How About A Weekly Report? It's Been A While!

School has been a mix of book lessons and life lessons this week. Our book lessons included the following:

• Literature: We've just completed "The Red Badge of Courage," by Stephen Crane. Hated it! But I didn't tell Baby Boy that; instead, I showed him the beauty of Stephen Crane's ability to use hundreds of words to overly describe something that could be all said and done in a brief pamphlet. Anyway, we're done with that book and will be starting Earnest Hemingway's "The Old Man and the Sea" next week. I actually like that book, so perhaps next week's report will be more uplifting, LOL.

• Algebra II: We completed a chapter on 3rd and 4Th degree equations. I don't really know what that means, so you'll have to ask Baby Boy. Next week he'll begin a chapter on multi variable 2Nd degree equations. I don't know what those are either. Math is an area where I provide scratch paper, pencils, and the phone number to the local homework helpline, if you know what I mean, LOL.
  

• U.S. History: We have recently completed a long study of the life of Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln as well as an in-depth look at the nuances of the Civil War. I don't think I was much of a history buff before this, but after all the extra reading and movie watching we've done on the Civil War, I think Baby Boy, Mom #2 and I are all much more informed than we started out. What an interesting, turbulent and complex time in our nation's history. We just started the book, "Dragon's Gate," which is the story of an Asian American's experience working on the Transcontinental Railroad. It's extremely eye-opening. Often, when studying American History, you find much text fixated on the white verses black racial issues, but my family has had our eyes opened to a lot of other ethnic groups and their struggles for equality as well. Of course, there is still much to learn.
  

• Human Anatomy: We are right smack in the middle of studying the Central Nervous System. We are slowing down and spending extra time detailing the anatomy of the brain since Baby Boy is having such a great time. As an added bonus, my Sister discovered she had a little eye twitch and her doctor recommended she have a dye-contrast MRI of her brain to make sure she didn't have any problems. We got extra-special permission to go to her procedure with her and even watch the contrast material snake it's way through the brain. It was very exciting! I hope her brain is OK. ;-) We sure had fun looking at it from the inside out. Due to privacy issues, I won't show pictures of her brain, but I just can't resist posting a photo of her in her darling hospital-issued ensemble.

Look, they have ugly shorts to go with the ugly gown!

Where's my Xanax???!!!!!

That'll show her who's boss!


I'm sure you already know how the rest of our week went, so no need to rehash the past.


I'm looking forward to a relaxing, uneventful (PLEASE!) weekend. Hope you all have a great one too.



Until next time . . .

We Have a New Roommate

It certainly seems that we moved into this bigger house just in the nick of time; Mom has been released into my care.


(Being the oldest certainly has it's privileges ;-).


We're delicately navigating the issues of her illness. The hospitalization calmed the situation, but definitely didn't eliminate it. We'll be attending weekly psychiatric as well as psychology appointments.

Mom is not to be left alone; she is not to drive; she is to have medication administered daily under close supervision.

Today we've had a pleasant day so far. Mom came along to our monthly homeschool bowling trip. She also watched Baby Boy do some fancy footwork in tae kwon do and then we took a nice leisurely walk around the block.

As much as I usually like being bossy, let me tell each and every one of you this in no uncertain terms: It is positively against the laws of nature for a woman in her 30's to be in an authoritative position over her 50-something year old Mom. I keep having to gather all of my gumption when I tell her that she cannot teach Sunday School or lead her Women's Ministry Group or jump into her car and go where she wants to go.

She has not accepted that she is sick, but I hope she will soon. I wouldn't have her any other place than here. This woman, no matter what her issues, gave me life. She is the reason I am the woman I am today, for better or for worse.


I just hope she gets better.


Until next time . . .

Ultimate (Yes, More Ultimate) Winners!

Baby Boy's Team Orange won 2 out of 3 games during the championship rounds on Sunday to become one of the most winning teams in the league. Here's a few photos of all the action. You can click on any of the photos to make them larger. Baby Boy is easily recognizable in Jersey #8 - AKA the black player ;-).

Congratulations!

Also, thank you very much for all of your well wishes and positive thoughts concerning Mom. It's an incredibly difficult situation. Being the oldest child of a divorced parent definitely puts you front and center when you really just want to hide in a dark corner, LOL, but we're going to make it through - no doubts about it.


Until next time . . .

What Goes Up . . . Must Come Down :(

Guess where I've been all. day. long?

Having my Mom involuntarily committed for inpatient treatment at the mental hospital.

Tears, tears. tears. That's all.


Until next time . . .

Through Sickness & Health, The Show Must Go On

Thanks for all the well wishes. I'm still phlegmy, but mostly well. I've been taking it very easy this week.


My family has been laboring on in their various pursuits with only a little gentle-sickly-Mom guidance from me:

• Mom #2 and Baby Boy got the garage all cleaned up. It lasted for exactly one day and then Mom #2 found some old pallets that she can rip apart and so now there are old scraps of wood, saws, and various sawdust piles everywhere, but it was a very nice day.

• Mom #2 and Baby Boy planted the first box of seedlings in the back yard garden. Onions. So I wouldn't drop by looking for any close-talking discussions if I were y'all, LOL. I think she's planting the potatoes today. *** By the way, Mom #2 has started a gardening blog, even though she's not really a gardener. If you have any tips and/or tricks she can use or if you just want to see how our garden does this year, drop on by. Actually, could you please just drop by and say "Hi" anyway, even if you're not into gardening. It really would make my life a lot easier if you do, LOL. ***
  

• Baby Boy finished all of his schoolwork and did a really good job at it too. I'll spare you the details.
  

So, I don't know if I should be happy that my family can carry on in spite of me being down for the count, or nervous that my position may be getting phased out. I think I'm on notice. I'd better not call in sick anymore, LOL. Then again, no one swept or mopped the kitchen floor or got that grimy stuff out of the tub, so I guess as long as there is grunt work to do . . . I'll still have a position here. ;-)


Everyone please wish Baby Boy good luck. He has his Ultimate Frisbee tournament this weekend. Good thing I got well just in time to go sit outside for 6 hours in the elements. Don't ya just love the home schooling lifestyle!


Have a great weekend!



Until next time . . .