How to title this.. hmm..

I've been reading Ron Clark's book "The End of Molasses Classes". I hadn't intended to actually REVIEW it, but it does make me ponder a few things. I have to admit that it's great hearing about all the cool things he and his school are doing for the kids. Most of his points, though, seemed more common sense to me. It's a shame that someone has to actually write down things that parents should know. I'm not sure where we took a turn from helping our kids to either over controlling (doing their work for them) to over permissive (no controls whatsoever). I do know that when I was growing up, my parents made sure I had the tools I needed to succeed, but then let me do it on my own. They also were certain to punish me (we had a switch bush outside, not far from the porch) if I overstepped my bounds.

I'm not going to debate corporal punishment. The extremists on both sides already have way too much fun with that. I will state, though, that used wisely it can be a good thing. Do I spank my kids? Not really. I don't have a need to. They know that if it comes to it, I WILL spank them and they'd prefer that to not happen. My children also know that actions have consequences and they're usually good about thinking things through before acting. For the most part, I'm spoiled. I have really good kids that hang out with other good kids.

Back to the book, though. I loved reading about Mr. Clark's enthusiasm for teaching kids. I wish more teachers had it, or had a way to follow through with it. Usually we find it in public school in our new teachers. Those that a friend of mine and I call "shiny like a new penny". Then you wait and give them some time and you watch the shine dull. It's a side effect of the way the community expects them to be. They're the new day care centers for the kids. The parents drop them off at school, expect teachers to parent them AND teach them, and then expect to only have to feed them and put them to bed at night.

I'm not a teacher. I went the route of substitute for a while to see if I wanted to go through the state program to become one. I decided after a year that while teachers have my utmost respect, I can't be one of them. Did I see those parents that I mentioned? Absolutely. I saw those that had no clue what to do with a child in the first place. I also saw those that were very active in their child's life. Public schools run the gamut. They aren't capable, though, of doing what Mr. Clark mentions without some major overhauls.

So, would I recommend the book? I honestly don't know. As I said, it was fun reading about the things that have happened over the years with his students. It's great to know there's a school like his that is doing so well. I find it fantastic that he's trying to influence teachers by having them visit. I, personally, didn't find his advice helpful. That's likely because I'm already doing most of it without thinking about it. I would hope, though, that maybe some other teachers will read it and maybe they can help start the revolution our public schools need.

Girl's Talk

Given my lack of inspiration this week, I'm following through with a meme. I've done one for this site before, so I went back again to get my writing prompt. The theme for the month has been color. The theme for this week, though, is blue.

Blue for me brings to mind several things. The blue of my son's Choi uniform.

The blue of my macaw's feathers..

The blue of the sky on a pretty day..

The blue on the side of my house that needs to be repainted.. (though this one isn't quite as happy an association)

Wordless Wednesday

Her face says it all..

Her first trip to the county fair as a "big girl" to ride the rides by herself. Way too precious.

LOL Cats

see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!

Post creation (or lack thereof)

I'm at a loss for post subjects and feel guilty looking for writing prompts to fill in the space. While my family was active this weekend, I can't say we did anything particularly note worthy. Not to mention the fact that I didn't take any pictures. I always take pictures. So when I don't have pictures, I don't have inspiration to create posts. AHH! Anyway, it's quite likely that my writing will be sparse for a bit until either my family does something interesting, or I find some form of inspiration to write about.

Mitochondrial Disease Awareness Week

My kids have several friends who are affected by this disease. So, in honor of them, I created this post. I won't try to explain all the ins and outs of the disease, I don't know that I understand it all. You can, though, get more information about it from the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation.

Wordless Wednesday

How I feel many days when it comes to my kids..

Review: Christian Encounters Galileo

Christian Encounters: Galileo by Mitch Stokes

An interesting biography of Galileo's life and the things that affected his views. Starting with his discovery of mathematics and the fact that it fascinated him enough to drop out of Medical school, to the successes he achieved later in life. We learn that there is something as observation and then there's OBSERVATION. Noting that a gas light swings and the arc that the light leaves behind has a mathematical explanation is just one thing that sets Galileo apart.

You find just how much of a profound effect that Aristotle and Copernicus had on what Galileo thought. The conflict between Galileo and the philosophers are present through out his history. Eventually the conflict with the church, something that seems to put science against theology at odds, becomes a major issue as well. All together, it's an interesting perspective on the life of Galileo. I will admit, though, that I had a hard time finishing the book.

I received this book free from BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

PSA: FurKids Open House

My kids and I visited the FurKids' shelter Sunday. As usual we found several kitties that were adorable. We re-met up with Lucretia, an oversize sweetie who was happy to be petted.

And then we met Daisy, a newcomer to FurKids. An absolute doll of a cat.

We're starting the adoption process for kitties for my daughter. She's been earning the right to have a cat of her own by taking care of our current two. She's done well with that, so now she has to earn the adoption fee (or a majority of it).

In other news from FurKids, they're having an Open House this upcoming weekend (Sept. 24-25) at their shelter. It's from 11a-4p. There will be festivities featuring their cats, dogs, door prizes and a BAKE SALE too. For more information, check out their web site: http://www.furkids.org

Review: The Harvest of Grace

The Harvest of Grace by Cindy Woodsmall

Reeling from an unexpected betrayal, Sylvia makes a painful mistake that forces her to seek work far from her family. Can she find relief from the echoes of her past, or will they shape her future forever?

This is a continuation of the Ada's House series. Fortunately, if you haven't read the others, it gives you a summary of the other stories at the start. For me, it jumps a little too much to tell the stories of the characters. The book is well written and enjoyable, I just found the switches took a bit of getting used to for the read.

Set in an Amish community, we meet Sylvia. She finds out the hard way that the man she loves has asked her sister to marry her. She reels from this and tries to manage her pain while still living at home. When the entire family gets sick, events take place that make the betrayal even harder to bear. She leaves the family farm to take up a position with the Blank family.

The Blank family has their own problems. Only son Aaron is a recovering alcoholic who is determined to have his parents sell the farm and move into "town" with him. His father is angry and resentful of Aaron's past. They constantly argue until Aaron storms out of the house one day. Because of the events this sets in motion, the family manages to talk and resolve their problems.

All in all, a good read. I sat and enjoyed it in a single sitting. A wonderful way of relating life to God's forgiveness.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. I was not required to write a positive review.

Saturday's Lilburn City Garage Sale

Saturday,Sept 17th, I'll be in downtown Lilburn participating in the citywide Yard Sale. I'll have plenty of "stuff" to sell. Stop by and visit.

Georgia Tech Mini Maker's Faire

I found out about this through the Home School groups that I follow. It was a small gathering of people that make things by hand. The mini Maker's Faire had everything from crafts to robotics and was cool to see.

This truck was completely electric. It would go up to 60mph and travel approx. 45 miles on a single charge.

A glass blower demonstrating his skill

A blacksmith making mini-swords out of nails.

Clothes made out of recyclables..

And of course the robots.. this one is a remote-controlled skateboard

Egg-bot engraved/burned designs on wooden eggs

Lawnbot was a remote-programmable lawnmower..

This is one of those that would compete in a big FIRST robotics competition.

Then there were the all-time favorites.. (yes, they work)

Wordless Wednesday

She didn't want her 80's picture taken..

The stake-out shot..

Warm Springs, GA

My friend and I like to explore stores. As FD Roosevelt State Park, the Little White House, and Warm Springs Pools were here, we couldn't pass up the opportunity to explore the little town too. We didn't really purchase much, but we had fun looking around. This was a local restaurant called Bulloch Hall. We didn't eat here (we decided we were underdressed), we ate at a local diner instead.

This is an old steam engine on display on the main street. It's cool that this was so prominently displayed.

For at least part of the time, the kids and husbands sat outside of the small hotel.

The hotel itself is 100+ years old. They have a cool mini-museum inside too.

An old phonebooth inside the hotel.. beware, hubby changing into super-something-or-other..

An old fire extinguisher.. hidden in a corner in the hotel, but a cool find.

This vault was actually in the rear of one of the shops. This was the vault door.

You can see the brickwork forming the vault and the safe that's still in the back.

I love to explore old towns as you never really know what you'll find.. now to teach family patience while I shop.. ;)

FDR's Little White House

What's a trip down to Warm Springs without visiting FDR's Little White House? We explored this after breaking down camp Sunday. It was rainy out so this made a good activity before heading home. The first part was a movie, which was interesting (even held the kids' attention), followed by a museum with various aspects of FDR's life. They even had one of FDR's cars inside. What's special about it (other than that it was FDR's) is that it has hand controls.

This one wasn't actually in the museum, it was in the garage of the Little White House

This is in the gardens.

When in the gardens, there's a walk of flags. At the end of that walk is the old museum.

At the other end of the gardens is the house itself. On either side of the gate were guard posts. This one was for the Marine on duty. The other was secret service.

After the guard posts you'll see the visitor's quarters (left) and the garage (with servant's quarters above) (right)

The house itself. As "big" as FDR was, I half expected the house to be much larger than it was. But that was the time period, I guess. It was still a very nice house.

10th Anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001

My daughter was a babe in arms, we were at Disney World. We watched it unfold in a VIP lounge at EPCOT on TV. We witnessed it there and the effects it had on us. We visited the Memorial at the Pentagon this past spring to pay our respects. I found this a fitting tribute.

FD Roosevelt State Park

After swimming in the pools, the wives sent the husbands back to the campground with the kids. HA! Anyway, they made a side trip to Dowdell's Knob. I found this video with the pictures on my camera after.