I Am a No-Nonsense-Type Individual

   "Do you like homeschooling?  I mean, don't you have any friends?"

   The dental-hygienist seemed quite concerned for my social life as she handed me some fluoride and told me to swish.  I wanted to answer her question before beginning that rather awkward silence where I attempt to not swish too loudly and avoid making eye-contact by gazing at the ceiling, into the empty paper cup, out the window, at the clock shaped like a tooth ... anywhere, really. 
   May I take a moment to ask why in the world dentists feel compelled to interrogate you whilst shoving multiple sharp instruments into your mouth?
   I smiled and told her how much I LOVE being homeschooled and what I was doing over the weekend.  I had to restrain myself from answering with something along the lines of, "Oh, well you know, I know one or two people and get out of the house about twice every couple of months." But ... that would not have been very nice and she probably would have taken me seriously ....
 
   That afternoon I went to the gym with Isaac.  He was going to shoot some hoops while I used the aerobics room to dance. This is my 'get-back-in-shape-without-going-to-classes-because-I-have-still-not-been-able-to-find-a-school-that-fits-my-schedule/budget' plan, since my bedroom is just not working out and I am tired of feeling my muscles shrink back to their original size.  I had visited the gym the week before to ask if I could use the room and I got to see it.  It is HUGE (okay, not huge, but compared to my bedroom ...), full of natural light (which I love, much, much better than fluorescent lights), and the mirrors and barres are really nice.  Unfortunately, there was a class being held in the aerobics room when Isaac and I got there (a class that was not on the schedule, mind you ... ) so I decided to spend my hour and a half watching Isaac, taking pictures, and playing a game full of illegal defensive moves and traveling.

   After that, it was off to the bowling alley!  Which, because I am the easily distracted, forgetful person that I am, I have absolutely no pictures from. *sigh*  We were there to raise money for the Boy Scout troop and Venture Crew.  Honestly, it was the most fun that I've ever had while bowling .... Because, well, since we're being honest ...... I ..... amnotverygoodatbowling.  There.  I said it.  And I'm sure that you are very suprised.  Stunned, even.  But that is the sad, sad truth.  Fortunately, I was bowling with a bunch of people who like to make fun of me.  (You may be wondering why that is 'fortunate'... I will explain.  See, I am already so used to being made fun of, that one more embarrassing moment couldn't hurt? Right? Right.)  Yes.  That evening, full of high-fives, gross bowling-alley hotdogs, cold french fries, one... or two...or three sodas, strikes (or a lack-there-of on my part), exploding volcanos, Donald Duck and Micky Mouse arguments .... I could list many, many things that made that evening so much fun.  And, to top it off, we made money! Yay!

Then, after spending the night at my friend's house, we went to Hohenfel's homecoming football game.  Actually, two football games and a cross-country meet. 

We had a lot of fun.  Taking lots of photos.  Cheering till our voices were pretty much gone.  Eating junk food.  Sounding like a broken record player whilst singing along with the one snippet of a song that was played over and over and over again.  Laughing ... at nothing in particular. 

Oh.  We watched some football, too.

Yes.  I am a homeschooler.  I have friends (a few...).  I get out of the house (sometimes).  I have been told that I am fun to hang out with (when I come out of the corner and talk).  And I am straight-forward and completely serious (Completely sarcastic? Yeah, that's what I meant...).

~RM

Juggling: Socially Risky Behavior

 Slowly, but surely, I am getting back into the swing of things.  Each day has its schedule, although 'normal' cannot be used to describe my school week.  Or life in general.  What is normal?  There always seems to be a last second change.  A new event needing to be scheduled, things needing to be pushed around to make everything work.  But flexibility is one of the perks of being homeschooled.  And blogging is finally inching its way to the top of the priorities list. :)

Afternoons have, until just recently, consisted of walks to the park with Mom and the two little ones.  While Bear arranges his stick garden or guides Mom into his imaginary house (through the back door, because the front is locked, obviously), I spend our last warm outings differently.  Laying on my back in the grass, watching the blue sky, feeling the light breeze brush my face, ignoring the tingling feeling on my ankle telling me that some curious insect or another is striking out over the unknown and watching trees shed golden leaves.  If not for the leaves, I could have sworn that it was still late August. 

Summer has gone and fall has officially set in.  And I can't say that I am sad to see it go.  I have enjoyed the bright, sunny, warm days, yes, but there is something about fall that I have missed.  The bursts of color, brisk winds, and those cloudy days where the best thing to do is throw on sweats and a jacket, make some hot cocoa and sit back for an afternoon of online classes.

Bingo, Latin style.
(With edible, sugary, delicious playing pieces. Best kind of bingo if you ask me.)

I am enjoying school quite a bit this year.  The stress of the first year of highschool is gone and I have been able to relax after getting used to new online class times and homework due-dates.  And so, on top of online classes four afternoons of the week, and babysitting three mornings a week, there are those super important extra-curricular activities such as football games, helping out with Awana, afternoons spent bowling, and Venture Crew events to fit in as well. 

While I do not claim to have the art of juggling events mastered, I haven't dropped a ball (completely, anyways, there have been near misses) yet.  Hopefully I won't ever.  But that is highly unlikely.

~RM