Posted in Just for Fun

I have to share this with you, as it is not to be missed. 

I don't know anyone who is involved in homesteading, dreaming of homesteading, homeschooling, looking into homeopathics, homemaking, health, etc, that doesn't have a vast amount of reading material and/or isn't continuing to search for more books.  Books can be costly, espeially if you are purchasing many books.   Perhaps you are wondering how you can maintain your book habit frugally.  There is a place you can look that may offer a solution.

I am a member of a club that is frugal and just for readers.  The club is free and so are the books.  You simply join (also free) and list 9 books you would like to swap.  Whenever someone requests one of your books, you ship it out to them at your media mail cost.  (I find most books are the 1lb rate of $1.59).  In return for each book you send to someone else, you get a credit for a book.  When you request a book from someone else, they inturn send you the book, paying the postage, so completely free of charge.  Paperacks, audiobooks, hardcovers, and every category imagineable is listed here.  In addition, when you join you get 3 credits as a bonus.  That is 3 free books immediately.  Unlike other clubs, PaperBack Swap is completely free. 

I was searching around today and found some great cookbooks, art books, books about artists, photography books, and children's books.  This site even carries comics, anime, manga and the like.  Check out the website @ PaperBack Swap.  If you like what you see, join the club.  If you would, please enter my name Boltbabe as the person who referred you. 

What a great idea to keep your self reading for FREE! 

Blessings Leslie

Posted in Just for Fun

I got up early this morning, because I needed to be ready for a friend from public school to be dropped off.  I cam einto the computer and turned the page of my desk calendar.  On today's page was a cartoon picture of the rear bumper of a car with a bumpersticker that reads:

My Child Was Student of the Month in Our Den!

I just cracked up.  But what a wonderful sentiment that we can give God the glory for all of us who are sharing this blessing!

Happy Thanksgiving to All!

Blessings Leslie

Posted in Just for Fun

This was a must for me.  I have seen lots of photos on the old HomesteadBlogger depicting wonderful baked goods, meals, and lots of folks who are working with the food.  But I have never seen this. 

This afternoon I had to run out for some ice.  It's Pepperoni Roll Day, and I came home to find this:

Yep, that's the hubby wearing one of my aprons rolling out dough!

This was so much fun to walk in on!

These are my thoughts.

Blessings Leslie

Posted in Just for Fun

I found these lists on Buckeye's Blog and got a good chuckle from them.  Some of the items on the list are not typical of our family, and actually made me wonder if I was missing something.  I highlighted those items that apply to our family.  Which one's apply to you?

You Must Be Homeschooled If...

Someone asks what grade you're in and you're not sure.

You sometimes go to school in your pajamas.

You sleep till 9:00 am on school days, but get up early on Sundays.

Your favorite author is Jane Austen (girls) or Robert Louis Stevenson (boys).

You own the entire series of Saxon Math books.

Your birthday is an official school holiday.

You don't get to stay home from school when you're sick.

You are unaware of the current fads, fashions, and slang terms.

Your favorite activity is reading.

You know what a unit study is.

Watching a movie means you'll have to write a report comparing the film to the book.

You dress up as historical or literary characters for Halloween.

You exchange e-mail Valentines with your homeschool pen pals.

Your room looks like a science lab.

You can get science credit for going to the dentist.

You go to the park for P.E.

You check out at least ten books every time you visit the library.

You have ever attempted to teach yourself physics.

You have no idea what rock bands are currently popular.

You get books and science kits for your birthday.

You know what Latin roots are.

Your board games all have names like "Bookworm", "Scrabble", "S'math", "Game of Knowledge", and "Name The State".

Your home library is arranged in Dewey Decimal order.

Your favorite place to study is outside, under a tree.

You can quote lines from Shakespeare, but not from South Park.

You memorize math formulas for fun.

You never get nervous on the first day of school.

The only bully you ever run into is your big brother.

You don't have to remember a locker combination, just your computer password.

It takes you less than a minute to walk to school.

You don't have to worry about forgetting anything - you can just run back to your room and get it.

Your school bus is a nine-passenger van.

There are only nine students in your class - but all of them are your brothers and sisters.

You have a 12-year-old, a 6-year-old, and a 2-year old in the same class.

You can get extra credit for cleaning your room.

* * *

You Must Be a Home Educator If...

You live in a one-house schoolroom.

Your walls are covered with maps and timelines.

You know what math manipulatives are.

You have mold growing in your fridge…on purpose.

Your preschooler can name all the planets, but doesn't know who the Rugrats are.

You've mastered the fine art of vacuuming a floor without sucking up a Lego or K'nex piece.

You're either an expert at doing the Lego dance - Oooch! Ouch! Yeow! - or else you've resorted to wearing shoes around the house.

You know the recipes for homemade versions of Play-doh, finger paint, and paste.

Your students have to clear the breakfast bowls off the table before sitting down to do their school work.

Your house is messy, but your kids are happy.

You know that reverse psychology really works.

Your kids publish their own family newsletter.

You shop for birthday presents at educational stores.

All you want for Christmas is a Barnes & Noble gift certificate.

You'd rather buy books than clothes.

Your friends don't want to help you move because you have so many books.

You turn a trip to the grocery store into a learning experience.

You get nervous about what people will say when you take your kids to K-Mart in the middle of the day.

You have a standard one-minute speech to give to store clerks, mother-in-laws, and school officials about why you homeschool.

You are sick and tired of answering the question, "But what about socialization?"

For your wedding anniversary, you decide to splurge and get a photocopier.

Talking out loud to yourself is the same as having a parent/teacher conference.

When you see a parking lot full of mini vans, you wonder if there's a homeschooling conference.

You take your family vacation in September, when the beaches and theme parks are empty.

You take a suitcase full of books along on your family vacation.

You can never find your kitchen utensils because they're out in the sandbox.

Your kitchen doubles as a science lab.

You are on a first name basis with your local librarian and bookstore owner.

The UPS driver delivers a box of Scholastic books to your doorstep once a month.

You know the scientific names of dinosaurs from A to Z.

You're willing to drop what you're doing at a moment's notice to go look something up in a dictionary or encyclopedia.

You have ever vented for more than five minutes on the evils of standardized testing.

You don't get fired for teaching your students about God.

Some days you learn as much as your students.

The more your kids learn, the less you seem to know.

These are my thoughts.

Blessings Leslie

Posted in Just for Fun

We usually do long weekends camping.  This year we opted to stick aroudn because we will be camping next weekend, and then off for a week in Savannah, Ga (yes, again).  For the earlier part of the day here's what we did:

So that was our Labor Day. 

Blessings Leslie

Posted in Just for Fun

Last week I blogged about our homestead animals.  Take a moment to peruse the post so you get a feel for what is about to follow, because we don't h ave ordinary homestead animals. 

WARNING!  The following pictures are gross at best.  But hey, they are all natural! 

About an hour ago we had the pleasure of a visit from our tortoise.  He was munching right outside the littles bedroom window, under the shade of a rather large palm.  I guess our excitement got a little too loud and our tortoise decided to find another spot to graze so off he went. 

Little did he know we would be following him.  We ran to the fron door and watched him cross our flower beds and walkway as he headed across the driveway.  So we went outside to see where he was going of course.  He made almost a hissing sound, so he kept our distance.  It was sort of strange, since he doesn't normally doesn't make any noises or even seemed bothered by us. 

So we all went in realizing our tortoise was in a mood.  I came back out to throw some rubbish in the trash can and here is what I found.

Ok, I know fecal pictures aren't exciting or even considered interesting by most.  However, we now know why our tortoise wanted us to go away.  He just wanted a little privacy!  LOL!  Imagine a science project on our own driveway, made by God! 

The truly amazing thing was how big this specimen is.  I mean it is LARGE.  I have cleaned up large dog fecal matter from the yard that looked like...well, I think you get the idea of how big it is.  We were astounded.  Thank goodness none of the neighbors were home.  They might have called the mental ward seeing our family enjoing the specimen! 

These are my thoughts.

Blessings Leslie

Posted in Just for Fun

Want a great way to spend a rainy day, that doesn't cost a cent, then click here.

Blessings Leslie

Posted in Just for Fun

Do you know what this is? 

Today I awoke to find our home feeling quite warm.  I went to check the a/c unit, since we have been band-aiding it for a few months waiting to have enough to get a new one.  All of the usual signs I look for weren't present.  So I thought...well it's finally kaput.  With the hubby out of town, I knew there was nothing to do but plan to stay in the back of the house (it has its own a/c unit).  There is an extra bedroom with a daybed w/trundle, so not so bad. 

This evening I found out what the trouble with the a/c is.  Did you look at the picture above?  I bet you think you know what that is.  However, it's not what you think.  It's actually a rocket ship built for 2.  The cabin gal sits in the pit and the pilot stands on the side using the extendable steering control.  This rocket ship happens to be located right under our thermostat.  Interestingly, the key pad that controls the thermostat makes for a great control panel for a rocket ship!

BWAHAHAHHAA!  Now that's rocket science!

Well, at least our house is on the cool down mode.  Guess I will be needing to keep our library cart/rocket ship in a new docking station.  =)

These are my thoughts.

Blessings Leslie

Posted in Just for Fun

We just had the most wonderful and silly time, and boy did it cool us down...all except our minds, that is.

Today we boarded a train.  To my surprise the station we stopped at was in the SNOW!  We got out and marvelled at the beautiful snow that was falling everrywhere.  To us, our living room had been transformed into a winter wonderland! 

First, we had to put on all our snow gear.  We made snow angels, snowmen, caught snowflakes on our tongues and hands, and we even had a snowball fight.  We gave trophies for the best snowballs, snowmen, and snow angels!  We stayed in the snow until we found we were approaching frostbite!

Have some cool fun today!  Enjoy and imaginary snow day!

These are my thoughts.

Blessings Leslie

Posted in Just for Fun

We are always on the lookout for fun family activities, especially those that use our brains and require little ca$h.  I found a website with a really cool activity for the whole family; better than a message in a bottle.  Are you ready for a Treasure Hunt?  Prepare for Letterboxing and get ready for some family FUN!

A basic description of letterboxing can be found on the Letterboxing Info website. Here is the intro article.

What is Letterboxing?

06/19/2002
by Silent Doug

Letterboxing is growing hobby that combines elements of hiking, treasure hunting and creative expression into an activity that the whole family can enjoy. Participants seek out hidden letterboxes by following clues that are posted on the Internet (see the Web sites listed below), and then record their discovery in their personal journal with the help of a rubber stamp that's part of the letterbox. In addition, letterboxers have their own personal stamps which they use to stamp into the letterbox's log book.

According to legend, letterboxing began in southwestern England in the mid-1800s when a Victorian gentleman hid his calling card in a bottle. Today, the nearby area is the Dartmoor National Park, and there are several thousand letterboxes hidden there! (As a result, Dartmoor is akin to the Holy Grail for American letterboxers.)

The hobby came to the U.S. in 1998, following the publication of an article in Smithsonian magazine about Dartmoor. Soon, a loose confederation of letterboxers began to plant boxes in the U.S., using the Internet to exchange information and clues. Letterboxing North America is host to a web site and discussion list where new clues are posted nearly daily! (See the letterboxing links for more details.)

More letterboxing links. 

Atlas Quest

The Letterboxer's Companion

Letterboxing North America-USA

Letterboxing 101

This sounds like so much fun, our family is heading out this weekend to get our box supplies, as we have already picked a few places to go hunting! 

These are my thoughts.

Blessings Leslie

Posted in Just for Fun

Jesus and Satan were having an on-going argument about who was better on
the computer. They had been going at it for days, and frankly God was tired
of hearing all the bickering.

Finally fed up, God said, "THAT'S IT! I have had enough. I am going to set
up a test that will run for two hours, and from those results, I will judge
who does the better job."

So Satan and Jesus sat down at the keyboards and typed away.

They moused.

They faxed.

They e-mailed.

They e-mailed with attachments.

They downloaded.

They did spreadsheets! .

They wrote reports.

They created labels and cards.

They created charts and graphs.

They did some genealogy reports.

They did every job kno wn to man.

Jesus worked with heavenly efficiency and Satan was faster than hell.

Then, ten minutes before their time was up, lightning suddenly flashed
across the sky, thunder rolled, rain poured, and, of course, the power went
off. Satan stared at his blank screen and screamed every curseword known in
the underworld. Jesus just sighed.

Finally the electricity came back on, and each of them restarted their
computers. Satan started searching frantically, screaming:

"It's gone! It's all GONE!

"I lost everything when the power went out!"

Meanwhile, Jesus quietly started printing out all of His files from
the past two hours of work.

Satan observed this and became irate.

"Wait!" he screamed.

"That's not fair! He cheated!

How come He has all His work and I don't have any?"

God just shrugged and said,

JESUS SAVES

Ain't it the truth!

Blessings Leslie

Posted in Just for Fun

Jack wakes up with a huge hangover after attending his company's Christmas Party.


Jack is not normally a drinker, but the drinks didn't taste like alcohol at all.
He didn't even remember how he got home from the party.

As bad as he was feeling, he wondered if he did anything wrong. Jack had to force himself to open his eyes, and
the first thing he sees is a couple of aspirins next to a glass of water on the side table. And, next to them, a single red rose!

Jack sits up and sees his clothing in front of him, all clean and pressed. He looks around the room and sees that
it is in perfect order, spotlessly clean. So is the rest of the house.

He takes the aspirins, cringes when he sees a huge black eye staring back at him in the bathroom mirror. Then he
notices a note hanging on the corner of the mirror written in red with little hearts on it and a kiss mark from his wife in lipstick!:

"Honey, breakfast is on the stove. I left early to go get groceries to make you your favorite dinner tonight."


I love you, darling! Love, Jillian

He stumbles to the kitchen and sure enough, there is hot breakfast, steaming hot coffee and the morning newspaper.


His son is also at the table, eating. Jack asks, "Son... what happened last night?"

"Well, you came home after 3 A.M. , drunk and out of your mind. You fell over the coffee table and broke it, and
then you puked in the hallway, and got that black eye when you ran into the door."

Confused, he asked his son, "So, why is everything in such perfect order, so clean, I have a rose, and
breakfast is on the table waiting for me?"

His son replies, "Oh THAT! Mom dragged you to the bedroom, and when she tried to take your pants off, you screamed,


"Leave me alone, lady, I'm married!"


Broken Coffee Table $89.99

Hot Breakfast $4.20

Two Aspirins $0.38

Saying the right thing, at the right time..............

PRICELESS!!!

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Blessings Leslie

Posted in Just for Fun

Kids go through the funniest stages when they are learning language.  I get such a chuckle out of beginning mispronunciations of words, syntax misuse, and just the ramblings of toddlers. 

Most recently, we have found that our 2 yo will answer Yes to any question.  We ask her ridiculous questions, to hear her answer sincerely yes, just to give ourselves a chuckle.  (We really need to get out more.)  Here is source of our evening laughter.

• Do you have a stinky diaper?  Yes (she didn't)
• Are you finished with supper?  Yes (she ate for another 15 min)
• Would you like to take your shoes off?  Yes (she didn't have them on)
• Is your hair green?  Yes (what do you think?)
• Are you a monkey?  Yes (there are probably some evolutionists who think this is possible)
• Do you want ants crawling on you?  Yes (hmm...she might actually think that to be fun)
• Can you do a cartwheel?  Yes (what's a cartwheel?)
• Are your shoes on fire?  Yes (remember, she isn't wearing shoes)

Out of the mouths of babes!

Blessings Leslie

Posted in Just for Fun

Spunkyhomeschool is giving away some really awesome science stuff!  She is giving away a Benz microscope .  Now I don't know much about brands of microscopes, however, this looks like a high quality one.    If you have a child with a scientific bent, you definitely want to get in on this prize, and enter.  Please visit Spunky's blog post about how to enter and win.

Also, up for the giving, is an Apologia Biology set of texts.  Apologia is a FABULOUS science text for homeschoolers.  Upon looking through the test Spunky is offering at the FPEA conference last year, I had a Biology major student @ USF say that her biology book wasn't as complete as Jay Wilde's!  Now that's saying something! 

Personally, I am hoping for the Biology set for a prize!  Apologia Science is the best Science program out there!  Please help me win, by entering yourself. 

Here's what Spunky has to say about winning:

Now for the important part. HOW DO I WIN THIS?

All you have to do is blog about this contest and include this sentence.

Spunky is giving away a Benz Microscope and Apologia Biology Set this week. Click Here to get the details.

 

So Spunky...did I win????  Huh, Did I?  Did I? 

 

Blessings Leslie

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Posted in Just for Fun

Living in hurricane central, I found this cartoon hilarious...

...and perhaps I am tempted to think about the possibilities.  asdfg;lkj!

Blessings Leslie

Posted in Just for Fun

Want to read the unbelievable and creative way to save money?  Click here.

Blessings Leslie

Posted in Just for Fun

This is a story that cannot be past over.  Say these words...Poor Mr. Wilson...then go over and take a look at the story.

Unschoolers posted by Nancy, is so worthy of your blog time.  This is one great mom who shares herself!

Want to see a Spring in action?  Check out these most fabulous photos of these babies!  I am actually going to use these for a lesson with my littles.

This is a GREAT piece about learning to give up control.  Very well written. 

I read this a while back, but I re-read it again today.  Some things just amaze me so much, I have to read it more than once.  Check out a new anti-God campaign.

This sign is more than a head scratcher...it's just plain old funny!  I wonder if anyone sent this to Jay Leno yet.

Blessings Leslie

Posted in Just for Fun

The Best Money Savings Tips contest is ending soon.  Come tomorrow (monday) at 5 pm, a winner will be chosen.  If you haven't added your favorite original money saving tip, do so now!  Happy Savings!

Blessings Leslie

Posted in Just for Fun

Does anyone remember the Mickey Mouse Club?  The original, with Annette Funnicello, Robby, and the gang?  The old black and white version? 

I have had a tie with Disney since before I was born.  My Uncle Norman was a director for Disney.  So, when we were kids we got Disney gifts, like LPs of Winnie the Pooh etc.  (Does anyone here remember what LPs are?)  Just in case you are reading and you don't LPs are long playing records...meaning those big vinyl discs that you play on a turntable.  ANYWAY....

It wasn't until I was in my pre adolescent that my parents took us to Disney World.  (Not Disney Land in Ca, although my uncle flew my mom out to watch that being built).  One thing I can vividly remember was that I wanted a pair of ears with my name on the back like a Mousketeer.  I knew I was to be the next rising star of the Mickey Mouse Club, oh yes I was.  I can remember begging my parents for ears.  I am talking full whining, tugging on the pants, acting like a spoiled brat, batting the eyelashes, talking in a 3 yo voice, all out begging.  I badgered and pouted throughout our visit too.  I was leaving no stone unturned for me to get a set of ears.  How could I be a Mouseketeer without them?

I finally wore my parents down.  I remember watching my name be sewn on the back of the ears.  Anticipation building for the moment I could put them on my head.  At last the moment had come. 

This all came flooding back to me, the other day.  Believe it or not, I still have those ears.  I have used them as a teen, when babysitting.  Used them in college for costume parties.  But mostly, they have sat in the bottom of my kids dress up box.  The olders wore them a bit.  However, our youngest is a MIckey lover.  Funny thing is, we don't know how she knows Mickey, we never watch anything with him in it, no Mickey books or toys, just flat weird.  The hubby thnks perhaps commercials might be the culprit of her fascination with the rat. 

At any rate a few days after Easter, I was passing through the living room to find the youngest at her basket. 

Apparently, I caught her sneaking int he basket.  I began laughing, because of the rat ears on her head, and I guess she thought I was laughing at her in general.  I snapped this pic.  You can't see the ears well, but you can see the logo.  Mind you these ears have been around so long, the plastic ears are almost falling off.  I wonder if they will be around for my grandchildren?

These are my thoughts.

Blessings Leslie

Posted in Just for Fun

Di posted that her son has expressed an interest in cinematography.  So she did some research to see how she could encourage this spark, as any wonderous homeschool mommy would.  She came up with some great resources.  Check out her post and see what she has discovered. 

Blessings Leslie