schedules and journals

My boys and I have been making marshmallow blow guns to sell at Rendezvous. They have all done very well at sawing through PVC pipe and assembling the guns. It has been a fun project.

I had an epiphany this morning. It has to do with the book Our Home that I have been reading and enjoying. After my run this morning I went to the back yard and began irrigating my garden, pulling weeds, and working on the irrigation rows. It occurred to me for a second that I was messing up my schedule by taking this time. I quickly realized though that natural patterns in life are an important learning tool also. I don't need to plan everything for it to work out. I had a nice talk with my almost 3 year old about airplanes and radishes(which he is hooked on after his first taste today). That talk was completely spur of the moment, not planned, and it was wonderful.

I have a daily compass of what I want to accomplish with the boys. As long as we are doing those things we should be able to take care of other things that come up that might take priority. I didn't have watering the garden in my task list but it did need to be done.

Now to change the subject, I am doing something different with my journaling. I have been writing what we are doing on my blogs and not anywhere else. What if internet fails and I lose everything I have written? Today I copied and pasted all of my blog entries into a word document and printed them out. I have a binder that I keep my learning adventures in so I put the blogs in there. Now I have my journal.

What I am currently reading

I am reading
Our Home,
past ensigns,
a scripture study on being a virtuous woman,
The Excellent Wife,
Successful Lyric Writing,
books on Daniel Boone,
material on neuro linguistics,
running magazines,
and my scriptures.
I am also listening to Les Miserables while I clean.

This summer has been busy and I have not been writing my essays but I am forever learning. I am still taking piano lessons and try to practice about an hour a day. This past weekend we were visiting family in Utah and I did not do any studying.

The books on Daniel Boone and the the neuro linguistics are things my kids are interested in so I am studying up to be a good mentor.

Further Developments

I have some new developments with my music. I went to a family reunion this past weekend where I was able to play music with my cousins and sing with my sisters. It was way fun. 'Way' - where did I learn to speak? Any way, I showed the music I have been working on to my cousins and they think they may have some ways to help me along.

My cousin Dave borrowed me a nice microphone and a midi keyboard so I can mess around with recording and send them things I do. They are likewise going to send me things that they are working on so I can put words to their music. That is my favorite way to write lyrics. It feels so much more musical to put words to music that is already established. My cousins are very talented and are fun to work with.

I may be able to do some professional recording in the near future to further my goals. When I do that I will be able to send my songs out to producers to hear and critique. My next goal though is much simpler. I need to write the songs, write a speaking part, and go inspire some youth God willing.

Right now I am working on some more songs and a speaking part. I am focusing on values and this time the value is virtue. It has taken a while for me to wrap my mind around the difference between value and virtue.

I need to learn how to use the recording software, the microphone, and the keyboard so I have a lot of work ahead of me. It is exciting seeing door after door open for me. I have a clear plan and can see the path ahead of me. I know what to do next and that is something that I have waited my whole life for. It is the right time.

Food Chart

This is my eating chart that I customized after seeing the Swiss food Pyramid. I like having balance in my eating and this seemed like a good guideline. When I am hungry instead of going to the cupboard to find something to eat, I go to the chart and see what I have not had yet. I move the thumbtack on top of the word for what I have eaten so it is no longer visible making it easier to see what is left to eat for the day.

The Swiss version had 3 servings of dairy. I changed 2 of the servings to beans and sprouts which in my opinion have more nutrition than dairy.

Boulder Akicita

I started a new club called the Boulder Akicita. It is a group of boys reading about great men from history (mountain men and indians for now) and discussing the books, doing projects, and earning awards. The site is www.boulderakicita.blogspot.com . June is our second month meeting. Last month we read about Geronimo. This month is Daniel Boone. Last month we made wotawe's(a leather bag worn around the neck that contains special things). This month we are going to be making shirts that we can decorate with various beads and feathers that are being earned. Our meetings are every other week and last from 2 to 3 hours. The boys are having a great time with it.

Fighting For the Freedom(chorus)

Music

I have written piano music to go with the songs I have written. I am rewriting one of the songs so that it will hit the 'personal' chord more with the youth. I was able to talk to my niece who is 15 about the problems with virtue in her school. She was able to give me some pointers and some insight into what her world is like. I also was able to get some constructive criticism from my Parents-in-law, and some good ideas. I have so many ideas for songs and music.

I have a not -so-good sound recording of one of the songs that I have been trying to get on to this blog but have been unsuccessful so far. I need to work on it some more.