Welcome to my eclectic journey of my life and delights. This year my theme is surrendering my writing pen to the true author, Jesus Christ, while looking forward to the future, reflecting on the past and dancing through my journey.




Saturday, August 28, 2010

I Am Returning to School

Yes!!!! Fall is in the air and we are back in full swing with our home school schedule.  As the Texas weather allowed me to feel a small glimpse of cool temperature my mind went back to my own school days.  NO!, I have no desire to return to academia...I still have nightmares about college finals.  However, the desire to learn always increases as I mark out our home school year for my children.

So, with library card in hand, I went to the library for ME!!!  I had been inspired while reading from Patsy Clairmont to try something new.  Below is my fall schedule of learning for myself!!!
  • Continued My Learning walk with the Lord...new journals and cards for scripture memorization
  • New Skill....after being inspired by visual journals I want to learn Calligraphy...something I just haven't taken the time to do
  • Read new authors...starting with Erma Bombeck...I know I will enjoy the laughs and wisdom
  • Reading new authors moves me outside my reading comfort zone...a change of comfort zone is good. I will see what others think happiness is...I know the source - He Is My Saviour!
  • Re-upholster....did it years ago and need to brush up on my skills...first project a "footstool" then a rocking chair!

  • Greek Cookbook....my son is studying Ant. Greece, so this will bring some hands on for me and expose us to different cuisine

  • Take all those photos from my Mommy Piggy Tales Post and all my scrapbooks from my youth...get them into a book before I turn 50...okay, that might be wishful thinking...but try to organize it all!!
  • Volunteering to help with a child and a teacher at our local public school...training starts in two weeks
Life always brings us some lessons.  Some of the lessons we initiate and others are thrust upon us.  I have some lessons that are being shoved on me, but I can say the ones I  choose to enter into myself are so much more FUN!

What new skill, craft, or subject are you learning this fall?  Is it taking you outside your comfort zone?

22 Joining in with more words:

Sandy said...

I am a lover of all things
having to do with arts and
crafts. I am trying to find
time to learn to knit and
crochet. Also my husband and
I are wanting to learn to
upholster furniture.
Blessings,
Sandy
(How I miss our home school
days at The Potter's Clay
Home School!)

Theresa said...

I love Calligraphy. I did my sister's wedding invitation envelopes and then mine after that. I love that elegant look.
I want to take out my sewing machine and finish the quilt I started about 10 years ago. It is all pinned together and I just have to finish sewing the layers together. That machine intimidates me. I was never taught how to sew so I am uncomfortable doing it. I also started cutting fabric to make a tote for my daughter a couple of summers ago. I would love to finish that.
Have a great weekend my friend :)

Mikki said...

You go girl!! Good for you!!

I need to get myself going again on projects. I was thinking the other day why I'm only in the kitchen and getting no other things done.. than I realized it's because I'm always blogging.. LOL

Have a great weekend!

Farm Girl said...

I noticed your picture today in my followers and I clicked on it and you have six children you have homeschooled for 21 years!! That is so cool because this is my 21st year and I have six kids and soon to be six grandchildren, I have one son-in-law and one daughter-in-law and I have my last two in high school. The two are in college. I am a Christian too so I was thrilled to have a person of like mind find me!! So I wanted
to welcome you and thank you for becoming a follower.

Theresa said...

I still have nightmares about college exams too!!! It's the end of the semester, I have the exam, but I FORGOT to go to the class all semester...never even opened the book, COMPLETELY forgot about the whole thing...and now I have to take the exam!!!

We are making Greek Shrimp from the latest Cook's Illustrated magazine tonight for dinner!

Karen said...

What a great list of things. I think it's great to continue to set goal for ourselves. It think you've inspired me to set some goals for myself.

myletterstoemily said...

you have inspired me to learn something
new, too . . . but what? will have to
think/pray on that. oh i know, photo-
graphy!

blessings on your homeschool year. i
miss those days (as in i have many fond
memories but don't really want to be
still doing it!)

didn't you love our little foretaste of
fall these past few days. heavenly!!!

Farming On Faith said...

Oh~it is so true. We Homeschool Moms just keep learning. Would it not be great to get a pay check for all we do? LOL
Our evenings are getting shorter and cooler but our days are still really hot.I am excited about Fall. I love Autumn.
You have fun learning.
Carrie~

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

now you've got me going! I want to do a Priscilla Shirer Bible study, hopefully on Jonah... I also want to MAYBE cook more ?? for sure I'd like to learn how to use a wok, since most of it is healthy and good for us. I just finished doing the guest bedroom over, so next needs to be the master bedroom and bath!
For fun... ??? not sure yet.:)

Happy Sunday!

Kathleen said...

I fear if I/we ever stop learning or ever stop setting goals, we'll atrophy and fade. Life's meant to be lived out-loud (singing & dancing in the rain, as you know)!

Sometimes my goals are practical; like painting a room, or cleaning out the garage. At aother times they're centered on some new course of Bible study, or other intellectual pursuit. For years they involved work/career.

No matter what, goals and challenges always serve to lubricate my brain.

Blessings,
Kathleen

Sue said...

You go Girl, I am so happy for you. I know you will enjoy anything Erma Bombeck wrote, she was one funny lady.
I am now motivated to maybe try my hand at going back to school, but first, i must finish canning apples, grape and pears. LOl
hugs,
Sue

So, I Begin this Journey...... said...

You've got quite a list going for you!
Oh, by the way...I'm shipping an antique chair to be reupholstered!

I've put my crafting/antiquing aside....I'm thinking of going back to school- completing my psychology degree and return to the work field.

Farm Girl said...

Thanks for your insight. I really think most of the time I am really the clay on the potters wheel. I like that the best, because that means I am pliable. Today, I wasn't. :)I think that because one of my favorite verses is Present your bodies as a living sacrifice... and always Be ye Transformed by the renewing of your mind... I have been in a long, long trial and today, I was ready for it to be over. It is not.
I really need to go back and be that
lump of clay. :) I will think about what you said too.
Iron sharpens iron. Have a great week at school!
It is so nice to be able to stay that to a veteran.:)

Gwen T said...

Comfort zones.... well, we're in the middle of moving 1000 miles from where we've been very comfortably ensconced since before our oldest was born.

Another thing I'm learning.... We're going from having a regular paycheck to living on "support" and trusting God to supply through His people...but then we're dependent on Him even though we may not realize it!

So although I don't have the time for new projects and skills in the midst of all this moving and traveling, I'm learning an incredible amount about stepping outside my comfort zone and how much the Lord teaches us at times like this!!

Thanks, Janette, for making me think!

Sarah Jane said...

I love this post!!! Thanks for encouraging us to keep on learning... even after school is over. I took calligraphy in school... but never kept it up. You'll enjoy it!

I think it's so cool that you are volunteering with a student and teacher at the school. I'm working with a little girl in McKinney and have been so blessed!! They (the whole family) are teaching me so much!

Enjoy your fall semester!!

Debbie Petras said...

I love that you too are a life long learner Janette! I'm glad you reminded me that I don't need to buy books. The local library has plenty to borrow.

Love,
Debbie

Diana Ferguson said...

This is so great!! I can't wait to hear about your new "studies."

Anonymous said...

I love it that you are pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone. With all my kids grown, and only one at home, I'm trying to do the same.

I started taking a Zumba class at the gym where I workout and that really takes away my comfort, lol. Lots of hip moving, dancing and I'm a fool, but at least a sweaty fool.

Hubby and I are helping lead and mentor small groups at church. We love having a group in our home, which is easy for me. Mentoring others, that's very much outside my comfort zone.

I can't wait to see your foot stool when it's done.

Mary said...

Hi Janette, fall is such a wonderful time for beginning new things. I seem to get energized as the weather cools!!

You will love visual journaling, glad you want to get started with it.

With my last child off to college this fall, I have more free time to explore new things. I think I want to spend time painting a bit more, but will see what God has in mind.

Blessings!

Susannah said...

LOL, I totally missed this post! And I LOVE it! Janette, you are as mentally healthy as can be. Your creativity just oozes out. Erma Bombeck is such a hoot (and middle aged!) I like to Tweet her funny lines from time to time.

We eat a lot of Greek food up here in the PNW--don't ask me why. Lots of Greek restaurants around. Feta cheese is a staple for many cooks.

Can't wait to see your finished re-upholstery project. And good for you for volunteering. You will be busy this fall!

(((Hugs))) e-Mom

LeeAnn@Encouragement Is Contagious said...

Good for YOU Janette! Sounds like you are going to be a busy but happy camper this school year and I'm glad you are taking time for you.

This entire year so far has taken me out of my comfort zone and right into the makings of some of my longed for dreams. In the beginning of 2010, I chose the word ACTION to live out instead of a bunch of new year resolutions. I even blogged about it with a doodle page that showed my action steps I wanted to take. They have all happened including opening up my new Etsy Shop in May 2010!!! I would not have believed it possible had I not committed to the ACTION WORD. There were only 2 wants on my list that haven't happened, but not because of my lack of Action. They will happen when the time is right.

Remember the cheer A-C-T-I-O-N, action action action!!! I'm a little older than you so that cheer might have gone out of style before your time????

Honey I'm Home Blog said...

Good for you Janette! I love to learn new things too. BTW, I'm hosting a giveaway on my blog--hop on over to enter! Warmly, Michelle

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