2009-Jul-4 - Let Freedom Ring~

Happy 4th of July!

Everyone is concerned with this economy, and I am addressing

Financial freedom tips and continuing to share GREAT quality home school products~many low cost or free~ at my newest blog adventure~

SisterTipster's Thriving With No Green$

The name means I am thriving on little money, which is just what I have done for several years now, beginning way before most felt the economic crunch of this recent year.  Join me for inside tips on how to live and love on less.  Along the way I will share more good quality products homeschooling and others for good economic decisions and living.

UP there is a post with a link to Home School Enrichment HSE Magazine~

It's a free digital download ~YOU will love it! This magazine has loads of information to encourage and support homeschooling whether you are just getting started or have been schooling for a long time.  This is a fully interactive and easy to navigate digital format~

LOVE it! LOVE it! Love it!

Go ck out the new blog~whoohoo

CHANGE IS GOOD~
SisterTipster

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2009-Jun-30 - Making a MOVE~join me~~

Friends, countrymen, blog buddies~
LEND ME YOUR EARS-OK, keep them  LOL!
BUT~
Go ck out my new blog:
SisterTipster's Thriving With No Green$ HERE

New Contest COMING~Congrats Tina, WINNER of $25 GIFT CARD!!

blessings,
SisterTipster

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2009-Jun-30 - AND the Winner Is. . . . . . . . . .

Thank you to EVERYONE who helped GET THE WORD OUT in the contest for the $25 Gift card~

WE HAVE A WINNER~
Tina~
Come on down. . .YOU ARE A WINNER~

She gets to choose between a Wal-Mart or Christianbook.com gift card~her choice!

blessings
SisterTipster

Go see THE VICTORIAN HOME for sale~Tell someone about it~thanks!

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2009-Jun-29 - FREEbie Sites for Educational materials!

MORE freebie sites are cropping up all the time~I'm beginning to think FREE IS the way to go for so much of our kid's educations.  I know there is the Freely Educate site  HERE that has educational things free~but for your little ones to teach them phonics, go to Progressive Phonics and check out their neat system.

Coming up is WHY I am SisterTipster and all about my mission in blogging. . .

AND we will be drawing for the $25 Gift Card TOMORROW~Stay tuned ;-)) to see who won!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you to all who entered and who looked at my house telling friends and family about it~I am getting responses of folks interested, but no offers yet..please keep praying and talking (like THESE are hard~LOL~)!!
Blessings
SisterTipster

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2009-Jun-27 - FREE Online Reading and Math Tutoring~State Standards and Testing (FREE)

Two things to share for your homeschool.  I LOVE free~don't you??

First, there is the Yahoo Group, "Free Homeschool Tools_No Chat" that offers members for usually just postage what is requested and offered.  It's a national network of sharing what you have and getting what you need just like a freecycle group just for homeschoolers~HOW cool is this?

Go HERE to sign up!

Reading and Math are two subjects every homeschooling family is working with~oh yeah! So when MindSprinting.com was introduced to me in the yahoo group, I went to see for myself just what this freebie site would offer.  Wowsy WoW WOW~free testing and then a customized program to strengthen weaknesses or enrich areas!!!!!!
I could'nt be more excited!  I personally took the tests and went through the upper level material before I plan to introduce it to my kiddos.  This way I am certain that the content, which appears secular but without evolutionary bias, is as far as I can see very very good.  The site recommends printing the materials and doing them by hand.  This is good for me because I like the handwriting practice that worksheets entail.  We use the computer for other things so much that a series of worksheets isn't harmful to our homeschooling.  Generally we don't use them all that much, and I know for some kids, it's pure torture. I would take this into consideration and use the program by not making it harder and creating more resistance than is necessary for my child with modifications like allowing your child to read aloud and you mark the multiple choice questions or just discuss the story.  The readings are pretty short, but this depends upon age group. I tried out the middle and high school materials. 

MindSprinting.com even offers math according to grade level and age appropriateness.  Now before I bring down on myself all the good people who will say that children are not learners in a vacuum of ages and grades, while I will agree, it is only to a point.  Unfortunately, while we are not of this world as Christians and homeschoolers, we must be able to thrive in it.  Do I want my children to learn material just because the public schools say it's appropriate or in their curriculum for a certain year? No, but I do want them prepared to face their peers and state testing if and when we are called upon to do so.  With this said, I believe there is some solid evidence to keep children being educated with grades, structure and testing.  If you hold a similar idea, or if you are in need of free curriculum for your children in math and reading, go check out MindSprinting.com as a uniuqe and FREE solution.

I hope that you find these Free resources useful in your homeschool!

blessings,
SisterTipster

 

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2009-Jun-26 - Creation Science Museum and Ken Ham~SBC-WOW!

We just got home from an incredible trip to the Southern Baptist Convention and the Answers in Genesis Creation Museum.  This was an awesome experience for our family.  There is so much to share about our experiences.  If I had the say what was the best thing would be getting to chat for just a few minutes with Ken Ham, Founder of AIG and the museum.  He was doing a book signing of his latest book, which I got BTW~yay!  

There are awesome exhibits to make faith in creation such a solid fact of reason coupled with faith.  Faith is what is necessary to believe anything about origins of this world, and a solid viewpoint of Biblical respect and trust are at the core of a creationist viewpoint.  Man reasons with only finite understanding because we cannot SEE all the evidence God has placed before us, but God has told in His Word that He is Creator and God.  It is man's place to trust or reject based on God's will.  AWESOME!  While there are loads and loads of fossils in the museum and dino exhibits with an animated dino to boot, the museum is lacking in what we think are the actual science rationals for a young earth and creationist viewpoint.  Science does back up creation by God, but while it was briefly mentioned in some of the displays, more elaborate and educational methods for educating us on this would have made the case for creation stronger in the museum aside from the faith argument.  Brought into play also is the sociological argument of social decay when God is not at the helm of society.  Again this is purely a religious interplay and not earth science as we had hoped we would see.  We know that in his books, Ken Ham reasons science to support creation.  We just wish that there had been more of this argument in the museum. 

My favorite display would have to have been the historical time-line showing creation to Rome.  Ancient history is so crucial for a real understanding of our world today, and it was great to see this so well displayed. 

In looking for the AIG website so I could post a link to it, I found the National Center for Science Education~Defending Evolution in Public Schools which is an interesting yet disturbing read defending evolution being taught in public schools.  It is a "review" of the museum along with disparaging remarks about Ken Ham, creationism and even attacks homeschoolers.  Ha! Well, while I do agree with the writer that there was little actual science(I am sure our definitions of science WiLL DIFFER), as we had hoped to see, there was a whole lot of Christianity which I whole heartedly WAS THRILLED to see! When man does not value the Word of God and Its viewpoint, faithlessness results and a scoffers attitude.  This is exactly what you have here in this review.  So go read it for yourself.  Be aware there is some off color unnecessary remarks made by the writer, but it gives good indication of where this person stands.

There are several critiques of the museum which is called "anti-museum" Ha! that are unfounded.  There are hands on exhibits for children in the forms of puzzles and video interactives.  The petting zoo must not have been operational at the time of the visit because it is not mentioned, and there were loads of people, so many that it was difficult to navigate to see all the displays.  There were many many people, young and old, of varying ethnic backgrounds there yesterday as well, and we even met homeschoolers from the local region as well as the United Kingdom.  Of course I could not give any real statistical numbers other than that we met two other homeschooling families who must somehow in that writer's mind represent the stereotypes he discussed. 

I whole heartedly support and will continue to support creation education for not just my own children but children everywhere as part of a Biblical worldview so that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is known to all.  Scoffers and those rebellious against the Creator~God have been since the Garden of Eden in the earth.  GO SEE and support AIG for its Christian stand on origins!!!

  Go to Northern KY or Southern Cincinatti to see this wonderful display of Christian apologetics for a faith affirming experience.

I think our kids enjoyed the petting zoo and rope bridge in the gardens the most.  It was a sweltering day as temps are unseasonably hot these days in our area, but it didn't stop the fun! The animals are sweet, and I've never seen a zonkey~have you?  He is adorable! 

You can look for my review of the latest Ken Ham book which I will be reading and telling you all about it!

While at the Southern Baptist Convention, we met a missionary from Alaska.  She was a neat gal who works there and was discussing fossils with the Creation Museum reps at the convention. 

The Convention was my first to see loads of Christians gathered in one place.  I truly have never been in such crowds before.  There were wonderful speeches, calls to servant-hood and obedience to our Lord.  It was wonderful to see so many who love God in one place. 

WE ARE HOME~and it's going to be busy just putting life "back in order" after our trip.  If I'm successful, in just a few hours, I plan to beat the heat and head to the pool. . .

Don't forget to go ck out Answers in Genesis!

Blessings
SisterTipster

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2009-Jun-22 - Cheap Cheap Cheap Nationwide Longdistance~YEP It Works!

Have you seen the commercial and wondered if it REALLY works or is some gimmick to get your hard earned Lincoln$?

This is a totally unsolicited endorsement for a product I think EVERY family living on a budget can use~MAGIC JACK! HERE!

This little box that plugs into your USB port on your computer with high speed internet is fabulous at saving you money on all your long distance calling~It's so affordable too at 39 bucks and some change for that first year and 20 for each year after~whoohoo!

Magic Jack is saving some of my Lincoln$!  How about you? Are you already a high speed internet surfer who makes long distant calls to family and friends watching the clock to make sure you either don't over do your minutes or your wallet?  Try this little ditty out~This is one money saver~and I use it locally and nationwide. 

The down side is that local callers will pay to call you if it is your primary phone.  But you can have your long distance service disabled and use just the Magic Jack for it and your regular phone for your local calls and callers.  One other mention~this may or may not throw you off, but if you use your computer a lot while trying to talk it may cut in and out.  We created a network system where we have a computer dedicated to my Magic Jack phone.  This has solved the issue, and if you think that cost of a dedicated computer is prohibitive, often you can FreeCycle (HERE!)and see if someone is upgrading and getting rid of theirs. 

I am thrilled with my set up and have had it almost a year now. . .pretty good trial to see HOW good it really is~

FOR saving money it gets a HUGE ~

Check Magic Jack out FREE for a month~HERE!

HTH you on your way to keeping your money in your pocket and surviving this economic situation we are all facing!

Blessings from above,
SisterTipster

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2009-Jun-21 - Daddy. . .

It's Father's Day 2009, and I want to say that Daddys are a special kind of man.  I know; I've got two, ONE whose been married to my Mama for over fifty years and MY husband who is Daddy to our children. 

D~Devoted.  Dads are this to the core.  Oh any "man" can father a child, but devotion is straight from a Daddy's heart.  A picture tells a tale when you look at one of our wedding photos.  It's the one of my Father walking me down the aisle. . .just "out the gate" from the back . . . a study of his face tells it all.  He's NOT a happy man~he is "giving away" his little girl.  Daddys do this sort of thing and FEEL this sort of thing.  They are true and loyal to the core, working day in and day out to provide, protect and preserve their families. Dedication is the first D is Daddy.

A~Active  Daddys involved in their families and homes are touching the pulse of the heart of each family member. Active love, Active faith, Active care and concern are at the core of ALL that he does each moment of every day for his wife and children. Daddyism isn't passive.  THERE'S TOO MUCH to be done! He's going, going and gone with each child each step and mile to hear, support, guide, provide, stay alive...yeah, I think this "stay alive" applies to Daddy's with teenagers~YIKES! But even Daddys with teeny tiny babes in arms are active to nurture and snuggle so that little bundle knows his love and care.  Active is the A is DAddy!

D~Dreaming Yeah, I said DREAMING! Where would our children be without the dreams held for their futures? Daddys thinking and praying long and hard with Mamas are considering the past, present and dreaming of futures for their people (kids), making plans, promises, and persuits.  Where there is no vision the people perish, and where there is no dreaming Daddy, the family is directionsless.  Homeschooling Daddys and Mamas know dreaming well.  It began with the decision to home educate and continues with each passing year as we evaluate and structure to meet goals and needs along the way.  In each area of the life of the family, dreaming is essential for a sound progression into the future.  Children benefit from it, thereby society benefits from it.  Dreaming is the second D in DaDdy!

D~Determined "I don't want to!" "no" "nope" What Daddy hasn't faced these words out of the mouth of HIS babes?  AND facing such opposition, his determination to stand in truth against such behavior is essential to the healthy setting of limits for the children in his family.  Oh opposition doesn't just come from the children either, but this ole world is ringing and clamoring to steal what is rightfully Daddy's own home and family, so that without solid determination, the wolf at the door might get inside to wreck and ruin the precious occupants entrusted to his care.  Daddys are stalward, strong, steel-like and striking with a stretch here or there to keep the enemy out and the family safe.  Determination is exercised in work and play~all areas. . . What man really LOVES working with the sweat of his brow all THAT much? If we humans could have a life of ease, surely man would take this option rather than labor from dawn til dusk until death comes creeping upon him. . .but determined Daddys stand the test each and every time, tempted and tried~proven and able.  Determined~yes! This is the third D in DadDy!

Y~Yielding to God  Only last because of it's letter, yielding to God is such a crucial part of being a Daddy.  Hearing the Heavenly Father's voice in his ear as Daddy lives out his faith before his family.  Does God speak to Daddys? Oh yes, and God's Word is alive and applicable to everyday life for the family of which Daddys are head.  Daddys must hear and obey God to teach his children proper reverence for God~the Heavenly Father and Creator of the Universe.  Our lives speak so loudly that our children cannont hear our words.  This is very true with Daddys.  So goes the spiritual walk of Daddy~goes the walk of the family.  The Bible has many promises for the man who walks upright before God in his family, but the man with unrepented sins in his heart has the curse of the effects of sin following future generations.  The Bible says to the third and fourth. WOW~that's somewhere around 150 years to be followed by negative effects.  But a man who walks in the ways of God training his children to follow the Lord, the blessings of a Christian family belong to him.  Daddys must yield to God, and in tern teach the ways of God to their children leading and guiding their homes.  Y is really a first priority for every DaddY!

It's my prayer that each Daddy have a  restful and happy day today! OK Moms, help those kids honor Dad!

Blessings
SisterTipster

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2009-Jun-19 - It Makes Me Wonder Sometimes...

I am so thankful that God is an ever abiding presence in my life. . .Oh NOW  I am not perfect by any stretch so don't go thinking that I am some kind of smug sister who doesn't know her weaknesses~I do know them! But it's God who really keeps me going.  Today the hymn, "Just When I Need Him Most" came to mind, "just when I need Him he is my guide, Just when I need Him, right by my side..." Oh yeah, and believe me, sometimes I NEED Him, do you? Yeah, we all do need the Lord. 

I had the joy of sharing a Scripture verse that means a lot to me.  It keeps my relationship open with the Lord despite my failures as a person, wife, parent, pastor's wife, friend, daughter...any failure in my life to live just as He wants me to live.  I John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteouness." 

WHAT A PROMISE~

If I confess my sins or short comings to God, He promises to clean them up and forgive me! I can bank on Him to do as He has promised!

So when I am wondering just how I'm gonna keep on keeping on, I remember I John 1:9 and that He is a forgiving and loving GOD~ JUST WHEN I NEED HIM MOST!

Praising God~
SisterTipster

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2009-Jun-16 - FREE Curriculum and Other Stuff in this Economy!

I am all over a bargain~and having really felt the crunch of these economic times, I've looked for economical ways to do just about anything. Like many of you, I am researching and planning our next year of homeschooling and researching options for the best curricula choices for my children.  Factors that I consider are ease of use, content/quality and cost.  I sure wish cost wasn't an issue!  With so much income downsizing going on in our country; yes, we are there with many others too, it's scary how much a year of homeschooling COULD cost! (Check out my previous post HERE for a free online curriculum solution with FREE out of print books!)

I want to share a few tactics that can sometimes turn into "pay dirt" for a mother-load of great FREE curriculum!  I am a member of my local Yahoo group, FreeCycle. FreeCycle is a national web-based Yahoo group that you can join, which is list owned or moderated where there are rules for offering and "wanting" items with local groups in many communities.  I've been a member now in two different locations, and the rules were somewhat different between the two.  Basically it's a group to keep good or sometimes bad, depending, really...OUT of the landfill and going into the hands of folks who can use the stuff!  How cool is this?  I keep saying this about different things, but when you consider USING what we HAVE in this world slows down the rate or useless garbage that has the potential for overtaking God's green earth! Recycling and repurposing and thrift are all good for this or any other economy for that matter. 

Here's my personal experience:

I have joined my local FreeCycle group and recieve email updates through the Yahoo group.  When an item becomes available that I can use, I reply with a well worded polite request to be considered.  (Rules are in place where the person offering an item or items can at their/my discression offer to any responder that strikes the giver's fancy.)  Sometimes I get my request; sometimes I don't.  I have made some FreeCycle friends of folks who I've gifted my unusable items with and who have contacted me personally with items they knew I was looking for as well.  With FreeCycle there are no guarantees over what I might receive, but one this is certain:  I can always find a good home for items I no longer need.  Folks in FreeCycle will pick up, and if someone doesn't show up, folks seem to "remember" the inconsiderate action. . .one can always email for a different pick up time or a change of plans.  It's a GREAT group!  

I am so totally pumped over FreeCycle because we have received four years of gorgeous totally useable homeschool curricula for high school with a Biblical worldview from my FreeCycle group member who just listed their offering, and I responded.  Praise the Lord! There were a few subjects I had not nailed down that it was looking like hundreds of dollars to accomplish. 

Are you in the boat with me of shrinking finances with an increasing load to carry?
 
Other items I've received were vegitable plants from a fellow FreeCycler who had too many starts for her garden.  Another who needed her raspberries thinned, so we got FREE starts!  A stack of used magazines (kind I enjoy reading) that yeah, weren't fresh off the press,  but the price was right! Art supplies...We gifted furniture and other items too! It's been so much fun!

Check out FreeCycle over in the Yahoo groups.  Yahoo has free email where you set up an account that's free and work from there.  Also to plug Yahoo, there are tons of homeschool support groups available.  You do have to request joining the list and give a brief intro.  Something like,
"Hello,
I am a homeschooling mom of two highschoolers...blah blah blah or I am interested in recycling and repurposing items..." depending of course on the group.  It doesn't have to be elaborate is the main point I want you to know. 

I am gonna get off here  and go ck out my FREE homeschool curriculum! (FIVE BOXES! I will FreeCycle what I can't use back to bless someone else!)


Wishing us all better economic times and blessings
SisterTipster
Join GET THE WORD OUT Contest~help me share my Victorian home for sale and win $25 gift card (WalMart or Christianbook.com~your choice HERE !)

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2009-Jun-13 - FREE Audio Dramatized Bible Downloads~Wow!

I find I often don't have or take the time out to read the Bible, but I can easily listen as I go about my everyday life! Also how many people find reading a challenge or understanding what they are reading?  Faith Comes By Hearing is a ministry dedicated to removing the barriers to knowing God's Word.  Click on the button for your free download and to learn more about Bible listening. There is a Kidz Bible too!
How cool is this??
Blessings
SisterTipster

PS. We can't teach what we don't know! Let's make God's Word a priority in our lives~it will impact our homes!

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2009-Jun-13 - FREE Online Curriculum~You Can't BEAT This!

Here's a huge plug for TOS' Minute to Minute ENewsletter~Wow! Fabulous reader responses to reader questions! Subscribe HERE!

NOW on WITH THIS FREE CURRICULUM~

In this edition of Minute to Minute a reader offered a website for FREE curriculum of all types for every age group using mainly public domain books that are free online~ The coordinator is Miss Maggie, who has organized by topic and age the books needed for a great education.  Ck this out Old Fashioned Education!

We can never beat FREE!

All the Best for a successful year of homeschooling~If you are like me, you are making your plans now or maybe taking a little break before you do make them.  Either way, this source is a great one!

Blessings
SisterTipster

Join the fun and enter the GET THE WORD OUT CONTEST HERE!

Go see our Victorian Home for Sale by Owner~4% to buyers agent: Here!

Victorian Properties.com ad HERE!