Swastikas, Hitler and hate crimes

Images of hate run through my mind as these words circle endlessly in my thoughts. I know hate crimes exist. I know hate exists. Personally, there are very few things/people I hate. I understand the feeling, but I cannot understand how people react to their own hates, and fears.

I know a wonderful family in Columbia through TKD. They are gracious, joyful, friendly and giving. I consider them part of my extended family. All of them are the type of people you want your children to know and emulate. These wonderful people were violated over the weekend. You see this family happens to be Jewish. This weekend their windshield had a duct tape swastika placed on in their driveway. Their home and trust violated. By whom we do not know.

I really don't believe that respecting other peoples thoughts and beliefs should be so difficult. We each want to be treated with respect, yet there are some out there who cannot give respect to others. It is unfortunate that in the wonderful country we cannot give the simplest of things to those around us. The worst part is I see it getting worse. I don't see people correcting their children as they should as parents. I don't see neighbors looking out for each other as they once did. So many things are wrong with our society and few seem to care. Even fewer want to change it.

I hope my friends can find some peace in their home soon. I hope through this they grow even stronger than they already are. I hope morality returns to humanity one day.

So excited!!

I am just so excited I had to write about it right now!

I have been thinking about doing a lapbook for geography next year. I have searched all the geography workbooks that are available but just not happy with them. I considered doing world geography, but I'm convinced they need a more solid foundation of their own country still. So, I asked all the homeschool groups I am a member of for ideas. Only my friends responded, so I'm thinking maybe I should just stick with them on future questions. Anyway.

I'm going to backup for a second. A lapbook is a "creative" way of learning. Lots of coloring, cutting, pasting, gluing, etc. In other words, "artsy craftsy" something I usually try to avoid.

Thanks to April I found a website that explained how to put two folders together to make a bigger lapbook. I have only seen a couple, done by the Sanchez family, so I wasn't sure how to put one together. This morning I used a couple of pieces of paper and followed the directions. I now have a miniature lapbook. Then I set out writing, on my mini lapbook, what I wanted where.

Yesterday, Courtney suggested I try Crayola.com for line maps of the states. I didn't find them there but a quick google search and I found a great site. From there I found another site for state maps, in three sizes, to be printed in a line format for coloring. YEAH.

Still not to the EXCITED part. Here it comes. I then followed John and Wendy's advice about searching the Internet for a crossword puzzle maker for crossword puzzles for each state. I looked a couple, but again they were not quite what I wanted. Then. Oh, then I found it. A site where not only can I choose the word, but I also give the clue. Are you kidding me?! Yep. So, I did a quick one on South Carolina. It looks fabulous!! I am actually excited about doing lapbooks, even fifty of them!!

Precious Moments

For those who know anything about me, the name Courtney will be familiar to you. I met Courtney and her family at TKD. I knew the children well, but rarely saw Courtney because she would keep the youngest of her clan in the van during class. Well, this was the time I was suppose to sign Jesse up for Kindergarten. I had asked Master Mike if he knew any homeschoolers and we had a lengthy conversation about one family he knew. Then he reminded me Courtney's family homeschooled. A few classes later, she came into class and I began asking her all kinds of questions. She, as every homeschooler, loves to answer questions from those who are curious as well as considering the adventure. She was the one who gave the the one piece of information I had not found on my own. When she said it I asked her to repeat it. I knew that would be the piece to bring John around. That night John and I talked about it and I told her everything Courtney had shared with me that day. "We'll try for one year, but she has to know how to read by the end of the year." Excited and terrified I set out to figure out what we are going to learn.



Yesterday, I saw Courtney for the first time since the girls' birthday party. Yesterday will probably be the last time we see them. You see Courtney's family is moving to Oklahoma to be closer to her husband's family. While I have not seen her much lately, I have to say I am saddened by the move. She still helps me with homeschooling and our girls are good friends. Though we have not seen them, mail has exchanged between the girls. Drawings and colorings to remind each one they are thought of. I suppose that will not change after they move next week. And I can still get long-distance help. Admittedly, it will not the same as sitting around with a sweet tea surrounded by books and multiple conversations regarding homeschooling.



To the Sanchez Family: You will be missed by the Morgans. Have a safe journey and we'll see you on-line.

Time flies

I didn't realize it had been that long since I posted anything. Hmm. Oh, well.

The tournament this weekend was cancelled due to snow. We had between 7 and 8 inches at the house, but most people I've heard from had between 3 and 4 inches. It was beautiful and the girls enjoyed it a lot. I'll try to post pics in the next couple of days.

We called off school last week. I wasn't feeling it and neither were the girls. We'll pay for it this week though. We are suppose to be off tomorrow, but John has to go into work for a few hours. I'm not sure if we'll have school or I'll just take the day to prepare for Tuesday. As usual, time will tell.

For those who do not know, today is the Chinese New Year. The year of the tiger. It is believed that no new ventures should be started in the year of the tiger, not even marriage. Though some now are dismissing it. I don't know. The zodiac signs of all of us are pretty accurate; I don't think I'll mess with the Tiger. :)

I'm, we, am (are) getting a new bathroom. I am very excited about this. A few weeks ago I asked John what he thought if we painted our bathroom cabinet a dark brown. He liked the idea. I was shocked a little but excited too. Today, we bought the paint and John has been working hard at caulking and prepping. Tomorrow I am suppose to prime (I guess that answers the question about school, huh?). Hopefully, by the end of the month all will be done. I will, of course, post pics!

Encouragement for me?

I have struggled with the second degree black belt form. So, much so that each night before we teach, the girls and I arrive about thirty-five minutes early for me to practice. For those who will never the see the form I'll explain it a bit. There are, at least, four times in the form where you are performing moves on one foot. There are three times (I've heard; we haven't finished it yet) where you are doing three kicks, in three different directions BEFORE putting your foot back on the ground. But worst of all there is the "butterfly kick". Sounds beautiful doesn't it. Well, it is when the person can do it. I, however, feel like a cow on roller skates. There is no art in the way I do this kick and there are at least two, possible three, in the form.

Last night in class, I asked Brady (our 3rd Degree Black Belt) on advice for the "butterfly". He told me completely different from what Master Mike had told me at 5:30. Can this get any harder? I said during class I would probably stop after this belt, if not before, because the forms seem utterly impossible for my body to do. At which, everyone reminded me I often say I'm going to quit. Well, this time I was more serious. Every Wednesday, after spending much time Tuesday night trying to do the "butterfly" I wake up sore, even if I take meds that night. John and Master Mike believe I'll be doing this in twenty years; they have apparently not done the math. :)

The encouragement comes in after class. I was one of the last ones to do my form last. Something I was hoping I would not have to do. But I did. Alex told me afterward that "was your best job yet", but if you know Alex everything is taken as a grain of salt. Meaning: I don't believe him. I got my shoes and was sitting down when Brady came over to me. "You underestimate your abilities." It wasn't the words that got me though, it was his expression. The kind of look you get from a sixteen-year-old when what he is saying is true, especially this teen. My reply, "That's a compliment coming from you. Thank you." And it did make me feel better, until I was driving home.

I told John what happened when we arrived home. "That make you feel good?" (He knows Brady too.) "It did, but now I'm wondering if they are just trying to get me to stay." We left it at that. I enjoy TKD. I do. Jesse and Chloe enjoy it too. But it is like Brady says, you have to be good because we are third and second degrees. I pointed out that was the problem, my kicks are not beautiful. Yes, they are strong but the accuracy that makes the beautiful is not there. Not sure where that leaves me. However, there is a tournament this weekend at the Polo Recreation Center in Columbia at 11am. We'll see how I do. I know the girls will be great. Both of them will be competing in forms, weapons, and sparring. I am just doing forms (no chance there) and sparring (only to redeem myself from last year-last place). I think the tournament will help me decide.

Sewing and bread

Friday afternoon the girls, the pooch and I went to Charlotte to spend a couple of days with my parents. The girls were excited as usual. Mom and I (mostly Mom) spent Saturday making the girls new aprons (the material we bought way back in the fall, yes I'm slack). The aprons turned out nice and the girls love them. I see baking in our near future. We also had some material left over, so that will be a future project of some sort.

Saturday afternoon I alternated from sewing to baking. Dad have me a lesson on making bread. Rolls to be precise, but the recipe can be used for rolls or a loaf. John had one of my rolls when we returned today and I think he liked it. He didn't jump up and down or anything, he rarely does, but I think he liked them.

School is going well. Chloe will finally be finishing Charlotte's Web this week. At one chapter a day and Christmas break the book took a while to complete. But she is enjoying it. I'm not sure how she will enjoy the end, but we'll know soon.

Jesse is going along as usual. I think her favorite subject right now is Spanish. She is learning it quite well and is now (of course) ahead of me because I haven't been on it lately.

I'm still working on next year's geography. I'm not sure I want to do another workbook. I know I don't want to do a coloring book. They love geography and I want to keep that excitement up; I just don't know the best way yet. My brain in still spinning on that one too.

I'm going to start with a backstory for those who did not know me six-and-a-half years ago. Those who did can skip to the bottom. Six-and-a-half years ago (in June of 2003) was my birthday. It was no ordinary birthday that year. John had been in Kuwait and that was the day he and a few others who were left behind were heading into Iraq. It was a stressful day. Something I was hoping to avoid considering I was eight months pregnant at the time. But late in the afternoon I received a surprise: flowers with a stuffed white bear and chocolate. All from John. He had ordered them a week early because he wasn't sure if he would be able to closer to my birthday. At the time the bases had few ways of communicating back to the states (it was very early in the war). My next birthday surprise was a new laptop. The one I owned had no Internet capabilities and John wanted to be able to communicate with me while I was in the hospital. He was very hopeful the computers would be working in Iraq by then (it was his group that got the parts they needed if I remember correctly). The computers were working and thanks to my cousin Phoebe he had regular updates while I was in prelabor/labor. We will always be grateful to her beyond words. And to my friend Shannon who was at the hospital with me, along with my Mom who was watching over Jesse.

So, the fact is my computer was six-and-a-half years old and had tried to die on me a few years ago. Phoebe's husband, Leon, saved the day on that one. I've been doing monthly, sometimes weekly, back-ups just in case. But it still had its quirks. One of which is while the machine is on you couldn't move the screen or it would go dark. Well, that is where were yesterday morning. John was doing something on my computer, honestly I cannot remember what. But he moved the screen and darkness was upon us. The last people to put anything on the school spreadsheet was the girls and saving is not always on their minds. John managed to save then shut it down. Two hours later he told me he bought me a new computer and we were going to pick it up. I didn't expect it, but I'm sure I'm going to like it once I adjust to the new office programs. And I've lost my favorite printer. It no longer works on either of our computers. That is sad, but I'll adjust I'm sure. Today, I get to try out my new computer.