Fun and Games in the Master Bath

It started out as an average day. The hub had just returned home after being gone on a long trip and we were glad to see him. My daughter and I were proud of all the work we had completed on the house while he was away.

He was impressed in that "road weary" sorta way.

One of my main projects during his absence was sprucing up the master bath. We're not ready to do the complete reno yet, so I decided to attempt some cosmetic updates. One of my projects was to replace the "soft, cushy" toilet seat with a real seat. My hub already had some concerns about the "space saving" aspects of the toilet, so I was trying to give it more appeal.

I was proud of the result. He decided to give it a try. The next thing I know here come the tired hub who is looking at me and saying "I didn't mean to do it".

Now, since I was without a clue what he was referring to, I just jumped to all the natural conclusions...After numerous guesses he said "I broke the seat". Now, I had no real reference to these kinds of events and since my loving hub is a big kidder I thought that was where this was going...

But as you can see here's the evidence. Poor guy, I can't imagine what a start that must have given him when it cracked and broke. The only "play by play" that I could get from him was that there was some sort of shift and then it went. I imagined it was a "slip and scoot" sorta event.

Welcome home honey, my next project will be less dangerous for you... I promise!

Home School

Each August you can find me working away on the upcoming year's curriculum and lesson plans. Here is what my work table looks like today. I wish that it was picture perfect, but this planning is a work in progress. This is our 8th year of home schooling, so that puts my daughter in the 7th grade.

Middle school is where the "rubber meets the road" in my book. If you notice there is a bright and shiny new book in the stack titled "Pre-Algebra", that alone is enough to send those who are faint of heart running to hide. Not my girl, she's also chosen to tackle that other big book in the stack titled "Biology". Now this one is a high school text and she is ready to jump into it.

One way I always describe home schooling is that it is a life style choice. We work hard, but my girl can study in the way that best suits her needs. If she decides to spend an afternoon reading and writing about spotted frogs-we shift the schedule and she can do that. Or if she gets tangled in an idea or concept we can take the time to untangle her and renew her enthusiasm and not let her become lost in disappointment and confusion.

The lifestyle aspect comes in because we choose for me to stay home and home school her-it's a choice we all three make. Its a choice that affects other parts of our life, I can't work more hours, my art studio stays empty, it is a ton of work and at times my daughter and I get tired of each other. It's a choice we keep making, because we see a bright and shiny kid who loves to read and learn and explore the world. She feels she can make a difference and I can't think of anything more important that I could spend my time doing than helping her accomplish her goals.

Back to work.

Pondelicious

Here at last is our completed center courtyard pond! From brick/concrete pad to luscious outdoor environment. We are delighted with the result. It is now inhabited by 2 tadpoles, 3 goldfish and one small Koi. A couple more Koi will join the family this week. I am still searching for outdoor furniture to finish it off and would like to climb up on the roof to take some photos from above.

For more pictures of the process see posts from June and July.