1) How many books did you read this year? 80 2) Did you meet or beat your own personal goal? I met my goal, but I didn't finish Vanity Fair or my personal Shakespeare challenge. I will probably con't with that this year. 3) Favorite book of 2012? Yes, you can list more than one and even break it down by genre if you choose. I loved the Dark Molasses book and I loved the Giver I also loved the series by Janette Oke and T Davis Bunn about early church history . 4) Least favorite book of 2012 and why? 5) One book you thought you'd never read and was pleasantly surprised you like it? Much Ado About Nothing. We ended that book and I laughed and said well, that was much ado about nothing. 6) One book you thought you'd love but didn't? 7) One book that touched you - made you laugh, cry, sing or dance. Am ish Kitchen made me laugh, Giver touched me deeply 8) Any new to you authors discovered and you can't wait to read more of their stories? Lois Lowry and I heard an interview with her that made me like her more and want to read more. I also discovered Tessa Afshaaer she is writing about early biblical times. 9) Name the longest book you read? Shortest? 10) Name the most unputdownable book you read? Courting Cate 11) Book that had the greatest impact on you this year? Da rk Tide impacted a lot of my other reads, I researched more about WW1, unions and it even led to the Ku Klux Klan and into WW2. This book also led to research on our food. There used to be a grain mill in every town, when the women went to work food became more processed. The grainary became greedy and sold bread to consumers and leftovers as feed for herds. The kicker is they took out all of the good vitamins and minerals, but the people got sick. So they had to replace the vitamins and minerals and that is how we ended up with enriched flour. All of the and so much more from reading this one book. 12) What book would you recommend everybody read? Th e Dark Tide and the Giver 13) Share your most favorite cover(s) 14) Do you have a character you fell in love with? Cate from Courting Cate . 15) What was your most favorite part of the challenge? Did you do any of the mini challenges? I enjoyed reading about what others read and reading different genres. I did the birth year and month challenge and read Love Story. 16) What are your goals for the new year? To read more non fiction? To dip your toes into a mystery or a urban fantasy or horror or romance? What book are you most looking forward to reading in 2013? My main goal is to read less Amish Fiction. I really like it but I need to expand my horizons. I want to con't Vanity Fair and Shakespeare. I am looking forward to reading Seward.

I hate trying to tie a page together and embellish it. This is what I have been wanting and unable to fine. I purchased the turquoise. I am so excited to start. This is one of my New Years Resolutions....I am only 13 years behind lol.

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking Crime and Punishment Seward and I would love to read Vanity Fair with a group

I'm in again!

59) Damascus Way Oke and Bunn 60) Small Gardens by John Moreland 61) Hidden Flame Oke and Bunn 62) The Bridesmaid Beverly Lewis 63) -66) Where Do I Go?, Who do I Lean On,? Who Do I Talk To? and Who is My Shelter? by Neta Jackson 67) Coming Home Karen Kingsbury 68) A Womans Place by Lynn Austin 69) A Sugarcreek Christmas by Shelley Shepherd Gray 70) In my Fathers House Brock and Bodie Thoene 71) A Thousand Shall Fall Thoene 72) Found Suzanne Woods Fisher 73) The Giver by Lois Lowry--I loved this book. Sequel Son on deck and the 2 go alongs--I don't know if I will read them to my kids, though. Lyne

My kids have used ours often over the last18 months. the kinect is more active because it uses the entire body. I consider it extremely worth it, it wears my oldest out like nothing else. this is the only game system we own, therefore it is appreciated. it they had options I doubt it would receive as mch use.

58) The Centurians Wife by Janette Oke and T Davis Bunn I loved this book. It was chock full of history, Jewish and Roman. I have books 2 and 3 on deck. I am actually looking forward to soccer practice so that I can read. lol. These four were easy reads. I can tell that summer is ending because my reading is picking up. 57) Always the Wedding Planner, Never the Bride 56) A Place of Peace Amy Clipston 55) A Season Of Love Amy Clipston 54) A Life of Joy Amy Clipston 53) Harvest of Rubies by Tessa Afshaar I love her descriptions of life in Ancient times. 52) Wizard of Oz (to my dc) Baum 51) The waiting Susan Woods Fisher\ 50) Need You Now by Beth Wiseman 49) Haven by Susan Woods Fisher 48) Cottage By The Sea by Robin Jones Gunn 47) Missing by Shelley Shepard Gray 46) Finally and Forever Robin Jones Gunn 45) Love Story by Erich Segal which is from my birthmonth, week and year. I really liked it. 44) The Wounded Heart Adina Senft 43) The Keeper by Suzanne Woods Fisher 42) Home Another Way Christa Parrish I liked this one alot. 41) The 1/2 Stitched Quilting Club Wanda Brunstetter 40) The Choice Suzanne Fisher Woods 39) Love on the Line Deeann Gist 38) Love Finds You in Sunset Beach, Hawaii Robin Jones Gunn 37) Coming Attractions Robin Jones Gunn 36) On a whim Robin Jones Gunn 35) Peculiar treasures Robin Jones Gunn 34) Loving by Karen Kingsbury 33) Watch Over Me by Christa Parrish 32) The Core by Leigh Bortins 31) Breaking Intimidation by John Bevere This was a little charasmatic for my taste, but good. 30) Big Decisions Linda Byler 29) Mockingjay Collins 28) Catching Fire Collins 27) I walk in Dread the Diary of Deliverance Trembley A Dear America Book 26) A Hope For Hannah by Jerry Eicher 25) A Year of Living Biblically A.J. Jacobs 24) Through My Eyes by Tim Tebow on audio 23) A Dream For Hannah by Jerry Eicher. 22) Much Ado About Nothing Shakespeare on audio 21) A Love That Multiplies, Duggars on Audio 20) Ella Finds Love, Eicher 19) Hunger Games bySuzanne Collins 18) The Duggars 20 and counting by Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar 17) Emotionally Healthy Spiritually by Peter Scazarro 16) Organized Simplicity by Tsh Oxenreider 15) The Survivor by Beth Wiseman (yet another amish book) 14) The Art of Mingling by Jeanne Martinet audio book 13) Growing up Amish by Beth Wiseman 12) Ella's Wish By Jerry Eicher 11) Growing up Amish by Ira Wagler 10) The Healing by Wanda Brunstetter 9) Christmas in Sugarcreek by Shelley Shepard Gray 8) The Dark Tide 7) Little Men, Louisa May Alcott on Audio 6) Winter of the Red Snow. 5) The Daniel Fast by Susan Gregory. 4) A Wedding Quilt for Ella by Jerry Eicher 3) Longing by Karen Kingsbury. 2) Little Women by Alcott 1) Midummer Night's Dream by Shakespeare

Seriously, the goofy needs to go over here. It is good to know that it is a stage.

this

What an honor!!

I subscribed to this thread because I feel the same way. ;) I have a teen/tween. I do think it depends on the kid. Some are just easier to talk to and enjoy. The reason I haven't replied is that is all I have.:glare: I don't know that there is a resource for this. My observations have been: I think maybe just dropping my expectations of the conversation topic, being patient to wait for conversation--think about it adults give the kids impressions that they don't want to talk by body language They way I say things gives the impression that I have 5 min or less to share, so adjusting my expectation and giving the impression I have all the time in the world to talk to them and patiently waiting Asking questions about school, what they are going to do with the rest of their lives adds pressure. I have found that birds are a good conversation starter. I had no idea that so many people bird watch. (A good thread idea might be "what are some good conversation starters with kids/ teens/tweens"). the Hunger Games is a good topic and I have had good conversations about literary elements with the teens. i unfortunately have a movie gap in my life and if it isn't a disney pixar, I probably haven't seen it--but movies might be good topics. I think the feeling of rebuffed and not shutting down is conquered by a strong self confidence. It really doesn't matter how they answer you--you are a strong valueable person whose self worth isn't dependent upon another human. You do what you do, and ignore their response. Keep talking, just don't wear it. It is your choice what to wear, don't wear their rebuff or indifference or whatever. I think that just takes practice. I am at the trial and error phase in this. The more I practice the more I don't wear. :tongue_smilie: What observations have you made?

1. I simplified/decluttered everything 2. I established the morning routine 3. I established the evening routine 4. I added school routine I started to have chores done in the evening vs. the morning and the house is staying cleaner. I can do this at this season, I don't think I could have done that before with my kids. I make sure that my chores are done and then i can guide, observe, offer limited help and refocus as needed. This has been the key factor in my house being picked up and done. My being focused has caused them to be focused. they are kids, they are going to be distracted my making sure they accomplish the taskes causes them to be more diligent. A mantra in my house is: do you want me to be your taskmaster? Do you want to taskmaster yourself? Be a taskmaster or be taskmastered!

53) Harvest of Rubies by Tessa Afshaar I love her descriptions of life in Ancient times. 52) Wizard of Oz (to my dc) Baum 51) The waiting Susan Woods Fisher\ 50) Need You Now by Beth Wiseman 49) Haven by Susan Woods Fisher 48) Cottage By The Sea by Robin Jones Gunn 47) Missing by Shelley Shepard Gray 46) Finally and Forever Robin Jones Gunn 45) Love Story by Erich Segal which is from my birthmonth, week and year. I really liked it. 44) The Wounded Heart Adina Senft 43) The Keeper by Suzanne Woods Fisher 42) Home Another Way Christa Parrish I liked this one alot. 41) The 1/2 Stitched Quilting Club Wanda Brunstetter 40) The Choice Suzanne Fisher Woods 39) Love on the Line Deeann Gist 38) Love Finds You in Sunset Beach, Hawaii Robin Jones Gunn 37) Coming Attractions Robin Jones Gunn 36) On a whim Robin Jones Gunn 35) Peculiar treasures Robin Jones Gunn 34) Loving by Karen Kingsbury 33) Watch Over Me by Christa Parrish 32) The Core by Leigh Bortins 31) Breaking Intimidation by John Bevere This was a little charasmatic for my taste, but good. 30) Big Decisions Linda Byler 29) Mockingjay Collins 28) Catching Fire Collins 27) I walk in Dread the Diary of Deliverance Trembley A Dear America Book 26) A Hope For Hannah by Jerry Eicher 25) A Year of Living Biblically A.J. Jacobs 24) Through My Eyes by Tim Tebow on audio 23) A Dream For Hannah by Jerry Eicher. 22) Much Ado About Nothing Shakespeare on audio 21) A Love That Multiplies, Duggars on Audio 20) Ella Finds Love, Eicher 19) Hunger Games bySuzanne Collins 18) The Duggars 20 and counting by Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar 17) Emotionally Healthy Spiritually by Peter Scazarro 16) Organized Simplicity by Tsh Oxenreider 15) The Survivor by Beth Wiseman (yet another amish book) 14) The Art of Mingling by Jeanne Martinet audio book 13) Growing up Amish by Beth Wiseman 12) Ella's Wish By Jerry Eicher 11) Growing up Amish by Ira Wagler 10) The Healing by Wanda Brunstetter 9) Christmas in Sugarcreek by Shelley Shepard Gray 8) The Dark Tide 7) Little Men, Louisa May Alcott on Audio 6) Winter of the Red Snow. 5) The Daniel Fast by Susan Gregory. 4) A Wedding Quilt for Ella by Jerry Eicher 3) Longing by Karen Kingsbury. 2) Little Women by Alcott 1) Midummer Night's Dream by Shakespeare

I haven't checked in for about 1o weeks and have slowed way down on my reading. i have been busy with summer and school planning. 52) Wizard of Oz (to my dc) Baum 51) The waiting Susan Woods Fisher\ 50) Need You Now by Beth Wiseman 49) Haven by Susan Woods Fisher 48) Cottage By The Sea by Robin Jones Gunn 47) Missing by Shelley Shepard Gray 46) Finally and Forever Robin Jones Gunn 45) Love Story by Erich Segal which is from my birthmonth, week and year. I really liked it. 44) The Wounded Heart Adina Senft 43) The Keeper by Suzanne Woods Fisher 42) Home Another Way Christa Parrish I liked this one alot. 41) The 1/2 Stitched Quilting Club Wanda Brunstetter 40) The Choice Suzanne Fisher Woods 39) Love on the Line Deeann Gist 38) Love Finds You in Sunset Beach, Hawaii Robin Jones Gunn 37) Coming Attractions Robin Jones Gunn 36) On a whim Robin Jones Gunn 35) Peculiar treasures Robin Jones Gunn 34) Loving by Karen Kingsbury 33) Watch Over Me by Christa Parrish 32) The Core by Leigh Bortins 31) Breaking Intimidation by John Bevere This was a little charasmatic for my taste, but good. 30) Big Decisions Linda Byler 29) Mockingjay Collins 28) Catching Fire Collins 27) I walk in Dread the Diary of Deliverance Trembley A Dear America Book 26) A Hope For Hannah by Jerry Eicher 25) A Year of Living Biblically A.J. Jacobs 24) Through My Eyes by Tim Tebow on audio 23) A Dream For Hannah by Jerry Eicher. 22) Much Ado About Nothing Shakespeare on audio 21) A Love That Multiplies, Duggars on Audio 20) Ella Finds Love, Eicher 19) Hunger Games bySuzanne Collins 18) The Duggars 20 and counting by Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar 17) Emotionally Healthy Spiritually by Peter Scazarro 16) Organized Simplicity by Tsh Oxenreider 15) The Survivor by Beth Wiseman (yet another amish book) 14) The Art of Mingling by Jeanne Martinet audio book 13) Growing up Amish by Beth Wiseman 12) Ella's Wish By Jerry Eicher 11) Growing up Amish by Ira Wagler 10) The Healing by Wanda Brunstetter 9) Christmas in Sugarcreek by Shelley Shepard Gray 8) The Dark Tide 7) Little Men, Louisa May Alcott on Audio 6) Winter of the Red Snow. 5) The Daniel Fast by Susan Gregory. 4) A Wedding Quilt for Ella by Jerry Eicher 3) Longing by Karen Kingsbury. 2) Little Women by Alcott 1) Midummer Night's Dream by Shakespeare

I went to check out a book at our library last week---it wasn't even from that library, but another within the same system. It hadn't been checked in, but shelved. I dislike these computer systems. I have also found several of mine not checked in, but shelved. :glare:

My burnout comes from a lack of sleep and lack of exercise, so I do them.

I read: 47) Missing by Shelley Shepard Gray 46) Finally and Forever Robin Jones Gunn 45) Love Story by Erich Segal which is from my birthmonth, week and year. I really liked it. 44) The Wounded Heart Adina Senft 43) The Keeper by Suzanne Woods Fisher 42) Home Another Way Christa Parrish I liked this one alot. 41) The 1/2 Stitched Quilting Club Wanda Brunstetter 40) The Choice Suzanne Fisher Woods 39) Love on the Line Deeann Gist 38) Love Finds You in Sunset Beach, Hawaii Robin Jones Gunn 37) Coming Attractions Robin Jones Gunn 36) On a whim Robin Jones Gunn 35) Peculiar treasures Robin Jones Gunn 34) Loving by Karen Kingsbury 33) Watch Over Me by Christa Parrish 32) The Core by Leigh Bortins 31) Breaking Intimidation by John Bevere This was a little charasmatic for my taste, but good. 30) Big Decisions Linda Byler 29) Mockingjay Collins 28) Catching Fire Collins 27) I walk in Dread the Diary of Deliverance Trembley A Dear America Book 26) A Hope For Hannah by Jerry Eicher 25) A Year of Living Biblically A.J. Jacobs 24) Through My Eyes by Tim Tebow on audio 23) A Dream For Hannah by Jerry Eicher. 22) Much Ado About Nothing Shakespeare on audio 21) A Love That Multiplies, Duggars on Audio 20) Ella Finds Love, Eicher 19) Hunger Games bySuzanne Collins 18) The Duggars 20 and counting by Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar 17) Emotionally Healthy Spiritually by Peter Scazarro 16) Organized Simplicity by Tsh Oxenreider 15) The Survivor by Beth Wiseman (yet another amish book) 14) The Art of Mingling by Jeanne Martinet audio book 13) Growing up Amish by Beth Wiseman 12) Ella's Wish By Jerry Eicher 11) Growing up Amish by Ira Wagler 10) The Healing by Wanda Brunstetter 9) Christmas in Sugarcreek by Shelley Shepard Gray 8) The Dark Tide 7) Little Men, Louisa May Alcott on Audio 6) Winter of the Red Snow. 5) The Daniel Fast by Susan Gregory. 4) A Wedding Quilt for Ella by Jerry Eicher 3) Longing by Karen Kingsbury. 2) Little Women by Alcott 1) Midummer Night's Dream by Shakespeare

This is so where I am. Last night I felt an overwhelming urge to keep one outfit per child wash at night, wear next day. you are so right...cleaning the house should not equal an avalanche of laundry.

sometimes when people ask me questions, it is because they are curious not because they are trying to be offensive. I need to remember to not be defensive. Ex: One lady came up and said (out of the blue, no previous conversation about homeschooling , not even hi at the beginning) how often do you get them tested? me :confused:. I had to really watch my reaction. I told her the states requirements and what I did. upon further talking to her she revealed that her daughter just started homeschooling and she was doing k 12 so she was actually wondering how others homeschooled and I think maybe making sure her daughter was doing ok;). Another lady, a substitute librarian quizzed me relentlessly for weeks about the books I was picking up at the library. And then it came out that her daughter was homeschooling and she wanted to make sure she knew what she was doing. So, I guess I am suggesting that homeschoolers may need to educate those who are questioning.

So sorry, Julie.

I cannot believe how busy this spring has been. I am still working on Vanity Fair. I have also read many picture books to kids. 44) The Wounded Heart Adina Senft 43) The Keeper by Suzanne Woods Fisher 42) Home Another Way Christa Parrish I liked this one alot. 41) The 1/2 Stitched Quilting Club Wanda Brunstetter 40) The Choice Suzanne Woods Fisher 39) Love on the Line Deeann Gist 38) Love Finds You in Sunset Beach, Hawaii Robin Jones Gunn 37) Coming Attractions Robin Jones Gunn 36) On a whim Robin Jones Gunn 35) Peculiar treasures Robin Jones Gunn 34) Loving by Karen Kingsbury 33) Watch Over Me by Christa Parrish 32) The Core by Leigh Bortins 31) Breaking Intimidation by John Bevere This was a little charasmatic for my taste, but good. 30) Big Decisions Linda Byler 29) Mockingjay Collins 28) Catching Fire Collins 27) I walk in Dread the Diary of Deliverance Trembley A Dear America Book 26) A Hope For Hannah by Jerry Eicher 25) A Year of Living Biblically A.J. Jacobs 24) Through My Eyes by Tim Tebow on audio 23) A Dream For Hannah by Jerry Eicher. 22) Much Ado About Nothing Shakespeare on audio 21) A Love That Multiplies, Duggars on Audio 20) Ella Finds Love, Eicher 19) Hunger Games bySuzanne Collins 18) The Duggars 20 and counting by Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar 17) Emotionally Healthy Spiritually by Peter Scazarro 16) Organized Simplicity by Tsh Oxenreider 15) The Survivor by Beth Wiseman (yet another amish book) 14) The Art of Mingling by Jeanne Martinet audio book 13) Growing up Amish by Beth Wiseman 12) Ella's Wish By Jerry Eicher 11) Growing up Amish by Ira Wagler 10) The Healing by Wanda Brunstetter 9) Christmas in Sugarcreek by Shelley Shepard Gray 8) The Dark Tide 7) Little Men, Louisa May Alcott on Audio 6) Winter of the Red Snow. 5) The Daniel Fast by Susan Gregory. 4) A Wedding Quilt for Ella by Jerry Eicher 3) Longing by Karen Kingsbury. 2) Little Women by Alcott 1) Midummer Night's Dream by Shakespeare

Praying here.

39

I look forward to hearing what you think of this book. I listened to the audio and have wondered if I would not have enjoyed the book more.

39) Love on the Line Deeann Gist This is historical fiction about the Texas Rangers, telephone company w/ switchboard operators (aka hello girl/gal) and the fashionable use of birds and their parts on hats. Interesting, I have been learning about the fashion use of birds on hats and the actions taken to stop it, so this tied in with my personal education. Gist does a really good job on her research. 38) Love Finds You in Sunset Beach, Hawii Robin Jones Gunn 37) Coming Attractions Robin Jones Gunn 36) On a whim Robin Jones Gunn 35) Peculiar treasures Robin Jones Gunn 34) Loving by Karen Kingsbury 33) Watch Over Me by Christa Parrish 32) The Core by Leigh Bortins 31) Breaking Intimidation by John Bevere This was a little charasmatic for my taste, but good. 30) Big Decisions Linda Byler 29) Mockingjay Collins 28) Catching Fire Collins 27) I walk in Dread the Diary of Deliverance Trembley A Dear America Book 26) A Hope For Hannah by Jerry Eicher 25) A Year of Living Biblically A.J. Jacobs 24) Through My Eyes by Tim Tebow on audio 23) A Dream For Hannah by Jerry Eicher. 22) Much Ado About Nothing Shakespeare on audio 21) A Love That Multiplies, Duggars on Audio 20) Ella Finds Love, Eicher 19) Hunger Games bySuzanne Collins 18) The Duggars 20 and counting by Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar 17) Emotionally Healthy Spiritually by Peter Scazarro 16) Organized Simplicity by Tsh Oxenreider 15) The Survivor by Beth Wiseman (yet another amish book) 14) The Art of Mingling by Jeanne Martinet audio book 13) Growing up Amish by Beth Wiseman 12) Ella's Wish By Jerry Eicher 11) Growing up Amish by Ira Wagler 10) The Healing by Wanda Brunstetter 9) Christmas in Sugarcreek by Shelley Shepard Gray 8) The Dark Tide 7) Little Men, Louisa May Alcott on Audio 6) Winter of the Red Snow. 5) The Daniel Fast by Susan Gregory. 4) A Wedding Quilt for Ella by Jerry Eicher 3) Longing by Karen Kingsbury. 2) Little Women by Alcott 1) Midummer Night's Dream by Shakespeare