Koo Koo Ka Choo

Happy Valentine's Day

St. Valentine 

a Roman priest martyred during the reign of Claudius II, known as Claudius Gothicus. He was arrested and imprisoned upon being caught marrying Christian couples and otherwise aiding Christians who were at the time being persecuted by Claudius in Rome. Helping Christians at this time was considered a crime. Claudius took a liking to this prisoner – until Valentinus tried to convert the Emperor – whereupon this priest was condemned to death. He was beaten with clubs and stoned; when that failed to kill him, he was beheaded outside the Flaminian Gate 

That's cheerful huh?


The images and traditions that at a glance may seem familiar and secular, may need bit of research.  Where do they come from and what do they mean?


Does anybody even care?


Cupid

It has been suggested by some historians that the "Feast" or celebration of Saint Valentine aka Valentine's Day was created in attempt to "out shine" the pagan festival of Lupercalia  making conversion to christianity an easier task.


Lupa
the legend of Romulus and Remus

Capitoline Wolf

Hmmmm.... 

Februa, also Februatio, was the Roman festival of ritual purification, later incorporated into Lupercalia. The festival, which is basically one of Spring washing or cleaning (associated also with the raininess of this time of year) is old, and possibly of Sabine origin.

 According to Ovid, Februare as a Latin word which refers to means of purification (particularly with washing or water) derives from an earlier Etruscan word referring to purging.^[1]

The Roman month Februarius ("of Februa," whence the English February) is named for the Februa/Februatio festival, which occurred on the 15th day of the Roman month. A later Roman god Februus personified both the month and also purification, and is named for them. Thus, the month is named for the festival and not for the god.

Some sources connect the Latin word for fever (febris) with the same idea of purification or purging, due to the sweating commonly seen in association with fevers.

Fauna

     

Faunus

Hmmm... 

Pan, Mr. Tumnus?

Who remembers the game "Telephone?"

Why do I think any of this is interesting?

Well, first off it is interesting to me because it is HISTORY!

And I LOVE history.


It doesnt' matter which history book you read because ultimately they all have a common thread.  
If we actually looked deeper into things we might see more similarities than differences.
I try to see the "Big Picture" of things
and act on a simplistic level


I know that 
this makes me a living breathing contradiction...
and I am just fine with that.


The amount of technology and information out there for most of us in the "Free World"
is both intimidating and inspiring.


What any of us do with these tools is... 
relevant.


Egypt

Over the last few months the main source of news for me has been the radio.
We do not subscribe to any television service and I have not quiet mastered the ability to utilize my phone.


I listen mostly to NPR but I also listen to some other syndicated talk radio that have a much more conservative agenda .  I believe it is important to hear as many versions of the same story as possible.


It is my opinion that all media, entertainment or art has some type of agenda 
and to think or imply otherwise would be disingenuous.


If these platforms did not have an agenda then what would be the purpose for it's existence? 
Is it not to evoke a thought or emotion?


As I write, a couple thoughts are conjured ...


on this personal journey of
"self" discovery




FIBER

seems to be  a constant....


it shouldn't be surprising to me that I am drawn to the art of spinning and weaving .


For as long as I can remember I have Dreamed of having a Farm.


Thus explaining why I have created my version of  rural, on a small coastal island
smack dab in the center of an industrial park.

I was first drawn to the idea of having a sheep farm when I was in grade school, living in a small farm town in Virginia.  
However, as I evolved and became exposed to the realities of my dream.  
The notion of sheep shifted to alpaca.


Alpacas need less area and have a much gentler "hoof-print" on the environment.  Not to mention they have those long beautiful eye lashes.


After a mortgage, child and marriage came into play, the dream kinda fell from sight.


It has only been in recent years that my dream veered back into view. 


Maybe not today...
but someday?


All things are possible!


So in my creative journey I have allowed myself to experiment...  
be inspired...
become purposeful...
relevant.


So, back to my dream, my canvas...


it is symbolic to me. 


 Not too many details...
some space to spread my legs, grow some veggies, have a horse or two or three, my dogs, chickens, cats maybe a goat or cow and some alpacas.


My mother tried to teach me to knit when I was in my teens... but I was unable to find the patience and stillness to feel the rhythm that allows me to knit today.


A quarter of a century later, a substantial segment of my earthly lifetime 
I am finding my rhythm, my connectedness.


I love to knit, 
I like that the end product is tangible but why I do it is because it centers me, it relaxes me it taps into my soul, my vibration.


However, it is simply a tool for me not a destination.  The skill and technique is inevitable not the inspiration.  





The inspiration is the fiber.
The destination is the fabric and the journey is to clean, dye, card, spin and ultimately to weave.  




Gandhi

Over the last few months many things have come and gone.
Several holidays, a birthday, a basketball season, a dance and several inches of snow. 
(this is monumental here on the Outer Banks)




A Foal at the Barn

 A Giving Tree

Braces and Botany

A Hat for a Friend

A Quilt for Child

Sanity for a Sister

It's good to be back!

I'm Still Here

It is so nice to feel like I have my creative juices flowing again.

After taking Mary out of public school back in October most of my time, money and thought seem to focus on curriculum, scheduling and sanity. I didn't have much left in reserve for myself. Logically, I know that homeschooling Mary taps into the ultimate creative source. However, I had become very comfortable in my Green Gourd Creations journey. And began feeling as if I had surrendered something substantial of myself. I think a good deal of that simply came from loosing the freedom to connect and plug in literally to my computer (I sure hope I get one of my computers back soon). But the thing that I miss most is that quiet “ME” time. I am slowly finding my way back there.
Half the battle is picking up the momentum again after feeling like I am at a stand still. You know, getting past the hurdles in my own head.

I love homeschooling! Granted, all the reasons that kept me from taking this path sooner are present. But I am thankful for every second.

I had forgotten how viral “knowledge” is. I don't know how, especially when that seems to be what self-discovery is all about.

The things we are studying feel so relevant. I suppose this is one of the many advantages to choosing your own curriculum. I am inspired all the more to be “purposeful” in my actions.

It is easy to become lost in the busy of life and forget the importance of intention in all actions.

FEBRUARY

Winter is still here...
however, Spring is just around the corner. Time to start planning for Summer's bounty.

I put my order in for the seeds I want to plant in our Spring and Summer garden.

Woo Hoo!

That is promising, I am going to try a few new heirloom varieties this year. I will also plant some of my ole faithful seeds from my person seed collection that I have accumulated over the years. No Monsanto or GM products in my veggie patch, please.

My knitting this winter definitely falls into the obsessive compulsive category. I admit this completely and wholeheartedly without regret. The knitting helped me hold onto what little sanity I have. I am now able to venture a little further away from scains and proctor.

I finished off a couple more pieces for my nephews and even managed to get one sent off in the mail. This is big, considering I actually had to leave the house... no click-n-ship. Man, am I spoiled rotten.


I also finished putting together the face of a quilt the other day. Hopefully, I can piece the batting, back and face together and begin the quilting sometime during the next few days. This is a project I had meant to start almost two years ago. I love it when I finish one of these projects, It is like opening a window in the spring ... minus the pollen.

I will be happy when I have access to a computer again. I will be able to upload photos again and not have to take two hours typing one letter at a time with the Wii. I am sure there is a faster and simpler way to do this. For this old, technologically challenged lady... this is as good as it gets for the time being.

A Blogging Wii Will Go

Oh my, my!

I am gonna give this a whirl.

Both of my computers are down right now and I am about to snap. I am writting one letter at a time via my daughter's Wii. This may take some time...

Uggggh...



Who knew what an important part my blogging would play in my sanity and creativity. But it does!

I also did not realize how dependant my family had become on the internet, especially me. So many aspects of our houehold hing on some sort of connection through the World Wide Web, Memory Space aka RAM, USB and other interdependant items. I have beome spoiled by the convience of technology... lazy if you would ablidge me. It is actually pretty scary how reliant on computers my life has become. Who was I kidding thinking I was becoming more “self-reliant” and self sustainable.

Hmmm... maybe I was missing the point.

Maybe, I simply need to start with “self” and then “think globally and act locally.”

I went to bed early last night and was reading (Anne of Green Gables, one of my mom's favorites & on Mary's reading list) anyway...

When my husband came to bed our friendly, nightly battle between light and noise began. Well, noise won last night. We, cought the tail end of the State of the Union Address and the Republican response and some other NPR commentary and BBC. I have, over the past many years kept most of my political views to myself. Taking the advice that if you want to keep conersation civil and polite, stay away from the subjects of religion and politicts. I suppose I am choosing to cast civility aside this morning. I may come to regret this. Oh well...

After listening to the hours worth of NPR that the sleep button allows, I have been left with some very interesting thoughts.
I will TRY to be brief and leave much to the imagination. Mostly because I am typing via a Wii without spell check but also cuz thats just the way I am.

I will start with saying...

Dag! WTF...

I HATE politics and spin doctors!

Where is the grey?

In a country made up of such diversity, how in the world, do we expect a broken two party system to work. Thats how Wars start over oil while people sleep, nod and buy whatever our government is selling. Right? “Self” included. Granted it was more like paying than buying... you know kinda like taxes.

Any who...

What ever happened to: Respecting our president, Children not talking back to adults and “for the people by the people”.

Did I miss something?

Who has the solution? Which History Book are you “buying” or are you leaving that up to someone else to decide?

How did this great country of ours begin?
Hmmm...

How far back do we go?
Back when we were one super continent, after migration and evolved mankind (as if, it were done), after British colonization, indentured, Indian and African slaves, or would it begin after we dumped a bunch of tea in some harbor up north because some folks were tierd of paying taxes on it? Didn't it have something to do with importing and exporting?

Or maybe it would begin after we kicked some red coat ass with a little help from our French fry friends? Or wait a minute, maybe we should begin after a bunch of slave owning yankees conveniences a nation and historians to start a war over oil... I'm sorry did I say oil, I mean slavery. Now what if that “civil” war was over oil, cotton, tea, taxes, corn, big business or big government. Would it change anything? What if black is white and white is black and truth is somewhere in the grey.

Has anyone heard the expression “watch out for the tail that wags the dog”?

Let us not be “stupid americans”, let us “we the people” slumber no more.

Please let's define Democracy and Republic before we vote, buy, pay or sell.

Money, mongo, monarchy, mono, monocle, monomania, monopoly and monotony ... where do these words derive?

From another once great civilization that fell after becoming to big for their own good. Latin may be a dead language but it sure has endured throughout time to influence many languages around the world and most especially the English langage.

If you have stuck with me throughout my rambles you may wonder, what's my point? Well, I suppose my is this...

What is it that we really want, who's really in change and how much responsibility are each of willing to take?

Which came first, the chicken or the egg?

I don't know and quite frankly I dont care, y'all can argue about it if you want. What I do know is this, a hen doesn't need a rooster to lay an egg. But you wont have eggs long if somebody somewhere doesn't have a rooster.

Yikes, I better go tend to “MY” chickens.

Shew... my thumb and wrist are sore!

First Full Week Of Our New Life

It has been 12 days since we took Mary out of school.  

And to say the VERY least it has been an interesting 12 days.  

Last week was more of an adjustment period.  I told her that we would not start actual classes until the following week (thinking I would have the full curriculum that weekend).  

However,  she she had a different idea all together... imagine that!

I stood my ground for a while and then I ultimately threw in the towel and gave in. 

I know... 

but, even a broken clock tells the correct time twice a day.

In my surrender to her demands of...

MATH WORK

I was able to show her 

WHY... 

she needed to TRUST me

and do it "MY" way.

She fell apart and had a complete and total melt down...

it was UGLY!

Yet, as all things usually do ...

everything worked out EXACTLY as it was meant to.

We began a serious dialouge about all the things she was unhappy with.

Because her wanting to be home-schooled was so much more than just the bulling problems.

Life is not "black" and "white" or "right" or "wrong".

Life is much more complex than that. 

There are so many variables and I can not prescribe one remedy to cover them all.

My daughter is far from perfect...

Thank God!

She is beautifully and perfectly flawed as all of us are.

Mary has many social skill deficits of her own...

like all children, 

some more than others.

She also has some self-esteem issues  to now also deal with.

Like Horses I believe that children need to be "Gentled" not "Broke".

Sorry, the terms were not of my own conjuring.

I want my daughter to be an independent thinker.  I want her to think outside the box.

Public School isn't for all people...

So what if she does't fall in line and behave as others do... 

we aren't all meant to be the same.

Anyway...

The first several days were difficult, emotional and full of "hard labor".

We dealt with the emotional fall-out of  some buyers remorse.

Establishing some limits and boundaries.

Creating and organizing some Homeschool spaces.

And finally getting ready for the Unbirthday Halloween Party.

Mary finally decided to have the "make up" birthday party she missed back in March.

Because of my brothers surgery, and other happenings last spring she didn't get to have her party.

She was going to have it over the summer so her cousin could come.

But that didn't happen either...and then she just kinda gave up on the idea.

She had originally wanted to have a...

"Alice in Wonderland" Birthday Party 

Where everyone had to dress up as their favorite character.

So, I suppose it was only fitting that as the Halloween season drew closer, she became inspired again.

So, we decided to have a Halloween Unbirthday birthday costume party.

Shew... that was a mouth full.

The scene was set...

and a spooky Halloween Slumber Party was had.

It was a full weekend.

She was invited to another Halloween party and then to tie it all up a Trick or Treat nite out with the girls.

Rag Doll

Needless to say our first full week of homeschooling got off to a late start a few mornings in a row following all the festivities.

And for those who may think that Halloween and Faith do not mix...

Check this link out

A rainy week also helped us to stay focused.

Because we are down to only one vehicle and a motorcycle and Bill took the truck to stay dry we were able to keep our nose to the books and out of the horses manes.

Even though this is a bit overwhelming and time consuming.

I KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt that we have done the right thing for our family.

Even with all the chaos, I feel at peace.

I already see a wonderful peace coming over Mary as well.

We have been able to slow things down and reel it all back in

(Granted this is a work in progress...)

while 

focusing on some fundamental basics.

We have brought our faith back into a daily learning routine 

and

Heifer International's 

Fill the Ark 

Chore Groove

She has gotten into a better routine with her chores and other responsibilities.

 Friday 

Given my tendency for clutter...

I think this isn't too bad for a begining week of homeschool.

Big Dissapointment

This yarn...

ugggh, this stuff is Terrible!  I thought I would really like it... all fuzzy and soft.

Nope, it just kept breaking.

This was a much easier fix than some of the problems we had in MATH.

.I just put that yarn away and grabed a different skein of yarn from my stash box.

Keeping Up

Keeping up on my cleaning is much more rewarding than keeping up with the Jone's.

READING

This is the subject that Mary struggles with the most.  And it has hindered her in her other subjects.  

Don't get me wrong.  

Mary has been a strong A, A/B student.

She would have been an even stronger student if her reading was more solid.

It frustrated me that she did not enjoy reading.

I had always loved it and still do.  I couldn't relate to her dislike of reading.

She gave up on reading when she wasn't asked  back to the AIG reading class in 2nd or 3rd grade, she was heart-broken. It isn't that she is able to read... she simply doesn't want to slow down enough to phonetically sound out a word that she doesn't recognize. 

I tried so hard to get her interested again.  She has an extensive bookshelf to prove it.

We won't be lacking in the reading department that's for sure.

I am confident that we can get her back up to speed.

It's That Time

It is time to bring in some of the more sensitive plants.  We fell into some pretty low temps last night.  I believe we even had some frost inland.

Just for Me

This entry is for you my soul sista!

See Robin...

I DO still have time to do something for Meeeeeeee!

Even if...  it was partly out of desperation since those hounds from hell won't give up the taste for ...

ok...

I will keep the comments PG

I think everyone get the picture.

For my Bugga B.

I finished this off for my baby bruda a couple days ago.  His favorite colors, red and black.  I made him a headband last year to keep his ears warm while he worked outside.  I had begun a matching scarf but those hounds also have a taste for bamboo... and ate the scarf  right off the needles.

So this was the second attempt at a scarf for Paul.

It's funny, a couple of my knitting friends made a teasing comment about how they needed to show me some other stitches.  What I didn't have the emotional energy to say at the time was...

"I know how to do other stitches, I just need to simply knit"

I need the thoughtless rhythm... it calms me it keeps me balanced.

Having to keep count and pay attention would be more than I could handle at the moment.

I am leaving in 30 mins. to pick up my little brother for his PET Scan.

I am bawling my face off while I write this.

I FEEL...

and it HURTS!

I am calling all prayers and vibrations to help me and my family.

And I have a BIG Family!

TALLEY HO...

Daisynconcrete: Little Brother

So...

I started to blog this morning but as I began to write I was having "issues" with my computer and my post.  I decided to take a break and go to my dashboard and read some of my favorite blogs...

I got as far as...

http://www.feyacblurk.com/

and

http://mommaflora.blogspot.com/

then I was stopped in my tracks with...

Daisynconcrete: Little Brother: "So I don't even know where to start with this one. I guess I could start with cancer can BITE ME. I mentioned before that my brother's cancer..."

GET BACK Jo Jo!

Zero Tolerance? 

Look at this face...

 why wouldn't I wanna take her out of the public school system?

We had the conference with Mary's teachers last week and it went better than I had anticipated.  Unfortunately/fortunately I became aware of some issues at school that Mary had not informed me of.  

"Some students and teachers brought it to the vice principal's attention that Mary was being Bullied pretty bad."      

Mary's teacher defended her knowledge of the actual events that took place, only that the vice principal had come and pulled Mary out of the classroom to speak with her.  I imagine that the rest of her "understanding" of what happened is water cooler conversation.  

I am not shocked nor am I surprised by this.

I just do not understand why no one feels it necessary to send a note, an email or make a phone call to me, "the parent".

Mary tells me about the mean things that the boys say and do...

but she only alludes to the cruelty of the girls...

and we girls know how nasty the gal pals can be.

This age is horrible...

and it is only going to get worse.

What is a "FRIEND"?

How many should you have?

Do we take our cues from "Facebook" or "Myspace"?

Church?

The Playground?

Our family?

Navigating the "social" climate of school, clubs and organizations is difficult enough for adults, I can only imagine what it must be for my child.

Zero Tolerance...

hmmm?

Upon finding out that I was taking Mary out of school or that I did... 

a similar response has echoed.

"Mary, Bullied?

But, she's so."

She's ...

SO WHAT?

Loud?

Big?

Happy?

Friendly?

Confident?

Athletic?

Mean?

Talented?

Kind?

Literal?

Big Hearted?

Loyal?

Passionate?

Innocent?

10?

...SO WHAT?!

Nobody should have to suffer from ridicule, intolerance, hate, isolation, or pain.

No-ONE!

This simply validates our decission to take her out of the public school.

We can not afford a private school nor would I consider this an option at this point.

I believe this problem is much bigger than just our little school.

I want to spend the time with my daughter!

I am confident that we have made the right choice for our family.

OK...

I am not going to "Radically Unschool" my child...

However, I do believe in the fundamental premiss that our children already have a built in desire to learn.

I also believe that children thrive in areas in which they are passionate.

I am DONE with the "politics" of it all!

"I will give unto Ceasar what is Ceasar's..."

the rest?

Well... the proof is in the pudding.

Monday was Mary's last day of school at 

NHES

It is a little sad, and A LOT scary.... however I am excited and ready!

I believe and TRUST that everything will and does happen exactly as it should.

The road signs are there I just need to be WILLING to follow them.

I had a free full 5th grade curriculum dropped into my lap, Sunday!

It is one that I am familiar with and have made inquirers on and received information packages on many years ago when I began to research a curriculum for homeschooling.

I will not justify, defend, explain my decisions or apologize for them, unless it is part of my "story" and my path.

I feel very blessed and I will be using this as a base curriculum for the time being.

I know that I will have some trial and error till we find what works for us.

This is what I am drawn to...

HERE



This time here on Earth is brief...

I have enjoyed much of it...
yet

I have "struggled" to survive through much of it.

I choose not to struggle anymore, I choose to...

LIVE
&
LOVE

I can not force anyone to be kind...

I can only live by example.

"Be the change I want to see!"

Be present ...

"Be Here Now"

I am Human so I am imperfect.

I will make mistakes...

I just need to keep looking down at my feet and remember that 

I am exactly where I am....

right here, now.

Road Signs Ahead

In Between

I can't believe it has been almost a month since I last blogged!

!!!WOW!!!

It has become such a regular part of my routine that I don't feel complete if I have not been in my blog space.

For the first time in a very long time I have not over committed myself with a million major responsibilities.
And I have gotten much better about
"shoulding" on myself.
I have removed many of my former hats and am trying to focus on
"me"

Shew...
this can be some very creepy territory sometimes.
That means that when I have "issues"
I hit them head on
and feel them full strength.

My typical mode of operandi of days gone by were ...
(and some are still works in progress)

excessive crowded activities,
alcohol,
drugs,
taking everyone's inventory minus my own...
food,
"looking for bread at the hardware store"...
more food,
over commitment,
setting unrealistic goals and expectations for myself and others,
having expectations in general...
lack of personal boundaries,
"people pleasing"
too much fun,
not enough fun,
fear, fear and more fear.
and then more food!

This list could go on and on.  To put things in a nutshell...
DISTRACTIONS!

Anything to keep me from feeling how uncomfortable I was in my own skin...
to avoid my emotions...
to numb, mask or medicate
to keep myself separated from people, myself and "God".

After my daughter was born, I began to "clean house."
I started to remove some of the "clutter" in my life.

I hope that you find the irony in my symbolism.

I actively worked to remove some of the more obvious "distractions" from my life.

As I do this, I have come to realize that...
I have disturbed some very old deeply rooted FEARS.

I still struggle with some of these distractions...
some more than others.

But this I now know,
"never pick a 'green' gourd afore it's time, or it'll witch ye fer sure"...

It's all part of the "BIG PICTURE"...
every stinking, sticky, icky part of it!

No matter how I choose to respond or react to what life presents to me...
it is all connected and it's ALL...
significant.



Most of my "Crazies"  are self inflicted.
So, fortunately I get to choose when I can come back to the land of  "milk and honey".

This is some of what I have been "up to".



At the beginning of the month we had our annual school fundraiser.

I was part of this fundraiser in it's conception, however, I relinquished my position and allowed it to gone on with out me.
And you know what?
It did!
I showed up with my cookies for the Bake Sale, bought two beautiful pumpkins and enjoyed the fair.

I figured hey...
This is Mary's last year at this school, we might as well enjoy it!

I made these tags
 and attached one to each paper bag for the Bake Sale.

Mary's Infamous Cookies

I used my mom's recipe....

That she passed up to her mom and then passed down to me.


Hangin with Splash

I have been spending a lot of time at the Hay Center.

This is quickly becoming my most favorite place to be.

I absolutely LOVE the company I've been keeping...
I kinda like the people too!



And Mary is content as well

Speaking of Mary,

Bill and I are at a crossroads with Mary.

Over the past several years basically since she began public school Mary has progressively voiced her displeasure with going to school.

I have had my reservations about the public education system and did my homework when Mary was a baby about the alternatives to public schooling.

Montessori, Waldorf and Homeschooling

Just to name a few.

Now, let me first say that I was brought up in the public school system and I made pretty good grades at least until I became a social butterfly as a teenager.  My feelings are not based on a negative experience of my own nessisarily (well maybe one or two).  I just simply don't agree that teaching all children the same information in the same conformist style works for the best intrest of my child or any other child for that matter.  My child is not a mindless drone who fits perfectly into a neat and tidy box that other people are comfortable with.

My Indigo

Anyway, as I was saying...

Mary's displeasure with going to school...
I know that most kids dislike going to school... and some may say, "tuff, they don't like cleaning thier room or eating vegetables either but that doesn't mean that we as parents shouldn't force them to for their own good, that's our job."

I say... "I don't agree!"
How many parent have rolled their eyes and wondered...

"when will all these questions end?"
I believe most children have an appetite for knowledge.
I know mine does.

Her questions are limitless...
she shows a passion for just about everything she does.
It is absolutely exhausting sometimes.

And it is down right overwhelming when she is board.

No, she isn't ADD or ADHD...

compulsive and impulsive, yes!  She is genetically related to me.

She is an Indigo...

If you do not know what that is... well that is another blog for another day.

But, if ya can't wait ....

Parenting an Indigo Child

She is my daughter and I love her unconditionaly, and I feel as if I haven't enough time in a day to listen to all her questions, theries & stories sometimes.  I imagine only a special kind of teacher can foster a student like Mary, without breaking her spirit or damaging her self-esteem.  They are a rare breed and come far an few between. Thankfully she had one last year!


My first instinct was to homeschool her but as she began to SPEAK...

I thought oh my...
she is a mini-me, there is NO WAY I can homeschool her.  We will kill each other.
However, because she is a mini-me, this is exactly why I had my reservations about sending her to public school.

Bill and I have a conference with her teachers today, to discuss why "they" think Mary is having so much difficulty in the public school setting.  I'm not completly sure why  we are doing this because we have for the most part, made our minds up.

We have decided to pull her from public school and "unschool" her.

http://www.unschooling.com/index.shtml


I am fully aware that people may start wondering...
what is she smoking?

However...

to even my own surprise I can tell you that I haven't
smoked a cigarette or drank anything alcoholic in over 7 years.

It has been even longer since I used any mind altering substance,
I couldn't even tell you...
it's been that long.

Sorry, I cannot say...
"I never inhaled"
or
"I did not have hallucinogenic relations with that mushroom"

But, I am not running for President either.

I just want to become the person God intended me to be and raise my daughter with the same intention.

I was not born to follow the masses to the slaughter.
I use to dance to the beat of my own drum.
I never belonged to a "clique" and if I tried...
it didn't last long.

I wasn't afraid to speak my mind or fight for a cause.

I had passion and purpose.
It is time to plug
back in!

I wanna...
"Be here now"



 FYI...
if ya haven't seen this movie...
Check it out



I fell asleep a while back
and now that I have begun  to awaken...

I have found myself becoming a bit overwhelmed by the speed of which it is happening
and the shock of forgetting in the first place.

And coming back to a place of love and acceptance.



Hmmm?





I wonder what this is?

Friday before last, I took my "Baby brother Tall",
Paul
to have some out patient surgery done.
They found something resembling the photo above,
on a groin muscle.

They sent it off for pathology.

If this wasn't enough to shake the ground beneath me...
the fact that he has blown his doctor off and is chasing his 2hrs. with Christ
has brought me to my knees.

Figuratively and literally!

Then there is this sty in my eye...

This picture was taken the day after I took my youngest brother for surgery.
My older, younger brother Michael...
 came to town the same day as Paul's surgery.

No convelesing for Paul... he is out on the town with his big brother.

I love both my brothers!

But, there is this sty in my eye!

Louise says...

I am "Looking at life through angry eyes.  Angry a someone"

Wow...
so pick a number.

She also says...

I need to say an affirmation.

 "I choose to see everyone and everything with joy and love"

I believe she has a point!



Time to Play






One of my new friends of the human kind at the barn has bestowed gifts upon me.

She has given me two nice bags of wool.

One from "Popcorn" her...Rambouillet


and one from "Blackie"
I don't remember what Blackie is.


Kim keeps sheep in Virginia to aid her with her dog training.  She isn't into the fiber.


These are not pictures of my wool, I couldn't take any yet because my little 15lb.  "Homie" cat knocked my camera off the table and is no longer functioning.


So, I have borrowed these photos from my pal Google.
Till I have a replacement camera.


Now I think it is pretty interesting that she gave these bags to me... only a week after I received this used book in the mail, from Amazon.com

Hmmm


 


I don't believe in coincidence.
I just follow the road signs!