Perfectionist (read: Control Freak) Lets Go...Or Does She?

I have been beating myself up for weeks now because our homeschooling year has just not gone the way I want. Mind you, I didn't actually plan it out completely on paper. But in my head it looked good!

We started our school year the first week of September and it wasn't too bad really since we didn't have all our necessary curriculum. I focused on the three Rs--reading, 'riting, 'rithmetic. BTW, that has always annoyed me...saying it that way! I picture some back hills redneck yucking like Goofy. Got that stuck in your head now? Good!

Moving on...we received our long awaited curriculum the next week and boy, was I overwhelmed trying to figure it out. Two days later I was packing up myself, the kids, the cat and luggage into my '98 Honda Accord fleeing to DFW because of Hurricane Ike. We stayed there for a week then came home to no power and didn't get it back til September 26.

The cool weather didn't stick around long so we hung out at my in-laws doing laundry and staying cool. It's so hard to do school when visiting at grandma's. I enjoy my mother-in-law's company and needed to talk; the kids enjoy Grandma's TVs so they don't have to share remotes, plus we had a few breakfasts and lunches at McDonald's which was totally organic and fat free! Really!

Then I tried to get in a routine that never really got started. Every day I dealt with a groaning, sometimes screaming child: "I DON'T WANNA DO SCHOOL!" So I focused on the basics for her while trying to figure out our new curriculum...still. Meanwhile, I'm trying to fit this in to all my other Wifely/Motherly duties, run a home business, fit in football practices and games, find time for myself to stamp, watch House, check my Facebook page obsessively, etc. You know, the essentials.

I have been totally overwhelmed and not taking care of myself. And what happens when I don't take care of myself??!! Besides being quite moody and irritable?! My body says, Time to make you slow down because I need a break. How about a sore throat, severe sinus infection with a side of coughing? That happened a week and a half ago and I still have a cough...though I'm getting better everyday.

I think I had my epiphany today when I got a headache after trying for over an hour to find answers about maps at an online community for a particular curriculum I'm using. I wanted to scream and cry but couldn't. My dh called and rescued me from part of my misery by agreeing to pick up dinner. I love him!

So, I decided to not worry that we are a whole Unit behind in our curriculum and that I can't check off my list...the one in my head...as I'd like. We're going to focus on Bible/church history the next two days along with the basics and start a new Unit next week like we never skipped a beat. I am giving myself permission to not have it all done. It will be okay. Really. There are no curriculum police out there...they're all in my head.

I know what will make me feel better...I'll go watch some House and drink Starbucks.

Manic Monday

The Bangles had it right, didn't they? I wish it was Sunday, that's usually my funday, but not lately. My Sundays are more like Mondays so they're not my funday either so...oh, nevermind! My brain's starting to hurt. Doesn't take much, I know.

Mondays have become my "crockpot" day...actually, come to think of it, so have Tuesdays, Wednesdays, okay, so almost everyday. With my son in football, practicing three days a week, getting dinner done by 4:30 can be challenging after a long day of homeschooling. I want my family to eat a relatively healthy meal every night so the crockpot has become my friend.

I recently discovered a great, easy, quick recipe (adapted from Martha Stewart's Everyday Food). I have made this with slight variations for the last three weeks. My family doesn't appear to have noticed yet. And they actually rave about it every time. Tonight, my sweet girl told me they were better than a restaurant. (We love Mexican food and eat it out at least once a week so she is a true connoisseur.)

Shredded Chicken Tacos (or Enchiladas or Burritos or ....)

2 lbs. organic boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
1/2 of an onion, chopped (any color as long as it's not moldy)
1 small can chiles, chopped
1 cup of your favorite salsa
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. granulated garlic
1/2 tsp. cumin

Combine the onion, chiles and spices in a crockpot. Add the chicken; be sure to coat with the mixture. Cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours. When done, shred the chicken. Then use in tacos or enchiladas.

For enchiladas, I use white corn tortillas. Fill with the chicken, top with a store-bought enchilada sauce, or more salsa, and shredded cheese. Bake in a 400 degree oven for 20 minutes. Enjoy!

I hope you enjoy it and find it to be a life saver on your "Manic" Mondays.

Long Time No Post

I am so sorry for not being more diligent to update my loyal readers...I mean, reader. Please forgive. Just thought I'd let you know we survived Ike. No damage to our home just 15 days without power. Thank God for generators.

We were able to do important things like play on the Wii...

...and watch episode after episode of House. We also got to dry clothes the old fashioned way.

(Note to self: always use fabric softener on towels or they will dry stiff as a board.)

Our sweet girl rescued a stray (a Chocolate Pomeranian named Piper).

And the cat stayed cool sleeping in the dark bathroom or in my curio cabinet with my breakables (One of the glass doors was broken when we moved and it hasn't been replaced).

We're back to relative normalcy. The kids only had a week and a half of school when the hurricane hit so that threw us off our schedule. We're starting over. We bought planners for the kids to get themselves in the habit of writing out their daily tasks and checking them off.

I'm focusing on the basics with our youngest (a 5th grader) who's having a difficult time mastering the...well, the basics, like adding, subtracting, multiplying. Just one of many reasons why we chose to homeschool. I've got some great ideas from friends, books and online resources and I'm hopeful she'll learn while having fun.

I must go make dinner before my son heads off to football practice with Dad and Sis while I enjoy a night out stamping with my friends. Aaahhh, Stampin' Up, take me away!