For those of you in the Ogden area or anywhere near, you may know of the Bookshelf. It's going out of business now, i think the owner died and the (wife?) is retiring.
They're having a liquidation sale, by now everything is 80% OFF!! I bought 14 books last night for FIVE DOLLARS! I love books, i made sure to go by myself because i can stay forever. Last night i was there for four hours! And I didn't get to finish really. These are used books, some well-used, very old, some classics, some new books that people read and gave away. Great Place for bibliophiles! That's ME!
I found some historical fiction to round out history lessons, ds just told me today he likes learning history this way much better than with just a textbook. I bought a couple about the west (he was born here after all!), a couple of kids in the Revolutionary War, one from the Civil War, Vikings, others, some were just for fun. He always says he wishes he could rewind time so that whatever annoying, bad, or sad thing just happened could be erased. I found a book called "Rewind To Yesterday". He grinned when he saw that one!
Friday, February 29, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
For My Homeschool Curriculum
Just playing around, trying to decide on a name and logo for curriculum and ideas that come from homeschooling my boys, I found a site where I can make a real, official logo design, and business cards. It's really easy to do, they lead you through five steps and voila! It's done!
The hardest part was figuring out a name, but there is a lot of helpful advice even about that. There's help through every step, they tell what things to consider. Then there are choices about what type of company you have so that you can match the type of logo to what you most want to emphasize.
I wanted to point out that my curriculum is to get kids' minds soaring, taking off in their imagination with every new thing they discover. At first, I looked at logos with brains, but that just wasn't right. They have a search box, so after looking at some of the possibilities (there was a comet for one), I typed in rocket and there they were!
It's really worth looking through the offerings; you'll either find what you want or find something even better than you started with. There are LOTS of choices. You can choose font styles, sizes, colors, then the templates give options I hadn't even considered. Not only is it a great business choice, I had fun just playing with it!
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
My parents should LIVE in Branson
The next time i drive across the US, something i do more often than most people, i HAVE to stop in Branson. My parents love it so much that it's become the meeting point for relatives from opposite sides of the country. My aunt from Texas, my parents from SC, and their friends who are usually traveling somewhere, always make that their meeting point.
My mom's favorite is, okay, ONE of my mom's favorites was the show where they have dancers from all over the world doing their different cultural dances. On one trip they took my nieces who both thoroughly enjoyed it as well, there are things in Branson for adults, kids, old, young, male, female.
Another one of the draws is the Elvis impersonator, my mom and her sisters and cousins have pictures of themselves with one of them in particular, a guy named Lou that they absolutely adore!
My parents don't usually avail themselves of the package deals but the relatives and friends definitely do. These packages cover your hotel, meals, certain shows, there are a variety of choices. If you don't find one that fits your needs, they custom design one for you! When i go, i'll need a package, even a tour, i get lost WAY too easily! With a package, you can be sure you don't forget or get distracted from the things you didn't want to miss, there's an awful lot to see and do so that would be easy to happen. Then the next time (this is one of those places that you will definitely go back to for more!), you just go with a different package to have a whole different vacation! Or just customize it to keep those things you love so much, you don't want to do without, and add a thing or two for the novelty.
I hear so much about Silver Dollar City, the Chinese guy with the violin, the Russian named Smirnoff who was so thrilled to see signs when he arrived in America saying, "America loves Smirnoff", he thought his fame had already reached overseas - until he realized it meant the vodka! I heard a lot about the Chinese acrobats from my nieces, they were quite impressed. There's a theme park with rides and such in Silver Dollar City so my son will like that part too. He loves hotels and FOOD too so this will be so perfect! It's probably expensive for me but there are all sorts of coupons too (my parents love coupons) to help with that.
My mom's favorite is, okay, ONE of my mom's favorites was the show where they have dancers from all over the world doing their different cultural dances. On one trip they took my nieces who both thoroughly enjoyed it as well, there are things in Branson for adults, kids, old, young, male, female.
Another one of the draws is the Elvis impersonator, my mom and her sisters and cousins have pictures of themselves with one of them in particular, a guy named Lou that they absolutely adore!
My parents don't usually avail themselves of the package deals but the relatives and friends definitely do. These packages cover your hotel, meals, certain shows, there are a variety of choices. If you don't find one that fits your needs, they custom design one for you! When i go, i'll need a package, even a tour, i get lost WAY too easily! With a package, you can be sure you don't forget or get distracted from the things you didn't want to miss, there's an awful lot to see and do so that would be easy to happen. Then the next time (this is one of those places that you will definitely go back to for more!), you just go with a different package to have a whole different vacation! Or just customize it to keep those things you love so much, you don't want to do without, and add a thing or two for the novelty.
I hear so much about Silver Dollar City, the Chinese guy with the violin, the Russian named Smirnoff who was so thrilled to see signs when he arrived in America saying, "America loves Smirnoff", he thought his fame had already reached overseas - until he realized it meant the vodka! I heard a lot about the Chinese acrobats from my nieces, they were quite impressed. There's a theme park with rides and such in Silver Dollar City so my son will like that part too. He loves hotels and FOOD too so this will be so perfect! It's probably expensive for me but there are all sorts of coupons too (my parents love coupons) to help with that.
I Found Things Today!
Last week i drove all over trying to find the north branch of the library (instead of the main one I usually go to), and two places where i wanted to apply for a job. I found none of them! Just drove around forever wasting gas!
Today, I found the library and it had so many things i needed. Saved me lots of money too, i would have had to buy way too many things for ds's schooling. Then i stopped at the bookstore and found two more books that were exactly what i wanted - on sale for $1.99 each!
The only bad part is that i was supposed to be here for my friend to drop off her son and i wasn't back yet. They were here early - totally unusual - and i, well, i had been at libraries and bookstores so of course i was late. I hope it worked out okay, i went to get him and all was normal after that.
Today, I found the library and it had so many things i needed. Saved me lots of money too, i would have had to buy way too many things for ds's schooling. Then i stopped at the bookstore and found two more books that were exactly what i wanted - on sale for $1.99 each!
The only bad part is that i was supposed to be here for my friend to drop off her son and i wasn't back yet. They were here early - totally unusual - and i, well, i had been at libraries and bookstores so of course i was late. I hope it worked out okay, i went to get him and all was normal after that.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Found A Place
Searching for land for my brother kind of backfired. I found Tennessee land for sale. The area is absolutely beautiful, it's on the east coast, it's between him and the rest of the family so it would be a good meeting point. Then he called me and said he found land in another state! That's alright, he can still look here, this is a good choice too i think. I remember driving through on my way to a concert (I go a long way for a good concert!) and LOVE it. Maybe someday when i have lots of extra money - 15 minute break here while i go laugh my head off! - I'll buy some here myself!
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Free Imaginary Home Decorating
Since my mother-in-law bought her new old home - really, that's what it is - I've been imagining furnishing a house in that style. She's planning to refurbish in the style of the early 1900s, she'll have a wraparound porch (it had one, guess it's being redone), a large wood stove, wood floors. She did say she wants carpet. At first that surprised me but she said she'll sacrifice authenticity for comfort and efficiency on this point - she wants warm toes! Besides, they had carpet or at least rugs by then, didn't they?
I love wood stoves, used to have one and when the power went out, it was wonderful! We cooked on it, kept warm by it, read together by its light...
I tried to find things that fit the early 1900s motif, I found a site that has light fixtures , lamps, and chandeliers of all styles. I realize i'm looking at what i imagine to be the right old-fashioned style but then have to remember this is the old west. Kind of. There's pretty much some of every style here so something will work. What i like is the idea of a chandelier over the front door. Then again, maybe not, it's very windy in her area, would that be safe? I know she wants plenty of light, she uses a cane to walk right now as it is. And she would use the porch to relax and read, drink her tea, talk with her guests. Okay, i'm getting carried away, imagining something in the style of Tara in Gone With The Wind!
But that's the fun part in decorating someone else's house in your imagination! I can change styles as often as i want, spend as much money as i want, and reality doesn't have to intrude!
I love wood stoves, used to have one and when the power went out, it was wonderful! We cooked on it, kept warm by it, read together by its light...
I tried to find things that fit the early 1900s motif, I found a site that has light fixtures , lamps, and chandeliers of all styles. I realize i'm looking at what i imagine to be the right old-fashioned style but then have to remember this is the old west. Kind of. There's pretty much some of every style here so something will work. What i like is the idea of a chandelier over the front door. Then again, maybe not, it's very windy in her area, would that be safe? I know she wants plenty of light, she uses a cane to walk right now as it is. And she would use the porch to relax and read, drink her tea, talk with her guests. Okay, i'm getting carried away, imagining something in the style of Tara in Gone With The Wind!
But that's the fun part in decorating someone else's house in your imagination! I can change styles as often as i want, spend as much money as i want, and reality doesn't have to intrude!
The Old Homestead
My in-laws have bought their old homestead in Nebraska, my m-i-l was born there. It needs a lot of renovation, the house was built in 1910, updated and repaired somewhere in the 70s or 80s. She was so excited about the plans, not so excited about the cost. But still, yet someone else is buying property - I want to!
Or not. One good thing about renting is that i have no obligations beyond the year or so; if i see a need to move, i can. The bad thing is i have no yard to do with as i will. But since my ds never goes outside, does it matter? I'm hoping this will change when he acclimates, SC to UT is a big change!
He's a native but he's been gone a long time, he's been through a lot of changes in his life.
What i love here is the weather, it's cold. No, i don't like to freeze, don't like to slip on ice, or spinout in the car because of snow. But dealing with this isn't as bad as the deadly heat of the southeast! At least, not to me. I did enjoy not having to find boots, coats, gloves, and all that just to run out and check the mail however!
Or not. One good thing about renting is that i have no obligations beyond the year or so; if i see a need to move, i can. The bad thing is i have no yard to do with as i will. But since my ds never goes outside, does it matter? I'm hoping this will change when he acclimates, SC to UT is a big change!
He's a native but he's been gone a long time, he's been through a lot of changes in his life.
What i love here is the weather, it's cold. No, i don't like to freeze, don't like to slip on ice, or spinout in the car because of snow. But dealing with this isn't as bad as the deadly heat of the southeast! At least, not to me. I did enjoy not having to find boots, coats, gloves, and all that just to run out and check the mail however!
All Good News
All the babies have been checked out by the doctor, they're all healthy, happy and wise! It seems that everything is just silly little daily life stuff and we don't need to worry. What a relief. I'll still be watching them but so far it's all good.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Looking For Property
My little brother still wants to buy land and set up a commune. He says he's wants a cult but doesn't want to run it. But then, after i get him off the crazy talk, he admits he wants a family property, a place he can come to and have all his family and friends gathered around him. He worked in the WTC and so did my other brother so family and safety, all that, have become way more important to him than ever before. He wants everyone gathered safely in one place!
He asks me to keep an eye out for good property, I told him about the land given away in Kansas (I think it was) but he isn't looking for tornado country! There is PLENTY of beautiful land here in Utah, I tell him sometimes about property I've seen but so far, he hasn't jumped. I'm really not sure he should do this here anyway, my sister and parents are well-established on the east coast. We looked in Virginia before when I was in Maryland, thought we found something he wanted but then he decided not to. I think the wild west draws his attention but practicality makes him look at the east - so he's pulled two directions and can't make up his mind!
He asks me to keep an eye out for good property, I told him about the land given away in Kansas (I think it was) but he isn't looking for tornado country! There is PLENTY of beautiful land here in Utah, I tell him sometimes about property I've seen but so far, he hasn't jumped. I'm really not sure he should do this here anyway, my sister and parents are well-established on the east coast. We looked in Virginia before when I was in Maryland, thought we found something he wanted but then he decided not to. I think the wild west draws his attention but practicality makes him look at the east - so he's pulled two directions and can't make up his mind!
Things I Found In Storage
My youngest will NOT be thrilled if i tell him about some of the things I found as I'm unpacking boxes from my storage. His old baby toys are amusing him, he's remembering and having fun. But I also found his brother's homeschool schoolbooks! I'm excited, he most certainly, definitely won't be! LOL! These are for 8th grade, my son now is in 7th but they can be adapted. The algebra he won't mind so much probably but grammar and writing?! I can SO see him running to his room, shutting the door, and blocking it with everything he can find! Then he'll be on his knees on the other side, moaning and begging, "Noooo, Mom, pleeeeeease, nooooooo!" This may sound like exaggeration but really - a 13 year old boy and schoolwork - it's no exaggeration!
Kids Can Be Frightening
My grandson is having some sort of trouble, hopefully nothing but we're checking it out. His feet turned dark red or purple like he's getting no proper circulation in them. The first time it happened I wasn't too worried, he had been sitting on his knees for a while at the table. When I went to stand him on the floor to take him to wash, he wouldn't put one foot down, just cried. I realized his foot had fallen asleep so i rubbed his leg and foot until he was better. But about 20 minutes later, my son was dressing him and I saw the baby's whole leg and that foot was still red. Then it happened again the next day, he was on the sofa after waking up from a nap, head down on the arm of the sofa and on his knees - it was really cute. But then i noticed his feet were dark, dark purple and he kept fussing. I don't know what this is but it's more than a foot going to sleep. My son wonders if he's got a pinched nerve, can babies do that?!
His mom has just had another baby (not my grandchild), this baby seems to have tremors, she's wondering if they're seizures. All this reminded me of a child named David I used to have in my kindergarten class. He was the handsomest little thing! Black hair (I love black hair), blue eyes and a mischievous grin. He had some sort of disorder though, something with his muscles, maybe nothing like these problems, just made me think of him. I think he had cerebral palsy. People were acting like this was a problem that would get worse over time but I just found this cerebral palsy therapy site that sounds like it won't. At least there are things that can be done, treatments that can help. This little boy was so sweet, and I was glad to see the compassion in the other little boys when they realized he couldn't run and play like they could. They found ways to include him.
I don't know what we'll find out about my grandson and his sister, hopefully all is well with them both. Kids can be so frightening, you never know if it's just something that will go away or something to be terrified about.
His mom has just had another baby (not my grandchild), this baby seems to have tremors, she's wondering if they're seizures. All this reminded me of a child named David I used to have in my kindergarten class. He was the handsomest little thing! Black hair (I love black hair), blue eyes and a mischievous grin. He had some sort of disorder though, something with his muscles, maybe nothing like these problems, just made me think of him. I think he had cerebral palsy. People were acting like this was a problem that would get worse over time but I just found this cerebral palsy therapy site that sounds like it won't. At least there are things that can be done, treatments that can help. This little boy was so sweet, and I was glad to see the compassion in the other little boys when they realized he couldn't run and play like they could. They found ways to include him.
I don't know what we'll find out about my grandson and his sister, hopefully all is well with them both. Kids can be so frightening, you never know if it's just something that will go away or something to be terrified about.
I Don't Want To Get Old
Though I'm not saying I want to stop getting older at this particular moment! Usually when i think of retirement plans, medicare, things like that, i think of my parents, not me! But as pointed out whenever you get a job, these are things to set up now, no matter how young or old you are.
I saw this site for a medicare supplement (why do they always show people in swimming pools?) and it reminded me of my dad's hinting about how much trouble he's having in daily life, my mom's denying its reality...my dad wants to move into a retirement home. I'm not sure if it's mainly for his sake or if he's thinking of my mom. It's easy for me to believe he's afraid she will be left alone and needing help if he becomes incapacitated or dies. Of course, it was only a few months ago that he was hauling cement blocks and building a patio! But really, he realizes he's not up to that anymore, it hurt him a lot, he has trouble working in the heat now. I need to take his example to heart and be prepared so i don't leave family in a situation where they wish they could help me but can't afford it, i need to start preparing for old age now. Besides, with some kind of insurance, it would be great to know that even my death could help my children. I would make sure they see it as NOT benefiting from my death but receiving one last gift from the mom who always taught them they are the best things that ever happened to the world.
I saw this site for a medicare supplement (why do they always show people in swimming pools?) and it reminded me of my dad's hinting about how much trouble he's having in daily life, my mom's denying its reality...my dad wants to move into a retirement home. I'm not sure if it's mainly for his sake or if he's thinking of my mom. It's easy for me to believe he's afraid she will be left alone and needing help if he becomes incapacitated or dies. Of course, it was only a few months ago that he was hauling cement blocks and building a patio! But really, he realizes he's not up to that anymore, it hurt him a lot, he has trouble working in the heat now. I need to take his example to heart and be prepared so i don't leave family in a situation where they wish they could help me but can't afford it, i need to start preparing for old age now. Besides, with some kind of insurance, it would be great to know that even my death could help my children. I would make sure they see it as NOT benefiting from my death but receiving one last gift from the mom who always taught them they are the best things that ever happened to the world.
Jumping For Joy!!
After 6 (7? 8?) YEARS my belongings are in my house! No more storage! YIPPEE!
I am finally in the same state with all my furniture, my knickknacks, my children's baby toys. It's been so long that I'm passing some down to THEIR kids! No longer do i pay for the privilege of not having access to any of my things. No longer am i sleeping on an air mattress while my bed is behind a locked door up in the mountains. My clothes are out of boxes and in real drawers, in my very own lovely dresser! The air hockey table that my youngest was too young to see over the side of is now here for him to play - with me, i really like air hockey! The table is bigger than I remembered, aren't things supposed to get smaller when you see them again in real life? WHERE is this thing going to fit? Especially now that i have my real dining room table again!
I am so excited about this! My friend crooked her little finger and sent two of her men scurrying to help me with the moving, they provided a trailer, and I have my things!!! Once again, YIPPEE!
Of course, she didn't really "crook her little finger and send them scurrying", it just amused me to phrase it that way. She asked (told) them I needed help and like the true men they are, they DID. Is it too undignified for me to jump up and down with joy like a two-year-old?
I am finally in the same state with all my furniture, my knickknacks, my children's baby toys. It's been so long that I'm passing some down to THEIR kids! No longer do i pay for the privilege of not having access to any of my things. No longer am i sleeping on an air mattress while my bed is behind a locked door up in the mountains. My clothes are out of boxes and in real drawers, in my very own lovely dresser! The air hockey table that my youngest was too young to see over the side of is now here for him to play - with me, i really like air hockey! The table is bigger than I remembered, aren't things supposed to get smaller when you see them again in real life? WHERE is this thing going to fit? Especially now that i have my real dining room table again!
I am so excited about this! My friend crooked her little finger and sent two of her men scurrying to help me with the moving, they provided a trailer, and I have my things!!! Once again, YIPPEE!
Of course, she didn't really "crook her little finger and send them scurrying", it just amused me to phrase it that way. She asked (told) them I needed help and like the true men they are, they DID. Is it too undignified for me to jump up and down with joy like a two-year-old?
Monday, February 4, 2008
Pay Someone To Use Your Own Money?!
My friend moved out here, got a place to live, and was asking me about schools, banks, jobs, stuff like that. Everything is a question when you're new to an area (though she lived here before a long time ago.) She insisted on using a bank instead of a credit union no matter how hard I tried to talk her out of it. Then when she started complaining about the fees, I was nice and kept my mouth shut - okay maybe I didn't. :-)
If she insists on a bank, maybe she should look at this for her checking accounts - no fees, FREE. Why you would pay someone else to use your own money I just don't know.
If she insists on a bank, maybe she should look at this for her checking accounts - no fees, FREE. Why you would pay someone else to use your own money I just don't know.
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