Our Worldwide Classroom asks the question today – “How Do You Spend Your Time Online?”

Connecting –

I use GMail, Facebook and Google Reader to fellowship on line with people.  We have very few contacts/close friends here in town – and the online friendships that have grown really encourage me as I walk through Middle School and on to High School  – learning at home with the boys.

Research –

The internet is alot like my local library for me.  I spend the majority of my time in the Non Fiction area – usually walking through fiction on my way to check out to grab a book to neglect by my night stand for two weeks til I return it.  I spend alot of time researching –

Learning Plans, How To . . . ., Recipes,  Web Development, Gadgetry, Unit Study Ideas, Etc.

Relaxing –

I use Google Reader to keep track of the blog world. I enjoy the mornings clicking through. I wish I had more time to type out thoughtful comments to each blog that I read. But I’m selfish, a voracious reader – and like to move on to see what my next friend has written . . . . I want to take one day – and check in with each friend. . . .

Learning –

The boys are beginning to use the internet for their learning – English and Math so far this year.  I continue to use it to answer a plethora  of questions during our studies. People ask if you can homeschool without the internet –in our wired up house – I’d have to spend alot more money on books – to have in the home – if I unplugged our internet.

How do we Schedule?

I get up super early – 3-4 hours before the family.  I exercise, work in my chores, enjoy hot coffee with my morning reading – watch the sun come up – read the blogs that pop up in my “encouraging” folder -  Usually by 9 the entire house is humming – and my selfish time is over – breakfasts, routine, cleaning, outings, company – rule the day. I check in when I walk by the screen – there just happens to be three computers up stairs in a very small house. 🙂 Sometimes I will curl up with the laptop in the afternoon and read the blogs.  Family, Exercise, Service, Orderliness, Friends – come first.  My husband works 10+ hour days, from 10-9 – that leaves alot of time by myself each day. I don’t watch TV, read magazines, wander around town, when I have a book I read it cover to cover in a day or two. It leaves alot of time. 

My blog is a fly by the seat of my pants ?? Fingers?? project. I type for me. For the Boys. To share. To Record. When someone asks me a question like today – I answer.  This is my 3rd attempt this morning at keeping it short – its not working out well this time either. When I download pictures from my camera I blog about them, instead of digiscrap them.  My life is an open book. I find that it lets people know who I am. These are our real names, this is our real life, I’m not sure if there is much we leave out. If you think you know me from my online writing – you would be right. . . .

The Fly Lady helped me incredibly the first year homeschooling – to learn to prioritize my time – take 15 minutes here and there to tidy a spot, change the sheets, shift the laundry, sweep a floor, make the boys take out the trash . . . .We have a routine to the day.

I look forward to hearing what others say on the blog hop.  We have not started our “school routine”.  We ran late into June, and have not felt the slowness of summer yet.  Holding on a few more weeks. When we are in the “routine” we have a no electronics rule from 10-2. That helps us keep focused – without bunny trails – and time for reading, walking enjoying. 😉

How do you spend time online?  Join us at the Homeschool Hop!