WFMW: Tivo the Timesaver

So I was trying to think of a great time saver in my life and I would have to say that it is my Tivo. You can list all of your desired programs regardless of when they are on. You just program it and let it go. You can set a season pass so it gets Heroes every week. Those movies that are on in the middle of the night, Tivo's theres. Wishlist all Jane Austen movies, Tivos there. I even get Cable in the Classroom at 3 am. Then you can watch them commercial free when ever you have time. You can also hold onto them for as long as you have space on your hard drive.

Traveling and taking your laptop? Great, just install a Tivo desktop (free) and up load programs onto your computer. I took it to the hospital when I had my c-section and caught up on shows that were on summer hiatus.

I also love the fact that you can rate channels and shows for kids. Then when it sits 4 hours (or you turn it on) it kicks into KidZone and just lists the approved things. We have it set on preschool so only the preschool level shows are automatically on. Then we have added select cooking shows (NerdBug wants to be a chef). So if you want to send the kids in to watch something while you shower you don't have to worry (at least not about the tv). I also have Wiggles, DoodleBops and JoJo's Circus at my disposal. The Nerdling only watches while I cook dinner.

Then the newest thing is that there are select PodCasts so I can watch CrankyGeeks while I am cooking. Also, you can run it over your wireless network so it can play all my music stored on all my computers. The endless CD changer.

I love my Tivo because it works for me. And no, this wasn't a paid post though if you are Tivo and you want to hook me up......

A Very Nerdy Giveaway!

Congrats to Sarslyn over at The Place Beneath for winning our giveaway this week!




In honor of Fall Ya'all Giveaways I have a nice little nerdy thing to giveaway, PNY Attache 1GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive. In order to enter the drawing for this great flash drive you must leave a comment (that either has your email in the profile or in the comment) and a winner will be picked by random. This contest is only open to people with in the mainland US. The winner will be determined Sunday November 4th and I will email the winner.

Meal Plan Monday

Here is this week's plan:

Monday- Cube Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Broccoli
Tuesday- Eggs, Fried Potatoes, Bacon
Wednesday- Crockpot Beef Ribs, Broccoli, Beer Bread
Thursday- Spaghetti, Broccoli
Friday- Pasta Alfredo Bake

Now We Find Out What Ford Really Thought

I have to say that I have always understood the fine tight rope that former Presidents are forced to walk. They never enjoyed open criticism when they were President yet I am sure that they have plenty to say about the numbskulls that later occupied the White House. Well, Gerald Ford found a great way to handle it. He did a series of tapes with Daily News Washington Bureau Chief Thomas M. DeFrank in order for DeFrank to write Write it When I'm Gone. So far we have found out that Ford thought Bill Clinton was a sex addict and Hillary wore the pants in the family. I think this will not only by anecdotally interesting but we might get more insight into what drove Ford and what really happened in this situations that we are all curious about. Such as,

After the House voted to impeach Clinton but before the Senate's decision on whether to convict him, the sitting President phoned the ex-President.

"He said he needed my help and wanted to know if I could help," Ford recalled not long after.

Ford had written two Op-Ed pieces in which he called for Clinton to admit he had lied to federal investigators in exchange for censure over impeachment.

He told Clinton that he would help him, if he agreed to such a deal.

"Bill I think you have to admit that you lied. If you do that, I think that will help - and I'll help you. If you'll admit to perjury, I'll do more," he said.

"I won't do that," Clinton told him. "I can't do that."

Let me just declare now, I want this book! If there is a publisher out there who would like me to review this book over here, please just mail me a copy;). I have a request in at the library already (I am #6 and they don't have it yet) so when I read it I am sure you guys will get to hear about it. But if you read it first Share!

(HT: Instapundit)

Are All Politicians Cut From the Same Cloth?

A interesting development came up when Lynne Chenney was researching a memoir of growing up in the western state of Wyoming. Come to find out Dick Chenney and Barak Obama are 8th or 9th cousins. So is it true that we are all being ruled by these uber-families;)? You know, the Kennedy/Schwarzeneggers and the Obama/Chenneys;).

I just think this is all cute and funny.

I am a Halloween Pumpkin!

You Are

A Happy Pumpkin Face You would make a good pumpkin cheesecake.

What's Your Pumpkin Face?

For once I am not a total party pooper!

(HT: Just an Average Girl)

Kids and Truth: Sometimes You Want Them to Lie;)

On Thursdays I drive by CSUFresno on my way to get on the freeway after Bible Study and we drive by the horses and cows. The kids look forward to it every week. Well, this week the horses were out but only one cow was. The kids wanted to know where the rest of the cows were and I said that they probably took them inside to milk them. Then, NerdPie wanted to know why they needed to do it inside and I said that they hooked them up to a machine to milk them.

Well, as of a couple of days ago I have begun to supplement the baby with a bottle after nursing her. So NerdPie came down from her nap and saw me giving the baby her bottle. So NerdPie looks at my breast pump that was on a table and says, "We need to start milking to get milk for the bottle". While it was a completely true statement, did she have to say it;). I quickly told her we call it pumping for a mommie not milking.

I have only one other thing to say, MOOOOOOOOOO!

Four minutes to a nerdier you!

Here at the nerdFamily blog, we like to celebrate all things nerdy. And believe me when I tell you that there isn't a scientific subject more nerdy than string theory. (It's nerdier than quantum physics and non-Euclidean geometry combined!) And so, we present Discover Magazine's pick, and viewers' pick for best String Theory in Two Minutes or Less video:

Their pick - String Ducky:


Viewers' pick - The Problem with Math:


You are now significantly nerdier than you were four minutes ago. You're welcome.

Planned Parenthood Charged

Planned Parenthood in Kansas has been charged with 107 criminal counts. About time they got charged. What I find sad is that False Information is a Non-Person Felony but a Unlawful Late Term Abortion is a Misdemeanor.

(HT: Michelle Malkin)

Carnival Roundup

I just want to point out that the Carnival of Recipes and the Carnival of Homeschooling are up! Go check them out.

Free Candy!!!

I decided to post my Frugal Friday entry early because I got hold of a link to a coupon for free candy. Kmart has a no strings attached coupon for a free bag of candy! For those of you who have Trunk or Treat events at your church too, go get the free candy and donate it to the cause. I can say New Covenant is trying to collect 1 ton of candy so they can use all they can get.

Frugal Homeschooler:Pumpkins (and JackoLanterns)

I will preface this Frugal Homeschooler with the statement that I am not a real Halloween person. Everything here is more pumpkin aimed but a little Halloween may sneak in through carving;).

First, here is a bunch of Pumpkin worksheets that I found on another blogger site. It is owned by Newsword. It even includes optional answer keys. There are everything from matting, crosswords, word searches, etc. I will be using a couple of these for my first grader this year but there are plenty to choose from for older kids.

The there is a great Hands on Activity page that was produced by Chicago Academy of Sciences. They have some great little activities but the one I like the best is their main activity on the life cycle of a pumpkin. It even includes the worksheet with the images to cut out.

Southwest Educational development Lab has a great observational project that will help with kids understanding the scientific process, not to mention pumpkins. It has a page you can print out for recording data(and to go in their science binders) along with explanations of the steps.

Diane Flynn Keith over at Universal Preschool (and who also does the Clickschooling Yahoo group where I get so many of my free finds) has a great article, Pumpkin Fun!, that links to many good educational resources also. So if you didn't find what you are looking for over here go check her out.

So that wraps up this week's Frugal Homeschooler. Go have a great Halloween. Stay safe and don't eat to much candy. Look, explore, use and if you have any great resources please share with me. As always remember homeschooling doesn't have to be hard or expensive!

Meal Plan Monday

So here is this week's menu and before you ask, asparagus and cauliflower are on sale;).

Monday: Pasta Carbonara, Roasted Cauliflower
Tuesday: Salmon, Asparagus Pasta
Wednesday: Crockpot Roast w/potatoes, Roasted Cauliflower
Thursday: Eggs w/ Asparagus and ham, Fried Potatoes
Friday: Beef Stew

I am planning on posting many of these recipes over at my new food blog so check back for links! If there are any in specific you are interested in let me know. Have a great week.

Frugal Friday: Making Your Change Count

Years ago I heard a budgeting tip that you should only spend your paper money and save all your coins. I have done this for years and then I save the change for something outside the normal budget (gifts, vacation, savings, etc). But it always takes a good chunk of time to so the rolling. I have looked at those CoinStars at the store but the bottom line is that I am cheap, or should I say frugal;). Well, I was reading Dr. Helen's blog the other day and she was talking about the CoinStars. If you choose to get your money back as a gift card or e-card you get free counting. Amazon and a variety of others are options. To top that, right now if you choose to get an Amazon e-card, get at least $30 counted and complete the printed receipt and mail it in you get an additional $10 card. You can always use Amazon for curriculum, gifts, books, etc so that is what I am going to do!

It's Time

*Updated: I am posting this at the top as a reminder for anyone looking for the Affidavit link. Please scroll down for our normally scheduled program;)


For all of you who file as a Private School with the State of California the affidavit is up. I have heard that you can only file online starting with this year. This is good from now until September of 2008. They are all due by 10/15/2007. I also have been told to not expect any response from the state so if no one emails or writes I guess that is to be expected.

Oh Joy, I live in a Nanny State

California has become the 3rd state to enact a ban on being in a car, smoking with kids. While I don't smoke (asthmatic and would probably die;) I just don't like the government telling me what to do with my kids. This is a slippery slope....

Frugal Homeschooler: History

For those who are looking for my free History resource list, don't panic. I have now started a new blog and I moved it there. That is where all new Frugal Homeschooler posts will now be (I am slowly moving over the old ones). So run over to NerdFamily Things and check it out!

Menu Monday

Here is my menu "plan" for this week.
Monday: Pork Chops stuffed with Feta & Spinach, Brown Rice, Broccol (moved from last Friday)
Tuesday: Hamburgers, Roasted Cauliflower
Wednesday: Crockpot Beef Roast and Potatoes, Broccoli
Thursday: Chicken Kiev (freezer), Seasoned Fried Potatoes, Broccoli
Friday: Pasta Carbonara Florentine, Broccoli, Bread

See you next week!

Frugal Friday: Grocery Shopping

I have some very basic grocery shopping tips. First, make your menus so you know what you will be cooking. Second, always shop with a list and stick to it. Third, shop loss leaders (super sales) and match them with coupons. For example, Vons often has special sales on cake mixes so save all your coupons for those times only. If you go to a store with a free kids cookie, do it but decide about it before the kids ask. That also is the rule with the shopping. I never buy something BECAUSE my kids ask so they don't. They will ask if it is on the list but never beg for anything. For those of you who think that will happen "someday", someday has to be today. My kids are 6, 4, 2, and new and the 2 year old is already learning about begging and crying. I will blog more about shopping with kids another time. So there are my frugal shopping tips. Shop in good health.

UPDATE: For further clarification, I was thinking about comments that had been made about my kids expressing their desires and so I asked my 6 year old what he thought. I didn't realize how much he does ask because I answer it based on everything and not just his asking but he knows that a fit won't work. I will just say no and that is it without having to justify myself and actions to my kids. For example, I said make the free cookie decision before they ask so you don't have to hem and haw in front of them about it. Usually I will let them have it (and even mention it before they do) but sometimes I say no. If I try to explain that we are eating early and I don't think they will eat both the cookie and their dinner, they will naturally argue with me in an effort to convince me that they will. That is what I am trying to avoid.

As far as voicing their desires... I try not to do any shopping off the list (unless it is a surprise sale) based on my instant desire so I am trying to train them not to also. My kids are free to ask me to cook or buy any food any time I am home (and trust me they do) or making suggestions when I am making menus. Nerdbug and NerdPie probably ask me about recipes to make 2 times a week. Also NerdBug knows there are certain things I only buy on sale(like asparagus) and when he see a sale sign around them he mentions it and asks if we can get it. Please don't think I am a Nazi about it because I am not. I just like to get in, shop and get out and with 4 kids that takes training on everyone's behalf.

Frugal Homeschooler: Math

For those who are looking for my free math resource list, don't panic. I have now started a new blog and I moved it there. That is where all new Frugal Homeschooler posts will now be (I am slowly moving over the old ones). So run over to NerdFamily Things and check it out!

Menu Monday

Here it is!

Monday: Pasta Carbonara Florentine, Sweet Corn Muffins, Broccoli, Salad
Tuesday: Steak, Broccoli, Fried Potatoes, Salad
Wednesday: Spinach Lasagna(freezer), Cauliflower, bread
Thursday: Pasta w/ Lemon, Artichokes & Asparagus, Salmon
Friday: Pork Chops stuffed with Feta & Spinach, Brown Rice, Broccoli

And Here is His Queen!

Since my husband and my best friend did this, I had too. The results are not shocking.

So who is next?

It's good to be the king!

Menu Monday

It is Menu Monday so here it is!

Monday: Pan Fried Tilapia, Roasted Cauliflower, Roasted Red Potatoes (premade)
Tuesday: Hamburger Helper, Broccoli (Mom's going out!)
Wednesday: Roast and potatoes(crockpot), Broccoli
Thursday: Cube Steak, Broccoli, Beer Bread
Friday: Spinach Lasagna(freezer), Broccoli, Bread

I will be posting my Roasted Cauliflower soon. Here's to good eating!