tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59199172011-12-14T18:52:16.672-08:00Homeschoolmum Reviewsmenoreply@blogger.comBlogger1221100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1153345363162271082006-07-19T14:41:00.000-07:002006-07-19T14:42:43.173-07:00Here is a great site about children's rights. You may not be aware of it, but psychiatric drugging of children has become outrageously common.Sometimes I feel like I'm living in a "brave new world" when I read about the horrible things happening to children in the U.S.These drugs aren't a cure for anything, and often end up creating horrible disabilities and addictions in the children.Take a lookmenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1153082189902764562006-07-16T13:35:00.000-07:002006-07-16T13:36:29.916-07:00Here's another good quote today, by:L. Ron Hubbard"Save the child, and you save the nation."menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1152622114467743802006-07-11T05:47:00.000-07:002006-07-11T05:48:34.480-07:00Something from NothingI read this little story to my boys last night and we really enjoyed it. Besides being a nice story about family and memories, it had this really cool concept of reusing and recycling. Look for the mouse family on each page!menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1145986712434354722006-04-25T10:35:00.000-07:002006-04-25T10:38:32.456-07:00Great quote!I just thought I'd share this today."Never let it be said of you that you lived an amateur life." -L. Ron Hubbardmenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1145237719694124922006-04-16T18:33:00.000-07:002006-04-16T18:35:19.706-07:00Scientology Silent BirthWhat exactly is a silent birth?This is all about providing the best possible environment for the birthing mother and her new baby.Silent births are labor and delivery done in a calm and loving environment. This means everyone attending the birth should refrain from spoken words as much as possible. Chatty doctors and nurses, shouts to “PUSH, PUSH” and loud or laughing menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1144859029796897032006-04-12T09:23:00.000-07:002006-04-12T09:23:49.806-07:00703 Science Experiments is a really great book!I wrote more about it at: Homeschoolmum.menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1117538913884440542006-03-31T04:20:00.000-08:002006-04-03T20:12:23.830-07:00Scientology and Literacy and EducationI recently read about the work of the Church of Scientology in improving literacy in the United States. The NAACP honored L. Ron Hubbard -NAACP Honours L. Ron Hubbard, Reverend Heber Jentzsch, and Isaac HayesYou can read more about the Church of Scientology working to improve literacy and education:Scientology Study TechnologyWhat is Study Technology?menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1102372606903209382004-12-06T14:21:00.000-08:002004-12-06T14:36:46.903-08:00Some great books for helping your children study better can be found at Achieve Success
Books I have found particularly useful are:
How to Learn
Help your child understand what he reads
Effective Education
How to pass a test
menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1093962150717650402004-08-15T07:17:00.000-07:002004-08-31T07:22:30.716-07:00Recommended Website
Marriage Counseling
Game Review
Monopoly Junior
This is Monopoly for kids, and my kids love it! From my 4 year old to my 9 year old, it is one of their favorite games. Addition and subtraction skills are used for this one, and the theme is very entertaining.
What 7 year old wants to buy Park Place? Instead, they get to buy a cotton candy stand, a ferris wheel, a haunted housemenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1090940157942761622004-07-27T07:55:00.000-07:002004-08-24T12:22:44.956-07:00Website Link:
Good News
Game Review
Candyland
I loved this game as a child, and I love it now as a mommy. I have six kids, and I've noticed that my girls generally like this game better than my boys.
It is very colorful, and the movements across the board are based on the color of the card one chooses from the deck. If you pick a blue card, you move to the next blue menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1091599761741486682004-07-21T23:09:00.000-07:002004-08-31T07:16:40.726-07:00Recommended Website
Why Relationships Fail
Toy Review
Barbie Toy Store
My daughters really like this toy, and they still have a lot of the pieces, after more than a year. The pieces are durable, considering that they are little plastic things, and they are very cute and brightly colored. The toys are toys they are famliar with; a See-and-Say toy, and other popular Mattel toys. They can put menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1091298398778660452004-07-20T11:26:00.000-07:002004-08-31T08:02:57.060-07:00Recommended Website
Improve Marriage
Book Review
Flowers from the Storm by Laura Kinsale
I don't normally review Kinsale's books because I think they are just too perfectly written for my meager attempts at review, but then that's not fair, is it? So, I'll attempt to put my admiration for this book into words...
Jervaulx, the hero of this book, is as flawed and perfectly loveable as all menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1091238098937542682004-07-19T18:41:00.000-07:002004-08-24T12:30:45.620-07:00Recommended Website:
Scientology Home Page
Game Review
Harry Potters Sorcerer Stone
We actually enjoy playing this game, although the instructions were incomplete and we had to spend some time figuring out the rules of play ourselves.
One nice thing about this game is that the separate games don't all have to be played at once. You can take just one of the 6 game boards and play that, or you menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1091132619415535672004-07-18T13:23:00.000-07:002004-08-24T12:28:22.990-07:00Website Link:
POS Upgrade - find a better Point of Sale System
Little People SchoolBus
It's MUCH nicer than the old model. For one thing, it now comes with a wheelchair, and a ramp at the back. My kids really think this is great, and so do I. The wheelchair itself is very cute and easy to use for little hands.
I also thought the wheelchair was great for giving the kids the opportunity to ask menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1091035121536343502004-07-17T10:06:00.000-07:002004-08-24T12:26:52.856-07:00Website Review
Family Advice
Movie Review
Life is Beautiful
I was very moved by this movie, and I agree with another reviewer that it wasn't "exploitative". The Holocaust was the background.. the setting. The characters weren't backdrops to the story of the Holocaust, but rather the situation they were in simply emphasized the beauty within the main characters.
The lives of the characters menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1090005829253923972004-07-16T12:23:00.000-07:002004-08-24T11:59:32.796-07:00Recommended Website:
Happy Marriage
Book Review
The Haunting
The acting was really great, but some aspects of the storyline were a bit choppy. The scenery was magnificent, but some of the special effects were not the best.
It was an interesting combination of elements, actually. Some of it was pretty scary, and the superb acting made it altogether pretty palatable, despite some awkwardness in menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1090637936471723052004-07-15T19:52:00.000-07:002004-08-24T12:03:46.680-07:00Today's Link
Cure your Pet's Diabetes
Book Review
Flowers From the Storm by Laura Kinsale
I don't normally review Kinsale's books because I think they are just too perfectly written for my meager attempts at review, but then that's not fair, is it? So, I'll attempt to put my admiration for this book into words...
Jervaulx, the hero of this book, is as flawed and perfectly loveable as all menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1089827313193134032004-07-14T10:47:00.000-07:002004-07-14T10:48:33.193-07:00Recommended Website
Cranberries
Movie Review
The Snapper (1993) VHS ~ Colm Meaney
Okay, I have to admit, this one was a bit hard to handle in certain places. Certainly, the expectant mother was having trouble facing the realities of her situation herself. Not the fact of pregnancy - that was perfectly acceptable, and very refreshing, I thought. But the circumstances -- the father of the baby --menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1090172475866182432004-07-13T10:37:00.000-07:002004-08-24T12:01:46.446-07:00Recommended Website
Homeschooling Links
Book Review
The Heiress by Jude Devereaux
This was probably the funniest historical romance I've ever read. The characters are very unique, and well formed, and the plot is surprisingly smooth. I did not detect any uncomfortable plot devices - the story was very natural, and the narration was interesting and light.
Devereaux has a wonderful sense of humormenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1089663605868883722004-07-12T13:13:00.000-07:002004-07-14T10:47:15.936-07:00Recommended Website:
Scientology Handbook
Movie Review
The Postman (1997) VHS ~ Kevin Costner
I really like Costner heroes because they are very "real" people. The Postman is not a perfect heroic figure - he is simply a guy, trying to get along in a difficult situation, but unwilling to compromise his own integrity.
THAT, and that alone, is what makes him heroic. His own moral code is not menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1089564264963324962004-07-11T09:42:00.000-07:002004-07-14T10:46:07.626-07:00Recommended Website:
The Man Behind Scientology: David Miscavige
Movie Review
The Princess Bride
This has been one of my favorite movies for years, but we just picked up the dvd and watched it for the first time with the kids.
What a darling movie. The story is sweet, the characters are loveable (even the bad guys, in their own way), and the scenery is really pretty.
The movie focuses on menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1093963159583621902004-07-08T07:37:00.000-07:002004-08-31T07:39:19.586-07:00Recommended Website
Marriage Counseling
Book Review
The Lily Cupboard by Shulamith Levey Oppenheim
This story is told rather ambiguously... the facts of the girl going to the country to stay with a family, and where she hides when the soldiers come, is simply told. Why she has to go to the country and why she has to hide, are more complex issues. This story does not attempt to explain all the menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1093962333740736102004-07-07T07:24:00.000-07:002004-08-31T07:25:33.740-07:00Recommended Website
Marital Help
Movie Review
Life is Beautiful
I was very moved by this movie, and I agree with another reviewer that it wasn't "exploitative". The Holocaust was the background.. the setting. The characters weren't backdrops to the story of the Holocaust, but rather the situation they were in simply emphasized the beauty within the main characters.
The lives of the characters menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-108917372298907472004-07-06T21:14:00.000-07:002004-07-06T21:15:22.990-07:00Recommended Website:
Battlefield Earth
Movie Review
Battlefield Earth (2000) DVD ~ John Travolta
This movie is really very fun. It's a classic sort of story, in that the bad guys are really bad, and the good guys are really good. This handling of good versus evil reminded me of really old stories which I have read, such as The Odyssey. There is no question about who the bad guy is. He's wearing menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1088876730240083252004-07-03T10:45:00.000-07:002004-07-06T21:14:00.500-07:00Recommended Website:
Silas Buckley
Book Review
Psychiatrists-- The Men Behind Hitler: The Architects of Horror by Thomas Roder
I think any comprehensive study of WWII should include this book. I read "The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich" in high school, as part of my required reading for history class, but I think this book is much more complete in terms of what actually influenced Hitler, andmenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1088783139806940262004-07-02T08:45:00.000-07:002004-07-06T21:12:17.723-07:00Recommended Website:
Scientology Official Home Page
Book Review
Scientology: The Fundamentals of Thought by Tribute to L. Ron Hubbard
This book is not light reading, but I think it is a vital book for anyone who is actively searching through different spiritual philosophies, looking for some answers to the basic questions of existence.
Chapters in this book discuss freedom and why we have menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1093962915660713232004-07-01T07:33:00.000-07:002004-08-31T07:35:15.680-07:00Recommended Website
Marriage Counseling
Game Review
Harry Potters Sorcerers Stone
We actually enjoy playing this game, although the instructions were incomplete and we had to spend some time figuring out the rules of play ourselves.
One nice thing about this game is that the separate games don't all have to be played at once. You can take just one of the 6 game boards and play that, or you can menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1088527451157587272004-06-29T09:42:00.000-07:002004-07-02T08:47:26.670-07:00Recommended Websites:
The Lab
Communication
Book Review:
The Family Handyman Wordless Workshop by Roy Doty, Roy Doty
What a cool book! The problem is presented in a cartoon. For instance.. (I have six kids, this is my favorite)... a woman sorting through laundry to wash, trying to separate the colors. Laundry is all over the floor in front of the machine.
The solution: A frame is built menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1088433144730505782004-06-28T07:32:00.000-07:002004-07-02T08:49:12.533-07:00Recommended Website:
Scientology Quotes
Sadness and Grief
Book Review
Self Analysis by Humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard.
This book delves into the conflict between the exuberance of youth and the cautiousness that comes with hard-won wisdom. Why does it happen that as one ages and learns, one becomes less enthusiastic about life? Is there a way to retain one's wisdom, but regain that youthful menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1088303313371881242004-06-26T19:28:00.000-07:002004-06-29T09:39:41.673-07:00Recommended Website:
Applied Scholastics
Book Review
Grammar and Communication for Children by L. Ron Hubbard
My 9 year old son is currently studying this book, and I've happily thrown away the grammar materials he was using before. This book is written very clearly, and the data is presented in a straightforward, easy to understand manner.
My son now has certainty on the parts of speech,menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1088209206116706762004-06-25T17:19:00.000-07:002004-06-29T09:37:42.723-07:00Recommended Website:
Doc Shillington
Book Review:
Prescription for Nutritional Healing: A Practical A-Z Reference to Drug-Free Remedies Using Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs & Food Supplements by James F., Md. Balch, Phyllis A. Balch
This book is very easy to use, with various disorders listed alphabetically. Each problem listed contains a description of symptoms, possible underlying causes of menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1088009022624706782004-06-23T09:42:00.000-07:002004-06-23T09:43:42.623-07:00Recommended Website:
Scientology Today
Book Review:
What Your Second Grader Needs to Know: Fundamentals of a Good Second Grade Education (The Core Knowledge Series) by E. D. Hirsch
I have the complete set of these books, from kindergarten through 6th grade, and I really recommend them all. The 2nd grade book contains poetry (including "The Night Before Christmas), stories (including a section menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1087827004221320652004-06-21T07:09:00.000-07:002004-06-23T09:41:32.703-07:00Website Recommendation:
Scientology in Los Angeles
Book Review:
Fast Fiction: Creating Fiction in Five Minutes by Roberta Allen
I have really gotten a lot out of this book. Ms. Allen breaks down the art of storytelling into 5 minute exercises that are easily done, and that can be linked together to complete longer stories - even full-length novels! By breaking the assignments down into 5 menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1087576723439029922004-06-18T09:38:00.000-07:002004-06-23T09:38:00.166-07:00Recommended Website:
About L. Ron Hubbard (German)
Book Review:
The Complete Idiot's Guide to the American Revolution by Alan Axelrod
This is such an easy reference book on the subject! The book starts with ancient American history and goes through Y2K. Pretty comprehensive.
It's written in an easy-to-read format, with chapters and sections clearly outlined, so one can just pick it up and menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1087397762043700902004-06-16T07:55:00.000-07:002004-06-23T09:35:09.186-07:00Recommended Website:
L. Ron Hubbard (Italian)
Book Review
Ancient Egypt - Pbk (Growing Up) by Rosalie David
I would say this book is written for the 9 - 13 year old group. It is fun to read with nice illustrations, and told in a story-like manner. The problem with that is that it seems very fictional. Why does the author suggest that this is how ancient Egyptians lived? There is not much menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1087323654985620102004-06-15T11:08:00.000-07:002004-06-15T11:20:54.986-07:00Website Recommendation:
Doc Shillington - Natural Health
Book Review
Earthquakes (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science) by Franklyn M. Branley, Richard Rosenblum
This is a very good beginning book on the subject for children. It begins with scientific information about how earthquakes occur, and then goes through what may happen during an earthquake, such as buildings falling down, fires, gas menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1089665054941523512004-06-12T13:44:00.000-07:002004-08-31T07:29:37.583-07:00Recommended Website
Marriage Book
Toy Review
Little People SchoolBus
It's MUCH nicer than the old model. For one thing, it now comes with a wheelchair, and a ramp at the back. My kids really think this is great, and so do I. The wheelchair itself is very cute and easy to use for little hands.
I also thought the wheelchair was great for giving the kids the opportunity to ask questions about menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1086283516264783912004-06-03T10:23:00.000-07:002004-06-03T10:25:16.263-07:00Website Recommendation:
Scientology Volunteer Ministers
Book Review:
How to Get Out of the Hospital Alive: A Guide to Patient Power by Sheldon P., Md. Blau, Elaine F. Shimberg
While this book addresses some very serious dangers that we probably all ought to be aware of, and know how to avoid, it also stresses some very rare problems, which may result in over-paranoia for some readers.
I menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1086283312452489092004-06-03T10:19:00.000-07:002004-06-03T10:21:52.453-07:00Website Recommendation:
Scientology Spiritual Counseling
Book Review:
The Beauty : The Bride Quest #4
The basic plot and theme were interesting enough, but this is another romance novel that I really feel was just rushed through, with somewhat sloppy results.
The heroine had this "fear of men" which was told to the reader often enough - but not really demonstrated. The motivations of all the menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1085763165103468782004-05-28T09:50:00.000-07:002004-05-28T09:52:45.103-07:00Website Recommendation
American Religion
Book Review
Castle in the Attic
It's not overly long, and it's written in simple enough language that my 8 and 9 year old children had no trouble reading it.
It's a very engaging, sweet story, which introduces the concepts of chivalry and bravery. I actually think this book is very good for boys to read - it's about knights and fighting for one's menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1085446330856836562004-05-24T17:44:00.000-07:002004-05-24T17:52:10.856-07:00Website Recommendation:
Kate Ceberano Home Page
Music Review
True Romantic (Best Of)(+6 Track Bonus C [IMPORT] ~ Kate Ceberano
Kate Ceberano is one of the best female vocalists I've ever heard. I've seen her in concert, and she really clicks with the audience - just an amazing musician.
She's got such wonderful energy, and it just feels GOOD to listen to her. "Pash" is on this album - it's menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1085348753186379552004-05-23T14:44:00.000-07:002004-05-23T14:46:22.926-07:00Website Recommendation:
Kid Universe
Toy Review
Pokemon Sorry Game
This game has gotten lots of play time in my house. It's more fun than the regular "Sorry" game, at least for Pokemon fans.
Each player chooses which "gym" will be his or her home - for instance, Blaine's gym, or Misty's gym. Then the pieces all belong to one type - Misty's pieces, for instance, are all Water Pokemon.
The menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1093963387320113972004-05-19T07:41:00.000-07:002004-08-31T07:43:07.323-07:00Recommended Website
Husband Working Long Hours
Toy Review
Scooby-Doo Slumber Bag
My son uses this sleeping bag all the time, and it gets washed a couple times each week. The colors are still very bright, and the material has held up well.
It's surprisingly warm, but in the summer it won't make him sweaty. We live in L.A., and during the winter it's all he needs, and in the summer it isn't too menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1084883175029631892004-05-18T05:22:00.000-07:002004-05-18T05:26:15.030-07:00Website Recommendation
Truth about Drugs
Review
Pooh Slumber Bag
My 4 year old daughter has had this bag for over a year. It has been washed regularly, and the colors have remained bright. The bag has stood up well to the washing.
I have "borrowed" this sleeping bag a few times (it's short, but very warm when it's cold out!) but it's not too warm for the summertime. Something about the menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1084756325700367682004-05-16T18:08:00.000-07:002004-05-16T18:12:15.736-07:00Website Recommendation:
Bridge Publications
Book Review:
Learning How to Learn
This is the first piece of "curriculum" I teach my children once they know how to read. I don't know what I would have done without this book!
Ever get to the bottom of the page and can't recall what you just read? Or do your eyes ever start to hurt when studying? Ever get confused about something you're trying to menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1083602670588241352004-05-03T09:44:00.000-07:002004-05-03T09:48:42.543-07:00Website Recommendation:
New Homeschoolmum Website!
Toy Review
Elmo's PC Railroad
This was a favorite toy here, but we just tossed it out. The track got worn out and difficult to connect.
It's very bright, and the pieces are large, but it was just too hard for my son to put together himself. Once together he loved it, though.
There also wasn't enough track to do anything very interesting withmenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1093965967012804322004-04-29T08:22:00.000-07:002004-08-31T08:30:07.070-07:00Recommended Website
Church of Scientology answers about Dianetics
Video Review
How to Use Dianetics: A Visual Guidebook to the Human Mind VHS ~ L. Ron Hubbard
If you are interested in helping people, and interesting in knowing the fastest, most effective way of doing that, then I highly recommend this video!
I wish I had this information when I was a rape crisis counselor - it would have made menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1082727015697111842004-04-23T06:30:00.000-07:002004-04-23T06:34:24.263-07:00Website Recommendation
Religious Resources: Helping Children - Scientology Books, Materials and Courses for Parents
Toy Review
Rescue Heroes Command Center
Lots of fun for all my kids September 9, 2000
My 5 year old son asked for this toy last Christmas. Well, it's September and it's still his favorite toy. His younger siblings, especially his brothers, also love this one. Even the 9 month menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1093963643419740882004-04-02T07:46:00.000-08:002004-08-31T07:47:23.420-07:00Recommended Website
marital stability
Book Review
Bob Books
Once a child knows the basic letter sounds, he or she is ready for Bob books! I have 6 kids, and we homeschool. I used other books for my 2 oldest, but my son Alex began reading with Bob Books. He loves them!
They are written at a perfect gradient, beginning with 3-letter, short vowel sound words. They are written just as I would have menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1093963521136565612004-04-01T07:43:00.000-08:002004-08-31T07:45:21.136-07:00Recommended Website
Scientology
Book Review
The Scientology Handbook by L. Ron Hubbard, Church of Scientology
This book has several sections which I have found invaluable in terms of handling my children. The chapter called "Children" has a ton of data on how exactly to handle children and what kinds of things to avoid doing, and why. I have found this to be extremely helpful for me. I have menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1093970111909963112004-03-25T09:20:00.000-08:002006-04-03T20:11:45.210-07:00Book ReviewHusband-Coached Childbirth : The Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth by Robert A. Bradley, Ashley MontaguDr. Bradley revolutionized American childbirth when he began, in the 1940's, insisting that husbands coach their wives during childbirth. This was when fathers were relegated to the waiting room, and childbirth was treated like a disease that the good doctors "cured".Bradley menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1093968351210393992004-03-23T08:57:00.000-08:002004-08-31T09:05:51.210-07:00Recommended Website
Raising Responsible Children
Book Review
Love You Forever by Robert N. Munsch, Sheila McGraw
This is such a powerful, sweet little story. Every time I read it to my kids I get choked up.. have to stop.. try to pull myself together. It's very emotional, without being morose at all. Just a simple story, a sweet little song, and a "circle of life" theme that, in its simplicitymenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1082727106167082302004-03-16T06:31:00.000-08:002004-08-31T08:39:55.620-07:00Since I haven't posted much for a while, I thought I'd do a couple today:
Website Recommendation
Raising a Child and Providing Hope for the Future - Scientology
Toy Review
SPIRAL SPEEDWAY
I think this toy is for younger toddlers September 9, 2000
We gave this toy to our 2 year old for Christmas, and he played with it a lot for the first month or so, but then completely lost interest in it. Itmenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1093966419236111362004-02-25T08:31:00.000-08:002004-08-31T08:33:39.236-07:00Recommended Website
Secrets in Marriage
Book Review
Integrity and Honesty by L. Ron Hubbard
This book presents the concepts of ethics and morality at a level that just about anyone can understand. The concepts are defined, and instead of feeling guilty for one's transgressions, there is a very simple, yet incredibly effective, way to address these things. The result is a feeling of relief.
menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1093966692422190942004-02-24T08:37:00.000-08:002004-08-31T08:38:12.423-07:00Recommended Website
Youth who volunteers
Book Review
Hogwarts Journal
This is unlike most journals in that, instead of blank pages, it's got some idea-starters for kids. I have found it's easier for my kids to think of things to write about if they have something to start from.
This one has various lists of things started already for the young writer. For instance, the topic will be provided: menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1093963882018262662004-02-07T07:48:00.000-08:002004-08-31T08:56:31.883-07:00Recommended Website
Why Relationships Fail
Movie Review
Meet the Parents
This was a cute movie. Stiller and DeNiro are a combination I never thought to see on film - DeNiro played the father-in-law to be of every young man's nightmares, and Stiller was the dorky guy every high school boy THINKS he is.
Through his own desire for papa's approval, and fear of standing up for himself, he gets menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1093966570067513092004-02-03T08:34:00.000-08:002004-08-31T08:36:10.066-07:00Recommended Website
Have a Happy Marriage
Spooky Halloween Party (Step into Reading, Step 2, paper) by Annabelle Prager
This is a cute story about a boy who has moved to a new apartment and has to make new friends. He's a bit insecure because of the recent changes in his life, but then Halloween comes and no one looks like they're supposed to..
He thought he was too big to get scared on menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1075206059375710502004-01-27T04:20:00.000-08:002004-01-27T04:55:31.873-08:00Website Recommendation
Children; How to Raise Them and Give Them Hope for the Future?
Book Review
Four Puppies
This sweet little story follows the lives of four collie puppies as they explore the world around them through the four seasons.
It's great for exploring the concepts of the seasons, growing up, not being afraid of changes, and more. It's really a great little book.
As a child Imenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1093965613134346472004-01-13T08:12:00.000-08:002004-08-31T09:08:39.863-07:00Recommended Website
Church of Scientology and Dianetics
Book Review
Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health by L. Ron Hubbard.
This book gives the answer to why people engage in irrational, self-destructive behavior. It is a bit of a read - definitely have a dictionary handy when you read it - but it's well worth the effort.
What I like most about this book is that it doesn't leave one menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1093965078381650832004-01-12T08:08:00.000-08:002004-08-31T08:11:18.380-07:00Attachment Parenting
Book Review
Wee Willie Winkie: And Other Rhymes (My Very First Mother Goose) by Iona Archibald Opie, et al
We've gotten lots of mileage out of this little book. I really appreciate how thick the pages are (very easy for little hands to turn) and how well made it is. Even board books don't last long in my house (6 young children here), but this one has been around for well menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1093964799313409692004-01-02T08:04:00.000-08:002004-08-31T08:07:43.396-07:00Recommended Website
Church of Scientology Celebrity LiveWire - Juliette Lewis
Movie Review
The Other Sister starring Juliette Lewis
A lot of issues are dealt with in this movie - falling in love for the firt time, cutting the apron strings, getting along in a world which can sometimes be cruel.
These are things that most people have to face in life, the difference being that Carla has more menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1071263223070724232003-12-12T13:07:00.000-08:002004-01-27T04:54:50.390-08:00Website Recommendation
Scientology Books for Parents/Helping Children with Scientology
Book Review
Mrs. Doubtfire
This is great family movie. It's a funny (with Robin Williams and Sally Fields, how could it not be?), sweet, make-you-cry-at-least-once, kind of film.
All my kids love this movie (they range in age from toddler to pre-teen).
The values stressed in the movie are really greatmenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1093969144257058522003-12-08T09:09:00.000-08:002004-08-31T09:19:04.256-07:00Recommended Website:
Scientology Home Page
Book Review
What Is Scientology? by L. Ron Hubbard
This book contains the answers to just about any question a person might have about the Church of Scientology and what Scientologists are doing all over the world, in terms of bettering conditions.
There is much information about various social reform groups, such as the Citizens Commission on Humanmenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1070554023517299302003-12-04T08:07:00.000-08:002004-01-27T04:53:13.810-08:00Website Recommendation
Scientology Resource Directory - Arts: Music
Book Review
Planet Jive by the Jive Aces.
We've had the pleasure of watching this band perform live on a number of occasions. These guys really play for the crowd! Great showmanship, great music, great lyrics.
Really family-friendly and lively enough to entertain the kids.
This is my family's favorite band - even my menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1070469120616043692003-12-03T08:32:00.000-08:002004-01-27T04:49:58.373-08:00Website Recommendation
Help - The Biggest of All Human Rights by by L. Ron Hubbard
Book Review
The Chamber
I can't say I "loved" this story. Or that it's a "great" story. It's a very hard book to read - the issues raised are very intense and very difficult to read about. I ended up with questions I'd never had before, which made this book really valuable to me.
The death penalty, racism, menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1070334329115025922003-12-01T19:05:00.000-08:002004-01-27T04:47:06.983-08:00Website Recommendation
Writers of the Future
Book Review
Runaway Jury
The book is about the manipulation of jury selection by the tobacco industry, and how that alone has allowed them to slip through legal battles unscathed.
I loved this book. I loved the idea that Grisham would come out swinging at the tobacco industry. I loved the hero and heroine of the story, and I really enjoyed all themenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1070198778819395722003-11-30T05:26:00.000-08:002004-01-27T04:45:54.373-08:00Website Recommendation
L. Ron Hubbard - Literary Correspondence
Book Review
Understanding: The Universal Solvent by L. Ron Hubbard
I received this book as a gift. It's a very beautiful book, with hundreds of inspiring, uplifting, thought-provoking quotations.
I loved receiving this as a gift, and I have turned to this book many times, when I needed to read something inspirational.
menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1069949488843283042003-11-27T08:11:00.000-08:002004-01-27T04:45:01.356-08:00Website Recommendation
Scientology - Official Church of Scientology Site
Book Review
The Slipper and the Rose
I love this portrayal of the Cinderella story.
It's a musical - and Richard Chamberlain is really entertaining. The storyline is a bit more complex than the typical Cinderella story, which is nice. There's enough to it to justify an entire movie.
The colors and music and dancing menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1069893866308897272003-11-26T16:44:00.000-08:002004-01-27T04:44:08.233-08:00Website Recommendation
L. Ron Hubbard the Writer: Shaping of Popular Fiction
Book Review
A Ring of Endless Light
I read this book the first time when I was in junior high school. I loved it then, and read it a number of times.
I recently picked up a copy for my own daughter. I re-read the book, and this happened to be soon after the death of a very important family member. The book menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1069776703097069482003-11-25T08:11:00.000-08:002004-01-27T04:30:10.200-08:00Website Recommendation
Craig Bader
Jazz teacher discusses Scientology and how it improved his life.
Book Review
Hocus Pocus
This is probably the most entertaining Halloween movie I've seen.
The story is a little bit scary - but not gory or too frightening. The bad witches are quite funny and boy, can they sing!
The costumes are wonderful - the music is great. Bette Midler is truly menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1069693913549079912003-11-24T09:11:00.000-08:002004-01-27T04:28:58.060-08:00Website Recommendation
Scientology Directory
Get your questions about Scientology answered through these websites.
Book Review
Uncle Buck
Uncle Buck is not your everyday sort of hero. He doesn't look like a hero, and he doesn't act much like a hero. But in his own strange, bizarre way, he comes into the life of his brother's family and fixes all the problems, just like a hero would.
He's menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1069518526056965232003-11-22T08:28:00.000-08:002003-11-22T09:24:31.253-08:00Website to see
Diane Keaton Filmography
Diane Keaton is such a great actress! I just love watching her movies. We actually saw her in person a few years ago at Disneyland. She waited in line with everyone else, and was just so unassuming and polite! I liked her even more after that.
Book Review
First Wives Club
I never read the book, but my husband did, and he said the women in the movie were menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1069364193251996222003-11-20T13:36:00.000-08:002003-11-22T09:22:01.460-08:00Interesting Website!
A movie? How cool is that?!?
Book Review
Harold and the Purple Crayon
This is a classic.
Harold creates his world with just a crayon - very imaginative, and a pleasure to read. The book is small - perfect for little hands.
Highly recommended for little ones!
menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1068908746170471082003-11-15T07:05:00.000-08:002003-11-22T09:20:07.506-08:00Website Review
How to Live with Children
This site offers a great essay on childrearing. It's all about raising children who respect themselves and others, and who can be self determined in life.
Book Review
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Day
Alexander is having just one of those awful, awful days. It's a very funny story, and I like to read this whenever one of my kids is just menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1068418162190553592003-11-09T14:48:00.000-08:002003-11-22T09:17:45.900-08:00Website Review
Successes from Management Technology Application
These successes are really inspiring!
Book Review
Speaking From Experience
My husband uses the management techniques in his business. They make a lot of sense and help him to put order into his daily work.
With lots of illustrations, the ideas presented in the book are easy to understand.
menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1068335160788561542003-11-08T15:45:00.000-08:002003-11-22T09:15:26.433-08:00Website Review
Mail.com
Listed here, because it's the best free email service I've used. Very little spam, easy to use, and you get to pick your address from hundreds. @earthling.net @consultant.com @cheerful.com - that kind of thing. Pick the address you like!
Book Review
You've Got Mail
This is a great movie, appropriate for the entire family.
Two people fall in love through letters (menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1068188020368465982003-11-06T22:53:00.000-08:002003-11-22T09:13:47.496-08:00Website Review
Scientology Handbook - Helping Others Recover from Illness & Injuries
Not intended as an alternative to medical treatment, this website gives practical methods you can use to help people who have been hurt or ill. Much of the material in the booklet described below can be found here. Highly recommended.
Book Review
Assists for Illness & Injuries
I like this book because it gives menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1068095278475039562003-11-05T21:07:00.000-08:002003-11-22T09:09:38.420-08:00Website Recommendation
Laura Kinsale
Author discusses her novels, life, and writing. Very fun, with a discussion board for fans.
Book Review
Hidden Heart
As her first novel, this book is somewhat different from Kinsale's others. Not quite as intense, but still far different from the typical historical romance light reading.
The heroine finds herself suddenly needing to deal with the ton, menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1067967129083441122003-11-04T09:32:00.000-08:002003-11-22T09:07:29.780-08:00Website Recommendation
Barb Dakin
Barb Dakin, Scientologist and music teacher, discusses how Scientology has helped her in life, including the effects it has had on her career.
Book Review
Rock Star
This movie was kind of hard to watch in places. A rock musician discovers fame overnight, and we witness his descent into a life of overindulgence and no morals.
He loses sight of what's importantmenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1067879672116224142003-11-03T09:14:00.000-08:002003-11-22T09:09:57.500-08:00Website Recommendation
Jon's Homeschooling Resources - List by Zip Code
This is a great way to find homeschooling families in your area. Search by zip code, and ask Jon to list your site as well. Homeschooling is easier for everyone when we're organized!
Book Review
Grumpier Old Men
I love this movie.
Matthau plays a fellow who is having trouble accepting change. He's cranky, rude, frugal, menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1067805313923051152003-11-02T12:35:00.000-08:002003-11-22T09:10:14.623-08:00Website Recommendation
Freedom Magazine - The Church of Scientology in Clearwater, Florida
Very interesting reading about the contributions of the Church of Scientology to the community of Clearwater. Not only does it provide interesting data, but it also gives family events that anyone can attend.
Book Review
Speed (DVD)
I saw bits and pieces of this movie a few years ago, and didn't think menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1067708269629164952003-11-01T09:37:00.000-08:002003-11-22T08:58:58.756-08:00Website Review
Hidden Mickeys
This website explores various Hidden Mickeys at Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure, including on the new Winnie the Pooh ride.
Fun!
Book Review
Winnie the Pooh
I gave The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh to my older daughter for her 10th birthday. She reads portions of it to her younger siblings. This is one of her favorite, most cherished books.
menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1067662423325397392003-10-31T20:53:00.000-08:002003-11-22T08:53:54.900-08:00Website Review
Current Scene
Very interesting articles and tons of "good news" at this site. Relevant. More than the typical "bad news" and celebrity gossip that's become today's news.
Book Review
Curious George
This makes a great gift. Curious George is a very fun character, who gets into really interesting situations. There's a lot of "story" here, and hours of reading fun.
I like this one menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1067444635855377952003-10-29T08:23:00.000-08:002003-10-29T08:23:58.436-08:00Website Review
Harry Potter, official site
A couple of downloads. The first was automatic, and a really cool Flash intro - not too long, but definitely cool-looking. Only got a little spotty with my 56k modem.
The second download had a wait with a golden snitch flitting about the screen. I tried to click on it, and realized just how tricky those snitches really are!
This site is really very menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1067359956915480362003-10-28T08:52:00.000-08:002003-10-28T08:52:37.613-08:00Website Review
Scientology Marriage Solutions
This website provides information about marriage help, a very thorough marriage compatability test you and your spouse can take, and resources for getting help if your marriage is in trouble.
The site is easy to navigate, very aesthetic-looking, and provides some good info.
Book Review
The Story of Us (1999) VHS ~ Bruce Willis
I watched this menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1067047625210189632003-10-24T19:07:00.000-07:002003-10-28T09:05:48.743-08:00Website Review
Dr. Sears
This is site promises a little more than it delivers. Member-submitted recipes page is actually just one recipe a week (I didn't see archives), the listing of events consisted solely of a cruise with Dr. Sears (as if we could all afford that!), and not all the links work. The glossary holds promise, but I still need another dictionary to understand his definitions (not menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1067047112223063682003-10-24T18:58:00.000-07:002003-11-22T09:10:42.046-08:00Website Recommendation
When Mom is Sick; Christian Homeschoolers with Chronic Illness
This is part of a larger website, that ministers to all Christians with chronic illness. The article gives really good, practical advice for handling life when mom is ill. The author particularly discusses pregnancy-related illness. This is really useful for any homeschoolers who are dealing with pregnancy, menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1066918577993375372003-10-23T07:16:00.000-07:002003-10-29T08:27:13.136-08:00Website Review
Meet the Artists - Ann Jonas
I really enjoyed reading about the artist of Round Trip
The site provides biographies of other artists, which are all pretty interesting. The only real problem with this website is that the text was so small I had trouble reading it!
Book Review
Round Trip by Ann Jonas (Author)
My son saw this one on Reading Rainbow and he was so fascinated by menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1066918537670500442003-10-23T07:15:00.000-07:002003-10-23T07:25:55.056-07:00Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999) VHS ~ Kirsten Dunst
When this movie was released I decided to skip it because I didn't think it would be all that funny. I was wrong! My husband and I read the screenplay first, and after laughing out loud several times while reading it, we decided we just had to buy the video.
I expected it to be a darker comedy than it is. There are some really, really good jokes inmenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1066918488066481102003-10-23T07:14:00.000-07:002003-10-23T07:20:55.390-07:00Small Town Girl by Lavyrle Spencer
I read another of LaVyrle Spencer's books before, and really loved it (Twice Loved), so I started this one with high expectations.
The writing was fluid, the characters were interesting, but I just couldn't get past the idea that the heroine stole the hero away from another woman (whom he had been seeing for 8 years -- and was happy with until the millionairemenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1066844712506012442003-10-22T10:45:00.000-07:002003-10-25T03:29:23.540-07:00King Bidgood's in the Bathtub by Audrey Wood, Don Wood (Contributor)
This is one of my all-time favorite children's stories.
We read that "King Bidgood's in the bathtub and he won't get out!" The lively characters, anxious to get their King out of the bathtub, but definitely not wanting to offend his royal sensibilities, subject themselves to the King's demands to fish with him -- in the tub.menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1066844690035921722003-10-22T10:44:00.000-07:002003-10-25T03:28:58.493-07:00Sharp Edges by Jayne Ann Krentz
I really found the hero and heroine to be believable, the storyline was interesting, and the setting was really fun to read about.
There were, however, a few major problems with the story, which I found distracting. In the style of "Scooby-Doo", the "bad guy" confesses all, and long drawn out conversations ensue -- all while the "bad guy" is holding the gun and menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1066755927231369452003-10-21T10:05:00.000-07:002003-10-25T03:28:19.210-07:00Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Book 1) by J. K. Rowling, Mary GrandPré (Illustrator)
I have fallen in love with Harry Potter! He's a charming sort of hero -- the lost, brainy sort of fellow, surrounded by people who can't appreciate his abilities, but who manages to find his own kind and use his talents to save the day.
This book is very funny, written with a definite British sort of menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1066667166634847262003-10-20T09:26:00.000-07:002003-10-20T09:26:06.486-07:00Bolt from the Blue ~ The Jive Aces
This c.d. gets more play time in our household than any other c.d. we own.
The music is very upbeat, happy and fun. We have literally played this c.d. over and over again, and it never fails to get the kids dancing around the living room.
Our kids have memorized several of the songs ("When You're Smilin'" and "Bolt from the Blue") and they are likely to menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1066666999150473472003-10-20T09:23:00.000-07:002003-10-20T09:26:42.736-07:00Never Pay Retail: How to Save 20 Percent to 80 Percent on Everything You Buy by Sid Kirchheimer (Editor)
This book discusses how to save in a wide range of purchases -- from bakery items to cars to airline tickets to ceiling fans. Some of the advice is basic (Revlon cosmetics are less expensive at K-Mart) to some things one really might not know (the time to buy audio equipment is between menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1066568916724205452003-10-19T06:08:00.000-07:002003-10-25T03:27:16.226-07:00Silver Burdett Science Grade Two Student Text by G. Mallinson, et al
I received several copies of this book from a public school which had stamped them "obsolete". I thought it was a great find -- free textbooks! I soon realized that not only was this book too dumbed down for my 1st grader (I homeschool), it was too dumbed down for my 4 year old.
For instance, I just flipped the book open and menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1066567535613832962003-10-19T05:45:00.000-07:002003-10-25T03:26:39.603-07:00Riding Freedom by Pam Munoz Ryan, Brian Selznick (Illustrator)
My 9 year old son read this book, and so I read it, too, so we could discuss it together. It's a very engaging story. My son read it in a day - he couldn't put it down, and I found that I couldn't, either.
There are some very good themes in this book -- the main character is very strong, determined, and survives despite having the menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1066523593827029872003-10-18T17:33:00.000-07:002003-10-25T03:25:18.120-07:00Dr. Atkins Home Page
Book Review
Dr. Atkins' Quick and Easy New Diet Cookbook by Robert C. Atkins, Veronica C. Atkins
I'm not much of a cook, and with a family of 8 to cook for, having to prepare Atkins meals for myself was trying.
This cookbook really increased the different types of meals I am eating, and broadened my scope of foods considerably. When I found myself having extreme cravings menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1066523418545536672003-10-18T17:30:00.000-07:002003-10-25T03:26:01.963-07:00Pokemon Official Website
Book Review
The Official Pokémon Handbook by Maria S. Barbo
I got this book for my oldest son and he loves it. Each of the first 150 Pokemon are shown and described, in easy to understand language. It was so simple even *I* understood it!
My son is 9 and he thought this book was perfect for what he wanted. His younger brothers (ages 5 and 2) also liked it, and my 2 menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919917.post-1066446113717057582003-10-17T20:01:00.000-07:002003-10-17T20:01:53.916-07:00Slapstick: Or Lonesome No More! by Kurt Vonnegut
Vonnegut himself said he couldn't decide if this book was his worst - or his best.
I love this one and it's my favorite Vonnegut book.
In it he actually discusses his own life a good bit, and his relationship with his sister, with whom he was very close. I felt like I had a much better idea of who Vonnegut is after reading this one.
The two menoreply@blogger.com