Last week I was talking to my mom about some things that happened at the homeless shelter where I volunteer one a week. (This is not a scary dump of a shelter, it is fabulous--the Food and Care Coalition in Provo). My mom made a connection and informed me that the sister of someone we know is homeless in Provo. My mom said this person went kind of crazy. According to my mom's account, first she started homeschooling, then she went "natural", and the next thing you know, she's homeless on the streets of Provo. I was thinking, "Ummm, mom???"
So this is the first year in a long time that we haven't had any homeschoolers. Keaton is graduated. Carson has followed Keaton's footsteps to Karl Maeser Prep. I was extremely worried about him going there because of the rigorous academics. However, he loves it and is thriving socially, at least. (Can you believe he didn't make ANY friends at Timberline Middle School last year? Remarkable for a kid like Carson) I think coming from a charter school background, public school was just too overwhelming. He has made tons of friends already, and is on the drama team, just like Keaton. Did I mention he just wants (and I'm not sure he even realizes he's doing this) but he just wants to be like Keaton. In any case, his grades are not stellar, even with a 504 that requires his teachers to supposedly let me know of all upcoming assignments. So the verdict is still out on the academic side. Makenzie is in middle school (6th) at Mountainville, and her grades are very depressing. I will need to homeschool her to get her up to speed in her Language Arts eventually, but she is adamant against it. She's a socialista. McKay is back to Mountainville after a year at public elementary. I think when kids start out at a charter school, it is hard to adjust to the more chaotic and open style of public school. It is a relief to not have 4 kids in 4 schools, and also to see McKay dressed decently, since he is required to wear a uniform. (On a tangent, having kids with sensory issues is more expensive than just burning money).
When I look back at the way my life is different from about 2 years ago--wow, it is nuts, just crazy. Almost like waking up from a long, deep sleep. Sometimes I wonder how and why events happen, but I know chance meetings and events are not chance at all, although it often takes a great deal of time to figure out the meaning.
In the course of my education in Landscape Architecture, my main interest was the design side, and not so much the environmental side. Seeing all the issues we face as a country and world regarding pollution (been to SLC in the winter lately?), drought (we've been on water restrictions for 3 years now), and chronic illness possibly caused or aggravated by chemical toxins (fibromyalgia, lupus, CF, MS, Lyme), I'm much more interested in seeing what I can do to help. Our family has been slowly getting rid of chemical cleaners, reducing plastics and waste (easier said than done, everything comes in a package), and looking at renewable energy sources for our home. Fortunately, there are SO many websites and blogs from like-minded people. Need a recipe for homemade deodorant, toothpaste, shampoo, laundry detergent, etc? You can find more than you need. In fact, we just made a batch of detergent today. Trying it out now, so no verdict yet.
The culmination? We're mulling starting a natural product line, using all natural products like beeswax and honey from our hives, olive oil, castile soaps, essential oils and so on. To make what?Well, first of all, shampoo bars. Yes, shampoo bars. Yes, a little crazy.
So this is the first year in a long time that we haven't had any homeschoolers. Keaton is graduated. Carson has followed Keaton's footsteps to Karl Maeser Prep. I was extremely worried about him going there because of the rigorous academics. However, he loves it and is thriving socially, at least. (Can you believe he didn't make ANY friends at Timberline Middle School last year? Remarkable for a kid like Carson) I think coming from a charter school background, public school was just too overwhelming. He has made tons of friends already, and is on the drama team, just like Keaton. Did I mention he just wants (and I'm not sure he even realizes he's doing this) but he just wants to be like Keaton. In any case, his grades are not stellar, even with a 504 that requires his teachers to supposedly let me know of all upcoming assignments. So the verdict is still out on the academic side. Makenzie is in middle school (6th) at Mountainville, and her grades are very depressing. I will need to homeschool her to get her up to speed in her Language Arts eventually, but she is adamant against it. She's a socialista. McKay is back to Mountainville after a year at public elementary. I think when kids start out at a charter school, it is hard to adjust to the more chaotic and open style of public school. It is a relief to not have 4 kids in 4 schools, and also to see McKay dressed decently, since he is required to wear a uniform. (On a tangent, having kids with sensory issues is more expensive than just burning money).
When I look back at the way my life is different from about 2 years ago--wow, it is nuts, just crazy. Almost like waking up from a long, deep sleep. Sometimes I wonder how and why events happen, but I know chance meetings and events are not chance at all, although it often takes a great deal of time to figure out the meaning.
In the course of my education in Landscape Architecture, my main interest was the design side, and not so much the environmental side. Seeing all the issues we face as a country and world regarding pollution (been to SLC in the winter lately?), drought (we've been on water restrictions for 3 years now), and chronic illness possibly caused or aggravated by chemical toxins (fibromyalgia, lupus, CF, MS, Lyme), I'm much more interested in seeing what I can do to help. Our family has been slowly getting rid of chemical cleaners, reducing plastics and waste (easier said than done, everything comes in a package), and looking at renewable energy sources for our home. Fortunately, there are SO many websites and blogs from like-minded people. Need a recipe for homemade deodorant, toothpaste, shampoo, laundry detergent, etc? You can find more than you need. In fact, we just made a batch of detergent today. Trying it out now, so no verdict yet.
The culmination? We're mulling starting a natural product line, using all natural products like beeswax and honey from our hives, olive oil, castile soaps, essential oils and so on. To make what?Well, first of all, shampoo bars. Yes, shampoo bars. Yes, a little crazy.
I loved this update! I can't believe that the kids are growing up so fast. And how cool that you are thinking of starting a new product line. Good luck!
ReplyDelete