http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/WeRLearning/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Thu, 21 May 2009 15:18:00 -0500 Thu, 21 May 2009 15:18:00 -0500 Check out the previous entry to get the details of the contest! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/WeRLearning/691300/ Thu, 21 May 2009 15:18:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/WeRLearning/691300/ I have a free ticket to award to Cindy Rushton's  Ultimate Homeschool Expo!   www.ultimatehomeschoolexpo.com Here is what you need to do to qualify as the winner of the contest: 1.  Post a comment here:  www.sharonyarbrough.com  and state what great grocery or drug store deals using coupons that  you have found for this week!  Having lots of deals listed will be best, and if you can include a photo, even better!  2.  Post to your blog the information about this contest and send me an email with your blog address! I will choose a winner next Thurs. morning, May 28th! Get your post in and add to it if you find more deals between now and next Thurs. Remember you must subscribe to this website before you post a comment, and it will help me to keep in touch with you for future contest! Thanks, Sharon http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/WeRLearning/691173/ Thu, 21 May 2009 10:00:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/WeRLearning/691173/ Hello Everyone, Here is an update concerning,  what I have been busy working on lately!  It has taken a lot of my time, but worth it!    I have been in the process of setting up my own website, and it has taken up all of my freetime.  I want to let everyone know, that I am going to be a guest speaker on www.blogtalkradio.com today at 2:00pm EST.  I will be discussing frugal living mostly centered on how to use coupons to make ends meet, and how homeschooling brought us to where we are now!  This will air live today and be recorded for Cindy Rushton's Ultimate Homeschool Expo.  Details for this expo can be found at: www.CindyRushton.com I have set up a website: www.sharonyarbrough.com and there will be some freebies to make coupon organizing much easier.  These items will be free to those listening to the live show today, and those that sign up for the UHSE (links found at www.CindyRushton.com ) I will also be giving away a ticket to the UHSE in the next few weeks! Contest details will be posted at my website after today's show. Hope to see you on blogtalkradio or at my website in the near future! TTYL, Sharon http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/WeRLearning/690796/ Wed, 20 May 2009 08:18:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/WeRLearning/690796/   I thought I knew it “ALL”! Can you believe that spring is finally here? I have enjoyed two very pretty days, with weather that couldn't be better. It reminds me of a song, that we all know here in the south, "Nothing could be finer, than to be in Carolina in the morning". I am sure, if you live in another state, and your weather has been great lately, you just might argue with that song. Well, I live in SC and the song fits us to a T! I have been busy getting the house in order and doing some spring cleaning. It is a good thing that spring has sprung, because the cleaning couldn't have waited much longer. Perhaps, it is the increased Vit D running through my system, that has caused me to have more energy, and a stronger desire to get things done. Whatever, the reason , I am thankful. Over the past few years, God has been convicting me to be a better helpmate for my husband. Molding me into the woman, that I need to be. I have learned to never underestimate God's ability to meet our families needs. I am constantly amazed, at the great works taking place in our lives, and we never even lifted a finger. Of course, with many blessings that come our way, we do have to make an effort here and there in order to see the fruits of our labor. One major area that God has worked with me is to take Proverbs 31 and write it on my heart. What an incredible life lesson of motivation for women! God did make woman to be very strong, able bodied, frugal, talented and wise, that is, when we allow Him to take us under his wings. Proverbs 31: 10-31 The Woman Who Fears the LORD  10[d](P) An excellent wife who can find?    She is far more precious than(Q) jewels. 11The heart of her husband trusts in her,    and he will have no lack of gain. 12She does him good, and not harm,    all the days of her life. 13She(R) seeks wool and flax,    and works with willing hands. 14She is like the ships of the merchant;    she brings her food from afar. 15She(S) rises while it is yet night    and(T) provides food for her household    and portions for her maidens. 16She considers a field and buys it;    with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. 17She(U) dresses herself[e] with strength    and makes her arms strong. 18She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.    Her lamp does not go out at night. 19She puts her hands to the distaff,    and her hands hold the spindle. 20She(V) opens her hand to(W) the poor    and reaches out her hands to the needy. 21She is not afraid of snow for her household,    for all her household are clothed in(X) scarlet.[f] 22She makes(Y) bed coverings for herself;    her clothing is(Z) fine linen and(AA) purple. 23Her husband is known in(AB) the gates    when he sits among the elders of the land. 24She makes(AC) linen garments and sells them;    she delivers sashes to the merchant. 25(AD) Strength and dignity are her clothing,    and she laughs at the time to come. 26She opens her mouth with wisdom,    and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. 27She looks well to the ways of her household    and does not eat the bread of idleness. 28Her children rise up and call her blessed;    her husband also, and he praises her: 29"Many(AE) women have done(AF) excellently,    but you surpass them all." 30(AG) Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,    but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. 31Give her of the fruit of her hands,    and let her works praise her in the gates. God has revealed a very important area of necessary growth, that, of becoming more frugal. I have always tried to get the most for my buck, but I have to admit, I was being strong willed and stubborn. I thought that "I" could not do anymore to save and make the income of my husband go any further. "I" was doing the best that “I”could with what was available. Then I read Titus 2. That was an eye opener for me. God was point blank telling me, that it was necessary for me to teach those younger than me. Well, that was a little intimidating for me, how could I teach others, if I wasn't teachable. Titus 2 Teach Sound Doctrine  1But as for you, teach what accords with(A) sound[a] doctrine. 2Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled,(B) sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. 3(C) Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior,(D) not slanderers(E) or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5to be self-controlled,(F) pure,(G) working at home, kind, and(H) submissive to their own husbands,(I) that the word of God may not be reviled. With my convictions came a strong desire to fulfill my commitment to be a better helpmate to my husband. Suddenly, I began to observe the habits of other Godly women. As a result, I began to see good examples, everywhere I looked. The INTERNET has been a good resource to find helpful ways to become more frugal. I have learned a lot in the last years and the time has come for me to share these lessons with others. I will start a series of videos that I hope will be helpful to all that watch them. I would not be where I am today without the help that God has given me. I am what I am because of Him, and I give all glory to Him for the gifts that He has given to me. I do hope that you will find these lessons helpful, and please, if you have ideas that you would like to share, please send them. I know that God is not finished teaching me, and I am still a work in process. Forever, I will be one that can be taught! HERE IS THE LINK FOR THE FIRST VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuRvozqcuj0   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/WeRLearning/680559/ Sat, 18 Apr 2009 21:46:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/WeRLearning/680559/ Contest: Take advantage of this very informative website! I want to share an incredibly helpful website,i stumbled across while searching to learn more about a new magazine that I subscribed to.  The new magazine 'All You' (new only to me, it has been out quite a while) gets great reviews and information on how best to use the coupons found in it , at the following website: www.bargainbriana.com She is having a contest right now to win a Slow Cooker Mate! :) http://slowcookermate.com/ There are a few conditions to qualify, so go here to find out about those: http://bargainbriana.com/2009/03/win-it-slow-cooker-mate-ends-320/comment-page-8/#comment-15842 And, you need to hurry, because the contest ends on 3/20, THAT'S TOMORROW! :) I qualified by posting the following recipe, so I am posting my bargain briana post here for you, as well: "I stumbled across your website, after I purchased my first ‘All You’. I really think that your website is wonderfully informative. I love to use slow cookers. I use them all the time, they really make my life easier! My favorite recipe for the slow cooker is pot roast. I usu brown a beef roast in olive oil, salt and pepper, then put into my greased slow cooker. I like to add flavor to my roast by adding sliced onions and leeks. After cooking on low all night (about 4 to 6 hours), I add carrots and cubed potatoes,and another 2 tsp. salt and 1 tsp. pepper, and cook on low an additional 2 to 3 hours. I sometimes substitute the potatoes with cauliflower. but do not add it until 1 hour before serving. I love this recipe, because it is a complete meal (minus dessert) in one pot!" Read more: "Win It: Slow Cooker Mate Ends 3/20 | Bargain Briana#comment-15842#comment-15842#comment-15842#comment-15842#comment-15842#comment-15842#comment-15842" - http://bargainbriana.com/2009/03/win-it-slow-cooker-mate-ends-320/comment-page-8/#comment-15842#ixzz0ACWNHhjV http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/WeRLearning/670207/ Thu, 19 Mar 2009 07:15:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/WeRLearning/670207/ TWO MAX      I have officially made my second cup of  "Joe".  I had a feeling, that it would be that kind of day, but I think I'll make it.  At least, I'll have to be the one making choices about what to do today, yep, I'm  the choice maker.  The one that controls my day, thank goodness isn't me.  Of course, if my mind and heart are in the right place; I'll make the choices, that will be pleasing to God, and therefore, my day will be productive!  Only, staying on the right track isn't easy, is it?  I realize today, that I have to have a plan, a plan that with my to dooos for the day layed out and ready to be checked off!  Hmmmmm, will that allow for me to have the free time that gives rest and pleasure to my soul? I know,  being more organized, will help me to have more free time.  Free time to do the extra things, I want to do.  I heard a message on Blogtalkradio yesterday, that gave me some very helpful information   on having more free time.  The speaker was Maridel Willer, and the title of her free e course is "Making Time for What Really Matters".  Here is the link: http://maridelwiller.com/blog/?page_id=76 I really enjoyed the talk given by Maridel, she really is such a wonderfully inspiring speaker.   If you ever have time, surf on over to www.blogtalkradio.com and check out the segments recorded by Cindy Rushton on her Writer's Nook series,  usu there are some on there for public view.  If, you, too, are looking for more time to do what really matters to you, I strongly suggest the free product above by Meridel Willer.  Also, if you are looking for inspiration in your everyday life, feel free to look up Cindy Rushton on her website: www.CindyRushton.com and  search for her broadcast on www.blogtalkradio.com I really hope that you can find a way to have more productive and rewarding days, ahead! In His Love, Sharon   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/WeRLearning/668616/ Sat, 14 Mar 2009 09:26:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/WeRLearning/668616/ Is is really about me! No, it's about those who have made me, ME!  ////Favorite Bible verse:  John 3:17 1.  First and foremost, I am, who I am because of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  He loves me, in spite of Me, before, now, and in the future. For that I am forever grateful and blessed.   The following 24 things are the results of all of the “Bonus Gifts”, that I have been given by Him! 2.  I love my husband, more today than yesterday!  Especially,   now it seems, even with the daily trials, that we face, we just might obtain our dream of someday becoming "that old gray headed couple".  The couple that was walking hand in hand and sooooo very much in LOVE!  Yes, we both have times, where we could just walk away from it all, but our dream keeps us determined.  It is more of a challenge to stay together, than give up!  Who doesn't love a BIG challenge?  3.  My kids are the biggest motivation for me, right now.  For all of the good and the bad, they reveal to me each and every day, who I am.  My blessings, my gifts, my past, my present, my future.  I know my whole life has grown the me,  I am.  I  have to try really hard to remember the Me, before my kids!  I am more the me that God has designed,  because of them.  Selflessness would not be a virtue of mine, without them.   Of course, it has been my times of inexperience and failure, before them, that has humbled me.  I know, I am closer to My Heavenly Father, because of the gracious gift of my children.  It is His guidance and encouragement, that continues to bring me closer to Him, with every trial and triumph of Mothering.  4.  I am thankful for parents that taught me the things in life that are important!  Of course, with each passing year,  my view of the things they taught me changes.  I remember, as a child, I thought they hung the moon, then I found out they didn't, then, I thought I knew more than they did, then, I thought I could do it my way, and now, I am doing things for the most part, the way they did............Learning as I go.........and hoping and praying, I don't mess up too bad!  Thankfully, I had parents that taught me about the One, who did "Hang The Moon", and how to have a relationship with HIm!  Without that I could never have realized what makes Me, Me!  Thank you soooo much, Mama and Deddy, You Rock!  Deddy, I miss you more and more with each passing day, can't wait to see you in Heaven! 5.  Talking about me, brings me to the subject of my siblings.  Together, we are a single limb with our own branches and seeds, simply put, Siblings!  We come from the same branch of the tree.  I count that as a great testament to my parents, and know what a blessing it is.  Not many of today's generations can say that!  As I look at us as a whole, we are all different, but with some similar characteristics, good and bad.  We do share the same childhood experiences, but learned different lessons from them, and apply them to our lives today.  I love each of them of very much, and cherish the memories of our childhood together.  "Tanks for the Memories"!  Who else could overcome them the way that we have, together? 6.  I love my friends, old, new, forgotten, and yet to come.  My life has been greatly shaped by the great and not so great friends.  I don't regret any of them, really.  I do believe everyone in our path serves a purpose, it is what we learn from the experience, of those we encounter that molds us.  I know more today, because of the choices, I have made while in the company of friends.  I realize ,that I am not perfect, and will never be perfect here on this earth.  I have learned to forgive myself for making bad choices.   It has served me to admit wrong choices, for it has helped me to make better choices today.  Oh, but the right choices have allowed my life to be made richer, “it is a poor soul that never learns to discern a good friend”, indeed!  Here is my shout out, to all of those not so good friends, and  the wonderful ones, "THANK YOU"!  I have the best earthly friend because of you, My Wonderful, however not so perfect (just like me, woo hooo), Husband!  7.  And now for a little more revealing about me, do ya think you can handle anymore?  Now you know, I can't handle simple, I have to go on and on and ON!  Sorry, You Ask For IT!  8.  I was quite shy as a child, it took me a while to come out of my shell, but writing affords me an avenue that the world can't!  WORDS! 9.  Yes, I love to write, and I love different topics, because as we all know, each and everyday brings a new topic.  I have to force myself to sit down and write, because I am always seeing other things that need to be done.  But, once I get started, I can't stop.  Feel free to  take a break and come back, if you need to!  I promise not to think bad of you!  10.  I love to read, although, I had a rocky start in reading.  I can remember having a great imagination as a child, playing out all kinds of stories of my own making.  Yes, I still remember them today.  I did have a few childhood tragedies, that caused my slow start............I'll leave that as one of my items, for later............. anyway, once the obstacles were overcome, I read with a passion.   Of course, it helped that I was very competitive...... No, one, and I mean no one was going to finish the short story or  book before I did!  I read every kind of book, I would have lived in a library, if I could have!  BTW, instead of recess, I chose to stay and work in the library!  Can you spell, Book Worm?  Too Bad they didn't have AR back then,  I would never have slept.  It did get me in trouble sometimes, though, as I would sneak a way to my hide away rock, without doing my share of the chores!  And it kept me from getting much needed handwriting practice!  To this day, all of my sister's handwriting is wonderful, mine, not so much; more like a brothers..........which leads me to my next revelation........... 11.  I was a "Tom Boy", when I was younger.  I loved reading about Pippy Longstocking, and Encyclopedia Brown, Nancy Drew, and..........  and I would go on adventures, too.  I cringe today, thinking about my tree climbing days!  Today, I'm much too boring, soooo afraid of heights.  I will pursue that thought later, also!  At least, I haven't lost my love of a great book.  My favorite book for reading these days, the Bible, so full of adventure and history!  12.  On a much more somber note, when I was six my comfortable life changed, our home in the woods burned down to the ground right before my eyes.  By the Grace of God, my mom awoke to a smoke filled house and was able to get us all out.  The only things that survived with us was the Family Bible, a couple of quilts that were carried out by my older brother and sister, and I vaguely remember a loaf of bread and a two liter Pepsi.  My brother had to walk down our one mile drive to get help, without a flashlight.  After what seemed like an eternity, the fire dept arrived and placed us into the truck to warm us.  This is one of the most vivid childhood memories that I have, and one of the most life changing events for me! 13.   Once I learned to read, I decided I loved school!  Not just the reading, I loved being around other people.  It didn't matter who, just loved them, they each had their own stories to tell.  And yes, many more exciting than even the stories,  I could make up.  I began to have dreams, dreams of experiencing life, differently than just life in the country, where I lived.  At times, I didn't realize the gem of a life, my parents were providing for me, but coveted a little of the lives my friends had.  It wasn't until I was much older, that I realized how to count the blessings of my upbringing.  Oh, how thankful, I am for my salvation from the worldly things!  Thanks be to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  14.  I lived in Florida for one school year!  Hated every minute of it!  Wasn't fun a bit, well at least, when summer was over! No more swimming, and no more hot weather.  It does get cold in Florida.  I also realized how blessed, I was to go to a small country school, where the teachers really care about you. I never forgot about that, when we came back to SC!   I worked harder than ever, for the remaining years, of my Jr. education.  15.  I had my appendix removed one day before my first day of high school!  I missed the first two weeks of my ninth grade year!  All of the other kids had figured out their schedule, and knew where their classes were, and I was walking around with my schedule in hand and looking for my classrooms.  I got some interesting looks from other teachers that didn't know my story.  I bet they had a fun time discussing me in the teacher's lounge!  HaHaHa!  I remember the look on my Algebra teacher's face, when I walked into the room, still kinda bent over, and he told the guidance counselor, "I don't think she will be able to catch up".  Never, Never, Never, should he have allowed me to hear him say that, it was ON then!  I did catch up and I did pass the class, come to think of it, he was one of my best teachers.  Thanks, Mr. Lucas, for knowing just what to say to motivate me! 16.  I taught myself to type the summer, before, I was to start high school!  My sister, had taken typing, and I really wanted to learn, (I guess it was the competitive thing again).  I found her typing book and used an old fashioned typewriter, someone had given my mom for my sister to practice on.  By the time school started, I could type pretty well.  It was a good thing, too, with missing the first two weeks of class!  I ended up  being way ahead of my classmates, esp, since the typewriters at school were "ELECTRIC"!  17.  I got in a fight with a girl in the gym locker room!  She apparently, didn't like the fact, that I took our PE teacher's advice, to "Be Aggressive on the basketball court" .  I did what my teachers told me, I was too scared not too!  Anyway, she and two of her friends caught me coming out of the changing stalls and they grabbed my arms, and she said she was going to "Beat Me Up".  She shoved me, and all I could think of was “they were gonna hurt me real bad”!  I guess the Spirit of The Lord came over me, and I shouted to her(while coming up from the floor)  "God Help You"!  He must have, because all I remember after that was her eyes getting real big, and they all ran out of the room!  After that, 18.  I was teamed up with her for the Presidents Physical Fitness test, in the 50 yard dash.  I was determined, I was going to run faster than her (competitive thing, AGAIN).  I ran the 50 in 7.4 sec.  only when I went to stop, I couldn't and ended up  twisting my ankle.  Torn ligaments, had to go to the ER for ex rays.  Terrible, but I did win,,,,,,,,,,,,,,!Ummmm    My PE teacher, told me my time qualified me for the track team, but since I was injured, I couldn't take part!   "What's that...... yea I know",  "Pride Cometh before the FALL"  Literally for Me!  As you can see, A whole Lotta Molding has happened to make the me you see today!  19.  I love to smell orange blossoms, when they are blooming, well, for the first few moments, then they just become downright  nauseating!  20.  I love the way babies smell, esp, right in the crook of their neck!  Nothing like it! 21.  I am very clumsy, can't walk, talk, and chew gum at the same time.  I never had a broken bone, (maybe a couple of toes) until, I fell while helping Randy put a cover on a tall stack of hay.  I climbed up to the top to grab one side of the tarp, and everything was great until, I started to come down.  I thought I had my foot placed on the next bale of hay, I didn't!  I fell 15 feet, onto the hard packed ground!  The next memory I have is screaming as loud as I could, mostly from the pain, but also, to make sure Randy could hear me over the sound of the tractor.  He finally heard me, and rushed me to the ER.  After two surgeries, and one close call with death, due to a drug reaction, I am happy to say, "you will never see me on a stack of hay again"!   22.  I use to teach aerobics.  I continued to teach throughout both of my pregnancies, and was back to teaching 6 weeks after their birth.  Oh, to be in half the shape I was then!  Talk about your memories coming back to haunt you! 23.I owned and operated and directed  a licensed day care for 10 years, then worked as a mortgage broker (thought I needed a break from kids for a while), taught at New Covenant Christian School for 2 years, then came home to work on the farm, and now I home school our two children, and am loving being a wife to Randy, and Mom to my kids.  What a life, what a life!  Thanks, God! You mean I have to come up with two more things, ............ 24.  Well, I could share a couple of dreams, just so I can see, if in a few years, they work out or not! Here goes, I have had a few opportunities, to speak at church as a lay speaker. I have loved every minute of it. I mostly love that this is a time when I will push myself to write, what God is laying on my heart for me to learn more about! As with all of my journaling and writings, I always end up learning more about what is going on in my life, sometimes more than I am willing to admit! So, I will say to the person that started this idea, thanks for the Great Big Push! I needed it, but I'm sure that by now, if anyone is still reading this, they probably wish you had only requested 15 or so. There is such a saying as "TMI". For all of you folks, I do apologize, but since the rules said at least 25, I had to oblige. I am doing better in the competitive department, though, I won't do anymore than that, for now, or maybe I will!  Who knows, I might, but it is late and I have to get some sleep! 25. I home school my kids, and when I am through with that calling on my life, I plan to finish my college years. I have quite a few years of experience in different areas of life learning, so it will remain to be seen where all of this life learning will lead me! I am and will continue to be up for the challenge before me! I will go with God, my family, and my friends! What a life! Thanks be to God for it ALL! 26.  I LOVE Chocolate! 27.  I don't like clutter, but I am sooooo sentimental, it is hard for me to get rid of my “treasures”.  So it does seem to surround me.  I am not as bad as I use to be.  I know this about myself, so I make myself purge un-used items in the spring and fall! 28.  I don't like to be late, but quite often arrive late.  If I have a doctor's appointment, I'm usu on time.  But, it is hard for me to just walk out the door, I always feel, I can get one more thing accomplished before I leave.  I hate leaving things undone!  It's probably one of the reasons, I'd rather stay home than go anywhere!  29. I just started selling Avon, and I'm loving it!  Check out my website www.youravon.com/sharonyarbrough OK, I think I am done, for now!  Aren't you glad!  * This is the note that I posted on my facebook account and just wanted to post here, as well.   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/WeRLearning/653289/ Sun, 1 Feb 2009 17:35:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/WeRLearning/653289/ Have many of you found it hard to stay the course?  I really do enjoy writing, but have a tendency to wait until I have over-thought my thoughts!  Is that also called, attempting perfection? So here goes, My thought for the day, It is a Bible verse, so it really isn't even my thought, but it definitely is an inspiration to me.  Here it is:  Let him have all of your worries and cares. for he is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you. Peter 5:7 I am sure that given some time, I will give this more thought............... If you have any thoughts, please share them with me.     http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/WeRLearning/649732/ Sat, 24 Jan 2009 09:40:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/WeRLearning/649732/ http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/WeRLearning/649727/ Sat, 24 Jan 2009 09:39:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/WeRLearning/649727/ It seems my post about the winner was confusing, so without further adieu, http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/profiles/brite00eyes/   Look below the previous post and you will see with winning devotion post, I posted the devotion comment of the winner. Most of the comments were made anonymously, but either had an email or blog address to contact the winner.  The only ID in her post was the highlighted email name of http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/profiles/brite00eyes/ .  If you have any questions, email me and I will be glad to answer them. Maybe, If Bright eyes sees this post, she will post a comment about the seminar. Take care and God Bless, Sharon http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/WeRLearning/559888/ Fri, 11 Jul 2008 15:31:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/WeRLearning/559888/