Weaning Myself (Again)

I originally began writing this post in October but life caught up with me and I did not wean myself down. I had an almost identical experience two weeks ago and decided enough was enough. Intrigued? Read on ...

10/11/10

Ever have a ritual so wonderful that your entire daily routine revolves around it? To miss it means that your day just isn't a good one. If something is off with the said ritual then the whole day is shot.

For me, it is my morning coffee. I have a certain brand I drink passed down from a long line of coffee drinkers. I have a certain cup I use - a big mug with a beautiful handle given to me by a dear friend. I use only whole milk and it makes my coffee a beautiful khaki color, coined "blah blah" by a friend of my sister's. I go from a groggy unintelligible being who stumbles to the coffee maker to someone who is still rumpled, but somewhat coherent after just the first sip of my beloved beverage.

Well this morning all of that changed. We were out of coffee. I knew we were low, but I thought that meant we had one more pound of coffee left. Nope. Nada. Zilch. Nothing. I pulled out some Stash Green and White Fusion and attempted to convince my body not to rebel. I began noticing a headache. It got increasingly worse as I noticed I was also shaking. And getting nauseated. Oh yeah. It was bad. My son noticed me looking a little funny and I wondered on to the porch hoping that the fresh air would help. At this point I was suspecting a virus and actually glad I had not drank any coffee as coffee coming up is just eww. (Just being real here.) I sat outside for a bit holding my stomach and my head and trying to rearrange my very busy schedule in my head. Then it hit me. My headache was awful by this time and I began suspecting withdrawals. I quickly googled coffee withdrawal symptoms and could not believe all the info.

From what I read it is much better to wean that go cold turkey. I have had to go cold turkey several times due to unexpected pregnancies. They were not this bad though. My first was planned so I was already drinking decaf.

Fast forward to today ... 

February 17

Two weeks ago on a Sunday I slept in. It felt so good! Two hours of extra sleep. But then I woke up. And I felt it. Ugh. I knew I was going to be a little off since I was two hours overdue from my daily coffee ritual. But I did not expect what happened.

I got up, groggily stammered to the kitchen and began making my coffee. I would have loved to be in the habit of making it the night before, set it to come on and be ready and waiting for me. Since I slept in on this particular morning it wouldn't have helped to have it set to go anyway. I sat on the couch and nursed my ever-growing headache knowing that my coffee would be ready in about 6 minutes - that is how bad the addiction was. I knew how long my coffeepot took to work! So it is finally it was ready and I grabbed my mug. Sitting there drinking on the couch I was concerned that I was feeling sick. Like nauseated kind of sick. Well, I will spare you the details but I assumed I had a virus and ran to the bathroom. My family started to stir and I went back to bed, shaking with chills and feeling downright gross. They got ready and went to church and I took a nap - two hours worth. Later I got up and sipped some tea, ate a few saltines and rested some more. Then it hit me and I realized that I was experiencing withdrawal symptoms again.

So that very minute I decided my coffee habit was not worth it. If that is what happens to me when I don't get my coffee fix, how bad is it for me on a daily basis. Now I am on week two of weaning.

My Weaning Plan

• 2 of my big fat cups in the morning (down from a shared-with-my-husband 4-5 POTS a day) for 2-3 weeks
• continue to research additional helps (including amino acids) 
• find more teas that I enjoy that are caffeinated since most of the teas I enjoy are herbal. Eventually I plan to get completely off the caffeine but for now, I am weaning down slowly
• Sub one cup of caffeinated tea per cup per week until only drinking tea
• Once I am only drinking teas, sub one cup herbal tea per cup per week until only drinking herbal teas

So we will see. I'll update in another month of so and let you know how it is going.

Has anyone else weaned yourself off of coffee? What did you do different? 

Are you still coffee free??

Anti-Valentine's Day Cupcakes from The Cupcake Project

Anti-Valentine's Day Cupcakes from The Cupcake Project

Seventeen years ago yesterday Jay and I started "hanging out." We boycotted Valentine's Day the following day since neither of us were dating anyone. We wore all black and baked  devil's food cupcakes with cream cheese icing with sprinkles (a la box mix and canned icing.) For many years after that, we did the same thing (baking the cupcakes, not wearing black.) It was a comical way to begin our relationship and we always get a good laugh when we talk about it. Wish we had thought about an Anti-Valentine's Party. That would have been hysterical!! Want to join in the Anti-VDay fun? Check out Anti-Valentine's Day Cupcakes from The Cupcake Project. 

TOS Review: The Curiosity Files™: Blue Diamond

TOS Review: The Curiosity Files™: Blue Diamond

Children are by nature curious. Boys, I think, get a double gene for curiosity. :) Farm Boy has always had a great interest in learning in general but science in all forms really excites him. He loves nature, loves geology, and especially loves rocks. He was totally psyched when we were able to choose from a variety of  The Curiosity Files™ eBooks and was completely awed by the Blue Diamond.

The Curiosity Files™: Blue Diamond

Explorations With Professor Ana Lyze—Expert in Outlandish Oddities

A FUN unit study for kids ages 8–13

Professor Ana Lyze (love the play on words!!) is the main character in The Curiosity Files™ eBooks. She is funny and straight to the point. Each of nine-eBook series is full of factual information and funny descriptions that really help paint a picture for kids. (I never would have imagined that you could liken the formation of rocks to baking a cake but it really made my boys -and me- understand how it works!)  

The Curiosity Files™ eBooks are a complete unit study curriculum! Unit studies are a great break from our regular homeschool schedule. We really enjoy the hands-on activities and learning experiences. (Melting crayons is always fun!) Mom will appreciate how the projects lists use easy-to find items and tell you very plainly how to do it and the kids will enjoy how Mom isn't stressed about how and when to do the "fun stuff." (That NEVER happens here, lol!) 

The Curiosity Files™: Blue Diamond is packed full of content including:  

• hyperlinked contents pages and websites throughout the eBook
• Everything You Never Wanted to Know About the Blue Diamond
• In the Beginning (Bible)
• Figure It Out (word problems, measuring, graphing)
• The Write Stuff (essays)
• Spelling and Vocabulary (lists and activities such as crosswords)
• Copywork for printing and cursive
• In the Lab (geology experiments and hands-on activities like making molten rock from crayons)
• Let's Get Creative (arts-and-crafts projects)
• Read All About It (book lists)
• Hands-On Activities
• Wanna Learn More (links to other information on blue diamonds)

In short, The Curiosity Files™eBooks are designed in a fun, fresh format like no other homeschool unit studies I have seen. I personally LOVE them and I think you will too! 

Check out a sample of or purchase your own copy today! 

eBook Format $6.95

9 Pack eBook Bundle $46.00

9 Pack CD Bundle $49.00

Check out the Homeschool Dollar Store at TOS for several of  

The Curiosity Files™ on sale for only $1!!!

Did you know all E-Books published by The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine come with a 7-day, 100% money-back guarantee?! Amazing!

Legal Disclaimer: I received The Curiosity Files™: Blue Diamond free of charge from The Old Schoolhouse for the purpose of review. No other compensation was received and opinions expressed are my own. 

Free eBook: The Happy Housewife's Guide to Dealing with Picky Eaters

Not sure how the eating goes in your house, but between pickiness, sensory issues, oral aversions and low muscle tone, we deal with a lot of eating issues. I am so excited to share with you a FREE eBook I found on dealing with picky eaters! Click below and "Like" The Happy Housewife on Facebook for your own copy!

The Happy Housewife's Guide to Dealing with Picky Eaters

TOS Review: Maestro Classics Peter and the Wolf

My introduction to classical music came in middle school when I began playing the clarinet in beginning band. It was an amazing thing to hear a story play out through the instruments. Though my instrument has sat in my closet for many years, I have never let go of my love for the symphony.

It has been a desire of mine to have my own children love the symphony as much as I do. I wasn't really sure how to introduce them to the symphony though since having boys means they don't really want to sit still for very long. Throw in a little ADHD and sensory issues and you have a recipe for disaster when attending a full length production at a theater. And then it happened. I received a notice that TOS would be reviewing Maestro Classic's Peter and the Wolf. I was so excited and promptly went to their website to see what Maestro Classics was all about. I was immediately impressed.

Maestro Classics has taken the guesswork out of introducing classical music to children. Chosen works are arranged and conducted by Stephen Simon and played by the London Philharmonic Orchestra. They are narrated by Yadu, "the original narrator for Stories in MusicTM concerts at the Kennedy Center." In the Introduction track, he explains which instruments are playing which character in the music. It was amazing to hear the descriptions, even for one who can usually tell what it going on.

Maestro Classics has taken some of the most world-renowned pieces of music and narrated them for children. Other pieces in the series are The Tortoise and the Hare, Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel and The Sorcerer's Apprentice. Designed for children ages 5 and up, these CDs are a wonderful introduction to the symphony and classical music.

Included on the CD is more than just a narration of the classic. You also get the full length instrumental version as well as various other learning helps for teaching about classical music. Also included is an activity book packed with information and fun things for kids to do. This "music lesson in a box" is a wonderful introduction to the world of classical music. On the newly designed website you will find curriculum guides and articles for use in homeschool and in a classroom. Would you believe they even have the sheet music to download in PDF!? I printed out Peter and the Wolf and surprised my kids with an impromptu concert by yours truly. (Yea, I've still got it - lol!)


Maestro Classics
http://www.maestroclassics.com/
888.540.2811
info@MaestroCassics.com


Ages 5 and up
$16.98 each or
3 for $45 with coupon code MAESTRO45

I received Peter and the Wolf free of charge from Maestro Classics for the purpose of review. No other compensation was received.

TOS Review: Easy Classical Early Modern History Schedule

Several years ago, when researching the styles of homeschooling, I briefly read over the definition of Classical homeschooling and then promptly dismissed it. At the time, we were bringing Music Man home from public school and I wanted to be sure that his basic foundations of learning were covered and that he could read and do simple math concepts before I moved on to teaching him anything else. 


Fast-forward to today. I am teaching both boys at home now. I taught them on the same level last year and have had to do some restructuring this year. Farm Boy is passing his brother academically in most areas now. But history is still one area where I am able to teach them together.

I love to pick and choose elements of our curriculum based on our needs rather than purchasing a curriculum-in-a-box. But teaching my boys on two different levels means that my time is limited. I also love to have my plans drawn out in an at-a-glance format. A chart-maker by nature, I love to mark things off my list (if I can find it!)


Easy Classical is just that - easy! The scheduling system uses a variety of classical homeschooling materials which are linked on their website. And it is chock full of ideas and resources to make your homeschool flow! I love that is organized in a weekly chart format- all visible on one page! Another big plus in my book is the list of supplies for the following week (in cute post-it note like format!)

The schedules are designed for Grades K-6 and there are many ideas and helps for the different age groups - great for teaching multiple levels!


In addition to the schedules, Easy Classical has Writing With History, Geography With History, History Copybooks and even science! Easy Classical also has complete curriculums designed for each grade K-6!

The digital version is $29.95 and the notebook version is $35.95.

In short, this is a great scheduling resource and one I can recommend. I think it is especially useful for those who like lesson plans drawn out for them in an easy to implement format. 

I received The Early Modern History Schedule free of charge from Easy Classical for the purpose of review. No other compensation was received.

TOS Review: See-N-Read Reading Tools

When Music Man came home at the end of 3rd grade, he could not read. He could recognize a few words and knew his letters, but could not really read a simple kindergarten book on his own. Because he had been in school-school for quite a few years, we had to re-taught many concepts that his report cards and IEP goal said he mastered just to be sure the foundation of his education was there. One thing he struggled with as he learned to read was losing his place. I tried showing his how to follow the words with his finger. I showed him how to put a bookmark or piece of paper under the sentence to follow along. Eventually he was able to follow along but each time we move up a level in difficulty in our readers he struggles to adjust to the smaller letter size and number of sentences on a page. 

Enter See-N-Read. See-N-Read is a reading tool that is placed right on the page of a book. It has a "clear reading bar" just large enough to focus on one sentence. The surrounding sentences are viable but are shaded out so they aren't a distraction. See-N-Read comes in two sizes (book size and document size.) The See-N-Read Memory Mark Series has a cut away opening to allow for highlighting and note-taking. There is even an eSee-N-Read for PCs! (I am personally super excited about that one since I hate reading on my computer!) 

See-N-Read is BPA, lead and phthalate free and made in the USA!

See-N-Read
Grades 2-College
$2.99 (also available in multipacks!)

See-N-Read Memory Mark 
Grades 4-Adult
$3.49 (also available in multipacks!)

eSee-N-Read
$29.99 (download a free 7 Day trial demo!)

I received the See-N-Read and Memory Mark Reading Tools from See-N-Read for the purpose of review. No other compensation was received.

TOS Review: Math Facts NOW

I hated memorizing math facts as a child. We drilled with flashcards and it was so boring! Although I think it is very important that my kids memorize math facts, I wanted to find a better way than drilling with flashcards until they memorized them. Math Facts Now! IS that better way!

Math Facts NOW! is a desktop computer program that drills all basic operations of math. The parent sets up the program by creating an account for each child, and then makes the assignments. For each assignment, the parent chooses the operation and the specific number(s) you want your child to drill. Parents also designate number of problems that must be completed correctly before the lesson is finished. Parents can even add a reward in for completion of the lesson which shows up after the lesson is completed! The child can then choose the assignment and get to work. A problem must be answered correctly and in the designated time frame (set by the parent between 2 and 60 seconds) or the student must type the problem out a minimum of two times (again set by the parent.) Parents can view and print reports on how assignments are completed. 

 

Math Facts NOW! is a bargain at $15.95 for the downloadable version or CD version!

Pros: I love this program. It is fun and challenging. Great price!! I love that the program is so customizable to suit each child's needs. Free technical support is offered through phone or email!

Cons: For special needs kids who may take longer to type the answers, it would be nice to set the time limit longer than 60 seconds. Other than that - we loved it!!

I received Math Facts NOW! 2.0  free of charge for the purpose of review. No other compensation was received.

 

I'm still here ....

A few weeks ago I sat down one Saturday morning and drafted out my blog posts for the remainder of the year. I chose the dates, scheduled the times for (almost) daily posts and began composing the text.

Then life happened.

Both my boys have birthdays in December. Eight days apart.

We had taekwondo belt testing mid-month.

My mom came for a visit four day visit.

We had the regular Christmas stuff - presents to buy, make and wrap. Baking to be done, meals to prepare and general house upkeep.

And pictures to take. And snow to play in (sort of.) 

Something had to be neglected.

My blog was neglected. I planned to decorate my blog for Christmas. It still shows fall. I planned several birthdays in December posts. I guess I can use them next year. I planned out some Christmas posts too but again, maybe I can use them in 2011.

So here we are close to the end of the year (my kids would say New Year's Eve-Eve-Eve-Eve) We'll be starting a new year. And a new chapter in my blog. I am not going to dwell on what I didn't get done. :)

I have been on the web writing about our life since 2001. Back then it wasn't a blog. (Were they even around back then?)

I started my first family website after we moved out-of-state with Music Man just a year old at the time. It was designed to give our family and friends a way to keep up with the goings-on in our life and chronicle Music Man's milestones. Over the years it has been a place to write about my family. When I finally gave up the website (which I was still coding myself) and created a blog, I was able to afford a little more freedom in what I wrote about. It went through several changes and makeovers before we finally settled in here.

Now I am streamlining once again. I will still write about random things. I will still post recipes, decorating and my projects and such. But I am attempting to bring about some changes in my blog for the better. I hope you will join me as I embark on this new journey!

What changes are you making this year?

TOS Review: Good Morning, God

If you are familiar with Apologia, you know they produce quality homeschool materials. I first became aware of them while researching a creation-based science curriculum and was delighted to find their series of science books for elementary through high school. 

A few weeks ago, I found out that the TOS Crew was going to review the book Good Morning, God and was so excited when we received it! Though my boys are 11 (gasp!) and almost 7 (in just a few days) we still enjoy picture books immensely. Good Morning, God is designed for 1-8 year olds and fits in perfectly in our home. Music Man loves looking at the pictures day after day and both boys enjoy the repetition throughout the book and prayers.

Written by Davis Carmen, this book can be used as devotional material using the daily activities in the back of the book. There are open-ended questions that allow for the child to think. My boys loved working through those questions and thinking about abstract concepts such as "meeting God in the air." In the story, each day of the week focuses on worshiping God in a different way. The little boy is quite reminiscent of some of the things my own boys do and it was delightful to see how his parents taught him throughout the book. (I especially loved seeing him jumping on the bed.) Artist Alice Ratterree did an amazing job with detail with the illustrations! A short one-sentence prayer shows children that God wants us to pray from our heart. Scripture is taken from the NIV and allows for additional reading and studying through the activity section. 

So many children's books that talk about God are too cheesy for me. My kids may love them but I do not. We all throughly enjoyed this book and I am so pleased it was added to our home library!

Good Morning, God
 $14.00
Read a sample chapter!

I received Good Morning, God free of charge from Apologia for the purpose of review. No other compensation was received.

TOS Review: Telling Time with the Master Clock

In our very digital age when penmanship is considered outdated and card catalogs are obsolete, an analog clock could also be revered as a thing of the past. Watches are digital, if worn at all. It seems America's main time telling piece is a cell phone!

Master Innovations aims to combat some of the digital age with a simple and effective way of teaching time telling concepts through The Master Clock. The Master Clock curriculum is a breath of fresh air for homeschools and classrooms competing with the digital age. The 100-page workbook is filled with worksheets for all levels of time-telling. The three geared hands are color coordinated with three clear overlays for measuring time in varied increments. And they are also fun to adjust. :)

I've said before that when Music Man came home last summer he could not read a calendar, tell time or work a simple addition problem. As we worked on the very basic of math skills, he started to thrive. Especially as we took the time he needed to grasp the concept rather than adhering to the state mandated time constraints. I began, without a curriculum, explaining little things to Music Man as we de-schooled through the summer. We did not really begin looking at time until the fall (of '09) and once he got the hang of time to the quarter-hour, his grasp of time came to somewhat of a stand-still. So we put time aside and focused on something else. When we received Master Clock to review, I was thrilled and have not been disappointed! He is able to see so much more clearly the correlation between hours, minutes and seconds through the colors and layers of the Master Clock.

Master Clock is a bargain at $14.95! Other products available include Master Ruler, Master Fractions, Master Angles. (They are all on my list for upper level math learning!) 

Want to see the Master Clock in action??

I received Master Clock free of charge from Master Innovations for the purpose of review. No other compensation was received. The opinions expressed are my own.

RECIPE: Pumpkin Spice Latte Goodness (or How to Make a Latte without an Espresso Maker)

Today on the eve of the last day of November, I am craving the last bit of fall. It is looking a bit frightful outside and we have been listening to Christmas music all weekend, but I haven't really pulled out the decorations yet. This is certainly getting me ready for decorating though!

Pumpkin Spice Latte Goodness


2 cups whole milk
2  tablespoons pureed pumpkin (I use Libby's)
1-2 tablespoons sugar (I use my homemade vanilla sugar instead of sugar and vanilla and drop it to about 1 t of sugar. I don't like sweet coffee!)
1-2 tablespoons real vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon Penzey's Pumpkin Pie Spice (OR 1/4 t cloves and 1/2 cinnamon)
1/2 cup of freshly brewed strong coffee

In a saucepan combine milk, pumpkin and sugar and cook on medium heat, stirring, until steaming. Love that whisk in there - leftover from my days as a Pampered Chef. (I'll never be without one!)

Remove from heat, stir in spice. Oh so perty!!

If using vanilla and sugar, then add the vanilla now. No imitation flavors here. Use the real thing. Artificials are bad for you. And imitation vanilla is just gross. Process in blender for about 15 seconds until you have some scrumptious foamy goodness!

Pour into a large mug or two mugs if you are in the sharing mood. Pour the coffee on top. YUM!

Garnish with whipped cream and a sprinkle of spices if desired.

Homemade Laundry Detergent

I have been making my own laundry detergent off and on for the past seven or eight years. I began making my detergent because I needed to downsize our budget.You will hear about some of the other reasons in a later post. :)

Originally, I used Fels Naptha but I am unable to tolerate the smell anymore. I began searching out an alternative and found that some folks use Ivory. Other soaps mentioned were Kirk's Coco Castile and Zote. I have found Kirk's at a couple of grocery stores (Kroger in the bath soap aisle and Publix in the laundry section aisle.) Homemade detergents can sometime make clothes dingy. (Mine did when I used Fels Naptha and I quit using homemade detergent for that reason.) I read recently about Mrs. Stewart's Bluing and immediately bought a bottle. You only need a few drops per load so it lasts forever. Zote has brighteners added to it, but I haven't been able to find it locally yet. I was told to try Big Lot's and looked yesterday to no avail. I'll keep looking though to keep my options open. :)

Dawn's Homemade Detergent Recipe
1 cup Borax
1 cup Arm and Hammer Washing Soda
1 cup baking soda (not pictured)
1 grated bar laundry soap (Currently using Kirk's Coco Castile (It smells like Ivory so I am able to tolerate it.)
a few drops of essential oil (if desired - lavender is heavenly!) 

When I start my laundry, I turn the warm water on first, add 1 T of detergent per load (2 T for extra large loads) and then allow the washer to fill an inch or two. I then turn it the water to cold. The little bit of warm helps dissolve the detergent. If it is a hot water load I skip this step and just start it with hot from the beginning. If needed I add 1 cup plain white vinegar to the bleach dispenser and then add my clothes.Vinegar can be used to soften clothes or to cut the stink. :) It is great for toileting accidents too!

I need to warn you about  something. Your clothes will be clean but they will not smell like what you are used to. This lack of scent does not mean that they aren't clean. In fact, it means quite the opposite! I have always hated laundry detergent smells and love that my clothes are clean and smell fresh, not perfumey!!

To dry clothes in the dryer, I use small scraps of toweling dipped in fabric softener (Seventh Generation brand) and dry normally. I hang as many things as I possible can to avoid running my dryer.

This is my normal laundry routine. I have a completely different one for stinky/smelly/work clothes. That is another post (coming soon!)

Do you have a frugal laundry tip? How does your laundry routine differ?

TOS Review: Corps of Rediscovery

What little boy doesn't dream of creating his own fort a la Swiss Family Robinson? How many bows-and-arrows, guns and other weapons have been rudimentary crafted from sticks and string in a given year? Now boys everywhere have another option (which is especially good for those who don't live near woods!) The Corps of Rediscovery has a line of products designed for the little boy who wants to make his own toys. 

We recently received a Tomahawk Kit for review and had the best time crafting it. (Farm Boy adores arts and crafts of any kind and was totally psyched about this project!) We sat down one afternoon and painted it. While it was drying, we looked at some of the other items Corps of Rediscovery that we might enjoy such as the Pioneer Felt Ball Kit and the Fringe Pouch Kit. One of my favorite things was the Deer Antler Buttons! Talk about using every part of the deer! How cool would those be to embellish the Leather Vest or Headband?

Pros:
Loved having a boy themed craft (though they offer a lot of girl crafts too!!) Easy directions. Great hands-on lesson!


Cons:
None really. Farm Boy needed some help tying the leather strap around the stick. Nothing a little father-son bonding can't fix!

Check out Corps of Rediscovery for great Grand Reopening deals! The Tomahawk Kit is regularly priced at $7.99 but during the Grand Reopening is only $5.50! Many of these crafts would make great stocking stuffers for Christmas!

I received a Tomahawk Kit from Corps of Rediscovery for the purpose of review. No other compensation was received.

RECIPE: Beef Up My Stroganoff

This recipe is altered quite a bit from a Southern Living recipe book given to us in the early years of our marriage. When we first made this we were broke and could only afford, we still make it with hamburger. Fresh mushrooms are a must and the consomme, sherry and lemon give it exceptional flavor. Once we were able to afford sirloin, we preferred it with ground meat. We also double the recipe since we all love it and fight over whatever might be left over! 

Classic Beef Stroganoff from Hamburger (or as we call it Stroganoff)

1/2 lb fresh mushrooms

1/4 cup chopped onion (chop finely and the kids will never know they are in there!)

1 garlic clove, minced

3 tablespoons butter (use the real thing not fake stuff)

2 tablespoons flour (can sub corn starch)

1 cup homemade beef broth

3 tablespoons dry sherry

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper (It does make a difference! Once you try freshly ground, you will never go back!)

8 oz sour cream

Heat butter in large skillet over medium-high heat. Saute onion and garlic until browned, stirring frequently. Add hamburger and cook thoroughly.

Add flour and next four ingredients, stirring well. Bring to a boil; reduce simmer 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Gently stir in sour cream; cook until heated thoroughly (do not boil.) Serve over warm fat ribbon pasta (like No-Yolks) and garnish with parsley. Enjoy!