Showing posts with label Plans and Possibilities. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Plans and Possibilities. Show all posts

Monday, February 3, 2014

Mega-List of February Plans and Possibilities

The other day, I shared what our January looked like here.  
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLH3LCcm35zKlYFzqJNbyTZudGtLbHET5tueiHYtZRDd-MtrYn101rnvTx5BS-j8OFwdsyJVf6zDOHAIScS7UQ2htM9R0RRIDEo3SNLUTzm2Hwwi31Cm6KEYBHoNlhPmSSgalxSfbZuvM/s1600/january.JPG

 Undoubtedly, it was full and fun.  

 That was in large part to the Plans and Possibilities menu I had taken the time to begin creating December, which I never shared here as it never got to "final draft" form before January hit!

 Last week, I made a similar plans and possibilities menu for February.  It, too, is hardly in blog-worthy form, and, quite frankly, I don't have the time to get it there.

http://traininghappyhearts.blogspot.com/2014/02/mega-list-of-february-plans-and.html


 My February Life and Learning Menu's imperfections aside, I have decided to share it today.  It does not come with complete links (although it has many, some of which are affiliate links which I thank you for using if you wish!).  Nor does it have pretty pictures. It likely contains errors in formatting along with some typos.  And, although, I really want to learn how to crate pinnable images and did my best to for my January wrap-up post, it does not even contain one of those.  It just takes me far too long to create those still as I am so not savvy with such things.  

In short, my February Plans and Possibilities list is imperfect, just like me. Please overlook all that (or embrace the fact that I am willing to share publicly how inept I can be) and take the February list for what it is:  real sharing from a real mom living a real life with her kiddoes that will, by God's good grace be enriched with blessed experiences all month long.

 I pray that by sharing the list here, your own life and learning will be enriched, too.  For, yes, before 2014 began, I heard the message, "Listen!"  Lately, in person and online, I have been hearing many fellow parents - homeschooling or not - talk about wishing folks online would just get real.  I have also had multiple requests from folks I know to share what I know is going on or could be going on so that they can enrich their families experiences.  Listening to such requests, I am casting aside any desire for perfection to simply share what I have had the time to put together so far in hopes of helping and inspiring others.  I pray that my efforts (as incomplete as they may be) bless you and yours with inspiration for life and learning throughout February!
February Plans and Possibilities


Family Sabbath Day and Parent-Kiddo Date Opps


Daily Living Activities and Household Tasks to Focus On (with and without the kids)

  • Sort and Purge Surplus Kids’ Clothes
  • Continue focus on Five Before Breakfast (Life Skills / Practical Life)
  • Increase Focus on Journaling and 5T’s Time (Writing / Art / personal History / Life Skills / Practical Life)
  • Continue Focus on Fruit First as a part of Better Breakfast Month (Health / Practical Life)
  • Continue Focus on Hair-Hands-and-Face Routine. (Health / Practical Life)
  • Continue Focus on Intentional Morning and Afternoon Rhythm of Experiences, with time focused on developing skills and knowledge, as well as exercising imagination (Blend of Topics / Subjects)
  • Build Focus on on Lunch-and Rest Time, encouraging a time of quiet and resetting each afternoon (Health)
  • Encourage Tidy Times before Eating (Care of Environment)
  • 5 T’s for Bedtime (Practical Life/ Life Skills)
  • Continue to De-clutter and Organize (Care of Environment)
  • Knock Off Items on Monthly/Seasonal Task List (Care of Environment)

Books to Read


Work Tray, Basket and Project Ideas/Themes

  • St. Blaise Coloring Page (3)
  • Oatmeal Monday - Make Soaked Grains, Make Oatmeal Soap, etc. (2nd Monday, 10)
  • Lincoln Logs (12)
  • Write Haikus for National Haiku Writing Month.
  • Make Bird Houses/Feeders
  • Begin to Pray Anew for a Different Person or Family Every Day (using Christmas cards). (Faith)
  • Write and Send Valentine’s. (Writing)
  • Write Weekly Letter to Nana and Papa. (Writing)
  • Make a Liturgical Display with the Kids. (Faith / Handiwork)
  • Read Saint Stories – Re-start map work. (Geography, Faith, History)
  • Knights Project for History Fair
  • Phonics
  • Shiller Math and other Math
  • More TBD based on children’s interests

Outings and Field Trips

  • OTB (4)
  • Art Class @ Library
  • Puppet Show at Library (6)
  • Gears, Levers and Pulleys Class (7)
  • MOS Field Trip (14)
  • Rosa Parks Play (18-20)
  • Duct Tape Crafts (18?)
  • FHC Prep (15)
  • Pantry – Canned Goods Month  (Make Donation.)
  • Lego and Game Nights @ Library
  • Skating
  • Bank –deposit children’s “invest” and “save” moneys (Math / Life Skills)
  • Adoration (Faith)
  • Play Dates (Social Skills)
  • Friday Gatherings with OLQOS group (Social Skills, Faith, History, P.E)
  • Drama Kids (Speech, Language, Movement, the Arts)
  • Maple Syrup Trip (Sap may begin to run during warm spells.)

Anytime Nature Observation (Science/ Art)

  • Snow
  • Ice
  • Tracks in the Snow
  • Birds at the Feeder
  • Full Moon (14)

Considerations for Menu Planning and Power Foods Labs Inspiration (Practical Life / Life Skills)

  • Sugar Snow
  • Hot Cocoa
  • Winter Citrus Fruits
  • Root Vegetables
  • Stews and Soups
  • Berry Fresh Month
  • National Cherry Month
  • National Hot Breakfast Month
  • Avocado and Banana Month
  • Celebration of Chocolate Month
  • Gluten Free Casein Free Shepherd(ess) Pie for Saint Brigid’s Day (1)
  • National Carrot Cake Day (3)
  • Homemade Soup Day (4)
  • National Stuffed Mushroom Day (4)
  • National Chocolate Fondue Day (5)
  • National Chopsticks Day (6)
  • National Fettuccine Alfredo Day (7)
  • Molasses Bar Day (8)
  • National Almond Day (16)
  • National Indian Pudding Day (17)
  • National Cherry Pie Day (20)
  • National Pistachio Day (26)
  • National Strawberry Day (27)
  • National Pancake Week (4th Week)

Additional Inspirations – Family, Local, National and International Observances

  • National Bird Feeding Month
  • National Weathermen’ Day (5) – Weather Mini-Unit
  • International Polar Bear  Day (27)
  • Floral Design Day (28)
  • American Heart Month – Science Explorations
  • Children’s Dental Health Month – Science and Life Skill Exploration
  • Children’s Authors and Illustrators Week (1st week)
Please Ask and Share

 If you would like to know more about our ideas for anything on the list above, please simply ask in a comment, in person (if you are local) or on our Facebook page.  If you know of a cool celebration, important observance or other February-related event or idea that could (or should!) be added, please share that, too.  And, if you have any requests or questions for future Plans and Possibilities lists - or anything else that has been posted or that you'd like me to post - here on Training Happy Hearts, consider yourself invited to share them!  My mission here is not simply to record our life and learning (although that is a large part of why I blog!)  It is also to bless forward.  I can do the best with your input!  Thanks!

Are There More Plans and Possibilities Lists?

You bet there are!

I introduced Plans and Possibilities way back in June 2010 with my first posted list.  Then, life took over and, although I made partial lists for myself, I did not pot any further lists until September 2013.  In between and since, lists have been begun, just not shared.  If all goes well, I will be sharing monthly lists towards the beginning of each month throughout 2014, both as a resource for you and as one for myself.

Please share your February ideas for Life and Learning.  Also, is there anything you'd like me to dive into in future posts?  Just say the word.  I am all about listening this year! :)
 
This post is linked at Frugal Homeschool Friday 
and the 
2014 Catholic Bloggers Link-Up Blitz
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Wednesday, September 4, 2013

September Life and Learning Menu


So long, Summer.  Hello, September.

I started pulling together monthly Plans and Possibilities menus three years ago, but let the initiative go as other things took priority.  Now, as the traditional school year begins in my town, so, too, does my desire pick back up on cataloging seasonal ideas to guide and enrich our daily life and learning activities at home.  Thus, I have dug through notebooks and piles to collate the many September-related ideas I have jotted down throughout the past few years.

As I did this, I realized that my former categories for listing Plans and Possibilities no longer work for me.  They were too academic-based, and, although we still focus on learning in a variety of “subject”-specific areas, the truth is that we have come to do so in a more “real life” sort of way.  Lines between what is “school” and what is “life” get blurred.  Activities that focus on specific academic subjects blend.

To better reflect the way we approach life and learning now, I have tweaked the category titles for my September Plans and Possibilities list.

The way the list is now organized, I think, will better help me to select ideas and activities from it to put into actual practice – following my children’s needs and interests while also guiding them to explore new topics and experiences.

My intent is to use the list as a springboard for mapping out our weekly schedules and preparing our home environment for learning.  Each week, I intend to select books to read, trays or baskets of activities to enjoy and meal plans to delight in centered around items selected from our September Plans and Possibilities menu.  Likewise, every day, I will look to the menu as I decide which daily living activities we might focus on and what outings, if any, we might head out to enjoy.

With our September Plans and Possibilities menu at the forefront of my mind, I hope to embrace life and learning with my children that is full, but not too full – purposeful and enriched without being overwhelming and overly-eclectic. 

I offer the list I have collated here in hopes that it may also inspire or supplement your own family’s September plans, both this year in the future.  As I do, I invite you to share forward your own favorite observances, activities, book basket picks, recipes, crafts, traditions, etc.  So, thanks in advance for leaving a comment about them.

Now, without further ado:

Our September 2013 Plans and Possibilities

Family Sabbath Days and Daddy-Kiddo Date Opps

Daily Living Activities and Household Tasks to Focus On (with and without the kids)

  • Re-focus on Five Before Breakfast (Life Skills / Practical Life)
  • Focus on Fruit First as a part of Better Breakfast Month (Health / Practical Life)
  • Re-focus Hair-Hands-and-Face Routine. (Health / Practical Life)
  • Rebuild Intentional Morning and Afternoon Rhythm of Experiences, with time focused on developing skills and knowledge, as well as exercising imagination (Blend of Topics / Subjects)
  • Re-focus on Lunch-and Rest Time, encouraging a time of quiet and resetting each afternoon (Health)
  • Re-focus on Times before Eating (Care of Environment)
  • Family Journaling (Writing and Art, Personal History)
  • 5 T’s for Bedtime (Practical Life/ Life Skills)
  • De-critter Attic (Care of Environment)
  • Start Attic Access Project (Care of Environment)
  • Put on New Screen Door (Health and Care of Environment)
  • Switch Out Seasonal Clothing and Purge Outsized Clothing (Care of Environment and Virtues)
  • Continue to Declutter and Organize (Care of Environment)
  • Knock Off Items on Monthly/Seasonal Task List (Care of Environment) to be shared another day)
  • Purchase and Plant Spring Bulbs (Science)
  • Clean Out and Wash Car (Practical Life / Care of Environment)

Books to Read


Work Tray, Basket and Project Ideas/Themes

  • Baptism Presentation Reprise (26, Jack’s Anniversary)
  • Make a Liturgical Display with the Kids -- Liturgical Season: Ordinary Time/ Color: Green, Dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows, September Overview
  • Read Saint Stories – Begin map work. (Geography, Faith, History)
  • Birth of Mary Feast Day (8) Consider doing related Workbox and Montessori activities as we have done previously as an extension and enjoy playing with Life of Mary 3-Part Cards.  Perhaps invite friends over for a simple early or belated birthday tea for Mary like the one we had by ourselves before.
  • Virtues Notebooks – Responsibility, Order (Faith and Character)
  • History/Geography Notebook – Ancient History, Etc. (History, Geography, Art, etc.)
  • Phonics (for Jack and Nina)
  • Shiller Math and other Math
  • Ducks
  • Bees
  • More TBD based on children’s interests

Outings and Field Trips

  • Bank -- how to deposit money in personal accounts (Math / Life Skills)
  • Library Programs -- Scavenger Hunt for Themed Books (Library and Technology), Library Animal Art (ELA and Art), Lego Build (Science, Math, Engineering, Imagination), Game Day (Life / Social Skills), Embrace the Arts Story, Music and Movement (Music, P.E. and ELA)
  • Young Homeschoolers Playgroup (Life / Social Skills)
  • Eco Science Club (Science)
  • Young Cultivators Club (Social Skills, Practical Life / Life Skills)
  • PE Class (Physical Education, Social Skills)
  • Adoration (Faith)
  • Play Dates (Social Skills)
  • Friday Gatherings with OLQOS group (Social Skills, Faith, History, P.E)
  • Drama Kids (Speech, Language, Movement, the Arts)
  • Anniversary Walk on Beach (30) (Family History, P.E.)

Anytime Nature Observation(Science/ Art)

  • Dragonflies
  • Golden Rod
  • Seeds (bristles, burrs, helicopters, wildflowers bursting, etc.)
  • Apples
  • Crab Apples
  • Milkweed Pods
  • Bees gathering last of honey
  • Foliage beginnings
  • Squirrels gathering nuts
  • Leaves
  • Ant Tracking
  • Camouflage
  • Decomposition
  • New Moon (5), Quarter Mon (12), Full Moon (19)

Considerations for Menu Planning and Power Foods Labs Inspiration (Practical Life / Life Skills)
 Additional Inspirations – Local, National and International Observances
What are some of your favorite seasonal stories, themes, crafts, recipes, celebrations, household tasks, etc.?  Do share!
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Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Focusing on Our Jammies School Mission and Goals

<- - As part of loving others, Nina joyfully washed her hands so she can play with baby brother.

 Having a Mission and Goals works for us in so many aspects of our life – homeschooling included.  And, today, I am refocusing myself on just that!

Why?
In the midst of trying to save all of our not-yet-backed up-files during our recent computer virus and hard drive failure, we ended up with multiple copies of many them.  As I slowly make my way through these, deleting the doubles, I realize that much of what was “saved” could have just as well have gone down with out former computer.  Yes, it has become quite apparent to me that the “clutter bug” habit I am trying to break extends from physical clutter straight to electronic clutter.  Yikes!  I really need to be a more discerning steward of all manner of things in my life and our home!

To help me do this regarding our physical and electronic Jammies School files and resources, I have decided to focus myself on our Jammies School Mission and Goals, which can be found here.  I figure, using it as a compass point, I can better delineate the paths we might actually take in the course of the next few years of early learning with our children.  With these mapped out – knowing the subjects, topics, themes and activities that complement them – I can do a better job of organizing (and purging!) our files and resources.  Wish me luck!
And, let me know what works for you in the way of early education mission and goals, organizing electronic files, organizing physical files and resources.  I am a big believer in not reinventing wheels and in rolling along with wonderful inspiration from others.  So, please leave a comment (and link if you have a relevant one!)

Luke helps baby brother to love movement by clapping his hands together. -->

And, to read what works for others this Wednesday, please see the links at We Are THAT Family.
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Friday, June 18, 2010

June Plans & Possibilities

“There’s no time like the present,” the old adage goes.  And, since June is over half-way through now, I guess it’s high time that I should follow another old saying --  “better late than never” – in order to unwrap the gift of June’s potential to get the Plans & Possibilities focus I mentioned underway…

Mind you, as I do this, that I have been without a computer for nearly two weeks now, so much of what I had hoped to research and brainstorm about was put on hold.  Now, with the month more than half way over, it seems a poor use of time to flesh the ideas out further.  Thus, here is a partial Plans & Possibilities brainstorm for June:

Our Core Four:

Faith Formation:

Reading:
  •  Richard Scary’s Treasury (as bedtime “chapter book” since the kids are excited by the related Puzzle Town toy Mom uncovered in the attic)
  • Bob Books (to help Luke meet his 10 books for the Borders program)
  • Various books on bubbles, a current interest of the kids
  • Various gardening, spring, etc. picture books
Writing: 
  •  chalk on walkway and drive
  • Dot-to-Dot and Maze Themes; Copywork Ideas and Phrases; Etc.
Arithmetic:  
  • Chalk Number Jumping
  • Cooties
  • Math Games; Math Concept Focus; Etc.
Plus:
Habit Training:
  • Character Focus: using kind hands
  • Habit Focus: potty
  • Habit Focus:  better bedtime routines
Sensory Stuff:  
  • sensory sand box
  • bubbles
  • shaving cream
Nature:
  •  Yellow irises are blooming in the garden.
  •  Stella Dora (sp?) are blooming mid-month.
  •  Day Lilies are growing tall and blooming mid-month.
  •  Strawberry picking season is beginning.
  •   Lots of spiders in the yard, especially along the laundry line.
  • Bunnies are coming by yard.
  •  Ants are trooping through the house.
Food (and Power Foods Lab):
  •  Spring Greens (at market, possibly)
  •  Garlic Scapes (at market, possibly)
  •  Herbs (at market, possibly)
  •   Strawberries (picking season)
  •  Rhubarb
  •  Peas (towards the end)
  • New potatoes (at market, possibly)
  • Asparagus (at market, possibly)
  • Power Food Possibilities: Strawberries, Peas and Other Framer’s Market and Pick-Your-Own Fare
Enrichment: 
  •  Art Ideas; Music Ideas; Etc.
Home & Garden:
  • Need to use sun screen and bug spray now, plus do tick checks!
  • Turn on outdoor water.
  • Buy and plant some seedlings to start a low-maintenance home vegetable garden.
  • Research and experiment with planting our gone-by winter-stored onions and potatoes ?
  • De-clutter and organize for baby.
National, Local and Other Observances:
  •  Father’s Day
  • Flag Day
  •  National Dairy Month
Family Life:
  • Baby almost here
  •  Father’s Day (late celebration when Mike gets back from AT)
  • Mikey’s Graduation?
  • Cousin John’s Service Send Off ?
Field Trips & Outings:
  • Cirelli’s BBQ Bonanza and Friendly’s Customer Appreciation Day (6/5)
  •  Beach Outings
  • Strawberry Picking
  •  Hiking in State Park
  •  Library (on rainy days)
  •   Local Playgrounds
  •  Circus?
Special Interests:  
  • Bubbles and TBD based on kids
Now, as I mentioned, I know this outline is incomplete.  With the hurdles of the past few weeks (car troubles, computer issues, prenatal ligament problems, trying to find time to de-clutter with Mike away at AT, the kids outlasting me energy-wise, etc.) I know I have neglected to list some things on the brainstorm that I could have.  But, it’s a start. 

That said, now with Baby even closer to making his arrival and our home still in disorder, I am rethinking my June goal.  I had hoped to get almost a full year’s worth of Plans & Possibilities brainstorms done.  But, now I am considering changing my focus and pushing off the rest of the Plans & Possibilities brainstorms until later in the year…  We shall see.

Regardless of what I end up doing, I would love to hear about your monthly or sesonal learning and fun plans.  Please leave a comment.

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Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Plans & Possibilities Introduction

My end-of-May focus was to get our home, and thus homeschool, in a better physical condition.  Although I have not met this goal completely, I have managed to make some visible strides and feel that our family has developed a few habits and routines that will help us continue to progress on our mission despite my growing belly and our crazy upcoming family schedule and commitments.  Thus, as I turned the calendar page yesterday, I decided to make a change in my homeschooling focus, too.  In June, since I am comfortable that we will continue to progress towards our Order in the Home(school) goal even if the focus towards it is nudged aside a bit by other things, I am declaring a new primary goal: Plans & Possibilities for Jammies School.

Why this particular goal at this particular time?  Why push myself to outline ideas for next homeschool year at the very time many homeschoolers are wrapping up their studies, and, thus, their planning, taking a break before preparing for Fall.  Well, with Baby on the way, I know that if I do not plan now, I may never do so.  And, thus, when Luke’s official Kindergarten age comes round in December, I may find myself still meandering along the homeschooling path in a very casual, see-what-we-will-see, do-what-we-will-do way if I do not begin pre-planning now.

Admittedly, there is nothing wrong with this indirect path.  In fact, we have been managing on it with fair success for a while now, and I know that a large number of people have been doing so for years on end.  Unschoolers, many of these folks call themselves.  And, and even without “schooling” they manage to train and teach their children extraordinarily well.

I admire these folks and see how the philosophy of Unschooling might fit our home circumstances and our kids’ personalities at times.  Yet, I also face a couple facts that make me realize the Unschooling approach may not the best long-term one for our family.  One of our children (if not both) lives best with regular rhythms and routines.  Unschooling (at least with me at the helm) doesn’t always mesh with these.  And, one parent (That would be me!) is a born Type A – maybe even OCD type, if you ask some friends and family – underneath the clutter of life.  Hence, a more structured approach appears to be in order...

Undeniably, with me as the main Jammies School guide, it only makes sense that our homeschooling journey follows routes I am most comfortable with.  I am a planner. I thrive on checking off lists, researching ideas, brainstorming creative plans.  So, I readily admit that even though I have been managing with an Unschooling-by-default homeschool endeavor for a while now, the philosophy is not the best match for this Mama Educator’s personality.  In truth, I “need” a detailed plan in mind, if not on paper, even if I veer from it dramatically.  With this in mind, my June focus commences.

My intention is create a year’s worth of Plans & Possibilities as this month goes on (or at least as many moth’s worth as circumstances and focus allow.)  I will do this as both a way for me to synthesize my own thoughts with the wonderful ideas I have gleaned from others through books, blogs, etc and  as a way for me to offer ideas back to folks who might benefit from them.  As such, over the next month, I hope to crank out (and post!) brainstormed lists of Plans & Possibilities for each month of the year based on the categories that follow.  Mind you, these lists will definitely be “brainstorms”, not “to-do” ones.  Consequently, they will definitely be works in progress. 

I am sure to add, cut and adapt Plans & Possibilities ideas as we actually move throughout the year.  I am just as likely to only delve into exploring a few of the listed possibilities with the kids as I am to follow some rabbit trails to things unlisted as the months ahead unfold.  That being said, it is my hope that Plans & Possibilities will still serve as a “paper brain” and inspiration for a successful year of Jammies School, helping to map our journey with both structure and flexibility – especially when upcoming sleepless nights of baby-growth-spurt nursing or “I need Mama, too” older-children-needs pop up..  Perhaps, Plans & Possibilities will help others, too.  For ideas shared often grow exponentially in unexpected and delightful ways! 

So, with no further explanation or ado, let me share the framework I intend to use when brainstorming each list.  Your comments, suggestions, ideas, links and related thoughts on tweaking it or fleshing it out are most welcome!

Our Core Four:
-          Faith Formation: Liturgical Season; Liturgical Monthly Focus; Feast Days and Memorials of Note; Bible Story Focus; Catechism Focus; Scripture Focus; CSG Focus; Etc.
-          Reading: Read Alouds; Seasonal Book Baskets, Boxes and Bins; Alphabet Focus; Phonics and Reading Focus: Literacy Goals; Poems and Nursery Rhymes; Etc.
-          Writing: Dot-to-Dot and Maze Themes; Copywork Ideas and Phrases; Etc.
-          Arithmetic: Math Games; Math Concept Focus; Etc.
Plus:
-          Habit Training: Character Focus; Habit Focus; Etc.
-          Sensory Stuff: Seasonal Ideas and Activities
-          Nature: Moon; Weather; Animals; Plants; Etc.
-          Food (and Power Foods Lab): Foods in Season; Power Food Possibilities; Special Day Recipes: Etc.
-          Enrichment: Art Ideas; Music Ideas; Etc.
-          Home & Garden: Practical Training about Seasonal Maintainance, Home Cleaning and Organization, Household Habits, Home Improvement Projects, Etc.
-          National, Local and Other Observances: Federal Holidays; Cultural Holidays; Random Days of Honors; Local Events; Etc. that we might explore
-          Family Life: Birthdays; Special Events; Etc. that we can explore, prepare for, celebrate and focus learning activities around
-          Field Trips & Outings: Free and Low Cost Places to Go; Seasonal Parks; Etc.
-          Special Interests: TBD based on kids

As I move forward fleshing out this framework for each month, one place I know I am sure to borrow many ideas from is By Sun and Candlelight’s Themes and Plans posts.  Although I have never met nor had personal contact with their author Dawn, I find that she is a Godsend to me.  Often, as I Google for ideas and thoughts, I am led to her blog, which is soooo rich in relevant information that, at times, it seems written just for me.  So, thank you, Dawn, for all you do and share that makes my homeschooling (and faith) journey (and that of others) that much richer.  And, others, if you have links to other inspirational writing of your own or others, please share!

Now, onto June planning...
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