The New Hobbit Hole

[Corin Stormhands]

but the caption was totally different...

Yeah. I saw that one too.

[2Jedismom]

Just unloaded on a homeschool thread.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/805351/posts?page=20#20

My heart is just pounding. At least it's pounding in a regular manner! LOL

[Overtaxed]

Yeah....sometimes I feel like asking folks I've never even posted to before how I got on their lists.

[Corin Stormhands]

Okay, I need some advice from the homeschoolers (sorry if I missed others).

Jr. is still having a very difficult time in 8th grade. At this point, if he doesn't get his act together, he won't pass.

We know part of the problem is that we've had a crappy fall...Mom went back to teaching, Grandpa was sick and died, two football injuries, the flu, etc. So he's a little depressed (and recoginizes it).

Wife has a meeting with the school and with him next week. Because he's ADD he has a 504 plan.

Here's my concern:

I think I'm going to be fighting the medication battle again and I don't want to go there. When he started Ritalin in 2nd grade, I thought it was a good thing. But when he hit puberty, it no longer worked, so his pediatrician kept trying new stuff. I finally said "that's enough."

I don't want to go back. I think we can make some significant changes in diet and environment, but I can't get the Mrs. to go along. I know this sounds like I'm whining, but she's really dropped the ball with this one since the little one came along. At first it was understandable because the little one was so demanding (he was a preemie).

But our house is absolute chaos and I can't make any progress. If I don't do the dishes, they don't get done. If I don't do the laundry, it doesn't get done. I take care of the trash, the recycling and the animals (Jr helps when I remind/nag him). She cooks about 1/3 of the time, the rest is fast food/restaurant or pre-prepared crap.

I think changing some of that would make a big difference. But after 16 years, I have little hope that anything will change. And, if I say anything now, I'll look like the heartless SOB that doesn't remember she just lost her father. Well, I DO remember that. And I remember losing mine when I was 20. She just hasn't realized that she's not the only one affected by this.

I'm whining, I know. Some of this crap I just have to live with.

But I'm looking for education options for Jr. Problem is that I know the Mrs. couldn't/wouldn't carry through with homeschooling.

Sigh....

[Lil'freeper]

*ahem*

To the tune of "The Lumberjack Song" by Monty Python

An Ode to G'Nad Dwarfhunk
To the tune of "The Lumberjack Song" by Monty Python

G'nad:
I am a little dwarf and I'm OK.
I sleep all night and I flit all day.

Garden Gnome Choir:
He's a little dwarf and he's OK.
He sleeps all night and he flits all day.

G'nad:
I wear Elf-shoes and pointy ears
and climb up Mallorn trees.
I like to wear Elf-dresses
And join Galadriel for tea.

Garden Gnome Choir:
He wears Elf-shoes and pointy ears
and climbs up Mallorn trees.
He likes to wear Elf-dresses
And join Galadriel for tea.

Yes, he's a little dwarf and he's OK.
He sleeps all night and he flits all day.

G'nad:
I speak Elf-words and sing Elf-songs
Though my accent is quite weird.
I make up pretty poems
And weave flowers in my beard.

Garden Gnome Choir:
He speaks Elf-words and sings Elf-songs
Though his accent is quite weird.
He makes up pretty poems
And weaves flowers in his beard.

Yes, he's an an elfie-dwarf and he's OK.
He sleeps all night and he flits all day.

G'nad:
I like to sneak! And find trees that speak.
I eat lembas for my lunch.
My dwarf friends are so jealous that
Their skivvies are in a bunch!

Choir:
He likes to sneak! And find trees that speak.
He eats lembas for his lunch.
Us dwarf friends are so jealous that
Our skivvies are in a bunch!

Yes, we are all elfie-dwarves and we're OK.
We sleep all night and we flit allllll daaaaaaay!

... Elf-envy is a terrible thing!

[Corin Stormhands]

An Ode to G'Nad Dwarfhunk

Somebody has a death wish...

[Lil'freeper]

Ooops. I wish I had read your post before I posted mine. Not trying to be a smart aleck in response to or insensitive to your frustrations.

[Corin Stormhands]

Not trying to be a smart aleck in response to or insensitive to your frustrations.

I know that. Hobbit Hole Potpourri is the best kind...

[g'nad]

yuh know lilfriggin', I will hunt you down... yer just across the river in the PRM...

quite imaginative I will say... pardon me while I sharpen my axe... I see an addition to my elf ear collection coming along...

[Lil'freeper]

Come'n get me. You'll have to flit quickly to catch up.

[Corin Stormhands]

You know g'nad, LF-er is bein' a bit of a pain, but she has made a darn strong case for the flittiness (read limp-wristedness) of her elfin' kin...

[RMDupree]

Corin, although Becky (5) is not in school yet, I fear that I may face the same problem. She is EXTREMELY active, sometimes hyperactive and has a very short attention span. I refuse to even think about Ritalin because I hate the thought of medicating her personality.

I wish I could offer some advice or even lend a hand, but I am not in any position to do either (no teenagers yet and too far away). I can, however, continue to pray for you and your family.

I have commented before on my admiration of your ability to wear so many hats (and to wear them so well), so I'll spare you any more of that. However, I must say that your willingness to pick up the slack is remarkable and altogether a very rare thing!! Your wife and kids are very lucky to have you.

Don't worry too much about the meals. If fast food starts getting too costly, start looking into cantinas (dinners delivered at home for a reasonable weekly cost), food by the pound (usually a Hispanic bodega offers this, again more affordable than typical fast food) or lots of frozen dinners (for fast meals). As far as the dishes go, it's paper plate time at the Stormhands residence! :)

This is a temporary valley and will pass. As the baby gets older, the Missus will have more time to pick up her old schedule and duties (as a mom of a 5 month old, I can say that each month that goes by gives me a little more breathing room).

As far as Jr.'s grades go, I'll leave that to 2J since she is our resident expert on education.

Hang in there, Corin. You're doing the best you can and it's a dam* fine job you're doing too!!

[SuziQ]

Breakfast sandwiches again, sorry.

You don't need to apologize! We appreciate the effort to help us get powered up in the morning, though, I'm usually late to the table!

[SuziQ]

Breakfast sandwiches again, sorry.

You don't need to apologize! We appreciate the effort to help us get powered up in the morning, though, I'm usually late to the table!

[SuziQ]

Breakfast sandwiches again, sorry.

You don't need to apologize! We appreciate the effort to help us get powered up in the morning, though, I'm usually late to the table!

[SuziQ]

Breakfast sandwiches again, sorry.

You don't need to apologize! We appreciate the effort to help us get powered up in the morning, though, I'm usually late to the table!

[RMDupree]

Oooohhh...so shiny! And sharp!

Lil'freeper reminds me a bit of Maureen Dowd, who bashes Pres Bush but it's obvious she's got a crush on him!

Methinks LF wants to have your attention.

...I can relate. I've a weak spot for dwarves myself!

[RMDupree]

WOW! You are really appreciative, aren't you? You had to say it more than once. LOL!

Just kidding.

[SuziQ]

I think surfing is always followed by a clam bake.

This time it will followed by an orc bake!

[g'nad]

Lil'freeper reminds me a bit of Maureen Dowd, who bashes Pres Bush but it's obvious she's got a crush on him

touche'.... ooooo that's gonna leave a mark...