hbasedmomof6's Xanga

Branson or Bust!

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 19:01:19 GMT

I am 44 years old and I figure my life is at least 1/2 over, if not a little more than half over right? I think it is time for me to do some things that I want to do and so I have decided to work toward a specific goal.

I have been wanting to move to Branson for over 5 years. I have set a goal of moving there in 1 year. Now it may wind up taking me 2 years, but the Plan A goal is 1 year.

In order to make this move a reality, I will have to meet several smaller goals first.

1) Save $5,000 dollars for move and reserve money.
2) Give away my 3 dogs.
3) Sell some of my belongings. (I will probably be living in a much smaller place)
4) Get another car (probably a 4 wheel drive)
5) Help my 2 older kids in getting situated with their lives (they will be 18 and 19 when I move) because they will probably want to stay in OK.

Now here are some fun images of Branson:

Scenery

The fountain show at Branson Landing

Christmas at Silver Dollar City

The Strip at Branson

I will still work from home and maybe get a fun pt job just for the heck of it.

Now.. look at these images.. why wouldn't I want to live there?

Warning! Scam Alert!

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:36:20 GMT

I kept getting these calls on my cell from +331 which is fishy enough in itself right? I finally decided to answer it. This guy with a South African accent says "I am calling to let you know about a credit card with 0% interest with a beginning credit limit of $3500."

RED FLAG GOES UP!

For one, I have less than pristine credit and for two I am wondering where in the heck these people got my number from? So, I decide to play along for a bit. I ask, "What is the annual fee on this card?" To which he answers, "There is no recurring fee, there is just a one time activation fee of $97 and then you get a $100 gift voucher to make up for that." "Then you can purchase anything from our catalog for up to $3500."

MORE RED FLAGS!

I say (still playing along) "What is your website address so I can take a look and consider this?" He says "www.internationalplatinum.com." I have to have him repeat the part after "international" about 3 or 4 times because I can't understand him. Each time he says "ok, I will repeat it one more time." LOL Like he is doing me a big favor. I am still cracking up over that. Anyway, I get to the spammy looking site and I say, "OK, well I will take a look at it online and if I decide to do it, I see I can apply right here." He then says "Oh no! You can't do that, I will just wait on the phone while you look so you can apply now on the phone."

RED FLAG AGAIN!

High pressure turns me off immediately. (Not that I was ever turned on to begin with.)

I then tell him, I really have to have a lot of time to consider this offer and he proceeds to try to keep me on the phone so I hung up. The guy immediately calls back; needless to say I did not answer.

If you truly want to confirm a scam, do a google search as follows: International Platinum Credit Card Scam. Make sure you include the word "scam" in your search. Here are the Google search results for that phrase:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=active&rlz=1C1CHMA_enUS352US352&q=international+platinum+credit+card+scam&aq=f&oq=&aqi=

Check out Rip Off Report and Who Called Us as well as the Better Business Bureau.

It is a ploy, scam, spam and a bunch of hooey. It angers me that they prey on people with bad credit and especially during the holidays when people are most vulnerable.

I don't care if it is a shady used car salesman standing right in front of you or some foreign sounding voice over the phone. Never let someone pressure you into a scam of any kind! Don't fall for it!

How to Get Ready for the Holidays: Part 1

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 15:27:12 GMT

Warning: details of a monumental task ahead! Today... Are you ready for this? We... we....we combined cleaning out our shed with Christmas decorating. There! I said it! Whew! I hope you don't think I am crazy?

The holiday season is the perfect time to de-clutter; especially if you are going to entertain family at your house (which we are this year). Some of the stuff we went through today had been packed for 3 or 4 years or more. When I say monumental task, this is no understatement. We had enough daylight to get about halfway through the task today.

We divided stuff up as follows:

Donation – Given to individuals or taken to Goodwill ASAP
Trash – Already taken to a dumpster
Keep – Brought in the house and put away immediately
Store – Try to keep this to a minimum and put back in shed in a labeled and organized manner

So far, we trashed and donated more than we kept or stored, which is the goal! It is going to feel so great to get all of the decluttering done. Decluttering your physical space does something for your emotional and spiritual health as well. It is freeing and makes life seem less burdensome. It is not always “there” just hanging over your head as some project you are procrastinating about continuously and it also makes it a lot easier to function on a day to day basis.

I got some tips from a book called “The Queen of Clean Conquers Clutter.”

This book is awesome. The Queen of Clean teaches you how to be a clean QUEEN

Q- Question

U- Unpack

E- Evaluate

E- Eliminate

N-Neaten UP

This book is for even the most devoted pack rat. She shows you how to start small and then eventually you will want to tackle every nook and cranny in your home.

There was a time that I would have waited to start that shed knowing I could not finish it in one day. However, thanks to the Queen of Clean, I know it is better to get started and get some of it done and then do the rest later. :D

I will keep you up to date on my progress. More to Come....

But, I Can't Afford to Homeschool

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 21:15:27 GMT

This is the first of a series of articles about common homeschool objections. A lot of people assume that it costs a lot of money to homeschool effectively. Most public schools receive approximately $8,000 to $10,000 per child from state and federal funding and private schools can run anywhere from $3,000 on up to $20,000 or $30,000 per year. People automatically associate higher spending with better quality.

There is a wide range of curriculum options available. Self-contained curriculum like Weaver, Abeka, Sonlight, Alpha-Omega, ACE and others can run as low as $350 or $400 per year, per child and go up as high as a person can afford to spend. There are reading curriculum options that can run as high as several hundred dollars per program and there are those which run as low as $15.00.

Time4Learning offers an effective and inexpensive online learning option. I use this for my kids. They supply lessons for history, science, reading, language arts and math. This program is good for challenged, average or gifted learners. It is only $19.95 per month for the first child and $14.95 for each additional child in the family. They currently offer courses for age 3 to 8th grade students. I hope they expand to high school some day. My kids look forward to the lessons each day, I can log in anytime and see what and how they are doing, they can work independently and it provides a record should you live in a state where you are required to keep records. For the low cost, can you really ask for anything more?

There are also free options. The library is free, you can borrow resources from friends and family, you can find a wide range of resources for free online and you can be creative and use what you have.. whether indoors or outdoors. Don Potter offers a ton of free education resources for free on his site at Don Potter.net.

The best thing about homeschooling is that you can teach your child for free or spend as much as you want to spend. If you choose to cut corners on curriculum costs and your child has an interest in some extra curricular activity, you can afford to spend more on their other interests and activities and customize it all to the individual child.

With all of the low-cost and free options, anyone can afford to homeschool! :D

Do you think it is possible to give a child a great education with little or no money? If so, why or why not?

The Twisted History of Thanksgiving

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:36:10 GMT

The first official Thanksgiving in the US took place in 1621, the pilgrims provided most of the meal, they ate sweet potatoes and ham, the Indians and pilgrims were great friends, ... at least this is what we have always been taught.

School children are taught a lot of things as historical fact when indeed the reality is found to be much different upon further study. According to a colonist by the name of Edward Winslow in A Journey of the Pilgrims at Plymouth, the pilgrims had already gathered their crops for harvest and hunted fowl when king Massasoit and 90 of his men came to them with concerns that the pilgrims were preparing to war against them. The Indians wound up killing 5 deer and many turkeys to share during this 3 day feast.

Wild Turkey and venison are the only items we know for certain were on the menu. Other items which may have been on the menu include goose, swan, seal, eel, clams, lobster, cod, wheat flour, Indian corn, pumpkin, peas, beans, carrots, radishes, onions, plums, grapes, acorns, walnuts, chestnuts, olive oil, leeks, dried currants, parsnips and liverwort. There were no pies, no cranberry sauce, no corn on the cob, no mashed potatoes and no green bean casserole. ;)

It would be interesting some Thanksgiving to try to emulate the menu of the pilgrims as closely as possible. Sounds like an interesting school lesson! hmmm?

Thanksgiving today has evolved into a gluttonous day of feasting and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that! My friend Keith at Almighty Dad wrote an awesome article on this today. The name of his post is Thanksgiving Healthy Eating Tips: Never!

Other Thanksgiving Day traditions include:

1) Football
2) The Macy's Day Parade
3) Football
4) Gathering with family
5) Did I mention football?
6) Wearing stretchy pants! :D
7) Tryptophan drunkenness induces an obligatory afternoon nap
8) Devising a Black Friday Battle Plan

Other Thanksgiving Resources:

Grampa David offers a great Thanksgiving story called: Thanksgiving Baby

The History Channel offers a full expose, videos and more about The History of Thanksgiving

Judy Dow (Abenaki) and Beverly Slapin Deconstruct the Myths of "The First Thanksgiving"

You Don't Have to be Rich to be Grateful

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:08:04 GMT

During this holiday season, the United States is in a recession. The official unemployment rate is above 10%, but some are reporting that as many as 17% of US workers are currently without jobs. What happens to the mentality of an individual or family or nation during times of economic hardship? How do their priorities shift and how do their spending habits change?

Let's face it, during times of plenty, most people become spoiled brats. They expect to have all they need want and have it yesterday. They run up credit cards, buy homes and vehicles they cannot afford, don't save money and just live with the mantra “Eat, Drink and Be Merry.” They become self-absorbed and consumed with accumulating material goods.

Back in 1986, I spent 3 months in Brazil. I met a 14 year old boy who had lived on the streets of Brazil for most of his life. He started asking me questions about my life, home and belongings in the US. Once he found out I owned more than one TV, he was convinced I was rich! I gave away 3 meals at McDonald's in Sao Paulo before I finally ordered my food to go so I could eat in the car. These were children who were begging for food and not for money or other goods. How many times have you sat down in your local McDonald's and had some child come up and beg you for your food? I dare say if you have had this happen, the child was quickly reprimanded by his parents if you were here in the US. ;) I went into a home where a woman just had dirt floors, scrap wood for walls, a makeshift stove and one mattress on the floor where about 5 people slept. I did not even grasp the meaning of poor until I met these people.

It is sad that so many people are out of work and it seems that we may be headed for inflation with the price of goods rising faster than the per capita income. However, there are many things we can gain as individuals, families and a nation during this time. People have already started eliminating frivolous spending and services and products they once thought necessary. People are starting to feel more pressured to save for the storms of life because the rainy days are already here. We are spending more time with family and friends doing inexpensive activities. Building relationships has become more important to us than in past years. I have even noticed neighbors who are starting to know one another again. During the economic boom, we because so self sufficient instead of being inter-dependent with others.

Have you shifted your priorities and spending habits? If so, how? Are you thankful for anything that has taken place as a result of this shift in our economy? Are you planning to do anything different this holiday season as a result of having less cash to spend? Maybe start a new tradition?

Are You Anti-Homeschooling?

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:41:51 GMT

Often times I run across those who are absolutely and unequivocally, anti-homeschooling. They have some highly misperceived conceptions about homeschooling in general and then try to stereotype all homeschoolers based on their perceptions. Invariably they have heard of one or two families who did not teach their children well.

Consider the views of Dr. William Bainbridge from the Schoolmatch Institute who said on Laura Ingraham's Fox News Show that it is impossible for "uncertified" parents to teach their children subjects like Japanese or Advanced Chemistry and that children should have a 14^th Amendment right to choose whether or not they want to be homeschooled.

It is obvious that Dr. Bainbridge is living in another century because he does not seem to realize that there are curriculum options that are so easy to utilize that children can even do them independent of their parents. This most especially applies to secondary students who should have already been grounded well enough in foundational subjects that they can teach themselves about anything. Not only that, but there are classes at community colleges, technical schools and friends of homeschoolers who will gladly convey their knowledge to kids who are interested in something they already know about.

Dr. Bainbridge and others like him come across as snobbish, bureaucratic know-it-alls who are very condescending and patronizing. If you don't believe me, watch him here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQskaSukin8

Homeschool statistics which have been carefully compiled and publicized by organizations like HSLDA and NHERI show that, on average, homeschooled students perform well above their public schooled peers both academically and socially.

Have you ran across anyone who is totally anti-homeschooling and closed minded to the point that they won't even listen to reason?

In the next few days I will be addressing commonly held homeschool objections and myths.

It's For the Birds!

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:16:09 GMT

Sometimes while I am working, I run across some great Internet nuggets. I want to quickly share one of those with you this morning! Yesterday I wrote about Christmas shopping and homemade gift ideas. Today while mining blogs for Aviva Directory, I found this jewel from Northern Minnesota. The author shares information about birding and included this homemade peanut butter feeder. I am linking to the blog so that the author gets proper credit. Check it out and make a few.. the birds will love you!

Peanut Butter Feeder at Crane Lake Nature Blog

Let me know if you make one! I am thinking this may be a nice gift for my son to make for some people.

Warning: Don't Get Sucked into Overspending

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:50:19 GMT

So.. it seems to be that time of year again. Christmas Day is quickly approaching. A lot of people are having financial difficulties this year. If you have more time than money, then home-made gifts are a great option. As a matter of fact, I will be encouraging my girls and maybe even my son to make some gifts this year.

Here are some places for great home-made gift ideas:

Better Homes & Gardens Crafts & Homemade Gifts

Family Fun: Christmas Cards, Gifts and Decorations

50 Homemade Gift Ideas

Homemade Gifts and Frugal Crafts for Moms, Dads and Kids

I have decided to do the majority of my shopping online this year unless I just happen to be out anyway and see something someone might like.

For the most part, I will be sticking to items which are inexpensive, practical and enhance the lives of families and/or individuals this year. I will be purchasing one of 4 things for pretty much everyone I know:

1. Books
2. Puzzles
3. Board Games
4. Clothing

Most of my shopping will be done with Amazon, Christian Book Distributors and Crossings Book Club.

See How Easily You Can be Duped!

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:34:28 GMT

I have always been a trusting person. I like to think the best of people until and unless they give me a reason to not trust them. Consequently, I have been burned a few times. Ok.. A LOT of times. However, I have been burned as a result of my own sometimes, gullible ignorance in being a very open person more than I have been burned by others. After all, at 44 years of age, I should have long ago realized that people will take information which I provide as an open book and twist it around through their own filter to justify their own perceptions, experiences and heart. I have also burned other people and disappointed them because of my human nature. My human nature which gravitates toward comfort, instant gratification and ease. The Bible says in Jeremiah 17:

⁵Thus says the LORD,
         "Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind
         And makes flesh his strength,
         And whose heart turns away from the LORD.
    ⁶"For he will be like a bush in the desert
         And will not see when prosperity comes,
         But will live in stony wastes in the wilderness,
         A land of salt without inhabitant.
    ⁷"Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD
         And whose trust is the LORD.
    ⁸"For he will be like a tree planted by the water,
         That extends its roots by a stream
         And will not fear when the heat comes;
         But its leaves will be green,
         And it will not be anxious in a year of drought
         Nor cease to yield fruit.
    ⁹"The heart is more deceitful than all else
         And is desperately sick;
         Who can understand it?
    ¹⁰"I, the LORD, search the heart,
         I test the mind,
         Even to give to each man according to his ways,
         According to the results of his deeds.
    ¹¹"As a partridge that hatches eggs which it has not laid,
         So is he who makes a fortune, but unjustly;
         In the midst of his days it will forsake him,
         And in the end he will be a fool."
    ¹²A glorious throne on high from the beginning
         Is the place of our sanctuary.

The sad truth is that we live in an "information age" and traits such as "integrity" and "confidentiality" are quickly disappearing. I have told many people something along the lines of "keep this between the 2 of us and it should go no further." Only to find out later it went further.. much further. Wagging the tongue is part of human nature for all of us. (The tongue can no man tame... courtesy of the book of James.) I am guilty of it and you are guilty of it and if you say you aren't, then you have a lying tongue on top of it!

So now, I am adjusting my paradigm. I was a little sad about it at first. The fact is that we should realize man is basically not trustworthy so that we conduct our own speech in a way which is honorable, graceful, respectful and worthy of the trust of others. You see, if we approach others as if they cannot maintain a confidence, we will not be so willing to give them our information or the information of others.

In the Old Testament, very few people were allowed into the holy of holies. When it comes to our lives, we might allow more people into our sanctuary; however very few should enter our sacred space of confidentiality.