Organize in 10 Minutes

I received this yesterday and wanted to pass it along to you. Hope it helps.
Kerry

You can get organized, even if you're pressed for time.
Here are 10 organizing projects you can complete in 10
minutes or less.

1. Weed out 10 file folders. Dedicate 1 minute per folder
and recycle any papers you no longer need.

2. Pick through a junk drawer. Set a timer for 10 minutes,
grab a garbage bag, open the junk drawer, pick through
anything no longer needed and toss it in the garbage.

3. Make a donation bag. Go through your clothes closet
and choose 5 articles of clothing you never wear. Put
them in a donation bag, to be given to your favorite
charity.

4. Corral toys. Walk around your home for 10 minutes with a
hamper (or have your kids do this) and put any stray toys
into the hamper. Tomorrow, make your 10-minute organizing
project to put all the toys back in their proper homes.

P.S. Manage your time like a pro. Visit:
http://www.getorganizednow.com/newbook.html

5. Write out your greeting cards. Write out all of your
birthday, anniversary and other greeting cards for one
month. Address them, stamp them and send them out.

6. Pay a few bills. If you dread spending an entire hour
each time you have to pay your bills, just take 10 minutes
each day to do this task instead. Leave your bill paying
supplies out and available, so you could pay the bills
as you get them without having to take all of your supplies
out each time.

7. Make an appointment. Whether you've been meaning to
make an appointment with a doctor, your accountant, a
repairman or a friend, take 10 minutes now to do so.

8. Delete some email. Spend 10 minutes deleting any
email you no longer need from your inbox.

9. Clear off a surface. Whether the surface is a table, a
dresser, a desk or an ottoman, remove any clutter so you
can actually see the surface again. File any papers needing
filing, return any stray items to their rightful homes and
toss any junk.

10. Clean out your medicine cabinet. Toss old makeup you
never use, expired prescriptions and anything else you
don't need. Save your valued space for the things you
actually use.

P.S. Want to get your home, your family and your time
organized before the new year rolls in? Visit:
http://www.getorganizednow.com/newbook.ht

Pros & Cons of Thomas Jefferson Education

I forgot to say that this is in response to a discussion I was having with some other moms.

TJEd has some great points about getting off the conveyor belt, mentoring, training leaders instead of followers and classics. BUT, I agree with you that parents should use a variety of educational approaches (lectures, videos, classics, mentoring, projects, research, etc). I also believe that God gave parents to kids as authority and guides. Oliver DeMille says that he doesn't teach his kids anything until they "want" to learn it. This is so unbiblical and something I have tried to tell those who buy his book.

I am somewhere in the middle. Steve & I have decided which studies we will "require" of our kids and which ones we will "inspire" them to further studies. I do think it is important that our kids have some time to study their interests while they are under my guidance. I have let the kids choose a topic to study & research. Then, they are to write about their findings. I help them with their writing, using IEW outlines & Lost Tools of Writing ideas. I also believe this develops leadership skills as they are not just doing what I tell them to do (you know, following vs. leading).

I could go on & on about this topic because I have wrestled with it over the past few years. If anyone has other ideas on developing leaders, I'd love to hear them. I truly want my children to be leaders for the Lord, not followers that do whatever they are asked to do.

Kerry
Leadership Education

Gift Wrapping Ideas

Check out these gift wrapping ideas:

http://jas.familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts?page=CraftDisplay&craftid=10500
http://www.momscape.com/articles/creative-gift-wrap.htm

I'll be wrapping gifts today.

Happy Wrapping!

Kerry
Christian Homeschool Curriculum

Unique Christmas Gift Ideas

Click on any title in blue and it will take you to a better description.

GAMES

Horseopoly, Dogopoly

Moneywise Kids

American Revolution Game

Civil War Game

World War 1 Game

World War 2 Game

Presidents Game

Hail to the Chief (Presidents through George W. Bush)

DVD

God's Outlaw - William Tyndale

Martin Luther

Pride & Prejudice - A & E production

How Should We Then Live

The Robe - Ancient Rome

AUDIOBOOKS

For the Temple

Under Drake's Flag

With Wolfe in Canada

GREAT BOOKS

Dangerous Journey

My Mommy, My Teacher

Lord Builds the House

The Story of Mr. Pippin

LIttle Bitty Baby Learns Hebrew Alphabet

Destination: Moon

Little Britches

Sir Cumference Math Books

Art Fraud Detective

Crown & Covenant Series -

Duncan's War

, Rebel's Keep, The King's Arrow
Theras & His Town
Coronation of Glory - Lady Jane Grey
Wise Words - Christian folk tales, Great Read Aloud

Kerry

Narnia in our Backyard

Since we moved from Texas to Idaho last year, I am still not used to living in a winterwonderland. It only snowed 3-4 times and melted quickly last year. This year we had 4 days of snow and below freezing weather since then.

"Mom, it looks like Narnia" is what my 12yo son said yesterday on the way to his basketball game. It really did. All of the trees had white branches and looked like winter in Narnia. It was absolutely beautiful as I tried to take in the wonderful views.

Kerry

New Recipes

I was all alone this evening and decided to see what was on TV. Usually I watch whatever the rest of the family is watching. I found the food network and some pretty cool recipes. After I watched and wrote down some recipes, I checked out their website. Here is the schedule for today http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/programdaily/0,1904,FOOD_9927__EST,00.html If you are looking for some delicious meals in a hurry, check out "Quick Fix Meals with Robin Miller". I've already pulled out a pork loin from the freezer for tomorrow's dinner. All of the recipes use a slow cooker - 10 minutes in the morning and 10 minutes before supper and your meal is ready...pretty cool!

I also printed a few recipe possibilities for our Christmas Eve meal . . .
Roasted Beef Tenderloin with Roasted Pepper and Black Olive Sauce
Filet Mignon with Mushrooms and Sauce Pinot Noir

I think I might have my daughters watch some of these shows with me next week before we cook dinner. Looks like fun!

Kerry
Kids Cooking