When I found a homeschool group close to home, I reached out, eager to claim one of the last two spots for January. After learning about the classes and age ranges, I was reassured it wasn’t religious—aside from a short morning prayer. If you’ve dipped your toes into the homeschool world, you know finding a non-religious, socially and educationally focused group can be challenging.
I confidently filled out Evelyn’s registration form, breezing through the basics: name, age, address, no allergies or medications. Then, before submitting, I skimmed the group’s rules. The first paragraph? Fine—respect the church property. A prayer to start the day? Expected. But then I hit this:
“Prayer is to be led by a male whenever possible.”
I froze. Mouth open, I interrupted Dave mid-scroll. His face twisted into a mix of shock and confusion.
Instead of backing out immediately, I messaged the admin for clarification, the line above in tow: “I’m reading the guidelines and wanted to better understand this part.” Depending on her response, I’ll either politely decline or let my soapbox tempt me. Knowing myself, I’ll likely opt for a respectful, concise you’re not for us.
After seven years of battling over the thermostat—me nudging it up, Dave turning it down—I finally found the solution: a space heater. Now, my office, with its cozy couch, round rug, and colorful curtains, is a toasty haven where I can type in peace. Problem solved.
Today’s highlights? Scotty Jackson and crew spent the day splitting wood while Evelyn played with Emma. Dave, Evelyn, and I have been playing Mario Party together for the past two nights. Rafting down rivers, circling the remote to oar, and tackling cooperative mini-games has made for some fun bonding time. I love seeing Evelyn mature and become capable of more.
I’m tempted to wrap this up, but something keeps me lingering. Do you remember where I left my scarf?
Today, we finally put the Christmas tree in the attic. Evelyn, ever the dramatic one, staged a full protest, standing in front of it with her arms out like we were about to plow over a forest sheltering an endangered bird species. The compromise? We’ll get a large live tree or plant, string it with lights, and decorate it for every holiday—Valentine’s, Saint Patrick’s, you name it.
Lately, I’ve been craving seafood—raw oysters, crab, clams, the whole spread. Unfortunately, fresh seafood isn’t exactly within arm’s reach, so patience will have to do for now. Maybe I’ll start a tradition: once a year, I’ll indulge in the best seafood buffet I can find. That should keep the cravings at bay, right?
Oh, and about the scarf—turns out I found it. By the way, I don’t even own a scarf.
Love,
Jaclynn
Going On 40 