:lol::lol: If you make it, I'll buy one!

I hope she doesn't reproduce! Good job, btw.

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/InsureYourHealth/lessons-of-a-618616-dollar-death.aspx Comments? :bigear:

I'm glad your ds can get the meds and medical procedures he needs. It sounds like you are part of a group that in total is paying its own way. That's great. I have no problem with that. It also sounds, since you used the word "civilian" that your are part of the armed services? And that they pay your health care needs? If so, thank you for your service to our country. I have no problem with that either, since it is our government's job to provide for our country's defense. Our medication costs are not minimal. The scrips for my 2 dc are about the same as your 1 dc. Also, my hospital stays have been nothing to sneeze at, financially. I understand collective bargaining. Our catastrophic coverage is our "group" plan. I am thankful for it. It gives me peace of mind. So I do have insurance. I do not "choose not to have insurance". All of our conditions are pre-existing. I don't have a problem with that either. You could say we were dealt a less-than-favorable hand medically speaking. So we make choices that allow us to have the capacity to pay for what we need, medically speaking. Why is that a problem? I am handling my own bills, plus a little, since we have not needed the catastrophic insurance. Payment of medical expenses by someone else is not a right. And that's how many people view insurance these days. They think it is a right for them to have all of their medical bills paid "by the insurance". Where do they think that is coming from? Again, it is fine if it is by a group that is paying its own way, as a whole. But that's not what the new healthcare would be. It would force people to pay for other people's medical costs against their will. It will not lower healthcare costs, it will raise them. And I do have a problem with that.

You assume incorrectly that we have not had a medical condition that requires constant monitoring and medication. I have two children with severe asthma. They are each taking 3 medications/day plus inhalers and nebulizer treatments as necessary. (The nebulizer meds are relatively inexpensive). We visited the emergency room, I think 3 times, before we got the meds worked out. We have also had major surgeries requiring hospital stays. We have had to pay for those things. It requires that we do without other things. I certainly wouldn't ask YOU, or anyone else, to pay MY bills. You probably have enough bills of your own. I cannot get insurance for my female gynecological problems. I will probably have to have more surgery for those. We will save the money for it. We will work out a payment plan. But if something hits us out of the blue, we do have our catastrophic insurance. So we won't be a burden on society.

.... so here I go: What you're describing here is a deflationary economy, i.e. a period of falling prices, wages, and interest rates. But that isn't really what's happening here. Yes, wages have fallen, but interest rates have been kept artificially low. The current low rates are more a result of monetary policy designed to boost borrowing and spending than a true reflection of the cost of money. The feds will not be able to keep this up, and print money at the same time. It is not a matter of if, but a matter of when, inflation will hit. Falling wages are due to the "tightening of belts" going on with most of business. Even those companies that have cash available are tightening their belts because they're not sure how long this downturn is going to last. They want to be sure that they can meet their fixed costs for the long term, so they are trimming away at their variable costs (like wages and salaries). So I really hope that other sectors of the economy won't "catch up". I hope that all sectors of the economy will be able to work back into a profitable position so that they'll then have the confidence to hire more people, and stabilize the wages of their existing employees. Health Care: I take issue with your premise that socialized healthcare will lead to a decline in health costs. The thing that will cause a decrease in health care costs is for people to stop acting like it's free!! I hate the mindset that says "well, if the insurance pays for it, I'll have that test done, or take that medicine." There is no free lunch!! People need to stop acting as though insurance is a right. It is not a right. If it is made to be a right, then there is no incentive to live a healthy lifestyle, i.e. refrain from smoking, eat right, exercise, etc. I do those things. I have insurance (which I pay for out of my own pocket) with a ridiculously high deductible, because it is TRUE INSURANCE. It is not there to subsidize my Dr. visits. (Therefore I don't go to the Dr. unless I absolutely have to). It is there in the case of a true emergency, or an illness or injury that would otherwise break us. I pay my own way in life, + just a little bit more. It makes me angry beyond measure to have to pay the way of everybody else against my will. I could go on and on about why the cost of medicine is so high, but I have to move on to other things right now. So, suffice it to say that our technology has outrun our ability to pay for it. Those Dr.s have to pay for all that high-priced equipment somehow, so they schedule tests, because, well, usually "the insurance will pay for it", so people don't complain. That is changing, thank goodness. One last comment about "getting back to basics". That is fine and dandy for whoever chooses to do so. But I would never say that it is a good thing for everybody, or "it's about time we got back to the good ole days", or anything like that. All those unemployed people don't feel like its such a good idea. What we're dealing with here are good old fashioned consequences. The consequences of poor lending, and poor oversight, and lousy government policy, and yes, greed. It is not going to change the world, or human nature. It's just going to set us all on our ear for a bit. And that's just my .02.:001_smile:

I know that there are some french sticker books by Usborne. It is a good way to get a little bit of french going with a youngster. Also, maybe some french songs for children..... I'm thinking a CD of some sort, to get your dc used to the sound of french. I would also talk about french foods. What types of food would your dc like to try while in Paris? Baquettes? Fromage? Patisserie? Lait au chocolat? I would also do an "I Spy" with art in the Louvre. You will be going to the Louvre, right? I would get a book on the works in the Louvre. Pick 3 or 4 that your dc likes, and learn about them. Then, when you go to the Louvre, do an I Spy, and try to find the works. I still remember my favorite from when I went.... "The Polish Rider", by Rembrandt. I was so excited to "find" it! Will you be going to Notre Dame Cathedral? You might want to watch "The Hunchback of Notre Dame", and talk about Gargoyles, and their relevance to gothic architecture. Also Flying buttresses, and their relevance. Gosh, the possibilities are endless. Will you be going to Versailles? There are plenty of books about Versailles. Also, La Rive Gauche (it's free), and La Sienne. You could do some map work and trace the river before you go. Hope that helps a little bit. Have a WONDERFUL time, and by the way, I'm positively green with envy.

Atta girl!! That's what he needs most.... your love and support. :grouphug:

My dh received a significant pay cut, that has caused quite a bit of difficulty in our lives. There are no plans to restore his pay to previous levels.All of the salaried employees at the company received significant cuts. I would be tickled pink by a 1% raise. I would also be sure to tell dh how much I appreciated all of his hard work and his provision for our family. It is harder on them than it is on us. Blessings to you and yours, Jackie

I've heard of many people incorporating a little bit of SOTW with VP, (me included). It is a little break for us once in a while, and it covers those interesting Asian and African historical events and cultures. But VP is a history of Western Civilization, it doesn't claim to be otherwise. I don't think it's BAD to put off American History at all. We are, after all, latecomers to history (Americans, I mean) and VP is a chronological study. But I suppose it would depend on what your goals are. Do you plan to go through to Omnibus? Do you value a chronological study? Do you plan on putting your dc into public school eventually? I have always thought that if I suddenly decided to put my dc into public school, I would simply survey American History the summer before. HTH, Jackie

Famous last words indeed! I swore I would never: 1) Homeschool 2) Return to school myself 3) Be a missionary Well, I've been homeschooling for 7 years, and I am 1 yr. from away from earning my 2nd Bachelor's degree. Never say never! I wonder where God will send me for missions? :lol::lol:

shameless bump

One of the things I've loved about VP is their enhanced CD's. You can print off each chapter as you go, again and again and again. I still use the same books, resources etc. that I used for my first dd 7 years ago. The books are good literature that I am glad I have "around" for my dc to pick up whenever and read. My olders also pick up those books they already read, and read them again. Great for review. I did laminate the cards so they would last for years. I anticipate handing down these resources to my own dc if and when they hs their children. The materials are timeless.

Melissa, I know nothing about TOG, so I can't comment on it. But I have used VP Bible and History from 2nd grade all the way through and it is excellent. My oldest is now in Omnibus III. She absolutely loves Omnibus (started with Omnibus I in 7th grade.) I'm currently using VP with multiple grades with my younger 3, and it works just fine. I just ask my older student to do a bit more by incorporating more writing, and reading more of the books suggested by VP. Also, the VP songs that go with the cards are GREAT. This is the hook, for us. It is amazing how much my dc learn during memory time. It is info. that they retain beautifully. I don't think you can go wrong with VP. If their website is confusing, just call them. Their customer service is great. They also will allow you to sit in on an Omnibus class, if you'd like to get an idea of where all of this is going. Blessings, Jackie

I'm looking for some comprehension guides for dear sons, 2nd and 3rd grade. (But both reading at a 2nd grade level....). I have bought a couple from Veritas Press.... The Boxcar Children, and Homer Price. I want a gentle transition from their reader/workbook format to real literature. Are there any others out there? These guys are all boy! They really won't want any "girlie stuff". Also, free or very inexpensive would be great. I just don't have time to make these up myself. Thanks!

Go with your gut feeling. Don't make excuses. If he's a stand-up guy, he'll understand. Blessings, Jackie

Faith is a gift. If you want stronger faith, ask God for it. He will show you the way. God is the author of our faith. Look to Him for answers to your questions. This short answer is in no way meant to diminish the magnitude of your question. Blessings, Jackie

Can I come too? Signed, mother of two boys ages 8 and 9, who constantly fight. On bad days I google "military schools". It helps.:svengo:

I leave the house alone 4-5 times/week because I've gone back to school, and I have 1 class each day on M-T-W-Th. If not for those classes, gosh, I think maybe 1/mo. I think that's about what it used to be. But I have really noticed that I have a bit more freedom now that my kiddos are getting a bit older.

I am just very saddened to hear of the bad experiences that many of you have had with your youth groups. I would hope that youth group could be a place where Christian kids could go to grow in faith and to spend time with like-minded people. I guess that after all, youth groups are led (or not led) by human beings, and human beings are sinful and fallible. For those of you who wish your youth group were a better place, maybe it's time to consider a leadership role. Blessings, Jackie

...City of Angels. It was great. Made me sob for an hour. I don't usually care for Nicolas Cage, but I LOVED him in this movie. And Meg Ryan is always good. I've added a lot of the other titles to my netflix queue. Next on my list are PS I love you, and The Notebook. Thanks again, and I feel better now...... sniff, sniff.:crying:

'Cause sometimes a girl just needs a good cry. That's all.

I listened to the Science Friday interview with great interest. I would highly recommend it. There was a homeschooler with some great comments who called in to the show. My non-mathy dd was encouraged. ;)

:grouphug::grouphug: I know what you mean......

We had the same dilemma here, too. 4dc, and all of them in various levels of gymnastics. Our 2 dd were competitive; our 2 sons were pre-team. It cost a lot of $. Our coach, a former Olympian, said that our ds could go "all the way" i.e. national level, scholarships, etc. It was NOT flattery. It was getting VERY expensive. Then we moved to a place that did not have gymnastics, but that didn't work out, and now we're back "home". I made it clear when we came back that we just couldn't afford gymnastics. Our daughters, especially, were so sad. It was hard to watch. But this was post-economic crash, etc. The money simply wasn't there. Our club has a booster's club which offers scholarships to help pay for monthly fees. They really encouraged us to come back and make use of the scholarships. It was nice, but truly, the monthly gym fee was only a small part of the cost. The bulk of the cost came in meet fees, uniforms, and TRAVEL. Although it was painful, all 4 of our dc have moved on to other sports. I have found that their gymnastics training has helped them in so many ways in other sports. They all have such great balance and body control, not to mention strength. They are happy, although they still wistfully remember the good 'ole days when we all hung out at the gym for 4 hrs/day.:tongue_smilie: Jean, good luck in your decision. I would say that given your most recent decision to take the deal you were offered, you probably will not be able to stop when you "can't go any further". Gymnastics grows on you. We loved the gym. We spent so much time there that it became our social life. It is a huge commitment for the ENTIRE family. You might be better off to plan on how you're going to cover the cost than to plan to quit later. All of this is said very gently. It sounds like your dd has lots of talent. I wish you the best in your decision.