tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-381789922024-03-13T10:48:22.507-07:00 Our Small Corner...a rambling narrative about life post-homeschooling...Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15923351017372401619noreply@blogger.comBlogger1162125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38178992.post-43992863910605162132020-04-29T09:53:00.000-07:002020-04-29T10:10:40.322-07:00Where To Even BeginOn June 25th of last year, my life changed irrevocably. On that day, just a few days after his 51st birthday, M passed away in the ICU of a local hospital after a few days on life support. He died from cardiac arrest and multiple organ failure after being diagnosed with early onset dementia back in March of 2019. On June 24th, I had to tell our children their father wouldn't make it, and then the next day, we let him go. Despite the fact that he was almost completely a different person for the last year or so of his life -- a difficult, cantankerous, paranoid, and angry person -- it was still incredibly hard, and it continues to break my heart. That's the short version. I'll add the long version someday, but it's still too hard.<br />
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Fast forward ten months and a few days.<br />
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So now we are sheltering in place, and for us, it has not been all that difficult or hard to navigate. We're enjoying having more time together as a family, the three of us, and more time to work on long neglected tasks around the house and yard. It's been a chance to feel more connected to the things that matter.<br />
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<b>What We've Been Up To</b><br />
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My primary job, with the university, is all from home now. I have been navigating the world of Zoom, Google drives, and more. I am technically working fewer hours but in a more concentrated form. I do actually go to my second job, as a bookkeeper for a small printing company, twice a week for a few hours. It is open as an essential business due to the fact that it largely deals with blueprints, including those for hospital needs such as Covid tents. The Boy works there too, but full-time. He's learned, in short time, printing, scanning, combining and retouching documents, and more. He really likes his job, and he likes his boss, who is a generous man. Classes -- all hands on -- were cancelled for The Boy, so he has the time to work.<br />
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Speaking of The Boy, there has been an interesting shift! He rebuilt a car (19963 Toyota Tercel), which is now his commuting car. The process of rebuilding it was a good one, but it also made him realize that while he loves working on cars as a hobby, it is not something he wants to do 8+ hours a day, day in and day out. He's planning on taking more general ed classes in the fall, working toward an Associate's degree in a yet-to-be-decided field. He wants to explore more of the options out there, take some science classes, maybe some engineering. He also has the option of a free ride at any of the California State Universities (one of the perks of my job), so may do that after getting the general ed requirements out of the way.<br />
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The Girl decided it was time to focus more on basic academics as well. She's working her way through <a href="https://www.thegreatcourses.com/courses/mastering-the-fundamentals-of-mathematics.html" target="_blank">The Great Courses' Mastering the Fundamentals of Mathematics</a> as a review course, and is working on essay writing. We also re-subscribed to <a href="https://curiositystream.com/" target="_blank">Curiosity Stream</a>, and she loves the plethora of David Attenborough videos that are available! For history, she has been wrapped up in clothing and food through the centuries, something she explores on her own time, largely through historical fiction and YouTube videos. She was volunteering regularly with a local organization that cooks and delivers healthy meals for cancer patients and their families, but with her asthma, she is considered "at risk" right now, and so is staying home.<br />
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My class has moved online as well. I'm working on a Master's degree in Education, with a focus on Social Justice & Equity. This was my first semester in the program, and it has been a strange one!<br />
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We also play board games, watch movies, cook delicious food (more of it vegetarian than in years past), and just <i>talk</i>.<br />
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<b>Plans That Are Afoot</b><br />
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We are finally building raised vegetable beds! My mom's fence collapsed in a storm earlier this year, and as it was being rebuilt, she offered me all the redwood planks. They are a little old, beautifully weathered, and should last me at least a few years. I plan on ordering soil in the next day or two. We are also redesigning the rest of the backyard, which is overgrown with weeds and blackberries, and cluttered with castoffs from M's various unfinished projects.<br />
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He was a full-on hoarder the last year+, meaning that we're also planning on getting a dumpster shortly, so that we can have a massive clean-out of the house and yard, and move forward with a more minimalistic style. We have been working diligently on reducing our carbon footprint, and would like to continue doing so. This was something that was once important to M as well, but the dementia took that away from him.<br />
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We are slowly cleaning out, deep cleaning, and planning to make the house better for us. The Girl will have the master bedroom once it has been cleaned out, stripped of carpeting, and repainted. I will move from the family room and our Ikea pull-out couch bed (where I have slept for almost two years now) to The Girl's old room. In the short term, we're removing the last remnants of the wall to wall carpeting that covered all the hardwood floors, and repainting the entire interior in a lovely ivory shade (except the kids' bedrooms) called "Yards of Muslin." We decided to go with this as having it all one color will enhance the flow, make it more calming, etc. Light, bright, clean, and fresh. We're deciding between tile and linoleum for the shared bathroom floor -- both have pros and cons. We have to redo the shower plumbing in that bathroom still, and will strip all the old tile (we think it has lead!) off that walls at that point. I've been incrementally replacing furniture with good Craigslist finds, we're downsizing our collection of books as we have an excellent library system, and we're carefully choosing new art to hang once the walls are painted. We will bring in houseplants, sew new curtains, rearrange the few knickknacks we want to keep...<br />
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I have missed blogging. In posts to come, and there will be more, I'll include some photos, and hopefully happier stories.<br />
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<br />Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15923351017372401619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38178992.post-15984751038416505042018-03-06T15:34:00.002-08:002018-03-06T15:35:23.294-08:00Well...Hello There!It's been so long that I am not even going to bother trying to "catch up" but instead will just start fresh, and share what's going on!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>...The Girl...</b></i></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ga6kTKdT2Fw/Wp8X6RYZAyI/AAAAAAAALc8/g-seaX-7vM8-uE_zxJvSmiM0Ep6w-SvQwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="652" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ga6kTKdT2Fw/Wp8X6RYZAyI/AAAAAAAALc8/g-seaX-7vM8-uE_zxJvSmiM0Ep6w-SvQwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_1009.jpg" width="627" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A retrospective of fifteen years</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
She turned FIFTEEN this month! Can you believe it? She's studying math, writing, ancient Chinese history, environmental science, and baking at the moment. Her plan, as of now, is to start at the local junior college next fall, or sometime soon thereafter, entering the culinary arts program with a focus on baking and pastry. Eventually, she'd like to start her own bakery-caf<span class="st" data-hveid="152" data-ved="0ahUKEwje6cXI4djZAhUV8YMKHfm8DP8Q4EUImAEwDg">é, but will spend at least a couple of years working for someone else to build experience.</span><br />
<span class="st" data-hveid="152" data-ved="0ahUKEwje6cXI4djZAhUV8YMKHfm8DP8Q4EUImAEwDg"><br /></span>
<span class="st" data-hveid="152" data-ved="0ahUKEwje6cXI4djZAhUV8YMKHfm8DP8Q4EUImAEwDg">In the meantime, she paints frequently, still loves sculpting, and still enjoys documentaries. She's also taken up archery. She helps cook dinner nearly every night, and on the nights I work late, she is always the one to pop a casserole in the oven and make a salad, although she and The Boy did make a veggie burger dinner together last week!</span><br />
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<span class="st" data-hveid="152" data-ved="0ahUKEwje6cXI4djZAhUV8YMKHfm8DP8Q4EUImAEwDg"><br /></span>
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<i><b><span class="st" data-hveid="152" data-ved="0ahUKEwje6cXI4djZAhUV8YMKHfm8DP8Q4EUImAEwDg">...The Boy...</span></b></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DvNj71L_E8s/Wp8ZeuYxfSI/AAAAAAAALdI/X9ljy-rjIDQkNIrWTIzcP_UA9TN4S9MGQCLcBGAs/s1600/27867445_10156163244906248_6036160035968837760_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DvNj71L_E8s/Wp8ZeuYxfSI/AAAAAAAALdI/X9ljy-rjIDQkNIrWTIzcP_UA9TN4S9MGQCLcBGAs/s640/27867445_10156163244906248_6036160035968837760_n.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Happily fixing his aunt's car</i></td></tr>
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<span class="st" data-hveid="152" data-ved="0ahUKEwje6cXI4djZAhUV8YMKHfm8DP8Q4EUImAEwDg">The Boy is enrolled in his first automotive class at the local junior college, and absolutely LOVES it. He's working toward becoming a fully ASE certified mechanic, and also dreams of having his own shop one day. He's also studying math, Russian, writing, environmental science, nutrition, and ancient Chinese history. He's rebuilding a 1972 Chevy pickup here at home as well.</span><br />
<span class="st" data-hveid="152" data-ved="0ahUKEwje6cXI4djZAhUV8YMKHfm8DP8Q4EUImAEwDg"><br /></span>
<span class="st" data-hveid="152" data-ved="0ahUKEwje6cXI4djZAhUV8YMKHfm8DP8Q4EUImAEwDg">Still loves reading, art, and science fiction movies! His ankle, injured from parkour a couple of years ago, is looking more and more like it will need surgery, so we'll be working toward that for summer. He'd love to get back into fencing by late fall, ankle permitting.</span><br />
<span class="st" data-hveid="152" data-ved="0ahUKEwje6cXI4djZAhUV8YMKHfm8DP8Q4EUImAEwDg"><br /></span>
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<i><b><span class="st" data-hveid="152" data-ved="0ahUKEwje6cXI4djZAhUV8YMKHfm8DP8Q4EUImAEwDg">...Me...</span></b></i></div>
<span class="st" data-hveid="152" data-ved="0ahUKEwje6cXI4djZAhUV8YMKHfm8DP8Q4EUImAEwDg">I'm still working at a grocery store, and at the local university. A month or so ago though, I came to a <b>huge</b> realization. I'm a <i>decent</i> teacher, but I'm <i>not</i> a great one. I'm simply not passionate enough about it. And students deserve someone passionate, and absolutely dedicated. I know a lot of people who are... just not me. Where I <i>do</i> really shine is in administrative work (aka secretarial work). And there are some good potential opportunities coming up at the university. I'd like to work there, at the junior college, or for a good nonprofit.</span><br />
<span class="st" data-hveid="152" data-ved="0ahUKEwje6cXI4djZAhUV8YMKHfm8DP8Q4EUImAEwDg"><br /></span>
<span class="st" data-hveid="152" data-ved="0ahUKEwje6cXI4djZAhUV8YMKHfm8DP8Q4EUImAEwDg">I am still working on my Master's degree as well. I had plans to tackle my thesis over winter break, and then the kids were sick, and I was sick, and then we all got better, and then we got sick again. Added to the unfinished thesis are the facts that I still need some foreign language under my belt, and I need to take the literature comprehension test. So that I don't kill myself over the next few months, I'll be paying for "project continuation" units over the next year; taking French over next fall and spring, taking the exam next spring, and working on my thesis throughout.</span><br />
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<i><b><span class="st" data-hveid="152" data-ved="0ahUKEwje6cXI4djZAhUV8YMKHfm8DP8Q4EUImAEwDg">...And in Other News...</span></b></i></div>
<span class="st" data-hveid="152" data-ved="0ahUKEwje6cXI4djZAhUV8YMKHfm8DP8Q4EUImAEwDg">We fixed our leaky roof! The family room has been getting increasingly bad over the years, leaking so heavily last year that the room semi-flooded during the heaviest storm. But we put on "peel and seal" roofing, and it actually works! Our next major project is the kids' bathroom plumbing, which leaks like crazy unless we replace washers every two weeks. We're going to get a conversion kit to change it from an old, two-knob set-up to a single knob set-up. And we need to re-do the shower surround at the same time. Fun times!</span><br />
<span class="st" data-hveid="152" data-ved="0ahUKEwje6cXI4djZAhUV8YMKHfm8DP8Q4EUImAEwDg"><br /></span>
<span class="st" data-hveid="152" data-ved="0ahUKEwje6cXI4djZAhUV8YMKHfm8DP8Q4EUImAEwDg">M sadly lost his job last fall, and has been going through some health issues. We are working toward solutions for both, but it might be a while, which is part of the reason I've been putting in about 50 hours a week, and not working on my thesis. I'm exhausted most of the time, but the kids are really helping me hold it all together.</span><br />
<span class="st" data-hveid="152" data-ved="0ahUKEwje6cXI4djZAhUV8YMKHfm8DP8Q4EUImAEwDg"><br /></span>
<span class="st" data-hveid="152" data-ved="0ahUKEwje6cXI4djZAhUV8YMKHfm8DP8Q4EUImAEwDg">So, to finish things off for today, here are a couple of random pictures! The first is a drawing I did last night of an orchid from a book on orchids. It was the first time in years that I actually sat down and just drew, and it felt fantastic, and I am mostly pleased with the sketch. The second is a picture I snapped when leaving the university campus a few weeks ago.</span><br />
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<span class="st" data-hveid="152" data-ved="0ahUKEwje6cXI4djZAhUV8YMKHfm8DP8Q4EUImAEwDg"><br /></span>Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15923351017372401619noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38178992.post-48612287019117106142017-10-12T18:20:00.002-07:002017-10-12T18:51:08.842-07:00We Are So Lucky...If you follow the news at all, you may have seen <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2017/10/11/killer-wildfires-continue-to-scorch-californias-wine-country-with-21-dead-and-hundreds-missing/?utm_term=.2639ff1bb69b">my home town featured a lot in the last few days</a>, though not for any reason I'd like.<br />
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Sunday night was a perfectly normal evening. We had dinner, watched an episode of <i>Leverage</i>,
noted the howling wind, and headed to bed. At 4:45 am, I got a call
from my dad, that he was possibly being evacuated, and then a barrage of
emergency notifications came in from the university where I teach. The
funny thing was that both my dad's retirement home and the university
are in the next city down, and were not in danger at the time. Still, I
got on Facebook and the news, and was horrified to see the northern part
of MY town blazing in a fire that went from 200 acres in another county
to 1,000 acres in mine in just one night. Hospitals being evacuated, an
entire trailer park razed to the ground, hundreds of homeless in only
hours. And as the day progressed, the evacuation lines kept moving
outward. At seven, I woke the kids up and told them they had to pack
only what they needed.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8cZnSL5BMXg/WeAbDiIytYI/AAAAAAAALcc/EeB7U_NfvOwrRWcVtExjMbRgkSvLKx0jwCLcBGAs/s1600/Fires.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="606" data-original-width="711" height="272" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8cZnSL5BMXg/WeAbDiIytYI/AAAAAAAALcc/EeB7U_NfvOwrRWcVtExjMbRgkSvLKx0jwCLcBGAs/s320/Fires.PNG" width="320" /></a>Our
part of town was never touched. In a fire that so far destroyed over
2,800 homes in city limits alone, we remain safe, with power, and
honestly, if we stay in our neighborhood, we'd never guess what was
going on beside all the smoke and ash. My dad did end up being evacuated
for a day, during which we couldn't find him because the home didn't
contact any families, but is now safely back at home. All the schools in
the county are closed. The Whole Foods where I worked was closed for a
couple of days with no power. Thousands of people now have no homes,
thousands more have no electricity or gas. And the fires continue to
spread -- there are five or six of them now, started </div>
through flying
embers, downed power lines, exploding propane tanks and gas lines. Every
night is restless, waiting for the gusting winds to shift direction.
We've kept packed up and ready to go. Most of what we want is already
loaded in the car, with only our clothing bags waiting by the front
door. The cat hasn't set foot outside since Sunday evening so that we
don't lose track of him.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
It
is strange how much priorities shift when something like this happens.
I've been talking for years about wanting to declutter, to simplify, and
now I can say I know exactly what items really count when it comes down
to a choice. And believe me when I say, it isn't much.</div>
<br />
We
are so lucky. We haven't lost our house in this. But The Girl has had
stomach aches all week. We all feel sick from smoke inhalation and a
lack of sleep. We've lost a sense of safety we had here, and it will be a
while before that comes back.<br />
<br />
The main fire was at 10%
containment this morning. I am not unpacking until we hit 60%. And the
other fires were at 10, 3, 0.... We have firefighters coming in from as
far off as Australia, trying to conquer this. <br />
<br />
In the
past few days, I have also seen an outpouring of love and compassion
that amazes me. Our community is being made stronger through loss.
Strangers are offering a place to sleep, a shower to use, clothing to
wear, meals to eat. Firefighters are putting in 24-48 hour shifts.
Police from all over the western United States are helping patrol the
streets to stop looting and gawking. Bowling alleys are offering free
games, toy stores free play hours, there's free WiFi everywhere, and
endless cups of coffee. I returned to work yesterday and hugged
customers when I didn't know what else to say.<br />
<br />
Needless
to say, there's been no actual "homeschooling" this week. My heart
isn't in it while I'm trying to figure out each day. There's time for
that later. We've been cataloging our possessions, studying our
homeowner's insurance, watching a lot of TV to pass days inside. We'd
volunteer, but right now, with enthusiasm as high as it is, they have
all the volunteers that are needed. I know in another week or two,
they'll need more, and then we can help.<br />
<br />
Be thankful for what you have. Hug your children. Don't take anything for granted.Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15923351017372401619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38178992.post-75613374575733056292017-08-05T14:05:00.000-07:002017-08-05T14:08:06.368-07:00Another Month...<div style="text-align: center;">
Time sure flies by, doesn't it? I can't believe it is August already!<br />
<br />
The Boy is really enjoying his job training program. So far, he's worked on a resume and cover letter; learned about pay checks, deductions, and budgeting; learned about employee rights; gotten his Food Handler's certificate (with honors!); and worked a shift in the on-site cafe. Next week, he'll put in another shift in the cafe, and participate in mock interviews.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Girl has been reading <i>Ballet Shoes</i> and the original <i>Winnie the Pooh</i> book. She's working, off and on, with her dog -- training does need to be more consistent! I also took her to meet a horse!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image may contain: 2 people" height="640" src="https://scontent-sjc2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20597525_10213816817560971_8360672870214984131_n.jpg?oh=089bb76639e2e504fa663bd55c55e90d&oe=5A282FB3" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Learning about horse care</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image may contain: 1 person, riding on a horse, sky and outdoor" height="640" src="https://scontent-sjc2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20525599_10213817041726575_538860885050497522_n.jpg?oh=88bc43fe0e72907a77292f5720b4b620&oe=59EBDCF1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And a riding lesson</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It was a good, and fun, experience for her. Since the junior derby league has pretty much fallen apart, I am trying to find other activities she will enjoy, because frankly, she needs to be a lot more active.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I've been working, and trying to figure out fall, when I also start working as a tutor for the Writing Center at the local university. Whole Foods is okay so far. The people are nice, and all that, but it's not my dream job.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I did apply for what seems like a <b>fantastic</b> opportunity, as a "Literacy Paraprofessional" for a small, local, elementary-middle school district. I would<i> love</i> the work -- helping kids with reading -- and it would be great experience for the teaching intern program I'm applying for in January. Fingers crossed!!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I also watched <i>Minimalism</i> with the kids, and we are <b>determined</b> to own less stuff.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Math is going well! The Boy is working through <i>The Great Courses Algebra 1</i> still, and loves the professor. He says the explanations are very clear. We're still using <i>Jacobs Elementary Algebra</i> as additional practice. I found a geometry course for him as well, to tackle next! The Girl is back to <i>Math Mammoth</i> to tighten up a few loose ends, and it is working really well.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Girl decided also to really tackle nicer handwriting, and better spelling, so I am thrilled with that. They are both working on writing, with me bringing in new elements of the <i>Brave Writer Lifestyle</i> bit by bit.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We're reading both <i>The Hobbit </i>and <i>Homecoming</i> (Cynthia Voigt). Two very different books, but we are enjoying both! We're watching a variety of shows: <i>Eureka</i>, <i>The Flash</i>, <i>Sherlock</i>, and <i>Arrow</i>.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have let exercise slide the last month. I just don't have time, or energy, or even the desire really, for the intensive workouts that group of friends is doing these days, as they prepare for a physique competition. So, to get going again, I'm looking at <a href="http://eatfitfuel.com/?s=+5-Day+Workout+Challenge" target="_blank">these workouts</a>... simple, straightforward, <b>doable</b>. I've also really changed how I'm eating. I stopped counting anything... calories, protein grams, etc. I'm really working at eating more intuitively. Sometimes at first, this process has meant too much junky food, but I'm feeling a desire for more healthful fare again. I am really trying to learn to trust my body. And in this process, I have gained back about 4 pounds, which once would really have stressed me out. Now though, I'm okay.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Our Gulf Fritillary caterpillars are back! We didn't have any last year (the drought?), so we were excited to see them out on the passion flower vine.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Image may contain: plant, nature and outdoor" height="400" src="https://scontent-sjc2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20525250_10213799038716511_2416171182245010041_n.jpg?oh=76417c500d8636e7ddf09834d532c45c&oe=5A39241C" width="400" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I love our passion flowers....</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Image may contain: flower, plant and nature" height="400" src="https://scontent-sjc2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/19905338_10213799162519606_2844699969463666647_n.jpg?oh=613afb62ba6c28e2608ca9a80e876f67&oe=5A30B0AD" width="400" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So that's a sort of run down as to our current state of being. Things are going along, good here, challenging there. Still a good summer though! Tonight we're going to see a free (traveling) drive in movie... <i>The Goonies</i>, to be specific. I'm really looking forward to it, as is everyone else. We've gone to a free concert in the park; spent hours and hours at the beach, in and out of the water; spent hours laughing with friends; played a lot of board games; and just enjoyed time together!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hope anyone who reads this is having a great summer!</div>
Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15923351017372401619noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38178992.post-40876635723042653652017-07-05T19:22:00.000-07:002017-07-05T19:22:16.868-07:00This and That...<b><i>...Job News...</i></b><br />
Ugh. So <a href="http://fromtherootsup.blogspot.com/2017/06/summer-stuff.html" target="_blank">I posted last time</a> about my job at the junior college being frozen due to decreased revenue. No summer work, and as it turns out, no fall work either. So I had to scramble to find something to keep ends meeting. I started working at Whole Foods a couple of weeks ago. At first, I wasn't sure if it would work out, even for the summer, as I was getting <i>very</i> minimal hours, as in about 10 each week. I applied, and interviewed, for a couple of other jobs, with no real success. Thankfully, today I had my first evaluation, which went very well, and I picked up a lot more hours for next week. By the time I got home from work today, they had called to see if I wanted more hours this week too, since they "really like" me. Of course I said YES! Phew!<br />
<br />
I also have a job interview next Tuesday for an instructional assistant position in a middle school. If I can get that, and work as a tutor at the local university in the fall, I may be able to quit grocery again. We shall see!<br />
<br />
<b><i>...Job Training News...</i></b><br />
I also mentioned that The Boy will be doing some job training soon. He'll be working in the café at the teen club, and will be learning interviewing skills, resumé building, etc. This program is free to club members, and comes with a $200 stipend at the end. He's got plans for that money already... buying an engine for his 1972 Chevy pickup... or perhaps rebuilding the engine it has, though option A seems more likely. He might also use a little of the money for barista training, so he can work on getting a job.<br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<b><i>...In Our Homeschooling...</i></b><br />
I've asked the kids to take on more responsibility for their schoolwork. I'm making a weekly assignment sheet, and they have from Saturday mornings to the following Friday at noon to get it all done. Of course, I am available for assistance, and we still read our book of the moment and watch documentaries together, but they will be doing their math, other reading, and writing largely on their own. We've also added audiobooks back into our circulation! We're going to <b>finally</b> finish the <i>Percy Jackson </i>series, then listen to <i>The Lord of the Rings</i>. I'm in the process of updating <a href="http://fromtherootsup.blogspot.com/p/afternoon-basket_12.html" target="_blank">our Afternoon Basket page</a> at last!<br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<b><i>...Around the House, Kitchen, and Garden...</i></b><br />
Since I'm working shifts that are all over the place, and M puts in 10-12 hour days, I'm working again on actually meal planning. We have a few vegetarian/plant-based dinners a week now, both for health and to save money, and then some meat a few times a week. I need to put my crockpot to good use!<br />
<br />
We have a list of things to be done before mid-fall too, like tarring the family room roof to help with leaks, rototilling a big chunk of the backyard and amending the soil, etc. The Boy and The Girl will have to be my primary helpers. Decluttering continues, especially after we've started watching the documentary <i>Minimalism</i>.<br />
<br />
We planted several tomatoes this year, along with plenty of peppers and onions, some squash, and some lemon cucumbers. All are thriving! The above-mentioned rototilling is part of our plan to put in a real garden next spring at long last.<br />
<br />
<b><i>...Random Pictures...</i></b><br />
Just some recent and random pictures to wrap up this post!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image may contain: 2 people, people smiling, sky, outdoor and closeup" height="400" src="https://scontent-sjc2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/19657131_10213502127293911_2541045378415071972_n.jpg?oh=366dd286735873a9e5de727b9467add0&oe=5A119E2E" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for fireworks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image may contain: 1 person, smiling, drawing" height="400" src="https://scontent-sjc2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/19702101_10213507420626241_4447237586767834982_n.jpg?oh=8955b372e33e60b21dbecf1e739c9e41&oe=59C38A36" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A recent leaf drawing by The Girl</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image may contain: ocean, sky, cloud, outdoor, nature and water" height="400" src="https://scontent-sjc2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/19665440_10213500132084032_364488856135318959_n.jpg?oh=24ebc69de04e528aaed920bc93feaff2&oe=59D706A7" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A trip to the beach on the fourth</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image may contain: outdoor" height="400" src="https://scontent-sjc2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/19030613_10213448604395872_898682854869617009_n.jpg?oh=0cb814518a36b01f21e701881a6ee35e&oe=5A0AB094" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meet Ted, our new caterpillar!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15923351017372401619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38178992.post-64136871623951909642017-06-13T08:59:00.000-07:002017-06-13T09:02:38.597-07:00Summer Stuff...A run-down of what we've been up to, and a few pictures...<br />
<br />
The kids won a month's free skating, so they've been skating once or twice a week.<br />
<br />
We fixed all the bicycles, so there's been a lot of that too.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image may contain: bicycle and outdoor" height="300" src="https://scontent-sjc2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/18920938_10213176003181012_7476213542187205154_o.jpg?oh=967785cc60eb6db7c73c1e600b169c3b&oe=59DFC2BD" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My bicycle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I've been working out 3-4 days a week, plus doing steep hill walks with my sister, and regular walks with The Girl and her dog.<br />
<br />
We spent a lovely afternoon out at the coast...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image may contain: sky, cloud, mountain, outdoor, nature and water" height="400" src="https://scontent-sjc2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/19059694_10213223245482040_6273526383247963779_n.jpg?oh=94348093b16c379400947520c7f4c625&oe=59E1B60F" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "creek" that runs out into the ocean</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image may contain: sky, plant, ocean, mountain, outdoor and nature" height="400" src="https://scontent-sjc2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/19059719_10213223242081955_8628265415692612052_n.jpg?oh=9674960c02c2ae20c92b0bcd25a1d2cf&oe=59E08709" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dunes, beach grass, cypress, and waves</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image may contain: sky, outdoor and nature" height="400" src="https://scontent-sjc2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/19029304_10213223262082455_5396655020758336401_n.jpg?oh=ffaf2d4bd7d93ffe5e9c56299f130437&oe=59E8C876" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A giant dune that we scrambled up a dozen times, and rolled and jumped and slid and ran back down</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image may contain: beach, ocean, outdoor, water and nature" height="400" src="https://scontent-sjc2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/19059562_10213223248802123_227442771220673691_n.jpg?oh=dac84721908a8097fd04ad31adb20bb2&oe=599E859E" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sandcastle in progress</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
You can see how pretty and sunny it was, and then we drove 45 minutes home into a thunder-and-hail storm. Just crazy!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We've been reading <i>The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey</i>, and really, <b>really</b> enjoying it. We watched part one of Peter Jackson's movie version, and we all agreed... while we do love the LoTR movies, we just don't feel the same love for The Hobbit films. There was just far too much extra stuff added. ONE movie, that followed the book, would have been so much better.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Documentary watching has been half hit, half miss. We're enjoying our history selections, but haven't started science ones yet. That's okay. We will get there, and we've basically come to accept that we are year-round homeschoolers anyway.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Math is going pretty well. The Boy likes his <i>Great Courses</i> algebra lectures quite a lot. The Girl is making great progress through the <i>Prodigy math game</i>, where I set up problems several times a week to match her textbook.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The kids have taken to biking to the teen club, which saves me time... and gas. They visit it once or twice a week, and spend almost all their time in the art room. The Boy might be doing a job training program there soon, and they both want to take barista training.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm taking a very intensive Spanish course at the moment.... online. One semester of Spanish covered in only six weeks. So far, I've kept up. The Boy is teaching himself computer coding (I think javascript at the moment), and The Girl is working on her butterfly identification skills.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm also on the hunt for a job, as my position at the junior college has been frozen due to decreased revenue. I was supposed to start back next week, but that is not to be so at this time. I don't know about fall yet, though I am still hopeful. I may fall back on my grocery experience for the summer. Thankfully M is working a gazillion hours, so we're scraping by.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We're hoping to get out to the coast, and the river, soon. We have FOUR boogie boards now, so that will be fun! I plan on teaching the kids to grill -- they've been taking turns once a week to cook a dinner start to finish, and grilling in this weather would be nice.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And there's housework, decluttering, a recent return to fencing (The Boy), and gardening. I have tomatoes, squash, lemon cucumbers, peppers, and loads of herbs going now!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Hope anyone who reads this is having a lovely summer so far! Here are a couple of random pictures to wrap things up, then I'm off to make breakfast.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image may contain: tree, plant, sky, outdoor, nature and water" height="400" src="https://scontent-sjc2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/18813996_10213151713453784_7307810891962057751_n.jpg?oh=ddf0877a2911862e07d478c5bd1ebf88&oe=59DA4CF2" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The local lake during my early morning trail run last week</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image may contain: 1 person, indoor" height="400" src="https://scontent-sjc2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/19030464_10213178367280113_2588589109586111733_n.jpg?oh=660e8feb20577eae27d7a89bff35d9ea&oe=59D9B3C5" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A two hat kind of day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15923351017372401619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38178992.post-17178797160410051472017-05-30T12:21:00.000-07:002017-05-30T12:27:15.036-07:00[Bitter]Sweet Sixteen and Summer Schooling...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uXEeSYyeYlM/WS2-nuHjZAI/AAAAAAAALZM/QAh4d2DMGIkXldYgm_e-31RWEwKShhbFgCLcB/s1600/IMG_9314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uXEeSYyeYlM/WS2-nuHjZAI/AAAAAAAALZM/QAh4d2DMGIkXldYgm_e-31RWEwKShhbFgCLcB/s400/IMG_9314.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From newborn to sixteen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The Boy turned SIXTEEN this month! I am still amazed daily, even after sixteen years, that I get to be his mom. And it is bittersweet because it is going by so quickly. In only two years, he'll be, legally, an adult.<br />
<br />
We've had a few homeschooling changes since I last posted, and we decided, together, on summer schooling this year, as life got in the way far too often over the spring. We don't want to fall further behind, so we'll be tackling math, literature, writing, biology, and a survey of world history over the next twelve weeks (we started yesterday). Here's a run-down of our summer plans:<br />
<br />
<b>Math:</b><br />
The Boy is using a combo of the <a href="http://www.thegreatcourses.com/courses/algebra-i.html" target="_blank"><i>Great Courses Algebra 1</i></a> and <i><a href="http://cathyduffyreviews.com/homeschool-reviews-core-curricula/math/grades-9-12/jacobs-elementary-algebra" target="_blank">Jacobs Elementary Algebra</a></i><br />
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The Girl is using a combination of <i><a href="https://www.prodigygame.com/" target="_blank">Prodigy</a></i> and <i><a href="http://www.pearsonschool.com/index.cfm?locator=PSZu6e&PMDbProgramId=32310" target="_blank">Basic Math Skills</a></i><br />
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<b>Literature:</b><br />
We are reading this beautiful edition of <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Hobbit-There-Back-Again/dp/B00T8LSGC6/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1496170725&sr=1-1&keywords=The+Hobbit+illustrated+by+alan+lee" target="_blank">The Hobbit</a></i>, to be followed by the <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Lord-Rings-volumes-slipcase/dp/B000AQLYG8/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1496170777&sr=1-2&keywords=lord+of+the+rings+boxed+set" target="_blank">Lord of the Rings trilogy</a></i><br />
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<b>Writing:</b><br />
The Boy is using bits and pieces from <i><a href="https://welltrainedmind.com/c/language-arts/writing/expository/intermediate-writing/" target="_blank">Writing with Skill</a></i>, and he's started a car blog.<br />
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The Girl is using <i><a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Junior-English-Book-2-Andrew-Hammond/9781902984810" target="_blank">Junior English</a></i> and free-writing.<br />
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<b>Biology:</b><br />
We're using a combination of documentaries (<i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_(UK_TV_series)" target="_blank">Life</a></i>, for example); nature observations; and biology experiments. We'll be doing this <i><a href="http://fromtherootsup.blogspot.com/2015/10/using-what-i-have.html" target="_blank">microbial ecology experiment</a></i> at last, which we will be using with the lecture series <i style="background-color: white; color: #b45f06;"><a href="http://www.hhmi.org/biointeractive/changing-planet-past-present-future" style="background-color: white; color: #b45f06; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;">Changing Planet: Past, Present, Future</a></i>!<br />
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<b>World History:</b><br />
We are keeping it very simple, and are watching <i><a href="http://www.history.com/shows/mankind-the-story-of-all-of-us" target="_blank">Mankind: The Story of All of Us</a> </i>(I might use at least some ideas from this <i><a href="http://cdn.watch.aetnd.com/prod.cdn.watch.aetnd.com.s3.amazonaws.com/sites/2/2016/12/MankindClassroomGuide.pdf" target="_blank">study guide</a></i>)<i>, </i>alongside the <i><a href="http://www.history.com/shows/big-history" target="_blank">Big History episodes</a></i>, and a few select movies.<br />
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<b>In addition:</b><br />
The kids skate once a week (roller derby is over for the season), and The Boy fences occasionally. We'll be heading to the beach when it's a tad warmer, and we plan to ride bikes a lot. The kids continue to visit the local teen club once or twice each week. We have gardening, decluttering, pets to care for, and so on. Plus, we have a new dog! Her name is Fiona, she's about three, and she's a pitbull-mix.<br />
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Hope everyone else is off to a good start to summer!<br />
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<br />Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15923351017372401619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38178992.post-12539709451596191312017-05-10T14:10:00.000-07:002017-05-10T14:10:55.093-07:00Hey There!<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>...What We've Been Up To...</b><br />
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<b>The Girl</b> started working with the wildlife rescue center. These are her foster babies:<br />
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They are, of course, opossums, four of them. We actually interact with them as little as possible, so that they remain relatively feral. They'll be released back into the wild once they're larger. The Girl learned to tube feed them (they can't suckle), but thankfully we are past that stage now, and they just eat foods (mice, sardines, fruit). They live in a very large tub in the bathroom for now!<br />
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<b>The Boy</b> is soon to wrap up his figure drawing class. His skills just continue to blow me away!<br />
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Some of his work has been hung in the student art center, and he's thinking of entering some in the local fair this year.<br />
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<b>As far as homeschooling</b>, it's been spotty, which is something we <b><i>really</i></b> need to address. The kids have already agree we <i>need</i> to work through the summer. Math, writing, literature, and more documentaries have all made the summer to-do list!<br />
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<b>Speaking of literature</b>, we watched the movie <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/League-Extraordinary-Gentlemen-Sean-Connery/dp/B0040D9RDE/ref=sr_1_1?s=instant-video&ie=UTF8&qid=1494449925&sr=1-1&keywords=A+League+of+Extraordinary+Gentlemen" target="_blank">League of Extraordinary Gentlemen</a></i>, and the kids loved it! So we decided to read through all the books mentioned in the movie (a list I am still working on). Here is their first pick...<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Picture-Dorian-Dover-Thrift-Editions/dp/0486278077/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&qid=1494449829&sr=8-1&keywords=the+picture+of+dorian+gray&linkCode=li3&tag=thelthfa03-20&linkId=91d6a4c51f45b8c5863c63a10dd55c20" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0486278077&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=thelthfa03-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=thelthfa03-20&l=li3&o=1&a=0486278077" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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We have agreed to check out <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dorian-Gray-Ben-Barnes/dp/B0040J8ABS/ref=sr_1_1?s=instant-video&ie=UTF8&qid=1494449965&sr=1-1&keywords=picture+dorian+gray" target="_blank"><i>this movie version</i></a> when we are done with the book.</div>
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<b>We started watching</b> <a href="http://www.npr.org/2017/04/22/525065105/in-a-new-anti-science-era-bill-nye-saves-the-world-with-same-optimism" target="_blank"><i>Bill Nye Saves the World</i></a>, which I think is okay, and they seem to like. I'm thinking <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Grand-Central/dp/B004AUMAAY/ref=sr_1_7?s=instant-video&ie=UTF8&qid=1494450212&sr=1-7&keywords=American+Experience" target="_blank">American Experience</a></i>, and/or maybe actually finishing <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Inventors/dp/B00A28QGYY/ref=sr_1_1?s=instant-video&ie=UTF8&qid=1494450248&sr=1-1&keywords=mankind+the+story+of+all+of+us" target="_blank">Mankind: the Story of All of Us</a></i>, and <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Rebels/dp/B004AH1T1I/ref=sr_1_1?s=instant-video&ie=UTF8&qid=1494450332&sr=1-1&keywords=america+the+story+of+all+of+us" target="_blank">America: The Story of Us</a></i>. We also have a few unwatched episodes of <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/The-Big-History-Of-Everything/dp/B00G2CICNM/ref=sr_1_1?s=instant-video&ie=UTF8&qid=1494450405&sr=1-1&keywords=Big+History" target="_blank">Big History</a></i>. And there are plenty of biographies, etc. I also need to find some more science documentaries! We finished up all three seasons of <i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2661044/" target="_blank">The 100</a></i> that are currently available, and can't wait for season 4 to come to Netflix in June. If you haven't checked it out, you should. Totally engrossing!</div>
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<b>Besides all that</b>, I'm wrapping up my year of teaching at the university. I am planning to continue my teaching assistant position at the junior college for another year, but beyond that, I am not sure at the moment. I've applied for a couple of very part-time things, so we'll see what works out!</div>
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<b>Hope all is well in everyone else's corners of the world!</b></div>
Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15923351017372401619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38178992.post-62640819654797299092017-04-01T10:11:00.000-07:002017-04-01T10:13:05.483-07:00It Can't Really Be April Already!I absolutely can't believe it is April already, and that I missed March on this blog entirely.<br />
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<i>What We've Been Up To:</i><br />
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The Girl turned 14!!!<br />
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The Boy is enjoying the <a href="https://school.bighistoryproject.com/bhplive" target="_blank">Big History Project</a>. This will take us through the next year as well, since I'm adding in science, and it took us a while to get off the ground with it.<br />
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I've decided to apply for <a href="https://www.rootsandshoots.org/minigrant" target="_blank">a Roots & Shoots mini-grant</a> to help The Girl and I with <a href="http://fromtherootsup.blogspot.com/2016/06/sanctuary.html" target="_blank">our front-yard-turned-wildlife-habitat project</a>.<br />
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The weather has finally gotten much nicer, so The Boy will be returning to <a href="http://fromtherootsup.blogspot.com/2016/01/puzzle-pieces-coming-together.html" target="_blank">his truck project</a>.<br />
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Again, since the rains have (mostly) stopped, we can get a veggie garden going! I decided we would start relatively small this year, and add to it regularly, rather than overwhelming ourselves with another giant project at the moment.<br />
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Homeschooling on the whole is good these days! Math is going well for both, we're working on <a href="http://www.bravewriter.com/program/brave-writer-lifestyle/writing-projects" target="_blank">writing projects</a>, we're reading <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/119322.The_Golden_Compass" target="_blank">The Golden Compass</a>, and we discuss a lot of politics/political science.<br />
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We've also been enjoying sunny park days with friends; the kids go roller skating every week; they also visit a local teen club twice a week (most weeks) for arts, crafts, and more; and The Boy is loving his figure drawing class!<br />
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So instead of rambling on and on, here are some pictures from recent days, in no particular order...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-56YtOPlsGbw/WN_drNKuzXI/AAAAAAAALXo/DEfBzm8LT7YhCJ_wB7F5kzEfQ3VUHtxOQCLcB/s1600/5FDB0832-C856-4F05-9568-85511783CAD6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-56YtOPlsGbw/WN_drNKuzXI/AAAAAAAALXo/DEfBzm8LT7YhCJ_wB7F5kzEfQ3VUHtxOQCLcB/s400/5FDB0832-C856-4F05-9568-85511783CAD6.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Girl got clay for her birthday, and is making mini sculptures</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--NRf1WbfSAk/WN_eQU1tNwI/AAAAAAAALXw/XpKLgLeNCks03VB87VSi2z4o2RdTq8iOQCLcB/s1600/17309711_10212314850452732_442081208416979169_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--NRf1WbfSAk/WN_eQU1tNwI/AAAAAAAALXw/XpKLgLeNCks03VB87VSi2z4o2RdTq8iOQCLcB/s400/17309711_10212314850452732_442081208416979169_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cat loves his boy</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZwumfNtxPE4/WN_eQslZ9CI/AAAAAAAALX0/jvxd5Sj83FsWbsSZ3wNa0w0goMdXDSm_ACLcB/s1600/17361787_10212374012531747_8777354221691115507_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZwumfNtxPE4/WN_eQslZ9CI/AAAAAAAALX0/jvxd5Sj83FsWbsSZ3wNa0w0goMdXDSm_ACLcB/s400/17361787_10212374012531747_8777354221691115507_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Minecraft flower mini-sculpture by The Girl</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4DE22Z6JmYc/WN_eQy4uBII/AAAAAAAALX4/apj5KNDejLwxfL0EZD9HXz_QGFn5Mdz9QCLcB/s1600/17458116_277894152657850_5879526731532519857_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4DE22Z6JmYc/WN_eQy4uBII/AAAAAAAALX4/apj5KNDejLwxfL0EZD9HXz_QGFn5Mdz9QCLcB/s400/17458116_277894152657850_5879526731532519857_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drawing from The Boy's art class</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vUHOMnxuu-I/WN_eSPrRsEI/AAAAAAAALYA/50TmtiNY4U8NFkEYHzWqM5XOdKJjECLjQCLcB/s1600/17498498_10212472477553311_7809828863296911190_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vUHOMnxuu-I/WN_eSPrRsEI/AAAAAAAALYA/50TmtiNY4U8NFkEYHzWqM5XOdKJjECLjQCLcB/s400/17498498_10212472477553311_7809828863296911190_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from an uphill walk I try to do at least twice a week</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yHRo_kpHfGI/WN_eR6IEY-I/AAAAAAAALX8/AJBiGIsZpAoVBUa2s5juABgyyQ0cuPC-ACLcB/s1600/17498785_10212428705859046_8917304184986655259_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yHRo_kpHfGI/WN_eR6IEY-I/AAAAAAAALX8/AJBiGIsZpAoVBUa2s5juABgyyQ0cuPC-ACLcB/s400/17498785_10212428705859046_8917304184986655259_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love seeing hot air balloons when I drive my husband to work in the morning</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IMT1-w4HZ_A/WN_eSQagXBI/AAAAAAAALYE/UuKffbMKV5MEkXPaddCJSxi3bd16lOfmwCLcB/s1600/17523393_277894189324513_4602707913359733725_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IMT1-w4HZ_A/WN_eSQagXBI/AAAAAAAALYE/UuKffbMKV5MEkXPaddCJSxi3bd16lOfmwCLcB/s400/17523393_277894189324513_4602707913359733725_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another drawing from The Boy's art class</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C--lQmgyX0A/WN_eS3GROMI/AAAAAAAALYI/T5gcJHpiKWsf4-k0DEmgmLDZyszpT9NJgCLcB/s1600/17554343_10212472463952971_3012072492638266992_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C--lQmgyX0A/WN_eS3GROMI/AAAAAAAALYI/T5gcJHpiKWsf4-k0DEmgmLDZyszpT9NJgCLcB/s400/17554343_10212472463952971_3012072492638266992_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I always see such pretty flowers when I'm out walking!</td></tr>
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Have a great weekend and week! I'll try to check back in more regularly!Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15923351017372401619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38178992.post-52280455146558744062017-02-20T18:48:00.001-08:002017-02-20T18:48:49.502-08:00A Belated Happy Valentine's Day!<br />
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Again, it has been a while since I updated this blog! I keep meaning to, but life has been very busy lately.<br />
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What has changed?<br />
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<li>We got a new (to us) vehicle last weekend after a string of incidents, starting with the unfortunate demise of Clarabelle, the 30 year old Honda Civic passed on to us by my dad. Around the same time that died, my mom's Acura broke down on our street, and then lived in our driveway for a month while The Boy rebuilt the cooling system. My mom and I then shared her 15 passenger "church" van, until that blew a spark plug. So we had to get something, and we happily settled on a 2003 Nissan XTerra in excellent condition. The downside? 20 months of payments. :(</li>
<li>The Boy dropped the mythology class early on in the semester. It turned out that it was very fast paced and highly academic, and he does not feel ready for that. BUT, he's loving figure drawing, and his sketches are amazing! Here's an example: </li>
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<li>My second semester teaching is flying by! I love, love, <i>love</i> it. We're reading a memoir and a novel this semester, and have actually just about finished up the memoir -- <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Place-Stand-Jimmy-Santiago-Baca/dp/0802139086/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1487644287&sr=8-1&keywords=a+place+to+stand" target="_blank">A Place to Stand</a>. My students seem to be loving it! We're about to do a service project with first graders, and then will be jumping into <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Book-Thief-Markus-Zusak/dp/0375842209/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1487644364&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Book+Thief" target="_blank">The Book Thief</a>. Last semester, our theme was how we identify ourselves by social binaries and concepts, and this semester is all about how words can shape identity.</li>
<li>I might shift up my employment again a bit in the fall. I want to teach another year while I write my Master's thesis, but I think instead of the junior college job, I may work in the writing center at one of the two campuses. I haven't been getting as many students in these days to my tutoring hours, and I hate feeling that I am wasting the college's time. Writing center experience would also just be excellent, both for my own development, and for my cv as I prepare to actually enter the world of teaching in another year plus. I haven't decided for sure though.</li>
<li>Homeschooling is moving right along. We're reading a lot... <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Little-History-World-Histories/dp/030014332X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1487644630&sr=8-1&keywords=A+Little+History+of+the+World" target="_blank">A Little History of the World</a>; <a href="https://www.amazon.com/All-about-cats-Allabout-books/dp/B0006BNLU4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1487644688&sr=8-1&keywords=All+About+Cats+allabout+books" target="_blank">All About Cats</a>; <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Son-Giver-Quartet-Lois-Lowry/dp/0544336259/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1487644710&sr=8-1&keywords=Son+lois+lowry" target="_blank">Son</a>; and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/076371688X/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&psc=1&linkCode=li3&tag=thelthfa03-20&linkId=267d3e279d1c2b301d0d285cb9004b27" target="_blank">Exploring the Way Life Works: The Science of Biology</a>... watching <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Pilot/dp/B017APVDEO/ref=sr_1_1?s=instant-video&ie=UTF8&qid=1487644822&sr=1-1&keywords=zelda" target="_blank">Z: The Beginning of Everything</a>, and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Inventors/dp/B00A28P7YY/ref=sr_1_1?s=instant-video&ie=UTF8&qid=1487644865&sr=1-1&keywords=Mankind%3A+The+Story+of+Us+All" target="_blank">Mankind: The Story of All of Us</a>... working on algebra and prealgebra... and writing, largely essay practice, though both kids are doing some creative writing on the side!</li>
<li>We're mostly enjoying the rain, though I know the flooding has been difficult for many in California. What's that saying about flood to famine, or vice versa? I complained a lot about the drought in the past, but we seem to be well past that now! Though it hasn't stopped us from going outside! As you can see, we were so wet by this point that The Girl gave in to her puddle stomping instincts!</li>
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Hope all is well in everyone else's homeschooling world! Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15923351017372401619noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38178992.post-59793820023348640022017-01-17T09:56:00.000-08:002017-01-17T09:56:14.849-08:00Nose to the Grindstone...<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UUGIJYrcN-c/WH5U40jWSbI/AAAAAAAALWY/zyhh7R90X5UsCjiwvvzOUNEXk_Ar8S9QgCLcB/s1600/nosetogrindstone1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UUGIJYrcN-c/WH5U40jWSbI/AAAAAAAALWY/zyhh7R90X5UsCjiwvvzOUNEXk_Ar8S9QgCLcB/s320/nosetogrindstone1.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>image courtesy of Saxton Studio</i></span></td></tr>
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My winter break has come to an end. Today, the junior college starts back up, and next week, the university. So I am prepping like crazy for classes next week! I have almost finished my syllabus and a reading schedule for the first few weeks, so I just need to polish those up. This week, I am visiting the classes I work with as an instructional assistant, and next week, I will be teaching and studying. This semester, I am teaching the same students as last semester, moving them from English 100A to English 100B. The class I am taking is in composition theory/application and rhetoric... a practical class for a college instructor!<br />
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The Boy is also gearing up for classes, which for him start tomorrow. He's taking Figure Drawing and Comparative Mythology. The mythology class will likely be the most academic class he's taken so far, but I am pretty sure he can handle it. It will provide us with a great opportunity to practice his essay skills!<br />
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We started homeschooling again last week, so here is a brief run-down:<br />
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<u>Math:</u> Both used their "new" textbooks to do review work, which went well. We're using <i>Jacobs Elementary Algebra</i> (The Boy) and <i>AGS Basic Math Skills</i> (The Girl).<br />
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<u>History:</u> We started reading <i>A Little History of the World</i> (3 chapters), and watched the first episode of <i>Mankind: The Story of Us</i>, which lined up very nicely.<br />
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<u>Literature:</u> We read 3 or 4 more chapters in <i>The Messenger</i>, which we'll probably finish up in the next week or two. We'll most likely then read the fourth book,<i> Son</i>, before moving on to something else.<br />
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I also found our science book for spring! It seems very readable, I love the illustrations (as do the kids), and I love how it presents everything in an interconnected fashion. We'll start reading from it this week, and I'll weave in a few hands on projects here and there, though the bulk of our hands-on work will be gardening and nature observation.<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/076371688X/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&psc=1&linkCode=li3&tag=thelthfa03-20&linkId=267d3e279d1c2b301d0d285cb9004b27" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=076371688X&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=thelthfa03-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=thelthfa03-20&l=li3&o=1&a=076371688X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> </div>
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I hope things continue to go as smoothly for the rest of the spring! I still have writing to work in as well, and spelling for The Girl, but we'll get there. </div>
Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15923351017372401619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38178992.post-66767674023693512132017-01-02T11:41:00.003-08:002017-01-02T11:41:56.379-08:00January Tidbits...I always find <a href="http://www.ourenchantedplace.com/2016/12/january-memory-making.html" target="_blank">Kim's monthly planning posts</a> so inspirational, so here are some January plans of my own, mixed with some Monday musings!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Year's Eve Cat's Cradle fun</td></tr>
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<i><b>January 1st: New Year's Day</b></i><br />
We enjoyed a relaxed day, mostly at home. I made the kids some great pancakes for breakfast, and we checked out a new neighborhood park.<br />
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<i><b>January 6th: Twelfth Night</b></i><br />
We'll take down the Christmas tree, and I'd like to experiment with some <a href="http://www.latintimes.com/rosca-de-reyes-recipe-how-make-delicious-three-kings-bread-easy-steps-286112" target="_blank">Three Kings Bread</a> (though this recipe for <a href="http://www.bowlofdelicious.com/2014/01/02/vasilopita-greek-new-years-bread/" target="_blank">an orange bread</a> looks really good too!), or we'll make<a href="http://fromtherootsup.blogspot.com/2013/12/cassias-cake.html" target="_blank"> The Girl's Applesauce Honey Cake</a>. Maybe board games by the fireplace!<br />
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<i><b>January 12th: Full Moon</b></i><br />
I'd really like us to start paying more attention to the Full Moons, starting with this one, <a href="http://www.almanac.com/content/full-moon-january" target="_blank">the Wolf Moon.</a><br />
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<i><b>January 16th: Martin Luther King Jr. Day</b></i><br />
We'll read or watch his "I Have a Dream" speech.<br />
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<i><b>January 28th: Chinese New Year</b></i><br />
We will celebrate <a href="https://www.karmaweather.com/2017-year-of-the-fire-rooster/" target="_blank">the Year of the Rooster</a> with a Chinese inspired dinner, probably something with <a href="http://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/chinese-food/chinese-new-year-food.htm" target="_blank">long noodles</a> (<a href="http://thewanderlustkitchen.com/veggie-loaded-chow-mein/" target="_blank">healthy Chow Mein</a>?), fish, and other good-luck goodies (dumplings, etc.). Maybe we'll try making fortune cookies again, and/or <a href="https://www.activityvillage.co.uk/chinese-lantern-crafts" target="_blank">Chinese lanterns</a>.<br />
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<i><b>Plans This Week</b></i><br />
We're starting <a href="http://www.theminimalists.com/start/" target="_blank">our Minimalism overhaul</a>. Actually, The Boy started yesterday, of his own free will, in his bedroom. Like his dad, he collects odds and ends for projects that rarely happen. Unlike his dad, he's willing to get rid of some of it. I haven't asked the kids to go through their rooms, just to help with the rest of the house, so this is impressive! I'm starting today with the living room. We've discussed what to do with everything too: clothes will go to Goodwill and a local women's and children's day shelter; books to the library bookstore and the shelter; toys to the shelter.<br />
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I'm also going to start work on my syllabus for the spring semester!<br />
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<i><b>Homeschool Thoughts</b></i><br />
We're leaving <a href="http://www.tabletclass.com/" target="_blank">TabletClass</a> behind, and are returning to <a href="http://cathyduffyreviews.com/homeschool-reviews-core-curricula/math/math-grades-9-12/jacobs-elementary-algebra" target="_blank">Jacobs' Elementary Algebra</a> for The Boy. It is not that <a href="http://www.tabletclass.com/" target="_blank">TabletClass</a> was bad -- on the contrary, it is very good, but Jacobs is just a better fit. And The Girl will start using <a href="http://www.pearsonschool.com/index.cfm?locator=PSZu6e&PMDbProgramId=32310" target="_blank">AGS Basic Math Skills</a> alongside <a href="http://www.rainbowresource.com/prodlist.php?subject=Mathematics/10&category=Key+To%85.Books/2225" target="_blank">the Key To Math series</a>. The Boy is also gearing up for two classes at the junior college this semester: figure drawing and comparative mythology. We plan to start back up officially in a week or two (depending on the arrival of The Boy's math books), though we're still reading from <a href="http://fromtherootsup.blogspot.com/p/afternoon-basket_12.html" target="_blank">the Afternoon Basket</a> in the meantime (which I need to update!).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely recent afternoon walk</td></tr>
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<i><b>Around the House, Kitchen, and Garden</b></i><br />
We've got nothing but rain in the forecast for the next week or week and a half, after a gorgeous two weeks of icy cold sunshine, so no yard work really.<br />
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I'm making plenty of veggie-heavy soup these days, as this is definitely soup weather. Meal planning is going well these days!<br />
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Rainy days will be focused on housework, reading aloud, and planning (as detailed above), maybe watching some documentaries and movies.<br />
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Have a great first week of January!Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15923351017372401619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38178992.post-57881334703288073582017-01-01T12:35:00.001-08:002017-01-01T12:35:36.696-08:002017 Already!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In 2016, <a href="http://fromtherootsup.blogspot.com/2016/05/and-then-world-turned-upside-down.html" target="_blank">I started a new career</a>, and <a href="http://fromtherootsup.blogspot.com/2016/10/on-loving-myself-and-finding-contentment.html" target="_blank">lost 40 pounds</a>. In 2017, I am hoping to accomplish a few things related to home and family.<br />
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<i><b>Around the House:</b></i><br />
Put in a vegetable garden (a <i>real</i> one)<br />
De-clutter like crazy (I just watched <a href="https://minimalismfilm.com/" target="_blank">Minimalism</a>, and was <i>very</i> inspired)<br />
Fix the leaking family room roof, and the leaking bathtub faucet<br />
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<i><b>For My Family:</b></i><br />
Focus on <a href="http://michaelpollan.com/reviews/how-to-eat/" target="_blank">real food</a>, which the vegetable garden will help with, as will buying locally what we can't produce<br />
Get the kids out and moving more<span class="_Tgc">—they're trying karate this week!</span><br />
Set a homeschooling schedule<br />
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I'm purposefully keeping things pretty simple in my quest to simplify!<br />
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Do you have any goals for 2017?Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15923351017372401619noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38178992.post-81003204035151786312016-12-24T10:02:00.000-08:002016-12-24T10:02:19.711-08:00Wishing...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I can't believe the year is almost over already! And December has just gone by FAR too quickly... I feel like I did not get my full Christmas-anticipation-joy out of it. Truthfully, the vast amount of work at the end of the semester just kind of floored me, especially as I picked up too many "extra" grading jobs. I didn't even bake cookies, though my mom sure made a lot with the kids!<br />
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We did watch a lot of Christmas movies, and we went to see a lot of Christmas lights! We shopped together, laughed together, and had an awesome park day celebration yesterday. Today we head down to visit my mother-in-law, and then we're off to my mom's house for dinner. Tomorrow is mainly our stay-at-home day, except that this year the kids are also babysitting a friend's dogs, so they'll be over there a little too.<br />
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Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas, and I will "see" you again for the New Year!Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15923351017372401619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38178992.post-12899890016004454132016-12-12T11:24:00.000-08:002016-12-12T11:27:08.863-08:00Up and Coming...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I didn't realize how long it had been between posts! Ooops! So I thought since I have a moment, I would stop by and give an update, Monday Musings style.<br />
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<i><b>...Outside...</b></i><br />
It's been alternating between quite cold, and very wet. It's almost time for the annual apple and olive tree pruning. I already cut back the lavender, rosemary, etc., and took out dead annuals. I also took cuttings of my geraniums and Mexican sage, and potted some baby spider plants! Almost everything seems to have taken nicely. I'm still planning to put in raised beds in late winter/very early spring, so I've been pricing lumber, soil, and more. The Boy is still on board for helping me design a new chicken hutch, and we're hoping to get some chicks around the same time we put in the raised beds, which means maybe we'll have fresh eggs by mid-late summer!<br />
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<i><b>...Inside...</b></i><br />
My seasonal cleaning and purging urges have hit. I'm weeding out books for donation to the local library, donating clothes that don't fit, and am urging the kids to follow suit. We've also been thinking paint colors for spring renewal, and after watching reruns of <i>Friends</i>, I think I want more colors than I originally planned... for example, we plan on going with a soft, warm brown (on the lighter side) for the kitchen walls, and a warm cream for the cupboards (currently a yellowing white), and I think I might add accents of robin's egg blue. That should all go nicely with the dark olive-y green tile backsplashes. Our Christmas decorations are mostly in place, though we still need to get the lights hung outside.<br />
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<i><b>...Cooking...</b></i><br />
M wants to spend the month of January as a vegetarian, sort of a cleanse, I guess. So I've been thumbing through my moderate collection of vegetarian cookbooks for menu ideas. I figure it will save us money too. In the meantime, we've been eating a lot of soup, to counteract the cold weather.<br />
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<i><b>...Homeschooling...</b></i><br />
We're on an unofficial break from most subjects. We've decided to go ahead and read through a number of the <a href="http://littlehistory.org/" target="_blank"><i>Little Histories</i></a><i> </i>(world, American, science, philosophy, and religion) starting in January, and will pick math back up at that time. The Boy is taking figure drawing and comparative mythology at the junior college next semester, so I am trying not to overload him at home. He's on a break from the truck rebuild project until after the holidays, and in January, trainings start back up for the wildlife rescue center for The Girl.<br />
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<i><b>...Watching and Reading...</b></i><br />
Lots of Christmas movies this time of year! And we've got the kids hooked, at last, on <i>Star Trek Next Generation</i>. After that, I think we'll tackle <i>Voyager</i>. We're still reading both <i>Dickens and the Street Children of London</i>, and Lois Lowry's <i>Messenger</i>. This series has been such a good read for us! One more book to go, and then we'll have to find something new.<br />
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<i><b>...Work and College...</b></i><br />
I'm wrapping up my first semester of teaching! Overall, it has been a very good experience. I really like my students, and feel much more at ease teaching than I did at first. I'm eagerly planning for spring while trying to wrap up a lot of end of the semester grading, and my own essay for my British lit seminar.<br />
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And... I've got a timeline for actually graduating! I'm taking a teaching seminar in the spring and am reading my <a href="http://fromtherootsup.blogspot.com/2012/04/this-should-keep-me-busy-for-while.html" target="_blank">lit list</a> at last for the comprehensive exam, then starting my language work (one year foreign language) and thesis work in the fall of next year, with a planned graduation date of May, 2018. In the meantime, I will teach another year in the teaching associate program, and will continue working as an assistant at the junior college.<br />
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<i><b>...Everything Else...</b></i><br />
M still loves his job at the wholesale nursery, and is looking at a supervisor position by next spring. The Girl has been on a sewing craze since we read <i>Gathering Blue</i>, and she's developing some nice embroidery skills. I might have her learn some more from my mom soon, who used to embroider all the time. I'm maintaining my 40 pound weight loss, with another 18 pounds, approximately, to go. Exercise is a huge mood stabilizer for me, and I've developed a good friendship with the core group of women I work out with. The kids joined a local teen club with a fantastic art room, rock climbing, a computer/game room, a music studio, and more, and have started hanging out there a couple of late afternoons/early evenings each week. They're having fun, working with cool artists, and making new friends!Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15923351017372401619noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38178992.post-69375101201440837082016-11-25T19:21:00.000-08:002016-11-25T19:21:04.993-08:00Out And About...Today we decided, for the second year, to <a href="https://www.rei.com/opt-outside" target="_blank">OptOutside</a>. We've always avoided Black Friday insanity, so <a href="https://www.savetheredwoods.org/green-friday/" target="_blank">Green Friday</a> seems a natural substitute. This year, our free pass took us to <a href="https://www.jacklondonpark.com/" target="_blank">Jack London State Historic Park</a>. We toured a couple of the building, and the winery ruins, before hiking out toward the lake and beyond. We plan to go back, to see the Pig Palace, Wolf House, and more!<br />
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<br />Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15923351017372401619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38178992.post-80866752594440199072016-11-16T15:31:00.001-08:002016-11-16T15:31:56.844-08:00Making plans...<i><b>Backyard Farming Project Plans</b></i> <br />
I wrote in <a href="http://fromtherootsup.blogspot.com/2016/10/on-loving-myself-and-finding-contentment.html" target="_blank">this post</a> about my garden planning, and then started research on building beds without going broke. I ended up finding <a href="http://www.ana-white.com/2010/05/hack-natural-rustic-cedar-raised-beds.html" target="_blank">this awesome tutorial on building raised beds with cedar fence boards</a>, as cedar is naturally rot-resistant, rarely "treated", and fence boards are quite inexpensive overall. They still won't be $10 beds...more like $25 apiece, but that's far, far cheaper than getting them pre-made, with prices starting at $46 for something of comparable size. I'm hoping to put in 4-6 beds (leaning toward six...we have the space!), and a couple of <a href="http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/lawn-garden/how-to/a9064/build-a-potato-tower-to-save-space-in-your-garden-15591062/" target="_blank">potato towers</a>. I know we want to grow tomatoes, peppers, onions, garlic, cucumbers, squash, beans, peas, lettuces, chard, maybe broccoli, etc., and I just learned about <a href="http://treecollards.blogspot.com/2011/04/everything-you-never-knew-you-wanted-to.html" target="_blank">tree collards</a>, so am fascinated with them!<br />
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I also really need to rebuild for the chickens. We want to relocate the chicken run, to free up our mini orchard space, and so I want to take my time to do it properly. Our chickens are sadly down to two in number, and have aged out of laying entirely, so I am seriously considering investing in 6-8 lovely ladies in the spring. I've been perusing <a href="http://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/2/Coops" target="_blank">Backyard Chickens</a> for ideas in the process of designing my own new coop and run, which will all be made from reclaimed lumber, chicken wire, etc., much the way <a href="http://livesimply.me/2013/09/27/building-coop-scratch/" target="_blank">this blogger built one</a>.<br />
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<i><b>Cooking Project Plans</b></i><br />
I've decided I need to learn how to can things. My mom does it all the time, so next time she has a canning project planned, I'll be watching and helping! I'd also like to try making cheese -- I understand both ricotta and mozzarella are pretty easy, so I think I would tackle those first. I also want a dehydrator at some point....<br />
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<i><b>Household Project Plans</b></i><br />
More decluttering really. I find more and more that we need <i>far</i> less stuff than we have. I'd also like to sew new curtains later this winter, as curtains are an easy way to really change up a room's appearance. So everyone will need to choose curtain fabrics for their rooms, and then I get to choose for the main rooms! Another deep cleaning is needed soon too. We have other plans for next summer, including a roof overhaul (just the addition, thankfully), and a shower wall and plumbing overhaul. I'm just glad <b>those</b> jobs are a ways off!<br />
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<i><b>Finishing Grad School Plans</b></i><br />
This one will take a while. I need to get the required foreign language out of the way (yes, a foreign language for an MA in English). I also need to take my <a href="https://www.ets.org/gre/subject/about/content/literature_english/" target="_blank">GRE</a> and write my thesis. So this is a 1.8 year plan (I'd say two, but this semester is almost over). I will continue with the jobs I have now if given the opportunity in the 2017-2018 academic year, and then graduate in summer, 2018. To keep me busy in the meantime, I have essays to assign and grade, and a 15-20 page seminar paper of my own to write by mid December.<br />
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<i><b>Homeschooling Plans</b></i><br />
We're doing much better with math these days, and have kept up nicely with history (Victorian times) and literature. Getting writing done though has been like pulling teeth, so that is the next area to tackle. I think both kids will be taking sculpture at the junior college in the spring, and I'd really love to incorporate a thorough study of biology into our next semester.<br />
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And there you have it... my current plans! Plenty to keep me busy!Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15923351017372401619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38178992.post-20709319116765915202016-11-05T13:23:00.002-07:002016-11-05T13:28:13.156-07:00What We're Doing These Days...<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b> ...It's a beautiful fall so far... </b></i><br />
lots of rain, followed by the leaves changing, and morning fog...<br />
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<i><b>...We enjoyed Halloween... </b></i><br />
(costume pictures still to come)<br />
We spent the afternoon with friends, then the evening Trick or Treating my mom's neighborhood </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This</i> is how you pick pumpkins from the pumpkin bin</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Girl's handiwork</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And The Boy's</td></tr>
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<i><b>...We've Been Reading...</b></i></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Lowry-Readers-Circle-Laurel-Leaf-Reprint/dp/B00N4EFSLU/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&qid=1478376606&sr=8-3&keywords=the+giver&linkCode=li3&tag=thelthfa03-20&linkId=3e94fd837ca2da4db34e408e6e2cae44" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00N4EFSLU&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=thelthfa03-20" /></a><br />
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We <i>really</i> enjoyed this book, and it led to so many interesting conversations about human rights versus a seemingly utopian society, memories, emotions, and much, much more. The movie, on the other hand? Ummm, no thanks. We did not care for it.<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Gathering-Blue-Giver-Quartet-Lowry/dp/0547904142/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&qid=1478376664&sr=8-1&keywords=gathering+blue&linkCode=li3&tag=thelthfa03-20&linkId=6605b772f8cf766325e559f3a3fd3217" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0547904142&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=thelthfa03-20" /></a> <img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=thelthfa03-20&l=li3&o=1&a=0547904142" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />But we did move on to the second book in the quartet, and although it seems very different in someways, it is just as gripping so far.
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We're delving into Victorian Times after watching <i>Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street </i></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Charles-Dickens-Street-Children-London/dp/0547395744/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&qid=1478376738&sr=8-1&keywords=charles+dickens+and+the+street+children+of+london&linkCode=li3&tag=thelthfa03-20&linkId=790011bba581b6c5b6d236cfc5ba961f" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0547395744&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=thelthfa03-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=thelthfa03-20&l=li3&o=1&a=0547395744" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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And we're reading about universal matters...<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Death-Black-Hole-Cosmic-Quandaries/dp/039335038X/ref=as_li_ss_il?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1478377607&sr=1-3&keywords=neil+degrasse+tyson&linkCode=li3&tag=thelthfa03-20&linkId=c8b2abb7404c16706fe1cb885792a5a4" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=039335038X&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=thelthfa03-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=thelthfa03-20&l=li3&o=1&a=039335038X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<i><b>...And There Has Also Been...</b></i></div>
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Math (going well, but not nearly often enough)</div>
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Language arts games here and there, and now we're diving headfirst in to <a href="http://www.bravewriter.com/program/brave-writer-lifestyle/writing-projects">writing projects</a> for both kids</div>
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Lazy afternoons either at the park with friends, or watching movies (we watched a <i>lot </i>of pre-Halloween films!)</div>
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Many rounds of <i>Clue</i> and <i>Chess</i> </div>
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The Boy loves, loves, loves his astronomy class, and is planning on taking sculpture in the spring<br />
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And cooking... soups, chili, casseroles, and, courtesy of The Girl, a lovely pear and chocolate upside-down cake...</div>
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Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15923351017372401619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38178992.post-14914839943067019472016-10-24T15:27:00.000-07:002016-10-24T17:24:25.940-07:00On Loving Myself and Finding Contentment...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>My hands that are capable of so much, dirty after an afternoon's hard work</i></td></tr>
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I know we are supposed to love ourselves...but truthfully, I've found that harder in the past than I would like. Yes, there are things I truly <i>like</i> about myself, but <i>love</i> is a whole different level. However, as I have been through so much change this year, I have made peace with myself, and am truly content with where I am and where I am going. I'll warn my readers right up front that this post will be more personal than many I have written.<br />
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I'll briefly explain the picture of my hands above. I have always, as long as I can remember, disliked the shape and appearance of my hands. They are wide, short, chunky. But, I was looking at them the other day after working on our roof...dusty, scratched up a little...and I realized they are amazing. I can swing a hammer, pet the cat, sew a ripped seam, sketch, hold my husband's hand, stroke my daughter's hair, and so much more, with these hands. And so, in their practicality, their ability, they are beautiful. </div>
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At first, the transformation was simply physical. I began working out, eating "clean" and then "cleaner". I lost 40 pounds between January and last week (not terribly fast, I know).</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>From last fall to about 1 or 2 months ago</i></td></tr>
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After a while though, it became more than physical. With the strength I was gaining, I felt stronger emotionally and mentally. Exercise helped calm and center me, even when I pushed myself to the brink of exhaustion. [I wish I could say I am not at all shallow, and did not care that I look better, but that would be a lie!]</div>
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Pushing myself physically eventually trickled over to pushing myself in other ways. If I could do 500 squats in a crazy bodybuilding gym (which I did, precisely once), what else could I do? On a whim, I applied for a Teaching Associate position, which I have written about <a href="http://fromtherootsup.blogspot.com/2016/05/and-then-world-turned-upside-down.html" target="_blank">here</a>, and got it. I've been teaching Freshman Composition since late August, and I absolutely love my job. I feel like I've found what I am supposed to be doing, at <i>long last</i>, though better late than never, right?</div>
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Still, while things changed, and I changed, I didn't feel complete, or particularly content. Life just continued trucking along. But over the past few weeks, there has been a shift.<i> I feel myself shifting</i>. I have more interest in things that slid by the wayside over the past few overly hectic years. I want to read and drink tea, but also to garden, to clean out the rain-gutters, scrub the kitchen floor, cook from scratch and bake bread. I find myself wanting to live more, rather than wanting to avoid living more.</div>
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I don't know if I'm making much sense, or what this shift is all about. I just know that I feel much more engaged than I have in years, and part of that is that I am coming to appreciate myself on a much deeper level. And when I am am happy with myself, I want to be happy doing things and being with others.</div>
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This weekend especially marked some of that recent change. It was not a special weekend; it was just that I realized that by quitting one job (secretarial), I had freed up time, which is so, <b>so</b> precious. And by doing what I love, and being challenged by it, the time I am spending out of the home has real meaning too. This weekend, I stayed home, purposefully, and just lived. I baked Irish Soda bread; had stock going constantly in the crockpot; measured for and planned out our raised beds for a veggie garden in the spring; ordered seed catalogs (<a href="http://www.rareseeds.com/" target="_blank">Baker Creek</a> and <a href="http://www.fedcoseeds.com/" target="_blank">Fedco</a>, both heirloom-focused companies); made soup and a casserole; re-read from <i>Animal, Vegetable, Miracle</i> while drinking chai; watched movies with my kids; did some sewing; and helped winterize a leaky roof. By the end of the weekend, I felt accomplished and <b>satisfied</b>.</div>
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I also veered, purposefully, away from my more rigid eating patterns. I've been dissatisfied, and struggling a little, with them for a while. I don't want to be "on a diet", or endlessly counting and calculating grams of protein. I <i>like</i> good bread, and vegetable soups, and cheese, and beans and rice, as well as chicken, and salad, and Greek yogurt. I enjoy cooking, and sharing that cooking with my family. So I consciously made a decision to slow the weight loss efforts down (yes, even slower), and trust that by eating <a href="http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/real-food-defined-a-k-a-the-rules/" target="_blank">real food</a>, I will eventually settle where I am supposed to be. I still plan on keeping my workouts up though -- 3 bootcamp workouts most weeks, plus an hour of TRX, and , if I feel like it, a 3+ mile run on the weekend. I like my workouts, the friends I work out with, and I like being strong.<br />
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I like where I am, and where I am going. I'm learning, finally, to enjoy the moment, to be present. And that all helps me love myself! </div>
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Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15923351017372401619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38178992.post-75312391456119425982016-10-06T12:40:00.000-07:002016-11-06T09:47:51.911-08:00The Value of Projects, and Why We Don't Have "Grade Levels" Anymore...<br />
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We tend to be a fairly project oriented family as it is, but as part of their "secondary level" learning, I want the kids to each complete a long-term project. A quick search on the web says this about project-based learning:<br />
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<i>The core idea of project-based learning is that real-world problems
capture students' interest and provoke serious thinking as the students
acquire and apply new knowledge in a problem-solving context. The
teacher plays the role of facilitator, working with students to frame
worthwhile questions, structuring meaningful tasks, coaching both
knowledge development and social skills, and carefully assessing what
students have learned from the experience. Advocates assert that
project-based learning helps prepare students for the thinking and
collaboration skills required in the workplace.</i><br />
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I think it also teaches follow-through, and allows varying methods of approaching varying topics. For my kids at least, hands-on learning is as important as book-based learning, and their projects will/do reflect that.<br />
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<a href="http://fromtherootsup.blogspot.com/2016/01/puzzle-pieces-coming-together.html" target="_blank">The Boy is already at work on his... the restoration of a 1940 Ford step-side pickup</a>. He is essentially an apprentice: working under the tutelage of someone with vastly more experience; learning each part of what it takes to entirely rebuild an older vehicle from the smallest to the largest parts. It feeds his greatest passion as well, working with automobiles, and he knows it will provide him with valuable skills for his future. His plans for the immediate future, outlined further below, reflect his knowledge that <i>this</i> is what he wants to do.<br />
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As for The Girl, it seems likely, at the moment, that turning our yards, back and front, into <a href="http://fromtherootsup.blogspot.com/2016/06/sanctuary.html" target="_blank">a wildlife habitat</a> will be her project (with my assistance/mentorship). But, she doesn't have to decide right this moment, as she has a few years left ahead of her as far as really homeschooling goes.<br />
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So...grade levels. I've pretty much abolished them as I think they are unnecessary for<b> us</b>. Instead, I'm coming up with a checklist of what each kid needs to complete to graduate, since as a private school, we set our own graduation requirements. Mine are as follows, though they are still a work in progress:<br />
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<i>Language Arts:</i> Be able to write effectively, and communicate orally with ease. This means they can write strong essays with different approaches, communicate properly with mail and email, and enjoy a discussion of literature, along with discussing other topics. My goal is to get them into an upper entry level English class at the junior college without trouble or remediation.<br />
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<i>Math:</i> They need to work up through Algebra 2, mostly if not all at home, and then do a semester of personal finance (or in The Boy's case, for his certificate program/associate's degree, Business Math). Each will also take an upper math class at the junior college, toward transfer credit (The Girl), or an associate's degree (The Boy).<br />
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<i>History and Science:</i> Historical and scientific literacy is my goal here. We delve more deeply when needed, and skim other topics as desired. They don't need to know everything about every field of science, or every point in history, but need to be familiar with how things work, and how they fit together.<br />
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<i>Project-Based Learning:</i> They will each complete a major project (see above).<br />
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<i>Volunteer Work:</i> Each will complete a minimum of 100 hours community service, which is actually pretty easy to do, since they already have numerous hours with food banks, puppy petting, and bicycle repair.<br />
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As I said, this is a work in progress, so we'll see what I come up with!<br />
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The Boy is in a period of transition. While he will continue some learning at home, he is getting ready to shift toward more junior college classes, moving forward toward an associate's degree in automotive technology. He'll be sixteen in the spring, and is, I think, mature enough to handle this challenge and period of change.<br />
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On the flip side, The Girl says she will not be ready to start at the junior college until she is about sixteen, which is fine. She'll be (as far as we know) doing her undergrad work there, before transferring to the local university for biology/wildlife studies.<br />
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I have come to really feel comfortable with this hybrid approach as they get older. They are no longer dependent on only my instruction, which is definitely a transition, but a good one.Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15923351017372401619noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38178992.post-64982578041730959422016-10-02T14:38:00.001-07:002016-10-02T14:39:51.674-07:00Happy October!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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October is my favorite month of the year. Something about the weather (we had rain today!!!), the pumpkins and squash, the leaves changing color, and of course, Halloween, all together make me feel very content.<br />
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<i><b>What We're Up To...</b></i><br />
We just started, last night, watching our Halloween-related/spooky movies, with <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0162661/" target="_blank">Sleepy Hollow</a>. Also on the list are <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107120/" target="_blank">Hocus Pocus</a>, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120791/" target="_blank">Practical Magic</a>, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101272/" target="_blank">The Addams Family</a>, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099487/" target="_blank">Edward Scissorhands</a>, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094721/" target="_blank">Beetlejuice</a>, and, quite likely, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0408236/" target="_blank">Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street</a>, among others. Perhaps <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0293508/" target="_blank">Phantom of the Opera</a> as well this year? We watched <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103874/" target="_blank">Dracula</a> last year, so maybe <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109836/" target="_blank">Frankenstein</a> should be considered. We have been watching <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2628232/" target="_blank">Penny Dreadful</a>, and it has been intriguing to watch characters from classic horror films/novels unfold.<br />
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Math is going along well for both kids, and we're getting going slowly with language arts. We've begun reading <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3636.The_Giver" target="_blank">The Giver</a>, and that's been found to be very thought provoking so far. We do plan to watch <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0435651/" target="_blank">the movie</a> after we finish the book, for comparison. This is the first novel we have chosen for a plunge into dystopian society, at the request of both kids.<br />
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The Boy is doing very well in his astronomy class, with a high A average at the moment. He's also been back at work on <a href="http://fromtherootsup.blogspot.com/2016/01/puzzle-pieces-coming-together.html" target="_blank">his truck restoration project</a> after a couple of weeks off. And he's been visiting car shows/air shows, and has made videos for both. The Girl spends a lot of time lately sculpting again, and we're working on <a href="http://fromtherootsup.blogspot.com/2016/06/sanctuary.html" target="_blank">our wildlife habitat</a>. She reads a lot on her Kindle lately, both in games, and about games, and animals. She set up a fishbowl in her room for <a href="https://www.petsit.com/facts-about-betta-fish" target="_blank">a Betta fish</a>, painting the backside of the fishbowl with a tropical underwater scene, so that her new fish, named Pearl, would "not be bored in there." We do need to get going on <a href="https://school.bighistoryproject.com/bhplive" target="_blank">the Big History Project</a> though, which The Girl has decided she <i>will</i> participate in, albeit somewhat loosely.<br />
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<i><b>Other Tidbits...</b></i><br />
I <b>love</b> my jobs teaching/working with students. I am far more content these days than with all of last year's crazy hectic scheduling, even though we have a little less money.<br />
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It's also soup season, and that makes me happy! Last week, I made a giant pot of <a href="http://fromtherootsup.blogspot.com/2008/01/easy-taco-bean-soup_12.html" target="_blank">taco bean soup</a>, and right now I'm also craving butternut squash-orange soup (I spice it up with smoked paprika, ginger, cumin, and a little chili powder), and The Girl wants <a href="http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/roasted_eggplant_and_tomato_soup/" target="_blank">this eggplant one</a>.<br />
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I spent time today at the hardware store drooling over bulbs. My favorites are <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muscari" target="_blank">grape hyacinths</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crocus" target="_blank">crocus</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crocosmia" target="_blank">crocosmia</a>, <a href="http://www.theflowerexpert.com/content/mostpopularflowers/morepopularflowers/daffodil" target="_blank">daffodils</a>, and <a href="https://www.whiteflowerfarm.com/how-to-grow-paperwhite-narcissus-bulbs" target="_blank">paperwhite narcissus</a>, so I think there might be a bulb-purchase-and-planting day coming up soon! Other yard-based tasks to be done include harvesting olives in another month or so, clearing ground for raised beds at last, and strengthening the chicken hutch before winter gets here. I also really want to get/make a Halloween wreath for the front door by next weekend!<br />
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Enjoy your October!Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15923351017372401619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38178992.post-37876080507885884252016-09-19T14:55:00.000-07:002016-09-19T14:55:00.895-07:00Settling In...Homeschooling this fall has been more about getting settled in, than it has been about starting a new academic year. I've made some more changes to my <a href="http://fromtherootsup.blogspot.com/p/looking-ahead_27.html" target="_blank">Learning page</a> to more accurately reflect what we're up to, most noticeably, that I'm not doing formal spelling with The Girl after all, but I'll talk about that in a minute!<br />
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<b>What We're Up To...</b> <br />
The Boy is well entrenched in another semester at the junior college. He's taking, and seriously enjoying, stellar astronomy. After each class, he comes to me with stories of his teacher, and what was learned, and I am thrilled it is going so well! In the spring, he hopes to take sculpture, and perhaps German. <br />
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As for The Girl's spelling, I am approaching it in much the same way I did with The Boy, which was correcting it as we go. Instead, I am having both of them participate in writing projects, even some collaborative pieces. The Girl is reading SO well now, and she's picking up some spelling just from reading, so I think this laid back approach could work.<br />
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Math is going well too. The Boy is continuing with <i>TabletClass</i> (algebra), and The Girl is zipping through the first book of <i>Key to Fractions</i>.<br />
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<b>Still To Add In...</b><br />
The Boy will be studying <a href="https://school.bighistoryproject.com/bhplive" target="_blank">Big History</a> this year, as we find it meshes extremely well with his science choices (astronomy this fall, biology at home in the spring). I haven't quite decided if The Girl will do this with him, but I think it is more likely she will have a year of naturalists and animal scientist biographies.<br />
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The Girl completed her first orientation at the Wildlife Rescue Center. She has two more trainings to go before she can start fostering young wild animals in the spring. She may also volunteer for some classroom visits with the education team.<br />
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And read-alouds... I have a list of dystopian literature at the request of the kids, so we just need to get to it! I'm also gathering a few books on various topics to rotate through <a href="http://fromtherootsup.blogspot.com/p/afternoon-basket_12.html" target="_blank">the Afternoon Basket</a> during fall.<br />
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<b>Everything Else...</b><br />
Roller derby is back in full session, so The Girl has practice twice a week. The Boy is still working on his truck rebuilding project once a week. I only work four days a week now, and <b>love</b> my jobs, despite the need for more penny pinching. I do a bootcamp workout three mornings a week, TRX once a week, and I run a couple of times a week too, so I feel better than I ever have! The Girl is going to train for her first 5k with me, one that involves chocolate, definitely a big motivation!<br />
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We lost one of our two dogs last week. She started sleeping endlessly, and stopped eating, so we knew she was going (she was 13 or 14). She died peacefully in our family room on the 12th, and we held a lovely funeral for her. We also gained a chicken, when a friend found one wandering down her street, and thought of us!<br />
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Hope everyone's fall is off to as good a start as ours, though maybe not as slow!Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15923351017372401619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38178992.post-81412530471990334312016-09-01T12:55:00.000-07:002016-09-01T12:55:33.505-07:00Fall Is On Its Way...I love this time of year! Fall is, without a doubt, my favorite season. Crisp days, cool nights, the changing colors, pumpkins, holidays on the way....<br />
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The Boy has started back to school, and has just wrapped up his second week. He's taking stellar astronomy at the local junior college, with a fantastic teacher, so he's excited to go to class each week, and excited when he finishes class too, and gets to tell me everything he's learned!<br />
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His class is during my office hours on the same campus, which makes it easy to coordinate driving!<br />
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My teaching position is also going well! The first class was stressful... I won't lie. I actually finished it up (early) wondering if I had made a big mistake. Fast forward to today, and the class went very well! Discussions are happening, there's lots of writing going on, and I have my first set of essays to grade over the weekend!<br />
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Next week, we'll be starting back up with all our other school activities. The Boy says he's ready to work on more algebra and writing, and The Girl is definitely ready for some math. She's asked for something computer-based for spelling though, so maybe <a href="https://www.spellingcity.com/" target="_blank">Spelling City</a>, or ???<br />
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<i>Other September plans...</i><br />
-- Celebrating my brother's birthday today!<br />
-- Finish stripping the front yard down... deadheading, removing the last of the dead weeds/grass.<br />
-- Enjoying the first day of fall!<br />
-- The Girl and I will be attending an orientation for the wildlife rescue center volunteer work she wants to do this year. Puppy petting is fun, but it just petting young puppies, and she's ready for something more.<br />
-- Bake an apple pie for Johnny Appleseed Day<br />
-- Make some applesauce and apple butter (to freeze) from our backyard apple tree.<br />
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How is your fall shaping up? Anything exciting, like special days/plans? Starting back to school?<br />
<br />Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15923351017372401619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38178992.post-62199836222186175542016-08-20T14:31:00.000-07:002016-08-20T14:31:52.016-07:00Catching Up & Moving Along...Summer has flown by so quickly! Next week, we'll be back in the thick of things, though we did manage to have a lot of fun the last couple of months.<br />
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<i><b>Catching Up...</b></i><br />
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There's been fishing, hanging out in scenic spots, and -- for me -- trail running:</div>
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And a day at the local fair, thanks to a set of free tickets I won from
the bank! We went on some rides, ate funnel cakes, gazed at the amazing
flower show, and visited the animals! </div>
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I even have a classroom now! There's been continued truck work, and some random fun moments along the way. </div>
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<i><b>Moving Along...</b></i></div>
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The Boy starts a stellar astronomy class next week, so we're shelving chemistry for now. The Girl has a new volunteer orientation coming up at the local wildlife rescue center, so fall will be spent studying and rehabilitating animals.</div>
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I start <a href="http://fromtherootsup.blogspot.com/2016/05/and-then-world-turned-upside-down.html" target="_blank">my new career</a> next week! I have my first day planned, my syllabus written, and a few writing assignments designed/under design. And I start my own classes.</div>
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We'll start <a href="http://fromtherootsup.blogspot.com/p/looking-ahead_27.html" target="_blank">our full-on homeschooling</a> after Labor Day. Our first read-aloud for literature will be <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Watership-Down-Novel-Richard-Adams/dp/0743277708/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1471727933&sr=1-1&keywords=watership+down" target="_blank">Watership Down</a>. For animal studies, The Girl will be reading various selections from our collection of vintage books, alongside numerous library books, and I think she and I will enjoy <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Tarantula-My-Purse-Other-Wild/dp/0064462013/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1471728050&sr=8-1&keywords=There%27s+a+Tarantula+in+My+Purse" target="_blank">The Tarantula in My Purse and 172 Other Wild Pets</a>. She and I will also work on turning our <a href="http://fromtherootsup.blogspot.com/2016/06/sanctuary.html" target="_blank">habitat plans</a> into reality.</div>
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Hope your summers have been going well!</div>
Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15923351017372401619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38178992.post-2503460172117523452016-08-05T20:05:00.001-07:002016-08-05T20:05:42.850-07:00Hello Again!Summer is, believe it or not, starting to wind down, and I miss blogging, so here I am! We're still doing much the same as we were <a href="http://fromtherootsup.blogspot.com/2016/07/whoops-time-does-fly.html" target="_blank">about a month ago</a>, and we feel pretty content these days. However, we're also feeling that the time is coming to be ready for another year of homeschooling! I have <i>almost</i> finalized my plans for the year, which you can read about <a href="http://fromtherootsup.blogspot.com/p/looking-ahead_27.html" target="_blank">here</a>. At the same time I am pulling all that together, I am getting ready for teaching.<br />
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Yes, it is official. I will be teaching sixteen college freshmen this year... English 100A (fall) and 100B (spring). So I've been working with a group of the other Teaching Associates (my fancy new title!) to create a syllabus, and engaging/challenging assignments that will help these students get up to general college writing standards. I'm half excited, and half very nervous! I'll be teaching this class two mornings a week. Two afternoons a week, I'll be back at the junior college, as a teaching assistant. AND, I am taking two classes of my own -- one is a required workshop for the Teaching Associates, the other is a British Lit seminar, with a fantastic professor (had him for Shakespeare).<br />
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While that may sound crazy busy, I'll actually have a lot more time at home, which is great, because that was one of the things that hindered us most in homeschooling last year. And for the first time since they were wee children, we can do a lot of morning lessons, and get them out of the way, instead of trying to do them during dinner preparations!<br />
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Besides that, I've been working out hard, eating healthy, and am down 34 pounds! I feel so much better in so many ways.<br />
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Anyhow, I just wanted to pop in and say hello, if anyone still reads this old blog! I am looking forward to chronicling the next year!Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15923351017372401619noreply@blogger.com1