Category Archives: goals

Jul 22 2024

Checking In On Goals

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Writing goals down is the key to success in achieving them. There is a second key. One must check in on one’s goals on a regular basis. Success coaches recommend you read through your goals daily. Some say, copy them down. Every day? Yes, every day.

Teenager with cat

Our son holding one of our cats, OC – a reminder to not take ourselves too seriously as we review summer goals

This way, you stay with your goals and your goals stay with you, in the forefront of your mind. You remember where you are supposed to go and you stay on track. Also, you find ways, means, and solutions for your challenges.

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May 19 2024

Summer Break Goals

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Without a vision, the people perish. Unless we write down the vision, the goals we have for our homeschool, we will not accomplish them. So I hope you are writing down your goals for every school year and every school break you have.

Teenagers at Cumberland Gap National Park

My children having fun with a sign which said “trail” twice, at Cumberland Gap National Park

Here are some of our goals for the summer:

  • we finish the US History curriculum;
  • we work through a few lessons in Algebra II, which should be done
  • harp lessons continue
  • children work at dad’s business as needed (Zoder’s Inn and Suites)
  • children work at mom’s business as needed (Smoky Mountain Soaps, LLC)
  • son attends two camps (TeenPact NatCon and Cohutta Springs)
  • daughter attends one camp (Cohutta Springs)
  • children read five books (mom chooses one title)
  • we reorganize the garage
  • one camping trip
  • one trip to Romania
  • weekly hikes

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Dec 27 2020

Planning for 2021

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I hope you had a happy Christmas. We did. It snowed the night before, so we had a white Christmas for a change. The children do not remember another white Christmas in their lifetime. Many of my friends in Tennessee said similar things.

Siblings playing in the snow

They were so happy to play in the snow on Christmas Day.

This year, 2020, cannot finish fast enough. But the artificial line between two years does not change the status quo. The political situation in the USA is still up in the air, no matter what the mainstream media tells you. COVID-19 seems to be growing – though many people think the statistics are inflated and erroneous (on purpose, to frighten and control the population). Last but not least, winter will send us some cold fronts for the next three months, for sure. This will lead to disruption in traffic, power outages, cancellations of different programs etc. Continue reading »

Dec 29 2013

Gentle, My Word for 2014

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I chose a word to represent my hopes and plans for 2014 in homeschooling, blogging and family life: gentle.

I have been working on being more gentle all my life, but I will take things to a new level in 2014. My children have inspired me to go in that direction, as children often do to parents.

Where do I begin to explain how difficult this word is for me?

  • I’m Romanian. We are passionate, emotional, and action-oriented people. Gentleness does not come naturally.
  • I am goal-oriented and high-achieving.
  • They keep moving the goal posts on me. Translation: I am never satisfied with the status quo for more than a few days.
  • I have a Type A personality. I could not even type “gentle” above without making it bold. Sigh.

When I thought about what my word should be for 2014, I thought of my goals, of course. I have goals. I am in the process of reading not one, but two books on planning and getting things done. However, as ambitious as my plans are for 2014, nothing is as daring as reaching the mountain top of gentleness.

Butterflies on a flower. Gentleness exemplified.


“Oh! that gentleness! how far more potent is it than force!”
― Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre

Nothing is as important, either. What is gaining the whole world while trampling others in the process? So I decided that as long as I accomplish things without being gentle, I might as well not accomplish them.

And here’s the funny part:

My children are high-strung, hard-working, stubborn, and independent. The apple does not fall far from the tree.

I have found out that I can only guide them the way I like to be guided: gently. It’s an uphill battle which requires:

1. Lots of time spent with the One who is meek and lowly.

2. Numerous trips to the throne of mercy, asking for forgiveness.

3. Apologizing to my children every time I am not gentle.

4. Lots of courage to start the process all over again every day.

I marvel at such words as “still, small voice” or “meek and lowly in heart” or “peace maker” or “the Lord was not in the earthquake” or “Let your gentleness be known to all men.”

So glad I homeschool. I have all this time with my children, to practice gentleness and guide them in that direction as well. What is your word for 2014?

Word for 2014