Unschooling @ Sage Manor

Mar. 26, 2008 - St. Patty's Day & Spring (maybe!)

Here are some super late pictures of our green fest on St. Patty's Day.........and my first bloom on the Hibiscus tree since Autumn. Please Spring, please........come soon!!

Mar. 24, 2008 - Looking for ways

As stay at home Mamas, it seems that we are consently thinking of ways to improve our cash flow in the home without adding more burden to our husbands. There are so many ways, so many things we can sell, distrubute, and encourage our friends to check out.

For me it is an honest way to eliminate the extra hours that my Beloved has to put in. I think about the gas and the food, and the most especially the time that he is away from me and our children. I LOVE weekends!!

I for one tend to fall into "traps". Traps that tell me, along with personal testimonies, that I can do it! I too, can be a millionaire from selling (fill in the blank). And oh! how I push in and try my hardest. I know I'm not the only Mama out there that has bought into a "justification" of purchasing a package deal that we need to push upon our friends and family. And you know what, maybe (I know) that it does work for some Mamas. So please don't take this wrong, or as a slap on the wrist for spending your (MY) time, energy, and my Beloved's hard earned money.....it's just a "looking for ways" post.

Last weekend our Bishopric once again encouraged us to have no consumer debt and to be very careful and prudent with our money. We are encouraged to have NO consumer debt (besides our mortgage and educational loans), to have a food storgae (oh! I am soooo thankful: because I had to use it last August!!), and to be prepared for natural disasters. I am so thankful that our Church teachs us this wisdom and encourages us to follow through. It isn't a gimmick or a quick fix for bad budgeting. It's truth.

From one sister to another: be careful. I am getting more and more used to blogging and have throughly checked out the "Pay Per Blog" at my sidebar. I feel comfortable with that, because there is no money outlay for me. So that's good. With today's prices for milk and gasoline..........ug!! We must be wise!! Be careful, thoughtful, and especially prayerful in all that you do. I am fortunate to be a Stay at home Mama, I love it, and I know that it blesses my family. But it is up to me to go to my Father in Heaven daily in order to run this household smoothly!!

What have you done to improve your household income??

Warm Blessings!!

Kelly

Mar. 16, 2008 - Still here!

So Spring just might be here. It's warming up to the point where my toes won't cramp if I take my socks off! Our roof is being re-roofed (Thank you Allstate!) and the noise is fun. The Poppets are covered in MUD on a daily basis, my washer is being used constantly. They have discovered if they say, "But it's a Nature Walk, Mom!" that I let them out in it!! **Of course they must do a bit of journal work afterwards!...I'm not that daft!*

Here is a recommended book I received that is scrumptious...with patterns included!!

I bought some yummy orange fabric for this project!!

Oh, and can you see these in a yummy Indian print ?........these are next after the apron! And I am going to go to a proper fabric shop. There is only so much that a rural Walmarts can offer. ( I do hate that store.) Amy Butler's book is for beginner seamstress' like myself. So if you can buzz up the above in your sleep, don't bother.....your way above my expertise! I do admire homemade items. It's feels right. And my Poppet adores her sleep pants that she made with her sewing machine that she received on Yule last year. She bought fabric for another pair!

Tomorrow will be some pictures of a string / glue / Easter project that the Poppets and I are doing. Can you believe that tomorrow is St. Patty's day, and then Sunday is Easter?? Are the calendars off or something?? It just feels wrong..........sigh. But the birds are singing, and lady bugs are sneaking in, that's a good sign!!

Eat Peeps!

Kelly

Mar. 8, 2008 - "Gifts" & "school"

Just a quick bit of photos....and please forgive me...our camera is on the list to be replaced. It made it through the Jamaican sand, 2 moves, 3 poppets, and numerous animals; and it is slowly dying. So, one day, you will see marvelous photos from Sage Manor. Until that time, I am afraid you will have to suffer with me!!

Laura from Little Orange Kitchen sent me this scrumptious "Pay It Forward" gift........OMG!! She is fabulous, and blessed me big time!! The poppets gathered as I unwrapped, because even the wrapping paper was yummy!! Visit her, buy things that don't require a vehicle and poison gas to get there!! Shop @ Little Orange Kitchen!!

Tank was "Tutored" Wednesday. We don't say the "N" word (neutered!) around here!! He's doing fine, poor thing doesn't know what hit him!! Love this pooch!!

Putting a wicked puzzle together for 30 minutes counts as "school" here at Sage Manor!! Whinning & screaming the whole way!! But, it came together.........finally. Back in the box, in the closet, and if I don't watch it: she will sneak it into the Goodwill bag!!

Well I have hair dye in my hair!! LOL.........I have 8 minutes to go!! I'm multi-tasking! Poppet and I are off to a Young Woman's Meeting this afternoon, looking forward to that time. Daddy bird has the boy poppet and a friend of his, so he is in charge of hamburger making tonight and any home projects that can be done!! (oh please, oh please!!)

Have a scrumptious weekend.......may it be warm & full of prosperity & joy & spontanious giggles!!

Kelly

**If you haven't visited MY "Pay it Forward" section please do...I need a few more visitors so I can send yummy gifts!!

Mar. 3, 2008 - Learning

Unschooling is such a misnomer for me. It's an ongoing definition. It's a way of life that I read about, other families, trying....living & achieving. And I think about how we are. How we learn.

And then this horrible thing happens, as Mama's (read: me), we question ourselves. I wonder if 2 hours of guitar playing "counts". If learning the fine art of cutting cabbage & slightly cooking it "counts". Identifying the weeds that are stuck to our dog's collar, if it "counts". So many things in my own mind "count". And I'm glad they do. Unschooling for us is this continual identification of what we are interested in at the moment. It changes daily, sometimes hourly. Hours of PBS specials on the "Frontier House" provided digging through History books, maps, updating our 72-hour emergency kits, and a candlelit dinner.

Life is an adventure. It's joyous, pillow fights included. And then it's sad, with a dear Sister of our ward dying in a local hospital. I cry out, and wonder if it matters. And then..........I'm still and hear the sweet voice of my Savior, saying, "Yes, it matters." And as I dig out the paint and look for paper that isn't already stained, I give thanks.

Be Blessed & give yourself permission to let experiences "count"!!

Kelly

Mar. 1, 2008 - Monday Vegetarian Menus for the Week

Hello friends!! I've discovered Laura's site at www.orgjunkie.org (Menu Plan Monday) and it is a fabulous way to get motivated. I've talked my Beloved into some serious food changes around here and he's getting vegetarian all week, except 2 nights. The kids and I have ate vegetarian for months, and really don't have any problems transitioning. The problem I find with being a vegetarian is the temptation of eating fast food "junk": cookies, power bars, pre-packaged "stuff" that fills us up. THAT has to stop. So here is a glimpse of our eating this week! Be organized: I think it's a virtue! *smile*

Monday: Macaroni & "cheese", Lg. chef salad (meat in husbands), apples & peanut butter.

Tuesday: Sheppard's Pie (vegetarian), salad & homemade french bread

Wednesday: Beans & Rice, fruit

Thursday: Baked Potatoe bar , chopped raw veggies, fruit (sour cream, butter, cheeses, & meat for husband)

Friday: Spring rolls & dipping sauce, nuts, fruit w/ chocolate fondue

Saturday: Hamburgers for the guys (Poppet & I are out to a Young Womens day), healthy chips

Sunday: Tomatoe cucumber basil salad, Alfredo style Fettuccine, homemade french bread w/garlic oil & spices.

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Feb. 29, 2008 - the Eating thing

So today has been good! Other than the 5 Chocolate chip cookies that somehow made it in my mouth without my knowledge........*smile* I did do well though. And the trick is..............I THOUGHT. I thought about what I was feeling, what I was putting in my mouth (other than those wicked, wicked cookies!!), and the amount.

And then I read my scriptures, and visited with other Mama's and my Visiting teacher today......and prayed, and bought grapes & banannas, and read a yummy cookbook. Life is good!! Isn't it all about thinking ?? Purposely thinking!!

Be Blessed.....and know that you are a Daughter of the King!!

Kelly

Feb. 28, 2008 - Eating

Emotional Eating.

Winter Eating.

Boredom Eating.

It has all hit my waist line with a vengance this winter. And tomorrow....in the morning....I am going to do something different. I'm not going to rush right to the counter and gobble up something because I "feel" like I'm hungry. You see, I'm a chicken. I don't want to feel hunger. I don't want to hear my belly growl deep inside me. And tomorrow I am going to fight that urge to "fill up" automatically without a bleeming thought to it. Sinful it is. I tell you. This is what this Mama plans on doing (and of course I will report my sad situation later to you all.): Prayer, Scripture study, cleaning Sage Manor, studing with the children (German), walking the pup, folding the laundry, preparing a quiet place for my Beloved when he gets home (he has an important tele call), making a list of scrumptious food that is alive and good for us (greens & fruit!). There is much to do......and I must realign my focus. I have a temple to take care of, and it's about time I start to it.

I've been reading a bit about this, and I know that it is a stopper for me in a sense. Don't know how to explain it other than what this good man of our Church said:

"The power to change is very real, and it is a great spiritual gift from God." President James E. Faust (1920-2007).

So Be Blessed! Have Scrumptious Joy within your walls, feel what you need to walk through, know you are not alone.....and Sing. Silly!!

Kelly

Feb. 22, 2008 - Hands that Give

Greetings fellow Sisters!!

Most of you already know how much I adore Laura's site: she is fabulously talented. I'm in a constant state of green when I glance at all of you talented Mama's out there that make scrumptious items to tantilate me with!!

Isn't it lovely when you recieve mail?? Snail mail? In the box, wrapped with only your mail on it?? Well, my third lovey that "posts" will get a package for little ole me!

We are "Paying It Forward" girls! Time to get some mail! I will be mailing on March 1st.......and please think about doing this on your blog. It's down right groovy when you get a little box with your name on it. I won't promise that you will need what I send you, but somewhere, someone down the line of fabulous, powerful women will get something that she really, truly needed that day. I believe!!

Be Blessed..................Kelly

Feb. 20, 2008 - FYI

Just in case you ever get a chance to do a Yoga Detox: do it!!

Just DON'T do a 2 hour session!!

I feel like I got hit by a car!! Definately detoxing!! Ach!

Have a scrumptious day!!

Kelly

Feb. 19, 2008 - Been doing.......

I twitter around here, and the days just fly by & I honestly forget that I have a blog!! *so sorry* I think I can really blame our Unschooling brains for that one. It's been so incredibly cold here, so much so that I have given permission for Tank to pee in on the kitchen floor!! He just looks at me with those eyes, and I tell him all about Mother Nature, and that Spring is coming.........Honestly!!

It is official. Spring is coming. It is maximum 22 degrees out, and our favorite ice cream shop has a big sign on it that says that it is opening Friday!!! LOL...........God has not abandoned us!!

Next week, on our Science co-op day I am setting up "stations" in the kitchen for the poppets to do. Slime, and batteries, and chemicals.........oh, my!! It should be fun, I will have a house full and that is good.

I have been dividing my time between science info and working as a volunteer for Rethinking Education : the unschooling conference! We are so excited to be involved! It is in Dallas, Texas this year, the 4-8 of September......and I am booking companies, museums, dance troupes, craft people to do a "class" for our unschoolers!! It is going to be "wicked cool" (as Victor would say!) The Unschooling conference is a non-for profit venture; and attracts big names in the unschooling world. (*Did I mention that I'm excited?) If you/ your families have a business in the Texas area, contact me....we love to advertise local families that are doing something!!

Oh... In fact it is sooo wicked cool that my poppet will be having his birthday party on the schedule with probably over 100+ in attendance!! (don't even ask about birthday cake, I'll worry about that later!!) Last year the conference drew 850 people to the area. It is a big thing!! We are all very excited. And I am excited to be in the wave of activism again. I love making a difference, and helping, and stretching myself!! If you are in the Dallas area, let me know! We will do coffee!

On the List:

Library

Laundry

General daily chores

Bible study with poppets

Digging through the huge Travel/Ntl. Geographic book with poppets

Thinking about GOALS for me and my sweetie........and discussing them this evening.

Yoga

Dream Big! Dance today, eat well & adore your Temple, Ask, Believe & Recieve as Daughters of the King........be scrumptious!!

Kelly

Feb. 13, 2008 - That time of year again!!

My Proclamation to the World!! I am so lucky!! I snooze with my best friend! I adore him, and have for 20 years! We fight like wild animals sometimes, but always make up! We have the same dreams & wishes for our future! We love our children & who they are! I am truly blessed!

(*note to Beloved: don't bother with the expensive flowers! Wait till the wild flowers come out on the side of the road: those are prettier! And yes, chocolate would be scrumptious!!)

Have a wonderful day preparing!! I have some frugal...very frugal! (remember, I don't have a car!!) ideas for making sure my Beloved feels his importance in my life!

Love, Love, Love...........................Kelly

*for the link to heart above

Feb. 12, 2008 - Dependent?

Morning/Afternoon all!!

Loads going on around here at Sage Manor, some fun, some not so fun.

Let us just begin with the not so fun facts: Car wreck. Big time. Flipped the Focus. Not so fun. All is well though; and it was such a God thing (not getting hurt, that is!). Thankfully neither myself or poppet was injured. The car was a mess though, flipped on it's side; and the repair shop said he couldn't believe I didn't total it. The mud slowed us down you see. So living life without a vehicle has been a bit of a challenge!! A good one though, really. It MAKES us slow down. Although in this crazy cold weather, we all have cabin fever!! I tend to slip my flip-flops on and stomp around humming, "Here Comes the Sun"!! We really are going a bit stir crazy.

Thankfully we have had visitors today......that breaks up the fever alittle. I host a Science Co-op on Tuesday mornings for the homeschool crew here in the area. Today we built bridges, and were Engineers, and used 150 straws, 3 rolls of tapes, and $4.00 worth of pennies to show how strong a bridge can be!! Engineering=Science=breaking up cabin fever!! I have no idea what we will do next week. I am looking at buying a ton of Mind Storm equipment for Robotics. My husband is all for that!! I have even talked him into taking a morning off of work to teach it!! I would probably blow the household electricity grid if I tried!! (looking around, "who did that??!!)

Just completed PBS's mini-series "The Colonial House". Wow. 1600. I could have never, ever done it. I think about what our ancestors did, what they had to do, their choices in life, and I am grateful. I would have more than likely been burnt on a stake. This Activist Mama would have protesting the 6 hour Sabbath meetings, the constant water fetching, and sleeping on the floor. Which reminds me of items for my Grateful list.

I am Grateful:

*My belief. My walk / my path. Knowing my God.

*For being a Mama, a Woman, a Wife, a lover, a thinker.

*For the ability to read & comprehend literature.

*For modern "helpers" (washer/dryer. Bosch mixer. Oven. Furnance. Lights. Mattresses.)

*For my body. Working. Strong. Able to heal.

There are so many things that I automatically take for granted. It is almost second nature to expect certain priviliages. Isn't that funny? And then when a simple accident happens, it leaves me stranded, confined. In a sense, Stopped. It is amazing how dependent we actually are. Hmmm......

thoughts?

Scrumptious, warm days to you!

Kelly

Feb. 6, 2008 - Praise reports.....& weather

You know it always amazes me, this Indiana weather. One day it's 55 degrees, and I'm digging in a box, hollering at my Poppet about where my other flip-flop is (like she would really hide it or something, it was just a wicked amount of stress, hanging my head down in that box for 20 minutes!!); and Behold, the next day, we have Lake Sage in our front yard. Our newest purchase is a fancy-schmancy, cast iron, high dollar Sump Pump. Groovy. (hear the sarcasm, anyone??) I'm so excited.

God is good though. The rain has ended. I did remind Him (how stupid does that sound??) that He promised NOT to flood the earth again. sheesh!! It has ended, no leaks in the roof, I haven't peeked down in the basement (not my job, man!), and the furnace is running. God is good.

This morning I watched a DVD of Bishop TD Jakes. WOW!! The power of Jesus that man has!! Amazing. I felt it through the tv ! I highly recommend his website, his books & DVD's. I rented this one (TD Jakes: It's Under my Feet ) through Netflix. One thing that he said, amoung a hundred that is in my journal, which I wanted to really share was this:

"Christianity is simply this: One begger telling another begger where he found his bread."

Is that not the coolest???

Have a scrumptious, Spirit filled week friends!! Know you are loved, that we are treasures, that we have Hope, and the there is Exceeding greatness of His Power!! (Eph. 1:18) Whatever it is that is holding you down, hangin' over your head, dragging you through the dirt, making you weak & miserable: Let Jesus Put it under your feet!!! If we are children of the Almighty..........that's where it belongs Sisters! Under our Feet! Not above our heads.

Kelly

Feb. 1, 2008 - Finding Joy at the Table

Today at Crystal's blog, she is discussing time management and grocery shopping for the family. I do have to say I struggle with this one. I have the folders, I collected coupons: collected from other people even & even the library!! ... piles of "stuff": and my common sense tells me to buy what is on sale and I will save money. So that is what I do for our family. I look at our local shopping markets sales flyer online, and plan our menu.

I can tell you that planning our menu has saved us thousands of $$. I am not tempted to look at my Beloved as soon as her walks through the door and say: "can we just go get burgers tonight?" For one, that steals JOY from him. I know he is tired from a long drive home, I know how many hours my Beloved has to work in order to supply that burger dinner, and I also know that it (my unprepardedness) STEALS from other financial areas in our life. And it also STEALS relaxed family togetherness: we are all rushing around, getting ready to get out the door to spend 20 minutes in a burger joint so I can avoid cooking for the night!! (NUTS!)

Eating Dinner together as a family is a sacred act. It's special. It should be. We noticed in the Bible Jesus eating with alot of differrent people. Sitting down, visiting. Relaxing.......no rushing. HE taught JOY at the simple act of feeding and eating with others. Shouldn't we be willing to do the same?

Going out to eat (I've chatted with my Beloved about this issue!) is a once or twice a month special treat for our family. Now that means I have to PLAN. Everywhere that we go here in rural Indiana is a good 30 minutes away. So I need to stash things in my purse so the poppets won't think they are going to drop dead from starvation on the drive home. And sometimes, the poppets have to wait. They need to learn to wait. We all need to realize that Mama has a plan, and they will eat. Promise!!

So, coupon on, Girls!! Best of luck to you. I stick to my "dent" store (Ocean Spray Cranberry sauce Jelly & whole 6/$1.00.......and Bush's Baked Beans lg. cans 2/$1.00) and looking at the flyers to see what is on sale. Maybe I will start slowly like Crystal suggests. Maybe I can master my local CVS store!!

In the meantime: Beloved was paid today. Thank You Jesus!! And I need to make my menu so the Poppets won't starve and JOY will be maintained at the dinner table.

Have a Scrumptious weekend!!

Kelly

Jan. 29, 2008 - In the local Newpaper!

There is our Poppet!! We had a blast at the local Taekwondo Studio last Friday! All the homeschoolers gathered and we had a demonstration. Poppet was "used" exclusively, and he definately needed an asprin when we got home!! Poor thing!! It was so much fun!! He is so proud!! This Friday is swimming!! Life is good!!

Jan. 28, 2008 - a thought

I am learning:

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Philippians 4:8)

Jan. 27, 2008 - A bit of Praise

So this morning, the Poppets and I decided to join a few families that are starting a local church. It was lovely.......we sung Praise music, and oh, my!! I did forget how the Spirit can come and visit while you are signing!! We had a wonderful hour! Talked about PEACE. Where that comes from & how to get it!

Iron fillings: I have the bestest husband in the world! I am in great need of iron filings for our Science co-op Tuesday. And I have quite the crew coming........I believe there may be close to 20 little poppets here at Sage Manor!! *gasp* Good thing I like lots of Poppets in small doses!!

So, back to the bestest husband award; he is outside in the garage grinding up something to make me iron filings so we won't have to purchase them!! God I love him!

Sipping hot water with lemon: I feel so British! Actually, I must get my belly back into some sort of normal. We have ate out 3 *THREE* times this week. What in the world is wrong with us??? We are blowing the budget and gaining weight to boot!! Not a good thing. So, my Beloved and I decided that we would only go out ONCE a month, a treat.

Warming up this week: Praise God!! The windows will open and staleness .......... be gone!!

Have a fabulous, yummy, loving, praise filled week!!

Kelly

Jan. 25, 2008 - New Visions

what a whirlwind!! The very moment my little life calms down a bit.....something sparks my interest and off I go in a tangent. The problem is that the rest of my family is in on it with me! Which quite honestly makes it a wee bit strange!

At the present moment I have Cinnamon Roll dough in the oven rising to the top awaiting it's owner at promptly 1pm. You see I have another order. And I will be looking at the shop again today to see if I see a possible bakery. And my stomach is aflutter as I think about the possibilities, and my Poppets are skuttering about talking about helping in the "shop", and getting paid real money!! LOL......they don't get an allowance you see. We expect our poppets to be apart of a family. You don't get paid around here for feeding an animal or two!

And a Science Co-op I am starting next Tuesday. woohoo!! Nothing better to do in January or February I say!

So my mildly bi-polar brain is a'whizzing with opportunity. And I wonder how is it that others just start a business? We already have a home-based business, Shaklee. But that is easy. Doesn't require a little plaque with my name on it, or chairs and coffee beans from Olympia, WA.

And on today's list is the usual items: German, Math, Gym at 1:30 with the group.........and well, whatever strikes our fancy! A dinner plan would be lovely too. I must buy that program for Mama's on Time Management from Biblical Womanhood. sigh!!

Stay warm, Eat chocolate & Love,

Kelly