Heavy Rains & So Much to Read!

It's raining like crazy here! The eye of the storm hasn't passed through Valdosta (where I live) but we're feeling the effects of it! It's very dark and stormy... "On a darrrk and storrrmy night...." We had a tornado touch down in a neighboring county. Surprisingly, we still have power AND satellite tv! Amazing, when we often lose power on sunny or partly cloudly days and the satellite goes out because a flock of birds flew over. It's movie night at our house - the power had BETTER stay on!

On another note: I'm really enjoying reading all the posts from the first assignment at Homeschool Blog Awards. I'm trying to get through them all.... I checked to see how many had done it after me and squealed in alarm! I'd better start reading faster or my computer better start loading the pages faster! I can't wait to read more. There are so many neat, talented, special, interesting, cool moms out there.

:)

Homeschool Memoirs #1: All About You

It gets to be all about me? Really? Because, y'know, it's usually all about the kids, or hubby, or our cute little American Canine Chihuahua named Harley. But, wow! About me...hmmm...

Ok. Well, I was born in the south - Flordia, but raised in the mountains - Colorado, and I went to public school...oh - too far back...

Let's see...I'm a homeschool mom of five, three of whom are left at home (is that the correct usage of "whom"? I just can never get that right!) Two boys: 21 and 20, three girls: 15, 14, and 3. One boy, the 21 year old, has left home but the strings are still there (he works nearby) and he's given me (along with his fianceé) my first grandchild (Faith). The second boy joined the Air Force after we graduated him. The two older girls will be entering 9th grade in about two weeks. The youngest - well, she rules the roost and everyone else's roosts too! (She's the one on the sidebar to the right)

(That's just red lipstick that she applied herself!)

We've been homeschooling for about 10 years. My kids (at least the older four) were, unfortunately, a product of the public school system for a while. But, when the boys were approached in 6th and 7th grades about sex and drugs the decision was simple. Pull them out! We've never looked back. Since that time, our family has become a cohesive unit and my boys still love to hug me and call me "Mommy". I'm sure they'd curl up in my lap for a rock in the rocking chair if they could (but they're much bigger than me!) Well, the 20 year old has tried that! The other one is a touch more reserved.

We use a variety of curriculum. When we first started I used one of those complete curriculum that had the lesson plans all done for you. I needed that guidance! Now, I do the lesson plans myself and pick and choose which publisher for which subject I prefer. It's a lot more time consuming but, as I've always dreamed of being a teacher, I'm in my element, I guess you could say. Now, we use just about everything: Bob Jones, Prentice Hall, Alpha Omega, McDougal Littel, and some others.

It's amazing to me that over the last decade I've actually become what's commonly referred to as a "veteran" homeschool mom. And now, I even teach others "how to do it". Of course, I know for a fact that I certainly don't have all the answers and am always searching for more - hence homeschool blogging!

Let's see, what else can I tell about me. I'm an Amercian Idol fan. I actually didn't get hooked until two seasons ago when Jordin Sparks won. I voted for her and David Cook, by the way. I love to read but don't always find the time for pleasure reading anymore. It always seems to be textbooks nowadays! Which reminds me - I hope to begin my own college education in the spring - or at least continue with it. I'm one of those "some college" people.

I love to decorate cakes. I did it for an income for about seven years. I attended a local Bridal Expo and actually got paid for my wedding cakes, birthday cakes, and others. Now, I only do it occassionally. It's a love/hate relationship!

People would be very surprised (those who know me) about some of the things I've done over the years to provide an income. My husband and I both have "entrepreneurial" spirits and are constantly forming new businesses. I've done pressure washing, building model cars (yes, for a living!), custom painted motorcycles, cars, trucks, etc. (my husband's businesses mostly that I get roped into), run my own secretarial business and various other things.

I'm very much into volunteering. My husband says I have Volunteer-itis. Guess he's right. I've been a Girl Scout Leader, Cub Scout mom, homecshool group leader (for several different groups), a downtown revitalization committe member, and most recently a volunteer for UNICEF. I'm sure there are probably some other things I've done but I can't remember them all.

Well, that's pretty much me in a nutshell. I can't wait to read the other posts on this topic. What a great idea that Homeschool Blog Awards has come up with!

Til next time....

Human Trafficking!

This horrible situation was brought to my attention recently when I watched a Lifetime movie called Human Trafficking. I've known for many years that this existed but, like many others, just never did anything about it or looked the other way. After all, I'm only one person. How can I make a difference. But by the end of this four-hour movie, I was so outraged I began to do some research on it.

The shocking results: Approximately 14,500 to 17,500 people (mostly women and children) are trafficked to the United States each year. This trafficking includes sexual exploitation and modern-day slavery.

These women and children are people just like you and me. Many are immigrants from other countries, forced to come here by slave traders under false pretenses (a modeling job or school). But many are Americans like us - our sisters, our daughters, our cousins, our neighbors and friends!

These people suffer unspeakable brutality at the hands of their "protectors" and johns. They "work" and live in squalid conditions and are expected to perform for grueling long hours everyday.

What can we do to help? The following website gives information and suggestions on what we can do to help make a difference.

www.humantrafficking.org

http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn.nsf/vw-dynamic-arrays/85256DDC007274DF85256DB4005DA3B7?openDocument

Help me spread the word!

Reflections of Summer

I haven't posted in a while because life just seems to get away from me. My older girls are trickling back home - they've been away for the entire summer. We're going through some transition. One of them is home and re-learning how to do dishes and laundry again. Her grandmother did everything for her over the summer! The other daughter will be back Labor Day weekend. She spent the summer with other family members.

I was looking through some photos and video clips today and thought I'd share some that I found.

What better way to spend the summer than outside eating a melting popsicle. This is what being a kid is all about! We had an ice cream truck cruise through our subdivision and, remembering it when I was a kid, I ran out to the street and bought ice cream! Those were the days!

The video below is one I took of our new Chihuahua puppy. He found this ball that was bigger than he is! Small dogs have such huge personalities. I know - we always had big dogs (german shepards, doberman, labs). This is our first small dog. What a character!

I'd love to hear what others have been doing this summer.

Until next time!

Happy Homeschooling!

Saving the Horses!

We lived in the Atlanta area for a while after my husband was medically separated from the military (we're from there). During this stay, we became involved in a local animal rescue. Or, I should say, my daughter Elizabeth, became involved. You see, Lizzy has a tremendous love of horses. (She's graduated from Dinosaurs to horses over the years) Lizzy, being the contageous soul that she is, dragged my mother (Grammy) along. After Grammy's first trip there she was hooked. Lizzy and Grammy began going every weekend they could to volunteer at this rescue. They even dragged me along for the ride (pun intended). Next thing I know, we're all sponsoring a few of the horses.

I've been so proud of Lizzy and her steadfast devotion to these animals. I'm always amazed at her depth of knowledge about horses. This is her passion! So, I'm taking a page from her book and putting the word out there that these horses need our help! Even if you're not a horse person, which I'm not, you still have something to offer. Whether it's time, money, or some other form of gift, please considering giving what you can!

Here's a wonderful video about this rescue:

Need to know exactly what happens at a slaughter house? You can watch the video at this link: http://www.hsus.org/video_clips/horse_slaughter_cruelty.html

BEWARE!!!!! This video is extremely graphic and is NOT suitable for children!

When I first saw this video I was outraged! And I'm not a horse person. And did you know that there are slaughter houses right here in the United States?

Several of the horses at HRRRF, the rescue barn in Atlanta, were scheduled for the slaughter houses. How can we let this happen? Want to make a difference:

The New Addition

We've got a new little addition to the family. And I do mean "LITTLE"! It's like having a baby all over again.

Since my dh does custom painting on the side and does a lot of bikes, we named him Harley. It seemed to fit. He's very "full of himself" - which the breeder I bought him from told me he was! She wasn't kidding. LOL

Having a small dog is such a joy! We're used to having big dogs - dobies, german shepards, labs. I'm really looking forward to dressing him up and carrying him around in one of those puppy purses. The movie Legally Blonde comes to mind - although I'm not blonde!

He's already spoiled though and we've 0nly had him for two days. He likes to be held when he's falling asleep. Just like a baby. We're trying to teach him that he sleeps in his crate. Of course, he whines like the dickins, but eventually settles down.

Anyway, had to share about this little bitty cutie. (He's got some great lungs though)

A New Start

It's been over a month since I've posted. Wow! Has it been crazy to say the least. Besides the holidays, which we all know are stressful anyway, we received news that my husband was going to lose the shop he was working out of. We also received news that my mother-in-law may have a serious illness. So, we made the decision to move back to south Georgia where we moved from nearly six months ago.

We're pretty stressed out right now but trying to keep a positive outlook. We know God is looking out for us.

I'm looking forward to getting back down south to warmer climates, friends, and being busy again. I'm looking forward to just being settled.

Until next time....