Happy 2008

It's been quite a year... and I'm ready to see what the next one brings! I started teaching again, jumped in with both feet and started with Calculus and Geometry of the accelerated type! And now I'm going to be teaching AP Calc, Accelerated Geometry and PHYSICS!!! I haven't studied physics in 20 years. I haven't even thought it about it for that long! I'm starting to work on my lessons though, so I can at least be a little ahead of the game. I think it might actually be easier to teach than AP Calculus now that I am getting started on my review.

As a first year teacher, I really did not expect to be teaching such high level classes. But I am and I'm enjoying it. I like the kids, I like the topics (I'm learning to like geometry). I am still adjusting to working full time and also to preparing lessons adn reviewing the concepts.

I am still making soap. I'm working on my organic line. I have a friend working on the labels and I have chosen the paper for packaging. My sister is talking about buying into a winery, so I might even have some wine soaps ready for her to add to the gift shop! I love making soap, so do the kids... so we will continue to do this, even on a small scale.

Happy Soaping!

2008

We figured out what was causing the headaches earlier in the year, and what was causing my fatigue and disorientation.... it seems that our furnace was never installed properly and was spewing carbon monoxide gas. The inspector missed it. The kid from the heating and cooling company that came in to make sure our system was ready for fall caught it. It seems our CO detector was at the end of it's lifetime, but it never made any noise that the levels were so high. when we purchased new ones and installed it (while the kid was still here), it registered over 100 ppm! Scary stuff. My daughter brought home the lowest grades she's ever gotten... and since it was fixed, her grades have all risen.

So now that I am feeling much better, I've started up the business again! It feels good to be soaping again. We got some packaging for natural house cleaning products, some new papers for the organic line of soap and some new fragrances to play with!

So happy holidays from the Foxes Den!

The First 6 Weeks

At the end of the marking period... it's been interesting. I've had to review quite a bit of calculus and the students are learning... Geometry is much different now than when I went to school. It's less about the proofs and more about the concepts. They don't even have to do any indirect proofs. All they need to know is how to START an indirect proof.

I may not be teaching physics in the spring. I'm not qualified to teach community college level since I don't have a master's degree yet and I don't have enough upper division physics credits to make the college happy. Plus they tell me they might have 3o students for the class. So they might have to hire someone else to do it. Fine with me... I'll stick with math, I like it better anyway :)

Soap... what was that again? Haven't had much time... I have a few batches that need to be wrapped... but I haven't made any in months. :( I think I might have to make some this weekend...

Orange Soap!

We've been experimenting with ingredients for our newest line of soap made with organic ingredients. We've titled this line The Naturals. One of the ingredients we're using, in its more natural form, is a deep orange. It really colors the soap. So we were trying to determine whether or not to keep this wonderful ingredient in our soap. We welcome all opinions!

House Committee Info

The Food and Drug Administration Globalization Act of 2008

"This Discussion Draft is meant to stimulate discussion about how to provide adequate funding and authority for FDA to ensure the safety of the Nation's food, drug, medical device and cosmetic supply in an increasingly globalized marketplace. The intention is to hold legislative hearings on the draft over the next few weeks and to markup legislation shortly thereafter." -- April 17, 2008 Memorandum

Soap Biz Attack!

Click on the text below to go to the Indie Business Blog at www.indiebusinessblog.com

If passed, this law would drive consumers back to the days when they could only choose between a few huge, faceless, nameless big box stores and brands for their cosmetics and personal care products. And fewer consumer choices always leads to higher prices.

I hope that you will take the time to read the petition and what the law says so that you can make your own informed decision. This will cause many handmade soap and toiletries businesses to stop producing or become just an expensive hobby.

Soap!!!

Here are some old soap pics.
These were some early soaps that I had made using mostly PVC pipe. The soap was really cool, but I had trouble finding the perfect size. I think 2 1/2 inches might have been a good one. I just had 2 and 3 inches.



This is my Pumpkin Spice Soap. I love swirling with spices. This is one of my all time favorite soaps. I get the fragrance oil from Anne-Marie at www.brambleberry.com


Here's a batch I made in Germany fresh in the mold!


Ahh Lavender! This is our Purple Ribbon Soap Fresh in the mold. We sell this one to raise money for cancer awareness and for donating to the ACS. Currently I have two cousins going through chemo for cancer. We're working on a Lavender Ribbon Gift Set as well.


Hope you enjoyed seeing some SOAP here for a change :)