Summer updates

So, it's been a while since I posted... what's been going down since then? Some highlights:

DS's grandpa bought him a 16ft x 4ft deep above ground pool. It has been heaven to swim in, especially under the moonlight. Being a Scorpio water sign, with a moon in Cancer, and Aquarian ascendant... well, it's just wrong how deprived of water I've been... swimming, I mean, total immersion. I don't get to do baths, anymore, just showers, and I'm shy of public pools, so this is one of the best gifts we've ever received.

I suppose my eco-friendly sensibilities feel a little guilty for having a private pool like that, but hopefully, we can minimize water waste by keeping it up through the year, only half draining, and letting the spring rains refill it each season. And I'm hoping to get a saltwater generator so we can forego the harsher chemicals. I know the impact it's having on my health, the improvements in my sleep cycle, and happiness factor will help us reduce consumption in other areas of our lives, so hopefully, it's reasonably well justified. And we went with a smaller size to save a few thousand gallons of water usage.

Was that guilt appeasement or what? I just know I adore this pool and feel so lucky and grateful.

Other news to be grateful for: we received scholarship for Enki, which was a huge, huge relief. Now, we're just waiting the slooooow process of getting our first grade package mailed to us. I thought it would be going out last week and delivering this week, but unfortunately, it took 6 or 7 business days for it to ship out... so, package label made today, expected next week delivery. I'm disappointed in that since it leaves me only 3 weeks to study before my own full time schedule of classes begins on August 21st. 4 weeks was bad enough... but to lose an extra week... *sigh*

I can't complain too much, though... scholarship and all. But I'm dreading this return to school and hoping it won't be too stressful or time consuming to pull off our holistic homeschooling as well as I'd like. I'm worried about all the extra computer time it will entail. I'll just have to get a plan and designate computer time and stick to it. Cross fingers this program will not be too complicated.

Husbo's work is finally coming around and he's been able to rearrange his job duties so that hopefully he'll also be able to handle his own start back to grad school (MSW) alongside being a social worker with DHS. Not easy. But easier than it was, thankfully. It was a nightmare already, sans grad school. One of the most overworked, underpaid, yet important jobs there is, imo.

Another highlight: Ani Difranco is coming to Fayetteville, woohoo! And we're going. I think we'll have pretty good seats, unless I had a dyslexic moment while ordering from the seating charts. Can't wait... that's in September. She's a goddess among women, for sure.

And now... I'm finally dragging myself to the weekly Buddhist Fellowship at our UU. I realize that I need this weekly reminder and experience to help me commit to daily meditation practice, which is so vital to teacher health and managing the wackiness that homeschooling a young child can bring. It's all about keeping one's cool, staying present in the moment, and not getting too cramped into reaction during challenging times, but staying open and responsive. Breeeeeathing. Ommmmmm.

Wish me luck!