[Wives: Did you ever fail to notice that DH shaved his beard?]

I adore my dh goatee (sp??) and want to cry anytime he has had to shave it (for jobs and such). Hmmm I love what that thing does to his looks. :D

[Do you have this statistic handy?]

Yes, more just the actual curricula. I need a number to compare with the average amount that hs'ers spend. I know I have seen it around somewhere but can't for the life of me find it!!

[Do you have this statistic handy?]

I have been googling but can't seem to find the information I need. I want to know approx. how much money is actually spent on materials for a student in public school.

 

Anyone have a specific number or even an estimation (it doesn't matter what state!) with a link if possible?

 

Thanks

[Beautiful Feet Books: History through Literature]

Has only used these? Are they interesting at all? Do they have all the parent notes and what not to make sure everything is covered? How is the ready broken down? General experience/opinioin?

[TOG bloggers....share your blog with me.]

I am looking to see how people really implement TOG. I downloaded their 3 week schedual the other night and have been reading it. It sounds great, seems to be a little heavy on paper usage though! (as in it took me something like 100 pages to print and I didnt even print everything!) :)

 

When ordering the print version do you have huge binders loaded with millions of papers like Sonlight?

 

Anyway I want to see it actually used.

[Anyone interested in a Flat Stanley (or Stacey) swap??]

I will put together the info and PM everyone who has responded so far.

 

If anyone else is interested just let me know.

 

Thanks everyone! :)

[Spinoff: If you are in your late 20's or early-mid 30's]

 

I'd never admit this irl, but I expect 40 to be...sexy, for some reason. :lol: Maybe I'll finally have shed enough inhibition for that to be poss? :w00t:

 

 

This is my thought exactly! :) I tell my husband all the time "You just wait till I'm 40, things are going to get interesting!"

 

Its the 30's that baffle me. I have no idea how to do that one. I have a bunch of friends who are all in their 30's and they seem, for lack of a better word, cool. Their kids are older than mine so they actually drive clean newer cars, they have nice clothes, they are charming and so on and so on. I on the other hand am 28 and still feel like a bumbling 14yo!! I even shock myself with some of the stupidity that comes out of my mouth. (I must be wiser because at least now I know its stuipidity!)

 

No matter what I want to greet my aging self with open arms, but I have a feeling that will be much easier said than done for me. I just keep waiting to feel older, but I dont. That is good news to me!

[Poll: Did you mind if someone asked you if your pregnancy was planned or not?]

I admit I asked this one time to a good friend. It just slipped out and was NOT what I had intended to say but I kind of got all mixed up and well, ended up saying it.

 

She gave me a startled look for a split second and then told me the answer. LOL it was seriously embarassing to me and for her I think. That happened in July and I still want to call her and apologize for sticking my foot in my mouth!!

 

I will agree with Aubrey though, it would bug me with some people but not with others. While I think it is rude I also choose not to be offended by the simple curiosity of others. I would most likely laugh if a friend were to ask it, while I would give a stranger a different kind of response. :)

I was asked this question a lot with this pregnancy. Most times I would answer honestly.

[Anyone interested in a Flat Stanley (or Stacey) swap??]

I am planning on having the girls write their notes tonight and decorate their paper dolls. This is our last week of scouts though until January.

 

If everyone is okay with it, we could plan to have every thing mailed out the second week in January? That gets us through the holidays without adding one more thing. :)

 

Boys or girls are just fine. Any ages are great too.

[Anyone interested in a Flat Stanley (or Stacey) swap??]

Just a friendly morning bump. :)

[Things You Think of From Growing Up (Fun Thread)]

Jelly shoes

Pig tails and side pony tails

Flourescent colors

Dirty Dancing (at 7 I had a thing for Patrick Swayze!)

Stand By Me (Will Wheaton made me swoon)

In-line skate woopla

Night games throught the neighborhood

Sleeping out on the tramp

Banana seat bikes

Yo!

Tourtured mixed tapes for all the boyfriends (5th-8th grade! LOL)

Walk Like an Egyptian

Belinda Carlilse (oh boy did I want to be her!)

Rolling up my pants to show my socks, white sock over black on one side and black sock over white on the other!

[Anyone interested in a Flat Stanley (or Stacey) swap??]

I started a Girl Scout Troop in Oct. and our first big project is a Flat Stacey swap. I havent had much interest from any of the yahoo groups I belong to so I thought I would give it a whirl here.

 

If you havent ever heard of it, the gist of it is you make a Flat Stanley (based on the books) or Stacey and send it to someone elsewhere in the world or country. The reciever takes pictures with the paper doll doing the things that they do every day, in places that are unique to their area, etc. They write a journal of their activities with Stanley.Tthen at the end of a specific amount of time, they pack up Stanley and the journal and send it back.

 

Here is the link to the official project.

 

Anyway anyone up for the swap? I have 3 age groups of girls with a total of 8 girls. I would love to have each girl be able to swap with someone but if it doesnt work out that way I can pair them up. I would love to have a couple of international swaps if possible.

 

ETA: I am not following the official project and my rules may be different that the porject intended. I'm making it work for us and our needs! :) No need to register with the project.

[Dear popcorn popper,]

I know that it has been a while since you were used but honestly I dont think that is reason enough to misbehave so! You have been loved and caressed since you came into my life 4 years ago, you should understand how important you are to me. I must ask, what is with the cold should you have been giving me? Hot air is what does the trick my dear! Kernels not popped! This is unacceptable. I vow from today on to rub you at least once a week if you will just make it through the winter. After that, if you feel it is neccessary, we can part ways with a shiner new model. Please know that you hold such a dear place in my stomach that I wish we could continue for many years to come.

 

Sincerely yours (at least until January),

Me.

[We are having issues, anyone care to advise? Long sorry!]

Thank you for the suggestions so far. In regards to naps/sleeping, all of my kiddos go to bed at 8 but as I have been blessed :) with early risers everyone is usually up by 6:30!! Only my 20 month old takes a nap and she is slowly working her way out of the habit. However I think I could implement a quiet time for the two little ones that might just work.

 

As for the baby coming, this really could be a large part of it. I have had a rough pregnancy and DD is a sensitive kid. I am her Girl Scouts leader, perhaps I can start making Girl Scout day more of a mom and me day. Thank you for the suggestion.

 

Anyone else have ideas?

[We are having issues, anyone care to advise? Long sorry!]

Here are the issues we are dealing with:

 

1. We have been using Horizons Math for 2 years now (K and 1st). I love it and dd has never complained about it. However she seems to be getting frustrated with the work. Honestly I dont know if it because she isnt getting it or if she is just lazy and distracted.

 

Example: Yesterday dh quized her with flash cards (adding 1 and 2) and she flew through them. She struggled a little when he brought out the 3's but still did the work. Then they went back to the work book and within seconds she was crying. The problem was something like 31+2. This is stuff she has been doing for a long time now and each and everyday it turns into a nightmare with her saying she cant do it.

 

I know she can do it and with relative ease but I am wondering if she isnt responding well the Horizons anymore or if this is just a phase with her.

 

2. History is a chore to get through. We used SOTW 1 last year (with the audio CD's, not Jim Wiess) and the kids loved, loved, loved it! We listened to the CD's all the time and the kids really enjoyed it (they still request the cd's at bedtime). So this year I bought SOTW 2 with the Cd's. ACK!! Listening to Jim Weiss made us all want ear plugs or to drowned! I didnt realize how much the kids liked listening to history from someone else. Since we havn't used the SOTW 2 cd's history is just blah. They dont like it nearly as much. The chapters arent as engaging and definatly do not hold their attention like the 1st book. Any suggestions on what to do? Change curriculum? Ideas to make SOTW work?

 

3. Behavior is a HUGE issue in this house as of late. DD not only has a bad attitude but she is distracted so easily. I have 2 other kiddos, there is no way under the sun there isnt going to be distractions. We have a small house and dd does her work at the kitchen table. If one of the other kids walks in she is immediatly distracted. On bad days it can take her 45 min to write a sentance because she isnt paying attention. Any suggestions on how to keep her focused? The other ones entertained?

 

4. We rarely do anything fun. There isnt time most days as it takes DD forever to complete the simplest tasks. It drives me nuts that I plan fun activities and hands on projects each week and then we cant do them. We went from taking about 2.5 hours for school at the begining of the year to taking up to 6 hours!! I dont schedual heavy, this is just the basics that are being drawn out forever!!! By the time we can get to fun things I have to focus attention on other aspects of our lives. The house needs to be picked up, other kids need attention, dinner needs to be prepared etc. etc. She is a hands on, visual learner so I know these things are important. However I feel she needs to have the important things like reading done first.

 

There is much more but this post is long enough. My curric. is in my sig line, feel free to comment if you think I should switch it up. Please any advice on the above issues would be great.

[Mid Calf/Knee high boots for small calves?]

Try "stretch" boots. They are made of a synthetic leather that stretchs so they fit tight around the calf. I have 2 pairs. They don't "stretch" on my calf, but fit just right.

 

These are the ones that I gravitated toward because I assumed they would fit better. LOL these bag the worst, especially around the ankle.

 

 

Thanks for the other suggestions I will go check them out. I looked at Nordstroms yesterday as they have a search feature that can narrow down by calf size. They didnt have much to offer but gave me some good ideas anyway.

 

Thanks everyone. :)

[Mid Calf/Knee high boots for small calves?]

I have small calves (and short legs) and find that most nice dressier boots are made for women with bigger ones. They bag on me and look horrible!

 

Anyone have a suggestion on what brand works with small legs?

 

I dont want to spend a fortune but I have been searching for 2.5 years with no luck. If I have too I will spend what I must. :) I have very few stores available to me so internet shopping is the way I must go.

 

I like the shaping of this boot. I am not a fan of rounded toes and I am not opposed pointier toes either. I like a heel that isnt too small or those flat rectangular heels.

[Random Vents (feel free to vent here )]

I am tired of being pregnant. I hate that I still am not sure how I feel about this pregnancy and I only have 23 days left. I am pissed that because of others I am left with my hands tied and having a 4th c-section while my sister has her baby tonight in under 6 hours at home with no one telling her what she has to do. I get really pissed when well intentioned folk tell me that at least everything is going to be fine with the baby. Oh yes I know it will be all fine but what the HELL about me!!! I am a part of this equation to. But no it doesnt matter because I am supposed to just be greatful that everything is fine with a baby. Oh I am no doubt, but I really dont like having scar tissue grow so much it effects bathroom habits or intimacy with my dh. I hate that I have to be in pain in a dozen ways and no one gives a crap. I hate that I have to keep it all inside because after all I am one of those blessed with healthy children who just happen to come via c-section. I dont want to be cut open again and I am pissed that I have no choice in the matter and havent since the first one.

 

I am tired of school. Everyone in this house in some sort of school and I am tired of it. I love the kids school and learning with them but I am so burnt out on books that I dread even personal reading.

 

I am tired that I have no friends IRL because they all have super important and full lives while I live a simple life at poverty level. I resent that we still live like newly weds and yet we have nearly 4 kids. I just want to be able to buy them some freakin' pants without having to budget it. I hate that part of it is our fault (early stupid years) and the other has been totally out of our control. I hate not being in control and somethings are just out of my control right now. I love the holidays and this year I am having a hard time being happy about it because of the situation.

[Confession Thread #2]

I wish everyone I knew was not going into labor 1 month early while I continue to puff up like the state puff marshmellow man!!

 

I am tired of feeling kicks in my cerivx that make me want to wet myself! Talk about violating!!

 

I would love for just one day, my house to stay clean, my kids to stay clean, and everything to smell nice. Instead it all smells like dog as of late.

 

I love spending time with my dh however I do wish we actually had money these days.

 

I want to bag college. I am sick of all the dumb little things that are required. I am an adult and think like one, these classes are mind numbing! I am mad that I have to go one more semester.

 

I am SICK AND TIRED of getting so dizzy that I have to lie down on a cold surface until it passes.

[Favorite Second Grade Reads]

Looking for ideas in every subject/type. She reads at a first grade level right now close to 2nd grade. Our read aloud shelf needs some new stuff, so really anything works.

[I need a website with information on how to properly make a bibliography.]

Check out www.knightcite.com They have a ton of information and will make your citations for you. Warning though..... check all the little details when it comes to the citations. There were some changes made this year to proper citations and knightcite hasnt been able to get all the glitches worked out.

 

If you need basic info I belive Cornell has a writing lab (or maybe its Perdu??) with a lot of helps, articles, etc.

[Favorite Second Grade Reads]

I am working on my list for next year (does the planning ever end!!??) and want a few suggestions for reading. I have the Sonlight book list but honestly most of the books I have purchased in the past from their list have been the biggest flops here!

 

What do you recommend? Read alouds, history, science, etc., I am looking for ideas in every area.

[The Fun Theory]

Great ideas!

[Rejected New Moon screenplay (funny)]

"I haven't seen so much smooth, underage beef since Safeway had a special on veal!"

 

:lol::lol::lol:

 

Seriously the best line in the whole script!! :D

[Does anyone else ever feel restless? (cc)]

Here are a few things that I have done and/or do do now.

 

I started a "Things that bring me joy everyday list". I am prone to major fits of negativity and this list helps me keep things in perspective. On really bad days I admit it is hard to find something but usually once I think of one thing the rest starts flowing and I see how blessed I am.

 

I went back to school. I felt for a long time that everything that I was doing was for everyone else and my mind was just going to mush. I enrolled full time and while it has definatly spiced up my life, I find myself longing for the days of just being a mom. :) However I finally feel that I have accomplished something for myself that has bettered myself.

 

I get creative. My husband always knows when I am feeling blah because the house gets rearranged, walls are painted, I reinvent something. The key is that I start to feel stuck within these four walls and I have to mix it up a bit. When I do this it makes me feel rejuvenated and refreshened. It sounds so simple but it works.

 

I have a girls night out. This one was a HUGE helper. I have found that most moms go through the same thing. Getting out once a month gave us all something to look forward to that was out of the ordinary. We laughed, cried, and just got to be for a few hours. It did amazing things for each of us including making us better focused and caring mothers. (Not to mention that there was a running joke that TEA time always was great.)

 

I hope some of these will help you out until you figure out what you are called to do. I have been called to something also that really brings me joy and fullfillment. However I have choosen to work on this calling in a simple form for now because the full calling will require so much time away from my family. I have prayed and cried over this but once I laid my thoughts and plans out I found that I was calmed. I know that eventually I will start the very long road in my calling but until then I read everything I can, make connections, and learn everything about it. This way I am still doing what I feel I should but just not gung ho yet.

 

Good luck with the journey ahead.