I came across this book this summer when I was tirelessly searching and reading in preparation for homeschooling. The same author wrote “The Well-Trained Mind” which we are using to give our kids a comprehensive classical education. This is her answer to, “How do I give my children the classical education which I never had?”. Besides being a great start on ‘books every educated person should have read’ , this is an excellent tutorial on how to properly read a book. Since I’m a “bookie” of sorts, reading this book made my heart flutter and gave me a renewed sense of structure and purpose to my own reading. Of course, I then wanted to share my new enthusiasm with everyone, so I started a book club, using this book as a guide for how and what to read. A few upcoming titles on our list are “Pride and Predjudice” , which we will discuss this week, “Madame Bovary” , “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”, “One Hundred Years of Solitude” just to name a few. I couldn’t be more excited; reading with a purpose, friends and coffee, laughing and visiting. I am also determined that this will be a “real” bookclub where people actually read the book. So far, I’m encouraged. Of the 17 people who have RSVP’d yes, they’ve all mentioned how hard it has been to get through the 19th century language of Jane Austen. Because I’m a C.S. Lewis buff, I’ve had a little practice in reading the style and vocabulary of well-educated English writers. It’s like any other exercise….very hard at first but the practice pays off. It’s not the book I’m worried getting through at this point; it’s trying to come up with discussion questions that don’t bore me and everyone to tears. Any suggestions? The first question on my list, “Are you a Jane or a Lizzie?” and “Are you married to a Mr. Darcy or Mr. Bingley?” 
Oooooh, look at those faces…..
I love this picture. In all likelihood, it was taken 4 years ago but since I’m notoriously, predictably unpredictable about how I handle my photos….we’re left to guess. That would make Stevie 41 and Elea 2. This is one of those pictures that reminds me of the playfulness and loyalty and affection that this wonderful guy shows to me and to our children. We are not left to wonder how much he loves us. We played a new game today called “Apples to Apples” with the girls (thank you Sue for the suggestion) and he’s just so fun. He gets excited with them and really laughs…..out loud. They so enjoy his company and I sit in awe at the ease with which he parents. It makes me grateful……for a man who will be a man…..who will step up and accept his role as a father and husband and leader…..who will make plenty of mistakes but who will say “I’m sorry, please forgive me”. I am thankful that I have been fortunate enough to share this life with a man such as this.
What I Love About My House……
this old antique-ish desk that I bought for $25 and redecorranged…..
all things monogrammed…..
my eclectic collection of boots and purses….
the upstairs bathroom that recently had a makeover…..I painted and distressed the vanities, took down hideous medicine cabinets and added these mirrors from Hobby Lobby, changed the faucets out for these beautiful bronze ones and spray painted the rest of the fixtures (towel rack, towel paper holder, etc) to match the faucets…
Caiti’s Room(16yo) with homeade burlap bedskirts…when its’ clean….which is rarely….
this cutest picture of Emme at 3yo……
my most precious macbook pro….once you go mac….well….you know the rest…..
the security of the fact that this guy will sit in this chair every. single. night….
the vanilla ice cream colored walls in my dining room with accents of plum and robin-egg blue…
these wall words….this particular one is situated above the baseboard in the downstairs bathroom, directly across from the “potty”. Captive audience.
our newly finished schoolroom….clean, modern, vintage, IKEAesque.
ballerinas in the ‘soussus’ position. How do I know that’s what it’s called, you ask? Because I am now taking an adult ballet class on Wednesday nights. I know, I should have warned you to sit down and swallow the drink of tea in your mouth. Why not? It seems to be the year for new things. If you can’t stop the comedic visions of me in tights and a tu-tu, don’t worry. I showed up in yoga pants and a tank top. The real ballerinas in the class were likely slightly offended at the many ways I butchered their “sport”, including my attire. It was a great workout though and I think I really like it. 
my humble collection of C.S. Lewis books….my favorite of which is Mere Christianity. His preface to this book is nothing short of genius.
Hope you enjoyed the tour.
Homeschooling Myths Debunked……Part 1
1. “My house will be spotless now that I’ll be home all the time.” Your house is not going to be spotless now that you’re home all the time. There’s always someone home to be messing it up. Why did I have that mistaken misconception? ( This blog entry, though may at some point be interesting, is really a cover to check out my new live signature. How do ya like it? Thank you Brooke for your expertise.
2. “We’ll save lots of money on school tuition”. This may be sort of true. Eventually. However, so far I’ve spent a small fortune on books, bookshelves, art supplies, etc. I’ll let you know when I start noticing the savings.
3. “Teacher= dry erase board + apple on desk.” I’m afraid not. But I am staying one step ahead of them, which helps. And they keep trying to give me advice….”We usually have snack after math”, “You might wanna write that bigger”, “My teacher let us write in our workbooks”. They’re pretty gentle with me, though. I think they want this whole thing to work out. I am really amazed at how much fun we’ve had and how much they’ve learned and memorized already.
Hello, my name is Edie and I ‘m …..
pathetic.
I woke up at 5a this morning, yes you read that right. So, I did what anyone would do who woke up at 5a…..I went to Walmart. I think I’ve been to Walmart more in the past two weeks than in the rest of my 38 years combined. I don’t like Walmart. I start to get a mild panic attack when I enter the parking lot. And believe me, no matter what time you go to Walmart, there’s no scarcity of people. Enough Walmart bashing. I got my stuff and got outta there…..you know the “stuff” I mean…..a cantaloupe and some push pins, a few toiletries, ribbon, motrin, blank cassette tapes and play money. Don’t ask. Your list is just as random and ridiculous, although mine almost scares me when I see it in writing. Moving on, I got home just in time to help with the teenagers’ lunches and to convince my 16yo daughter to change her shorts. Wardrobe malfunction averted. The rest is a blur because I started to feel like I had the flu. I felt tired and achy and irritable and soooo sleepy. That’s when it dawned on me…..I haven’t had my coffee yet….I HAVEN’T HAD MY COFFEE and it’s nearly 8a. Near catastrophe ensued as I ground and poured and brewed as fast as I possibly could. Has this ever happened to you? I felt squeemishly weak and addicted….but not for long. Half way through the first cup, I confidently said, “I feel better. I don’t HAVE to have coffee. I just love the flavor. I could stop if I wanted to. Maybe I’ll just cut back. Maybe I’ll switch to tea. Maybe tomorrow. For now I need all my faculties about me for my 2nd day of homeschooling. My girls would sense weakness and pounce on it if I didn’t have my coffee. So far I agree with Susan Wise Bauer’s assessment. Homeschooling requires a healthy amount of both caffeine and sugar.
What is your cleaning schedule?
I’ve just been winging it, honestly. Since I quit work and my cleaning lady a year ago, I really have had no organized plan for keeping my house clean. As I put my make up on in the morning, I look down at the soap scum in the sink and think to myself, “When did the cleaning lady come last? Oh, wait a second, I am the cleaning lady “. Don’t get me wrong, I ADORE a clean house and freshly laundered linens and my house almost always “looks” clean. But I am curious how all you veteran stay-at-homers do it? Do you follow the tried and true sayings from the vintage tea towels? How does it go? Monday is wash day, Tuesday -ironing, Wednesday-sewing, Thursday-market, Friday-cleaning……something like that. So, I thought I’d work on a schedule for the girls and I since we’re now homeschoolers. I know it’s hard to read but see what ya think. We will do our chores right after breakfast and start our school day with a clean house! I’m becoming so Little-House-on-the-Prairie. (we’re now on season 2, BTW). I’ll have to capture this little bit of homekeeping on camera so you can see our aprons and stylish gloves. I may even have to capture it on video so you can hear Bach playing in the background. You laugh but if I’m the cleaning lady now, we’re gonna do it my way! Oh and don’t tell anyone but I already killed the fish–you know our SCHOOL MASCOT. I’m using small font because it’s kinda like whispering. His bowl was cloudy and well I added some chemicals which were apparently not so fish-friendly. He’ll soon be replaced. For now please don’t mention it in front of my children.
