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Homeschooling Adventures at the Maxwell's
Friday, April 27, 2007
Baking Bread
Today I actually made four loaves of bread by hand! Not a bread machine either, but by the strength of my own to hands. I'd been wanting to make it for a while and found this wonderfully easy recipe on Hillbilly Housewife and couldn't wait to use it. I'd also used the pizza dough recipe she has on this site earlier today for lunch and it was super easy and deliciouso!
Adrienne and I were working sporadically on our cleaning missions today and for the 1st one I chose to work on the dishwasher (putting away clean ones, and reloading with dirty ones), then I had time so I shined the sink. I'd swept and mopped the floor earlier, so that was one less thing I had to get sidetracked with.
For the 2nd mission I focused on decluttering and shining the countertops in the kitchen. I totally cleared of two of them and the other one still has cleaning supplies that need to find a permanent home (which gives me an idea for a mission tomorrow!).
The 3rd mission I wound up skipping as my hubby came home right then and I got busy chatting with him and fixing him a plate of the pizza we had leftover. So I never got to officially take part in the third mission. But since we are trying to get into the habit of blogging after our three missions, here I am now! LOL.
Tomorrow, first on my list is to balance my checkbook. We are in some very severe financial straights right now and I need to finally F.A.C.E. my finances and see where we stand (feels like I'm standing in quicksand!). And just so I don't forget what else I want to focus on tomorrow - declutter/organize the laundry cupboard, and declutter/organize the ever-growing pile on the back of the dining table.
I'm so looking forward to doing tomorrow's missions with my dear friend. |
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Tuesday, April 24, 2007
15 Minutes to Bliss
My friend and I are encouraging each other to cleaning missions, 15 focused minutes at a time. Today we are focusing on our bedrooms.
Our first mission was to clean and declutter the area immediately inside the door. For me that was my nightstand on my side of the bed, so I tossed the trash, put the odds and ends away then shined it all up (even the legs!!). Was also able to start in on the piles beside and behind the door when the timer went off.
I chose our next mission, so we stripped our bedding, tossed it in the washer and either flipped or turned the mattress. Then I yanked the dust ruffle off and had my husband hold the mattress while I put the new one on. Then he helped me flip it. I'll make it later when the bedding comes out, it's my favorite so I want to use them again.
The last one we did was to tackle the rest of the mess by the door. WOW! What a difference those focused cleaning missions have made! I got all the clothes hung up or put away, a box or two to put in the outbuilding, and two bags for charity. Now just a quick vacuum and it will be beautiful! Of course, tons more to do, but I have to start somewhere and it has inspired me to do even more. |
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Sunday, March 18, 2007
"GET ORGANIZED" Spring 2007 on HGTV
I just signed up for this today, here is what it says on the website. Let me know if you sign up and we'll help encourage each other.
It's back by popular demand. Starting April 2, we're getting organized again! The plan this year includes four steps over eight weeks, and we're doing it together! We'll help you get rid of clutter and organize your home — and your life — for good.
Here's what you'll find:
- Step-by-step organizing guides for almost every room in the house, plus simple do-it-today tips
- A weekly quiz to help you determine your organizing obstacles with suggestions for starting fresh
- A community message board hosted by organizing expert Monica Ricci
- Solutions for common clutter culprits like paper and toys, plus tips for specific clutter-prone areas
- Before-and-after organizing makeovers with storage and design ideas for your own home
Sign Me Up
Required Information
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Thursday, February 1, 2007
Resolutions Update - February
Since I just posted a Weight Loss update, I thought I'd review my resolutions and see how I'm doing with those also. So here they are:
1. Financial freedom and good money management. - Could be better, still not bringing down the balance in the checkbook, still trying to guestimate in my head. Did have one bad check come through the bank ($31 fee), so that really irritates me. Did file our taxes already and have a substantial refund coming our way any day now, so that will catch us up on our bills and get some much needed home-improvements taken care of. Once the bills are caught up, I'm going to make a better effort to involve my husband in the bill-paying and budgeting. Even though he is the sole bread-winner in our home, he has no clue what we pay out every month, and quite frankly, I'm tired of being the only one stressed out about it.
2. Family time - quality and quantity - Due to financial strain this last month, we haven't been able to go anywhere and do anything outside of the house, like movies or roller-skating. We have enjoyed playing some of the board games the kids got for Christmas and working on some of the jigsaw puzzles we already have. But, really, our family time is pretty poor. We do spend a lot of time together, and Ty has been taking the boys with him when he runs errands more than usual, but I just feel we are existing together rather than "doing" things together. I'll need to actually right down specific activities on the calendar next month that we can do as a family. I'm thinking roller-skating, a movie, game-night, and I'll ask the other members of this family to see what they'd like to do too.
3. Healthy eating - for the whole family - At first I was going to write on here that there has been no change but in rethinking it, I realize there actually is a big change. We have only eaten out once time this month and that was Burger King before our homeschool group meeting. I felt miserable afterwards too, and the kids were starved a few hours later like they hadn't eaten anything all day. We also picked up some pizza's from Little Ceasar's once as we got unexpected company and didn't want to serve them bits and pieces of leftovers that we were going to eat that night. Since I'd been making a lot of pizza's lately, the ones from Little Ceasar's seemed rather tasteless to us and I decided to keep the fixing for pizza's in the freezer at all times, then all we have to do is open a can or jar of sauce and assemble all the rest, it can thaw while it cooks. I'll also make sure I keep healthier snacks in plain view of everyone, so they'll grab them instead of something not so great (not that they'll even find junk in this house, they can find it next door at their grandparents house).
4. Organization - in all aspects - Still a work in progress. I did go through all the cd's, vhs's, and dvd's. We are getting rid of the majority of vhs tapes, made a list of the ones I want to replace with a dvd, and straightened the shelves where we keep them. Went through the kid's clothes and coats/jackets and weeded out the outgrown or ones they don't care for. I have pics taken of everything that is worth trying to sell on ebay, just need to take a few minutes and get them listed. Still have lots more to do, but can see where I have been making progress, so that is definitely inspiring to me.
5. Time with friends - The only contact that I've had with friends this past month was phone conversations. While that is better than no contact, I miss the face-to-face. I did however join a new homeschool group and did get to attend a meeting and met some new people and some I've known for a little while. So that was some social contact, and I really enjoyed it, so did the kids. I want to do more activities with the family, and I'm thinking I might extend invites to other friends of ours to join us. That way we'll get to enjoy fun and friends!
6. Record more memories - I took about a 10 second video of the back of two of my kids heads, then they saw me and ran off. Oh, well, I'll try again. I have been encouraging the kids to take the camera and just snap away. Sometimes the take some quite unflattering pictures of me, but I save them anyway (and use them to encourage me to make myself more presentable on a daily basis). I haven't done any scrapbooking and because the dsl was out for a couple of weeks, got out of the habit of updating my blog, so that didn't help with the recording aspect either. Am reminding myself to make more of an effort in this area.
7. Earn money for high quality homeschool supplies (not a "real" job, though) - We have done exceptionally well on eBay this past month, and have purchased a grammar curriculum that I'd been looking at for Chance, now just need to implement it! Still only have a couple of things to purchase to round out our school year, and I'll do that next week.
8. Cleanliness - in all areas (could probably fall under organization above) - Doing better, but keep falling into my old lazy habits. It seems like the more laundry I do, the more there is TO do. Same with dishes. I know if I follow my Control Journal everything falls into place, just need to kick myself in the heiney to make myself do it. This is probably the biggest lifestyle change that I need and want to make. I recognize the problem and know a solution, just need to meld it all together and make it happen.
Hopefully I'll have better updates next month. |
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Sunday, January 7, 2007
Portraits of My Kids
Here are the portraits the kids had taken last month. They turned out wonderfully, I must say.
All 3 of them, of course!
Chance, 13.
Spencer, 8.
Lindsey, 6.
The photographer suggested having the kids all in white T's and blue jeans, and also the bare feet. My oldest was a little upset about the bare feet, and constantly remarks on how "stupid" it looks. Everyone else seems to like the look of them, and I know I do. |
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Wednesday, January 3, 2007
Our Family Christmas Picture of 2006
Here is our family Christmas picture of 2006.
From left to right: Tyler, Lindsey holding Smokie, Spencer holding Widebutt, Dianna (ME!), and Chance.
This is part of a resolution to record more memories. Not only am I recording them, I'm sharing them! |
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Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Resolution #8 - Cleanliness In All Areas
Resolution #8 - Cleanliness in all areas.
Why: This would probably also fall under the organization resolution, but this covers a little more than that. It seems like the clothes hampers are always overflowing, the dirty dishes are piled precariously, the floors are filthy, the bedrooms are just disgusting. When all the laundry is done, it will not all fit in the respective drawers and closets. The dishes are either waiting in the dishwasher, or waiting to be put in the it. When the dishes are clean, many get tossed half-hazardly into the cabinets that are very overcrowded too. The floors always seem to be in constant need of sweeping/mopping or vacuuming. The cats have cat litter strung all over my bathroom, not to mention I usually wait until it stinks somewhat before I change it for them. I won't even mention the bathtub rings and toilet stains.
How: Dusting off my Control Journal and following all the routines, each and every day. Making sure a load of laundry is started and something is done with the dishes before setting down to the computer in the mornings. Work with the kids to get their room organized and decluttered, and do my own too. Try to sweep the hard floors daily and mop at least weekly, and spot clean the floor when I see them and not let them build up until the entire floor is covered in little dirty spots. Weed out the clothes that do not get worn from the dressers and closets to make room for the ones that actually do get worn. Empty out the canister of the vacuum cleaner when I'm done using it, instead of before I use it (I tend to not use it because I know I need to clean it out first, YUCK). Put a broom and dustpan in the bathroom to use to sweep up the cat litter instead of waiting for Ty to complain about not being able to walk barefoot in there. Also scoop the litter daily and change completely weekly, before the stinkies happen. Do a weekly bathroom blessing session, which will include scrubbing toilets, tubs and shower, sweeping and mopping floors, change cat litter, and shine sinks, mirrors and counters. The biggest challenge will be when I empty all the cupboards onto the table and sort through it all. I'll find tons of stuff I don't use, stuff I can use, and stuff for the trash. The unloved but still lovable stuff will be listed on ebay, or tossed if I don't get around to listing within 3 days. |
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Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Resolution #7 - Earn Money
Resolution #7 - Earn money for high quality homeschooling supplies.
Why: Every time I turn around, I see some great products that I think would be very beneficial to our homeschooling. We've been doing it now for going on three years, so I have a pretty good idea of what will work for us and what will just sit on a shelf and look pretty. I'm a huge sucker for books of all kinds anyway, so when I see something that appears to target a weak area in our curriculum it makes me crazy that I can't buy it right NOW! Since we have all the basics fairly well covered for our schooling, it is hard to allow myself to take the money from our very tight budget to splurge on these items. There are several areas that I feel we need to focus on improving, such as grammar skills, penmanship, geography, and history. I cover many of these with free online websites, as well as library books and books we already own. However, I'd like to find some actual curriculum to follow instead of making it up as I go along, that wears me out after a while.
How: The most logical idea for me is to sell more stuff on ebay. Sometimes I do really well with it, like when I sold a book I got from the library book sale on the dollar a bag day for over $100. That was pure luck, though. I also make some denim bags that I may make a few and try selling them on there to see how they do. I also have a lot of "stuff" in one of our outbuildings that I got tired of looking at, I need to get that stuff back to the house so I can list all of it. I take a lot of stuff to charity, that I could take a few minutes and try listing, such as making lots out of the kids outgrown clothes and shoes. I need to pay attention to the things I look for on ebay and see what I have that would qualify. My husband has some things that we are listing on there now, and maybe that will be inspiring to me to list some of my stuff too. |
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Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Resolution #6 - Record More Memories
Resolution #6 - Record More Memories
Why: I get so caught up in the day to day activities of just living, that I sometimes forget to take a moment and record our lives. I have a video camera that I rarely ever use. When we do take pictures, I'm nearly always the one behind the camera and never in the pictures. Not that I'm a camera hog, but I want to be photgraphed with my family, for them to have as a memory of me when they are grown. I usually hide behind the camera because I rarely wear any make-up or do anything to my hair when we are home for days on end. I know I should feel comfortable in pictures if that's how I'm comfortable being anyway, but I'm not. Ty and I are rarely in pictures with the kids, and I notice that my oldest isn't in nearly as many pictures as my youngest two.
How: For starters, take pictures and videos of our everyday lives, not wait for something to happen and then find the batteries are dead. Take the camera with us when we go anywhere, even if it is just to Wal-Mart, you never know what will be worth recording with a photo. Keep the video camera and digital camera accessible to all of us, even the youngest ones. If I think I may be in pictures, then I may want to make myself more presentable. That in itself will make me feel better, just knowing I look better (and I won't scare the mailman if he comes to my door!). Keeping track of their work in their portfolios is a start in that direction, but I want it to be so much better. I will start taking pictures of everything we do during the school day, and then have them make either journal entries or reports to go along with the pics. I also have TONS of scrapbooking supplies that I enjoy using, just need to set a day or so each month to do as much as I can in that time frame. |
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Saturday, December 23, 2006
Resolution #5 - Time with friends
Resolution #5 - Time with friends.
Why: I have a couple of friends that I talk on the phone with on a somewhat regular basis, but we rarely have any face time. There are also several couples that my husband and I used to hang out with before we had children. Since a very good friend of mine passed away a couple of months ago, I've realized how much my friends mean to me, and that sometimes I have to take that first step to reconnect.
How: Calling my friends is a good start, instead of waiting for them to call me. Inviting one friend/couple/family to our house for dinner per month works pretty well, too. Of course, it will only work if they are receptive to our invitation. It's hard for people's schedules to match, but if everyone wants to make it work then it will. We had one couple out in November and we had a great time just catching up, I want a LOT more of that. This is the shortest resolution yet, I guess because it seems the simplest to carry out. Just pick up the phone to talk, and again to invite them out. |
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