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this moment

Participating in Amanda’s this moment project:

{this moment} - A Friday ritual - capturing a moment from the week.

(Taken this morning. Photo credit to my wonderful husband.)

power tools (uhn, uhn, uhn)

(That was my Tim “the Tool Man” Taylor grunt.)

Husky Tools sent us this super cool 13-piece Powertek Precision Screwdriver Set. Honestly, I thought I would have my husband reviewing this one, but it turns out to be a bit more up my alley.

Why I now own the screwdriver:

• In the past, when I required the use of a screwdriver, I would dig through my husband’s tools to borrow one. He loves his tools. Sometimes I “borrow” for lengthy periods of time.
• I make things! This screwdriver had tiny little bits in all sorts of shapes (crosses, lines, etc. – har, har, I know they are Phillips and flat head) which are small enough for craft projects. (I think they will also be useful for eyeglass repair, which happens too often around here.)
• Because said screwdriver is tiny, it won’t fit the bill as much for my husband’s day-to-day uses. (He points out that the bits aren’t magnetized, which would be a plus for him when working with tiny parts. My hands are smaller so I don’t think it’s an issue with me.)

This screwdriver runs on two AAA batteries and seems quite powerful enough for me.  Husky also has a great guarantee on their products.

If you need to buy a few more gifts this year, check out the Husky products under $20 at Home Depot.  Some of them are big, manly screwdriver and rachet sets, but the Powertek suits me just fine.

 

I received a screwdriver set for review. Opinions are my own.

words of the month

 

December words are out in the world. I’ve linked to a few stories below. My story on the Poor Clares is in the winter issue of Sandlapper, but not yet online.

 

Enjoy!

• What’s News and Recall Roundup
• Holiday things to do in the Midlands (SC)
• Staying under budget this Christmas season – with thanks to Jenny at Southern Savers for being part of the story.
• Checking the list…
• Kids’ holiday fashion
• Battling SAD (seasonal affective disorder)

this moment

Participating in Amanda’s this moment project:

{this moment} - A Friday ritual - capturing a moment from the week.

cleaning (or please save me from the books)

Math U See Manipulatives (includes plastic case)

I have a 158 piece set of MUS manipulatives for sale. I did buy these used and we have used them, but they are made of sturdy plastic and should continue in good shape through many more students. Because this is more than one set, I am going to list them individually below.  $30, plus shipping and delivery confirmation

(Type: quantity included)
Blocks
One (Green Units): 24
Two: 4
Three: 4
Five: 4
Six: 4
Seven: 4
Eight: 4
Nine:4
Ten: 20
Hundred: 4
Algebra/Decimal Inserts
Red blocks: 20
Red inserts: 8
Green inserts: 2
Blue inserts: 24
Grey inserts: 24

 

BJU Algebra 1 for Christian Schools, Second Edition -- I have the Student book (hardback) and the Teacher's Edition, Book 1 (this is wire, spiral bound with a hard back cover). Both of these are in very good condition. I do not have book 2 of the teacher's edition, but you should be able to find that used. We have chosen to go with "chalkdust" (sort of) after finding that we need DVDs.
Here is a link to the student book: http://www.bjupress.com/product/235846?path=1504
And the two-volume teacher set: http://www.bjupress.com/product/123133?path=1504&spot=1
I am asking $12 for this set, plus media mail shipping and delivery confirmation. Books are in great condition, but I am discounting because you will still need to buy book 2 of the TE.

 

Earth Science for Every Kid (VanCleave)
The Young Naturalist (Usborne)
$8 for both, plus media mail shipping and delivery confirmation. The VanCleave book has been used repeatedly and shows it, but it is still in very usable condition. The only writing is a name inside the front cover. The Usborne book is in very good condition.

 

History Odyssey, Ancients, Level Two study guide -- like new condition. This comes three-hole punched with color covers for inserting in a binder. (I did not put this in a binder, so one is not included.)
Price is $15 plus media mail shipping and delivery confirmation.

 

Mary, Bloody Mary
The Phantom Tollbooth (has a tear on the edge of the cover, book is fine)
Catherine, Called Birdy
Shadow of a Bull
The Door in the Wall (Readable but written in)
$9 for all, plus media mail shipping and delivery confirmation.

 

The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling, new edition $12

 

Prentice Hall Science Explorer $8 for all
Animals (2005)
Earth's Waters (2005)

Sonlight Language Arts 6 with student activity sheets (2007 --old style): $8

 

Hank the Cowdog: The Case of the One-Eyed Killer Stud Horse $2.50

Christian fiction:
Andrea Carter and the Trouble with Treasure
The Quest for Thunder Mountain (Tales from Terrestria)
The Isle of Dragons (Tales from Terrestria)
$9 for all, plus media mail shipping and delivery confirmation, paid via paypal. These are in excellent condition.

another giveaway coming soon

Soon, I will be doing another review and giveaway for CSN Stores, purveyors of pretty much everything -- sling backpacks, snow booties for dogs (no joke) and the coolest Lego sets ever made (I want this).  And today is Cyber Monday, don’t forget, if you are still working on that Christmas shopping list…

(On another note, this is my first post using the updated Windows Live Writer. It’s very, very nice. Thank you, Bill Gates.)

homeschoolers, black friday is early for you

I’ve met some wonderful people through The Old Schoolhouse Magazine. They have terrific resources for homeschooling and their Black Friday sale is already underway. They also have a terrific subscription package that includes a planner (look for a couple of my recipes in the 2011 Schoolhouse Planner!), a tote and all sorts of goodies. Some freebies are also available. Enjoy!

hot stuff (the cocoa)

If you are still buying hot cocoa mix in those little foil-lined packets, I am about to change your life. Run, don’t walk, to Alton Brown’s Hot Cocoa recipe. Make a double batch. Trust me on this. Store it in an airtight container and scoop out 3 T. per steaming hot cup of water (or milk!) as needed.

Winter’s coming, people. Be ready.

curious vicarious volcano

I always wanted one of these, but I thought $15 for a plastic form and some sandy plaster (that I could get from Hobby Lobby for $2) was stupid. At Goodwill last week, I saw a complete, unused kit for $1.25. Score! All my earth building dreams fulfilled:

The boy had fun, too. I am hoping for some seismic activity and ash clouds today. (OK, so it’s baking soda and vinegar. Whatever.)

the everyday

I don’t update my phone enough. It probably has something to do with the fact that it’s only sort of a phone and more like a little computer that can be “bricked” (this is bad) if I screw up. In any event, I always find that my phone photos are a true glimpse at the norm around here.

Behold, I get extra dorky when we’re almost there:

I was amused by the giant cow at Whole Foods:

I am fortunate enough to see this every day:

I stopped in the middle of the road to take this. It was perfectly safe because I didn’t encounter another human being for miles. I also didn’t have cell service. It was both liberating and unnerving. Mountain roads always make me think some suicidal deer is about to take both of us out.

The boy got cold weather camping gear:

The girl got college mail:

And somewhere in the middle of it all, there was a bounce house:

this moment

(Scroll down for giveaways below…)

Participating in Amanda’s this moment project:

{this moment} - A Friday ritual - capturing a moment from the week.

(One more thing: Dog lovers, you really need to check out this post. Funniest thing I  have read in a long, long time.)

hey lady, it’s the last gasp before winter

(Giveaways below…)

You know it’s the end of fall here when we get the ladybug invasion. Some (my husband, for one) think they are a bit, um, odiferous, but I think it’s kind of pleasant to sit in the sun with ladybugs flying all around. No word on whether or not they were flagrantly violating the rules with little tiny skateboards.

prematurity awareness day

(Grocery giveaways below… Please scroll down and enter.)

(Great information below, but there are some sick little ones in this video. FYI.)

I have been privileged to help tell the stories of several families whose babies were born far too soon. The March of Dimes has made dramatic steps in saving these babies. (Surfactant, which helps tiny underdeveloped lungs inflate, is probably the single greatest advancement in saving the lives of preemies. Babies as young as 23 weeks gestation have a chance at survival now.) However, there is much to be done. Our state got a big fat F on the prematurity report card issued by MOD last year. 

Please watch the video, click over to the March of Dimes’ site and learn more about this. If you are pregnant, know the signs of preterm labor!

grocery giveaway #2

Mrs. White, Random.org says you won!

Mrs. White said...

I'd love to win this! Thank you!!
Blessings
Mrs. White

Another giveaway for you today – This gift pack was sent to me by Progresso and MyBlogSpark and they are offering an identical pack to one of my readers. I would love to tell you how much I enjoyed this soup, but my teenager took both varieties, Chicken Gumbo and Tomato Parmesan, for lunch at school. Sigh. In any event, we are big Progresso fans here, and I keep plenty of it stocked in my pantry. The girl loves it and it makes for a hearty school lunch, especially during the winter. These low sodium varieties are a welcome addition here, because one of my biggest concerns with non-homemade food is the often high sodium content. These were devoured with no complaints about the reduction in salt, so I take that as a ringing endorsement.

The gift pack includes two cans of low sodium soup, a super (souper?) cool soup mug and an exercise ball and pump.

If you would like to give these a try, please leave a comment below by noon on Nov. 23. Random.org will select a winner on or about that date.

 

Progresso and MyBlogSpark provided these items for review, but my opinions are my own.

best walt disney world character meal

(Tired of Disney posts yet? :) )

I realize there are other opinions on this, but it’s hard to beat the Crystal Palace at the Magic Kingdom. We have dined there many times and always find the food delicious and the atmosphere less hectic than some of the other table service restaurants. And the company? Well, you can’t resist Pooh, of course.

For the detail oriented among you – breakfast on Sept. 12 included puffed French toast, eggs, grits, fruit, an omelet station, various breads and pastries, a peach casserole and much more. The coffee was actually not bad either. (Yucky coffee is an infamous and rare WDW weakness.) Pooh, Eeyore, Piglet and Tigger were patient with guests of all ages and the 8:20 a.m. reservation time meant we were finishing up just in time for the park’s 9 a.m. opening. We walked right on Pirates of the Caribbean and the Jungle Cruise. Awesome.

 

grocery giveaway #1

Leslie, random.org says you’re the winner! Enjoy!

Post Grad said...

I would love to win. Mashed potatoes are definitely a quick, easy staple.
Thanks for doing the giveaway!
:)
-Leslie
carykhepburn{at}yahoo{dot}com

(Click on my banner above and then scroll down for grocery giveaway #2.)

Want to win some cool kitchen gadgets? Betty Crocker and MyBlogSpark sent me this set, including a silicon hot pad, a mixing spoon (dishwasher safe) and a lovely bamboo bowl – as well as two packages of instant mashed potatoes – and they would like to send the same gift set to one of my readers. OK, I only ever buy instant potatoes for making potato bread, so I am probably not the best person to ask about them from the perspective of making and eating them according to packages directions. I do like that each box contains two packs of potatoes, so if you are making bread and just using a cup or so at a time, this is the way to go. My teenager did make a beeline for the roasted garlic variety and we ended up making it right away. No, they don’t taste like homemade (think butter and whole fat, local milk – good, not good for you), but they were pretty tasty. I bet garlic potato bread would be good, too.

If you would like to give these a try, please leave a comment below by noon on Nov. 20. Random.org will select a winner on or about that date.

In the meantime, if you would like a coupon for this product, click here.

 

Betty Crocker and MyBlogSpark provided these items for review, but my opinions are my own.

i care, I really do

Big, huge, overdue diatribe of a post over at Basically Green. It includes info on screenings for an upcoming documentary.

words (my own, thankyouverymuch)

Boy howdy, writers of the world are getting their vicarious revenge today over the Cooks Source alleged plagiarism brouhaha.  (Not that I advocate revenge, of course. But I do have a fondness for copyright laws.) Google it, if you haven’t heard. Anyone who has ever had their intellectual property misappropriated will find it interesting.

Anyhoo.. I wrote these words all by my lonesome. And I am super excited to have my photos used with an upcoming story. I will post as soon as it’s out. My photography is indeed a work in progress, but it’s fun to see it in print.

• I do a lot of work on custom publications.I rarely post any of it here because it is typically for a specific audience. Custom work is different and sometimes challenging (in a good way). I love working with the folks in Easley, S.C. They are a kind bunch and always easy to work with – and here’s their Chamber of Commerce’s annual guide.
• I just found out that WNC Parent stories are linked on the Asheville Citizen-Times’ site. (OK, so I was Googling my name to see if someone had pilfered my work. Cooks Source inspired me.) By the way the Cit-Times owns WNC Parent, so it’s all good – no theft at all. :) 
• This was a lot of fun – Learn about volunteering with your children. It’s never too young to plant seeds of gratitude.
• Happy parents?
• How to keep your child out of the ER (but it’s never a sure thing…)
• This sweet family might have lost their little girl but for the quick work of medical professionals and the mom’s willingness to trust her instincts.
• November is Prematurity Awareness Month. The March of Dimes saves lives, no doubt about it. When I was in law school (not THAT long ago), the gold standard for fetal viability was 28 weeks. Babies are now surviving as early as 23 weeks. Miraculous. Having said that, it’s best to let them bake as long as possible, so know those warning signs of premature labor, people.
• And here’s the story of a little one, born at 25 weeks, who is now thriving.

Thanks for your support!

winner, winner, chicken dinner

OK, Liz – Since I couldn’t contact the first winner, round two with random.org says you get the cart!

Liz said...

Love the cart! It would also be great for craft supplies and all kinds of other uses!

October 23, 2010 9:30 PM