As part of the Schoolhouse Review Crew, I received the Victus Study Skills System to review. The Victus Study Skills System consists of two books, a Student Workbook, $20, and the Teacher Edition, $40. You can view the Table of Contents and sample pages on the website.
In the Kitchen with Linda & Dinner Menu
I’m still working away in my little oven less kitchen. The kids are getting more impatient about getting a new stove than I am. They want to make cookies! lol
We have gotten pizza from the local pizza place a couple of times since the oven broke and we couldn’t make our own. While it is convenient, and easy, it is also much more expensive. And frankly, not as good as homemade.
The Queen’s Handmaid – Book Review & Kindle Giveaway
The Queen’s Handmaid starts in 39 BC and tells the story of Lydia, who was abandoned at birth and raised as a servant in Cleopatra’s palace in Alexandria, Egypt. Lydia is a hard worker in the palace, as well as making clay pots in her “free” time. She sells these pots and saves the money so she can live free one day. As hard as she works at her tasks, Lydia works just as hard to not get attached to anyone. She has lost so many people in her life, that she is afraid to get close to anyone, for fear of losing them, too.
Let God – DVD Review
Set in 1848, Let God follows the story of husband and wife Levi and Amelia. Levi has decided that it is time for them to travel west He has heard numerous stories of men getting rich from striking gold. Even though Amelia doesn’t want to leave her home, friends, and family, she honors her husband and goes west with him.
5 Tips for an Eco Friendly Home
*Thank you to Direct Energy for sponsoring today’s post, and encouraging me to share tips for a smarter home!
Here are a few tips that I use to make my home an eco friendly home.
Unplug energy sucking devices when they are not in use. Common energy wasters include your computer, printer, DVD player, phone chargers. Unplug these electronics at night or when you are away from home. I am a stickler for unplugging unused electronics. I even extend this to the kitchen. The toaster, blender, food processor, all get unplugged when not in use in my kitchen. The microwave uses a lot of electric just sitting there in between uses, too. I no longer own a microwave, but for those that do, unplug it to save energy. I use power strips for electronic devices and turn off the strip at night. That’s convenient for computers, monitors, and printers or TV’s, dvd players, and video game consoles. The energy savings of turning off the power and the convenience of not having to plug everything in again.
In the Kitchen with Linda & Dinner Menu
This past week has been a week of adjustments for me. Adjusting to not using the broken oven to cook with. When you’re used to using the oven every day, it takes a a while to get out of the habit of putting everything in the oven.
I pulled some Salisbury Steaks out of the freezer that I had frozen myself the last time I made some. I took it out of the freezer, dumped the frozen blob in the baking dish, and left it on the counter to thaw. I came back into the kitchen a little while later, and realized I couldn’t bake it in the oven. I felt a little bit dumb. lol
Teaching Teenagers Time Management
*This Teaching Teenagers Time Management post contains affiliate links
I have 6 kids, all homeschooled, and all adults now. So I have some experience with teenagers! I have said numerous times that it was easier to get my youngest four out the door when they were little than it was when they were all teenagers. Teaching my teenagers these time management tips made a huge difference for them. And made my life easier, too!
Teaching Teenagers Time Management
1. Set good example – If you’re late all the time, you can’t expect them to be on time. If they see you goofing off on Facebook instead of getting ready to go somewhere, they are going to do it too.
2. Set them up with a calendar – paper, computer or on their telephone, to record their upcoming events, assignments due, work hours, etc.
3. A morning routine, after school routine, and evening routine all help teens to remember to get everything done. Once they get in the habit of doing these routines, it becomes easier for them to manage their time effectively.
The routines shouldn’t be long. Just 3-5 things to help them stay organized. For example, an evening routine could include getting clothes ready for the next day, getting books and papers together so they are ready in the morning, and checking the calendar for the next day to see if they need anything special. Things that will make the morning go much smoother.
4. Get them started using a to do list. This doesn’t have to be elaborate, with everything they need to do every day, but get them started with the 5 most important things to be done that day. This list could also include the things they need to bring with them for outside activities.
Making a to do list will help them learn to prioritize their chores, homework, activities,etc. This will also help them to learn not to procrastinate. Whether on paper, an electronic list, or written on a chalk or white board, a to do list is a big step toward time management independence for teenagers.
5. Have a planning day with your teen once a week. Go over school assignments, outside activities, chores, etc. This will enable them to plan ahead. and help them to not over commit.
This is also the time to tell them “we have to leave at 6 on Monday night” or “have your assigned rooms clean and ready for company by 3 on Saturday” or “You have a game on Tuesday, make sure you have your equipment packed by the time your ride gets here at 2” or any other special activities or events.
Teaching teenagers time management happens a little at a time, not all at once. Introduce these ideas to your teenagers, then pick one to start with. Add the other tips in one at a time. And soon the days will flow much smoother for your teenager. And you!
*Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, if you click the link and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission.
