It does! LOL  I know, I know, it's that time of the year.  Everyone is busy but Mini Me has just added a whole new activity.  She's in the Christmas musical at our church every year but somehow this year it's snuck up on us.  I keep swearing every year that I'll have Xmas gifts sewn ahead of time and even this year I'm still working on them LOL  Needless to say, life is crazy.  Sorry but that's the brief end of the stick.  I hope all is well in your world and I also hope I'll get to update be...
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I enjoy Saturday mornings...  It's my chance to do some reviewing and planning.  I am on a Yahoo list that shares their homeschool blogs each Saturday and while they are traditional homeschoolers in every sense of the word, it still gives me plenty of stuff to draw from.  I like getting ideas for books, projects and other things from them that Mini Me and I would enjoy doing together.

It seems as though I never blog anymore.  Life has been somewhat busy though and we keep plotting along.  I ju...
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I just realized that I'm not posting a lot lately, sorry.  It's been busy as usual but fortunately, next week is going to be a bit calmer.  We only have chess on Monday, church on Tuesday, a health store run possibly Wednesday and shopping on Friday.  I'm looking forward to spending today at home.

After deciding not to work as much it seems that my clients have other plans for me LOL  They keep sending me more and more work!  At least I'm not out actively looking for work so that does help.  I...
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“This week we want to…”

There's actually not much that Mini Me has asked to do.  It's more stuff that I want to do.  For instance, I really want to stay home and work on some of the numerous projects that seem to be so hit and miss with us.  So much so that I've actually made a bag with my plastic canvas projects and yarn in it so I can grab them on the way out the door.  However, there's still a lot of projects that we can't do that with and that I'd like to see us get a move on with (i...

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I'm taking a moment to look forward to the week ahead with its many events and opportunities for learning:

• Tuesday we will get our hair cut (long overdo in my opinion) and go to Walmart before Mini Me has church that night.
• Wednesday I have an appointment to get my nails done while Mini Me is with her Pappy.  Little does she know I plan on looking into her birthday cake too.
• Thursday is the library co-op.  I need to make sure I have plenty of sewing to do LOL  I finished the pumpkin and "boo" I ...

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I updated Mini Me's portfolio and was surprised to see an ebb in our flow LOL  While it feels like we've been doing a lot lately, it all seems to be the same stuff...  Maybe that's why we're growing bored.  Of course, it could also just be that time of the year since we have been stuck inside now for 4 days straight as it's done nothing but rain (I swear I'm building an ark!).  I've actually done so much plastic canvas that since last Thursday I've almost completed 2 new Halloween creations. ...
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Some days are just easier than others...

Today was a somewhat easier day than the majority of them have been lately.  I managed to get up and get my work done this morning before Mini Me crawled out of bed and we enjoyed pancakes for breakfast.  After breakfast and a little housework we were off on errands.  Once home again Mini Me sat down to do some math (4 or 5 digit addition problems) before we ventured out for a walk.  I think that after yesterday's awesome walk (we saw a humming bird abo...
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“This week we want to…”

This week we want to get into a better groove and also find some down time.  I for 1 am sick and tired of running around and feeling like we are never home to get anything done.

“The kids are…”

Mini Me is still driving me nuts at home.  I want her to do an hour of schoolwork a day just to make sure she is where she should be but I know we're unschooling and it's just me going nuts.  Fortunately for her, I let her choose what she wants to do during that hour LO...

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Nothing exciting going on around here, I guess that's why I haven't posted LOL  Mini Me is definitely trying my nerves lately.  I require her to exercise her brain for at least an hour a day and lately she's not wanted to do anything.  I really think this weather is getting to us as we're staying up later and thus sleeping later.  I know it's not been doing my fibromyalgia any good and yet here I am plugging away at my writing work, having added 2 new contracts within 24 hours.  I also placed...
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Well the week ended just like it began: like a whirlwind LOL

Thursday we went to the library for homeschool classes.  Mini Me attended Geography where they're studying India this month; science where they learned about predators and prey (a little under her level but she likes anything to do with animals); Spanish; and we missed writing because we had to leave early.  She knows what they did and was asked to write the assignment before the next meeting.

Today, Friday, we had a lot of real life ...
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“This week we want to…”

I think that the biggest goal for this week should be for us to fall into our new fall schedule and get used to it.

“The kids are…”

Mini Me is keeping me really busy with all the stuff she has going on.  It's been a real juggling act.  While I knew it'd be busy I didn't plan on being this sick when I set it all up (I possibly had a stroke at the end of July so being out of the house is taking a real toll on me.)

“I am learning….”

To let go and trust that...

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I think that's the best word to use to describe our homeschool week so far. 

Monday was one of those days where nothing special happened until the evening when suddenly we delved into learning about the Revolutionary War.  We read books, used Brain Pop videos and then fell into watching Hell's Kitchen.  Talk about an interesting evening.

Tuesday was a busy day filled with a field trip and church.  We went to the Carnegie Museum of Natural History for what was to be homeschool day.  Unfortunate...
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Seems like after a late start to the day it simply flew by.  Mini Me didn't feel like doing anything today but watching TV so I got her to watch a bunch of Homeschool Rock and Rock'N'Learn videos.  Everything from multiplication to grammar, science and history.  I love these videos and highly suggest them just in case you have a bum day like we did today.  As for me, I did some writing and some research but mainly I spent the day sorting out plastic canvas patterns on my computer.  I've been ...
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After me being sick this morning and a failed attempt at having an MRI done, Mini Me actually did rather well this afternoon.  She managed to work on a Columbus activity book, do some intro to the Revolutionary War with me (I know! 2 completely different time periods but hey! it works LOL), work on creating some animal sheets for in her animal notebook and somewhere in the mix of the entire day she read a few multiplication books (living math books - English and math combined = score! LOL)  I...
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I'm loving the fact that our living room has been turned into the craft room today.  Mini Me is working on finishing the Wizard of Oz stage.  I'm working on tracing a new Halloween plastic canvas pattern - Hellow Kitty as a witch ;)  All of this after a morning of church, a nap and watching Tom & Jerry's Wizzard of Oz.  I've even managed to write a few articles...  Not bad for a lazy Sunday, September 4th :)

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It's been a hot, lazy day here.  I got my work done this morning then we went grocery shopping.  We came home and had lunch and did a little cleaning.  Afterward we both laid down together for a nap.  Mini Me still hasn't woken and here I am putzing.  I need to get her up as we were going out for pizza tonight.  I hope everyone has a nice, long weekend.  See you Tuesday.

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Not necessarily a productive day but a good one nonetheless.  Mini Me got Tom & Jerry In The Wizard Of Oz out of the library yesterday and started putting together a book I've had for years now on The Wizard Of Oz.  It includes a stage and the usual characters so it should be fun once assembled.  We tried to go on a nature walk after lunch but it rained on us.  Now here it is 5PM and I've done a load of laundry and put it away, wrote 11 articles (only 3 more to go but I'm losing steam LOL) an...
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Yesterday was a busy day.  In the morning we managed to do some Latin as Mini Me wanted to finish looking for some stuff that was on her search and find sheet before I changed it out for something new this week.  We then spent the entire afternoon at the neurologist's office.  So, that's the reason for no post, sorry.

Today was a bit better.  We're in a tough school district this year.  I know we're going to have to really prove our worth so to speak and I'm trying not to stress as I think we ...
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Mini Me decided she wanted to "do school" today, which turned out pretty good as she did a lot.  She worked on a timeline about the Presidents and learned a lot about them.  While it's not complete, it's a start.  She also worked on numerous pages in a workbook about animals.  She also did some phys ed by playing ball.  Meanwhile I've been a workaholic writing a lot of articles and cleaning the house a bit.  I go see the neurologist tomorrow.  Keep me in your prayers.
...
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Lots of learning going on here today after a busy morning of errands :)  Mini Me made a list of what is in our pantry and what shelf it is on to make things a bit easier for me then she watched some "How It's Made" on the science channel while eating lunch.  After lunch she headed out to do her own thing but over the course of the afternoon she also learned about what a stroke is and what a hurricane is.  We also went for a nature walk and found her another rolly polly for her collection.  Me...
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Oh the joys of unschooling...  Not worrying about what others might call an unproductive day, schedules or having to accomplish certain things at certain times.  Today was, yes, another 1 of those days LOL  This morning was gloomy and I was blah.  Then it was off to the doctor with me.  After the doctor we brought hom pizza and Mini Me and I are watching Rango while I do some online stuff.  Mini Me also worked on a mini book about cats while at the doctor.  Nothing taxing and who knows what t...
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Well, we did a bit better today.  Mini Me sure did get plenty of phys ed in if nothing else LOL  She enjoyed playing mini golf with her grandfather and going for a walk with me.  While on her walk we also managed to squeeze in some Latin roots as I pulled out a page that I'd laminated long ago clipped it to a clipboard and gave her a washable marker.  She enjoyed finiding the items as we walked.  This afternoon she's been putzing around, not doing much, but she's probably tired from all the g...
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If I live in a house of spotless beauty with everything in its place, but have not love - I am a housekeeper, not a homemaker.
If I have time for waxing, polishing and decorative achievements, but have not love - my children learn of cleanliness, not godliness.
Love leaves the dust in search of a child's laugh.
Love smiles at the tiny fingerprints on a newly cleaned window.
Love wipes away the tears before it wipes up the spilled milk.
Love picks up the child before it picks up the toys.
Love is pr...
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I'm not one to complain much in my blog but for those of you who aren't already in the "know," I do have fibromyalgia and possibly MS.  Well, today wasn't such a great school day.  We went and got our hair cut and stopped at Walmart.  By the time we got home, I was ready to crawl back into bed.  It's now 3PM and I can't name a single "educational" thing that Mini Me has done.  Although, she is pulling out her castles that we started to put together again after a several month break so there m...
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All of this talk of back to school has made me sick LOL  Now seriously, I have noticed that I am being a bit more intentional with what we've been doing but I think that's because Mini Me has a lot of activities lined up for this year.  She's going to do:

• Chess class on Monday nights
• Youth group on Tuesday nights
• Wednesdays are usually spent with her Pappy
• Homeschool group (by her asking) on Thursdays
• We go shopping on Fridays
• Sundays are church

Now if that's not a busy schedule, I don't know what i...
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Taking a break today to recount the reasons why we unschool:
So my daughter has time to be a child
So I have time to enjoy living life with my daughter instead of letting it pass us both by
So my daughter has the opportunity to explore her interests
So that our family is more peaceful (usually)
So that my daughter has a chance to develop her true personality
So that nobody feels as though they have to spend all day in "Jail"

Because it works!!!




*** This blog is part A Writer's Mojo network ***

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This is something that my unschooling journey is teaching me lately.  I've always been the go, go, go type of person but lately we've been home doing a lot less.  It's difficult for me to sit still but God is teaching me that there are plenty of things that I enjoy, which I haven't allowed myself to enjoy recently.  It's in these things that He's allowing me to have great pleasure again.

Why is this important to unschooling? 

As parents we set the stage for our children.  They are going to tak...
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That unschooling doesn't work and to get back to the lessons and workbooks and such.  I'm sorry Mom...  Even though I really do love you I find that unschooling has been one of the best things I've ever done for my daughter.  I've found it's also been one of the best things I've ever done for our family.

While I know I still have my daily struggles, my daughter is really blossoming.  Just yesterday she was sharing things with me about bugs that I didn't even know.  When I asked her where she'd...
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Death is a part of life that we're learning to live and deal with around here.  In November my Aunt Connie died.  A good friend took us back shortly after the funeral to see the rest of my family, whom we hadn't seen in quite a while.  I then proceeded to grow really close to my Aunt Alice, whom I'd never been close to before.  Then in April she died.  A few weeks later my daughter's pet mouse, whom she'd only had for a few short months, died.  We had a funeral for him and to this day still p...
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Traditional schooling or even traditional homeschooling...  Things that are hard for me to let go of.

I have done both.  I grew up attending a traditional school.  Once I started this homeschool journey with my daughter, we started off as traditional homeschoolers - only to find that this really didn't work for us.
Now we unschool.

Unschooling goes against everything that is in me.  Not in a bad way.  It's just that traditional side of me tends to bulk at unschooling.  However, I have seen that ...
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A. Age: me: 35 - daughter: 9
B. Bed size: twin
C. Chore you dislike: laundry
D. Dogs: No just cats
E. Essential start to your day: me: Checking email and a few other sites - daughter: watching TV
F. Favorite color: me: purple - daughter: Blue
G. Gold or silver: me: silver
H. Height: me; 5' 2" - daughter: 5'
I. Instruments you play(ed): both of us have played piano - daughter plays guitar
J. Job title: freelance writer
K. Kids: 1 girl
L. Live: PA
M. Mom's name: Kay
N. Nicknames: None
O. Overnight hospital ...
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I seem to spend a lot of time online.  This is because I work at home as a freelance writer and blogger but I must admit that it has also led me to choose to unschool my daughter.  Of course, before you argue that this isn't a good reason to unschool, you should know that this is only one of my reasons and that there are many more as well.

So, you may wonder what I enjoy doing while I'm offline.  The funny thing here is that I actually blog about what I enjoy doing in my spare time.  I love sp...
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And here are some great ways to celebrate:

• Make a PB&J sandwich
• Swap recipes for the best tasting PB&J sandwich - Maybe there's something that someone adds to make theirs taste even better (i.e. marshmallows, raisins, butter, fruit)
• Make a triple decker PB&J sandwich out of 3 slices of bread instead of just 2
• Make a PB&J sandwich then put butter on the outside of the bread and grill it in a skillet until it is golden brown
• Have a crustless PB&J
• Use a cookie cutter to make a PB&J sandwich in the sha...

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I was doing some reading and some posting this morning on a few of the blogs I follow when I came across a big debate.  People were questioning whether unschooling or classical homeschooling (in which Latin is taught and rote math drills used) was more "Christian."  Now I honestly don't think that we were ever called to debate Christianity in these terms and especially not when it comes to our children's education.  However, I'm not going to go into theology here.  What I'd rather say is this...
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With spring right around the bend (it'll officially be here in 6 days), it's time to start thinking about your summer plans.  Does an art class for the children fit in there somewhere?  Do your children love pottery?  Are you located near Zelienople, PA?  If you answered "yes" to these questions, then you should know that a local potter and homeschool mom is offering pottery classes for children ages 7 and up this summer.  More information on these classes can be found here.



*** This blog is p...
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