:grouphug:I'm right there with you in the rut and not sure how much help I'll be in the motivation department. Yesterday I was so perplexed by my scheduling dilemma that I managed to completely rearrange and deep clean the living room furniture and then sort through the game cabinet. Today I'm putting plan A on paper, which happens to be last years plan. My ds's was a weekly plan slipped into a plastic sheet protector. I then wrote in the page numbers etc. in with Vis-a-Vis wet erase markers. (Dry-erase smudges and doesn't work.) DS did like the weekly check list because he could try to get it all done and have an extra day or two free to himself. My real problem is one of work space and schedules conflicting. I'm not sure how to get both of their lessons done without some truly ingenious thinking, and as mentioned above my brain isn't cooperating. Then again, the living room does look pretty good and cleaning often does lead to a few of those...Ah-ha moments of clarity.

We have free access on-line from our local library too, but haven't tried it.

Our Bookstore wants to make $$$. Spongbob is a cutie compared to to former celebrations of A Dog Named Fart. Apparently the title compels a number of patrons to toot and I just can't get passed the title. :001_huh:

:grouphug:Praying here for Amanda.:grouphug:

I have a big basement with a retractable line and a fold up drying rack in my laundry room on the first floor. Outside drying just doesn't work that well here most of the time and none of my neighbors have outdoor lines. Other neighborhoods do have lots of clothes lines, but our seasons here limit the number of months you can use them.

Not many families around here have a line outside, but they are permitted in most neighborhoods. I line dry indoors because of the humidity, bugs and pollen in the summer and the winter here would simply freeze the stuff.

China is on my no list for food purchases. It's crazy that so much is shipped from over there and now many US companies are stamping their products... PACKED in the USA as a way around made in the USA.

Nadia, I'm glad your feeling a bit better. Migraines can be triggered by so many things and getting rid of a big one can take days. I did the headache journal (free off the web) and was surprised by my results. Stiff neck, cola, sun and hormones were biggies for me as well as the mild dehydration. I ditched the cola, always wear sunglasses outdoors and carry water. Anyway, I hope you find complete relief.

bump :001_smile:

Squarefoot gardening has saved me the $800 CSA membership minus the -$100 it cost to build, buy and plant the two raised boxes. I love having the veggies right out back and not too many of any one thing. Did I mention squarefoot gardening is easy?:D

I'll give a brief sample from the Teacher Guide for you from Themes In Literature. How Much Land Does a Man Need? by Leo Tolstoy... The TM gives a brief Introduction, Summary,and Author Information followed by 6 or so questions (with brief answers in blue) a For Further Discussion and then a Write About it. This is pretty standard for each selection although some have Enrichment Activities instead of the Write About It, along with Literary Concepts such as Romanticism, Sonnets etc. There are also Unit Review questions with answers. And Chris, this isn't going to sound good no matter how I try to say it, but I don't even have to read the stories or selections in order to discuss them. They've made it pretty much prep, or busy with the family-proof. hth

We just renewed ours again, they sent us a very detailed spread sheet this year showing our savings and everything we spent. The spread sheet really hit home how much I'm able to save without coupons or the fuss of sales, packed stores etc. Gas alone would be worth it, but we also love the savings on bananas, bread, cheese, butter, carrots, potatoes, cottage cheese, Laughing Cow Cheese, Parmesan, paper towels, TP, tissues, meds, books, cereal, sugar, rice, flour etc. We simply did save more than enough to spend the full membership fee.

My dd loves ABeka and asked to continue with it. Last year they scheduled six novels of her choosing from different genres in addition to the literature book . It was easy to slip in some good ones. (WTM & WEM are awesome library lists for high school students.)

Welcome, welcome. :grouphug: I still feel like my baby and I are too...I'm not ready for my baby to be a high school student, but it's slowly sinking in that she already is.

If you feed them...you will never get rid of them.;) We've had one knock on our window during lunch. My kids thought is was funny and thought he might consider it a drive through window.

The flu stinks...and I hope you all feel better soon.

Thanks... It was only two days passed the date and I'm feeling all better now, but I'm steering clear of anything expired for a while.

I'm sorry to add another vote to the no camp due to the meat and temp. :grouphug: fwiw, In many cases of doubt.. I do allow myself or dh to eat things that I wouldn't give my kids. That casserole isn't one I'd try though. Now to admit my adventurous eating spirit...I did eat expired yogurt and cheese this week...but then again I was sick for three days too.:tongue_smilie: I'd definitely toss it, I'm getting queasy just thinking about it. Sorry..

Walmart has the visa cards now as does Sam's and most of our local drug stores. :grouphug:Prayers for the little girl and her family. This is just so sad.

:grouphug:Prayers:grouphug:

Oh cool. I hope my Sam's will give me a few. Thanks...

(((Heather))) Hugs and prayers that you are all happy and healthy on the trip. It's better to get all the yuck over before you travel, so this could be a blessing. :grouphug:

"But kids need to be around bullies so they learn their place in life." That was a quote taken from a long lost conversation. :001_huh: It also went on to the other missed opportunities such as snow days, prom, field trips and being able to make fun of the teacher with their classmates. Anyone puzzling with the question of whether or not to homeschool should definitely spend an hour with my in-laws. :tongue_smilie:

Oh, Scarlett...I've been wondering about you and I'm sending hugs and prayers your way.

It all depends on the state.city.job etc... My df in NY is using NARS because they (the state) do not accept a hs diploma for many things. So far she has had a good experience with them. I also know two local families here who used and are currently using NARS. They did not/would not rank the graduate from two years ago, who was accepted to a local university. Their advisor didn't mirror Brenda's experience.