High School Dropout Pep Talks

I have been somewhat absent this past week, because I've been so busy.  However, I have observed lots and lots of food for thought during our adventures.  One of those being about how some families are slaves to their chosen curriculum. We are not, but everybody's family situation in different.

Another being that I do get somewhat somewhat annoyed with folks that didn't take education seriously, spent their young lives acting like the Prodigal Son, and then come along and try to give the Four Princesses a pep talk about how they should stay in school, don't drink, don't do drugs, don't get pregnant, blah, blah, blah.  I really and truly do not think that it is right for someone who is wallowing in self pity for the poor decisions that they made in life, to stand before our family and try to use themselves as an example of how they lived it up throughout high school, their lives fell apart, and the Four Princesses should try very hard not to do the same.  Are you joking????

Here's the people that I would rather have around to give the Four Princesses a pep talk:

1.  People that finished high school.  I don't care how successful you have been afterwards, just let them know that you made it through.
2.  People that went BACK to school after they saw the error of their ways.  This is far better than someone who didn't pay their dues, and still doesn't care about it.
3.  People who may or may not have an education, but who have worked hard and made a decent life for themselves anyway.  Isn't this part of the idea of homeschooling/unschooling? 
4.  People who are self employed and loving it.
5.  People who chose family over career.  What are the rewards and blessings of raising children?
6.  People who sacrificed education and careers to take care of others (not the kind that dropped out for the sake of fun).
7.  People who have cleaned up their lives and now really do have nice families, can earn a living, want to explore and learn, even as adults.
8.  People that love fine arts.
9.  People that like to read.
10.  People that like to help others.
11.  Prayer warriors.
12.  Creative minds that aren't currently scrambled by substance abuse.
13.  People who take charge of their lives rather than letting life happen to them.
14.  People who are proactive in the education of their own children.

On a more positive note, Spring has about sprung in West Texas.  We might have Spring fever and not do as much "school work" as usual today.  There are other things to learn and see and do.  It's humid, like it might rain.  The birds are singing.  Everybody feels lazy. 

Have a Great Day!
Laurel Santiago

Goals for My Birthday

Last year, I post 36 blessings for my birthday.  This year, I've decided to set goals for myself.  Some goals are pretty cliche', but others are quite different and unusual.  I might not be able to meet these goals in one year, but these are things that have been on my mental wishlist and getting them into print seems to help me reach them faster.

1.  My health.  I need to play dancing games with the girls as often as possible, and do a better job of shunning sugar and unnatural foods.

2.  Financial Peace:  this is a tough one, but a work in progress.

3.  100 baton twirling students.  That's a BIG number, but I'm sticking to it.

4.  An office:  I need a little place that I can call home for my business, where I can do registrations, take orders for uniforms, have some twirling supplies on hand to purchase at registration, and so forth and so on. 

5.  Christmas:  I didn't do such a good job this year of getting everything ready on time.  I was going through some things that made me feel more like Scrooge than Santa, particularly the fact that everyone in my household was sick for about a month.  I will do better next Christmas.

6.  Vegetables:  Princess Melody wants to try raised bed gardening, and I want to help.  I have never had a successful garden, but every Spring, I try again.

7.  Solar Power:  How much of my house could I get on solar energy before the year is out without too much expense?

8.  Slow cooker meals:  On twirling nights, we need them.

9.  Book more shows for my twirling class.

10.  I have plans of starting a scouting program for families, not just for girls or boys.  BIG project that I've been mentally working on for about 5 years.

11.  Keep more journals and memory books to keep track of our history together as a family.

12.  Make the front yard look like a glittering, glowing fairyland.

13.  Make some much needed repairs on the house.

14.  Conquer the clutter in my house.

15.  Work on some creative wealth building.

16.  Play more games.

17.  Read more books.

18.  Learn to draw.