Not Another Homeschool Blog

 One of my daughters strange learning rituals. (Using large flat screen TV for computer, and surrounded by a  neat circle of notes) oh, and she's singing.  FREE HOME EDUCATION WEBSITE MY BUSINESS WEBSITE WalletPop Contributor Brighthub Contributor

 So before I even get started, I am going to say go read this blog post , then come back.  In the aforementioned post at Hip Homeschool Moms , the writer recounts her very first introduction to homeschooling.  She said something innocently, and was greeted with cutting sarcasm.  I think this happens a lot.  Are we all just so jaded that we can't tell an innocent question from a stupid remark.  When I think back to some of my earliest introductions to homeschooling, I shudder.  First there was the family that accosted us as a pool party, all happy, and shiny, and educated, and tried to convince me to homeschool Rambo style.  Then there was the time I tried to inquire into a homeschool group when I lived in New Orleans.  After describing myself to someone who agreed to meet with me, she almost abruptly hung up the phone.  We were having such a great conversation until I described myself as African American with braids...then it got...

Ever since we began homeschooling, I have felt like a strange egg in a sea of strange ducks.  I know I am not a typical parent because I don't have patience for a lot of the mom stuff, especially school stuff.  So as I homeschooler, you would think I'd fit right in... right?  Nope.  No. I hear all of these enthusiastic homeschoolers talking curriculum and such and my eyes glaze over, and I am pretty sure my lazy eye crosses because people start looking at me funny. Everybody wants to share tips.  Every body wants to make judgement on someone who they think may not be homeschooling just right.  Everybody wants to agree. But here's how I see it.  If I wanted to follow instructions, I would have left my kids in school. I have been visiting over at Rants From Mommyland for the past couple of days and finally, I found some girls I feel at home with... probably because they curse.  They're real. I especially enjoyed the few posts they have about ...

 Let me start by saying that I hate deleting blog comments.  Lots of comments make my blog look all lovoed and stuff.  But that fuzzy feeling of seeing 4, 5, or 6 comments isn't going to keep my from hitting that tiny garbage can icon if I must. When you read my blog post, if you actually read it, at the bottom you will see the words that say "spam free comment"... so what makes it OK to leave your spam?  I don't like it. Let's look at today's spammers for example: Rosetta Stone:  Really?????  You can't afford to buy an ad?  I'll gladly sell you an ad.  Why should I find three blatent links to your site in my comment box when I wake up this morning.  Don't you see my side bar where people actually respect my blog enough to purchase a stinking ad?  And... I'm cheap.  Plus, I like your product.  If you'd ask, I'd go through my blogs, find everywhere I mentioned your company, an put a stinking link... for next to nothing....

College #1 application is almost complete.  He loves this college so much that we went to an open house day and they told us to apply  last September, so his application has been in process for a year now.  All he needs to do is submit his art portfolio to increase his scholarship chances. This college has rolling admissions, so an acceptance letter will not mean he HAS to go to THIS school if he is accepted.  Our feedback so far is that his homeschool portfolio is awesome. College #2 application is ready to go out... just waiting for the early application deadline to pass so he is not considered early enrollment as they are not his first choice, just a comparison point. While is best friend is at the school, he says that will not sway him... it will probably come down to dollars and cents. There are a couple of other colleges that are pretty much ruled out, but he may apply to one or two of them for grins and giggles... especially the one that already sent a sc...

Looking at my 6'2" 17 year old homeschooled senior, I got a big nostalgic today.  I went back to the beginnings of my homeschool blog  and started reading.  This post reminded me of when homeschooling started looking like a good idea. I homeschool because I got mad! When I look back at the reasons I decided to homeschool my kids, I still get pretty angry. I first heard of homeschooling when my son was only a few months old. My husband came home and suggested that we homeschool our kids. A colleague of his was doing it with pretty good results. I wasn't happy to say the least. Nor was I kind... read more Here:  http://nfahm.blogspot.com/2005/12/i-homeschool-because-i-got-mad.html FREE HOME EDUCATION WEBSITE MY BUSINESS WEBSITE WalletPop Contributor Brighthub Contributor

I've been not exactly tagged by  Happy Elf Mom ! Ready? Here goes: 1. One homeschooling book you have enjoyed: The Kingfisher History Encyclopedia . It was used heavily in the first few years of homeschooling and is now still a constant resource for checking facts and brushing up on history. 2. One resource you wouldn't be without: a computer. Like Happy Elf Mom, it has been my single most important piece of equipment for homeschooling and beyond.  It has allowed me to work while homeschooling.  It has allowed my kids to homeschool more independently, and it has provided a plethora of free online resources. 3. One resource you wish you had never bought:   Language arts books by Stobaugh such as American Literature Teacher Text: Encouraging Thoughtful Christians to be World changers (Broadman & Holman Literature)   They are more Christian World View books than language arts.  That's great if it is what you want, but it is ove...