ARGH.....
I put in an order today for a years' worth of grain from Wheat Montana....Prairie Gold, Bronze Chief, 7 grain, soft white, oats.....and tonight? The Whisper Mill exploded! Jamin turned it on and the motor has seized up - it was blowing smoke out the top of it.....I bought it used....not even sure where you would take something like this to get it repaired.
I really NEED a mill.....I mean I don't buy any flour, baking mixes, pancake mixes...now what???? Where do I look for another one? Should I buy new with a warranty or take a chance on another used one? This one lasted 7 years....and was purchased at over 50% off.....
Anyone looked lately? Where are the best deals? I don't WANT to buy a new one but I honestly NEED one.....
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Oy Vey
I was talking to Mom last week and she told me that all Aspie children have something they excell at. (She works in the public schools as an aide to autistic children.) She asked me what Zander excelled in. I had to stop and think. I finally told her computers and electronic things.....and he takes EVERYTHING apart - sometimes he puts it back together. Anyway - we have to carefully watch how much electronic interaction he has - or he doesn't interact with the humans in his life.
Today I sat down at the computer and the whole desktop was changed. WHAT? A couple of days ago Arielle had figured out the cursor thing and begun changing cursors....but.....I said, "OK - Arielle did you change the background on here?" She insisted she hadn't. Zander walked in and said, "Oh, I did that." I didn't believe him.
He proceeded to say "Watch" and showed me "you go to control panel (how does he KNOW that?), you click this and this and this" BINGO he changed the desktop background. This terrifies me. This also tells me that my answer we right, Mom. Zander loves computers.
I was talking to Mom last week and she told me that all Aspie children have something they excell at. (She works in the public schools as an aide to autistic children.) She asked me what Zander excelled in. I had to stop and think. I finally told her computers and electronic things.....and he takes EVERYTHING apart - sometimes he puts it back together. Anyway - we have to carefully watch how much electronic interaction he has - or he doesn't interact with the humans in his life.
Today I sat down at the computer and the whole desktop was changed. WHAT? A couple of days ago Arielle had figured out the cursor thing and begun changing cursors....but.....I said, "OK - Arielle did you change the background on here?" She insisted she hadn't. Zander walked in and said, "Oh, I did that." I didn't believe him.
He proceeded to say "Watch" and showed me "you go to control panel (how does he KNOW that?), you click this and this and this" BINGO he changed the desktop background. This terrifies me. This also tells me that my answer we right, Mom. Zander loves computers.
Homeschool Funny
Some of us are simply NOT natural at this lap book thing. I decided to make an "accordian book" so that we can put whatever we want in these lap books.
For the tree symbol I wanted to do a shape book. I figured out how to make a tree out of three triangles and open them up to write inside....and I kept cutting them so the fold was wrong...then the kids wanted ONE tree and not three triangles to make a tree.....so....a huge pile of paper later and I have figured out how to make one loan shap book.....maybe it would be cheaper to buy a kit all ready to go. ::snort:: The children were thrilled to use glitter on their booklets.....of course that led to Zander making some very creative art work indeed. This all reminds me why we've been a "crayon/glue free" homeschool for years and years. LOL 
CHRISTMAS TREES
An English Missionary, later known as St. Boniface, was the first person we know to have used the pine tree as a Christian symbol. He used it to illustrate the Trinity. One day he came upon some pagans worshipping an OAK tree and reacted in anger. He cut down the tree and legend has it that a pine tree grew from the stump of the oak. {I'm not sure that we believe the legend, but the thoughts from this are that from death would come new EVERLASTING life}.
For many Christians the Christmas tree has become a symbol of the Trinity, everlasting life and Christ's purpose on earth. The tree points to God - as we should point others to God. The tree is evergreen as the life Christ gives us is EVERLASTING. The branches on the tree reach out as Jesus reached out to others. Christ died on a tree. Remembering the purpose for which the babe in the manger was given only deepens our celebration of the incredible gift in our lives that He is.
In our family we had the great "tree topper" debate for years. I wanted an angel. Mike wanted a star. Years ago I began to listen as Mike prayed at ceremonies about the "babe born in the shadow of a cross". This struck a chord in me. For years now, we've placed a crown of thorns at the top of our tree. This reminds us that while we celebrate His birth, He came with a purpose - and Praise God He fulfilled that purpose.
Here are Arielle and Nolan's thoughts on Christmas Trees: (this may serve as an illustration of how you can teach the same thing to different ages and they'll glean what is age appropriate LOL)
The Christmas Tree - Nolan
Winifred (St Boniface) was an English
missionary. He said the top is Dad,
the bottom son and the other side is
the Holy Spirit.
The tree points to heaven.
The branches of the tree stick out
Like Jesus’ arms did when he
was on the cross.
We put a crown of thorns on top
of our tree, because that is the crown
that Jesus wore when he was
crucified.
Winifred (St Boniface) was an English
missionary. He said the top is Dad,
the bottom son and the other side is
the Holy Spirit.
The tree points to heaven.
The branches of the tree stick out
Like Jesus’ arms did when he
was on the cross.
We put a crown of thorns on top
of our tree, because that is the crown
that Jesus wore when he was
crucified.
~*~*~*
The Christmas Tree - Arielle
Winifred (St Boniface) was an English
missionary. He used the pine tree
to show the trinity – one tree,
three corners. One God – Father,
Son and Spirit at the points.
The top of the tree points to
Heaven and God.
The branches reach out to other
like Jesus does.
Jesus died on a tree – so we can
remember that He came to die
for us.
Winifred (St Boniface) was an English
missionary. He used the pine tree
to show the trinity – one tree,
three corners. One God – Father,
Son and Spirit at the points.
The top of the tree points to
Heaven and God.
The branches reach out to other
like Jesus does.
Jesus died on a tree – so we can
remember that He came to die
for us.
Booklets we've made so far
Lights on a Tree
I was going to write my OWN narrative about this - but the children did a good job. We are working on a lap book of Christmas symbols. Nolan and Arielle will each do their own. This should give them a bit more ownership of the project...it also allows Arielle to spruce her's up a bit. I'm hoping these will be books the children enjoy year after year....so they need their own. I decided they could dictate their thoughts to me and I would type them....
So - here are the thoughts on Christmas tree lights....but I want to write my own. ::snort::
Lights on a Tree - Nolan (7)
Martin Luther was walking back home.
He looked up and saw the stars.
They looked like they were dancing.
They made him worship God.
He cut a tree and went home. He
set it up in his house. He put candles
on it. The candles twinkled and
danced. His family worshipped
God too.
Lights on a Tree - Arielle (9)
Martin Luther was walking home one December night.
He looked up into sky and the stars made him worship
God for the beauty of His creation.
Then he walked under a pine tree and the stars seemed
to twinkle on the branches. He was amazed by God’s
creation.
He cut down a small pine tree. He took it inside
his house and called his family. He wanted them
to be able to see what he saw. They didn’t really
get it, so he took all the candles in the house and
put them on the tree.
When I look at Christmas tree lights it reminds me
of God’s beautiful creation and sometimes causes
me to worship too.
I was going to write my OWN narrative about this - but the children did a good job. We are working on a lap book of Christmas symbols. Nolan and Arielle will each do their own. This should give them a bit more ownership of the project...it also allows Arielle to spruce her's up a bit. I'm hoping these will be books the children enjoy year after year....so they need their own. I decided they could dictate their thoughts to me and I would type them....
So - here are the thoughts on Christmas tree lights....but I want to write my own. ::snort::
Lights on a Tree - Nolan (7)
Martin Luther was walking back home.
He looked up and saw the stars.
They looked like they were dancing.
They made him worship God.
He cut a tree and went home. He
set it up in his house. He put candles
on it. The candles twinkled and
danced. His family worshipped
God too.
Lights on a Tree - Arielle (9)
Martin Luther was walking home one December night.
He looked up into sky and the stars made him worship
God for the beauty of His creation.
Then he walked under a pine tree and the stars seemed
to twinkle on the branches. He was amazed by God’s
creation.
He cut down a small pine tree. He took it inside
his house and called his family. He wanted them
to be able to see what he saw. They didn’t really
get it, so he took all the candles in the house and
put them on the tree.
When I look at Christmas tree lights it reminds me
of God’s beautiful creation and sometimes causes
me to worship too.
CHRISTMAS - to celebrate or not?
How's this for a hot topic? I come from a long line of "mega Christmas celebrators" (don't I mom?). I realize that some Christians have chosen not to celebrate Christmas. That is their conviction and I honor that conviction. Our family has gone back and forth and settled on a Christmas celebration that we believe is God-honoring and pleasing. I believe the key is to pray about this, as you pray about anything else in your life, and then follow His leading. In our home we realized that we were in danger of loosing the joy of Christmas - the meaning and reason of Christmas. We were a busy Pastor's family (and you can't imagine the busy ness of this time of year), we had lots of children and we were giving lots and lots of gifts....but somewhere we were loosing the meaning. We could not SKIP Christmas....because 1. it is in our HEARTS to celebrate Christ and 2. as pastors/chaplains that is impractical. We made drastic changes. We cut our giving budget to $50 per child. We explained that we were celebrating JESUS and not the child - on their birthday we spend a bit more because then we are celebrating them on that day! (Some of you know that a couple of my children are getting more than a $50 gift this year - but that is their entire Christmas and birthday for the year. LOL - They'll be fine with it). We began to celebrate ADVENT (new to me). We began to search for all the ways we could use the season as object lessons for our children and to point them to Christ.
A few random thoughts:
1. We CELEBRATE CHRIST around here year round.....and I must say I enjoy that the rest of the world seems to get on board for these brief four weeks.
2. American Christmas' have gotten WAY overly commercialized to the point that in many homes Christ is totally lost (regardless of what we say).
3. Our Christmas celebrations should be God-pleasing and in keeping with His character. It is not God's will for us to go into debt, be consumed with greed or lust, be grumpy because we can't have what someone else has... It IS God's will for us to be thankful with what we have - be that a little or a lot. It is also His will that we be content!
4. When God wanted His people to remember something he told them to CELEBRATE - have a FEAST, PARTY....and I believe we can do the same today in a God-honoring way.
5. We must be ON GUARD against "over consumption" or over something during this time of the year.
6. I'm often asked about the whole pagan question....and really a complete answer is far more in-depth than I will attempt at this point. One simple observation...yes....as the church spread it often incorporated practices of the "pagan cultures" around it into the church celebrations....HOWEVER.....I think we miss that the church WAS practicing Christmas in order to incorporate a pagan practice. In other words, celebrating Christ is not the issue. It is possible to throw out the pagan practices and get back to a more "traditional" Christmas.
7. I realize others have other convictions and as I said earlier I HONOR those convictions - I ask only that they honor my convictions as well. In real life, I have four friends who do not celebrate Christmas. I do not try to convince them they should celebrate my way. They should follow where God leads THEM. Really they DO celebrate Christ - just not the American Christmas version....I choose to celebrate Christ year round AND through the American Christmas traditions.
8. Several have told me lately, when discussing what I do at Christmas, that they wish I'd share more....now I think what I do is pretty basic....but since I do keep hearing this.... I did decide to say a few things now. I plan to go ahead and share now and again what we do and why we do it as we go about our Christmas. Some of the things I share are things I gleaned over the years from online friends at SHS, or ideas shared by local friends, and some are ideas that God simply implanted in our hearts. Now - I don't consider anything we do to be ESSENTIAL to anyone else. I don't consider anything I share to be WOW - NEW - but hey....we are all looking for ways to make spiritual truths and Christ real to our children and Christmas is FULL of opportunities....if God can use a pumpkin in a child's life...think what he can do with something pretty that smells nice....
How's this for a hot topic? I come from a long line of "mega Christmas celebrators" (don't I mom?). I realize that some Christians have chosen not to celebrate Christmas. That is their conviction and I honor that conviction. Our family has gone back and forth and settled on a Christmas celebration that we believe is God-honoring and pleasing. I believe the key is to pray about this, as you pray about anything else in your life, and then follow His leading. In our home we realized that we were in danger of loosing the joy of Christmas - the meaning and reason of Christmas. We were a busy Pastor's family (and you can't imagine the busy ness of this time of year), we had lots of children and we were giving lots and lots of gifts....but somewhere we were loosing the meaning. We could not SKIP Christmas....because 1. it is in our HEARTS to celebrate Christ and 2. as pastors/chaplains that is impractical. We made drastic changes. We cut our giving budget to $50 per child. We explained that we were celebrating JESUS and not the child - on their birthday we spend a bit more because then we are celebrating them on that day! (Some of you know that a couple of my children are getting more than a $50 gift this year - but that is their entire Christmas and birthday for the year. LOL - They'll be fine with it). We began to celebrate ADVENT (new to me). We began to search for all the ways we could use the season as object lessons for our children and to point them to Christ.
A few random thoughts:
1. We CELEBRATE CHRIST around here year round.....and I must say I enjoy that the rest of the world seems to get on board for these brief four weeks.
2. American Christmas' have gotten WAY overly commercialized to the point that in many homes Christ is totally lost (regardless of what we say).
3. Our Christmas celebrations should be God-pleasing and in keeping with His character. It is not God's will for us to go into debt, be consumed with greed or lust, be grumpy because we can't have what someone else has... It IS God's will for us to be thankful with what we have - be that a little or a lot. It is also His will that we be content!
4. When God wanted His people to remember something he told them to CELEBRATE - have a FEAST, PARTY....and I believe we can do the same today in a God-honoring way.
5. We must be ON GUARD against "over consumption" or over something during this time of the year.
6. I'm often asked about the whole pagan question....and really a complete answer is far more in-depth than I will attempt at this point. One simple observation...yes....as the church spread it often incorporated practices of the "pagan cultures" around it into the church celebrations....HOWEVER.....I think we miss that the church WAS practicing Christmas in order to incorporate a pagan practice. In other words, celebrating Christ is not the issue. It is possible to throw out the pagan practices and get back to a more "traditional" Christmas.
7. I realize others have other convictions and as I said earlier I HONOR those convictions - I ask only that they honor my convictions as well. In real life, I have four friends who do not celebrate Christmas. I do not try to convince them they should celebrate my way. They should follow where God leads THEM. Really they DO celebrate Christ - just not the American Christmas version....I choose to celebrate Christ year round AND through the American Christmas traditions.
8. Several have told me lately, when discussing what I do at Christmas, that they wish I'd share more....now I think what I do is pretty basic....but since I do keep hearing this.... I did decide to say a few things now. I plan to go ahead and share now and again what we do and why we do it as we go about our Christmas. Some of the things I share are things I gleaned over the years from online friends at SHS, or ideas shared by local friends, and some are ideas that God simply implanted in our hearts. Now - I don't consider anything we do to be ESSENTIAL to anyone else. I don't consider anything I share to be WOW - NEW - but hey....we are all looking for ways to make spiritual truths and Christ real to our children and Christmas is FULL of opportunities....if God can use a pumpkin in a child's life...think what he can do with something pretty that smells nice....
PARENTING/DISCIPLINE IN PROVERBS - Ch. 23
*No, I've not quit my study. I've been reading and writing in my notebook but haven't had time to type my thoughts up. I'm going to try to post several in the next few days. I have resisted the urge to "type" up my thoughts immediately and skip the journal...because the writing and then retyping is an aide to meditation for me.
23:12 "Apply your heart to discipline and your ears to words of knowledge."
~Apply the very core of my being to personal discipline - I must be trained, corrected, instructed by God
~I must be careful which voices I listen to. Are they words that bring knowledge? Listen Up! Are they words based on the speaker's fear, condemnation, foolishness, presumptions, un-Christlike worldview? I must not take careless words of others to heart.
23:13 - 14 "Do not hold back discipline from the child, although you strike him with the rod, he will not die. You shall strike him with the rod and rescue his soul from sheol."
~I don't have time to rewrite what has already been written about rod, discipline, child.....if you're not familiar with my thoughts, you can click parenting and scroll down to Oct to see those studies.
~This is the ONLY one of the "rod verses" that mentions STRIKING a CHILD with a rod. In 26:3 fools are mentioned - not children.
~ Child here is a youth.
~In my mind this could be symbolic because rod could be symbolic - but I'm not sure how you "beat" someone with symbolism.
~I believe this verse could also be exaggerating to make a point....much as is used earlier in this chapter in verse 2 where we are told that a man of great appetite should put a knife to his throat. I reached this conclusion because the second half of this verse is NOT literally true. You CAN kill a person with a shebet. You can crush skulls, maim predators etc.
I have other thoughts - but really this will boil down to how you believe the word "rod" should be interpreted. Nonetheless, this verse is NOT saying that we have carte blanche to "beat young children with rods". Child = youth of marriageable, battle age
23:15 "My son, if your heart is wise my own heart will be glad."
~MY heart rejoices as I see my children begin to walk in wisdom
~The years of youth show the results of consistent shepherding, mentoring of a child from infancy
23:17 "Do not let your heart envy sinners, but live in the fear of the Lord always."
~My heart must be trained to constantly live with the Lord ever before me - there is no room in a heart of worship to envy unrighteousness
23:26 "Give me your hear, my son, and let your eyes delight in my way."
~Can I be trusted with the heart of my children? If not, I'd better confess and repent!
~Are my ways such that I can unequivocally say to my children - go ahead, "delight in my way"?
~I hurt more than myself when I wallow int he flesh instead of walking in the spirit
(OK began this hours ago...but hey...it's a start)
*No, I've not quit my study. I've been reading and writing in my notebook but haven't had time to type my thoughts up. I'm going to try to post several in the next few days. I have resisted the urge to "type" up my thoughts immediately and skip the journal...because the writing and then retyping is an aide to meditation for me.
23:12 "Apply your heart to discipline and your ears to words of knowledge."
~Apply the very core of my being to personal discipline - I must be trained, corrected, instructed by God
~I must be careful which voices I listen to. Are they words that bring knowledge? Listen Up! Are they words based on the speaker's fear, condemnation, foolishness, presumptions, un-Christlike worldview? I must not take careless words of others to heart.
23:13 - 14 "Do not hold back discipline from the child, although you strike him with the rod, he will not die. You shall strike him with the rod and rescue his soul from sheol."
~I don't have time to rewrite what has already been written about rod, discipline, child.....if you're not familiar with my thoughts, you can click parenting and scroll down to Oct to see those studies.
~This is the ONLY one of the "rod verses" that mentions STRIKING a CHILD with a rod. In 26:3 fools are mentioned - not children.
~ Child here is a youth.
~In my mind this could be symbolic because rod could be symbolic - but I'm not sure how you "beat" someone with symbolism.
~I believe this verse could also be exaggerating to make a point....much as is used earlier in this chapter in verse 2 where we are told that a man of great appetite should put a knife to his throat. I reached this conclusion because the second half of this verse is NOT literally true. You CAN kill a person with a shebet. You can crush skulls, maim predators etc.
I have other thoughts - but really this will boil down to how you believe the word "rod" should be interpreted. Nonetheless, this verse is NOT saying that we have carte blanche to "beat young children with rods". Child = youth of marriageable, battle age
23:15 "My son, if your heart is wise my own heart will be glad."
~MY heart rejoices as I see my children begin to walk in wisdom
~The years of youth show the results of consistent shepherding, mentoring of a child from infancy
23:17 "Do not let your heart envy sinners, but live in the fear of the Lord always."
~My heart must be trained to constantly live with the Lord ever before me - there is no room in a heart of worship to envy unrighteousness
23:26 "Give me your hear, my son, and let your eyes delight in my way."
~Can I be trusted with the heart of my children? If not, I'd better confess and repent!
~Are my ways such that I can unequivocally say to my children - go ahead, "delight in my way"?
~I hurt more than myself when I wallow int he flesh instead of walking in the spirit
(OK began this hours ago...but hey...it's a start)
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
SNOW IN TX???
Good grief...and I thought it was scary around here when it RAINS! ::snort::
Temps are dropping quickly....low tonight is supposed to be 19* and 50% of snow...tomorrow high is supposed to 35* - freezing rain...today was 78*.....
Josiah has done all we could think of to do with pipes and such.....I have been missing the snow....it's sure not going to stay around long...but it could be fun....LOL
Good grief...and I thought it was scary around here when it RAINS! ::snort::
Temps are dropping quickly....low tonight is supposed to be 19* and 50% of snow...tomorrow high is supposed to 35* - freezing rain...today was 78*.....
Josiah has done all we could think of to do with pipes and such.....I have been missing the snow....it's sure not going to stay around long...but it could be fun....LOL
TraDITION (Can you hear the music?)
Our family packs our Christmas books, music, and movies away after Christmas and unpacks them the day after Thanksgiving.
We tried to have a tradition of decorating and Handel's Messiah...but it didn't work well for us. Years ago we began to finish our decorating push by watching Jim Henson's (though he died in the middle of production) *The Muppet's Christmas Carol*. Our decorating with different this year...and we didn't watch the movie.
Tonight the youngers asked if they could watch a movie... it is hard to keep them all occupied when they are feeling "off", so I agreed. Nolan and Zander wanted to watch *The Christmas Carol* and Arielle began to cry because it is supposed to be a family movie. I explained that they could watch it now and we'd all watch it when the girls were here...but that didn't work. She said the FIRST time of the season should be a family event. She's right. We pulled out the screen after dinner and those of us who were home (Jamin, Jared, Arielle, Nolan, Zander, Stacia and I) watched the movie. We'll watch it again when the girls arrive home.
This movie is hilarious! The music is fantastic. It stays fairly close to Dickens...I know....it's MUPPETS but still...it IS good. The final line about the book is classic. I laughed, I cried and I feel contemplated...but deeper thoughts will have to wait until the kids are normal and I'm not sleep deprived.
The children's fevers have gone. They are still hoarse and coughing but ready for some play. I agreed to let them go outside....I was impressed when they asked if they could use the rakes and rake the yard. Wow. Such productive children. I told them to let me know when they had a pile and I'd take a photo. They did.
Jared will take the story from here.....
Forces on all sides milled about, preparing for the fight.
As the fight lengthened the brutality of it increased to an alarming height. They found themselves ducking low as leaves and all manner of yard objects flew overhead.
The fight was fierce but short-lived. No casualties were reported....well....when Zander found the water gun casualties began to mount.
Jared will take the story from here.....
Forces on all sides milled about, preparing for the fight.
As the fight lengthened the brutality of it increased to an alarming height. They found themselves ducking low as leaves and all manner of yard objects flew overhead.
The fight was fierce but short-lived. No casualties were reported....well....when Zander found the water gun casualties began to mount.
MAXWELL BOOKS
Has anyone read the "Moody Family" books written by the eldest Maxwell children? They are about the adventures of a homeschool family. I'd love to hear some reviews.
What about "Keeping Our Children's Hearts" by the same family?
Has anyone read the "Moody Family" books written by the eldest Maxwell children? They are about the adventures of a homeschool family. I'd love to hear some reviews.
What about "Keeping Our Children's Hearts" by the same family?
School Notes
Youngers (2nd, 3rd)
We have left the 1920's behind and moved into the 1930's. TOG suggested *Potato, A Tale from the Great Depression* and *Angels in the dust* for lower grammar students. We read both and they were fine. I felt that I wanted the children to have a bit more of a feel for the depression. I'm looking for some good "fiction" about that time period for a 2nd and 3rd grader. We welcome your suggestions.
I don't want to delve too deeply into biographies of FDR and Eleanor with Arielle and Nolan but felt it would be good to do something. We can't find the books recommended by TOG but did find *Eleanor by Barbara Cooney* at our library. My favorite part of this book is the illustrations. The book does present Eleanor's rotten childhood and her desire to help others with less than she had.
FDR provides a well-written, sympathetic look at Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his presidency. Jared receives a counter-balance to this view by listening to his older brothers and I discuss various aspects of the Roosevelt legacy.
*The Children's History of the 20th century by DK* is proving to be a great overview for Jared, as well as for Nolan and Arielle. The book moves year by year through the century....each two page spread offers a quick summary and then the pages are filled with various news stories from the years in question. Along the bottom of the book is a time line with more events to study. This is a great DK book to own.
*Onion John by Joseph Krumgold* is a book listed in our TOG manual. Jared (JUST NOW) reports that the book seems to have nothing to do with the 1930's or 1940's. He says the plot is predictable (Father wants to plan son's future, son is rebelling) and boring. He isn't enjoying this book at all - and only has 40 pages left to read. Hmmm....time to tell the children again that if a book is a clunker I'm open to making changes! Jared is telling me that he doesn't like to complain to me about the curriculum....he only complains to his brothers, who can't change the situation. ::snort:: More life lessons to follow spurred by this book - I'm totally perplexed as to what we were supposed to learn from this book. What are we missing about this choice???
I assigned an extra reader which Jared is enjoying, *Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor*. This powerful book is set in the 1930's and chronicles the struggle of an African American family during this time period.
The older boys (10th and 12th) are reading *The Century by Peter Jennings*, *FDR by Russell Freedman* (excerpt above), *A History of the American People by Paul Johnson* and *The Red Pony by John Steinbeck*. They have some rather strong opinions about FDR. The Century and Freedman are from more of a "liberal" or "pro" FDR slant and Paul Johnson provides a conservative view of the same topics.
* We have just begun unit two. This is a good time to do a "quick" overview of school.
Youngers (2nd, 3rd)
We have left the 1920's behind and moved into the 1930's. TOG suggested *Potato, A Tale from the Great Depression* and *Angels in the dust* for lower grammar students. We read both and they were fine. I felt that I wanted the children to have a bit more of a feel for the depression. I'm looking for some good "fiction" about that time period for a 2nd and 3rd grader. We welcome your suggestions. 
Since we had finished the reading for week 9,- we moved into week10. Ah - the 1940's....not sure we are ready to leave the 30's. I found *Children of the Dust Bowl by Jerry Stanley* and am reading that to the younger two. The narrative is fairly easy to follow. It tells a story but lets you know over and over that you are hearing quotes from REAL people. The photos are haunting. They are photos of real "Oakies" along Route 66. Living in this part of the country, having traveled some of the route this summer, and having had family living in Bakersfield, CA.....makes this a story that lives for my children. They can relate to no rain, WIND and dust....and I point out that as dusty and dry as it's been here the past two years it was way worse for 5 years in the 1930's. This was a great find for Arielle and Nolan and will round out our study of the depression. I'm still contemplating a fictionalized account of the depression. I will have the boys watch *The Grapes of Wrath* and briefly talk about how the book was banned and the controversy over the book, rather than have them read it.
I don't want to delve too deeply into biographies of FDR and Eleanor with Arielle and Nolan but felt it would be good to do something. We can't find the books recommended by TOG but did find *Eleanor by Barbara Cooney* at our library. My favorite part of this book is the illustrations. The book does present Eleanor's rotten childhood and her desire to help others with less than she had. Nolan has speech exercises, motor development exercises, Sing Spell Read and Write, Explode the Code and lots of living math. Arielle has 30 minutes of reading a day, MCP spelling, Wordly Wise, lots of living math and is writing daily as well.
We have played many math games, read many grammar books, and completed two lap books. Our first lap book was on the books of the Bible and our second was on Thanksgiving. We are gearing up for a Christmas lap book.
Jared (7th)
is reading:
is reading: *FDR by Russell Freedman* and *The Children's history of the 20th century* for spine books of this time period.
FDR provides a well-written, sympathetic look at Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his presidency. Jared receives a counter-balance to this view by listening to his older brothers and I discuss various aspects of the Roosevelt legacy.
*The Children's History of the 20th century by DK* is proving to be a great overview for Jared, as well as for Nolan and Arielle. The book moves year by year through the century....each two page spread offers a quick summary and then the pages are filled with various news stories from the years in question. Along the bottom of the book is a time line with more events to study. This is a great DK book to own.
*Onion John by Joseph Krumgold* is a book listed in our TOG manual. Jared (JUST NOW) reports that the book seems to have nothing to do with the 1930's or 1940's. He says the plot is predictable (Father wants to plan son's future, son is rebelling) and boring. He isn't enjoying this book at all - and only has 40 pages left to read. Hmmm....time to tell the children again that if a book is a clunker I'm open to making changes! Jared is telling me that he doesn't like to complain to me about the curriculum....he only complains to his brothers, who can't change the situation. ::snort:: More life lessons to follow spurred by this book - I'm totally perplexed as to what we were supposed to learn from this book. What are we missing about this choice???
I assigned an extra reader which Jared is enjoying, *Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor*. This powerful book is set in the 1930's and chronicles the struggle of an African American family during this time period. Jared is reading *Watchman Nee:Man of Suffering by Bob Laurent * for worldview. I really need to work more biographies of the "greats" of the faith into the children's lives. We used to read biographies during Family Read Aloud time. I think I'll work one or two a month in to that time frame again. Children need heroes - real heroes.
*The Great Depression by Michael Burgan* has provided an easy to read overview of the Depression era. I plan to go through this one with the younger two, as well. Hakim's edition for this time period finished Jared's list of history.
In addition to history, Jared is doing TOG writing, Saxon 8/7, MCP Spelling, and Apologia's General Science.
The older boys (10th and 12th) are reading *The Century by Peter Jennings*, *FDR by Russell Freedman* (excerpt above), *A History of the American People by Paul Johnson* and *The Red Pony by John Steinbeck*. They have some rather strong opinions about FDR. The Century and Freedman are from more of a "liberal" or "pro" FDR slant and Paul Johnson provides a conservative view of the same topics. In addition to TOG, Jamin is doing Saxon Alg 2, Foundations of Fitness, Culinary Art, and Christian Writers Guild. Our Rosetta Stone disc cracked and I've been trying to figure out what to 
do about it as he is 1/2 way through the program. I HATE that I have to pay $300 for a program that must be inserted into the computer every time it's used and I'm unable to make a back up for it. So...we are still deciding what to do about Spanish 2. We also deleted TOG world view and will be adding some other materials for this. I could easily pull together my own course but it would look very much like what TOG does - and that isn't working for him. I'm leaning towards Understanding the Times.
do about it as he is 1/2 way through the program. I HATE that I have to pay $300 for a program that must be inserted into the computer every time it's used and I'm unable to make a back up for it. So...we are still deciding what to do about Spanish 2. We also deleted TOG world view and will be adding some other materials for this. I could easily pull together my own course but it would look very much like what TOG does - and that isn't working for him. I'm leaning towards Understanding the Times. In addition to TOG, Josiah is working and doing some SAT prep.
DECORATING QUESTION
I usually have pine garlands and wreaths up.....but haven't done it this year.
I got to thinking that the garland around the post would hide the duct tape thing.....which is only noticeable if you stand in the right place during the day....::snort:: Last year we did the post, the mail box and the planters with garlands.
I also can't figure out how to get the wreaths to STAY on the windows. Ours always fall off - lots of wind. What are you all using? There may be something I've not tried...besides Duct Tape. There's no point in putting them up if they are going to fall down all season - may as well leave them in the box for the next assignment. LOL
I usually have pine garlands and wreaths up.....but haven't done it this year.
I got to thinking that the garland around the post would hide the duct tape thing.....which is only noticeable if you stand in the right place during the day....::snort:: Last year we did the post, the mail box and the planters with garlands.
I also can't figure out how to get the wreaths to STAY on the windows. Ours always fall off - lots of wind. What are you all using? There may be something I've not tried...besides Duct Tape. There's no point in putting them up if they are going to fall down all season - may as well leave them in the box for the next assignment. LOL
TICKER MOVEMENT
Two out of three are moving the right way! ::snort::
I'm going to have to go back to using paper tracking of the Thin Within Principles this week. I didn't last week. I would think I'd internalized the principlines. Obviously, I'm going to need a bit of external help to get through the Holiday Season....with its variety of chocolate options. LOL
I also think I may need to consider a digital scale - one with BIG bright numbers.....I can barely see the scale and am still not sure I got the numbers right. Our last digital couldn't take the humidty of the bathroom.....of course with a digital scale I don't have to worry about one of the darlings moving the dial and seeing it over 60 lbs on weigh in day!!!!! Hmm...which is best...digital or dial????
Two out of three are moving the right way! ::snort::
I'm going to have to go back to using paper tracking of the Thin Within Principles this week. I didn't last week. I would think I'd internalized the principlines. Obviously, I'm going to need a bit of external help to get through the Holiday Season....with its variety of chocolate options. LOL
I also think I may need to consider a digital scale - one with BIG bright numbers.....I can barely see the scale and am still not sure I got the numbers right. Our last digital couldn't take the humidty of the bathroom.....of course with a digital scale I don't have to worry about one of the darlings moving the dial and seeing it over 60 lbs on weigh in day!!!!! Hmm...which is best...digital or dial????
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
COMMENTS
Someone explain this to me again - what is the benefit of having comments set to moderated? I thought it was so that I'd receive an email and not miss comments some make further back than I read. This has happened to me and I feel bad when I don't respond to something someone says....but I've had the blog set to send me comments for WEEKS and it doesn't. Today I set it to moderated so that I'd be sure to see all the new comments...but there are so many. I don't have time to read them all and then go to the blog AND comment back...is that what you all do? OR am I missing the purpose of the modertated thing? I've only had two comments to delete in a year.....one was "iffy" and one called me a liberal something or other because they didn't agree with my interpretation of a Scripture....which if they'd said that nicely, I'd have left the comment but they swore at me. LOL
Has anyone found a way to be alerted to comments so you don't miss them without having to approve them all? I'm setting this back to normal for the time being because it seriously stresses me out to see a page of comments I need to approve....I'd rather simply go read them and respond at the blog. LOL
Also, since I'm writing a senseless entry about blog comments....does anyone else have problems with those string of letters you have to type in? I get it wrong 70% of the time on my first try! ::blush:: I've recently uped the magnification of my reader glasses but it irritate me to need them. LOL
Someone explain this to me again - what is the benefit of having comments set to moderated? I thought it was so that I'd receive an email and not miss comments some make further back than I read. This has happened to me and I feel bad when I don't respond to something someone says....but I've had the blog set to send me comments for WEEKS and it doesn't. Today I set it to moderated so that I'd be sure to see all the new comments...but there are so many. I don't have time to read them all and then go to the blog AND comment back...is that what you all do? OR am I missing the purpose of the modertated thing? I've only had two comments to delete in a year.....one was "iffy" and one called me a liberal something or other because they didn't agree with my interpretation of a Scripture....which if they'd said that nicely, I'd have left the comment but they swore at me. LOL
Has anyone found a way to be alerted to comments so you don't miss them without having to approve them all? I'm setting this back to normal for the time being because it seriously stresses me out to see a page of comments I need to approve....I'd rather simply go read them and respond at the blog. LOL
Also, since I'm writing a senseless entry about blog comments....does anyone else have problems with those string of letters you have to type in? I get it wrong 70% of the time on my first try! ::blush:: I've recently uped the magnification of my reader glasses but it irritate me to need them. LOL
TUESDAY AFTERNOON
I believe the children are suffering from cabin fever.....I need some calgon.....
I received a call informing me that there were more toys brought in today. I told them to collect them and I'd mail another box next week. I already mailed this week. LOL
I just found out that I'm not serving breakfast at the chapel at 10:00 on Saturday but at 7:30 a.m. THIS is what happens when you miss a PAC meeting! Ah well - I am sort of thinking THAT is my contribution to the whole "work at the chapel day" and so I'll go early and come home early. Of course, guilt being what it is, I may end up being one of the first there and one of the last to leave as well. LOL Nah - with Mike gone I am rarely the last one out of the building these days.....I knew all along we were always waiting on HIM. ::snort::
I believe the children are suffering from cabin fever.....I need some calgon.....
I received a call informing me that there were more toys brought in today. I told them to collect them and I'd mail another box next week. I already mailed this week. LOL
I just found out that I'm not serving breakfast at the chapel at 10:00 on Saturday but at 7:30 a.m. THIS is what happens when you miss a PAC meeting! Ah well - I am sort of thinking THAT is my contribution to the whole "work at the chapel day" and so I'll go early and come home early. Of course, guilt being what it is, I may end up being one of the first there and one of the last to leave as well. LOL Nah - with Mike gone I am rarely the last one out of the building these days.....I knew all along we were always waiting on HIM. ::snort::
NATIVITIES
I had visions of the Playmobile Nativity solving all my problems this year. It didn't. The pieces are far too small to have down low. They are a choking hazard for Stacia. Zander also wasn't real interested in the tiny pieces....just the big pieces he could place in with the real Nativity.
No sooner had I read Renee's comment on the blog, than Charly called. She also recommended Fisher Price's nativity. I looked online while we talked and it was cute.
When I ran out for milk, Kleenex, and cough syrup, I checked for the nativity. I found it. It's darling. No small pieces for choking hazards. Cute hair on the animals. The star lights up and plays Christmas carols. The little ones love it. The pieces are big enough they won't get lost. . . easily. Charly, this set came with the shepherds so I didn't have to buy them separately.
I had visions of the Playmobile Nativity solving all my problems this year. It didn't. The pieces are far too small to have down low. They are a choking hazard for Stacia. Zander also wasn't real interested in the tiny pieces....just the big pieces he could place in with the real Nativity.
No sooner had I read Renee's comment on the blog, than Charly called. She also recommended Fisher Price's nativity. I looked online while we talked and it was cute.
When I ran out for milk, Kleenex, and cough syrup, I checked for the nativity. I found it. It's darling. No small pieces for choking hazards. Cute hair on the animals. The star lights up and plays Christmas carols. The little ones love it. The pieces are big enough they won't get lost. . . easily. Charly, this set came with the shepherds so I didn't have to buy them separately.
Nativity
Three wise men & Shepherd (Check out the shepherd's prayer shawl - top left)
Best yet - kid approved
TUESDAY A.M. UPDATE
Those vapor plugs are great! I may get rid of the old fashioned vaporizer I have.
Stacia woke up at 4:30 but finally went back down. The others are still sleeping.
I must find some dye free/flavor free cough syrup for Zander.
I am making breakfast with another lady for chapel on Saturday. I'm making muffins and quiche. She's making a breakfast casserole that will have ham. I'm looking for awesome quiche recipes - perferably without pork - but I'll adapt any recipes sent my way......
Those vapor plugs are great! I may get rid of the old fashioned vaporizer I have.
Stacia woke up at 4:30 but finally went back down. The others are still sleeping.
I must find some dye free/flavor free cough syrup for Zander.
I am making breakfast with another lady for chapel on Saturday. I'm making muffins and quiche. She's making a breakfast casserole that will have ham. I'm looking for awesome quiche recipes - perferably without pork - but I'll adapt any recipes sent my way......
Monday, November 27, 2006
Christmas School
*The ADVENTure of Christmas by Lisa Whelchel* - I love the artwork in this book. Lisa takes common Christmas symbols and explains a small bit about where they came from and offers ideas on how to help your child make a connection. By following the suggestions in this book one is constantly being reminded of Christ throughout the season.
In years past we have taken the month of December to do "Christmas School". This means that all schooling centers around the season. The kids write for the Christmas letter. They help bake. We study Advent and read Christmas books/stories......we like to deliver a nativity or many piece by piece. We usually do this for families whose fathers are deployed...but this year we don't know a lot of those on our base....us...but it'd be strange even for OUR family to sneak up and leave a nativity piece on our own doorstep. The kids ARE asking about this, so I need to think it out. There are usually lots of families we know through PWOC, chapel, Mike's squadrons. We write up a letter thanking the family for blessing our country by having dad/mom gone at Christmas, we tell they know us through wherever so they don't worry about stalkers....and we let the adults know that our children want to remain anonymous. LOL Then we stealthily deliver pieces. It was a blast in AK where we had the snow to content with....one resourceful group of boys had walkie talkies out to track us one night. Ah - memories. I really must figure out someone we can do this for this year.
This year we are attempting to do some "normal school". This year, with Mike gone, I don't have as many "must attend" functions. We have a SR. and he needs to be wrapping things up by May in order to have a transcript/diploma. We are trying to be able to take a few weeks off when Mike comes home in the spring....so we will try to continue making progress.
We ARE going to do some sort of Christmas/Advent project. I have looked at the ones to buy and the free ones out there and am not sold on anything yet. I need to decide soon. In looking over our Christmas books (unpacked this week), I've come up with two ways we could go. We could make a lap book out of our Jesse Tree symbols and readings. OR we could make a lap book centered around Christmas symbols. See - I'm learning to have realistic expectations - I'm not going to try to do both! LOL I'm leaning towards a study on Christmas symbols for the younger 3. I love to find lots of hands on/real life object lessons. I like to help the kids make the connections so that when they see one of these things there minds will fly to Jesus. I think we can use the book we have as the basis to study various symbols and make a fun study of it.
Here are the two books I'm considering...I'll let you know which way we go.
*Let's Make a Jesse Tree! by Darcy James* - Brenda, gave us this book years ago when we lived in San Antonio. We used the patterns to make our Jesse banner. OK the GIRLS cut these out and made them! I love child led projects! LOL Each year we read the 26 devotional passages and hang the symbols on our banner. I think it needs some mending before it's packed away this year. I could easily use the symbols in this book for patterns for shape books.....and there would be easy copy work etc.
*The ADVENTure of Christmas by Lisa Whelchel* - I love the artwork in this book. Lisa takes common Christmas symbols and explains a small bit about where they came from and offers ideas on how to help your child make a connection. By following the suggestions in this book one is constantly being reminded of Christ throughout the season. I think Arielle and I are leaning towards a lap book on the symbols of Christmas with this book being the basis of our study and projects.
MONDAY
Quick trip for meds and to pick up toys (see below).
Home to pack boxes and baby ill children.
Run to the post office. Used the one in a storage business - great tip Kristine. They recognized me. LOL
More babying of ill children.
Comfort dinner - mac/cheese and homemade turkey noodle soup. Got 20 more cups of turkey broth in the freezer...what a blessing to have had so many turkeys to cook over the weekend.
Cleared my schedule from today - Thursday afternoon.....ready to cozy up with ill children.
Chased Stacia around the house to rescue nativity pieces. {Sigh}
Zander came out and said, "Mom, Nolan and Alex (him) are sick." I agreed. "So, can we have the TV in our room?" When they are sick I quarantine them and give them a VCR - they love it.
Time to read some Peter Pan....
Quick trip for meds and to pick up toys (see below).
Home to pack boxes and baby ill children.
Run to the post office. Used the one in a storage business - great tip Kristine. They recognized me. LOL
More babying of ill children.
Comfort dinner - mac/cheese and homemade turkey noodle soup. Got 20 more cups of turkey broth in the freezer...what a blessing to have had so many turkeys to cook over the weekend.
Cleared my schedule from today - Thursday afternoon.....ready to cozy up with ill children.
Chased Stacia around the house to rescue nativity pieces. {Sigh}
Zander came out and said, "Mom, Nolan and Alex (him) are sick." I agreed. "So, can we have the TV in our room?" When they are sick I quarantine them and give them a VCR - they love it.
Time to read some Peter Pan....
TOYS FOR MIKE....
I had to run and buy vicks. Melody had told me about "vapor plugs". I'd never heard of such a thing - but went out to get some. Maybe we'll have a quieter night tonight. I decided to run to the base and pick up the toys at the same time.....
OUCH - that bill at the post office was hard! Now I hear about a program where you can get free labels, boxes, packing and postage{?} to mail to soldiers....I'm going to check into it.
I mailed out a package to mom, a package to Dorothy (I think I have your address memorized now - they gave me the wrong customs form to fill out so I filled it out three times without my reader glasses LOL), toys to Mike, Christmas package to Mike, two portfolios to NARS, a PBS book.....$157.00. Yikes! No food this week!
I had to run and buy vicks. Melody had told me about "vapor plugs". I'd never heard of such a thing - but went out to get some. Maybe we'll have a quieter night tonight. I decided to run to the base and pick up the toys at the same time.....
Here's the table loaded with toys....
Packing boxes....
Taking the van seat out has proven handy...
OUCH - that bill at the post office was hard! Now I hear about a program where you can get free labels, boxes, packing and postage{?} to mail to soldiers....I'm going to check into it.
I mailed out a package to mom, a package to Dorothy (I think I have your address memorized now - they gave me the wrong customs form to fill out so I filled it out three times without my reader glasses LOL), toys to Mike, Christmas package to Mike, two portfolios to NARS, a PBS book.....$157.00. Yikes! No food this week!
UPDATES
Tickers - WhooHOO - broke the 400 mile barrier....only 97 mile to 500!!!
Two up with fevers and throwing up last night. Four stuffed and miserable. Several with minor sore throats.
I won't make it to Mom's Night Out tonight and I've been looking forward to this for WEEKS! I think it is going to be incredibly fun and cool. It's a game night. A local teacher's store donated door prizes, and is letting us use their games. Small groups will be playing different games.....and the store is giving a 10% discount this month for all games. Too fun! I keep thinking "maybe they'll be better and I can go", but honestly....I'm just not a mom who likes to leave sick babies at home or drag them out.
I missed chapel last night. I'll have to run up and pick up toys today. . . hopefully. I guess I need to buy some Vicks and such so I could do it at the BX and pick up toys at the same time - then I won't have mom guilt for leaving the sickos home alone while I go out.
I'm trying to figure out what to do about Bible Study tomorrow night.....I wonder if they will be better or not....Lisa, Debbie...how quickly did yours go through this? I am going to try to find a back up rather than cancel again - but may need to cancel.
Tickers - WhooHOO - broke the 400 mile barrier....only 97 mile to 500!!!
Two up with fevers and throwing up last night. Four stuffed and miserable. Several with minor sore throats.
I won't make it to Mom's Night Out tonight and I've been looking forward to this for WEEKS! I think it is going to be incredibly fun and cool. It's a game night. A local teacher's store donated door prizes, and is letting us use their games. Small groups will be playing different games.....and the store is giving a 10% discount this month for all games. Too fun! I keep thinking "maybe they'll be better and I can go", but honestly....I'm just not a mom who likes to leave sick babies at home or drag them out.
I missed chapel last night. I'll have to run up and pick up toys today. . . hopefully. I guess I need to buy some Vicks and such so I could do it at the BX and pick up toys at the same time - then I won't have mom guilt for leaving the sickos home alone while I go out.
I'm trying to figure out what to do about Bible Study tomorrow night.....I wonder if they will be better or not....Lisa, Debbie...how quickly did yours go through this? I am going to try to find a back up rather than cancel again - but may need to cancel.
Sunday, November 26, 2006
PLAYMOBILE MEETS CERAMICS...
I tend to glance at the nativities a lot this time of the year. I love them. What a concept! Amazing! The God of the universe would choose to come reside with us - as a baby!
This year, I finally have a little playmobile nativity for the younger ones. Zander must take things apart - and put them back together too.
I glanced over and low and behold.....playmobile has met the real nativity...the one the children are not to touch. I'm quite certain there was no man on this camel earlier in the day....and what IS that wise man doing with a small camel???
I tend to glance at the nativities a lot this time of the year. I love them. What a concept! Amazing! The God of the universe would choose to come reside with us - as a baby!
This year, I finally have a little playmobile nativity for the younger ones. Zander must take things apart - and put them back together too.
I glanced over and low and behold.....playmobile has met the real nativity...the one the children are not to touch. I'm quite certain there was no man on this camel earlier in the day....and what IS that wise man doing with a small camel???
Ah - the donkeys are kissing according to Zander....
Never fear! The lights are in good hands????
These boys grew UP hearing of the year I tried to hang lights with packing tape.....and the lack of success that I experienced. We drove home from church and I was so proud to surprise Mike. All the lights had fallen and were in lying in brightly colored pools of snow. I'm sure THAT won't happen here...but DUCT TAPE????
When I asked I was told it was either that or have this mess of lights hanging down from the roof???? Jamin suggested they decorate the tape, maybe draw holly on it.... I shook my head and came inside....after all the lights will be UP and that's what matters!
SUNDAY
Sometime in the middle of the night it became apparent that Zander could not breathe. Stacia was also stuffy. In the a.m. I discovered that Arielle and Nolan had sore throats, coughs, feverish, and were congested as well.
I had plans to be at our local BX by 10:00 a.m. anyway. I headed out on a mission to earn a free gift card for being numbered in the first 100 customers and to snatch a very special couple of items for Christmas. Can't say more here because my children all read the blog. Jamin came with me. We added lots of meds to the list and produce, as we are low on most items and not doing another co-op order until Friday.
As Jamin and I waited to buy our items, we were told that one of the items we had had an upgrade - much nicer for the same price.....so home I ran to pick up the one I'd purchased of lesser grade and back in time to snatch the better item for the same price. Great deals.
We bought a host of over the counter meds.
Josiah discovered the light hanger clips I was sold are NOT the ones we need. He headed back to return them and get what we need. I vaguely hope to make it to chapel tonight but with 4 sick younger ones, it may not be nice to do that to the older boys. I had one week at chapel. I will call and make arrangements to pick up the toys tomorrow.
While the boys hang lights, I'm working on a Shop Natural order. I also printed out a cover letter, two transcripts and summary sheets of last year's work for NARHS.
Got a call from the BX. I entered some drawings. It appears I won another $25 gift card to the BX. I was hoping for the Ipod or PS3..... maybe yet. LOL
Hmmm....can't find our projector....we really need that lighted nativity scene now....
Sometime in the middle of the night it became apparent that Zander could not breathe. Stacia was also stuffy. In the a.m. I discovered that Arielle and Nolan had sore throats, coughs, feverish, and were congested as well.
I had plans to be at our local BX by 10:00 a.m. anyway. I headed out on a mission to earn a free gift card for being numbered in the first 100 customers and to snatch a very special couple of items for Christmas. Can't say more here because my children all read the blog. Jamin came with me. We added lots of meds to the list and produce, as we are low on most items and not doing another co-op order until Friday.
As Jamin and I waited to buy our items, we were told that one of the items we had had an upgrade - much nicer for the same price.....so home I ran to pick up the one I'd purchased of lesser grade and back in time to snatch the better item for the same price. Great deals.
We bought a host of over the counter meds.
Josiah discovered the light hanger clips I was sold are NOT the ones we need. He headed back to return them and get what we need. I vaguely hope to make it to chapel tonight but with 4 sick younger ones, it may not be nice to do that to the older boys. I had one week at chapel. I will call and make arrangements to pick up the toys tomorrow.
While the boys hang lights, I'm working on a Shop Natural order. I also printed out a cover letter, two transcripts and summary sheets of last year's work for NARHS.
Got a call from the BX. I entered some drawings. It appears I won another $25 gift card to the BX. I was hoping for the Ipod or PS3..... maybe yet. LOL
Hmmm....can't find our projector....we really need that lighted nativity scene now....
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Saturday
1. Student thanksgiving shindig at the base. Nolan went with me. He enjoyed playing with friends while I helped. Things were going so smoothly that I left after about an hour.
2. Nolan and I popped over to the BX. We happened upon a sale. 20% coupon off for today and two more for Sunday. They have to be used before noon and "one per customer". Tomorrow they will be giving away gift cards to the first 20 customers....we may try for it. I plan to go back and get Bre and Krista's gifts tomorrow...if they didn't sell out today. 20% off brings a better item down to local prices and there are no taxes on base....win/win.
3. The boys were going to work on lights. They got them all out and tested.
4. The boys were able to meet with friends (Scottie, Mikey and Matthew) to go paint balling. They then went out to Steve and Debbie's to hang out and have pizza. Josiah came home early to go to work.
5. Steve brought Jared and Jamin home. They and Mikey played some more while he tried to fix the crashed computer. No go. The info is there but you simply can't access a thing. He thinks we are at the "wipe and reboot" stage...but I really don't want to loose all my info on that computer. sigh.
6. While the boys were out the littles and I headed to Lowes. They were out of the giant lighted nativity I wanted. LOL They also did not have the hangers we need to put the lights up.
7. We went to Home Depot.
8. We went to Hobby Lobby.
9. I wrapped Mike's Christmas gifts. I got a package of goodies ready for the girls. I got a package ready to mail to mom. I will have to find boxes for Mike's gifts...flat rate isn't working this time.
10. Zander has gotten increasingly red and stuffed up. He can't breathe.
11. Cy got home from work at 11:30. For some reason his trac phone won't let him call out...he has a zillion minutes on it. I hate computer troubles.
1. Student thanksgiving shindig at the base. Nolan went with me. He enjoyed playing with friends while I helped. Things were going so smoothly that I left after about an hour.
2. Nolan and I popped over to the BX. We happened upon a sale. 20% coupon off for today and two more for Sunday. They have to be used before noon and "one per customer". Tomorrow they will be giving away gift cards to the first 20 customers....we may try for it. I plan to go back and get Bre and Krista's gifts tomorrow...if they didn't sell out today. 20% off brings a better item down to local prices and there are no taxes on base....win/win.
3. The boys were going to work on lights. They got them all out and tested.
4. The boys were able to meet with friends (Scottie, Mikey and Matthew) to go paint balling. They then went out to Steve and Debbie's to hang out and have pizza. Josiah came home early to go to work.
5. Steve brought Jared and Jamin home. They and Mikey played some more while he tried to fix the crashed computer. No go. The info is there but you simply can't access a thing. He thinks we are at the "wipe and reboot" stage...but I really don't want to loose all my info on that computer. sigh.
6. While the boys were out the littles and I headed to Lowes. They were out of the giant lighted nativity I wanted. LOL They also did not have the hangers we need to put the lights up.
7. We went to Home Depot.
8. We went to Hobby Lobby.
9. I wrapped Mike's Christmas gifts. I got a package of goodies ready for the girls. I got a package ready to mail to mom. I will have to find boxes for Mike's gifts...flat rate isn't working this time.
10. Zander has gotten increasingly red and stuffed up. He can't breathe.
11. Cy got home from work at 11:30. For some reason his trac phone won't let him call out...he has a zillion minutes on it. I hate computer troubles.
RASCALLY CURSOR!
Well, I fixed it. Sort of. I figured out how to move it from the top of the blog...but now the code is displayed. ::snort:: I think the code bugs me less than having it flashing up top.....at least it's where I put it but for the life of me I don't know why the code is displayed. LOL
OK, ya'all I NEVER claimed to be a computer whiz....I have learned what little code I know, and how to blog by jumping in and doing it....so if any of you can figure that out - let me know otherwise, I'm not going to worry about it. LOL
I AM still trying to figure out how to move a graphic back to the top right corner across from the tickers....I HAD it before Beta - I can have it again. LOL
Well, I fixed it. Sort of. I figured out how to move it from the top of the blog...but now the code is displayed. ::snort:: I think the code bugs me less than having it flashing up top.....at least it's where I put it but for the life of me I don't know why the code is displayed. LOL
OK, ya'all I NEVER claimed to be a computer whiz....I have learned what little code I know, and how to blog by jumping in and doing it....so if any of you can figure that out - let me know otherwise, I'm not going to worry about it. LOL
I AM still trying to figure out how to move a graphic back to the top right corner across from the tickers....I HAD it before Beta - I can have it again. LOL
Friday, November 24, 2006
*Dead Days of Summer by Carolyn Hart*
This was one of the first mystery series I read. This book is part of the Death on Demand series. Annie Darling runs a mystery bookstore on a quaint SC sea island named Broward's Rock.
Dead Days of Summer brings back memorable characters: Annie and Max Darling, Emma, Henny, Ingrid, Laurel....this time they must solve the mystery of who set Max up for murder.
There are several things I enjoy about this series. I enjoy the relationship between Annie and Max. I always like a book that shows a married couple working together and enjoying one another's presence. I am also a book addict and love the little asides on various mysteries and authors that Carolyn Hart includes.
This specific book kept me guessing a bit longer than most. I enjoyed that.
I've tried to read Ms. Hart's Henrie O series and haven't been able to get into it - but maybe I'll pick it up again one of these days - soon. {G}
The Day AFTER....
I'm baking a couple of turkeys. It may be a late night as I need to get them deboned and bagged so I can take them to the base tomorrow a.m. We're doing a Praise Band Concert, turkey sandwhiches/football thing for students.
Josiah had to work...ugh.
The rest of us brought decorations down from the attic. We brought in all the fall decorations and get them stowed away. I thought we'd do the lights but Jamin flat out wasn't going to do them without Josiah and Dad around. He had some valid points...so we focused on the inside.
Last year the tree went where my birthday hutch now resides. We moved furniture around and around and things simply weren't going to fit this year. The younger ones really wanted the tree up. Have you ever noticed that a room that is FULL can often fit "one more thing"? The 7.8 foot OR pine is now in my bedroom. The recliner and table that were in the corner are now blocking Mike's dresser....LOL The crib was moved from the foot of the bed to block my side of the bed. BUT - it all fits.
Boxes and boxes of decorations
Stacia offers support as Jamin puts the tree together
We used to hang all stockings from the mantle...but they don't fit any more. Several years ago we began to use wreath hangers to hang the stockings on bedroom doors. I still put the "believe" up because it always reminds me of that wonderful word study. {G} BreAnne and Krista's stockings hang at the mantle waiting for their return. The sled on the right is mine from childhood.
We moved the recliner and set up our "main nativity" here...the crate holds all our Christmas books
The hutch with winter finery....former home of ye ole Christmas Pine
We took everything but the sound system & aquarium out of the entertainment center. I filled it with nativities and a few snowmen. Jamin put the Christmas Village along the top.
This year we decorated only with the picture ornaments we've given the kids each year....and the new ornaments that Mom sent for this year
Piano has ornaments with the children's picture hanging from it & snowmen
When Cy got home from work, we finally opened the 11 boxes Mom and Dad had sent last week (several were shoe box size). Each year Mom gives everyone an ornament so we hung those on the tree. There were some birthday gifts and some Christmas gifts that we put under the tree.
My Mom's packages are notorious for being well-taped. 
Stacia claimed the pink tea cups and saucers....
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