Jul. 26, 2008
Minute to Minute - How To Get Out Of The Kindergarten Corner
Posted By Gena Suarez, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
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Minute to Minute
Readers Helping Readers |
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| Greetings! |
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Last week Minute to Minute received a letter from a new homeschool mom who felt unable to homeschool her kindergarten age daughter while taking care of her ill, elderly mother.
This week, homeschool moms wrote in to encourage Tammy and tell her that she can homeschool. If the Lord has given her a calling, He will help her to do what seems impossible. She's not alone, and she has people and resources that will help her.
We at TOS also wanted to remind Tammy and other homeschool moms of the wonderful resources TOS Magazine has to offer to those homeschooling kindergarteners. Numerous TOS articles covering teaching tips, fun ideas, and helpful resources can be found in the Kindergarten Korner. Also, be sure to order the TOS Spring 2008 Digital Back Issue which features wonderful kindergarten articles and resources.
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| You Can Do It |
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Dear Tammy,
I believe that you can homeschool with an aging parent. It will take a lot of planning, and let me tell you, helping out my father has felt like having two children to look after, again. Is your mother coherent enough to read to your daughter? This may be the time to enlist her help (if able) so that you can do lesson planning. Your mother may interrupt because she desires the attention (just like a child) and giving her something to do may provide that attention. I have found that the best time to get things done was while I was waiting at the doctor's for appointments, and believe me, my father has plenty of appointments. We never went anywhere without our "carschooling bookbag."
This may also be the time to check out pre-packaged curriculum programs. My son was always happy to be with me in the kitchen while he did his little workbook pages. This requires some multitasking, but it truly can be done. There are also some computer-based programs that require limited supervision, as well as online programs that you may check out, and these begin as early as kindergarten. I also purchased a plastic bin where I kept a learning center. I switched these out about once a week. One week it was full of "red" things, "blue" things, etc., then we started with letters and sight words.
Does your mother take a nap in the afternoon? Does your preschooler still need one? If you have quiet time in the afternoon, use that time for lesson planning (I know how tempting it is to use this for chore time, but you do need planning time).
Check with your church about adult respite programs. There may be an adult daycare that you can afford for a couple of mornings a week. Home healthcare organizations may also have someone on the staff qualified to "babysit" your mother. Ask around, you may be surprised. I'll say a prayer for you and your family.
A Homeschool Mom Who's Been There,
Kathy
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| Don't Underestimate 5 Minutes |
| Dear Tammy,
We just started first grade with my oldest this month. Though I do not have the challenge of caring for an ill adult in my own home, our past several years have definitely been full of challenges. Several close family members have required extended hospitalizations. We were away from home several times for long periods helping those family members. My husband is also active duty military, and we have dealt with very erratic schedules and extended separations, with a year-long deployment to Iraq coming up this fall and the birth of a baby, who is a very active and interruptive 2 year old this year.
I have a few rather practical questions. Does your mother take naps? Could you work with your daughter during this time? We had a new baby and had to work around naptimes and interruptions quite a bit. We would also play tapes with the alphabet or number song in the car or while preparing meals. I pointed out things in our home: letters on the fridge, numbers on the phone or calendar. Count out x number of eggs for me for this recipe. Something else my son really loved was simple educational computer games. We saved them for special occasions, but once you got him started he could sit and play the games for a while by himself, and he was actually learning all at the same time.
I was really scared when we started kindergarten with my son last year. Two things helped me to overcome my fear. First, I noticed that it didn't take more than a half hour each day for my son to do his "school work". Sometimes it seemed like it only took 10 minutes, then he was off playing again for the rest of the day. What really set the tone for the whole year for us was finding the right approach to teach him reading. He just didn't understand at first. Then we picked up the book Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons. That book just spoke his language. The light bulb went on, and he was off and reading. It really eased all my fears and built up my confidence to realize that it could be done and in such little time.
I guess what I am trying to say overall is, don't overestimate what your daughter "has" to learn this year, and don't underestimate the impact you can have in any given 5 minutes.
A Fellow Homeschool Mom,
Regina
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| Cherish The Moment |
| Dear Tammy,
While I didn't have exclusive care of my father, he did take ill and pass away during my daughter's kindergarten year. I was so thankful that we were homeschooling at the time because I was free to take my kids (my daughter, and also my, then 3 year old, son) to visit him without guilt and without question. I have never regretted the time we spent with my dad during his last days with us. My dad and my daughter had a very special relationship, and it was a blessing when she could be with him.
Don't worry about interrupting your kindergarten schooling to take care of grandma. You're teaching your child something much more important than her ABCs and numbers. What's more, she will get her ABCs and numbers one way or another, perhaps just not on your timeline. Here is where teaching at home is so different from teaching in a classroom. You don't need to look like you're in "school" to learn, and you don't need to follow a pre-determined schedule.
As a teacher-mom you can incorporate your lessons into everyday life. . .count the steps as you both go up and down, count spoonfuls as you cook, count how many plates you need to set the table for the family; draw numbers and letters in the sand or with the ingredients of your cookies; read aloud at bedtime when dad can help with grandma. Mostly, relax and know that your child will learn what she needs to know, plus she will see your loving care of grandma in action. What classroom school could ever equal that?
Having Homeschooled With An Aging Parent,
Wendy
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| Redeeming The Time |
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Dear Tammy,
I had a similar experience when my daughter was in 3rd-4th grade. My advice is to remember you have many years to teach academics. You may never have another opportunity to care for your mother or to show your daughter God's design of how we take care of the ones who cared for us when we were small. The lessons she learns cannot be found between the pages of a book but through life experience, lessons she may have to return to one day herself. God has called you to this time, and He will not let you down. He will redeem the hours you miss. I KNOW it is easier said than done, but try not to add the stress of feeling like you are letting your daughter's education suffer during this difficult time. She is learning far more than you can imagine. I wish you could speak with my child to hear for yourself what she experienced as we cared for my mother.
Make up songs about the alphabet and sing the sounds they make. Count the pills you are giving your mother with your daughter. Although not ideal, there are reading shows on PBS and The Magic School Bus on The Learning Channel. Also ABEKA and Bob Jones offer DVD learning. Little brains are like sponges. You will be surprised what she will absorb. Let her pretend she is a nurse and "write" things down for you. Perhaps dad can take 30 minutes in the evening for reading, or if your mother will sit or lie down long enough, perhaps your daughter could read to her. The elderly often revert and enjoy children's books themselves.
I lost almost an entire year of school. My daughter will be in 7th grade this upcoming year and scored in the 99 percentile in all subjects on the standardized test and has no problems with academics.
Most importantly, find a time to take care of yourself! Even if it is only for half an hour. Perhaps a sibling or your husband can take over long enough for you to have some alone time to renew your strength.
Praying For Your Strength And His Guidance,
Jackie |
| From The Experienced. . . . |
My main piece of advice is that you don't stress about kindergarten. Five isn't a magic age to teach them stuff, and if you miss it they won't be delayed or deprived. If you must do something, do it in short blocks of time (which is good for that age anyway). I don't have an aging mother in my home, but I do have 8 children, seven of whom are school age. That makes Kindergarten take a back seat to the 10-yr old who is still struggling to read.
~Carol
Not sure if this is a possibility, can your mom be included in your kindergarten lessons? Have your mom, read to your daughter or practice doing some basic stuff that your mom CAN do with your daughter. Take pictures of them together too as it will be priceless when she is gone. I say this as I lost my mom on April 7, 2007, and I just loved it when she came to visit. I have only a handful of pictures of them doing things together; my child learning from my mom. Act like you are busy and that you need your mom's help, maybe she is interrupting because she wants to be included in some way, even if it is small. You can have your mom "HELP" with your daughter's learning and then later let your mom know that this is your time to review or to teach some new things. Remember, to do what is best for you and your family. Please be careful not to show your impatience towards your mom, as your daughter will pick up on that.
~Valerie
I have been in the same situation (although my dad doesn't wander or get into things). I would include him in the learning while I was working with my daughter doing kindergarten. A lot of the time, she would answer the questions I was asking him or vice-versa. It was great for us. He has Alzheimer's, and it helped to keep his mind tracking, too. During times when I needed my daughter to focus, I would put my dad to bed for a nap. I hope this helps just a little. I know it's hard, and I commend you for
taking caring of your mom. Stay strong.
~Candi
I have 4 children that I homeschool, and their ages range from 1 year to 10 years. I believe the challenges you face with Grandma may be similar to those I face with my 1 year old. They are needy in different ways of course, but they can both be a sweet little source of interruption while trying to school your other children. For instance, my baby is constantly asking for things, crying, wanting a snack or a drink, needing entertainment, and wanting to be held. Neither you nor I would want to ignore our precious needy family members, so we have to figure out a way to balance it all! I believe my solution could also work for you. I have learned to engage my baby in learning with my older children. This could be of great help to Grandma! Even if she has lost some of her faculties, you can allow her to exercise her mind (and her fingers) by giving her some manipulatives to work with! Alphabet puzzles, building blocks, pick-up sticks, color matching, etc can be wonderful for young children and the elderly alike! I have found preschool manipulatives to be a life-saver when it comes to entertaining my children, and it is a much healthier option than plopping them in front of the TV. If Grandma thinks this task is silly, simply let her know that she is helping to teach your little one. I believe she will feel appreciated and important, while she is also being entertained.
~Anna
We have three children ages 2, 5, and 8. For the alphabet we have used several things including Leap Frogs Fridge Phonics Magnets, Leap Frog Videos, Dover Publishing ABC coloring books or free printouts from enchantedlearning.com and cartooncritters.com. We also play with ABC stamps and playdough with ABC cookie cutters. You could also bake sugar cookies and cut out ABCs. When traveling in the car we listen to phonics songs and play I Spy alphabet and number games. I also have used and love the free curriculum from Brightly Beaming Resources and Old Fashion Education. You can also find at your library or at the bookstore several books including simple hands-on games for reading and math skills. Don't forget to check The Schoolhouse Store first! All these things take little time and believe me having three kids, I need quick and easy lessons! I could go on and on forever on this subject, but my best advice is to just relax and enjoy this time! You have a lot of schooling years ahead of you and your daughter and whatever she does not learn this year, she'll learn the next. Take care of mom and enjoy her also. Happy homeschooling! ~Autumn
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| Homeschooling Resource |
The Upper & Lower Case Magnet Sets from Eager Mind are extremely unique. Each set contains the long and short vowel sounds. Each letter/picture combination is fully backed with a 1 mm magnetic layer, and each letter and picture are together on one magnet.
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| Homeschooling Resource |
Adventures in Phonics Level A Workbook from Christian Liberty Press begins a formal study of phonics-starting with short vowel sounds and logically progressing through consonants, long vowels, and beyond. It uses drill, repetition, and writing activities to ensure comprehension. It is designed to work with the Kindergarten Phonics Readers, where students are prompted to begin reading once the phonics concepts for a given title have been studied.
Click HERE to view the Christian Liberty Press Adventures in Phonics Workbooks, Teacher's Manuals, and Flashcards for Kindergarten through third grade. |
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Thank you for writing in and encouraging Tammy as she attempts to homeschool her kindergartener while taking care of her aging mother. Remember, if you have a question you would like to ask the Minute to Minute Readers, please email us. Emailing or otherwise responding to this email constitutes permission for The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC to publish, post, reprint and distribute part or all of your response in the Minute to Minute E-Newsletter, the print, digital and online versions of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, on Company websites and in other Company publications.
Sincerely,
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Elisabeth Marlowe, Minute to Minute Editor
The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine |
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Jul. 26, 2008
"I don't know how you do it. You must have the patience of Job."
I think many stay-at-home moms, and all homeschooling Moms have heard this before. Well, add in a larger than average family, and it gets even worse. "You must be superwoman."
I'm not. I am just an average woman trying to do what God has called me to do. I don't always do it well. In fact, I often do a very mediocre job, and sometimes I just completely fail. One morning this week I was so overwhelmed with all that needed to be done to clean the house, after too many days of just relaxing. I was feeling very discouraged with the struggle to get my children to work with me. I had basically given up that day, before we even began.
Well, my pity party grew as I folded clothes, until I was crying as I put clothes away. I'm sorry, but you can't cry secretly in a house with six kids, no matter how hard you try. I finally went to my room and shut the door, but within 5 minutes I had 6 kids standing around my bed staring at me. What a novelty!! Mom's crying!!
After I reassured them no one had died, and baby and I were physically fine ... I did finally tell them I was just discouraged. I didn't want to use my tears to manipulate them, but I did want them to know that I was discouraged.
Then we got up and we all started working. I did most of the work, and I am still feeling it in my achy muscles, but the work was done. We just need to work on the concept that if we don't work daily it will all fall apart again. My oldest will be 13 next month, but we still do not have the area of chores and cheerful obedience regarding chores conquered. None of us are perfect here.
There are other times I just lose my patience and raise my voice. And I have several children who mirror that right back at me. If I let my irritation or anger show in my voice, it is returned to me in their response. I know this ... and yet I still let my frustration and anger show too often.
I am selfish. I am impatient. I get tired of the daily grind of homeschooling, housework, and raising a large family. Too often I procrastinate and don't give this task my best efforts.
How do I do it then? With God's help. I've been listening to our Selah "Hiding Place" CD in our car, and it touches my heart. The first two songs on the CD totally express my dependence on my Lord and Savior.
Selah -- You Raise Me Up
When I am down, and oh my soul, so weary.
When troubles come, and my heart burdened be.
Then I am still and wait here in the silence.
Until You come and sit awhile with me.
You raise me up so I can stand on mountains.
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas.
I am strong when I am on your shoulders.
You raise me up to more than I can be.
You raise me up so I can stand on mountains.
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas.
I am strong when I am on your shoulders.
You raise me up to more than I can be.
There is no life, no life without its hunger.
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly.
But when you come and I am filled with wonder.
Sometimes I think I glimpse eternity.
You raise me up so I can stand on mountains.
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas.
I am strong when I am on your shoulders.
You raise me up to more than I can be.
You raise me up so I can stand on mountains.
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas.
I am strong when I am on your shoulders.
You raise me up, to more than I can be.
Selah -- Part the Waters, Lord / I Need Thee Every Hour
When I think I'm going under, part the waters, Lord
When I feel the waves around me, calm the sea
When I cry for help, oh, hear me
Lord and hold out Your hand
Touch my life
Still the raging storm in me
I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford
I need Thee, O I need Thee
Every hour I need Thee
O bless me now, my Savior
I come to Thee
I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain
Come quickly and abide, or life is vain
I need Thee, O I need Thee
Every hour I need Thee
O bless me now, my Savior
I come to Thee
O bless me now, my Savior
I come to Thee
When I think I'm going under, part the waters, Lord
I'm not superwoman. I'm not perfect. I'm not even that patient. But, God is continually working in my life to change me. I am more patient and less selfish than I once was. And I pray I become even more patient and less selfish.
When I turn to God, and lean on Him, I can do this. I can stay home, and homeschool my large family ... in a manner that is pleasing to Him. With Him, I am more than I could ever be alone. And I need Him, always. Not only do I need Him, but He is faithful and He will give me everything I need to complete the task He has called me to do.
"But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” " 2 Corinthians 12:9
"I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13
"Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful." 1 Corinthians 1:7-9
"May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it." 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
Trusting in Him,
April |
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Jul. 26, 2008
Sleeping late on Saturday
Posted By Christy
YEEEEHAWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We slept in late this morning. We got up at 9 am. That was awesome. It was nice to wake up and have Paul right here with us. He is getting ready to go to town. We need to take his check to the bank and get a few things.
GOOD NEWS!!! We are paying one of our bills off today. COMPLETELY! YAYYYYY!!! That is awesome. That is a great feeling. We may eat beans a few extra days this week, but that will be one down. (just kidding about the beans)
I guess we aren't going to set up and sell today. That is probably a good thing. I needed a break from it. I think sometimes it is nice to just spend time together. I need that this weekend. Paul has to be in Danville on Sun. at 3, so that will shorten the weekend.
HOPE you all have a blessed day! HUGS
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Jul. 26, 2008
Our Week 10 Winners ~ THE FINAL WEEK!
Posted By ReadThisSummer
Well, the Summer Reading Splash has come to a close, but that doesn't mean that you are supposed to stop reading! SPLISH is going to keep reading, all throughout the year, and he wants YOU to read with him. SO, we are going to keep our blog up and running throughout the school year! Some of the fun things you can look forward to here at Splish's blog are:
- Book reports and book reviews by YOU! (If you'd like to submit a review or a report, please e-mail it and we'll take care of posting it on the blog. Don't forget to include FIRST NAME and AGE.)
- More prizes! (Occasionally we will post chances for you to win more great books, so keep watching for those opportunities.)
- More information about SPLISH, our fun mascot!
The general consensus from all the answers received was that the majority of you really enjoyed the Summer Reading Splash and will definitely be participating next year! That's great! Be sure to tell all your homeschooled friends about our summer reading program too. We'll try to make next year's program bigger and better than this year. We're always open to suggestions, which you can e-mail to us at anytime.
Now, I know you're all anxious to hear this week's winners, so....
The winner of The First Adventures of Incedible You is
ETHAN (age 9) who says:
"I really liked being able to vote on a name for the frog. My mom really liked being able to stay home and save on gas money. Yes, I want to do it again next summer!"
The winner of the Terrestria Chronicles is
NATHAN who says:
"I like the book prizes you gave away for answering the questions.Yes, I plan to participate again next summer. It was great. I hope I win this week!"
For those who are wondering about turning in your reading logs, we will be e-mailing that information on Tuesday, the 29th. We are setting up a webpage where parents can enter their child's name and # of books read, and select the FREE e-book all at once. It should be very simple! So, be watching for details....... |
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Jul. 25, 2008
We'll Put Her in a Pumpkin Shell and There We'll Keep Her Very Well
My mom is nearing retirement age and the closer it gets the more she talks about moving in with us. We've joked around about it for years, like how I'll keep her in a high turrett where her grandchildren can throw food up to her through the window.
My mom claims she will be very cranky and a pain to live with because she will be old, tired, and in pain. She'll be angry that she can't do all the things she wants to do. In one way I can understand that but in another I keep telling her she's just going to have to accept it. It's a fact of life and I don't know why she has to make all of us miserable to boot.
While Dear Man likes my mom he wonders if he might lose his sanity living with someone who chooses to be a grump. He decided we would be a little house on wheels so when my mom is good we'll park her house next to ours and when she is being a pain we'll park her in the back forty.*
Actually my mom will need to have a house on the ground floor so a two or three story house with ground floor apartment would be best. We could also go with a house that has a ground floor mother-in-law house on the property. Either of these could be hard to find in our price range and in our neck of the woods.
So we've been looking to see what kind of houses are out there that we could add to our property. Here are some possibilites. Some are just fun, some are ugly, and some you just have to look at because its there.
Tumbleweed Houses - It's a house, it's on wheels, it's cute!
Eco-Pod House - For the bee in your family
Micro Compact Home - It's ugly and one might be called in to social services if you actually housed your mother in it.
Just a house pod - Might work if we lived in the arctic.
Shell house - Since my mother says she'll be a crab...
Simon's Eco-house - My mom would actually like this even though she doesn't have hairy feet.
ICOSA pods - You could always hope Han Solo might stop by.
A Yurt - You want a reindeer with that?
Loft Cubes - I'd be worried that an alien ship might mistake it for a spare part.**
Pumpkin House - To prevent it from decaying would you have to shellac it?
* I hope you know we are just kidding and that we would take good care of my mom. Maybe.
** I don't believe in aliens but that's what it makes me think of. |
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Friday, July 25, 2008
Happy Friday
Posted By diamondsintherough
Do my little girls have the best daddy, or what? Whenever I sense that my two littles are going to ask me to get into the pool with them (or even sit outside in the oven, watching them) I get a sense of dread that makes me want to run away. Not Daddy. Daddy's the best. Daddy says, "Let's go swimming!" Daddy's awesome. Someone else here should try to be more like him.
Notice those nice bright Wholesomewear swimsuits? They have kept their color this year, BUT. They are completely. stretched. out. I know what it is -- it's pool chemicals. So much for my chemistry degree. Remember the goggle-eating pool from a previous post? It also eats swimsuits. Now what? We have tried to make them last two seasons, but it's just not going to work this time. I have quite a quandary for a mom of desert kids. We just aren't going naked, that's all there is to it. But we want to get wet and have fun, too! I would love to figure out how to design something similar to these suits, something that wouldn't cost an arm to make. Well, that's one ramble for today... what else can I ramble about?
Emily and I had a good time looking at the map last night, after she told me she wants to take a train to Tanzania. Or China. LOL! I showed her where Tanzania is, and she said, "Oh! We can't take a train there. We would have to fly or take a boat!" I am feeling pretty smug, knowing that my four-year-old has figured out what a map represents. Her social studies requirement for the year has been met. 
The rest of them were supposed to start school last Tuesday. But, well, we just didn't feel up to it, and SURPRISE!! Daddy said we could put it off a week! (See, didn't I tell you our daddy is the greatest?!) Now our target starting date is THIS Tuesday. I am thinking about Shani's recent entry, in which she asked, "Does your high school student finish her work in under four hours? Does your junior high student finish her work in under two hours?" I will be able to say NO to the first question, but to the second I will have to say YES. The junior high age child will skip through her school work as fast as possible, likely missing a few questions and taking all the shortcuts. The highschool age student will be diligent but will also dawdle, so that will help her to fill up her four-plus hours. No superachievers in this household, but then, look who they have for an example! (And no, we aren't really counting hours, just talking about using our brains and accomplishing something in these energetic growing up years.)
This morning, while number 3, number 4, and Daddy were in the pool, number 1 and number 2 and I played with the microscopes we borrowed from the local high school. Figured it was about time -- school starts soon, and we'll have to give them back! We looked at red blood cells (mine), cheek cells (mine), a thin slice of carrot, and a very thin piece of onion skin. I can't remember from my college days which of these things require dye to make a good, visible specimen. Hmmm, my biology degree isn't helping me, either! I think my brain is a big black hole of knowledge. Stuff gets sucked into it, and then poof! It just disappears!
Second child, the short-cut taker, made us a batch of slow-cooker rice pudding this afternoon, and we are waiting to see how it turns out. Experimental recipe, of course. That is so much more fun than making one that we KNOW turns out edible. I have been asked to make my famous enchiladas for our church's men's meeting next Friday. Aren't enchiladas, by definition, baked in a sauce? These are baked topped with salsa. I don't think that counts. So we'll call them hot chicken and black bean roll-ups, how's that? I think I'll post that recipe here -- they really are yummy.
Well, that was about five rambles, and I have met my minimum blogging requirement. Time to go do something to earn my keep around here! Have a great weekend, everyone. |
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Friday, July 25, 2008
Friends List Update
Posted By diamondsintherough
Just letting you all know I am going to be updating my friends list, removing people I have not heard from in a long time. If I remove you, please don't cry! (I do know of a blogger who cried when her name was taken off another blogger's friends list, and honestly, I don't want to cause anyone that kind of grief!) If you don't see your blog on my list, and you still want to be "friends" (sounds like second grade, doesn't it??), please just leave me a comment and tell me so.
I admit it, I stole all my new smileys from your c-boxes! We will no longer be stuck with boring ol' blue smileys on my c-box. So go ahead and leave me a chatty line or two.
Now. Somebody tell me why there is a break before and after each emoticon...??? |
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July 25, 2008
True Friendship--- You have to watch this!!!
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Our Tenth Anniversary-Show and Tell
Posted By Kristy
Our tenth anniversary is tomorrow (July 26th)!! Ten years ago, I married the love of my life. God has been good to us and blessed us with many things. Here are two pictures from our wedding day. 
I now pronounce you man and wife, you may kiss the bride! Check out my daughter's reaction. LOL
I love you honey! I look forward to many many more years with you.
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July 25, 2008
Book Review- Painted Dresses by Patricia Hickman
Posted By Eli & Bria's Mama in CFBA
This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Painted Dresses
(WaterBrook Press - July 15, 2008)
by
Patricia Hickman
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
 Patricia Hickman is an award-winning author of fiction and non-fiction, whose work has been praised by critics and readers alike.
Patricia Hickman began writing many years ago after an invitation to join a writer's critique group. It was headed up by best-selling author Dr. Gilbert Morris, a pioneer in Christian fiction who has written many best selling titles. The group eventually came to be called the "Nubbing Chits". All four members of the original "Chits" have gone on to become award-winning and best selling novelists (good fruit, Gil!).
Patty signed her first multi-book contract with Bethany House Publishers. After she wrote several novels "for the market", she assessed her writer's life and decided she would follow the leanings of her heart. She says, "It had to be God leading me into the next work which wound up being my first break-out book, Katrina's Wings. I had never read a southern mainstream novel, yet I knew that one lived in my head, begging to be brought out and developed." She wanted to create deeper stories that broke away from convention and formula. From her own journey in life, she created a world based upon her hometown in the 70's, including Earthly Vows and Whisper Town from the Millwood Hollow Series.
Patty and her husband, Randy, have planted two churches in North Carolina. Her husband pastors Family Christian Center, located in Huntersville. The Hickmans have three children, two on earth and one in heaven. Their daughter, Jessi, was involved in a fatal automobile accident in 2001. Through her writing and speaking, Patty seeks to offer help, hope and encouragement to those who walk the daily road of loss and grief.
ABOUT THE BOOK
 In this story of sisterhood and unexpected paths, Gaylen Syler-Boatwright flees her unraveling marriage to take refuge in a mountain cottage owned by her deceased aunt. Burdened with looking after her adult sister, Delia, she is shocked to find a trail of family secrets hidden within her aunt’s odd collection of framed, painted dresses. With Delia, who attracts trouble as a daily occupation, Gaylen embarks on a road trip that throws the unlikely pair together on a journey to painful understanding and delightful revelations.
Steeped in Hickman’s trademark humor, her spare writing voice, and the bittersweet pathos of the South, Painted Dresses powerfully captures a woman’s desperate longing to uncover a hidden, broken life and discover the liberty of living authentically, even when the things exposed are shrouded in shame.
If you would like to read the first chapter, go HERE
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My Thoughts:
Painted Dresses is the story of sisterhood and friendships, love lost and relationships. It is an unexpected love story that takes you through twists and turns you never saw coming. To be honest, it was a bit hard for me to get into this book- the story line was solid, but there were so many minor characters, family members that would pop in for a scene or two, that it was hard for me to connect with them.
I haven't read any of Patricia Hickman's other books but I do think that I will try to pick up another one from the library and see how it goes. This one is a good read if you have some solid time to sit and ponder the story. Not such an easy read but enjoyable all the same.
Enjoy!!
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