We have three separate accounts. This works GREAT for us. 1) Joint acct that my wife uses to buy all things that are her responsibility. We direct deposit a specific amount each payday for this account, and she uses it to buy things like food, gas for the van, a clothing item here or there. misc. kids things as they come up. This gives her a little "breathing room" to be able to do fun things, save here or there, in order to do something bigger, take the kids out to lunch, etc. 2) Joint acct that I use for my personal expenses. This acct also gets direct deposited a certain finite amount each payday. I use it for my gas; I drop by the grocery store sometimes just to pick up one or two things. My lunch when I go out, dry cleaning, etc. 3) The Household acct gets all the extra. I manage this account, and it pays all the bills, tithe, and has enabled us to save more over time, since the extra doesn't really have a purpose. Big clothes trips, Homeschool curriculum buying, vacations, etc. come out of this account. We switched to this several years ago, and it has been WONDERFUL.

My wife has one and really digs it. She has used it for some scrapbooking stuff, but also some home decorating. Some crafty things, like cutting out our kids names and putting that on the cover of their notebooks. All kinds of uses. And, I echo the other poster - if its an olive branch from your mom, I don't care if its a fuzzy green hat with a blinking light - take it, and say thank you...:001_smile:

Let this go. Not a big deal. If there were strings tied to your decorating, then you should have let that be known then. LET IT GO. Are there kids in the space enjoying the new decorating? Yes? Then LET IT GO. If these people are just rude, then they're just rude. What do you want out of the situation now? An apology? Why? It's over. Move on and let it go.

How did you deal with the discussion needs of the curriculum? Did you just have one on one discussions with the child? How did it work? Harry

This is one of those wonderful mysteries in scripture that require us to humbly acknowledge that we don't have all the answers (and in many cases are not even asking the question properly). Is God one person or three? Is God wrathful or gracious? Are we predestined, as Ephesians 1:4 (and other verses) clearly states, or is there a well meant offer of the gospel to all people as John 3:16(and other verses) clearly states? I have settled the issue in my own mind by resting on a "Molinist" position. This position was first articulated by Luis de Molina, a Spanish Jesuit priest who lived in the generations after the reformation. Current theologians who espouse this view are William Lane Craig (reasonablefaith.org) and Dr. Kenneth Keathley (Dean at Southeastern Seminary) It is "monergistic" in the sense that it acknowledges that man, without God's help is utterly unable to even look a longing eye towards wanting God. Our sin nature is so corrupt that even the "choice" or "acceptance" is beyond our ability and on some level really a work in which we can boast. For if some accept, and others don't, then I have some virtue that they don't possess, and this is impossible.(Eph. 2:9) Yet, I also acknowledge that there is a "well meant offer" of the gospel to all. The typical Calvinist/Reformed answer of "you evangelize, because you're commanded to" is OK, but there is this mental block of God asking us to do something for no purpose or no effect. Should we obey a command from God, even though something doesn't make sense to us? A thousand times Yes! But, God speaks throughout scripture of urging us to act in a way that is winsome for the purpose of leading folks to Him.(1 Peter 3:1,15), A Calvinist/Reformed position articulates that God is sovereign, and can save who he wishes and condemn who he wishes. All deserve wrath anyway. All true, but this unwittingly blemishes God's character in my opinion. John 3:16 seems a "well meant offer" of the gospel to be responded to. The character of much of the New Testament is appealing to the reader to believe in God - to respond to His grace. This leaves us with giving all the credit for a salvation to God, and all the blame for rejection to man. Neither a typical "free will" stance, nor a more typical Calvinist/Reformed do either of these. Two books I would highly recommend. One is more accessible, and that is "Chosen, but free" by Norm Geisler. The other is newer (and in my personal opinion, better, but very theologically technical - don't be scared or intimidated by that, though), and that is Salvation and Sovereignty by Dr. Kenneth Keathley. ------ At the end of the day, though, as you search, search with humility. As you discuss, discuss with humility. Some of the smartest theologians in the world speak with a sharpness and a measure of enmity that completely renders their argument void. Even if they understand it all, but have not love, they have nothing.(1 Cor. 13:2) And, unfortunately, during my long pursuit of the question, there's a whole lot of arguing going on. I pray your pursuit of the question leads you closer to Jesus. Harry

If you're brainstorming about "out of the box" classes, I would try looking at the "course descriptions" posted online at some of the more exclusive private/boarding schools. Or some colleges for that matter. Some of them are on a tri-mester system. You obviously will find ones that you wouldn't do, or wouldn't do from the worldview that they do, but there are some neat ideas out there - to get a lot of brainstorming ideas at once.

One other thing Just a trend I've noticed in the thread. Some Liberal Arts majors aren't just for the wealthy. Go ahead and major in 18th century British Literature if you wish, you just have to have the humility and common sense to know that you aren't going to make a living at that unless you go on to get a Ph.D. and teach. Might not hurt to take a couple of business or accounting courses as "electives."

Liberal Arts Education is not JUST about becoming well-rounded, but mastering the ability to approach most any subject, and be able to read about it, think about it, and "work" in it. I was a Political Science Major in college, and took 2 business courses. If you're going to be a Political Science, History, English, or whatever liberal arts major, you'd better have a plan for making a living. Mine was in the Financial Industry. But, I didn't become a technician, I became a generalist. This allowed my career to progress as my interests allowed. I've been a stockbroker (sales), brokerage operations manager, product development (IT), Relationship Manager (My wife laughed so hard she spit out her drink when I told her I got that job. :). Chief Compliance Officer, Trader, and now Head of Client Services and Relationship Management for an Institutional Investment Management Firm. But, with each new position, my more varied background is what my employers found valuable (and what made me valuable). I've been able to learn new things all throughout my career, while still bringing value through my prior experience. My liberal arts education is to credit with my ability to improvise, adapt, and overcome. But, if you are a liberal arts type of person, then you will have to "manage" your career more than most technical fields. SO, in educating your children, if its clear that college is not in their future, then start in early high school teaching or arranging for them to learn a trade. Then, teach them or arrange for them to learn how to run their own business. If they are a liberal arts person, then fine, but they never can forget that they're going to have to earn a living, and it likely won't be in the specific field of their major. My two cents..

As a guy who works in the Investment Management industry, and around some of the best best dressed men in the world, I think the website is a little hokey. Plus, I can tell you the whole shaving with cold water thing is nuts. I was forced to do it in basic training a few times, and it stinks. I didn't have a lot growing up, and my Dad worked in a warehouse. I have an 11 year old. Just a couple of tips that I have passed on to him, and some tips for your boys. 1) Joseph A. Bank has a couple of little books in their store on men's wardrobe, grooming, etc. Seems like one of them was focused on young men. Some of them may have things you might disagree with in there, but if you have a son older than 13, he should be able to filter through that stuff. Plus, he will appreciate the gift. 2) No open toed shoes for boys, unless they're actually walking to the pool or the beach. I know that guys of all ages are wearing flip flops/whatever. But tennis shoes are fine, and they protect your feet doing boy stuff. And, they will ALWAYS look better than flip flops. 3) With just a few exceptions, I buy collared shirts for my boys. No real price difference if that matters. 4)I know this is hard to do when they're growing up, but DO NOT make or let your boys wear ill-fitting pants. Even if it is a funeral/dress-up event. Wash the ones that fit more frequently, or make him do it. The good effect of a suit is more than lost on an ill-fitting one. 5) If a pair of shorts or pants have belt loops, then a belt goes into it. 6) If he is wearing a button up shirt, it HAS to be ironed. BIG MISTAKE to make this(or anything) legalistic. These types of "rules," like most anything that you're trying to get your son to do have to come out of a good relationship with him. I have really good friends who are in their late 40s who break every rule above. They're just not as nice looking as my son. :)

My wife uses Charlie's Soap. She buys a 5 gal. bucket of the powder. Website says its 12 cents/load. Don't know how that compares to making your own. Plus, you can use it to clean about anything. Seems you just have to only use about a tablespoon's worth. But, that was a while ago that I did it. I've been banned from the laundry room. Although well-intentioned, I create too much destruction.