Wordless Wednesday

Fall Into Reading 2012

Well, I'm running a little behind but I wanted to post a list for Katrina's reading challenge at Callapidder Days.

This time around and with the season of life we're in, I'm posting more of a wish list than to-do list.

We started homeschooling 6 weeks ago and are still easing into the lifestyle. I've had a few new interests lately (particularly the British history of the monarchy) plus books I've had in queue for over a year. I'm prioritizing some of the ones I'm most looking forward to. Plus, out here in the middle of nowhere in our new environs makes getting books from our local little library a bit more challenging.

So, I'm starting from this wish list and seeing where it takes me! :) I hope Katrina is OK with that. :)

Top of my list? Rick Riordan's book to be released on October 2nd - "Mark of Athena."

I've recently been introduced to Alison Weir and I'm finding it difficult to pick which of her books with which to start. I'm thinking of tackling "Wars of the Roses" and "Children of Henry VIII."

Another similar novel - "The White Queen" by Philippa Gregory.

And, I've been meaning to also read "Age of Wonder" by Richard Holmes.

Recently, I've been re-reading the Jim Butcher Harry Dresden series. Now that I've read them all, I thought I'd try the first of Butcher's other series, "Furies of Calderon."

One of my brain candy authors that I generally read in the summer but didn't get around to it this year in Diane Mott Davidson. I'm reading through her Goldy books and thought I'd throw in "Tough Cookie" for this challenge.

And, finally, a few more non-fiction...Meg Meeker's "10 Habits of Happy Mothers," Frances Chan's "Crazy Love," and Lucy and Susan Letcher's travel journal "Barefoot Sisters: Southbound."

Call me crazy but I'm pretty sure I won't be able to get all those here to the middle of my cornfield. I'll get what I can and maybe stumble onto something else that strikes my fancy. We shall see! Excited to see how much I get done!

Please don't hesitate to join us! Stop by Katrina's challenge anytime between now and mid-December to jump on board!

Finding our own ryhthm

The school year started with great plans. I always make plans. Following through? That's an entirely different story!

Knowing that a daily structure is both a curse and blessing on our home life, we started with a set of rules how things would happen and a list of times when they would happen.

But, I remembered something. I wanted the flexibility of homeschooling. I wanted this time together. So, do I seriously have to get up every morning at 5am with DaHubby, have chores rolling by 8am, and school by 9am? What's the darn rush?

Our schedule is still pretty open at this point. Friday school hasn't started. Another support group hasn't either. Other than soccer practices and games on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, our schedule is pretty open.

And, I remember...the schedule is not all-important. It's not the be-all-and-end-all. A big reason for this was the FLEXIBILITY homeschooling provides. Despite late nights.  Despite sick kids. Desite...well, LIFE!

So, should I worry what the neighbors think when we're still in PJ's at 1pm? Or, that we're doing school at 10am (or 12n) instead of 9am? Or that, thanks to homeschooling, we're sitting in our driveway some random day making papier-mache pinatas?

Nope. Not gonna do it.

I answer to God. And, to DaHubby. And, I don't think either of them care.

As long as it's done, it's quality work, it's consistent, and they're showing progress...who cares?

And, as a side note, no longer worrying about our 10:30am breakfasts or 2pm lunches either. So there!

Wow! That felt good! :)