Hey, look! It's me!

While looking for homeschooling handbooks online...I am writing one for our family...I went to the Texas Home School Coalition's website. As I scrolled down, I found this photo.

I am so glad it was a good hair day! And...you can't tell I'm about twenty pounds overweight. Thank goodness!!

It was taken in August when Michael and I attended the local homeschool convention. Too bad he wasn't sitting next to me; we could look studious together.

The convention was a great resource for us to learn many things. The workshops were quite informative. One of those led us to choose a classical-based unit study from a Christian worldview. I am looking forward to attending next year's convention. It was held at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott. Beautiful hotel!

We enjoy The Woodlands immensely. We often go on a date night or as a family to walk around Market Street, see a movie at Tinsel Town and get some dessert at Chocolata. We occasionally enjoy a free concert on the lawn at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion.

If you live in Texas and homeschool (or are considering it), attend the 2009 THSC state convention. You can find more information here. Plan to make it a family event or a weekend getaway for you and your spouse.

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.