Speaking from the Heart

I have come to realize that not having a Saturday to rest really effects me the following week. The kids and I spent last Saturday at the homeschool expo promoting Video Game Animation and Computer Engineering Classes. No matter what I did this week, I felt like I am a day behind. I am going to rest this weekend. I will try my best not to blog nor read any blogs until Monday. However, before I sign off, let me give you a brief summary of our third week in school.

So far, The Inquisitor and Minnie are doing well with working school assignments on-the-go. It is me who is going crazy. I feel like they are not getting the quality education that I can provide, if we were home more often.

This was a light week. We added musical theatre to our schedule. We will add P.E. next week. Biology Co-op, & Video Game Animation classes will be on our list of activities a week the following week. If that is not enough, I am about to add piano lessons to Minnie's class schedule. I must be glutton for punishment.

The Inquisitor and Minnie did their math and grammar, before we went to our friend's house on Friday. While the kids were swimming, my two friends and I shared our homeschooling journey. I come to a conclusion that we sometimes are too concerned about academic, that we forget to teach our children the basics, i.e. telling time, tieing shoes, and signing one's name in cursive.

It's once again Friday Show and Tell with Canadagirl.

While we were away from school for the summer, I picked up knitting. Besides the doll's poncho and the cap, I made several children's slippers for Minnie and me.

For more Thankful Thursday, clip on the clipart

• I am thankful for my church. They are allowing our co-op group to use the facility every week
• I am thankful for my pastor. He knows he is human and he is not sinless. He never puts himself above his congregation.
• I am thankful for the pastor's wife, temporary youth minister, and Ms. Amy. They make Wednesday Night fun for my son and other middle schoolers.
• I am thankful for Mom's good health. She's 62. She has more energy than me.
• I am thankful that God gives me the opportunity to share my faith with neighbors and friends.
• I am thankful that everywhere I look, I can see that God exists.
• I am thankful for the peaceful feeling, when I know that I am doing what God had planned for me.
• I am thankful that when one door closes, another one opens.

This week’s theme is about sharing your 2008-09 homeschool agendas and plans. You’ve been preparing your plans for sometime and you’re ready to go. Or you’re still in the planning-stage and need some inspiration or tips on what to use. Because many use different curriculum and methods there is always something new to be gleaned from other homeschoolers. It’s always fun and interesting to see what other’s are using and the WWWWH as Robin Sampson suggests. So this week I hope you will share what you’re doing this year for your homeschool agenda. Share the different curriculum you’re using. You can also include what age/grade you’re using it for, how long you’ve been using it, and why you like it.

Please share a Bible verse that has encouraged you or inspired you during this planning-process, and how.


This is my 8th year of homeschooling. The Inquisitor is in the eighth grade, and Minnie is in the 5th grade.


The Inquisitor's curriculum:

• Communicators for Christ Speech and Debate (Thursdays)
• Saxon Algebra 2- The Inquisitor took Algebra 1 last year. I decided to skip geometry, and move on to Algebra 2 After this, he will take Saxon Advanced Math (a two-year course). Saxon Publishers said Advanced Math will cover both trigonometry and Geometry.
• Rod and Staff Building Securely (Grammar)
• Rosetta Stone Spanish I+ Drill sheets
• Apologia Biology (2- hour co-op on Tuesdays)
• The Gift of Music Great Composers and their Influence by Jane Stuart Smith. Weekly, The Inquisitor has to read and write a summary of a composer, listen to composer's masterpiece, and make a timeline of the composers via Power Point.
• Video Game Animation- The Inquisitor will learn how to create the characters in his video game to dance, sing, interact with one another. He will also learn how to add sound effects and music to his video animation. This is the continuation of his Video Game Design class he took this summer. The Inquisitor wants to be a video game designer. I have an option of sending him to an IB high school to learn the skills, or to create a curriculum that will meet his needs. Thru Computer Explorers, The Inquisitor will meet beyond his requirements for a credit in Computer Technology. Through my planning, I am requiring The Inquisitor to complete the following computer courses (20 hours per course) before graduation:

• Video Game Design (complete)
  Video Game Animation
  Programming with Real basic
  Technical Art & Design
  Creative Robotics
  Creative Robotics II
  Robotics 1 with NXT
  Robotics 2
  Logo Programming
  

Minnie's Curriculum:

• Musical Theatre- In addition to preparing for the class play, Minnie wants to audition for the Christmas play at church.
• Abeka ursive writing
• Communicators for Chirst Beginning Public Speaking
• Abeka Investigating God's World
• Abeka Introduction to History and Geography
• Shurley English- Great course for learning parts of speech.
• Bob Jones University Press Pages in my Head Reading
• Daily Grams
• Abeka Math

My favorite record tracking software is Edu-Track. I've been using it for more than three years. It has come very handy for keeping track of The Inquisitor's high school courses. Whenever I add a new high school course, I would also include the high school code #. This way, I don't have to go hunt for the number each time I need to create a report card.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine understanding. In all thy ways acknowledgte him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

It's once again Friday Show and Tell with Canadagirl.

Sing to the tune of “I Will Survive-Made famous
by Gloria Gaynor

First I was afraid
I was petrified.
Kept thinking I could never teach
Cause I´m not certified.
But we spent so many nights
Reteaching homework that was wrong.
I grew strong,
so nowI teach my kids at home!
We study math
and outer space.
I just kept on despite the fear
with a big smile across my face.
I bought a set of Base Ten blocks.
I bought books with answer keys.
My parents think we´re nuts,
but they don´t even bother me

Come on, let´s go walk out the door.
We´re on the road now,
'cause we´re not home much anymore
My friends would laugh
and say we´d be unsocialized.
I heard one mumble
that I´d give up by July.
Oh no, not I!
I will survive!
As long as I know how to read
I know we´ll be alright.
I've got all my life to learn.
I've got energy to burn.
and I'll survive.
I will survive.

It took all the strength I had
not to fall apart.
Decided to attend
a play date at the local park,
and I met oh so many moms
who offered eagerly to help.
They used to cry.
Now they hold their heads up high,
and so do we!
My kids are cool!
They´re not those chained up little people
stuck inside at school.
So if you feel like dropping by
and just expect us to be free
you´d better call ahead first´
cause we´re probably busy!

I agree with Iris. Prayers and knowing that the LORD is near me will give me peace in a storm.

• LORD, thank you for calming Tropical Storm Fay. By the time Fay reaches my hometown in Florida, the weather was peaceful and calm.
• LORD, thank you for giving me a husband, who is a handyman . I am at peace and secured after he fixed the entrance gate to our home.
• LORD, Thank you for giving me peace in deciding to be involved in one homeschool organization, instead of two. You have brought many new Chrisitan friends into my life this last school year.
• LORD, thank you for giving me peace everytime a friend moves away. Although I am sad that she is moving, I know that you have a plan for her. I am thankful that you brought her into my life for a short while.
• LORD, I am at peace knowing that You want me to worship only You. Thank you for nudging me, when I become too dependent on a friend, rather on You.
• LORD, thank you for my husband's love language (action)- After losing a wedding band, DH went without it for a couple of years. Although he wanted to replace the old one, he didn't want to spend the money. While waiting to get his car serviced, he purchased a gold band at Wal-mart. What a peaceful feeling to know that he's forever committed to our marriage.

Combinations of the basic products can provide less harmful substitutions for many commercial home products. In most cases, they're also less expensive. Here are some formulas for safe, alternative home care products:

Note: These formulas and substitutions are offered to help minimize the use of toxic substances in your home, and reduce the environmental harm caused by the manufacture, use and disposal of toxics. Results may vary and cannot be guaranteed to be 100% safe and effective. Before applying any cleaning formulations, test in small hidden areas if possible. Always use caution with any new product in your home.

Make sure to keep all home-made formulas well-labeled, and out of the reach of children.

Air Freshener: Commercial air fresheners mask smells and coat nasal passages to diminish the sense of smell.

• Baking soda or vinegar with lemon juice in small dishes absorbs odors around the house.
• Having houseplants helps reduce odors in the home.
• Prevent cooking odors by simmering vinegar (1 tbsp in 1 cup water) on the stove while cooking. To get such smells as fish and onion off utensils and cutting boards, wipe them with vinegar and wash in soapy water.
• Keep fresh coffee grounds on the counter.
• Grind up a slice of lemon in the garbage disposal.
• Simmer water and cinnamon or other spices on stove.
• Place bowls of fragrant dried herbs and flowers in room.

• Plastic food storage containers - soak overnight in warm water and baking soda• In-sink garbage disposal units - grind up lemon or orange peel in the unit
• Carpets - sprinkle baking soda several hours before vacuuming• Garage, basements - set a sliced onion on a plate in center of room for 12 - 24 hoursDishwasher Soap: Mix equal parts of borax and washing soda, but increase the washing soda if your water is hard.

• For light drain cleaning, mix 1/2 cup salt in 4 liters water, heat (but not to a boil) and pour down the drain.
• For stronger cleaning, pour about 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain, then 1/2 cup vinegar. The resulting chemical reaction can break fatty acids down into soap and glycerine, allowing the clog to wash down the drain. After 15 minutes, pour in boiling water to clear residue. Caution: only use this method with metal plumbing. Plastic pipes can melt if excess boiling water is used. Also, do not use this method after trying a commercial drain opener--the vinegar can react with the drain opener to create dangerous fumes.

Floor Cleaner and Polish:

• vinyl and linoleum: wood: apply a thin coat of 1:1 vegetable oil and vinegar and rub in well.
• painted wood: mix 1 teaspoon washing soda into 1 gallon (4L) hot water.
• brick and stone tiles: mix 1 cup white vinegar in 1 gallon (4L) water; rinse with clear water.Most floor surfaces can be easily cleaned using a solution of vinegar and water.
• For damp-mopping wood floors: mix equal amounts of white distilled vinegar and water. Add 15 drops of pure peppermint oil; shake to mix.
  

Furniture Polish:

• For varnished wood, add a few drops of lemon oil into a 1/2 cup warm water. Mix well and spray onto a soft cotton cloth. Cloth should only be slightly damp. Wipe furniture with the cloth, and finish by wiping once more using a dry soft cotton cloth.
• For unvarnished wood, mix two tsps each of olive oil and lemon juice and apply a small amount to a soft cotton cloth. Wring the cloth to spread the mixture further into the material and apply to the furniture using wide strokes. This helps distribute the oil evenly.

Laundry Detergent: Mix 1 cup Ivory soap (or Fels Naptha soap), 1/2 cup washing soda and 1/2 cup borax. Use 1 tbsp for light loads; 2 tbsp for heavy loads. (This is my favorite)

Lime Deposits: You can reduce lime deposits in your teakettle by putting in 1/2 cup (125ml) white vinegar and 2 cups water, and gently boiling for a few minutes. Rinse well with fresh water while kettle is still warm.

Marks on walls and painted surfaces: Many ink spots, pencil, crayon or marker spots can be cleaned from painted surfaces using baking soda applied to a damp sponge. Rub gently, then wipe and rinse.

Metal Cleaners and Polishes:

• aluminum: using a soft cloth, clean with a solution of cream of tartar and water. brass or bronze: polish with a soft cloth dipped in lemon and baking-soda solution, or vinegar and salt solution. chrome: polish with baby oil, vinegar, or aluminum foil shiny side out.
• copper: soak a cotton rag in a pot of boiling water with 1 tablespoon salt and 1 cup white vinegar. Apply to copper while hot; let cool, then wipe clean. For tougher jobs, sprinkle baking soda or lemon juice on a soft cloth, then wipe. For copper cookware, sprinkle a lemon wedge with salt, then scrub.gold: clean with toothpaste, or a paste of salt, vinegar, and flour.
• silver: line a pan with aluminum foil and fill with water; add a teaspoon each of baking soda and salt. Bring to a boil and immerse silver. Polish with soft cloth.stainless steel: clean with a cloth dampened with undiluted white vinegar, or olive oil.
• For stainless cookware, mix 4 tbs baking soda in 1 qt water, and apply using a soft cloth. Wipe dry using a clean cloth.

Mold and Mildew: Use white vinegar or lemon juice full strength. Apply with a sponge or scrubby.Mothballs: The common mothball is made of paradichlorobenzene, which is harmful to liver and kidneys. Cedar chips in a cheesecloth square, or cedar oil in an absorbant cloth will repel moths. The cedar should be 'aromatic cedar', also referred to as juniper in some areas. Cedar chips are available at many craft supply stores, or make your own using a plane and a block of cedar from the lumberyard.Homemade moth-repelling sachets can also be made with lavender, rosemary, vetiver and rose petals.Dried lemon peels are also a natural moth deterrent - simply toss into clothes chest, or tie in cheesecloth and hang in the closet.

Oil and Grease Spots: For small spills on the garage floor, add baking soda and scrub with wet brush.

Oven Cleaner: Moisten oven surfaces with sponge and water. Use 3/4cup baking soda, 1/4cup salt and 1/4cup water to make a thick paste, and spread throughout oven interior. (avoid bare metal and any openings) Let sit overnight. Remove with spatula and wipe clean. Rub gently with fine steel wool for tough spots. Or use Arm & Hammer Oven Cleaner, declared nontoxic by Consumers Union.

Paint Brush Cleaner: Non-toxic, citrus oil based solvents are now available commercially under several brand names. Citra-Solve is one brand. This works well for cleaning brushes of oil-based paints. Paint brushes and rollers used for an on-going project can be saved overnight, or even up to a week, without cleaning at all. Simply wrap the brush or roller snugly in a plastic bag, such as a used bread or produce bag. Squeeze out air pockets and store away from light. The paint won't dry because air can't get to it. Simply unwrap the brush or roller the next day and continue with the job.Fresh paint odors can be reduced by placing a small dish of white vinegar in the room.

Rust Remover: Sprinkle a little salt on the rust, squeeze a lime over the salt until it is well soaked. Leave the mixture on for 2 - 3 hours. Use leftover rind to scrub residue.
Scouring Powder: For top of stove, refrigerator and other such surfaces that should not be scratched, use baking soda. Apply baking soda directly with a damp sponge.

Shoe Polish: Olive oil with a few drops of lemon juice can be applied to shoes with a thick cotton or terry rag. Leave for a few minutes; wipe and buff with a clean, dry rag.Stickers on walls:

Removing stickers off the wall: sponge vinegar over them several times, and wait 15 minutes, then rub off the stickers. This also works for price tags (stickers) on tools, etc.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner: Mix 1/4 cup baking soda and 1 cup vinegar, pour into basin and let it set for a few minutes. Scrub with brush and rinse. A mixture of borax (2 parts) and lemon juice (one part) will also work.

Tub and Tile Cleaner: For simple cleaning, rub in baking soda with a damp sponge and rinse with fresh water. For tougher jobs, wipe surfaces with vinegar first and follow with baking soda as a scouring powder. (Vinegar can break down tile grout, so use sparingly.)

Wallpaper Remover: Mix equal parts of white vinegar and hot water, apply with sponge over the old wallpaper to soften the adhesive. Open room windows or use a fan to dissipate the pungent vinegar smell.

Water Rings on Wood: Water rings on a wooden table or counter are the result of moisture that is trapped under the topcoat, but not the finish. Try applying toothpaste or mayonnaise to a damp cloth and rub into the ring. Once the ring is removed, buff the entire wood surface.

Window Cleaner: Mix 2 teaspoons of white vinegar with 1 liter (qt) warm water. Use crumpled newspaper or cotton cloth to clean. Don't clean windows if the sun is on them, or if they are warm, or streaks will show on drying. The All-Purpose Cleaner (above) also works well on windows. Be sure to follow the recipe, because using too strong a solution of vinegar will etch the glass and eventually cloud it.

Woo hoo!! we made it thru one week of school. The Inquisitor and Minnie picked up where they had left off in May. Considering that they had been off for almost 4 months, they did well. We tried not to have any interruptions during school hours; however, sometime that is unavoidable. The only interruption we had was on Tuesday. As we backed out of the garage, DH noticed tire marks in the driveway. As it turned out, we had a flat tire. The plans for homeschooling on that Tuesday afternoon was cancelled, when we realized that we had take the car to GoodYear.

With so many good curriculum, I am having a hard time in deciding what to teach. For right now, DS is cconcentrating on algebra 2, grammar, and Spanish. He will be starting Debate and Speech next Thursday; Computer game animation on the following Wednesday. Finally, he will begin studying biology in September. I don't want to weigh The Inquisitor with a lot of subjects. I know speech and debate will keep him busy. Minnie spent her week in cursive writing, Daily Grams, Abekka Math, and Literature (Pages in my Head). Because she took 40 hours of Engineering Technology, I am giving her a break from science for the week. Besides,I am still waiting for a curriculum to go with our world history.

Teaching an eight grader and a 5th grader can get a little stressful sometimes. I am trying hard not to let every little thing bother me. Walking 30-minutes a day with Leslie Sassoon (Walk Away the Pounds) has helped me to release this stress. When that doesn't work, I would grab my Ipod, get on my bike and cruise round the neighborhood for 45 minutes.

Besides having DH around the house more, there are a few modifications in our home. We are eating more fruits and vegetables. We have cut back the red meat. At all times, there is a bowl full of fruits in the fridge. I am trying hard to lose weight, lower my cholesterol and my blood pressure.

Our weekend is filled with The Inquisitor going to a birthday party. Minnie will tage along to keep the birthday boy's sister company. DH will work in his garden, and I will be preparing lesson plans for the upcoming week.

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  6 sheets phyllo dough (14 inches x9 inches)
  
  
  
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  1 package( 10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry.
  
  
  
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  2-1/2 cups (10 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
  
  
  
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  1-1/2 cups (6 ounces) shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese
  
  
  
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  1-1/2 cups (12 ounces) fat-free cottage cheese
  
  
  
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  4 eggs
  
  
  
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  1-1/2 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
  
  
  
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  3/4 teaspoon salt
  
  
  
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  6 egg whites
  
  
  
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  1-1/2 cups fat-free milk
  
  Directions:
  
  
  

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  For more recipes, go to My Recipe Box
  

With the busyness of chauferring the kids around all summer, trying to keep the house in order, preparing for upcoming school year, etc., no wonder I am stressed , and allowed the media to take control of me. Instead of saying " What can I do for you?" , I am asking "What can you do for me? Thank you Iris for reminding me what ministry is all about.

• I am thankful for my children, who has been very patient with me. I've been flip flopping with the school schedule. I planned too many activities for the upcoming school year and I don't know how I will manage to get our weekly schoolwork complete. Instead of calling home schooling, I am going to call it On-the-Road Schooling . 3 out of 5 days, we will be on taking speech & debate, biology, acting class, and computer science at different venues. One kid will have to do their school on location, while he/she waits for its sibling.
• Although dear son is one year from high school, he is taking high school courses. As a high school student in Florida, he has to declare a major. He wants to be a computer game designer. Although I have a background knowledge in computer science, I am not knowledgeable enough to teach him everything ( Windows was not around when I was in college). I am thankful for Mrs. Pumela, a teacher from Computer Explorers, who taught video game design to dear son and 15 boys. I am excited that she will teach the video game animation to the boys in the fall.
• While one child is into video game design, the other child is into acting. Dear daughter has been in church choir for 4 years. She was in it to tweak her acting ability, because I wasn't willing to pay high tuition fees for an acting class. I am thankful I have found a class with a reasonable tuition, and a Christian teacher. The kids will have two Christian-based plays a year is a plus.
• Dear husband and I have known each other for 21 years. We've been married for 17 years. I am thankful that our l0ve remains strong and firm. Having him around the house on a Tuesday morning was great. As we conversed in a calm & pleasant voice, I thought to myself how great it will be when he retires, which will be many, many years from now. Without a doubt, I can say to him "I love you more today than yesterday, but less than tomorrow".
• I am thankful for God's creations, whether big or small.

After being off for 3 months, it was hard to resume school on Monday. I wasn't in the mood to teach and the kids weren't in the mood to learn either. Nevertheless, we managed to cover one one subject each. However, we were down to business by Tuesday.