madameblogalot

The senior year of high school *should* be “the perfect year”. It is the culmination of all the previous years you have put into your education. As my son started his senior year this year, my husband and I sat down with him and talked with him about this “transition” year. We want things to be moving toward more independence, toward more decision making/real life consequences, more toward the adult world.

What has followed for us is my son’s decision to homeschool and take dual credit classes at a local community college. He has also bought himself a car. He is looking for a suitable part time job. He has the privilege and responsibility of being a high school student and college student all at once. I think that the way this is working out for him, it could in fact turn out to be a perfect year for him.

It is quiet. Very quiet here. This summer has brought changes our way again. It seems we have been living a topsy-turvey life for several years now.

Today my daughter started her first day of public school. High school. I can’t say that I am particularly happy about it, but we let it be her choice. She will be gone all day for classes and volleyball. On the flip side of that, my son has decided after three years to return to homeschooling for his senior year of high school! He is taking outside classes three days a week, one day at a homeschool co-op and two days at a community college. The other two days will be for classes at home and homework. He is also planning on playing basketball.

So while it is quiet right now, we have plenty of craziness to keep us busy for the next school year!

I was thinking that it would be a good idea to just rent a text book for a semester and sure enough, there are several sites available that do just that! I found a site that has my son’s books for rent and/or sale cheaper than I expected. There are rentals available from 30-130 days at reasonable rates. I also found that to buy the book was half what it would have cost us locally. Since he will likely need the book for two semesters, I chose to purchase the book, which was only $9 more than renting it for the semester. His other book we rented for $10 for the semester.

When renting, you are allowed minimal highlighting while using the book to study. And the shipping is free as is the return shipping. They are also looking for students to be campus representatives. These kids can then earn certificates for future book rentals/purchases as well as bonuses.

As parents, our job is ever changing as our kids grow and change. We have struggled through our kids’ teenage years, but we have always tried our best. And when things get really tough, we are not afraid to ask for help. This week, we learned a new parenting tool, that, at least for now, seems to be pretty effective.

In a tough situation, it was suggested we treat the nearly adult child with love and respect and appeal to the child’s innate intelligence. We saw that as a good approach, but were still a bit unsure how to proceed. Our tutor had us come up with a plan that used the “I think, I feel, I need” approach. We asked our child each of these questions and we too in turn went over the statements from our own perspective. Though the conversation could have become volatile very quickly, our teenager told us it was greatly appreciated that we treated the situation as an adult and that we offered love and support.

While I doubt we are completely through with every detail of our tough times, I know that this approach is working for us right now. And that seems to be about all any parent of any teenager can ask for!

I’ve heard the saying that everyone’s an author, especially in today’s world of daily blogging. When I saw that you can get your writing analyzed to find what author you write like, I had to join in! When submitting two posts from this site, both a sponsored post and a non-sponsored post, I was told that I write in the style of:

I write like
Cory Doctorow

I Write Like by Mémoires, Mac journal software. Analyze your writing!

Since I did not know who this was, I had to look it up. Doctorow is a Canadian born sci-fi writer and notorious blogger. Some of my other blogs are apparently written in a different style, as those post submissions tagged me as other authors. If you want to analyze your writing style, just click the highlighted link in the box.

While I don’t quite believe that sentiment, it does feel good when things are cleaned up and in order. My husband worked hard yesterday cleaning and reorganizing his shed. And I worked on cleaning my oven. UGH! I was dreading the job, knowing I had made a big mess last week, and then making things worse by burning some foil I had left in the broiler! Everything was charred and sooty, not to mention the years worth of baked on caked on grease. I began with baking soda and vinegar and had some luck, but not really enough to notice. While the recent black soot came off, I struggled with the baked on mess. In looking for something to clean with, I came across a half used bottle of Saladmaster pot and pan cleaner. I decided to give it a try. It was a truly amazing transformation! I did use a copper scrubber to help aid the cleansing, but my oven has never looked so clean in as long as we have lived here! It looks almost new with very little spots still showing the mess I had made of my oven!!

I must say that I was not sure what Reputation Management Services were when I first heard about it. I mean, of course the name in itself gives an idea of what it means, but I wasn’t sure just whose reputation these management services could help salvage? Is it businesses, students, business people, the every day Joe whose Facebook image is causing problems?

Come to find out, Reputation Management Services are available for businesses who are finding themselves on the receiving end of bad press. Now contrary to some popular beliefs, any press is not always good press. In today’s world of social networking, thousands of blog posts generated in a moment of time, and the other ways we voice our daily interactions-both good and bad-a bit of bad press can go a long way in a short time.

In the past if someone was unhappy with services received by a company, they would tell their family, friends and co-workers. This might not mean too many dollars lost for a major company. But with today’s “word of mouth” extending around the globe in a matter of seconds, Reputation Management Services might be a good resource for just about any size company. These services can provide both proactive and reactive reputation management.  Each case is unique in approach and pricing. Customer quotes and free evaluations are available to those company’s willing to invest in maintaing their positive reputation.

I’ve got one of those heads of hair that is just almost never right. And with all the swim, bike and run training I normally do, my hair gets dried out, discolored and frizzled and frazzled. I do need something that keeps it soft and natural. I have tried a few things that I like and a few that I don’t. I even read about Chaz Dean’s hair care products which are completely natural and are made to leave hair feeling soft and manageable. It is even supposed to help with color retention. It apparently does this without the harsh chemicals found in most shampoos and conditioners. It is a unique formula which is actually a cleansing conditioner.

I don’t know why but over the last few days I was unable to access this website. When I finally emailed support at Lunar Pages (my host) they said my IP address was blocked. I don’t know why! At any rate, as you can see, they have unblocked me and I’m back!

I love my chiropractor. I have not seen him in about six months. But I just received a handwritten card from him thanking me for a recent referral! I was really amazed that he himself would actually take the time to hand write a card like that. It is not a formatted office letter printed out and stamped or signed by him. An actual hand written card! The podiatrists I’ve seen barely have time to look at me much less talk to me. I know they are busy, but I have paid them A LOT of money! I will definitely keep recommending my chiro!