trying to FLY

It is so tough for me to get organized and get everything that I want to do done. So once more I am trying to use FLYlady's system to help me. 15 minutes at a time, right?? That goes so much against my nature. I want to get everything done at once or I don't want to do it at all. So then it becomes impossible. I did manage to make the planned meal for supper yesterday from my Menus for Moms newsletter. Taco Cresent Bake with Bacon Ranch Beans and I added in some tater tots, because who can eat our version of Mexican food without Mexi-fries!! It was alright. Something about trying new recipes makes cooking fun, although a part of me knows that regular tacos would likely be better received by my audience. Oh well, it was worth a try.
Now I am supposed to do 15 minutes of de-cluttering in my bedroom today. Oh man, really? My bedroom becomes the room where everything else goes when there is no where to put it. This is not the way I want it to be, I want my room to be a nice relaxing place like you always see on Trading Spaces! I heard someone once say (probably Martha Stewart) that your bedroom should be an oasis from your long day. Somewhere you and your husband can retreat. All mine is right now is a cluttered TV watching room. Nothing retreat like at all!! Okay, nightstands is the order of the day...I can do anything for 15 minutes right?

This is why I want more time, to make more cards! I went to a party last night and this is what we made. I didn't buy anything because I am committed to a hostess club, so my craft budget is spoken for, but it was nice to make these cards and learn something new - the swirly background on the Christmas card is a new technique! It was a fun time!
Off to de-clutter my nightstand!

Well under way

We had our first week of our regular year schedule last week...and I almost cried! No, literally!
After 2 years of barely any activities it was quite a shock! It will be good though, just a matter of adjusting. So the week looks like this:
Sunday - 2 services of church - worship at 8:30 and Sunday School at 10:00 - Greg and I are teaching Grade 2 Sunday school, which has been fun so far!
Greg and I also joined an adult bowling league for Sunday nights. It has been so fun, both weeks. I am glad I voted yes!
Monday - choir for oldest 2 from 6:15-7:00 p.m. which after this week I may not go with to take them anymore...or maybe I will my go by myself...there's not enough time to DO anything so there is no point in us all going.
Tuesday - free (yeah)
Wednesday is Faithbuilders for Grace, Junior Youth for Olivia and care group for the rest of us - all after supper.
Thursday is free
Friday is ARCHE Afternoon Activities - as of this week!
Saturday - dance for all 3 oldest - we drop off at 10:15 and are done by 12:15.
Crazy, heh? We also did pretty close to a full week of school last week, which was nice! I like going together to all of this stuff, but for some of it - there is just no point, like choir. We'll have to work out a better plan for that.
As you can imagine (those of you who know my eldest daughter) last week was also very emotional for her. Change has always been hard for Olivia...she needs time to adjust. The end of her ability to cope came before Monday's choir. She handled it very poorly - which afforded us the opportunity to talk about how to approach new situations and how to adjust. I think it will be better this week. It is so hard to be an adolescent!!! (And also hard to be her parent!)

First day of dance!!!

I have really missed ballet buns, dance slippers, mondor tights, and special dance bags!!!





We`ll let you know how it went!!!

I took this test - just for fun!! (another thing I blog-lifted)

94 As a 1930s wife, I am Very Superior Take the test!

I stole this quote from a friend's blog today

"We, as persons, are not enlightened by means of multiple-choice tests or grades, but rather by the other people in our lives that we come to know, admire and love. We are educated by our friendships and by our intimacies. For instance, think how the actions of someone you admire influence your behaviour. Similarly, think also of how a boy's interest is sparked by a hobby he loves, and to which he devotes all his time and trouble. Whether it be gardening, keeping house, or governing a state, love of work - like love of people- teaches things that no school, no system, can. " Karen Andreola Charlotte Mason Companion

I copied and pasted this today from my friend's blog today - it's actually kind of funny, because the first book that I borrowed and never read about homeschooling was THIS book - the Charlotte Mason Companion. Oh well, I am doing alright without it...but you know, reading things like this does remind you of your focus and your purpose. We officially had our first day of school today...our first whole day with all subjects. It was good, but it is also a good time to get a reminder that although our workbooks are great, and our unit study is great - the purpose, the reason for us choosing homeschooling is to give our children more than just a workbook education. It is really important for them to read, and to do math correctly...it is important for them to know history, geography and the rest - but it is ultimately so much more than just that.
Remind me of that when I get stressed about too much 'socializaton' okay?? Not that I want a free-for-all of hanging out with no structured school time - anyone who knows me at all will know that I don't mean that...but I need to keep it in perspective. It is so important to read aloud together, to let the girls play pretend together, to visit with friends and family...my Grandpa, because he is not going to be here forever. Their grandparents, because grandparents have so much to offer in the way of having good actions to influence their behaviour.
I will try to remember this when I am getting stressed about all there is to study and how little time we really have!

Wordless Wednesday