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This January is such an eventful month that it makes my head spin. Trying to get a few hours of routine homeschool lessons in is a lot like trying to tie down a tent in the wind. It can be done but it take a lot of string, stakes, and diligence. Just as I get one end tied down, another breaks loose. It really helps me to sit down and figure out what my priorities are and then make check lists. As I check off the lists, I can see if I am spending my time getting my priorities done or not. These lists need updating a lot. Some things on my list become habits that I don't need reminders for, others become obsolete. SometimesI need to add new things to my list or find a way to make some things on my list happen more consistantly. I like to read other people's lists just to prompt me into thinking about what should or shouldn't be on my lists. Here's what's on the list that hangs in my bathroom at this time. I try to update this list about once a month. I print it on decorative paper and put it in a clear plastic cover with a dry erase maker attached. If I can get most of these things marked off my list, I feel that I have had a productive day. When I am feeling frazzled, I go look at my list and do something on it. That can getme back on track. Read Bible/Devotional Swish and Swipe (this is code for clean the bathrooms) Plan supper Feed cats Make bread/juice/smoothie Walk Weights/Pilates De-clutter/Organize spend 15 minutes Lessons Laundry Daily Zone spend 15 minutes doing maintenace job in the room of the day Read aloud Tidy Hot Spots ClickNKid an on-line reading program for my boys Check monthly to-do list
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I got a premium subscription to Smilebox and have been enjoying making slide shows of my photos. I made several of scaned photos from the '60s, 70s and '80s for my relatives. Here's one of recent photos I made just for myself. A rare November snow day in Tennessee: smile box |
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Here's some pictures from the first night of Hannukah.
Marshall lights the first night's candle with the servant candle.
Our hanukiah says "I am the light of the world" and "Yeshua" (Jesus) in Hebrew.
Two home-made haunkiahs.
Our sideboard and table decor. |
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Here are a few of my favorite things.
This is me in front of my grandmother's sideboard that I inheired as a young bride. I like to change the nick-nacks on it seasonally. I'm wearing my favorite apron I made from an Edwardian pattern by Sense and Sensiblity Patterns. The crocheted afgan was an antique store find on my yearly shopping trip with my husband for our aniversary.
This is the huge maple tree that shades our home. See how it dwarfs our house in comparison.
These are my favorite little boys. We've had a lot of fun raking and playing in the leaves this Fall.
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We just returned from a 10 day camping trip with a wonderful group of homeschooling families from many parts of the county. We had a lot of variety in the way of backgrounds and lifestyles (from non-electric agrarian to high-tech) but we all were united in many important things llike loving our Savior and raising our families to follow Biblical principles. We chose this week to camp because it coresponds to the week of the Hebrew calendar when the Israelites celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles (Succoth in Hebrew) to remember their bondage in Egypt and their wandering in the wilderness for 40 years. We began each morning with praise and worship music and then the fathers and young men took turns reading a chapter of the Bible and commenting on it. There were enough young people to have sports teams and worship dance circles, party games, hikes, etc. Even cold and rain couldn't dampen spirits. Although I find camping in cold weather with my large family challenging, I have returned refreshed and thankful to my warm, dry home and even have managed to get all the unpacking done by my goal of Friday evening just in time to celebrate Shabbat, the weekly day of rest. Thank you, Heavenly Father.
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Roll Call: Joe, age 16, grade 12 (senior!) subjects-algebra, English, P.E., SAT Prep, cinematography, chemistry Mary, age 14, grade 9, subjects, pre-algebra, English, Home Ec., general science, American Government, Bible Bill, age 12, grade 7, subjects, reading, spelling, math, creation science, world history Shiloh, age 9, grade 4 subjects; language arts, math, creation science, world history Marshall, age 6, grade 1, subjects; phonics, handwriting, reading, math, creation science, world history
Joe's taking cinimatography as an elective.
Mary's taking Home Economics as an elective.
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I am reclaiming August as a month for summer vacation. Even though the public schools are beginning a new school year, I will continue my summer schedule and keep working towards the goals for summer that I made back in the Spring. I plan to be ready for Fall schedule and goals after labor day. Here's my focus for the rest of the summer. Mornings for piano lessons, typing practice, online reading and spelling courses, and Spanish. Afternoons for swimming, gardening, playing, and reading for the children; exercising, organizing, decluttering, cleaning, and planning for me. And a little time for socializing with friends for all of us. "Summer-time and the living is easy...."   This is my 16 year old, Joe, with some of the characters in a movie he is directing and acting in. |
 Our church has been having vacation Bible school this week. We are using the curriculum from Answers in Genesis called Operation Space.  We are all having a lot of fun and also learning a lot about the Bible and about Science. |
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We've started implementing a new schedule for summer that reflects the goals we hope to accomplish in the next few months. It includes time for one-on-one tutoring to work on reading and spelling skills, a chance for each child to practice the piano and practice typing skills every day. Mary (14) is teaching the little boys an introductory Spanish program which gives her practice in Spanish as well as learning how to teach. There is time set aside for silent reading, too. All this is done in the morning so we have our afternoon free for playing in the pool and doing home ec projects. We also continue our tradition of afternoon tea when I read aloud while we have homemade muffins and tea. So far this summer, I have read "Stories from Shakesphere" and now I am reading "The story of the world, vol. 2". |
 Trip to Lake Winnie Great Aunt gave us a piano.  New movie in production "Found in Space"  Swimming season begins  Marshall turns 6.  |
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“Penrod” Premiere Visit us on the web at www.jaccinema.webs.com JAC Cinema’s NEW movie is now available to you and your family. See "Penrod" on the big screen at a special FREE Premiere at Grace Presbyterian Church in Jasper, TN,. DVD's will be available at the Premiere at a special discount price or pre-order your DVD by email or phone.
What’s It About: Twelve year old Penrod is a typical boy with a typical problem; he can’t stay out of trouble. When his mother makes him wear an embarrassing costume In a play, the result will be nothing short of hilarious! Will Penrod be able to escape a boy’s worst nightmare? DVD'S: Pre-order your DVD by email samclemons@charter.net or phone 423 315-6262. $12.00 post paid or $10 at the Premier. When: May 22nd 2009 Time: 1:00 Central Time (2:00 Eastern Time) Where: Grace Presbyterian Church Please let us know if you plan to attend the Premiere so we will have ample copies of the DVDs available. Directions: Take I-24 to Jasper (exit 155) and go North, 1 mile, on Hwy. 28 to Jasper Exit; take exit ramp and at end of exit ramp turn left, west onto US Highway 41, (turn right if you are coming from Dunlap/Whitwell), then go through town, past the square, roughly one mile and the church will be in the building between Verizon Wireless and Marion Flag Store at 3363 Main Street. Questions, call 423 315-6262 or email samclemons@charter.net
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Yesterday it was warm, and sunny in the 70's. The boys were chasing butterfiles barefooted. Today it is dark, rainny and in the 50's. The extended forcast has some of everything; sunny, rainny, warm, cold, even some snow flurries. AND WE ARE GOING TO BE CAMPING OUt ALL WEEK. Somehow, I've got to pack everyone's warm and cold weather clothing. I'm going to pick all my tulips and buttercups before I go so I can enjoy them at my campsite.
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 My children have formed their own movie company called "JAC Cinema". Their latest project is a half hour comedy called "Penrod". It is set in 1915 and is based on the book by Booth Tarkington. They hope this to be the first of a series of "Penrod" films, in the style of the "Little Rascals" of the 1930's. My 11 year old, Bill stars as "Penrod", his sister Betsy plays Penrod's sister as well as writing the script, doing the story board and directing. Leila(age 22) was costume designer and seamstress. She also designed and produced the dvd cover and lable. Joe (age 16) is camera man and editor. My sister has a major part and I play Penrod's mother. Many of our freinds and family are extras. It has been a wonderful learning and growing experience for us. My children hope to be able to sell enough of the dvds to finance other projects, inculding a documentary about our ancestors. Check out the trailer on their web site and please leave a comment to encourage them. "Penrod" trailer   See more show and tell entries at Canada Girl's blog. Friday Show and Tell  |
We had a brief visit with my grandchildren. | |||
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"She always gave herself very good advice, but she seldom followed it" Alice's Adventures in Wonderland Here's my good advice to myself for this week Spiritual- Continue to do the online Bible study"The Lord's Table" Physical - Be consistent to do exercise every day with Leslie Sansone's Walk Away the Pounds DVD. Mental- Read book "How to teach your Dyslexic Child" Housekeeping- Plan meals that use up the stored pantry foods that have leaven in them. Homeschooling - Be consistent to tutor my non-readers. Make sure they do their drills on ClickN Read Hope-to's - Clean up the cottage for a special birthday tea party for my youngest daughter
This is my little sister and me, circa 1976 |
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I have just signed two of my children up with an online reading program called ClickN READ. It has 100 carefully designed reading lessons that will cover the reading skills taught in K through3rd grade. It was recomended to me as a good program to help a struggling reader. I also signed up my kindergartener for it so he will get a good foundation in phonics this year even though I have to spend so much time instructing his older brother. My boys love it because it's like a video game but the lessons are very carefully designed and the parental controls are such that I am able to make sure they are mastering the lesson before they get to move on. |
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My 4th grandaughter in 5 years, Anastasia Victoria, was born at home after about a 3 hour labor. She weighs 7 lbs. 13 oz. and is 20 inches long. This picture was taken about 12 hours after her birth. The midwives, Wayne, and Quinn's mother were at the birth which was about 3 a.m. We all got there by early afternoon and stayed 'till evening. Leila and Betsy are going to stay to help with the 3 big sisters.
Uncle Marshall, age 5
Uncle Joe, age 16
Uncle Shiloh, age 8
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My daughter-in-love, Quinn, is expecting her 4th child. The due date is January 16 so it could be any time now. Betsy (my 18 year old) crocheted this hooded cape for the new baby. I can't wait to see the baby in it. Wayne and Quinn live about 3 hours from us. When the baby is born, we will take Betsy and Leila to help take care of them.