Unschool article/chores

My friend Joanne posted an unschooling article and it was a good piece but one thing stood out to both of us.

The kids had required chores every morning before they could get on with their day.

I know some people just unschool academics which really makes no sense to me.

We live and learn.

We don't have arbitrary rules and chores.

Here's my take on it.

If someone required me to do x,y and z before I could get on the computer I would be mad to say the least.

I get up and I check my email while I have my coffee. My friends live in my computer, I love my computer.

I have grown close to many people and we keep up with each other daily. If I don't hear from someone in a couple days, I'll email them and make sure they are ok.

Our kids have a life too.
It could be their video game, or tv show, or they want to go outside, or play with a friend or whatever they like to do when they get up.

Nobody should be *required* to do anything upon waking.

What a way to start each day, dreading a chore or moping around because you HAVE to do something before you can get on with your life.

I'll do the dishes and laundry when I am ready, it could be 3pm or 10pm, does it really matter? Is there some law that says dishes shall be done before playing?

Heck, now if it's nice out I get my butt outside for fresh air and sunshine, dishes can wait.

I wasn't always this easy, I am a compulsive, control freak, I used to clean before going out. I used to make sure all the dishes were done before I went to bed. Who wants to wake up to a sink full?

Life has it's way of happening and I have been on crutches for 6 weeks. My kids have been doing the dishes. Dishes aren't that high on a kids priority list until there aren't any clean ones and they want a bowl of cereal. Then they wash a bowl and spoon so they can eat, they they think hey maybe it's time to wash some dishes.

I'm not saying let things go and pile up, I'm just saying change your perspective and don't let household tasks take over your life.

I personally don't mind dishes or cleaning in general but I have learned to let go and just go with the flow.

Back to kids and chores.

I just don't believe in assigning chores to kids or adults.

We live together, we work together, let's just do what needs to be done.

Unconscious Mutterings

1. Again :: I'm falling apart again and I can't find the way to make amends. (Shinedown, Shed some Light)


2. Shower :: I love a hot shower
   
3. Flirting :: with disaster


4. Moving on :: moving on up (Jeffersons)
   
5. Rachel :: Ray


6. Chips :: and dip


7. Texting :: I suck at texting


8. Feel better :: I want to feel better


9. Cashmere :: Led Zepplin


10. Sucked :: school sucked the love of learning out of me as a child

Luna Nina

When children explode

I'm sure every child has exploded a time or two but some kids explode from birth.

My precious little boy is the explosive type, he screamed from 1-4 am the first few weeks of his life.

You think by the time you have 4 kids you got it all down pat. Surprise! Each child is unique, while they may have similarities to your other kids they are their own person.

Jared has stretched my parenting to heights I never knew existed. He has shown me his unique perspective and caused me to become a better parent than I thought I was.

I have been consciously practicing not getting emotionally involved or affected by his outbursts.
This has happened over the course of the years he has been here.

I am doing very well separating myself, my issues, the tapes in my head that I've been fed and the things that kids *should* or *shouldn't* say or do.

I fall short once in awhile, usually if I'm tired or hormonal but overall I am able to separate my reaction from his behaviour.

I encourage you to stop the tapes in your head and just be present with your child. Look at that litttle person.

What caused the upset?

Look at how they are flailing their tiny bodies.

Listen to their crys.

Let them get it out.

Put yourself in their position.

Do not take it personally or as a reflection on you because quite frankly it has nothing to do with you.

Try really hard to relate and empathize while just being there for them in whatever capacity they need.

I have found that in Jared's case he needs to get it out and then he is calm and usually comes over and leans on me to get a hug.

We can't let ourselves get caught up in the heat of the moment and be bothered by what they are saying or by their anger.

It is so important to feel what you feel in a safe environment.

I suspect if I had been allowed I wouldn't need therapy as an adult to deal with my childhood.

Sandra Dodd Interview Part 2

Spank out Day

I'm a little late because I wasn't aware of today. Everyday should be spank out day.

No child should ever be hit, EVER!!!!!!!!!!!

Stop beating your kids, get help if you need it.


No Spank
Stop hitting
The hitting stops here

Homework woes?

Jared draws several pictures a day, I have them all. He is very talented and I love all of his drawings. He showed me this one and wanted me to figure out what was wrong with this guy's face.



This is a kid exhausted and weary with bloodshot eyes from doing homework.

Caterpillars

Cassie has been collecting caterpillars, she has 15 and she named them all. She feeds them and checks on them daily. We looked them up and found out they are Eastern Tent Caterpillars

She plans on keeping them until they start spinning their cocoons. These guys turn into moths not butterflies.

The big picture

I hope that I can convey my thoughts in a manner that makes sense.

It makes sense in my head :)

When we talk about unschooling and extending the philosophy into our lives not just in academics some people miss the big picture.

I was recently talking with a homeschool mom with two young children. She always picks my brain and looks to me as her radical unschooling go to girl.

She was among some homeschoolers who were talking about SAT's and getting into college and all of the preparations they had to make. She felt very overwhelmed and uncomfortable.

She realized that she doesn't even have to think about that stuff for several years and she told me that when things like this come up she asks herself *what would Stephanie say*

It's kind of cool but sometimes it makes me feel like I have to really watch what I say.

Luckily she is perceptive and open to my suggestions and then chews on it and makes up her own mind. I like people who think for themselves, those are my kind of people.

She was telling me about a friend of hers that mostly unschools but she has bedtimes and tv limits and eating rules etc. She said you know stuff that doesn't have to do with schooling.

We talked a bit about *bedtimes* and I offered her my perspective and my experience. I have 4 kids, I do know what I'm talking about, I'm not making this up.

We talked about finding our natural rhythms and listening to our body not what time is on the clock. Sure her kids are young and go to bed when told but I talked to her about being open to change as they grow and may express their desire to stay up later.

Just be open to change, discuss everything, don't set anything in stone.

Be your child's partner not their adversary, build a solid foundation of trust and respect while they are young, it will flourish as they grow.

Kids need to have choices, they need to know how to think and make decisions. They won't learn that if someone is constantly telling them what to do, when to do it and how to do it.

In one sense unschooling is just not schooling and if you choose to separate life you are missing the boat.

There are many buzz words, whole life unschooling, radical unschooling, extending the philosophy into all areas of life etc.

It boils down to trust and respect no matter what.

When you get that at a philosophical level then things like bedtime and video games are not an issue.

Unconscious Mutterings

1. Lease :: contract


2. Dead :: Wanted dead or alive


3. Removed :: taken off


4. Broke :: no money


5. Lips :: my lips move when I think


6. Flight :: of the Conchords


7. Three hours :: can seem like an eternity sometimes


8. Give :: give and take


9. Technical :: difficulties


10. Hurry :: up and get out of my way

Luna Nina

Sandra Dodd Interview

Mean kids

What makes little kids treat others so bad?

I really believe that public school is the root.

There is a little boy that lives down the street, he moved here over a year ago.

He has been nothing but trouble.

He is 7 or just turned 8.

He came over today wanting to play with Jared.

Jared went down to his house and less then 10 minutes later came home.

We have had several incidents so I told Jared if he is mean just come home.

Today it was over something stupid, it always is, and it doesn't even make sense.

It's just ridiculous, this kid can't get along with other kids.

Awhile back my kids were playing with some other kids and this boy and his friend came by and started calling them names.

I feel bad for this kid because he isn't going to get very far in life by being a mean bully.

He just needs to stay away from my kids.

Is it all rosy?

A recent exchange on Facebook got me thinking about this.

Some people seem so happy and joyful and never let on that they are having a bad day, a rough time, a struggle in life.

Are there people who are 100% joyous, 100% of the time?

I think many of us want to portray that everything is great and wonderful and we don't have a care in the world. That just isn't reality, even if you are the most positive person, stuff happens to all of us.

How we deal with it varies, some of us choose to find the positive in every situation. I think that is a worthy endeavor, I try to do it. I don't always succeed, sometimes things just plain suck and I feel like venting about it.

My latest incident of spraining my ankle has brought up many negative things in me. I had to feel those before I could move on and see the light so to speak.

I still can't walk without crutches but I'm getting there, I'm finally seeing marked improvement.

It's not fast enough for me, patience is not my thing, I hate waiting, I want it all and I want it now!

Life happens and we have to go with it. As an unschooler I am really good at going with the flow, I just have a hard time when it has to do with me.

Many unschoolers write about how great life is and don't really let on about the struggles.

Life is great but it doesn't mean we don't have issues.

As an observer these past several days, I'm seeing where we have some issues in the family and what we need to work on.

Overall this has been an experience for all of us and some growth and learning has taken place. How we react and deal with problems is an important part in living our lives.

Being home with my family is an honor and I know how blessed I am.

Menopause

Here is a website that goes over the many symptoms of Menopause

I'm not sure how much I'll share on this blog, many things I'll put on my private blog.

It's important to know what is going on with your body.

I figure there are lots of women my age and older who are starting to experience this stuff.

I am actually on the young side and am doing some research but believe it may be because before I had kids I was treated with Lupron.

I had endometriosis and I wanted a baby. I actually went through two rounds of shots which puts you in a pseudo menopause. I had all of the classic symptoms of menopause it was just drug induced.

This time it's for real. Awhile back I posted about my peri-menopausal symptoms and I get a lot of google hits on that so I hope this helps someone else.

I urge you to get your hormone levels tested. I have been using progesterone cream for a year now and it helps but I'm still having intense symptoms.

I just had my hormones checked and I have EXTREMELY low Estrogen, yes I'm only 37, well I'll be 38 soon...

I have just started on Bio-identical hormones. I highly recommend a natural or holistic doctor or at least one open to alternative methods. I believe (you can find lots of research on it)that synthetic hormones are bad for you and cause many more health problems.

What is a Libertarian?

Tax and Spend

Tea Party

Unconscious Mutterings

1. Animal :: Magnetism


2. Temporary :: insanity


3. Moan :: and groan


4. Rapid :: heartbeat


5. That’s for me to say :: and you to hear


6. City :: traffic


7. Bumper :: sticker


8. Eclipse :: total eclipse of my heart


9. Problematic :: I can be


10. If? :: not now, when?

Luna Nina

Easter Elephant

My aunt sent me this adorable elephant, it arrived today. She is so cute and cuddly and even earth friendly :) Her stuffing is 100% recycled material from planet toys.

I named her Liberty.

Here she is with Rebel, now he has a girlfriend.

Jason said oh great now we are going to have little elephants running around.

Some fun pictures

Cassie and Jared


Cassie playing in dough

Jared being a gnome

Brennan being a gnome, I didn't realize it was sideways

Our friends Kendra and Kaitlyn

Kullen, Jared and Brennan playing under Julie's moving truck.

Jared

History of compulsory schooling

Unconscious Mutterings

1. Log :: cabin


2. Plaything :: toy


3. Broom :: sweep


4. Heels :: high heels, I use to torture my feet by wearing those, long time ago
   
5. Smoke in :: the bathroom (highschool)


6. Guests :: company


7. Attraction :: physical


8. Shiny:: hiney


9. Risked :: he risked it all for me


10. Velvet :: red

Luna Nina

Temporarily out of commission

UGH!!!!

I sprained my ankle last night. This has been a reoccuring event since I was 14.

The last time I did it was 4 years ago, it was one of the worst sprains.

I found out about arnica and I healed better then I ever did before.

Last night I was walking around toys and lost my footing and fell.

It is worse today than last night.

My ankle is swollen and I'm in a lot of pain.

My attitude needs adjusting because I was so pissed off.

I just feel so useless when I can't do what I normally do.

I do not like being dependent on others.

I can't walk so I'm pretty damned dependent right now.

I hate sitting, I like doing.

My ass already hurts!

Unconscious Mutterings

1. Road trip :: pit stop



2. Pool hall :: Jason and I used to shoot pool all of the time, good memories



3. Extraordinary :: above and beyond



4. Jackson :: Michael



5. Heartfelt :: sympathy



6. Wet :: rain



7. Strangle :: choke



8. .com :: internet



9. Touched :: by an angel



10. Insipid :: dull

Luna Nina

The lies people tell children

There are so many examples of things parents say to their kids that instill fear and also are just plain wrong.

Cassie just told me what the neighbor said to her.

She said *if you don't go to school you will end up on the streets when you are older*.

Wow!
Really?!

Another lie fed to a child to keep them in school. It's sad really, I guess when the rewards and bribes stop working you just have to scare them into it.

So I said to Cass, so you are going to end up on the streets when you grow up because you don't go to school?

How stupid does that sound?

How many public school graduates are *on the streets*

I bet way more than homeschooled ones.

Don't indoctrinate me!

I hear some real doozies from these kids. It's amazing and sad, extremely sad, to believe all of the lies being fed to you.

The people saying these things actually believe them too and that is where the system has succeeded.

"I don’t think we’ll get rid of schools any time soon, certainly not in my lifetime, but if we’re going to change what’s rapidly becoming a disaster of ignorance, we need to realize that the school institution "schools" very well, though it does not "educate"; that’s inherent in the design of the thing. It’s not the fault of bad teachers or too little money spent. It’s just impossible for education and schooling ever to be the same thing."
– John Taylor Gatto

One Trillion

Aw Shucks...

My pal over at Show us the World gave me this cute blog award.

Here are THE RULES:

1) Put the logo on your blog or post.

2) Nominate at least 10 blogs that show great attitude or gratitude.

3) Link to your nominees within your post.

4) Let the nominees know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.

5) Share the love and link to the person from who you received your award.

Here are the nominees:

Well you all know what I think about rules....

I do appreciate many fellow bloggers, I will nominate a few, not sure if I'll get to 10.

1. Swiss Army Wife

2.Woman Honor Thyself

3.JoAnn

4. Random Thoughts of a Fiery Woman

5.Well Mannered Frivolity

6.Caffeine Freedom

Heck I'm tired :)

Unconscious Mutterings

1. Studio :: apartment


2. Meetup :: homeschool


3. Ostrich :: tall


4. Jokes :: humor


5. Estranged :: alienated


6. Random :: thought


7. Slap :: me upside the head


8. Hotel room :: ahhh, camping


9. Inscribe :: engrave


10. Polar :: bear

Luna Nina

Great Book!

I know I mentioned awhile back that I was reading Raising Our Children Raising Ourselves By Naomi Aldort.

I finally finished it the other day. I recommend it to any new parent or any parent who wants to have a respectful relationship with their child.

A partnership, not a dictatorship.

I have always parented in this perspective but I'm not perfect.

I make mistakes, I apologize, the relationship with my kids is more important than any THING I can think of.

Establishing trust, safety and respect is vital to parent child interaction.

Her quick method of S.A.L.V.E. is a great reminder to slow down and not let the old tapes in your head dictate what you say.

S. Separate yourself from your child's behavior and emotions with a silent
self-talk.

A. Attention on your child

L. Listen to what your child is saying or to what his actions are indicating.

V. Validate your child's feelings

E. Empower your child to resolve his upset by getting out of the way and
trusting him.

Unconscious Mutterings

1. Sunburn :: red, hot, ouch


2. Aquarium :: fish


3. Otter :: seal


4. Awesome :: Unschooling is Awesome!


5. LOL :: Laugh out loud


6. Accordion :: Weird Al


7. Hot Pocket :: frozen food


8. Grandstand :: concert


9. Shaved :: legs


10. Upgrade :: computer hard drive

Luna Nina

Dishes

Dishes are fun!

That is what Cassie told me tonight.

She has been doing the dishes the past few days and she likes it!

Who knew?

I have never required her to wash dishes :)

The boys don't think dishes are fun but hey, they are missing out!

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.