Back to "Normal"

After more time than planned at home, we have our first couple of loads. Getting back in the groove of driving is difficult at first. I hardly made it through five hours without scaring myself due to how tired I got. I really enjoy our core curriculum. Yesterday we enjoyed BBQ from our new microwave. Today I think I will start a roast and go to sleep. I hope to not wake up until San Antonio.

November thus far

I had all these grand plans for November (posting something I was thankful for each day), and then we came home. Even when I tried to catch up, things got in the way and I never seemed to be able to write. Oh how I miss writing. So,instead of catching up on thankfulness,because it really would seem silly to me, I am just going to vent about this hectic month that has really been rather productive.
We came home in time to celebrate my last daughter to become a teenager. It was great to share the baking with my middle daughter. It was nice to then have my sister come and wish her a happy birthday. Family time is great.
We have been able to start really focusing on school. I so enjoy reading with my daughter,and discussing things with her. Every time I see her really show an understanding of any subject, it is a blessing. She is really excited about her science curriculum because she cannot wait to dissect things. We are using Sonlight for most subjects, Teaching Textbook for Math, and Apologia for General Science. All of it fits so well together it is amazing. You would almost think I spent a long time debating what curriculum I was going to use. While I did spend a long time deciding on the Core curriculum, the science wasn't even ordered until October. I have plans for how we are going to make it through to the end of the school year while having the required attendance days. It will take some work, but I am sure we can do it.
We have been able to make some modifications to the truck. We have talked for three years about adding an Oil Purification System to the truck. It is finally on the truck. We have extra filters, so our maintenance costs will go down significantly. We are excited about that. The harmonic balancer has been replaced and we can already tell a difference in the smoothness of the drive. We added balance beads to the tires as well, so that has helped too. We have added a shelf for the printer and computers, one for Boo, and another for general stuff. Things are organized, which makes me happy. We replaced the microwave, which makes me happy too. We updated the GPS,and replaced most of the sound system. We also added an in motion satellite, and have started recording some educational programs. Now not only can we watch football (now that the season is almost over), but also things to go with schoolwork or just be informative.
On the business front, I was able to sort through a lot of paperwork, scan things, properly file paperwork, and catch up our bookkeeping. While I am upset to look at the taxable income, and see we are still below the poverty line, I have to remember all we are doing is not only for the business, but also for our family. I also have to remember in a year and a half the truck will be paid off, at which point our taxable income will go up. In addition, it means the kids continue to go to college for cheap.
As I look forward, I am not going to make any grand promises, because it is obvious my priorities aren't revolved around this blog. I am sorry to those who follow this and were looking forward to more regular posts, but I will write when I can or when I need to vent. I pray all who read are well, and I am thankful you spend your precious time reading my venting. I pray you have a blessed holiday season.

Thankful for the Ability to Vote

Today is the day I tell my children is very important, and gives you the right to complain for the rest of the time. It is Election Day. I don't always participate in every election, because let's face it, that would be a difficult proposition with our jobs. However, I vote in the major elections. My husband had never registered to vote before he met me. I made it a point to tell our son once he turned 18, which was almost two months before Election Day in 2008, he needed to register. I ended up filling out both cards, and just having my son and husband sign them so they could vote. Now, my husband listens to so much and tries his best to be fair to both sides.
I can remember the first election in which I could participate. It was the first Clinton/Gore term. We were on very hard times. We could only get a few channels on television, and many other things were more important than cable. I became engulfed in the wave of enthusiasm behind Clinton. I went to a few rallies in South Carolina. I wanted Clinton to win, and was excited when he did. Our son also got caught up in the Obama enthusiasm.
I remember when the impeachment proceedings started. I remember being almost ashamed I had voted for this man who was so different than the one I thought I voted into office. It was a tremendous let down. I started paying more attention to the differing sides. I began to take Rush Limbaugh a little more seriously (I had made fun of him during the first election). I guess you could say if it had not been for the whole fiasco with Monica Lewinski, I probably would still be just caught up in the speeches and not looking into the issues.
When we were at home, I would make sure to read as much as I could get my hands on about any issue or person that would be appearing on the ballot. Now, the internet makes that so much easier. You can see the arguments for or against any issue very quickly. I am very aware both of those view will be slanted, but I try to discern what is being said and make what I feel is the best choice. However, like I tell our son, even if I don't agree with your choice, if you vote you earn the right to complain about those things on the ballot.
Our country was founded on Biblical beliefs. We are a Christian nation. Yes, we accept those from other beliefs into the country, and do not expect them to become Christian. Today we have the privilege of voting for the first Mormon as a presidential candidate. Some would argue they are not Christian, but anyone who's slogan is "Vote for Love of Country" is really wanting us to vote for this great ideal that became America. We live in the best country in the world. As any country, it is filled with people from all walks of life, and the government ends up being as imperfect as the members of the country. None of us are perfect. And, regardless of how I vote on several issues, there may be unforeseen consequences to that vote, however others have fought for the right to vote.
I am thankful for the right to vote, and I encourage anyone who can to vote.

Thankfulness

It was my intention to say something I was thankful for each day in my blog, and then life comes along and so many more things become important than posting in a blog. In an attempt to catch up, I am going to list things I meant to say I was thankful for, but never did.
I am thankful for family. This week I have been fortunate enough to spend time with several different members of my family. Whenever we are home, I am thankful for that time. I am thankful God has blessed me with so many different family members who add so much to my life.
I am thankful for my husband. Without my husband, I certainly would not be where I am, and we would spend SO much more trying to get things done to the truck. He is a great mechanic, a terrific help mate (especially when my English doesn't match someone else's), a great lover, and my best friend. I have been through so much crap and now I can truly appreciate the man he is.
I am thankful for God. God works in so many different ways to make things easier, and to always have a rock to lean on when things are tough. God and prayer are definitely a blessing.
I am thankful for technology. Technology makes homeschooling so much easier, staying in touch easier, and so many other things.
Now that I have "caught up," I hope to be able to continue the rest of the month as I should have.

Thankful for my Phone

Last year my sister did a blogpost a day about different things she was thankful for. She calls November her month of thankfulness. I loved the idea, and decided I really wanted to do the same.
I realize it may be silly to start with, but I really am thankful for my phone. Now that cell phones are so common, have you ever tried to find a pay phone? I remember one day we were at home, my phone died, and I had no charger, I went to five different gas stations looking for a working pay phone. It was so difficult I almost gave up. My phone was my life line, and it had been rendered useless.
While my phone is capable of communication via speech, it is also capable of so much more. I text more than talk (it seems so much less intrusive on people's lives), and my phone lets me do this. These two things are all my first cellphone would let me do, but now it is a minicomputer. I listen to music, watch movies, listen to or read books, take pictures, follow facebook and twitter, study the bible, post this blogpost, and so much more. It is incredible how I depend on my phone. I am sure I am not alone.
While the first item I am thankful for may seem silly, trust me I would be lost without it, but am very thankful I have it when I am lost.