Back from the dead

Sadly neglected posting for one reason or another. My “one” reader has missed me. 

The past six months have been this constant flux and my head is spinning. Some changes were rough to deal with, some really allowed me to grow and some..some just filled the gaps in my life so completely. Its ironic that the most challenging and difficult times that should have broken me has probably been instrumental in making me realize what I am made of. And no it’s not cotton candy. 

I realize that I fulfill many roles in my life but now I know that I should also pay attention to what I really want for myself. I don’t want to wake up one day wondering and regretting the choices that I have made. I want to continue to live my life with no regrets. Crossroads are looming and choices have to be made. Perhaps I will know what to do when the time comes. 

 

Before sunrise and my morning coffee

Stay in contact with your own inner compass. Let it guide you and trust the choices that have led you here. Believe that when things fall into place, they are meant to be embraced with open arms. Do not doubt for doubt will be your undoing.
My words. My thoughts in the wee hours.

******************************************************************

There is real clarity of thought when the world is quiet and all you can hear is the sound of your own breathing. My mind is filled with possibilities that only a fresh new day can bring. Perhaps today will be my day.

Passing it on

I love a lot of things. Books and movies that I have enjoyed through the years and I am determined to pass it on to my little son. I want to make a list and I need a hand just in case I have forgotten something! So far this is what I have in no particular order:

1. Hitchikers Guide to the Galaxy

2. The Lord of the Rings

3. The Princess Bride

4. Monty Python and the Holy Grail

5. Dr. Who

6. Star Trek

7. Star Wars

8. American Gods

9. The Colour of Magic

10. Through the Looking Glass

11. The Foundation Series

12. Sandman

More to come! Add to this list please!

Parenthood:unpaid on-the-job training defies recession.Return of investment = priceless

When I was a dewy eyed lass (gag), dreams of big weddings, big families and picket fences were not part of my  life plan. I wanted to travel and see the world, to be successful in my chosen career and to earn the respect of my peers, to be a published writer of some sort and to speak several languages fluently. I vaguely remember “doctor, jet setter, and linguist” in my high school yearbook. Yes I cringed as I typed that last one.  I also wanted to be enter the monastery and become a cloistered nun (You at the back. Quit laughing). In all of these scenarios, a child was not in the picture. Procreating was just not on my to-do list. I figured that by the time I was ready, they would have machines created by oompa loompas’ to make me one, fully grown, who can look after itself.

Fast forward my life to 2001. Crossed eyed in the delivery room, I got my first glimpse of my firstborn. He was small and wrinkly and not at all cute. My little prune like son. Life was never the same since then.

We suffered through belly aches, bumps and scrapes, spit ups and relocation. We endured the loss of our loved one together. We celebrated new teeth, hard work paying off, playing games and winning, things of beauty and good books. We talked and fought and shared hopes and dreams.

Almost ten years and each year I am always grateful. I am glad I am a mom.  I am glad I am his mom.

Ready, set, homeschool. Or is it home school. Or home-school. Aargh!

Opting out of public school, at least for the time being, was not a decision we made lightly. Our little elementary school, indeed our district has been experiencing budget cuts and declining enrolment and the needs my ONE child is best met in our home environment with more flexibility. His teachers did their best to work within the constraints that they had but it was up to us as his parents to make sure that receives the type of education that is the right fit for him. Our rural location and limited resources meant that charter schools and private schools are not options.

This fall, we have the following loosely put together “curriculum” for DS which may or may not change depending on his interests and our budget.

Language Arts:

Lightning Literature 7  and Michael Clay Thompson’s Magic Lens and Word within the Word 1A. Both through Online G3. 

Grammar podcasts from Grammar Girl

Library resources for books and e-books. The only reading list we will actually use will be the one from Lightning Lit. The rest of the books will be up to him.

Writing Projects

Mathematics:

Introduction to Algebra b y Rusczyk from the Art of Problem Solving – review of Algebra 1 and and Algebra 2

Introduction to Number Theory

Algebra from UNL Independent Study High School

Podcasts from Math Dude

Science:

Physical and Earth Science from UNL Independent Study High School

School of Ants

Leaves and Habitat Project courtesy of Dad

Brain Pop

Discovery Education

Social Studies:

Geography of the World – DK

Atlas of the World

50 States

Art:

Photography – with mom and dad

Drawing – with mom

P.E.:

Swimming

Music:

Piano and Music Theory – Lawrence Academy of Music

Foreign Language:

Spanish – Rosetta Stone

Spanish workbooks and readers

Penpal from Costa Rica

Spanish podcasts

Computer and Technology:

Introduction to Python Programming through AOPS (hopefully!)

Scratch Projects

Should be enough to last us until December-ish or until next year. The neat thing about this is that we can go through the lessons at whatever pace we want!

Life without a road map

It’s been a bit over four years since I made the life/career transition at this late stage in my life. Change is something that I am accustomed to and has been the one constant thing in my life. At the same time, even though I love adapting to new and exciting situations, I crave the security of predictable patterns. To reconcile this contradiction, I make lists. Lots and lots of lists. I like knowing where I am going and knowing when I have to deviate from “the list”.  I do that a lot. I worry about today and what the future might hold.

But I close my eyes. I breathe deeply and pray. All is well.

*******************************************************************

All heavy laden acquainted with sorrow
May Christ in our marrow carry us home
From alabaster come blessings of laughter
A fragrance of passion and joy from the truth

Grant the unbroken tears ever flowing
From hearts of contrition only for You
May sin never hold true that love never broke through
For God’s mercy holds us and we are His own

This road that we travel may it be the straight and narrow
God, give us peace and grace from You, all the day
Shelter with fire, our voices we raise still higher
God, give us peace and grace from You, all the day through

Two am sugar rush

I haven’t slept since yesterday. We had no snacks at the house to comfort me and I had a pounding headache so it was difficult to read. In the midst of this pity party, I decided to rummage through the contents of the refrigerator and lo and behold! I found a jar of fudge. Swirly, gooey, sweet goodness. One scoop in my mouth…mmmmmm…..om…nom….

All is good again.

R&R redefined. Laying the Law for leisure. Or just a sudden urge to write shameful alliterations

High pressure, long hours and a very long drive is the norm for my work week so I tend to be very protective of the time I have away from work.  Dropping by without calling first is strongly discouraged and expect rabid dogs after your tail if you show up unannounced. You have been warned.

In an ideal world, I should be by the beach sipping Basil Lemontini  served by Jake Gyllenhaal lookalikes. Sadly, I am stuck with tepid water and old oatmeal bars. And rubbery bacon. Very rubbery bacon. Oh, VERY rubbery turkey bacon.

I do have a lot of hobbies to keep me busy and away from my nursing books. Recently, I have been going out “into the wild” with dh to take photos and you can see some samples here.  I am hoping for more pictures of buildings and bridges but in funky angles but I probably need better lenses for it. In the meantime, I am hoping that dh fulfills his promise of building me a lightbox so I can take photos of non-food items in weird arrangements.

I have also been reading quite a bit but primarily  books that I have read in my youth to see if I still like them. Conclusion: Yes I still love them but I think I need to read more books from authors who aren’t dead or crazy.

For my next few days off, my project: to find out how long I can sleep in one go. Really.

In the blink of an eye

Despite bags of chips, a bowl of watermelon and a few (ok, more than a few) bars of chocolates I am strangely not comforted by my standby comfort food.

Yes I have to face it. My little guy is growing up. I have maybe eight more years with the bug before he goes out on his own but I have been feeling strangely melancholic the past few weeks. Ok so my circadian rhythm is totally out of whack and I still think it’s too soon to be all weepy about my baby leaving the nest. But life is short and wonderful moments can pass you by if you aren’t paying attention. I am glad I have a child and I love each moment I spend with him.

 

 

The muchies

Lately (and in the foreseeable future), work hours have been nights (much to my friend’s dismay) .  Although I am mostly a night owl, the hour-ish drive back has been this constant struggle of trying to stay awake and deer alert.

Nights like these have made me opt for smaller snacks and a bite here and there between work and pee breaks (run, pee, wash, run back).

My late snacks:

- Nagaraya (butter, adobo or garlic)

- Cheetos

- Sliced up strawberries and/or blueberries

- watermelon slices

- cereal bars (kellogs blueberry or strawberry)

Of course when I get home, I treat myself to a nice bowl of ice cream for a job well done.

- Rocky road

- Java chip

- Black jack cherry

- sugar cone and marshmallows are a must