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Showing posts with label TGIF linky. Show all posts
Showing posts with label TGIF linky. Show all posts

Friday, May 25, 2012

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 Winking smile

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.

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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…
0522120805Ann 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 Smile

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 Smile 

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 Smile

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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…

random5.25.12
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 Smile

weekly wrap-up

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Friday, May 18, 2012

Homeschool Mother’s Journal- Week of 5/14/12

In my life this week…
it seems that I’ve been slacking but not really. I’ve had something that had to get done just about every day {and I *did* get at least that one thing done}. Otherwise it’s been a fairly laid back week.

In our homeschool this week…
…still exams. Well, they actually pretty much finished up yesterday. I thought that they might so left Friday as a ‘make-up’ day or refining day. I must admit {trying not to be negative rather, constructive} that effort was not put forth as well as I know it could/should have been on some parts. I forgot to do any posts yesterday about the exams {did I do it for Day #3 either??} but will probably write one up tonight or tomorrow about my thoughts {and their answers}.

Other than than, we have two neat review items that we have to really get into. One is Homeschool Spanish Academy {haven’t actually ‘received’ it yet- super excited about it though!}, the other Pearson Learning, Algebra 1. I am hoping that HSA can be used with both the kids but if not, then Lee will get the privilege. Fox is using Pearson {oh, he’s just overjoyed heehee} (Perhaps this is more of  a ‘next week’ thing)

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…
…um…*cricket chirp*… OH! No mother is an island Winking smile  Seek out other homeschoolers. The support you’ll get {or most certainly should} will help you even if you don’t realize it at first, or even if you didn’t know you needed it. At least once in a while is a good idea. I love being a hermit a lot of the time but sometimes… we do need interaction.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…
…Saturday Fox is going to be serving lunch at a homeless shelter in downtown Cleveland and hubby will be in Elyria, for the 2012 International Learn to Fly Day. Lee and I aren’t really going to be doing much of anything. I had thought of taking Lee to Mentor for the chess meet but since I have to get Fox to his community service project, it’d be a lot of driving. Lee and I might hang out at the library somewhere. I have wanted to visit the Cleveland Public Library; that might be the perfect time.

Lee had an interview with a homeschooling family to watch their two boys every other week. It wasn’t a long drive {about 17 miles from us}. While she did that Fox and I went to the James A. Garfield historic site in Mentor, OH. We didn’t go through any of the buildings, just the visitor’s center. It wasn’t a planned visit.

My favorite thing this week was…
…finding out that the second WondLa book is available through the library! Oh yea, I requested it.

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What’s working/not working for us…
…I’m telling ya, laziness just does not work. I knew this, right. Always have known it but sometimes…sometimes it feels so nice to be lazy. Until you have to do extra work because of the laziness.

Questions/thoughts I have…
how am I going to schedule next year? We have a few goings-on at the start of our school year and we barely made it day-wise this year {lol did we actually make it? I’ll never tell- shush you over there who knows!}.

Things I’m working on…
…trying to preread books for next year. I got distracted by a few review books so it was set aside for a bit. Now that school is ‘done’ {with the exception of our review products} I can focus more- I hope. Books I’m reading for this ‘work’ are The Birth of Britain by Churchill, A History of the American People by Johnson,… oh, forget it, I’m not going to list them all here. If you’d like to see the books I’m trying to preread here’s where to find them- Y7Lite, Y9 {not all of the books lol- I wouldn’t make it!}.

Other than that, I am trying to get my house clean! Spring cleaning a bit late *wink*. We have a few areas that have dust bunnies and cobwebs. I just have a difficult time staying caught up with the every day things {doing dishes, washing clothes, watering, etc} that I forget the other things too often.

I’m reading…
…for my own enjoyment I’m still reading The Fort by Bernard Cornwall, Miracles by C. S. Lewis, King of Glory told by P. D. Bramsen and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. I finished Glamorous Illusions by Lisa T. Bergren and Heiress by Susan May Warren. I am still plugging away at Flatland by Abbott but uh, it’s a strange book!

I’m cooking…
…just enough to get by. I would love to have a farm where I could pick fruit and veggies, stock up on them, have some chickens lay eggs, and maybe have a goat for milk. I dislike shopping at the store, spending an exorbitant amount and still running low mid-month. Ridiculous.

I’m grateful for…
…after my complaining about running low on foodstuffs, I am so very grateful that we do have what we have. So often we have luxuries that I take for granted. Yesterday I was able to get the kids an ice cream treat at the Dollar Tree {and a Mt. Dew for myself}. When I do things like that I think to myself “I could have purchased a loaf of bread instead”. It’s not like we live without. We have  a lot in our lives and I am very grateful for God’s provisions; He also gives us our wants {I just need to be careful not to confuse the two}.

A photo collage…


1) James A. Garfield at the historic site in Mentor, OH; 2) our resident birds- either Black-Capped or Carolina Chickadees (Parus atricapillus or carolinensis); 3) White Clover (Trifolium repens ) in the B&N parking lot; 4) wee little moth on my screen door this morning; 5) James A. Garfield and the Civil War plaque at the historic site in Mentor, OH; 6) A Hero for WondLa at Barnes &Noble; 7) Fox at B&N; 8) James A. Garfield’s “Lawnfield” in Mentor, OH; 9) Purple Clover (Trifolium ??) in the B&N parking lot
{I put the scientific names because I’ve just discovered them!}

I’m linking up with the following hops- stop by and join up Smile

 weekly wrap-up    

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Friday, March 9, 2012

Week #27- 9 More to Go (45 Days!)

In my life this week…
…I finally got to work! One day and only 3.5 hours but hey! It is a few extra dollars. I had two weeks off because they had to cut hours- drastically. My ds, Fox, graduated from Young Marines boot camp. Also, I posted reviews (you may have seen them).
…I watched the Simply Charlotte Mason DVDs that I got. I learned a few things.

In our homeschool this week…
…same ol’, same ol’? Not much going on. But I must record it (here, or it *won’t* be recorded- feel free to scroll down):

…For Fox:
Bible: Reading Deut. 34, Joshua 1 &2, John 10; verse Romans 12:1-6 {we’ve begun using MemVerse}; Who Am I?, read 90-108, did pages 64-77 in notebook; Saints & Heroes 1/2 of William the Silent (narration)
Math: Saxon Algebra 1, reviewing formulas
English: Jensen’s Grammar Lesson 22; Age of Fable chapter 37 (Hindu religion); The Aeneid for Boys and Girls by Church (continuing reading); Bronze Bow (still working with Progeny Press study guide); Pictures in Cursive (Level E)
Science: Creek Edge Press Task Card #7-12 (PowerPoint Presentations); The Story Book of Science chapter 42; The Sciences (pages 219-229); Archimedes chapter 4 & 5
History/Geography: Story of the Romans chapter 8 & 9 (written narration); Roman Republic (pages 1-12)A Journey Through Learning notebooking pages; Asia Hands of A Child notebook pages and Around the World in 180 Days questions.
Foreign Language: Review (up to Lesson 10)
Ohio Study: Research for presentation on the Wright brothers.

…And here is Lee’s work:
Bible: Reading Joshua 11-13, Romans 6 & 7; verse Psalm 139:1-2; Esther commentary
Math: Life of Fred Advanced Algebra Lesson 13 & 14
English: Excellence in Literature (Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court); Progeny Press, The Screwtape Letters, working on Letters 1-4; Utopia (over 80%); History of English Literature (chapter 53)
History/Geography: Western Civilization pages 416-420 (PowerPoint Presentation on Thirty-Years War); Kon Tiki chapter 3
Current Events (should have a post later today from her)
Foreign Language: Greek Level 5, Lesson 17-21; Latin review (up to Lesson 10)
Government/Civics: Whatever Happened to Justice? chapter 37
Science: Biology, chapter 8 (reviewing chapter) {found a new ‘resource’ for science yay!}

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…
…do not let two days in a row of no school (or lax days so close to ‘no school’ it might as well be) slide by. Otherwise you’d might as well take the week off.

I am inspired by…
…the Bible. I started reading it again every day and it (God’s Word) just pricks my heart and my mind.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…
…this week I don’t recall going anywhere but to Fox’s Young Marine graduation. Oh, and we went grocery shopping- saw a lot of people- none that we know, though Smile

My favorite thing this week was…
…watching my 12 year old son graduate from Young Marine boot camp. Gosh, how fast they grow up!

What’s working/not working for us…
…haha! my laziness just is not working at all. I get up the same time every day and I’d think I'd have this all down pat by now. But if I don’t make the kids get up and get going, well, surprise- they don’t.

Questions/thoughts I have…
…only 45 days of school left! Hallelujah! Winking smile I am looking forward to 40-some days of no school. Of course we start back at it in July.

Things I’m working on…
…see my post last week- it’s pretty much the same lol.

I’m reading…
…same as last week. Trying to get started on Flatland by Edwin Abbott and trying to decide which to choose from a list that was given to me by Trisha from The Good Life.

I’m cooking…
…as little as possible Smile I’ve started the kids cooking dinner a few times a week. It’s working out wonderful- for me. They are enjoying it I think, but they do get that panicked “It’s my turn to make dinner! Oh no! What to make!?” some nights.

I’m grateful for…
…everything! I should be more specific but really everything I have I am so grateful for.

I’m praying for…
…my sister in boot camp for Army National Guard- she graduates April 12th. She will then have to complete another training immediately afterward. This means she will have been away from her family for 5 months! Her youngest daughter (who is almost 13), my niece, will be flying here to be able to drive with myself and my kids to watch her graduate. None of the rest of her immediate family will be able to attend because of the cost.
…I’m also praying for my brother in law- he’s practically going bonkers without her!
…I’m trying to pray for the kids- mine and others- for their families and their hearts. They are the future generations; they pick up where we leave off. Have we left them with what they need? The knowledge they need; the faith they need? Will they know where and who to turn to? This is a bit difficult for me to do for some reason. My own are easy- they come to mind- but I sometimes forget that mine aren’t the only ones that need prayer.

A photo to share…
…my Young Marine, before receiving his rank (taken with dh’s awesome camera) JeffYMgrad

…and after with his first button undone and his ribbon pinned on (taken with my phone –lol not so awesome)

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…and the moon that night was absolutely awesome! (again, not so great photo because of my phone)- it was dusk.

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I’m linking up with a few places- stop by!

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