because they are outside dogs, and all sorts of littler critters get into our backyard.

I turn 41 on that date. Does that count? :)

and drive 30 min. when my kids or myself need a general doctor. I once heard him run the drug salesman out of his office. He, in no uncertain terms, told the salesman that drug salesmen do not tell him how to practice medicine. He's awesome!

It's so nice to have somewhere to go to try to figure these things out!

I am making lesson plans for next year and have several questions about how others have used Jacob's Geometry. 1. The teacher's guide syllabus only lists 24 weeks. Does one add more problems to stretch it out if there are more weeks in the school year? 2. The syllabus lists the problems to have the student do. But (I'm anal, bear with me!) it leaves out all sorts of problems in the book. The teacher's guide says they have "carefully chosen problems that need to be understood." Does that mean that I should be adding more problems to the assignment only if my student needs them? Why are all the problems in there, if I'm not going to use them? :001_huh: 3. I also read once on this board that there are extra proofs available online. At what point does one start adding these in, and how many are sufficient? How do you access these? By the way, we are using the 3rd edition with the Dr. Callahan DVDs. Thank you to anyone who can answer some or all of these questions! Kim

Ie. Does your spouse tell you where he/she will be through-out the day (if it is other than the norm)? He's usually just up the driveway. :) Our house is just a few hundred yards away from our business (dairy). If he goes somewhere out of the norm, he usually tells me just in our general conversation. Do you tell your spouse where you will be through-out the day (other than the norm)? Usually. Does your spouse tell you if he/she will be getting together with someone for lunch (other than the gang at work)? He usually tells me that evening. "Oh I had lunch with so-and-so." It is usually work-related, like the vet or a salesman. Do you tell your spouse if you will be getting together with someone for lunch? Yep, 'cause that means the kids will be home alone, and I check to see if he's going to be around in case they need something. Now that they're older, though, I don't worry about this as much. Is there a money limit over which you will discuss purchases? Does your spouse discuss purchases with you esp. if they are big? Dh doesn't make any big personal purchases. I'm lucky in that his job is also his hobby. However, he makes many large business purchases, which he tells me about, but doesn't consult with me first, because he does an excellent job running this business and makes good decisions. And he's been doing this for over 30 years. I make all of our personal purchases and handle all of our personal finances. He doesn't expect me to consult him, but then he trusts my money management and knows how I hate to shop. I do talk to him, though, before buying anything out of the normal monthly expenses.

but he doesn't like me. It makes me bloated every time I drink it. So he no longer gets invited to my house. Does this happen to anyone else? I mostly drink red wine (merlot, pinot noir). Occasionally, I'll have a margarita if we go out to eat. As to your question of what doesn't taste like alcohol, I don't think margaritas do. I long ago had a pina coloda (sp?), and I don't remember it tasting like alcohol. Good luck on your search!

I don't have a budget per se, but I try to be frugal with my purchases. I use our public library a lot. I buy some things used, and sometimes I decide I want to buy new. A good friend and I used to trade back and forth, but then she moved. :glare: I try to really think about the curriculum choices I make so that I don't buy stuff we're not going to use. I did this when we first started homeschooling, but I'm much better about it now. When people who don't homeschool ask how I find resources, I tell them that my problem is not finding, but choosing from all the myriad of resources available. :D

this is a perfect teaching opportunity. Like I tell my husband, we don't know what the financial status of our children will be, so they need to learn how to manage what they've got, and they need to learn that they can't always get what they want. So many children aren't learning that! Although we have been blessed financially, there are alot of things we choose not to buy and do. Partly because we are trying to save for retirement and expenses we will have in the future, partly because I don't like running around all over the place. My oldest went to a science camp once, but mainly we go camping as a family (the kids and I, hubby has to work, and doesn't enjoy camping). We do go to the coast about once every three years, but if we couldn't afford this, we would still enjoy life. I think it's also important to cultivate an attitude of gratitude. I like to point out to my kids that God has chosen to bless us financially at this point in our lives, but He doesn't have to, might not always choose to do so, and that is okay. The line I repeat to them is, "If you can be happy with what you've got, you'll always be happy." I have to remember this myself, because even though we don't have financial issues, we have others we have to deal with. But God is good, He loves me, and He promises never to leave me. This was meant to encourage you, Sue, so I hope it comes across as such. :)

I don't think it's rocket science either. That is, I don't think the duties (vacuuming, laundry, dishes, etc.) of keeping a home are hard or even need much time to learn. I don't remember my mom "teaching" me how to do any of that. But I know how, and I do it well. ;) However, I do think some people are more organized (or in my case, anal :tongue_smilie:) than others, and I think it is this organization that helps a home run more smoothly. And I don't think organization is a good character trait, or lack of organization is a bad character trait, but something we are born with. So this lack of organization will show up anywhere, whether it be home or career. But, in my experience, people who lack organization are very strong in other things, like creativity, flexibility, making lemonade out of life's lemons. These are things I've had to learn in order to live a more peaceful life. I've noticed this in my children, too. One of them is not strong on the home arts :D, the other two naturally pick up after themselves, prepare food for themselves, tidy up before they leave a room. I've worked with (harped on) the first much more, but the child still doesn't get it sometimes. So I just keep working, and trying to be gentle about it. But this child did learn to do his own laundry, because he couldn't seem to get his dirty clothes to the laundry room. So I told him he would have to do it himself. In about two minutes I gave him a washing machine and dryer tutorial, and now if he needs it washed, he knows how to do it.

but I don't think these two are mutually exclusive. I like my parent's approach. They encouraged and loved us for who we were, instilled Christ's love and values in us by living it themselves, and didn't try to make us into the people they thought we should be. Oh, and they prayed a lot! I think God has a plan for every individual's life. It is not my job to decide what that plan is, it is my job to prepare them as best as I can for whatever that may be. Part of that is academic, a small part of that is keeping a home (I don't think it takes much to teach that, just mho), and then there are so many other things they need to learn: kindness, responsibility, work ethic, etc. I don't know if I really answered the question, but those are my thoughts before coffee and breakfast. :)

nt

What is the web address for that? I've got some k-12 books that I figured I was stuck with. Maybe I could sell them there. Thanks!

sugar cookie dough, and just makes it into a big cookie. I've done it with cream puff batter (basically eggs, butter, water, flour) baked like a crust. For the sauce, I used 2.5 c milk, 1 large instant vanilla pudding mixed together. Then add in 8 oz. cream cheese. Top with whatever. Rich, but good!

I'm going to begin with SOTW again with my youngest. She listened along with the two olders on the first go round, but she was only four when we began the cycle. Also, SOTW is much more geared for her level. I've purchased the SOTW CD for her, so that she can listen to her history, while I discuss my son's history with him. We will all be on the same time period, though. I think SOTW is a much better fit for elementary students. Hope that answers your question!

I bought Spielvogel to use next year for my son, and I bought HOTAW for me to read this summer. I'm loving HOTAW! Now I think I will incorporate it into our history studies next year. Have you done this?

my ps high schooler was required to take earth science in the 9th grade.

because my son, who goes to the public high school, just finished a greenhouse class, and I don't think their work was nearly as in-depth as what you're describing. For labs they transplanted plants into pots. I wish he could have taken your class. :) I've not homeschooled high school yet, but what you're describing definitely sounds credit-worthy and extremely cool! Have fun!

Mrs. Claus' Kitchen. It is from Gold Canyon. My niece has a party every year, and I always buy this. Creme Brulee is usually a good scent, but I don't know a specific brand.

because I first took piano as a child (for 3 years). But I also took them as an adult, and I really enjoyed it! It is just so hard to find time to practice. I get my books out every summer and play, though. I'm not very good, but I love it! I say go for it!

It really does. :grouphug: until it gets easier.

I am sorting through all my old curriculum and supplies, pricing them in preparation for selling them. As I counted my Cuisenaire Rods, I got all teary. Countless times did I sit on the floor with one of my three kids, using the rods in our math studies. I can almost see their chubby little hands using them to add or multiply. I need a virtual tissue. :crying: Hug those babies!

Tea (black or flavored black) with a little sugar. Coffee (dark roast) with milk and a little sugar.

but I used to pay $7/hour. This was for a very responsible, mature older teenager. This is more than the local Walmart payed then, and I think my house is a lot nicer place to be. I had another babysitter that wasn't as on top of things, and I didn't pay her as much. By the way, this was for three kids, ages 6, 9, and 12, at the time. They were all very self-sufficient, but I liked having someone here at night.

I wish I could say Halle Barry. :D But much more realistically would be the actress who played Jan Brady.