"I've got an idea...when I want your opinion, I'll ask."

I know that I have shared with some of you that the neighborhood that we have just moved into is really "post card-ish". I mean...the truth is that the second day that we were here three neighbors came by to meet us, the Chairman of the Historic Whatever came by to bring us a "throw" blanket with some of the houses from the street detailed on it, and no joke, when you walk down the street people wave and yell, "Welcome to P**k Street." And they mean it. I mean, they LOVE their street, neighbors, and their neighborhood.

Since I am 3 weeks into my recovery I have been trying to take the girls for a walk at least once a day. There are sidewalks on this street so we are making good use of them. Today, my mom went with us for a walk and while we were out, about 10 minutes into our walk, when a lady that I had never met from the street waved and yelled, "Welcome to P**k Street." "Thank you." I said politely. Because it is endearing for everyone to be so welcoming.

"So, which house are you in?" She asked.
I pointed across the street a ways and said, "We just moved into that one on the corner."
She says, "Oh! I would love to see the inside of it." What's the harm? She's 70 ish.
"Sure. Anytime. Feel free to stop by." I say.
"Ok" she says, "I'll go tell my husband that I am going to run down with you real quick."
Now, I was a little uptight, strictly because I had not done the dishes, all of our homeschooling materials were on the table and our bedroom, for lack of a better term, looked like a tornado had hit it. For some reason it is the gathering place for everyone's crap. But, I was thinking, "No biggie. She can walk through and in the grand scheme of things, it's neither here nor there."

Well, I'll skip the part where she asked me how much we paid for our house...and get to the good part. When she was leaving, we were standing out on the back porch, and she said, "Did I tell you that I was in public education for 30 years?" "Yes, you did." I said. Now, maybe I am naive but I really thought that she was going to say...."So, if you need any help or any advice in homeschooling...."
That' not what happened.
"Well," she said, "You need to get your kids back in school as soon as possible."
Stunned, because I met her 15 minutes before this advice...I said, "My kids were in school and we pulled them out this semester."
"Well, haven't you seen all of those women on the news who killed their children...it's b/c they homeschooled." she advised.
"Well, we are doing fine." I informed.
Then she went into this long story about her daughter who homeschooled for a couple of years and she called them because she needed a "break" and finally "they all ganged up on her and she put them in school."
I responded by saying, "Well, I definitely think that our family is doing fine right now."
And she said, "You need to think about your extended family also."
At this point I am taking everything in because I really cannot believe that her lips are still moving. Then, she approaches her final point very skillfully....
"Even for people with teaching certificates homeschooling is difficult."
I knew that was really a question....so I say, "My husband and I both have our Master's Degrees- it hasn't been that difficult teaching my first grader." Which is a lie. Only Greg has completed his Master's. I , of course, began mine on three different occasions and completed only 15 hours toward a Master's in Public Health. I guess I should've clarified...oh well.
There were many more words falling from her lips....about "the mom's well-being and mental health" but the conversation ended with her saying, "Oh listen to me I'm already mothering you. See you later."

I mean, when do you hit the age where your opinions are so strong that you can not hold them in your mouth. I was troubled by the fact that there are hundreds of thousands of homeschoolers and she saw 2 or 3 on TV who were crazy and has formed this entire belief about homeschooling. That would be like me saying, "Well, I am opposed to public education because there are so many school shootings." I was also troubled by the fact that she didn't believe the "evil" was in the hearts of these women but rather some "outside force (homeschooling) made them do it."

Anyway. The only really funny thing that Abby said this week was : "When I grow up, I think I'll be a Hieroglyphic." She meant Chiropractor. I said, " I think you'd be a great one!"