W.O.W. My favorite website this week is www.librarything.com. Compared to the rest of my homeschooling friends, I do not own a lot of books. But I still have plenty, and since I joined Chris's list recently, I am swimming in books. The bad part is that I no longer have any idea what books I own.
But there's light at the end of this tunnel. I'd heard of Library Thing, and I even signed up last month. Of course, I never took the "tour" to learn about it. But it was free, and I figured maybe it'd be a little help in organizing my books.
I went back to the website today to begin. ALL I had to do was enter the ISBN on the back of the book. The website pulls up the book title, author and publishing info. I would click on the cover to add the book to my online library. There are other features that I've yet to use, including "tagging" books with keywords and printing the list. You are allowed to maintain 200 books for free, and for a one time fee of $25, you can add as many books as you want. I'm thinking that would be well worth it . . .
Holly got wind of it and asked if she could enter the books for me. Hah! While I thiought it was fun, I was happy to let her work on it. She entered 40 books for me. I can't wait to UNpack boxes of books and put them on Library Thing too. (But I'll wait until we move, lol.)
If you're interested in cataloging your books for any reason, check out the website.
Showing posts with label Website Recommendations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Website Recommendations. Show all posts
Friday, July 20, 2007
Monday, July 02, 2007
The HomeScholar
I've posted before about my amazing online homeschool support group. Lee has been one of my loopy friends for many years. She no longer homeschools her boys but she stays on our list to inspire and encourage us. Even though her kids are much older than mine, she's been a great source of support for me in topics like chess, Latin, math, literature, science and more.
Both of her boys went off to college this year. One of them was just 16. They both received full tuition scholarships to their first choice college, and both skipped their freshmen year entirely through CLEPing several classes.
Impressive? Yes.
Unusual? Maybe.
Smart boys? Yep.
Impossible? No, in fact entirely possible.
When Lee's boys started college, instead of returning to her professional nursing career, she decided to continue doing what she knew, what she loved best--homeschooling. She started her own business to help other hs families successfully make the transition from home to college. She offers a wide variety of support services, including planning curriculum, creating transcripts, scholarship searches, and help with the college admissions process.
Check out her terrific website, The HomeScholar, and sign up for her free monthly newsletter. She's full of great advice and her recent topics include:
I am so grateful for those truly courageous families who forged the hs path ahead of us, making possible the many wonderful options we have now, which continue to grow each year. (Homeschooling wasn't legal in every state until the mid-1990s.) Lee is one of those people who not only blessed her own sons by teaching them at home, but she's also blessed so many of us, making a difference in the lives of our children. It's amazing what you can do just by encouraging someone else.
Both of her boys went off to college this year. One of them was just 16. They both received full tuition scholarships to their first choice college, and both skipped their freshmen year entirely through CLEPing several classes.
Impressive? Yes.
Unusual? Maybe.
Smart boys? Yep.
Impossible? No, in fact entirely possible.
When Lee's boys started college, instead of returning to her professional nursing career, she decided to continue doing what she knew, what she loved best--homeschooling. She started her own business to help other hs families successfully make the transition from home to college. She offers a wide variety of support services, including planning curriculum, creating transcripts, scholarship searches, and help with the college admissions process.
Check out her terrific website, The HomeScholar, and sign up for her free monthly newsletter. She's full of great advice and her recent topics include:
- tips for studying and passing CLEP exams;
- brilliant ideas such as planning a writing curriculum around scholarship essays
- how to keep skills sharp over the summer (like my post yesterday, although her newsletter didn't come out until today, lol)
I am so grateful for those truly courageous families who forged the hs path ahead of us, making possible the many wonderful options we have now, which continue to grow each year. (Homeschooling wasn't legal in every state until the mid-1990s.) Lee is one of those people who not only blessed her own sons by teaching them at home, but she's also blessed so many of us, making a difference in the lives of our children. It's amazing what you can do just by encouraging someone else.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Check out the Space Station
Thanks to Marcia on the SHS list for this info.
To track the International Space Station and watch it pass overhead in your sky, see Heavens Above.
I was able to sign on easily as a guest. If you don't know your coordinates (okay, does anyone know their coordinates?), I found mine easily at Wunderground. Just plug in your zip code at the top, and your coordinates will be on the upper right hand side of your screen.
We saw the Space Station go by once several years ago, and it was AMAZING! It's going by a little too late tonight, but I hope to catch it tomorrow. Right now, there is also info on Atlantis, and the two are traveling pretty close to each other. (I don't know if that will be the same tomorrow night.)
To track the International Space Station and watch it pass overhead in your sky, see Heavens Above.
I was able to sign on easily as a guest. If you don't know your coordinates (okay, does anyone know their coordinates?), I found mine easily at Wunderground. Just plug in your zip code at the top, and your coordinates will be on the upper right hand side of your screen.
We saw the Space Station go by once several years ago, and it was AMAZING! It's going by a little too late tonight, but I hope to catch it tomorrow. Right now, there is also info on Atlantis, and the two are traveling pretty close to each other. (I don't know if that will be the same tomorrow night.)
Thursday, April 26, 2007
TAG!! You're IT!
De'Etta tagged me for a Thinking Blogger Award. I'm not sure why I was chosen, but I know she was already thinking, dreaming really, of Great Harvest Bread earlier today. It must have stuck in her mind. De'Etta is one of the two list owners of our big hs list; she's blessed our lives in more ways than she can imagine.I have a few other loopy friends who have been tagged. My biggest problem is that even online, I don't "get out" much. Like De'Etta, I read mostly for entertainment; I don't want to think too hard. I generally read just the blogs on my loop, and believe me, I don't even get to do that as much as I'd like. So I'll pick a couple that may not be as well known.
1. Especially Heather. Heather is not on our loop; I just began reading her blog. She was living a pretty regular homeschool mom kind of life--until ten days ago, when it was discovered that she has a brain tumor. She and her husband traveled from Florida to Rochester, Minnesota today to meet with doctors at The Mayo Clinic. Words are inadequate to describe her blog--she freely shares her vulnerabilities and fears, her prayers and amazing faith. This is a blog that will make you think.
2. Amy. Amy is new to our loop. At this point, many of us are blogging, and it's difficult to read them all. This is a hidden gem, with a variety of topics, all inspiring. Amy's blog is also very attractively set up, with loads of great links.
3. Kathleen. Kathleen is one of our loopies, and we've become good friends offlist too. I can't believe it's already been almost two years since we met in person. We were both hoping that she'd end up out here and we'd be friends in real life too, but it looks like God has different plans for us. Her blog has awesome photos, the kind I'd love to take when I grow up. She also has a lovely way with words, sometimes writing fun stories, insightful posts, or sharing what her four girls have been up to.
4. Debbie's Project 365. I regularly read Debbie's family blog and don't get to this one as often. Project 365 encourages members to post one photo a day. I appreciate Debbie's perspective and ability to find beauty and interest in what might initially seem mundane.
5. Lisa's Homeschool Circus. Lisa's been on our list longer than I have (almost six years). I appreciate her honest posts about life in general, the day to day events, and her juggling as she integrates her new baby into her already busy schedule. (Besides, who can resist those darling baby pictures with the tongue always sticking out!)
***
The participation rules are simple:
1. If, and only if, you get tagged, write a post with links to 5 blogs that make you think,
2. Link to this post so that people can easily find the exact origin of the meme,
3. Optional: Proudly display the 'Thinking Blogger Award' with a link to the post that you wrote (here is an alternative silver version if gold doesn't fit your blog).
Monday, March 05, 2007
Incredible scenery in Alaska
I've written about my amazing group of loopy friends, and a lot of us have turned to blogging (with only each other to blame--DOROTHY, lol). There's some I read regularly, but I try to check most of them out weekly or so. Each individual personality shines through, and it's very different than "chatting" with each other on the list.
I've also written that some of us have had the opportunity to meet in person. Dody and I met in Denver at the CHEC conference while she was living in Wyoming. A few years later, she moved to Alaska. Mmm. Nice. I imagine it to be cold. Vast. Isolated. Pretty to visit I'd bet, but I wouldn't want to live there.
But then Dody began blogging.
Everyone's seen pictures of Alaska's stunning beauty. I've looked at it through slightly different eyes, as my mom went to high school in Juneau. My grandmother divorced her husband, packed up her three kids, and traveled by ship from Seattle to Juneau. She'd never been there, she didn't have a job, and Alaska wasn't even a state. But she'd heard for years from my seaman grandfather how beautiful it was, and she went, living there for about 15 years before returning to Seattle.
My mom left as soon as she could. Graduating early at 16, she moved with her older sister to California. ("Fled to a warm place" is what I really think.) But Juneau, and Alaska, hold a special place in my mom's heart. She's been on a cruise or two, and she's returned for a few high school reunions. She still has her flag with 48 stars on it, and surely because of my mom, I've probably read more books about Alaska than most people.
With two AF bases and the Academy in town, I see a lot of Alaska license plates. But I never gave it much thought until another loopy friend of ours shared that, after being stationed in Alaska, she and her husband consider it to be their "home" and can't wait to return permanently once they leave the military. I realized that these Alaska license plates are part of an effort to maintain their Alaska residency. Which means people really might want to live in Alaska.
I still didn't get it until Dody started her blog, click HERE. Do you want to see incredible, personal shots of Alaska? These aren't the sterile, stark, almost generic beauty that we've become used to seeing. This is Alaskan LIFE. You'll never again wonder why, or how, what the attraction really is. Dody, your photos are so unique, so special, and you have really opened my eyes to a bit of Alaskan life. It might be cold, but what a trade off!
I've also written that some of us have had the opportunity to meet in person. Dody and I met in Denver at the CHEC conference while she was living in Wyoming. A few years later, she moved to Alaska. Mmm. Nice. I imagine it to be cold. Vast. Isolated. Pretty to visit I'd bet, but I wouldn't want to live there.
But then Dody began blogging.
Everyone's seen pictures of Alaska's stunning beauty. I've looked at it through slightly different eyes, as my mom went to high school in Juneau. My grandmother divorced her husband, packed up her three kids, and traveled by ship from Seattle to Juneau. She'd never been there, she didn't have a job, and Alaska wasn't even a state. But she'd heard for years from my seaman grandfather how beautiful it was, and she went, living there for about 15 years before returning to Seattle.
My mom left as soon as she could. Graduating early at 16, she moved with her older sister to California. ("Fled to a warm place" is what I really think.) But Juneau, and Alaska, hold a special place in my mom's heart. She's been on a cruise or two, and she's returned for a few high school reunions. She still has her flag with 48 stars on it, and surely because of my mom, I've probably read more books about Alaska than most people.
With two AF bases and the Academy in town, I see a lot of Alaska license plates. But I never gave it much thought until another loopy friend of ours shared that, after being stationed in Alaska, she and her husband consider it to be their "home" and can't wait to return permanently once they leave the military. I realized that these Alaska license plates are part of an effort to maintain their Alaska residency. Which means people really might want to live in Alaska.
I still didn't get it until Dody started her blog, click HERE. Do you want to see incredible, personal shots of Alaska? These aren't the sterile, stark, almost generic beauty that we've become used to seeing. This is Alaskan LIFE. You'll never again wonder why, or how, what the attraction really is. Dody, your photos are so unique, so special, and you have really opened my eyes to a bit of Alaskan life. It might be cold, but what a trade off!
Monday, December 25, 2006
Christmas recap
We had a very nice Christmas Eve last night, despite the light snow. It was very cold, icy on the roads. This is unusual; we very rarely see a white Christmas. After a candlelight church service, we went to a friends' house for dinner. The rum cake was better than I remembered. Oh, yum, I am making another one for us for New Year's. It was sooooo good!
Dan and Christine shared with us their favorite Christmas song, and I was thrilled to find a copy on the internet. All I can say is YOU GOTTA LISTEN TO THIS! There are no words to describe this rendition of O Holy Night. I don't think I can stop listening. (Some of the page content might be objectionable to some, but it wasn't so bad that Holly couldn't see it.) Mom . . . Dad . . . Lori . . . really, you have to listen.
Holly and Trevor ended up going to bed rather late (for them) last night, which meant they slept in a little longer this morning. So did Robert and I. The kids were up at 7:00, and they had to wait for us to get a few things ready before we would let them come all the way downstairs.
They woke up a little once they started opening presents. Trevor is always glad to smile again for the camera.
Holly's a little more reserved.
You can guess how excited Robert is. I thought I'd bought him the perfect gift that he didn't ask for (along with the one he did). It's a 1,000,000 candlelight flashlight that can be seen up to 3 miles away. It was cheap too, under $20, so I thought he'd like it even more. Like I said . . . excited. (ha)
Aw, too bad no one snapped a picture of me looking excited! Actually, my gifts were very nice and included a number of Calphalon pans and fabulous new perfume. (It's Noa, I think Noa Perle.)
Santa brought the kids a Play Station. I took about a dozen pictures of them playing, but none of them came through on my camera! After the presents were opened, the kids played. An hour later, the kids were still playing. Trevor took a break to talk to Grandpa on the phone.
I finally made them get dressed, and they came back and played some more. I took turns playing with them. We nibbled a quick lunch, and then the kids played. Trevor took another break to talk to Gramma, Aunt Barb and Uncle Dave.
The kids played in the afternoon.
There was a brief break for dinner. The dinner menu and my review:
Roast Beef Perfection. Was perfect, as usual! Served with a sour cream/horseradish mix alongside.
Manchego Potatoes. Rachael Ray used manchego cheese. I didn't want to pay $5-8 for cheese to put in potatoes. I'd read you could substitute either parmesan or Monterey jack cheese. That seemed like a weird choice, since I find the two so different. We had Muenster Potatoes. Everyone else liked them a lot, but I thought the cheese was just too much.
Asparagus with Gremolata. This is another Rachael Ray recipe. Not a keeper. Robert took one taste (barely) and brave Trevor spit his out. I couldn't eat the asparagus, but I mixed some of the gremolata with my potatoes and liked it!
Sauteed Crimini Mushrooms. Another Rachael Ray recipe, and this was awesome. After adding the red wine, I was dubious, but it quickly evaporated down and thickened into a nice flavoring, not leaving any "wine" taste.
Robert's Famous Cranberry Nut Bread, that I made yesterday.
Pretzel Jello Salad. A traditional holiday dish at our house.
We were so stuffed that we never ate dessert. We'll have pumpkin pie tomorrow, along with the salad I never made for dinner, and the brie cheese with kahlua sauce that I never made for lunch. This is what happens when I eat too many chocolate covered marshmallow santas . . .
After dinner, guess what the kids did?
They finally got off, just in time for Holly and me to watch two episodes of her Brady Bunch Season 2 DVDs that she got today. I'm glad I have someone else to watch Brady Bunch with!
We had a wonderful, relaxing day. I'm looking so forward to Robert's being off tomorrow too.
:)
Dan and Christine shared with us their favorite Christmas song, and I was thrilled to find a copy on the internet. All I can say is YOU GOTTA LISTEN TO THIS! There are no words to describe this rendition of O Holy Night. I don't think I can stop listening. (Some of the page content might be objectionable to some, but it wasn't so bad that Holly couldn't see it.) Mom . . . Dad . . . Lori . . . really, you have to listen.
Holly and Trevor ended up going to bed rather late (for them) last night, which meant they slept in a little longer this morning. So did Robert and I. The kids were up at 7:00, and they had to wait for us to get a few things ready before we would let them come all the way downstairs.
They woke up a little once they started opening presents. Trevor is always glad to smile again for the camera.
Holly's a little more reserved.
You can guess how excited Robert is. I thought I'd bought him the perfect gift that he didn't ask for (along with the one he did). It's a 1,000,000 candlelight flashlight that can be seen up to 3 miles away. It was cheap too, under $20, so I thought he'd like it even more. Like I said . . . excited. (ha)
Aw, too bad no one snapped a picture of me looking excited! Actually, my gifts were very nice and included a number of Calphalon pans and fabulous new perfume. (It's Noa, I think Noa Perle.)
Santa brought the kids a Play Station. I took about a dozen pictures of them playing, but none of them came through on my camera! After the presents were opened, the kids played. An hour later, the kids were still playing. Trevor took a break to talk to Grandpa on the phone.
I finally made them get dressed, and they came back and played some more. I took turns playing with them. We nibbled a quick lunch, and then the kids played. Trevor took another break to talk to Gramma, Aunt Barb and Uncle Dave.
The kids played in the afternoon.
There was a brief break for dinner. The dinner menu and my review:
Roast Beef Perfection. Was perfect, as usual! Served with a sour cream/horseradish mix alongside.
Manchego Potatoes. Rachael Ray used manchego cheese. I didn't want to pay $5-8 for cheese to put in potatoes. I'd read you could substitute either parmesan or Monterey jack cheese. That seemed like a weird choice, since I find the two so different. We had Muenster Potatoes. Everyone else liked them a lot, but I thought the cheese was just too much.
Asparagus with Gremolata. This is another Rachael Ray recipe. Not a keeper. Robert took one taste (barely) and brave Trevor spit his out. I couldn't eat the asparagus, but I mixed some of the gremolata with my potatoes and liked it!
Sauteed Crimini Mushrooms. Another Rachael Ray recipe, and this was awesome. After adding the red wine, I was dubious, but it quickly evaporated down and thickened into a nice flavoring, not leaving any "wine" taste.
Robert's Famous Cranberry Nut Bread, that I made yesterday.
Pretzel Jello Salad. A traditional holiday dish at our house.
We were so stuffed that we never ate dessert. We'll have pumpkin pie tomorrow, along with the salad I never made for dinner, and the brie cheese with kahlua sauce that I never made for lunch. This is what happens when I eat too many chocolate covered marshmallow santas . . .
After dinner, guess what the kids did?
They finally got off, just in time for Holly and me to watch two episodes of her Brady Bunch Season 2 DVDs that she got today. I'm glad I have someone else to watch Brady Bunch with!
We had a wonderful, relaxing day. I'm looking so forward to Robert's being off tomorrow too.
:)
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Another neat website
I'm adding this to my sidebar, Africam, a live camera to a South African watering hole. If you don't see any animals, well, just wait ten minutes.
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Different Christmas gift idea
Someone on my loop posted about this last year. It was such a novel idea that I haven't forgotten about it.
Check out Samaritan's Purse. At the bottom of the page, click on the big blue box, 2006 Christmas Gift Catalog. You can "buy" specific items to help poor children or communities around the world--a week's worth of milk for a child for $4, blankets for $6, stock a fishing pond for $25, a goat for $70 . . . even a house, school or hospital. I can't get specific here but we did this for a few Christmas presents. You can donate the gift in the name of another person. It's more tangible than just giving $10--it's giving a dozen chicken eggs to a family, and knowing those chickens will lay hundreds of eggs each year.
This is Franklin Graham's group that also sponsors the Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes, which came and went a little too quickly for us this year. (Actually, it's not too late to deliver boxes, but I can't get it done that quickly!)
Check out Samaritan's Purse. At the bottom of the page, click on the big blue box, 2006 Christmas Gift Catalog. You can "buy" specific items to help poor children or communities around the world--a week's worth of milk for a child for $4, blankets for $6, stock a fishing pond for $25, a goat for $70 . . . even a house, school or hospital. I can't get specific here but we did this for a few Christmas presents. You can donate the gift in the name of another person. It's more tangible than just giving $10--it's giving a dozen chicken eggs to a family, and knowing those chickens will lay hundreds of eggs each year.
This is Franklin Graham's group that also sponsors the Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes, which came and went a little too quickly for us this year. (Actually, it's not too late to deliver boxes, but I can't get it done that quickly!)
Monday, December 04, 2006
Website recommendations linked in the sidebar
I linked several Recommended Websites to Visit in my sidebar (on the right) earlier today. There's not a lot of room over there, but I wanted to comment about each of them briefly.
Blue Letter Bible is a website where you can search for verses, or words or phrases, in the Bible. I love the word/phrase search, and I also like that you can click on the "V" box next to a verse to get different versions of that verse.
Tom Tancredo is Colorado congressman. I love this guy. He has the right ideas about illegal immigration, and unfortunately those views among politicians are few are far between. Tancredo is my personal choice for President. If only he'd run . . . the liberal media would have a field day. They hate him already, which is a good sign in my book.
The Pioneer Woman is a wonderful blog, written by a woman who just happens to be a homeschool mom. She doesn't talk much about homeschooling, but she takes the most incredible pictures, and I really appreciate her reflections on her life. Her blog is a riot, and you should check it out at least once!
Compassion is a local Christian ministry that began 55 years ago to help Korean war orphans. Today, Compassion helps more than 800,000 children in over 20 countries. We toured the facility two years ago with a local homeschool group and began sponsoring a child shortly thereafter. Compassion also scores very well on Charity Navigator, a well known charity watchdog group.
Interested in donating your used (or unused) homeschool materials? Consider Book Samaritan, a not-for-profit Christian charity run by volunteers. Not only will others benefit by your generosity, but you can get a tax deduction too.
Living Math is a terrific website encouraging the incorporation of literature into your math study. Adding fun library books into our math time has added a new dimension to what my kids learn. The "Readers by Concept" link on the left is great to take to the library.
* * *
Meanwhile, it's almost lunchtime here. I read out loud for over an hour. After discussing the history of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, the kids worked on their monthly, weekly and daily memorization together, did their regular math curriculum and each did an additional math activity. Holly has finished both her spelling and independent reading for the day. I had a chance to read three more pages of one of my overdue library books. They are picking up their bedrooms, and lunch and Latin are next (hopefully at the same time). It's cold outside, but we have a cloudless, bright blue sky, and our week is off to a GREAT start!
Blue Letter Bible is a website where you can search for verses, or words or phrases, in the Bible. I love the word/phrase search, and I also like that you can click on the "V" box next to a verse to get different versions of that verse.
Tom Tancredo is Colorado congressman. I love this guy. He has the right ideas about illegal immigration, and unfortunately those views among politicians are few are far between. Tancredo is my personal choice for President. If only he'd run . . . the liberal media would have a field day. They hate him already, which is a good sign in my book.
The Pioneer Woman is a wonderful blog, written by a woman who just happens to be a homeschool mom. She doesn't talk much about homeschooling, but she takes the most incredible pictures, and I really appreciate her reflections on her life. Her blog is a riot, and you should check it out at least once!
Compassion is a local Christian ministry that began 55 years ago to help Korean war orphans. Today, Compassion helps more than 800,000 children in over 20 countries. We toured the facility two years ago with a local homeschool group and began sponsoring a child shortly thereafter. Compassion also scores very well on Charity Navigator, a well known charity watchdog group.
Interested in donating your used (or unused) homeschool materials? Consider Book Samaritan, a not-for-profit Christian charity run by volunteers. Not only will others benefit by your generosity, but you can get a tax deduction too.
Living Math is a terrific website encouraging the incorporation of literature into your math study. Adding fun library books into our math time has added a new dimension to what my kids learn. The "Readers by Concept" link on the left is great to take to the library.
* * *
Meanwhile, it's almost lunchtime here. I read out loud for over an hour. After discussing the history of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, the kids worked on their monthly, weekly and daily memorization together, did their regular math curriculum and each did an additional math activity. Holly has finished both her spelling and independent reading for the day. I had a chance to read three more pages of one of my overdue library books. They are picking up their bedrooms, and lunch and Latin are next (hopefully at the same time). It's cold outside, but we have a cloudless, bright blue sky, and our week is off to a GREAT start!
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Post Office holiday hint
Okay, I'm sharing my biggest holiday secret here. I can tell you--for the most part, you don't live by me. This isn't something I tell most of my neighbors because I don't want anyone else to know about it. (Tina, you are the one neighbor I'm telling this year!)
My post office stinks. The Most Obnoxious Clerk in the World works there, and she talks LOUDLY to every one of her customers about 1) their personal business/packages, 2) the 12,000 ways they can mail their package, 3) everything else no one wants to know. The lines are lllloooonnnnggg. I've never waited less than 20 minutes, and that was at 10:00 a.m. on a Tuesday in March. It is a nightmare in December.
We have two other options that virtually no one knows about. The mall nearby has a Postal Contract Unit at the mall information desk. My favorite nearby copy center also has a Postal Contract Unit inside. These aren't the places that charge you a fortune for the privilege of mailing your package--you pay regular post office rates. It's exactly like going to the post office, except that the clerks are pleasant and the lines are short, if there's any line at all.
To find a Postal Contract Unit near you, go to the USPS website, www.usps.com, and click on Locate a Post Office in the red bar at the top. Choose Post Office Locations and plug in your zip code. Look for the heading "Post Office - Cpu." I know not all post offices are as bad as the one near me, but I'd drive another 15 minutes if I had to to avoid this one. Maybe this will help you too. You just might not want to tell your neighbors though!
My post office stinks. The Most Obnoxious Clerk in the World works there, and she talks LOUDLY to every one of her customers about 1) their personal business/packages, 2) the 12,000 ways they can mail their package, 3) everything else no one wants to know. The lines are lllloooonnnnggg. I've never waited less than 20 minutes, and that was at 10:00 a.m. on a Tuesday in March. It is a nightmare in December.
We have two other options that virtually no one knows about. The mall nearby has a Postal Contract Unit at the mall information desk. My favorite nearby copy center also has a Postal Contract Unit inside. These aren't the places that charge you a fortune for the privilege of mailing your package--you pay regular post office rates. It's exactly like going to the post office, except that the clerks are pleasant and the lines are short, if there's any line at all.
To find a Postal Contract Unit near you, go to the USPS website, www.usps.com, and click on Locate a Post Office in the red bar at the top. Choose Post Office Locations and plug in your zip code. Look for the heading "Post Office - Cpu." I know not all post offices are as bad as the one near me, but I'd drive another 15 minutes if I had to to avoid this one. Maybe this will help you too. You just might not want to tell your neighbors though!
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Everyone wants to be in the blog
After seeing my mom's and dad's pics yesterday, my sister sent me an e-mail asking if she can get in. I'm beginning to think they should make their own blogs! Oh so conveniently (grin!), Lori has no recent pictures of herself, but she does have one of her dog.Her dog Friday is a "Cesar" dog, trained by Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan. Friday had some major issues and no real hope of ever being adopted into a real home. He was living with Cheri Lucas's no kill Second Chance at Love Humane Society. Cesar is friends with Cheri and took Friday on. Lori found Friday shortly thereafter and adopted him. Earlier this summer, Cesar and Friday were guests of honor at a fundraiser for the shelter. Cesar was very, very happy to meet up with Friday again!
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Tomato Staking
Over the last year or so, I've heard the term "tomato staking" in parenting discussions on discipline. You can read more about it here. I've tried to ignore for awhile that this would eventually be necessary at my house, but today I began my tomato garden--Trevor is my tomato. I don't like doing things differently, but the current way isn't working. Things around here MUST change. I am not looking forward to working on this, but I am looking forward to the results I expect to see.
Actually, Trevor and I are both the tomatoes. We both need to go back to having a GOOD relationship with each other, enjoying each other again, with him showing a proper attitude, and with me recognizing his good behavior. I'm not that tough to please; I expect a pleasant and cooperative spirit, not perfection. I have realistic goals.
Today wasn't so bad. He has zero privileges unless I decide differently. The only tv he was allowed to watch was a little Schoolhouse Rock, some math and grammar songs. We played a game from his new Lego catalog. He hung out in my room while I did some things there. He did some work for me around the house, helping with dishes, dinner, garbage, getting firewood and other small things. He was well behaved. (Tonight I saw ::something:: small run back under the woodpile when I went in the backyard. I raced back into the house and asked Trevor if he'd go instead. No way, he said, but I don't fault him for this one! Robert will be getting up mighty early tomorrow to get more wood. YUCK!!!)
Maybe I need to be spending more time with Trevor, and if that's the case, this will work too. I need to discipline myself to follow through with this for many days, a couple of weeks, because the effort will be well worth it--for all of us. (That might seem silly, "spending more time with Trevor," as if I don't spend enough time. But I mean relationship-building time, fun time, really listening and enjoying each other. Sure, some of our school time counts, but this might be a time where he just needs a little more.)
It was cold today, high of about 40. Brr! You'd think it's winter (haha). We were busy with school; Wednesdays aren't usually this busy. We ended the afternoon with art and music. The kids are studying Ancient China this week. While they listened to a Chinese music CD, they had fun writing Chinese figures on scrolls. Trevor first worked on a dragon on a regular piece of paper. Holly's work was really cool. I'll tie them up and save them, along with some of the other artwork that doesn't fit into a binder notebook.
Robert will be off tomorrow, yay! Holly has a riding lesson. While we pay for one lesson each month, she received a lot of money for her birthday specifically for this, and she's been paying for one additional lesson each month. I'm not sure how she does it, but once again, we are expecting wonderful weather--in the 60s. Hmm. Hope it's a good day for gardening . . . staking my little tomato . . .
Actually, Trevor and I are both the tomatoes. We both need to go back to having a GOOD relationship with each other, enjoying each other again, with him showing a proper attitude, and with me recognizing his good behavior. I'm not that tough to please; I expect a pleasant and cooperative spirit, not perfection. I have realistic goals.
Today wasn't so bad. He has zero privileges unless I decide differently. The only tv he was allowed to watch was a little Schoolhouse Rock, some math and grammar songs. We played a game from his new Lego catalog. He hung out in my room while I did some things there. He did some work for me around the house, helping with dishes, dinner, garbage, getting firewood and other small things. He was well behaved. (Tonight I saw ::something:: small run back under the woodpile when I went in the backyard. I raced back into the house and asked Trevor if he'd go instead. No way, he said, but I don't fault him for this one! Robert will be getting up mighty early tomorrow to get more wood. YUCK!!!)
Maybe I need to be spending more time with Trevor, and if that's the case, this will work too. I need to discipline myself to follow through with this for many days, a couple of weeks, because the effort will be well worth it--for all of us. (That might seem silly, "spending more time with Trevor," as if I don't spend enough time. But I mean relationship-building time, fun time, really listening and enjoying each other. Sure, some of our school time counts, but this might be a time where he just needs a little more.)
It was cold today, high of about 40. Brr! You'd think it's winter (haha). We were busy with school; Wednesdays aren't usually this busy. We ended the afternoon with art and music. The kids are studying Ancient China this week. While they listened to a Chinese music CD, they had fun writing Chinese figures on scrolls. Trevor first worked on a dragon on a regular piece of paper. Holly's work was really cool. I'll tie them up and save them, along with some of the other artwork that doesn't fit into a binder notebook.
Robert will be off tomorrow, yay! Holly has a riding lesson. While we pay for one lesson each month, she received a lot of money for her birthday specifically for this, and she's been paying for one additional lesson each month. I'm not sure how she does it, but once again, we are expecting wonderful weather--in the 60s. Hmm. Hope it's a good day for gardening . . . staking my little tomato . . .
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