Homeschool Mother’s Journal- Week of 5/21/12

In my life this week…
… I’ve been trying to get some things done. I can’t honestly say that it’s turned out the way I planned but it’s alright. I read two more books, worked on the kids’ report cards {not that we have to have one} and got some of my goals marked off {that would pretty much be my ‘to do list’}.

Lee fainted while doing a training session on Monday. She is fine but it was a shock to everyone. One of the boys she might be babysitting occasionally, has life threatening food allergies and she needs to know how to administer an EpiPen if needed. I think/hope it was low blood sugar as well as standing while in an unfamiliar place that caused her to pass out and not “Vasovagal response” {phobia of needles}. She’s had shots before, seen many needles and never had such a reaction. Perhaps I just need to feed her more often

In our homeschool this week…
…I was going to say that we didn’t have any school but we did. Or rather they did. We are reviewing Homeschool Spanish Academy and Pearson Homeschool Algebra 1. Those were the only things though. I didn’t really have much to do with it. Kinda felt weird lol.

I do have to figure out the parent’s portion of Pearson and so I spent my time with that- that’s the extent of ‘homeschool’ for me this week.

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…
…Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t get through with the book you’re using for a subject. Or even an entire curriculum. If you finish, that is great; if not, either pick it up over the summer, add it in next year, or better yet, let it go. Someone {many ‘someone’s by now} had told me when I started that “they don’t finish the entire textbook in public school, so don’t sweat it.” Of course, I’d still suggest striving to finish it and not just being nonchalant, just because the schools don’t get it done. 

I am inspired by…
…Ann Voskamp, yet again. I downloaded and printed the little 7 gifts booklet for myself and my kids. I have only filled in one day with all 7 gifts but I am thinking more of what I have to be thankful for.

I’m going to print one off each week for us.

 

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…
…this past week we went to Mentor twice {the training session for Lee}. 

I’ve gone to the store- a lot. Each time I got as much as my funds would allow, thinking I wouldn’t be able to go back. God provides, though, and we’ve not gone without {don’t listen if my kids say “There’s nothing to eat!”}- I’ve been able to go to the store a few times more than I originally planned

Tonight {Friday, 25th} there is a “Homebuilders” class at my church that I’m planning on going to. Would like my dh to go with me…Will see.

My favorite thing this week was…
… tape! Seriously! I have a 3-ring binder that I’ve had for many years. It’s a not-too-pretty-green Avery Dennison, nothing fancy, binder {it does say ‘durable’}. It’s also falling apart. I’ve used it throughout my college career {12 years, I’d say that’s a career}, for numerous things not related to schooling at all, and now for homeschooling. It is feeling it’s age.

I originally tried to doctor it up with clear Scotch packing tape. It doesn’t stick well to the textured cover. So I figured duct tape, that’ll fix it! Dh is the man with everything that I ever need; screwdrivers, wrenches, sockets, hammers, nails, tape, batteries- all in assorted sizes and types. But alas, this time he had no special tape. He’s so awesome {that is really my favorite thing} though, he went and bought some special ‘strapping’ tape just for my little project. I think it has fiberglass embedded in it.

My binder still isn’t pretty but I’m confident I’ll get quite a few more years out of it  

Questions/thoughts I have…
…Does washing your hair with baking soda and {after rinsing it out with water} using vinegar as a rinse really work? Well, I’m going to find out! I stopped wearing makeup a few months ago and haven’t ‘washed’ my face in almost as long. My skin is softer than I can recall it being in a long time.

The first time I ‘washed’ with baking soda {mixed in water} and then used a vinegar/water rinse, my hair felt like I’d used some nifty conditioner in it. No tangles when I went to brush it. I always have a knot at the back of my head after towel drying my hair. Not this time. I’ve washed/rinsed with this combo four days now and my hair is no different than usual. Well, it’s actually a bit shinier.

I’ll keep it up at least a week longer to see what results I get. It does seem to need to be ‘washed’ –definitely –everyday using this method.

I’m reading…
…Just got: Moonblood by Anne Elisabeth Stengl; Finished: A Hero for WondLa by Tony DiTerlizzi {I wrote a ‘review’ at The Book Guardians}and Disciplines of a Godly Young Man by Kent and Cary Hughes {wrote a review}. Still reading: The Fort {it’s a bit difficult for me to keep the characters separated- who's the British, who’s the Rebels}. Ack! And just remembered I’m 35% done with The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn {just remembering to read is the problem- I’ve started listening to it instead}.

*book covers are affiliate linked with amazon.com

I’m cooking…
…well, you’ll probably think I never cook because again I will say that I’m not doing much this week –or next, if I’m lucky *wink*. I did make quiche on Wednesday night. The rest of the week it’s been hubby cooking on the grill. I love when we do it that way- he does almost all the work

I’m grateful for…
… funny children…kindness of others…a garden…ice water…cats…coffee…screens in windows…classical music…libraries…forever stamps…fog…rice…TOS Homeschool Crew…digital cameras…my hubby…shipping tape…bbq grills…lamb’s ear

I’m praying for…
…my mother, my cousin, my children, friends Christy, Briana, Michelle, Rodna. Many other things.

A photo collage to share…

1) red onions for quiche; 2) strong winds; 3) avocado pit; 4) Fox’s “Just for Fun” ATC; 5) Kawaii enjoying the outside

I’m {planning on} linking this up with the following hops. Come on over and have a visit