Got tagged by Meg and I'm playin' along.
Here are the rules:
1. Link to name of person that tagged you.
2. Include state and country you live in.
3. List top 5 favorite local restaurants.
4. Tag 5 other people and let them know they’ve been tagged.
I'm in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia (has it ever been described as anything else?!). I rarely get to go out to eat, so my restaurant list is only partly from personal experience. My top 5 are:
1. The Little Grill - This is THE place to go for good food, great conversation, and frequent entertainment (open mic nights are especially fun). The place is actually a worker-owned collective, runs some fab-o special events, and opens up a soup kitchen every Monday night. To get a feel for the decorating and the clientele, just think "hippie."
2. Calhoun's - They have the best cheesy bread around. They're also a micro-brewery, so the beer's good. They used to have really good live music, too, but the neighbors got snippy. ;o(
3. The Olive Garden - OK, so we don't actually have a local Garden (are you really surprised I'm breaking the rules?), but there's one where we lived in Pennsylvania, and I loved it. Fresh bread and awesome salad, free wine tasting, lots of carbs and seafood and garlic...all my favorites!
4. Chili's - When I'm feeling a little Mexican, theirs is what I like. Just Mexican enough for me.
This is sad. The only other places I've eaten at locally I can't say I really cared for. So I'm going with hubby's opinion for the last one:
5. Ciro's Italian Restaurant - Excellent subs, apparently, especially the chicken cheesesteaks.
Thanks, Meg. I'm going now to rag on Jason for never taking me out.
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Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Plans for "7th Grade"
First and foremost, I hate the idea of placing homeschooled kids in grade levels. Grades and classes are ways of organizing groups of children. I have two kids here, so I think I can keep straight what they're doing without having to section them off.
And when you start talking about grade levels for purposes of academic placement (i.e., what level of work the student can handle), then I say the idea is capricious -- every publisher's idea of grade-appropriate material is different from every other curriculum producer.
So I cringe when I say that I'm planning "7th grade" work for Noah. I mean, yes, he would be in 7th grade were he in school. But his work is not going to be what is labelled "7th grade," and materials that are not "grade appropriate" will certainly be used. Homeschooling is about the freedom to learn anything and everything, unhindered by the limits set by grade levels.
The only reason I'm labelling him anything is because I'm thinking ahead to high school and college. I want to make sure he can get everything in according to his own plans for community college/high school (dual enrollment) followed by a year or two of real life, community service, and travel. It's all starting to "matter" as far as colleges are concerned, so my planning is getting more formal (as is Noah's "school time" each day).
So in the spirit of pretending to have my act together, here are my intentions for the upcoming year:
1. Have Noah write his goals for the upcoming year. These are (in his own words):
-Master Algebra
- Read at least 20 books
- Get better at spelling
- Learn more about American history
- Get a lot better at cooking
- Learn to play guitar
II. Create a list of sub-goals, steps needed to achieve main goals.
C. Have Noah create a more specific list to include concrete steps to be taken, materials to be used (if known), and any deadlines for completion. Also have him write what stumbling blocks he may encounter and how he will deal with them. Mom translates these into daily and/or weekly goals.
Quatro: Create a routine to institute to achieve each day's/week's goals. Include one-on-one time with Mom each day that does not include work.
5. Keep paperwork and a journal of activities throughout the year.
OK, you out there: no laughing. I know this sounds crazy. But Noah wants to focus on his academics, and he's asked me to keep him on track.
I'll let you know if we last more than the first week.
“Instead, because of the traditional roles and structure of schools in our society, and in spite of the efforts of many well-meaning individuals within the school system, school is simply yet another place where students have no control, where others’ values are imposed on them, where they are forced to submit to others’ will and yield up their individuality.” ~Holly Graff, former public school teacher, in her resignation letter
Saturday, June 23, 2007
~Sheepish Grin~
Well, shit. I've been snoopin' around the blogosphere a bit, and I'm shocked to find links to this blog in all kinds of crazy places. Nothin' like a little pressure, eh? I guess now that I know people are actually reading what I write, I should --oh, I don't know -- write something.
The thing is, I've had plenty to write about: Noah's best friend moving away for the summer, Aengus actually requesting a haircut, a good friend's family troubles, the *ahem* joy of having your spouse working from home, the complete suckiness of hormones, yada yada yada. And I've had plenty of time on the computer, to boot.
But I have repeatedly found myself playing Destruct-O-Match II on Neopets for my own entertainment instead of writing thought-provoking posts for yours. Call me selfish.
In two weeks I'll be seeing childhood friends for the first time in three years. But I have 10 more pounds to lose, and I'm getting hungry too late in the evening. So I'm shutting down for the night and going to bed, lest the fresh bread I baked wander into my mouth as I sit here. Or those cupcakes. Oooh, no, something salty. Do we have Helluva Good dip around here? Ack! I'm going to bed!
Thanks for checking in; I'll devote a proper amount of time to tomorrow's blog!
The thing is, I've had plenty to write about: Noah's best friend moving away for the summer, Aengus actually requesting a haircut, a good friend's family troubles, the *ahem* joy of having your spouse working from home, the complete suckiness of hormones, yada yada yada. And I've had plenty of time on the computer, to boot.
But I have repeatedly found myself playing Destruct-O-Match II on Neopets for my own entertainment instead of writing thought-provoking posts for yours. Call me selfish.
In two weeks I'll be seeing childhood friends for the first time in three years. But I have 10 more pounds to lose, and I'm getting hungry too late in the evening. So I'm shutting down for the night and going to bed, lest the fresh bread I baked wander into my mouth as I sit here. Or those cupcakes. Oooh, no, something salty. Do we have Helluva Good dip around here? Ack! I'm going to bed!
Thanks for checking in; I'll devote a proper amount of time to tomorrow's blog!
Thursday, June 7, 2007
And now a little about Aengus...
It seems that my thoughts are usually consumed with Noah: his education, his moods, his hygiene, his reading habits, his friends. Most of what we choose to do as a family is either because it would be good for Noah or because it's something he wants.
Noah, of course, would claim that everything's always about Aengus. In fact, Noah and I have had volitile discussions about how much I "favor Aengus." Humph. Noah doesn't even realize that he's right: I am favoring one child over the other much of the time. He just doesn't realize it's him I'm usually favoring.
It was about just this subject that I sat down to blog last night. I've been feeling guilty about how little I do for or with Aengus. I mean, he's thriving with this unschooling thing, really, he is. But I wonder if I could be more structured with him if he wanted me to be. Hell, I can barely get my ass outside to push him on the tire swing.
Then, as fate would have it, his body let me know that he needed more attention. He'd been in bed for a couple of hours, I had finished straightening up and checking my email and was about to settle in for an avening of blogging, when--
M-O-O-O-M!
Mad mommy dash up the stairs. Found him wearing just a shirt as he stood crying in the hallway. Now, this is highly unusual, so I knew at a glance that this was more than just another bad dream.
Then. I noticed. The smell.
We went into his room where I found the malodorous source. Apparently the bug that had caused his nausea and vomiting earlier in the week also leads to explosive diarrhea.
Oy.
Not only did this poor kid shit all over his bed (including his beloved stuffed animals), but he also had tried to get to the bathroom and clean up himself, his bed, and the bathroom.
He's six! Guess who gets the Bad Mommy Award this week? In the throes of gastrointestinal chaos, he's concerned about cleaning.
What have I instilled in this child?! It's not like I keep a clean house, or that my kids have been trained to tidy up and keep their rooms pristine. In fact, I always thought of this place as being a bit of a sty, and I can barely keep the bugs at bay. But when the shit literally hit the fan, my baby was worrying about the mess he made.
Bad Mommy.Poor kiddo.
Luckily, I was able to boost his esteem a bit this morning: When he had another incident on the sofa my parents had handed down to us, I told him how I had had diarrhea on that same sofa when I was 15. "So even adults can't help it sometimes, right?" he asked.
Right, kiddo.
Noah, of course, would claim that everything's always about Aengus. In fact, Noah and I have had volitile discussions about how much I "favor Aengus." Humph. Noah doesn't even realize that he's right: I am favoring one child over the other much of the time. He just doesn't realize it's him I'm usually favoring.
It was about just this subject that I sat down to blog last night. I've been feeling guilty about how little I do for or with Aengus. I mean, he's thriving with this unschooling thing, really, he is. But I wonder if I could be more structured with him if he wanted me to be. Hell, I can barely get my ass outside to push him on the tire swing.
Then, as fate would have it, his body let me know that he needed more attention. He'd been in bed for a couple of hours, I had finished straightening up and checking my email and was about to settle in for an avening of blogging, when--
M-O-O-O-M!
Mad mommy dash up the stairs. Found him wearing just a shirt as he stood crying in the hallway. Now, this is highly unusual, so I knew at a glance that this was more than just another bad dream.
Then. I noticed. The smell.
We went into his room where I found the malodorous source. Apparently the bug that had caused his nausea and vomiting earlier in the week also leads to explosive diarrhea.
Oy.
Not only did this poor kid shit all over his bed (including his beloved stuffed animals), but he also had tried to get to the bathroom and clean up himself, his bed, and the bathroom.
He's six! Guess who gets the Bad Mommy Award this week? In the throes of gastrointestinal chaos, he's concerned about cleaning.
What have I instilled in this child?! It's not like I keep a clean house, or that my kids have been trained to tidy up and keep their rooms pristine. In fact, I always thought of this place as being a bit of a sty, and I can barely keep the bugs at bay. But when the shit literally hit the fan, my baby was worrying about the mess he made.
Bad Mommy.
Luckily, I was able to boost his esteem a bit this morning: When he had another incident on the sofa my parents had handed down to us, I told him how I had had diarrhea on that same sofa when I was 15. "So even adults can't help it sometimes, right?" he asked.
Right, kiddo.
Sunday, June 3, 2007
School Starts Tomorrow
I know, I know. Most of you either don't have "school days" separated from "real life days" or are still working on finishing off this year. But on his own Noah has decided to start "next year" now. He took a 3-week Runescape vacation, and tomorrow he's jumping back into schoolwork.
His list of goals for this year are (and I quote): "1) Master Algebra; 2) Read at least 20 books; 3)Get beter at spelling; 4) Learn more about Amarican history; 5) Get a lot beter at cooking." OK, so there's room for improvement. But for Noah, this is astoundingly academic. Bravo!
I have to admit that these last few weeks have seen some leaps in his development. He's still an ass to me sometimes and a complete dick to his brother most of the time and he's one more pissing contest away from a smack-down from Dad. But all that has been balanced lately with bouts of maturity and responsibility. His desire to start schoolwork is part of this; he's been focused on academics and college preparations lately.
Fart jokes one second, college transcripts the next.
All I have to say is this: Unschoolers, be encouraged. Though we only totally unschooled for one year, we have always been more relaxed in our approach to learning. I'm in the Moore's Better-Late-Than-Early camp, so I struggled not to push him along, even though it's eaten me up to have him not interested in anything but video games.
But finally! It's happened: he's ready now for more academic endeavors. Just like all the unschoolers said: "Trust him to learn, and he will." I believe, Lawd, I believe!
Can I get a witness?!
His list of goals for this year are (and I quote): "1) Master Algebra; 2) Read at least 20 books; 3)Get beter at spelling; 4) Learn more about Amarican history; 5) Get a lot beter at cooking." OK, so there's room for improvement. But for Noah, this is astoundingly academic. Bravo!
I have to admit that these last few weeks have seen some leaps in his development. He's still an ass to me sometimes and a complete dick to his brother most of the time and he's one more pissing contest away from a smack-down from Dad. But all that has been balanced lately with bouts of maturity and responsibility. His desire to start schoolwork is part of this; he's been focused on academics and college preparations lately.
Fart jokes one second, college transcripts the next.
All I have to say is this: Unschoolers, be encouraged. Though we only totally unschooled for one year, we have always been more relaxed in our approach to learning. I'm in the Moore's Better-Late-Than-Early camp, so I struggled not to push him along, even though it's eaten me up to have him not interested in anything but video games.
But finally! It's happened: he's ready now for more academic endeavors. Just like all the unschoolers said: "Trust him to learn, and he will." I believe, Lawd, I believe!
Can I get a witness?!
Friday, June 1, 2007
8 Things About Me
Ok, so what "things" are we talking about here? Things you should know, things you want to know, things you don't already know, or things I want you to know?
Well, there's "thing" number one: I over-analyze everything. Middle child that I am, I see all sides of everything, to my detriment. Tests were hell for me in school. Doesn't mean I'm not opinionated, though.
"Thing" number two: I'm a punk at heart.
Now, I'm not talking about the clothes and hair and music (though I dig all that). I'm talking about questioning authority. I tend to be a pain in most people's ass because I won't just do as I'm asked or told. I always ask, "Why?" or respond, "Make me!" I can't help it!! I don't like being told anything has to be; I see all the possibilities and pursue them when possible. It's some weird instinctive reaction to authority that I see growing in my sons. The audacity.
"Thing" number three: Met my hubby when I was 18. In a bar. Slept with him that first night. Illegal substances were involved. Moved in two weeks later. Been married 16 years.
"Thing" number four: I went on a two-month missionary trip to Ecuador as a teenager. Not a very interesting thing to know about me, unless you also know...
"Thing" number five: I'm not at all religious. Actually, I might even be anti-religion. I stay open to the idea of a god (after all, no one knows until they die what the truth is), and I respect other people's spiritual beliefs (even as I shake my head in disagreement). But religion -especially evangelical Christianity- riles up that punk in me. The childhood that led to all that is quite another post.
Number six: I'm bored with my sex life. Any suggestions? Just no silicon spatulas!
Number seven: I am a frustrated writer. Frustrated with myself, that is. I have confidence in my writing and feel motivated to turn it into a financial venture. Then I read what other "moms" have written or have accomplished, and it makes me wonder what the hell I was thinking. Confidence shot. Overwhelmed by the brilliance of other women or diminished by their sheer numbers, I withdraw into reading a good book instead of writing one. I'm working on this trait.
Number eight...hmmm. Lots of possible "things," none of them interesting. I love books (fiction) and movies (usually blockbusters) and "puttering" around the house (but not cleaning it). I'm dying to travel (I will see those castles and cathedrals in Europe before I die!), would love to build my dream house (who wouldn't?), and I wish we owned a boat (our row boat does NOT count). I miss the shopping and quaintness of my hometown but never want to leave my friends here. The things I love most are Harry Potter, my family, and my friends. I won't say in what order. ;o)
Not sure who to tag next, since I'm new to blogging and don't know many people. Sending this to Paige (http://abeautifulchild.blogspot.com/) and Meg (http://getinhangon.homeschooljournal.net).
Well, there's "thing" number one: I over-analyze everything. Middle child that I am, I see all sides of everything, to my detriment. Tests were hell for me in school. Doesn't mean I'm not opinionated, though.
"Thing" number two: I'm a punk at heart.
Now, I'm not talking about the clothes and hair and music (though I dig all that). I'm talking about questioning authority. I tend to be a pain in most people's ass because I won't just do as I'm asked or told. I always ask, "Why?" or respond, "Make me!" I can't help it!! I don't like being told anything has to be; I see all the possibilities and pursue them when possible. It's some weird instinctive reaction to authority that I see growing in my sons. The audacity.
"Thing" number three: Met my hubby when I was 18. In a bar. Slept with him that first night. Illegal substances were involved. Moved in two weeks later. Been married 16 years.
"Thing" number four: I went on a two-month missionary trip to Ecuador as a teenager. Not a very interesting thing to know about me, unless you also know...
"Thing" number five: I'm not at all religious. Actually, I might even be anti-religion. I stay open to the idea of a god (after all, no one knows until they die what the truth is), and I respect other people's spiritual beliefs (even as I shake my head in disagreement). But religion -especially evangelical Christianity- riles up that punk in me. The childhood that led to all that is quite another post.
Number six: I'm bored with my sex life. Any suggestions? Just no silicon spatulas!
Number seven: I am a frustrated writer. Frustrated with myself, that is. I have confidence in my writing and feel motivated to turn it into a financial venture. Then I read what other "moms" have written or have accomplished, and it makes me wonder what the hell I was thinking. Confidence shot. Overwhelmed by the brilliance of other women or diminished by their sheer numbers, I withdraw into reading a good book instead of writing one. I'm working on this trait.
Number eight...hmmm. Lots of possible "things," none of them interesting. I love books (fiction) and movies (usually blockbusters) and "puttering" around the house (but not cleaning it). I'm dying to travel (I will see those castles and cathedrals in Europe before I die!), would love to build my dream house (who wouldn't?), and I wish we owned a boat (our row boat does NOT count). I miss the shopping and quaintness of my hometown but never want to leave my friends here. The things I love most are Harry Potter, my family, and my friends. I won't say in what order. ;o)
Not sure who to tag next, since I'm new to blogging and don't know many people. Sending this to Paige (http://abeautifulchild.blogspot.com/) and Meg (http://getinhangon.homeschooljournal.net).
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