• 2008-Aug-29 - card/mail tip
| Back when I used to mail out TONS of cards (and I will get back into the habit in the next 5 years!), I used a little trick to help me. I preferred to address several cards at once. So instead of having to remember exact dates for when to mail them, I would put the date of the event (bday, anniversary, etc) in the corner where hte stamp goes. That way it was hidden by the stamp when I put it on! It was just a time saver for me and I could keep the stack of cards in a handy place and ppl would get their cards on time.;) |
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• 2008-Aug-29 - Fast Friday!
We leave today. Please pray for this weekend! Tomorrow is the party for MIL and Sunday is hte POker Run and I'm really not lookign forward to going. But I kept getting this feeling to buy a bottle of wine at Walmart yesterday (GO ARBOR MIST BERRY!LOL) and really didn't know why. As I sit here typing, I realize that I"ll need it for the Poker Run!ROTFL! Anyway, I got everything done last night, laundry is almost done this am, Mat decided to be an angel and has almost all of his school done (YES IT"S 9AM!LOL), Joey's not seemign to be too much of a dolt about doing school AND they named this dumped, tamed kitten Rockstar.;) He's adorable. I haven't felt affection for ANY cat (or animal really) since Mikey's been gone, but this little kitty is ADORABLE! He's allowed inside, but will not be an inside cat.
I also got some cards addressed and worked out. I need to get cracking on packing. I went to bed after watching Obama give his speech so I was up later than normal.;)
Update: Joey IS done w/school! ANd now I must get the veggie dips made! |
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• 2008-Aug-28 - The tooth is GONE!
Today was decent. FIL is having a party for MIL (she's been gone 1 yr) and there was finally some communication. I just hate feeling like we contribute nothing..... so at any rate, I offered dips cuz I have TONS of htem in my larder. So I bought three 16 oz sour cream for those and we needed a dessert so I had a dip (ROTFL!) and bought three 8oz cream cheese for those. Then SIL mentioned buyign zucchini bread and I emailed her htat I have some so there are 2 of those in the oven. The dessert dip is done, too, so I just have to whip up the veggie/chip dip in the morning. We're also taking our cukes to slice and eat and DH brought home about 1/2 gallon of cherry tomatoes from a work function. My OOP today was $12 maybe? .99 for sour cream 1.09 for cream cheese, $5 for those 'stick' crackers (for the dessert dip) and .99 for nilla wafers. We also got Mat's hair cut. FABULOUS! I love when we get a good cut! Then we bowled for free for the last time. I did walk out of Walmart (on the way to the car) and remembered that we forgot Mat's melatonin so we put those bags in and went back in!LOL I also spent less than $20 on my nephew's 1st bday gift--bandaids, neo-to-go, toys, tossable toddler silverware, and some finger foods. I was trying to get consumables cuz he's got tons of toys and I know she'd appreciate the other stuff more.;)
Unfortunately, I was gone ALL AFTERNOON!LOL Oh and at the beauty college, I pulled JOey's tooth out! I just took his 'tooth' pics and it was sticking out vertically (LOL!) and I knew if he'd let me get my fingernail behind it, it'd be gone and it was! No pain! So the tooth fairy will loose some money tonight.;) But at least the tooth fairy can deal w/that HERE and not at the ILs!LOL |
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• Thursday, August 28, 2008 - Homeschool Memoirs weekly part 2.

This assignment is sharing our plans for the hs year.
Here in New Zealand our school year begins early February and ends December for summer holidays.
I believe in school everyday - I think it is too easy to not to do school - so very rare that we have time off - we also start in January before schools go back - this gives up a few weeks up our sleeve for life - eg like sickness & sewage pump break downs. I like Charlotte Mason style for learning & pretty much use a similar style to this plan.
Abbey (just 15)
Math - the biggest struggle this year - mathusee Algebra 1 just didn't work - too dry I feel mean saying this on blog as I really like mathusee & it has worked up till now. We have switched to NZ Maths with the plan to do NZ maths via correspondence school next year to get NZ NCEA qualification.
Accounting We own a cattery so Abbey has her own real life shop selling to new owners - lots of hands on learning & suing MYOB accounting software. She also runs her own cashbook for clothing allowance & pocket money. We also play Cashflow game - good lessons in that game!
Science Apologia Biology - highly recommend Apologia! We use Donna Young's schedule - it works well for us.
Unit Study Where the brook & river meet. - Covers geography, history & English - really enjoying this study.
English - Write shop & IEW - I prefer Write shop as it has lesson plans for mums - I let IEW slip often so much easier for me to just have the plans there & I adapt them to suit unit study writing assignments. But I like the dvd's form IEW as I am a visual learner - so I think you need both grin
Spelling The Essential Spelling book by Fred J Schonell & Spelling Power
Drivers licence - can you believe it she can learn to drive - she is just waiting for cold symptoms to leave & then we will get her licence as you need a photo taken & that stays with you for a few years. She is meant to do 2 hours a week driving for 6 months
Sport Bowling & walking
Life Skills embroidery, quilting, knitting, cooking & next thing to learn is smocking. Has a herb garden & flower garden
James (just 12)
Science Apologia Zoology - land animals ( A lovely curriculum)
Geography & History - Story of the world vol 3 Early modern times
Maths - using a Business unit from Simply Charlotte Mason - just begun & I am pleased with it. Also plays Cashflow & runs his own clothing budget & pocket money account.
English we use write shop for writing & IEW like Abbey - But also do Progeny Press units.
Spelling same Abbey - above just different level.
Sport bowling, walking, bike riding, cateboard - he is very much an out door boy.
Life Skills James is learning to cook meals he can eat - allergy free. Does many job around home - stack firewood, light fire each night, tend to chickens & sheep and he is a keen vegetable gardener. He also didn't want to be out done in skill level by his sister & learnt to cross stitch (he disliked this - nearly has it completed & quilting - he is a whizz on th sewing machine - peddle flat to the floor & would say look mum no hands & do a really grand job! - Nearly finished we just work on it when in the mood.
Our kids do a lot around the home, farm & cattery - Brent & I are not big fans of TV, computer games or X box. I believe kids get great satisfaction from contributing to the family chores - it takes time to train them up - remember I've been doing this for 11 years - sharing with them how to put cleaner over house - yes sometimes when they are learning a new skill they don't do it as well as I would - but next time they put the cleaner over I try to remind them to move the mat etc - and so what if it is not perfect they have tried & done it with a willing heart - it doesn't take too long & they are doing it as good as or if not better than you. |
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• Thursday, August 28, 2008 - Homeschool Memoirs weekly part 1.
Posted By The Good Life

I'm a bit late playing - last weeks assignment was to share all about you.
Hmm well most of that is on this blog GRIN.
We are into our 11th year of home schooling - wow that has gone fast!
I never dreamed I'd be a stay at home mum - let alone a homeschooling one - life had other plans for our family.
And I am pleased - the life style is awesome & I think home schooling has made us a closer family
We began our journey with Five in A Row - Jane & Steve Lambert really heard my cry for OH My goodness I can't do this! And they tucked me under their wing as they have helped many home schoolers on the journey. I worked on the FIAR boards & met some awesome folks from around the world.
Meet our family
James, Leanne, Brent & Abbey (Photo taken 2006 so a tad old but one of my favourites) |
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• Thursday, August 28, 2008 - Wee small hours
Here I am awake in the wee small hours, chest infection is starting to break & I don't want to be coughing keeping Brent awake - so I'll have a nana nap this afternoon.
Thursday was a fine day
Sheets got changed & Brent helped me hang them on th line - oh lungs are soo useful - I hate being so breathless & have to potter & rest. But I am listening to my body - promise I am!
Kids did cattery for me - thankfully kittens haven't been making too big a mess from their play for the kids. Abbey took Caro who is on call for a walk on the cat lead - she loves it!
Brent took his book out to cattery outside run & sat among the 3 girls Rosemary sat on his shoulder, Cinders & Caro on his lap - wish I had taken photo to share - it's odd seeing Brent rest, but I am thankful he is also listening to his body - this flu is a nasty one to knock Brent so!
I smiled at the neighbours cat sitting under the dove cote - better not let Mack catch you on property
James was sure I was way too sick to do school - he tried to tell me to just rest GRIN.
We began his new Charlotte Mason business maths & it is soo refreshing - to do - James enjoyed it as far as maths went & I loved seeing his creative side come out of running a small business, he put policies in place for if he ran out of stock - or if a competitor was cheaper - made me smile & once again thankful that I am so lucky to be part of his education.
We then did spelling & yes I was puffed out.
Abbey worked on her own & got a science test done & some writing - then most of her day was life skills, cattery, she even ran cleaner over the house - ahh nice! She cooked up a storm again - making tacos for dinner & gingerbread for the tins - plus a sorbet for James.
I missed out on going to a home school evening - I felt stink as they had delayed it last week for me due to Abbey's birthday & I couldn't attend & then I still couldn't go - but best not to share goobies with them.
James was very successful at out witting Geraldine the goose - she has been sitting on her unfertile eggs (unless she visited some neighbours gander down the road at night). Geese are excellent guard geese - I respect them highly! And a goose with eggs - James was a very brave lad! - He did admit he didn't like those sharp teeth he saw.
He successfully took 4 of her eggs & placed 4 fertile hens eggs under her as he felt sorry for all her hard work of sitting & no gain. But after sleeping on it I think he had best take the hens eggs out today - it could end in tears. We have many pukeko's at our place and they do eat chicks by pulling them apart & we have Hawkes so not being in a cage might just end in tears - of course there is the BIG chance that Geraldine Goose may be a bit big & heavy or not even accept them if born.
Rear are goose eggs, brown eggs are hens.
Interestingly the goose eggs weigh 6 3/4 oz (205 grams) & the hens egg weighs 2 1/2 oz (65grams) 65 grams is the birth weight of some kittens.
James & I will water test for freshness of goose eggs today buy filling a big bowl with water - placing the egg in - if fresh it will sink to the bottom - if an egg floats to the top it shouldn't be eaten. Well it works for hens eggs - wonder if it will for such a big goose egg.
Other way to try is crack it open onto a flat plate - not a bowl. The yolk of a fresh egg will be round & compact & sit quite high up on the egg, the white will be thick & stay close to the yolk. A less fresh egg's yolk will often break easily & will have a thin white that spreads over the plate.
Of course a rotten egg is usually lightish in weight & stinks!
Fresh eggs can be kept in fridge for 3-4 weeks.
Goose omelet on the menu for Brent today. |
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• 2008-Aug-28 - much ado about nothing
Yesterday was an awesome lazy day! I dusted and cleaned the bathrooms and made chicken stock and was lazy.;)
Today tho......... I need to get moving. I've mopped, worked out and vacuumed. The frig is in decent shape and the only load should be done soon so I can hang it out. Then I can shower nad hopefully Joey will have school done by then. He's been drawing things out lately.......... This afternoon, Mat's getting a haircut. I wasn't thinking about it, but it looks bad and I'm sure DH will want it looking halfway decent for the party. We're also doing our last free bowling and I need to stop by the bulk food store and get a couple of things for us and one for pgSIL. I should also come up w/a bday gift for her almost 1yo. I need to ransack the basement and see what we've got in the gift stash. I can toss in some finger/baby foods, too. |
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• Wednesday, August 27, 2008 - Wednesday
Not much happening around here - all resting & getting well.
A friend took kids to bowling for me.
I'm using my time to sit & stitch - working on a new cross stitch - I think I forgot to say my other one is finished. 2008 has been a good year for finishing projects.
Abbey & Brent went to homeopath he was also very kind & didn't charge for both (our Dr did this for us this week too) awesome people! Herbal shop mut of rubbed their hands together at list from homeopath - I will go & see Chris when I am well as I know steroids do a lot of damage to your body - but when chest infection & asthma I don't muck about - being in hospital with asthma is no fun! -last time I was exposed to TB from a patient in same room - charming!
Abbey has been cooking up a storm keeping us well fed.
James keeps the fire going & deck loaded with wood.
Kids & Brent have done cattery for me.I am looking forward to being up & about soon - must be getting better aye.
Nice sunny today today - see if me lungs will cope with a little potter in garden. My seedlings of NZ spinach & broccoli need to be in the ground.
Have a good day.
PS I've pulled out of my study - lots of things have shown me that my life is no longer going to be a corporate world again - I am pleased that has been sorted for me. - The study has just added stress to my days - I am busy enough with home, cattery & home schooling kids & my focus I really want to be is on home schooling - I want to end with knowing I have done my very best for the kids.
Funny how paths come along life & doors get firmly shut - I wonder what will be my new door to open. |
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• 2008-Aug-26 - Saw my high school english teacher!
I got ALL the errands run today! WE missed DH cuz HE NEVER CALLED ME! He was going to give hte boys a ride in the terragator, but it didn't work out obviously!LOL Joey picked out CARS fabric for his tooth fairy pillow (which I need to get cracking on!). I was slightly panicked at the BMV cuz she was telling me that something was wrong w/Joey's social!!!!!!! Turns out their system just wouldn't allow them to run 2 state IDs at the same time, WHEW! But Mat WOULD NOT SIGN HIS NAME! Oh he tried, wrote too big, cleared it, tried again and did something else and tried a 3rd time and it timed him out!ROTFL! The next time, he got up to the last name and the lady had suggested twice that I sign so I took the pen and did it. She treated him like a baby for some reason. She even asked if HE COULD READ! She double checked all of his answer w/me (Um, HE KNOWS HIS HAIR AND EYE COLOR!). But then for Joey, she either caught on that I was letting THEM do this or she thinks that he's just brilliant cuz it was a totally different 'tude! She went thru ht/wt/hair & eye color and then asked Joey if he was a male. He said Yes (but in his long, elaborate way) and she BURST OUT LAUGHING! She apologized for not being able to keep a straight face. I didn't care. Joey's picture has a lot to be desired, but oh well. Then at Walmart (I was trying to hurry to meet DH) I LEFT MY BAG IN THE STORE! I figured it out before I got out of the parking lot at least. Since Dh said it was still busy and no food, I was glad that I brought the free personal pan coupons and free ice cream cone coupons from the summer reading program.
While at the ice cream place, I ran into my high school english teacher! She lives in that town, but I've only seen her once (and not in that town!LOL) and I went over and chatted. She finally remembered my name and it was funny cuz she yelled it out hte second she remembered it!LOL But I told her that our 20th reunion is coming up soon adn we caught up on ppl and things. I wanted sooooooooooooooo badly to ask if I could take her pic to show everyone, but I figured she would think I was nuttier than she already did so I didn't!LOL
Then to the grocery adn home. Mat's make his soup for supper. |
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• 2008-Aug-26 - Town day!
Not much doing here. I'm slaving driving the boys to get school done. I've worked out and showered and got stuff by the back door to load in the van. Ineed to get Linda's mailing addy to ship her the box of clothes. I'll be glad to get that out of hte house!
Then we're off, Walmart for a tooth fairy pillow material since Joey's got his first loose tooth (and Chris needs razors), the library, the license branch, drop off hte apples to my friend, drop off the recycling, cash in the boys free ice cream cone coupons and then meeting DH somewhere for a terragator drive and ride. I have no idea and he didn't promise food so I'm not very optimistic. Got to get to the grocery too. |
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