LNF News becomes The Weekly Barden, Planning for Astronomy, & the Rest of Our Week {Weekly Wrap-Up}

 

Ah, the week gone by. We didn’t have ‘school’ on Monday because we took a field trip instead. We went to an International Car Show. Ooooh, I know, you wish you could have gone. Surprisingly {to me anyway} there weren’t that many concept cars. One in particular was quite amusing: it was filled with plastic! The seats were not complete and the dash was missing. Ah, well, it was a concept car; apparently they’d not figured out the details yet.

I don’t really recall if it was this day or the previous week that Lee voiced her desire to revive The Weekly Barden. Her and Fox have been doing LNF News Current Events here on the blog for a little while {not so disguised writing assignments lol} but I think it wasn’t ‘creative’ enough for either of them. I actually have more involvement with The Weekly Barden, also. You can see the newest edition by clicking the image below, or by looking at “Weekly Barden” Newsletter page here on the blog.

Tuesday was a tough day of going back to school. Next week is no school because we are just tired. We’ve been going {yes, I will whine and complain for a second} straight since January 7. We usually take a week off after every 4-6 weeks. I think we are stretching ourselves this time. 8 weeks. Oh my. LOL.

I was supposed to do grocery shopping on this day but the weather was fairly nasty {and I just didn’t want to}. I did however find the energy, the time, and the courage to venture out in the horrid weather to go to Mom’s Night Out. Yes, priorities. *wink*

Wednesday, was another ‘tough’ school day. Even with begging from both kids to not have school, we did indeed. We are really doing well in terms of getting things done. I’m starting to think about portfolio assessments and what I want to share at the assessment. We’ve not gone this route before and it is a bit more expensive {about $20} but I think it will be more relaxed and someone else will give feedback on how my kiddos are doing. The testing is very easy though- it’s tempting to do that again…

Fox had Young Marines, as usual. And Lee and I did not go to prayer meeting…again. We are going to make a better effort to making it a commitment.

I did get the grocery shopping done on this day –and only spent $27 for the week. Granted we had gone to the warehouse store on Monday and spent an excessive amount of money ‘stocking up’. It’s discouraging how little can be purchased for such a large sum of money! Easy come…easy go?

Thursday wasn’t terribly impressive. I hardly remember it. I did have to have my tires changed over in the morning, and met an individual that hails from Oregon while at the tire shop. It was nice to see someone else from my home state. He said it was nice to hear it pronounced correctly!  

Dinner was probably the best part of the day: Parmesan potato wedges and salmon. Super yummy. I’m not a fan of strong flavor fish. We usually get Talapia for cooking and I love sushi {it doesn’t ‘taste’ like fish}. I just used spices on the fish; nothing special. Here’s the recipe for the Parmesan potato wedges:

Need:

• 6 potatoes, cut into wedges
• 1/3 cup oil
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese {fresh would be superb; we used Kraft}
• 1/2 tsp to 1 TBS Italian seasoning
• garlic powder, salt & pepper to taste

Do:

• Preheat oven to 425*F and if needed line a cookie sheet with foil or parchment paper.
• Put potato wedges in a large bowl with a lid {or a gallon ziplock bag}, add all but the salt and pepper.
• Shake! until all coated.
• Place single layer on a cookie sheet and back at 425*F for about 30 minutes.

Delicious!

Friday is here and TGIF! Next week we are taking off which means school planning for me. We still have, oh, about 15 or so weeks left of school, which means we still have to cover the rest of science. We are using CK-12 Earth Science, for high school, but have decided to skip the chapters on human actions {chapters 19-22} and instead go straight to the astronomy. I don’t feel there really is enough in the four chapters of the CK-12 book for this so I’m adding in some things.

I have the book The Stargazer’s Guide to the Night Sky by Dr. Jason Lisle from MasterBooks that I'd received for review almost a year ago. I’m still not quite sure how to use it for this but the kids both think it is a pretty neat book; I’ll add it. And here are a list of websites that I’ve compiled to look at more in-depth dealing with astronomy:

• Tales of a House Husband- a series for astronomy, using the alphabet; it’s to K now.
• Love to Know- this one primarily for the list at the start of what is included in the subject.
• Homeschooling on a Shoestring- has a lot of links (such as Astronomy Picture of the Day).
• Homeschool Central- a few more links to check.
• HSLaunch- lots of astronomy themed downloadble documents.

And I have quite a few more links on my list to check out still. I was also looking for living books to add in but it’s a little more difficult {for me} to know what books are good for this. Booklists: Paula’s Archives, Simply Charlotte Mason, Applie’s Science booklist, Penny Gardner.

And I’ve been making my ‘wish list’ for next year’s books and resources we will need. Thanks to using Ambleside Online, I only need to buy two books for Fox! Altogether though it is look like the cost will be $266.50; not including Fox’s ‘lab’ for science.

For the remainder of our week –Saturday and Sunday –we will probably be keeping a low profile. Tomorrow afternoon we are might be going to go to a Wild Game Dinner where people bring in all kinds of interesting –you guessed it –wild game foods. Then Sunday is back to our usual church schedule; morning service from 9:45am-12:15pm and evening service from 6-7pm.

So that’s been our week –how’s yours been?

LNF News: Week of 2/18-2/22

Hello everyone! TGIF! Yes or no? Well, we’re glad it’s Friday! Friday means several things: no school the next two days, a movie, and… LNF News!

BOY SCOUTS AND THE DECISION
The Southern Baptist Convention has added its voice in the cry against the Boy Scouts letting in openly gay members and leaders. Three months from now a 1,400 person committee will meet and discuss this and hopefully come to a decision. Almost 70% of the Boy Scout Troops are supported by religious parties, and most of these are against them letting gay members in. This would, if it passes, boot the scouts out of their meeting places, as most troops meet in churches. Don’t let it pass!!!

DO AS THEY SAY, NOT AS THEY DO
With all the recent gun violence, and pushes for gun control, celebrities have joined in an ad that presses us to ‘act now’ about gun violence and making our country safer. Meanwhile, the same celebrities are in violence-filled movies – that doesn’t exactly help! Most influence of violence doesn’t come from illegal selling of guns, or others around you – most of it comes from TV, and movies, and advertisements. Many of the celebrities don’t see the connection between violent movies and real-life violence. The connection is, violence is made to seem normal, ‘okay’ on-screen – people’s senses of right and wrong are influenced by what they watch.

Well, that’s all for now! Short, yes – sorry! Next week will be the LNF Newsletter, with world news and local news, along with comics and other fun stuff! Bye!

LNF News: Week of 2/11-2/15

Hallo, blogging friends! Lee and Fox return to bring you this week’s LNF News. Starting in a few weeks, LNF News will be in the form of a newsletter – remember the Weekly and Monthly Barden? LNF News will be a mix of world news and local news, with our own comics and articles.

LOVE AND HATE; CHRISTIANS AND THE WORLD
Not as much of a news story, as a discussion article. Jesus told us we will be hated for His sake. (Matthew 10:22) Hate is a strong word – it’s “a powerful, emotional antagonism, the kind that clenches your fingers like they could wring an exposed neck; passionate and destructive…” It’s sometimes used casually, as in, “I hate broccoli.”  But the world truly hates us. “The world hates hearing that there is only one way (John 14:6), or that they are blind (John 9:41), or ignorant (John 4:22), or evil (Matthew 7:11). They called Him a demon (John 8:48); they’ll call you a bigot, or worse. To the extent that you abide in Christ, the world will hate you. It will even project its hatred on you.” How do we respond? “Jesus has a few suggestions: I didn’t come to condemn; neither do you (John 3:17). I intend good to my enemies; so must you (Luke 6:35). I stretch out my hands all day long to a rebellious people; so should you (Isaiah 65:2). I came to seek and save the haters—and so were you.”
(quotes taken from above article)

THE REAL GUN ISSUE
The White House keeps pushing for gun laws, such as banning semi-autos, and banning large magazines. But they are missing the real threat. Mass shootings with larger guns don’t account for half the deaths caused by guns. Most are ‘quiet’ shootings in homes and communities, with handguns. Ban selling guns? Stricter background checks? Many guns bought are bought illegally. Someone could get a gun from someone who passed the background check.
This article (link above) says that the solution to all the gun violence isn’t bans – the solution is Christ. Isn’t that the truth? Jesus is the solution for every problem. A Christian isn’t likely to murder someone; if we could reach out to others who have violent tendencies with the Gospel, we could change them, and save many lives that way. Of course, it’s for God to lead and work. What do you think?

NORTH KOREA TESTS NUCLEAR BOMB
North Korea decided that they would ignore the UN telling them to NOT make nuclear missiles.  They tested a nuclear bomb underground on Tuesday. This made the UN  and China, one of North Korea’s major allies, slightly mad. North Korea says that it was a ‘first response’ to ‘threats’ from the US. Let’s hope they realize that they are making a bad decision.

We close with the weekly comic – I hope it doesn’t get this bad!
Comic found at: http://www.studentnewsdaily.com/cartoon/snowball-fight-mccoy/

LNF News: Week of 2/4-2/8

Hello everyone! Time for the news yet again. This week has more pictures than words

Our first bit of news is a heartbreaker for those of us who daily look forward to the mailman, even if we only ever get ads and bills. USPS is cutting mail delivery on Saturdays! Now, Post Offices will still be open, so you can send mail on Saturdays, but you won’t be getting any mail in your mailbox. The country mourns… Though, we’ll get more mail on Mondays now

The Boy Scouts of America are postponing the decision to allow homosexuals to hold positions of authority. They are going to consider this at their annual meeting in May. Hopefully the will see that this is a bad choice and vote against it.  Stick to your motto:  For God and Country!

With the recent Super Bowl, here are our family’s favorite ads from the game. We also have a cartoon related to the Super Bowl – what’s your opinion? We think the Super Bowl is a big waste of time and money… Though we aren’t objecting to the funny ads

In first place:

Our second favorite:

And then everyone’s favorite :

And we leave you with...

source: www,worldmag.com

LNF News: Week of 1/21–1/25

Hello all! The news of the world seems to be heating up quite a bit… We wish we could bring you stories of world peace, but unfortunately not today.

The abortion problem is quite unsettling. The Obama Administration is trying to determine what people’s rights are concerning this. Fortunately, at the UN they decided against listing abortion as an ‘international right’, as the US group would have liked. The government doesn’t seem to understand: if they voted for birds’ right to fly, or not, it wouldn’t change the truth. The truth is: as soon as the egg in a woman is fertilized, it is alive!; and so abortion is murder – if the government voted to say that the baby is only ‘alive’ after so long, and that abortion isn’t murder before that point, it still wouldn’t change the truth. They cannot change the truth, no matter what majority rule says. The Obama Administration was even going to push for determining a person’s sexual rights, which would protect the right of children as young as 10 to make their own decisions about that. The truth is: God said that you are to be married before you do anything like that! Perhaps I am getting a little carried away… I am just disappointed at the kinds of things the government tries to do…

In Iraq the problems never seem to end! This week there was a protest against the government. Sadly at least 9 people were killed in this incident when protesters started throwing rocks at the military. The military opened fire upon the protesters killing at least 7 of them. Two military people were killed by the rock throwing. The protesters also set fire to some vehicles. The protesters said this: “Today we protest in Mosul, tomorrow we take the streets of Baghdad.”

Hillary Clinton has sparked a bit of anger over the Sep. 11, 2012 Benghazi attack. Rumors and stories are flying over how much information was given before and after the attack; whether it could have been prevented (supposedly security at the US building was weak); and whether it truly was a terrorist attack or just random mayhem. I wonder if Clinton will try to pick her words more carefully next time…

Well, that is that for this week! I would say that I hope you enjoyed, but I suppose saying I hope this provided food for thought would be better. We will see you next week! LNF News closes with this cartoon (found at worldmag.com):

LNF News: Week of 1/14-1/18

Hello, everyone! It’s time for LNF News again! Granted, a little late, but better late than never! Fox will be writing with this text, while Lee will write with this font.  Any Editor notes {that’s Blossom} will be in italics.

The new Boeing 787 does not seem to be getting off to a good start. At least two have had to be grounded due to battery failure. The Boeing 787 is made of lighter material and more electronics than previous jets, in an effort to cut down on travel costs. Well, it might just be going up instead. The lithium-ion batteries don’t seem to be standing up to their expectations. All over the world, all Boeing 787’s have been grounded, causing many cancelled flights. Of course, “We are confident the 787 is safe and we stand behind its overall integrity,” Jim McNerney, Boeing’s chief executive, said in a statement. I do wonder why they had to ground all the jets, when only two incidents had occurred. Better safe than sorry?

About 60 hostages from various countries are still missing from an attack by Islamic militants on a gas plant in the Sahara. The militants have offered to give two American hostages for jailed terrorists. The Algerian forces had launched an attack on them but this was a failure and the result was the deaths of 4 of the hostages. The Islamic militants freed about half of the original hostages but most still have not been found. Read the full story here.

The public’s feelings toward gun laws seems to be shifting a bit. Whereas before the Newton shooting, 39% of Americans wanted more gun control, the number is up to 54% (mind you, numbers mean nothing – just taking the numbers from the article!) The people of America are stressing background checks and no selling of semiautomatic guns and guns with large magazines. Yes, those can do lots of damage, but as you can see from the picture below (remember, numbers are only general, but it’s got a good point) that semiauto’s aren’t the big threat. The common gun is. I think background checks will only help so much, as much of a person’s being can only be determined so much from their actions in the past. Really, I’m not sure what the (human) solution is to the violence shown lately. I think the right to arms is important – I heard a discussion once about how teachers in schools should be allowed to have guns. Why? So that if a student pulls out a gun at school, then the teachers can have a defense to try to stop the student – cause a stalemate or something. *In Ohio, a public school has allowed one teacher –a former police officer –to carry a gun while teaching.*

Anyway, what are your thoughts? Feel free to comment! We will see you again later this week!

LNF News: Week of 1/7-1/11

Hey, we’re back with Current Events, now called LNF News! Have you missed us?

Current Events is now done by both Lee and Fox, hence the name LNF, and includes a political cartoon each week chosen by Fox. The selection of stories are collected by us both and then made into the blog post you now see before you!

Our first story is about a 911 call made concerning a stolen van. Now, ordinarily this wouldn’t be so interesting, except for the fact that this van had a gun under the seat. You think the police would be all over fixing this, what with all the gun control stuff going on. But no, no – the guys told the caller to call back later, as if it really wasn’t important. They’ll have a lot on their conscience if something happens with that gun!

On Wednesday there was a  ferry crash in New York. Around 60 people were injured, nine with serious injuries and two with critical. The exact reason for the crash is unknown – the ferry was pulling into its dock when it hit the pier. It’s said that it was going a little too fast when pulling in. The crew and captain were checked for alcohol and such, but no one was intoxicated. I’m thinking it was just a bit of carelessness – a deadly bit of carelessness.

An interesting story that I like is this one – a former nurse who was dying of cancer decided to offer herself as a sort of training for other nurses. Those learning to become nurses often don’t get real-life experience – they read from textbooks, treat dummies, but don’t learn how to function with someone who’s actually in pain and dying. I think it was so selfless of that nurse to do that when she was in such pain and literally dying; instead of choosing to spend her last days in some other way, she spent them trying to help other people.

That’s LNF News for this week! We end with a political cartoon (what does it mean to you?):