I'm Still Working on it - New Thru 30 Challenge!
Mood:  rushed
Topic: Bible Reading & Devotions
No, I haven't forgotten. I plan on posting more notes tonight. I am a little behind on my reading, but my main thing is that I'm behind on my note posts. I'm still working on it, and I'm still praying for all of you who have taken the challenge as well.

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Bertie's War - This Might Become Tim's War
Mood:  irritated
Topic: Homeschool Product Review

 

Recently, as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew, I was sent a free copy of Bertie's War published by Kregel Publications in order for me to read and write a review to put on this blog.

Ok, before I go into my review of this fine book, here's my beaf. I very rarely am upset with any of the rest of my TOS Homeschool Crew mates, but this one takes the cake. We have a forum to discuss different ways of reviewing an item, or how we work in review items with our regular curriculum etc. We don't usually discuss the fine details of anything, or what we think, because we don't want other peoples views to distort our own reviews. We might, however, make little comments about items. Recently a comment was made about Bertie's War that they were "so glad that finally a historical novel has been written about the 1960's".

I wanted to scream at the computer! "Historical! What do you mean historical? I was alive in the early 1960's and I'm not historical!" I was quite irate. It made me feel like an antique! Historical indeed ! Ah, well...enough about me and on with the review.

Bertie's War, a wonderful novel written by Barbara Tifft Blakey, is about a 12 year old girl growing up in 1962. Poor 12 year old Bertie's world is falling apart. As if she doesn't have enough to worry about with an annoying older sister, younger brother and stern father, now she's at that awkward age of being between childhood and adulthood, she's beginning seventh grade, and, to top it all off, the United States is in the midst of major crisis with Cuba. 

Her life seems to be in a state of confusion and she doesn't know what to do. She worries about everything. Join Bertie as she has to deal with fires, hurricanes, family death, school bomb drills, her own emotions and her relationship with God during a very tumultuous year.  

Bertie's War is an entertaining book written on a mature preteen to teenage level. It is...as upsetting as this word is to say ..."historically"  accurate and the author does an excellent job of telling what life was really like for people (especially kids) during those very uneasy days of the early sixties. It is written in a very easy style with enough action to keep you turning the pages. More than once I found myself not wanting to put it down.

I usually preview books, especially by unknown authors, before allowing my children to read them. Because the subject was a 12 year old girl, and I have three sons, this was one that I wanted to especially read ahead of time. Now that I have reviewed it, I have no hesitation giving it to my 13 year old son to read. In fact, I see many similarities between Bertie and John Allen. So many, in fact, that I am hoping he learns something from the way Bertie's emotions are dealt with in the end. "How is that?" you may ask. You'll have to find out by reading the book. 

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This is one of those "Pull Your Hair Out" days!
Mood:  don't ask
Topic: Family

Now, don't get me wrong, I love my boys. Sometimes, however, they drive me up the wall! Today has been one of those days.

We have been doing some homeschool these past few weeks, but we have basically taken about a month off because of all of the activities that go on here at the mission over the holidays, and because of our trip to New Jersey. That is the convenience and advantage of being homeschoolers. We can take a day off here and there if we need to and make it up at another time. We frequently will work over the schools fall and spring breaks. We usually start earlier than public school and almost always go a little later ~ including doing some homeschool over the summer. We can even have homeschool on snow days ~ The Tinkel Acedemy never closes. 

The downfall of taking a month off, though, is the day that we have to get back into the whole routine. You can tell where I'm going here, can't you? Yep! Today was the first day back and it was a doozy! John Allen's sleep habits are a mess. He absolutely didn't want to get up in this morning. He struggled all morning and didn't end up getting a lot done. Part of the reason was that Tuesday's is also Bible Club days, so my time is divided between getting ready for Bible Club and homeschooling. Joshua was a little better and got done with three-fourths of his assignments.

I really should have pushed the issue more, but today was just too busy of a day. And, I had already done enough fussing, etc. It isn't working, and I know it. That's why we are getting a little extra advice - I think I mentioned that the other day, but, I'm not going to divulge what it is yet. In the meantime, tomorrow is another day.

 

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Men's Monday Meme - Question 6 - Hot Topic Question!
Mood:  on fire
Topic: Men's Monday Meme

I have gotten a few comments from some of my blogging friends that say that their husbands don't want to participate because they think that the questions that I have been asking are just the simple everyday questions that are always asked. They don't want to spend their time answering just any old questions. They want me to think out of the box.

I had thought about asking more controversial questions, but didn't want to scare some men away. However, I think I have come up with a solution. At least once a month, maybe twice, I am going to ask a "Hot Topic Question" for those men who want something a little more meaty to chew on. How often I post a Hot Topic, will depend on how much response I get to this one. If any of you have any Hot Topics that you would like discussed, please leave a comment below, or send an email to me with the meatier questions. I will give you full credit if I use one of them.

OK, here goes the very first Hot Topic question on the Men's Monday Meme:

Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Colossians 3:18 New International Bible

What do you think that the above Bible verse means, and how do you apply it (if you do) in your household?

Hmmmm. Please ladies don't stone me! Let's move right along to the rules:

1. This is a man's meme, so the answers must be the answers from a man. Either the man can answer on his blog, or a wife can interview her husband for her blog. However, if the wife puts it on her blog, she must stay true to what her husband said.
2. You are encouraged to put one of the Men's Monday Meme buttons found to the left on your blog. Just copy the code below the button of your choice. The more folks who link, the more readers you may have to visit your blog.
3. You may answer the question any time during the week up through next Monday. After you answer the question, add the address to your post to the Mr.Linky below. If you could, please only add the direct link to the post to make it easier for readers to find the entry.
4. My answer along with a new question will be posted next Monday. The new Mr. Linky will be added at midnight Monday night.

And here's the new Mr. Linky:

 

 

 

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Men's Monday Meme - Question 5 - My Answer
Topic: Men's Monday Meme

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