I have been thinking this over for sometime as I have felt some frustrations and couldn't figure out exactly why. The more I think about it honestly I realize it is due to my expectations not matching up with reality. Mostly due to the fact that children are all individual and Luke is not me, shock I know. Although generally I have been well-pleased with our experience and his learning I still find there is plenty to improve upon for next year to make everything better for the both of us.
During the planning stages now I am trying to re-examine all those expectations I have and see if they are attainable or realistic...
Expectation...
Brian and I are both smart, naturally we are going to have a child genius.
Reality...
Um, no. Luke is appropriately adept in math and science type things but reading is challenging to him.
Expectation...
One day he will just start reading.
Reality...
We are working on this very slow and steady, there is progress, but it certainly isn't or hasn't been any kind of over night phenomenon.
Expectation...
Homeschooling means that all the children will be advanced because you teach them one on one. The level they are on just depends on what level you teach them.
Reality...
No. You cannot push a child to learn outside their ability or readiness. I had days and days before going over the same things with him, trying to get him to learn it, so frustrated that he couldn't and feeling like such a failure. Thank goodness for the internet and I can see that there is a range of when different kids learn various things. It is not a deficiency on my part or his, it is just who he is. Thank goodness I now have the confidence to know this and to let it go. I must work on his level.
Expectation...
Teaching would just come organically interest led.
Reality...
Well, we do learn some interest led but there is also planning and work involved to make that happen. Surprisingly I cannot instantly recall everything I have ever learned at the drop of a hat and magically pull it together into some big lesson.
Expectation...
Teaching would be easy. We would just open things up and go, no prep involved.
Reality...
I don't know what I was thinking here. There is time to research to pick out the right curriculum, that I enjoy teaching, fits his learning style and also his level. Deciding all that we want to study- what scope for science, for history. One subject a year for science or - is history chronological and then a 3 yr, 4 yr or 5 yr cycle? As I have yet to find a boxed curriculum that meets our need there is then the scheduling of everything, the history, science, literature and bible. Making copies of what needs to done gathering up all the supplies for various things. Planning around any extracurriculars, projects, field trips, jobs and work at home.
Expectation...
I would be infinitely patient and understanding and we would discover and learn these things together
Reality...
Boy, I wish. I love the days when this happens but have to say that it isn't anywhere close to everyday. I have to constantly fight myself to have that patience and understanding. To accept where he is and work from there. I was and am a perfectionist I found myself annoyed a week or so ago because he got some math problems wrong. I was thinking why aren't they all right? Why didn't he doublecheck himself and correct them, that is what I would have done(as generally he makes mistakes from going too fast). Then I stopped to think, is it realistic to think he will never make a mistake, seriously? That would be nice, but not likely.
However, this has obviously been a huge chance for me to grow. I am now thankful that Luke is not a boy genius. Besides the fact that it would bring a different set of challenges it was also another way for God to answer my prayers for humility. I think had my first been greatly advanced I would have likely attributed it to some greatness or skill on my part. I would have been tempted to think that those not as advanced just weren't doing things right. Now, I know better. I know that so much is inborn and we have to work with that. Now, with Lily coming up behind him and progressing at a much faster rate I find it really fascinating and exciting but I know it is not by my virtue or skill.
So, of course now I have the challenge to find those areas in which Luke excels and give him opportunities to grow continuing to push him in the areas that are had as well. I also have to keep mind that I will have to keep Lily challenged and engaged. I really do look forward to it though, although planning for the coming year is nothing short of daunting. It is a huge responsibility to be a parent, regardless of your children.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Friday, May 13, 2011
Saving on Gas: Update #1
I just had to fill up for the first time after starting my new gas saving strategies. Now, I was anxious about it as Brian had done most of the driving for this tank, not using any kind of restraint. Of course when one is rushing to the ER, increasing fuel efficiency is the last thing on your mind. I have had considerable more driving this past week than usual as well, about 3x more, due to various factors.
Now, my last tank I got about 18.8 mpg, which sadly, is average. I do sometimes get more, but more often than not it seems, that is what I get. Today my mpg was.... drumroll..... 22.8 the highest I have ever got! I couldn't believe it and as I said that was only with conservations measures on maybe half the tank. I told Brian my new goal is 25 mpg, let's see what the next tank brings! Information about my van says that city driving is 16-18 mpg, while highway should be 23-25. I always have a combination of driving though and I would be thrilled to get highway mileage on my mixed mileage trips.
This is with basic measures, mostly slowing down on the four lane from 65-70 mph to 55 mph, watching my braking and acceleration. I haven't even removed the roof rack yet which is also supposed to increase mileage.
Now, if I am able to up my mileage to 24.8 mpg that would be 6 mpg increase, which for a whole tank of 17 gals would be an extra 102 miles. 102 miles is equivalent to around 2 trips to AND from town! That is an average week of driving for free!
As an added bonus to saving money I have also been more attune to my driving and no rushing around. Less stress and anxiety from rushing. Now, if I could just get Brian to try the same measures we could really do some saving!
Now, my last tank I got about 18.8 mpg, which sadly, is average. I do sometimes get more, but more often than not it seems, that is what I get. Today my mpg was.... drumroll..... 22.8 the highest I have ever got! I couldn't believe it and as I said that was only with conservations measures on maybe half the tank. I told Brian my new goal is 25 mpg, let's see what the next tank brings! Information about my van says that city driving is 16-18 mpg, while highway should be 23-25. I always have a combination of driving though and I would be thrilled to get highway mileage on my mixed mileage trips.
This is with basic measures, mostly slowing down on the four lane from 65-70 mph to 55 mph, watching my braking and acceleration. I haven't even removed the roof rack yet which is also supposed to increase mileage.
Now, if I am able to up my mileage to 24.8 mpg that would be 6 mpg increase, which for a whole tank of 17 gals would be an extra 102 miles. 102 miles is equivalent to around 2 trips to AND from town! That is an average week of driving for free!
As an added bonus to saving money I have also been more attune to my driving and no rushing around. Less stress and anxiety from rushing. Now, if I could just get Brian to try the same measures we could really do some saving!
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Homemade Breakfast Sausage
I haven't been too exciting here in the cooking department but thought I would share the spice mix I use to make breakfast sausage. Most all commercial breakfast sausage, and even that made by the local butcher contains MSG as I am not too keen on eating this I went searching for a recipe to make it myself. The first recipe I tried was from allrecipes and although highly reviewed I found it horrid, it had sugar in it which did not sit right with me. After a few years and lots of tweaking I now have my recipe just how I like it, hope you enjoy it as well.
Breakfast Sausage
1 lb ground pork
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1/2 tsp. ground mustard
2 tsp. ground sage
1/8 tsp. ground cloves
crushed red pepper to taste (optional)- I often put a few sprinkles in per batch
Mix and cook up as usual!
Breakfast Sausage
1 lb ground pork
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1/2 tsp. ground mustard
2 tsp. ground sage
1/8 tsp. ground cloves
crushed red pepper to taste (optional)- I often put a few sprinkles in per batch
Mix and cook up as usual!
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Ahh, Motherhoood....
It occurs to me again and again how we all have the same struggles. So often when I open up about difficulties I find that others have went through the same thing. Why is it we don't talk about it?, I don't know. There seems to be this odd dichotomy within mothers. Either you're the type where everything is perfect or you do nothing but complain about your children.
I hate to be one to look at the negative. I don't want to complain about my children and act as if they are a horrible burden, I see no purpose in that. But man, some days(or weeks or months) are hard. Motherhood is not for the faint of heart. We are responsible for so much and some days our patience runs thin. Some days the compassion and empathy is gone. Some days you just want quiet. Some days you just want to ignore it all and hope for the best. Some days you wish they could fend for themselves.
Oh, the days when you cannot sleep or the baby keeps you awake. You're pulled out of the bed by the kiddos and try to cobble together something to eat, anything. You turn to that ol' reliable babysitter , the tv, and hope for a little bit of zoning out while you try to wake up. The day fumbles along with much yelling and complaining, lots of fighting and bickering, everything a battle. You somehow make it to lunch and count down the minutes to quiet time when you can collapse into a heap. All the while the house falls more and more apart and you just don't care anymore, you want to get some sleep!
Then there are those days when you really think you have it together. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all promptly served. The children answer ever command quickly and happily. They play together like angels and the house starts and ends the day in perfectly clean condition effortlessly.
If only every day was like that. We need humility too though and there has been plenty of that around here lately!
I hate to be one to look at the negative. I don't want to complain about my children and act as if they are a horrible burden, I see no purpose in that. But man, some days(or weeks or months) are hard. Motherhood is not for the faint of heart. We are responsible for so much and some days our patience runs thin. Some days the compassion and empathy is gone. Some days you just want quiet. Some days you just want to ignore it all and hope for the best. Some days you wish they could fend for themselves.
Oh, the days when you cannot sleep or the baby keeps you awake. You're pulled out of the bed by the kiddos and try to cobble together something to eat, anything. You turn to that ol' reliable babysitter , the tv, and hope for a little bit of zoning out while you try to wake up. The day fumbles along with much yelling and complaining, lots of fighting and bickering, everything a battle. You somehow make it to lunch and count down the minutes to quiet time when you can collapse into a heap. All the while the house falls more and more apart and you just don't care anymore, you want to get some sleep!
Then there are those days when you really think you have it together. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all promptly served. The children answer ever command quickly and happily. They play together like angels and the house starts and ends the day in perfectly clean condition effortlessly.
If only every day was like that. We need humility too though and there has been plenty of that around here lately!
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Saving on Gas
Along with cutting my electric useage this month I am also aiming at increasing my fuel efficiency. As I am reading my leadfoot ways are costing me dearly in fuel economy. As I have made it a goal this year to not be in such a hurry and rushing so much, this fits in nicely, as one big way to save money is to slow down. Driving at 55 mph is much more efficient than driving at 65 mph.
My van currently gets 18-22 mpg, last tank it was 18.77. My goal is to increase that to 22 mpg all the time. I would hope perhaps I could get it higher but right now I just want to focus on small improvements, no plans to start turning off the engine while going downhill!
Just a 3-4 mpg increase would be the equivalent of getting an extra gallon out of my 17 gallon tank, which at prices these days would mean almost $4. That also means one free trip to town and twice a month that equals a trip to and from town.
Goal Increase MPG from 18 to 22 mpg:
1) Reduce speed on 4 lane from 65-70 to 55 mph
2) Reduce idle time
3) Tires properly inflated- these were just checked and aired
4) Minimize stops when at all possible, slowing down when I can naturally without the use of brakes
5) Take off my roof rack(which is never used)
6) Pull off slowly from stop lights
There are so many ways to increase efficiency but I am picking basic and easy things to do, which will in fact make me a better and more attune driver.
Here is a list of 100:
http://ecomodder.com/forum/EM-hypermiling-driving-tips-ecodriving.php
Electricity useage update:
This month prior to starting conservation measures my usage was at 29 kwH a day*. I have tracked the past 2 days and my usage was at 14kwH one day and 16 kwH. I am floored, that is a 50% reduction! Yesterday I ran the dishwasher and washing machine(cold wash cycle) where as the day prior I did not, which accounts for the difference between the days. I am not certain it will be that low all of the month but knowing I can get it that low is very exciting. I anticipate higher needs when Brian is home on the weekends as well.
On my list this month is making a solar cooker and looking into a homemade smoker as well. Having an outside cook source would save even more energy and with summer coming up I would like to not be cooking inside heating up the house while we are trying to keep it cool.
*I had started to use my clothesline for most of my clothes at this point however. My average kwH usage for the month of May based on the past 3 yrs useage is 33kwH.
I found this handy chart that shows the electricity useage of all manner of things, now of course there are variances based on appliances and this is based as well on electricity that is 8.1c kwH whereas ours is about 1c more as of current rates. It really shows a huge difference between washing with hot water versus cold, I know it was supposed to be more but didn't know how much more.
http://www.nppd.com/My_Home/Product_Brochures/Additional_Files/electric_usage.asp
Clothes Dryer 47¢ / load
Clothes Washer (cold/cold) 2.8¢ / load
Clothes Washer (warm/cold) 12.8¢ / load
Clothes Washer (hot/warm) 34.2¢ / load
Iron 9.2¢ / hour
My van currently gets 18-22 mpg, last tank it was 18.77. My goal is to increase that to 22 mpg all the time. I would hope perhaps I could get it higher but right now I just want to focus on small improvements, no plans to start turning off the engine while going downhill!
Just a 3-4 mpg increase would be the equivalent of getting an extra gallon out of my 17 gallon tank, which at prices these days would mean almost $4. That also means one free trip to town and twice a month that equals a trip to and from town.
Goal Increase MPG from 18 to 22 mpg:
1) Reduce speed on 4 lane from 65-70 to 55 mph
2) Reduce idle time
3) Tires properly inflated- these were just checked and aired
4) Minimize stops when at all possible, slowing down when I can naturally without the use of brakes
5) Take off my roof rack(which is never used)
6) Pull off slowly from stop lights
There are so many ways to increase efficiency but I am picking basic and easy things to do, which will in fact make me a better and more attune driver.
Here is a list of 100:
http://ecomodder.com/forum/EM-hypermiling-driving-tips-ecodriving.php
Electricity useage update:
This month prior to starting conservation measures my usage was at 29 kwH a day*. I have tracked the past 2 days and my usage was at 14kwH one day and 16 kwH. I am floored, that is a 50% reduction! Yesterday I ran the dishwasher and washing machine(cold wash cycle) where as the day prior I did not, which accounts for the difference between the days. I am not certain it will be that low all of the month but knowing I can get it that low is very exciting. I anticipate higher needs when Brian is home on the weekends as well.
On my list this month is making a solar cooker and looking into a homemade smoker as well. Having an outside cook source would save even more energy and with summer coming up I would like to not be cooking inside heating up the house while we are trying to keep it cool.
*I had started to use my clothesline for most of my clothes at this point however. My average kwH usage for the month of May based on the past 3 yrs useage is 33kwH.
I found this handy chart that shows the electricity useage of all manner of things, now of course there are variances based on appliances and this is based as well on electricity that is 8.1c kwH whereas ours is about 1c more as of current rates. It really shows a huge difference between washing with hot water versus cold, I know it was supposed to be more but didn't know how much more.
http://www.nppd.com/My_Home/Product_Brochures/Additional_Files/electric_usage.asp
Clothes Dryer 47¢ / load
Clothes Washer (cold/cold) 2.8¢ / load
Clothes Washer (warm/cold) 12.8¢ / load
Clothes Washer (hot/warm) 34.2¢ / load
Iron 9.2¢ / hour
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Living Like No One Else, Frugalista Style
I haven't been on in forever. I gave up the computer for Lent, except for email and actual need, no recreation. Since then I have been a bit preoccupied. Dave Ramsey has recently been added to the schedule of the local AM radio and I have really enjoyed listening to him. One of Dave's favorite sayings is to ,"Live like no one else now, so you can live like no one else later." For those unfamiliar this means to save and work hard, pay off any debts now so later you can afford to live better than anyone else. He is adamantly opposed to any debt and really admonishes people to live on "rice and beans, beans and rice" and "sale everything but the kids" along with working as hard as possible to achieve those goals.
Our goal in our family isn't necessarily to live it up though. We don't want to go buy a new car or some sort of toy. We want to be set financially for the future. My goal is for our financial obligations to be as small as possible, not having debt and little expenses gives one a lot more choices and freedoms in life. Freedom to look at retiring early, more ability to help those in need, not to mention peace.
So, listening to Dave has really caused me to think what exactly to I believe about money and is what I am doing lining up with those thoughts. We had been saving money for a replacement vehicle for Brian and our plans for replacement vehicle kept getting nicer. Then all of a sudden I stopped and thought, why? Why all of a sudden do we think this is a good idea, and really more like I think it is a good idea, Brian doesn't care what he drives.
I realized that I had this thought in my head that he deserved it, all these other people drive nice cars, he deserves one as well, he works hard. I had to stop myself when I realized this was my thought. This isn't what I believe, we don't deserve anything. Besides it doesn't matter what others do, either it fits in with our plans and budget or it doesn't. Crunching the numbers I realize that it doesn't, we could do it, but that money would be much better spent in other places for other things, things that do matter to us. So now our current plan is to spend a few thousand on a used Civic for his everyday driving and reserve his truck for when it is truly needed, thereby increasing it's life and saving a ton on gas as well. We are both happy about this plan .
I also realized that alot of my other frugal habits were not being followed very well either. We have always been frugal in the big things, we haven't had a car payment in 8 yrs, along with any other debt other than the house. We drive an 10 yr old van and a 16 yr old truck. I try to follow the principle of making what I can, using only what I need and then reducing what I use. However, since Ava has been born I had gotten lazy in many of those small frugal things, all of which add up as well. I do the things that are easy to me, cloth diaper and wipes, breastmilk and food I prepare(no baby food). Around the house I know the basics I wash clothes in cold water, never use the heated dry on the dishwasher and try to keep after the children with the lights and shutting doors.
But I haven't hardly hung clothes on the line, except for very sporadically, and I know dryers use an insane amount of energy. I haven't hardly regulated our hot water use at all. I didn't even realize how much energy it used. I had just read this week that hot water accounts for 20-30% of our electricity usage. I was shocked and amazed that I had never read that before. Now, we had turned down the thermostat on it ages ago as I had often seen it recommended to save money, but past that hadn't made much conservation efforts. I have also been lazy about turning off various things and leaving things on, like our computer and router, even though in sleep mode I know it uses energy.
So, as I have recently cut the grocery budget to the bone, going to a cash system I decided it was time to tackle a few other things and see how low I can bring down our expenditures. My big goals are to reduce electricity usage, increase gas mileage, and decrease miscellaneous spending.
Our electricity spending for the month of May for the last 3 years has averaged 1009 kwH that is just with the basic conservation measures I have mentioned, nothing drastic, it is just that we generally don't use heat or air much at all this month.
However, I have decided to see if I can cut it by 25%.
Average May electricity 2008-2010 1009 kwH
Goal 750 kwH
Strategy;
1) Only line dry clothes, using indoor line when necessary
2) Wrapped the hotwater heater in insulation and turning off at the breaker except for evening shower/bath use and dishwasher- doing the kids bath in the smaller tub
3) Turning off power strips for tv, router, printer and computers during the day and using only the netbook(which uses significantly less energy.
As our energy bill doesn't run from the beginning to the end of the month we already had about 10 days into our next cycle before starting all of these measures. At the 10 day mark I averaged our use and it was at 29 kwH per day and in order to hit the goal of 750 kwH we need to be at 25 kwH per day. However, Brian was also on vacation during that time increasing our usage, along with being inside more than usually due to the rainy weather. I am going to be monitoring our daily usage though to see how we doing. Yesterday was my first day monitoring, in the last 22 hr time period we have used 13 kwH. Now yesterday I didn't run the dishwasher or the washer as I don't need to do those every day so I will be anxious to see what those actually use. According to my energy guides for those appliances I believe there using should be fairly low, especially as I use them but we will see how accurate I am. I will be posting an update when our next bill comes in, wish me luck!
Our goal in our family isn't necessarily to live it up though. We don't want to go buy a new car or some sort of toy. We want to be set financially for the future. My goal is for our financial obligations to be as small as possible, not having debt and little expenses gives one a lot more choices and freedoms in life. Freedom to look at retiring early, more ability to help those in need, not to mention peace.
So, listening to Dave has really caused me to think what exactly to I believe about money and is what I am doing lining up with those thoughts. We had been saving money for a replacement vehicle for Brian and our plans for replacement vehicle kept getting nicer. Then all of a sudden I stopped and thought, why? Why all of a sudden do we think this is a good idea, and really more like I think it is a good idea, Brian doesn't care what he drives.
I realized that I had this thought in my head that he deserved it, all these other people drive nice cars, he deserves one as well, he works hard. I had to stop myself when I realized this was my thought. This isn't what I believe, we don't deserve anything. Besides it doesn't matter what others do, either it fits in with our plans and budget or it doesn't. Crunching the numbers I realize that it doesn't, we could do it, but that money would be much better spent in other places for other things, things that do matter to us. So now our current plan is to spend a few thousand on a used Civic for his everyday driving and reserve his truck for when it is truly needed, thereby increasing it's life and saving a ton on gas as well. We are both happy about this plan .
I also realized that alot of my other frugal habits were not being followed very well either. We have always been frugal in the big things, we haven't had a car payment in 8 yrs, along with any other debt other than the house. We drive an 10 yr old van and a 16 yr old truck. I try to follow the principle of making what I can, using only what I need and then reducing what I use. However, since Ava has been born I had gotten lazy in many of those small frugal things, all of which add up as well. I do the things that are easy to me, cloth diaper and wipes, breastmilk and food I prepare(no baby food). Around the house I know the basics I wash clothes in cold water, never use the heated dry on the dishwasher and try to keep after the children with the lights and shutting doors.
But I haven't hardly hung clothes on the line, except for very sporadically, and I know dryers use an insane amount of energy. I haven't hardly regulated our hot water use at all. I didn't even realize how much energy it used. I had just read this week that hot water accounts for 20-30% of our electricity usage. I was shocked and amazed that I had never read that before. Now, we had turned down the thermostat on it ages ago as I had often seen it recommended to save money, but past that hadn't made much conservation efforts. I have also been lazy about turning off various things and leaving things on, like our computer and router, even though in sleep mode I know it uses energy.
So, as I have recently cut the grocery budget to the bone, going to a cash system I decided it was time to tackle a few other things and see how low I can bring down our expenditures. My big goals are to reduce electricity usage, increase gas mileage, and decrease miscellaneous spending.
Our electricity spending for the month of May for the last 3 years has averaged 1009 kwH that is just with the basic conservation measures I have mentioned, nothing drastic, it is just that we generally don't use heat or air much at all this month.
However, I have decided to see if I can cut it by 25%.
Average May electricity 2008-2010 1009 kwH
Goal 750 kwH
Strategy;
1) Only line dry clothes, using indoor line when necessary
2) Wrapped the hotwater heater in insulation and turning off at the breaker except for evening shower/bath use and dishwasher- doing the kids bath in the smaller tub
3) Turning off power strips for tv, router, printer and computers during the day and using only the netbook(which uses significantly less energy.
As our energy bill doesn't run from the beginning to the end of the month we already had about 10 days into our next cycle before starting all of these measures. At the 10 day mark I averaged our use and it was at 29 kwH per day and in order to hit the goal of 750 kwH we need to be at 25 kwH per day. However, Brian was also on vacation during that time increasing our usage, along with being inside more than usually due to the rainy weather. I am going to be monitoring our daily usage though to see how we doing. Yesterday was my first day monitoring, in the last 22 hr time period we have used 13 kwH. Now yesterday I didn't run the dishwasher or the washer as I don't need to do those every day so I will be anxious to see what those actually use. According to my energy guides for those appliances I believe there using should be fairly low, especially as I use them but we will see how accurate I am. I will be posting an update when our next bill comes in, wish me luck!
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