serves 6 Ingredients: 1/2- 1 lb ground meat (I like to use spicy lean ground turkey) 2 large potatoes, chopped 2 onions, chopped 4 carrots, sliced 10 ounces chicken stock 1 large can diced tomatoes, undrained (I usually fresh and it works) 1 Tbsp dried dill, or 2 Tbsps fresh dill 1/2 tsp caraway seed 1/2 tsp celery seed (I use about 2-3 stalks of fresh) pepper to taste 4 cups cabbage, coarsely chopped 1/2 stick butter 1/4 cup fresh parsley coarsely chopped, or 2 Tbsp dried parsley 1-2 Tbsp minced garlic Directions: In a large skillet, brown meat over med-high heat; drain off any fat, and place in crock pot. Add the potatoes to the crock pot, along with onions, garlic, carrots, chicken stock, tomatoes, dill, caraway seed, celery seeds, and pepper. Cover crock pot and cook on LOW heat for 7-1/2 hours. After the 7 hours of cooking, add in the cabbage, parsley and butter, pushing the cabbage down into the liquid; cook for another 30-60 minutes, or until cabbage is tender.

:iagree::iagree:I always ask to sit away from children, as well as, loud obnoxious adults. Unfortunately, it didn't matter the last time I was out because a parent decided it was ok to allow their child to scream for over an hour ruining everyone in the restaurants dinner. If I hadn't been out with others I would have said something and left. I think most people would rather avoid this kind of situation before it starts. I'm sure it was nothing personal against your family.

:party:Here!

I've filed a complaint with Paypal twice and both times were quick and painless. Do you still have the emails back and forth prior to buying? I have pretty much quit buying from people I am not at least familiar with because of so many bad experiences. A good deal is not a good deal if you don't get what you really want.

I am in a frustaring work situation and I could use a little support and advice. I have been working for my company for about 8 years and really love the corporation. Recently though I have a new manager and she blatantly does not like me. There are actually a handful of employees, mainly those who have been with the company the longest, that she seems to be targeting. Whenever I go to work I am afraid of what the next days email is going to say. She told me in one email that she didn't like my facial expressions. Another email I was scolded because I mentioned something was against corporate policy and actually illegal. In that email she told me to keep things like this to myself because I was the only one who cared.:001_huh: She told another person she didn't like the fact they spoke with their hands. I had my yearly evaluation and she told me that I preformed my job excellently, but I had a negative attitude. I questioned what she meant and she said that I constantly critized others and that my expectations are much higher than others.:confused: I adhere to the policies of the company so my expectations for myself are in alignment with what the BIG BOSSES want. I am not sure why she thinks I critize others and she had no specifics she would give me. Actually, I am the person that they put new employees to train and am usually one of the people that my co-workers would come to if they needed help or advice. I have never had any complaints from previous managers and have actually worked directly under some of the top people in the company. Honestly, I want to continue to work for this company but this new manager is affecting my health. I am having panic attacks even thinking about work and am having difficulty sleeping. I don't know at this point how to handle the situation. I know this was long, but really needed to get this off my chest.

Thank you all very much for taking the time to respond. I feel a lot more positive after reading them. The director of the program in my area has been great. She actually offered to go for coffee so we can talk more about the program. Knowing that we won't be required to go through Saxon as we advance is encouraging. I'm still unsure about leaving Rod and Staff, but maybe we can do it in a lighter way until I am more comforatable with the CC program. Has anyone gone from R&S to the CC program? How do they compare?

Thanks for replying. I'm still not sure if CC is going to work for my family. We really love using Rod and Staff for grammar, however I could definitely use the added hand holding for IEW. We might be better off just finding a tutor in our area for this subject.:sad: I really want this type of program, but more as a supplement. I think the biggest deciding factor will be if during Challenge my son would be expected to use Saxon. There really isn't a reason for me to sign him up for a program that we would drop in a year. Hopefully someone can answer this for me.

We have a CC group forming near us and it has sparked my interest. My son will be going into 6th grade next year and it appear like he would fit into the Foundations/Essentials group. I have a few questions/concerns regarding the Essentials group that I am hoping someone on the board can answer for me. 1. Is CC suppose to be a complete program besides math for the younger grades? 2. I notice that grammar is taught and there will be homework given. Do we have to use the grammar program if we participate in Essentials or can we stick to R&S? I guess what I'm asking is if this is an all or nothing type of program. 3. When my son reaches Challenge level is Saxon required? Saxon has not worked for us in the past and I don't wish to try it again.

Borrow The Total Money Makeover book from the library. It will lay everthing out for you and show you how to make a budget. When you are in crisis mode you will not follow the plan exactly, because you will not be paying down debt first you will be saving for emerencies.

I drive a 2004 Honda Civic. I personally love it and will drive it until it dies. It has been the nicest most reliable car I have owned. DH drives a Ford F350 and it just devours money. :glare:

In Florida, when the child is junior or senior high age they are able to take extra classes through virtual school. They can take as few or as many as desired so it makes for a very good option in my opinion. If I wasn't able to afford a complete curriculum I certainly would consider this as an option. Honestly, I am already considering signing DS up for one class. In earlier grades I think it would be easier to get by on what I have and the library. Another great option would be Ambelside online.

OK I probably don't really want to know but I will break down what I have purchased so far. I generally purchase used as most of my prices reflect. TOG for History, Bible, and Literature. Program with extras just over $285 Books so far $120 and I still need quite a few more that my library doesn't carry. Rod and Staff Grammar $25.00 Spelling Workout will probably purchased new from Amazon unless I can find it here used so $27.00 IEW SWI and SICC $300 Rod and Staff Math $25 and Chalkdust $60 Apologia Science $20 Supplement Astronomy book $20-This will only last us 1/2 the year. I am unsure of what we will use after. Considering FLVS, which would be free, or BJU. Latina Christiana 1 $67, Ludere Latine $12, Lingua Angelica I am hoping to pick up used for $20 Rosetta Stone French $30 for a group license over the summer and hoping to find First Start French for $20 So it seems right now I am at about $1000 for the year on things I will be using. Unfortunately, I made some unwise purchases we won't be using that set me back even more. This also does not include co-op, extra curricular, or supplies needed. I am hoping to keep things under $2000. ETA: I could spend a lot less and have in the past but, DH and I felt we needed something more for DS now he would be going into middle school. I'm working extra shifts at work to make up the difference in costs. We school year round and start programs at different times so I can really spread out most of the costs. 2009-2010 school year I probably spent around $1000 total including supplies and co-op but again not extra curriculars. I don't like firguring them in because DS would go regardless of where he was schooling.

I could never be invited to another party and it wouldn't bother me. However, I find it VERY rude when children are left out of things. I also find it rude that parents don't teach there children to respect others feeling and not talk about events others were not invited to in front of them. For instance, we attended a rather small co-op this year and in my sons grade there we maybe 8 boys. There was a group of them maybe 4 or 5 that would always get together and then brodcast it to the others. I realize these boys' mothers were close and they spent time outside of the group together, but the constant rubbing it in the others face that they weren't included was too much. I understand if maybe the kids were around 5 and didn't know any better, but these were 10 year olds and should have known better. :glare: Honestly I'm not sure how I would feel about the FB thing. I think the problem is people "friend" people who really aren't true friends so the atmosphere is different. I mean when someone has 200 "friends" and maybe 10 of those people they see regularly then of course most people won't be invited. I don't really see the need to post for the other 190 people to see either though. Not saying that in this case it is necessarily rude just kind of odd to me. My son isn't allowed on FB so I am not too concerned about other childrens birthdays and such being posted.

NO WAY WOULD I GO! I have no desire to relive high school or reconnect with anyone I went to school with. I also don't facebook or myspace for similar reasons. The people I want in my life already are and those that have fallen to the wayside did so for a reason. Not to sound mean but, I could care less what my prior classmates are doing in their lives.

We have a Sandisk that you can add extra memory to, a tiny Sanza clip, and a Zune. The tiny Sanza clip is mine and it serves its purpose well. I like the fact that I can download books onto it and take it to the gym. It has been suprizingly durable. DH has the Sandisk and also likes it. He uses it more in the car, but is usually the roughest on electronics. DS has the Zune and enjoy the HUGE memory on it. He has books, a few songs, and a few videos. The Zune has had some bad reviews, but I haven't had any problems with it. We purchased them all about 3-4 years ago and they are still working perfectly fine. I personally think all of the MP3 players out there are about the same.

Not exactly sure what I will be getting DH this year. In the past we have bought him tickets to sporting events, concerts, fishing and camping stuff, sunglasses, and electronics. I try to listen throughout the year to DH to get an idea of what he might like.

Columbia has great clothing with UV protection. They even have some nice light weight long sleeve shirts that have ventilation. http://www.columbia.com/mens-long-sleeve-shirts/men-shirts-longsleeve,default,sc.html?sz=1&start=17 They do make these in boys sizes. I have had good luck finding outdoor clothing at Bass Proshops. You can also find pants here that are made for outdoors. Think of very lightweight fishing clothes rather than heavy jeans and thick t-shirts.

I think this was a perfect response. You are absolutely correct homeschoolers do have all of these same opportunities. I think as a homeschooler you have even MORE opportunities to offer your children. The biggest advantage I see over public school is you are able to adjust your schedule to your child's needs.

I still to this day want to be just a mom. I pray that if I ever have a daughter she will have the opportunity, if she chooses, to be just a mom. A mom is a very important job.

I haven't been able to part with any of my old material. I think for me it has more to do with the acceptance that there will be no more children in my future than an actual attachment to the material. There is actually one program that I loathed and even that I keep just in case.:glare: I still have 10yo DS crib, highchair, etc. in storage because I just can't bare the thought of parting with it. In my mind I know I could have paid for a whole new nursery multiple times, but in my heart I am able to rationalize the keeping of it. So many times it is more the emotions attached to the item rather than the item itself.

I would probably leave DS alone in the book store or library for 30minutes-1hour when he is high school age. I do NOT trust strangers, especially in our town. There have be incidents of people loitering outside our library and it makes me VERY uncomfortable to think of leaving DS alone there. I will however, allow DS to stay home alone when I run a quick errand. He knows what to do and who to call in case of an emergency. We also have neighbors who are home during the day. I honestly don't know at what age I would feel comfortable leaving him home alone all day or overnight.

Thanks for posting this. I knew about the B&N program, but never knew of the other 2. Getting a new book is always exciting to DS.

:iagree:I can't get past the fact they are half dressed.

:blushing: I grew up with those phrases, too. I say, "Shut up," but never seriously. I try not to allow DS to say it, but it's a hard habit we are both trying to break. When you think about it is does sound mean.

:iagree::lol::lol::lol: