Confirmation

March 11, 2009 at 9:00 pm (homeschooling)
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It came in the form of an envelope from the school department.  My youngest, the ds I am homeschooling, took the NECAP test in the fall of last year while still in public school.  I just got the results yesterday in the mail.  And to say that I was happy is an understatement.

While ds was in public school, he was constantly antagonized by his teacher.  She would tell him that he was not reading (or whatever else she wanted him to do) on purpose just to make her mad.  The more mad she got, the worse he withdrew.  Needless to say, nothing got done.

I also had a meeting with the special education group from the school.  I informed them that at his previous school, two years before, he had a complet IEP evaluation, including a psychological evaluation.  In all of this, the final result was………there is nothing wrong with my son, or how he learns.

So here I was, two years later, dealing with an ineffective teacher.  I agreed to let ds do an afterschool tutoring program that would concentrate on reading and math.  This despite the fact that at home, he was reading just fine.  Math…well he does need help there, but not enough to need tutoring. The kid can do mental math better than anyone I know.

Back to the envelope…………drumroll please……………..DS was just a few points shy of being in the “Distinction” column in reading.  He got a percentage higher than the entire fourth grade average for the school.  He was “Proficient” in reading, on the higher end of the scale.

This confirms what I have said all along.  There is nothing wrong with his reading.  Yes he stumbles once in awhile on a word.  Tell me a kid who doesn’t.  Or for that matter, when was the last time you read something, and it didn’t make sense the way it was written, so you went back to reread it.  I know I have.

Math….yes the NECAP shows that he needs work in this area.  Not low enough to need special attention via tutoring.  He just needs a good math program.  The public school uses Everyday Math.  The last school did as well.  In my opinion, it is one of the worst programs the schools could use, and I have expressed that at meetings the school has held for parents.  Very sad that they have to hold tutoring sessions for parents, to help them assist their children with their homework.

We are using CIMT MEP math program, and one week in, he is LOVING it!  He actually begged to do math first today.  It is a very good program, provides much needed critical thinking, and the lessons make sense.  I do not have to scratch my head, or look up online what we are studying, so that I can teach him.  The teacher lesson plans are clear and precise.

So, while I knew all along that homeschooling him again was the right thing to do, and I knew his abilities better than the teacher he had at public school, it is nice to have that confirmation.

Be blessed

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Things I Have Learned

March 10, 2009 at 3:08 am (Home, Personal)

1.  Multi-generational living only works if the people living in the home like each other.  I have never gotten along with my grandmother very well.  This goes back to my childhood.  There are too many reasons to list, and it’s not something I want to get into great detail about.  Just think long and hard about living with family.

2.  It never fails, you will get one day during early March, where it feels warm.  On that day you will go out and buy seeds for the impending spring.  Two days later, you will get snow.

3.  Just when you think you don’t know how you will go on (finacially, mentally, health wise), God provides the way, and leads you down the path.

4.  Your parents are not who you think they are.  My mother was always the disciplinarian in our house.  Especially when I started high school, because my father was gone for work alot.  She was strict.  She is now a much too lenient (in my opinion) grandmother.  My father, who was strict, but not harsh to me, chews everyone’s head off lately.  They are not perfect, but they love you, and they will always be your parents.

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Homeschooling update and other thoughts

March 1, 2009 at 2:49 am (Free Curriculum, homeschooling, Personal)
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Wow, it has been a few weeks since I have posted!  I knew it had been awhile, with my medical treatment, but hadn’t realized how long.

For those curious, the ketamine infusions went well, but sadly, were not successful.  From my own research prior to the infusions, it was my understanding that this treatment works best in cases where the CRPS has been diagnosed early.  Mine had not been.  As a matter of fact, it was almost a year before it was diagnosed.  I first had to endure the misdiagnosis of “torn bicep”, then endure endless hours of physical therapy that made my pain worse.  Then there was the MRI, and surgery shortly after.  That did seem to help, until I yet again, endured painful physical therapy.

Since then, it has been one test after another, more to rule out other things, and rule in what my physiatrist believed, was in fact CRPS.  Even my last physical therapist, Fran, knew the minute I walked in for myofacial therapy, that I had CRPS.  Other than my physiatrist, Fran has done probably the most good for my pain than anyone.  She relieved the muscle spasms that I had been experiencing since surgery.  Unfortunately, nothing she did relieved the pain.  Rather, by doing the myofacial therapy, initially she caused me much greater pain.  But she also got me out of my sling.

My next step is going to be doing a trial neurostimulator.  This is my last treatment option, other than increasing my medications (which isn’t an option, as I have a VERY low tolerance to the lowest doses I am on now).  The nurse who explained it all to me the other day also mentioned that if it worked, before I could have the permanent implant I would have to go through a complete psychological evaluation.  This is to make sure that I do not go into the proceedure thinking that it is going to be the “end all, be all” cure for my disorder.  I half laughed, and told her that I was more realistic than that……I go into it without ANY expectations at all.

Ok, enough of this medical talk…onto the homeschooling goodness :)

Math has never been my strong suit.  I made it through Algebra in high school, but that is about as far as it went.  I had used MUS with my kids previously while homeschooling, and it was ok for what we needed at the time.  That is before I knew about MEPs.  This is a fairly new British curriculum, based on the Hungarian method of teaching math.  When I first looked at the website for MEPs, I was extremely confused.  It made no sense to me, reading the teacher guides (listed as “Lesson Plans” on the site).  Then I found this amazing Yahoo group!

Just reading the first 250 messages (scanning really, I think I only actually read maybe 50), I sooooo understand this math program.  And I am soooo excited to start using it with my son on Monday.  The only thing I am unsure of is which level to start him at.  And from reading the messages on the yahoo group, I am not alone.  I have decided, based on the fact that this program requires much more critical thinking skills than anything I have ever seen in the U.S., for both our sakes, I am starting at the midpoint of Year 2.

And with that, I will say goodnight, and promise not to be gone so long from my blog.  You know me….I like to “talk” too much to avoid it too much lol.

Be Blessed!

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Homestead Meme

February 12, 2009 at 10:03 pm (homesteading, Personal)

Melissa did a meme at her blog the other day, so I thought I would share my version here.

Basic Questions About You
1-What is the biggest goal of your lifestyle?    To have a house on my land by the end of the summer

2-When did you start this lifestyle?  Umm when I was 7, and my parents moved me to NH from CT

3-What was your main motivation?  Tired of paying rent to someone and having nothing to show for it.  Also tired of relying on hubbies to get me on my own land. Two hubbies later, I am going to do it myself! I am woman, hear me roar! LOL!

 

4-Did you have any previous experience in anything you’re doing now? Yes.  Growing up on a mini homestead I have had to help when the animals were butchered for the freezer, after feeding them all year long.  Hauled wood, water, and anything else you can think of.

 

5-Does your spouse/significant other (if you have one) share the same ideas? Not Applicable

6-Do your friends and family understand and support these choices? What about your kids? Yes, and frankly I don’t care if they don’t

7-How happy are you with your achievements so far? Ask me that in about 3 months, when the snow is gone and I have started taking down trees.
8-Are you more of a gardener, homesteader, prepper, health conscience, “green”‘ or a combination of several? Definitely a homesteader first and foremost.  Gardener is a work in progress.  As for the “green” issue, not to offend anyone, but frankly I don’t buy into that.
9-Has this change of lifestyle affected your personality? Not really, I have been a country girl at heart since I was 7.  It just comes naturally.

10-Has it changed your view of your life before? Not really, read above answer.  Besides, once you use an outhouse for an extended period of winter at the ripe old age of 8, there isn’t much that phases you.

11-What about how you view others that don’t understand it or naysay? It doesn’t bother me one bit.  I have never been one to follow the “crowd”.  It is the Nichols in me.  We are one stubborn bunch.

12-If you could convince someone to live the way you do in ONE sentence, what would you say? There is no convincing, they are either all for it, or all against it.

Other Questions-
1-How large is your vegetable garden? I plan on having a good 20ft x 20ft clearing to use before warm weather gets here, even if it is in a few raised beds.

2-Do you grow any fruits, and what and how many? Not sure if I will or not.  My kiddos love apples, grapes, and blueberries.  The blueberries are already growing in massive numbers across the street, so I get off the hook with that one.

3-Do you have any animals and what are they? (other than pets) I want to have some egg layers, a goat (for a pet sorry), and maybe a cow the first year.  We eat a lot of beef, so would be nice to put a bunch in a freezer for winter.

4-Do you can/dehydrate/freeze/store your own produce? Yeppers, and plan on teaching my kiddos.

5-Do you work with mainly power tools or hand tools in your gardens and others? (wood cutting, splitting, tiller vs. broadfork etc…) I have to have power tools due to my injury.  I wouldn’t be able to do anything without them.

6-Do you compost? I plan on it

7-Do you recycle? Yes

8-Do you consider yourself energy conscience? (conserving to save $) only in the aspect of my electric bill being smaller.

9-Do you make any of your own household cleaners? No, not yet

10-Do you make your own bread? Yes

11- If in an emergency situation, are you able to not leave home for a week? How about a month? A year??  Absolutely.

12-Are you tired of answering questions yet? Not too bad

13-If you prep, what do you consider to be your most useful tool/items?  This would have to be my children lol

14-Are you able to heat your home without gas or fuel oil? Yes!

15-Are you able to cook without gas or electricity? We will have the gas grill for most cooking, or an outdoor cooking area, but also an electric stove.

16-Again, if in an emergency situation, could you live in the wild or out of a tent? ( camping,hunt/fish, cook,etc.) Yep

17-Have you ever practiced your prep skills? (turning off main power for a day or 2) How did you do? (this can include a power outage due to weather as a test) Yes, twice in 11 years we have gone for weeks without power etc due to ice storms.  Did just fine :)

18-Do you have the knowledge & skills (plus tools) to hunt and fish for food? Yes

19-If you don’t prep, why not? NA

20-Do you or can you sew your own clothes and make your own bedding? Yes, but I stink at machine sewing.

21-Can you field dress a deer, drink a coffee, smoke a cigarette, make a cell phone call, light a fire, AND answer all of my annoying questions at the same time? Yes to all the above.  Sadly my vices are coffee (and LOTS of it), and cigs.  And after growing up with both parents hunting, and being married to a hunter, dressing a deer is not a problem.  And I just did answer all the annoying questions lol.

And on a side note, I finally went to the doctor today, and I have developed pneumonia.  So more drugs for my sorry little body.  And strict orders to get to bed.  Yeah right! LOL!

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Yes, three posts in one day….

February 11, 2009 at 3:03 am (Home, Personal)
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But this one is extremely important.  My brother leaves in the early a.m. tomorrow for the Middle East.  We are all going to say goodbye to him at the base in the morning.

This goes out to my brother, all of the men and women going with him, and every single person serving in our military and cannot be home with their families right now:

Lord, please watch over these amazing people.  People who are willing to put their needs and wants aside, in order to keep us safe.  Please watch over the families of these amazing people, who hold down the fort while they are gone.  And watch over those that our military is going to protect in a foreign land.  They most of all need your guidance to see that democracy is what they need for a stable life and peace in their land.  Protect all from harm.

Amen

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Plans…or hopes of plans

February 10, 2009 at 6:10 pm (Home, homesteading, Personal)
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I have been thinking of nothing else, but my future home.  For the short term, we may be able to have an RV on the land while we are working it, getting it ready for a more permanent home. 

First order of business is to get the area cleared.  The middle section is sort of cleared.  My ex hubby and I were going to put a mobile home in on the land back in 1997.  Well, our marriage fell through, and so did the plans for the house.  But what I did gain from it, was a cleared section of the land, as my ex had been working to clear it over the summer before we broke up.  Twelve years later, that section is nothing but small saplings.  Easily taken down by hand, which is what I plan in the very near future when the snow melts.

I still need to contact the building inspector about a few questions I have concerning using a “temporary camp” (as the zoning calls it), as well as some questions I have concering the septic and well for the permanent house.

This is the layout I would love to have eventually with the permanent home:

lite-titan-dbl_-wd-guest-mod_-712-camelot-homes

It is actually a modular home by Titan that I found through our local modular home/mobile home dealer’s website.  I like the layout of the bedrooms, and would definitely use the area marked “den” as a fourth bedroom.  My boys have been sharing a room since they were born.  And while they enjoy each other’s company in small doses, they definitely need rooms of their own, where they can find their own form of peace.

For my middle one, it is in the act of building.  Legos, paper, wood, K’nex, anything he can build with, he will.  It is very relaxing for him.  And it is funny to watch when he gets an idea, the excitement in his face.  You can see the gears turning in his head, and he mentally works out his next creation.  Sadly though, one thing he hasn’t overcome is when he isn’t able to build that idea right away.  He becomes disappointed and rather cranky.  If he at least has paper and a pencil to sketch it out, this helps.  But he is known to forget a few hours later, an idea he had while we were running errands (too much like his absent minded mother in this department lol), and this drives him absolutely batty.

And for all my children, quiet time is a neccessity.  I think they get this from both their parents, but definitely from me, the primary parent.  I need “me” time.  It doesn’t have to be every single day, or for a specific amount of time.  It just needs to be uninterrupted.  I get mine alot at night.  The kids are all down for the night, and I will crochet while watching tv, read on the internet (mostly blogs), or work on scouring for resources for homeschooling.  Whatever I choose to do, I do it to relax.  To recharge my batteries.

I also get this every other weekend.  My kiddos go to see their father on Friday afternoon and do not come back until supper time on Sunday. They don’t all always go.  Sometimes my daughter will stay home, or one of the boys.  But when they all go, I definitely find things to “recharge” me.  A day spent browsing in Barnes and Noble….or staying in my pj’s all day, watching old black and white movies on AMC.  Little things that mean alot to me.

So I guess my kids have more than just the “gene” factor from me….they have picked up some of my habits as well.  Not a bad thing to have the quiet time habit.

Be blessed!

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For the love of writing

February 10, 2009 at 3:02 pm (Free Curriculum, homeschooling)
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I love to write.  Whether it be blogging here, on The Homeschool Lounge, or in my personal journal.  My Darling Daughter writes for hours on end.  About everything and anything.  My middle child is pretty good at writing as well, even though he doesn’t do it nearly as much as my daughter and I.

My sweet youngest child (Son #2) hates writing…..with a passion.  I am doing with him the same thing that I did with Son #1.  My evaluator back years ago, suggested not correcting their spelling when they write.  It is more important that they get the thoughts in their head onto paper, then you worry about the grammar, spelling and mechanics later.

Teaching someone to write, when they don’t like to do it, is much like trying to force a 500 lb pig through a 3 inch window.  It just ain’t going to go through.  Talking to my son about writing is like talking to a wall.  It ain’t getting through.

I just found a great old book on Google that I am going to use to try and get him to write more. It is called Speaking and Writing English, by Bernard M. Sheridan.  He makes a lot of sense, even though this book was written almost 100 years ago.

A quote from the book:

“A good subject is half the battle Children cannot be expected to write upon a subject about which they know little and care less You cannot get blood out of a turnip.  Subjects should be chosen within the range of the pupil’s knowledge and interests.  Children like best what they know most about and they love to write when they know what they are writing about.  There is all the difference in the world between having to say something and having something to say.”

I absolutely adore that phrase “you cannot get blood out of a turnip”!  And right now, my darling youngest is a tough turnip..you know, the kind that you have to use a hammer to get the knife to split it?  That tough. 

I also agree whole heartedly that you need to use what they are interested in.  But I also believe that it is a balance between writing about what they are interested in, and getting their writing where it needs to be for the every day subjects like History and Science.

I am just beginning to read this book, but hopefully it will give me some great pointers to use with the Turnip.  It can’t hurt, we can all use additional resources sometimes to help us teach our children.  And many times, the older books give us the best ideas.  No watered down suggestions to make the child “feel confident” because you let him write a horrible paper, but still gave him a B, because it is politically incorrect to make the child redo the work, to achieve a better result.  Rather you let it stand, and many years later, when this child is working in the “real” world, he is unable to effectively communicate with his peers and collegues, because he was never taught the right way to do it.

I will take the old fashioned methods over the current ones anyday!

Be blessed!

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God Glorified and other random thoughts

February 4, 2009 at 4:13 am (homesteading, Personal, Walk in Faith)
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As has always been the case in the past, when I have gone to God during a worrisome time in my life, he always proves that he truly does love me.  This has been proven again this week.  Then why, do I, a mere mortal, seem to think that in the good times, I can ignore him?  How many times does he have to prove to me who he is, or how much he loves me?

I have to stop thinking that I know better than him. But I am a stubborn sort of woman, always have been, even as a child.  I’m sure he knows this of me, and forgives me anyway.  Which I guess is why I learned one very important lesson from him years ago:

Never hesitate to forgive.  I have been doing this since I was in my mid 20′s.  Oh, I don’t go without learning a lesson from those that hurt me, so that I may not make those choices again.  But I never seek revenge.  It isn’t in my nature.  I just don’t have the energy to put forth in seeking revenge on people.  Not even on the latest person to cause me hurt and turmoil in my life.  Or perhaps it is the fact that I am able to see in hindsight that I was just as responsible for my choices as the person who hurt me, and thus cannot blame it all on the other.

So here are my shouts of glory to Him today:

-Thank you Lord for giving me the family you did.  We annoy each other, we fight sometimes, but we always love each other, and stand by each other.

-Thank you for blessing me to care for your gifts, my three amazing children.  I am awed by them on a daily basis, and I am learning as much from them, as I am teaching them.  Perhaps that is your plan all along.

-Thank you for blessing my world, and those of others, with the amazing staff at my pain clinic.  They are truly compassionate about their care to those with hidden illnesses, such as RSD/CRPS.  I don’t know where I would be without them.

-Thank you for providing for my family and myself.  I know you will continue to do so, in your own plan for our lives, as long as I let you.

 

And other random thoughts:

-I have found some more amazing blogs on homesteading.  I will share in the next few days.

-Why do people feel the need to share their political views on their blogs?  I understand this is a free country, and the web, for the most part is free as well when it comes to speach.  But when those same people complain that they get nasty comments, they then complain.

Here is the simple fact of life:  everyone has an opinion about everything.  Everyone is entitled to that opinion.  Not everyone will agree.  I know there are many people who will not agree with me on my ideas about our country and where I think it has been and where it is heading.  This is why I do not share my political ideas on my blog.  I am not going to make anyone change their mind, so why put myself up for scrutiny.

Although on a side note I will say this:

Judd Gregg will be sorely missed as a representative of the state of NH in Washington D.C.  He has served this state well, and has always looked out for our small state in any way that he could.  I wish him well in his new post as Commerce Secretary (he still needs to be confirmed, but have no doubt he will), but we will miss you Judd.

Have a blessed day!

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Homesteading blogs

February 3, 2009 at 1:46 am (Uncategorized)
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As I have mentioned before, I am very interested in learning to live off the land that I have available to me.  This also includes raising some animals.  I may not go as far as my parents, and raise beef cows, or sheep.  But I would like to maybe have a few chickens for eggs (my kids don’t eat them, so they would be mostly for cooking), and definitely want a huge garden so that I can grow my own veggies for year round use.  Unlike some, I would rather freeze my veggies though.  I prefer the taste and texture of them to canned ones.

In my quest, I have been reading quite a few blogs, gleaning information as I go.  I don’t have enough hours in the day to write all the information down, so for now, I have added them to my favorites and go back often.  I try to start at their first postings, and read forward to the current ones. Sometimes I am just too lazy and work my way backwards.  I thought I would share a few of my favorites with you, so that you could enjoy them as well.

The Pioneer Woman – While technically not a homesteading blog, if you read how she went from a country club teen, to being a farmer’s wife, with a thriving cattle ranch, you would consider it homesteading.  Besides, she makes me laugh beyond belief, she is a fellow homeschooler, and most of her recipes are to die for.  MMM MMM Good.

Our Plain and Simple Life - If I could live her life tomorrow, I would do it in a heart beat.  I have only been reading her blog for a few days, but it so speaks to me. And she is more than willing to share what she has learned with others.  Two thumbs up!

A Plain and Simple Kitchen - Same marvelous woman as the above blog, with great recipes and tons of info on storing food.

Granny Miller -  Again, another amazing lady willing to share what she has learned.  She lets her blog readers pose questions to her, and she does her best to answer.  If she can’t answer, she tries to provide you with a place to find the answer.

A Homesteading Neophyte - This woman cracks me up.  Love her writing style. And she is a “tell it like it is” sort of woman, complete with the pictures from the recent butchering of a pig.  So if you are not looking to be shown those sort of graphic images, you have been forwarned.  Growing up, we butchered all our own meat, so it doesn’t phase me a bit.

Seeking Simplicity - This family has gone from living a very comfortable life with all the normal modern amenities, to living in a 100+ year old farmhouse owned formerly by an Amish family.  Love her posts…very truthful, honest, and insightful.

Melissa’s Ramblings - An urban family trying to incorporate changes in their lives to live a more “homesteading” life.

Those should keep you busy for a bit.  I will add them to the links section tomorrow or the day after.  Still doing my ketamine treatments, so I am trying to take each day as it comes.  I react to it differently, on different days.

Also look for a post about our “Explorers” lapbook we are working on.  I will share some free resources that I have found, and how I am going to do the same thing for our “Colonial America” lapbook.

Be blessed, and I pray that the Lord watches over each and every one of you.

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Dear God…

January 29, 2009 at 3:06 am (Personal)

I don’t usually put my faith out there for all the world to see, but in this case I need to.  For myself, more than others.  Selfish, yes.  But if it helps others, than all the much more blessed it will be. 

Dear God,

I know it is not you who is throwing things in my path, trying to make me sway from the course.  And I know as a baby in your walk, I have alot to learn.  Please continue to be patient with me as I learn how to deal with these speedbumps.

I am leaving it up to you.  Not my best skill, but I fully trust you.  Thank you for being my savior. Thank you for giving me the family that I have.  I truly am blessed.

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