ICU 10/20/11

photo- one bulb of Spanish Roja garlic compared to two cloves of Elephant garlic

“This week we want to…”  My parents are coming for a visit so that will keep us busy.

“The kids are…” DS16 finished his latest short film, It Came From The VCR. Click here to check it out.DS12 has decided he wants to be Al Capone for Halloween. No sewing for me this year! DS12 has also been reading about World War I and making more fitness plans.

“I am learning….” How to grow garlic. I went a little over board at the garden center and picked up German Porcelain, Spanish Roja, Musik and Elephant garlic. The Elephant garlic is so huge! One clove is the size of a small apple. I'm thinking about planting it and not telling the boys. Then next summer when we harvest it, I'll enjoy their surprise when they pull up huge bulbs compared to the others.

“I am struggling with…”  Taking care of myself. I haven't gotten back into an exercise routine yet, and I seriously think my sugar addiction has stopped being cute. I'm starting to realized how it is controlling me. 

“This week is the first time….” I've starting adding shots of apple cider to tall glasses of water and I love it. I'm drinking so much water now, which is great.

"I am grateful…” I am well. At work, I've been exposed to so much illness. So many people have come in coughing, sneezing, drippy noses. I've also heard whooping cough and mono are going around. I hope I can continue to stay well.

“Our family first started unschooling…..(insert time frame/date, etc)”

This is difficult to do, pick an exact date. Our unschooling has really evolved. I decided to stay home and engage with my children 100% when DS12 was born. I knew we most likely would not be blessed with more children, and I wanted to get all I could of the two we did have.

When my oldest missed the kindergarten cut off due to his October birthday, a friend suggested I do "school" with him at home. I used a kindergarten curriculum for about 5 minutes before realizing how stupid it was to do so. That was probably the start of our unschooling journey, so I'll pick the date September 1, 2000.

I arrived at radical unschooling mom status over time. I sampled Charlotte Mason and Thomas Jefferson methods, mostly to deal with my doubts, but eventually I stopped worrying and starting trusting. I trust my children and believe they have been born with a natural curiosity and desire to explore. I trust God will put us where he wants us on a time table that is right for our family.

The more I trusted the process, the better it worked. Being radical isn't the difficult part at all. I don't need to be like everyone else or want to. Radical unschooling is easy once you realize living a lifestyle respecting others and loving unconditionally is all it takes. I only follow those two rules, love unconditionally and respect all others. When in doubt, I ask myself, does this course of action respect both the individual I am dealing with and myself, and am I acting out of unconditional love, not fear.

Modeling my actions my boys have learned how to love and respect others and that is my greatest accomplishment.

ICU link - Christian Unschooling

ICU 9/21/11

“This week we want to…”

Here's a few ideas - haircuts, help DS15 with his latest flick, yard/garden needs attention, yard sale, continue the great purge, rotate out seasonal clothing, shop for new clothing if needed, (they always seem to out grow winter gear so quickly), use our free movie tickets...

“The kids are…”

DS15 is beginning production of It Came From The VCR.

DS12 is coming to a cross roads. I can see he's looking for something new. I keep making suggestions and as we unschoolers call it, strewing, but he has yet to find a new center point for his main focus. This kid has always been one to pick one thing and go full speed at it.

These are the times when as an unschooler, you may become a little nervous, but I now understand the reason for these cool down periods. Reading James Sebastian Bach's book, Secrets Of A Buccaneer Scholar really helped me find peace with these transition periods.

“I am learning….”

To listen with greater attention.

“I am struggling with…”

Having patience for people with negative attitudes. Life's too short. Is it really that difficult to choose a better frame of mind?

“This week is the first time….”

I'm going to consume chia. I've heard about the health benefits and my sister has given me some to try.

“I am grateful…”

I have a love nest sanctuary.

“My favorite season is…. BECAUSE…..”

If you make me choose, its autumn, hands down, but I do appreciate all of the seasons because I crave change. Autumn is the season where I'm most physically comfortable, but I don't want to give up sleepy, white winter or spring's new birth. Summer is rewarding to have green all around and growing things is very rewarding.

ICU 9/9/11

I was suppose to write this Wednesday. It is now 2:30am Friday. Unable to sleep, this could get interesting....

“This week we want to…”

Me - I want to buy pajamas and garlic bulbs.

DS12 - Find a way to complete his Wacky Package Series 8 collection by constantly asking me what jobs he can do for cash.

DS15 - I'm sure his answer would be something related to working on his movie, "Soda Popper."

DH - The man doesn't make goals. I think he just wants to find a way to chill after working so hard all week.

“The kids are…”

DS12 - Has logged over 100 miles on his bike. He's also been doodling another series of Wacky Packages now that series 8 is out and he's back into collecting cards.

DS15 - I believe I saw a script re-write, and I know he's been editing on the computer quite a bit.

“I am learning….”

I'm not that predictable. There's a randomness to me that I need to accept and embrace.

“I am struggling with…”

Flies ~ This time of year they always seem to find their way indoors. I usually don't kill things, but...

“This week is the first time….”

I threw my jaw out. I think I did it screaming my head off at the Blind Melon concert. I didn't notice the pain until a day later, and I've noticed I can't connect my back teeth like I used to be able to. Its kind of freaky. A few days later here, the pain isn't as bad and I think my teeth are starting to come back together, but I'm not sure. If this is still like this in a few weeks, I'll see a chiropractor and maybe they can snap my jaw back into place. This creeps me out though!

“I am grateful…”

That even if others don't appreciate my awesome, I know its still there. I read a blog about how we all are born with our awesome and somewhere along the way, we allow others to take it away from us. I've reclaimed my awesome, and I'm not giving it up ever again. Click here for inspiration to reclaim your own awesome.

“My dream is…..”

Finding the time, inspiration and resources to create something wonderful.

ICU 8/31/11

“This week we want to…” 

We're having the homeschool posse over tomorrow, and I'm hoping they will enjoy celebrating "not back to school day" with us. I'm making brownies for the occasion. (Did you read that Cherie?:)) 

“The kids are…”

Destroying the house, literally. DS15 needed to film a scene in which his character busts in a door. I warned him to place a shoe or something behind the door to save the wall. He said he did, but the doorstop still cracked in half and now we have a hole in the wall. Its okay. I'm not mad. Its now a learning opportunity on how to fix holes in walls.

“I am learning….” 

About succulents ~ I bought several adorable little varieties, and I hope to not kill them with my black thumbs.

“I am struggling with…”

I think I'm cursed. (Or maybe just clumsy?) I have no idea how, but I tweaked my ankle. Yesterday I almost fell, but I caught myself, hard, on my wrist, against the wall. You would think after all these years my feet would have evolved to become Lego resistant. So now I have a sore, weak ankle and wrist and I feel like I'm 90. 

I'm also struggling with wanting nicer furniture. I feel like we have nothing nice and comfortable, and we don't have the money to buy new right now. 

“This week is the first time….”

I saw a concert broadcast in a movie theater. It was not such a great experience. In fact, I've sent a letter to the theater management letting them know what a let down it was. The sound was off, and the running time was much shorter than promised. I know there is nothing like being at a real concert, but I was still expecting a better experience.

“I am grateful…”

To be working from home this week!! I love being able to work on a project without interruptions, which is not usually how I get to work. I'm so used to multi-tasking, its rewarding how much more productive I can be without the distractions. I also love not having to drive!

“I’m looking forward to…..”

Attending the BLIND MELON concert with my DH this Sunday!!

ICU 8/24/11

“This week we want to…”

Enjoy a weekend at home. We'll probably plan an ice cream party and make our first batch of homemade ice cream. They have decided our first flavor should be vanilla. I would have went with chocolate, but vanilla can be good too. You can always stir in add ins. :) 

“The kids are…”

DS12 used gift money to buy his first air soft gun. (I should actually make that plural. He bought a two pack.) I know these are popular with his peer group, but I had reservations. We had numerous safety discussions, and came to a consensus he was ready. I still am not 100% convinced these plastic air pellets are "environmentally friendly". Too bad the pellets aren't made up of natural fertilizers! 

“I am learning….”

How to truly live a fearless life.

“I am struggling with…”

This next coming week was going to be my own personal staycation, but after having to take on an unexpected project this week, it means next week I will have to play catch up. I can also foresee more clean up work coming my way because others are over burdened themselves. I guess I have extremely high expectations of others, and I'm dealing with disappointment this week.

“This week is the first time….”

I'm going to try growing a tree from a cutting. My friend is making homemade growth medium using willow trees, and I'm bringing the cuttings from my neighbor's peach tree.

“I am grateful…”

To have options. Changes are on the horizon, but I will look for the opportunities rather than mourn the past.

“The best piece of advice I’ve ever received regarding our life path in unschooling was…”

There have been so many great pieces of advice! How can I choose the best?

DO WHAT FEELS RIGHT FOR YOUR FAMILY, AND DON'T COMPARE YOURSELF TO ANYONE ELSE.

My doubts about unschooling would only creep in when I tried to measure up to someone else's expectations, rather than what was best for my family's needs. When I finally let go and focused ONLY on MY children, that's when I could truly see how perfectly unschooling was working.

ICU 8/11/11

“This week we want to…”

I'm looking forward to sharing my birthday weekend with my family. We'll probably have lunch out, but nothing else is planned. I want to relax and just go with the flow.

I haven't had the chance yet to pull up the garden and plant fall veggies. Maybe this coming week we'll get to that. 

“The kids are…”

DS15 is still working on his films. I was kicked out of the house so he could shoot scenes yesterday. :)

DS12 has been working on fixing up his room. He loves that he has the top bunk. I've been finding him up there reading more often. We all need a reading nest.

“I am learning….”

Food preservation techniques and all about chili peppers. I've also been looking for more recipes to use our garden produce.

“I am struggling with…”

Two words - Time Management!!

“This week is the first time….”

I tried a Lara bar - Chocolate Chip Brownie. Wow! How can these be good for you? They taste like candy! They're almost too sweet. I may have to look into how to make my own snack bars.

“I am grateful…”

The weather has cooled off and we've had a bit of rain. Having the windows open and feeling the cool breeze is exactly what I needed. Plus the ant invasion has subsided now that they can find water to drink outside.

“A fun thing I’ve done recently is…”

I've set up a Pinterest account. I'm just getting started but I can tell I'm going to love it. I'm a very visual person. Pinterest is a virtual pin board where you can post images. You can follow others who share your interests, or link up with friends. If you want an invite, let me know or follow me at https://pinterest.com/dawninger/

 

ICU 8/4/11

“This week we want to…”

We hope to unload a few things tomorrow at what I'm calling a low stress yard sale. We'll drag stuff out as we find it and price it when someone asks or when we get around to it. When we feel like closing up shop and doing some shopping of our own, we'll do it. G-Ma's coming for the weekend so it's going to fun!

Tomorrow night my nephew comes to Madison with his jazz group so we're hoping to catch a couple of his shows this weekend.

If the weather cooperates, its time to rip up some of the garden and get it ready to plant fall crops.

“The kids are…”

Setting up their separate bedrooms. Cleaning is changing over to decorating. We're hoping to find some cool furniture pieces and bookcases at the garage sales this weekend.

DS15 has started yet another movie. I'm losing count of how many he's currently working on, but that's a sign of genius. Do you know how many projects DaVinci started and never finished? I'm disappointed I don't get to see the "dailies", but this only will make me urge him to finish so I can finally see his work.

DS12 is heading out on longer bike rides. I have to let go a little more, and not worry. I have to remember when I was his age, I rode my bike all over our town, all day long.

“I am learning….”

About bullies. I have to write a blog about it for work. Honestly, we don't have much experience with this since we homeschool. My son was once cyberbullied by his cousin but he dealt with it really well, "unfriending" him. Emotionally, he had no trouble walking away with his self confidence intact. We have friends from the neighborhood, and homeschool friends, but it ended up being a relative who picked on my son.

“I am struggling with…”

Not feeling well physically. I still have this mysterious dry, scratchy sore throat. I need a cool, fresh air, breezy day where I can open up the house and air it out.

“This week is the first time….”

My mind's blank on this one at the moment.

“I am grateful…”

For my Soul One. Its sappy, I know, I but I truly love him so much. I know he'll always have my back.

“Something God has taught me this week is…”

To remember to try and understand where people are coming from. We're all learning and growing all the time, and we all have different lessons from life's experiences.

ICU for 7/28/11

“This week we want to…”

Finish painting DS15's room, pay a little TLC attention to the rest of the house, buy a bike lock, renew my driver's license, haircuts - (I guess this is more what I want to accomplish.)

“The kids are…”

DS15 is still working on making his short film. He posted on his Facebook page the other day, "Making a movie is a challenge, but a challenge is what I'm after."

I'm so proud of him for sticking with it, despite all the challenges of making a film with a zero budget. I know he's having trouble scheduling actors. We suggested that he start a film making group in the area, and he'll meet more people interested in film making. They could learn from each other and support one another.

“I am learning….”

How to slow down. I'm not getting as much done, but quality is at times, more important than quantity. I'm applying this approach at work and connecting more with customers. I think its really paying off.

“I am struggling with…”

The summer weather. I'm burnt out, no pun intended. I need a nice cool, even briskly cold day to refresh my spirit. I'm a creature who craves change. Day after day of hot and humid, I feel like a flower wilting. Maybe its my genetic makeup, coming from cold weather stock, but I swear I'd rather add another layer than sit in this central air tight box another day.

“This week is the first time….”

I haven't been paying that close attention I guess. I can't think of any firsts this past week.

“I am grateful…”

My body heals. Sore arms from painting are feeling better now. Next came a sore knee, followed by a sore ankle. Thankfully, this morning, except for the typical sinus irritation, all my parts feel like working.

Hey, don’t head off just yet, we have a new thought for you to ponder this week.

What is the worst thing you ever forgot to do?

Honestly, I can't think of anything, but that's probably because I have a weak memory to begin with. If I forgot something serious, I have forgotten that I've forgotten it.

I know I forget stuff all the time. God did not give me a good memory. Maybe that's why I like to stick to being honest most of the time. You have to have a good memory to be a liar.

Mostly I can't remember dates or time frames. I cannot tell you what year I had my gall bladder removed, but I can remember my parents came to help out, and I watched Lord Of The Rings movies all day recovering from the out patient surgery.

I know my children's birthdates, but I can't put ages to specific memories like what happened to them when they were 7. I remember when my son got his finger caught under the skateboard and scraped away his entire fingernail, but I can't tell you how old he was when this happened. I just remember his body size. He ran to the one place he could think of to find physical comfort, his bed. He laid there clutching his wrist, holding his hand in the air, praying, "Please God! Please God! Make it stop hurting!" I remember feeling helpless, looking at his bleeding finger and realizing his fingernail was completely scraped off. I couldn't apply pressure to it. I couldn't wrap it up or put anything on it. All I could do is pray with him. 

I remember emotions. I get lost in specifics.

I'm amazed at how my DH can recall not only every movie we've seen but what theater we saw it in! I'm grateful to have a partner who can fill in all the details of our life together since I'm severely lacking in this ability.

ICU Meme for 7/20/11

“This week we want to…” Stay cool. With this heat wave, its almost impossible to do much outside. DS12 still insists on riding his bike several miles each day, and he comes back soaked. I can barely stand being outside long enough to water the garden. This weekend hopefully we'll get DS15's room at least primed for painting. The wallpaper came down easier than I expected. I also want to take advantage of some "back to school" sales, even though we aren't going "back to school." We all could use new shoes and I'm such a sucker for marker/colored pencil sales.

“The kids are…” DS15 finished making props for his movie. Apparently he raised the suspicion of someone driving by when he was spray painting his Nerf gun black. He kept thinking the police were going to pull up. Filming will begin soon. DS12 is improving his fitness, (see above.) Seriously, I wish I was able to commit to an exercise program like he does.

“I am learning….” How to make soap. I'm going to order my materials soon and gather equipment together. I'm hoping to be able to make soap that won't make my skin dry out.

“I am struggling with…” I haven't been walking. Its too hot outside, and I just can't stand the boredom of the treadmill. I'm making excuses, I know, but there's another part of me that wants a break. I feel like I'm juggling so much right now.

My dreams have been reflecting this. They are filled with anxiety. In one, our parakeet Tornado escaped from his cage. Suddenly he turned into a dozen birds, and I didn't know how to save them all before Yumi got any. I realized in the dream, GET THE CAT, not the birds.

I know this meant I need to figure out what the real threat is, and not let all the stressful details of life get to me. Its all in how I, "the cat", choose to respond to stress. Its not about focusing on how to solve it all, but rather, how not to let it get to me. 

“This week is the first time….” I made Pesto. I used walnuts instead of pine nuts and froze it using an ice cube tray. I just thaw out as many cubes as we need and toss with freshly cooked pasta. The recipe I found doesn't use too much olive oil, and I of course threw in a few extra cloves of garlic! :) 

“I am grateful…” For central air - Seriously, without it I'd be crying. I can't sleep unless I'm cool.

Hey, don’t head off just yet, we have a new thought for you to ponder this week.

Now, I do NOT believe it’s helpful to keep looking in the past, but sometimes what we’ve gone through can help others, so with that in mind……

If you could do it all over again, what is one thing you would choose to do differently in regards to homeschooling/unschooling?  I would have trusted unschooling sooner. I wish I could go back and relax more. I didn't do a good job of modeling how to relax. I had to learn the hard way through the early years, how to trust unschooling. Thankfully kids are resilient and no permanent damage was done. 

ICU Meme for 7/13/11

It’s Wednesday, so that can only mean one thing…….we need the I-CU!

What is I-CU?

Intensive Care for the Christian Unschooler– this will be a weekly meme (you post the questions to your blog each Wednesday that you are able, using one of the buttons to link back here, and hop over here and add your site to the linky at the bottom.)

 

“This week we want to…” Take down evil wallpaper, compost the dying spring veggie plants and plant something new, help DH get through a stressful work load.

“The kids are…” DS15's movie script is done, and I suppose he'll be recruiting his friends to play the parts. I wonder if one day he'll write a part for me? :)

“I am learning….” How to make soap. My skin really doesn't like the store bought kind anymore, and I want to start making my own natural soap.

“I am struggling with…” Eating fruit. I've recently learned that the natural sugars in fruit could be working against my weight loss goals. Cutting out cookies was difficult enough, but right now summer time fruit is so abundant and so delicious. I love fruit! I'm not sure I'm ready to take this step, giving up fruit. I may try cutting back, or just adding more veggies to my diet, but my freezer is loaded with mulberries, blueberries, peaches, pineapple, strawberries and bananas. I was stocking up for a long smoothie run. I had a nightmare last night about trying to make healthy eating choices. 

“This week is the first time….” I didn't try to find things to worry about. Thinking about how one day, this world really won't be here forever, I realized how ridiculous it is to worry, especially over petty issues. One day we'll all be somewhere else. What really matters is how we treat each other right now.

“I am grateful…” I have been given yet another day to love those around me. I will not allow stress to distract me from being a loving person. 

Hey, don’t head off just yet, we have a new thought for you to ponder this week.

“The biggest change I’d like to see take place in my family in the remainder of 2011 is…..” We all get more exercise. I love how DH is walking more with DS12, but our weekends have been busy. We used to hike a lot more often. I hope we will get back to it soon, although this coming weekend its going to be dangerously hot.

Have a blessed week!

ICU Meme for 7/7/11

Participating in this week's meme at I-CU

“This week we want to…” Get back on track. Not that any day is typical in our Sleepyhouse, but with so much coming and going this past holiday weekend, we're looking forward to being in the nest and following our own pursuits.

“The kids are…” Setting their own goals. DS12 told me he wants to make a new "things to do this summer" list, since he's already reached the goals he made previously. DS15 has been filming and editing all sorts of videos he's shot. I asked if he wants to move from documentaries and short fiction to possibility developing a pilot.

“I am learning….” How to add more nutrition to our diets. Added fresh ground flax seed meal to the menu this week in cereals and smoothies. Experimenting with green leafy smoothies too. I think I like drinking my salad.

I'm also learning how weight loss is so difficult due to the toxins that are stored in fat. Your body doesn't want to release those toxins so it actually fights against burning fat cells. I'm hoping to cleanse out the toxins with cruciferous veggies, water and exercise.

“I am struggling with…” The heat. My Nordic blood prefers cooler days. So do my sugar snap peas. :(

“This week is the first time….”  I ate Swiss Chard. It rocks!

“I am grateful…” tonight is my last night of work for the week. There is so much to get done around the house with this being a short week due to the holiday last Monday.