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Homeschool Expenses

I have decided to keep track of our homeschool expenses on this blog.  Homeschooling, at least for someone without more enthusiasm and less self control than normal, is not an inexpensive endeavor. For the month of October, the boys wanted to do some fun things for science so we decided to do a mini study of blood and skeletons.  Blood typing kits (for 6), culture kits, and biology coloring books (all from Rainbow Resource Center - www.rainbowresource.com) ran $92.01 with shipping.  I may also try to keep track by subject matter, just to see .....

Total for October to date: Science $92.01

I will be backtracking to account for expenses to date on homeschooling.  Purchased from Rod and Staff books (www.RodandStaffBooks.com) Bible History set "Creation to Canaan" which includes pupil textbook, tests, pupil workbook and teacher's edition workbook @ cost of $36.95 including shipping. This set was purchased in September and we have not yet used.  I plan on using this with both boys in conjunction with our studies on the ancient world.  We will start this unit after we have finished our studies on Lewis & Clark and Westward expansion.

Total for September to date: Religion $36.95
Total to date: $128.96

Homeschooling and the Diet Continues, Dukan Diet Day 141

Goodness, it seems that I am always trying to do too much and never get it all done.

I am homeschooling our 5th and 7th grade boys for the first time this year. Previously, they have attended private school, first in Virginia and after our move, here in Minnesota. First five weeks of homeschooling are complete, and so far, not too bad. I'm still in the phase of feeling like I'm not covering all of the bases and my poor children are being subjected to assessment after assessment. I'm stunned at the large gaps in their education as we had felt that their schools were doing better than adequate - so much for the $$$ we have spent on their education. I think we have filled in most of the gaps now, grammar will be a continuing subject, and hopefully we can now move onto more fun in education. I truly want the boys to wake up each day, chomping at the bit, ready to dive into learning. Today, as a follow up to our visit to the Minnesota State Fair, the boys will be doing butter sculptures.

The two older boys (grades 9 and 11) are still attending a local private school, so scheduling is fairly hectic and not as free as I think would be ideal with homeschooling. 9th grader participating in two sports (swimming and cross country) at the same time, so still lots of driving time.

On the diet front, still on the Dukan Diet, Day 141. I have lost 40 pounds so far and have been maintaining a normal BMI for over a month. I still hope to lose more weight but have hit another plateau. It seems that bodies really do have weight memories as I plateau at weights that I maintained for sometime before ballooning to my next level. I'm looking forward to the day when I hit the weight that I maintained for years and years (prior to the death of my mother over 5 years ago) before I started packing on the pounds. I'm not trying to get skinny, just trying to get my body to a healthy weight for my bone structure. I'm loving the extra energy I now have and feel that I can now do things I haven't done in years. Enjoyed a lovely bike ride through the fall colors with two of the boys the other day - hadn't been on a bike in over 20 years and would not have done before the weight loss as didn't trust my balance.

Still working on decluttering our lives and restoring simplicity and balance. I'm now sorting through my yarn and have come up with a big box to donate. I'm also putting the yarn I'm planning on keeping into project baggies - yarn plus intended pattern. Most of my yarn was purchased with a definite project in mind, but over time, I can't always remember what that project was, or the intended recipient has grown, or I no longer want to knit that project. So, I now have lots of yarn without any project. I've been loving the ability to search for patterns on Ravelry based on yarn type and amount. There are an amazing number of free patterns, or patterns in books that I already own that fit my needs. I can now slip down to the basement when I need a new knitting project and sort through my project bags. I'm hoping this organizing will cut down on my yarn shopping and let me reduce my yarn stash to a more reasonable amount. Warning about Ravelry - so many beautiful projects that I want to knit, need to knit, must knit, that I have purchased some (oops more than some yarn) for projects that I have found while searching for projects for yarn needing to be sorted. Ugh! Enthusiasm I know not when to stop! :)

Spring Cleaning and Day 7 of the Dukan Diet

Not much to report on the diet front today. No weight loss or gain yesterday. I again pushed my calories up to about 1000 for the day. I did have salmon for the second time since starting the Attack phase and had similar lack of weight loss after that time. I have noticed that I am increasingly thirsty. As my husband will complete day 5 of the Attack phase today, I think we will both move on to next phase of the diet tomorrow. I had hoped for 10 pounds, but will settle for the current 6.4 lbs in 7 days.

It is a glorious day today, but allergies are keeping me in, so have decided to attack some of the Spring cleaning. I certainly Spring cleaned in Virginia, but here in the Inland Hinter Winterlands Spring cleaning takes on a whole new life. Today I will be pleased if I finish the mudroom which is so rightly named. I have shifted all of the crates and rolling racks out of the room, swept, vacuumed, scrubbed, mopped and waxed. The boots have been cleaned and tucked into storage for the winter (still need to put in box of Baking Soda). The mittens and hats are awaiting their final wash before being put away. All the rugs have been taken outside for their trip to the laundry mat. After the wax is dry, I will return said crates and rolling racks and reorganize with summer gear. Four boys and six dogs do seem to have a great deal of paraphernalia. For the summer, the boys will have handy, in addition to the usual balls and gloves, swim gear, karate gear, and archery gear. It seems a never ending array of stuff that is rarely placed back it its proper place despite a multitude of labels and containers to make it easy for them.

Some day in my dream world, I would like children and husband to put things back where they belong. I love my family, but truly wish they knew how much extra work they generate for me by just dropping things wherever it is convenient for them. I can tolerate a great deal of mess, but there is a point where if not cared for, things are broken, ruined or lost.

On to the washing.

Day 6 of Dukan Diet

I seem to be back on tract with losing weight on the Dukan Diet. Yesterday was day 6 of the Attack Phase. The Attack Phase usually is suppose to be 5 days, but as I have over 50 pounds to lose, will try to stay on this part of the diet for 7-10 days. I decided to increase my caloric intake yesterday to see if that would stop the weight gain and it did. I had about 1000 calories yesterday, managing to increase my intake by consuming more dairy products. So much easier to eat than meat. Stepped on the scale this morning to see another 2.2 pounds gone for a total of 6.1 pounds in 6 days. Wish I had forced myself to eat more on the days I gained weight as I would probably be close to 8-10 pounds down.

In addition to the weight loss (still probably mostly water), I can definitely see and feel a difference in my body. My husband commented on my face last night and my belly fat just seems to be melting away. Belly fat is a major family problem and I am still much larger than when I was pregnant, but it feels good to see some shrinkage.

On the clutter front, I am now sorting through my jewelry collection. Not only do I have most of the jewelry I have ever owned, I also have some of my mother's jewelry. I am hoping to take a few things off to the gold buyers next week to see if I can get a little extra cash. Most of what I own is costume jewelry and many things I will never wear again. I don't even think my nieces would be interested as many pieces are very dated. I'm going to do a little investigative work to see if it might be worth taking to vintage store, but think most should be donated. Also need to see if there is a good place to sell watches as I have a cup full of those; most should probably just be tossed.

I have also started to sort through my sewing pattern collection. Did a little research on line and found that some of the Vintage Vogue patterns go for $5-12. I'm considering opening an Ebay account to sell some of these patterns, but feel that the quicker way to decrease the clutter maybe to simply donate. My local donate store has an excellent craft section so feel that the patterns would end up in good homes. Of course, I will keep a great number of patterns as I will most always enjoy whipping up items on the sewing machine.

Memorial Day Weekend is approaching and I'm in search for a family activity that actually incorporates the reason behind Memorial Day. When we lived in Virginia, we took the boys to the National Cemetery in Fredericksburg for the lighting of the graves. Never in all the times that we went were we not silenced by the enormity of the sacrifice and the toll of the Civil War.

Well off to rid more clutter (and do laundry and start dinner)....

Day 5 of Dukan Diet

Ugh. Decided to attack my weight again and started the Dukan Diet 5 days ago. I was thrilled at first as I lost over 5 pounds in the first three days. Day 4 and 5 resulted in a gain of 1.2 pounds. I have followed the diet to the T which is quiet the challenge for me as I do not like meat, not the least. I have added flax seed to the diet (about 2/3 T) to help with the side effects of the meat consumption, so this variation from the diet may have affected my weight loss.

On the home front, I'm still going through boxes after a year and a half of living in Minnesota. Most of the house has been settled for months and months, but I am determined to empty every box and be rid of all clutter. My newest discovery is that Amazon has a trade in program for books. I'm loving this program as it is easier than dragging books I want to get rid of to the two places in town that buy used books. Amazon credits your account and pays for shipping. As I buy some bulk supplies from Amazon (and of course books) this system suits. Used bookstores in town don't consistently take what I sell. I try Amazon first, try to guess if used books stores will take, and if in doubt, donate. I still have the hardest time parting with children's books - so many memories of reading aloud to the boys. Good news though, we came with 300 boxes of books (large library in home in Virginia) and our books currently fit into the designated space allotted.

I know I will always have the problem of book control as the we are all huge readers. I'm trying hard to determine after I finish each book if anyone else in family would every read it, is it so fabulous that I would maybe read again, or is their someone I know who would enjoy. If not, the book has to go. Seems to be working so far.

Another method I've employed to limit the purchase of books is the nifty little Amazon app on the iphone that lets you scan a barcode. When I find a book I want, I scan the barcode and check the price on Amazon which is almost always much cheaper. If I still want the book, I put it in my basket (note: don't buy). Later on, I check out my basket and determine if I really want the book which may include reading reviews on the book or just figuring out if I have time to read or the money to buy. This method has drastically reduced both purchases and amount spent per purchase. Delayed gratification is a wonderful thing.