tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346189532024-02-28T13:39:00.440-08:00shaggy boysWelcome to a blog from a relaxed-homeschooling, working mom to three young men. This is an attempt to talk about issues that come in this thing we call day to day life.simplynicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03297621690461299655noreply@blogger.comBlogger197125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34618953.post-55771283629769826812014-02-11T10:48:00.002-08:002014-02-11T18:10:37.361-08:00Nail Polish Meditations... It has been awhile since I wrote. Life has a way of slipping by us sometimes.<br />
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I have been enjoying the day-to-day stuff, learning to just surrender my need to know the best solution to various life circumstances. I am learning to really trust that life, God, humankind.the universe are unfolding in their own time. I have come to enjoy the freedom with the understanding that my job is to simply just be.<br />
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It has been a long journey to recognize what just being is..and it is still a work in progress, really. But to truly let go of the need to hustle for my worth (consciously or not), in a culture that often demands validation of worth, has given me a freedom in living my life that is priceless.<br />
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I believe I owe this gift to what I like to call my <b>nail polish meditations. </b><br />
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I know several pastors, ministers, monks, rabbis, imams, speakers, just every-day humans that have their own way of listening, studying and giving messages. It has taken a while for me to recognize the way in which I hear that still small voice best. For you see, we are all called to listen to stand still and listen..whatever that voice is for you. For me it is God within my inner-heart. But I get distracted..I confuse that voice with my imagination..I question my understanding. I have a VERY HARD TIME being still.<br />
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So on long trips in the car..when my mind wanders as (ahem) I am driving..I often find that voice..and I pull over on the side of the road and scribble stuff on scraps of paper or in my bible...many of my messages have been pieced together by road-side scribbles. But I felt this wasn't enough..that somehow I needed more depth..but dang that sitting still stuff is hard.<br />
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Not to mention almost impossible in my family setting. Somehow, if I open my net-book, bible, a book, a journal or am just sitting..all my loved ones assume i am not remotely busy. The child i haven't had time to touch base with in weeks will choose THAT MOMENT to visit. I don't want to miss the moment. I enjoy that moment with my child..but then... I don't hear that still small voice inside, for I am listening to the cherished boy that is sitting next to me.<br />
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I knew there just had to be a way to spend time just reflecting without alienating my family..<br />
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and then I remembered nail polish. A strategy I was once taught during a break-up of a guy I mistakenly thought I was deeply in love with was to polish my nails. Polish my nails and then you can't do anything. YOu can't call..you can't answer the phone..you can't do anything stupid because you don't want to mess up your nails. All you can do is sit still. And? Nail polish is just fun.<br />
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So a few years ago, I thought AHA. I can just polish my nails. I have a family of boys. Even though all the boys and young men in my house often come in smelling of sweat, grease and other lovely things. Apparently nothing is more offensive to them than the smell of my nail polish. Also? If I am painting my nails, all I can do is SIT STILL.<br />
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So I started spending time, several days a week just playing with nail polish. Then it expanded..I found my favorite spot in the house to do this and as I wait for each layer to dry, I just sit still. I listen, I write, I journal..I listen to that small voice..and I am so grateful for that time for myself.<br />
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It is my ritual now. A few mornings a week I spend time with my nail polish.<br />
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Today is no different. I am sitting in my favorite room of the house, in my favorite chair. A kitchen chair at a small kitchen table in our laundry/toy/morning room. I hear the hum of my dryer. Big B and Austen are in another part of the house fixing a toy helicopter..they are not remotely interested in what I am doing. Austen wandered over briefly. I asked him what color I should use. He chose one for me and fairly quickly left me to my own devices. Fixing helicopters with dad was way more interesting.<br />
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So now I sit. Sit still..with my nail polish..a few hours to myself..and time to listen, really listen.<br />
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I encourage you to do the same. To find your own version of a nail polish meditation, whatever works for you. And then? Treasure that time for all it's worth.<br />
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I have come to believe that nothing, absolutely nothing is more true than the messages that are already contained within ours own hearts.<br />
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Take some time to listen. I dare you.<br />
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">unschooling, work and homeschool, life, children</div>simplynicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03297621690461299655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34618953.post-37043383810047090692013-12-02T08:21:00.002-08:002013-12-02T10:31:09.458-08:00The Fly and I<br />
I am here to tell you of my latest journey into humbleness...and how one lone fly..I have named him Freddy.. has now become my constant companion.<br />
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I see that visions of me as Pig Pen are floating through your head. Please know..that it is ONE fly...and I truly hope I do not have a swirl of dirt floating around me. But honestly? Anything is possible.<br />
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What was supposed to be my journey into the world of boxing..of learning the <strong>tools</strong><em> (both physical and mental)</em> to fight both in and out of a ring. My journey into awesomeness and more self-sufficiency.<br />
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Instead, it appears to be yet another journey into humility and more humility. (yes..I do get that these too may be greatly related)<br />
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It started with a broken foot. It started when I tripped on my own jump rope while jump roping in my kitchen...before I ever made it to the boxing ring. It was in pre- pre- pre -training that my journey really began.<br />
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It's not the doctors at the clinic openly laughing at my lack of gracefulness...or the orthopedist surgeon who was trying so kindly to surpress laughter at my attempts to jump-rope. It's not that my family felt inspired to write things on my cast like "Hey BIGFOOT", "Don't Do Your Own Stunts" and the like.<br />
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It's not that I went to work and could not get up or down the stair case in less than 10 minutes, or that I could fold a load of laundry, wash 5 dishes, throw another load in the wash and realize I was done for the day.<br />
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It's not that Big B bursts out into laughter at least once a day. Pure..can't catch his breath, tears pouring out of his face laughter...as he teases between gasps for air..<strong>what kind of break did the doctor call it? </strong>I try to ignore him...<strong><em>No..tell me..please tell me (</em></strong>more laughter, crying and gasping for air)<br />
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<strong>a dancer's fracture</strong> I say in as monotone a voice as I can muster.<br />
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More hysterical laughter and tears. I am so glad my clumsiness can create such delight in this man. This man I remind myself that I CHOSE to marry..in a conscious state even.<br />
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The ultimate road to humility, however,started with the hours upon hours, day upon day, night upon night..that I spent sitting/sleeping in the lazy-boy in my living room with a fly buzzing around my head.<br />
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I would be sitting in my living room. Enjoying the absolute silence with my stack of books...and the fly would come. He buzzes..I swat..the fly goes just out of my reach..and as soon as I start to read again<strong>..BZZZ BZZZ</strong>.<br />
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<strong><em>Will you go away? </em></strong>I ask the fly.<br />
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He lands on my toes..the ones sticking out of the cast. <strong><em>You suck,</em></strong> I tell him.<br />
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We play this game for hours. I name him Freddy.<br />
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As soon as another human enters the room..Freddy mysteriously vanishes. (He must suspect I would ask someone to squash him)<br />
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Then? Late at night, when the house is once again quiet and I am almost asleep..amidst my Tylenol and Benadryl induced mini-coma...I here him come back. <strong><em>Bzzz. bzzz..</em></strong><br />
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The insane attempt to swat him continues. Freddy seems to think this is a great game. I cover my head with a blanket. Freddy lands in his favorite spot, on my toes. The toes I can't wiggle him off of, because, while I am still lucky enough to feel..I cannot move.<br />
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This nonsense continues for days..for nights..then one day? Freddy dares to hang out when a human friend comes over for coffee.<br />
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I hear him buzzing..my friend is getting us both a cup of coffee. Freddy lands on my foot. I want to tell him..<strong>go away. You are not invited</strong>. So...Freddy goes INTO my cast before I can inform him of this information.<br />
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I choose to ignore him...and then I feel it..the crawling around my ankle. I will have to 'fess up to my friend that a fly is now my constant companion.<br />
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<strong>Sandy...I think there's a fly in my cast.</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong>No there's not..</strong>she says.<br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong>Yes..Yes there is.</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
Sandy comes and inspects in my cast. Nope. No fly there..she says..no room. She assures me it is my imagination.<br />
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I agree. I must be losing my mind.<br />
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An hour later, my friend leaves. Once again, alone in the quiet of my living room..I pull out my book. <br />
..and then I feel it. <br />
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Freddy comes out of my cast..and the buzzing continues.<br />
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So now I have a friend. One I did not ask for....my friend sleeps with me, and reads with me..and climbs in my hurts...and shows me what I need to learn about myself.<br />
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Freddy, my fly friend, is giving me the greatest Christmas gift of all.<br />
<br />
The gift of humility.<div class="blogger-post-footer">unschooling, work and homeschool, life, children</div>simplynicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03297621690461299655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34618953.post-40737240578391071052013-10-28T11:21:00.003-07:002013-10-28T12:36:01.320-07:00Coming out of the Funk...A friend of mine made the observation several years ago that I seem to have a yearly Holiday Funk. A time between every Halloween and Thanksgiving when I just shut down. Like a mini-hibernation of sorts where I don't leave my house and seem to just disappear for 2 weeks. She called it my Pre-Holiday Funk.<br />
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My friend also commented that if I have not had that time to hibernate she would prefer not to be around me as I am too, dang, grouchy. It took me a long time to admit that my friend was right.<br />
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And there was about a 5 year span where I did not hibernate...and during this time? I went from stressed, to overwhelmed, to absolutely tanking..to finding a nicer version of myself. I have learned to minimize my work-load and commitment load and be realistic in my expectations of myself.<br />
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I have also given myself time to process my entire friggin life. The good, the bad and the ugly. Finally...finally...I am back to a place where I can look ahead with possibilities and dreams. AND..more importantly..I can enjoy the now.<br />
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So here is my now for this time in my life. I am watching as Levi throws dirt around the yard. Levi is 3 and (a quote stolen from another blog) like a hummingbird on crack. It is exhausting. Yet he is precious, sincere, and completely open hearted. What is not to love?<br />
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Cody is still living in our tree-house. We get to enjoy his company over a couple meals a week and occasionally during a t.v. show or before he leaves for school in the morning. I am treasuring these stolen moments with him before he leaves us after graduation this next year.<br />
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Austen is rarely home. But when he is he is still the chatty, energetic young man he has always been. He has finished bar-tending school and is busy getting passports, etc. for his upcoming adventures.<br />
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Big B is sick. He hangs out in the garage, he hangs out around the house and is still spending time with the home-owners association. Big B has been chronically ill for quite some time..and I have finally..f<strong>inally</strong>..quit quietly resenting him for being sick (I just recently recognized I was doing this) and accept that I am really just mad at the disease.<br />
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Between Big B and Levi, I don't leave home often. I work part-time. I volunteer at the prison weekly. I hang out with the exhausting 3 year old and with Brian...and ironically? It leaves both a lot AND a little time for me. <br />
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I found myself exasperated with living a life that constantly felt like it was in limbo. So this time..instead of searching for answers in places I can't find them.. I turn to scripture...and I was repeatedly reminded to CHOOSE LIFE. To put my worries aside. I talked to a few friends at the local prison.....they scolded me for not appreciating what I have (and rightfully so). They prodded me to look beyond my circumstances and then? I had the opportunity to visit with some friends I had not seen in a while...I was..reminded to (uhh..Frances..this is you ...) OPEN MY EYES!<br />
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And they are right. So...just for fun. I have purchased a book. 365 Daily Indulgences. I have decided to work through this book..one indulgence at a time sort-of like in Julie and Julia...where she cooks a meal a day for a year. Or like a few years ago when I wanted to read through the Great Books Series (I only got 1/4 the way through and GAVE UP) Only now? I just simply get to do something simple and fun every day for a year.<br />
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I figure I will do something everyday...and anyone who wants to join me on any given day is welcome..but honestly?. I'm just remembering how to really enjoy the blessings that surround me everyday.<br />
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So until my Amazon order arrives, I wait...and I enjoy the wait. I'm tired of the funk. So I simply get out and start finding joy in simple things. I start really appreciating what I have./And what I am having right now..is lunch with Big B, Austen and Levi. <br />
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Tacos anyone?<div class="blogger-post-footer">unschooling, work and homeschool, life, children</div>simplynicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03297621690461299655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34618953.post-59345267854226298402013-09-07T11:58:00.000-07:002013-09-07T19:19:21.584-07:00A Big Boy?My house is full of big boys. Like really big, tall, lankyish boys. Boys (young men) in their late teens and early twenties.Boys who are so busy working and schooling and socializing and working again we rarely see. But our home also inhabited by a "little man" who is not so tall. A "little man" who is striving to be a BIG BOY<br />
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As a matter of fact, this little man wants to be a "big boy" so much that he regularly lies to those who ask him his age. He will streak around the back deck, singing at the top of his 3 year old lungs..but when asked how old he is..he will get very serious and somber and say <b><i>3..actually 4..actually 6. Yes. I 6!</i></b><br />
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<b><i> </i></b>That is his story and he is sticking to it!<br />
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Normally this would not alarm me. As a matter of fact, almost nothing our little man has done has alarmed me. I think I became desensitized years ago with the older, taller big boys. I trust that as long as Levi is safe and relatively happy, then all is good. Now here's the thing. The school year has started. I watch as all the Club kids start the school year. I watch the local homeschool co-op kids gather with excitement for this year. I am pleased we are not part of the hustle and bustle. But I also wonder (once again) if we are leaving him out of something exciting. Friends ask, "now how old is Levi? Will you be sending him to school?" I admit. Probably not. Still. I start imagining (not even realistic imagining) what "other" 3 year old early pre-school/late toddlers may be doing in the U.S. Even as I do this in my head. I know I should stop..yet..I just. can't . help. myself.<br />
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I watch Levi. My lying, little big-man..who is plopped on my bed, surrounded by trucks and watching t.v. I think... "oh my."<br />
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Levi IS happy. I can give him that...and I trust that he will truly develop at his own space.He's just different. The first year or two of his life we made an effort to take him on nature walks and expose him to lots of people, music and love. Then? Well..I started working..more..and more..and more.<br />
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With our older kids we had a lot of child-led learning until they were like...12. But I also REALLY limited their time in front of electronics until they were ....teens. Levi? Yup..definately a t.v. kid. By the age of 3 the other boys were helping me with small chores and spending hours outside. Levi? Yup...definately turning into the indoor type. Why? I wonder. And I know it is because it has been hot. I have been tired and cranky for the past 2 years. We have let him run amuck indoors as much as possible. And we take him out for an hour or two a day. It usually involves collecting chicken eggs, swimming or going to the lake. End of story.<br />
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Add our laziness to his temperament. He is active, yes. He is also a pleaser. Levi has learned to please us by staying out of the way. And in the process? He has become quite comfy in my air-conditioned bedroom, surrounded by trucks and pillows while jumping on the bed with his eyes glued to the screen. I think I can safely say, it is now his favorite past-time.<br />
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So Big B, my sister and I sit down and look at this boys future. No we are not starting formal schooling with him in any shape or form. But..I don't know..potty-training would be nice? Cutting back on the t.v. has got to happen. He is becoming addicted to the little screen in my bedroom. He likes to pretend my bed is a truck..pile all his toys on the bed..and watch various shows (usually Power Puff Girls or My Little Pony) for hours on end. And while there is nothing wrong with a little t.v. watching default activity..this habit of his has become a (YIKES) routine. And yup..I'm the one that encouraged it.<br />
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The 3 of us come up with a consensus of where we hope to see him over the next few months. Learning to use the toilet would be nice. But more important. How about shoot for 5-6 hours a day of outdoor play, continuing to join us for family meals and starting some daily "chores." That is it. His goals for the year. None of which he has helped to set but seem to be in his best interest according to..well..us. The adults in his life who care deeply for him.<br />
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So today we wake up early. We have a talk. I call it the "big boy talk." I had it with all of the boys when they were 2 or 3. Usually because there was another baby on the way. Not the case with Levi..<br />
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We discuss..underwear. Like this time we should really not just wear them for decoration but because big boys wear underwear. He nods and grins in agreement. And Big Boys help mom/Aunt Nicole with laundry, cooking,cleaning and walking the dog. He is excited. And they still help Uncle Brian collect chicken eggs and work on cars (he's got this part down). AND..they play outside. A LOT. And turn the t.v. <b>off</b> until almost dinner time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxEykXsPpq_AJd6mZ6UNcaKfafN6psrsyAuYc30TsKDTjQHq6XbVEXBCxILEid7e-iLeis6GaBTyHaWXuCuVI1c7tHK_0XnpSJB0uYZNpCGBHBV-vBHpJb-1j_DPclEI22RPIf/s1600/kidding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxEykXsPpq_AJd6mZ6UNcaKfafN6psrsyAuYc30TsKDTjQHq6XbVEXBCxILEid7e-iLeis6GaBTyHaWXuCuVI1c7tHK_0XnpSJB0uYZNpCGBHBV-vBHpJb-1j_DPclEI22RPIf/s200/kidding.jpg" width="200" /></a>The grin stops. Dead silence. Then a look that is..well..like this.<br />
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<b><i> How 'bout..I not be 6. How bout' I be 3.</i></b> He pats me on the back and says<b><i> It's okay..I have time.</i></b><br />
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Out of the mouth of babes. Yes. Levi. You do. All the time in the world.<br />
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But now? Naked, underwear or diapers..I really don't care. This 'little big-boy' and I are shutting off the t.v. (it's 9 oclock ) and are headed outdoors.<br />
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At first he is..annoyed. Resistant. We decide to take the dog for a walk. I head toward the Pecan Grove we used to walk in. Before I go any further in this story, I would like to point out that I am a city girl. Now..back to heading towards the pecan grove with the dog and the boy. We hear a rattle. I'm pretty sure it's a rattle. Maybe it's a locust.<br />
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I'm pretty sure it's a rattle snake. <b><i>mom..a snake</i></b> says Levi. I consider turning back. Maybe we should start our outdoorsyness tomorrow. Our brave guard dog, hides behind me. I have to give her credit..she does at least knock Levi out of what she considers danger.<b><i>Yup</i></b> says Levi in an authoritative voice as he shakes the dirt off himself and stands back up while holding onto Laeyla (the dog). <b><i>It's</i></b> <b>snake</b>. I remind myself that a year of watching Power Puff Girls and My Little Ponies does not make Levi an expert.<br />
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We take a long way around the bush and continue to our Pecan Grove. As we start to enter it is shady. Almost like a jungle or a forest. <i style="font-weight: bold;">Yup. It's dark..</i>states Levi...as he imagines whatever he is imagining in the same jungle I am seeing. I remember I have heard recent reports of bobcats in the area. I'm pretty sure this is where a bobcat would hang out. Have I mentioned I'm not a country girl? Laeyla decides our ridiculousness is enough. We follow her lead into the Pecan Grove.<br />
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Then? Things begin to change. I remember a time not to long ago, when I enjoyed this walk. And then Levi looks at me with a sparkle in his eyes. I wonder if he could possibly remember doing this before. <i style="font-weight: bold;">Let's go to the caves</i>, he states.<br />
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I am stunned. We have not been to "the caves" (holes in the dirt on a nearby ledge) since he was 2. We head to the caves.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1NZOlC6ixFWjhtl1dxMwNpNqaRB_WEdb-fNbLzHbkzy3ZJIGJ1h4VyKImoqpTxLKSOfcepgHGGbkt4G40AtgsYNlROfNmm2dSh3-nmQ-Tm1A0D-AupJpeBky0vNUDa_XFwjx3/s1600/downloadcaving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1NZOlC6ixFWjhtl1dxMwNpNqaRB_WEdb-fNbLzHbkzy3ZJIGJ1h4VyKImoqpTxLKSOfcepgHGGbkt4G40AtgsYNlROfNmm2dSh3-nmQ-Tm1A0D-AupJpeBky0vNUDa_XFwjx3/s200/downloadcaving.jpg" width="200" /></a>The rest is history. We spent hours at the cave. We even came home and made a lunch to eat in the cave. As I am walking on our second trip to "the caves', I enjoy feeling his little hand in mine, smelling his sweat mixed with dirt and listening to him discuss bugs and cactus. I am reminded of how lucky I am. And remember what I used to think with the older boys. It wouldn't matter if the best school (pre-school/day-care, etc.) in the planet was next door. I wouldn't trade this time with him for anything. Levi's words from earlier float through my mind <b><i>It's okay..I (we) have time...</i></b><br />
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Lunch leads to hot and tired. WE return home for a swim. Now? After cooling off in the pool after our caving adventures.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdwiLMMCuELo2ecpAtaLKlQWMvubo2LU8_GKxV_8Gp5V4tsjuiv09IhDkOBEWBOftSUi7uDlxMEk1q4rgHtsweBbuVmAfXs9YIoa_1etQcZxddrYTCbOf46iy_Yxi4lV01LxPM/s1600/downloadlpainting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdwiLMMCuELo2ecpAtaLKlQWMvubo2LU8_GKxV_8Gp5V4tsjuiv09IhDkOBEWBOftSUi7uDlxMEk1q4rgHtsweBbuVmAfXs9YIoa_1etQcZxddrYTCbOf46iy_Yxi4lV01LxPM/s200/downloadlpainting.jpg" width="200" /></a> Levi wants to paint. I have to admit..in all my negligence of this little big-man..I have managed to paint with him consistently.<br />
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I am thinking how nice it is. It is quiet. He is busy. I start to chat and Levi scolds me. The big boy informs me he is <i style="font-weight: bold;">in the zone.</i> I'm like really? I realize he is serious<br />
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So I end the morning marveling at the irony of having "big boy" talks with my little men..now of which Levi is included when I want nothing more for them than to enter adulthood with a strong foundation of innocent childhood awe and wonder.<br />
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">unschooling, work and homeschool, life, children</div>simplynicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03297621690461299655noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34618953.post-7251692750044912522013-08-11T08:32:00.000-07:002013-08-13T19:27:34.442-07:00Discovering Treasure Island Several months ago, Big B and I decided to try out the boat he had spent the past year refurbishing. We headed to a nearby lake. Except there was a small problem. A South Texas drought problem. We arrive at lake number 1 and realize we could not get the boat into the lake-turned-puddle. Then lake number 2..same problem. This had turned into a quest. A scavenger hunt of sorts. A few phone calls were made and we heard a rumor of a lake that we could actually launch a boat in.<br />
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At this point, we no longer cared about actually boating. It was the hunt that had become our afternoon adventure. So we took off. No one seemed to know exactly how to find this lake. Ramps were closed, what used to be public was now private. And my map-quest? Well this is where things got really interesting. It sent us through some weird subdivisions..then over a bridge...and then we see it. The lake..and a sign into yet another subdivision (that is on an actual mini-island..hence the bridge crossing) We enter into the subdivision as we pass a sign that says <b><i>Welcome to</i></b> <b><i>Treasure Island.</i></b><br />
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We both grin. It becomes clear that there are only private boat ramps and we have no business being on treasure island. But who cared? This was just cool. We viewed homes and oohed and ahhed at people's lake-houses. I suddenly had that feeling..that <i>de-ja-vu</i> in forward motion instead of reverse. That says...this is your future. I look at Big B. He grins. We both agree we will retire here. We don't know how...but it is just a feeling. The same feeling that landed us in Bandera. There was no rhyme or reason to it. And since we have already established through our married life history that all our major life decisions are made on impulse..it makes sense that our retirement will be no different.<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">Look. </i>says Big B. <i style="font-weight: bold;">I like this one.</i>..and then we hear the map-quest navigator voice on my phone... <b><i>You have arrived.</i></b><br />
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We grin again..and then return home.<br />
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Later I google the place. The cheapest home in that neighborhood is something I will only afford if I win the lottery. Like a HUGE lottery.<br />
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And then I thought <i>Really Nicole? What is wrong with you? What does </i><b style="font-style: italic;">Treasure Island</b> <i>have that you don't already have?</i><br />
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I came up with nothing other than neighborhood tennis courts and a lake. But hey..we have a backyard pool and a river (okay..at the moment..another puddle). Our neighborhood is smaller...much more scaled down..mostly mobile homes. But we have decks and porches and fenced in play-area...and tree-house and space..so much space. I was reminded that if I can't appreciate what I already have, I probably wouldn't appreciate what I could have either.<br />
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So then I took it a little further and started thinking about life in general. I have been so. Hmm..how to say it...<br />
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Not. nice.<br />
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These past few years have been rough for me. Sort-of an emotional roller-coaster, actually. And I have spent a lot of time doing massive journaling, and soul-searching and basic mid-life crisising.<br />
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It is not a secret that Big B has been sick for awhile. Our lifestyle has changed quite a bit over the past few years, and earlier this year (like around Christmastime) things were looking really bad for Big B. I started wondering what we could do to help him enjoy the quality of his life. He and I talked about this..and then it was like. Hey, why do we have to wait until someone is deathly ill before we start living life. What if you get better? Can't we STILL enjoy life? And (thank goodness) he IS much better. But we made a short-list of things he really wanted to do.. And when I say short..I mean short. Big B's list Fix his boat and just relax more.<br />
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Then I started thinking about the lotto. About how we always make plans for what we would do if we won the BIG BUCKS. Just like when looking at the end of one's life...you start saying what you would or wouldn't do differently. I thought.<i>.why? Why do we have to win a lot of money to do these things. Can't we give to these organizations, spend more time with family, treat ourselves to good books and time for ourselves in smaller ways now?</i><br />
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During the time I was contemplating life in general, my job at the Teen Center became crazy hectic. Over time, the job I sincerely loved became something I started dreading. For a number of reasons I started resenting my time at the Center and I felt myself turning into someone I didn't want to be. I realized that what I personally wanted out of life was the ability to live a life loving fearlessly and trusting my own personal integrity. I realized the roadblocks to this life were within me. Specifically my own self-righteousness, unforgiveness and over-extended busyness. I began journaling like CRAZY.<br />
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During my time journaling (which I still do, by the way) I realized that self-righteousness is a lot like clutter-blindness. It just sort-of builds up and you don't realize it. For me..self-righteousness took the form of being "too busy" doing important things that I couldn't take the time for the people who were the closest to me. My family.<br />
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One afternoon I found myself journaling about who I was at the age of 10. You know when you are at that age of being almost aware of the tough stuff of adulthood but clinging to childhood with a vengeance. When the future holds so many possibilities.<br />
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I made a list of things that I did, or dreamed of being at that age. I spent hours in trees by myself, just day-dreaming. I played music. I read a lot. I wrote a lot. I envisioned myself a budding social-activist. I collected stamps. I read the bible. I spent a fair amount of time just hanging out with friends. I thought..what happened to that person?<br />
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I realized I had compromised so much of who I was to accommodate others. So I quit my job. A job I love but left me no time to just. be. me.<br />
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The universe has opened up a temporary job that is leading into a part-time job for me. I also get to be a part of a community center project that is still in it's infancy stage. This center holds so many possibilities.... I now have the time to enjoy my family. To read. To write. To continue playing music and discussing theology with my brothers-in-white at the local prison. To just hang out with my family..and to read all the Holy Books. (currently reading through the Old Testament stories in Genesis and the Quran..because I am just sort-of geeky that way)<br />
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But most importantly, I have time to continue breaking down the barriers of self-righteousness and unforgiveness I have slowly built up ..intentional or not..over a lifetime. To live a life of fearless love.<br />
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And yesterday? Yesterday..I had the opportunity to hang out with some of my elementary school friends...like the ones I knew when I was 10.<br />
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It was great! We had a chance to revisit stories of various nuns, priests and lay-teachers that helped shape our childhood. We gossiped about those that (ahem) could not make it. S<u>hamelessly</u> by the way. We briefly talked politics and then touched on some of the emotional high or low points of the past couple decades.<br />
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This morning I was holding Levi during our "snuggle time". It's a morning routine. I hold my "snuggle bug" and we watch something obnoxious on t.v. together. We watched Daniel Lion's Neighborhood. (which for those of you not in the know? Is the new, cartoon version of Mr. Roger's Neighborhood). As I held him...resting my chin on his head and listening to the sound of him sucking his thumb. I thought to myself <i> the search is over. Here I am. Living in my own TREASURE ISLAND.</i><br />
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<i>My navigator was right...ready or not?</i><br />
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<b><i>I have arrived.</i></b><br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">unschooling, work and homeschool, life, children</div>simplynicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03297621690461299655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34618953.post-77141628330750892032013-06-19T17:32:00.000-07:002013-06-19T17:36:06.460-07:00ADVENTURE!Wow.<br />
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How time flies...<br />
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"ADVENTURE!" That is one of Austen's favorite sayings. When he is taking off to hang out with friends. "Adventure!" When something goes wrong? "Adventure".<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid5ZBAA-aMQBWFC5znLK-KVejYcTLenQJxjYpY0gnMHNbMfn4fCAmBp3lZ7MxCgmmVbKp_8vjZIplbJrMHVR8zCGfYPAE6BfkwMYMb9zQKXSD_jVeW9qVOivVC6We1Oh9DjdRA/s1600/1010503_10201336990493700_748430491_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid5ZBAA-aMQBWFC5znLK-KVejYcTLenQJxjYpY0gnMHNbMfn4fCAmBp3lZ7MxCgmmVbKp_8vjZIplbJrMHVR8zCGfYPAE6BfkwMYMb9zQKXSD_jVeW9qVOivVC6We1Oh9DjdRA/s200/1010503_10201336990493700_748430491_n.jpg" width="148" /></a>And this past month..has been one heck of an Adventure!<br />
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So..we start with our adventurer. Austen is finished with highschool!<br />
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We celebrate with a small ungraduation party at Dave and Busters. Then? Austen heads to girl-scout camp for his 3rd summer as a girl-scout. His first weekend home? He looks like this!<br />
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Austen's plans after camp?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMiOt1_uHCYXN5ujcWrVAOAvTQ44BbBGlAzpT9NluiLFjggrtYMDpFWKs_waOEQhH-cfhv0dORmucxX-42EgIlI1usjuNBZkLhvcDV7ubsLXghTW1H3rQ_MKzZGUghcZMuRlT7/s1600/480436_10201267335472368_898225244_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMiOt1_uHCYXN5ujcWrVAOAvTQ44BbBGlAzpT9NluiLFjggrtYMDpFWKs_waOEQhH-cfhv0dORmucxX-42EgIlI1usjuNBZkLhvcDV7ubsLXghTW1H3rQ_MKzZGUghcZMuRlT7/s200/480436_10201267335472368_898225244_n.jpg" width="150" /></a> Bar tending school, work and then off to Australia for a year to bar tend his way from Sydney to Adelaide (or something like that). Rumors abound that he would like to head to Corpus Christi to study culinary arts on his return from his oversees adventures. What better time in his life than now to try these things? We are fully supportive of his choices.<br />
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Here is Austen before the blue hair.<br />
Where he had cleaned up really nice for....<br />
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Brian and Angee's wedding!!!</div>
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Absolutely amazing wedding..if I do say so myself! And (ahem) that is a completely unbiased opinion. I am so happy for both of them. And now? I have an extraordinary daughter-in-law. Lucky me!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif5kltQwci4Hx2tTI43aTsknzjWVPYoIZQUal3PlyDzza5cVt-IW8D_buc4WppaF3Sn38OEko19Cp5r3LVRzgxPS3EwXJFYs_NkyGttaGwC3LEXyRQ0ENSTLLicU_OTz8zaMdZ/s1600/941318_10151943253378135_787707205_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif5kltQwci4Hx2tTI43aTsknzjWVPYoIZQUal3PlyDzza5cVt-IW8D_buc4WppaF3Sn38OEko19Cp5r3LVRzgxPS3EwXJFYs_NkyGttaGwC3LEXyRQ0ENSTLLicU_OTz8zaMdZ/s200/941318_10151943253378135_787707205_n.jpg" width="200" /></a>But honestly? Austen was not the only graduate this year. My nephew Calvin graduated and is heading to Northwest Vista this Fall to study 3D animation. And then..well..we have Angee and Brian. Angee is now off to med school while Brian works full time for a company he really enjoys.</div>
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Not to be left out of our family adventures is Odio. Cody has been the silent supportive rock in all of this. He has transported babies, run numerous errands and tonight? He is hooking up a Roku to the t.v. in my room so Big B and I can spend the summer vegging in front of the t.v. watching movies and playing Angry Birds. And? The kiddo is doing all of this while working full time and going to summer school.<br />
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As for me and Big B? We are utterly exhausted. We have, however, been enjoying a few weekends here and there to find a lake. You know..the ones that still have water in this S.Texas drought. We are enjoying this time to just. hang. out.</div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">unschooling, work and homeschool, life, children</div>simplynicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03297621690461299655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34618953.post-6912253223372558972013-03-24T19:04:00.000-07:002013-03-25T04:46:52.449-07:00Warrior Princesses...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Once upon a time this grilled-cheese-chic attended a warrior princess school. For you see, I am actually a dragon slayer..and at this school..we had grand adventures..and learned to play ninja, and read paper-bag princess..and I met all sorts of warrior princesses, and other dragon slayers, and queens of enchanted forests and stuff. And this weekend? A few of us had a little rendezvous. (Think Knights of the Round Table)<br />
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I can't give you too many details. What I can do is say this weekend involved...knife confiscation at an undisclosed airport, midnight airport runs, Rio's Brazilian Cafe', lots of Theo Chocolate, attitudinal bandannas, hanging out on S.Congress (in Austin), sometimes easy and sometimes down-right frightening obstacle courses, lots of mud..and more mud..and more mud. It also involved an understanding that the force (of so many other women..and men) was with us. We have deep and silly conversations over hot tea, simultaneously. The only other things I can say are Abbot Road, lightning bolts..<b><i>complete with sound effects</i></b>, and deep shifts on a cellular level. Also? We find a secret treasure..(apologies Bethlehem..we found it after you flew back to your castle)..Dr. Seuss's secret collection, complete with a prayer for a child. But the best treasure of all?<br />
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We remembered who we are.<div class="blogger-post-footer">unschooling, work and homeschool, life, children</div>simplynicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03297621690461299655noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34618953.post-35756636154622960972013-03-10T12:48:00.000-07:002013-03-10T18:56:27.380-07:00Spring Cleaning? Epic Fail..I had a plan for this weekend. It involved deep cleaning, decluttering and lots of laundry. What can I say? Best laid plans and all of that...<br />
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I do, however have a new dog. Her name is Laeyla. Laeyla is my new running/walking/biking companion.She was given to me by one of the Teen Center families..with the instruction to run/walk her 3-5 miles a day. <b><i>Perfect!</i> </b>I say.<b><i>This will force me to be accountable and get into shape!</i></b><br />
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You see, I am a big fat chicken. We live out in the country..sort-of. And I am too scared to run/bike/walk by myself when there are not humans around. No human in my family cares to go on running/walking/biking adventures with me...so now I have Laeyla.<br />
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Our first morning was great! I hopped on my new/used bike...and we were off. Then I discovered that..Laeyla could just pull me.<b><i> Well,</i></b> I think to myself,<i style="font-weight: bold;"> this is pretty slick...workout..shmerkout..how cool is this? </i>And then it happened. Laeyla picked up speed..and ran faster and faster...and I discovered my breaks didn't work. <b style="font-style: italic;">Stop.</b>I order..as I start dragging my sneakers in the dirt to slow us down.<b> </b>Laeyla gives me a puzzled look and slows down..but my bike doesn't..Laeyla picks up speed again. <i style="font-weight: bold;">Stop.</i>I say through insane laughter..because we are quite a pathetic site! Thankgoodness no humans are around! And then I remember. Laeyla understands Spanish..Oh shizzz...<b><i> Como se dice..stop? </i></b><br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">Alto...alto..</i>I say through gaining hysteria. Laeyla stops.<br />
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I get off the bike and we walk it back to the house. Then I start to run with her..only I'm really out of shape. So we run/walk another couple miles. This morning Levi decides he wants to go with us..so we walk..through the pecan grove..and to the caves.<br />
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Big B promises to fix my bike today. I am starting to suspect my family is on to something when they refuse to walk/bike/run with me. What can I say? Laeyla..is apparently patient and loyal. Thank God.<br />
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As for cleaning. I admit defeat and opt to enjoy the chaos of family life. We have lots of pleasant visits from family and friends. A spontaneous fish-fry on Friday night. Brian and Angee visit Saturday a.m. It rains. I have a toddler, a dog and lots of mud. Then Sunday is beautiful. Perfect, for cleaning. Instead, we hang out with family friends and barbecue. Why? Because it is more fun.<br />
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Here are Austen and Laeyla getting acquainted in the kitchen.<br />
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Levi takes over the dining room table with his trains.<br />
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Cody and Ellie fix sandwiches before heading out to kayak.</div>
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Levi insists on one more photo. Here you go kiddo!<br />
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Maybe I'll spring clean in April?<div class="blogger-post-footer">unschooling, work and homeschool, life, children</div>simplynicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03297621690461299655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34618953.post-24904867588780020922013-02-23T05:27:00.004-08:002013-02-23T05:27:53.048-08:00The shortest camp-out..ever!<i><b>I think it's time</b>. </i>states Big B.<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">Time for what?..</i> I ask, learily..<br />
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<i><b>You know...camping</b>.</i> Big B states incredulously..as in<i> how could I not know</i>? <b><i>The little man needs to go camping.</i></b><br />
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I ask Cody if he would like to go with us. Cody informs us he is busy. Yes...absolutely busy that night..whenever it is.<br />
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Austen informs us he is going "real" camping with his friends at Mason's ranch.<br />
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So Big B, Levi and I make a trial run...in our backyard.<br />
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First we check out the R.V.- which is parked in the driveway. In all fairness, we did plan to go to a nearby campground. They were just all full...so we decided camping in the backyard was the way to go.<br />
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Once settled, we go for a walk. Little man stampedes threw the pecan grove and shows off his mad running skills. Then we walk along the river..then?We spy on deer. And let's face it. No camp-out is complete without discovering cactus! After cactus exploration?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo5s0b9aOAKMPBY3Rz7EeJG_1__N2PrGUwfWTSdspDRYQ7ikVcsfaRoAnydr7dK-fZuSgsztnn8nkAvx_dRksvH_mqH1p7mN5ZJIsfzaSTT50YZj8vQ5j1aWD6ruw7RzCTuPFw/s1600/download+(1)+cave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo5s0b9aOAKMPBY3Rz7EeJG_1__N2PrGUwfWTSdspDRYQ7ikVcsfaRoAnydr7dK-fZuSgsztnn8nkAvx_dRksvH_mqH1p7mN5ZJIsfzaSTT50YZj8vQ5j1aWD6ruw7RzCTuPFw/s320/download+(1)+cave.jpg" width="320" /></a> We head to "the caves".The caves..were dug out of mini-cliffs by the big boys when they were, well, not. so. big.<br />
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Here Big B and Levi pose for a pic in Cave 1.<br />
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And now Levi is thinking we might just stay here in the cave.<br />
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Big B bribes him out with...another cave!<br />
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After Cave exploration we head to our back deck.<br />
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You got it. Marshmallows. S'mores...what more can we ask for?<br />
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And then we head back to the R.V...books are read, lights go out...and the Little Man? He informs us..he's done camping now. It's time go home! What can I say? The shortest camp-out in history!<br />
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">unschooling, work and homeschool, life, children</div>simplynicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03297621690461299655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34618953.post-67164835870009168702013-01-12T20:37:00.003-08:002013-01-13T06:18:51.613-08:00School of Rock and Pothole Parties.Yup..that is how this year is starting out. School of Rock and Pot Parties. Oops. My bad. That is Pot Hole Parties!<br />
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Big B informed me today that he and one of his neighborhood assoc. partners in crime, have made signs and everything to advertise this pot-hole filling adventure of theirs. They posted a sign for this party on the entrance to the sub-division. It sort-of reminds me of Tom Huck painting a fence. A few neighbors have joined them...base has been poured, spread..and more is on the way.<br />
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While Big B plays in the dirt? I have continued to hang at the Teen Center. It has been interesting..lot of strange twists and turns with work politics. And while there were a few times last summer where I felt like Arnold Schwarzenegger in kindergarten cop. There were a few weeks during the holiday season when I felt like I was reliving THIS SCENE. In WAY over my head! Only, you know, the teenage version of this scenario.<br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6Xx2X8K0Uo"> Better than you</a><br />
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I finally, spent an afternoon by a lake near the Center. A little over a year ago, the Center's long-time director passed away at this lake. I spend a lot of time just sitting still looking at the water, praying..and then I whisper to the Lake. I wonder if the old director can hear. I ask for guidance.<br />
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And then? I pull myself together and get back to work. I focus a lot of energy with our Odyssey of the Mind teams. It is 5 weeks before the regional tournament, so I really can't tell you much. What I <b>can</b> tell you is that we have 14 teens involved in the creation or demolition of toasters, armored cars, trash monsters, dancing penguins and magnetic marble mazes complete with elevators.<br />
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And then we have our School of Rock. A month ago we decided to set aside some time on Saturday afternoons to play some rock..just play. Introduce any teens that wanted, some basic chord theory, learn songs they wanted to learn..and just mess around with music. Then one of our maintenance guys informed me he could play some B.B. King..and some Santana. We practiced together a few times during a lunch break. He invited his son and his son's wife to join us. So today? We had fun! 8 teens in one room working on some vocal recordings..a mix of Christina Aguillar and some rap music. We had guitars and keyboards in another room working on La Bamba..and lots of teens planning to bring more instruments next week. Our school of rock..is taking on a life of it's own..and musicians are jumping on board and mentoring/volunteering our kids.<br />
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I stood back at one point during the day and watch the teens..some were playing video games, others were dancing (they are ALWAYS dancing), the Odyssey teams had taken over the art room, a recording session going on in the kitchen and guitars, drums and keyboards in the learning center.<br />
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Ultimate coolness.<br />
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At home, things are returning to "normal". Cody is back from his mini-vacation with his girlfriend's family. As I type, he and Justin are working on a car in the garage. Austen is back at work at the restaurant, Big B is asleep in front of the t.v., and Levi is organizing his toy cars. Brian and Angee are back in Austin.<br />
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So that is my year so far..my husband is talking neighbors into filling potholes, I'm whispering to a Lake for guidance, Odyssey madness has begun, I'm surrounded by a whole unexpected slew of amazing musicians..and my family is home...or nearby.<br />
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I am lucky.<br />
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weekly menu:<br />
<b>tomorrow (Sunday): </b>make your own omelets<br />
<b>Monday: </b>spaghetti, green beans, bread-sticks<br />
<b>Tuesday: </b>Irish stew, grilled cheese with olive and tomato sandwiches<br />
<b>Wednesday: </b>make your own quesadillas , pot of beans<br />
<b>Thursday: </b>swiss steak mozarella with baked potatoes and salad<br />
<b>Friday: </b>left-overs<br />
<b>Saturday: </b>dinner at<b> </b>Pap's Italian Grill (Big B and I <b><i> usually</i></b> order eggplant parmigiana, and grilled veggies..the big boys? raviolis or huge sandwiches Levi- he likes the eggplant and noodles...lots of dinner rolls for the table)<br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">unschooling, work and homeschool, life, children</div>simplynicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03297621690461299655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34618953.post-53329461196325203762013-01-07T17:05:00.001-08:002013-01-08T05:58:31.334-08:002013?! Geez..who said it could be 2013 already?<br />
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Hope everyone is well. I mean..really..like, not sick, well. It seems a lot of people are starting the year off with the flu..or strep.<br />
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Gotta admit. I was no exception. So to the New Year's Eve guests I abandoned in the middle of the evening.<br />
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Apologies. I really <b>did</b> feel like I had Freddy Krueger in my throat. I understand you got along fine without me..you know...blowing things up and drinking Hot Damn shots. For what it's worth, I have started out the year with a mini-hibernation.<br />
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3 days in bed. It was wonderful! I think this should be a new tradition...only without the throbbing throat and head.<br />
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So now I reflect on the year past, and look forward to the one ahead. This past year was an emotional doozie for many reasons..and if I look at what I thought I would be doing last January..and the way life has played out? I wasn't even in the ball park.<br />
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So, I am not even trying to guess what this year will hold. I am coming out of hibernation and entering a few months of a self-imposed cocoon of work, prison and family. I hope to stay in this cocoon for at least a few months...and maybe come out of the cocoon to meet some college friends for The Dirty Girls Mud Run in Austin this Spring.<br />
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I was the lucky recipient of Rosetta Stone Spanish (the whole set!) for x-mas. Since my Spanish is becoming more and more necessary at work, that is my goal for this year. Starting with volume one and working my way through.<br />
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Other than that? My only other goal, wish..don't want to call it a resolution, because, quite frankly..I suck at resolutions. Is to feed this family better!<br />
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There was a while when i was like a food nazi..that time has long past.<br />
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We have been scrounging or eating junk food for the past several months (sheez..years?!). It is taking it's toll on all of us. But here's the thing..we are a family trying to meet the dietary needs of people affected by Chron's/Colitis, thalesemia-minor, Bickerstaff Syndrome , one vegetarian and a slew of food allergies. It can lead to pure insanity.<br />
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So to keep everyone healthy we need to stay away from processed foods...fix occasional vegetarian meals with options for those who can't eat veggies..and occasional carnivorous meals with some vegetarian options. And this? Takes some planning.<br />
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When I didn't work, we could stick to the Mediterranean diet..and it fit everyone's needs..and tastebuds! But Mediterranean diet? Takes time. And time..is something we don't seem to have a lot of.<br />
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I am not good at planning.<br />
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But here we are..and this week? We have a plan! So I thought I would try to post for awhile our menu..you know..just in case there is another family in this universe who are trying to meet the dietary needs of..Chron's/Colitis, thalesemia-minor, Bickerstaff Syndrome, a few vegetarians and a slew of food allergies.<br />
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Then you add your actual cooks. You know, a mom who is more a "get the job done" cook..than a good cook. A dad who is a really good cook...but is sporadic in his cooking. And two young men who make lots of breakfast foods. One toddler who just sprinkles ingredients around the house. Yes, the little man decorated our floor with garlic pepper yesterday and used red-hots as marbles for his train set (don't ask) today.<br />
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So here it is. What's for dinner? So glad you asked (just humor me here)<br />
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<b>Monday (tonight)</b>: baked chicken, green beans cooked in veggie broth and sliced potatoes with onions and mushrooms.<br />
<b>Tuesday</b>: cheese lasagna, spinach salad, french bread<br />
<b>Wednesday: </b>baked fish, wild rice, cooked asparagus and sliced peaches<br />
<b>Thursday: </b>Big B's toasted sandwiches with sliced turkey or roast beef (or not), swiss and or pepperjack cheese, cucumber and olives, (tomato and lettuce optional) with tomato soup.<br />
<b>Friday: </b>left-overs<br />
<b>Saturday: </b>family pasta night..dinner at Pap's Italian restaurant.<br />
<b>Sunday: </b>make your own omelets<br />
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Okay..back to my cocoon..where i am watching too many lifetime movies while Big B piddles in the garage, Levi lines cars around the living room..and Austen sleeps! Cody? Still at Ellie's for the holidays.<div class="blogger-post-footer">unschooling, work and homeschool, life, children</div>simplynicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03297621690461299655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34618953.post-6555789137319934132012-12-21T18:05:00.002-08:002012-12-21T20:11:51.871-08:00A person of value?I am writing from the Teen Center.<br />
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It is the evening of our Christmas Party..as I type there are 35+ teens and 3 staff waiting. We wait as Arnulfo's mom runs home for the rice and cake before the festivities officially begin. The neighbors donated TONS of tamales. Armando's mom brought the beans.Presents have been donated from various sponsors.<br />
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I am surrounded by the sound of laughter, pool balls, anxious anticipation and kids relieved to be with family. For we are a family here..as the teens often point out to us.<br />
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My first day here a young woman by the name of Lucia looked at me and said <strong>Do you have a date with your husband tonight? You should. You need to go out with your husband so then you can come here..to your second family..and you know..raise us.</strong> That same evening one of the mom's stopped me, and introduced herself. Then ended with..<strong>Welcome to your second family...now you can help raise them.</strong> Father Mike from the church that we are housed out of introduces himself..and says<strong>..welcome to your new family. I trust you will raise them well.</strong><br />
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But here's the thing...we have been surrounded lately by violence..and fear..and threats of more violence. These teens..many...have recently had families deported, or family visits cancelled...or parents losing jobs. Our "milk and cookie kids", as we like to refer to them, are simply dealing with the violence in their schools and neighborhoods. And the heartbreak..the huge heartbreak..of watching their friends miss their first families...and wonder where they will sleep next week..and all that stuff that comes with urban poverty in the 21st century.<br />
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This past month our staff has started running some programs at one of the local highschools. We were asked to work with some at-risk youth..to mentor them in small groups. In a district whose drop-out rate is 60% . The counselors and social workers at this particular school are scrambling to help them graduate. So my co-workers and I go and agree to partner with this school and the kids they have identified.<br />
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We begin each session with an icebreaker..one of which includes asking members to step forward when something matches their experience. ?'s like..<b>.if you have ever thought something critical of yourself "I'm too fat.short, etc..please take a step forward. </b>or <b>If you have a dream, please take a step forward.</b> This inevitably leads into an exercise and a series of sessions on respect. Self-respect, disrespect and personal boundaries.We run similar programs with our regular Teen Center kids..so we think we are prepared.<br />
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We started with the same ice-breakers with our first group of young men at this highschool. I state...<b>If you see yourself as a valuable person, please take a step. </b>No one moves. These young men have moved on other questions..but this one simply brings silence. <br />
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Our second session is a group of about 8 young women. Once again I state...<b>If you see yourself as a valuable person, please take a step.</b> Once again..we meet dead silence..and one girl asks..<strong>Miss Nicole...what does that mean? </strong>After a brief summary,something along the lines of.. <strong>if you have ever felt important, or if you matter,</strong> one girl timidly steps forward. The rest remain in their spots.<br />
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The next day we meet our next group of boys.I ask the same question. Again Silence. I ask..<b>can anyone tell me what it means to be valuable. </b>In response..one boy says..<strong>miss..I have NO IDEA what you are talking about. </strong>Once again, no one moves.<br />
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My co-workers and I look at eachother from across the room. We have just met 24 teens. 23 of these teens don't see themselves as a person of value? How do you teach a child he or she has value? How do you awaken a beaten down young teen to their personal value, in one hour a week?<br />
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It occurs to me, as I watch the horrors of the shootings in Conneticut, and as I watch our Club teens continually be sent home early due to bomb threats, hit lists and men with guns on their campuses that maybe our 23 teens who remained standing are not the only ones who do not know their value. They are not the only ones who don't understand the concept of human value. <br />
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I do the only sensible thing to do.<br />
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I cry.<br />
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I cry for the 23 teens who don't' understand the concept of their own personal value. I cry for the one who does understand. I cry for the victims of adults who have no concept of personal value. I cry for a society who has so many people with such deep hurts that they forget how to feel at all. <br />
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Then? I look at my families..both of them. Like the teens at the Center tonight. I am relieved to be with family. And I am grateful for the value my families bring to my own life.<br />
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So for those of you who don't know? I friggin' love my second family! And yes..I am returning to blogging after dinner has been served and presents opened. Here everyone is gathered as we start to serve dinner. Because..as Carlos says..."that's what families do!"<br />
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Now..for the other important and valuable family in my life. Reiterating here. <b>important.</b> <b>valuable.</b>When I'm not with my second family,I have been at home..hanging with (are you ready for it?)</div>
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<strong>The first family. </strong>Yes. It's true. I like to refer to myself and my family as the first family. Just humor me..it's Christmas after all. Sheesh!</div>
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Levi and I have been painting a dresser for his room.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHno1YZYLGf-qSWqKPSU3dVsQhPtfEguE4AhyS2NcCfYlHIYuzqGIIZkumt7JN6E40ar8XhsNxc_6PM9eJhsEuA60EtyXxnsKiHdkpgvkNXJLwmdAsSOsrKO5CR-LUVxznr6J/s1600/downloadsanding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHno1YZYLGf-qSWqKPSU3dVsQhPtfEguE4AhyS2NcCfYlHIYuzqGIIZkumt7JN6E40ar8XhsNxc_6PM9eJhsEuA60EtyXxnsKiHdkpgvkNXJLwmdAsSOsrKO5CR-LUVxznr6J/s200/downloadsanding.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Here Levi is sanding...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELWT2cJmYn0fp6JkEyp1TlKDbr_hg791M3OlgKwdYKqqmiCm14OBKMhCwfDu-JhLP3kYE0Ifxxws58fOHDWKyH9Gc9Goiu2KwGWAKnqDWn-Snmyhj6rAhu3xdM-9QHY7iHgUz/s1600/downloadpainting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELWT2cJmYn0fp6JkEyp1TlKDbr_hg791M3OlgKwdYKqqmiCm14OBKMhCwfDu-JhLP3kYE0Ifxxws58fOHDWKyH9Gc9Goiu2KwGWAKnqDWn-Snmyhj6rAhu3xdM-9QHY7iHgUz/s320/downloadpainting.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
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and painting...and painting..and worrying about the mess on his finger.<br />
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...and a job well done, if you ask me!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP-6RzyiLgEVLMKNo19ZO2PERinuSbPrbTRoasQwsB5lU8aBNayqvWj9fRbpK5qOfzm4DLcV5T4L0WvbGKnnqcDbHXMeHNEU5vm1rf7Wn2SrsEsbr7Vz6ZvE5d7tAoY98KZ9Ei/s1600/downloaddresser.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP-6RzyiLgEVLMKNo19ZO2PERinuSbPrbTRoasQwsB5lU8aBNayqvWj9fRbpK5qOfzm4DLcV5T4L0WvbGKnnqcDbHXMeHNEU5vm1rf7Wn2SrsEsbr7Vz6ZvE5d7tAoY98KZ9Ei/s320/downloaddresser.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Then there are the tall children! Everyone came home to celebrate an early Christmas. We ate pasta and chilli, caught up on all sorts of gossip, and played some sort of gender wars board game.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjttnf5D-1Ycyo5prp858qbKrHg-TJqNaCrYNTbuDXK3je74RidpM3XqPqa4uxC0T4pSnvOxqfAXnboAuG6t9_LkIDdNLcgZ_pwPbZ2XJWKG5mFHJoUSSk3uYRgAjMJNnppLLC4/s1600/IMG_20121219_151701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjttnf5D-1Ycyo5prp858qbKrHg-TJqNaCrYNTbuDXK3je74RidpM3XqPqa4uxC0T4pSnvOxqfAXnboAuG6t9_LkIDdNLcgZ_pwPbZ2XJWKG5mFHJoUSSk3uYRgAjMJNnppLLC4/s200/IMG_20121219_151701.jpg" width="200" /></a> Here is the awesome girls team..consisting of Cody's girlfriend, Ellie..Brian's fiance, Angee..and me. I think we are discussing something important. Like what the heck is some boat part called. Or what are the pictures of various make-up type brushes for...or what the heck is that thing called that covers a tea-pot. (which Cody knew, by the way)<br />
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The men's team..consisting of Austen, Brian, Cody and Levi..and Big B..(who participated from a distance) kept us laughing. This group? Definately not doubting their value. Everytime they answered a question correctly..they would burst into a chorus of "Men, Men, Men..Men..Men..Men..Men..Men..Men." (from 2 and a half men)<br />
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But just for the record? The women won!<br />
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Okay..I have gone on WAY. TOO. LONG.<br />
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Feliz Navidad, folks.<div class="blogger-post-footer">unschooling, work and homeschool, life, children</div>simplynicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03297621690461299655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34618953.post-20158466340968544142012-11-24T17:02:00.000-08:002012-11-24T17:02:00.532-08:00Grateful.Grateful for family and friends rich in human connection.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFf8JcIIIjPCBl0Ec7q22f3ltMGSXoD5A7w6lu37BHVQNTwIG7wHHRJ-1ux3O4jn1mdUlnImbN-gDlFFEe8JFzQgDyGKQu5NxSuTpzXDHu3C3raafrycAoQRbs7aztmV4tLAVl/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFf8JcIIIjPCBl0Ec7q22f3ltMGSXoD5A7w6lu37BHVQNTwIG7wHHRJ-1ux3O4jn1mdUlnImbN-gDlFFEe8JFzQgDyGKQu5NxSuTpzXDHu3C3raafrycAoQRbs7aztmV4tLAVl/s320/download.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here A.J. and Levi discuss whether this truck that is being pulled out of ashes is, indeed, dirty.<br />
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Meanwhile..uncles discuss politics. My parents catch up with the boys...and Brian and Angee share this link<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 17.999998092651367px;"> </span><a forcediv="true" forceinline="true" href="http://www.day7photography.com/2012/11/brian-angee-engaged-lady-bird-lake-engagement-session-austin-engagement-photographer/" original_target="http://www.day7photography.com/2012/11/brian-angee-engaged-lady-bird-lake-engagement-session-austin-engagement-photographer/&h=eaqflhrox&s=1" rel="nofollow nofollow" saprocessedanchor="true" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 17.999998092651367px;" target="_blank" verdict_1d709cg="OK" wotsearchprocessed="true">http://www.day7photography.com/2012/11/brian-angee-engaged-lady-bird-lake-engagement-session-austin-engagement-photographer/</a><br />
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with all of us..which I then shared on facebook...and here..you know..just in case you didn't catch it on facebook..because..well..I'm a tad excitable that way.<br />
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Happy Thanksgiving to All!<div class="blogger-post-footer">unschooling, work and homeschool, life, children</div>simplynicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03297621690461299655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34618953.post-67845186655830398992012-11-19T10:08:00.001-08:002012-11-19T10:08:09.415-08:00From Couch to 1/2 Marathon?Okay. I admit it. Sometimes I hear things coming out of my face and think...<i style="font-weight: bold;">What?!</i> <i style="font-weight: bold;">Did an alien just invade my body and say that?</i><br />
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So it should come as no surprise to myself (or anyone who has seen this phenomenon happen around me) that I made a bet with my Odyssey of the Mind teams. A very stupid one. <br />
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I was with a group of Teens from the Teen Center (many of whom happened to be on our OM teams) at the San Antonio Rock and Roll Marathon registration. As we spent the day registering one runner after another, I became greatly inspired by all these women who were registering. Some were long time runners...others this was there first marathon. Me? I was filling their forms and drinking my Dr. Pepper while a Babe Ruth in my face.<br />
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During our down times the teens and I would discuss these women. We discussed the importance of setting goals and leaving our comfort zones..and then, of course, came the inevitable <i style="font-weight: bold;">well how about you ms. nicole? When was the last time you did that?.</i> I mean really?! They are (gasp) not supposed to hold me accountable. Dang kids.<br />
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And then it happened..the alien invasion thing. I heard myself saying..<b><i>I'll tell you what...if BOTH O.M. teams make it to state finals...I'll run the 1/2...1/2 did you hear me 1/2 not whole ..marathon next year.</i></b><br />
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Fabien..one of our highschool teens offered to up the anty himself with <b>It's a deal! I'll run with you. ..(<i>he's a runner)</i>and I tell you what. If we make it to Worlds 1 team..not 2....I'll run the whole thing!</b> I assured him I would NOT run the whole thing with him. We shook on it..publicly..in front of the whole darn world..or actually..the Colosseum full of runners...and even worse? One of the teens filmed it on his phone.<br />
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When I returned home..I thought. No biggie. I've got time. I'll just start practicing now. I ran 1/2 a mile and walked 1/2 a mile. I could not breathe. Big B called me Forest Gump..I made unpleasant gestures to him..and continued huffing and puffing. It is now a week later..and I still. can't. breathe.<br />
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So instead I went on facebook and asked if anyone wanted to join me in the Dirty Girls Mud Run in Austin in March (I figured I should start small). And you know what? Some of my college friends from a gazillion (that's the academician in me speaking) years ago are coming to join me. How cool is that? <br />
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Now..there is the little problem of breathing. My friend Christy suggested looking at Couch to 5 K. I..think I am going to follow her footsteps and start this on December 1st. Why? Because I like my couch..thankyou very much. I have spent a lot of time on the couch this past weekend...watching Star Trek, and School of Rock..and The Proposal...and Date Night. It's nice and cozy there and I don't want to leave it! Also? I like the frozen pizza and the Dr. Pepper that come with it. Dang aliens..what were they thinking letting my face make such a ridiculous promise!<br />
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I checked out the sight...and one of the first things I saw was an article on 8 ways to overcome embarassment of running in public. I thought...<i style="font-weight: bold;">wow..how did they know?</i> So...I think if this site is starting with such helpful hints as this? There might be hope after all.<br />
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So here I am..holding my breath (what's left of it anyways) and mentally gearing myself to do this couch to 5 K thing. Then..are you ready for it? The 5K to 1/2 marathon thing. I think it can happen. I really do.<br />
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And just for the record, that's Nicole talking, not the alien.<br />
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">unschooling, work and homeschool, life, children</div>simplynicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03297621690461299655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34618953.post-71325994477115823462012-11-12T13:01:00.002-08:002012-11-13T20:07:21.459-08:00November Already?November has arrived in stealth mode. How did this happen? Big B lit the fireplace this a.m. <b>What are you doing?</b> I asked him. <b>It's going to get hot later.</b><br />
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<b>It's November, </b>he answered. As if that was an explanation in itself. I was about to argue that it wasn't...and then it hit me. Holy Moly..it's November already. October came and went in a blur of business..and now we are settling into Fall/Winter...and the holidays that come with it.<br />
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Tomorrow I drag the Austen boy to work with me to help prepare a Thanksgiving dinner for 300+ people. Next week we get to celebrate Thanksgiving here at home with a handful of family and friends.<br />
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I am really looking forward to spending time with family and friends.<br />
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I have decided to take a little reprieve from Kairos and most other outside commitments. I way over-committed last month and hit near insanity. I am continuing as a chapel volunteer at the prison every other week. Other than that? Work and home. I am looking forward to the freedom of really engaging in work and family life, not feel pulled in a zillion directions. I want to enjoy the simple pleasures in life.<br />
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That said. We are bringing Odyssey of the Mind ( i know..not a simple pleasure..only organized chaos) to the Teen Center. Which reminds me.. I saw this short film today. The Adventures of a Box.<br />
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<a href="http://vimeo.com/25239728">http://vimeo.com/25239728</a><br />
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Happy Thanksgiving everyone.<div class="blogger-post-footer">unschooling, work and homeschool, life, children</div>simplynicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03297621690461299655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34618953.post-813694818451734992012-10-14T15:08:00.002-07:002012-10-15T06:05:50.930-07:00capturing serenity...amidst utter chaos.<br />
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It is 4 oclockish on a Sunday afternoon. I normally turn off electronics on Sunday. But right now I am in work crunch-mode, so I thought I would take some time to play.<br />
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So here I sit in my tshirt and jeans, laptop in hand. It is warm- toasty actually. I am in awe at the sense of peace I feel as I just sit and listen to the rhythm of the locusts in the cyprus trees...interspersed with the sound of distant motorcycles on the highway. The constant hum of the airconditioner serves as a backdrop to all.<br />
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And I watch. There is not even a breeze. No movement in the trees that line the river..but butterflies? Butterflies everywhere. It is a butterfly invasion. It is absolutely beautiful.<br />
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I am reminded of the importance of catching our breath in nature. To center ourselves amidst the chaos.<br />
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October is a crazy month, and I have started it not so gracefully. Actually, I started it by sticking my newish cell phone in a cup of coffee. I usually charge my phone on the way home from work. My cord for the charger has been a bit temperamental. So most evenings I wrap the cord around my phone and place the phone in my empty coffee cup where it won't jiggle too much. So I did just that. Upon arriving in Bandera, I pick up the phone to call Big B. (we were supposed to meet for tacos) As I put the phone against my ear I can feel cold coffee running down my face! Then? A very weak ringtone..I can barely make out my phone singing..<i>I feel so close to you right now...</i>it is Big B.<br />
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I try to answer. My screen goes blank. I say <b>hello, hello...</b>you know, like a crazy person. But there is only silence. The phone sings again..<i>I feel so close to you right now..</i>. <b>hello, hello? </b>Again silence. And again.<b> </b>This time I am trying a different tactic. I speak into the silence..<b> I killed my phone. I can't hear you. Meet me at the taco place.</b> Silence. Then..the ringtone again. I send a text saying my phone is dying a slow death..please meet me for tacos.<br />
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Then I drive to the taco place and sit in the car and try to disassemble my phone and dry it.<br />
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Brian meets me for tacos. Cody joins us. Cody attempts to resurect the now deceased phone. (you know..since I kept using it after I soaked it in coffee for over 30 minutes!). The next morning Cody informs me it is a lost cause. He loans me his (which I can use to answer and sendtext messages..but I can't retrieve the voice mail) until my new one arrives.<br />
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And that is the type of October I am having..<br />
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This week I am actually taking a few days off of work to serve on a Via De Cristo team..and Big B is attending. It is the first time we have been on this type of weekend together. Ever.<br />
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It should be interesting.<br />
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Via De Cristo is followed by a week of Halloween prep. The teens are running a haunted house and we are hosting a lock-in on the Friday before Halloween. So..essentially...the staff are moving into the Club for apx. 48 hours. Then? Big B is picking me up and we are off to a short jaunt to the beach to meet some friends!<br />
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On our return is a very short breather (like enough to do laundry) then off to Kairos for a week. Only, this time, I am still working..so it is like..drive to work, drive to Kairos, drive to work, drive to Kairos. Austen is serving on the outside team for this Kairos weekend. It will be his first weekend of this sort, also. More interesting;) On the not so cool side..with two of us serving on the team? Austen and I are responsible for baking and bringing 100 dozen cookies! So if anyone wants to bake some cookies? I will be happy to take them off your hands!<br />
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In the meantime..I am taking today and tomorrow to enjoy the quiet. Sort-of. Levi seems to have other plans. Like, I don't know. Behaving like a tornado!<br />
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He and I have been baking cookies. Yup. Baking cookies with a two-year old. What can I say? In 7 hours we have successfully baked 12 dozen cookies. We've made lots of interesting concoctions though...and I have been spared a day of Shrek...or even Shrek 2? Why? Because baby bug boy has discovered NASCAR racing!<br />
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Yet another reason I am enjoying this glimpse of temporary serenity. The sounds and scenery of my backyard.<div class="blogger-post-footer">unschooling, work and homeschool, life, children</div>simplynicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03297621690461299655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34618953.post-22501788131706402982012-10-05T05:23:00.001-07:002012-10-05T09:33:31.721-07:00Smart Girls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlC2u4ccpwwJtflxkXPBGEIEX_QXnIIOlkU72vxMjISZuICvZayQI8xsFEk9TyLzUV1TZaHl-6jfLv4qrC_wXoqsCz9N_pDGcLyfNtQearFMeJHnz8wNW827zLb-sdNY7VpYEg/s1600/IMG_20120914_194858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlC2u4ccpwwJtflxkXPBGEIEX_QXnIIOlkU72vxMjISZuICvZayQI8xsFEk9TyLzUV1TZaHl-6jfLv4qrC_wXoqsCz9N_pDGcLyfNtQearFMeJHnz8wNW827zLb-sdNY7VpYEg/s200/IMG_20120914_194858.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
Smart Girls...play rock band?<br />
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What can I say? I'm becoming hooked on Rock Band!<br />
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Smart Girls is a program we run at the Center. It is meant to be held is small groups where young women can get to really know and support each other through the difficulties of adolescence. And so it is through Smart Girls that I remember many of these skill myself.<br />
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So I want to take a moment to talk about my mid-week group. There are 6 young women ages 13-18 in this group. We meet in the Art room or the kitchen..armed with popcorn, lucas and a bulletin board that is filled with pictures of women. Women like Delores Huerta, Indira Ghandi, Naomi Shihab Nye, Nancy Pelosi, Rosa Parks, Michelle Obama, Audrey Hepburn (that was my choice!)...the list goes on.<br />
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And each week we discuss the lives of these women as we discuss various topics for the afternoon. We start with respect. We look at the women on the board and break down components of respect...personal boundaries, compassion, telling our own truth, etc. And we ask..do these women do this? Do we do this?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFs_pJqVyXqexhLIdZNEYCqdur9zdLQPfXxbFubyOO5X23IJx3fk47DMS_waydwo9k0ISyWoaFjg9I6oUSflW2EtrVSI6Mo4PVU7Hz-027NYiUumCXaiRtOvUm2A18DDNJAPrz/s1600/IMG_20120927_175927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFs_pJqVyXqexhLIdZNEYCqdur9zdLQPfXxbFubyOO5X23IJx3fk47DMS_waydwo9k0ISyWoaFjg9I6oUSflW2EtrVSI6Mo4PVU7Hz-027NYiUumCXaiRtOvUm2A18DDNJAPrz/s320/IMG_20120927_175927.jpg" width="320" /></a>We discuss beauty. We wear fake mustaches as we discuss what beauty is. We dissolve into giggles when my ringtone (a whistle) whistles in the midst of a deep conversation on beauty. One of the teens looks up and says.."it's my mustache..I know it. No one can resist my beauty in this mustache" ..and then another "But who was it? Who whistled at us?" "It's the fish", I respond. We bust into laughter<br />
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They have granted me permission to tell this story and to post their picture in all their beauty.<br />
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So now when my phone whistles midweek. The girls in my group glance across the room at each other..they get a sly grin..they sit up a little taller. They are imagining the fish whistling at them as they sit in a circle of peers in their fake mustaches.<br />
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Yesterday we cooked spaghetti as we discussed the importance of self-awareness. We created "I Am" poems. The girls took these poems to heart. They have asked me to print them and frame them so we can hang them on the wall to my room.<br />
They have asked me to post my own poem. So, ladies, here it is.<br />
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<i>I am passionate.</i></div>
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<i>I am reckless.</i></div>
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<i>I am a musician.</i></div>
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<i>I am Nicole</i></div>
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<i>I am quiet dis-chord.</i><br />
<em>with a revolutionary crescendo</em><br />
<em>Resolving in that singular clear tone </em><br />
<em>of a pure harmonic.</em></div>
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<i>I am strong.</i></div>
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<i></i> </div>
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<i>I am easily spooked.</i></div>
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<i>I am often scared.</i></div>
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<i>I am brave.</i></div>
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<i>I am Nicole.</i><br />
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<i>I am a binge reader</i><br />
<i>..a lazy writer</i></div>
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<i>I am a lousy cook</i><br />
<i>..a fierce scrabble player.</i><br />
<i><br />A daydreamer.</i></div>
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<i>I am intense.</i></div>
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<i>I am loyal.</i></div>
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<i>I am fun.</i></div>
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<i>I am compassionate..</i></div>
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<i>I am learning to trust,</i><br />
<i>by becoming trustworthy.</i></div>
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<i>I am learning to be </i></div>
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<i>reliably real.</i></div>
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<i><br /></i>
<i>I am Nicole.</i><br />
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">unschooling, work and homeschool, life, children</div>simplynicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03297621690461299655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34618953.post-13320881925770682452012-09-24T07:18:00.003-07:002012-09-24T08:04:21.045-07:00Rosh Hashana in picsBut first..a few words. I am sitting here on my back deck...dressed like a crazy person in my pajama bottoms, tie-dye shirt, leather jacket and fuzzy socks. I am armed with a cup of coffee and my netbook...and I am thinking ..now what?<br />
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I realize my posts have taken a different tone. There was a time when this blog was about the daily craziness of homeschooling and working. Then...more introspection as I finish my final year of a parish ministry training program and I return home for a year or two. But as my children grew..and I returned to work..and the impact of my time volunteering at a local prison became deeper..and I sort through my own mid-life stuff...my posts have become sillier..or just less intense/thought-provoking.<br />
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There are reasons for this. As they become young adults, my children are not so thrilled with their private lives being on display. I can truly appreciate that. My work involves a lot of confidentiality. Volunteering..same thing<br />
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As for my own-mid-life stuff? Wow. Does anyone really want to read about my journey through understanding the ?'s in my identity. The journey into a stronger understanding of what my own personal boundaries and value sets are? Probably not. It's not that exciting, really.<br />
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So..instead? You get the occasional (think very occasional) thought worth reading (I hope)..and lots of this is what we're up to...and with that said.<br />
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Rosh Hashana.<br />
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Almost every year, my aunt hosts dinner for Rosh Hashana at her house. Actually? She more than hosts..she pretty much prepares the whole meal. Same for Passover and Hanukkah. The rest of us? We pretty much just show up. What can I say? It works well for me? (oiy..how sad is that!)<br />
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Anyway, Rosh Hashana is the Jewish New Year. Among other things it is a time for new beginnings. A time for mercy and forgiveness. A time of reflection and celebration. It is a time to come together with family and recognize the blessings we have.<br />
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This particular year, Rosh Hashana happens to fall on the Sunday I am preaching out at the prison. (Still preaching the third Sunday of every month at this unit). I get the privilege of briefly discussing Rosh Hashana with my brothers in white...then..the rest of the afternoon is spent with the English choir.Wow..talk about some amazing musicians!<br />
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My friend Jack (who happened to be my ride that day) and I cut out of prison a little early so I can make it back in time for dinner with the family!<br />
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Once again, my aunt served an amazing meal..which we all thoroughly enjoyed.<br />
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Here are a handful of pics from this time, together with family and friends.<br />
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My parents..enjoying pre-dinner wine, served with cucumber with salmon, pita chips and hummus. My mom and I? I think we filled up on pre-dinner snacks.<br />
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Yup..that's me..heaping too much food on my plate...and that is AFTER stuffing myself with appetizers. What can I say? I was shameless! Cody reads the "menu" my aunt so graciously posted on her cupboard to determine what the vegetarian options are. My mom and Big B? Also fixing their plates.
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Just visiting over dinner...and finally?<br />
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My favorite pic....Grandma with the boys! (minus Brian-Scott) Here is grandma surrounded by Cody holding Levi, Calvin (behind her) and Austen.<br />
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Signing off for now. It appears the reality of my life today...being a date with Levi to play "trucks" and loads of laundry..are awaiting.<div class="blogger-post-footer">unschooling, work and homeschool, life, children</div>simplynicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03297621690461299655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34618953.post-17681981065383611592012-09-10T09:36:00.002-07:002012-09-10T11:08:35.774-07:00A quick catch-up.Wow. Where to start. Every week I think...<b>ooh..this would be great fun to blog about..and then another fun blog...and another insight. </b>And then it is too much and I become overwhelmed..so instead? I just. don't. blog.<br />
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So that said. This will pretty much be a blog in pics.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZNn39ulgxzXTpAo7T2vdxmYoBoAcPZ6D0w8xUDwsV6-mnP1KIwDX1w4ZNVeY2OslvPiXfzSP2zq4xeGhfRTTpPrti6SpjUEyn_-lLZnKY6bWZCA3rN0PADPaWRp0KC_OdFKH/s1600/IMG_20120822_195831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZNn39ulgxzXTpAo7T2vdxmYoBoAcPZ6D0w8xUDwsV6-mnP1KIwDX1w4ZNVeY2OslvPiXfzSP2zq4xeGhfRTTpPrti6SpjUEyn_-lLZnKY6bWZCA3rN0PADPaWRp0KC_OdFKH/s320/IMG_20120822_195831.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Starting with Cody!!!! Cody is home.<br />
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Here is Cody on the eve of his return. Cody's girlfriend, Elle, also hung out with us for a few days. We were thrilled to have them home. As you can tell by the look on his face. The feeling is absolutely mutual.<br />
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What can I say? I am occasionally the queen of denial.<br />
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Truth be told, Cody is busy..going to classes, working and all that important stuff. So we don't really see him much. But it's great to have him home, none-the-less.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzKZbL57OL457R9U-S2XnPkmj_P7xxcpR-AMUQai_smq0hofQ4Z-nhnM30grf6FIlsIL9Knu_ktUwXEWRM_0tvJ9MYc3anft6KCtAlvdesglhbdP22pEQPHXERWkT_d06aapmh/s1600/IMG_20120825_205602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzKZbL57OL457R9U-S2XnPkmj_P7xxcpR-AMUQai_smq0hofQ4Z-nhnM30grf6FIlsIL9Knu_ktUwXEWRM_0tvJ9MYc3anft6KCtAlvdesglhbdP22pEQPHXERWkT_d06aapmh/s200/IMG_20120825_205602.jpg" width="150" /></a>Cody, however, is not the only that has come home. Brian and Angee came to visit a few weeks ago. Here is a pic of Big B in complete disbelief..as in the midst of wedding planning and voicing concerns about Austen's math (or lack there-of)..our young adults became immersed in a game of...<br />
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<i>pokemon (she says in a whisper)</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLgFbUJCqzn8PM4dtmMcRfwZyOtQd6IXEIMmULIjMXLMpvJO7t65YE7eIK4bpYXxlf1L5nPkfuVs0-UYDCw8l134dqOt_wsbz8OAhe-sywYtUAZmr-Us7C1TYovMexW6B4kcCS/s1600/IMG_20120825_205523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLgFbUJCqzn8PM4dtmMcRfwZyOtQd6IXEIMmULIjMXLMpvJO7t65YE7eIK4bpYXxlf1L5nPkfuVs0-UYDCw8l134dqOt_wsbz8OAhe-sywYtUAZmr-Us7C1TYovMexW6B4kcCS/s200/IMG_20120825_205523.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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Yes folks..I said. Pokemon. Here they are intensely focused on creating the perfect deck.<br />
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Meanwhile..Austen? Austen..you know the one of great concern? He is napping..then guitar playing..and working. Just for the record..this Austen kid has been busy working (new/old job at Flying L now that girl-scout camp is over), and volunteering (grilled over 70 hamburgers for the Club),working math problems and filling out scholarship applications, reading books, and playing air-soft. He is strongly contemplating a culinary institute in Arizona (as opposed to c.c. locally)..so he is trying to figure out how to fund this.<br />
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Finally we come to Levi. Levi has been busy..hiding in desk cabinets, and kitchen cabinets ..and fireplaces.<br />
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When he is not hiding in strange places..Levi has become Big B's alltime helper. He loves to help him "fix" cars, "fix" boats..and help him in the kitchen.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNsZM8Nv-lnRHrrlTD1tN48cCyVcl9pycL9e0iBsEbN7_v94gr9f8Q0Rfx93D_v0ePbwfpdyxfmfNmr-CWaOnS7YRO2TH_MF1yuq6KuM27qZJ2EnqpnQ-degkbiwZRkd54qw5n/s1600/IMG_20120903_174304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNsZM8Nv-lnRHrrlTD1tN48cCyVcl9pycL9e0iBsEbN7_v94gr9f8Q0Rfx93D_v0ePbwfpdyxfmfNmr-CWaOnS7YRO2TH_MF1yuq6KuM27qZJ2EnqpnQ-degkbiwZRkd54qw5n/s200/IMG_20120903_174304.jpg" width="200" /></a>Here Big B makes pizza crusts.<br />
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We had a make-your-own pizza night for community dining. Big B was in his element.Yummy stuff.<br />
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While the rest of us have learned to stay out of Big B's way when he cooks..Levi? Levi just knows that no pizza dough would be complete without his help.!<br />
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So that's it. Work has been crazy for me. We have just signed contracts with one of the bigger school districts in San Antonio to service 120 kids..and are working on a deal with another district to teach a class on their campus. We will return to servicing the kids at one of the local homeless shelters in a week or two..and then, of course, are the regular Club kids. So yeah..a bit on the crazy side. But it's all good.<br />
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Striving to find a healthy balance between work, family time and personal time.<br />
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For today? I get to enjoy the simple pleasures of sipping hot tea on my deck in the morning, helping Austen with some scholarship essay stuff, reading books with Levi (I have been reading while starting and stopping this post today), and getting ready for lunch with Big B. Hoping to work on some water-color placemats for Via de Cristo this afternoon.(Gotta tell you..coloring in stripes with watercolors is insanely therapeutic) Looking forward to community dining and guitar practice tonight.<br />
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Insane work overload can wait until tomorrow.<div class="blogger-post-footer">unschooling, work and homeschool, life, children</div>simplynicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03297621690461299655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34618953.post-29017026552067826502012-08-19T18:01:00.003-07:002012-08-19T18:35:41.885-07:00A Tale of Two Rings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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..but first. I was going to say that Shrek is out!!!! ...and Lion King is in?<br />
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After months and months of watching Shrek...dreaming Shrek..imagining Shrek...it appeared Levi had moved to Lion King! I was wrong. As I type, the kiddo is planted in front of Shrek. For what it's worth?<br />
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Big B is enjoying Lion King. Go figure.<br />
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Now onto our tale of two rings. Two years ago (wow..has it really been that long already?). 2 years ago, Big B and I went with some family friends to Port Aransas, Tx. Also known as <i>The Beach!</i> On that trip we replaced our lost and broken wedding rings at a small beach shop. It was quite an adventure..this ring search of ours. I blogged about it at the time, and I'm just too lazy to re-tell the story now.<br />
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Fast forward to last month. I had (ahem) lost my ring <b>again.</b> Actually, it came off in the river last summer. So on a Saturday morning, Big B and I made another journey to the beach shop. We replaced the ring, tried craw-fish at Crazy Cajun, hung out at the beach. All-in-all a really enjoyable day.<br />
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Today was one of my volunteer days at the prison. After going through security, I realized (music in background please?) I did <b>not have my ring!</b> I mentioned to a passing officer that I was pretty sure I had left my ring in the check-in area. (The gates had been closed and locked behind me. There was no way to go back and get it) I figured I was going to have to explain to Big B that I had lost a-n-o-t-h-e-r ring. I was not looking forward to this.<br />
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In the middle of chapel, I was called out. The offenders laughed "Nicole..you're in trouble again!" An officer was waiting, walkie-talkie in hand. "Did you happen to lose a ring?" she asked. "Oh thank God." I told her the story. Some of my brothers-in-white were greatly amused and felt happy to share my irresponsibility with rings story with...you know..everyone!<br />
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And then I returned to chapel. We spend the day in worship, in prayer, in fellowship. 8 hours later, as I am preparing to leave, the officer reminds me not to forget my ring. She then walkie-talkies another officer. This goes on for a while. As I leave the entrance area...two more officers laugh."It's up there! " They smile..pointing at the officer at the top of the front picket (the big tower). <br />
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As I head to the front picket. Another officer is waving. He places my ring on a hook and lowers it to me. "Don't worry, Nicole. We gotcha covered. Now you can go home and tell your husband how you <b>remembered</b> your ring."<br />
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But the real ring tale is MUCH MORE INTERESTING. Last week I had mentioned that Brian and Angee had real life things going on. They have informed me that I can, indeed, post that....<br />
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<b><i>Brian and Angee are engaged!</i></b><br />
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Wedding will be early next summer, sometime following their graduations from UT Austin.<br />
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Now isn't THAT just coolness?!<div class="blogger-post-footer">unschooling, work and homeschool, life, children</div>simplynicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03297621690461299655noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34618953.post-90076117804747834482012-08-12T09:56:00.003-07:002012-08-12T14:58:45.856-07:00Switching Gears Yet AgainSummer is coming to a close. It is hard to believe it has come and gone so quickly.<br />
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Big B spent most of the summer building his business. Rumor has it he has the busiest shop in town...and looking at the endless line of cars? I believe it.<br />
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Brian Scott continued working at the same company he has been working since his graduation from UT Austin last summer. Brian and Angee have just moved to a bigger apartment to accommodate Kevin (Angee's brother) for the returning school year. These two also have some pretty big life events going on..but I promised I wouldn't blog about it. So here I am...not blogging:) But I<b> can</b> say that Brian is finishing his last year in the masters program in e.e. and Angee is finishing her senior year of her undergrad. adventures.<br />
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Cody spent the summer with his girlfriend and her family. Cody and Ellie visited us a couple times this summer, but he spent most of the summer lifeguarding and taking online summer classes at S.A.C. In a week (or two?) Cody is returning home! Yes folks..home..or to our tree-house..or<br />
<i style="font-weight: bold;">high rise</i>..as he likes to call it. Where he plans to spend the school-year while commuting to Schreiner to continue his studies in information systems.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-9epqIVk-pDkHmvPCA0JQVYI-rPkkojaB0e3B1BRxOTJWibQN_v7j9ZV5fz1PZ7rQZsxzxTH-vrqX0u5geoFW0gGzMxyOKzecL-fljCDi5A6mML_34Ak5lKb-vKxC6ecqaeHy/s1600/photo+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-9epqIVk-pDkHmvPCA0JQVYI-rPkkojaB0e3B1BRxOTJWibQN_v7j9ZV5fz1PZ7rQZsxzxTH-vrqX0u5geoFW0gGzMxyOKzecL-fljCDi5A6mML_34Ak5lKb-vKxC6ecqaeHy/s320/photo+(1).JPG" width="240" /></a>And Austen? Well, this summer, Austen returned to Girl Scout Camp. Yes, it's true. My son is a girlscout...err...lifeguard that is. Also? He spent a week in New Orleans with the ELCA National Youth Gathering.<br />
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On one of the first nights Austen participated in a game in which you name the states .I understand Austen named a few.<br />
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Austen returned from New Orleans with a renewed energy and a renewed interest in studying culinary arts. I know we had rumors last year about Austen starting the culinary arts program at St. Phillips...but for a variety of reasons, we decided to let him finish his full 4 years as a plain old homeschooled/unschooled highschooler. No dual credits or early entrance. Austen chose, instead, to spend a lot of time this past year (his Jr. year) helping Big B's friends with various work. Welding, rebuilding homes, etc.<br />
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So now Austen has returned home, armed with girl scout cookies! He is taking a few weeks to just hang out..and then Austen and I have agreed that he will spend the school year reading for 2 hours a day (anything of choice), writing an essay each day(anything of choice) and working through one Saxon problem set a day. Study time aside, Austen is spreading rumors of hanging out with me at the S.A. Boys and Girls club..and maybe,<b> maybe, </b>working part-time somewhere nearby.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9WcdwE_3l5CWTm7ZEPkKoUHBPQfyTmRBIY46VhgRFiFCYBKMavkWpmv-pgcAQXqTCOjsqZNV-WIunFD4jSKC8f2jTdUN6_O8vjcwV9pNYDcD7tEVzGEJiB-nZUho6wv8uM2Y/s1600/imagejpeg_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9WcdwE_3l5CWTm7ZEPkKoUHBPQfyTmRBIY46VhgRFiFCYBKMavkWpmv-pgcAQXqTCOjsqZNV-WIunFD4jSKC8f2jTdUN6_O8vjcwV9pNYDcD7tEVzGEJiB-nZUho6wv8uM2Y/s200/imagejpeg_2.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
And me? I spent the summer at the Teen Center and hanging out at the prison every other weekend. Pictured to the right are some of the teens hanging out on the fire-escape. They are waiting for the staff to arrive. Yes, they are waiting at some horrible hour in the morning.<br />
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Our summer program is coming to a close. Last week, the teens and I said goodbye to our clients on our summer Meals On Wheels route. This week, we wrap up miscellaneous projects, go on a lot of field trips and help the kids logistically prepare for the school year. (acquire school supplies ,school uniforms, etc.)<br />
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So now we are in that switching gears point. Levi and I ..oh my! How could I forget Levi?! Levi is. Hmm..how shall I put this? Levi is very two!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3lRFUc_CWPSZLjAZgfYA4UGfYu_IDvaJhOE8av89I4LrOkljg-02xUVpe4kKvqChHlXfuHAJH7OEKs4rEB1XZq97KYIPp7zTaF6x2-eulF-aBU8NiyJE3pOcKYpUVFfg_ACtN/s1600/IMG_20120812_122101+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3lRFUc_CWPSZLjAZgfYA4UGfYu_IDvaJhOE8av89I4LrOkljg-02xUVpe4kKvqChHlXfuHAJH7OEKs4rEB1XZq97KYIPp7zTaF6x2-eulF-aBU8NiyJE3pOcKYpUVFfg_ACtN/s320/IMG_20120812_122101+(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
He has spent most of the summer with his mom. But we still get to see the kiddo a couple days each week. Levi has spent a lot of time hanging out in the garage with Big B. The kid LOVES the garage, and makes it quite clear that he is not happy when we make him come inside at night.<br />
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Today Levi and I are cooking lots of food. Sort of nesting, I guess, for the return of the two bigger boys. Last week we turned the den into a study, and the morning room back into a little kids cave. Today. We cook! I haven't done once-a-month cooking in almost a year. I think it's time.<br />
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Levi and I are making king ranch casserole, chicken and broccoli casserole, chicken tetrazinni, lasagnas (both veggie and carnivorous kinds), stuffed spinach manicotti, 15 bean soup, meat loaf and cheeseburger casserole. Cooking and watching Shrek for the zillionth time.<br />
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I guess the cooking and watching Shrek is a reminder that while we are shifting gears a bit? We are still riding the same, comfy and cozy vehicle, of our lives.<br />
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">unschooling, work and homeschool, life, children</div>simplynicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03297621690461299655noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34618953.post-47915703306283670162012-07-22T18:51:00.001-07:002012-07-22T18:54:28.505-07:00I'm back???I'm reclaiming my place in the land of the living.<br />
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<br /></div>
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Because honestly? I had fallen into a deep, dark emotional abyss. It sort of snuck up on me. I found myself making a series of mistakes...some not so bad..and then some <b>real doozies</b>. And I found myself wondering..how the heck did I get here? I became completely emotionally absent to all the people who I care about. I was in self-preservation mode..and it was not pretty.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I spent some time in therapy, reading, journaling..doing a LOT of self reflection. I pulled a lot of weeds, journaled, obsessed with the life of Audrey Hepburn..as in read over 5 biographies, etc...I pulled more weeds, journaled, I watched endless reruns of the old Battlestar Gallatica..I pulled more weeds...and then? Well, I got bored with all of that introspection..(yes..i have a short attention span) .and I have slowly been reclaiming a stronger, more authentic version of myself.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
I had to admit that in the realm of bad ideas..running day-care out of the house was one of the biggest bad ideas I have ever had. NOT a reflection on the kids or their families. Just a bad fit for my overall temperament. I have come to realize that I have a high need for risk-taking, a<span style="background-color: white;">dventure and affection (to have and to give) and that if I don't utilize these needs in a positive way..well...disaster strikes!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">And as much as I enjoyed the exploding diaper band..i was going stir crazy.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">So..I have returned to working with at-risk youth. I am now working for a Teen Center in S.A...and I LOVE it! I was accepted to graduate school at O.L.L.U. but am delaying my entrance until Spring due to financial and time constraints. I continue volunteering at the prison...and am slowly reengaging in living and celebrating the lives of my family and friends.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
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I am slowly joining the land of the living</div>
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..and by the way? I have no idea why some of this is highlighted in white.</div>
</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">unschooling, work and homeschool, life, children</div>simplynicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03297621690461299655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34618953.post-62562903922832099182011-12-22T14:43:00.000-08:002011-12-23T11:46:32.490-08:00The Big Holiday OOPS!It has been awhile. We know. Why? Because Miss Applesauce Pants and the Exploding Diaper Band have been b-u-s-y!<br />
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For starters..Miss Applesauce Pants has been moonlighting during the past month for a Christmas Musical at the local prison. Meaning? The entire exploding diaper band has been helping her run lines and learn her music!<br />
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Blue Monkey truly believed the Christmas Musical was RUINED without playing The Wheels On the Bus...but he was outvoted...and the musical went on without his favourite song. This did NOT sit well with Blue Monkey. <br />
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Black Rat has been very busy with art work..specifically chalk art and puppetry. Therefore she has only joined practices when absolutely necessary.<br />
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..and Bug? Well Bug has mastered the art of melodramatic whining and tantrumming. It has not been pleasant, let me tell you. <br />
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The band has, however, maintained their weekly fishing venture and are still at war with the Chinese Fish aka the BIG CATFISH!!! They have also managed to make it to the weekly Park/Library Day with the homeschoolers...and this is where the bands latest OOPS began.<br />
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There were rumours of a Christmas Party..but where, oh where?<br />
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Miss Applesauce and the Exploding Diaper Band agreed to host the party at their house. The homeschooling families all agreed. And so a date was set...and the excitement with the band members began to grow. The band would make pie and cookies..Oh..and Irish Stew! They would play a concert for the families.<br />
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The band began to practice..Merry Christmas, Frosty the Snowman, The Wheels on the Bus, Love Shack (because <b>How?</b> AsksBlue Monkey, <i><b>could we have a concert without Love Shack?</b></i>)...and Old Mac Donald. Even Black Rat began to join in on rehearsals.<br />
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Here Bug plays with the knob of the keyboard looking for LOVE SHACK.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgElfJlALzEWM3PLg0lB0QJ7GgrB7Rkusjy1J8zjHDqUXcCzT7_qU_q7wBfsq8sSPo1xE294N5CxcgpipKgt0iTzIWLHmJTWZh3DRRqemiwnYlF1s_RSYWzyY6Z4Lh2cgoeyf8/s1600/practice2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgElfJlALzEWM3PLg0lB0QJ7GgrB7Rkusjy1J8zjHDqUXcCzT7_qU_q7wBfsq8sSPo1xE294N5CxcgpipKgt0iTzIWLHmJTWZh3DRRqemiwnYlF1s_RSYWzyY6Z4Lh2cgoeyf8/s1600/practice2.jpeg" /></a></div><br />
Then. Well..things happened. First Big B <b>quit his job!! </b>All of a sudden, Big B was around a LOT..and so were some of his friends. And Big B and his friends are just fun to play with. They like things like wrestling, and pillow fights..and let's face it, things were just too exciting for practice.<br />
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Also? There were customers needing cars fixed, etc...so the band had to remember their manners and offer people tea and (gasp) they had to stay IN THE YARD, ON THE DECK or INSIDE..for safety..or some other such nonsense. The band wanted in the garage SO BAD. So there was a week of plots and plans to try and move rehearsals to the garage. But Miss Applesauce Pants AND Big B said <i><b>NO WAY</b></i>.<br />
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Miss Applesauce Pants had planned a vacation JUST BEFORE THE PARTY. She had planned to spend a couple days at the beach with some friends. She cancelled the trip..but she still <i><b>pretended</b></i> to be on vacation. <br />
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When Austen and his friends came over..she just did nothing. And when Cody came home? She did nothing. Miss Applesauce Pants figured if she was at the beach she would not be cooking, or cleaning or anything else..and so she did not. Also? She did not practice with the diaper band because (ahem) they still thought she was on vacation.<br />
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Luckily..the BIG BOYS..helped out around the house even with mom on vacation. Here Cody plays with Bug. Bug is SO EXCITED to have him home..and Cody? Cody is patient..as Bug sticks his fingers up Cody's nose.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWi36Vk9QB0Y-9u_nCJDs8zsys7Nkmi9TcNNcJKkyPvRVPBCfF7nZ9kuL0htmXbzDp-BkrO2Ebe1R9bMEjoHhidnQKUY_ffEUoYRmuBuuEEYpDyqAe_dpTXs4ENQ_TlGUU2nlh/s1600/codyhome2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWi36Vk9QB0Y-9u_nCJDs8zsys7Nkmi9TcNNcJKkyPvRVPBCfF7nZ9kuL0htmXbzDp-BkrO2Ebe1R9bMEjoHhidnQKUY_ffEUoYRmuBuuEEYpDyqAe_dpTXs4ENQ_TlGUU2nlh/s320/codyhome2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
..and so yesterday, everyone was finally back in motion.<br />
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Miss Applesauce Pants took the band to the library since they had missed on Monday..with you know..the vacation and all. The band was thinking about cleaning..after all..the legos and dolls were EVERYWHERE. Instruments were in every room of the house. Markers and crayons were hidden in strange places. But the Bug was doing his whining thing. Miss Applesauce Pants and the band decided to take the Bug for a ride in the car (so maybe he would go to sleep)..but first? Miss Applesauce Pants had to go to the restroom.<br />
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And this is when things get really weird.<br />
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Miss Applesauce Pants is in the bathroom when she hears Blue Monkey calling her. At first she ignores him..because sometimes? Blue Monkey and the Band just like to visit her when she is in the bathroom. Miss Applesauce does NOT appreciate this.<br />
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Blue Monkey called her again...and then Miss Appleauce screamed...(not very nicely) <i><b>Blue Monkey..you have GOT to stop that I'm in the Bathroom. I'll be right out. </b></i>Then she hears. <i><b>Miss Applesauce, Miss Applesauce?</b></i>..and she comes unglued...<i><b>I'M IN THE BATHROOM!!!! Please..I'll be right out. YOU HAVE TO QUIT CALLING ME WHEN I'M IN HERE...</b></i>and then she said lots of other things I will not print here.<br />
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..and when she walked out..the living room was full of moms and kids for the homeschool Christmas Party. <i><b>OOPS?!?!</b></i> Miss Applesauce and the exploding Diaper Band had FORGOTTEN the PARTY!!!<br />
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But absolute embarrassment aside? Miss Applesauce Pants and the Exploding Diaper Band had a great time at the Christmas Party...and all Miss Applesauce Pants could think was..<br />
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<b><i>thank God for Potlucks!</i></b><div class="blogger-post-footer">unschooling, work and homeschool, life, children</div>simplynicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03297621690461299655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34618953.post-56697837095542754102011-11-12T13:14:00.000-08:002011-11-12T13:14:25.348-08:00Wes CookseyIt has been a few weeks since Big B and I loaded two boys in the RV and met our friends, Jack and Rhonda at Wes Cooksey State Park (here in Tejas).<br />
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So, a little late. But thought I would share a few pics from a long-overdue mini-vacation.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_dhHOzeEvSS3RQqFktmyxiSdhsbPZICFdW-DW4phUTpArzJchjdjZdufVZ6GdDvN5Kzq0hBMQjj0GI8DJgoheNXt5rmY420y1W_0vK-Iu1VuWsZTgHihL1zHzNYIysXFa1CN3/s1600/cody2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_dhHOzeEvSS3RQqFktmyxiSdhsbPZICFdW-DW4phUTpArzJchjdjZdufVZ6GdDvN5Kzq0hBMQjj0GI8DJgoheNXt5rmY420y1W_0vK-Iu1VuWsZTgHihL1zHzNYIysXFa1CN3/s1600/cody2.jpeg" /></a></div><br />
Cody finds a sunny spot to study..or sleep..or day-dream.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSEt2wyXvNtSFbSEvrx3Hu6yos8GqgUgCWYkrOk_u3-EXYvEZdxVwTrNaRdxxaKhdQr8AC8WO5dYKBi3xKOikB9Rad-be7rPd6n-54vyEaqDmtwyEh-IM-DM1_Qos5y4J-aSfc/s1600/damkid.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSEt2wyXvNtSFbSEvrx3Hu6yos8GqgUgCWYkrOk_u3-EXYvEZdxVwTrNaRdxxaKhdQr8AC8WO5dYKBi3xKOikB9Rad-be7rPd6n-54vyEaqDmtwyEh-IM-DM1_Qos5y4J-aSfc/s1600/damkid.jpeg" /></a></div><br />
Big B says <i>Hurry. Get a picture of our dam kid. So here is that Austen boy. Walking the dam.</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Bxz2lHf7I6T01eJoFY0oJYkoIJV2Qd4g4wIuNkNUmptrQDHBZq2l8ieOfZUVjPysd8Nkg4Dyx93RSCvw6fVV45hNTKnDfi6fgs7hWVp5gHGn-mLNeLwALr9YNWsV0AEwZp7N/s1600/bandacooksey2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Bxz2lHf7I6T01eJoFY0oJYkoIJV2Qd4g4wIuNkNUmptrQDHBZq2l8ieOfZUVjPysd8Nkg4Dyx93RSCvw6fVV45hNTKnDfi6fgs7hWVp5gHGn-mLNeLwALr9YNWsV0AEwZp7N/s1600/bandacooksey2.jpeg" /></a></div><br />
Big B and Austen.<br />
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The Boys leave us Saturday afternoon, after Austen grills us steak! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsYvwRWnYnFXIrs_0A7hGpMYeiS10u2rNe3cldW61aYoBgtqZ1mP3fHQpJjN1VIX4SJxu9jH1Xg9HP83XvaRO-D2lwiUxxKo1OUD2cLGl6AsvzgoqBAnpusKA1Ys2cpStUX0-r/s1600/monkeygolf2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsYvwRWnYnFXIrs_0A7hGpMYeiS10u2rNe3cldW61aYoBgtqZ1mP3fHQpJjN1VIX4SJxu9jH1Xg9HP83XvaRO-D2lwiUxxKo1OUD2cLGl6AsvzgoqBAnpusKA1Ys2cpStUX0-r/s1600/monkeygolf2.jpeg" /></a></div><br />
We play Monkey Golf with Jack and Rhonda. They smoked us!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiScPnTmTgOo2IQfqg6K9I06nsdk-4QnbsASUlgskzVGCeYrc8vl7GmvDMZ27wGl0uSNKRZ6NQCaLGrfLFCp4-uUtJx1vNGCJ3sBj1Qye-kkohqITDOVanTZ5gfBE29Z9JAannw/s1600/jacklantern2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiScPnTmTgOo2IQfqg6K9I06nsdk-4QnbsASUlgskzVGCeYrc8vl7GmvDMZ27wGl0uSNKRZ6NQCaLGrfLFCp4-uUtJx1vNGCJ3sBj1Qye-kkohqITDOVanTZ5gfBE29Z9JAannw/s1600/jacklantern2.jpeg" /></a></div>Jack lights a lantern as we prepare for an evening of guitar playing, tequila sipping (yes..it was a <b>sipping</b> tequila) and hanging out around a campfire. I think I might have sipped fast....<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgok0d4q-chvMNmFsD7Pp0faYeh33IG9HPs_pHM2JIRnBe6hxX7eaF5Jo2TufqKLIGJTj7reAV_UUavkquzsyxKI611P6ArTaNqA36rNLvL1UpgZY5-nPoCP9rrzfjl2GR1RQLL/s1600/bandnmail.google.com.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgok0d4q-chvMNmFsD7Pp0faYeh33IG9HPs_pHM2JIRnBe6hxX7eaF5Jo2TufqKLIGJTj7reAV_UUavkquzsyxKI611P6ArTaNqA36rNLvL1UpgZY5-nPoCP9rrzfjl2GR1RQLL/s200/bandnmail.google.com.jpeg" width="149" /></a></div>...but man did we have fun.<div class="blogger-post-footer">unschooling, work and homeschool, life, children</div>simplynicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03297621690461299655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34618953.post-25836468154166812942011-10-27T07:53:00.000-07:002011-10-27T07:53:03.235-07:00The Table.I have found it.<br />
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The ideal dining room table. Not only is this table an ideal...but it is sitting in my dining room as I type! How cool is that?<br />
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But first let me tell you how this begins. Some of my earliest memories are sitting around the dining room table as a child. I used this table (one built by my grandpa..none-the-less) for homework. I used the table as a hide-out. We often had dinner guests. The dining room table..and the discussions that went with it, were the backdrop of my childhood.<br />
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When Big B and I got married we agreed (and still agree) on very little. But what we did (and still do) agree on ...is the importance of gathering around the table.<br />
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That said. We have gone through a slew of tables in our 21 years of marriage. Sort of like the three bears. This table is too big...this table is too small....and so we look for the one that is <i><b>just right.</b></i><br />
<i><b> </b></i><br />
We look at yard sales, we talk about building one.<i><b> </b></i>We know we cannot afford the tables we like. What we want is a long, narrow, sturdy table..like the one my grandpa built. That will seat 10-12 comfortably. Because even though we only have 4 living at home? We usually have 6-20 for dinner. Because THAT is the way we roll.<br />
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And then, last Friday, out of nowhere..my parents ask..<b><i>would you like the dining room table that Papa Jim built?</i></b> They are scaling down. They don't want me to take it if I don't want it..but could I use it?<br />
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<b>Yes, yes and double yes!</b><br />
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<b>Are you sure? </b>they ask. Again with the <b>Yes, yes, YES!</b><br />
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We bring it home on Sunday. The VanBibbers come to help us "break it in". (The kids couldn't wait for us to sit..they were starved, apparently)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-drvYdxbMmwl9_7ZYxLWR8pa4UeZr_f5yzbuTp8ID_OXD_CMwhOM4HhfbIZWvF2KzHjTZBHoOywaU2nyGM3FQx8oZqloBSEi8k71XnmFoGBMRtFUpUNkhLvY35lgcQ1xov9OP/s1600/table2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-drvYdxbMmwl9_7ZYxLWR8pa4UeZr_f5yzbuTp8ID_OXD_CMwhOM4HhfbIZWvF2KzHjTZBHoOywaU2nyGM3FQx8oZqloBSEi8k71XnmFoGBMRtFUpUNkhLvY35lgcQ1xov9OP/s1600/table2.jpeg" /></a></div>We use it for co-op and day-care. And what do you know? We have elbow room:)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64QUjzN1NtbkSUkRC4KGhLi65xUDO-5WRk4AWUORlWfot7r0jhd1bVUkUhAkG4YNb7-X93mIBFKEbO5det7vhIGNKRyhcxsHDkgudivcN72iwF9hP8_3CFj9CDv98Z9Xq33Ka/s1600/coopa2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64QUjzN1NtbkSUkRC4KGhLi65xUDO-5WRk4AWUORlWfot7r0jhd1bVUkUhAkG4YNb7-X93mIBFKEbO5det7vhIGNKRyhcxsHDkgudivcN72iwF9hP8_3CFj9CDv98Z9Xq33Ka/s1600/coopa2.jpeg" /></a></div><br />
We visit with friends..over wine, beer, tea and sodas as we wait for<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG6QXrbOposatekoxM_DMNrUI-PhXBZ18YQamSo6wHVYC_WcOVTM6RVlGgGcKoKjxnPsG8u3xVtgTzMpMHh4iCM9FiZxIpk85j5oUCga7TdEaUwgxxMZFdEFT0w0ET0Uz546eO/s1600/thewomen2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG6QXrbOposatekoxM_DMNrUI-PhXBZ18YQamSo6wHVYC_WcOVTM6RVlGgGcKoKjxnPsG8u3xVtgTzMpMHh4iCM9FiZxIpk85j5oUCga7TdEaUwgxxMZFdEFT0w0ET0Uz546eO/s1600/thewomen2.jpeg" /></a></div><br />
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Community Dining!!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOcFa7URIf_hBQ70ONwhrZ6BZ-yJ-4Ojo3zKinD7Li_RonxxCrZorMik51NDh7xxYQMw1ojUULfG_YyupPRsUcXwgL2Rd_eHaJl83N_ZSVl5x8BmtgykfhYCyYkGfS9xpFaapZ/s1600/cdining2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOcFa7URIf_hBQ70ONwhrZ6BZ-yJ-4Ojo3zKinD7Li_RonxxCrZorMik51NDh7xxYQMw1ojUULfG_YyupPRsUcXwgL2Rd_eHaJl83N_ZSVl5x8BmtgykfhYCyYkGfS9xpFaapZ/s1600/cdining2.jpeg" /></a></div><br />
So <b>YES! Thank you Mom and Dad for instilling in me the value of gathering around the table.</b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeTmT0TOdqW85hR9Fk22BMC1kkVh8hQqkWqc7Kkupenan4lFJo8HV3LKCXsTcrZcxMLd1IkmMsiD1iZqUOZYorPj-dSRf3nitQgp6YDE1GZx6Wnfw0Iqt6_bmwKL32E5-HetPW/s1600/2alexl.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeTmT0TOdqW85hR9Fk22BMC1kkVh8hQqkWqc7Kkupenan4lFJo8HV3LKCXsTcrZcxMLd1IkmMsiD1iZqUOZYorPj-dSRf3nitQgp6YDE1GZx6Wnfw0Iqt6_bmwKL32E5-HetPW/s1600/2alexl.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">unschooling, work and homeschool, life, children</div>simplynicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03297621690461299655noreply@blogger.com2