barefootbookslady's comments

Heading off Weeds in Your Yard or Garden - Blog Entry

19 Jun 2007 09:50 PM

Last year I used Preen which is a pre-emergent applied before the weeds grew - it worked very well! This year, I wish I remembered to use Preen!

Disney Teams Up With Scholastic - Blog Entry

16 Jun 2007 10:08 PM

Thank you, Heather for bringing this topic up for discussion. You and I are the same age and so generally remember a period of time in our lives where books formed a certain part of our memories. I am really not sure if something online can replace this texture and "look" of a book held in ones hands. It certainly can not be "shared" in a nice cozy chair in your living room for some snuggle time like a real, bound, book.

We do enjoy some books on audio in the car - we have not moved into the ipod realm in my house but I know it will come one day and I see this as a move for Disney and Scholastic to stay on the forefront of techology. I know my sister's children are only two years younger than mine and the DVD in the car is in use always. We restrict it for rides longer than 30 minutes. I think this is the "motive" behind this investigation. In fact, even our very small publisher is in the investigation stages. I would love to see what other parents feel about this. My kids are only 6 & 8 - are we outdated or just traditionalist. I do love to stuggle up with my children and a read book- maybe there is a place for both.

Books for Beginning School - Blog Entry

16 Jun 2007 06:27 AM

Great suggestions! We LOVE The Kissing Hand and Bernstein Bears Go to School - my children really benefitted from both of these books! We still give on another kisses in our hands (that will not rub off) when we seperate for a long time. This is great advice to all parents of children entering school!

Extroverts and the Classroom - Blog Entry

16 Jun 2007 06:24 AM

Thank you for these great descriptions and pointers to help my children be successful in school. I find that they "click" with different teacher's personalities differently and this is why! I do find, however that both of my children truly feel empowered by the structure at their school. There are strict rules but these apply to all the children so there is a level playing field and they feel like their opinion will be heard. Kathleen von Raesfeld, Petaluma, CA

Renaissance Fair Family Fun - Blog Entry

13 Jun 2007 06:25 AM

We have several renaissance type fairs in California. Thank you so much for suggesting this for children! I had never thought of bringing my daughters to one of these festivals. We have several books about knights, dragons and princesses and I know the girls would love to see these characters "come to life". So much more historical and imaginative than an amusement park with big roller coasters. I'm looking for one this summer! Thanks! Kathleen von Raesfeld, Petaluma, CA

More Road Trip Reminders - Blog Entry

05 Jun 2007 08:59 PM

What great tips! I love to read something that is quite helpful and reminds me of my favorite recipes - simple and easy to follow. You did well in composition class. Accurate, Brief and Clear- the ABC's of good writing. I will pass this along!

Kathleen von Raesfeld

Unique Summer Learning - Blog Entry

03 Jun 2007 08:23 PM

I could not agree with you more, Karri. My children are still quite young, 6 and 8, but I do see the need for them to have downtime but still learn in another way. Lately schools seem less inclined to take children on field trips due to liability and cost. We are so fortunate to live near San Francisco and I do take advantage of it! My children enjoy museums, ballet, and just walking around taking in the many sights, sounds and cultures in the "city". This is quite educational and I am always impressed with their questions or observations on the ride home.

Trips out into nature are also a great "classroom" - the beach, the desert, and the farm all provide areas where children can learn about being a part of the Earth and human experience... this is science and social studies all in one!

Now that math is a more prominent subject for my children at school, I do plan to incorporate some word problems into summer fun - perhaps a Lemonade Stand!

Kathleen von Raesfeld, Petaluma, CA

Turn off the TV for Fun - Blog Entry

24 Apr 2007 11:53 PM

I really appreciate your "good spin" on TV Turnoff Week. My childen and I have experienced so many positive experiences from getting away from the screen and going outside, cooking, putting on a puppet show, reading books or just looking at the pictures in books and trying to draw them ourselves. We even learned some new card games. This is a really good idea not a bad TV public relations week. Well said.

It's Going to Take More Than One Contact to Cultivate Customers - Blog Entry

23 Apr 2007 07:19 PM

This is so well said. I too am just really solidifying my relationships with single purchase customers. I know that when my customers actually, physically see the books again, they always buy more but I certainly can not be in all places at all times or be hosting Open Houses every 3 months. I've heard that people need to be contacted 7 times before they really trust you. This makes more sense also, if they feel that you are accessible! Great topic.

Favorite Home Biz Clothes - Blog Entry

23 Apr 2007 07:03 PM

This is a good topic. I find that when I'm working at home I am also taking care of business around our home which is under constrution so my attire is usually jeans, long sleeve shirt or sweater with my Clarks shoes. It's a kind of "go anywhere" look but certainly not what I wear when I attend events or go meet with schools.

Tomorrow I will dress up to meet with a principal. Wednesday and Thursday I will host a book fair at a preschool so my attire will probably go more "sporty" - I love Title 9's offerings from a company called Horny Toad (please disregard the lame name) they are sporty and comfortable with some degree of style. To top it off, since I will also encounter some pre-schoolers and perhaps read a story, I will braid my long hair into "pig tails" at the base of my neck and really look like a kid.

I love the many phases my job takes - I'm a variety gal! Can't wait to hear from others - those loose black pants sound like a winner when working in office! Have a great day!