Grocery Day

Thursday is grocery day here and I am in need of an easy list today - I just don't feel like writing everything all out. Here's a quick link to some awesome pre-made lists you can download for free from simplemom.net - Soon I'll post how I used the preschooler chore chart! I love seeing JoeAnna grow in her abilities to accomplish tasks and her help really helps!!

Here's my list ready to go!

Mommy Teach Me!

First attempt at non-plastic scissors. I think we both learned a valuable lesson... 

Sorting: (much easier and less clothes threatening) Develops concentration, visual discrimination, and coordination. She did great! (Easy clean up, and I purchased these "gems" at the dollar store.)

First Book Received

So far so good with the Paper Book Swap! Here's my first book received today, I requested it on Monday! I hope to update it more tonight and come up with a reading plan and wish list for the rest of the year. Any suggestions? Please leave a comment and let me know what books have impacted your thinking lately.

Now these books are at the library!

I mentioned in the previous entry that I'm having to use the Paper Book Swap because not all the books I need for the Sonlight curriculum are at the library, or I don't have enough information about them to thoroughly search for them.
But I just found this awesome list of books and so far I have 5 of them on hold at the library!
10 picture books that teach important life lessons from Simplemom.net
Check out the list and tell me what you think! Have you read any of these before? I'll let you know what I pick them up if I like them, or if the kids like them. I like that the list also summarizes what the life lesson is from each book. I can pick and choose in the future that way.
Library tomorrow, I just can't wait!

Day 220

Finished another book. Not quite so important as the last one I blogged, yet important and distinct none the less. As I read this book, I was challenged by the author's drive to seek devotion, to seek healing, and to seek balance. Although I was challenged by the author, I was not inspired to copy or follow her. Instead I contemplated the author's journey making note of the things she did well, the things that are similar to my own, and the things that she gained through different disciplines, and now I am ready to articulate for the world my own journey. As I read, I was motivated to learn myself, giving attention to the areas of my mind and heart that I so often ignore for the sake of "making it through the day." Also, I was motivated to be more disciplined in my pursuit of God, to take on new activities of devotion to Him, and to write about it.

Let me be the first to introduce you to a new amateur author - myself. I've started writing something real and I'm going to go for it. I hope to interview this author someday, and tell her about my saving faith. But for now, I'm okay with praying for her.
So, the book was Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. Do you think I should go see the movie? Hmm...

My Experience with PaperBackSwap.com

(I want everyone to know that I'm not working for or getting paid to advertise for PaperBackSwap.com; it's just so cool I can't help but be a little obsessed with it.)
Okay, here goes: I received an email from a friend explaining how this swap works (the info in the email is the same information below in the previous blog post). I followed the link in the email to Swap Books for Free - PaperBackSwap.com and registered. I posted 10 of my own books that I've read, they are in good condition, and I don't want them any more. And only a few hours later I got an email that someone wanted a book of mine. I went to my account, saw the message, responded that I could send the book within 2 days (and you need to know that the prompts on this site are well organized, I don't have to do a lot of searching around to help myself - what I need to do is spelled out and linked to within every message). Then once I clinked the button "I can send this book" it took me to a page detailing how to send the book to the person requesting it with the option to "Print a wrapper" which is a 2 page print out - one page has my return and address and the address of the person it's going to with all the correct info (shown below). It's very easy to follow.

They recommend wrapping the book in plastic to keep it water proof - I put this one in a quart size ziplock.

Here the book is all wrapped (I printed on construction paper because we are currently out of regular.) You can ship any book from home with stamps as long as it weighs less than 13oz. And they will tell you (under wear I placed the stamps it says) how much the book you are sending approximately weighs and the correct postage for that weight! I just do the math and add the stamps.
So here's the cool thing for me: I posted 10 books and received 2 credits, which means I can browse their site and choose 2 books to be sent to me (like I've detailed the books I've sent out) AND for every book of mine that is chosen I get a credit - one-for-one. Since these pictures were taken of the second book I've sent I now have 4 credits for 4 new (to-me) books!
Take home message: I just love getting new books!!!

PaperBackSwap Details

Here's the deal (copied straight from Swap Books for Free - PaperBackSwap.com):

•You have books in good condition that you do not want to keep.



•After you have Posted the first 10 books to your bookshelf, you get 2 "startup" credits from PBS to get you started swapping. After that, you earn credits by sending out books to others. Only the first account for a household receives startup credits.


•You may order any available book for 1 credit each (paperback/hardcover). audio books cost 2 credits each.


•If you want a book that is not currently available, you can place it on your Wish List and we will notify you by email when it is available for you to order. You can even have it sent to you automatically when it becomes available, with no email necessary.


•When a book is requested from you, we notify you by email, provide the address for you to send it out, and even provide a wrapper!


•wrap and mail your book.


•When the requestor receives it, you earn 1 credit (2 if it is an audio book). Yes, you pay the postage to send out your books, but when you request a book, the sender ships it to you free of charge!


•The books you receive from PBS are yours. We hope that you will repost them to share with other members when you have read them, but you can certainly keep them, or give them away. Similarly, the books you send out to others belong to their new owners.


PBS is a great way to share books with people all over the country!


Swap Books for Free - PaperBackSwap.com