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

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! 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 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)

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

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

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

Days #122 & 123- Only 57 more days! (& Liquid Dishwasher Detergent- Again)

Just cannot believe that this year is almost over. Crazy. Lee asked how much longer she has to suffer left of Biology- just 57 more days I told her. Then it’s on to Geology- her choice (right now, that is- could change in a short time).

Here is Fox’s work:
Bible: Reading Deut. 32, John 8; verse Romans 12:1-6; Who Am I?, read 68-75, did pages 45-55 in notebook; Saints & Heroes pages 1/2 Coligny (drawn illustration)
Math: Saxon Algebra 1, correcting Lesson 4 problems and Lesson 5, all problems
English: Jensen’s Grammar Test 4; Progeny Press, The Bronze Bow, Chapters 1-2 study guide work
Logic: -
Science: Creek Edge Press Task Card #7 (gears and belts), activities 1-4 (used books How Things Work and The New Way Things Work)
History/Geography: Hands of a Child Asia Note Pack (animals); Story of the Romans chapter 4 & 5 (written narration), A Journey Through Learning notebooking pages

And here is Lee’s work:
Bible: Reading Joshua 9, Romans 4; verse Colossians 3; Esther Commentary
Math: Life of Fred Advanced Algebra Lesson 9 & 10
English: Excellence in Literature (still working with Around the World in 80 Days); Utopia; History of English Literature chapter 52; Progeny Press, The Screwtape Letters, working on Letters 1-4
History/Geography: Western Civilization, finished essay on witchcraft trials in France
Current Events
Foreign Language: Greek Level 5, Lesson 14-15
Government/Civics: Whatever Happened to Justice? chapter 36
Science: Biology, chapter 8 (reading outline and in book)

So now that I got that out of the way- how about some liquid dishwasher detergent. Remember I tried some –goodness, it’s been awhile –but I wasn’t happy with it? No? No matter I’d like to forget sometimes, too.

I received some liquid castile soap from my wonderful mother-in-law not long ago but I have an issue with it. It is unscented and supposedly great for sensitive skin- where’s my issue? It burns when I use it. I feel like it is scorching my skin off. I’m really not sure why –perhaps it just wasn’t ‘cured’ long enough? I know with lye soap, you must let it cure –or it burns. Anyway- it has sat in my bathroom the entire time. I have used it more than just twice to make sure I wasn’t just being a sissy. Nope. It burns. No more using it for cleaning me so how about for dishes?

I’m just about out of liquid dishwasher detergent so I decided to try it again –making some that is.  I’m going back to Angie’s recipe, with some of my own additions of course.

I want it to be thicker than hand washing dish soap so I tried to lessen the amount of water. It’s a bit like the hand washing dish soap I made before. Then I added in some borax (for scrubbing). And of course, I had some leftover 7th Generation dishwasher soap to mix it with.

Here are the ingredients (but not very accurate measurements):

• Liquid castile soap (perhaps 1 – 1 1/2 cups)
• borax (possibly 1 cup)
• vinegar (I think I put almost 1 1/2 cups, or maybe 2)
• tea tree oil (just a bit)
• lavender oil (uh, I accidentally poured way more than wanted)
• glycerin (I had perhaps 1/8 – 1/4 cup)
• leftover dishwasher soap (couldn’t have been more than 1/4 cup)
• water to fill 42 oz container

Just mixed it all together in a large mixing bowl and poured into the old 7th Generation container (used a funnel). It is more liquid than I was hoping but I’m not sure how to thicken it. That is one reason I decided to go ahead and use the glycerin- which I’ve really no idea if it helps that or not! 

Wish I had some batteries for my camera. The concoction resembles what was in the container originally- just thinner. I will have to wait until the dishwasher is full to use it. I worry that the mix will suds too much. But the vinegar seems to cut that down some (at least that is what I attribute it to); one reason I used so much.

I tried to measure and document my process so that I could do it again if it works…but you can see how well that worked. Eh…old habits die hard.

Do you know of any recipes that work for stubborn, old dishwashers and/or hard water that are easy to make? Share please!

What, It’s Friday? Weekly Wrap-Up & Homeschool Mother’s Journal

I’m always at a loss…I never seem to know what day it is anymore! Fully intending to get on here and write up what’s been going on during the week …and I just now get to it…on Friday.

In our homeschool this week…Today is the 102nd day of school {wow}. It’s not been a very good week for school but not so bad otherwise. Just a quick run down of school related things:

Lee:
Bible: Reading (Deut. 30 & 31, Acts 25), verse (Colossians 3:1-14), Mark Commentary
Math: Life of Fred Beginning Algebra (Lesson 105 & 106)
History/Geography: Wes. Civ. (something, but it wasn’t recorded correctly! )
Language Arts: Everyman; History of English Literature (chapter 48); Excellence in Literature (reading 2889 by Jules Verne- she’s supposed to read Around the World in Eighty Days)
Foreign Language:  Greek (Lessons 34-36; FINISHED)
Gov’t/Economics/Civics/Logic: Utopia; Current Events (no post again this Friday); Ohio Study
Science: Biology (pages 120-125 and 7.4 chapter outline)

Fox:
Bible: Reading (Deut. 20 & 21, Luke 23 & 24), verse (Proverbs 6:16-20), Saints & Heroes (Loyola & Cranmer)
Math: Saxon Alg 1 (review- very first part of the book)
History/Geography: Heritage History Classical Curriculum (some chapters in Story of the Greeks)
Language Arts: Jensen’s Grammar (Lessons 11-13); The Age of Fable (finished chapter 36), Animal Farm
Gov’t/Economics/Civics/Logic: The Fallacy Detective (Lesson 10)
Science: Murche’s (Lesson 40), The Story Book of Science (Chapter 34 & 35); Albert Einstein (chapter 4)

In my life this week…Wednesday was the 100th day of school so we ate 129 skittles (the extra 29 apiece is because we had to split it equally, you know!) < that’s how I felt afterward. Neither of the kids seemed to be affected!

I worked Monday and Thursday, just under 13 hours total. It seems, however, that those 13 hours equate to at least 24 hours wasted. Not sure how that works… but I’m telling you that’s how it is!

I’m thinking, honestly, that Tuesday was the only day that school was truly done. When I sat down in the classroom {or wherever}, with the kids, and did the whole teacher-and-student …thing. I’ve got to plan better next week!

Things I’m working on…I worked on my AO/HEO Kindle Ready Books website {it’s a never ending work in progress, thankfully} and also volunteered to do a few days worth of February history downloads for Teacher’s Toolbox. And then there’s also working with my mom on a project {I’ve not done anything really yet}. Doing those things means I didn’t get to do all my dishes and the making of good, nutritious meals for my family. Nah, I’m just kidding- those things didn’t get done because I chose to do other things {and no, my family did not go without lol- well, maybe the dishes part…}

And here it is Friday…Fox did some school and Lee worked on Greek {that’s not even work to her- she does it for fun}. We shoveled snow and the kids have played on the Wii. It’s just one of those days.

I plan on working more on the things for my mom, getting that last Teacher’s Toolbox item done, making chicken enchiladas for dinner (I’m cooking…) and then promptly crashing on the couch. I’m thinking I might have a head cold today. Me, who is very rarely sick. I am sneezing a lot and my head feels like it is full of cotton.

As for the kids… they will so nicely occupy themselves and/or each other {and the cat} for a few hours. It’ll all be fine …just fine.

 

What We've Accomplished Today...02/08/2011

Today was a good day...and I started this post a couple hours ago lol. Funny how things just get away from you.

I felt like today was a great day (academically- or at least schoolwise) and wanted to put it down here before I forgot about it. 

Using the TOS Planner Weekly Planning 1 sheets (but typing in them this time instead of 'penciling' in assignments), I had the kids' schedules down for the week. I've been doing surprisingly well with scheduling this year (only six weeks in but still..). The first part of the school year (way back in July) was good but around September (?) it seems I just would forget the scheduling and we would do school by the seat of our pants :) 

Week #6 of 2011 and we are doing well!

What did they do today? 

Both have done Bible reading and verses, and they both made a Self-Portrait. I'd love to show you them but I think they'd murder me in my sleep. No, no...they wouldn't wait for me to sleep to do it :)

Lee is really really liking the Greek we are doing (watch for the review of Hey Andrew! Teach Me Some Greek in April) and does it every day. She also did her Lesson 14 worksheets in Latin. Here is what else she completed: Science, History of English Literature (she did the cutest [yes, I thought it was 'cute'- Fox says I think everything is 'cute'] drawn narration of the chapter! want to show that too...), Life of Fred (Algebra), The Brendan Voyage (Geography), World Studies (History/Geography), Jensen's Grammar, and started Ourselves by Charlotte Mason. The only thing she did not get to today (that was on her schedule) was Vocab Ahead (Spelling?). Oh and she posted her first book review!

Fox still doesn't have his school books from WYVA (getting tired of hearing that? me too, I'll not say it again lol) but he was still able to get quite a bit done today, albeit mostly Spanish (1 hour and 25 minutes...). He was in his first Class Connect session with his classmates and teacher (doing PreAlgebra) and then he did quite a bit of the Earth Science. I'm supposed to make sure we have dried beans for an upcoming activity... For History/Geography we did some Story of the World (end of WWI but beginning of Revolution in Russia) and he read in Complete Book of Marvels (Taj Mahal). He tried to do the Language Skills lessons online but alas, need the book couldn't be completed at this time ;) ... so he was able to do 10 minutes. We did do The Write Foundation though- he worked on an Acrostic Phrase that he is to turn in tomorrow (saved on the computer of course- less printing!). 

So it felt like a good day with school :) Towards the end of the day Lee was helping Fox make up a Power Point Presentation of his experience with k12 thus far. Oh! I can add that to 'Computer', right?? Lol. While they were doing that (and later) I decided to rearrange... It's an itch you just gotta scratch sometimes! And in this case, it was needed.

Now I should get to bed because Fox has another Class Connect at 8:30 (that's earlier than we are usually doing things- not that he wouldn't already be awake but lol he isn't usually doing schoolwork).

Accomplishments!

Today was to be my usual Sunday- wake, get ready, go to church, come home for a few hours and do who knows what. I did the first few things as usual. But today I feel accomplished!

I also multi-tasked and I washed almost all of the dishes, made homemade soap, did laundry, made granola, shared with others something I feel is worth thinking on, made Tuna Helper from scratch, filtered water to refill water bottles, and did a little (wee bit) of reading and research for my capstone project.

It felt really really good to do things that I set my mind to!

Unfortunately, those things took me up until just a bit ago to complete. In that time, I forgot that church started about 30 minutes ago. Honestly that thought just about stole my happiness at what I had accomplished. But I feel somewhat okay that I missed church (when not in a habit of going to evening service it's a bit difficult to get into the habit) and only because I tried to share what I had learned and experienced from morning church with my readers.


I'm not saying that all my 'worldly' accomplishments are more important than going to church but I feel that God was helping me to do something that I have had a problem with lately- motivation as well as ambition (and follow-through). Of course, I could just be trying to make myself feel better for missing church. 

I still feel 'accomplished'.