You are not too old but do very seriously consider what your doc told you about your innards. A thin, scarred uterus not only presents problem for you while pregnant but could also be very dangerous for a developing baby. A healthy uterus is a safe cocoon for a baby - yours doesn't sound safe, does it? If you really want more kiddos, perhaps you might consider fostering and/or adoption.

I'm having a really hard time getting motivated today. Was supposed to start school with 17yo dd thirteen minutes ago but haven't found my get up and go yet. And she's not likely to remind me! ;-P Anyone else having trouble getting going this morning? It is slightly overcast today so maybe that has something to do with it! :yawn:

As I've read others' responses, while I agree a museum might be able to use it, I've been thinking if you had room in your hous you might want to make it a history display. Put it in a corner, possibly put a brief "bio" above it, and some books about the era on the seat. Yes, it's an uncomfortable part of history but it's also an important era to remember. Just my two cents! B-)

I am so very sorry for your loss. Pets are family, too, and their passing is equally as difficult. After you have had time to grieve properly, or at least when it's not so intense, I'd highly encourage you to have that vet check the results again that convinced him your cat had diabetes. From what you've said, it seemed to you the cat was fairly healthy up until the dx of diabetes. Why did they start giving him insulin when it doesn't seem like he didn't really need it? His poor body even seemed to be saying he didn't need the insulin. My gut says there's something that was overlooked here or interpreted wrong. Not by you, by one of the animal medical personnel. That being said, put it aside for now. Concentrate on lovingly remembering your furry family member. He was obviously part of the clan and it will take some time to heal.

Welcome to the Either/Or Zone. You either love the show or don't get it at all. I've never met anyone who said, "It was okay."

Not all of it is BJU stuff. In fact we have AHL and I have yet to see BJU stuff in it. The only BJU stuff I have is what I have supplemented: math and American Government, and that's only because I could borrow it or get it for free! You can always substitute your own books, I'm sure. I perused the Notgrass history books while on a trip this summer and love how it's laid out. Simple and easy to understand and definitely from a Biblical world view. And I like the way it's scheduled. Daily, each assignment a separate block, with empty blocks for you to write in math, science,electives, etc. It's a great guide!

I'd say MFW for high school is definitely college prep. I was just recently talking with a teacher who told me that most states consider 3 complete hours in school equal a full day! As for the Bible, I agree with a previous poster who liked how it's woven in with history and English. I like that, too! That being said, because it is interwoven, I recently crossed out the first blocks of "to do" in her schedule (Bible) because I know it will be covered in History and English! She's not going to miss out on anything because of that, I'm sure! Because of the comprehensive nature of AHL, I've implemented a Sunday afternoon study date with her. We did this last year, too. I meet with her for 90-120 minutes at 4:30 Sunday afternoon to work on whatever needs to be worked on. And, while we follow the schedule that's laid out, we're not firm on the actual day; meaning, we're flexible as to when it gets done as long as it gets done. Hope that helps!

I'll pipe in here to say that we are using MFW Ancient History and Literature (AHL) for my daughter who's now technically a junior in high school. And she finds it pretty rigorous. She's not a self-motivated, independent learner at all, unless it comes to science!, so I have to spend quite a bit of time with her. Thank you to a previous poster who mentioned that MFW even recommends starting your AHL student a week before any others! I'd forgotten that and didn't do it. Think I'll let my 6th grader be on his own this week and focus more on dd! I do like the fact that we'll be going through, after Ancient Egypt, Greek and Roman history, so we can see how that history affects our US Government. I'm also adding in American Government this year. Hopefully by the time we get to the election next year, by which time she'll be old enough to vote!, she'll have a better understanding of the process. But I digress from the OPs original question. I don't think your kiddo needs to be previously prepared for any of it really. It's laid out very well. Your daughter may enjoy facets of it more if she's really into Ancient History and/or mythology, but honestly I really wouldn't worry about it. Everything is pretty much step by step. The one thing I would change about it is the examples the give in the Ancient Lit supplement for thesis statements, etc. I didn't understand the examples half the time so I wasn't sure how my daughter was supposed to! Just my two cents. :coolgleamA:

Minnie, can I send you a care package? I'd love to send you some snack bars you could eat on the go! B-)

Jean, I wouldn't recommend it. Your health must take priority. you and I both have experience with what happens when we don't make it a priority!

As my kiddos get started on their schoolwork (straggling but starting) and I prepare for a webinar I thought I might open the Lounge for a bit! B-) What's on your schedule today? webinar, schooling, conference call, schooling, tea, swim mom taxi, etc. What would you change about your day if you could? Here: the high temps (111*F). Anyone on 2nd breakfast? Here: almost! B-) Talk to me! :bigear:

It's a lovely idea but paying additional money out of an already tight budget is just not a wise choice for us. If I didn't feel confident in my ability to teach a language with the proper material, I might truly consider it, so thank you for the suggestion. B-) However, I think I'll just invest in the texts and a TM and go from there! B-)

Sounds like Athenaze may be a good fit for us, then. Little background: personally, I am a trained linguist. Having studied two languages already and picking up bits and pieces of others as I go, I'm pretty confident in my ability to teach a language as long as I'm well guided. DD is not so in tune with languages (Spanish was a disaster for her) but she seems to like the small bit of Latin we're doing and is definitely interested in Greek. I tried Wheelock Latin to start and I didn't get it so I ditched it. May just bite the bullet and order Athenaze, starting in the Spring. Also, dd has a friend who would be a year ahead of her in the same curriculum so that would be another thing she and he could talk about. B-) Thanks, all!

Has anyone used this curriculum? What was your experience with it? Thinking of possibly using it for my daughter, who's a junior. TIA!

inmyopinion, you sound like me! "most confident insecure person I know". Yep, that would be me, too!

Somehow, about a year ago, my iPad cracked in the corner too. The cracks have not spread. So I wouldn't worry about it.

I would highly recommend sneakers/tennis shoes (yes, I read what you said) simply for the support given to your body. Your feet and legs actually support up to 1000x your body weight each and every time you step on them. Do not ignore a high quality shoe in favor of price. The price you will pay in your physical health will not be worth it! That being said, both my daughter and I have found Sketchers to be a great 'in between' shoe. It's really more of a sandal with a thick, dense rubber sole that gives great support. They'll run close to $50 and are worth every penny! HTH!

Glad to know I'm not alone but sad to know so many of us are feeling so blah at the beginning of the school year. If ANY of you live in AZ, I will make an effort to drive to meet you!. Just not today as it turns out I am actually sick today. On that note, do any of you ever experience your husband not believing you when you say you're sick? Mine never comes right out and says, "I don't believe you" but it's his actions and questions the same day I've said, "I'm not feeling well" that tells me he's not convinced. *sigh*

You're so right. It is neglected! I need to get back on that. Thanks for the reminder. I'll get there. Eventually. B-)

Thanks. I think part of it may be depression which kicks in now and again. I'll get through it!

Mostly just venting here, I think. Personally, I'm feeling as though I don't fit in anywhere IRL. My marriage, while still intact, is lacking. We don't really seem to communicate. We go on "dates", which usually means I say, "Hey, let's go to this Happy Hour or this movie" and we do but that's it. I always seem to be the one to call a friend and say "Let's do something." Local friends seem more like acquaintances, really. I can't remember the last time someone actually called and said, "Hey would you like to come over for dinner? Or would you like to go to a movie or shopping?" My BFF lives 1000 miles away so it might be different if we lived closer to one another. Had a job offer near her that I was all prepared to accept the beginning of this year, only to find out my husband had no interest in moving. :-/ Yesterday, at least two of my closer acquaintances had birthday parties to attend. And two others had birthday parties for their kids - with whom my kids really do get along - but we weren't invited to either. I realize budgets are tight, etc, but when there are four birthday parties within your "circle" to which you're not invited, it can grate, you know? And then this morning, because I elected to stay home from church due to not feeling well, my husband decided to go to our former church, instead of the one we've been attending so that the kids and I can actually make some friends. Or, rather, strengthen the friendships we already have with people there. Just feeling ousted, and a little lost. Thanks for reading if you did. I know it will get better. Just had to "get it out", you know? And can't vent like this on FB because the vent includes some of those listed above. B-)

Haven't started unplugging yet but I know what you mean. I prefer a hardcopy of a book verses a digital one. I have full libraries of both! I do get tired of everything being technology-driven. Anytime I think about researching something, my husband says, "Google it." I often response with, "I don't want to be on the computer. It messes with my brain after awhile." And it does, it truly does. I even notice it in my 11yo ds if he's been online too long. He gets really irritable. As for smartphones, I haven't decided what to do yet. I, too, am in need of a new-to-me cell phone. One that will actually work all the time. Haven't quite decided which route to go with that, though. But, like you, I do get tired of the "always being connected" issue. Personally, I think I'd rather just live in a cabin in the mountains with actual books and only turn on the cell phone during once-a-week trips to town!

What you said here doesn't qualify even as empathy. Perhaps the next time you're tempted to give your Erudite opinion, you'll actually READ the original post, think about whether or not your answer is actually appropriate to the question being asked, and then correct your answer accordingly. Shiny, I'm glad you're feeling better. Most of us understand what you're going through and actually do empathize with you. We also know it IS okay to take a month off and regroup when your kids are the age they are now. They can still graduate high school, I promise!

Commas will fall into place, eventually. I recommend not even thinking about starting school at this point. Easier said than done, I know. Take a MONTH and PLAN some outings. Maybe one a week. Week One: Library - perhaps pick a theme together of the books you want to read, independently and together. Borrow some DVDs along that them. Travel DVDs are great. They'll LEARN. And if you pick some interesting places, do you live near a travel/tourism office? Sometimes they have great promotional brochures/mags about those places. Or order some from the Chambers of Commerce in those places. Learning is not all about curriculum! Week Two: visit a different park than where you usually go, weather permitting. Pretend your explorers discovering a new land. Ask the kids what kind of creatures they think they might meet on this expedition. What's the climate like in this new land? Do they think it will be the same all year round or will there be seasons? Week 3: Find a movie you've all been wanting to see. maybe even at the discount theatre? Week 4: Nap and Fort week. Tell your kids each day this week they'll be building a fort in a different area of the house. And it's ALL up to them. YOU are going to be "napping" in your room while they do this. You can actually take a nap or read a book or . . . whatever Just some ideas. It sounds like YOUR brain needs a break. And some coffee. B-) And I agree with a previous poster who recommended exercise DAILY. That is THE BEST antidepressant EVER. No less than 30 minutes per day, even if you're just walking. We are ALL rooting for you, mama!

I've been looking at our schedule and what I would like to add in this year. Um . . . yeah.