tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20322454724079833092024-02-20T21:47:38.312-07:00The Garden TeapotTaking Life as it comes... One sip at a time.ItsOnlyMehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01995747547879718779noreply@blogger.comBlogger74125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2032245472407983309.post-36237650208359338382012-07-15T23:39:00.000-06:002012-08-13T23:40:16.707-06:00Rain<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The drip-dropping of rain, the rustling of wind blown leaves, and the fresh pine-scented mountain air are orchestrating the perfect lullaby just for me...</span>ItsOnlyMehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01995747547879718779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2032245472407983309.post-86524470688298737292011-05-19T13:36:00.000-06:002011-05-19T13:36:59.172-06:00Got Bees?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">It has been a VERY busy month! We have once again put our home up for sale, which means cleaning, de-cluttering, cleaning some more, and then leaving the house whenever someone wants to</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><s>snoop</s></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">take a look at it. It does tend to make life a little more hectic than usual.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">In all the chaos, I thought it wise to cancel the honeybees I had on order (placed in December). It really didn't make sense to acquire bees when I knew the possibility of moving was in our not-so-distant future. We were sad, but accepted the reality of our circumstances.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">We did decide though that we would take a field trip to at least see other people getting their bees. Wow - what a sight! Hundreds of thousands of bees, all packaged in neat wooden containers with screened sides. At least 4-6 pallets stacked full of bee boxes. Escaped bees confused and aimlessly buzzing around, people coming and going, some with pick-up trucks for larger orders, most simply putting the bees in the trunk of their cars, but all of them with a nervous smile plastered on their face. If only I would have remembered my camera!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">We enjoyed meeting beekeepers and connecting with the local beekeeping clubs, seeing the bees, and wishing we would have kept our order in place. Then the strangest thing happened... In speaking with the organizer of the entire sales event, knowing that all the bee packages were spoken for, we were offered a package of bees! In my weakness, I eagerly accepted the treasure box presented to me. We rushed to the car with the same nervous smile as everyone else, put the buzzing bounty in the trunk and headed home. About half way home I really began questioning my sanity, but kept going until we stopped in our garage. We opened the trunk and gazed in amazement. Now What???</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">To be continued.....</span>ItsOnlyMehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01995747547879718779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2032245472407983309.post-27359377798801245332011-05-19T12:53:00.001-06:002011-05-19T12:58:03.024-06:00De-cluttering in a BIG wayThe past month has been a whirlwind of changes - more like a tornado really. My de-cluttering efforts have been off and on again, but now have taken on an entirely new direction. <br />
<br />
I have once again put my house up for sale. <br />
<br />
This means getting it ready for showings. You know, where people actually come in and snoop around. Gasp! Thankfully, this time around, it hasn't been as much of a nightmare as last summer (when I also had the house for sale). The house, and the stuff in it, has become so much easier to deal with. It is more organized, with all the obvious junk removed, and (most) everything has an actual spot where it lives. There is more space where before there was none. We can actually breathe now. Ahhhh. :-)<br />
<br />
I am actually beginning to enjoy my home more now that it isn't suffocating me. But yes, I still would like to sell it. <br />
<br />
Through this process I have realized something -<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">De-cluttering isn't only about STUFF</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>De-cluttering also involves the emotions. I am discovering that all the stuff keeps me from really communicating with the deepest part of myself. I have become totally disconnected from my true self because I have been constantly fighting with my outer environment. My sense of inner peace has been totally squashed without me even realizing it because I was so busy trying to take care of "stuff". <br />
<br />
Now, with lots of stuff gone, I am beginning regain my sense of peace, am finding more patience (a little at a time), have found new direction for myself, and am experiencing renewed personal growth. My kids seem more at ease, are more cooperative, and are taking a larger part in keeping their rooms and things cleaned up. We have ALL benefited from the de-cluttering efforts.<br />
<br />
To go back to my previous post where I said that<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Simplifying is not always Simple!</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I can now say that the hard work is TOTALLY worth it. You will gain more than you can imagine.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>ItsOnlyMehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01995747547879718779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2032245472407983309.post-20338185258551337312011-03-15T00:15:00.001-06:002011-03-15T00:18:26.254-06:00My - how things do change over timeAs I go through the process of de-cluttering, I find myself examining different aspects of my "Self" and how I have changed over the years. The possibility does exist that my introspection is what triggered the desire to simplify, but really either way makes no difference...<br />
<br />
So what have I found?<br />
<br />
I am amazed at the person I have become, not for my accomplishments, or even my values, but simply for the shock that I am nothing like what I used to be, or even what I thought I would be like at the not-so-ripe old age of 45. I am surprised at what I see in the mirror now, compared to say, oh, a mere 20 years ago. Not surprised in a bad way, but more in a curious way. Where did this new "me" come from? Over time, one does not notice the progression or slow formation of something new. But comparing the before and after, a whole new perspective becomes dramatically apparent. Is it maturity? Is it life experience? What is it that triggered the metamorphosis standing before me? I suppose the answer can vary as much as there are people in the world and may be a question better left unanswered.<br />
<br />
What I would venture to say though, is that dramatic change over time can be something to embrace, to value, and to appreciate. It shows the growth of a person - the evolution of the self - into someone better, stronger, and hopefully wiser. It allows for a new perspective on the future, new horizons to reach for, a reorganization of priorities and dreams. Life becomes richer for the future as we look to the past. I am now left to wonder to myself,<br />
<br />
"What will I be like in another 20 years? <br />
<br />
I know with certainty that everything will look a lot different than it does now...ItsOnlyMehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01995747547879718779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2032245472407983309.post-68886753679346103162011-03-06T18:15:00.000-07:002011-03-06T18:15:16.454-07:00Still. De-cluttering.What was I thinking? De-cluttering is supposed to be easier than this. Whoever said it gets worse before it gets better was RIGHT. And WHY is it taking SO LONG?<br />
<br />
We were making good progress until we hit the kids' toys. Oh, everything was fine as we removed the toys from bedrooms and hauled them to the basement. We all shared in the joy of "clean new bedrooms", but once we stood back and surveyed the rubble in the basement, I was ASTOUNDED!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0f53OdnL6sYxV-v98rTpyUjko5wp-AH2P2Iughr241U-BvrMJow4sI5_X6rPGCV_jJdReLg0dNoU_mxDC_qejcINuRMT5-NhZeiNJXTNrkU2AKx3bLP3jlFNSo1iprv-A_nuAC_GDUwkR/s1600/IMG_2261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0f53OdnL6sYxV-v98rTpyUjko5wp-AH2P2Iughr241U-BvrMJow4sI5_X6rPGCV_jJdReLg0dNoU_mxDC_qejcINuRMT5-NhZeiNJXTNrkU2AKx3bLP3jlFNSo1iprv-A_nuAC_GDUwkR/s320/IMG_2261.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
How can "<i>I</i>" possibly be the one who bought all <i>these</i> toys? Yes, I admit it - I was the main toy purchaser in the household. The kids <i>did</i> help though. But this now leaves me as the primary toy get-rid-of-er. Oh.my.gosh. <br />
<br />
I can't get through ALL.THIS.STUFF! <br />
<br />
My attempts have been temporarily stifled. Before drowning, I finally had to turn my back on the toy problem and focus on something more manageable. I managed to get some of my old belly dance costumes posted for sale (including photos) and now feel better. Sort of.<br />
<br />
There is still SO MUCH to do! <br />
<br />
If you get anything out of this post, it might be that<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">SIMPLIFYING IS NOT ALWAYS SIMPLE!</span></b></div><br />
I really wish I had some more reminders that this all takes time. <i><b>Lots.of.time.</b></i> And that it is OK to take a break. It took years to acquire the junk, and it will not disappear overnight. <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Unless the house burns to the ground.</span></i>ItsOnlyMehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01995747547879718779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2032245472407983309.post-36779167909197661112011-02-27T23:23:00.000-07:002011-02-27T23:37:49.424-07:00A realization on de-clutteringI am actually now on day three of de-cluttering - and as all things come in threes, I have made an interesting (at least to me) observation today.<br />
<br />
My purging "piles" ultimately consist of<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><ul><li>1 - Get rid of it (either trash, donate or sell)</li>
<li>2 - I might need it/I can make something with this/we could use this later/$$$ </li>
<li>3 - Keep it</li>
</ul><br />
<br />
Pile #1 is easy - OUT it goes! <i>Ahhh - relief</i><br />
Pile #2 is killing me!<br />
Pile #3 is also easy - but it helps to be organized<br />
<br />
If I look at this arrangement, I see I am easily getting rid of only 1/3 of my stuff. I am also easily keeping 1/3 of my stuff, but that last 1/3 is causing me much grief and agony! If I succumb to the last 1/3 and keep it, I am only getting rid of 1/3 of my clutter. That is FAR below what I had hoped for. I was thinking something fantastic like 85% would disappear - NOT! <br />
<br />
So the question becomes - HOW do you get past a laundry list which includes the desire to sew a cute dress from the floral cotton curtains? Or the flannel pillowcase which could become a great shirt for my son? Or the brand new baby clothes we could save for ??? in the future? Or the doilies gifted to me from my now deceased favorite Aunt? and it goes on and on <i>and on</i>.... <br />
<br />
Pleeeeease tell me I am normal!<br />
<br />
Okay maybe not <i>entirely</i> normal, but at least - ummmmmm.... well never mind that.<br />
<br />
It is taking me nerves of steel, and hours of torture to decide what to do with pile #2. I <i>really truly</i> want to get rid of the stuff - and realistically know that most of my ideas are <b>hair-brained</b> at best, but overcoming that reflexive impulse to keep stuff is almost too much to bear. It would really help if there was some leprechaun or something sitting on my shoulder egging me to "just toss it". <i>Wouldn't that be nice?</i> I wouldn't have to get caught up in my own guilt trip. <b><i>There must be a better way....</i></b><br />
<br />
My main argument with myself is to accept the fact that I have only so much time and energy, and that it is totally unrealistic to think I can tackle all these projects and still be human. The projects have been sitting there for ages, so why would I believe I will get to them anytime soon? Wouldn't I rather spend some quality time with my kids instead??? Yes. Reality check in progress...<br />
<br />
Pile # 2 aside, I am feeling some sense of accomplishment today. One large bag of clothes went to the donation box, the garbage can is half full of junk, two boxes of clothes are ready to head to the consignment store, one large box and 1 full garbage bag are deemed garage sale material, and eight boxes and two (gigantic) trash bags of stuff are now empty! Yippee!!! Closet space is actually opening up!!!<br />
<br />
I think this project is going to require at least two or maybe three phases. Phase 1 = go through the obvious stuff and figure out what goes in pile #2. Phase 2 = revisit pile #2 and purge again. Phase 3 = repeat phase 1 and 2.<br />
<br />
How are your de-cluttering efforts working out?ItsOnlyMehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01995747547879718779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2032245472407983309.post-36029724643093301532011-02-26T21:30:00.001-07:002011-02-27T23:37:49.425-07:00Getting ready for SPRINGWith Spring nowhere in sight and a severe case of cabin fever, plus lots of new ideas starting to slowly materialize, and an ever increasing sensation of suffocation, I have decided it would be a good idea to begin my spring cleaning early. <br />
<br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Oh the joy!</span></i><br />
<br />
The process began last year when I put my house on the market, and it felt so good to get rid of at least some stuff. But in the rush of getting the house ready, there wasn't much time to really sort through things other than the obvious junk. My previous de-cluttering attempts were more like high-speed semi-organizing or simply a "hide it in the closet so the room looks tidy because someone wants to see the house" event. No REAL de-cluttering actually happened. <br />
<br />
Soooo, this year I actually want to take the extra time and effort to move a little closer towards a minimalist lifestyle. Now don't get me wrong, I am NOWHERE even remotely close to true minimalism, but the idea sure is ever so appealing. So, by getting rid of one load of junk at a time, I have hope that MAYBE, someday, I will have a clutter/junk free home. Doesn't that sound <i>utterly blissful???</i><br />
<br />
I am beginning in the basement. I figure that's where the stuff we really don't use or need is hiding. There are two closets fully loaded with JUNK which are the first on my hit list. I can't wait! But at the same time I have to wonder how I will get past the "I might need it someday" syndrome. This is where it comes in handy to have a thick skin. But I promise, I will do my very best. Hopefully the final culmination of my efforts will be a really successful garage sale. ;-)<br />
<br />
Will keep you posted as the project progresses. <br />
<br />
Have you found a good approach to de-cluttering? Please share your tips and tricks!ItsOnlyMehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01995747547879718779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2032245472407983309.post-76079064981764654552011-02-12T23:18:00.000-07:002011-02-12T23:19:00.198-07:00Multiplication - DONE!<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">WOW - we are soooo excited! The kids have finished MathUSee Gamma! They are now proficient in multiplication!</div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I'm not really sure if I can say that multiplication itself was a challenge, but actually getting through the lessons was the challenge. The kids, especially H, really started to slow down as the problems got larger. Not because they couldn't do them, but because they "didn't want to" do them. Oh the drudgery....</div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">But with some arm twisting, and some cheer leading, and maybe even a little bribery, all lessons have been completed successfully. What a relief! </div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I will be waiting a few weeks before diving into the next level (division) so that the kids can decompress a bit. I've decided a nice change of pace is what they really need, so the next month or so will be primarily focused on science, maybe some history, more reading and writing. </div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">This is what I love about HSing. The flexibility to make changes as we go. It makes learning so much more fun when you aren't chained to a desk, enduring the same monotony day after day - and it makes teaching so much more satisfying as well. Oh, and best of all - I get to spend time with my kids. ;-)</div></div><div><br />
</div><div></div>ItsOnlyMehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01995747547879718779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2032245472407983309.post-91928038635722088332011-02-02T22:35:00.002-07:002011-02-12T23:18:38.073-07:00ExpectationsAfter looking through my old posts on this blog, I noticed that I spend a lot of time wishing and struggling for peace and harmony in my household, but yet, for several years it has alluded me no matter what I do or try. I sound like a broken record. <br />
<br />
So now I ask myself:<br />
Am I expecting something unrealistic? <br />
Or is there really a problem here that I am not dealing with? <br />
<br />
The answer to both questions is yes. <br />
<br />
I suppose the first part of the issue is that not everyone's idea of peace and harmony is the same. Or they have different ways of getting there. Or maybe it really doesn't matter to them. And it really doesn't matter, since I have come to realize that the only place to find peace and harmony is within yourself, regardless of what other people think, do, say, or feel. Expecting someone else to fit into your own parameters isn't realistic. What it does is guarantee disappointment. And boy have I been disappointed. I have been looking outside of myself for reinforcement, support, and yes, I admit it - peace. The thing is, is that I set myself up for the disappointment. I didn't live in the present moment. I was looking to the next moment and finding fault with what was NOW, and how it would affect the future, my future... MY tranquility. And naturally I blamed it on the perceived intrusion and/or impediment rather than accepting reality and my part in the disruption.<br />
<br />
But then there is the nagging feeling that what I am hoping for ISN'T unrealistic. I KNOW it is possible.<br />
<br />
So what then is the problem? Naturally we need to deal with the people and situations around us, and having expectations of others is completely normal, but what you do with them is where the difference lies. I am concluding that the real key to dealing with our expectations is COMMUNICATION. Without REAL communication, the entire structure of reliance and trust between two people breaks down. If everyone openly and honestly communicates effectively, and LISTENS to the other person's concerns/needs, there should be no reason why a happy medium can't be found. However, if one or neither party is able to effectively communicate and/or listen, it is virtually impossible for the needs/desires of either party to be met. Unfortunately I am finding myself in just this situation. <br />
<br />
So how do you resolve a stalemate? You change yourself. You change the circumstance. You change the environment. You change your expectations. You change SOMETHING. The only thing you can't change is someone else, and expecting them to change IS unrealistic. You may find that the only way to find resolution is by leaving the relationship. No matter what change you make, it really becomes our responsibility to ourselves, to take necessary measures to find our own personal peace and satisfaction in our relationships and lives. <br />
<br />
The well known definition of INSANITY seems a very fitting way to end this post;<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Insanity; Doing the same thing over and over again yet expecting different results.</i></div><br />
Is it time to end the insanity in your life? Make a change for the better. Today I accept responsibility for my own peace and harmony.ItsOnlyMehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01995747547879718779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2032245472407983309.post-60366122341017715042011-01-16T21:00:00.000-07:002011-01-16T21:08:45.930-07:00Freedom from FBAfter finally succumbing to the pressure to join FaceBook, and actually enjoying it for a while, I have recently come to the realization that FB really hasn't brought any substantial benefit to my life. In fact, it has done the opposite by taking much of my free time from my family, and myself. I haven't done any knitting or spinning, no photography, not as much reading, no new blog posts, etc. FB really became a drain of my time and energy, it stifled my creativity, and essentially created an addict. I made the decision last week to delete my FB account, and after a few days of withdrawal, I am finally feeling liberated! What a relief. It is time to get back to my life. The life that is here - now - and is REAL. The article that pushed me over the edge is here - <a href="http://www.minimalistathome.com/your-digital-life-is-not-your-life/">http://www.minimalistathome.com/your-digital-life-is-not-your-life/</a>. Perhaps some of you will come to the same realization as I did.ItsOnlyMehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01995747547879718779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2032245472407983309.post-3846708079390408122011-01-15T23:21:00.000-07:002011-01-16T21:08:06.993-07:002011 - Already?!Another turn of the year has come and gone. We are already 1/2 way through January! I find myself amazed at the accelerating rate of the passage of time. No matter how hard I try to slow life down, it keeps going - faster and faster. I suppose I will just have to accept the fact that time really does fly.<br />
So where have I been the past 4 months? Home. Trying my best to bring harmony to our household. And although challenging, I have had some success. Here is an update on the happenings of late;<br />
<br />
We are still homeschooling, and doing MUCH better than we did last year. December was tough to keep momentum going, but that is par for the course with the holidays. I am not going to beat myself up about taking a few weeks off for the holidays. I am overjoyed to say that we are almost finished with MathUSee Gamma! We started over with it in September and have made steady and swift progress. Both kids are reaching mastery of multi-digit multiplication. We are on course to move into division in the next month or so! I am so very pleased and am breathing with relief at their progress. The Spectrum writing workbooks have proven to be a tremendous help as well. I have seen great progress in both of their writing and spelling abilities even though it doesn't feel like we have been making any extraordinary effort. I think the variety of the lessons as well as more consistency has been the key to improvement. Reading has really taken off this year too, especially for H. It is a joy to come home from the library with armloads of books and actually see that my son is reading them. I thought it would never happen, but patience has paid off. Overall, I am feeling the best I have thus far with our HSing. I think I have finally reached a true knowing that the kids will be fine, even if we don't do it like they do at PS. It is a blessing to have them learning at home. My son is still very enthusiastic about cooking, and is looking forward to some serious science projects. Both kids also want to learn to sew and knit, so there are lots of fun things on the horizon for us.<br />
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As for myself, I have been challenged to the extreme over the past few months in several aspects, but I feel like the sun may finally be breaking through if at least a little at a time. My primary concern at the moment is my struggle with severe anemia. The past three months I have been struggling with it, but have just come to discover that it has gotten worse. I am now engaging in overdrive iron supplementation and hope it will make a difference. Another month will tell. My financial picture is slowly taking shape with the recent purchase of a duplex, but I still am looking for a way to further supplement my personal income. I am seriously considering starting up my spinning business again. Which reminds me - I have actually made some time to sit down with my wheels again! It feels so good to create once again. It has been long overdue... <br />
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My goals for this year are pretty basic - to keep up our HS momentum, to improve my (and our) health, and to continue to improve my financial outlook. And finally to bring back joy and peace to my household. <br />
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OH! I almost forgot! We got another doggie! She is a young Australian Cattle Dog (aka; blue heeler). I never in my wildest dreams would have thought I would ever own more than one dog at a time, but much to my enjoyment, we now have two!ItsOnlyMehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01995747547879718779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2032245472407983309.post-64812648171492627462010-10-15T23:28:00.002-06:002011-04-05T21:39:20.543-06:00MY how time flies!I can't believe how much time has passed since my last post. Much has happened the past few weeks, but on the same note, not much has happened at the same time. I can barely remember what we have been busy with, but will give it my best shot.<br />
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I suppose I should begin where I left off. H has finally found a boy scout den to join, and the fun began with fundraising popcorn sales. The idea of going door to door selling expensive popcorn did not thrill me in the least, but in the spirit of encouraging my son, I kept my mouth shut and smiled. Luckily, the events of several days saved me from the anticipated doom.... Here is how it started...<br />
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We decided to take a week off school while I installed a new laminate wood floor in our basement. Of course this was news well received by the kids, and I was looking forward to the challenge of the project (After all, I had never-ever done any construction type work before). The man unit (husband) didn't want anything to do with the <s>nagging</s> project since he had to work and was sick of projects, and so in my characteristic fashion decided that I would do it myself. And so work began. It was slow going the first day, but soon gained momentum as I gained practice and experience with the tools and materials. Yes! I was thinking, I can get this done in a week... By day 4 I was about half way finished, but then had to break for a few days... What interrupted us? An estate sale across the street.... <br />
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The estate sale turned out to be quite an event. For three days there was a constant flow of people in and out of the house across the street. The kids and I found ourself "visiting" several times as well. Yes, purchases were made, but I will tell about those in another post. What we did decide though, was that it would be the perfect opportunity to set up a Boy Scout Popcorn table at the top of our driveway. On our first day, H sold approximately $50 worth of popcorn in only two or so hours. He was very pleased! Naturally, we decided we would have to set up again the following day, along with a lemonade stand for L. What a great idea! And to make it even better, we would sell muffins in the morning for all the early garage sale birds. Let me say this - I was beginning to wonder if we should set up a permanent stand. The kids did great! It was well worth the effort, and the kids had a few solid days of real work experience. Admittedly I was tired myself, but very pleased with the experience the kids got in sales and money handling. Both of them gained confidence on many levels from the experience. The added bonus was that H sold enough popcorn to meet his "suggested" minimum sales. WoooHooo! We wouldn't have to go door to door!<br />
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UPDATE: H was awarded with the esteemed title of "Popcorn King". He was the top salesman in his entire Boy Scout Pack! WAY TO GO!ItsOnlyMehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01995747547879718779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2032245472407983309.post-13308406196205638792010-09-27T23:27:00.000-06:002011-01-16T21:09:31.275-07:00Boy ScoutsMy son has finally found a cub scout den to join! We have certainly had a tough time finding boys his age in the immediate area to play with, so this is the perfect answer. He is thrilled! I'm even having a tough time keeping him out of his scout uniform (Aren't they funny). Our first meeting went wonderfully. He knows a few of the boys from the short stint of PS so he doesn't feel like an outsider. Also, it is a small enough group that he isn't overwhelmed. Neither of my kids are large group types. They definitely thrive in one-to-one or small group environments. H is now on a mission to earn his patches. He already earned a zoo patch at the pack meeting, and likely will earn another for his efforts in karate (need to update the karate situation in a later post). Little L now wants to find a girl scout troop to join, so the search is on.<br />
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On a side note, I have never heard of this before - the boy scouts sell popcorn for fundraising. I know all about girl scout cookies, but not boy scout popcorn. I don't know how I made it this far in life without ever hearing of it. Oh well... The boys set up a popcorn table at the grocery store on Saturday and sales were fairly good. I was actually surprised at how supportive people were of the scouts. A very senior and enthusiastic former Eagle Scout even drilled the boys on their motto and promise. He told us of all the fond memories he has of scouts, even after all these years. It was quite charming. I got to sample some of the caramel popcorn... mmmmmm. Yummy stuff. Pricey but good. I bought a bag on the spot (must have been hungry) with plans of more. As you can guess, H is now selling popcorn to raise funds for the boy scouts. Would you like to order some? Here is H's link to the online ordering site. He would be very thankful for your support. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.trails-end.com/estore/scouts/email_referral.jsp?id=8356096">http://www.trails-end.com/estore/scouts/email_referral.jsp?id=8356096</a></span><br />
Now I'm hungry.... sigh. And not one popcorn kernel in the house....ItsOnlyMehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01995747547879718779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2032245472407983309.post-17069979823859383592010-09-23T22:47:00.003-06:002010-09-25T15:19:33.266-06:00Change of plans, just for a day<div class="post-header" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div class="post-header-line-1"></div></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 520px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My living room floor... Gorgeous!</td></tr>
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Instead of our usual academics we took a different approach to our day today. The fall colors are simply stunning right now - leaves freshly dropped from the trees are crisp and richly colored and smell of earth and autumn. I have had the idea in the back of my mind to get out and collect leaves for a fall project and today was the day. With rainstorms brewing, we rushed outside with grocery bags in hand and headed up the trail. Approximately 10 minutes into our hike we arrived at the mother load of autumn leaves. All colors, shapes, and sizes. Leaves, twigs, pine cones, and the occasional rock all made their way into our overflowing sacks. The kids chattering the entire time, picking here, picking there, and helping the branches shed just a few more leaves, breathing the fresh autumn air and simply being in nature was therapeutic for us all. I once again became the best teacher on the planet, at least for today. Once our bags were full to bursting, and the threat from distant thunder drew closer, we headed back home with our bounty. Immediately upon arrival, much like after a Halloween outing, the kids poured out their goodies all over the middle of the living room floor for closer inspection and sorting. Fall had moved indoors! As <s>the world's best teacher</s> I prepared for some actual crafting, the kids busied themselves with dreams of collecting more leaves to jump into and then headed to the kitchen table. Today we are making fall wreaths with the added bonus of using hot glue guns for the very first time. And a bonus it was! H quickly discovered you could make some pretty neat crystal looking blobs with this glue. After the initial novelty of crystal blobs wore off, the real work began. Here are some photos of our fall decor creations in progress and finished. Oh - and the best part, we spent some quality time together, we all had fun, and the cost was FREE! (except for some glue sticks). Life is good.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqIgESTVjuH9zk5dOTPjJYWOsb4xABJSl4JJsP4AAbb6fktpJ-A8sS-8pjwoR8Obw7gYVWRsGNYBP7kiw1Wig2uDvD2B6JGd20qBGu0DvjE4JvwmatIAyr7sDMieeHFWFuzuahfc2PSSA/s1600/DSC_8997small+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #ac0a00; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqIgESTVjuH9zk5dOTPjJYWOsb4xABJSl4JJsP4AAbb6fktpJ-A8sS-8pjwoR8Obw7gYVWRsGNYBP7kiw1Wig2uDvD2B6JGd20qBGu0DvjE4JvwmatIAyr7sDMieeHFWFuzuahfc2PSSA/s400/DSC_8997small+copy.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.09375) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-style: solid; border-color: initial; border-left-color: rgb(239, 239, 239); border-left-style: solid; border-right-color: rgb(239, 239, 239); border-right-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(239, 239, 239); border-top-style: solid; border-width: initial; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></div><div style="clear: both;"></div></div><div class="post-footer" style="background-color: #eee5de; border-bottom-color: rgb(239, 239, 239); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; color: #6d675b; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: -2px; margin-right: -2px; margin-top: 20px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px;"></div>ItsOnlyMehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01995747547879718779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2032245472407983309.post-3253067811783485062010-09-04T00:46:00.004-06:002010-09-04T22:13:52.020-06:00Week 1 review<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">I am so very pleased. Overall it was quite a successful week one of homeschooling. Even with the behavioral hiccups, we had a great start to school this year. A LOT better than last year I must say. I hate to brag, but I would venture to say that this has probably been our best start yet! I am very optimistic for a great year full of accomplishments and learning. It is my biggest hope however, that my relationship with my kids will transform into something deeper, closer, and more harmonious than what we have experienced thus far. As the teen years inch their way closer and closer, I am so much more aware of how quickly time flies and how soon the kids will begin to follow their own paths. It pains me to say that I feel like I haven't been able to "really" have the kind of relationship with my kids that I envisioned not so long ago. Thank goodness there is still time to change the tides in a more favorable direction. I so look forward to building a new level of closeness with my kids, built on mutual respect and genuine interest and caring for each other. There is no other time than the present... My focus is clearer now than it ever was before, and I think I finally have all the tools I need to fulfill my vision. A favorite quote of mine is ringing so true for me right now -</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
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<div style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;"><b>"</b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><b>Dare to live the life you have dreamed for yourself. Go forward and make your dreams come true. - Ralph Waldo Emerson</b></span></div><div style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div><div style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">It's time for me to start living the life I have dreamed for myself.... </span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 21px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></div><div style="line-height: 21px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></div><div style="line-height: 21px; text-align: left;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">ON A LIGHTER NOTE:</span></span></b></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Boy did I go off on a tangent... Back to the subject of school now. We had a fantastic week. It looks like the schedule I pieced together is going to work nicely (although we may have to start a touch earlier in the morning). Our accomplishments of the week included;</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 21px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Basic math review and practice - place value to 100 million, carrying, borrowing, rounding and estimating. Multiplication begins next week!</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 21px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Language arts - basic spelling review (actually more like a total refresher), some actual writing (pen to paper) and light grammar and punctuation review. I am SO THRILLED to see that the kids are much more interested in reading now! Neither one of them was too thrilled about reading last year, so this is a major hurdle we have overcome. YAY!</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 21px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Poetry review - unfortunately the kids have forgotten about half of the poems they memorized last year, so we will begin anew with those.</span></span></div><div style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And the highlight of the week (drum roll please) - the kids got their first official cooking lesson! Woooo Hooo! They had a grand time making chocolate chip oatmeal cookies! I am now considered the "best teacher" in the world. (Aren't they funny?) It really doesn't get much better than this does it?</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Have a great weekend!</span></span></span></div>ItsOnlyMehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01995747547879718779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2032245472407983309.post-57087789733392272962010-09-01T14:36:00.000-06:002010-09-04T00:47:08.082-06:00A much improved Day 3 of HSing<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><div class="post-body entry-content" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 520px;">What a relief! Our HSing Day #3 went as well as Day 1. The kids have come to the quick conclusion that it does not pay to be difficult. Thank goodness! We swiftly moved through all our lessons without all the moaning and groaning of yesterday. When the kids showed signs of loosing control of themselves, a quick reminder served to shape them right up. I feel good!<br />
<br />
However, the kids aren't the only ones who learned a lesson. I am getting back into the swing of things, and am finding that planning a lesson that's not too short or too long takes some practice. Yesterday was a great learning experience for "what happens when the lesson goes too long". Oh well. We all survived and came out in one piece in the end.<br />
<br />
I hope that other HS moms out there are having quick and easy success with their students/lessons! What a blessing for parents to be able to stay home and have this time with our children. It feels so right to be the one who teaches my kids not just academics, but also good character and general life skills.</div></span></span></span>ItsOnlyMehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01995747547879718779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2032245472407983309.post-51547750748054181802010-08-31T15:09:00.003-06:002010-09-04T22:08:49.851-06:00What a difference a day makes<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Oh brother. It's 3PM and my daughter is STILL NOT DONE with her schoolwork. I have been at this table since 10AM this morning. Obviously things have not gone according to schedule or even remotely close to how the day went yesterday. The kids have been testing me ALL DAY LONG. I figure if I stay tough today, we may have a chance at a smooth rest of the week. I can only hope. So, today we did get through all our studies, but not without lots of interruptions, goofing around, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">complaining, whining, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">several time outs, some arguing and a temper tantrum... Where is Santa with the pear tree when you need him?</span>ItsOnlyMehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01995747547879718779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2032245472407983309.post-15883345381963359212010-08-30T23:42:00.003-06:002010-08-30T23:46:35.364-06:00Our first day back to homeschool!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">What a wonderful start to our HSing year! We started on time, there was no whining or complaining, and the kids actually even enjoyed our first day! The teacher was quite pleased as well. So - what did we do?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">After the kids finished their morning routine and breakfast, and after they tended to the animals (while I cleared the table), we all took our seats in the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><s>kitchen</s></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">classroom. The funny thing is that the kids happened to remember that last year's teacher had a very strange name (I forgot all about it). Mrs. Kronable... Yep, that's me! They insisted that I introduce myself before beginning and so I did. I introduced the schedule of the week and month to the kids and they seemed rather pleased. It looks a bit like this -</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">M-F Journal</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">M-TH Math</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">MWF Word of the Week (aka character study)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">TTH Poetry Memorization</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">M-TH Spelling</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">M-TH Writing</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">M-F Music lesson and practice (The kids will be learning the recorder)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">M-F 1 hour of daily quiet/reading time</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Our Fridays aren't as academic</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Journal and Math are still required, but then the remainder of class time will be spent on Life Skills. We will be starting with cooking lessons. The kids already have a long list of things they are ready to prepare. Mainly cake, cookies, candy and chocolate. They may be disappointed to learn that they will be learning more than just baking, but I won't tell them just yet.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Something I am doing different this year is incorporating one week per month of concentrated Art, History, or Science studies. I had a difficult time before fitting adequate time in for these on a daily basis, so rather than have it all spread out, we will take a solid week to work on a unit study. The kids </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">thought this was a great idea. I'm liking the idea too. It just seems to make sense.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">SO - After explaining the schedule and the things that will be expected of the kids, the kids started with their first journal entry. They were reminded to use neat handwriting, and were discouraged from writing the same entry over and over again for each day (something my DD did at</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><s>daycare</s></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Public school). (I had to laugh at myself over this issue. At the end of PS, my daughter brought home her neatly bound and beautifully decorated journal from first grade. It was a work of art which I eagerly looked forward to reading. In anticipation of finding profound words of wisdom that only a seven year old could fathom, and glorious insights into the mind of my little princess, I opened her journal and began to read. I turned the pages with mixed emotions. I was glad to find that she really really likes our dog and our two cats. But an entire journal dedicated to the subject was a bit</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><s>disappointing</s></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">much. Out of approximately 25 or so entries, all but two introduced our dog and cats... over and over again... sigh. So much for my profound reading experience.)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Next, we moved into some basic math review. I figured I better make sure they remembered place values, and how to add, subtract, carry and borrow before starting with multiplication. Thankfully they did remember (dd needed a little reminder but was quick to pick it up again). We practiced a few questions on the white boards and then moved ahead with some basic worksheet practice. It was quick and easy. And a great confidence and enthusiasm builder. ;)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">We took a short break and returned to do some penmanship practice. My son has always had messy writing and any bit of dedicated practice is of great benefit. We didn't get into any language art instruction today mainly because I still need to figure out what to review and where to begin anew. Tomorrow is another day, and I have another few hours to dig into our spelling lessons and figure out a starting point. Anyyyywayyyy, once they finished their penmanship, they were free to have lunch and recess, followed by Quite/Reading time. This seemed the perfect way to end our first day back to homeschool. And so it was.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #603a3c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">My son tonight told me he was happy to begin learning again and that the first day back to HS was "fun". It makes my heart smile.</span>ItsOnlyMehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01995747547879718779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2032245472407983309.post-35484092668990505522010-08-25T23:11:00.003-06:002010-09-09T22:13:26.551-06:00Another Summer<div class="post-body entry-content" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.4; width: 530px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Wow. I suppose that the start of Public School signifies the official end of yet another summer. It went by so quickly. It was such a blur, I honestly can't really say I got much fun out of it. Oh well... I suppose that we come out of a difficult and blurry period of life with a new and clearer vision and understanding of ourselves. Although I don't claim to have turned a new leaf, I find myself with a slightly new perspective of myself. Priorities have made themselves known, and are now shuffling themselves into their respective places waiting for me to follow through. So here is where my life currently stands:</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I am not going to sell the house.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I will not be moving to Oregon or California.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I will be Homeschooling the kids again (YAY!).</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I am looking for various ways of generating a small income with my ultimate goal being to accelerate pay-off the mortgage (or at least having a hefty rainy day fund) and gaining a sense of financial independence.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Other difficult aspects of my life are not yet clear, but at least I am finally making some decisions and finding peace in those.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">It helps to remember that "One step at a time will eventually get you to where you want to go".</span></span><br />
<div style="clear: both;"></div></div><div><br />
</div><div class="post-footer" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1.5em;"></div>ItsOnlyMehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01995747547879718779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2032245472407983309.post-20603663212331463462010-08-14T10:16:00.001-06:002010-08-25T23:12:58.890-06:00Today<h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="UIStory_Message">Had a lovely evening as I continue learning about beekeeping, and the kids made a few new friends in the process as well. Found a family actually living all aspects of the life I imagined for myself. It's encouraging to see that it really can happen. Now to find the secret.....</span></h3>ItsOnlyMehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01995747547879718779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2032245472407983309.post-40178087866155720252010-08-12T18:45:00.000-06:002010-08-14T09:35:12.113-06:00Made it!Wow - what a long drive. But we made it home! My sore butt and swollen ankles were ever so happy to get out of the van and crawl into my own bed. The strange thing is that both kids and I are ready to go back to California. Go figure.... It gives us something to look forward to when we are up to our eyeballs in snow here in the mountains. There is one thing that I am disappointed in myself about - I didn't get out and do any serious picture making while I was there. Perhaps my photographer blood got cold. Perhaps I simply just needed to do nothing. I suppose everything happens on it's own time and agenda. I will try to be quiet and just listen. The answers to all my questions will eventually make themselves known.ItsOnlyMehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01995747547879718779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2032245472407983309.post-28510749212064838382010-08-10T22:51:00.000-06:002010-08-14T09:35:12.126-06:00Getting away from home sweet homeSometimes you just need to get away from home to really appreciate it. I've been in Cali the past 10 or so days, and as much as I like it here and still miss living here even after 10 years of being in Utah (after all I grew up in CA), I am looking forward to going back home... My stuff. My schedule. My brief and fleeting moments of solitude. My own four walls. How is it that home can ever so quickly close in on you, but yet you are glad to return after only a brief absence? Perhaps it is as simple as just needing to get out more. There is one thing however that I am not looking forward to - The LONG drive home...ItsOnlyMehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01995747547879718779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2032245472407983309.post-15844643995340682922010-08-08T17:21:00.000-06:002010-08-14T09:35:12.133-06:00Gearing up for a fabulous Home School year!I must admit that I am very excited to begin HSing again. After sending the kids to 6 months of <s>Daycare</s> public school, and seeing the <s>regression</s> dismal progress they made, there is no doubt in my mind that homeschooling is what we need to continue with. We have taken the entire summer off for decompressing and relaxing, which was badly needed for all of us, so it really amazed me when my DD started asking to begin school again. It made my day and brought a smile to my face. DS has also expressed his joy of returning home for our lessons. We are at peace with our decision to come home.<br />So what are we doing this year? We will basically be starting again where we were last year.... I plan on backing up a bit from where we left off and going through a solid review to bring us back up to speed. I plan on beginning with MathUSee and All About Spelling. I found some workbooks for the writing process (can't remember the title at the moment), so will be integrating those after a few weeks of warming up again. We will be incorporating more read aloud time in the Charlotte Mason style as well, and will have one day a week for life skills and character study. After the holidays I will make adjustments as needed and hopefully keep our learning sessions fresh and interesting. <br />I feel like I already had our school planned out since last year (but never got it off the ground), so my planning for this year has been easy-peasy. YAY! Now with some calmer and clearer weather in our household, we can actually apply the plan and see the fruition of our efforts. I am smiling and sighing with great joy and relief.<br />New beginnings are often the Best beginnings!ItsOnlyMehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01995747547879718779noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2032245472407983309.post-2046769978389729312010-08-08T12:10:00.005-06:002010-08-14T09:35:12.140-06:00What to do with loneliness?<div class="UIIntentionalStory_Header" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="color: #333333; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="UIStory_Message"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A friend reminded me the other day to embrace moments of loneliness as a time for reflection. It was the best advice I've recieved in ages. Here's another reminder...</span></span></span></span></h3></div><div class="UIStoryAttachment UIStoryAttachment_InlineInfo" data-ft="{"type":"attach"}" id="" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 6px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-right: 10px;"><div class="UIStoryAttachment_Media UIStoryAttachment_MediaSingle" data-ft="{"type":"media"}" style="float: left; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-right: 10px;"><div class="UIMediaItem"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://apps.facebook.com/deepakchopraquotes/?ref=mf" id="" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="" title=""></a></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://apps.facebook.com/deepakchopraquotes/?ref=mf" id="" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="" title=""></a></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://apps.facebook.com/deepakchopraquotes/?ref=mf" id="" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="" title=""></a></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://apps.facebook.com/deepakchopraquotes/?ref=mf" id="" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="" title=""></a></span><br /><a href="http://apps.facebook.com/deepakchopraquotes/?ref=mf" id="" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="" title=""><div class="UIMediaItem_Wrapper" style="overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;"><img class="img" src="http://platform.ak.fbcdn.net/www/app_full_proxy.php?app=140812694141&v=1&size=z&cksum=e2ba6714e7198a47f92c1e4e8de6ec9f&src=http%3A%2F%2Fimg246.imageshack.us%2Fimg246%2F5774%2Fdeepakchopraapplogo.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: block;" /></div></a></div></div><div class="UIStoryAttachment_Info " style="display: table;"><div class="UIStoryAttachment_Title" style="display: inline; padding-top: 3px;"><a href="http://apps.facebook.com/deepakchopraquotes/?ref=mf&_fb_fromhash=a8df70b920b47f62592ce044f28296af" id="" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Deepak Chopra Quotes</span></span></a></div><div class="UIStoryAttachment_Caption" style="color: grey; padding-top: 3px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Christine Got a Quote from Deepak Chopra</span></span></div><div class="UIStoryAttachment_Copy" style="color: grey; display: inline; padding-top: 3px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“To make the right choices in life, you have to get in touch with your soul. To do this, you need to experience solitude, which most people are afraid of, because in the silence you hear the truth and know the solutions.”</span></span></div></div></div>ItsOnlyMehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01995747547879718779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2032245472407983309.post-43193026269341012012010-08-05T17:00:00.006-06:002010-08-14T09:35:12.150-06:00The way things happen<h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="UIStory_Message"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Stopped at a little roadside store today to buy some raw honey. Ended up out in the middle of the apiary looking inside beehives for an hour. It was AWESOME!!! </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I love how things simply happen while traveling through life, at just the right moment.</span></span></span></h3>ItsOnlyMehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01995747547879718779noreply@blogger.com0