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.

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.