Random 5 on Friday: Catching Up and Reducing

Here's a quick Random 5 on Friday post, and then I need to get back to work - I have baking and some chores I need to get done before running errands this afternoon.

1. Thought I was staying on top of grading the kids' schoolwork, but I've still got a fair-sized stack of math to go through. This weekend's project is to make sure I'm completely caught up.
2. My pet peeve of the week: people adding their link to a link-up but it has NOTHING to do with the theme of the link-up. Hello?! Do you even look at the anchor post?! I'm sure no one reading this would ever do that, but there are people out there that do and it bugs me. Thanks for letting me vent. :-)
3. Six big bags of clothes and bedding left my house this week - donated to Purple Heart. A little bit more progress in our efforts to reduce our stuff this year. And speaking of reducing... I'm finally trying to get more serious about some personal reducing. I need to lose weight, and I need to quit procrastinating. I've been making a few small changes that have already helped me, and I am committed to continuing. Some things are harder to change than others, so I expect there to be some difficult days when I am just not feeling it.
4. It was too cloudy to see any of the partial solar eclipse yesterday. But we didn't have welding masks or anything like that anyway, so maybe it's just as well that we watched the live streaming from a couple of conservatories instead. I like lunar eclipses better - no special viewing equipment needed. :-) 
5. Finally did some catching up and blogged about some of the books I finished reading recently. Check out my book blog, Just A Second, if you want to see what they are. 

Not an eclipse - just the moon.

The stack of stuff donated this week!

    

In addition to linking to the Random 5 on Friday at The Pebble Pond, this post is also linked at For the Display of His Splendor.

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 ©2006-2014 Homeschool Coffee Break. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://kympossibleblog.blogspot.com/

Random 5 on Friday: New Roof, Busy Weekends, and Change

Random 5 on Friday

1. We had a pretty good week for school, but I'm amazed at how the time slips past so quickly! I keep thinking we have lots of time to get such-and-such done, and then I look at the calendar and realize that the deadlines are almost on top of me!
2. As of today, we have a new roof! I need to go out and take some pictures. Most of the work was done yesterday, and it was NOISY here! 
3. It looks like I will be living in my van from this evening through sometime Sunday afternoon. Our truck is in the shop, so it will be all me driving everyone everywhere starting tonight. Of course it's an especially busy weekend too! On the plus side, it looks like the schedules overlap in such a way that one driver can get it all done. By driving constantly, but still. At least it's doable!
4. Changes in how our worship teams work at church are challenging our/my creativity and flexibility! Proving once again my own proverb: We are all for change when it's our idea and to our own benefit - when it's somebody else's idea and inconveniences us, we're not nearly so willing to embrace it.
5. I am super-behind on reading blogs and commenting, and on my book blog, Just A Second. I have finished THREE books that I still haven't reviewed there. And I have a curriculum review I need to finish up and post here in the next couple days too. 

    

In addition to linking to the Random 5 on Friday at The Pebble Pond, this post is also linked at For the Display of His Splendor.

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 ©2006-2014 Homeschool Coffee Break. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://kympossibleblog.blogspot.com/

Random 5 on Friday: Late in the Evening

I'm late with my Random 5 on Friday.  Funny how that happens when everybody in the household wants a turn at the computer, and then we are all headed different directions for the evening! And even though the night is still relatively young, I am more tired than I ought to be. I'm gonna post this and then brew myself a cup of coffee!

1. I had a moment of panic early in the week where I thought our first quarter grades were due! I couldn't figure out how it had gone so quickly... and then I took a deep breath and actually looked at my calendar. They are not due till the first week of November. Whew!! 
2. I absolutely hate the header image I made for one of my reviews, but it's already posted. And I don't know whether I should just leave it, or whether I should make myself do another one.
3. We are getting a new roof next week! The materials were delivered today.
4. We celebrated the oldest two boys' birthdays last night with dinner out at a barbecue place. And then went shopping at Ollie's, cuz we're just that classy!
5. Just got word that Kennady's softball game for this weekend was cancelled because of the unexpected passing of a coach connected to the other team. A man that had many friends among the other softball coaches as well. So sad for this loss, and for the families and friends that are grieving. I don't know this man at all, but I hope he knew Jesus.  

    

In addition to linking to the Random 5 on Friday at The Pebble Pond, this post is also linked at For the Display of His Splendor.

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 ©2006-2014 Homeschool Coffee Break. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://kympossibleblog.blogspot.com/

Random 5 on Friday: Seasonal Work, Extra Rinse Cycle, and Numbering Problems

I am finally home on a Friday so I can do a Random 5 on Friday post!

1. Surprisingly, we managed to stay more or less on track for school over the last couple weeks, even through all kinds of distractions and interruptions.
2. Landon will receive his first paycheck from his seasonal job today... and it's his last day of work for the season. Perfect timing!
3. I've had the same load of laundry hanging out on the line for at least three days. I think this is Day Four. Either it rains, or it gets dark, and then I figure I'll just leave it until it dries or until morning. Of course no one else in the family thinks to bring it in. *sigh*
4. I'm reading through the Bible chronologically again this year. I recently finished Ezra and Nehemiah. These stories fascinate me because of the commitment and respect shown for the Word of God. These people stood for hours and hours listening to the Law read and explained to them, and then rejoiced and worshiped. And the celebration they had when the wall was built - wow!

And they offered great sacrifices that day and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and children also rejoiced. And the joy of Jerusalem was heard far away. ~Nehemiah 12:43 

1. <--- That's supposed to be a 5. I messed up the numbered list formatting by inserting the quote and I don't feel like fixing it. Actually, I don't know how. So, really you're getting at least six random things for the price of five today. But what I meant to say here is this: I've been doing a bit more reading lately, although I probably have too many books going at one time. Kind of goes along with my time management problems, I guess - too much stuff going on makes it hard to focus and get any of the stuff done. You can see what I'm reading, and my thoughts on books I've finished at my book blog, Just A Second.

the working man coming home after a hard day on the job. :-)

    

In addition to linking to the Random 5 on Friday at The Pebble Pond, this post is also linked at For the Display of His Splendor.

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 ©2006-2014 Homeschool Coffee Break. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://kympossibleblog.blogspot.com/

Random 5 on Friday: Post-Vacation, Reading, and Tomatoes

Random 5 on Friday

1. Turns out it's harder to stay on track in school when one kid is working mornings. Who knew? Just one more thing to add to the schedule.
2. We had a great time on vacation last week, despite minor colds and sniffles; a twisted ankle (yours truly); and a little bit of car trouble. The weather was great, and we enjoyed swimming, hiking, visiting caves, and eating out. And also deer eating out of our hands. Yes, that happened.
3. I provided food for an obscene number of mosquitoes on Wednesday night. The odd thing is that I never noticed, and I think the bites were time-release or something. This is the itchiest I've been all summer.
4. I've been doing a little more reading lately, thanks to vacation time. I finished two Georgette Heyer books on vacation, and read a brand new Mary Connealy book as soon as we got home. (You can see what I thought about these books on my book blog, Just A Second.)
5. Kennady wanted to make sure the birds and bugs didn't get her tomatoes, so she started picking them. I guess I will need to figure out how to make/can tomato sauce or something!

    

In addition to linking to the Random 5 on Friday at The Pebble Pond, this post is also linked at For the Display of His Splendor.

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 ©2006-2014 Homeschool Coffee Break. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://kympossibleblog.blogspot.com/

Random 5 on Friday: Back to School, Hair Loss, and My Wall

It's a little late in the day, but I think I still have time for a Random 5 on Friday summary of our week.

1. This was our first week "Back to Homeschool" and it went fairly well. The kids started on Social Studies and Math. Clearly they will need a refresher course in Alarm Clark Response because they had a lot of trouble getting up on time!
2. Kennady and I got our hair cut this week. Mine was no big deal as it was just a trim. But she got somewhere around EIGHTEEN INCHES of hair cut off! She is donating a 15-inch ponytail to Pantene Beautiful Lengths. She loves her new "short" hair, and I'm very proud of her! (I'll post pictures tomorrow!)
3. I know already that my biggest personal challenge during this school year will probably be time management. I hope I can stick to my resolve of keeping on top of things and not procrastinating.
4. I'm reading several things right now including one of my favorite novels, The Eight by Katherine Neville. I just started a Georgette Heyer novel, The Toll-Gate. I've never read Heyer before - have you? So far I'm enjoying it. I blog about my reading and other random things at Just A Second if you want to check out what else in on my reading stack, or my progress on The "Summer's Flying By" Reading Challenge.
5. I'm including my photos for the Homeschool Weekly Photo Challenge in this post. The challenge for this week was to show what we have on our schoolroom walls. Well, we don't have a schoolroom so I've snapped a few photos of the walls in the rooms where we work on schoolwork - the computer desk in my room; the dining room; and the kids' rooms. Visit The Canadian Homeschooler to find out more about the Homeschool Weekly Photo Challenge.

   

The above pictures are the bulletin boards on either side of the computer desk and all the random things that are pinned there, including some birthday money and last year's weekly school schedule; and a fun poster that I put up in my room. Below is a picture of the dining room. I don't put school related posters or anything like that on the walls in that room, but artwork often finds its way onto the shelves and stays there on display.

This is the wall by the desk in Landon's room.

And the wall by the desk in Kennady's room.

    

In addition to linking to the Random 5 on Friday at The Pebble Pond, this post is also linked at For the Display of His Splendor.

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 ©2006-2014 Homeschool Coffee Break. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://kympossibleblog.blogspot.com/

Random 5 on Friday: Summer Break is Almost Over

Time to wrap up our last week of summer break with Random 5 on Friday (a link hosted at The Pebble Pond).

1. I'm putting finishing touches on the lesson plans etc, because we start school on Monday! A couple subjects for each kid, anyway.
2. I find it amusing that "homeschooling" is considered a correctly spelled word by blogger's spell-check, but "homeschool" is not.
3. I finally convinced Landon to choose an elective for this school year. He is going to do Practical Drafting, which will probably wind up being his Fine Arts credit, even though it's more appropriate as a Tech credit. But he is not artsy, so we are thinking outside the box a little bit.
4. The weather is just about perfect today. Which reminds me... it's especially perfect for hanging laundry on the line, so I'd better get going on Mount Washmore!
5. I finished a quick read from Ken Ham, Understanding the Times. I've just started re-reading an old favorite book of mine - The Eight by Katherine Neville. Kennady and I are working on Simply Audra Marie's Summer Reading Challenge. You can read about all that at my book blog, Just A Second.

On my blog this week... This week was the "Back To Homeschool" Blog Hop with the Schoolhouse Review Crew. I shared "My Back To Homeschool Checklist" this week.

• Scripture and A Snapshot: August 9, 2014
• My Back to Homeschool Checklist: School Scripture
• My Back to Homeschool Checklist: Schedules and Routines
• My Back to Homeschool Checklist: P is for (Lesson) Plans
• My Back to Homeschool Checklist: Support System in Place
• My Back to Homeschool Checklist: Get Off to a Great Start

I recommend... hopping through all the Schoolhouse Review Crew bloggers that participated in the "Back To Homeschool" Blog Hop this week! You can find the list at the  Schoolhouse Review Crew blog.


A parting shot... we had an exciting Box Day this week. Two books Kennady needs for Social Studies:

and even more exciting... the boxed set of the Lord of the Rings books for Kennady!

In addition to linking to the Random 5 on Friday at The Pebble Pond, this post is also linked at Managing Your Blessings and at For the Display of His Splendor.

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 ©2006-2014 Homeschool Coffee Break. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://kympossibleblog.blogspot.com/

Random 5 on Friday: Quick!

Trying to sneak in a quick Random 5 on Friday post! (a link hosted at The Pebble Pond)

1. No school this week, but I ordered a couple of schoolbooks, and did a little of the prep work that's left.
2. Signed Kennady up for fall softball. I just hope we'll manage to get her to all the games! I already told Harrison that he may have to take her to the very first one because DH and I have Orioles tickets for that day.
3. How do flies magically know when I have a fly-swatter in my hand? 
4. So I found out only this week that Landon was voted Cadet of the Quarter for 2nd Quarter. He never volunteered this information - I found out because I asked him why he had a different color honor cord on Tuesday. Then he explained it. Funny part is that he should have received the honor cord on promotion night in July, but he was sick and didn't make that meeting. They gave him the cord the following week and he just brought it home. He was wearing it this week for promotion night, but we had vehicle problems and never made it to the meeting. His last chance to wear it will be at the September promotion night, but --- wait for it ---- we will be on vacation. Oh well, hopefully he will be elected for the honor again in another quarter!
5. Kennady and I are teaming up to participate in a Summer Reading Challenge. And I posted a couple of book reviews. You can read all of that at my book blog, Just A Second.

On my blog this week... 

• Beauty Captured: Days 348-365
• Scripture and a Snapshot: August 3, 2014
• Blogs on My Must-Read List
• Eating the Americas: French-Canadian Tourtiere
• First Day - August 2014
• Virtual Refrigerator: Art That's Just For Fun
• O is for O-Flights

I recommend... dropping by my blog every day next week to share a virtual cup of coffee with me, and find out what's on My Back To Homeschool Checklist.

It's part of the Schoolhouse Review Crew's Back To Homeschool Blog Hop. 

A parting shot... the man-child with his special honor cord.

In addition to linking to the Random 5 on Friday at The Pebble Pond, this post is also linked at Managing Your Blessings and at For the Display of His Splendor.

Don't miss a coffee break! Subscribe to Homeschool Coffee Break by Email!

 ©2006-2014 Homeschool Coffee Break. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://kympossibleblog.blogspot.com/

Random 5 on Friday: Summer Break, Broken Ribs, and a Hard Day's Night

Random 5 on Friday (a link hosted at The Pebble Pond)

1. School's out for the summer! (Sing with me!)
2. My hubby cracked a rib playing hockey. Just a couple days before our anniversary, so we postponed our plans to spend a day doing something touristy in the area. We'll do that when he can walk around without being in pain! By the way, the anniversary was yesterday, and we celebrated 27 years.
3. We got our computer back, rebuilt and updated and better than ever! And we've only just begun moving the files to where we want them and learning our way around the new system.
4. I don't know why I have trouble remembering to get the Random 5 on Friday posted on Friday. Maybe that will be my goal for the month of August - getting Random 5 up on time each week!
5. I had a slow blogging week, and still didn't get my review of Miracle in a Dry Season posted, but I did add a couple of teasers from the books I recently started on my blog at Just A Second.

On my blog this week...

• N is for... Next Year
• Lightning Lit for High School (A Schoolhouse Crew Review)
• Analytical Grammar (A Schoolhouse Crew Review)
• Scripture and a Snapshot: July 26, 2014

I recommend... visiting the Schoolhouse Review Crew blog to get the details on the August Back to School Flash Sale! Also, this week the Crew was busy reviewing:

Mathletics Online Math Resource (3P Learning Review)

Literature Study for Homeschool (Hewitt Homeschooling Review)

Homeschool Grammar for Grades 4 and Up (Analytical Grammar Review)

A parting shot... the closest we'll ever get to seeing The Beatles was this cover band we saw on Sunday evening. I am so not a Beatles fan, but these guys had the sound down, and were very good. The Children's Chorus that Kennady sings in did the national anthem before the concert, which is the only way we even found out about it!

In addition to linking to the Random 5 on Friday at The Pebble Pond, this post is also linked at Managing Your Blessings and at For the Display of His Splendor.

Don't miss a coffee break! Subscribe to Homeschool Coffee Break by Email!

 ©2006-2014 Homeschool Coffee Break. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://kympossibleblog.blogspot.com/