Visit me online at: www.EleanorJoyce.com http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ejoyce,ink/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Tue, 5 Feb 2008 23:26:00 -0600 Tue, 5 Feb 2008 23:26:00 -0600 I never get tired of his wisdom! My computer wallpaper this month says "Forgiveness" in large letters, and then this quote from C.S. Lewis; "To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable, because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you."  Very powerful words, and very convicting. I like that I am reminded of this every time I go to my computer. It's timely and it's true. Crosscards features a great selection of FREE computer wallpaper each month, as well as free e-cards for all occasions. I use their site - a lot! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ejoyce,ink/475395/ Tue, 5 Feb 2008 23:26:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ejoyce,ink/475395/ Hey, my baby is almost 11, so I don't really need a baby blanket, but someone is going to win this beauty here....Let me know if it's you! The Dabbling Mum, by the way, is primarily a site for writers. She shares lots of good information on her blog and e-zines. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ejoyce,ink/474870/ Tue, 5 Feb 2008 10:10:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ejoyce,ink/474870/ Today, while waiting to pick up my daughter and her friends from their film class, I was finally able to finish reading the Winter issue of TEACH magazine. It's interesting, the sub-title of TEACH reads "to encourage and challenge homemakers", and again with this issue, I find myself encouraged and challenged! The focus of this issue is hospitality. Publisher Lorrie Flem gently reminds readers that hospitality has everything to do with people, and nothing to do with our pride!  Several articles cover different aspects of hospitality, including how to teach our children to be good guests, as well as how to include them in practicing hospitality. One of my favorite features of TEACH magazine is "Merchant Mamas", a 2 page spread that highlights four women who run home-based businesses. I also enjoy reading "A Day In the Life of a Homeschooling Family" (should be fairly self-explanatory what that is!).  There's lots more, though - like product reviews, recipes and wisdom from The Urban Homemaker, and lots of articles filled with teaching and parenting tips. We're not nearly as hospitable at our house as we should be...or as I'd like to be. How is it that life seems to get in the way?  Hospitality is something that God places great value on...but I tend to put it on the back burner.  So then...who's coming over?? You might get a slice of homemade pizza on a paper plate...but you'd be welcome! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ejoyce,ink/472156/ Thu, 31 Jan 2008 20:04:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ejoyce,ink/472156/ Well I'm just smokin' along, aren't I?  Today's project was to register my domain name.  Check. Done. That was quick and painless. On to the next project tomorrow. Right now it's set up to re-direct to the snazzy new blog designed for me by Christi of "Art Designs by Christi".  Here's the link: www.EleanorJoyce.com http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ejoyce,ink/462088/ Tue, 15 Jan 2008 19:58:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ejoyce,ink/462088/ Most people list their goals and resolutions on January 1, right?  Well I figured better late than never, and got at it today. One of the goals is to post more frequently here, about homeschool related subjects.  The girls are getting quite a bit of their learning this year through a high school study group. It has been wonderful!  The only academics we're doing independently at home for the teens is math and U.S. History.  I teach a writing class to the group (about a dozen of the greatest teens you'll find anywhere). Last semester they also had Biology, Life Skills (Dave Ramsey Financial program for teens), and Drama. This semester they'll be adding Literature (using a Progeny Press program) Anatomy, and Hands on US History.   Our oldest daughter is also taking a film making class offered at another co-op in the area, and she loves it!. All 3 girls continue with Math-U-See. I'll admit Math is a struggle for me. After working through Algebra with my oldest the other day my head hurt. Really.  I've loved Math U See until this point, but I will be researching to see if I can find something that's a better fit for the high school maths. I'm open to suggestions! We were up in Canada for almost a month, and just got home a few days ago. An aunt that I lived with from age 10 to age 25 is very ill with cancer. I'm so glad that as homeschoolers we had the flexibility to stay with them for such a chunk of time to help out. We'll be doing a good bit of driving back and forth for the next while.  The new Teach magazine was waiting for me when we got home (look for a review shortly) as well as Homeschool Enrichment magazine.  I continue to be amazed at the wealth of encouraging and challenging reads available for homeschooling families in today's market. We are blessed! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ejoyce,ink/460817/ Sun, 13 Jan 2008 21:30:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ejoyce,ink/460817/ check this out. www.freerice.com Build your vocabulary and fight world hunger at the same time.  I'll warn you...if you love words, like I do, you'll find this addictive! It's a great vocabulary building exercise that's free and fun! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ejoyce,ink/428890/ Sat, 17 Nov 2007 11:13:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ejoyce,ink/428890/ "Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day, saying, "I will try again tomorrow." Mary Ann Radmacher Isn't that a beautiful quote? I found it tonight, in Big Lots of all places, on a strip of vellum scrapbook stickers. Isn't that serendipity? I run into the corner Big Lots for a bottle of dish detergent, and come out with a quote that makes my heart sing. I don't feel like roaring these days. In fact, I feel much more like the cowardly lion. But I hope I always have just enough courage to say "I will try again tomorrow".  I think that's beautiful! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ejoyce,ink/413888/ Tue, 23 Oct 2007 19:24:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ejoyce,ink/413888/ Here's a link to a really great money blog that I recently discovered.  Today he's giving 20 suggestions. Each  can be accomplished in 15 minutes...and can save you money.  I think it's a pretty good list. His blog is an excellent daily read.   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ejoyce,ink/411382/ Fri, 19 Oct 2007 10:27:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ejoyce,ink/411382/ Well, life’s been a bit of a whirlwind, but I’ve finally found time to sit down with the Fall issue of Teach Magazine.  The theme of this issue is “The Taming of the Tongue”. Ouch.   “How wild is your tongue? When your kids do something that gets on your last nerve, how many seconds does it take for you to respond?” asks writer Jayna Petterson. Um, can I answer in nano seconds?   So, yes, this magazine has been a challenge for me to read, but it has also been encouraging.  Publisher Lorrie Flem has written and gathered several practical articles, dealing with issues like yelling, complaining, and bickering.    “Soccer Lessons” written by Val Smith, challenged me to think “how life could be if we were as modest with our words as we are with our clothes”.  Mrs. Smith addresses a flaw I see first in my own heart, and also within the homeschool community. We are (I am) far too quick to judge and condemn others whose convictions and ideologies may not measure up to our self righteous standards. I understand completely that there are biblical, unchanging, scriptural principles to live by. But I think that our propensity to be contemporary Pharisees is most dangerous.   There are several helpful pieces on homemaking and hospitality, including a two page spread by “urban homemaker” Marilyn Moll (www.urbanhomemaker.com) titled “Accent on Apples”.  I’m inspired to bake (and eat!) a healthy, fragrant apple crisp.   To be fair and balanced in my review I’d have to say that I can’t wholeheartedly endorse or agree with Lorrie’s suggestions for handling bickering.  Having said that, let me point out that Lorrie has raised twice as many children as I have (she has 8), and is sharing what has worked for her household.   I enjoyed a feature that shared a day in the life of a homeschool family, highlighting unit studies. Also, a two page spread showcasing home-based entrepreneurs was an interesting and inspiring read.  Product reviews, inspirational quotes, short pieces and poems, as well as a FEW homeschooling related advertisements round out the magazine.     I also LOVE the colorful front cover featuring beautiful fall leaves.  It’s interesting, now that I look at the cover again, I see that the subtitle says “To Encourage and Challenge Homemakers and Homeschoolers.” I hadn’t noticed that before, yet that is how I started my review! (3rd paragraph).  Mrs. Flem, you have met your goal!   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ejoyce,ink/406065/ Wed, 10 Oct 2007 06:40:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ejoyce,ink/406065/ I came across this entry recently at a blog I enjoy reading.  It's pretty funny, very clever, and insightful in a tongue-in-cheek way.   Read it for yourself! Most of us are fighting colds and sore throats here.  On Tuesday almost half the families at our homeschool co-op were either at home sick, or sick at co-op. The other day when I was checking out at the grocery store I wanted to gag when the cashier kept coughing into her hand, than handling every...single...item...while bagging. I felt sorry for the poor soul, but couldn't help cringing at the little germy bonuses  riding home with the mac and cheese. Well I must needs arise from the computer (in keeping with the hymn theme above) and make haste to be diligent.  The maidens are now stirring from their beds and earnestly desiring to begin their math. Yeah. Verily. hahaha.  Yesterday they rose up and called me...but it wasn't "Blessed" they were saying. It sounded more like "Mom, I don't have any clean socks!". Alas, she looketh not well to the ways of her household.  It was 50 degrees yesterday morn and her maidens had bare feet in tennis shoes.  Perhaps today they will bring this discomfort to remembrance and carry down their soiled raiments to the laundry room.  This mama doth not light a candle and search diligently for garments under the beds and in the corners, and the dog doth eat dirty socks left lying around. In proof that I have definitely fallen off the Proverbs 31 wagon (If I ever was on it in the first place) last night's dinner was Wendy's drive through.  Yeah verily.  The master of the house had eaten an enormous business lunch, and wasn't too concerned about a big dinner.  The lady of the house felt like eating the bread of idleness.  It doth not appear to have had lasting ill effects on anyone, although my van does smell like stale grease. Eww. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ejoyce,ink/394389/ Thu, 20 Sep 2007 07:21:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ejoyce,ink/394389/