The window was installed in the bathroom today. It's in and sealed. The wall was painted where it was cut out, it looks nice and bright in there now. Wonderful! It's so nice to have light and a fresh breeze while in the bathroom. Without electricity in the bathroom, we had resorted to using a candle or battery operated lantern. I was fine with this, but others in the family are a little more refined than I am. ;-)
The kitchen sink was finally all plumbed in with the drain pipe running out to water the tree behind the cabin.
Tomorrow I am off to take the baby to a check up, and then attending a birthday party for a friend's son.
The rest of the week I will spend cleaning and moving stuff to the cabin. This way I should know what I can take, what I have to trash and what I can sell.
Good night all!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Weekend Happenings
The bridge is complete. It has taken over a year due to lack of funds and lack of motivation. Once I get a picture taken with the camera phone, I'll post it.
The well is working again. Ants were the problem. They had built a nest in the control box, and was causing a problem with the electrical connection.
Electrical is done to the cabin, but the plumbing still needs to be completed. Waiting on the 1100 gallon water tank. The water heater was hung in the bathroom, but nothing is connected to water (shower, toilet, kitchen sink, water heater). It can be very frustrating to not even be able to wash your hands. If it were up to me, I'd have the set up I want in the kitchen, but I am at the whim of another at this time. Yipee!
Please pray the tank comes in this week, I really need things completed so we can start moving, decluttering, etc.
The girls picked up all the trash, and the grass was cut on the entire 10 acres today, and the entire place looks beautiful. I want to plant my flower seeds but am very discouraged as I don't have a good, safe area to do so. They will be continually "shredded" if not put into an inaccessible spot. It's really frustrating to not have my plans be respected. Oy vay!
The well is working again. Ants were the problem. They had built a nest in the control box, and was causing a problem with the electrical connection.
Electrical is done to the cabin, but the plumbing still needs to be completed. Waiting on the 1100 gallon water tank. The water heater was hung in the bathroom, but nothing is connected to water (shower, toilet, kitchen sink, water heater). It can be very frustrating to not even be able to wash your hands. If it were up to me, I'd have the set up I want in the kitchen, but I am at the whim of another at this time. Yipee!
Please pray the tank comes in this week, I really need things completed so we can start moving, decluttering, etc.
The girls picked up all the trash, and the grass was cut on the entire 10 acres today, and the entire place looks beautiful. I want to plant my flower seeds but am very discouraged as I don't have a good, safe area to do so. They will be continually "shredded" if not put into an inaccessible spot. It's really frustrating to not have my plans be respected. Oy vay!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Drain attached to kitchen sink in cabin, and the boards finally laid down on the bridge (I took a picture, but have to get it developed). Finally, our bridge to no where, goes over the dry creek bed. We spent the evening picking up trash. While the girls tooled around on the four wheeler, James and I sat on the bench swing under the trees, near my old garden.
He was very relaxed swinging. Later, I opted to walk through the garden and coil up the hoses, and pull up tomato cages so that the grass could be bush hogged. I sat James in his car seat on the bench swing, and the girls would lightly push him every now and then. He fell asleep, and stayed asleep until we arrived home. He missed his nap earlier this morning, as my mom arrived, and he was distracted. He ended up taking an almost 3 hour nap this afternoon 2 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. I then bathed him, massaged him, dressed him, fed him and he fell asleep on my chest without complaint.
I packed up a grocery bag full of dirty clothing that was piled in a corner of the cabin. Rather than wash it in my hand washer, I brought it home to wash tomorrow. I also brought home a tub full of cups to wash. We brought most of the trash home too to put out at the curb, though some of the cardboard boxes and paper we will burn in the fire pit. I picked up as best as I could in the cabin, sweeping the carpet and the floors of excess sand, bagging up way too much trash, and scrap from building projects. Shook out the bedclothes, and cleaned the kitchen.
I desperately need the loft/platform for the girl's beds finished ASAP. This will provide much needed floor space to put the wardrobe/dresser in the room, and get the mattresses put up and not leaning against the living room wall.
My mom and Randy visited today, it was a very nice visit. We picked up lunch at Bill Miller's and ate at the land while sitting under the gazebo and talking. The bull frog's were very loud today, and the birds were extremely active. We identified the following: Mockingbird, Red wing blackbird, scissor tail, grackles, prairie falcon, red tail hawk, crested cara cara, cardinals, ducks, egrets and cranes. A lot of noise let me tell you ;-) Oh, it was peaceful out there, but the animals were quite loud.
He was very relaxed swinging. Later, I opted to walk through the garden and coil up the hoses, and pull up tomato cages so that the grass could be bush hogged. I sat James in his car seat on the bench swing, and the girls would lightly push him every now and then. He fell asleep, and stayed asleep until we arrived home. He missed his nap earlier this morning, as my mom arrived, and he was distracted. He ended up taking an almost 3 hour nap this afternoon 2 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. I then bathed him, massaged him, dressed him, fed him and he fell asleep on my chest without complaint.
I packed up a grocery bag full of dirty clothing that was piled in a corner of the cabin. Rather than wash it in my hand washer, I brought it home to wash tomorrow. I also brought home a tub full of cups to wash. We brought most of the trash home too to put out at the curb, though some of the cardboard boxes and paper we will burn in the fire pit. I picked up as best as I could in the cabin, sweeping the carpet and the floors of excess sand, bagging up way too much trash, and scrap from building projects. Shook out the bedclothes, and cleaned the kitchen.
I desperately need the loft/platform for the girl's beds finished ASAP. This will provide much needed floor space to put the wardrobe/dresser in the room, and get the mattresses put up and not leaning against the living room wall.
My mom and Randy visited today, it was a very nice visit. We picked up lunch at Bill Miller's and ate at the land while sitting under the gazebo and talking. The bull frog's were very loud today, and the birds were extremely active. We identified the following: Mockingbird, Red wing blackbird, scissor tail, grackles, prairie falcon, red tail hawk, crested cara cara, cardinals, ducks, egrets and cranes. A lot of noise let me tell you ;-) Oh, it was peaceful out there, but the animals were quite loud.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
More News
It's been a few days since I've posted. The computer was down, and getting back into the household routine after spending Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the hospital with James is taking a bit more. He is taking his medications, sleeping more, and is a whole new person personality wise. I am not sure if this is due to his feeling better, or age. He will be four months old soon, and is almost 20 lbs. He is a long one too at 26 inches long. He is wearing a size six months. He generally sleeps pretty good from about 11 p.m. - 4 a.m., most of the time.
We have been working fast and furious in getting the cabin together. After a few glitches we are back on track...for now. Please pray for us as we spend a lot of time together, downsize our belongings and move. This is a stressful time for our family due to the move, and the economy. It is leaving both of us stressed to the max.
The electricity is about 90% done, just a few more plugs left. The bathroom light was installed and measurements taken for the small window to go in there. This will provide much needed air and light. Also, in the planning stages is hanging and connecting the Tiny Titan hot water heater. I sure hope it works well, I keep receiving conflicting reports on it's success, and am worried.
The counter top is mounted on rough cut timber legs is installed, along with a new sink and our two burner stove top. This was bought last year and has been in storage. The laminate flooring and the shelving are still to be bought, and will be some of the last things to go in, though I do need the shelving sooner than the flooring. I opted for the counter on the legs in order to more easily store my wheat and food buckets under them. I plan to add a curtain around the edge of the counter to hidge the buckets and legs.
We will be spending all day out there tomorrow, and I am planning on cleaning up a lot of trash, sweeping, wiping and re-arranging "stuff". I am still working on what is going, and where it will be going, not to mention what to do with the left over stuff. I am hoping to have a yard sale to help provide for living expenses and such.
I'd like to start recycling also, once we move. The drawbacks to this are that there is not a recycling center within 40 miles. I'd like to divide out the paper as that could be burned, and then divide out the plastic bottles and cans. Food scraps are to be divided among the chickens (veggie scraps) and the dogs (meat scraps). We don't have trash service out in our area, so I am trying to find ways to reduce our trash outlay. We tend to be very "trashy" people, and generate a lot of trash, something I am hoping to decrease once we move.
I also plan to implement new house rules (living in a small space demands organization) and new eating habits. I am hoping to cut out even more of the fast food trips, as we live further from town. I have been collecting crock pot recipes, and plan to utilize it more. I won't have an oven, so will be using the roaster and bread machine more. I am kind of excited over the move, but also stressed, as we already tend to stress each other out, and in a smaller space it will be worse. The only bright spot is that it is warmer weather and the kids will be outside most of the time.
There are also plans to start adding a large patio/deck on the front of the cabin for relaxing and eating space. This is something that will greatly help with space management. A small lean to/shed is also in the planning stages. I have several pallets that will more than likely be used for the flooring to raise the washer/dryer/refrigerator off of the ground. This will be housed on the North side of the cabin, and is mostly in the shade for a good portion of the day. I'd like to fence in and build my small garden area behind here. I am using the Urban Garden plan out of John Seymour's book and a few ideas from the Path of Freedom folks to get started, adding to the layout over the next few years. Lots of ideas and lots of plans. Many will have to wait until the baby is bigger so that I can accomplish them. It's fairly difficult to accomplish any major task toting a baby with you, especially a grumpy one.
We have been working fast and furious in getting the cabin together. After a few glitches we are back on track...for now. Please pray for us as we spend a lot of time together, downsize our belongings and move. This is a stressful time for our family due to the move, and the economy. It is leaving both of us stressed to the max.
The electricity is about 90% done, just a few more plugs left. The bathroom light was installed and measurements taken for the small window to go in there. This will provide much needed air and light. Also, in the planning stages is hanging and connecting the Tiny Titan hot water heater. I sure hope it works well, I keep receiving conflicting reports on it's success, and am worried.
The counter top is mounted on rough cut timber legs is installed, along with a new sink and our two burner stove top. This was bought last year and has been in storage. The laminate flooring and the shelving are still to be bought, and will be some of the last things to go in, though I do need the shelving sooner than the flooring. I opted for the counter on the legs in order to more easily store my wheat and food buckets under them. I plan to add a curtain around the edge of the counter to hidge the buckets and legs.
We will be spending all day out there tomorrow, and I am planning on cleaning up a lot of trash, sweeping, wiping and re-arranging "stuff". I am still working on what is going, and where it will be going, not to mention what to do with the left over stuff. I am hoping to have a yard sale to help provide for living expenses and such.
I'd like to start recycling also, once we move. The drawbacks to this are that there is not a recycling center within 40 miles. I'd like to divide out the paper as that could be burned, and then divide out the plastic bottles and cans. Food scraps are to be divided among the chickens (veggie scraps) and the dogs (meat scraps). We don't have trash service out in our area, so I am trying to find ways to reduce our trash outlay. We tend to be very "trashy" people, and generate a lot of trash, something I am hoping to decrease once we move.
I also plan to implement new house rules (living in a small space demands organization) and new eating habits. I am hoping to cut out even more of the fast food trips, as we live further from town. I have been collecting crock pot recipes, and plan to utilize it more. I won't have an oven, so will be using the roaster and bread machine more. I am kind of excited over the move, but also stressed, as we already tend to stress each other out, and in a smaller space it will be worse. The only bright spot is that it is warmer weather and the kids will be outside most of the time.
There are also plans to start adding a large patio/deck on the front of the cabin for relaxing and eating space. This is something that will greatly help with space management. A small lean to/shed is also in the planning stages. I have several pallets that will more than likely be used for the flooring to raise the washer/dryer/refrigerator off of the ground. This will be housed on the North side of the cabin, and is mostly in the shade for a good portion of the day. I'd like to fence in and build my small garden area behind here. I am using the Urban Garden plan out of John Seymour's book and a few ideas from the Path of Freedom folks to get started, adding to the layout over the next few years. Lots of ideas and lots of plans. Many will have to wait until the baby is bigger so that I can accomplish them. It's fairly difficult to accomplish any major task toting a baby with you, especially a grumpy one.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Another Dream
A while back (2007?) I posted a dream that I had, I had another in the hospital this past weekend.
In my dream it was the current time, but everything was like the Planet of the Apes. Towns and cities were there with the buildings, but grass was growing up in the streets, cars didn't work, and people were being hunted by somesort of humanoid animal (not apes). In my dream I remember an old castle/fort structure. It was dark, and Lauren and I were prisoners and trying to escape out an undiscovered grate in the back wall. The grate was covered by grape vines and tall grass. We had heard someone had a time machine type device, and we were anxious to travel to a different time (forward or back) to a safer time and place.
Lauren, me and a man were running through the streets, darting from one side to the other to meet in an old abandoned hotel in a small, run down town. A large group of people were living and hiding in this "ghost town". I happened to be on the "city council" of this group and it was decided that the time machine could only send 7 people through. The time machine could also calculate the date when our current "war" was over. It said it would be 2061. I would be in my 90's! We decided to go back in time to a point before the current war started and to prevent our government from joining the United Nations in welcoming this group of aliens to our world.
I was selected to go back in time, but I couldn't take Lauren. I was greatly upset, because the rest of my family had been killed by these aliens. I only had Lauren left. Girls her age were routinely kidnapped and used as slaves, and worse. I was scared for her. I hugged her tight and told her to survive and to depend on God to guide her in what she was supposed to do.
The group of us went back to the late 1980's, somehow we managed to stop the catastrophe from happening, then returned to our correct time to find while the world hadn't been over run by these creatures, the population had greatly decreased, life was more rural than before, and it was a lot like the 1940's.
I can only assume this dream is a combination of a lot of movies I watched, because it makes ZERO sense to me ;-) To read my other dream, clichk here, http://queensedgefarm.blogspot.com/2007/07/my-dream.html Enjoy!
In my dream it was the current time, but everything was like the Planet of the Apes. Towns and cities were there with the buildings, but grass was growing up in the streets, cars didn't work, and people were being hunted by somesort of humanoid animal (not apes). In my dream I remember an old castle/fort structure. It was dark, and Lauren and I were prisoners and trying to escape out an undiscovered grate in the back wall. The grate was covered by grape vines and tall grass. We had heard someone had a time machine type device, and we were anxious to travel to a different time (forward or back) to a safer time and place.
Lauren, me and a man were running through the streets, darting from one side to the other to meet in an old abandoned hotel in a small, run down town. A large group of people were living and hiding in this "ghost town". I happened to be on the "city council" of this group and it was decided that the time machine could only send 7 people through. The time machine could also calculate the date when our current "war" was over. It said it would be 2061. I would be in my 90's! We decided to go back in time to a point before the current war started and to prevent our government from joining the United Nations in welcoming this group of aliens to our world.
I was selected to go back in time, but I couldn't take Lauren. I was greatly upset, because the rest of my family had been killed by these aliens. I only had Lauren left. Girls her age were routinely kidnapped and used as slaves, and worse. I was scared for her. I hugged her tight and told her to survive and to depend on God to guide her in what she was supposed to do.
The group of us went back to the late 1980's, somehow we managed to stop the catastrophe from happening, then returned to our correct time to find while the world hadn't been over run by these creatures, the population had greatly decreased, life was more rural than before, and it was a lot like the 1940's.
I can only assume this dream is a combination of a lot of movies I watched, because it makes ZERO sense to me ;-) To read my other dream, clichk here, http://queensedgefarm.blogspot.com/2007/07/my-dream.html Enjoy!
Monday, May 18, 2009
Thinking out loud
AC is installed in cabin and working great! Yeah!
Trying to keep on track here, I always need a plan. In order to get moved I need to complete the following and/or want to make the following purchases ( after I sell a kidney LOL!) Forgive me if I have posted this somewhere else, but this is more for my memory than anyone's info.
House:
fix oven
clean carpets
clean out wood stove
fix floor in bedroom
clean house
have yard sale
clean out back porch
clean up yard
clean out old chicken coop
take out trash to curb
Land:
look for wood flooring (laminate) - .99 sq ft at Lowe's
clean out wood stove
look for cheap sink on craigslist - purchased double stainless steel sink for $37 at Lowe's
look for shelving on craigslist - wire shelving in the plans from Lowe's
set up cabin - DONE
hook up shower -DONE
install water storage tank - DONE
purchase Berkey filter
purchase quilts for wall
purchase cattle panels for garden
purchase load of manure
purchase load of topsoil
purchase insulation board for behind quilts and shelving
order paint (again) for back of cabin - ordered 5/18/09
build lean to for washer/dryer - use existing pallets and tin
build 20 X 20 garden are using idea out of John Seymour book
look for odd windows on craigslist for greenhouse
clean area rugs for cabin
go through rubber maid tubs in barn (keep, give, trash)
plant container garden behind gazebo
Trying to keep on track here, I always need a plan. In order to get moved I need to complete the following and/or want to make the following purchases ( after I sell a kidney LOL!) Forgive me if I have posted this somewhere else, but this is more for my memory than anyone's info.
House:
fix oven
clean carpets
clean out wood stove
fix floor in bedroom
clean house
have yard sale
clean out back porch
clean up yard
clean out old chicken coop
take out trash to curb
Land:
look for wood flooring (laminate) - .99 sq ft at Lowe's
clean out wood stove
look for cheap sink on craigslist - purchased double stainless steel sink for $37 at Lowe's
look for shelving on craigslist - wire shelving in the plans from Lowe's
set up cabin - DONE
hook up shower -DONE
install water storage tank - DONE
purchase Berkey filter
purchase quilts for wall
purchase cattle panels for garden
purchase load of manure
purchase load of topsoil
purchase insulation board for behind quilts and shelving
order paint (again) for back of cabin - ordered 5/18/09
build lean to for washer/dryer - use existing pallets and tin
build 20 X 20 garden are using idea out of John Seymour book
look for odd windows on craigslist for greenhouse
clean area rugs for cabin
go through rubber maid tubs in barn (keep, give, trash)
plant container garden behind gazebo
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Items to buy for the girls schooling
Items and prices (estimates)
Globe - $60.00
Atlas -$10.00
Microscope - $200.00 from Tobin's Lab
Robinson Curriculum -$195.00
Saxon Math 1 -$100.00
Saxon Math for the 6th and 7th grades - $84.50 each
Printer - $100.00
Toner -$50.00
Paper (box) - $30.00
Binding Machine with plastic spiral binders -$75.00 plus spirals
Modeling Clay - check on this
Art supplies (Lauren has requested canvases and oil pants) - check on this
Normal school supplies (spirals, pens, pencils, etc.) - check on this
Globe - $60.00
Atlas -$10.00
Microscope - $200.00 from Tobin's Lab
Robinson Curriculum -$195.00
Saxon Math 1 -$100.00
Saxon Math for the 6th and 7th grades - $84.50 each
Printer - $100.00
Toner -$50.00
Paper (box) - $30.00
Binding Machine with plastic spiral binders -$75.00 plus spirals
Modeling Clay - check on this
Art supplies (Lauren has requested canvases and oil pants) - check on this
Normal school supplies (spirals, pens, pencils, etc.) - check on this
Update
It's been a couple of days since I posted. The baby had a doctor appointment for his eye infection on Thursday, and I took him in on Friday to the peditrician because he keeps going blue around the lips. I thought she would tell me it was nothing but his being cold or poor circulation like Taylor has, but she immediately put him in the hospital for two days of monitoring his heart and breathing. We were discharged around noon today. I am very tired. The girls stayed with their dad while I stayed in the hospital with James.
It turns out James has mild apnea caused by his reflux. His reflux had died down, but the doctor says he is having "silent reflux" and it is causing the apnea. He is back on the Zantac and sleeping with his bed inclined. I am keeping an eagle eye on his lips and his breathing.
It turns out James has mild apnea caused by his reflux. His reflux had died down, but the doctor says he is having "silent reflux" and it is causing the apnea. He is back on the Zantac and sleeping with his bed inclined. I am keeping an eagle eye on his lips and his breathing.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
A strange animal
Today when we went out to feed, we found Isabella Rabbit dead in her cage. I am not sure if it was the heat, or if she was traumatized yesterday. She bit Lauren, and when Lauren shook her off, she got out of the cage. The four rat terriers barked at her a lot until the rabbit ran them off with teeth bared. She scared our Rottweiler so bad, Baeta wouldn't come out of her kennel. She was put back in her cage, but she was dead today. Very strange.
As we were leaving, Hannah spotted an animal crossing the road. At first I thought it was a racoon but it was very strange looking. It had a strange waddle, and wasn't even scared when we drove up next to it. It didn't hurry away or anything. It turned and looked towards us and sniffed the air. I think it was blind, as it's eyes were crusty yellow, and it' fur looked very old and moth eaten. It kept waddling down the fence line, so was probably on it's way to the pond to eat and drink. Our pond is one of the few around that have water, because we keep it filled from the well. We looked online when we got home and turns out it was a badger. I have never seen a badger. I didn't even know we had them here. It's been exciting being at the land. I've seen several animals that I've never seen before (coyotes, crested cara cara, hawks, Bald eagles, racoons, cranes, wood ducks, wild hogs, rattlesnakes, water moccasins, and now a badger. I think I am going to have the girls do a unit study on badgers next, so we can learn all about them. I like knowing about the animals at the land.
Lauren has an impressive collection of rattlesnake spines, ribs and rattles, coyote jaw, pieces of coal and other rocks, feathers, the feet of the crested cara cara (it was dead on the side of the road). A virtual museum of natural science.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Badger
As we were leaving, Hannah spotted an animal crossing the road. At first I thought it was a racoon but it was very strange looking. It had a strange waddle, and wasn't even scared when we drove up next to it. It didn't hurry away or anything. It turned and looked towards us and sniffed the air. I think it was blind, as it's eyes were crusty yellow, and it' fur looked very old and moth eaten. It kept waddling down the fence line, so was probably on it's way to the pond to eat and drink. Our pond is one of the few around that have water, because we keep it filled from the well. We looked online when we got home and turns out it was a badger. I have never seen a badger. I didn't even know we had them here. It's been exciting being at the land. I've seen several animals that I've never seen before (coyotes, crested cara cara, hawks, Bald eagles, racoons, cranes, wood ducks, wild hogs, rattlesnakes, water moccasins, and now a badger. I think I am going to have the girls do a unit study on badgers next, so we can learn all about them. I like knowing about the animals at the land.
Lauren has an impressive collection of rattlesnake spines, ribs and rattles, coyote jaw, pieces of coal and other rocks, feathers, the feet of the crested cara cara (it was dead on the side of the road). A virtual museum of natural science.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Badger
Prayer Request
Please pray for my Grandma, she was taken to the hospital and is in intensive care. Thanks!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Education Part 2
After sleeping on my thoughts on educating the girls, I launched into the process today.
With Hannah we did our usual reading, writing and math. She worked on her handwriting (which she hates), read a couple of stories to James ;-) out of her Bible Story book. She pointed to each word as I read. This caused James to smile, which caused drool to drip out of his mouth.
Last, we worked on her math, which today consisted of circling greater than and less than amount, and completing patterns. She much prefers addition and subtraction, but we are working on finishing her workbook, and she skipped these pages earlier, so we are completing them now. She thinks patterns are "baby work" (sigh).
With Lauren, she completed her lesson in Saxon Math. It took about an hour, so tomorrow, she will need to start a second lesson in order to get the 1 1/2-2 hours of math work done. She then wrote a one page essay that I corrected for spelling, grammar, capitalization and punctuation. She didn't like that though. She doesn't like to be criticized, but I explained to her I am not criticizing what she writes or dictating what she has to write, just checking spelling and such. The other choice will be more formal grammar instruction, along with spelling. The girls then took a break for lunch, and a quick swim in my mother's day present (the pool). Afterwards, Hannah worked on computer work (nick jr) to play number games. Lauren read for 2 hours out of a Christian textbook on Grade 3 Science. I instructed her to pick one book and read it until she was done. I'd let her pick science, history, government, geography, etc., but she would read all the books on the shelf eventually, plus additional ones I'll buy.
Today, "we" learned that the yolk in an ostrich egg is the size of a softball, some squids grow to 60 feet long, that 1 ton equals 2,000 lbs, and that an adult elephant can weigh 2 tons (how many lbs is that? ). We also learned that there is an insect called a water flea. I say we, because as Lauren read, she'd find something interesting and then share it.
I can't say that Lauren was excited about this change, we'll see how it goes.
I plan to buy Saxon Math 1 and Saxon Math for 6th and 7th grade along with the tests, etc. for the Fall. The rest of the texts, I will look through the used book room at the FEAST building.
Lauren did express an interest in Art lessons and supplies tonight. Even surprising me that she likes drawing more than falconry. She has been very interested in hawks and falconry for over a year now, and was planning to start her apprenticeship this summer. But I guess like all kids she'll try on different "hats" to see what fits. Personally, I'd like to see her take a Photography class, she is an excellent photographer and definitely has her dad's artistic eye.
With Hannah we did our usual reading, writing and math. She worked on her handwriting (which she hates), read a couple of stories to James ;-) out of her Bible Story book. She pointed to each word as I read. This caused James to smile, which caused drool to drip out of his mouth.
Last, we worked on her math, which today consisted of circling greater than and less than amount, and completing patterns. She much prefers addition and subtraction, but we are working on finishing her workbook, and she skipped these pages earlier, so we are completing them now. She thinks patterns are "baby work" (sigh).
With Lauren, she completed her lesson in Saxon Math. It took about an hour, so tomorrow, she will need to start a second lesson in order to get the 1 1/2-2 hours of math work done. She then wrote a one page essay that I corrected for spelling, grammar, capitalization and punctuation. She didn't like that though. She doesn't like to be criticized, but I explained to her I am not criticizing what she writes or dictating what she has to write, just checking spelling and such. The other choice will be more formal grammar instruction, along with spelling. The girls then took a break for lunch, and a quick swim in my mother's day present (the pool). Afterwards, Hannah worked on computer work (nick jr) to play number games. Lauren read for 2 hours out of a Christian textbook on Grade 3 Science. I instructed her to pick one book and read it until she was done. I'd let her pick science, history, government, geography, etc., but she would read all the books on the shelf eventually, plus additional ones I'll buy.
Today, "we" learned that the yolk in an ostrich egg is the size of a softball, some squids grow to 60 feet long, that 1 ton equals 2,000 lbs, and that an adult elephant can weigh 2 tons (how many lbs is that? ). We also learned that there is an insect called a water flea. I say we, because as Lauren read, she'd find something interesting and then share it.
I can't say that Lauren was excited about this change, we'll see how it goes.
I plan to buy Saxon Math 1 and Saxon Math for 6th and 7th grade along with the tests, etc. for the Fall. The rest of the texts, I will look through the used book room at the FEAST building.
Lauren did express an interest in Art lessons and supplies tonight. Even surprising me that she likes drawing more than falconry. She has been very interested in hawks and falconry for over a year now, and was planning to start her apprenticeship this summer. But I guess like all kids she'll try on different "hats" to see what fits. Personally, I'd like to see her take a Photography class, she is an excellent photographer and definitely has her dad's artistic eye.
Homemade Incubator
My two oldest hens are broody. They have been sitting on eggs for a week, though I have been removing them daily. Yesterday, I decided to keep the eggs under them, but today Lauren was "helping" and removed all 11 eggs from the nesting boxes. I hesitate to eat them since they have been left out in the heat (100 plus) for a couple of days.
I brought them home tonight thinking I'd call my friend Bonita to see about using her incubator. I then looked up the cost of one, and they aren't too high, but I thought I'd try the homemade one I found on the internet at www.ehow.com. Apparently, farmers used to use this method, using what was on hand, so if it was good enough for them, it's good enough for me to experiment with.
I took a cardboard box, cut a hole, inserted light bulb, place the eggs on a towel, along with a small dish of water, a thermometer and the eggs. I'll monitor the temperature, and see if they hatch. So, on about June 2nd we should have chicks. I'll candle them in a week or so to see if they are fertile. If this homemade incubator doesn't work, I'll think about investing in an electric incubator.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Education
For a while now I have been bothered by the fact there is so much that my kids do not know. There is so much information out there! I myself am interested in so much, like teaching history from the beginning of time to the present, focusing on the documents written by the founding fathers (like the Federalist Papers), reading all the classical literature titles and more. In some ways, I believe I failed my eldest son by not homeschooling him thru high school. But due to his disabilites I was fearful he wouldn't be able to succeed in life without a high school diploma. I have since altered my thinking. He is actually "smarter" than I realized, and I can actually carry on a great conversation with him. I remember at one of his ARDs that I was told while he read on a low level, he had the speaking vocabulary of a 12th grader (he was in 5th grade). I think this is attributed by the fact I talk to my kids normally, if I use a word they don't understand, they freely ask what does that mean, and I explain it at that time. (Another example is we have had the Eagle Cam on the past few days, non-stop. Lauren or Hannah will ask a question about what they see and will automatically look up in Wikipedia or do a search online for more info and pictures.) While they are very smart, I could be doing more, especially in the areas of math and science. I love science, but have always been fearful of math, so will work more in these subjects.
Over the course of 18 years I have also come across so many good ideas and curricula that I would need 20 kids to explore them all. I started out with the books "What your nth grader should know" by E.D. Hirsch. I really like these books, and used them exclusively when homeschooling Taylor in the 2nd thru 4th grades. I used Abeka for Lauren for two years, and I really like their work books but they are costly. I have also used a variety of texts, books, workbooks, etc., but have never really been happy. I still really like the E.D. Hirsch books, as well as, the OFE lessons, but I have been having a change of heart over the amount of time that the girls spend on school work. I have been proud of accomplishing a day's worth of school work in about 2-3 hours, but think Lauren needs more. Hannah at five I am still okay with....
So, once again I think I will try out a new curriculum. I really like Dr. Robinson's ideas (google Robinson Curriculum) and plan to purchase his curriculum plus pick up the next in the series of Saxon Math. I really like the Saxon Math.
The premise of his ideas is no TV and no sugar. That will not be happening, as I am not the only parent in the house hold, and this is DEFINITELY a TV house, but I will limit the amount of TV that is watched. The "plan" is to only allow TV in the evenings.
I like the plan of 2 hours of Math, a one page essay, and then 2-3 hours of reading history and science texts, plus a multitude of pleasure reading material (carefully scrutinized by me to weed out the trash). This is a self teaching curriculum, especially for older students. I will still need to work with Hannah to get her to reading better, and I'd like to start cursive writing in the Fall. I regret not going straight to cursive like Lauren did, but hindsight and all. (sigh)
I have always just believed in reading to find information. I love to read and plan to read everything the girls do, and finish their math books (I am not a very good math person, so can use the refresher). My mom was always really good at telling me to "look it up" when I had a question. We had an old set of encyclopdeias (the world book of knowledge??) and I read most of them. I have an old set (minus the B volulme) and would like to read the entire set. I'd LOVE a set of Encyclopedia Britannica's (an older set) but they are way too much mulah.
We will start this in the Fall, and I will post how it is going later on.
P.S. I also really like the Charlotte Mason philosophy of study, but don't think the two curriculas are mutually exclusive. I did purchase two sketchbooks and one journal bound book (for Lauren). I gave these to the girls and told them they were their Nature Journals. I asked them to draw anytime they wanted anything at the land they saw (birds, frogs, flowers, trees, etc.) For Lauren she is to go further and document about the weather, questions she has or info she has researched, and include things she finds like flowers, grasses, insect wings or parts, feathers (nothing stinky though). We already have quite a collection for our own Natural Museum so she can add to that also.
Over the course of 18 years I have also come across so many good ideas and curricula that I would need 20 kids to explore them all. I started out with the books "What your nth grader should know" by E.D. Hirsch. I really like these books, and used them exclusively when homeschooling Taylor in the 2nd thru 4th grades. I used Abeka for Lauren for two years, and I really like their work books but they are costly. I have also used a variety of texts, books, workbooks, etc., but have never really been happy. I still really like the E.D. Hirsch books, as well as, the OFE lessons, but I have been having a change of heart over the amount of time that the girls spend on school work. I have been proud of accomplishing a day's worth of school work in about 2-3 hours, but think Lauren needs more. Hannah at five I am still okay with....
So, once again I think I will try out a new curriculum. I really like Dr. Robinson's ideas (google Robinson Curriculum) and plan to purchase his curriculum plus pick up the next in the series of Saxon Math. I really like the Saxon Math.
The premise of his ideas is no TV and no sugar. That will not be happening, as I am not the only parent in the house hold, and this is DEFINITELY a TV house, but I will limit the amount of TV that is watched. The "plan" is to only allow TV in the evenings.
I like the plan of 2 hours of Math, a one page essay, and then 2-3 hours of reading history and science texts, plus a multitude of pleasure reading material (carefully scrutinized by me to weed out the trash). This is a self teaching curriculum, especially for older students. I will still need to work with Hannah to get her to reading better, and I'd like to start cursive writing in the Fall. I regret not going straight to cursive like Lauren did, but hindsight and all. (sigh)
I have always just believed in reading to find information. I love to read and plan to read everything the girls do, and finish their math books (I am not a very good math person, so can use the refresher). My mom was always really good at telling me to "look it up" when I had a question. We had an old set of encyclopdeias (the world book of knowledge??) and I read most of them. I have an old set (minus the B volulme) and would like to read the entire set. I'd LOVE a set of Encyclopedia Britannica's (an older set) but they are way too much mulah.
We will start this in the Fall, and I will post how it is going later on.
P.S. I also really like the Charlotte Mason philosophy of study, but don't think the two curriculas are mutually exclusive. I did purchase two sketchbooks and one journal bound book (for Lauren). I gave these to the girls and told them they were their Nature Journals. I asked them to draw anytime they wanted anything at the land they saw (birds, frogs, flowers, trees, etc.) For Lauren she is to go further and document about the weather, questions she has or info she has researched, and include things she finds like flowers, grasses, insect wings or parts, feathers (nothing stinky though). We already have quite a collection for our own Natural Museum so she can add to that also.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Book/Resource List
Check for Usborne books Science at Library
Magic School Bus videos
Bill Nye the Science Guy
Magic School Bus videos
Bill Nye the Science Guy
Friday, May 8, 2009
Reviewing the School Year - Lauren
I don't have Lauren assigned to a specific grade. Depending on her ability she does 5-7 work. These are general guidelines, as we are starting in Social Studies from the beginning of time (Creation) and moving forward.
Social Studies
* Exploration and discovery
* Establishment of settlements in the New World
* Colonial life in America
* Pioneer life in America
* Revolutionary War in America
* Westward movement in America
* Industrial and cultural growth
* Democracy's principles and documents
* Life in the U. S. and its possessions
* Geography of the U. S.-DONE
* Natural resources of the U. S. - DONE
* Canada and Mexico
* Relationship between the U. S. and Canada
* Comparative cultures of Canada
* Countries and cultures of the Western Hemisphere: Central America, West Indies, South America
* Map and globe skills-DONE
Science
* Biological adaptations-DONE
* Biotic communities (food chain/web) - DONE
* Animal and plant classification-DONE
* Fish-DONE
* Reptiles-DONE
* Bacteria
* Molds
* Trees-DONE
* Plants and their food-DONE
* Conservation-DONE
* Cells-DONE
* Human body-DONE
* Landforms
* Properties of air and water
* Time and seasons-DONE
* Temperature and thermometers-DONE
* Magnetic fields
* Use and control of electricity
* Conduction and convection
* Light and optics
* Force systems
* Chemical systems
* Sun and solar system-DONE
* Space and space exploration-DONE
* Scientific method and scientific inquiry
Language Arts
* Silent and oral reading-DONE
* Types of literature
* Presenting original plays-DONE
* Listening skills-DONE
* Dictionary use for word meaning,
analysis, spelling-DONE
* Common homonyms
* Homophones and homographs
* Synonyms and antonyms
* Using a thesaurus-DONE
* Spelling-DONE
* Plurals and possessives
* Kinds of sentences-DONE
* Parts of sentences-DONE
* Cursive handwriting-DONE
* Outlining
* Paragraph writing
* Writing letters, stories, reports, poems, plays
* Preparing a simple bibliography
* Proofreading skills
* Parts of a newspaper
* Using study materials: keys, tables, graphs, charts, legends, library catalogs, index, table of contents, reference materials, maps
Health and Safety
* Dental hygiene-DONE
* Our water supply-DONE
* Sewage disposal-DONE
* Care of the eyes
* Nutrition and diet-DONE
* Diseases
* Germ-bearing insects and pests
* Community health resources
* Elementary first aid-DONE
* Bicycle and water safety-DONE
* Preparing for puberty-DONE
* Human reproduction-DONE
* Substance abuse-DONE
Mathematics
* Reading and writing numbers to 10 places-DONE
* Mixed numbers
* Set of integers
* Numeration systems
* Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division of whole numbers-DONE
* Fundamental processes: whole numbers and common fractions-DONE
* Common and decimal fractions * Decimals to the thousandths
* Ratio and percent
* Exponents
* Customary and metric measurements-DONE
* Extension of geometric concepts
* Word problems in daily life-DONE
* Charts and graphs: picture, bar, line, and circle graphs-DONE
* Concept of sampling
Books and Resources Used this year:
Saxon Math 6th grade
Basic Math textbook
Horizons Handwriting- Presidential Inaugural Addresses
Variety of library books for Science and Reading
Pilgrim's Progress
McGuffey's 5th Reader
ebooks at Old Fashioned EducationReviewing the Kindergarten Year - Hannah
Kindergarten Curriculum Guide
Social Studies
* Meanings of holidays, traditions, and customs
* Understanding and appreciating other cultures
* Individual's role in family, home, school, and community - DONE
* Relationship of the individual to the group
* Work and jobs - DONE
* Safety rules and symbols-DONE
* Basic human needs-DONE
* Self-respect and self-awareness
* Awareness of others
* Location of home and school-DONE
* Diagram of home and school-DONE
Science
* Observation of everyday, familiar things
* Common animals and plants-DONE
* Interrelationships of animals and plants
* Classification of living things
* Farm animals-DONE
* Care of pets-DONE
* Like and unlike plants
* Indoor plants
* The sun: our principal source of energy
* Weather and seasons
* Temperature
* Light
* Colors-DONE
* Senses
* Earth, moon, stars, planets
* Simple measurement
* Beginning experimentation
Language Arts
* Phonics-DONE
* Choral reading-DONE
* Listening to literature, music, poetry-DONE
* Nursery rhymes, fairy tales, fables-DONE
* Social listening-DONE
* Constructing visual images while listening
* Oral communication skills
* Role play-DONE
* Following and giving directions-DONE
* Paraphrasing and summarizing-DONE
* Organizing ideas
* Experience stories
* Relating events and experiences using complete sentences
* Listening for correct speech habits and word usage
* Beginning writing process-DONE
* Manuscript handwriting-DONE
Health and Safety
* Personal hygiene-DONE
* Good eating habits-DONE
* Good grooming-DONE
* Care of teeth-DONE
* Major body parts-DONE
* Physical fitness-DONE
* Safety to and from school- N/A
Mathematics
* Simple counting to 20-DONE* One-to-one relationship-DONE
* Concepts of more, less than, same-DONE
* Sequence of events-DONE
* Correspondence of quantities-DONE
* Ordinal-cardinal relationship
* Number-numeral relationship
* Recognition of basic sets
* Meaning of addition and subtraction-DONE
* Introduction to number line-DONE
* Estimation
* Elementary geometry (shapes)-DONE
* Calendar and clock-INTRODUCED
* Denominations of money-WORKING
* Basic problem-solving strategies
* Basic chart and graph concepts
*I only recently found this guide, so I will need to make sure the rest are covered through the summer. We start our new school year on September 1st.
Books/Resources used for Hannah this year are:
School Zone: DVD Kindergarten Workbook and Educational Activities
Horizons: Manuscript Handwriting, Grade 1
Variety of Workbooks for Math Concepts, Handwriting
Hooked on Phonics for Kindergarten
Flash Cards (Addition)
www.nickjr.com
www.starfall.com
www.playhousedisney.com
www.oldfashionededucation.com (lesson plans and other resources)
Thursday, May 7, 2009
More death - Warning - traumatic experience ahead
Peter (in front) - about 8 weeks old hereWe tried to dig a hole to bury him, but the ground is like cement. I suggested taking him home with us to bury in the back yard, but Lauren negated that idea, and said she would toss him over the fence in the corner, where we have been placing dead animals (chickens, a dog, and a dead hawk from the side of the road). I asked her if she was okay with him lying in the open, and she said yes. I think I was more upset than she was, but I hugged her, and asked if she was okay. I told her it was okay to cry if she was sad, she just gave me a look like I was crazy. After finding Duchess dead, I am worried about how this is affecting her. Maybe we should just get rid of all of our animals? I wonder if it's good for the kids to see this much death, though I know it is part of life, especially country life.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Tiring
It's been a tiring few days. Melt downs, death and moving woes.
Our dog died this weekend. It was our Rottie Duchess. She had just turned 1 year old. She accidentally hung herself by her collar while trying to clear the chicken coop fence. It was very traumatic. She is/was so big I couldn't get her off of the fence, and had to wait for help to remove her. Just horrible.
I never knew how hard it was to down size a house. I am constantly throwing out stuff, but it seems like the clothes just multiply over night. Getting the girls to cut down on their belongings is really tough. I need to remember to label the rubber maid tubs as we continue packing.
We have found someone to rent the house, so we have set our moving time frame around the middle or end of June, hopefully at the latest.
I've contacted my family and told them what I had of my father's belongings if they wanted them, if not I'd start selling the larger furniture items. I don't want to but I have no place to store these items. Oh, we have the barn, but the mice and rats are so bad, it serves no purpose to put anything of value in there unless you want it chewed to pieces.
It's going to be hard to get it all done, cleaned, packed and moved while taking care of a needy 3 month old baby. I do not look forward to it, as I will have to get the bulk of it done ALONE. Yuck!
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