75,025 WORDS

If you've been reading here, you probably realized I am writing a novel this month for NaNoWriMo.

It's the last day of November and I have written 75,025 words!

I have FINISHED my novel.

Well, it needs editing. It needs polishing. It needs research. Hey, it even needs a title!
But the story is there. It is done!

I feel like Frodo on Mount Doom. "It's over! It's done."

And luckily for all of you? No more word count posts here! lol

Thanksgiving Meme

Amy posted this Thanksgiving meme, so I thought I'd give it a try!

1. Which do you like better: Cooking at your house, or going elsewhere?
Going elsewhere!

2. Do you buy a fresh or frozen bird?
I don't make turkey much for our family - doesn't agree with my husband's system. But I have never ever bought a fresh turkey. I usually make ham if I cook for Thanksgiving myself.

3. What kind of stuffing?
If I make it, it's from a box. I am no gourmet cook. But I ADORE stuffing! No nuts or onions in it, please. And for heaven's sake, no CELERY - nothing crunchy should be in stuffing!

4. Sweet potato or pumpkin pie?
My sister-in-law Michelle makes a delicious sweet potato casserole. YUMMMMM! I love pumpkin pie too!

5. Do you believe that turkey leftovers are a curse, or the point of the whole thing?
I don't mind leftovers at all. Especially ham!

6. Which side dish would provoke a riot if you left it off the menu?
Stuffing!

7. Do you save the carcass to make soup or stock?
Nope, I do not do that. Ever.

8. What do you wish you had that would make preparing Thanksgiving dinner easier?
A different kitchen?? lol

9. Do you get up at the crack of dawn to have dinner ready in the early afternoon, or do you eat at your normal dinner hour?
We ate at noon today, but it was not at my house, nor did I cook anything more than pie. If I were cooking, we would likely eat later on. Have I ever mentioned that I am not a morning person?

10. If you go to somebody else's house, what's your favorite dish to bring?
Rolls? LOL

I don't mind bringing a pie or anything really. I just want someone to TELL ME what to bring.

11. Does your usual mix of guests result in drama, or is it a group you're happy to see?
We eat with my family every other year and the opposite year we usually stay home. I love either one.

12. What's your absolute favorite thing on the menu?
The best thing I ate today was probably the sweet potato casserole! I love good mashed potatoes and stuffing too!

13. What are you thankful for this year?
That I am not working right now
That all of us are healthy!
That God loves us!
That my family is doing well!
That I have many friends!

Free MP3's!

Download some free MP3 files at Amazon.com.

There are over 500 free MP3's there. Something for everyone, I am certain and maybe you'll find something new to like!

I got "Night Enchanted" by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and some classical music.

Go check it out!

Simple Woman Daybook - November 24

Just a note that I posted my weekly review, but I put it UNDER the daybook post, so it falls before this week begins. So, page down for that one.

For Today... November 24, 2008

Outside my Window... It's snowing quite heavily! Big fluffy flakes falling slowly. The road is covered and there are a few tire tracks.

I am thinking... about how I am going to fit writing in. About the weather and will it affect any of our plans this week. About a play date my son is going on today. About my plot problem in my novel.

From the learning rooms... Our bunny died in the night. I guess we're just not destined to be a pet family.

I am thankful for... Collision insurance! My car was totalled on Tuesday. (It was parked at the time. No one was hurt.)

From the kitchen... we picked up our Angel Food order on Saturday, so the pantry and freezer are filled! I am not sure what I'll make, but there are lots of choices!

I am wearing... Jeans - my favorite beat up pair, long sleeved red t-shirt with the Mackinac Bridge on it, white socks, white house shoes, hair combed but nothing else, no makeup

I am reading... (still listening to) the audiobook of The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon (#5 in Outlander series). I will soon finish No Plot? No Problem by Chris Baty (NaNoWriMo founder). I haven't read the Bible for personal devotions in a couple weeks, although I am reading it to the kids, so I need to get back to that. I am also slowly reading Sense & Sensibility.

I am hoping... that we get a good amount from our insurance for our totalled car. Also that we can find a good used gas dryer and a good used vacuum.

I am creating... a novel! I am at 60,004 words! Wanna join me? NANOWRIMO It's not too late!

I am hearing... James grunting as he makes something from clay. Discussion about the clay. A siren in the distance. The furnace running. (Another thanks!)

Around the house... Clothes are hanging all over the house to dry since the dryer is not usable.

One of my favorite things... My Flip video camera! It's cute and easy to use. (Even Suzy can do it!) It takes pretty good video. It's affordable.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... Playdate for James today, spending time with friends tomorrow, making pies for Thanksgiving, driving across the state to spend a few days with family

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...
Here I am in my makeshift office. As I told you - ugly but effective. It's just two pieces of paneling propped up around my computer. With that and my noise-canceling headphones though, I can be in my own little writing world. You can see the insulated curtain Bob put up for me to block the draft from that window. Also my LOTR calendar from 2005 that I just keep turning the pages on since I like the pictures.

Weekly Review - Twelfth Week

Bible

• We read Acts 22-24, continuing with our study of Paul.
  
• We sang our November songs - Trust and Obey and Jesus is Alive.
• We had Family Prayer several days.
  

Math

• David FINISHED Lesson 30 (rational & irrational numbers) in Math-U-See Pre-Algebra which means he has COMPLETED this book!!!! YAY David! He will start Algebra I in December.
  
• Emily finished Lesson 24 (double digit multiplication with regrouping) in Gamma.
  
• James worked on Lesson 11 in Gamma (Multiply). and took the test.
  
• Suzy worked on Lesson 12 in Alpha (addition doubles) and took the test.

Language Arts - Literature and Reading

• Literature study is suspended for the month.
  
• All the children did silent reading every day (their choice of books).
• We finished The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler today. What a great read-aloud!
  

Language Arts - Writing

• Each child worked on writing their novels. Word counts are as follows:
• David - estimated at 6250 (has written 11 pages I have not counted yet) (Goal is 8000)
  
• Emily - 3640 ((REACHED HALFWAY MARK! Her goal is 7000)
  
• James - 916 and 2 illustrations (goal 3000)
  
• Suzy - 403 and 9 illustrations (Goal is 600)
• Mom - 60004 (goal 75,000)
  

Language Arts - Other

• Suspended for November.
  

Science

• David is done with Module 4 except for the test, which he will do this week.
• Emily, James and Suzanne made their bird feeders. We still need feathers.
  

History

• David read Chapters 6-26 in History of Us: Book 3 (by Joy Hakim). The main topic was the Revolutionary War.
  
• David is also learning the Preamble to the Constitution (which means the others are hearing it).
  
• The younger children did not do History.

Other activities

• Girls had their Keepers at Home meeting.
  
• Co-op on Friday.
• Pioneer Club on Wednesday night for James and Suzy. David runs the computers there.
  
• Saturday we visited friends all day. SOCIALIZATION! :-)
  

Friday Fill-In #99

1. The last band I saw live was __a gospel quartet at my church___.
2. What I look forward to most on Thanksgiving is __fun times with family__.
3. My Christmas/holiday shopping is __not even started__.
4. Thoughts of __writing____ fill my head.
5. I wish I could wear __heels without my feet hurting_.
6. Bagpipes __are from Scotland___.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _writing_, tomorrow my plans include __spending time with friends___ and Sunday, I want to _WRITE__!

Products I Like

My friend Michele posted four of her favorite products on her NEW BLOG - Smile, Wink, Nod!

She challenged her readers to do the same. Since I am up for just about anything that allows procrastination from writing, I jumped right on the challenge.

So, here are a few of mine. My tastes are a lot simpler than hers, lol.

First off, we have Ultrabrite toothpaste with extra whitening power! No, it's not like having your teeth bleached, but I can tell the difference when I use some other toothpaste. It's also inexpensive - under a dollar at Walmart.

My favorite hand lotion EVER is Avon's Intensive Moisture Therapy. When it goes on sale, I stock up, usually getting it for $2 a tube. I have this lotion in three rooms of my house. I also sometimes buy the lipbalm of the same kind, but I like any kind of lip balm and must have it with me.

Drinking coffee has become an integral part of our day and it's best with flavored, sweetened, liquid creamer. This is the jumbo size of International Delight French Vanilla, which is cheaper ounce for ounce at Walmart than even the Walmart brand of liquid creamer. (That Great Value kind IS very good too.) I'm not picky about brand or flavor, although there are some I like better (anything chocolate) than others (cinnamon - blech!).

(Ooh, just did a google search and here's some info on how to make your own flavored creamers. Gonna try that out! Make Your Own Flavored Liquid Coffee Creamer for a fraction of the cost. View more »)

I use eye drops daily. All those late nights you know. I don't buy the name brand, but the store brand - Walmart again!

Last but not least is Spray 'n Wash Stain Stick. I find this is great for lots of stains - grease, grass, dirt, and more! What I like is that you can treat your stains when you toss the item in the laundry, instead of having to remember to treat them right before washing. That wouldn't happen here! The Stain Stick is about $3 and worth every penny! I've tried the store brand - it doesn't work!

NaNoWriMo Parody Songs

Oh, here is another way for me to procrastinate. No, I didn't write any of these parodies, but I did skim through this thread on the NaNo Forums. Some very funny stuff, at least if you are NaNo'ing. My husband just laughed and walked away when I tried to sing to him.

NaNoWriMo Theme Song
To the tune of "The Flintstones"
by donne.r

NaNo,
NaNo/WriMo,
It's the time to be a word machine.
One month
For a novel,
It's the greatest thing I've ever seen!

Let's all
Gather at the coffee shop
Where we'll
Pound away on our laptops.

When you're
Doing NaNo,
You'll forget about your laundry,
And obligations,
You'll have a WriMo time!


Oh I wish I were a NaNoWriMo winner
to the tune of "I wish I were an Oscar Meyer Weiner"
by KristinYarnell

Oh I wish I were a NaNoWriMo winner
That is what I truly wish to be
Cause if I were a NaNoWriMo winner
Fifty thousands words would come to me.


I am the very model of a NaNoWriMo Novelist
To the theme of "I am the very model of a modern Major-General" from the Pirates of Penzance - apologies to Gilbert and Sullivan
by skneal

I am the very model of a NaNoWriMo Novelist
I've got a plot, but not a lot; oh, characters, that's what I missed!
I know the goal is volume, and I store plot points within a list
From pirate sacking ninjas to cliched love triangle plot twists.
I'm very well acquainted too with fight scenes, armed or with bare fists
I've researched lots of history some real and some revisionist
but if I run into a case where I just haven't any clue
I'll make it up and write it down and just mindlessly continue

I'm very good at padding, I can even work a dare or two
I've got myself a rival but I'm still out looking for a muse
The writing may not be coherent but I'm not one to get pissed
I am the very model of a NaNoWriMo Novelist

I check the forums hourly and post on "reaching fifty-k"
for those who are desparing I post hugs and cheers 'most every day
I go to write-ins now and then, to get some of my writing done
When December rolls around it's time for TGIO party fun
On weekends I procrastinate a bit until I comprehend
that at the rate I'm going I just won't quite make it to the end.
I end up questioning myself for signing up initially
but the task is so absurd that I can just laugh maniacally

I never try and edit, I avoid that task religiously
Unless the plot I have runs out a couple thousand words early
In short I have to forget about my inner perfectionist
I am the very model of a NaNoWriMo Novelist

It's gotten to the point where I feel pain when I use contractions
It just adds a single word, but who knows how long the story runs?
Time grows short, I cannot rest I've still got many words to write
My characters are misbehaving and they're putting up a fight
They think they can just mill around and do whatever they well please
But we'll see who ends up laughing when I kill them off with ease
That's not the best solution but I've no time to think strategies
I will just keep on typing as the last of my sanity flees

My family is worried since I haven't seen them in a week
Oh no! my coffee has run out! more stimulants I've got to seek
so long as I am able, that's to say that I can feel my wrists
I am the very model of a NaNoWriMo Novelist

Another one....
To the tune of "My Bologna Has A First Name"
also by KristinYarnell

Oh, my novel has a first page
And it is not so bad
And my novel has a second page,
But there it starts to drag

Oh, I love to write it every day and if you ask me why I'll say...

'Cause NaNoWriMo has the ways
To write my book in thirty days

If you want to read lots more of these parodies, go read this thread. Some are good,. some aren't, and some of the songs I don't know so it's hard to tell.

Simple Woman Daybook - November 17

For Today... November 17, 2008

Outside my Window... White stuff all over the ground and trees. I think it's called.... snow??

I am thinking... that I hate winter. And that I should get some coffee. And get dressed. Man, I am moving slow today. Only 5 hours of sleep.

From the learning rooms... The kids are working on their novels! Also, we now have a replacement newt.

I am thankful for... central heating!

From the kitchen... Bob made molasses cookies Sunday night. Also, there's COFFEE out there....... I need some.....

I am wearing... my PJ's still - grey long-sleeved top, navy lounge pants, burgundy fleece robe, and my black slippers. No socks - lost them somewhere along the way.

I am reading... (listening to) the audiobook of The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon (#5 in Outlander series). I have read the Week 3 installment of No Plot? No Problem by Chris Baty (NaNoWriMo founder). Still reading Psalms in The Message (or maybe I should say "not reading"). I may reread Northanger Abbey this week.

I am hoping... to get all caught up with our Financial Peace (Dave Ramsey) assignments and to-do list this week.

I am creating... a novel! I am at 48,356 words! Wanna join me? NANOWRIMO It's not too late!

I am hearing... Suzy talking to Emily "Remember last winter? We made that humongous head in the side-yard!" (Yes, she said head! lol)

Around the house... I framed the kids' portraits in 2 floating frame thingies. Bob took the boys a while ago to go pick up a loft bed from a freecycler, so that will be around the house later this morning.

One of my favorite things... making charts and lists. I'd be pretty organized if I followed all my systems!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... BUSY week. IEW writing meeting for me Monday night. Tuesday night the girls have Keepers at Home club. Wednesday night is church activities. Thursday at midnight I am going with friends to see Twilight. And then we have co-op on Friday. Saturday 3 of the kids are going to a road rally our homeschool group is doing. Aiming for 2500 words of writing each day, plus working with the kids to get their books close to the end.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...
To understand it, go here.

Weekly Review - Eleventh Week

Bible

• We read Romans 15-16 and Acts 21-22, continuing with our study of Paul. We read about four pages from Making Brothers and Sister Best Friends.
• We sang our November songs - Trust and Obey and Jesus is Alive.
• We had Family Prayer each day.
  

Math

• David worked on Lesson 30 (rational & irrational numbers) in Math-U-See Pre-Algebra. He will finish this book next week!
  
• Emily began Lesson 24 (double digit multiplication with regrouping) in Gamma.
  
• James finished Lesson 10 in Gamma (Multiply by 9). and took the test.
  
• Suzy finished Lesson 11 in Alpha (shapes and skip counting x2) and took the test.

Language Arts - Literature and Reading

• Literature study is suspended for the month.
  
• All the children did silent reading every day (their choice of books).
• We are continuing with The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. We should finish it next week.
  

Language Arts - Writing

• Each child worked on writing their novels. Word counts are as follows:
• David - 4048 (REACHED HALFWAY MARK! Goal is 8000)
  
• Emily - 1848 but I think she's written more that I haven't counted. (Her goal is 7000)
  
• James - 746 and 2 illustrations (I'm going to spend a lot of time with James this coming week. He needs more help than I've been giving him in order to achieve his goal of 3000.)
  
• Suzy - 306 and 4 illustrations (reached HALFWAY MARK! Goal is 600)
• Mom - my word count is at 39509 and I am more than halfway to my goal of 75,000!
  

Language Arts - Other

• Suspended for November.
  

Science

• David worked on Module 4. He did 3 experiments and all of the reading, as well as completing the study guide. He has one experiment which we need to obtain test tubes for. Then all that is left is the test.
• Emily, James and Suzanne had the week off from Science. We need to find some feathers before we can go on. Pam???? Any feathers over there?
  

History

• David didn't have his next history book until today, so he worked double on Science. Today he did two lessons, though - He read Chapters 1-5 and the Preface in History of Us: Book 3 (by Joy Hakim). The main topic was the French and Indian War.
  
• The younger children learned about Diocletian (and the Division of the Roman Empire and persecution of Christians), Constantine I (and the reunification of the Roman Empire, the Council of Nicaea) and the Golden Age of India.

Other activities

• No field trips, no co-op, no art class. Nice calm week for writing!
  
• James and Suzy went to a free soccer training clinic that was offered nearby.
• David and James went to Chess Club.
  

Writing Desk - Antiques Roadshow

I adore Antiques Roadshow. I don't watch it regularly, although now that I'm not working at night, I should start!

Check out this Regency era writing desk. There is a video - secret compartments galore! Oh my, it is LOVELY. You'd probably laugh at me if I said that the beauty of the craftsmanship on this desk made tears come to my eyes. So I won't say it. You didn't hear it here!

Here's a pic, in case you are too lazy to click over. lol But then you'll miss the video! CLICK CLICK CLICK ALREADY! (Ok, I am officially loopy tonight. Sorry!)

I linked to Antiques Roadshow from this historical writers' blog - History Hoydens. Thanks, Janet!

If anyone wants to buy me a present, this desk would do QUITE nicely! A little Christmas-y hint.... lol

Simple Woman Daybook - November 10

For Today... November 10, 2008

Outside my Window... Sunshine! Yellow and orange leaves scattered, although not too many on our lawn. I hear the garbage truck coming. Oh, and now I see the village's dump truck and loader. They come around and scoop up the leaves that people rake to the road. Right now they're scooping the neighbor's leaves.

I am thinking... that I should frame the kids' new fall portraits. Do I have frames?

From the learning rooms... The kids are working on their novels! David needs test tubes for Science and his next history book has not yet arrived from the library. What to do? What to do?

I am thankful for... healthy kids and my own health! and for the free gift of salvation!

From the kitchen... Yesterday I made spice cake bars and funfetti cupcakes - both frosted - for last night's church dinner. Most of them were still left afterwards so we have our sweets for the week!

I am wearing... Rose pink t-shirt with saying, Jeans, white socks, black fleece-lined slippers, grey zipper hoodie. Hair brushed and down, no makeup. This is as good as it is gonna get today. Well, maybe I'll brush my teeth. :-)

I am reading... Jane Austen for Dummies and I am enjoying it GREATLY! I started listening to the audiobook of The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon (#5 in Outlander series). I LOVE how the narrator reads all the accents. I have read the Week 2 installment of No Plot? No Problem by Chris Baty (NaNoWriMo founder). Still reading Psalms in The Message. I should read the last few pages of Evanovich's How I Write since it is due at the library tomorrow.

I am hoping... for a miracle!

I am creating... a novel! Wanna join me? NANOWRIMO My characters are doing things I didn't expect again! It's especially disconcerting this year, but I can't explain why just yet.

I am hearing... Mr. Demme (Math-U-See) explaining David's last Pre-Algebra lesson on DVD. (Irrational numbers) Better him than me! lol

Around the house... The kitchen organization is giving me fits. I may find myself re-organizing it one day this week, especially if writer's block hits!

One of my favorite things... Blue Cars - I love blue cars of a certain shade. I saw a few today and they always make me smile. They have to be a certain deep shade of metallic blue.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... James has Chess Club. We have church Wednesday night. Other than that, it's just lessons as usual and WRITING. Hopefully I can attend a Write-In on Saturday.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...
Oh look! A blue car, just the color I like! What a coincidence! LOL
This is not a car I own - just found it in a google image search. Isn't it lovely?

Five Thousand

I haven't posted a lot about my personal NaNoWriMo progress here, but I thought I'd at least give you all this much.

I WROTE FIVE THOUSAND WORDS! JUST TODAY!

Yes, today I did write 5000 words! I am now at 24,426 total word count. I am amazed since last year I was nowhere near this until around November 18-19. It does help that JENNIFER is writing too since she has stayed consistently ahead of me in word count from Day 1. LOL It's like a carrot being held in front of me. Not that I'm competitive or anything.

Oh yeah, I earned my 5K-in-a-day badge today. (The official name is The Rally Badge and you can get it for writing 5K in a day or by overcoming a 10K deficit.)

I have written at least 2500 words every day. If I can keep it up, I'll have no trouble making 75K by the end of the month. So we shall see - can I keep it up? Do I have that much story in me?

That's actually my second badge. I earned the first one before I even started. It's the NaNoSocializing badge. There are several ways to earn it, but I earned mine by dragging a friend into NaNoWriMo with me. (waves at Jennifer)

Weekly Review - Tenth Week

Bible

• We read Romans 9-14. We didn't do anything from Making Brothers and Sister Best Friends (or last week). We only did Bible Mon-Wed, although I would like to finish Romans on Saturday.
• I introduced two new songs - our November hymn is Trust and Obey and our praise chorus is Jesus is Alive.
  

Math

• David finished Lesson 29 (measurement) in Math-U-See Pre-Algebra and took the test.
  
• Emily finished Lesson 23 in Gamma and took the test.
• James finished Lesson 9 and started Lesson 10 in Gamma (Multiply by 9).
  
• Suzy finished Lesson 10 and started Lesson 11 in Alpha (shapes and skip counting x2).

Language Arts - Literature and Reading

• Literature study is suspended for the month.
  
• All the children did silent reading every day (their choice of books).
• We are continuing with The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. The kids LOVE it!
  

Language Arts - Writing

• Each child began writing their novels. Word counts are as follows:
• David - 1389
  
• Emily - I've typed almost 800 (2 pages) and have 3 pages more to type, so I think she's at about 2000.
  
• James - 300 and 2 illustrations
  
• Suzy - 165 and 4 illustrations
  

Language Arts - Other

• Suspended for November.
  

Science

• David worked on Module 4.
• Emily, James and Suzanne had the week off from Science.
  

History

• David finished History of US Book 2 and did the mapwork.
• The younger children learned about The Apostles' Creed and about The Second Jewish Revolt.

Other activities

• We had co-op on Friday.
  

Meme

Saw this on Penny's blog and thought I'd give it a try. I'm sure I've done this one at some point, but I'm always up for doing a good meme.

10 Years Ago...
1. I was not pregnant.
2. I was the mother of 2 children.
3. I was a La Leche League Leader.
4. My husband had an actual full time job.
5. I couldn't wait to homeschool!

5 Things on today's "to-do" list
1. Write 2500 words (or more).
2. Pay a couple bills and James' soccer training registration
3. Do a couple loads of laundry.
4. Help Emily edit her story for her co-op writing class.
5. Push the kids through their lessons and chores and on to their writing!

5 Snacks I enjoy
1. Popcorn
2. Chocolate
3. Fritos (esp Chili Cheese) - but I hate myself after. lol
4. Fruit
5. Chex mix

5 Things I would do if I were a millionaire
1. Become debt-free!
2. Invest.
3. Buy a really nice laptop!
4. Buy some land and a country house.
5. Vacation!

5 Places I have lived (most recent first)
1. Dryden, Michigan
2. Romeo, Michigan
3. Washington, Michigan
4. Sterling Heights, Michigan
5. Spring Arbor, Michigan

5 Jobs that I have had / or still have (most recent first)
1. Writer
2. Machine Operator in a plastic injection molding factory
3. Assistant Teacher in a Christian school
4. Substitute teacher in several schools around here
5. Enrichment Spanish teacher in two separate school districts

Simple Woman Daybook - November 3

For Today... November 3, 2008

Outside my Window... a repeat of last week - piles of wet leaves (more than last week!), puddles on the wet pavement, cloudy skies

I am thinking... that this makeshift office is effective but unattractive and unstable. (Pic next week, maybe)

From the learning rooms... the beginning of National Novel Writing Month! (NaNoWriMo)

I am thankful for... friends to write with!

From the kitchen... a weekly menu all made out! Aren't I organized? Actually I have an ulterior motive. If the menu is made, someone ELSE can cook! lol

I am wearing... jeans, navy t-shirt under a blue striped long-sleeved shirt, white socks, white house shoes, hair down and brushed out, no makeup, blue earrings!

I am reading... No Plot? No Problem by Chris Baty (NaNoWriMo founder) and also How I Write by Janet Evanovich. Still plugging away at the Psalms in The Message. (Boy, I like them a lot better when I only read one or two at a time instead of bunches in a row. I am SO not a poetry person.) Planning on starting to listen to The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon, but I haven't gotten around to that yet.

I am hoping... that my kids will do great at writing today and that I can get a LOT written this afternoon.

I am creating... a novel! Wanna join me? NANOWRIMO

I am hearing... whining from my youngest because I won't let her have any candy, Bob talking to Emily, the clock ringing 10:00.

Around the house... Bob made me a makeshift "office" which is 2 full size pieces of paneling propped up to make a "room" around my computer. Hey, it DOES serve its purpose. I also bought some noise-canceling headphones.

One of my favorite things... New Total Cinnamon Crunch cereal - tastes GREAT and has 4 grams fiber, only 9 grams sugar and 100% of a lot of daily requirements. I also like a very similar cereal from Fiber One. I only get cereals with several grams of fiber, but I have to balance that with ones the kids will eat. Other ones I buy are frosted shredded wheat biscuits, usually a store brand - known here as 'biscuits', Wheat Chex, Quaker Oatmeal Squares, Raisin Bran (store brand) sometimes Cheerios, Kashi - the high protein kind, and that's all I can think of right now. No Froot Loops, Lucky Charms, or stuff like that here though, except on special occasions.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... Homeschool support meeting Monday night, VOTING Tuesday, Church/Financial Peace University Wednesday, Co-op Friday - Writing, Writing, and more Writing. Need to rack up 17,500 more words by next Monday.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...
Went to Walmart last week with all my kids and 2 of their friends. Here's what happens when you take 3 boys and 3 girls to Walmart - boys in the Lego aisle, girls in the Barbie aisle. Me on the end keeping an eye on both.

Weekly Review - Ninth Week

Bible

• We read Romans 1-8. We didn't discuss it much. It's quite heavy subject matter and just reading through it was enough at this point. We didn't do anything from Making Brothers and Sister Best Friends but I am hoping to read a few pages on Sunday.
• We also continued singing our October songs - The Old Rugged Cross and Great and Mighty is He.

Math

• David finished Lesson 28 (also the Honors lesson) and started Lesson 29 (measurement) in Math-U-See Pre-Algebra. He just has one more lesson to go and then he'll move on to ALGEBRA!
• Emily worked on Lesson 23 in Gamma and it's a hard concept - double digit multiplication (2 digits top and bottom). She still is working on it, although she should have completed it by Friday.
• James worked on Lesson 9 in Gamma (Skip Count by 9, Multiples in Equivalent Fractions).
  
• Suzy worked on Lesson 10 in Alpha (Addition +8).

Language Arts - Literature and Reading

• David is continuing to read The Landing of the Pilgrims for Literature.
• Emily avoided reading her chapters in Anne of Green Gables and so will have to do that next week as well as her oral comprehension questions.Tricksy child!
  
• James finished The Story of Ships and is now reading Wild Horses.
• Suzy got away with no reading aloud this week - what a bad first grade teacher I am! Actually, just distracted this week!
  
• All the children did silent reading every day (their choice of books).
• Our new read-aloud is The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. The kids LOVE it so far!

Language Arts - Writing

• We prepared for NaNoWriMo this week by doing selections from their free workbooks. We discussed and planned characters, talked about good dialogue, discussed how to structure plot, and set our word goals.

Language Arts - Other

• Suzy did 8 pages in Explode the Code 2.
  
• James did 8 pages in Explode the Code 5.
  

Science

• David worked on Module 3.
• Emily, James and Suzanne learned about birds this week - parts of a bird, how to identify a bird, different bird colorations, songs, etc...

History

• David worked on History of US Book 2 - read Chapters 24-31 and did the mapwork for those pages.
• The younger children did not have History this week.

Other activities

• We went on a field trip to visit a TV station. This was one of the best field trips we've ever done. (And it was FREE!)
• We also did a service project - raked a yard for an hour and bagged the leaves.
• The older 3 kids had art class on Wednesday afternoon for 3 hours. They worked on pen and ink drawings of a rooster.
• The 3 younger children did Creativity Express art appreciation software for 30 minutes. All worked on typing instruction one day as well (Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing).

What's Coming Up
November is going to be writing month here at Cornerstone Academy, as I've mentioned. We will keep doing Math and Content Area subjects, though. I've structured their assignments differently. Instead of weekly assignment sheets, I've given them a whole month's assignments at once, so they will have a little more freedom with when to write and when to do math. The three younger do History/Science with me, so they won't have to decide when that occurs - I decide it! David is very good at working independently!

Don't look for a lot here during NaNoWriMo, though! From November 1-30, my focus will be on writing my novel. I am aiming for 75K this year! Can I do it??? Well, not if I blog as much as I normally do! lol