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Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Because I don't have anything else to do...(yeah, right)

USING ONLY ONE WORD! It's not as easy as you might think! Copy and change the answers to suit you and pass it on. It's really hard to only use one word answers. Be sure to tag the person you received it from!

(To do this, go to "notes" under tabs on your profile page, paste these instructions in the body of the note, type your list, tag people (in the right hand corner of the app) then click publish.)

1. Where is your mobile phone? dunno
2. Your significant other? Rich
3. Your hair? unkept
4. Your favorite thing? chocolate
5. Your dream last night? none
6. Your favorite drink? cola
7. Your dream/goal? happiness
8. What room you are in? dining
9. Your hobby? which
10. Your fear? death
11. Where do you want to be in 6 years? work
12. Where were you last night? bed
13. Muffins? blueberry
14. Wish list item? sneakers
15. Where you grew up? California
16. Last thing you did? crochet
17. What are you wearing? skirt
18. Your TV? on
19. Your pets? Rollo
20. Friends? dear
21. Your life? busy
22. Your mood? excited
23. Missing some one? grandma
24. Car? expensive
25. Something you're not wearing? earrings
26. Your favorite store? JoAnn's
27. Your favorite color? orange
28. When is the last time you laughed? 5
29. Last time you cried? months
30. Who will resend this? Coco
31. One place that I go to over and over? bathroom
32. One person who emails me regularly? spam

Friday, March 13, 2009

Private School

I started looking at private Christian schools for my Kindergarten twins. I thought that there might be money out there...somewhere...to help me send them to a "good" school. Ha!

Let me back up: My older three have been attending public schools for the last five years. In that time I have learned that though the district brags on their academic standings, they are in reality far behind being "good" schools. I laugh everytime I see the "California Distinguised School" logos. Really, what does that mean? I blame No Child Left Behind for the bulk of the problems and cash flow for the rest. I learned early-on with my dealings with these schools that they are more concerned with test scores and outcomes than they are with what the children have actually learned. Homework goes ungraded (not unmarked, they get credit for turning anything in. D's are passing, no matter what subject they are in, including PE and Art. It only takes 2 D's to promote to the next grade level (all F's in the other subjects is OK). They don't retain students (nope--they dumb-down the work). Good luck if your child has a true learning disability, it's like pulling the teeth of a rhinoceros to get and IEP and don't think for a minute that the teachers that complain about your child to you are going to have your back in the hearing!

I have tried my best to help them in their schooling, but it is really hard when they are in a school all day where dollars are more important than students. Hence my decision to try to get my children enrolled in a private school.

To my dismay, enrollment fees are in the thousands in my area. Like $4-5,000 each per year. Some offer modest discounts for multiple children, but others do not. That would run approximately $650 per month. But that doesn't include the $300 registration fee, uniforms, materials and books, field trips, sports and music fees, and three or more mandatory fundraisers that "complete" the cost of school because of course the 4 grand is discounted!!!

What ever happened to the vouchers? I guess that was voted down, and now I am left to either homeschool, continue to send my kids to the public schools, or my husband and I can work around the clock (oh! but there are no viable jobs--I forgot, we are in a recession).

I guess as long as those who make enough have the option to send their kids to the best schools do and they continue to pay taxes so my kids have somewhere to go all day, then public school is good enough for me. What are my kids going to become anyway? Fast food cooks, convenience store clerks, or cashiers at mega stores? They don't really need the "good" education. Let's reserve that for those who have the money. Sheesh!!!

Who knows...maybe God has some big surprise for me and my kids. I'll wait patiently on Him. I'll pray and I'll rejoice because He is still in the miracle business!

Sunday, March 1, 2009

How Fun!

I designed some bottle covers that fit baby bottles, sippy cups and 16 ounce water bottles. I posted them in my etsy shop at $7.50 each or two for $13.50. They can be made to order in any color you want. No more setting your water bottle down and forgetting which one is yours. These covers are great for absorbing condensation and insulating warm baby bottles. They are made of 100% cotton yarn and are machine washable and dryable. Check 'em out below!

I wanted to have 100 washcloths finished by today for a giveaway, but as things go I have to be flexible and go where I am led. Anyway...here's pics of the bottle covers and check back here and at my etsy shop for the washcloths.