"Learning All The Time," author, John Holt

Hi,Well, I got a new job and promotion!! I'm now going to be working for Webb/Rawls Gallery http://www.webbgallery.net

There are four small galleries in the Columbia area. I'll have the Harbison Gallery.

I have a lot of work to do, it is a mess. I'm going to split my check with Elizabeth to help me organize it.

I start Monday morning at ten-six pm.

I'm excited!! My very own shop!!

The kids are going to enjoy Sonlight this year. I'll read with them when I get home. There is no law "when" you are to home school. We will be evening home schoolers!

I have the weekend off!! Yay!!!!

Well, we are changing a few things because of my job. The kids want more structure, we are going with Sonlight a literature based program we used when the kids were little. http://www.sonlight.com/T6C5.html?cat=1005

The kids are wanting the structure, I have two who perhaps want to go to college, they are worried they aren't getting enough. Bo and Hope just like me reading to them. I will keep it loose with them.

I read to Hope this morning, we read about the digestive system and Koalas. Hope is intrigued by the body. Bo is interest in Homer's Iliad, he loves stories of the Odessey.
I've got a book of Homer's Iliad for children that we read.

I think we are still unschooling because I'm doing what the children want. I suppose it is loosely.

But anyway.

Well, it is good and blistery in the thick of the heat in Columbia, SC.

Our air doesn't work in our van, and I don't know when we can get it looked at. The poor baby gets so sweaty in her car seat. Hopefully soon.

Hannah is going to town learning Japanese. I got her several new books to learn to write the Characters. She sat down and made flash cards.

Elizabeth loves math. I got her a Saxon 87, she is breezing through it. I ordered the solutions manual through Amazon. She is my Scientist in the making. Jury is still out, she may or may not go to college. My opinion is...college doesn't make you...look at me with a college degree sitting in a frame shop. Money wasted I tell you. I have to admit, I enjoyed my three years at the Atlanta College of Art, now the Savannah College of Art and Design.

Hannah has started drawing backgrounds to her Manga's. She is so talented. Her anatomy is incredible! And she is only fourteen!

Hope is going down to the country with Grandma this weekend. It is a great Aunt's birthday. She gave Hope her piano a couple of years ago.

I'm working hard. I do get to see the children in the mornings before work which is nice. Though I worked the 9-5 shift today and liked it. The day went really fast! And I was home before dark for once.

A new boss comes in on Monday. My former boss got fired this week. I've spent the last few days organizing and cleaning the Frame Shop. It really looks good. A Head Framer is coming down from NC to help me frame a whole Military uniform for a poor mother who lost her son. The frames I ordered are huge. 51" long, 35" wide!

Anyway, have a good weekend all.

Hannah swung a long vocabulary word on me today. Never heard of it. I'm so dim witted I don't remember the word. She picked it up from "Mad About You" with Helen Hunt. Hannah says she picks up a lot of words from that sitcom!! Amazing!!

We've had a good day. Went to a Gallery showing this afternoon. Kids got inspired. Hannah wants to attend my alma mater at age fifteen, now "Savannah College of Art and Design. I will check out their requirements, probably a GED.

Elizabeth wants to be a Canine Cop.

Baby's calling, bye

Well, believe it or not, instead of quitting Hobby the Lobby, I'm going to be their full time manager!! I will work the same amount of hours...better hours, yet with full benefits. The family is excited. I continue to miss my children, however if I have to work...which I do, I'd rather have more money and benefits!

My boss, Mike B. is very excited too. "Long time in coming to have a good manager."

Baby Naomi is talking better every day. She asks questions now...lots of them. Actually the same one over and over!!! :)

The three older children watched Discovery Health, Discovery and Science Channel ALL day today.

Full surprise to me tonight when visiting my old college website!! They are going to be Savannah College of Art and Design. Atlanta College of Art is a hundred years old!! I'm sad they are merging, though I suppose for the best.

We had a wonderful trip to Pisgah National Forest in NC Friday. The kids had a blast!! They actually waded in a freezing, mountain, stream, Hope also got a slight sunburn. She was prune like in the end. She stayed in the stream the whole time!! She is my waterbaby, always has been. Naomi played in the sand when we took a walk. She kept "hiding" pebbles and saying "wherego?" She is so much fun!!

We travelled behind the Lovejoy's all the way up there. Good thing too, as I get so lost, easily.

Elizabeth went off by herself for a couple of hours. She said she had fun climbing trees and wading. Hannah finally found her near the time we were to leave. I have to admit I was worried there for a while about her disappearance. Just goes to show, I need to trust my children more.

Hannah joined Duncan and Bo wading in the stream. She also chatted with a couple of girls there. The outing was chock full of teen boys. Usually it is the other way around, more girls than boys!

I will add pictures tonight. I wish I were more computer literate!

I quit Hobby Lobby Thursday. I will be training someone in the next two weeks. I will continue to work one night or day a month to stay on the payroll. That won't break me. I'm looking forward to having only one job. I will enjoy getting off at 6:00 pm everyday, it is long in coming.

I had a good Mother's Day. They let me sleep in till practically noon, or I got to lay in bed till noon! Hannah made me an Anime Mother's Day card. It is really good. Hannah is sooo talented!! Elizabeth always likes to give me presents last...she made me a beautiful card of our German Shepherds and wild floweres pressed in a little frame. Incredible how talented the girls are artistically! Hannah wants to go to the art school I attended in Atlanta, GA. "The Atlanta College of Art."

Elizabeth wants me to help structure her day. She is a list maker. She also wants Saxon Math program. She is one to check lists. So I've made lists for this week on a home school program. I think the kids get a little bored with my working. Lists help them out.

I had a "fall" in Unschooling last night. I turned teacher like and tried to teach Hope about the World Globe. She wanted to know where Egypt is. Yikes!! Won't do that again!! I told them to slap me if I do that again!!

All in all it was a good weekend.

We have a new family member, "Nellie," a two month old German Shepherd puppy. She is full of life!! Loves to chew, with little, sharp teeth! She occasionally chews on Naomi's feet. "Ren" our five year old German Shepherd is the Alpha Dog for sure! She gets tired of Nellie's antics. Nellie is too much fun to watch play. She is full of energy. Hopefully I can figure out how to download some pictures for my blog.

I worked today at HL, I got off at 9:00 pm tonight. Here it is twelve, and we just finished dinner!

I promised Hope a trip to the park tomorrow. My guess is it will be Blythewood park. Naomi likes that jungle jim. I also promised a picnic!

The family held the fort down while I worked today. Needless to say, our three acres didn't get mowed today. Jeff sprayed for poison ivy today, I guess that counts. Our yard looks so bad a lawn company left their card this week. Like we could afford that!!!

Have a great weekend, what's left of it!