School Supplies!

by in Teaching and tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Since my daughter is now being homeschooled, I don’t have to buy a long list of things for school.  She doesn’t need a backpack or a lot of notebooks, etc.  I do, however, like having bulletin boards and chalk boards for working out problems.  I was lucky to find some for sale this week.  A lady in a neighboring town makes them!  She was kind enough to deliver them to my house, and I put them up immediately.  Ysabela really likes them, too.

This is the smaller of the chalk boards.

This is the smaller of the chalk boards.

I love the detail on the cross.

I love the detail on the cross.

The bulletin board is large, but not heavy.

The bulletin board is large, but not heavy.

The spurs are awesome.

The spurs are awesome.

Wishing Life Away

by in Twists and Turns and tagged , , | Leave a comment

“Oh, I can’t wait until Friday!”  I said that this week.  Did you?  You might be curious to know what my big plans are for the weekend.  I work my second job.  So what was the hurry for Friday?  I’m never really sure!

I realized as I looked at the calendar that all I’ve been doing is wishing my life away one weekend at a time.  And for what?  I’ve reached the conclusion that I should focus on making every day the best (as I live it) rather than waiting to “have fun” at the end of the regular work week.

Are you waiting for the weekend?

Are you waiting for the weekend?

Just a Reminder

by in Twists and Turns and tagged , , , | Leave a comment

This just serves to remind you that our Nigerian daughters are still missing.  There are missing children all over the world, but that doesn’t make it right.  Some children are not more important than others no matter what the media might suggest.  A prostitute’s child is no less important than a diplomat’s child.  Different resources may be available to help search for those children, but the bottom line is that we all must open our eyes and help.

Take time to look at the faces of missing children.  How would you feel if your child were missing?  Did you know that May 25th is dedicated to missing children?  It’s horribly sad one needed to be created in the first place.

https://www.facebook.com/bringbackourgirls

http://www.missingkids.com/KeyFacts

http://www.ojjdp.gov/missingchildrensday/

Blind Eye?

by in Twists and Turns and tagged , , , | Leave a comment

My adopted community is small, but caring.  If a family is having a hard time, there’s always someone willing to get the ball rolling and organize help.  It’s amazing to watch.  Sometimes I am ashamed of myself for not noticing a need in the first place.  I should have paid closer attention.  I should have known.

I’m not saying to spy on your neighbors, but I know I’m guilty of putting on my blinders when I leave the house.  Are you?  I simply don’t notice—or maybe I even turn a blind eye when I have a gut feeling that something is off.  How many horrible things have happened throughout history due to apathy and/or turning a blind eye?

I watched a video this week that drove the point home.

http://www.upworthy.com/no-one-applauds-this-woman-because-theyre-too-creeped-out-at-themselves-to-put-their-hands-together

You may wonder what the video has to do with my post, but turning a blind eye can apply to anything unpleasant that we don’t want to see.  It could be animal abuse, hungry children, a hurting family without resources…anything.  I have to make an effort to “be present” in my own daily life.  We all need to remember that!  Make an effort to get to know the new family down the street.  Make an effort to see beyond polite conversation down to the need that may exist.  Many people are embarrassed to ask for help.  Maybe we should offer it anyway.

Super Mom!

by in Twists and Turns and tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Where’s my cape?  Oh, never mind!  Today was great!  I got to sleep late, and Bela slept even later.  Once I got up and moving, I decided to make some (turkey) bacon and eggs to entice Bela out of the bed.  Fail!  End result: she ate breakfast in bed.  That usually doesn’t happen, but since she hurt her ankle, I let it slide.

Once her breakfast was taken care of and the dishes done, I was looking for something for myself.  I had gone to bed last night thinking about my mom’s recipe for cassoulet.  I thought it called for some ketchup, but I couldn’t remember for sure.  After a quick phone call, I put everything (one can of white Northern beans, one can of drained carrots, four cut-up wieners and some ketchup) into the pot, “cooked” a few minutes and had an easy lunch.  I have enough for two or three more meals.  Just in case you’re interested, Mom said some garlic powder and onions can be added to the recipe.

Easy, one-pot lunch!

Easy, one-pot lunch!

Since I had conquered today’s meals, I was looking for something else….that’s when I found a box of cake mix in the cabinet.  Hmmmm.  Why not?  I also noticed a small box of food coloring, so I added a few drops of color to the batter.  🙂

I used a knife to swirl the colors a bit.

I used a knife to swirl the colors a bit.

After the cake was done, Bela and I taste tested (for quality control purposes).  I even managed to get some icing on a few pieces.  Bela tried a piece before it was cooled!  (I might have, too.)  Lunch, check.  Crazy cake, check.  Popcorn and a movie?  Sure, let’s do it!

I made Bela some popcorn, and we settled down to watch The Book of Life (again).  What a wonderful day off.

Homeschool Help

by in Teaching and tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Remember my post about Lee Binz and her HomeScholar webinar?  Since I signed up to receive some of her products, I was entitled to a 20-minute phone consultation with her.  I had a list of questions ready so I could maximize my time (and not waste hers!).

If you homeschool, you simply must check out her website!  What I found particularly useful: her practical advice on how to document student-directed learning and early high school credits.  My daughter learned Spanish in Mexico, so Lee (I feel like we’re friends now!) advised me to add that time as early high school credits.  She even followed up with some helpful links to exams I might want my daughter to take later.

Unschoolers would also benefit from her tips concerning documentation.  Lee calls it “delight-directed learning,” and it makes perfect sense.  I think the best advice she gave was to listen to ourselves when talking to our kids to find out what our kids are passionate about; for example, I’m always telling Bela to “stop singing” while I’m watching TV.  Her passion is—you guessed it—singing.  That counts as choir!  She has certainly spent enough time to deserve credit!

Suffice it to say that the webinar, the products and the phone call were worth my time and money.

http://www.thehomescholar.com/

 

First Competition

by in Teaching and tagged , , , | Leave a comment
Bela managed to hurt her ankle somehow, but she went to shoot!

Bela managed to hurt her ankle somehow, but she went to shoot!

Bela got some pointers from her coach, Butch.

Bela got some pointers from her coach, Butch.

GEDSC DIGITAL CAMERA

UPDATE:  Bela was in a lot of pain overnight, so I made arrangements to take her to the doctor for an X-ray today.  The doc couldn’t tell if Bela’s ankle is broken.  Bela got “the boot” and a pair of crutches.  She’s not supposed to walk on her foot for a week.  If it still hurts next Monday, we have to have another X-ray done.

So basically, I’m the mom who told her hurt child to suck it up and shoot her air rifle!  YIKES!