The Paradox

A friend pointed out the other day that I hadn't posted here in over two months. After the shock wore off that there is someone out there who cares enough to check here regularly to see if I've posted and note the frequency of the posts, I responded, "Yeah, I know. Life's been too crazy." And there is my paradox... when life is busy, I don't have time to post here; when life is slow and I have all the time in the world to write blog posts, I don't have anything interesting to write about.

Here's a brief list of all the stuff that's gone on in the last two months that I would have loved to have written about (and will, eventually) but just didn't have time to because, well, I was busy doing them:

1. Frodo finished his first year in the PhD program (I know, that doesn't sound like it has much to do with me, but trust me, it does... it throws me into single-parent mode)

2. I finished the second book of my science curriculum series. (Now, I just have to shift gears and work on editing the first one.)

3. We took some time off of homeschooling and played, and the kids enjoyed having parents who weren't working, working, working. (We all so enjoyed this.)

4. My parents came for a week-long visit. (We hadn't seen them for almost a year, and really had a wonderful time.)

5. Had the car fixed. (That was a very expensive proposition.)

6. Had the car fixed again. (Can you call it "hemorrhaging money" when you're already broke?)

7. Took lots of pictures. (I am finally getting a chance to play with my new camera, plus the publisher for my books wants to go color and may use some of my photos.)

8. Read a lot of books. (I love to read... especially when I have writer's block or when I am procrastinating.)

9. Began attending small groups at church. (The church just started the small groups, and we love ours.)

10. Sent Primo off to Youth Group... one activity involved dropping her off on campus to meet-up with the rest of the youth to attend a concert. (I am not ready for this.)

11. Deep-cleaned the house. (I have been wanting to do this for months, but waited until the book was done and spring semester was over. The house is so nice and comfy now.)

12. Sketched a design and began collecting fabrics for my new nephew's quilt. (I haven't tried anything this ambitious before, but I think it will look great when it's done. I just hope I can have it done by September when we hope to drive up for a visit. Oh, and on that note, pray for gas prices to stay down.)

13. Started up our homeschool's summer session. (Homeschooling year-round is great. It allows us to take off from Thanksgiving to New Year's plus we are inside in the a/c or heat on the truly hot or cold days and have the time to take off a day or two when those perfect spring or fall days come around.)

14. Wrote up a school plan for the upcoming year and planned what texts I need to purchase. (Now I just need money... and more bookshelves.)

15. Wrote up a summer reading list for myself. (I tend to focus on "have-to" reading, education and work-related things, so I wanted to come up with goals that included some pleasure reading.)

16. Wrote up an outline and a list of reading materials in preparation for book 3. (Now all I need is the contract for book 3.)

17. Held a book handwritten in the 1300's, another that was one of only three copies known to be in existence (one of the other two is in the British Museum), and touched the signature of Frederick Douglass. (I'll post about that shortly. This was so cool!)

18. Found out that the University Museum allows homeschoolers to check out boxes of actual artifacts to take home and study. They will also set up private displays and viewings on request. (You know we'll be taking advantage of this.)

19. Ate way too many hot dogs. (I know they are bad for you, but they're yummy.)

20. Began walking in the walking park down the street three times a week. (see # 19)

That's all I can recall for now. I know there is more, but I am going to go hang out with the kids for a bit then start in on my summer reading list. I'll share some more details of our recent adventures soon... sooner than two months from now. Promise.

Fly on the Wall

Terzo: Mom, can we do that game where you read me stuff, and I write stuff?

Me: Um, what?

Terzo: You know, that game where you read me stuff out of that book, and I have a pencil and a piece of paper and write stuff you tell me. Then you take a red pen and write some of the things I wrote wrong right, so I have to write them again, but when I get them right, you use the red pen to write big C's next to them then you hug me! Can we play that game? Please!

Me: You mean a spelling test? Sure, I can give you a spelling test.

Terzo: Yay! I like the spelling test game!