Homeschool Memoirs #14: Award The Categories

What a fun post! Let's see if I can come up with some interesting awards for my family.

Check out Homeschool Blog Awards if you want to play!

Best Painter: Dad

He has so many talents it's hard to name just one. He works hard with two full time jobs, rarely sleeps because he's providing for the family, teaches history to our girls because he's a history buff, orders fantastic pizza from Dominos, and likes to debate about politics. But, his passion is his artwork. He's done murals, model cars, real cars, signs, garbage cans, tool boxes....basically anything he can get his hands on. And did I mention he's a wonderful Christian man and father?

Most Improved: Zach

Zach is the one we would consider most improved. He works really hard at his job and loves his family unconditionally. Went through a rough time for a while, but now he's on a good track, finding the Lord again, and discovering who he is. (This photo is a few years old - he's almost 22 now) I got your back, Son!

Funniest: Kyle

Kyle, at age 20, is most definitely our funniest child. We've said over the years he could be the new "Jim Carrey"! He's goofy to the point of being "slap stick". He loves to tell jokes and make people laugh. There's not been a dinner at the table yet where I haven't nearly choked on my food from laughter. You can even see it in his eyes!

Most Devoted to Horses: Elizabeth

Elizabeth is our horse lover - and that's putting it mildly! She loved volunteering at a local rescue barn in the Atlanta area and leading the little kids around (her sister, in this photo). She really has a heart for this animal and can spout off trivia about them like she was the inventor of the breed. She's also a great artist, like Dad. Her medium is usually pencil and her equine drawings are just amazing! She's actually considered a professional artist now - she sold some of her artwork at a local art show that she entered when she was 13. She was quite proud of herself, and so were we! Visit her blog at Wild Horsefeathers!

The Next Best Super Model: Leah

Leah is our resident model and performer. She's started taking modeling classes and has done a couple of fashion shows already. She's also discovered a love of performing on stage in plays. Currently, she plays a part in the Charles Dickens' classic "A Christmas Carol". We're expecting great things from her. She can take care of her dear ol' parents when they are old and gray and she's rolling in the dough! See her blog: Inside and Out.

Most Talented Drama Queen: Ainsley

At three, she is a combustable combination of all the kids rolled up into a little package of dynamite! She has her big brother Zach's sensitive side, brother Kyle's goofyness, sister Elizabeth's artist abilities, and sister Leah's flare for the dramatic. She loves, loves, loves to be the center of attention and now aspires to be a model like sister Leah. Keep an eye out for this one! 'Nuff said!

Congratulations to all the others out there who have just won these prestigious awards!

Tuesday Tidbits - November 18

This is my first attempt at having my own regular "column" on my own blog. I guess we'll see how it goes.

Tuesday Tidbits is about, well, tidbits of this and tidbits of that, every Tuesday. Stay tuned as I'm working on adding more regular columns shortly. Tuesdays will be my time for everyday ramblings, I suppose you could say.

So, on with the show. Today's topic: Twittering

I wasn't sure exactly what I was going to talk about today. Sometimes I have so much to say and other times it's all jumbled in there together and I can't sort out what's what. So, I figured I'd say a few things about this new Twitter thing. Ok, maybe it's not that new to you, but seeing as how I just joined, it's a new toy for me.

When I first began blogging not too long ago I was simply amazed that people were so curious about other people they didn't know or had never met before. Blogs have grown like weeds since the concept's inception. Now - there's this new thing - Twittering. People actually want to know what you're doing at any given minute of every single day. Amazing! Is my life and times so interesting to others? I don't know...but I can say I'm fascinated at what others are doing! The strangest thing about it for me is that I don't know these people beyond the Net. So far I have no immediate friends or family that I follow or is following me - I don't even know if they know that Twittering exists!

Well, anyway, for me the world just got a little smaller! And if you're still reading this rambling...thanks! Let's Twitter!

Dana

FOR TODAY: November 17th
Outside my window it is a bright sunny day. No clouds in the sky - but I know it's chilly out there!
I am thinking about our hectic schedule this eveing: modeling at 5:30 and a full show rehearsal at 6:00.
I am thankful for my older girls being such indepent learners!
From the learning rooms we're doing Algebra...again.
From the kitchen: there are dirty dishes waiting to be done from this morning's breakfast. Did I just post about organization? Oh, well...that comes in the afternoon!
I am wearing a bright pink t-shirt with gray sweats and comfy socks.
I am creating my recipe list for our Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners.
I am going to sit and play Collapse when all the chores are done!
I am reading a book by Nora Roberts.
I am hoping I have time to put on some makeup before heading out the door!
I am hearing classical music coming out of my computer speakers. We like to listen to classical while schoolwork is being done.
Around the house I see that Ainsley did not pick up her toys like Mommy said to. But, nap time is more important for Mommy's sanity so I'll leave her alone for now.
One of my favorite things is talking to my husband in the middle of the day.
A few plans for the rest of the week: get the program for the play finished.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

Gettin' Organized in the Middle of Chaos!

Let's face it: we're homeschoolers, life is chaotic. School is a way of life, not just something we do from 9 - 2. We all need help and great ideas for staying organized - me especially. I would love to hear what others do to keep their days, weeks, months, years organized and running smoothly - well, as smoothly as we could hope.

Our family seems to have very little time throughout the week during the school year. There were times when the household chores simply had to be put on the back burner. Scouts, theaters, music lessons, dance...all of these take priority, right? Only problem is....I get very cranky when the house is a mess! What happens if someone shows up unexpectedly on your doorstep and you haven't mopped the kitchen floor in two months and the laundry is piled halfway up the wall?

I know, I know....I've heard homeschoolers say that people will just have to understand that we're homeschoolers and we live, work, and educate in our homes - it's a mess. But, I simply can't live that way.

A couple of years ago I came across a website that really helped me get organized with household chores. http://www.donnayoung.org/. If you're a homeschooler, you have probably heard of this site. If you haven't, you must go there!

I downloaded Donna's family chores schedule. It lists chores to do daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly. Wow! What a difference. Now, we're not so overwhelmed with the day to day things that need to get done and I'm not always in a tizzy (is that a word?)!

http://www.donnayoung.org/household/fullsize/ffiles08/hofiles/housework.doc

I've taken this and adjusted it slightly to fit our family and it has worked for us very well!

I'd love to hear from others about how they organize their day!

Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window it is a bit foggy this morning. It looks a little chilly, but when I went out on the front porch it was actually warm.

I am thinking about my date with my husband and kids tomorrow evening. It's been a while since we've gone to see a movie and I'm looking forward to it!

I am thankful for my husband who works so hard so that I can stay home with our children.

From the learning rooms - We have two Algebra assignments to complete today since we missed yesterday's. However, we have a lunch date today with Dad and some out of town friends so I don't know that this will be accomplished!

From the kitchen it looks to be a simple dinner tonight. Something along the lines of a casserole maybe.

I am wearing my pajamas!

I am creating new daily themes for my blog. It helps keep me organized and focused and hopefully someone will like what I post!

I am going back to the theater this evening for play rehearsal! The two older girls are doing "A Christmas Carol" this year - one is a character in the play, the other is tech crew.

I am reading a book by Nora Roberts.

I am hoping I get everything done this week!

I am hearing the sounds of the girls waking up and moving around. The dog's nails clipping on the floor. The quiet hum of the refrigerator.

Around the house I see things that need picking up, a few dishes in the sick that need washed, a pile of laundry that needs putting away. But, oh, here I sit blogging away....

One of my favorite things is talking to my husband after a long day.

A few plans for the rest of the week: to get through our weekly assignments and get our chores done!

Here is picture thought I am sharing:

Mom Help!

Oh, do I LOVE this topic as, I'm sure, do other homeschool moms. We need a lot of help, right? Ok, maybe some more than others. There are those who make it look so easy! Can I have a piece of their pie, please?

So, what gets me through the day? What keeps me from going insane? Let's see....

1. The thought of a good book at the end of the day. I like to curl up in a quiet spot (even if that means shutting myself in my room) and reading until I drift off to sleep.

2. Knowing that SOON I can put my pajamas back on and curl up with hubby on the couch to watch a little tv.

3. My new found friend - blogging. I love to see what other moms are doing and I'm learning a lot!

4. A nice hot bubble bath - which I haven't had for quite a while and may be the reason my family has been complaining that I'm having hissy fits lately. Well, if they'd just pick up their clothes and rinse their dishes so the food doesn't dry on them, I might not have hissy fits! ....Excuse me for a moment, there's playdough in the 3 year old's hair and the dog has a sock that does NOT belong to him.....

Obviously, I don't get these things nearly as much as I should....er....want. However, I do have a date with my husband coming up very soon. Maybe that will provide a little down time.

I can't wait to see what other moms do for their down time!

Coupon Shopping

For the last several months I've been searching for ways to save money that we spend everyday. Since my dh was medically separated from the military we took quite a paycut, especially when he couldn't find a job right away. We were desperate and needed to find ways to cut expenses.

I came across this website after God gave me the idea to try using coupons. I've been hooked ever since!

The Grocery Game

This site teaches you how to use coupons along with the current sales at your local grocery store. Teri loads a database of the sales each week and helps you match the sales with the coupons in that week's newspaper. You can even shop at local drug stores like CVS or Walgreens.

Since I've been doing this for a few months, but coupon file has grown and I usually have more than I need. Unfortunately, I don't live in an area that has good coupon flyers in our newspaper so I have relatives who live in larger cities mail me their coupons every week. I also occassionally purchase coupons online using CouponMaster. They clip the coupons for you for a small fee. (These come in lots of 3 so you may have extra)

Normally I don't spend over $75.00 a week for groceries. That's just the budget I've set for ourselves and it works for us (We have five in the household right now - the two older boys being on their own). Last week we splurged a little and spent $205 on groceries. But we saved $96 of that - almost HALF my grocery bill!

We don't even save that much when we shop at Walmart. We used to go to Walmart to get things a little cheaper, but using this method it's MUCH cheaper to shop for our groceries at Publix!

I encourage everyone to try this and I would love to know your results!