New Review!!! Math Tutor!

Well, hello there!!!  I'm so glad you stopped by!  :)  I bet you'd like to get my posts delivered right to your inbox, now wouldn't you?  So why not sign up for Feedburner?  Check it out, it's right there in my sidebar!  Thanks!!  :)

About the product/service: As part of the TOS Homeschool Crew I received two free DVD's from Math Tutor, Pre-Algebra Volume 1 and Texas Instruments TI-84 Calculator Tutor, so that I could check them out and let you know my humble opinion! 

These DVDs are part of whole series of math DVDs that have been created to help students learn math all the way up to advanced calculus!  The instructor on the DVDs is Jason Gibson, who is a real life rocket scientist.  He actually left his position at NASA to create this series.  Apparently the guy likes math! 

The DVDs are very much like having a professor standing right in your living room, happily teaching your child the joys of math as he writes on the white board.  Each disk contains several hours of instruction. 

All the basics of each subject are covered.  For example, the Pre-Algebra DVD covers real numbers, the number line, absolute value, multiplying integers, and more.  The TI-83/TI-84 Calulator DVD covers the Mode Menu, Sin, Cos, Tan, Scientific Notation, and more.  And if you are clueless as to what all that means, you probably need this!  :)

What are the pros of this product?  Having this DVD is simply just very convenient.  You just pop it in and there's your personal rocket scientist, ready to teach your kid math!  A DVD is great because you can use is over and over, and with mulitple children. 




What's not to like?  Well, it's no high tech production.  If you are looking for a Hollywood style product, this is not it.  It's simply a man, a marker, and a whiteboard.  I have to say, however, that he seems to love the topic and is not one of those horrid monotone types I always seemed to get in college!  :)

The Crazy Mom Take: To be honest, I don't have a child who at the pre-algebra level right now, nor do I have one who needs to learn how to use this particular calculator.  However, God willing, I will soon!  I think these videos are great, and I will definitely be using them when the time comes.  For me personally, I like the fact that they are all business.  Bells and whistles are okay for the younger set, but c'mon, by junior/senior high a kid ought to be able to sit and follow an instructor.  Since I am not exactly a math whiz, and I have limited time, this makes a perfect supplement to what we are already doing.  I need all the help I can get!  Now to find a good brain surgeon!   

Happy math! :)

 

What's the bottom line?  List price is $34.99 for the Pre-Algebra DVD and $31.99 for the TI-84 Calculator DVD/Both are currently available at the Math Tutor website for $26.99  Money Back Guarantee!

I am going to give Math Tutor 4 out of 5 smileys!!!

Check it out! http://www.mathtutordvd.com/public/main.cfm



See what my fellow TOS Crew members have to say @

 http://homeschoolblogger.com/homeschoolcrew/782960/  



*The Smiley System:

I can't really recommend this product.

I doubt this product would be helpful to many people.

This is a good product, but isn't right for everyone.

Most homeschool moms will find this useful.

This is great, and I would recommend it to anyone!!!


Disclaimer!!! I reviewed this product because I am a member of The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew. I was given the product by the vendor to use and evaluate in my home so that I might share my insights with others. Other than receiving the product, which I kinda have to to be able to assess the product, I am not compensated for my reviews in any way. I am in no way obligated to give a positive review. I do try to point out negatives when I see them, though I am admittedly a pretty easy going gal! What you read are my honest assessments of the products I receive.

As with all products, you must do the research before buying. Please visit the the other crew members' blogs, the vendor websites, and any other review sites you might find before buying. I can't guarantee that a product will work for you. You must decide what will fit with your teaching style, and your child(ren)'s learning style(s). I do not judge anything other than the educational value of the products I review. I am not qualified to make judgements as to the safely of any product, and I make no guarantee that the products I review are safe for you, your family, or anyone else. I am simply giving my opinion; only you know what is best for you and your family.

Don't use your blow dryer while you sleep or take a bath. Don't read my reviews in the tub either, and please do not read them when you are asleep, though I do not guarantee that you won't fall asleep reading them!

Copyright 2010 Ramblings from the Crazy House 2

CHECK OUT THE 2010 SCHOOLHOUSE PLANNER!!!

NOTE:  Please do excuse my bullets.  I have tried so hard to discipline them to stay where they should.  They look fantastic in preview mode.  But those little fellas get all crazy when I post.  Sorry!  :)

As an independant contractor for The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, I'd like to share with you a little ad I whipped up for this year's Schoolhouse Planner:

To

FAIL to plan...

(for your homeschool year)

is a plan to FAIL. 

Whether you're a Type A kinda woman, or just a gal who likes to fly by the seat of her pants (skirt?), the one thing you need to make your homeschool successful is some kind of plan.  Whether you like to schedule life minute to minute, or just make sure you get the important stuff done so you have plenty of time to create, explore and dream, don't be without the 2010 Schoolhouse Planner.

The good folks at TOS have thought of everything.  The Schoolhouse planner is more than a regular planner.  It's almost like having your own personal assistant to help you at every turn.  And it's not just for your homeschool stuff.  It's for EVERYTHING!!!
 

Here are just of few of the things this 600 plus page planner can help you do:

• 
  
  Remember your mother-in-law's birthday
• 
  
  Fix new and exciting meals for the family
• 
  
  Keep all your important numbers in one place 

OH!  And, of course, there's homeschool stuff too!

• 
  
   Keep a list of books your children have read
• 
  
  Quiz the kids on fun stuff like state capitals and U.S. president
• 
  
  Record scores from standardized tests

 And, believe it or not, even with over 120 forms, TOS managed to still find room for, you guessed it...calendars!!! 

• Daily planner pages
• Weekly planner pages
• Quarterly planner pages
• More! More! More! 

As a matter of fact, there is just too much to put into one small ad.  Just imagine anything you'd like to keep track of, and it's most likely in there.  Everything from car maintenance to TV shows! 

And just how much is this planner???  Just $39.  And it's ready for you to instantly download right here!!!  (Also available on a CD-ROM here for $44.) 

So, what are you waiting for?  Plan to SUCCEED!!!

Happy Anniversary to Me. Oh,yeah, and to Sane Man Too.

The other day I celebrated 22 years of marital bliss to my dear husband, Sane Man.  Well, bliss might not be the word, but he does put up with me, and aside from being sane, the man's a saint.  I mean, if you had to be married to me, you WOULD understand.

So we're old now.  We really had no big plans for our special day.  We did go out to dinner and that was really it.  We couldn't think of anything else to do.  All we did was stop at the drug store to get my son some medicine and get gas.  How romantic.

There was one thing I did want to do for my anniversary,  get my engagement ring fixed.  You see, I'd lost the diamond out of it (it's okay, I found it), and I wanted to take it to the jewelers.  I did take it with me, but the place we bought it is no longer there, and we weren't sure where to take it.  It got to be late so we never got to it.  (You know all that getting gas and drugs takes time.)

Anyway, I got home and decided that I should probably get my wedding band enlarged a little as it is quite tight.  While I was thinking of it, I decided to take it off and put it with my engagement ring.  Well, boy was it stuck on there.  My poor finger was actually suffocating.  I got out the Vaseline.  I ran my hand under cold water.  I twisted and pulled.   But I could barely budge it.  This is when my dear husband decided to get involved.

Sane Man:  You'd better let me help you get that off.

Me:  NO!  I can do it.  It already hurts enough.

Sane Man:  Your finger is turning purple.  You're cutting off your circulation.

Me:  I can do it.

Sane Man:  You're not doing it.

Me:  But it will hurt.

Sane Man:  You need to get it off.  It won't hurt that bad.

Me:  Okay.  I guess.  But, please don't hurt me too much.

Sane Man:  Come here.  (Starts pulling.)

Me: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

Sane Man:  It's off.  That wasn't that bad, was it?

Me:  It was like giving birth.

Then I had to think about it for a minute.  Just how many women spend their anniversary having their husbands rip their wedding rings off?  Not many I hope!  :)

The Claw Lady!!!

You know those machines that have the big claws that you use to try to win a toy?  You know, the ones that eat quarters like a stressed out mom eats chocolate?  Well, I, for one, hate those things.  Every time I go somewhere where they have one of those, my kids are drawn to them like flies to, uh, left out food.  I have told them over and over that they are just a scam and a big waste of money.  I think they actually started to believe me.

Then a few weeks ago my son Baber was at the bowling alley the day after his birthday.  He had the quarter with him that his grandma had taped to his present.  In went the quarter to the claw machine.  Out came a very cute, but cheap toy frog.

Okay, so now I'm a liar.  I had told him that you can never win those toys.  I had to restate that, yes, you CAN win SOMETIMES, but it is about as rare as one of my kids picking up their mess after being told only six or seven times.  I mean, it really just about never, ever happens.

So, fast forward to today.  I took the kids to the store and was at the register paying the bill.  The kind people at the store had the foresight to put one of those claw machines right across from the register.  My two youngest, Baber, who now thinks he has some serious clawing skills, and Bear who is also a believer.  Well, I'm watching then out of the corner of my eye when I see this nice older lady workin' the claw.  She drops in the quarter.  Grabs a toy.  Then gives the toy to my son.  Okay.  Now I'm REALLY a liar.  But wait, there's more!  She could hardly give a toy to one kid and not the other, right?  So in goes another quarter, and wouldn't ya know it?  Another toy!  So she gives it to my daughter!  And if that weren't enough she gave them a dollar so that they could each try twice.  Okay, well thankfully they didn't win.

When I got done at the register I walked over and talked to the lady and "thanked her" for the toys.  (I put that in quotes as I can't honestly say I am thankful for two more stuffed animals around here.)  She then proceeded to tell me that she was totally into the claw game and would win them throughout the year to give out to kids on Halloween.  She loves the claw so much that she even had a mini-claw game at home!

So now what is a mother to do?  I have been outed as a liar as now my kids are just SURE that all it takes is a quarter or two to get a toy.  I am going to have to avoid those claw machines like the plague.  But like those little guys in Toy Story, I think the claw has come to get me.  I have been chosen.

Just hope I don't become...The Claw Lady!!!

They like me! They really like me!!!

Tito, hand me a tissue.


I am misty-eyed and honored. I have been given not one, but two awards this week from my wonderful bloggy friends!!!

The first was from Creative Learners.  She, too is a Beautiful Blogger.  So check out her blog!

And the other is the (Little Miss) Sunshine Award from Got Chai? which is authored by the most sun-shiny gal I know! 

Now one of these awards asked me to list 5 random things about me, and the other 7.  Then I am supposed to give my own awards.  I am SO going to cheat here as I am just too confused and, quite frankly lazy, to do all that.  So I'll just give you five random facts about me, and list five of my favorite blogs, honoring each of them with both the Beautiful Blogger and the Sunshine awards.  Hey, I do what I can!

So here are 5 random things about me:

1.  I don't have any tattoos. While a girl with a tat was once a rarity, I now think I'm in the minority. 

2.  I love Toby Mac.  It's okay, my husband does too.  LOL 

3.  My little toes are not normal.  In fact, they are rather gross.

4.  I love plain old regular black/orange tea.  Sorry to be so boring.

5.  I find it totally weird to see two buttons lit up on my alarm clock when I go to bed at night.  The one that means the alarm is set  is pretty much always on, but the other one that means it's PM  is lit so rarely that it really stands out to me!  :)

Now on to some fave blogs:

1.  The Legacy of Home
2.  The Homeschool Desk
3.  Pink and Orange Coffee
4.  Marine Corps Nomads
5.  A Life Better Than I Deserve

You know what, I've run out of time.  I am going to simply let you check these blogs our on your own!!!  :)

Two More Contests from Cheerios. Do What You Love!!! :)

What do you love to do???  For me it's stay home for a whole day, read, write, sleep, and of course, hang out with my family.  OK, so I'm not the most active person in the world, but I still need to take care of my heart, right?  (Which reminds me, I NEED to schedule that stress test tomorrow!) 

As part of a heart healthy diet, eating Cheerios cereal, which is made with 100 percent whole grain oats, is an easy way to help maintain a healthy heart. And now cheerios is giving you the chance of a lifetime!

Cheerios is partnering with country music superstar Martina McBride and professional athlete Cal Ripken, Jr. for the "Do What You Love" Contest. McBride and Ripken will recognize two lucky people with prizes that will make their hearts race.

One music lover (and a guest) will tour the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum with McBride, hang out with her in her recording studio - the world famous Blackbird Studio in Nashville, Tenn. - and even get VIP tickets to one of her upcoming concerts.

Another lucky baseball enthusiast (and a guest) will have the chance to hang out and play catch with Ripken and to tour the Ripken Youth Baseball Academy in Aberdeen, Md., with the "Iron Man" of baseball himself. In addition, the winner will throw out the first pitch at the Cal Ripken World Series and sit in Ripken´s reserved seats at a Baltimore baseball game.

Now through July 23, 2010, you and can submit your 150-250 word original story and photo, showcasing what you love to do. For a chance to win the experience of a lifetime with McBride and Ripken, visit http://www.cheerios.com/love today.

I must confess, I'm gonna pass on this one because I'm neither a huge baseball fan, nor a country music fan.  I would hate to win and take that away from someone who would really appreciate this contest.  Maybe that's you?  If so, I hope you'll enter.  And WIN!!!  :)

Oh, and even if you don't win, you might just win MY contest!  I am giving away a Cheerios "Do What You Love" prize pack.  This includes a box of Cheerios, AND a $25 American Express® Gift Card.  Just a little cash to spend doing something you love to do!!!

Here's how to enter: 

Leave me a comment telling me what you love to do.  It's that easy.  Oh, and make sure you include a way for me to contact you if you win!  I'll also let you earn extra entries for doing the following, though you will have to leave an additional comment for each entry.

• Become a Facebook Fan
• Become a Twitter Follower
• Become a Google Connect Friend
• Subscribe to my blog via Feedburner
• Post about this contest on your blog and/or Facebook, and/or Twitter

If you are at least 18 and not related to me, you can enter my contest.  Just make sure to enter by 11:59 PM Eastern Time  on Friday, July 23, 2010

I'm sure winning prizes is on your list of things you love to do, so have fun and I hope you win!!!  :)

Also, check out Cheerios on Facebook today! Visit Cheerios on Facebook to "Like" the brand and keep up with the latest news from Cheerios.

NOTE:  The product, information, and prize packs were all given to me from Cheerios through MyBlogSpark

New Review!!! 2009 Schoolhouse Planner June Module - Travel the World!!!

I'm so sad. :(  No one is signing up to get my posts through e-mail.  Won't you please help a girl out?  Become a Feedburner subscriber today!!!  :)

About the product:  As part of the TOS Homeschool Crew, I received a free download of the 2009 Schoolhouse Planner's June 2010 Module:  Travel the World.  I suppose I need to explain a little before I talk about the actual product.  First of all, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine is a really professional mag that comes out four times a year and is just packed with articles and information about all things homeschool.  The publishers also produce many other products, among them the Old Schoolhouse Planner which they put out each year.  (This comes in a digital format.)  The Planner is amazing and is much, much more than just a homeschool planner.  It basically has calendars, lists, and information about just about anything you can think of.  Then, each month, they put out what they call a "module."  The module is basically a mini unit study that focuses on one particular subject.  While these compliment the Planner, they are also free-standing products that are purchased separately and can be used even if you don't own the Planner.

Now, to tell you about the June Module (which to eliminate confusion is actually from June 2010 though it's a supplement from the 2009 Planner.)  The theme is geography.  It comes as a 56 page pdf file which you can download directly from The Old Schoolhouse Store.  It contains information about maps, the continents, and more.  What's nice is that while there is already a lot information, there are also tons of links so that you can dig in deeper if you are so inclined.  For fun there are also word searches, coloring pages, and a crossword puzzle.  For those who are into lap-booking, the module includes a mini-lapbook.  There are also several pages of geography related printing and cursive practice.  And for those who'd rather eat than learn, there are even two recipes!  LOL  Take a sneak peak right here!

What are the pros of this product?  There is something for all ages and you can print the pages out as many times as you'd like (for your own family, of course.)  The amount of links is amazing, and you could literally spend hours and hours using the module.  And it's EASY to use.  That is huge for me! 



What's not to like?  It might be a bit costly if you only have one child, however, if you child is young, you will be able to use the module for years to come. 


The Crazy Mom take:   I like these because I use them for days when I just can't do regular school.  For example, if everyone is sick, I'll print something out from a module, and then I feel like we are at least doing something.  No one complains as they see these modules as fun.  I have to admit that I haven't done a lot with geography so I was happy to get this module.  I haven't really used much of it yet as we've had some MAJOR computer issues and I just got my printer working. I have looked it over thoroughly, however, and I really like it.  I am very familiar with these modules as I have used them in the past, so I knew I'd like it before I even opened it.  LOL 

Anyway, I think these are a fun and easy way to start a unit study.  Believe it or not, I'm still working on my plans for the 2010/2011 school year, but I have already decided to use this module to teach geography this year. 

Happy learning!!!  :)


 
What's the bottom line? $7.95


I am going to give  out of 4 out of 5 smileys!!!  :)  :)  :)  :)   

Check it out! http://thehomeschoolmagazine.com/TOSEBookSellSheets/Modules/10June/June2010-Travel-the-World.htm

See what my fellow TOS Crew members have to say @ http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/homeschoolcrew


*The Smiley System:

I can't really recommend this product.

 I doubt this product would be helpful to many people.
 This is a good product, but isn't right for everyone.
 Most homeschool moms will find this useful.
 This is great, and I would recommend it to anyone!!!

Disclaimer!!!  I reviewed this product because I am a member of The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew.  I was given the product by the vendor to use and evaluate in my home so that I might share my insights with others.  Other than receiving the product, which I kinda have to to be able to assess the product, I am not compensated for my reviews in any way.  I am in no way obligated to give a positive review.  I do try to point out negatives when I see them, though I am admittedly a pretty easy going gal!  What you read are my honest assessments of the products I receive. 

As with all products, you must do the research before buying.  Please visit the the other crew members' blogs, the vendor websites, and any other review sites you might find before buying.  I can't guarantee that a product will work for you.  You must decide what will fit with your teaching style, and your child(ren)'s learning style(s).  I do not judge anything other than the educational value of the products I review.  I am not qualified to make judgements as to the safely of any product, and I make no guarantee that the products I review are safe for you, your family, or anyone else.  I am simply giving my opinion; only you know what is best for you and your family.

Don't use your blow dryer while you sleep or take a bath.  Don't read my reviews in the tub either, and please do not read them when you are asleep, though I do not guarantee that you won't fall asleep reading them!

Copyright 2010 Ramblings from the Crazy House

Just Passing this Along! The Old Schoolhouse Mag's 4th of July SALE!!!

1776 was a spectacular year, and it's a smashing, save-more-money price! Grab your subscription to The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine during their four-day Fourth of July sale, and check out the craziest price on July 1 only! Receive a 2-year subscription, free Homeschooling with Heart tote bag, and five FREE E-Books for just $17.76! While supplies last. U.S. and Canadian residents. July 2 through July 4 the unprecedented savings continue. The sparks are flying at TOS Magazine . . . join in the celebration and savings! Get the details here.

CLASSIC CRAZY MOM: THE SURGE IS WORKING!!!

Please won't you take my poll in my sidebar?  And I'd love it if you'd become a friend, follower, or subscriber!  Thank!!!  :)

Here's another old post from my hsb blog!

No, I'm not talking about Iraq.  I'm talking about my all out attack on the fruit flies that have invaded my home. 

I first started seeing the little buggers several weeks ago after I took some watermelon out of the fridge.  My intention was to feed it to my kids later that day.  Well, it seems I forgot all about until a few days later when I lifted the aluminum that covered its end and was met by a small army of fruit flies.

So I trashed the melon and swatted at the flies, killing them all off within a few days.  Or so I thought.  Not long after, I began seeing them again.  I don't know if they were left over from the melon incident, or if they had something to do with the veggies my mom had sent over, but they were back.  I swatted at them again, killing a few here and there, and they seemed to disappear.  Or so I thought again.

Suddenly, unlike King Midas who turned things to gold when he touched them, I was met by a sudden movement of fruit fly troops whenever I would touch something in the kitchen.  They loved my faucet, the glass on my china cabinet, my candles, wet wash cloths, and even my beloved Mr. Clean Magic Erasers!  I decided that it was time to institute a no fly zone in my kitchen.

I started by Googling "how to kill fruit flies."  Most of the ideas involved putting fruit in a glass jar and covering it with plastic wrap, and then poking holes in so that the flies would go in, but couldn't come out.  Of course, I didn't have any plastic wrap, but Sunday I did try inverting a Slurpee cup lid in a large Slurpee cup with an old rag and a piece of fruit in it.  I noticed the flies loved to land on the cup, but once I got near it they scattered. 

I went to church that night, and much to my horror they talked about the plagues in Sunday School.  When my five-year-old heard about the plague of flies, he told his teacher that was just like his house!  I knew something had to been done.  And soon.

Finally, on Monday I got to the store and got the plastic wrap.  I tried the glass jar thing but left the Slurpee cup out.  The next morning, I woke to find that not a single fly was in the trap, but several were on the cup. So I took the wrap and very slowly approached the cup and covered it.  It worked!  I trapped some flies! 

Then I remembered that they share my affection for Magic Erasers.  So I took my old eraser and put it in the lid.  The next time I looked, there were lots of the little buggers crawling all over it.  I did another sneak attack and got even more!

So I decided to somehow attach the plastic wrap to the cup so that it would be there and ready when the flies landed.  That didn't seem to work until I devised my master plan.  I took the plastic wrap and wrapped it around the cup so that it was about four inched above it.  Then I stuck the top of it together so it just left an opening about two inches wide.   I left it like that all night long.
The morning came, and there it was.  My little trap was filled with at least 50 flies, chillin' out on my Magic Eraser.  I just pinched the plastic wrap closed and they were trapped.  I went outside and let them go.  Not because the ACLU said I couldn't legally hold them, or because The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals were watching me, but because I was afraid if I opened the plastic to kill them, they would escape in my house.   I just wanted them outta here!

So all day long, every hour or so, I would go out on my porch and let my little POWs go.  I do have to wonder what the neighbors were thinking.  I even went out a few time in my nightgown!  But as the day went by, I was getting less and less flies in my trap.  I do believe that's because the surge worked.
Now, that is not to say all is well.  I am still battling those rotten little flies.  There are still a few around, but at least they don't swarm around every time I touch something.   I'm not ready to pull out yet.  As long as I see fruit flies, I, along with my Slurpee cup, old rag, and Mr. Clean, will continue to fight.  There is no timeline for withdrawl.  I won't leave until the job is done, and every one of those nasty little buggers respects that my house is a no fly zone, and it's gonna stay that way!

Five Lovely Gals! The Pier Review Crew!!!

While you're here, why not take my poll?  And I'd love it if you'd become a follower, friend, or subscriber!

As an First Mate (FM) on the TOS Homeschool Crew, I am "mentoring" five gals who are new to the Crew.  I have to say they are a great bunch of gals and they don't really need me at all.  :)  Just to prove it, I thought I'd give you a chance to check out their blogs yourself.  Here they are, in no particular order, the blogs of The Pier Review Crew!!!

Pink & Orange Coffee

Walking Home...

Made in His Image

Orange Marmalade Mama

The Joy of School