Making A List of 10

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  One thing I started when my two oldest were very little was the list of ten.  At Christmas I didn't want the give me gimmies.  I remember as a kid making a list that was over 50 items long and it came to me to only allow 10 items.  Only ten items and list from what you want the most to least and I re-affirmed that they would only get a few things if they were reasonable. [0= 

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 I kept up this tradition for many years now and usually the boys can only think of 2-6 things now.  And they know if it is over a certain amount that people "might" pool thier money together.  For example my 1ds wants to become a cheif and there is a expensive knife he wants but that is all he wants.  So there is a good chance that all the relatives will pulll together for this one.  He said he would be very happy if that is all he got. Or, if a fair chunk was pooled together and then he would work towards saving the rest.

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It was really nice to hear my boys say that it isn't about getting things.  They are focusing on our Lord and also all the fun times and family times we will have this season.  It made my heart sing when I heard it all sunk in.  This year will be a thin year but a fun year of good memories.

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Now to join in the fun of Tightwad Tuesday....

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  Link your TWT post click on MckLinky and give exact the URL of your post.   (each Tuesday that  you join in on the fun)  

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example of a URL ...

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Canadagirl/693425/

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  Now go ahead link and read and comment on all these other's wonderful TWT's. 

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 Lets save our pennies, nickles, dimes, and dollars  together !

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"There are only a few big ways to save money but there are many small ways ....that all adds up."

"If mothers could learn to do for themselves what they do for their children when these are overdone, we should have happier households. Let the mother go out to play! If she would have the courage to let everything go when life becomes too tense, and just take a day, or half a day, out in the fields, or with a favourite book, or in a picture gallery looking long and well at just two or three pictures, or in bed, without the children, life would go on far more happily for both children and parents. The mother would then be able to hold herself in "wise passiveness’ and would not fret her children by continual interference even of hand or eye - she would let them be." ...Charlotte Mason

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Homestead Ramblings ~ Getting Back On Track

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After a hectic season of harvesting and craft fair I am craving some... routine.  I have been feeling that our home has suffered with lack of good old routine.  We kept up our basics but our focus on really diving in our science and history hasn't been what I would really like.  I will be very careful what my famiy fills our time with.  I don't want to let too many things distract us from what we need to be doing. 

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I also noticed I haven't done a Weekly Wrap Up sense just before Philips virus attack.  I didn't realise how much time actually went by !   I am going to really work at getting back to that.  I really enjoy Carol's meme of Weekly Wrap Up.  It is a wonderful way to keep track of what is going on in our little homeschool and family life.  Also to see what other homeschool families are doing too.  We get to encourage eachother in this road less traveled and cheer eachother on. 

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I have been really trying to learn what balance in my life means.  Boy, this has been a real hard one to figure out.  If I am not careful things come in and crowd out what is very important to our family.  I have commited myself to going the distance with all four boys in homeschooling to the end.  I have to really work at putting blinders on and coming to Jesus' feet each day and seek out the Lord's will for my family.  Not a small task to take on but what a worthy task it is.  If you think of it please pray for me and my family as we seek his direction and if you want me to lift you and your family up in prayer please let me know through my comments or email me privately.   Just click on my link on my sidebar that says Email Me above my cbox.  I would be priviledged to pray for any who want me to.  I know prayer is the only answer in all circumstances.

"If mothers could learn to do for themselves what they do for their children when these are overdone, we should have happier households. Let the mother go out to play! If she would have the courage to let everything go when life becomes too tense, and just take a day, or half a day, out in the fields, or with a favourite book, or in a picture gallery looking long and well at just two or three pictures, or in bed, without the children, life would go on far more happily for both children and parents. The mother would then be able to hold herself in "wise passiveness’ and would not fret her children by continual interference even of hand or eye - she would let them be." ...Charlotte Mason

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Participating In A Craft Fair

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The last 3 years I have participated in a craft fair in November.  I started off with beaded bookmarks and fudge.  the second year I did fudge, necklaces, earrings,candles, and rhubarb juice.  This year I did fudge, rhubarb juice ( two kinds plain and also a raspberry rhubarb which was a BIG hit),candles-beeswax, knitted baby booties.  I have worked up to this as my youngest got old enough for me to be away for two days with big brothers taking care of them. 

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Each year I set a goal to try to reach.  This year I wanted to earn enough to buy a grain grinder.  I also try to go into the fair with having everything paid for.  I came close to attaining that.  I did earn enough to pay for my supplies, table, my goal and very close to buying more supplies for more candles that I will be dropping off at a local artistan store. 

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I have been working each year to get something to help me make it easier to make healthier food inexpensively.  Last year I got a Kitchen Aide Mixer and boy did that make my life easier in making food from scratch quickly.  I am putting this out there to maybe help start someones wheels moving in brainstorming how you can make things that seem to be out of reach normally but can be attained with some elbow grease and a goal. 

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 I am very thankful God has helped me and my family in this way.  I also have to say that I am thankful that this is only once a year.  I sold twice as much as I did last year.  God put in my mind to also sell raspberry-rhubarb juice along with the rhubarb juice.  It was a BIG hit along with my fudge.  I was very pleased how everyone liked my baby booties.  I had stitched snow flakes on the toe and also I blanket stitched on the top cuff.  Next year I will be making bigger kid  sizes and some adult sizes too.  

. I have to say that I couldn't be this pulled away for very much more.  I love being a mom first and let this be a side thing to help my family in a short term.  I thank the Lord for blessing this last week ends sales.

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Now to join in the fun of Tightwad Tuesday....

.

  Link your TWT post click on MckLinky and give exact the URL of your post.   (each Tuesday that  you join in on the fun)  

.

example of a URL ...

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Canadagirl/693425/

.

  Now go ahead link and read and comment on all these other's wonderful TWT's. 

.

 Lets save our pennies, nickles, dimes, and dollars  together !

.

"There are only a few big ways to save money but there are many small ways ....that all adds up."

"If mothers could learn to do for themselves what they do for their children when these are overdone, we should have happier households. Let the mother go out to play! If she would have the courage to let everything go when life becomes too tense, and just take a day, or half a day, out in the fields, or with a favourite book, or in a picture gallery looking long and well at just two or three pictures, or in bed, without the children, life would go on far more happily for both children and parents. The mother would then be able to hold herself in "wise passiveness’ and would not fret her children by continual interference even of hand or eye - she would let them be." ...Charlotte Mason