Book List 2012

I swear I have read more books this year than this but I did not do a good job of keeping track:

1. Clash of Kings, George R.R. Martin, pp 784
2. Storm of Swords, George R.R. Martin, pp 1216
3. The Thirteen Tale, Diane Setterfield, pp 416
4. Beneath a Marble Sky, John Shors, pp 344
5. What Alice Forgot, Liane Moriarty, pp 423
6. Sing You Home, Jodi Picoult, pp 496
7. A Feast for Crows, George R. R. Martin, pp 784
8. The Rock Star’s Daughter, Caitlyn Duffy, pp 318
9. 50 Shades of Grey, EL James, pp 528
10. 50 Shades Darker, EL James, pp 546
11. 50 Shades Freed, EL James, pp 592
12.  On the Island, Tracey Garvis Graves, pp 336
13. Never Let Me Go, Kazuo Ishiguro
14.  Gone Girl, Gillian Flynn, pp 432
15. Good Squad, Jennifer Egan pp 352
16. Wild (From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail), Cheryl Strayed, pp
17. On the Island, Tracey Garvis-Graves

Jax was having problems with his math homework today and asked me for help.  I completely BAULKED because I do not remember any math beyond very simple algebra (Dex's grade 7 math is getting difficult for me).  However, we had a busy night planned and Stephen was going to be getting home late so I decided that I would turn to the internet for help so I could help Jax.

I went to www.khanacademy.org which is a great site for math. They offer FREE lessons on just about anything and their goal is "changing education for the better by providing a free world-class education for anyone anywhere".  I first heard about the site from Ted Talks (http://www.ted.com/talks/salman_khan_let_s_use_video_to_reinvent_education.html) and thought it sounded like a good idea.  I had Dex logging on from time to time to do some extra math work but then he got busy with REAL homework.  And I wanted Cars to do some too but he has required math homework on IXL.com and his time and results are sent to his teacher.

Anyway, so tonight I went to www.khanacademy.org to learn (or relearn) how to do The Substitution Method so I could teach Jax how to do it  so he could do his homework and study for his quiz tomorrow.  I am not sure why he did not understand it during math class today but after watching the videos with me and practicing, he is completely understanding it.  I even had Stephen watch the video so he could help Jax while I went out to take Dex to his bass lesson. 

It is a wonderful resource and I highly recommend that you check it out.  Especially if you have a high school student who needs help with math.

More Resolutions

Another resolution that I have is to be more creative again.  While I am doing woodcarving, I still feel as though I haven't been creative in a long time.  I have been considering picking up the paints again as I have a couple of ideas for some paintings.  And I have even thought about knitting again.  It really has been years!

Happy New Year

My New Year's Resolutions

1. Regain an active lifestyle.  I have become quiet sedentary over the past year and half and it is showing on my body and my attitude of life in general.  Time to step to it!
2. Stop procrastinating.  I realize know that at least 50% of the anxiety I feel at any given time is due to me putting off things that I am either afraid to do, don't want to do or cannot be bothered to do when it should be done. 
3. File important items away NOW (see above)
4. Realize that it is ok to not be friends with everyone or friends forever.  I had a friend who moved away a few years ago (not too far) and we have stayed in contact via facebook but before she moved I realized she was a toxic person so it was a relief when she moved, quite honestly.  A few months ago she called me and wanted to stop by because she was in town.  She came for tea and I realized that I did not enjoy her company at all.  I do not need to stay friends with people just because we have a history.
5. Cut carbs.  I feel so much better when I stay away from bread and pasta.
6. Do one fun family activity each month.  I realize that my kids are not young anymore and soon they will not want to be doing family activities so I want to make sure that we make some more great memories before they up and move away. That time is rapidly approaching!

A good start, I think.