Associated Content

A long time ago I've wrote an article, submitted it to Associated Content and they published it. Even got paid for it too. Depending on the article and the amount of hits AC thinks it will receive, will vary the amount of cash you'll get for your writing.

I decided today to write another and see how it will do. Planning on writing a few more just for the fun of it. Even if I don't get paid much, I still am making some money. Every little bit helps, especially with fuel costs as they are now a days. Click on the link and check them out. Never know, you might make a few bucks.

Knitting socks

Decided to take a leap of faith, the plunge as some would say. Making a pair of socks by hand. Knitting with two needs is bad enough....but four! Don't know if I got it in me, yet so far I do. Got just under an inch made in a circular creation going on. Have search the net for how to make socks. Found a couple nice site, but youtube has movies. Yay me! Need all the help this chick can get.

Using Sock Ease from Lion Brand in Taffy color. The yarn also has aloe in it to help soften the hands as you work. Added bonus. When done, I will try to post a picture of the complete pair. Depends on how lame they look though. My lameness is legendary around these parts. Just ask my kids.

Health Curriculum

After many searches and asking several people, I've come to the conclusion that there isn't a health unit study out there like I want. Fun, hands on, and non text bookie is what I'm looking for. Looks I'll have to put one together every year. That's perfectly fine. This way I get what I want and I'll know what the kids are reading/studying.

My plans are to create the unit to last a semester, focus on 1 main item and highlight several others, have fun things to do and at the end have a test to verify what we've learned. Sounds easy. Praying that it is. Looks like it might be easy. AND if the kids start asking questions about something, we will probably veer off the main subject and focus on the new idea. That's fine. That's homeschooling.

Memorial Day and new links

I found a site that had millions of links. Took me a while to whittle them down cause of the dead links. I hope to find more. So if anyone comes across a free or low cost curriculum or homeschool aid, pass it along to me.

In other news, staying home this Memorial Day. FIL usually has a cook out but he and his mom went to see his brother. FIL just retired and is find that his wife of 25 years isn't the person he thought she was. He is expected to pay his own bills even after he retired. News to him. Sadly, his kids and her kids new this already. *shakes head*

So we are going to cookout here at home. Just the five of us. Could start a new tradition. BBQ Chicken, Wild Rice, Best BBQ Beans on the Planet, Cucumber Salad, and Strawberry Tart. By the way, the baked beans are to die for. With the severe thunder storms rolling in this evening, we may be eating in the basement. hehe

Frugal Summer Fun

The kids are eager to start on summer fun things. Me, I'm looking forward to the major cleaning we'll do as well as painting the master bedroom. I don't want to think very far ahead, but if I don't things will get out of hand.

Now my kids will have fun this summer. Don't get me wrong. Yet they will also do their daily and weekly chores. No work, no play. Most of their chores take no more than 5-10 minutes a day, unless its cutting the grass...that takes a little longer. ; )

Ideas we would like to do:
- Library: Ours just reopened from a major remodel. Lots of things to explore there. Plus my kids love to read.
- Camping in the back yard: I've been asked this several times since April. Waiting for night time temps to rise a bit more.
- Camping: Over a weekend in the State parks around here. Only out the fuel, park entrance fees, and the tent camping fee. This will be our vacation fun this year. Lots of fond memories to be made.
- Walks and bike rides
- Picnics in the park
- Swimming at the park (sparingly)
- Have friends overnight
- VBS at our church
- Volunteering to help at the Senior Center and a couple other places
- Finish up the baseball season
- Play games on the computer or Playstation: We have many tournaments around here. The boys love challenges.
- Visit Grandma: She lives near Lake Michigan and has a local zoo. This could be a great getaway for us. Depends on fuel costs as well as other expenses (boarding animals, fees for zoo, etc.)
- Use the binoculars and/or telescope: Watch the moon, stars, birds, etc.
- Visit a nature center
- Water fights: Water balloons and water guns are great fun; even for teens.
- Free field trips: Call around for free field trips. Great way to spend a hot afternoon or rainy day.
- Movie theater: Check out a movie. Our theater only charges $3 a person to get in.

There are probably many other things we will be doing that I haven't even thought about yet. Sky is the limit here. I'll just ask the kids what they'd like to do if I run out of ideas.