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My 20 yo. daughter wants to eventually travel to Greece this fall, but she doesn't have anyone to go with. Could anyone point me in the right direction and tell me if you know of any "Christian" or "homeschool" type travel agencies that could hook her up with a trustworthy group to travel with. Also, where could she go for Christian penpals from Greece? I want her to have a fun and SAFE travel experience. Thanks!!

I would really like to use Trism's HM for my (next year) sophomore daughter. She is doing BJU American History this year and would much rather do the research style of learning next year. I just want a world history course that covers it all in one book, so I can use it for 2 years. So...anyone had any experience with this?

My daughter loves the research style science we're doing, and would like a research based American history like it. We'll be doing the Trisms HM for world history and I was wondering if there is anything like Trisms just for American history? Anyone have any thoughts?? Thanks

My 13 yod has never been able to memorize her multiplication OR addition facts. ( She can get by with the adding, but not quickly.) I have tried all kinds of things since her 3rd grade year. Quarter Mile, flashcards, abacus, the actual table right in front of her. All to no avail. No matter how much she looks at the answers, she can't seem to remember them 5 minutes later. I am using R&S math 5 for her as a foundation taking leave of it to delve into concepts she doesn't understand. I can't take her into any higher math until she gets those tables down pat. Does she just need some more time to "mature"? Does anyone have any ideas about what I could try?????

Funny, I've been asking the same question this past week. I've used TOG faithfully for 6 years with 6 kids. I even manned a TOG booth for a convention. But, I'm gettin tired of planning etc, not to mention the oldest 2 daughters I have left (grades 7 & 9) don't enjoy it, therefore don't remember what they read. I don't do grammar or geography TOG style anymore, so I wonder, why do I use TOG for just history? I never wanted to use texts, but they sure look tempting with pre-plans and those review/comprehension questions at the end of chapters. My youngest child (now 7) has been a medical nightmare since birth and now that he's better, I really want to get him caught up by spending time teaching him. I want to be able to put the 3 older kids on autopilot more. I've been drawn to Notgrass for my freshman daughter, but not quite sure what I would do with my 7th daughter and 5th son if I choose to jump ship on TOG. Oh, the woes of a tire-burned out homeschool mom!!

I was looking at Classical Writing's beginning poetry, but, MAN!! it's so expensive. There are some less expensive ones in Rainbow catalog, but I can't tell from the write-up what's good and what's not. Any of you ladies have good experiences with any particular course?? I'd like to hear about them.

That was exactly my reaction when I received my Homer core. I read it and was overwhelmed to the point of quitting before I even got started. Then it dawned on me as I was looking through the student book that everything was laid out for me (pretty much) and I just had to read the pages in the core that was listed in the student lesson. It just looks scary until you find your way around.

This probably sounds bad, but I haven't really had a bed time for my kids in ages. My boys, 7 and 10 go to bed around 9-9:30 usually, sometimes later, but normally all by themselves. My girls 12 & 14 go to bed between 10-11. With no bedtime, they've never viewed it as something "special" to stay up late, like I did when I was their age and had a strict bedtime.

I actually started my older daughter in WT2, then put her in Homer A. The younger daughter I started in WT1 and is now about 3/4 finished with WT2. My son (10) is just starting WT2 after completing WT1. It's working fine with all the kids, even though they have different learning styles.

Well, I've found that I must sit with them much more. On the first day of a lesson, I discuss the main characters, setting, why characters did what they did, consequences of actions, how that applies to life etc. Then on grammar related things, parsing, synonym substitution, and diagramming, I'm always available to them for questions and "did I do this right?" sort of questions. I usually work with them and make sure they know what they're doing. I also need to read the section of the core book before teaching. When they write their final draft, I go through it with them and make sure they know what mistakes they made, why, and what to do to correct it. Altogether, I average about 30 min for each girl. So, unlike other independent programs, this one involves me much more. But, for my girls, it is paying off.

I have 2 daughters (ages 12 & 14 now) who have never been keen on writing. I tried a whole bunch of different things and programs. The younger one, just over a year ago, couldn't even write a story cohesively. I felt like a total failure. Then I decided to try Writing Tales and CW Homer. Today, both of them read me their polished final draft. I could have cried. The younger ones story was so smoothly put together and flowery in her choice of words. The same for the older. Both girls have really improved dramatically. These two programs have been more teacher intensive, but the results for my girls have been impressive. It's been worth it. I just wanted to share this success with you ladies.

I always plant a humungous garden, but I have such an un-green thumb, so I have to work hard at it. I am doing melon, squash, potatoes, popcorn, beans, peas, carrots, cabbage, celery, onions, greens, patty pans, sugar beets, (for the goats), tomatoes. Also putting in strawberries, blueberries, red raspberries, pear, apple, cherries, peaches. Makes me feel overwhelmed.

My dh works for a Japanese auto parts manufacturer. Instead of making a pay cut, they're mandating that each salaried employee take 1 day of unpaid leave every month. So, my dh will be working 12 less days per year without pay. Interesting.

17 years

The video clip is being selective in just showing women. THey didn't catch all the accidents caused by men. (which are many more) Men and women are just different. Women are more careful and cautious, for the most part, which is why they have lower insurance rates. Men, on the other hand, have a different and better depth perception. But, they tend to be more daring and arrogant as to their "skill" meaning more chance of accidents and higher rates. I know when I ride with my dh, I sit all tense when he parks our full size van or comes to a stop sign and doesn't brake when I think he should . I "see" that he's too close and going to hit the next car, but he "sees" it differently and does just fine. After learning of the perception difference, I was able to sit back and relax a little and take that into consideration when I drive.

I'm trying to spend less and less at the grocery. But even though I raise alot of my own fruit and veggies, freeze and can, raise my own meat, milk, eggs, there's still all those hidden costs like animal feed, vet bills, canning lids, freezer bags. As for store canned and dry food at the grocery, much of it I don't even consider food so wouldn't bother stockpiling. Even gardening has it's costs. Nope, can't do it on $1500.

:auto: Who was taking my picture? That was me! ;):lol:

I did have that happen a couple of times, so I pretty much order from iherb.com and smartbomb.com

I have 3 in those grade levels. I use TOG since all ages are doable at the same time. I also use Easy Grammar, WT, CW, R&S math.

Here's what I do. I'm using WT 1 & 2, and CW Homer for writing. Instead of pulling out my Mary Daly's Diagramming book, I just have them do their page or two of Easy Grammar, then have them diagram some of the sentences they did. If there's something I'm not sure about, I get out Mary Daly's and look up what I don't understand, then explain it to them. The only R&S English I use anymore is the worksheets when they need practice on a particular issue.

History: TOG Learning THrough History magazine Math: Miquon Rod & Staff AL Abacus Language Writing Tales Easy Grammar R&S worksheets Economics Penny Candy

This sure rings a bell for me. Just 2 days ago my dh came into the livingroom where I was busily folding clothes. He asked me if I knew where the cord for the popcorn popper was. I told him he's the only one who pops the corn. My 14yod walks into the pantry and comes out with the cord. I said to my daughter, tongue in cheek, that guys are such terrible lookers. (I have 4 girls and 2 boys at home, so we have fun with this) I noticed a few minutes later that he got all quiet. I asked him what was wrong. "nothing". "OHHH, are you hurt because I said guys are terrible lookers???" "Well, I think that was JUST directed at ME" I just laughed. I told him that all guys are terrible lookers. I hear it all the time from ladies. So, I just had to forward that blog to him at work. Thanks for sharing it!!

My daughters started with my old traditionals plus more and a sprinkling of some classics. No question the traditionals are the ones to get for girls.

I require all my kiddos to take piano. If they want to expand into other musical instruments, then that's great. My 18 yod started piano at age 6 and violin at 8. She is very accomplished at both playing weddings and for churches. In her opinion you should definately start with piano because you can visualize the notes better than with another instrument. With violine first, the student has to learn both notes and positions at the same time. With piano first, the notes are learned, therefore, there's not as much on the plate when violin is learned. Piano is just a good foundation and is so versatile. Make sense?