Thank you, God, for giving me feet to walk, and eyes to see!

Thank you, God, for giving me

Feet to walk and eyes to see;

Now whatever I may do,

Lead me safely back to you.

And please bless this food.

Amen

For 11 years this has been Emily's standard table blessing.  She picked it up out of "A Child's Poems and Prayers" and made it her own.  The ending was tacked on to make it appropriate for mealtime.

On this sunny spring morning as I took a walk, I passed three homes and reflected on the inhabitants.  As statistically improbable as it seems, living in our neighborhood are three people who have lost both of their legs, either by accident or illness.  All three of these vibrant souls are an inspiration to those within their circles.  They have learned to live without something most of us not only consider essential, but take for granted--"feet to walk."

As I pondered the short little poem, I thought of gratitude.  How much do we take for granted every day?  I like the habit of counting at least five things for which I'm grateful at bedtime--and randomly throughout the day.  Doing this really fosters contentment!  I also reflected on stewardship--the responsibility of taking care of the assets entrusted to us:  family, home, money, pets, and not the least of these--health.

Over two years ago Wayne and I took a seminar called "CHIP", which stands for Coronary Health Improvement Project.  We were presented with a staggering amount of information about how a healthy lifestyle protects from heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and more. The program promotes a "plant based" diet, and has evidence to support the claim that many western diseases can be prevented by changes in the diet.  A key point is that disease is strongly promoted by ingesting animal protein.  Carbohydrates are not the "bad guy"--at least, unrefined, complex ones aren't. Well, I'm a nurse, and have known about healthy habits for a long time, but knowing isn't "doing". I do like my cheese!! Yep, I'm a vegetarian, but that doesn't stop me from eating potato chips and cookies!  One "CHIP" friend teases me that I not only "fell off the CHIP wagon", but the wagon left town and left me behind!  

One of my work colleagues is a middle-age woman with type 2 diabetes (adult onset, non-insulin dependent) and weight issues. On her own, without any support except her own research in books, she has gone from a heavily carnivorous diet ("I LOVE my meat!") to entirely plant based, and has lost a lot of weight.  Her fasting blood sugar has plummeted from over 200 to 88 (that's a GOOD thing), and she expects to go off her medication soon! I'm so impressed by her that she has given me new motivation.  As a home care nurse, I frequently see patients suffering from the ravages of diabetes--poor vision, foot pain, kidney disease, foot wounds, and amputations.  One of the worst foot wounds I've ever seen was on a young man with "diet controlled" diabetes.  I'd like to keep my "feet to walk and eyes to see."  I will use my feet for walking more often, and I will be grateful!  

Music Tour April 2009

Happy tax day!  "Hungry Girl" informs me that today is national Glazed Ham day.  Well.  Another reason to celebrate.

Last Thursday Emily and I packed a 5 day supply of clothes and departed in our Honda Pilot for the annual music tour with our little local school.  By the time we returned home, we added 846 miles to the car's odometer!  It was a fun trip, and included visits to family and friends in the "down" time. The school kids went ice-skating and skiing, but Emily wasn't interested in snow and ice.  The music groups put on six concerts in as many locations, and were very well-received.  I thought their music was fabulous, and recorded some songs to put on facebook.  Emily was reluctantly persuaded to play her clarinet with the band, so she was involved in two of the musical groups:  band and handbells.  All three groups sounded great, and it's obvious that Wendy, the director, invests much of herself in the teaching and mentoring of these kids!

The new schooling situation is working out beautifully.  Emily remains enrolled in the same public charter school she has been in since August 2008, but now she receives instruction at the "Basic Training" location three days a week.  Her classes there are English, Geometry, and Art. The English class is doing a study of Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan.  At the end she'll do a "compare and contrast" paper on Christian's journey versus Christiana's.  Emily likes going to the campus (on the grounds of a local church), meeting the other kids, and having some structure to her days.  She also likes the days off!  Monday and Thursday school days begin at 9:45 and end at 2:45, and Wednesday's schedule runs from 9:45 to 1:00 pm.  This schedule allows time for the home study of French, Home Ec, Health, music lessons, and practice time.

It was interesting to see five other private Christian schools on the music tour, and compare them to each other.  The way they dressed, behaved, and responded to the music differed more than I would have imagined!  I've had plenty of time to reflect on the subject of private education versus homeschooling.  It's always interesting to hear people at church refer to "Christian education" as something that is available exclusively at private Christian schools.  Years ago a friend of mine wondered aloud why Wayne and I were willing to "sacrifice a Christian education" in favor of homeschooling.  Hmmmm.  

Attendance at the local private school for daily handbell practice has become. . . .I'm sorry to say. . .a burden.  We have learned a lesson by continuing to associate with the school.  It would probably be better to have two or more homeschoolers participating together, because a sense of "belonging" has been conspicuously absent.  "Outsider" would better describe Emily's perception of her role at the school.  Not fun.  Perilously close to a negative experience. No one is overtly mean, and she still has two dear friends there, but she is not a part of it.  No.  Next school year will contain no association with the school, unless she has a homeschooled friend to attend with her.  I'm grateful the school allowed us to do this, but for a shy and quiet kid, it doesn't work.

The school year is winding down, and so are we!

Eureka! I've found it!

. . .or, at least, I hope I have!  Archimedes might not have made that legendary exclamation, and my discovery doesn't involve water displacement, but it's almost as exciting!  We may have found a solution to where Emily will be educated in the 2009-2010 school year.  Eureka!

The day after Emily turned 15 (February 26) she visited the local high school with her friend Justine.  It felt like passing an act of congress to get permission--I spoke with administrators, Justine's mom spoke with administrators, Justine took a permission slip to each of her teachers, and they had to approve the date on their calendars.  After we jumped through the appropriate hoops, Emily was cleared to spend a day at high school.  

We delivered her to the rendezvous at 7:00 am for "zero period" class.  I can't take you through a day of high school, but there were 7 periods (I think) including English (she loved this one--they were studying Shakespeare); Geometry; P.E.; Band (freshman marching band--Emily got to sit and watch them); Spanish I (she didn't understand more than a few words here); and Leadership.  Something is missing. . .I'll think of it later.  

In P.E. the girls watched a self-defense movie.  When it was over, the teacher asked Emily's permission to open the floor to questions about homeschooling.  I wish I could have been a fly on the wall here! Emily said she told them "homeschoolers have friends!" and homeschoolers must study, and those who are enrolled in charter schools must take the STAR test each year.   All in all, Emily really enjoyed her day.  Her summary comment was, "it was really BIG, and really LOUD."  People were nice to her, and she saw some familiar faces.  She noted that high schoolers eat their lunches standing up.  She also observed the requisite students with "their faces glued to each other."  She also noticed (with a sense of irony at the force of peer pressure), that none of the girls had short hair (as Emily does).   

My good friend Nancy, Justine's mom, strongly recommended that we also check out the local charter school, "Connections academy of performing arts", which meets on the campus of a nearby local high school.  We did this the following week.  We met with the principal, and he talked with us for a while, getting an idea of Emily's artistic interests.  Then, he gave us a tour of the campus.  We peeked into classrooms where ballet was going on (PE, as well as "art"), hip-hop jazz was taking place in another room (still more PE),  some students were watching a French film in yet another classroom.  We walked through a drama lab where students in a circle threw a ball to each other, calling out lines from books, movies, or historical quotes.  We viewed the band room, and learned that the school hopes to have a symphony, if enough string players can be recruited.  Another classroom housed perhaps 18 pianos.  The students at this school participate in the core classes with high school students, but they must also take at least two "fine arts" courses.  This charter school is an accredited high school, and gives an elite impression.  At the present time there is no waiting list to get in.

Emily enjoyed the tour, and then said, "can I go to the high school?"  Wayne and I still have strong reservations about sending our daughter who has only been in the homeschool or tiny private-school setting to a large public school campus.  We've long been accustomed to the choices offered by homeschooling. We also must consider that many high school social and musical activities take place on our Sabbath.  Emily's involvement with the social aspect of school would mostly be limited to activities taking place during the week.

The next day, with a sense of resignation, I went alone to visit the last schooling option.  It's a tiny homeschool supplemental program called "Basic Training" which meets at a local church.  I've known about this program for years, but in the past they didn't have high school.  Evidently now they do. What kind of student would attend this program?  I surmised it would be composed primarily of "freaks, geeks, and weirdos," thereby revealing my own prejudice about homeschoolers, based on I-don't-know-what--certainly not personal experience!

I arrived at the church parking lot at 11:45, and saw kids getting out for lunch.  I sat in my car and watched for a few minutes, soaking in the "ambience".  What I saw were about 40 high-school aged kids who looked. . . .well. . . . .normal. Entirely so. Attractively so. Some were seated on the blacktop, finishing lunch. Others were standing in small groups talking.  Some were playing frisbee.  I went to find the facilitator for the high school, "Pat", and had to ask one of the students to help me.  He did so--politely.

Pat and I talked for a few minutes, and I shared with her what we were looking for in a school next year.  She had a gracious manner, and when I commented that the students seemed nice, she replied, "oh, you couldn't find a nicer group of kids!"  Her son is one of the students, and she is a teacher for a local charter homeschool.  All the kids at Basic Training are homeschooled--either privately or through charter schools.  There is tuition involved, but it is less expensive than the correspondence courses I've investigated.  It's $400 per year per course. Next year Emily could take Algebra 2, Biology (with labs), and English language arts; they also offer an afternoon course in "fine arts" comprised of a variety of teachers teaching a variety of artistic subjects (currently handbells).  The program (I hesitate to say "school") meets on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday.  To Pat I say, "it seems like the best of both worlds!"  She nods.

Now I know what I'd like Emily to do next school year--remain in her current charter school, and attend Basic Training for the core classes. We'd still have the fabulous choices offered by the charter school, yet Emily would have some much needed structure to her days and weeks. My dilemma. . .Emily doesn't want to homeschool next year.  She's too alone, and doesn't feel like she "belongs" anywhere.  As I drive Emily to youth symphony that evening I describe what I saw at Basic Training.  She replies, "that sounds pretty nice; I don't like big crowds of people, anyway."  We agree to visit the school again on Monday, so she can see what she thinks.  On Sunday, Emily asks, "can I enroll in Basic Training now?"

Monday rolls around, and Emily and I appear at 12:00 as arranged with Pat. We enroll her on the spot, because what better way can we decide if she wants to do it next year than by doing it right now?  

Today (Thursday) is Emily's third day at Basic Training.  The opportunity to be around other kids, and take literature and math classes from new teachers has already infused a new and welcome energy into our homeschool days.  As of last evening, this is how she wants to go to school next year.  We want to do whatever is best for her, and are grateful to have found this option!  And guess what?  These high-schoolers eat standing up, too!

Recession, budgets, and more

Wow, if I don't write something today, I'll miss February completely!  

Work and school and life in general have fallen into a routine of sorts.  Emily doesn't miss band and choir.  The intensity of daily lessons has ratcheted up because the STAR testing takes place the end of March.  Emily will be tested on Geometry, English, and World History.  She's done practice tests for English and World History, and we're hitting history really hard right now.  I've found a wonderful online resource called "Cosmeo" which is produced by the Discovery Channel. It has videos, articles, games, and more, for all curriculum subjects. We have a 30 day free trial right now, but I think a subscription is about $10 per month. 

I've been meaning to write about how the recession has hit us personally.  We are blessed to have a steady source of income (so far!), but we've noticed the usual weekly grocery bill has increased appreciably!  For about 15 years I have made a weekly menu (for dinners), and I continue to do so.  This has always kept the grocery bill manageable and predictable. All of our bills have gone up, and prices at stores are what I've noticed the most.

Last winter was the first cold season in our "new" home.  It is a rambling ranch-style home, with a long hall and many doors!  We don't have natural gas here in the foothills, so everyone rents a propane tank, and we rely on propane for heating.  Last winter our propane bill was positively staggering.  I don't remember the cost per gallon, or even the cost of refilling our tank, but the overall bill for the winter was nearly $2000.  And. . . .we weren't even warm!  In the early summer we invested in a pellet stove.  It was not cheap, but we think it will "pay for itself" in a couple years.  The pellets cost just under $7 for a bag which lasts three days. The charm of the pellet fire isn't quite equal to a wood fire, but it's close!  The charm of the warm room has been a source of daily pleasure for us all winter long!

Last fall we traded in our little pick-up truck for a used Chevy Aveo.  This little red "gutless wonder" gets as much as 35 miles per gallon.  This is the car I use for work when I see patients, and it's the car we use to transport Emily to her various lessons.

We've heard much about "economic stimulus" and Americans' spending habits.  We Americans have certainly learned to "require" excess!  We eat too much, buy too much, store too much stuff, and cram our schedules full of too many activities.  Sometimes I think we even try to have too many friends, and try to be "all things" to those friends, filling our schedules even more. We knock ourselves out trying to fill every nook and cranny of our homes, and every nook and cranny of our schedules, not to mention what we do to our bodies with food.  I think it's a type of escapism, so we don't have to think about our mortality, and eternal issues.  

We are personally trying to find ways to spend less money, find more joy in simple things, eat frugally but healthfully, and enjoy home life.  I've always been a bookworm, and for years I purchased books, thinking that I wanted them in my home to read again in a few years.  Now I purchase books, but only occasionally.  First I go to the library!  The public library is a wonderful place!  What a gift, to be able to go "shopping" and come home with reading material, without ever spending a penny!

In a previous entry I mentioned that we didn't know where Emily would go to school next year. The recession has hit here, as well.  If she was to return to the little junior academy here in town, we estimate it would cost $700 more each month than we are spending now. Tuition is the main expense, but in addition, she would need to take two correspondence courses for classes not offered at the school (French 2 and Algebra 2).  I love the charter school she's in now--and I wish we had a homeschool support group to provide her with more frequent interaction with kids her age!  Homeschool has all the choices we could wish for, and the school environment can't be beat!

Obviously, we need to make the choice that will be in Emily's best interest.  

. . . .Still looking. . . . . .

Happy New Year!

Okay, so it's been 2009 for 16 days already. . . .

It's spring here in the beautiful foothills *wry grin*, and it looks like no rain in the foreseeable future.  Before spring-like weather arrived, it was the coldest winter in 15 years, and we were completely dependent on our pellet stove for warmth. In our long and rambling ranch-style house, we close off the warm family room and kitchen, separating them from the icy living room, hall and bedrooms.  We have spent comfortable winter days holed up in our cozy little "cabin", making a mad dash down the icy halls at bedtime to dive into pre-warmed beds. 

Christmas eve was a quiet holiday spent at home, and we shared a Christmas dinner the next day with good friends. The day even included a light snowfall! We attended a new year's eve party at a friend's home, but wimped out and came home before midnight.

Emily was rested, and ready to tackle second semester on January 5. Schedule changes include:  no more band, no more choir, no more Pathfinders. During ski season the junior academy goes skiing on Thursdays for PE, so PE at the school has been cut out for a while. For now, PE is walking, exercises, and basketball practice at home.  The result of these changes is a much more leisurely pace, although still busy.  Emily will ski this year, but not every week. 

Another change is in my work schedule.  For a variety of reasons which would weary any reader (including me), I've picked up a new position at work--weekend on-call and intake nurse.  I'm on call from 5 pm Friday to 8 am Monday.  I don't have a patient assignment, but oversee schedules in two home care offices, and see patients who need visits after hours, or overflow "surprise" visits during the day.  I've done this twice now, and think I will like it. I am usually able to plan my Saturday so I can attend church.  There is an element of unpredictability that I don't care for, and I am tethered to an electronic "leash" for 63 hours, so opportunities for fatigue abound.   

The beauty of this new schedule is that it frees me up during the week.  I still have my 12 hours of chart audits, but I can do some of that on Sundays during a lull.  This means more time at home with my student Monday through Friday. This week we seized the opportunity to visit family in Napa Valley. We left Wayne at home to hold down the fort, and drove to my brother and sister-in-law's house, where we were kindly received on short notice. The trip was unbelievably rejuvenating!  So much so, in fact, that we're planning to do it again in a few months.

We've shaken the schedule up, tossed out unnecessary things, added some surprises, and changed my work schedule, in order to cope with a severe case of "mid-year slump".  We're optimistic about the results. Next week Emily will begin working with a home ec tutor on a "design" unit.  We'll let you know how it goes!

"Jerusalem Journal" (fun with history)