Blog Dump

That is what I am about to do. Just dump a bunch of stuff in one post because who knows when I will return. Have much to do and little time to do it in. The only thing I am procrastinating is painting and that will come to hurt me very soon if I don't get busy. I did some painting today and it is very slow process to do it right.

I did make the cutest signs today. Irresistible!

The only thing is- I have about 50 more irresistible signs to make. I am just really pleased with how these turned out. You probably can't tell, but there is a little bit of antiquing in the paint job. I am going to make the boy version also in a blue or green and it will say "sleep tight" instead.

Another big drama with public schools this week! I am convinced that everywhere you can go in this country, the public schools are something to be desired. I don't care how much people say they think the schools are great, because according to everyone else, the schools have been stellar- but what else are they going to say when their kid goes there. Most people want to believe that their free education/daycare is the best thing for their child. My problem is, I see the flaws in free education because my less than perfect children have a way of bringing them out. Jadyn being assaulted on the school bus and having to change teachers last week because of a student overload just adds insult to injury.

The crowning moment once again was Parent - Teacher conference where all of Jadyn's flaws were pointed out to me repeatedly. I sat quietly and listened to everything that was said, and then I asked, "so what are you going to do about it?" Seriously, there is nothing more I can do for her at home besides what I am already am. The teacher said that she has recommended tutoring for Jadyn but has heard nothing back because there is this long process of testing, sending the scores to some big government institution to analyze, and then "maybe in a couple of weeks" they will send the word that Jadyn might need a little extra help. It is October already people!!!!

I am having bad flashbacks!!!!!

I then asked what type of curriculum they were using and I would like to see why Jadyn is scoring so low in her favorite subject of science. The teacher stuttered BIG TIME-- said they don't really follow any one curriculum and that it should be real simple because all Jadyn had to do was copy answers out of the book word for word to get the problems right.

So the FREE education took a fun subject like science and turned it into total drudgery because they have to read worksheets and answer questions exactly how the paper states it, or COPY and NOT USE YOUR OWN BRAIN. I looked at Jadyn's science test and she did not answer any of the questions wrong!!!! She answered them using her own words!!!! AND FAILED!!!!!!

Do you see why I am a crazy person? Keith and I are dreaming up all the different ways we can eat beans in order to send Jadyn to the Montessori. We will try public school again for middle school....MAYBE!

But in the meantime, here is a shoutout for Jadyn!!!!! You are the best! Don't let anyone tell you different!!!
I made her name for her to go into her room. Not done with the Y yet.


So, lately I have been hanging out a lot lately with my neighbors who are from Egypt. They are interesting people and I have had the chance to interact with them at the bus stop almost everyday. They are definitely Muslim which is kinda weird because of Keith's position in the Army that goes out and kills them (that may not have been the best choice of words) but he had made a sincere effort to get to know them. Me?? Not so much until lately.

The first time we met them, the wife (Hola) stayed far away and just the husband (Can't even think of how to spell his name) would talk to us. I thought maybe they were the kind of Muslim where the women are not allowed to talk to us and have to stay 10 steps behind their husband or something along that line. But, as the months have crawled along, the more we have all stepped out of our shell.

Hola is my age, 33, but she has an 18 year old son in college. You do the math, we are very different. But we are the same, we both enjoy cooking and sharing it with others who appreciate it. One time I made a middle eastern dish, hummus and told her about it and she wanted to come over and try it. She told me that I failed miserably!!!! Then she had me eat pastry with a prune in it!!!! I told her that in America, the only people who eat prunes are old and have no teeth---Yuk!

But we have exchanged many good things between us too. She is facinated by my guacomole and chocolate crossaints and I dig her rice, turkish coffee (kinda like mud), and honey desserts. Today I stopped by her house to give her a catalog she mentioned that she wanted and she graciously sent me home an hour later high on turkish mud (serious caffeine buzz), and dinner for everyone that was excellent. She wants me to come over again in the morning to entertain her I guess, and for sure, she is a little bit lonely.

I will stop by for a short time before I have to go to bible study. Wouldn't miss that for nothing!

One last thing.....

Bought this stupid thing for the cats, who like each other now I guess since they wrestle day in and day out.

My furniture was being tortured by them, so I had to break down and spend some money. It is treated with catnip so they sure do enjoy it and there is always one cat sleeping on the top of it. I also had to buy some space-age looking litterbox because Shasta (our newest edition) can kick kitty litter several feet from the darn thing. So now it is all enclosed and has stairs so there isn't much tracking of litter. Just saved myself some extra work and have 2 happy cats.

Lucky me?? Or lucky cats??