Articles written by Sandra Devera

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About me - Sandra Devera

I have been telling stories (with dramatic voices and lots of hand waving) since I was three. Becoming a writer wasn't so much a career choice as a necessity since whatever I did, turned into a story. I had been teacher's pet for every English teacher I ever

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Hobbies & Games > Scrapbooking & Paper Crafts Reasons why scrapbooking is so popular: 1 of 14
Since taking up scrapbooking, I have often wondered "Why is this so addictive?" What makes an adult collect colored papers and stickers and become a connoisseur of delicate cutting tools and adhesives? It's easy to find reasons as to how scrapbooking has become popular - improved tools, computer technology, media publicity, a... More..
Education > Education (Other) Assessing the importance of learning foreign languages: 3 of 36
The poster in my high school French class read, "The limits of my language are the limits of my world." I looked up the original quote by Ludwig Wittgenstein and liked it even better, "The limits of my language are the limits of my mind." Words are the tools with which we form thought. Each language has phrases or expressions... More..
Education > Homeschooling Solutions to homeschooling socialization issues: 3 of 29
Socialization, in practical terms, is teaching someone how to behave around people in the world they live in. The world I live in is full of people of all ages, cultures, and economic backgrounds who have varied skills, careers, and hobbies. In a quality homeschool environment children interact with the whole spectrum of huma... More..
Education > Homeschooling Great homeschooling books for beginners: 1 of 9
After thirteen years of homeschooling, lots of homeschool advice books have come and gone on my shelves. I'd like to share with anyone considering home education the five books that have found a permanent home within arm's reach of my desk. When I take a weekend away each summer to pray and plan through the next year's homesc... More..
Hobbies & Games > Yarn & Needle Crafts The benefits of sewing your own clothes: 2 of 15
"Clothes make the man" is a well-worn phrase, but still applicable to today's society. How you look, feel, and express your personality through your clothing choices in both casual and business situations involves dozens of decisions and a large part of your income. So why allow some fashion designer half-way around the world... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Christian Doctrine & Issues Do the Ten Commandments matter?: 4 of 26
Do the Ten Commandments matter?Do you believe the owner's manual for a complicated piece of machinery is important?Lots of people refer to their "auto operator's guide" or the manual that came with their computer. Many people never read the "safety tips" or the "manufacturer's suggestions" when they acquire something new and ... More..
Relationships & Family > Married Life You, your spouse and World of Warcraft: A semi-healthy relationship: 3 of 17
I could have been a WOW widow. Instead, I became a Dranei Hunter.If I were single, I'd never play any kind of on-line game. Let's face it, I'm a 48-year-old woman who likes sewing and shopping and playing with my pets. But, I never want to be single again and since both my husband and my son have multiple characters at variou... More..
Pets & Animals > Pet Ownership Loving your pets as if they were babies: 6 of 32
I noticed a procedural change when I showed up at the vet with my thirteen-year-old collie/shepherd mix Lady. Instead of signing in under the column labeled "owner" there was now a place to sign in as "pet parent." I bemusedly wrote my name down in the space. But then there was a place previously marked "pet name" that was no... More..
Education > Homeschooling Homeschooling: The value of educational games: 1 of 4
One of the great advantages to homeschooling is the ability to use educational games to reinforce learning to a greater degree than can be used in a traditional classroom with 30 children wanting their "turn" at the game. The value of educational games in homeschooling is that you can take learning concepts for math, reading ... More..
Relationships & Family > Marriage Psychology How does love change you: 4 of 9
I woke up this morning and sang the "Happy Anniversary" song softly to the man snoring next to me. I married him twenty-four years ago today and I had known him for five years before that. We have grown up together, have all the same friends, produced two children who remind us of each other. So how does love change you?Love ... More..