I just got an email from my friend, Cindy Rushton. She is pumped about her Ultimate Homeschool Expo resource library. Actually, she is so pumped that she has just shared a sneak peek into her Membership Site.

One of the neat things about the Ultimate Homeschool Expo is that everything is ONLINE as more than a convention--it is the ULTIMATE homeschool resource library.

With every online event that Cindy plans, she builds a private, exclusive Membership Site that includes everything from the UHSE in one place--it has audios (from all of the sessions and from the bonus gifts that her speakers give to us), ebooks, complete unit study guides, articles, printable notebooking pages, cookbooks, on and on. I can't believe all of the things that we receive for only $39.95. It is truly ULTIMATE!

Cindy just sent me permission to give you a sampler of one of her free gifts that is included on the Membership Site. I am so excited to give it to you! It is a audio and ebook set that she actually sells on her website, but she is giving away on the Membership Site.

A Quick Start for Notebooking Mini-Set!

Need ideas for encouraging your young writers and QUICK? Ready for a FUN way to encourage your most reluctant writer to write AND like it? This fun-filled, hands-on workshop is one that you simply CANNOT miss! Cindy Rushton, who has become known through the years as THE BINDER QUEEN, uses Notebooking for EVERYTHING! She will show you how to begin whether your child is a toddler or the most skeptical high schoolers. This workshop is sure to light a fire that will equip YOU to help your children deepen their studies and document learning all along the way! TOPICS FOR THIS WORKSHOP INCLUDE: Hey! Do I Have A Chance At This? Why On Earth Notebook? Down to the Nitty Gritty . . .WHAT Do I Need and HOW Do I Do It? Step-by-Step Through Notebooking; Scrapbooking! YES! You CAN Have Fun Homeschooling; Hey? What is Legal? What All Goes Into A Notebook? Developing FUN Studies That Teach and Inspire! Copywork . . . Answers to ALL of Your Questions; Taking the Writer From Reluctant to Researching; Ideas, Ideas, Ideas, There’s Gotta Be One for You; PLUS much, much more! Cindy doesn't stop with the workshop, she also includes the Q/A Session after the workshop AND her handouts/samples of student notebooks.

Let’s Try Notebooking Audio Mp3: (Cindy's Workshop)
http://www.cindysdesktop.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/TALNotebookingPartOne.mp3

(Questions and Answers)
http://www.cindysdesktop.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/TALNotebookingPartTwo.mp3

Handouts: http://www.cindyrushton.com/Ebooks/LetsTryNotebooking!.pdf

Samples of Student Notebooks: http://www.cindyrushton.com/Ebooks/SamplesofStudentNotebooks.pdf

Isn't that FUN?

You know the saying that a picture captures a thousand words,well...what about a a gift like this??? And, just think . . . this is only ONE of the awesome gifts included on the Membership Site. There are hundreds more!

Take my word for it, you will WANT a ticket to this event and access to all of the wonderful resources. Grab your ticket here, or click on the link in my sidebar.

Hurry - the Expo starts in 3 days - Monday!

How to F.O.C.U.S.

Forget trying to get the kids to focus, I'm the one having problems concentrating! So, here are a few tips to help moms (or anyone else) focus on the task at hand, which will enable you to finish sooner.

F - FACEBOOK (Twitter, blogs, email, etc.) = NOT! Turn it off for a while!

O - ONE thing at a time. Even for multitasking mom mavens, it's best to concentrate on doing one thing WELL at a time. You'll find that you're really more efficient in the long run.

C - CONCENTRATE on whatever is in front of you. Don't be distracted by the T.V., kids jumping on the trampoline, or the cats chasing each other. Bonus: CAFFEINE helps--sometimes. You know yourself; if it helps, have some. If not, don't.

U - UNDERSTAND that you will have interruptions no matter how good your intentions (and/or instructions) are. Sometimes your own thoughts will interrupt you with other things you have to do; write down whatever pops into your mind so you can get it out of your head and focus on what you're supposed to be doing.

S - STAY on task for a specified length of time or until you meet a certain goal. Make short goals (to write 1,000 words, to clean 1 kitchen cabinet, to make 1 project, or whatever), meet each goal, then take a short break. Bonus: SLEEP. It's a good thing. Get some.

Today's confession: I scribbled the outline for this post while I was trying to focus on another writing project!

Q4U: What are your best tips for focusing on the task at hand?

Winner Announced!

Thanks to all who entered my giveaway contest from Friday for the book Bridegrooms, by Allison Pittman. I really enjoyed reading all your dating and proposal stories!

According to random.org, the winner is . . . Heather! Congratulations! I'll be mailing her the book as soon as she sends me her snail mail address. Everyone else, please be sure to check back and enter other upcoming contests.

The Bridegrooms (review & GIVEAWAY)

With a title like The Bridegrooms, one would expect Allison Pittman’s latest novel to be full of weddings. Instead, when a sports team invades the Allenhouse residence, more than just baseballs begin to fly. The only thing more enjoyable than reading about one romance is reading about a family of sisters finding romances to fit all of their different personalities. Each robust character played a pivotal part in the drama. I appreciated that Pittman didn’t shy away from genuine feelings and female uncertainties. While some of the conclusions were obvious, there were enough twists to keep me reading long past my usual bedtime.

Time to do the happy dance! This book came with an book to give away! I just love when publishers are generous like that. Anyway, in order to enter, leave me a comment detailing how your husband proposed to you. OR, if you’re single, leave me a comment with your list of qualities that you’re looking for in a husband. Be sure to leave me your email address or contact information. I will choose a random winner on Monday, April 26.

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

Homemade Happiness--Frugal Fun and Games (review)

Spring is in the air and with spring fever running rampant, everyone’s looking for outside fun—on the cheap, of course. Where better to get great ideas for games and activities than from Molly Green! Her April 2010 Digest, Homemade Happiness—Frugal Fun and Games provides over 30 suggestions. She also delves into the world of yard sales with helpful tips and—of course—printable forms. The “Something Old, Something New” project is the most adorable play kitchen re-purposed from an old entertainment center. You’ve got to see it!

A Molly digest wouldn’t be complete without printable organization forms, a week’s worth of menus and a shopping list to go with it, a special section on muffins (the recipes and pictures in the “Begin With the Basics” section had me drooling!), resources and links, and creative ideas to springify your home for less money.

Purchase Molly’s Money-Saving Digest, Frugal Fun and Games for $4.95 on The Old Schoolhouse Store Web site. Or, for an even better deal, sign up to be a member of Molly’s exclusive Econobusters Web site.

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Let's Git 'Er Done!

It’s that time of year again. You know, when you wonder if your tenth grader will ever finish her geometry textbook. (Yep, that would be me!) It’s the time of year when we wonder why we chose a particular science curriculum, but realize that it’s too late to start over again. It’s the time of year when we’d like to ditch our school projects and work on the picnic-in-the-park projects. As necessary and nice as flexibility are in homeschooling, I think that finishing well is even more necessary.

So, how do we inspire our children to finish the dreaded research paper, to put the finishing touches on the science fair project, to complete the reading list? Even more important, how do we inspire them to finish well? Colossians 3:17 gives us the command and the reason: “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (NKJV). Proponents of the Westminster Catechism will remember the first question: “What is the chief end of man?” The answer is, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.”

Just as a runner in a race wouldn’t quit a mile before the finish line, so we must not quite a month (or two) before the school year is officially over. “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1–2 NKJV). Every family has a different racetrack and a different set of rules for the race. That’s absolutely fine. I read a blog post a while ago about what ending well means to a pastor who’s near retirement. It encouraged me to keep running (or plodding sometimes) when I’d rather relax by the pool with a good book.

I’ve been reading Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen. While it’s geared towards business people instead of homeschoolers, I think anyone with an impending project can take away some principles not only to get started on those pesky projects, but also to finish them. Here are what he calls the Five Phases of Project Planning:

1. Define your purpose. Do you remember why you even assigned that book report in the first place? If we can’t clearly delineate the reason we have our kids do certain things, then we can be sure that they won’t have the right motivation to finish them.

2. Envision your outcome. What should the project look like when it’s finished? Do you define a completed textbook as every single page read and highlighted, or as being at least three-fourths of the way mostly completed? Relay your expectations to your students so that they know what they’re aiming for.

3. Brainstorm. How do we get from point A to point B? Do we need more supplies? Can the kids contribute ideas to this project? Write down anything and everything related to the project without worrying about the order, spelling, or whatever.

4. Organize (that’s my favorite part!). Take all the information that you wrote down (if you didn’t write down the answers to the first 3 phases, do so before you move on) and put it into some semblance of order. Make a list of all the supplies you wrote down. Write a list of all the books you need to pick up at the library, and so on.

5. Identify next actions. What needs to happen next? And next? And after that? Put each step in a logical sequence so that everyone knows what’s coming.

We’ve got the what, the why, and the how. Let’s git ’er done and finish this school year well.

Q4U: What subject are you afraid won’t get finished by your official end-of-school date?

This article is posted on Heart of the Matter Online today!

Disclosure: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

A Common Bond

Homeschoolers--whether classical, relaxed, traditional, or eclectic--share a common bond. And, we enjoy meeting one another and discussing our various methods and materials. Deana Hipwell of The Frugal Homeschooling Mom delights in highlighting different homeschooling families on her "A Common Bond" feature each week. Yesterday (April 15) our family was featured! Please check it out here. Thanks, Deana!

Q4U: Interested in sharing your homeschool style? Leave me a comment!

Another She Speaks Scholarship Contest!

Y'all know I've been dying to attend Proverbs 31 Ministry's She Speaks Conference this year (for a few years now). I posted about it a few weeks ago in hopes of winning a contest sponsored by Lysa TerKeurst. I didn't win that contest. Sigh.

But, Glynnis Whitmer, P31 Woman magazine editor, is sponsoring another contest to win a full scholarship to this year's She Speaks Conference. It involves writing an article that would be appropriate for the magazine to publish. That's great news except that the last article I sent for consideration ended up in the slush pile. Oh well. I'm trying again. Check out Glynnis's contest on her blog. You'll be among the first to know if I win this contest, I promise!

Q4U: What's one thing that you really, really want--to do, to have, to see, to whatever--that would advance your ministry or educational potential?

I'm Going to the Fair!

And I want you to join me! As a homeschooling mom, I look forward to homeschool conventions with the same fervor I looked forward to the county fair as a kid. The huge stuffed animals, the impossible ring toss game, school friends I hadn’t seen in a while, dirt up to my ankles, overpriced hotdogs, the scent of greasy food, and yes, the Zipper and the Gravitron, preferably after a funnel cake and a snow cone! Can’t you just hear the vendors offering you a free dart if you buy three? Remember the thrill of winning the first blue ribbon for a craft project or a 4-H display?

Let’s shift that excitement to homeschool fairs (conventions). Imagine the crisp smell of new books, the sound of vendors explaining exactly how to maximize their curricula, and the sight of all those goodies in the freebie bag. Imagine hearing and meeting some well-known homeschool speakers and authors. I’m getting energized just thinking about it already! Imagine being able to preview all of the writing curricula you’re trying to decide between and having the authors right there to explain the differences.

Now, stop imaging and start making it a reality! Homeschool events happen in just about every state. Some of them are extremely affordable, although some of them are a bit pricier. If you can, I strongly encourage you to make the effort to attend an in-person homeschool convention. The personal inspiration is incomparable, plus you’ll have the touch-feely benefits.

I am pleased to announce that I will be at the HINTS Bookfair in Matthews, NC (July 16–17). Look for me to speak on “The Organized Way to be Your Child’s Tutor” and “Organize Your Homeschool.” The best part about this fair is that the entrance fee is only $5!! So, if you live in North or South Carolina (or want to travel here), we want to meet you in July. Stop by our booth and introduce yourself.

If you can’t make it to a physical event because of financial, time, or family constraints, how ‘bout booking yourself for a virtual homeschool conference? The only thing you’ll be missing is the smell of new books (only delayed until your boxes start arriving in the mail) and being jostled by other eager homeschool moms. What could be better than attending a fair in your jammies without having to travel anywhere? No need to worry about a babysitter or the laundry. No packing, no gas to buy, and no lumpy hotel bed. The best thing is that the sessions are usually recorded and available to download, so you can listen at your convenience, and listen to a particular session multiple times if you wish.

The Ultimate Homeschool Expo is coming up May 3–7. Codex Publishing will be there; will you? Be sure to get your freebies from the mommy goodie bag and check out our virtual vendor booth. Listen to me explain “The Organized Way to be Your Child’s Tutor” utilizing The Tutor. We’ll also have some terrific freebies available only for UHSE attendees, so hurry over to the UHSE 2010 Web site and sign up!

Other upcoming online homeschool conventions include The Old Schoolhouse’s The Schoolhouse Expo May 12–14 and Heart of the Matter’s Online Homeschool Conference August 9–13.

Are you ready to eat some cotton candy and enjoy the fair?

How to Write a Review

I've written many reviews in the past two years and in the process, I've received many free products. If you're interested in receiving free products but intimidated by writing reviews, here are a few pointers to get you started:

1. Evaluate the product. Use it. Have your kids stomp on it. Read the book. Check the references. And so on.

2. Write the review for the reader, not for yourself. You already know what you think about it. Write it for the consumer who does not have the product in her hands at the moment.

3. Answer four essential questions: 1) What does the product promise? 2) How well does it meet those expectations? 3) Is it a good value for the money? 4) For whom (age, gender, life situation, etc.) will the product work?

4. Reviews are usually not comparative; evaluate the product on its own merits.

5. Include the product's full name, where it can be purchased, and how much it costs.

6. Don't provide irrelevant details. Stick to the basics. Don't sugarcoat a review because you like the vendor if you truly don't like the product. But, don't be nasty, either.

7. Be brief and to the point, but be sure to include all of the necessary details.

8. Here's how to organize your review for proper flow:
A. Introduction. State the problem to be solved and how the product can solve it. Write a one-sentence summary of your personal likes and dislikes.
B. Describe what the product does, how it works, and what it promises.
C. Describe in detail what you liked and did not like. Try to put the positives before the negatives.
D. Summarize your opinion with a strong conclusion by answering the four questions above and by stating whether you would spend your own money to buy it for yourself.

That's it! You're ready to start receiving free products and writing reviews about them! In a future post, I'll detail how to write book reviews, which are a bit different although many of the same elements should be included.

Q4U: What product(s) would YOU most like to review? What products would you like to see me review on this blog?

My Book Pitch Featured

Y'all remember the book idea I sort of threw out there in my previous post? Well, I wrote an actual pitch. It was analyzed by Leslie Wilson and Mary DeMuth of The Writing Spa. And they liked the pitch!! Read the full review here.

Image courtesy of www.iband.com.

Tame the Paper Monster E-Book Available

Some of the most popular posts on my blog are from the Put Paper in Its Place 5-part series. I've taken the best of the best, added a few extras, and turned it into an e-book! Get all of my helpful paper organization tips together in one easy, print-ready format. Of course, you'll have to file it appropriately after you print it out to read!

Have papers taken over your desk? Do you have to throw magazines, newspapers, and old invitations on the floor to find your couch? How often have you forgotten to make brownies for youth group or to sign a permission slip for a field trip? Learn how to Tame the Paper Monster once and for all. In Tame the Paper Monster, you’ll discover what papers need to be saved and which ones can be tossed; you’ll learn the secrets of setting up an effective binder or filing system that you’ll actually use. Organizing guru Bethany LeBedz lets you in on all these secrets and more. Download it now!

It's available to purchase from the Codex Publishing store and from CurrClick. Download it now!

Q4U: Would you be interested in a book (yes, the printed kind with a cover that you hold in your hand!) that covers many of the homeschool organization topics, plus a few extra subjects, I've covered here on my blog? I'm seriously considering writing one, but there's no point if there's no market. So please, cast your vote!

FREE Authors' Seminars TOMORROW!

From the Editor's Desk

New authors, find out what to expect the first time your manuscript crosses an editor’s desk. Learn insider secrets to making a good first impression; discover the difference between proofreading and substantive editing. Seasoned freelance editor and writer Bethany LeBedz covers these topics and more in her seminar From the Editor’s Desk.

After the webinar, a complete transcript of From the Editor's Desk will be available to purchase as an e-book in Codex Publishing's store or from CurrClick. In addition, both of these seminars will be recorded and available for purchase from ScholarSquare within a few days.

1. Please join my meeting, Thursday, April 8 at 2:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time.
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/join/405917208

2. Use your microphone and speakers (VoIP) - a headset is recommended. Or, call in using your telephone.

Dial 712-338-7107
Access Code: 405-917-208
Audio PIN: Shown after joining the meeting

Meeting ID: 405-917-208

Before You Write: Plan!

Book mentor, author, and speaker Felice Gerwitz of Media Angels Publishing will be teaching authors great techniques about writing and publishing in order to jump-start their book projects.

It's not brain-science, nor does it take a multitude of degrees. What it does take is some organizational skills.

Can you take notes?

Can you make lists?

Can you follow directions?

Good, then you are invited to take this course. She will present a class on taking your idea from inception to a working plan.

1. Please join my meeting, Thursday, April 8, at 3:15 p.m. EST.
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/join/547919793

2. Use your microphone and speakers (VoIP) - a headset is recommended. Or, call in using your telephone.

Dial 217-287-4112
Access Code: 547-919-793
Audio PIN: Shown after joining the meeting

Meeting ID: 547-919-793

These helpful webinars are FREE, but they are only open to the first 12 people who join the call. The room will be open 15 minutes prior to the start time.

Hope to "see" you there!