Our anniversary is in October, so I'd like to go to a New England state near the ocean. I've always wanted to see New England in the fall with all the trees turning color and I'd like to try clamming and trying different sea foods. (I grew up following the old testament food laws, so I haven't tried many.)

I saw a picture on a poster (probably Photoshopped, but maybe not) of an old person with multiple earrings in holes on sagging earlobes and a wrinkled, indistinguishable tattoo. (I think her nose was peirced, too.) The point was how is that going to look when you're old, and do you really want to look like that? I think the caption on the poster was "Just because it seems like a good idea now doesn't mean it is" or something like that. That really stuck with me and now whenever I see a tattoo I think of it on old, wrinkled, sagging skin. :ack2: For: My best friend's husband got his daughter's names tattooed on his upper arms, and I think that's sweet. For: I think military tattoos on a guy's arm are cool. Against: An ex-girlfriend of my bil got a tatoo that, while it didn't have his name on it, was suppose to symbolize their relationship. She can't afford to have it removed, so it's going to be there a looooong time. Against: A neighbor that we were friends with got a HUGE picture of Dopy (the dwarf from Snow White) that went from shoulder to shoulder. Neutral: My sil has a verse reference tattooed on her wrist. It's a verse about Jesus paying the price for our sins. It's a nice thought, but it doesn't look pretty. Against: A co-worker of dh has a LOT of tattoos, on her arms and chest. That combined with her severe haircut that is non-flattering, it makes her look like she gave up on ever wanting to look pretty, and decided to go for edgy instead.

I'd pick whichever would be easier to clean/doesn't show stains or dirt as much. Which would probably be the darker color scheme. My Alaska family mentioned that they thought my brother's home in Arizona was very darkly decorated. Their house is brightly decorated because they are looking for a feeling of light and warmth, something different from their outside environment. And my brother's house is darker because he's looking for a feeling of cool, oasis, break from the desert outside. So you might want to go opposite of your climate. Another consideration might be how long/dark/severe your winters are. If you are prone to cabin fever/SAD I would chose the brighter/more cheerful look to help in the winter months.

:lol:

I spoke to my fil today about this bill and the concerns it raises. (Trying to say this in a way that keeps it non-political.) He thinks that even if something like this passes the house that the Governor will turn it down because he is trying to cut the budget and adding more kids/teachers/schools/bureaucracy is contrary to that. This does not mean that I think that it should not be talked about and, if necessary, fought. Even if it never passes it could still put the idea "out there" for others to try. But it's nice to think that this has a good chance of not happening. :001_smile:

I don't think so. My fil taught at a private Christian school without a license, but that was 20 years ago.

Because homeschools in CA are private schools.

:iagree: Thank you for putting this in a way that hopefully those not understanding Hot Lava Mama will be able to understand. I would hope that an average home would meet the pre-school/day-care guidelines, but not everyone lives in a good-sized home.

:iagree: I guess homeschoolers will have to file for kindergarten then, too?

WTM says to start a spelling program when they are about 1/2 way through OPG. I saw on here recently that it is recommended to start FLL when you reach lesson 140 in OPG. I was planning to start a bit earlier than that. I don't have any advice about starting with an older child. But the WTM addresses it in the appropriate chapters.

Homeschooling rocks because I get to do things that I wish I could have done as a kid. (I am SOOOOO looking forward to the Chicken Mummy this fall!!!)

Answers in blue.

My first I nursed and then he slept on fil's chest in the recliner chair (we lived with my in-laws at the time and he was a sanity-saver!) when he woke up at night. My second I couldn't nurse but I spent the first two months or so sleeping next to him on the couch (he only slept with Pride and Prejudice (Colin Firth version) on.)

All I remember was about $800/month, and we had to pick them up earlier than the average work day is done. (An in-home provider.)

I have a set from 1940 :D I think it's so cool to be able to look at things from that perspective! But, it's not a good resource for modern work. And I have no room for them, so they're in boxes under the bed. :glare: DH doesn't understand why I hold on to them. I don't think many people will.

"I understand you and the kids are still in your jammies and the house is a wreak. You HAD to stay in that online debate for the sake of homeschoolers everywhere." :smilielol5::smilielol5::smilielol5:

Friend's dd6, (my)ds5 and ds3: What Your Kindergartener Needs to Know, Evan-Moor Learning about being a Scientist (I'm making them lab coats out of second hand men's white button up shirts,) The Nature Connection. OPG/HOP and for Friend's dd6 we're working on a list of high frequency words needed for 1st grade that her public school sent home. Ds5 is also going to work on handwriting. :banghead:

:lol::lol: Te he! I love this.

:iagree: I had to go back a year to find a picture of me that wasn't half obscured by a kid!

Ah, but will you recognize me without my son's "smi-nu" (smile for the camera) face? :001_smile: ETA: I changed it to ds#1 and I being orangutangs at the zoo. (Last year.)

Umm, I hate the Daring Book for Girls. There is some good stuff in there, and then there's parts on how to contact spirits, make someone levitate, etc. under "Sleepover Games." :glare: However I do love the Dangerous book for boys. I bought it when it first came out to give to ds#1 when he's 8 I figured it would make a good summer project book, but not something to base a school year on.

I have your blog in my signature :D (I hope that's okay.) I recommend you and the Word Builder toy I found out about because of you to every parent I know. (Hmm, maybe I could get LeapFrog to pay me for all the advertising I do for them....jk.)

Reading: finishing OPG and HOP levels 4&5. Spelling: Spelling Workout, although there is a chance we'll have to switch to AAS later in the year. Grammar: FLL 1 Writing: WWE 1 Handwriting: Zaner-Blouser Math: Finish Right Start A, start Right Start B History: SOTW: Ancients, I Love America (done with 'Apa who's a big American history buff.) Science: We're following WTM recommendations, but we're supplementing with the Evan-Moor science workbooks for Plants, Animals, Human Body, and Simple Machines (ds5 is obsessed with simple machines.) Also the Nature Connection (on the weekends with Daddy.)

This lady's blog is probably exactly what you're looking for. I second the LeapFrog videos. They're great; especially the Talking Words Factory. And the Word Builder Toy is amazing. I recommend it to everyone. The first level teaches letter names and sounds, the second teaches blending and 3 letter words.

Dh's grandmother re-married. She sold her house and moved out of state with him, and took care of him when he got really sick and lost a foot to diabetes. He left everything to his daughter from a previous marriage with the understanding that GG was suppose to be able to live in the house for as long as she wanted, rent free. But the step daughter was so miserable to her, counting china and furniture and deciding what was "hers" and what was dh's grandmother that it was intolerable for her. Her 2nd husband had 2 life insurance policies. The large one and the house went to his daughter, the $3,000 one and the only-half-paid-off-car went to GG. :glare: That was all based on what was in his will. I don't think there is any good way to talk to someone about their will, unless you're asking about how/where they want to be buried/cremated/interred. And then they get the message that you think they're near death's door. :tongue_smilie: Sorry, I don't think that was any help to you.