I like Wheeler's Speller for younger children. It's free here http://books.google.com/books?id=zpQAAAAAYAAJ&pg=PP5&dq=wheeler%27s+speller I also like Wheeler's Grades Studies in Great Author's (speller). It's also free here http://books.google.com/books?id=sE4XAAAAIAAJ&pg=PP1&dq=wheeler%27s+speller I'm thinking of switching my 6 yr old to Wheeler's this year. Good luck! Kim

Jackie, It's so much fun to look! I used Ikea's kitchen program to lay out my kitchen, you can change the paint colors,cabinets etc It gave us a great feel for how it would turn out. http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_US/rooms_ideas/splashplanners.html I've never used the warming drawer, I forget about it! I am very picky about my appliances, my dh's a trained cook and I used to work in a bakery. This was the compromise stove, the one I wanted was 5000. :)I'm very happy with the stove. One of the stove rack's splits,so you can put a ham on one rack, the split rack with one side removed above it, and have space for side dishes etc. The butcher block counter tops have been fine. I have son's who spill coffee,etc on them daily,they wipe clean. I oiled them with mineral oil when we first bought them. Maybe twice a week for the first three weeks,until it stopped absorbing the oil. I could have oiled them before they were installed,but I was too impatient.We wanted the butcher block because if we nick it, we can sand it and apply more oil. I don't chop on them. I bought a butcher block trolley from Ikea for that. The cabinets were easy to paint. I painted them in the driveway!I did primer and three top coats. They clean up very nicely. We also used beadboard for the backsplash. I rescued it from the basement ceiling.:D Kim

I have menstrual migraines. Started having them at 35. When I ovulate, I have horrible nausea, headache, sensitivity to light and sound. The sensitivity to light and sound is what tips the balance to being a migraine.I take prescription meds for the nausea and migraine. Hope you find something that gives you some relief. Kim

We're doing the finishing touches on our 1889 Queen Anne kitchen remodel. I tried hard to have it suit the house. We bought Home Depot's unfinished wood cabinets on a 20% off sale, I painted them white. There are more options in the store than online. http://www.homedepot.com/Kitchen-Cabinets-Cabinet-Hardware-Assembled-Cabinets/h_d1/N-5yc1vZary9/h_d2/Navigation?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&storeId=10051#/?c=1&1z10v30=1z10v30 Single bowl deep farmhouse sink http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S49847479/ Butcher block counter tops http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40057853/#/40057853 Gas 5 burner stove w/ convection oven. I LOVE IT! Ii didn't buy mine here but here's a link to it. Mine is white.http://www.sears.com/frigidaire-gallery-30inch-freestanding-gas-range/p-02262393000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1 Can't help you on a dishwasher, ours was given to us. My dh did take the front panel off and put a painted skin on, the skins that go on the sides of the cabinets to finish them. We couldn't put a microwave over the stove. The BTU output is so high on our stove that the exhaust or microwave has to be 30 inches above the burner. It would have been too high for me to reach. We put up a standard exhaust and my dh bought 2 extra cabinet doors and made a custom range hood cover out of them. Looks great! Have fun doing your new kitchen! Kim

I want to know what's in the box too!!! Henry's dad did seem like he really loved Emma and didn't want to leave her.

I teach art. I use a plastic file box with a handle on the lid. I've also used plastic rubbermaid totes.

I've had two LEEP's done. the 1st I was severe stage 4, the 2nd a stage 3. I had my last monkey several years after the LEEP's. My only pregnancy problem due to my LEEP's is my scarring from the LEEP's. Which meant that my cervix didn't want to dilate during labor and I had to have Pitocin and progesterone gel to help me along. Apparently the progesterone gel scarred me more and now my Dr. says I will need a c-section if we have another child. :grouphug: It's a scary thing. Hope everything works out for you. I never needed any other treatment other than follow up biopsies every 3 months for a year. Then my pap smears every 6 months for 5 years. I'm in the clear now. Take care of yourself and try not to worry so much. My dh likes to tell me, all worrying does is give you a better chance of having a heart attack. Kim

The ipod shuffle is $50 new. You can buy a refurbished one at walmart online for $29.99. http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?search_query=IPOD+SHUFFLE :grouphug: We're nearly in the same boat. Our furnace just started shooting flames out of the front. It's turned off waiting for the repair guy to come out this week. I'm scared we're going to need a new one. Kim

I'm going to post two homeschool blogs that I like. Both use McGuffey Readers and Ray's Arithmetic. They aren't laid out lesson plans,but I've found them to be very useful. I believe they would be very close to what Laura Ingalls Wilder would have used. You can find most of the resources for free at http://books.google.com and http://www.freechristiancurriculum.com/ (you have to register but it's free) or you can purchases cd's at www.dollarhomeschool.com http://ladyofvirtue.blogspot.com/2011/05/how-to-use-mcguffey-reader.html Check out the above's freebie's list. She has some nice one's for using McGuffey's. http://thelegacyofhome.blogspot.com/2009/12/efficient-teaching-ideas-for-busy.html

In all seriousness. Tylenol for the inevitable headaches from the noises at Disney. Pepto for the tummy aches from the foods you aren't used to eating. Dramamine for the dizziness from the rides. Hair scrunchies to keep your hair off your face/neck while walking 500 miles a day. Sunscreen also for walking 500 miles a day. Have a great trip! ETA Bring VERY comfy broken in shoes from the guy (my dh)who's been to Disney 2x's a year for 20 years.

Don't know...which is why I reminded you. Your friends on the hive are watching out for you! I know every time I go to Disney I want Valium...lots of it.

Tylenol,Pepto-bismol,Dramamine,hair scrunchies,sunscreen. Valium Never leave home without it:lol:

Kalah, Please go for your blood work. I gained 80 pounds without any dietary changes. It took going to 4 Dr's over 4 years to find one who did a complete thyroid panel to discover that I have Hashimoto's. The other Dr's all gave me the lecture about stress and portion control etc etc. I've lost almost 60 lbs! I do think a lot of Dr's seem to think that people just want pills and don't want to investigate. At least your Dr. has ordered blood work for you. Please follow through on it. It's a starting point. :grouphug: Kim

I primarily use the big one, it's 4 ' x 6 '. It's a piece of drywall painted w/ whiteboard paint salvaged from dh's work. They upgraded to clear whiteboard paint in their new office, guess what I want when this one wear's out.;) My dh pinstriped it into two columns. The small column I use for co-op homework and chore lists. We also have 2 lap boards, 2 easel boards, and a 2 ' x 3 ' magnetic whiteboard.

My 6 yr old has ADHD (Dr says one of his top 4 most severe patients ever). The main things I've learned it to keep him engaged. We have a school cabinet with toys that are only for use during school time. I started out with My Father's World preschool package and added things from there. Puzzles, maze books,coloring books,chalkboard etc. Also, keeping a consistent routine is very important for spirited children. And I allow my child to choose his story time book every day. This way it's what he wants to read and it gives him a little control over his day. I've had to set up a few rules like a school would do.Ex. You can't just leave the school room, even to go potty without asking Mommy first. Otherwise, you lose them and they don't come back! It was a steep learning curve for me but things are going very well now. Good Luck! If you have any specific questions I'm happy to answer them. Kim ETA We use CM style schooling. It's great for ADD kids. The classical music is very soothing and calming. Art is great for gross motor skills and fun.Nature study helps them to slow down and notice the world around them. Ambleside online is a great place to start.

I also have Hashimoto's with normal range TSH levels. I'm on a synthetic thyroid medication. My Dr tested my T4, Free T3, TSH, & TPO. My TPO (antibodies) was really high. I have the same symptoms as you do. My Dr said that since I'm having symptoms my normal thyroid levels is obviously higher than the level I'm currently at. Even though I'm testing within normal range he put me on medication because of this. Who diagnosed you? My new ob gyn diagnosed me. I'm in the process of going to see an endocrinologist. I would strongly urge to get a second opinion with a full thyroid panel done. It took me four years to get a correct diagnosis. I was also told it was stress related. I had two bald spots before I found a Dr who would listen to me. Do not wait for your thyroid to fail, your body needs your thyroid, it's there for a reason. :grouphug::grouphug: Kim

I was recently diagnosed with Hashimoto's. My Dr. put me on Levothroid, 4 weeks ago. I still feel crappy. Can someone point me towards the information about iodine and going dairy free? I love milk but it does seem to be bothering me. My antibody level was 631. Thanks, Kim

Today's menu: Breakfast: migraine pill & cappuccino for me, cereal and milk for monkeys Lunch: leftover home made Japanese style chicken w/rice & veggies Snack: apples Dinner: pasta w/ home made roasted tomato sauce( cooking now), salad and home made bread Dessert: cherry water ice Is there a library near you? Is it decent or very podunk? Yes, it's across the street from my house, a homeschooler's dream.:) It's very nice, especially with inter library loan. Do you have a Blockbuster or other movie rental place near you? What's your favorite genre of movie? Who is your favorite ?actor/actress? We have a blue box and a red box. Each is about 2 blocks away. I like action moves. My favorite actor is Bruce Willis...he reminds me of my dh .:drool: Kim

You can make applesauce in the crock pot and freeze it. Just make sure to leave enough headspace because it will 'grow' when frozen ( ask how I know lol). I put about an inch of apple juice in the crock pot, add cored, sliced apples. Cook on high for @3 hours, or low for 6+ hours. You can add a bit of sugar, if it isn't sweet enough.I just made this last week. Happy apple picking. Kim

Your Welcome! It's a great deal. Kim

We use Faith and Life. It goes through 8th grade. A lot of people use Seton's Religion. There's also http://www.MyCatholicFaithDelivered.com which is Faith & Life online. My kids receive most of their religious education through our parish's Faith Formation program. I'd advise your friend to check with her church to see what they are using. Kim

I love Paris! Haven't done the Eurostar. If you really want a day in Paris I'd look at Ryan Air. You could fly over early in the am and fly back after dinner. Just a thought. Kim

I didn't have one the entire time I nursed (23 months). It only came back after I weaned, about 6 weeks later. It was pretty brutal but it evened out. Wishing you the best. Kim

I don't know! I have a Nook. Did you try e-mailing Yesterday's Classics?

No problem! I like to pass along when I find a good deal. You can get it in epub or kindle format. You can also purchase one format and e-mail them to send you the second format at no extra charge. Kim