Monday, January 30, 2012
Buh Bye Cat Litter
So, I'm set to depart in a week for this Big Adventure. When I see people they always ask me, "Are you getting excited?" I answer honestly that "Yeah, I am," but I also really love my life right here and right now. I'm not looking forward to leaving the beautiful place I live, the church I enjoy attending, the home that is so comfortable and full of laughter, the job that I actually unexpectedly miss more than I thought I would, the daily activities we enjoy, the beach, my puppy Cupcake, my friends, and Most of All, my wonderful husband. I think the one thing I'm really looking forward to is NOT changing the cat litter. Each morning as I'm scooping...I'm thinking...just a few more days and I don't have to do this anymore. And that, is the only thing I can think of that I'm happy to get away from. Yes, I'm excited...but I'm going to be happy to come back, too.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Adding Sticks to the Nest
Right before you have a baby, expectant parents often go through a process called, "Nesting." They have an urge to clean, organize, and prepare their home for the new baby. I think I'm experiencing a similar phenomenon. I'm only going to be gone for 5 1/2 months, but I feel the need to go through all my closets and drawers, organize my papers, have medical check ups, revisit and update my will and more. I feel the need to have everything in order before I go. It's a change from how I normally do things which is to think of it, but not actually do it...procrastination.
One thing I really notice that's different, is the way I love my husband. I know I'm leaving him for a long time and I know I'm going to miss him so much! So, I've noticed that little things that used to irritate me, don't. Small arguments that may have been larger in the past, aren't. There's no time to be mad because our time together before the trip is short. I don't want to waste my time with him, not enjoying him. I also want to do nice things for him...make sure dinner's ready, arrange date nights, send him text messages. I'm thinking that maybe this is how I should be all the time. As someone who has lost one husband and nearly lost another, you'd think I'd NEVER take him for granted, but life happens and I forget how very blessed I am. Knowing we will only be side by side for a couple of more weeks and then it'll be a few long months apart, brings a great awareness to how very fortunate I am. I think appreciating Mike is the best nesting I'm doing. I think I'll try to make this a way of life, because appreciation breeds contentment and happiness. I'm going to miss Mike so much, but I'll worry about that once I'm on the road. For now, I'm going to text him a smile and buy tickets for a date tomorrow night.
One thing I really notice that's different, is the way I love my husband. I know I'm leaving him for a long time and I know I'm going to miss him so much! So, I've noticed that little things that used to irritate me, don't. Small arguments that may have been larger in the past, aren't. There's no time to be mad because our time together before the trip is short. I don't want to waste my time with him, not enjoying him. I also want to do nice things for him...make sure dinner's ready, arrange date nights, send him text messages. I'm thinking that maybe this is how I should be all the time. As someone who has lost one husband and nearly lost another, you'd think I'd NEVER take him for granted, but life happens and I forget how very blessed I am. Knowing we will only be side by side for a couple of more weeks and then it'll be a few long months apart, brings a great awareness to how very fortunate I am. I think appreciating Mike is the best nesting I'm doing. I think I'll try to make this a way of life, because appreciation breeds contentment and happiness. I'm going to miss Mike so much, but I'll worry about that once I'm on the road. For now, I'm going to text him a smile and buy tickets for a date tomorrow night.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Talking to Strangers
I've always talked to strangers. Some say, I've never met a stranger because after a few minutes I think they're my friend. I love talking to people and hearing their story. My kids are used to it, they don't always love it, but they accept it. So, I talked to a couple of strangers yesterday. Salesclerks at the mall.
First one I'll tell you about was in shoes at Macy's. I exchanged my cute furry boots, that I'd actually never wear, because I just feel too old to wear boots with my jeans tucked in to expose the furry band. So, I was trying to find just the right boots for the trip. The sales girl asked where we were going to which I gave my usual answer, "Around the United States for 5 1/2 months." Her response surprised us! "I did that!" She then went on to say how much she loved it and how much she learned. She told us the places she went: Disneyworld, the Grand Canyon, the Empire State Building, Mt. Rushmore, Yellowstone, and more. I asked what kind of car? A volkswagon van. Who did she go with? Her dad. How old was she? 9 and she still remembers it all.
Wow, 9 years old with your dad all around the U.S? She told me, "He had cancer, so he wanted to take me." He lived only about a year more after the trip. She had tears in her eyes and so did I. She said that now she really understands, now that she's older, what it meant to him and her, and how grateful she is. That's no stranger...that's someone who values life with gratitude.
First one I'll tell you about was in shoes at Macy's. I exchanged my cute furry boots, that I'd actually never wear, because I just feel too old to wear boots with my jeans tucked in to expose the furry band. So, I was trying to find just the right boots for the trip. The sales girl asked where we were going to which I gave my usual answer, "Around the United States for 5 1/2 months." Her response surprised us! "I did that!" She then went on to say how much she loved it and how much she learned. She told us the places she went: Disneyworld, the Grand Canyon, the Empire State Building, Mt. Rushmore, Yellowstone, and more. I asked what kind of car? A volkswagon van. Who did she go with? Her dad. How old was she? 9 and she still remembers it all.
Wow, 9 years old with your dad all around the U.S? She told me, "He had cancer, so he wanted to take me." He lived only about a year more after the trip. She had tears in her eyes and so did I. She said that now she really understands, now that she's older, what it meant to him and her, and how grateful she is. That's no stranger...that's someone who values life with gratitude.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Homeschooling is CRAZY!
We've been at it for three days and staying home all day for three days is absolutely crazy!!! We've reached delirium and we know this because we alternate between bouts of screaming, dancing, and laughing hysterically. We've danced, sung, and eaten way too much food because the "school cafeteria/our kitchen" is open all day long-and the food is better here.
We try to be disciplined and stick to a set plan and curriculum, but there's a tv here and Facebook, and You Tube, and Itunes, and snacks, and Wii, and animals to pet, and laundry, and on and on and on.
Things I've learned:
1. 13 year old girls cannot learn Algebra from their mothers-if the mother is absolutely NOT sure of what she's teaching. So, Mr. Pilarsky on You Tube has become Hana Girl's new math teacher. We like him and so far, he likes Hana Girl (because he can't see her roll her eyes to him)
2. I'm good at teaching Kealia's math. So far. I think. I really have no idea.
3. Vocabulary is all three of our greatest weakness, as we just were trying and trying to determine the meaning of the word, "puny" and we couldn't figure it out because we thought it was a Filipino word for something that makes you laugh. "That joke was very puny." (funny)
4. After taking a Reading Comprehension test, Kealia and I were reviewing her missed questions and when asked about the mood of a passage, (which I read) we couldn't determine the answer. When we looked up the answer and found out it was-Humorous-, we reread and I guess I could see it but Kealia said, "That does not make me laugh." which made me laugh, and laugh.
5. We are going through school withdrawals!!!! We even miss the people we don't like! WE are going stir crazy!
6. Homeschooling is hard. It makes you gain weight. It makes you crazy.
I admire all those people out there doing this....I don't know how you do it.
Well, we have to go. We need a field trip. We're going to study something out there....outside, out of this house.
I'm sure homeschooling will go better once we get on the road. Hahahahaha, yeah, because then we won't be trapped in a house...just in a minivan. Should be much better.
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