Still here. Been one of those weeks, so thanks for bearing with me. I have at least one comic strip in my head, and as long as it stays there until I can get it on paper, there will be new strips next week.
So what have I been up to? Well, the library held their annual book sale last weekend. I've been volunteering since the summer, sorting book donations. For some reason, the Library Friends thought I was very good at sorting children's books. I can't imagine why. They decided to put me in charge of the children's section for the sale. And of course, my inner voice screamed, "Tell them no!" in its teeny tiny voice that is so easy to miss when I feel appreciated. So I spent Friday and Saturday running the children's section, helping people find books they wanted, and organizing. Constantly organizing. Because when someone decides they don't want a book, they simply drop it where they stand, even if that means a raunchy teen title ends up in the picture books. And as much fun as it was, I am glad the sale is over now. It gives me more time to pick up after my family.
Marina started her second year at college. This is the first year she is full time, with four courses. I have to say, this whole college experiment seems to be two steps forward, one step back. I know she likes it. I am sure of it. But she is not a fan of homework, and she has had a lot of homework lately. The thing is, she is a perfectionist. I've always known this about her. So we are working on her time management skills. I've also given her a lot of pep talks. For example, I pointed out that she didn't think she could cut it her first year when she tried to keep up with the homework for one course. Now she is handling assignments for four courses. Granted, she is still upset about having so much work, but it's getting done. And after this semester, she only needs to take one more required course. Then it will all be courses she likes! I know that fulfilling the GED requirements is a major part of the problem because those are the only courses she complains about. It's annoying, but that is the way it is in our crazy state. You want a college degree, you need the high school diploma or equivalent. At least the credits for the GED count toward the associate degree.
In between volunteering and cheerleading Marina, I've done my best to jump back into a new term of homeschooling/unschooling life. Which means keeping a record of what Chase and Sierra are doing each day, getting them to their activities, and hoping I don't forget anything. Like paying bills. Or buying groceries. Or putting gas in the car.
Gas. I knew there was something I forgot.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Carnival at Consent of the Governed
The latest Carnival of Homeschooling: 300th edition is happening this week at Consent of the Governed! Please head over and celebrate this momentous occasion by reading a few of this week's submissions!
Monday, September 26, 2011
Friday, September 23, 2011
Home Spun comic strip #660
I know there are some who would disagree with me, but I really believe in the importance of pets in the home. Even if you have one goldfish in bowl, caring for this creature can be an enriching experience. Right now we have five cats, one lizard, and about fifty or sixty Vietnamese stick bugs. That has taught us a lot. For instance, we learned that you only need to start with four or five stick bugs to have a second generation of fifty or sixty bugs. And the second generation is fast, especially if you open the cage after you spritz them with water. We had at least two stampedes where I had to carefully recover each and every rogue stick bug while protecting them from curious cats. Not an easy feat.
I will be taking a break next week and posting reprints. If anyone has a particular comic they would like me to run again, please comment and I'll try to find it. Have a nice weekend!
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Finding Our Way in the Dark
On Friday I took Sierra for an overnight class at the nature center. "Overnight" as in "sleeping in a tent." She had been asking to sleep outside for at least half of the summer. I was hesitant because, well, I have never slept outside in a tent. It was unknown territory for me. When you know your backyard is home to raccoons and skunks, you tend to be hesitant about the whole sleep outdoors thing. Add to that all the what ifs, like what if it rains, what if she suddenly starts sleep walking, what if a stranger enters my yard and kidnaps her. You know, basic mom worries.
So when an opportunity arose to camp with our homeschooling group at Cranberry Lake, I decided to take her. And aside from the chilly overnight temperature of 45 degrees, it was fun. My first time outside, sleeping in a tent, cooking over a campfire, and night hiking with the park ranger.
For those of you who have never done it, night hiking is an adventure in itself. The point of it is to hike in the dark without the aid of flashlights so that you can truly experience the surroundings at night. We followed our park ranger in single file as he passed back vital information: "Rock." "Root here!" "Big log, step over." You get the idea. And I still stumbled over rocks and roots and there was one really squishy muddy section, but we all managed to find our way as our eyes learned to see in a different way.
In the dark, everything takes on shades of grey. You rely on your feet more, feeling for changes in the terrain. At two points, we were given the opportunity to experience a solo night hike. One was a simple straightaway, but the second was trickier, with curves in the trail. Twice during that second hike, I found myself wandering off the path, but I immediately realized it because the ground changed to a softer texture, or there were more leaves and brambles. I won't deny it was scary, but you really felt like you had accomplished something when you reached the bridge over the lake without relying on your flashlight.
Which, of course, makes me think of the decision to homeschool, or deciding to switch homeschooling styles. It's a lot like walking in the dark. The familiar becomes unknown territory, possibly even frightening. There are times when we shuffle along, afraid we might fall on our faces and look like failures. We might even feel the need to turn on a light, and that is perfectly OK, because we know we don't have to depend on it. We can shut it off again and readjust our eyes to the darkness at any time. Light is now an option, not a crutch.
And the shadows hold their own treasures, because sometimes they reveal their own special light. Light we would never have seen otherwise. Like the tiny mushrooms we found that twinkled in the dark. We also experimented and found that if you pull apart a bandage wrapper in the dark, it sparks! We end up seeing things in a completely new way.
At the end of the hike, when the nature center came in view, it seemed so much brighter after the grey gloom of our hike. I felt a wonderful sense of accomplishment and a desire to try this again sometime. It's a great feeling.
Of course, if it's cold outside, I'll be sleeping in my own bed, thank you.
So when an opportunity arose to camp with our homeschooling group at Cranberry Lake, I decided to take her. And aside from the chilly overnight temperature of 45 degrees, it was fun. My first time outside, sleeping in a tent, cooking over a campfire, and night hiking with the park ranger.
For those of you who have never done it, night hiking is an adventure in itself. The point of it is to hike in the dark without the aid of flashlights so that you can truly experience the surroundings at night. We followed our park ranger in single file as he passed back vital information: "Rock." "Root here!" "Big log, step over." You get the idea. And I still stumbled over rocks and roots and there was one really squishy muddy section, but we all managed to find our way as our eyes learned to see in a different way.
In the dark, everything takes on shades of grey. You rely on your feet more, feeling for changes in the terrain. At two points, we were given the opportunity to experience a solo night hike. One was a simple straightaway, but the second was trickier, with curves in the trail. Twice during that second hike, I found myself wandering off the path, but I immediately realized it because the ground changed to a softer texture, or there were more leaves and brambles. I won't deny it was scary, but you really felt like you had accomplished something when you reached the bridge over the lake without relying on your flashlight.
Which, of course, makes me think of the decision to homeschool, or deciding to switch homeschooling styles. It's a lot like walking in the dark. The familiar becomes unknown territory, possibly even frightening. There are times when we shuffle along, afraid we might fall on our faces and look like failures. We might even feel the need to turn on a light, and that is perfectly OK, because we know we don't have to depend on it. We can shut it off again and readjust our eyes to the darkness at any time. Light is now an option, not a crutch.
And the shadows hold their own treasures, because sometimes they reveal their own special light. Light we would never have seen otherwise. Like the tiny mushrooms we found that twinkled in the dark. We also experimented and found that if you pull apart a bandage wrapper in the dark, it sparks! We end up seeing things in a completely new way.
At the end of the hike, when the nature center came in view, it seemed so much brighter after the grey gloom of our hike. I felt a wonderful sense of accomplishment and a desire to try this again sometime. It's a great feeling.
Of course, if it's cold outside, I'll be sleeping in my own bed, thank you.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Home Spun comic strip #658
I cannot say enough good things about the library. We get most of our books and movies there. We could get CD's as well, but I'm more afraid of misplacing a CD. Because I have. And we can use the virtual library to download books and audiobooks. Chase participates in the Guys Read book group. And I've been volunteering there along with Sierra while Marina works. I'm helping sort books for the big annual book sale at the end of this week. This satisfies my need for organizing, gives me permission to throw things out that are unusable (except for the old textbooks I've been rescuing), and exposes me to all of the wonderful books people are getting rid of. Really, how can I pass up a fifty cent book? I can't. Which might not be a good thing if you consider how many books already line my shelves, waiting to be read.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Carnival at Notes From A Homeschooling Mom
This week's Carnival of Homeschooling is now up at Notes from a Homeschooling Mom. Enjoy!
Notes From A Homeschooling Mom: Carnival of homeschooling - September 13, 2011
Notes From A Homeschooling Mom: Carnival of homeschooling - September 13, 2011
Monday, September 12, 2011
Our Hand Crafted Birthday Gifts
There are three important birthdays to celebrate in September. My aunt's birthday was earlier this month, my sister's birthday was yesterday, and my mother's is today. Marina and I made the jewelry below for my mom and aunt, respectively. I made the pendants, and she
My mom is celebrating her 70th.
I just thought this picture was cute. Sierra in front of the crapemyrtle.Happy Birthday Mom!
Sunday, September 11, 2011
A Memory
Today ten years ago
My sister's birthday
New life within me
Me on the couch
Teaching my kids
Today ten years ago
Phone rings, my husband
Tells of planes crashing
Me on the couch
Shushing my kids
Today ten years ago
Squint at blurred towers
Scrawled television
Me on the couch
Holding my kids
Today ten years ago
Towers crashing down
Phoning family
Me on the couch
Hugging my kids
Today ten years ago
Tears in stunned silence
Fear for the future
Me on the couch
Telling my kids
Today ten years ago
New life within me
My hope in turmoil
Me on the couch
Loving my kids
-------------------
It is so hard for me to express my sadness over what happened, such overwhelming grief that it can still bring tears to my eyes ten years later. My thoughts and my prayers are with all who lost family and friends ten years ago today. I haven't forgotten.
My sister's birthday
New life within me
Me on the couch
Teaching my kids
Today ten years ago
Phone rings, my husband
Tells of planes crashing
Me on the couch
Shushing my kids
Today ten years ago
Squint at blurred towers
Scrawled television
Me on the couch
Holding my kids
Today ten years ago
Towers crashing down
Phoning family
Me on the couch
Hugging my kids
Today ten years ago
Tears in stunned silence
Fear for the future
Me on the couch
Telling my kids
Today ten years ago
New life within me
My hope in turmoil
Me on the couch
Loving my kids
-------------------
It is so hard for me to express my sadness over what happened, such overwhelming grief that it can still bring tears to my eyes ten years later. My thoughts and my prayers are with all who lost family and friends ten years ago today. I haven't forgotten.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Perpetual Motion
There is a small loose tile, about one inch square, on the floor in our bathroom. It has always been loose, ever since we moved into this house over ten years ago. Bare feet, still damp from the shower, tend to lift it up out of place. We just stick it back where it belongs. The thought was that some day we would redo the bathroom anyway, so we never fixed it. Usually it stays in its place.
And if you read my comics this week, you know that it is not typical for us to have something that stays in its place. That is because my family rarely stays in one place. The front door gets a lot of action over the course of a day. Shoes are a constant jumble by the kitchen door because they simply don't stay off for very long. There is always somewhere someone needs to be. Marina usually wins for most required trips between work and college classes, but I've also been making a lot of trips because of volunteer work I'm doing for the library book sale. This week, nature classes started at Cranberry Lake, so that added another few trips, since the class is snugged between Marina's art history course and her Thursday work schedule at the library. Let's not forget the weekly (lately it has been bi-weekly) trips to the grocery store. I'm sure I've worn ruts in the driveway from pulling in and out.
But that tile stays in its place. Usually. Sometimes it pops out, as if to remind me it is still there. I fit the small tile back in its place, and then I might try to clear a path to the front door, or pick up the clutter from tables and couches. I sweep the endless trail of dirt from the front door to the living room. How does that happen when they take off their shoes? I remind myself that this is what living is about. It's good to be doing things and going places. It's good that the kids are taking out the books and toys and using them, rather than have them sitting on the shelves collecting dust. And I'm thankful I have the energy to keep this homeschooling machine in motion. But I'm also glad to see that some things stay in their place, even if it is only one small tile.
And if you read my comics this week, you know that it is not typical for us to have something that stays in its place. That is because my family rarely stays in one place. The front door gets a lot of action over the course of a day. Shoes are a constant jumble by the kitchen door because they simply don't stay off for very long. There is always somewhere someone needs to be. Marina usually wins for most required trips between work and college classes, but I've also been making a lot of trips because of volunteer work I'm doing for the library book sale. This week, nature classes started at Cranberry Lake, so that added another few trips, since the class is snugged between Marina's art history course and her Thursday work schedule at the library. Let's not forget the weekly (lately it has been bi-weekly) trips to the grocery store. I'm sure I've worn ruts in the driveway from pulling in and out.
But that tile stays in its place. Usually. Sometimes it pops out, as if to remind me it is still there. I fit the small tile back in its place, and then I might try to clear a path to the front door, or pick up the clutter from tables and couches. I sweep the endless trail of dirt from the front door to the living room. How does that happen when they take off their shoes? I remind myself that this is what living is about. It's good to be doing things and going places. It's good that the kids are taking out the books and toys and using them, rather than have them sitting on the shelves collecting dust. And I'm thankful I have the energy to keep this homeschooling machine in motion. But I'm also glad to see that some things stay in their place, even if it is only one small tile.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Home Spun comic strip #653
Yes, I do this. I have probably counted them more than my children ever did. And no, I never found all ten of each color. I'm sure that some day I will find the hidden gap in the floor that will be full of counting bears in a nest of pens, marker caps and pencil erasers. By then I will probably have gotten rid of the other counters. Murphy's Law of missing objects from a set.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Home Spun comic strip #652
Much thanks to Comfy Denim for giving me inspiration for this week's strips. She commented on one of my comics last week about buying counting bears along with her coffee and pencils. Which made me think about the various manipulatives we've used around here. And the many ways they've been misused.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Redirecting Misdirection
Yesterday afternoon was interesting. I turned on my computer, opened Firefox and my blog wasn't on its usual tab. So I clicked the button on my handy bookmarks toolbar to correct the situation.
And my blog was redirected.
I clicked again and again in disbelief. Where was my blog? Why couldn't I keep it open? And why didn't I bookmark my dashboard so I could actually take a look at my account? Panic rose in me as I pictured my readers dropping off and giving up on me. I had to fix this!
Luckily, I also manage my daughter's blog, Pictureka! Her blog did not seem to be experiencing the same problem, so I went through it to get to my dashboard. From there I checked Blogger for recent issues, and not finding anything related to it, I went to the Help forums.
Sometimes you need to look for help, because as much as we would like to do things for ourselves, it's important to remember that we don't know everything. I have always stressed that with my children. We don't have to know everything, we just have to learn how to find answers.
I found my answer after I posted to the help forum. Several people had their blogs redirected thanks to a hack of some third-party widgets. If anyone else is experiencing this problem, send me an email or comment here and I will tell you what to look for in the HTML. I don't want to put the information on this post since I think the hackers had enough fun redirecting my readers. I don't think they deserve any more free publicity. But I will thank them for teaching this blogger a new lesson about widgets and HTML. There is always something new to learn if we always keep ourselves open to learning. My children taught me that.
And I apologize to anyone who came to my blog yesterday afternoon only to be redirected.
And my blog was redirected.
I clicked again and again in disbelief. Where was my blog? Why couldn't I keep it open? And why didn't I bookmark my dashboard so I could actually take a look at my account? Panic rose in me as I pictured my readers dropping off and giving up on me. I had to fix this!
Luckily, I also manage my daughter's blog, Pictureka! Her blog did not seem to be experiencing the same problem, so I went through it to get to my dashboard. From there I checked Blogger for recent issues, and not finding anything related to it, I went to the Help forums.
Sometimes you need to look for help, because as much as we would like to do things for ourselves, it's important to remember that we don't know everything. I have always stressed that with my children. We don't have to know everything, we just have to learn how to find answers.
I found my answer after I posted to the help forum. Several people had their blogs redirected thanks to a hack of some third-party widgets. If anyone else is experiencing this problem, send me an email or comment here and I will tell you what to look for in the HTML. I don't want to put the information on this post since I think the hackers had enough fun redirecting my readers. I don't think they deserve any more free publicity. But I will thank them for teaching this blogger a new lesson about widgets and HTML. There is always something new to learn if we always keep ourselves open to learning. My children taught me that.
And I apologize to anyone who came to my blog yesterday afternoon only to be redirected.
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