I'm a little disappointed we never discovered or tried this for my older dc. I remember hearing about it but never really pursuing it. Maybe there wasn't a streaming option then and the individual courses purchased can be a little pricey so maybe that is what deterred me. Either way, there is guitar (which ds wants to learn) and I'm excited to try it lol.

I signed up for the free trial. It seems awesome and I just noticed all the books. It is quite a deal really. I wonder how the Spanish 1 program would be for a kiddo who will not be a humanities major? If added to say homeschool Spanish academy for speaking practice?

DS is really really enjoying a set we bought on Ebay for the early Middle Ages. I think he would love using this resource more. Is it better to go the audible route or wondrium or is there a better way? Which platform do y'all prefer for this 🙂

DD competed and got the top "full ride" scholarship for Furman. It was a big deal, very selective, lots of interviews, staff meets, weekends, etc. Their "full ride" didn't include room, board, and fees so it ended up still being higher for her than a lot of other schools (since she had aid at those schools too). Those "other" things can really add up!

nm

Both of my DD’s struggled with driving and delayed until 18 getting a license. For those who say “let her ride with DH”. With oldest DD, he kept saying “it can’t be that bad and making fun of me for saying it was awful” and he went with her once. Once. Then he said “I’m not doing that.” She eventually caught on. Sophomore year of college she really wanted the freedom to have a car on campus and come home. So she was 20 when she really started driving independently and she’s 24 now. She still doesn’t prefer to drive but she can. Youngest went into it more brave, then within the first week she was in an accident and wouldn’t get back behind the wheel. To make it worse, she became a personal injury paralegal, looking at accident cases all day long. It made her fears worse. She didn’t drive again until more recently. Her DH has pushed her more to drive. She’s also decided she’s tired of relying on him to get her places. She’s doing better. She’s 20. So maybe 20 will be the magic age for your dd too lol.

DS is a May birthday so not super young for his grade. More middle I think? I just anticipate he may want one more year at home, could do more DE, and could fill in some extracurriculars that were lacking 😅

@KungFuPanda I’m so very sorry for your loss. Praying for you and your family during this incredibly difficult time. I just can’t imagine what you’re feeling right now, no matter how much you know it’s coming, I don’t think you can ever truly be prepared.

Maybe a far reach here but could it be anxiety? Do you have any anxieties, especially about food? My foster brother does and he had so many food aversions when he first came to us at 7. He has outgrown most of them (he’s 30 now) but when he is anxious again about anything he will revert back to swallowing issues.

Is the sister your step mom’s daughter? Or is she step mom to both of you? I tend to agree with @Heartstrings Your sister sounds controlling over the situation but that is a separate issue to just popping this on someone. Maybe you all need to talk to her without your sisters permission (if the rest of you agree) but without the new brother present. If the sister you speak of is her daughter (not a step daughter)then that may be a little different since they were together after y’all were much grown (she didn’t raise you as her children). That doesn’t mean you aren’t close, it just means you should let her bio daughter take the lead.

Yes, we aren’t there, we don’t know who all this involves or their personalities. You would be a better judge of this. Maybe put out feelers to see how she would feel about a situation like this? If you think she’d be amiable about it then tell her and then introduce them. I just don’t think a surprise is a good idea. Tell her first. It could put him in an awkward spot if she doesn’t respond to his presence amiably. Is he wanting to see the house because he wants to be in on an inheritance? But his presence would cut down your sister’s portion?

It would be ok for all of y’all to go and talk to her without your new brother and then invite her to meet him later but to show up with him is a lot. New information plus a stranger, that can be overwhelming to someone. I also had a similar thought to @Terabith though … how old is she? How do you think she’ll take it? Is it even worth it?

Do you use the brown sugar or are you able to skip it and it still be good?

Can you screenshot it for us. There is a paywall 🙂

So many reasons to make your own and this is one of them

That looks great! I wonder if almond butter would sub ok. DH can’t do peanuts.

Do you have a Trader Joe’s? We made all older Dd’s bouquets. We just used twine around the bottom. We used an assortment of Trader Joe’s with this pretty peach mini rose we found at Sam’s.

Here is mine so far https://cookieandkate.com/healthy-granola-recipe/#tasty-recipes-23967-jump-target I omit the fruit and let people add in what they want. DH eats a lot of granola so I have it set up like this ….

I've heard in passing of a few students doing this. What does this entail? How does it look on a transcript? Has anyone here had a student do it?

To make one quart, I soaked whole raw almonds (3/4 cup) and 1/4 cup raw cashews. I soaked them for quite a while (12 hours or so). To a high powered blender (I have a vitamin), add a dash of salt, 5 cups of water (if you want it sweetened then add honey or maple syrup). Blend well. The key is to strain is really good. I strained the bulk out with a flour sack towel twice and then use a finer tea strainer twice.

It was a win here with plant milk …

Praying for your family during this difficult time.

I've never seen such a lovely nest. Could a snake have gotten them? That is what happens to most of our baby birds and eggs here 😞

I could see how you would think that in your shoes but it is just ignorance of the situation we were in. We tried ALL sorts of things first. He hates shooting them but we had no such luck with all sorts of other options. Even now, he doesn't shoot right away. He watches and waits and tries other things and makes sure he's only getting the ones that are actually being a problem. I didn't even mention, they were in our attic. Chewing all sorts of stuff. It was a fire hazard. If they chew through our home wiring, we are a fire risk and living in a 150 year old farmhouse, it would burn fast. It was insane. I have no idea what is wrong with these squirrels. They are a whole different brand or something.

My husband has taken to shooting squirrels sometimes but he’s very careful about it. He’s not into guns and doesn’t even care for them but we have a really huge squirrel problem. They chewed through tbe wiring harness on my brand new Honda pilot. It was $2k to replace and they’ve chewed the tank that holds the windshield wiper fluid so I have no way to clean the windows and they’re eating - literally eating - our garden shed. ETA: we live on acreage and wouldn’t do this in a neighborhood. I think that in the country is ok and par for the course. In a neighborhood is a no.