I’m Dreaming of a Rockwell Thanksgiving November 23, 2009

“I’m dreaming of a white Christmas Rockwell Thanksgiving. Just like the ones I used to know.”

Oh, hi there! It’s that time of year again, Thanksgiving! I love Thanksgiving, love everything about it. Except for last year I stayed up until 2:30 and ended up sleeping the most of Thanksgiving day away. Combine five hours of sleep and tryptophan, and you have a sleepy combination. My poor cousins, I used to be so full of life, and vivaciousness, now I’ve turned into one of the adults that sleeps instead of playing games.

But not this year! No! I refuse! Sleep will not overcome me I will fight it with sheer determination, well, that and I will be going to bed a lot earlier and not eating any turkey. See, I have plans. Lots of plans!

Thanksgiving Dinner is being hosted at my house this year, and for the first time in years we’re eating at 4:00 instead of 1:00. And since I most awake at night, I should be good to go. I was the one who suggested hosting it at our house, and mom was like “Ok, you can plan it.” Little did she know that those words were equivalent to taking a kid into “Toy’s R Us” and saying “Go ahead kid, get whatever you want.” Yes, I’m that giddy over Thanksgiving.

I’ve been planning for a month now, and everything is in place. Schedules are made, shopping lists have been constructed, menu has been planned and delegated, channels have been set for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, etc…

I’m in my element here, and I’m just about to lose it for all the giddiness and excitement that planning a Thanksgiving dinner gives me. The only thing left for me to do is to plan what I’m wearing. No, I’m not OCD. Why do you ask? Oh, I kid…I’m just a little OCD. But If I were truly OCD I would insist on the letters being CDO, so see, I’m not OCD.

My plan for this Thanksgiving is to have as much work done as possible beforehand so I can just enjoy the day with my peeps. Did I just say peeps? Oh dears, send help immediately. I have plans to watch the Parade, and play games, and cook, and bake, and eat, and laugh, laugh, laugh, and smile, and watch a movie.

But above all, I have plans to take a moment, stop, and be still to thank God for His awesomeness.

Oh, yes. It’s shaping up to be a great Thanksgiving.

 

Because I like to keep you on your toes… November 21, 2009

So I didn’t get the rest of my post up yesterday. What else is new? But never fear! It’s 11:38 (that would be pm, not am) and I going to finish my list!! So, here we go.

6. The “socialization” myth/question:

If you are homeschooled, or considering homeschooling, at some point you will be asked this question. “So, do you have any friends?” “Um, friends? What are friends? My parents have told me about friends, but I don’t know? Can you tell me what friends are?” Oh I kid, I would never answer this way. I’ve wanted to, but I normally respond with “yes, I friends. Here are their names and addresses, listed alphabetically. I’m not sure why people think all we do is stay in our homes eating carrots and reading textbooks all day? Seriously, does it look like I eat that many carrots to you?

I think the fact that I get this excited over cake should answer the question.

7. The Prom Question:

“Like, OMG, do you have a prom?” “Mother, what is Prom? Why do the children talk of Prom? Is this an ancient custom I’ve read about in my humanities book?” I have never been to a prom, and quite frankly, I’m glad. I’ve never seen the point in them, of course I hear that they’re magical, but considering the fact that I don’t date, and I’m saving my first kiss until I’m engaged/married (not sure, still praying about this one), it might be a wee bit boring…I would have been the world’s worst prom date. However, I did go to a ball! And it was delightful! I know, I’m such a homeschooler.

8: The Test Question:

At some point in my homeschool journey I was asked if I was ever tested. Again, not really sure why people would assume I’m not, maybe it’s because they think I’m a genius and don’t need to take tests! But, sorry, I took tests. I took math tests, history quizzes, vocabulary tests, science tests, spelling tests, EOG tests, etc…so clearly, I’m not a genius.

9: The Homework Myth:

I was always asked if I had homework. To which I give a hearty YES! Because, um, I was at home doing my school work! Heh, heh, heh, heh, get it? Homework? In all honesty, I did not have that much homework, the only time I did was when I was part of various clubs that required extra work done at home.

10: The Snow Day:

During the winter months, many children would try and make me feel bad by saying ” Molly, I got a snow day today while you still had to do your school. Ha hahahahahahahaha!” to which I would reply “Yes, but I will get out in May for summer vacation, while you still have another month at school. hahahahahhahahahahahhaha!”  I was such a kind child. But it was always true, I was able to have a good three month summer vacation, while the rest of my friends were slaving away at their desks until June.

And there we have it. My top ten questions and myths about homeschooling. All sarcasm aside, I was very fortunate to have been homeschooled. It opened my view to so many amazing opportunities, and I’m forever grateful that my parents chose this route for me. Is it for everyone? No. It’s just something that God called my family to do. However, if you ever consider homeschooling, and dismiss the idea, give it another thought. When your child is grown, walking across the stage getting the diploma, you won’t regret it. You’ll have been with them every step of the way, and you can truly say “we did it.”

So here’s to my best friend, although I normally call her mom, thanks, I couldn’t have done it without you. This list is dedicated to you. You’re the best.

Love,

Molly

“So are you, like, a genius or something?” November 18, 2009

 Many questions come with being homeschooled. I find it funny that Fran just posted about homeschooling  on her blog, because I was already forming this post in my head before I read her post. It’s a Petrey thing, we start sharing brainwaves. Anyway, please head over there and read her great post.

Now, onto business. For those of you who do not know, I was homeschooled Kindergarten through 12th grade. I graduated in 2005 as valedictorian of my class, which really isn’t that high of an honor since I was the only one in my class. I’ve had my share of questions throughout the years, and of course there have been plenty of assumptions that come along with those questions. So, today on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 I shall attempt to answer those questions, and dispel the myths!

1. The “Homeschool Image”:

There are many who believe that homeschooler’s bear a certain image that is something akin to this:

While sometimes this is true for the most part it is not. Most homeschoolers are dressed normally, and sometimes fashionably! I said sometimes.

2. The Pajama Myth:

“Do you get to wear your pajamas to school? Do you? Do you?” This is another common myth. While I’m sure some people do wear their pajamas (public and homeschooled) to school. I’ve yet to meet a homeschooler who has worn their pajamas to school.

3. The Super Spiritual Myth:

Because I was homeschooled, some people have this assumption that I’m a walking Bible dictionary. I’m not really sure why other than most people think that during my school years I was locked in my room and forced to memorize passages of scripture. And if I didn’t, no dinner for me. No sir! It never fails to crack me up when a person is trying to think of a Bible verse, and look at me and say ” Molly, you were homeschooled, what’s that verse?” “Um, I’m not sure. Have you tried the concordance?” While I was exposed to more scripture than most in my education, I’m not a bible dictionary, and I sometimes can’t remember references either.

4. The Serious Myth:

Most people find it odd that I like the band “SKILLET”. “(Gasp) Molly! You like the band skillet? I’m shocked. You just never seemed the type to like a Christian rock band by the name of Skillet.” “Well, it’s true, I do. I really like them, and the fun fire they shoot out at their concerts.” For some reason, people believe that I’m a very serious, studious girl without a crazy side. Here, let me show you that it’s not true:

The Nostril Shot

 

We swing from trees

We make weird faces

 

5. The Braniac Myth:

I graduated at age 17. No, I’m not a genius, I just started kindergarten early. Of course it was fun when people would look at me upon hearing I graduated at 17 and say “WOW!! My kid isn’t that smart.” Well, it’s nice to know your kid has your vote of confidence. Sure, there are some pretty smart homeschoolers out there, the ones that win all the academic competitions and such, but I was never one of those. Although I did take third in the local science fair. That counts for something, right? And I was valedictorian of my graduating class. Just sayin’

Ok, there are my first five, I’ll give you my last five tomorrow. Until then, I bid you adieu!

Get It Together, Girl! November 10, 2009

If you know me well, you know that I like to be in control organized of my life. I’m learning to let go of control where I don’t need it (such as, oh say, the FUTURE), but I’m starting to realize that I need to do a better job of being in control of the things placed under my care. It’s something that I’ve heard about fifty or eleven times, but, you know, JUST NOW APPLYING IN MY LIFE. A little thing I like to call stewardship. Now, I’m really not that bad, I guess it depends on how bad you think bad is, but I’ve never bounced a check, always try to keep my car, room, clothes, etc…clean, so I would say that I’m not that bad. However, I’ve started to realize that even though I haven’t bounced a check, I wasn’t doing the best of jobs in keeping tabs on where my money was going, and planning for the future. And somtimes I wait to do my laundry until the last minute possible, leaving me folding laundry at 11:00 pm not am. So even, though I’m not that bad, I knew I needed some work.

So I started my “Get with it, Molly” plan. Hi. I’m Molly, and I’m getting with it.  “Hi Molly”.  So far, I’m on day two, and I’ve already re-established balancing my checkbook, cleaning my room and bathroom each day, drinking my normal quota of 64 ozs. of water each day, and I’m tackling the laundry tonight. Pray for me, it is a rather large mountain pile of laundry.

But you know what? No, what Molly?  As I was budgeting my money yesterday, and planning for future expenses, I was at peace. Not because I had a lot of money, no. But rather that I was on top of it, I wasn’t spending it needlessly, and I had a plan and knew where my money was headed. Essentially, my finances were in order, and I wasn’t checking to make sure I had enough to pay the bills. I knew. It was a great feeling.

And I couldn’t help but think that this is how it is supposed to be. This is how God wants it to be. Instead of the object managing me, I’m managing it. And it is quite the relief.

So, I’ll keep you posted on this little get with it journey, and look forward to seeing what comes out of it! Stay tuned!

Because I Don’t Believe Pantene Pro-V… November 5, 2009

Y’all. You know when I start out a post with “y’all” I’m in desperate need of help. And I am. Oh I am. As much as I’m liking my new hair cut (the answer was three to all of you guessing), I’m still having problems with my shampoo. See, I have been cursed blessed with the Petrey Scalp. No, this is not some sort of medical condition, rather it is just a hereditary condition that has been passed down through the ages of time.

My grandmother and father have it, and gave it to me. We are all blessed to have a scalp that produces mass amounts of, how shall I put this, OIL. Sorry, I tried but there is no getting around it; we have oil in abundance. I can’t go every other day washing my hair, oh no sirree-bob, I have to wash it EVERY.SINGLE.DAY. It’s a joy that brings delight and wonder to my heart.

The problem is that I have to be careful as to what type of shampoo I use. If I use something to heavy, my hair looks oily. If I use something too light, my hair looks dirty. If I don’t use enough product, my hair looks oily and dirty. Again, it is a joy that brings delight and wonder to my heart. Right now, I’m using Aussie Super Clean shampoo because I love all Aussie products, the purple bottle has been known to send me into a happy dance. However, this purple bottle does not send me into the happy dance, rather it sends me into the mourning, gnashing of teeth, and wailing dance. It simply does not clean my hair effectively enough. By the end of the day all the body and shine I once had is gone, gone like the wind. Instead, it is replaced with dull, lifeless locks of doom.

Here is where you, my faithful reader and help in great time of distress, come in. What shampoo do you use? What works for you? What do you recommend to help me in my situation?

So, let’s have it.

The Writing on the Wall November 2, 2009

Last night all of Drew’s family came up to eat and watch football with us. I wasn’t feeling so great, so I stayed on the couch most of the evening. After everyone left, I came into the office to check my e-mail. As I was walking out of the office something caught my attention…

Evie had drawn, and taped the pictures onto our wall. And they are still there. Why? Because she’s growing up waaaayyyy to fast, and I don’t want to forget this time.

Because before I know it, there won’t be anymore writing on the wall…