Catching Up

     I am usually out of the loop when it comes to gather and conflicts on gather. I have several emails in my box with replies to replies etc. I don't know if I want to read and try and decifer them or not. Honestly, I try to avoid controversy unless it is "important" or involves someone I care about. I put important in quotations because I have a gage for what is important and what is really important.

    I was thinking about gather this week and the role it has played in my life over the last year. Until gather, I had never participated in a virtual community of sorts. I went on the computer to check my email which was just to and from friends and family. Also, to find information and check a homeschool support message board which is made up of only members who are live this area. Gather has been a blessing in my life. I was amazed that you could connect with strangers around the world. Some of these connections feel more like friends you have come to know and love for years. I had a virtual support system when I was going through "bad" times and people that celebrated with me during "good" times or news. I truly love that about gather! I care about and can connect to total strangers.
    I haven't been on gather as much as I would like for months now. I homeschool my two children and it takes up a great deal of time. Even though I am on the computer right now, we have more home work to do today. We just covered some Science and static electricity. They thought it was a hoot to rub the balloons on their heads and watch them stick to things.
   In addition to homeschool, we have outside activities and classes. My son takes a music class once a week with a real music teacher and other homeschoolers. My daughter is taking a 5-week class at a museum that meets once a week for 2 hours. My daughter has scouts once a week. My son and I are in a homeschool Bowling League that meets twice a month. We have occasional fieldtrips and playdates. We went to see the Nutcracker Ballet in December which was a fieldtrip I organized.
   I never feel caught up on housework/cleaning. I started painting in December when I took my kids to an art class and the teacher put a piece of paper in front of me and said paint! I said, " I don't know how to paint!" I found out that I love it and never even considered doing it until now at the age of 38. The teacher didn't give me any instruction at the kids class. She just encouraged free expression for anyone to paint.
   Many people already know this about me on gather because I have mentioned on several occasions. I have adult ADHD and sometimes it is really hard for me to focus or to sit still. Lately, I have felt overwhelmed and haven't been on gather because I can't sit still for long periods. I am typing this article over a period of time as I get up and go do something, then come back and sit down. I annoy myself sometimes!
   So, to sum it all up. I love gather and many of my connections. I am sorry if I don't comment as much as I would like to comment. I haven't forgotten any of you and many times I think about people during the week and wonder how they are doing. I will try to comment this weekend as often as I can sit still.
   Also, I spoke very briefly to Apryl L. on the phone yesterday and she sounded like Elmer Fudd, but was doing o.k. after her oral surgery. I keep thinking of things I forgot to mention so this has jumped around on different topics more than I wanted it to. I forgot to mention that I spent some time on the phone this week calling state congressman and senators about HB2975 and voicing my opposition to the bill. If I tried to go into this subject it would take to long.
What I want to know is how each of you are today and anything else you want to share.
This message will contain errors and mistakes!

Comments: 14

Sue * Mar 1, 2008, 4:44pm EST

AMA...good to hear from you! I am also glad to know that Apryl is doing well. As for the emails you have concerning drama...I suggest you hit the delete button. I left a comment, but truly I think this is an issue between a small group of people and doesn't have anything to do with most of us. I feel bad for the people involved as some of them are long time connections and I know they have been hurt. But, I can't fix it-so, I left my 2 cents and went on my way.

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flit . Mar 1, 2008, 5:07pm EST

delete, block sender.... it's all good

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Cheryl W. Mar 1, 2008, 6:02pm EST

I try and stay out of the Gather conflicts too, Anne. They can be easy to get caught up in if you aren't careful. As for my day, I've been relaxing, catching up on Gather and trying to clean my house. Like you, I feel that is NEVER caught up on...lol. Have a blessed day!

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Bonnie S. Mar 1, 2008, 7:15pm EST

I am glad to hear from you, and glad things are going well for your family. I stay out of conflicts, and just delete most emails I get. Take Care : )

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Deb J. Mar 1, 2008, 7:22pm EST

Hi again Anne Marie!! I feel the same way towards Gather as you do. I don't know what I did before I found Gather. I have also made some dear friends on there! Someday in the next 3 years I desperately want to home school my daughter either when she enters or leaves the 6th grade!! Have a nice weekend my friend!!!

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Audrey F. Mar 1, 2008, 7:39pm EST

I am so out of the loop, Anne Marie, that I didn't even the recent emails. Oops, maybe I shouldn't admit that in public because then someone might add me to their list. I don't get involved in the conflicts either and agree that the delete button is very handy when needed.
Sounds like homeschooling is a full time job. It makes sense that it would be. I really admire all that you do---you really have two (probably more) full time jobs since you are mom, too, not just teacher. I'd be overwhelmed, too! I'm sorry the ADHD makes focusing so hard. It is the effects of the ADHD that are annoying, not you!!!!!
You said you wanted to know how our day is/was/has been going. I've been up since 5:30. Had a light breakfast, did some conditioning exercise after the requisite half hour of rest after eating (or is it supposed to be an hour? Or is that just before swimming?), went to the karate dojo and helped with the young kids' class and the teen class, went to sparring class for the first time since I'd broken my toe and hurt my ribs (toe-six weeks ago, ribs-four). I felt out of shape and those nasty voices in my head were telling me that any minute the sensei was going to tell me to get out of class because I was no good at sparring. I hate those voices! I had fun in spite of the inner criticism. When I left the dojo, I was dying of thirst, starving and exhausted. When I got home I ate a late lunch, drank a ton of water and now I'm doing some gathering. I am actually going out again, to get a massage! I found a new place and a great massage therapist (Sorry I think I forgot to tell you when we talked this week). I'm hoping it will help prevent some of the soreness that is due to surface from last night's karate class and today's sparring. Mainly though, I just want to relax, rest and feel calm.
Have a great evening and rest of the weekend. :) Hugs to you!

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Janet "Jax" B. Mar 1, 2008, 10:24pm EST

You never feel caught up Anne Marie...LOL...I know I don't...it's a having kids thing....

We're so busy here too...not enough time in the day...between scouts (boys and girls), dance, school, homeschool, etc....

If you're interested, Atlanta Motor speedway has Scout day next Saturday...it's about 3 hrs. from you...it's a lot of fun...we're going...

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Jennifer F. Mar 2, 2008, 1:08am EST

It's so nice to hear from you and to know that you are busy raising your kids and having some fun too. I'm so glad Apryl did well with her oral surgery. That just broke my heart when I read of her problems with her teeth. I'm not really sure what's going on with those emails either, and I'm on Gather regularly.

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Amanda "middle of nowhere" C. Mar 2, 2008, 7:24am EST

I'm glad to know you're doing well. Most of my time has been taken up with hubby and graduate school. I look forward to seeing more of your painting!

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Apryl Just Apryl Mar 2, 2008, 10:49am EST

Girly Comments & Graphics

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Bob B. Mar 2, 2008, 11:16am EST

It's so good to hear from you, Anne Marie. I'm so glad things are going well. I was also happy to hear that Apryl's surgery went well.

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J W. Mar 8, 2008, 3:46pm EST

being a mostly non-social person myself I can definitely relate to being able to come on Gather and make friends here. I think you made the right choice to homeschool your children and given the fact that you almost became a teacher, I think God may have intended you to study in this field to educate your own children. Anne you are a good hearted person and you have done many things for me that most people outside of family wouldn't do. I feel like I can tell you anything without having to worry about it going anywhere else. Thank you for being there for me........for being able to understand my life and my situation from the bottom of my heart

love

me

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J W. Mar 8, 2008, 3:48pm EST

check out some of my new pics.......I took alot of clothes,earrings and jewelry that Briggette and I both have

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Karolyn Q. Mar 13, 2008, 7:32pm EDT

Good to see you again. Sometimes life gets in the way of Gather. I know, it happens to me alot lately.

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