Homeschool Talking Points

Three years ago, Rock Springs, Wyoming was implementing a Daytime Curfew.  There was a general outcry from the homeschooling community.  The Chief of Police ask me to help educate the local Police Force; to help them understand just what homeschooling was/is.  Here are a few of my talking points from that presentation:

• There are many reasons to homeschool and many methods that parents approach it with. Many of these methods include children being out in public during the “traditional” school day. Additionally there are some families that use a combination of home and public schooling (different children or different times of life).

• Fear (from Police with the Curfew) limits the ability to effectively Homeschool children. 

• We use the environment to teach. The world is a learning environment.

• Volunteer – Community service creates hands on learning opportunities as well as socializing the children.

• Curriculum and schedules vary by family… think of what could happen to our children if parents that worked away odd shifts (oil fields, mines) were to keep their children home, and school them on a schedule compatible with their work weeks.

• Wyoming is great about Homeschooling! It’s a very permissive state in which to undertake this adventure!

Rest & Relief

After the stresses of college, unemplyment and a move. The boys and I are resting for a few days at our families places in. Personally, I have slept 22 hours in 2 nights... more than I have in the past week. (Actually, I am ready for a nap!)

The boys are enjoying being able to play and visit without lots of places to go, things to do, or the general chaos that comes with moving.

The biggest relief came this morning, when Tom received a job offer with Siemens. He will start work in two weeks, and so is planning to fly up here to join the boys and I on our camping trip. We'll start with Yellowstone (on Memorial Day weekend... not necessarily the ideal time to go there (it will be BUSY), but SO GLAD to be able to go out together as a family).

Now, for that nap...

Graduation Bliss

Just 19 years and 2 days, and 5 schools later, I FINALLY have earned a College Degree.


The lack of a college degree has haunted me for most of the past two decades.


It has taken a solid year's work (and lots of support from these three guys).


Tonight, I rid myself of the ghost by walking into an auditorium a-buzz with energy and walking out with an Associate of Arts Diploma in hand.


The completion of "just" a 2 year degree is so much sweeter because of the time and effort it took to achieve.

Amazing Essential Experience

This past Saturday, at 4:30pm, I realized a sinus infection was settling in. I've lived with sinus and ear infections as a part of my regular life since I was a child. As such, I know the signs and I know what the path I am on leads to (usually pain and discomfort for days). Since this incident was landing at the inconvenient time of the middle of the weekend, my traditional medical treatment options were 1) go to the Super Expensive Emergency Room (yes for anything medical on Saturday night or Sunday, in this town, that is your only option), or 2) wait until the infection was full blown and call to beg for an appointment on Monday (possibly being seen by Tuesday or Wednesday - I kid you not, there is a shortage of doctors here!)


I have been using essential oils since... let me think, 18 years (almost two decades!) Recently I met two ladies who knew SO MUCH more than I do about oils, and was flabbergasted to discover that they've only been using oils for TWO YEARS! I was intrigued to discover the source of their amazing oils and knowledge... dōTERRA.

Since I have been intrigued by dōTERRA, and I knew where my sinus infection would go without SOME intervention, I called Kelsie Jimenez. She had me come right over and try three different oils. I bought two to take home (for less than a doctor's visit and prescription cost - and quicker too!) With regular application of Grapefruit oil and PastTense (a headache blend) my potential Sinus Infection had run away in just 20 hours! That's it! I was sold!

dōTERRA offers oils that are safe for consumption and most of them may be applied directly to the skin (called "neat application"). This adds all sorts of interesting methods for use (including drinking, sinus rinse, of course massages, and even creating capsules for ingestion). More exciting to me though, is the amount of ongoing training they receive. dōTERRA is a home-based, direct-market business that is constantly training their product users.

As I researched the direct-market aspect, I liked the fact that you can sign up just for yourself to get wholesale prices. This month, they are effectively waiving the sign-up fee. You pay $50 this month, and next month get $50 in merchandise. Plus, the wholesale discount is effective immediately. Of course, if you want to sign up to make it a business and sell to others, you can, but you can just get the great oils AND training for free!

As some of you know, I am a consultant for The Pampered Chef. And as such, you realize I am the lowest pressure home sales person there is! Well, I've signed up with dōTERRA now too. As you know, I don't like to feel pushy about these things. But between the wonderful oils, great training, the incredible sign-up special ($50 now = $50 in merchandise next month), and my amazing experience with the oils, I HAD to share this with you!


Please look at dōTERRA. Give them a try! If you decide to sign up (which you really should since they are offering this great FREE ENROLLMENT special), let me know so that I can help you with that process (and yes, make a tiny percentage of commission off of your purchases / sales). Let me know if you'd like some oils without signing up, I can help you with that too.

Most of all though, get your hand on some essential oils and see how they can quickly and naturally bless you and your family... without doctors, drugs, and other artificial means.

Warms the Heart

Yesterday I watched Jack at his first ever Little League (T-Ball) Practice. We've tried catching and hitting once or twice, but it's been more than a year (two I think). He has always been such a natural at anything that involves aiming! Seriously, since the kid could throw/hit, he "always hits his target". We recognized this last summer when Tom woke me to tell me Jack had just hit a neighbor girl in the head with a rock. Coming out of my nap I said "what did she do to him; he always hits what he aims at." No one had thought to ask, turns out she had been taunting Jack, telling him her little sister was his girl friend. Jack didn't want a girl friend!


In any case, all this to say, I wasn't at all surprised yesterday when he excelled at hitting, catching and throwing. He even caused the first injury of the season when he smacked his first ball from the T and caused two boys to smack noggins chasing his hit. Many tears ensued and I watched, full of pride at Jack's great hit... is that too wrong? I really felt a swelling of pride watching him play... he's such a natural athlete. I wonder what sport(s) he will enjoy most and I will be watching through the years... I really do like baseball and hope that I am on the side-lines of many future games!

Dinner at the Governor's Mansion

I've been looking forward to dinner at the Governor's Mansion for about two weeks. Tonight was the night and I enjoyed being there every bit as much as I thought I would!


My room-mate and I drove to a Representative's condo, where we chatted with her while waiting for our ride, the good Senator from our area. We enjoyed visiting and relaxing with her a few minutes before he arrived. I was glad we rode together, not because we couldn't have followed, but because of the conversation in the car and the fact that I didn't have to walk across a dark parking lot, with ice and snow, and high heels on.

After being driven through the gates of this former American Legion Park, we were dropped off at the door of the Formal Home of the Governor and his wife. The first thing we noticed was "The First Cat of Wyoming." This playful guy walked us to the door, stopping at each of our feet and looking up with a cry in greeting.


Along with a 12-year-old Lhasa Apso, these two mingled with the crowd all night long. When nearly everyone had left, a calico kitty showed itself, but she was camera shy, just like the puppy!

After hanging my coat, I found the door to the ladies "powder" room hidden in the wall.


A few moments alone afforded me the time to snap a few silly pictures of myself and the crazy powder room!


Every piece of paper was embossed. From the place cards and menus...


All the way to the pile of paper towels in the powder room!


We were blessed to listen to a fellow intern (a homeschooled High School Junior from Cheyenne) as she tinkled the ivories tonight...


Even waiting for our ride became a bit silly this evening at this interesting place!

Vacation Flashback

I just went to use an old back-up drive



where I found pictures from our last family vacation


(yes it was back in 2006).


The boys were 2 & 4.


This was the boys' AND Tom's first trip to Wyoming.


Oh!


They were so CUTE and CHUBBY!!!
The Boys, not Tom! ;)


Enjoy!

This Vacation Flashback brought to you compliments of Keith's Gift Kaser Portable Vault Flash Drive.

Capitol Exhaustion

I *really* did mean to write you each and every day,


but I have been working crazy-long-exhausting hours.


And sleeping whenever I can.


I hope you enjoy these pictures from last week.


You can see I am working literally from sun-up, to sun-down.


Time for some sleep before the 5am alarm tomorrow!

Orientation

Sunrise this morning from my Dorm Room Window

After such a long week I'll keep this brief, but pause to let you know that after just 5 hours sleep last night I never felt tired during orientation.

My dorm-mate, Bobbi, and I about to head into the Capitol

During our nine hour orientation, there was SO MUCH information thrown at us! I am excited to get started on Monday, but looking forward to relaxing tomorrow.

Departures and Arrivals

Well, I've left them, for a whole month, I've left them. So far so good on the tear front, though I know it may not last, I've only cried once this morning, in bed before leaving, and twice prior this week (actually, it was once with each member of my household).

I had a GREAT drive across Wyoming to arrive in Cheyenne at 5pm. 45 minutes + 4 Target shopping carts unloaded my Professor's Car (generously loaned to me for the month). Dinner with an RA in the Dorms at the Dining Hall, and then meeting my roommate (and her daughter - who's also a student at LCCC) while we all three unpacked into our rooms. Yes, I said roomS with and "S"... that would be the best surprise of the day. When the Dorm Manager walked me to my room, she said that since there wasn't an occupant for the second suite, we would each have our own room (and bathroom) with just a shared living area between the two.

I'm beat, but looking forward to a great day at Legislative Intern Orientation tomorrow.

Now, it's time for a quick note to my professor, wardrobe choices and a snack, then to sleep (by 10:20?)

I intend to begin posting pictures by Sunday (for tomorrow's sure to be another full day!)

PS: I'm sitting here listening to Spanish Radio because it's the only station I can receive besides talk radio... either I'll ask Tom to bring my CD's next weekend, or I'll be living on internet radio! ;)

A "Break" in *Something*

When a


"break in the weather"


(up to)


40°F


feels *nice*


to me....


it's time


to


question my sanity!

WOW Wyoming Photography from Fieldtrip

I've been working a lot this week with photos from my Yellowstone Geology Field Trip last September. I received photos from six classmates. With my photos, there were over 1,700 from 4 days. I've been organizing them into a chronological-thematic succession.

This afternoon I paused and worked on some panoramas and montages. I really like them!

Collection of Macro Photography by Myself and Others

Wyoming route 191, North between Rock Springs and Farson. The Rockies Bear Tooth Mountains are in the background.

Red Canyon

The Chugwater Formation

Travertine Terraces in Thermopolis

Somewhere on the route North to Cody.

Nez Perce's Last Stand along Shoshone River

Near the Highest Peak (along the Axis of the Bear Tooth Mountains) in Wyoming.

Tetons with Snake River Below

Cathedral Formation of Tetons

The Grand Tetons

Montage of Nature and Man-made Formations

Montage of People on the Field Trip

While I made all of these panoramic photos and montages, and most of the photos were taken by myself, some of them were taken by others on the trip, including: Ryan Deichmueller, Michelle Gatti, Carmen Meeks, Madisen Mitchell.