So Long TOS Crew!

This is it! My year long commitment to The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew has come to an end!

It was an experience I'm happy to have had and one I'm even happier to have completed!

I definitely learned a few things along the way. I learned that roughly 75 products spread over one year is more than one product to review per week. That is something I should have grasped before my journey began.

I learned that there are a whole lot of web-based math products out there- more than the world probably needs all at once.

I learned that some vendors out there pretend to be homeschool oriented and friendly, but they're really not.

I learned that there are a whole lot of products being marketed toward homeschoolers and a lot of it isn't spectacular.

I learned that large numbers of reviews is not the kind of blogging I enjoy.

I learned that sometimes my blogging audience is appreciative of reviews and let's me know when a product speaks to them- thank you.

I learned that if you are loyal to a particular brand of homeschooling (style) or curriculum, then using a whole bunch of other products is going to be a distraction to your schooling.

I learned that reviewing electronic memberships or products with one to four week access or even longer is no fun. That just feels like work.

I learned that being true to your homeschooling colors and blog audience greatly influences your opinion of a product.

I learned that being congruent with who I am as a homeschooler sometimes means voicing unpopular statements about a product.

I learned that sometimes vendors don't like that.

I learned that there are some really talented folks out there who share their labor of love with the homeschooling community and it was my distinct pleasure to have encountered it.

I learned that some vendors have outstanding personal customer service and some do not (see comment on pretender vendors).

I learned that the TOS Crew is a unique opportunity to see some products you might not otherwise encounter.

I learned that others on The Crew had a really different experience from mine and that's ok.

I learned that The Crew commitment was more than I should have bitten off to chew.

I learned about a few really great products I would have missed out on and for that I am thankful.

Overall, I'm glad I tried it. Most of the time. But I'm equally as happy that my voyage has come to an end.

And now for a fun look at my favorite Crew Reviews. Without a doubt, these were my very favorite products for which I am so thankful to have participated in this review year:

• Olde World Maps from Homeschool in the Woods
• Hands On Geography by Bright Ideas Press
• The Great Latin Adventure by Classical Legacy Press
• Math Mammoth
• The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling
• Nature Friend Magazine
• Hank the Cowdog- of course!
• Maestro Classics
• All About Spelling
• Sarah's Wish
• A Journey through Learning
  
• Sense and Sensibility Patterns

So, thank you to The Old Schoolhouse for the opportunity to journey with you over past year on the second voyage of the TOS Homeschool Crew.

As you sail on into your third voyage without me, may your mornings be gray (but not black) and your evenings red and calm.

Heather