Thursdays Highs and Lows....

Yesterday we had so much fun with our home school posse. We played Spud while practicing Latin numbers. I felt like a kid again, on the playground. It's motivation to keep moving. I don't want the day to come when I can't move around. I want to be the kind of person who heads into the twilight years of life, still up and running.

It was wonderful to see our friend, who recently lost his mother to cancer. He seemed to be in good spirits, and it reminded me of what a wonderful mother he had. It broke my heart when she lost her battle a few weeks ago. It seems unfair children have to lose their parents, and when its a home schooling parent, this seems amplified.

On the other hand, the closeness home schooling families share brings strength. I'm sure my friend was grateful she had spent so much time at home with her children. They were there to love and support each other through all the good and bad times. Her legacy shows in how healthy and well adjusted her children are, even after suffering such a devastating loss.

After our great posse visit, I unfortunately had to head to work. Usually, I enjoy going to work, but this day it was difficult to leave the fun of friends.

I'm discovering errors here and there, as my co-workers navigate their way through our scheduling software. These are simple errors that are happening because they are trying to go too fast. I got frustrated because to me, these errors are being made because staff is working too quickly, not taking the time to read careful. They tell me though, "Its the program."

In truth, there are some changes the programmers could make, but on the other hand, its not that difficult to read "Jellyfish Saturday 10:30am October 17 through December 19th" and realize that class is not meeting this Saturday, September 19th. I don't know how I can help staff other than point out, its ok to take the time to read what's in front of you more carefully.

I have a few ideas I could implement, but over all, I think somehow, I have got to help staff realize learning something new doesn't have to be so challenging if they take down their anxiety wall brick by brick.

I'm sorry for being cynical with a flavor of superiority, but why do so many expect to be able to work on autopilot or give up before even trying? Is it fear or lack of confidence? Is it laziness?

I'll get off the soapbox. I'm sure I've offended co-workers!

Last night we watched the first new episode of Survivor. I don't want to watch the rest, but I will have to because my family will. There is a guy, Russell, who has to be the most evil player I've ever witnessed on the series. He dumped his own tribe's water supply to cause turmoil and burned a tribe member's socks. He set up fake alliances with every woman, referring to them all as stupid. He LIED about being in a house, filling up with water during hurricane Katrina, in which he watched his dog die.

When he crossed that line, I knew he'd be the most hated man in America. To lie about climbing onto a roof, axe in hand, during hurricane Katrina is a slap in the face to the thousands who really lost so much! This man is so damaged. I have to wonder what happened to him to make him choose such an evil path.

Before tucking my boys in bed, I told them, "Please don't grow up to be Russells!" I know I really don't have to worry about that. The love, respect and support we share together in our family, ensures we won't end up sorry human beings who choose evil over doing what is right.

What's Going On In Our Sleepyhouse Lately....

DH took the boys to see Final Destination in 3D. They nicked the glasses because they were pretty cool looking, even though the theater was asking patrons to recycle them. They enjoyed the movie and DH assured me there wasn't too much 3D sex. LOL!

I wasted my free hours trying to find a bra and pair of jeans that fit. No luck. Of course I'm not a mall shopper. I would have preferred to shop Farm & Fleet, but they were closed for the holiday. I did score a pair of shorts for next summer for only $3.

I added more reasons why I love my husband to my ongoing list. He decided to help the boys go through their clothes, sorting out what fits and what doesn't. We ended up finding enough hoodies we could open our own store. We now have 3 bags for Goodwill.

We're learning Latin numbers this week. A family in our home school posse was interested in learning Latin and thought we could learn it together. I knew this would be a tough sell to my unschooled children, and my gut reaction was one of stress. However, we are blessed with wonderful friends! They want to use a game approach rather than a textbook/worksheet approach, so we are brain storming game ideas. What's important to my boys is still being able to have fun with their home schooled friends when our posse meets.

This week we are using Latin numbers while we play Spud. I also thought we could enjoy our Nerf Gun Wars using the Latin vowel sounds. Each player chooses a certain Latin vowel, and then when you nail them with a Nerf dart, they have to yell out that vowel sound as they dramatically fall to the ground. We may create a few other non-human Nerf gun targets, using Latin words, the boys could take aim at.

I'm just so grateful for our home school posse being up for making learning fun and giving ownership of it to the boys.

My parents should arrive tonight while I'm at work. DH will have to entertain the in-laws, (add another reason to the why I love him list). The boys and I will spend the day with them Wednesday, and that evening my sister can take over supervising the parental units.

I think we'll have to schedule in a doctor's visit sometime this week as well. DS13 has had a sore throat now for two weeks, without any change. Hearing the ragweed is really bad in our area, I thought it could be allergies but the Claritan I've been giving him the past 4 days doesn't seem to be doing anything. (Note to self- get back on Emergen-C!)

Well, I better get climbing the laundry mountain and lace up our walking shoes for our library trek. Its going to be a busy week, but I'll try to pop in every now and then! Take care!

Thoughts to jot down before I forget....

I've got a case of spring fever big time. So much going on, and making so many plans, I can't sit still for long.

Yesterday we had Nerf gun wars in the yard with the Posse. Now I need to hit up Target for a new supply of darts. It was so beautiful outside!

One of the families in our Homeschool Posse closed on their new house, just a short walk from ours! We are so excited to have them so much closer. It will be wonderful for the boys to be able to see them more often than once a week.

Hooked up my new little lion head fountain on the back deck. The running water is so relaxing, DS10 and I almost fell asleep out there this afternoon. I'm hoping next month to find a water plant to grow in it. Its so warm and sun shiny its very tempting to till and plant but I have to remember this is Wisconsin. It could still snow.

Baked a batch of chocolate cookies with white chips. Now I need to bag them up and pass them around so I don't end up eating them all. Since I still love to bake, this is my new plan. Bake it and then take it somewhere else.

The boys are really into playing Earth Bound. Its a very cool RPG, (role playing game) where you need to collect different songs from different places in order to battle the aliens who are "earth bound". My favorite part is the fact the boys' character must call his mother from time to time in the game, or he gets homesick and comes down with the sniffles! TOO CUTE- but don't tell them I said this or they will stop playing it!

I got a wonderful, twenty five percent raise at work!! Twenty Five Percent!!  I'm so grateful and have the best boss in the world! She really does appreciate all I do and understands my commitment to the company. It wasn't like I was being under paid before either. I'm stunned, but I also know I'm worth it. DH pointed out to me that I didn't even make this much hourly as I did when I worked full time as an assistant supervisor on a fraud investigation team. I am so blessed.

Farmer's Market on the Square moves outside tomorrow! I can't wait! I know there isn't any produce yet, but its still fun to stroll around enjoying the bakery carts, honey stands, beef jerky and nursery plants. We'll probably pick up some popcorn too.

Our movie stash is ready for when the rains come later tomorrow. DH rented The Spirit, Sharks in Venice, The Man With The Golden Gun, The Black Hole, The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes and so it isn't all cheese and guy movies, The Reader. I'm really looking forward to a weekend where we don't have to go anywhere, unless we want to, or do anything unless we want to.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!