Finish Well

In “Teens, Take Adulting Baby Steps,” episode #224, Meredith Curtis invites teens to get ready for adulting the easy way by taking baby steps that lead to bigger steps. Transition from teen toddling to teen triumphing by taking ownership of your chores, schoolwork, health, relationships, and walk with God.

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Adulting can be overwhelming if you jump right into it with no preparation. Here’s how to begin adulting now.

Take responsibility for your own chores getting done. Choose a day and time to get weekly chores done (and a backup) and a time to get daily chores done (and a backup).

Work hard as if you are working for money and a promotion.

Be independent when it comes to getting assignments done on time or early. Give input to parents about what has helped you learn most effectively and what hasn’t. Make suggestions about subjects you want to study and books you want to read.

Do an independent study. If you like a subject, go deeper.

Work hard as if learning is a joy! It is.

You can start today building healthy habits that last a lifetime. Habits you can start today can influence your health in the golden years.

Build healthy friendships and strengthen family ties. Flee from bullying and negative peer pressure. Run with those who are running after God and living virtuous lives.

Build a devotional life that will go the distance. Serve in your local church. Share the Gospel. Walk in grace not condemnation.

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In “Inauguration Day Learning Fun,” episode #223, Meredith Curtis invites you to learn about Presidential Inaugurations the fun way! No matter who you voted for, Inauguration Day is a great time to learn about our political system and the tradition of taking an oath in a time-honored ceremony, a festive parade, and a fancy ball. Meredith provides a bit of history, where to watch it live, and fun learning ideas like scavenger hunts, choosing your own cabinet, a virtual tour of the white house, and throwing an inauguration ball.

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No matter who you voted for, Inauguration Day is a great time to learn about our political system and the tradition of taking an oath in a time-honored ceremony, a festive parade, and a fancy ball.

On Monday January 20, 2025, at noon, President Biden’s term of office ends, and President Trump’s begins. This day is called Inauguration Day.

At noon, on the steps of the US Capitol, President Trump and Vice President Vance will take their Oaths of Office.

Inauguration Day is full of traditions. The first one is the Procession to the Capitol. The outgoing President escorts the new President to the Capitol for the Swearing In Ceremony.

After the Swearing In Ceremony, the new President gives his Inaugural Address. Every President from George Washington to Joe Biden has delivered a speech. Some are long and some are short!

At this point, the outgoing President and his wife leave by helicopter escorted by the new President and First Lady. After the President and Dr. Biden’s exit, President Trump and Vice-President Vance, along with their wives, will attend an Inaugural Luncheon. This traditional meal is hosted by the Joint Congression Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.

Another tradition is for the President and Vice-President attend a Signing Ceremony in the President’s Room in the US Capitol. The new President gathers with his aides, US Representatives, and US Senators to sign nominations, memorandums, or executive orders.

Next comes the Inaugural Parade! President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will walk down Pennsylvania Ave from the US Capitol to the White House.

Yes!

FOX, ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, & C-Span will air the ceremony live at noon on 1/20/25 Eastern Time.

There will also be streaming on YouTube, White House website, and & social media.

Internationally, it will be live on BBC, Sky News (UK), Al Jazeera, CBC (Canada), ABC Australia, France 24.

Chief Justice John Roberts administers the Oath of Office.

“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

George Washington added, “So help me, God” and all Presidents have added “so help me God” to their oath.

A Presidential Cabinet is a group of men and women that oversee different areas of government.

If you were the President of the United States, who would you choose for your cabinet?

Watch the televised events on Inauguration Day. Make a list of things you might see at Inauguration Day events. Or create a scavenger hunt for the kids with items to check off as they watch the events unfold.

Visit this link to tour the White House Virtually!

https://www.whitehousehistory.org/tour-the-white-house-in-360-degrees

There are several official and non-official balls on Inauguration Day. The President and First Lady usually attend at least two or three. This is a website I found for one of the inaugural balls. https://allamericanball.com/food-bev/menu-2-2/

Host your own ball with a yummy menu, fun entertainment, and dancing!

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In “Top Ten Christmas Stress Busters,” episode #222, Meredith Curtis shares the top ten Christmas stress busters for homeschool Moms over the holidays. From personal experience, Meredith understands how the hustle and bustle of Christmas can be overwhelming at times for a homeschool mom. Join her as she shares ten ways to reduce stress and enjoy Christmas this year.

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I understand how the hustle and bustle of Christmas can be overwhelming at times for a homeschool mom.

I also encourage you to listen to Simple Shortcuts to a Stress-Free Christmas Finish Well Podcast episode #200 to reduce stress all around. https://ultimateradioshow.com/simple-shortcuts-to-a-stress-free-christmas/

Start each day with prayer and one or two Christmas carols. Read a Scripture passage.

Get fresh air each day with a brisk walk around the block or a leisurely jog. If the weather is nice, play outside. If it’s snowing, build a snowman.

Sniff a lemon, boil cinnamon sticks in water on the stove, or burn your favorite scented candle (vanilla, citrus, peppermint, lavender, jasmine).

Get some exercise! Ride a bike, go sledding, hike, play touch football, or work out at the gym.

After the kids go to bed, sit with your husband, or your parents, or your kids, or alone, with all the lights off in the house except for the Christmas lights. Enjoy the quiet.

Relaxing our Bodies. Relaxing Our Minds

Cancel school and have a Christmas movie day. Drive around and look at lights. Get out some board games and have fun!

Play Christmas carols in the house and in the car when you drive. Play classical music, especially Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker or Handel’s Messiah. Listen to water flowing in a stream or waterfall.

Drink coffee, hot tea, or hot chocolate and read a cozy mystery while the kids watch a Christmas movie. I have two suggestions for you.

Get a babysitter and go get a massage.

Spend some time each day reading the entire Christmas story from Zechariah & Elizabeth to the Flight into Egypt. This will refresh your soul!

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In “Celebrate Christmas in Central Florida,” episode #221, Meredith Curtis takes your homeschool family to sunny Central Florida for the holidays in 2024. She shares famous and not-so-famous festive adventures for those who are visiting for the holidays as well as those who call Central Florida home. Inspirational, educational, and just plain fun Christmas experiences await!

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So many people visit Central Florida at Christmastime to enjoy the theme parks. For those who want something different and those who live in Central Florida, here are some fun ways to celebrate Christmas. I live in Central Florida so I am sharing some of my favorite places to go and things to do.

Historic St. Augustine, the continuously inhabited city in the USA, offer her beautiful annual Nights of Lights from Saturday, November 23, 2024, to January 26, 2025. Three million lights await you for a spectacular end to a family field trip. The trains and trolleys offer special seasonal tours, too.

https://www.visitstaugustine.com/event/nights-lights

This is an annual Christmas event for our family and friends. Put on every year by River of Life Church, this event takes place at 130 Garfield Rd, Enterprise, FL, United States, Florida 32725.

Enjoy a FREE, family-friendly, one of a kind, holiday event!

Check out our 4-H display. Navigate a merry melt-proof maze. Create your very own ornament,

Starts the day after Thanksgiving and open the following days: 11/29, 11/30, 12/2, 12/6, 12/7, 12/13, 12/14, 12/20.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1236932000687164/?active_tab=discussion

Mark your calendar for December 7-8, 2024. From 10 am to 4 pm, step back in time with a Florida Cracker Christmas celebration. Enjoy pioneer demonstrations and sample some gator meat.

The park includes a replica of a fort built in 1837 during the Second Seminole Indian War; a traditional Florida “Cracker” house and eight pioneer homes; a schoolhouse and lunchroom; a sugar cane mill and other historical farming equipment.

https://www.facebook.com/events/466759382773764

Yes, there are parades at all the theme parks, but Central Florida cities have their own parades, too.

Sanford’s annual Christmas parade is on December 14, 2024.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1231111001281827/

Mount Dora’s annual Christmas parade is early in the morning on December 7, 2024.

https://www.facebook.com/events/881104570200250

Minneola’s Moonlight Christmas parade is on December 14, 2024.

https://www.facebook.com/events/387873457731304/

The City of Oviedo’s Holiday Parade is in the evening on December 7, 2024.

https://www.facebook.com/events/881104570200250/

Mount Dora has a boat parade on Lake Beauclair on December 7, 2024.

https://www.facebook.com/events/3825059924415876/

Daytona Christmas Boat Parade is held in Daytona Beach, featuring decorated boats and a festive atmosphere.

https://www.facebook.com/events/2217032025364914/

There is also a boat parade in Cocoa Beach on December 14, 2024.

Stetson Mansion Tour takes you inside Florida’s Most Historic Home, c1886, of iconic hat maker JB Stetson, Florida’s First Snowbird. This home is beautifully decorated for Christmas.

https://www.facebook.com/stetsonmansiontours

The Holiday Candlelight Tour lets visitors explore DeBary Hall during holiday evenings when candlelight will fill the 19th century mansion with a warm glow, accentuating its historic treasures and Christmas decorations. Guests will be escorted to the mansion for an open style tour. The mansion, once owned by the prominent DeBary family, will be decorated with many Christmas trees, wreaths, and other festive adornments.

https://www.facebook.com/events/2692456947592494/

Lake Helen Christmas Home & Garden Tour visits beautifully decorated Historic Homes, Churches, Buildings and Local Gardens. Enjoy the Christmas Marketplace for all of your gift giving needs and delicious refreshments, as well as live entertainment!

December 7th & 8th, 12:30 PM-5:30 PM. Tour Begins at Hopkins Hall: 150 Connecticut Ave, Lake Helen, FL 32744.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1357305044410133/1357305051076799/

During this immersive experience, you will take a stroll through Bethlehem. You will see the guards at the front gate, talk to the people going about their daily lives, and hear the gossip about a strange couple who are staying in a stable.

 This year, we have a brand-new layout for the city of Bethlehem that will bring you up close and personal with the characters and story of Christmas. Even if you have been before, this will be a new experience!

 Whether it is your first Walk Through Bethlehem, or it is part of your Christmas tradition, we can’t wait to see you in Bethlehem!

Visit our family’s favorite Walk thru Bethlehem on December 7-8 or 13-15, 2024 at Crossroads Church, Daytona Beach.

https://crbible.com/events/

Experience the story of the birth of our savior Jesus Christ at the Living Nativity! The Biblical story will be narrated and portrayed by church members on Saturday and Sunday evenings. Children will have an opportunity to pet live animals. Cookies, hot cocoa and coffee will be served outside of the Fellowship Hall throughout the evening. We will also have coloring/craft tables set up for the little ones. Everyone is welcome!

Visit Beachside Baptist Church on December 18, 2024, in New Smyrna Beach.

https://www.beachsidebaptist.com/living-nativity/

Bring your family and friends to see Bethlehem at the time of Jesus’ birth in this unique living nativity experience on Friday, December 13, 2024.

Begin your guided tour in the sanctuary. Follow the star to the manger, rejoice with the angels, hear the music, see the animals, pay your taxes to the Roman soldiers, and enjoy the festive marketplace. Your journey concludes with the joy of the nativity.

https://www.facebook.com/events/831861212189288

St. Luke’s AMC Annual Christmas Concerts are “Sounds of the Seasons” from Thursday 12/12 24 to 12/15/24.

https://www.facebook.com/events/458290197338715/458290214005380/

Christmas movies at parks, churches, and downtowns.

Lights everywhere! Two favorites near me – 3 homes / owners of nursery and Lake Mary City Hall.

Ballets, concerts, Handel’s Messiah singalong, Christian concerts.

Enjoy the beautiful decorations of the season while enjoying a wide array of endless tea along with savory finger sandwiches, scones with jelly and bite size sweets.

This 3-hour cruise on the St Johns River will take you back to a time when things were peaceful and pretty. Celebrate your sister or the women in your life.

You can dress casually or wear your favorite dress and hat. Gentlemen can break out their favorite top hat and long coat.

Live entertainment by Harpist and Composer Rene Devia. Friday December 20, 2024.

https://www.facebook.com/events/3805730683041097/

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In “Keep Faith & Family First During the Holidays,” episode #220, Meredith Curtis shares easy tips and simple hacks to enjoy meaningful time with family growing in your faith. Meredith shares ideas for Thanksgiving, Advent, Christmas, New Years, and Three Kings Day. Try out two or three and have the best holiday season ever!

Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

God is good. Holidays are a great time to celebrate God’s goodness! Family traditions can teach children more about Jesus and how to grow in Him if we are proactive in choosing quality over busyness!

Put the “thanks” in Thanksgiving!

Preparing hearts for Christmas.

Choose wisely.

Jesus before presents.

Review and plan ahead.

When the wise men came.

It sounds crazy I know but sometimes we need to plan free time into our schedule because the holidays get so busy.

There are many things you can do in November to beat the Christmas stress.

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In “4 Ways to Teach Life Skills,” Episode, #219, Meredith Curtis invites parents & teens to explore the exciting world of adulting. Life Skills help us live useful and productive lives. Some folks call it adulting. In the business world, life skills such as problem solving, conflict resolution, and manners are called soft skills. Teach and learn life skills 4 different ways. Some life skills are “caught” and others are learned intentially. Discover what works best for you!

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Life Skills help us live useful and productive lives. Some folks call it adulting. In the business world, life skills such as problem solving, conflict resolution, and manners are called soft skills. These soft skills help people advance in their profession. From brushing teeth to mowing the lawn to balancing a checkbook, life skills are needed by the entire human race.

Many of the life skills we pass on to our children will enter their lives effortlessly on our part. We won’t even realize that we are teaching them to brush their teeth or weed the garden.

Hurricane prep, tipping generously, voting, unplugging pipes, changing locks, washing dishes, laundry, setting the table, communication.

Sometimes we need to be proactive with children who don’t want to brush their teeth or little boys who hate baths.

Removing hats to pray, standing when older folks enter the room, tithing, serving, hospitality, conflict resolution, manners. Our Kate was shy.

Other life skills I had to learn. My parents were great at managing money but they never talked much about money except to teach me to tithe. I never learned anything about money in public school. My husband came to our marriage tithing and with a commitment to live debt-free which I thought was strange. When the church offered a course on finances, we signed up. It changed our life. We made a budget and set financial goals. My children are much better at managing money than we are because we got such a late jump on it. I included financial management in their high school economics course.

Real Men 103: Leadership

God’s Girls 105: Homemaking

“Give Me a High Level Overview” – High School English

Small group assignments & group discussions in my online courses.

Economics Course – how to start and run your own business.

Sound team, worship team, greeting, children’s ministry, sharing testimony, leading Bible study

Internships & Apprenticeships can overlap. Possibilities: with a plumber, car mechanic, doctor’s office, roofer, lawn service, pastor, secretary, business owner.

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In “Teens & Their Friends,” Episode, #218, Meredith Curtis invites parents & teens to talk about friendships during the teen years. Why do these relationships matter so much? How do friendships impact teens? How can teens makes choices in relationships that set them up for success?

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A Walk to Remember.

Boyfriends & Girlfriends

Best Friends

Healthy Relationships

Addiction to TV Shows, Movie Series, & Video Games

Build up, Increase confidence, Help teens grow in the Lord, Speak Truth

Tear Down, Bully, Decrease confidence, Cause teens to backslide, Speak Lies

He who Walks with the Wise Grows Wise

A Companion of Fools Suffers Harm

Friends don’t need to be your age

Friends don’t need to be the same as you

Friends need to love Jesus, love their families, and love you.

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In “Projects Instead of Tests,” Episode, #217, join Meredith Curtis to consider projects instead of tests for K-12 learning. Meredith shares the problems with test-taking and the benefits of hands-on projects. She gives practical examples of immersive learning that works from the beginning to high school graduation. Lots of practical ideas!

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Chemistry background for Human Anatomy – the big surprise! A-plus Chemistry students remembered nothing the next year in Human Anatomy where I needed them to know it!

Test takers – good and bad

Tests – short term memory

Purpose of learning

I recommend a little bit of test taking until high school when you can add a little more.

Example: Spelling & Math

Projects are hands-on learning experiences

Projects Immerse students in a topic of study.

Projects Require Research into the topic of study.

Projects are Fun!

Grade projects based on Content, Accuracy, Creativity, and Legibility. Require excellence. I love using rubrics to grade.

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In “Make America Literate Again,” Episode, #216, Meredith Curtis will inspire and equip you to take part in a movement to get children and teens reading quality literature again so that as teens and adults they can read great works. I know there are some out there already on board (parents and teens) – please spread the news and get more folks reading! For those who aren’t on board yet – please listen to my compelling reasons for reading quality literature, timeless classics, and great works that have changed history.

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My favorite President Ronald Reagan coined the phrase “Make America Great Again.” We needed it. We were demoralized with Watergate, POWs still held by Vietnam, hostages held by Iran, and a failing economy. President Reagan injected hope and passed laws to improve the life of everyday Americas. It was morning in America again in the early 1980s.

President Trump loved the phrase “Make America Great Again” and uses it in his campaign. Robert F Kennedy, Jr. who just endorsed Trump and will work with him if elected, has adapted the slogan “Make America Healthy Again.”

Inspired by these three men, I want to make a slogan, too: Make America Literate Again.

Leaders are Readers. The quality of what they read

Founding Fathers – Cicero, Adam Smith, John Locke, Samuel Rutherford,

Freedom is maintained by Readers & Hedonism leads to Totalitarianism

We can read ABOUT great works or read those great works THEMSELVES.

The Process with Explanations on Podcast

Brainwashing doesn’t work.

They know who the “experts” really are

They Value FREEDOM.

They discuss ideas not just people and events

At Powerline Productions, we love books! We included book lists everywhere – in cookbooks, timelines, history curriculum, geography curriculum, unit studies, and, of course, English courses.

Grab our FREE Reading Lists.

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In “Reimagine High School Government,” Episode, #215, join Meredith Curtis for an inspiring look at ways to make government fascinating to learn (if you are a teen) and motivating for your teens (if you are a parent). Making government interesting and fun was the challenge before Meredith and this is what she did! From hosting a state dinner to campaigning for a candidate to discussing current events, she learned that a government course CAN be appealing and exciting!

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Teens usually take a government class in high school that they universally call “boring”. Is it any wonder that so few Americans have read the Constitution much less remember what it says?

I have found some fun ways to engage teens to want to understand government over the years. Here are some ideas you can add to your government course to bring it alive.

Years ago, we joined John McCain’s campaign for President. We made phone calls at headquarters, passed out flyers, and held signs on election day. If that won’t work for your family or homeschool co-op, make political buttons & posters & commercials.

We hosted a State Dinner in our homeschool co-op, inviting the Prime Minister of Israel, his wife, and some of his officials to join us. We all took roles, planned a menu with American & Israeli food, and planned welcoming events.

If you’re talking about what a mayor does, show them a picture of the mayor or better yet, take a field trip to meet the mayor. Learning about the judicial system? Sit in on a court case.

We have really enjoyed videos from Prager U, Dave Barton, and Drive Thru History: America. Many of Prager U’s videos are free to watch on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@PragerU

There are some amazing books related to government that teens love!

And for serious advanced readers

Read articles, blog posts, or listen to News podcasts and bring one current event to talk about. Then pray for those things. Another great thing to do is to read about the same event in several different news sources and compare the information given and the information withheld.

Understanding government helps students understand history! I learned this teaching 20 Century World History Online (High School Course at True North Homeschool Academy).

There is a process in Congress for a bill to become a law. Walk through that process by crafting your own bill.

Teens love to learn about the military, spy agencies, and law enforcement. Again, make it personal by introducing some individuals and their stories.

All Authority comes from God and He delegates authority to individuals (autonomy, personal responsibility) families (raising & educating children), church (making disciples, caring for the poor & needy), and government (sovereign nations, defense & protection).

Explore American exceptionalism, forms of government, the roots of freedom, our Constitution, elections, politics, military, manners (self-government), citizenship, and personal freedom in Government: God’s Blueprint/Man’s Agenda. Discover what God values in leaders and how He works in us to grow as leaders, as well as different philosophies of government and what they look like. In this one-credit high school course, you will read living books, narrate conversational text, keep up with current events, watch videos, and discover that government class isn’t boring after all!

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