{Wednesday} Weekly Wrap-Up: An Update on School and Life

Where to even start. It seems most posts here lately are the Blogging through the Alphabet or book reviews. Hopefully that isn't a bad thing but it does seem a little less than I'd imagined my blogging year to be. 

Actually, the activity on the blog is fairly indicative of the activity in my life. There's not much going on but for book reviews. Perhaps I took on too much in that aspect. The post of my reading goals, or rather just my pile, shows me that I have too much ambition but not enough motivation. Since then there have been more books added to the pile...

The school year started in July for us but we are just squeaking by, just getting it done. My school is going along fine but I'm beginning to think that I've just been going through the motions- today is the first time I've stopped to really think about it. My last paper received so many mark-ups it was embarrassing.  (I earned 87%.) Perhaps it's burnout? 

As I think on it more, it could be my defeatist behavior: When there is a lot going on, or I anticipate a lot, then I seem to throw everything out the window. Figuratively, of course. I drop a lot when I feel overwhelmed or anticipate being overwhelmed. There. It's been identified, now I can correct the problem. 

September 29-October 3 was supposed to be Exam Week but uh, it can't happen yet. We will technically have been doing school for 12 weeks but we are far behind schedule. We may have a revised exam week anyway because I don't want them to go too long without one. They will forget what they've learned. Recently, I read the book Fluent Forever and got a better understanding of why narration and exams work so well for a Charlotte Mason education. But too much time between reading and recalling can lead to losing the memories.

I wanted the "My kids learn with Ambleside Online..." because it seems "I'm" not doing much 'homeschooling' lately.

Fox is chugging along well-enough in terms of getting the readings done. For the record, here is how he's been doing (and now that it's written out- it's really not too bad!):

Bible reading- Deuteronomy 29; memorizing book of James (he has first few verses down)

The Christian's Secret to a Happy Life- chapter 5

A History of the American People-  to page 108

The Age of Revolution- first half of chapter 5

Historical documents & Essays- Essay of Man, completed today

-Washington's Farewell Address

Folksongs- going well; we are up to Danny Boy; they aren't memorized but they are recognized

Washington, the Indispensable Man- chapter 20

Autobiography of Ben. Franklin- 30%

Royal Road to Romance- finished

Ourselves, Book I- pg 149

Are You Liberal, Conservative, Confused?- finished

Current Events- keeping up well enough, and doing the WB

Weekly writing assignment- needs improvement

The History of English Literature- chapter 63

Isaac Bickerstaff- chapter 24

Coverley- The Chase

Gulliver's Travels- Part III, chapter 11

German- barely getting anywhere (he's started at the very beginning with The Learnables, also still using Duolingo)

Math- Algebra 1, using CK12.org, he's mastered concepts "Real Numbers" and is half way through "Linear Equations")

Free reading: finished The Screwtape Letters, The Scarlet Pimpernel, and is reading A Tale of Two Cities.

And here is where we get a little off course:

Biology- using CK12.org biology- up to chapter 5 but he is getting a little confused; he's up to plate 15 in the Biology Coloring Book. I am so not good at science :(

William Harvey and the Discovery of the Circulation of the Blood- 41%

Narrations (written and oral, but mostly oral), Nature study, map drills, POWA, poetry, handicrafts/life skills, art (picture study and instruction), How to Read A Book- all are neglected (except teatime cooking lol, that goes under life skills). 

Do I dare have a look at where Lee is? I must...

Bible reading- (she hasn't written down where she is...)

The Holiness of God- chapter 2

A History of the Twentieth Century- chapter 2

20th Century, Day by Day- an occasional glance through

Historical documents & Essays- Woodrow Wilson's Speech

American Government- chapter 5

Economics in One Lesson- chapter 5

Ourselves, Book II- page 75

A Meaningful World- page 43

The Great Gatsby- first half chapter 7

On Writing Well- chapter 7

Microbe Hunters- chapter 4

How to Read a Book- chapter 13

Anatomy & Physiology- Using Great Courses Introduction to the Human Body, lesson ?; plate 6 in both Anatomy and Physiology coloring books

Latin- finishing lesson 10

Math- using CK12.org Geometry Honors- 15% 

And the same things Fox is behind in, she is also. It's just an excuse but she was working quite at the beginning of the year but she's been down to 3 days a week for at least a month now. Perhaps she just needs to get back into the swing of school again.

And we've not done round table, which I had so enjoyed, in a very long time. It started with we did a very shortened version, then we sometimes got in a prayer, and now we don't do it. Some others things that I'd hoped to include this school year are still somewhere out there but if we can't sufficiently get to what we have scheduled how can I hope to include the others? Piano lessons were to start this week; that's been postponed until October. Handicrafts- we even chose one to focus on, each of us different. Hasn't happened. Plutarch and Shakespeare are also not within reach that I can see. 

I found this somewhere that now I don't recall...it is in a poetry book, I am sure. Either way, I searched Google and found Kenspeckle Letterpress- that's where the original can be found.

So that's the school update. Feeling a little like it's not going well. I know it's me and I need to get my act in gear. Next week is going to be a messed up week for school- Sunday is Lee's 18th birthday (although we are not doing anything outrageous and are staying home), Monday we may go to the zoo with another homeschooling family, Tuesday Lee is going to do her driving test, Wednesday-well! I guess that'll be a low-key day!, Thursday and Friday will be busy because Lee and I are going to Cedarville University for CU Friday. It probably will turn into a 'no school' week. Sigh.

As for rest of life- the greenhouse is still up and still giving some produce at times. Mostly tomatoes and green beans. I replanted tomatoes where I pulled up spaghetti squash and cucumber (the squash never did more than flower; the cucumbers were...weird). Pulled all the carrots as they were not actually growing. Never got bigger than maybe 1/2 inch around and couple inches long. Planted radishes there. Planted more beets in the place of cauliflower (that the bugs kept eating; couldn't kill them off quick enough). I did replant broccoli because I really really wanted some but those bugs...can't keep it from being eaten. Oh, yes and I replanted the pea plant. We got just a couple pods last time; hopefully it'll be better. Last night our dinner had fresh tomatoes and green beans in it from the greenhouse. 

How are we doing health wise? We are back to our 'processed' foods habits- not that we get a lot of boxed foods but we are consuming quite a few white flour items. And sugary foods...way too much! Prices of food continue to rise and it's so much easier to buy white bread that is $.89 a loaf compared to $3.99 a loaf of healthier grains! The changes in the weather, and our eating habits, have some of us are getting colds and general aches and pains. Fox is sick and won't be going to Young Marines tonight. Lee has been having headaches again. It's a joke around here that I never feel good anyway- lately it's feeling true. 

Well, this was much longer than I'd intended but who knows when another post other than Blogging through the Alphabet or a book review will happen. 

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!

The Last Day of School! 2013/2014 School Year

This week has seriously just zoomed right by. Actually, it feels like it never started. We went straight into it from about Thursday last week. Dear Hubby had a very long Memorial Day weekend- which is good. It threw me off schedule {yeah, I like to think I'm all with it...shhh, apparently I'm in denial}. 

The last weekly wrap up was on May 2nd! Oi vey! 

This post contains *affiliate links. See Disclosure/Policies.

In my life this week…

...so the week officially starts on a Sunday; that's where I'll start. It's just been weird. Lee has been working Monday-Friday; Fox worked Thursday and Friday; the Warden had Monday off but worked the rest of the week. I've been working on school, Mi Lossolleff items, and trying to get myself back to the chore schedule I made for myself. Maybe I'm the only one who feels all out of sorts this week. 

In our homeschool this week…

...well... uh... the kids have finished quite a few of their subject areas. Lee is farther behind that Fox because she works 9-5 Monday-Friday. And she also volunteered at Discover Aviation Days with the Warden over the weekend. Saturday was all day; they left at 6:30am and got home after 11:00pm! They are the official video/photographer crew for the Discover Aviation Center. Fox and I went out to the airshow on Sunday but I hear the most excitement was on Saturday. There was a night airshow, it caused some people to think there was a UFO! Hilarious.

Oh, I was supposed to be talking about homeschool. Life is school. We were supposed to have Term 3 exams but they didn't happen, and I for one am disappointed. We only manage to get two exams in a year. It's a goal to get all three in next year. I know we can.

And today is the last official day of the school year. Fortunately it's also Friday so I'll let them have a movie {that's nothing new for Friday} and junk {that might/might not be something extra lol}. Otherwise... nothing fancy. 

We take all of June off -yay!- and start back July 1st. There'll be quite a few days off in July; it'll be a slow start. 

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

...it'll be another busy weekend for us! On Saturday we get to hang out with the Warden's aunt and uncle in the morning and have lunch with a family from church in the afternoon. Sunday there's church followed by a family reunion.  

Wednesday night there is Teen Discipleship for the kids, and I've been tasked with bring 'snacks'. Otherwise, Lee will work during the week, and maybe Fox will also. 

A favorite thing this week was…

...the excitement the Warden and Lee exhibited about the Discover Aviation Days airshow. 

Things I’m working on…

...Mi Lossolleff, school assignments, and preparing my mind for the kids and my trip to the Charlotte Mason Institute in June. I still haven't quite gotten the chore schedule down, and I miss some things. 

Also still brainstorming about the Senior Memory Book for Lee.

What's cooking…

...um, I make the menu on Sunday but here's what was cooking this week.

I’ve been reading…

...Teaching Redmeptively* by Donovan Graham; Exceptional Learners* by Hallaham, Kauffman, and Pullen; A History of the Western Educational Experience* by Gerald Gutek; Faith and Learning* edited by David Dockery; Happy to be Alive, Because* by Chelsea Jacobs; Smart Money Smart Kids* by David Ramsey

Things to be grateful for…

...emotions... ability to work ...hope...smiles... happiness isn't external ...pens...cool water...new days...new mercies...love

Praying for…

...unspoken... wisdom about braces for Fox ...family...myself...truth, honesty, clean heart

A photo, link, or quote to share…

...shared with my by the Warden early this morning. It was across the street from our house. 

Weekly Wrap-Up HSMJ- Trying for More Organized

Wait, haven't I said that before? Trying for more organized, trying to get a handle on time management, etc.? Yes, yes. I've said it before; many times. Always a work in progress...

This post contains *affiliate links. See Disclosure/Policies.

I'm switching back to the Homeschool Mother's Journal "format" {which really doesn't even have a format now} for my weekly wrap-up because it is so organized {when/why did I leave it?}. The need for things to have a place, even here on the blog, is heavy on my mind lately. And so, here's the weekly wrap-up for us: Week 31 {don't bother looking for weeks 20+ as tags; I totally forgot what "week" it was for quite a while} of the 2013/2014 school year.

In my life this week…

...I started the Blogging through the Alphabet. Life-changing, I know. Okay, not really but last time I only got three submissions out of 26. I have drafted eight posts already this time. Perhaps that is life-changing {wink}

I also made a loaf of gluten-free, yeast-free bread on Monday. I didn't care if it was yeast-free but that's what the recipe was. In the greenhouse I planted some more things in pots. The composter is doing well; doesn't stink a bit and it is getting dark like real compost. It still has some to go {quite a bit actually- hubby jokes and says in a few years we may be able to get a wee bit of something to actually use for gardening!} but I'm so excited to see its progress. I've not taken photos lately. Perhaps sometime this week I will get to that.

Finally got around to taking photos on Thursday...but not of the compost lol. Some things had to be replanted because it got cold and snowed right after some sprouts had come up. They froze. Here's the post of when we first started the seeds.

In our homeschool this week…

...my Lee got a job {she started Monday} so things were somewhat shook up here for school. Not just for her. We had to do Round Table earlier some days to be able to include her and not have her too pressed for time. 

On Tuesday I let the kids have some, uh, self-directed time. The weather made it so Lee didn't need to work. They were allowed to do things that they wanted to as long as they fell in the category of school subjects. Fox decided to work on a physics experiment we got {Physics Quest Kit, Spectra 6}. Lee is working with sculpey clay* making mosaic tiles. That's for art and entrepreneurship. {wink} This was after we had Round Table {which included verses, German phrases, hymns, ASL vocabulary, James 1:26, 27 word study, and a density 'experiment'}, art with Fox, and Lee worked on the Weekly Barden; all before lunch! 

I'm getting the Term 3 exams started this week for the last week of May. Officially the last day of school for the 2013/2014 year is May 30. And because it is so close to the end of the year we are doing what we call "Elimination". For this, they figure what books they have less to go and put more focus on those to finish them. Of course, other subjects are not neglected but more effort is put towards those that can be finished sooner. When they are finished, the "elimination" continues on other areas. 

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

...Found this Career Exploration freebie from 7 Sisters Homeschool
...for the 'home' bit- http://www.pinterest.com/angie76/cleaning-schedules/ for help with keeping a clean home {struggling here}
...for mom- More Than Words: Using words to dig deeper into The Word.  {free word study; subscribe to email updates and get it free}

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

...umm, just the usual, I think. Grocery shopping on Thursday, library at some points in between, Lee to work when she gets to, Fox to Young Marines on Wednesday {edited: it was cancelled}, and church on Wednesday {edited: we didn't get home in time} and Sunday. Yeah, I think that is about it. 

The kids did ride their bikes to the library on Tuesday in the early evening after it dried up and got warmer. 

A favorite thing this week was…

...my loaf of bread turned out good! It was yummy and texture was good. I don't think my kids particularly liked it but they aren't really fans of anything but homemade white bread lol.

I made the loaf twice. You can read about it in the newest entry on the post Gluten Free Adventures.

Things I’m working on…

...making a blog plan/schedule again. It feels silly to keep repeating things that I'm working on and just never really get accomplished. Speaking of blog, did I mention that I'm now a contributor to The Homeschool Post? I'm excited and nervous. 

"We" are working on getting our Etsy shop up. We still need some inventory so it will be sometime in May before it actually opens. I'm not linking it yet because it's not ready. That is why Lee has been working on the mosaic tiles. I am trying to get better at using polymer clay. I really would like to make miniature dolls. 

Also I'm working on getting the house in shape. Before internet I used to have a clean house...I mean it is decent now but there's much room for improvement. At one point my mother in law had given me a binder with many reproducibles for keeping organized. I only have a few left and it makes me sad that the ones I really liked I no longer have. I don't even recall who originally designed and sold them.

What's cooking…

...Gluten-free, Yeast-free Oat Bread {if you head that way, I subbed 1/4 cup sweet rice flour & 1/4 cup cornstarch for the 1/2 cup tapioca starch, used 1 TBS honey and used 6 egg whites instead of 3 whole eggs; oh yes, and somehow I didn't add in the correct amount of oat flour.}

...didn't get a menu this week so it's spontaneity galore! {good and bad lol} 

I’ve been reading…

...One Realm Beyond by Donita K. Paul - 1984 by George Orwell - Darkness at Noon by Arthur Koestler - The Elizabeth Goudge Reader compiled by Rose ? {can't recall her last name} - ...do the kids' school books count?

Around the web: Words to Cut from Your Writing which I found at Chareen's blog. Beautiful poem by Wordsworth posted by Katie

Things to be grateful for…

...birds - sunshine - wonderful family - God's grace - blessed assurance - {coffee ...seems so insignificant after all those others -smile- and now I want some!}

Praying for…

...many unspoken...cleansing, constantly...confidence...ambition, motivation ...peace...for those affected by flooding and tornadoes... redirection/adjustments for hubby's work...

Some thoughts…

...that just keep cropping up again: do I really want to be a "teacher"? Is there another field that I would prefer when my kiddos are out of the house? I am not going to change direction now that I've started my Master's program but sometimes when I cannot keep focused with my kids, who are with me, right in my face and cannot be ignored {not well anyway lol}, how am I going to do with a classroom full of other people's kids? And I will admit that I'm quite nervous about curriculum in public schools. If I could open a private school, hire teachers that I know would teach for the love of the children and the sake of learning, and go off of a non-public school curriculum I might feel a little more at ease. I just don't know what will be in place when the time comes for me to find a teaching job. Just some thoughts.

A photo, link, or quote to share…

... 

Link:

http://chrissiemurphydesigns.blogspot.com.au/ 

Quote:

Against the just th' Almighty's arrows fly.

For he delights the innocents to try,

To show their constant and their God like mind,

Not by afflictions broken, but refined.

~Sir R. Blackmore 

(quoted by Matthew Henry, 

"Commentary to the Book of Job," 

chapter IX, verse 23)

Weekly Wrap-Up 04.25.14 Only 6 Weeks Left!

This post contains *affiliate links. See Disclosure/Policies.

Sunday- Easter Sunday. It's not about a bunny or chocolates or finding eggs. It's the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Without the resurrection any hope that Christians think they have mean nothing. Our time at church centered around the resurrection.

I finally finished Amusing Ourselves to Death*, but still have one more post in the series to go. I started reading The Brimming Cup by Dorothy Canfield* but I'm not sure how far I can make myself read. It's... different. I can't say if that's a good or not so good thing. I'm not one to get overly worked up emotionally {not that I've never been known to at a few points in my life; but not recently} and this starts out with extreme emotion that fairly overrides sense. Tramples it in the dirt, really. Then it goes on with a busybody (?), the same the story started with who was so overcome by her emotions, who tells all about her neighbors to an older gentleman who will be living next door. It's just strange. We'll see how it goes. 

Monday- The kids started their day with a 'nice' exercise: bike riding. It was nice enough to do so. Then we had round table with Composer's Datebook, hymns, verses, foreign language box, The Attributes of God, prayer, chores, grocery shopping, and Pearls Homeschool Support Group. We got home a little before 4pm so that was the end of the school day. 

I got a book for review: One Realm Beyond by Donita Paul*. Haven't started it yet. 

Tuesday- Rain in the night and sprinkles in the morning. Kids woke up a little late {four minutes according to the clock in the kitchen..tsk, tsk} but I made them breakfast anyway. It's not supposed to be very warm today so I think it will be an inside kind of day. I do have a book to pick up from the library: 1984*. I figure since I've read Brave New World* I might as well see the other side. There is one other book that Postman suggests in Amusing Ourselves to Death that I've requested from the library but off the top of my head I cannot recall the title. Darkness at Noon? Perhaps... {edited later: it was indeed that title! my memory still works sometimes.}

Wednesday- Thursday ... ummm...

We'll just skip right onto Friday then. LEE GOT A JOB! No matter what else happened today that is what is in my head now. She starts on Monday. It was one that she'd seen the Help Wanted sign in passing a couple of times and then took the initiative to stop in on her own. She left her name and number but didn't hear anything before the Help Wanted message disappeared from the sign. She figured they'd gone with someone else. Well, this morning they called {we'd accidentally left the 'home' phone at home when we ran errands} and when she called back, they pretty much hired her over the phone. It is working in a garden center as a cashier. It should be fairly simple, maybe busy at times. I'm so excited for her.

And that's about been the week. It's felt scattered and not well put together. But everyone has survived and I don't think there is any lasting damage. 

Oh, yes, we got the WB put together, minus one page. Too much excitement today to be able to put in a recipe or fun activity apparently. You can find it on the WB page.

How was your week?

Weekly Wrap-Up, 04.18.14, The One With Snow...?

It has become evident that if a post isn't begun early in the week, there will be no weekly wrap-up. Not that it would be terrible if there wasn't, -and there often isn't- it's fun to put one together and read over the week. 

Our weekly menu is in this menu planning Monday post. 

Sunday- Morning church, me doing dishes, kids and hubby cleaning vehicles, all of us going on a bike ride -and attempting to jump our bikes {only hubby can get all four wheels off the ground...every time! yeah, he is all sorts of amazing *smile*}, evening church.

At morning church, pastor talked about how God can use anyone and anything for His purpose. He can use someone with absolutely no talent, and work miraculously. Pastor had these main points {wait, I have to find my notebook...ah, found it!}: 

• God can use you beyond your capabilities {1 Cor. 1:26-29}
• God can use what we see as insignificant 
• God can use your testimony
• God can use you when you are willing

That last point he also added that God will only use you when you are willing because it is a decision we make to do things for God. But I do wonder, is that just in reference to doing things for God consciously? There are many instances where the person was unwilling and God worked through them anyway. I had thought first of Jonah but ultimately, he was willing to go to Nineveh. Then I thought of rulers who've turned against God but are still 'used' for God's purposes. Of course, I cannot think of a single name... But all those in power are put in place, or allowed to be there, by God. To say otherwise is to say that God is not a part of this world; He doesn't interact. Of course, He can interact in anyway He sees fit and we might see it as not interacting. Now I'm going off on a tangent perhaps.

Sunday was a very nice day.

Monday- Lee got to babysit for many hours. The family she sits for are back from their winter vacation. We had to drive to Mentor in the morning and then Fox and I came home. He and I first stopped at KMart to find a belt for dh and I. Found two at reasonable prices; real leather, too. Later we went grocery shopping. The weekly shopping has been about $100 for the past 4-6 weeks but I made sure I kept it down this week. I think it was around $60. I had 'set' $40...missed that mark! 

School was not happening as we didn't even get home until 5:30 pm. 

I got a book for review from Bethany House Publishers. The book is Out of the Depths. It is "an unforgettable WWII story of survival, courage, and the sinking of the USS Indianapolis." I'm really looking forward to reading it but, uh, I have too many other books in front of it! Other books in my review pile:

• Critical Condition by Richard L. Mabry, M.D. {finished it! review will be live on 4/26/14}
• Heaven & Hell by Christopher D. Hudson
• Shadowhand by Anne Elisabeth Stengl
• Lit! by Tony Reinke

It seems like there should be more on that list. Or I'm just thinking of all the "to-be-read" books I have either started or planning to start that are not review books. 

Tuesday- SNOW! At 2 pm there is white all over the ground and still flurries. Sigh. I haven't checked in the greenhouse yet to see how things fared because I don't want to open the door and let in any more cold than necessary. We'd watered  yesterday so no worry it needs water. Mostly I'm concerned that it got cold enough to damage the seedlings. They can be restarted if need be. 

I've been at the computer quite a bit this afternoon {Can you believe it: I had to wait my turn!?} and there are some good posts I'm reading. I'll share just a few; there's so many. Different topics.

• On Being Homeschooled {Reminisces of a Soon-to-be Grad}
• The Night on Which He Was Betrayed: A Psychological Interpretation
• Are You More Committed to Homeschooling or to Your Kids?
• Statistical Frauds (about "war on women" and women earning less than men)

And now, I have laundry to get done. 

Wednesday- Snow melted; by the day's end it was gone. Some of the seedlings were damaged but not too many. I covered them with a blanket after evening prayer meeting to attempt to keep them warmer. I don't think it quite got as cold as the night before. Better safe than sorry, eh? 

The day was pretty good. The basics were done for school. This week it seems is mostly a "get caught up" week. Or something like that. We did some errands, bought a few things {ziplock bags, a puzzle, garden soil}, and then went to evening church. I really enjoyed the short time before prayer where Pastor talked about Philippians 1:9-11. I wrote about my thoughts in the Weekly Barden that's coming out Friday, but also put it in a post. {And after I put it in the WB and posted it, I got to thinking perhaps I have the meaning wrong- if you read it in either place, please comment with your thoughts.}

Fox was to have Young Marines so I drove him there. He and another Young Marine are in "training" of sorts, in line to be promoted, and so they go a bit earlier than the rest of the platoon. Unfortunately, the location they meet in was going to be locked-down for a weapons inspection so Young Marines had to be cancelled, last minute. It is held at an armory. We got a pizza and some salad out of it though.

Lee trimmed my hair. It was a long needed task but I so dislike cutting my hair. It was longer than the middle of my back; now it is about at my shoulder blades. It was needed. I just keep telling myself that. And she did a really great job; it's straight and even. 

Thursday- Sunshine, glorious sunshine! I've not gone outside {yet} but Lee said it is nice but for the wind. We plan on going on a long drive today so that Lee can get more time. She was able to get 10 more minutes of night driving to prayer meeting; 20 minutes all together toward her total time. Up to 44 hours now. She is going to be doing a street survival course {did I tell this already?} later this month and she must have her 50 hours requirement met. 

Edited later: I did indeed go outside and it's wonderful! The kids rode their bikes to the library to pick up some books. 

Friday- Just like any other day. The kids have to finish their Ohio Study project {which includes a paper, Power Point presentation, and giving the presentation} but otherwise, I'm letting them relax mostly. As long as they get their chores done {the dishes!!} I think it will be alright. We also have tea-time today with much anticipated fudgy brownies thanks to Fox. I think Lee has a movie for Friday movie {she'll have to watch it alone as Fox is banned from screens for a while and I just don't like to watch movies unless I have to} and she wants to buy some of those sandwich cookies from the Dollar Tree. 

Tomorrow I think Lee is wanting to go on church visitation {that's going door-to-door and knocking on the doors- which I find to be a little "funny" because those who are not Jehovah's Witnesses or Mormons really dislike when those people do it to them- we have a no soliciting sign on our house...anyway} and Fox has community service at the homeless shelter in downtown Cleveland with the Young Marines. I get to do dishes and hopefully I'll be motivated enough to do some cleaning. My house is a mess. Someone should come visit so that I'll have to clean *wink* {Uh, make sure you call first!}

And that's about all for this week. I'm going to wrap this up now although it's still very early in the day. Otherwise it won't go out until tomorrow evening. If anything exciting happens, I'm sure I'll update the post lol. 

Oh I do have something else to share: our greenhouse construction time-lapse. It took all of 2 minutes! The time-lapse that is *wink*

Weekly Wrap-Up 3.28.14- The One Where We Went to Severance Hall

Last week's wrap-up didn't materialize for some reason. Oh well. Starting early on this week so that it'll make it before next week *wink*. And I'm actually linking up this week at Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers. 

Sunday- church, followed by science planning for next year for Fox. I mean really planning. Got all the books, making the detailed, weekly schedule. I need to have one because otherwise, I let it all slide. Can't keep doing that.

Monday- ever just want to say, "Stop! Everyone just stop."? Well, today I said that in terms of school. No school today. None of us feel 100% and I am still in the thick of planning science. I'm on a roll, too. Gotta keep going before I lose steam and all the 'great' ideas in my head. {pffft}

We do need to go to the library though at some point. And maybe the store. I do not want to do either. 

Tuesday- Dinner plans out with the family tonight. Something to look forward to *smile* 

Lee and I are not feeling our best. And this after I told someone that I was "healthier" than a lot of people I know. I meant that I don't get sick very often. Serves me right... 

Wednesday- Fox had Young Marines but he had to be there early so I had to take him. No big deal. Lee and I are still aren't not sick so we didn't go to prayer meeting; no need to spread our cooties. We {Lee and I} did watch Gone with the Wind though. I told her that she should read the book, and she may still, but after watching she said "I don't want to read it if it ends like that." Guess we'll see if she reads it.

Thursday- Not much but the usual today. I had a few errands to run but left the kids to their school work. 

Friday- Tea-time with specialty chocolates, and then Severance Hall tonight. I'm still stuffy and not 100% better but I'm doing well enough to enjoy all of those! This post will be live tomorrow {Saturday} so that we can experience Severance and then tell about it here. We are so looking forward to it! Dh isn't going because he wouldn't even be off work, I don't think, by the time we leave the house; he doesn't particularly want to go anyway. He's seen orchestras live; we haven't. I think it may be the highlight of our week. 

For tea-time we played card games and enjoyed our chocolates. 

Here are a couple images from Severance Hall. They are not the greatest because they are stills taken from a video. The performance was Beethoven's 9th. It was impressive. We all enjoyed it. 

Saturday- It's cold and dreary out today so we'll just relax inside. I'm going to be working on posts for the Amusing Ourselves to Death series, and a book review or two. Dh will be fiddlin' with his computer/video stuff. The kids? I know they'll have screen time at some point but otherwise, they're on their own! It's a day of do nothing.

Dinner tonight is chicken enchiladas, using the chicken I cooked in the crockpot Wednesday. Hubby says that is the best chicken for enchiladas. 

Tomorrow is church and then a new week starts. And a new month! 

Exam Week, Term 2- Weekly Wrap-Up 03.14.14

The week is rather uneventful and with it being Term 2 exams, there are only a few hours for school each day. 

Monday- Round table: sung hymns, kids recited all verses learned this year, and their recitations, ended with prayer. They both have six things to do each day this week for exams. I am undecided if I will put their work on the blog yet. Honestly, I've felt this term has been somewhat slacking and I'm sure it will be evident in their work. Vanity on my part, perhaps. It's undecided still. 

The weather is nice again but deceiving since we are in for another snow storm at some point. I went outside today for a bit but the kids didn't want to after 'school' was done. Their loss...but I probably should have made them. I put two entries on the Nature Journal page. The kids did go out later to ride their bikes.

We went to Goodwill in Eastlake today so that Lee could get in some driving time. Yes, that is truly why we went. But we found a full size iron board which I've been keeping an eye out for. Then we stopped at the library and came home. It was over an hour's driving for her. Only 23 more hours to go...

Tuesday Day #2 for Term 2 exams. Round table: hymns and prayer. Lee and I are planning on driving down to Akron for the Charlotte Mason book discussion group that meets at Barnes and Noble {Fairlawn, I think}. Edited: We went but uh, not much was covered. Lee and I mostly just sat and drank our tea. Long drive for tea...

Since the kids are 'busy' with exams- and that doesn't require much of me really- I want to get some made-ahead meals in the freezer. I don't really know why. I really like to have some meals premade and just need to be reheated or popped in the oven -or crockpot. Edited: I got some things made and in the freezer. I'd attempted a coconut flour biscuit recipe and wasted almost all of the coconut flour I had. They were not good. At all. Anyway, I made 12 bean and cheese burritos, 12 sausage, egg, and cheese on biscuit sandwiches, and a batch of scone 'biscuits'. Not even close to what I'd hope.

Wednesday Rain this morning and dark even at 8:00 am. It is partially because of daylight savings, but the clouds were full of rain. It did get to snowing about 9:00 am and now at 1:00 pm, we have lots of it again. 

No Round table this morning because I wanted to get to making stuff for the freezer. I got going slower than I'd planned though so when it was all said and done, all I got done was a batch of {strange} granola and pancakes. There is more granola to be made. The first batch of granola has no oats, just nuts and seeds, with egg white powder, coconut oil, cinnamon, stevia and erythritol. I'll eat it and they can have the other when it's done.

I was scouring the 'net for diy gf flours. I dislike using just what's at the store, which is primarily starches and rice flour. There are others, I know, but I have to go far to get the others. Finally, I found this site that has different diy gf flour mixes. I chose the Ancient Grains GF Blend. If I had a grain mill I might try the Milled GF Flour Blend. But honestly, I don't plan on ever having a grain mill. I wouldn't use it enough to justify the cost. 

While searching for gf related recipes, I was directed to Tammy's blog where I found a link to an article about Gluten Sensitivity and the Impact on the Brain. Interesting! Some other gf sites: Gluten Free Cooking School, A Year of Slow Cooking, and Marine Corps Nomads.

Thursday Shouldn't have had those sugar cookies yesterday... Fox made cookies in the afternoon and I had just a few. I didn't eat 'well' {which doesn't mean I ate poor choices- except for those cookies- but didn't eat enough} and suffered for it this morning. Headache and so. very. tired. Slept on the couch for a couple hours after the kids were up. 

The kids got their exam work done, their chores done, and some shoveling done. Now it's noon and Lee is making blondies. I. am. not. eating. ANY. Nope. They are actually for tomorrow's tea-time anyway. {Edited: I ate some. Of course.}

I started another book discussion post series. I really need to finish Amusing Ourselves to Death first but The Living Page is just so good. 

Dear hubby came home early with a migraine so the rest of the night was spent reading The Devil Walks in Mattingly {my review will be live 3/22/14} and starting The Book Thief. 

Friday Last day of Exam Week. It's such an easy week for me, this exam week thing. Lee said that it's a bit like having a week 'off' of school, although they still have hours of 'school' they do. Funny how the perspective is on that. Dh stayed home from work; still not 'well'. That meant I got to sleep in :) I forgot it was Friday and not Saturday, though. The kids didn't really want to get up and get going. They were done with their exams by about 11:00 am. I posted the results here and here. 

We did have tea-time. I'm sure it is because of the blondies set aside for today but Fox was practically sing-songing that tea-time was today. Silly boy. We played Stare and had tea. With blondies of course. 

The Weekly Barden still needs finished and some of my 'chores' need done. Hubby is still spending most of the day in bed so I might get out of those chores. 

I did get a box of foodstuffs I ordered on Wednesday {fast shipping!}, and am impatiently waiting for the other to arrive so that I can attempt some gf bread. I chose sorghum flour, brown rice flour, buckwheat flour, white rice flour, millet flour, and quinoa flour- all from Bob's Red Mill {from Amazon}. Hopefully I'll have some posts about my baking soon.

Tomorrow we are going to a police car auction, just because we can. None of us have ever been so it'll be an experience. Sunday is church and Monday is Pearls meeting. Those are the plans. 

And that's the week for us. How's your's been?