Homeschool Rescue (Review)

Today I'm sharing my review of Homeschool Rescue from Only Passionate Curiosity. This online product consists of five modules (currently), with each module having 4-5 lessons.  Module 5 is currently under construction and only offers 3 lessons at the moment.   The recommended time frame for the first three modules to be completed is 6-weeks, but you can of course take longer or move more quickly as needed.  The lessons consist of a 20 minute or less video, and the corresponding downloadable homework assignments.   There are also great resources such as Facebook group links, book recommendations, printable organizational tools and more!

Modules cover topics such as homeschool triage (how to identify and fix what isn't working), scheduling, planning, teaching more than one grade/student, helping students prepare for success and much more.   In the video portion, you are not just staring at the speaker, you rarely see her truthfully, but it's more of a power point with bullet items and catch phrases popping up in front of you as the speaker does her thing.     I'll warn you, she has a very soothing voice, so listening when you're overly tired may cause an unscheduled nap, ahem.

The homework sometimes involves just the homeschooling parent, other assignments may require some family discussion or family meetings as the topics are worked through and processed.  During the house keeping module you get to break out the feather duster and clean.   There's real life applicable things here ya'll.

I listened to the videos, and admittedly it took a while to figure out to get the sound to work.  I'm not a gadget gal and had no clue there were little blue line to click for sound....I'm a dinosaur.   Once I listened to the videos, I then looked at the worksheets/homework assignments to see how they were laid out.  I did try to print the sheets, but honestly there was something wonky going on between the site and my printer and I ended up with 1/2 letters every time I printed, so I just wrote down anything I felt was noteworthy.

I'll be honest, the content is good, the videos are pleasing to the ear, but as a seasoned homeschool mom who is pretty darned organized on my own, I didn't find this to be the most useful site in the world for me personally.   However, I do feel like this would make an excellent resource (or even gift) for a newer homeschool mom who may not be found her rhythm or for one who has started drowning in the murky waters of uncertainty and self doubt.    There is lots of good stuff, and I'm not saying I've "arrived" by any stretch, but for me personally this wouldn't be a product I'd latch on to. However, as the site grows and more material is added, that is likely to change.

There is also a "Bonus" page/tab that offers 10 different styles of free printable planner templates and an a student accountability pack to help the kids keep up with their assignments and tasks.   These colorful printouts have a place for assignments, reading lists and chores.

For more reviews of this product, click here.

3D Fiberlash Mascara–Product Review

Being the mother of ballerinas, we go through a LOT of makeup during performances.   One issue we have is making the eyes stand out without using false lashes (because they look like a giant spider sitting on my tiny 9 year olds face).   I was asked to review the  3D Fiberlash Mascara and I see that stage make up is about to be SO.MUCH.EASIER.

First the basics about 3D Fiberlash Mascara.  There are two components to the mascara, a gel wand and a fiber wand.  The fibers are natural (made from green tea leaves, hypoallergenic and safe for contact lens wearers).  There's no testing ever done on animals.

Application:    Below is a oh-so close up of me, with nothing on my eyes.

Then I applied one layer of gel, one layer of fibers and a second layer of gel to the eye on the left side of the photo below.   The eye on the right has 2 applications of each.   

The next photo shows me with two layers of the product on each eye.   These photos were all taken within 3 minutes of each other, by my 9 year old…so there’s no touch ups, and thankfully both eyes made it into the photos, ahem.

I did end up getting some of the fibers in my eye the first time. Having said that, it wasn’t a “gaaah, my eyes, my eyes!” experience, it was just noticeable and easy to extract.   Heavy application of the gel will alleviate this issue.  The product is water proof, but comes off easily with soap, baby shampoo or eye makeup remover.

You can order your Moodstruck 3D Fiber Mascara online for $29.  While you’re at the site, check out their eyeliners, lip liners and  facial cleansers.

To read more views by the team at Home & School Mosaics, click here.

Lights In A Dark World

Sometimes, I think we make the gospel too complicated.    Those “kid songs” we learned as preschoolers really do hold so much truth. 

Jesus loves me, this I know.  For the Bible tells me so!  (You were singing it in your mind, weren’t you?)   It really is THAT simple.   Knowing He loves you, and accepting what He’s done.  Little ones to Him belong, they are weak but HE is STRONG!

Likewise living the Christian walk is often overly complicated.   Another song quickly comes to mind.

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine!!  (You did it again, didn’t you?)

It really is as simple as letting Who is on the inside of you shine out into the world around you.   That may mean holding your tongue when you want to let it fly.   That may mean giving up your seat on the morning commute to someone who NEEDS to sit.   That may mean shoveling the neighbors snow.  It may mean giving a smile to a stranger.  It may even mean leaving the comfort of home and going to a third world nation to hold an orphan in your arms while singing “Jesus Loves Me”.

Showing the love of Jesus, and shining your little light isn’t nearly as hard as we make it.   The biggest thing is remembering to slow down and do it.

Dayspring has a lovely new product line called the Everlasting Light Collection.   These lovely home accent pieces and jewelry are just the right little reminders for you or a friend or family member.

I especially love the little necklace and bracelets that simply say “shine your light”.   How easy is that?  In today’s dark world, it’s a challenge, but the light chases away the darkness.

Shine your light!!  We need it more than ever!

Scrap Frenzy

The last year was over busy, over committed, over worked and I don’t think any of us enjoyed it much.  So now that I’ve quit working, finished my tour on  the TOS Review Crew, dropped co-op and dropped a few other activities I’m finding I have time for life again.

Recently, I had the startling realization that I hadn’t worked on scrapbooking in over a year.  This may not be bad for some, but for a chronological scrapper with OCD tendencies, this was serious!

So, I took advantage of Olivia’s recovery time and attacked my delinquent pile.  In a total of 4 days of scrapping, I completed 49 12X12 layouts, and managed to get caught up.  Well, except for the photos that arrived in today’s mail.

Anyway, if you don’t scrap you may wonder what does a scrap frenzy look like??   Well, here is what the aftermath looks like…documented in photos, just for you!

    As messy as it is, as crazy as it sounds, it gave me one more thing to check off the “to-do list”, and THAT made me very happy.  Interested in reading what others do for fun? (Really, it was fun!)  Check out Time For Mom hosted by Kris at Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers.