Welcome little one

On Christmas Eve we welcomed a new member into our family. We had been on the hunt for quite sometime for the perfect family dog and protector. I had fallen in love with the American Bulldog breed when my sister in law and her hubby would bring their Am. bulldog here when they visited. So for the last year I had been looking for the perfect Am. bulldog puppy. There are different types of Am. bulldogs, and I wanted a certain type. I had all but given up the search when on a whim I was searching the Internet and I found her, my Bella. She was a little over 200 miles from us. The owner said that we could pick her up on Christmas Eve. So we spent Christmas Eve on the road with our new puppy. The kids loved her instantly and she loved us.

She is a sweet, loving, and sometimes rowdy little girl. Who at the moment is attacking my computer screen. Buffy and cats have grown to love her and her wet kisses. Life will never be boring while she is around that is for sure. So welcome dear Bella to our family. We love you.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

from our family to yours.

Candy, Candy, Candy

Today we got around to making some Christmas candy. Somehow last year I got out of making any, but this year I was not so lucky. Don't get me wrong I like making it, well most of it. I would like it more if I had a Kitchen Aid mixer to use. I borrowed one a few years ago to make my monstrous batch of buckeyes and it was so heavenly. No sprained wrist or counters covered in powdered sugar. You see it's the mixing of the stuff that I don't like. We went ahead and made them anyhow. Yes, my arms are tired but after mixing and dipping about 200 pieces of candy I'm all done in.

Along with buckeyes we made some yummy turtles. I tried a new caramel this year and it didn't work as well as my old caramel in years past but they are still yummy. We completed the evening by baking a pizza (not homemade) and watching The Santa Clause.

Tomorrow my son TT is planning on exchanging gifts with his girlfriend. They are still planning the get together. I just wait to see what they have cooked up. It was very sweet watching him shop for her. He was much more thoughtful than I would have believed him to be. There may be something to that saying that good guys treat their mother's good. He is pretty much by best bud, next to Poogie. I'm enjoying it while I can.

We also plan on making a gooey butter cake and chocolate covered pretzels tomorrow. Not near as messy as our adventure today thank goodness. Then I have to give as much candy away as I can so that I will not eat all of it, lol.

I'm hooked on....

Lady Gaga! I know I'm a little late to the party, but better late than never. She may seem a little crazy and out there. But I so get her, and her music. Love her.

Thinking about the New Year.

Christmas is almost here. I can't hardly believe it. It seems just yesterday we were taking down the tree and now it is up again taking over my small living room. Now that I have completed my Christmas shopping and the Nutcracker is over I can sit back and think about the year to come and what I want to change or improve about my life.

As I reflect on this last year I find that I have spent a lot of my time doing things that I really didn't want to do, but as usual wouldn't say no. I spent most of the year so stressed out that it has caused me some pretty bad health problems. On top of that I have tried to hang on to several situations in our lives hoping things will get better. That people will step up to the plate and do what is right or what they are being paid to do. I have unfortunately found that for some people you could wait forever and this is not going to happen.

So what does all this mean for me and my family for the new year. Well, it means that we may not be the most popular people in our group, not that we ever were, lol. It means that I will say no, even if the other person or group doesn't like it. I will put the best interest of my family above all others. If this means changing certain situations in our lives then so be it. I want my children to be happy, heck I want to be happy. Not all the time, but most of the time. I will no longer be every one's doormat. And I will stand up for what is right.

This has been a long and trying year. I just want to make the next one better for me and my family. So as far as New Year resolutions go, I haven't come up with the exact wording of mine yet. It is a work in progress, but at least I have an idea of what I want to accomplish.

It is over:(

The Nutcracker is over, and we are all a little sad. The show was wonderful, but then it always is. Poogie and her bon bon buddies tumbled their hearts out. The Snow Queen, soloists, guest performers and supporting dancers danced their hearts out too. I was so proud to have been part of such a quality production. Yes, the practices were hard, the nights long and we had little sleep. But after the final curtain fell all Poogie could say is that she didn't want it to end. That she could have done it several more times.

What was so special is how our little ones were taken into the company and treated so sweetly. The older girls gave them advice, encouragement and most of all lots of hugs. I couldn't ask for Poogie to have any greater group of dancers to look up to and admire. I will post more in the upcoming week but for now I must go. We are back to dance classes and swim practice. The show must go on!

It's almost here!

In just a few days my sweet Poogie will be dancing in the Nutcracker. I can hardly believe how fast the time has went by since we first learned of her getting the part.

Here Poogie is working with her partner to do a special trick. TT is in the photo because he was asked to help be Ms. Ginger's skirt, lol. He did it but I can't say that he enjoyed it.

We have Act 2 rehearsal today and then we are off Monday. I plan on taking that much needed time to rest because we will need it. Starting Tuesday till the final curtain on Sunday we will be on the go and working. I hope I don't cry, but I am afraid I will when Poogie comes out on stage. I almost cried yesterday watching the older girls dance on point thinking that would be Poogie before I know it. It all goes by so fast. Wish I could hit pause once in a while.

My iPhone is here!!!

I have been counting down the days until I could upgrade my cell phone. Then when the time approached I couldn't' decided which phone to get. I have been longing for an iPhone for a while, but didn't want to make the wrong choice after living with my terrible phone for two years. I ended up getting the iphone and I love it. For the first time in our house I have the coolest and most up to date technology. That is a first.

Now I can check my emails and facebook while I sit at the pool or dance studio. I feel so spoiled. It is kind of nice. I will really enjoy it this week when we spend all those hours in rehearsal for The Nutcracker. Only 6 more days, and my Poogie will be a star. Well, she already it to me:)

Wish list

As I sit here thinking about the upcoming holiday season, reviewing my kids very short but pricey wish lists, I am reminded that it has been quite a while since I made a wish list of my own. I remember around this time of year as a child I would begin to draft my first versions of a wish list for Santa. That list would change several times before the final draft was written, for that I am sorry for my parents. I know how it is to think you have found something on that wish list only for it to be dropped from the list shortly there after.

With that said I began to think about what I would put on a Christmas list. Then I came to the conclusion that I would have to make a dream wish list and then come back to reality and make a real one. So here it goes.

My Dream Christmas List:
1. A Canon digital SLR Camera
2. A 12x12 Epson printer
3. A $1000 dollar shopping spree at Archivers or at the Mall for clothes
4. A new Volvo XC90
5. A new house with a scrapbook and school room.
6. A miniature Yorkie puppy, and an American Bulldog puppy

And now back to reality.
My real list:
1. A new set of pots and pans, mine are in terrible shape
2. An electric griddle to make my family yummy pancakes.
3. A waffle maker
4. Adobe Photoshop 7
5. New house shoes

There might be more things I would add to either list, but I really had to think hard to come up with both lists. It's just not something I think about that often. I have to say it felt good to think about even if it is just for fun.

It was AWESOME

Yes, New Moon was awesome! The werewolves were beautiful, and so was Jacob. It was well worth the wait, now if Eclipse would just come out sooner. Even my hubby liked it. Hmm. I may have to go see it again! Lol.

New Moon is here

I can't believe it but in about 15 hours I will be sitting down to watch New Moon. I know I sound like one of those teenage girls, but I feel like on when I think of seeing some of my favorite characters on the screen. This installment also includes one of my favorite supernatural creatures, werewolves. I mean I like the vampires and all but its the werewolves I am going to see. And after a day like I have had it gives me something to look forward to.

I got a great surprise this morning while teaching Poogie her math lesson. I took a dinner mint, you know the soft melt in your mouth ones, and popped it in my mouth, bit down and crack! One of my porcelain crowns busted into several pieces. It is part of a large bridge so it isn't something that can simply be replaced. My dentist is ordering the stuff to fix it, and hopefully next week all will be right again. I sure hope so. But, until then I have Bella, Edward and of course Jacob to keep me in good spirits.

True Bliss

I am experiencing something that has eluded me for quite some time, time alone. Not only time alone, but time alone at home no less. Being a stay at home, homeschooling mom time alone at home is almost unheard of. But thanks to my wonderful hubby I am sitting in front of my computer with a chocolate bar and diet coke. Funny how such small things can make one so happy.

I best take this moment for all it can offer because it will be quite a while before I can even glimpse another day at home with no place to go or time alone. I am focused on getting through the next few weeks till the Nutcracker and then enjoying the rest afterwards.

With all that said we are still plugging away at school. We have missed a few days here and there due to my hubby being home, but all in all we are staying on task.

I am looking forward to beginning my Christmas shopping and decorations. I usually try to be almost done by Thanksgiving but that will not happen this year. I hope to start in the next week or so and finish up in early December.

I taught my last class for the year at the YMCA yesterday. It was such a relief to have that monkey off my back. The program is okay, but my youngest isn't very happy with it so it has become a have to go situation since I have to teach. Now that it is over I'm not sure if we will return in January. When we started the program 2 years ago it was our only social outlet. Now the kids are involved in so much that the Y tends to be more of a hassle than its worth. So that is one that I am just going to have to wait and see what will happen.

But for now I will take my leave and enjoy my few moments of quite left.

Too busy

I know I haven't been blogging regularly. To my handful of readers out there I am sorry. I hope things get back to normal after The Nutcracker is over. Just a few more weeks and this whirlwind will be over and then I can stress out about something else, like Christmas lol. Till then don't give up on me, I'm still here.

Feeling better

Living in cotton country we have a yearly battle of the sinus and crud. This year has been the worst in several years. Starting last week I've had a sore throat, cough, sinus congestion and just felt yucky. It even lead to us missing a day of dance and swim last week, which is unheard of in this house. But, I just felt so terrible I had to take a day and rest. With all this Nutcracker rehearsal there isn't much time to rest. We will dance 7 days this week. And TT has a swim meet this Sat. Thank goodness my hubby will be here to help carry the load.

On a good note I did feel somewhat better to go out on a date with my hubby for our 14th wedding anniversary. We wanted to go away for the night but the kids schedules would not allow for it, but we had fun anyway. Hopefully we can take a short trip for Valentines. Right now it's all about flipping, swimming and school. Oh, and now I have to start Christmas shopping. Geez, when does the list ever end?

Happy Anniversary....

to me! Today my hubby and I celebrate our 14th wedding anniversary. I still have a hard time believing we've been married that long. But, we have and so we must celebrate it. The only problem is he is off somewhere working and here I sit at home. Until a few years ago we never spent an anniversary, birthday or any other holiday or milestone alone, but then one of us has to work. The best part is he will be coming home in a day or two and then we can go out and celebrate, even if it is a day or two late:)

Introducing the 2009 Bon-Bons......

These are not the entire set of bon bons but they happen to be some of Poogie's best buddies who received their letters the same day she did. Since then one more of her sweet friends has received that precious letter and has joined the cast. So here's the pic of the updated cast. They are such a sweet bunch. This is not the whole group of bon bons just the little ones.

So far the journey into the world of the stage and The Nutcracker has been exciting and very hard work. Poogie not only has 10 classes now, she picked up another advanced acro on Fridays, but also 2 to 3 days of rehearsal a week. That to me is a lot. My fear has been that she would crash and burn. However, the opposite has happened. For example, today we had to get up at 5:30 a.m. to take TT to a swim meet. After the meet we drove straight to the studio for a rehearsal. I thought that would have been enough, but no. I ended up having to make her stop practicing headstands so that we could eat dinner and relax for a little while.

What is hard to deal with is when other parents think you are pushing your child into these situations. That you are making them practice and take tons of classes. That may be the case with some, but that is not how it works in this house. Poogie has taken control and I am just along for the ride. I am constantly asking her if she is okay, does she want a break, is she over doing it. She looks at me like I am crazy and says, "Mom, I love to dance, just leave me alone!" So I do. I think passion is a wonderful thing. It seems to be something that she has in abundance for dance, so I am not going to stand in her way no matter how tired I get of driving her to the studio, of sitting there or of listening to others ask me why am I putting her through all this. I'm sure other parents of passionate children have heard these questions. But, I believe that those that really pursue their passion and excel at it have parents that support them, not hold them back. So here are your wings baby girl, fly!

Dreams do come true!

Today my sweet Poogie received her invitation to be in The Nutcracker production for Christmas 2009!! She will be a Bon-Bon!! This is what she has dreamed about. I don't think the reality of it has hit me yet. But I am so proud of her I feel like I could burst.

We had thought this year would not be it for her. She had to be 8 by Dec. to try out for an angel, and the bon-bons were by special invitation only. She is only 7 so we thought well maybe next year. But she has worked so hard to learn all the advanced tricks to move up to the advanced acrobats class that I guess it paid off. The rehearsal schedule will be demanding and hard but she just told me "So, I can do it." Her best buddy Sweet Pea received an invite to be a bon-bon too! What more could we ask for?? I never knew watching your kids reach their dreams could be so wonderful. Even if it is a dream you might never have wanted, when you look at it through their eyes it becomes your dream too. I don't understand her passion for dance, but I do understand what it is like to have a passion for something. It is a wonderful thing.

One of those moments

This is one of those moments that you just want to stop time so that you can remember what it was like before your first born becomes a teenager. Tomorrow at 10:05 p.m. my sweet first born boy will officially become a gulp, teen!

I just can't believe that 13 years have flow by so quickly. I still remember bringing him home from the hospital, stopping at Target on the way to buy diapers that actually fit his chubby little body. The newborns just didn't work.

It is a little bitter sweet. I don't like the thought of what is to come, but I am enjoying him so much right now I have to say it might be pretty cool. We have a blast together and he has yet to act like a total pain in the butt I remember being at that age, but then I am a girl. And I must admit my sweet Poogie has enough drama for us all!

I know it won't all be roses, but that is fine with me. At least I get to be there and take these steps with him and he doesn't seem to mind. Now if I can only get through tomorrow without crying I will be doing good.

Then again , I can think about next weekend when my house will be taken over by a bunch of hungry, awkward and smelly teenage boys to sleep over to celebrate this blessed event. Nope, still feeling a little weepy.

First USS Swim Meet

TT had his first USS swim meet this weekend and man was it awesome. He was so nervous, but he ended up swimming great. It was his first time swimming in front of his new coaches and he wanted so badly to do his best.

Saturday he swam both the 50 free and 50 backstroke. He wasn't expecting to place in the top 10 but low and behold he placed 9th in the free and 8th in the backstroke. He swam his best backstroke to date.

Today he swam the 100IM and 50 fly. He started out really good in the IM but the breaststroke was the killer. He ended up getting DQ because his kick motion was not just right. They are very picky and his breaststroke needs a lot of work. In his favorite event the 50 fly he ended up turning in a good time and placed 4th.

What made today even harder was one of the best butterfly swimmers on the planet was watching TT swim. To say it made him nervous was an understatement. Gil Stovall of the US Olympic swim team (he swam the 200fly) was at the meet to help coach the Memphis Tiger Swim Team that was also competing. TT got him to sign his swim cap Saturday and today got him to pose for a quick pic. He was gracious and supportive of all the young swimmers. As I watched him though out the day interacting with the young MTS swimmers I was so overjoyed to see a gifted athlete like him work so well with these up and coming swimmers. So here is the pic of TT and Gil Stovall. What an awesome experience.

Accomplishments

Today was a day of one great accomplishment. TT finally took his test for his Apologia General Science Module #1. I was wondering if this day would ever come. For those of you who know about his curriculum and this first chapter in particular you know it is a tough one to get through. But, low and behold we did it. He took the test this morning and made a 100%!! I felt like to doing the happy dance, still do! Most of it was due to those wonderful study cards I printed off from the yahoo group. What a wonderful resource that has been.

I was just lazy

That's right. I was lazy today. I spent most of the day curled up on the couch with my little dog Buffy watching some great movies on the syfy channel about werewolves. I was in heaven. Two of the movies were ones I had never seen. It is not like me to spend any day much less a Saturday on the couch, but I thought what the heck. My hubby and kids were outside doing what they like to to do, so I took some much needed me time.

It also helped that I know our schedule for the next two weeks is going to be just plain crazy. TT has swim meets the next two weekends and every week day we have something on the calendar. So I chilled, and then my hubby even got Mexican takeout for dinner. It really didn't fit into our budget, but man was it worth every penny.

Learning as we go

Beginning the school year with new curriculum is always a learning experience. After 2 and a half years of homeschooling I am still amazed at how long it takes me to learn all the ins and outs of a new curriculum.

Take for example TT's new science curriculum. Apologia General Science. I never thought I was an Apologia person. I had looked at it several times, but since I'm not a fan most Christian science curriculums I always passed on it. Well that was until this year. I finally gave up hope of finding a: 1) inexpensive and decent secular curriculum and 2) a good Christian curriculum that I could afford and liked. I have to say I am so glad we gave Apologia a try.

The first Module has been tough to say the least. Poor TT has been very understanding through all my trial and error. "Write out the summary." "No, write out the study guide." He just smiled and took it. I ended up joining a Yahoo group for Apologia users and it has been so wonderful. First, I found a fill in the blank for the summary. Now, I know it says in the book that the student should write out the summary to help with studying and memory. But to my son it was horrible. The fill in the blank worked wonderful for us. Then I found some great flash cards that followed the study guide. He answers the questions on the cards and then can use them to study. Those were just what we needed. He is flying through the cards. I have to admit the first mod is overwhelming, but he seems to be taking it in stride. Today while discussing some of the answers on the study guide I was amazed at how much he could recall from memory. Now just to get through the test and then we can move on, finally!

We are doing Workboxes!!!

Yes, I have jumped on the workbox bandwagon! I started using the system with Poogie last week and since it went so well I'm starting TT this week. First I bought Sue Patrick's Workbox book. I am a owners manual type girl, so that was a must. You can purchase it on Sue's website here, or from Amazon. I got mine from Amazon because I needed to order a few other books too.


I had first heard about the workbox system on some blogs I browsed through over the summer. Then, my dear friend, MK, told me she was using them and they were working really well. That sealed the deal. I wanted to try them but was afraid that it would be a waste of time and money, but oh how wrong I was.


The hardest part was buying all the stuff, printing out the cards and such, laminating (I am so thankful I have a little Scotch laminater. It is now my best friend.) With all this off I went to set up my workbox system. I found the shoe rack at Target for under $15. Great buy. And my shoe boxes were $1.02 each at Target. I liked the Target ones over Wally Worlds because they were wider. I needed that extra width for some of our books. Here are our workboxes ready to go for tomorrow. On Tues./ Thurs. we only do 6 or 7 since we have the YMCA in the afternoon. On the other days we do all 12, including some fun activities along with basic subjects.




I found the cutest tags on a great blog, Spell Out Loud, by Maureen. She actually got them from another blogger, Cassie. I loved them. So I printed these instead of Sue's. They are so cute.
Here are our schedule strips. I enjoyed making them to match each child.

I don't know if we will do this forever. It may be a passing fad, but so far we really like it. The system offers a way to organize the day, along with allowing the kids to see their work disappear as they work through the boxes. Have a great week!

Swim Team Banquet

Last night we got to enjoy the company of our fellow swim team members at the swim team banquet to honor our swimmers for the '08-'09 season. We had a great time visiting with friends and some good food too!

The swim coach from the USA team came to the event, so TT got to meet one of his new coaches for the upcoming season. He is so excited about joining the USA swim team! But he doesn't have to wait long since practice starts Tuesday.

After dinner the kids swim coach, Ms. K, gave out awards for the year. These included ribbons and medals from the Championships in Tunica, to individual awards. TT received two silver medals from Tunica in butterfly and freestyle relay, a fifth place ribbon in backstroke and in freestyle, and a swim trophy. The big honor of the night for TT was receiving the most dedicated swimmer award of the boy swimmers. I was so proud. He was truly dedicated. This is a first for him to give his all in a sport. Here is TT receiving his swim trophy.

Poogie received several ribbons from Tunica, a swim trophy, and the most dedicated award for girl swimmer, too!!! I was overwhelmed to have both of my kids recognized for dedication! You could say I was a very proud momma!

Here is Poogie receiving her swim trophy from her coach, Ms. K. These little trophies were so cute they were bobble headed!

I will post the pick of them getting their dedication trophies when I get them from a friend. I was so excited I forgot to get a picture.

Now all this leads up to a new swim season beginning Tuesday. It will be different swimming USA. TT will train 4 days a week and the meets will be bigger and more intense, but he is looking forward to it. Poogie opted to just do dance. That was fine since she has 7 classes, 3 nights a week.

I plan on spending the rest of the weekend setting up my school room and getting ready for the week to come. Will post more on that later.

Weekend recap

As unusual I'm sitting here wondering what happened to the weekend. It seems as though you go to sleep on Friday night and poof it is Sunday evening!! We enjoyed the weekend with family and a little work thrown in too.

Friday night we went out to eat and on a shopping hunt for shorts and swim trunks. TT and Poogie needed long shorts for the new dress code at the Y. TT hates wearing the type of shorts they are asking him to wear. The loose basket ball type shorts. But we found him some that he could deal with. Shorts for Poogie on the other hand were harder to find. All that was out there was those super short shorts, super ugly longer shorts or fall cloths. We just found out about the dress code a few weeks ago so it was kind of at a bad time to find them. We ended up buying just a few pairs. The real fight will be when it turns cold. Poogie is not a jogging suit, sweat pants girl. She loves jeans and that is it. I will have to find some middle ground.

Saturday was spent at the farmer's market buying some yummy fresh produce and at a family birthday party. The kids had fun playing with all their cousins and we enjoyed catching up with everybody.

Today we started to work on all our stuff to put in the yard sale. You have no idea how much crap you accumulate over the years until you start going through it all for something like this. I haven't had a yard sale in a few years, but man am I due. Now I am tired so off to bed I go.

2nd Week of School

We are almost halfway through the second week of school and for the most part everything is going well. Poogie is loving her Saxon math, who would have thought?? TT just hated Saxon in ps, but each child is different. Poogie's hardest subject so far is Bob Jones English. It is a really good program, but much more challenging than her phonics and English last year. The hardest part for her has been getting into the groove with reading again. I have to say this will be the last summer that we do not do any school work. It is just to hard to get started again in the fall. Poogie is like a rusty old wheel turning when it comes to her reading. We just have to find our groove again.


TT is enjoying his new curriculum, especially Teaching Textbooks and Apologia science. Teaching Textbooks is wonderful. Math has always been our dreaded subject, but not anymore. He, like Poogie, want to do math first thing instead of the last dreaded subject of the day.

Science is also one of our favorite subjects. Yes, the first chapter of the Apologia Science is tough, but it is broken down really well and I have given TT some great study supports. The experiments have been so much fun. What is great is that the experiments really support the ideas and concepts in the book. Here is a photo of today's experiment. It was so much fun we did it twice.

Poogie has enjoyed her Bob Jones science. She has been learning about planning and planting a garden, something she loves!

I have to say we have started out the year pretty lax as far as where we do school. Most of Poogie's work is done at the kitchen table or on the couch. TT stays in his room at his desk or on his bed. I have to do so much oral work with Poogie it is hard for him to concentrate while we read and do our lessons.

Here is Poogie in her pj's and her hair all a mess working on her new clipboard, doing her "homework". She wanted homework of all things.

TT enjoyed reading and doing some of his work in his room all comfy on his bed. You see he does have a desk, but he just doesn't like using it. Go figure.

All this leads up to my big announcement! I am getting a school room!!! Picture me doing a happy dance right now. It will be so nice to get all the school stuff out of my little bitty house. Plus, I think the kids will do better without all the distractions of pets, phones, toys and games. I will let you know more as my plan evolves.

Letting go

For me it has always been hard to live in the moment, to ride by the seat of my pants, or to just let things happen as they happen. I confess I am a planner, an organizing geek. I love to spend hours with my label maker and my clear storage bins. My family probably thinks that if I could I would label them.

I know this leads to my over stressing about things. I turn a little pale at the thought of my daughter's Polly Pockets being put in the bin with the Pet Shop toys. Gasp! Then I came across a quote or a phrase as the blogger called it, "Let go of the day you have planned and enjoy the day you been given". Wow. So simple, yet something I hardly ever think of. I hope to make it my new quote to live by. Something must bring me out of this vicious cycle of planning, stressing, planning, well you get the idea.

Now if I could only get my hubby to listen??

First Day of School!!!

We made it through the first day of school with flying colors! Poogie was up and ready to go, TT not so much. We all finally got going and actually had some fun. Poogie loves her new math and science. TT enjoyed exploring Teaching Textbooks and his Apologia science.

I still haven't added TT's reading and writing curriculum, but that can be done next week. With everything up in the air about what we will be doing this year for the YMCA and swim I'm taking it slow when it comes to planning to much.

After lessons we went to the homeschool skate party at the rink. It was so nice to catch up with everyone. TT and Poogie got to skate and hang out with all their buds. A great way to end the first day of school.

Day 3 plus...

So far I have had good days and bad when it comes to getting away from caffeine. I did go to the grocery store today to buy some healthy snacks and food for myself. That seems to always help when I am trying to be healthier.

The decaf hot tea has also helped a lot. I love drinking it in the mornings with my mid-morning snack. I just need to work on drinking more water.

This has been a long and trying week. Many things are still up in the air about our schedule for the fall. That drives me crazy, but it isn't something I can do anything about until next week. It all depends on other peoples actions, not mine.

Our lives may pretty much stay the same as last year, or they may change dramatically. I don't mind change I just hate waiting to see what will happen. I'm impatient at times, can't help that.

We are going to ease into school as of Monday. I do have some appointments that will interfere with a full day of school some days, but we will still make a go of it. Poogie starts dance the 17th and that in itself will be challenging. She is taking 8 classes this year and can't wait to start. If it was up to her she would dance all day and the heck with school.

Well off to bed.

Day 2 in my battle to kick my caffeine habit

I did really good for most of the day as far as caffeine goes. I drank my decaf coffee this morning with a nice cup of caffeine free tea in the mid morning. But I slipped a little at supper this evening. I ended up drinking a total of 3 and a half Diet Cokes in the end.

But based on what I use to consume that is doing quite well. I got really nervous and just grabbed one out of habit during all the storms and stuff this evening. I know that it doesn't help when you're nervous to drink caffeine but I couldn't help it.

One day at a time.

I think I can, I think I can...

I feel like the little engine that could at this moment. I am officially trying to kick the caffeine habit, or I should say the Diet Coke habit. I never really had an issue with caffeine or soda until I had Poogie and started drinking Diet Coke. Now I live on the stuff. I know it is bad for me. It makes me irritable, and my stomach hurt, but I can't stop. That was until my stomach has started hurting all the time. So just as an experiment I limited my caffeine intake to day and surprise it has hurt much, much less. In fact it feels quite good at this moment. It's more of a burning ache instead of hurting but it still doesn't feel good.

Now I'm not going off of it cold turkey. I don't think my kids or hubby would appreciate that, but I am trying to cut way back. I drank some wonderful caffeine free herbal tea this evening and water with dinner!! Yes, water! My body might just be in shock! I will just have to wait and see what the next 24 hours brings but it may get pretty ugly around here;)

Heartbroken...

I finally got to go see The Half Blood Prince this weekend and I am actually heartbroken. HBP was my favorite of the Harry Potter books and I couldn't wait for it to come to life on the big screen, but wow what a disappointment.

I know directors and screen writers make changes that is fine. What made this movie so bad was that it was so slow and poorly done. I almost fell to sleep during it, which would never had happened during the previous movies. The acting even seemed forced at times. I only hope that they can redeem themselves with the final two movies. It would be a shame to see Harry fizzle out instead of going out with a bang.

My hubby has promised to take me to see The Ugly Truth with none other than Gerard Butler this weekend! I have to say it would have to be pretty bad for me to fall asleep in one with him in it;) Ahh, we shall see!

Tunica Swim Meet!!

We have returned from the final swim meet of the season in Tunica, MS. I can't believe it is over. But what a time we have had this summer. TT and Poogie have enjoyed every minute of the swim meets and practices. I have to admit I was even a little sad to see it all end. And man what a way to end a season.

The aquatics center was awesome. The kids really felt like they were in the big time with the digital scoreboard, touch timers, and cool down pool. Even though we were missing several team members we still put on a strong showing.

Of course things were a little crazy. The organizers changed some things around that was confusing and nerve wracking if you have a very nervous child like mine, but it all ended up well. TT missed his 50m butterfly due to confusion and had to race with the little ones. He didn't swim as well as he had all season in that race but he made that up with his best swim in back stroke ever. Even his turn was great!

Poogie did excellent. She even had to take the place of one of the 11-12 year old girls in a free relay. It was so sweet to see my little Poogie standing there, her head only reaching the middle of most of those girls. She swam a strong 50m free style, doing a flip turn like she had been swimming 50's all year in competition. She amazes me.

My hubby even got in on the fun being a timer. He really enjoyed himself. We all returned home yesterday exhausted, but happy that we had taken the chance and given swim team a try. What a ride.

Today Poogie started her dance camp. There are only 7 girls attending this camp, which is excellent for Poogie. She will get a lot of one on one time with both friends and teachers. She also added tap to her dance classes for the fall. She never really liked tap at her old school but wanted to give it a try since she likes all her other classes at her new school so much more. So as of now she will be taking 2 ballet, 2 acrobat, 1 jazz, 1 hip-hop, and one tap. I may need to just buy a small camping trailer and move to the school parking lot for the next 9 months.

After this week of dance camp I will have 2 whole weeks free of any commitments. I hope to scrapbook and get the house organized for school. I can hope anyway!

What's new!

I know I haven't posted for a while, but I have tried to take a little break this summer from all the computer stuff. It has been nice to not feel that I have to be on facebook every moment. But I have to say most of my time has been spent taking my kids to swim practice, swim meets and trying to organize everything for the next school year.

We had our last regular swim meet last Tuesday. They did great. TT even got first place in the 50 free!! Now we have a week of practice and then it is off to the finals. As I have said in the past the kids have really loved the swim team. TT has really enjoyed it and would like to keep with the program. We have been blessed to have two extraordinary young swimmers working with the kids who have stepped up and been great coaches. It has been a great experience.

I worked last weekend to recover from my horrible root canal. My jaw was the color of a grape, both purple and green, and I felt like I had been punched. It took over a week for it to return to normal. Then this Wed. I got to get another root canal on the tooth behind it. This one went much smoother. No pain or bruising.

I have pretty much got the curriculum organized and ready to go for the upcoming school year. We plan on starting Aug. 10th. I would have really liked to have gotten their new school desks before we start but maybe I can get them later.

I am also in the process of planning my curriculum for the YMCA science class I will be teaching this fall. I am excited about teaching again, but dread doing all the prep work on top of all the kids school work, but it will be worth it.

I know, it all sounds boring, but for now this is all I can post. Too tired to do much more. I may post some new pics this weekend if I get a moment.

We've been transfomed!!

By Transformers, that is. We just got home from seeing the new Transformers movie. It was really good. I had read the reviews and heard what others were saying about it, mostly negative but as usual when I checked it out form myself it ended up being really good. My kids both liked it more than the first movie.

We have been busy trying to fit a whole weekend into less than a day and a half that my hubby was home. Yesterday and this morning was spent mowing grass and doing things around the house then we took off for the theater.

Now I need to get the kids to bed early since tomorrow we begin swim practice in the mornings, 9 a.m. We are not morning people so this should be interesting. After getting them tucked in it will be time for my hubby and I to enjoy our favorite show on HBO, True Blood. All in all a great weekend.

Hello all!

I had planned on blogging about the goings on around our house, but after the events of yesterday I just would like to share my thoughts on Michael Jackson's death.

To say that I was shocked yesterday when I heard of his death would be and understatement. He was one of those people that just seemed immortal. I know he has been weird and accused of awful things. But that is not the Michael I think of when I hear his name. I think of the boy that danced to Thriller and Beat It. I remember dancing to those songs, dressing like him and thinking that everything he did was so cool. He was a big part of my late elementary and jr. high school years.

My heart goes out to his family and children. No matter what he has done or how crazy he lived, everyone I have seen interviewed did note that he was a wonderful father and loved his children. My heart is with them. The music industry will never be the same without him.

Swim Meets!

Last night we had our second swim meet of the season and it was a blast. Swimming has turned out to be one of the best activities we have ever tried. Both Poogie and TT love the meets and practices. The meets offer them a chance to spend time with their buddies and make new friends with kids from the other teams. You can make the meets as competitive as you want to, which I just love. Both of mine are competitive to a point but not to where it isn't fun anymore. They just enjoy being out there and doing their best.

This was a great pic of Poogie and TT before the meet. They actually love being on the same team. Plus, mom only has to be in one place to see them both, a great bonus.

This pic shows the main reason we love the meets. TT and his buddies hang out between heats. The friendships are great. They support each other while swimming and amuse each other during down time.

This pic did not turn out so good but I had to show Poogie hanging out with her buddies too. Plus, this pic also includes one of their coaches, Ms. A. They have been so blessed to have such sweet supportive coaches.

This pic is of TT on the starting block. Don't you just love the suits. At first the boys really didn't like them because of the bubbles on them, but after going to a meet and seeing how great they all look together the love them.

Here is Poogie on the starting block. She looks so tiny up there, but that doesn't stop her from kickin' butt.

This meet required them both to compete in four events. TT swam the free, back, relay and 100meter IM. Poogie swam the free, breast, relay and 100 IM. This was the first 100 IM for both of them, and they had to swim it at the end of the night. It was hard on both of them. What was amazing was seeing my 7 year old swim the same event at my 12 year old. They both finished in the middle of the field. Which was good with it being Poogies first time and longest swim ever (most of their swims are just 25 meters on one length of the pool, not 4), and TT first time and having to the the breast stroke his least favorite. For those of you that don't know what a 100m IM is it requires the swimmers to swim 4 lengths of the pool, swimming a different stroke with each length. The order of stokes was butterfly, back, breast and free. I will post the results of their heats when I get them tomorrow.

They have both been swimming with the year round swim team at practice, and I have to say it has really paid off. Their endurance and focus just amazes me. I am so proud of them.

A toothache and new curriculum

I am still suffering from this horrible toothache. I can't wait until I go to the dentist tomorrow. The only way I am coping is with pain medicine and soft food to eat. I hate that I am missing out on such a beautiful weekend outside and visiting church with friends, but I am too out of it to do much of anything. That is the trade off, be in pain or loopy. I choose loopy over the blinding pain I have had the last few days.

Anywho, I took a moment to post my curriculum for next year for those of you that are interested.

For TT I have changed from my original plan. He has come so far in his math since just May we have decided to go on into pre-algebra. Since he is above level on all other subjects, we have decided to just jump into 8th grade. We shall see how it goes. He is old enough to be in 8th since I started him a year late in kindergarten, so that is not an issue. My curriculum for him is a mixture of 7th and 8th grade.

Math-Teaching Textbooks Pre-Algebra
Science-Apologia
History-Bob Jones
Grammar-Easy Grammar Plus & Editor in Chief
Writing-Write Shop
Literature-Various novels such as (The Outsiders, Tuck Everlasting, The Giver and Tom Sawyer)
Foreign Language-German (Mango Languages) One Semester
Computer Literacy-One Semester
P.E. -YMCA program and swim team

For Poogie, who will be in 2nd grade, my choices have been pretty easy. We have added a full history and science program this year.

Math-Saxon
Science-Bob Jones
History-Bob Jones
English-Bob Jones
Reading-Bob Jones
Spelling-Bob Jones
Handwriting-Bob Jones
P.E.-YMCA program and multiple dance classes
Typing-Spongebob Typing

So there it is. All is bought and paid for, now all I have to do it get it all organized and ready to go. That's the fun part!

I've got it all!!

YES! I ordered the last of our curriculum for next year this evening. I waited until today to order because we had our last used curriculum sale today and I was hoping to make some money to help purchase the books and to maybe find some of it used. No such luck finding the last few things used but I did make a little over half of the amount needed to order the rest of our curriculum. That made me pretty happy! Now all I need to do is re-enroll the kids in their umbrella school for next fall and I would like to buy them each a desk. Other than that we are ready to go.

I made it through the ordeal today even though I had a terrible tooth ache. I have a dentist appointment for Monday but I hate that our weekend will be ruined because I feel so terrible.
I will post my finalized curriculum choices for next year in a day or two when I am feeling better.

The Big Show!

Yes, we made it. The big show is over. I have to say it was a relief to have it over and done with but also a little bittersweet. I loved watching all the girls dance, especially my Poogie and I hated to see it end. But alas it has and now we only have swim team. What will I do with all my free time;)

The show went off beautifully. Poogie had several friends show up to see her dance. It was a wonderful treat for her to have support other than family there. It was very touching. Most were very surprised of the level of talent at the recital. Our school puts on one heck of a show. Poogie surprised me at her calm and control on stage. She was so focused. She just amazes me.

After being there for 2 shows and a short break for dinner, we arrived home after 10p.m., we got there at 12:30 for the first show. The day was very long, but rewarding. Poogie surprised me when I arrived on stage to get her at the end of the night by saying "Mom when can I do it again?". I was dog tired and all I had done was sit in the audience. She was still dancing on the way to the dressing room to change out of her tutu. I couldn't believe she still had energy. The burst was short lived when we arrived home and she fell into bed falling to sleep almost instantly. So sweet, my little ballerina.

We made it to the finale!!

Whew! What a week it has been. This is Poogie's final week of dance. We had rehearsals all week. Tuesday was 2 and a half hours of studio rehearsal and then we were off to the kids first swim meet. They did excellent. Where Poogie got the energy I do not know, but she swam in 4 events. TT really kicked it in and showed his stuff. I was very proud of both of them and the entire team.

Wednesday was free, well free in that we didn't have to go to dance or swim. I ended up doing tons of laundry and cleaning house. Thursday and today was spent at dress rehearsal. We enjoyed it.

When I first decided to put Poogie in this new dance school I heard horror stories of hours and hours of waiting at rehearsal. We were there for several hours but it was just enough for her group to rehearse and to get pictures taken. Not a lot of time was wasted. It was very organized and well managed, I was impressed. In fact everything about her new school has been excellent from the teachers to the experience itself. She loves it.

Tomorrow is the big show. Poogie will be performing in both shows so it will be a long day, but well worth it. I can't wait to see her shine.

Memorial Day weekend!

So far our weekend has been nice. Saturday was spent with my sweet Poogie. We went shopping, a girls day. I ended up buying her some pretty dresses to wear this summer. There were some really good sales out there so we got some good bargains.

My hubby didn't get home from work until late that evening so we just stayed in and watched movies. Today was spent just being lazy this morning. It was nice just to hang out and not really do anything. Then we went to church with some friends of ours. It is our second visit to the church. I have to say I am really enjoying it. It is a whole new experience for my family, and so far a good one.

Tonight we have been experiencing rain, storms, and even a tornado close by. I would like to have a weekend free of rain. It seems like it has rained all spring. I'm definitely ready for some sunny days. Maybe tomorrow will be sunny, a way to end the weekend on a bright note.

We have a guest!!

That's right we have a guest in our home this week. His name is Bandit and he is a sweet guinea pig. We were lucky enough to watch the little guy while his owner is busy in Washington D.C. at the National Spelling Bee!!

So far it has been interesting. My hubby has never liked the little critters much, but I love them. So this is a kind of test drive to see if one day we can have one or a rabbit of our own. Our chihuahua, Buffy is very interested. It was love at first sight for her. She just can't get enough of the little guy. Every move he makes, she goes nuts. She whines and he peeps at her. It is hilarious.

My hopes and prayers are with TT's friend and his family as they travel to D.C. for him to compete in the bee.

Long time...

Yes, I know it has been a while since I blogged. A good friend and obviously an actual reader of my blog noted this evening that she has missed reading my blogs. It was nice to hear that someone actually reads about all my rambling and daily drama.

Well, life has been busy these last few months, I won't lie to ya. Between dance, swim team, play dates, social events and just daily life I have been running myself crazy. After next week dance ends for Poogie, but what a week it will be. We have studio and dress rehearsals several days and then recital on Saturday. Plus, we have swim practice and our first swim meet. Thank goodness I have a great network of fellow homeschoolers and girlfriends that help me out when I need it.

I have also been shopping for curriculum for next year and planning science lessons to teach at the YMCA program next year. That's right I am slipping on my teaching hat and will be teaching my favorite subject, science. We will see how it all goes.

I just wanted to take a moment to publish the latest pics of my kids with their swim team buddies at our swim-a-thon. The kids swam and raised money for their suits and other team necessities. I have to say that the swim team has been a great activity to be involved in. It has improved my kids focus, determination and overall health. They are in the best shape ever, especially TT and they love it.

Well, I must take a little mommy time now that the sweet ones are in bed.

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day, everyone!!!!

Still busy.

Yes, as usual our life is still busy. This week we have yearly testing and I am working as a monitor during the testing. I know what was I thinking. Well, I was thinking that if my son will be there anyway and I can't drive home for those few hours I might as well help out. It just seems like all I get done is run here, run there. Talk about a dog chasing it's tail.

Next week will be our last at the YMCA program for the summer. We will miss everyone but it will give us time to catch up on school work. I am looking forward to some quite, unscheduled time, but that may be just a dream for a while.

Sometimes a song says it all...

Run your car off the side of the road
Get stuck in a ditch way out in the middle of nowhere
Or get yourself in a bind lose the shirt off your back
Need a floor, need a couch, need a bus fare

This is where the rubber meets the road
This is where the cream is gonna rise
This is what you really didn't know
This is where the truth don't lie

{Chorus}
You find out who your friends are
Somebody's gonna drop everything
Run out and crank up their car
Hit the gas, get there fast
Never stop to think 'what's in it for me?' or 'it's way too far'
They just show on up with their big old heart
You find out who your friends are

Everybody wants to slap your back
wants to shake your hand
when you're up on top of that mountain
But let one of those rocks give way then you slide back down look up
and see who's around then

This ain't where the road comes to an end
This ain't where the bandwagon stops
This is just one of those times when
A lot of folks jump off

When the water's high
When the weather's not so fair
When the well runs dry
Who's gonna be there?

You find out who your friends are
(yeah, yeah)
You find out who your friends are

Run your car off the side of the road
Get stuck in a ditch way out in the middle of nowhere
(Well man, I've been there)
Or get yourself in a bind lose the shirt off your back
Need a floor, need a couch, need a bus fare
(Man, I've been there)
Man, I've been there
Oooh yeah.

Brent Byrnes, Lyrics
Tracy Lawrence, singer

Update!

As you can see by the slide show we have been keeping busy. We took the trip to Shiloh for the annual reenactment to go along with the lapbook unit on the Civil War we have been working on. It has been interesting for both TT and myself to learn about he Civil War. I never really learned much about it in school and what better way to learn about it than to go and see where the battles were fought.

It was really neat to see the soldiers all dressed and acting out the battle. The cannons were loud and smoky, and the muskets were quieter than we thought they would be. We also were able to meet some interesting participants that were there to represent the Union army and navy. Each person took the time to discuss their role and information with us. It was fascinating.

I do recommend going to any reenactment near your hometown. It was definitely worth the drive.

Big NEWS!!

I just read on my favorite author's blog, Laurell K. Hamilton, that they are making a t.v. movie out of her Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series. I am like a kid in a candy store. First we have, True Blood based on the Charlaine Harris books, Twilight by Stephenie Meyer, and now my favorite Anita Blake.

You can read about the press release here on her blog.

I am a big Buffy fan and Anita Blake is a more mature and rougher vampire slayer. Plus, her books are based in St. Louis, my home town. Granted the Anita books are a little more "hard core" than the others but I love them. There are like 16 of the novels which are also being converted to comic books.

The movie is suppose to come out next year on the Independent Film Channel. I can't wait!!!

Spring Break is over:(

Yes, it's back to school and our busy lives again. Well, we actually did school everyday last week except Tuesday. That was left open to go to the Pink Palace Museum in Memphis. We got caught up in some of our subjects, but not all.

We loved the museum. TT wants to go back and spend his time viewing the exhibits. He could get lost in all those fossils, rocks and the historical stuff. I would like to post some of his favorite pics from the trip as soon as I have a minute.

To finish up spring break we took it easy over the weekend. It was nice to just hang out, watch movies and do nothing. Sunday we went to see the ballet of Peter Pan. It was put on by the ballet arts group from Poogie's dance studio. It was magical. When this group does a production it is excellent, and the premiere of Peter Pan was one of their best. The characters flew through the clouds, the pirates had sword fights and the crocodile was a hoot. Poogie couldn't stop talking about it.

So today we were back to school and swim practice. Only about a month left of the Y and it will be time for summer break. I can't believe how fast his year has flown by.

Diets are for everyone.

I took my sweet Buffy to the vet today for her yearly shots and physical. What started as a routine checkup turned into a nightmare for my sweet little pup. To put it bluntly she is fat. She should weigh around 7 to 9 pounds, yet she weighed in at a whooping 15 pounds.

So needless to say, no more treats, table scraps or junk food for our little, or I should say plump little dog. She's none to happy with the situation. Everything else check out okay. I left the vets office with my arms a little heavier (carrying Buffy) and my pocketbook tremendously lighter.

Update.

I guess I need to get on the ball and update my blog more often. It just seems like by the time I get to it I'm to darn tired to type. So, here it goes before I get too tuckered out.

We have been busy, of course. This week is spring break, which means no YMCA or dance. The YMCA is having swim team practice but we are not attending this week. I took the week off, totally. I plan on catching up with school work, like that will ever happen LOL, finish my unit on the human body we will begin next week, and just chill.

So far my plan is not going so well. We did do school today, but not as much as I would have liked. I haven't really chilled out and just hung out either. I've been too busy spring cleaning and doing never ending laundry.

Tomorrow we plan on taking a trip to a museum with another homeschool family if the weather cooperates. It may be stormy. I am ready for spring, but not all the stormy weather that comes with it.

On a positive note, my ds TT is reading. And I mean really reading. He started reading through the Twilight series about a month ago and is now on the third book, Eclipse! He hasn't ever read a book this fast and with so much excitement. I had already read all the books several times and it is so fun to sit and discuss all these great characters with my son. We are really enjoying the discussions.

I must go for now.

A Winter Storm Warning can be a good thing.

This morning we woke up to trees covered in ice and our porch in sleet. I knew instantly that the schools would be closed here in our county, and they were. I also knew that we would not be going to the YMCA program or swim practice.

The sleet and ice stopped about 9 a.m. and TT thought we should go ahead and go, but not me. I wasn't worried about getting there it was getting home after dark and the temperature dropping. Good thing I we stayed because a little after noon the sleet started again and lasted for over 3 hours.

To be honest I was relieved. We hadn't completed much school work this week so it gave us time to catch up. Plus my laundry had really piled up so I could tackle it too. This afternoon I was able to take some time to plan our next science unit study, The Human Body. I ordered a few more books for both Poogie and TT from Rainbow Resource to complete the unit. I plan on starting it in a few weeks. I also plan on posting my unit here on my blog.

I feel much more relaxed heading into the weekend knowing that my laundry is caught up, school work will be completed and the house is clean. So today I have to say that, yes a winter storm warning was a good thing.

Literature Unit Studies

One of my fellow homeschool friends posted a comment about the type of literature units I use and where do I get them. Since I couldn't find my friends e-mail address, I will post the info here.

I have purchased a few lit unit studies, but most I have gotten free online. Here are some of the sites I use.

http://www.dist102.k12.il.us/resources/Rdng_Lit4/readingresources.htm
http://gardenofpraise.com/lesson.htm
http://www.mce.k12tn.net/units/units_with_books.htm

The reading level of the books are varied. I have enjoyed using some of these units to explore our favorite books. Enjoy!

Homeschooler's Rock!!!

My son TT's best friend proved that homeschooling is a wonderful thing last Saturday. He won the regional spelling bee and is now going to Washington D. C. to compete in the National Spelling Bee!!!!

I am so proud of him and I know his mother is too. What is really cool is that she also went to the National Spelling Bee when she was a child. I guess it runs in the family.

So since I don't use real names on my blog other than mine I will have to say,"Congratulations, Mini Phelps!" That is his nick name given to him because he is such an awesome swimmer. Geez is there anything that kid can't do??

Thinking about next year.

I have been reflecting a lot on what has worked for us this year as far as homeschooling curriculum goes and what hasn't. That thinking leads to what do I want to do next year? What works, what doesn't.

For our family I have to say the one thing we will no longer be using is Math U See. It was a God send when TT came home from public school so behind and confused. Now, it is a chore for both of my children each and every day. It doesn't help that I dread trying to teach the stuff in the weird quirky ways that it is presented. It just isn't a good fit for us anymore. But that is what is so great about homeschooling. If it doesn't work you can fix it!!

So here are my thought and plans for next year. Disclaimer: My thoughts can and probably will change before July, but I am a woman and that is my right.

For my TT, and 7th grader:

Literature: I thought about going with BJP but we enjoy reading novels and using the literature guides with them. So I have created a list with 3 definite novels and a few more that we may want to do. Hatchet by Gary Paulsen, The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton and The Giver by Lois Lowry. We are also thinking about Tuck Everlasting and Animal Farm.

Grammar: I am thinking about Easy Grammar Plus or Abeka, with Editor in Chief B-1, BJP Vocabulary, and Word Roots.

Math: Teaching Textbooks 7

Science: BJP Science

History:BJP Heritage Studies 7

I haven't decided if I will add a semester of foreign language, but I know I want to do a semester of computer literacy.

For my sweet Poogie, 2nd grader:

All her subjects at this time will be from Bob Jones. We have been very happy with the curriculum this year and I don't see any need to change. I will be adding the formal science and history curriculum next year, and changing to BJP math or Saxon.

I hope to find much of this as I did last year in used condition online, at book and curriculum sales and from friends. Here's to planning.

We Missed the SNOW!!

I can't believe it. We went to Murfreesboro this weekend to move my hubby out of his apartment since he only stays there about 2 days a month. It just wasn't worth it. We drove up Friday, and ate Greek of course. Then we went shopping at the mall. My hubby is in desperate need of new clothes. So the shopping was for him for a change.

Saturday I got to go to my favorite store, Super Target. I could spend hours in there. Then we went ice skating in Nashville. The kids had been waiting to go back, they love it so much. We ended the evening at Opry Mills Mall hiking around the enormous place, and eating lots of junk food.

This morning we woke to so much snow, but no proper clothes to go out in it. By the time we got outside to load up my hubby's stuff it was beginning to melt big time. There was still some snow on the ground when we got home, but it was all wet from melting. The kids played in it anyway.

I just couldn't believe we missed it as much as we love snow. Maybe we will get some more before winters over, here's hoping.

More items to add to my To Do list.

The house is finally quiet, well as quiet as it ever gets. The kids are in bed and here I set at the computer trying to plan out yet another activity my kids want to participate in, a science fair. It's not a full blown science fair but just one for the kids to bring in something that interests them to share with their friends.

Both of my kids love to collect things. Poogie has a great collection of shells, and TT a collection of fossils and unique rocks. TT would like to take something more elaborate, but under the current circumstances and my lack of time we will have to work with what we have.

I love science it is my favorite subject, but I always hated the science fair. We never got to study something that really interested us in high school. Plus, by the time you get done with all the stuff that goes along with the actual experiment it kind of kills the fun of it. I am glad mine have yet to really do a "science fair".

So this weekend was suppose to be spent getting stuff together for their projects, but it may be spent at my hubby's apartment. We are planning on going for a short visit, just one night. I can't wait to get away. For those few days I can pretend that we live there and all the daily pressure and stress of living here is swept away. Can't wait.

What we have been up to..

I can't believe it has been so long since I last blogged. But the kids have kept me so busy lately I can hardly remember my name.

Last weekend Poogie had a slumber party at her dance studio and TT stayed the night with his best friend. I thought that would give me and hubby a lot of alone time. We haven't been alone in the house in a long, long time. We really wanted to go out to eat at The Outback but there was no way, it was so busy. So we went to Cracker Barrel. It was nice to eat a home cooking type meal.

Then we came home for some one on one time. It was nice. But it would have been nicer if we didn't have to get up at 7 a.m. to get Poogie from her party and TT from his buddies. Plus, my hubby had dreams all night so I ended up getting just a few hours sleep.

We all just lazed around all day due to the lack of sleep for all of us but hubby. Then we went out for a treat, The Outback. It's so expensive, but it is a nice treat every once in a while.

Sunday, TT got contacts at the eye doctor. He has been having trouble seeing in the pool during swim practice, so we now have contacts. They have been somewhat of a challenge to get in and out, but with practice I think he will do fine. It so weird seeing him without glasses. He looks all grown up, sniff, sniff.

This has pretty much been how the last few weeks have been. Swim practice, YMCA, homeschool swim night, slumber parties and oh yeah, school. Tomorrow it's YMCA, dance for Poogie and swim for TT, then pizza with friends. It's crazy I know but it is my life and I love it.

The hardest thing about homeschooling.

I thought when I started homeschooling the hardest thing I would face would be worrying whether my children were getting all the knowledge they needed. Am I using the right curriculum, teaching the right skills, covering enough material in a year? But, no the hardest thing I have faced while homeschooling is finding time for myself. That time when you unplug from being a mom, daughter and wife. When you can be creative and enjoy just doing something for fun.

As I have noted in other posts I love to scrapbook. I have a cabinet full of fun toys to use to create my ideal scrapbook pages. The hard part is finding the time. I always say that Sunday afternoon is my time to scrap, but it hardly ever seems to happen that way.

To get in the creative mood I like to be alone with my music playing and just enjoy the flow of creating. That is hard to do when there are constant interruptions of children, parents and phone calls. I know, I know it sounds selfish and even childish to complain about this. But every other moment of everyday is taken up with doing for everyone else, and that's okay. After a while though I tend to get resentful because everyone else has that time alone but me. I have thought about doing it after the kids go to bed at night, but by then I am to tired to even think about creating. Something is going to have to give. I know I am heading for a burnout.

So my object this week is to find time to create and have my time alone somewhere in our crazy schedule. I wish I just had the demands of my two youngins on me but there is so much more. At times I feel so overwhelmed I can't breathe. I just need to find that healthy balance. I may need a map for that one;)

Happy Valentine's Day!

I know its a day early but if tomorrow is as busy as my week has been then I thought I better blog while I have a chance.

My hubby came home tonight and the kids wanted to exchange Valentines, so we did. Poogie got a sweet teddy bear, candy and Madagascar 2 movie. TT got a collectible skateboard, candy, and money. He is saving for a skateboard that he has been eyeing in Nashville. My hubby got some movies, Transporter, Transporter 2, and A Good Year, plus candy. I got the movie RocknRolla, a love teddy bear and candy. So I guess we all did pretty good.

The kids have had a week full of swim team practice, dance, Valentine parties and park day. We didn't even attempt school this week due to TT's earache. He really hurt with it up until yesterday. That said we were still busy even though we missed the YMCA Tuesday for TT.

Tomorrow I plan on hanging out around the house, maybe scrapbooking a little. Hubby will be getting new tires put on my van thank goodness. Then for Valentine's we are going to stay in and cook here, watch some of our movies and just cuddle. We have tired to go out for Valentine's in the past and it is a nightmare. The restaurants are crazy.

Sunday I hope to prepare lessons and the house for our first full week of school with swim lessons too. It should prove to be exciting.

Our latest adventures...

I can't believe I haven't blogged in so long, but that's what happens when you go on a trip. I finally got to go home to Mid Missouri to visit my family and friends. I was so pumped up about it I could hardly sleep last Thursday night.

This was my first visit in almost 2 years and the first Homecoming I had went to since 1991. Now, when you haven't seen some of your classmates in 18 years it can be quite a shock. Some I wouldn't have recognized if I passed them on the street and others were just the same.

It was very emotional for me watching the boys' basketball game and the homecoming queen and her court. It seems just like yesterday that my niece and I were walking across that gym floor in our gowns, nervous as hell, and waiting to hear the name of the 1990 homecoming queen. It turned out to be her, not me thank goodness. I just wanted to get to the dance and the parties.

Our Junior Varsity won their game but our Varsity lost. Such as the way it goes in our hometown. Our boys always seem to be so small up against the Amazons from the other towns.

Anywho, we ended up staying up way to late every night visiting, and getting up early to go to my nephews basketball games. We got to seem them play 5 games Saturday. 3 for the oldest and 2 for the youngest. Whew, we were on basketball overload. But it was so fun watching the kids of my niece and other classmates play ball.

It was a fun trip and an enlightening one. Up until then I had been thinking that to move up there to my small town would be the answer to my prayers. It is so nice to know everyone you see, and the parents of the kids your child would go to school with. But then I got to thinking and talking with my family on the way home. We come to the conclusion that we liked our life just the way it is. TT wouldn't mind going to school there if he had to, but he is so much happier doing what we are doing. Poogie knew all along she didn't want to go anywhere to school no matter what.

I also found that I do miss my friends from home desperately, but I also missed my friends from here. In the last year we have made some of the best friendships of our lives. I'm just not ready to give that up. I want my kids to enjoy having friends who like them for who they are, not what they wear, where they live or who their parents are. Homeschooling is the right fit for us. No matter how hard it gets at times I know this is where I should be. And that feels pretty good.

I want to know one thing.....

why is it so darn hard find a great pair of jeans??? I mean honestly, I spent 5 hours Saturday looking for a normal pair of dark wash jeans that looked decent on me. Last year all I could find were the skinny jeans. The name is very misleading. They do nothing to make you look skinny. If however you are not the size of a toothpick your body ends up resembling an upside down pear.

Saturday I was only lucky enough to find one pair of jeans in my price range that were not either skinny nor the ever popular flare style. The Flare style is even more unappealing than the skinny jean. It sucks to your rear end, down to your knees then it "flares" out, hence the name, at the bottom. Some of the jeans flare so much that you don't even have to worry about what shoes you are wearing because no one will be able to see them.

I know I could have waltzed into The Buckle and easily picked out several pairs of $90+ jeans that would have fit perfectly, but not on my current budget. So off I went to the other stores in search of the elusive "perfect pair of jeans". I have to say I am happy with the pair I found at American Eagle. I was even happier to find I could wear a size smaller than I thought. Still, I just can't believe how hard it is for a normal person to go out and find a pair of jeans. I'll step down off my soap box now:)

I just don't get it

After two days of ice and snow I was sure that we were pass the chance of loosing our electricity. That's what I get for thinking too much. Low and behold, around 7:15 tonight, click the power goes out and here we all sit in the dark.

Thank goodness my hubby was home to help get some light in the house. It was so dark you couldn't see your hand in front of your face. My main concern was that it would get too cold in the house. Poogie has a terrible cough and I am trying to keep her from getting sicker. She felt so bad today she did not fight me about staying home from the YMCA, which was a miracle. She did miss Sweet Pea desperately, but she just didn't feel like going.

I was quite down in the dumps when I got to the Y today. Things have not been going well with hubby's job. The weather has been dealing them fits, so they haven't been working as much. But, thanks to two of my best girlfriends at the Y I felt a little better today. What is nice about talking to them was that I found it's not just me that worries about all this stuff we all do. It doesn't seem so bad when you know others are dealing with the same thing. So thanks girls, you know who you are.

Well, the house is warm, Poogie is asleep and not coughing, so off I am going to bed.

Our pets.

I have been inspired by my Poogie's sweet friend (who I will now call Sweet Pea) who received an adorable puppy for her birthday to put a few pics of our sweet pets on my blog.

Allow me to introduce Claudy Mae aka Pus. Poogie named her Puss in Boots when we adopted her. Her name was Claudette when we got her, but no one really liked it. So Poogie named her and the name stuck. However, it is quite embarrassing to call her by that name so in public we call her Claudy Mae. We have identified her to be a Russian Blue cat. What's funny is that she doesn't really act like a cat. She runs, or I should say gallops like a horse. Stealth is not her strong suit. She begs at the table like a dog and will eat almost anything. In her free time she likes to give our Chihuahua a tongue bath.

While our cat doesn't act like a cat, our dog, Buffy, believes that she is actually a child, just like Poogie and TT. She is the first person my hubby must greet upon coming home. If not she pouts something terrible. She loves snow and likes to try to catch snowflakes in her mouth. That is what lead to the photo of her. We had some sand delivered for our swimming pool two summers ago and she dove into it like it was snow. We all laughed until we cried at her wild behavior. She barks like a T-Rex but runs at the first sight of trouble. She is unusual, but that's okay. She is a perfect fit for our unusual family.

Without our pets our lives would not be near as interesting as they are now. They are our friends, without whom life would be quite lonely.