I also found a program through Picasa to make collages and thought I would play.
Monday, March 31, 2008
More Spring Break pictures
I also found a program through Picasa to make collages and thought I would play.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Political Advertisement
Let me warn you right off the bat: This post has nothing to do with Homeschooling, church, God, Dancing with the Stars, although I was right about who would be kicked off. Next, better be that Adam dude.
This post has to do with the communities interest in the area school board election. Just because I teach my child at home doesn't mean that I should bury my head in the sand and not involve myself in local elections. I grew up here, worked for the district and loved every minute of it. I love the people and it hurts my heart to see what is going on.
Recently, some things going on at MISD have not been in the best interest of the staff. Good people have been treated badly, teachers rearranged to benefit certain students, jobs disappear then reappear the next week. People called into the principals office for a letter written to a newspaper, Sound fishy??
This school district needs to have a school board that will hold the administration accountable. It will all start with the election in May.
I think we as a community had better wake up and look around us to see what is actually happening here. Traditions and Dedication is being taken away from us, one chip at a time. By Whom? Why? and Why are we allowing this to continue? This is Our School District. Our Community. Have we as a community lost our small town principles, values and morals for national ranking and state recognition?
Change only begins with the school board. Lets face it…nothing happens in “the land of the panther” without making other changes also.
People are scared for their jobs. It is so sad to see and hear of the disrespect that is happening to our Faculty and to many of our Students.
This school board election should be about who is the best candidate for the good of our school district: our children, our teachers, our staff, our administration, and the parents.
So many times voters say that they voted for the candidate who phoned them, or they voted for the candidate whose name they saw most often on the campaign signs, or they voted for the candidate who had the most "important" sounding credentials. Hopefully, none of us do that without knowing the candidate's position on the issues of the school district.
On April 22 at 7pm at the Fire Station there will be a School Board Candidate Forum. Please inform yourself. There are three new candidates who are vying for positions on the school board: Tyson Johnson, Todd Grimes, Jeff Gaddis. All are hometown guys. Each live here and are raising their children here. Each, in my opinion, would hold the administration accountable and to a higher standard.
Let's not settle for the "status quo" any longer!
Change and Hope, Hope and Change...
This post has to do with the communities interest in the area school board election. Just because I teach my child at home doesn't mean that I should bury my head in the sand and not involve myself in local elections. I grew up here, worked for the district and loved every minute of it. I love the people and it hurts my heart to see what is going on.
Recently, some things going on at MISD have not been in the best interest of the staff. Good people have been treated badly, teachers rearranged to benefit certain students, jobs disappear then reappear the next week. People called into the principals office for a letter written to a newspaper, Sound fishy??
This school district needs to have a school board that will hold the administration accountable. It will all start with the election in May.
I think we as a community had better wake up and look around us to see what is actually happening here. Traditions and Dedication is being taken away from us, one chip at a time. By Whom? Why? and Why are we allowing this to continue? This is Our School District. Our Community. Have we as a community lost our small town principles, values and morals for national ranking and state recognition?
Change only begins with the school board. Lets face it…nothing happens in “the land of the panther” without making other changes also.
People are scared for their jobs. It is so sad to see and hear of the disrespect that is happening to our Faculty and to many of our Students.
This school board election should be about who is the best candidate for the good of our school district: our children, our teachers, our staff, our administration, and the parents.
So many times voters say that they voted for the candidate who phoned them, or they voted for the candidate whose name they saw most often on the campaign signs, or they voted for the candidate who had the most "important" sounding credentials. Hopefully, none of us do that without knowing the candidate's position on the issues of the school district.
On April 22 at 7pm at the Fire Station there will be a School Board Candidate Forum. Please inform yourself. There are three new candidates who are vying for positions on the school board: Tyson Johnson, Todd Grimes, Jeff Gaddis. All are hometown guys. Each live here and are raising their children here. Each, in my opinion, would hold the administration accountable and to a higher standard.
Let's not settle for the "status quo" any longer!
Change and Hope, Hope and Change...
Monday, March 24, 2008
Spring Break
It's so fun to go to places that you haven't been to, but it's so very nice to come back home!
This is Lyndon B. Johnson's ranch in Stonewall, Texas. Right now you can't go into the house but you can take a bus tour around the ranch. LBJ rebuilt his childhood home there. The land is beautiful and it's still a working ranch. He also had a landing strip built on the land. Airforce One landed there once, the landing was fine but take off was another story. According to the tour guide, Airforce One never attempted that landing again. The guide we had was also a historian. We enjoyed this part of our trip. I thought at the end of the tour we were all going to have to stand up and sing "Glory, Hallelujah". You could definitely tell what party the tour guide would be voting for in the election.
Here is the Texas State Capital. The grounds are beautiful! And of course, we HAD to take many pictures.
This photo is taken from the newly renovated part of the capital. It's underground but the sky light makes it not feel underground. Does that make sense? anyway...
I'm probably the only one who thinks this was cool. The hinges in the capital look like this.
We took the tour of the Capital and went into both the House and Senate Chambers. If you look closely at the lights they spell TEXAS.
I was really surprised to see this and couldn't pass up the opportunity to get a shot of The Ten Commandments.
This is one of the many monument/memorials on the Capital grounds. This one is dedicated to Education. The one in the pink is Amanda. LOL!!!
This is Lyndon B. Johnson's ranch in Stonewall, Texas. Right now you can't go into the house but you can take a bus tour around the ranch. LBJ rebuilt his childhood home there. The land is beautiful and it's still a working ranch. He also had a landing strip built on the land. Airforce One landed there once, the landing was fine but take off was another story. According to the tour guide, Airforce One never attempted that landing again. The guide we had was also a historian. We enjoyed this part of our trip. I thought at the end of the tour we were all going to have to stand up and sing "Glory, Hallelujah". You could definitely tell what party the tour guide would be voting for in the election.
Here is the Texas State Capital. The grounds are beautiful! And of course, we HAD to take many pictures.
This photo is taken from the newly renovated part of the capital. It's underground but the sky light makes it not feel underground. Does that make sense? anyway...
I'm probably the only one who thinks this was cool. The hinges in the capital look like this.
We took the tour of the Capital and went into both the House and Senate Chambers. If you look closely at the lights they spell TEXAS.
I was really surprised to see this and couldn't pass up the opportunity to get a shot of The Ten Commandments.Thanks for all the prayers while we were gone. We had a wonderful time. Now it's back to normal, well maybe not normal but back to out routine and gardening!!
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
DWTS It's Ladies Night!!
Our time in the Hill Country has been good! We made it through the Longhorn Cavern and LBJ's Ranch. Pictures and stories will be posted later. Now onto more important stuff!!!
Shannon Elizabeth. She's a Texas girl, she was alright but nothing WOWed me.
Kristie Yamaguchi. She was GREAT!!! And yes, my votes went to her.
Marissa Jaret Winokur. I don't know who she is but I wish I had this much excitement about things!! WOW!!!
Marlee Matlin. MAN!! She did a wonderful job! Remember, she can't hear a thing yet she was right on with her partner. We were totally cheering her on!!!
Monica Seles. Bless her heart. You could tell that she was totally out of her comfort zone. I believe she will be the first woman to go home.
Priscilla Presley. We were BLOWN AWAY with her performance! I hope when I'm 62 I can get my leg up that high. AHHH, forget it, I can't get my leg up that high now!!
Shannon Elizabeth. She's a Texas girl, she was alright but nothing WOWed me.
Kristie Yamaguchi. She was GREAT!!! And yes, my votes went to her.
Marissa Jaret Winokur. I don't know who she is but I wish I had this much excitement about things!! WOW!!!
Marlee Matlin. MAN!! She did a wonderful job! Remember, she can't hear a thing yet she was right on with her partner. We were totally cheering her on!!!
Monica Seles. Bless her heart. You could tell that she was totally out of her comfort zone. I believe she will be the first woman to go home.
Priscilla Presley. We were BLOWN AWAY with her performance! I hope when I'm 62 I can get my leg up that high. AHHH, forget it, I can't get my leg up that high now!!My choices for this season are Kristie Yamaguchi and Jason Taylor.
Please keep us in your prayers as we head to Austin! It makes my stomach churn just thinking about driving there. I think I have a phobia about driving in big cities. The way I look at it is...I'm the only sane person driving among insane people. It completely terrifies me!!!!
My husband would totally disagree with me on the driving subject. That's why I usually try to sleep when we take off on a trip.
See you all Thursday!!
Monday, March 17, 2008
DWTS Men's night
Hello from Hill Country!! As I sit here blogging about Dancing with the Stars, we are under a tornado watch. Most of you know that I am a chicken!!! Therefore, I will be up most of the night expecting to hide in the tub!
The Texas Hill country is beautiful! Mom and I are trying to figure out how to get a whole bunch of rocks back home with us. Only problem is Mike's car has a big trunk, but not that big!
I want those of you that know that I don't drive long distances...I drove to Burnet. Praise God, He watched over us all the way down. Now if he'll get us on into Austin!!!
I did think I was going to throw up, but we made it!! Give God the Glory!!!
Anyway....
Here's what I think, I know you are all anxiously awaiting my thoughts!!! LOL!!!
Adam Carolla. He's either the first or second man gone! I don't know what else to say except, WOW.
Steve Guttenberg. He was pretty good. I enjoyed watching him dance. He made it look fun!!
Cristian de la Fuente. Just because you are latino doesn't necessarily mean you can dance. Cuteness doesn't have anything to do with DANCING!!!
This is Mario. The only Mario I have ever heard of was Mario and his brother Luigi. They were in a game where you jumped over turtles and collected coins. But this dude was good.
Jason Taylor. There's just something about athletes!! He was good!! I voted for him!!!
Penn Jillette. He scares me. I was reminded of Big Foot. He's in the running to be gone first or second. Bye Bye!!
Ok, so there you have it. My "professional" opinion on DWTS! Now I guess I'll get off here, watch the weather and listen to Mom snore! She must have forgotten to take her sinus medicine.
The Texas Hill country is beautiful! Mom and I are trying to figure out how to get a whole bunch of rocks back home with us. Only problem is Mike's car has a big trunk, but not that big!
I want those of you that know that I don't drive long distances...I drove to Burnet. Praise God, He watched over us all the way down. Now if he'll get us on into Austin!!!
I did think I was going to throw up, but we made it!! Give God the Glory!!!
Anyway....
Here's what I think, I know you are all anxiously awaiting my thoughts!!! LOL!!!
Adam Carolla. He's either the first or second man gone! I don't know what else to say except, WOW.
Steve Guttenberg. He was pretty good. I enjoyed watching him dance. He made it look fun!!
Cristian de la Fuente. Just because you are latino doesn't necessarily mean you can dance. Cuteness doesn't have anything to do with DANCING!!!
This is Mario. The only Mario I have ever heard of was Mario and his brother Luigi. They were in a game where you jumped over turtles and collected coins. But this dude was good.
Jason Taylor. There's just something about athletes!! He was good!! I voted for him!!!
Penn Jillette. He scares me. I was reminded of Big Foot. He's in the running to be gone first or second. Bye Bye!!Ok, so there you have it. My "professional" opinion on DWTS! Now I guess I'll get off here, watch the weather and listen to Mom snore! She must have forgotten to take her sinus medicine.
By the way, has anyone noticed that the blogger bar up at the top of your blog is in spanish??? Why is mine in spanish??? And when it automatically saves, it's in spanish???
I'm still in Texas, aren't I???
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Compare & Contrast
Two years ago I prayed about Homeschooling Amanda. God has shown me that this is my mission field and this is what I need to be doing for Him. BUT...
Today in English, Amanda had to write a compare & contrasting paper. You know, using a Vien Diagram, rough draft, revising and final copy. In the paper she needed an introduction, comparing paragraph, contrasting paragraphs and her conclusion.
I would have rather had a root canal performed on me at that time. The thought of the needle entering my gum to numb the pain would have been much more pleasant! Because my child HATES to write. How do you get a 10 year old to write in detail??
Now, she can tell me about Hanna Montana in detail. She also knew the details of the story about Mary and Martha when Jesus came to visit. How Mary was the one who washed His feet with oil, Martha doing all that work...
And hard headed!!! That can only come from her father's side. If I say black, she says white.
I don't know how to get her to put it in writing and to enjoy it. I don't mind writing, not that I'm any good at it, as you can see from my post. But for me it's a way of getting things off my mind and express myself. Because I tend to be, for lack of a better word...blunt.
I ran across this quote from Charles Spurgeon: "You are as much serving God in looking after your own children, and training them up in God's fear, and minding the house, and making your household a church for God, as you would be if you had been called to lead an army to battle for the Lord of hosts."
After today's English lesson, I think I might need to look for another mission field or that army to lead to battle for the Lord.
I'm so glad that we will be taking next week off! Maybe that's what we need, a break. So we can come back and start anew.
Oh, who am I kidding!! At least that sounded pretty good.
Today in English, Amanda had to write a compare & contrasting paper. You know, using a Vien Diagram, rough draft, revising and final copy. In the paper she needed an introduction, comparing paragraph, contrasting paragraphs and her conclusion.
I would have rather had a root canal performed on me at that time. The thought of the needle entering my gum to numb the pain would have been much more pleasant! Because my child HATES to write. How do you get a 10 year old to write in detail??
Now, she can tell me about Hanna Montana in detail. She also knew the details of the story about Mary and Martha when Jesus came to visit. How Mary was the one who washed His feet with oil, Martha doing all that work...
And hard headed!!! That can only come from her father's side. If I say black, she says white.
I don't know how to get her to put it in writing and to enjoy it. I don't mind writing, not that I'm any good at it, as you can see from my post. But for me it's a way of getting things off my mind and express myself. Because I tend to be, for lack of a better word...blunt.
I ran across this quote from Charles Spurgeon: "You are as much serving God in looking after your own children, and training them up in God's fear, and minding the house, and making your household a church for God, as you would be if you had been called to lead an army to battle for the Lord of hosts."
After today's English lesson, I think I might need to look for another mission field or that army to lead to battle for the Lord.
I'm so glad that we will be taking next week off! Maybe that's what we need, a break. So we can come back and start anew.
Oh, who am I kidding!! At least that sounded pretty good.
Friday, March 07, 2008
Early to Rise, Early to Play
At Cooper Academy, we usually sleep in a bit on Fridays. Since we only do History or Science depending on the semester and a Spelling test.
Today we were awakened early to play...in the snow.
Look at the size of the flakes, Amanda and the dog both went crazy!
This picture was taken before coffee or waffles.
BEFORE COFFEE!!!!
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Cookie thief
I want everyone to know that I am ONLY doing this under duress.
My morning started off pretty well. I had my quiet time, woke Amanda up for breakfast then jotted downtown to vote.
We began school around 9:15-9:30am after reviewing my lesson plans.
We took a break, oh around 2:00pm. I thought to myself...OH, my two girl scout cookies that I have allotted myself. The cookies in which God blessed me with. The cookies that God granted me the $3.50 to purchase.
As I soon discovered, THEY WERE NOWHERE TO BE FOUND. I searched my little kitchen cupboards and cabinets. I even looked in the trash can!
After speaking to my husband through the wonderful service of Instant Messenger, I receive an email with an attached picture of MY COOKIES being held HOSTAGE. The nerve of some people!!
Attached was this picture along with demands from the cookie snatcher. As per his demands I am regrettably complying:
Okay here is the deal, I have the cookies!!! If you follow the demands no harm will come to your beloved cookies. As you can see from the picture care has been taken during our travels to ensure no harm is done. I got a little worried when I read your blog yesterday and I want you to know I am only doing this because I love you and don't want you to be blind to the truth. The demands are as follows.
1. Post this on your blog for all to see that you are loved 2. The Bible says not have any other god's, I hope you pray through this and make sure God is truly who you love and not these cookies.
3. Realize these are not innocent little cookies. These are actually demons from hell packing huge amounts of calories, saturated fats and trans fats. Their whole purpose is to deceive you and tempt you, to defile the temple of God and derail all you have accomplished through low fat/low cal healthy eating.
Love you,
The Remnant
Ok, I have met your demands...now I WANT MY COOKIES!!!!!
Monday, March 03, 2008
temptation and ramblings
Ok, I know Leslie has already blogged about this, but I thought I would add pictures! Oh, MY!!
Look at that sweet picture on that box. Now how can you say no to that??? And look at those delicious, round, sweet morsels wrapped so prettily and secure.
Oh, those scrumptious, little bites of chocolate, carmel and coconut!! To a woman who has eaten LOW FAT items for over a month now, these things are heaven!!!
And I am supporting a good cause! These "sweet angels" are setting up at Walmart, bringing the tempting items to church and looking all pitiful if you don't buy them. I can not disappoint them, that just isn't my nature...
If you will look, there are only TWO missing and I bought them yesterday around 7:00pm. Only TWO are gone!!
Look at that sweet picture on that box. Now how can you say no to that??? And look at those delicious, round, sweet morsels wrapped so prettily and secure.
Oh, those scrumptious, little bites of chocolate, carmel and coconut!! To a woman who has eaten LOW FAT items for over a month now, these things are heaven!!!
And I am supporting a good cause! These "sweet angels" are setting up at Walmart, bringing the tempting items to church and looking all pitiful if you don't buy them. I can not disappoint them, that just isn't my nature...If you will look, there are only TWO missing and I bought them yesterday around 7:00pm. Only TWO are gone!!
I could eat two a day for six days and have one left over for the seventh day OR I could eat three today and even it all up. WOW!! Decisions, decisions...guess I will be using that new "exercise" bike now.
I read Here that there is a return of BIG 80's permed hair!!! Oh joy!!! I will finally fit in again!!!! OH, OH...Van Halen will be playing at the American Airline Center tonight, can you believe that??? Is that just not the funnest????!!!
We have a praise and worship band at church. They are really awesome! The band consist of 3 men and 4 women. They are all very talented people. Not to mention the drummer is really cute!!! But somehow I am going to video them while they are practicing and make money off of it!!! It is so funny to sit there and watch them practice!
During the middle of a song you might hear a couple of Steve Miller chords or even Johnny Cash. The harmony among the women is beautiful. The bass player is someone who you would NEVER imagine acting "goofy". He strikes me as so serious and solemn but at practice he lets loose and cracks you up!!! Somehow, I'm going to get this on tape!!!!
And did I mention the drummer is really very cute???
Saturday, March 01, 2008
Homeschool changes and scares
As a homeschool mom, I am constantly looking for ways to enhance our school and make things interesting and exciting for our daughter.
A lady I met through a homeschool group is very knowledgeable in that she has been doing this for many years so I decided to pick her brain about science and history.
We use all of the Bob Jones curriculum, don't get me wrong, I love using it! But I feel as though history and science should be something hands on and fun! Anyway...
Our resident "homeschool expert" has shown me Apologia Science and Beautiful Feet Books.
I am so looking forward to implementing this next year. Much to Amanda's delight, we will continue to do math and reading throughout the summer. I really liked how the "homeschool expert" conducts their homeschool schedule. They go for 39 weeks total, but they may take off 2 weeks here and there. By September, they are starting a new 39 weeks.
While surfing the Internet today I found this article: World Net Daily
Kind of makes you wonder how much longer we will be able to homeschool our children.
A lady I met through a homeschool group is very knowledgeable in that she has been doing this for many years so I decided to pick her brain about science and history.
We use all of the Bob Jones curriculum, don't get me wrong, I love using it! But I feel as though history and science should be something hands on and fun! Anyway...
Our resident "homeschool expert" has shown me Apologia Science and Beautiful Feet Books.
I am so looking forward to implementing this next year. Much to Amanda's delight, we will continue to do math and reading throughout the summer. I really liked how the "homeschool expert" conducts their homeschool schedule. They go for 39 weeks total, but they may take off 2 weeks here and there. By September, they are starting a new 39 weeks.
While surfing the Internet today I found this article: World Net Daily
Kind of makes you wonder how much longer we will be able to homeschool our children.
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