Are You On Facebook?

Let's just pretend it hasn't been over a month since my last post, shall we.

WARNING!!  This post is severely long and terribly rambling.  I'm working through something and I need to use this blog as down and dirty therapy.  Remember we're broke and uninsured. ;-)  Feel free to skip on by if you're not in the mood to witness a middle aged woman unpacking her emotional baggage.   

Anywho . . . Someone must ask me about Facebook every single time I'm with friends, family, or frankly just people in general.  No, I'm not on Facebook.  Mom #2 is not on Facebook.  Baby Boy is not on Facebook.  Collectively, we are not on Facebook.  It's never really concerned or interested me too much; just a different way of wasting time online.  I'm sure people are on Facebook while I'm reading all of your blogs. ;-)

In the spirit of full disclosure, actually, I do sort of have a Facebook page.  It doesn't have any information on it, no photo, no friends, or anything like that and it's not under my real name.  I use it to "like" my favorite companies' websites so that I can get coupons.  I'll do just about anything for a coupon.  I big sparkly puffy heart coupons.  

Well, what set me off is that my sister recently sent me a link to a Facebook group for people who went to our primary/secondary school.  Primary school you say - long forgotten - big deal.  Well it is a big deal.  I grew up in Europe in a very close-knit, conservative,  dangerously-close-to-a-cult, religious group that included a school where we received a highly edited education. We spent many, many years there.  The majority of my developmental years.  The group page included photos from years past, along with more recent photos and updates from a lot of people who checked in.  My silly face was in a lot of those old photos and it really brought back memories.   Some people are still enveloped in a looser translation of the religion, many have moved on to more mainstream lives.  All seem to look back on those years as a fond experiment.  It's kind of like a recently defunct exclusive club and you were a founding member.  Very few people in the world are privy to the experience we shared.  

For a week after perusing the group pages, I proceeded to have raging nightmares.  The images brought up a lot of pain that I thought I was over.  Over the years I have weathered a fairly serious identity crisis as I have grown up, released myself from that religion, came out, began learning about actual science and history, etc . . . There were many lost years and many more rebuilding.  I'm confident in myself now, but that week I was having daily flashbacks.  It was emotionally draining.

Now that I've come out on the other side, I realize there are some people I really would like to reconnect with.  I see their photos, their spouses, their children and how much their lives have blossomed.  I feel the desire to reach out.  They obviously feel the same way or why would they have such a group.  It's like that shared experience is our sun and we're all in tight orbit around it.  The gravitational pull is getting harder and harder to ignore.

But on the other hand, I don't know if I want to live my life "out loud" like that.  I enjoy my anonymity.  I do blog (sort of), but I don't usually give my real name, or the real name of my family members.  I think it's common knowledge what general area of the country I live in, but not altogether too specific.  I like having a veil, even if it's imagined, of privacy in my life.

I have to admit that I am also afraid that I'll be judged harshly by people who are still "in the faith."  I'm completely burned out on religion.  I'm glad it's there for people who need it, including my very own Mom and Sister, but I simply do not partake. I have a long miserably sorted history with church, religion, demon deacons, evil church ladies, being gay, being feminist, being artistic, and being a bunch of other stuff that is  fodder for a whole other post.  Another long post. 

All that is to say, I've been thinking about actually personalizing my page and really joining Facebook, but I probably won't.  Are y'all on it?  What do you like about it?  What do you hate about it?  Give me the scoop!

Who knew a simple question, could conjure up so much . . . stuff.  Such is life, I guess. 

If you've read this far, thanks.  I really needed a listening ear.  If you skipped over all the drama in the middle and are just skimming to the end, I understand that too.  Time is money, Honey. 



43 days of triple digit temperatures.  I just had to mention, it's HOT!   


Until next time . . .

Big Winter Storm, Texas Edition

In response to Jennifer, In Vancouver, I wanted to show everyone what I mean by Big Winter Storm.  You see, here in my area of Texas we get snow about once every decade or so.  In fact, Baby Boy, all seventeen years of him, has never seen more than a dusting of "snowish" type precipitation.

So, while our Big Winter Storm doesn't nearly match up to the Big Winter Storms I've heard about and seen photos of on my other blogging-buddies' blogs . . . I feel it's important to let you know that it is indeed only twenty-one degrees today (Brrrrrr!) and every single school district, university, community college, grocery store, and government office is closed today. 

And here's why:

The Front Yard

The Driveway - Indeed that Jeep is Longhorn Orange, Thankyouverymuch! 

 

The Backyard, good thing we picked all the broccoli. 

And some rainwater left in the ice coolers . . . to freeze . . . yes . . . we're those people. 

So now you know how to close down Central Texas . . . just throw half an inch of snow on it! LOL!

Stay Warm!

Until next time . . .

Yucky Outside - Yummy Inside!!

We're not letting the Big Winter Storm of 2011 bother us.  Mom #2 cooked up an spectacular pot of Big Winter Storm Repellent!

First, she mixed some luxuriously smooth cream into her special homemade chicken broth . . . 

 

. . . then she chucked in a a stick of butter . . .

. . . which was followed by the rolling . . .

. . . and cutting of some super sized dumplings.   

Of course she didn't forget the seasoning . . . 

. . . and adding of shredded free-range chicken.  

Baby Boy and I danced with anticipation as it simmered delectably throughout the house all morning long  . . .

. . . until we finally got a delicious bowl to eat . . .

. . . in front of a toasty roaring fire!

See, I told you . . .Big Winter Storm Repellent!


Stay Warm!!!


Until next time . . .

Temporary Reprieve

It only lasted one short night, and today it's back up to 104 degrees, but it felt SO GOOD!

(Ignore the muffled voices in the background. I don't know how to edit them out.)

Yes, we're country/ghetto enough to collect rain water in ice coolers. ;-)


Everyone have a fantastic weekend. Stay cool!

Until next time . . .

Doo - Doo - Doo - Doo - - The Twilight Zone ;-)

I'll start from the beginning . . . I recently commented to my sister how I wish we could have a little snow around here because Baby Boy and my Baby Niece have never seen any.


In fact I even commented on both Michelle's and :)De's blogs that I was extra jealous of the beautiful pictures of their children playing in the snow.


So . . . I get up yesterday morning with errands to run and because it was already 85 degrees at 8:30 in the morning, I left the house wearing these shoes, a wardrobe staple here in the South.



Baby Boy and I ran errands, went to tae kwon do, had lunch, did some school work and picked up Mom #2 from work. We had dinner and settled in for a night of family fun. A regular old day in the neighborhood . . .


. . . or was it?


Suddenly in the middle of the night, the phone rings. Mom #2's brother calls us up and screams into the phone, "Wake up Baby Boy and go outside . . . IT'S SNOWING!"


What? Snow? In Central Texas?


But sure enough . . . we went outside and this is what we saw . . .


I know it isn't much to some of you . . . but it's the most I've seen in years.


So, in celebration, Mom #2 made us some of these . . .



. . . And we all sat up and watched The Weather Channel so that we could see what the heck was going on. Sure enough, the last time we had this much snow in December in Central Texas was in 1996 . . . over 10 years ago!


Sadly, when we got up this morning . . .it was all gone.


But we sure had fun last night . . . you know . . . looking out the window . . . because I forgot that when it snows outside . . . it gets COLD.


Brrrrr! How do y'all do it?


Until next time . . .

Well, Well, Well . . . Will You Look Who's Almost Legal

As one final attempt to win Baby Boy into my favor, as I will be needing him to take good care of me when I have my tooth pulled later today, I made the executive decision that he was finally ready to take the driver's test to get his learner's permit today.


And guess what . . .

HE PASSED!!!!!!!

This is his excited face after the big event.

Ha! Fooled ya!

Didn't you know teen boys don't get excited unless there's massive amounts of food involved.

I guess you can also see that we don't like cold weather down here in the Big Tex. Once it gets below 60 degrees . . . the natives run for cover.


That's all. I'm so happy for him.


I don't know who's supposed to teach him how to drive. I used up all my patience teaching him the rules of the road, LOL.



Until next time . . .

Day 1 . . . A Success!

I had such a great day today that I just had to jump up and down!


Today was our first day back to school. I was really dreading it because our summer break has been sooooooooo nice, but to be totally honest, I was starting to feel a little useless. I've been sleeping later and later and getting less and less done throughout the day. I was really needing a sense of purpose. I actually LOVE home schooling . . . I love learning with the Baby Boy!


But let's not just start there . . . I had a pretty descent weekend. Of course, I'll share. ;-)


Saturday was my Dad's birthday and we had a little luncheon for him to remind him how much we love him. I was not really looking forward to it because my father is one of those people who actually enjoys complaining about everything. If everything is fine, he is not happy. He gets his kicks being difficult. But he was in a great mood, much to my surprise and amazement. It was extra fun because my niece always seems to be having a "Daddy's weekend" whenever we get together, but she was with us and the two best cousins in the world got a chance to hang out and talk and eat . . . teen/tweenagers' favorite past times.



We watched lots of Hurricane Ike coverage on television, which isn't actually fun . . . but lots and lots and lots of teachable moments. Mom #2 has some family members in the Houston area that chose to ride it out (PLEASE don't ask me why, I simply cannot explain it) instead of evacuating. Turns out they are alive and well, even though the don't have any power and aren't expected to have any for a while. They are good and stubborn so they insist on sticking it out . . . more power to them . . . I'm done with the situation.


Alive . . . good. Dead . . . bad. They're alive, so it's all good to me.


On the flip side, Ike has brought us the most beautiful day we've had in months. 75 degrees was the HIGH today. Yippee! Baby Boy and I took Baby Doggy on an extra long walk today just to celebrate. It was fabulous!


And back to my original thought, school went great today. I was afraid Baby Boy was going to be obstinate and resist getting back into our routine, but he jumped right in with both feet, and didn't give me a stitch of trouble.


We took our Annual First Day of School Photo.



Then we did a little math, vocabulary, literature, and American history so we could save the best for last.


Then your two favorite chemists . . .


Did a few fun labs to prove that although you can't see the air around you, it most certainly does have mass and take up space.



After that, Baby Boy challenged me to a game of Mario Kart Wii and of course beat my butt under the table . . . but I'm in such a good mood . . . I'm not even going to practice on the down-low after he goes to bed tonight. I'm going to LET HIM HAVE IT.


Believe me, if you knew how competitive I was, you'd know what a great mood I'd have to be in to let that slide, LOL.


I hope you all are having a great day too!


Until next time . . .

Take A Hike, Ike!

So far the beach is washing away and some beach houses are already filled with water and Ike is still several hours off shore.

Galveston is below sea level and it doesn't take much water to fill it up. With the rain they've been having they already have more water than they can bare.

I know there are a few ridiculous souls who simply refuse to evacuate, while others feel they have good reason to stay and hold down the fort. This is not the time to be a hero.


Get out. Be safe. Live. Evacuate.

Unless, of course, you are a storm chaser. Here's a little video of what was going on a little earlier this afternoon, before the storm hit. This guy is certifiable, but I LOVE his reports.

And for those of you who are like me and never waste a good teachable moment, or you just like to read about natural disasters like Baby Boy and me, look here for a little information on the big Galveston Hurricane on September 8, 1900.

To all my Gulf Coast cyber buddies . . . be safe.


Until next time . . .

Good Moring . . . Some Thoughts . . .

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday weekend filled with family, fun, and lots of love. I also hope everyone took time to remember our troops both home and abroad who have pledged their lives for our country. No matter what side of the war debates we're all on, I think we can all agree that we want our boys and girls home safe and sound. As a former military brat, I know that we sometimes find ourselves in predicaments we never thought we would, but prayers and well-wishing from home is what keeps you warm at night.


We stayed home for Independence Day this year. Since we moved into town, we aren't allowed to do fireworks, although it didn't seem to stop some of our neighbors from setting them off. It about drove Baby Doggy insane. They do broadcast our local fireworks show on television, so we did watch that. We haven't actually gone to see them in a few years, because it's one of those events where you have to get up and get a good spot at about 8 AM even though the fireworks don't start until 9:30 PM. Since we are on our 30 - somethingth day of over 100 degree heat, we just weren't up for it this year. Maybe next year, we'll see.


Baby Boy is finally finished with his Geometry lessons. We are all so glad. We are going to spend this week doing some semi-standardized testing, and after that a few weeks off for summer break. I think we're both looking forward to it; for sure we've earned it.


I'm trying to think through and plan our future studies, and I'm hitting a brick wall. I'm not at a point where I can actually verbalize what I want to do with our homeschool program, so, of course that's limiting my selections as far as curriculum goes. I think next year I would like for our program to look more original instead of so school-at-homey, but at the same time I haven't completely bought into the unschooling perspective. I think I need something in the middle. I need something more relaxed and not so rigid, yet equally effective, with some sort of accountability for both parent and student. If anyone knows of anything like that, please feel free to drop me a line. I'm open for suggestions, and no too proud to beg.


Other than that, everything is going smoothly here. Our grand daughter is growing nicely. I don't have any pictures this week, but you can be sure more will be forthcoming soon.


Thanks for dropping by.


Until next time . . .

That's My Son!

Yes, we're still doing Geometry. It's going fine, A's all around, but I'm tired of talking about that.


Right now it's a million degrees outside, so we walk Baby Doggy as early in the morning as possible and then we hide in the house all the live long day until the sun goes down.


If we are so inclined, we hop in the car and go to any of Baby Boy's miscellaneous extra curricular activities. We've kind of slacked off a little bit due to the extreme price of gas lately, but that's a whole different post.


Today we braved tae kwon do class. Right now Baby Boy is training for his next belt (I think it may be red, but I could be wrong). Today sparring was on the agenda.

I just want to know why does my skinny kid always get paired up with the guy built like a brick wall? Anyway, I can say one thing for sure about my son, he is NOT afraid to take a punch.

Just thought I'd share. He's getting pretty good, right?


Until next time . . .

The Week That Was . . .

We've been having such wonderful, beautiful, delicious weather that Baby Boy and I can hardly concentrate on anything other than sitting on the patio and taking Baby Doggy for walks.


We did manage to get all of our assignments done, and we are both pleased to be almost finished with several of his subjects for this term.


We've completed Music Theory and our Movies as Literature this week. Actually and honestly, we ditched the Movies as Literature, we only had two more movies to watch, but neither of us were all that jazzed about them, so we decided to call it a year on that. Don't get me wrong, if you've looked at this for your own student, it's an excellent curriculum. It's very unique and requires real analysis, easily as much as a good rigorous literature curriculum would require, if not more, because with the visual, there is so much you are expected to notice. You end up practically watching each movie four or five times. For almost every question, Baby Boy and I found ourselves reviewing the scenes to make sure we didn't miss any subtleties. It's been a lot of fun, but we're just done, LOL. This is the time of year we get antsy and don't want to waste our days away watching television. We have some other literature activities that we're doing that are not curriculum and textbook based. It's just one of the perks of homeschooling, I guess.


Of course we did get a chance to get our art projects done this week. We studied Expressionism, which we learned is two giant steps away from realism. That's what we liked best about it, because we tend to do art that doesn't look very realistic whether we are trying to or not, LOL. It's more of a visual display of how you emotionally feel when you see something in nature. This week we did our own renditions of Vincent van Gogh's Wheat Field with Rising Sun (We have pretty high self esteem, don't we? I mean we really aim high! he he he).

The original, Vincent van Gogh's Wheat Field with Rising Sun illustrating Expressionism

Another version of Expressionism by Baby Boy

And yet another, by Mom #1

In case you're wondering, yes, we did at least have fun, LOL.


I know this post is getting long, but one more thing. We went to see my niece, who I love dearly, play an original composition at a piano for her school last night. It was actually the neatest thing I have ever seen. She goes to an all girls private school. Anyway, the girls are learning how to compose music that is uniquely them. So they are used regular music notation as well as graphic notation (which is just a fancy word for pictures) in their music scores. During the performance, they showed each girl's photo and a copy of the actual work she created on the overhead projector while we listened to them play the piece.


The pieces are untitled, but they did provide descriptions. Here's the description my niece's piece:

I have chosen to focus on shifting emotions, moving from happiness to anger, then sadness. Gradual healing begins and then returns us to a state of happiness once again.

The quality of this video is pretty pathetic, because the lighting was down in the auditorium so we could see the slides on the overhead projector, plus I was using a regular camera, not a video camera, so . . . it's really important that you understand that before you get too excited to see it.

Proud moments aren't only for moms, they are for aunties too!

Until next time . . .

It's Spring . . . and . . . Easter?

Happy Springtime, Everyone!


Of course you know down here, it's already been in the 90's daily for weeks, but we have recently gotten some much-needed rain, so that's good. I'm a big fan of rain, as long as I don't have to drive anywhere. Frankly, I'm not a great driver anyway, and rain just makes it that much worse. I generally try to stay home in the rain.


We do have our official first sign of spring - Mom #2 has planted her strawberry plant. Isn't it cute? I'll let you know the status of that experiment in a few months, LOL.




Oh, school was so great this week. We finished every single thing on our schedule. I love when that happens! It's a rare and unusual phenomenon, and believe me, it's worth mentioning.


Today we went on a little outing with the homeschool group. We went to see an exhibit on The Beat Generation poets. The exhibit was interesting, not exactly what I expected, but tolerable. I arrived late, as usual, but everyone was still very nice to us - that's the sign of a good group. This is our 3rd time tagging along and I'm not feeling "frozen out" yet, so I think this might work. After the docent tour, we went to a social spot where Baby Boy enjoyed playing pool and air hockey. He is really warming up to the kids there, which is very pleasing because neither he nor I make friends very easily. I'm actually sort of struggling to get along with the other moms, but I'm going to make an honest and determined effort for Baby Boy's sake. It's so obvious that he's tired of having his mom as a best friend. Oh, why must they grow up so fast?


Oh, and I was wondering why there weren't that many other families on the field trip and why there were so much traffic on the highway. . . why didn't anyone tell me today is Good Friday and Sunday coming up is Easter. Oh my goodness. I guess just Baby Boy, Myself, and a few other heathens were wandering around at museums and such. Everyone else was on the highway trying to get to their families and to churches all over town. Oops! I need to go call my mom, I hope she's cooking something good.


I need to get in touch with the Easter Bunny and see if he can make an emergency house call. I'm severely lacking in decorations and such. It's way too early this year.


Oh, well.


Until next time . . .


Smooches!

Guess Who's Coming For Dinner?

The weather has been super hot lately, think 90's.


Anyway as a pick-him-up for having to get surgery last week, Big Papa (my dad) took Baby Boy on another fishing trip this weekend.


Guess what we're having for dinner . . . Delicious!




. . . Until next time . . .


Smooches!

Spring Break Avoidance, Dr's Appts, and Linear Art Projects - In Other Words - MARCH MADNESS!

Well, we've been plugging along at our own pace here at the Two Moms' Homeschool. The public schools are on Spring Break here this week, so there are spare children running the streets everywhere. We also have a little music festival not far from here this week, so we have lots of extra people around. I've been hibernating inside to avoid all the extra commotion. Besides that, I'm still recuperating from the time change - Springing forward - OY!


School is going remarkably well. Baby Boy has really been applying himself and even in the toughest of subjects, I'm seeing lots of positive grades. It's so sad when the teacher suffers more from spring fever than the student. That's what's going on here. I have to physically force myself to get my lesson plans together, get my paperwork organized and to stay on task so Baby Boy and I can get things done in a reasonable amount of time.


We've had alternating days of beautiful and sucky weather. One day it's 75 and sunshiney and the next it's 40 and raining. On the nice days, we try to get out and have a little walk or at least sit out on the patio and soak up some sunshine. I love sunshine. The one thing I do have to admit about the time change is that I do like having the sun stay up a little longer. That part is nice. I just have to conquer getting up on time.


We're planning another tag-along visit next week with our homeschool field trip group. This time we're going to see a poetry exhibit followed by bowling and chit chat. Wish us luck, I'm sure you've heard by now, we really aren't group people.


Oh, and I've been trying to pick up extra shifts at my little work-at-home gig. You know, as the infomercial lady. So if any of y'all get bored in the middle of the night, turn on a little late night TV and then pick up the phone and give me a call. Order everything or nothing at all, I'm paid per minute of talk time. ;-)


We got some pretty disappointing news from one of Baby Boy's medical specialists this week. I don't think Baby Boy quite realizes what was said. I'm taking a little time to digest it myself before I sit him down and tell him all about it. It really sucks! It's not life threatening, just life affecting and, frankly, life annoying, if you know what I mean. Anyway, keep us in your hearts and minds as we work through this one.


Also, Baby Boy is having another outpatient surgical procedure tomorrow. It shouldn't be a big deal, but you never know. I have a little flutter in the pit of my stomach every time he has to be put under anesthesia. I'll keep you posted. Give us an extra thought as you sleep tonight.


But don't let all this talk of medical negativity get you down. You KNOW that if nothing else gets done around here, art projects always will.


So let's get it started!


First we learned . . .

Perspective


One Point Linear


By Baby Boy

and

By Mom #1


Then we learned . . . Two Point Linear


By Baby Boy

and

By Mom #1

Then we learned Perspective: Atmospheric. It's apparently the art of coloring in a picture so that it appears to be moving into the distance. We aren't really sure if we accomplished it or not. What do y'all think?

Atmospheric Perspective


By Baby Boy

and

By Mom #1

Who knows, eh? LOL. I always tease Baby Boy because he has a very heavy hand as you can see by his coloring. I'm glad he doesn't spar me in tae kwon do! Even when he tickles, it feels like he's rubbing you with Brillo pads. LOL.


Anywho. . .

Until Next Time . . .


Smooches!

The Christmas Tour!

I thought I'd give you a little tour of some of our inside Christmas decorations. There are lots more lights and stuff outside, but it's too cold to go out. It's about 40 degrees today, and while that may not be cold for some, it's freezing to me and I am not interested in getting all bundled up and going out into the elements.

It's supposed to get back into the 70s later this week, so I'll try to get the outside shots then.

So, without further ado. . .


Our Christmas Tree and Dining Area
(Notice the garland and ribbon around the window frame and the snow globe on the buffet.)

Our Mantle

Our Breakfast Bar
(The top is covered with snowflakes which we use for decoration and as coasters for drinks.)

Our Coffee Table
(More snowflake Coasters and do you think I like giant snow globes or what?)

And now we head into the guest bathroom. . .


The Toilet Seat



The Mat You Stand On To Wash Your Hands




The Hand Towel

And finally, the pièce de résistance, The Soap Dispenser
(When you press the top to get soap, it lights up in red and sings a little Christmas carol.)
I LOVE IT!

I know it's not quite as fancy as the White House Christmas Special that I just watched on TLC, but it's the best we can do on our country-time budget. When it warms up outside, I'll post some shots of the lights.

Until then. . .


Smooches!