Everything Has A Reason

Bad Ingredients in your Shampoo

2012-05-02T05:47:00.000-04:00

Here are common ingredients likely to contaminate products with formaldehyde (A colorless poisonous gas; made by the oxidation of methanol) include:

Quaternium-15
DMDM hytantoin
Imidazolidinyl urea
Diazolidinyl urea

To avoid 1,4-dioxane, watch out for these ingredients, which create 1,4-dioxane as a by product;

PEG-100 stearate
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (also found in toothpaste)
Sodium myreth sulfate
Polyethylene

So, go check the ingredients of your shampoo. This is a precaution for your health and your children's health while you are in child-bearing years.

How to Write Titles of Books and Poems

2012-05-01T13:31:00.000-04:00

I never knew that there are many rules on how to write titles. It's probably the main reason why I'm not a writer...:))

When writing by hand, underline the book title. Ex: Ramona Quimby
When typing a book title, use italics. Ex: Ramona Quimby Age 8
Writing by hand of type written poem titles always have "quotation marks." Ex: "Summer's Day"

Writing a title of poem in a sentence, put period or comma inside the quotation marks. Just like when writing a sentence with direct quotations.

Example of poem titles in a sentence: I love "Summer's Day," but my favorite is "The Pink Cow."

Example of direct quotation in a sentence: "Get out of there!" yelled Tonja.

Do you remember all of that? I'm sure cannot remember everything. This is why I need to write about it, and come back here when I needed to use them.

Finding the Mean and Median of Numbers

2012-04-30T09:51:00.000-04:00

My child is in 5th grade and this is what he is learning in that grade.

Let's start with the "median number."

Example:
15, 22, 3, 8, 18, 10, 5

First write it in order from smallest to biggest.
3, 5, 8, 10, 15, 18, 22

Put your right pointer on the last number, and your left pointer finger on the first number. Your fingers should meet in the middle. Which in this case your fingers should land on 10. So the median number is 10.

"Mean number"
Add all the numbers, then divide the answer by how many numbers you added.

Example:
7, 12, 15, 19, 2

7+12+15+19+2=55 ÷5 (because you added 5 numbers) =11

So, the MEAN is 11

Homemade Laundry Detergent

2012-04-29T21:46:00.001-04:00

1 bar Fels-Naptha shredded
1 cup Borax
1 cup washing soda

Here are 4 cups of hot water and the shredded fels-naptha, medium heat until the shredded soap are all melted.

5 gallon bucket, filled half way with warm water.

Mix the melted bar soap, 1 cup borax, 1 cup washing soda. Stir until the powder/grain are gone.

Fill the bucket more warm water.

Let it set overnight. The next day this should look like jello. Stir again, until well blended. Some people mix one cup of this mixture to make 1 gallon. I usually use it the way it is. No more water for me.

How To Make Your Children Take Capsules or Tablets Drugs

2012-04-04T09:18:00.005-04:00

I call it drugs because it is drugs, even though they are prescribe by a doctor. You will not find this post teaching you how to make them take it, rather a complain of ways that will never work. I even powder it and mix with anything that they will eat with no problem, but still they can't take it.

When they are little (well one of them with ear infection liquid drug) I have to be on top of them, pressing their arms against their body, holding their noses so that they have to open their mouth then use a medicine dropper and drop the liquid at their throat until I'm sure it will not come out anymore. Yes, a struggle and not a healthy way to do it. That liquid may end up at their lungs.

They are older now and I don't feel like fighting and not to mention cleaning up their vomit on the floor. I even tried doing it in the bathroom, but the toilet is easy access and they just vomit in the toilet.

With the ear infection drugs, I stopped and found and easy cure...hydrogen peroxide and they are fine with it. Nothing going down their throat. However, they an eat any junk food anytime with NO gag reflex on their throat. I hate this part of parenting.

SIL Scare Me A Little

2012-04-01T16:05:00.004-04:00

She does not scare me, but I am scared of her in the sense that she works for the department of education, as a person she doesn't scare me. Out of no where she commented as, "it doesn't matter what is your opinion about standardize testing, it is needed to get to college, to get a better job."

"Oh no you didn't just said that," I thought. I didn't say anything to her after that. I'm sorry, she knew where DH and I stand about it. Did she meant to say, "to get a better job that everyone hates you because of what you do, or earn a lot of money and no one will like you." Either way I do not like it.

How many shoe maker, seams person, toy maker, etc. do you know? I don't know anyone personally who can weave. Furthermore, my idea of professionals are not how many fancy frame piece of paper you have hanging on your wall to brag what you accomplish, but how may people will actually recommend you to people they know and people they will meet. Anyone can easily print it online and hang it on the wall...really!

What's up with Persuasive Writing

2012-03-22T12:14:00.002-04:00

Why do you need to learn to lie about something? Yes, that is my definition of PERSUASIVE. What is the point of doing it? I can see the point if you are in college learning how to become a marketers. The more I learn about this type of writing, the more I hated commercials and ads everywhere.

It's funny, you go to college to learn how to lie. And I also find out that in college they teach you how to look down on people the nice way. You pay a lot of money to learn those...interesting and depressing. What is happening in the world today?

Soap Making

2012-02-23T10:47:00.003-05:00

I started collecting beef fat for the soap I will be making soon. Actually, as soon as I have enough to make a batch of soap. I can't get myself to collect pork fat because I am not supposed to even touch those things. lol

Anyway, here is the closer look. It was the flash of the camera that made this blurry. I always forget to turn it off before taking any close-up pictures. That's my hand holding the jar. I stored them inside the fridge, and yes they are still dirty. I need to boil them before I can use it for making soap. Boiling it is a way to removed the dirt or meat pieces from them. And yes, the smell goes away too. I am so excited to start making soap.

Transition Started

2012-02-17T21:26:00.002-05:00

I finally got the courage to call DH friend's mother today about the process of doing regular teaching my children at home with no help from the government/PDE/public school. Since they stop selling us raw milk, and DH friend move all over US and Europe, I didn't any contact with her.

DH kept on reminding me that she likes me, that she will not mind at all. She home schooled her children from the oldest (DH friend), to the youngest. Well, actually she still have young children.

DH and I decided that public schools are going too far, even though I teach my children at home with their free curriculum. I am sick and tired of following the school rules on how should I teach my own children. I am sick and tired of testing after testing. I am tired of due dates and jumping hoops for them. I am tired that I still need to teach my children even if I can't get out of bed and sick. I am sick and tired of non-stop emails that doesn't even concern my children. I am sick of "do this, do that," because it is PDE's regulations.

I am tired, I might straggle at the beginning but I am sure I can do it. One lesson plan for four children, and I bet we will have more time to do more hands-on lessons. I can finally teach them to cook, wash dishes and wash/fold clothes. A real life lessons. I can't wait.

Half Way

2012-01-30T16:35:00.004-05:00

Half way (half way done) to school year already. My youngest son whom I teach with my own compilation of lesson from his older siblings is doing great. He know all the alphabet sounds and yes he can recite the alphabets.

We are doing numbers right now and he know how to write them up to 25. Reading is a piece of cake. Since he already knew all the sounds, he can read the kindergarten level books with no problem.

However, I am not looking forward to testing, which by the way coming around in April. My 5th grader and 3rd grader will be taking it this year. I hope the location is closer this year. I can't wait to move or remove them from the public school system. It would be easier if we move, I don't have to deal with too many *bullshit* with PDE. Removing them will be a little harder without a help from homeschooling organizations.
Ahh, life.

What's new with you?

Multiplying Mixed Fraction

2011-12-04T14:47:00.001-05:00

5 ¾ x 1 ¼

First we need to turn the mixed fraction into improper fractions: 5 ¾ is 4x5+3=23
So 5 ¾ is equal to 23/4, we keep the denominator.

For the next set of mixed fraction, 1¼ is 4x1+1=5, so 1 ¼ is equal to 5/4.

Now 23x5/4x4=115/16, I multiply the numerator from the first fraction to the second numerator. Then, I also multiply the denominator by the other denominator.

Now, since my answer is an improper fraction, I need to divide 115 by 16. 115 ÷ 16 is equals to 7 3/16. That's it, we cannot simplify the fraction any longer.

Bureaucrat/Bureaucracy

2011-12-01T14:10:00.004-05:00

As a noun, verb, adjective, and adverb (I'm sure it can be use as any part of speech but who cares) they are all bad. RED TAPE is the best way to describe it and the government are full of it.

My children and I gave a notice to AGORA CYBER SCHOOL (a public school we use to report to PDE) that we are going on vacation the week of Thanksgiving. However, I forgot to put a name on my 5th grader on whom I want to be on vacation on his class, so I re-did his including the request (form and all). I got a reply that it was approved.

Well, my other two hasn't approved yet and I notice they didn't even read the k-mail (inside the school emails) yet. I can see when the ATTENDANCE OFFICE read it because there is check on it. I thought they are just busy and will eventually get into it. This is bad in my part because I gave them TOO MUCH credit. Never ever give them too much credit. They are BUREAUCRAT and they don't deserve it, believe me.

Vacation was done and over, we did a day worth of lessons on Monday after the Thanksgiving weekend (most are off because most parents in the north part of the country takes their children hunting, we don't), Tuesday, then Wednesday afternoon I got the BUREAUCRATIC letter given by PDE (Pennsylvania Department of Education) to the school we are using.

I was furious, they said that two of my children was un-excuse for Monday and Tuesday (Wednesday was half day, I guess it wasn't counted as school day). Each student got a k-mail for for each day so I have four total BUREAUCRAT k-mails in my inbox. I answered each and everyone (I hate sending email to one place for the same thing but since they did it to me, they will get four from me too) asking what are they talking about, that I requested it and they even sent me a FORM to fill-up and I sent it back.

Today they answered thanking me about the answer email I sent to them asking how it happened and what happened to my email with form attached. NO APOLOGY, NONE, ZILT,ZERO.

If you are not fuming like me right now, you must be BUREAUCRAT. Did you know that PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE ILLEGAL IN THIS COUNTRY? GO READ THE CONSTITUTION IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE ME.

So Much Deception

2011-11-05T12:46:00.004-04:00

I was looking at the different kind of bread in my grocery store today and found one kind that has the least ingredient on most. Of course it was whole wheat and I came across a very interesting ingredient. I don't know what it was so I looked it up online(the very most source of information). Second to my mother inlaw who thinks that every organic says by FDA is good for you.

Anyway, someone comment I like the most was, "corn syrup with manner." (I hope s/he said sarcastically.) Yikes! I bought one and I told DH that we will try it. No way, that things will go straight to the garbage. However, it was on sale and I did not pay much for it.

I tried locating what my MIL suggested (she insisted that I can find it in any grocery store) but no luck. I asked if she got it from a health store and she kinda mumbled and said it is available in her grocery store. Ok, could it be that what you call a grocery store is a health store? Geezz, I cannot afford to shop there, we are not all born with the silver spoon in our mouth. I also hate it when she look down on my homemade pizza, just because I used un-bleach flour for the dough (she is against flour of any kind). Ok, when you make a pizza without a dough let me know and I will make it just for you...ugh. I hate people who tells you something is bad, but does not offer a solution.

So, if you see "CULTURED CORN SOLIDS" in the ingredient, that is the same as high fructose corn syrup...BEWARE!!!

Color Wheel Printables are Hard to Find

2011-10-26T17:20:00.005-04:00

I had a hard time finding one today and by the time I found one, YDS was almost done doodling on the white paper with paint. I did not plan on having art for him today, he decided that he wanted to do one. And the last minute I have to find one. So, for those who are in the same boat, hopefully google will find this.

Yes, I found plenty of color wheel, however, I prefer the old fashion one. I have to make one and put it up along with other color wheels my YDS will do. Actually, I should have started with primary colors and work from there. However, I rather start somewhere when I can. There will be a chance that I will not be able post any of them, something is better than nothing...I guess.

Oh yes, just click the picture above and print.

Dividing Whole Numbers to a Fraction

2011-10-24T13:47:00.003-04:00

I will explain the procedure the way I understand it. This took a few try before I was able to comprehend the concept...:))

Ex: 27 divided 3/5 = 27/1 divided 5/3, you need to flip the fraction and make the whole number a fraction also by putting one as the denominator, because 27/27 is 1. Then you need to write it as multiplication. 27/1 x 5/3 simplify if you can. With my example you can simplify the cris-cross multiplication 27 x 3 = 27 divided 3 equals 9 (how many 3 in 27) and 3 divided 3 equals 1 (how many 3 in 3), now 5 x 1 becomes 5 divided 5 equals 1 (how many in 1 in 5). You can't do much there so the fraction is 5/1.

Now let's recap, 27/1 x 5/3 = simplify the numerator 27 to 9 and simplify the denominator 3 to 1. 27/1 x 5/3 = 9/1 x 5/1 = 45/1 or 45.

Other way:

27/1 x 5/3 = 135/3...however, you still need to find the simplest form of 135/3. You need to find out how many 3 in 135, which is 45.

I guess the second version is shorter. And this is my VERSION. So when dividing a whole number with a fraction, first you need to make the whole number to a fraction then work from there. I think....:)) and why do we need this operation exactly?

Teaching at Home is Good

2011-09-27T12:39:00.003-04:00

Like I mention to my last post, I simply print things that we needed online (where I am able to print) anything that my Kindergarten needs for his lessons. I wish I have done it with my other children. However, better late than never, because I'm not really sure on what they are supposed to learn on certain ages.

If DH and I did not get a marriage license before getting married I will not face the problem on what they need to learn in what age. And since we already done the marriage thing, now the state is meddling on everything we do with our children. Here is a shocker for you.

And did you know we can all renounce or denounce our citizenship, we only need to write a letter saying so. Now, here is the twist...it says that to renounce your US citizenship (not American citizenship) you need to be in a foreign land to do so, not US. Guess where is not US? If you say outside of USA you are mistaken. US can be found in Washington DC and any US territories. Will the court agree to my argument, or will they tell me that US is the whole UNITED STATES OF AMERICA? The latter probably, just because that is how they work. However, if I can find a book saying the first thing I mention, my family will be free from everything. And that my reader is what we wanted. I can teach my children whatever I wanted them to learn.

No free medical, free food, taxes of any kind, no license of any kind (just stay away from the highways), can use cash everywhere because you will not allowed to get a bank account.

I miss the life back home when I was little. I don't have to worry about all of these things and my family can pretty much do what they can without hurting anyone. If I can only persuade DH to move to an island. Life will be much easier...I think...:))

School Has Begun & Sickness

2011-09-08T12:58:00.003-04:00

Oh yes, a great start of the year isn't it? NOT! We were off on Monday being holiday in all. We do not celebrate, however since DH was home, we spent the day with him lounging around the house. All of them are sick and

My children who are in cyber school will have to finish four live lessons a day (optional), these are more for the new families. So, I skip most of it. Then K to 2 has to complete a DORA/DOMA testing and Reading and Math testing. You all know how I hated all these nonsense, however since we are using public school for them I don't have a choice, or I can say, "I am under duress."

The students from k3 and up will only complete Scantron for Math and Reading. Which my two older children fall into that category.

Now with my kindergarten, I am teaching him myself. I get my materials online anywhere that I am able to print. I have the plans and I only have to gather the activities. He can read way past kindergarten level. DH suggested that maybe we can skip kindergarten and do 1st grade materials instead. That is tempting, but he needs to work on his writing mostly.

Yup, that's all for now, children have questions on their testing. Welcome back to learning, everyone.

Two Weeks Left

2011-08-17T13:03:00.002-04:00

I cannot believe summer vacation is over. I hardly rested the whole time. I never woke up late or simply stay in bed all day. I know regular homeschooling are like that, no break, only a little bit slow. And yes, they finished faster too.

I have to remove the old books from my children shelve, and put the new years books. I got the boxes last week. Another clean-up for me.

DH and I went to a fabric store yesterday to look for some black fabric to cover our window this winter. We are planning on utilizing the sunshine to warm up the house to save in electric bill.

Hopefully it will work. Paying close to $600.00 in electric bill on winter months is way too much. Plus we also use propane to warm-up our bedroom downstairs. We usually does not catch-up until we get our taxes.

I will be teaching six, third, second and kinder this year. My kinder will be in all classes except when he is doing his phonics and writing. Yes, I am teaching him with my own plan. Crossing my fingers.

Plastic Sealant on Adult Teeth

2011-08-06T17:07:00.005-04:00

Well guess what, my seven years old is schedule to get some sealant on his adult molars, since his came out not too long ago. His appointment is schedule on September, DH is waiting to talk to our hygienist friend before canceling it. We can't wait to speak to her any longer and I search the other side of this so called sealant.

From what I read, this plastic contains bisphenol-A (BPA), a known endocrine (hormone) disruptor. In Addition to BPA, dental sealants also contain ethyltoulene sufonamide, a known toxin. If you want your children to get this, don't be complaining later on about any unknown or un-explainable diseases. I will definitely canceling my son's appointment for this.

Please read on for SIDE EFFECT. BPA mimics estrogen in the body and can stunt sexual development in boys and can cause early onset of puberty for girls. BPA has also been linked to diabetes and cancer. There you go people, my children will not get anything that can alter what GOD has given them and I will not be the one to give consent to this nonsense.

I questioned everything that a dentist and doctors told me to do. Common sense. If ever my child will get any diseases that will kill them in an instant, I will try natural and easily accessible household items first. Everyone gets cavity and that is not my priority. I rather want a naturally healthy child than drug-up child anytime. Just think what their child will be like if you drug-up your children now. No, stay away from any pharmaceutical drugs. I call it drugs because thats what they are.

My other children also gotten a prescription to get a x-ray because somehow this year they hardly grew, according to my ever trusted pediatrician...NOT. He said something that they might have a dwarfism going on. OK, if I get an x-ray, can they fix it? And I know right away the answer is no. SO, why radiate my child for nothing? Other parents will just go right ahead and do it without thinking. Not us. We question, and if the prescription is only for us to know and without a good outcome, why put your child to it? Sorry I love my children, and these nonsense testing will not get them better if they really have dwarfism. What is it for, so that they can label them as dwarf...no way, not while we as parents are alive.

Oh, let's get back to the plastic sealant, the dental health team also mention that the plastic can leach chemicals into the child's mouth and bloodstream and can provoke allergic reaction and immune system disruption...hah! All that to protect someone teeth. I don't think they have the health of a child in their mind, they are only thinking about the health of the teeth, not the human body. Just like the fluoride.

Always research the dangers, please set aside the goods that they are selling you. Most of these preventive drugs are not good for human consumption.

Too Much Procrastination

2011-07-26T10:06:00.002-04:00

Yup, that's me. I think DH rubbed on me way too much. I got his procrastination disease, if ever that a disease. Sound like a south park episode when Stan Marsh father was diagnose with the drinking disease...really...what a whack episode in my opinion.

Anyway, yes, I don't have enough motivation to start my kinder's lesson for math this fall. I just don't feel like doing it. I have the phonics and LA ready, but that's about it.

I think I have to focus on writing this summer than anything. He already knew the alphabets but the writing part is way behind.

Anyway, stay out of the heat everyone. Our house is keeping cool by two window air conditioners. DH cannot take the heat. Our house gets very hot and it's always cooler outside the house at the end of the day. Saving on electric bill is out of the question right now.

Poison Ivy

2011-07-17T16:14:00.004-04:00

My hands are filled with it right now, because DH work pants had plenty of it. Picking the pants and placing it inside the washing machine or dryer did it. I got it Thursday, then we went camping on Friday. Since I didn't have much to do, when my hands itch, I had to scratch. They spread to my other hands and one of my fingers is swelling. I can't even bend it to help hold stuff that I am holding.

I could not stand it today, and I remember what I do when I get this type of itch when I was young at my parents house. I lit a candle and let it drip on the itchy part. I did it around 10am today and right now is 4:19pm and still not itching. I told DH that I should have done it yesterday when we got home from camping, before my finger got bigger.

So, when they start itching again, all I have to do is drip some hot wax on them. Even the calamine lotion did nothing for it. I also have itch spreading on my skin. If I get itchy enough, I will have to drip some hot wax on those too. Forget drugs and spending the hard earn cash. Un-itch it with hot drippings from a candle. Try it, and you will see what I am saying is true. And try it for anything that itch for a while, like plea bite, mosquito, bugs...etc.

Staying Cool

2011-07-13T11:47:00.005-04:00

Lucky for you if you have central air during this heat wave we are having in the East Coast. We used to cool the whole house with window air-conditioners before we bought our plastic swimming pool. Electric bill was still lower back then. Now, we only cool the classroom with nine computers in it. And whenever we feel very hot, we just jump in the pool and soak for hours.

A quick tips to those who don't have either pool or window air-conditioner.

Take a cool shower, don't dry yourself and sit in front of a fan.
Wear a wet/not dripping bathing suit inside the house, wet regular clothes will do fine too.
Take a cold shower during the hottest part of the day.
Drink plenty of cold water, "note" I said water, not soda.
Repeat everything until you feel comfortable.

I usually do the number one before going to bed. The fan usually cools me down and able to fall asleep. I cannot fall sleep when I am sweating and having wet skin and hair help a lot.

Summer Vacation

2011-06-13T10:11:00.003-04:00

Finally my much awaited season of the year and most favorite one too. I still need to teach my 4th grader on things he did not finish during school year, making lesson plan like I mention many times, sending the books back to K12 and making sure my children cubicles is clean and organize for the next year. And making sure they are reading books.

Wow! re-reading what I wrote made me think, "Am I really on vacation," that is a lot. I like my learning years, no worry like this. Those days I only worry about if the boy I like notice me, homework is done, try to have an answer when a teacher calls me, embarrassing moments. No care in the world...aah, those are the days.

Not anymore, we must continue the cycle of life. And I am still reading PA Rules of Court, trying to memorize all of the rules I needed for a civil complaint against me. DH is very helpful telling me to calm down. That they cannot put me in jail for such complaint. Prayer and hopefully I am able to dismiss the complaint.

Four Days Left

2011-06-06T15:04:00.003-04:00

Not like I am counting, but I wanted to rest and concentrate with the Rules of Court that I been reading since the middle of May.

My children don't have much lessons left. Except for my fourth grader who started a regular 4th grade LA in January.

My children and I are spending a lot of time outside. I will filling the pool with water by tomorrow, and that is another reason to stay outside from then on.

Lesson plan for my Kinder this fall is not written. I will probably hand write it while watching them outside when they are swimming. Since I don't usually join them in the pool, to much splashes and pulling, arguing, grabbing. I like soaking in it when I can rest.

Have great summer everyone. I know most sourthern states are done with schools already. However, my children get off earlier than the local district in my area because we don't get snow days, being home all the time in all.

What are your plans this summer?

Two Weeks Left

2011-05-27T13:07:00.003-04:00

Yes, you heard it right. Two weeks left for this school year. Well, actually nine school days. This coming Monday is holiday and we are not force to do any school work. However, they always say, "if you wanted to catch-up or go ahead you can do so, but the hours spent is not counted." Well, why bother if the hours is not counted. I rather spend my three day weekend relaxing and spending it with the family with no learning according to the Department of Education.

Lesson plan for my kindergarten for the next school year is almost ready to be written. I have all of the basic materials. All I need are extras as for the fun part of all the lessons. I think the fun part is the most needed for this age.

He will be five years old for the next school year. That means I got three more years before the Department of Education butt in with my whole teaching at home idea, or should I say, before I report that I am teaching him at home.

I should move back to Philippines and teach them there myself. Department of Education over is not as strict as the one where I live now. It is the parents responsibility to get their children education. Unlike here, the government will take your children away if you do not comply with their regulation/policy. And more likely that the parents will end up in jail for not following the government wishes. Yup, they know better than the children parents, right? I know 70 percent will say yes, however, people like me will say NO! Leave us alone. What I do and what I teach my children is not your business!