TOS Review IEW Phonetics Zoo

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It's time for another review with The Crew!  This time I was absolutely blessed to be on this review.  It is for the Institute for Excellence in Writing's Phonetic Zoo Spelling program.  I had heard of IEW but only for their writing program.  I wasn't really aware that they had a spelling program until now.

Can you say wow?  We have loved this program.  Truly.

Before I get ahead of myself, let me tell you a little about the program.  I was given the Starter Set to review.  That set included

• 5 audio CDs (Level C has 6 CDs)
• Spelling and the Brain and Introduction to The Phonetic Zoo DVD with the following:
    - Spelling and the Brain video seminar
    - Introduction to The Phonetic Zoo video
    - The Phonetic Zoo teacher’s notes PDF file
• Lesson Cards with all three levels of spelling words and jingles
• Personal Spelling Cards to keep track of your student’s typical misspellings
• Zoo Cards, which serve as a way to practice jingles or as rewards


I wasn't sure what to think when we first opened the package, there is so much that comes with it!  We laid it all out and put the CD into the computer and watched the first video.  Spelling and the Brain was very interesting and answered so many questions I had in relation to my second born daughter.  Just listening to it had me anxious with anticipation.


Next, we watched the Introduction to The Phonetic Zoo.  It gave a clear explanation of the program in a way that I felt ready to implement it.  Plus, I really enjoy listening to Andrew Pudewa talk!  I heard him in Cincinnati and was enthralled with his speaking ability and presentation.

The Phonetic Zoo is a different approach than I was familiar with and I wasn't sure about it at first.  We had been using a different program with some success but it didn't seem to be sticking.  So, when this program said that it was designed in such a way as to give them retention in their spelling; I was completely on board.  Who doesn't want their kids to really know how to spell instead of just memorizing letters?  Or not if they struggle with spelling?

The second day we had the program, I set my daughter up and explained it to her.  She wasn't too sure about it at first, but agreed to give it a try.  She had her headphones, her notebook, and two pens; she was ready to go.  As soon as the speaker started talking, she was hooked.  At first the words were going too fast and she had to pause the disk often; but she soon got the hang of it.  She is such an auditory learner that she is really thriving with this program.

What happens is that student reviews the rule that they are learning and then they listen to the spelling list one word at a time.  They write the words one after the other, when they are done they listen to the correct spelling of each word and mark the wrong ones.  It is an instant return on their work.  The next thing that is different about this program is that they take the test every day until they score 100% twice in a row for the list.  At first my daughter didn't care for that but after she had taken the test a few times and the number of wrong words was dropping, she was thrilled!  The first list only took her around 6 tries to get the full list right.  Spelling isn't her strong suit so to have her excited about it is amazing.

I honestly can't say enough about this program and you know by now if I didn't like it I would tell you!  I think the cost of the program is a bit daunting but when you see what you get and that you can use it for however many kids you need it for, it is a great investment.  The cost of the Starter Program is $99.  Seem steep?  Look back up towards the top to see what all comes in the package.  It is quite an investment! 

If that is too steep, they have a Budget Pack for just $29!  This is an economical way to implement the program, this package includes:
• Spelling and the Brain and Introduction to The Phonetic Zoo DVD with the following:
    - Spelling and the Brain video seminar
    - Introduction to The Phonetic Zoo video
    - The Phonetic Zoo teacher’s notes PDF file
• Lesson Cards with all three levels of spelling words and rules
• Personal Spelling Cards to keep track of your student’s typical misspellings
• Zoo Cards, which serve as a way to practice rules or as rewards
No audio CDs are included. Instead, a parent, tutor, or older sibling can give the spelling words to the student.

You can also buy the Audios only CD and the Personal Spelling & Zoo Cards individually.  You can find the pricing and list of what they carry for the Phonetic Zoo here.  If you have questions about the program this is a great page with so many answers about the program and wonderful information that you may just want to read it anyway!  You can also head over to this page and listen to an introduction to Excellence in Spelling by Andrew Pudewa.  Look for the link just above the pricing list for the program.

IEW also has many other great products, just look at this page to see for yourself.  There is also a great page with contact info, information about Andrew Pudewa, the History of IEW, and much more!

As I said, we just love this program.  My daughter no longer fights me to do spelling everyday; she actually enjoys it now.  That makes the program worth it for me!  I'm not sure this program would be a good fit for my oldest daughter, though.  She is a natural speller and doesn't need much instruction in the mechanics of it.  I could be wrong, though.  We are going to give it a try later just to see how it works for her.

If you want to read what other Crew members thought about this program, head on over to The Crew Blog and check them out.

**I was given this program to review in exchange for my honest opinion through The TOS Crew.

Christmas Eve

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On Christmas Eve it is so easy to get caught up in the hype of the 'holiday'.  It is all around us as we go shopping, watch t.v., read magazines; basically anywhere we look.  The hype being that you have to buy stuff and give stuff to be happy.  Christmas has become about giving gifts.  The message that the kids can only be happy if you buy them the latest electronic gadget is prevalent and maddening.

Christmas is NOT about giving or getting the latest 'gotta have' item from the store.  It is not about buying so many gifts that there is no more room under the tree and you go into debt because of it. 

There is only one Gift that was ever needed on Christmas and that was given freely by God Himself.  Christ was born in human flesh and lived as a man so that we would have a way to God through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross.  That is only gift needed at Christmas.

Am I saying that we don't buy presents for our children?  No, I'm not.  But we don't give them more than two or three presents at the most and those are small, non-expensive gifts.  We want the focus to be on God and family not on the presents under the tree.  That is why a nail is the very first ornament we put on the tree-reminding us of Jesus and His sacrifice.  Our children know that we don't buy ipods, phones, etc for Christmas.  Well okay, we don't buy those things for them anyway but especially at Christmas! lol

If you ask our kids what they got for Christmas don't be surprised to hear bedding or a suitcase or a toy of some kind.  They don't feel bad because they didn't get a new gaming system, they know they don't need it to be happy.  Sometimes in fact, we do a completely homemade Christmas exchange and they are just as happy with that as a store bought gift. 

Simplicity is a lovely thing.  Bringing up your children to value God and family more than things is invaluable. 

Now I'm not saying that people that buy their kids the things I have mentioned are bad or are doing something wrong.  This is just how and why we do things.  So tonight my kiddos will be opening pajamas (our tradition) and tomorrow they will open simple gifts that were bought with love for each one.

I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and you remember the blessings that God has bestowed upon your family.  Take a moment to talk about the blessings with your family so they can remember them as well.

Another week

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This week has gone by in a blur.  On Tuesday night I got a stomach bug and spent all of Wednesday in bed.  It wasn't pretty.  That delayed my Christmas shopping, cooking, wrapping, etc a whole day.

That does not help with the harried feeling I already had about this season. 

However, I think it probably helped me more than I thought it would.  It made me slow down and just relax.  Today, Steven helped me wrap the rest of the presents and tomorrow the kids are going to help me do the baking.

We are going to make Pumpkin Rolls, homemade rolls, and a birthday cake for Jesus.  The rest of the baking will have to wait for next week.  For now, we are relaxing as a family and just enjoying being together.  I'm trying not to think about Christmas Eve.  Steven said yes to singing at a different church for their services after I asked him not to and I'm a little cranky about it.  ;-p

Praises long overdue

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I don't think I ever shared this story with anyone other than Steven...at least I don't think so! If I have blogged about this before please excuse another post bragging about what an awesome God we serve.  :)

A few years ago I was traveling with the girls to go see my mother.  She only lives about an hour and a half away so the drive is not a big deal.  There are good roads and it is a pretty straight shot.  However, this particular day I was very tired.  Not just sleepy, I mean dog-tired.  I knew when we got in the car that I was going to have a hard time staying awake, but we needed to go.  So, I loaded up on Pepsi, snacks and tunes and set off.

I was doing pretty well at first but then the warm air in the car was too much and my eyelids started to feel heavy.  I immediately turned the heat to cool to wake myself up.  It worked for the moment.  Then the kids started complaining about being cold, so I turned the heater back on.  It wasn't too long before the music stopped keeping my attention.

My eyelids were too heavy to hold up and they started sliding closed.  I felt myself slide into sleep and jerked back awake. This wasn't good.  I knew that I wasn't going to be able to stay awake.  I prayed for help and protection.

A few miles later, I felt my eyelids falling shut again.  Only this time I couldn't make them open.  I fell asleep behind the wheel.  That had never happened before; ever.  I felt the warmth of sleep spread over me and lost myself in it.

The next instant I heard a male voice yelling at me.  He was yelling, "Wake up!"  It was clear as day and it shook me to my core.  It was a voice I had never heard before and yet was very familiar.  I knew that I must obey this voice.  My eyes shot open and I could instantly feel the change in the car.  The kids hadn't noticed anything and were happily playing in their seats; but I could feel the presence.

I knew that God had heard my cry for help and He had saved us.  He woke me up and revived me so that I could drive the rest of the way safely.  He cared enough about my simple prayer and about us to intervene and rescue us.

Praise God that He is a God who cares.  A God that listens to those He loves.  A God that is involved in the lives of His children.  A God that loves deeply.   My Abba.

So, there is the praise that was long overdue.  God has worked in my life so many times that it's hard to count them; but count them I should.  And often.  To remember His Grace and Mercy in my life and to remember that He alone is God.

Random, 'cause it's what I do!

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She loves doing her Math U See!!

This was a freaky worm we found on our front sidewalk.

Yeah, it was freaky!  I'm a little scared that it is dangerous.

She discovered the joy of doing chores! She really does love it.

This was only some of the bags of leaves.  ugh

She lost her first tooth!!  woohoo!

Maggie put herself in there!  It is really Bailey's cage. lol

Before Steven's Christmas party for work.

B as the angel in our church Christmas play.  She was amazing!

Whew!  I finally took pictures off of the camera today.  I think there were over 1,000 because the card was full! hahaha

Blessing Others

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It has become a tradition for our homeschool group to make Christmas cards at our annual craft day and then distribute them at a local nursing home after caroling.  A tradition that I love.  Our kids love it as well.  The first year some of our students weren't too sure about talking to strangers, but they quickly got over it when the elderly residents had tears in their eyes.  Sometimes the tears came from listening to young people sing Christmas carols to them.  Sometimes it came from the gift of a handmade card.  And sometimes it came from a hug given by a sweet child that took time to ask their name and visit with them for a few minutes.

What a blessing it is for us to be able to go and minister to these precious souls at Christmas time.  What stories could we hear if we would take the time to listen?  What wisdom could we glean from lives that were lived in such different times than ours?  A generation is passing away and the lessons they learned are passing with them because we don't take the time to listen to them.

I encourage you to visit a nursing home near you and bless the residents with your presence and attention.

Remember, whatever you do to the least of these...

Christmas Break?

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Our homeschool was supposed to be on Christmas break this last week all the way through Jan. 3.  That's not happening.

Momma ain't happy either.

Why are we not being blessed with a break after a grueling semester?  Um...let's see.  It's called life lessons.  For the kids and for the parents.  These lessons have not been easy on any of us.  In fact they have been downright painful.

It started with one child cheating on a test and then moved on to three children lying about filling out their planners and doing their work.  It was a rude awakening for all of us. 

It has been devastating for the whole family.  Now mind you, we know that these lessons are better learned while they are at home; I wish that these particular lessons didn't have to be learned the hard way.  Trust has been broken on both sides.  My failings and shortcomings have been made abundantly clear and have caused me to doubt whether I am cut out for homeschooling.  Am I doing a disservice to the kids by homeschooling when I fail so many times?  How can I be a role model to them when I am clearly not doing the things that I should be.  Should I keep homeschooling when I am not particularly liking my children right now?

These are the questions that have been swirling around my head toward the tail end of this semester.  It hasn't been great.  I am really questioning my effectiveness at this point.  And sometimes my sanity!

Am I going to quit homeschooling?  No.  I truly feel that God called us to homeschool and we will continue by His grace and His grace alone.  We are just going to do it a little differently for a while.  Gone are the days of letting them roam the house to do school on their own.  Gone too are the days of going several days without checking work to keep them accountable.  Our school days look different now and aren't quite as care-free.

All of the children must do their work in my presence and their work must be checked as soon as they are done with it.  There is no waiting until later to do work, now is the time.  There are no excuses no free passes and no more nice momma/teacher.  Is this making me happy?  Nope.  I am lots more cranky after a day of having four students sitting beside me or at my feet constantly complaining about having to sit beside me or be at my feet!  There are multiple complaints of 'why can't you just trust me?'  or 'I really hate this.'

Like I said, painful life lessons for everyone.  I have learned to be more of a teacher and less of a mom.  I have also learned to admit my failings with a little less pride and a little more humbleness.  To ask for help and admit when I'm wrong.  To let my kids suffer the consequences even when it hurts my heart and I want to rescue them.  To understand that these lessons are better learned while they are in the safety of our home and we can guide them back to the right path.  To trust God's plan for their lives and to guide them to Him for counsel, wisdom, love, understanding, and guidance. 

So, no Christmas break because said children are catching up on the work they were supposed to be doing and momma is retraining herself to be more diligent and just a little meaner!

Christmas? Really?

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I can not believe that it is the week before Christmas.  I usually love Christmas.  Seriously love it.  I will start playing Christmas music in August.  No, I'm not kidding just ask my sister!  I decorate early and try to leave it up until February.  I made it to the beginning of February one year and then Steven demanded that it come down!  lol

This year?  Nothin'.  I am not feelin' it.  I haven't played Christmas music.  I have only put up the tree and that was grudgingly.  No other decorations.

So, what is up?  I don't know.  I am just not looking forward to it.  I know that I am in a bit of a funk and maybe that is it.  I feel bad for the kids though.

When I said that we weren't going to put up the tree they each said, "That's okay mom, we don't have to have a tree this year."  Talk about shaming me into it!  We put it up.  But let me tell you, there was no merriment while we were doing it.

I am going to get coal this year I just know it.  And I deserve it.

Now, don't get me wrong.  I love Jesus.  I love that He came down as a precious baby and took on human flesh so that He could save us from our sins.  I just don't want to celebrate the man-made holiday this year.

Maybe that's the problem.  The commercialization of the holiday is driving me crazy.  It is making me angry actually.  I don't want to shop because I don't want to give my money to support the idea that you have to have all that stuff to be happy and celebrate Christ's birth.

ugh I have to stop talking about it.  I am getting cranky all over again!

btw-I am not done Christmas shopping.  Even though I don't want to 'have' Christmas the rest of my family does.  Imagine that!

TOS Review ALEKS

Our latest review with The TOS Crew is ALEKS.  I was especially excited to be on this review because I have a daughter that loves Math.  She thinks it is fun!  I'm not sure I can relate, but I'm glad she thinks so.




So when I saw my name on the list for ALEKS, I couldn't wait to get started.  Unfortunately, it didn't work out very well.  The company was wonderful to work with to get things set up and the website is set up very well.  The problem is the learning styles of my children.  Not a one of them enjoyed or even liked getting on the computer to do math.  They prefer to do lessons in an order that is already set and did not like choosing for themselves.  I thought that that's the part they would like the most!

That being said, ALEKS is a great program, it just didn't work for us.

Here is what the website says about their program:

"Assessment and LEarning in Knowledge Spaces is a Web-based, artificially intelligent assessment and learning system. ALEKS uses adaptive questioning to quickly and accurately determine exactly what a student knows and doesn't know in a course. ALEKS then instructs the student on the topics she is most ready to learn. As a student works through a course, ALEKS periodically reassesses the student to ensure that topics learned are also retained. ALEKS courses are very complete in their topic coverage and ALEKS avoids multiple-choice questions. A student who shows a high level of mastery of an ALEKS course will be successful in the actual course she is taking.
ALEKS also provides the advantages of one-on-one instruction, 24/7, from virtually any Web-based computer for a fraction of the cost of a human tutor."

ALEKS starts at 3rd grade and goes all the way up through Trigonometry.  This page lists all the courses available.  Each level has its own testing to determine the students knowledge and the course is then based on what they know or don't know.  A pie chart is displayed to show the student the areas in that level and what their evaluation scores were.  Each piece of the graph is clickable and has options for the student to choose from.  This program offers flexibility for the student in choosing which topics they want to learn that day.  So if the student is getting frustrated with one area, they can choose another area to work on.   The Elementary levels also have QuickTables to assist in the learning of addition, multiplication, division, and subtraction facts.

If you would like more information, head over and take a tour to see this program in action.  Purchasing an ALEKS subscription allows your child to access the full course library, however only one course may be taken at a time.

The prices for a subscription are:
A subscription to ALEKS is

• $19.95 per student, per month, or
  
  
• only $99.95 every 6 months, or
  
  
• only $179.95 every 12 months.

They also offer a Family Discount that you might want to check out.

When you subscribe, we will create two ALEKS accounts:

• A Student Account: This is the account your child will use to access the ALEKS Student Module which includes assessment and learning features.
  
  
• A Master Account: With this account, you can monitor your child's progress through automated reports, assign quizzes, manage student accounts, and much more.

This was very helpful to me since there were three different children using the program at one time.  It was  easy to log in to the Master Account and check on their progress.

There is just so much this program offers that you really have to check it out for yourself.  Please don't just take our word for it, it might be a perfect fit for your student.  For more reviews from families that had a great experience and loved ALEKS, head on over to The Crew blog and check them out.





ALEKS is offering a 1 month Free trial to Homeschoolers who have never used ALEKS before!  Can you believe it?  If you think this program sounds like something your student would like, this is the perfect opportunity to try it out.  Follow the link and set up your trial membership to get started.






**As always, this review was possible because I received a free trial membership through The TOS Crew in exchange for my honest opinion.

Again

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With Much Fear

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Okay, it isn't fear per se but it sure is trepidation!  This week we received a call asking us to step out and do something that would require a very large change in our family.  It would be for the good of someone else and would absolutely be the right thing to do.  There is no way as a follower of Christ we could say no.

We didn't say no.  We said yes.  Without hesitation.  Now, it is up to God to bring about the right path and to go before us and make a way.  IF this situation comes about, that is!

No, I am not going to say what it is.  My kids read my blog and we haven't told them anything yet except to pray for the situation and God will know what they are talking about.  I would ask for your prayers as well. 

Lovin it

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This week is the week for rehearsals.  B, our oldest, got the part in the Christmas program at our church!  She was completely thrilled and terrified.  heehee  She has practiced daily and this week starts the tech rehearsals in front of people! It has been amazing to see how her confidence is blossoming as she realizes that we aren't the only ones that think she sings well. lol

I hope I can get video of her singing.  If so, I will post it.  Of course! 

Now, to get her well.  She got the sickies again and is miserable.  Have to get her well before Saturday.

Sweet Birthday

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Our sweet third born daughter turned Nine Years Old today.  (I am posting this many days late!)  I can not believe that my Peanut is nine!  It sound cliche but it really does seem like yesterday that she was a newborn in the hospital just quietly looking around at everyone.  She was such a quiet baby.  She was always watching but very quiet.  She was so quiet in fact, that she didn't start really talking until she was over 18months.  After the first started talking at 4mo and the next around 6mo -and I mean full words here- this freaked me out.  I could tell that H understood us because she would respond and her eyes would dart to what we were talking about.  She just wouldn't talk.  So we taught her sign language.  She caught on quickly and used it like crazy.  The older two tried to hover and anticipate her moves, but I wouldn't let them.  I knew that the third child could get 'lost' if we weren't diligent and I wanted her to have her own place and her own voice.  Even if she didn't!

When H was just over 18 months old I was worried that she wouldn't talk.  I was on the verge of taking her to a specialist or something.  Then she looked at me one day and said, "Mom, can you get me some water?"  Seriously.  I almost passed out!  From then on, she has only spoken when she has something to say.

H remains our quiet, thoughtful child who has the sweetest spirit.  She is kind and compassionate and has an incredibly sharp mind that she puts to use by watching everything all the time.  Nothing much passes by her.  We sometimes think that she isn't paying attention or that she is zoning only to find out later that she was paying attention and even more than we thought!  Her soulful eyes are ever watching for a way to help and encourage.

I can not wait to see what God has planned for this amazing little lady.  Love you, Peanut!

Oh yeah, This is my life...

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Friday at lunch I decided to have pity on the kids and run to the store for a break.  It was a nice trip and we got some Christmas shopping done.  Attitudes were decent and a good time was had by most.  lol

I also splurged by getting them Lunch-ables.  What a good mom I am!  A wonderfully nutritious lunch at twice the cost.  What can I say, I was desperate for some peace and quiet.

We made it home without much of an incident but then I made the mistake of telling them they could eat downstairs.  That's usually a no-no but I wanted to watch a little t.v. and lost my mind momentarily.  Food was on my plate and I was walking down the stairs when I heard the words that froze my blood.

"Oh my God!"

Now, that is NOT something we say in our house.  So, I knew it was something bad.  I rushed down the stairs to see S running towards me.  B was fast on her heels.  Panic was written all over their faces.  They started running around like those ducks on a carnival shooting gallery.  It was getting on my nerves pretty fast because they weren't saying anything.  They were muttering, "We don't know what to do!"

The next words I heard made me wish that someone had been breaking into the house.  "The toilet is over-flowing."

So not cool.

That's when I heard the running water.  It sounded just like the water had when it was pouring through the ceiling a month or so ago.  Flash-backs made me instantly cranky.

I'm pretty sure that I yelled at both S and B to shut the water off behind the toilet and S said that she didn't know how.  B just stood there looking at me like I was speaking Japanese.  grrr

I threw my food down and rushed in to save the day.  Only to find about an inch of water standing on the newly painted floor with water still pouring out of the toilet.

And guess what?  It was full of poop.  Oh yeah.  That's right.  Now, there is fecal matter being spread all over the floor.  Good times.  I sloshed through the poop infested water to bend over and turn the water off.  I couldn't quite reach it because I was keeping as much of my head/face area away from the rising log in the toilet.  So, I had to bend over more and got my arm in the water.  Niice.  I finally reached the turn of valve and turned it.

It broke off in my hand.  I am not even kidding.  It seriously broke off in my hand.  The turds are rising and the water is still pouring out of the toilet.

I ran to the other room for the main shut off valve and get it turned off just in time.  The log stayed in the toilet.  whew!  At least that one thing went right.  The shop vac came out and sucked up the water along with a few chunks of 'stuff' and had to be emptied multiple times.  When enough water was sucked up, I went to work on the toilet.  I plunged for all I was worth and thought it had been enough.  So the water was turned back on.

I waited for the water to settle and with plunger in hand, I flushed.  Now, I was waiting for the water to rise; but when you see the water rising in the toilet there is a moment of panic when you actually can not move a muscle in your body.  You know what I mean.  It's that moment of indecision that makes all the difference.  And I was too slow.  More water and fecal matter rushed onto the floor.

More shop vac sucking and emptying.

Finally, I was able to plunge the toilet successfully and the glorious sound of water sucking down the toilet was heard through out the house.  Cautiously I had B turn the water back on and flushed.  I was armed with the plunger and the shop vac...Success!  The toilet was unclogged.

Momma was sufficiently unhappy though.  The bathrooms were made off-limits without supervision!  They now have to ask permission to use the bathroom and then have to have the toilet and all water checked before they can be excused.

Really.

I am done with water flooding my house and I absolutely DO NOT want more fecal matter spreading all over my house.

The floor will have to be repainted but not until I get some sealer to put on it right afterward.  I don't know when the bathrooms will be opened up in my house; I'm thinking never.  At least not until they are willing to brave floating poop to fix the clog.

Coming Back to Life

Well, today I got a steroid shot to counter the reaction to the antibiotics.  I might be feeling some relief, but I'm not sure.  I still feel pretty bad. 

I have pictures and posts running around in my head but no energy to post them.  So watch out when I feel better! lol

For now, I have to tell you that I won a Misfit Blogger Award!!

Cool huh?  Thanks for the votes!!

Now, I'm going back to bed.  :-)

I could be better

I have a sinus infection which may be why this is hitting me so hard; but I am struggling.  I am not the most confident person.  In fact I am very insecure.  Most of the time I can hide it pretty well and have come up with ways to compensate.  You are talking to a girl that can make a joke out of anything or come up with a snarky response to just about everything.

there's a reason for that

At heart I don't feel good enough.  I never have.  I just hide it better than most.

There is something I love to do and was basically told that I'm not good enough at it.  Not with those words mind you but it's all the same.  kwim?  Now, I can barely do what I love without thinking of those words of inadequacy.

Why?  Why can't I just be happy to do what I love for God and for me and not worry what anyone else thinks?  Because unfortunately, the praise of man still speaks to this flesh I am in and it craves it.  I want to be good enough, I want to be the one picked, I want someone to think I am the best at something. 

Don't be fooled, I know I am not the best at anything I do.  There is always someone that can do it better, faster, etc.  I want just once for that to be me, though.  Ya know?

I'm not quite done with my pity party so I won't bore you any longer.  :)  The attitude adjustment will come tonight and tomorrow I will post pretty pictures and happy thoughts.  lol