A Meme Made by Meeee!!

You can follow along if you dare! Informally tagging all my regular readers who like to do these sorts of things.

Eight Things

Eight things... in my fridge

1. raw milk
2. ketchup
3. Albert's hot sauce
4. eggs
5. lunch meat
6. yeast
7. 4 things of mustard
8. raw cream

Eight things... in my closet

1. box of socks
2. bed sheets
3. lots of shoes
4. hanging clothes
5. hanging jewelry organizer, completely empty!
6. two red table cloths, destined to become living room curtains someday
7. three large boxes of JUNK
8. bumper pads from Ryan's nursery set, made by my mom

Eight things... in my purse

1. three pens
2. flashlight
3. toothbrush
4. one dollar bill
5. mint gum
6. earrings
7. scissors
8. religious tracts from the girls' church

Eight things... in my(bedroom, kitchen, or car, choose one)

1. five quilts
2. three afghans
3. dozens of books/magazines
4. cd player
5. yarn
6. suitcases
7. picture boxes
8. artwork

A Major Award!!

Autumn left me an award, isn't it COOL?


Here are the rules that you agree to when you accept this award:

"When you receive the prize, you must write a post showing it, together with the name of who has given it to you, and link them back. Choose a minimum of 7 blogs that you find brilliant in their content or design. Show their names and links and leave them a comment informing that they were prized with 'Honest Weblog'. List [if you can and/or dare] at least ten honest things about yourself. Then, pass it on!"

1. oi************(Tallulah is helping me this morning) Speaking of morning, I rarely eat a traditional American breakfast. Give me spaghetti, leftover roast, even a sandwich over eggs and toast or cereal. However, I do love a bagel with cream cheese.

2. I'm not a sentimental/romantic person at all. Don't buy me flowers or give me cards. Instead, do something realistic like bring dark chocolate or a bag of cat food or something.

3. My introverted nature makes it hard for me to socialize. I am just exhausted after a day filled with talking to others but I do enjoy a good conversation now and then.

4. I love thrift shops but don't get to shop nearly as much as I'd like. Some of my favorite things have come from Salvation Army or Goodwill. You never know what goodies may be lurking in them! Heck, I even dreamed about thrifting last night. Yes really!!!

5. Yall may have noticed that I love animals too! My heart is soft and I tend to take on more than we really need but they are all well cared for and loved.

6. Dieting is not my favorite thing. Neither is exercising. I try to do at least one of them every day though. Right now its the exercising.

7. For some reason I have a mental block about growing my hair longer than my shoulders. Its only been that long once in my lifetime. I also have a mental block about cleaning my bedroom and bathroom but that's another thing.

8. I want desperately to learn how to machine quilt but I'm terrified I'll mess it up. Using the sewing machine is hard for me, don't know why.

9. My unfinished objects pile is bigger than I want it to be. I don't even want to know how may projects are lurking around waiting for completion.

10. Someday I'd like to raise sheep for fiber. Or at least I think I do, it sounds like a romantic thing to do(see #2). It might end up being more trouble than its worth.

Now for my nominees!

1. Clickmom. I have just started following her weightloss endeavors and have found she's a very interesting person!

2. Kel over at A Slice of the Pie. Because she needs to get past that post about blood in the kitchen. Bleck!!

3. Damn Yankee. Since Betts just tagged me for a random facts thing and listed 7 of her own, she only has to do 3 more.

4. Purple Squirrel because her blog is so peaceful and soothing every time. I want to know her secrets!

5. Spruce Hill. Her (very new to me) blog is full of beauty and honesty and a delish recipe for corn chowder that I'll be trying soon.

6. Cedar Chest Quilts is someone who lives near me and also homeschools but we've never met. She's also on a quilter's email group with me. I enjoy her blog but would love to know more about her.

7. Keetha's Stuff'n Such because I haven't picked on her in a loooong time and she needs something to do.

book tagged!

Jeanne got me!!

The rules are:(just so you'll know, I don't typically follow rules so if you want to play, have at it!)

1. Link to the person who tagged you and post the rules on your blog.
2. Share seven random and/or weird book facts about yourself.
3. Tag seven random people at the end of your post, and include links to their blogs.
4. Let each person know that they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

My seven random book facts:

1. I LOVE to read!!!

2. I don't have time to read! I used to but having 3 kids and all the activities that go with them kind of puts a damper on sitting still long enough to read. Crocheting has taken the place of reading when I have a minute to relax, it is much more soothing to me.

3. That being said, I finished the LOTR trilogy(again) this summer, plus The Hobbit.

4. I don't have favorite authors. I have favorite stories. Steven King's The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon is one, the Little House series is another as is The Red Tent by Anita Diamant(I suspect I'd love all of her stuff though).

5. Cooking, how-tos, historical stuff, poems, alternative medical treatments(moxibustion, herbal lore, etc.), Greek myths, and many other topics are things I love to read about.

6. I do 75% of my reading online in the form of blogs and online publications.

7. My children get their reading qualities from their dad. He(they) mostly reads for information. It isn't that they don't read for pleasure but more that the pleasure is finding out about their intended subject. These days I mostly read this way too(see #2) but when I was a child-teen I read mostly stories for pleasure.

Well this confirms it...

I sure am Strange!

You Are an Alien

You're so strange, people occasionally wonder if you're from another world. You don't try to be different, but you see most things from a very unique, very offbeat perspective. Brilliant to the point of genius, you definitely have some advanced intelligence going on. No matter what circles you travel in, you always feel like a stranger. And it's a feeling you've learned to like. Your greatest power: Your superhuman brain Your greatest weakness: Your lack of empathy - you just don't get humans You play well with: Zombies

What Kind of Monster Are You?

I'm participating in...


over at Smiling Sally's.



(our tree should look like this again in a few weeks, I hope!)


(my mom gave these antique pretties to me last year for Christmas)


(Mark made this painted box for a Christmas present years ago. I'm not sure if this was for his mom or my mom)


(Amy drew this last year using paint)

In other news...

Around bedtime last night a blustery cold front blew in with a vengence! I've only heard the wind howling like that during a hurricane! Because of our recent room rearranging, our bed is now under the window and the tree is just feet away from us. Needless to say, it took a long time for me to get to sleep. We ended up losing several good-sized limbs and branches. One hit the house and rolled off, its about 15 feet long and as big around as my thigh! Surprisingly, none of the branches that were broken during Ike ended up on the ground. I think they are too tangled up to come loose, for now.

We've been so slammed around here that our staples are low. This almost never happens but our weekend was so hectic that we ran out of cat litter, potatoes, ice, and lunch meat! So, I have GOT to run to the grocery store. I'd much rather stay home and work on my crocheted bags though. They are coming along nicely and I hope to have several ready for Patricia to sell soon. Pictures are coming soon.

One thing we'll definitely do today is make Homesick Texan's Wacky Cake! I've heard of this cake before but I'm not sure I've ever tasted one. I hope its good! We'll doctor ours up with cayenne powder and maybe cinnamon so I'm sure it will be scarfed down.

My mom sent some Christmas ornament kits to the girls so if we have time and if they're in the mood, we may work on those a bit. One is needle-felted ornaments and one is styrafoam balls with sequins to stick on with pins.

Nothing to do....

Jeanne over at Backyard Neighbor(in my side bar, I'm too tired to make a link) thought I was needing some blog fodder so she tagged me with this one! The rules are: You go to your fourth file and then the fourth photo and post it. Seeing as I don't have file folders for my pictures aside from photos and kids drawings, I'll take one from each.


(kids from February of 2004)


(I'm not sure who did this one but it was probably from 2004-05)

I'm tagging whoever wants to play along! Just leave me a comment so I can come see your picture(s)!

Seven Things(a meme)...

Borrowed from Backyard Neighbor. You may certainly play along if you'd like!

Seven Things I Plan To Do Before I Die

1. Have lots of fun.
2. Take vacations.
3. See my children grow up and be happy.
4. Own lots more pets(not all at the same time though) including livestock pets.
5. Make many, many more quilts.
6. Learn to machine quilt.
7. Crochet my dream afghan.

Seven Things I Can Do

1. Cook a great dinner.
2. Drive a 5-speed.
3. Put fabrics and/or colors together(good color sense).
4. Organize my homeschool group's park days.
5. Pick good movies.
6. Grocery shop to save money and provide healthy stuff for my family.
7. Decorate our home.

Seven Things I Cannot Do

1. Speak a foreign lauguage.
2. Water ski.
3. Knit well.
4. Tolerate certain personality types.
5. Fake a friendship.
6. Watch reality television.
7. Kill a snake(bad ones included).

Seven Things that Attract Me to My Mister

1. His integrity and honesty.
2. The way he is tenacious.
3. His selflessness.
4. His sense of humor.
5. The enthusiasm he has for life no matter what gets tossed our way.
6. His mad ironing skillz.
7. The way he approaches our marriage as a partnership.

Seven Things I Say Most Often

1. Ryyyyyan, will you (do the dishes, feed the dogs, do the litterboxes)?.
2. No.
3. Have a sandwich.
4. Yes, you can.
5. I'll have to talk to dad first.
6. We just bought those(case of cokes, bag of chips) yesterday and they're gone?
7. Has anyone seen my scissors? Sarah??


Seven Celebrity Admiration's(I'm changing this to be artists/celebrities whose work I enjoy)

1. John Candy
2. Garrison Keillor
3. Dawn French
4. Alison Krauss
5.
6. I have to stop at 4 because I don't really admire people for their celebrity status. I enjoy who I enjoy, like who I like, and that's that.
7.

Seven Favorite Foods

1. Homemade bread
2. My chicken fajitas
3. Schlotsky's original sandwich
4. Biscuits and gravy
5. My homemade special spaghetti sauce
6. Apple pie(any homemade)
7. A good loaded green salad

Seven Things I Enjoy(added to take the place of the celebrity part which I failed)

1. Planning my next project.
2. Talking to my kids.
3. Having "alone time" to walk or crochet, or nap or whatever.
4. Riding in the car with my hubby.
5. Cooking meals for my family.
6. Antiques and junk stores.
7. My animals.

A Hubby Meme...

(Mark with a new baby Buttercup)

Blatantly stolen from Jeanne's(Backyard Neighbor) blog. In light of the fact that I've known my hubby for over 19 years now and because I don't mention him often in my blogging, I thought I'd do this for him.

1. He's sitting in front of the TV; what is on the screen?
Probably any kind of football or a drama of some kind(Sarah Connor Chronicles and Fringe are current faves) or America's Funniest Videos.

2. You're out to eat; what kind of dressing does he get on his salad?
Ranch baby, he loves it(as do the girls). And we eat this at HOME, not "out to eat" because he loves my cooking best(smart man).

3. What's one food he doesn't like?
He's not a big fan of yellow squash, no matter what I do to it.

4. You go out to the bar. What does he order?
A dark beer.

5. Where did he go to high school?
Longview High School

6. What size shoe does he wear?
size 9

7. If he was to collect anything, what would it be?
He used to collect sports junk.

8. What is his favorite type of sandwich?
Italian sub or hot turkey and swiss with honey mustard and olives.

9. What would this person eat every day if he could?
Cheese.

10. What is his favorite cereal?
Honey Nut Cheerios are what he most often eats but I don't think he loves them. He'd rather eat Count Chocula or something like that.

11. What would he never wear?
A dress.

12. What is his favorite sports team?
Dallas Cowboys and Texas Longhorns

13. Who will he vote for?
I'm not sure he knows yet.

14. Who is his best friend?
Yours truly.

15. What is something you do that he wishes you wouldn't do?
Leave messes, he is a neat freak.

16. How many states has he lived in?
Two, Texas and Oklahoma(for 7 months)

17. What is his heritage?
He is adopted and we have no idea. We want to find out someday though.

18. You bake him a cake for his birthday; what kind of cake?
Cheesecake!

19. Did he play sports in high school?
Nope. Now he plays city league softball and runs.

20. What could he spend hours doing?
Fishing, listening to his favorite music, watching sports, detailing his car...

Easy Friday...

In order to avoid some major room cleaning this afternoon, I sat and filled out this meme, oh around 1:40pm(my innernets didn't work to let me post it then). Promptly afterward I took a 2-hour nap on the loveseat. The room will have to wait til tomorrow.

Eye Color: Dark green with rusty brown centers.
Hair Color: Dark brown with copper highlights and newly added grey shimmers.
--Dyed or Natural: Natural.
--Curly or Straight: Mostly straight with asymmetrical waves.
Right- or Left-handed: Left
Tan or Pale: splotchy tan in some places, lily white in others, does that make me spotted?
Jeans or Khakis: comfy capris
Country, Rap, or Rock: 70s-80s classic rock and classic country(occasionally) but mainly new age.
Heritage: English, German, Norman
Shoes you're wearing today: NONE
Your weakness(es): Cute animals.
Your perfect pizza: Homemade
Favorite color: Mostly greens but I love color in general.
Favorite place: Home
Goal you'd like to achieve: Too many to list, lose weight, get in shape, have a clean, organized house, declutter to the point of being THROUGH with it already..
Your most overused phrase(s): Feed the (pigs, cats, dogs) please!
Your thoughts first waking up: What the heck was that dream all about?
Your best physical feature(s): My smile.
Your bedtime: Usually around 10ish, later for the Olympics though, last night after midnight!
Your most missed memory: Actually, I think they've all been found.
Pepsi or Coke: Dr. Pepper, hello?
McDonald's or Burger King: McDonalds if I have to.
Single or group dates: Dates?
Adidas or Nike: Mizuno
Lipton Ice Tea or Nestea: Uncle Yee's Green Tea, iced.
Chocolate or vanilla: Yep
Cappuccino or coffee: Coffee

DO YOU:
Smoke: Nope
Cuss: Yes
Have a boyfriend/girlfriend: Yep, he's my hubby.
Take a shower: 3-4 times a year.
Have a crush(es): No.
Think you've been in love: Yes
Want to get married: Done
Believe in yourself: Yes
Believe in God: Yes
Believe in your government: Oh Yes, its definitely real.
Get motion sickness: No
Think you're attractive: Don't consider it.
Think you're a health freak: Not really but I am concerned.
Get along with your parents: Yes
Like thunderstorms: If they rain out a softball game, yes. And other times too of course.

IN THE PAST MONTH, HAVE YOU:
Drunk alcohol: No
Gone on a date: No
Gone to the mall: No
Been on stage: No
Eaten an entire box of Oreos: No
Eaten sushi: No
Been dumped: No
Gone skating: No
Gone skinny dipping: No
Stolen anything: No
(oh look, a perfect score!)

IN THE NUMBERS:
Number of people I could trust with my life: Four
Number of CD's: Buckets and buckets
Number of piercings: Two in each ear
Number of tattoos: None
Number of times my name has appeared in the newspaper: At least 10.
Number of scars on my body: lots

Quirks....

Maizee at Fabric and Yarn Stasher tagged me and Susan at Blackberry Creek so I'm playing for both of them!

I won't tag anybody outright, play along if you dare! Here's the rules(which I rarely follow)
1. Link back to the person who tagged you.
2. Mention the rules on your blog.
3. Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours.
4. Tag 6 following bloggers by linking to them.
5. Leave a comment letting them know they've been tagged.

My quirks would be thus:

1. I hate to hear balloons popping. I hate loud noises in general but this one can cause me to have a panic attack in seconds! Don't know why. Consequently my kids are always BEGGING for balloons. I finally give in and when one pops I freak out, yell at them(because they KNOW how it is for me and balloons), and go sulk in my room.

2. My feet get washed every night right before I get into bed. One of my biggest pet peeves is crumbs in the bed and this seems to help. Yall now know that I am a true princess.(and yall got a freebie quirk)

3. I don't eat syrup on my pancakes. I eat them with either bacon or ham layered with each bite. Oh, and plenty of butter!

4. I am a notorious maker of lists, but rarely do what is on them.

5. A platter of sausage, gravy and biscuits is way more appealing than a bowl of ice cream. I'm not big on sweets.

6. It has to be near pitch dark for me to sleep at night. Even the light from the vcr or alarm clock has to be covered up. Mark thinks I am NUTS but it really does bother me through my eyelids! Yes it does.

And in other news...

My little brother finished hiking the Appalachian Trail!!!! He started last year but came home shy of the finish for family reasons. He went back not long ago and picked up where he left off. The weather was horrid the whole way but he stuck with it and came to the end!! YEAH! Now he's looking at another hike, 900-something miles from western North Carolina to the coast. I can't remember what he said the name of it is but I bet he's on it soon! Keep him in your thoughts and prayers, he's got the same nasty vurus that we've had.


(note the fog and banged up shins-it was not an easy hike)


(my next big project, still no desk but this was $12.50 at Goodwill)

What I worked on this afternoon:

I warn you, it is GROSS...


(do I really need all this? it came from the drawer)


(at least those crumbs are just salt, it could be worse)


(some of those things didn't make it back into the drawer, that pampered chef sandwich cut and seal really shouldn't be there though)

A Fun Little Meme...

Well, I guess it is a meme. Not the kind you tag someone with. Actually it is more of a checklist, modified from one I found at My Simpler Life, which is one of my favorite inspirational sites. Hmmm, maybe a copout? I don't know. Whatever you choose to see it as, here it is.

What is outside my front door: Heat and dying grass, dirty guinea pig bedding.

What is on my mind: When is this sinus thing going to end?

Things I am thankful for right now: Mark's amazing knack for landing on his feet and hitting the ground running. My parents ability to finance pool repairs(pool fixer guy is coming tomorrow). Not having to think about "back to school" crap. Clever kids who don't give me too much trouble.

What I am reading: Lots and lots of DIY and decorating mags, The Celts, The Two Towers(for about the 40th time).

Goings on inside the house: Decluttering, deep cleaning of bathrooms, fridge and pantry, anticipation of new computer desk(soon, hopefully this weekend we'll find one at a thrift shop).

What I am listening to: Healing Therapy Music.

What I want: A place for a clothes line and a small garden.

Things I'm creating: I'm working on a ripple afghan and creating a cleaner, more restful, peaceful home.

Things from the kitchen: Brownies with toasted pecans, Chinese cabbage slaw, breakfast for dinner.

What I have planned for today: Taking the girls swimming, continued decluttering(housecleaning), laundry, putting beans on to soak.

What I have planned for this week: Park day tomorrow morning, buying some pine shavings for the piggies' bedding, grocery shopping, reading, thrifting, swimming, and relaxing.

Some current favorites: Diet Cherry 7Up, my new blue door, my paint color in the bedroom(now I think it is just perfect), "orange julius" made with Bolthouse Farms "C Boost" and rice milk over lots of ice-yummmm.

A Silly Song Meme(and new ripple 'ghan pics)

Susan at Blackberry Creek tagged me for this one. I am always up for a silly meme!!

Tag Rules:

1. Post the link to the person who tagged you and post the rules on your blog.
2. Share 5 songs you are embarrassed to admit to others that you like and tell why.
3. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post.

Here are my 5 songs. They really show my wild, funkified, side and are a blast to listen to.

The Go go's, Vacation(um, no explanation needed, this is truly a horrid song)

Ram Jam's, Black Betty(this one is just fun to funk out to but extremely nerdy)

The Flight of the Concords, Ladies of the World(this one has a great beat but is actually a spoof)

AC/DC's, Thunderstruck(again, no explanation needed)

and last but not least,

Rufus and Chaka Khan's Tell Me Something Good(Mark just thinks this is hideous. I wish my mouth was half that size though, I could be "such" a singer!)

I'm tagging Anet at Purple Squirrel, Tricia at Tricia's Place of Peace, and Chickenbells at Fooleswoode. Anyone else can play along, just let me know in the comments!!

Now for the afghan pics! I'm making this for our living room because we don't really have an afghan big enough to cuddle with. Its using the Susan B's Easy Ripple Pattern(google it if you want).


The actual names of the colors are...

Dark Country Blue, Light Sage, Black, Toasted Almond, Sea Blue, Brown, and Light Gray. Such original names! This yarn is great, the weight is pretty heavy, more than Red Heart and much softer. Almost a cross between a heavier Red Heart and Caron's Simply Soft. Not as flimsy-floppy feeling as the SS but definitely not scratchy like the RH. Anyway, it feels like it will make a substantial blanket for us.



I'm hoping to post a wonderful surprise tomorrow but it will depend on if someone sends me pictures or not. They know who they are!

Only One Me, Thank God!

HowManyOfMe.com

There are 1 or fewer people with my name in the U.S.A. and 4 with Mark's name(and only 822 people have the last name of Sonier). There is 1 Ryan but 2 Amys and 2 Sarahs. My brother shares his name with over 3700 others and my dad shares his with 23,428 but my mom only shares with 6300. Pretty cool huh? How many have your name?

Now for my freaky hair, which may well be my best feature besides my sparkly eyes and winning smile, lol. These are some bad photographs but...



I do NOTHING to my hair and this is how it looks. The color, a brassy chestnut, is growing off from this past winter, underneath is a dark coffee brown with lots more silver than I remember.





I wash it, sometimes with baking soda, and rinse sometimes with beer or vinegar, brush it and go. Very occasionally I'll straighten it but lately it seems to make me look more wrinkley.

A Name Meme...

Sadira found this cool name meme at Stiletto Heights. If you want to play along, just substitute your name for mine and google your name + the next word in the sentence(eg your name needs).

Molly needs is a little help from her girlfriends...
(Indeed I do!)

Molly looks like a teenager in this photo…

(because I WAS a teenager in this photo)

Molly does not like to be sprayed by the water hose
(not entirely true, I don't mind if it is on mist and very hot outside)

Molly hates peas!
(not true at all, I love peas!)

MOLLY GOES TO THE BEACH!!!
(very rarely as we are over 5 hours from a beach)

Molly Loves You! ♥
(yes, yes I do)

Molly eats the fruit and gathers the blackberries
(this has been known to happen)

Molly Has the Luck of the Irish
(I hope so)

Molly died trying to help somebody
(yikes!)

Molly will do the big announcement
(we'll see)

What Homeschooling Means to Us...

Karen at Leaping From The Box is playing along with this awesome homeschooling meme so I thought I'd join in too.

Why do you homeschool?

Honestly? Because if I didn't, I'd already be in jail for assault. I don't do well with rules(especially those I see as stupid). Having my kids home is natural, unlike families who only see each other an hour a day or less. The school-dictated schedule might be the societal norm but it is definitely not "natural". We enjoy being free to do what we want, when we want.

What technique or curriculum do you use?

We are life-based learners. This means that if Ryan wants to spend all week looking up catfish bait recipes, or the best weather conditions for catching crappie, or view instructional videos for guitar on youtube all day long, he can. The fishing stuff alone would cover earth science, zoology, chemistry, reading, and probably many other "subjects". This is how real life works, it rarely resembles a classroom setting so there is no need to duplicate that at home.


(several years ago at park day)

Do your kids work above or below grade level (or both!)?

I'm not sure, probably both! I know Amy isn't up to speed in math but she can read and reason very well. She understands a lot about genetics and breeding, from her love of studying dog, cat, guinea pig, and cattle breeds. The math will come to her when she needs it so I'm not worried. This question reminds me of "way back when". Ryan was learning his letters at a young age(maybe 3.5 or so) and Mark's dad made a comment about him not knowing the alphabet song. What? Who cares? He knows his letters because they are letters, not from a song! Anyway, now Ryan can read whatever he wants to but his spelling isn't the greatest. Having read some things his myspace peers have written(both the girls and guys), he is right on par with them. Maybe it is just the way things are done online with that age group.

What is your educational level?

Lets just say I quit while I was ahead. I had no idea what I wanted to do but majored in a subject that was interesting at the time(Native American Studies). It got real political and I ended up coming home, getting married and never really getting focused on college again. Mark has a BBA in Marketing.

Do you feel that your education level has an effect on your teaching (both limits and abilities?)

None at all. I am perfectly capable of learning and providing an atmosphere in which my children can learn.


(Amy and Basil)

What does your daily schedule look like?

Our schedule varies widely. Once a week we have to be at Park Day at 9am and sometimes I have to leave the kids at home while I run errands. We have major clean-up days and goofing off days, artsy days and movie-watching days. Days we are extremely busy and days we can't seem to get going.


(37 kids came to our group's field trip to Longview Museum of Fine Arts)

Are your kids always polite and ready to learn?

If my kids are rude it is always unintentional, they never want to hurt anyone's feelings. They are always learning, but not always at a fast pace or a tangible subject.


(Ryan's Summer 2007 Pool Party)

Do the kids (or you!) get frustrated?

I think Ryan is frustrated that he can't have everyone come to our house 24/7. He is very social where Amy and I are not. We enjoy a slower, quieter day. It is hard to work out an agreement on this, one that he doesn't try to alter at least twice a week.

I get frustrated with how they do chores occasionally. Ryan cuts corners with some things. Mostly I am NOT frustrated with their performance but now and then it gets on my nerves.


(homeschool group halloween party, 2006)


How has this affected your parenting?

I don't think it has, if this question is referring to the previous question. If it refers to how homeschooling has affected my parenting, I'll say that it has made it Infinitely Easier! I don't have to defend "our way" to my kids when they come up with what "everyone else" is doing(well, not very often anyway). They are not ruled by a crowd of kids, they can make decisions based on how they feel, not to go along with the group.


(Sarah and Buddy)

How much free time do they have?

All day long most days. They(we) have chores that have to be done every day since we have so many animals. The girls feed and water the cats and guinea pigs every day, and change piggie bedding as often as twice a week in each of two cages(this is hard work). Ryan feeds and waters the dogs once a day, loads and unloads the dishwasher daily and mows the lawn less than once a week. The girls gather dishes and put them in the sink so Ryan doesn't have to search for them. They all help with laundry(gathering, folding sometimes, and putting away) and even do their own loads occasionally.


(kids with Buttercup)

What do they do during their free time?

The girls play games with the dogs, draw in notebooks or on the computer, jump on the trampoline, mess with craft stuff, read, watch television, listen to music, play in the water hose(our pool is being repaired), study things online, email their friends, take pictures, play with the guinea pigs or cats... and lots of other things.

Ryan pretty much stays online, either on myspace or looking up fishing stuff or guitar things(how to play and videos of his favorite rock bands mainly). He also plays with the girls outside and spends lots of time messing with his fishing equipment or on the phone with his friends. He sometimes fishes at a stock pond in a pasture near our house but not by himself. His friends are usually here, we don't go too many nights without having an extra boy or two staying with us.

What hobbies do they have?

I hope I've explained them in the previous question! I realize that free time is viewed very differently by public schooled kids. In our case, Hobbies = interests. We don't look at the things we enjoy as hobbies, but as a part of how we express ourselves, grow, learn, and relax.


(Ryan and Friends)

What difficulties and challenges do you have with homeschooling?

In east Texas it is hard to find homeschoolers who are not doing it for religious reasons. This isn't a bad thing, it just means that there are usually major differences in general homeschooling philosophy. Mostly, religious homeschoolers are also "school-at-homers" and use a curriculum and schedule. There are very few unschoolers around and most of "them" tend to be very different from "us". We are a mainstream family, we shop at Walmart, watch SpongeBob, and other typical things. We aren't trying to live off the grid or be ultra-greenies or politically correct.

What makes homeschooling enjoyable?

Being with my kids all day. Knowing they aren't in the false rat race of school. Watching them learning and ejoying what they are doing, and that its for them, what THEY want to do.

How do you get involved in the community?

We typically don't. No offense, but we kind of enjoy being apart from the crowds. We occasionally donate supplies to the local animal shelter and we donate to food pantries and that sort of thing.

When do you have opportunities to interact with public or privately schooled children?

About half of their friends are public schooled kids. Ryan attends church where he is the only homeschooled kid in the large youth group. He's also one of the most popular among them. Amy is content to have some long-distance homeschooled friends and one close friend who goes to public school(her mom is a friend of mine and a high school Spanish teacher). Sarah is also friends with this girl and has some friends who attend our homeschool group's park day.


(kids with Amy and Sarah's friends)

Would you like more of these opportunities?

No thank you. I'm an introvert and the going we do is plenty for me. Amy is the same way. Ryan, as I wrote earlier, would rather have a pool/guitar/fishing party going on at all times. The wilder the better as far as he is concerned. Sarah is in the middle, she's social but not stupid and enjoys her downtime.

How can they be created?

This implies that socializing with non-homeschooled kids is desirable(it is neutral in my opinion). Or that it is somehow not easily obtained, which is the case during "school hours" but definitely workable in summers and after school, or on weekends.

What is your least favorite homeschool stereotype?

That we go around winning spelling bees and reciting geographical facts.

Or, on a more serious note, that homeschool families are hiding some sort of abuse of their children. Abuse happens to kids no matter what their educational status is. Yes, it is possibly easier for parents to get away with it if the kids aren't in the public eye every day. It also happens that tens of thousands of kids go through public school being beaten or starved or whatever, and never get "rescued".

A funny stereotype story:

I run a group of about 60 homeschooling moms but I can assure you, even though most of them are conservative Christians, few, if any, of them approach the Duggars as far as stereotypical appearances. You would not know we were homeschoolers by looking at us. We appear to be a typical moms' group with a mix of fashion-forwardness and regular, comfy, mom attire.

Several weeks ago we were at our regular homeschool park day. We watched a young "mom" in a denim jumper with long hair leading a group of several kids down to the play area. All the girls had on long skirts with long hair, all the boys were nicely dressed as well. We just "knew" this was a homeschooling family(perhaps the "mom" was actually an older sister because she looked kind of young to have that many kids). Finally, I got up to ask if she was a homeschooler and it turns out she's a teacher at one of the local Christian schools. She baby-sits some of her students during the summers at her home(she still lives with her parents and *was* too young to have all those kids for her own) and does lots of fun activities with them. We all got a big chuckle over how we stereotyped this poor girl!

And I Am Now**...

I am green tea, iced, Sara Lee and Frito Lay.
I am stained carpet and unmade bed, crumbs on the counter and animals on the couch.
I am thrift seeker and sometimes finder.



I am dog-hole yard, unkept lawn and falling down fence.
I am flower gardens and mosquito shade.
I am a kitty person.



I am real Christmas trees and hand-made ornaments.
I am broccoli-rice casserole and ranch dip with chips.
I am simple traditions and relaxed celebrations.
I am brownies instead of birthday cake.



I am lazy with laundry, creative with dinner, and feed the kids when they're hungry but never at the table.
I am chicken fajitas, homemade pizzas and sausage spaghetti sauce.



I am blessed with precious children and a selfless soulmate.
I am homeschool mom and stray dog rescuer, guinea pig advocate and towel gatherer.
I am crafting til bedtime and avid inspiration hunter.
I am soft music and low lights and quilt maker.



I am Christian but not churched, continually in His presence and see Him in everything.
I am curious, awed, and interested, that's how God made me.





I am satisfied and calm. I am sure and happy.

** I came up with this one to express that just because we *are from* something doesn't me we are that now. Answers, of course, are likely to be different 5 years(maybe even 5 weeks, days or even hours from now) from now because we are in a constant state of growth and change.

I am From....

I am from lawn mowers, shag carpet, and ceiling fans. From Gloria Vanderbilt, Candies and cable tv. I am from three bedrooms, two baths, pool and privacy fence. I am from Hondas and Fords and VW bus.



I am from the house on the corner, ordinary, comforting, home. From the Roughnecks and the Panthers. I am from coming home again.

I am from east Texas pines and oaks, gum trees and iron ore. I am from oil leases, pulp wood, lakes, and thick forests.



I am from watermelon festivals and the Smith forehead, from Bud and Mert and Barry and Wheat, Patrick and Roper. From hay barns and chicken houses, fried squash and mashed potatoes with millionaire pie for dessert.



I am from the long-lived and happy marriages. From grandmothers who did not hold paying jobs and mom who did.



From time to get up and finish your homework. From hard worker and undeniable talent. From working together as a team.



I am from Southern Baptist. From choirs and tithes, Sunday dressing and Sunday football.



I'm from California but mostly from Texas. I am from volumes of genealogy. From different, not the same.



From latch-key, ground beef tacos, cream gravy, corn on the cob, Texas sheet cake and ice cream. From diet coke, tuna fish, peanut butter crackers, macaroni and cheese.



From remember when the boys soaped the fountain? From dad and brother carrying the Olympic torch and painting the car in the backyard. From proms and boyfriends, first car and brothers.

I am from photo albums under the stairs, quilts in the closet and dishes in the china hutch. Momentos of other lives indelibly linked to mine.

Find how to write your own story here.

Last Two Words...

From Anet's wonderful project.
Volacious- apt or fit to fly
Maven- a person who has special knowledge or experience; an expert


Our wildlife sightings included volacious cormorants who nest in dead trees.





Mark is such a maven when it comes to all things to do with fishing. He rewired the lights on the boat trailer, restrung fishing reels, navigated across submerged trees, and backed the boat up at least a dozen times without batting an eye.