There's No Place Like Home!

Today was the last day of my Orton-Gillingham class. It was fantastic, inspiring, and very, very hard. I am so much smarter than I was 2 weeks ago. In more ways than one.

I remember when I was young my mother used to always say, "I'm so glad I can be a stay at home mom, there's nothing in the world I would rather do." Of course, in my mind, that translated to, "There is no way I'm smart enough to ever do anything but cook and clean." I regret to admit I always felt a little disappointed that she never aspired to more. (I was a child of the feminist generation after all) But now I know for myself, I feel the same way.

As great as this class was, and as happy as I am that there are dedicated and professional people who go into the world and do this important thing for others, I am SOOOO happy to come back home and give it to my son. I miss being home. I miss having order that is in my charge. I miss my kids.

I am so glad I can be a stay at home mom. There's nothing in the world I would rather do.

Thanks mom. I finally get it.

An American Institution

**Note** This post is being written in a effort to avoid working on the talk I'm supposed to give in sacrament meeting tomorrow, as well as the sunday school lesson I haven't even looked at. And, am I supposed to buy my husband something too? Do I need to make him breakfast in bed? I better go to the store...

This week our "neighborhood" is having a Garage Sale. A very ambitious neighbor looking for some extra cash organized the whole sha-bang. I have, on principle, sworn off ever participating in one. I don't mind buying something from a garage sale. But I really, really despise the idea of putting one on.

I remember when I was about 10 my mother spent no less than TWO MONTHS "organizing" hers. She didn't sleep the entire night before because she was up pricing. Our entire family life was on hold for the precious $200 she would garner for her efforts. Then, when the hoopla was done, she got to spend another day hauling it 45 minutes away to the Salvation Army. Capitalism at its finest.

So when my perky neighbor invited me to participate, my first response was NO WAY. Then the (very weak) frugal voice in the back of my head said, "You do have a basement full of stuff you don't need. Why not earn a little cash? It could be Christmas money!" etc., etc., etc. Then the reality that I would not be home the entire week prior to prepare sank in, so with a twinge of self inflicted guilt, I opted out.

I. am. so. glad.

For 3 days now, I have watched my neighbors sit on lawn chairs in their driveways from 8 AM to 4 PM. It has been hot and humid, but that's my observation as I get in and out of my air conditioned car. From speaking with them, they have each averaged about $100. Now, $100 is $100. But this is where the principal of "opportunity cost" applies.

I personally cannot see CHARGING my neighbors children to buy JUNK that I will then have to throw out. And maybe I've been a Mormon for too long, but it seems to me, if I've got a bin full of perfectly nice baby clothes I'll never use again, I'd just as soon GIVE them to neighbor with a new baby, rather than ask her to BUY them from me. Don't get me wrong, I'm not too proud to buy garage sale clothes. I have, and do. I'm also not opposed to making money. But I really believe in the whole "Karma" thing when it comes to giving things away.

I'd much rather just pack up my excess and send it out the door with a prayer that it will be a blessing to whomever is able to buy it. Just think of all the handicapped veterans that will be employed sorting and tagging it for me! Just think of the thrill of the thrift shop patron at the bargain! Have I lost out on $100, possibly, much more? Yes.

But I have spent the last 3 days doing much more satisfying things.

I just love the American way.

Pardon me if my brain explodes.

Whew! What a week! I have spent the last 5 days, and will spend 5 more next week, taking a college class to obtain level 1 Orton-Gillingham certification. ("ya broke 'ur what?!") I know. What it really means, is that I will finally have official credentials to be Spencer's tutor, and whomever else I happen to tutor. (O-G, as it is called, is a "Multi-sensory, systematic, explicit approach to remediating reading difficulties")

It has been fun, tiring, and a great opportunity to flex my mental muscles. I'm glad I've already been studying this for a year and half. I've come home with a big headache each day, 3 hours of homework, and dreams about the complexities of short vowel articulation.
I'm ready for the weekend!

(Jared of course, is just happy I'm home to catch up on the laundry. But he seriously has been very supportive.)

Ever feel like your brain is going to explode?