Weekly Wrap-Up - Cowboy Roundup

Trying to get back into a routine of some sort, and some stability here at the 'ranch'.So I want to return to joining in the Weekly Wrap-Up hostessed by Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers. This week has been our Cowboy Roundup, the end to our cowboy unit.

We have been using some wonderful free resources from the library. I also recorded many related shows and we watched them using the DVR. We also enjoyed free and low cost related field trips. All it took was computer research time. We have had a very well rounded Unit that has included History, Math, Science, Language Arts, Arts and Crafts, Picture Study, Composers, Music, Poetry, Life Skills, Physical Exercise, Library Skills and Spiritual Studies. We even learned some cowboy language! You really can give your children an age appropriate education for just pennies. If you are interested to know more, we plan to offer this unit for free in 2011. It is our goal to bring you several of these in the New Year.

Today we wrapped up the unit with All About Cowboys for Kids part One DVD. This series is available through Amazon and other resources, or like me, you may be able to find it at your local library. This series of DVD's may also be used as a main resource for planning your own unit. Here is a link for more information. You can find many helpful websites for planning such a unit. Be sure to see offerings from the Cowboy Hall of Fame. Write western states for free information and maps.

This coming week we will be visiting a Cowboy Camp at Kissimmee Sate Park. I wanted to go ahead and include it here with our Roundup notes. If you are planning a trip to central Florida you may want to add this low cost field trip to your itinerary. Click the above link for more information.

'Cowboy Up' means to get back on that horse and never give up!So Giddy-up, Cowboy up!

2010 Gratitude - Pretty in Pink

Well, I am having one blog defect after another today. If this posts ok, then we have something to be very thankful for, after several began to post after one word! I am scared to push the keys, but will try and carry on....



I am thankful today for "Pretty in Pink" moments. My daughter and I have a great relationship. We love to watch 'chick' flicks and old 80's movies together. Saturday afternoons have of late brought such moments. We sit going through mounds of papers, that have accumulated over the years, while having such a movie on. We gab and laugh over our antics and stories. We have fun with the fashions and decor, gathering ideas and laughing at the mistakes of yesteryear. We always are sure to have a drink and snack. Her brother always makes sure he is outside playing! I usually end up spilling some story from the past, like when her Mom and Dad were young college kids. Its odd to realize she is now as old as we were when we got engaged! These moments are good for the soul. Laughter truly is a good medicine. I am so glad that while she allows me to still be "mom" she has also embraced me as friend. She expands my knowledge of today's world while sharing my past. She challenges me. I for one, think that all of this is marvelous, and hope we have many more pink moments ahead!

TOS Review : Collectorz

Boxes and boxes are stacked, yet unpacked. The contents you ask? Like many Homeschools, books and books and books. We have inherited a treasure trove of printed books from my dad. He has been passing them on to my children. If such a treasure then why still packed? Because they mean so much, we are waiting for just the right book shelves, and we plan to organize them in a fashion much like a library. We value them greatly. We have actually already begun the project.

As a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew, we had the opportunity to review a service called "Collecteroz- Book Collector". It is downloadable software. Hello, what a blessing and what perfect timing! Collecteroz offers cataloging systems for books, Cd's, Dvd's, comics and video games. These systems are available to be used with Window's on your PC, or Mac OS X System or online. What a wonderful tool to use for getting organized in the new year! We crew members received the Book Collector Pro Version. You yourself can check this organizing system out by visiting the Collecteroz website and downloading a free trial for up to 100 books! While there check out all of their systems to find what will work best for your family. Browse your collection while offline. You can print your list in case you are an avid notebook organizer like me. (The famous 'Mom Notebook', a three ring binder that contains my lists, plans and well, life.)

With Collecteroz you are not only able to organize what you own but you have it available to you even when away from home. You can share your database. You can access the list from your iphone, say while at one of the Fall Used Book Sales. It also provides a detailed list of these important possessions for insurance purposes in such cases as a Hurricane here in our neck of the woods, a fire or other disaster. you can also track your wish list! The Holidays are coming after all. see the website for more details on this app.

The ladies in my church share books, passing them from person to person. Each reader signs their initials in the cover. With this software I can better keep track of these books. I have been known to receive several at once and lose track of them.
Yikes! I am sure the women are going to be grateful for me getting things organized.

Beyond my notebook, I also have a pink lesson plan notebook and a pink 'stick' that holds all my E-Books. Anyway, I am so excited that I will also be able to organize my E-Books with my 'Book Collector Pro Version'. By the way, yes, I love pink and I am not technical jargon savvy. I do totally want the cue-cat scanner offered by Collecteroz. This would be a valuable time savor. There are three ways to enter your information (author and title or ISBN number). You can type each in, which we found to be impossible. We have too many books and not enough time to devote to that. You can scan the ISBN number with the cue-cat mentioned before. The information is automatically downloaded. You are able to scan your hard drive and catalog these automatically. You can even open them. Lastly, you can purchase the OPN-2001 and scan.



AS mentioned there is also an online database. This central online book database allows you to access cover art and other information on your books. By typing in the author and title, or ISBN number you can access the following information:
*ISBN, Author and Title
*Publisher Date and Publication Date
*Format, Genres, Subjects, Nr of Pages and LoC Classification
*Cover Images
*Plot Summaries and a lot more

Ok, I think I have touched on everything that this wonderful organizational tool can offer you but I do urge you to check out their website to get a true and full account of all. By the way, I also noticed among other tool, a Music Organizer. I fell yet another to do project ahead as we are a very musical family. In fact, my Mother just informed me she has packed up her music library and will be handing that over! Help Collecteroz!



The Book Collector Standard Version costs $24.95, while the Book Collector Pro Version costs $49.95. The Pro Version has extra features for larger collections.
Visit Collecteroz now and lets get organized! To read how homeschools used this product visit the TOS Homeschool Website.

Gratitude Challenge - Nov 5

Today we celebrate the arrival of Fall in the tropical south! Yes, we thank you dear friends to the North for sending a 'low' our way to bless us with the joy of cooler temps. Seriously, the smell and feel of fall here is fantastic and a time when we can really appreciate God's beautiful Creation. The children have taken several walks today, and our son hung out with his friends. The dogs would sit with their heads into the sky, letting the cool breeze hit their faces. It was so cute! They got to walk too. We hope to enjoy the cooler temps this weekend by visiting some of the local Nature preserves. What a blessing!

** Be sure and visit here for more great thankfulness stories**

Gratitude Challenge -Nov 4

Today we are going to change things up a bit. I am thankful for both of my dogs today. I want to share today about "Domino" who has been with us for over a year. Domino was born in April 2009 and came to us in August 2009. A friend had nursed her while a newborn and was needing a good home for her. I was so touched by Domino's story that I found myself begging my husband to take in this puppy. "It would be good for our son", I said. Little did I know she would become my shadow and lap companion.

She was the runt, and basically was abandoned by her dog family. Many of her siblings became sick and passed on. She fought and along with my friends care and love, she survived. Her spunky spirit helped her to strengthen. My husband and son went to pick her up. In they walk with this cute little spotted puppy. She immediately came to me and stole my heart.



She also has tried my patience, made me scream and made me cry. This dog has been a little slower than the other in learning the pulse of our family, following the rules, and learning who is the master. So many times we wandered if we just were not the family for her. My heart was breaking over the tension, and my feelings of failure over helping this creature. She is loud, awkward, and was very hyper. She and our old dog were not too keen on each other. Oh, what was I going to do?

At the end of the rope, I prayed. Slowly, things have been improving. We are seeing great progress. We still have things to learn. I love how she is often on my lap listening into the lessons being taught, or joining in on a conversation. She has brought us much joy, love and laughter at her antics. She doesn't give up on us and we don't her.

Today, I paused and thought about the lessons this beautiful creature has taught me. She has taught me again, to not give up on any living creature. She has taught me about acceptance and unconditional love. She has grown my patience. She has taught me to go beyond my expectations and ideal vision of a living being. She has expanded my "teaching" skills. She has taught me forgiveness and to keep my cool. I could go on and on....

She greets us with great enthusiasm every morning and upon every return. She shows her thankfulness many times daily. She is affectionate and gives fabulous hugs. She loves to be right in the thick of everything, every moment. I am loving the journey!

Thanks for coming into our life Domino and for all you have taught us! We are your forever family, and we are thankful to have been chosen to be so.



**Visit here at "My Homeschool Garden" for more Thankfulness Stories**

Gratitude Challenge - Nov 3

Today as part of our Gratitude Challenge I wanted to share my thankfulness for God's love. "God is love." (I John 4:8)

Love is so complicated. It so often in life seems fleeting, is hurtful and is darn hard work. The love I am talking about transcends all of that and brings us healing and hope in ways words cannot describe. If we citizens of the world could learn to love as Christ has loved us, imagine what could be accomplished! Imagine the many pains and hardships, the trials that could be erased! We have a long way to go towards that, don't we? So how can we even begin towards moving a love such as this into our own relationships and daily existence? Well, let's first try and understand how He loves us. Let's look at this amazing love.

Amazing love,
How can it be
That You, my King, should die for me?
Amazing love,
I know it’s true.
It’s my joy to honor You,
In all I do, I honor You.
Lyrics by Chris Tomlin

Ephesians 1:4 "Long before he laid down the earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love."
( the Message)

Can we even begin to grasp that we are the focus of His love? WOW! That sends shivers down my weary spine! I think I how I feel when I can tell my husband is totally focused on me and my needs. I think about how I try so hard to focus all my love upon him in return and on my children, in model of my Father's love for me. To pause, and think that the Creator of all the tapestry of time and everything, had me in His thoughts and minds eye before the world even began? This, blows my mind. Why do we not live more abundantly and more free? Why do we not allow this to fuel us?
Why do we not allow Him to give us this peace? He, with all he has to do, is focused - focused on you! He knows your heart, your name, your every thought, your every breath. He knows your past, present and future. Yet still, you are His focus and the love of His life! WOW!

Romans 12:3 tells exactly how we need to be measuring ourselves and looking at ourselves, instead of through the eyes of others:

"The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us."

You are so important to Him, that He died for YOU! Not only that, but he rose again and is preparing an eternal paradise for you and all His children. He is with you now and waiting to hold you, to love you fully and unconditionally. He is waiting to free you and deliver you! He is waiting to be the same focus of our affection as we are His! Will you let Him in today? This post is just as much for me as it is you. I too need to remember that he has already won the victory and that I am so in His grip! I can breathe freely tonight, despite the chains that try to bind me. You can too! We are loved abundantly and He is waiting to do amazing things in and through us. We do not have to love in fear and chaos. Embrace Him today!


*All you need to do is confess the Lord Jesus as your Savior. Tell Him you realize you have sinned and are so in need of His love and forgiveness. Invite Him to indwell within you (invite Him into your heart). Thank Him for his love and forgiveness. Ask Him to help you and to set you free. You can talk to him just like you do your closest friend. He is listening. If you pray this prayer tonight, be sure you tell someone. Find a local church and get into the word of God, these will prove to be very helpful tools in the days ahead. God bless you!*

Gratitude Challenge 2010 - Nov 2

"There Is Hope", I am always saying it, writing it. Throughout my life I have been challenged over and over again to believe it. This past year, I have had to abandon completely to those words. The challenges and the days, have been oxygen sucking, life rocking moments. You know those days when you feel like you are the very foundations that you stand on are being moved, shaken and reformed? That has been our year and I am betting in many of your lives as well.

In these moments I have sometimes wanted to scream and could not. Other moments, like when I awake to a new day, I am happy for the lessons learned and the way I see myself growing as a woman of God, as a wife, as a Mother, as a daughter, a sister , a friend, and so on....
I am seeing myself, the good, the bad and ugly unlike ever before. Even better, I am seeing Him, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, unlike ever before. For that, I am truly grateful. I am holding on with faith and am so thankful that he promises to complete the purpose He has for us (see Psalm 138:8) I am so thankful to be a part of this thing we call life and even more to be a part of the eternal tapestry! Keep the faith friends. Keep the Hope! He is busy working it all out. May we not forget that!

"It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything."
(Ephesians 1:11 The Message)

**Visit My Homeschool Garden for more inspirational gratitude stories**

2010 Gratitude Challenge

I am so thankful to be taking part in this Challenge! My hope is that by participating I will have an attitude of gratitude despite any storms that may blow. In fact, with the right attitude and focus in the right place, I might just spot a rainbow! Visit me daily as I share my thankfulness. I hope you will comment and share with me your own blessings. For more inspiration visit "My Homeschool Garden" and other participants in the 2010 Gratitude Challenge.

TOS Student Planner Review

"Mom when was I to turn in that project?"
"Mom, what chores do I need to do?"
"Mom, when is that youth party?"
"M....O....M"

Ok, Ok you get the idea. Sound like the Middle School student in your home? No matter where your child gets his/her education you can benefit from today's review. I do not know a parent or student who does not need a little more help getting organized. The Old Schoolhouse has taken their award winning planner and created student planners for each stage of the educational journey. But this is not your calendar, address book, and note pages Wal-Mart special. No, you get way more benefits and helps with a purchase of a TOS Student Planner.

One extra plus: You can use this tool to teach your child how to balance their life and stay organized! Important Life Skills indeed.....

Organizational Tools at their fingertips:
*Manage School Assignments
*Set Goals
*Organize and Plan Schedules

Lessons can Be learned:
*Daily Living responsibilities
*Time Management
*Organizational Skills
*Goal Setting
*Tracking
*Planning Skills
*Scheduling

The Middle School Planner is for Grades seventh and eighth. It is the planner we had the opportunity to review. Age-appropriate planners are available.

* Primary Planner—grades K–3
* Secondary School Planner—grades 4–6
* Middle School Planner—grades 7–8
* High School Planner—grades 9–12

The list of forms is extensive. You and your student choose what you want to include in your planner. The forms offer personalization by being able to type your information right in before printing. You can just leave the planner on the computer or print for a hard-copy. If you do print, add each to a three ring binder for a personalized planner just for your student! Let them make a creative and unique cover. We love being able to personalize in this way.



Some of the forms included:
* Chore charts (includes tasks and pictures for primary and secondary grades)
* Loaned and borrowed lists (no more lost books, CDs, DVDs . . .)
* Important phone numbers and contacts (never forget a phone number again)
* Address book (from A–Z)
* Family tree
* Community service record (college and scholarship applications may require this information)
* To-do lists (today, tomorrow, next week . . .)
* Audio/Visual log
* Log sheet
* Marking period planners
* Wish list (stuff to buy later)
* Science lab sheets (use to gather all the supplies and record the experiment too)
* General book reports
* Dates to remember (birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, important events)
* Website login/password reference (handy!)
and more.....

In addition , I share these as they are shared on The TOS Store Website:

*Schedule with monthly and yearly calendars; assignment and due date sheets; or daily, weekly, and quarterly sheets.

*Set daily, weekly, monthly, semester, or yearly goals.

*Build high school transcripts and track hours—start now to make transcript creation easy.

*Evaluate progress and document curriculum, educational objectives, course of study, test scores, yearly grades, or a 12-year plan.

*Capture memories of the first and last days of school with a Beginning/Ending School Year Page.

*Record extracurricular activities, music lessons, field trips, memory work, books read, or crafts completed.

*Create daily journals or nature journals. Fun journal pages for primary and secondary children include lines to practice handwriting and draw a picture.

*Document spiritual milestones with prayer journal sheets, Bible study notes, Bible reading highlights, or discipleship recording sheets. Even add a Bible reading plan to read from Genesis to Revelation or chronologically.

*Track library materials and due dates—no more fines.

Even beyond all this amazing content your child not only can create a one-of-a-kind planner, but age-appropriate articles and reference sheets will also make the planners a handy reference tool. Because this is digital and you choose what to print, you can use these tools for more than one child. "How-to Guides" are included for easy reference. These include such items as letter writing tips and handwriting guides. Several "Must-Know Lists" are also included. These can make a wonderful easy reference guide for many years to come. Some of the titles include, "The Thirteen Colonies", "Timelines", "Kitchen Measurements and Conversions" and more! Make organizing fun, order your child a student planner today!

Lastly, feeling left out? You also get a "Parent Pack" with your purchase. This downloadable file includes timely, informative homeschooling articles with grade-specific ideas and tips. You can also purchase yourself a TOS Homeschool Planner, and age-appropriate ones for each family member. I even am making one for my husband.

Saddle up, your in for your best organized year yet. Let 2011 be the year that you harness those schedules and help your family learn the planning skills they need now and as they grow.

Order a unique and flexible student planner today! Visit here for more information and to make that purchase. Various bundles and options available from $11.94 and up.




**Skills to prepare them for future education,community,family, life and jobs.**
**An Organized and Professional Appearing System**
**Be Productive!**

* Disclaimer: I received the TOS Middle School Student Planner for free,
in return for my review*