Over the past several years Homeschooling has become an increasing trend within the United States. People from all around the United States are returning to the ways of our ancestors. Although I homeschooled all my children and my grandchildren are being homeschooled, I have to say that I am 100% against homeschooling a child because of an argument with the local school in the area. When I hear of a parent that removes their child because of this, I have to wonder if that parent really should be homeschooling. Their very first class that they teach their child is not a positive class and has failed their child completely.
I am sure that what I just said has some parents ready to comment about what I just wrote. I am sorry but it is time parents open their minds to what is being said. If you pull your child from the school because of a problem then your teaching your child at that moment their very first homeschool lesson. If parents have a issue with their local school then it needs to be brought before the local school board. If not handled properly then go to the next step. If you leave due to a problem then you as a parent are teaching your child to leave instead of addressing the issue the proper way.
When I was a child growing up, I went to a public school. I was a student that caused a large amount of problems with in the classroom. One day during school, I seen the teacher strike a student. It was wrong and I jumped up and went face to face with her into an argument. I was known to be a bad student in school and so when everything exploded to the point that the teacher grabbed my hair and pulled it out of my head, the fight became full blown. I knew that nobody would be on my side because of my school record, so I was going to fight her to the ground if I had to do it. However, at that moment my mother walked into the room. She was not expected by anyone, including me.
My mother was upset and yet she still had control. At that moment she was teaching me a homeschool lesson. Her very first words were, You go to the office now. Then she turned to the teacher and told her she needed to go also. Then as I was leaving the room. I heard her tell the class, go back to your seats and get a book to read, someone would be in the room in a few minutes. Then she left to go to the office.
As she walked into the office, I swallowed hard. I could see smoke coming from her as her eyes made contact with mine. With in minutes she asked for the princable and we were motioned into his office. Someone was sent to the classroom as my mother had said to the class.
My mother told the princable that what she walked into was unacceptable and needed to be addressed. She laid my hair upon his desked and said, now is not the time to do it because she needed time to calm down. She asked for a board meeting and that the teacher be kept from returning to the class until then. I thought in my head, all is well with me. My mom was not mad at me but at the teacher. Until her next words, She turned to me and said she would be taking me home and not returning to school until the board meeting was over. Then motioned for the door and said I had a large amount of explaining to do when I got home. Trust me I did, because it was going to be my Father I had to speak with.
The board meeting was handled and the teacher was banned from teaching school, not because of me but because of the whole issue. I was pleased, until the next part. My mother told the school board because I didn't make a wise choice either, she would feel that maybe I school be asked to leave the school for the rest of the year. I was about to cry because I would miss my friends. She turned to me and said that I could have chosen to go to get someone instead of the way I handled it. She was right and I knew it. I was looking for a reason to fight with the teacher.
I did go to school but I had to walk to the other school in town. It was a lesson that was taught to me.
If parents choose to remove their child because of a problem within the school then it might be wise for the parent to consider resolving the issue first. This way the child learns the most important thing in life. It is important to be able to talk things out, follow the rules on resolving issues, and not to be quitters.
I will once again say, I taught my children at home and I support Homeschooling. However, The motive for Homeschooling needs to be considered. If a parent has problems within their local school, it might be wise to consider homeschooling but do not do it when angry. This I strongly advise against. If there is a problem in the school then get it resolved for all the students benefits. If it is a bullie then don't leave it go for the next victim that has no parent that cares like you do.
AS FOR PEOPLE THAT SPEAK AGAINST HOMESCHOOLING:
Those of you who speak against homeschooling really need to learn what it is about. Children are not pulled from school to mess up their social lives. Trust me, these children have a larger social life then most child. Homeschoolers have homeschool outings every day. It is the choice of the parent. Most parents determine which things to include by how it works with their studies. The only difference is parents are there.
Those of you who think that homeschool children suffer in the education need to read up on homeschooled children. A large amount of these children go to college, own their own businesses, and are not unemployed. Some children have even been known to go on to become Lawyers and Doctors. Look it up online. These children have to pass state test and if they fail, the parents are placed on probation. When I speak about probation it is not court probation it is educational. This means the school board works with you. When children in the public school fail, no teacher is in the spot light. The child is just retained. Homeschool children learn in many ways and it is not with hours of homework after school. They get almost one on one attention in school depending on how many siblings that they have. The public schools have large classrooms and those children that fall behind end up lost.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Homeschooling
A normal day On the homestead. Alarms start going off in the all parents rooms. It is time that I get spoiled. I normally turn over and know that I have almost an hour longer to sleep. The married couples get up and dressed. They stumble off to the kitchen in pairs. The mother's will start breakfast and if I am awake I can tell that my son's are about ready to go to the table when their shavers all turn on in their restrooms. It will be minutes before the mother's are off to get the little ones up for breakfast. On the way to the table, I will hear each father say something to who ever is left still tagging behind. That is my clue that Dad and I need to get to the table.
I know it might be nice if I would get up to help, however, I remember when I was younger. I always loved those first few minutes in the morning alone with my spouse. So I started staying in my bedroom to let them all have that special time.
During the morning Breakfast, If you would look at the table you would notice that it was divided up into groups. This is how the families have it set up in the Brunch room. Its them a time to be their own family and not a large group.
After Breakfast is done, The men head out the door. Each on goes their own direction and this is because they have all grown up to have different likes and dislikes. This has brought on different talents. The guys slowly did this over the years. I have one that is in charge of milking. He has always had this as a special place in his heart. Another one is into wood working with large and small projects. Another one of my sons does all the odd jobs and also is in charge of the bookwork, computer, advertising to the public and running all trips to town for everyone. He picked up this desire during all the times he had to have surgery to keep walking.
In the home, The children will dress and make their beds. Then Normally it is Grandma(me) that rings the bells for gathering in the main classroom. I normally do the morning devotional as the mothers are present but normally feeding the babies. After I am done, I return to the Kitchen and clean up after Breakfast. Sometimes I am done with the dishes before the first child arrives. I always have a helper. Sometimes we work on sewing, making soap, gardening in the greenhouse, helping with the babies. Then once that child is done the children normally are all back in the main classroom working on their assignments. One of the mother's stay with them and the other mother's come in to help in the home. Every day we have at a min. 5 loads of wash to do. This means wash, hang out on the line and then fold and put away. The one in charge of putting away clothes will take the married couples clothes to their room and sit inside the door.
After Lunch, The babies go to bed and some of the younger children go down for a nap. Then we bring the children in to work on things that they do not learn always in a book. Sometimes it is quilting, mending, measuring recipes, yard work, making candles, soap, working in the store, Etc...
As the little ones start wakening up then some of the children go outdoors to play, some will remain in the house and play. About 3:30 we start getting food around for supper. Evening time is most the time all eating together, unless one of the families is gone for the evening. We use our Sunday table but our normal everyday dishes.
It is a time that we all have time to share about things through out the day. Sometimes it does get a little noisy, but trust me, I would not change anything.
After supper, Evening chores are done, the men seem to end up with mostly all the boys working with them and the girls are with all of us females.
Shortly after dinner time, I am off to my own part of the house. Dad and I are ready for some relaxing times. We are getting older and this is a way we keep our brain together. I always joke at this time of night that I know why God has decided to stop females at some point when it comes to child birth. Those little babies and loving grandchildren, make us females think about babies, but God knows what is best, even when we would have chosen differently.
Sometimes, Dad will open the door to our part of the house and that means it is open to any visiting. I love this part. Sometimes I end up with the little ones coming with a book or just to tell us they love us, and those times they just need some grandparent time away from everyone else.
Of coarse there is those times we will end up in the main family room and you might be out their with everyone or just one family. Every family group has their very own family room. Around about the children's bedtime, I will notice a group of children missing. This means their parents are having Bible reading and prayer. Then sometimes the parents will wonder to our part or to the large livingroom to visit with just the adults.
I remember the day I had my first baby. I could not wait to hear the first words. Then those first steps. Those things came but the house has not been quite sense.
Well, I think that I rattled enough and I have got to look up some children's Sunday school crafts. I will probably post that before I get of here, So I will probably be back
I know it might be nice if I would get up to help, however, I remember when I was younger. I always loved those first few minutes in the morning alone with my spouse. So I started staying in my bedroom to let them all have that special time.
During the morning Breakfast, If you would look at the table you would notice that it was divided up into groups. This is how the families have it set up in the Brunch room. Its them a time to be their own family and not a large group.
After Breakfast is done, The men head out the door. Each on goes their own direction and this is because they have all grown up to have different likes and dislikes. This has brought on different talents. The guys slowly did this over the years. I have one that is in charge of milking. He has always had this as a special place in his heart. Another one is into wood working with large and small projects. Another one of my sons does all the odd jobs and also is in charge of the bookwork, computer, advertising to the public and running all trips to town for everyone. He picked up this desire during all the times he had to have surgery to keep walking.
In the home, The children will dress and make their beds. Then Normally it is Grandma(me) that rings the bells for gathering in the main classroom. I normally do the morning devotional as the mothers are present but normally feeding the babies. After I am done, I return to the Kitchen and clean up after Breakfast. Sometimes I am done with the dishes before the first child arrives. I always have a helper. Sometimes we work on sewing, making soap, gardening in the greenhouse, helping with the babies. Then once that child is done the children normally are all back in the main classroom working on their assignments. One of the mother's stay with them and the other mother's come in to help in the home. Every day we have at a min. 5 loads of wash to do. This means wash, hang out on the line and then fold and put away. The one in charge of putting away clothes will take the married couples clothes to their room and sit inside the door.
After Lunch, The babies go to bed and some of the younger children go down for a nap. Then we bring the children in to work on things that they do not learn always in a book. Sometimes it is quilting, mending, measuring recipes, yard work, making candles, soap, working in the store, Etc...
As the little ones start wakening up then some of the children go outdoors to play, some will remain in the house and play. About 3:30 we start getting food around for supper. Evening time is most the time all eating together, unless one of the families is gone for the evening. We use our Sunday table but our normal everyday dishes.
It is a time that we all have time to share about things through out the day. Sometimes it does get a little noisy, but trust me, I would not change anything.
After supper, Evening chores are done, the men seem to end up with mostly all the boys working with them and the girls are with all of us females.
Shortly after dinner time, I am off to my own part of the house. Dad and I are ready for some relaxing times. We are getting older and this is a way we keep our brain together. I always joke at this time of night that I know why God has decided to stop females at some point when it comes to child birth. Those little babies and loving grandchildren, make us females think about babies, but God knows what is best, even when we would have chosen differently.
Sometimes, Dad will open the door to our part of the house and that means it is open to any visiting. I love this part. Sometimes I end up with the little ones coming with a book or just to tell us they love us, and those times they just need some grandparent time away from everyone else.
Of coarse there is those times we will end up in the main family room and you might be out their with everyone or just one family. Every family group has their very own family room. Around about the children's bedtime, I will notice a group of children missing. This means their parents are having Bible reading and prayer. Then sometimes the parents will wonder to our part or to the large livingroom to visit with just the adults.
I remember the day I had my first baby. I could not wait to hear the first words. Then those first steps. Those things came but the house has not been quite sense.
Well, I think that I rattled enough and I have got to look up some children's Sunday school crafts. I will probably post that before I get of here, So I will probably be back
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Ending of one year, Starting the new year...
This even when all my girls and daughter inlaws had their children tucked into bed, we decided to clean out the green house and get ready for another year. We moved all the plants that we still have to the front building and got all the trays set up for the starter trays. This is one of the things that my daughters do not really like doing but yet my one daughter inlaw has a great love to work in this part of the greenhouse. She says that through the preparing, planting, watching it grow, selling of the plants and planting all that is left is a time that the Lord has showed her a lot.
I can say that I truely love it when I have the planting done of all the seeds. I know it is then that I can use this to provide a living for the family. I have had a lot of family members (not my children or their spouses) tell me that I should learn to manage the business better because they could make more money then I do at it. The truth is when the Lord showed me that he wanted me to start this greenhouse, He promised to provide for the family through it as long as I kept my focus. I plant seeds,Then all vegetable plants will be sold at a low price so people who want a garden can afford it. All veggie plants get sold for $.55. What is left goes to the planting ground. We plant and pray the Lord's Blessing over the Garden. Then we give away the first havest to those in need. The second goes to the canning for the family and the third goes to sell. If it is picked by the buyer then they get it half price. If we pick it and it is sold from the homestead they get it at a %25 off price and if we take it to market then we sell at full price to cover the gas and any other expesses. However, An example of price on one tomatoe is $.30 (any type). If someone wants a bushel then it is full price $3.50 for Tomatoes. We try hard to keep our prices down and this brings people in from everywhere. We have already loaded the Van and took a load to another state, as long as the gas, over night stay and food was paid for by the buyer. It is still cheaper if we do it and the person is wanting a full load. It cuts down on the handling charge because the buy has to pay for it.
We have sold to other Homesteader that do not have time to grow plants and they can then plant and sell some plants to cover their expenses. It helps everyone and that is what God wants of his children. As long as I am around, this greenhouse will continue to operate the way God has showed me he wants it.
We all so sell seeds and sell them very cheap. This is the time of the year I start getting all the orders in because I can only give good buys if I can get people to tell me what they want. I will do my best to supply any seed asked for or plant, As long as I know ahead it can then be done, or at least I will do my best.
I can say that I truely love it when I have the planting done of all the seeds. I know it is then that I can use this to provide a living for the family. I have had a lot of family members (not my children or their spouses) tell me that I should learn to manage the business better because they could make more money then I do at it. The truth is when the Lord showed me that he wanted me to start this greenhouse, He promised to provide for the family through it as long as I kept my focus. I plant seeds,Then all vegetable plants will be sold at a low price so people who want a garden can afford it. All veggie plants get sold for $.55. What is left goes to the planting ground. We plant and pray the Lord's Blessing over the Garden. Then we give away the first havest to those in need. The second goes to the canning for the family and the third goes to sell. If it is picked by the buyer then they get it half price. If we pick it and it is sold from the homestead they get it at a %25 off price and if we take it to market then we sell at full price to cover the gas and any other expesses. However, An example of price on one tomatoe is $.30 (any type). If someone wants a bushel then it is full price $3.50 for Tomatoes. We try hard to keep our prices down and this brings people in from everywhere. We have already loaded the Van and took a load to another state, as long as the gas, over night stay and food was paid for by the buyer. It is still cheaper if we do it and the person is wanting a full load. It cuts down on the handling charge because the buy has to pay for it.
We have sold to other Homesteader that do not have time to grow plants and they can then plant and sell some plants to cover their expenses. It helps everyone and that is what God wants of his children. As long as I am around, this greenhouse will continue to operate the way God has showed me he wants it.
We all so sell seeds and sell them very cheap. This is the time of the year I start getting all the orders in because I can only give good buys if I can get people to tell me what they want. I will do my best to supply any seed asked for or plant, As long as I know ahead it can then be done, or at least I will do my best.
Took Sometime Out today, Look what the Lord showed me
I took some time today to look at all our pictures this past year and I have to say it really makes a person thank the Lord for all he has done and given to you.Although this is a picture of all my girls that were at this family fuction, we had three more missing at this time and even if we updated it a month ago, we have learned that soon we will be having another addition. My son, Martin is planning to marry his very first love.
I have to say that it has been a long road in this relationship but if you hold faith then all will work out. I think my son would be the very first to agree NOW.
He fell in love with this young lady when he was 17 and he said he would marry her. Then when he went to ask for her parents Blessings, his dreams crashed to the ground. It was a hard time for me because I had to keep focused upon the Lord and at times I would find myself extremely angry. Then I would put my thoughts together because my son needed me.
Let me expain. My son was born with Cerbal Palsy. He has had to learn to walk many times over because of all his surgeries. He never used his handicap as an excuse and I think at times we all would forget about it. We never noticed he walked differently. Infact, we truely didn't see it anymore.
That was until the day my son asked this man for his daughters hand in marrage. He had this mans permission to date her so he was not expecting to hear what he was about to hear. The man looked at him and his daughter and then replied, " Martin is a crippled and you can do much better than marrying a guy who is Crippled."
My son was already facing the fact that when he asked the mother and her companion that they had to think about it because of the fact that the mother said she married young and it turned out that she found out she was not happy and was a Lesiban. It was hard for my son to speak to two females as a couple but he was not the judge nor was I. We only knew that we could not promote it but we had to respect them as the ones that God placed as parents in this young Ladies life.
My son knew that we strongly believed that before marrage the parents had to give their blessings. We have known parents that said no, but through prayer it all changed.
However, I came to understand that a mother's love makes a mother want to step up and deal with it. However, The Lord watch those hang his son on the cross. He did not show hatred, just Love and Forgiveness. I had to find that same love and find it fast.
To make a very Long story short, they were forced to break it off for awhile. The girl didn't take it good at all and rebelled. My son didn't take it good at all but We spent hours with him. We did not leave him to dwell upon it and I never went to sleep until my home was resting peacefully. I had to know that he was not in his bed crying. I had found him often like this.
Three years have pasted and they ran into each other. She invited him over to her mother's home and her mother's partner. My son went and was welcomed into their home with open arms. Within a week my son has got all parents involved Blessings to marry and they have decided to move on with it within the next three months. However, My son is not only going to become a Husband but She had a baby and he will become a Daddy to a little guy who needs a Daddy in his life. He is so proud and He agrees that even though it was hard, God had his reasons and he is glad he waited for thier Blessings, even if we do not approve of the lifestyle. We still need to show love and pray for them. All have sinned...is what the Lord says in his word. He never said Nanna Brenda you have not sinned so you can judge. Nope, I will proudly show the Love of the Lord because I Do Love him with ALL my heart.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Quilting Frame
I have been wanting to get me a quiting for years. Almost everyone I have asked has always said that they bought their quilting frame somewhere. It was a disappointment for me. However, Sense we moved back to the homestead after trying life in the city, I have become more and more into doing and providing what we need for ourselves.
Sense winter time will soon be here and it is getting colder and colder outside, I have been sewing more and more.
I used to always go visit my friends when I had a quilt that needed to be in a frame, however, we do not live near any of my old friends that had our quilting parties. So it sent me searching the Internet for a way to meet the need for a quilting frame. Now that I found the directions for this frame, I feel stupid that I have spent gas money to go to the quilting frame when I needed it. Here all these years I could have been quilting more and at home with my very own frame. It also has made me think about all my friends who have bought these frames. It could have been me that made those frames. I can say that this will be one item added to the store at Nanna Brenda's Homestead. So if you want one feel free to contact me. The frames that I will be selling will have screws instead of nails and brackets to make the saw horses last a whole lot longer. We have already drawn up the plans and tomorrow if possible I will be out their helping. I still have to take it easy because I am still under care for MRSA.
Sense winter time will soon be here and it is getting colder and colder outside, I have been sewing more and more.
I used to always go visit my friends when I had a quilt that needed to be in a frame, however, we do not live near any of my old friends that had our quilting parties. So it sent me searching the Internet for a way to meet the need for a quilting frame. Now that I found the directions for this frame, I feel stupid that I have spent gas money to go to the quilting frame when I needed it. Here all these years I could have been quilting more and at home with my very own frame. It also has made me think about all my friends who have bought these frames. It could have been me that made those frames. I can say that this will be one item added to the store at Nanna Brenda's Homestead. So if you want one feel free to contact me. The frames that I will be selling will have screws instead of nails and brackets to make the saw horses last a whole lot longer. We have already drawn up the plans and tomorrow if possible I will be out their helping. I still have to take it easy because I am still under care for MRSA.
Day of Healing with MRSA
Today I sat waiting the word from the doctor on if I would be returning to the hospital or the nurse would continue treating me. I had been in the hospital about three weeks ago with MRSA. If you have been reading about this horrible infection, I can tell you it is very real and nobody is exempt from getting it. When a person gets it they will think it is a small sore pimple. The first day of two it will feel very sore then bang, Your hit. When it is done and read to move on, within minutes it will turn into a large sore growing fast under the skin. In some cases the individual will be at the hospital before it opens up. They should be in surgery. However, I stayed home and placed warm, moist compresses on it. They it broke open. The smell was like someone was rotten and nobody could be near me without vomitting. It ran out of me and soaked a towel within the 20 minutes to the hospital. Within a hour I was being transferred to a larger hospital by ambulance. They needed to have several surgeons on hand and I would more then likely go to ICU.
When I reached the other hospital, They were gowned, gloves and masked. The doctors wasted no time. I.V. bags were added, to fight this infection and soon they had put me out. When I woke up, I had this large bandage on my leg, it had traveled so fast that most my thigh was nothing but open meat showing. It had to heal from the inside out and they had to see it every few hours to make sure it was not growing or I would be returning to surgery.
I am alive but not out of danger, Everyday it is measure and a call to the doctor is made to deside what is next for my nurse to do. So far It seems to be doing good. However, I am not looking forward to tomorrow, because it looks like it grew an inche sense early this morning. I am hoping it is my imagination.
Anyways, Everyone do make sure your wash your hands through out the day time. If I go to the doctors, my hands are now washed and cloths changed once I am home. My adult children now change they children and wash them after they return home from outings. This is not something to play with, I am alive. Most people do not live to talk about it. So trust me this is my second time with MRSA. I live in a small town and work from home, but yet I am a victim of this terrible flesh eating infection.
When I reached the other hospital, They were gowned, gloves and masked. The doctors wasted no time. I.V. bags were added, to fight this infection and soon they had put me out. When I woke up, I had this large bandage on my leg, it had traveled so fast that most my thigh was nothing but open meat showing. It had to heal from the inside out and they had to see it every few hours to make sure it was not growing or I would be returning to surgery.
I am alive but not out of danger, Everyday it is measure and a call to the doctor is made to deside what is next for my nurse to do. So far It seems to be doing good. However, I am not looking forward to tomorrow, because it looks like it grew an inche sense early this morning. I am hoping it is my imagination.
Anyways, Everyone do make sure your wash your hands through out the day time. If I go to the doctors, my hands are now washed and cloths changed once I am home. My adult children now change they children and wash them after they return home from outings. This is not something to play with, I am alive. Most people do not live to talk about it. So trust me this is my second time with MRSA. I live in a small town and work from home, but yet I am a victim of this terrible flesh eating infection.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Homesteading
Over the last several years we have been wanting to move back to the country. We finally made it back a year ago. I have to say that when your not living in a area that you can live the way you know or desire then your live will feel as though something is lacking. That is because it is just that.
Now we can raise our livestock, garden and eat from the earth. We still have to find ways to privide the money we need to meet those needs we have to purchase. That is for now. It is our desire to build a windmill this coming summer and we will do it. When this takes place I will be sure to post it with some pictures.
Now we can raise our livestock, garden and eat from the earth. We still have to find ways to privide the money we need to meet those needs we have to purchase. That is for now. It is our desire to build a windmill this coming summer and we will do it. When this takes place I will be sure to post it with some pictures.
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