Well, this is exciting — I just received an email from a fellow homeschooler.  Apparently there is a relatively new group in our area offering supplemental classes to homeschoolers.  The classes will be held at a local church once a week.  I’m not really that interested in the academic-type classes because I think we have a handle on those for the time-being.  (Ask me if that’s the case when we hit upper-level math and science . . .  )

So what’s so exciting?  They will be offering a CHOIR class for 6 – 11 year olds.  Yeah!  My girl loves to sing and loved choir at her elementary school last year.  I was worried about filling that void in her educational experience.  The class has 7 openings left at this point and it’s first come, first serve.  Late registration begins tomorrow morning and ends Saturday evening or when the classes are full.  My niece and nephew would like to participate, too, so I’m hoping we get in. 

Cross your fingers, say a prayer, and hope we get in!  Thanks.

Yes . . . I’m still alive.  I can’t believe I haven’t written anything on my own blog in over a month.  I’ve been checking in with all of you, reading what’s going on in your lives and commenting here and there, but personally . . .

It’s been pretty busy around here.  And I’ve had a hard time thinking of anything interesting to write about if for no other reason than the usual stuff going on doesn’t seem all that interesting.  And heaven knows, this is supposed to be entertaining, or why in the world would you read it?

Well, interesting or not — here’s what’s been going on:

The Little Miss took a sign language class at the local rec center and loved it.  I’m definitely going to have to explore homeschool courses so she can dig deeper into this form of communication.  She’s always been fascinated by languages — one of her good friend’s parents are from Mexico and she loves learning new words from them.  Could this fascination be linked to her strong verbal skills?  I think it might! 

I’ve been running from appointment to appointment selling blinds and shutters here and there.  Cool beans, for sure.  However, let me warn you if you ever go into business for yourself – do not file your sales tax return late, even the teeniest tiniest bit late.  I file on-line and was trying to get it done before the midnight deadline.  Well, starting three minutes earlier would have saved me $88 in late fees and penalties.  I finished at 12:03 a.m. sharp . . . but not sharp enough for the state comptroller.  Oh, well.

My house is a disaster area right now.  It’s driving me nuts.  We are doing a little bit of updating on the front room right off the entry hall.  Keep in mind, our little house on the coast is 55 years old.  Do you remember “wood” paneling?  This front room (that I intend to use as a office/library/school room) was covered in wood paneling.  Ugly, cheap wood paneling.  Painting it would not lessen its ugly cheapness.  My man promised to help me update this room and it has turned into a messy project. 

He tore down the paneling and was pleased to discover that there was some sheetrock behind the paneling, meaning less expense for us (we only had to buy two sheets to finish out the part that was bare studs).  You should have seen the original paint color on this sheetrock!  Keep in mind 1950’s decor – and this room was the kitchen before the original owners added on.  The kitchen walls were

TURQUOISE!

Yes!  Oh, my.  Well, the turquoise has been laid to rest in that my man had to add sheetrock, tape and float everything and then re-texture the walls so the surface was consistent all the way around the room.  I only wish we’d been able to lay the turquoise to rest without the clouds of sheetrock dust that have settled on every nearby surface.  I feel like I have chalk on my lips all the time.  Part of the job, part of the job.

I have to do a little cleaning and then I can get ready to paint.  I consulted with my very gifted sister on paint colors and FINALLY made a decision.  I swear I get ulcers over this kind of thing.  Especially when some paints run $36 per gallon.  Who can afford that kind of mistake?  I’m glad I talked to her, though, because she actually steered me towards different colors in a different brand that is much more reasonably priced ($22 per gallon).  And I like the colors so much better.

The room is a 16 x 9 foot rectangle.  The 9 ft. wall on the front of the house has a tall window dead-center.  I plan to paint that wall American Traditions “Savannah Red”.  The other three walls will be painted American Traditions “Filoli Gold Ecru”.  All the trim and doors will be painted American Traditions “Wooden Wagon”.  I think it will be a really warm and welcoming kind of room.  I have a futon that I plan to center on the red wall with the window — with floor lamps on each side.  A perfect place to curl up with assigned or pleasure reading, don’t you think?  When you look at the futon, bookcases that my guy is building for me will line the wall to the right and my computer desk will be on the wall to the left.  My girl’s desk will be on the wall opposite the futon. 

I need to find a world map and print out a copy of The Ten Commandments to hang on the wall.  I think I will also hang some of my photographs from the county fair and some of my girl’s artwork.  I’m excited, but I’ll be so glad when it’s done.  And we can enjoy it!

The dryer’s buzzed and I need to fold some towels.  I hope you’ve enjoyed my little update — as normal and routine as it may be! 

Home Education Update . . .

Well, my sister and I went to the SETHSA homeschool conference this past weekend and it was incredibly inspiring.  We heard Susan Wise Bauer and Jessie Wise speak, roamed through roughly 200 vendor booths and even bought curriculum materials for history and Latin.  Yes, LATIN!

We’re in agreement regarding the advantages of a classical education in that history should be taught chronologically, so that children have a better concept of the order in which events happen.  So we’ll be using Susan’s The Story of the World, Vol. I, available through Peace Hill Press, along with the Teacher Guide/Student Activity Book.  All three of our kids will be learning Ancient History (6,000 B.C. – 400 A.D.) at the same time, with assignments being geared for their individual capabilities.  We’ll be looking for age appropriate reading material that corresponds with this historical time period (such as “The Children’s Homer:  The Adventures of Odysseus and the Tale of Troy“!), and doing cool hands-on projects from the activity book.  I think I am just as excited by how much I am going to re-learn during this adventure as by what my daughter will learn.

As far as Latin goes, my sister (and the “experts”) assure me that the study of Latin will help immensely with English grammar and other language studies.  My sister studied Latin for two years in high school and says the kids are at a great age for this because they have such an easy time with memorization.  So we both purchased Martha Wilson’s Latin Primer, Book I, along with the teacher’s guide and a CD with pronunciations.  My sister swears she’ll help me with this if I need it.  She better!

Well, Small Girl is wanting to call one of her friends so I’ve got to sign off for now.  I’ll post more regarding what we saw and what we want to do later!  Ciao!

Probably many of you have received the following in your own email boxes, but for those who haven’t, enjoy:

WOULDN’T  IT  BE GREAT TO TURN ON THE TV AND HEAR THE FOLLOWING SPEECH?

My Fellow Americans: As you all know, the defeat of Iraq regime has been completed.

Since  Congress does not want to spend any more money on this war, our mission in Iraq is now complete.

This morning I gave the order for a complete removal of  all American forces from Iraq.  This action will be complete within 30 days. It is now to begin the  reckoning.

Before me, I  have two lists. One list contains the names of  countries which have stood by  our side during the Iraq conflict. This list is short. The United  Kingdom, Spain, Bulgaria,  Australia, and   Poland are some of the countries listed there.

The other list contains everyone not on the first  list. Most of the world’s  nations are on that list. My press secretary will be distributing copies of  both lists later this evening.

Let me start by saying that effective immediately,  foreign aid to those nations on List 2 ceases immediately and indefinitely.  The money saved during the first year alone will pretty much pay for the costs  of the Iraqi war.

The  American people are no longer going to pour money into third world Hell-holes  and watch those government leaders grow fat on  corruption.

Need help  with a famine? Wrestling with an epidemic? Call France.

In  the future, together with Congress, I will work to redirect this money toward  solving the vexing social problems we still have at home. On that note, a word  to terrorist organizations. Screw with us and we will hunt you down and  eliminate you and all your friends from the face of the earth.

Thirsting  for a gutsy country to terrorize? Try France,  or maybe China.

To  Israel and the Palestinian Authority Yo, boys. Work out a peace deal now. Just note  that Camp  David   is closed. Maybe all of you can go to  Russia for negotiations. They have some great palaces there. Big tables, too. I am  ordering the immediate severing of diplomatic relations with  France,  Germany, and  Russia.  Thanks for all your help, comrades. We are retiring from NATO as well. Bon  chance, mes amis.

I have  instructed the Mayor of New York City   to begin towing the  many UN diplomatic vehicles located in Manhattan   with more  than two unpaid parking tickets to sites where those vehicles will be  stripped, shredded and crushed. I don’t care about whatever treaty pertains to  this. You creeps have tens of thousands of unpaid tickets. Pay those tickets  tomorrow or watch your precious Benzes, Beamers, and limos be turned over to some of  the finest chop shops in the world. I love New  York.

A special note  to our neighbors. Canada is on List 2. Since we are likely to be seeing a lot more of each other, you  folks might want to try not pissing us off for a change.

Mexico   is  also on List 2. President Fox and his entire corrupt government really need an  attitude adjustment I will have a couple extra tank and infantry divisions  sitting around. Guess where I am going to put em? Yep, border security. So  start doing something with your oil.

Oh, by  the way, the United States   is abrogating the NAFTA treaty – starting now.

We are tired of the one-way highway.

It is time for  America to focus on its own welfare and its own citizens. Some will accuse us of  isolationism. I answer them by saying, “darn  tootin.”

Nearly a century  of trying to help folks live a decent life around the world has only earned us the undying enmity of just  about everyone on the planet. It is time to eliminate hunger in  America.  It is time to eliminate homelessness in America.  It is time to eliminate World Cup Soccer from America.  To the nations on List 1, a final thought. Thanks guys. We owe you and we  won’t forget.

God bless America. Thank  you and good night.

If  you can read this, thank a teacher. If you are reading it in  English, thank a  soldier.

I do LOVE living in the age of miracle drugs . . . I’m still not 100%, but ohmigoodness.  So MUCH better . . .

Well, had to go to the doctor yesterday.  Got a shot of penicillin and three prescriptions to try to get rid of this sinus infection . . .

Everybody’s surfin’ . . . surfin’ U.S.A. . . .

Saturday was a great day!  We headed down to the beach for a little party hosted by one of AJ’s work buddies.  He rents a little beach shack every six months or so, cranks up the barbeque pit, pulls out the catamaran and the surfboards and invites all all his co-workers and their families down to party on the sand! 

Everyone brings a little bit of this, a little bit of that . . . I made the ever-so popular “Goofy Cookies,” which came out beautifully now that I’ve got a new stove that maintains constant temperature and looks damned good while doing it.  The recipe follows below:

1 stick margarine

1 Duncan Hines yellow, white, or lemon cake mix

1 egg

1 8 oz. Package cream cheese

1 box powdered sugar

2 eggs

1 ½ cups chopped pecans

Melt stick of butter in 9 x 13 cake pan. Blend cake mix and 1 egg until thoroughly mixed. Pat into melted butter to form crust.

Blend cream cheese, powdered sugar and 2 eggs together thoroughly. Pour over crust. Sprinkle chopped pecans over this.

Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. (I use a glass Pyrex dish and so reduce the temp to 325 degrees and add 5 additional minutes bake time. Should be slightly golden without burning the pecans.)

Allow to cool and cut into bars. Absolutely delicious and very, very rich.

It was a lot of fun — Jami had a blast playing in the water and collecting seashells.  AJ took out a surfboard for the first time in 20 years . . . I managed to get a few seconds of video on my digital camera as proof-positive that he DID  in fact get up on the board (before falling off . . . )  He’s got the bug again and spent a good part of the remainder of the weekend looking for used surfboards in the newspaper.  The one he played on Saturday was a 10 and 1/2 foot longboard, single fin . . . absolutely beautiful artwork.  Mo paid $800 for it brand-new, so we’re going to see what we can find used for $300-$400.

We love the beach so much.  I think I, more than anyone in the family, would love to live there.  But storms frighten me . . . the thought of losing EVERYTHING in a hurricane gives one pause.  Of course, we’re less than a dozen miles from the beach where we are, so if the BIG ONE finally hits the coast, we’re probably toast, as well.  But the thought of sitting out on the deck gazing out at the gulf . . . it does tempt me so!

Yesterday after church AJ worked in his garden for a while and Jami and I went to the park.  We packed up a blanket, books, drawing pads and pencils, made a loop through the McD’s drive-thru and headed to one of the best parks in our area.  It has a pond with a fountain and lots of ducks and geese to watch.  We spread out the blanket, ate our lunch and had some great Mommy/Baby Girl time.  I can’t believe how quickly she is growing up, although I have been warned by those older and wiser than me.  Then she commenced to drawing the pond and ducks while I read some of my book.  When she got tired of drawing, she started reading, too, using me as a deck chair!  I was laying on my stomach and she laid down on my back . . . too funny!  We watched bumblebees going from clover blossom to clover blossom and she amazed me with how much she’s remembered from what she learned about bees earlier in the school year.  Unfortunately, those clover blossoms did a number on my nose and I’m suffering from allergy symptoms now. 

But it was definitely worth it . . .

Okay . . . I would like to go on record as saying I think Michael Savage is the vilest excuse for a human being.  Normally his throbbing-vein-in-the-forehead ranting doesn’t bother me that much, but this afternoon I heard him speak so incredibly rudely to a caller . . . I am still furious.

I’m sure most of you have heard about the little stand-up bit First Lady Laura Bush did at the expense of President Bush.  She teased him about his early bedtime and also about trying to milk a horse, and a male horse at that(!) when they first bought the ranch in Crawford.  Honestly, it all sounded like good-humored fun between two people who love and understand each other.

Apparently, it was toooooo risque for Savage.  I don’t know if Savage has ever been on a farm, but since I was a kid, I’ve heard jokes about the “city slicker” trying to milk a bull or what have you.  I’m not going into tons of detail here, but apparently Savage’s imagination made this old joke a lot more perverse than I’m sure the First Lady intended it to be.  He equated what she said with the Clintons’ behavior.  Somehow I fail to see the similarities between a little good humored fun and the former Boy President getting sperm all over an intern’s dress.  It ticked me off that he would be so rude to Laura Bush, who is a class act all the way around.

A woman called in to express pretty much the same opinion I have of the whole situation:  The First Lady has a good sense of humor and a strong enough relationship with her husband that they can tease each other without taking offense.  Savage literally attacked this woman.  He called her an idiot, asked her when her welfare check was going to arrive, and when one of her children cried in the background, made reference to her unwed child (which I surmise in his foaming-at-the-mouth rage he meant to say “illegitimate” child).  Then he hung up on her. 

The guy is an A #1 jerk — I don’t care how “educated” he professes to be, how many botanical whatevers he’s cataloged, or how many letters he has after his name.  He’s a jerk.

My mother-in-law gave us a copy of his book (somehow she ended up with two) . . . I won’t be reading it, and I may be burning it.  Somehow I think it would make me feel better . . .

Popping in to post the quickest of updates.  We had a get-together at my older sister-in-law’s house yesterday to welcome my younger sister-in-law’s new fiance’ into the family.  Verdict?  He’s a great guy.  No uncomfortable pauses in conversation, anxieties over what he will think of us . . . it was as if he’d been in the family for years and years.  Great sense of humor and dotes on my sister-in-law as he should.

They asked my girl if she would be a junior bridesmaid in the wedding next spring.  I thought she was going to choke her aunt with the fierceness of her hug, if she didn’t bust her eardrums with the loudness of her “YES!”  She was incredibly excited.  She’ll be 10 years old by then and I think she’ll handle her “junior bridesmaid duties” just fine.  They are getting married in a very old Episcopalian church in Galveston — it was built in the mid-1800’s and has a long aisle and beautiful stained glass windows (two of which are Tiffany windows that survived the 1900 Storm).  The photographs are going to be marvelous.  The reception will be held at the historic Galvez Hotel on the Seawall.  I do love weddings . . .

I think the most touching moment of the entire day was a 30 second exchange between my husband and his little sister, though.  When goodbyes were being said, he hugged her and then said, “You know, when you were 16, you were a real pain . . . but you’ve turned out alright.  I love you.”  And he kissed her on the cheek.  She looked at him and told him how much that meant to her.

She went through a pretty bumpy time during her teenage years — a REALLY bumpy time, and she has turned into a beautiful, intelligent woman.  I think her fiance’ appreciates the woman that she’s become.  It was evident in his eyes.

Well, enough of that — work to do, bills to pay . . .

My girl spent the night with a friend of hers last night and so AJ and I were “baching” it (parentally speaking) today.  We rode the motorcycle to church this morning (sorry, Miss O’Hara — had to wear jeans, but I did wear a very nice black long sleeved t-shirt with Harley-Davidson embroidered in pretty script over my left collar bone).    We have so few opportunities to ride together because the little miss is too young to stay at home by herself, so we grab them when we can.

Church was okay, but the worship services are kind of getting to us.  I can relate to one of Miss O’Hara’s laments — preaching’s great, but the song service — big sigh.  I don’t know what we’re going to do.  Pray for guidance, I guess . . . should we stay or should we go? 

After church we rode over to a little restaurant on the San Bernard River and had lunch.  We love this little restaurant — so casual, up on stilts on the bank of the river.  Across the river is ranch land, so you see the cattle grazing across the water.  Very peaceful.  We both had an absolutely delicious gumbo with shrimp, crab, and sausage followed by a piece of pineapple pie.  Okay, so I ate the pie, but I didn’t eat all the gumbo.  AJ brought what was left of it home in a take-out container.  He LOVES gumbo!  Came home around 3:00 p.m. and I decided to take a little nap.  I must have been wiped out because I woke up at 8:30 p.m.! 

My girl was home from visiting her buddies at their house on the canal and so she got a shower and I fixed her a little dinner.  She got a little pink — forgot her sunscreen, but I think she had a great time.

I’m going to go ahead and turn in for the night . . . it’s 11:30 p.m. and I figure I’ll get another good nap before I have to get up and go to a shutter installation. 

It was a good day.