Compartmentalizing.

OK, I have an awful lot to do and a lot of things rattling around in my little ole brain. I'm going to park them all here for a bit and get them out of my head so I can have a more productive day!

My in-laws are coming with my sister-in-law and her son. He's a SPIRITED 2 1/2 year old. I have no idea what to put up or how my son is going to react to him breaking any favorite toys.

My in-laws are coming. They think it would take $50,000 just to make our home livable. I'm angry about that. Also, I just realized that most of my nerves come from feeling like I can't measure up. I have no garden tub or $15,000 to spend for professional window treatments. I have $6 curtains up in the classroom. It's MY feelings about those things that are the problem. My house is cozy, comfortable and cute. I am normally very proud of it. They can't make me feel bad if I don't let them. Still, a woman wants to be proud of her home. But, it's my problem.

I just read an article about some candidate in Indiana possibly requiring homeschoolers to take the ISTEP and get curriculum approval and there is always talk or requiring parents to be certified. That really ticks me off. I need to be certified to teach one child? Don't think so. I know it is unlikely to happen. Maybe the testing will pass but probably not the rest. Still, I don't understand why they can't leave us be. We pay taxes and don't ask anything in return. I'm thinking of moving to Texas. Or Alaska. Or Oklahoma. I don't want to fight this fight. I just want to do my thing and love on my family and be left alone. The problem with having NO homeschool requirements is that someone always wants to pass some. At least, even though WV requirements were kind of strict, they were already laid out and everyone felt like it was dealt with. (I have no idea if that last sentence made sense...I'm rushing)

My son is cleaning his room without me asking. He's so excited for his Grandparents to come. And that makes me feel guilty. And angry. Their bringing their other grandson and I know they'll be consumed with him. And that makes me feel bad for my son and angry at myself for not being more open and generous. My Father-in-law makes wooden toys. N. has not gotten on in 2 1/2 years. I'll let you figure that one out. And then I feel bad for remembering stuff like that. UGH!

I'm praying the weekend goes well and quickly. My mother-in-law has told me 5 times not to go to the trouble of making Thanksgiving dinner Friday night. I told my husband that if she doesn't want me to go to the trouble, then I won't. FORGET IT! Can't she just say, that sounds great and leave it at that? However, when I told my husband, he was all disappointed. He was looking forward to the big family dinner. So, I'm taking the turkey out of the freezer but, I'm keeping the ham. We'll have it when their gone. I want to make my husband happy, darn him.

Webster just added "homeschool" to the dictionary as opposed to "home school." FINALLY! Now, when will I stop getting that annoying red line under it?

The economy. Enough said. Just take it out of my brain, thank you.

My husband's meeting with the CEO of the company today. Today is not the day to walk out on your job and decide to chuck it all and move to a mud hut in the mountains, honey. If you could wait until Monday, after your folks are gone, I'd really appreciate it. Maybe you should compartmentalize until Monday, too?

I need a vacation. And a date. And some time alone in a hotel with my husband. This is a family blog. I'll leave it at that.

My rug shampooer is stopped up. I have to go dig out the dog hair. Yuck. I feel better though! It's good to let it all out!