I'm back...maybe!

I took a walk down memory lane on my blog, oh my how my life has changed since 2009. I've tried to keep up with my blogs and have failed miserably. I want to so much for I miss the networking, sharing and joy of being a part of the blogging community. I'm going to go slow, will not post everyday, but will try to at least post weekly.  There is a lot of new things happening in this single woman's life.  My kiddos are grown and there are grands. I want/need to return to a simpler lifestyle and enjoy the habits of being home. Coming soon ~ pics of my recent knitting and trip to see the grands.

Pray you all are well.  Be blessed.

Taking time to be ME!

Its been a great week though it has had its ups and downs. Learning how to pace myself and avoid unnecessary stressors so that I can live a healthier lifestyle. Need to work on stress management in order to be successful in other areas of my life, for I'm finding stress can cause me to miss out of some vital things and not do anything at all. School is going well and added Humanities 2 & French 2 to my class schedule. Have been enjoying my books and looking forward to the next 7wks, it will be busy for sure.

On the knitting front, my dishcloth is almost done and its yummy. It feels too good to use but I must. Purchased the lovely 2nd skein of Malabrigo I need to make my grandson's Owlie hat and a new lovely scarf. Will be taking a knitting class on Wednesday to make the Calligraphy Fringed Scarf but w/o the fringe. Looking forward to sitting home knitting, cross-stitching and enjoying the wonder of the fall weather.

Off to make plans for upcoming meals, birthday, exercise and homework. Hope you all had a great day!

~ Oct 15th ~

New day, new beginnings and a new outlook on life. Yup, thats for me and I'm lovin' it. I'm reassessing who I am, where I'm going and what's most important in my life. Yesterday was a very long day that started at 6:30a and ended at 11:30p. I've started my new bedtime of 10:30p during the week and am trying to find the right wakeup time. I don't think 6:30a is it haahaa. By 9p, I was ready for bed and no where near home. The purpose of these time changes is to get ready to become a full time student and transition into teaching. I'm looking forward to the new endeavors, however, discovered being a night owl and sleeping in late isn't going to help me. Hopefully, in another month I've developed the habit and will be early to bed and early to rise which supposedly makes one healthy, wealthy and wise.

On the knitting front ~ I'm working on a lovely Garterlac Dishcloth in Sugar n Creme's landscape. Its so soft and pretty, pics soon. I've enjoyed allowing myself the freedom to do the things I love again. I'm scheduling time to do these things so that I'm no longer deprived or stressed by life. Knew I missed my joys but didn't truly realize how much until I held that yarn and felt my body relax. Now to make beautiful things for my grandson...I've got my mojo back. LOL

Off to finish my day at work and prepare my Art History paper. Have an awesome day!

Simple Stress Relief

Its been a great day already. Though I awoke much later than I'd like, I'm doing wonderful. Had the greatest feeling as I held a ball of cotton yarn. Aahhh, what a lovely stress reliever. Me thinks I need to make a dishcloth today.

Tomorrow is "I love yarn day" so I plan to spend my free time touching, holding, and knitting some lovely yarn. What are you doing to celebrate this glorious day?

Been a long time

Wow, its been 6 months since I last posted. Yikes, I think I'm a little too busy for my own good. Its ok, I'm enjoying the ride and looking forward to resting when its all over.

Update ~ I'm working on completing my associates degree in liberal arts. I'm busy searching for the university that will be a perfect fit for me so that I can earn my bachelors. I've been dreaming of this day for a long time and I'm can't believe I'm here. I took a campus tour last week to a school I just knew was the one and it turns out I didn't feel at home there so I'm on the search. I feel like a teenager who has been set loose to pursue all they can be :D

Life is really busy to include me becoming a grandmere this coming January. I can't wait to meet my grandson. It truly will be a new experience for me and my Riley. January will be my new beginnings for this reason and so many more to include possibly moving onto the next level in my education.

On the knitting front ~ I've finished several little projects and need to get back into knitting. I've allowed the busyness of working 2 part time jobs and school to take away my stress reliever. I'm surrounded by several expecting mothers so that should be motivation enough to make some things lol. I'll post pics soon of my FOs to include the precious Owlie Sleep Sack I made for my grandson.

Time to get back to planning ~ I start 2 new classes on Monday and will start a new CM discussion, so need to tweak my schedule for these and my knitting.

Have an awesome wednesday!

Jan 8th

Look at me slacking already lol. Its been a very good week overall. I'm more peaceful, calm and simply enjoying where I am in my life. School started yesterday and I'm so excited. Heehee, I'm such an overachiever and nerd it ain't even funny. Its been interesting and I've wondered how I'd spend my days once my season of homeschooling was over. Now I know and its totally awesome.

This semester I'm taking the following:

Computer Concepts ~ 1st 8wks course ~ one I can teach in my sleep lol

Physical Science ~ 2nd 8wks course

French 1

Fundamentals of Music ~ my fun class

Voice Lessons

College Algebra

Purchased my books and spent a whooping $400 but its good, Uncle Sam paid for it..thanks big guy. I'm looking forward to this semester, gearing up for the transfer to OSU. Starting to give thought to where I want to teach when I'm done. East coast is calling me but I'm thinking west coast because I've never been and it would be an adventure. We shall see and whatever the future holds, I know that I'll enjoy every single moment of it.

On the knitting front...my OSU scarf is not moving along at all. Its an easy pattern I've done several times but the author is right it doesn't go very fast on large needles lol. I just need to sit down and watch a movie or listen to a book so I can get 'er done ;). Need to pick a project for sock yarn kal and need to finish socks for my friend in NYC. I like being busy and I like having things to do w/my hands and mind. I'm thinking 2011 is going to be an excellent year for me.

Have an awesome day! ;)

~ Happy New Year ~

May you fulfill all your dreams, goals and purpose this coming year and that it is filled w/the love, joy, peace and happiness you so richly deserve.

Be blessed!

~ Merry Christmas ~

Wishing you and yours a blessed and peaceful Christmas!

Time for change

I've been MIA for so long and I know its my own fault. I've allowed school and work to consume my every minute long w/being out late some nights with the crazy people in my life. However, its time to change. I need a fresh outlook, need a new schedule and system of order and I think my blog needs a new look too. Not sure what it will be but I'm thinking brighter, cheerier and definitely updated regularly by me. I can update again from my phone so I will be doing so.

Nothing new on the knitting scene but plans are forming for Christmas presents. No new books read but have a list. Did watch "The Great Game" the new BBC Sherlock series...loved it! Need to starting cooking and baking more instead of eating out so will try to do my weekly menus again even though are for one lol. Still getting use to this empty nest and living by myself but I'm hanging in there. My roommate and her kids are good people and keep me company when I need it.

Well off to look at new blog skins and create a list of things I want to do in 2011. Have a great evening.

Lovin' Life

Woohoo ~ been a good one today. Feeling pretty fabulous and enjoying the storm. Planning, thinking and simply being is the order of the day. I need to upgrade my resume and make some changes in how I think about my future but I'm no longer concerned for I now know its all in the Father's hands and He hasn't failed me yet.

I did finish my Circus Peds ~ yay! Starting a new pair for a friend then need to finish up a few washcloths. Other than that nothing on the queue but I'm sure w/the new Loops I'll find something like the new sock pattern I brought last week. Churchmouse Classics Turkish Bed Socks...can't wait to find the yarn that would make these look adorable. Which means time to go through my stash heehee.

Well time to get back to my reading and planning. Hope everyone has a wonderful day! ;D

I'm very tired....

so whats new right?! Its ok especially since I brought it on myself. I started working 2 jobs yesterday and it is taking a toll since I've not gone to bed before midnight in over a month let alone the last 2 nights (I will tonight ~ yeah). I started my fair work and its going well. I went in with a game plan and to do lists and have successfully done about 1/2 of it. This means that it will be a piece of cake to pull this job off. That, my friend, is exciting news. I've decided to enter the fair and I'll tell you more about that after I enter just in case it doesn't work out.

Work at the store is still slow but we managed to get some cleaning done and thats always good especially a store our size and type ~hygiene a big deal. I have not been knitting much since the beginning of Aug but I am chugging along on a pr of footies for Da Boy who turns 16yrs on Sat. Wow ~ time is moving on without me. Its ok, I've cried all I'm going to cry and am just excited for him ~ his friends are having a bday party for him at the skate park. I thought that was awesome.

Well, thats all I've energy for ~ I feel like I've been hit in the head, my nose is stopped up and my throat feels a bit raw. I just finish a fit of sneezing which has caused these symptoms. Not sure whats going on but I believe its an allergic reaction to the carpet fresher hubby used. LOL

Have a great week and weekend.

~ Jul 16th ~

Just popping in to say hey ~ not much going on but thought I should say something. Thx to my friends for stoppin' by and leaving comments ~ I greatly appreciate knowing you are there. I've been tagged, plus SP12 #6 question is up and I've got pics of the B2S to share but I'm tired and its after midnight. I'm also abit tired of blogger and my stuck space key. I'll update more tomorrow. Nite ;)

~ Jul 14th ~

Warning ~ this is a very boring post. ;)
(eta ~ added some new pics more tomorrow)

I've not been motivated to post lately but thought I needed to update for the sake of SP12. I've been busy knitting the B2S and making excellent progress. I'll update new pics tomorrow since I'm having some technical difficulties with the computer at the moment.

Nothing new around here ~ busy working, knitting and planning our move. Still not sure where we are going but it will work itself out. I did get to go out after work this weekend to knit and drank coffee, though somehow I've managed to misplace some vital personal property in the process. It stormed sat but we were cool and dry at our fav sbux ~ and yesterday we went to that little coffeeshop we visited last week. I tried Buckingham Palace loose tea ~ it was very good too. ;)

Well, off to work on the B2S some more, watch my shows on PBS and may even watch an old movie. Riley and I have been spending our evening knitting and watching movies ~ over the last week we've watched:

Arsenic and Old Lace

Pride & Prejudice (2006)

The Great Adventure

Dial M for Murder

The Princess Bride

Tonight we may watch:

The Avengers ~ At War with the Army ~ His Girl Friday

Good night!

Knitterly funnies

Enjoy!

Whaddup!

well I had to start it with somethin', right?! Its been very busy around here. I've not been motivated since I'm too tired to truly think. Though I have been reading and enjoying my family. I'm reading plenty ~ CMs writings Vol 1 , 5 & 6, Yarn Harlot book and will probably start a book on cd this weekend.

I've managed to eliminate a large portion of the newspapers that have accumulated around the house and I've also clipped coupons. I plan to do more clipping tomorrow and getting them organized into my container. I'm looking forward to shopping again and have decided that it would be really in our family's best interest to save as much as I can since the electric bill has hit the $200s. Whew ~ way too high for me and will have the a/c guy coming out to take a look since its not cooling the house at all. I guess I should be grateful that we can breathe since it does seem to keep the air from being stagnate.

On the knitting front ~ I was so unmotivated it isn't funny. However, I stop by my LYS on tues ~ sock nite ~ and took the plunge to make a pr of "Not Peds." These are a secret pair and I'm hoping to have them done by the middle of July, though I've had to rip them out yesterday and start again today. Yes, I ripped out 3days worth of knitting b/c they were too tight for me therefore they'd be too tight for the intended ~ which I'm not telling you who that is since its a secret. The colorway is gorgeous and I won't be sharing that info w/you either, I'll post a pic in blacknwhite and thats all you'll get for now. I've purchased another set of #6s for my CPH but can't find the pattern ~ I'll give a gallant effort in my search this weekend. I don't really have anything else going though those UFOs are calling my name.

In other news ~ I've restarted my school blog and will be posting all major school related info there. You can read about our school journey here and I will be posting on my personal learning blog again too ~ hopefully will post tomorrow.

Not much else going on so I'll call it a nite ~ have a great one!

~ '08 CM Conference ~ pt 2

During one of our evening chats, we discussed the Art of Knowing ~ Narration. In this group, a few of us discovered that we were allowing our children to summarize instead of narrate. The children were giving several key points but not actually asking themselves mental questions to produce a true retelling of what was read or heard. We also learned that we were not allowing true narration when we do alot of prompting or asking questions or interjecting with our experience before the narration had been completed. The child's brain wasn't being engaged and allowed to develop through the use of narration. In essence, we are to allow the child to narrate fully and once the narrator is satisfied, we can begin the great discussion. The great discussion is when all minds involved share their love and experience for a particular topic. It is highly used by great thinkers and considered a very enjoyable past time over great books.

I realize that I have been guilt of starting the “great discussion” before the narration or having them do something else which has resulted in either a poor narration or an overly emphasized one ~ one that has embellishments from others. This discussion has spark anew the desire to fully use CMs methods and I have embarked on a study to find out how to narrate so that I can effectively model this to my children. I don’t want summaries ~ they water down the retelling and I don’t want embellishments from me ~ they destroy the originality of the narrator.

So what is narration? We know its not summarizing or having a great discussion. Is it simply retelling what you’ve read or heard? Or is there more to this relatively simple method. I will be studying Volume 1 and 6 along with several Parents Review Articles. As I process this reading, I’ll share my thoughts.

I will leave you with a statement that I’m pondering found in PR Article Some Notes on Narration ~ “The less the teacher talks the more the class will have to think.” Now thats a very important point us homeschool moms need to grasp.

~ '08 CM Conference ~

This year’s theme was “From Rewards to Relationships”. All sessions were around developing the relational aspect of a Charlotte Mason education ~ not just the subject relations (Science of Relations) but personal relationships within the family structure. It was amazing to see the hearts of the parents and teachers being turned towards their children. This conference was truly divine providence. I was humbled by the thought that I had not been developing relationship with my own children but spending my time meeting our material needs and demanding excellence in academics. It really was a wakeup call for me but its not too late to change, thank God for that.

There is a lot to talk about so I think I’ll take it in parts ~ this will be part I. Using the questions provided for our processing times, I’ll share some of my thoughts.

*what has been presented at the conference that is challenging you?
There have been several things presented that I would say challenges me but the 2 that stand out the most is Education is an atmosphere and developing my relationship with God. When I began homeschooling, God being the center of it was all I talked about and envisioned would be the core of it. However, the truth be told the relationship part has disappeared and I’ve inadvertently made it another subject ~ very impersonal. I’ve allowed my home and school life to become impersonal, sterile and devoid of life. There is no atmosphere for learning nor developing a relationship with the Lord. The conference helped me to renew my thoughts and to see where I need to make the changes. I’ve been inspired to go deeper in the Word of God and CMs writings. I must find balance in order to do this right for my family and it all begins with me.

*what ideas or practices of Mason do you better understand?
Education is a life, a discipline and an atmosphere. I’ve come to the conclusion that my understanding of these was not as complete as I’d like. I didn’t really comprehend the following:
Education is a life ~ subjective (spiritually)
Education is a discipline ~ objective (physically)
Education is an atmosphere ~ relative (relationally)
~ taken from notes provided in breakout session “Education is an Atmosphere"
It all makes more sense now and how all four pillars (includes Education is a Science of Relations) must be present, working together to have a true CM education.

*how will the concept of relationship change the way you teach/parent from now on?
This conference has challenged me to return to the ways in which I know work and to rekindle the relationships I’ve begun with my children. One of the reasons I began homeschooling was to get to know them and to help them develop a relationship with the Lord. I’ve been sidetracked for quite some time but I’ve made a decision to follow my heart from now on and I will be doing things that create relationships. Some of things I must do are:
1) having tea time
2) read alouds
3) spending time with them individually
4) model for them what I expect rather than telling them what it looks like; and lastly
5) stand in the gap for them, fervently praying for them along with providing an atmosphere that will allow them to grow in favor with God and man (school scripture in action Luke 2:52b).
I see a lot of growth in my children and I know its from building relationships with them in the past 5 yrs but I also know it can be greater and that I need to ensure that I pursue this higher level.

*what ideas or practices of Mason do you want to investigate more?
Narration ~ to fully develop the art of knowing in each student
Education is an atmosphere ~ to nurture, admonish and equip them for their purpose
Education is a science of relations ~ to fully understand how that fits into the entire education and life

CMs writings were far beyond her time and I’m grateful that I have access to the resource at such time as this. I’m excited to be apart of a movement for the betterment of our children and to be apart of a growing community of loving, caring and awesome parents and teachers. I can do this ~ one step at a time.

~ Warriors Update ~

The warriors are doing well, school is progressing slowly but we are almost back on track. I'm tweaking our schedule to get us in full gear but I can't seem to get myself into gear. heehee. Oh well ~ at least we accomplish what we set out to do each day and thats all that counts.

Here is our tentative daily schedule:

9a ~ Bible Study/History
9:30a ~ Math
10a ~ History
10:30a ~ Composition
11a ~ Break
11:15 ~ Copywork
11:30 ~ Science
12p ~ PE
12:30p ~ Lunch
1p ~ Music/Art
1:30p ~ English/Reading
2p ~ Chores

We will have tea times again but that will not start til the first full week in Feb. They will be volunteering on Fridays, so this schedule will be for Mon-Thur. We will have our poetry, shakespeare and handicrafts on Friday afternoons. I'll do a booklist after I finalize their literature selections. All in all, we are moving along well and planning is a breeze.

til next time ~ in the life & times of the Excelsior Warriors!

Woohoo!

What now ya'll?! The NY Giants are goin' to the Superbowl ~ woohoo! I'm totally hyped and can't wait for Superbowl 42. I'm may just miss the lys superbowl knit it. ;D

Congrats! Giants ~ you guys are awesome.

~ now back to our regularly scheduled discussion. heehee

things are well around here. I've been MIA working on dh's sock, school lessons and getting some rest. I watched Masterpiece Theatre's "Northanger Abbey" and wasn't impressed. I enjoyed some of the program but the ending was a disappointment again. Well, guess that says alot for culture regarding what they think people want to see as oppose to what would really have happened during that time period. Sad really, because it gives a very wrong impression to those who don't know and haven't been exposed other than by these types of films.

Work was a short day and I will be at work tomorrow. I have used my free day for stash enhancement and now looking for a suitable project for 5 skeins. I've already assigned the remaining 15 skeins to projects and will be casting on w/i the next 2 wks, so more to come on those things. I also ordered the needed yarn for my SI2M2 pal, so that will be OTNs next week. Yeah! I need to pick up needles for my CPH and my lace project ~ my yarn is slippery for the SOTSii and I only have metal needles in the size I need. Aurora is still on hold pending purchase of the remaining yarn needed so I'll update on that next week too.

Off to finish reading my CMSeries assignment. We are working on Volume 6 ~ last week's study pages were in the Introduction p1-15 and I just finished them and will be reading p16-21 for next week's. I need to post some thoughts and discussion questions. It will be very enlightening if everyone participates.

Have a wonderful week!

~ at the homestead ~

smells ~ dinner: grilled chicken breast, mixed greens and white rice

sounds ~ shouts of joy and Madden 06 PS2

doing ~ reading and knitting

plans ~ lessons and reading assignments

Hey look....

Cool huh?! Its Veggie Art by James Parker. ;D

While I was writing up my wordless wednesday, I realized I failed to you all about James. He's a chef that gets away with playing with his food. LOL He creates the most awesome things with vegetables and fruit. Here is the link to his website and some pics for you to drool over. Oh yeah, did I mention he is way cool and lives on the best side of the planet. (James you can pay me later. heehee)

~more pics later, blogger is being fickle. ;D