I found a way to print shipping labels with Paypal for someone that did NOT pay with an eBay auction! This is a huge thing!
Normally, if someone bought something on eBay and paid with Paypal I could create a shipping label that is: Express Mail, Priority Mail, Parcel Post, First Class, Media Mail, International Express Mail or International Priority Mail.
BUT... if they paid another way, I would be able to go to USPS and create a shipping label but I could only do it from Express Mail, Priority Mail or Priority and Express International.
All the slower services are not an option to "click 'n ship" in the USPS website. So someone paying from a book I sold on Amazon.com or a trade with Paperback Swap, or just sending something to my grandma, I would have to go to the post office to ship it or pay the money for higher/quicker shipping rates.
Well, a friend, Andy, gets the actual credit for this since he discovered it, but this is a goldmine! It is not as easy but is so worth being able to print something Media Mail, Parcel Post or First Class from home.
Go to Paypal.com and log in to your account.
Click on the 'Products and Services' at the top.
Scroll to the bottom rectangle box and in all of the options click on 'multi-order shipping'. or a tab that says 'shipping labels' and then go to 'multi-order shipping'.
Click on 'file'
Click on 'create new order'
and type in addresses, type of shipping, weight, etc.
Click on Print and Pay.
Click on Pay
and it will pop up to print it on a shipping label.
The only one that it will not do is First Class International so I will still have to go to the post office for those but that sure saves me lots of time!
:-)
THANK YOU ANDY!!!!
Saturday, February 7, 2009
U-Promise accounts
Sometimes it is okay if money takes a while to add up if it is being saved. I received an email today from www.upromise.com to update my profile and read that I have had an account with them for 7 years.
Total I have over $250 in savings with Upromise.com and this is money that the kids get for college. So, in 7 more years it might only be $500 but that is still $500, right?
So, since I haven't been on the site for a while I clicked around and found this link;
http://www.upromise.com/guest/2801310471
If anyone is doing online shopping and uses this link first a percentage of the purchases goes to my Upromise account automatically.
There is a huge amount of stores.
eBay, Staples, Office Depot, Office Max, Walmart, Target, Barnes & Noble... and lots more.
So, if you can remember, yes, that is the hard part, click on this link and then have it direct you to the online store you want to shop at and the money goes there automatically!
http://www.upromise.com/guest/2801310471
You can also create an account for your children and have friends and family members sign up with their credit cards, ATM cards, and Ralphs and Vons contribute to it when you use their store program.
:-)
Total I have over $250 in savings with Upromise.com and this is money that the kids get for college. So, in 7 more years it might only be $500 but that is still $500, right?
So, since I haven't been on the site for a while I clicked around and found this link;
http://www.upromise.com/guest/2801310471
If anyone is doing online shopping and uses this link first a percentage of the purchases goes to my Upromise account automatically.
There is a huge amount of stores.
eBay, Staples, Office Depot, Office Max, Walmart, Target, Barnes & Noble... and lots more.
So, if you can remember, yes, that is the hard part, click on this link and then have it direct you to the online store you want to shop at and the money goes there automatically!
http://www.upromise.com/guest/2801310471
You can also create an account for your children and have friends and family members sign up with their credit cards, ATM cards, and Ralphs and Vons contribute to it when you use their store program.
:-)
Friday, February 6, 2009
Jerry Markel income taxes accountant in Simi
I got my tax return! YEAH!!!! It is, sadly, all going to bills. I am hoping that this time next year I am completely caught up on all my bills, except my mortgage payment. That is my goal for the year so I need to do a budget and figure out what it will take for me to get everything paid off.
I used the same account as the last two years, Jerry Markel. He is a nice, friendly guy and has done a great job (my friend, Steve, refereed me to him).
So, when he was doing my taxes this year I told him I'd post it on my blog about him to see if I can help get him any referrals.
He is in Simi, at Stearns and the 118 Fwy.
Here is his info from his card:
Jerry S. Markell, MST.
CPA
Skidmore Markell & Company.
(805) 527-4024
www.skid-mark.com
email jerry@skid-mark.com
I am LMAO looking at the 'skidmark' part! I never realized it before just typing it!
:-)
I used the same account as the last two years, Jerry Markel. He is a nice, friendly guy and has done a great job (my friend, Steve, refereed me to him).
So, when he was doing my taxes this year I told him I'd post it on my blog about him to see if I can help get him any referrals.
He is in Simi, at Stearns and the 118 Fwy.
Here is his info from his card:
Jerry S. Markell, MST.
CPA
Skidmore Markell & Company.
(805) 527-4024
www.skid-mark.com
email jerry@skid-mark.com
I am LMAO looking at the 'skidmark' part! I never realized it before just typing it!
:-)
Bottle Village Cake
Yesterday was Joanne's birthday. She is my mom's best friend and also the president of the non-profit organization, Preserve Bottle Village. There is a board meeting tomorrow that I am going to and another member, Drew, and I were talking about baking a cake for Joanne. I emailed her a great idea for a crazy cake that I thought Joanne would get a kick out of but Drew hated it (LOL) and ordered a cake from a store that is a 'photo cake'. Drew told me that she picked one of my photographs to be on the cake (WOW) but won't tell me which one and that I just have to 'wait-and-see' tomorrow!
So, I will have to take a picture of the photo cake before it is cut into and post it!
How flattering is that! Big Grin here!!!
:-)
So, I will have to take a picture of the photo cake before it is cut into and post it!
How flattering is that! Big Grin here!!!
:-)
AHHHHH HA!
Okay, I made a new discovery on my blog. When I do a spell check and then post something I have noticed that it doesn't always work. Well, I guess if I am done typing and do a spell check it isn't saving it. But, if I do a spell check and type more it does. So, I have to do a spell check and then click 'resume edit' and all the spelling corrections will be saved!
:-)
:-)
Tetanus in developing countries
This is very moving. I am not a fan of diaper companies or other companies going to developing countries to 'offer' things, like the formula companies all have but this is still very special. It is something that I never even knew about either.
Salma Hayek on 'Mothers Working Together'
http://abcnews. go.com/Entertain ment/story? id=6804291& page=1
I did a search for tetanus on Wikipedia and found out that in the countries on the bottom right of Asia (Vietnam, Cambodia, Bangladesh, etc) actually have a higher percentage of infant mortality due to tetanus.
Salma Hayek on 'Mothers Working Together'
http://abcnews. go.com/Entertain ment/story? id=6804291& page=1
I did a search for tetanus on Wikipedia and found out that in the countries on the bottom right of Asia (Vietnam, Cambodia, Bangladesh, etc) actually have a higher percentage of infant mortality due to tetanus.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
science experiment How much iron is in your cereal?
This is from Robert krampf. I LOVE this blog! He has been doing it for a few years and if you ever have a rainy day, are in need of a cool science experiment, need an idea for a science fair, etc. This is the place to look. If you sign up for his blog (via Yahoogroups) you will get a weekly experiment emailed to you. You can visit his website for past experiments and some videos.
http://www.krampf.com
For this week's experiment, we are going to take some breakfast cereal apart, to see how they put in a full day's requirement of iron. To try this, you will need:
- some enriched breakfast cereal. Be sure it provides 100% of the daily
requirement for iron.
- a plastic bag that you can seal
- water
- a powerful magnet
- a sheet of white paper
Pour about a cup of the cereal into the plastic bag. Then add about a cup of water. Seal the bag and start squeezing the cereal, breaking it up into a mush. Keep squishing the mixture until most of the solid chunks have broken down.
Then place the magnet against the side of the bag. Slosh the contents back and forth across the magnet, making sure that the magnet stays in contact with the side of the bag.
After a few seconds of sloshing, lay the bag down on the white paper, and let most of the cereal mush run to the side of the bag away from the magnet. Slowly move the magnet, and watch closely. You should see tiny, black specks following the magnet. What is that? Iron.
What! There are chunks of metal in my cereal? There sure are. When they make the cereal, they mix powered iron in with the grains, sugar, and other ingredients. Don't worry. It's safe. Your body absorbs some of the iron, keeping you healthy.
Now, besides showing us that we are eating metal, this also demonstrates that breakfast cereal is a mixture, not a compound.
Mixtures are just what their name suggests, several different substances mixed together. If you put some salt and some sugar into a bowl, you have a mixture. They are mixed together, but not chemically combined, which means that you could separate them without having to chemically break them down. In the case of the salt and sugar, you could sit there with a magnifying glass and tweezers, as long as you had a LONG time.
Compounds are substances that have all their ingredients chemically bonded together into a single chemical formula. For example, during photosynthesis, plants combine carbon and water to produce sugar. Even with a very powerful microscope, and a wonderful pair of micro-tweezers, you could not pick out the bits of carbon and water from a bowl of sugar. They have been chemically combined into a single compound, with the formula C12H22O11.
Yes, you can separate the carbon and water by burning the sugar, but that is a chemical reaction. Mixtures can be separated without chemical changes, and that is what you are doing with the cereal. The iron is not chemically bonded to the wheat, sugar, marshmallows, raisins, chocolate chips, or the toy prizes found at the bottom of the box of cereal. Once you soften the cereal, and break it into small bits, the pieces of iron are freed to stick to the magnet.
Of course, you could use milk instead of water, which would make it a bit harder to see the iron, but you would have a nice snack when you are done.
Have a wonder-filled week.
***************************************
This weekly e-mail list is provided free of charge. You are welcome to print it in your newsletter, repost it on the Internet, etc., as long as you do not charge for access, and my name and website link (http://www.krampf.com) are included.
http://www.krampf.com
For this week's experiment, we are going to take some breakfast cereal apart, to see how they put in a full day's requirement of iron. To try this, you will need:
- some enriched breakfast cereal. Be sure it provides 100% of the daily
requirement for iron.
- a plastic bag that you can seal
- water
- a powerful magnet
- a sheet of white paper
Pour about a cup of the cereal into the plastic bag. Then add about a cup of water. Seal the bag and start squeezing the cereal, breaking it up into a mush. Keep squishing the mixture until most of the solid chunks have broken down.
Then place the magnet against the side of the bag. Slosh the contents back and forth across the magnet, making sure that the magnet stays in contact with the side of the bag.
After a few seconds of sloshing, lay the bag down on the white paper, and let most of the cereal mush run to the side of the bag away from the magnet. Slowly move the magnet, and watch closely. You should see tiny, black specks following the magnet. What is that? Iron.
What! There are chunks of metal in my cereal? There sure are. When they make the cereal, they mix powered iron in with the grains, sugar, and other ingredients. Don't worry. It's safe. Your body absorbs some of the iron, keeping you healthy.
Now, besides showing us that we are eating metal, this also demonstrates that breakfast cereal is a mixture, not a compound.
Mixtures are just what their name suggests, several different substances mixed together. If you put some salt and some sugar into a bowl, you have a mixture. They are mixed together, but not chemically combined, which means that you could separate them without having to chemically break them down. In the case of the salt and sugar, you could sit there with a magnifying glass and tweezers, as long as you had a LONG time.
Compounds are substances that have all their ingredients chemically bonded together into a single chemical formula. For example, during photosynthesis, plants combine carbon and water to produce sugar. Even with a very powerful microscope, and a wonderful pair of micro-tweezers, you could not pick out the bits of carbon and water from a bowl of sugar. They have been chemically combined into a single compound, with the formula C12H22O11.
Yes, you can separate the carbon and water by burning the sugar, but that is a chemical reaction. Mixtures can be separated without chemical changes, and that is what you are doing with the cereal. The iron is not chemically bonded to the wheat, sugar, marshmallows, raisins, chocolate chips, or the toy prizes found at the bottom of the box of cereal. Once you soften the cereal, and break it into small bits, the pieces of iron are freed to stick to the magnet.
Of course, you could use milk instead of water, which would make it a bit harder to see the iron, but you would have a nice snack when you are done.
Have a wonder-filled week.
***************************************
This weekly e-mail list is provided free of charge. You are welcome to print it in your newsletter, repost it on the Internet, etc., as long as you do not charge for access, and my name and website link (http://www.krampf.com) are included.
Prop 8 in California
http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/11/17/mormon-church-feeling-heat-over-prop-8/
Funny how the Mormon church had their members do SO much to fight Prop 8 but now they don't want to be noticed or in the news? Give me a break! You can't have one and not the other!
Just another example of why we should have a seperation of church and state!
Funny how the Mormon church had their members do SO much to fight Prop 8 but now they don't want to be noticed or in the news? Give me a break! You can't have one and not the other!
Just another example of why we should have a seperation of church and state!
Monday, January 19, 2009
Chinese / Taiwan news at Bottle Village
A news team from a Chinese/Taiwan (how it was explained to me) tv station was at Bottle Village interviewing Joanne and asking questions. Joanne asked what the station name is and they just said CTV or something like that but Joanne said that anyone broadcasting out of California has a 'K' in front of their name, like KCAL. Either way, when Bottle Village had the Open House they came and took some footage and came back when no one else was there to take more pictures and ask some questions!
Joanne invited me to bring the kids down to watch it!
I do not remember their names but they were both very nice and were great with Little D and Baby K. and they even interviewed them (mainly Little D). Afterwards LIttle D was very ecstatic about it and told me that he thought it was neat how since it was not live they can ask the same question a few times if he said he wrong and let him repeat himself, saying it in a better way. I don't think he realized that tv or movies do LOTS of retakes! For some shows and movie one 2 minute scene can take Hours? Days? I have no clue but it was something that Little D never thought about before.
They said they'd let Joanne know when it is going to air and send her a dvd of it and that they will air it in Los Angeles,in China and in Taiwan!
:-)
opps
Okay, I the photos uploaded backwards! I am TRYING to figure out how to post photos and write words next to them but it always seems to tab funny, not line up, or bunch all the photos together with all the words squished next to only one photo!
Sigh!!! I'm sure I'll figure it out, eventually!!!
Sigh!!! I'm sure I'll figure it out, eventually!!!
some new pictures...
Baby K and cousin T with 'NICE' green candy tongues!!! A dentist's dream!
Little D and Baby K at place where we received the bikes with all of the teams that built them.
Baby K praticing at Moorpark College. Including one where, knowing I had the camera out, she fake-crashed and threw her head back, all dramatic, and posed that way- wanting me to send it to my dad! LOL!
Baby K on the bike trail in Wood Ranch.
Today she did even better but I didn't bring my camera!
Little D and Baby K at place where we received the bikes with all of the teams that built them.
Baby K praticing at Moorpark College. Including one where, knowing I had the camera out, she fake-crashed and threw her head back, all dramatic, and posed that way- wanting me to send it to my dad! LOL!
Baby K on the bike trail in Wood Ranch.
Today she did even better but I didn't bring my camera!
Baby K can ride a bike
The kids both got brand new bikes from a business that had teams building them. This was all through my friend, Michele. They needed children to recieve the bikes and Michele thought of me! There was a total of 9 bikes and Little D and Baby K both recieved a new bike, a new helmet and a lock. Michele's children both recieved these, as well as 4 other children. The 9th bike was accounted for but the child wasn't there.
Baby K has outgrown all of her bikes and has been too afraid to ride any without training wheels unless they are the size that a 3-year-old would ride but she got on this one just fine and was riding in 20 minutes!
We got home late and it was dark but the next day we went riding and she is now doing GREAT!!! We even went mountain bike riding to Corganville today with my dad for about an hour and she did not fall once. On a few steep hills she had to get off and push her bike but she never complained. I am so proud!!!
Now, when the whole family goes riding Baby K and I can ride too instead of us walking or running!!!
:-)
Baby K has outgrown all of her bikes and has been too afraid to ride any without training wheels unless they are the size that a 3-year-old would ride but she got on this one just fine and was riding in 20 minutes!
We got home late and it was dark but the next day we went riding and she is now doing GREAT!!! We even went mountain bike riding to Corganville today with my dad for about an hour and she did not fall once. On a few steep hills she had to get off and push her bike but she never complained. I am so proud!!!
Now, when the whole family goes riding Baby K and I can ride too instead of us walking or running!!!
:-)
Sketch Up comptuer program
SketchUp: Why Kids With Autism Love It | Newsweek Health | Newsweek.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/179952?from=rss
I downloaded the free version of this on my computer for Little D. I made him watch the 4 Youtube tutorials and then let him play with it. The original program is made for architects to build buildings but someone found out that kids with autism love it. Now Little D doesn't have autism but is high needs and I know he loves things like this (building, planning and on a computer too boot! LOL!). He is great with Lincoln Logs, Legos and other similar types of building materials.
Well, I had to get our bikes loaded to go bike riding with my dad and I did a few more things and I can back to check on him and he had built a building with a door, a 4-panel window and the window had blinds on it! WOW!!! About 20 more minutes passes and we were ready to go and he closed the program before I could see what he had accomplished but he told me that he built a chair!!!
I'm sure with time he will be able to create more elaborate things but I was impressed at what he accomplished in such a short time with a brand new program!
:-)
http://www.newsweek.com/id/179952?from=rss
I downloaded the free version of this on my computer for Little D. I made him watch the 4 Youtube tutorials and then let him play with it. The original program is made for architects to build buildings but someone found out that kids with autism love it. Now Little D doesn't have autism but is high needs and I know he loves things like this (building, planning and on a computer too boot! LOL!). He is great with Lincoln Logs, Legos and other similar types of building materials.
Well, I had to get our bikes loaded to go bike riding with my dad and I did a few more things and I can back to check on him and he had built a building with a door, a 4-panel window and the window had blinds on it! WOW!!! About 20 more minutes passes and we were ready to go and he closed the program before I could see what he had accomplished but he told me that he built a chair!!!
I'm sure with time he will be able to create more elaborate things but I was impressed at what he accomplished in such a short time with a brand new program!
:-)
Sunday, January 18, 2009
spell check and baby brothers...
Okay, everywhere I post my brother seems to find everything I spell wrong and remind me (over and over again) to use spell check. He is right. Spell check is easy, does not take up much time, is free and it just makes sense to use it. I am used to programs that underline (usualy in red) words that are misspelled as I type and that is a visual reminder to do the spell check before finishing. However, here, on my blog and on Facebook and a few other places, this does not automatically happen. I have to click on the ABC button and then the words are underlined. And, alas, I often forget.
The misspells are usually due to me rushing, being distracted and missing keys but regardless if it is a word that I didn't spell correctly or typed wrong, it still is wrong, right? :-)
So, from now on, I will try to remember to spell check my writtings before hitting the 'send' button!
:-)
The misspells are usually due to me rushing, being distracted and missing keys but regardless if it is a word that I didn't spell correctly or typed wrong, it still is wrong, right? :-)
So, from now on, I will try to remember to spell check my writtings before hitting the 'send' button!
:-)
AARP 'u @ 50' contest enviromental video
At a meeting of the AARP (American Association of Retired
People) they showed a video that was submitted in a contest by a 20 year old.
The contest was Titled 'u @ 50'.
This video won second place. When they showed it, everyone in the room was awe-struck and broke into spontaneous applause.
Take a minute and watch it. (requires sound)
http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=42E2fAWM6rA
I love how creative this is (and curious to how great the first place video is).
:-)
People) they showed a video that was submitted in a contest by a 20 year old.
The contest was Titled 'u @ 50'.
This video won second place. When they showed it, everyone in the room was awe-struck and broke into spontaneous applause.
Take a minute and watch it. (requires sound)
http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=42E2fAWM6rA
I love how creative this is (and curious to how great the first place video is).
:-)
Thursday, January 15, 2009
how to make hand warmers
Okay, living in California that is little use for these, for me. I know some people get cold easier. But, still, I thought these were great and I just had to pass them on! I'll update US soon. It has been a whirl-wind of being busy and running around.
Briefly, one of the utility companies broke our side gate and are saying it wasn't them and don't want to fix it (said I have to take them to small claims court). Like I have time for that or want to deal with it? Next, non-profit charity group that does pick-ups hit my retaining wall and left a note saying 'sorry, I think I might have bumped your wall' well, bumped isn't the word. A few bricks are loose. At least two broken in half and put back, just sitting on top of the wall. My mortgage company just got bought out and is saying my flood insc. is not adaquate and want it higher and I need to do it NOW but I heard that it is getting bought out again so I have to do it but it might all be a waste in a month or two or too high. As of the kids, they are doing great. They both received free, brand new, bikes from a coporate seminar thing that a friend works with. They were building them as team work stuff and needed 9 kids to receive them when they were done. SO, both Little D and Baby K got brand new bikes and new helmets. They are only single-speed so can't be used mountain-bike climbing but are still great to have. Baby K's old bike was about 2 sizes too small and she has been afraid to get on a higher bike and really learn how to ride. BUT..... drum roll.....Baby K has now mastered, in one day, how to ride a two-wheeler bike without training wheels. She riding, stopping, doing turns, brakeing, etc. and doing a great job at it all. She has one boo-boo on her leg, by her knee, from crashing yesterday, but that is it. Their dad stopped by at dinner time so that she could show off her new skills to him! She is very excited about it... I guess this is a way to help me loose weight! I'll have to run or ride to keep up! :-)
Okay, and now, here is the hand warmer link!
http://www.craftstylish.com/item/38336/how-to-make-hand-warming-gloves
Briefly, one of the utility companies broke our side gate and are saying it wasn't them and don't want to fix it (said I have to take them to small claims court). Like I have time for that or want to deal with it? Next, non-profit charity group that does pick-ups hit my retaining wall and left a note saying 'sorry, I think I might have bumped your wall' well, bumped isn't the word. A few bricks are loose. At least two broken in half and put back, just sitting on top of the wall. My mortgage company just got bought out and is saying my flood insc. is not adaquate and want it higher and I need to do it NOW but I heard that it is getting bought out again so I have to do it but it might all be a waste in a month or two or too high. As of the kids, they are doing great. They both received free, brand new, bikes from a coporate seminar thing that a friend works with. They were building them as team work stuff and needed 9 kids to receive them when they were done. SO, both Little D and Baby K got brand new bikes and new helmets. They are only single-speed so can't be used mountain-bike climbing but are still great to have. Baby K's old bike was about 2 sizes too small and she has been afraid to get on a higher bike and really learn how to ride. BUT..... drum roll.....Baby K has now mastered, in one day, how to ride a two-wheeler bike without training wheels. She riding, stopping, doing turns, brakeing, etc. and doing a great job at it all. She has one boo-boo on her leg, by her knee, from crashing yesterday, but that is it. Their dad stopped by at dinner time so that she could show off her new skills to him! She is very excited about it... I guess this is a way to help me loose weight! I'll have to run or ride to keep up! :-)
Okay, and now, here is the hand warmer link!
http://www.craftstylish.com/item/38336/how-to-make-hand-warming-gloves
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Saturday, January 10, 2009
My current eBay auctions Valentine's Day gifts
Okay, I called eBay and figured out how to put the link for any current auctions so that you can click on it any time and it will always show what is current. Please check them out!
I have some great items that are listed right now and trying to get 20-40 more that will post Sunday at 4pm.
Please check them out!
http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/debbzs
I have some great items that are listed right now and trying to get 20-40 more that will post Sunday at 4pm.
Please check them out!
http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/debbzs
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
free math websites
These are the 'Best of 2008' from clickschooling.yahoogroupscom. There are 5 great websites for math problems for children and teachers. You can also goto Yahoogroups and sign up for Clickschooling. You will get an email aprox. once a day (sometimes she skips on holidays) with free schooling/educational websites.
BBC SkillsWise Times Tables
http://www.homefire s.com/click? skillswise
Age Range: 8-13
Based in the United Kingdom, this site offers free times tables lessons and
practice for students in grades 3-8. This archived ClickSchooling review had
the highest number of visitors in 2008.
MathEBook.net - Free Math Video Tutorials
http://www.homefire s.com/click? mathebook
Age Range: 5-18
This website offers FREE math "Downloadable Tutorials" in the form of both
online math videos (via YouTube, with some that are similar to webinars) and
interactive eWorkSheets and eWorkBooks that allow students in grades K-12 to
learn and practice math with ease.
KidsNumbers. com
http://www.homefire s.com/click? kidsnumbers
Age Range: 4-17
This 100% free math resource was designed by teachers as a place where
students can learn and practice all aspects of math, including addition,
subtraction, multiplication, and division, in a fun and pressure-free way.
Mathematic Interactives
http://www.homefire s.com/click? mathia
Age Range: 5-17
Created by David Hellam (a teacher and prolific math game inventor), this
site provides a remarkable archive of interactive math puzzles and games for
a variety of math strands from counting to algebra and beyond. The engaging
and entertaining games provide opportunities to practice, reinforce, and
self-test math skills.
Johnnie's Math Page
http://www.homefire s.com/click? johnnie
Age Range: 5-13
Get a terrific variety of interactive math games, tools, and activities for
students in grades K-8.
BBC SkillsWise Times Tables
http://www.homefire s.com/click? skillswise
Age Range: 8-13
Based in the United Kingdom, this site offers free times tables lessons and
practice for students in grades 3-8. This archived ClickSchooling review had
the highest number of visitors in 2008.
MathEBook.net - Free Math Video Tutorials
http://www.homefire s.com/click? mathebook
Age Range: 5-18
This website offers FREE math "Downloadable Tutorials" in the form of both
online math videos (via YouTube, with some that are similar to webinars) and
interactive eWorkSheets and eWorkBooks that allow students in grades K-12 to
learn and practice math with ease.
KidsNumbers. com
http://www.homefire s.com/click? kidsnumbers
Age Range: 4-17
This 100% free math resource was designed by teachers as a place where
students can learn and practice all aspects of math, including addition,
subtraction, multiplication, and division, in a fun and pressure-free way.
Mathematic Interactives
http://www.homefire s.com/click? mathia
Age Range: 5-17
Created by David Hellam (a teacher and prolific math game inventor), this
site provides a remarkable archive of interactive math puzzles and games for
a variety of math strands from counting to algebra and beyond. The engaging
and entertaining games provide opportunities to practice, reinforce, and
self-test math skills.
Johnnie's Math Page
http://www.homefire s.com/click? johnnie
Age Range: 5-13
Get a terrific variety of interactive math games, tools, and activities for
students in grades K-8.
reverse reverse reverse reverse
This definately took practice! I'm going to have to remember to show the kids!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
More fun art? tampon crafts blog
Okay, I have """""JOANNE"""""" popping into my head with her condom earrings when I see this link. Truely enjoy laughing your butt off seeing some of the crafts, with step-by-step instuctions on how to make them!
http://www.tamponcrafts.com
;-)
http://www.tamponcrafts.com
;-)
Barack Obama impersonator
My friend, Jennifer, passed this on to me. This is a funny video on You Tube that is a Barack Obama impersonator. He has a few other videos too if you want to click on them! A nice chuckle so I thought I'd share!
Thursday, January 1, 2009
websites from Suzie's old blog...
boredom busters and rainy day activitieshttp://www.redshift.com/~bonajo/bored.htm#inout
bored with lunch- lunch ideashttp://www.redshift.com/~bonajo/lunch.htm
Magical Childhood- suggestions for things to do with your kids http://www.magicalchildhood.com/index2.htm
bored with lunch- lunch ideashttp://www.redshift.com/~bonajo/lunch.htm
Magical Childhood- suggestions for things to do with your kids http://www.magicalchildhood.com/index2.htm
learn Japanese for children
This is a great website to learn Japanese. Especially made for children.
http://www.genkienglish.net/genkijapan/menu.htm
http://www.genkienglish.net/genkijapan/menu.htm
Daily math questions and contest
Math Wizard posts daily activities including a math challange question. Earn points by answering the math questions and emailing in the answer with your name. The points add up to neat things the kids can get like Smencils and stickers.
http://homeschoolingk.blogspot.com
http://homeschoolingk.blogspot.com
Chartacter Study website
Chartacter Study
Found a website with some unit study on Chartacter Building- Excellent. Here is the link to that page- make sure once you are there to also go to their homepage for other great homeschool curriculum and ideas .Homeschoolhelperonline.com/character_studies.htm
Found a website with some unit study on Chartacter Building- Excellent. Here is the link to that page- make sure once you are there to also go to their homepage for other great homeschool curriculum and ideas .Homeschoolhelperonline.com/character_studies.htm
SUPER COW any vegetarians out there?
OMG... I found this on a vegan website and had to share! If you aren't a vegetarian you might want to think about not eating beef after this!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nmkj5gq1cQU
Not for the weak of mind or stomach! Not bloody but definatley super science beyond necessary. Frankencow?
Debbie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nmkj5gq1cQU
Not for the weak of mind or stomach! Not bloody but definatley super science beyond necessary. Frankencow?
Debbie
Kids day at Thousand Oaks library Inauguration Party... more
FREE Kid's Inauguration Party (Border's T.O.)Saturday, January 17, 2009, 2:00 pm. Border's Thousand Oaks, 125 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd. 805-497-8159 (Moorpark Rd. exit). Celebrate America, democracy, and new beginnings at Borders with a very special Inauguration Party for kids! Bring the whole family for art activities, games, a scavenger hunt,and an official oath ceremony. Hail to the chief!
FREE Tea for Two Kids PartySaturday, January 24, 2009, 2:00 pmBorder's Thousand Oaks, 125 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd. 805-497-8159. As the winter drags on, we all could use some warming up. Borders is happy to be that place for you. Bring the whole family for an afternoon of stories, games, music, and tea, both in the kids department and in our Seattles Best Coffee Café.
Skirball Family Workshop: A Creature Celebration - Noah's Ark Weekend WorkshopsSunday, January 25, 10 am - 1 pm, 1 pm - 4 pmADMISSION: Fee includes admission to workshop and Noah’s Ark: $25 Child-Adult Pair; $15 Member Child-Adult Pair; $5 per additional Adult or Child.http://www.skirball .org/Come celebrate the New Year with a Chinese spin. Explore Noah's Ark for animals that relate to the Chinese Zodiac calendar, like the monkey and rat. Then return to the studio to create a take-home animal puppet. Limited enrollment; advance registration required. Especially recommended for ages 4-8; children must be accompanied by an adult.
FREE Tea for Two Kids PartySaturday, January 24, 2009, 2:00 pmBorder's Thousand Oaks, 125 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd. 805-497-8159. As the winter drags on, we all could use some warming up. Borders is happy to be that place for you. Bring the whole family for an afternoon of stories, games, music, and tea, both in the kids department and in our Seattles Best Coffee Café.
Skirball Family Workshop: A Creature Celebration - Noah's Ark Weekend WorkshopsSunday, January 25, 10 am - 1 pm, 1 pm - 4 pmADMISSION: Fee includes admission to workshop and Noah’s Ark: $25 Child-Adult Pair; $15 Member Child-Adult Pair; $5 per additional Adult or Child.http://www.skirball .org/Come celebrate the New Year with a Chinese spin. Explore Noah's Ark for animals that relate to the Chinese Zodiac calendar, like the monkey and rat. Then return to the studio to create a take-home animal puppet. Limited enrollment; advance registration required. Especially recommended for ages 4-8; children must be accompanied by an adult.
Coastal Poetry and Art contest for Ca. children
By encouraging youth to reflect on the beauty and spirit of California's beaches and ocean, we hope to inspire a greater sense of stewardship for these natural places. A population that cares about the coast is more likely to work to conserve and protect it.
WHO:
All California residents in kindergarten through 12th grades are invited to participate. There are four categories for awards in both art and poetry: K-3rd, 4th-6th, 7th-9th, and 10th-12th grade.
WHAT:
Entries must have a California coastal or California marine theme. (For help with California species, click here.) Poetry and artwork must be original. Art should be no larger than 11 inches by 17 inches. Acceptable art media are paint, pencil, markers, ink, crayon, chalk or pastel (fixed), and collage. Three-dimensional pieces, computer printouts, or photocopies are not eligible. All entries must include a completed contest Entry Form.
WHEN:
Entries must be postmarked by January 31, 2009.
Please check out the website for more details.
http://www.coastal.ca.gov/publiced/poster/poster.html
WHO:
All California residents in kindergarten through 12th grades are invited to participate. There are four categories for awards in both art and poetry: K-3rd, 4th-6th, 7th-9th, and 10th-12th grade.
WHAT:
Entries must have a California coastal or California marine theme. (For help with California species, click here.) Poetry and artwork must be original. Art should be no larger than 11 inches by 17 inches. Acceptable art media are paint, pencil, markers, ink, crayon, chalk or pastel (fixed), and collage. Three-dimensional pieces, computer printouts, or photocopies are not eligible. All entries must include a completed contest Entry Form.
WHEN:
Entries must be postmarked by January 31, 2009.
Please check out the website for more details.
http://www.coastal.ca.gov/publiced/poster/poster.html
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Brian Dennert Here... Ventura County Star Blog
My brother's blog about local politics going on in Simi Valley and the surrounding area!
Monday, December 29, 2008
crazy day at only 9:30am
Okay, today was off to a crazy start.
Woke up to the dog having diarrhea on the kitchen floor. I was dry-heaving cleaning it up.
Kids clogged the front bathroom toilet with too much toilet paper.
Kids flooded the bathroom floor with water by overflowing the basin when taking a shower.
My sister let my son buy a rat last night at the pet food store. They called and asked and I told her and him NO!!!
AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!
On the bright side. I had a garage sale this weekend. Saturday I did GREAT. Sunday was very very slow. BUT, I made aprox. $770 at the garage sale!
;-)
Woke up to the dog having diarrhea on the kitchen floor. I was dry-heaving cleaning it up.
Kids clogged the front bathroom toilet with too much toilet paper.
Kids flooded the bathroom floor with water by overflowing the basin when taking a shower.
My sister let my son buy a rat last night at the pet food store. They called and asked and I told her and him NO!!!
AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!
On the bright side. I had a garage sale this weekend. Saturday I did GREAT. Sunday was very very slow. BUT, I made aprox. $770 at the garage sale!
;-)
Saturday, December 27, 2008
art ? toe-nail art.. ummmm okay?
I guess you can call this art. Folk art? Ecentric art? Crazy weird people? LMAO!!! Not sure I'd want to touch these if they had other people's nails on them. Other people's feet gross me out! Not kidding! Feet by themselves are okay. But, PLEASE, if you have sweaty, hot-in-the-shoes-all-day feet don't ever try to put them near me. And, if you have toe nails so long that a french pedicure would look nice, but instead they are all yellow and gross and cracked and have dirty 'stuff' under the nails, I just might gag!
So, with all that said, please check out this 'lovely' website.
http://rachelzcallahan.blogspot.com/2008/06/toenail-art.html
I have to thank Suzie for sending it to me! Sigh!!! What would I do without my friends?
;-*
So, with all that said, please check out this 'lovely' website.
http://rachelzcallahan.blogspot.com/2008/06/toenail-art.html
I have to thank Suzie for sending it to me! Sigh!!! What would I do without my friends?
;-*
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Handmade soaps and bath products
This is anther great website. The woman that owns and runs it (and makes the products) is someone I know from a LLL chatgroup. These are great gift ideas and fun to enjoy at home. Very affordable prices too.
http://www.soaps-and-potions.com
:-)
http://www.soaps-and-potions.com
:-)
Great meal recipes for free
My friend, Suzie, told me about this great blog. She has a friend that emailed out recipes all the time to family and friends and Suzie encouraged her to create a blog from it. So, she has an posts great recipe ideas all the time. They are in groups on the right to choose from.
Enjoy!!!
http://wfdamy.blogspot.com/
Enjoy!!!
http://wfdamy.blogspot.com/
Christ's Birth- Merry Christmas
This is a great video to help us remember the reason we are celebrating Christmas. Not the tree, not the presents, not the eggnog or the photo Christmas cards... but for the birth of Christ the King.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_ypUnnqr8Y&eurl=http://co105w.col105.mail.live.com/mail/InboxLight.aspx?FolderID=00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000001&InboxSortAscending&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_ypUnnqr8Y&eurl=http://co105w.col105.mail.live.com/mail/InboxLight.aspx?FolderID=00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000001&InboxSortAscending&feature=player_embedded
Monday, December 15, 2008
Christmas in Japan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmCrIZeob4w
I have a friend that lives in Japan and she posted this short video on her blog. It is funny and reminds me of the guy that travels all over the world doing the stupid dance with the hand pumping motion.
;-)
I have a friend that lives in Japan and she posted this short video on her blog. It is funny and reminds me of the guy that travels all over the world doing the stupid dance with the hand pumping motion.
;-)
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Simi Valley Library needs repairs
I have seen the wall like this at the Simi Library for months and months now. I always forget about it and then the next time we are in there I am reminded. The yellow thing sticking out is a candy box and there is other trash shoved in there as well. The brown is a cardboard flap that was taped on and is coming loose. I am seriously wondering why no one is fixing this! I have to remember to ask the next time I am there!
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Chistmas in the Attic at the Simi Library
I got a flyer for this from a woman at the library on Saturday. We went there for the Redbird annual Toy and Blanket Drive and Potluck. We hung out, saw some friend and chatted for a few hours.
Anyways, the flyer is for a free holiday movie screening of Christmas in the Attic. It is Dec. 13th. 11:30-12:30pm. For ages 3-9 yrs old.
I'm not sure what it is but might be cute. The small blurb about the story line is about three puppets that are forgotten in an attic and have to spend Christmas alone until they meet a girl.
Anyways, the flyer is for a free holiday movie screening of Christmas in the Attic. It is Dec. 13th. 11:30-12:30pm. For ages 3-9 yrs old.
I'm not sure what it is but might be cute. The small blurb about the story line is about three puppets that are forgotten in an attic and have to spend Christmas alone until they meet a girl.
Photos from Back to Bethlehem 12/06
Girls making pottery.
Girls were selling wreaths. The saw my digital camera and called it a 'lighting maker' and I told them if they hugged and smiled that I'd draw their picture. So, I took a picture and then put the photo on 'view' and they pretended to be memorized that they were in two places at once.
Baby K getting her 'sandals repaired for one coin'. She really enjoyed this! It was cute!
The Romans harassing a man telling people to not give money to Caesar. Little D LOVED this but last year it scared Baby K. It Looks like they are punching the man and Baby K didn't realize it was all pretend. Not nice at all and too violent for me but stuff like this, and worse, did happen and still does, right? His children raised 50 shekels to give to the Romans so that he could be freed.
A Rabbi in his school quizzing the children on the bible.
Little D in the petting area, petting some goats and sheep. It was cute that Baby K pointed out (without jealously) that Little D is great with animals.
Little D with a donkey just outside the manger. Last year they had a camel too and they usually do. I asked and where it was and someone told me it was down the hill grazing. I asked if it would be here next weekend and they said (in time era-like dialect) that the camel-renting-business had rates that were too high this year so they had to walk on foot! ;-)
Girls were selling wreaths. The saw my digital camera and called it a 'lighting maker' and I told them if they hugged and smiled that I'd draw their picture. So, I took a picture and then put the photo on 'view' and they pretended to be memorized that they were in two places at once.
Baby K getting her 'sandals repaired for one coin'. She really enjoyed this! It was cute!
The Romans harassing a man telling people to not give money to Caesar. Little D LOVED this but last year it scared Baby K. It Looks like they are punching the man and Baby K didn't realize it was all pretend. Not nice at all and too violent for me but stuff like this, and worse, did happen and still does, right? His children raised 50 shekels to give to the Romans so that he could be freed.
A Rabbi in his school quizzing the children on the bible.
Little D in the petting area, petting some goats and sheep. It was cute that Baby K pointed out (without jealously) that Little D is great with animals.
Little D with a donkey just outside the manger. Last year they had a camel too and they usually do. I asked and where it was and someone told me it was down the hill grazing. I asked if it would be here next weekend and they said (in time era-like dialect) that the camel-renting-business had rates that were too high this year so they had to walk on foot! ;-)
Rocky Peak Church Back to Bethlehem
The Church at Rocky Peak is doing their annual live interactive Bethlehem. This is the church we attend but I never brought the children when they were smaller because it was late and is often cold. This is now our third year going and they LOVE it. On Saturday we went to church, planning to go to the Saturday evening service but they were doing a practice run with people welcome to stop in so we went. We are planning to go next weekend with some family members too.
So, here it is;
Experience the first Christmas at Back to Bethlehem.
More than a nativity scene
and not a play...
Travel back in time and interact with villagers in our outdoor re-creation of the town of Bethlehem. Participate with town merchants and craftsmen. Avoid the Roman centurions and tax collectors (Little D loves being chased by them and tries to antagonize them). See for yourself an overworked innkeeper, excited shepherds, three mysterious travelers, angelic visitors and a young couple with a newborn baby. Back to Bethlehem is a Christmas event for the whole family!
Free admission!
Saturday and Sunday, December 13 &14 7-9pm.
Friday-Monday, December 19-22nd. 7-9pm.
22601 Santa Susana Pass Rd.
Chatsworth. 91311.
(818) 709-0113. (805) 522-5100. www.rockypeak.org
So, here it is;
Experience the first Christmas at Back to Bethlehem.
More than a nativity scene
and not a play...
Travel back in time and interact with villagers in our outdoor re-creation of the town of Bethlehem. Participate with town merchants and craftsmen. Avoid the Roman centurions and tax collectors (Little D loves being chased by them and tries to antagonize them). See for yourself an overworked innkeeper, excited shepherds, three mysterious travelers, angelic visitors and a young couple with a newborn baby. Back to Bethlehem is a Christmas event for the whole family!
Free admission!
Saturday and Sunday, December 13 &14 7-9pm.
Friday-Monday, December 19-22nd. 7-9pm.
22601 Santa Susana Pass Rd.
Chatsworth. 91311.
(818) 709-0113. (805) 522-5100. www.rockypeak.org
Sunflowers growing in our front yard
Gardening is such a fun way to teach about plants and when seeds that are planted do well they are a great reward too.
A few months ago I was weeding and planting some seeds in the front and back yard (mostly vegetable seeds). Baby K was helping me and I when we were in the front I gave her some Giant Sunflower seeds to plant herself. She planted them too close together but obviously did it deep enough.
There are about 5-7 plants coming up. Mostly small, it is December, ya know, but one of them is growing about the rest and right now it is taller then Baby K.
I think these are suppose to get 10-12 feet tall so we will see! Right now she is amazed and very proud of herself too!
:-)
Followers
Okay, I was goofing off trying to edit some things on my blog. I was TRYING to update the ads on it but for some reason can't do it. There are some new features so I clicked on the one that says 'followers'. I added it to the side of my blog but screwed up because now, some how, I am a follower of my own blog. So, someone, PLEASE add yourself too so that I'm not the only one reading it! lol!
:-)
:-)
Educational coloring pictures
This website has over 6400 pictures to choose from to print for children to learn and color on. Holidays, environment, geography, the presidents and other famous people, fairy tales, family and more. The 'Act Now' clip that I posted was from this site as well.
You can also sign up for the 'coloring picture of the day'. I printed a Topographic Map to show Little D tomorrow!
http://www.edupics.com
:-)
You can also sign up for the 'coloring picture of the day'. I printed a Topographic Map to show Little D tomorrow!
http://www.edupics.com
:-)
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
German Fruit Cake Marzipan Stollen
Okay, I got some of this 'stuff' from Trader Joe's and haven't tried it yet (I'm a little chicken to try). It reminds me of fruit cake but is suppose to be some kind of sweet bread.
A friend told me that marzipan means 'almond paste' and that it is a type of German bread.
So, I had to look on Wikipedia and see what it REALLY is! LOL!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stollen
Enjoy! Now you have learned something new too!
;-)
A friend told me that marzipan means 'almond paste' and that it is a type of German bread.
So, I had to look on Wikipedia and see what it REALLY is! LOL!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stollen
Enjoy! Now you have learned something new too!
;-)
inspiring and humbling video
I found this video so incredibly moving. Great for us to reflect on our fortunes during the holiday season!
Debbie
http://www.cnn. com/video/ #/video/us/ 2008/11/22/ jaffe.wa. boy.dying. wish.obit. komo
Debbie
http://www.cnn. com/video/ #/video/us/ 2008/11/22/ jaffe.wa. boy.dying. wish.obit. komo
Commercial Free childhood
I got this from a post from Tonya. Many things to click on. Learn and be informed!!!
Tv has WAYYYY too many commercials and I even notice a huge increase in the 'I wants' and the 'Will you buy me' after my children have watched tv with commercials. This group has done some great things, like getting Scholastic to remove Bratz from thier school sales!!
:-)
Debbie
http://commercialfreechildhood.org/issues.htm
Tv has WAYYYY too many commercials and I even notice a huge increase in the 'I wants' and the 'Will you buy me' after my children have watched tv with commercials. This group has done some great things, like getting Scholastic to remove Bratz from thier school sales!!
:-)
Debbie
http://commercialfreechildhood.org/issues.htm
discount tickets for Renaissance Faire
For a limited time, 11/19/06 - 1/7/07, you can buy tickets for the Ren
Fair half price! (Online only, it's easier to buy tix online and just
hand them at the gate vs. waiting in line.)
The Original Renaissance Faire
2009 ** April 4 - May 17 ** 2009
Saturdays & Sundays 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
School Day is Friday April 24, 2009
Location: Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area - Irwindale, CA
Santa Fe Dam is a unit of the United States Army Corps of Engineers,
maintained and operated by the County of Los Angeles Department of
Parks and Recreation
http://www.renfair. com/socal/
Regular Gate price
Adult (13+) $29.50
Child (5-12) $15.00
OFFER ENDS SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2009, 11:59pm
Adult $12.50
Child $7.50
Children under 5 are always free.
Fair half price! (Online only, it's easier to buy tix online and just
hand them at the gate vs. waiting in line.)
The Original Renaissance Faire
2009 ** April 4 - May 17 ** 2009
Saturdays & Sundays 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
School Day is Friday April 24, 2009
Location: Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area - Irwindale, CA
Santa Fe Dam is a unit of the United States Army Corps of Engineers,
maintained and operated by the County of Los Angeles Department of
Parks and Recreation
http://www.renfair. com/socal/
Regular Gate price
Adult (13+) $29.50
Child (5-12) $15.00
OFFER ENDS SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2009, 11:59pm
Adult $12.50
Child $7.50
Children under 5 are always free.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Kids lunchbox cards
I meet these people at Whole Foods a few months ago and signed up for their email list. I have not ordered yet but they do have very cute cards. It is a family business and the prices are reasonable. Even though we homeschool I thought these would still be a nice 'I love you' to slip in lunch bags when the kids are at their enrichment classes!
Here is the link!
http://http//kidsfuncards.com/default.asp?id=638
:-)
Here is the link!
http://http//kidsfuncards.com/default.asp?id=638
:-)
Thursday 25% off for educators at Borders
On Thursday, December 4, 2008, Borders Books will be having its first Educator Holiday Savings event at all Borders stores. For this one day only, all current and retired educators and homeschooling parents will receive 25% off the list price of nearly everything in the store including books, music, and DVDs. The 25% off also applies to gifts and stationery and Café items. When you get to the registers just mention that you’re an educator or show your ID to get your discount. J. K. Rowling’s The Tales of Beedle the Bard will be released on the December 4th as well, so customers can reserve their copies now for pick-up on Thursday.
I'm thinking of going to get a present for the family member I picked for the Christmas exchange!!
:-)
I'm thinking of going to get a present for the family member I picked for the Christmas exchange!!
:-)
Bottle Village Open House
The Open House at Bottle Village was great. We forgot to count but had about 500-700 people there! A sidewalk artist, Ruth Villa, did a drawing of Grandma Prisby. We had some musicians playing. A few tables selling Bottle Village keepsakes. I set up and was suppose to run the snack table but Baby K just took it over and did it all. Once in a while when there were other children around they'd start talking, become instant friends and would help her out until their parents told them it was time to leave. The whole event was 4 hours and it was packed the entire time and we were cleaning up with flashlights (damm that daylight savings).
LOOK at all the people and cars!! WOW! This is the front gates. It was busy like this all day long with no parking on both sides of the street!!
Here are some photos from my camera;
Baby K removing a pebble on the sidewalk by sidewalk artist Ruth Villa.
From entrance, looking in. People milling around and checking out everything there is to see.
Picture of Joanne and Helen (my mom) at the front taking money and selling books and other BV cool stuff.
Baby K showing off an oreo cookie at her snack table.
She collected over $60 dollars in donations!!!
LOOK at all the people and cars!! WOW! This is the front gates. It was busy like this all day long with no parking on both sides of the street!!
Ruth Villa's finished artwork! I am amazed! I've never seen a sidewalk artist and this was the first time she had done a black and white drawing (she based it on a photo of Grandma Prisby). I hope she comes back again!
Nativities Around the World, No Room at the Inn
I'm passing on info on this nativity called "No Room at the Inn." I have not been to it but I have heard it is wonderful. If you go to the website there is a list of similar ones from all around.
This one is in Agoura and it is next weekend, December 5th - 7th. http://www.noroom.%20org/contact.%20htm
EXHIBIT HOURS Saturday, December 6 and Sunday, December 710:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Donation $5 adults, $1 Children
St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church
5801 N. Kanan Road, Westlake Kanan & Lindero Canyon Road
This one is in Agoura and it is next weekend, December 5th - 7th. http://www.noroom.%20org/contact.%20htm
EXHIBIT HOURS Saturday, December 6 and Sunday, December 710:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Donation $5 adults, $1 Children
St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church
5801 N. Kanan Road, Westlake Kanan & Lindero Canyon Road
Xerox free greeting cards for soldiers
Something cool that Xerox is doing. If you go to this web site, http://www.letssayt hanks.com/ Home1024. html you can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq. You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to some member of the armed services.How AMAZING it would be if we could get everyone we know to send one!!! This is a great site. Please send a card. It is FREE and it only takes a second. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the soldiers received a bunch of these? Whether you are for or against the war, our guys and gals over there need to know we are behind them.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
eBay going paperless
eBay sent out an email with 'new great updates' again. Funny how this always seems to benefit them but they act like it is the seller or buyers best interest.
The biggest change is they are going 'paperless for payments'. They will no longer allow a seller to accept cash, money orders or cashiers checks as forms of payment. The only exception is for items that are pick-up only.
The new acceptable forms of payments are Paypal (which eBay owns stock in), credit cards or ProPay (not sure what this is).
Funny how I was informed about this by Auctiva via newsletter and I contacted eBay's live chat to ask about it and the live chat person told me,.. "No! Check your source of information because this is wrong." Less then a week later eBay notifies everyone about it.
I wrote a letter complaining (enough people do it and they might change it back, right? It has happened before).
This is what they said;
Dear Deborah,
Thank you for writing eBay in regard to your concerns.
I apologize for the misinformation you received regarding the Paperless
Payments policy. I see that you have been able to connect with live chat
since then and received the correct information.
However, I will go ahead and include that information here, as well.
Starting October 20, 2008 only permitted payment methods will be
displayed in the payment details section of listings. Sellers will need
to remove all references to non-permitted payment methods from item
descriptions. We know that this is a busy time of year for sellers, so
to allow sufficient time to change templates, we will wait until January
15, 2009 before we begin taking action against sellers soliciting
non-permitted payment methods within the item description of listings.
Here is a list of the accepted payments:
PayPal
Credit or debit card processed through an Internet merchant account
ProPay
Sellers may in addition offer to accept:
Payment upon pickup
For more information on this new policy, please visit the following
link:
http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/accepted-payments-policy.html
If you need further assistance, please don't hesitate to reply to this
email and let us know.
Sincerely,
Ashley Cu.
eBay Customer Support
So, there you have it.
Please tell me what you think!!
The biggest change is they are going 'paperless for payments'. They will no longer allow a seller to accept cash, money orders or cashiers checks as forms of payment. The only exception is for items that are pick-up only.
The new acceptable forms of payments are Paypal (which eBay owns stock in), credit cards or ProPay (not sure what this is).
Funny how I was informed about this by Auctiva via newsletter and I contacted eBay's live chat to ask about it and the live chat person told me,.. "No! Check your source of information because this is wrong." Less then a week later eBay notifies everyone about it.
I wrote a letter complaining (enough people do it and they might change it back, right? It has happened before).
This is what they said;
Dear Deborah,
Thank you for writing eBay in regard to your concerns.
I apologize for the misinformation you received regarding the Paperless
Payments policy. I see that you have been able to connect with live chat
since then and received the correct information.
However, I will go ahead and include that information here, as well.
Starting October 20, 2008 only permitted payment methods will be
displayed in the payment details section of listings. Sellers will need
to remove all references to non-permitted payment methods from item
descriptions. We know that this is a busy time of year for sellers, so
to allow sufficient time to change templates, we will wait until January
15, 2009 before we begin taking action against sellers soliciting
non-permitted payment methods within the item description of listings.
Here is a list of the accepted payments:
PayPal
Credit or debit card processed through an Internet merchant account
ProPay
Sellers may in addition offer to accept:
Payment upon pickup
For more information on this new policy, please visit the following
link:
http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/accepted-payments-policy.html
If you need further assistance, please don't hesitate to reply to this
email and let us know.
Sincerely,
Ashley Cu.
eBay Customer Support
So, there you have it.
Please tell me what you think!!
EEG for baby K
Update on Baby K.
The pediatric cardiologist has decided her fainting has nothing to do with heart and can not figure it out. So, the pediatrician ordered an EEG and after he reviews the results is probably going to send us to a nurologist.
We had the EEG at Simi Hospital on 11/13. The technician said the hospital nurologist should call the pediatrician and then I will get the call with the results. I was told it should take one day but it has now been 1 1/2 weeks and nothing! I've called twice. Last time I was told the hospital still hasn't told the pediatrican the results. I'll be calling again on Monday!
Baby K was brave for the whole thing. She had to hold very still for about 20 minutes for the technician to put all the sticky probes on and then had to hold her eyes closed and hold still for about 30 more and breath deep. The night before I was supose to keep her up the whole night or most of it. They said sleep deprivation stresses the brain and can cause abnormalities to show up better. So she went to bed at 11pm and I woke her up at 4am. It was hoped that she would fall asleep during the EEG but that didn't happen!
Friday, October 24, 2008
A Faery Hunt Fairys in Simi Valley
Twice a month there is 'A Faery Hunt' in Simi Valley. We went recently as guests from some of the actors in it (our friends). It is at Corriganville Park in Simi Valley the 1st and 3rd weekend of the month on Sundays (pending weather and major holidays). Starting time is at 10:30am. Tickets are $10 each (adults and children).
We went and the kids had a BLAST! Little D went into it expecting it to be for 'babies' or really younger kids and for it to be boring. Although he wasn't as enchanted as the younger children he did enjoy it. Baby K, of course, loved the whole thing and actively participated the entire time.
The whole thing has a theme of looking for the queen of the Faeries with a few sub-plots. It lasted about an hour.
Tickets are not cheap but it is a non-profit corporation. We will be going again next month as guests for a birthday party. I'm sure it will be just as magical.
I'll post pictures later.
http://www.afaeryhunt.com/ (818) 324-6802 or email is afaeryhunt@yahoo.com
Update... the reason it is spelled Faery and not Fairy is because the first was is the Gaelic way to spell the word! ;-)
:-)
We went and the kids had a BLAST! Little D went into it expecting it to be for 'babies' or really younger kids and for it to be boring. Although he wasn't as enchanted as the younger children he did enjoy it. Baby K, of course, loved the whole thing and actively participated the entire time.
The whole thing has a theme of looking for the queen of the Faeries with a few sub-plots. It lasted about an hour.
Tickets are not cheap but it is a non-profit corporation. We will be going again next month as guests for a birthday party. I'm sure it will be just as magical.
I'll post pictures later.
http://www.afaeryhunt.com/ (818) 324-6802 or email is afaeryhunt@yahoo.com
Update... the reason it is spelled Faery and not Fairy is because the first was is the Gaelic way to spell the word! ;-)
:-)
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
Bottle Village Art Outreach SImi Valley homeschool groups field trips
I have decided to step up and volunteer with the Art Outreach program with Bottle Village. The president of Bottle Village, Joann Johnson, has been doing so many different things with Bottle Village that this area needs help.
Starting soon, as the weather cools down, I will be organizing field trips and open days at Bottle Village.
The cost will be aprox. $7 per person.
The families will have have a tour of the grounds, learn more information about Bottle Village and get to make a mosaic with misc. small objects that they can bring with them. Beads, old keys coins and other items that are not perishable are great to put in the mosaics. Last time we did it the children each made two. One to bring home and one to leave with Bottle Village for Joann to sell as a fundraiser.
The whole field trip will be aprox. 1 1/2-2 hours old.
Please email me if you are interested in being on the list to be contacted when I get some dates.
For more information you can Google 'Bottle Village'. There is a children's book that Joann has available for purchase too that was written about Bottle Village.
:-)
Starting soon, as the weather cools down, I will be organizing field trips and open days at Bottle Village.
The cost will be aprox. $7 per person.
The families will have have a tour of the grounds, learn more information about Bottle Village and get to make a mosaic with misc. small objects that they can bring with them. Beads, old keys coins and other items that are not perishable are great to put in the mosaics. Last time we did it the children each made two. One to bring home and one to leave with Bottle Village for Joann to sell as a fundraiser.
The whole field trip will be aprox. 1 1/2-2 hours old.
Please email me if you are interested in being on the list to be contacted when I get some dates.
For more information you can Google 'Bottle Village'. There is a children's book that Joann has available for purchase too that was written about Bottle Village.
:-)
Strathearn Historical Park Ghost Tours Bottle Village Grandma Prisby
Right now through The end of October the Strathearn Historical Park in Simi Valley will be having Ghost Tours.
It is their scary Halloween fundraiser for people to come and see.
It costs $8 per person and guests go on a tour visiting ghosts from Simi Valley's Past.
Including my favorite, Grandma Prisby, the founder and Creator of Bottle Village (a historical landmark in Simi Valley).
The Ghosts Tours is open October 24,25 & 26th. Friday 7-10pm, Saturday 6-10pm and Sunday 6-9pm.
Docent-led tours depart every 10 minutes.
I am planning on going next weekend. Last year I wanted to go but thought it might be too scary for Little D and Baby K but I asked this year and I was told it is a whole-family event and that it is child-friendly.
:-)
Strathearn Park is at 137 Strathearn Place (805) 526-6453.
It is their scary Halloween fundraiser for people to come and see.
It costs $8 per person and guests go on a tour visiting ghosts from Simi Valley's Past.
Including my favorite, Grandma Prisby, the founder and Creator of Bottle Village (a historical landmark in Simi Valley).
The Ghosts Tours is open October 24,25 & 26th. Friday 7-10pm, Saturday 6-10pm and Sunday 6-9pm.
Docent-led tours depart every 10 minutes.
I am planning on going next weekend. Last year I wanted to go but thought it might be too scary for Little D and Baby K but I asked this year and I was told it is a whole-family event and that it is child-friendly.
:-)
Strathearn Park is at 137 Strathearn Place (805) 526-6453.
Somis Home Study SPA Days Halloween Homeschooling Open House
Somis Home Study will be starting their SPA (Student Parent Appreciation) Days this week.
They are once a month on Fridays. This one, on October 24th, will have the theme of Halloween.
It will be a fun day for the children K-8th to wear costumes, do crafts and other Halloween activities.
Since we are here today for the K-3rd enrichment classes and we plan to come on Thursday for the tutoring it will be three days this week to trek out here. Since I have been able to use a computer and go online it is making my day more productive but the cost of gas still sucks right now.
Next month's SPA Day theme will be Thanksgiving.
Also, Tuesday of next week, at the same time as the Parent-Child week, Somis Homestudy will be having an Open House. It will be on the 28th at 6:30 pm. Families that are thinking about homeschooling or want to learn more are welcome to come down to check out the classroom and ask questions.
:-)
:-)
They are once a month on Fridays. This one, on October 24th, will have the theme of Halloween.
It will be a fun day for the children K-8th to wear costumes, do crafts and other Halloween activities.
Since we are here today for the K-3rd enrichment classes and we plan to come on Thursday for the tutoring it will be three days this week to trek out here. Since I have been able to use a computer and go online it is making my day more productive but the cost of gas still sucks right now.
Next month's SPA Day theme will be Thanksgiving.
Also, Tuesday of next week, at the same time as the Parent-Child week, Somis Homestudy will be having an Open House. It will be on the 28th at 6:30 pm. Families that are thinking about homeschooling or want to learn more are welcome to come down to check out the classroom and ask questions.
:-)
:-)
Great free learning homeschooling websites
I'm going to try to make a list of websites for homeschooling. Please let me know if you have an good ones to add. They can be good for teaching online, free lesson plans to print or games for kids to play.
http://www.helpme2teach.com/ This one is not free but they do have a free 3-day trial without using a credit card. Type in 3DAYSFREE (all caps). I have not checked this one out yet but have heard it is great.
Brainpop or BrainpopJr (just add dot com to either). They do have accounts that you can subscribe to as a yearly membership but some of the videos and exercises are free.
http://www.wecansolveit.org/ Great for environment and recycling.
http://www.starfall.com/ Great for reading, spelling, phonics. A few different grade levels.
http://www.bookitprogram.com/ Sign up your children to receive coupons for a free personal pizza each month as part of a reading program. They have a section for homeschooling and for public schools as well.
www.mhschool.com/math It was hard to navigate but we found the exact same edition of the math books that Little D and Baby K have and there were games and some interactive activities that related to some specific chapters of their math books. They had other sections besides math as well.
The following few I got from a magazine as the 'top five sites for kids to grow on' I have not seen them all but the ones I have previewed were great.
http://www.homeworksport.com/
http://www.ology.amnh.org/
http://www.scholastic.com/
http://www.studyjams.com/
http://www.webwisekids.org/
http://www.studyjams.com/
http://www.helpme2teach.com/ This one is not free but they do have a free 3-day trial without using a credit card. Type in 3DAYSFREE (all caps). I have not checked this one out yet but have heard it is great.
Brainpop or BrainpopJr (just add dot com to either). They do have accounts that you can subscribe to as a yearly membership but some of the videos and exercises are free.
http://www.wecansolveit.org/ Great for environment and recycling.
http://www.starfall.com/ Great for reading, spelling, phonics. A few different grade levels.
http://www.bookitprogram.com/ Sign up your children to receive coupons for a free personal pizza each month as part of a reading program. They have a section for homeschooling and for public schools as well.
www.mhschool.com/math It was hard to navigate but we found the exact same edition of the math books that Little D and Baby K have and there were games and some interactive activities that related to some specific chapters of their math books. They had other sections besides math as well.
The following few I got from a magazine as the 'top five sites for kids to grow on' I have not seen them all but the ones I have previewed were great.
http://www.homeworksport.com/
http://www.ology.amnh.org/
http://www.scholastic.com/
http://www.studyjams.com/
http://www.webwisekids.org/
http://www.studyjams.com/
Free Pepsi... customer service
I have called the (800) number before when I have gotten an item at the store that I have a problem with. They are usually very accommodating and happy to help.
When I had a bottle of hair detangler for Baby K and the plastic of the bottle was too thick to squeeze it out once I got 1/2 way through the bottle I called. It was a brand new product and they were very happy to know this. On top of that they sent me coupons. Two were $7.99 coupons for any product they make and a few more were $1.00 coupons.
So, recently I did this with Pepsi. I did not have a problem with their the Pepsi but with their contest. I had a bottle cap that said 'buy one 20 oz get one free' and I took it to three different places and no one would take it. They all said, "We don't participate in that program." Even the place that I bought it from.
The Pepsi customer service rep. told me that it is up to the places that sell the Pepsi if they want to participate or not. BUT.. they mailed me some coupons for the inconvenience.
I got two coupons. Each good for one 2-liter bottle of any Pepsi-Cola product.
Well, this only gets better. I went to Vons to shop and they were having a sale. 'Buy One Get One Free' on the Pepsi products.
So, I got Four 2-liter bottles of Diet Pepsi for free!
:-)
When I had a bottle of hair detangler for Baby K and the plastic of the bottle was too thick to squeeze it out once I got 1/2 way through the bottle I called. It was a brand new product and they were very happy to know this. On top of that they sent me coupons. Two were $7.99 coupons for any product they make and a few more were $1.00 coupons.
So, recently I did this with Pepsi. I did not have a problem with their the Pepsi but with their contest. I had a bottle cap that said 'buy one 20 oz get one free' and I took it to three different places and no one would take it. They all said, "We don't participate in that program." Even the place that I bought it from.
The Pepsi customer service rep. told me that it is up to the places that sell the Pepsi if they want to participate or not. BUT.. they mailed me some coupons for the inconvenience.
I got two coupons. Each good for one 2-liter bottle of any Pepsi-Cola product.
Well, this only gets better. I went to Vons to shop and they were having a sale. 'Buy One Get One Free' on the Pepsi products.
So, I got Four 2-liter bottles of Diet Pepsi for free!
:-)
Del Taco Free Tacos club
EVERYONE wants your address or email address to try to solicit to you, right? But sometimes it is rewarding too.
Sign up at www.deltaco.com for their Raving Fan Club and you will get;
Two chicken soft tacos.
1 shake on your birthday.
And coupons for other offers.
:-)
Sign up at www.deltaco.com for their Raving Fan Club and you will get;
Two chicken soft tacos.
1 shake on your birthday.
And coupons for other offers.
:-)
recycling for art
We have figured out a great way to recycle with out just throwing something in the recycle bin.
Old tv trays, trays from Lunchables and similar plastic trays work great for art work. Especially the ones that have separate sections.
They can be used as paint pallets. I pour some paint of different colors in each section and the kids can choose to mix them up or keep them separate.
We have used them to put beads in the separate by color.
To squirt some glue in when we are using q-tips to glue objects together.
I'm sure there are lots of other ideas too.
When we are done with them we can choose, depending on how dirty they got, on weather to throw them out or rinse them out to use them again.
:-)
Old tv trays, trays from Lunchables and similar plastic trays work great for art work. Especially the ones that have separate sections.
They can be used as paint pallets. I pour some paint of different colors in each section and the kids can choose to mix them up or keep them separate.
We have used them to put beads in the separate by color.
To squirt some glue in when we are using q-tips to glue objects together.
I'm sure there are lots of other ideas too.
When we are done with them we can choose, depending on how dirty they got, on weather to throw them out or rinse them out to use them again.
:-)
Free money and balloon from Toys R Us
On the same thread as the free ice cream, I registered both kids for the free birthday club with Toys R us. This was easy and is actually cute and fun.
About a month before their birthday I got a birthday count down list with ides, suggestions and reminders with a check-off list.
The kids got a gift card for Toys U Us. It says 'Good for $3 off any purchase of $3 or more'.
We had some birthday returns so with the store credit I used this too to save on their new purchase.
Last, they got a post card that said to present it to an employee at the customer service desk for a birthday surprise.
This was adorable! Little D was slightly embarrassed but still young enough to enjoy it. Little K was glowing.
The customer service person gave both of them a birthday crown to wear. Gave them a helium balloon that said Toys R Us and Happy Birthday on it. And announced on the loud speaker both of their names, their ages and a very loud Happy Birthday to both of them!
They got extra smiles the whole time we were browsing the store.
:-)
About a month before their birthday I got a birthday count down list with ides, suggestions and reminders with a check-off list.
The kids got a gift card for Toys U Us. It says 'Good for $3 off any purchase of $3 or more'.
We had some birthday returns so with the store credit I used this too to save on their new purchase.
Last, they got a post card that said to present it to an employee at the customer service desk for a birthday surprise.
This was adorable! Little D was slightly embarrassed but still young enough to enjoy it. Little K was glowing.
The customer service person gave both of them a birthday crown to wear. Gave them a helium balloon that said Toys R Us and Happy Birthday on it. And announced on the loud speaker both of their names, their ages and a very loud Happy Birthday to both of them!
They got extra smiles the whole time we were browsing the store.
:-)
Cold Stone & 31 Flavors Free Ice Cream for Birthdays
Two years ago I went online and registered Myself and both kids for 'a free scoop of ice cream for your birthday' club. I did this with both Baskin & Robbin's 31 Flavors and with Cold Stone Creamery. When I got the email to print the coupon I was surprised to learn that the coupon was for a little over a week and then it expired. Since Baby K's birthday is in August, Little D's birthday is in September and mine is in November it meant we'd be going there too much AND when one kid got a free ice cream the other one wanted me to buy them one. So, I changed the dates of their birthdays. Now both kids get a coupon the same week so they can use them together and both get a free scoop without me having to spend money (unless I want to buy one for myself).
The kids love getting it either way!
The kids love getting it either way!
Mystery Shops work at home
Yes, you can do mystery shops. They are not all a hype. However, you will not make a living doing them. If you want to do them, consider them an extra perk. A little more money or 'things' that you purchase and get reinbursed for. I like the part of being in disguise. Most pay $10-15 and for restraunts will reinburse about $25-50.
I used to do them with about 5-6 different companies. Furniture stores, fast food, banks, retail stores that are high-end selling clothes, purses, etc. It is a blast to do them.
I have stopped because there is a limited time to sign back on and do the report (which takes about 30-60 mintues). It is more profitable for me to list online to sell rather then do an hour long report that I got $10. for.
If you want to do them, ask around or do a Google seach. Two that I liked were Sassie Shop, www.sassieshop.com and I Shop For You, www.ishopforyou.com
My friend, Susan, has done them as well. She told me about a car trip she was going to make and needed an oil change. She emailed a shop that has done oil changes before and asked if they had one and they did (but hadn't posted it yet). She has done that with airport parking as well.
So, she got to do mystery shops that were not even posted by just asking. She got a free oil change and got reinbursed for her airport parking!
:-)
I used to do them with about 5-6 different companies. Furniture stores, fast food, banks, retail stores that are high-end selling clothes, purses, etc. It is a blast to do them.
I have stopped because there is a limited time to sign back on and do the report (which takes about 30-60 mintues). It is more profitable for me to list online to sell rather then do an hour long report that I got $10. for.
If you want to do them, ask around or do a Google seach. Two that I liked were Sassie Shop, www.sassieshop.com and I Shop For You, www.ishopforyou.com
My friend, Susan, has done them as well. She told me about a car trip she was going to make and needed an oil change. She emailed a shop that has done oil changes before and asked if they had one and they did (but hadn't posted it yet). She has done that with airport parking as well.
So, she got to do mystery shops that were not even posted by just asking. She got a free oil change and got reinbursed for her airport parking!
:-)
Friday, October 10, 2008
Field Trips Week Guitar Factory JPL Painted Horse Pinki the Clown
We went on three field trips in a row this week. WHEW! It has been a very busy week.
Monday we had enrichment classes at Somis.
Tuesday we had a field trip in the afternoon to Larrivee. It is a factory in Oxnard that builds guitars. They make, on average, 16 guitars a day and work M-F. The normal prices are about $1000-3000 each but our tour guide said with special things, custom things and upgrades they can go a LOT higher. He said one sold recently for $45,000.
I will post photos later but overall it was a neat place. We got to walk around to all the different stations viewing the employees sanding, gluing, painting, etc.
The total field trip was a little long for the younger ones and it was hot. Normally it is in the low 70's in Oxnard but on this day it was 86. They have special rooms that have temp and humidity controls but the rest of the places was all open, HIGH ceilings and it was too hot!
This would be a neat place for adults to go and learn about guitars too. They actually make a few other similar instruments but the majority of sales are guitars.
Wednesday we went to JPL and had a tour of the grounds. We went with two other families so it was a nice, small group. We were there for about 2-2 1/2 hours. The kids go to see a new Mars Rover being built, satellites and more. The tour guides were great and friendly. Answered all of our questions and were very patient with the kids. This is defiantly a fun place. In May they have a two day open house that is open to the public too.
Today, Thursday, we went to The Painted Pony. It is in Santa Paula and it is a working ranch. The kids got to pick apples, pick one pumpkin, feed and pets goats, pigs, miniature horses, rabbits, ducks, chickens and I'm sure there are some I'm missing. They had a great time. This was with a group from Somis and it was huge. I guess everyone needed some fresh air and running around. The place is beautiful. Surrounded by lush, green hills and mountains. It was great to be there. In the spring they will be starting a gardening class and in the summer they have a camp for kids (too far of a drive for us but neat to pass on).
I have LOTS of pictures from all three of these places and they are all still on my camera. I will post them soon.
Tomorrow, Saturday, we are going to Lowe's for their free children' workshop and then we might go see Pinki the Clown at the Simi Cultural Arts Center.
On Sunday it is the 18th annual Japanese Festival Day at the Camarillo Community Center. We have made it 3 of the last 4 years and the kids think it is great. They have sword fighting, sumo wrestling, tea ceremonies, children's crafts like origami and they sell a lunch tray that has Japanese food. I'm hoping we make it there this year, after church!
Monday we had enrichment classes at Somis.
Tuesday we had a field trip in the afternoon to Larrivee. It is a factory in Oxnard that builds guitars. They make, on average, 16 guitars a day and work M-F. The normal prices are about $1000-3000 each but our tour guide said with special things, custom things and upgrades they can go a LOT higher. He said one sold recently for $45,000.
I will post photos later but overall it was a neat place. We got to walk around to all the different stations viewing the employees sanding, gluing, painting, etc.
The total field trip was a little long for the younger ones and it was hot. Normally it is in the low 70's in Oxnard but on this day it was 86. They have special rooms that have temp and humidity controls but the rest of the places was all open, HIGH ceilings and it was too hot!
This would be a neat place for adults to go and learn about guitars too. They actually make a few other similar instruments but the majority of sales are guitars.
Wednesday we went to JPL and had a tour of the grounds. We went with two other families so it was a nice, small group. We were there for about 2-2 1/2 hours. The kids go to see a new Mars Rover being built, satellites and more. The tour guides were great and friendly. Answered all of our questions and were very patient with the kids. This is defiantly a fun place. In May they have a two day open house that is open to the public too.
Today, Thursday, we went to The Painted Pony. It is in Santa Paula and it is a working ranch. The kids got to pick apples, pick one pumpkin, feed and pets goats, pigs, miniature horses, rabbits, ducks, chickens and I'm sure there are some I'm missing. They had a great time. This was with a group from Somis and it was huge. I guess everyone needed some fresh air and running around. The place is beautiful. Surrounded by lush, green hills and mountains. It was great to be there. In the spring they will be starting a gardening class and in the summer they have a camp for kids (too far of a drive for us but neat to pass on).
I have LOTS of pictures from all three of these places and they are all still on my camera. I will post them soon.
Tomorrow, Saturday, we are going to Lowe's for their free children' workshop and then we might go see Pinki the Clown at the Simi Cultural Arts Center.
On Sunday it is the 18th annual Japanese Festival Day at the Camarillo Community Center. We have made it 3 of the last 4 years and the kids think it is great. They have sword fighting, sumo wrestling, tea ceremonies, children's crafts like origami and they sell a lunch tray that has Japanese food. I'm hoping we make it there this year, after church!
Barack Obama has my vote in Simi Valley
Do you want the next 4 years to be the same as the last eight? Face the facts. The economy sucks right now. The war needs to end. WE need new ideas. McCain wants to do the exact same thing that Bush is now doing.
Barack Obama is the change we need... or it will be, "Same as it ever was." for 4 more years!!!
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Funny blogs cakewrecks why would you knit that?
I have found two very funny blogs that I thought I'd share.
The first is www.cakewrecks.blogspot.com I have, not kidding, been laughing out loud so hard I was afraid I'd wake up the kids from some things that have been written on this one. It is a site of all 'professional' cakes and how wrong, ugly or crazy they can be. The typos are the best!!!
The second is http://www.Whywouldyouknitthat.blogspot.comI just heard about this one tonight. There is not a huge amount posted on it yet but there is great potential. Lots of funny stuff here too!
If it works, here is a video from the Cake Wrecks that is on YouTube right now. I have NO CLUE why someone would make it. A college assignment? The people that made it are definitely disturbed. I be going to bed shortly and I'm sure I'll have this stupid song stuck in my head! LOL!
The first is www.cakewrecks.blogspot.com I have, not kidding, been laughing out loud so hard I was afraid I'd wake up the kids from some things that have been written on this one. It is a site of all 'professional' cakes and how wrong, ugly or crazy they can be. The typos are the best!!!
The second is http://www.Whywouldyouknitthat.blogspot.comI just heard about this one tonight. There is not a huge amount posted on it yet but there is great potential. Lots of funny stuff here too!
If it works, here is a video from the Cake Wrecks that is on YouTube right now. I have NO CLUE why someone would make it. A college assignment? The people that made it are definitely disturbed. I be going to bed shortly and I'm sure I'll have this stupid song stuck in my head! LOL!
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
NEW fees, again from eBay
http://pages.ebay.com/sell/August2008Update/MaxShipping/
Okay, check out the above link. eBay is changing their shipping fees. On certain items, like books and cd and computer games, they are putting a max. amount that can be charged for shipping. Even if there is 20-500 books. The prices seem WAY too low. BUT, you can avoid this constraint. You have to now use the shipping calculator. Down side, you have to have your item all boxed up and know the exact weight while listing so that you know what to input.
Two reasons that eBay is doing this. 1- So that buyers do not get charged too much for shipping. 2- eBay collects a fee on the final balance. So, if you sold something for 99 cents and charge $20 for shipping they'd only collect their fees off of the 99 cents. BUT, if they limit this and you sell the item for $15.00 and charge $ 5.00 shipping eBay will now make the % of their fees based on the $15.00.
So, bottom line is more money, again, for eBay!
Debbie
catch-up
Okay. I have a huge pile of things I want to post on here. Lots to share too. Since it is 1:40am I'm not sure how much I will get done but here is a start!
New of school year is going nicely. We turned in our work today at Somis. I think there is 9 times or 10 total that we turn in work so one month down! December is short due to the winter break too.
Enrichment classes for K-3 are on Mondays besides the last Monday of the month, when we turn in work and having our meetings.
The new park day that I created is going great. About 3-4 active families coming. I think the small size is great and the kids are having a blast. Due to the heat we have been meeting in Moorpark. It is a little cooler in Moorpark then it is in Simi. We found a nice park with lots of shade and have been meeting there on Tuesdays.
Wednesdays we are at West Vally Homeschool group in Tarzana. We have been having some problems with a few boys and Little D getting along but I'm hoping it will all smooth out. Baby K is in a great girls group. We had a potluck the first week and they made group t-shirts. Last week we made our scrapbooks that they will add to through out the year. I think this week's theme is 'old fashioned games' and we will be playing jump rope, red rover, etc. Baby K just loves this group and has meet a lot of nice friends in it. Starting this week Little D is giong to try out a brand new class, fencing. I will have to see how he does and if he can listen and not goof off to see if he can stay in it. I talked about it with him and he is excited about it.
Thursdays we often meet a friend and her daughter to play in the afternoon or we just play catch-up. There has to be at least ONE day that we are home all day so that I can do things like laundry and cleaning. Somis will also be having tutoring on this day. We went last week and right now they are testing all the kids for language arts and reading to see where they are at to know where to start. One of the teachers, Heidi, came up to me and asked if Little D is colorblind. I told her, yes, he is, but only a little bit. Colors like tan, faded yellow, off white and white might be hard to tell apart. Or he often gets mixed up dark blue and purple. WELL... she tells me that he told her that her sweater was white and it was a black sweater. He sure tricked her! Sigh!!!
Fridays once a month are SPA (Student Parent Apprication Days) at Somis. In Oct. the theme is Halloween. We often have field trips on Fridays too.
So, as it can be seen, we are getting busier and busier! I have been making sure that we schedule time to be at home too so that the kids get some down time to just play. We have been sucessful at doing our school work in the am's before ever leaving the house and sometimes doing a little bit on the weekend.
Some nice news, Little D won 3rd place for a book he wrote. It was submitted to the Ventura County Fair by Somis Homestudy. It was a nice surprise. They presented it (and for other kids as well) at the beginning of the school year picnic. He got a white ribbion that is one of the long, pretty ones. He is very proud of himself for recieving it.
Fridays
New of school year is going nicely. We turned in our work today at Somis. I think there is 9 times or 10 total that we turn in work so one month down! December is short due to the winter break too.
Enrichment classes for K-3 are on Mondays besides the last Monday of the month, when we turn in work and having our meetings.
The new park day that I created is going great. About 3-4 active families coming. I think the small size is great and the kids are having a blast. Due to the heat we have been meeting in Moorpark. It is a little cooler in Moorpark then it is in Simi. We found a nice park with lots of shade and have been meeting there on Tuesdays.
Wednesdays we are at West Vally Homeschool group in Tarzana. We have been having some problems with a few boys and Little D getting along but I'm hoping it will all smooth out. Baby K is in a great girls group. We had a potluck the first week and they made group t-shirts. Last week we made our scrapbooks that they will add to through out the year. I think this week's theme is 'old fashioned games' and we will be playing jump rope, red rover, etc. Baby K just loves this group and has meet a lot of nice friends in it. Starting this week Little D is giong to try out a brand new class, fencing. I will have to see how he does and if he can listen and not goof off to see if he can stay in it. I talked about it with him and he is excited about it.
Thursdays we often meet a friend and her daughter to play in the afternoon or we just play catch-up. There has to be at least ONE day that we are home all day so that I can do things like laundry and cleaning. Somis will also be having tutoring on this day. We went last week and right now they are testing all the kids for language arts and reading to see where they are at to know where to start. One of the teachers, Heidi, came up to me and asked if Little D is colorblind. I told her, yes, he is, but only a little bit. Colors like tan, faded yellow, off white and white might be hard to tell apart. Or he often gets mixed up dark blue and purple. WELL... she tells me that he told her that her sweater was white and it was a black sweater. He sure tricked her! Sigh!!!
Fridays once a month are SPA (Student Parent Apprication Days) at Somis. In Oct. the theme is Halloween. We often have field trips on Fridays too.
So, as it can be seen, we are getting busier and busier! I have been making sure that we schedule time to be at home too so that the kids get some down time to just play. We have been sucessful at doing our school work in the am's before ever leaving the house and sometimes doing a little bit on the weekend.
Some nice news, Little D won 3rd place for a book he wrote. It was submitted to the Ventura County Fair by Somis Homestudy. It was a nice surprise. They presented it (and for other kids as well) at the beginning of the school year picnic. He got a white ribbion that is one of the long, pretty ones. He is very proud of himself for recieving it.
Fridays
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Somis Homestudy New year
The school year has now started. Our schedule is starting to become routine although new things are being added.
Somis Homestudy has a few changes this year. Two teachers have left due to budget cuts and a third might leave/might stay, depending on the total number of enrollment. I hope she stays! She is Baby K's favorite teacher (Baby K said she is the nicest).
Mondays are K-3 and Wednesdays are 3-5 so, technically, Little D could go both days, being in 3rd but I heard from another mom that Wednesdays are mostly 5th graders and the 3rd graders have to be mature and be able to keep up. I'm not sure he can do that. Plus Baby K has the Snow Fairies on Wednesdays in Tarzana. Not sure I want to do all that driving in one day.
New to Somis Homestudy is tutoring that they are offering on Thursdays for K-8th.
I'm going to see if I can get a laptop for cheap so that I can do computer work while I am down there. I asked and they said yes, that I can have internet access and even use a computer there but if I'm doing the Chacha work I have to have a Chacha toolbar on the computer. If I upload my photos before I leave the house I should be able to do my eBay work there.
We have already started our work at home and the beginning of the school year potluck was last week but the enrichment classes don't start until next week.
Something else new, I started my own park day/play group. There are 12 families online but so far there just a few actually chatting. Today there was 5 families at the park. We had a blast and stayed until it was time to come home and make dinner. Both kids fell asleep quickly! I love how much running around at the park tires them out.
Tomorrow is the potluck for the beginning of the school year party with West Valley and Snow Fairies. The girls are suppose to bring a plain white t-shirt to cut and decorate.
We are also going to try to make it to a silent auction that the La Leche League of Thousand Oaks is putting on.
In the am I have to run to my dad's before he leaves to borrow his camera. Little D was playing with mine on the playground 'to take just one picture' and fell off the playground with it and now it has sand in the lens, the lens is stuck out and it does not do anything and doesn't make any noise at all. I'm going to see if I can get my step-dad to clean it up and try to fix it.
Somis Homestudy has a few changes this year. Two teachers have left due to budget cuts and a third might leave/might stay, depending on the total number of enrollment. I hope she stays! She is Baby K's favorite teacher (Baby K said she is the nicest).
Mondays are K-3 and Wednesdays are 3-5 so, technically, Little D could go both days, being in 3rd but I heard from another mom that Wednesdays are mostly 5th graders and the 3rd graders have to be mature and be able to keep up. I'm not sure he can do that. Plus Baby K has the Snow Fairies on Wednesdays in Tarzana. Not sure I want to do all that driving in one day.
New to Somis Homestudy is tutoring that they are offering on Thursdays for K-8th.
I'm going to see if I can get a laptop for cheap so that I can do computer work while I am down there. I asked and they said yes, that I can have internet access and even use a computer there but if I'm doing the Chacha work I have to have a Chacha toolbar on the computer. If I upload my photos before I leave the house I should be able to do my eBay work there.
We have already started our work at home and the beginning of the school year potluck was last week but the enrichment classes don't start until next week.
Something else new, I started my own park day/play group. There are 12 families online but so far there just a few actually chatting. Today there was 5 families at the park. We had a blast and stayed until it was time to come home and make dinner. Both kids fell asleep quickly! I love how much running around at the park tires them out.
Tomorrow is the potluck for the beginning of the school year party with West Valley and Snow Fairies. The girls are suppose to bring a plain white t-shirt to cut and decorate.
We are also going to try to make it to a silent auction that the La Leche League of Thousand Oaks is putting on.
In the am I have to run to my dad's before he leaves to borrow his camera. Little D was playing with mine on the playground 'to take just one picture' and fell off the playground with it and now it has sand in the lens, the lens is stuck out and it does not do anything and doesn't make any noise at all. I'm going to see if I can get my step-dad to clean it up and try to fix it.
Do you Chacha ?
I just signed up as a Chacha guide. Lots of small steps to get there but neat to do. Basically when people email or text questions (as if doing a Google search) a live person, a Guide, gets the question, finds the answer and send it back to them.
They pay 20 cents a question which does not seem like a lot but adds up to about $10-12 per hour. AND... it is fun. Lots of crazy, stupid, interesting questions. People asking for directions, places for cheap gas, relationship problems, history questions, sports statistics, etc.
I know I have a million and one things already going on but so far I like this. I might get burnt out or might get more efficient and make more money!
The link is chacha.com
my user name is Debbzs
:-)
They pay 20 cents a question which does not seem like a lot but adds up to about $10-12 per hour. AND... it is fun. Lots of crazy, stupid, interesting questions. People asking for directions, places for cheap gas, relationship problems, history questions, sports statistics, etc.
I know I have a million and one things already going on but so far I like this. I might get burnt out or might get more efficient and make more money!
The link is chacha.com
my user name is Debbzs
:-)
Monday, September 1, 2008
Great auto mechanic in Simi Valley David Skinner
I found a great car mechanic last week. My front breaks were squeaking BAD and I figured they needed to be replaced but didn't have much money to pay. The actual parts have a lifetime warranty from Autozone but the person that put them on for me 2 yrs ago could not do it. But, he gave me the number for someone named David (Dave) Skinner and told me to call him. So, I did. I brought my van over to him a few days later, after we got back from camping, and he worked on it.
He ended up getting the new breaks from Autozone to replace these (had someone from there bring them to him) and then he did all the work removing and replacing the front breaks on both sizes.
The breaks now work great and he charged me only $40.00. WOW WOW WOW!!!
His place of business was by my friend's house so we walked over there and said hi and caought up on things then we walked to McDonald and they got a free snack (Little D got an apple pie and Baby K got a chocolate chip cookie and they both shared a small fry). These were free by using the coupons they sell at Halloween and Valentine's Day. They are a great deal. So, when we were about done Dave called me and said the van was done. We walked back to him. Paid him. and chatted then left.
So, since the serivce was great and prices wonderful I thought I'd share it.
DS Auto Repair.
David Skinner.
(805) 306-9894.
Davids@dsautorepair.net
Dsautorepair.net
:-)
He ended up getting the new breaks from Autozone to replace these (had someone from there bring them to him) and then he did all the work removing and replacing the front breaks on both sizes.
The breaks now work great and he charged me only $40.00. WOW WOW WOW!!!
His place of business was by my friend's house so we walked over there and said hi and caought up on things then we walked to McDonald and they got a free snack (Little D got an apple pie and Baby K got a chocolate chip cookie and they both shared a small fry). These were free by using the coupons they sell at Halloween and Valentine's Day. They are a great deal. So, when we were about done Dave called me and said the van was done. We walked back to him. Paid him. and chatted then left.
So, since the serivce was great and prices wonderful I thought I'd share it.
DS Auto Repair.
David Skinner.
(805) 306-9894.
Davids@dsautorepair.net
Dsautorepair.net
:-)
Kids Talk Politics documentary
Check out Kids Talk Politics for great political views from small voices. For ages 8-10 yrs old. Children can tape their views and email it in as a link or on YouTube and they can be part of the documentary-in-progress.
Send to: ken@kidstalkpolitics.tv or visit the website at www.kidstalkpolitics.com
Send to: ken@kidstalkpolitics.tv or visit the website at www.kidstalkpolitics.com
Baby Got Barack Obama
Great clothes for children with Barack Obama on them. I've seen lots around town (bought different places). "Barack-a-Mama" (for a mom). Barack Me All Night Long (baby shirt, like a lullaby) and more.
This specific website has "Barack-a-Bye Baby" and "Baby Got Barack" and more.
T-shirts, onsides, toddler shirts and adult tees. Shirts are $20 + $4 shipping.
www.barackbaby.com
This specific website has "Barack-a-Bye Baby" and "Baby Got Barack" and more.
T-shirts, onsides, toddler shirts and adult tees. Shirts are $20 + $4 shipping.
www.barackbaby.com
Interesting but I'm not surprised Library vs video games
Library Fact:
Americans spend nearly 10 times as much money on home video games ($9.9 billion) as they do on school library materials for their children ($1 billion), according to the American Library Association.
I wonder if they compared books vs other multi-media (video games, computer games, dvd movies) and not compare it to a school library how the results would be different.
YOU have to think when surveys are done what they WANT you to hear!
Yes, I believe that people spend more money on video and computer and dvd (individually even) then books but is it REALLY double???
What do you think?
Americans spend nearly 10 times as much money on home video games ($9.9 billion) as they do on school library materials for their children ($1 billion), according to the American Library Association.
I wonder if they compared books vs other multi-media (video games, computer games, dvd movies) and not compare it to a school library how the results would be different.
YOU have to think when surveys are done what they WANT you to hear!
Yes, I believe that people spend more money on video and computer and dvd (individually even) then books but is it REALLY double???
What do you think?
recycling ideas & websites
I just read about reusable bags and found a great link. These can be used in lunch boxes or just for left-overs. Instead of buying plastic bags, zip-loc bags and sandwich bags you can use these and RE-USE them over and over again. The website is www.reusablebags.com Now, if you are like me, you think these are cool but can't afford them, you can STILL do something. Wash your zip-loc bags and use them again. I do this mainly if there were dry goods in them, like chips or crackers. If it was something like meat or slimy stuff like pizza then I will throw them out. Due to the size, cost and how there is a few amount in the box, I tend to do it more with the gallon size bags.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)