In my life this week… Unexpectedly and suddenly we had to put our dear dog down. That was hard. He’s been part of our lives for almost a decade. He accompanied us on our walks, rejoiced each time our van drove into the yard, guarded our door, trained our puppies, and loved us completely and totally.
In our homeschool this week… We started the new year off well. The children all finished their schoolwork on time, the first time ever this school year! We’re hoping that will continue, and have some rules in place to make it happen. Mainly, we’re insisting each day’s work gets done before granting extra privileges, such as free computer time. Deadlines are good.
Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share… Answer keys are a blessing. They are almost always worth every penny.
Places we’re going and people we’re seeing… We didn’t go out much this week, but our far-away family sent us a wonderful video of their get-together. We saw all these beloved people eating, chatting, and playing. It was almost like being there, and we could enjoy the antics of the cats without any allergic reactions.
Later we watched the first episode of Edwardian Farm, recommended by my friend Jenn. What a treat! We enjoyed beautiful photography, a fascinating story, and many funny moments. We’re already looking forward to the next episode.
My favorite thing this week was… In the family video, my nephew’s cat sat on his lap while he cut some cheese. The cat watched every movement and every bite and tried to lick up a few crumbs. We all laughed so hard! My sister takes amazing videos.
Questions/thoughts I have… How can you eat what’s in the bottom of the freezer if it’s so full you can’t move things around to get at the bottom?
Things I’m working on
- Recording marks for my teens. I use the Comprehensive Record Solution, and that really simplifies matters.
- Cleaning out one kitchen cupboard a day. I have three to do today to catch up to my goal.
- Exercising.
- Eating out of the pantry and freezers. We have 3 big freezers and a full pantry, and that’s a lot of food. I’ve joined a pantry challenge for motivation.
- Homeschool prep work.
- Reorganizing my desk.
I’m reading…
Mark. I finished The Resolution for Women by Priscilla Shirer and The Resolution for Men, third part of the Courageous review series. I’m reading Entreleadership by Ramsey, Chosen by God by Sproul, You Can Farm by Joel Salatin, and Fit and Fabulous in 15 Minutes by Teresa Tapp.
With the kids, we’re reading Luke, By the Shores of Silver Lake, Rozemarijntje Naar School (a Dutch book), and The Secret Mission.
I’m grateful for … Time. Friends. Hope. Small accomplishments.
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This post is linked to The Homeschool Mother’s Journal and to Weekly Wrap Up at Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers.
Oh, so sorry to hear about your dog! They bring such joy to our lives! It’s hard to see them go! 🙁
But wonderful on the kids getting school completely so promptly! And the funny cat video. (Cats are a hoot! LOL)
And I TOTALLY agree about answer keys. I have a friend who does all the work to keep her mind sharp (and that may be), but I need the sanity answer keys provide! LOL
I used to try to keep my mind sharp that way too. But there’s just no time. Helping the kids with questions is keeping my mind plenty sharp enough!
I am so, so sorry about your dog. I still remember having to put down our family cat, and that was 16 years ago. I had already married and moved, but my husband and I wanted to go with my parents to the appointment. My cat had grown up with me and had been a part of our lives for 19 years. He had kidney failure. I wish I could reach out and give you a {{{hug}}}. I pray that the good memories you have of your sweet companion will last a lifetime and that you will always remember him with a smile.
The family video sounds hilarious! Cats are definitely characters. 🙂
Way to go on getting school off to such a good start. We definitely started out slow here.
Hope you have a good weekend.
Many blessings,
Lisa
I’m glad you got to say goodby to your cat. None of us really said a proper goodbye to our dog because it was so sudden. Very sad for all of us, especially the kids.
So sorry about your dog. I have lost pets too, and it’s never, never easy.
We have deadlines with our school every day and week. Nothing else gets started until school is done. It works better for me and the kids, plus we don’t get behind on things.
Honestly, I know they are smaller, but we have an upright freezer for the exact reason you stated. I always told Paul I have no desire to pull everything out to find what I need. 🙂
I think we’d need 5 upright freezers to hold all our frozen produce! 🙂
Deadlines are so helpful! I’m a lousy enforcer, though. Sigh!
So sorry about your dog. They really do become a big part of the family.
Where did you get the Edwardian Farm from? It looks like something we would enjoy.
My son was pleased to see that you are reading Joel Salatin’s book. He has read quite a few of his books in the hopes of raising his own grass fed beef, chicken and turkeys.
Cindy (Vanderpol)
The Edwardian Farm videos are from YouTube. You’ll love them.
Salatin’s book is a lot of fun. I like how many of his business ideas are similar to Ramsey’s in Entreleadership. I’m sure your son will learn a lot from his books about raising animals…and about running a business.