Search Results for: blog choosing materials

Choosing a Preschool: Waldorf and Waldorf-Inspired Schools

If you’re looking into preschools and child care centers for your child and you are in a major urban center, the options that are out there can seem daunting. I’ve written about play-based parent participation preschools and the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education. The Waldorf or Waldorf-inspired preschool is a little less common, but it is also an option for parents looking for a nature-inspired preschool for their children. Waldorf education is based on the ideals of Rudolf Steiner who founded the modern concepts of anthrosophy. The first Waldorf School opened in 1919. The Waldorf approach integrates the … Continue reading →

Choosing Materials

There are so many options available for use in scrapbooking projects. Depending on the size and type of scrapbook you are using, you must choose appropriate materials. Let’s take a look at the options that are most commonly used in scrapbooking: Scissors While traditional scissors come in very handy for scrapbooking, paper edging scissors can be useful and offer several different options as well. They have scalloped edges, ribbon edges and several other blades for cutting paper to make decorative edges. Stamps Whether you choose wood rubber stamps or clear stamps, using stamps to add designs to your pages is … Continue reading →

Home Blog Month in Review: August

Did you have a good month? We seem to have packed an entire summer’s worth of activities in this past month. Now, it seems, it is back to school and time to get ready for autumn. Still, it is nice to look back toward warm sands and wearing shorts even as we will soon be crunching leaves and taking out the sweaters. August 1st Getting Out Grass Stains With summer in full swing, chances are that your family has been playing outdoors quite a bit. And with all of that outdoor play comes the grass stains, especially if you are … Continue reading →

Homeschooling and Public Teaching Comparison: Choosing a Curriculum

I really enjoy checking over in the homeschooling section to see what new topic or idea Valorie is discussing. As a teacher and as a parent, homeschooling has always been an interest to me. I have never really considered doing it but I find it intriguing and I am always up for learning more about it. One of Valorie’s more recent articles discusses how homeschooling parents can find a curriculum that meets their children’s educational needs. I think that this is one aspect of homeschooling that I would definitely enjoy more than public school teaching. When teaching in a school, … Continue reading →

Roofing Materials: Choosing Shingles

If you’re building a home or planning on replacing your existing roof, you’ll soon be choosing shingles. While many people don’t give it a lot of thought if simply having a roof repaired, there are some issues that are definitely worth considering. Did you know that dark shingles, especially black, are less energy efficient and also need to be replaced more frequently? While many newer homes have lighter roofs, it has to do with more than the color scheme. Dark shingles absorb more heat, while lighter colors reflect sunlight. The extra heat absorbed by dark shingles frequently means more air … Continue reading →

Three Families in an Undesirable School District

Faced with an undesirable school district and a tight budget? Here is how three different families adapted. Some years ago, we shared a town and school district with the in-laws. We both had young children and were facing the prospect of placing them in a not-so-great school district. While the town was lovely, the fact was that the school district was one of the worst in the state, due to some poor management, overcrowding, and a strange bussing policy that retained the option of pulling our elementary students to distant schools in areas with high crime rates. In addition to … Continue reading →

How to Get More Fun for Your Money

You can be happy with less money. It all depends on how you use it and what it does for you. Apply your money in the ways that will make you happiest. Be purposeful in how you spend your cash, and your life will be enriched, even on the tightest budget. Choose Experiences Instead of Materials Experiences can be one of the best investments of your money. Long after the money is spent, you will look back on the time with many fond memories. Money that is used toward experiences generally leaves people feeling that it was absolutely worth it. … Continue reading →

Halloween Pages

Now is the time to stock up on Halloween scrapbooking supplies. Typically, I don’t purchase holiday-related items until after the 31st, so I can take advantage of post-holiday sales. However, this year, I’ve seen several major retailers (including Michaels and Hobby Lobby) offering up to 50 percent savings on Halloween-themed scrapbook elements before some kids even have their costumes picked out. Not that I am complaining. Still, if you are planning to purchase materials for your Halloween memory book prior to the holiday, there are some factors to consider. For starters, if your children haven’t already selected their costumes, stick … Continue reading →

Interior Design As A Home-Based Business

Do you often daydream about rearranging the furniture in your home and adding decorative touches here and there to give your home an entirely new feeling? Are you one of those people that makes small adjustments to their home’s decor each season so that it always looks and feels up to date? Perhaps you always get compliments about your home’s décor whenever guests come to visit. These are just some of the things that could indicate that you have an innate sense of what good interior design looks like. Interior design is a career that lends itself well to working … Continue reading →

Getting Rid of Electronics

Is it just me or do you have tons of electronics? Cell phones, MP3 players, portable DVD players, computers of all sizes – the list just never ends! But, it becomes a problem when they break down and it is time to dispose of them. What do you do? Landfills are filled. In fact, in 2007, there was an estimate 2.6 million tons of e-waste in U.S. landfills. Sadly, less than 14% of the electronics were recycled. Plus, some of the materials used in electronics are hazardous, so these items shouldn’t just be “thrown away.” Chemicals like lead, mercury, cadmium … Continue reading →