1.  Dynamic Infrared Quartz Heater (I think one of these for the front entry might be a good idea) - http://www.costco.ca/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=10330952&cm_mmc=CNEmail_EN_492-_-FOCUS-_-13-_-DynamicHeater

2.  From SMALL NOTEBOOK –> “I’ve mentioned before how I use Evernote to save my ideas, recipes, and writing drafts. If Evernote is my idea notebook, then Dropbox is my file cabinet.”  -  http://smallnotebook.org/2011/01/20/dropbox-my-online-file-cabinet/

“Dropbox lets you save your files online “in the cloud” so they’ll be safe when something happens to your computer. If my MacBook happens to get lost, broken, or stolen while I’m in Italy, I can replace the laptop, and Dropbox will save the files and pictures.

There are several online backup services around–Mozy and Crashplan are popular ones, but Dropbox is different.”

3. “consider leadership experience something that happens when you are doing what you love long enough to get good at it.” -- When Homeschooling High School, Love Leads to Leadership -- http://www.thehomescholar.com/blog/homeschool-high-school-love-leads-to-leadership/1649/

J W says:

Passion for something will naturally lead to a desire to share it. We call that sharing leadership. I’ve heard (and disregarded) tons of advice on what my children ought to be doing – and mostly it comes from people who wished they had had the opportunity to learn or do X, Y, or Z themselves. However, if my child’s heart does not desire X, Y, or Z, it doesn’t matter how worthy a pursuit X, Y, or Z is, that child will never obtain the joy and delight that inspires other like-minded people to follow and grow in their skill. No one wants to follow someone who’s just going through the motions.

4.  My nephew recently found out he has some vision learning difficulties.  This website shows more information about it. - http://www.pavevision.org/-  The Critical Link Between Vision and Learning

5.  Developing a personal mission statement - http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2011/01/developing-a-personal-mission-statement.html  - “Simplifying and prioritizing in your life all begin with developing your core foundation, a vision, a mission, a plan. This is a key foundation for the second step of developing a structure, routine, and schedule for your life. We need to build a foundation. What are your priorities? Are you doing the right things that God has assigned for you? What does this look like in my daily life? Having a mission is a beautiful thing. It brings clarity, purpose, and direction for your life. Every decision and event that comes to the table can be filtered through your personal mission statement.”

 

6.  Ideas and tips for a picnic in the snow -- http://www.simplebites.net/ideas-and-tips-for-a-winter-picnic-in-the-snow/

7.  Design your own Masters - http://simplehomeschool.net/design-your-own-masters/  -- “Then I realized something amazing–I don’t really want a master’s.  I just want to learn.  There’s no reason I need to complete a degree so someone else can deem me “educated.””

8.  The Assembling of the Church has posted a new item, 'What is edification? -
Conclusion'
The conclusion to my series on "What is edification?" What would add to my
discussion?
You may view the latest post at
http://www.alanknox.net/2011/01/what-is-edification-conclusion/

9.  I would love to get this book - Barnhart Concise Dictionary of Etymology.  (http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0062700847/ref=sib_dp_pt#reader-link) 

Product Description

As all lovers of language know, words are the source of our very understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

Often, however, our use of language is so automatic that we neglect to consider where those words came from and what they assume. What are the implications, beyond the simple dictionary definitions, of using words such as privilege, hysteria, seminal, and gyp?

Browsing through the pages of The Barhart Concise Dictionary of Etymology is likeexploring the historical, political, and rhetorical wonderland of our linguistic heritage. We see the evolution of ideas, as rootword connections that now seem arbitrary are traced to schools of thought from the past. We also find an opportunity to examine how the sometimes backwards, sometimes hilarious, and sometimes illuminating ideologies built into our language affect our modern thinking.

Written in a fresh, accessible style, this book provides the derivations of over 21,000 English-language words without resorting to the use of abbreviations, symbols, or technical terminology. Drawing on the most current American scholarship, and focusing onthe core words in contemporary English, The Barnhart Concise Dictionary of Etymology is both a diverting browse and a thinking person's Bible.

10.   I have started a wish list on Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/ref=cm_wl_ce

11.    “Unschooling is full-time, self-directed learning. Everyone here has experienced self-directed learning: maybe while taking an elective class, or working on a really interesting project, or doing personal reading. It’s when you’re learning for the sake of learning—no matter if it’s structured or unstructured. The Unschooling Mindset says: Why not do this more often?  Why not do this full-time?

I’d like to share the stories of three unschoolers I know who illustrate how full-time self-directed learning can look.”

http://www.ztcollege.com/the-tedx-talk/

12.  Bottom Up Education -- http://www.rationaloptimist.com/blog/bottom-education

13.  I love Christie’s quick journal pages - http://www.graceisoverrated.com/ and http://www.graceisoverrated.com/p/journal-pages.html

14.  Freedom Experiment 2011 - http://respectlovelearning.blogspot.com/2011/01/freedom-experiment-2011.html -  “My Freedom Experiment last year was Letting Go. Finding my way to Yes.  This year, I want OUR Freedom Experiment to be:
truly experiencing the things we say Yes to. Giving real time to Yes.
Because I want us to learn with both hands. I want us to look closely, immerse ourselves; I want us to swim deeply, drink deeply, learn deeply. And when we're ready, to move on.”