WiseStamp: Create Cool Gmail Signatures

As you know, Gmail is one of the many cool applications created by Google. It allows you to filter your mail, setup labels and do most of the things that you previously needed an email client, such as Microsoft Outlook, to perform. But for all of it’s cool features, it did have one drawback, especially for people who like to use their email signatures as free advertising. You cannot add a hyperlinked signature line as a signature line.

Let me take a quick step back just in case some of you aren’t using signature lines to market yourself or your business. A signature line is what you’ll find at the end of emails.  The information in the signature line is typed once and automatically added to any emails you compose or send responses to other people. In Gmail you’d find this feature under Settings|General.

Signature lines are a great vehicle for viral advertising because email has a habit of being forwarded to others and who knows whose attention you might attract. For example it could be something as simple as:

Sincerely,

Cheryl Henderson-Khalid
Virtual Assistant

Find out the 101 ways I can help you grow your business
www.kafellc.com

Now, Google would be fine for this kind of signature because there are no hyperlinks included.  Just straight text.  However, perhaps you are promoting an affiliate link or some other kind of business link that you’d prefer not to have out in the open as I have www.kafellc.com. You know, something like this:

Sincerely,

Cheryl Henderson-Khalid

Get First Class Web Hosting for only $4.24/mo.

If you’re using Gmail you’d be out of luck because your signature line isn’t allowed to have hyperlinks like that.  Until now …

While upgrading my Firefox browser I stumbled upon a program called WiseStamp (www.wisestamp.com). It allows you not only to create great looking signature lines, but to have these lines included in Gmail, Facebook, StumbleUpon and many other internet applications.  It’s a free download and super easy to use.  WiseStamp also allows you to have a business and personal signature line that you can choose when you’re creating your email. Here’s my personal signature that I created using the program:

Cheryl Henderson-Khalid
Virtual Assistant|Homeschooler|Writer
(86…

Chat Cherbear2768 CherylHendersonKhalid CherylHendersonKhalid

Contact Me

Homeschoolers Work At Home Aug 15, HomeschoolBusinessDirectory

— @ WiseStamp Signature. Get it now

If you were to click on my links you’d see my homeschool curriculum blog, my homeschooling Ning site, and my RSS feed button brings people to this blog. And of course, for my business signature I have routed my links towards my business interests.

Using WiseStamp you can include hyperlinks to your blogs, RSS feeds and other social networking sites. And you can include an actual RSS feed that will update itself automatically. So, once you send your message to someone, whenever they refer to it they’ll see your new tweets, blog posts or information of your choosing!

So, if you’re not using email signatures, you need to start. If you already market using your email signature, you definitely need to take full advantage of this great new tool. Use WiseStamp to maximize your advertising efforts and impress your friends. Don’t miss a visit to the signature gallery . They have some great ideas for creating  your own memorable signature lines.

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A Divorce Is Announced

According to www.dictionary.com, the word “divorce” can mean a few things. Of course the dissolution of a marriage between husband and wife is the first to come to mind. But in my case, Definition #6 works best: to separate; cut off. Yep, that’s exactly what’s going on with me and the “Big Guy.” When you’ve been wronged, as I have been, sometimes there is just no going back.

Last year I purchased a copy of Microsoft Small Business Office 2007. I used one of the many OEM companies so that I could save some money on my purchase. I got my License Key and Product Number. The installation went great. And although the interface was different from Office 2003, I got used to it, and even began to like it. Everything was going smoothly … until my computer needed to be have the hard drive wiped clean and have everything reinstalled. I thought that I had all the bases covered. I checked my Microsoft Office information that I had and copied down the serial numbers that I had been given at the time of purchase. And then I went about wiping my hard drive.

But, as with most hasty plans, I didn’t notice one significant flaw. You see, I had forgotten that Microsoft gives you two sets of serial number – the Product and the License. I had only copied the Product Number, not the license number. Okay, I admit it I was really mad at myself, but I took solace in the thought that I could just call Microsoft up and get this resolved in a quick and painless manner. Hah!

First of all, I don’t understand why you need to go through a registration process with the “Brain Trust” since they tell you that they have no way of knowing your license number. So, when you register you copy of Microsoft 2007 it must all be for nothing because no one can help you to retrieve the information. However, if had downloaded from one of their preferred digital retailers, such as Digital River, I would have been able to get my license code from them. The young lady that I spoke to on the telephone suggested that I call back the company that I had originally purchased it from and see if they had it. Of course, that company only keeps the information for about a year, and I was (of course) too late by a matter of weeks.

Okay, I take a deep breath at this point and call Microsoft back. I tell them what’s happened and the only way that they can help me is to suggest that I repurchase the program for another $150+. I mean, it’s only reasonable that this giant company is unable and unwilling to create some form of retrieval system for people in my situation. Just buy a new one they say.

And that’s when I started contemplating turning to a life of crime. I searched the internet to find ways to restore what was rightfully mine, and actually found a lot of cool ways around the licensing problem, but I digress.

So after abandoning my criminal aspirations, I started going through the myriads of nieces and nephews who might still be eligible for the college discounted rate (Microsoft Ultimate for College is only $50). I can live with $50 more, but anything over is ridiculous! Nope, could you believe they all had the nerve to graduate and mess up my plan!  How selfish?  Then I tried to find someone who might be willing to take a chance of letting me install their license into the evil program.

Finally I regained my senses and called out to an old friend who I will refer to as COG. COG was appalled that I had even bothered spending that kind of money on the software in this day in age. After a big sigh (of disgust or acceptance, I’m not sure which) he suggested that I use one of the free internet applications. So, I chimed in that I had downloaded OpenOffice to use once this stupid Microsoft trial period was over. He shook his head (yes, I could hear him shaking his head over the telephone!) and said just save the hard drive space and use GoogleDocs or better yet, Zoho.

What pray tell is Zoho? Well, it’s this wonderful place that I have fallen in love with and plan to use for the rest of my life (or until something cooler comes along – I am kind of fickle these days). It’s kind of like Google Docs in that it has a word processor, spreadsheet and presentation package. But that’s about where the comparison stops. Zoho (www.zoho.com) also has a project management application and webinar software that ranges from free to $24/mo. They also offer Customer Relationship Management, an online invoicing tool, online database and reporting. And let’s not forget the online organizing tool, a centralized public repository for working on shared documents with team members, instant messaging and group chat tools, online web application creator, online document management, online note taker and even a Zoho Wiki!

So, by divorcing Microsoft I will experience these benefits:

• Free up a gazillion megs of memory.
• I don’t have to be told stupid things like, “Well, yes you registered, but we don’t keep track of those things so the best thing you can do is spend more money on the program that you already purchased” and I am still totally compatible with all of my clients needs, since Zoho imports Microsoft Office documents.
• And heck, I can probably offer more services as a virtual assistant since I’ll have the project management and webinar tools handy.
• And best of all I have the freedom to NOT pay over and over again for the same darn program because some people don’t think that customer service and satisfaction is the highest priority.

So, although we’ve been together over twenty years, I think it is now time for me to divorce the “Big M” and become one with the free internet resources with their multiple redundancies. The terms of our divorce will include:

• Joint custody of the operating system. (I’m mad at  the “Big M” but not ready to jump over to Apple anytime soon.)
• Because of some cool macros that I have in Excel, I guess I’ll have to agree to joint custody for program for awhile. (At least until I find out how to do the same functions on the free platforms.)

It would be nice to get some spousal support but sometimes freedom costs, you know?

So, thank you COG for freeing me from this unhappy and one-sided relationship. I hope to be able to return the favor one day soon.

Goodbye Microsoft.

Hello Zoho!

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How to Find the Right Curriculum Without Breaking the Bank

The best way to find a curriculum that will work with you and your children is to sample as many different types as possible.  But of course there’s that little problem of cash to fund this little experiment. But there is hope …

Homeschoolers love to share resources. Because of this (and it’s just good business) many curriculum stores give away freebies and sample so that you can try before you buy. Another great source of freebies are homeschool expos.  You can check around to see when one is coming near you. Or you can enjoy a virtual expo from the comfort of your home. Virtual expos provide you with samples of all of the vendors that have participated that year.  You’ll get MP3s, ebooks and sometimes special websites for you to learn more and/or try out products.  I went to my first one this year and I’ve been enjoying it at my own pace.

There are also people who collect free resources from across the internet, such as Homeschool Freebie of the Day. The Erksine Family has great websites that give away free curriculum, ebooks and audio shows to enhance the homeschooling experience. The Erksines encourage people to sign up for their weekly notifications so that you know exactly what day each resource is offered. This is very important since they take down each resource at the end of the day and you don’t want to miss any of their finds!

Another way to experience all that is homeschooling is by getting a subscription to a monthly magazine and seeing how other homeschoolers are getting things done.  Right now there is a great Summer Bouquet subscription drive that not only gives you an in-depth look into homeschooling, but they’re also giving away 19 bonus curriculum packages. These packages contain ebooks, real books, software, DVDs, movies, etc. What better way to get an overview of the many, many different types of ways there are to educate your children today? Just a word to the wise, these particular bonuses are only available for the first 5,000 subscribers, so if you are thinking about doing this, you need to get it right away. (If you’re one of the first 1,000 subscribers you’ll get additional gifts!)

Oh, another cool aspect of this particular subscription drive is that they’ve also created a really cool interactive catalog so that you get an in-depth understanding of what you are really getting.  You know, I always hate those ads that tell you you’re getting free bonuses and then just list a bunch of stuff under it. I mean, what if you are unfamiliar with a certain product and want to know more? But these gals are taking full disclosure to new lengths, so you won’t be surprised when your packages arrive.

This short list should be a good place to start on your curriculum hunt.  And always remember that Google + FREE + curriculum is always a winning combination to find more great curriculum ideas and samples.

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American Sign Language for the rest of us

I love meeting people. I love talking to people (as my phone bill will positively attest).  And, for the most part my children are quite sociable.  They pull the “shy act”  but don’t stop talking once they get started.

Anyway, I was told about this resource by another homeschooling family of a great ASL teaching site. I’m thinking of adding this to my homeschooling education for the children. ASL is a beautiful language. I can, unfortunately, only finger spell and do a few basic signs. But if you’ve ever been to a convention or other large gathering of deaf people as they “sing” together you cannot help but be moved by the beauty and emotion that is embodied in their movements.

My girls have been exposed to Russian and will be taking Spanish this fall. But I think that I am going to search out some ASL lessons as well. I mean, how cool would it be to give your kids instructions from across the room and not having to shout. You know, “Stop running!” or “You have to eat your grandma’s yucky casserole” all without uttering one sound. Cool!

Anyway, check out the link for yourself, you may find yourself inspired too.

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50+ Ideas for Taking Care of Mom!

Hi,

I just got back from checking out the  Ultimate Homeschool Expo, and came across this cool article Cindy Rushton (the hostess for the expo) It’s given me lots of good ideas for taking care of myself better.  I hope it does the same for you.

Tired? Weary? Need some fresh ideas for taking care of mom? Feeling that push and pull on you as you balance all of the many demands in your life? Are you great about taking care of others, yet not quite so good about taking care of YOU? Has it been a long, long time since you have done the little things to just fill your cup back up? How about a few fresh ideas for filling your cup and ministering to your heart! I promise that these will be easy for you to do! Here goes:

–>  Grab Your iPod and go for a long, long walk! I LOVE my iPod. I have it filled with great Praise and Worship music, teachings and workshops, podcasts, tutorials, etc. My iPod has become my “pocket pal” when I work on my chores, take care of business duties, or even get out for my walk. Talk about my best investment of 2006!

–>  Laugh! Just sit there right now…laugh! Start small…just a little giggle! Then…laugh about laughing! Roll on the floor laughing!  Feel better?

–>  Begin a new Bible Study.  Either find a Bible Study guide…or dig out Words to study on your own!  For Word Studies, I LOVE my Strong’s Concordance. It helps to find all of the references of a certain word of interest. I also love my Vine’s Dictionary. I use it to look up the meanings of the words AND it also has other references for uses in Scripture. Another great help for Word Studies is my good old faithful Webster’s 1828 Dictionary. I LOVE it as a reference to deepen the studies. Usually it helps me to also find OTHER great studies to dig into also! Dig into the Word! It will feed your heart and soul during this tough time!

–>  Meet a friend at the park and let the kids play while you visit.

–>  Go for a drive around the city—look at the lights! Look at flowers. Look at the seasonal changes.

–>  Look at photo albums.  Remember the silly stories!

–>  Watch the sunrise! Or, not an early bird? Watch the sunset!

–>  Collect jokes and funnies! Barb Johnson…Chonda Pierce…Becky Freeman are just a few of my PERSONAL favorites! Get one of their books or videos. Then, snag some mom-time to just kick back and enjoy!

–>  Chocolate! Chocolate Candy…Chocolate Bars…Chocolate Shakes…Chocolate Latte’s…CHOCOLATE! REALLY! Chocolate helps to release endorphins in the brain—plus! It tastes great to boot! So, why not grab a bit for mom-time!

–>  Watch an old movie! Curl up under a great big quilt—even if you have to turn the air down COLD!  Don’t forget to turn down the lights and turn off the phone!

–>  Look at your old school albums!  Your HAIR! Ha! Enough said.

–>  Got a grassy hill nearby? Go to the top and just roll down it! Like a child! (Snowy? Get a sled! And SLIDE!)

–>  Take the kids to the park—just WATCH them! They are adorable!

–>  Begin a “Quote Book.”  Collect quotes that encourage you to keep on, keeping on!  Keep them in a special journal dedicated only to keeping your special quotes.

–>  Memorize your favorite Psalm. Try out Psalm 91…or Psalm 61…or Psalm 35…or Psalm 37…Oh! Enjoy!

–>  Begin a Tea Ministry.  Doing for others ALWAYS lifts even the heaviest spirit.  Get a tea basket to keep your goodies in…visit a shut-in…bless them. Then! Watch the blessing boomerang! You won’t be able to leave without a blessing.

–>  Take the kids to a candy store—sample the Jelly Bellies…or Sweet Tarts…or Sour Gummy Worms.

–>  Fly a kite!

–>  Take a ride in the country.  Turn up your praise music…roll the windows down…sing to the top of your lungs!

–>  Watch a funny video!  Elisabeth and I LOVE to watch old movies like If a Man Answers. It is one of our “chick flicks” that we always watch together. We love it! SO FUNNY! Chonda Pierce is another one of my picks. She is just totally hilarious. My children LOVE old comedy shows like I Love Lucy or The Three Stooges.  Oh, you may want to watch anything! Just find something that will make you laugh hard!

–>  Scrapbook!  Pick photos that you MUST tell the story behind! Kick up your favorite music…spread out your goodies…and Scrap till you drop!

–>  Read a biography of a GIANT in the faith!  My favorites are Corrie ten Boom…Hudson Taylor…George Mueller…Amy Carmichael…Jim and Elisabeth Elliott…etc!

–>  Get today’s newspaper and read the comics!

–>  Get a yo-yo! PLAY!

–>  Make Chocolate Chip Cookies with the kids! On a diet? Take them to someone who blesses you! Include a note of thanks and encouragement for all they do to bless you!

–>  Go out and sit on your boat—watch the stars! (Oh, watch the sunset or sunrise, if you can too!)

–>  Dig into the Bible and study what God says about trials…suffering…faith…death…depression…oppression…warfare…battle…

–>  Read a new book! Normally ready non-fiction/how-to’s? Get a fiction book for a change!  Normally read fiction? Get a humorous book! Renew your weary heart and mind!

–>  Take a break and go for a long ride on a motorcycle! Don’t forget your headset and praise music!

–>  Take a hike! Really!  Find a nice nature trail OR go for the tough stuff!!

–>  Go to the mall with your teenager!  ENJOY!

–>  Buy a Mp3 Player and some great praise music—turn it up!  I LOVE my iPod! I have my iPod loaded with all of my favorite CDs. My favorites are Michael W. Smith’s Worship CD’s AND Hillsong’s Praise and Worship!  The moment you enter into worship, you will enter into the very presence of God—so, turn it up and devour the presence of our precious Lord!

–>  Pull out that old sewing machine and make some of those goodies that you have been wanting—new purse/tote…outfit…home decorations…doll clothes…etc!

–>  Buy a “whoopee” Cushion…or “Bubba” teeth… At least your family will laugh!

–>  Write out the funny family stories! Reminisce! Enjoy!

–>  Go skating!

–>  Try an afternoon of “Laser-Tag” with your teens! Get um!

–>  Make Homemade Bread—KNEAD yourself!

–>  Plan a regular Mommy Getaway. This is not an extra! It is essential!  I plan getaways for different purposes: to just get alone with God to hear Him, to plan, to work on my homeschool and business projects, to just fill my cup back up. Decide what will fill you up. What do you need right now? Decide what will help meet that need. Gather your goodies: Bible, journal, iPod, camera (I love taking pictures of little treasures along the way), your planner, your computer/Idea Notebook, etc. Pull aside and take that time to just get-away and fill your cup back up!

–>  Get a pet! My bird, Harley, has ministered to my heart MORE than I could remember! He is just SO funny! HE had the idea to “boogie” for Jesus! I had not danced for years! AND it is decent!  Elisabeth’s new puppy, Pooh, is a TOTAL delight!  I say all the time that she is JOY in fur! She has become my little buddy. She loves to sit with me while I work and follow me around while I am doing my chores. She keeps me in stitches. Struggling? Get a pet just for YOU…see that puppy in the window??

–>  Take the day to go for a flight!  Look at the whole world from a different perspective!

–>  Dance! Turn up your favorite music and dance! Dance your heaviness away! Dance till you laugh! Dance in worship to the Lord! Jump! Lift your hands in praise and worship!

–>  Clean out your house (only if this is NOT your struggle! Ha!). Attack those closets…cabinets…dusty bookshelves…paper piles!

–>  Go out for a cup of coffee…tea…or a good old Coca-Cola! Meet your sweetheart or a mommy pal! Or…take your Bible and make it a special time with the Lord!

–>  Find some silly-putty or slime—PLAY!

–>  Get up earlier (or take regular breaks throughout the day!) for your quiet time! You may feel SO weak that you can barely concentrate—if so, just turn on praise music and lift up your arms in praise and adoration. Watch what happens!  Make a list of your heartaches—lift them to the Father (then, hide them in your Prayer Journal—later they will be a praise record!).  Dig into the Word for comfort…perspective…and hope for tomorrow! Really tough days? Well, when the Israelites had very HOT days, they had to gather MORE manna—in the heat of your battles and toughest trials gather a surplus! It will help you survive your struggle.

–>  Make a quilt. You can EVEN cheat by making it on the sewing machine! ENJOY!

–>  Take an afternoon to go to the movies. Get a big bucket of popcorn…a super-HUGE Coke…sour Gummy Worms (unless you are due a BIG DOSE OF CHOCOLATE!). Take your sweetheart…or a friend if you want to share! Pick a movie that will make you laugh like crazy…OR CRY your eyes out! ENJOY!

–>  Ride three-wheelers! Get MUDDY!

–>  Treat yourself to a leisurely afternoon (or a bunch of afternoons!) at the pool…park…or creek.

–>  Try your hand at BOWLING. Take some friends!

–>  Take time for tea—each day.

–>  Exercise. Swim…walk…jog…hike…go skating…aerobics. Relieves stress AND boosts your health to boot.
Learn a new hobby!  What have you been putting off that you have ALWAYS wanted to know? Pottery? Quilting? Flight Training? Smocking? Scrapbooking? Jewelry Making? Sewing? Crochet? Horse-back riding?  Go for it! Now is the PERFECT time.

–>  Treat yourself to a nice looooonnnnnngggg Bubble Bath! Don’t forget to set up your favorite music to play during your Bubble Bath.  Also…be sure to fix a nice cup of tea (or a Latte!) or a nice big Coke that will last till the water gets cold! ENJOY!

–>  Go to the park and just swing—HIGH!
Go get an ice-cream cone—with a double dip!

–>  Do a “Promise” hunt in Scripture.  Keep in a “Promise Notebook” of your very own! KNOW that they are yours.

–>  Snuggle up for the afternoon to read a great book!

Got some fresh ideas? Don’t let this limit you! Let your brain GO! Find some things that will fill you back up and take care of you all along the way.

This is not an extra. This is an essential. Carve out time on your calendar today to just take care of mom!

****************************************

Need MORE Help?

How about the ULTIMATE mom-time? Yep! Check out our Ultimate Homeschool Expo! Cindy Rushton is the hostess of the Ultimate Homeschool Expo, the very first online homeschool convention. She is recording Preview Chats for the Ultimate Homeschool Convention RIGHT NOW! Join her wonderful guests FREE as they count down to the Ultimate Homeschool Expo (June 1-5, 2009–BUT! NEVER ENDING because it is an ONLINE Convention!). Check out all of the details here.

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5 Essential Ingredients to Homeschooling Success

Since I’m back in the saddle as a traditional homeschooler, I’ve been surfing around for inspiration.  This article caught my eye and I thought I’d share it with you too!  The point that made me feel terribly terrific about returning to my homeschooling ranks is found in point number four.

(By Terri Johnson – co-author of Homeschooling ABCs – an online class starting this month for brand new homeschoolers)

We’ve all seen it… or, at least, heard about it… the homeschooled child who wins the geography bee, or the one who graduates at the age of 15, or the one who excels in musical accomplishments…

Now, obviously, a student does not have to be homeschooled in order to accomplish one of the feats above, nor does every homeschooled child excel in such notable ways.  However, every homeschooling parent desires for success in teaching their children at home and launching them into the world to become all that God has intended for them to be.

The flipside to this statement is that no one wants to fail when it comes to teaching their children at home.  So, what are the five necessary ingredients to homeschooling success?

The first one is the desire to foster a closer relationship with each of your children and your kids with one another.  If you don’t want to spend more time together and deepen these relationships (or, at least, want to want to spend more time together), then homeschooling may not be the best choice for you.  However, I am sure that you have heard it said before that at the end of the day, no one is going to say, “I wish that I had spent more time at work… or by myself… or with my canary…”  No, the universal regret that aging and dying people declare is their sadness over not spending enough time with their loved ones.  Teaching your children at home is an amazing opportunity to spend more time with your dearest loved ones and have no regrets.

The second ingredient to homeschooling success is a teachable spirit on the part of the parent.  This is essential because, like it or not, you will learn so much more teaching your own children than you ever did in school the first time around.  So, you might as well like to learn.

On that same note, the third essential ingredient to successful homeschooling is creating a home environment that is conducive to learning.  This may show itself differently in each of our homes, but the result is the same – a place where kids can learn and enjoy it.

A home that is conducive to learning may have quiet and cozy reading nooks, bookshelves crammed with great books, a listening corner complete with headphones and a beanbag chair, uncluttered smooth surfaces for writing, stacks of coloring/activity books and colored pencils, a place to gather together and talk about the day’s events.  You get the idea…  Create centers in your home that make learning fun and accessible.

The fourth ingredient for a successful homeschool is 2 hours of your time to devote to your children’s studies.  Truly, when the one-on-one teaching method is employed in your home, you do not need all day in order to get things done.  In fact, a child in K-2 grades might be finished with her schoolwork in as few as 45 minutes (of course, that probably does not include the time that you spend reading together because who can get enough of that!). [Just my two cents: I used to teach each day for about that 2-3 hours a day and their knowledge grew in leaps and bounds. Then I started cyberschooling and the longer the hours, the less they learned! It's good to know that I had it right in the beginning.]

At the other end of the spectrum, you might not need that much time with your middle schooler or high schooler either, because they become such independent learners by this age.  The kids that will need the majority of that time that you have designated for school – those full 2 hours – would be your students in 3-6 grades as math and grammar assignments might get a little more involved.

The fifth (and final)  ingredient for homeschooling success is a library card.  That’s right!  With access to a huge roomful of books, a world of learning opportunities is at your doorstep.  Let’s say that your child is interested in insects or flowers, electricity or magnetism, transportation or inventions… check out as many books as he can devour on the subject and then some more.  Watch your child light up with the delight of learning.

With these 5 essential ingredients incorporated into your homeschool, you will experience successful learning in the lives of your children, because this is the measure of success – children that love to learn!

Enjoy those learning moments…

Terri Johnson

Co-author of Homeschooling ABCs – an online class starting this month for brand new homeschoolers. Don’t let self-doubt, or lack of experience, rob you of the best first year possible!  Sign up for class here.

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Mammoth: Making Math Easy

It’s all my fault. I admit it.  My eldest daughter is having problems with math right now because I changed direction and confused the heck out of her. I was snared in the siren’s song of cyber-schooling and now I’m doing damage control.  See, when I started teaching my daughter math I made if fun, practical and entertaining. When I hooked up the cyberschools they made it worksheets, boring, and repetitious. And that just doesn’t work for a blue child — I should know since I’m blue too! And the cyber-curriculum has created a division of education amongst the girls. Under my own regime (another aspect of my emancipation!) everyone pretty much learned at the same time with mild adjustment for age and attention span, of course.

But now I’m back into traditional homeschooling and I’m feeling great about it.  Except for getting my little girl back into loving math. Well, that was until I stumbled upon Mammoth Math Clock while hanging out at Currclick the other day. I was looking for a resource to build up my eldest child’s ability to tell time. If you ask her what time it is she can tell you, but since she can’t explain how she figured it out I translatethis as a need for more practice.  since if you should be able to teach something to others once you really know it.  Her little sister is just learning to tell time. so I was looking for something that will kill two birds with one stone.  And Mammoth Math Clock is the answer for us.

For one thing, Maria Miller’s approach to math is a simple one.  Work on one concept at time and build upon it. Her mathbooks don’t have a lot of colorful pictures, cute jokes or other distractions that has made Jade’s cyberschooling math experience so rocky. Just simple explanations, short practice examples to complete and move on to the next component.  This approach makes it easy to include children from different age groups. Ms. Miller also includes a load of online and offline resources you can tap into if you want to expand the lessons or your child needs more practice.

Let me give you one example. In the beginning she only uses the hour hand to teach the children how they can tell time.  She shows them how the position of the hour hand will tell them if the time is a whole hour or a half hour. She gives some illustrations and then it’s the child’s turn to tell time.  The beauty of this system, at least for my kids, is that they are onlyconcentrating on one thing.  There is no confusion about which hand they’re working with. Jade sometimes would confuse the minute and hour hand — now there’s no confusion. My six year old got it immediately and has never experienced the confusion of which is which.  When we moved on to the second lesson, the minute hand was intoduced, but the focus was only on the quarter and half hours. And so on and so forth.

My kids loved the fact that once they finished a section, they “knew” what time it was and how to manage the clock. Jade now confidently tells the time and explains how she knows — no more nervous glances at me to see if she’s on the right track or not. And her little sister, Alaya, enjoys telling me “Mommy it’s 2:35 p.m.” (or whatever the time may be when she gets into her silly mode).  And best of all, for me, is that I’m done teaching how to tell time for at least 2 more years!  We’re moving into the Mammoth Blue Series now.  I’ll be doing Addition and Subtraction with the ladies before moving on to Multiplication and Division.

And I’ll get to teach them both at one time freeing up time for me to work on other things during the day. And maybe even carve out some more time for fun and games. Yeah!

If you’d like to learn more about Mammoth Math, you can visit www.mammothmath.com and sign up for Maria Miller’s newsletter, free math worksheets and software.  She has a great deal where you buy even one of her workbooks and you get free math software for the kids!

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Creating an empowering environment for achieving your goals as a solopreneur

Many articles about Goal setting and Visualization stress the importance of keeping your thoughts as positive as possible and to balance up your negative thoughts with positive ones. You know, in today’s society a lot of people tend to choose a negative view on things and look for reasons why something wouldn’t work. However, keeping your own thoughts and feelings positive amongst this negativity is crucial when you are on a journey to achieve your big goals and dreams. It is these positive feelings of gratitude and anticipating of your dream life that assist you in attracting this dream life to your reality. As you will always have negative/disempowering thoughts now and then, it is important to consciously work on creating positive thoughts as well by using positive visualization, creating a gratitude journal, creating a solid plan of action, etc.

A similar principle could be applied to the people around you. Some people can be real “dream stealers” (I am sure you have come across at least one of them….) and you can really let them affect your attitude about your goals and dreams in a negative way. Other people on the other hand will encourage you to go for your dreams and will be able to inspire you in times you need some encouragement.

The easiest thing would be to just “let go” of these negative people around you, but that is not always as easy if it concerns your mother, brother or a close work colleague you have to deal with in your daily activities. Apart from consciously trying to “block” the energy around their negative comments and input, it is important to actively surround yourself with positive, like minded people who share your “big thinking” and are open to the magnitude of some of your dreams. So think about it… “Do the people around you inspire you to act upon and achieve your goals?”

If a lot or most of them don’t, it is time to take some action to balance up the energy around you and create a more inspiring, empowering environment. Join inspiring groups, communities, etc., that are like minded and focused on making things happen instead of on problems. People that are interested to work on their goals and connect with others who want to do the same. Look for articles, books and other resources that describe success stories, personal journeys and valuable tips on how to achieve your goals. It will be a “shower of light” for you to be surrounded by this positiveness!

One resource that will certainly assist you in this process, is a new online visualization community called Visionlounge.  It is the most empowering community of people with a common goal to achieve their Goals and Dreams, sharing a Journey and inspiring others in the process! VisionLounge offers you a supportive environment to learn, grow and be inspired and to connect with people who are visioneers like yourself!

The amazing thing is: this valuable community is offered completely free of charge, and anyone can join! Click here for more information.

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