History Day Is Done At Last

After all the time, stress, and hard work having a child participate in History Day has been, it is finally over (well, the kids are having a few celebratory parties, at which I think they should provide the dedicated parents red wine but I am digressing.) Overall, it was a good experience, although truth be told, we had no idea what we getting into. My daughter chose to do a group performance imagining that the work would be divided with each student taking their areas of strength, and allowing the other kids to focus on their parts. In reality, each decision was labored over painstakingly by three kids, each with their own style, distinct personality and different ideas on how to best tackle the project. There was conflict. There was compromise. There were moments when I wanted to shake them all and holler “Just make a blasted decision so you can move forward, or I drove all the way here and wasted 2 hours for nothing!!!!” But, I didn't, and they did make countless decisions, ending up with a really good piece on the actions and legacy of John James Audubon.

In the process, these kids learned much more than history. They researched, wrote the script, built the set, designed and created the costumes. Most importantly, they learned teamwork, which was probably the hardest part of all. As a fairly relaxed homeschooling family, the required annotated bibliography in MLA format seemed a little intense for an 11 year old (with a slacker mom), as did the competition at the state level in Sacramento. I saw 3 girls in tears, and one actually threw up in her performance. I am not sure if she was otherwise sick, or if it was stress, but at times, the tension was so thick I had to go outside just to breathe. (Disclaimer, I really dislike crowded places anyway.) In bigger counties in southern California, kids first competed at the their school with winners competing at district, then county levels before proceeding to state level. I can honestly say, this bunch of homeschooling kids from Shasta County, who had never been to History Day, let alone completing projects and competing with them, held their own and shined.

The most impressive thing was seeing kids from all over the state full of passion and excitement about their history projects. At one of the speeches during the closing ceremony, someone said “You often hear about all the things wrong with education. What you are seeing here in this room is what's right.” As I looked around at the hundreds of kids who had worked so hard, and accomplished so much I actually got teary eyed for a moment. After briefly pondering when I became a sappy person who gets teary eyed, I went on to feel so very proud of the kids. Of course I am somewhat bias to the Shasta County ones because I've watched many of these kids grow and come so far over the years, but they all truly did amazing work- it's the kind of thing that really makes a person optimistic about the future.

So long Mr. Moo Cow

We drove up to our house last night to see that my husband had butchered the cow and had it hanging up. It's always something new and surprising to come home to around here... One day in February, my husband called me on my cell phone to confess that he had bought a cow. Note to husbands- I would not recommend bringing home something as large as a cow without at least talking about it first. Especially when your wife had just sold 2 goats that she liked in order to reduce the number of animals grazing on her pasture that has not had enough rain in two years. Especially when a cow eats more than all of her goats put together, and leaves very, very large piles of manure. Especially when it's the day before Valentines Day and your wedding anniversary, and you have no other gift for her. No fellows, I really would not recommend that at all. “It was a really good deal” does not make it a suitable surprise. Not that I'm bitter or anything. Did I mention that the cow advertised as a “steer” and delivered in a major downpour of a rainstorm turned out to not even be neutered, and was therefore actually a young bull- with horns even?

In any case, with the last of the cool weather upon us, and my husband having a number of summer commitments, he decided that yesterday was butchering day. Apparently we got home from town quicker than he thought we would (he neglected to mention that it was butchering day), and young Mr. Moo Cow's carcass was hanging there. My husband had hoped to have it out of sight before we drove up since we have the gross out factor when it is at the stage in between what looks like cow, and what looks like meat. But, he didn't quite have time, so we got the full visual.

Later, when my husband was taking the guts and other parts too gross for even dogs out to be an offering to the wild things at an old homestead a few miles away, our larger dog pulled the hide off it's hanging spot and began to chew on it. I got the dog away, and tried to pick the hide out of the dirt, but it was really heavy, not to mention gross, and I gave up. My Indian ancestors would be ashamed of what a wussy I am. Eventually hubby got back and dealt with it.

This morning, I'm looking up hide tanning info (it's a lot of really gross work, but Mr. Moo Cow, may he rest in peace, did have a nice coat) Apparently, many tribes traditionally boiled the hide with the brains to soften it. Others chewed on it to soften it. We won't be doing that though as the brains went with the rest of the offering to nature, and the chewing thing is just not even an option for me.

One kid is now dissecting the heart and the other is helping make jerky. I think I'll be going for a long walk and hopefully it will all be put away when I get home. And I think I'm eating tofu for lunch.

Stereotypes

I heard an interesting story the other night from a fellow homeschooling family. My friend, a homeschool mom who also happens to have been homeschooled herself (when the idea of homeschooling was MUCH less common or accepted than it is today) told us about her younger sisters recent experience at university. This sister, who was also homeschooled, is now off at Cal Poly studying engineering or architecture or some such thing. Through dorm life and social activities, she started hanging out with a group of pretty smart and hip University kids. Naturally, most of them went to traditional schools, whether public or private. The former homeschooler is a cute and stylish young woman, which surely helped her get into this group. Apparently, this group had no idea she had been homeschooled, and during  library "study times" they would make fun of other students they suspected of having been homeschooled based on their ugly clothing and lack of style!
I imagine the poor young thing was slightly uncomfortable, and it was a few weeks before she finally confessed to them that she was in fact a homeschooled child.
"Oh, you mean like while you were on vactaions during the school year?" No, she admitted that she had been homeschooled her entire life. The other "cool" kids couldn't believe it.
“But, you dress so normal!” was the universal response... as though poor fashion choices are a requirement of the homeschool lifestyle. Do they think we all wear prairie dresses and bonnets, or pants pulled up to our armpits? Apparently so. Where is my denim jumper anyway?
Now, I have seen and know enough homeschooled kids to know they come in all styles. Some are very fashion conscious, others have their own thing going. The same is true of school kids, and people in general. The thing is, these homeschooled kids are allowed to be different, to be whoever they are, and still be accepted.
Yes, there are some whose look is not magazine style cool, but not every kid in public school is a budding pop star either. But, the homeschool kids aren't subject to ridicule or isolation based on the way they look on a daily basis. The other kids don't seem to care so much. I know homeschooled hip hop teens who hang out with rockers and jocks and intellectuals. They are all nice enough to help out little kids at park day, and aren't too cool to talk to the moms. It seems highly unlikely any of these kids will be called names, beat up, stuffed in lockers or trash cans, given atomic wedgies, or any of the other fates that can happen to kids who are unfortunate enough to be “less than cool” in a school setting. They just get to grow up and be who they are. What a concept!
As for the university kids and their stereotype of what a homeschooler looks like, it's hard to know what to say. I certainly find it ironic that homeschoolers are often accused of not teaching our kids about diversity or acceptance of people different from ourselves. Those kids' traditional education helped them to make it into a university, but the prejudice they had towards homeschoolers (when they didn't in fact know any before then) doesn't seem very accepting or broad minded to me.

Rocket Fuel in Baby Formula?

This news makes me so incredibly sad....
“Rocket Fuel Component Found in Baby Formula”
http://blogs.usatoday.com/betterlife/2009/04/rocket-fuel-component-found-in-baby-formula.html
How is it that we have come to a place in this world where chemicals from rocket fuel make their way into baby formula? It's not as if this is the first time contaminants have made their way into artificial baby milk. There have been numerous recalls for things like salmonella, and bits of broken glass- things that would never make it through a womans breasts. Melamine in infant formula led not just to sickness, but to tragic deaths of babies in China last summer. Reading the ingredients on the label of a can of formula is enough to give me pause- corn syrup solids- for babies? Hello diabetes. Then the long list of unpronounceable synthetic things- somehow, it's just obvious to me that nature made a better way- the perfect way to feed babies. I breastfed my kids, and believe every baby was born to breastfeed- it's obviously the superior product, but the reality is that not every baby will be breastfed. There are a very few and rare medical reasons not to breastfeed, a whole lot of misconceptions about it, and just the choices that some folks make. But in the end, every baby deserves a clean, safe, nutritious food source, no matter what. What scares me even more than this chemical being found in formula, is that it has also been found in a lot of drinking water supplies (which everyone is drinking, and is often being used to mix the formula-giving those babies a double dose) and even in a few mother's milk. What have people done to this world?

Wow, apparently I have managed to NOT write on my blog AT ALL in the last 3 weeks. Right after I set it up , a friend told me that blogging was addictive. I seem to be suffering more from distraction. When I've thought about my blog, I start towards it, but get sidetracked reading other people's blogs. My poor little blog is just sitting there being neglected wondering why I never spend any time on it. I am wondering when I will have the time to work on writing, and the answer is probably when I set aside the time and just do it.

But, my blog is not the only thing I'm neglecting. There's also that Etsy site. OK, I know I said I'd have it up and running in a week or so. I did do the set up, I got that far. I also collected a couple of cute things, and took some pictures. Then, I got sidetracked again, and onto other projects that distracted me from figuring out shipping, and listing and all those little details that you have to do before you can actually sell anything. When I do go onto Etsy, I start looking at other people's shops, and eat up all my free time wondering how I'm going to get my pictures to look that good, and how those models manage to keep those “I am so much more beautiful and cool than you could ever be” looks on their face. I mean, I don't think I can pull that off. But, at least I've been getting inspired. Not by the models- although they are amusing. I'm being inspired by all the fabulous things people create. There is a lot of talent, and a lot of wonderful ideas out there.

Now if I'd just get quit being such a sidetracker, I could manage to create some lovely things myself.

Etsy Inspiration

Thanks to the inspiration from another artist mama friend, I am opening an Etsy shop to sell my handcrafted clothing and accessories, as well as vintage goodies I find. The shop is the perfect excuse to make time to create art; wearable and otherwise more often. I used to make and sell jewelery and clothing on a fairly regular basis, and my kids are now big enough to keep busy, help create, or at least not eat the beads used in my creations, so it's time to get busy and use that Fashion Design and Merchandising education that's been getting dusty in a closet. It also eases some of the guilt associated with purchasing yet another fabulous wool coat or embroidered purse when I have a closet full. If I buy it for myself, it looks bad, but if I buy it for my Etsy shop, I am a business woman helping contribute to my family, while offering to share beautiful treasures with other people. And, if something I love that happens to be in my size doesn't sell, then darn, I'll have to keep it for myself.

The shop should be up and running within a week or so, but the set up process has given me some eye opening information. Apparently, I am vintage. Now, I usually associate the term “vintage” with something my great grandmother might have owned, but apparently vintage is something 20 years or older. Since I graduated high school in 1989, this makes my 80's teen style vintage. Ouch.

I'll be sure to post when my shop is open for business, but in the mean time, check out my friend's fabulous shop- http://www.rubymanchester17.etsy.com/

Pulling Weeds

I have pulled a whole lot of weeds in the last few days, and my hands are showing the evidence. I've tried using gloves, but they always end up with dirt on the inside somehow, which is really annoying to me, so I just go without. As a result, my nails are stained no matter how I try to get the dirt out from underneath them, and my fingers are calloused and scratched. My hands are looking and feeling a bit manly, but at least they are small, and not hairy.

Every time I go out, I pull, and I pull; it's sort of addicting, but the weeds seem to keep coming. Someday, I have faith that the plants of my choice will crowd out those grassy weeds that produce fox tails and other irritating stickers which eventually end up stuck in the feet, ears and coats of my animals, causing problems and spreading into more weeds. In the mean time, I pull, trying to catch them before they go to seed, trying to pull when the ground is still soft from recent rains. I plant new baby vinca, poppies, rosemary and sage to fill in the weedy ground. When I throw the weed clots over the fence, the goats come running. Depending on their moods, they will devour them, or snub them. Whatever they ignore, the chickens peck and scratch through. I'm glad they are enjoying my weeding, and turning it into a feeding. Nature is so resourceful.

Spring!

Spring is in the air! I love this time of year, and it's promise of new beginnings. It's amazing- a little rain, a little sun, and viola- little green grassy shoots pop out of what was rocky, dusty hillside last summer, and what was muddy muck a few weeks ago. The wildflowers are starting to bloom, and so are the trees. My allergies might start kicking up anytime, when the pollen starts joining the spring in the air, but I still can't help loving the beauty of the season. It's so full of hope, and these days we could all use a little hopefulness. The sight of a tiny dandelion that forced it's way through a crack in the pavement to spread its' leaves, open its' petals and bloom always makes me smile, because life goes on, no matter what. Those pretty and resilient little weeds remind me of what a wise woman told me years ago, during a really dark period of my life. She said, “You've got to bloom where you're planted honey.” And, she was right.

life lessons

My kids had some hard life lessons this week. Everything seems to be working out in the end, but there were some emotional roller coasters, and disappointment along the way. As a mom, it's hard to witness your little one's go through legitimate disappointment, because there isn't a lot you can do about it. Sometimes other people flake and even if you are working hard, one person can spoil a group project if they don't follow through. After a whole lot of hurt and angry feelings, it was good to see that most folks can actually be counted on, and that some will go through a whole lot of extra work to make things happen. I was feeling a little nervous for a bit though, and like the world is in big trouble if I am one of the most responsible ones in it.

I should also note that I was going to try to give up being negative for Lent, but I am not having much success at this point. In fact, the first day, I was put to the test, and failed miserably. In my defense, it is hard to remain positive when your kids are getting hurt by other people's actions. It brings out the angry mama bear in me, and anyone who knows my temper knows that it can be a bit fiery to say the least.

On top of it all, I am getting sick- sore throat, no voice, headache, nausea etc. The blessing is that I have a cozy bed, and a laptop computer, as well as plenty of hot tea, a stack of good books, and even some Seinfeld reruns to watch later. Laughter really is very good medicine, and cute kids who provide room service ROCK!

Cozy Mornings

The weather outside is frightful. We are finally getting the rain we so needed, and with it plenty of wind and cold. At least it is warm and cozy inside.

I am sitting under my comfortable covers slowly drinking a hot coffee, and being thankful for this life. While I do need to motivate myself for the day, I am pretty darn lucky to be able to lounge late, read books for hours in front of the fire, and play board games late into the night. Someone was just telling me how hard they thought it would be to homeschool, and have that responsibility. Yes, it can be a challenge at times, and is certainly a responsibility, but the thing that most people don't realize is how incredibly freeing it is for a family to march to the beat of their own drummer. Lately, our schedule has been a little fuller than I would like, but it is full of good things. They are activities we have chosen, and it's amazing how kids and adults alike are motivated when it is something they actually want to do. And, most of the time, we are all having fun and learning a ton. The kids just finished their cereal, and on today's agenda is writing a letter to the new president before we go to bowling later.

I for one am optimistic about our new president. It should be interesting to see what the kids come up with to say to him.