Random thoughts from Ebby...
Sign in to check out the pics!
zoo pics
zoo pics
cute kitty! Pics from the zoo
isn't this a pretty walkway? That canopy!
Fresh spinach for dinner!
Planted this spinach from seed. In the background is swiss chard, lemon balm and cabbage
sweet peas, herb garden and some leafy veggies 2009
became a huge plant! spring 2009
Kit enjoying the cilantro. Let it flower but should have clipped the flowers. Ended up with less leaves. 2009
Flintstone enjoying the swiss chard. (lemon balm in back)
spring 2009
herb garden 08.jpg 2008-10-20
parsley, rosemary, green onion, mint, cilantro, basil. 2 little coneflowers (didn't survive long)
I think canna flowers are so beautiful.
thought it was pretty with the white and red contrast. Got it at walmart for $5.50! Not much scent though.
I planted these bulbs in a bed and had no idea what would happen or what cannas were. Lets just say I am thrilled with the result. Although I would've planted them in a different place since they totally covered my rose bushes. They have been super easy, I'm sure I don't take care of them properly but still they survive. Not sure what they'll do in winter.
first cucumber!
these are my marigolds, green onions, & basil
Which method to teach? Which curriculum? What activities? Ugh! These are thoughts that are invading my mind constantly. Probably many homeschoolers at this time of year as we PLAN...
I've stressed out about math for a while. We've been using Right Start Math which is not visual enough for my dd, nor does it provide enough independent work. But I figure we can remedy most of the problems it has for now. It's such a good program and she has learned well with it (amidst a few struggles).
My next problem is........ should we join a co-op type program called Classical Conversations (view video above). It seems so interesting and fun. It would cover her science, fine arts, history and memory work. We'd go once during the week and then do the memory work the rest of the week. But she'd have to give up choir. And I'll have a new baby. We also have another group we get together with and love! Will that be too much? I could also use the program on my own...but that may be more work for me.
So I'm trying to figure out what to do and still manage my time wisely. There is so much offered in the homeschooling world. The choices can seem overwhelming at times. But one just has to find what works best for thier kid and thier family. If I try something and it's not a good fit- I can change! And I must admit-it can be quite fun stressing out over curriculum. Thank God I have choices!
Here's Mimo and her friend playing at Starbucks. My mini Homeschool support group got together for our monthly meeting of Mothers/daughters coffee night. We started planning some things we'd like to do throughout the school year. It's always fun to get together!
So they told us they were closing in 5 minutes, but it was only 9pm. We were pretty shocked a Starbucks closed so early. We started speculating they were trying to get rid of us because of the girls playing around! But, of course not- they were on thier best behavior.
Change the spiritual atmosphere in your home. Start enjoying quality faith-based television programming and take comfort knowing your family is watching programs that are encouraging, inspiring, and rooted in Godly principles.
For thanksgiving, I usually bring some kind of thankful tree or craft for the kids to do. Its a great time to reflect and name even the little things that we are thankful for. Planning on doing this one this year. Should be fun!
http://jas.familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts?page=CraftDisplay&craftid=10178
taken from another site:
The state of Colorado had a day of prayer in May, and they are being sued by the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF). The FFRF says that such a day violates the principle of "separation of church and state."
How ironic. As you may know, the phrase "separation of church and state" is not in our Constitution. It was used by Thomas Jefferson in a letter, but has more recently been used by some courts to justify decisions that limit religious expression, and has also become a well-used phrase in public discourse. As President, Jefferson would not declare a National Day of Prayer, even though Washington had done so. The reason was that Jefferson thought such a declaration should not be done by the Federal Government. However, as Virginia's governor, Jefferson DID declare a state day of fasting and prayer.
So we have taken a phrase that had been used by Jefferson to try to prohibit a practice that Jefferson obviously approved of.
All 50 states have declared a day of prayer in 2008.
I don't think it should be a national thing where the Capitol has a day of prayer. But isn't it a right of the state to do so. Why are miscellaneous organizations becoming involved-if the people complain, then vote on it. I tell you what is in our constitution: Freedom of Religion!
E-harmony is a christian matchmaking program. We've all seen the commercials. So gays sued E-harmony for exclusion. Now E-harmony has to make all these changes for diversity- including advertising, same-sexs pics online, Money (of course) and free membership to the 1st 10,000 gays to register! I had no idea the word "diversity" could be used to gain so much power! Gay's want to be helped to be more gay, no one's helping me be more black. I forfeit whatever claim to that word that I had as a minority, because diversity for blacks only means different.
Oh well, to each his own. We all have to answer for our choices (yes, myself included).
So, we've been thinking of putting MM back into gymnastics. But, she already has choir & tennis & swimming. Here's why she's taking those classes- yes there is a bit of thought behind them.
Choir- must have some musical training- supposed to stimulate the mind or something. Its just like music at school.
tennis- its free, 2xs a week and most colleges have scholarships for tennis
swimming- think this is a basic skill people should have. Won't need lessons forever.
gymnastics-its fun, builds strength and she can learn new tricks. But don't think she will be a professional gymnast and scholarships have lots of competition. Also far more expensive. So is it worth my investment?
My thoughts are maybe I can alternate swimming with gymnastics. They usually have various 2wk sessions for swimming. And I guess I shouldn't even bring up her asking me about trying soccer. She does need a team sport some point in her life!
Basically right now we are trying to figure out what she enjoys. She can try lots of things now and then later specialize in whatever she likes. I just don't want to do too much. But since we are homeschooling we do have a little more afterschool time than some. Still academics are most important and I don't want to do anything to interfere with those.
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
what does this mean to you?
So how do we spend our day of school? Well, we went to a show about Mufaros daughters-a great book that should be made into a disney movie. And then we went the zoo! So much fun. We were there forever. Of course it was more crowded than I though it would be. Were some schools closed for a 'post-election' holiday?
So our lessons were on mammals, reptiles, etc- I'd call that a science day. Oh and we did reading.
btw- I changed the family pics to members only, not sure if you have to log in to see them or if they are still showing in the emails. lemme know cause that sounds like alot of work (april- since you may be the only one who looks at this- you ARE reading this!? :-).
I was watching a show from Bill Maher- the Politically Incorrect guy. Sometime during the show he starts saying that Christians want the Jews to die because the Bible-what he called a scientific fairy tale story-says this will bring the end of time. When the Alien son will come and kill the Jews. I was surprised by that but even more so when it was met with hand claps from the audience and the guests on the show just let that slide (guests-jon legend, kornell west,etc). And it was like 'wow', is that how people really view Jesus! or the Bible.
I've thinking more about the persecution of Christians that is to come. It is scary. But also a little exciting. On Halloween, I put pamphlets about Salvation in the candy bags. Didn't think too much about it, I had 'em, and wanted to share some info. Wake up Saturday to a pumpkin thrown at our mailbox. I'm gonna assume the two incidents are unrelated, but...one does think.
Yes, I've been obsessed about abortion lately. It was a big issue in this election and thinking deeply about it has changed me, I think. But I'm objective enough to realize that both sides make sense and this argument can't really be 'won'.
Taken from another group:
The Word of God is clear on issues of what we now call morality.
I was reading in the Old Testament about the list of kings. You know where it says King such and so was king for x amount of years and he did good or bad in the eyes of God? One king's bad doings were listed and among them was that he had sacrificed his sons to the Baals. I said out loud "Well, at least we don't do that". Immediately the Holy Spirit said to me "abortion". I said back, "Please explain." I then understood that sacrifices are done to gain something from the one to whom you have sacrificed. Sacrifices were made to the Baals so that the false gods would "bless" the person or community. Well, it is also true that the chosen people of Israel sacrificed for the same reason. To receive blessings from God. The concept is not a new one (i.e tithes). Well, nowadays, why do women seek abortions? Commonly, it is because she needs "something"; a second chance, a secret to stay secret; some kind of need. The abortion of her
baby is the sacrifice she is giving to the false gods in hope of getting "the blessing" of that second chance, etc. As Christians we are commanded to trust only in the Lord our God and not in the false gods of this present and wicked age. The issue of abortion is not about the baby per se, but, actually about how much you believe the promises of God. Will I really be forgiven? Will God's plan for my life really still happen even though I've gone off His path for my life? What will others say about me? ...
Yup, did my civic duty. So happy I did early voting, lines went rather smoothly. Felt good about the local elections that were going on-yes there are local ones on the ballot! Not just the presidential race.
Ah, just realized why lines went so fast- everyone did a straight party ticket. We were the only ones holding up booth space, mixin things up... :-)
yup, this is one of 'em.
Alexandre Dumas was a French Writer, probably the best known. Certainly you'll recognize these books: The Count of Monte Cristo, The Three Musketeers, Twenty Years After.
His paternal grandparents were a French Nobleman and his grandmother was a slave from Haiti. He was one-quarter black. While he was descended from a noble family, all wealth was gone by the time Alexandre was coming of age.
Dumas was fair skinned but had hair that marked him as being of mixed race. His physique was large and called 'African'. He had an outgoing personality and lived quite and extravagant lifestyle.
http://www.answers.com/topic/alexandre-dumas
wikipedia
Really good. A man has a tragedy and then has deep theological discussions with God (3 persons). Makes you think and inspires you to work on that relationship with God. Was on bestsellers list.
Ben Stein travels the world on his quest, and learns an awe-inspiring truth … that educators and scientists are being ridiculed, denied tenure and even fired – for the crime of merely believing that there might be evidence of "design" in nature, and that perhaps life is not just the result of accidental, random chance. 
Created to be his Help Meet by Debbi Pearl
Totally awesome read and great help for us married women or those with plans to get married. Totally blessed my marriage and I learned Gods plan for me. Took me off of my high horse and put my feminist views into perspective! Had a book study on this with friends-great!
Lake of Fire-documentary
This is all about abortion. Provides a fair view of the issue and covers all sides-including lunatic conservatives. Has full disclosure of what really goes on. Wow. Makes ya think.
Btw the lady from Roe vs Wade- Norma somebody, actually works at a pro-life clinic and is active in that movement.
