Adorable Chaos

Motherhood. Homeschool. Life at Center-Age / Est. 2008

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May 29, 2017 by Amy

Love Your Mayhem is Now Available in Paperback and Kindle Versions

Love Your Mayhem is Now Available in Paperback and Kindle Versions

It’s been a few years since Love Your Mayhem was first published as an ebook. It feels like a lifetime ago, and when I recently reviewed and edited it again before releasing it in paperback, I was forced to remember the beautiful, messy, chaotic life that is no longer my reality. My little women have […]

October 7, 2016 by Amy

Excellence in Literature Handbook for Writers {Everyday Education, LLC Review}

Teaching writing  – specifically preparing your student for college level essays – seems intimidating for many homeschooling parents.  How do you guide them through the process of building a thesis statement? How do you cite sources? How do you evaluate the finished essay and give constructive feedback? Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a complete resource […]

January 4, 2016 by Amy

What I’m Reading… January

What I’m Reading… January

I go through phases with books. I always love them, buy them, and fail to find enough space on my shelves to store them. I go through phases in my reading. I binge read, then I graze.  I find an author I love and I read everything they’ve ever written until I can’t tell one […]

November 14, 2014 by Amy

Fresh Eyes on Autumn

Fresh Eyes on Autumn

I saw the world with fresh eyes this morning. Everywhere my gaze landed glistened with a sprinkle of snow, the first of the season. Instead of dreading winter and complaining (as I typically do), I enjoyed it a little. I enjoyed it because all day long, as we drove her sisters from place to place, […]

January 16, 2014 by Amy

Top 50 Homeschooling Blogs Nomination

Voiceboks.com, a parenting website with the subtitle “The Voice of Parenthood,” recently nominated Adorable Chaos in their Top 50 Homeschooling Blogs contest. I’m so thankful and honored to share the nomination screen with some of my favorite and inspiring blogs. If you’ve been around here for a while, you know that I don’t like to […]

August 7, 2013 by Amy

Fighting Fear as a Writer

Fighting Fear as a Writer

My inner critic has taken over the past few days.  It may be the first time she has managed to make me physically ill. She’s keeping me from doing what I need to do, what I want to do. I need to tell you about my new book (self-published /ebook), yet I feel like vomiting […]

July 23, 2013 by Amy

When Creativity is Elusive

When Creativity is Elusive

I’m working on a deadline. It’s been hanging over me for a month and instead of working hard at my goal everyday, I’ve been finding other things to do. When creativity escapes my grasp, I avoid it. I pretend like I don’t want it or need it my life. I play hard to get with […]

March 24, 2013 by Amy

Link it up with Raising Imperfection

This week has been packed with play rehearsals and life learning, old friends and new ideas. It has not been full of cheery spring weather. Luckily, the new week is beginning with treat.  It might actually reach 50 degrees here and (more importantly) I have the privilege of co-hosting the Raising Imperfection Sunday Link Up! […]

March 14, 2013 by Amy

How to Slay Writer’s Block

How to Slay Writer’s Block

A major block in my creativity has been keeping me down lately, which is hard to contend with since I don’t believe in writer’s block any more than leprechauns and gnomes. It’s a myth, right? It’s one of those things people go on about that I can’t tolerate. Following this recent struggle, I’m a believer.  […]

February 16, 2013 by Amy

The Value (or not) of Diverse Blogging Topics

What do mermaids, soap and mooning have in common? According to Google, they are all available here on my blog, right along with Minecraft and homeschool art projects. Why? The explanation is simple. I’m a random diverse blogger. Like most bloggers, I obsessively check my traffic stats. I’m fascinated (and sometimes sickened) by the terms […]

January 11, 2013 by Amy

The Fabulous Blogging Giveaway

The Fabulous Blogging Giveaway

Does your blog need a face-lift? A shot of awesome to smooth out the wrinkles? A nip and tuck to look more professional and cutting edge? Have you always wanted to blog but don’t know how to get started? Keep reading. This giveaway is FOR YOU! (Can I  write crappy sales copy or what?) Have […]

January 5, 2013 by Amy

Writing a Death Scene

I walked into the family room and found the Adventurer (13) teary eyed on the couch, computer in her lap. “What’s wrong?” “I had to kill off my favorite character in my story. It was an epic death scene but it made me so sad to have to kill her.” She’s been absorbed in this […]

January 4, 2013 by Amy

Mixin it Up: New Friends in the New Year

  I’m so excited. I’ve been chosen to be the Mixologist for the More than Mommies Mixer.  It’s my job to get the party started! I love a good virtual party. I don’t even have to get out of my fuzzy slippers to have a blast. Want to come out and play?  The mixer is […]

January 3, 2013 by Amy

How to Not Write A Memoir

How to Not Write A Memoir

I was searching for a document on my laptop yesterday when I came across something rather odd. It was a file simply titled memoir. I don’t remember creating it. I have half a dozen files containing other books competing for my time, crowding up my hard drive and floating around in my head. I’ve been […]

December 18, 2012 by Amy

Blogger Day of Silence

December 6, 2012 by Amy

Embracing the Awesome Introvert Within: Part II

If you are an introvert by nature, have you ever tried to hide it? Have you pushed yourself past your comfort zone to appear like everyone else? If you have an introvert for a child, do you push them to change, or do you accept them for who they are naturally? In my previous post, […]

December 3, 2012 by Amy

Mastering Writing, Unschooling Style

There’s a theory that it takes 10,000 hours to master a complex topic, whether it’s writing, computer programing, tennis or anything. And the people who are  masters of their art typically put in their time very early on in their lifetime. I read once that you aren’t a master writer until you’ve written a million […]

November 20, 2012 by Amy

Friends Don’t Let Friends Write Alone

Being a freelance writer and a blogger can be lonely. It’s hard work, putting yourself out there daily. It’s tough to tell stories honestly without also getting yourself in trouble. And it can feel like you’re talking to yourself, about yourself, all the time. It can make a person sick. How much can a person […]

November 9, 2012 by Amy

Homeschool Novel Writing: NaNoWriMo Young Writers Program

I’m not participating in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) this time around. I know my limits.  I can’t write a novel in 30 days AND homeschool three kids. Last time, I went so deep into the story that I had trouble communicating in the real world. I stopped conversing with the people around me.  My […]

November 7, 2012 by Amy

A Nap, A Storm and Anderson Live

A Nap, A Storm and Anderson Live

I need a nap. How’s that for a zippy start to a blog post? It’s true. I’m so tired I can’t write my typical run on sentences. You’ve been warned. I was up at 4:00 AM. In the car at 4:45.  It was freezing.  In NYC by 6:15. Looked for parking for 20 minutes.  Walked […]

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About Me

Embracing the chaos of homeschooling three little women. Wife to city boy turned Wilderness Dad. Journalist. Lyme warrior. Horse rider. Anti-Spanx activist. [Read More …]

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Welcome. How Can I Help You?

Welcome. How Can I Help You?

Adorable Chaos was started in 2008 with the goal of supporting moms - homeschooling or not - in the … [Read More...]

Review of SchoolhouseTeachers Online Homeschool Curriculum

Review of SchoolhouseTeachers Online Homeschool Curriculum

Over the past six weeks, I've had the pleasure of reviewing the Yearly Membership from … [Read More...]

A Post Election Gratitude List and the Things We Can’t Control

A Post Election Gratitude List and the Things We Can’t Control

 I haven't slept well these past weeks. I toss and turn in the dark hours, waking with alarming … [Read More...]

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Lyme Warrior

Little High, Little Low {The Trials of a Sugar Addict}

Little High, Little Low {The Trials of a Sugar Addict}

The following post is a flashback, written shortly after I was diagnosed with Lyme and put on a restricted diet. Years later,  I’m still on it. I’m still dealing with Lyme. A true addict, I’m still craving the sweet stuff. A few things are essential to my happy survival. They are faith, hope, love and until […]

Photography

16 Hours in Lake Placid

16 Hours in Lake Placid

This is the story of  a wedding, a road trip and finding direction. We set out at the crack of dawn to drive north on a damp icky September morning. It was actually 9:30, but it felt earlier because it was Saturday. We were on our way to a wedding, in Lake Placid. ON Lake […]

Life Learning

7 Colleges for Homeschooled, Unschooled and Self-Directed Learners

7 Colleges for Homeschooled, Unschooled and Self-Directed Learners

  I began researching colleges last year, when my daughter began her Freshman year of homeschooling high school. Does that sound a bit early? I feel that the more I know about college requirements for homeschooled students, the more effectively I can prepare my daughter for the admissions process. I think as a homeschool parent, it’s essential to know all the options available. […]

Homeschool Art Projects

Aboriginal Art with Sharpies

Aboriginal Art with Sharpies

My girls have been fascinated by Australia lately – the wildlife, the landscape and (of course) the mythical mermaids. This interest has launched us into a study of the land down under, including the history and art of the Aborigines. I wanted to add a hands-on art project to our study. My friend Cyndi, at […]

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