I definitely agree with the previous posters about samples and how the light in the room totally changes the color. If you are completely unsure, most professional painters I have used or know are very good with color and can often make recommendations.

If the following link does not work, look up the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). They regulate Wells Fargo (and I think Wells Fargo may still be under some agreement with them because of prior issues). Banks due not want to be on the OCC's bad side! If Wells Fargo doesn't "own" your mortgage anymore, you could look up the regulator for the owner of the mortgage. As a previous poster mentioned, we have also used a Credit Union for many years for mortgages--they generally own and service the mortgage so things generally seem to go smoother. I hope this is helpful for you and others. I wish you the best!! https://www.helpwithmybank.gov/file-a-complaint/index-file-a-complaint.html

My dd actually liked the Memoria Press videos and the Holt Biology book. She loved the Princeton Biology Coloring Book. (I used a Campbell book with support materials from Pearson for my ds but wanted something different for my dd.) The Memoria Press materials are not the most robust, but my daughter retained the information and the schedule kept her on track. She often did additional research on items she found interesting. My dd will not be going into a STEM field, so we did not need the most challenging materials. The last few years have been difficult for me, so I needed something that required minimal input and planning from me.

Klmama, thank you so very much for the information and the additional resources! (I love your signature!)

We just looked at this and think it might be a good fit. Would you please let me know how much time you spent each day/week, and how long it took to complete the course? Many thanks for your help!

I would love to know more about this as well. I was thinking of CC for my dd when she hit 11th or 12th grade. I will send you a PM.

I haven't carefully read every single reply (sorry!), but please go get your heart checked out. My dh had absolutely NO markers for heart disease and appeared to be super healthy. However, he had a heart attack about 6 months ago. He had 100% blockage in his dominant artery. He was complaining that he was out-of-shape and got super winded whenever he exerted himself which made no sense to me because he was always active. However, it was his heart. Fortunately, because he was always active, his heart had created other robust circulatory pathways which prevented him from having major heart damage. I pray it is NOT your heart. However, I never would have believed my dh was having heart issues, so I do not want you to ignore that. I trust you are able to find help soon and that it is something easy to correct.

Sorry for the delay in responding. Between sickness, taxes, and life, I didn't see this message until last night. I apologize for the error in my original post! My son is currently a college freshman, so this information was from last year. He informed me that he was waitlisted at UCSD as well. He applied everywhere as an engineering major but is currently a Data Analytics major. His AP tests were in French, Spanish, Calc, & Physcis C Mechanics. He turned down the waitlist offers. We didn't want to jeopardize big scholarship opportunities at other schools for a "maybe chance" at a UC school. If I remember correctly, it was going to be mid-July before he was notified if he made the cut which obviously is too late for other schools. Because of his NMF status, he was offered full rides at 2 Texas schools and full tuition at 2 other Texas schools. (He didn't apply at any other NMF schools.) He was also offered the Presidential Scholarship at Chapman University which is where he decided to attend. His second choice was probably UTD--they definitely made him a VERY attractive offer. Best wishes to all of you as you make final decisions!! It is an exciting yet stressful time!

Woo Hoo!! Thanks for sharing!

Congrats to those admitted to a UC school!! My ds applied for the 2017-2018 school year and was waitlisted at UCI & UCSD, denied at UCLA, and was accepted at Cal Poly SLO. He was a NMF, had 4 AP exams, Math Level 2 Subject Test (800), Lit Subject Test (760), plus Medals for National Latin Exams and National Spanish Exams. The top UC schools are obviously very competitive, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't try!! The admit/reject offers often do not make sense to me. 😉 Fortunately, ds was offered very generous scholarships at other schools which actually made them less expensive than a UC school. Big hugs as you navigate the college application process!! I personally found it exhausting!

Thank you!! I just didn't want to jeopardize anything!! You are always so helpful!!

Yikes! Just when I am ready to upload all the documentation to the Common App, I realized that I forgot to include PE on our course descriptions. PE is on the transcript because it is required by the state; however, no school ds is applying to requires PE. Should I revise the course description, or not worry about it? Thanks as always from the wonderful and wise advice from this board! I wouldn't have made it through this process without everyone's help!!

It seems that many of you used one of the transcript slots for course descriptions. How then did you handle the following question under the Home School tab of the CA? Did you just say "See Course Descriptions"? If the student has taken courses from a distance learning program, traditional secondary school, or institution of higher education, please list the course title and content, sponsoring institution, instruction setting and schedule, and frequency of interactions with instructors and fellow students (once per day, week, etc.). In addition, if the student has taken any standardized testing other than those listed on page 2 of the Common Application, please also describe below. Also, what qualifies as a homeschooler's assocation? Are you a member of a homeschooler's association? I'm sure I am over-thinking this entire thing, but I do NOT want to mess up. My son is a MNMSF, so I haven't completely ruined his life; but everyone else's course descriptions and homeschool journeys sound so much more amazing than mine/ours that I become filled with doubt! : ) Thank you for your help!!

It was a second math/supplement to the "regular" AoPS books. He is definitely NOT lacking in credits, so I don't need to list it. I was just wondering how most people handled it. Thanks for the responses.

I am currently working on my son's NM application and transcript and am not sure how to list AoPS Volume I: The Basics & Volume 2: and Beyond. Did you list it as a separate course? If so, how many credits did you assign for the course? Thank you for your help!

I am currently working on the NM application and have a few questions: 1. Do you write anything in the school profile comments? If so, can you give me some examples? 2. Can you only enter the transcript after completing the school profile section? 3. Do you only list AP classes on the school profile section if the class is approved by the College Board? (DS has a few courses that are AP compatible but not College Board approved, so I wasn't sure if I should mark it on the AP section or Highest Level Courses.) 4. Do you list an AP course if your student didn't take the exam? (DS took AP Calculus AB through Derek Owens but did not sit for the exam.) Thank you for any help and words of wisdom.

I just sent a PM regarding the Fishbane text. Thank you!

We have decided to use the Campbell Biology: Concepts and Connections Text with Mastering Biology. For those that have used the program, Did you purchase directly from Pearson? Did you purchase the Instructor's Guide? If so, was it helpful? (I wasn't sure if it was necessary if we were purchasing "Mastering Biology".) If you ordered directly from Pearson, are there any challenges as a homeschooler? Is there a lab kit that works well with this program? We do not want to do dissections! I found a few syllabi online which is great; however, I am not a whiz at Biology so I can always use additional help!! Thank you in advance for your assistance. Warmest regards!

If someone is qualified with the exception of finances, you can appoint someone outside the family to handle the finances. We have it set-up so a financial advisor is overseeing the disbursement of funds. Best wishes with your decision.

We had a very bad private school experience (in Orange County, CA), so the admissions director's comments make me suspicious. We had recently moved and were struggling to meet people, so we enrolled our "always been homeschooled" children in 6th grade & 2nd grade in the private school. I had spoken at length with the Head Master, and it sounded perfect. Classical education in addition to strong math, science, & technology. Our children had to test to enroll in the school. We were lead to believe that we "barely made it into the school", and our children would have to work extremely hard to keep up with the other students. Our children were more organized and on top of their assignments than the other students who had always attended school. (My son changed classrooms and had multiple teachers.) My son and one other gifted student were frequently the only ones that had their assignments completed correctly and on time. My son spent math class every day helping the other students in class because he was an entire book ahead of the rest of the class in addition to being the youngest student in the class. He then had to come home and do his math homework--after teaching himself the assignment. The teachers all loved my kids because they were focused, did their work, and wanted to learn. (Now if they were only that focused at home with me!) The school was great at highlighting the one or two kids in the school that were doing amazing things which at the interview I assumed were all different students--not 10 stories about the same student. I would want a placement test and would attempt to talk with other families in the school and not just the two families they select for you as references. Will they let you come see the school and talk with the teachers? Also, how long have the teachers been teaching at the school? After our experience, I would run from any school that has high teacher turn-over. How long have most of the families been at the school? The school we attended could get people to enroll, but not to stay. Sorry for my "rant", and I hope that is helpful to you in some fashion. I know my son is just beginning 8th grade, but I cannot imagine making him repeat it! Best of luck in your decision!

Thank you for the links!! I didn't know that these existed, and they are so much better than what I was doing!

Thank you to everyone who gave me some great ideas. Tap, your ideas were very helpful. The oldest child is over 13, so I really like the idea of some family memberships for everyone to enjoy. Have a lovely day!

Thank you, Katie. They supposedly already have diapers and other associated items and do not want more. They are both good cooks and wholesome food is important, so that makes food gift certificates difficult. I had thought of a Whole Foods card but I wasn't sure about that.

Our choir director and wife just had their 4th child, and I am running out of ideas for gifts. They are set for baby clothes and baby furniture (car seats, high chair, etc), so I am at a loss what else to purchase. The group has already purchased a nice stroller that was requested; however, there is still $200 to spend. They are using cloth diapers and want to wash their own diapers, so diapers or diaper service isn't an option. They will also make all their own baby food and have the proper equipment for this. I suggested books or gift certificates for books since they homeschool and are a "book family", but some other members of the group thought that was strange. Any ideas that you have would be welcome!! Thanks in advance for your help!

One thing we did in our family which may or may not be useful in your situation was actually write a letter to my MIL. All of the kids noticed things with my FIL, but there was major denial about what was happening. My MIL initially wasn't happy about the letter but finally realized we had her best interests at heart. We then helped with attorneys and doctors to try and minimize the "damage" as time progressed. One thing that I wished the family HAD done but did not was write down memories or special things the failing person would want his or her family to know. However, some people can't face the reality of what is happening or it is too emotionally painful to deal with the memories. We often found that it had to be a third-party (generally a paid professional) to suggest things before they would happen. All of the kids could suggest something, and it would be ignored. However, if someone was hired then the advice would be heeded. I wish you the best--this is a very difficult journey.