I bound out of bed, full of energy at 6:00 a.m. I read the next chapter in My Utmost for His Highest and the Psalms, then breeze through level 3 of Jillian’s 30-Day Shred workout DVD. I don my chic, size 6, J. Crew outfit. As I saunter into my sparkling kitchen to make omelets and fruit cups for breakfast, my well-mannered teenagers, perfectly groomed, joyfully help to set the table.
Schoolwork is quietly buzzing along by 8:00 a.m., so I decide to start the first load of laundry. After hanging the clothes out to dry, I sweep off the deck and water my spring starter plants. While the girls contentedly self-teach geometry and fractions, I work on an editing job. At mid-morning, we pause for carrot sticks with hummus and a poetry recitation. After our morning recess comes more learning for the teenagers and more work for me.
For lunch, my budding chefs whip up a delicious, healthful recipe from their home economics course. Following a general clean up of the kitchen, we’re ready for our art history lesson accompanied by our classical listening selections. Every afternoon includes a different extra-curricular activity for each well-rounded girl, so my sleek Nissan is always on the go.
A home-cooked meal followed by family devotions sets up our relaxed evenings of enjoying each other’s company as we play Scrabble, Borderline, or Monopoly until bedtime.
Buzz, buzz, buzz!! What’s that? Oh, time to get up. That’s the third time I’ve hit the snooze button on my alarm clock. Too bad, I was having such a lovely dream . . . Maybe next time I’ll be a little more practical about real time organization tips.
Bethany has been married for 16 years, homeschooling for 9 years, and organizing forever. She homeschools her two girls, grade 6 and grade 10, in North Carolina. She is also a partner in Codex Publishing, publisher of The Tutor and classic book reprints. When she isn’t homeschooling or driving the family taxi, Bethany enjoys reading, music, church activities, editing, writing, history, and keeping up with friends.
At the onset of reading this, my thoughts immediately went to, “You’ve got to be kidding me!!” LOL
Now, I know you are and that’s refreshing.
I have dreams like that too and my reality hits me smack dab in the middle of the forehead.
AHHHH…to dream such wonderful dreams.
To any mom that really does have it close to the above scenario, kuddos to you
-Kela
pursuingwhatisexcellent.blogspot.com
nellumsandco.blogspot.com
Kela´s last blog ..SCHOOLHOUSE EXPO!! Don’t Miss It!
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Absolutely love it! [laughing]
~Luke
Luke Holzmann´s last blog ..The New Sonlight Logo
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Love It! My first thought was “Who is super human person” then when I read self taught I knew it was a dream.
Guidemom´s last blog ..2010 Olympic Lapbook
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Ah, a dream … but are we all sub-consciously trying to get there?
Nadene Esterhuizen´s last blog ..Seurat’s “Sunday Afternoon on the Island” Art Appreciation
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LoL!!!
As far from the truth as conceivably possible!!!
LoL!
…& frankly, this homeschooler does NOT dream toward this end either.
Excellent creative writing, though. LOVE iT!
Esthermay´s last blog ..Christian . . . or Not?
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LOL, as soon as I read the “level 3 of Jillian’s 30-Day Shred”, I knew it couldn’t be true. I’ve tried that and there is no way!
Jenny´s last blog ..Links I Like: 5th Edition
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Bethany L. Reply:
March 15th, 2010 at 9:48 am
Actually, Level 3 of the 30-Day Shred is the only thing that is true in my little fantasy world above
. Not that you’d know it by looking at me . . .
Bethany L.´s last blog ..Turtles!
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I LOVE THIS! I’m so glad I read to the end, though. It would’ve been depressing to know that someone could actually accomplish all that every day. Thanks for the smile!
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Glad you all enjoyed it! I figured we all needed a good laugh about this time of year. Just for the record, I can do level 3 of Jillian’s 30-Day Shred. The rest is pretty much a pipe dream, though.
Bethany L.´s last blog ..Why Study Latin, Greek, or Ancient History?
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Ha! That was funny! I’m so glad to know I’m not the only one who has those dreams
Alicia The Snowflake´s last blog ..Glimmers of Hope
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Hi! I smiled from the beginning, knowing that in all my Homeschooling years, I’ve never met this person–frankly I don’t want to–that isn’t really the “ideal”, is it?? So I smile, and am very grateful that God has a better plan than that, of being together, loving each other, and loving and serving Him together!
Thanks for sharing!
Wendy
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Bethany L. Reply:
March 15th, 2010 at 9:47 am
Don’t worry, I’ve never met her either! I just wanted to make people laugh. I know we all have days when we feel like we’re not meeting The Standard (whatever it is in our own heads!), and we tend to idealize The Standard (and everyone’s is different). This is mine – occasionally.
Bethany L.´s last blog ..Turtles!
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Giggle!
Homestead Kristi´s last blog ..Expedition Australia (A Review)
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If only life was so grand! Loved the article! I have definitely wished something very similar only to have it never come to fruition. Thanks for the laugh!!
Melissa´s last blog ..Black Bean and Spinach Enchiladas
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Ah, we can dream can’t we?
LOVE this reminder that perfection is indeed just a dream.
Nikowa Lee´s last blog ..365-74 Violas
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This was so funny, I had to click over from Google Reader to say so!
Karly Green´s last blog ..A fun new blog with lots of giveaways!
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Bethany L. Reply:
March 16th, 2010 at 5:10 am
Thanks for clicking over & leaving a comment! I know it’s so easy just to breeze through Google Reader, but I appreciate the comments
Bethany L.´s last blog ..Turtles!
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Oh this made me feel so much better when I read it. I always think that I need to be perfect in all I do as a stay-at-home, homeschooling mother. I am glad others think about it too but like me know that the best we can do is the best we can do. Trying to be what we aren’t isn’t going to get us anywhere.
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Bethany L. Reply:
March 17th, 2010 at 5:14 pm
Good heavens, I hope we don’t have to be perfect! I agree that we aren’t going to get anywhere by trying to be perfect or, worse (!!), like other homeschool moms. You’re right; God only asks for our best.
Bethany L.´s last blog ..Classical Education Curricula
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Hilarious!
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From the very beginning I knew this was not a true picture of homeschooling. Sometimes that illusion of perfection just has to be shattered! Very clever way of addressing that.
My husband must have thought so, too, because he actually sent me the link.
Renae´s last blog ..Small House Homeschooling
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Bethany L. Reply:
March 21st, 2010 at 6:55 pm
Yay for husbands getting involved!
Bethany L.´s last blog ..GIVEAWAY! Big Universe Membership
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