Boring Post Unless You Are Rebecca or Beckie

The winners of the Heart of the Matter Home Education Conference are, you guessed it, Rebecca and Beckie!

Thank you to everyone who entered. I enjoyed reading about your plans. Maybe it will inspire me to work on ours. Right now we are working diligently to get our house ready to sell. That counts as home economics and shop, right?

Win a Ticket to Heart of the Matter’s Home Education Conference

Did you get the opportunity to check out the upcoming Heart of the Matter’s 2009 Homeschool Conference? This year looks even better than last year!

I look forward to hearing my friend, Dana Hanley, discuss how to develop an educational philosophy. A dateless lesson planner sounds like something I can use. And Anne Elliot’s session, Using the Bible as Your  Primary Textbook, looks insightful and encouraging.

Take a look at all the speakers and sessions. I’m sure there is something you don’t want to miss!

Speaking of missing something, I can’t forget I have two tickets to giveaway. To enter simply leave a comment on this post telling me your most exciting plan for the upcoming school year. It might be a new resource you purchased, something you are adding to your routine, or a fun trip you have in the works.

The winners will be drawn Tuesday, July 28th at 11:00 p.m. CST. Best wishes and thanks for sharing the exciting things happening in your home. I can’t wait to see what you have planned.

Bibliomania Encouraged by Giveaway

Asking you to discuss books did not help my addiction. Some of you are afflicted worse than I.

• Crystal Arcand and Leslie admit to hoarding books.
• Melissa keeps a list of her stack of duplicates. (Yes, she is that organized!)
• Angela Winters and Rebecca buy reading copies.
• Jodi recently maxed out her library card- 50 books at once!
• Kathy was enticed to leave her first blog comment. (I’m so glad!)
• Anita thinks there is no such thing as too many books.

TooManyHats and Vicky Shaw think bibliomania is a common condition among homeschool mothers. Here’s the test.

How many of you like this quote from Julie?

I would be the most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves.~ Anna Quindlen

I wish I had a bookshelf to send with Julie’s new book and CD. She is the winner of O Holy Night and Focus on the Family’s Radio Theatre, A Christmas Carol!

Thank you for all your entries! Your witty confessions are delightful. It’s nice to know I’m not the only one who decorates with books.

Curing Bibliomania with a Giveaway

A vehicle stopped in front of our house. Before feet trudged onto the porch, I glanced out. My eyes strained to focus in the dark. The package appeared before the man dressed in brown.

“Thank you very much!” and I set the box on the desk. The package begged to be opened, but little eyes peered. After those eyes closed for the night, I delved in.

Would you believe the box contained books!

My husband wonders if I have bibliomania:

Bibliomania is an obsessive-compulsive disorder involving the collecting or hoarding of books…The purchase of multiple copies of the same book and edition and the accumulation of books beyond possible capacity of use or enjoyment are frequent symptoms of bibliomania.

I protest his diagnosis,

I don’t have more than one copy of a book.

Error exposed. Five copies of one book came out of the box. Scripture wrapped with art drew me to O Holy Night.

What I did not anticipate are the stunning photographs of the land Jesus traveled. Poetry, hymns, and descriptive texts enhance the biblical story of Jesus from hope promised to promise fulfilled.

But I still can’t justify buying five. One extra copy for a gift, but five!

Christianbook knows how to market to my kind. The books were only $2.95 if I purchased so many.

And still I’m not truly repentant. I wish I had a copy for each of you to enjoy. Since I don’t, I’ll have another giveaway. Simply leave a comment on this post to be entered to win a hardcover copy of the beautiful coffee table book, O Holy Night.

Please let me know if you have more than one copy of a particular book, or what book you would be tempted to buy if it was on sale.

Drawing ends Friday, December 5th at 11:00p.m. CST. Shipping is to U.S. addressed only. Best wishes!

P.S. Is collecting CDs a symptom of bibliomania? I have two copies of Focus on the Family’s Radio Theatre, A Christmas Carol. I’ll include one of them as well.

There. Now am I cured?

Appreciation Expressed and Winners Announced

My appreciation doesn’t put anything in your hand, but it’s the only thing large enough to stretch to all my readers. Thank you!

I am honored that you spend moments of your precious time here. Your participation encourages and challenges me to continue writing and studying. By reflecting on my role as mother, teacher, and Christian, my heart is strengthened for the work of parenting. I hope you find refreshment here as well.

We Give Thanks

I’m glad you enjoyed the beautiful handmade items highlighted this week. I only wish there were enough prizes for all of you.

The randomly selected winners are:

• $10 gift certificate to Ocean Breeze- #50 Julie W
• $20 gift certificate to Anna Hawthorne Bookarts- #4 Linda
• $10 gift certificate to Shady Side Farm- #12 Michelle
• $10 gift certificate to Cypress Lake Soap- #12 Beth

The winners will receive an email with details of how to use their gift certificates. And I would be remiss if I didn’t say a special thank you to the generous ladies who made this possible. Linda, Anna-Marie, Lona, and Michelle, thank you so much for sharing your talents with us!