Life On The Planet

Back in the Saddle Again

 
(Tiger and Butterfly on The Farm last summer.)

2 years. Wow.

So, I got a little busy with life.

I've heard that women can have it all, and that's a lovely thought really. I just don't want to have to do it all, if you know what I mean. And I had a LOT to do.

Something had to give. It was blogging or the kids, and I can't unplug the kids.

Family updates...

Sal is in college. Yeah, I know. He'll be twenty this year. Twenty.

Butterfly is a Junior. Oh, boy. She is Sweet Sixteen. Oh, BOY!

Tiger starts high school in the Fall. Help me. Please.

The C.F.O. and I are still chugging along. Getting older. (And hopefully wiser, but there are days when I question this.)

We've lost my Grandma and my Aunt S. Heaven is in BIG trouble.

Aunt the Major and Minor B are back from the far East.

Dog Sunday and Scratchy still aren't on speaking terms.

Life on the Planet continues.

I hope to share a little of it with you again.

Yeah, Yeah. I Know.

But believe you me, I got lots of 'scuses for not posting. They're all really important 'scuses, too.

(Hang nail.)

I could go on for HOURS! I could rant. I could rave.

(Whiny cat.)

I could have you in tears over my reasons for abandoning you. I could make you feel guilty for not posting for me!

(Dryer lint.)

You know, that's not a bad idea. Next time I start slacking, somebody jump in and start tap dancing. Okay? Great.

(Burnt waffles.)

I'll post more soon. Promise.

(Dust mites.)

*Excuses contained within parenthesis and strategically placed throughout post are for humorous purposes only. I've got really good excuses.

**Really.

It Should Never Happen Here

I was skimming through some blogs today, and I ran across a rampant case of post plagiarism outrage. Can't say I blame them. I'd be outraged, too. That is, I would be outraged if someone claimed my writing as their own. Not that that is likely to happen. Here is why...

1. Most of my 12 faithful readers have better grammar than I do. They wouldn't be caught dead claiming this stuff. (Hi, Mom!)

2. I write about children not taking out the cat box. I write about slugs. I write about homeschooling three kids. I write about scraping dead chickens off the lawn. Enough said. Am I right?

3. I am constantly posting stupid pictures of my socially deviant cat.

Yow-za! Who would wanna steal this?

4. Entertaining Riveting Captivating Colorful Unique I have trouble finding the right word to describe my writing style. While I am pretty certain it's better than the back of the nearest cereal box, I wouldn't call it captivating. Captivating? This? Um, no.

5. Having limited readers denies would be thieves anonymity. (I know where you sleep at night, people. Ha! Just kidding. Or am I?)

See? I'm safe. Safe as houses! What does that mean, exactly? Safe as houses? Are houses necessarily safe? And what is it they are safe from?

But I digress.

While I cannot say that no one will ever steal the content of this blog, it think I can say that it should not happen. And if it ever does happen, someone please get that person some help...

Because they desperately need it.

Life On The Planet

I have been asked, from time to time, about the name of my blog. Why "Life On The Planet?" Why not "Aimless Ramblings of a Chocolate Medicated Lunatic?" or "Yet Another Pointless Way for Me to Waste My Time?"

It's a good question.

I do not intend to imply that the content of this blog is the sum total of life on the planet, or even that it is the sum total of our life on the planet.

REASONS:

A. It would take too long to write.
B. You DO NOT want to know what goes on here all day long. Trust me on this one. It's not pretty.

However, it is a tiny slice of my family's life on the planet. And that is enough.

The idea for the name came from Sal's Scoutmaster.

"How's life on Planet (fill in last name here)?" he would ask every Monday night.

"Still revolving." I'd tell him. (No, not revolting, revolving!) "Life on the planet is good."

So when I needed a blog title, and Activities Coordinator, Magnificent Queen of the Universe seem a bit over-the-top, I thought of Sal's Scoutmaster and Life On The Planet just seemed to fit.

How's life on your planet?

Ours is good. Real good.

Praying for Nie

Read this blog. But first, grab a hanky. You're going to need it.

I'm off to Church.   

It's All Good

I've been asked when I'm going to start blogging again. I guess it's today. I won't bore you with the reasons for my absence - a computer crash, theater rehearsals, ear infections, children, life, children, always the children...

I'll just tell you, it's good to be back. It's all good.

Reading Challenge

Reading to Know is hosting a Lucy Maud Montgomery reading challenge!



What a great way to get back into the swing of things!

(HT to At A Hen's Pace)

Scratchy-Cat, Homeschool Reporter, on The View - Homeschool Controversy of 2008

Intrepid homeschool reporter Scratchy-Cat will now report on The View - Homeschooling bru-ha-ha that has taken over many homeschool blogs. Scratchy? What's the scoop?

"I haven't seen this much ado about nothing since the Great Subway Debate."

"While it's true that Joy Behar of The View did say that some homeschoolers are demented, let's face it - that's a bit of the old pot and kettle, isn't it? Considering the source..."

"As for all of the homeschoolers who are talking about boycotting ABC, and all of the homeschoolers who are angry at the homeschoolers who are talking about boycotting ABC, I have one thing to say, 'Ho-hum!'There are so many more interesting topics to discuss. The world is full of fascinating ways to fill your time. Go on a field trip! Read a book! Watch a documentary! Go dissect something! Wait...what are you doing?"


"I DIDN'T MEAN DISSECT THE CAT! Jeez! What was that Joy Behar said about homeschoolers?"

Just kidding there, Scratchy. Thanks for that report. You were brilliant, as usual.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Scratchy will be back soon to report on one of her favorite topics, Sleeping on the Cable Box. Don't miss it!

(HT- Dana, Alasandra )



 

We've Been in a Low Tide

I had ambitious plans for constructive learning with the younger two while Sal was traipsing through Korea with my parents and my sister, Aunt the Major. We were going to delve into  ancient cultures, memorize the bones of the human body, catch up on Greek,... The reality of what actually happened has been quite different. Stuff just got in the way. The car had to go to the shop. We all got sick. Tiger had a birthday. (And, as I am certain you know, there is NO SCHOOL on Tiger's birthday!)

All of this, however, doesn't mean that learning didn't take place. While curled up sniffling on the couch, we watched videos of ancient American civilizations. We read books and colored in our Anatomy and Physiology coloring book. We listened to the new Mozart CD that the grandparents brought us. We looked on the internet to see exactly how Lysol works to kill cold germs, the nasty little monsters. We've just been in what one of Butterfly's favorite authors (and one of my favorite bloggers) Melissa Wiley refers to as Low Tide in our Tidal Homeschooling.

Sal and my parents are coming home today, and we have another week of Low Tide learning to look forward to while on our trip to Louisiana. After that, I'm sure the High Tide will come in. By then we'll be ready to ride the wave.

To Pass the Time...

and to amuse myself while I await news from the weary travelers, I give you Random Shots From My Camera. Only, Sal took my camera so it's really Random Shots From the Stuff Sal Downloaded From My Camera, but (like this sentence) that's way too long. So, Random Shots From My Camera it is.

Photo by Butterfly. Golf work and Photoshopping by Sal.

The road home from Boy Scout camp. I was certainly headed in the right direction.

Salamander, A Self Portrait. Please ignore basket of laundry. The maid needs to be fired. Forever. Through the wench out! Sack her...please.

Random blurry cat photo. I have oodles more just like it.

We HEART the hammock.

And finally...

Go celebrate, and I'll catch you later.