Abigails Homeschooling Guide

Some 26% of parents in every one of the American states consider home schooling for their kids over normal school classes.  This is because of the advantages both the oldsters and the children get as a social being.  Home schooling gives them the opportunity to be free of Old Skool days with pressure and daily assignments.  Due the old set up, many members of the family have become isolated from one another enabling them just a few precious times with their family. 

There are 4 crucial reasons why parents go for home studying for their youngsters, a ) social reasons, b ) academic reasons, c ) family reasons, and d ) spiritual reasons.  Yes, a modern education is very important.

Social Reasons

By joining the community cycle, parents fee that their children are more comfortable in dealing with different types of people.  They feel that their youngsters have a lesser inclination of becoming dependent with peers.  By introducing the youngsters more to church and community programs, these home-schooled kids don’t feel self conscious and recognized, as children are easier to talk to. 

The catalogue, Growing Without Schooling publisher Pat Farenga wrote : Group experiences are a big part of education, and home schoolers have plenty of them.  They write to us about how they form or join writing clubs, book chat groups and local home-schooling groups.  Home schoolers also take part in school sports teams and music groups ( in nearby public faculties ), as well as in the various public and private group activities our communities provide.  These young people can and do experience folks and cultures without going to school.”

The home-school setting deviates the child’s attention from alcohol, premarital sex, drugs, violence and mafia that could decimate his future.  And since home-schooled children are free from peer pressure, they are more likely to have more buddies from the church and community activities.  Some communities created a special group for home-schooled kids where field trips, social recreations and team building games are arranged.  This builds respect and opens channels for communication. 

Educational Reasons

parents believe that the less scholars handled by the teacher, the more focus is provided every one of the learners.  They believed that the personal tutoring of teachers is the most successful way of helping the youngsters learn successfully.  The most famed home-schooled personalities of all time are : Thomas Edison, Charles Dickens, Winston Churchill, Agatha Christie, Florence Nightingale, Woodrow Wilson, Woodrow siblings, and Benjamin Franklin.  One parent got more of his kids’s educational training in home schooling through the process of exchanging skills with other home schooled children.  Being a British degree holder, he teaches three of his co-worker’s sons, while his colleague teaches his youngsters mathematics. 

Although home schooling is, as derived from its own name home, this special education also developed into a better organized and planned instrument of teaching.  One example is the High fields Christian Home teachers that was established in Colorado Springs who has its own director who sees to it that all 200 of their home-schooled kids are given enough classes.  Unlike an ordinary college setting, home-based studying permits each one of the subject areas to be taught separately making the approach cross trained. 

Each of the scholars is given their own set of action plans so they can have the freedom to resume their enthusiasm.  Quality time is provided for each so that more focus can be imputed to their learning success. 

Family Reasons

Parents of home-schooled youngsters feel their presence felt by their youngsters.  Family relationship is strengthened and ties are intact.  A child’s self confidence are way more boosted thanks to the parents’ full support.  Based on the Yank League of study Studies, youngsters that are home schooled are mo re loving and confident. 

Non secular Reasons

faculties in the US have kept away from any spiritual and political issues for fear of influence from the 2, the reason being because many arranged civil freedoms even brought the issue of non secular illegality in courts. 

For that same reason, oldsters find teaching their youngsters at home a worry free place for religious and spiritual growth.  Faith can be inculcated as much as the fogeys would need to bring the entire belief to their kids in home schooling and they believe that it’s impact can seriously affect the spirituality of their developing children. 
.

Six US Gold Bullion Coins

In the United States, gold coins were first struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 1795. Production of the gold coins was legislated by the Mint Act of 1792 which authorized the ten dollar Gold Eagle, five dollar Half Eagle and the Quarter Eagle whose denomination you would be correct in assuming to be two dollars and fifty cents. So, you see it took a few years before the gold Half Eagles and Eagles were struck, followed by the $2.50 gold Quarter Eagles in 1796. The production of gold coins in the U.S. was more or less continuous until 1933 at the Philadelphia Mint and also at mints in Dahlonega in Georgia, Charlotte in North Carolina, New Orleans in Louisiana, Carson City in Nevada, San Francisco in California, and in Denver, Colorado.

During that period of time there were six denominations of the United States gold bullion coins. By face value they are the twenty dollar Double Eagle containing one ounce of pure gold, the ten dollar Eagle with one half ounce of gold, the five dollar Half Eagle, the four dollar gold Stella (for the 5-pointed star on its reverse), the three dollar gold piece, the $2.50 Quarter Eagle, and last but not least the Gold Dollar weighing in at one-tenth of an ounce of pure gold. The Gold Dollar was produced in 3 design types in the years from 1849 to 1889. The Liberty Head is called Type I and was struck from 1849 until 1854. Type II is the Small Head Indian Princess and was minted from 1854 to 1856. Then from 1856 until 1889 the Type III Gold Dollar was produced and is called the Large Head Indian Princess.

The gold Quarter Eagle, of denomination $2.50 , was in production from 1796 through 1929. During that time there were eight major Quarter Eagle design types. One of the original authorized gold coins, produced only in 1796, is named for its having ‘No Obverse Stars’. From 1796 to 1807 was the Capped Bust, Stars type. The 1808 gold dollar coin type is called Capped Bust to Left. The years 1821 to 1827 saw the production of the type known as Capped Head to Left, Large Diameter, Stars Around Head. The 1829 to 1834 type is the Capped Head to Left, Smaller Diameter, Stars Around Head. From 1834 to 1839 look for the Classic Head type. The Liberty Head gold dollar was minted from 1840 to 1907. And the Indian Head is the type produced from 1908 to 1929.

The minting of $3 Gold Pieces took place in the years from 1854 to 1889. 1879 and 1880 were the only years when the $4 Gold Stellas were produced. The five dollar denomination Half Eagles were minted from 1795 through 1929. Ten dollar Gold Eagles were struck between the years 1795 and 1933. And the period 1849 to 1933 saw the minting of the twenty dollar Gold Double Eagles.

Values in the Mountains

There is nothing like the summer time in the Rocky mountains.  An area that is well known for the winter time activities is actually more appealing in the summer time. Activities such as hunting, golfing, hiking, biking, fishing, and shopping are enjoyed by millions of people each year.  The ability to enjoy concerts, picnics, bbqs, etc… outside is just something you cannot do in the winter.  The lack of humidity and bugs is also agreat releif for people coming from the midwest or east coast.

Golfing in Colorado is a great experience.  Many courses are embedded in the mountains and offer views you will never get anywere else.  Most likely you will also see spectacular mountain real estate and wildlife.  Don’t be suprised either when your ball goes 10% – 15% farther due to the high altitude.

Hunting in Colorado is usually a fall activity however there are places in Colorado where the hunting is truly amazing.  There are hunting ranches that allow you to rent the cabins and hunt the private property.  Outfitters are also in abundance but charge quite a fee.

The fishing is also incredible for avid fisherman.  You can expect to catch a variety of Rainbow, Brook, and Brown trout in the streams of the Rocky Mountains.

Shopping in Colorado is not too much different than anywhere else except when it comes the mountain real estate.  Great real estate investments in Colorado are available these days.  The prices have adjusted to a point where it makes great sense to get property that has a world class location.

How To Find the Top Colorado Springs Limousine Company

If you live in Colorado Springs, or if you are merely visiting the area – you may want to find a limousine service to transport you around town.  Colorado Springs is known as one of the most beautiful cities in Colorado.  Many people from other states are moving to Colorado Springs because of the slow pace and easy living.  With the growth of Colorado Springs, comes increased corporate travelers who are in town for meetings or conventions.  Many of these corporate travelers are having a hard time finding a quality Colorado Springs Limousine service.  Many of the companies they have been booking are either unreliable or they simply don’t have the vehicles to handle the client’s transportation needs.

Luckily, there is one Limousine in Colorado Springs that is the premier limousine service in the area.  This company is Wolfe Limousine and I have used them multiple times for service from Colorado Springs to Denver and they have been supurb.  They have chauffeurs who always wear black suit and tie and thier vehicles are always clean.  If you are visiting the area and you need a Colorado Springs Limo, you should check out Wolfe Limousine. 

The owner of Wolfe Limousine, Michael-John Wolfe always personally handles my bookings.  He has 10 years experience in the limousine industry and he even drives me himself sometimes.  He has even given me a free upgrade from a Lincoln Town Car to a nice black Chevy Suburban.  You can contact Wolfe Limousine at (303)999-1811 and if you do, ask about their on time guarantee.  The curbside pick up that Wolfe Limousine offers at COS airport is great, you don’t have to deal with walking through the parking lot. 

So give Wolfe Limousine a call and check out all there is to see in Colorado Springs.  If you have a chance, stay a few nights at the Broadmoor.  Yes, it can be very expensive but it is a beautiful hotel.  The Broadmoor is world renowned as one of the top hotels in the state and many famous people have stayed there.  They have an amazing golf course and after you leave, you are sure to never forget your stay.  The concierge there even got me a bag of jalapeno chips when I had a late night craving, to say they pamper you at the Broadmoor is an understatement!

The other cool thing about Colorado Springs is The Garden of The Gods, if you want to see a beautiful place – you should visit the Garden of the God is the spring.  The plant life and rock formations will carve a nitch in your memory. Be sure and check out the sculpture section of the Garden.  The other thing you can do is take the 1 hour ride to Denver and check out the Denver Zoo or maybe even visit some of the restuarants downtown.  Denver is a bustling city and it can be worth the trip from Colorado Springs.  You can even ask Wolfe Limousine to take you up to Denver.  They offer a rate of $179 plus gratuity from Colorado Springs to Denver.  So what are you waiting for?  Get yourself to Colorado Springs now!

Planning the tastiest Food Tour in the Southwest

What to Expect in a Food Tour in Southwest US?

If the best way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, the same could also be said for places. For many people, the best way to know a place is to enjoy its food. If you’re planning to join a food tour in Southwest US, here’s what you can expect.

Hot, Hot, Hot!

Utah, New Mexico, Nevada, Colorado, California, and Arizona vacations – perfect states for a culinary tour and are located west of the Mississippi River, make up the Southwest region of the United States. Something hot is what all of them have in common and we’re not just talking about the weather, but their specialty dishes, too!

Oldest of All

Southwest cuisine is said to be the oldest living indigenous cuisine in the United States. You can trace its roots beyond Plymouth Rock. People in the Southwest are vastly proud of the past so if you’re joining a food tour in the Southwest US, don’t be surprised if you get a brief history lesson along the way!

An Amalgamation of Everything

If you want to be really specific, you should know that the term Southwestern cuisine is just too broad to define the rich variety of food compromising it. Food from the Southwest can be distinguished among various classes such as American Indian, Mexican, Tex-Mex, and nueva Latina, which is one of the newest additions to this growing regional cuisine. Knowing the difference is something natives always appreciate, maybe enough for a free beer! An excellent Texas tourism excursion.

Major Characteristics of Southwestern Food

If you’re familiar with Mexican cuisine, you’ll probably notice immediately how similar Southwestern food is to it. The differences between both cuisines are subtle, from lesser use of brain, tripe, and other select ingredients to use of larger cuts of meat.

The Difference between Chili and Chile

It’s crucial that you know the difference between the two or you might be in for an incredibly hot surprise and one that will get you running for the nearest gallon of water. Now, chile pertains to pepper native to the Southwest; these have long been considered a staple by the locals. Chili, on the other hand, pertains to a soup or stew containing meat and beans. Either way, be sure to let your server know if you’re not ready to have smoke come off your ears. Better safe than sorry!

Noteworthy Dishes from the Southwest US

Your Southwest food tour could introduce you to a number of spectacular dishes, including but not limited to salsa, chimichanga, chili con carne, taco salad, rattlesnake fillet, pozole, burrito, sopapillas, rice and beans, menudo, chile relleno, nachos, stuffed peppers, taquitos, and King Ranch chicken.

Traditional versus Contemporary versus Upscale

Now, food tours in the Southwest US can be generally classified into three kinds: traditional, contemporary, and upscale. We can find fabulous upscale menus in our California vacations.

Those on a budget could choose between traditional and contemporary Southwestern cuisine. Food tours focusing on traditional dishes often come with history-related side trips.

For those willing to shell out more for a better and greater variety of food, there are high-end tours for contemporary and traditional Southwestern cuisine and of course, there are always the upscale and innovative restaurants to visit. New Mexico, which is the largest producer and consumer of chile in the country, also prides itself as the best state to go for upscale Southwestern cuisine.

Ultimately, however, however you choose to explore the Southwest, a food tour is sure to give you more than a delicious taste of what this part of the United States has to offer.

The great kayaking adventure

As many of you know, I have been involved with the kayak renting Clear Lake group for many years. I absolutely love to kayak and have owned and personally built almost every type and size of kayak including sit-ins to sit-upons and both single person and two person models.

I have never been especially fond of ocean kayaking but prefer the tranquility and calm of floating down a quiet lagoon or exploring the hidden coves of a fresh water lake.

A few months ago, my best friend Tony and I decided to pack our favorite kayaks on top of my Hummer and travel around the country for a couple months exploring different places to splash our boats. The trip actually got extended to almost seven months but that one of the benefits of being semi-retired and not needing to go to a job. The trip also ended up taking us out of the country to Canada which hadn’t been in our original plan.

Needless to say, we had some unbelievable experiences! We kayaked mountain streams in Colorado, some beautiful lakes in Minnesota and many, many other truly fantastic spots.

One of the places we kayaked that was especially nice and rather surprising was in the Boston, MA area. We had heard that the back bays and estuaries around Boston were a particularly interesting area to kayak and we definitely found that to be true. It was amazing to find such primitive areas and wildlife within just a few miles of Harvard Square.

The only problem we had with Boston is that it is almost as expensive as New York and we had to do some serious hunting to find affordable inexpensive Boston hotels. We succeeded but the funny thing is that we then left the country to kayak the St. Clair lakes chain outside of Montreal, Canada and by that time we were ready to indulge ourselves and went shopping for the best hotels Montreal.

We finally made it back to Houston after almost seven months of traveling and kayaking with memories that I hope we will never forget.

1st Class Trader