Phase 2

I'm going to start by saying that I've totally DREADED phase 2 for awhile.  Let me begin by stressing the point that I LOVE TV.....almost as much as I love Coke.  I love the noise, the adult conversation, the ability to veg out and think about nothing for a while, The Biggest Loser and the Today Show.  The problem is....my oldest also LOVES TV.  So, as much as I love Coke and TV, I love my kiddos even more.  So, NO.MORE.CABLE.TV.  Sniff, sniff, I'm so sad right now :(  I have friends who allow their children to only watch TV on the weekends or just 30 min. a day, etc....but unfortunately, I don't have that much self-control.  I realize that once the TV is turned off, M1 goes all out on art projects, reading, playing, etc....so I'm just holding back her creativity by having the TV on.  Just think, if Benjamin Franklin had a TV, he wouldn't have been out playing with that kite and we still wouldn't have electricity ~hee, hee...if he had a TV then we wouldn't have electricity...get it?  Oh me, I've already lost my mind. 

We will use TV for some things in homeschooling this year.  Mostly, the Little House on the Prarie series.  I hope it will be a learning tool if used the right way, but right now it's just a bunch of junk we're watching.  So, Comcast is about to get a phone call.  I sure hope they can understand me through the tears.

Phase 1

I've been contemplating a lot lately how I can be more responsible.  Not a more responsible parent (my kids can have powdered donuts for breakfast and go out in winter without a hat ~ gasp!!), but just a more responsible person in general.  I guess the first thing was taking on the responsibility of homeschooling my children.  I spent many years and dollars learning how to educate children to the best of my ability (which is always a work in progress) so I've decided to be the primary educator for M1 this year.  Now to continue phase 1 of my becoming a responsible human being is to be a more responsible consumer.  I've been looking a lot lately at how we as a society work too much, buy too much and throw away too much.  I want to be more aware of what I spend my money on (as I look around my house at all the "stuff") and really see the difference between needs and wants.  Needs vs. wants is actually a 2nd grade state standard so I'm learning right alongside M1 for this one!  The first (and hardest part) is getting over the mentality that I need to have all the stuff as those around me.  It's hard to get my mind around the fact that I don't have to be in style (like I ever have been), I don't have to have curtains on every window, pretty pillows on every couch, or a showplace of a house for my friends.  You know, my friends come over to see ME....not my house, anyway.  So, to continue with phase 1 I'm attemping to not buy anything outside of a NEED for 3 months.  I will buy groceries and toiletries, but hopefully, that's all.  No haircuts (I'll do them at home), school supplies, shoes, clothes or anything else that's a want.  We SHOULD have everything we need for school and we have a library card for curriculum that we might not have.  The hardest thing for me will be not buying Coke.  I'm sure I can pitch a fit and be horrible to live with be strong and responsible about not drinking Coke.  So, to continue phase 1 until mid-October....and if you see me out somewhere....will you buy me a Coke?

Sseko sandals

Our family just returned for a nice, relaxing vacation at the lake and mountains.  I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this time with my husband (the kids are great, too) to talk, dream and just discuss the world, our lives, etc.... This trip was filled with discussions about how to be less consumer minded, becoming a more simplified household, being more self-sutainable, etc...  Well, I've come across this company that helps women in Uganda develop skills, pay for their university, and allows for personal growth.  Doug and I have been discussing how we can buy less "stuff" that keeps those who make it impoverished, uneducated, and who use child labor.  This company is actually one who helps the ladies who work for them.  These ladies have a chance at a future that is usually impossible for a woman in a war-torn, male dominated country.  Please check out the Sseko sandals and buy a few pairs!

China update

China matched referrals for dates July 1-6, 2006.  I'm pretty excited about 6 days....each day gets us closer and closer to September 19th.  I was really hoping for 10 days again this month, but what do ya' do?  By looking at a 2006 calendar if I estimate that they complete a week of referrals each month, then we're 11 months away.  I know that last month I said 8 months to go but that was guessing they moved at a 10 day pace.  I'm back to reality estimating a 7 day pace.  Onto another subject (sort of) we're having our 2nd and last yard sale this weekend (Fri.&Sat).  I still had some stuff left from our first one & some folks have donated more goodies since then.  I'm ready to give Doug back his garage so this will be the end of the yard sale chapter in our fundraising life.  The Rosie Posie children's clothing sale I had a few weeks ago was a huge success.  I have a friend who developed this line of clothing several years ago and stopped production.  She let me have the leftover clothes to sell and we sold A LOT!  The great part was that I got 1/2 the profit of all the sales...it was all free money for me.  She was extrememely generous by letting me have this stuff to sell.  It's been amazing to me to see how my friends have come out and supported all of our fundraising efforts.  We have a few more fundraising ideas for the future but I'm ready to enjoy the rest of my summer without thinking of money for awhile!  Well, off to start pricing...hope to see you this weekend!

And your teacher is....

My girls will have a fabulous teacher this year....ME!  Of course M2 is such a wee little pumpkin that she'll not have a formal time of school this year (it will be here before I can blink though), but M1 will be homeschooled for 2nd grade.  As a former teacher, I always thought about homeschooling.  I wasn't sure if I would ever have the nerve to do it....but, I guess I do.  Homeschooling for us wasn't a solution to learning issues, protection for our girls, or an escape from the public school system.  Fortunately for us, M1 has had an amazing experience in public school so far.  For us, we just wanted to have more time with our children.  I have the ability and the education to teach my children, so why shouldn't I?  I can cover in 4 hours what it takes 7 hours to do in the school system.  I can teach from 8-12 each morning and spend the rest of the afternoon really LIVING with my girls.  We can do PE, art and music EVERY DAY!!   I'm super excited, but I sure hope they don't think their teacher is the meanest one ever!