Sunday, May 31, 2009

He's married!

So I relayed to David that our magnificent president went on a date in NYC last night and told home to guess how much it cost. He gave up early. I said 24k. He said, "no way, jet fuel and what else?"
Daniel stopped me and said "Who went on a date?"
I said "our president!"
He said "Wait! "He's married!"

We are trying to finish the grammar section of our homeschool assessment and it's dragging. I was down for the count with cramps most of the weekend. Thankfully, we have a busy week so the kids shouldn't get bored. Yet.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

One more day

of Catholic school left. I'm trying to savor my last day of freedom but I am a wreck with all there is to do. We bought some chairs and a dresser second hand over the weekend. I will report more when I get a breather. This is nutty...haha

Friday, May 22, 2009

For a laugh

Glenn Beck Twitter

Really trying to get your point across, huh God...

So yesterday they had a field trip at school where only *some* students got picked to go. Meaning from each class, they drew names. My sons got picked, my daughter did not. Okay, fine. Surely they will do something fun with them at school, right? WRONG. My little Mary cleaned the classroom and desks ALL DAY. She cried when she got in the van. I don't blame her. The students that got picked were not picked because of achievement or grades(she is a straight A student), it was random. What is this teaching kids? Life's not fair? I give. I see no point. It made her angry and hate the school and be upset by the kids that got to go. They came back bragging, got tee shirts, souvenirs and prizes. Mary got squat. She watched 1/2 hr. of a movie they didn't get to finish because the other kids came back in the middle of it. So.done.with.this.school. They wouldn't get by with this nonsense at a public school, the parents would be outraged. I'm not saying the parents aren't outraged about yesterday but no one stopped it.
Sorry. I had to vent somewhere.
Today they wore smelly gym clothes to Mass and have a procession with streamers and flags for Olympic Day. Nice way to honor our Lord who died for us. I didn't want to end this school year on a bad note but I guess it needs be. How else would I feel so strongly that homeschool is our only option. Did I mention they are serving hot dogs at their catholic school on a Friday? Yeah, that. My kids packed nacho and cheese pizza Lunchables. They have an early dismissal today so I better get cracking on the rest of my work day. I was going to get some resources for asperger's and homeschool. That will have to happen next week.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Another installment of....Heard in the Minivan

So we are on the way home from school when Mary asks from way in the back,
"Mom, was grandma alive when Martin Luther King was?"
"Yes",
I replied.
"Was she black or white then?"
Muffling my laugh I said
"She was white".
Then Joel had to probe further,
"What team was she on, the blacks or the whites?"


Looks like we will be studying the civil war AND civil rights movement sooner rather than later. Maybe a better biology lesson, too.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

A table, a table...a booth


Today we did well at our garage sale. Surprisingly so, with the weather being icky. I came home, tired, late night, early morning and decided to investigate our options for a learning space. We live in a bi-level, small rooms, galley kitchen so I need a plan in advance. Space invading send my kids into a tizzy so my brain is trying to problem solve how we can create a space that will fill our family's homeschool needs and also be a great place for eating and entertaining.
As a child, we had a tri-level home, with a pseudo-basement where people gathered and the spot to be was our corner booth table. It was great for playing games, doing homework or having a snack. I have looked at some online, thinking we could turn our living room(which we really don't use and isn't practical) into our homeschool space that could double for a space when we have company. How do I do this in a way that is attractive and budget conscience? That's the prob. I need to draw a sketch and think of how to accomplish this with little money and so it doesn't look like a classroom.
While looking, I did find a great resource blog that I am adding to my sidebar. I found this while looking for a table/chair solution and it seems like a great alternative to the corner booth. Mommy Life

Here is the table site: Kidney Table
This seems like it would solve the "space-invader" problem we run into with books and papers. Just wondering how well it would transform to a multi-purpose space.

Friday, May 15, 2009

It was a NIGHTMARE, Mom!


On the way home, Daniel relayed to me a nightmare he had last night. I was expecting monsters, being beat up, falling off a bridge. Nope.

He said "We were in church and the girl at the door said it was a traditional Latin Mass and so we go in and sit down. Then they started playing rock music and the priest was a GIRL! I was so scared, Mom. Is that the way things are going to be soon? Huh? Cause I am scared that it will and I was really worried when I woke up."

Sigh. What have I done? My son is so afraid of womyn priestesses it keeps him up at night. Ora pro nobis!

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Cafeteria, over and out


So weird. I was actually looking forward to ravioli and they had hamburgers, ran out of food, cooked up some for us "helpers", we got busy and they burned to a crisp. I'm sort of sad to go and the middle school was not too horribly bad. The elementary...eesh. I have decided that I better do something fun and take advantage of the small bit of alone time I have. It probably won't return.
We went to family therapy last night and the boys both blew up and fought in front of the therapist. That is actually a good thing. Then I don't have to say "now they do this and fight over this and refuse to do this", she can see it and go "whoa".
I hate messy rooms and a messy house. It makes me crazy. But I also hate the feuds that erupt when I say "clean your room". This is a conundrum.

New photos to Flikr and gasp, cafeteria


I added most of the photos from the first communion to our Flikr account. You can view them from the Flikr badge on the sidebar. I loaded the one of the church that was taken from the choir loft by one of the members.
I have to work cafeteria today. Kack. I have so much sewing to do and I have been cutting and sewing since 7 am. Long day. Homeschool application off to St. Thomas Aquinas Academy today. It's a done deal. Oh Lord, help me.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Just when you thought...

...it was safe to go out in the backyard.
Parasitic flies turn fire ants into zombies

This would traumatize my kids for life.

Fire ants wander aimlessly away from the mound.

Eventually their heads fall off, and they die


Nice.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Status report



A few thoughts on mommyville in our home:
I know I am an optimist when I feel God is calling me to homeschool to alleviate our discord. The fighting, the lack of respect, the frenzy, it's all too much. I have my daily prayers, things I pray for or about. I pray I overcome some of the hurdles that hinder my path to holiness and my human short-comings that drive others(and me) crazy. I see how hard my boys try to be normal and sometimes it wears me down. I know it does them. I hope in the next year I can love them on their level, where they are. I have felt the need to make them work in the world since I can change them easier than the world. Perhaps that was where the problem started. I often feel that we are "therapied out". It's no longer too much of a good thing, it's too much of a thing period. Are they getting the "you aren't good enough as just you so mommy is going to try and help change you"? I feel our time would be better spent on something to build their esteem and not "fix" their behavior. A sport, a hobby, a fun activity...even Mary would benefit.
I need to pray about all this therapy. They currently get art therapy, family therapy and will soon be getting Impact(though I'm not sure about this). It's overload. I need the therapy(haha). I need to slow this life down and pray that God allows me to be mommy first and foremost to these kids that need me(badly). I'm tired of the business thing. It's a struggle and something has to change with it, in general. I'm sure the homeschool environment will lend itself to me cutting back and better utilizing my time.

I have to admit I was inspired by Carrie Prejean speaking out to the press today. If you believe something and it comes from your heart, don't back down. It choked me up and had me internalizing things I feel. Conviction is a powerful thing.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Mercy and care

It was a work filled weekend. I worked a lot. While I was able to complete so man orders, so much still needs to be completed. Financially, we are struggling. So many bills, student loans, credit cards, so I became frustrated. Then tonight, I come home from my parents and 2 nice sized orders come in. God is merciful and takes care of me, even when I worry. Why? I'm not showing total trust. But He cares for me and wants me to know everything will be okay. So I cried a bit knowing that I am weak and He is strong and that the world may be in disarray but that has nothing to do with the way God cares for me. I think on St. Augustine and how I should continue to work s though everything depends on me and pray as if everything depends on God.
So I am having a nightcap and waiting for David to come home from shipping. I'm taking a break ;)

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Not me


I sew and I don't have a cat. Everyone I know that sews has a cat or likes cats. No kitteh here. I'm allergic to them and I find them arrogant. That may make me a bad person but if need be, I will go to confession. Cats are always up to something. They don't have an ounce of humility(at least that I have ever seen.) That may also be the reason that I don't quilt or scrapbook. This is also more known for the cat-type. I cant stand scrap booking and I don't have the patience or perfection for a quilter. If it were a quick quilt, then maybe. I'm just not a fan of calico and hunter green/burgundy. There you have it. I adore dogs. Seriously. They are loyal, funny and a lot like men. I don't mean that in a bad way. It is endearing and sweet. I just had to come clean on that topic.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Acorn. What a maroon!





Why are we giving them money again? I forget.

Why the title?

I often thought if I ever wrote a book, it would be called "Life Without a Net". I don't often have a backup plan because I am following God's lead and going without thinking "how will we afford/do/manage/survive this?" In reality, God is my safety net and I think it is more the world view of what is rational or thought-through. I am just writing a short blip here today. I have a pile of work to do and need to get some serious money coming in. More coffee? That may be in order to get through today. I'm not overly tired, just need to get amped up enough to marathon cut and sew.

Sacred Heart Sunday 5/3/09



Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Humor . Humans need this.

I love Emo. He makes me laugh. Here is a good one:

I was walking across a bridge one day and I saw a man standing on the edge, about to jump off. So I ran over and said, "Stop! Don't do it!" "Why shouldn't I?" he said. "Well, there is so much to live for." "Like what?" "Well, are you religious?" He said yes. I said 'Are you a Christian or a Jew?' He said 'Christian.' I said 'Me too! Protestant or Catholic?' He said 'Protestant.' I said 'Me too! What franchise?' He said 'Baptist.' I said 'Me too! Northern Baptist or Southern Baptist?' He said 'Northern Baptist.' I said 'Me too! Northern Conservative Baptist or Northern Reform Baptist?' He said 'Northern Conservative Baptist.' I said 'Me too! Northern Conservative Fundamentalist Baptist or Northern Conservative Reform Baptist?' He said 'Northern Conservative Fundamentalist Baptist.' I said 'Me too! Northern Conservative Fundamentalist Baptist Great Lakes Region or Northern Conservative Fundamentalist Baptist Eastern Region?' He said 'Northern Conservative Fundamentalist Baptist Great Lakes Region.' I said 'Me too! Northern Conservative Fundamentalist Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912 or Northern Conservative Fundamentalist Baptist Great Lakes Region of 1850?' He said 'Northern Conservative Fundamentalist Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912.' I said 'Die heretic!' And I pushed him off the bridge!
Emo Philips


I poured spot remover on my dog. Now he's gone.

I put instant coffee in a microwave oven and almost went back in time.

I was walking down the street wearing glasses when the prescription ran out.

I went to a general store but they wouldn't let me buy anything specific.

I went to a restaurant that serves "breakfast at any time". So I ordered French Toast during the Renaissance.

Sponges grow in the ocean. That just kills me. I wonder how much deeper the ocean would be if that didn't happen.
Steven Wright

Asperger's and a mother's sanity







Joel has been having issue with self esteem and feeling overwhelmed. It's frustrating when he falls back on pat answers and responses to whatever I throw at him. It doesn't help when a teacher gives him a homework assignment that entails counting garbage ouside when it is pouring down rain with no end in sight. How much am I paying again for this school?

My head hurts badly. Joel and I had a smackdown that lasted about 45 minutes. Neither of us won. He is refusing to do chores. Homeschool. What was I thinking? I'm trusting you, God. This house has very tiny rooms and no where to really escape for privacy. My office equals work so that is hardly a get-away.

I love that boy but he clearly tests my patience and ability to keep my wits.

Mary's First Communion Dedication

Our place...

This is a place for family and friends to see what we are up to and share our life. We are about to share a journey as homeschooling parents of three children in a traditional catholic setting. We have no idea where this will lead. We hope you enjoy our photos, humor and stories of everyday life.