I have learned so much here! Some of it is even about homeschooling! Welcome, and best wishes with your educational journey!!

We use the EPS powder from Costco. It's good in a blender with a couple of ice cubes. They have a chocolate and a vanilla flavor and they're both good.

You may find many people can't weigh in on these choices because they may not be familiar with all the different curricula here. I have enjoyed WWE, but have never even looked at CLE or AAS. I hope you do get some direction here though.

I would say for the most part, yes. I started out using it in a supplementary fashion because I heard that concepts were explained very clearly. They really are. Of course, the kids sometimes need clarification on something, but I haven't yet been stumped by anything I couldn't figure out from the text explanations. Just so you know, I am not a mathy person at all. I used MUS for years because I wanted something self-teaching, but we hit so many roadblocks as we progressed into Delta and Epsilon, I ended up seeking out supplementary materials to expand on the concepts. HTH!

These are some things that have helped me. First, go ahead and get yourself checked out with a doctor. There are multiple issues which could be causing this kind of thing; hormones and vitamin levels. I would keep up with the daily walking. If you can jog part of the way, I would do so as you can to increase your heart-rate, and do it in the morning. Drinking lots of water is always good. Try getting some protein mix from Costco and start your day off with a shake and some vitamins. I would look at D, B-complex and Omegas especially. Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, caffeine and simple sugars. I am not sure what kind of teas would really help, but maybe someone else can suggest something. With panic attacks, sometimes anxiety about having one can really set you up for trouble. I had my first one several years ago, and since then have only had a few minor episodes which I was able to keep from turning into a full blown attack. You can do a lot to improve your lifestyle, keep yourself chemically balanced by exercising and eating right. :grouphug: Good luck!

Praying for Taryn!

Thanks for the support. I am going to go ahead with my shower and just try to remember how stressed she is probably feeling. I don't want to start off with any animosity, and hopefully being gracious will smooth things over.

I am planning on hosting a bridal shower for my future sister-in-law. I told her months ago I wanted to do this. The wedding is at the end of April and I called her tonight to set a firm date. I picked up that she was a bit miffed at me for not planning this out more in advance. Her sister's event which was designated as a bachelorette party is now also going to be a shower as well. She said they did this because they didn't hear from me. I was under the impression she was having a shower with her girlfriends at some point. I was planning for my shower to be a small gathering of mostly our side of the family so it would be a more intimate event, but wasn't meaning it to be deliberately exclusive. My mother has passed on, and I have tried to, but failed miserably at being that "person" in a way. I think the crux of it all is that her side of the family is very organized and plan way ahead. I am the go with the flow type who thinks a month ahead of time IS planning in advance! I just feel like I have made a mess when I was really trying to do something nice. She is now concerned that people will feel obligated to get more than one gift. I apologized, but still feel awful. Anybody willing to join my pity party?:confused:

Praying!

:grouphug::grouphug: praying here.

Drugs! Okay, just kidding. Don't flame me please!! I am just one of those horrible mothers who had an epidural all three times. I really tried other things, but nothing else worked. I hope you find some good suggestions, and congrats!:D

I don't know about that brand's ranges, but our house came with a Bosch dishwashwer and I have to say I really don't like it. It looks cool with the sleek stainless steel front and the hidden buttons, but I CAN'T figure out how it is supposed to work. I push the start button at least two times before it ever comes on. I sometimes have to push it more than that. Yes, I know I could probably find some owner's manual online, but I have been too lazy to do that. Also, it isn't really designed well for holding glasses on top, and the dishes OFTEN come out with crud still on them. It *is* quiet, though. I guess that is one positive.

Mine is a picture of one of the nature trails in the Joyce Kilmer Memorial forest, an old growth forest we visited last spring. It was sooooo beautiful, like a page out of LOTR, and it symbolizes for me the path of life. Very deep and "spirchul" like me ;)

They do smell very nice! Do you know what it is?

I am not too familiar with outdoor landscape care. I have a couple of vines which are still in the dead-looking season. Should I trim back all of the dead looking stuff? It looks as though I would be pretty much cutting most of it away if I did that. Also, how do you even trim a vine like that while being careful not to cut the green parts? I am not even sure what it is. I know it's not ivy. There are little white flowers in late summer. Any ideas?

As much as I LOVED the Jim & Pam storyline, I too was glad they didn't drag it on for years. IMHO Andy and and the receptionist are really different. It is more straight humor with thier foiled attempts and missteps at a relationship. Now THAT would be funny to drag out for years!!

Yay! I would laminate that orange card and stick it in a safe pocket of your purse. You won't get another one and you will be needing it when you get your educator discount cards. Enjoy your journey!!

That is the only explanation that even remotely makes sense. :lol: Maybe they could accessorize with the colicky baby in the fashion sling?

I was going to suggest the Zaccarro books as well. There is also one called Become A Problem Solving Genius. These are great!

I haven't read this one, but I wouldn't expect Hawking to write a book which supported creationism. Incidentally, many Christians find there is no problem reconciling a belief in special creation with the Big Bang; God is understood as the ultimate cause of the bang. Just saying. :)

How about "non-institutionalized exploration" for an alternative?

I have had the same problem. We have used many different curricula and also copywork and dictation. I have not noticed much improvement until this year when my two oldest started a more intensive writing program where they were writing volumes more they they had been used to. I am not giving up on spelling, though. I have been using Megawords with them. I may continue this, but I have also been looking at How to Teach Spelling. Not sure if any of this info is helpful to you, but I commiserate with you on this one!

Just excited about all the books I got on sale at Borders. We have been needing some upper-level reference books and so I had my eyes peeled for any deals. I got a super looking anataomy and physiology atlas, a giant DK Universe book, an AP style book, a drawing and painting book, a LIFE picture atlas of modern history (which my daughter hasn't put down yet), a compilation book of the best of modern poets, and a book called, How to Read Literature Like a Professor. The DK book alone was listed at $50 and I got everything for less than $45!! Doing the happy dance!:D

My kids have made good friends with some nice ps kids. I am also too "middle" to fit with the extremes.

:grouphug: Praying here.