Cloud Nine

Changes, Changes, Changes...

2010-02-14T22:46:00.000-06:00

Wow! It's been nearly a year since I last posted. Lots and lots of changes since then. Our family has grown. My Sweet Baby Boy joined us on August 7th, 2009. Another beautiful water birth at home. He's 6 months old now and doing great. The Boss(AKA 21/2 yos)started receiving in home speech therapy about 6 months ago. He is finally starting to really speak! Definitely not talking like the other kids did at his age but still he is trying to talk. We have moved to a new house. We have a new dog. We just got new appliances and furniture. I am so very grateful for everything. I want to start doing some reviews soon but tonight I'm just happy to be back.

Nadler-Dill Look-alike Meter

2009-03-15T14:13:00.001-05:00

MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Family photos - Pedigree

Nadler-Dill Look-alike Meter

2009-03-15T14:03:00.001-05:00

MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Free family tree - Family tree search

Another great give-away!

2009-03-14T22:28:00.002-05:00

This one is for a copy of the book Breastfeeding with Comfort and Joy: A Photographic Guide for Mom and Those Who Help Her, by Laura Keegan! Here is where you can sign up for the give-away...
http://womantowomancbe.wordpress.com/2009/03/06/100000-hits-party-and-giveaway/
And here is where you can purchase the book yourself...
https://www.lifeforcefamilyhealth.com/breastfeeding_book.htm

Win a free Bumgenius 3.0 Diaper!

2009-03-14T22:15:00.000-05:00

This is a valuable All-In-One cloth diaper that you can use for yourself or give as a gift to someone expecting a baby! Go check out Hot Belly Mama's Blog for details on how to win this wonderful All In One Cloth Diaper. Hot Belly Mama will announce the winner on March 30th, after her 30th birthday!

Here is the direct link to her blog:
http://hotbellymama.blogspot.com/
Good luck!

My Pregnant Belly at 14 Weeks w/Baby #9!

2009-02-16T21:29:00.002-06:00

Well, ladies here we are in all our glory.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3275/...584b465e_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3201/...ba14002e_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3177/...84c6a272_o.jpg

Angela

2009-02-16T20:28:00.001-06:00

100% FREE K-12Another Awesome Freebie! Tailored Tutoring Programs in Math and Reading!

2009-02-16T19:26:00.002-06:00

This info is taken from the Mindsprinting home page. I love this website!

MINDsprinting is 100% FREE. 5 good reasons to Enroll Today!

1.

Comprehensive Assessment Tests
Our Tests determine school grade level, skill gaps, and enable us to tailor our programs to a student's needs. You receive diagnostic results promptly, and if a Test is taken multiple times you can select which results to use for that program.
2.

Coordinated Math (K-12) Tutoring. [View Sample Lessons/Curriculum]
Each student receives two tailored programs in which we assign teaching and practice lessons:
* Personal Math: Tailored to each student on the basis of skills that should have been mastered by his/her grade level and the ones he/she has actually mastered. Students can fill skill gaps from prior grades at their own pace, without peer pressure, and raise their skills to grade level and beyond without any limits. Ideal for remedial and enrichment purposes.
* State Standards Math: Addresses all skills, by grade and by state, students must know for the annual NCLB-required exam. Over 50 different programs - we track your state's standards exactly! We tailor the program to assign lessons for all required skills in a student's grade that are not yet mastered (and show you the ones that have been mastered too).

You can use either program alone - but together they are a one-of-a-kind teaching tool that provides individualized tutoring AND state exam preparation at the same time!
3.

Reading Tutoring (K-12) [View Sample Lessons/Curriculum]
* Reading Excellence (K-3): Teaches children how to read and write from the very beginning.
* Reading Comprehension (4-12): Improves students' understanding of what they read.
4.

User Friendly System.
An easy-to-use website - no training is required. Start immediately after you enroll.
* The Dashboard: Manage students and access features from one page.
* Fast Tracking: Select, skip or repeat lessons for one or all students.
* Reports: Detailed Transcripts; Progress Reports, and Custom Reports.
* Printed lessons: No sitting in front of a computer required.
5.

IT'S ALL FREE!
Convenient, quality tutoring (our proven curriculum has been honed for over 20 years and been approved for NCLB tutoring) is now available to you at no cost.
* Parents: Help your child improve from the comfort of your own home.
* Teachers: Take advantage of this easy-to-use, multi-purpose tool; give your students their own personalized tutoring programs - ones that make it easy for parents to get involved too!
* Students: Take control of your future. Get the tutoring you deserve and maximize your abilities.

ENROLL NOW - for FREE

Or learn more by taking a tour
Teachers, click here for more detailed information

Homeschool Freebies!

2009-02-16T19:16:00.002-06:00

If you haven't already you really should check out this awesome resource for homeschoolers. There is something different every single weekday and it is always a free download! Here is this weeks list. Enjoy!

Monday, Feb 16th:
Great President's Day Resource Links! (links)

Want to make the most of President's Day? Check out these
Lesson Plans, virtual tours, poetry & the actual papers
of presidents Washington & Lincoln!

Tuesday, Feb 17th:
A Chinese Wonder Book (PDF ebook)

This fascinating collection of Chinese stories and legends,
edited by Maggie Hogan of Bright Ideas Press, is a great
literature-based introduction to the rich history and
culture of China. Includes a read-aloud guide.

Wednesday, Feb 18th:
"Harriet Tubman & the Railway to Freedom" (MP3 audio)

A classic old time radio dramatization of the story of
Harriet Tubman and the activities of
the "underground railroad" during slave years.

Thursday, Feb 19th:
Blessed Is The Man: High School Unit Study Sampler (PDF ebook)

"Blessed is the Man" is a wonderful High School Unit Study
geared to Christian young men, and based on Psalm 1.
Today's resource is this extensive 74 page preview
of the complete four year curriculum - normally $10 on the
publisher's website - but yours to download today!
If you have growing boys in your household, DON'T MISS THIS!

Friday, Feb 20th:
Creatively Simple: How to Make Butter in the Blender (PDF ebook)

Learning to make butter is something everyone should do at least once.
This simple ebook by Penny Raine can teach you how, using items you
probably already have in your kitchen. Detailed instructions and lots of
pictures.

You can get all of these on their respective days at www.HomeschoolFreebieOfTheDay.com

I think I've found the coolest diaperbag pattern ever!

2009-01-16T19:18:00.002-06:00

This diaperbag, The Onbag, looks so cool! I can't wait to make one! I will have to add it to my list.

Things I am planning/hoping to make for baby.

2009-01-15T23:47:00.007-06:00

Things to Make for Baby
diapers
newborn diapers
soft soled shoes
more shoes
tag blankie
hats
DIY BabyLegs
bibs
longies
soakers
More shoes
more bibs
even more bibs
shirts & dresses
stuffed toys
pants
t-shirt dress
lap t-shirt
layette
wool quilt
crib sheet
diaper bag
another diaper bag
more clothes
The Onbag diaperbag
pillowcase dress
diaper shirt

I'm back! And I'm pregnant!

2009-01-15T20:20:00.003-06:00

I'm back. Or, at least I am trying to get back to blogging. We've been having some strange computer issues and we have recently discovered that I am expecting baby number 9! Or if the little ones have any say it will be number 9 & 10! Yikes! So now I am just trying to keep up with day to day life and beginning to plan for a new little one. Soon I am planning to post some links to the things that I plan to make & purchase for our new little one.
Namaste,
Blessings,
Angela

Sign up to receive an email reminder to get free samples.

2008-11-30T14:41:00.002-06:00

Free Samples
I get an email daily to remind me to check the shop4freebies.com website and request the free samples that I am interested in receiving. If you haven't already signed up it is worth an extra email in your inbox every day. Most days I only request a few samples but today I requested the following:
1.Dunkin' Donuts coffee sample
2.Chocoalte Covered Pomogranite Seeds
3.Néctavida liquid supplement
4.A FREE GLOW STICK!
5.8 Child Safety Kits
6. free Sample of NicoDerm CQ and a $7 coupon for NicoDerm® CQ® with Smart Control
7.Bodi Heat Sample
8.New Fisher Price DVD
9.100ml sample bottle of Sabatino Tartufi Gourmet Olive Oil
10.Celebrate Urban Birds kit containing a beautiful color poster, information on urban greening, and bird identification for 16 common species.

Click here to get your free sample of Dunkin Donuts Coffee!

2008-11-30T13:58:00.000-06:00

Breastfeeding awards!

2008-11-23T18:31:00.002-06:00

This ribbon signifies that I have spent 5 plus years of my life as a breastfeeding mamma!

I really wanted to add this ribbon to my blog as a widget thingy but I can't figure out how to do it. So I figured at least this way if/when I actually have readers, they can enjoy these cool ribbons, too! There are about 10 different colored ribbons ranging from 6 weeks breastfeeding to 5 years + breastfeeding. In our society it is a heroic act of courage, selflessness and fortitude if we manage to successfully breastfeed at all. It is sometimes near impossible to leave the house without our efforts being undermined and out right sabotaged . We rarely get a pat on the back and we certainly don't expect any rewards! Now go get yourself a ribbon! You deserve it! And if anyone can tell me how to add links to my blog without including them in a post I would be so grateful!

Free Samples!

2008-11-23T17:43:00.003-06:00

This is a great resource for requesting free samples. You can even sign up for emails to remind you to request them. They could be great stocking stuffers if you can manage to get to the mail box before one of your kids does. ;-)

Free Samples

Fleamarket Ship and Before Desk Makeover

2008-11-16T23:06:00.002-06:00

This ship was originally $28. It was marked down to $14 and the man selling it was not anxious to cart it back home with him so he offered it to me for $10 when he saw my son looking at it.

The desk we picked up for free a long time ago when some of the kids were enrolled in private school. I am planning to give it a makeover soon so these are the before photos.

The

Flea Market Bargains

2008-11-16T22:18:00.006-06:00

I got the rolling pin for $5. I have been wanting one like it (all one piece) forever. And the table runner was $2! I think the jar of notions was $2.

Flea Market Finds

2008-11-16T21:24:00.002-06:00

I should have saved these for Christmas but my little guy was with me and I gave the sorting toy to him already. It was $2. It's made by Plan Toys, I think.

The Betsy Clark doll I bought for myself because I had one just like her when I was little and I just couldn't resist. I probably paid too much though, $12.

What's Your Ecological Footprint?

2008-11-14T00:20:00.003-06:00

I took the ecological footprint quiz and it was pretty enlightening. I think I'll actually take it again though because I didn't save my results. Arghh! Check it out.
http://www.myfootprint.org/en/visitor_information/

Little Guy Enjoying a Bath

2008-10-23T01:10:00.000-05:00

He loves the water!

Little Guy enjoying a bath

2008-10-23T01:07:00.000-05:00

He loves the water!

Yumm!

2008-10-23T00:58:00.000-05:00

This mornings coffee cake.

Cage-free farm fresh eggs from Uncle Buddies chickens. No antibiotics or hormones and free! The basket was full a couple days ago. Now if I could just find a free source of gasoline!

My little guy has graduated to big boy hot cereal. MMMM...cream of wheat with beaten eggs cooked into the cereal. Quick, easy, healthy & delicious!

And isn't he doing a great job feeding himself? You should have seen him when he was finished eating. What a mess!

I was tagged by Jodi at This Handmade Life

2008-10-20T01:02:00.005-05:00

Ok, so i wasn't actually personally tagged (Jodi's number 7 just says "#7. You. If you have a blog go for it.")but still here goes. The rules are as follows:

1. Link to the person who tagged you and post the rules on your blog.

2. Share 7 random or weird facts about yourself.

3. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.

4. Let each person know that they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

My 7 random facts:

1. Once upon a time I was a showgirl with Ringling Bros. & Barnum & Bailey Circus. I danced and rode elephants.
2. I have 8 beautiful children.
3. My 4th child was born in our van just moments before arriving at the hospital.
4. I am addicted to caffeine in the form of soda, coffee & tea.
5. Things I can't stand/I fear are large crowds of people, snug things on or near my neck(i.e. turtlenecks & choker necklaces), covers over my face when I go to sleep and the thought of being trapped in a car/ship under water and drowning.
6. My fiance is ten years younger than me.
7. Our 8th child was born at home. We had a water birth and it was wonderful! And yes, it was planned.

7 People I am tagging:

1. Judy at Simply Thrift
2. Lynne at Molly Chicken
3. Danielle at Princess Nimble Thimble
4. Jenny at Natural Family Blog
5. mj at Making Do With the Not So New
6. Monica at Joyful Nine
7. Jill at Homemade by Jill

No new pictures! I'm so sad.

2008-10-17T01:02:00.002-05:00

My wonderfully talented dd1 has misplaced my camera. So I can't take any new pictures for now. I'm so disappointed. Oh well, I guess that gives me more time for homeschooling, sewing, embroidery and knitting. Hurray! Chiropractor has given me the go ahead to start knitting again!!! It's been over 2 months (or is it 3?) I think it's been 2 months since I knit a preemie hat for my niece and another month or 2 before that since I had knit anything. I miss it so much! I will have to post pics after I knit something. That is, as soon as I find my camera.

2008-10-13T14:25:00.000-05:00

I forgot about the bandanas for 10 cents each and the necklace dd4 got for 10 cents. It's the blue beaded one on the bottom. So my corrected grand total for the week is $22.84.

Simplifying and Staying Focused

2008-10-13T13:08:00.005-05:00

I seriously need to learn some budgeting skills! I am so bad at budgeting my time and my money. I am planning (or at least trying to plan) a schedule that will bring some semblance of order to our lives and allow time for all the things that I need and want to accomplish. I can't decide if I should plan a weekly rotation, daily rotation or what? Here is my to do list:

homeschool
cooking
cleaning
household organizing
sewing & crafts
blogging & other computer stuff
dr's appointments & field trips
grocery shopping & other errands
thrift shopping & yard sales

So how do I organize it all? I am reading tips on scheduling over at http://oldfashionedhomemaking.com/
I am particularly focusing on this post right now http://oldfashionedhomemaking.com/2006/08/23/simplifying-your-life-with-unique-scheduling.aspx
Now I just have to decide which option works best for us. This is the hardest part for me I think. Argh! If I could just pick one already and then stick to it! Ask me where some of my kids get their ADD tendencies from?

Thrift Store Bargains.

2008-10-12T20:52:00.001-05:00

I found this craft book at Goodwill for $1 and the zippers and embroidery floss at another local thrift store. The zippers were 25 cents each and the embroidery floss was 10 cents each. I bought all 6 zippers and all 6 embroidery floss. Total cost was $3.10. So that brings this weeks grand total to $22.24. Wow! That seems way too high but it's still a bargain when you consider the cost if I had purchased new full priced items.

2008-10-12T20:46:00.001-05:00

Merino wool sweaters for $3.99 at Goodwill. And they're striped, too. I can't wait to felt them and make longies for my sleeping beauty.

Wow! All this yard sale and thrift store shopping has just worn him out.

More Yard Sale Treasures

2008-10-12T20:41:00.001-05:00

I love this cute little shelf. I was hesitant to spend $2 on 1 item at a yard sale but it was in good condition and I really liked it. Plus, I was planning to get another shelf soon anyway.

The books were only 60 cents total. So altogether $15.15 this week, I think.

Awesome yard sale finds

2008-10-12T18:44:00.001-05:00

Look! I got the Melissa & Doug wooden tool box toy for 25 cents! The stacking/nesting cubes were $2 but I really liked the art work and they would probably cost $10 new. Plus they are in perfect condition. The tool box is missing a few key components, namely the hammer but we already have one at home so it didn't really matter. Plus, at fifteen months old my little guy has just as much fun dumping & refilling the box anyway.

I love this beaded necklace with the butterfly's but when I tried it on I discovered that it is a choker so it will be a gift for someone. I can't stand to have anything remotely constricting around my neck. I don't even wear turtlenecks. The bright and colorful beads are a bracelet and the loose beads were a bracelet. They only cost 10 cents each so I wasn't too upset when the elastic broke. We will recycle the beads for a craft project, probably the denim purses the girls and I are working on.

These are my absolute favorite yard sale find this week! I suppose they were a bit pricey for a yard sale but I am so happy with them. I just love the vintage look they have. And the set of stoneware crocks I got for a $1. It is actually a dip cooler. You put ice in the bottom of the tall one and dip in the little one. Then the little one fits in the top of the taller one. I like it as a utensil crock for now.

This pillow and small quilt were 50 cents each. So my total was $12.55 How on earth does one stick to a $5 per week budget for thrift stores and yard sales?

New Craft Books

2008-10-12T16:35:00.001-05:00

These are my new craft books. They just got here so I haven't had time to actually use them yet but I've been enjoying browsing through them.