we did algebra 1 and Geometry with TT, my son (who is a math guy) did well, and this year, we wanted to give MUS a whirl for Algebra 2. He loves it, we score together, and he says he likes the extra work or practice problems. Yeah, he likes math. I asked him if he could do it over, and he says he would go with MUS, but obviously TT didn't kill him. (he is 15 1/2 and dry humor), but that his Science might! hahah for the record, I feel a bit more involved with the MUS, as we score daily together, and I am remembering my Algebra2 from 1981! hahah

I write blogs for busy scrapbook designers, and make scrapbook elements, clusters and such from their designs that they sell in their kits. I also do assisting for a few very busy ladies that are making good money in the digital scrapbook business, and they pay me well, and give super bonus. I also get all my supplies for free. I maintain their calendar, send reminders, keep my ear to the ground for advertising opportunities and do the little things that take time.

Three years into homeschooling! My girls moved last week into their rooms to school. It feels really different. The boys have been in their rooms for about 6 months, but getting my girls to a more independent level took a bit longer. All 4 come out for us to check math together, and with the youngest three to introduce new math lessons, but that is about it. The girls will come bounding out of the room with a discovery in Science or in SoTW they really enjoyed. The boys have a heavy load of experiments, so if one seems real interesting, they will let us all know for an audience. I have a job on line, so my I am still by the dining room on the computer a few hours each day. But I get it done, and am off. I don't seem to "surf" as much, which is help too! Just wanted to post this, cause I am excited!

oh wow! we have tried a few home school groups, and I thought I was the only one til the hive "set me free" :001_smile: We started hs late in the game, one in mid high, 3 at the end of elementary. Our 3rd week into going to these groups, one of the mom's inadvertently scheduled a meet up on a day school was out 1/2 day! This meant all the mid high kids roamed the park with us. The hs-ers, began packing up their things and gathering their children as if the Zombies were upon us. There were friends of my kids in this school, and they were excited to get a game of football going. The tried to get the other boy HSers to play. They weren't allowed. Yeah, they weren't allowed to play with public school kids. My oldest, says, "Dude, up until last month I was in this same public school?" One mom rushed up to me, "where are your girls?? "(they were 9-10 at the time) "this is public school" "We are all leaving to try another park" I pointed them out, they were on the swings with two of the kids from the school, laughing. I said, these are their friends, and we are staying. We stayed in this group, so every Friday I could come home and growl, and my kids could ask questions about why won't the kids play? or how come so and so won't play with us? Yeah, it took me a while, and then I just faded away....it was a lovely fade. We try different ones here and there. But, it is a family decision to go back. Life is too short to be vexed needlessly.

I don't know you and I read this and was confused, then I read your siggy and burst into tears... my tears are nothing to your loss :grouphug:

We used ALEKs as a supplement with MUS and it helped a ton, in that because it covers things prior to MUS, when we got to it, they had a bit of an introduction already. We used it up til they were out of Zeta... I am a MUS fan, and we are up to Algebra2 and have enjoyed it, and the support so much! Algebra 2 and a live phone call to someone who can explain? priceless!

I live in the dry dry New Mexico desert where my clothes can be dry before I finish hanging the load. My children are humiliated that their underclothes are on the line, but my dryer is electric and our bill is about $40 cheaper using the line. 4 children make a lot of laundry, and now that they are tall enough, they hang their own! (and hide their undies in between):lol:

I want to recommend a great place for you; DST-Digi Shop Talk-just a place to go, to see what is going on in the business of digital scrapping...remember all of the ladies there were beginners and they love to help! ♥ and there are Freebie sites for digital things to begin Creative Busy Hands and this is a very very very addictive hobby! but oh so fun

I love being the "chef" and manager of the kitchen in our home, and am rather thankful I can do it. My dh is not a big fan of cooking, so I totally understand you wanting to make it easier for him! ♥ One thing I have done in the past is when I make say an enchilada casserole, I will make another and pop in the freezer. You can do this with a few of the meals you have that everyone loves. Build up a few in the freezer. Then on those days, you have to be gone, take it out in the morning to thaw and pop in the oven. Paper Plates! woot! Hubby will have a blast with the kids, just fun time.

I love Adobe products, and 4 years ago was clueless to photoshop! I am now an addict and believe anyone can use Photoshop!!! Adobe has 1000s of free tutorials, as does youtube I make good money making pages and things for designers of Digital scrapbook kits. It is a part-time job that I can do while the kids are crunching numbers and experimenting on soap and such in my kitchen! lol You can see some of the things you can do with PS! http://anneofalamo.blogspot.com/ I just moved into CS5.5 and gak! wow wow wow, I don't even know what 3/4 of the bells and whistles are, but I have fun ringing them! You can do it!! It is fun. Masks are like a way to erase things but really you are masking...black is taking it away, white puts it back. it is just a mask the original pic is still there. The best is to find someone who has tutorials that speak your language, I like it when they say things like the doodle bug button that makes little marching ants go around your image...it works for my brain google: Free PS10 tutorials...and enjoy! remember in adobe, control z is your friend, it is the UNdo button and then alt control z will go back like 10 steps!! bless those 3 buttons!!

The ABC/WMUR New Hampshire Debate will be held at the Dana Center at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, 100 Saint Anselms Drive, Manchester, New Hampshire on Saturday, January 7th at 9:00 p.m. Eastern. Live stream at one, both, or neither of the above links. Just in case, the TVPC link for ABC: http://tvpc.com/Channel.php?ChannelID=6749 or http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/livenow?id=8494243 google New Hampshire Live debates streaming and there are more....ABC is the host.

We loved them! An enjoyable time was had by all as they were read. My now (He read them at age 6 or 7?) 13 year old son, was enticed into History on his own after Volcano at Noon? I think that was the title? He researched the real story of Mt. Vesuvius. He now devours any book about History for fun. Then, I am the run-on queen, had to take Easy Grammar 3rd grade first by myself so I could teach what a verb and preposition was to my children. English was never my forte'! ha ha :lol: and I home-school!

he just got his license (permit) to drive with restrictions on Tuesday and we go today for insurance he is 15 1/2 and a great driver! he has been driving since the day he turned 15! :auto:

you are brilliant!!

We (or my kids) do a lot of chores.:scared: They do their own laundry, from washing/hanging on line, to putting away. Each has a set chore in the am(4 kids) kitchen-counters, dishes, floors, and sweep (mop as needed) living room- declutter, sweep/swift wood floors, vacumn as needed, dust and straighten. bathrooms-fly lady swish and wipe daily and outdoors and animals-scoop, clean, water, and feed animals Summer time-the lawns are done together Then they are responsible for cooking once a week (each child) They are beginning to do grocery shopping little by little and will eventually go together and get the groceries. I do NOT do dishes. :D Once a week we take 1 hour from school, and tear the house apart for a deep clean in each main room. I help, but now they can do it all. We move furniture, mop floors and wipe down walls, and cabinets! Loud music and laughter! My house stays clean and that keeps me from going insane. That is the key, I twitch when my house is funky. So school runs quick and efficient, and they like it when I don't twitch!:gnorsi: all that sounds like so much when written down, but they work as a team. We have stressed that from the get go. My oldest boy just got a job as an electricians helper this week, and the contractors are arguing who gets to have him next. My kids are workers, and I can pound fractions into their heads, teach them about ancient civilizations, and the periodic table, but I want them to be responsible and hard working adults too! My fear? When they grow up and move out, :seeya:I will have to do it again! :lol: Hoping they will have grand jobs and hire a maid for dear ol' ma!:001_wub:

I have one boy almost ready for 8th grade and eeep twin girls that are following right behind him...almost catching up!! but one boy that made it thru already, so I think I have it under control...which makes me quake in fear, as each time I think, I am proved wrong.

Rahab, because she believed and was saved! oh I love her and Leah, because all though, she married in trickery, study the names of her children and understand her walk with God! for man: Barnabus, how he encouraged others!

Yeah, we are arguing with the agent (who was homeschooled)! growl but Iwill prevail or will take my very excellent driving and Payment record to another agency. :D

thank you so much! I am making his transcript up now!! we will bring in to Insurance today! woot!

yes, they give a substantial discount for honor roll students. My best friend (homeschooler also) is going thru this with me. State farm (at least here in my little town) is a bit perplexed at the Home School standards and how to handle it. We both are current State Farm customers.

So he takes his test this upcoming Tuesday. He will go on our insurance. He is paying the difference. He pretty much straight A's in his studies. We do P/F on some subjects. He fails, he redoes til he Passes. But he doesn't fail. He is a pretty smart kid. I go with the actual state standards for his requirements. He just takes more in one year than he would in PS. So he does like 8 courses. (goal to graduate at 16) I am in New Mex, our requirements to HS: teacher must be parent/guardian teacher must have GED/diploma must be in school 180 days and register with the state (to get a number) State Farm wants a report card? any one have a nifty keen-0 one I can look at to make one? lol or ideas? thank you in advance!

that was a hilarious story, thank you for the giggle this morning!! Hope they all enjoyed more mints! tee hee:D

Our garage is used constantly(Ping Pong table), and underneath, those rolling plastic drawers fit perfect!! We have boxes of old curriculum underneath, as well as plastic tubs of paper/art supplies. It is out of the way, and organized. I have to admit to having 3 full bookcases in my living room....but they are well loved and I love how they look! ♥

Hubby is home today, and kids have cash in hand! We are going to do a bit of after Christmas sale shopping, very low key, (the kind the kids run amok and hubby and I sit and drink coffee on bench) Eye appointments tomorrow in the big city (70 miles away)-so will do Sam big shopping also. Very low key week, New Year's Eve celebration (potluck) at church. We go back school on the 9th! ♥ think it we are watching a couple toddlers that week so should be an adventure too! never a dull moment!

I found this book in the library years ago. I would check it out and read yearly. I am not Mormon, but the organization ideas are fantastic. A house of order by daryl. Hoole That along with the Managers of Their Home These two helped me tremendously.