How have I lived so long without a laminator?

I realize the title of this post is pushing some of you over the edge. I know, you may not even know what a laminator is. Remember how your 6th grade teacher had cool pictures printed on paper that felt like plastic? That's what a laminator does! It makes paper feel like plastic! 

I'm 100% sure that is not at all a technical definition of a laminator, but who cares? That's basically what it does, so let's call it good. 

More on the laminator in a bit....

Before we get to that, I feel like I should ask you how you've been....really...How are you? I don't know because I'm not on social media. (By the way, my absence from social media saved you from seeing about 15 pictures of my new laminator tonight. You are welcome.) 

Isn't that strange? I really feel like I don't know what's happening with you people because I'm unplugged. But I will also say that my social media absence has been amazing. It was admittedly hard at the beginning. I was addicted for sure. But it is so much easier now. I mean, it sort of feels like freedom. (I am promising to explain that better later.) 

I also feel like I should admit that I am not in a very disciplined place at the moment, and I am perfectly okay with that (for now). 

If you've been reading for any amount of time, you may have noticed that I have a tendency to be too hard on myself. I hold myself to a high standard on most days and make myself feel bad when I don't live up to my own high expectations. I am learning to chill out. 

I'm currently not on a regular workout routine. I'm not being disciplined about having my quiet time in the morning with the Lord. I'm not being disciplined about what I eat or when I go to bed. It's not normal for me, but it's okay. 

I am finally in my groove in terms of being a homeschool momma. I've found fun, themed curriculum on teacherspayteachers.com and I'm staying up late on a regular basis printing fun lessons and then laminating them. What can I say? I'm a teacher at heart. Always have been.

I feel the tug on my heart to get back into a rhythm.....to run again.....to study again....to read again. I guess you could say I've been a little lazy for a season. And for the 1st time ever, I don't feel guilty about it. I'm okay with it. 

My soul yearns for discipline and structure and order, but sometimes it's okay to wander a bit.....to stray off the straight and narrow and remember why I like it better there. I don't really know what I'm getting at here. Just processing. Writing on the screen. Attempting to unravel my brain. 

It's the way things happen often. Sometimes I just need to write. {Sorry to bother you with the inside of my head.}

On another note, (that's my lame way of transitioning from the previous section that made no sense whatsoever and may even be contradictory) I have fully embraced my Whitney English Day Designer agenda, and I can't wait to start using it. I even emailed them yesterday to see if they had any 2013 editions left (they don't). I think I'm going to like it.  

If you missed the last post, be sure to check it out here for a chance to win a planner. 

I thought you might also like to see what we've been doing lately since I've vanished from Instagram. Just a little school outside because we've having the most gorgeous Oklahoma fall weather around here. 

Oh and my neighbor just started homeschooling this week! How crazy is that?! They moved into the house next to us right before school started. They have 3 kiddos and one of them is a little girl that's in 1st grade. Of course our kiddos have become instant friends (which I love). But she decided this week that homeschool was the best option for them too. 

She came over this morning and we talked curriculum and theory and approach all morning long, and it felt so good. I feel like this Fall is full of blessings and harvest from the Lord. I really do. 

Other news in the Dalke house inclues Wyatt brushing his own hair. 

Personally, it's a little too Ace Ventura for my style, but hey, he's cute and can rock anything. 

Oh and I discovered Teacherspayteachers, bought a $30 laminator from amazon, and started laminating everything in sight. 

I don't know if that makes me crazy or fun. Either way....happy Thursday.