crossroads for this mystic

Day 7 of my no'poo attempt, day 2 of my commitment to meditation.

Wow the spirit really moves when you just get out of the way and let it.

My life is never dull (although my hair is right now)! I have been in negotiations with a local school of metaphysical teachings that could provide a new location for a little part of the S.C.H.O.O.L. I started building last spring.

On the flipside, the opportunities involved with the School of Multidimensional Healing Arts and Sciences have their own merit. Perhaps the living of a dream. To be involved in the ascension of the spirit, to connect others who can help each other. Establishing an educational option that is unique and cohesive yet rare and inclusive.

At Unity of Tustin I have found a sacred space. It calls to me, I am compelled to seek my future at this place.

This week includes many opportunities to experience spirit and engage in service to the greater good. I eagerly await the aha moments and synchronicities that will no doubt occur. From the Star Children meeting to the Next Generation Unity Visioning- I see so much potential.

Grab & Go Breakfast Logs

Was trying to make cookies- my Kitchen Assistant suggested they were more like Breakfast Bites, and I reshaped the next batch into logs, I plan to keep these babies on hand! Throwing a few in the freezer today to see how they fare...

Basically I blended peeled, cored and sliced organic apples (3 gala and 2 granny smiths) with 1/2 c water from boiled beets and 1/4 cup honey, until it was smooth. Then I added 1/2 cup canola oil and blended with a whisk.

In another bowl I put 2 1/2 cups oats, 1/2 cup spelt flour, 1/4 cup whole wheat flour and 1/4 cup all purpose flour, along with vegan egg substitute (Ener-G Egg Replacer powder) and a few shakes of salt.

We combined the wet & dry ingredients then folded in 1/2 cup raisins and swirled in 1/4 cup peanut butter.



This recipe is VERY loosely based on Oatmeal Cookies from Rodale's Naturally Great Foods, a cookbook I have been reading- it has a lot of information and tons of recipes... but it isn't vegan- nor even vegetarian. Labels. schmabels, it has good eats!

We also experimented with drying beets again, my Kitchen Assistant thought we could try a salty-cinnamon-sugar, and it turned out surprisingly good. Still need to adjust something as they are a bit chewier than I would like. Mary Bell's Dehydrated foods suggested boiling first, maybe I didn't do it long enough- it was a big beet! The skin came off much easier after boiling.


Many of the things we did the recipe came from ideas inspired by the newly learned cooking terms my Kitchen Assistant has added to her vocabulary. G-pie totally wow'ed me with her already accumulated knowledge of cooking terms! (I am creating a soon-to-be-downloadable homeschool cooking course as we go- see tag KitchenAsstLP for posts with resources and materials).

We reviewed the 44 words on her word search - and she knew half of them! We also colored our Farmer's Market Veggies and arranged baskets of colorful vegetables- this turned into a great time for G-pie to teach J-cakes her colors and she ended up making a flashcard set to aid in her very-seriously undertaken duty.

Hmmm... I think we need a mentoring class at S.C.H.O.O.L. Session 3 Schedule is due to be published with our newly designed website by Sunday night- we have new classes for older kids (6th - 8th grade) and more options for Science and Drawing.

My lovely Mother In Law is bringing us a meal today, I have been blessed by the outpouring of love (and food) as I heal. Today we will be having a fabulous salad from Rutabagorz- yum!

Happy Friday!

The realization of a dream

For several years now I have wanted to recreate the place Grace took classes- only better and in my own backyard. Yesterday I was there, hanging out, meeting interesting, accomplish people- connecting with amazing moms, observing excellent kids, and watching my husband inspire little artists.

Other mothers have supported me, my family has gotten by without me through countless meetings- I totally quit doing yoga for the past month- ack! But my "baby" is born and today I saw this review on our website-

"I'm impressed. I think it is a wonderful new addition to the homeschooling community and really appreciate the location and care and compassion of the owners."

It is so exciting to be a part of education reinvention- we have so many exciting activities to enjoy, so many wonderful instructors to share their talents and such an array of bright and colorful kids to fill up the canvas of our masterpiece. A learning center where every child is welcomed and walked alongside on their path of discovery. A community where parents can come and share part of their day in a comfortable setting with others who are like-minded and eagerly engaged in similar pursuits.

My job is to warmly facilitate this- it truly is my pleasure. Enchanting to meet you. www.schooloc.com

National School Choice Week

Starting yesterday, groups around the nation are raising awareness about something I have long been passionate about. The choice to educate children in "untraditional" ways. I have also heard it referred to as "alternative" or "non-mainstream". None of these labels bother me in the least, but they don't exactly describe us either.

What is a tradition? Dictionary.com defines Tradition as "the handing down of statements, beliefs, legends, customs, information, etc., from generation to generation, esp. by word of mouth or by practice". Hmmm... seems to fit the way we learn, perhaps even more so than the public school model. So maybe a family style education is traditional.

When you talk of "homeschooling", using a charter school is one of the many alternatives, so in that way what we do is considered alternative education. We are blessed to live in an area, where not only do we have MANY alternatives, we also have the support to back up all those options. I am proud that we are alternative educators.

As for whether it is mainstream or not, well the stream we find ourselves floating along is teeming with bright, independent, well-spoken and highly imaginative young people. "Homeschoolers" are the main people in our lives- and there are plenty of them to enjoy! We meet new friends all the time, and we share the path with families we have known since our children were barely babbling.

What it comes down to is choice. I am beyond grateful for the information that was available to me as I grappled with what would be the best for our children. It works for our family- but that isn't to say it is a better choice for anyone else's, only they will know that. My hope is that they would find it easy to compare and contrast the opportunities that every child has.

Learn more about National School Choice Week here. http://schoolchoiceweek.com/?no_splash=1

A home for SCHOOL?

As many of you know I have been researching, surveying, meeting people, searching out options and moving forward with faith that the right steps will present themselves at the right time.

We, who are alternatively educating our children, share a common belief that our current education system is beyond reform (which is for prisoners, not children IMHO). We have already reinvented education. We are the pioneers of a new system that has been evolving for decades.

Many thanks to all of you who took our survey and helped refine the vision we have for:

S.C.H.O.O.L

Southern California Homeschoolers Options for Outsourced Learning 

We have been working to make it something that is financially feasible for all parties- from the talented teachers, to passionate parents, always keeping in mind that this is for our inspiring offspring.

This year Santa brought me one of the tops things on my list- a location for SCHOOL. Yesterday I met with a very nice couple who lease a building with an empty floor in...

San Juan Capistrano!! 

It has a large common area and 4 classrooms. It is a great location in many ways- a park that shares the same lot, plenty of parking, freeway close... it is very well suited to what we are trying to do. To be able to offer classes at an affordable rate for families, a co-op style arrangement has been settled on.

HOMESCHOOL FAMILIES!!

Non co-op members are welcome to register for and attend classes ...and use the lounge/ book nook during their class times and attend other events for a small fee.
Families are also invited to become members of the co-op for $15 a month and help guide the program. The monthly co-op contribution covers:
Lounge/ Book Nook 
It will be open for at least 4 hours a day Mon- Fri. This area will have cards, board games, legos and other recreational (non structured) activities. The Book Nook will be available for swap (or purchase) of used books and curriculum. A tutor will be available during some of the Lounge hours.
Monthly events
Co-op members are invited to attend one free monthly event (per child). Choose from several options each week- story time, science fair, astronomy night, board game night, cultural events and seasonal celebrations. Attend more events for a small charge ($3-10 depending on event).
Room Usage
Co-op members are allowed to use a classroom for any of their own events (book clubs, girl scouts, 4H meetings, etc) for a very minimal (or no) charge.
Field Trips
Will be scheduled and organized frequently.

We are committed to maintaining our vision, mission and values- learn more about the culture we want to create here www.meetup.com/S-C-H-O-O-L. Our website will be live by the end of the week. All instructors are asked to provide references and be prepared to present a sample class to ensure that we are creating a quality program and not just filling our rooms. If you would like to recommend a teacher, we would love to talk to them.

Potential Teachers:

• 1 hour a week would be $25/ week
• 2 hours a week would be $45/ week
• 3 hours a week $60/ week

You will set your own class fees and track your own registrations. You can opt to use the SCHOOL Meetup for registration & scheduling (and be included in our marketing and advertising efforts) for an additional $30 a month. Contact me ASAP if you would like to commit to more than 3 classes a week.

We will work to get all instructors vendor approved with the charter schools ASAP. We will also be coordinating for summer camps very soon. There are a few opportunities to teach classes that are in demand.

Come check it out. Pass this on to anyone you think may be interested. Contact me for a private meeting if you are unable to attend our...

Meet & Greet Q&A 

January 6th, 2011 2:00pm - 6:00pm

(RSVP on the Meetup for specific directions)

S.C.H.O.O.L. Open House

Survey results are in! Come to our Open House on January 13th and learn more about S.C.H.O.O.L.

We are so excited to bring Southern California Homeschoolers Options for Outsourced Learning.

For the Spring semester of 2011 we will offer a few classes out of our temporary location while we search for a place to call home! Writing, Drawing, Science, PE, Theater and Arts & Crafts will be offered in blocks with themes that tie many of the classes together.

The drawing for a $100 gift card to Burke Williams will be held at the Open House and you can get extra entries for coming and checking us out. We will (of course) have activities for the kids.

http://www.meetup.com/S-C-H-O-O-L/

Looking forward to seeing you there!

OC Homeschoolers: 10 Questions

Please take a moment to answer some questions for me if you homeschool in Orange County. Pass this on to your friends, too! Some lucky homeschool mom is going to win a $100 gift card to Burke Williams- but for that to happen we need at least 500 responses.

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey, the world's leading questionnaire tool.

Homeschoolers: you need to send your kids to SCHOOL

Ok now that I have your attention-
SCHOOL: Southern California Homeschoolers Options for Outsourced Learning.

Coming to Mission Viejo, CA in the Spring of 2011

So many of my homeschool friends talk of how much time is spent transporting their children to their various classes and activities. A couple of years ago G-pie attended a program that housed many extra-curricular activities in one location.

Moms need something to do, too. How about Yoga while your child(ren) write(s)? Krav Maga while they learn basic drawing skills. Aikido for the older ones while the younger ones learn Sign Language. Basic PE classes for your little ones while your older kids practice guitar. Study hall for the students, while mom attend a Women's Self Defense Seminar.

And while we are at it, don't you wish there was a place to get rid of (and pick up) used curriculum? Rent a microscope, plan a co-op, host a bunco night, and attend a family dance party. Your wish will soon be granted!