You all have given me much to ponder. My boys do quite a bit around the house, but not cooking. It is difficult for hubby to help out. He works 10 hours per day at the least. He isn't available to do to much around here. He is exhausted when he comes home. One son works 20 hours per week, participates in karate, and youth, plus high school - he doesn't have too much time at home to do too much either. Thus, I WANT to cook for him before he goes off to work. This is challenging when I get off at 3. And because he works evenings, it makes it really hard to get started at 8 am. I let him sleep in this morning because he hasn't been feeling well. My back and legs (veins) have been hurting since I started the job. I am definitely out of shape. It isn't very exciting. LOL I definitely do not feel like I am "making friends", but I am out of the house. On the other hand, it is nice making a little money. I also feel like the next two years are what I have left with the boys, and I know it is only 10 hours per week, but I feel guilty and feel like I should be here for/with them.

Update in #61 Hi all, I haven't posted in forever. I do occasionally stop in and read a few post, however. Life has been keeping me busy and things are going well with my 10th graders. All positive! I haven't worked outside the home in 17 years. I was recently hired as a library shelver 10 hours per week. I work 12-3 on Mondays and Wednesdays, 9-1 on Thursdays. I honestly don't know if I can continue do it. I have been working since December 12th. I like the people, and there is opportunity to move up eventually. It's only 5 mins from home. BUT I still have things that I need to do with my homeschoolers and it seems that we work better in the afternoon rather than the morning. I need to find time to do driver's ed., ACT prep scheduling... I am struggling to find a balance between job, cooking for the teen that goes to work at 4, karate, etc. I guess I feel overwhelmed and guilty that I am not home. The guys don't need me like they did when they were 7. However, I didn't realize that I already have a full-time job. LOL As my hubby says, "You are the ring-leader." It is so true. I take care of almost everything around the house, running the boys, scheduling everything. Hubby goes to work and comes home. I hope I don't sound whiny. I don't have to work. This was a job that I thought that I would enjoy. There is more to the position than shelving books. I had thought I would go in, shelve books and go home. That's not the case. There are classes they want you to take, etc. I need feedback. Can I make this work? Should I make this work? Please be kind, I am torn.

Hi all, I haven't posted in forever...This year my guys will be doing Geography for history. However, I am looking ahead for our American History year. I keep hearing that SL Core 100 just isn't enough for high school level, etc. We previously used several years of SL and loved every moment. We kind of went back and forth in the younger grades between SL and MFW. I love how SL has divided the cores out between history & lit. I would appreciate your thoughts on this. We have always been more of a CMish homeschool. Thus, lit based. *I* don't mind that all of the books in Core 100 aren't too heavy. Both boys will have jobs, extra curricular activities and I do not want them overwhelmed.

The Outer Banks is always on the top of my list. The Blue Ridge Parkway is also lovely. There are many, many, things to do in VA!

Thanks for all the replies. I will check each suggestion out. I think lab work is my main concern. Are there videos available online for the labs?

I have not seen Science Shepherd or heard about it either. I looked it over. It looks good. Are there any other programs I should check out? What about PacWorks? Is it good?

:bigear: What about Rosetta Stone? or another online program? I am searching for a good Spanish curriculum as well. I'm fluent, but my kids are not. I think they would enjoy doing something on the computer.

Recommendations needed, please! BJU is out. I'd love to be able to do the labs as well with my boys. Pacworks looks interesting, but the labs aren't included? Bridget Ardoin looks great. Is this program worth the price? Are the labs easy to use? I prefer secular science, but I am open to Apologia and Biology 101 (which I hear is light) only because my boys are interested. I like to give them choices. I feel that it's important.

I hear you and feel you. I will be 39 next Saturday. I'm blue, fat, I have an eye infection, I look old, feel old and am just generally depressed today. Oh, and to top it all off 'Aunt Flo' is here. Ugh. Ugh. Ugh. :eek: Oh, and I go Monday for an IV full of vitamins (specifically, I'm low in D too. It's no wonder I feel crappy.

I will look this brand up. Thanks for the info!

I wonder if he'd like the Redwall series?

I also had a mastoidectomy in the same ear. I have about 40-50% hearing in my left ear. You have to remember though that I was 6 & 7 years old when I had surgery. I don't know what it's like to hear fully. I go every couple of years to get my ear cleaned out. I was out of school for a couple of weeks. One surgery took 2 1/2 hours the other over 5 hours. I think it will depend on your specific situation as far as outcome and how long it takes. It's been over 30 years since I had surgery! Technology has changed so much. I will be thinking of you!

Yes, I had one removed when I was a child. Are you having surgery?

I am learning more and more. I have several pages of blood work info to sort through. My B-12 is low. That's why they want me to do the IV, and start supplementing as well. I hope it makes me feel good. You all have been so helpful. I am very appreciative! I am still nervous, but at least I am getting answers. I have a good place to start.

It's $40 out-of-pocket to have the IV. I called to find out. The IV contains vitamins c, b12, trace minerals. No vitamin d. I'm not sure why I need to have a 'boost'. All my other blood work was fine except for the d and omega 3. :confused1:

Oh, and my hubby (who is off next week) thinks I should do the IV. He thinks it will make me feel better & he will be with me for moral support. :001_wub:

I'm not sure if I need D or D3. From what I'm reading D3 is including in D vitamins. I am going back to the physician on Monday. I'll learn more then.

It bugs me too. I called in about the blood work, but was told by the nurse that all was well. I was waiting on a hormone test to come back and it finally did. It was news to me yesterday to be told about my vitamin D level. I do feel blah. However, it's that time of month, I have an eye infection, and it's cold and dreary. I am a warm, sunny day type girl. :tongue_smilie: When I asked about new blood work the nurse didn't think it was necessary? She did say that the IV was up to me.

I know that there is C, D and I don't know what else in the vitamin cocktail. I don't know why she wants me to get 'boosted'. I have all my blood work. Potassium makes me sick in pill form. I'd rather just eat veggies. LOL Breast milk for an eye infection? Really? I'm using antibiotic ointment at the moment.

My D level is 14. What I don't know yet is if I can take a multi-vitamin along with the D and Omega 3.

I just feel nauseous. I don't know why, but it's partly why I don't take supplements. Who wants to feel ill?

I called my physician again this morning with questions. I should tell you all that this doctor is more holistic in nature and that is why they have supplements, etc. The blood test I had done included breaking down my blood into particles, etc. I've never had blood work this extensively done before. I don't specifically need B, I was wrong. (I was given a ton of info at one time...) They want to do an IV bag with a vitamin boost. I'm not sure I want to do that. I typically don't take vitamins and when I do it has to be before bed because otherwise I get sick. The nurse said that the IV shouldn't make me ill, but should make me feel better. I'm dealing with an eye infection on top of all of this and well I'm just a bit blah. :crying:

I got news from my doctor today regarding my blood work that I am deficient in B, D, and Omega 3. Anyone else had this problem? I am supposed to go in on Monday for an IV with B in it. So NOT my thing. Supposedly the doctor's office sells Omega 3 that doesn't contain mercury. Where should I start to research the above and how concerned should I be? I ate vegetarian for the first half of last year and again for the month of September. The blood was taken in late November. (Yes, I'm bad. I haven't been back to the doctor... Update #18.

After going to our local used homeschooling book store, my boys said the same thing about the books being babyish. We are going to do Ambleside Online Year 7 instead. We are CM homeschoolers, but I never thought I'd use AO. We are excited! I agree with you and I'm so glad that we decided to switch now before I had started planning and making such a big purchase!

:grouphug: Beautiful. Simply Beautiful!