Let The Second Half Commence!

First--thank you for your encouragement...an old high school friend of mine told me tonight to just look up and praise God. How right he is!

Well today marked a few first--Cody's first day of his second semester of his 11th year in high school. Niki's first day of NOT going to high school. And, of course, Alex's first day back at his little school I affectionately like to call 'get down to the kitchen NOW!'. You know, I do believe it's time for school pictures:

Math this year is on the computer--Fifth Grade Math whips me:

Aww Alex, you poor guy--you shouldn't even HAVE to go to school!

But.......if you're going to go, might as well feign joy!

On a side note:

This little guy in these photos, my Alex the Baby, got new shoes this weekend. Seems he shot out of his size 4 shoes he started summer with and is now a perfect...........SIZE 9???!!!

One half size less than his 17 year old brother and his daddy. He's shot up so much in the past few months that all his jeans we bought for Fall are now pedal pushers. Which is fine, keeps in line with the whole 'homeschool' look and all. But size 9? I REFUSE to give him a piggy back ride across the 'long bridge' to Africa at the zoo. He should be hauling ME back and forth. Well maybe not, he's grown so quickly his little legs look like flamingo legs, they're so skinny. Might break 'em....sigh. Okay I'll give him a haul, but I will NOT do the boing boing boing across the bridge game anymore!

The Cake That Makes The World Go Round--Again!

Okay John said he was getting kind of sick of waiting a week between posts. Can't have that....so while I'm still in my contemplation mode, I'm going to post anyway. And what better way to post and update all y'all whether you want 'em or not, pictures! Yes that's right, it's photo album time.


Yesterday was Cody's birthday...my middle boy is 17. And stayed up all night the night before playing Halo with a friend. First day of school was today (poor Cody), so here's what last night's birthday celebration looked like (note 'the cake'):

Too excited, I know. He didn't even eat a piece, he blew out the candles and limped upstairs to bed. If I'd known, I might have not killed myself getting the stinkin cake that makes the world go round done! Here's a shot of Niki joining in on the festivities (she had a migraine):Be jealous of that, will ya?! Yeah. That's right. We know about fun and we know how to use it. Okay, John and I did, we had fun at Cody's party.

This is Niki's boyfriend--her birthday isn't until October and he already gave her the early birthday gift....a pink helmet to match his blue one. How cute is that--we're too excited about our little girl zooming down the highway on the back of a motorcycle, can not even tell you. He is a nice guy, though, I can't say he's not. Yet.

Here's Cody (Niki was evading my camera) first day of school. Niki wasn't hyped up at the thought of going in for an extra semester, but she did it, she got through it, and I'm more than proud of her. I couldn't have been easy walking through those doors today knowing all her friends were gone.

Here's Alex's first day--not gonna lie, it was a long first day. We'll get our groove going, though, it's just tough with a new curriculum and all.

Cody's camera arrived today (his one day late birthday present) I took a picture of the camera in the used bag, so next year it'll be a blurred memory, he'll think I got it purchased on time:

And this is what I feel like this evening after a whirlwind of birthday, in-laws visiting, first day of school, and releasing a new digi kit (you knew there'd be one of me):

The Funeral Story I Promised, Zip Lining, My Photo AND How I Halfway Died In Parkville, Missouri

Okay I don't EVEN think it's possible to have better friends, both new and not-new (not old, just not new). I've been blown away by your comments, by your encouragement and honestly I didn't think anyone would really understand the magnitude of John's death. So thank you and you can bet while it might take me a day or two to get all my ex's and oh's in, I'm gonna. (I'm still chugging away at that PowerPoint...then I'll comment, then PP then comment then PP...you get the picture).


John, Niki, Alex and I went to the memorial at the nursing home today, and I'm very glad. I told you before things were a little 'awkward' before, so I'll explain. John's only family nearby is an elderly sister, who is a bit controlling. It took several years for his sister to finally learn to trust me and know that I simply loved him. She eventually did and would call me when something was going on with John. So I wasn't prepared to find I'd missed an opportunity to say my final goodbye, that she called some folks from church but didn't think to call me. I would have been grateful for the chance to hold his hand if he was afraid and read to him from his worn out Bible.

Then she told me about the funeral service Tuesday and invited me to come to the Thursday memorial. She explained that only a few good friends and family were coming...and when I asked I was included she said "Well, John loved you, I can't deny you that...you and your husband can come for a few minutes, I guess". Ouch.

I know she loved John dearly and I know her controlling nature is what has gotten him through all these years, so it's hard to fault her, really. But I also know how deeply John loved me and my John, and he would have been hurt that we didn't say goodbye. She called back that afternoon and apologized and invited us to come for the whole ceremony, lol. I told her I'd think about it, but thank you.

John and I decided we would stay put, that it would be awkward at best to go knowing she didn't really invite us. So I took Alex to the zip lines with a homeschool group. (Photos down thar....) I regret not going...very much. That evening I got home to a message... she was crying and begging me to call her back, telling me over and over how much she loved me. It broke my heart. It was too late to call that night, so I called yesterday. She again apologized, told me she didn't have her head on straight and was ashamed of herself...would I please forgive her for her bad behavior? And that ended it right there ---I regret that I missed out, but I also must respect John and will never hurt her heart.

So...today she told me during the service that John was buried wrapped in the Scooby sheets I gave him. I can't think of anything more comforting than that. I brought home the Scooby Alex gave him, it smells like his room. I like that. And my John and I will go to the nursing home next week to help her move his things out (I know I know--close enough to John to do that....but it's okay, it's still for John). I think after this week, we're going to remain friends, his sister and I. I've lived enough losses to know death can bring about some downright cruel sides of people (one day I'll tell you all about my step-not-my-mother). But I don't think that was her heart, I believe her need to control got in the way. But only for awhile.

Now that I've gone and written a book, if you're still hanging with me, here are zip line photos!!!






This is the one of Alex going downnnnnnnnnnnnnnn.....wait! That's where he would have been if I had gotten the shot on time. Sigh. Sorry. Bad Mom. We only got one chance. By the time we hiked the 2000 mile 90 degree angle hill to the zip line, got their gear on, did the instructions, etc, they only got one ride.



Did I mention I almost died on the hills? I could have...the only thing that kept me going was Alex. How awkward for him if right behind the mom with the 20 kids, running with them up the hill on the return hike, had to come back for me and pull my crumpled body up? For that reason, I did it! Mmmhmm, I just pasted a smile on, nodded as my friend Susan chattered next to me, ignored the burning in my lungs and the cramping muscles down the backs of my legs. I wanted to take off my wind breaker half way in, but I was afraid the motion would have sent me tumbling backwards and my shirt would probably come off with it...and Alex might not think I'm the coolest mommy in the world anymore! I perservered...I conquered the zip line trail...and I will.never.do.that.again.

I've heard a few of you have missed the expression shots---here ya go--just before the zip line adventure (and clearly before the 500000 mile hike):

See this hill? That what I'm talking about..it's straight up, I'm not kidding!

He and his friend, Alec, had a blast!

And this is what makes homeschool so dang cool--I love days like this. I could clearly use a lot of sun here, but I still had fun.

PS--I ripped this song from my friend Sharon's blog, she's got it going on right now. It's been in my head for two days now. It's a great little song though...so Rita, this one's for you, girlfriend.

The Homeschool Homefront (And A Happy Birthday)

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 (New International Version)

These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

I'm thankful I don't live in California and I'm thankful that Governor Schwarzenegger has committed to speak out for the homeschool families that do. This is a scary development and as we were talking about it in small group tonight, the ends are limitless. Will we need to be graduates of seminary school to teach our children the Word of God? It sounds far fetched, but then again, so did the prospect of of partying like it's 1999.

Here is what Time said:

Parents of the approximately 200,000 home schooled children in California are reeling from the possibility that they may have to shutter their classrooms — and go back to school themselves, if they want to continue teaching their own kids. On Feb. 28, Judge H. Walter Croskey of the Second District Court of Appeals in Los Angeles ruled that children ages six to 18 may be taught only by credentialed teachers in public or private schools — or at home by mom and dad but only if they have a teaching degree. Citing state law that goes back to the early 1950s, Croskey declared that "California courts have held that under provisions in the Education Code, parents do not have a constitutional right to home school their children." Furthermore, the judge wrote, if instructors teach without credentials they will be subject to criminal action.

Luke Perkins has been living "two disparate lives," court documents say: one at school in Berthoud, ...

This news raised a furor among home schooling advocates, including government officials. "Every California child deserves a quality education and parents should have the right to decide what's best for their children," Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said in a statement today. "Parents should not be penalized for acting in the best interests of their children's education. This outrageous ruling must be overturned by the courts and if the courts don't protect parents' rights then, as elected officials, we will." "It's kind of scary," says Julie Beth Lamb, an Oakdale, California parent who, with no teaching credentials, has taught her four children for 15 years. "If that ruling is held up, this would make us one of the most restrictive states in the nation."

If you want to do something about it, head over to HSLDA and sign the petition. I think it's time I joined HSLDA, this is my wake up call.

Happy Birthday to my little sister, Antoinette!

Learning Economics Next to the Hotdog & Popcorn Stand

Friday, I think it's widely known by previous posts that Alex and I were in little jars....so I thought it might be kinda fun to clarify what that means :)

We have something here called Blue Springs School of Economics, and even the homescool groups can participate. Mostly public, so I was pleasantly surprised to learn we could participate! We arrive, each child is assigned a shop with two shop parents. Ours was sand art jars and bookmarks. We advertise our store with the poster (that's what we did earlier in the week) and when we arrive Friday, we frantically make the jars and bookmarks and open the shop for the consumers.

There's more to it, something about learning economics, loans, supply and demand, blah blah blah....but the most important things were that sand art jars were very fun, we got a store next to my friend Susan and her son, who happened to be selling food (yay me) and Alex enjoyed himself.

We're off!

Production begins!

Time to sell the goods!The gathering meeting afterwards...not gonna lie, some homeschoolers are just well, odd little oddities. Cute, but....can't place my finger on it.....(not my Alex, though, nope, he's cool like that)

Just when I go and say that ^^! Where does he get this posing stuff from?

It's Poster Day For Alex and Me (We're In Jars)

Before I go wake my little homeschool project up for the day, I'm sneaking in a quickie post! As if! Because then that means I'll be heading over to your place and so on and so on. And later today, I think I'm going link shopping. I'm making a concerted effort to expand my horizons this year, so I thought I'd click on some of your favorite posters and meet them.

This afternoon Alex and I are heading up to the homeschool headquarters (it's in a super secret cave, sorry can't take pictures there--it's where we hoard all our food, weapons and water for, you know, when we'll need it). We're making posters for Friday's Blue Springs School of Economics (educational commerce). I was delighted that homeschool is involved in this, because it's something my older children enjoyed. Alex and I will be making posters today for our little store--jars. I don't know what's in the jars, I didn't ask. I simply asked to be signed up for stuffed animals and because it's how my life seems to float, we'll be in jars!

And at some point today, I'll have to break out the mop and mop the floors. I ordered and have not received my new Bissel steam mop. I'd hoped it would be here by now, but a quick check revealed it was back ordered. It'll be another week. I waited as long as I could. And personally, I could go another week, but I see John's point. Eggnog on the floor in January is not okay. Even IF the coffee I sloshed over it last week helps make it not-so-obvious. So *sigh* I mop today. Or tomorrow. Whichever.

And.... I've been spending all my free time (Cat, I wasn't in church because I was sick--cough cough cough!! Really! Call me, I can cough for you). working on my Photoshop scrapping techniques. I'm so blown away by the amount of freebies and information I can find so quickly! I'm addicted. Here is a sample page: Okay that's so dang cool (even if I did do it myself!) I have to show another (It's my daddy, he really didn't look this gruff, he was fooling around for the camera!):

**Oops, Jami, you're right, in my excitement I forgot to give the credit due! The first layout is a free download by Scrap Hannah (she's got a lot of very cool things, check her out). The second one is from The Shabby Princess (Harvest Spice). I think I love The Shabby Princess, idk.

Passing Notes...Even In Homeschool

Some of you know I'm homeschooling our son Alex this year. My posting isn't as frequent as it used to be because I'm schooling him in the morning until one or two in the afternoon then typing in the afternoon/evening. I very much love doing this with Alex, even though my brain function by this time is lacking...well...function.

I'm a note saver, I have oodles and oddles of notes my children have written over the years, albeit notes to Santa, the Easter Bunny, the mean old leprechan that evades our traps every year, notes proclaiming their love for either John or me, you name it. I've got a note for it. So midway into the first week of school, I must admit it was a bit discouraged when on two consecutive nights before bedtime, Alex placed these outside my bedroom door:

So glad all my efforts are not in vain! :)

When I've Got Money....Pigs Fly

Dear Janice, my Twist & Skewer girlfriend in blog-life--tagged me for a meme the other day. The question is this: What would you do if you had a million dollars?

Then you copy and paste the info below, linking your site up with your answer. And as you can see by my answer on the bottom, I'm not going to give it a lot of thought. Because it's me, and winning a million dollars just won't be happening to me! It just doesn't! Although, I will admit I had a long winning streak of blog-contests, no doubt about it! So....I'll just sit back and watch those silly little pigs fly when I do win that cool mil.
Proposition: If you Have $1,000,000.00…………………………Requirements: continue above sentencesTag Mode: 5 bloggersLink: Add your anchor and post link below.What They Do With Their $1 Million1. SYH will spend for Family2. Miche will give to the needy3. Montessorimum will keepsake4. Lovely Mummy will spend & save5. MummyInVain will fully utilise6. Babyfiona will buy house and open business7. MonkeyWong will go for a long vacation8. Emila Yusof will realise her dream9. Mariuca will open a Perfume Gallery10.Janice Ng will upgrade house and go for long vacation11.Hin will blog to donate for charity12.Bobo will invest in property and let her parents go on a holiday.13. Adrian will spend it all!14. Brad will spend all of his money on foolish gadgets15.Danielle will buy a cottage in the woods and never look back16. Brown Baron will hold a $17,500 blog contest.17. Bobby will be on a World vacation forever.18. Arsenal Marketing will Tithe 10%, use 10K for advertising, Invest the rest19. Barrett will do ALOT of Traveling20. Mommibee will Give, Pay Loan and Education Fund21. Sean will go for family22. Seiche would Fix you but good23. HollyGL will invest, invest, invest in herself and others24. Nick will waste away his small fortune25. SpeedCat will Buy 2 golf holes!26. Florencetoh will settle her education & ensure her family’s future is looked after.27. Minibites will build a house, etc28. Ingrid would do the sensible thing financially… 29. Bengbeng will relocate to Penang30. Jean Chia will open a ‘pet’s clothing cum cafe’ store 33. JaniceNW give it to charity.34. Stacey will sit and watch the pigs fly overhead! 35. Kelly will stretch that mil into a billion dollars!

And now...........................for all of ya'll who have heard me not once, but twice tell you I'm all over the CD you won in my blog contest--yeah. Not done. Yet. But....I have printed off the labels and will burn the CDs tonight. Which can only mean one thing--they will mail off tomorrow evening! I truly am sorry, I didn't mean to not do it--this homeschool is taking a wee bit longer than I figured in. However, I truly enjoy doing this with Alex and I'm sure when we get our pace rolling we'll have more free time. For now, here's a picture of where he did his History reading (Pocahantas):

Isn't that cool? And if you look carefully to his right, on the loveseat, you can see just a little piece of his favorite classmate nowadays. It's Louie. You'd think a 50 pound dog on 3" leg who must be somewhere around 13 or 14 years old couldn't get up on the loveseat. But he can. He climbs up slowwwwwly. Like a sloth. He thinks that way we won't notice.

If I had a million dollars, I'd pay off my house, my car, the next four years of Jake's college, put $20,00 away for each of my neices for college and go to England this next June to celebrate my 40th birthday. After all that was said and done, if I had a couple of hundred thousand left, which I likely would, I'd quit teaching and write and do art all day long. I'd probably volunteer, too, at the local YWCA for young pregnant moms, and women in abusive marriages and at the local literacy places helping people to learn to read and write. Hey, I can live on a couple hundred thousand for a long time! I'm a teacher, after all. 32 grand does me okay each year with all the payments I have to make, so without the monthly debt, wow...I'd be in heaven. (Here ya go, my friend, Kelly, I did it for ya on my post--that's how much I love you!)

Driving, Teaching, Diving, Eating

What a long day! Took Cody up to get his driver's license today--he passed. Hooray! No more trips to Longview for diving practice (unless of course I need the car and just wanna watch him, which I do often!) Poor guy was so darned nervous he was shaking (I remember well!). If anything, the tester said he needed to relax and speed it up. Hehe, probably the last time I'll tell him that!

The pictures go in order--he's leaving to get his haircut this afternoon, first time driving all alone, getting in the car. Then backs out into the driveway and the phone rings. Hangs up, continues on out into the street. And turns onto the main street and he. is. out. of. my. sight. *sigh* I hate that part.

Wanna see what that looked like 22 months ago when Niki got hers? It's sooo different, not even CLOSE to the same pictures here!...................................

Well okay, same. But the trees were changing colors on the second set, that's something!

One end of town is the testing facility, the wayyy other is where you get the actual license made. Did that loop and got home for lunch. Sent Cody off to my niece for a haircut (school, you know) and got Alex started on his first day of homeschool. I think he had fun, I know I did. I also think I need to tweak it a bit. 4 1/2 hours of mostly direct instruction was a little more than I expected. We'll see how it goes the rest of the week and then we'll fine tune that curriculum--because I CAN! We didn't get to start in the morning because of Cody's stuff, but usually we'll start at 9 and be done by 12:30. Then I type until 2 or 3 and have the entire evening to do what I need to do, diving meets, groceries, eat two plain Pringles with hamburger dills in between (that's an invaluable tip there), whatever!

In my well-thought-out fantasy life, this is the plan. I know things come up. But I also know I need to keep them at arms length because Alex's education is our priority. Also because John teaches so late most nights, I'm the only parent home for. If I mess with the morning then I mess with school. If I mess with school, then I mess with typing. If I mess with typing, then I mess with the evening. If I mess with the evening, well......y'all will get another rendition of I Would Die 4 U. Who knows, maybe a little Mony Mony too? Or how about Run, Joey Run? So you see how it's in all ya'lls best interest if I just stick to the plan.

And...with that said, I'm off to plan a healthy dinner for my kids. Oh hey. Wait. Niki's with friends, Cody's at practice....it's just me and Alex. Pasta with Prego for him....Whey smoothie for me. And type. And while I type, I remember that life is precious, and the mom next door who died last week in that crash gave me fine example of living life joyfully. She definitely did that, and I have no doubt that attitude was what her family will remember forevermore. Alright, best get things done before you tune in tomorrow to see me posting the motions to YMCA. Or Devo's Whip It! (Still hanging onto Major Tom tonight--until the landing is complete!)

A Quickie

Just a quick quick post---this morning taking Cody to take his driver's test. He's sooo nervous. (so am I).

Then, first day of homeschool for Alex--we're reversing his hours today from morning to afternoon to accomodate Cody's test. This can't be good that already I'm off track, lol. Naw, I knew it was coming and have cleared my mornings for the next two weeks. Yet it is a good thing about homeschool--we can be flexible. Heck, we can start school at 8pm if we wanted to. But we don't want to! But we can!

Anyway, I'll be back later on to post a little meme. Give you a hint. It's an ocho things meme. And guys, I'm seriously sorry but I didn't mail the CDs Friday. I am all over that today.

Keepin the Endeavour music going--they'll land just fine, but it wouldn't hurt to throw up a little prayer.