Oh, madteaparty, I'd do this in a heartbeat if it were possible. But I need my husband to have his job at the end of it.

Thank you, Jean, and everyone else. But my goal is for me to not be involved, and I don't think she's self-motivated enough to focus on a project, even of her own choosing. I want her to be out of the house with others, and so I'm intrigued by what sounds to me like an "eighth grade internship". We already have her signed up for three online classes next year, but that's not going to keep her busy. Didn't SWB once say something along the lines of, "All eighth graders should be sent to work on a farm for a year." If I could figure out a way to get her active and outside for the whole year, I'd do it.

SWB mentions this in Rethinking School, and I just looked up the original article. I'm intrigued. My newly thirteen-year-old will be in eighth grade next year, and I'm at my wits' end. Sure, we all watch our kids change as they hit adolescence, but I'm really wondering if there's a better answer to what to do with her than either "continue on with the same old thing, even though no one's having fun" or "put her in public school, because that's the default when homeschooling gets unbearable". Thoughts? Ideas? I'm wondering if we could really do something different (not so different that it would involve my husband quitting his job to travel all year!), that would make her eighth grade year, as the author of the article says, "life-changing".

@Green Bean, I only have a chuckle to add. When I first read the title of this thread, "Latin has morphed into French!" my first thought was, "But didn't that happen a millennium ago?"

@MercyA, this is the first I've been able to post on this thread, but I've been following it. Sunny was so loved by all of us! Thank you for sharing her with us. I pray that through your tears at missing her, your heart will still sing with joy when you remember her sweet song.

@J-rap , this is not technically a biography or autobiography, but you may be interested in Good News About Injustice, Gary Haugen. Haugen tells the story of how he was a lawyer investigating the Rwandan genocide, and then started International Justice Mission to bring justice to the oppressed throughout the world. The book is really good!

@Dmmetler, thank you for sharing your mom with us so that we could all root for her the last few months. Please accept my condolences on your loss.

@Soror, I'm so sorry about this tragic accident. Special prayers for your daughter.

Eos, this book looks wonderful! I'm ordering it!

Everyone, again, it takes me so long to get on to the computer without kids hanging over my shoulder, but I wanted to tell you all thank you for your prayers and good wishes! You are all wonderful!

KrissiK, I hope that your biopsy turns out negative!

What keeps us going this time of year is that as we finish up the formal work, we replace it with Great Courses lectures to round out our 180 days. Usually in February I have the kids each pick a course they want to do. This year we have just started Understanding Greek and Roman Technology, and we'll either start Vikings or World War II: A Military and Social History, depending on which kid wins Rock-Paper-Scissors. (Sometimes that's how our school decisions are made!) Hang in there, @AnneGG. I'm with you!

What's kept me away has been kids hanging over my shoulder, "I want to be on the computer, Mom!" It just didn't feel right trying to do this update in a hurry. But they're at a movie now - so I get to browse the forum in peace!

Friends, I'm so sorry it's taken me this long to get back on the forum to update you. Just wanted to let you all know that I decided on the lumpectomy and had it three weeks ago. The pathology report says that the surgeon got clean margins. Except for the ugly scar, I think the surgical site has healed. (I've even started doing some gentle aerobics.) Next up is radiation, but that seems to be slow to get started. Thank you all for your prayers, good wishes, and information that you've shared. I can't even tell you how much it meant to me to have so many of you ladies sharing your stories and rooting for me. 😊

Oh, I'm inspired to go to all of these places! One more that hasn't been mentioned yet: I'd love to do a Heidi trip to Switzerland. It would probably be very hard to come home.

@Arcadia, I'm so sorry for your loss. May your time with your family be healing for all of you.

@Lucy the Valiant, you're the homeschool mom that I want to be. 😊 You are amazingly creative!

Oh, I haven't seen those before. I'll look into them. Thank you!

We have these cups, and we use them all the time - but not for drinking! They are the perfect size for melting butter in the microwave, thawing frozen fruit for a smoothie, putting in just a little bit of leftover something to store in the fridge - all kinds of uses! The little saucers are great as spoon rests, or as plates for just a slice of toast are piece of fruit.

Louisa May Alcott! I'm a huge fan. She was a staunch abolitionist and supporter of women's rights. When Concord, MA allowed women a limited suffrage, she was first in line to cast her ballot. But there are so many 19th century women who used voice and pen to make the world a better place. I admire them all!

Just want to second Catherine Hamlin. What a story! The Hospital by the River: A Story of Hope

@Mrs Tiggywinkle, let me just add my own voice to all the others: Congratulations! When I think about all the struggles you have shared on the forum over the last few years and all your victories in so many areas, I am in awe of you. You are doing amazing things, and your kind heart is going to bless that young family and encourage your own kids for the rest of their lives. Great job! Make sure that you find a way to celebrate!

@WTM, funny you should mention this because I just spent some time this morning looking for something similar for my kids. I don't know about Trello, but here are some simple, but customizable, worksheets that I just found that I may try using with my kids for some of their yearly projects: https://www.vertex42.com/ExcelTemplates/task-list-template.html#TaskTracker Good luck!

Oh, I love this idea! My 5th grader would probably research WWII jet fighters, but if it kept him busy and got him writing, I'd happy to listen to anything he had to say. Thank you! (Between you and me, though, I'd probably rather listen to reports on animals!)

pehp, I read your beautiful journey entry. Thank you very much for sharing. Your courage with your own experience is inspiring. I love your tips, too! I wish you much peace as you walk with your dad through his cancer, and continued health for your husband. I will be spending more time on your blog. May your house be ever more joyful!