Monday, March 23, 2009

Toddler Learning Time: Dolphins

Today I watched an awesome video with my son. We used the video as part of our home school learning time. The animal that we chose for this week is the dolphin. We talked about where they live. We also talked about what they eat. In addition, we learned about an interesting phenomenon happening with the dolphins at Sea World.

The Sea World aquarium exhibit featuring the dolphins has been transformed into something ground breaking. The dolphins have begun doing the most amazing thing. We watched them in action through the YouTube link but I am thinking how amazing this would be to see it in person.

We already have plans to travel to Orlando in April and this might be the perfect attraction to add to our itinerary. I have never been to Sea World and am really interested in aquatic animals.

The exhibit is called dolphin bubbles and a video can be accessed by following any of the links in this post.

This is a very short video and it's the perfect length for a toddler. It is a great resource to incorporate into home school learning. My son was amazed that the dolphins were able to blow bubbles.

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Coupon Workshops

Spaces are limited and seats fill up fast. Once all tickets are exhausted this page will be updated stating Registration Closed under the event.

March


Workshop: Grocery 101 & CVS 101
Date-Saturday March 21, 2009
Place-My Home (Closed to the Public)
Time-10am-12pm
Registration Closed


Workshop: Grocery 101
Date-Wednesday March 25, 2009
Place- Columbia's First Church if the Nazarene
Time-6:30-8:00pm
Registration Closed


April

Workshop: CVS 101
Date-Wednesday April 1, 2009
Place- Columbia's First Church if the Nazarene
Time-6:30-8:00pm
Registration Closed

Workshop: Grocery 101 & CVS 101
Date-Saturday April 11, 2009
Place-My Home (Closed to the Public)
Time-10am-12pm
Register Here (must have password)


Workshop: Grocery 101
Date-Wednesday April 15, 2009
Place- Columbia's First Church if the Nazarene
Time-6:30-8:00pm
Register Here


Workshop: CVS 101
Date-Wednesday April 22, 2009
Place- Columbia's First Church if the Nazarene
Time-6:30-8:00pm
Register Here

Coupon Workshops

Spaces are limited and seats fill up fast. Once all tickets are exhausted this page will be updated stating Registration Closed under the event.

March


Workshop: Grocery 101 & CVS 101
Date-Saturday March 21, 2009
Place-My Home (Closed to the Public)
Time-10am-12pm
Registration Closed


Workshop: Grocery 101
Date-Wednesday March 25, 2009
Place- Columbia's First Church if the Nazarene
Time-6:30-8:00pm
Register Here


April

Workshop: CVS 101
Date-Wednesday April 1, 2009
Place- Columbia's First Church if the Nazarene
Time-6:30-8:00pm
Register Here

Workshop: Grocery 101 & CVS 101
Date-Saturday April 11, 2009
Place-My Home (Closed to the Public)
Time-10am-12pm
Register Here (must have password)


Workshop: Grocery 101
Date-Wednesday April 15, 2009
Place- Columbia's First Church if the Nazarene
Time-6:30-8:00pm
Registration Not Open Yet


Workshop: CVS 101
Date-Wednesday April 22, 2009
Place- Columbia's First Church if the Nazarene
Time-6:30-8:00pm
Register Here
Registration Not Open Yet

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Organic Tomato Gardening

I was really excited to see that the weather had warmed up and it got me to thinking what a great day to start preparing the garden beds. So I grabbed my gardening gear and headed out doors.

We started by lining the garden beds with newspaper and hosing it down to keep it in place. Then we raked up most of the pine needles and used them to mulch and cover the newspaper.

While pulling some weeds, I managed to get ants onto my glove just in time for my hair to begin tickling the back of my neck. Next thing I know is that I have ants crawling down my back biting me.

That was the end of gardening for the day. Later this week I will continue by pulling up old tomato plant shoot. I'll need to purchase a few organic tomato growing kit products such as the Tomato and Vegetable Insect killer. I had a time last year pulling off the caterpillars and shooing away the daddy long legs.

I'll also need to get some new stakes like the "Stake it Easy" tomato support system offered by Safer products. I tend to choose organic resources in my garden to prevent contaminating my environment or my fruits and vegetables with harsh chemicals.

Combining the Safer products with some make-at-home solutions is a inexpensive way to
grow your garden the healthy inexpensive way.

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To-Do-Today

I have a busy day today and I really can't afford not to complete my To-Do's.

  1. Call the church secretary regarding using a room for April's coupon workshop (ME)
  2. Vaccum all carpeting (ALL KIDS)
  3. Sweep the laundry room (ME)
  4. Sweep the kitchen (5 year old)
  5. Sweep the lower level stairs (15 year old)
  6. Sweep the deck (5 year old)
  7. Quick wipe kitchen floor (15 & 5 year olds)
  8. Clean MB toilet (ME)
  9. Schedule remaining parent teacher conferences (ME)
  10. Cook dinner (ME & 15 year old)
  11. Relax 15 year olds hair (ME)
  12. Wash and Style my hair (ME)
  13. Wash a load of laundry (ME)
  14. Dry a load of laundry (ME)
  15. Fold laundry (6 & 5 year olds)
  16. Put away laundry (6 & 5 year olds)

There you have it. I need to get all of this done before 5:00 pm. This evening we are taking the children to Chuck E. Cheeses to celebrate the end of the district quiz year. Next we are on to regional quizing in Atlanta and World Quizing in Orlando. As you can see I have a full day today. If you get a break in your day be sure to dop me a comment.

Safer Pest Control Solutions

Anyone who gardens even a tiny bit knows that with a garden comes bugs. Since I began gardening two years ago, I have run across bugs that I never knew existed. There are the bugs that love to eat your tomato's and ones that eat away at the leaves in my flower bed, leaving behind an unsightly mess.

I have tried many homemade solutions like planting garlic in the garden as a repellent. This did repel some bugs but also invited others.

We are currently looking into some comericial option such as the Safer brand of products which claims that it's organic bug patrol kills over 40 insects.

My goal is not to kill every insect in my garden. I do however, want to rid my garden of bugs that come to destroy the all of the fruits of my labor. When I wake up to see my basil plant has been eaten while I slept I get really aggravated.

The reason that I use organic pest control in my garden is because I am concerned about what I spray on or around my vegetables. The products that I choose to use in my garden will be absorbed into the soil and eventually into my food. I try to make wise choices concerning my family which includes choosing the safest products to use in my garden.

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Saturday, March 14, 2009

This Week

I am really enjoying my daughters first semester using the online public school available in our state. She has transitioned well from homeschool, and is maintaining all A's.

In addition, I am anxiously waiting for the school year to end so that I can homeschool my three youngest children who are currently attending a brick and mortar public school.

Our family has been abundantly blessed this year to keep food on our table and our bills paid on time despite my husbands income decrease.

This week I am looking forward to hosting a coupon workshop for some of my friends. It has really been stressful trying to encourage people to participate. I know the benefits of couponing and would love to share it with as many people as possible.

Finally, it is gardening season at my house again. Time to plant the seeds and prepare for a beautiful garden full of veggies and flowers.

I'd love for you to share something that you are looking forward to this week.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Getting Your Own Domain

I have been contemplating whether or not to become a dot com. I've asked for the advice and expertise of some of the bloggers that have gone from free web hosting to fee based web hosting and they have assured me that it is very easy.

I stumbled across a site that rates web hosting sites all in one location. The site has a comprehensive list of web host including pricing. They also include some good information that will help me to make a more informed choice.

If you are looking to begin a website or blog be sure to check the link in this post.

YouData.com


Each month on my "Monthly Earnings", post I list ways that I make money working from home. I have found some very creative ways to be rewarded monetarily that do not take away from my role as wife and mom.

I have been using YouData for several months now and have been paid by them every Friday. YouData is by far one of the easiest ways to earn money. YouData income is not enough by itself to pay a bill, but it very sufficient in covering the out-of-pocket cost from my CVS trips.

With You Data there are no surveys to complete or product reviews to write. They simply recommend websites that they think you'd like to visit. For each site that you visit you will be compensated. You can stay on the site for one second or for one hour. It does not matter, you will be compensated for visiting.

The recommended sites are selected based upon your preferences. I have visited some very nice sites that I have archived in my favorites.

Signing up with YouData is really easy and so is getting paid. Use anyone of the links here and you will taken directly to the sign-up page where you can register for FREE.

Friday, March 6, 2009

Baby Shower Gifts

When Threadsmith.com asked me to write a review for their website I jumped at the opportunity. They are a newly fromed company and have already made an impact in the baby product reatil market due to their custom embroidered products.

They have some of the cutest things that would make great personalized baby gifts for a babyshower.

However, they don't just stop there. They also monogram fleece shirts, t-shirts and button down shirts. If my Coupon Workshop's become succesful, I will definitaly consider getting some personalized shirts made to wear when I am shopping or teaching classes.

Guest Post: Frugality Without Fretting

Who isn’t inspired by the Proverbs 31 woman? She is the personification, first, of faith and, second, of hard work and frugality. Because she manages the family’s resources so well, her husband confidently takes his place as a community leader (vs. 23), her children are well-taught (vs. 25) and well cared for (vs. 21), the servants in her home benefit (vs. 15), and she even has enough to give to the poor and needy (vs. 20).

If we set out to be excellent wives after her example, we will be frugal without being fretful. This is a big lesson for me. Frugality does not come naturally to me, and I can become insecure in my efforts to improve.

By contrast, the Proverbs 31 woman sets her hope fully in the Lord (vs. 30). I can’t picture her being caught up in insecurity or worry. Can you? Her prudence and her industry proceed from a heart of faith.

Today, many people are anxious about money. Some families have experienced layoffs. Others have watched their homes decline in value or have labored under heavy mortgages. Others are doing well right now, but daily hear some bit of alarming financial news.

This year, we’d all do well to take a two-pronged approach to the management of our household’s assets. We need to 1) replace any temptation to worry with trust and 2) adapt our frugality to changing economic conditions.

Regarding the first prong, here are 5 reasons not to fret over finances:

1) Yes, earthly treasures are uncertain. This is true even in times of prosperity. Yet, the Lord invites us to place our hearts and our real treasures in heaven. We can rest secure that heavenly treasures will never be destroyed. Matthew 6: 19-24.

2) Our worth and our security are not measured by the abundance of our possessions. Luke 12:15. God, and not the size of our bank account, is the sure foundation for our times. Isaiah 33:6

3) If we are generous and give freely, God will take care of us. Luke 6:38

4) Blessings come when we seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness first in our lives. Matthew 6:30-33

5) God knows our needs. Matthew 6:32.

Our second prong is good stewardship of the Lord’s money. We must be wise in adapting to the current situation. Here are five things we can do along that line:

1) Evaluate carefully the cost and quality of products and services. 2009 is a whole new ballgame as far as these things are concerned. Some goods will become better deals than they were last year, while others will increase in cost and/or decline in quality.

2) Establish a six-month supply of non-perishable goods. Work this into your budget one item or so a week. This stash will come in handy in the event of a financial emergency.

3) Jump on the do-it-yourself bandwagon, if you haven’t already. In order to cut costs, many women are taking up the old-fashioned arts of homemaking again. Now’s the time to save money by creative home keeping.

4) Remember, our country has survived many economic crises and will likely do so again. Perhaps, our nation’s troubles will be short-lived; perhaps they will last for a decade; perhaps -- though it is unlikely – the U.S. economy will never recover. Whatever happens, the best thing we can all do is to stay calm, to work prudently toward our financial goals, and to place our security in the Lord and not in wealth.

About the author Elizabeth @ A Merry Rose: Blooming as Keeper of my Home

I adore being a wife to my dear hubby, as well as a mother to two grown children and their wonderful spouses. I have loved reading and story-telling ever since childhood. In college, I majored in Journalism and minored in French and English literature. Since then, I have been a part-time freelance magazine writer and public relations writer. I also dabble in fiction, and I won an award for a novel proposal. I look forward to growing as a disciple of the Lord and as a keeper of my home.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Getting Ready for Spring

The spring is one of my favorite seasons. It is the season when curb appeal is most important to me. The spring is when the bulbs and plants from the previous years begin to peek out from below the mulch to remind us of their former glory.

During the month of March I will be tending to my returning buds, and making minor repairs to the outside of my home. The screws on the exterior shutters will be tightened or replaced. The house will need pressure washing. The trim will get a touch of paint and the flower beds re-mulched.

The grass will probably get it's first weed treatment and a quick edging application this month. I will be sharing pictures soon of some of my maintenance.

Are there any traditional things you do to add curb appeal to your home? I'd love for you to share.

Monday, March 2, 2009

I AM SOULED OUT

I watched Friday's episode of Oprah and I was struck by the hope shared by those who had proclaimed that it was their faith in God that had brought them this far.

I am often drawn to learining more about how people deal with lifes challenges. What I have learned in my own challenges is that there is no place that I'd rather be than with Jesus in times of trouble.

It is not what we do in the good times but what we do when times are hard. The question I pose today is "Are you souled (sold) out for Jesus?"

Has your faith wained in response to these tough economic times or has it strengthened?

Is God still your resting place? Is He is still your strong tower? Are your eyes fixed on Him or on the economic crises?

Some may reply to my questions saying, "It's easy for you to be joyful in these times you don't have to deal with...(insert your own excuse here)".

I have a list of excuses too...like my husband lost his full time job the end of January and is busting his butt working two part-time jobs. Or I could tell you that our only vehicle has over 450,000 mile on it and is in desperate need of repair.

Nevertheless, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For (Christ's) sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter....(however) in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:35-39

Put your trust in God and say to Him "O God, my heart is fixed...", as King David did in Psalm 108:1

Know, trust and believe that God is concerned for you.

Gardening with Children

The children are really looking forward to this years gardening season, so to kick it off I will be using today’s snow day to let them plant vegetable seeds.

I enjoy the fact that my children have a desire to garden and have come to grasp the notion of how veggies get from the seed to the dinner table which makes the opportunity to talk about a environmentally conscious company Safer Brand all the more important.

My children are very comfortable in the garden. They will jump at the opportunity to eat ripe fruits and vegetables immediately from the branch or vine. Which is why using the safest products around my plants is important. Keeping my children safe is one of the benefits of organic gardening.

We make our own compost and use bio-degradable resources for our choice of mulch. The children enjoy laying down layers of newspaper and pine needles in the spring. We want our plants to grow big and strong and that takes keeping away insects and enriching the soil. We have made many insect repellents and fertilizers using basic household ingredients, but for those who don’t have the time many organic products are available to meet your gardening needs.

Safer Brands has a wide selection of pesticides such as organic bug control. Having any type of garden will attract it’s fair share of bugs. In order to keep children safe from ingesting harmful chemicals, choosing organic alternatives in the garden is always a wise choice.

Showing my children that I not only want to keep them safe, but also the environment is a habit that will cultivate in them a sense of environmental responsibility.

I am looking forward to sharing our gardening experience with you throughout this year.