I am one in the other thread who is feeling like we are "outgrowing" our house...but in "upgrading," we will still be SMALLER than your downgrade! :D I should have mentioned sq. ft. maybe. :) Anyway, I think a LOT of it depends on the lay out of the home! For us, our 2 biggest priorities in getting a *somewhat* larger home is 1) more "living space" in a family room/living room to have friends over, entertain and 2) to have a 4th bedroom - 1 bedroom per child - which I do NOT feel is necessary, but mostly so we can have overnight guests. With our current layout and bed situation, we just don't have space for people to stay here for long... As homeschoolers, we are at home a LOT more than others who work/school and everything out of the home. So, I want more space to just LIVE, ya know?? Interesting thread!! :) In your case, I would definitely downsize, it's not like you are moving to a tiny house, ya know?!

Mariann, I think that we are similar...I have already taken bags and boxes of stuff do the local donation spot. DH is still laying on the couch watching sports at night. :tongue_smilie: :lol: I am getting rid of a LOT. Thankfully, I declutter pretty regularly so I don't feel like I have a whole household of stuff to get rid of... It feels SO GOOD to go through and toss out so much stuff!! :D We are looking for a 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom house...here in East TN and our price range will be BELOW 200,000. :D Our house will be a great starter house for someone, it was our first house and we've done tons of stuff to it, it was in rough shape. It is 3 bedroom, 2 bath, about 1800 square feet. So we will be getting a bigger house (but we aren't looking for huge, another bedroom and a larger family room area are our 2 main priorities) but we will have less stuff. :) Sounds good to me!!

We have been reading through A Living History of Our World as well as lots of good books and biographies this year for our American History! I really love the journals that you can get to go with these, too.

HA! I have 2 cats...so this could work out! :D Just out of curiosity, how long was your "decluttering" period before you actually listed your house? DH and I are a little on opposite ends of the spectrum. :) He's Mr. Laid Back, I'll work on these things as I get to them. I, on the other hand, am ready to call a realtor TODAY and go ahead and get their suggestions to start working on them, then list in a few weeks. What was ya'll's experience like, timing wise?

Mariann, ha!! :) Btw, I read your thread about hour house, I hope it sells very soon!! It is beautiful and I loved looking at your pictures!! I also never cease to be amazed (and slightly shocked) at the differences in prices according to location!! Just crazy!! :)

What do I do with indoor pets during a showing? Thankfully we have hardwood floors so once they are swept there isn't very much "evidence" of them. The dog we could take on a leash...what about 2 cats?

We are learning about this time period right now in American History and I came across this link while searching...it is a very full unit study/lessons type file based on the Liberty Bell! There is a lot of great stuff in here for different age groups, too. http://www.nps.gov/inde/forteachers/upload/TheLibertyBellTeacherGuide11-6-07.pdf

Thanks, these are great tips!! So can I leave a candle burning while we leave?? I wondered about that because I love candles but wasn't sure about leaving it burning...

What opinion do you all have on landscaping? We have a simple, 1 level brick ranch home...and NOT much in the way of landscaping at all. It's hard to describe of course without a picture, but the middle of the house has some bushes, mulch that we did years ago...but the rest has nothing?

thanks, ya'll! Yes, I could stack boxes in closets -- that will definitely work! thankfully, there is nothing MAJOR that needs to be done. we have done a LOT to this house...(knowing we wont' get it all back in a sale) but in the last 3 years we have gotten new windows, new roof, new heat/a/c unit and water softener for the house. hopefully that will at least HELP. We have 2 rooms with carpet - the rest is hardwood. The hardwood is great, but the carpet definitely needs to be CLEANED!!!

Kristina, We have also outgrown our house. At first I felt bad saying we "needed" a bigger house...and really we don't "need" it in comparison with how the rest of the world lives. :) So, I say "need" knowing it's very subjective... But, as our kids get older and as we continue homeschooling, I just want space for them to have friends over, I want them to be able to "hang out" HERE and have fun things to do...we just don't have as much living space as I'd like and need 1 more bedroom. Anyway, we have a TINY shed out back that has our lawn mower and stuff like that in it...no garage...I'd like to box some things up but am not sure if it would look better or worse to have boxes in piles. :confused:

So we are about to list our home...and TRY to sell it. :) I have begun decluttering and getting rid of stuff. But, my hubby is planning to replace the last 2 doors (we already have bought them and they are waiting in the shed.) and he has a few other small things he is going to do... But sometimes he is a bit slow around the house. :) So, what else should I be doing in the meantime?? I'd love to get as much done as I can early on... THANKS! Oh and we don't have a great place to store stuff - I'm wondering if there are suggestions to box a few things up - but I'm not sure where I would put it??

Hi everyone! I probably posted on this thread awhile back but thought I'd post again. :) I'm about 30 minutes east of Knoxville. I don't have older kids, Apryl, so no recommendations for you there, sorry!! I hope your move goes well!!

Here is mine: His Mercy is New I post about faith, parenting, books I'm reading, homeschooling...very eclectic. :)

Next year I will have a 4th grader and a 5th grader! Yikes! Why does that sound so darn old to me!?!? I do not have all my ducks in a row yet. :) And we start our new year in June of each year...so I guess I need to be at least thinking about it! What I know so far: Math - Teaching Textbooks - finish 5, go on to 6 IEW - SSWA, B American History year 2 - not sure if we will stay with our current text or find something different Science - probably Apologia - we've done Anatomy and Astronomy, not sure which direction we'll go next year LA - Daily Grams & ?? Spanish - we will have finished La Clase Divertida Level 2 - what to do after this?? English from the Roots Up - finish level 1 Spelling Wisdom

I've posted a lot of things we've done on my blog as well. Here is my FIAR category if you want to scroll through. :)

Thanks, Tracy, I will check out the link! :)

Is anyone still reading this thread that has done any type of "virtual asst" job for big bloggers? This is something I have thought about but have no idea how to look for this type of job. I have grown to love the world of blogging, and having blogged myself consistently for about 5 years, I feel like I could do a pretty good job. :blushing: Any suggestions?

Ok, just did a quick search and it looks like this has been discussed before. Sorry! I will try acne.org and see what I can find. (I'll also try to delete if it will let me...)

I am new to this skin problem and all I have heard of is Proactiv...I see very mixed reviews. Are there other things that are raved about for getting rid of acne? I've never had skin problems in my life. Not in puberty. Not in pregnancy. I have tried changing cleansers. I have tried going all-natural with my skin care. I have tried all I know to try! UGH!! I guess I'm at the point where I'm willing to spend a *little* more and find something that will work and kick this stuff. Help! :) Thanks!

If it keeps it up there is a possibility it is about to have babies!! We had one do this. She kept meowing and meowing. And meowing!!! A few hours later we realized what was going on. :)

Thanks y'all! You have given me some food for thought...

Well, I am usually up and doing things in the kitchen or around the house while they *should* be doing chores. :001_huh: :lol: I just cannot stand nagging...and feel like I'm turning into a nag. :tongue_smilie: I don't want to keep on and on reminding them of what they are supposed to be doing. Their chores are pretty simple and I have taught the kids how to do them...so I don't think it's a question of them not knowing how to do it. 2squared - if you send them away to do morning chores before breakfast and they are able to do it, what all does that entail?? I have tried that but have one very strong willed child and did not feel good about withholding food because she would take me up on that one every.single.time and go all day without eating. :confused: :(

Bump :)

I really feel like my kids should be able to complete their chores in the morning without me staying on top of them? We've been doing the SAME chores for soooo long...they are written on a chart on the fridge...no questions about what to do. Ugh. ???