If your blog is beginning to bug you every time you look at it then what you need is an extreme blog makeover!  Christi, the wonderful designer of my blog, is sponsoring a contest on the HSB Company Porch giving away a very classy blog template.  It will give your blog a wonderfully calm atmosphere. 

 

If you are already a subscriber to The Old Schoolhouse Magazine and you have a blog, then you need to check out this contest over on the HSB Company Porch!  One winner will receive a one-year subscription to TOS to be added on to their current subscription! 

All you have to do is blog a review about TOS and mention our current super BOGO sale, then leave a comment on the Porch.  It's that easy!  We want to reward our current readers and starting next year there will be some wonderful gifts for SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.  You don't want to miss out on everything that TOS has to offer!

How many of you go to the Porch on a regular basis?  Have you seen the contest for the new Animusic  DVD?  There will be 10 winners! 

Go check it out! 

So what did you think of the new HSB e-newsletter, Blogging Basics from HSB?  Did you even read it? 

The HSB Survey was announced in that e-newsletter and we really do want to hear from you!  The survey is only 20 questions long so it won't take you any time at all to do it.  This is your chance to tell us what you like about HSB and what you don't like.  Well, okay, you always have that chance but this is an official opportunity!  Just click on the banner below to get started.

© Copyright 2005, 2006, 2007 High Desert Hi-Jinks, and Sagerat Scribbles.

Enter to win the complete set of
Terrestria Chronicles
on the HSB Company Porch!

© Copyright 2005, 2006, 2007 High Desert Hi-Jinks, and Sagerat Scribbles.

Well.  Well, well, well.  The server change was not completed last night.  A corrupted file something or other was found about 45 minutes from being completed.  The sort of thing you can't just continue and then fix later. 

TONIGHT the server change is supposed to be completed. 

nsremom asked me what sort of things can we expect to see with this server change, is it just a quick fix like last December? 

No, this isn't a quick band-aid fix, it's a MAJOR surgery fix!  Things are supposed to be faster, (this means no more losing posts, being able to get to your own blog, faster page loads, all that sort of thing.) the Friend's latest posts is going to work again, javascript will be up and running, and everything anyone ever complained about should be fixed. 

I hope.  Oh how I hope!  I say that because things can go wrong, like last night.  The server change could happen and then it's discovered that something we thought would be fixed isn't.  If that happens, don't fret!  It will be worked on. 

So, until tonight, hang tight! 

The new server is coming!  The new server is coming! 

It came, it came!  The wonderful Spring issue is finally here!  You should be receiving yours in another week or two.  Once again Paul, Gena, and the TOS staff have put together a magazine filled to the edges of every page with all sorts of educational articles.  (I even enjoy the ads!)

If you've been blogging long enough, then you know who Spunky is.  You also know that Spunky hung up her blog and walked off into the sunset. 

Here's the thing with a good blogger.  They never really go away.  They meander into  two-bit blogs, set up to the post and then leave quietly, their thirst for blogging quenched.

Rally round Home Where They Belong girls, because Spunky's back in town!  Step on over and give her a big, "Howdy-do!"

Spunky, welcome back!  We've missed you.  While you're here, you can have the sheriff badge so you can go out and get those low down, no good feminists, public schools, and politicians. 

I feel safer already.

Many of you know that Katie's daughter Jillian has cancer.  They have spent a great deal of time at the hospital, not a exactly a friendly atmosphere for children.  All of these visits have opened Katie's heart to areas that she sees a need.  

Katie is starting a quilt drive to help all of the other children who are learning to live with a scary diagnosis.  I know all of you here at HSB have generous hearts.  Let's help Katie help those children and families. 

Quilts  - When children are admitted to the PICU they are not routinely given quilts and blankets.  Katie explains that these blankets help give comfort and help to brighten up the hospital room.  Send quilts and blankets only!  No crocheted or knitted blankets as these cause hang ups in medical equipment and the blankets are washed numerous times.  Click on the quilts link to read more. 

Small Toys - Little toys and games help to keep a child's mind occupied during painful procedures and treatments.  Click on the small toys link to read more.

For those of you that feel you can't mail anything right now, or feel you should support the children in your own local hosptial, then consider doing just that!  It's still all a part of the Team Jillian effort. 

You can find the address to mail your items in the quilts link above.  Items need to be mailed by the end of May as the Bettendorf family will be moving. 

A part of healing is to take your mind off yourself.  We can help Jillian heal by helping her give blankets and toys to the other children in her hospital. 

• John Taylor Gatto
•  Dr. Bruce Shortt
•  Bradley Heath
•  Joel Turtel
• David Kupelian
• Josh McDowell
• John MacArthur
• Dr. Raymond Moore
• Lisa Whelchel
• Karen Andreola
• Harvey and Laurie Bluedorn
• Teri Maxwell
• Douglas Gresham
• Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber
• Plus a story by Gena Suarez
• and a story by "Little Bear" Wheeler
  
  Here it is Homeschool Dialogues!
  
  

Don't you think that's snazzy?  You want one right?  At least go look at what the book is all about.  THEN you'll want one!

This is a wonderful opportunity!  If you have a homeschool convention coming up that you would like to attend but your budget is a little tight, TOS may be able to help, if you are willing to help them. 

TOS will pay for your full entry to the convention if you are willing to pick up business cards from the speakers and vendors at the convention. Once TOS get your package, you'll be reimbursed for your full entry. 

Contact Gena first and make arrangements because TOS doesn't want to pay for more than one person's entry per conference. Anyone interested can email Gena at gena@tosmag.com and put CONFERENCE in the subject line.

Help get the word out!  The more conferences covered the better. 

...I just might find a winner for the Too Much Stuff contest.  I must say I am very disappointed in the amount of entrants.  Kathryn Porter's book is excellent and I feel bad that her free offer didn't intrigue more people.  

However there is some good news!  Last time around there really were two entrants.  Somehow I neglected to see the link to the entry that did not win.  I feel very badly about that so I decided that DanielleW is going to win this time! 

Wait!  There's more!  The only other entrant for this contest is going to win too!  HighHopesAcademy let me know how this book works for you.  I've got high hopes for you. 

Ladies, e-mail me your address so I can get the books sent out to you.  I appreciate your willingness to participate. 

So, that brings us to a close to my second ever contest on this blog.  Either the prizes are going to have to be a bit more spectacular or I'm going to have to find that, "Get a blogger begging to enter," market.  Maybe if I give away a free day with JenIg...

My friend, nsremom, is having a contest in which the prize is a pile of rocks. 

Oh these are pretty rocks to be sure, due to their incessant weeks of tumbling about in a rock polisher.  Tumbling and tumbling and tumbling...

Not only that these rocks come from Whidbey Island, which is a beautiful place in the Pacific Northwest, I know, I used to live there. 

If you have a rock hound in your family you should enter the contest!  It will save you on having to buy expensive jewels to fill up your little princess' or pirates treasure trove. 

Gena is a hosting another photo contest!  If you watched the YouTube video of Home Where They Belong, then you know that Gena will put your photo to excellent use. 

This time the winner will receive a $50 gift certificate to the Schoolhouse Store, a free copy of the e-book Homeschool Dialogues, (soon to be released) and their winning photo on the cover of Homeschool Dialogues!!! 

Hurry, get your entries in soon, contest ends March 12. 

Guess where I'm at!  You'll never guess.  I'm on my couch.  Blogging.  Yep!  I'm networked!  Now I can really move into the realm of live blogging.  You won't hear the end of it from me; I'll live blog my daughter doing the dishes, my son building with legos, and my cat yawning.

For now though, I'll tell you about a couple more contests. 

Do you have too much stuff?  Are you afraid to open cupboard doors or maybe even  your front door for fear of what will fall out?  There's a clutter contest over on the Company Porch.  Be sure to read the interview I had with author Kathryn Porter first!  It's her book you'll win.

Ali is having a contest over at Homeschool Nations Oregon.  Just leave an encouraging comment per Ali's directions and you could win a one year subscription to TOS!

Chickadee is attempting to declutter her bookshelves by having a book give away contest.  I know it'll be hard for you readers out there to help her out! Ha!

It's time for me to get off of here and get back to work.  At least I can now do so from the comfort of my own couch, recliner, bedroom, porch....

Contests are so fun, especially those here at HSB!  Their easy and have super prizes.  Sometimes we're asked to do something helpful, sometimes we're just asked to be silly.  We're always asked to leave a comment!  Do you get the feeling people are starving for feedback around here? 

~ First up is a contest over on the Company Porch.  BusyBodyBook is giving away a 7 day blank grid!  It's magnetic and perfect for all kinds of different planning. 

Leave a comment on the Porch telling how you would use the grid to plan your children's lesson plans.  I'm looking forward to seeing all the different ideas!

~ Gena's in the mood to share a great big box of Sees Candies, but if I were you I would make her give you the whole box!

Pop on over to Gena's blog and take a look at what you have to do to win something so magnificently delicious!  It's just a simple review, have your children write it up for an assignment if you like. 

Oh, if you win, please don't blog while eating your chocolates.  Tech support doesn't take kindly to chocolate fingerprints all over the HSB site.  Besides, it would be unfair to eat in front of all of us.

~ Remember Kris?  She was the Featured Blogger several weeks ago.  She's having a contest and giving away some great discount coupons to BookCloseOuts! 

This time you don't even have to leave a comment.  Place an order and send an e-mail to Kris.  You can read the details at Kris' Eclectic Homeschool.  Books at close at prices with a discount coupon? You can't beat that!  Okay, maybe Free would beat that, but it's still a bargain.

If you know of any other contests taking place be sure to let me know!  I can place them on the Porch to help get you maximum coverage.  It's good to be Queen!

I received my Winter 2007 TOS yesterday!  It truly is the best issue yet.  I think I say that with every issue, but this one is outstanding! 

The roundtable interview that Gena has with authors Bruce Shortt, Bradley Heath and Joel Turtel, is an eye opener.  As is the article by Dr. Brian Rey.

The interview Steve Walden has with Treon Goosen is awaiting my undivided attention.  I love everything Steve writes!

I enjoy reading the articles by everyday homeschool moms like you and me.  They encourage me, give me tips and remind me that learning happens in everything.

The Central Oregon History Performers amaze me!  That's 80 plus homeschoolers in one group, directed by one awesome lady.  TOS wants to hear about how the homeschoolers in your area share their talents.

The whole magazine is a wiz bang publication and you are going to LOVE it!  If you don't subscribe but would like to click on the Schoolhouse Store icon in my sidebar and then look under magazines.  You can buy just the one issue or you can get a subscription.  If you subscribe for two years you get 19 free gifts!

Gotta go, my magazine is calling me...