I don't know what has gotten into me this year.

Maybe it's still the whiplash I described yesterday.

But I have no motivation to get school planning done for next year.

Now those of you who know me or have read my blog for a while should remember that planning the school year is actually my favorite part of homeschooling and always has been. Nothing gets my juices flowing like curriculum catalogs, great homeschool supply websites, or my fourteenth reading of the dog-eared and marked up copy of The Well-Trained Mind. I'm one of those rare souls that would rather order science supplies than new shoes and would rather stay up all night putting schedules to paper (okay, to Excel) than reading that new novel.

But this year, it's just not there. As I approach doing this for the 23rd time, the fire is, well, not exactly white-hot.

Oh, I've felt guilty about it. So guilty that those of you who innocently called or emailed me IN MARCH to ask my advice about fitting the last pieces of your plans in place for next year just barely escaped my screams and blows...betcha didn't suspect that you almost caused me to crack, huh? I'm only barely kidding here...you gals (and you know who you are) definitely inspire me in a "normal" year, but this spring I've had hallucinations that you were all conspiring to have me committed ;-)

Remember, I had mentally set aside the next two weeks as the time when I would sit bandaged in my recliner, unable to do much else, and pull out the books and the schedules and the order forms. It was going to be a self-imposed exile, perfect for making myself finalize start the planning. And so now that I've had ripped out from under me the pleasure of having my leg sliced open hip to knee (believe me, I say that tongue-in-cheek), I'm left without the privilege and the benefits of exile.

Okay, maybe the problem is that I thrive on challenge. At one time I had six students a year to plan for, and now that load is cut in half. With six of nine students now in place as alumni of our home school, the work load and the planning time are lighter and will never move back in the other direction. Some days I'm grateful for that; other days I'm nostalgic and blue. Hey, maybe I need to beg, borrow, or steal half a dozen orphan students and beef up my class rosters? Nah...better to do what I can to contribute to the education of my grandchildren as my terrific daughters continue the journey with the next generation.

Don't worry about me...I know this funk is very temporary. I do know myself well enough to know that the flame will be back, maybe even by next week. And in a month I'll be looking back at this post shaking my head and wondering what in the world was wrong with me.

Okay, now where are those catalogs? Ummm....they were right here last month...uh...right here under the paint chips...

PAINTING! I knew there was a reason I couldn't be bothered with the catalogs yet!

Labels: Homeschooling