1 - husband 2 - blogs (http://cre82learn/blogspot.com dedicated to everything NOT homeschooling) 3 - computers (still not enough) 4 - kids to homeschool 5 - kiddos all together Trying to graduate one kid while changing diapers of another and not losing my mind in the process. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cre82learn/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Sat, 4 Aug 2007 09:10:00 -0500 Sat, 4 Aug 2007 09:10:00 -0500 I have decided to make the move. Well, actually I won a contest and the prize was a blog. So, I have decided to take the plunge and forge ahead. The site just went up yesterday and I am going on vacation now for two weeks. But I would love to know that any readers that I have followed me. Feel free to go over and browse around and please leave a comment that you were there. The only thing I've posted is a short intro because I really need to be packing. Nothing like waiting until the last minute. So, why are you still here??!! Head on over...oh, guess you need my addy www.friendshipalley.com See ya over there... http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cre82learn/367775/ Sat, 4 Aug 2007 09:10:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cre82learn/367775/ Instead of me doing an entry this week on thankfulness, I am going to let my son, LCD. He got blessed this morning and has a testimony and just cannot wait to tell someone (his words). This morning we took Daddy to work.   Let's back up. This past week at midweek service, LCD put $5 in the offering. This was his money and he only gets $10 whenever he mows the grass. So, now back to today. We drove Daddy to work and on the way home LCD decides he cannot wait until we get home to eat. I only have enough money on me for gas and besides, I had just gone to the grocery store yesterday so there's food at home. We pass by Hardee's. This is one of his favorite fast foods and he offers to pay for his own food. Now he only has $5 left from his earnings this week. Breakfast hours had just ended (he really wanted a chicken biscuit) so he opts for a chicken sandwich. The combo meal would be over $5 so he orders just the sandwich and water. When we get to the window, the lady says "If you don't mind having it on a biscuit instead of a bun, I'll just give it to you." So, LCD got his chicken biscuit after all and didn't have to pay for it either. When we pulled out he said "You know what our lesson was last Sunday in Sunday School?? God will provide. I can't wait to tell everyone Sunday what just happened." I am thankful that not only does God work in my life but He also works in my children's lives. Something as little as getting a biscuit and being able to save a little money meant so much to LCD and he was able to see God's blessing in it. It just fuels the fire of faith!! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cre82learn/366888/ Thu, 2 Aug 2007 12:13:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cre82learn/366888/ Now, I know if the title brought to mind "socialization" you are a homeschool mom. One day, I will find my favorite article on socialization. It is somewhere embedded in one of our old computers. There's a conversation between two mothers, one homeschools and the other does not. This time it is the ps mom that has to defend her children's socialization and the hs mom is questioning here about the way things are. I remember part of it is leaning about Japan (maybe another country??) mom met a Japanese person at the grocery store, struck up a conversation and invited them to a dinner where they would serve Japanese food. The ps mom said her kids wanted to learn about Japan too but could only read  a library book. I said all that so if anyone out here has a copy they could maybe forward it to me. I have never agreed with the whole idea of one grade classrooms. When else in your life are you only going to have to work with people your own age?? I am glad that with hsing my kids can carry on a meaningful conversation with anyone, any age. of course, the other person might not appreciate that. my kids can be quite talkative! But since that is missing, I have a new favorite. I ran across this on another website. Enjoy!! ( I am hoping since the real author's info is included, I am not violating any copyright laws!!) No Thank You, We don't believe in Socialization! by Lisa Russell I can't believe I am writing an article about socialization.  The word makes my skin crawl. As homeschoolers, we are often accosted by people who assume that since we're homeschooling, our kids won't be "socialized." The word has become such a catch phrase that it has entirely lost any meaning. The first time I heard the word, I was attending a Catholic day school as a first grader.  Having been a "reader" for almost 2 years, I found the phonics and reading lessons to be incredibly boring. Luckily the girl behind me felt the same way, andwhen we were done with our silly little worksheets, we would chat back and forth. I've never known two 6 yr. olds who could maintain a quiet conversation, so naturally a ruler-carrying nun interrupted us with a few strong raps on our desk. We were both asked to stay in at recess, and sit quietly in our desks for the entire 25 minutes, because "We are not here to socialize, young ladies." Those words were repeated over and over throughout my education, by just about every teacher I've ever had. If we're not there to socialize, then why were we there? I learned to read at home. If I finished my work early (which I always did), could I have gone home? If I were already familiar with the subject matter, would I have been excused from class that day? If schools weren't made for socializing, then why on earth would anyone assume that homeschoolers were missing out? As a society full of people whose childhood’s were spent waiting anxiously for recess time, and trying desperately to "socialize" with the kids in class; It is oftendifficult for people to have an image of a child whose social life is NOT based on school buddies. Do you ever remember sitting in class, and wanting desperately to speak to your friend? It's kind of hard to concentrate on the lessons when you're bouncing around trying not to talk. Have you ever had a teacher who rearranged the seats every now and then, to prevent talking, splitting up friends and "talking corners." Were you ever caught passing notes in class? Now- flash forward to "real life." Imagine the following scenes: Your Employer is auditing the Inter-Office Email system and comes across a personal note between you and a coworker. You are required to stand at thepodium in the next sales meeting to read it aloud to your coworkers. The Police knock on your door, and announce that because you and your neighbor have gotten so close, they're separating you. You must move your home and your belongings to the other side of town, and you may only meet at public places on weekends. You're sitting at a booth waiting for a coworker to arrive for a scheduled lunch date. Suddenly a member of upper management sits down across from you anddemands your credit cards. When your friend arrives, you just order water and claim you're not hungry, since he stole your lunch money. You're applying for a job and in an unconventional hiring practice, you are made to line up with other applicants, and wait patiently while representatives from two competing companies take their pick from the lineup. You're taking your parents out for an anniversary dinner. After you find a table, a waiter tells you that seniors have a separate dining room, lest they "corrupt" the younger members of society. You go to the grocery store only to find that since you are 32 years old you must shop at the store for 32 year olds. It's 8 miles away and they don't sell meatbecause the manager is a vegetarian, but your birthday is coming up and soon you'll be able to shop at the store for 33 yr. olds. You'd like to learn about Aviation History. You go to the library and check out a book on the subject only to be given a list of "other subjects" that you must read about before you are permitted to check out the aviation book. You're having a hard time finding what you need in the local department store. The saleslady explains that each item is arranged alphabetically in the store, so instead of having a section for shoes, you will find the men's shoes in between the maternity clothes and the mirrors. Your Cable Company announces that anyone wishing to watch the Superbowl this year must log on a certain number of hours watching the Discovery Channel before they can be permitted to watch the game. You apply for a job only to be told that this job is for 29 year olds. Since you're 32, you'll have to stay with your level. In a group project, your boss decides to pair you up with the person you don't "click" with. His hope is that you'll get learn to get along with each other, regardless of how the project turns out. These absurd examples were created to point out how absolutely ridiculous the idea of "socializing" in schools is. Many people had a friend who they stayedfriends with all through grammar school. WHY? Because their names werealphabetically similar, and they always ended up in line with each other. As an adult, have you ever made friends with someone simply because your names weresimilar? How long would such a friendship last and how meaningful would it be,providing you had nothing else in common? People often use the bully as an example of why it's so important to let kids "socialize" at school. If that's so important, then the bully needs to go to JAIL after afew months, because self-respecting society simply doesn't put up with that, nor should my 6 yr. old. Sure, there are crappy people in the world, but the world does a much better job of taking care of these things. A bullying brat in the first grade will still be a bullying brat in the 6th grade. He will still be picking on the same kids year after year after year, unless he moves to a new town. How long would the average adult put up with a bully? Personally, as an adult, I have only come across one grown up bully. I choose not to be around this miserable woman. So do many other people. THAT is real life. If she were a coworker, I would find a different job. If she worked at a business I patronized--not only would I refrain from doing business with that company, I wouldwrite a letter to the bully, her manager, the owner and the main office. A kid in a classroom has no way to emotionally protect themselves against such a person. Iwould never expect my kids to put up with bad treatment from a bully in the name of"toughening them up." For what? So they can be submissive wimps when they grow up too? So they can "ignore" their miserable bosses and abusive spouses? In real life, if an employer discovered that an employee was harassing the other staff members, that employee could be fired (pending the 90 day evaluation) orrelocated. In real life, if you are so dreadfully harassed by a coworker you can seeklegal recourse independently. In a classroom, the teacher and other children are often powerless. The idea of learning acceptable social skills in a school is as absurd to me as learning nutrition from a grocery store. As Homeschoolers, the world is our classroom. We interact with people of all ages, sexes and backgrounds. We talk to and learn from everyone who strikes our interest. We use good manners in our home and I'm always pleased when others comment on the manners my children have picked up. I believe good manners to be an important social skill. Respecting common areas is also of value to us. We often carry a grocery bag with us on walks, in case we find trash that needs to be discarded. When we're waiting at a bus stop, if there is trash on the ground, we make a point to carry it onto the bus and discard of it properly. Once, while waiting at a bus stop- we saw a grown man drop his popsicle wrapper on the ground. He was 2 feet from a trash can. My daughter looked up at me with eyes as big as saucers. I told her (out loud): "It must have blown out of his hand from that little wind, because no-one would throw trash on the ground on purpose. I'm sure when he's done with his popsicle, he will pick it up and throw it away correctly-- otherwise, we can take care of it so we don't have an ugly world." He did pick it up, rather sheepishly. I can't imagine expecting my children to have a respect for the cleanliness of common areas in an environment where bathroom walls are covered in graffiti and trees are scratched with symbols of "love" of all things. Another social skill we strive to teach our children is that all people are created equal. I can't imagine doing that in an environment where physically disadvantaged children are segregated into a "special" classroom. Or even children who speak a different language at home. They are segregated and forced to learn English, while never acknowledging the unique culture they were raised in, and not enabling the other students to learn FROM them. Learning, in school, comes from the books and teachers: "We will learn Spanish from a BOOK, not from a Spanish-speaking student; and not until 7th grade." I have never felt it would be beneficial to stick my 6-yr. old in a room full of other 6-yr. olds. I believe God created a world full of people of all ages and sexes to insure that the younger ones and older ones learn from each other. A few years ago, we were living thousands of miles from any older family members, so I brought my kids (then 5 and 2) to an assisted living facility, so they could interact with the elderly. Staff members told us that many of the older people would wake up every day and ask if we would be visiting soon. We always went on Wednesdays. My daughters learned some old show tunes while one of the men played piano, and the others would sing along. If I didn't have to chase my 2-yr. old around, I would have had plenty of women ready to share the art of crocheting with me (something I've always wanted to learn.) If a friend was too sick to come out of their room during our visit, we would often spend a few minutes in their room. I always let them give the kids whatever cookies they had baked for them, and I ended up cleaning a few of the apartments while we visited, simply because I would have done the same for my own Grandmother. Every room had pictures from my kids posted on theirrefrigerators. We called this "Visiting the Grandmas and Grandpas" and my daughters both (almost 2 years later) have fond memories of our visits. I'm sure that if we were still visiting there, my unborn child would have a thousand handmade blankets and booties to keep him warm all winter. I don't remember any such experiences in my entire School life, although I do remember being a bit afraid of old people if they were too wrinkly or weak looking. I never really knew anyone over 60. I never sped down the hall on someone's wheelchair lap, squealing as we popped wheelies and screeched around corners. I never got to hear stories about what life was like before indoor plumbing and electricity, from the point of view of a woman with Alzheimer’s, who might believe she was still 5 years old, talking with my daughter as if she were a friend. I never got to help a 90 yr. old woman keep her arm steady while she painted a picture. And I never watched a room full of "grandma's" waiting for me by the window, because we were 15 minutes late. On a recent visit to an Art Gallery, we noticed a man walking back and forth, carrying framed artwork from his old pickup truck. I asked my 6 yr. old if she thought he might be the artist. We both agreed that was a possibility, and after a little pep-talk to overcome her stage fright, she approached him and asked. He was the artist, and he was bringing in his work to be evaluated by the curator. We all sat down and he explained some of his techniques and listened to her opinions about which piece she liked best. He told about how he enjoyed art when he was 6 and would "sell" pictures to family and friends. He recounted how he felt while creating a few of the pieces, and how each one has special meaning to him. He even let her know how nervous he was to show them to the curator and how he hoped she found them as interesting as we did. As he was called into the office, a group of thirty-four 3rd graders filed past, ever so quietly, while their teacher explained each piece on the walls. The children were so quiet and well behaved. They didn't seem to mind moving on from one picture to the next. (The problem with homeschoolers is they tend to linger on things they enjoy). They didn't seem to have any questions or comments (Maybe they'll discuss that later in class). And they never got a chance to meet the gentleman in the pickup truck. I hope my kids aren't missing out on any "socialization."   ©2000 Lisa Russell.  Used with Permission. Lisa Russell is a Gen X homeschooling mom, writer, wife, daydreamer, U.S. traveller, hiker, poet, artist, web designer, and whatever else suits the moment. Visit her website.  Write to Lisa.    http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cre82learn/365507/ Tue, 31 Jul 2007 06:40:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cre82learn/365507/ Well, I got my first tag since entering Blogville. Debbie got me. So now it's my turn. First, here's the rules of the game: 1. Post rules before we give you the facts. 2. Start with eight random facts/habits. 3. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their 8 things and post these rules. 4. At the end of the blog, you need to choose 8 people to get tagged and list their names.  Leave them a comment to tell them they are tagged. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1. I always read more than one book at a time (usually 3 or 4) and can remember where I am in each of them. 2. I ** love** to take quizzes of all kinds. 3. When I worked for a well known corporation we all had to take personality quizzes to learn how to be better team players.  I scored 100% logic and 0% emotional and then everyone acted like something was wrong with me. (btw, I am not cold hearted, I am just overly analytical) 4. When I was in school, I used to diagram sentences for fun, nerdy huh?? 5. I am very stubborn and will not give up on something (that matters to me anyway) until I conquer it. The only exception has been sewing. I've taken three classes (not counting home ec in school!) and still cannot sew! but I haven't given up yet.... 6. My past jobs are accounting, customer service, office manager, CEO. My favorite job is full time mommy and homeschool teacher which is what I am now 7. My dream job that I would still like to do is either professional photographer (I supposed to be getting a camera for my birthday with this in mind...not just a hobby camera!!) or a doula. I used to think midwife but I really don't want to be that responsible or hands-on ya know. 8. In my entire life, I have only lived in three states (NC, MI and FL) but have moved eight times so far. Now lets see who I can tag: (this really isn't part of the tag but I am going to do this my own way. I have decided to tag four people that I already know and mention how I know them, then I will tag four people that I enjoy reading their blogs and list why.  Since I am fairly new to blogging I don't know that many people yet and figured this would be a great way to get to know each other out here in Blogville just a little better) Renee  (hs buddy from NC...remember Wonderful Wednesday Classes??) Michelle (knew her in NC. When buying her used laptop we saw Pres. Bush drive by!) Tamara  (she probably qualifies as newly found online friend too - I just won a blog from her but have been visiting her blog for quite awhile. I admire how open and honest she is)**arrggh, don't know why  I can't get the link to work but she's at www.traininghearts.com*** Tami  (we worked together at the Konos booth in NC at the hs convention) Janne  (her weight loss story is so encouraging, she is hosting a HS curriculum exchange that I hope to get organized enough to join in, and she has more kids than me!) SuperMom  ( I love that her sense of humor shows up in her posts. I start reading and realize almost an hour later, I'm still at her blog! Besides, she might be the only other person that visits the Make A Flake website yearlong!! and fellow flybaby.) Jenmomof4  (I recently happened upon her blog and *love* the meme she has started - Random Acts of Kindness. Just think that meme is deserving of much, much more exposure!!) FlipFlopMamma  (fellow babywearing, baby food making, blogging mamma. btw, I would love to know if her baby likes the Super Porridge made with millet...or any porridge for that matter) http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cre82learn/364015/ Fri, 27 Jul 2007 21:27:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cre82learn/364015/ This is my first time participating in Thankful Thursday. And this week I have something to be thankful for. And while I was getting ready to yell it from the rooftops, I remembered this meme and decided to wait until today to make it public. Many of you know Tamara from Training Hearts.  She ran a giveaway for a blog.  A "real" blog with it's own domain name and everything. You can see the template and read about the contest here. I think this is going to be a great fit for me...the page resembles a scrapbook page which is one of my favorite hobbies. Also, the colors are actually the colors I've been drawn to in scrapbooking!! (or at least buying the supplies) Since I've been blogging, I have taken notice of others' blogs. I really wanted something that I could have more plugins and a category list. I really like the way Tamara's blog is set up. Please be patient with me since I am trying to learn all these blog programming languages (is that even what's is called??). Right now I have two blogs. This one is dedicated more to homeschooling and the other (http://cre82learn.blogspot.com) is pretty much the rest of my life. I'm not sure what I will do or when it will happen. I am thinking of doing a slow migration and will end up with just one blog. I will keep posting on this one and the other until all the kinks are worked out. My blog will be www.friendshipalley.com. The name fits too because I want it to be a place where I can meet up with all my old friends (from the other states I have lived in) and with new friends, especially the ones I've met since starting to blog!! So, now I just want to say it so everyone knows......THANK YOU TAMARA!!!! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cre82learn/363486/ Thu, 26 Jul 2007 21:56:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cre82learn/363486/ Thirteen Things about cre82learn In memory of my grandmother who passed away this week, I am listing thirteen things I will always remember about her. 1. She fully supported herself after my grandpa left. 2. She never called in sick on her job. 3. She got her driver's license late in life (I was a kid but do remember it!) 4. She always drove big cars and before seat belt laws, I used to lay down in the back window and sleep during trips. 5. She was excellent in keeping in touch with *all* the relatives. 6. She remembered dates very well (everyone's birthdate, wedding date, death, and anything else important) 7. She kept everyone's geneology in her head (I can barely remember my immediate family!!) 8. She played the guitar by ear. 9. She taught herself to play the piano as well. 10. She was one of the most unselfish people I know. 11. Family was always first. 12. She made that salisbury steak that comes in frozen tv dinners but made the best homemade coleslaw. 13. I used to love to spend nights with her. Even when I was much older, she would still wake me up in the middle of the night to go pee so I wouldn't wet the bed (and I hadn't for y-e-a-r-s!) I was unable to go to the funeral because it was too far away and I have already planned and paid for a trip there in August. And I have two sick kids. But my heart is heavy this week. I am thankful that I was able to see her last month and got a picture of her holding her new great-grandchild - my baby! Also, I am thankful that she died quickly and painlessly. Although we did not know it was coming and could not say goodbye I am also very glad that she was not in pain. So, this week I have done a lot less housework and a lot more spending time with my kids. I have done a lot less complaining and scolding and a lot more listening. I have reached out and connected with people I haven't spoken to in a long time. I have prayed more. I have cried more. And I have picked up my baby to hold him even if he was sound asleep. I promise to be more lighthearted next week. Thanks for letting me release. Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!) Get the Thursday Thirteen code here! The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted! View More Thursday Thirteen Participants http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cre82learn/363435/ Thu, 26 Jul 2007 20:37:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cre82learn/363435/ I have been MIA this summer. In between shuffling kids off to camps, going on vacation and planning next school year I have very little computer time. I have also started another blog. That one is more about everything else except  homeschooling. This blog will be dedicated to more of my homeschooling. Since we are not homeschooling much this summer, this blog is not as busy but I would like to add a little discussion that I overheard today. btw, LCD is 10 and Little Man is now 8: Little Man: "Who invented blueberries?" LCD: "Nobody invented blueberries. God made them." Mom: "Only God can make living things like plants, animals and people. People can invent things." Little Man: "Did God make ice cream?" LCD: "No, ice cream is not a living thing, it was invented." Little Man: "Then who invented ice cream?" LCD: "Ben and Jerry of course!!" hmmm....wonder if I could consider this a science class?? http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cre82learn/362030/ Tue, 24 Jul 2007 14:43:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cre82learn/362030/ This has really been a crazy, hectic week. I like to think I am very flexible but when everything gets turned upside down and I have to put my life and responsibilities on hold for more than a day, I can get a little frazzled. It all started Wednesday when we took a friend that was visiting back to where she is staying for the summer. It's only a little over an hour from our house, no big deal. And since I love to multi-task, I figured since my dh also had to catch a train to go back to the office, it would be more convenient for him to catch a train at a station down closer to where we were. Well, we didn't know about the derailment that Amtrak had the previous day. It resulted in a four and half hour delay. That was my first warning. I should have followed my instinct and just drove back home at that point and gotten our tickets switched to Thursday. After sitting at the train station for about a hour, they decided to bus the people to a town about an hour further west to catch a different train. Luckily, I decided to take the boys to the mall so we were still in town when two hours later, Amtrak says there will be yet further delays. Now that means he will be getting to the office around midnight with no one to pick him up. So now we get the bright idea to switch the ticket to Thursday and I drive over to the town where he is now. Of course, I had to get lost and get stuck in a horrible storm!! So we head home and all is to go well. NOT!!! Here comes Thursday. We call Amtrak to make sure everything is on time. Actually a bus will pick up dh and take him to the place about an hour and a half way for the train. The bus is running two hours late. So we eat lunch, run some errands and get to the station about 15 minutes before the bus is due. No bus. I call Amtrak who has no idea where the bus is but gives me the number for the bus' dispatcher. Guess what?? Somehow the bus left forty-five minutes before it was even supposed to arrive there!!! I know where it came from and where it was going - it is impossible to make that drive in less than two hours!!! So now, do we wait and try again the next day or do I just drive him down there (almost five hours away!!) Since he has already missed over two weeks of work prior to this incident, I decided to no longer leave our fate in the hands of others!! I pack up the baby and Little Man (the others were going to VBS) and we head off. Now, the next day, after $180 expenses (gas, tolls, food on the toll plazas, motel) and wasting three days this week, I am finally home. Knowing I needed a pick-me-up, I came home to a gift from my secret sister. She sent me this wonderful smelling candle!! Thank you so much. I love to burn candles, turn on some music and take a bubble bath to unwind. I really need it right now. I am going to go put myself in "time out" cya!!! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cre82learn/360065/ Fri, 20 Jul 2007 12:44:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cre82learn/360065/ I thought I would share a drawing by my artistic son, Little Man. This is of him playing paintball like his dad and LCD. He drew this right before he turned 8. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cre82learn/359240/ Wed, 18 Jul 2007 22:21:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cre82learn/359240/ I have not posted in awhile because we have been at Family Camp. What an awesome week!! We were able to hear great preachers and awesome music! I have really been ministered to where I needed it. There was a preacher Scott Graham that preached on protecting our children. What a timely message. I am getting ready for Sunday School and grabbed a few minutes to see what I have been missing online. I just want to thank God on this Sunday for every blessing in my life. The blessing I am most thankful for *right now* is that I have a roomful of teenage girls in the next room getting ready for church. (sleepovers last night) Like most teens, the music is blaring so loud I can hear it as if I am in the same room, but unlike most teens, this is gospel choir music!! I am so blessed that my children love God and want to serve Him. I was trying to find the song that they were listening to but I cannot find it online so I will leave you with an equally great worship song. This is Israel and New Breed with You Are Good. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cre82learn/357146/ Sun, 15 Jul 2007 07:15:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cre82learn/357146/