Hmmm.....after working with animals for so many years, I knew that there was a difference in pet foods, and I do believe there is a breaking point between different levels of quality. What I'm trying to say is...certain premium foods are better than certain store brands. If I had a choice, my pets would have all eaten top of the line premuim foods from the get-go. However, we certainly couldn't afford that way back when we were first married and had puppies and kittens. So, they ate Cat Chow and Dog Chow, which I felt were the best foods in that price range. I've always felt that Purina was the leader in the pet food industry for decades. Now, that cat is 16 and his buddy is 6 and eats Prescription Diet no matter what the cost. :) (They both have kidney issues) Our first dog has passed away and our recent dog is almost 6 and just had major orthopedic surgery. Since it's a degenerative condition and they predict his other knee to go within a year, I'm probably switching him over to an all natural food with glucosamine, hoping to prevent arthritis in a young, extremely active dog that we just adore. So how do I pick my pet food? I pick the best food that I can afford that suits the needs of my pet. It's a priority to me now that might be different for someone else or might be different if they weren't all special needs critters. So now, picking a pet food is about health issues. Back then, it was name recognition. I'm not trying to sell you on a brand, but for instance, I always liked Purina because they have been researching animal dietary needs for decades. They have some great lines at a variety of prices...Puppy Chow to Pro Plan to ONE, etc. Cost is definitely an issue, and those foods are affordable. When I first worked with animals, I worked in the kennels, walking dogs and cleaning cages. Dogs fed cheap foods poop alot and I always surmised that they must be fed lots of fillers. Dogs on premium foods did have more compact stools...less waste...literally.

It requires no prep, it can be done orally, and it is very thorough in the subject matter that it covers.

FloridaLisa, what would you use for history instead? Our history plans may fall through and I was curious about which approach I would take for hs history. My dd loves a hands-on approach filled with real people through literature, movies, documentaries, etc.

Ah...I'm thinking of Jacklyn (sp?) and I couldn't remember if she had a dd or just boys.

Hey, Jackie....same Jackie in Central FL? Who are you riding with? I know a few people and one with a Bandit...curious...

Well, my oldest dd and our Aussie were all set to begin Agility classes in April, then the dog injured his knee. We tried rest, but he ended up with a complete rupture of the CCL (canine equivalent of the ACL). He had the new corrective surgery and gets his stitches out today. So instead of jumping and running in the backyard, he gets his first 5 min leash walk in two weeks. :( The vet is optimistic that he'll regain full use of his leg and could get cleared for agility, but that's 6 months down the road. Since he has a 50% chance of rupturing the other side, I don't know if dh is up for that risk! :) Maybe obedience is looking like a better idea!! Enjoy your agility dog...we're envious!

Great thread!!! My oldest urns 14 next month and she is very emo--totally centered around music, yet completely conservative, socially and politically, if that makes sense. Yesterday we went to the mall and she bought Queen's Greatest Hits as a late Mother's Day present for me (and for her Zune, I'm sure), as well as Boys Like Girls. I also listen to Skillet, Fall Out Boys, and Panic at the Disco with her. Maybe I'm still a kid at heart, but I like the music. She googles the lyrics first to make sure they aren't objectionable. We don't emphasize dating here, but I think maybe she does dig the romance and gasp, sexual parts. She does think the guys are attractive. My youngest (12) has recently gotten into the Jonas Bros and Miley Cyrus...probably just to drive her sister nuts! :) Our family listens to a variety of music and the girls have classical, opera, pop, and rock on their Zunes. We're just as likely to listen to smooth jazz as Aerosmith as well contemporary Christian. Well, I guess I just rambled on and didn't really contribute to this thread!!! LOL! Hmmm...what is it that makes us wake up to music (lyrics and the beat) in adolescence?

It will only get better! I don't know if I get dry lips with these biologics. I have dry lips, but I'm sure it's related to other autoimmune issues (RA Sjogren's, etc). If I use chapstick at night, I'm good.

Robin, I can't comment about Saxon, since I haven't used 8/7, but I did use Cd Pre-Alg with my oldest. In 7th grade, my dd started the Pre-Alg program, but just didn't seem to have a solid grasp on the material in the spring. I slowed down and reviewed during the spring, gave her the summer off, and then began Cd Pre-Alg again in 8th grade instead of moving her to Alg I. I backed her up a few chapters (to repeat), and she finished the book early. I had a copy of TT Pre-Alg that we never really used, but I've been having her do the last few chapters just to keep her busy and to keep the math fresh. I'm not in a big hurry-she has four math credits to complete in high school, so if she does Alg I, Geomoetry, Alg II, and Trig/Pre-Calc, that's good enough for me!!

My 9th grader is taking Alg I Honors starting June 23rd. We had the preliminary phone call with the teacher and watched the 'Open House' webinar. She's looking forward to that course and is also slated to take Intro to Business Computers over the summer so she can take Web Design I in the fall. So far, all I can report is that the guidance is helpful and her Alg I teacher seems nice so far! :001_smile:

OK, anything read by Jim Dale has to be a winner! ;)

I agree with Tami, but I must add that I only have girls! However, I think it is important to be well-read in a variety of genres. I also love the idea of boys gleaning from a woman's perspective. An interesting note that ties in with this topic. My rising 7th grader just received her summer reading assignment from her classical co-op. One of the choices was "My Antonia", and the essay topic was to explain how the woman author could write so convincingly from a man's perspective in the main character of Jim. My oldest has to read Huck Finn next year and I know she's going to balk. Well...it's the assignment!

Having taught science to grades K-8 for the past 9 years, I have used a lot of different materials! Deciding which curriculum to use depends on your budget, too. I should also add that I don't necessarily follow that children need to learn science in any particular order in the elementary years, so these suggestions follow my opinions, KWIM? For many years I taught in a setting that met once a week for a total of 24 weeks. I taught Anatomy, Microbiology, Life Cycles, Magic Math, Bugs/Birds, Animal Kingdom, and later, a history of science that corresponded with a history timeline. Our classes met once weekly and I led the students in hands-on activities that reinforced the lesson. They had homework to do at home in the form of worksheets (in creative styles or basic). For many classes I wrote my own plans and used reproducibles bought at a teacher supply store to send home as homework. For classroom use, I really enjoyed AIMS Educational materials. They are well organized and easy to implement. They are generally secular, but you can add a Christian twist if you like.

I used to take Enbrel, but now take Humira. I know with Humira, there is a special kit you can request instead of a pre-filled syringe that allows the injection to be much easier. Also, you can have your husband give you the injection this way. It's some spring-loaded jobber that you press against your skin and push the button. Much easier they say. I'm fine with needles, so I just do it the old-fashioned way. I can't remember how fast it worked. My sed rate was 130 when I started and is 20-30 now. However, I was managed very agressively and was on a list of drugs simultaneously. Now, I can control my RA symptoms using only Humira.

There is a dramatization of the Narnia series that is well done. We love Harry Potter, but that's a personal choice. Jim Dale has a great voice for audio. Eragon and Eldest. King Arthur (can't remember the exact title we enjoyed). Treasure Island. War of the Worlds. Animal Farm.

Gosh, I don't have any wonderful words of wisdom here, but I'm so sorry. When we moved to this house, my beloved cat hid outside for 3-4 days and then returned at 3am a dirty, stinky mess. I still have that cat, and at age 16, I'm not looking forward to the day when we have to part. However, I have had to part with pets through the years. I have found that it is a grieving process, just like when we lose a human friend. Time helps to heal the pain of loss, and talking about it sure doesn't hurt.

Timely for me...now I think my oldest needs glasses. We'll be a four-eyed family of four!

We like our Wii, but hey, we also like our 52" Hi-Def TV! :w00t: We are not big video game fanatics, and video games are kind of a family affair around here vs a isolate and obsess affair. We have enough controllers that lots of us can play at once. My two girls (12 and almost 14) can box each each other, we can play each other in tennis, and we LOVE Mario. My oldest adores sport cars and she is unbeatable at that darn Matchbox racing game!!! We don't spend hours playing, but we do have some fun family nights. I say, look at the price list that was posted and see if the offer is worth it to you. If you can afford it and you would enjoy it, then go for it! P.S.- I think my hubby leaked that he's getting me the Wii workout mat for Mother's Day...oh boy! The Wii can get your heart rate up, but you have to really put yourself into it. You can also get by with little effort, KWIM?

Thanks so much!!!! I'll pass this info along to him. He had to turn off his internet and cell phone, so I can't pass on links. He's sold all his 'luxury' items (music recording 'stuff' and surfboards) to pay rent for him and his girlfriend and her 3 kiddos, then found out the landlord is getting foreclosed on and basically pocketing their rent money. I think he's just under a massive black cloud right now...poor guy... :( He'd like to stay close to FL, so maybe the NC/VA markets and the Villages would be a good bet for him.

My brother called and is going through some really, really tough times. He works in the construction field and the housing market is really bad around here. He's looking for areas with new developments and such going up that maybe need some workers...he can do anything except advanced electrical and plumbing...has just about enough money left to buy a bus or train ticket somewhere. If anyone knows of somework, I know he'd appreciate it!

Yep... I have a dark one that's a two-piece on my left upper arm...so does my youngest dd. My oldest dd has the same mark on her tushy. I also have a pale footballish patch on the inside of my leg just above my knee.

It really depends... We have 4 rental properties and have had 2 or 3 others in the past that we have sold. For us, the benefits have outweighed the costs or we wouldn't continue to do it! :001_smile: Of course, all of the scenarios listed above are possible, but we have not had significant problems. We do have insurance on the homes, we have tenants sign a lease that spells out their responsibilities and ours. Yes, we've had to evict tenants for non-payment, we have them place a deposit for damages plus 1st/last rent and take pics before and after. Yes, my husband has fixed septic lines, floors after leaks, etc. He's called the plumber or A/C guy. We have a 90 yo tenant who forgets to have the gas guy light her pilot light for her gas furnace, so we drive around the corner to take care of her. What do we get in return? Someone pays the mortgage on houses that build equity for us and we get tax benefits as well. You do have to pay capital gain taxes when you sell a rental, but hopefully money made covers that money owed.

In many areas, the fleas are building up a tolerance to either Frontline or Advantage. In my area, it's Frontline. Plus, Frontline has been around for a looong time. I recently switched to Advantix and have seen better results. I still use Advantage on the cats and it seems to work OK. It doesn't help that my backyard neighbor has quite a few cats and I don't know if she treats at all. I use Borax in the house, but can't spray the yard because I have reptiles that bask out there and can't risk their health with pesticides. I think switching brands for a time coupled with house and yard treatments to break the life cycle is the best bet.

Dog allergies are very common...pollen, food, fleas, contact. You might try switching her food to a lamb and rice diet to see if it makes a difference. You can give her Benadryl, but it will have a sedative effect. I would ask for a Benadryl dose, cortisone injection, and keep her inside more often before getting an allergy panel done. In the end, the treatment would be the same!

ER...I always liked finding all the medical "yeah rights", from my own hospital career days. Somehow, I got sucked into watching it for the past 7 years or so...wouldn't dare miss an episode...kinda OCD. It's got an agenda that's a bit liberal for my tastes, but I watch it anyway.