Moving Updates

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By now you might know that we recently moved from Maryland to Ohio and I've been working on getting my place here to look and feel like home. And this post does have an update about that project. But it's also about another project that I just started, and that is a new blog. 

A little background about this blog might be helpful as I explain what I'm doing. Years ago, I started a homeschool blog after a few online homeschool friends had done the same, and it was mostly a little record of how we spent our days. I thought maybe those friends and some of my family might be interested and that's about it. That blog had changed platforms a couple times before I settled here with the title Homeschool Coffee Break, and started reviewing homeschool curriculum and products for The Homeschool Review Crew. That gig helped grow the blog audience well past what I had originally expected as well! I also started a separate blog called Just A Second where I put my personal book reviews and other bookish things.

Fast forward a few years, and my youngest child was nearing graduation, and I had to give up reviewing curriculum. I realized that her graduation would also mean my retirement from my homeschool mom career. I've written about this whole process here quite a bit, and for a couple of years I continued writing homeschool content here, as I was still teaching at a homeschool co-op after she graduated. The direction and focus of this blog was changing though, obviously. I've been wondering for at least a year what I was going to do with a blog created for a homeschool niche audience now that I was no longer homeschooling. This winter, I seriously entertained the idea that maybe I should create a new personal blog and just keep this one here as sort of a resource for homeschooling interests, but only add new material occasionally. Our move to a new state in November brought a lot of changes my way, including leaving my teaching position at the co-op. And so, over the holidays, I was reminded of my idea to move my blogs, and I finally did it this week!

A couple of days ago, I put on the coffeepot and invited friends to join me for A Fresh Cup of Coffee.

Welcome To My New Coffee Break Project!

I wish I'd launched the new coffee break spot right at the first of the year, but my plan was still too nebulous at that point. Even now I'm still figuring it out, and it will be a bit of a gradual process, not unlike my move into a new home. When we first moved in, it was obvious where some things would go and what we'd need to buy. As we got settled and start acquiring new furniture, I changed my mind about a few things and reorganized other things. I suspect I'll do some of the same with the blog move. I know what's moving from this room to the other, but I'm sure I'll adjust things a little as we get settled.

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Or I guess I should say, STAYING here at Homeschool Coffee Break! This will still be my hub for all things homeschool, and I do plan on updating information here and on adding new content related to home education. Material like the High School Writing Tip Sheets series. Some new and some updated and renewed content from earlier in my blogging.

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Most of my new content will be at A Fresh Cup of Coffee! That will include the following link-ups and features:

Scripture and a Snapshot weekly on Saturdays.

Five Minute Friday weekly on Fridays.

The "Currently" link-up on the first Wednesday of each month, and the Share Four Somethings link-up on the last Saturday of each month. Both of these are hosted at Overflowing With Thankfulness.

The More Than Just A Mom link-up hosted by these bloggers on the second Monday of each month. (I just published my first article for this earlier this week, and it is on both blogs)

And I often share individual articles in other link-ups such as Inspire Me Monday hosted by Anita Ojeda, Let's Have Coffee hosted by Joanne Viola: Days and Thoughts, and others. The 2023 version of the Write 28 Days challenge is coming soon, for example, and I plan to participate on A Fresh Cup of Coffee.

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My Just A Second book blog will continue as usual, except that the Scripture and a Snapshot weekly link-up I've been hosting there will be moving to A Fresh Cup of Coffee. The two blogs will co-host for a few weeks to give others a chance to switch.

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I did not forget about an update on moving into the new house. Here are some photos of the progress - we started out about six weeks ago with this:

And now the dining room and living room look more like this:

I have pictures to put on the walls, but can't decide where they go until I get another loveseat or chair and a side table, and decide where those things go.

I finally have a new dresser in the bedroom, but haven't filled it yet, so the closet is still slightly chaotic (sorry - no photo of that!).

And the spare bedroom/office went from this:

to this:

So things are coming along!

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I hope you'll continue to enjoy your virtual coffee breaks with me here, or at A Fresh Cup of Coffee. Thank you especially to those of my readers that have stuck with me through the last few years of adjustments!

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Currently . . . January 4, 2023

This post contains affiliate links - using affiliate links from HS Coffee Break helps fuel this blog.

At the beginning of each month I've been participating in a "Currently" link-up hosted at Overflowing With Thankfulness. Our hostess Jennifer posts a set of action verb prompts for the month and writers respond. So, without further ado, here are this month's prompts and what's happening currently . . .

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Loving - the gift of time spent with family and friends over the past couple weeks. Yes, that's a standard answer, but it was true. I've felt mostly isolated and lonely adjusting to a new home and not having any connections as the holidays approached, so being able to have some extra days to spend with the family in Maryland and to visit with friends was very meaningful to me.

Organizing - all the stuff we piled into the spare room after the holidays! That's my job starting today, I guess, and when I finish that I still have other areas of our townhouse to organize. When we moved in just over a month ago, we designated this the "office" and spare bedroom, but other than the desk (which is STILL in two pieces) and computer, it remained a catch-all as we figured out the master bedroom and the downstairs. Right before the Christmas break, we got the pull-out sofa. We drove home to Maryland for Christmas, and my husband drove back to Ohio with a full carload of more boxes and things for the townhouse. He put most of them into the spare room until I got home (yesterday) so now begins the next round of unpacking and organizing!

Resolving - to stay on top of all those organizational tasks and to run a tighter ship here. And generally resolving to make the best of my new life here and look for all the positives and blessings.

I don't do New Year's Resolutions - do you? I think most people tend to do something more general, like a Word For The Year (which I've done in the past, and I'm not sure whether I'll do it this year), or are more intentional about having measurable goals. For the last couple of years, I've made a sort of Bucket List for the year, and put many of those things into my Remember The Milk checklist. (I still use the older version on the desktop, but there's an app as well) That way I can set things to repeat at regular intervals and can keep track of what I'm actually checking off my list. So for example, if my Bucket List includes writing notes or letters to family and friends, I can set that task to repeat every Sunday, and check it off when I do it. It's a handy tool for my Bucket List items, and for all the tasks that I want to keep on my household and personal to-do lists, like remembering to schedule appointments, set out the recycling, pay bills, or even participate in link-up parties like this one! 

Eating - I don't know yet! I don't even know what I'm doing for dinner tonight, to be honest. However, I brought back a few more recipe books and some pantry items, and will be working on my meal plan later today so I can go get some groceries tonight. It's different cooking for just two of us. I'd love to do more baking, but then it would also be just the two of us eating the bread and cookies and I feel like that might be counter-productive to our goal of getting in better shape!

Anticipating - I'm looking forward to seeing our oldest son and his family soon! They are the ones that live near us here in Ohio, but we haven't seen them since before Christmas. They went to visit his wife's family over the holiday, while we went to be with the rest of our kids in Maryland, and we've all been dealing with some illness, so hopefully by this weekend we will all be healthy enough to get together.

I'm also looking forward to having our first guests here in Ohio. Plans are shaping up for a a visit from friends in late February. Of course I am hoping that I'll soon have a date on the calendar for our next visit to Maryland.

I'm also anticipating all the good that will happen in 2023. I'm not naive enough to think there won't be disappointments, challenges, or heartaches, but I choose to focus on the good things God is doing. 

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ - to the glory and praise of God.

~Philippians 1:9-11~

Anticipating blessings in 2023!

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This post will be linked at this month's "Currently" link-up hosted by Overflowing With Thankfulness. Shout out to Anne in Residence who originated the link-up and is taking a break from hosting for now.

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A Peaceful Environment

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Times of change are often accompanied by a changing or chaotic environment. If things are changing around us - jobs, moves, schools, friendships, and so many others - there are usually visible or physical signs of the changes around us. Coping well might mean managing our environment, or it might mean coping with the environment itself.

It's no secret that our environment affects our health, moods, and productivity. Even if you don't have a diagnosis of Seasonal Affective Disorder, you might notice that you tend to feel a little down or less alert and energetic on gloomy days or during the coldest parts of winter. The longer, warmer days of spring and the sight of greening plants makes most of us feel more optimistic and cheerful.

We can't control the weather or climate, but we do have control over our homes and workspaces. What if we could make changes to those environments that would help us feel more peaceful or energetic? 

A few years ago we all heard about tidying up Marie Kondo style, and were encouraged to bring peace and harmony to our homes by getting rid of all the things that didn't "spark joy". Many felt that this was a bit extreme (I read and reviewed the book here: Recent Reads - The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up), but one thing I learned and agreed with was this: having a clean and clutter-free environment did help me feel more calm! This leads me to wonder why I'm still having trouble getting rid of all the clutter in my home!

Here are some things I've been (slowly) working towards in changing my environment:

 Make rooms functional.

It's easier to get stuff done - whether in the kitchen or at my desk - when everything I need for the job is handy and in a place that makes sense. I've been in the process of moving my "office" into the basement room, but I don't want to put everything down there until the floors have been done. So in the meantime I've had to make frustrating extra trips up and down the stairs because the books or files I need are not all in one place. That's a change in process, and I know when that change is completed I will be so happy!

Make rooms beautiful.

If I had the funds and the time, or if I had some magical powers, I would just transform each room instantly into what I picture in my head. That would be nice, but honestly, I could start by just keeping things clean. Cleaner than what I usually do, anyway. I know from experience that when I walk into the kitchen for my morning cup of coffee and the table and counters are clear, my day is off to a good start. And yet I don't bother putting everything away after dinner, and leave clutter on the counter. Why, when I know better? There is a sense of satisfaction to having a crisply made bed, a tidy desk (I sort of remember that feeling), a freshly mopped floor, a beautifully set table. 

Beyond keeping things tidied up, we have the ability to appreciate beauty and to be inspired by beautiful things. For a couple of years now, I have made a point of having fresh flowers of some kind on my dining room sideboard. I usually watch for the simple fresh flower bouquets to go on sale, and for a couple of dollars I can have a pop of color and life in my dining room that makes me smile every time I look at it. Worth it. Family photos, artwork, mementos, or whatever makes you smile - that will help bring peace and beauty to your surroundings.

Take care of the environment.

I'm not one to get all emotional about environmental causes, but I believe we have been given a responsibility to steward the earth and the resources in it. Let's clean up after ourselves, not just in our homes, but outside as well. Some practical efforts to look after the natural world and manage resources will help ensure that there's beauty and resources for us to enjoy for generations to come. 

Include time outside to recharge and settle your soul during times of stress and change. Whether that's hiking, surfing, laying on a beach, running, or just sitting on the porch watching the sunset or the snow. 

For the recent Write 28 Days Blogging Challenge, I had decided to explore the theme of living well and with purpose during times of change. A few years ago, as I neared the end of my years as a homeschool mom, I realized my world would change when my youngest graduated. My roles in the homeschool community and in my social circles were affected. Things changed in the workplace. Things are ever changing at church. And as my children grew up and the nest has begun to empty, family dynamics are changing. To our surprise, my husband's job ended at the very beginning of 2022, which brought another round of changes to consider! (He started a new position in February, and moving was a change we did not have to deal with after all!) I know very well that writing about coping with change is not the same as having all the answers. I'll do my best to share what I'm learning and experiencing, and I'd love to hear from others in the comments. For a bunch of little reasons, I didn't finish writing and posting the last week or so of this series, so these last few are being published after the challenge period ended.

This post is part of the Write 28 Days Blogging Challenge hosted by Anita Ojeda. Find all my posts for the 2022 challenge here: 28 Days of Coping With Change

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Share Four Somethings - February 2022

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The short month of February has been packed full of busy-ness, and yet I had to think pretty hard about the Something Loved, Something Gleaned, Something Braved and Something Achieved I could share for the month.  

Something Loved

If you read my January Somethings, you may remember that my husband was let go from his job of almost twenty-five years on the first Monday of January. We were stunned, to say the least. Thankfully he has a new position and has been working for two weeks now. Obviously, that is something loved, and the fact that the job is nearby (so we didn't have to move!) is something loved as well. So we are grateful and humbled at how the Lord provided. But it wasn't just the job itself. It was the wonderful timing of it, and the way it met our needs but is also meeting the needs of the employer. Perhaps that is something to share another time. 

We were also so blessed by the prayers and support and kind words from everyone. Many of his former co-workers, many contacts from around the industry, and all our friends and family were completely supportive and willing to help out if we had need. 

Above all, we love the Lord and his faithfulness; and we love the Body of Christ.

Something Gleaned

I no longer remember what internet rabbit trail I followed to find this article, but it resonated with me so I saved it. On the Mike Frost blog, he asks: Why Haven't You Asked Me Anything About My Life? He reflects on a get-together with an old acquaintance during which he and his wife asked the friend about his work, his family, and all kinds of things. The friend gave thoughtful and complete answers and the evening was pleasant for all. But afterwards, Frost and his wife realized that the friend had not asked a single question of them. What is the explanation for this increasingly common experience? Do people not have the social skill of conversation any more? What role have social media and 'online friendships' played in this trend? 

I know I tend to do a lot of the talking, and when someone asks me a question, I probably give a more complete answer than they needed. After reading that article some time ago, I tried to evaluate my own habits - do I dominate conversation? Do I ramble on but then fail to ask questions of the other person? I've been trying to pay attention to my conversations, and see if I can do better.

Something Braved

After staring down a job loss last month, and starting to mentally prepare for a move, I don't have much to top that! Even though we're not moving right now, we decided the downsizing and organizing of our house must continue. So I suppose what I've braved (to a certain extent), and am still braving, is the huge challenge of staying on task with that, but without a looming deadline to help motivate me. 

These photos are from early in the month - the basement is getting put back together, better than ever!

Something Achieved

Well, I haven't reached the end of the month yet, but I've been working on the #write28days challenge on my blog this month. It really has been a challenge, especially because I tried to write with a month-long theme. I've missed a couple of days so far, and caught up with a couple of them. Here at the end of the month with a very busy schedule and a day or two of not feeling my best, I've fallen a little behind, but I'm determined to achieve this for real. I may not finish my twenty-eighth post on February 28th, but I will finish. You can find all my posts here on the landing page: 28 Days of Coping with Change

This post will be linked at Share Four Somethings hosted by HeatherGerwing.com

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Complacency Is Deceptive

This post contains affiliate links - using affiliate links from HS Coffee Break helps fuel this blog. 

Most of my thoughts in this Coping With Change series have been about dealing with the changes going on around us and responding. There certainly are times when we must initiate a change, or the change needs to take place in us. Those can be stressful times as well, even when we want the change to happen.

We've talked about the changes that we want to see in Longing to Make a Change, and about how to change some of our habits in The Habit Trap. What about when we need to change something and just aren't motivated? I don't know about you, but I sometimes get stuck in a rut of complacency. I know I should do something but I don't feel like it, I'm lazy, I procrastinate, or I just can't be bothered. I'm not proud of it. But I suspect I'm not alone. We tend to get comfortable where we are and there we'll stay, even if we know we probably shouldn't.

Complacency is that sense of self-satisfaction and security that can fool us into thinking we're safe when we are not. Thinking we can rest on our laurels and won't be attacked. Thinking someone else will do it. Thinking we've got plenty of time and the odds are all on our side.

It's important that we take time to rest, and it's good for us to enjoy our successes and victories! But when there's still work to be done, we mustn't avoid it.

It's always frustrated me that I can't seem to have my whole house clean and organized all at one time. If the living room is perfect, I'm pretty sure the bathrooms are not. If the kitchen and dining room are pristine, I can almost guarantee the bedrooms are chaos. And if I get the kitchen all tidied up it certainly won't stay that way while I go scrub the bathrooms. Sometimes I feel like that sums up my life. There's always something to work on, isn't there?

So what will I do? Just give up because there's too much, and settle down in bitter complacency that I can't do it so why bother? Or ignore all the stuff still on the to-do list and sit in smug complacency in the one room that I did get clean? It's hard sometimes, but I'm trying to choose the third way - continue doing whatever God puts in front of me to do, celebrating victories along the way, and relying on God's strength to keep me going. 

When it comes to the things we can DO, there's plenty. Housework and yard work, and whatever it is we do at our jobs - for me it's grading papers, and every week there's another batch to do! I sure enjoy the breaks and the milestones when something is complete! But I am in a constant struggle with laziness and procrastination. I know I need to get up and get moving on my to-do list, but I do not feel like it. 

I went past the field of a sluggard, past the vineyard of someone who has no sense; thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins. I applied my heart to what a observed and learned a lesson from what I saw:

A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest -

and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.

~Proverbs 24:30-34~

Wisdom and discernment and the fear of the Lord tells me that laziness and complacency is not smart. God intended for us to bring glory to him by stewarding his creation and working in his garden, so a good work ethic is important. Working as if for the Lord, and with all our heart. (Colossians 3:23)

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What about what we can be doing to make the world a better place? Will we be complacent and let someone else fight the battles to protect families and children? Will we speak up about harassment or injustice? Will we offer help to those who need something we can give? Will we get involved in the democratic process, and hold our elected officials accountable? Will we participate in the ministries of our church, or just sit on the sidelines, complacent? 

It's easy to think "I've earned a break because after all, I've been faithfully attending this church for all these years and I've done stuff and now it's somebody else's turn. I've been throwing my money in the plate and I show up every Sunday, that's more than most people do."  

This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Reform your ways and your actions, and I will let you live in this place. Do not trust in deceptive words and say, "This is the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD!" If you really change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly, if you do not oppress the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not follow other gods to your own harm, then I will let you live in this place, in the land I gave your  ancestors for ever and ever. But look, you are trusting in deceptive words that are worthless.

~Jeremiah 7:3-8~

Ouch. Complacency can be very deceptive. Thinking we've got it made but failing to do what God asks us to. And what we should be doing out of gratitude to him.

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When God is speaking to me, it's because he wants me to do something about it. Change my actions or change my heart. Probably both. But if I'm complacent I'm missing out on it.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it - not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it - they will be blessed in what they do.

~James 1:22-25~

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Lord, help me to continue listening to the word, and to be faithful in doing what it says. I don't want to settle for "good enough", and I need your help.

    I guess now I need to get to work. 

Growth is the process of responding positively to change. ~Paul Harvey

For the Write 28 Days Blogging Challenge, I've decided to explore the theme of living well and with purpose during times of change. A few years ago, as I neared the end of my years as a homeschool mom, I realized my world would change when my youngest graduated. My roles in the homeschool community and in my social circles were affected. Things changed in the workplace. Things are ever changing at church. And as my children grew up and the nest has begun to empty, family dynamics are changing. To our surprise, my husband's job ended at the very beginning of 2022, and that has brought another round of changes to consider! I know very well that writing about coping with change is not the same as having all the answers. I'll do my best to share what I'm learning and experiencing, and I'd love to hear from others in the comments.

This post is part of the Write 28 Days Blogging Challenge hosted by Anita Ojeda. Find all my posts for the 2022 challenge here: 28 Days of Coping With Change

 Don't miss a coffee break! Subscribe to HS Coffee Break by email 

 ©2006-2022 HS Coffee Break. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://kympossibleblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Currently . . . February 2, 2022

This post contains affiliate links - using affiliate links from HS Coffee Break helps fuel this blog. 

I've left it until late in the day, but I did want to share in the "Currently" link-up with Anne in Residence. Anne posts five action verb prompts for the month and writers respond. January was a roller coaster ride for us, but it looks like things will settle down now that February is here. Here's what's happening:

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loving - how everything fell into place so that we can stay here! It has been such a relief that we do not need to move! My husband took a job that is local so we will be staying here for a few more years. Whew! Because I was not excited about purging and packing and all of that, even though I was kind of looking forward to starting over in a new house. And honestly, I'm still loving this house and the updates we're doing.

We're finally getting the basement back in order - it's been painted so we can put 
furniture back where it belongs, and make these rooms useful.

 making - changes to our schedules and routines, or at least planning to make those changes! Once hubby starts the new job, we'll have to do things a bit differently with how we share vehicles and establish mealtimes and few other things. (My #write28days series this month is focusing on Coping with Changes, if you're interested)

taking - a lot of books and other things we don't need any more to donation sites, auction, sales . . . just trying to get things out of our house! We've talked about purging things for years but we procrastinated more often than not. The prospect of a move got us motivated to work on this, and even though we're not moving, we're still doing our best to pare down the number of belongings we have so that someday when we do move, the job will be more manageable.

Totally a different topic, but I was taking a selfie for a photo prompt awhile ago and actually liked it! That never happens! Haha.

wanting - a second vehicle. We've put it off and put it off, but we really can't any more. We need at least one more vehicle in order to get me and Kennady to our respective jobs and classes, and once hubby starts work it will be impossible to manage without another car. We want a truck or a four-wheel-drive, but we may just get a cheaper compact car for now and get the truck in the summer.  

wondering - when we'll be able to see family again. I'm already anxious to see our son and his family again, but will have to wait for a long weekend opportunity to visit, I think. And my parents have been wanting to come visit us for at least a year but with restrictions and constant changes, it hasn't worked out.

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This post is linked at Anne in Residence for this month's  "Currently".

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 ©2006-2022 Homeschool Coffee Break. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://kympossibleblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.