TWO MOMS' HOMESCHOOL

You Slay Me, Lucia

noreply@blogger.com (MOM #1) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Last night Baby Boy and I went to see Lucia di Lammermoor. OOOhhhhhhhhh Mmmmmyyyyyyy Gooddddnnneeessssss it was sooooooo good. If you have read here for any length of time, you will know that I am a true blue lover of all the arts, but opera is my absolute favorite and a personal passion.

The first act started out kind of slowly and I could actually see Baby Boy wilting in his seat beside me. He got up and took a brisk walk in the crisp night air during the first intermission and came back somewhat refreshed. Fortunately, the action really picked up in Act II and I was no longer in jeopardy of losing him. We were both thoroughly engrossed by Act III.

In Act III there was a scene where Lucia comes on stage in a blood soaked wedding dress after killing her moments-ago-married husband, hallucinates, and then commits suicide (it's a tragedy). The soprano who played Lucia had a voice so pure and clear and sweet, it just about brought tears to my eyes. You could actually see her losing her grip on reality and going insane right before your eyes on stage. She then proceeded to die the most beautiful, disturbing, and agonizingly slow death ever to be performed. She actually sang blood curdling screams in time with the score. She was simply marvelous! Baby Boy and I enthusiastically participated in her standing ovation.

Last night was amazing and just happens to be in extremely stark contrast to what I'm doing today - - taking my Mom to have her colonoscopy. *SIGH* Such is the life of the first born child.

Oh, well. At least I'll have something lovely to hum to myself in the waiting room. If I get too bored, I now know how to convincingly go crazy for an audience. ;-) You never know when that skill will come in handy.

Have a FAN-TAB-U-LOUS weekend!

Until next time . . .

66 Confessions of an Around-The-Corner Hoarder

noreply@blogger.com (MOM #1) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Today I am coming out of the closet as an Around-The-Corner Hoarder.

Let me explain myself: When people visit, they see a nice, clean, normal looking home. BUT I have a dirty little secret . . . around every corner is a secret hoard of clutter! As a matter of fact, I spent the weekend counting and there are exactly 66 such areas in my home.

Here are a few examples:

I get up and make my bed every morning . . .

. . . But right around the corner, the nightstand is a nightmare.

I hand wash dishes several times daily . . .

. . . But right around the corner, this counter is a disaster.

I keep the table where we eat virtually spotless . . .

. . . But around the corner, the top of the dresser is catastrophe.

I can only brush my teeth in a sparkling clean sink . . .

. . . But around the corner, the vanity area is begging for a shine.

I wash all of my family's laundry and hang it neatly weekly . . .

. . . But around the corner, or rather immediately below, the closet floor is fighting WW III.

So . . . I've made a very detailed and thorough list of all 66 problem areas, and I'm going to tackle one every day for the next 66 days. Hopefully I'll post periodic updates, but you know how I am with blogging, LOL.

Honestly, I LOVE to clean, but I HATE to de-clutter.

Whew! Confession really is good for the soul!

Wish me luck!

Until next time . . .

Happy 2012!

noreply@blogger.com (MOM #1) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 16:39:00 +0000

Last night was the very first New Year's Eve that Mom #2 and I have ever spent without Baby Boy. He decided to go to a party with some of his friends. It seems so strange to have a son who is old enough to make his own plans, follow through with them, and leave us behind to figure out what the heck we're supposed to do by ourselves.

New Year's Day is Mom #2's and my anniversary, but we've always celebrated it together as the day we officially became a family. I guess this means Mom #2 and I officially got to have an actual New Year's Eve/anniversary date. It feels so strange, especially since we just stayed home, made an enchilada dinner, and watched a movie, LOL. I guess I'm just a cheap date. ;-)

My wish for myself as well as each and every one of you is that we wistfully and nostalgically wave good-bye to 2011 and that 2012 brings peace of mind, body, and spirit, as well as happiness, prosperity, and, of course, plenty of laughter and love.

Don't spoil it with any silly resolutions!

Happy New Year!

Until next time . . .

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (MOM #1) — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 13:30:00 +0000

From our Family . . . to Yours!!!!

Until next time . . .

Miscellaneous Holiday Musings . . .

noreply@blogger.com (MOM #1) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Last week Baby Boy had surgery. Nothing major, as he does have this same procedure every year. Mom #2 and I always anxiously await biopsy results. For the first time in literally 10 years the biopsy found ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. We're so excited! We feel like we have just witnessed our very own private Christmas miracle. There is usually a little something, often a lot of something, but we are extremely grateful for absolutely nothing. Hurray! I hope this positive trend is indicative of our fortune for the new year.

Even though no one in this family is Italian or Catholic, Mom #2 and I decided to have a Feast of Seven Fishes for Christmas Eve dinner this year. Why? Because we like seafood. It's yummy! We felt like doing something a little different from the same old thing . . . our families were VERY against any Christmas change in the Christmas day meal, so we're having our own pre-Christmas whatever-the-heck-we-want celebration on Christmas Eve with our family and Mom #2's daughter, son-in-law, and the three Fairies.

I have a 40 point cleaning list posted on the pantry door. All of those items must be done before a single guest is allowed to set foot in this house. We got about half of them done today, so that puts us right on schedule. Mom #2 and I have done almost all of our assignments. Baby Boy is procrastinating. Oh, the joys of being 18. If he thinks he'll enjoy one. single. moment of Christmas without getting his assigned cleaning duties completed, he has another think coming, I assure you.

Finally, Baby Boy experienced some natural consequences today. Because he procrastinated so much ordering a gift for his *ahem* *cough* girlfriend *cough* and it just got here today, he had to pay almost three times what I consider a reasonable amount to get it to her by Christmas, since she's not exactly local. Now he sees why I preach "The early bird gets the worm," all day and all night. Once again, the joys of being 18.

Nothing earth shattering. Just wanted to catch y'all up on everything that has been going on with us this Holiday Season.

I wish you all love, peace, and prosperity in everything you say, think, and do this Holiday Season!

Until next time . . .

The Taste of Victory!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (MOM #1) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 15:55:00 +0000

Last Thursday was the OFFICIAL last day of the semester for Baby Boy and me!!!

Since we're so darn proud of ourselves, we decided to have a victory meal. Baby Boy planned the menu as follows:

Barbecue Chicken Wings
Homemade Pasta Salad, and
Hand-cut Home Fries

Which, of course doesn't include the strawberry fruit bars we had for dessert, YUMMY.

I have to admit, it is one of the strangest meals I've ever eaten. Mom #2 and I thought the entire thing was hilarious, but Baby Boy REALLY enjoyed the Taste of Victory!

We never could say "No" to the tummy desires of a hungry Baby Boy. It's just the Mom in us, I guess. I'm so proud of him for getting another semester of school behind him.

Congratulations, Baby Boy, YOU DID IT!!!!

Until next time . . .

I'm Already Having a Freaky Fun Christmas!!!

noreply@blogger.com (MOM #1) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 14:30:00 +0000

Well I'd like to say that I successfully completed two VERY intense presentations at school over the last couple of weeks. One in Spanish, OMG, that was tough. The other was presenting a research poster on a project I've been working on all semester. It was so intense and scary. I hate speaking in front of groups, especially when I'm supposed to be an expert on something and I feel like a blubbering idiot on the subject, LOL. But look, I'm still alive . . . I'm battling hell week right now, but that's ok, after this, it'll be over.

One reason I was able to get through the last week was because of some great advice and just a general friendly listening ear from one of my very best blogging buddies, Freakmom. Thanks to her years of experience speaking in front of groups, she really helped me calm my nerves and get the job done. I was all ready to send her a thank-you email, when something super special showed up in my mailbox.

Isn't it beautiful??!!!!

It's a real live handmade knitted from scratch scarf! I've never had anyone sit down and actually make something with their own two hands while thinking of me. I just about burst into tears when I saw it. It's just the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me. It really made my whole day/week/month/year/lifetime.

It got here just in time too, because it's been freakishly cold here in Central Texas. You know, I don't do well when the temperature falls below 65 degrees. That's hibernating weather to me!

See, I like it so much, I'm wearing it right now.

This is how my face looks with no make-up. Don't allow your small children to look directly into the computer screen, they may turn to stone. Grownups, you can just ignore it if you like. How do you like my Merry Christmas Rudolph pajamas? We're already in full-fledged Christmas mode right now.

Anyway, What a Freaky Fresh start to the Christmas season.

Thanks, Freakmom!

Until next time . . .

30 Day Countdown & A Fairy Good Visit

noreply@blogger.com (MOM #1) — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 14:30:00 +0000

The fall 2011 semester is nearing the home stretch, as the penultimate exams have been archived and the amount of work is steadily decreasing.

My progress in the classes have been on a steady high note the last few weeks and I am determined to come out of it all with the best grades possible. In addition to this, I have already registered for another onslaught of classes for the upcoming spring 2012 semester. It makes the small break between the two seem like the calm before the ultimate storm. . .

It is a bit too soon to worry myself with the details of spring, my energy must be fully focused on ending on a high note for the task at hand!

As of today, there are officially 30 days left in the semester. We're in the Home Stretch! I don't know where the heck Baby Boy is going to school, because my classes are getting increasingly difficult and they are demanding more work at the end of the semester than they ever did at the beginning. Don't even talk to me about finals . . . the horror!

I'm beginning to accept that I won't be getting straight As this semester. I'm working like a runaway slave just to keep a B in statistics and I seem to be headed for a B in astronomy as well. I might get an A in Spanish, but I still don't seem to speak Spanish. I read and write Spanish well enough, but I was hoping I'd actually learn to speak Spanish. I'm not that fond of my Spanish professor this semester. She's a very nice lady, but her teaching style (lecture) and my learning style (lots of participation) don't jive. I'm going to make sure to steer clear of her for Spanish IV. I have to give a full-fledged presentation in Spanish in a couple of weeks in front of my considerable-sized class. My whole body goes into a dry heave just thinking about it. I don't do well speaking in front of groups. *SIGH* I'm not sure, but I'm almost positive I don't do well speaking in Spanish in front of groups, LOL. We'll see.

Anyway, I'm on a tangent, as usual. Mostly I'm looking forward to Winter Break and getting into the Holiday swing.

Did I mention that three beautiful little fairies came to visit us for Halloween? Well, they did. Aren't they precious?

Well, of course, they flew in only to sit in front on the television and watch the Shrek Halloween Special

But they'd never begrudge their *ahem* grandma a smile

(the g-word applies to Mom #2, not me)

Now they're flying out to get all the neighbors' candy!
Too cute!

So, needless to say, I'm trying not to obsess too much over school and enjoy the other joys of life.

Until next time . . .

When the Going Gets Tough . . . The Tough Get The Heck Out of Dodge! :)

noreply@blogger.com (MOM #1) — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 13:30:00 +0000

Pardon our absence last week.

Both Baby Boy and I were feeling too stressed to post. In fact, Mom #2 felt so bad for both of us that we resorted to an old Homeschooling trick . . . we set off for an impromptu vacation right in the middle of the semester. Road Trip!!!

Mom #2 dusted off the old Rand McNally and we started driving north until we ended up in the deserted hills of New Mexico. We'd never been there before so we spent a lot of time enjoying nature walks with Baby Doggy trying to catch all the road runners and jack rabbits. We also enjoyed looking at the beautiful night sky full of stars that are usually washed out by the light pollution in larger cities. Wow! We didn't know what we'd been missing.

We did enjoy some touristy things as well, like the Carlsbad Caverns. It was pretty amazing seeing a whole entire world 800 feet below the surface we look at every day. We spent an entire day meandering up and down the caverns and really enjoying the cool 56 degree weather since the sun was scorching hot on the outside, LOL.

Baby Boy thought he was King of the World.

Never to be outdone, I had to be Queen.

Mom #2 was content to keep her feet firmly on the ground.

A nice stranger tried to take our photo in the caverns, but it was a little dark.

The photo doesn't do it justice, but it was so incredible.

Of course, when we got home there were mountains of laundry to do, a backlog of homework to clear out, and more junk mail to shred then ever before . . . but we did it all . . . with a song in our hearts. The spur-of-the-moment-family-breakout made it all worth it. We had a great time.

Now we're relaxed, refreshed, and ready to tackle the second half of the semester!

What do you do to de-stress?

Until next time . . .

Baby Boy's Halftime Report

noreply@blogger.com (MOM #1) — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 15:30:00 +0000

I've officially reached the halfway point of the semester, and week #8 ends on a long awaited positive note.

It was no easy task getting here; I was forced to endure 3 tests in one day and maintaining the energy to push through two more tedious lectures. . .

On the positive side, I feel pretty good about my grades that I may EARNED, and I have nothing but freedom for the weekend ahead for working on my artwork.

In spite of all of this, I think next week will be a different story. . . We'll see.

Week 7 Observations, Baggage of Sorts

noreply@blogger.com (MOM #1) — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 13:30:00 +0000

The week after the 6 week point goes without a hitch. The quiz in Japanese goes ever so smoothly, just as the test did, in which I passed with a pretty darn good grade.

It is, however coming around to exam time in psychology, and the heat is starting to reach a fever pitch. Will it be tough? Most likely. Will I crumble under the pressure? NEVER!

It is time to march into class armed and ready to beat down exam#2.

Until next time. . .

After I had a tiny breakdown last week and a not-so-tiny breakdown earlier this week, Mom #2 sat me down and had a really long and thorough talking with me. It felt good to kind of get all of my emotions about not homeschooling anymore; having an adult son (!); and interacting all day long with young, skinny co-eds. I think I may have been keeping too much locked up inside.

Whatever it was, I feel MUCH better now, and I'm refocused on being successful in my studies, which is a good thing, because they aren't getting any easier. I think that's all I'm going to say about that this week.:)

My main observation this week is all of the STUFF I've noticed around campus. Why do college students have so much stuff? Myself included.

I leave the house on school days with the following baggage

The big one is the backpack, which holds textbooks, binders, pens, pencils, paper, and other. . . ahem . . . necessities. The smaller one is my lunch and, most importantly, extra water since it's hotter than Hades here. I still don't understand why I'm not skinny yet; I walk miles and miles (it seems) every day with hundreds of pounds on my back, but I digress.

Today as I waited for my bus, which was running late, as usual, I noticed that I'm not the only one who likes to keep all of their stuff with them at all times. Take a look.

This lady has one large bag on her arm and one medium bag cross-body.

This lady has a ginormous backpack, but that isn't enough, she still has the big red bag that looks like a bunch of kittens are trying to break out of it.

This lady is trying to deceive everyone into thinking she's packing light, but look closely and you can see the great big bag she sat down on the bench. I saw her set it there, so I know for sure it's hers.

And the grand prize winner of the Overburdened In Academia Award is this lady who has a great big overstuffed backpack, and not one but TWO additional bags. One over each shoulder. I mean seriously, did she leave anything in her dorm room?

I think we've all turned into a society of mobile hoarders. Our houses are squeaky clean, but we still don't have the heart to throw anything away. We just shove it in a bag, and bring it with us wherever we go. ;-)

Well those are my observations for the week. I promised my Mom I'd go to a church-lady luncheon with her today, so I need to practice not being a Heathen for a couple hours so nothing sacrilegious comes flying out of my mouth in front of everyone, LOL.

Have a fantastic weekend, Everyone

Until next time . . .

Fall 2011 - Week 6 - Baby Boy and Mom #1

noreply@blogger.com (MOM #1) — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 13:30:00 +0000

I have survived long enough to see the 6 week point.

I endured a test in chemistry with another looming next week, a super brutal first exam in Japanese, and another visit into the bowels of the ever-so-dry-and-boring textbook of psychology.

On the positive note, I have made a few new friends, am finally getting a firm grip on my Japanese, and am currently (and PERMANENTLY) passing all of my classes. Maybe not with flying colors, but steadily gliding colors, which is acceptable enough for now.

Well… until next time!

Well I'm feeling FANTASTIC right now.

I had a tough week because I had major exams in both my stats and Spanish classes.

The stats test was brutal, plus I ran out of time towards the end and I had to rush. But I know I nailed the independent groups t-test, which took 3 pages of scratch paper, but I checked and double-checked my answer and I KNOW it's right. As far as I'm concerned, that's success. The fact is, I studied my bum off, I'm in class and at review sessions at every available opportunity, and I did the best I could. I left blood, sweat, and tears in the classroom. I'm at home now and my family is as happy to see me as I am to see them. Let the grades fall where they may.

My Spanish test wasn't that hard, except that I don't speak Spanish, which consistently causes me trouble in that class. ;-)

Mom #2 was ever-so-generous as to make us a delicious meal of fried red fish, hand cut fries, and jalapeno hush dogs. That's how you finish off a rough week. I love her so!

I do have another astronomy test next week, but I'm not quite prepared to start stressing about that yet. I did receive approval to do a special project to help balance the C I got on the last test. I'm going to investigate seasonal affective disorder and if people in the international space stations suffer from it and if (possible) life on other planets would suffer from it. I think it'll be interesting, but it will be time consuming. You know, because I have nothing but tons of free time, LOL.

Oh, and let me pass on a little free entertainment I got at school this week. I know I've mentioned how intimate and entertaining my bus rides can be. Well, this week, it reached an all time high. I was sitting right in front of a guy wearing not one, but two masks. I was a little freaked out because I thought he was going to try to rob us, but then I thought about that fact that it was a university shuttle and we're all dirt-poor students, and just took his picture while he wasn't looking. Here's a visual.

How hilarious is that?

I think that's a pretty fitting way to wrap up the week.

Until next time . . .

Week C - I mean Week 5 - Family Style

noreply@blogger.com (MOM #1) — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 13:30:00 +0000

Week 5 ends on a bit of a sour note as the heat in my classes is turned up dramatically.

My psychology class has finally become manageable for me, and hopefully my Japanese class will follow. The difficulty is only increasing, but I, along with my study-buddies, are slowly but surely starting to understand the material and cope with the onslaught of new information coming at us.

As for chemistry. . . well that’s a different story. I was recently put squarely in my place by a surprising C level grade on my first exam. Why this happened is still somewhat of a mystery to me; however, I am now stepping up my studying tenfold to ensure that this is permanently a ONE-TIME DEAL!!!

Fortunately, I was able to re-test. The new grade is yet to be determined . . . One can only hope!

Until next time. . .

Well, I don't have any good news, so I'll just start with the bad news.

I had a ~~majorly dramatic~~ bit of a breakdown this week. I spent the majority of if ~~wailing and crying~~ solemnly reflecting on my brain's apparent saturation level. I'm sure I've reached it. It started with me getting a ~~%$$@#$%%~~ darn C on my astronomy test (didn't I mention how much I hate tests), and just kept rolling downhill from there. Fortunately, my professor does drop one test grade and even allows an extra credit project to help pump up grades, but I have to admit, that C was a huge blow to my confidence. I mean, if I can't do any better than a C in conceptional astronomy for non-science majors . . . then seriously . . . what am I even doing there?

I'm taking today off. The end. I'll take positive energy, if you have any.

Oh, last week Wendy asked for an update on Mom #2, who was oh-so-gracious as to sit still for a minute and give you all a personal update:

Hello Mom #2 here, the last time I wrote on this blog I had hacked in ;)

I just wanted to stop by and give an update on what I've been up to.

Mostly I've been working. I wish I could also say gardening, but when the temperature is over 105 degrees every day, it's hard to keep the plants alive. Aside from that, I've been daydreaming about a vacation but not exactly sure where to go. So if anyone knows of a great weekend getaway in Texas please let me know.

Oh yeah also if you could convince Mom #1 to be a home school Mom again (minus the kid of course) that would be GREAT!!!!!!! ;)

Happy Autumnal Equinox!

(I learned about that in astronomy, LOL)

Until next time . . .

Keeping Score in Week Four

noreply@blogger.com (MOM #1) — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 13:30:00 +0000

Week #4 ended on a pretty good note for me.

The dreaded psychology exam proved to be no mach for my unparalleled brainpower! Although I did miss a couple of questions that I should have and DID know and felt like a dummy about for the rest of the day, I still managed to get a respectable grade in the end.

The results of my exam in chemistry have yet to come in, but I still feel that I did a good job on it.

The intensity in my Japanese class has been turned up dramatically. I am constantly being hit by such a torrent of new information that even my notebooks feel overwhelmed. However, the good news is that a couple of friends and I have decided to form a small study group and work as a team to break down the obstacles that this class has set before us.

Well, back to the books.

Until next time. . .

Well, all I can say about week four is that I'm glad it's over.

I had a really difficult time grasping some of the concepts in my statistics class, but I spent over an hour with my professor during office hours (she seemed pretty happy to see me) and I was pretty confident that I was on the right path . . . until the next lecture. I think she and I may become either the best of friends or the worst of enemies. I'll be spending a lot of time in her office. Fortunately she seems very patient and happy to help. That goes a long way in my book, but that sure is one tough subject. It is kind of freaking me out that I'm having so much trouble so early in the semester, but I'm trying not to let my anxiety get the best of me. I'm sure if I just take it one assignment at a time, I'll look up before you know it, and it'll be all over. At least, that's what I keep telling myself.

I had my first big exam in astronomy today. You know, I LOVE that class. It's so incredibly interesting! I just wish I didn't have to memorize stuff and take tests on all the information I'm enjoying reading about and listening to. Tests suck. I could do fine if it weren't for those pesky tests. Unfortunately that isn't exactly how the university model of learning works. *SIGH* Hopefully I'll have a good grade to report next week. We'll see.

Enough negativity, on a positive note, my Dad gave me some money for my birthday and usually I just spend my birthday money on rent, food, water . . . you know, practical stuff like that. This year, I got a wild hair and actually bought myself some quality make up and new make up brushes that didn't come in a blister package from the Wal Mart. It felt so nice to have a sales clerk actually help me find the RIGHT shade for my skin and the brushes feel like butter against my skin. Now that I'm walking a few hundred miles a day in the 105 degree heat on campus, I'm not wearing make up every day, but when I do . . . it'll be the good stuff. ;-)

One more positive thing, since I'm on a roll. Baby Boy is too modest to mention it, but he was awarded another scholarship by the hospital my Mom volunteers at. I'm so happy and proud of him. They are awarding it to him at a fancy banquet this weekend. I'll try to take some photos and post them next week. Just in case you're keeping score: Baby Boy - 2 scholarships; Mom #1 - 0 scholarships. Can you say "moderately agitated?"

Oh, well, you're always supposed to want better for your kids. Right?

Drop me a line and tell me how your week went.

Until next time . . .

Labor Day Week . . . The Long and Short of if All

noreply@blogger.com (MOM #1) — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 13:30:00 +0000

The intensity begins to rise in my classes as week three comes to an end. My chemistry and psychology classes are both going to put me to the test next week with their first round of exams. I'm not too worried about the chemistry exam. That is actually my easiest class so far, plus I've made a couple of new friends in that class. If push comes to shove, we can form a study group to help each other out.

The psychology exam has me feeling QUITE uneasy . . . this class has proven to be one of my toughest yet, only rivaled by trigonometry a few semesters back and cellular and molecular biology last semester. Truly bears!

Japanese II has proven to be just as tough as the rumors surrounding it had predicted. I am currently trying to burn twenty-five new Kanji into my brain along with a bevy of new verb conjugation tenses. Interestingly enough, this class, though tough, is so much fun. I really enjoy learning Japanese. I've been watching Japanese videos online and I've changed the audio and written language to all my video games to Japanese. I'm going to become fluent if it's the last thing I do!

I keep asking myself, JUST WHAT IN THE WORLD HAVE I GOTTEN MYSELF INTO???

Well, as you know, even though I am facing a supreme challenge next week, the fire within that will drive me to the peak of success continues to burn.

See you next week!

I don't have classes on Mondays anyway, so I had a regular week. Actually, both my Sister and I have birthdays over Labor Day weekend every year, so I had a regular week, plus I'm a year older. All the baby hair at my hairline must have heard the news, because I'm looking awfully gray lately. *SIGH*

For some reason, this week was exhausting. I'm so glad the weekend is here.

My statistics class is kicking. my. butt. I have never had much of a math mind, and this class intends to make sure everyone knows about it. I spend more time looking around with my "idiot face" on, raising my hand without even having the proper language to ask a coherent question, and crying quietly to myself. So sad.

Good news in my astronomy class. I met two more ladies and we've formed a "we're older than the professor, but still hanging in there" study group. I always feel like the biggest, wrinkliest person in the room, so finding these two nice ladies really makes me feel great, and not so alone.

I've made A's on my first two Spanish quizzes, but I'm still having a hard time with hearing and speaking. Too bad I can't just walk around Costa Rica with a pen and paper and write down everything I want to say. I'm an excellent Spanish writer and reader, LOL.

Lots of homework, as usual, so I guess I'll get on with it.

Until next time . . .

Fall 2011 - Week 2 - Baby Boy and Mom #1

noreply@blogger.com (MOM #1) — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Week two has been a success!

I have hit the ground running in all of my classes. The homework isn’t too terribly difficult, the classes don’t seem to be giving me much trouble at the moment. However, I believe in the future that my psychology class of all classes is going to give me the most trouble out of all of them . ** Whomever said that psychology is an “Easy A” needs to be kicked in the teeth!** I say this because of the multiple essays that are required to be written, my horrid writing skills, and the dry, crusty, and just flat out boring textbook with seemingly never-ending chapters that I must read and draw information from.

Well. . . no choice but to keep a steady pace.

Wish me luck!

Well, I'm officially exhausted! This was my first FULL week of classes from both the community college and the university.

So far I'm really enjoying everything except my Spanish class. It's conducted entirely in Spanish, which would be great except that I don't speak Spanish. It also moves a little too fast for me. I'm more of a slow, methodical listener, speaker, and writer . . . that won't cut it at all this semester. After that class, I'm out of breath. I feel like I've been running a Spanish-speaking-marathon. I think I'm going to have to start watching Spanish television (which I should have already been doing, but I'm not) because I really need to fine tune my Spanish listening ears. *SIGH* I also really hate all the hundreds and hundreds of pages of busywork my professor keeps giving us. I need to read, write, and study in my other classes, but I'm dedicating way too much time to Spanish-Spanish-Spanish. As you can see, that's going to be my problem class for this semester.

I'm super-duper excited about my psychological statistics and research design class. It's supposed to be the hardest class in the liberal arts department, but I'm so excited about being able to create my own statistical study and collecting data from real live people and writing up my findings, well . . . I don't mind the hard work. I'm too embarrassed to admit it in mixed company, but it sounds like FUN to me. ;-)

I've also learned to really enjoy my bus rides. I usually put my iPod on with a little classical music to keep my anxiety at bay, and then I review my reading selections for my classes. That way it's fresh in my mind when I get to class. It's a great way to multitask, and I don't have to get my blood pressure up in the out-of-control traffic. WINNING!

Unfortunately, this week on the bus, a man using a walker and wearing one of those plastic bracelets (the ones that you get either from the hospital or when you are out on your day trip from rehab) asked me out on a date. I guess I don't look as young and fresh as I thought I did in my brand-spanking-new sundress. The quality of heads I'm turning these days has really declined, LOL. LOSING!

I don't know how Baby Boy gets his week summed up so briefly. I had to take out 75% of the stuff I wanted to say to keep mine to a reasonable length. Oh, well. Such is the difference between Mom and son.

Enjoy your holiday weekend, Everyone!

Until next time . . .

Fall 2011 - Week 1 - Baby Boy and Mom #1

noreply@blogger.com (MOM #1) — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 13:30:00 +0000

At the beginning of this week, I felt nervous. I had a bit of a hard time sleeping and couldn't get the anxious thoughts out of my mind . . . Am I crazy for taking Japanese II and Chemistry II in the same semester? Why did I sign up for Intro to Psychology, I'm not even remotely interested in that stuff . . . What will come of the new semester of school???

This week has been somewhat of a relief and a preparation for me. I'm relieved to have learned that my professors seem very engaged and my classes don't seem like they'll give me too much trouble. I'm feeling more prepared to buckle down, get ready, and trudge through these classes full throttle. I'm will absolutely not allow them to defeat me!

Overall, my first week of school turned out successfully. I met and got a good feel for my professors, and fully know what to expect from my classes.

All that's left to say is . . .

. . . Time to LOCK and LOAD!

Well this was my first week taking classes at the University. I am experiencing a lot of new things all at once. I'm getting used to walking all. day. long. When I got home on the first day, I ran and looked in the mirror and couldn't believe I was still fat. I thought for sure I'd lost 50 or 60 pounds walking all over campus carrying a backpack full of books in the 106 degree heat. But, alas, no. Skinny apparently is not in the cards for me.

My Statistics and Research Design professor actually said that the class was BRUTAL and that we should be prepared to work 10 to 15 hours a week outside of class and the two hour weekly lab. Seriously. I almost peed my pants right on the spot. The rest of my university classes seem challenging, but manageable. I guess we'll see.

I'm also taking Spanish III at the community college. I've come to the conclusion that I. Don't. Speak. Spanish. and apparently no amount of book-learnin' is going to help me. ;-) But I'm still hanging in there.

Since we have three people going three different directions and I have super-duper-traffic-driving-anxiety coupled with a strong aversion to paying $300 a semester for a parking pass, I've been reduced to public transit. I am starting to consider this a sixteen week sociological study in giving up my personal space. The bus is very . . . ahem . . . intimate. That's all I have to say about that.

I'm staring the week off with a fair amount of homework, and my first quiz is already on the horizon next week, so not much time to chat.

Have y'all started back to school yet? How's it going?

Give Baby Boy and me an update.

P.S. Have a great weekend everyone!

Until next time . . .

We're In The Money!

noreply@blogger.com (MOM #1) — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 14:50:00 +0000

Well, Some of us are . . .

We just learned that Baby Boy was awarded a scholarship!!!

WINNING!!!

Mom #2 and I are so happy for him and even more excited for our bank account. Especially since it looks like I didn't get a scholarship myself.

Liberal arts gets no respect. ;-) I'm going to be a mathy-sciencey person in my next life. ;-)

We're so proud.

Until next time . . .

Are You On Facebook?

noreply@blogger.com (MOM #1) — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 13:30:00 +0000

Let's just pretend it hasn't been over a month since my last post, shall we.

WARNING!! This post is severely long and terribly rambling. I'm working through something and I need to use this blog as down and dirty therapy. Remember we're broke and uninsured. ;-) Feel free to skip on by if you're not in the mood to witness a middle aged woman unpacking her emotional baggage.

Anywho . . . Someone must ask me about Facebook every single time I'm with friends, family, or frankly just people in general. No, I'm not on Facebook. Mom #2 is not on Facebook. Baby Boy is not on Facebook. Collectively, we are not on Facebook. It's never really concerned or interested me too much; just a different way of wasting time online. I'm sure people are on Facebook while I'm reading all of your blogs. ;-)

In the spirit of full disclosure, actually, I do sort of have a Facebook page. It doesn't have any information on it, no photo, no friends, or anything like that and it's not under my real name. I use it to "like" my favorite companies' websites so that I can get coupons. I'll do just about anything for a coupon. I big sparkly puffy heart coupons.

Well, what set me off is that my sister recently sent me a link to a Facebook group for people who went to our primary/secondary school. Primary school you say - long forgotten - big deal. Well it is a big deal. I grew up in Europe in a very close-knit, conservative, dangerously-close-to-a-cult, religious group that included a school where we received a highly edited education. We spent many, many years there. The majority of my developmental years. The group page included photos from years past, along with more recent photos and updates from a lot of people who checked in. My silly face was in a lot of those old photos and it really brought back memories. Some people are still enveloped in a looser translation of the religion, many have moved on to more mainstream lives. All seem to look back on those years as a fond experiment. It's kind of like a recently defunct exclusive club and you were a founding member. Very few people in the world are privy to the experience we shared.

For a week after perusing the group pages, I proceeded to have raging nightmares. The images brought up a lot of pain that I thought I was over. Over the years I have weathered a fairly serious identity crisis as I have grown up, released myself from that religion, came out, began learning about actual science and history, etc . . . There were many lost years and many more rebuilding. I'm confident in myself now, but that week I was having daily flashbacks. It was emotionally draining.

Now that I've come out on the other side, I realize there are some people I really would like to reconnect with. I see their photos, their spouses, their children and how much their lives have blossomed. I feel the desire to reach out. They obviously feel the same way or why would they have such a group. It's like that shared experience is our sun and we're all in tight orbit around it. The gravitational pull is getting harder and harder to ignore.

But on the other hand, I don't know if I want to live my life "out loud" like that. I enjoy my anonymity. I do blog (sort of), but I don't usually give my real name, or the real name of my family members. I think it's common knowledge what general area of the country I live in, but not altogether too specific. I like having a veil, even if it's imagined, of privacy in my life.

I have to admit that I am also afraid that I'll be judged harshly by people who are still "in the faith." I'm completely burned out on religion. I'm glad it's there for people who need it, including my very own Mom and Sister, but I simply do not partake. I have a long miserably sorted history with church, religion, demon deacons, evil church ladies, being gay, being feminist, being artistic, and being a bunch of other stuff that is fodder for a whole other post. Another long post.

All that is to say, I've been thinking about actually personalizing my page and really joining Facebook, but I probably won't. Are y'all on it? What do you like about it? What do you hate about it? Give me the scoop!

Who knew a simple question, could conjure up so much . . . stuff. Such is life, I guess.

If you've read this far, thanks. I really needed a listening ear. If you skipped over all the drama in the middle and are just skimming to the end, I understand that too. Time is money, Honey.

43 days of triple digit temperatures. I just had to mention, it's HOT!

Until next time . . .

Passing the Torch .....

noreply@blogger.com (MOM #1) — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 21:51:00 +0000

Hello Mom #2 here.

I am sooooooo proud of Baby Boy that I requested to blog this exciting news!

Yesterday the starter in our car decided to stop working in the middle of the day when the temperature was 103 degrees! So after a few choice words I was able to start the car and at least make it home. After spending more then $200 for the replacement part and a few more choice words, I decided that this would be a great learning experience for Baby Boy.

So Baby Boy and I got up early this morning and I walked him through step by step on how to change the starter, and . . .

. . . HE DID IT!!!

I have spent the whole day with a smile and bragging to anyone that will listen to me that my Son changed his first starter.

Next, the brakes!

Until next time . . .

Dual Daddy Day

noreply@blogger.com (MOM #1) — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 20:30:00 +0000

My sister, My Mom, Baby Boy, and I threw an incredible Father's Day luncheon for the fantastic Dad and Dad Equivalents in our lives. We had lots of food, drinks, chit-chat, and don't forget cards and gifts.

Of course, the most important things we had was lots and lots of laughter and love.

Hug, call, or think of the wonderful Dads in your life today!

Until next time . . .

My Cups Runneth Over

noreply@blogger.com (MOM #1) — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 13:30:00 +0000

First ceramic attempts.

I wouldn't actually recommend anyone drink out of them, because, well, I can't afford the attorneys' fees or the medical bills.

I am proud of the funky colors I made by mixing waxes, rusts, and glazes.

I think my actual construction may be getting better, but it's hard to know until pieces actually come out of the kiln.

Turns out, just because you're a lover of the arts, does not necessarily mean that you actually have artistic talent, LOL.

Luckily, I'm having a WHOLE LOT of FUN!

Until next time . . .

Click, Click, Click, Click . . . Nothing

noreply@blogger.com (MOM #1) — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 13:30:00 +0000

For the past few weeks I've been having a "clicking" feeling and sound in my right thumb when I bend it. It sort of sounded like it was popping in and out of socket every time I had to write, wash dishes, unlock a door, etc. It didn't really hurt, but was noticeable and uncomfortable, so I let it ride.

Flash forward to a couple of weeks ago. I woke up with a lot of pain and unable to bend my thumb at all. It is literally stuck in a straight motion. Even though I didn't injure it, I thought it was broken. I called my regular doctor, who I really hate - he's always as ineffective as he can be - but he's cheap and we are part of the uninsured who have to pay cash for doctor's visits. His nurse told me to go to the emergency room (!) to get an x-ray and call them back if it wasn't broken. OK!

The emergency room doctor said my thumb isn't broken, but that I have De Quervain's Tenosynovitis, otherwise known as "trigger finger." I hate calling it that since I'm very anti-gun (but that's a whole different kind of post). Hmmm . . . . maybe I have "Windex trigger finger," I do use a lot of Windex.

Anywho . . . basically it's a repetitive motion injury. The ER doctor gave me a cortisone shot, some anti-inflammatory pills, some pain pills, and wrapped me in a splint while telling me to stop using my right hand for a couple of weeks.

Flash-Flash-Forward to last week. My injection has worn off, I'm out of all my medication, my hand is still hurting like Hades, so I have to go back to Dr. Good-for-Nothing and let him tell me to stop using my hand some more. Which is exactly what he did. He prescribed me another round of anti-inflammatory pills and told me to wrap my hand back up and continue to stop using it.

*SIGH* I'm right handed. I'm a student. I'm a Mom. I'm a wife. It's very difficult to stop using my right hand. I have homework to do. I have ceramics projects to complete (photos forthcoming . . . I'm simply dreadful, LOL).

So all that back story was basically to garner sympathy. My hand hurts. A LOT! I need to get things done and I can't hardly use my hand. I spent over two hours yesterday messing around with some voice recognition software on my computer, and I can't figure out how to get it to work . . . so I'm pluck-typing. It is not fun. I normally type over 100 words per minute. In one of my former lives, I used to be a word-for-word transcriber for the deaf and hard-of-hearing . . . Pluck-typing is not cutting it. At all.

OK, sorry, pity party over. I think I'm going to be all right.

The weather is lovely here, even though it's already hovering around 95 - 100 degrees. But it's not over 100 yet, which, in Central Texas, is a good thing. Small victories, people.

Have a great weekend, Everyone!

Until next time . . .

In Which She Exchanges Her Cape For A Tankini And Sparkly Flip-FLops

noreply@blogger.com (MOM #1) — Fri, 27 May 2011 13:30:00 +0000

Well, recently I have had to admit to my family, and more importantly to myself, that I am neither Super Wife, Super Mom, nor Super Student.

Now that I've given my confession, let me back up and explain this bit of self discovery.

A couple of weeks ago, Baby Boy, Mom #2, and I had a nice long discussion about not living life at breakneck speed. That is why we insisted that Baby Boy take the summer session off from school this year. He has taken classes four semesters in a row and we often schooled year-round when we homeschooled. It's just time for him to take a little break and enjoy his young life. If he truly does end up in medicine as a career field, he has many many MANY more years of education ahead of him. He definitely needs to maintain a marathoner's mentality, instead of a sprinter's spirit.

I think this is sage advice, don't you? Seriously, I was pretty darn proud of myself when I came up with it. I even behaved pretty spectacularly (if I may say so myself) having a real live grown-up discussion with my newly adult son. I suggested he continue with his extra-curricular activities, do some volunteer work, heck even try to find a summer job. I had advice for days! Weeks! Months, even!

So, if I had such worthwhile advice to give to my son, then why, oh why, couldn't I apply that same logic to myself. As a matter of fact, Mom #2 gave me the exact same speech I delivered with such grace to Baby Boy. She said she missed my being fully engaged. She was tired of me conjugating los verbos en español all day every day, both while awake and asleep, as well as me spending every spare moment hunched over my books . . . she was in need of a summer with a real family.

It was a compelling and well thought out argument. A simple and sincere request. One I really needed to hear.

It was one I should have listened to.

Flash forward to me sitting in class on Monday absolutely exhausted and burned-out beyond all reason. I could barely comprehend what was going on. I have never felt so unprepared in my life. I was pining away to get outside in the beautiful weather and daydreaming about what Baby Boy and Mom #2 were up to.

Now, double flash forward to me sitting in class on Tuesday and looking at the big, fat, red F on my first quiz and trying not to cry in front of all the twelve year olds in my class. Actually, they would not have seen too much. Due to my newly acquired old-lady-eyes, I have become a permanent fixture on the front row of every classroom I walk into. *SIGH*

I went home and promptly submitted to a few choruses of "I told you so; I told you so" from both Mom #2 and Baby Boy, who actually found it rather amusing that I failed a quiz. Who the heck raised that kid?

Wednesday morning, I went to the administrator's office, withdrew from all my classes BEFORE the official reporting date, so I won't even have a W on my transcript; returned all my books for a FULL REFUND; and by that evening I was pounding clay and making defective coffee mugs in my super-new super-fun ceramics class. Talk about your summer enrichment!

Sometimes taking the long-way-round is the only way to get into the head of a stubborn Homeschool Mom, but it certainly is quite a ride.

Here's to SUMMER BREAK!

Until next time . . .

Grades Are Trickling In . . .

noreply@blogger.com (MOM #1) — Fri, 20 May 2011 13:56:00 +0000

. . . And they are BEAUTIFUL!

Baby Boy got an A in Japanese. Then he proceeded to write all over my white board in squiggles, slants, and ticks that make absolutely no sense to me, and I like it!

He's taking a well-deserved summer off, but I'm headed back to class on Monday. As you know, a Mother's work is never done.

Until next time . . .