Doodle Acres » Weblogs

A Blogger Mom Roadtrip

Heather — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 04:02:03 +0000

Last Thursday and Friday, we were privileged to spend two wonderful days in Pennsylvania with two blogger mom families. We (the children and I) headed out to Lancaster at 4:30 a.m. Only those who live on Long Island understand the need to beat the morning rush hour through NYC. :) At 7 a.m. I headed into a rest-stop and took an hour and a half nap. This nap enabled me to revive enough to enjoy our visits.

Thursday was spent with the Quigleys of Family-Centered Life. The children got along great. My children discovered the joys of “Rock Band” and the day just flew by as Michele and I chatted about home-schooling, blogging, good books, food, dieting, calendars, planners, marriage, friendship, etc. Neither of us are quiet and from my perspective, we never lacked for a mutually enjoyable subject on which to share. (You can click on the photos to enlarge them)

Friday was spent with the Kimberlees (that’s our nickname for them) of Pondered in My Heart. We all had a hoot. They are just as creative and fun as they come across in their blog. The older children spent much of the day shooting a script-less medieval themed short film, filmed and directed by Josiah of Random Interesting Stuff. Kimberlee and I talked for hours about home-schooling, baking, books, home-schooling paperwork, portfolios, babies, etc., while the little ones (Peter, Eliza, and Kateri) enjoyed playing together in Kimberlee and Michael’s beautiful home.

Friday evening as we headed home, we said many prayers as we traveled through NYC. My GPS (we call her “Jane”) took us through a part of the city I am unfamiliar with and we prayed many prayers as we traveled through the Holland Tunnel and Canal Street. Jesus, the Blessed Mother, St. Michael, and our guardian angels all delivered big time!!! We even made it home before midnight!!!

My children are already “nagging” me to make a return visit to PA to see their new friends. Hope, Lenny, and Lily have all requested to come with me to the Family-Centered Learning Conference in July (which is where I first met these lovely families last summer). So this year’s conference should be even more fun!!!

A big thank you to the Quigleys and the Kimberlees for their willingness to share their homes with us for a brief but uplifting visit!!!

Family First

Heather — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 23:10:19 +0000

Laura over at Heavenly Homemakers has started a series called Women with a Mission: Family First.

It was exactly what I needed to hear and I hope you will check it out.

Shopping for Time

Heather — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 13:17:06 +0000

One of my favorite parts of being on vacation in Vermont, as I am now, is that I get a chance to read, read, read!!! Well this morning I just finished a wonderful book called Shopping for Time by Carolyn Mahaney, Nicole Whitacre, Kristin Chesemore, and Janelle Bradshaw. It is an easy read and yet very thought provoking. I have just come through a period of two months of running, running, running and this book is very timely for me as I seek to find balance in my life. There are so many good things to do, so many good opportunities but what are the best choices for my family and me. This book has helped me by reminding me that all my days need to be started by ”sitting at Jesus’ feet.” It’s been a while since I’ve done that!!! And I know from personal experience what peace that can bring to my life. Shopping for Time offers practical solutions and ideas for finding the time to sit at Jesus’ feet and to live a proactive lifestyle rather than a reactive one, and much more. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!!!

P.S. The authors (a mother and her daughters) have a blog called GirlTalk…

Home Education: Delicious and Nutritious by Melissa Wiley

Heather — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 11:21:33 +0000

I just read a wonderful post over at “Here in the Bonny Glenn” by Melissa Wiley about homeschooling and the concerns of well-intentioned nay-sayers. It is incredibly accurate and funny!!! I encourage you to take a meander over there to enjoy Melissa’s insight and wit!!!

HT: Michele at The Family-Centered Life

Less is Better

Heather — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 00:09:23 +0000

“Less is better. Little things done daily are better than grand plans. Give your children lots of tiny moments. When they approach the computer turn your chair around and look them in the eye and if you find more in their eyes than on the screen get up and take them on a nature walk or read a book to them.”

This is a quote from a post on Dominion Family - in fact this is the last post that will be written by this blogger who is signing off. Her post is thought-provoking and timely. I would encourage you to read it, especially if your internet/blogging habit can get the best of you (as it does to me sometimes).

Where I’ve been…

Heather — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 13:34:35 +0000

I get wanderlust just looking at this map!!!

create your own visited states map

HT: Mary Ellen

Exercise with Frodo

Heather — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 23:11:47 +0000

For those of you couch potatoes like me who are looking for a way to get in shape after the holidays, I came across a website that has the “Walk to Rivendell” challenge. We can walk ourselves healthy following Frodo’s path. They have different distances that represent different parts of his journey. Anyway, I thought it might be a good motivator for LOTR fans like me!!!

Do I Treat My Family as Lovingly and Kindly as I Would a Stranger on the Street?

Heather — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 14:38:09 +0000

I just read a beautiful post by Cay Gibson over at Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks. I think it is particularly appropriate during this Christmas season when I can feel squeezed and the “victims” of those stressed feelings are those that I love the most on God’s green earth – my husband and children. Cay asks the question, “Do I treat my family as lovingly and kindly as I would a stranger on the street?”. Good question, Cay! I need to take these feelings of conviction and turn them into action!!!

Brighter Than the Sun – Alice Gunther

Heather — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 20:34:49 +0000

Dearest Alice of Cottage Blessings has another wonderful column in the Long Island Catholic. It is called Brighter than the Sun. Be sure to get your tissues ready!!!

Money Saving Tips from Crystal Paine

Heather — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 22:08:06 +0000

Crystal Paine has a new blog called Money Saving Mom. Her post called “Simple Tips for Living on Little” is very insightful and inspiring. Through her course, Supermarket Savings, I have made great strides in reducing my grocery budget. I had a budget of $180 a week to feed our family of six. This sounds like a lot but we were spending much more than that!!! We were constantly digging ourselves out of a hole. For the last 12 weeks, I have been spending $120 a week and I have been paying $60 a week down as a principal only payment on my mortgage. So believe it or not, this $17.97 course has saved me $720 (really more due to my overspending) in 12 weeks. I am so impressed with this course that I have signed on to her affiliate program. So if you are interested in the course, please click the link above or on my sidebar. I hope it will bless you as much as it has me!!!

P.S. I should tell you that Crystal feeds her family of 4 on $35/week!!! I don’t think I’ll every reach that level but I do plan to go to $100 a week after the first of the year…