The Simple Woman

Outside my window…

I am thinking…
about the people of Boston, the victims of the attack and the rescuers and medical personal that helped them, and praying for peace and understanding.

I am thankful …
that a high school classmate of mine who participated in the marathon was safe and unharmed in the explosions.

From the learning rooms…

• Gabe and Noah are starting The Grapes of Wrath as of today! 
  

• Spelling program per Dr. Holinga for all four kids. 
• Instacert for History and start American History part 2
• American History at Homeschool Connections Recorded Courses, also started the Great Depression Class. . 
• Apologia Science – Physical for Noah, Biology for Gabe, and  General for Izzy.
• Saxon math for all with math tutor for Gabe and Noah.
• Rosetta Stone Latin 3 – for Noah and Gabe
• Diane Craft reading program for Izzy.
• By the Shores of Silver Lake.



• Pathway readers for Rosie and the Wand for Language arts.
• Little House in the Highlands for Rosie

I also had the boys watch a version of Our Town last week as part of our American Literature course. I always think it is better to watch a play than to read it!

From the kitchen…
I am a little off my schedule because we were asked to eat at a friend’s house last night!  very unusual for us to be guests during the week!  So tonight I made spaghetti, keeping it simple after being graciously hosed last night!  I am planning Italian Chicken for tomorrow and maybe meatloaf on Thursday.

I am wearing…
Gray workout pants and a gray T-shirt

I am creating…
Some blog posts for later in the week.  I also hope to teach Izzy how to take out a zipper and put a new one in!  I found a very cute dress for her to wear when she is with the choir- it is white on top and black on the bottom, but the side zipper is broken – so this will give her some good experience!

I am going…
to work out the rest of the week. I would also like to be using my new (used)camera by Thursday – hopefully.

I am reading…

I am wondering…
There was a place in the third act of Our Town, that the narrator says:


‘ know as well as I do that the dead don’t stay interested in 
us living people for very long. Gradually, gradually, they lose 
hold of the earth … and the ambitions they had … and the 
pleasures they had … and the things they suffered … and the 
people they loved. 
Yiet weaned away from earth-that’s the way I_put it,-
weaned away. 
And they stay here while the earth part of ’em burns away, 
burns out; and all that time they slowly get indifferent to 
what’s goin’ on in Grover’s Corners. 
They’re waitin’. They’re waitin’ for something that they feel is 
, comin’. Something important, and great. Aren’t they waitin’ 
, for the eternal part in them to come out clear?

I have felt that in my own life.

Before I knew my baby had died, I remember waking up one night knowing that I did not have a connection to my baby – that somehow his connection to me and mine to him was not right. That was even before I knew he had died inside of me.

When my mother died, I could feel her presence with me everywhere. It was very strong and I was very comforted by it. I even felt so lucky that my mother was still with me, even though she had died.  But now four years later, I don’t feel her presence as much.  Just sometimes, but it isn’t as intense as it used to be either.  It’s strange.

The movie reminded me of that.

I am Hoping…
That Calvin passes a big test he is taking this evening.  This is the test that knocked him out of the paramedic program last year.

I am Looking Forward to…
Rosie’s first communion!

I am hearing…
the buzzing in my ears, the hum of the computer.

A Video I am Sharing…
A little performance I did on Sunday!