Which homeschool curriculum if any.

I'm looking into changing up our homeschool curriculum. I've been pretty impressed with Colorado Virtual Acadamy so far but I find that it's getting a little overwhelming.  There are many things we are required to do that I feel aren't all that important for Jordan.  Mainly I'm thinking when we leave for Costa Rica and if we decide to relocate for awhile It's a lot of material to haul with us.

The Vikings are now dust in the wind.  Bummer

Dust in the Wind

 It snowed, it blew and now it's dust in the wind.  We just can't seem to get hit with the storms that have been coming out of California.  The temps have plummeted to 0 degrees with the wind chill factor well below that.  It's friggen cold out tonight.  I phased from work so I could come home and watch the Vikings vs Saints.  I've poured myself a glass of Shiraz, put some football food in the oven and turned up the pellet stove.  I hope the Vikes win.

Some snow reports as of today

VAIL
Snow ReportLast 24 hours:4"

Last 48 hours:5"
Last 7 days:11"
Total Season Snowfall:111"
Mid-Mountain Base:30"4"Terrain ReportTerrain Open:95%
Lifts Open:30 of 31
Runs Open:191 of 193

Can of whoop-ass

Homeschooling was not successful today.  Jordan just did not feel like dealing with the book, my blah blah blah about english.  She was not going to do it.  I didn't handle it well at first and went off throwing my fit and I was ranting and raving about getting school done weather she  likes it or not.  Then, I came to my senses and drove to the rec center and got my can of whoop-ass out on myself for being such a crabby lady to my family.  I got some exercise.  It felt good and I realized something.  We are homeschooling and therefore we are on our own schedule.  If something doesn't go as I would like so be it.  We'll do the work and it isn't like I'm going to just blow the class off.  She'll be happier tomorrow or Monday so don't sweat it.  But these are the day's that really get to me and I start to feel inadequate.  I'll just have to write 100 times on the whiteboard I am not inadequate, I am not inadequate, I am not inadequate.

Peaceful time

I am not a morning person.  However, when I get up early, say 6:30 I love it once I've figured out where I am and why I'm up.  I love the house being so quiet after Jack and Hannah leave for basketball practice.  I love the coziness of my fire and being under a blanket.  I love drinking my hot, steaming coffee.  I love my pets obviously just as content as I am with the quiet house.  I love watching it snow and the color of the mountains as the sun is waking up slowly like me.  I love that Jordan can sleep in.  In another 30 minutes or so she'll get up and after she has breakfast we'll start school.  I can forget for a little while now, in the morning when I am enjoying my time that I am an 8th grade teacher and a mom and a wife.  Not necessarily in that order.  Right now, I love my peaceful time.

Your highest friend

    I need to send Oprah an email letting her know that I am probably one of her highest fans.  Living at 10,600 feet above sea level that is.  I'd love to have her visit my home, in the middle of the woods, in the mountains for a glass of wine.  When people come to visit they can't believe how out of breath they are, they can't believe how thirsty they are, the headache they have does not go away, they are sometimes sick, which is not good.  Time to get to lower elevation when that happens.  There is snow through May.  We have had a foot of snow on the Fourth of July and in August.  Not often does it snow in July or August but it has been known to snow in summer.  Living at such a high elevation has eleminated mother-in-laws (sometimes a good thing) and some other not so hearty visitors.  Some people can handle the elevation.  I'd like to see how Oprah would do.  I think she'd love it.

Homeschool? But I really want a locker!

Tonight at the dinner table we were talking about the summer and what we want to do.  The kids are all on board with going to Costa Rica.  Whew!  Not that they'd have a choice but still, it was on a positive note tonight.  Some nights it's not.  They act like 3 months in Costa Rica is like going to the dentist.  Although they like going to the dentist so that isn't a good analagy.  They act like it isn't what we should be doing.  Nobody else goes to Costa Rica.  Why do we have to go?  Whats up with that??

Sorry Buster

Buster, our cat, was/is a little miffed that we have decided to leave him here when we go to Costa Rica for the summer.  Notice I typed "when".  Sorry Buster but you come with the house where all of your bird friends, mice friends, and other friends who come for a daily visit, live.   Plus, you would be miserable in Costa Rica.  We'll skype. 

The Great Dane goes

I was looking online at how to get our beloved dog, Teller, who happens to be 120lbs, to Costa Rica. He's small for a Great Dane but still we will need the muy grande crate to haul him plus the cost of shipping him as our precious cargo is no small ticket. It can be $750, not including the crate. YIKES! But if we go, he goes. Nuf said.

Mountain life is good but it may be time for the beach

I just set up this blog to hold myself to a promise. My husband and I are wanting to move to Costa Rica. We are SERIOUS about this. So, if I start blogging about it....well, let's just say we need to do this. I have done some serious research on moving to CR and have read many, many blogs; my favorite being "A new life in Costa Rica." She and her family are an inspiration to me and I have learned a lot from reading her life story. Now, it's time to take some action and just do it. We are ready. It won't happen in a month or two but hopefully by June we'll be checking out our living options. That's the plan and I would love some support. Thanks for that.