Memorial Day Weekend

The weekend is uneventful thus far.  I got a lot of organizing done and the kids started homeschool today (Sunday).  Overall, the day was just kind of "there".  Cool weather and relative peace.  Can't beat that !  I hope that my readers had a nice, peaceful holiday as well.

[ I'll be posting some new pictures soon. ]

Strangely Peaceful

     This afternoon, my husband got the "official word".  His job ends on September 17th.  After being emotionally jerked-around for 8 months, I'm almost relieved. 

How Did a Whole Year Go By?

    No Good Excuses

     Well, somehow it happened.  An entire year has passed since I last posted on this blog.  I had every intention of being a "good-little blogger" and keeping up with my posts.  So many crazy things have happened over the past year!  I've let so many things bother me......I feel as if I've cheated myself out of the last 10 months or so.  Ever have a period of time like that? You let so much JUNK jam up your life that you end up being completely unproductive ( or nearly so) ? 


     The Biggest Booger

     Of all the "jazz" that I've let keep me from getting productive things done, the most distracting is the status of my husband's JOB.  Ever since last December (2009), he's been about to be layed-off.  In Dec., the job was ending in February. In February, the job was ending in May, and so on and so on.  In addition to the normal stress that this situation can cause, he has taken a certain pleasure in threatening a move to the most distasteful locations.  Once, when a move was theoretically emminent, I got rid of much of our furniture. (There was no relocation funds available.) My kids sacrificed many of their things to a yard sale.  My house became an empty, impersonal, sale-pending kind of place.  It was horrible, especially when the move fell through....never again.

     My Resolution

     While my husband's job status is still "up-in-the-air", I've decided to emotionally move back into the house that I never physically left.  As I look back, I see a situation that I allowed to completely throw me off.  I allowed myself to lose my focus and my priorities....DRAT!  No more. Enough is enough. 

     I Am Back

     Well guys, an "I'm sorry" goes out to all of you that visited my vacant blog.  I'm back; my homeschooling, gardening, chicken raising, organizing, home business managing self.  I hope you'll stop by and read what's going on. I promise to stop by your blogs. I'm participating in my life again. 
  

SAXON 54 Math Review

Need a Math Book for Your Child ?


My youngest son is using SAXON 54 for math this year.
Although it hasn't been the "right" math curriculum for every one of my children (I have 6.), it's the best choice for him.








* Hardcover text
* Comes with test booklet
* Lessons begin with an oral exercise
* Each lesson incorporates exercises from previous lessons

Pros

+ This text is reusuable and has good resale value

+ Gives students both oral ( "mental math") and written exercises

+ This curriculum does not move too quickly and is great for a student who needs to move at a more moderate pace.

( Multiplication starts in Lesson 33 )

+ Previous lessons are incorporated in subsequent lessons which is great for the student's retention.

Cons

- This book would not be best for a student who needs a write-                                                                in style workbook.

                                                               

If You Don't Like the Weather in PA...Stick Around...It'll Change !!

                                                           

  We've already had a tornado this summer.  We were without electricity for 36 hours.  As Megan is pointing out, something is rolling in !  This gives you a view of part of our back yard and the development  in the distance.  We have 2 1/2 acres which is not huge but certainly big enough to have a garden, an orchard and some chickens.

Our Baby Chicks Arrived !!

Our baby chick order came in yesterday.  We were all very excited to get them set up.  We've always had chickens but last spring our neighbor's dog got into the coop and killed every last one we had.  Anyway, this bunch will stay in our basement until they "feather-up" a bit and can stay outside. 

We started our homeschooling this week.

I really like this photo of Meg. I found her in our library studying while wearing her favorite hat.

I'm looking forward to another great "school year".

To all of you who are thinking of homeschooling...it's worth it! It can be difficult at times but anything worth doing ususally is. Thank God we live in a country where homeschooling is allowed.