Yongest dd actually picked Abeka's Physical Science. It was a bit too botany heavy for my taste, but she liked it. Another hit was Earth Science. Dd liked a Pearson book for that. Holt has an Environmental Science book. Both dc expressed interest in meteorology and astronomy so we explored text options for that.

IMHO, You could easily do both levels of Winston. We did both levels in a semester. Someone recently asked me what were some of my favorites that I used in homeschool and would absolutely use again and/or recommend. Winston was one of those. For my more visual learner dc, it was a huge help. She could see what she was doing with sentences. For my more logical dc, she would see the rules, grasp the placements. It is more parsing than diagramming. Maybe take a look at Growing with Grammar?

Hillsdale College has a free online constitution course. I've not taken it or used it, but I recently spoke with a family who has used it. They spoke well of the course. Again, no first hand info, just a random conversation with someone who said they were glad they used it

Dd has made Chancellor's list the past 3 semesters. But, given how difficult the Fall semester was, I am especially pleased for her.

Both my daughters went through this gap phase as well It was tough finding books they enjoyed. Oldest was especially hard as she did not like science fiction or fantasy. She did like Sherlock Holmes mysteries though. She also found some adventure/biography books at the library about westward expansion. Sorry, can't remember titles. She also developed a love of poetry and read quite a few DIY books. Youngest discovered old science fiction: H. G. Wells Time Machine, Bradbury Martian Chronicles, McAffrey 's Dragonriders of Pern. She remains a scifi fan to this day actually.

I had a major back pain flare last month. One of the worst I've ever had. Went back to the basics: stretching, ice, heat, balance ball. Slowly worked up to bridges, clams, squats, etc. Still not able to do full planks. I'm doing forearm and knee planks but so far just can't get back to full planks. Started walking again....1 mile is about it for now. But, weather is nice, dog is enjoying the walk and 1 mile is way more than I could do in all of January. It doesn't look like I'll be able to do Pilates again for quite some time (Covid restrictions and changes). Only 1 class since first week of March 2020, so home exercises are really necessary. I miss the classes and the comradery as well as the pilates reformer. But, I have weights, bands, yoga mats, etc. I can do a lot here. Now that the pain is under control, I'm working on building back up. Slow going, but so grateful to be able to move without that awful pain.

yes. We did both. I had planned out what needed to be covered to complete the program. I also had planned out what I'd like to get covered. The "needed" was mandatory. The "like" would be nice, but would not affect the program if not complete. So, we knew from the start that we needed to get from point A to point B. We outlined what that should look like, but realized there would be changes. Some sections went fast, some needed more time

There are SAT vocabulary review books and flash cards. We used a word builder book (sorry can't remember the name now) that covered about 10 words a section. Some were just words that are often misused (affect/effect for example) but many were just important words that are often seen on vocabulary testing for college. We also spent some time periodically reviewing latin and greek word roots. I switched over to editing (Editor in Chief from Critical Thinking Company). And we read really good literature that kept the vocabulary going.

That is good to hear!!!!!

I use a Sephora brand color corrector in peach. My go to concealer is Tarte Creaseless and I have worn that without full face makeup.

I've been able to return product to Ulta. Our Sephora does not do samples anymore. They can put a swatch on plexiglass but that is about it. I don't care for that because I can't feel the texture of the product. I did order from MAC. Their customer service was VERY helpful and they will also do a video chat. I can return product I don't like it. Our local mall makeup counters are very limited in both what they can do and what product they have in stock. So, I'm thinking online is about it for a while. I'm wondering if makeup companies are hurting because of the current situation.

Laura Mercier was one of my go to. I was given some for Christmas but they are all shimmer

I'm looking for a basic, go-to eye shadow base that I can wear daily to brighten up my eyes. I'm almost 60 so I don't want any sparkle. My usual go-to has been reformulated with sparkle. Any suggestions?

My oldest struggled a lot with spelling. We finally used Wanda Sanseri's Spell to Write and Read. We started at level one and moved (quickly for a while) through the program. The spelling rules really helped dd. She has always been my "just the facts" learner. She didn't want literature based or Charlotte Mason type learning styles. She wanted a more straightforward approach. Also, dd learned ASL and that really helped. Finger spelling tied together everything in a kinesthetic way for her. In way of encouragement......dd recently graduated university with a BS in Communications/Public Relations and a minor in Sociology and multiple honors. Somewhere along the line, she learned how to spell, and edit 🙂

I've not used Shormann so I can't comment to that particular curriculum. I have used TT (and Lials, and Saxon, and MUS). Sometimes a good curriculum is just not a good fit. Might be a learning style issue or a layout issue. Oldest dd did not learn well from TT but did amazingly well with Saxon followed by Lial's pre-calculus. Youngest dd did amazingly well with TT until pre-calculus then did very well with MUS. Before switching curriculum, evaluate if it is a learning style issue, a curriculum layout issue, an instruction issue, etc. That way, you can select a different program that is perhaps better suited.

everything was accepted at new university from previous university. Having said that, not everything counted toward core major. 1 computer science class counted toward an elective and a math also counted toward an elective. 1 government counted as an elective not a core class if that makes sense. In other words, she can use all the credits, but not necessarily as they were applied previously

Dd is majoring in both computer science and math. At her new university (had to transfer this semester due to current Covid situation) she will get a BA in math and a BS in computer science. She also has the choice of getting 2 degrees (double major) or 2 degrees (dual degree). Pros? Cons? She plans on continuing her education and specializing with a masters degree and perhaps even a Ph.D. Thoughts? Thanks!!!

This semester has been just short of a disaster. Tech issues have abounded. She has a Cal 3 test on Tuesday and still does not know how it will be administered. They told her on Thurs that she had to take it in person (it is a fully online class). Then told her she can't come on campus as she is not an on campus resident and the campus has restricted access. Dd , who is a Chancellor's List student, is genuinely worried about continuing the semester. The chancellor announced this past week that the spring semester will be just like the fall semester with possibly more restrictions (depending upon govt regulations). Dd has already decided not to return for spring. She is applying to other universities that were already offering online degrees prior to covid. It makes me sad. She enjoyed last year so much.

3 of dd's 5 are online. But, her computer science class is still hybrid. 2 other local universities are offering the same class online, but dd's is not. She looked at taking the class at one of the other places, but it is not enough time now to get all the paperwork done for Fall semester (it starts the 24th). She is getting it set up for Spring semester just in case. Unfortunately, if her university keeps the hybrid (and they say they will not offer it online unless the Gov shuts down the universities), then she will have to drop it.

Dd might want to switch from traditional university setting to online university. I've found DeVry and SNHU. Are there other universities that offer a decent online degree for math and/or computer science??

our local CC is offering it online, but they need her transcripts from uni and CC says they can't get it all processed in time for Fall. She has petitioned the uni for the ability to do synchronous online. They are "looking into it" but might not have an answer before the 10th of August...which is deadline to decline the dorm (move in day is the 16th). If she is not 100% online when she declines the dorm, they will charge her $500. She will drop the hybrid class if it is not synchronous. But, she really needs the class (pre req for everything else in 2nd degree) and doesn't want to drop it, then find out on the 12th that it can be done virtual. The housing dept told us if she declines the dorm, she might never get another dorm assignment. The uni requires all students under 21 to live on campus, upper class men can apply, but they have very limited housing available to them. Students already living in the dorm get priority. Dd, declining the dorm, will be on the bottom of the list for future semesters. And yes, I totally agree with the bolded sentence. It makes no sense on any level, covid, financial, or otherwise. Just way too many variables. The housing person told me they must have a certain number of quarantine floors and rooms in each dorm. Again, just way too many unknowns.....

Dds classes updated to 2 online, 1 synchronous online, 1 hybrid (either once a week or twice a month). But that is not cut in stone. They keep "kicking the can" further down the road. Now the "hard deadline is Aug 14. Since she is under 21, if she keeps the hybrid class, she will have to live in the dorm. It is a pre req class for most of the rest of her 2nd major. But, who knows what the fall will bring? She would rather be 100% online. Maybe it is time to look into universities who offer online degrees in Math and Computer Science?

The financial crisis for institutions of higher learning is sure to cause major ripples throughtout. The financial impact on students and their families is already creating major impacts. Who knows how long this situation is going to last? Will online schools such as DeVry and SNHU be better options? I don't like any of what is happening right now. I long for the "good ole days" of dd sipping a latte on the (college) library patio while working on a group project with several of her classmates. Hearing dd's joy at attending a concert, or movie night, engaging in fascinating debate and conversation in classes. Oldest dd graduated from college in May. And yes, there were lots of tears as her grad day came and went. She attended a college out in a more rural part of our state. It was indeed, a "college town." And she said it was so sad seeing businesses that were not going to be able to reopen due to loss of revenue from on campus students.

then go 100% online. I totally agree that changes are happening daily. Flu season will be upon us before we know it. Strep will kick up soon too. So, if the situation is that uncertain...and it appears to be....then call the question.....go online 100%. Or at least give us the option now to make those changes. We can't change her schedule now but we don't know what will happen with it. It is just too uncertain. And don't charge us penalties if we don't go the dorm route since we don't know what will happen next..... I do understand and have sympathy with the folks making these difficult decisions. I would not want to be in their shoes. And more than likely, what ever they decide to do will greatly upset some and will please others. It doesn't appear to be a win win situation.

At some point, they are going to have to make some sort of a decision. Dd's move in date is 10 days before the start of classes and 14 days after the powers that be supposedly going to tell us "final" plans. I'm not moving her in and all that goes with that (100 degree heat and wearing a mask) only to have them change their minds the first day of classes. Dd looked into changing her schedule to all online, but the schedules are locked now and can't be changed....unless of course "they" (whoever that is) change it without notice or consideration to other obligations. Am I going to have a $4000 dorm bill or not? The economy is hit hard enough at the moment. Money has never been free flowing for us (as is the case for lots of folks).