Country Living in the City

Friday, January 9, 2009 - ~Jarred's Day~

Posted by Ruth Kobrin

Well today is another cool day! Jarred had a good day, His Build a bear Dino came in the mail today and he was super excited(As you can see from the picture) He also wanted clothing for it like they had on the website but it's much too costly so I took the dino down stairs and put a Elmo outfit on it that Jarred used to wear when he was a baby...A great fit, and Jarred was happy about it, So now his Dino has clothing like on the site so Jarred thinks...Good idea eh! We just have to wate now for Jackies turtle too come in for him which should come in the next week or so, I know he will like that even though he is so little he love's anything that has turtles on it and when there on t.v. he just stop's and stares, Kinda funny really!

I finally got my Monthly Meal Binder all set up and all of Jan filled in, dh said it was a great idea becuse we can really plan the meals better then haveing to play the what's for dinner game and you know it was alot more easy then I thought it was going to be, I found a really good template on line too use, Only thing is I forgot what the site was, I put eatch month in one of those little plastic sheet holders sence I have been keeping the binder in the kitchen, I even made a cute little title page I put on the fount of the binder that say's Kobrin Monthly Food Planer for 2009, I think it will deffently help me out for the year!! And deffently something too use for the years too come.

So me and dh have planed for when we are going to have our next baby.....Well it's not going to be for about another 4-5 year's when both the boy's are in School, I will only be 31 by then so not too old, Still young enough and the boy's will be well big enough to help out if the need be, I was hopeing we would a little sooner but I think this is best for us, unless the good Lord desideds too bless us befor then :) I would love too have alittle girl if we did her name would be Leili-Rose May Kobrin and if we have another boy his name would be John-Ross Dawson(That middle name may change) Kobrin, Dh really wants too keep the "JD" in all the boy's names like him and his father, Oh I just love little baby's, I would have a "million" if I could and you know too this day it still seems funny I have two son's allready, I deffently didnt think I would be at this point of life...Man and too think my boy's will be 4 and 2 this June....Just dosent seem right they should be these tiny little baby's and there almost the same hight and weight!!

Jackie has had a few ruff night's this week sleep wise becuse of his teeth, but I rember Jarred went threw this at the same age and it only lasted a week untill the teeth came half way in and they seem like they are, Last night he finally sleept threw the night again and we are trying too keep him up abit later tonight too see if he can sleep again threw the night again...Heres too hopeing!

Well tomarrow I HAVE too get my up-stairs and bathroom floor's washed, they need it badly thats for sure...I didnt relize I have let it get that bad, I really think the linen closet could use are cleaning as well...Wouldent hurt, I want too wash our room and the boy's floors as well, it is all hardwood flooring up-stairs oh and the step's really need to be washed!!...I guess I have my day all planed out for what too do tomarrow!

Well I best be going and do some Bible readings and watch my fave show, Peace be with you all this weekend and Blessing's to you all!

~Ruth

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Friday, January 9, 2009 - California Granddaughters

Posted by Abiga

Isn't this a thoughtful shy cute look? Oh so cute!!! This little one asks if it is Mozart when she hears classical music playing on the radio. She knows who wrote the Nutcracker too.

Her baby sister is the smiley one. We really think she was born smiling and so sweet too. I could not get the red eye out of this one. She has big wide open blue eyes. At least for now they are still blue.

I miss them so much now that they have gone back to Cally.......

Blessings.

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Friday, January 9, 2009 - Chickens

Posted by Abiga

The chickens used to love the area right next to the compost pile. I had unintentionally dug a few holes next to it to put some dirt unto the fresh compost to help it decompose of course. They found these holes and would take their dust baths there and almost seemed to be playing a game of hide and seek with each other. You see the holes just got deeper and deeper with my transfer of dirt and then the hens would sit and flutter and dig it up even more. Some waste also had fallen near the holes which they loved to peck at too.

But since we had tons of snow melted and gone now filling those same holes with water they no longer gravitated to that area. Plus the compost was frozen, not much worth to peck anymore.

This is their new dust bath area.

I tried to take a picture from the porch but my little buddies started running towards me that minute they caught sight of me. Many times I give them treats such as old bread, crackers, cookies, sprouts or scratch so they know to come when they see me. So instead of them all being at the base of this old maple tree hunkered in and fluffing and scratching they were already starting to run to me. Within a minute this was the next picture I took.

The last bird was only left and headed towards me.

We still regularly get five eggs a day and sometimes four and that is not even enough to eat or use in baking and cooking all the eggs we really need. More chickens will join this flock in 2009.

Blessings.

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Friday, January 9, 2009 - our school schedule

Posted by Morning Sunshine

I have meant to post this for some time, but Rachael at Barefootcountrygirl has asked for curriculum advice and is thinking of homeschooling, so I thought now would be a good time to post this. it is another chart, and I cannot just import my spreadsheet charts like I want to, so I have to make one here. please bear (or is it bare?) with me.

DS7	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Piano (5)
language arts (3)
Math (3) Beta book
Latin (3) PrimaLatina
History (2) Story of the World vol. 1
Copybook (2) Book #2
Science (2)

so this is my basic chart. I have the name of the child in the top left corner, and the days of the week across the top. Subjects are in the left column.
There is a number in (paranthesis) is how many times a week the child must do that subject. See, I used to do everything everyday, but that caused a LOT of fighting and refusals to do school. This way I can say, "Okay, you have to do FOUR subjects today. One of those is piano," (I am paying good money for lessons, and they need to practice... not to mention, they love piano!) "but what else would YOU like to do today?" That way, if they are in the mood to skip math, they can twice a week. And they feel in control of their school schedule. And they are learning consequences of choices - neither likes copybook, so they always put it off until Thurs/Fri, and then they have to do it 2 days in a row. Ds7 has started spacing it out for that reason, but it is HIS choice, and HIS consequences. We still finish a unit a week, but there is less fighting about it. I try to make sure a whole unit/lesson number of a subject (latin, math, language arts, etc.) is done in a one-week period.
Also in the subject box, is the title of the book he is currently using in that subject, if there is ONE book. His language arts, he has a choice of 4 small specialized books (vocab, spelling, reading comp, grammar) so I do not put the title there, but will address that later.
Then on Monday morning, I print out a chart for each child, punch 3 homes, and stick it in the front of my "Records" binder (which also has a zipper pouch for pencils, a dry erase marker, erasers, and glue stick). In this binder I have all of this year's charts (I have only been using this method since Aug), and a laminated list of the piano songs they have learned or will learn in Book One. In front of the charts, I have this week's piano homework sheets so they are in one place too.

Okay, so now, you have my chart. Then on Monday morning when we sit down for school, I take a pencil and jot notes into the squares of my chart under Monday.

DS1	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Piano (5)	review songs played; what new stuff he worked on	review songs played; what new stuff he worked on	review songs played; what new stuff he worked on	review songs played; what new stuff he worked on	review songs played; what new stuff he worked on
language arts (3)	g	WF 1-2: pp. 5-9 -ick words	g	WF 1-2: spelling test -ick words	SB: read comp book, pp. 8-9
Math (3) Beta book	Lesson 16 video; 16 A&B	lesson 16 C&D	g	lesson 16 E&F	g
Latin (3) PrimaLatina	Lesson 7 video	g	vocab cards; p. 36	g	p. 37
History (2) Story of the World vol. 1	Chap 3 read-aloud; colored "carving Hieroglyphs"	g	g	Chap 3: Map - color and discuss; wrote names in hieroglyphs and cuiniform	g
Copybook (2) Book #2	g	g	p. 41	g	p. 43
Science (2)	g	electric kit	electric kit	g	g

So, on each day, I record what EXACTLY he did for school. For piano, for example, he has to play two versions of Twinkle Little Star to warm up his fingers, then 3 review songs to make sure he has not forgotten them (if he plays one wrong, he has to repeat it until he has it right) - he has to do each song at least once a week, but can choose in that perameter. Then we work on his new stuff. I write down which songs he played so we make sure we get them all during the week. For Latin, I record if we watched the DVD, and when he did the exercise pages.
On the Language Arts where he has a choice of which book to use, I write an abbreviated title of the book he used (Skill Builders Reading Comprehension: Grade 4 or Word Families: Grades 1-2) and the pages he did in that book.
I love this chart. just love it. It gives me a schedule - I know what needs to be done; it gives me structure without being rigid. One week for example, we were only able to get piano and copybook done on Wed morning before we had to leave, so on Thurs and Fri, he had to do FIVE subjects instead of FOUR.
It also gives him a measure of control over his schooling. My kids are independent and like to make their own choices, so this allows that within a framework. If I let them make some choices, like which subject to do that day, they do not fight so much against HAVING to do school.
Anyway, that is what works for us right now. I do not know what will happen next year. We will see.

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Thursday, January 8, 2009 - New Year Re-think

Posted by That Girl

Just a few thoughts before I go to bed....This week because of beginning a New Year I have been rethinking some things. I have started exercising again, and hope to do it quite regularly. I manage to get 15 min. on the treadmill before work, and finish the other half plus some other routines after work. I want to keep the food we eat more simple. Just natural things like meat, veggies cooked i n broth, fruit, milk, yogurt, cheese, whole grains. Cut down on processed things, but not completly eliminate them, Hubby would not survive without bacon and sausage.

I also have cut WAY back on the t.v. I come home from work and watch the news (we just canceled our newspaper delivery) and then the t.v. goes off. I can`t tell you what a pleasant relaxing evening you can have with just some nice music or a relaxation cd playing. And I get so much more done, too. The only exception is when the phone rings all evening, like tonight!

We are trying to cut expenses, too. One automatic way is to have your dryer break, like ours did. I haven`t got a bill yet to compare the savings with, but I know we are saving by hanging them outside or in the basement. We have heat and a dehumidifier, so they dry really nice.

I am just going over everything we do to see where we can improve, save or cut back. If you have any ideas or suggestion, I`d love to hear them. Let`s make this the Year of Improvement!

That Girl

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Thursday, January 8, 2009 - New Blog Coming Soon

Posted by Raina

I thought I would make a post about my upcoming blog. It's about my journey with God and His increases to my family. Everyone who is struggling or praying for God to increase their quiver are so much more then welcome. It will have poems, and scriptures relating to this and prayers and of course I'll be praying and praying for some friends that need prayers. I want so much just to have a place to put my thoughts.

For everyone who visits my blog, you know how much I love the Lord and pray that He uses me and mine for His glory and His Kingdom. Sometimes there may not be things you agree with, but remember it's my blog and this is how the Lord is dealing with me.

God's word is His will.

ps. I'm not deleting this blog, just making another one. :O)

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Thursday, January 8, 2009 - Laughter

Posted by raspberry dreams

We all need laughter in our lives. we all have problems which can at times seem so overwhelming that we just feel despair but seek laughter and know that it will help you on your way.

Lets all spread a little sunshine in our corners of the world.

'Laughter is the brush that sweeps away the cobwebs of the heart'.

Today try to share a lighter moment with someone you know who may need a boost.

At the height of laughter, the universe is flung into a kaleidoscope of new possibilities. ~Jean Houston

What soap is to the body, laughter is to the soul. ~Yiddish Proverb

A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor's book. ~Irish Proverb

Have a really fun day,

Blessings

Janette

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Thursday, January 8, 2009 - Homemade Hair Conditioner

Posted by raspberry dreams

For your hair to be shiny and glossy mix two tablespoons of honey with four tablespoons of olive oil and warm through. Apply to hair and leave for 20 minutes before washing thoroughly.

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Thursday, January 8, 2009 - Just For Fun

Posted by raspberry dreams

Same Old Me

When I was in my younger days,
I weighed a few pounds less,
I needn't hold my tummy in
To wear a belted dress

But now that I am older,
I've set my body free;
There's comfort of elastic
Where once my waist would be.

Inventor of those high-heeled shoes
My feet have not forgiven;
I have to wear a nine now,
But used to wear a seven.

And how about those pantyhose--
They're sized by weight, you see,
So how come when I put them on,
The crotch is at my knees?

I need to wear these glasses
As the prints were getting smaller;
And it wasn't very long ago
I know that I was taller.

Though my hair has turned to silver
and my skin no longer fits,
On the inside, I'm the same old me,
Just the outside's changed a bit.

Author Unknown

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Thursday, January 8, 2009 - Eat More Oily Fish

Posted by raspberry dreams

Eat More Oily Fish

Oily fish includes tuna, salmon and mackerel.

It is packed with omega-3 essential fatty acid, Vitamin D and niacin.

Oily fish is good for all of us as it enhances our brain function and helps to alleviate depression. It can also help to reduce our cholesterol levels and help prevent heart disease and stroke. As well as all this is is essential for strong bones and for relieving the symptoms of arthritis.

We can include more in our diet in flaking it into pasta dishes and also adding to salads.

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