Eclectically Yours,

My New "Do"

I like my new summer blog "do" MUCH better than my new hair do...it feels fresh and, well, summery. Which is bizarre to say, because as I write this, it's about 32 degrees out. You may think I exaggerate, but I promise you that it feels like 32 degrees and that is really what matters.

One new addition to my blog is"Recent Comments" over at the right hand side bar. This gives us a chance to get to know one another and perhaps all join hands and have a sing a-long.

Typepad has changed some of their "inside" stuff. So when I post I'm figuring out how to use a bit of a new format. And frankly, I am not at one with technology. I am no Kip, I'll tell you that. So bear with me as pictures and text don't really line up that well.

Typepad also has some really neat newer color options for text which I am digging. Particularly, as they are naming the colors instead of numbering them...like this is Cactus...and Cantaloupe...and Fire Truck...and Salmon (did I ever tell you that it was the color Salmon that made me fall in love with David?) How about some Cool Granite or Mildew? Then there is Purple Dino. Sorry, Mr. Person who came up with that color name, that TOTALLY dates you. And really, Barney is a bit more Royal Grape don't you think?























And that, my friends, is just the colors I can write about....because there are some really cool color names that would NOT even show up here because they are too light...someone was missing the seaside when they came up with names like, Shrimp, Breakwater, Vapor, Morning Fog, Sea Mist, Sea Foam, Aqua Lung (hahaha) Sea Blue, and Dockside. Oddly, I see "Gull Guana", "Decayed Crab", "Cooked Lobster" and "Stinky Seaweed" missing from the theme. Wouldn't naming colors be the coolest job? Do you think Crayola would hire me?

Where was I? Oh, yeah, how do you like my new "do"?

Real Life Homeschool Group

Whenever anyone would ask me if I belonged to a homeschool group, the answer was "No, we're too busy." And that is really true. Sometimes we get so busy and go so much that I have to remember to say "NO! Stop the insanity!" And so I do. And I have always found a TON of support online. Without the online message boards I would've never in a million years started homeschooling, kept with it, discovered the huge variety of resources I have, found great used books or figured out Ms. D's reading issues. Oh, yeah, and started to blog. And I know that all 12 of you would be very, very, disappointed if I hadn't started blogging. Because let's face it, you LIVE for my blog....don't you?

Then I met Laurie (pictured below) at Tanglewood. Who told me about this homeschool group that meets locally. I tucked that away in my memory and then promptly forgot about it. Until one day I ended up at the library where said homeschool group was smack dab in the middle of their witty repartee. So I sat down and joined them. Which was terribly bold and brash of me. But they didn't seem to notice. (Or maybe they did but were kind enough not to mention it...) They were welcoming, really funny, thought provoking and encouraging. So I joined. Me, the non joiner. (It also helped that they are considered a private school and I joined so that I didn't have to do yearly certified teacher reviews, and that Ms. D really, really liked that group of unsocialized homeschoolers...)

I really love this group because it's so diverse. Most everyone unschools (hhmmmm did I contradict myself in those two sentences?) and there is a wide variety of experience in parenting, number of years homeschooling and ages of children. It's like having the variety of a message board but with instant gratification. And with more tattoos.

Today I have decided to join my online world with my RL world.The group was kind enough to let me take a few pictures and ask a few questions. This does not represent the entire group at all, as a few people didn't realize what I was doing and had the audacity to LEAVE before they could catch their moment to shine in the blog sun. That will just leave more for next week.

Let's start with Laurie, shall we?

Method: Unschooling
No. of Children: 3
Piercings: 2
Tats: 0
Three things Laurie wants the world to know:

1. She's pregnant. And recently gave into a Wendy's craving. I know you didn't say I could add that, Laurie, but it was a good story.

2. All her children have Hawaiian names.

3. She takes and teaches ballet and has a production coming up.





 










 
Next we have Sonja. Or that is how I am assuming she spells her name. It could be Sonya. Or Sone-ya. I just don't know. So I'm going to stick with the first spelling. She wore a really great necklace today.
















But let's just stick with facts, shall we?

Method: Unschooling
No. of Children: 2
Piercings: 17
Tats: 3
Three Things Sonja wants the world to know:

1. Capitalism is unsustainable and unfriendly to humans and animal life.

2. She knits and crochets.

3. She lives off the grid.

4. She is such a feminist that her womb only hosts females.

Ah, wait a minute...Sonja, that was four...but I'll let it go...just don't tell the others...


















I just met Susan and Kirk today. Below is a photo of Kirk. Susan didn't really seem to want her photo taken and well, since I had just met her I didn't know if she could be bullied and I didn't want to push it. I'm considerate like that.

Method: Unschooling for six years
No of Children: 2
I forgot to ask Piercing and Tat status.
Three things Susan and Kirk (or is it Kirk and Susan????) want the world to know:

1. They love to sail.

2. They are homesteading wanna-bes.

3. Kirk always wipes the toilet seat after every use.  (But does he put the lid down?? Our friendship was too fresh for me to ask!)

Their son piped up to say "Homeschooling Rocks!" I think he wanted the world to know that, too. Of course, the world reads this blog, so now they know.


















Kara is up next. Kara has really long and beautiful hair. And having cut mine and hating it, I was just a little bit envious. But enough about me...

Method: Unschooling for 1 year
No. of Children: 2 (age 7 and 4)
Piercings: 2
Tats: 0
Three things Kara wants the world to know:

1. She and her family share the same last name as a very famous wizard named Harry.

2. She and her family are learning to kayak this summer and can't wait!

3. She and her family feel connected to nature. (Really, really connected as can be evidenced by the photo. They hug trees.)

Do you notice the little guy in the lower left? Check out that great mask he wore today!

















Now we have Mim. I have never asked if that is short for anything. I should do that. Clearly I have not kept my end of the conversational gambit up.

Method: Unschooling forever
No. of Children: 1(by birth), 1(stray)
Piercings: 8
Tats: 3
Three things Mim wants the world to know:

1.She is fluent in English.

2. She can whistle with her tongue.

3. She owes Quinn $5.00 for foot knitting (see below)

































Quinn. You're up next.

Method: Eclectic/Loosely unschooling (is that a redundancy? Loosely unschooling??)
No of Children: 2
Piercings: 10
Tats: 3
Three things Quinn wants the world to know:

1. She can knit and pearl Continental with her feet (see above Mims #3)

2. Quinn has never NOT modified a knitting pattern.

3. She has been a raw foodist for three years.

















Okay, I snapped this really cool shot of Quinn and her daughter, which I thought was very "Everymother Comforting Her Child"




Next up is Ellen #1. Ellen, I cut your head off. For that I am deeply sorry, but if you've read this blog you know how fond I am of "artful blog photos" and really that's what I was trying to do here. I think.

Method: Eclectic for 8 years
No of Children: 2 (17/14 yr olds) ~~(read: experience!)
Piercings: 2
Tats: 0
Three things Ellen #1 wants the world to know:

1. She wants what is best for her kids, to help them find out what they want to do and to be happy doing it.

2. She doesn't get people who say "I can't wait to get rid of my kids!" because she really enjoys her kids.

3. No Comment.

















Ellen #2 (we are all SO on a first name basis, here...that, I, well, forgot to ask their last names...)

Method: Unschooling for 11 years
No. of Children: 2 (17 and 13..again, look at all this experience between the two Ellens!)
Piercings: 2
Tats: 0
Three Things Ellen (who was in a hurry...) wants the world to know:

1. She was REALLY glad to be here today.

2. She was REALLY glad others were here.

3. She's looking forward to meeting more people.

4. She was really battleworn today. ( Okay, that was four, but I had pity for Ellen #2...)




Michelle I met for the first time today, also.
Method: Charlotte Mason for 8 years
No. of Chldren: 3
Piercings:she appeared to have two, but I didn't ask. I forgot. I got gabbing okay?
Tats: (see above)

Three things Michelle wants the world to know:

1. She likes to learn.

2. She loves her family.

3. She loves the Lord.


















And then there is me.

Method: Eclectic for 4 years
No of Children: 1
Piercings: 4
Tats: 0
Three things I want the world to know:

1. I have a Jamie Wyeth obsession.

2. I am really, really good at driving in reverse, unless it's my own driveway. In which case, if your vehicle is behind me, it's all over for your fender.

3. When I'm in the shower I sing just like Kate Bush. That could be good or bad depending on how you look at it.

4. I love the idea of doing crafts, but I don't really like actually doing them. Much less completing them.

5. I can NOT pluck my eyebrows for anything.

Hey, that was five...



Well, there you have it. For this week. Like I said, there are many more. This was a fun way to get to know everyone and I appreciate their tolerance for letting me put them on the spot. Next week, I take off the gloves.
 
 

Today's Quote

"This is the best thing to wear for the day....and you can always take off the skirt and use it as a cape..."

For further explanation you really and truly MUST go over to this blog....and you will quickly see why Rechelle is obsessed. Perhaps you will take to wearing headscarves.....

Noting Blogs

So today I was reading over here (animals), which led me to this awesome post, here (homeschooling)...which led me to this post right here ( I am SO there).

Meanwhile, I can't read everysinglepost in my reader everysingleday so I save a few to linger over. I caught up with this one today. I'm glad I did. We really, and truly need a graphic for blogs that says something like "Stop Sancti-Mommy's!" What do you think, M-mv?

On Watching An Einstein Documentary

Me: (from other room)  Hey, Ms. D, hows Einstein, what are you learning?

*Large Pause*

Ms. D: Well..... he really liked the women. He kind of, like, takes them, and then leaves them.

He probably just wanted their shoes.

Socks and Books Check Out Paris

Link: Socks and Books: An Evening in Paris.

Please go check out Lorna's blog for some incredible views from La Tour Eiffel!!

Controversy and Debate

I found this information on RegularMom's site. I hate to bring up anything controversial on my website. I have real mixed feelings on this issue, because while I inoculated my child for most childhood diseases at the time, I have learned so much about the effects of inoculation. I feel the jury is still out on this issue. I absolutely feel that education is necessary. And while, I support the creators of this message, I feel education in this matter is paramount to inoculation. You can decide for yourself. I welcome your comments on the issue.

Here Comes The Sun

Who doesn't get cards in the mail asking you to subscribe to different magazines? I got one yesterday. It was different though. The photography was beautiful. The card hefty. They weren't begging  me to subscribe in fancy language and a manipulative, canned letter from the editor. They were just nice and showed me pictures from their magazine. And photography. Beautiful, striking, I- want- to- be- a- photographer type photos. And quotes. This one caught my eye:

As we grow up, we put away our laughter and our silliness and our childish noises, the great sensory hilariousness of your young lives. We pick up a few notions about proper behavior, like what books to read and how to go about getting married and buying a home and being polite and having a cocktail parties...and teh next thing you know, the little child---who was also an enormously alive sensory apparatus---is just another boring adult going to work in a seersucker suit with a briefcase.

John Rosenthal

So as you go about your life today....and as I go look at a house we are about to make an offer on....let's remember to recapture some of that "great sensory hilariousness..." (Go check out kimandjason.com for some reminders in case you forget how...)

Then go think about subscribing to the SUN magazine.

Showgirl

I can imagine I'm really gonna get some interesting Google searches on this title. Maybe I should have title it "Sixth Place".

These photos below (after I digress quite a bit) are from Ms. D's first show. After two lessons she was asked if she would like to be in the Showmanship class at a small show locally. She agreed with great excitement. She had about two more practice sessions and we helped wash and shampoo the horses the night before.

Between OT, Vision Therapy and the horses, Ms. D has finally showed a wonderful growth in independence. For those of you who don't know Ms. D, she has been described as clingy, insecure. We have been described as over protective. I describe her as a home body who wasn't quite ready to leave our side. Even if it was to go use the bathroom or walk to the other side of the room.  I credit a huge part of her new found independence to horse lessons. These lessons are not my jurisdiction. They are hers. There is nothing I can tell her to help her or guide her. Only her teacher, Melissa can. In order to take lessons, she has to depend on herself. Meanwhile, my mother gave me an epiphany. Due to Ms. D's eye issues and her proprioception issues, perhaps the world was more secure to her physically if we were near. And now, since a month or so of OT and VT her world is opening up and she can explore it further. It's wonderful to see. This week she has explored outside without me, she's gone off with other children without the need to constantly check where I am or have me with her. She's slept in her own room alone for the last two weeks. (This is HUGE) And I don't have to prepare her quite so much for WHERE I will be at all times ("Mom, what end of the library will you be at? For how long? Then what? Will you tell me when you go over to another part?") And at the grocery store the other day she volunteered to go in another aisle and look for something. HUH??

So here are some pictures of my  newly confidant daughter. She made sixth place out of eight kids. We were upset because we had bribed the judge for at least third, but they took the money and ran. Ms. D was THRILLED with sixth place. Immediately afterward she said "When is the next show?"

Spicie is a good girl, but was acting up a bit before the show...I think she had "ring fright"...

Ms. D and Spicie in the ring.

Ms. D and Spicie proudly show off their ribbon.

Weekly Review in Pictures...

So on Monday, with the rain, spring finally seemed to really and truly arrive. Not just talking about arriving but really doing it!
On Tuesday, with the sun came puddles. That is NOT a shadow you see on her clothing. That is mud. Her pants were turquoise. She seemed so happy.

And I learned that my eco friendly laundry soap really works on tough to get out stains!
Mostly.

Ms. D is showing off  a project she and Aunt Anna did when they were here a few weeks ago. This was done with fabric paint and potato stamps. Ms. D lost a bit of interest and Aunt Anna had to finish up. I don't know where Ms. D gets that kind of attitude. Not from her stick with everything mother.

Once upon a time, I read the blog Blue Yonder. And at Blue Yonder they were doing a neat book trade along with a handmade book mark. Blue Yonder randomly matched us with Warm Woollen Mittens. What a perfect match it was! Ms. D and Ms. E, from Warm Woollen, are the the same age and have a TON of the same interests. Ms. E is in Scotland, and before we were "introduced" to them, we had been talking with friends about a joint trip to Scotland next year! (I can dream, right?) So what perfect timing. Please take an opportunity to check out Warm Woollen Mittens and Blue Yonder. The photos and story's are a lot of fun!

So this past week, Ms. D and I got our books and crafty markers from Ms. E and her mom! And a few other treats were involved too!

Barb sent me the books Brown Owl's Guide to Life. And, as soon as I am through with my current chick lit, I'm delving into this one!

Look at these cool and crafty book marks I got! Two encased in a matching holder! Thanks so much Barb and Ms. E!! Their goodies are on their way to Scotland. However, they should not expect anything crafty whatsoever! (See above mentioned losing interest in projects....) however, I think they'll enjoy their books!

Meanwhile, David had a afternoon off this week and we hit the beach.

There is a wonderful local lab who meanders the beach. He understands "sit", "lay down", "stay" and "nuzzle" and "sloppy licks" and "get off my beach blanket".
I think David really, really, needs a dog. The girls out number the boys in our house he needs the support.

Ms. D soaked up the warmth of a rock while we read a book about the solar system.

On our journey to Ms. D's VT appointment this week, we stopped at a favorite lunch spot. They are featuring the art of Jen and Chris Cart. I absolutely fell in love with this giclee print title Sleeping Mermaid. Please go check out Chris' site here!

While eating ice cream in town we watched the bees doing their thing. They were so fuzzy and fluffy and the air smelled divine!! Spring is here!!

Would The Real Me Please Stand Up?

I am unphotogenic. I have always known this. My mother said so. And what mothers say is often the truth, cold and harsh reality though it may be. And as I got older, I could see for myself. So I posed for pictures. Those usually turned out much better than the ones that were candid. A camera came out, I was ready, in position.

My husband says "You look SO great and then the shutter snaps and something weird happens..." So there goes my career on the big screen. Over time, as I became a more mature, balanced person with a strong sense of self who realized that photographic images completely LIE all the time and they are not to be trusted, it was without bitterness that I embraced who I was and accepted the camera.

Until this last haircut. Talk about loss of identity. I do NOT recognize myself in ANY pictures whatsoever. They are not me. It might also be the 20 (that's right) pounds I have gained over the winter, but weight fluctuations should not affect photographability. It could also have something to do with the fact that I am nearing forty and have noticed some very strange things happening all of a sudden. Like chicken skin. Like flappy jowls. Like the elasticity has gone from my face entirely. I seem to have all this extra skin when I put on eye liner....I digress. Again. But I really do think it's the haircut. It's not that I hate it. I'm about change. I"m about risk. But let's just say I'm growing it out and NEVER AGAIN will I cut it short.

So here are some pictures in which I do not even recognize myself. Really.That's why I italicized those words.

See. It's my husband with two lobster and some weird woman.

My brother with the same woman.

My  husband took this picture of THE VERY SAME woman. Who, I now believe, is stalking us.

I thought, maybe if I had control of the camera I would look better. Obviously, people aren't taking the photos correctly. They are not getting my best side.

But taking photos of yourself makes you have that wacko chin thing.

See?

Well, new haircut? New attitude. Quit posing, let the camera do it's job and let's go candid.

See those strong lines from nose to chin?? What are those called? I hate them. I am NOT at peace.

Oh, Eyes Half Shut. Another famous candid look. (Okay, I kinda like the hair here, tho...) But again what is with those crevasses running down the side of my face??!

So. We're out as a family one day. We went out to eat and I'm in the restraunt bathroom. (It was pine, but the toilet seat and sink were Navy Blue. Navy Blue toilet, my friends. Imagine it. Not pretty in many ways...it was similar to when people put that blue stuff in their toilets and then, when you pee, the blue turns green...and it just looks nasty...) Anyway, I brought my camera to the bathroom with me. I was laughing to myself at how funny that was, why I didn't leave it at that table and have I taken this camera thing too far? And then it hit me. ALL bloggers take photos of themselves in a mirror. And while I've done that before, I hadn't' really explored the possibilities in full depth. And here was my chance. Here was my chance to show the world what I looked like to myself. In the  mirror. Without chicken skin jowls or crevasses down my face.

I give you. The "me" that I see in the mirror.

To start with, I'm only a head. Being a pear shape, I've learned it's best to take photos of myself from the waist up.

Well, this isn't exactly who I see when I look in the mirror, but close.

Oh, don't we look so insouciant?

Work with me, baby...here is a "wry" and "dry" look...a look that says "You're messing with me, and I know it...."

Oh, I'm too sexy for all this pine. That's what this look is saying. 

The I'm getting hungry and tired of being in a bathroom with a camera look.

Okay, paparazzi, that's quite enough...it's really time for me to get to the premiere but I'll give you a half hearted smile...ya, buh-bye.

So, yup. There is the real me. In case you were wondering. The real in- a -pine -and -Navy -Blue- toilet- seated -bathroom me. Or is it? Maybe it's not the real me at all? But I must, in order to keep myself from another identity crisis, believe that it is.

Meanwhile, I'm growing my hair out.

Josh/Anna Tutor Grammar

While Anna and Josh were here, Ms. D just would NOT give up her homeschooling. Especially grammar. She verily begged for grammar. She hounded Josh and Anna until they would help her with it. And it's pretty much all they did together in their "down" time. And here is how they did it.

When they were out of books, they made up their own. Lots of the words had to do with "poopy". And "boogers". And "mucus". And "poopy". Did I mention that? I for one, am thrilled to pieces. Grammar is not my forte. At all. I've got nouns and verbs down. That's about it. Now I keep having to ask Ms. D "So what is an adverb again?" and she'll tell me. The great part of it is, she didn't realize she was learning.  BWHAHAHHAHAHHAAAA!!!  *maniacally rubbing hands together* Another educational experience brought in the back door.

Vernacular Photography

I have long been a fan of vernacular photography without really knowing the name of it. Old photographs fascinate me. Whether I know the photographee or not.   

What's the untold story they hold? What does the body language say? The story in my head that surrounds the photographs...am I right? Totally wrong? There is the element of the bittersweet, too. Where are these people now? Dead. Still alive? Do they remember this day, this moment, these people?

Here are a few I found at Elmer's Barn the last couple weeks.

I love the shadow in this one, the hair blowing...

This is me and my friend Carla in about thirty years...

 

Oh dear, someone is loosing her mystery...

This photo is fascinating to contemplate...there were tons of photos from this party...what I like to think of as "The Lodge Party". I couldn't get them all, but they were a hoot! Maybe next time...

Here are a couple of my favorite vernacular photography sites:

Found Photos
bighappyfunhouse
accidental mysteries
time tales
square america

Giddyup

So. This is what Ms. D is doing with her Friday afternoons for the next couple weeks. It was suggested as part of her OT. We've always wanted to try horse riding, but never did. Having it "highly suggested" was just the motivation we needed.

Ms. D had met her horse, Spicie, a couple weeks ago during Anna and Josh's first week here. The second week of their visit she got her first lesson.

Getting on is a bit of a trick even if you DON'T have balance/proprioception issues.

And she's on....

See out of that helmet?? I'm thinking it looks a bit big for her...must ask about that next time.

She said she was holding on for dear life. Ms. D also said she got over her fear by concentrating on what the instructor, Melissa, was saying. She was trying hard to listen and get everything right that she finally got over some nervousness at being up so high.

We were delighted to find two homeschooling girls who were helping Melissa out that day. They are a bit older than Ms. D, and we've met them on other occasions about town. They've been riding for two years and are very much at ease with horses. While Melissa was helping the next student, the two girls helped Ms. D in the barn. Ms. D really appreciated their help and was so happy to get to know them better.

Towards the end of the lesson she was looking a bit more relaxed....

Now I'm thinking I want to ride...it looked like sooo much fun! 

Caught Up!

I've caught up on ALL five billion of my blog posts! I can't believe it!

So, bossy is back home and thankfully not terribly constipated, Melissa just got back from Barcelona, Suzanne has CHICKS, Lorna is taking a trip, freakmom is evaluating her year, Rechelle is burning pork and paying bills, regularmom is making me curious, Heather is making me sigh with her beautiful pictures, poppins continues to be enviously crafty, m-mv is giving some spot on advice along with Tammy's food for thought, and doc is once again standing up for logic and has her May list of resources out,  I've finally figured out how to subscribe to The Learning Umbrella. (If you've never been over there you should take a look. It's an interesting perspective from a SECOND GENERATION homeschooler)AND I've discovered this site. And this one. Oh, and this one.

I've missed the other five billion blogs I go to...but I'm caught up....oh, yes, NOW I'll have more time, right? Right?

What She Said

  "I think part of being a homeschooler is being somewhat of a nonconformist, somewhat of an anarchist, with a healthy amount of “freak” thrown in there somewhere, as well as an overall absence of good sense."

---The Pioneer Woman