Kiwi's Odyssey: My Vegetable Garden Mentor

About Pierre

Aaahhhh, hubby! We met at university and just 'clicked' and the rest is, well, history ... in fact, not only did I get my BSc at university, but I also got my Mrs. after graduation ;) ... and Pierre is still as handsome as the day I met him !

Pierre has proven to be a wonderful man and wonderful provider to his family. Pierre is loyal, loving, kind, funny, warm hearted, and a 'trickster'!

Try this on: ‘Babe’, I’m seriously thinking that I can’t go back to work – I just can’t leave Cody … he took so long in the making and with 5 loses every day is a gift! What’s the point in having our son and not been able to watch him grow up and being there for him? Followed shortly thereafter by: Followed by – Oh and babe, I want to homeschool our son … I assure you I’m ‘normal’, but this just seems ‘right’ for our family.

I just want to confirm here just how amazing my husband is. And how much he has sacrificed to make this possible. And how he has given me the greatest gift - the gift of time to spend with my son.

Thank you babe!

About Cody

I just hate to put Cody is a ‘box’ when he’s growing, changing, accepting responsibility for his actions – or not - depending on his mood, and developing into a wonderful human being. Cody’s first passion is his love of nature, animals, insects, and reptiles … a true naturalist!

Cody is very sensitive and affectionate. For a seven year old Cody has a wicked cool sense of humor and has that twinkle in his eye when he cracks a funny. His belly laugh is contagious!

As for inquisitive – Cody truly must know. And in his mind, he already does know how to lay flooring, work the skill saw, install the sprinkler system, drive the minivan … he isn’t convinced he’s not old enough for a drivers license:) He has a wonderfully analytical mind! Keeps his mum and dad on their toes!!!!

Cody enjoys playing outdoor games/sports and is well coordinated. But Cody would give it up for the finding of a toad, snake, salamander, dragonfly, butterfly etc. I’m thoroughly enjoying spending time with him, learning hands-on with him, seeing life through his eyes, encouraged by this enthusiasm and passion for living. Right now we’re a ‘team’ and it works well for our family.

How we got started Homeschooling

Cody is my miracle Canuk! And I knew that homeschooling was right for our family when Cody was 3 months old. I sure didn’t have any of the details mapped out in my mind back then, but I decided the best way to figure it out was to dive right in head first. But first, I had to figure the ‘mum’ thing out! (I’m still trying to get that one right!)

I initially read any homeschooling books I could get my hands on and started to make contacts with local groups. My goal was to get involved with other homeschooling families and ask them a ton of questions while my son started slowly building friendships with other homeschooling children.

I knew I looked like an alien from the expressions that found their way to the many homeschooling parent due to the age at which I started Cody’s involvement, yet, even to my amazement – and thankfulness, there was a ‘niche’ for us. At 12 months old Cody and I were involved in three different homeschooling groups and activities, and regularly meeting some amazingly wonderful families with a wide range of homeschooling views and directions.

Cody really started connecting with the younger siblings of homeschooled children and just as we were getting settled and into a routine with our fellow homeschoolers, my hubby up and gets a job in the States.

So we had to start all over again. I must say I wasn’t looking forward to being the ‘three eyed monster’ once again, but still believed that finding a good support group was definitely beneficial in our homeschooling experience! So, when it came to house hunting it was important to me to research homeschooling groups that would be accepting of a 30 month old.

I could not believe my luck when I found a homeschooling group that actually catered for younger children – we hit the homeschooling jackpot!!. Our activities with the group include: recess, lesson days, library days, park days, field trips, monthly parent nights (which actually does discuss the forward growth of the group) which blends into what we are doing now.

Where we’re planning on going

One of the cool things about homeschooling is being able to look at what others are doing, asking tons of questions, sometimes being allowed into the ‘classroom’ at home, and often ‘touching and feeling’ projects that others already tried with their feedback.

It’s awesome when the ‘light bulb’ comes on and you think to yourself – that’s wicked cool and man I just have to do that. Knowing my son’s learning strengths and challenges, I can see what could work for us and maybe how we can change the resource/activity to be tailored to his needs.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

My Vegetable Garden Mentor

One of my recent interests in life is Vegetable Gardening. I still consider myself just a newbie - so I call myself the Virgin Vegetable Gardener. And I have a 'mentor' whom I have been so fortunate to have found on this journey! My mentor didn't ask for the job 'mentor', it just happened that way. I don't even know if she realises that she is one! I call her the Vegetable Guru! I adore her!

She's been vege gardening about 3 years longer than me, but oh my, if only I had her greenthumb! Really it's more than a greenthumb, it's her amazing ability to 'work' the year with her knowledge and preserving of food and her passion for creating something out of nothing. She amazes me. I want to make her proud of her 'protege'. She does everything herself while all the time continuing to read, learn, try and upskill herself - a true pioneer woman whom I deeply admire and respect! The Vege Guru is a true inspiration.

She's been there for me for 2 1/2 years now - translated means, I've hounded her with questions for 2 1/2 years now - and she has graciously taken the time to help me as I have needed it. So by default, she's my mentor! And it's not just me, she's on a quest for self sufficiency and sharing her skill base so that others can do the same.

I don't know if I'll ever achieve what she has accomplished (I doubt many would). But in spite of her busy schedule, she continues to encourage and support me to better myself. They say that imitation is the highest form of flattery ...

This year I'm aspiring to grow my own seedlings into vege plants and if I can get my head around it, start canning and preserving - but for some reason, I have a major block! I'm very unsure about myself and abilities when it comes to the vege garden, seed saving, canning, preserving, growing and harvesting, but push ahead because my mentor and friend continues to encourage and believe in me. I've even expanded the garden ...

So, I just wanted to say that I am very blessed to have my mentor and appreciate her. I hope that as I stuggle forward that I also can become a champion for self sufficiency and be a mentor, encourager, and believer in someone else who needs it!

Thank you Vegetable Guru for being you! I am very fortunate to have you in my life!

Kiwi's Odyssey

About Me

About Pierre

About Cody

How we got started Homeschooling

Where we’re planning on going

Our Journey

Viewers

Thursday, January 28, 2010

My Vegetable Garden Mentor

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