Old Haunts and New Developments

Today I heard from a good friend Ken and I met while living in Georgia (the last stint).  It was good catching up and I immediately realized I don't have a good reason why I have not been calling this wonderful person all along. 

Since we're still fairly new to North Carolina, I'm still trying to forge friendships out of loosely formed patches of conversation with people I see maybe once a month.  I definitely don't want to be pushy and force myself on people, and I assume others are thinking the same thing.  However at some point someone has to step up and push casual talks to some semblance of a friendship.  I know that someone can be me, but I think I'm just plain old lazy.  I have my best girlfriends spread out over the eastern seaboard and I feel that's enough.  I get lonely for girl talk (in person), however it's not enough to fuel me to really make a real connection with some of the women I've met here.

I'm thinking I need to work on this.  There's another side (maybe the lazy one) that says I don't have anything to work on because I'm content with things. 

On another note, it is hard to believe Fall is approaching.  My most favorite season.  It's a time for new beginnings, at least that's how I've always experienced this time of year. 

My hubby and I have put out the intent that we may want to purchase the home we are leasing or another one in the community.  In typical fashion, we got back what we put out.  Our landlords asked if we would be interested in buying or some other arrangement.  I'm quite excited.  We still need to fully discuss things of course.  One main point is whether we see ourselves actually buying this particular home.  We sort of rushed into leasing it and I feel like we would enjoy something larger.

I haven't started the kids with any review this week.  I decided we would stick with my original plan and start everything the day after labor day.  Below are the kid's classes and the main spine they'll use for each subject:

10th Grade:

Logic/Rhetoric	A Rulebook for Arguments and  The
Mathematics	Saxon Algebra 2
History	The History of the Ancient World From the Earliest Accounts to the Fall of Rome, Great Books list
Language	Analytical Grammar and Classical Roots Vocabulary D
Science	Apologia Chemistry and Lab
Latin	LearnLatinOnline.com
Japanese	Rosetta Stone
Art	The Annotated Mona Lisa
Music	The Classical Music Experience:  Discover the Music of the World's Greatest Composers

 6th Grade:

Logic	Critical Thinking, Book 1 and 2
Mathematics	Saxon Math 7/6
History	The Story of World
Language	Spectrum Spelling Workbook, Analytical Grammar, Writing Strands Level 3
Science	Earth Science and Astronomy using Kingfisher Science Encyclopedia and other resources/media with plenty of labs
Latin	LearnLatinOnline.com
Spanish	Rosetta Stone
Art	Ancient Egyptian Art, 2d ed. (Art in History)
Music	The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra

Obsessive Planner can't read the calendar properly & other fun stuff

I was under absolute certainty that Labor Day was this coming Monday.  While riding with my husband and his work colleague I realized, after they corrected me of course, that I was both so excited and terrified about starting our official full home school year that I got my weeks mixed up.  I have been on a tear prepping and shopping for school supplies/curricula.  Well, now I feel a little relieved, but bummed because all of my lessons start on Tuesday, the day after Labor Day.  Oh well, we get another week to chill.  I'll have to find a way to make it extra special.  I also toyed with idea of doing review the entire week so both of my lovelies are totally up to date.  I'm still thinking on that one.  I would need to throw some last minute lesson plans together...

In my haste mentioned earlier I did find our necessary library books.  I was fortunate to score the first few weeks of books for Ari and the first week for Rodney.  I think Amazon loves me by now.  My local home school consignment store probably has me down as a regular.  I'm part of several home school groups, and even found secular home school forums and blogs to lurk (not all homeschoolers are ultra Conservative Bible pushers or run of mill Christians either).  I'm feeling so official!

Now on to domestic issues!  I purchased a Swiffer Wet Vac.  I want to say how it's the best thing ever, or at least better than a mop.  However, I have determined your floor should be thoroughly swept before using the Swiffer Wet Vac.  Otherwise it sort of pushes the dirt/dust bunny around.  I made the decision to buy one after having both a manufacture and Target coupon.  Oh yes, love my Target. :-)

I am getting more into fall decorating mode.  Last year it wasn't an option to decorate because we were not in our own home yet.  However this year, I think I'll splurge more than ever.  I already have my eye on a few things I saw at Pottery Barn.  I get my ideas there and then shop elsewhere for a much cheaper price.  Frugality is my middle name!

Oh gosh, almost forgot to mention the kids had their very first soccer practice.  Rodney did well and Ari tried.  Ari trying is a big deal.  She isn't exactly in love with playing soccer.  She told me she can get over it and just play, just give her time.

Loving Laundry Detergent, maybe a little too much

I know I said I'd be much more consistent with this blog, but honestly, I don't know how other bloggers do it.  I sometimes feel I don't really have anything particularly interesting to blog about.  I also do not post status updates on Facebook religiously either.  I'm working through my issues, what can I tell ya'.

The one thing I consistently do is laundry.  I have two laundry days a week, sometimes even three.  I know others dread the chore of laundry, but I love it.  I mean really, really love the scent of clean clothes, towels, sheets, etc.  I also can't get enough of Gain's Lavender scented detergent, especially the powder.  One might ask, what's the big deal?  Well, apparently after watching yet another reality show, this time about strange addictions, loving the smell of the detergent can lead to EATING the detergent.  Granted, I am pretty sure I can control myself, I had a moment of weirdness.  I always take a sniff of the detergent before I pour it in the washing machine compartment.  Well, I hadn't realized how close I had the powder detergent to my nose and actually snorted the stuff!  Boy did that burn and boy did I feel ridiculous.  I was able to deduce, once the burning finally stopped, that I can just love the smell and most likely not develop some weird addiction to eating the stuff. 

Now, on to other matters.  I look forward to "back to school" next week.  I realize, much more than my kids.  What can I say, I get excited!  Along with starting our homeschooling schedule again, I do feel some apprehension.  I sometimes feel doubtful and worried about doing too much or too little for my kids.  I think most parents do.  However, homeschooling can add a new set of worries and self doubt.  Especially when you feel defensive to certain family members.  I realize I don't have to prove anything, but that part of me that wants acceptance sometimes feels the need to over explain, which isn't helpful when someone has their mind made up that you're making a huge mistake.  Again, what are you gonna do, right?

I worried a little about getting all the books and supplies we'll need this school year.  Funny, when I just put the doubt, worry and overall negative thinking away, I realized I purchased almost all of the items on each of the kid's list and even got them signed up for soccer.  This will be the first time my kids were signed up to play a team sport not associated with any public school.  I'm grateful I could accomplish this (makes earning PE credits just that much easier).

I think I'll keep making an effort to blog consistently, smelling my laundry detergent and homeschooling my kids.  I realize each of the aforementioned items are not for everyone, but they work for me.