but I am back in the blogosphere again.
I am so remiss in the care and feeding of this little bloggy. I have been spending much of my time working on the Art For Food blog and google group (link on the blog in sidebar), and taking action in that project. I would love it if you took a gander and let me know what you think. It could use some comments to liven it up!
Other snatches of my time are being spent here, writing transcripts for both kids, and working to meet a Friday deadline of turning them in to the online high school they both want to attend in September. I will be done teaching in two months! I will still supervise and support, but no longer will I be responsible for creating courses, shopping for textbooks, scheduling, planning and executing their schoolwork! And someone else can write their bloody transcripts for the next few years!
I can go back to just being Mom, and spend several hours a day at TurtleWorks. Do you know how exciting all of this is?
Oh- I forgot to tell you. Piano Girl will be skipping 8th grade and going straight into ninth. How cool is that? I am really proud of her.
To have that time to really devote to and really focus on my art. Happy sigh. A dream come true. A miracle I cannot wait to experience. I have to admit to being envious to many of the artists whose blogs are in my sidebar. They have concentrated chunks of time they can work in, and actually finish what they start! They are real artists, and this is another step on my path to being a full-time working artist, and being a contribution to my family through my art. Woot!!
Talk soon,
LB
Showing posts with label Green Dragon Academy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Green Dragon Academy. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Yay! Art Content! One Assignment complete!
Howdy folks! I actually have accomplished something in my online art classes! I have several sheets of fabric paper, and other surfaces completed, and now I am working on turning those surfaces into actual things. One of the assignments was to make a triangular vase from 3 long rectangles out of a fabric-paper surface. I wasn't inspired by this vase at all, and kept putting off it's assembly until it hit me- I could use the surface to make something else! So, I made a bowl. I love how easy to assemble these bowls are, and they are simply elegant. (Note: Blogger is not cooperating at the moment, so I will post a photo as soon as it will let me.)
Today is East Side day- Youth group at 6 pm, and taking Gramma shopping before that, as well as making sure school work gets done this morning, but I am hoping to squeeze in a bit of studio time before we leave. I have already washed, dried, and folded 3 loads of laundry (I am telling you- it is so much easier to be integrity with the laundry when I am only responsible for the Dude's and my clothes, plus the linens!) this morning, the dishes are done, and the kitchen has been swept. I was actually okay with the moms coming into my living room during art playdate on Monday. I like having a bit of order in the house.
About that studio time I mentioned above- I am working hard at being intentional in my studio time, and finishing some projects that have been sitting unfinished for close to a year now, so I can put them into an Etsy shop. This is another step towards being a "real" working artist, rather than a wanna-be artist who never finishes anything. I am focusing on being intentional, and being committed to my art as a career (in addition to being good therapy as well) from which I can be contributing to my family.
And a note about homeschooling- I have been homeschooling the kids formally for over 10 years now. Those who know me in real life know that over the last several years, this has become less enjoyable for me, and a great deal harder as the kids have become teenagers with attitudes, and as their work has gotten harder. I have decided that I will not be schooling them next year. We are looking into several online highschool/homeschool programs, and my role will become that of supervisor/cheerleader, instead of planner, executor, and administrator- in other words, I am giving them much more control of their education, so that I can focus more on the things that are meaningful to me. This should give me much more time to dedicate to my art. I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am about this new change- don't get me wrong- I still believe in home education in a classical manner, but it just hasn't been working well for us lately, and I am just so ready to be done, and on to new things in my life. I have been putting the needs of my children before mine for the last 17 years, and I need to be able to focus on my own life without feeling guilty or selfish about it. Congratulate me and the children as we begin this new adventure! Of course, we will be schooling hard this summer to finish this year's work.
Well, that is all for now. I am going to head into the studio, and see if I can finish something else, and then when Blogger lets me upload photos, I will have a few for you.
T.T.F.N.
L.B.
Today is East Side day- Youth group at 6 pm, and taking Gramma shopping before that, as well as making sure school work gets done this morning, but I am hoping to squeeze in a bit of studio time before we leave. I have already washed, dried, and folded 3 loads of laundry (I am telling you- it is so much easier to be integrity with the laundry when I am only responsible for the Dude's and my clothes, plus the linens!) this morning, the dishes are done, and the kitchen has been swept. I was actually okay with the moms coming into my living room during art playdate on Monday. I like having a bit of order in the house.
About that studio time I mentioned above- I am working hard at being intentional in my studio time, and finishing some projects that have been sitting unfinished for close to a year now, so I can put them into an Etsy shop. This is another step towards being a "real" working artist, rather than a wanna-be artist who never finishes anything. I am focusing on being intentional, and being committed to my art as a career (in addition to being good therapy as well) from which I can be contributing to my family.
And a note about homeschooling- I have been homeschooling the kids formally for over 10 years now. Those who know me in real life know that over the last several years, this has become less enjoyable for me, and a great deal harder as the kids have become teenagers with attitudes, and as their work has gotten harder. I have decided that I will not be schooling them next year. We are looking into several online highschool/homeschool programs, and my role will become that of supervisor/cheerleader, instead of planner, executor, and administrator- in other words, I am giving them much more control of their education, so that I can focus more on the things that are meaningful to me. This should give me much more time to dedicate to my art. I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am about this new change- don't get me wrong- I still believe in home education in a classical manner, but it just hasn't been working well for us lately, and I am just so ready to be done, and on to new things in my life. I have been putting the needs of my children before mine for the last 17 years, and I need to be able to focus on my own life without feeling guilty or selfish about it. Congratulate me and the children as we begin this new adventure! Of course, we will be schooling hard this summer to finish this year's work.
Well, that is all for now. I am going to head into the studio, and see if I can finish something else, and then when Blogger lets me upload photos, I will have a few for you.
T.T.F.N.
L.B.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Tidbits: Life is good.
Well, the Boy took 3rd in Washington state! He took 1st, 1st, and then 2nd in his 3 rounds, then took 3rd in finals! Woot! Woot!
Other amazing things for today:
I am very proud of all our kids- In addition to my Boy's 3rd place in H.I., we had a first in state for dramatic interp., and 3 finalists in H.I., as well as one in duo. 6 out of 7 of our kids went to finals.
I stretched myself and judged a humorous interp round, and a duo round- my first time judging. A bit stressful, but good to learn a new skill. His coach has been wanting me to judge for 2 yrs and I am glad I finally gave in.
I have to acknowledge my Fine Young Man here- I was sort of grumbling inwardly to myself that I thought he should have at least gotten second place, and was not feeling very gracious about the girl who took first place. I asked Boy what he thought about taking third, and he said he was so glad that the girl got first, as she is a senior and has really worked hard to improve her piece. He was so gracious it made me get off it fast and realize that he was right- she has really come far since the beginning of the year, and her piece really was very good. Is he not a Fine Young Man? He is actually capable of thinking of someone other than himself! He does listen, and I am not a lousy mother.
Another good thing: The High School Principal showed up for the final H.I. round, and stayed for the final ceremonies. The reason this is good? We are in danger of having the S & D program either cut completely, or the funds for it cut drastically next year. He was very impressed with the caliber of competition, the comraderie of the kids from different schools (very different than how competitor schools are treated in sports programs), and the commitment of the parents and teachers. This bodes well for the program continuing next fall.
I drove a total of 4 kids today, and one of them confided in me, and asked my if I would be her "mother figure". She and her brother lost her mother to a combo of MS and suicide when they were 10 and 12, and their dad is, well, tough. She has asked if she can come over and play in the studio with me. It made me feel good that I could be of service to her by simply listening.
All in all, a good day, but I am pooped. I think I may attend the church of the warm flannel sheets in the morning- I know it is Easter, but I am so tuckered!
Thanks for reading, and letting me brag on my Boy, and all my S & D kids and their coach- now we all get a break until it is time to start preparing for Nationals in June.
Happy Easter!
LB
Other amazing things for today:
I am very proud of all our kids- In addition to my Boy's 3rd place in H.I., we had a first in state for dramatic interp., and 3 finalists in H.I., as well as one in duo. 6 out of 7 of our kids went to finals.
I stretched myself and judged a humorous interp round, and a duo round- my first time judging. A bit stressful, but good to learn a new skill. His coach has been wanting me to judge for 2 yrs and I am glad I finally gave in.
I have to acknowledge my Fine Young Man here- I was sort of grumbling inwardly to myself that I thought he should have at least gotten second place, and was not feeling very gracious about the girl who took first place. I asked Boy what he thought about taking third, and he said he was so glad that the girl got first, as she is a senior and has really worked hard to improve her piece. He was so gracious it made me get off it fast and realize that he was right- she has really come far since the beginning of the year, and her piece really was very good. Is he not a Fine Young Man? He is actually capable of thinking of someone other than himself! He does listen, and I am not a lousy mother.
Another good thing: The High School Principal showed up for the final H.I. round, and stayed for the final ceremonies. The reason this is good? We are in danger of having the S & D program either cut completely, or the funds for it cut drastically next year. He was very impressed with the caliber of competition, the comraderie of the kids from different schools (very different than how competitor schools are treated in sports programs), and the commitment of the parents and teachers. This bodes well for the program continuing next fall.
I drove a total of 4 kids today, and one of them confided in me, and asked my if I would be her "mother figure". She and her brother lost her mother to a combo of MS and suicide when they were 10 and 12, and their dad is, well, tough. She has asked if she can come over and play in the studio with me. It made me feel good that I could be of service to her by simply listening.
All in all, a good day, but I am pooped. I think I may attend the church of the warm flannel sheets in the morning- I know it is Easter, but I am so tuckered!
Thanks for reading, and letting me brag on my Boy, and all my S & D kids and their coach- now we all get a break until it is time to start preparing for Nationals in June.
Happy Easter!
LB
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Various tidbits
Happy First Day of Spring! It was really a lovely day. It was supposed to rain, but barely did, and not till this evening. My neck was hurting badly last night, and then again this morning, but it is much better now. We had our usual toddler/piano day, got quite a bit of school in (We are doing well with that this week!), played the Dragonology game, listened to music, and started reading aloud the Easter Story in our worn copy of the New Testament. I had them in bed by ten pm, and you know what? The Boy actually went right to sleep! Yay! I have been sitting at the kitchen table working in my art journal, getting photos on the computer, and checking blogs.
The Dude called tonight and is very sick. Nothing like having the flu in a hotel room hundreds of miles from home. He should be home tomorrow night, late. I am actually pretty pleased with how the kids and I did while he was away this week. It has been a challenge, what with my sore neck and all the raging hormones, but all in all, we worked together well, the kids have been integrity with their schoolwork, and I haven't killed anyone or said anything nasty that I would later sorely regret. As Dy says, it's good stuff.
Speaking of Dy, she is in labor and has been for over 24 hours. It's moving slowly but she is hanging in. Think good thoughts. I cannot wait to meet this little person, and all her other little people in a few weeks! I am so very excited to get to finally meet her in person after talking on the phone almost daily for the last 6 years.
The Boy (and I, sigh) has the WA State Speech and Debate championships this Saturday. I am planning on packing lots of art supplies to keep myself busy, as we are pretty much gone from 6 am to midnight. Wish him luck, and me patience. Actually, this really is a fine group of kids, and they seem to have made me their honorary S & D Mom, so it's all good. After that, he will just be preparing for Nationals, which are in Las Vegas (Whose idea was it to let a bunch of teenagers loose in a city like Las Vegas- I need to ask if they need another chaperone!) at the beginning of June.
The Girl found out today that she received a gold seal and an SMTA musical excellence reward at her adjudications 2 weeks ago! This is pretty cool, and means that she is already accepted into the Octoberfest recital later this year, so won't have to audition for that. TBPTOTP was doing a happy dance in excitement that one of her students got a seal. Very cool. We have just one more adjudication for her a week from today, and then a recital in May. Then the season is over for a while- whew! I can use the break! Having the S & D and piano seasons at the same time was a bit stressful and tiring to me. Now that I know to expect this, it will be easier next year.
Tomorrow will be errand day as we are out of both chicken feed and cat litter. I also need to thoroughly clean the house. And especially the kitchen table- we have been having issues with people being on the computer in the kitchen supposedly to do their online writing class, and then playing online games instead of working, so today I worked at the kitchen table. It was messy, but fun.
Gotta clean and tidy up, have the kids help me change my bed linens (Nothing says "Welcome home, Dude, like clean sheets, but my neck is still to sore to do it myself, sigh.), etc.
Talk soon,
LB
The Dude called tonight and is very sick. Nothing like having the flu in a hotel room hundreds of miles from home. He should be home tomorrow night, late. I am actually pretty pleased with how the kids and I did while he was away this week. It has been a challenge, what with my sore neck and all the raging hormones, but all in all, we worked together well, the kids have been integrity with their schoolwork, and I haven't killed anyone or said anything nasty that I would later sorely regret. As Dy says, it's good stuff.
Speaking of Dy, she is in labor and has been for over 24 hours. It's moving slowly but she is hanging in. Think good thoughts. I cannot wait to meet this little person, and all her other little people in a few weeks! I am so very excited to get to finally meet her in person after talking on the phone almost daily for the last 6 years.
The Boy (and I, sigh) has the WA State Speech and Debate championships this Saturday. I am planning on packing lots of art supplies to keep myself busy, as we are pretty much gone from 6 am to midnight. Wish him luck, and me patience. Actually, this really is a fine group of kids, and they seem to have made me their honorary S & D Mom, so it's all good. After that, he will just be preparing for Nationals, which are in Las Vegas (Whose idea was it to let a bunch of teenagers loose in a city like Las Vegas- I need to ask if they need another chaperone!) at the beginning of June.
The Girl found out today that she received a gold seal and an SMTA musical excellence reward at her adjudications 2 weeks ago! This is pretty cool, and means that she is already accepted into the Octoberfest recital later this year, so won't have to audition for that. TBPTOTP was doing a happy dance in excitement that one of her students got a seal. Very cool. We have just one more adjudication for her a week from today, and then a recital in May. Then the season is over for a while- whew! I can use the break! Having the S & D and piano seasons at the same time was a bit stressful and tiring to me. Now that I know to expect this, it will be easier next year.
Tomorrow will be errand day as we are out of both chicken feed and cat litter. I also need to thoroughly clean the house. And especially the kitchen table- we have been having issues with people being on the computer in the kitchen supposedly to do their online writing class, and then playing online games instead of working, so today I worked at the kitchen table. It was messy, but fun.
Gotta clean and tidy up, have the kids help me change my bed linens (Nothing says "Welcome home, Dude, like clean sheets, but my neck is still to sore to do it myself, sigh.), etc.Talk soon,
LB
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Where is LB?
I am here, I just have been spending time doing things that don't involve a computer! First off, I have met another man, and he and I have been spending waaaayyy to o much time together recently. Have to say, the Dude doesn't seem to mind. I have been engaged in a thorough deep cleaning of this old farmhouse, from top to bottom and stem to stern. It is taking up much of my time and energy, and doesn't show any signs of being over any time soon, but I am actually sorta-kinds enjoying it . At least I like the way a room looks and smells when I am done, and I don't seem to be reacting to the chemicals in the cleaner this time. 
And secondly, I have been spending lots of time teaching and supervising lessons. It is going good so far, but is time-consuming and challenging. A lot of the time, it looks like this, only imagine a kid sitting there, staring out the window, or getting up every two minutes to go downstairs to sharpen the lead that you would swear they keep breaking on purpose, etc.
One of the reasons cleaning and schooling can be draining to me is that I would really rather be here. I have been in the studio in little fits and starts- putting on a paint of coat here and there between lessons and laundry loads. My L & L challenge is coming along, I haven't taken photos of it lately, but my pieces have many layers of paint, and are just about done. I am now at the point where I am ready to make some things with it. I have a few ideas but will show them to you later.
It seems every time I get a few loyal readers coming to the blog, I stop blogging. I apologize for that way of being. I tell the story that I am too busy to do it, with everything else I have going, but the truth is, sometimes I feel like it, and sometimes I don't. I do hope that you continue to check in now and again, as I will be making a supreme effort to do this regularly. Thanks to those who always comment- that means a great deal and keeps me blogging.
Hugs. TTFN,
LB
And secondly, I have been spending lots of time teaching and supervising lessons. It is going good so far, but is time-consuming and challenging. A lot of the time, it looks like this, only imagine a kid sitting there, staring out the window, or getting up every two minutes to go downstairs to sharpen the lead that you would swear they keep breaking on purpose, etc.
One of the reasons cleaning and schooling can be draining to me is that I would really rather be here. I have been in the studio in little fits and starts- putting on a paint of coat here and there between lessons and laundry loads. My L & L challenge is coming along, I haven't taken photos of it lately, but my pieces have many layers of paint, and are just about done. I am now at the point where I am ready to make some things with it. I have a few ideas but will show them to you later.It seems every time I get a few loyal readers coming to the blog, I stop blogging. I apologize for that way of being. I tell the story that I am too busy to do it, with everything else I have going, but the truth is, sometimes I feel like it, and sometimes I don't. I do hope that you continue to check in now and again, as I will be making a supreme effort to do this regularly. Thanks to those who always comment- that means a great deal and keeps me blogging.
Hugs. TTFN,
LB
Thursday, August 16, 2007
TTAP Bike-a-Thon details
The kids were successful with their bike-a-thon, raising $600. to buy 5 goats. For more details and pictures, go here.
Stay tuned for pictures of Indian food! Yum.
TTFN,
LB
Stay tuned for pictures of Indian food! Yum.
TTFN,
LB
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Bike a thon today
The Kids are participating in a unique community service project today. Usually our communtiy service is very local, but this one is a world-wide neighborhood project!
They are riding in a bike-a-thon to raise money to purchase goats through Heifer PRoject. A family in an impoverished village in (most likely) Africa is chosen to be the goat owners. They learn how to care for the goat, and when the goat has a baby, it goes to another family in the village who has been trained for the job. Buying a goat for one family helps an entire village. I am probably not explaining this well as I am in a hury, but you can read more about it at the link provided above.
The kids' goal is to ride a total of 20 miles each. If anyone wishes to pledge, shoot me an email. Otherwise, wish them good luck- it is a hot one today!
Gotta go- I need to get some zucchini muffins baked for them to have as a snack on the ride.
TTFN,
LB
They are riding in a bike-a-thon to raise money to purchase goats through Heifer PRoject. A family in an impoverished village in (most likely) Africa is chosen to be the goat owners. They learn how to care for the goat, and when the goat has a baby, it goes to another family in the village who has been trained for the job. Buying a goat for one family helps an entire village. I am probably not explaining this well as I am in a hury, but you can read more about it at the link provided above.
The kids' goal is to ride a total of 20 miles each. If anyone wishes to pledge, shoot me an email. Otherwise, wish them good luck- it is a hot one today!
Gotta go- I need to get some zucchini muffins baked for them to have as a snack on the ride.
TTFN,
LB
Friday, July 20, 2007
Friday- no fancy title required
Well, the kids did a pretty good job of getting (almost-sigh) all of their school work done this week, so we are heading out for our big field trip of the week. One of my old and dear High school friends, Big D (I call him that, because I am close with 3, possibly four D's- they all have something in front of their names to distinguish them!) and I are going to take the kids to the science center this afternoon. I have my sketchbook packed.
Hopefully before we go, there will be a couple of history lessons, some piano practice, and some mega laundry-folding happening. The house is a complete and total pit, so I want them to have fun today, because tomorow is going to be nothing but cleaning! I bought Clorox wipes, and black garbage bags yesterday, so we are ready!
THey haven't fought once since Piano Girl has been home, and I have really enjoyed that.
In other news, I got 9 hours of sleep last night! Yay! You have no idea how amazing that was- I have literally been getting 2 or 3 hours if I was lucky since Papa Dude has been gone this trip. So nice hours last night was completely refreshing. I think the heat dropping from 98 to 68 really influenced my ability to sleep. Aahhh, back to my nice, wet, cool weather. I love it.
That's all for now- still don't know how to get the photos off my camera- that will likely wait till Monday when the Dude gets home (3 days!!).
TTFN,
LB
Hopefully before we go, there will be a couple of history lessons, some piano practice, and some mega laundry-folding happening. The house is a complete and total pit, so I want them to have fun today, because tomorow is going to be nothing but cleaning! I bought Clorox wipes, and black garbage bags yesterday, so we are ready!
THey haven't fought once since Piano Girl has been home, and I have really enjoyed that.
In other news, I got 9 hours of sleep last night! Yay! You have no idea how amazing that was- I have literally been getting 2 or 3 hours if I was lucky since Papa Dude has been gone this trip. So nice hours last night was completely refreshing. I think the heat dropping from 98 to 68 really influenced my ability to sleep. Aahhh, back to my nice, wet, cool weather. I love it.
That's all for now- still don't know how to get the photos off my camera- that will likely wait till Monday when the Dude gets home (3 days!!).
TTFN,
LB
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Dang it! I think I am frustrated.
In no particular order:
1. I cannot post pictures! I have a ton on the camera, and a ton on the computer, but I cannot access them! I keep getting these messages: First it says I can't open a database because one is already open. I click on close, and then it says, and I quote: Please open or create another database using the database dialog which is accessed via the database menu command. I have no idea what this means, other than my photos are trapped on my camera, and I cannot access the ones already in there. Sigh. I have Piano Girl, treehouse, art, and other photos to show you. I promise to figure this out and get them up soon.
2. It was a good day parenting wise- I kept my cool, but I did find it stressful to do so. Better than last night, though (when my Boy said something disrespectful to me in the car, it was the straw that broke the camel's back after a loooonnnnngg day of backtalk, and I kicked him out of the car. Sigh. We worked it out, but it was horible and tough.), and that counts for a great deal. It means I set the example of thinking carefully before I spoke to the kids. At this point, my kids are too old for me to control their actions, but I can still model the behavior I expect, and it can be powerful as well as extremely taxing.
3. My Dude has been gone a full week, and I have another to go. I am so glad I am not single parenting. As Melissa so elegantly (and timely, I might add) wrote tonight, I am not a single parent. My partner is away, but he is working his sweet little tuckus to the bone for us, so that I can stay home, and devote myself to these amazing (albeit bratty sometimes) children we created. He is still very much an active part of this family, whether he is here or away. I do miss him terribly though, and not just when I could use some tag-team parenting. There is so much to share, so many smiles to give, so much to enjoy about this life! I know it is much harder for him than me, so I do my best to support him, and not complain, though I know I do a bit. Truly and deeply I am grateful for him and how hard he works, and how much he loves us, and I am grateful he doesn't have a more dangerous job, and isn't away from us more. Getting to know Melissa has helped me a great deal with this!
The biggest thing is that he didn't call me tonight, and I am just really missing him. But it's okay. It really is.
4. This was a long day. Piano Girl really wanted to see her Gramma and Godparents today, so we went to the East Side, and went to church (there was a wonderful speaker- ask me about him later!) with the GP's, and then spent the afternoon at Gramma's. After that, we dropped in on the B family, to touch base about this week's actions on the kids' community service project (details later),. We didn't even get home till 8 pm.
5. The best part of the afternoon for me was going to Value Village with Gramma. You need to know that my Mama is the best truckin' buddy a gal could have, and when she lost her eyesight, she decided that shopping wasn't any fun anymore, and up and stopped going with me. My Mama grieves her sight for many reasons, but this is probably the toughest thing about it for me- for my entire life, if I wanted to be spontaneous and go thrifting, shopping, antique hunting, etc. (my Mama always called it truckin'), my Mama is the one partner I would always ask. I just haven't found anyone who is as much fun (though the Girl is learning fast, and comes in second.) We have similar tastes, like to do the same things, and wear out and need to eat at the same time. I so miss this.
Today was really fun- I got some storage stuff for the studio, found a couple of neat things for upcoming birthdays, and had a lot of fun, but it was also bittersweet, as shopping with her is different now. First off, I have to be my mom's eyes. I have to tell her what EVERY SINGLE THING IS: explain to her colors, sizes, and shapes; check prices, and help her navigate the stores. Second thing is I cannot leave her for very long at all, as she sometimes forgets things (don't want to lose her!), which means I cannot just go off to the skirt section while she looks at the kitchen stuff.
I guess as I think about it, I have been very blessed, and really have no complaint. I love my Mama, and will spend as much time as I can with her. I love to help and support her, and spend time with her doing whatever she wants or needs to. We will adjust (You have no idea how far we have come, the two of us!!) and adapt.
6. Gotta get myself to bed right now, as we are schooling tomorrow, and have a lot of ground to cover. I also need to be in the studio for a few hours- there are two sweet babies turning two in August, as well as my love's birthday. I also still have a bunch of fabric postcards in process.
That's it- I feel better- writing this down was a bit of a release, and was also an update for you!
See you tomorrow!
LB
1. I cannot post pictures! I have a ton on the camera, and a ton on the computer, but I cannot access them! I keep getting these messages: First it says I can't open a database because one is already open. I click on close, and then it says, and I quote: Please open or create another database using the database dialog which is accessed via the database menu command. I have no idea what this means, other than my photos are trapped on my camera, and I cannot access the ones already in there. Sigh. I have Piano Girl, treehouse, art, and other photos to show you. I promise to figure this out and get them up soon.
2. It was a good day parenting wise- I kept my cool, but I did find it stressful to do so. Better than last night, though (when my Boy said something disrespectful to me in the car, it was the straw that broke the camel's back after a loooonnnnngg day of backtalk, and I kicked him out of the car. Sigh. We worked it out, but it was horible and tough.), and that counts for a great deal. It means I set the example of thinking carefully before I spoke to the kids. At this point, my kids are too old for me to control their actions, but I can still model the behavior I expect, and it can be powerful as well as extremely taxing.
3. My Dude has been gone a full week, and I have another to go. I am so glad I am not single parenting. As Melissa so elegantly (and timely, I might add) wrote tonight, I am not a single parent. My partner is away, but he is working his sweet little tuckus to the bone for us, so that I can stay home, and devote myself to these amazing (albeit bratty sometimes) children we created. He is still very much an active part of this family, whether he is here or away. I do miss him terribly though, and not just when I could use some tag-team parenting. There is so much to share, so many smiles to give, so much to enjoy about this life! I know it is much harder for him than me, so I do my best to support him, and not complain, though I know I do a bit. Truly and deeply I am grateful for him and how hard he works, and how much he loves us, and I am grateful he doesn't have a more dangerous job, and isn't away from us more. Getting to know Melissa has helped me a great deal with this!
The biggest thing is that he didn't call me tonight, and I am just really missing him. But it's okay. It really is.
4. This was a long day. Piano Girl really wanted to see her Gramma and Godparents today, so we went to the East Side, and went to church (there was a wonderful speaker- ask me about him later!) with the GP's, and then spent the afternoon at Gramma's. After that, we dropped in on the B family, to touch base about this week's actions on the kids' community service project (details later),. We didn't even get home till 8 pm.
5. The best part of the afternoon for me was going to Value Village with Gramma. You need to know that my Mama is the best truckin' buddy a gal could have, and when she lost her eyesight, she decided that shopping wasn't any fun anymore, and up and stopped going with me. My Mama grieves her sight for many reasons, but this is probably the toughest thing about it for me- for my entire life, if I wanted to be spontaneous and go thrifting, shopping, antique hunting, etc. (my Mama always called it truckin'), my Mama is the one partner I would always ask. I just haven't found anyone who is as much fun (though the Girl is learning fast, and comes in second.) We have similar tastes, like to do the same things, and wear out and need to eat at the same time. I so miss this.
Today was really fun- I got some storage stuff for the studio, found a couple of neat things for upcoming birthdays, and had a lot of fun, but it was also bittersweet, as shopping with her is different now. First off, I have to be my mom's eyes. I have to tell her what EVERY SINGLE THING IS: explain to her colors, sizes, and shapes; check prices, and help her navigate the stores. Second thing is I cannot leave her for very long at all, as she sometimes forgets things (don't want to lose her!), which means I cannot just go off to the skirt section while she looks at the kitchen stuff.
I guess as I think about it, I have been very blessed, and really have no complaint. I love my Mama, and will spend as much time as I can with her. I love to help and support her, and spend time with her doing whatever she wants or needs to. We will adjust (You have no idea how far we have come, the two of us!!) and adapt.
6. Gotta get myself to bed right now, as we are schooling tomorrow, and have a lot of ground to cover. I also need to be in the studio for a few hours- there are two sweet babies turning two in August, as well as my love's birthday. I also still have a bunch of fabric postcards in process.
That's it- I feel better- writing this down was a bit of a release, and was also an update for you!
See you tomorrow!
LB
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Feeling Much Better Now, and Some Homeschool Talk
Hi everyone,
Thanks for all the well-wishes yesterday. They help!
The headache really peaked about 4 pm yesterday, but I didn't let it stop me. We headed over to my Mom's, so the kids could spend the evening with Gramma and their cousins while I went to my Classical Ed. meeting. I got home around 10:30, and thought my head was going to explode. There *used* to be a bottle of hydrocodone in my Mom's medicine cupboard, so I didn't bring mine last night, and the bottle was *GONE*! My little sister loves the stuff even more than I do, so I will be having a talk with her soon about sharing. ;-)
Update: My sister says she is innocent, so that means the Blind Mama must have put it somewhere. What a good waste of head-helping drugs!
So I lay on the couch, my head throbbing, watching the interesting pictures in my eyelids and trying not to barf; listening to Piano Girl breathing deep in her sleep, and finally got to sleep around 3 am, only to be woken up by my Mom coming in to turn the heat on (It's June for heaven's sake!). Fell asleep again about 3:30, and then woke again to Mom turning the heat off. Sigh. After about 2 hours of sleep for me, we all got up at 7 am and walked the Boy Cousins to school. The head feels a bit better, back to the manageable headache stage, but I am plum tuckered out.
Mom's Dr. appt. went well. I so love her Dr. He handles her crabbiness so well, and doesn't take offense. He is one of the few people I know who can make jokes about her (lack of) humour to her without her becoming offended. I had to advocate for her a bit with the ladies behind the front desk- I didn't go into the blood lab with her last week (you can bet I will from now on, regardless of her insistence that she is fine alone), and they had her sign a paper without reading it to her. Wasn't a big deal, but they made it one, focusing on which form she had filled out instead of just getting that I wanted the words "Blind lady-tell her what she is signing." written across the top of her charts. We finally got it straightened out, and I think it is good practice for me to be an advocate for her without making anyone wrong.
The good news is that her cholesterol is down quite a bit. It was so high in January, I was constantly worried about heart attacks or strokes. Dr. says it is still high, and wants me to focus on buying/making her healthy foods. If it is not even lower in 4 months, he is going to increase her Lipitor script. She hasn't been experiencing side effects, but gets crabby just having to take it, so she may be willing to work with me a bit more on the diet/food end of things. Her thyroid levels are also in range for the first time in 6 months, so that is good too! I guess the last 6 months of forcing her to get into the routine of taking her pills daily has paid off a bit.
Back to last night:
Even though my head was exploding, I really enjoyed the meeting. We had a guest speaker from New Albion Academy come and talk to us about keeping a classical eye open when shopping for curricula. It's funny, I think every woman in that room could have sat and listened and discussed forever, had we the time. The most intriguing discussion for me was the topic of the trivium (Grammar, logic, and rhetoric) as subjects, not developmental stages of learning (per Sayers or the WTM, for example). It was a fascinating subject, and gave me lots to think about in the ways our school has been successful in the past, and also some insight into why it isn't going so well now.
Two things I heard again last night that seem to be a recurring theme (I think the universe is trying very hard to get this message through to my cute little brain!) lately, is that "The teacher is the curriculum." and "The best teacher is an enthusiastic student." I remember getting this message when I read A Thomas Jefferson Education a few years ago as well. At that point, I promised myself I would read the same books the kids did, and teach myself latin alongside them. I held myself up to this ideal for a very short time, and I can really see where this has harmed our student/teacher relationships, and stifled much of the success and joy that used to be a part of our school. Time for me to poop or get off the pot as my Mom would say.
Anyhow, I think this talk will help me focus when attending the WHO convention next weekend. And for anyone local who reads this, and is planning on attending, I could use a ride this year!
So we are home now, and I am going to get a bunch of stuff done before I crash. If the strawberries and peppers are still alive, I will put them in pots, and it is on my chore list to tidy up the living room. The kids are going to mow the lawn, and mop up whatever that sticky stuff is. I don't want to know what they did to make it sticky, I really don't. I just want them to clean it up!
Oh, Papa Dude, if you are reading this, I want you to know how much I appreciate you and I know how hard you are working for us- sorry about last night, thanks for hanging in. We should both know better than to try to have a conversation when my head is exploding. Love you.
I plan on being in bed by 9 tonight, as we have piano lessons bright and squirrelly tomorrow morning. If the kids don't go right to sleep it won't be my problem- I have the whole bed to myself, and I am going to sleep right in the middle tonight! So only 8 hours to go till I can sleep.
TTFN,
LB
Thanks for all the well-wishes yesterday. They help!
The headache really peaked about 4 pm yesterday, but I didn't let it stop me. We headed over to my Mom's, so the kids could spend the evening with Gramma and their cousins while I went to my Classical Ed. meeting. I got home around 10:30, and thought my head was going to explode. There *used* to be a bottle of hydrocodone in my Mom's medicine cupboard, so I didn't bring mine last night, and the bottle was *GONE*! My little sister loves the stuff even more than I do, so I will be having a talk with her soon about sharing. ;-)
Update: My sister says she is innocent, so that means the Blind Mama must have put it somewhere. What a good waste of head-helping drugs!
So I lay on the couch, my head throbbing, watching the interesting pictures in my eyelids and trying not to barf; listening to Piano Girl breathing deep in her sleep, and finally got to sleep around 3 am, only to be woken up by my Mom coming in to turn the heat on (It's June for heaven's sake!). Fell asleep again about 3:30, and then woke again to Mom turning the heat off. Sigh. After about 2 hours of sleep for me, we all got up at 7 am and walked the Boy Cousins to school. The head feels a bit better, back to the manageable headache stage, but I am plum tuckered out.
Mom's Dr. appt. went well. I so love her Dr. He handles her crabbiness so well, and doesn't take offense. He is one of the few people I know who can make jokes about her (lack of) humour to her without her becoming offended. I had to advocate for her a bit with the ladies behind the front desk- I didn't go into the blood lab with her last week (you can bet I will from now on, regardless of her insistence that she is fine alone), and they had her sign a paper without reading it to her. Wasn't a big deal, but they made it one, focusing on which form she had filled out instead of just getting that I wanted the words "Blind lady-tell her what she is signing." written across the top of her charts. We finally got it straightened out, and I think it is good practice for me to be an advocate for her without making anyone wrong.
The good news is that her cholesterol is down quite a bit. It was so high in January, I was constantly worried about heart attacks or strokes. Dr. says it is still high, and wants me to focus on buying/making her healthy foods. If it is not even lower in 4 months, he is going to increase her Lipitor script. She hasn't been experiencing side effects, but gets crabby just having to take it, so she may be willing to work with me a bit more on the diet/food end of things. Her thyroid levels are also in range for the first time in 6 months, so that is good too! I guess the last 6 months of forcing her to get into the routine of taking her pills daily has paid off a bit.
Back to last night:
Even though my head was exploding, I really enjoyed the meeting. We had a guest speaker from New Albion Academy come and talk to us about keeping a classical eye open when shopping for curricula. It's funny, I think every woman in that room could have sat and listened and discussed forever, had we the time. The most intriguing discussion for me was the topic of the trivium (Grammar, logic, and rhetoric) as subjects, not developmental stages of learning (per Sayers or the WTM, for example). It was a fascinating subject, and gave me lots to think about in the ways our school has been successful in the past, and also some insight into why it isn't going so well now.
Two things I heard again last night that seem to be a recurring theme (I think the universe is trying very hard to get this message through to my cute little brain!) lately, is that "The teacher is the curriculum." and "The best teacher is an enthusiastic student." I remember getting this message when I read A Thomas Jefferson Education a few years ago as well. At that point, I promised myself I would read the same books the kids did, and teach myself latin alongside them. I held myself up to this ideal for a very short time, and I can really see where this has harmed our student/teacher relationships, and stifled much of the success and joy that used to be a part of our school. Time for me to poop or get off the pot as my Mom would say.
Anyhow, I think this talk will help me focus when attending the WHO convention next weekend. And for anyone local who reads this, and is planning on attending, I could use a ride this year!
So we are home now, and I am going to get a bunch of stuff done before I crash. If the strawberries and peppers are still alive, I will put them in pots, and it is on my chore list to tidy up the living room. The kids are going to mow the lawn, and mop up whatever that sticky stuff is. I don't want to know what they did to make it sticky, I really don't. I just want them to clean it up!
Oh, Papa Dude, if you are reading this, I want you to know how much I appreciate you and I know how hard you are working for us- sorry about last night, thanks for hanging in. We should both know better than to try to have a conversation when my head is exploding. Love you.
I plan on being in bed by 9 tonight, as we have piano lessons bright and squirrelly tomorrow morning. If the kids don't go right to sleep it won't be my problem- I have the whole bed to myself, and I am going to sleep right in the middle tonight! So only 8 hours to go till I can sleep.
TTFN,
LB
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Tidbit #11, Girl humour and Boy Birthday
The Piano Girl/Young Miss was scrambling eggs this morning, but got caught up with chatting instead. I came over and reminded her to stir the eggs, so they didn't become rubber. They turned out yummy perfect. The Fine Young Man asked her recipe. The PG/YM replied, "Salt, pepper, and a tich of negligence." Good one!
We're on our own, the Dude just left for Nevada? I think it's Navada for a company wide meeting. Work continues to be a challenge for him, but is providing the opportunity for all four of us to have breakthroughs in the area of family community. He is committed to having this business be a success, and is working hard. I am so proud to have him be my Dude.
We spent the whole weekend celebrating with our FYM his fifteenth birthday. Lots of good stuff there, and three whole days in a row with Papa Dude.
The kids and I have recommitted ourselves to the Green Dragon Academy. As it stands, I am finding it hard to fit it all in, and I would rather just be dedicated to my life's work. I am also being an enthusiastic teacher, and bringing that to my school.
I have discovered I feel calm and feel loving when I get time in the studio daily. Luckily for me, the kids' window cubbies are in the other part of the basement, so I can monitor independant study time ( I live for the day when it does not have to be monitored, and is done joyfully.) and make art at the same time. I make myself available, and have a couple of chairs pulled up to the woodstove for impromtu tutoring sessions.
I have been working in the studio, but haven't taken pictures. I want to be there more. I need to take pics, and let you see what I have been doing. It really is my happy place.
I have pictures from three different nature study fieldtrips I have yet to load up and show you!
I am leading my Classical Ed group meeting tonight, so will have to cart kids to Gramma's later, and fit in a giant double shopping trip. I also need to teach Classical Writing and light a fire under the FYM in regards to his reading of the Illiad (should I let him skip the introduction?).
So I am here, and alive. I miss talking to you, but the good news is the Dude gave me a headset for my phone! Yay!
LB
We're on our own, the Dude just left for Nevada? I think it's Navada for a company wide meeting. Work continues to be a challenge for him, but is providing the opportunity for all four of us to have breakthroughs in the area of family community. He is committed to having this business be a success, and is working hard. I am so proud to have him be my Dude.
We spent the whole weekend celebrating with our FYM his fifteenth birthday. Lots of good stuff there, and three whole days in a row with Papa Dude.
The kids and I have recommitted ourselves to the Green Dragon Academy. As it stands, I am finding it hard to fit it all in, and I would rather just be dedicated to my life's work. I am also being an enthusiastic teacher, and bringing that to my school.
I have discovered I feel calm and feel loving when I get time in the studio daily. Luckily for me, the kids' window cubbies are in the other part of the basement, so I can monitor independant study time ( I live for the day when it does not have to be monitored, and is done joyfully.) and make art at the same time. I make myself available, and have a couple of chairs pulled up to the woodstove for impromtu tutoring sessions.
I have been working in the studio, but haven't taken pictures. I want to be there more. I need to take pics, and let you see what I have been doing. It really is my happy place.
I have pictures from three different nature study fieldtrips I have yet to load up and show you!
I am leading my Classical Ed group meeting tonight, so will have to cart kids to Gramma's later, and fit in a giant double shopping trip. I also need to teach Classical Writing and light a fire under the FYM in regards to his reading of the Illiad (should I let him skip the introduction?).
So I am here, and alive. I miss talking to you, but the good news is the Dude gave me a headset for my phone! Yay!
LB
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
WonderBoy
Another amazing thing that happened in the month of March was that our Fine Young Man went to the WA State Finals with his high school speech and debate team. He qualified in two events. Due Interpretive (DI), doing a skit with a fellow teammate based on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory; and then in his best event, Humorous Interpretive (HI). He didn't place in DI, but (insert drum roll please)..........................................................................................................
He took fourth in HI!!!!!!!!!!!! This is phenomenal for a 9th grader. It was very cool. Just very cool.
Here he is with his medal. It is very important that we got a picture of him with it, because it now will reside in the trophy cabinet in the hallway outside of the speech and debate room.
I guess it must be okay for me to brag my kids up- it is my blog after all. :-)
LB
Piano Girl
March is Adjudication time in our neck of the wooods. The Piano Girl attended the Simon Fisse' (not sure of the spelling on that) Piano Competition as a guest, and participated in two adjudications this Spring, one put on by the Seattle Music Teachers Assoc. (SMTA), and the other, the Seattle Young Artists Music Festival (SYAMF) , which was held on the UW campus while the cherry blossoms were in full bloom.
Young Miss had two fine adjudicators. One of them used metoaphors, such as "picture your notes flowing like a caramel carpet", the other was jumping around the room, gestering and geting the whole audience involved in the joy of the music.
Her pieces this year were The Raindrop Prelude (Prelude 15 by Chopin), and and the first movement of a Hadyn Sonata (Hob. XVI: 35). I tell you, I am so in love with Chopin, and this prelude happens to be my ultimate fave. Can you imagine the utter peace and joy I have experienced the last few months, as the Young Miss was practicing this piece day in and day out?!
The other piece of fabulous news is that the Piano Girl has been accepted into the Piano summer Camp, girls division at Interlochen Center for the Arts! She also will receive a merit scholership of $800. which means we only have to come up with about $3000. before the end of June! She is so excited about this, and we are for her, though the thought of my baby girl being gone for two weeks is still a tad hard for me to swallow.
The pieces she submitted on the audition tape for Interlochen were Vals Sentimental from Valses Poeticos by Enrique Granados, and Invention #8 by J.S. Bach.
In other Piano Girl news, the Young Miss has a recital coming up in May. I will post exact date soon. She is not sure what she will be playing yet, maybe another Bach invention.
It was pouring down rain the day of the SYAMF, so I don't have any cute pics of the Young Miss under cherry blossoms, but here is one I took just after we got home- of course the first thing she did as we walked in the door was head for the piano. Oh, to be that driven and in love!
LB
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Update
Hey all (four of you),
Sorry I haven't blogges since Saturday. I actually did, but it got eaten up in the blogosphere, and then I ran out of time to retype it. I am such a computer nerd.
Just an quick update- I promise a big post with pics tomorrow (later today, actually).
Papa spent Sunday night at the D.C. airport, because of the slush storm, but finally made it to Florida. He is lonely without us, but doing well.
Yesterday was a parenting day from hell, but today went much better. We had a piano lesson, did English, history, some parsing in the latin reader, read out loud, ate Chinese takeout, and watched a few episodes of That 70's show. I know, I know, it isn't super appropriate, but honestly, most of the inappropriate references go right over their heads.
More tomorrow, I finally feel tired. Hopefully I will rest tonight- you think I'd sleep better with a whole queen-size bed to myself, and no snoring, wouldn't you? Go figure.
Later,
LB
Sorry I haven't blogges since Saturday. I actually did, but it got eaten up in the blogosphere, and then I ran out of time to retype it. I am such a computer nerd.
Just an quick update- I promise a big post with pics tomorrow (later today, actually).
Papa spent Sunday night at the D.C. airport, because of the slush storm, but finally made it to Florida. He is lonely without us, but doing well.
Yesterday was a parenting day from hell, but today went much better. We had a piano lesson, did English, history, some parsing in the latin reader, read out loud, ate Chinese takeout, and watched a few episodes of That 70's show. I know, I know, it isn't super appropriate, but honestly, most of the inappropriate references go right over their heads.
More tomorrow, I finally feel tired. Hopefully I will rest tonight- you think I'd sleep better with a whole queen-size bed to myself, and no snoring, wouldn't you? Go figure.
Later,
LB
Friday, February 23, 2007
Relaxed Friday
This is the first day all week I haven't had to be out of the house early squirrelly. I let the kids sleep in till 9:30, and they are slowly starting to function. Other than 2 scheduled coaching calls, I really have no plans, other than to keep the laundry going so the Papa Dude has clothes to pack. He is off to FLorida for training for his new job. He will be gone two weeks, and will be gone for my birthday. I am hoping I can convince him to take me out to lunch today, but we shall see.
Nothing else new here, gotta go put a load in the wash, cook up some bacon and eggs, and see if we can at least get a bit of school in today- for the first time this week- so much for getting tons done while public school was out, sigh.
LB
Nothing else new here, gotta go put a load in the wash, cook up some bacon and eggs, and see if we can at least get a bit of school in today- for the first time this week- so much for getting tons done while public school was out, sigh.
LB
Sunday, February 04, 2007
update on the education of The Fine Young Man
So. It has been an interesting week with my son. I am still battling, or should I say, working with, the school system to see if my Fine Young Man can attend the high school full time next school year. It is taking a great deal of my time and energy, but it will be okay in the end. I just know it. Because I have an amazing son. He sees that fighting me over schoolwork for the last couple of years has caused him (and me) a great deal of trouble and inconvenience, and he sees that it is going to take effort to dig himself out of this situation. We are working on baby steps. This week, he is in integrity with all of his work. This is a huge triumph. Yay!
In other news, the Fine Young Man is going to state with his speech and debate team! He is also going to the national trials! He had a tournament just last night, and took first place in Humourous Interpretation. He is just getting better and better, and his routines are so much fun to watch!
In other news, the Fine Young Man is going to state with his speech and debate team! He is also going to the national trials! He had a tournament just last night, and took first place in Humourous Interpretation. He is just getting better and better, and his routines are so much fun to watch!
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