Guess who I got to meet today?

I'll give you a hint. She has five of the sweetest, well-mannered children I've ever seen.






She is on my blogroll.







I've read her blog through her last three pregnancies and through two cross-country moves.








It's Dy from Classic Adventures!
Her hubby was going to be in the area for work so they packed up the whole family and came to visit central Texas. She is just as nice in person as she is on her blog. I only wish I had half her patience and wisdom. And the children...I was serious when I said they are sweet and well-mannered. James and John are such responsible young men. I'm sure they are a terrific help to their mother. They both have such a developed sense of humor. They make up their own jokes that you have to really think about to "get." Many times, children aren't that interested in conversing with adults, but I could have informative discussions with James, John, and even Jacob. (He's getting so big!) Emily is just a little doll. The boys, especially Jacob, dote on her. She has the sweetest expression on her face even when proclaiming that she doesn't like something. Then there is baby Jason who I gave serious consideration to sneaking home with me. He is so HAPPY! As long as he was fed and had a clean bottom, he was perfectly content. I don't want you to think Dy is raising little robots or Eddie Haskellish polite children. Authentic and genuine are the best terms I can think of. They're still kids, but self-assured kids...if that makes sense at all.

Thanks for lunch, Dy! Have a safe rest of your trip!

nice excursion - UPDATED with pics

Edited - I wrote this up Thursday afternoon, but did not have time to post the pics, so I just saved the post without publishing. Unfortunately, it is now SATURDAY and I finally have time to finish it. Guess who took the camera card with him to his dad's for the weekend? Oh well, I'll post pics later. We had a lovely day today. KJ and three other children from co-op have been volunteering at the World Hunger Relief Farm on Thursday mornings for several weeks. We parents take turns dropping off and retrieving the group. I usually pick up and take everyone to our history co-op, but today we were going on a field trip instead. I had given serious consideration to skipping the field trip, because I wasn't sure how relevant it would be to our history, wasn't sure KJ was interested, and knew KJ still had lots of Biology homework. Boy, am I glad we went on the field trip. KJ was absolutely fascinated by the museum, the architecture, the auditorium, the whole experience! The museum even had some artifacts from ancient times so it tied in with our history nicely too. KJ took tons of pictures, but I'll only post a few.

Here are the other three World Hunger Farm volunteers. (besides KJ)
This is H. KJ doesn't want to go unless she will be there. He says she makes it fun.


This is C. He is a jokester.


This is Rodney. He quietly observes everything that goes on.


The lodge had some really interesting architecture.














The inside was just as fascinating as the outside. Unfortunately, KJ forgot to take pictures of the ancient artifacts we actually went to see, a 3000 year old rock with cuneiform writing on it, some beads from ancient Egypt, and a couple of things I've forgotten.

These are pics of a gorgeous stained glass window in the memorial room.






This is a stage from one of the auditoriums. KJ is presiding.


These are pics from the Holocaust section of the museum. KJ was really moved.




I think this was Sam Houston.


KJ took MANY more pics, but this is enough for you to get the idea.

We're getting our act together.

Life here seems to be stabilizing. I'm slowly getting used to working from dawn until dark. *yawn* Luckily, this will only continue for another week and a half. Currently, I'm teaching for PCKidz two Monday mornings a month, and every Thursday and Friday morning. I teach at our homeschool co-op on Tuesday mornings, and participate in a history co-op on Thursday afternoons. I'm working at DQ pretty much every night from 4 until 10:30 or so, but I'm dropping back to 3 days a week soon. David got low-paying job #1, but has been contacted for an interview by high-paying job #3. He currently works Wed. - Sun. from 2pm until 11pm.

I don't want KJ home that long or late by himself so we've worked out a system. David will be home with KJ Mon. and Tues. evenings while I work. KJ goes to his dad's on Wed. evening when David and I both work. I won't work on Thursday evenings so I can get KJ to fencing. Due to swapping weekends with KJ's dad so KJ could attend my 20th high school reunion with me, KJ will be at his dad's both this and next weekend so I can work Fri.-Sun. On weekends KJ is with me, I won't work. I'll have dropped my hours by then anyway.

I turned the phone book delivery job over to David. He does it Mon. and Tues. mornings. We've been taking turns getting KJ to and from MCC. So all in all, our system works short-term anyway. If David gets high-paying job #3, he'll work days and I'll quit DQ all together (once I know for sure that the situation-that-must-not-be-named or STMNBN is resolved positively. I made need the DQ job if the STMNBN resolves badly...)

KJ has had a hard time getting his MCC work organized. He has difficulty looking ahead to see what and when something is due, looking at his schedule, and then planning around it to get his work done. I was concerned that I had made him this way by homeschooling him and had I to do it over again, I would have given him more projects with due dates that he was responsible for organizing, planning, and executing. My niece is having the EXACT same problems, however, and she has been in public school her entire life so apparently, it's not a homeschooling issue. My mother says it is typical teenage behavior, but I certainly never acted that way. Anyway, I think KJ has his act together now. I had shown him tricks and tools to use, but I knew nothing....until KJ failed a test and missed the due date for a quiz. NOW, I'm a genius and KJ is a planner.

I would be interested to see how my dad would score on this.

You are 74% REAL Texan!!

You're way more Texan than average. You're parents were probably from here too. We're glad to have you. You probably go to the border for Christmas shopping and are well versed in BBQ, Mexican Food and .. well thats pretty much it.

How Texan Are You?
Take More Quizzes

Emily wants to be a lion for Halloween

I found this cheap little lion-head costume hat for cats while shopping at Target today. (They also had full dog costumes, and though I would love to dress Sammie as a chicken, they weren't cheap.) Emily is the only cat who will allow me to put it on her. In my opinion, it looks like a lion is eating her head.

In other news, Dairy Queen is going okay. It's not rocket science and the people are nice. My sister is coming over to the dark side and is going to start homeschooling my nieces. Woo Hoo!! I was singing the Hallelujah chorus when I got off the phone to her today.

new job

I have a new part-time job! Starting Monday, I will work at the local Dairy Queen. This makes three part-time jobs for those of you keeping count. What can I say...we have to eat. Luckily, my schedules are such that I'm usually only working when KJ is at MCC or in the evening when David will be home with him. I'm not opposed to KJ staying alone sometimes, but I don't want him to be home by himself too much. I can still keep up with the three subjects I teach at home and still participate in our two co-ops. The area that will be neglected is the housework and "me" time. Hopefully, David and KJ can help with the house (a first). David is still searching for a job himself. Once he gets one, I'll most likely drop a job (or two).

Two weeks - the short of it

I promised to blog this weekend and even though it's nearly midnight Sunday night, it IS still the weekend.

We started school two weeks ago and I've since discovered that I may have over scheduled a tad. Our schedule works as long as KJ doesn't have large amounts of MCC homework and as long as we have nothing extra come up. (like a farewell swimming party in week 1 and a birthday party in week 2.) KJ is going through some growing pains with MCC, but all is well. He is just used to mom being there to tell him what to do. We've had some last minute, "Oh my goodness, I have homework due tomorrow," moments resulting in late nights.

I started back to teaching the preschool computer classes this past week and that is going fine. I missed the little boogers.

The company David was working for sent out a mass voice mail Wednesday morning informing everyone that they would be ceasing operations. Wednesday was everyone's last day. To say, I was in a panic would be an understatement. David had several immediate leads and we should know for sure which job he'll take the first part of this week. Job #1 - is nearly a sure thing, poor pay, room for advancement, should start almost immediately. Jobs #2 and #3 - he could most likely get, better pay for #2 and much better pay with #3, wouldn't start as quickly. My suggestion is he take job #1 if it looks like the other two may be awhile and to keep looking for something better if that advancement looks slow in coming.

Sammie's training class instructor said today that Sammie is making outstanding progress.

I think that covers most stuff. I'll add more if I think of anything else.

Sorry everybody. Karisma is right in that my blogging consistancy is terrible. I actually have LOTS to share. Unfortunately, the last two weeks have been so busy, I barely have time to sleep. Ask my mom. I've even been too busy for my daily phone call. Today and tomorrow, however, are slated to be relaxing so I'll catch up. I promise.

Dog pics

What do dogs do when it is hot and muggy outside? They come inside, of course. I promise my kitchen floor really doesn't look that dirty in person.



Curly doesn't care to play much, but Roscoe is usually up for a game of tug of war with Sammie. Roscoe makes up for his size with sheer determination.

KJ's schooling for the 2008-2009 year

If you don't like to read about curriculum planning, please skip this post. I always post the school year plans to the blog for my family and so I'll have something to refer back to. I also used to post plans here so KJ's dad would know what we're doing for the year. Lately, however, he doesn't seem interested. According to KJ, his dad wants him to go to high school so he can have real world socialization. Apparently, going to community college with college-age kids, being a member of the Baylor fencing club with both college and high school age kids, participating in a co-op with kids whose ages range from 4-15, being an active member of his church youth group, playing in the youth band, and hopefully getting a part-time job at the grocery store, just isn't enough "real world" activity. Oh and let's not forget working three straight weeks as a Zoo Crew volunteer and a 32 day cross-country camping trip....definitely not in the real world. Apparently his dad, also wants to test KJ so he doesn't have to trust me when I tell him KJ is doing fine academically. KJ did fine on the ITBS test a couple of years ago and except for Math, he passed the entrance exams for the community college. After this semester, he should be able to pass the Math test also. Sorry, I'm just not understanding where his concerns are coming from.

A-n-y-w-a-y, here are our plans for this year.

Fall:

History of American Music - McLennan Community College (MCC)

General Biology and lab - MCC

Ancient History - The History of the Ancient World, Inventions and Inventors, and a field trip to see the King Tut exhibit

Literature - The book of Job from the Bible

The Iliad - Homer

The Odyssey - Homer

The Republic - Plato

Oedipus Rex - Sophocles

Math - finish Algebra II with Beginning and Intermediate Algebra

Drama - Romeo and Juliet with co-op drama club

Art - co-op class

Government/The Election - co-op class

Fencing - Baylor fencing club

Music - weekly drum lesson

Spring: MCC stuff will depend on the Spring schedule

Some kind of applied music class - MCC

Contemporary Liberal Arts Math - MCC

History - continue on with ancients

Literature - Famous Men of Greece - John H. Haaren

Ethics - Aristotle

On the Nature of Things - Lucretius

Famous Men of Rome - John H. Haaren

Aeneid - Virgil

Greek Mythology - co-op class (taught by me)

Drama - A Midsummer Night's Dream - co-op drama club

Fencing - Baylor fencing club

Computer Science - movie making - co-op class

1st day of school for Sammie

Today was Sammie's first day of dog training class. He did really well! Yes, I'm suprised. I had actually asked if it were possible to flunk when I signed him up. KJ took these pictures.

This is where Sammie sat most of the time.

Here is Sammie doing something he is not supposed to. Notice how I'm ignoring him which is what I'M supposed to do.

Here he is again on me with me ignoring him.

Here I am doing the cradle massage which shows I'm dominant. I'm supposed to hold him until he relaxes.

Here he is relaxed.

E's play

Wonderful friend who is moving to Denver (mentioned below) has 2 children (and a husband). The oldest, a girl we'll call E, has always dreamed of directing a play. She and her mom have been in several plays at our local theater plus the ones in co-op. E took a storybook and made it into a play. She called several friends, including KJ, had a planning meeting, scheduled practices, and recruited a mom (who happens to direct the co-op plays) to help with costumes. Due to time constraints, the play had to be short so they could do it with only a week of practice. They performed the play yesterday. I thought it was very cute. E worked really hard and achieved her dream.

This is the cast. E is in the middle in the black and white dress. KJ is the tall one with the hat.



These are the two villians, Odious Mole (KJ), and Bad Egg Bat (R).

Here is the play. "Aunt Isabel Tells a Good One" adapted from the book by Kate Duke

busy week

Phew! This has been a busy week.

KJ and I participate in a homeschool, parent-taught co-op on Tuesdays during the school year. Well, it's that time of year again...planning time! Our co-op had been lead by a wonderful friend whom we have known since we started homeschooling. Wonderful friend is moving to Denver in a couple of weeks. :-( It's a good move for them, but we'll miss them lots. Wonderful friend listed all the things she did for co-op that we would need to take over. We divided up her duties among four people. It will take FOUR of us to do her job! I had no idea how much she actually did and feel a little guilty for not offering to help before. Anyway, one of her jobs that I took over was putting the schedule together. Holy cow, that was hard. I worked on it lots this week, and it was finished Wednesday night.

In addition to co-op stuff, I had to put together two podcasts for my preschool computer classes. The kids had created all the raw material. I just had to refine it a bit...this also took large amounts of time. Add in 3 play practices for KJ, a psychologist appt. for KJ, a doctor appt. for me, 2 trips to Dallas by David dealing with the situation that must not be discussed, 2 of the longest phone book routes (our Mon./Tues. job) we've had so far, a drum lesson for KJ, a co-op swimming party, my last preschool computer class of the summer, and KJ's driving test for his learner's permit; it has been a BUSY week...and my house is a wreck!

By the way, KJ did pass his driving test so he'll be on the roads now (with me or David in the passenger seat). I want him to have as much experience as possible before he gets his license. He has done well so far except for one misjudgement. I think we may have actually taken a turn on 2 wheels, or at least it felt like we did. I may have yelled a curse word and gulped so much air that I got the hiccups.

Next week, KJ buys his books for community college, gets his ID, and a parking sticker for my car. Oh my God! I think I'm going to have a panic attack! *deep breath*......*deep breath*....okay, I'm back.

I've been harrassing KJ about posting some trip pics. Maybe we'll finally have time this weekend. Oh wait. He is paintballing in the morning and has a play performance in the afternoon. Well, all we have on Sunday is Sammie's obedience class, maybe then.

Oh, I forgot something. We have new members of the family.

KJ got an aquarium for his room.

It houses a frog

and 2 fish.

KJ's muisic room

I did another room while KJ was gone. Previously, his drums were in an open DOOR-LESS, uncarpeted area that would have been the dining room. Do you know how freaking loud it was when he played?!

Anyway, this room used to be David's computer room. His desk is now across from mine in the living room. The room is now KJ's music room. He has been working in there, running wires to speakers everywhere, so it's a little messy.

This is a terrible pic, but the sign says "Danger: Ear Protection Required." The thing hanging from the door knob is a cat toy.


I put foam on the door to help absorb sound.



This is the view from the doorway.


I put foam on the wall too. The poster is this one.


Here is the keyboard corner.


Another bad pic, but you can view this print here.


KJ's computer desk is also in here. He plays along with music from the laptop. You can barely see his guitar over in the guitar. This is the large poster.


The painting is one we got at a thrift store years ago. It used to hang in the living room. KJ loves this room even more than his bedroom.

Attack of the Killer Allergies

I've always had bad pollen and mold allergies, but upon moving to Waco, the allergy capital, they've gotten worse. I've tried shots, netty pot, Simply Saline, nose sprays, and numerous meds. The sinus surgery helped everything drain better so I rarely get a sinus infection, but the allergies themselves are still bad. A couple of weeks ago, however, I had a REALLY bad reaction to something. I had been outside, but can't narrow it down more than that. My legs had started to itch and then the constant sneezing started, quickly followed by my eyes tearing and swelling. I took a Benadryl and hopped in the shower in an attempt to wash whatever was killing me off. The drainage got so bad I was choking on it, my throat started closing, and I started to wheeze. David brought me two more Benadryl and was ready to haul me to ER. I stalled him to give the Benadryl time to work. I was improving in about an hour and better within 3. My chest was sore the next day and we discussed getting an Epi-pen.

I was kind of hoping this reaction was a fluke, but it happened again last night minus the wheezing and closing throat. Upon my exiting the shower THIS time, my darling husband who was lying on the couch watching television said, "Honey bunny, could you make me a sandwich?" My head nearly exploded, but I did make him a sandwich. Anyway,this is what I looked like when he asked me.

KJ's new room

One of the things I did to keep from going crazy while KJ was gone was to redo his bedroom (on a budget). The main colors are black, gray/silver, and magenta/hot pink. The only furniture that stayed was his bookshelf and I painted it black.


I bought a multi-colored rug, replaced his red metal frame twin bed with a full-size futon,and he has a silver foot locker for a coffee table. I'm making throw pillows for the futon, but haven't finished yet. He has his electronics stored in the foot locker.


I put storage spaces everywhere.


This is his TV and DVD area. (notice the storage bins)


He has a saucer chair and storage ottoman. I left all his stuff on the wall. He can take it down if he wants.


This is the other end of the futon, next to his closet.


I gave away his huge armoire and put all his clothes in the closet.


I made this curtain, but it doesn't hang very well. The material was a pain-in-the-a** to work with.

I also did the painting. An artist I'm not, but it matches the room.


This is the back of his door...more storage. David didn't think KJ would use this, but he loves it. It's for all those little doo-dads.

KJ is thrilled with his new space. I told him he could paint if he wants. He is considering a checkerboard pattern with white and black squares on 1-2 walls.