There are many free vintage readers for beginners. Here are a few we have used: Harriette Treadwell books Vintage Readers separated by level McGuffey Readers (scroll to bottom) There are many more, these are just a few. Susan

I voted if there is no other way, then get a small car with the loan and keep the van. My student loans were 5%, but I'm not sure what the rate is these days. I didn't feel pressure to get more loans and they did not treat me badly. I had to attend a class on campus that explained what I was getting myself into. Then I applied & received the check in the mail. When I graduated, I locked in my rate & paid it back. If anything, getting a loan was too easy, and that in itself can be enticing when you need money. However, if you are disciplined enough to only buy a small compact car and truly pay it off next year, I'd say you will be fine. Susan

Well your church is extra holy, what can I say. Susan

Maybe look at Essentials in Writng, they have dvd's like IEW (well much shorter, but still dvd lessons). Also, if you like the IEW approach specifically, I would look at Meaningful Composition. They also use the keyword outline, etc. Both are fairly affordable, especially compared to IEW (although you could buy the SWI-B for your daughter for only $99 ...even cheaper if you find it used). Hope this helps. Susan

Eh. Doesn't bother me. Jane Fonda is a fabulous actress and she looks like Nancy Reagan. I have no doubt she'll do the part justice. Just my thoughts. Susan

Cake walks and raffles are forms of gambling. Churches don't refuse that kind of money. Susan

Your post is too vague for me to really reply. What bothers you? Is it charismatic and biblical, perhaps just uncomfortable for you? Or is charismatic in a non-biblical way where weird manifestations take place each week in the "name of God?" Is the missions focus different from your own preference, but still done in a biblical manner? Or do they not believe in missions at all?? Just trying to better understand. Susan

Most of the things you're mentioning should come out of a household budget & not a personal budget. You should have individual budgets for all of that stuff and not $250 a week to spend, especially since the grand total is more than what you really have. Susan

New books? or new bOOks??:D Susan

:lol:

I think your friend may be referring to the fact that she is newer mother with younger children. To me a "young" mother brings late teens or early twenties to mind. Susan

LOL. No, but I might ask what year you graduated;) Susan

I met someone the other day that was feeling old because they had just turned 35. To me, that is still vibrant and very young! I'm only 42. I look great. I feel great. I'm better than I've ever been! I didn't even start to love life until I was in my 20's! High school was just trudging through life, but once I got out on my own, that's when I started to really travel, date, explore! And honestly, the best part about getting older is that I am becoming so much more comfortable saying what I want to say. I don't have time to maintain the regrets of tip toeing over everyone's feelings at the expense of my own sanity. Truly, getting older is liberating :D The second half of my life is going to far exceed the first half!! Susan

Wow! Great balls of fire! Your new friend is both hostile and ignorant. I would keep your "friendship" work related only & forget about lunches and get together's. Not cool of Debra at all! Susan

It's only weird because our society is weird. We ask how old kids are all.of.the.time, and we even make a huge deal about turning 21 (and tell the world!). Yet if we dare ask a woman her age, <<<gasp!>>> Unheard of! Rude! How dare you! So stupid. Who cares. I'm 42. It's not a curse for goodness sake. That's my 2 cents:) Susan

Yes. She is learning to read and recognizing that "at" can be read as one sound. Many schools uses such sounds to teach word families like: s-at, c-at, f-at, m-at, r-at, b-at, h-at, etc. I'd say it is a very normal progression.:) Susan

Yes, but even then that isn't a problem that exist because you're introverted. That has more to do with social anxiety and shyness. Although you can be all of those things together of course, they aren't mutually exclusive. i loved this article that states: Contrary to what most people think, an introvert is not simply a person who is shy. In fact, being shy has little to do with being an introvert! Shyness has an element of apprehension, nervousness and anxiety, and while an introvert may also be shy, introversion itself is not shyness. Basically, an introvert is a person who is energized by being alone and whose energy is drained by being around other people. Introverts are more concerned with the inner world of the mind. They enjoy thinking, exploring their thoughts and feelings. They often avoid social situations because being around people drains their energy. This is true even if they have good social skills. After being with people for any length of time, such as at a party, they need time alone to "recharge." When introverts want to be alone, it is not, by itself, a sign of depression. It means that they either need to regain their energy from being around people or that they simply want the time to be with their own thoughts. Being with people, even people they like and are comfortable with, can prevent them from their desire to be quietly introspective.

EXCELLENT! Thanks! Susan

I think you can be introverted and still outgoing. Introverts simply get drained by being very social, while extroverts tend to get energy from a crowd. So being an introvert definitely doesn't equate to anti-social, it just means we prefer smaller groups or being alone. However, many of us are fine in larger social settings; it's just exhausting for us. For myself personally, I love to talk and enjoy people. I just need to be with people I know well and prefer fairly small groups (otherwise it just is draining). I really dislike parties, small talk, large groups that lack a specific goal or direction (but I can work with Habitat fine, because it is a very specific task - if that makes sense. I also enjoy taking classes & have no problem in that type of setting). Susan ETA - in my own family I'm the biggest clown and the loudest of the 5. You would never know it if you didn't know me though!

:iagree:

I believe we continue to live for eternity even after our bodies die. I believe in a literal heaven or hell. But as far as who goes where, I'm not sure. That's my opinion on the matter. Susan

Ugh. I feel for it too! Doh.

I'd have to actually see it on you, but the picture looks lovely and appropriate for sure:grouphug:. Have fun! Susan

Definately no corelation to levell of edukation! Susan

That's really not my experience with American families at all. Where I live, the kids all are born feeling entitled. Wearing name brand clothes, having a cell phone that is paid for, getting a car at 16, etc. Somehow that is their "right". And contributing to the household financially would probably be seen as need for child protective services to get involved. Chores? Babysitting? Sure!!! if you are willing to pay ridiculous wages, like $12 an hour for a fifteen year old to watch your kids Susan.