Interesting! Yeah, I skipped a lot of the classroom activities…but I also found it really hard to teach “their” way—I guess, for lack of a better term, the common core way or mental math. I was only taught procedural math, and had pretty bad number sense when I was in school. It makes a lot more sense now, but when I first started teaching my girl about breaking up numbers to make 10, to make it easier to add in your head, I got SO lost and it was WAY frustrating for her, poor thing! Since I have never done mental math/common core, would Primary Math be just as hard? That’s what I’m afraid of. Kate Snow, however, does a great job of teaching the “why” of what we’re doing. Which I love!

Also if anyone knows how we could be part of Kate’s pilot test group, that would be awesome!

I’m looking for a math curriculum similar to Kate Snow’s Math with Confidence. I do MWC with my 1st grade boy and WE are really loving it. I did Singapore Dimensions last year with my 2nd grade daughter (so 1st grade for her). It was hard for both of us. We switched to Math Mammoth the beginning of the year and she did well and didn’t mind the endless problems. I liked the clear explanations and the fact that she could *often* do it independently. However, the more I use MWC with my son, the more I want a more “fun” curriculum for my daughter also. And of course, she’s one year ahead of Kate Snow’s curriculum releases. Any suggestions?

I vote POTS. I have two nephews that have it. When I read the “everything gets black on standing up,” that’s when the POTS bell dinged.

Yes, I have Raynauds. It was diagnosed along with my lupus. I supppse the only point of getting diagnosed is of it gets really bad, the doctor can prescribe meds to “help” manage it. But I’m not having a lot of luck with that at present. I’ve been through several blood pressure lowering medicines, and my next option is Viagra. 😕

My 2nd grade daughter is sooooo bored with AAS. She did AAR level 1 last year for 1st grade, and then we switched to LOE B & C—bc *I* was bored and the word lists in AAR were killing both of us. I didn’t love the way LOE taught spelling. For the beginning of 2nd grade, she started with Spelling Workout, which she enjoyed, but she didn’t actually seem to be retaining anything. Also, I’ve noticed some gaps in her reading, even though she’s very good at reading. I thought maybe we’d try AAS bc I read on this forum how great it is for teaching phonics and spelling both. We’re finished with level 1, which she flew through and said was too easy; but she hates spelling with tiles, writing the spelling words and dictation. How can I make it more interesting ? Also, I’m starting my son on Rooted In Language’s Pinwheel, and they have a level that would be appropriate for my 2nd grader, and I’m SOOO tempted to switch to it for her, BUT, I’ve already got AAS 2 and I’m aware that switching curriculum too often in one year could be more counterproductive than helpful for something like spelling. Advice?

It’s not vanilla-flavored per se, but it’s “flavorless.” I buy Isopure flavorless and put it in my tea. I usually put half a scoop in because it can be problematic to dissolve if you put in the recommended amount. But it gets me 13 extra grams of protein in my morning tea, so YAY!

I have Raynauds also—it’s secondary along with lupus, which means it can get pretty bad(I regularly get attacks from making sandwiches with cold lunchmeat). It affects my toes and fingers. I have to be really careful in cold weather. I discovered shearling lined UGGS several years ago, and they are my winter mainstay (I live in IL). I’m excited to try out some shearling lined Birkenstock boots this winter—we’ll see if they’re as good as UGGS. If I have to be out in 50 or below for a prolonged time and am inactive, I have to wear fleece lined pants from Eddie Bauer; a medium jacket, gloves, knitted hat that covers the ears, and shearling lined boots. I’ve discovered I must keep my WHOLE body warm to ward off attacks. If lower than 40, and I have to be outside a long time, I’d exchange medium jacket for pouffy downy coat. For lower than 30, I will stick the Hot Hands (hot feet actually) that stick to the bottom of your socks into my shearling boots. Needless to say, I also have several electric hand warmers that I carry around whenever I go out in winter. They’re indispensable.

What level? We’re doing Science B. I don’t love it…but I’m very Charlotte Mason-y so maybe you’ll like it if you’re more comfortable with more text-booky approach. It’s nice that you can order the science kit with “all that you need” but then you do have to have a lot more stuff on hand—but it’s usually something you have around the house. Not sure we’re going to stick with it though.

DH got J&J first, then got Moderna booster and about 4-5 days later was seriously laid up with “digestive” issues (both ends!). I got Pfizer for 1st 2 and got Moderna for booster—oh so much worse. Such a colossally sore arm. I grew up overseas and me, my friends and family always had to get shots, and everyone agreed Typhoid was the worst for sore arms. Well. Let me just say, I’ve had many a wretched sore arm from Typhoid shots and that blasted Moderna blew them ALL away. I also felt like TOTAL crap the next day or two. Had to medicate with Tylenol for two days afterwards. I reckon my immune system is now completely COVID-proof. 😆

Same here! Virtual high fives!✋ Back in Jan/Feb when the insanity around the election, the Capitol, the respective Moores leaving the SBC, etc., I clung to their weekly doses of wisdom trying to figure this crazy “new” world out. Then I heard about Beth Allison Barr’s book on the podcast, read it, and it totally turned my previously complementarianism view of the world totally upside down—which was so freeing in so many ways. I’m still trying to plow through “Jesus and John Wayne”…

I’m embarrassed to ask, having been born into, brought up in and essentially been “marinated” in Evangelical World…what denominations might you be referring to? Are you talking Lutheran, Anglican, Catholic, Methodist? I’ve been dabbling in reading from The Book of Common Prayer, because I just yearned to get away from 21st Century Thinking about what a “Christian” is, and wanted more historical context. No idea if that’s actually what one gets in the BofCP, but it seemed like a good place to start. Anyway, that and your comment about finding a mainstream denomination led me to a website for an Anglican Church in Shreveport that_wait for it!_practices social distancing and masking!!!! I nearly fell over. Definitely will give them a try when we move, but hubs will not be on board with the sitting/standing/kneeling but oh well!

Not so easy to do in that geographic area. I, also, am in the Midwest, where—amongst Evangelical “Christians”—the thinking and behavior is exactly as Mercy described. I am also so colossally disillusioned in my fellow “Christians” who refuse to show Christ’s love for others by wearing masks, and are adamantly against vaccinations for “religious reasons.” We have quit going to church…and I don’t know if we will start back anytime soon. We are moving to Shreveport, LA, which I assume is going to be a hotbed of “Trump is Savior of the World” “COVID is a hoax,” “you can’t make me get a vaccine,” “faith not fear” types so I really REALLY don’t see us returning to church anytime soon, unless the Lord works a miracle and allows us to find some genuine, not-crazy lovers of Jesus.

Doesn’t heat kill Salmonella?

Nutella. A heaping teaspoon after lunch every day. I lick it layer by layer off the spoon, so it takes a while to eat. We always have a jar (or three) around.

No worries!

I’d be interested in reading your thoughts. I’m still several episodes behind, because frankly I got so depressed about it all. But I would love to hear others’ thoughts as well.

I’d like to do it—but I don’t know if I’m too new? I’ll send a PM and then you can let me know!

Yep. I read that several months ago too…I think it was last winter. I was trying to come up with things for my DH to tell his anti-mask—anti-vax—COVID—is—a—hoax—workmates so he wouldn’t bring it home to the rest of us…before the vaccines were out.

I think because for the last few months Tucker Carlson (one of Foxtainment’s prime time hosts) has been railing about the “strict” COVID measures of late. https://amp.theguardian.com/media/2021/oct/06/fox-news-host-tucker-carlson-rails-against-australias-horrifying-covid-restrictions

I just wanna know why (and how!!) her hair got so big towards the end there…truly astonishing!

eBay works pretty well for me. That and a bunch of the FB groups I’m part of (like Charlotte-Mason Inspired Homeschoolers, etc.)

WHEN???? 🥰🥰🥰🥰

We kept my Mom’s rings; but we put my Dad’s ring on for the funeral service/viewing, but then found out he’d died of a prion disease, and after that, none of us kids wanted to touch it. Prion disease, is EXTREMELY contagious esp if there’s any sort of autopsy done.

I am with you all the way! My view is, “You did this to yourself. There was a way out, and you decided not to take it. Now stop complaining about it.”