Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Interesting....

I got an email from a friend this morning..... very interesting!

READ THIS AND KEEP A CAN IN YOUR KITCHEN
Subject: WD-40

This could replace duct tape as America's #1 'fixit'!
Subject: WD-40
One Sunday morning I got up very early and went outside
to pickup the Sunday paper, when I noticed someone had
sprayed red paint all around the sides of my neighbours
Brand new beige truck. I went over and woke him up and
Gave him the bad news. He was, of course extremely upset
and we stood there trying to figure out what we could do
about the problem. We decided there wasn't much
recourse but to wait until Monday, since nothing was
open. Just then another neighbour came out of his house,
surveyed the situation and immediately said to get his
WD-40 out and clean the red paint off with it. Guess
what! It cleaned up that paint without harming the
original paint on the truck! I'm impressed!!
Water Displacement #40. The product began from a search for
a rust preventative solvent and degreaser to protect
missile parts. WD-40 was crea ted in 1953 by three
technicians at the San Diego Rocket Chemical Company. Its
name comes from the project that was to find a
'water displacement' compound. They were successful with
the fortieth formulation, thus WD-40. The Corvair Company
bought it in bulk to protect their Atlas Missile parts.
Ken East (one of the original founders) says there is
nothing in WD-40 that would hurt you...' IT IS MADE
FROM FISH OIL' . When you read the 'shower door'
part, try it. It's the first thing that has ever cleaned
that spotty shower door If yours is plastic, it works
just as well as glass. It is a miracle! Then try it on your
stovetop... It is now shinier than it has ever been before.
1) Protects silver from tarnishing.
2) Removes road tar and grime from cars.
3) Cleans and lubricates guitar strings.
4) Gives floors that `just-waxed` sheen without making it
slippery.
5) Keeps flies off cows.
6) Restores and cleans chalkboards.
7) Removes lipstick stains.
8) Loosens stubborn zippers.
9) Untangles jewellery chains.
10) Removes stains from stainless steel sinks.
11) Removes dirt and grime from the barbecue grill.
12) Keeps ceramic/terra cotta garden pots from oxidizing.
13) Removes tomato stains from clothing.
14) Keeps glass shower doors free of water spots.
15) Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors.
16) Keeps scissors working smoothly.
17) Lubricates noisy door hinges on vehicles and doors in
homes
18) It removes black scuff marks from the kitchen
floor! Open some windows if you have a lot of marks.
19) Bug guts will eat away the finish on your car.
Removed quickly, with WD-40!
20) Gives a children's play gym slide a shine for a
super fast slide.
21) Lubricates gear shift on lawn mowers.
22) Rids kids rocking chairs and swings of squeaky noises.
23) Lubricates tracks in sticking home windows and makes
them easier to open.
24) Spraying an umbrella stem makes it easier to open
and close.
25) Restores and cleans padded l eather dashboards in
vehicles, well as vinyl bumpers.
26) Restores and cleans roof racks on vehicles.
27) Lubricates and stops squeaks in electric fans.
28) Lubricates wheel sprockets on tricycles, wagons,
and bicycles for easy handling.
29) Lubricates fan belts on washers and dryers and keeps
them running smoothly.
30) Keeps rust from forming on saws and saw blades, and
other tools.
31) Removes splattered grease on stove.
32) Keeps bathroom mirror from fogging.
33) Lubricates prosthetic limbs.
34) Keeps pigeons off the balcony (they hate the smell).
35) Removes all traces of duct tape.
36) Folks even spray it on their arms, hands, and knees
to relieve arthritis pain
37) Florida 's favourite use 'Cleans and removes
love bugs from grills and bumpers.'
38) Protects the Statue of L iberty from the elements.
39) WD-40 attracts fish. Spray a LITTLE on live bait or lures
and you will be catching the big one in no time.
40) Ant bites. It takes the sting away immediately and
stops the itch.
41) WD-40 is great for removing crayon from walls. Spray on
the mark and wipe with a clean rag.
42) If you've washed and dried a tube of lipstick with
a load of laundry, saturate the lipstick spots
With WD-40 and Presto! Lipstick is gone!
43) If you spr ay WD-40 on the distributor cap, it will
displace the moisture and allow the car to start.
I keep a can of WD-40 in my kitchen cabinet over the
Stove. It is good for oven burns or any other type of
Burn. It takes the burned feeling away and heals with NO scarring.
Remember, the basic ingredient is FISH OIL.

Friday, September 26, 2008

Yipee!!! Free!!! Whhooohhoooo!!!

Goodness! Last night we went and picked up the curriculum that we were given..... can I just say WOW!!! Look at all this stuff .....


Math.... just about all we need to teach all middle school and high school.


Same with Science


Lots of Social Studies, Geography....


.....and History



English is all here too!


Plus all these wonderful disks, videos and ACT/SAT books!


But we think this is a treasure.... the entire set of Robison Self-Teaching Curriculum along with notebooks filled with printouts for it! Its for k-12!!!


Here it all is!!!



We are feeling so very blessed and truly feel that this is what the Lord is leading us to do. He has provided just as we were starting to wonder how we could homeschool Travis at a high school level with little invested..... God is so very good!!!

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Homeschool Memoirs ~ Summer Photos....







That was good mom!


yes, the books are unpacked and up!


Garden's doing great!


My hard working man!



Just a passing through!


Just stopped to "pray"

Ripely is such a good dog!

Playing in the yard.....

Wednesday's Word



1 Timothy 3:16 (ESV) Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.


How wonderful it is to be a child of God! To know that the essential truth to our way of life is that we have a Savior. Christ is God in the flesh, come down to become sin and to take our place once and for all for our sins. While He was among us here on Earth, He was ministered and watched by the hosts of Heaven.... His great sacrifice for our sins was justified by the Spirit.... men throughout history have boldly proclaimed His truths and many in the world have believed in the truth of His raising from the dead and ascending the throne to intercede for those that believe upon Him.


Matthew 13:11 (ESV) And he answered them, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Feeding a big family for less....



With the economy all in a mess.... the price of gas going up, up and up..... and rising cost of just about everything in general I thought I would share some of how I try to feed our big family for less. Well, last night I got out my ingredients and my calculator and fed all 6 of us.... along with my mom..... for about $8.

Here is my list of ingredients and their cost:

1 roll of sausage (found on sale) 99cents
1 pkg of dirty rice mix 99cents
1 can cream of celery soup 49cents
1 can cream of mushroom soup 49cents
1 sleeve saltine crackers 25cents
1 cup grated cheddar cheese 50cents (I get the block cheese and grate what I need)

3 cans of green beans 49cents each = $1.47

1 sleeve of graham crackers 50cents
1 pkg cream cheese (on sale) 99cents
4 oz of cool whip (found on sale) 50cents

tea bags to make a gallon of sweet tea 8cents
sugar for all of meal about 40cents

margarine
sour cream
vanilla

Total..............$7.65

I did not add in the price for the margarine,sour cream, or vanilla because I just keep those things all the time and the amounts were so small..... but you get the picture.....

I made a sausage and rice casserole ...... fry up the sausage cook up the rice mix... add the cooked & drained sausage to the rice mix. Then add the 2 cans of cream soups and mix well... put in a casserole dish and bake for about 20 minutes... take out and top with shredded cheddar cheese and crushed saltine crackers (I do mix the crushed crackers with a bit of margarine) and put back in the oven until cheese is melted and the cracker topping is golden.

Cook green beans for a side dish.

For drinks I made a gallon of sweet tea.

Dessert: No Bake Cheesecake

Crush graham crackers and mix with margarine for a crust.. push into a pie plate....

Mix cream cheese (room temp) and cool whip until smooth. Add about 1/2 cup of sugar, a tablespoonful of sour cream and a dash of vanilla flavoring and mix until smooth. Pour mixture into crust and chill before serving.


A very filling and satisfying meal!

Stretch those dollars!!!!

Updates..... and blessings!

After seeing our regular doctor yesterday we are in the midst of more tests. If nothing comes from the tests he is now doing for Travis he said he will send us to a lung specialist.

Travis also asked me yesterday to just go ahead and pull him out of school and homeschool him. He has missed so much time at school and is so far behind now that he is afraid that he will not be able to pass his courses for the semester. So, today I am writing a letter to the school and will be filling our his application to the umbrella school we are using for the girls.

I ran into a lady we used to attend church services with last week and we got to talking about me homeschooling (she homeschooled her girls) and she said that I was welcome to ALL of her supplies! Yes, all her years of curriculum! She said she was just going to go out and burn it.... ahhh! So, she is going to call me this week to let me know when the best day for us to come out and collect a treasure (to us anyway!).......yipeeee!

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Travis Update

Hello everyone. I just wanted to post that after a couple of test at the cardiologist yesterday, the doctor said that the problem is NOT Travis' heart. He said that Travis' heart was in perfect condition. Thank You, LORD!

However, now that has us back to nearly the same place we were in.... we just don't know what is causing Travis' chest pain. It has been a month now and the pain is still just as bad as when we started going to the doctor for a diagnosis. We will be talking with our regular doctor again on Monday to see where we go from here.

Thanks to all for prayers!

Thursday, September 18, 2008

I will be away for a few days...

With all that is going on with Travis and the news of a death in the family, I will not be on my blog for a few days.

Monday, September 15, 2008

A good day....

Wow! What a productive and good day today was..... we had great weather here.... a nice cool (yes Tina, cool) 74 degrees and so we decided to turn off the air and open all the windows for a good house airing ....... ahhhh, so nice!

As you can see here we moved the couch in the library to in front of the windows.... I put in a table for the girls to have a school room for now in the library..... it is working out pretty good.
Yes, that is shoestrings tying the curtains back for the air to get a good flow in.....



This afternoon I put a loaf of oatmeal bread in my bread machine... I got the recipe for the bread on Hillbilly Housewife. It was so good!


We did get lots done today... laundry, cleaning, and the girls did their school work. A good day!

A Give Away!

Dianne over at Majestic Mountains, Rolling Hills, Gentle Streams has posted her 100th post. To celebrate the occasion she is having a give-away! Go check her wonderful blog out and post a comment to put your name in the pot!

Such a fun weekend!

Well, as ya'll know my very bestest, most wonderful, just like a sister friend Denita came with her youngin's to spend the night Friday and to attend our Kids Rally on Saturday. We had so much fun! We sat up way too late giggling over just about anything.... showed each other how we fixed our hair (she has waaay thicker hair than mine) and just had an all around good time together!

Saturday's Kids Rally was the second annual event we have done at our congregation. We had a total of 175 attending and it was so much fun! Our theme this year was FISH and Josh our speaker was wonderful! From him the kids got a "first hand account" from Simon Peter. Although I did not get to watch (I was mostly running errands, helping in the kitchen, and running poor Denita ragged) but I know that the classes and the keynotes were videoed so I am looking forward to viewing it later. This was an event for our Youth Group to be involved in .... the Kids Rally is for K-6 graders. So our Youth Group (those that are 7th and up) help by being the counselors in charge of each group of kids. They were broke down by age/grade and we had a "team" of couselors for each age/grade group. Each counselor 'team' had a team leader that was in charge of making sure their group got to the different activities, classes, games, crafts and of course lunch on time. It was a full day for everyone!

Here are a few pictures of the day........


Registration.......


Some of our Counselors.....


Working in the kitchen.... (yes that's me piping the icing on)


Here is the finished project.... just too cute. One of our ladies made a batch of brownies in the shape of a fish for our theme.... then we in the kitchen could not resist decorating it!


Lunch Time!


Here are the littles playing their version of a balloon relay..... I think it ended up as a free for all...... but they were having fun!!!


Here is Jed drawing a fish "in the sea" .....



It was such a great day!

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Remember ....... and never forget.

I remember where I was this day 7 years ago... do you? If you are like most of us you do....you remember watching or listening to the scene over and over again for hours and days.... I did it with tears unashamed, clutching my loved ones tight and praying for all those lost and those left behind to hurt.....

I also remember the crying out to God that happened so greatly in the aftermath of the destruction. How all of a sudden the churches in the area were filled with people and all the talk you heard was how this country needed to find its roots and to turn back to God. Yet, over time I saw the dwindling numbers in the pews, the talk turned to grumbling over a war and then about the gas prices.....

I hope to never forget what happened on 9/11 and I hope never to forget what the promises of God mean to us as a country, and to me as a blood bought child of God.


2Corinthians 7:9-10 (ESV) As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.

Homeschooling .....its all new!




I know this post was really designed for those bloggers that have homeschooled before, but as a new homeschooler I wanted to share my feelings on the newness of it all..... each day finds us in new territory.... I have had the girls tell me time and time again.... "I don't like to do things that way" or "its easier for me to do it..." ...... so we are trying new things on an alomst weekly basis.... just this week we have changed around the daily subject routine to see if it works out better.....

I feel as if I'm on the Starship Enterprise and each new day brings new, exciting.... sometimes overwhelming new adventures! (Can you tell I'm a fan?) And for each new discovery.... (like finding a good science book to help my youngest out at the local bookstore for $3.50!) ...... takes us into a better perspective of where we want to be in our homeschooling journey. God has so blessed us in this adventure with our children. Each time I feel a bit overwhelmed ..... He steps in and provides just what I am looking for or needing. Even if its just a good friend that happens to be online at that moment when I desparately need to talk (and sometimes vent!) all of my worries and frustrations out to. A clearer picture is coming into focus .......

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Wednesday's Word


James 1:2-4 (ESV) Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

I have often looked at this verse... and quoted it many times, but today I was struck by one word I had really overlooked before.... when ... its right there ..... James tells us that we are to count it for joy when something comes along to test our faith.... not if it happens ..... not that it may happen ... but when it happens. He knew that we would face may different kinds of trials of faith. And he did not try to convey even what trials it may be ..... he knew that it would be different for each of us. For each of us will face a different testing of our faith in various ways...it may be poverty, temptation to sin, persecution or some sort of disaster ..... or it may not always be a direct approach... anything that may cause us to be tested in the fires of faith we should count it as a time to look at the larger picture about us and see just how God's hand is involved in our lives. For the Christian, a time of trials can be a joyous occasion to see us grow closer to God and to be more aligned with His will.

A quiet house....

I'm sitting here in a quiet house.... the rest of the family is still in bed. Eric, while not having a true migraine today, has been hurting all over for the last couple of days and this morning it is so severe he asked for one of his muscle relaxers and curled back up in the bed. Travis is feeling really bad again today...... when I went to see that he was out of bed and going and he was still in bed I just told him to get up and take his meds... he said it hurt to even just walk today... that every step jarred his chest. So after eating a muffin (he has to eat something with his meds) and taking his meds he is now back in the bed too...... So, I told the girls they could sleep in as well and well, they did not argue with me. Well, its just me up and going this morning..... I feel bad that Travis is missing so much school , but at the same time I don't want him to get worse if his body needs the rest..... his grades are good and he has a very good excuse for missing..... and I have already spoken to the principal and other school staff at the high school and they know what is going on with him.... so I think they do understand. I will be calling to let them know that he will be out again today and to ask if they can get his assignments gathered for me to pick up later in the day.

Last evening we got a call letting us know that one of our congregation had passed away. Later today I will go out (probably with Mia) and make sure the Christian Service Building is cleaned and set up because it is customary for the ladies of the congregation to feed the family. Then I will probably make a couple of loaves of bread and perhaps a casserole and a dessert. I will also check to see if there is anything else I can do to help out in any way.

Well, I'm off to get some things around here done since everyone is still in the bed.... I can get some laundry going, work in the kitchen and tidy up a bit..... I have company coming on Friday! Yippee! My bestest, most close as a sister friend, Denita (and her wonderful kiddos) is coming for a sleepover! heehee..... yes, grown-ups can have sleep overs too! She is bringing her young ones over so that they can attend our Kid's Rally this Saturday. I am sooo looking forward to a nice loooooonnnnngggg chat ...... I really miss seeing you on a daily basis girl!

I hope everyone has a good day today..... I will try and post my Homeschool and Wednesday's Word posts later in the day.......

Monday, September 08, 2008

Another Travis Update...

Well, since Travis was not feeling any better after a week of antibiotics we went back in to see the doc this morning as his nurse had advised us to do. Well, it looks that after a closer look at the EKG there is a blip on one of the lines ... suggesting the computer may have caught something.... so we are now off to see a cardiologist at Vanderbilt in Nashville. Just to rule things out..... so if ya'll can keep us in prayer we would greatly appreciate it.

Our Weekend...

A full and busy weekend it was!

Saturday was Travis' Birthday..... here is the sleepy guy now...




I wrapped his presents good! Boxes inside of boxes....






But he thought it was worth it.... a nice new MP3 player....



For dinner he decided he wanted lasagna and lemon cake....




Then Sunday our congregation had a Friends & Family Day with dinner after services and our Day School's Appreciation Day as well.... so I had made enough lasagna Saturday night I had 2 pans full..... one for Sunday Dinner! Mia made a Red Velvet cake and I had put on a pot of beans as well....

Then Sunday afternoon was our Devo in the Park...were we gathered at the Natchez Trace and had food, fun and an encouraging words from God's Word. Here are a few of the pictures from the afternoon....

Pretty huh?





Campfire to roast hot dogs and marshmallows, the creek for the kids to do some Crawdad hunting...

Crawdad's anyone?


And a good fun game of football....... couldn't resist David....heehee!


Saturday, September 06, 2008

Happy Birthday Travis!!!!!


Here is my big o'l country boy! (Love the work boots with the shorts ... don't ya'll?)

Goodness, its hard to believe that my journey into motherhood started so long ago. Travis turns 15 today! Where does the time fly?

Travis, you are so precious to me. Your thirst for life and your strength of character have often brought a smile of gladness to mine and your dad's hearts. Your outspokenness of your faith, your willingness to try new and sometimes difficult things, your loyalty to those you care about and your commitment to your choices are only a few of the wonderful things that make you so very special. We are so very proud of you.

(I know that this year's birthday is a not exactly going as you imagined because you are sick.... but hold on... you will get better soon. )

We hope you have a good day and that you enjoy your special day.

3John 1:4 (ESV) I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

Homeshcool Routine?..... well, it is getting there...




It has been such a blessing to read the different blogs and learn so much from ya'll.... I may not comment but I do read some.

Well, as I have stated ..... we are just beginning our journey.... so our routine is just in its beginning stages.... but so far this is what we are doing (most days and weeks)

Daily Routine:

6AM - Everyone up. (we do let Jed sleep in until he wakes) We all get up at the same time in the mornings.... this helps us in several different ways... Eric is NOT a morning person so this gives him just enough time to get up, get ready and leave for work. While he is getting ready I make his coffee and breakfast for him to take to work with him. The older kids all get up at the same time as well.... Travis (still in PS) leaves for school around 7ish and this gives the girls time to get morning chores done and to be ready to start the day on time with out any complaining that they are still sleepy.....

7-8:30AM Morning chores for the girls.... Time for God and me and time on the computer. If the girls get the chores done before this time they have the option of reading or going ahead and starting their lessons for the day. (Jed usually wakes during this time too... so I fix him something for breakfast and get him settled for the morning.) The girls fix their own breakfasts and Travis usually does as well... and then goes for a sausage biscuit at school too.... that boy sure does eat a lot!

8:30-9AM Get ready for lessons.... gather up the books, the girls usually need this last few minutes to get their heads together for lessons. And I use this time to make sure Jed is happy for a bit so that I can work with the girls for a bit to get them started for the day.

9-11:30AM Lessons .... during this time the girls decide what subject they want to do and when... I give them a list of things to accomplish for the day and they start.... I am really encouraging them to study on their own but at the same time letting them know that if they do not understand something I am here to help. I also use this time to get the next days lessons printed and to start lunch for Eric.

11:30-12:30PM LUNCH .... Eric comes home for lunch. I try to have it ready when he comes in the door because he only has a few minutes.... we all stop and enjoy watching an episode or 2 of Home Improvement (Tim Allen is so funny) during lunchtime.

12:30-2PM The girls finish with any lessons that are not done and then spend time reading or playing some educational games on their computers.... I spend this time with Jed and doing a few chores.

I try to have everything going for dinner (Eric likes and early dinner).... I don't always get this done and we may eat later... but I like to try....the girls use this as free time and help me when needed....


3-3:30PM Travis and Eric get home.... Travis at 3 and Eric around 3:30... this time is used to just get some last minute chores done and speak to Travis about his day....

3:30-4PM Finish dinner and eat.... most days....

After dinner we mostly just have free time ..... the dinner dishes get done and any left over chores not finished are done then the evening is free for what we want!

9-10PM Everyone is in the bed usually sometime before 10.

Weekly Routine:

I try to only have regular lessons Monday through Thursday with Friday being a special project or field trip day. We tend to take tests on Thursdays on stuff like Spelling/Vocab and English but sometimes if a lesson extends the test will be on another day....

On Tuesdays we go to the Library... we usually wait until Eric gets home from work so that I don't have to run after a 2 year old while I am looking for things to help with the girls homeschooling.

On the first Wednesday of the month we have a Teen Meal before services for a great time of fellowship... tonight we are having TACOS!

and then there are those days that I schedule something like a DEAR DAY if Eric is home with a migraine. Or if Travis does not have school I may re-arrange the girls day....

So , there you have it.... its a work in progress but so far it works most days!