Just a Tad

*twitch*

Better

Some of you will get this right away. Some of you are laughing right now, some of you are still puzzled. Some of you may flat out not get it. 

Is this a weak day?

It's Wednesday right? It's already been a long week. I'm tired (insert whiny voice here). Z is tired, although I've heard that from his mouth 8.7 x 10^25 times this year already.

 We're having a long week, school is running longer. I'm an introvert and need time alone to recharge my batteries. My time alone this week has consisted of crawling to the nearest flat padded surface after school. Generally that's the bed. I close the door with a faint cry of, "Leave me alone", or a "Don't you dare wake me up." I lock out the dog, the cat, the child, the spouse and try to slip into some rest for at least an hour. Funny thing, my thoughts follow me in there and it takes about twenty minutes to sort them out. Then I fall into oblivion for a few moments and get up to voices wondering what is for dinner.

My introverted muse is curled in the corner crying, "I don't know and I don't care." My teacherly self is excited because I can check off a few more boxes. The spousal part of me is off adrift in the sea of apathy this week. "You want food? There's the kitchen, pour me a bowl of cereal while you're at it." That's what I feel like saying. Instead my family has resolved to enjoy my cooking abilities. *snicker* Tigger complimented the meal last night, soup and cornbread. I told him my cooking was just fine when he lowered his expectations. I wasn't kidding, I just don't like being a cook.

Z and I have walked a few times this week as well. Now that it's getting dark sooner, we have to head out right after dinner. We've been taking the dog, who is quite excited and begged to go the other day. So Monday night I vegged out in front of the TV. I rarely do that all evening. I watched Terra Nova, House, and Castle. The combination of those shows mixed into the weirdness of my brain, and I had some really funky dreams Monday night.

But we're back at it today. School will happen, I will check off boxes. I will be astounded by my son's ability to grasp formal logic. He makes the connections as easy as he breathes in air. Part of me is not surprised, logic is a pattern, he's always understood patterns. I will crawl to bed this afternoon, I will eat or cook some dinner (I might be able to bribe someone else to do it today), and we will probably walk tonight. It's fall, the trees are pretty.

Planning 101: The Preparation

I am sometimes asked, "How do you plan your subjects?" Today I thought I'd give a tutorial on the preparation stages of planning, you know the preparing to plan stage. This, of course, comes after you've researched, ordered, and received the majority of your material for the following year, but we're not talking about that today (not until my counseling appointment anyway). So, leaving the chaos of choice behind we forge ahead in our preparation to plan.

What's the first thing you need? Well, YOU, of course. It's best to start early in the morning, when teen boys are still relishing the sleeping in stage of summer vacation.

Some of us could use more sleep too. But you can't plan while sleeping. Technically you can, I guess. I know I'm not alone in the I-dreamed-about-homeschooling-last-night. 

I recommend large quantities of your favorite morning beverage, MORNING beverage people!

Grab yourself a stack of books, preferably ones you plan on using next year. If you're very astute you'll notice the book The Discovery of Time on top of the stack. It's on my to-be-read list. I seriously doubt I'll find more time while reading, but that would be nice. 

You'll need a stack of papers too. See the paper with a tear? That one has been cat approved, that's what we say when the cat decides to rip through a piece of paper. That is my proposed schedule for the fall. Currently I'm wondering how it the world we'll make it work.

For today I have two choices, I can grin and make it work (Tim Gunn is echoing in my head now). 

OR

I can be like the dog and pull the curtain over my head and gaze out the window. 

For now, I'm going to get more coffee. Stayed tuned for more tutorials in Planning 101, the actually planning. 

Mom's Five Minute Free Write

I've been reading through my Bravewriter today. One suggestion was a five minute freewrite for the teacher. My brain is frazzled today, the writing reflects that. For your reading enjoyment, my free write: 

I'm supposed to do a free write for five minutes. I'm staring at a blank page. I have a thousand ideas running through my head, but none of them have to do with writing. We have ants in the house. WE don't know how they are getting in, but they are very computer literate ants, both Z and I have found them near or IN! our computers. Yes there were three ants in my netbook this week. Yuck.

In a period of five minutes today the dog got into the trash and I spilled lemonade on the floor because someone didn't put the lid back on the what do you call it..pitcher, that's it. The lid was not on the pitcher.

My desk is a mess and that's pretty much the state of my mind right now too. I'm trying to do too much, as usual. I don't know what's for dinner, I'm sure someone will ask me soon. The cat is sick and I'm trying to not let him eat paper. I have hordes of it on my desk, which is a mess.

I cut Z's hair today. It's look decent, I hope he's okay with it. The trimmers we borrowed from mama and papa aren't as good as ours, but ours are in the storage, along with half of my life. I keep thinking I brought something and then I can't find it.

We had a good day yesterday. Spent time with mama and papa, saw wind farms, bought books. Yes, I adore books. Now I have a silly song in my head. Five minutes is up, thankfully. 

I am Not Doing Nothing

Yes, it's bad grammar, I know. Everytime I announce on my blog that I'm going to share something with Z I get sick!! It happened earlier when I posted about what an awesome week we were having. Now, after my lovely blog post about my report on aging, I have spent the last five days in bed. I'd be well now, except my equilibrium is gone and the I swear the draperies were moving a few moments ago. There is no breeze in the room.

So I officially announce I am doing nothing. Maybe then I'll get better. I won't tell you about the two week writing intensive course I'm planning for Z. I won't tell you how much I appreciate a netbook, my Christmas gift from Tigger. I won't tell you that I have officially planned the next five years of my son's education at least seven different ways in the last five days. Of which I'm sure to change at least forty-seven more times before implementation.

I also won't tell you that I watched the Red Carpet for the Oscars online while surrounded by 7-up and saltines. Or that I sat up long enough last night to watch Castle and that my dog is bored. She is my dog and is  like a toddler in that she won't leave my side. If she goes out with the boys she just wanders and then comes back into the bedroom.

So, yeah, blogger, I am not doing nothing. Hopefully blogger doesn't understand the relevance of a double negative and I can get back to school tomorrow.

Halloween in December

Many of you know that I am a fan of Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series. I am also a big fan on his new book in the Heroes of Olympus series, The Lost Hero. While my son enjoys the books, I think I take the fandom to a different level. So when our Nanowrimo kickoff was scheduled for Halloween I knew exactly what costume I would wear. I hastily texted my friend (also an adult...most of the time) and excitedly told her what I was going to be. Grown women jumping up and down in excitement over a children's book is quite a sight to behold. We texted back and forth as I read through the book, like a good mother previewing it for ds. Okay, really I just couldn't wait and I wanted this to be a book Z and I shared together. We have now finished the book, but at Halloween we were just getting started.

Those of you that have read the book will get my costume (thrown together in short order with a small budget). I went as a Roman demi-god. Perhaps my portrayal as a middle aged demi-god will serve as a reminder that demi-gods can safely reach adulthood without dying. I did not take a picture of my full outfit, but along with the decorative t-shirt I carried a plastic sword plucked from the playroom and my 3-foot long stuffed wolf. Her real name is Astrum (yes it's mine. No, I don't need counseling, it was a gift from Tigger). She played Lupa on Halloween. My adult friend got a kick out of it. The cashier at the pet store (where I had to go buy food for my real dog, who is not a wolf) smiled at my shirt and tattoo. He had a real tattoo, but not as cool as my fake one.

This is my fake tattoo. I used a Bic extra fine marker and was fairly pleased with the way it turned out. I was also reminded of those days in school when you would write on your shoes. Then I also thought of those pesky to-do lists that always get misplaced. I have since made a few notations on my hand. Seriously we've were in chaos mode for most of November and there were times I couldn't find paper. This particular tattoo took a few days to wear off.

All good Roman demi-god know who their real hero is.

Although in the book the other demi-gods wear plain purple t-shirts I had to decorate mine. I used a Sharpie to decorate this shirt, which means this ain't never coming out. Again turned out fairly well for having little time and even less money.

While I may personally enjoy Homer as much as Virgil I had to pick sides for my costume.

I had great fun with this. My mythology buddy just sent me an Olive plant for our new house. I have named it Olivia. Olive plants symbolize harmony, wisdom, and triumph. What more could a middle-aged demi-god ask?

Week 3 Chaos

This shall be my motto for the next month or so. I feel pulled in too many directions, too much to do, too little time. Or and there is the school thing. ;) Moving, packing, schooling, and life, oh my!

Week three saw a few great days as we explored down the rabbit hole with Alice. We made it through our first list of the year with Megawords and we finished another chapter in Latin Alive! book one.

Even amidst the chaos we have a good flow going to our year. We're working through our subjects at the pace I designed and we'll pressing forward, which sure beats lying down in defeat.

Z is starting to apply him in more areas this year. I hear less grumbling when he has to write and he is more outspoken in class (shocking yes!), I'm talking about the academic part of our discussions, not just talking (which he has always been pretty good).

Among the chaotic things last week I decided I wanted to paint my desk. We use our former dining room table for schooling and I have my own desk for writing, the computer, and sometimes stacks of books or paperwork. It was a dark mahogany stain color and now it is Krylon brand Celery. I'm actually quite pleased with the color. It's a light green, but not minty. It has a real cottage feel that will be great in our new house. I'll post pics soon.

As for now, it's Sunday afternoon. I still need to finalize and print the schedule for this week, clean off the school table, put a few things back on my desk, and at some point pack another box or two.

Summer vacation, embracing the late morning

Z and I are not morning people. With the elimination of a real bedtime Z has discovered the midnight hour. Staying up and watching goofy movies or Star Trek (which can occasionally be goofy) with Dad. It is presently almost ten a.m. and he's just now rousing. I've even been sleeping in, or getting up early and then going back to sleep.

There is something about the sixth day in a row of thunder rumbling through and the skies darkening that just summons you to take things easy. And at least for a few more weeks, that is what we're going to do. We've been reading, I've been working on school, and besides that we've just been hanging out. We need the mental rest, it's been a weird year.

A crown, for me?

Jenny at the Ridge School has tagged me to be the Queen of Awesome!

In order to accept this award I need to:

1. List Seven Things That Make You Awe-Summm!
2. Pass the award on to seven bloggers you read religiously.
3. Tag those seven bloggers

OK, seven things that make me Awe-Summm:
1. I've learned to love my hair despite the fact it resembles Medusa's hair some of the time.
2. I'm actually not a bad writer.
3. I'm a cancer survivor.
4. I can take pretty good photos.
5. I never really give up.
6. I actually like homeschooling.
7. I'm still learning something new everyday.


The seven bloggers I am tagging: Only a few of those I love to look in on.

Chris: http://seeker117.blogspot.com/
Mom #1: http://twomomshomeschool.blogspot.com/
Midassa: http://theedgeofdreaming.blogspot.com/
DebMc: http://creativesoulbydebmc.blogspot.com/

Okay these are double tags but I read them religiously:
Angie: http://cuppadangie.blogspot.com
Heather: http://fivewhites.blogspot.com
RockerMom: http://spinnersendnurseryschool.blogspot.com/

Random Beach Shots: Because Life is a Beach

The place where my toes are most happy

Even the Gulf seems to be smiling!

Wow, this is just beautiful

Technically not at the beach, but a cool flower bush by our hotel, which was by the marina.

Walking on the dunes is against the law, admiring them is not.

Destination 2009

We just got back from a long weekend vacation to Destin, Fl. Of course before we even left the state of Louisiana we had to stop at the first Bass Pro we spotted. Cool building, boys had fun. I was anxious to get to the beach.

I have to say this trip was 95% planned by Tigger. Normally I am the hotel research consultant and plan more, but this time I left it in his capable hands. The above was the view from our hotel window. Okay it the zoom view on the camera outside the window, but it was still gorgeous.

This is Tigger finally getting to fish in the gulf. Can you say happy camper? Below is the happy shot of vacation. We are currently reading the Percy Jackson book series and I can say with certainty that if Tigger were the son of a Greek god he would be a son of Poseidon. Salt water makes the man happy. He was giddy the entire time we were there.

This was his first walk in the clear water. Beach therapy lowers blood pressure. I'm sure there is a report somewhere that confirms that.

One morning the boys went to play a round of golf, nine holes. It was Z's first real game of golf and apparently he is a natural. We are quite pleased that they are putting in a new golf course just a few miles from our home. We plan to add golf to the PE schedule. Tigger said that Z played better than him. Oh, the picture below is the happy state of sleep and silence that I experienced while the boys were golfing.

Z at the beach. He could also be the son of Poseidon as he loves all water. Step 1: insert boy into body of water. Step 2: watch smile appear on face. Step 3: Rinse and repeat.

We took a back route home and happened upon the Air Force Armament Museum @ Eglin Air Force Base. It was the coolest place. Z loves military aircraft and he was a wonderful tour guide. He truly knew a lot about these aircraft. Let's just say the Military Channel has been very educational. This photo is staring down the nose of an SR-71 Blackbird. (Daddy, this one is for you, I'll post more photos of it soon)

This is Z posing again. Thing about being an only child is that you're always the one posing in front of the camera.

This picture was from our final dinner out in Destin. It was at Cheeseburger in Paradise and as you can see I had two tired and happy boys.

We have been beach lovers most of our lives. We absolutely fell in love with Destin. My favorite new state park is Henderson State Park, which is gorgeous. We are now planning to make Destin an annual event. None of us really wanted to come home.

Classical Insights

Keeping tabs on Homer

Yes, I tabbed each day and each skill level. Different color pen for each day and each writing project.

Reading Latin will keep you balanced.

Even Atlas needs a little cushion from time to time.

So what's on the teacher's desk?

Here are a few of the things on my desk. The fierce and nasty looking dragon is a new addition as of yesterday. Yes, I know I'm weird. I try to have something tangible (something I can fidget with) for each of the stories I am working on. The dragon is perfect for my story Hunting Dragons. Personally I think he has a sinus issue hence the reason for the open mouth. He's only trying to breathe, not breathe fire.

Plus he looks as if he is about to devour the Jeep in the below picture. You can barely see it, it's the yellow gold thing. There's my planner, my phone, part of the lamp, and the little silver cup that holds my mp3 player (I'm using it right now, so it's not in the picture) and my usb drive. Oh and next to the planner is a plastic spider. He has a name, which I forget, and Z and I pass him back him back and forth. Sometimes he winds up in one of my dresser drawers. He's supposed to help me get over my fear of spiders, not working. I am not afraid of dragons however.



On the other side of my desk is the other silver cup that holds the obvious. Than an empty cup, my mouse pad and my cup holder (it says DREAM). The cup is empty, it's not half full, half empty, it is completely empty. It had cranberry juice, bitter but good for you. (come up with any allegory you want about a completely empty glass that was filled with bitter drink :)



Last picture is of my stuffed hippo. He's been here before, he sits on a shelf above my desk. He's to help with my story Post 452. There is an actual stuffed hippo in that story, plus he's more friendly than the dragon.





Aside from the computer, which is a HP laptop, that is what's on my desk. Thanks for peering into my life today.

Siestas for School

I believe Americans are stressed because we do not have siestas in the afternoon. I have implemented those into my schedule this summer and found them quite relaxing. I do wonder if it is possible to add them into our school schedule.

Just another thing we should have keep doing after kindergarten, afternoon nap time. Thirty minutes to one hour is ideal. Oh, and give your children a time to wake you up. They learn to tell time and gain responsibility at the same time.

20k in one day

Yesterday I took part in a writing contest. Our insane goal was to write 30,000 words in one day. You needed to craft so sort of story through that. So I agreed to be a part. I got up at 2am when Daytona barked to go out. So I started writing then, I took 2 short naps, one dinner break and my 10pm my brain was no longer funtioning. I ended up with 20,040 words in one day.

My family was gracious and even went to the grocery so I could work toward this goal. I kept them updated with word counts and they even fixed some leftovers for dinner and left me alone to write.

The story I worked on has been rolling around in my head for over a decade. It's now partially on paper. It may never see the light of day, but it's there.

I put so much of me into my family, it was nice to really take a full day and just focus on me. However, I already see how this will be a benefit for school. I prefer to lead by example. Z will never be able to say that's too much writing. Granted I don't expect him to write 20k in one day, but someday he might.

This was part of a year long writing contest. My goal is 300,000 words in one year. I'm 8% of the way there already. If you are a dabbling writer, a frustrated novelist, or a prose fanactic you can join this Nanowriye challenge at http://www.pro-board.com/index.php?proboard=nanowriye2008&act=idx .