Another week!

We've almost survived another week of full-time school. And this week hubby has been gone. But I've been so busy I've hardly noticed I'm alone during the day. Well, alone if I don't count the fur kids. One thing I realized this week is I wish there was a bus to take my oldest to her school and bring her home! Spoiled by the other two already!

One reason for wanting that bus is I started a new story, one I'm writing super fast, and having a blast with! I just can't wait to write and write again. Love when this happens! I'll tell you more about this project soon!

The kids are still loving school. Nothing but smiles. The only tears happened this morning when Rose was making her lunch. Chaos grabbed her sandwich off the counter and ate it. Thankfully, we had another package of ham in the fridge!

On the bummer side of things, my oldest is sidelined from swimming, right as the high school swim schedule gets underway. Her shoulder is still bothering her from her bike accident back in early July. She has an MRI on Monday. Would appreciate healing thoughts and prayers sent Mackenna's way. She's still going to practices and was at the first meet yesterday acting as the swim team manager. Sure hope she doesn't have to stay dry the entire season.

Well, time for me to get to work! Hope you have a wonderful Friday whatever you're doing!

Small World

The first week of school has gone well! Yay!

Everyone is adjusting to the full-time schedule, including me! Of course, there hasn't been much homework. Next week will be a better test. But both of the younger kids are excited to head to the bus each morning and smiling when they walk in the door in the afternoon so that's a huge sigh of relief. I miss the kids, but am also enjoying the freedom to do things during the day.

Yesterday, I had lunch with my dear friend, Tiffany. We used to be neighbors. We used to climb together. We used to hang out a lot! But between our move and her being an ex-pat in London for a  couple of years, we haven't seen much of each other. We reconnected at The Bollywood Theater to have a belated birthday celebration (mine!)

We picked up right where we'd left off! I wasn't surprised at all.

What was surprising was who we saw at the restaurant...the woman who introduced us over ten years ago! It was fun catching up with her. Tiffany and I used to belong to be shareholders in the CSA she and her husband run. They noticed our addresses and that we were neighbors so introduced us so we could 1) carpool or 2) alternate picking up our harvest shares at the farm. We not only did that, but became friends! Pretty amazing we lived a couple houses away from each other and had never met!

Needless to say a wonderful time yesterday.

And now that the kids are in school, I hope it's not a couple years until we can get together again!

First Day of School

After five years of homeschooling, I sent all three of my kidlets off to school this morning. The oldest, a sophomore, had started full-time school her freshman year. I figured I'd just keep the other two at home until it was time to send the off to high school. So much for plans!

The past three years, the kids attended a two day a week parent partnership program at an alternative school. I volunteered half a day for each kid. Add in the commute time (half an hour each way) and they really weren't away from me that long.

This is a huge change.

Tuesdays have never been this quiet in the house unless we were gone. Right now we would normally be at piano lessons. But I need to redefine "normal" around here.

Did I mention the youngest two are taking the bus? They didn't want me to walk them to the bus stop this morning. Neighbors were showing them how it all works.

I knew I'd miss them, but I really, really miss them.

I keep waiting for someone to yell, "Mom" or want help with an assignment or need something from me. At least, the cats will want lunch in a couple hours. Until then I'm off to find some chocolate and write a letter to a soldier. Then maybe I can work on the new story.

What are you up to today?

Thursday Catch-up

I've been very lax about blogging, not that life has been giving me a chance to relax, but starting next week I'll have more time than I ever imagined. All three kidlets will be attending school full-time. It'll be the first time ever (well, since having a baby back in '98) that I won't have a kid at home. Quite a change after five years of homeschooling. Needless to say, lots of school prep of a different kind going on around here. And lots of mixed emotions. For me at least!

My oldest's goldfish Butler died. We thought he died a week ago when our youngest found him on the carpet, but hubby moved water over his lungs and Butler started breathing and swimming again. Beauty, our little black cat, is the one who knocked over his bowl. She's been after him since he arrived from the fair (a prize from a carnival game.) Butler was floating in his bowl so we assume he died from natural causes. But Beauty has yet to provide an alibi. She also stopped hanging around the door to my oldest's room. Circumstantial evidence, but a little fishy if you ask me!

I had a very nice birthday. Thanks for the greetings. A quiet day, but fun. The celebration continued into Tuesday when my parents came up to take me to lunch and later that night the family went bowling. The funny thing about my birthday is I'd picked two things I'd wanted to do. On my day I wanted to go bowling and have lunch, but the place was closed for an employee appreciation party. And the next day I wanted to have lunch at a little cafe I love. Well, that happened to be closed, too. They stopped serving lunch. Lesson learned for next year, call ahead and make sure places will be open!

Did you see this story about George R.R. Martin's name appearing randomly in his A Feast of Crows ebook? Some of the examples are very funny!

Hope you have a nice day!

Last Day of School

Today is the last day of school for the two youngest kidlets. They only attend twice a week, but they are so looking forward to being off until September. Of course, the last day means class parties!

Finn brought a tray of berries to share with his classmates. Rose is having a culture party (they each studied a different country) so she brought a plate of "tapas" consisting of olives, manchego cheese, chorizo sausage and a sliced baquette. Not sure how adventurous her classmates will be though!

Hope you have a great Monday!

Mock Trial

Yesterday was the start to Mackenna's Mock Trial competition. She's a prosecutor and doing the closing statement. This is her freshman year so we had no idea what to expect. It was really interesting.

The case involves domestic terrorism and a sovereign nation citizen. Bomb maker, linguistic professors from Stanford, mushroom picker... It's pretty interesting to see the kids get into character when they hit the witness stand.

Mackenna looked very lawyer-like in one of her suits, black pumps with heels and panty-hose. It was hard to believe this young woman standing up and and saying "Objection!" was my daughter! I was very proud.

Lawyers are the jury and go over notes with the students after each trial to help them learn from the experience. Later today, they'll find out how they did with each time they go to trial. I believe each team tries the case three time against other schools.

Not sure I'll make it back to the Clark County Court House for the final case today, but I was so glad I attended her two cases yesterday.

Have a great day!

There are no words...

This week I attended our parish's Advent Mission and the priest giving the talks, Father Wade Mendes, mentioned evil. Evil exists in the world. What happened earlier this week a few miles south of me at Clackamas Town Center and what happened yesterday in Newtown, Connecticut proves that.

I can't imagine what those parents and families are going through. I don't want to because losing a child is my worst nightmare. It's the same for every parent out there. All I can do is keep praying for the children, the staff and their families.

A Prayer To The Holy Innocents

Holy Innocents, you died before you were old enough to know what life means, pray for all children who die young that God may gather them into His loving arms.

Holy Innocents, you were killed because one man was filled with hatred, pray for those who hate that God may touch their hearts and fill them with love.

Holy Innocents, you experienced a violent death, pray for all who are affected by violence that they may find peace and love.

Holy Innocents, your parents grieved for you with deep and lasting sorrow, pray for all parents who have lost young children that God may wrap a warm blanket of comfort around them.

Holy Innocents, those around you certainly felt helpless to prevent your deaths, pray for all who feel helpless in their circumstances that they may cling to God for courage and hope.

Holy Innocents, you who are now in Heaven, pray for all of us that one day we may join you there to bask in God's love forever.

Amen.

I found this prayer via The Catholic Church Facebook page. No copyright infringement intended.

School Time!

Miss Mousie is so happy we're back to school. She has a favorite spot with my nine year old during homeschooling and homework time. It's pretty sweet to see the two of them together.

I'm still not used to the early mornings though. It's one thing to get up to write. Another to have to shower, dress and be out of the house by 6:45 am! A good thing it's only two days a week for the younger two. Three days a week for Mackenna and I have an 25 minutes on those mornings.

Not much to say this early! Hope you have a great Thursday!

Back to School

Today was the first day back to school for my two youngests. We already had a "discussion" about coats being worn given it was raining this morning. That added five minutes to our departure time. Why don't boys (and some girls) like wearing coats? Drives this mother crazy.

Even without the coat issue, this should have been much easier than it turned out to be. But no one was ready to start school today, especially since classes start an hour earlier this year. Yikes!

It's a half hour drive each way, too. That means a very early morning for all of us. The only ones who are pleased about this change are the dog and cats. They are thrilled!

I was at the school from 7:30 to 10:30. I have to go back at 2:00 to see about Rose's last class, but I'm hoping once I know what's going on things will settle down a bit!

Now it's time to finish up reading my page proofs for Winning Back His Wife and get some new pages written on Bachelor of the Year!

Hope you're having a nice, relaxing day!

Big Day!

After four years of being homeschooled, my oldest, a ninth grader, will be starting high school full-time today. This will be a huge change for all of us.

As you can see from Yoda on the right, not all of us are as excited as she is.

I know this will be a good thing for her. When she said she wanted to be homeschooled (her idea, not mine) she always talked about going to high school. So this has always been there on the horizon. But the reality is a little, well, nerve wracking.

Two days away at the alternative school the kids have attended the last two years has been perfect. Five days of school a week sees like a lot!

But we'll survive.

The younger two, the cats and the dog will keep me busy today. But I'll be waiting to hear how her big day went!