Aprons

This is mine. I used a Kwik-Sew pattern #KS3396. I was able to add to the width of the bib. I think I did a good job. The design of the fabric really helped in hiding the seams.


This is Olivia's apron. It is a flat front "bistro" type apron. I made it up myself. The pocket and hem are trimmed with a black leather like grommet strip.

The fabric is black with cute pink, white, and lime green skulls with bows, and hearts.



I like this one too. It is available at Candle On the Hill.

Sewing and Menus

I made Olivia a new apron today. It is cute.

I cut mine out, I'm disappointed.
I love the fabic, and I love the style, but the bib is to narrow, my boobs hang out the sides. I should have really tried to alter it before I cut it out I guess.

I'm thinking I can add extra width to the bib, it would look almost like "princess" seams. The bib curves to the apron/"skirt" part. So not real sure how that will work.

~Menu~
Breakfast Night
Beef Roll Ups
Roasted Chicken
Jerk Nachos
Pizza

Weekly Menu- April 20-24

Chicken Fried Rice
Shredded Beef Sandwiches
Chicken Cacciatore
Hamburgers
Pizza

Routine and Tomatoes

Let's review my routine

Up by 7-check
1. Make Bed-check
2. Personal Care- dressed, teeth, no makeup yet
3. Coffee & Quiet Time-check
4. Breakfast and Devotions with Girls- breakfast
5. Start a load of Laundry-check

I've also got supper in the crock-pot

Now I just have to get the girls up and moving and starting school on time.

I'm reading Raising Godly Tomatoes and loving it! My timer went off so I can't comment too much right now, so go check it out right now @ Raising Godly Tomatoes

Morning Routine-How did I do?

How did I do?

My goal is to get up at 7am and wake the girls at 7:30.- Well I had a bad night, couldn't sleep until nearly 2am. I woke up at 7 but didn't get out of bed until 7:20. I had coffee and quite time. I started on the girls at 7:50. Bella got up first about 8, followed by Olivia at 8:15ish and Emilie, just now got up at 8:35. So right off the bat I can feel myself getting mad.

1. Make Bed- done
2. Personal Care- dressed is as far as I've gotten
3. Coffee & Quiet Time-done
4. Breakfast and Devotions with Girls- breakfast
5. Start a load of Laundry-done

PLUS I have supper in the crockpot already. We are going to be doing errands today. They don't know it yet but they will also have to do school today.

Happy Sunday

Morning Routine

Morning Routine! That sort of strikes fear in my heart. I’m a “fly by the seat of my pants” kind of gal, but ironically I also like my rut. Since I’m a rut lover one would think that I would have some sort of routine. I guess really I do but it isn’t working and I haven’t changed it.

So on to a new mind set! Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

A simple Morning Routine is a list of 5, and only 5, things that you plan to do each morning.
1. Make Bed
2. Personal Care
3. Coffee & Quiet Time
4. Breakfast and Devotions with Girls
5. Start a load of Laundry

See that is simple! It is sort of what I do now but I don’t get an early enough start. So my goal is to get up at 7am and wake the girls at 7:30.

Praying for my family

I pray this for my husband and my girls daily. It sums up just about everything.

Colossians 1:9-12
9 For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.

American Freedom

"A little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical." ~Thomas Jefferson

"Freedom means self-expression and the secret of freedom is courage. No man ever remains free who acquiesces in what he knows to be wrong." ~Unknown to me

"God grants liberty only to those who love it, and are always ready to guard and defend it." ~ Daniel Webster

"If you expect people to be ignorant and free you expect what never was and never will be." ~Thomas Jefferson

"Where men cannot freely covery their thoughts to one another, no other liberty is secure." ~William Hocking

The Clothesline

A clothesline was a news forecast
To neighbors passing by.
There were no secrets you could keep
When clothes were hung to dry.

It also was a friendly link
For neighbors always knew
If company had stopped on by
To spend a night or two.

For then you'd see the "fancy sheets"
And towels upon the line;
You'd see the "company table cloths"
With intricate designs.

The line announced a baby's birth
From folks who lived inside -
As brand new infant clothes were hung,
So carefully with pride!

The ages of the children could
So readily be known
By watching how the sizes changed,
You'd know how much they'd grown!

It also told when illness struck,
As extra sheets were hung;
Then nightclothes, and a bathrobe, too,
Haphazardly were strung.

It also said, "Gone on vacation now"
When lines hung limp and bare.
It told, "We're back!" when full lines sagged
With not an inch to spare!

New folks in town were scorned upon
If wash was dingy and gray,
As neighbors carefully raised their brows,
And looked the other way . . .

But clotheslines now are of the past,
For dryers make work much less.
Now what goes on inside a home
Is anybody's guess!

I really miss that way of life.
It was a friendly sign
When neighbors knew each other best
By what hung on the line!

~author unknown

I really like to hang our clothes. Not only does it save money, the clothes smell sweet, and just feel fresh. Want to share your clothesline pictures?

Happy Easter

Homeschool Share Blast Contest!

Click for Blast 2009 Guidelines

A Special Day!

Today 14 years ago the Lord blessed us with a miracle!



¸.•*¨ ¨`*•.¸And she grew and she grew and she grew!¸.•*¨ ¨`*•.¸



I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living,
My baby you'll be!

`•.¸¸.•´¯`•._.•´Happy Birthday!`•.¸¸.•´¯`•._.•´

Living & Learning

Emilie and Olivia
AWANA
Little Pilgrims Progress
Spelling
Grammar
Writing
copywork
History-Fur Trade notebook sheet, Native American notebook
Science- weather chart, cloud project
Fine Arts- Bach research
Technology- Computer research skills, Creative design (building blogs, websites, recording own podcasts, using special effects and features)
Math
Free reading, writing
Life Skills- laundry, cleaning bathroom & bedroom, cooking


Bella
AWANA
Reading-Bread and Jam for Frances, My Favorite Seasons, Beady Bear
copywork
Spelling
Math
Fine Arts- Bach
Technology- computer skills
Free reading, writing
Life Skills- laundry, cleaning bathroom & bedroom, cooking

Lunch ideas!

This is the cutest lunch idea ever! I did this a few times when Emilie was little. I almost wish I had some more littles around.

Weird Soup

I made Buffalo Chicken Soup for supper tonight. But it turned out weird. The broth wouldn't thicken up. I kept adding cheese which seemed to sink to the bottom of the pot and glue all the chicken pieces together. It tasted okay but eating it wasn't very satisfying.

Just a Monday

Emilie and Olivia
Awana
Literature- Little Pigrim’s Progress Chapters 16-18
History-Pilgrims and Massachusetts Indians, Native American Notebook
Science- Cumulus Clouds- Science Scribe Notebook, Weather Chart
Writing- essay
Fine Arts- Johann Sebastian Bach
Grammar, Spelling
Math
Free reading, writing, art



Bella-
Awana
Spelling-Explode the Code
Reading-Junie B Jones is a Party Animal
Fine Arts- Johann Sebastian Bach
Math- quarts and pints
Free reading, writing

Fell off the FIAR wagon

I don't know exactly when it happened but I fell off the FIAR wagon. I still love the the curriculum, but after a couple weeks of not being able to find the books at either local library, I just stopped trying. I didn't abandon 1st grade though. Bella read daily, did Explode the Code, copywork and math.



I had Classics At Home on the shelf so brought that down and started using it. It is very "Charlotte Mason" We read a story, do vocab aloud, do some narration, answer questions, do further research about animals, do copywork. At times other subjects like "social studies", and nature walks/journals are brought in. So I'm going to be going back and forth between FIAR and CAH.

Remember this?

Do you remember this afterschool special? The Wave

Very creepy, very interesting in light of present day climate

Mom's Studio

Trying to get some good pictures of Bella for the yearbook. Lots of good pictures but the quality is bad.
Here are some of the good ones.

This is top choice for the yearbook


We will try again with the flowers this afternoon when the sun is in the back of the house.

What a day

Yesterday was productive for us. I got 2 loads of laundry folded and put away. A major accomplishment here. I can get it washed and dried fine. It’s the folding and putting away that is a hang up. I don’t know why more moms don’t “go postal” over the laundry. It drives me crazy! It never stops!

Girls did some school-AWANA, Math, Science, Literature;
Bella-AWANA, Reading, Spelling, Math

Then we went to town. Stopped at Lifeway to get a gift card for Saturday’s birthday party, Staples for copies for the Board meeting, paid Windstream, took 2 bags of clothes to Salvation Army, went to gramma’s, then I had to go out and buy her eggs. After supper I went to the board meeting, which lasted 30 minutes longer then scheduled. Picked up the girls and came home. Lindy was home from the track meet waiting for us. He even bought me a Subway for my lunch today. What a guy!

Weekly Menu

Here is what I have planned but it is a busy week so who knows if we will actually be home to eat.

Swedish meatballs
Hot wings soup ( Buffalo Chicken Soup)
leftover Chicken Spaghetti
pork chops
pizza

Tonight I have a board meeting, and LIndy has a track meet.
Tuesday is Faith Ladies supper- not sure if I will go
Wednesday is AWANA
Thursday is TEACH night and the girls are spending the night with a friend, Lindy has another track meet
Friday is La Leche League in the morning, may skip this, and then I have an hour of prayer for our 24 hours of prayer at church at 4pm.
Saturday Emilie has a birthday party.

What a family!

Aren't they gorgeous!?

School Daze

Olivia baking cookies for Home Economics/Life Skills


Bella working on Explode the Code. Emilie working on a writing assignment.


Mom and Bella doing Math U See.

A good day for pie

Olivia and I made an apple pie yesterday.

New Dishwasher

My dishwasher hasn't been working for over a year. My dear husband blessed me with a new one last week.

Here is Bella where the old one was.




Ta-Da!! Here is it...

Yes, you worry warts!

We did put up the safety netting!






But before we did Ol' dad had to get some jumping in, all in the name of safety don't ya know.

Lots to share!

We promised the girls a trampoline as a Christmas gift. I finally bought it the very day Lindy had his motorcycle accident. In fact we had been home for 10 minutes before I got the call.

Last weekend was great weather and Lindy was feelin' fine, so we put it up.

One Nation Under God

"It is extremely important to our nation,
in a political as well as religious view,
that all possible authority and influence
should be given to the Scriptures,
for these furnish the best principles of civil liberty,
and the most effectual support of republican government*.

The principles of all genuine liberty,
and of wise laws, and administrations are to be
drawn from the Bible and sustained by its authority.
The man therefore who weakens or destroys
the divine authority of that book
may be accessory to all the public disorders
which society is doomed to suffer...."

~Noah Webster

* Republic vrs. Democracy

One Nation Under God

"The Bible is the Rock on which this Republic rests." Andrew Jackson

Biggest Loser

We haven't weighed in for 2 weeks, because Karen, the organizer, has been sick with the flu. She is better now- yeah!
So we had a weigh in yesterday- I gain .4 of a pound from where I was nearly 3 weeks ago. Which isn't bad since I lost like nearly 5 pounds that first week.

Health update and Menus

Olivia has had an earache- treating it with garlic and goldenseal oil in ear and olive leaf and garlic by mouth. She is doing much better. Emilie has had a sore throat- had white patches last week, Dr. was out for the week, so I treated her with olive leaf and garlic by mouth with some goldenseal and echinacea from time to time. She was better by Saturday, redness, swelling and white patches gone! Last night her throat started hurting again. I stopped treatment to early. So she is back on olive leaf and garlic.

As far as menus this week:
Roasted Chicken
Jerk Chicken Quesadilla- which is like Jerk Chicken Nachos but quesadillas instead.
Spaghetti
Leftovers with salad
Pizza

Wholesome Children's Stories

Want to entertain your kids with wholesome stories?
Take a peek at Paws and Tales. You can subscribe to the free weekly podcast.

"Welcome to Wildwood! Here the folks live just like you and me. They love fun and adventure, enjoy their work and family, and try to learn each day what it means to be like Christ.

The Paws & Tales radio drama is heard every week on more than 450 radio outlets in North America and around the world, as well as on the Internet. As a ministry of both Insight for Living and Insight for Kids, the mission of Paws & Tales is to help parents teach biblical theology to their kids through memorable, meaningful stories and music."

Charity Tape Ministries

Check out Charity Tape Ministries!

You can download them now, I load them on my ipod and listen. I've been listening to this one

Keeping the Hearts of Your Children

It is SUPER great! I know you'll love it.

I've have gotten quite a bit from them over the years. Lots of Homeschool Conferences, and one of my favorites is

The Making of a Princess by Dora Ash

Weekly Menu March 16-20

Poppyseed Chicken
Jambalaya
Mac and Cheese
Oven Chicken
Pizza

Biggest Loser

We aren't having a weigh in this week. Which works for me! I don't think I've done very well. I have walked a couple times and did some arm toning, but that's it. I have tried to watch what I eat, but not as vigilant as I should/could have.

Weekly Menu

My darling husband commented that I've not been posting our menu plans and he would like to know what he gets to eat.

Leftover Korean Beef
Jerk Chicken Strips
Beef Roll ups
some other chicken dish
pizza

Biggest Loser

Had my weigh in Wednesday. I'm the "biggest loser" this week, just shy of 5 pounds.
I really need to up my exercise with walking and light strength training. Then I won't have to worry to much about what I eat.

My mom is bringing me a copy of a diet plan her cousin has, it is 3 days on then 4 days off a week. That sounds pretty good. I just have to see what the 3 days looks like.

Praying with Purpose

My pastor's wife gave out this prayer to pray for our children, our spouse,and even ourselves.
Make it personal by adding a specific name in the blank.

Dear Lord,
I pray for my child________,

Like Enoch
Let _______walk with You daily,

Like Noah,
Let_________find favor in Your eyes,

Like Abraham,
Let________have faith in You,

Like Isaac,
Let_________be obedient to You and to parents,

Like Joseph,
Let_________be upright and be pure,

Like Moses,
Let ________be humble and be meek,

Like Joshua,
Let________be strong and be courageous,

LIke Caleb,
Let______be strong in health,

Like David,
Let ______be one after Your own heart,

Like Solomon,
Let_____be wise,

Like Daniel,
Let_________be faithful,

Like Nehemiah,
Let___be a great leader,

Like Esther,
Let__________be a (wo)man of prayer,

Like Job,
Let__________be victorious through patience,

LIke John,
Let______________love You wholeheartedly,

Like Paul,
Let__________love souls,

I pray to You Lord,
Let_____be one after the image of Christ,

I believe it is done.
I pray in Your Name with thanksgiving,
Amen.

Biggest Loser

I have to tell you I've starving! I really cut down on my portions, which aren't really all that big to begin with. I have walked 2 days, not very long but more than usual. I'm also going to do some light strength training, which I like much better then aerobic exercise.

In the past I've lost a bunch of weight on High Protein/Low Carb diet. Then got pregnant! LOL I also go nuts without a little bread and I crave fruit. So I"m going to do a modified Hi Pro/Low Carb, lean meats, limited whole wheat bread, low glycemic fruits ( low sugar) and vegies. If that doesn't work, I'll do the WW point system.

Biggest Loser

I joined a group of gals from my homeschool group in a "Biggest Loser" contest. Each week we put a dollar in the pot and have a weigh in. The lady who loses the most by some date in May will win the whole pot. Well i joined just last night and then promptly forgot and ended up eating a doughnut for breakfast!

I was shocked by my weigh in, I'm like 15 pounds more then I would have guessed. All my pants still fit so I had no clue that I was gaining that much weight! So it is on!! Better food choices and the dreaded exercise.

A Pod Person

For my birthday( 11/08) my mom gave me an iPod Nano, in my favorite color red!



Well it was actually her iPod, when she got her iPhone she didn't need the Nano too so gave it to me. I just this week synced it with my stuff. I've downloaded a bunch of Joyce Meyer, Cindy Rushton and I've found some really neat stuff on ITunes. I downloaded Sherlock Holmes, and some oldtime Radio Dramas.

When Isabella was a baby, I would lay in bed nursing her to sleep, I'd get so bored laying there in the dark that I started listening to audiobooks to past the time. Well this has become such a habit that now I can't go to sleep without listening to a story. It can't be music, it has to be a story. I have found I go to sleep faster if the reader has a British accent. Isn't that weird? So this iPod is working great for me at night!

My computer savvy girls have really helped me figure it out. They are so smart :)

Todays Doings

Well since my dad and Janet are here visiting today school isn't really happening. Emilie did do AWANA and she is working on spelling, grammar and reading literature. I'm not sure what Olivia has/is working on. Bella has been writing stories on the computer.

I found out that I can make "memory books" at the Walmart site and have it printed and bound. Isn't that cool! I may have to make that an "assignment" for the girls to make one as a personal yearbook.

I finally broke down and signed up for Mommy Homework on Cindy Rushton's website. I still think it can be a pit of wasted time if I"m not careful. I feel that Cindy has a lot of great stuff for moms but I also feel that it can be a time trap too. A lot of women are spending way to much time online listening and reading about homeschooling, parenting, marriage when they should be spending their time with their children and serving/helping their husbands. Okay so I guess you know what one of my soap boxes is now.

BTW- Olivia is feeling better today. PTL!

Scarlet Fever/Strep Throat

Olivia has had a sore throat and has had a fever for 3 days. Yesterday she noticed a red rash on her stomach. So I called the Dr. today and took her in. Olivia has scarlet fever. Which sounds just horrid, I mean people used to die from Scarlet Fever! Well, guess what, a scarlatina rash is an atypical symptom of Strep Throat.

Olivia is on penicillin now.

She had strep throat back in September with hugh white patches on her tonsils. Both times she has had strep throat she has had 2 different atypical symptoms. She is like me in that way, I got strep throat all the time as a child.

I'll be starting her on an Echinacea regiment, 10 days a month. I hope to strengthen her immunity.

My Dad is here.

He doesn't like my blog. He says it is too full of ads, menus and fluff. I personally don't like to read long blogs, so I try to keep it short and brief. I'll try to be more "chatty."

Rockin' Giveaway!

The Homeschool Boutique is hosting a T-shirt giveway! The T-Shirt is really cute and I really hope that I can win it! Olivia will love it!


Check out The Homeschool Boutique today!

"We are a hip and trendy online boutique, offering homeschoolers a large variety of unique homeschool apparel & accessories.

Our goals are:
* Offer trendy homeschool t-shirts and accessories at great prices!
* To help dispel negative stigmas that are attached to homeschooling families.
* Have non demeaning apparel of others.

Our t-shirts, tote bags, and other homeschool accessories are great for trips to the super-market, homeschool meetings, co-op groups, and field trips. "

Weekly Menu February 16-20, 2009

Chipotle Lime Chicken
Soup-haven't decided what kind, it is usually a hunt and dump soup.
Burgers
Roasted Chicken
Pizza

Grand Opening!!

Teacher Book Bag's Grand Opening Goodie Bundle! Note:
Please join us at TeacherBookBag.net to take part in our Grand Opening celebration. Register to be one of five people who receive the entire Teacher Book Bag collection free. Winners will be announced in our February 25th newsletter. Any purchases that the winners made at Teacher Book Bag's site from February 14th through 20th will be refunded to them.

Teacher Book Bag sells exclusively through CurrClick.



Don't Miss Out!!!

Olivia's Birthday! and a gift for you!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Celebrating Olivia!*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Gramma gift.

A two piece outfit from Kohls that Olivia had picked out. It has sparkly pink skulls on the top and the leggings.

Top from mom and dad.


Her big gift! A Game Cube! Was she surprised?

Got to love cake!



A Gift for you!
Jesus the Ultimate Valentine bookmarks

Weekly Menu February 9-13, 2009

Orange Apricot Pork Chops
Coconut Chicken Strips
Lasagna
Olivia's Birthday Supper
Pizza

Weekly Menu February 2-6, 2009

Korean Beef Ribs
Jerk Chicken Nachos
Cheeseburger Casserole
Breakfast Night
Pizza

A History and Political Lesson

Interesting Presidential Statistics - this blew me away -
it is important for any voter to understand.





Red Republic voters, Blue Democratic voters

Interesting Statistics
Professor Joseph Olson of Hemline University School of Law, St. Paul, Minnesota , points out some interesting facts concerning the Presidential election:

Number of States won by:
Democrats: 19 Republicans: 29

Square miles of land won by:
Democrats: 580,000 Republicans: 2,427,000

Population of counties won by:
Democrats: 127 million Republicans: 143 million

Murder rate per 100,000 residents in counties won by:
Democrats: 13.2
Republicans: 2.1

Professor Olson adds: "In aggregate, the map of the territory Republican won by Republicans was mostly the land owned by the taxpaying citizens of the country. Democrat territory mostly encompassed those citizens living in government-owned tenements and living off various forms of government welfare.

Professor Olson believes the United States is now somewhere between the "complacency and apathy" phase of Professor Tyler's definition of democracy, with some forty percent of the nation's population already having reached the "governmental dependency" phase.

If Congress grants amnesty and citizenship to twenty million criminal invaders called illegal's and they vote, then we can say goodbye to the USA in fewer than five years

Pass this along to help everyone realize just how much is at stake, knowing that apathy is the greatest danger to our freedom.

************************************
What follows is an email exchange between some members of my local homeschool group. Used with permission
*************************************

Regina wrote to Joe C:
Joe, do you think that this (data as well as the analytical commentary) is accurate? And if so, what can we as citizens operating in “the red” do? It seems to me that we already voted, and that didn’t work. So now what? I mean is this supposed to inspire some type of active response, or is it just to make us understanding how hopeless our situation really is?

Regina H

-----Original Message-----
From: Joe C
Sent: Tuesday, January 27, 2009 11:25 AM
To: Regina H.
Subject: RE: FASCINATING STATS ON THE ELECTION

I know that the USA map is accurate. It is very similar to the previous elections that Bush won. As far as the statistics below, the map attributed to Professor Olsen, I cannot say. However, they do not seem unreasonable given what I know of the demographics of those regions.

What the map primarily shows is the absolute wisdom and brilliance of the Electoral College. Liberals have wanted to get rid of the college for decades. There is a huge difference between a democracy and a republic. A democracy is actually a terrible form of national government; hence, our founders gave us a republic. Socialism always follows democracy – hence the Democrat Party promotes democracy. Lenin, Mao, etc, all spoke highly of democracy. In a democracy, politicians use egalitarian propaganda (class warfare, tolerance, etc) to gain the attention, support and participation of the masses in their own enslavement.

A republic is ruled by a constitution and the populace elects leaders to “represent them” (i.e. republic). However, the jurisdiction and power of those leaders is limited by the constitution that the people adopted.

Without the Electoral College – which is given to ensure geographic representation - politicians running for national office would only have to campaign in about 5 states or less (New York, California, Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania or some other similar combination). The Electoral College was set up to keep demagogues from concentrating on just a handful of key population centers, who would then dictate policy to the rest of the country. This is also why each state – no matter how s mall or large gets two senators.

There is always reason for hope. God is still on the throne. Looking at it in the “natural” – yes, we are at a “tipping point” – especially if the socialists in congress pass their “single payer healthcare system”. Democracies usually collapse over bad fiscal policy. The people discover that they can vote themselves money from the public treasury and eventually vote for the ones promising the most benefits. Unfortunately, theU.S. government has – since the days of FDR – been functioning as democracy rather than a republic – with the result that most of what the federal government controls and spends money on – they have no constitutional, legal or moral authority to do. They get away with it because the majority of Americans have been dumbed down by the public education system, sermonized by appalling ignorance and cowardice from the pulpits of America, too busy to pay attention or just don’t care. It is morally wrong to take bread away from one man’s table at gunpoint and give it to another.

The Lord told Malinda many years ago, that the country her children would grow up in and inherit would be very different from the one in which she was raised.

This collapse has been coming on for over 100 years. The U.S. was targeted by for destruction beginning in the latter part of the 1800’s. There was a huge push for communism and socialism in America at this time. Many Christians jumped on the bandwagon – deceived by many false promises. There is much to say on this subject – but even people such as Helen Keller were pro-communism. Oswald Chambers warned against it – as did others – but their warnings largely fell on deaf ears.

Even though communists occupied the highest levels of our government starting in the early 1900’s up through WWII, the main strategy being followed even then was outlined by Italian Marxist Antonio Gramsci.

It is key to remember that the only difference between communism and socialism is the time frame over which they are implemented: Communism = overnight at the point of a gun, socialism: incrementally through legislation. Gramsci coined the phrase, “the long march through the institutions”. He said the American people would never accept Communism because of its strong Christian heritage and values. Hence, socialists and their fellow travelers must gradually take over the cultural institutions (schools, universities, media, government, news, entertainment, publishing, etc) and gradually remove the Christian influence, so that at some point the American people would not only NOT oppose socialism, but would ask for it. Of course, liberals do not call themselves or their programs by that name. They use code words and phrases such as, ‘Heath-Care Crisis, Education Crisis, Farm Bill, Earned Income Tax Credit, etc. etc.”

As far as what we do about the situation – we work, pray, prepare. The current social order will collapse. It is corrupt in all its ways. This is why years ago I became interested in Christian Reconstruction or Theonomy. Though I don’t hold to or understand all of their tenants – they at least have a theology of victory. Most Christians today are walking around scared because of the Pre-Millennial, Pre-Tribulation, theology. It think it has been aptly termed, “Pessi-millennialism”. Yet Christ told us to occupy until he comes. He also told us not be afraid and not to be deceived. We work, try and save some of what we earn (oh boy do I need help there), teach our children what is true, just and perfect, trust the Lord, be confident – knowing that God judges all nations – America included.

American is already under judgment according to Romans 1. However, we do not need to fear the present nor the future. We move on with our lives, for Christ may tarry for another thousand years. Well meaning people, who get caught up in the Lords eminent return, often become fatalistic, (“there’s nothing you can do brother – the Lord said this was gonna happen”) , panicked, unsettled, or worse. He may come today, but what we do today should be no different than what we would be doing if his coming far out in the future. What matters most are the people in our lives. We tend to focus on the temporal.

Specifically what to do? Homeschooling is fantastic! Fellowship. Vote. Voice your opinion (in a winsome way of course). Write letters (I know this takes time). Some need to run for office or help with the campaigns of those who do. Be encouraged. God does not delight in the death of the wicked. He wants us to repent. I put my hope in that – but we need to prepare ourselves and our children to live in a post-Christian culture. Can it turn around? Absolutely! It is wise to try and store a little food? Yes, I think so. Would it be wise to buy gold? Yes, it probably would. But our trust cannot be in any of these things. Once we get scared, the devil can manipulate us and he loves to discourage us.

Hope this helps a little.

Joe

P.S.
What I tried to say – unsuccessfully – is we need to prepare ourselves – but mostly our children – to rebuild a Christian society based upon a Biblical Worldview. The re-building may be accomplished quickly (unlikely) or it may take generations.

Joe

Weekly Menu January 26-30

Chicken Divan *
Taco Casserole*
Chicken Strips
Hamburgers
Pizza

Can you tell chicken was on sale? LOL

* CHICKEN DIVAN
5 chicken breast (thawed)
2 packages of Chopped Broccoli (thawed)

Sauce:
4Tablespoons milk
2 Tsp lemon juice
4TB chicken Broth
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 cans of Cream of Chicken Soup

Place broccoli in a 9x13 pan place chicken over broccoli, cover with sauce and parmesan cheese.
Bake at 350 for 1 hour or until chicken is done.


*TACO CASSEROLE
Make taco meat as usual. I add a can of chopped tomatoes and sometimes a can of black beans, or even frozen corn.
Place in a greased casserole dish. Cover with shredded cheese.
Mix a batch of corn bread batter, either homemade or a box mix. Pour batter over the meat and cheese.
Bake according to the cornbread directions.

This recipe came about when I had a bunch of taco meat leftover but not shells or tortillas.

Coordinating it all

Back on January 4
I posted about things we do for school. It seems like a LOT when it is all written out like that. But it's not nearly as bad as it sounds.

Here is a screen shot of the assignment sheets I made for the girls.



I read the teacher's guide and list the main topic for each day. Then I coordinate the supplemental reading to go along with the daily main topic. Then if there is a Learning Adventure worksheet and/or a History Scribe page, Hold That Thought page, or lapbook element, I plug that it the 3rd column.

Some days there are several pages and other days there isn't any extra paperwork.

What I like about Learning Adventures is that we can add as much or as little reading as we want/need. Learning Adventures is a literature based unit study that is not "Title Driven" but is "Topic Driven." I can use any book available to me to cover each topic. This is very cost effective. We can use books from our own shelves, encyclopedias, and library books. I don't really have to buy any books if I don't want to. Learning Adventures is not as title and page number structured/strict as Sonlight and not as "loosey-goosey" as KONOS.

What was a super help this year was the daily detailed S&S sent from Learning Adventures. You only get this if you buy new, from the Holts. Don't ask me how I did it, but I was able to put each daily subject into the first column of the chart. Then I added the Learning Adventure worksheets to the third column, then I gathered all the books I had here at home, and would do a "search" of my S&S chart for the topics listed in the books. We rarely read the whole book front to back this way, so I added some public domain novels to our supplemental reading column ( the middle column).

I do the same sort of thing for the "Paperwork To Do" column ( the third column). We really like the History Scribe sheets. They work great with Learning Adventures. The Hold That Thought US Geography fit perfectly with this LA ( Learning Adventures) Volume. We also do lapbooking, so I coordinate the lapbooking elements to go along with the daily main topic. Some folks can jump around topics within the same time era, but I like to have more focused lessons.

I printed off the first unit assignment sheets for each daughter, I'm trying to get them to be more self directed. I printed a copy for myself, this is my lesson plan.

I was also questioned if I lapbook and notebook the same subjects. Mostly I do not. If we are notebooking History, we usually will not be lapbooking it too. BUT again there are exceptions. The Knowledge Box Colonial lapbook is quite large and not all the topics coordinate right away in the first Learning Adventures unit. They are spread out over the course of the whole year. So as of right now, we are Lapbooking History & Notebooking History. Also within the curriculum assignments students are to make a Native American Notebook and a State Study Notebook. We are lapbooking Insects for science, and will notebook Weather (Science Scribe) next. Clean as mud? I hope not. Questions welcomed.

Another screen shot of another day:

2009 To Do List

This is my 2009 Household To Do List, room by room.

My mom started working on this while she was here last week. She did a lot in the laundry room, and she washed all my kitchen cupboard doors, went through most of the drawers and cupboards, sorted, tossed and washed all kitchen linens, and did one bathroom cabinet. I did finished the bathroom cabinet Saturday.

I prefer have a list like this that I can work on throughout the year. This way if something BIG happens ( like your husband getting in a motorcycle accident) I step away from the deep cleaning for a while, or clean a drawer or two when I have time. I don't like being told "This week you must do ( whole list of things) in the Living Room"
What if we have doctor appointments, or other outside activities that make deep cleaning the whole living room impossible? But I might have time to wash the windows one day and dust the baseboards later in the week.

I'm going to be trying a couple different cleaning scheduling methods, until I find one that works for us. I don't like the whole notebook for keeping track of cleaning. I'm going to be doing something with index cards. I have had the book Sidetracked Home Executives by Pam Young and Peggy Jones for YEARS, and even had a file card system set up but that's about as far as I ever got with the program. I have no idea where my cards and file box are now so I'm starting fresh. I'll keep you up to date.

My Last week

Sunday- Jan.11/2009


TEACH members, please pray for Lindy Raney. Lindy was involved in a motorcycle accident this afternoon (Sunday, January 11). He is in ICU at St.Michael Hospital. The family requests no phone calls at this time. Prayer requests are being asked for now!!! We will keep everyone posted as to Lindy's condition.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday- Jan 12, 2009
Lindy most likely will not have to have surgery. He has puctured lung, several broken ribs, collar bone, shoulder blade crush, and the vertebrae's bony protuberances sheered off. NO internal bleeding. He was wearing full riding gear which saved his life!

We believe that he will be moved to a regular room (from ICU) today. But we have no idea as to when.

My mom is with the girls, she needs prayer cause she is doing school with them.. LOL
Between visiting hours I'm at my gramma's. She lives about 1 mile from the hospital.

I'm pretty much leaving the household chores in the hands of my mom this week.
The Family of God as been a wonderful blessing to us. Many prayer chains where started from Hot Springs to Austin. Thank you, Thank you for all your prayers, love and support. Lindy will have a long road to recovery, but we are so thankful that we have him with us.

PS. the driver that hit him, had NO insurance at all. So I'd like to remind everyone to please have current insurance and take the time to look twice for motorcycles.

~Marni
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Wednesday- Jan 14, 2009


I got Lindy home yesterday afternoon, around 3pm. We were leaving the hospital about 72 hours after him being taken to the ER. The hand of God has been with him. Thank you for all the prayers and support. Lindy is making great improvements daily. I take him to the doctor in 2 weeks. Again thank you for everything.

Love,
Marni and Family

Husbands Last Ride

I've been spending my days at the hospital caring for my husband, after his motorcycle accident. He was discharged Wednesday January 14, 2009.

For a full report and pictures see his blog, http://luckylindysworld.blogspot.com/

Children's Books, Toys & Clothes Banned

The Sale of Children's Books to be Banned.
by Heather Idoni
www.BelovedBooks.com
---

Oh, how I wish this were a joke! But it is a grim and looming,
almost Orwellian, reality.

Effective February 10th, in the United States, the sale of
all children's books (books intended for children ages 12 and
under) is to be PROHIBITED. Every single book printed prior
to the ruling is affected, whether new or used. New books in
production are required to include a "lead-free" certification
and will be the only books that are legal to offer for sale.

What does this mean to the homeschooling family?

Well, for one, curriculum fairs across the country will be
cancelled as book vendors scramble to figure out how to comply
with the new ruling. Complete book inventories will have to be
destroyed -- the ruling even prohibits giving away the books!
Local thrift stores will be hard hit -- most will likely have to
close their doors -- yes, even Goodwill and Salvation Army.

Clothing, toys and books -- even CDs and DVDs are included in the
ruling. Thrift stores will no longer be able to accept or process
anything (including clothing) that would be intended for a child.

No more library sales. Libraries will not be permitted to give
away or sell book donations. It is unsure yet, however, how
the libraries' shelves themselves will be impacted (the ruling
doesn't explicitly mention "loaning" books, just selling or
giving them away). The key word, however, is "distribution" --
libraries may well be required to destroy books from their shelves.

(The ruling that originally passed was about toys, but the EPA has
since made a statement that clothing, books and media are included
in "children's toys".)

Just how serious is this new law?

Amazon.com has already notified all vendors of their need to comply.
No book can be sold at the Amazon site that was printed prior to
compliance. And the "compliance" must be coordinated at the manu-
facturing stage. At the time of this article there is no clause
to be able to grandfather-in older books or even rare out-of-print
books. It can cost between $500 and $1500 to test a book for lead.

I happen to own a children's bookstore specializing in living books
from the 1950s and '60s. My punishment for selling a book after
February 10th? Up to $100,000 and 5 years in jail. And yes, it is
a felony charge. For selling a SINGLE book.

(Although I don't think the S.W.A.T. team scenario would become a
reality overnight, at the same time I would be leery of blatantly
violating Federal law.)

So what can you do to help save your local used bookstore that
sells children's books? Or that homeschool curriculum business?
Or your EBay business selling children's items?

ACT NOW before the quickly approaching deadlines:

1) Email or call the CPSIA - the office of the CPSC ombudsman at
888-531-9070. http://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/newleg.aspx

Comments on Component Parts Testing accepted through January 30,
2009. Or email: Sec102ComponentPartsTesting@cpsc.gov

2) Contact your local representatives. For their contact informa-
tion, just enter your zip code.
http://capwiz.com/americanapparel/dbq/officials/

3) Make your voice heard by voting on this issue! The top 3 in
each category will be presented to President-elect Obama.
http://change.org/ideas/view/save_handmade_toys_from_the_cpsia

4) Sign the petition.
http://ipetitions.com/petition/economicimpactsofCPSIA/index.html

5) Spread the word! Forward this article. Send an email. Write
about this on your blog. Tell others about this issue and
encourage them to do the same.

Sincerely,
Heather Idoni
www.BelovedBooks.com---

For the complete story, read the following links:

http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html

Summaries on Legislation Index
page for Children's Products Containing Lead; Lead Paint Rule and
other rulings

http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/legislation.html#summaries

Office of the General Counsel FAQ on retroactive inventory require-
ments -- The use of forward effective dates appears to force current
inventories to adhere to the ruling on February 10th, 2009

http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/summaries/101brief.html

Specific FAQ on their interpretation of books and other media to be
included in the testing of lead based products

http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/faq/101faq.html

Effective Date: Lead content limit of 600 ppm becomes effective 180
days after enactment. An advisory opinion regarding the application
of the new lead limit to inventory existing at the effective date
can be found on our web site at
http://www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/advisory/317.pdf

Getting the Lead out: There is no lead in children's books
http://news.bookweb.org/news/5695.html

There is no lead in Children's books: From a Pedtrician

http://health.yahoo.com/experts/childhealth/3955/is-there-lead-in-baby-books/

Weekly Menu January 5-9, 2009

Spaghetti
Zuppa Toscana Soup
Leftovers and Salad
Stroganoff
Pizza

School Starts tomorrow

Well folks, ready or not school starts back up tomorrow in our home.

The older girls will continue on with A New World of Adventure-hopefully we can start completing a "day" each day. We have been splitting a day's worth of work into 2 days. We will also be doing a Proverbs Study for Young People

I haven't posted much about our learning style, along with a unit study approach, we also do notebooking and lapbooking.
For our first unit of ANWOA- Into A New Land, we are notebooking Native American Tribes using History Scribe. Notebooking Early American History with History Scribe, and lapbooking Colonial America. This Colonial lapbook will be worked on through 2 units. We will be starting a State Notebook soon, using Hold That Thought.

We are also lapbooking our Science topic, which at this time is Insects. We are using the free lapbooking elements at Homeschool Helper.. We are just about done with this science topic and will then focus on the weather. We will be notebooking that topic with Science Scribe.

I know that sounds like an outrageous amount of work, it's not as much as you might think. I hope to post how we go about implementing all this soon. Don't let me forget!

Bella is lapbooking Five in A Row and a few units from Homeschool Share. We are using the lapbooking elements that are available for free at Homeschool Share. Instead of separate folders for each book, we are doing a continuing lapbook in an spiral artist notebook. She is very exciting to be reading "real" chapter books like Junie B Jones. So tomorrow we will start A Pocket of Time for Junie B. Jones.

A Christmas Gathering

A family picture. My Gramma, in the chair, with my girls in front. Standing behind from Left to Right are Lindy, Me, Maria, Doug, and my mom kneeling.

A Day with Gramma

Tuesday, December 30, I picked up my gramma and we spent the day together. First I put all her Christmas decorations in the attic. I took her to Kohls to take back a gift and since there were so many sales we took advantage and bought Emilie and Olivia's birthday presents. I helped gramma pick out a new purse and she found a new wallet. Since it was Tuesday, she also got an additional 10% (or maybe 15%)off the sale prices!

Then we went to Coldwater Creek so she could get blouse. By now it was lunch time so we went to Olive Garden for Salad and Soup. Super yummy, I love their lunch. Gramma had a hair appointment so I dropped her off at the beauty shop and spent an hour at Books A Million. I picked Gramma back up and we had a pitstop at her house.

She was feeling fine so we went on to Target. I had a gift card for Target and wanted another purse. I love purses like some women love shoes. My husband thinks I'm nuts. Well I thought I'd get a new pair of Merrell type shoes in black. Well drat! Target didn't have any, (and either does another other store I've looked at) so I got a purse instead. LOL I wanted red, but I didn't like the style of the one and only red purse there, got an olive green one.
Gramma got some scrapbooking items and Valentine socks for the girls.

We skipped over to Lifeway. I wanted the Early Reader Bible that was advertised for $9.99. They didn't have any, nor did they even know if any came in and no I can't have a raincheck. I'm a wee bit ticked off about that, seems like a "bait and switch" to me. I did get a $5 mom's journal. Gramma bought some clearance Christmas items.

We had a fun day!