Today makes 1 year since my precious baby girl was stillborn. It was a terrible day that will never be forgotten. I am so grateful for the family I have and I am jealous of those in Heaven who get to know her now. So Happy Birthday little Princess. There is a beautiful Video Tribute that someone made on You Tube, Take a look here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ei5W7vwuod4
My Dearest Family, Some things I'd like to say but first of all to let you know that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from Heaven where I dwell with God above where there's no more tears or sadness, there is just eternal love.
Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight, remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on Earth was through, God picked me up and hugged me and He said "I welcome you.
It's good to have you back again, you were missed while you were gone, as for your dearest family they'll be here later on.
I need you here so badly as part of My big plan, there's so much that we have to do to help our mortal man."
Then God gave me a list of things He wished for me to do, and foremost on that list of mine is to watch and care for you.
And I will be beside you every day and week and year, and when you're sad, I'm standing there to wipe away the tear.
And when you lie in bed at night, the days chores put to flight, God and I are closest to you in the middle of the night.
When you think of my life on Earth and all those loving years, because you're only human they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry, it does relieve the pain, but remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.
I wish that I could tell you of all that God has planned, but if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on Earth is o'er. I am closer to you now than I ever was before.
And to my very many friends, trust God knows what is best. I'm still not far away from you, I'm just beyond the crest.
There are rocky roads ahead of you, and many hills to climb, but together we can do it taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too, that as you give unto the World so the World will give to you.
If you can help somebody who is in sorrow or in pain, then you can say to God at night my day was not in vain.
And now I am contented that my life it was worthwhile, knowing as I passed along the way I made somebody smile.
So if you meet somebody who is down and feeling low, just lend a hand to pick him up as on your way you go.
When you are walking down the street and you've got me on your mind, I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.
And when you feel the gentle breeze or the wind upon your face, that's me giving you a great big hug or just a soft embrace.
And when it's time for you to go from that body to be free, remember you're not going, you are coming here to me, And I will always love you from that land way up above.
Will be in touch again soon. P.S. God sends His Love Signed, your son or daughter. (Author Unknown)
Ok , I KNOW this sounds just like a thousand other's New Year's resolutions...
But here goes:
Get back on track the holidays are over- so is my eating sugar, snacking etc..ALL vacations must end.I start tomorrow doing the "5 Day Pouch test", in order to re-set my habits. I did well , but it's back to business now :) I still managed to drop a pound!
WRITE Down and track my exercise. I plan to start jogging when I get to 200 pounds, which will be in '08.
Work hard ad work smart- I have many business goals this year- I want to see 40,000 and 24 homes sold.
Make my family and God a continued priority.
Make some Spiritual and Character changes within myself... Too personal to share, but God is aware :) Hey , I'm a poet and I didn't even know it!
Try to update my blog more often!
Continue to Fulfill my weight loss goals.
Here they are again and I have √'d the ones that I have done already. This is from a post found here
My motivation/goals for WLS
√1. To ride a bike √2. To walk without being breathless √3. To sit in chairs with arms without bruising myself √4. To not have to wonder if I will fit or break a chair 5. To fit in amusement park rides 6. To buy my clothes in a “regular size” 7. To run 8. to swing with my kids.
9. To not have to avoid the beach because walking in the sand I sink and become exhausted too fast
10. To feel good about me √11. To be able to go all day without napping 12.To be able to tuck in my shirt 13. So I’m not always self-conscious about my weight, wondering what other people are thinking about how big I am.
√ 14. So I don’t end up with diabetes like my mom, aunt, siblings and both grandmothers. √ 15. I don’t want to have a heart attack before I’m 40 16. So people don’t perceive me as lazy, because I’m not! √ 17. Because if a restaurant has booths with a fixed (non-movable) table, I can’t sit in a booth. √ 18. So I can buy a bra from the rack in the store and not have to buy them off the Internet or mail order catalogs. √ 19. So I can know, for once in my life, that I was finally able to take control of my eating and my weight. 20. I want to feel attractive and sexy ! 21.I want to be able to cross my legs! 22. So that when my hubby and kids hug me they can wrap their arms all the way around. 23.Because I can’t walk at the same pace as my husband, otherwise I’d break out in a sweat and being breathless. √ 24.A lot of what I have in my closet was not purchased because I like it….I got it simply because it fit and I needed clothes . I want to buy clothes because I like them. 25. Because I cannot get life insurance. √ 26. I want to teach my children healthy habits by example. 27. Not ever looking looking pregnant just fatter. 28. To wear cute shoes 29.To be able to fly without paying extra or getting a seat belt extender or worst of all- squishing my neighbor! √ 30. To be able to walk through a tight space like: between cars in a parking space or in a theater or between pews and people at church or in a crowded restaurant, 31. So I don’t see the “look” when people meet me. 32. So people don’t “not Look” at me and avoid “hearing” me. √ 33. So I don’t struggle getting in and out of cars and buckling my seat belt. √ 34. So I feel like a lady. 35. So when I am around other people they don’t quickly shift to make room- and then have that embarrassing moment when they overcompensate for the space needed.
Selling Real Estate :) That is why I have been MIA lately! If you are in Va - Hampton Roads area , then let me help you ( yes that is a shamless plug )
Here is my Picture that will soon be added to my work page and here is my work page:
My Children: Princess (4) and Superboy (3) have been keeping their room organized and putting away their own clothes since they were 2 and 3. How? With the aid of Picture labels, I labeled all their dressers with clip art of Panties, Socks a car for "by-bye clothes" and a swing for "play clothes". As far as toys I "right clicked" many things from the Toys R Us Site to make those labels. When laundry needs to be put away I make piles near their dresser and usually point out the "play clothes" pile and the "bye-bye pile" they do the rest! This works wonders! Picture Labels work for me!
I received the following e-mail from a friend and wanted to share....
Tough Love vsSpanking
Most of America's populace thinks it very improper to spank children as was the preferred method of yesteryear. I recently tried other methods to control my kids when they have one of One that I have found very effective was to just take the child for a car ride and talk. They usually calmed down and stopped misbehaving after our little outing together. I've included the photo below of one of those sessions with my kid in case you would like to use the technique.
So seriously, I use a combo of time outs and spankings and as they get older,( they are 3 and 4) I sprinkle in lost privileges. What do you do?
This Week's Menu June 9-15 : I usually serve milk with breakfast and Lunch
Sat.~B- Rice Pudding, fruit cups L- cinnamon bread with cheese D- Taco Night S- cheese sticks ,apples Sun.~B- Pancakes L- PB&J, chips, sliced cinnamon apples D- Italian Sausage bake, Garden salad, Garlic bread S-fruit cups and graham crackers Mon.~B- biscuits and gravy and eggs L- Pasta salad D-meatloaf, potatoes and veggie S- vanilla wafers and pudding Tues.~B- parfait w/ yogurt and granola L- meatloaf sandwiches D- pepperoni pizza S- carrots and cream cheese Wed,~B-Mom's egg mc muffins L- Hummus with pita and fresh veggies D- Rice a roni chicken casserole, Garden salad S- Kid's choice Thur.~B- blueberry muffins L- quesidila and salsa with chips D- crispy fish bake, veggie side S- celery and PB Fri.~B- Cheese toast , bacon L- pig n blanket, chips D- crispy pesto chicken, rice, veggie S- granola bars
Italian Sausage Bake
1-1/2 cups small penne pasta, uncooked 1 lb. Italian sausage, casings removed 4 small zucchini, halved lengthwise, sliced (about 3 cups) 1 medium red or green pepper, chopped (about 1 cup) 1 can (8 oz.) pizza sauce 1/2 lb. (8 oz.) VELVEETA Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product, cut into 1/2-inch cubes 1/2 cup KRAFT 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese
PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Cook pasta as directed on package. Meanwhile, brown sausage in large deep skillet on medium-high heat, stirring occasionally to break up the sausage. Drain; return sausage to skillet. Add zucchini, peppers and pizza sauce; stir until well blended. Cook 5 to 6 min. or until vegetables are tender. Drain pasta. Add to sausage mixture along with the VELVEETA; stir until well blended. SPOON into 13x9-inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. BAKE 15 to 20 min. or until heated through. Kid Friendly Prepare as directed, substituting 1 lb. lean ground beef for the sausage and 1 cup each shredded carrots and zucchini for the 3 cups sliced zucchini. Also, try using a fun pasta shape, such as wagon wheels.
Hummus Dip
1 can (15-1/2 oz.) chickpeas (garbanzo beans), undrained 1/4 cup chopped onion 2 Tbsp. lemon juice 1/2 tsp. minced garlic 1/2 tsp. dried basil leaves 1/2 tsp. hot pepper sauce WHEAT THINS Snack Crackers
DRAIN beans, reserving 1/4 cup of the liquid. PLACE beans, reserved 1/4 cup liquid, onion, lemon juice, garlic, basil and hot pepper sauce in food processor or blender container; cover. Process until smooth. Cover. Refrigerate at least 1 hour for flavors to blend. SERVE as a dip with crackers.
Rice a roni chicken Casserole
Preheat Oven to 375
1 box of chicken flavored rice a Yani 4 c. cooked shredded chicken 1 c. sour cream 1 can of cream of celery/chicken soup 1 tube of “ritz” crackers 6 tbl. Butter/ margarine Opt: 1 Tbl. Poppy seed
Make rice according to package directions. Melt butter and crush crackers, coat the crackers in the butter and set aside.Mix all the rest together in a bowl.In a greased 9x13 casserole pan, layer the rice, and chicken mixture and top with crushed crackers. Bake 25-30 min.
Rice a rani chicken Casserole
Preheat Oven to 375
1 box of chicken flavored rice a Yani 4 c. cooked shredded chicken 1 c. sour cream 1 can of cream of celery/chicken soup 1 tube of “ritz” crackers 6 tbl. Butter/ margarine Opt: 1 Tbl. Poppy seed
Make rice according to package directions. Melt butter and crush crackers, coat the crackers in the butter and set aside.Mix all the rest together in a bowl.In a greased 9x13 casserole pan, layer the rice, and chicken mixture and top with crushed crackers. Bake 25-30 min.
To Die For Blueberry Muffins
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour 3/4 cup white sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/3 cup vegetable oil 1 egg 1/3 cup milk 1 cup fresh blueberries 1/2 cup white sugar 1/3 cup all-purpose flour 1/4 cup butter, cubed 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon Directions 1 Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease muffin cups or line with muffin liners. 2 Combine 1 1/2 cups flour, 3/4 cup sugar, salt and baking powder. Place vegetable oil into a 1 cup measuring cup; add the egg and enough milk to fill the cup. Mix this with flour mixture. Fold in blueberries. Fill muffin cups right to the top, and sprinkle with crumb topping mixture. 3 To Make Crumb Topping: Mix together 1/2 cup sugar, 1/3 cup flour, 1/4 cup butter, and 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon. Mix with fork, and sprinkle over muffins before baking. 4 Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until done.
Crispy Fish Bake
2 cups instant white rice, uncooked 2 cups boiling water 3 cups frozen broccoli florets 1 can (10-3/4 oz.) condensed cream of mushroom soup 1/2 cup water 1 cup KRAFT Shredded Cheddar Cheese 4 frozen breaded fish fillets, such as sole, haddock or cod (about 12 oz.)
PREHEAT oven to 400°F. Spread rice in 8-inch square baking dish. Pour boiling water over rice. Cover with plastic wrap. Let stand 5 min. Uncover. ARRANGE broccoli over rice. Mix soup and water; pour over broccoli. Sprinkle with half of the cheese. Top with fish; sprinkle with remaining cheese. BAKE 30 min. or until fish flakes easily with fork.
Substitute Prepare as directed, using instant brown rice and KRAFT 2% Milk Shredded Reduced Fat Cheddar Cheese.
Substitute Keep it simple. Use whatever frozen vegetables you have on hand.
Crispy Baked Pesto Chicken
4 small boneless skinless chicken breasts (1 lb.) 1 pouch SHAKE 'N BAKE Original Chicken Seasoned Coating Mix 2 Tbsp. pesto 1/4 cup KRAFT Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
PREHEAT oven to 400ºF. Coat chicken evenly with coating mix. Place in 8-inch square baking dish. BAKE 20 min. or until chicken is cooked through (170ºF). TOP chicken evenly with pesto; sprinkle with cheese. Bake an additional 5 min. or until cheese is melted and lightly browned.
There are a total of 5 ladies that get together, we all have children from 3-6 years old. We have formed a once a week co-op for homeschooling. Here is how it works- Each week we meet on a set day were two of the moms will "teach" and the rest are "off duty" so for two hours several time a month I am kid-free! Co-op will start again in September. As for the Summer months one of the ladies and I exchange free babysitting between us, we don't keep tabs we just do as the need comes. Free babysitting, and a kid free- day off, with no babysitting budget, now that is Frugal!
I have had a few ladies ask for my Homekeeping notebook pages, so I decided to find a host for pdf's and share them! I am working on getting my Homedaycare stuff set up too. I also plan to share some other cool things so be sure to check back!
My kids are young still- Princess is 4 and Super Boy is 3, So our Mom I'm bored moments are usually when I am either on the phone, trying to have a quiet moment,cooking, or some other task that needs my attention . You know the days when you seem to have a million calls to make and the temptation is to set them in front of the TV and let them watch PBS Kids all day because you can feel LESS guilty if it is somewhat educational right? WHEEEEEWWWWWW What a sentence! Well in a stroke of desperation/ inspiration I came up with the idea of .... Drum roll here... The Busy Box! Which has evolved into the Busy shelf :) Inside the original Busy Box you will find three or four of the following: a small chalk board and chalk (dollar store), coloring books and SPECIAL crayons ( they are no different but are special because they are in the Busy Box) , Magnets, A 88¢Wal-mart Magna doodle wannabe, homemade Goop , a couple of cheesy hand puppets, Lacing cards, 88¢ Wal-mart silly putty wannabe or homemade silly putty , stencils and small dollar store toys. I usually rotate the busy box items about once every week or so. Now, as I said, this eventually evolved into an entire BUSY shelf-, which contains the tub of play dough toys with homemade play dough, Leap Frog Fridge phonics, some homemade folder games (free ideas on line) , read along books on tape and a cheap tape player with HEADPHONES, activity bag games* and some Mom approved videos. These items can only be used with permission or at my ummm "suggestion" :) Whenever I announce "THE BUSY SHELF IS OPEN" , you would think it is Christmas at the Acosta's. It usually assures me about an hour of time and sometimes more to be able to finish my task without interruption. There are three rules: YOU must share ,YOU must clean up the one item before taking another and NO FIGHTING. The Busy shelf works for me. *e-mail or include your e-mail with your comment and I will share this :)
All three of these tips go together so I am posting them all at once :) 1.One of my favorite tips is to keep one small peanut butter jar with about a cup of powdered milk (already mixed with the water) in the fridge. I use this whenever I make ANY RECIPE that needs milk. We cannot seem to get used to using it in our cereal or for drinking. . This saves bunches of money and I always have a small amount handy :) We love Pancakes and make them usually at least once a week, so I always use it in my favorite pancake recipe . I only mix about a cupful at a time because I rarely need more than that in any recipe. If it is not pre-mixed in the fridge I tend to forget to use it. 2. I LOVE my kitchenaid stand mixer! When making homemade Bisquick you have to mix the flour and shortening until it becomes similar to cornmeal. I use my mixer with the wire whisk and set it on the lowest setting . It works perfectly and my hands don't end up messy! I can let it run while I do other things in the kitchen so it saves time too! I bet you could do it with a hand mixer just as well. 3. I also use my mixer with the whisk attachment with any recipe that calls for you to mix dry ingredients separately and then add them to the wet ingredients. I would just pour the dry mix into another bowl, mix the wet stuff and then add the dry stuff back in.
For more Wonderful tips AND some really great recipes! Visit Tammy's Recipes
My Menu for the week of June 4-10, as usual the bold items' recipes will follow the menu :) I am starting something new this week by adding snacks to my menu:) Depending on our day my kids usually have a before lunch snack and a late lunch or a early lunch and afternoon snack. In an effort to make sure that their daily food is balanced and still be frugal. I am trying to have preplanned snacks. Hopefully this will also help keep the daily brain strain away when they start with the ,"What can we eat for snack question!" B=Breakfast, L= Lunch,D=dinner and S=Snack Be sure to visit I'm and Organizing Junkie for more menu ideas!
Mon- B- cold cereal, bananas and Milk, L- turkey and cheese sandwiches, carrots and milk, D- Dilled fish and Veggie packets , mashed , mashed potatoesS-yogurt and granola
Tue- B- Toast w/jelly, Cinnamon apples, milk L-Mac N Cheese w/ hot dogs,grapes and milk D- Tacos! Corn, fruit cups S- cereal bar
Wed. - B- biscuits and Gravy, eggs, milk, L- PB&J, grapes and Milk, L- Chicken Lasagna, garden salad, Garlic bread S- Gold fish
10 ounces tilapia fillets 1 cup snow peas, in pod (6 oz) 1 cup baby carrots, sliced thin lengthwise (6 oz) 1 green onion, thinly sliced 2 tablespoons white wine or chicken broth 2 tablespoons fat-free margarine 2 teaspoons fresh minced garlic 2-4 teaspoons dried dill salt and pepper, to taste . Prepare 2 18” squares of heavy duty foil by spraying lightly with non-stick spray. Arrange each fillet on a foil square. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. . Combine the peas, carrots, onion, dill, and garlic, and divide between the two foil squares, spooning over fish. Drizzle each with white wine or broth. . Fold foil into pockets, crimping to seal. . Bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes, until fish flakes easily and vegetables are crisp-tender.
Country Gravy
1 1/2 tablespoons butter 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1 cup beef broth 1/2 cup evaporated milk salt and pepper to taste
Melt the butter or margarine in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Slowly add the flour, stirring constantly, to form a brown roux. 3 Pour in beef broth and milk, mixing well. Add ground beef, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
1. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Saute onions and garlic until translucent. Add flour and cornstarch, stirring to mix. Add milk, pepper, salt, and basil, whisking until well mixed. Cook and stir until thick and bubbly.
2. Add cream cheese and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook and stir until cream cheese is melted. Add parmesan cheese, stirring to mix. Remove from heat.
3. In a bowl, combine 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese, the cottage cheese, and the chicken.
4. Grease an 8x8 inch baking dish. Put a layer of lasagna noodles in the bottom of the dish. Top with half of the chicken mixture. Put a layer of lasagna noodles on top of mixture. Top with half of the white sauce. Continue layering noodles, chicken, noodles, and sauce.
5. Top with remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle with oregano.
6. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes, until lightly browned.
Italian sausage subs
2 lb. Italian link sausage 6 to 8 green peppers, sliced in strips 6 med. onions, sliced 1 lb. mushrooms, sliced (optional) 1 1/2 tsp. oregano 1/2 tsp. basil 1/2 tsp. garlic powder 1 c. white wine/chicken broth 1 tbsp. oil Salt and pepper to taste
Separate links of sausage and prick with a fork. Place in Dutch oven with 1/2 inch of water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until all water has evaporated and sausages have given up some of their fat and are lightly browned all over. Drain fat from pan. Cut sausages into smaller pieces about 1 1/2 inches long. Add wine, garlic powder, basil, oil and oregano. Cover and simmer about 30 minutes. Top with green peppers, mushrooms and onions. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and mix well. Cover and simmer another 30 minutes or until sausage is done, stirring occasionally.
(Recipe can also be prepared in 350 degree oven).
Octopus dogs, w/ seaweed pasta
You will need:
A hot dog
Sharp knife
Cut the bottom 3/4 of a hot dog into 8ths (using vertical cuts). Leave the top 1/4 intact. Boil as normally would. Cook spagetti/ ramen in water tinted with green food color chicken lo-men
1 Tbsp. cornstartch_1 tsp. ginger_1/4 c. reduced sodium soy sauce_2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts_1 pkg. chicken bouillion _1/2 c. hot water_6 oz. uncooked spaghetti_2/3 c. fresh mushrooms, sliced*_2/3 c. fresh snow peas_2 Tbsp. olive oil, divided_2 tsp. sesame oil Instructions: 1. Combine cornstartch, ginger and soy sauce in small bowl. Cut chicken into strips; add to soy sauce. Set aside. 2. Cook spaghetti according to package directions. 3. In a large skillet, saute mushrooms and peas in 1 Tbsp. oil for about 4 minutes. (Vegetables should still be slightly crisp.) Remove to seperate bowl and set aside. 4. In the same pan fry chicken mixture until chicken is cooked. Dissolve bouillon in hot water, add to chicken mixture. Cook and stir 1 - 2 minutes or until thickened. Add mushrooms and peas. 5. Drain spaghetti, add to skillet along with sesame oil. Cook 1 - 2 more minutes, stirring often, until hot through.
Think you have had a OMG moment with your child? I DARE you to top this poor mom's story:
Toddler stomps monks' sand creation Design that took two days to create was too tempting for Mo. child to resist May 24: Tibetan monks who had spent two days working on an intricate sand painting in a Kansas City mall will continue after an unsupervised child destroyed much of their handiwork. Watch the Video here
Updated: 7:23 p.m. ET May 24, 2007 KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The little boy spotted the pretty pile of colored sand on the floor of the vast hall and couldn’t resist. Slipping under a protective rope, he danced all over the sand, ruining the carefully crafted picture.
Never mind that it was the creation of eight Tibetan monks who had spent two days cross-legged on the floor of Union Station, meticulously pouring the sand into an intricate design as an expression of their Buddhist faith.
They were more than halfway done with the design — called a mandala — on Tuesday when they ended their work for the day and left. The little boy showed up sometime later with his mother, who was taking a package to a post office in the hall. “He did a little tap dance on it, completely destroying it,” said Lama Chuck Stanford, of the Rime Buddhist Center in Kansas City. 'No problem,' monk says A security tape shows the boy’s mother returning to the mandala, grabbing her son by the arm and walking out of camera range. The monks saw the destruction Wednesday.
“No problem,” Geshe Lobsang Sumdup, leader of the group from the Drepung Gomang Monastery in southern India, said through a translator. “We didn’t get despondent. We have three days more. So we will have to work harder.”
The monks are on a yearlong tour of the United States and Canada to raise money for their monastery. The original monastery in Tibet was destroyed.
In a ceremony Saturday, they will sweep up the sand and offer bits to onlookers for their gardens. The rest will be placed in the Missouri River.
“The belief is that it will carry the blessings all over the planet, from the Missouri River to the Mississippi to the gulf and to all the oceans of the world,” Stanford said.
My Frugal tip this week may not be original , but it sure savesmoney ! When wash cloths start getting to thin they "recycle" to become our everyday napkins- I even keep them on the table in
a pretty basket:
I assign a clean one every morning at breakfast to each kid and if needed they can be wet to clean messy faces. I just rinse them out and hang them on the stove handle for easy reach. The children will clean their hands, faced and personal eating spaces after each meal. If they are too dirty, they can get a new one. When they are finished for the day , dry ones are tossed in the laundry and wet ones are hung on the stove to dry all night and then put in the laundry the next morning.
When the "everyday" napkins start to look to rough from too many spaghetti dinners or just to thin, they get "recycled" again into the rag bin for cleaning and "daddy's garage".
Saves money! and a few trees! Please visit Biblical women for more frugal ideas!
I have been keeping a home keeping notebook for about 3 years now . It changes and evolves as my life does. There are new things added , updated and even removed a the children grow, we move, We get a dog, buying and selling house and car, new jobs, Home schooling. Well you get the idea. I love seeing what others do with their notebooks, so before I ask you to share, I thought I would open mine for you. First let me tell you that I have went from one notebook to three! The main one is the most important. I have my main homekeeping notebooking, My homeschool binder and my lesson plan binder. Please leave me a comment or e-mail me if you would like to share your notebook(s) with me or if you want a copy of my forms :)
Dolly’s Home keeping Notebook (2 inch binder~ photo follows) Inside there sections:
1. A current to do or notes( just a handwritten sheet ( I Love List)
2. Cleaning notes and schedules- Daily, Weekly, once a quarter schedules for life and cleaning, And a Library Log that keeps track of when borrowed items are due. I don’t keep my calendar here anymore because it is on my computer and the “family one” is a desk calendar on the fridge.
3.Monthly Menus- blank and Current menus and a month’s worth ( so I can avoid too many repeats) , My Butcher shop price list, and a list of Breakfast and lunch ideas
4. My wonder dog’s and the Kid’s Dr. and schedules for vaccines- We order the vaccines for wonder dog online and give them at home.
5. Funny stories, poems and cute things- Mostly copies of clippings that I have found that I like to keep and share sometimes.
6. Blank Note paper for list and notes
My Homeshcool Stuff ( 3 inch binder~ photo follows) Inside there sections
1,2 &3.A section for each subject that I need extra notes for Ie- Sazon Math K has A ton of worksheets- these are in a section of their own. Bible , and Spell to Write and Read.
4. Legal stuff-the laws and a notice of intent form
5. Tips and notes - Things and Ideas
Lesson Plans and Notes (1 inch binder~ photo follows)
Inside- Zippered Pouch with scissors pens and pencils because this one is used away form my office .
and 3 sections:
1. Calendar and schedules- a full calendar- year at a glance and a detail of the kid’s home school schedule
2. Curriculum - The curriculum key that explains my Abbreviations in the lesson plan and my current years curriculum plan that includes what plans we have for the current year.
3. Lesson Plans- Daily plans for two kids one page for each. I have to explain because this coming year my DH and I plan to share HS duties so I can work PT- He is a Firefighter and works one 24 hr. shift and then has 48 off continuously.
I found this a few years ago- if you know the author- please e-mail me So I can give credit :) You Know You're A Homeschool Mom When...
You get to change more than diapers, you get to change their minds.
When a child busts a lip, and after seeing she's okay, you round up some scotch tape to capture some blood and look at it under the microscope!
You find dead animals and actually consider saving them to dissect later.
Your children never ever leave the "why?" stage.
When your teenager decides to take one community college course, and comes home and asks you why the teacher wrote "At" on his paper. (A+)
You ask for, and get, a copier instead of a diamond tennis bracelet for your wedding anniversary.
Your kids think reading history is best accomplished while lying on the floor with their head resting on the side of their patient dog.
Your husband can walk in at the end of a long day and tell how the science experiment went just by looking at the house.
You never have to drive your child's forgotten lunch to school. Your child will never suffer the embarrassment of group showers after PE.
The only debate about the school lunch program is whose turn it is to cook.
You never have to face the dilemna of whether to take your child's side or the teacher's side in a dispute at school.
If your child get's drugs at school, it's probably Tylenol.
Your neighbors think you are insane.
Your kids learn new vocabulary from their extensive collection of "Calvin & Hobbes" books.
Your formal dining room now has a computer, copy machine, and many book shelves and there are educational posters and maps all over the walls.
You have meal worms growing in a container....on purpose.
If you get caught talking to yourself, you can claim you're having a PTA meeting.
Talking out loud to yourself is a parent/teacher conference.
You take off for a teacher in-service day because the principal needs clean underwear.
You can't make it through a movie without pointing out the historical inaccuracies.
You step on math manipulatives on your pre-dawn stumble to the bathroom.
The teacher gets to kiss the principal in the faculty lounge and no one gossips.
Your honor student can actually read the bumper sticker that you have put on your car.
If your child claims that the dog ate his homework, you can ask the dog.
Some day your children will consider you to be a miracle-working expert and will turn to you for advice.
Your kids refer to the neighbor kids as "government school inmates."
You can't make it through the grocery produce department without asking your preschooler the name and color of every vegetable.
You can't put your produce in your cart without asking your older student to estimate it's weight and verify accuracy. You live in a one-house schoolroom.
