CAROL'S BLOG

Blog is short for weblog (weBLOG).
Check here to see the latest information about my site (and, occasionally, about my life in general).
It isn't a conventional blog—it just lets you know what I'm currently working on!
Monday, October 5, 2020
I updated my monthly stats for both August and September 2020.

Friday, September 4, 2020
BIG STEP FOR ME! MY SITE IS SECURE! I purchased the SSL certificate and dedicated IP package from Crosswinds (my server), and Ray and I took care of getting rid of the ‘mixed content’ errors and redirecting all the old http links to https. It's so wonderful to NOT see that ‘Not Secure’ warning at the top of every page now! HOORAY!! My site has never needed security, since I don't collect any data and I don't do any ecommerce. However, people have come to expect security, and many are freaked out when they see the security warnings exhibited by browsers in recent years—and just leave. Also, Google (evidently) factors security into its algorithms for determining where pages fall in the search listings. It was several years ago that I first was informed that I ‘should’ make my site secure. It took quite a bit of work, and I couldn't have done it without my amazing husband Ray, and my wonderful server Crosswinds. So glad this is now done!!

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Monday, August 3, 2020
I updated my monthly stats for July 2020.
I'm up to lesson 122 in my Algebra I course in putting in my read-thrus! Making good progress!

Friday, July 17, 2020
My computer was fried during a particularly bad monsoon storm (as was our wireless router). So, I've been a couple weeks getting a new computer. (Ray has been WONDERFUL getting me a new setup!!) I now have a Lenovo Yoga (nice and compact) with an adjacent very large screen to split things up. I love it! My fingers still aren't used to the new keyboard, but things are getting better.

I've read volumes I and II of Brad Lancaster's Rainwater Harvesting books, and have been doing lots of outside work: removing dead branches from trees, laying rocks/stones to prevent erosion, making contour berms and mulching to encourage rain to stick around. I'm learning SketchUp to make a site plan for our property to support my rainwater harvesting efforts. Here are fantastic Sketchup tutorials.

Wednesday, July 1, 2020
I updated my monthly stats for June 2020.
I'm starting to research/implement rainwater harvesting techniques for the area surrounding Pebble. I've purchased a composter, wood chipper (for mulch), Mantis tiller (for gardens and small infiltration basins), and a paper shredder (for cardboard mulch).

Monday, June 8, 2020
I've gotten Google Tag Manager (free) and installed the code snippet on two of my most popular pages, Shifting Graphs Up/Down/Left/Right and Simplifying (a+b)^2 and (a-b)^2. I'm currently collecting click data on pressing the ‘new problem button’ and the ‘worksheet’ buttons. After all these years, I may finally get some sense of how many people actually use my online exercises and worksheets! I'd also like data on usage of my (new) audio read-throughs, but I haven't yet gotten that to work.

Saturday, June 6, 2020
I updated my monthly stats for May 2020. Since AWStats was discontinued months ago, I set up a new reporting chart that uses my Google Analytic stats.

Saturday, May 16, 2020
My server stopped offering AWStats for website statistics, so my monthly stats page has now ended in its current form. I've subsequently added Google Analytics to my math pages (and a few non-math pages).
Audio read-throughs are going well, with about 45 now completed. I first added them to my most-visited pages. Then, I went to the beginning of Algebra I, and am now going in order through my lessons.
Created a Kid Activities page to keep track of stuff I do with Alex at different ages.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began (for us, early March) I've been watching Alex 3 full days per week (no Strauss daycare). I just switched back to 2 days/week (and Bethany is taking 3 days/week). With more non-Alex time now, I need to get back to my Unity lesson!

Saturday, April 4, 2020
I'm using ZOOM to record story videos for Alex (and children everywhere)! I need a better framing of me and the book. I need the pages to appear more clearly. Working on it!
[update 5/2020: Wasn't able to get a quality I was happy with, with a reasonable file size for the web. Decided not to do any more.]
Still making good progress on my first Unity Game/Lesson.

Wednesday, April 1, 2020
My first ZOOM Read-Through! [update 4/18/2020: I opted for audio-only read-throughs, so the initial video is no longer there.] I put up a separate video for instructions on how to use the exercises and worksheets. We'll see if people like it!

Wednesday, March 18, 2020
Today I tested out Zoom for possible online math help. A former student (who is now a math teacher) helped me out—it's GREAT!

Monday, March 2, 2020
I updated my monthly stats for February 2020.
My Unity Lesson is still coming along well; this first one is really long!

Sunday, February 9, 2020
I updated my monthly stats for January 2020.
My first Unity Lesson is coming along well, but it's taking a long time. Ray is carefully proof-reading/editing everything, to make sure nothing is incorrect or misleading. I hope this will be a really useful Unity tutorial for linear learners like myself!

Sunday, January 26, 2020
My first blog post of the new year, and of the new decade!
I've been working on learning Unity Game Development. I hope to make games for each of my lessons that are more fun and engaging than the exercises that I currently have. Also, I hope to teach 2D Unity game development at the same time! Here's what I've been working on for weeks now: Unity Lesson 1

I also archived my blog entries for 2019.
Blog Archive, 2019
Blog Archive, 2018
Blog Archive, 2017
Blog Archive, 2016
Blog Archive, 2015
Blog Archive, 2014
Blog Archive, 2013
Blog Archive, 2012
Blog Archive, 2011
Blog Archive, 2010
Blog Archive, 2009
Blog Archive, 2008
Blog Archive, 2007
Blog Archive, 2006
Blog Archive, 2005