Not that I can make sense of any of it but I can tell you that we opened schools here about 8 weeks ago. We were at the peak of our infection (over 40 new cases per day per 100,000 population and a test positivity rate over 20% for reference). Our schools opened with just a few modifications (not even mandatory masks). It has not been a disaster. The schools have not had to close. There have been cases here and there and they have quarantined close contacts. But our infection rate as a community has only declined since school started. Kids are playing sports. Clubs are meeting. Life is largely going on as normal and our cases have decreased. Throughout the region some schools started early July. It has not been a disaster. None have shut down and gone back to virtual though some have a policy to close for cleaning when there is a case in the building. Those have closed for the day or two for cleaning and then opened back up.

We have had this and it irritates the snot out of me. For twenty years I did everything-through fours kids and homeschooling, extracurriculars, handled the financials, everything. Then, he is around more and he starts having an opinion about how to load the dishwasher or whatever. I feel like he is coming into my place of employment, where I am an expert, and thinks he has a better way figured out on his first day on the job. Super annoying! We have settled in and have more specific tasks we each tend to. But I've had to tell him to stay out of some of my stuff. It's like, with the coat example, the first time he's ever bought kids' coats and he needs to consider every angle. But I would already have a philosophy on buying coats for kids based on 20 years of experience. I already figured that out in the first few years with the first kid. So, yes, I get it. I do think it is worthwhile to designate who does what jobs. I don't want to discuss everything, especially things I already figured out.

My ds has gotten acceptances from MTSU (with the honors program), UAH, and Tennessee Tech. He has one more to apply to and that is UT-Knoxville. He thinks he will get that in this weekend. He has really been working on getting his essays just right and waiting on a possible award he could receive at the end of this week that he would like to include in his application. He is hoping to be competitive for something beyond the automatic scholarship he will receive there but it is tough so it would be a nice surprise if he got anything extra. He is pretty set on going to UT-Knoxville and has been for as long as we've been discussing college. We did visit UAH and really liked it but it was still a second choice. With the change in scholarships there I don't think it is still in the picture. I think his backup might be MTSU now. I am encouraging him to fill out the extra application for the big scholarship there. It's hard because we all see him just going to UT but I have seen things change mid senior year for my older boys and if for some reason he did have a change in heart I sure would want him to have tried for scholarships at MTSU.

I agree, And honestly, he was never going to get anywhere on his academic chops. He is a great worker/people person. He's great at jobs, not at school. He just needs the degree so that he doesn't hit a brick wall in the workplace because he is really good at actually doing things! But he was never going to be trading on academic awards and honors or test scores or anything. Bright kid and ambitious but not an academic. This is not new! It's just so terribly frustrating and disappointing. But I have told him we support getting him through and I think a general studies degree and getting on with his life is a good outcome. I saw in the catalog that the general studies degree is only available with permission from an advisor or dean or something but this circumstance seems exactly what it would be designed for.

I’ve watched it on and off. It depends on your comfort level. There was an episode about the son losing his virginity so families are going to have different levels of comfort with that kind of thing. Any show with teens seems like it will throw in an episode like that even when most of the time it is more comfortable family viewing.

I think he could get a general studies degree. Obviously not ideal but I thought he could go to grad school (he was looking at some online programs that shouldn’t be hard to get into). I thought if he was going to do that it would be better than spending that time just to transfer and get a bachelors degree. If he is going to spend another year anyway I was thinking that would be better- to get a masters that he wanted anyway. I do think when I looked there was a general studies degree. I actually think if he fails a class or two he could even give it another go in the spring knowing he could get the general studies in the spring if nothing else and move on. I realize a general studies degree is not good - before people jump on me about suggesting that- but it is an option and I am trying to pull options together. Not ideal, I know.

At this point I don’t think he wants to prolong the situation. He feels hopeless he would pass in the future and the longer he waits to transfer the further off he is pushing off graduation. So I think he’s ready to move on. But I am helping him see the options he has. I told him to me trying and we’d revisit the situation in a month. That would give him time to get transfer applications in.

Yes. He has. But now he is worried about other classes even if he passes the stats class. He’s just so discouraged. I’m trying to get him to just see that we will help him figure it out but not to give up. We always knew this school was going to be tough for him. He’s been able to hold his own but it’s been hard. I felt for sure the prof would pass him in stats last semester. There just isn’t any end of semester bump or curve like we have had in most tough college classes our kids (and ourselves)have been in. I’m trying to encourage him to see it through to the end while helping him find a plan B.

I looked all over for a class to transfer in and most business degrees don’t require such a stats class so I haven’t found an equivalent. This class is required for every degree in the business school so he would have to make a big change. I couldn’t find anything he could get without more than another 30 hours in another department. He hasn’t gotten much guidance from his advisor other than just to try again 🙁

Ugh. My second ds. Nothing is ever easy. He is only 20 yo but is in what should be his final semester. He took in alot of de and he has gone to summer school so he is set to graduate in December with a BS in marketing. BUT- he isn't going to be able to, I don't think. He is on his third try with an advanced business stats class. He needs a C- to graduate and he took a W the first try and then got a D last semester. He has tried, gone to a tutor, etc. I think it is really a case that he just isn't going to be able to pass it. 😞 He has three other classes that are extremely difficult this semester and I just don't see him passing all of them. So, I think he is not graduating yet he is so very very close. This ds does not enjoy school at all. He is a decent student. Even with doing poorly in a few classes he has maintained over a 3.0 and kept his scholarship. He overall has done well. He could do better but he certainly hasn't done poorly enough or blown things off to the degree we would withdraw support. He's worked, has an internship. He's not a superstar academic but totally should be getting a degree. So he is just so frustrated and so are we. He has tried and just can't pass. But so close. He is going to come up 3 or 6 hours short of the degree, probably, but retaking seems like an exercise in futility. It's just too hard for him. So, he is looking to put in transfer applications. He wants to stay where he is. He has built a life there and wants to stay so he is going to be looking for an online program. But that's going to be at least another 30 hours to get graduated. As a mom I don't hate this idea. He is so young he could use another year to mature, let the economy start to come back, hopefully, could work and do another internship and build his resume. But another year when he only needs a class or two? But he is really discouraged and wants to be DONE. I thought of Thomas Edison State and thought maybe he could finish that faster? I don't know much about that. Anyone have any thoughts? He seems determined to finish so I don't think he'll be that person that lives the rest of their lives 3 hours short of a degree. But, gosh, such a disappointment for a kid that has gone to school almost continuously since he was in de and was really feeling great about graduating and had started reaching out to employers to get knocked back a year. Anyone have any thoughts on Thomas Edison State in this situation? Or is there another reputable online school that doesn't require 30 hours in residency for the degree? This ds has always talked about going to grad school but it wouldn't be in a competitive program or an elite school or anything like that. UPDATE- He did it. Took the final in the class in question tonight and passed. Just one exam left and that is in a class he currently has an A in. It will be hard to believe until it is all official offical (which will be a week from today). But it appears he will be a graduate next week at this time. Phew!

I grew up much more urban than I have lived as an adult and I have long bemoaned the inability to get anywhere on public transport or by foot. I grew up with access to grocery and restaurants and recreation within walking distance and anything I could want or need via city bus and/or subway. I couldn’t believe when dh and I got married after college and moved down south that there was no place to take an evening stroll to get an ice cream and that we could need more than one vehicle. However, I do feel like the pandemic has cured me from those romantic thoughts of urban life. What has come to mind more often is the importance of living where you are not a total 180 politically from your state leadership. The frustration level of living in a heavily restricted state, if that is not your leaning, or a more open state when you believe in heavier restrictions would really impact happiness. Overall, I have been grateful to live in a state that has handled things the way it has...while I know others would be beside themselves with the leadership.

Agreed! My young adult men kind of drove me nuts their senior years (just starting the year with #3 and it is the same thing). Most kids around here don't leave home so I think they sometimes thought something was wrong with them that they were so restless. I would tell them that it was normal developmentally to feel that way and that I remember feeling that way myself. None of my three would have been better served by an early launch, though. I know it can be right for some kids but probably not most.

I agree. She is doing plenty and is happy. If we get into a groove and have time I will add some back in. I’m not fretting about it at all. She is doing a lot and enjoying it so I’m not going to loose sleep about cramming stuff in.

Spelling, English Grammar Recitation, American History, Christian Studies, the poetry, timeline, recitation, science, greek alphabet book. There is alot of stuff in there! Of her six- one is French from WTMA so extra not part of the core and she is taking Classical Studies 1 which would be in next year's core. So those two are extra and wouldn't have been in the core anyway.

We have a problem with the next door neighbor letting her big dog run loose. He barks at us like he is protecting our own house from us. He stands in the road and stops traffic. He poops giant poops in my yard everyday often twice. I have opened my car door only to have it standing there waiting to bark at me. Such a giant nuisance! Well, in this case the owner is an older lady. I have talked to her. Dh has talked to her. She kind of shrugs and says that is how it is. We live in a small town and she is well connected and we are outsiders (and damn yankees at that). Never felt in our best interests to call animal control. So I have a special shovel I use to clean up this dog's big poop every day. Just saying- I am nonconfrontational and that is where it has gotten us.

This is exactly what I do. My washer is right off my kitchen so I just throw towels straight in there. Then on wash day I do towels first. Or, if I am washing a load of nicer clothes I will pull them out and leave them on the floor in front of the washer until the next load.

Oh that would be perfect for a dog lover! The names of the coffees are cute and fun and would be the perfect gifts for dog moms and dads otherwise hard to shop for. Thanks! That is the exact kind of suggestion I was looking for.

I’m starting to think about Christmas shopping. I’m not the most inspired gift giver so it is a little stressful. I did have a good idea for the girlfriends of my young adult sons. It is always a challenge but this year I think I am going to purchase them wristlets or wallets and put a gift card or two in them. There is a local non profit that teaches women in crisis to sew along with supporting them with other resources to get their lives on track. They make beautiful purses and accessories. I think the young women I am purchasing them for would like the wallets and also appreciate the sentiment behind where they are purchased and it would make me happy to support the nonprofit. They are pricey but I would feel good about it. So that got me thinking. Where else can I do my shopping and purchase unique/ high quality items while supporting a good cause? I know there are tons of these organizations. Does anyone here have a favorite? There is another one in my town that is a home for pregnant women and mothers to recover from addiction and get on their feet to help them get housing/get custody/visitation etc. They make bath products and lotions both to raise funds and to get job training and experience. I don’t love their products particularly but I do love their cause and purchase from them from time to time. So what are your favorites places to purchase with a purpose? I could search online but would love to hear about any you have specific experience with. Here is the place that sells purses - https://projectfree2fly.com/

My boys have all felt ready to fly the nest by end of junior year. We have filled that need by doing almost exclusively dual enrollment at the local university. The oldest was very busy with a sport but the second two had jobs. The combination of de on a college campus and working outside the home got us through. It isn’t the easiest time in my house. I’ll be honest.

If you outsource, that is. Of course it is great if you do everything on your own 🙂 My 7th grade dd is finally up and going in all of hers. She has a lot but I think it is going well. Just getting the hang of the schedules. She has five with MPOA and 1 with WTMA. We’ve used the two providers for years so that part isn’t new. In the past, dd was able to take MPOA classes and still complete the rest of the MP core curriculum. I am seeing that is not happening this year. I’m going to have to pick and choose what we do and the way we we do it. That is fine, she is getting plenty through her classes. It is just an adjustment for me because the first time we really can’t do it all. She really likes her classes, though, so we are happy. We are looking at a twice a week cottage school for next year. She is the only one left at home, quite lonely, and there really is nothing socially for her here to meet the need without sacrificing our academic goals. I suspect the workload from six online classes will prepare her for whatever the cottage school could require.

Yes! I used to work in a restaurant and think I was superwoman that I could cut onions while everyone else suffered. Then one day I wore my glasses instead of contacts and found out it was the contacts. 😂 Over the years, as I wore contacts less and cooked more, I have tried everything to be able to chop onions and nothing works except the contacts. I love onions and use them in everything but I can't chop them if I am wearing my glasses. I just a couple years ago saw the tip to add a splash of water to scrambled eggs. Big improvement.

The changes at UAH might drop it off my son’s list. We both liked it and think it is a great school but the change in price point makes a difference. If it was a second choice and he was going for financial reasons it becomes less attractive. If first choice doesn’t work out he might drop down his list to one of our regional state schools that would be very inexpensive. Before it was his first choice state flagship, UAH a little cheaper, then other state Us that would be much much cheaper. Now that UAH isn’t cheaper than our flagship for him it loses some of its appeal. (And he loves hockey as a spectator sport and they ended their hockey program...a very small detail but was something unique about the school to him). He already applied so it is still there as an option but I think it will come down, for ds, to his dream school first choice or another state school for cheap. Either the first choice or the most economical choice (which both make sense for different reasons). It actually isn’t a bad approach, I don’t think. I have seen college lists where students ended up at a school pretty far down their list and still paid a lot. I don’t like that option!

That is very frustrating.

Well, UAH posted their automatic scholarships and, as I expected, they are reduced somewhat for my ds at his ACT score. It's kind of a bad news/good news for my ds. The bad news is that UAH would be more expensive than it would have been this past year for him. The good news for him is that UAH is his second choice and now his first choice isn't any more expensive than UAH. So, it is sad, but probably works out in his mind because he won't get parental pressure to go there to save money. I had seen that they were changing the scholarships and I had also seen where they had another year of record enrollment. That combined with Covid budget crunches this isn't surprising.

That is a very cute doggie! I am not an animal or dog person at all. I never had a pet in my life until six months ago. I somehow let my dd get a dog. While I am still not a dog lover I do love our little pup. She still has accidents and I will admit here that they don’t even bother me much. If you would have told me that a dog having potty accidents in my house would not make me nuts I wouldn’t have believed you. But, hey, she’s working on it. It’s okay 😂