A-D

Introductions from A - G

Intro - Debbie F.
1) Your Name: Debbie

2) Your children's ages and names: Joshua 17, Natalya 11, Jimmy 8, Jason 3
3) How many years you have homeschooled? This is our 6th year
4) What you love about homeschooling? Being with my kids, the many choices out there for us, and protecting them from the not so great peer influences in school.
5) What you hate about homeschooling? Trying to fit it all in!!! And I also struggle with the "what if" syndrome a lot! Oh- here's a good one. I HATE about homeschooling the fact that both sides of our families breathe down our neck that we are ruining our kids lives and education! I truly hate that pressure!

6) Do you have a business or interest you delve in on the side? I am an RN, and work as a "spare" at McKee Foods, in the clinic at Plant 2. I work as a "fill-in" when the full time nurses are off on vacation or sick, etc. So I average 1-2 days a week, sometimes less. It's a perfect job for a homeschool nurse. Because going to work actually is RELAXING to me! I know life at the hospital isn't relaxing! But in the clinic at McKee, the idea is to have no injuries, so on a perfect day, its quiet!
7) Your pet's name or most interesting animal you have ever owned? a cat named Blackie. I would prefer no pets, but the kids love him.
8) Your favorite color: pink
9) How would you describe your homeschool style? Traditional. I need the security of textbooks, to evaluate our progress and feel like I've accomplished something. That keeps me most confident. My oldest son Josh has taken classes thru Hilger Higher Learning for 4 years, and he has loved it. He has taken Spanish, Pre Algebra and Algebra, Biology, English, and this year is taking World History and Government and Economics. So its been a big help to his program, and to me!! He works 12 hours a week at Grounds at Southern, and pays for his own classes.
10) Schedules - thumbs up or thumbs down? Absolutely thumbs up! But while I love making them, I have a hard time following them. Things just keep coming up!! But a good schedule is my goal. I believe that God is a God of order, and I can believe He wants that for me too. And my family. We're trying. But learning how to make my schedule a "tool" and not a "taskmaster" is hard. I highly recommend www.titus2.com they have lots of stuff on scheduling for homeschoolers. Also Sally Hohnberger has lots on scheduling: www.empoweredlivingministries.org as does Alane Waters at www.restoration-international.org

Name - Becky G.

Intro - Linda G.
1) Your Name Linda
2) Your children's ages and names (if you feel comfortable) Granddaughter, Alyssa 9; Grandson, Brian 15
3) How many years you have homeschooled I've homeschooled Alyssa since Kindergarten; she's in 3rd. I've never homeschooled our grandson; he is a 9th grader at Ooltewah High this year.
4) What you love about homeschooling Being able to teach & share with my granddaughter & to have the freedom to teach scripture in our home.

5) What you hate about homeschooling Nothing really; however, I'm still working on "getting it all done!"
6) Do you have a business or interest you delve in onthe side? Have been taking a correspondence course this year in Medical Transcription, in anticipation of my husband's retirement in a couple of years. In my "free" time, I enjoy reading, crossword puzzles & occasionally playing golf with my husband.
7) Your pet's name or most interesting animal you have ever owned? We have 2 chinese pugs, Haley Maria (4) & Toby Keith (2). They are social dogs & get into as much, if not more, mischief than the kids!
8) Your favorite color Red, but I don't wear it often.
9) How would you describe your homeschool style? More traditional...we seem to accomplish more with this style.
10) Schedules - thumbs up or thumbs down? For me, definitely, thumbs up! We have to have schedules or we just wouldn't make it!