I'm back

Wow, this project is finally (almost) over. I have about another 2 hours worth of work to do on it next week. And that's it. I've been putting in about 20 hours a week for the last 8 weeks, on top of my regular assignments, so the remainder is next to nothing. I did have a breakdown on Thursday at work. A colleague was driving me absolutely insane. She kept offering to help us, which was great. But when we'd give her parts to do she was filled with questions (she's a high ranking colleague, it wasn't the least bit over her head) and more changes and ideas. And instead of just completing the work and making it go away, she would want to run everything by us. We couldn't get it across to her that we didn't need to oversee anything at that point,we just needed it finished. The lead manager on the project asked me to try to explain to her that she (the manager) was in hell and couldn't take it any more. I took that as permission to flip out. So I did. Our boss was in downstate Illinois and read some of our e-mails from her Blackberry and canceled her Friday meeting so she could help us complete everything and not kill each other.

But it is done. I can collect my paychecks, take my vacation (which was whole-heartedly approved by said boss), and relax a while. I'm not actually off until Memorial Day weekend, but this upcoming week should be a lot less hectic.

In other news, Violet, Mr. Incredible and I worked in the yard and garden today. Haven't planted anything yet, we're still working on clearing out the beds. Maybe tomorrow or during the week we can get some stuff in.

We've barely done anything schoolish, but we still have 3 weeks to go before the public schools are out, so I'm hopeful we'll get to good stopping points on all our subjects. I had Violet take the third grade standardized math test from Texas (I got it from this website: TAKS Tests) she passed with flying colors.

We had our last Girl Scout service unit meeting of the school year last week. I got a really nice travel mug for my work with the service unit. I've been wanting a reusable water bottle, so I'm going to use it for that. It is spring registration season, so I'll be getting in troop registrations for fall. At least that is fun work. They have to turn everything in to me by June 1, then I have ten more days to turn it in to Council. Plenty of time actually.

Violet got signed up for 3 Kids and College classes this summer. Each last four days, Monday through Thursday, from 1 to 4 in the afternoon. She chose 2 science classes and one on the ancient world. All with her all time favorite teacher, Miss C. Lots of free time for me!

We are in the process of choosing our theater performances for next year too. There are quite a few good ones, so it looks like we'll be heading off the the theater quite a bit. Once we decide for sure I'll post more. I got a nasty letter from the theater on Friday, claiming my account was $12 due. It wasn't. I had the paperwork to prove we'd paid for all our tickets. I called the business manager and was able to straighten it out over the phone (she blamed it on a former employee who they had let go, placing blame on others doesn't sit well with me, it was a mistake, own up to it whether you caused it or not and fix it). Had she not cleared it up I was preparing my own letter with supporting documentation to send in and was going to copy a few higher ups.

Gosh, I've been taking nothing from nobody, haven't I? Don't mess with Freakmom! She's a loose cannon waiting to go off.

Well, I'm just happy to be back her in blog-land where I belong. I hope to be posting regularly again now. I've been reading all your blogs, I just usually didn't take time to comment (mostly because I was sitting eating my breakfast or lunch while I was reading and didn't want to set it down to comment).

Off to enjoy my freedom!

I tried to sleep in

I really did. But I woke up when the cat walked across me looking for morning treats. (Why Mr. Incredible started this habit with them of giving them treats at 5:30 in the morning when he gets up to go in to the office is beyond me!) I didn't get up. Then Mr. Incredible's alarm went off. (He's still sleeping.) Then I had to go to the bathroom. Still went back to bed. Couldn't sleep. Got up.

Did I tell you Violet was sick on Friday? Thursday night as she was going to bed she said her throat hurt. I should have recognized that as early warning for a stomach thing. That's how hers always start. I got her up about an hour early on Friday to go to our last theater performance, a musical about King Tut. I asked about her throat. She said it was fine. But she didn't want to eat. I thought it was because she was up early and she's not a morning person. Driving to the theater she said she thought she was going to throw up. We were about 5 minutes from the theater so I handed her a stack of napkins just in case and told her we'd sit in the car once we got there until she felt better. She turned up her vent and when we got there she said she was feeling better. We went in and watched the show.

She was really quiet afterwards, which isn't particularly unusual. We stopped at the ladies' room on the way out. Then got in the car and headed to the community college. We'd planned to sign her up for summer Kids in College classes and get treats from the cafeteria. She said she wasn't feeling good. Then asked if we could go straight home instead. Then threw up. Poor kiddo. When we got home I sent her upstairs to find fresh clothes and clean up. I went up a few minutes later to find her cleaning up the bathroom floor where she'd gotten sick again. Got her changed, finished the bathroom floor myself (why did she think she had to do it herself, crazy kid!) and got her settled on the couch with a book, some 7-Up and crackers.

She felt better after a few hours and had a lot of toast. Took it easy all day. We read some books about Picasso and she felt up to doing some art work herself. I'll have to take some pictures later today. By Saturday she was her old self. Not sure where the little stomach bug came from. But I felt bad for dragging her out of bed and to the theater. Next year we're definitely doing all afternoon performances! Maybe Tuesday we'll make it to the college.

Almost there!

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Only a few pieces left to go in the project. And a little final review. Then it gets shipped off to the client and someone else gets to go there and lead 3 days of training! And I get my life back!!

I am far enough along that I am comfortable taking tomorrow off. Yippee! No working on Mother's Day. Well, if I get up before either Mr. Incredible or Violet I might do a little. But I don't feel like I have to do anything to keep my head above water, so I'm happy.

I hope all my mom friends have a wonderful Mother's Day tomorrow filled with presents, flowers, hugs, kisses and everything else on your wish lists!

Vacation Request

I put in a vacation request this morning. I'm taking the week of Memorial Day off. I don't get paid vacation days since I'm part-time, but I need the break. The only way I'll get them to leave me alone is to say I'm on vacation. I could ask for a reduction in work. But they'll only actually reduce it if they don't need anything. Plus, there is always the risk that they won't give me more work later. A vacation was the perfect solution.

I can't wait!

MIA

Sorry I haven't been around much this week. Look for me to become more active again mid-next week. This week and weekend should be the last big push with this huge project at work. I'm spending all my free time working on it. And the rest of my time exhausted. Violet has been unschooling I guess.

I'll be back. I read all of your blogs when I get a few minutes. I apologize if I don't always comment.

See you soon.

Bridging

Violet had a Girl Scout milestone this evening. She bridged to Juniors, the next program level. She's been working since the first of the year to meet the requirements and tonight she held her ceremony. She's attended a Junior badge workshop, participated in a service unit service project, did an online activity, and a few other things. She planned tonights festivities too.

Her plan was to light candles to signify her advancement. She had one blue candle (for one year in Daisy Girl Scouts), three maroon candles (for three years as a Brownie, we couldn't find brown tapers), and one dark green candle (to signify becoming a Junior). She lit them in order, then I presented her with her membership star, and a new Girl Scout pin. Plus her wings and bridge (both are patches for you non-Scouts in the audience). We made her wear her uniform and vest and Mr. Incredible took lots of pictures. When I can get them from him I'll post them.

Afterwards we ate dinner with the candles still lit. Violet choose bowtie pasta and garlic bread. For dessert: ice cream and fresh strawberries. She did a great job planning and holding her ceremony. Best of all, she did it her way on her terms. She really is one of best Girl Scouts I know. She takes it very seriously.

In other news, we had a busy weekend. I worked all day yesterday while Violet and Mr. Incredible went to the zoo. She was owed a "Violet-Papa" day since their last planned one got canceled. Today we worked outside. Mr. Incredible mowed and cleaned up. Violet and Red (the best friend from across the street) picked dandelions and did a few odd jobs between playing. And I cleaned out one of the flower beds. Violet and Red scattered flower seeds in the bed for me. I told them they could pick as many of the flowers as they want provided any actually grow. They liked that deal. I'm glad we have a slow week ahead. I'm tired.

What I learned in homeschool this year

As we wrap up the school year, I've been thinking about the things I've learned and what I am taking away from third grade. I think I learned more in Violet's third grade year than I did my own. I am leaving myself open to think of more things and make a Part 2. If anyone else writes a "what I've learned in homeschool" blog entry, let me know and I'll post a link to it.

Without further ado (although I love good ado), here's what I've thought of so far:

1. There is no curriculum police. I can alter curriculum to work for us. I bought it (or downloaded it for free), I own it, it should work how we need it to. If I don’t think we need to do every project or discussion question, then we don’t need to. If I want to combine more than one curriculum, so be it. No one is going to knock on the door and take me away in handcuffs because I let her read the Junior Great Books and never asked her a single thought provoking question afterwards.
2. We are not morning people. I have fought this one for years. Everyone else does school in the morning and has the afternoon free for fun activities. But if everyone else jumped off a bridge would I do that either? Of course not! And the very nature of choosing to homeschool suggests that I don’t give a rat’s behind what “everyone” else does. Why should I try to conform to their daily schedule either? And when I do they up and change their own schedule anyway! Last year against my inner voice, I signed us up for all morning tickets for school theater productions. That was when our friends were likely to go. Well, guess what. They didn’t go to most of the productions. We dragged ourselves up and out of bed and through the unplowed roads way earlier than we wanted to. Next year, we’re signing up for all afternoon productions.
3. I hate science. I admit it. I’m no good at science. I try but I stink at it. I am on the lookout for more science classes and workshops for Violet. And I will try harder to get Mr. Incredible involved in the teaching of science. Super Grandpa too, can’t forget him! Last year I tried to start a Girls Science Club, but I now admit that was only to prove something to the ex-troop leader. I have nothing to prove to anyone. Violet loves science. I will get her science. But I won’t pretend to like it anymore.
4. You don’t have to prove anything to real friends. Real friends love you warts and all. They don’t tell you that you parent “wrong” or homeschool “wrong” or volunteer “wrong”. If they do, then they “friend” wrong.
5. We don’t have to be involved in every activity there is out there. Heck, we don’t have to be involved in ANY activities. Real friends don’t pressure you to join in every activity. Invite you to join them, yes. But pressure, no. And guilt-trip you when you say you can’t, hell no.
6. Dandelions smell great. I just learned that yesterday when I was presented with my first big bouquet of them of the season. Take time to stop and smell the dandelions. And the roses. And the mud. And the trees. And anything else you encounter. Then jot it down on your school list as “nature study.”
7. I love eggplant and spaghetti squash. I’d never tried either before Violet got bitten by the cooking bug. Now I know I love them! (She wasn’t as impressed.)
8. Violet is a really good artist. I think she gets it from Mr. Incredible’s late mom. She was an artist too. I must make art a priority while keeping it fun.
9. I am a freak and proud of it! (Couldn't leave that off any list of accomplishments!)
   

I think I have made really big strides this year towards my quest for self-confidence and self-acceptance. Stay tuned for the further adventures of Freakmom as she grows up and stops taking crap from everyone else and has fun along the way.