I second the Eufy, though she’s my first (yes, she—I talk to her like she’s a dog), so I have nothing to which to compare her.

Thanks! The rain looks like it might finally be over. It’s crazy! We’ve had roads wash away, sinkholes develop, and people evacuated from homes. I don’t ever remember the weather being this strange. Thankfully, the severe weather (well, tornadic—I guess the rain is severe enough) didn’t materialize here. McKay was as busy as I’ve ever seen it today! It’s unusual for us to be in Nashville on a weekday, so I guess we’re used to it being crowded.

Finally home just in time for tornado sirens and massive flooding (though not that personally affects us).

And I made it to Trader Joe’s!

We spent some time enjoying the Impressionists at the Frist. I’ve loved VanGogh ever since I read the YA biography Theo and Me a few years ago. I saw some of his paintings today that I’d never seen before, and it never gets old to me. Lunch was consumed McKay Books was crowded! I went in really wanting to find a copy of Eugene Peterson’s A Long Obedience in the Same Direction. I did not find that one, but I did find another title you him. Kids’ poetry books are my weakness. I picked up quite a few volumes, many of which I don’t already own. I was particularly excited to find a volume by Irene Latham, an AL author and poet our homeschool co-op will get to host in the spring. After a Starbucks stop for my birthday coffee, we’re headed back home to where the flooding is bad.

Whew! I used to volunteer at one of our local children’s clothing consignment sales for the option of shopping early, and I finally decided it wasn’t worth the exhaustion I experienced as a true introvert to be ON the whole shift (and on a concrete floor, no less). May your energy be boundless and your shoes be cushiony!

I’m sorry that you’re experiencing this difficulty with your son! My oldest child is only fourteen, so I’ve never walked this road, but knowing how hard even just transitioning from parenting little kids to parenting teens is, I can imagine. I hope things go better as a result of your intervention!

Good morning! Today is my birthday! My family and I are off on a rainy adventure to Nashville today. Our plan is to visit the Frist for an Impressionist exhibit (I LOVE Van Gogh), run by Trader Joe’s, and (hopefully!) stop by McKay Books. We’re having a family supper tonight (my parents and my dmil are coming), so we our trip to the Big City will be short. To do: Finish making my birthday cake. I’m trying out the Italian Chocolate Love Cake someone posted here on the board. I just lack the topping. Read the first act of Ibsen’s A Doll House for my class on Monday night Other misc. reading Enjoy my birthday Side note: I have NEVER seen this much rain in my life. I’ve lived in north Alabama my entire life (or at least always had strong ties here), and places are flooded I’ve never seen under water. The Tennessee River is supposed to crest tomorrow afternoon. The water is literally up to just a few feet below the bottoms of some of the bridges. We live near a creek and at least half of the park beside the creek is under water. When this recedes, it’s going to be a mess!

Sheesh! I've gotta quit with the emojis. (I want to put a laughing face here, but I won't. )

Thank you!

The only thing I would change right now is slightly more income so we could travel more without financial worry. That must mean my life is pretty good, eh? (Not that things are perfect--several of the people I live with have major anxiety issues, and I'd wish that away if I could. However, we are coping and learning to deal with these challenges is the stuff of life.)

It's raining again here. Local schools are closed due to flooding. It's one of those days I'd love to stay curled up in bed with a good book, dozing as the spirit moves me. Instead I shall print dd14's Derek Owens geometry test breakfast, coffee, devotion pilates shower oversee the stripping of beds for bed linens washing laundry figure out school--it's Fun Friday, so I need to up my game. I'm thinking games, an art project with the little boys and possibly dd13, reading aloud, maybe some freewriting? school with little boys meet with my teens about their week. I'm still trying to figure out HOW to do this (again) since dd14 came back home from ps a few weeks ago. lunch put dough ingredients for pizza bread in bread machine (dd14 did this) nag girls about cleaning bedroom make pizza bread make grocery list buy groceries remake beds My dh and my dd14 are going to a dance tonight. (Only dd will actually go to the dance; dh will likely sit in the car and work.) DD loves these dances (19th century dance) and so we try to let her go if at all possible. This is actually a "ball" and is about an hour away, so it's a bit more complicated than just taking her to the local meetup. Anyway, what that means for me is that I will either have to take all the children to buy groceries with me or leave the 13 yo with the little boys. The only way this will work is to plunk them down in front of a movie while I'm gone. The temptation is great to do that. LOL The dance has been canceled due to the flooding, so this problem is solved, at least. Tomorrow is my birthday, so dh is cooking up something that involves a trip away from home for the family. I have no idea what we're doing, but I'm a little excited. I love birthdays! ETA: I realized after clicking SAVE that I should've included some work for my CC teaching gig on my list. I have essays to grade! I have reading to do! I am being observed by the head of the department on Monday! Eeeek! However, in order to do any of that, I would have to remove about half of the things currently on my list from my list, so I suppose the list stands. It looks like I know what I'll be doing for part of my birthday tomorrow, anyway. Everyone have a lovely day! If it's raining where you are, stay dry!

My parents were supportive but did nothing, really, to help me in my college selection. For that matter, neither did my public high school guidance counselor. My father is a GED-earning, high school dropout, Vietnam veteran. His mother died when he was twelve and he had eleven siblings. He did attend trade school after Vietnam, but he worked in manufacturing all of my life and until he retired. He's just fortunate to have survived as well as he did. My mother went back to college after being a SAHM for most of my childhood while I was in high school. In other words, neither had any college experience to speak of. I was one of the highest stat kids in my graduating high school class (though I couldn't compete today in this world of uber test prep), and my guidance counselor never once suggested I apply for a scholarship. . . anywhere, to my recollection. At the time I would've probably gotten enough money to go 'most anywhere my peers were going (state schools, private church schools), but it wasn't on my radar. I did go along with a couple of my friends who knew more about it than I did to take the SAT at a school about 75 miles away from my home. (One friend's dad was a doctor, so he grew up knowing what to do. He became a doctor, too.) In the end I ended up with a full ride to our local university, which was the right choice for me. I graduated from college with little debt (I borrowed about $2000 to buy a computer), even though it took my five years to get my four year degree. My parents did take me to tour a private, church college mid-way through my undergrad career when I was thinking about changing, but ultimately that came to naught. So--little involvement because they really didn't know much about it. I have one cousin who had gone away to college, but other than that, it just wasn't done in our circle. The local school was "good enough," and as it has turned out, they were right. I have few regrets about that.

Good morning! I slept in a little bit this morning, and my little boys are already up and watching Dinotrux. (Dinotrucks?) DH has already left for work, and my teens are still snoozing. We're having record rainfall here in north Alabama, so it will be another dreary, drizzly, dark, damp day. The sun is out right now! For me today: pilates shower coffee and reading/quiet time (ended up remembering that I needed to catch up reading Pudd'nhead Wilson for dd13's school, so I spent a big part of this time doing that instead of my own devotional reading) wrangle the boys [ongoing] school with the boys lunch check in with the teens on their schoolwork and work with them as needed and as time permits get the 13 yo to play practice Fold two loads of laundry [in process] Another load of laundry processed Clean my shower [sprayed mildewy corners with stuff and rinsed; this might be all the attention it gets today] Supper out with friends tonight to celebrate my birthday School prep and/or grading for my CC class

Ooooh! I LOVE the Chains series. (I'm a big children's and YA lit fan myself.)

My 13 yo (as of November, so not too much past 12, maybe?) reads and re-reads The Book Thief. (This book was actually a school assignment for this year, but it's a personal favorite of hers which she had already read and continues to re-read.) She reads so much that I can't keep up with her, but she also just re-read some of the Flavia DeLuce books. I think right now she has Dry by Neal Shusterman from the library. She has read so much that she has exhausted the holdings of the library we frequent most, so that was her only pick when we went last week. She does use our Scribd subscription a lot, but I'm not sure what she has checked out there right now.

I realize skincare is very individual, but I am looking to up my game after almost 45 years of mostly benign neglect. Currently my skincare routine does involve washing with MaryKay cleanser and using both MK day and night cream. I also have a little pot of Rodan and Fields undereye cream that I apply when I'm on a roll. I guess that means that I'm a step above neglect, but I feel like my skin would benefit now from a higher level of care. My birthday is Saturday and I'm thinking I might splurge on some quality products with any birthday cash I get. I'm mostly interested in pore minimizing, sun protection, and not wrinkling worse than I already have. If you use Paula's Choice, what are your must-haves?

I'll play. I enjoy reading these. They make me feel organized and productive, even if just vicariously. 🙂 Finishing prepping college class for tonight Quick pilates workout Shower and dressed for day (including for class tonight, so "real" clothes) [still have to do makeup and give hair the final fluff, but it's good enough for now 😏] Little boy wrangling [ongoing--they're showered and first breakfasted so far] ETA: Laundry [ogoing--one load washing, one load drying] Text my homeschooling BFF about carpooling for kids to play practice this afternoon Little boy school Check in with teens on their school work Communicate with dh about tonight's getting-everyone-where he/she needs to go Transport some kids to Nana's, some kids (including possibly my BFF's?) to play practice Go to community college and teach college class Back home and work on grading until kids come home from church

I'm enjoying this thread so I thought I'd log in and play. (I lurk a lot! LOL) Best splurge: good shoes. Last summer I bought two pairs of Birkenstocks (after scouring recommendations here and elsewhere), and they saw me through miles and miles of walking. This winter I bought the cutest Dansko Sams on Ebay--taupe suede with embossed flowers. Now I want a black and/or brown pair! I've always had the opinion that good shoes are worth the investment, and I NEVER buy cheap shoes, but as I near my forty-fifth birthday, I find myself solidifying (codifying? LOL) my own philosophy of the purchasing of personal items like clothing, shoes, and health/beauty products: I'd rather buy fewer and higher quality. The end. 🙂 Worst splurge: Years ago a bought a Mochithings pouch (this one, I think) in a fit of "this will solve all of my organization problems." I thought I could use it to take all my stuff to church and when I'm out and about--notebooks, bullet journal, pens, etc. I think I did this one or two times before the pouch got buried in a stack of books in my office. A bag large enough for me to carry all my necessities (including my bullet journal) is much better for me. I've thought about selling the pouch on Ebay but I can't imagine that anyone would actually pay much for it. (I realize the irony in this statement. LOL)

Many, many thanks to everyone who has responded! DD got to attend our homeschool co-op today, and she was welcomed back with open arms by students and parents alike. It was heartwarming to see her with "her people" again. 🙂 I appreciate all of the feedback I've received. It helps to have options and to look at things from various perspectives. Right now, DD is not interested in returning to school, and while I never take any option completely off the table (unless it is cost prohibitive from the outset! 😋), I am encouraging her to think of herself as a homeschooler (again) now. I think that dipping her toe in that water for a semester is enough for her. From what I can understand, the prinicipal/counselor would have to see the curriculum's scope and sequence to evaluate whether or not a course is credit-worthy, should she decide to go back to school. I feel pretty sure that what we have done and will do at home is AT LEAST comparable to what the school does, and as such should count for credit. However, I also know that homeschooling is not something those within our local institutions really understand, so I would never assume that it would be. DD does have an eye toward DE at our community college or local university, so we're keeping that as a possibility for her starting her eleventh grade year. Knowing that, I feel like I have something for which to aim. What I've decided to do is Derek Owens geometry and a cobbled-together English credit using some literature picks and, as I mentioned before, a BW class. I am intrigued by the Lantern English and BtB Spanish, as both of these are ones I've never looked into. Again, thank you ALL for your help! It makes me feel like this is doable.

To make a long story short, my 14 yo dd came home (as of yesterday, officially) to finish her ninth grade year after going to public school for the first time in the fall. The school she attended is on a block schedule, so she completed the first semester with a credit for biology, Algebra I, Spanish I, and world history. This semester she was about a month in to English 9 honors (pre-AP), geometry, Spanish II, and career prep (which is a public school requirement in our state). We attempted to get her into a couple of virtual academies through public school systems, but this didn't work because of the block schedule she has already been on. Two weeks ago I had no idea we'd be finishing this year at home, but due to some serious anxiety issues (which we are in the process of sorting out), it looks like home is the best place for her for now. She is a bright student and enjoys an organized and methodical approach to education. One of the compelling reasons we sent her to school to begin with is because she thrives in a system in which she is graded, and I stink at doing that at home. My biggest problem right now is that this is all so unexpected and I really don't have the time in my schedule to add a student who requires a lot from me right now. I'm homeschooling my three younger children (grades 7, 3, and K), and I teach English at the local community college, in addition to being (over)committed at our homeschool co-op. For my eldest, we're looking at finishing English and geometry at home right now. Finishing Spanish would be a bonus. Career prep seems to be what I did in typing class years ago in high school--resumes, word processing, etc., and even including some budgeting and that sort of thing. Right now I'm considering Derek Owens for geometry, or perhaps Mr. D Math. Thoughts on these? For the English credit, I've considered a Bravewriter class or two (the sequence leading up to essay writing, starting with Dynamic Thinking). I've been looking at Progeny Press literature guides to round out the literature portion. I'd also like to add some organized vocabulary studies with an eye toward the PSAT. She took the PSAT at school earlier in the year, and I don't think National Merit is out of the question for her (especially if she remembers to take a calculator to the test this time 😉 ) . Thoughts on any of this? Any BTDT advice? Encouragement? My only request is that whatever you say, please be gentle. This has been something of a rough go for us (though we have plenty of experience with mental health difficulties in our family, so at least we know what to do--ha!) I'm feeling quite vulnerable and out of sorts about all of this.

Thank you all SO VERY MUCH for your input. It has made me feel much less alone and also like I'm NOT crazy for feeling overwhelmed. LOL I am off to (what else? ?) grade essays. I'm going to leave my post in its entirety for a little while longer to see if anybody else has any encouragement or words of wisdom before I at least delete part of it.

I see the future and I'm afraid this might be the direction we're headed in. It makes me very sad, especially because of my little boys. I'm trying to look at the potential change as an opportunity instead of a loss, but it's still hard.

This is definitely a part of the dance that I'm re-learning since having not worked at the CC in so many years. I will have a better sense of this next semester. My biggest problem this semester is that many, many nights I'm literally preparing to teach the class right up until it's time to leave home.

One thing I have learned through all this is that I throw myself 100% into whatever I do, and there's only so much of me to go around. Sigh.