rule:

NO BARFING ALLOWED

It's been a hell of a week!

Good ole Fred

I love Fred, he was my #1 for President.

Reunion

Next year is my 20 year high school reunion.

This just isn't possible!

I'm still 17!

I have hooked up with some people on facebook and they have a website started for our class to join and post updates and pictures and reconnect with people.

I have my yearbooks out and have been looking people up.
You know when you recognize a name but aren't sure who they are.
There are also people I remember immediately and would love to catch up with.

I was never into school, I know it's no surprise.

I'm actually enjoying seeing where they are and what they have done with their lives.

My life is drastically different then what I planned. Plans are great but you have to account for reality and plain old changing your mind.

I didn't go to the 10 year reunion because I was extremely pregnant, even though we lived closer then.


I am trying to find one of my best friends from high school, we keep losing touch.

She is the one Jason was dating and she was my maid of honor.

I found her a few years ago while in PA and now her email doesn't work and I have no idea where she is.

I'll keep sleuthing around.

That sounds kind of naughty, LOL!

new game

Jared created this game for us to play. We rolled 3 dice and moved around and picked up money as we landed on it. It wasn't completely set up yet, he also used the houses as coins we collected.

At the end he made a row of sorry cards that we had to move on to get to the home base.

He named it *mousetrap money* and I don't know why, except maybe because we keep getting a mouse in the kitchen and I need to buy a trap.

Anyway it's just a cute thing he created, he is so imaginative. Everytime we play a game we ask him if we are playing the real way or Jared's version. His version is usually more fun.

A few simple things

To be thankful for :

I am mid- cycle and Jason is getting the zits, that is how in sync we are.

Brennan woke up at the crack of dawn throwing up, poor guy, he really doesn't feel well.

Jason cleaned it up, oh my gosh I just can't do it.

He also made homemade chicken noodle soup today.

My man rocks!

Unconscious Mutterings

1. Love affair :: The Notebook


2. Bubble :: wrap


3. Pimple :: I am so glad I rarely get one


4. Knocks :: up, hard knocks, knock on wood


5. Persistent :: be persistent, it pays off


6. Infected :: virus


7. Yay! :: Yay for freedom!


8. Repaint :: this house


9. Daily :: Bumble (Larry Boy)


10. Quickly! :: Get out of my way!

Luna Nina

$30 million

So...

Obama has $30 million in surplus from his campaign and isn't sure what to do with it.

Hello!

Mr. Spread the Wealth it's pretty obvious what to do with it.

Give it to all of those people who voted for you. Split it up and they'll each get a couple of bucks.

See when you spread the wealth and the rich become poor so that everyone is the same is like saying no one matters. It's mediocrity at it's finest, just like public school. Let's even the field, dumb everyone down so that nobody can succeed.

Everyone is the same, vanilla, yuck!

I don't want your money and guess what it isn't your money. I don't want the government's money, it isn't theirs either.

It's hard working, tax payers money, you can't just go doing what you want with it. Well apparantly you can, we have no say in where our tax dollars go.

I'm still in awe that Mr. 1/2 black, born in Kenya, privileged life, friend of terrorists and racists, socialist, elitest, got elected.

Whoa!

Ask me how I really feel!?

Gas prices

I am thrilled about the price of gas here. Jason and I were talking a bit about how some are saying it's not good for the prices to be so low.

We may just be simple minded when it comes to economics but if it costs less to fill my tank then I have more money to spend elsewhere.

During the hurricanes gas was up to 4.09 here, so it costs $77 to fill the van, as of today it will cost $27 to fill it. That is $50 we have to spend that we wouldn't have had a couple months ago.

Stimulating?

get together

Yesterday was our weekly get together with the homeschoolers we have been meeting.

We went to Pump it Up, it is a place that has those huge blow up bouncy things the kids can jump and slide and bounce away on.

Of course they had a blast.

I was able to talk with a few moms, it is so weird that I am not the one chasing toddlers, nursing babies or changing diapers anymore.

Wow!

It is a fact that my kids really are growing up, we have been out of the baby stage for awhile now and it is bittersweet.

I enjoy watching the others with their little ones but I don't have that longing anymore.

I am happy to watch my children grow and wait for grandbabies.

We met our group there but also some friends that we haven't seen in a long time were there too, they also homeschool.

She is always picking my brain and asking me questions, she is very intrigued by radical unschooling. She talks to all sorts of homeschoolers to get a feel of where they are and how they do things.

She uses me as a reference point, which is funny. She is very relaxed in their homeschooling but she gets nervous if a few days go by and she feels like they didn't *do* enough reading or math or whatever. She told me that is when she thinks of me and wonders what I would do and knows that I don't *do school* of any sort.

I told her I am far off the spectrum and that I don't know anyone in person who is where I am but I have a few online friends who are.

Tyler Perry

Tyler Perry is a talented playwrite, actor, director etc...

Two of my favorite movies from him are Diary of a Mad Black Woman and Why Did I Get Married.

He has a sitcom called House of Payne and my boys have been watching it for a few weeks now.

It usually comes on at 2:00am and Brennan has asked me to stay up and watch it with him. It really is funny, I have only seen a couple episodes.

Sometimes they do a marathon during primetime and tonight was one of those times.

Kieran and Brennan were watching in their room and I kept hearing rip roaring laughter come from their room.

They would come out during commercials and Brennan always gives me the scoop.

It brings me such joy to hear them laugh and see that they have found something so enjoyable together.

They have very different interests so just having a silly tv show bring them together is wonderful.

Relationships

Tonight the kids were asking us about when we met and how old we were.

It goes back 21 years since we met. We met briefly while dating other people, I was 16 then. We met again about 6-12 months later still dating other people.
I was always dating someone, I wasn't ever really single.

Actually this time I was attending senior skip day but I was a junior and I was riding with Jason's girlfriend. He was out of school already but his girlfriend was in my class.

Then a few months later we met again, this time dating each others' best friend.

Yes, really.

The four of us would hang out and they worked nights while Jason and I worked days so we would get together and do stuff. Actually I was still in high school but I worked afternoons and weekends during the day.

We would pick Tammy up after work and hook up with Randy on weekends but Jason and I spent a lot of time getting to know each other.

We became the best of friends, this went on for several weeks, I'm thinking Nov-Jan. Jason and I officially started dating January 21st, 1989.

I knew after a month of dating that he was the one for me, he was the man I was going to marry. I have witnesses to this, I told my friend Amy and I told my grandmother.

My grandma and I would meet at Friendly's restaurant once a month for lunch. She knew all to well my dating habits and was shocked to hear me speak like that.

Young couples ask us what makes a marriage work? How did you know she was the one? What is your secret?

It's hard to say how you know because honestly I just knew and so did Jason, it just took him a little longer :)

I have come to realize that what we have isn't that common. We are totally and completely in love with each other.

It's like we are still 17 and 19 just with some aches and pains plus the 4 little people we have created.

We have fun, he gets me, we respect and trust each other completely.

It is possible to find your mate at a young age and marriage really can be fun.

We have fun, we laugh so much.

We miss each other all day, we know when the other will call or if we missed a call.

I have actually heard his thoughts a few times. I am not kidding, one time we were in the van and I said, "what did you say?" He said, "I didn't say anything." I said, "Yes you did, you said something about _____."
He said, "How did you know that? I was thinking that but I didn't say it."

He has been scared ever since, we joke about it now, watch out I can hear your thoughts!!!

So I am just so thankful to be married to an awesome person who loves me for ME!

This is great!

Here is a link to a Page at Sandra Dodd's unschooling site written by Pam Sorooshian.

It's about how to be a good unschooler, it is awesome!

Christmas meme

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? red wine

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? we wrap presents

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? colored

4. Do you hang Mistletoe? I have in the past when I could get some fresh stuff

5. When do you put your decorations up? started today, the tree won't go up until 2 weeks before Christmas

6. What is your favorite holiday dish? anything with chocolate

7. Favorite memory as a child? I don't know?

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? What truth? That he lives in the North Pole? I've been there, it's near the St. Lawrence Seaway.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Yes

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? Lights, homemade ornaments, store bought ornaments.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Hate it! It is pretty when it falls but that's it.

12. Can you ice skate? Absolutely NOT!

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? Not as a child, I've gotten many nice gifts but the best for me is spending it with my kids.

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Being with my husband and kids.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? chocolate

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? baking cookies

17. What tops your tree? star

18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving? Giving

19. What is your favorite Christmas song? Little Drummer Boy

20. Candy canes, yuck or yum? yum

21.Favorite Holiday Movie? Christmas Vacation

Forts

Cassie and Jared have been playing together a lot lately which is good since I've been sick.


Cassie's fort with Boomer too.

Jared's fort.

They were having so much fun. They kept changing the styles and making different ones. These were the only pictures I took though.

Notice the strand of legos, those are the lights.