I really love this time of year. I like the snow, the colder temperatures, the smell of cinnamon and baking apple pies. I just love the month of November and December! There’s Thanksgiving (my family exchanges gifts for the holiday), and my wedding anniversary is in December, several birthdays are in December, and there’s Christmas, too. Everything is so pretty and so pristine with the snow and glistening lights.

Best of all, I love all the loot I get these months, lol! All the stores have sales and specials. I do a lot of my holiday shopping at this time, as well as my yearly birthday/anniversary/other holiday shopping, too. Some folks complain that the stores jump into the shopping season too quickly for the holidays, but I am passive about it. I actually find that it is a great time to scarf up deals. Stores are very willing to please and offer discounts and coupons. The longer, the better.

One thing I have been eyeing is the Dragon Naturally Speaking speech-recognition software. I have seen the videos, checked out the testimonies– it looks really cool! And with a $25 Coupon Code- DNSMSBG -Dragon Naturally Speaking 10 Standard looks extremely affordable. Check out this video slideshow collection that tells you all about the software.

Did you see the one by Brett Bumeter that says “Do Not Use This Microphone”? LOL, that was funny. OK, so floppy headsets are out, got it. I liked the one that Drew did, because he’s a blogger, too, and he made some great points about using DNS for better blogging (and exercising more).

I think DNS would definitely help me with my blogging pursuits. It would make a perfect gift for ME (wink, wink)! In case you are wondering, with baited breath, what exactly I want this year, I decided to make a list. I call it “The Blogger’s Ultimate Dream Wish List for the Holidays.”

*ahem*

1. A new customized, “MINE ONLY” blog design (make that four of them, for four blogs)
2. Another mouse! (I’m a mouse freak)
3. A portable hard drive (I’m also a backup freak– I’ve filled up half a hard drive and three jump drives)
4. DRAGON NATURALLY SPEAKING!!! So cool! iwantoneiwantoneiwantone
5. A PDA or some kind of electronic organizer
6. A gift certificate to any office supply store!
7. A new file cabinet
8. New pens!!!! (to add to my collection)
9. A new kitchen (well, I have to blog about SOMETHING)
10. Oh yeah, peace on earth. All that stuff. ;)

How about you? Is there a Dragon in your future? It would make great gifts, too! I can send along my mailing address if you are interested, LOL.

Seriously, with the discounts and coupons codes, the price can’t be beat. And Dragon Naturally Speaking is a bonus for anything– whether you have a blog, give an interview, brainstorm on the subway, anything. Check out these cool links for more information and great discounts.

• $50 Coupon Code- DNSMSBG -Dragon NaturallySpeaking 10 Preferred
• $25 Coupon Code- DNSMSBG -Dragon Naturally Speaking 10 Standard
• $25 Coupon Code- DNSMSBG -MacSpeech Dictate

Most homeschools integrate technology into their “classroom” much faster than public schools. That’s one of the beauties of homeschooling– you don’t have to wait for all that bureaucratic red tape to finally roll through before you can switch from Mac to Microsoft, or whatever. I have tried to utilize technology in our lessons as needed. Starting in elementary school, the kids had to learn how to make electronic book reports, use PaintShopPro for making graphics, use music software to record and edit their instrument playing, and work with video files to create movies.

By high school, I emphasize the classic topics of logic and rhetoric. We go on research binges with a quest for learning about something new, watch debates, have our own debates using the data we’ve derived, and present it to each other. I want the children to be excellent writers AND speakers, just like my hero– that orator extraordinaire– Patrick Henry. Boy, that man could present oratory!

Oration skills take lots of practice. The kids’ first oral books reports were, well… not Patrick Henry-esque, let’s say that much. They’ve improved, but I don’t think they’re up there with the House of Burgesses yet, lol. So we practice. I’m looking for ways to make it fun as well as productive. It would be very beneficial for a child to see his spoken words (re: realize how boring the words he uses really are) before he can begin to improve.

So this is what makes me think of Dragon Naturally Speaking, a speech-recognition software program that would be PERFECT for any classroom environment. I took the typing test (45 wpm, ugh! Click here to check out Dragon’s typing speed test!) and I see that DNS would definitely be a plus where I’m concerned, lol! But this software would be incredibly benefical for students and lecturers alike, both as a tool for completing projects like reports or transcribing research data, and as a self-improvement tool for improving oral skills and diction. There are some rave Dragon Reviews that extol Dragon Naturally Speaking for its near 100% accuracy rate, ease of use, and exceptional voice-to-computer functionality. Watching this video really won me over.

I have heard of some educators getting grants from their school districts, for using this software in their classrooms. It’s definitely worth checking out! This is a very versatile program.

You know, I think Dragon Naturally Speaking would also come in handy for my “lectures” moments– moments when I am expounding on theology or history and suddenly hit a vein, a really inspired vein that would probably bring in thousands of adoring fans if ONLY I could get it transcribed for the masses!!!! :D lol. Well, I’d use it to improve and speed up my blogging, anyway.

I’ve looked at the calendar and realized that, since late July, I have spent more time with my feet up (due to the herniated disk in my back) than on my feet. :| UGH. That’s a lot of time laying around. No wonder my gardens are riddled with weeds… Anyone who knows what it’s like to be on bed rest knows that it STINKS after 3 or 4 days. I am a writer– I write articles and advertisements– and do a lot of typing on my computer. It has been a very difficult task, typing while reclining.

While at the doctor’s office, I noticed one of the doctors talking into a handheld recording device. He was talking about someone’s condition and was taking verbal notes onto the recorder, to be transcribed later. I thought, “I want something like that for my computer!” I could talk, and my words could be recorded as type into my computer. Not only would it save loads of time (everyone I know talks faster than they type), it would be so wonderful for someone like me, where typing is almost impossible in a reclined position.

Guess what? Some cool guy already invented such a thing! I am floored by the technology. It’s called Dragon Naturally Speaking 10 Preferred. You talk, the software spits your words onto a document. It’s pretty amazing! Here’s the NY Times Review of Dragon NaturallySpeaking for more information; and here’s a video of the program in action:

I can see how this would help so many people! Dragon NaturallySpeaking 10 Standard enables you to “verbally type” up to 150 words per minute without forming blisters on your fingertips (or your keyboard smoking, ha!). And this could constitute a whole new world for people who podcast or need transcriptions, such as the doctor I saw in the office.

A verbal program would take some getting used to, I suppose. But it would mean much faster writing and transcription. And it would also mean that I wouldn’t have to crane my neck to type while lying in bed. :D I think it’s terrific! What do you think?