Back to School: 2014/2015 School Year {Weekly Wrap-Up}

And we are back at it. I did a lot of planning back in March to be ready for this day. And I'm not ready. LOL. Go figure. Well, I am ready; technically. 

Our first week back included almost everything that was on the schedules. The only thing that I've not got into the line-up is Plutarch. I may just go with Aemilius Paulus simply because I recently did a paraphrase of it. I'm trying to figure out how to share it. Try this link. If it doesn't work and you are interested in the paraphrase, leave a comment or send me an email. 

But what day to put it in the schedule?

Anyway, our first week included portfolio assessments for last year and attempting to renew dd's driving permit. Here are some highlights:

• Got in folksongs, hymns, verses, Bible reading
• Both are plugging along with math {Algebra 1 and Geometry}
• Discussion posts on the AO forum are starting {you have to be a member of the forum AND the HEO teen/parent forum to see that}
• Attitudes are good...most of the time
• Not having the documentation needed for a parent -read: birth certificate- can put a damper on renewing permits
• Assessment went peachy; they aren't ruined. Yay!
• Finally had tea-time and some Eragon reading 

I've been reading- surprised? Here are some of the books in my pile

• The Iodine Crisis- suggested by mom; very interesting and informative but lacking in some areas I think
• Bible Study for Busy Moms- Thirty Days in 1 Corinthians 13- *just* got this today as a review book! Love Doorposts Busy Moms studies; excited to get into it more
• A Philosophy of Education- following along with the AO group
• The Great Gatsby- for the teen discussion group
• The Age of Revolution- another teen discussion group read 
• Technopoly- loved Amusing Ourselves to Death but am finding discrepancies in Postman's use of quotes and/or individuals' intentions; will see how it goes; but the premise is excellent {right word there?}
• Smart Money Smart Kids- review book that is actually really good, just haven't made the time to get into it like I should
• Out of the Depths- another review book; easy read, just need to finish

Things I've been making:

• Coffee cake for 1...or 2 or 3 :D
• Crockpot Lasagna
• Chicken Wraps
• Coffee jello {yeah, that was a mistake- tasted yummy anyway!}
• Flax protein bars {they're...interesting}

Things I've got my eye on {that apparently I just 'had' to buy}:

• Panels for the big front window in our living room
• A decorative rod to go with the panels
• Plants! Two stevia, one each pineapple sage and lavender {the hazards of having a kid work at a garden center}

Things I'm working on:

• Getting back into the not having school mindset; feel like I 'have' to check in for classes but they are over! {until mid August}
• Getting outside more often
• Figuring out how to make my squash plants produce fruit and not just blooms
• Working on a blogpost for the above- well, gardening in a greenhouse really
• Scavenger hunt for Fox's 15th birthday
• Did I mention getting away from the computer?

So that was pretty much the week. I just can't put it all together enough to have an unbulleted post!

Time for Accountability and Support :) Fit Mommy Friday, Week 1 (for me)

I decided that I just am not happy with my current physical uh, condition. It's not just that I am not happy that I wear a certain pants size; no, it's the fact that I walk to the post office (which is not very far) and I am out of breath and sweating. I have always wanted to be a runner, wanted to join track in high school but never did. 

I've been seeing Fit Mommy Friday posts for quite awhile (probably about a year now) and have been tempted to join up - but never have. But I am now! My motivation actually has come from my mom's 'diet' journey. The progress she has made has gotten me thinking that I can do something as well. I'm a very busy person but it isn't a busy in the sense that I am gone or on the go a lot. Most of my busy-ness is sedentary.

I am going to go with Level 1:

Level One: The Beginner level. This is for those of you who are brand new to exercise or for those who are not already participating in a consistent fitness program. Your goal should include at least 1 mild form of exercise per day (walking, low impact cardio) as well as one nutritional goal; drinking 8 glasses of water per day, keeping a food journal, eating a small salad with dinner, no chocolate for the week (did I say that?), etc. 

Week 1:
So here are my goals for the past week and the coming week:
Use the elliptical machine for at least 15 minutes on level 2 each day. Drink at least 32 oz of water (that is about 2 full water bottles) per day.


This last week I think I did okay since I started it on Wednesday. I used my elliptical machine each day; 19 and 15 minutes each time. I also have been trying to drink more water. That is a difficult one for me. I dislike water and I am opposed to using drink mixes (because of the nasty stuff in them). Someone suggested green tea to me awhile back and I might try that next week. I drink plenty of coffee but that's counter productive.

I still need to use it today. I will do that after my Spanish class most likely. I don't plan on using it over the weekend but hope to drink more water. 

**edited: I decided to do some walking outside today. It was up in the low 60s today and beautiful! Much better than staring at a wall or reading a school text while straining away on the machine. I walked to the post office after my Spanish class (from home, not the college! whew, that'd be a nice walk!) and took the long route. It took me about 15 minutes total walking. The fresh air was nice.

It felt so good when I was done exercising. The first day it made my legs feel like jello, sort of but it was nice to be doing something. Here's to another good week (or even better)!! If you would like to be a part of the Fit Mommy Friday, link up at Got Chai?