Takin’ Care of Business

This post is a hodge podge of information, so please at least skim to the end even if the first items do  not catch your  interest.

I previously mentioned that I was selected to be part of The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew this year, and I wanted to explain a little more.  Throughout the next year our family will have the opportunity to see and use many different homeschool/educational products.  I will then review them on this blog for TOS magazine.  Being part of the Crew is a privilege and our family is excited about the opportunity to use many different homeschool products.

I want to make it clear that I will not be paid for these reviews.  I will be getting to keep the products that I review, but will not be getting a pay check, that way I am free to tell you what I really think.   You can keep track of what I have reviewed and the reviews on which we are currently working by checking in my left sidebar under TOS reviews.  The links will lead you to my reviews or the vendor’s website, if the review is still in progress.  There is also a whole review category (listed in the gray bar across the top of the posts) where you can find all my reviews listed.

There is the possibility that I will be doing a lot of reviews, maybe more than one a week on occasion, so I’ve decided to give Tuesday’s Tip for Mom a hiatus in order to free up some more time for reviews.

Don’t worry I have plenty of other great ideas to share. Coming soon (I already  have the pictures taken) I’m going to tell you about our great, easy, practical idea for storing books that will encourage your children, all of them, to read more and make it easier for them to put the books away properly.  Practical and beautiful!

In other blog news, did you see the new Raising Olives button? One of our good friends made that button for the blog.  (I’ve actually known Jael’s family since before she was born.)   Jael Schultz is one of nine children and is studying graphic design in college, so this is right up her alley.  I’m not sure she realized how picky I was going to be otherwise she may not have offered.

I wasn’t able to decide which color I liked best so if you have a favorite and would let me know, I’d appreciate it.  In the meantime feel free to snag either one for your blog.  If you have any trouble with the button or grabbing one, please email.

While we’re talking business, I link back to blogs that link to Raising Olives so that readers can find other blogs they may be interested in.  So if you link to Raising Olives please leave a comment to let me know. Just FYI, the 5 or so most recently updated blogs appear on the Raising Olives homepage.

I’d also like to thank everyone who has shopped through the links on Raising Olives.  You all are great and our family really appreciates your support!!

Don’t know what I’m talking about?  In the top right side bar there are several buttons, Vision Forum, Amazon, etc.  If you click on those links to shop,  Raising Olives is paid a commission on your purchases.  So if you are purchasing something from those vendors anyway you can share the joy by going through our blog.  Again, thanks to everyone who already has!!!

I was recently reminded that my penchant for including a lot of pictures may cause my page to load s-l-o-w-l-y  for some of you.  This is your opportunity to complain.  Does this bother you?  Would you like me to try to go lighter on the pictures?  Also if you love the pictures, I’d like to hear from you too.

There have been several times in the past 4 months when I have wondered if this blog was serving it’s purpose and encouraging others in their life and walk with God.  I have wondered if it is the best use of my time and have been tempted to just close up shop.   In God’s providence each time I have considered giving up blogging I have received an email from one of you, my readers.  Thank you for your encouragement and please don’t hesitate to contact me or leave a comment, I love to hear from you.

In news completely unrelated to blogging,  Suzanne visited yesterday and brought over 300 water balloons. 

(Those are mostly 5 gallon size buckets.)

We had a huge water balloon fight.  There are no pictures because sometimes a mommy needs both hands to defend herself.  Everyone was completely soaked and we had a wonderful time.  We did save a few large balloons to torture the children by popping them over their heads.

Get new posts delivered to your inbox or read them in a reader. Want to talk? Visit my forum.