It's Conference Time and planning time

I am so excited it is time for the 2008 First Annual Heart of the Matter Online Homeschool Virtual Conference. I am excited because the topics look amazing and I get to actually discuss issues with fellow homeschooling moms.

Which I really need right now, because we are under attack. It is a long story but the short version is I am planning our school year and this year we decided to pray as we plan. Because last year we were so excited about homeschooling we signed up for just about everything and were constantly running around. Which left the house was in shambles, a lot of junk food consumed, no real homeschool budget and meeting some groups that did not add to our family value system. Therefore, this year we are seeking a simple God lead plan for our life and school. It is remarkably liberating.

Additionally our family did and does not support our decision to homeschool but have become more vocal this year. In the last week alone I have received, several phone calls and emails (apparently we were the topic of a group discussion) pleading for me not to homeschool. New homeschoolers this will happen but I have found that my energy is best spent on doing what I know I need to do, rather than spending time justifying others fears.

As homeschooler must remember that you are on a mission, a calling to take part of a wonderful journey. You set the tone, your attitude sets the stage for learning.

I will not fill my life or blog with negativity, because that's not how I want to live my life.

To borrow a phrase from Randy Pausch, a computer science professor whose "Last Lecture" has inspired millions. “You just have to decide if you’re going to be a Tigger or an Eeyore.”

Woohooo! I am off to a the conference.

Great "I Can Read" Series

While out for our Saturday morning coupon shopping spree we found this great series at Family Christian Stores. From the great folks that help to bring you that super green cucumber hero Larryboy, Zonder Kids brings us level readers. That's right...

"The I Can Read® series leads children to explore God’s Word. The timeless stories tell how God has a purpose for each of us."
We got "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands", which is TS's favorite song. He started to make a wish list of the other titles. It was great to sit back and share what the song and beautiful illustrations meant to us.

Trying on a new template

What do you think? Slimming? Fashionable? Does it say "hip"..."now"...."tech savy"?

Trying on some new looks over the next few days, getting geared up for fall.

Things That Make You Say...Hmmmmmmmm

So, after cleaning and playing with the things in the storage closet we found several empty Playdough containers. Because we are into recycling and I am a "Re-Purpose" junkie, I could not toss them.

However, it begs the questions “What does one do with the empty playdough containers?”

And The Winners Are.......

Good Afternoon

Here are the winners of the Slightly Used Sandbox Sanity Giveaway. The winners were selected using a random integer drawing from Random.org. I will contact the winners on their blog pages or if you do not have a blog contact me at guidemom@gmail.com with you address. The items will be mailed via media mail later this week.

Giveaway #1 -Leapfrog Writing Workbooks
Winner is Liz @ Little Hearts, Little Minds

Giveaway #2-Never Used Kumon Book of Rhyming Words & Phrases
Winner is Kamewh @ Blueberries & Peanut Butter

Giveaway #3-DK Math Wizard Game
Winner is Daniele @ Westgate Academy

Giveaway #4-Skyline Handwriting Paper 20 sheets
Donated to local Kindy Co-Op

Giveaway #5-Sesame Street Measuring Workbook Wipeoff
Winner is Christina @ Mustard Seeds

Giveaway #6-Used Explode The Code 1
Winner is Maya & Ava's Mom

Giveaway #6-Used Explode The Code 1

Most of the book is unused and there are 5 pages with ink writing. If you are interested in this giveaway item please leave a comment at this post.

Giveaway #5-Sesame Street Measuring Workbook Wipeoff

If you are interested in this giveaway item please leave a comment at this post.

Giveaway #4-Skyline Handwriting Paper 20 sheets

If you are interested in this giveaway please leave a comment at this post.

Giveaway #3-DK Math Wizard Game

If you are interested in this giveaway please leave a comment at this post.

Giveaway #2-Never Used Kumon Book of Rhyming Words & Phrases

Please leave a comment if you are interested in winning this giveaway item.

Giveaway #1 -Leapfrog Writing Workbooks

These books wipe clean for repeated use and feature the Leapfrog characters. The writing book was used but the other was never touched.

To be entered for this item please leave a comment at this post.

It Is Giveaway Time!!!!

Taking a blog page out of Jenny's blog @ Little Acorn Treehouse I am taking this week of camp to giveaway some slightly used homeschool items. Her generosity and creativity have inspired me to share the slightly used wealth. Thanks to Jenny for her great idea.

We have been so blessed on our journey with gifts and advice from our online family we thought it would be great to give just a little back. So, watch all this week for giveaway items.

Winners will be selected on July 19th using random integer drawing from Random.org. You can enter by leaving a comment on the post of the item (s) that you are interested in winning.

Mission Complete

What do you think?

So I started Saturday morning with prayer time, a quick drive for some tea with musical inspiration. I passed all the lovely yards sales and stayed focused on the goals at hand.

1. Clutter free and organized closet.

2. Spend no money organizing the closet. Re-purpose bins and boxes.

3. Bless someone else with the excess.

So I marked four large plastics bins that I already had as Trash, Sale, Donate and E-Share. Set out to work around 6am. Of course this would not be an uniterrupted job because Hubby and TS were going to be up soon and more than likely want to "Help". Which in our house means play with everything as it comes out of closet. But I prayed that my type "A" personality would just back off and enjoy their help.

I made excellant progress until about 8am, then my "helpers" demanded breakfast and to help.

Get this we had a Blast! True we didn't do it in record time but we did it as a family. I haven't had so much fun in a long time. We played with everything that came out of the closet. Get this TS actually drew with markers for an HOUR. (We will not go into how he doesn't like to draw or color.) He didn't want to stop drawing for lunch.

We found a things that we no longer need and more than enough for this school year. God is Good!

The end results were:
-Excellant family time for free on a hot day

-We were able to get rid of 9 bins

-Fill all four bins

-Predicted to make $50 from the sale bin

-Donate unused items to the Helping Hands Back to School Backpack Drive

-Have several items for an internet giveaway this week.

-I feel tons lighter and focused.

After that we just had to make an ice cream run to celebrate! Thanks for the prayers and encouragement.

Weekend Project- Clutter Control

FIAR (Five In A Row) program has inspired me to organized and simplify my homeschool area. After the first year, I have boxes of worksheets, workbooks, writing paper, coloring books and curriculum that just do not fit the current plan. It does not work so it is not something we could go back to later. Also having well meaning family members who are teachers have contributed to an overstocked craft closet. CLUTTER!

I cannot think clearly in clutter. I cannot plan well with clutter. I cannot find anything in this clutter. I have had decluttering on my to do list for about a month but always push it back because ...well because I cannot think with clutter.

I have a plan and I need your help.

Step 1: The first step to defeating any problem is to admit there is a problem. I have confessed to the blogosphere so it is public.

Step 2: Face the problem head on with clear eyes. (In my case show the world so it becomes something I have to do.)

Step 3: Make a plan. I have all Saturday morning mapped out to purge and organize this space. Check me during the weekend to keep me honest.

Step 4: Bless someone with your abundance. As I said we have been given so much to help on our homeschool journey and we would like to pass it on to others.

So folks that is my weekend plan. Look for a goody giveaway next week.

Peace

.

$1 Back to School Buys @ Target

Pipe Cleaners and Pom Poms

Laminated World Map

Pocket Scheduler

Rewards Stamps

World Landmark Workbook and Flashcards

(Good for Lapbooking/Notebooking)

World Map (soon to be laminated)

Happy Shopping!