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Because I gotta Have Faith- My Testimony
*** Warning: this post may have triggers for some – please be kind to yourself. I’ve tried to gloss over some of the most hurtful triggers (not for my embarrassment but your wellbeing). PLUS, this post is less edited than others on purpose. I didn’t want to lose any of the emotion behind it. *** Grab yourself a warm cup of coffee and snuggle in. This is just you and me chatting. I was raised in a Christian home. Isn’t that how all these vanilla testimonies begin? Does that mean I’m a cliche? Well, so be it. I was raised in a Christian home by imperfect but loving parents. They held…
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To Plan or Not to Plan: 2022
I have a confession to make. I have purchased and filled in hundreds of planners in my adult life. I’ve also paid for and attended numerous webinars, classes, and boot camps to teach me how to plan properly. And yet- somehow- I’m never able to rock my goals. So this year- I give up! Sort of! Maybe you can relate? Of course, I still have goals and dreams and hopes. And sure, I’m still going to prayerfully pursue them- I’m just ditching the color coding and 90-day charting of said goals. Here’s why: GUILT Yup! Guilt. Every missed goal- every slipped my mind deadline heaps another shovel full of stinky,…
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Christmas Movies: 2021
This is the season for Hallmark and holiday classics. At my house, the movies are nearly as important as the decorations. Here’s a list of the Hualde family’s Christmas movies of 2021, clustered into our homemade categories. Some are old favs, and others are new fads. XXX Be Advised not all movies are suitable for all ages. Use discretion and good judgment. XXX Staples/Old Favorites White Christmas: This one typically makes an early appearance during the season. Usually, even before the chilly weather sets in. It only makes sense. Auntie Mame: Though not truly a Christmas movie, the Christmas scene during the Depression makes me smile every time and gets…
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Audio Edition: First Chapter Sneak Peeks
I love getting a sneak preview of new books. However, as a homeschooler and mom, I rarely get the chance to sit down and curl around stories in print. Most of my reading time is divided between teacher manuals and read alouds. I’m not complaining. It’s just a fact of this season of life. That’s why I’ve launched into audio reading and why I’m thrilled to offer you a free first chapter sneak peek of my mysteries- in audiobook. No download or sign up necessary. Just follow the links over to YouTube and take a listen. I keep my manuscripts clean- free of steamy scenes and swearing. (unless using food…
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4 Weeks on BLE
Have you ever started a new diet/ meal plan and known you were going to give it everything you’ve got- only to have your imaginary naysayer gripe that you won’t make a week? #everydietI’veevertried… But not this time! I’m four weeks in and counting!! Let me share the nitty-gritty of my last 28 days, and maybe you’ll be inspired to give BLE a try. 😉 It’s HARD! The end. You can stop reading!— just kidding, there’s more! It’s worth it! Yes, at times, the little sugar addict in me kicks and whines for a liver of something sweet. Surprisingly it’s been begging for sweet tea and boba instead of cinnamon…
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Not Just Another Food Tracker
In my first week on Bright Line Eating I scoured the internet for printables and charts. However, I could not find a food tracker that I liked. I wanted it simple and useable and fun (ish). So, I made my own Bright Line Eating food tracker- complete with gratitude and encouragement journal pages. On BLE, foodie freedom fighters are asked to plan their meals before the day begins. This takes all the guesswork out of the next day’s meal prep. Gone are last-minute whimsy-driven decisions. Once I write down my meal plan, unless there’s an emergency, I stick to it. Or I’m supposed. So far so good. We’re also asked…
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My First Bright Week on BLE
Come on in my friend. Grab a coffee and get comfy as I give you a peek at my first week on Bright Line Eating. The Call: I’d heard of Bright Line Eating before. Three years before, to be honest. I felt its call, researched its online presence, and decided it would be way too impossible for me. So, instead of changing my mindset, I ignored it. Flash ahead 18 months, and BLE called again. It beckoned a bit louder, through the same source it used the year before. But hey, it was 2020 so again I shut it up and pushed it aside. That brings us to now- I’m…
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Audiobooks that won’t Break the Bank
I lOVE me some audiobooks. They’re great when I’m too busy to crack a spine or scroll on an e-reader. Long ago, my mom got me into listening to novels. Back then it was uncommon for even the Library to have audiobooks. Actually, they were called Books on Tape as in cassette tapes. There were rental shops designed for reader’s ears. Even then one could rarely find a good listen for under $20. But here’s a way to score audiobooks for $5 or under. LibriVox My family LOVES librivox.org. They take public domain literature and bring them to life. Volunteer-based the quality of narrators is hit and miss. But there…
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Upgrading with Teaching Textbooks
Dyslexia doesn’t stop with reading and writing. Math gets tossed into the mix- just for fun. After years of trying many curriculums, Teaching Textbooks came to our family’s rescue! Now, as I’m watching my kiddos grow and learn, I get to introduce you to the upgraded, improved, and still life-saving Teaching Textbooks 4.0. Teaching Textbooks is a computer-based math program for elementary through High School. My family has used it for years! Not only does it instruct my kiddos in easy-to-understand, playful, humorous, and simple ways- but it also grades them for me. All I have to do is check their grade books and check in on their progress now…
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Meet Tip and Lex: Spotlight on Lex
Homeschooling a family with more than one child means homeschooling more than one learning style and ability. My family is no exception. We have one typical learner that we’ll call Tippi and one not-so-typical learner we’ll call Lex. While each has its own style, pitfalls, and strengths in this series we’ll focus on Lex and what we’ve used to support her in our school. Lex has several diagnoses in her portfolio. Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia, Auditory Processing Disorders, Visual Processing Disorders, ADHD, and special short-term memory issues that amplify them all. With as many labels, there are three times the treatment and specialized curriculum used to address them. Here’s what we’ve…
