Aiming for Simplicity: August 2008

Sunday, August 31, 2008

Blogging and New Techniques

Wow! There are blog templates and designs! I love some of the ones from this website -- and she has information on how to change this blog. I'm going to do that next time I've got some minutes...

http://www.simplyfabulousbloggertemplates.com/

And here's a "Blog Tutorial" -- worth reading before doing something with Diane:

http://www.photoshopsupport.com/tutorials/jennifer/blog-templates.html

Colors of the Season

I need new life in my colors, house and the season if I'm going to have enough energy to keep up to a 2 yo. I think I might like to try for the colors of Peru... check out these colors:

http://www.bill.lockharts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/img_0581blog.jpg

And then I found some cool decorating blogs -- who knew that people had enough time, vision, organization and motivation to actually collect things, spray paint them beautiful and organize them??????

http://joysofhome.blogspot.com/search/label/Projects

She has links to all sorts of other decorating blogs. Maybe my next direction in life? Can one declutter and decorate with a 2 yo? Will there be a season in my life when it has higher priority?

Saturday, August 30, 2008

"Homeschool and Loving It"

Book for homeschooling (either ebook or regular -- only difference in price is for shipping) -- table of contents looks like a helpful format to recommend to people.

http://www.homeschool.com/HLI/default.asp

Reusablebags.com

A website with a lot of types of bags, non-plastic cups, etc. Worth reading a bit more of the articles, etc.

http://www.reusablebags.com/

Highschool transcript example

A blog which includes a nice homeschool transcript and description of course outlines that were supplied to colleges for applications.

http://getinhangon.homeschooljournal.net/boys-college-search/

Computers, technology, kids

An article from 2000 about an Indian physicist who made available computers with no directions or anything to kids on the streets of India and what happened.

http://www.greenstar.org/butterflies/Hole-in-the-Wall.htm

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Getting Started in Web Design Etc.

A very good set of articles about hosting, domain names, creating a website, etc.

http://www.thesitewizard.com/gettingstarted/index.shtml

Tutorials on Designing and Publishing Your First Website

Choosing and Getting a Domain Name

Getting a Web Host

Tutorials on Earning from Your Website

Dreamweaver Tutorials

Nvu, KompoZer and Mozilla Composer Tutorials

WordPress and Drupal Tutorials

Resources Needed by Webmasters

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Free Audio Books

Free audio books to download
http://librivox.org/

Vision Therapy/Right Brain websites

GREAT list of questions to screen for vision therapy (also an adult one)
http://www.cookvisiontherapy.com/childrens_screening.html

http://www.diannecraft.com/
(check out her articles -- one on different types of dyslexia)

http://www.visualspatial.org/udb.htm
(author is the Upside Down Learner)

http://www.arty4ever.com/right/brain.htm
Right brained state/capital cards

Right-brained Children in a Left-Brained World: Unlocking the Potential of Your ADD Child by Jeffrey Freed and Laurie Parsons.
(This is not ADD -- it's right brained-focus...)

http://www.giftedchildren.org.nz/national/article4.php

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Personality Part 2

OK -- I think I've solved lots of the challenges of the last couple years.... too much focus on T traits, not enough grace and forgiveness given to the needs of my F. Reading several forums, I do think the INFJ fits a lot better and it explains the problems I've had letting go of all the challenges the past few years. I went to an INTJ forum and it just didn't fit -- felt very hard and unfeeling to me. The INFJ fits better, though it may be more of a challenge when I think about the negatives of the personality!

A great overall website for INFJ:
http://www.infj.org/index.html

Another description in a blog:
http://bahava.wordpress.com/2008/05/03/infj-the-sage/

Lots of great forum topics here:
http://infjs.com/viewforum.php?f=63&sid=b0ee6b748c6bf3cebb06dc128f3b620e

Learning styles associated with INFJ:
http://www.careerfulfillment.com/learning_styles/lrn_3infj.htm

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Photos from BC Part 2

Photos from BC Part 1

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

And Speaking of Personality...

Found a MBTI analysis I did when I was 19 and in my first year of college. I was typed as an INFJ (instead of my current INTJ). Interesting -- wonder if I'm borderline F/T -- it would explain some things. The analysis back then said that as INFJ's get older, they often spend more time developing their T's, which I do think is stronger now than it has been. I think the T became more developed after I became a parent than before... Stress, maturity, changing environments and expectations....

Monday, August 18, 2008

Personality Tests: MBTI

Personality website with lots of links for tests, good descriptions of the different MBTI, etc. Also, on a political note, McCain is supposedly INTP and Obama is ENFJ -- wonder if the "N" is a necessary condition for wanting to be president? One would hope so!

http://typelogic.com/

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Omnivore's Dilemma

Finished Omnivore's Dilemma (Michael Pollan)-- and then listened to a podcost where he spoke about Omnivore's Dilemma and his new book: In Defense of Food. Fascinating. I knew a lot of the information about the industrial food production and guessed quite a bit about the "Organics" being sold in Whole Foods (after all, how else does Whole Foods provide a perfectly consistent product from store to store and state to state), however the whole thing makes you think... And one wonders if the corn aspect in our diet has anything to do with increasing food allergies. I think it definitely is impacting weight.

Interestingly, Dad's take on the book was 100% different, maybe because what is "organic" in the very far north of Canada is much different, he's living off the land for much of his food, and he's involved in the beginning part of the food processing chain.

Pollan's premise behind his new book is interesting. I think I'm going to try to get that to read as well.

Homeschool CPA

This might be a very helpful website down the road... A homeschool Mom who is also a CPA has written a website for homeschoolers, including information about CPA and homeschool support groups. If you ask a question, she'll sometimes answer it in her blog:

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/HomeschoolCPA/

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Unit Study Websites

To check out (free unit study websites):

http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/methods/UnitsFree.htm (this one even has a lego unit study)

http://www.thehomeschoolmom.com/schoolroom/unitstudies.php

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Geodes

I think I'm going to take my fall's inspiration from various songs by Carrie Newcomer. Like "Geodes" from her Geography of Light CD... I think I'm going to start looking for more geodes in my life.

You can't always tell one from another.
And it's best not to judge a book by it tattered cover.
I have found when I tried or looked deeper inside.
What appears unadorned might be wondrously formed.
You can't always tell but sometimes you just know.

Around here we throw geodes in our gardens.
They're as common as the rain or corn silk in July.
Unpretentious browns and grays, the stain of Indiana clay,
They're what's left of shallow seas glacial rock and mystery,
And inside there shines a secret bright as promise,

All these things that we call familiar,
Are just miracles clothed in the common place.
You’ll see it if you try in the next stranger's eyes,
God walks around in muddy boots,
Sometimes rags and that's the truth.
You can't always tell, but sometimes you just know.

Some say geodes were made from pockets of tears,
Trapped away in small places for years upon years.
Pressed down and transformed,
Until the true self was born,
And the whole world moved on
Like the last notes of a song,
A love letter sent without return address.

You can't always tell one from another.
And it's best not to judge a book by it's tattered cover
Now I don't open them to see
Folks 'round here just like me,
We have come to believe
There's hidden good in common things.
You can't always tell but sometimes you just know.
You can't always tell but sometimes you just know.

By Carrie Newcomer © Carrie Newcomer Music, BM1 Bug Publishing

Hmmm.... Computer addiction?

A cool add-in I'm going to try for awhile is called: Rescue Time -- that tracks all your computer time and categorizes where you actually spend your time (it checks every 2 seconds)... I think I'm going to be surprised. It might work well for Bj as well to really see where his time goes... easy to install, totally invisible....

www.rescuetime.com

The Story of Stuff

A video that would be a good decluttering motivator is The Story of Stuff (20 min) -- and read the blog by simplemom.net

(http://www.storyofstuff.com/index.html)

Monday, August 11, 2008

Science: My Science Box

My Science Box
Description from website:
At My Science Box you'll find complete, scaffolded lesson plans to teach a 4-6 week middle school science unit through activities, projects, and field trips. Every lesson has been kid-tested with students at Archway School. Create a printable version of any lesson plan or even a whole teaching box by clicking the "printer friendly version" button at the bottom of any page. If you use these lesson or have feedback, please register and post a comment for other teachers to view

http://www.mysciencebox.org/

Cool!

So... www.aimingforsimplicity.com was available through www.namecheap.com for $8.41 for a year! And, with a few clicks of the mouse, it now points to this blog. Isn't that cool!

Now to find a host website... I'm learning way too much without getting my major consulting project done that I should be working on!!!

Blogging Technology

Check out WordPress -- free blogging software that might be good.
http://wordpress.org/

(Tips on blogging this way on: http://www.webhostingtalk.com )

WordPress also has a list of hosts that they get kickbacks from -- but that they feel are good...
something to look at anyway.

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Web Hosting Choices

August 9, 2008

If I'm going to be creating websites for people, I need to figure out way more than I already know. Here's a site that seems to have fairly upfront info about some web hosting sites (& what to look for):

http://whreviews.com/searchstrategy.htm

He recommends reading forum posts of users (not reviews) to find out helpful information. One of those forums is:
http://www.webhostingtalk.com/

Some web hosts that whreviews recommend are:

Honest Hosts**

Dathorn BlueWho CartikaHosting Pair Idologic UnitedHosting Clook Rochen HostingMatters HTTPme DownTownHost FluidHosting Servint HostGator HostNexus Weberz

and check out this one (need to read reviews!):
http://www.serversea.com -- probably not

Buy domain name at namescheap.com or DirectNIC

Language: Muzzy

A reference on another link to Muzzy makes me wonder about finding a similar language program for Jeremy for this fall. He loves videos. It's available on VHS for not much money on ebay... worth checking. It's available free for 30 days -- maybe worth trying?

http://www.early-advantage.com/

Also on the Muzzy site, they have childrens' books on DVD in spanish to reinforce it (including Curious George) -- a scholastic collection -- maybe cheaper elsewhere?

http://www.early-advantage.com/product/detail/scholasticdvdcollection29 1.aspx

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Science: The Elements

August 6, 2008
The Elements: Ingredients of the Universe
A hands-on science program, I think for middle school...

http://www.ellenjmchenry.com/index.html

Research Paper Timeline

The following was an email on TRISMS where she explained what the research paper timeline was for her 8th grade son in a public school class for history. It's a good guideline to think about for maybe one paper each year.

***************

We had to place my son in private school last year because we
could not find an outpatient placement for his LD treatment program.
Overall, it has been an horrid experience, I've had to fight his
teachers to follow his treatment plan but some good has come out of
it.

He had to do a research paper for history class and she gave them
a packet with a timeline to turn in each component:

Topic and sources (min 3 books, 1 encyclopedia entry (max), 3
periodicals/websites)

4 days later-Bibliography cards, working works cited page

1 week later-Sources should be read.Title page, working outline

4 days later-1st 20 notecards due

1 week later-2nd 20 notecards due

4 days later-last 20 notecards due

10 days later-First rough draft due

2 weeks later-Final Outline, draft, polished paper, final works
cited page

She gave them samples of the outline, bibiography cards, works
cited page and how to do the different types of citations, a format
for the notecards, a definition of plagarism, a word requirement (900-
1,100 words for 8th grade)and required a map, chart, and a graph.

It was a tremendous help for my son to keep on track and meet
her standards. In the end her only quibble was with his paper's
length- 9 1/2 pages. She wanted it pared down to 6 pages which I
thought was ridiculous given the number of notecards required along
with the map, chart and graph.

Music Options in Raleigh and Cary

JamSessionz
N. Raleigh (near piano) -- group jamming sessions T/W/Th -- worth asking a few more questions (what type of instruments, how to handle reading/non-reading of music, etc.)
11:00 am - 12:30 pm
12:40 pm - 2:10 pm
2:20 pm - 3:50 pm
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
http://www.jamsessionz.com

Ken Demery

Thanks for contacting me about guitar lessons.

Please let me know if you have a preferred day/time that works best with your schedule.

The Fall Session begins September 5th, 2008

Lessons are taught "In your home" and can be scheduled in any

available time slot from 12:00 noon to 8:00 pm.

With the use of familiar songs and

melodies, students will learn musical notation, sight reading, basic theory,

and technique. Students begin by learning the notes on each string and

chords in the open position. The fundamentals and daily practice are

stressed.

I have attached an application/registration form to this message.

To reserve a place on my schedule please complete the application/registration form

and send it along with payment to the address listed on the form.

Lessons are $140.00 per month

Tuition is based on a 4 week cycle and is due in advance the last/4th lesson

of each month.

Students will need a three ring binder, sharpened pencils, metronome and a

music stand for each lesson.

http://www.kendemery.com

Language Arts: Short Stories Unit

A 3 week unit on short stories using Discoveries in Literature (green book)
http://members.accessus.net/~bradley/7thgradeshortstoryunit.html

(actually, her website has a lot about 8th/7th grade english/literature -- worth taking a look!)
http://members.accessus.net/~bradley/

7^th Grade Short Story Unit

(Discoveries In Literature, Scott Foresman green book)

Day One:

Elements of a short story

Review page 12 and handout

Read “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin – handout (www.members.accessus.net/~bradley/storyofanhour.html)

Outline the short story as a class

Review a completed outline of the story

Short Story Outline Assignment

Day Two:

Complete Vocabulary for “The Widow and the Parrot”

Begin reading “The Widow and the Parrot” pages 13-20

Day Three:

Conclude “The Widow and the Parrot”

Answer questions 1, 2, 4, and 5 page 20

Complete vocabulary for “Raymond’s Run”

Day Four:

Read “Raymond’s Run” pages 23-27

Answer questions 1-6

Composition: Being a Story Character – ½ page

Day Five:

Complete vocabulary for “One Night Stand”

Read “One Night Stand” pages 29-34

Day Six:

Answer questions 1-5 page 35 from “One Night Stand”

Review for spelling and vocabulary test tomorrow – covers words from “The Widow and the Parrot,” “Raymond’s Run,” and “One Night Stand.”

Composition – Writing a Journal Entry

Day Seven:

Spelling and Vocabulary Test #1

Complete vocabulary for “Gentleman of Rio en Medio”

Day Eight:

Read “Gentleman of Rio en Medio” pages 37-41

Answer questions 1-5

Composition – Describing a Character

Day Nine:

Begin watching Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

Day Ten:

Conclude Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

Take quiz on movie

Day Eleven:

Complete vocabulary for “Stolen Day”

Read “Stolen Day” pages 54-58

Answer questions 1-4, 6-7

Day Twelve:

Complete vocabulary for “Rikki-Tikki-Tavi”

Begin reading “Rikki-Tikki-Tavi” pages 60-70

Day Thirteen:

Conclude “Rikki-Tikki-Tavi”

Answer questions 1-6

Day Fourteen:

Watch “Rikki-Tikki-Tavi”

Composition: Describing An Animal page 72

Day Fifteen:

Begin vocabulary for “The Fallen Angel”

Begin reading “The Fallen Angel” pages 80-90

Day Sixteen:

Conclude “The Fallen Angel”

Answer questions 1-4, 6-8

Composition – Describing How Friends Help – ½ page

Review for spelling and vocabulary test #2 tomorrow: Covers words from “Gentleman of Rio en Medio,” “Stolen Day,” “Rikki-tikki-tavi,” and “The Fallen Angel.”

Day Seventeen:

Spelling and vocabulary test #2

Read “I’ll Give You Law” pages 105-110

Answer questions 1-7 Think and Discuss and 1-5 Reviewing Literary Terms

Day Eighteen:

Begin watching Call of the Wild

Day Nineteen:

Conclude Call of the Wild

Take quiz on movie

Day Twenty:

Review Elements of a Short Story

Begin writing a short story

Outline your short story

Day Twenty-one:

Peer edit short story

Revise short story

Day Twenty-two:

Watch Cask of Amontillado and The Necklace

Take quiz over movie

Day Twenty-three:

Turn in completed short story

Elements of a Short Story Test

Education: Educating the Net Generation

A book available in pdf (by chapter) about how technology has changed the education game. Mostly focused on the college level but important for us as homeschoolers to know as we get our kids ready. Website itself looks interesting to look through as well.
http://www.educause.edu/educatingthenetgen/5989

Monday, August 4, 2008

Organization: Daily Dockets etc from simplemom

Aug 3, 2008: Organizational charts to customize
Weekly: http://simplemom.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/sm-masterchecklistdownload.pdf
Daily Docket: http://simplemom.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/sm-dailydocketdownload.pdf
(I really like it -- can I create something for me?)
And the whole process explained:
http://simplemom.net/downloads/

Sunday, August 3, 2008

Blogging: as a topic!

Aug 3, 2008 1066 Links Lessons about Blogging
Includes a huge list about things to do and avoid with blogging. Worth reading if Diane wants to go this route!

http://bloggingwithoutablog.com/1066-links-lessons-or-tips-for-bloggers/

Ponderings for Me: Social Network Plugin For Excel

July 31, 2008
A Plug-In for Excel for Plotting Social Networks (too cool!)
This is just cool. I need to start reading The World is Flat and see if I can find some other social network books. I think this will really change how we think and interact. Kind of an unsettling feeling, though.

Travel: Outerbanks Rentals

July 31, 2008
Outerbank Rentals -- check 281A and 281B
I'd like to spend a week in the Outer Banks -- the rooms mentioned are on the sound side but there's a long wharf. Might be a good option.

Ponderings for Me: Sit There, Do Nothing

July 31, 2008
Team Builders Plus: Sit There, Do Nothing…Are You Kidding?
A great article about sitting and meditating -- and how hard that is to do when you're stressed. Mostly work related but still applicable.

Ponderings for Me: If Only...

July 31, 2008
If Only... (a wish list for busy Moms)
From MOPS -- very funny! (And mostly too true)

If Only…
By Linda Vujnov

Bread crust was moist and delicious.

Clothing had no sizing so you bought what fit.

Hamburger Helper tasted great three days in a row.

Ice cream sandwiches counted as a complete breakfast.

Beds made themselves.

BOZ made house calls.

Oprah aired at 1:00. 3:00, 5:00 and 7:00…in the morning!

Hotels offered free get-away weekends for couples with preschoolers.

Coffee came in one gallon jugs.

The washing machine could carefully separate dark clothes from the whites and complete six loads of laundry in one cycle.

Men could complete 18 holes of golf in thirty minutes.

Varicose veins were in style.

Your best friend lived across the street.

The Emergency room had punch cards. After five visits, the sixth one was free.

Your neighbor had three teenage girls who loved babysitting free of charge.

The plastic vacuum cleaner you daughter loves to play with actually worked.

Your cat could clean the kids too.

Hosing down the inside of your car resulted in no interior damage.

Everyone’s advice truly worked.

Pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey, musical chairs, cake and punch were a hit for an eleven year old birthday party.

Photos joyfully put themselves in books and wrote catchy captions to ago along with each picture.

Easy Bake ovens could make Tex Mex casserole for six.

Two cars really could fit into a garage along with everything else.

School started at 10:00 a.m.

Cupcakes came with more frosting than cake.

Every backyard came equipped with a rollercoaster, dancing pink unicorns and a water park with a full-time lifeguard.

Date night was more than dinner at the local drive-thru and a gift purchase for your niece’s birthday.

When women said, “I don’t want anything for my birthday” men understood that they really meant, “Surprise me with something creative and personal that I’ll love!”

Highschool: HomeScholar

July 31, 2008: HomeScholar -- highschool topics
Her website has a lot of great info about homeschooling highschool -- this needs more time as well. Especially read:

her sample info on assignment sheets for middleschool (here)
setting up an assignment schedule (here)
tons of things about record keeping (here )
an archive of her articles here.

Ponderings for Me: SimpleMom blog

July 31: 2008
simple mom: Enliven Everyday Life with an Inspiration Board
(I love her blog -- lots of great stuff! -- I really need to spend more time on her organizational lists and information)

Science: Wildlife University

8/3/2008 Wildlife University
Look at this option for Bj for the fall -- free 30 minute online classes to do a series on endangered wildlife, etc. Of course, there is some bias but worth talking about!

http://www.nwf.org/wildlifeuniversity/catalog.cfm?series=Endangered%20Species%20Series

Ponderings for Me: 20 Questions

8/3/2008 : Marc and Angel Hack Life: Practical Tips for Productive Learning
This blog has some great info that should be explored further but one of the best is the following list of 20 questions to ask each week.
http://www.marcandangel.com

(original can be found here)

At the cusp of new beginnings many of us take time to reflect on our lives by looking back over the past and ahead into the future. We ponder the successes, failures and standout events that are slowly scripting our life’s story. This process of self reflection helps maintain a conscious awareness of where we’ve been and where we intend to go. It is pertinent to the organization and preservation of our dreams, goals and desires.

If you would like to maximize the benefits of self reflection, I have 20 questions for you. These questions should be reviewed every Sunday morning or sometime during the weekend when you have some quiet time to think. Remember, reflection is the key to progression.

What did I learn last week? – If you have trouble answering this question, it’s time for a change. It doesn’t matter how old you are, you should learn something new every week.
What was my greatest accomplishment over the past week? – Reflecting on your accomplishments is a healthy way to raise self confidence and contentment. It’s also an effective way to track your progress.
Which moment from last week was the most memorable and why? – It may open up your mind to new passions and goals, or simple pastimes worth revisiting.
What’s the #1 thing I need to accomplish this week? – Everything else is secondary, and should be treated as such. Nevertheless, this question will also shine light on other noteworthy tasks.
What can I do right now to make the week less stressful? – Set reminders in your calendar, get your laundry done, fill the car with gas… organize yourself.
What have I struggled with in the past that might also affect the upcoming week? – The idea here is to learn from your struggles and better equip yourself for future encounters.
What was last week’s biggest time sink? – Steer clear of this in the future. Setup physical barriers against distractions if you have to.
Am I carrying any excess baggage into the week that can be dropped? – Physical clutter, mental clutter… eliminate the unnecessary so the necessary may shine bright.
What have I been avoiding that needs to get done? – Pencil in a time to get these things done. For any 2-minute or less tasks, consider scheduling them first thing Monday morning.
What opportunities are still on the table? – If it’s still available and you want it, make a concrete plan to go after it this week.
Is there anyone I’ve been meaning to talk to? – Regular communication can solve problems before they fester. Always keep an open line of communication to those around you.
Is there anyone that deserves a big ‘Thank You’? – Take time each week to thank the people who have helped you. Your kind gesture will not go unnoticed.
How can I help someone else this coming week? – The easiest way to get what you want is to help others get what they want. If you help them, they will remember you when you need help.
What are my top 3 goals for the next 3 years? – You’ll never make any progress in life if you don’t setup realistic goals for yourself.
Have any of my recent actions moved me closer to my goals? – If the answer is no, something needs to change.
What’s the next step for each goal? – Knowing the next step is the key to accomplishing the whole.
What am I looking forward to during the upcoming week? – The answer can act as a great source of motivation. If nothing exists, schedule something to look forward to.
What are my fears? – Consciously address your fears each week and slowly work on resolving them. It’s all about taking baby steps.
What am I most grateful for? – It’s a smart way to keep things in perspective, and something you should never lose sight of.
If I knew I only had one week to live, who would I spend my time with? – Another helpful reminder… Life is short. Spend more time with the people you care about.

Take 30 minutes every Sunday and give yourself the gift of self reflection. It has worked wonders for me, and I am confident it will do the same for you.

Preschool: PreSchoolMama Blog

8/3/2008: PreSchoolMama Blog
Good blog of ideas based on preschool activities

http://preschoolmama.com

Ponderings for Me: 30 Ways to Make Life Simpler

8/3/2008: On Simplicity
A blog about ideas for making things

http://www.onsimplicity.net

A blog to think about from On Simplicity: 30 ways to make life simpler!
(original found here)

Resign from a commitment you’re not passionate about.
Stop trying to be perfect.
Implement a basic cleaning schedule.
Sign up for automatic billpay.
Automate a portion of your investing.
Clean out your media collection and keep only the items you love.
Plant perennials that will automatically bloom next spring.
Clean out your purse or wallet.
Put a paper shredder next to your mail spot.
Winnow your wardrobe down to pieces that work together.
Delete any social networking accounts you don’t actually use.
Add your number to the do-not-call list.
Create a car maintenance schedule and post it somewhere you’ll see it.
Design a filing system that you can stick to.
Start your day with a healthy meal.
Turn your phone off when you need quiet time.
Invest in a programmable thermostat.
Set one good goal, and go achieve it.
Record your good “shower” ideas and then implement them. (Don’t we all get our best inspirations in the shower?)
Write to a friend with (gasp!) pen and paper.
Set limits on your bad habits, and reward yourself when you stick with them.
Stop trying to be a saint and indulge yourself every once in a while.
Pay off your credit card debt.
Avoid watching commercials and reading advertisements.
Rediscover the pleasure of reading purely for enjoyment.
Plan two weeks of delicious meals ahead of time and skip the nightly grocery run.
Go to your doctor for a preventative checkup.
Remember the joys of doing nothing.
Singletask as much as possible.
Learn to ask for help.

Beginning Reading: StarFall

8/3/2008: Starfall
A free phonics program introducing letters, phonics, etc. Cool videos about each letter, some sheets to print out, etc. Don't know if there are activities as well or not.

www.starfall.com

Saturday, August 2, 2008

Ponderings for Me: Bookish Blog

8/1/2008: Kimbooktu
From Kimbooktu.com (a great blog focusing on all things bookish), a series of very funny and cool "book" youtube videos:
Bookish You Tube

Highschool: Bright Kids At Home

8/1/2008
BrightKidsAtHome
A blog and lists of resources done by a single homeschooling Mom -- includes lots of links and thoughts about record keeping, etc. Also includes extensive list of what they did in Gr 6 and up in a transcript type record form. Worth browsing.

Friday, August 1, 2008

Science: Periodic Table Videos

8/1/2008 PERIODIC Table Videos
A VERY cool website put out by the University of Nottingham with a 5ish minute video of every element in the periodic table -- showing experiments, properties, and other info about each one.

http://www.periodicvideos.com