Savings vs Sanity

Some people brake for sales.

Me - I drag three cranky children hours out of my way, battle 100 degree temperatures, then put myself within touching distance of variously sized smelly people wearing way too much spandex (and shouting obscenities) just to claim my bags of "clearance" merchandise. Between the gas, food, bribes & recovery alcohol involved - it would have paid me to have Nordstroms deliver to my door.

Wait! I forgot to mention the 9,000 potty stops! And the sticky floors!

And then there's the.....returns.

I've returned five items in the last 2 days - and now have to return the sandals I bought my husband yesterday. The nearest Kohl's is an hour away. What's wrong with me???

Obviously, I'm sanity challenged.

This morning I've been checking out www.drugstore.com and www.amazon.com (groceries). Both offer free shipping with orders over $25.00. I'm still going to have to hit Sam's Club or Costco once a month for pet food, coffee, peanut butter (three kids) and paper products. Not sure I see a way around that one!

I'm open to suggestions - does anyone have a favorite site for ordering the necessities of life????

Talk to me!

The Bubble Family hits the Water!

I don't know about anyone else - but many of our family outings and adventures are much better on paper than in real life. Usually the stress and cost of our outings far out way the enjoyment that's wedged between dealing with cranky children.

Yesterday may have been an exception.

We went to the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center in Grasonville, Maryland - on the Eastern Shore. We had attended their annual "Wade-In Festival" earlier in the month, and ended up getting a year's family membership. The family membership entitled us to unlimited access to their hiking and bike trails - AND free canoe/kayak rentals.

Yesterday we hit the water.

Please understand - we're not the most outdoorsy of families. All of us, including the five year old, prefer to curl up with a good book. So outfitting our pasty white bodies with life vests, sunscreen and bug spray is a major deal.

The grown-ups had experienced canoes before - if 30 year old experiences count. The children were unsure about putting their bodies over water - and trusting their pasty parents. Certainly the first step into the canoes from the floating pier had all of us wobbling uncertainly. It didn't help that we had to split up - the nine year old and I in one canoe, and Dad in another with the two younger ones.

We eventually figured out the paddling techniques needed to propel us away from the pier. There's a relatively large, calm area to explore - and if one is brave enough one can go ashore on one of the reed covered shores and explore. We weren't brave enough. We did see ducks, swans and an eagles nest.

One of the best points - from this family's perspective - the water rarely gets over 2-3 feet deep - so even if we tipped we could simply stand up and step back into the canoe. I'm happy to say that didn't happen.

The current, however, was a challenge. I especially had difficulty getting the canoe to go in the direction I chose - can you say "chicken arms"? After three attempts to return to the pier, only to end up sideways, floating towards Kent Island, my lovely husband came to our rescue, and towed our wimpy butts back to shore. My hero!

All in all - a fun day. I think mostly because it was close to home, and not expensive - and we didn't have outlandish expectations. I should probably note that the children have declared they are NEVER doing it again. But they always react to new experiences like that.

And, as a whole, the family has decided we need something with a motor!

The husband and I would like to try the kayaks - without children. I'm hoping for something a little easier to maneuver!

All in all - a good day - with children! (and really, can you ask for anything more?)

Enjoy!

Snakes and snails and puppy dog tails...

I don't want to shock anyone - but I just can't keep it to myself any longer. Ready? Here goes:

Boys are ....... different. Their brains are apparently just wired differently from the gentler sex. Namely....ME!

Exhibit A: We spent last week with my mother, who was recovering from knee surgery. Now my mother is fastidious at best. Obsessive also comes to mind. She has - and has always had - a very, very clean house. (note how she never managed to pass that knowledge along to me, however. Ah well.)

Anyway....after an exhausting day (everyone, including children, left the house at 6am, my mom had knee surgery, we got prescriptions filled, went back to her house and took care of meals, dogs, laundry, etc.) I had finally collapsed into a chair to stare mindlessly at the television set. (I think it was on - but I'm not really sure). The eldest comes in and whispers in my ear, "Gabe did something really, really bad......he drew on grandma's closet doors."

AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!

I ran from the room and yup - there it was. He had labeled the two closets in the spare bedroom. "MEN AND BOYS" and "WOMEN AND GIRLS". All spelled correctly with impeccable printing, I might add.

I think the back of my head came off. Now, it's not like he's permitted to write on walls or furniture at home. I do know people that allow it and don't like to stifle a young one's creativity. Me - I stifle.

He was able to clean off the damage - using elbow grease and a Magic Eraser. (wow, do I LOVE those things!!!) He was later explaining to his grandma that he just wanted to label the closets so that the boys got the good closet with the light. I asked why he hadn't written on a piece of paper and taped it to the door. His eyes got large, his mouth dropped open, and he admitted that would have worked, as well.

I'm with Bill Cosby - they're just brain damaged. Testosterone poisoning, possibly?

Now, Exhibit B: Yesterday I walk into the kitchen, Gabe has just let our small dog into the house, but hasn't unhooked the leash. I bend down to do so and realize that the white dog is now BLACK, soaking wet, dripping, and trembling. Not being stupid, I turned to Gabe, "WHAT DID YOU DO?????"

His answer...."Tee hee hee hee. I got her with the hose!"

Me...."WHY????"

Brain damaged male child: "I HAD too, the cat ran away and hid and I HAD to squirt something!!!!"

Nuff said?

The real question....is this just a phase and life will get better? OR....is this the beginning of the downward spiral into stupid male tricks?????

I'm beginning to understand the blessings of boarding school! Don't boys start them around 6 six years old? Hmmmm......

Yeesh.

Juggling lessons

I am striving to become a better juggler. It seems I have the ability to focus on ONE thing at a time - and all else falls to ruin. I've been working to achieve a more sane balance between parenting, homeschooling, cooking & housekeeping. Work is slow right now, and other obligations are on summer hiatus.

And so....I make lists of reasonable things to accomplish each day...and I do a little at a time. Actually, I make more reasonable lists for the children - I still try to do too much. But I'm learning. I think. The goal being to achieve sanity AND progress.

We went blueberry picking yesterday. Then made blueberry crisp, blueberry & spinach salad & blueberry muffins (which would have been better had I not forgotten the baking powder - oops!)

Now to go re-clean the kitchen, switch the laundry and write out the weekly homeschool assignments.

I guess life is juggling act - and sometimes - you just have to make omelets!

Maryland's Hero: Cal Ripken, Jr.

They say everyone needs a hero. Around these parts (Maryland) that hero is Cal Ripken Jr. The Iron Man himself, thanks to his dedication to persistence, consistency and excellence. Apparently he's never developed the "big head" ego so popular with other stars. I know that well into his famed career he thought to include a favorite teacher in the festivities. I know that he and his wife are devoted to children's literacy issues. I know he's written a book that walks children through his approach to baseball and life.

And now I know something else.

I know that he has funded groups of inner city baseball leagues to enjoy and learn from a five-day stay at the North Bay Adventure Camp, in Northeast, MD. My husband was on hand last night when a group of kids from Kansas City, Missouri arrived. The kids were ecstatic at the facilities, pool, indoor basketball, indoor AND outdoor climbing walls, zip cords into the Chesapeake Bay, and a new baseball uniform and equipment for each child, courtesy of Cal Ripken, Jr. The kids are also scheduled to attend his baseball training camp, and maybe take in an Orioles game!

It's the week of a lifetime for these kids - all thanks to Cal Ripken, Jr.

Thanks, Cal - for showing us the true meaning of the word, HERO!

et tu, Brutus?

We've added Latin to the homeschooling curriculum, it's very exciting. I took a couple of years of Latin in one of my high schools (Fort Hill in Cumberland, MD) and found it quite useful for 1) learning other languages and 2) understanding medical terms in my anatomy & physiology classes. Not to mention, it allows your inner geek to soar!

Lesson #1 was rather limited in vocabulary. Conjugate the verb amo, I love. [amo, amas, amat, amamus, amatis, amant (I love, you love, he loves, we love, you all love, they love)] Had three other vocabulary words: et (and), video (I see) and caput (head).

The five year old, who's also learning English grammar, and knows sentences need both a verb and a noun, immediately puts together his first Latin sentence (NOT in the curriculum and NOT taught by ME). His sentence....Amo caput.

My husband has it written on his whiteboard at work, is telling every male he can find, and wants to make t-shirts.

Luckily, this week we're adding many more verbs AND nouns to his vocabulary.

Yeesh.

It's Monday - Please Send Chocolate!

Let's see....my blood pressure is rising, my eyes are burning, I've developed a twitch, and I keep wanting to put my head through the wall. Hmmm...it must be...MONDAY!!!

Monday - when we all try to accomplish some formal learning. Something OTHER than reading books. Monday - when we try to dig out the house from the weekend crazies. Monday - when we realize we are a vile, dirty, disgusting people. Monday - when peanut butter magically appears on the kitchen cabinets, trash multiplies under tables, animals mysteriously knock over everything, and children forget how to a)clean up their messes and b)LISTEN to their MOTHER!

Monday, when the responsibilities of work, homeschooling, housekeeping, mothering, and being a reasonable human being all mesh into some snarling lump of humanity.

Monday, when you realize all those things you DIDN'T get done last week are now perched to bite you on the butt.

Monday, when the socks are all unmatched and the underwear is all dirty.

Monday, when the kids have three settings: hungry, whiny, or screaming.

Monday, the day the chocolate died.

Lions and Tigers and Bears .... oh my!

Ah...there's nothing like family adventure....to make you long for a good book. We took the clan to the National Zoological Park yesterday - otherwise known as the DC Zoo. I was very excited, since this was our first time (in recent memory) of visiting the zoo without heavy strollers or whiny toddlers. And, since the weather has been quite balmy, we were optimistic that the traditional heat wave that always seems to accompany us would be absent.

Um....no. Not so much.

We had no stroller - so we had to carry our bags and water bottles - and pull, threaten and cajole our cranky children. Also...it was...HOT! Very hot. And uphill. I'm not sure how they do it - but the zoo is about 90% UPHILL!

We were all less than impressed with our views of lions and tigers. "See that brown lump waaaay up there, behind the shrub? That's a lion!!!!!" Whoopee. We did, however, have AWESOME views of all three panda's. Dad was busy taking pictures of the animals, I was busy taking pictures of my children, and the 5 year old kept walking away from real animals to read the animal facts on the exhibits. He would have been happier staying home and reading a book about animals. Go figure. (ok, to be fair - that would have worked for me, too!)

At any rate - we're home now, recuperating. Is it just our family that adventures usually fall short - or is this a normal phenomena?

Zzzzzzzzzzzz...

It's official. I'm old. Old folks go to bed early, prefer their own cooking to most restaurants, prefer to watch movies in the privacy of their home and wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Sign me up.

We took the children to their first drive-in movie last night. A great double feature, Shrek III and Pirates of the Caribbean III. We had to park ALL the way in the back, and couldn't see very well. Because we were in the next to last row, we were surrounded by people that.....I'm not normally (and never intentionally) surrounded by.

I must say, the children had a GREAT time. They sat outside, on fold up chairs, and made LOTS of friends. They were all asleep before the last movie ended, at 1:40am. John and I didn't get to bed until 2:30am.

I'm wiped. The kids were up by 7, I slept until 9. John and I both took afternoon naps - and I can't wait til bedtime. Pathetic. Oh yeah - and the only thing I managed to do today was obsess about how tired I was! Sad, very sad.

What can I say, I'm old. Pass the Geritol, please!

The Awakening

It seems I've been running on less than all cylinders lately. I admit to having {great} difficulty in juggling everything - but this is ridiculous! I've been focusing on educating the children, so the housework was falling behind. Then I was semi-ill for a few days, and didn't get much done {except to take the five year old to get a log removed from the bottom of his foot}.

Yesterday I spent most of the day getting the year end homeschool reviews completed -they're due next week. And then I woke up and looked around.

Can you say "Chaos"? With a capital "CRAP!"? Yes, we had the mounds of laundry, a few dirty dishes waiting for the dishwasher to be unloaded, a family of dust bunnies, and the expected toys and books everywhere. What I didn't expect was the TRASH!

It seems that my children, as intelligent and delightful as they can be, quickly regress to swamp-like mentality when I'm distracted. They totally ignore me when told to do something, their arms become broken when asked to actually put something away, and they regard the world as their trashcan! Food wrappers, tags, bits of paper, used tissues - all of these things were flung with great abandon all over my home. ???????

So...just to be clear...I have a BS, an MS and most of a PhD and my current job title is....trash can monitor.

At any rate, I'm now recovered from my fugue, and am once again attempting to do it all. While cleaning last night - and sounding a bit too much like my mother, I must say - I did have the following altercation with my middle child:

Child: I want to go to school. (this while doing the math work she "forgot" to do ALL day - despite frequent requests.)

Me: School? You want to sit for six hours a day and do schoolwork - and ONLY EAT at lunchtime? You don't like sitting still for 10 minutes - and that's just so you can go get a snack! You want to go to school????"

Child: Well....I want to get away from you..........I love you, though.

Me: "Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa"

Yeah, it was lovely. She really wouldn't do well in school, she learns quite slowly and deliberately - and does NOT take direction well. The problem is - she takes speech therapy there once a week - and gets a lovely half hour of one-on-one attention from someone other than me - and gets to play games and get prizes and candy. So...she thinks this is school. And really doesn't believe me when I assure her - it's NOT.

And how was YOUR day???

Introvert, anyone?

I am a true-blue, dyed in the wool introvert. Most people don't believe this because I'm friendly, funny and not-too-subtle about letting my opinions known. Well, and I also LOVE to speak in front of a group - the more the merrier. But I have a hard time going up to strangers and introducing myself - and after public speaking, they all come up and introduce themselves to ME! Much better.

At any rate, I found a definition of introvert/extrovert that precisely explains my dilemma....

"The defining characteristic of an introvert or extrovert is where they get their strength. Ergo, an introvert may be the life of the party and have a wonderful time, but afterwards is drained and useless and needs time alone to refuel. An extrovert, however, will feel energized and alive after such an encounter, and will seek to repeat it immediately."

I'm an introvert. And I just had a wonderful, busy, fun, extended weekend with four houseguests - two of them children. We cooked, we ate, we sang, we played Rook, we went to the pool and the park - it was fantastic. And now I'd like to be locked in a sound-proof room with a bag of books and hourly coffee and scone service.

Hmmm...probably not going to happen unless the faeries come to shovel out the house and magically clean the mountains of laundry. Ah well. It was SO worth it!

Our visitors were T and her family. T being the best friend with stage IV cancer. She's doing great! Eliminating the estrogen has put her in remission for what we hope is a very, very, VERY long time. She has so much else to deal with on a daily basis, I'm glad cancer isn't at the front and center any more. Her birthday is this Friday, she's turning 36. I think it's the most beautiful number in the world, except perhaps for 37 - and so on!

Life is good if you take the time to enjoy it. And plan time for recuperation afterwards!

Homeschool Daze

We homeschool. We've always homeschooled. The decision was made when I was pregnant with our first child, ten years ago. At the time, we were considering re-locating to West Virginia, and had no faith in local school systems - nor finances for private education. We began looking into home education - and our world expanded.

People have funny ideas about homeschoolers. Some envision children playing video games all day, and only reading comic books. Others see the religious families with their morning prayer and schoolroom, complete with chalkboard and flag. And yes, I'm sure both of those extremes do exist. People homeschool for different reasons - with different goals in mind. But every homeschooling parent I've met has the same ultimate goal: to provide the best possible education - and life - for their child.

Please understand; I am NOT encouraging you to homeschool. In fact, I really don't want the homeschool population to continue growing - because I don't want the government to get more involved in structuring the process. But I'd like to touch on the main (in my humble opinion) pro's and con's of homeschooling.

PRO: The freedom. Our schedule is set by us - and reflects the needs of family members, each child's goals (we're NEVER allowed to skip dance class), or the weather! Having said this, let me amend - I live for summer when we have NO schedule: no speech or dance classes, no homeschool co-op, no other "have-to's".

PRO: Progressing at each child's level. My nine year old and I started reading my old college physics text this week, discussing Aristotle, Copernicus and Galileo. My seven year old, who only mastered reading in the last 12 months, is now constantly curled up with a book -and has never felt she was "behind". She loved the children's chemistry book we read, and began building water and salt molecules using her big sister's chemistry kit. The five year old boy has been reading for a year (but his printing SUCKS) and loves geography. I invented a game a few days ago, asking each to find places on the globe (and using chocolate chips as reinforcement to keep the 7 year old interested). They all were amazing: The 9 year old can beat both her parents, the 7 year old can find a LOT more countries than she could a few months ago, and the 5 year old can find almost anything. Madagascar, Nepal, Vietnam, Morocco, Mali....he scoffs that the questions are "too easy". Yeesh.

PRO: The family unit. Our kids like each other. They play together, they learn together, they teach each other. Sure, they occasionally fight, and they drop their siblings for a friend in a heartbeat - but they DO get along. I like that.

CON: My sanity. Or lack of same. My other friends have sent their children off to school, and have delicious hours each day to THINK, to plan, to achieve, to EARN MONEY! Me...I have a hard time putting a complete sentence together most days. Or having an uninterrupted thought. In fact, I just had to leave the computer during the last sentence to call a child in to clean the cat litter, because the eldest had already done her share.

It's a LOT harder financially without me working. I had been working part time, but the hours have been cut back radically - which has drastically improved my sanity while hurting the bank account. I know other moms manage home-businesses while homeschooling - and I'd love to get there - but I'm not ready yet.

Yeah, we're still on my sanity. I am continually doubting myself, wondering if I'm doing enough, if I'm doing the right things, if I'm totally ruining my children. Every book I see is something "we haven't done yet!". Every time I hear what other kids are doing -in home OR school - I wonder if my kids need that.

Yup, still on my sanity....did I mention that there's NO ONE TO BLAME BUT ME!!!!!! Laundry's not washed - my fault. Kid's have only eaten peanut butter sandwiches all day - my fault. House looks like a tornado touched down - my fault. Five year old can't hold a pencil right - my fault. Husband's not happy working 12 hour days - my fault(it's not like he has options, since I'm not working). Cat's have fleas - my fault (I've got the medicine, just haven't put in on). Dog peed on the boy's new backpack - my fault (should have made him put it away -and NOW I have more laundry!!!) Oh yeah, and don't forget the dog dirt that the kids have tracked in because I haven't "scooped for two days". My fault. Oh yeah, and then there's exercise. HAH!

Gee, I guess there was only ONE con. The funny thing is - I'm happy that I'm homeschooling and I love doing it. I just need to figure out how to do everything else, too. {{{sigh}}}

The Un-Runner, still juggling.

Guns, schools and videotapes

I'm in shock over the massive killings at Virginia Polytechnic Institute yesterday. VPI is such a great school - best place for engineering studies. And now everyone is rehashing ALL the school shootings - and reminding us of how unsafe our children really are. Does it all begin with "the right to bear arms"? Do England and Canada have similar issues and problems?

How do we keep our children safe?

It's Been a Hard Day's Night...

It's Spring....technically, anyway! (just returned from visiting the in-laws in south-west Virginia - where it dropped to 16 degrees -with two inches of snow!)

I've been AWOL for the last month - buried in a growth phase - and yes, growth IS another word for crisis! I've been organizing, reading and planning. Creativity starts with organization for me - getting the daily routine of cleaning, cooking and homeschooling underway allows me the freedom to reach for more!

I always begin with books - they're friends, mentors and cheerleaders. I just found a newly published gem, "Mommy Millionaire" by Kim Lavine, president of Green Daisy, Inc. We were in the middle of our 13 hour return journey, and had stopped at our favorite rest place, "Books-A-Million". I had gathered several books to peruse while our three young ones were gleefully gathering a pile of reading material in the kid's section. I had just put down one woman's business success story with a sigh, telling my husband it was another "guts to glory" book that pushed attitude but gave no details. "It would be worth the cost of a book in a heartbeat to get ACTUAL information and websites about where and how to manufacture an idea!" And then I picked up "Mommy Millionaire" and just about turned to the page LISTING the exact information I had just asked for! SOLD!

I just finished reading the book - and am still sold! Her story - and her "Wuvits" are great - but she goes well beyond her tale and tells others exactly what they need to do to follow their own dream! Well done, "Wuvit Wady"! I hope she eventually adds a newsletter or blog for updates!

Now...time to plan the weekly menu and grocery list...and get the kids to pick up their STUFF! {{sigh}}

Happy Spring!

Complained about the weather, lately?

This picture is from the town of Versoix, near Geneva City, Switzerland. Makes me feel fairly grateful for the wee bit of ice I've had to deal with lately! (and reminds me NEVER to go world traveling in the winter!)

Things are much more boring in this corner of the world. Sunny skies, food in the fridge which will, hopefully, be turned into something both delicious and nutricious, and self-educating children who never worry about armed bullies.

Life is good. Especially when I stop to think about it!

I attended my FIRST Pampered Chef party this week. Apparently I was the last female on the planet to succumb. I believe they'll be a press release and pictures later. There was certainly applause. (???)

As for Pampered Chef - I'm still sitting on the fence. I did indeed order a stone-ware loafpan and covered mixing bowl that I'm sure will be useful in the kitchen. However, I was unimpressed by the large proliferation of plastic gadgets. I like neither plastic NOR gadgets - so was doubly doubtful. I'm also wondering how, after purchasing all these "kitchen savers" you have any space left in your kitchen to actually cook?

I suppose it's like most things - I'll take what I find useful and tactfully (or not) ignore the rest. {{sigh}} Unfortunately, as any person who has spoken to me for longer than 10 minutes will eagerly attest, I'm NOT known for my tact.

Oh well, I guess I can live with that!

The February Doldrums

I have no idea what it's like to live in a part of the world that has more consistent weather than the Mid-Atlantic states. It's 40F, no wait, now it's 2F, tomorrow it may be 60F.....AAAAARRRRRGGGGHHHHH!!!!!

In a nutshell - we've all been sick. Well, with the exception of John. I'm not sure if it's because, as he believes, he refuses to be sick because he doesn't have the luxury of being sick, OR if it relates to the fact that he doesn't spend hours every day holding sick children.

I've re-learned something this week, however: snot makes me stupid. I was unable to type a decent sentence, or hold a thought long enough to share the information. A friend shared her recipe for "Tomato Tea", which was touted as the answer to head/sinus congestion. It was actually effective, if one took it often enough. I didn't. That stupid thing, again. Anyway, heat tomato juice/diluted tomato soup mixed with LOTS of crushed raw garlic, lemon juice and tabasco sauce. As much tabasco as you can stand. Not only does it relieve congestion - it also keeps the vampires at bay.

Happy sniffling!

Life, part 4267

Wahoo! It's a balmy 45 degrees F. outside! I'm ready to hit the beach! To say the least, my hands and feet have finally thawed out, and I've even let the woodstove have a break!

Kathryn was sick yesterday, and spent the day in my bed watching Shirley Temple movies (from my mom) and my collection of old American musicals. It's a good thing she's homeschooled - she's beginning to acquire my tendency to break into song (old songs) whenever possible. She's better today, and is attacking the new spelling/vocabulary lesson I printed out. Not singing about it, though. {{sigh}}

As for me....my to-do list is reaching alarming proportions. I suppose I could always strangle myself with it? Wait....and then, instead of the usual epithet on the headstone, the list could just be continued.....

There was a (not quite yet) old woman, who lived in a shoe...

My children are now reading my "Cathy" cartoon books, as well as "Baby Blues" and "For Better or Worse" books. The books are scattered around the house, the car, in reading cubby's behind beds, and next to the bathtub. Don't get me wrong - I'm thrilled to find kids (ages 9, 7 & 5) ALL curled up with a book - but do they have to be MY BOOKS????? I don't mind when I find the 5 year old's "Captain Underpants" book crammed behind the toilet - but MY BOOKS????? How rude!

Did I mention I'm grouchy? Yup. As verified (or vilified) by my daughter, who just left in tears because I wasn't up for a FAMILY PROJECT night. Give me a break. The children have been tag-teaming me again - beginning 5 minutes after I get out of bed in the morning - whenever that may be. And since I exercised WITH them yesterday, I didn't get to stay home alone and work on my sanity. I love having a couple of hours alone to organize my thoughts, to write, to plan, to dream. Without it.....I GET CRANKY!!!!!! rucka rucka rucka... There are definite disadvantages to homeschooling.

On the upside - I actually exercised yesterday!!! Went to the Y and worked out on the machines, then did 30 minutes on the stationary bike before watching the kids in the pool. Wahoo! Of course, today I can't seem to STOP eating - so that probably negates yesterday's efforts. {{{sigh}}}

At least it's supposed to be over 50 degrees tomorrow - and the rest of the week. I'm very excited. Hopefully my hands and feet will thaw out and I'll actually get some work done! And...if it's warmer...I may be able to get up at 4am to write!

I wonder if Hemingway had these problems???

The Big Chill, Part II

Unfortunately, there's no great soundtrack for this one - just the sound of my teeth chattering and knees knocking. Please note- we're EXTREMELY fortunate here - we don't have the snow and ice that has crippled a great portion of Maryland - and the Northeast. But it's COLD! I'm typing at the computer, 4 feet from the woodstove, and keep making typos because my fingers are cold. I'd love to pack up the kids and go someplace warmer but A)I have to lead a 6 hour literacy training tomorrow and B)then the dogs would freeze.

We did go to co-op this morning - many, many, MANY families were absent. And didn't bother to cover their classes - so everyone was scrambling to entertain large groups of children without a lesson plan. I had 13 knee-sized mathematical whizzes in my class - many of whom couldn't get 0+?=3 or 1+1+?. I don't believe these concepts are too advanced for 5-7 year olds. I mean, ok, it's probably not IMPERATIVE that they understand addition that young - but why wouldn't they? It's a reasonable, day to day activity. Of course, I had one 6 year old who SWORE she had NO idea how to add 2+3, nor was she interested in learning how to do it. And I KNOW she does do it at home - so maybe they're all shy???? I dunno...but I have a WHOLE new respect for classroom teachers - and a greater understanding of why it's so hard to learn in a traditional classroom!

On the positive side - it was warm there. My hands weren't even chilly. If only my head didn't twitch so while I'm there!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day is one of those weird holidays - at least to me. When I was unattached it served as a raw reminder that everyone ELSE was loved - but not me. The first few years of couplehood I reveled in V day - and we did cards and romance.

Then came children...1...2....3. (too MUCH romance, perchance???)

Valentines Day has calmed down. I did give [small] boxes of chocolate to the kids - and we'll be downloading and doing some Valentine's activities for "school" today. And I'm considering making biscotti or bread (in the shape of a heart??? awww) to take to John at work - but that may not happen. But that's it. No flowers from the gas station or a cutesy stuffed animal that sings and dances. That's just not us.

But John IS going to fix the the gaping spaces in the kitchen ceiling this weekend - we just figured out that they serve as a lovely wind tunnel when the gales turn artic. (actually, the kittens told us - by disappearing and ending up in an uninsulated storage room.) Yeah, we're not that bright, sometimes.

I must say...I'd MUCH rather have home repairs than chocolate. Besides, I can always buy myself chocolate - I can't hang drywall alone. But this isn't a Valentine's thing - although I'm taking his cheery attitude towards the weekend's adventure as the BEST present possible!

It's just life...and love.
And it's a 365 thing.
And...I like that!