Things to do

Well, my creative juices have not been flowing lately. The credit system is working, but had to be tweaked a bit. I am behind on laundry. A mound sits on my couch waiting for my attention. Perhaps I'll pop in a movie and get 'er done.

Anyway, we do not school on Friday's. I like to get the house in order. We get the cleaning done, meals prepared for the weekend so Mom can have a break too, and just take a break. But, recently I was thinking. I need more for the kids to do on this "break" day than sit and play the Wii or computer. So, I went over to my friend Michele's blog (smile-wink-knod) and found a crafty website. The Crafty Crow (also linked to in the side bar) is chuck full of fun things to do with your kids. With Valentines Day coming up, what do you have planned for the kids to do? Make some simple cards, felt cookies, or some love in a heart for the birds? We will now be using our Fridays not only to get the work done, but to get creative too. How about you?

Barbie meets Star Wars!

So, how does a lazy homeschool mother with a 10yr old, 5yr old and 1yr old get everything done and get the kids to help? We use what interrests the kids most.

For Hunter, Star Wars. He is a Star Wars fanatic. He knows everyones name. Even those that do not appear in the movies. He has read tons of books and watched the movies; played games and role played. Star Wars is it for him!

For Shiloh, Barbie. She almost eats, sleeps and breaths Barbie. We have several Barbie movies, toys and games. She even pretends to be Barbie. (She is so petite she can get away with it!)

Well, I made a list of things I think they should help with and some things they can pay for. We are now using Barbie Bucks and Republic Credits (for those of you who don't know, credits are how they pay for things in Star Wars!). This excited the children so much.

We made credit cards for them. I put some pictures on cardboard and laminated them. We can wipe off and change the balance as needed. I use a large white board in the den, too, in case the credit cards get smudged. Also to keep a running tally of what they have done.

We used large, non-whole, numbers. This way Hunter can use them for math and Shiloh is using them to learn her numbers better.

They earn Bucks and Credits for the following things(I will list just a few): Doing their school work, bonus for finishing before noon, cleaning up after themselves, keeping their room clean, and doing chores. Then they use their Bucks and Credits to pay for things like Wii time, Computer time, and access to toys (they pay by the hour). They get points deducted for complaining and excessive fighting.

We started this yesterday and it worked like a charm. We will use it until it does not work anymore. I am enjoying help keeping the house clean and not having to argue to get everything done.

It gives us more time to do fun stuff! We play a lot more!

A Friend

Well, we all have friends. Some of us have many friends. I have many people that I call friend that are more than aquaintances, but not quite true friend. You know what I mean. People that you talk to when you see them, but do not call on the phone to see how they are doing and visa versa. People that you don't think about too often during your time away from them.





Then there are true friends. Friends that you can talk to anytime. Friends that call you to find out how you are. Friends that you think about and call to see how they are. Friends that you can call on when you need help no matter how big or small.



See, this is Michele. We have been friends for a few years, but I feel I've known her my whole life. She is the kind of friend that you can go for weeks without talking and then just talk like you haven't lost a beat. I think about her and pray for her all the time, but do not have to get stressed about calling her because when I get around to it, she is never mad at me for not calling sooner. I love her dearly.

What, you may ask, brought this on? Well, it started out to be a nice Christmas morning. Then I went to make the cheesey potatoes that my mom wanted done. See, I thought I had enough potatoes until I realized that the two batches of potato bread to make cinnamon rolls had depleated much of my stock. I just knew my mom would want to kill me.(not really, but I trust you know what I mean). So, I thought forever about what to do. Then it hit me. MICHELE. She may have potatoes and if she can at all help me she will. I think she likes me enough that she would not want me dead!!

Sure enough. Michele had 7 potatoes at the ready to save my life. After confessing to my mother and reassuring her that I had a back up plan, my mom did end up having just enough potatoes for me to make that batch of cheesey goodness.

It is nice to know what kind of friends you have. The kind of friend you can ask to borrow that cup of sugar, or to pray you through some trial in your life. Michele is one of those gems that I am so glad God brought my way. Not just for the potatoes, of course, but the dear friendship that she has so blessed my life with. The friendship that you can depend on and count on.

So, what kind of friends do you have. Any gems like mine?

Recipes

Well, my friend wanted this recipe a while ago and being the scrooge that I am I have not been online much. So, hopefully it's not too late for you all to make this delicious tea. We call it Russian Tea.

In 12 cups of water, bring to a boil and steep 12 teabags.
OR, just add 1/4 cup of instant tea.

Then mix in
3 1/2 cups Orange Juice
1/4 cup Lemon Juice
1 Large can of Pineapple Juice
2 Cinnamon Sticks
1 T. whole cloves
3/4 cups Sugar

Heat through. The smell will take you back to the holidays of your childhood! We let ours simmer all day and smell up the house.

Also, if you have any extra dried potato flakes lying around, my mother-in-law gave me a great recipe for rolls. I have made my own revisions in the method, but here it is.

Mix 1/2 cup water with 1 tsp. sugar, and a package (1T.) yeast. Let proof(it gets foamy on the top) for about 10min.

Mix in sep. bowl
2/3 cups sugar(less the 1 tsp. used above)
1-1/2 t. salt
2/3 c. soft shortening
2 eggs
1 cup lukewarm mashed potatoes
7 to 7-1/2 cups of flour

This recipe makes a TON of rolls. Mark and I like to roll the dough into circles and cut it like a pizza and roll like crescent rolls.

You bake them @ 400 degrees for 12-15 min.

Enjoy Christmas.

THE Party

Well, my husbands work had a formal Christmas party. I had to search for a dress and we bought him a suit. Of course, things like this always cost money. Hopefully it will not be so much next year because we will already have the suite. Guys can wear the same suite, cann't they? Well, I had to get my nails done, fancy shoes, new undergarments!!, and figure out how to do my hair.

I pulled it off with only one hitch. I brought the camera, but left the memory stick at home. We did not realize it until part way through the evening. The camera has an internal memory, but does not hold as much as I wanted.

Oh well. The food was great. Some roat beef, chicken with muchrooms, potatoes(very delish.), rice, stir fried veggies, veggie salad, and tossed salad. I'm sure I'm forgetting something. We also had some really good cake, too. And, you know how when you go out you're not quite sure how the coffee will taste? Well, it wasn't too bad at this place. It was great with the cake and warmed me up.

I know. You're thinking that had I been boogying on the dance floor I wouldn't have needed the coffee. Well, I DIDN'T. Mark did!!!

I had a great time talking with Marks co-workers and getting some homeschooling tips from his bosses wife. It was fun listening to some of the "awards" handed out, like work clown, who had the most dedication(the winner was NOT there), and stuff like that. We also had a great time watching Marks boss dance. He does breakdancing and some thing called the crocodile or aligator or something.

Anyway, we stayed at the hotel and enjoyed some quiet time without the kids. They stayed with my mom and dad. They had a good time there, but I was glad to see them again at church on Sunday where Shiloh had a part in a Christmas presentation. (She did GREAT, by the way!)

All in all, I'm glad it's over even though it was a good time. I'll know what to expect in the future if we go agian. I am also glad that Mark works with such a good group of people.

My Freebie

My friend Michele is constantly posting all the wonderful freebie's she finds. You'll have to check out her blog. I've requested many of the items myself. Anyway, Michele, here's to you.



I've known about this freebie for a long time. My husband anctually got it first and I just filled out the form for some more copies. The Heritage Foundation is giving away free pocket size copies of the Constitution.

This is something I'm sure I learned in school, but due to whatever, I do not remember any of it. I know with the upcoming Presidential change I want to be up to par on this sort of thing.

So, get your copies. Yes, I did say copies. Order some for every member of your family. I am going to make lessons out of it. If you order over 25, they want to know what you are going to use them for, but beyond that it is no questions asked. You do not have to take any survey's or donate any money. Just ask for some copies of this wonderful document. Besides, who can go wrong with our heritage?

That's just my take. Enjoy.

Take Two

Well, I guess I was too fresh from Tuesday that my post yesterday was very negative. I will try it again here.

In spite of the complaints about the Christmas Tea, I had several people state that they enjoyed themselves. I am glad it could be a nice night out for them. We actually had some fabulous soup, salad and desserts. The soup came out of the kitchen on a clear plastic plate with salad around it like a wreath with a few tomatoes to adorn it as ornaments and a squirt of italian dressing, but generally looked like the following picture.

All the added stuff in the salad was placed on the tables I did and each hostess had the option of doing stuff like that. I also had some tea, coffee and water served. There was some spinach dip and chunks of bread(taken from the bread bowls!!) to snack on as well. We all shared desserts served at a center table and looked very pretty.

Also, a couple of my friend gave me some gifts as a thank you for inviting them(which is not necessary). One is some wonderful smelling, moisturizing soap. I wish I could post the scent. The other was this gorgeous tissue box cover. See, she lived in China for a time and picked up stuff to give as gifts in situations like this. I am just loving it. I am decorating somewhat Asian in my living room, and knowing that, she gave me the perfect gift to show off. The soap I will just have to let you smell me next time you see me!!(Bet you can't wait!)

Anyway, Life looks much better today. I am actually enjoying doing laundry, eating leftover soup, and playing with my kids. I haven't felt like this in a long time and am thoroughly enjoying my day of homemaking.

Well, that's just my take on the past few day's.