Sick of being sick.....

Husband has been sick.  I have been sick....I think, as of today, we are finally on the mend with part of it. Husbands started out as a cold then it settled into his chest.  Mine stayed a head cold.  Today is the first day that I have had no sinus headache and am not getting short of breath.  He called me from work earlier and said he was feeling somewhat better as well.

Meanwhile, since we have felt blah, I didn't get all my seeds started....so far, just the garlic and onions.  And, I've done good to remember to even water them.

The snow is finally starting to melt, so the entire farm is a muddy mess, with deep puddles everywhere. There remains quite a bit that still needs to melt.

One thing for sure, between now and next winter, a change needs to be made on how we water the stock in the feed lot.  We battled the hydrant and hose freezing up all winter long.  We need to get a better solution. We also need to add a few more outlets to the barn, as the stock tank heaters go on the same circuit as plugging in the tractor.  I know we could just put them on different circuits, but we really do need a few more outlets out there anyway, so may as well do it right the first time.

As soon as the weather gets a little warmer, and my cold is completely gone, it looks like I will be having another surgery....Was hoping to avoid it, but the medications are not working (they did for the first week or so), so it is time for the next step.  I was supposed to go to the specialist this week but they changed my appointment until next month.  Which, probably was a good thing since I was sick.  But, its to the point now I am tired of messing with my health and want it all fixed now.

Rebecca is still working on her online scuba diving stuff.  When she gets it completed, (deadline is coming up in a couple of weeks) she will do her pool exercises, then head to Arkansas for lake diving so she can obtain her scuba certification.  The husband has been working on his too, but overtime and being sick have him far behind her.  She is getting some PE and science credit for her classes.

I was referred to a wonderful site I want to share.  Its not the same as what I had before (handwritten out and lost), but it is close, and better than nothing.  It is a website that tells you how many pounds to grow per person for reserving foods.  What I had before, was written out for me by an Amish woman that told how many feet, how many plants per person and rows of plants to plant per person.  (All I can remember is 9 tomato plants per person, to make your ketchup, sauces and for table eating).

Anyway, it is located here.

Please visit her site, http://www.granny-miller.com/  She has a lot of interesting and useful information on it.

Winter Blahs....

We have snow.  The local schools have been out since Tuesday.  As usual, we got a lot of drifting, and the county plowed our driveway shut.  Our road drifted shut within an hour after the county cleared it, but we have some nice neighbors who have been keeping my county road open.  Tues we could get out, but Wednesday we were drifted back in.  Once again, the neighbors opened the road.  Once you make it to the road, your fine.  But, it takes a 4x4 or the tractor to get out of the driveway.

Last night it was bitterly cold.  For some reason, Momma Cat brought her kittens out of their warm home and onto our front porch, were I found them this morning.  We worked on trying to save them.  Butterscotch (my husbands favorite) did not make it.  I think Wampus Kitty will.  We have been working on her all day. We warmed her up gradually, gave her drops of warm honey and finally she started drinking some warm milk.  But, momma cat wont have anything to do with her.  I don't understand why she brought them to the front porch.  They have 2 spots where they can go outside that are nice and warm--one is in the barn, and the other is in the chicken coop.  By looking at the tracts, it appears she carried them up.  No way the kittens could have gotten back on their own as some of the drifts she crossed are 3 foot tall.  So, they stayed where she put them and froze.

She will spend the next few nights in a cat carrier in the house.  She is doing so much better than she was this morning.  She was frozen and stiff, and is now able to walk some, meow, and drink warm milk and honey on her own.  However, she prefers to be on someones lap on my heat pad, wrapped up in a towel.  She was having seizures earlier, but they seem to have gone away now.

Normally we don't allow cats in the house, as my husband is allergic.  And, our barn cats are working cats. Without them we would lose a lot more grain and feed to the birds and mice.

Tomorrow I have my follow up appointment with my local doctor from my emergency surgery I had last week in Indiana.  This will determine if I can come off of restrictions that my Indiana doctor put me on, or have additional surgery, which he thinks I need.  I'd rather just take a magic pill and be done with it all, but evidently they don't make such a thing.

FREE ebook on starting seeds....

GET IT FREE HERE.

If you don't have an e-reader (I don't) then download one of the free ones online that you can put onto your computer.  I have several free ebooks on gardening now from Amazon.com obtained this way....

Onion Container Gardening

I found this on pinterest.   It orginally comefrom a blog freshorganicgardening.com, This would be an easy way to have onions year around, or for those without a yard to grow their own onions in.

This one uses a plastic container with holes cut in it.  But, I don't like mixing plastics with my foods (many plastics release toxins into our foods).

But, one could do the same thing with a clay strawberry pot......

This would be a good way to get onion greens or chives for salads.  Kids would have fun making this project.

Planting Tips

I try to companion plant when possible.

Some plants give nutrients other plants need.  Companion planting helps them to do that, so that plants are not fighting each other for what they need from the soil.

It is also good rotate your crops and  to let your soil rest every 7 years.  Even the Bible teaches that in Exodus 23:11.

Most of my gardening is raised beds.  With raised beds, rotating is easy.  And, each year I add more soil and manure, straw and such to the beds.  That keeps the soil from getting striped of nitrogen, and other nutrients.

2014 Garden Beginnings

Even though the ground is covered with ice and snow....my 2014 garden is underway.

My garlic is now up around 6-8 inches...... (about the same as the snow outside...)  I've heard people say it has to be planted in the fall.  I have always had good luck, and have never started garlic in the fall, always in January.

My little greenhouse sits in along a row of south windows.  You can't tell by this photo, but there is a floor register under it.  That gives it a shot of heat every now and then, if we have the heat on.

I planted my onion seeds today, and they too will be sprouting in about a week or a little more.  I've been told that if you trim the tops of the onion and garlic, that forces them to grow a better bulb.  So, this year I will be trimming them down.

Tomorrow I will soak my asparagus seeds, and then plant them in dirt on Monday.  I have wanted an asparagus bed for several years, and since it takes 2-3 years before you can harvest, I decided if I didn't get it done this year, it would be another 4 year delay....So, will finally do it.

Most of my seeds are from last years harvest, or off of ebay.

NFL Bans Daniel Defense Super Bowl Ad Response

WARNING....This does contain some language.

But, it makes some very good points.

Why was the commercial which supports guns banned by the NFL, yet the half nude dancers, singers, alcohol ads and such are allowed????   What about all the other TV shows that promote all this stuff?  What of those messages that are being sent?

no good news

We came to Indiana for my cousins funeral.  While attending the visitation Monday night I became ill and ended up being admitted to a hospital that night, and having emergency surgery on Tuesday morning.....not quite what I had in mind.

It is cold here in Indiana, with temps below zero.  Hopefully will be on the road soon!  Back to home and warmer Missouri temps where my husband reports it is a warm 21 degrees.

Free Live Streaming of Bill Nye/Ken Ham Debate - Answers in Genesis

Free Live Streaming of Bill Nye/Ken Ham Debate - Answers in Genesis



From answersingenesis.org:



"The February 4 debate between Bill Nye and Ken Ham at the Creation Museum has generated tremendous interest across America. Online debate tickets for a spot in our 900-seat Legacy Hall sold out in less than two minutes, and coverage in the news media, blogs, and other websites has continued to remain intense.



We have been working behind the scenes in an effort to allow all interested people, wherever they are around the globe, to view this debate live. To this end, we are pleased to announce that this debate will be available to view online and free of charge at debatelive.org. We hope that many will take advantage of this opportunity to view the debate in real time. You may watch the debate at home, or organize a gathering to show the live stream to your small group, your youth group, your entire church, or other groups.

A recording of the debate will subsequently be available for purchase on DVD and as a digital download, which will help offset the significant costs in organizing and sponsoring the debate.

Some additional details appear in the following news alert which we distributed this morning to the national media:

What: An evolution/creation debate between Bill Nye and Ken Ham at the Creation Museum.

Tickets offered online for the debate being held inside the museum’s 900-seat Legacy Hall sold out in less than two minutes. The debate will now be available live and online, and FREE of charge, at debatelive.org.

The live stream is powered by Google+ Hangouts On Air, through YouTube. This live and unedited presentation will be available in high definition (HD) for large screen viewing in schools, churches, and other public venues, at no cost.

When: The debate will take place on Tuesday, February 4, 2014 at 7 PM EST.



Where: A live audience will be watching in Legacy Hall inside the Creation Museum (located near the Cincinnati Airport) as people worldwide watch the debate online at debatelive.org.

 

Details: The agreed-upon topic for the debate is: “Is creation a viable model of origins in today’s modern scientific era?” Ken Ham is a leading creation apologist, best-selling Christian author, Creation Museum founder, and President/CEO of Answers in Genesis. Bill Nye is the former host of the popular Bill Nye the Science Guy TV program for children, current executive director of the Planetary Society, and frequent guest on TV interview programs on science topics, like evolution and creation.

Detailed information about the Nye/Ham debate can found on the online event page. The debate will be live streamed via debatelive.org.

Thank you for your interest and support for this significant outreach opportunity. Talk to your church leaders about hosting a special live showing of the debate in your church, Bible study, or other location (a man who just heard about the live stream is looking into renting a local theater to show the debate on a large screen, using our high-definition capability). It will bless and equip your Christian friends and family with faith-building teaching, plus you now have the opportunity to reach out to your community with the creation/gospel message through a public showing of the live debate.

We pray that this debate will honor Christ our Creator and direct many people to the foundations of our faith which are found in the Bible, from the very first verse. Point your friends to debatelive.org."

$5000 College Scholarship for Homeschoolers

From an email I received....

$5,000 College Scholarship for Homeschoolers 

"We're excited to offer this college scholarship that is strictly for homeschooled students. This
scholarship is open to all homeschooled students meeting our basic criteria - you do NOT have to
be a Landry Academy student. Deadline for application is approaching.

"The $5K"

College Scholarship for Homeschooled Students
From Landry Academy

We're excited to offer this college scholarship that is strictly for homeschooled students. This scholarship is open to all homeschooled students meeting these criteria - you do NOT have to be a Landry Academy student. The scholarship recipient is announced in March.

Criteria for Applicants:

1. Minimum high school GPA of 3.0
2. Math / critical reading combined SAT score of at least 1100 or minimum ACT composite score of 24.
3. Must have homeschooled during the entire 11th grade school year and must currently be homeschooling in the 12th grade year.

$5,000 Homeschool Scholarship

This is a one-time $5,000 scholarship from Landry Academy, issued for a student's freshman year of college at a four year institution. The scholarship funds are paid directly to the accredited four year university or college the student will attend. Deadline to apply is February 10, 2014. The winner will be announced by March 10, 2014

Details are here..

http://landryacademy.com/scholarships.html "

Home School Co-op

The homeschool co-op my family attends (New Life Homeschool Fellowship) is in Holt MO and meets at the Christian school (Northern Hills Baptist Church on 33 hwy).  We will be starting our new semester the first Thursday in February and running through April. Classes meet for three hours on Thursday afternoons. We offer classes from nursery through high school.

Parents don't have to teach but they are expected to work either teaching or aiding for at least 2 of the three hours.

If you want more information, let me know and I can forward your email address to our director to put you on the list.

If you don't know where Holt is (population of under 500)....we have families from Cameron, Liberty, Raytown, Kearney, Plattsburg, Excelsior Springs...all over Clinton, Clay and Ray counties.

Writing Contest for Middle & High School Students

ST. JOSEPH WRITERS GUILD

presents

WRITING FOR FUN

The Sixth Annual Writing Contest

for Northwest Missouri/Northeast Kansas

Middle School and High School Students

  Prizes awarded Saturday, February 15, 2014.

      POETRY         FICTION        NONFICTION

Prizes include:

1^st Prize                       $25.00 Cash

2^nd Prize                       $20.00 Cash

3^rd Prize                        $10.00 Cash

Plus

Certificates of Participation and more prizes.

One entry per student.

See Entry Guidelines on blogspot for more details.

All entries must be received by January 25, 2014.

Email your entry to:

StJosephWriters@gmail.com

http://StJosephWritersGuild.blogspot.com

For Clay County MO Homeschoolers

"You may participate in Read Aloud 1-2-3 if your children are in grades 1st,2nd, or 3rd AND you live in Clay county. You may pick up your bookmarks to fill out at your local Mid Continent Public Library Branch.  ONLY children in grades 1st 2nd or 3rd who live in CLAY county are allowed to participate. The program ends March 31st.

INFO FROM the LIBRARY:
We will be starting our second year of Read Aloud 1-2-3 beginning February 15 through March 31, 2014. Children must read a total of 2 books and list them on the bookmark, then return their bookmark to MCPL. Each child, who returns a completed bookmark is entitled to any new book from the cart containing the Magic Treehouse books (which will be kept behind the circ desk). Children can return their bookmark prior to Feb 15 (the time period, January through February 15, is called a soft start) and it's acceptable for children to be registered and awarded a prize, during this soft start time.

The students school must be located in Clay Co., we are not allowed to visit any school that is in Ray Co. Homeschoolers that live in Clay Co. and that are in grades 1, 2, or 3 can participate."

This is from an email I received.  If you have questions, please contact the library.

Kansas City MPE Homeschool Conference for 2014

"The 2014 MPE (Midwest Parent Educators) Conference and Curriculum Fair will be held at the KCI Expo Center on April 4 – 5.  The purpose of the 2014 Midwest Parent Educators (MPE) Conference is to provide information on homeschooling techniques and curriculum choices, besides offering refreshment and encouragement for homeschooling families. Attendees will include both experienced homeschoolers and those considering homeschooling. Students of attendees cover all age ranges.

There will be up to 180 exhibitor booths. MPE changed its dues structure in 2004 so that there is no additional charge for members to attend the MPE Conference.

The 2014 MPE Conference and Curriculum Fair will be at the KCI Expo Center at 11730 North Ambassador Drive, Kansas City, MO 64153, very close to the Kansas City International Airport."

There will be sessions, workshops, curriculum fair and more.

For more information, visit the MPE website.

2014 Money Challange

Several times I have posted the yearly money challange.
It can be started at any time, but as most people make New Year's resolutions this time of the year, here it is again.

Week	Dep amount	Balance	Week	Dep amount	balance
1	$1	$1	27	$27	$378
2	$2	$3	28	$28	$406
3	$3	$6	29	$29	$435
4	$4	$10	30	$30	$465
5	$5	$15	31	$31	$496
6	$6	$21	32	$32	$538
7	$7	$28	33	$33	$561
8	$8	$36	34	$34	$595
9	$9	$45	35	$35	$630
10	$10	$55	36	$36	$666
11	$11	$66	37	$37	$703
12	$12	$78	38	$38	$741
13	$13	$91	39	$39	$780
14	$14	$105	40	$40	$820
15	$15	$120	41	$41	$861
16	$16	$136	42	$42	$903
17	$17	$153	43	$43	$946
18	$18	$171	44	$44	$990
19	$19	$190	45	$45	$1,035
20	$20	$210	46	$46	$1,081
21	$21	$231	47	$47	$1,128
22	$22	$253	48	$48	$1,225
23	$23	$276	49	$49	$1,275
24	$24	$300	50	$50	$1,326
25	$25	$325	51	$51	$1,326
26	$26	$351	52	$52	$1,378

I have had people tell me that they can not afford to do this.  If you truly can't, then just do what you can do.  

I have also had women from 2 income families tell me that they do this and also their husbands do it.  So by year end, they have double the amount.  One told me she and her husband make a contest of it to see who can save the most. 

I don't do mine in this order.  I put my November and December months during the spring time--April, May and early June, because that is when we don't have any A/C or heat bills. In November and December we have the propane bills, Thanksgiving and Christmas (gifts and a slightly higher food bill).  So, for us, this rearrangement of the schedule works.  I also put my "found money" in as well.  We have one grocery store where I always find at least 10 cents on the ground in the parking lot, several times I have found bills, and once I even found a twenty dollar bill.

If you think you can't afford it, look at what you can cut.  What about that morning coffee you get on the way to work (make it at home)??  Or a magazine subscription that you take but don't read (read it for free at the library),  or that pack of cigarettes, or that junk food??

One year in March a woman wrote in and told me she could only afford to do this by giving up her vending machine habit at work.  By March, she had already lost 8 lbs (she went walking on her breaks instead of buying a soda and candy bar) but had saved $122 thus far.  Her method was a little different.  In the early months she was putting what she would have eaten out of the machine at work into a jar.  By the end of March, she had $122 in there.  In November she told me she was still saving and losing weight and her doctor had removed her off of some of her medications as a result of the weight she had lost.  So, she was taking that money (saved from her prescription co-pay) and adding that to her money jar as well. 

Many banks require you to have a specific amount before you can open an account.  Others don't.  So shop around.  I put ours into an old money market account.  If I need to get it out, I do.  But with it in an account other than what I carry a checkbook for, I'm not going to spend it.

an idea....

What if for the Christmas season, everyone were to try more presence, instead of more presents???

Baby update....

My friends at Nash Gas continued to ask around and get info about my stove.  Wednesday night, they got her going at 100%.  Turns out, there was a valve that needed to be opened.

Last Tuesday, I bid on an ebay auction and won--and today in the mail I received my prize.  It is the original installation manual and the cooking guide and care and operation booklet for my 1941 stove.  It would have been helpful to have had that at the time we installed the stove!

She did good.  She cooked for 41 people on Thanksgiving, and several more on Friday and today.  If today's appliances were made like this 1941 Roper, their would be a lot less repairmen out there....

Pretzel Wreaths

☆✻ღ✻☆ Pretzel Wreaths ☆✻ღ✻☆...

Ingredients
3/4 cup white vanilla chips or 5 oz. vanilla-flavored candy coating
72 miniature pretzels twists
6 (24-inch) pieces red string licorice

Instructions
1 Line 2 cookie sheets with waxed paper. In small saucepan, melt vanilla chips over low heat, stirring constantly.
2 Using 6 pretzels, form a circle on waxed paper-lined cookie sheet, placing side of pretzel with 1 hole on outside of ring. Remove 1 pretzel from circle; dip inner section (side with 2 holes) halfway into melted vanilla chips. Place dipped pretzel back into circle formation. Continue with remaining pretzels in circle.
3 To form top layer of wreath, dip 6 additional pretzels, one at a time, in coating. Place over first circle so that coated holes overlap 2 pretzels.
4 Repeat to make 5 additional wreaths. Refrigerate wreaths 15 minutes or until coating is firm.
5 Weave 1 piece of string licorice through coated holes in each pretzel. Tie bow with licorice ends.
MICROWAVE DIRECTIONS: Line 2 cookie sheets with waxed paper. Place vanilla chips in 2-cup microwave-safe measuring cup. Microwave on MEDIUM for 2 to 3 minutes or until melted, stirring once halfway through cooking. Stir until smooth. Continue as directed above.
By photo and recipe by http://www.pillsbury.com/

My New Baby

Not that kind......

But this kind.

A 1941 gas Roper, with 6 burners, 2 ovens and 2 broilers.  I still need to find a couple of parts (actually 2 of the same part) for the ovens and broilers to work correctly, but the top is working perfect.  Later, I am going to have the clock and light housing re-chromed.

I should be able to get 3 or 4 canners running on it at the same time next summer during canning season.  That will sure speed up the canning.  My stove that this replaced, was a glass top, and did not let me use a large canner.  It took 2 hours to heat the canner, then I could not do back to back batches or it could crack the glass as it would tend to over heat.

Now I am set.

I stole this post

I'll admit it--I stole this post from Betsy over at her blog, located at
 http://mrspriceisrighthomeschooling.blogspot.com/.  But, it was so good, I had to share.  To see the original post, go visit Betsy's blog by clicking on the link.  It contains a link from Laura Ingalls Wilder:

 “I believe it would be much better for everyone if children were given their start in education at home. No one understands a child as well as his mother, and children are so different that they need individual training and study. A teacher with a room full of pupils cannot do this. At home, too, they are in their mother’s care. She can keep them from learning immoral things from other children.” 
~Laura Ingalls Wilder

So true.  I wonder what she would think of today's schools and education system, and common core. Would she see it as an improvement or as a decline in the system?

Yum...

A friend had this posted on facebook.....I will be trying this one.

Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

Preheat oven to 400

Divide asparagus into bundes of 3-4 spears. Wrap each in a slice of bacon.

In a saucepan, melt a stick of butter, 1/2 c. brown sugar, 1Tbsp soy sauce, 1/2tsp garlic salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper and bring to a boil.

Pour mix over bundles and bake until bacon looks done.

How my morning went.....

Today was my ONE AND ONLY day this week I could sleep in-until 8 ish this morning......

0640 doorbell rings--A guy tells me our white horse is out--but its not our horse-I tell him to go to 240th, 2nd house on the left or third--its theirs I think, .....I go back to bed

0715....ding dong...."we have your shed to deliver from Sutherlands". Where do you want it......well, we didn't order one, but if someone else got it for us (would be nice, huh?) you can put it... by the chicken coup. Darn, delivery tag says it for Gerkes, so go back down the road, to the brick  house.....and I go back to bed...

0732......ding dong.....I have your propane, but I can't find your tank.....that's because you are on the wrong road (and blind, cuz my tank is right there). This is 228 and your ticket says 222......I go back to bed (again).

0759....ding dong.....Sutherlands is back--thinking yee haw--maybe Gerke did buy us that shed???--nope-guess they are stuck in our yard while turning around and wanted to let me know.  I go back to bed...again. 

0810....ding dong....ok, we are unstuck now, but left some ruts--here is my card and you can call with any damage reports........really mister??? This is a FARM. As long as the ruts are not in the hayfield and you didn't take out a fence, I really DONT care.  I go back to bed  (AGAIN)

0813...FEDEX just came and delivered a box.....,,,wrong house.....why am I not surprised?  I am supposed to get a package today, but he knows nothing about it.  I climb back in bed...AGAIN.

0815....I get comfy in bed...Yep, my alarm just went off. Husband doesn't understand why I got up before the alarm.....BECAUSE NO ONE ELSE IN THE HOUSE BOTHERED TO ANSWER THE DOOR!!!! I hit the snooze.

 0820..DING DONG...I refuse to get up and answer the door.  Husband doesn't understand why.  I hear a truck drive off.  He goes outside and checks--it is my expected package--so, I guess either 2 Fed Ex trucks were in our area, or the guy found it after all.  (Really don't know how he could miss it--its a huge red box)

0825 Snooze goes off--have to get up now for sure.  It is homeschool co-op day...

When I got back from co-op, I went and checked out the "ruts"....It is actually more like a mini grand canyon.  After it dries out, I will need to smooth it down with the tractor or bobcat, and reseed it.  But, Sutherlands says they will pay for the damages, which is good.

But, at least my package came!!  Its my new Hoover Steam Vac Carpet Shampooer that I got with my swagbucks!!

Common Core Meeting in Raymore MO

Momentum is growing to stop common core, but it can only continue to grow with your help. There will be a public meeting on the truth of Common Core next Monday in Raymore MO.

Date: Monday, November 4th
Time: 6:45pm
Location: Community Bank of Raymore, in Raymore MO
Sponsor: Jeremy & Tonya Long

cookie drama

Ugh.

Daughter #3 is baking cookies.  While that sounds like a good idea......

From the kitchen she yells "I need a fire extinguisher.  STAT."

Fire is out, and I quiz her as to what happened.  And, she tells me she set an onion on fire.  Really?  An onion?  What does an onion have to do with making cookies??

I don't even want to know.

Snakes!

This event is on the campus of the Missouri Western State University in St Joseph MO.....

"Good Morning All,

 

I will give a presentation, "Snakes Alive! It's the Year of the Snake"   in Agenstein Hall Room 224 on Saturday, Oct. 26, at 10:00 AM. This talk is free, open to all ages, and is being sponsored by the Pony Express Amphibian and Reptile Society, MWSU Dept. of Biology, and the Missouri Dept. of Conservation. We will have live snakes for people to view and touch. 

 

Notice the change in location.  Earlier announcements indicated that this talk would be at MDC.

 

Thanks,
--

Mark S. Mills

Department of Biology

Missouri Western State University

St. Joseph, MO 64507"

 

816-271-4384

mmills3@missouriwestern.edu

The garden that wouldn't quit

I keep thinking the garden is done....then, it grows some more...

So, this past week, 7 jars of hot peppers,  7 trays of bells dehydrated, and 1 tray of onions and tomatoes dehyrated.

Our main producer right now is the horticulture beans.  They have been slow, but steady.  I am drying those as well.

And, our little red headed adopted pride and joy is learning to pray at church.  So sweet.

Hay was cut for the final time this weekend, and they are raking it right now as I type.  Hopefully the rain will hold off until after it is baled and brought to a dry barn.  Our leaves are starting to turn.  Fall has arrived.

My daughter...the queen

Miss Emily did it....She was crowned Miss Plattsburg 2013 tonight.  

With her crown, comes a $1000 academic scholarship.   She plans to go into medicine.

She has been involved in Girl Scouts, 4H, and church.  She does volunteer work at church camp, has helped rebuild Joplin from the tornado damage and does some tutoring at the local schools.  She is a pretty talented young lady, having been a winner in spelling bees, science fairs, speech contests.  She is a very good volleyball player, avid reader, decent horseback rider, A student and the "middle" sister of the 5 girls (also the only one to not have a twin!)

She is a senior in highschool this year, and also 5 college classes.  And, she is mine!

Homeschool Co-op

I love our co-op.  We have classes on Tues and Thurs, but you don't have to sign up for both days.  You can pick one or the other, or both.  This semester we are doing both, as they meet just a few miles from our farm.

On Tuesdays, I am the lead teacher for Science Lab.  So far, the only thing the kids ALL share an interest in is to blow something up.  So, each week, we try to blow up something, then we do another lesson.

Today, we did the diet coke and Mento's thing.  We have already done it twice where it did not blow up (I am trying to get them to learn that experiments don't always come out the same, so each time we did the experiment we used different mints, and different sodas, and got different results.)  Today it blew--and, being kids, the messier it is, the more they liked it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjbJELjLgZg

Then, we followed through on an experiment we started last week with eggs.  We soaked eggs for a week in different solutions.  the vinegar solution ate through the shells, leaving squishy eggs held together only by the membranes.  Of course they wanted to smash them, but I was mean and didn't let them, knowing I or my aides would have to be the ones to clean it up.

Our last lesson for the day was to start a unit on bacteria.  Each student got a petri dish with nutrient agar in it.  The dishes were made with 3 compartments, so, they each got to swab 3 items of their choice.  Next week, we will see what we are growing.  For health reasons, the dishes are now sealed shut, and we washed hands first and then made the rule of no swabbing in the bathrooms.  I'd rather we NOT grow a batch of e-coli.  We talked a little about good bacteria vs bad bacteria, and the 3 types shapes of bacteria.  Next week we will finish up on our bacteria unit, unless they really seem into it--if so, we will do another week of learning more about them (after we blow something up, of course).