Sunday, December 12, 2010

Changes in Life


This time in my life is strange. So much changing; me, my kids, our home life, our home, schedules, interests, relationships. We could start with me and the kids. My children are now both teens. We are still close but, they are trying to be their own people with their own interests and their changing needs. Which is great and normal and...how it should be. I'm feeling less needed by them which is again, normal and how it should be. I've become more a taxi driver to them than their mom and educator. I'm proud to say they are very much self learners and I can't even try to keep up with all they learn everyday. I've have learned to get out of the way in that regard. I miss the snuggles on the couch all huddled up together but enjoy the humorous exchange in conversation and going out on the town with them. Not bad, just different.


As I find my new roll and place in my family, I also find my friendships changing. I have been able to reach out to more people and get to know many new wonderful personalities. I'm having a blast socialising after having pulled back for so long to dedicate that time to my children. Now they are more social and so am I. It truly is wonderful! Sometimes though, it still feels strange. Throw in a career that I really enjoy and what a happy woman am I. Tired and sometimes exhausted, but content and extremely happy nun the less.


The home life is changing because of the teens and my new found social self. Which is also why we are changing our living location! We need the bigger house and the yard to accommodate all the fun we want to plan. We need this space to have our parties and activities in. If you've been to our house, you would have seen that there just isn't much room to have visitors over. So, we have listed our house. It is for sale and with that comes more chores to keep it in saleable condition. We hope it sells soon so we can start having some events at our house!


Monday, November 8, 2010

I think I'm getting the hang of this...

Schedules! A necessary evil. I have a husband with a weird schedule of 4am to whenever he's done (sometime between 3 and 7pm) Friday through Monday, two teens with active social lives and my flexible schedule that can change daily. Sometime I feel like a juggler that has no control of how many balls they have in the air at any given time! I'm not complaining. It's a challenge and I like that. I think I've finally figured a way to schedule it all. I know it sounds like it might be easy but, there is a difference on paper to having the family comfortable. We are just getting into the flow of it. Just in time for a new year and Jim's schedule to change. lol His schedule will have the same hours though the days will be Sat.-Tues. He will finally have Fridays off! Yeah!

I'm now also adding to my schedule keeping the house show worthy! As soon as we have this house in shape (wood repair/replacement) we are putting it on the market. Yep, finally getting to sell this place and move to Huntington Beach! Finally back into a single family residence. With a yard and no HOA. We like the inside of our current home, it's just that the neighborhood has become really crowded and there isn't anywhere for company to park. We just can't live with a HOA. We need more freedom. The teens need places they can hang out with friends. We have outgrown this house.

So as soon as we are getting in the swing of our schedules, they are a changing. Makes me so grateful for my flexible schedule and the flexibility of homeschooling.

Happy scheduling!

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Shocked into Memory Lane...

Who would have thought that going shopping at Mother's Market would send me flooding into my past. When I had tried to leave there was some Green Peace people trying to boost memberships. All of a sudden I was back in the early 2000's with to little toddlers. Wide eyed and idealistic. Very much into Mother Earth News and a complete "Greeny" before it was coined or popular. I remember researching composting toilets for our mountain home. That was until I had my wake up call. Actually two wake up calls. The first one was a Green Party runner calling and talking with me for his support, just to tell me that maybe I should run because I seemed more knowledgeable. He wasn't being snotty, but honest. I was so applaud that someone who knew less than I would even run! The second time (not even a week apart) was when Green Peace called to raise funds to help get a big wig out of a foreign land where he was being tried for killing other diplomats! Holly SH@#T! They have Peace right in their name! So being a good homeschooler and greeny, I researched what happened. I cancelled my Green Peace membership and didn't look back. That is until this well meaning person in front of Mother's started talking to me. My reply to this well meaning man all of about 23 years of age was, "I'm an ex member. Looking into the happenings in your organization in the early 2000's and see what violence you find." He just looked at me with his mouth wide open.

I truly think if I had shared my experience it wouldn't have the same effect, as him finding it out for himself. Back in my wide eyed, blissful, idealistic days, I would have shrugged a person off thinking, they had a bad experience and mine would be different.

I still keep up to date with all the "green" stuff. Now it is more about not being wasteful and saving people money than saving the planet for me though. I still would love to be a part of building one of those cob houses in AZ! I just think it would be so fun and freeing to mold into your walls nooks, fireplaces, and any kind of decoration or seating! With all this background, no wonder I became a Green Certified Realtor. :)

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

The Crazy Homeschool Mudders!

We had a blast at the Irvine Lake Mud Run April 11th. The team met its goal of NOT being last! There was much excitement and challenges to bad had by all and I think we had the best outfits.











Team from L to R: Yolanda, Amy, Jocelyn, Anna. Our Team Captain couldn't be there for the race for family reasons. Sherry, you were/are missed!

Thank you to BlueStyles.com for our awesome logo on our shirts! Great work! You will be happy to know that all the mud washed out and I intend to ware my shirt often!

There is another run in July, who will be running next?

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Do you like to get dirty?

Well, I like to have good clean fun and sometimes that means getting dirty! I am gearing up for the Irvine Lake Mud Run happening this weekend! I am so excited! It is my first one and I get to share my experience with a few of my homeschool mom friends. Our team name is the Crazy Homeschool Mudders! If you don't know about this amazing obstacle course of a track you can get the info at: irvinelakemudrun.com They have been preparing this track for a couple of weeks now. Crazy Homeschool Mudders will be running this Sunday, April 11th. There will also be food and a concert! Come have some fun in the mud and Cheer us on!

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Spring!

Happy Spring Everyone! Spring has sprung and so have I! Into spring cleaning that is. I sprung up this morning and went to work! Now I am exhausted. Ready to sit and enjoy the nice clean house and drink some green tea. Ahhh Some of these small moments really make a big impact. I hope that all of you have a wonder Spring Happenings! For some I guess it would be Hoppenings!

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Already an Amazing Experience

I had been wanting to be on the Amazing Race since the first episode aired. My friend Debbie and I would talk and dream about the day for years. Now I finally have a real chance to actually try out! Although it won't be with Debbie ( she is not in a position at this time) but with Cheryl! Cheryl and I met at a homeschool park day she co/founded. It is a wonderful group of amazing families. The best part is that this group is VERY divers and tolerant. So, my children and I can have the experience of knowing all kinds of people with all kinds of views.



Cheryl just sent in our applications Monday and already I am learning so much more about myself and my homeschool community. I guess the biggest thing I am learning about this community is how truly supportive they are. I moved around a lot growing up and I guess I have never really looked toward a community for support because, I would only be there for a short time. So, this is a bit strange to me, in a good way.



I really hope that we get on The Amazing Race and be able to show homeschool moms in a good light. I also hope we inspire moms to go after their dreams when they get a chance to do so. NO matter how old you are or how long out of the work force, you can still accomplish what you want. I have already started part of my journey with my career. Now I have this "amazing" opportunity! I do feel compelled to thank Debbie and Amy, it wasn't the time for them to go for this dream and they are still cheering Cheryl and I on. What wonderful women! Don't forget ladies, if Cheryl and I don't make it on, we can still apply with you when you are ready!


We had a lot of fun taping our application DVD! We were being so silly. Peggy let us borrow her camcorder and David (Cheryl's hubby) was our camera/producer man. What a great job he did. Peggy's also helping us edit! Can you believe how people are chipping in? So cool!

Well, the application is in the mail. If they like us we should be hearing something by March. Wish us luck and hopefully you will see us on the show.