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Tuesday, 28 February 2012

  • Parenting....

    We just received a letter stating that my daughter has been selected to attend a new IB high school.  She's doing cartwheels and smiling from ear to ear.  Me?  My ulcer is acting up again.  She sees awesome classes, awesome teachers, awesome students who want to learn, cool school building complete with couches and easy chairs for visiting.  Me?  I see hassles, tension, long nights, arguments.  I feel the position of warden coming on.  I need an attitude adjustment about this.  She must not know how I really feel!  I need to hide my negative feelings.  Although she is pretty astute and intuitive.

     

    I am not a soccer mom.  I am not a public school mom.  Can I adjust?  I'm too old.  I need help.

     

    On the other hand, there's a part of me that is very excited and... jealous?  How I would have loved this school.

     

    Will we survive?

Wednesday, 11 May 2011

  • As I Lay Dying

    It was uncomfortable.  Distressing.  Disturbing.  At times nauseating.  An emotional roller coaster.  Yet with each page, I felt more and more addicted.  Compulsively re-reading sentences and paragraphs - each time resulting in a different emotional reaction.  I just shut the book.  Finished.  Before the day is over I will again pick it up and see what new feelings it can elicit.

    When was the last time I felt this way after finishing a book?

    The last time I read Faulkner.

    Geez.  I'm pathetic.

Friday, 06 May 2011

  • Impatiently waiting for spring...

    We've had a few days that have been nothing more than a tease.  The girls and I actually took books outside to read a couple days this week.  Then today, cooler temps and cloudy skies.  It doesn't stop the girls from playing outdoors, but I don't care to sit out there and get chilled.

    The twins are building teepees out beyond the garden area and getting quite dirty.  I introduced Abra to Precious from No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, and that's where she usually disappears in the afternoons.  Me?  I'm waiting for my husband to come home.  Rather missing him today and looking forward to nice, quiet evening.  I got salmon out of the freezer for dinner.  Maybe a brown rice pilaf, broccoli and salad?  White wine definitely.  A movie later on?

    Forgot!  Hannah is coming over so her dad can change the oil in her car.  Hope they get it done before it rains.

    Update:  Abra just finished her book and demanded I get the next one from the library.  We both wish Precious lived next, and we could share bush tea and conversation with her.  I don't even know my neighbors to the west.  Maybe I would have made a good Botswanan.

Wednesday, 13 April 2011

  • Life has been fairly quiet, just rolling along at a nice, steady pace, which I should have recognized as an omen.  Oldest dd had major tiff with bf of 2 1/2 yrs.  She ended the relationship.  Then she re-started the relationship.  All the while I try to sit quietly (sort of) in the background preparing myself to pick up the pieces.  Because that's what moms do.  Dd has involved me in the situation by asking for advice, listening - not always like what I said, but heck, she asked for honesty, and then moving forward.  When my older girls discuss their lives, relationships, decisions with me, I feel they have paid me the greatest compliment an adult child can pay a parent.

    I do not like these types of upheavels.  I like boring.

    Abby and BG have been busy co-writing a book about all their stuffed animals.  These animals are away at boarding school and have started a burglar gang.  Yes, they're thieves.  We've been watching the 'Walking With ..... series'" Walking With Monsters, Walking With Dinosaurs, and Walking With Prehistoric Beasts.

    Abra is beginning to see the light at the end of the algebra tunnel, almost.  She has been working out of Saxon Algebra I along with the Art Reed DVD's.  Mr. Reed is our saving angel.  We love him.  She really hasn't struggled with it (I keep waiting for her to hit that cognitive brick wall); it's just that the lessons are long, very long.  Some days it takes close to two hours for her complete a lesson.  Granted, there might well be some daydreaming, but she's pretty good kid about getting her math done.  In any event, we are going to have a party the day she finishes that book.

    Oh, by the way, she has been supplementing with Life of Fred Beginning Algebra (she does the day after every Saxon test) which is one reason she's not closer to finishing the book.  Thankfully, we don't have to worry about when she finishes it.  Anyway, LoF gets my biggest thumbs up.  On the days she uses LoF, she is a happy math girl.  I think it is an excellent supplement to the traditional algebra textbook.  We love it so much, I have ordered LoF Fractions for the twins.  

    Abra and I are enjoying our time together reading Fellowship of the Ring.  She is reading Tom Sawyer on her own.  I'm reading a young adult version of Three Cups of Tea to all the girls, and Abra is wanting to read the adult version.  I just have to find it on my shelf.  We finished Alice in Wonderland.  I think The Penderwicks will be next.

    And I'm waiting for the sun to shine so we can move outside with our books.

Friday, 04 March 2011

LivingInWilloughby

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    • Name: LivingInWilloughby
    • Gender: Female
    • Member Since: 1/20/2008

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Books I've Read 2008
The Serpent on the Crown
The Tomb of the Golden Bird
The Tale of Hawthorn House
The Path to Love: Renewing the Power of Spirit in Your Life (in progress)
The Holy Way: Practices for a Simple Life (in progress)
Buddhism for Mothers
How to Know God
The Celestine Prophecy
The Mists of Avalon
The Tenth Insight
The Dance of the Dissident Daughter

Books Read Aloud
Five Children and It
The Phoenix and the Carpet
The Story of the Amulet
The Story of the Amulet
Matilda
Winnie the Pooh
The House at Pooh Corner

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About Me

  • I'm mom to 5 beautiful unschooled girls and wife to my best friend. A few of my favorite things to do include being with my family, reading, gardening, preserving our own food, being outdoors, picnics, traveling, sitting on the beach, drinking good wine, baking, good conversation, laughing and listening to rain. I am a spiritual, thinking person who is enjoying this incredible life.

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