I've made a lot of boneheaded decisions in my life...

...but enrolling the children in Georgia Virtual Academy is not one of them.

We started school Wednesday and it was brilliant. Not to say perfect, because communication still is an issue and we don't have history materials yet. In terms of how it works inside our home, though, it's a great fit.

My anti-math seventh-grader now says pre-algebra is his favorite subject. All three children are learning to work within a deadline and scheduling is helping us all. Even with a nasty cold working its way through the family, we nailed the school thing.

Hooray!

The gift of service

The episode of "Friends" where Phoebe is trying to do something nice without getting anything in return is hilarious, but there's definitely some truth in the idea that do-gooders enjoy do-gooding because it makes us feel good.

I offered to help a scooter-bound lady in the grocery store yesterday but she wasn't having any part of it. Not content with a no, thank you, she yelled that she didn't need my help and I felt humiliated in front of everyone in the produce section and worse, my three children.

I won't hesitate to offer next time I see what I think is a need, though I might cower a little. But I sure as shot will be thinking a whole lot more about the person to whom I'm offering assistance than about myself.

And that's not a bad thing.

Happy first day of school!

We officially started GVA today. As I anticipated, it took us a looooonnnnggg time to finish our lessons, but I was very encouraged by the quality of the work my children turned out. Larry had a rocky start with pre-algebra today, but eventually we both got the hang of it and he really seemed much more engaged with his math work than is typical.

Dish Network got re-installed today so the house -- already a mess -- got turned upside down, and the dogs dragged the trash all over the dining room. We finished school only about a half-hour before we had to leave for church. Still, it was a great feeling to file attendance and know the first day is behind us.

We get to try our hand at science tomorrow, and the children are anxious to get started with that subject. Hopefully, we'll hone our schedule and each day will get a bit easier until we have it down. I'm tired but pleased and am looking forward to what's next.

So shines a good deed in a weary world

Today, Curly Sue and I drove 1.5 hours to the nearest Volvo dealer. Our little red wagon has been a bit ill lately -- specifically, its brakes -- and we wanted to have them checked. A couple of weeks ago, Geddy took off a Friday and we had scheduled maintenance performed, during which the mechanics could find nothing amiss. Still, the brakes have been grinding and not feeling quite right, so back we went.

Two seatbelts had to be replaced under warranty, and the service manager told me he'd have the brakes checked again. Volvo is meticulous about safety and this dealership is excellent about customer service, so we settled in with a book and snacks for a long wait.

Anticipating a bill of about $500, I transferred some cash from savings to checking this morning, glad I had the foresight when the service manager told us the brakes were going to need replacing. After a not-as-long-as-we-thought wait, I was presented with a bill of $0.00.

"Wait," I said. "I know I don't owe anything for the warranty work, but I need to pay for the brakes."

The manager grinned at me, dismissed me with a wave, and said, "Nope. See you later."

I don't know how or why he did it. Maybe it was a warranty thing, or maybe it was that they hadn't fixed the problem last time even though we expressed concerns. Maybe he's a really great guy who works at a really phenomenal car dealership (does one exist?!). Could be a combination.

Days like today, though, the handbasket to hell slows down a little.

Well-schooled

Legally, our family is no longer homeschooling because the children are enrolled in Georgia Virtual Academy this year, which makes them public school students working at home. As I've said, we have committed to one year and will make future decisions based on this year's experience.

So far, I am very pleased with the materials provided by GVA, even if the communication leaves a bit to be desired. However, I am willing to squelch my misgivings because the more I see, the more I am convinced Geddy was correct in his observation that this program will be greatly beneficial to our family.

I am a great supporter of homeschooling but a bigger supporter of support; that is, encouraging all parents to make the best educational choices for their children according to their family's abilities and convictions.

Boy howdy, if I thought I took it on the chin from public school supporters in the six years we independently homeschooled, I didn't know what I was in for from the homeschooling community when I joined a virtual school!

I don't need anyone to point out my shortcomings. As Bridget Jones would say, I already feel like an idiot most of the time. But I'm doing just what I would encourage other folks to do, and that's the best I can for my children according to my family's abilities and convictions.

Go see Warren Barfield!

Geddy, Larry, Curly Sue and I just got back from another Warren Barfield concert, and it happened to be Curly Sue's first-ever concert. She has had a sinus infection and started feeling ill a few songs from the end, but until then she really seemed to enjoy it. She likes his music almost as much as Geddy and I do, and Larry's game for pretty much any live music as long as he can share it with his friends Austin and Patrick.

We sat on the front row, which was pretty great -- it felt like he was performing just for us. As always, he was phenomenal. We were able to talk to him a bit after the show. He was friendly and pleasant though he had to be extremely tired, and he called Curly Sue beautiful. (She is, but it's always good to hear an outsider's opinion when it agrees with my own.) I took a photo of him with Larry but Curly Sue wasn't feeling up to it. Too bad, 'cause he's one of her heroes.

Anyway, once again I will highly recommend your catching one of his shows when you get a chance. He is a lot of fun!

Introspection

I started Boundaries today and saw myself in Sherrie. Can't wait to find out how to fix myself.