I just read your post to dh to see what he would say. First he took the concerned approach, "Well, if you gained a lot of weight and started looking frumpy, I'd be concerned because that's not the way you are." I pushed and said what if I was just wearning ugly baggy jeans and sweatshirts and gained weight and just didn't care. He admitted that this would not make him overly happy. He and I have had this discussion lately, lol, but because of him, not me. He's got all these ugly stained shirts that he's been wearing to work around the house. Now, he's got plenty of nice-looking shirts, but inevitably he puts an ugly shirt on every weekend "just in case" he does some type of messy work. Frankly, I'd rather see him looking nicer than that. Stains and holes are just not my thing...and it's worse when we go to Home Depot or Wegmans...he just looks sloppy....bleh. We've finally compromised. I won't throw the ugly shirts away, but he won't wear them unless he's actually doing something really messy. Instead, I gave him a bunch of clean, new t-shirts and told him that they are okay to wear, even if it's a messy job. At least he looks better in them. Today he's making beer. He's in one of the t-shirts. Looks good. :D Tee hee. Ria

You say he gets "very little screen time," but honestly, no kid is going to wet himself with just 25 minutes in front of a computer or Gameboy. If it's a screen time issue, have him use the bathroom before he plays, and set the timer for 30 minutes. When it beeps, he's done for the day. If he wets during that time, having already used the bathroom less than 30 minutes from the time he wet, you need to see a doctor asap. There's nothing wrong with telling a child that you'll be setting the timer once an hour during the day and reminding him to use the bathroom. Seems to me that makes a heck of a lot more sense that writing sentences. Ria

$3.29 here in SE PA. Ria

Yes. Ria

Thanks, Jules! I feel so much better! :D I like Oh Elizabeth's suggestions. Some of those kits she mentioned are really fun and he'll learn a lot. Ria

There are a number of good curriculums out there, but to be honest, the key to academic success is parental involvement. It distresses me to no end to read about a parent wanting a science (or math, etc) program that a child can do independently. I am hoping that I misread your post and that you do plan to be involved. As bright as your child sounds, you could have some great discussions about whatever the curriculum covers. Ria

Hot? Not on my radar. Hot, to me, is some type of look so other men will stare at and/or want you. No thanks! Attractive is on my radar, thanks! I want to look attractive to my dh, and not be embarrassed when I walk out the door. That means decent clothing (not the latest and greatest, but more of a classic "I care about not looking like a slob" attitude), some type of taming to the wild curly hair, maybe some eyeliner and lipstick. Nothing much, but enough to show that I'm not letting myself go. I'm a size 6/8 (5' 5")after 23 years of marriage, so I think I'm doing okay weight-wise. Ria

We use ours almost daily. Like one of the other posters, I have the large professional model. We use it to make cookies, mashed potatoes, whipped cream, knead bread....you name it. I cook everything from scratch, so my KA mixer and my KA food processor are used almost daily...sometimes multiple times per day. Expect to pay anywhere from $200 - $400. Ria

Go to http://www.singaporemath.com/Interactive_Science_s/68.htm and click on the textbook for the course. On the page that pops up you'll see two tabs. Descritions and Contents/Samples. Click Contents/Samples and you'll see the topics covered for the year, along with some sample pages you can click at the bottom. FAir warning: sexual diseases and birth control are taught in these books. It's part of the science curriculum in Singapore. Ria

I didn't have the TE, only the student text, workbooks, and practical (lab) books), but I have a strong science background. I taught this course one year to a group of homeschoolers, and the moms were totally frustrated - the questions in the books actually require a child to take what they've learned and think about it to come up with an answer to a new situation/problem, rather than rote memorization. Because of their experience I'd suggest you get the TE. Singapore approaches science very differently than most kids/moms are used to. You will need lab supplies...best to get the books and then see what you have and what you need. You can subsitute for some of the required equipment. Somewhere I had a list typed up of what was needed for both IS 1and IS 2...maybe it's floating somewhere on the boards.... Ria

We have a self-stoking coal stove as well. We keep the furnace (oil-burning) turned off but run the furnace fan to circulate the air through the house. The coal stove keeps the downstairs toasty. The upstairs is cooler, but we only go up there to sleep. Last year we saved over $2000 on heating oil (compared to our neighbors in similar houses). This year, with oil prices, we'll save even more. Ria

How's this...I can't decide! My 16-yr old, a junior, has already taken the SATs (last spring). I know, based on the past few years' scores, that he won't be a Merit finalist. He could easily be a commended scholar, like his older siblings, but honestly, that meant nothing in terms of college scholarships. If colleges give scholarships it will be based on the SAT, not the PSAT. Money is tight, the economy is bad...I just don't know that taking the PSAT would do anything. I think we'll probably skip the PSATs and have him retake the SATs in the next few months. Ria

No you don't. You resemble Kaylee, darn it. :lol: Ria

You all crack me up. That is all. Ria

Singapore Math used to offer a middle school science course (2 year course) called Interactive Science. It was by far the best science program I've seen for junior high kids. I have no clue if it is still available. I think they were discontinuing it (I bought a few copies of each workbook/lab book so I'd have all I needed). My guys are now in public school, but I'm still going to work though this series with them. Prentice Hall is good, but it has nothing on IS. Edited to add: Oh, yea! I just looked and this has been republished. Please look at the samples. www.singaporemath.com Ria

She's still a good dog, and is still the dog you loved and trusted so much. I agree with the first poster that she's probably in pain. I'd talk to the vet. I'm so sorry. It hurts so much to see your beloved pets grow old. Ria

Welcome!! Ria (mom of 6; 5 boys, 1 girl)

Praying. Hang in there. Ria

You can't use chickpea flour as a subsitute for wheat flour. It doesn't work that way. I sometimes make Indian breads that call for chickpea flour, but it's only a few tablespoons at a time. I hope you like hummus!! That's easy to make with chickpeas. Ria

Change their diet. LOL. I don't mean that to sound snarky. My five sons love meat, but they'll eat salad. So, I got a great salad cookbook this summer that has some yummy recipes. Things like miniature blue cheese burgers on a bed of lettuce with blue cheese dressing. Or buffalo chicken salad. I use meat sparingly, and lots of greens, and we are all happy. Stir fry is another great option. I'm with Spy Car....not eating plants is not good. Ria

I'm curious...is the economic mess going to personally affect your family this year? Are you going to say something to your kids about why things might be scaled back? My kids (6 of them) are each getting their stockings (candy and little things inside) and $50. They can request a gift with the $50, pool their money for a larger gift to share, have us deposit the money in their bank accounts...whatever. But that's it. My kids are older (11 - 19). As far as gifts for other family members, I'm going to give some canned goods (jam, hot pepper jelly, cranberry sauce). I'll still need to get something more for my parents, but don't know what yet. Ria

Wow...the fact that they are allowing contact in sparring suprises me. And without gear? That's not good. My five sons are all 2nd-degree black belts. Our masters do not allow contact during sparring until the kids are at the red belt level, and then only light contact. All sparring takes place with full gear/mouth guard. There's no way contact would be allowed with someone of a lower rank. Students at our gym are taught that control is all-important. Students should be able to spar well and not make contact. Ria

Thanks, Soph. I think lots of people declaw their cats because, as you mentioned, they think of it as nothing more than a severe nail trim. If more people were aware of what declawing actually is, maybe it would stop. One day when my kids were younger we were taking a walk around the neighborhood. We saw some dogs and realized they had a cat. I ran over, but it was too late. The cat was dead. I had to ring the bell and tell the owner that her kitty was dead in the yard. Kitty had been declawed, of course, and couldn't get up the tree that she died beside. My kids cried for hours. I was upset and angry. Declawing isn't nice. Letting a declawed kitty outside (this woman routinely let her kitty outside) is unbelievable. Ria

Wooden Christmas tree ornaments and wooden angel orchestra figures. http://www.erzgebirge-palace.com/Angels/Orchestra-of-Angels-KWO:::55_100.htmles. And don't forget the smoking men! http://dergrosshandler.com/german_smoking_men.htm Ria