Saturday, February 6, 2010

Technical Difficulties

I am experiencing difficulty keeping a connection to blogger.  I keep getting a notification stating that blogger's security certificate is not available and my navigation is blocked.  I am able to log on for a few minutes, and ignore the warning, but it inevitably kicks me off every time.  So to all those Friday Followers, do not fret---just give me a few days to see if I can get this resolved.  :)  Thanks!!

Friday, February 5, 2010

Friday Follow

Friday Follow

Welcome to Follow Friday brought to you by One 2 Try, Hearts Make Families, and Midday Escapades! This is my first attempt at this, and I hope I'm doing everything correctly. The ADD kicked in while I was reading through the instructions, so I'm just kind of flying blind now. :)


This Blog Hop is supposed to generate more followers and traffic to your blog, and this is my understanding of how it works:

* Link up your blog name and URL using the MckLinky below. Only need to add to one blog linky.

* Follow the Friday Follow hostesses listed in the first 3 slots. They will follow you back.

* Follow as many blogs as you like.

* Comment on the blogs telling them you're from Friday Follow.

* When you get a new follower, follow them back!!

The Blog Hop is the same at each of our three hosts blogs so you do not have to add your blog at each site. Just one - but you can follow each host blog. Here is the great part, they will follow you back.



MckLinky Blog Hop

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Recycling Project - Paper Overload!!

Ever had one of these days?


This was me a few days ago.  Seriously. Whether you homeschool like me, or have kids in public school (also like me), you must know what this feels like.  At least this lady has a large enough desk to pile it onto! Geesh!

Since Trey has gotten the whole family into "Going Green," we've been making a collective conscious effort to try to reuse as much as possible.  So when I came upon  these boxes a couple of weeks ago, I set them aside and just knew I'd be able to come up with something great for them. 

I sat and sat, and stewed and stewed, and tried to figure out what on earth I was going to do with these boxes that could unleash my creativity a little.  Using them as (gasp!) plain old boxes just would not do! 
I went to my thinking spot - the fridge - and pondered and wondered some more.  Then I shut the refrigerator door and it hit me in the face!  No, seriously, it hit me in the face.  Our fridge was covered in soooo many reminders, notes, calendars, menu planners, and special "For You, Mommy," crafts that I almost gave my eyeball a papercut as I was closing the door.  {Shiver}  It looks like a ginormous Where's Waldo exhibit.  So this is what I came up with. 


All I used was old scrapbooking paper and stickers.  I cut out some black paper for the chalkboard, and wrote on it with actual chalk to give it a more authentic chalkboard effect.  You get the idea.  I love it.  So much in fact, that I use it to hold all of my teacher guides, gradebook, menu planners, and other Mom stuff - to keep it off the fridge....well, with the exception of the special "For You, Mommy," crafts - they still hang in their usual spot on the fridge where they belong!!  :) 

I got so excited at how much life and color this brought to our homeschool area, that I decided to make another one for Trey's paperwork.  He now has a place to put his completed work for me to grade.  Once I grade it, I place it behind the tab, "Graded Work."  At the end of our school day, he picks up all his graded work, reviews it, and then places it in his binder. 


It's the same process for this box.  I just used some die cut stars that I had left over from one of last year's bulletin boards.  I tried a white paint pen on this one instead of chalk, because Trey would be the primary user of this box, and I didn't want the chalk to rub off.  I think it worked out ok, but it doesn't show up as well as the chalk did.  :(  The back tab is just a Title Tab sort of thing.  I cut all of the flaps off the top of the box except one.  I covered it in scrapbook paper, and printed off a title from my computer.  You can't see it very well, so I probably could have left it off. 

What types of organizational products do you use in your home office / homeschool area? 

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Cool Giveaway!!!

Go by and visit Juliana at A Blond Walks Into a Blog and enter to win this FABULOUS Burberry scarf!!!  I love Burberry everything!  I'm kind of addicted - I'm like Kate Hudsons character on "How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days"....you know the one...she buys herself and her dog Burberry outfits, purses, etc., and then parades into her boyfriends office with a matching shirt for him.  Yeah...that would be me. 

 Juliana's got lots of other Giveaways, and other neat things on her blog, so be sure to stop by and browse a bit!  :) 

Monday, February 1, 2010

Simple Womans Daybook - February 1, 2010


Outside my window...it is dark and cold.  I know I need to go walk the dog, but I really just want to stay by my nice warm fire and snuggle up with a good blog or two.

I am thinking...that I am sad today.  New diet, new challenges...

I am thankful for...salad dressing.

From the learning rooms... Trey had a great day - finished up 2 days ahead of schedule in Math.  The rest of our subjects are right on track! 

From the kitchen... I made Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken and homestyle green beans for the hubs and kids.  I couldn't eat any of it.  :(

I am wearing...denim capris, white t-shirt.  I'm hoping that by dressing in Springtime clothes, it will hurry up and get here!  I'm not holding my breath.

I am remembering...how great it was to be in a size 8.   

I am creating...I've got nothin....

I am going...get up and go walk the dog.  Brrr....

I am reading...nothing right now except the new issue of The Old Schoolhouse. 

I am hoping...that I can get through the next 20 days without starving to death. 

I am noticing....that I have raised the most considerate, generous, and caring little boy on the planet. 

I am pondering these words... I'll praise You in this storm, And I will lift my hands, For You are who You are, No matter where I am, Every tear I've cried, You hold in Your hand, You never left my side, And though my heart is torn.....I will praise You in this storm.

I am hearing...Lindsay talk to her baby dolls in her bed instead of falling asleep like I'd hoped.

Around the house...things are finally starting to wind down.  Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day. 
One of my favorite things...my children.  I love them more than they will ever, ever realize.  I'd give my last breath to them, I'd walk through fire for them, I'd lay down my life for them.  I hope they can one day each experience a love like that.
A few plans for the rest of the week: homeschooling, cooking food that I can't eat, cleaning dishes that I didn't dirty, playing maid/butler/personal chef/waitress/chauffeur....the usual. 

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...


Old Washington State Park in Arkansas

Thanks for stopping by and visiting my Daybook! If you would like to join in the fun, or simply check out other daybooks, stop by at Simple Woman's Daybook.