Posted in Tightwad Tuesdays

It's Tightwad Tuesday with Canadagirl, and since I've not participated in quite awhile I thought I'd give it a go today.  If you'd like to join in, or simply read other frugal tips, please go visit Mary for all the links and information.

My tip today is about airfare.  Most families nowadays seem to be spread apart, so the occasional trip does need to be made.  While my family prefers driving, oftentimes that's just not possible due to time constraints.  That's when the chore of finding airfare begins to loom in front of me.  With a family of four, airfare can quickly get out of control.  It's not unheard of for us to spend an average of $1,500 for four tickets back to Michigan.  Then you've got accommodations, vehicle costs, and food to pay for, which makes even a 4- or 5-day weekend astronomical and almost impossible to do.  This would explain why we've not been back in over two years.

This year has been no different, which is why we were only half-heartedly looking for tickets when I got a call from a friend about a new-to-me airline that was running a ridiculous deal on fares.  I hurriedly went to the computer, pulled them up, picked my jaw up off the floor, called my husband, and promptly purchased the tickets.  The new-to-me airline is called Allegiant Air, and they were running the following deal:  non-stop airfare from Mesa, AZ to Grand Rapids, MI for $39.99 each way.  I'm not kidding.

Apparently this airline has a bad reputation for hidden fees, so I read the fine print really well, several times (something I NEVER do).  I saw that we could avoid some hefty out-the-door fees if we simply drove to the airport and purchased the tickets instead of doing so online or over the phone - something I prefer to do anywayto avoid any way chance of mix-ups.  Considering the airport is only 15 minutes from my house (a minor airport - not the huge Phoenix one - bonus!!), it was a no-brainer for me.  I also checked their luggage fee policy, and so was prepared for that.  My friend and I rushed to the airport (we're flying to the same place), triple-checked the fees and totals, and purchased our tickets for a whopping $141 round trip, non-stop.  That's luggage fees, taxes, everything.  My family of four is flying for just over $560 total, and we have the distinct pleasure of giving our boys the gift of snow at Christmas and giving the grandparents the gift of us.  What a great Christmas gift to all!!

So, I would highly encourage you to check out Allegiant Air, or try to find a new-to-you airline that flies out of your airport.  It pays to shop around, always be open to good deals, and to read the fine print to avoid fees.  Happy Flying!

Posted in The Daily Grind

I have started to post several different times lately, but nothing even remotely interesting comes to mind.  We've had illness here - who hasn't? - celebrated Thanksgiving, are getting ready for Christmas, and are about to hop on a plane this weekend to travel "home for the holidays."  There have been things to post about, but I haven't.  Why not?

I have a confession to make.

I have hit a severe patch of apathy.  For the past few months, my mind-set has been, well, flat.  Before I get helpful words that it's just the holidays, let me reassure you:  it isn't.  It's... I suppose you could say it's a conglomeration of things.  School, housework, finances, extended family, holidays, life choices.  Take your pick.

All of these things I have failed or have failed me in the past couple of years.  I think my mind has just shut down these last couple of months, and been quietly dealing with things in the background while I flounder about in the foreground.  The last couple of days things have pushed to the front of my mind and I think I feel myself beginning to deal with things one at a time.  I feel like I'm finally "airing" my thoughts out, shaking out the dust, and letting go of.... what, I can't really say, but I feel an easing of pressure beginning.  Not to say that things are magically going to be better or perfect, but the strain of things as they are is easing.  For that, I am grateful.  I will endeavour to meet each day with, if not necessarily a smile, an open mind and heart.  Like Mary, I desire to get back into a routine instead of living in reactionary mode.  I desire to pull into my family instead of doling out so much of me to other people.  It's very difficult to live in this place - this place I no longer want to be, and haven't wanted to be for so very long - but I have decided I don't need to feel miserable 24/7 anymore to "remind" God that we don't want to be here.  (pouty child, aren't I?)  We have a plan in place, and with God's blessing and help we will follow through.  Until then, however, it's okay to find peace with myself - in fact, it's absolutely necessary.

May you all find the peace that only you can give yourself with God's grace, and may you all be content with what is today.

Posted in Show and Tell Friday

Happy Friday!  It's time again for Show and Tell Friday with Canadagirl - please do pop over to visit Mary if you'd like to take part or visit the other S&Ts today.

Last weekend hubby and I took our boys and niece north in search of some fall color.  It was mostly on the ground yet (low-lying plants that had turned a lovely red hue), but some trees were beginning to turn ever-so-slightly.  We went to one of our favorite parks, and lo and behold what should we find?  Not one, but TWO trees in full color - standing next to each other no less.  So, while those photos are a bit strained for proper proportions and all, I *had* to work them into some photos.  I was aiming for school photos of the boys, but these didn't turn out to my satisfaction, so I'm going to have to do something else.  I'm disappointed, but I did the best I could at the time considering that there was a middle school and high school track event going on all around us, and my batteries were dying and I had no spares. :P

Anyway, all we pretty much did was easy hiking, exploring, and just enjoying the day.  Enjoy!

Posted in Tightwad Tuesdays

Happy Tuesday, and welcome back to Tightwad Tuesday with Canadagirl!  If you have a money-saving tip that works well for you and that you'd like to share with us, please do head over and visit Mary to get started.

My tip for today is short, photo-less, and pretty unglamorous, but it's such a helpful little thing, especially in light of decreased home school budgets.  I believe that selling used home school curricula on eBay is unavailable any longer if you have the 'answer' key or teacher's text with it (unless that policy changed again - I don't use eBay, so I don't know much about it), so what's a home educating mother to do?  You could try to sell it locally, or, to reach a larger audience and get top dollar for it, you could use Homeschool Classifieds.  Homeschool Classifieds is a site FULL of curricula for sale, all by home schooling parents.  I both buy and sell my books there; where else can I support another home schooling family while having my own home schooling family supported?  It's a wonderful thing, and it works for me.  Ü

Posted in Show and Tell Friday

Happy Friday, and welcome!  Today is Show and Tell Friday with Canadagirl, and if you would like to take part, please head over to Mary's.

Have you done the math?  I have.  Christmas is three months from today - 91 days from now.  Does that cause a little panic to flutter within?  It does me, and I've begun my gifts already!  Due to a change in thought and a decrease in funds, I've begun making more and more gifts each Christmas for the past couple of years.  This year is no different; in fact, I'm now trying to make over 50% of the gifts we exchange.  To that end, I thought I'd share with you the three afghans I've completed thus far, and the new one I've just begun.  I've finally learned how to read a crochet pattern, (I'm mostly self-taught with a little help from my mom), and love experimenting with new patterns.  The one I've just begun is a fun one; it's a shell pattern.  Anyway, here are the completed throws:

And here is the new one:

Thanks for visiting, and have a great weekend!

Posted in Show and Tell Friday

Today I thought I'd take you on a little tour of our trailer.  I was actually asked awhile ago to hear a little about when we lived in our trailer when we first moved to Arizona.  I'm happy to take you through it, and hope you enjoy the tour.

Anywho, here is our trailer, ready to hit the road.  Just looking at it makes me want to drive forever, but I digress.

Here is our living/dining area.  They are both part of what's called a 'slide-out,' which means that a section of the trailer actually slides out away from the trailer so your room in the trailer is expanded.  You can also see the 'bar' and stools of the kitchen in this shot.  And the location of the bathroom (door left of center) and the pantry (to the right of the bathroom).  Hey, it's a trailer.  It's not like we travel by bus like my folks, lol, and have separate rooms.

Here's the kitchen, and you can also see the boys' bunks to the right.  They have a door, strangely enough, at the foot of their bunks, which is lovely for fresh air circulation when the weather is cooperating.  The door is to accomodate storage, as the bottom bunk picks up and you can slide bikes and larger items in there.  We don't use it for that, but love the door there all the same.  And yes, that is a microwave, large fridge, and oven you see.  *blush*  Guess our idea of 'roughing it' isn't so rough, lol.  But we're not as bad as my parents, who have a washer/dryer in theirs.  So there.

Here is the bathroom, complete with a mini-bathtub.  Yup, yup.

Finally, here's our bedroom:

If you would like more information on how to participate in Show and Tell Fridays, please go visit Mary.

Posted in Tightwad Tuesdays

Today is Tightwad Tuesday with Canadagirl, so I thought that I would share my recent shopping trip for winter clothing.  Whether we are still here in the desert come winter, or in a snowy clime, we still need warm clothing.  Many of you visit the desert during the winter months, bringing with you bathing suits, shorts, and t-shirts.  You then proceed to look at the natives strangely when you see us in our sweaters, cords, and jackets.  Trust me when I tell you we think *you* are the strange ones, lol.  After our bodies have acclimated to 115° weather, temperatures in the mid-50's to mid-60's are chilly indeed.  If you throw in some winter rain, it gets downright cold.

After taking inventory of our clothing, I realized we were seriously low on warm clothing, and headed off to the thrift store with Piper a couple of Saturdays back when they were having a 50% off everything sale.  You know those shopping trips where you either have the money and can't find anything, or don't have the money and see everything you want?  Well, this was the shopping trip that combined the best of both those experiences.  I had the money, and we found wonderful buys. 

 Here are the clothes I found for me:

Here are the clothes I found for my men:

All told, I got 37 total pieces of clothing for $108.  13 of those items were sweaters, and one was a skirt.  The rest were long-sleeved shirts, ranging from everyday variety to dressier pieces.  Just by shopping the thrift store on their sale day, I saved $108!  Assigning the following values, which I consider to be average prices, here is what I estimate I saved at retail price:  long-sleeved shirt ($15) x 14= $210, sweaters ($20) x 13= $260, skirt ($15) x 1= $15.  This leads to a total of $485, which I consider to be on the low side considering there are items of clothing in there with tags reading "Christian Dior," "Ralph Lauren, Chaps," and "Aeropostale."  Even at that modest sum, however, I saved at least $377!  There is absolutely no difference in any of these items of clothing from anything brand new I would have purchased off the rack except a washing or two.  That's it.

Well, now we're good to head into the cooler months, or a snowy clime, and we won't freeze to death.  Ü  If you have a Tightwad tip, story, or experience to share, please do go visit Mary for more information. 

Posted in Show and Tell Friday

Happy Friday, and welcome to my first Show &Tell Friday with Canadagirl in far too long!  If you have something you'd like to share with us, please do go visit Mary.

A few weeks ago it was my husband's birthday, and so we decided to go camping up in Flagstaff for a long weekend.  Flagstaff is at a significantly higher elevation than where we are down here in the valley, so their temperatures run, on average, 30° cooler than ours.  Needless to say, it's a popular summer destination for the valley residents.  We headed up on Wednesday and set up camp in the beautiful Ponderosa Pines.

Thursday was hubby's actual birthday, and we let him plan the whole weekend, so we were off on a day trip (me? I'd sit at the campsite and NEVER MOVE, because that's a vacation to me, but he's an on-the-go kind of guy. So, off we went.) to the Sunset Crater just NE of Flagstaff.

Apparently, the whole northern part of Arizona would be relatively flat except that it's a hot-bed of volcanic activity.  Okay, inactive volcanic activity, but another eruption would not surprise scientists.  Pretty much all the mountains that can be seen up there were once volcanoes.  You can still see the lava flow from the most recent volcano, Sunset Crater, which erupted roughly 1,000 years ago.  Due to too many man-made disturbances, they have shut down the trail up to Sunset Crater (unless you're Native American, who use it for ceremonies), but you are more than welcome to climb up others.  Which we, pant, pant, *gasp*, did.  Still recuperating from that.  About 300 yards almost totally vertical.  Anyway... see the black rock on the right? That's the lava flow.

After enjoying a couple of walks (see above photo, taken on the footpath at the base of Sunset Crater), we got back in our truck and headed the 20 some miles to the Wupatki Pueblo. This would have been inhabited when Sunset Crater last erupted, and it boggles the mind to think of what the people must have thought, doesn't it?  It's beautifully preserved, and has a fascinating history.  Here's the village pueblo:

Here's the community gathering place (it was a huge circle):

After this trip, we headed home to celebrate:

The next morning, we got up and headed to the Grand Canyon, which is about 85 miles NNW of Flagstaff.  We had a beautiful day for it and enjoyed a lovely drive.

We first stopped at National Geographic's visitor center, which is incredible.  I picked up a living school book for each of the boys for our next school year, which is always fun.  We got "Brighty of the Grand Canyon" by Marguerite Henry and "The Exploration of the Colorado River and Its Canyons" by John Wesley Powell, who, incidentally, was a Civil War veteran who, with nine other men, took four boats into the Colorado river to explore the last unmapped territory of the continental United States.  This book is a compilation of J.W. Powell's journals from that journey, and this boat is an exact replica Hollywood made when they filmed the story:

After purchasing our admission tag, we hopped in the truck and headed the last few miles to the Grand Canyon.  We stopped at the National Park Service's visitor center as well.  Here's Jigger standing in front of a representation of the layers of rock, sediment, etc., that the Grand Canyon is comprised of:

Finally, here's the Grand Canyon:

And here's a shot when I was playing around with my camera settings.  I actually have several of these sepia toned photos, and prefer them to the full on color photos.

While we were there, we saw three California Condors.  These birds have been on the endangered list, and were recently re-released into the Grand Canyon.  We had read up on that before we went, and were properly awed every single time they flew overhead.  Of course, I didn't get a photo of them, which, upon seeing a picture of them up close, Piper remarked was probably a good thing, lol.

While there, we had so much fun listening to all of the different languages and seeing all of the different people.  It was amazing.  We heard Asian (several dialects), Italian, Spanish, French, British, German, and Dutch, just to name a few.  Piper was asked by a French family to take their photo, and we (unwittingly) asked a portly, older Italian gentleman to take ours.  My pathetic Italian language skills didn't allow me to pick up that he wanted to know where the zoom was until the photo was done, but that's okay, because we have the memory of that photo of his congenial frustration and my non-existant Italian conversation.  Here's the final product:

We sat awhile...:

before heading back to our truck.  By the by, if you like, you can take a train directly to the Grand Canyon.  That seems like the way to travel to Jigger:

And that's our trip north.  Saturday hubby did give me one day to sit around the campsite, so we did a long Nature Walk and played board games around the drizzly rain.  It was lovely.  Can't wait to go back.

Posted in Educational Pursuits

It's that time of year when we once again find ourselves with the excitement of a new school year before us, and all that brings.  New books, old favorites, routine; perhaps some fresh supplies.  We are bombarded with back-to-school ads and sales, the rumble of school buses as they  lumber down the roads, and a hum that pervades the nation that schedule is once again the word of the day.

As home educators, back-to-school has the same feel, but different look.  We delight in burrowing into our homes, focusing on our families, snuggling on the couch for a good read-aloud, getting "our" libraries back, and dealing with the twinge that always hovers just out of swatting distance when we take our children out in public during "school hours."

Back-to-school also hints at encroaching holidays, an imminent change of season, and the stress of unavoidable social gatherings - family or otherwise.  It is a time that can make us, or break us.

For those who home educate, we see our fellow educating mothers sharing their excitement at another year successfully started.  If we have had no major occurrences of late, then we may be among them.  If, however, life has had you by the coattails and you are just now beginning to take that deep breath and ready your pupils' lessons, this can be a very discouraging time.  I beg you to take heart.  You are not "behind," or "less than" any other mother because you have not begun your more formal lessons as of yet.  If there's something specific you wanted to research and incorporate this year, you still have time.  I know, because that's me.  Allow me to explain my situation, and then maybe you too will take the time you need.

Over the course of the past few years, because we live in the desert and the summers are unfit to be out in for any length of time, our school schedule has slowly morphed into the opposite of most others'.  We have begun our year in January for the past couple of years, and taken our 'summer break' from November thru December.  That's when the weather is lovely, and it only makes sense to be out in it, enjoying nature.  It also has the added benefit of allowing us time to leisurely enjoy the holidays.  It's worked well. Until this year.

This year, we decided to gear up for a cross-country move, back to the land of 4-seasons.  Already I started feeling 'behind,' as our current schedule would have to be shortened up to change.  Then, beginning in June, we had an extended family member's health crisis which lasted until mid-August, and meant three separate stays in hospital, two surgeries, several procedures, and a young family member came to live with us unexpectedly for one week in June and then three weeks at the end of July/ beginning of August.  Needless to say, our routine was certainly disrupted.  The boys kept on with Maths, Religion, Spelling, Handwriting, Literature, and Grammar, but the remainder of our lovely lessons went by the way-side.  The only refrain I could hear in my mind was "behind, behind, Behind!"  I was beginning to despair.

One day, I stumbled across a blog I had once enjoyed for direction and inspiration, and was once again inspired to pick up my "A Charlotte Mason Companion" by Karen Andreola.  Over the course of the past year or so, I had slowly turned more towards the classical style, and away from the Charlotte Mason style.  It was a gradual morphing that I was not pleased with.  I am still reading ACMC, and am beginning to feel the excitement grab hold of me once again.  I could feel badly about not fully finishing this past school year, or I can just pick up where we left off and incorporate new things in as well.  I can moan that I won't begin our lessons for another few weeks yet due to planning and purchasing, or I can thank the good Lord above that I was led to re-read this book and my soul is being refreshed.  In any given situation, perspective is our choice.  I choose gratitude and inspiration.

So now, amidst cleaning supplies, packing boxes, and garage sale items, I am eagerly anticipating the resuming of our lessons - in spite of the "untimely" and "inconvenient" start.  I'm trying to keep Miss Mason's advice forefront in my thoughts each day to follow:  "Each day, make sure a child has three things:  1) something or someone to love, 2) something to do, and 3) something to think about."  To that end, maybe we have already begun our school year when I review, nightly and weekly, all that has been accomplished in spite of having no formal lesson plans.  The boys are doing their religious studies every day, journaling, and practicing their instruments.  Last week we did a Nature Study on an item we had brought back with us from our camping excursion north.  When we were camping, we took a Nature Walk that lasted hours as we were identifying items, collecting specimens, and telling stories.  At the campsite afterwords, we sketched a wild mushroom, labelled it, dissected it, and read all about it from Comstock's "Handbook of Nature Study."  We made a list of all the flora and fauna we encountered on our weekend away.  We have a nightly read-aloud, which is currently "Little Britches," by Mr. Ralph Moody.  The whole family is enjoying this one, and I'm charged with getting the next in the series this weekend.  The boys are reading a literature book a week, with the youngest orally narrating his daily reading every evening, and the oldest orally narrating his book at the end of every week.  Last week he chose "A Time to Stand," by Walter Lord, from the public library - he was interested in the Alamo and chose an author he described as being an engaging writer that tells history well.  I've now added Mr. Lord's name to my list of authors I would like to research and incorporate into our studies.  Classical music is always playing in the background, exposing them to great works of art.  For maths, the boys are actively involved in our weekly shopping trips.  It is commonplace for me to hand either boy a bag of produce, tell them the price per pound, and ask them to go weigh it and tell me how much it costs.  This deals with rounding, fractions, multiplication, weights and measures, and mental arithmetic.  They have daily chores that must be done without reminder, and because oldest son's chores include walking the dog, he has decided to set his alarm for early every morning so as to do it before the heat of the day strikes.  Responsibility and formation of character are more important than 'book learning,' so even when formal lessons are not being given, character formation lessons are always in session.

As I look at all that the boys are doing, I do indeed feel that we are doing our lessons, and I highly encourage you to make a list for your children as well.  You will surprise yourself at all the book lessons and character formation lessons that have happened during daily life.  Did big sister read a book to little brother?  Did big brother keep little brother entertained quietly and well for a rainy afternoon?  Were read-alouds heard in your home?  Were instruments practiced, engaging music played, art prints looked at?  Did your children not scream and run around like lunatics in public?  Do the little dears do as they are bid the first time?  Do you follow Miss Mason's 3 dictates? 

Educating our children at home doesn't need to be a big production, nor should it be a mystery - even to us.  It should be the natural progression of living, making connections, and expanding our base of knowledge.  The means to doing that are totally at your discretion, and will look like no other home.  Delight in the every day, form those precious little characters, and relax, secure in the knowledge that you are not 'behind,' you are exactly where God means you to be.

Posted in A Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today, August 17, 2009.

Outside My Window... It is a day as clear as crystal, with no trace of clouds, no hint of a breeze, and the sun promising an unrelenting day of heat.

I am Thinking... Of the myriad of things that are vying for my undivided attention, among them being:  lesson planning, de-cluttering, home improvement projects, three birthdays this week, and the simple day-to-day chores that, when left undone or half-done, can make you so sorry you didn't put them first.

I am Thankful For... my husband.

From the Learning Rooms... there's comes a not-so-subtle shift in the way our learning takes place. I'm reaching back to find my Charlotte Mason roots, and giving the boys this week and next to relax once again before we begin our more gentle lessons anew.

From the Kitchen... Is simply the wonderful aroma of our morning coffee, but the kitchen holds the promise of delightful meals and treats that are on tap for this week.

I am Wearing... Tan capris, a soft blue polo shirt, bare feet, a white cardigan, and a twisty French braid.

I am Creating... Oh! So many things! Crocheting a Christmas gift, sewing an apron and bag holder for our trailer, cutting out/sewing a new robe for Jigger, and hopefully making myself a couple of new nightgowns shortly.

I am Going... Nowhere today, but many places tomorrow. Gifts to buy/send, food to be bought for our camping trip this weekend, and the library, just to name a few.

I am Reading... "The Friday Night Knitting Club," "A Charlotte Mason Companion," and several books that are under review for our next school year.

I am Hoping... To sail through the next two weeks with no complaints and only encouragement, kindness, and patience.

I am Hearing... The whine of lawnmowers and leaf blowers as the lawn service crew maintains the park across the street, the hum of the air conditioner, and my thoughts telling me to Hurry Up! Daylight's burning!

Around the House... There is much to be accomplished within the next two weeks:  home improvement projects, cleaning projects, de-cluttering projects... one almost doesn't know where to begin and so decides to sit down and enjoy blogging a post.... *grin*

One of my Favorite Things... Is getting up early on my own on the weekend, softly padding downstairs in my nightgown, making coffee, and having an hour or two to myself while the rest of the house and family slumber on.

A few Plans for the Week are... Planning hubby's birthday, ticking off things on my to-do list, lesson planning, and focusing.

Here is a Picture Thought I am Sharing... from a trip north in June:

To visit more daybook entries, or to take part yourself, please do go visit Peggy, our lovely hostess.