Pioneer Woman at Heart

One Flourishing, Frugal and Fun Family!

One family learning to live off the land, cut back on expenses, and to live a simpler and a more self-sufficient lifestyle.

Adopted Motto

"Eat it up,
Wear it out,
Make it do,
Or go without."
~A Pioneer Sampler, by Barbara Greenwood~

Showing posts with label Public school. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Public school. Show all posts

Thursday, August 18, 2016

If you give a Mom a dip to make.....

You know that poem about "if you give a Mom a muffin" and how she gets side tracked?  Well, after I did my morning routine exercise, I headed out to see what needed harvested.  The zucchini looks pretty bad, and I have ants chewing away on them now.  Cucumbers look oh-so, not good either (sad about that), and only one yellow squash to bring in.  

One daughter reminded me upon entering the kitchen, that I bought organic cream cheese to make a cracker dip we like.  So, I returned to the herb garden, where I could not even see the green onion I needed. 

I'm not sure if passing cars saw me throw my hands in the air and started talking to myself...."where do I start?"

Everything was a muddy mess from the rain, and it was hot and humid.  Very humid.
 
I ended up pulling all the "tall" stuff out.  Then I couldn't stand it, and went around and got more weeds pulled, but had to fight off an onslaught of sweat bees.  Even my homemade bug spray did not help.  I went inside about noon, and had mud all up and down my arms from swatting bees, and never even cut the green onions.  It will take a few more days to tidy up the herb garden.

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Comfrey Poultice ~ Tidbits

This was my first time to actually use comfrey for anything.  You could call this a "pile to file" recipe too.  The first time I planted it (live plant vs. seed), it died.  This year I planted organic/non-gmo seeds and was successful.  This year however, I am making comfrey poultices to put in my freezer.


First, I grind the leaves in my food processor (worked better than my blender) with a touch of water.  Most recipes I found said to add flour to make the "paste."  I also read that chia seeds works well too.

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Random Tidbits ~ Extreme Clean


Can you tell today is the first day of school for the younger two? Ha ha!
 
I lost my #3 steel crochet hook.  I have doubles of almost every crochet hook there is, but not my #3.  It was time to go back into the closet to clean and sort.  I had to keep myself busy yesterday, as I waited

Monday, August 17, 2015

Shopped 'till we dropped....and other tidbits

The family gathering went well on Saturday, although we could have had better weather.  It was a bit humid.  I sent each family home with a bottle of organic blood orange Italian soda.  

Sunday, I never got the chance to even lift one of my library books.

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

On the Road Again. . . . 75 plus miles


Monday was a day about everyone else.  You know those days where everyone has needs, and your the one required by your title as Mom to see to the needs?  

I did not even get out of the shower before one of the kids called.  She forgot her "gym clothes."  

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Freezing Temps



 (very early this morning)

If you are wondering.   I did not get my wish for school to be closed.  Mom always said, "If wishes where horses, then beggars would ride."

Friday, November 7, 2014

Rain, Tea and Me


It rained all day yesterday, but thanks to my multitasking mania mode, I got the dogs walked, all of the remaining pepper plants pulled from the garden, stove ashes dumped, eggs collected, goat's water checked....all before it started raining.  A good warm breakfast was much enjoyed after that.

Nothing new right?  I was very satisfied with the morning progress, but rain makes me lazy.  I tend to gravitate towards a sofa, blanket and a book (or some sort of handiwork).  

Friday, October 3, 2014

Homemade Oxymels


(Elderberry Oxymel and club soda)

I had no idea these even existed, and read about them at Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth.  They mention more information is at Mountain Rose Herbs (where I do buy my elderberries when they are in stock).  If you get a chance, go to their site and read about it.  It's basically a fancy name for a honey/vinegar mixture to help herbs taste better going down (and healthy).  I know honey makes mullein tea taste much better, but anyway.....

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Cro Tatting ~ Writing ~ Numbers Crunching

This morning's sunrise was nice and bright.  No fog today.  I woke up with no energy.  How is that possible?  A good night's sleep, and I just want to go back to bed.  But I can't. Work must be done. 

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Taco Soup ~ Praying Mantis



I'm up before the sun is again.  The weather is to be in the upper 80's, but it said to feel like 90's.  I need to water flowers before I start canning today.

I spent part of the day yesterday on the phone, making appointments. 

Saturday, August 9, 2014

Mullein ~ Garage Cleaning ~ Hanky Dish/Drink Cover


The mullein leaves I ordered have arrived.  I mixed up a tea with dried spearmint leaves and a bit of honey.    I downed a cup immediately after it arrived yesterday.  Not too bad either.

Once I have a few more days of the tea, I'll let you know if it worked.   Also, the tea was shipped in a clear plastic zip bag, so now I am on the hunt for tins or amber glass containers to store it in.

Friday, May 2, 2014

Mud Brings Joy

May is the month that Hubby and I both celebrate our birthdays - "the Good."  I have no idea what I will do for Hubby yet.  

It's the month I get to start planting flowers and the vegetable garden. Although I can start planting peas (which are already late), I cannot plant my flowers until after Mother's Day.  Even so, I may wait just a bit later.  Last year we got a second frost, and lost much from garden(s).

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Simple Solar Oven ~ It's a Heat Wave! ~ Sunflower Hot Pads

(the building of her oven)

Our 12 year-old is participating in a second science fair (in two years).  

This time, she chose to make a model (they have to pick specific categories, and they cannot repeat the same category from the previous science fair).  Her model?  A solar cooker.  Okay, I admit, her choice made me smile.  I can dig a solar oven. 

Saturday, October 26, 2013

Knitting Needles in My Cupboards ~ Self Defense


Have you heard of the "ALICE" program yet?  If you have kids in public school, chances are, you may have.

A.L.I.C.E. is an acronym for,  Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Escape - Active Shooter Response Team.

For weeks now, two of our girls have been chatting about it, day after day.  It's beginning to become ingrained in our brains here at Rooster's Crow Farm. 

It's a program that teaches "young people" to fight back and not sit and "take it" if a shooter would come into the school.  They have been, as a class (and most of the school from what I am listening too), discussing what they could use as weapons, or do to fight back.  Quite honestly,  I can't wonder if this was created to keep school's from putting guns in our teachers hands.  Anyway....

You know it has been ingrained into your brain, when you go to bed in your camper, and prior to that, you look around and say to yourself "what can I use for a weapon if needed?"  Why lots of stuff, of course.

I can rip out the metal rod that holds the fold-out bed roofs up, and use that as a weapon.  

The same goes for my home.  What can I creatively use in a shooter attack situation?  In my bedroom I can use my knitting needles.

However, my 11 year-old asked me, "but are your knitting needles in a place where you can get them in an emergency?"

Ugh...probably not.  So, I asked her, "do I have to hide some in my kitchen cupboards now?"

....I'd rather stash a shotgun or two in my cupboards. This day and age anyway. 

Either way, I am glad they are teaching the kids to fight back, and fight for their life (I think), if it were to ever happen. In fact, this is one of the reasons I want Hubby to train me to box again.  I want to be in very good shape, in case there was a reason to quickly defend myself, or my family, in any situation.  

Have you been taught self defense?

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Recycling Tiny Plastic Hangers

These plastic hangers are typically found on packages of socks, kitchen towels, and other linens.  

I've been saving them in a recycled glass jar, and keeping them with my craft supplies.  I finally found a way to reuse them.

Friday, August 31, 2012

More Repairs ~ Public School

Remember my van?  It's been in parking mode since last February, getting many repairs including new head gaskets (second time).  Well, it's still sitting in the driveway.  It needs a computer now.

Hubby says it needs this other part before I can drive it.

Today, my son's car needs the repair job.  Thankfully, he can drive the ol' farm truck to work.  Part of the hardware that holds up the gas tank basically disintegrated on his car.  Yikes!  

The trouble with self repairs, is finding the time to get the job done.  However, I'd rather buy a part (and wait patiently) than spend $800.00 of my husband's (and mine) hard earned income to pay for repairs.  I'd rather take another getaway instead.  Sounds selfish, but really it's not selfish.  We both deserve it.

Frustration with Public School

For the second year in a row, the 8th grade class is sending kids off on a Washington, D.C. trip.  The cost?  $600.00 per kid.  However, the cost doesn't stop there.  This year they are required to have a special dress outfit, with dress shoes that can be walked a lot in - more costs. They state all meals are included, but I am sure there will be more hidden costs they will drop on us later.  

Then there is the payment system for this trip. You can pay on-line with the school, but the school charges you for every transaction you make.  We already pay enough taxes for our school's so why should I give them anymore.   Public school is not free anymore.  It's down right unaffordable.  

We already just paid $225.00 in school fees, and even more than that on school clothes and shoes.  Not to mention the cost of required school supplies also. We skipped out on school photos, since they did them the day prior to school starting, and right after fees were paid.  If they had photos taken, that would be another $90.00 to hand over.  This year?  I'm taking their photos myself, and I won't have extras laying around in a box.

My daughter said to me that the teacher told her she could hand him the $200.00 cash and he'd take care of the payment.  Send cash with your kid?  He must not have teenagers.

Last year, I could pay the tour company directly, free of transaction charges.  This year?  We are not allowed.  We must pay the school directly.  They really know how to make things difficult don't they.  

Don't get me wrong.  I do think the kids will find the trip educational and fun, but is it necessary for schools to take these trips with the economy in a rut?  It just doesn't seem prudent to me.

And it doesn't stop there.  The teachers are encouraging students to take "electronics" with them on the school trip.  What happened to good ol' fashioned deck of playing cards?  Or a book?  As a parent who strives to keep her kids from getting sucked into time wasting electronics, this is very frustrating.  My daughter should know better than to ask me to go out and buy her a $60.00 electronic, just so she can take it on this school trip.

Public school also raises my medical costs.  It wasn't long before one of my kids are already sick.  School just started, and she coughing, blowing her nose, and has a sore throat.  Thankfully, I have the knowledge of natural remedies.  However, with the continuous amount of daily germs she is around, it becomes more difficult to treat.  She lacks rest from her daily schedule also.

Then there is the amount of homework I see my high schooler doing - 2-4 hours a night.  Ridiculous.  Ugh.

I think I may have just talked myself into homeschooling again....

Friday, September 25, 2009

My son's photo assignments for 12th grade

After going through some of the photos my son took for a school assignment, I found this one. He has taken some very nice scenery photos. Isn't it peaceful? I love the ripple in the creek too.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Lunch Surprises

Today I am sneaking a snack size bag of Good & Plenty into a few of my kid's lunches. Unfortunately, I didn't get them into two of them, so tomorrow I will try again. With a short note (because they always hate Monday's), I included a small pack of candy. I hope it makes their day better.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Teaching Geography to Kids ~ Making it Fun!

I found the most interesting regarding teaching kids geography! It's called "The Everything Kids' Geography Book". I wish I had this book when I was a kid. The authors combined so many other areas of learning with learning geography. One of the kids may find a copy of it in under the Christmas tree this winter. If you can get a copy at your library, take a look at it. It really is a good teaching tool for kids, and the authors make it fun!

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Kittens, Chaos, and School Fees

Well, it's come to the point where we are needing to make a decision. One or both of the kittens killed the goldfish last night, one messed on the floor, and both of them destroyed my room last night. Evidently they think it's the main playground for their rambunctious lives. I know they would both be good mousers, even though they are males. The seek to destroy.

The girls are already outside giving poor "Caspian" a proper funeral. Cat claw marks are evident on the poor little guys sides.

Today I have the joy of paying $105.00 in school fees for 3 kids. Plus, I get the joy of paying a student fee for my son, who does not even attend the school. He's bussed to a career center school, but because we are in this school's district, I am required to pay a $7.00 student fee and a $1.00 guidance fee. Evidently, some of it goes to pay for the prom. I had no idea that, we the parents, are paying for that.

The kids have now managed to destroy the PS3. It's probably a good thing, now that school is starting. It is way to expensive to replace it, so if they want a new one, they need to find a job and buy it themselves. The best part is that I don't' have to worry about it monopolizing their free time. Now they can find more time to be creative and spend more time applying for jobs.