Buckeye Blog - Homeschool Blogger

Here's a Thought...

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:31:00 -0600

Constitution = 17 printed pages to run the entire country.

"Health Care" bill = 2,074 (unread) printed pages to ruin - eh hemmm - run 1/6 of our economy.

What's wrong w/this picture?

Homemade Spray Disinfectant

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:38:00 -0600

2 c. water
3 TB. liquid Castile Soap
20-30 drops of Tea Tree Oil

~Mix well in a spray bottle.
~Squirt on everything from baby's bottom to the cutting board!

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

The Simple Woman's Daybook ~ #53 ~ 11/16/09

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:02:00 -0600

For Today...

Outside my window...grey, windy. Clouds gathering for rain, temps lowering.

I am thinking...that I need to get off of here & do some housework!

I am thankful for...having a home to do housework in!

From the kitchen...made Snickerdoodle cookies from a new recipe this weekend; made 2 batches b/c everyone liked them so much. I'd say it was a success.

I am wearing...jeans, black mock turtleneck shirt.

I am remembering…my dad, today. I must have dreamt about him last night b/c I woke up w/him on my mind. He passed away in June of '99. Miss his sweet face, his smile, his humor & his level-headed advice.

I am going…to the Old Order German Baptist farms & farm stores for butter, fresh whole farm milk, & pepper bacon!

I am reading..."Lies Women Believe" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. I'm getting ready to teach it for a women's Sunday School when Winter Quarter starts in Dec.

I am hoping...for miracles.

On my mind…my DD#1 & her choices.

I am creating...a peaceful home.

I am hearing...the radio, typing fingers, DD#2 moving through the house.

Noticing that…last night I noticed how 'old' my hands are looking. Back when I modeled, I also did some 'hand modeling' for jewelry adds, etc. Seems my hands are finally catching up w/my 50 yrs.

Pondering these words…"The Lord loves a cheerful giver." II Cor. 9:7(b)

Around the house...Monday 'stuff.' Laundry, bread baking, farm store shopping, cleaning...

One of my favorite things...a good attitude & willing heart in my daughters.

A few plans for the rest of the week...keeping up w/my mom, taking DD#2 to/from work, keeping on top of everyone's schedules, being wife & mom.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

An example of the Amish roll butter that I need to get today. :-P

Enjoy other Daybooks at: http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/
Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

Our Places on the Team

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:23:00 -0600

I Cor. 14:33 – “For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.”

James 3:16 – “For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder…”

Ever have one of those days when things are so loud and disorderly that if the roof caved in it wouldn’t be a surprise? When the kids are constantly nit-picking each other and the pitch and volume of your voice just keeps getting higher and louder? And then, dear Dad comes home to his loving family only to be bombarded with all the problems. But never fear…SU-permom is here! She’ll just take over Dad’s role as Head of the House and he can exercise his “authority” by gladly giving it all over to her. But…does that really bring peace to the situation? Does that foster love and respect in the wife’s (and children’s) heart when the family leadership roles are reversed?

There will be no peace in our homes until we find contentment by accepting our role in God’s plan for the family. Not accepting our roles is an expression of envy and discontentment and that destroys the peace of our home.

As homeschool mothers/teachers it can be hard to “give up” our leadership role when our husband walks through the door. All day long we’ve been giving the instructions, making the plans; being nurse, taxi driver, peace-maker, cook, teacher and Supreme Court judge. It’s hard to lay that mantle of authority aside when Hubby comes home.

In his Advanced Home Schooling Workshop tape entitled Establishing an Orderly Home, Gregg Harris says, “All order is an outgrowth of purpose.” He goes on to explain that a coach has a goal in mind and therefore decides what places on the team (what roles) each player plays. “Take away the goal post and the play has no purpose.” When we have a goal, or a vision, our various roles will then make sense. When everyone is doing their own “thing” then there is great disorder; disorder brings no glory to God. If we see and participate in our place on the team, we have order; order does bring glory to God. God’s glory is our goal!

God has specific roles for each member of the family. When women are willing to take their proper place in God’s order they get more of the man they wish they had! We can’t keep going to God in prayer asking Him to make our husbands the godly leader we wish they were if we don’t honor our husbands by letting him assume his role as leader of our home. This is NOT about superiority vs. inferiority, but about places on the team, about restoring the household to its proper place. My friend, Jami S., is one of the most godly women I know. I once heard her say something that I have kept written in my day-timer: “My humbleness will get me further than my pride.” God is a loving God and wants us to understand true submission and my Bible says, “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Eph. 5:21) That’s reason enough for me!

Moreover, what is our example teaching our children? Oh dear, I hear that old saying running through my head again, “Children learn more from what is caught than taught.” What are my children “catching” from me? Just as viruses have a tendency to work their way through a household this time of year, attitudes also work their way through. What attitude about places on the team work their way (for good or bad) to my children?

As we practice submission to our husbands we ought always hold them up in prayer. Remember, the man carries the heavier burden. He is responsible before God to put his very life on the line, to give his life for us! “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her…” (Eph. 5:25)

I certainly realize that we homeschool moms have a lot on our plates already…but when we live out our roles, peace will begin to reign and those loads might just become lighter. Our attitudes will be turned to respect and a deeper love for our husbands (Eph. 5:33) that our children will “catch” and take with them into their own homes in years to come.

Blessings from Ohio,

Kim Wolf<><

Furniture Oil/Polish

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:03:00 -0600

Here's another great find from Homesteadblogger.com's Front Porch courtesy of Lisa Barthuly from www.HomesteadOriginals.com.

Furniture Oil/Polish

~Grab an old container, any will do -- Tupperware, canning jar – whatever is handy and has a tight fitting lid. :)

~Fill half full of Olive Oil (I usually only use a half cup or so, as a little truly goes a long way and this is super easy to make up quickly when needed!).

~Add 1 t of Lemon Juice OR (and this is my personal preference) add some Sweet Orange essential oil, or Lemon essential oil–about 5 drops to the Olive Oil.

~Tighten your lid down, shake it up a bit and it’s done.

~Next, take this container and an old cloth and polish the woodwork, furniture, etc.

~Be sure when you are done–the lid goes back on tightly AND you CLEARLY MARK the container “FURNITURE OIL”.

Lisa Barthuly

www.HomesteadOriginals.com

10 Household Uses for Hydrogen Peroxide

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:08:00 -0600

Got this from Homesteadblogger.com's "Front Porch" on a post by Caterine Ann, who got it from http://1greengeneration.elementsintime.com/?p=1325. Great info...

Note that for each use below, we use a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution (comes in small brown containers at the drug store, or 1 gallon drugs at the health food store - sold as “non-chlorine bleach”). Unless otherwise specified below, I use it straight. Note that if you want to keep it in a spray bottle, it must be a bottle that keeps out all light (light breaks down the hydrogen peroxide) - otherwise, put just as much as you’ll use in the spray bottle.

1. Whiten Your Whites and Brighten Your Brights. Works fabulously as a bleach alternative that you can also use on colors. Just put the hydrogen peroxide in the bleach receptacle in washer.

2. Stain Remover. Works very well on blood, if you get to it fairly quickly - I learned this from Matt’s mom who is a nurse! Just pour a bit on a cloth and dab at your clothing; if it has sat for a while, pour some on and let it sit for a couple of hours. Also, some people just have a chemical difference in their sweat that leaves yellow underarm stains on white clothing. Or wine stains on a white blouse? Again, pour some hydrogen peroxide on the stain and let it sit a couple hours. Then wash as you would normally - this works for me every time!

3. Antiseptic. Works great to help kill germs and prevent infection on cuts and scrapes. Make sure it bubbles up first before dabbing it off.

4. Mouthwash. You can use it straight or mix 1 to 1, water to hydrogen peroxide. Gargle, Swoosh, Spit, and Rinse. This works well if you have canker sores or other mouth sores.

5. Toothpaste. You can make your own toothpaste by using two tablespoons of baking soda and one tablespoon of peroxide. I don’t do this regularly, but I have done it in a pinch.

6. Cutting Board and Countertop Sanitizer. Vinegar kills most germs, and hydrogen peroxide kills most of the rest. The two kill more germs and bacteria than bleach alone, if you do this: have the vinegar and hydrogen peroxide in two different spray bottles, spray on one first, then the other. Then rinse clean.

7. Watering Your Plants. If you tend to over-water your plants, this is for you. Mix 1 oz of hydrogen peroxide with 1 quart of water, and water your plants normally. This adds oxygen to your soil, helping stave off root rot and enhances root development. I do this particularly with plants whose soil is overly dense and more prone to water-logging.

8. Kill Shower Mold and Mildew. Spray on the surface and let sit, then wipe clean. Or spray after your shower to prevent mold from forming.

9. Toilet Bowl Cleaner. Pour 1/2 cup straight peroxide into the bowl, let stand for 20 minutes, and scrub clean.You can do the same thing with vinegar.

10. For Faster Germination When Soaking Seeds. This is a new one to me - I just read about it and haven’t tried it yet. Apparently if you soak your seeds in 1 cup of water mixed with 1.5 t hydrogen peroxide, the seeds will germinate faster. Has anyone tried this yet?

Bonus: Pretty Much Any Time You Run Out Of Vinegar While Cleaning, you can substitute hydrogen peroxide!

Veteran's Day!

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:10:00 -0600

Home of the brave BECAUSE of the free! Thank you, Veterans!

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

Is Your Iron Getting Rusty?

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:46:00 -0600

Prov. 27:17 – “As iron sharpens iron, so one man [family] sharpens another.”

When you began your homeschool adventure, where was it that you went to ask questions, get answers, find the camaraderie of many shoulders to cry on and find out that your child wasn’t a freak because he was having trouble with his nine times-tables? Where was it that you could count on someone with experience to be there for you?

Does “support group” ring a bell to anyone?

I hate to say it, but in many areas support groups are going the way of snow in summer-time…they seem to be melting away and fading into the atmosphere. And I say, “what a shame!”

It’s come to my attention that many of our precious experienced homeschoolers are starting to drift away from attending their area support group meetings. Do they feel that they have out-grown them?

Look at it this way: if I take two pieces of rusty, dull iron – I have two pieces of rust, dull iron! J But if I rub them together, something great happens; they start to change. They become a little sharper, they become a little brighter and shinier. They become something usable. Iron can’t sharpen iron unless there is friction between the two…they have to meet together.

As I asked you in the beginning, think about when you were a new homeschooler and your child just wasn’t catching on to a concept and, at your wit’s end, you went to your homeschool support group and started asking around for help. Lo and behold! There was a wonderful, experienced mom there who had actually “been there, done that”! You went home, tried her advice and it worked!

Now…think of this: A new homeschool mom, full of hopes and dreams and fears comes to your homeschool support group. Her child just isn’t catching on to a concept and she’s at her wit’s end; and after coming to your support group she starts asking around for help. Lo and behold! Does she find it from you…OR is this one of those nights when you decided you just didn’t want to go tonight? After all, what more do YOU need to learn about homeschooling since you’ve done it for so long?

Well, what if the reason you are to STILL attend your group has changed? What if it’s now a ministry? What if the reason that new homeschool mom leaves the meeting a little sadder and a little more fearful and discouraged is because YOU weren’t there to answer her questions the way someone was there for you?

Isn’t it time for us to be there for a new generation of homeschoolers? Isn’t it time for us to share our experiences, our triumphs, our joys and even our failures with the new crowd? Isn’t that part of our Titus 2 duty? Did the Lord really make you a part of your group JUST so you could get a newsletter, go to gym or co-op or field trips, find out about curriculum sales and legislative updates? I don’t think so.

This is a new season in our lives and an opportunity to shine as examples of experienced homeschool moms!

Let’s not be a part of the “me, me, me” crowd…we’re past that. Let’s be the Lord’s hands and feet and minister to our sisters and their families and ease some of those fears and build some dreams! After all, a long time ago someone cared enough to be there for you. Now it’s your turn.

Blessings from Ohio,

Kim Wolf<><

The Simple Woman's Daybook ~ #52 ~ 11/9/09

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 10:35:00 -0600

For Today...

Outside my window...grey & over-cast. A cold front moving in after our 2nd Indian Summer. But that's OK...it's fall, after all. :-)

I am thinking...that I need to get ready to leave. My DD#2 & I are going to lunch w/my mom.

I am thankful for...still having a warm house, cars & not missing a meal during my DH's layoff.

From the kitchen...lunch out w/my mom this afternoon; possibly pasta & sauce for supper.

I am wearing...jeans, & a red, pink & white shirt.

I am reading...sermon notes.

I am hoping...things will go well w/my mom while we're out. She's not a happy woman & it can wear on us.

I am creating...a peaceful home.

I am hearing...radio, DD#2 in the shower, a neighbor's leave blower.

Around the house...laundry, dusting, running sweeper, dust-mopping kitchen & bathrooms.

One of my favorite things...a hot mug of Hazelnut or Vanilla Biscotti coffee on a cold, dark morning.

A few plans for the rest of the week...household chores, taking DD#2 to/from work, praying for miracles.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

This is the Collins Schoolhouse in 1854. This was a working schoolhouse until the 1940's. The family who now owns it has hired 2-3 retired teachers who now 'teach school' for school & homeschool field trips; an entire day just like in the 1800's. When our girls were little you homeschool group went there - it was great - the kids dressed up, took lunches in a pail or basket, they drank from the well, played old-fashioned games, the school was heated by the Franklin stove, they worked from McGuffey Readers on their slates, make bookmarks. This was also a year when we were working through "The Priarie Primer" unit study, so it was awesome!

Enjoy other Daybooks at: http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/
Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

Wooly Worm Weather

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 11:58:00 -0600

Using wooly worms (Pyrrharctia isabella) to predict winter is old American folklore that traces its history back to early Americana. Supposedly, Native Americans taught the pioneers to read wooly worms to predict winter weather. Wooly worm is the common name for the larval stage of the Isabella Tiger Moth. They are also called wooly bears.

Step 1
Look for wooly worms under rocks and inside hollow logs.
Step 2
Examine the wooly worm, paying attention to its bands of colors. The wooly worm will curl into a ball when touched or threatened. When they crawl, they can crawl very quickly!
Step 3
Wooly worm forecasters say that the size of the brown band of color will tell you what kind of winter is coming. Legend says that the thinner the brownish red bands, the harsher the winter will be. If the wooly worm is mostly brownish red in the middle, winter will be mild.
Step 4
Wooly worm enthusiasts claim an 85 percent success rate over the last few decades. Scientists tend to disagree and say wooly worm weather prediction is as unscientific as using groundhogs to predict winter weather. The groundhogs likely side with the wooly worms.
Step 5
Whether or not you believe in the power of wooly worms, they can be a fun project for children and adults.

{from www.ehow.com}