Okay, all, the Lounge is now CLOSED! See you sometime next week!

MichelleMN, I see you lurking! :) Come in and chat!

I wondered what you meant by Phoenix, AR. Now I think I know that you meant AZ. B) Since I live here I'll tell you. March is unpredictable. The high might be 60 F or it might be 100 F. There is no rhyme or reason to March here. Absolutely bring LAYERS. Usually what will happen is you will wear a t-shirt (ss or ls) covered by a hoodie or pullover sweatshirt in the morning. By noon, most of the men are in short sleeves if it's over 60 F. And most likely all will be in ss shirts by 3pm. Our hottest time of the day is truly 3pm-6pm, so keep that in mind. AND always keep a hoodie with you because if they businesses have the a/c on it's set for 'snow'. Not really, but you get the idea. Starbucks can be especially chilly! If you have any other questions, feel free to PM me. :)

How are you feeling this afternoon, Jean?

It's QUIET in here today . . .

And totally off topic "Do you want to build a snowman?" B-)

Hi back, Jean! Glad the meds are more tolerable than you anticipated! Yes, getting healthier is a definite MUST. Let me know how the book is!

Yeah, that voice gets me into trouble . . . *ahem . . . :blush:

Welcome to the Teachers Lounge! A place for homeschool parents/teachers to kick back, relax, have a snack if you want, and enjoy some adult conversation. Today we're going to try something new and NOT talk about k-i-d-s. I want to know about YOU! What's the best thing that's happened to you this week? For me, I think it was that two different people invited me to do something this week. I usually do the inviting so this has been fun for me! What's an upcoming special event that you're anticipating? Here: my birthday is on the 11th, and I have that day packed with things that I want to do: lunch with my mom and kids, getting fitted for pointe shoes, and a writers group meeting that evening. I think I may try to talk the family into going out to breakfast that day IF I can find a restaurant that makes GF waffles or pancakes! What are you reading for fun these days? Here: I'm reading an historical romance by Kris Tualla called Leaving Norway. But last night I wanted something lighter (as in more Young Adult category reading) and so I began reading, again, The Burning Bridge in the Rangers Apprentice series by John Flanagan. Talk to me! :bigear:

Well, Jean, that would be okay if it was just gluten I had to avoid. I'm fumbling along the Paleo method of eating, for health reasons, so grains (oats, corn, etc) are out, too. Like I said, one thing after another . . . But I'll figure it out. On that note, I'm closing the Lounge until...TOMORROW. See you then!

Going to go hiking with my son in a few minutes. Hopefully that will temper his moody 9yo self!

Karen, sorry to hear about your migraine. I think I would be very unhappy if I had to go without cinnamon! Hope you feel better soon! Swellmomma, glad you're getting time to relax. I think I may just have to forego everything processed aside from the occasional meat from now on! One thing after another . . .

hjffkj, yep, after I looked up the ingredients (because I'd already thrown the boxes away), my eyes locked onto soy as the possible culprit. I need good ideas for breakfast that are GF and dairy free, then, because after awhile I get tired of eggs! any suggestions, anyone?

Blah, something in the waffles made my body react as though I'd had gluten. Which means, I am now feeling pain, but thankfully it is not severe. Just need to figure out what brought on the reaction.

Jean, hoping everything gets under control. And I can relate to the algebra drama! Hjffkj, I am following the Paleo method of eating. And while the waffles, even gluten free, aren't necessarily on the eating plan, I do allow myself 3 meals out of the week that aren't strictly Paleo. I was just thinking about Lent yesterday, considering it starts next Wednesday! Not sure if I'm going to do anything particular or not.

I kept thinking today was Friday so I finally decided to NOT wait until tomorrow to open the Lounge. That being said, HOW and WHY has this week gone so quickly? Last week did, too! I just need it to SLOW DOWN a bit. How about you? Welcome to the Lounge, by the way. A place where parent/teachers can come in, kick your feet up, and have some fun, food, and fellowship. I am currently tucking away at my breakfast of Van's Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon waffles topped with strawberries, organic blackberries, and macadamia nut butter. There is still plenty of that left if you're hungry. Well,of the fruit anyway. I only have three apple cinnamon waffles left. But there are also 6 regular waffles and 6 blueberry. All are Van's Gluten Free because I have truly had to go GF this year. What's news with you? Any new medical issues? I'm a bit better since January but I still had a pulmonary test yesterday and have to get a thyroid test done. What are you looking forward to in March? On my birthday, I will be going to get fitted for my very first pair of pointe shoes! I'm so excited! What's on the docket for school today? Talk to me! :bigear:

I'll wait with baited breath! Or I'll wait, at least. Okay, I'm headed for bed, and my tantruming 9yo ds may be as well! Good night, all! The Lounge is now CLOSED. See you all next week!

Amazingly, I understood that, Jean! Looks like it's just us in the Lounge today! How did your labs go?

I saw this article, too, and thought, "Well, there needs to be a balance." I'm all for the kids having lots of time outside, which is why I keep trying to convince my husband to move somewhere we can have a house AND land! But there needs to be some structure of learning, too. Evidently, this family's philosophy is children are self directed. I can tell you mine are bright, bordering on gifted, but they are NOT self motivated by any means! Well, my son is a little, but he's 9yo. My 15yo dd is nowhere near being self-motivated when it comes to doing homework, except maybe in science. But they both still need to know basic math and writing! Our homeschooling style is a mixture of structured schooling and unschooling. And my mother, who had them with her most of last Monday, tells me my kids are very well behaved, and she' well aware that "doesn't just happen." So I guess we're doing something right! You're right in that there isn't enough limelight on well-balanced homeschooling. But first you'd have to get them to agree on what it means to be "well-balanced"!

Where in the world is everyone?? It's awfully quiet here in the Lounge today. I'm going to step out for a bit to take the dog for a walk. Feel free to pop in and chill for a bit. Chat. Or if no one's here, close your eyes for a few and just relax. Back in about 20 or so minutes. If you're new and wondering what we do here in the Teachers Lounge look at today's original post. B-)

Yeah, I kind of had to laugh when I wrote that. Neither do I! Anyway, the 'bread' is done but ... different. Not bad. Just different. You have to eat it more like cake than bread. And we've decided it's missing something. It's not bad, just needs a little extra oomph: perhaps nutmeg and/or allspice next time. Enjoy! Now to work on some homework!

Okay, feel free to come in and chat amongst yourselves. I have to pop out for a bit to take dd to drama class. Keep an eye on the bread in the slow cooker, please. It's almost done, maybe another 15 minutes.

Jean, go get that blood work done, missy! The 'bread' isn't ready yet, anyway. I'll save some for when you get back! I think my chest pain might be from inflammation, too. Wednesday I had a little bit of wheat, a little bit of dairy, and a little bit of sugar. NONE of which is on my Paleo diet! Shhh! Don't tell my mom! She has literally threatened to discipline me if I don't stick with it! :-P At this point, due to the pain I've been in the past couple of days SINCE my eating error, I have NO plans to ever eat wheat again. And probably not sugar, either. Can't promise on the dairy but we'll see. The Paleo 'bread' is now in the slow cooker (yep, the crockpot) and should be done in about an hour. Anyone else want to pop in and visit for a bit? I have to go wash dishes but I'm still up for chatting!

Happy Friday! Welcome to the Lounge where homeschooling parents can hang out, have adult conversation, and even take a nap if they want! On the menu for snacks today is Paleo zucchini 'bread'. Definitely gluten-free, but NOT nut free. You all are my guinea pigs on this because it will be the first time I've ever made it! But give me an hour or two because I have to clean off the kitchen counter first! I also have a an assortment of organic apples and bananas. That being said, I'm still trying to decide if I need to go see the doc today or not. Don't worry, I'm not contagious, but I was having chest pain this morning. They tell me it's not cardiac because they have done every.single.test in that area that can be done and it all comes back negative. Those of you that pray, please pray for me as I also have to be working on a paper today AND figure out how to keep my 9yo "let's do something together even though we've already been doing stuff together all day" son occupied. What are you all up to today? What's for lunch? What's your favorite special-dietary-needs snack or entree? Please share the recipe if you have it! I've currently gone Paleo so here's mine: "Apple Pie Bites" copyright 2014 Tricia Postma 1 small sweet apple of your choice 2-3 tbsp macadamia nut butter cinnamon Cut the apple into slices. Drizzle or spoon on macadamia nut butter. Sprinkle with cinnamon. I needed something to satisfy my sweet tooth one night but I'm not eating sugar on the Paleo plan. This was the happy accident of that! Tastes so sweet, you'd swear you were cheating but you're not! It tastes great with a little Allspice added, too, but I think I like it better with the first 3 ingredients. Enjoy!

Okay, folks, hope you all had a great day and have a better weekend! Jean, you're only allowed to get BETTER over the weekend, you hear me?? The LOUNGE is now CLOSED. See you all next Friday (if I don't get sucked under by my 2nd re-do of an outline for the FIRST project of my current class! Oi!)