Paula Tracey
A Tarnished Southern Belle

After a stressful week with travel and work, I came home to deal with the stress of taking the oldest to the psychiatrist.  His recommendation is to pull her out of school, but not do a GED.

In research, I have found alternative ways for her to get her high school diploma.  There are two or three well known universities that have programs for distance learning for high school kids that are not being served by their schools.  Basically, home schooling with all the course work available from the university via the internet.

I’ve already discussed the issue with the Ex and based on the conversation with the Vice Principal, he is all aboard, although he wants to fight the school a tad longer to make a point of how the needs of highly gifted and emotionally stressed kids is not being met.

I now have a deadline.  I need to get a program picked, official transcripts picked up, kid withdrawn from current school and enrolled in new high school with at least two weeks of attendance by December 12th.

The oldest child asked me if I would home school her last night.  She has been asking for the last year or so, but last night she was finally able to make her case in a way that I understood.  She is struggling to function at school - not because of the work she is tasked with, but because she is emotionally/mentally unable to deal with the sheer volume of kids - the noise level, the number of kids in each class as well as in the hall.

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There is a pile of laundry next to me on the bed, but to be honest, I’m trying to pretend it isn’t there.  I know that doesn’t get it done, and procrastination is not always the best thing in the word to do, but I am.  Procrastinating.  Because today is my last full day at home before the traveling craziness of November hits.

What I want to do is go to Barnes and Noble.  I want to get a cup of coffee and peruse books.  There is a book by Samara O’Shea that I am wanting to pick up about the art of writing letters, and if they don’t have it, I’m sure I will find something else to peak my interest.  I joined Soldier’s Angels, after a suggestion from Melissa and sending a weekly letter to a couple of soldiers has reminded me that the art of writing letters is truly becoming lost in so many ways.

I love email.  And the immediacy of text messages.  But the downside is that if you don’t respond immediately, it’s as if you are ignoring someone, when, in all honesty, you aren’t.  Letters and cards are different.  They arrive quietly and can be savored - and it’s ok that if and when you respond, you take your time.  It’s also something you can tuck into your pocket and read again.

There is just something more intimate about a letter - or a handwritten note inside a card - than there is to an email or a text.  So, I’ve made it a personal mission to begin sending cards and letters to friends besides just my weekly letters to my two Army guys. So, don’t be surprised if, for reasons like birthdays and holidays, or even no reason at all, you discover a card or letter in YOUR little mailbox.

By the way, I have discovered new cards that I love.  They are from Curly Girl Designs.  This one is sitting on the shelf above my desk -my inspirational spot…. and in case you can’t read it, it says…

“She packed up her potential, and all she had learned, grabbed a cute pair of shoes, and headed out to change a few things.”

Peace out.  Laundry can wait a little longer, I think.  I have some cards to address.  And coffee waiting for me at Barnes and Noble……