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Kay in Cal

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Posts posted by Kay in Cal

  1. the skin on my face itches, and my lips swell up a bit. So... am I allergic?

     

    All my life I've noticed some itching, particularly with grapefruit, but I've always thought it was just normal--because the grapefruit is really acidic. Today I picked a bunch of oranges off our backyard trees. They taste awesome! So as I feasted on fresh oranges--my lips and face start to itch. Now my mouth is swollen. I only rarely drink orange juice, and usually only have fresh oranges a few times a year. Is this just "normal" for so much citrus?

     

    I do know I'm allergic to shellfish, but in that case my airways swell shut and I can't breathe.

     

    I've got three huge trees full of hundreds of oranges in the backyard. I hope it's not an allergy!

  2. I think it's a personal thing... as an extrovert, I can't really feel better about something until I TALK about it. With the more people, the better. So in that sense, I guess I do care what others think--I get fed my extroverted interaction. If I remain silent, then I just feel worse and worse...

     

    I'm not certain that is Cathmom's opinion, but if I had gotten an obnoxious message I wouldn't be able to feel better about it until I processed it in discussion with others... one of the things the internet is great for. Instant access to lots of others to talk to, even when my introverted dh is "talked out" with my day.

  3. I have a son with severe ADHD, borderline Aspie as well. Lots of good recs already, but what has helped most is simply knowing that what works for "most" people won't necessarily work for me, and that "common wisdom" may or may not be helpful when it comes to my ds. I have no doubt he'll turn out to be a wonderful (if unusual) adult, if we can all only survive his childhood. Hugs, and take care!

  4. I've gotten great ideas from the boards in years past.... any new ones?

     

    The best idea I have thus far is to get him a sculpted figure made from his favorite RockBand character, but I'll have to get him to help me do that, so it wouldn't be a surprise. He loves surprises.

     

    Usually I do books, video games, etc. Last year I had a Dr. Who theme (t-shirts, sonic screwdriver, etc). I'm stumped. Help me, Obi Wan!

  5. I also like Bookmarks Magazine -- http://www.bookmarksmagazine.com/

    It is a wonderful collection of various reviews, with "reviews" and articles on classic authors as well.

     

    Smithsonian

     

    National Geographic

     

    Utne Reader is always great as well ... http://www.utne.com/reader.aspx lots of thought provoking articles from alternative press magazines.

     

    For history buffs, I love BBC History magazine. Not deep, but lots of short articles kind of like Mental Floss, and so fun to browse each month. http://www.bbchistorymagazine.com/Default.asp?bhcp=1

     

    I do love magazines!

  6. OK, I know I've posted on this before, but I am a dummy. I can't find the best/easiest sock patterns. On the net I can find toe-up, toe-down, knit flat, etc, etc... but I simply don't know enough about them to pick which one is best for a novice! I've done my homework in the past month--

    I've now made four, yes, four dishclothes of a variety of patterns--I can knit, purl, yarn over in a variety of ways, left twist, right twist, etc. So I'm a beginner, but now I have a variety of stitches down well in the flat.

     

    Please, please, please think I am a very dull girl indeed, and give me some clear advice--which is the best sock pattern to start with? (I'll take it as read that this is just your opinion, etc). I've gotten so many ideas and links and I don't have the experience to choose. So all you advanced folks pick for me, and I'll start!

     

    Here is what I have:

    double ended needles sized 2

    self-striping sock yarn

    a small circular needle (9 inches?), sized 2

     

    What I want:

    to make socks, don't need to have a fancy pattern (plain flat socks are fine), using my double needles preferably--or the small circular one if I don't have to make 2 at once, which makes my head spin

     

    I have no idea what size they will turn out, or how to gauge that, and at this point I'll make any sized socks for any sized person, as long as the pattern is simple.

  7. I put down WTM because that was my starting point... but truthfully I've learned more about specific curriculum choices from doing research myself and asking on the boards. However, the recommendations I've found on the boards usually fit into a "slot" recommended in WTM, and replace a resource from there. So I still think of WTM as my foundation.

     

    Looking at my 2nd grader, it really does look like there's a lot to be gleaned around here:

    SOTW 2 -- WTM

    GWG4 -- boards

    SWO E -- boards

    EPGY Math -- boards -- remember KPzz? she spoke so highly of it as the best program for an accelerated child, I would never have checked it out otherwise

    Minimus Secundus -- boards, soon to start Latin Prep from the boards

    MP Greek Myths -- found in catalog

    SE Earth Science -- boards -- I'd never have looked at school texts on my own

    Nanowrimo -- dh found online, has done for years; will be back to CW, from the boards, soon

    Trail Guide World Geography -- boards

    Explorer Bible Study -- boards

    Drawing with Children -- WTM

    Read alouds this year so far are versions of Beowulf & Arthurian legends, WTM

  8. I think this just goes with the territory. We've worked hard on ds6 and appropriate statments, but the truth is it must be hard not to say, "Yeah, I'm smart" when adults constantly tell you that. We went to the doctor the other day, and he was told he was smart by a woman in the waiting room, a receptionist, an x-ray technician and the doctor himself. Often these comments are addressed to me as the parent, as in "Wow! Your son is so smart!" Years ago I asked about this on the board, and everyone said that people will stop commenting as he gets older. Not yet, unfortunately.

     

    I struggle to get him not to answer things like "Yes, I know I am." It sounds cocky, no matter what the intent.

     

    Frankly, even as an adult compliments are tricky things. I do occasionally have people tell me that I'm smart. Generally I smile and say, "I'm happy to hear you think so. I don't always feel that way." But still, I feel weird and I'm not sure how to handle it--so why wouldn't a 6 year old have a hard time dealing with it gracefully. Now if someone tells me I look nice, I'm all about the "Thanks!" and can take it without a second thought.

     

    All that to say, I think some of these issues will eventually go away. Social graces simply don't keep up with intellectual development in these asynchronous kids. Model what you want, and hope it sticks. Some day, it will. When they reach adulthood, at the very least.

  9. There is no math in Level 1. Lots of the writing can be done orally (reviewing definitions, etc). My science-crazy 6yo has been reading and absorbing the text on his own. We didn't do pre-level 1, so I can't really compare... but I personally was impressed by his grasp of covalent vs. ionic bonds--my dh does most of the teaching, so I don't always know what he's covered. He chose to read it on his own in addition to our Earth Science curriculum, and just adores it. I do have to say--not that much content. I think he's had it a month or so, and has read through it more than once.

     

    JMHO -- If your dd can ask how atoms stick together, and intuit the electron cloud, I'd dive in. It's the cognitive ability to grasp the concepts that would limit her appreciation of the text, not the reading/math/writing level.

     

    If anyone knows what I should do next year for chemistry when we've already finished RS4K level 1, I'd appreciate any input as well! How to find something with the real science, but still kid "friendly"...?

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