Introduction

When we go to the store, we check the labels to see what’s inside, to make sure we’re not bringing unsavory elements into our homes. Labels are easy. Additionally, they’re efficient: there’s so much contained in a few simple words. However, I tend not to trust them because of that. There are a few that have been used so extensively that they almost lose their meaning.

Now, I’m tempted to keep extending the metaphor a while longer, but I think its length and your attention are inversely related. My point is simply this: While I wish I could avoid labels because they are overused and have prejudices attached to them, I know they have the power to soothe. If you can do me a favor, please run through everything you know about ‘these people’:

Military wives

Stay-at-home moms

Liberals

Middle school teachers

Dog owners

Clowns

Queers

Nerds/dorks/geeks

Teenage mothers

College drop-outs

Agnostics

Small-town/country girls

Bookworms

Chances are, you have some preconceived notions about the people in at least 3.14159 of those categories. There’s even the possibility that you would be able to get an accurate picture of me, based solely on those labels. However, I highly doubt that we have exactly the same definitions for or experiences with people from each of those groups. Honestly, I’m not sure if this is an introduction or a warning label. In fact, I’m not quite sure what I’m doing here *cough* procrastinating *cough*. I just know that I was searching for a blog about homeschooling that didn’t revolve around the parents’ relationship with a higher power and getting more and more frustrated. Suffice it to say, I couldn’t really relate to the experiences of most of the bloggers. This is my attempt at creating a space where I don’t get twinges of alienation.

If you have questions about anything here, I may eventually find time to answer them.

This is who I am (based on my actions)

I spend the majority of my time designing and implementing lessons for a classroom of one.

The rest is divided between battling entropy in the kitchen and living areas, volunteering at the local community theater, knitting a multitude of scarves, experimenting in the kitchen, playing with my family, and loving my husband. I get distracted by webcomics, trade paperbacks, graphic novels, new skills, and feeding people.

Now, I’m going to take my daughter out to eat at a steakhouse. Bet you $5 she puts away more bloody cow than I can.