Cindy Rushton

Category: From My Heart

  • Choosing The Best Mp3 Player for your Homeschool by Amy Blevins

    The image “http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/uploads/avatars/16198_9603.jpg” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors.Let’s talk about the three basic considerations for choosing the best mp3 player for your family. These are cost, storage and functionality. It is difficult to separate cost from your storage needs and the functionality that will fit your family. Prices range from $30 to $400. What can your family afford? How much money could you save towards this purchase if increased functionality is important to you?

    Storage can be divided into two considerations: storage amount, and storage type. Storage amounts range from 512 Megabytes to 160 Gigabytes. The more storage space you have, the more audio files you can keep on your mp3 player at any given moment. Some families like to keep most of their audio files stored on the hard drive of the computer, and then load small amounts of new material to the mp3 player each week. Other families prefer to load everything they own onto the mp3 player and carry maximum amounts of flexibility. This is probably based on personality. The free podcasts available can take up huge amounts of storage space if you do not cull out the ones you have already enjoyed. Storage type is important for durability. Some mp3 players are designed to take the added jarring caused by heavy exercise such as running. Many mp3 players are not designed to hold up to this type of usage. Do you anticipate members of your family using the mp3 player for personal listening during exercise? (more…)

  • Turn Leftovers into Lunches

    The image “http://www.cindyrushton.com/images/Cindy2.jpg” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors.What leftovers from the past few dinners are living in your fridge right now? Turn them into lunches for the next day. Before you know it, you’ll be cooking extra at dinner time to make sure everyone in the family gets to take a leftover lunch with them the next day. Here are some ideas.

    • Meatloaf – Slice up any leftovers and use it to make meatloaf sandwiches, or place one slice on top of a serving of spaghetti and cover with tomato sauce. When ready to eat, simply pop it in the microwave for a yummy lunch.

    (more…)

  • The Importance of Routine by Cindy Rushton

    Homeschools come packaged in all sorts and types.  We find that homes all have their own atmosphere…their own discipline…and their own life.  What will make for happy homeschool days?  My vote goes to routine!

    As we look at different homes, we find that many people use many instruments to establish discipline in our studies.  In our home, we have used primarily two tools…instruction and routine. You can probably see the need and benefits for instruction when you are homeschooling but why routine?

    Routine is the means by which we lay down the tracks of discipline. (more…)

  • Feeding a Family for $300 a Month?

    Tawra's FamilyFeeding a Family for $300 a Month?
    By Tawra Kellam
    Living-on-a-Dime.com/

    I do something that most people think they can’t do today. I feed my family of 5 for $300 a month. Most people say that’s an impossible feat, but what boggles minds even more is that I do it without using coupons.

    How do I do it? First, I use what I have. If I don’t have milk in the house, I don’t make a special trip to the store for it. The kids won’t die from malnutrition if they miss drinking milk for a day or two. If I’m out of bread, I’ll make some cornbread or muffins. If I’m out of fresh veggies, I will use canned or frozen instead. Stop going to the store for one or two things. I shop for food 2-3 times a month and that’s it. You’d be amazed how much this saves on the cost of gas. (more…)

  • Feeding a Family for $300 a Month?

    Tawra's FamilyFeeding a Family for $300 a Month?
    By Tawra Kellam
    Living-on-a-Dime.com/

    I do something that most people think they can’t do today. I feed my family of 5 for $300 a month. Most people say that’s an impossible feat, but what boggles minds even more is that I do it without using coupons.

    How do I do it? First, I use what I have. If I don’t have milk in the house, I don’t make a special trip to the store for it. The kids won’t die from malnutrition if they miss drinking milk for a day or two. If I’m out of bread, I’ll make some cornbread or muffins. If I’m out of fresh veggies, I will use canned or frozen instead. Stop going to the store for one or two things. I shop for food 2-3 times a month and that’s it. You’d be amazed how much this saves on the cost of gas. (more…)

  • Easy Homemaking Ideas for the Domestically Challenged by Cindy Rushton

    Domestically challenged? 🙂 Need help with homemaking? Doing fine with homemaking, but it just takes ALL DAY LONG? Oh! I completely understand. I love my home. I love my family. It is very important to manage my home well. It makes our house a home.

    Reality of it all is that I don’t do a great job balancing it all if any one area gets out of balance. I need to keep homemaking easy so I can focus on what is most important to me–building relationships with my husband, children, family, and friends. So, how do you do it? Here are some things that have helped me along the way… (more…)

  • Easy Record-Keeping for the Reluctant Homeschool Mom! by Cindy Rushton

    Record-keeping!  Does your hair stand up when you think of record-keeping? Do you begin to grind your teeth?  Did you feel like skipping this article just because it seems impossible for “EASY” and “Record-keeping” to ever go together??

    Relax.  I know that there is not a “one size fits all.” I know that in spite of how hard we may search, there is not a perfect system for every mom!  That is OK! My prayer is that if you are in need of some ideas to make a couple areas a little easier or if you have no idea of where to begin, that you will find a few ideas as you come home with us to see how simple record-keeping CAN be.  Ready for some quick tips??? Here we go… (more…)

  • Quick Ideas for Making History Fun! by Cindy Rushton

    Want to make the new school year better than ever? Want studies that are interesting for the whole family? I think I can help you! How about some quick tips for making your history studies fun? I think you will find these to make lessons fun and easy. Let’s dig in…

    * Get Out to See History as Much as Possible…    Hunt up any Living History Days scheduled in your area.  Get out to all historical sites and museums…even hands-on children’s museums.  Don’t miss any historical reenactments and plays within driving distance! These all give wonderful opportunities to get your children in touch with those that love History and know it best. (more…)

  • Restoring Balance To Completely Overloaded Lives! by Cindy Rushton

    Ever had an “unbalanced tire?”  Recently, I had a tire that was driving me crazy! It made the ride horribly rough.  I was wore-out just from trying to drive to town because it kept pulling me off the road—obviously in the wrong direction! Just a simple trip to town was completely stressful. My hands were blistered from trying to hold on to the steering wheel the whole way to town and back! I was certain that my car was about to blow up…that something was permanently wrong!  Imagine my relief to find that my problem was from one tire that was out of balance! Easy to fix.  The smooth ride only took a few moments to restore.

    Ever had an “unbalanced life?”  Well, the similarities are unbelievable! Talk about a rough ride! Talk about a pull in the wrong direction! Talk about stress! Sure it is easy to fix—but, oh so hard to do!

    We are overloaded! (more…)

  • Restoring Balance To Completely Overloaded Lives! by Cindy Rushton

    Ever had an “unbalanced tire?”  Recently, I had a tire that was driving me crazy! It made the ride horribly rough.  I was wore-out just from trying to drive to town because it kept pulling me off the road—obviously in the wrong direction! Just a simple trip to town was completely stressful. My hands were blistered from trying to hold on to the steering wheel the whole way to town and back! I was certain that my car was about to blow up…that something was permanently wrong!  Imagine my relief to find that my problem was from one tire that was out of balance! Easy to fix.  The smooth ride only took a few moments to restore.

    Ever had an “unbalanced life?”  Well, the similarities are unbelievable! Talk about a rough ride! Talk about a pull in the wrong direction! Talk about stress! Sure it is easy to fix—but, oh so hard to do!

    We are overloaded! (more…)