Nervous

When the alarm went off this morning, I let out a big sigh. It's Election Day. Our community has had March 6th on the tip of its tongue for months, since we heard that they were going to try for another levy on this day. You may remember that the one in November failed. This one is requesting less money, only 5 years instead of permanent, and lots of things have happened since November. Unions have made concessions. Two schools will be closed in the fall. And there is a huge laundry list of programs that are all cut as of this fall. If the levy passes, there is also a list of which ones will be restored next January (about half). You can guess all the programming cuts: bussing, sports, extracurriculars, art, music, reading intervention, gifted and talented, college prep, etc. The magnet school program, which is lottery selected for grades 1-5, is cut, no lottery for next year's first graders. We had considered that program for next year, but now we will remain in our home school. (Which, by the way, I have complete peace about, since they made that announcement. One year at a time, but for first grade, we'll forge ahead).

It's been a heated debate, and I'm exhausted of it. Let's just vote and get on with it. No one knows whether it will pass or fail. Sixty-one percent voted against it in November. But I am not exaggerating when I say that I got down on my knees this morning and prayed that it would pass. I know that I am a worrywart by nature, and I can be overly dramatic at times. But I am very very concerned about what another failed levy would do for the schools and the whole community. I NEVER thought I would consider moving again. I love this community and intend to be a lifer. But we will not stay here and ride the downfall of the district. (Okay, that statement is a little dramatic).

I even wrote a letter that I intended to send to the local paper (they post letters every week, and 90% of them have been levy-related for months). But Brian talked me out of sending it. (Well, he didn't fully talk me out of it. But I was going to send it, and then he said some things, and so I didn't.)

Katy has also been aware of the debate this time around. When we drive around, she counts YES and NO signs. "Six yes's, four no's, Mom!" This morning, David said "Mom, it isn't fair that Katy has money to give to the schools. I don't HAVE any money." I quickly explained that only grown-ups are being asked to give money to the schools. (And maybe I should give him a couple of dollars for his birthday?)

And again, I also feel badly because there is no easy answer. I know some people are really hurting financially or are on fixed incomes and they really can't make it work. I wish there were a way to have decent schools without causing people financial pain. But we have to do the best with the system we have. And strong communities have strong schools - you cannot separate the two. And it costs money to have strong schools, and therefore a strong community. What should we do? It's a million dollar question (quite literally).

At Home with Honey Bear

David got his turn to take home the class bear: Honey Bear. He was SO excited, you would have thought it was a real pet or something. And you know the drill - he was supposed to take pictures and "journal" about all that he did with the bear while he was at our house, and then bring it back to school to report. He was just so stinking cute about the whole thing. He kept saying, "Mom! Take my picture NOW while I do THIS with Honey Bear."

Introducing Honey Bear to the world of McD's

OBviously the bear was going to play with some cars.

Riding bikes to the park - hurrying to get back before it's dark.

HB comes with his own pillow. Convenient for sharing a bed so he doesn't hog yours.

Dancing with HB to Jim Gill.

Feeding breakfast to Honey Bear on his last morning with us. That bear got some special treatment!

40 Bags in 40 Days - 1 down

In the blogging circles where I run, there's been a lot of talk about decluttering in the past year or so. It has made me think and I believe a few things to be true. The more we have, the more we want to get. And the more we collect, the more we have to clean up, and the more stress we experience maintaining all the stuff. I have a desire to simplify and overall reduce the amount of stuff in this house. And I think a good decluttering would be a good annual habit to make.

I've been reading over at Clover Lane lately, and every year during Lent she does a 40 Bags in 40 Days decluttering project. The focus is to let go of our attachment to things for what's more important. So I decided to join her this year. She recommends starting with a list of the areas of the house that you want to attack and plan goal dates. I decided to list 30 areas because I know I'll end up using weekends to catch up on the areas I didn't complete during the week.

The boys cooperated today and took good naps. When that doesn't happen, I'm not sure how I'll get it done. But I tackled the pantry to get an easy start. I tossed one bag of trash and started a pile of donations and...maybe a garage sale pile?

I'm not going to bore you with pictures of all 40 bags, but I thought if I shared my plan, I'd be more motivated to follow through.  I took before and after pictures of the pantry, but it didn't look that much different. Most of the clutter was hiding in the back corners. But in the name of progress...at least I know what's in here now!

But wow, if I got 2 bags of stuff out of this little cabinet - we're in for a busy 40 days.  Please let me know if you have any decluttering tips.