Day Book

Outside my window... It's definitely spring! It's mostly cloudy but I do see the wonderful sun trying to peek through.



I am thinking... How I miss my husband when he is called in to work.
I am thankful for... For my health. I have finally gotten over the sluggish feeling that has been lingering, over the last couple of weeks.
From the learning rooms... We are finished for the summer. Yes, we are one of those families that use a traditional school calendar. I have thought about going with a year round calendar, so Monkey can get ahead sooner. But I just can't do that knowing there is about a 50% chance that I could go back to teaching. I just don't want him to have to repeat material for a year.
From the kitchen... Something simple! Peas and cornbread for supper tonight.
I am creating... A new recipe website. I'm also cutting out a couple of skirts today. Yeah, I know! I've been talking about how I need to work on these for several weeks.  Since all of our school work is finished and packed away, I can now see me working on these without any worries.
I am reading... I finally finished the Troublesome Creek book last night. I'll be writing a review on it later.
I am praying... That the Lord will give me direction in making a decision.
I am hearing... The wonderful songs of the little birds outside the door.
Around the house... I worked all weekend, to make sure everything was in its place, wiped down, disinfected, dusted and vacuumed. I am able to enjoy a couple of days of sewing.
A few plans for the rest of the week... Other than Church on Wednesday night, I don't see anything actually having to be done away from home, hopefully.

Daybook

Outside my window... is a partly cloudy day. The wind is blowing some rain clouds in. We have a chance of rain, today. Hopefully, we'll get it.



I am thinking... about how Monkey has been given the opportunity to "dog sit" my Father's little Chiweenie. Spike is going through a grieving period because of being left with us. He is very attached to my Dad.
I am thankful for... feeling better! I still get extremely tired during the day. Hopefully, this won't last much longer.
From the learning rooms... we have finished up our Language Arts, Math and Science. We are working on our State Notebook and have a field trip to the State Capitol and to the Etowah Indian Mounds planned to help finish up days on our calendar.
From the kitchen... I've been busy today. For supper tonight we are having Sweet & Spicy Mustard Chicken, Fried Squash, Green Beans, Potato Salad and Deviled Eggs.  I told you I've been busy.
I am creating... I'm still not in the creative  mood. I have all the fabric that needs to be made into skirts laid out so the wrinkle will fall out of it. Hopefully, I can get started on it ~soon.
I am reading... Troublesome Creek by Jan Watson.  I haven't made up my mind on this one, yet.
I am praying... for the churches that are supporting us.  So far, we've not had any to drop us to due to financial problems. We did hear how the Lord has blessed the very first church to take us on for support. They have been able to obtain property and are getting ready to build. This little church is only about 5 years old. I'm also praying for the churches that we are going to be visiting, that they will see the need for church planting in Montana.
I am hearing... Monkey coaxing  Spike out of his bed to eat. Poor little thing hasn't eaten all day. Hopefully, he'll start back soon, since this is a "trait" that these types of dogs have.
Around the house... I have my laundry sorted and ready to wash, tomorrow. I may even start on it later tonight.
A few plans for the rest of the week... We are suppose to go tomorrow to the Capitol.  But, if my husband is called into work ( like today) then we will have to bump it back a day or two.

Grocery Savings

Yesterday, I went to the grocery store.

My cabinets were beginning to look like "Old Mother Hubbard's." I have not bought groceries in quite a while now. I have been trying to cook up all that I had to help keep some costs down.  I think the only thing, that I have bought since my last shopping trip was eggs, milk, sugar and yeast.


I shopped at Publix and at Ingles.  I'm doing all that I can to stay away from Walmart.  Even Ingles is beginning to do what they can to keep you from saving money. I noticed that about the cheese that I had bought, which was suppose to be on sale.

Here's the low down of what I bought and spent. I didn't do too well this week, due to the lack of items we normally use that were not on sale. ;) Also, you'll notice that there are a few items that would be considered splurges like the ice cream and Coke.

Publix:

Post Honey Bunches of Oats (2) B1G1 $3.99
Ragu Spaghetti Sauce (2) B1G1 $2.19
Barilla Pasta (2) B1G1 $1.39
Lay's Potato Chips (2) B1G1 $3.99
Pop Secret Popcorn (2) B1G1 $4.69
Fat Boy Ice Cream Sandwiches (2) B1G1 $3.99
Peter Pan Peanut Butter (2) B1G1 $2.47
Sarah Lee Bread (2) B1G1 $2.59 ~ 1.00 coupon
Heinz Ketchup (1) $2.19
Publix Ketchup (1) $
1.59~free when purchase Heinz
Country Crock Spreadable Butter (1) $2.29
Black Top Boneless salmon (1)$1.99
Coca Colas (3) $3.58 Buy 2 get 1 free
Pork Chops (4lbs) $5.99
Yoplait Yogurt (20) $7.40 (20 for $10.00) ~ (2) .40 cent coupons, (1) .50 cent coupons double for $2.60

Total: $48.74 Savings: $36.30 Coupons: $3.60

Ingles~

Doritos (1) $1.98
Kraft Cheeses (3)$6.62
Milk (1) $1.99
Land of Flakes Smoked Turkey Breast (1) $2.98 ~(1)$ 1.00 coupon
Tyson Chicken Breast (3lbs) $3.98
Ground Meat (3lbs) $5.73

Total: $24.00 Savings: $11.96 Coupons: $1.00

Grand Total: $72.72 Savings:$48.26 Coupons: $4.60

Daybook

Outside my window... The sun has set and the chirping birds have snuggled in for a restful sleep.
I am thinking... How I need to get moving. I've not been well for almost 2 weeks and things have begun to slide.


I am thankful for... Answered prayer! The Lord provided 2 of the 3 jobs that needed to be done on our car. We've also been taken on for support by another church, last Wednesday night.
From the learning rooms... We are in the final stage of this school year. We finished up our Language book, today. Monkey will take the final test, tomorrow. There is still some Bible, Science, Spelling and Math. Hopefully, next week it will all be finished.
From the kitchen... Being sick this past week, I've not been too creative in my cooking. I do have a couple of ideas for this week.
I am creating... Nothing right now. Tomorrow, I'll be starting my black skirt.
I am reading... I have to go to the library and pick up a couple of books that are on hold.
I am praying... For a couple of needs to be met.
I am hearing... The t.v.
Around the house... Nothing much has happened around the house. Since I'm feeling a little better, I'll be putting more into cleaning tomorrow.
One of my favorite things... Rain drops on the petals of roses.
A few plans for the rest of the week... A trip to the library and then Church on Wednesday night.

Friendship for Grown - Ups

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Friendship for Grown-Ups

When Whelchel was a child star on the TV show Facts of Life, meaningful relationships eluded her. How was she able to enjoy fulfilling friendships in adulthood? In this candid account, she shares how she learned to trust, risk pain, and reach out to others. Her honest insights will help you form deeper bonds.

My Thoughts:

I have seen several books written by Lisa Whelchel, I just never read any of them. I was interested in the title and what the author had to say about friendships since I am not a people - person. The book is an easy read.

Lisa tells about her own “friendship” experiences and how she kept walls built up around her, so she would not be hurt by other people. She spent years worrying about how others thought of her. This is something that a lot of women deal with. There is whole-heart honesty in the book. Something most people would not admit to.

I would love to be able give this 5 stars, but I can’t. I felt that the book was a little dry for my liking.

**I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Friendship for Grown-Ups: What I Missed and Learned Along the Way - eBook By Lisa Whelchel / Thomas Nelson When Whelchel was a child star on the TV show Facts of Life, meaningful relationships eluded her. How was she able to enjoy fulfilling friendships in adulthood? In this candid account, she shares how she learned to trust, risk pain, and reach out to others. Her honest insights will help you form deeper bonds. Hardcover; A Focus on the Family Recommendation.

The Gathering Begins

I love spring! I love home educating my son even better. With spring, comes the work that I so enjoy ~ the gathering of materials for the coming fall.


For the past couple of weeks, I have been looking through the homeschool catalogs that have come in the mail. I’ve spent many hours looking online at different curricula and exciting new things to add to our home school shelves. I have loved this exciting time ever since I started home educating my son.

You can read what I chose to use for this school year HERE.

This year, I am not making too many changes for the up coming year. I am making a change in the History. What I started out with this year ended up being a mess. I found at the Goodwill store a public school United States History book. Since we were already trying to study US History, this turned out to be a good find. We are almost finished with the US history and getting ready to study more about Georgia’s history. For our Spelling, we will not be finishing the Vocabulary book we started this year, so I’ll be able to carry over the book into next year along with words from our Bible, History and Science lessons. I’ll also have to carry over our Bible curriculum. Being on the traveling road, our Bible curriculum was replaced with some daily devotionals. Once we are finished with this book, I’ll order the next book.

Here is what our up coming curriculum looks like. I’m 90% sure that this is set in stone. But then there is that 10% that is still up in the air.

Bible- Building Life Castles and Possessing the Land from Positive Action for Christ.

Math – ACE (School of Tomorrow)

Spelling/Vocabulary- Wordly Wise 3000

Language/Grammar- Language B ~Abeka

Science- Human Anatomy and Physiology by Apologia

History – The Mystery of History Volume 1

Geography – Hands on Geography

Reading – Classic from the Library

Penmanship – Practice Books ~ Handwriting

Copywork – Character Pack ~ The Whole Word Publishing

I’ll be adding Calligraphy and Typing (I’m researching a couple of different software at this time) along with our Sign Language.

For those of you home educators who stop by for a visit, I’d love to know what you are using or planning on using. I love hearing all the pros and cons of different things. The sharing of your home educating secrets ~ I love to know more. It’s kinda like a recipe swap don’t ya think?

Generous Women: An Appreciation a Review

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Generous Women: An Appreciation

Generous Women is about the women who have given so much much of themselves to the man I am today," writes Earl Hamner. This fond appreciation is a warm thank-you for gifts freely given and a reminder that, truly, no man is an island unto himself.

My Thoughts:

When I came across Generous Women: An Appreciation on our library’s website search page, I was intrigued. 

Being a fan of The Waltons and Spencer’s Mountain, I knew who the author was, but had never read any of his work. So I thought, “Why not?”

This book is written about all the women that had a hand in his life whether it be on a personal or business level. He starts with his own Mother and ends with his daughter. The many women in between are some who are well known and some who were “behind” the scenes in his life.

The gift the author has at putting his thoughts, feelings and emotions on paper is amazing. He makes you feel that you have lived through the experience that he is writing about. To learn a little about the life of the man who created the character of John-Boy is fascinating, because the life we see in John- Boy is very much like the life that Earl Hamner lived. For example, Hamner thought he could pay his way to Heaven when he was a young boy.

This is a book that is well worth the time.


If you read or have read the book, let me know what you think.

A Promise For Spring a Review

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A Promise for Spring

England-born Emmaline Bradford pledged her life to Geoffrey Garrett and then bid him farewell when he sailed to America. Although Geoffrey anticipated only a short separation, several years passed before he was able to send for Emmaline. By then the fiery flame of her youthful love had all but died. Shocked by the conditions on Geoffrey's Kansas sheep ranch, Emmaline wishes to return to England immediately. Geoffrey offers a compromise: If Emmaline promises to stay until spring, he'll pay her return fare if she decides to go back to her home country. When spring arrives, will Emmaline return to England, or will she marry Geoffrey and carve out a life with him in Kansas?

My Thoughts:

Kim Vogel Sawyer is a new to me author. I try to keep an open mind while reading a new to me author’s work. Boy, I could not put A Promise For Spring down. Every chance I got, I was reading this book. I even found my self reading in the kitchen while waiting for a casserole to come out of the oven. How funny is that!

While reading this, I was ready to pay for the return trip back to England. Poor Emmaline! She had been raised as an indoor girl. Learning how to care for a home in the west was something that she did not bargain for.  Poor Geoffrey! He did not realize that Emmaline had forgot who he really was, since she was several years younger and he left while she was young. I can’t imagine trying to make a marriage work when there is only a one sided love.

I don’t like a mushy romance book and this is not one. Both of the main characters are written to show their imperfections. This book was fun to read. I was not disappointed and I don’t think you with be either.

A Promise for Spring By Kim Vogel Sawyer / Bethany House England-born Emmaline Bradford pledged her life to Geoffrey Garrett and then bid him farewell when he sailed to America. Although Geoffrey anticipated only a short separation, several years passed before he was able to send for Emmaline. By then the fiery flame of her youthful love had all but died. Shocked by the conditions on Geoffrey's Kansas sheep ranch, Emmaline wishes to return to England immediately. Geoffrey offers a compromise: If Emmaline promises to stay until spring, he'll pay her return fare if she decides to go back to her home country. When spring arrives, will Emmaline return to England, or will she marry Geoffrey and carve out a life with him in Kansas?