More Freebies
February 22nd, 2010

Hi folks!  I just wanted to let you know about some freebies i came across today.

http://instoresnow.walmart.com/enhancedrendercontent_ektid84220.aspx
Free sample of Tide – Get a Free Sample* Plus a $1-off Coupon for Tide® Plus Febreze Freshness™
When i registered for the free sample, i was also offered many other goodies, including free diapers – Pampers® Cruisers® With Dry Max.

http://www.startsampling.com/sm/101118/quickQuestions.iphtml?item=101118&source=&ss_id=&key=1c4d9fdaedb386c4bfdf1fc77b8e907e
A free South Beach Living S’more Bar. 

http://instoresnow.walmart.com/enhancedrendercontent_ektid84212.aspx
A free trial size of Olay Total Effects Body Wash. 

http://instoresnow.walmart.com/enhancedrendercontent_ektid84184.aspx
Sample size of Crest 3D White Whitestrips

http://instoresnow.walmart.com/In-Stores-Now-music-downloads.aspx
Free music downloads

I was pretty excited to send for my free stuff.  Thought you guys might want some freebies, too.

Laurie

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Tags: , , , , , , , , | Posted in Family, Free stuff, Health |
Parent-Teacher Conference
February 16th, 2010

Homeschooling is hard work.  Yes, work.  But those of us that choose to do it, do so for a reason.  While there are many reason that I, personally, homeschool (see http://laurieharley.com/homeschool/WhyHomeschool.htm), the one that pleases me the most is the ability to teach my children to teach themselves.  Yeah, I teach them reading, writing, and ‘rithmetic and all that.  But my main goal is to teach them to learn… to instill in each of them the desire to continually improve oneself. 

When we go to the store or library to get school books and my kids beg me to “play” with them as soon as we get home (or even on the ride home), I know I’m doing an okay job. 

Allie (Kindergarten) loves workbooks and flashcards.  She pleaded to fill the pages of the 1st grade workbook we got at Ollie’s.  Third-grader Annie, on the other hand, is more hands on.  She got a bird field guide and has startedThe kids filling a bird-watching notebook with pictures and identification markers for each bird she sees.  She is planning a bird-watchers club, for which she has made posters and began a web site.  This is an individual project that she did on her own. 

Both of my daughters love to learn.

Their teacher is so proud.

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Tags: , , , , , , , , , | Posted in Family, Homeschool, Kids |
Smeared Fingerprints
February 12th, 2010

When you’re moving to a new house, you can uncover things about yourself and your family that might otherwise go unnoticed.  For me, it was the paint under the kitchen table.  One doesn’t often get the opportunity to clearly see the underside of her kitchen table. 

Our table is more than just a place to eat.  As a homeschool family, our table is a gathering place, a craft table, a learning spot.  And this was clearly evident as our table lay upside down and legless on our new dining room floor.  Pinks, yellows, and greens happily decorated the bottom of the table. Some colors ran there after a spill, some were placed there – whether on accident or on purpose, I’ll never know – by small fingers.  Regardless, the

scene made me smile, knowing that it won’t be long before my little ones are grown and I’m left with only memories and smeared fingerprints. 

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Tags: , , , , , , , , | Posted in Family, Homeschool |
Win a Free 42″ Vizio LCD TV!
January 20th, 2010

Why do i want a totally free 42″ Vizio LCD TV?  Well, probably to shut my husband up.  He’s a total electronics freak and wants an LCD TV so badly. In fact, just a few days ago, we actually browsed Best Buy to “see how low the prices have dropped.”  I think that he would totally flip out if i told him that i won him one.

Enter to win a FREE 42″ Vizio LCD TV!  I saw on one of their tweets that this is their first contest, so there’s a good chance that you can win.  :)  Just don’t win before i do. 

Follow @yrereviews and tweet for extra chances to win!

Get details here: http://www.youreviewelectronics.com/reviews/win-42-vizio-lcd-tv/


YouReviewElectronics.com LCD TV reviews

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FREE STUFF!! (It’s in CAPS; it’s gotta be good!)
January 20th, 2010

I have a friend who has a great blog that lists all sorts of freebies (Check the blogroll for Jessica Loves to Save Money.  I got some cool bags and a huge mailing tube in which to store my homeschool posters.  But it got me thinking that there are probably hundreds – if not thousands – of free samples across the web.  I found a few that aren’t on Jessica’s blog – but i’m sure will be soon!

Free Spongebob Cream of Wheat sample:  http://www.bgfoods.com/creamofwheat/default.asp?n=5

Free tea sample:
http://www.goldenteacompany.com/form1.html

Free sample of Hussana shampoo:
http://www.hussana.com/shop/free-halal-sample.php

Get a $10 coupon for Eukanuba Puppy Food:
http://www.puppystart.com/EukGlobal/US/en/jsp/prepuppy/Landing.jsp

Free sample of Sun Crystals (sugar substitute).  A $1.00 coupon is also available:
https://www.suncrystals.com/

Sam’s Club Members can get a free sample of Glad ForceFlex bags (Love these!):
http://www.samsclubmemberservices.com/events/gladBS.aspx

Free sample of Maven – Multi-Mineral Relaxer & Styling System:
https://www.mavenbeauty.com/free-samples-signup

Free sample of Prilosec OTC:
https://www.pgeverydaysolutions.com/pgeds/potc-brandsampler.jsp

Hope you enjoy some free stuff… i know that i will.  Thanks, Jessica, for being an inspiration.  Everyone, go to Jessica’s site… she has cool freebies like personalized watches and mousepads!

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How to avoid email scams: The Complete Guide
January 20th, 2010

 

Don’t be stupid.

 

_________________________

I just want to add as a footnote that i will most likely get all kinds of spam just for including this potentially computer-saving, money-saving guide.  But i’m willing to take that chance to ensure your safety on the Internet.

Sincerely,
LLH

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Ode to Saturday
January 16th, 2010

It’s Saturday.  I love Saturday and I don’t know why.  Others like it because they don’t have school or maybe they don’t work.  But since I’m a writer, my job is an any day responsibility.  So some Saturdays I work and some I don’t.  And I don’t go to school, but I do homeschool my kids.  In fact, just this morning we did a lesson on Egypt.  We did Egyptian Mad Libs.  We Googled real mummies and found the nearest museums that have mummies on display.  We talked about pharaohs and gods.  We even tried our hand (or eye) at hidden eye pictures of hieroglyphs.  I even let the kids order a mini-statue of Bastet, the patron goddess of cats, in the online bazaar.  (Check out http://www.neferchichi.com, when you do an Egyptian lesson for homeschool.)  I even caught flack from my Facebook family for having school on Saturday.  :)

Bastet, Goddess of Cats

Bastet, Goddess of Cats

So why is Saturday so special to me when it’s not a break from work or school?  I guess it’s more the idea of the day.  Saturday is a kids’ day.  It’s a play day and a fun day.  I can wear my PJs past noon or eat breakfast for dinner.  Saturday is like a holiday or a mini-vacation.  A day where your daughter might steal your nose or your son could tickle your toes.  (Both happened today.)  Saturday is recess with your friends or an all day birthday party.

Enjoy today.  In fact, enjoy tomorrow, too.

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I got a shopping spree for Christmas
January 15th, 2010

We just got back from Walmart.  Granny sent gift certificates for the entire family.  It was really neat to have “free” money to spend however we liked.  Funny how gift cards work that way.  I’ve been given cash for my birthday or holidays in the past.  And while I’ve always gotten myself a little something, I’ve usually spent the majority of it on groceries, bills, or diapers.  But a few years ago, I  had my first experience with gift cards.  I was given something that just didn’t suit me.  Family members were shocked that I wanted to return it, because apparently it was high on the wish list for many that year.  It was one of those digital movie and music players.  (See how with it I am?  I don’t even know what they’re called.)  I was encouraged to return it and get something else by the person who got it for me. 

I left the return desk with a gift card containing over $200.  All for me.  To spend in Walmart.  That Christmas was awesome!  It was like I received a shopping spree as a gift!  I bought clothes and hand weights, and this cool dangly lamp that I love.

So with gift cards in hand, we entered the Walmart after Christmas this year.  The girls were really frugal with their purchases.  Allison found a toy shopping cart on sale for only $5.  Annie was thrilled to find that Walmart sold Webkinz.  James bought a pair of much-needed shoes.  And me?  I bought another new journal, some pens, some loose-leaf notebook paper, and a funky-looking Trapper Keeper (a steal at only $3).  I combined them all to make a journaling kit for myself.

While I still prefer a personalized gift, wrapped in paper and bow, and placed under the tree, I have discovered that a gift certificate can be a thoughtful gift as well.  And who doesn’t love free money?

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Potato peeling time
December 30th, 2009

 

The bell that called us home.

The bell that called us home.

Every night around 5:00, we would hear the dreaded cry, “Girls!  Peel potatoes!”  Potato peeling time interrupted all else.  If we were swimming, we had to get out of the pool.  If we were at the neighbor’s house, the bell would ring calling us home.  Even if we were doing homework, we had to stop to peel potatoes.  Crissy and i hated potato peeling time.  But it was our chore and only ours.

From a very young age, i learned to peel using a knife.  Peelers were hard to work around eyes and bumps and bad spots.  A knife was best.  Dad didn’t like it if Crissy and i took off too much of the potato.  It was wasteful.  We became quite skillful in our potato peeling art and could peel just the skin, leaving the potato intact. 

We rarely had rice and never had noodles, unless they were spaghetti noodles for Sunday dinner – which was at lunchtime.  They didn’t sell those little noodle and rice packets, like they do now.  You know the ones – alfredo, chicken-flavored, butter, etc.  I use them regularly with a meat and canned veggie.  Voila!  Home-cooked meal!  :)   Not that my parents would have bought noodle packs.  My dad may as well have been a master chef and would have insisted on making it from scratch, even if it tasted terrible.  And my mom would have managed to ruin them somehow, in the most inconceivable way possible.  She once burned hot dogs… while boiling them in water on the stove. 

Crissy and i were also responsible for peeling boiled potatoes that were to be used in potato salad.  We’d burn the tips of our fingers while pulling the loosened skin off of the spud.  I have a very fond memory of peeling potatoes for a dish that was going to an aunt.  We were in our teenage years, and we felt angry – as teenagers might – at having to stop what we were doing in order to peel potatoes that we weren’t even going to eat.  They kept slipping out of our hands, in the most creative ways, to bounce about the sink, counter, (floor!).  By the time we were done, we were laughing so hard that we were crying.

Tonight i peeled potatoes with the help of my 23-month-old son.  He handed me potatoes from the bag and picked up any peels that i “accidentally” dropped.  What a good helper.  I think maybe it’s time to teach my daughters how to peel potatoes.  They’re old enough to help and can make their own memories together.

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Tags: , , , , | Posted in Childhood Memories, Family |
Bread bags
December 29th, 2009

We wrapped the kids up in their warmest clothes with double socks and boots and hats and gloves and scarves… and ventured into the 18 degree cold to play in the snow. We even brought Sasha, our bunny, out to play. I remember when i was young, i didn’t have a pair of good snow boots. Whether they had a hole or i just didn’t have a pair, i don’t remember. But what i do remember is getting two empty bread bags (why we kept empty bread bags is beyond me), pulling them on like socks, and placing a rubber band around them at my ankle. Then my sis and i would go out in the snow and play for what felt like hours. Maybe it was hours. One year we built Fort Fort (what better name for a fort than Fort?). One year we built a pillar of snow that had to be a good four feet tall. Each time a car drove past, we’d jump over it. I remember Dad watching and laughing at us from the window seat. Those bread bags sure did keep my feet dry.

Recycled Art Rabbit Redux

Recycled Art Rabbit Redux

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Tags: , , , , | Posted in Childhood Memories, Family |
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