I am just curious. I have those prefinished engineered hardwood floors. I had been using water and vinegar and then a friend said that was damaging. I would have loved to have the old-fashioned hard woods but you practically have to move out to have those installed. Does anyone know about this?

I usually wash things I love in cold and hang to dry. I do have one of the new front loaders which makes this much better since they get so much of the water out during the spin cycle. One downside is the vibration.

Congratulations! I am always curious about everyone's name. What is an amateur bee keeper?

I must admit that I have read these boards for the past several years but have only starting posting recently. I would love to figure out how to put more information like the signature line. I don't even really understand out the smilies work. I guess it will come with time. Any advice?

Congratulations! We are in house #5. Moving is a great time to keep what you love and get rid of the rest.:)

During the warm months, we love grilled hamburger steak with sauteed onions. I carmelized the onions with butter, salt, and worchestshire. YUM:)

I have no idea how old your children are but sometimes everybody needs a break and even a change of scenery. When my kids were younger, I would load them up in the car and go "some place." My ds(s) are 2 years apart and and at times still struggle to get along. I encourage them to love one another and to love well. Until they can love well, they cannot love others (i.e. no friends over). Also, Paul David Tripp has two books you might want to see if your library has: War of Words, and Age of Opportunity. These are both excellent. Wishing you a peaceful summer.....

Root beer is a great idea! I always appreciate having bottled water available too.

Chicken quesadillas from leftover crockpot salsa chicken.

I just PM'd you.

Coffee.....Folgers Half Caffeine. I would love to drink it fully leaded, but am trying to cut back on my caffeine.

We go to a beach west of Panama City most summers. We usually take a day and go to Seaside. You can rent bikes there if you don't plan on taking any. There is also a GREAT restaurant called Boondocks. It is off hwy79, I think, a little out of the way. We had stopped at a local fruit stand and asked for recommendations and they sent us there. It has really grown since the first year we ate there, so now they is usually a wait unless you go early. Really good fried crab claws (done the Gulf Coast way) and gumbo and fried dill pickles. Enjoy the beach.

I too have that book. We got it from Timberdoodle. If someone here really liked it, I may have to dust it off and add it to our summer pile.

That's great! Thanks for the link. A reading list would be fabulous.....

Yes, we will do some schoolwork over the summer interrupted by a summmer camp or 2. We had a very busy year and will be finishing up in the next month and then just continuing. Hopefully, we will get up and get finished early as there are neighborhood children they will want to play with.

We also downsized a couple of years ago (reducing by 1200 ft2) in a move to another state.....sounded like a good idea at the time. The moving truck arrived and the movers looked at me and said you want all this stuff to go in there?! We have bookshelves in most rooms, but I try to organize by theme. My husband says we could get more on the shelves if I weren't trying to decorate them as well. My dc have a desk in their room. We also went with a laptop which has been great!

SOTW CDs Analytical Grammar IEW

I agree with the previous posts that you do not have to do a particular science. We have used Christian Kids Explore Biology which was good. We also have done 2 of the Apologia-Young Explorers books. I thought they were very good.

If you do want to venture over into NC and go to the Indian reservation, I highly the outdoor drama Unto These Hills. My ds(s) enjoyed it. The next day we did the museum and the village. Having seen the play, they got a lot out of these. There is also rafting. We went to one that specialized in kids. Safe and great fun.

I grew up about 45 minutes from Gatlinburg. I can't say that I would want to stay in Gatlinburg, maybe Townsend or Walden or the outskirts of Pigeon Forge, if you want to be out of the hubub. Gatlinburg is very "touristy" and loads of traffic, really even Pigeon Forge. Dollywood, on the other hand, is loads of fun. Even in the middle of summer, you will find shade and a place to sit and watch the crowds. Very family oriented. I have heard Splash Country is great as well. Restaurants that I would recommend would be the Apple Barn and The Old Mill Restaurant. Have a great time!

.....I am headed off to get started with LibraryThing.

I have a LOT of books. I would love to have a computer list that would have a place for which child has read, loaned out, sold but read, etc. Do you just make your own spreadsheets? I have a Mac. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Every year I have this conversation with my husband. I LOVE my MAC, but how I would love some planner software. I have one more year before high school. Please post if anyone finds something.

I bought this for my 7th grader. I remember it being expensive, but it covers three years. He went from hating grammar to never complaining about it. He actually said he likes grammar. After using it for a month, I bought JAG for ds (5th grade). I also like that you finish it in 10 weeks and then you can devote that time to something else. So, I consider it one of my best buys.

I have always wondered about these. I have limited storage. With cleaning these being a challenge, I can keep on walking by them next time I am in Walmart.