Thursday, December 23, 2010

Christmas

Things here have been so busy, that I am finding it hard to keep up with this blog. Not that I'm going to delete the blog, no way! I have too many snippets of my life on here to just end up wherever deleted blogs go. 

School is finished for the semester and I ended with three A's and one B! :o) The next semester starts on January 19th, but in the mean time I'm happy to be done. Work is going great!! I LOVE my job and I am so blessed to have it!! I get to help people and get paid for it, I could not ask for anything better!! :o) The kids are all home from college, so the house is a flurry of activity.  Tomorrow is Christmas Eve day and I will be cleaning the house, going to my sister in laws, maybe church, and home for the duration. On Christmas we always hang out at home and I truly enjoy it!! No running around. We have a big breakfast, open presents one at a time, and then we watch lots of movies. I happen to have a pretty good in with Santa, so I know there will be lots of movies. ;o) Then on Sunday, if the weather is good, we will head to church. I'm excited because it will be first time since summer that the whole family can worship together. 

I guess that is it for now. I hope you all have a very merry and blessed Christmas!! :o)

Friday, December 10, 2010

Update

In my last post I mentioned that I was job hunting. Well, I am very happy to report that the Lord provided and I have a job!! Not just any job, mind you, but a job that I LOVE!! If you read this blog at all then you know I volunteer at a Care Net facility called Pathways. It is a pro-life non profit ministry that provides FREE confidential services to those in need. On Saturday I got hired there as the Client Service Coordinator!!! :o) It is part time, about 16 hours, and I'm totally good with that. Keep in mind I'm still homeschooling along with being a full time college student. So needless to say I'm very busy, but extremely happy and beyond thankful. God keeps showing me His faithfulness over and over and also that He loves to do things 'suddenly'! 

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Life Changes

One of the many things that I love about my life is that it is always changing. In one way or another I am always growing as things around me shift.  One of my current life changes is that after 20 years of mainly being a stay at home/home school mom I am looking to join the work force. The economy here is probably no different then the economy elsewhere, and that means getting more money into the house. Things are tight, so tight that the stress is showing on my face as well as my dear husbands. I may not be able to do anything to help his sales increase (he owns his own business), but I can do something to help alleviate some of the stress. This weekend I applied online to two places, but I plan on doing more over this next week. Ideally I would love to be working with the week, but I'm not holding out high hopes for that. Please keep me in prayer as I enter this new phase of my life. Also keep my family in prayer as this will be a big adjustment. 

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Jogging Issues

I want to jog. There, I said it....out loud....even it "out loud" is online. It counts, right?  As a 43 year old woman, I know I need to exercise at least three times a week.  My want to wants to, but body fights it. This summer I was walking at least 3 days a week, but once things got busy my exercise time was the first to go. It should not be like that. My health is important to me. I want to be able to walk to the store, without getting winded. I want to play with my grandchildren, when I actually have grandchildren. I don't want to be a watcher of life, I want to be an active participant.  My daughter jogs 5 days a week, and she tells me just to do it. Not to overdo it, but walk and then jog till the jogging overtakes the walking. I'm afraid. My fear stems from my father having a heart attack and dying at age 42. I am 43, so I have outlived him but I'm still afraid. I can't let fear rule me, I need to just get off my butt and DO something. 

I found a neat website "Couch to 5-K running plan" and it is what I want to do. It is probably not the best time of year to start jogging, with the snow and icy roads but I will make due. I will post an update once a week to let anyone who is interested know how I'm doing. If you are not interested, then could you please pray for me. Seriously. I will need it!! :o)


Friday, November 26, 2010

Dear Mom

Dear Mom:

      It has been over four years since you have sat at the Thanksgiving table, and although each year should gets easier I still miss you very much.  I miss you running in like a tornado juggling pies, homemade cranberry sauce, breads, pork roast, pickles, cider, and anything else you thought the dinner needed. At the time I didn't realize I would miss it, but I do. I miss hearing your laugh and your occasional use of cuss words. I miss how you always complemented Bruce, even though Kim was the one scurrying around getting the dinner ready. I miss sitting around after dinner, cleaning up and talking. I miss watching the parade with you, as well as your running commentary of it. I just plain ol' miss you mom and I wish you were here. The kids are all growing so fast, you would be very proud of all of them.  Thanks for leaving such a wonderful legacy, I hope you knew how much we all loved and appreciated you. 

                                                 Love your daughter, 
                                                                      Lesley 

Monday, November 22, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving

As Thanksgiving is just a few days away and life here is busy, I will not be posting till next Monday. I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving with those that you love. 


Editing to add this link, please read this it and remember to be thankful for what you have. 

Friday, November 19, 2010

Pictures

This is the smallest of the kittens and now has a new home with my mother in law.  
 All the kittens, before two went to new homes. 


 Sun shinning through the woods in northern NH. 

 Cuties! 

Me along with one of my loves, pumpkin spice coffee!! :o)

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Works For Me Wednesday

I love candles, but I don't always have a lighter or matches handy. What I do have is toothpicks, yes they are right on top of my stove. I light our gas stove, put the toothpick to the flame, and then use the toothpick to light the candle(s). Simple. Easy. Inexpensive. 

What 'Works for You?" Head on over to We Are That Family and join in the fun!! 

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Heritage ~ Uncle Benny

I am starting a new monthly series entitled, 'Heritage', in which I write about a person who has impacted my life in a positive way. Too many times those who have influenced us get lost as time goes on, but I want to keep the stories alive by sharing them. If you want to join in feel free to leave a comment with a link to your blog. I would be honored to read about your heritage and those who were part of it. 

Uncle  Benny  

Uncle Benny was my great uncle, my grandmothers brother. He was the youngest of ten children and he grew up in East Hartford, Connecticut on a tobacco farm.  Uncle Benny had special needs, I'm not exactly sure what his diagnosis was but his speech was slurred and he could not read or write.  My grandmother said that he had a traumatic head injury as a child, but she was not sure what happened.  

Uncle Benny was a jolly fellow, he was like a big soft teddy bear. His kindness was extended to everyone he met, not just family. My mother was a single mom and money was always tight, Uncle Benny bought our winter coats every year. Even when my sister and I moved in with our grandmother, he still bought our winter coats. He wanted to make sure that we were warm. Apparently he knew what it was like to be cold, poor, and have to wear ragged clothes and he did not want that for us. I remember vividly going to the store with him and picking out any coat I wanted. It was like Christmas! Then when we would get up to the cash register, he would sign his name on the check and have the cashier fill it out. He never appeared to be embarrassed or ashamed that he could not write, and he was not too proud to ask for help.

Every morning Uncle Benny would come to my grandmothers house and have tea and toast. Then he would drive my sister to school, he did this every day until she graduated.  He would come by at least three times a week for supper and stay well into the evening. I never remember my grandmother getting annoyed or even saying she was too busy, she would patiently serve and talk to him.  

Uncle Benny loved to hear about our life. He was truly interested in what we were learning, who our friends were, where we were going, and what were doing. I never felt like I was talking to an adult who was asking for information to be kind, but really didn't care.  He looked me in the eye and let me know I was important and what I had to say was important. 

He had an overwhelming love for the Lord, and he was honestly my first example of a life well lived.  He was Catholic and he attended Mass every morning and he blessed himself every time he went by a Catholic Church. I know that some Christians believe you cannot be a Catholic and be saved, but I totally disagree.  Uncle Benny had a child like faith, that was pure and simple.  He believed, he accepted, and he walked out his faith.  

After I got married and moved away, I didn't see Uncle Benny as much. When I did the visits were all too short, but they were filled with much talk and laughter.  He only got to see two of my children and when he saw them he picked them up ever so gingerly.  

In 1994 Uncle Benny died from an embolism in his leg.  I remember my mother calling and telling me, even though he was in his 70's it was a huge loss for the family.  Today I recall stories of Uncle Benny, who he was, what he did, and how he was the first person to really show the love of Christ to me.  I want to remember to pass on the stories, so that way the next generations will know about him as well. 


Decision Points

The more I hear George W. Bush talk, the more I like him. During his Presidency America had the worst attack on American soil since Pearl Harbor. He had to make tough decisions, that were not always popular among the people. At the height of his terms as President people loved him and at the end of second term many people claimed to hate him. Yes, they actually did claim to hate him. They called him liar, satan, Hitler, and many other terrible things. It is interesting to me, because the people who now complain about "civility" were the most uncivil during the 'Bush era'.  I guess it is okay to be uncivil if it is someone you don't agree with. 

During the end his Presidency I believe he got a bum rap. He did not go to the media and try to explain things, but rather he took the garbage that was dished out. Now in his book Decision Points he gets to tell the truth about what happened. You see, none of us were there. We don't know the inner workings of the Presidency, we only see a small sliver.  I have been watching interviews on the internet with President Bush, and he truly amazes me. He is humble, kind, compassionate, steadfast, and he stand for what he believes is right. Maybe I don't agree with everything he did, but I would rather have a President stand for something then fall for everything. 

All this to say, love him or hate him I think the book will be an excellent read. I plan on getting a copy and when I do I will share an honest review with you. 

Monday, November 15, 2010

Menu Plan Monday

Things are financially tight here, so this weeks menu will be what I have on hand. I have a whole chicken, so there will be several meals with chicken this week. 


Monday: Rosemary Baked Chicken, Rice, Broccoli


Tuesday: Chicken Casserole with Stuffing


Wednesday: Chicken Soup with Barely


Thursday: Pancakes, Eggs, and Toast


Friday: Homemade Pizza


Saturday: Left over soup with homemade bread


What is on your menu this week? Are you having a variety of items or are you like me and sticking to one thing? To join in the menu planning fun and get great ideas, head on over to Organizing Junkie and join in! 



Sunday, November 14, 2010

Cemeteries

One of my favorite past times, is going to cemeteries. I know it might sound strange and creepy, but honestly it is neither of those things for me. Perhaps it's because when I was child the neighborhood kids [including me] used to play in the cemetery. There was a big field and we used to play tag, kick the can, red rover red rover, and of course hide and see among the tombstones. Fun times! :o) 

Another reason I may be overly fond of cemeteries is, because visiting them and caring for the graves was part of my upbringing. I lived with my grandmother from the age of 9-19, and she was the family caretaker. Every spring we would trudge over to the cemetery and put flowers in the family plot. No one was neglected, they all received this treatment.Throughout the summer we would maintain the flowers and rake up around the graves to make them 'presentable'. In the fall we would put pumpkins and then in the winter the wreaths would go on. 

It was just a part of my heritage. 

Now that I live away from home, I don't go to the family plot very often. I do however, like to visit other cemeteries. Especially the older ones. If you have never been to an old cemetery, you really should go. It is a mini history lesson, looking at the dates and trying to connect the dots is intriguing.   For example, one family had three children die within days of each other. Sad yes, but the most likely cause was illness. Many times the surrounding graves will also have the same dates on them, which would point to some type of plague. I actually looked up the date and it most likely was small pox. Yes, I am weird. 

If you homeschool, I highly recommend getting out and taking your kids to the local older cemeteries. Not only will they learn not to be afraid of death, but they also can learn a little about another family. 

One of Those Days

Have you ever had one of those days, when you wake up and knew you probably were better off in staying in bed? Today is one of those days. Nothing in particular has made this day a staying in bed under the covers type of day, it is more like a culmination of things. Things that honestly don't matter in the whole scope of life, but today right now they matter to me. In the midst of me having a day, I have managed to get everyone who is awake to have a day too. I guess the saying is really true, "If momma ain't happy no one is happy." Well, I should go and read my Bible, pray, and try to have a better attitude before I head off to church! ;o)  Don't ya love those Sundays? [said with much sarcasm] 

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Woman's Day Book ~ Novemeber 9th

Outside my window...grey cold rainy day. The branches in the trees are moving, so it is windy too. 

I am thinking...about how life changes and how exciting that change is!

I am thankful for...my husband, who works very hard for this family. 

From the kitchen...I seem to be fading again in the department. 

I am wearing...a red shirt, a red zippy, black jeans, and sneakers.  
I am remembering...my mother, as I think about the holidays.  

I am going...to go to Pathways (Care Net). 

I am reading…stuff for Philosophy and Psychology. I think the days of me reading for fun are over for awhile.  


I am hoping…to get Max a ticket home soon for Christmas break. 


On my mind…money, but that seems to be a never ending battle. 

I am hearing...the television. 

Around the house...the kids are upstairs. One is watching a dvd and the other is sewing. 

Noticing that…I'm not minding my grey hairs. 

Monday, November 8, 2010

Rambling

Taking college classes has been an interesting and eye opening experience. I'm so blessed that I can take classes through a Christian University, the views are so deep and Biblically grounded.  I'm currently in Philosophy and Psychology, my last classes were Bible and Theology.  

Philosophy is intriguing, because it is specifically about world views, what they are, and why they matter. In the Christian world it is so easy to sit in our comfy church, in our comfy pews, and not reach out beyond our own walls. Yes, we may have 'events' to bring people in, but is that really reaching out? 

Is the church that we have today, the church that is most effective for Christ? 

I don't have any answers right now, and I don't have time to go into everything that I have learned and am learning. I am rambling out loud, through my fingers. 

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Woman's Convention

Tomorrow evening I'm headed out to annual woman's convention and I'm excited! Though I will not be spending the two nights there, I'm looking forward to spending time with my lady friends. Last year was the first year I went to this type of convention, and I love it!! It was so refreshing to be around like minded women sharing in the Word, praying, and worshiping together. I know that Christians cannot be cloistered, we need to reach out in love to those who do not share our beliefs. However, this time of fellowship is sweet and uplifting. It is a refilling of the soul and renewing of the mind, and it is something that I really need at this point in my life. I will post some time over the weekend and share some of the notes that I know I will be taking.  ;o]

Beef Barley Soup

I normally do not post recipes, and the reason is twofold:

1.) I am really not that great of a cook. Oh, I can hold my own and feed my family but I don't have burning passion for it that many other bloggers do.

2.) When I make my own recipe, I usually just fudge it. Meaning, I don't write down measurements and that makes it hard to share.

This beef barely recipe was just too good not to share. It was simple, nutritious, and cheap. I used a crock pot, but you could cook it on the stove or even in the oven. 

Beef Barely Soup

1-2 lbs. of hamburg
6 potatoes
10 carrots 
2 onions
1 clove of garlic
barely
salt
pepper
paprika
basil
 any other seasonings that you want

Instructions:

1.) Brown the hamburg and add in salt, pepper, and paprika in a skillet. I used a large skillet for this, because I also added other ingredients.  I told you, I don't do measurements, this was all to taste. 

2.) Cut up the potatoes, carrots, onions, and mince the garlic.

3.) Once the hamburg is browned put all the vegetables and garlic in the skillet along with a cup or two of water. Make sure to get all the bits off the bottom of the skillet. Let simmer for about 20 minutes.

4.) Dump everything from the skillet into a crock pot or a bigger pot and add a couple more cups of water. Add a half cup to a cup of barely.

5.) Let cook for the rest of the day.

6.) Add seasonings to taste and eat. 



Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Get Out and Vote

If you do nothing else today, get out and vote. It is something that is a American right and really an honor. Your voice has a chance to be heard, even if no one knows your name. If you follow me at all, you probably know where I land on political issues. If not, you can go here to read my thoughts on this years election. All that being said, it does not matter to me who you vote for, just vote. I am not so ideologically set that I cannot see or value other people's opinions. Have a good day, and remember to vote!! :o)

Monday, November 1, 2010

Menu Plan Monday~~ November 1st

  • Homemade beef barely soup with homemade biscuits.
  • Meatloaf, potatoes with dill, green beans, and brownies.
  • Fried egg sandwiches 
  • Cheesy Alfredo with broccoli 
  • French bread pizzas 
  • Baked chicken with lemon, glazed carrots, and peas with onions. 
Would you like to share your menu for week? Head on over to organizing junkie and join in!! 

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Twenty-Two Years

Twenty-two years ago today, I married the love of my life. Many people ask me why in the world we picked Halloween to get married on? The truth is, we didn't pick. We decided to get married in a small ceremony with a justice of the peace and in all honesty we didn't look at the calendar. When we were about to give our vows, the JP asked us if we cared that we were getting married on Halloween. We both said, "It's Halloween? No, we don't care." The with not much fanfare we said our vows.


It has been a wonderful life that we have had. 


Not perfect, but wonderful nonetheless. 


So, today I thank the Lord for bringing Larry into my life.  Through it all, I would never pick another and I would never change a thing. 


Thank you Larry, for being the most wonderful husband, father, and friend that a gal could ever ask for. 

Friday, October 29, 2010

My Vote

In light of the upcoming elections on Tuesday November 2nd, I'd like to give my own political opinion. 

I hear some Democrats asking people if they want to go back to "Bush era", basically the era and policies that go us into this mess. I'm not exactly sure if those make these claims are totally ignorant to the fact that the Democrats have been in power in Congress since 2006. The President does not vote or control the budget, it is the Congress. Since the Congress has been run by the Democrats for  four years, is it really all Bush's fault that things are going down hill or as President Obama likes to say, "in the ditch"?  

I do not think so. 

In my opinion, we need to vote out the political elite who really seem to care less about the Constitution and more about keeping their own pockets lined.  As far as I'm concerned, that can be both Democrats and Republicans alike. We need common sense fiscally conservative men and women, who actually know what it is like to balance a checkbook and live within their means. No more racking up trillion dollar debts, that we cannot pay for.  

Yes health care for all sounds nice, but who is going to pay for it? 

Illegal immigration is ILLEGAL, period. 

Social Security is a joke, it is only going to go so far and it will be bankrupt. Let the people decide what to do with their own money. 

Raises for Congress? No way! If anything they should get a huge pay cut or at the minimum a pay freeze. Better yet, instead of them voting for their own pay raise, let those who they work for decide (the voters). 

Lobbyist? No! I think that each Congressman/woman or Senator should work for those that hire them, the voters. They should not be beholden to special interests in manner. 


Bail Outs? No! Nothing is "to big to fail" in the free market system. If the government was hot to give out money, then each citizen could of gotten a check and no doubt the economy would of been spurred. 

Although I am pro-life, pro-marriage, and pro-gun ownership those are not the issues that are driving me to vote in this election. The main issue is the debt, it has to get under control. 

My vote will be for those candidates who are fiscally conservative, my vote is for my children's future. 

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Fear or Faith

I am writing this post at 11:48 pm. Maybe 11:48 pm is not late for some people, but for me it is late and I should be sound asleep. Why am I not sound asleep? One word:

Anxious

Money is tight and the mortgage is slightly behind, and I really mean slightly as in a week. However, in this economy and times of foreclosures I am anxious. The logical side of me knows or hopes that everything will be okay, but the illogical side is very concerned. So concerned and anxious that I cannot sleep. When I do go to sleep I wake up with the fear of dread and doom. 

I do not want to be anxious, I know where my hope is. It is not in this house or even in money, it is in Christ. So tonight as I was online I started looking up scriptures for not being anxious. Before I share them, I want to share the definition with you.

Anxious:  Characterized by extreme uneasiness of mind, brooding fear about some contingency. 

That definition is from the webster-online dictionary and it sums up exactly how I feel. 

Here are some Bible verses that I found:

"An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up." Proverbs 12:25

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in all things by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philipians 4:6

"Cast all your cares on the Lord, He will sustain you. He will never let the righteous fall." Psalm 55:22

"...your father knows what you need before you ask Him." Matthew 6:8

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important then food and the body more important then clothes? Look at the birds of the air, they do not sow or reap or store away in the barns, and yet our heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable then they?" Matthew 6:24-26

"Who of you worrying can add a single hour to his life?" Luke 12:25

As I read those verses I am calmed by the fact that God has it all under control. I cannot do a single thing at this moment about changing our circumstance, the mortgage is late and that's all there is to it. I can however choose not to worry and not allow anxiety to reign in me. There is no room in my mind for both fear and faith , it honestly is one or the other. 

Tonight at, 12:14AM, I am choosing faith. 

Thursday, October 21, 2010

My "To Do" List

I will confess that I am a list maker. The older I get, the more lists I make. This helps me to keep things in semi order, keeps my refrigerator semi stocked, helps me prioritize, and helps me maintain my household chores. Next Monday I will be starting two more classes, so this week I have been busy with homeschooling and housecleaning. Yes, I live a very eventful life!! :o}  Here is my to do list for the rest of the week:

  • Clean the computer room.
  • Go through the books and bring them to Planet Aid box. I want to do this every time I go to Littleton, I have a lot of books. 
  • Go through my clothes and donate to the Planet Aid box or the local thrift store.
  • Laundry, laundry, and more laundry.
  • Clean out the refrigerator.
  • Clean out the cupboards.
  • Organize under the bathroom sinks.
  • Clean out my van, which has been much cleaner lately due to this tip
Make a list of Christmas gifts, what I have and what I want to get.

I think that is it for now. I feel a cold coming on and though I am taking Zicam, and expect to recover quickly I don't want to push myself. ;o) 

Monday, October 18, 2010

My View on The View

Due to the pace of the news, it is more then likely that the majority of people know about the walk off of Joy Behar and Whoopie Goldberg.  For those who don't know, you can see a clip here. What I find extremely interesting is how Joy Behar can look into the cameras on todays show and say that she was basically sticking up to a bully


I find it interesting, because Ms. Behar has, on more then one occasion, used her pulpit to bash those she does not agree with.  Take homeschooling for instance, Ms. Behar referred to them as "demented". I wonder if she actually knows a homeschool family, or if she is just being a bully?


Then she made a comment that when people pray, they are not thinking. Which means they let go of their intellect, because they believe in and talk to God. Once again is she being nice or being a bully? 




Radio talk show host Laura Ingraham has lots of Ms. Bahar's language and what she has said in regards to those she disagrees with. 






My view on the view:


1.)  They should apologize to Bill O'Reilly for being plain rude.


2.) They should apologize to their viewers.


3.) If they cannot handle different opinions, then they are in the wrong line of business.









Sunday, October 17, 2010

Sunday Seven

My blogging originality seems to have gone on vacation, so as I was looking around I found this Seven Sunday meme that I thought sounded fun. It is basically 7 things that happened this week that I am thankful for, so here it goes:
  1. I finished up my first semester of school, and I think it went really good. 
  2. The momma cat brought her kittens upstairs, so now we all can see them and hold them. 
  3. Though my van broke and is in a shop a couple of hours away, the Lord provided a way to still see Emily and get home. 
  4. My nephew and his wife visited from North Carolina. It was especially nice to see him, since he just spent the whole last year fighting in Afghanistan.
  5. We got a cute little wood stove for free!! :o) Not sure exactly where we are going to put it, but it will certainly help on cold mornings. 
  6. I talked to my 104 year old grandmother. 
  7. I saved the best for last, my son asked his girlfriend to marry him and she said yes!! :o) 

Friday, October 15, 2010

Announcement

My son asked the girl of his dreams to marry him and she said yes!! :o)  I am so happy for them!!! :o)  In all honesty I knew she was the one for him, before they even dated. It is an exciting time, indeed. :o)

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Woman's Day Book ~ October 13th

Outside my window...beautiful fall colors on the trees and lots of sun! :o)

I am thinking...about how the Bible really needs to be read in context and how much of what was said may really not be totally for today. Not my thinking about Jesus and salvation, just some other things that I may write about once I wrap my brain around them 

I am thankful for...my Theology class. I have learned so much, and my faith has grown tremendously! :o)

From the kitchen...umm...honestly, not too much.

I am wearing...a blue sweatshirt, black jeans, and sneakers. 
I am remembering.....how far God has taken me. 

I am going...to pick up Shannon at some point.

I am reading….lots of stuff for school, nothing for fun. 


I am hoping…to get Max a ticket home soon for Christmas break. 


On my mind…finishing up things for the semester. I'm done with Theology, but I still need to finish up Bible. 

I am hearing...a teaching on fashion, believe it or not.

Around the house...I'm all alone!! :o)  I cleaned the house, did some school work, got hay for the animals, and now I'm online.

Noticing that…family is so important. :o)

Monday, October 11, 2010

Christmas Shopping

I am one of those people who says every December 26th, "I swear next year I will not wait till the last minute to get presents."  Yet every year what do I do? You guessed it! I wait till the last minute and some times it really is the very last minute. Last year my husband and I were out shopping on Christmas Eve after he got out of work. It was stressful, to say the least.

Now, before I go to far I want to clarify that I do know why our family celebrates. It is more then the presents, that is for sure. However, I enjoy giving presents and to be honest I also enjoy getting them! ;o]  

With that out of the way, I will get to the point of this post. 

This year I not only have determined in my mind not to wait to the last minute, I have actually put some action to it! I have been picking up presents as I see them or as I have the money. It is very freeing to know that if something financial happens, the people I love will get something.  

It is not in my nature to buy things for people and then hold onto them. Since I love giving presents, I actually want to give them to the people when I get them. It has been a challenge learning to actually put the things aside and wait. Patience is not my forte. 

I still have plenty to get, but I feel rather accomplished having a few presents stashed away. ;o) 


Saturday, October 9, 2010

College Preparation, the Homeschool Way

My daughter, who will be our third homeschool graduate, has been diligently preparing for college.  My mailbox has been inundated with mail from various colleges and universities. I can honestly say that she has taken the time to look into the ones that she was interested in, and then whittled them down to three choices:

Houghton

The Art Institute of Boston

Liberty University

Since she excels in and loves art, her major will be something in that area. She is tossing around ideas of graphic art or art therapy, and she has looked into each of those areas herself.  I remember when my son was getting ready for college, it was pretty much me doing the leg work. It is funny to see the differences in the kids, even though they are siblings.  

Along with all of her leg work, I still have to make a transcript for her. One of the colleges listed, expects a rather detailed transcript for homeschool students. That would include not only the list of subjects and grades, but also a list of all the books used for each subject. That will be a huge undertaking, because the majority of her school work has been done through books and not just text books.  Fortunately I have a list of the majority of books read, already saved on my computer so I won't have to totally trust my memory. 

Since she is so diligent, all of this needs to be done within the next few weeks. Fortunately I am heading into the last week of my college courses, and then I have a one week break. During that time I plan on gathering all the information she needs and making a detailed transcript. Once I do that I will post the steps here, for those who may be interested. 



Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Gotta Love Fall!! :o)

Living in northern New Hampshire has many perks, one of them being the wonderful scenery that is available 24/7 and is always FREE!! :o}








Sunday, October 3, 2010

Neat Organizational Idea

I read this idea somewhere online, and I thought I would share it here. I would love to give credit, where credit is due so if it sounds familiar to someone please let me know. 

My husband hates going in my van, he says it is always messy and he is pretty much right. Not only do we have people in the van, but it is also my 'farm vehicle' for getting hay, grain, and other feed items. Though my son does an excellent job cleaning it out, it can get pretty overwhelming so without further ado, here is the idea:

Every time I go to get gas, I clean out the van!! Yes!! It is that easy!! Every gas station has large receptacles for garbage, so why not use them?! I used to feel guilty, like the garbage had to be from the actual place but that is not true. I believed a lie!! (said in jest)  Now I can go and clean my van out and then once a month my son can do a big cleaning and get a little extra money. Isn't that an amazing idea??!! Okay, so maybe I need to get out more but it really thrilled me. :o) 


***Update***


I read this over at MaryBeths site. She has some other great tips there too!!  :o)

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Photos


Willow


Silver Pumpkin 


Moose 


Moose and Vader


Bucky 


Toby 

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Rural Ramblings

I seem to have dropped off the internet face of the earth for a spell, so I figured I'd better check in again. The last time I posted, I said I would be busy and I did not lie. My life pretty much consists of:

Homeschooling
College 
Pathways
Family
God
Friends--and honestly the friend part is really lacking lately. Things are just busy.

I did get to see my daughter last week, so that was an awesome thing. I will post pictures another time. 

I got huge project done for school, just in time to do more.

I picked up some more clients for my work at Pathways, and that always takes time.

I'm getting ready for the Walk for Life benefit on Saturday.

Tomorrow I go to my church to help set up for my Pastors re-do wedding. Him and his wife got married in July in Georgia and are going to have a redo on Saturday.

I'm going to the wedding on Saturday.

Sunday is church and then finishing up any school work I have.

So, all that to say ....my life is busy.  I need to make more time for the things that matter, so if I'm on a little less then usual that is why. Not that this blog doesn't matter, it does. However, priorities need to be reset and relationships reevaluated. Keep checking back, I promise not to be too long between posting. If you follow me on Twitter, you will always know when I post because I always Tweet it. 

How about you? Are there things in your life that you need to readjust? Priorities that need to be changed? Relationships that need to be reevaluated? 

Monday, September 20, 2010

Scenery

It is going to be a busy week for me, so I thought I would share some pictures that my daughter took last week. I will try to get on later this week to add more and perhaps post a little. 









Sunday, September 19, 2010

Favorite Homeschool Curriculum-- Math

It has been awhile since I have shared my favorite homeschool curriculum. Back in August I shared my favorite phonics curriculum's, so this month I will share my favorite math curriculum's. 

Saxon  is the one math curriculum that I have used almost exclusively. I know some people don't like it, they think it is excessive with it's review. Personally, I needed a lot of review in math and so do my children. Keep in mind that, the curriculum should not work you but you should work it. Meaning, if you don't want to do so much review then skip it! If you want more review then either make copies or find some printable math papers online. The thing that I like best about Saxon is that the company is there for the parent/teacher. If you cannot figure out a problem, call the 1-800 number and they will work it out with you. I have done this, I can testify that they do work with you. 

http://teachingtextbooks.com/  is another favorite of mine. We have only used them once for Algebra 2, mainly because of the cost. If you have lots of children who you will pass these down to, then it is well worth it. If you are going to sell them on ebay or homeschoolclassifieds  then they would be well worth it too. The thing I love about it, is that EVERY single problem is worked out on a companion CD for the computer. My daughter does the work in her room, but if she cannot figure out a problem she goes downstairs to the computer to get some help. My math level does not go beyond Algebra 1 and then I really have to sweep the cobwebs out of my brain to remember it. 

Math Shark is such a handy way to learn basic math!! It is so fun, I wonder if the kids know they are even learning!! :o)

Basic Flash Cards, who can do without basic math flashcards? I remember years ago going over flashcards as my grandmother held them up for me. To this day I use those very same flashcards with my own kids! 

That wraps up the Math portion. I realize there are many other great math programs out there and these are only a few. However, these are the ones that I have used with my own children so those are the ones that I personally can attest to. I hope it has been helpful.