The saddest thing about Pat Robertson is that he doesn't seem to have anyone in his life who truly loves him. If they did love him, they would cancel his TV and radio contracts, obtain P.O.A. if necessary and find a good doctor for him, and take a few other measures to get him entirely out of the public eye. He's obviously gone 'round the bend. At the least, he has lost his filter. This isn't the first time he has been totally outrageous in recent years. Why aren't they protecting him from himself? Why are they letting these ridiculous episodes become his legacy, when he'd enjoyed decades of respect in his community?

I took a minute to try to find the problem, but I wasn't familiar with any of the lower level books so I don't think I can help after all. Also, the rhetoric level has discussion questions for everything. I'm surprised to find that the lower levels don't. We did have a few weeks where I didn't feel the geography was explained well at all (rhetoric level). We filled in the gaps with the internet and the library, but I kind of resented having to do that after buying all of the rhetoric books. ($$$$$$)

We're on the other end of the spectrum where boys grow to six feet tall by their 13th birthday. I wanted to chip in some commiseration, though, about a young person's size not matching his or her age. My 13yo hates to be treated as if he were 16 to 18 years old. He still thinks like a 12yo, honestly! And every single time he has to explain that he's just 13, he has to listen to the other person being astonished that he's so tall. As if he's never heard anybody say that before. Now, my niece comes from a very tall family but has yet to clear 4'10". She's 16, so she probably is not going to get any taller. I don't know why the whole extended family has to comment on this every single time they see her. And she and my 6ft son don't like to stand side-by-side, because the contrast draws attention. Aren't they supposed to be teaching diversity and understanding in schools these days? Isn't that why they quit focusing on Math and English, to have more time for tolerance training and character development? (tongue-in-cheek) And yet nobody seems to get it that people come in different shapes and sizes.

:blink: That is totally disgusting. Why did they bother with the charade, I wonder?

A growing boy shouldn't be confined to his room for 24 hours. He'll do better at his schoolwork and getting along with others if he gets fresh air and exercise. Some of my boys need a big breakfast and an hour or two outdoors before sitting down to lessons at this age. Could you give that strategy a try?

You are not too stupid! I'm in the middle of a movie with ds right now but I promise I'll be back to offer some help. This is my first year with TOG, too, and the TOG FOG was pretty thick for the first few weeks. We're on week 6 and I think I've cracked the code. I'll bbl; I hope someone else will stop by and help you with UG level specifically. We're doing rhetoric. :grouphug:

If it were my child, I would like #1 (white top) for the family room wall/photo gallery. #2 (pink) to keep in an album or maybe a 3x5 on a desk, because it is very cute, but I agree the look might be dated pretty soon. #3 (maroon) for the official senior picture, because of the more classical composition of the photo. She is beautiful, and I have to wonder if she ever takes a bad picture! :)

That was always my mom's belief. She would apologize to us if she said "rats" or "nuts" when she was cut off in traffic! And she would wash a kid's mouth out with soap if he said the word "butt." I have not been able to achieve this level of sainthood regarding pure speech. On the other hand, she has always suffered ulcers and I don't. I do see a connection.

:iagree: :iagree: We are not serious cursing people around here, but if it is worth saying we go all the way. We think it is sloppy and lazy to express ourselves with half-hearted euphemisms instead of clear speech, so we don't utilize heck, darn, or Lord-love-a-duck. On the other hand, sometimes people need a verbal outlet. Half a dozen times per year I will say WTH or d*mnit. That's as far as I ever go. My husband goes farther, as he was a Navy man, but he doesn't swear in the house or around small children or ladies.

After they are cooked, I like to mash in the following: Fresh tomato Sauteed onion and garlic Ground cumin Chili powder

:iagree: Yeah. She's trying to keep the atmosphere around her own ears holy. She saw this child (whom she does not know) as a speaker of ungodly things and put her in her place, serving up a heaping helping of humiliation and shock factor. I'm not impressed. :iagree: :iagree: 100%.

We're also using rhetoric level, year one, for ninth grade. My student loves it, but I think it will be too much for some of my other children.

Yes, you can have a negative celiac panel and still have dermatitis herpetiformis. The testing for DH is straightforward, and needs to be done before self-starting a gluten-free diet. The dermatologist will be familiar with this. Get an appointment right away, if possible, while the rash is still obvious. It will be easier to diagnose. I've lived with DH. It is a nightmare. :grouphug: If your dd does have it, remember that she'll need GF toiletries, cleaners, etc. as well as a GF diet.

We do a kind of loop method if we don't finish a day. I have a planner but I wasn't able to upload a copy of the sheet into google docs. (Still learning how to use google docs) I did make an approximation of it that anyone may see. The way I use these: Each child gets his own weekly assignment sheet on a clipboard. I have an identical copy of each, all on one clipboard. As the child completes each assignment, he checks the box. Throughout the day I check off the corresponding box on my copy of his sheet, too, so I always know how everyone is doing. We work left to right, top to bottom, trying to finish Days 1-5 in one week. If a day is not completed, the next unfinished box is where tomorrow's work starts. It builds in some flexibility while making sure we do get to all subjects. Now, if one of the kids is consistently failing to complete a day in a day's time, something needs adjusted. Here's the link to the sample I made.

I am also hesitant to ask the olders to help the youngers. I find that upper grammar students have the time and interest to drill flashcards, help with projects, read a story, etc. but the dialectic and rhetoric kids are way too busy. When they take a break, their minds need rest and their bodies need food. LOL My oldest boys will sit down and help with art or music lessons when they get a minute, but I'd never put them in the position of being counted upon to do it.

I'd like to hear more about different tracks since you've all mentioned the concept. What does that mean? :lurk5:

I'm struggling with jealousy a little, too. This year is hardest because we're in our first year homeschooling high school. TBH, I don't like it! On one hand, I love that my son gets to study awesome materials that he loves without the distractions and problems of ps. He has certainly earned this opportunity by being such a great homeschool student and a great kid. On the other hand, helping him adjust to high school coursework is taking more of my time than I ever dreamed it would. He's needing more one-on-one time than my first grader right now!

Sorry, but if you're getting it done in 11 hours (your hours, not theirs) I think you're probably doing the best you can. I have four children and my day is 9 hours. Our middle children have ADHD and learning challenges, and the oldest and youngest children are both extremely accelerated. There is no way I could combine this crew, though heaven knows I've tried. I feel your pain.

Uh oh. :lurk5:

Why does it matter that you don't like the handyman? Call the landlord and arrange to have the door fixed, or fix it yourself. Your child's toys are his if they have been given to him.

:grouphug:

I believe it is translated, "You should have gone with your gut feeling concerning the potential rigor and/or lofty educational objectives of this class."

We are going to be remembering it, for d*mn sure. That doesn't mean I want to hear every bit of news coverage, every detail of the events happening, or all of the stories, terrorist threats, and ignorant/idle flotsam and jetsam. 10 years out, some of the headlines and observations are crass or flippant, and I'm just not up for that yet. I don't think justamouse intends to ignore it or pretend it never happened, either, and I think that is an unkind assumption. We all have loved ones in the service. We all have memories, pain, loss, and lives forever changed. I have five beloved relatives who are either in Iraq or Afghanistan now or who have served their time since 9/11 in those places. Four of them joined because of 9/11, leaving sisters, mothers, wives, and daughters praying and waiting. It touches everyone! That doesn't mean we can all handle the roar of the noise of the entire nation. All must grieve, remember, and work in their own way.

:grouphug: Come sit next to me, because I feel the same. It is all too much. Will we ever live long enough to handle this memory? 10 years is certainly not long enough.

:smilielol5:I literally LOL'ed at this! Don't mess with a hs mom on a Friday. rofl (no offense to the pope)