Wordy Wednesday 8

UBIQUITOUS: existing or being everywhere, or in all places, at the same time. Let me give you an example (from Dictionary.com). “Before Tarzan, nobody understood just how big, how ubiquitous, how marketable a star could be.” John Taliaferro, Tarzan Forever
Here’s one from real life…. In my house, whining about school is, unfortunately, a ubiquitous problem.

What is ubiquitous in your life?

Snow Day

Homeschoolers don’t have snow days! Why do schools cancel? So parents don’t have to drive their darlings through the snow – OR- (more likely this time) so the school doesn’t get stuck with the kids over the weekend!!!

So why would a homeschooler have a snow day? We don’t have to drive to school!!  I have no problem giving them  a lighter day so they can get out in the snow. However, my children seem to think that it’s their RIGHT to get a snow day because everyone else does. That could explain their cruddy attitude this morning. But wouldn’t you think, that knowing that they can go out and play with friends when their work is done, they would hustle??

Whining is not hustling! GRRRRR!

Emotional Eating? Me?

My friend Julie posted very transparently about her struggle with food and emotional eating. As I was reading her blog post, I was scarfing down Dove Dark Chocolate with Almonds (drooling just typing those words). Julie’s post made me stop and think about why I was eating them….Not because I’m hungry – as a matter of fact, I’m full! Problem is, I’m sitting here in front of my computer, unshowered, stressing because our school schedule has been virtually non-existent for the last few weeks. But the chocolate in the drawer right next to the computer (gotta move that!) was calling my name LOUDLY! And it made me ‘feel’ better – until I read Julie’s blog.

So what is my solution to my schedule dilemma? They say that it takes 21 days to establish a habit. So, for the next 4 weeks I will post my starting and ending time for school. (OUCH!!) That will be some good accountability for me to get back into a good routine.

As far as the food…. In the past, a friend and I would share our daily food intake log with each other . That was very effective. Who wants to write down that you ate 4 bowls of chili – not because you were hungry, but because it tasted so good?? Or that you ate a piece of pound cake at 8:00 at night because it looked so good. Or that you got up in the middle of the night to eat something that you’ve been craving but you don’t want your family to see you eating. So, for some accountability, I have registered with MyFitnessPal.com. My pounds lost will show up in the sidebar – and I will be sharing my log with a friend. But, I will be starting tomorrow – no way am I posting how many pieces of chocolate I had today!

Now that I’ve sobered you up at the thought of watching what you eat, I thought I would share with you a man’s take on dieting!

Books for homeschool or NOT!

After I wrote about the two books earlier, I started thinking about books that I often recommend to people. The following book is not just wonderful for homeschoolers, but for anyone who wants to help their child do better in school. The author is Peggy Kaye, and the book is Games for Learning. She has three other books as well- Games for Math, Games for Reading, and Games for Writing. As in my last book post, if you only get one, get Games for Learning because it covers a little bit of everything.

Book Recommendation

I purchased a book the other day called Kids’ Questions About Sin and Salvation by Cheryl Fawcett and Robert C. Newman. (Publisher: Regular Baptist Press- around $7.00) The book contains stories about a typical family with each chapter/story pertaining to a theological question that a child might ask. Chapters include: Was Jesus Bad? How does Jesus help me? I sinned again; Now what? Each chapter concludes with questions to ask your child and verses to memorize. I have been able to refer to specific characters and situations in the stories as I’ve dealt with my children about their sin.

I also recently purchased The Baptist Family Catechism: For instruction in Biblical and Theological Knowledge by Dr. Jerry Priest There are 52 questions and answers with scripture references and suggested hymns.

Homeschool Humor

Lord willing, we’re going to get back to our (unorthodox) homeschool schedule tomorrow. The situation with my FIL is still up in the air. I’ll update you as I know more.

I want to thank Mike Garner for this bit of homeschool humor!!! Trust me – this is not how it is at our house:) The neighbors may think we’re weird – but we don’t fit this stereotype!!!!