And the Winners are....

Yes, you read that correctly. We have more than one winner. There are two contest winners! It's not just because I couldn't decide, although that's part of it. On the way home from an errand today, I actually had a few extra minutes before an appointment, so we stopped into the Goodwill Store. And guess what? I found another of these things!!! It's was just $3.99 (a tad more than the $1 I spent on the first one). So now, I can have 2 ideas in use simultaneously. So we must have two winners.

So the first winner is JN who posted:

I think you should use it as a "learn something new everyday" box! You could make it into a little quiz and print off info/picture onto card stock. Everyday you could read it to the kids and at the end of the month or week you could have a little quiz over what they can remember. Example(s): What makes the fall leaves fall? Is a tomato a fruit or a veggie? What breed of cows produce the most butterfat?It would be a fun way to throw fun facts into an ordinary day! They have great fun facts books out there to help give you ideas and you could use that to collect more info. :) JN

I love this idea! I can envision it working really well just like Jessica shared, but also with an extra unit study or something I'd like to add it to our already busy day. This will fit nicely with our calendar time each morning. And the kids loved the idea of a prize at the end of the month too.

And the next winner is Leah who posted:

You can use it for math facts. 2+2= and they can put a card in to the 4 and you can do this while you are making dinner {multi tasking like on your article :) } You can use it on times tables as well {I guess anything as long as it doesn't go beyond 31 :)

I think this will be a super duper fun way for the kids to work on math facts. And I've got lots of kids who need extra help with that right now. I just need to find some flashcards that will work, or make my own. I may even set this up as a permanent learning center in our school room.

I want to thank all of you for your wonderful ideas. I'm amazed at all the creative minds who and if I could give you ALL a prize, I really would. I have a little work to do to get these boxes ready for use, but will post back with photos when I do.

In the meantime, I encourage all of you to be on the lookout for your own dated sorter. Hit the thrift store scene or watch for garage sales, you just never know what you'll find.


Note to my winners: Please send me an email at melissamor @ aol dot com so we can work out all the details on which prize you'd like and where to send it. And if you both want the same one, we'll figure something out.

Frugal Friday

I'm probably not consistent enough to come up with a weekly theme, but I'm not afraid to try. There are many changes our family has made in these leaner economic times to save some cash. Some ideas have paid big dividends, but others are just small ways to save big over the long haul. I hope to share one with you each Friday.

Dryer Balls replace those fabric softener sheets you throw in the dryer. Instead of using those to reduce static electricity and soften my clothes and towels, I'm using dryer balls. They are sold in sets of two at the big box stores and online. The more you have the better they work, so I bought six. Of course, they are often found wrapped up in pant legs, so I'm forever rounding them up. But isn't that part of the fun of laundry? Now that balls are involved, maybe it could be considered a sport.

Even though a box of Bounce sheets lasted a while around here, I don't just love fragrant things. So this was a pleasant alternative to me. I still use an occasional dose of liquid fabric softener, but I get one that's fragrance free. I'm just funny that way.

I got my dryer balls at Walmart for around $9 for a 2 pack. Although it takes a little bit to recoup the cost (as I have six balls now), it's well worth it to me. Laundry is never ending at my casa. Now it's just a little less expensive and a lot more hypoallergenic.

Do you have any great cost-cutting savings for the laundry room? I'd love to hear from you. I'm all over a great idea!

A Contest

I've been on a thrift store binge lately. I found this at Salvation Army for $1. It's one of those bill organizers, but since we pay most of our bills on auto pay, I won't even think using it for that. I thought we could use it in our homeschool room for something.

I had a few ideas, but I know there are so many creative moms out there, I thought I'd host a contest to bribe you for your great ideas. The box has numbered slots from 1-31. Each slot is just under 1/2 inch wide. I'd like to incorporate it into our homeschooling in some way. Keep in mind my 'class' ranges in age from 12 down to 4 (the almost-2-year-old doesn't count for this one).

So leave your best idea in the COMMENTS, and I'll choose my favorite next Monday, November 9th. Winner gets their choice of a brand new KUMON workbook for preschoolers or a Critical Thinking Visual Mind Benders book.

Here and There

There are many reasons homeschooling can overwhelm you. There are many reasons it has overwhelmed me. After eight years and six children, I thought I had it down. But when the work outgrew the time allotted in my day, my homeschool split the seams of my life wide open. To say I was overwhelmed was an understatement. Maybe you’ve been there too. Read the rest of this over at The Heart of the Matter Online.

Going with Mom

I didn't really feel like bringing her, but I knew it would give my husband one less child to deal with. So upon word that she could come to the grocery store with mom, four year old Blue Moon bounded to the car.

This sweet child is seldom easy. She's not a go-with-the-flow kind of girl. What should be fun and enjoyable seems to result in complications for her, but such is life. She has many strengths, to be sure, but just seems to require more help and work.

I grew dizzy with her questions and requests at the grocery store. I backtracked the aisles several times for forgotten items. Why couldn't she just walk alongside and be thrilled with the sights and sounds of Albertsons? I had a headache when we left.

Onto the next store for a few more items and we were done. Finally we could head home.

As we made our way back, her chatter turned to the topic of heaven and hell. She had questions about good guys and bad. We talked about sin and how it can't be near God. That God is so holy and perfect, but our sin separates us. I told her, as I have on many other occasions, that this is why Jesus came to the world. To live a perfect life and die on the cross for our sins. So that even though we are all 'bad guys,' we can go to Heaven when we put our faith in Him and trust Him as our Savior.

She asked more questions and we explored the Gospel more. I can't really even remember what she said and what I said, but that morning, on the way home from Albertsons with milk rolling around in the back of my SUV, my trying 4 year old received Jesus as her Savior.

I was convicted, as I reflected on it later, that I saw her as a nuisance. This child is no less than a gift from the Creator's hand. I also realized that although much of the work I do doesn't achieve visible results, I never know when it will. There wasn't a holy atmosphere to our errand. It was just like any other day. Except that it wasn't. This was the day that this little soul chose Jesus.

I know the scripture well in Deuteronomy 6 about teaching your child all the time about the truths of the Lord.

And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.

But what I had forgotten was to anticipate the results. Real and lasting eternal results. I hope I'll remember this for the next time. The next talk. The next walk by the way.

Her excitement lingered at home. She kept talking about it, bringing it up. "I'm a Christian now," she told her Grandpa.

"This is such an exciting day!" she said later. And it was. What began as a boring errand with Mom resulted in an eternal destination. One she'd share with Mom forever.




My prayer.....Lord, help me to not take for granted the daily and often monotonous tasks in my life. Help me to approach the work you've given me with great expectations from you. Give me your eyes to see the precious people in my path. And let me reach out to them with a heart full of your love.

I Spy Birds

How many birds do you see?

Turning the Tide

I'm trying to turn the tide at my house. It really boils down to me and my ability to stay focused and disciplined and consistent. Those words SO do not describe the 'natural' me on most days! I can get there for a time, but then I fizzle out. But they do describe the 'supernatural' in me, as He is an unchanging and faithful God.

So today here's what I did differently hoping to invite some change.

1) I got up before everyone else. It has been years since I've managed to do this on a regular basis. Between babies and late night nursing and early risers, it's seemed impossible. But I woke up early on my own it was nice to have some time to read my Bible and write my prayers in a journal.

2) I made myself get the kitchen going for the day. I completely, not just half way, emptied the dishwasher. I started a batch of yogurt. I peeled Winesap apples to freeze for some pies when company comes next week. I cleaned up breakfast. Getting into the kitchen focused me on some practical needs of the day.

I realize this sounds normal to so many moms who are diligent about their morning routines. But I'm scattered all over the place. I get LOTS of things half-way done. But who's goal is that?

3) I limited my time checking emails. I looked at the clock and gave myself 15 minutes. No time for sidetracking; gotta stay checked in to life. And then, I shut the browser down, making it much harder to pop on later 'just to check something.'

4) I started school right on time. This sent the message that I'm serious about getting the work going.

5) I ended the day getting ready for tomorrow. Workboxes are filled. Desk is pretty clear.

I realize it's just ONE DAY. But I'm really frustrated with myself and want to work on being more disciplined and focused on the BIG ROCKS in my life.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

~ Do stop by Peggy's for all the Daybook links this week. ~




Outside my window...the changing Aspen leaves and the most beautiful fall day.

I am thinking...that I need to finish science and grammar with the kids.

I am thankful for...my home.

From the learning rooms...a mess of playdough and counting bears that nobody wants to clean up.

From the kitchen...freezers stocked VERY full (bulk cooking, a steer and a lamb)

I am wearing...jeans, a black tank with a sweater and my black Crocs.

I am creating...my final edited article for HOTM online.

I am going...to to try and have a more structured week. No distractions for me.

I am reading...way too many books! Need to hone in on one.

I am hoping...to get my wheat grinder in the mail this week. So excited!

On my mind...how to get back in the groove with our homeschooling and how to stay inspired for the 127 days we have left.

I am hearing...Blue Moon play the Miss Spider computer game.

Pondering these words...Do the next thing.

Around the house...lots of projects beckon me. My secretary desk is full of piles. I need to sort through things. Also need to put LOTS of books scattered throughout the whole house back on the shelves where they belong.

One of my favorite things...my new yogurt maker.

A few plans for the rest of the week: A field trip to the fire station on Friday. Getting ready for a visit from my Dad next week and a much-needed fall break to enjoy his visit.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing....she loves her daddy!

Finally Fizzling

It wouldn't be a very balanced look at my life if I didn't share the down days right alongside the up days. So let me be the first to tell you that I have now succeeded in fizzling out. I'm tired. I'm bored. I'm not finishing everything on my great little grid. I'm barely checking any one's work. I'd much rather be on Christmas vacation, which I would begin if it were at least November.

I wrote almost a month ago about Failing to Fizzle. I really wasn't feeling proud. I think I was a little amazed at the time that I was still going pretty strong. Well, the last few weeks of homeschooling have been going, just not very strong at all.

I do think there is a natural ebb and flow to all things. And I do believe I'll regain some momentum and enthusiasm, hopefully this next week. I'm not blaming anything for my fizzle. I still like the curriculum we're using. I still think workboxes are a good idea, although they will inevitably magnify my lack of discipline and inconsistency. But that's a good thing, right? I mean, if I hope to ever become more disciplined and consistent, I'll need to see it.

So I had to pop over and burst my bubble. Just keeping it real. And hoping I'll have some insight to share when things start to flow again. For now, I'm just going to do the next thing whether I feel like it or not (which, just for the record, I do not).

Pumpkin Patch

It was a beautiful day for a field trip to the pumpkin patch.

Sunshine and her pumpkin and her pants which refused to stay snapped.

Think Daybreak is just a little proud of her pumpkin?


Night Owl made it his mission to get the biggest pumpkin he could carry.
And carry it he did!


Eventide helped find just the right pumpkin for Sunshine
(whom she affectionately calls Sweet Pea).



There was the most wonderful rustic playhouse. I'd love to
have one built in my yard someday and took a million pics to show
hubby how to build it. There was an antique cook stove,
a pot-belly stove in the corner and all kinds of tin dishware
and play food. I'll bet we stayed in there for over an hour!


Sunshine instinctively prayed before she 'ate' her meal. So sweet!


Blue Moon had a blast in the corn bin. Much cleaner playing than sand.



This was the first year Son Up didn't have so much fun. He's 12 1/2
now and has outgrown much of the fun at the patch. We've gone
almost every year since he was five. I didn't snap any shots of his
long face, but in honor of my love for him and his love for the
University of Texas Longhorns, I post this.
(Which is a huge sign of my love for him, as hubby and
I went to a rival university--Go Red Raiders!).