Yes, I've encountered this a lot. I have quite a few people in my life who want to be closer friends than we actually are. It's a delicate balance to still stay friendly but not encourage a deeper friendship b/c it isn't something I want in my life right now. I think I'm very fortunate to have quite a few close friends AND close family members, so my relational energy is spread out. I don't desire a 'best friend' nor do I want to build new friendships at this point in my life - I'm relationally full. So it's awkward when a mom who I enjoy talking with casually at church suggests getting together for playdates - I'm not in the same phase of life as her (she has one toddler and I have older kids and a baby), we live far apart, and our rhythms of doing friendship are different (b/c I tried the playdate thing with her a few years ago and it was a disaster). But she doesn't get it and I can't take that burden on - she needs friends who can share the lifestage she's in now. I'm not that person - I am a friendly acquaintance. I don't feel any responsibility to 'match' friendship energy with others in my life. I will give to a relationship the level that I desire to get out of it. For some that is a casual friendship. For others it is a deeper investment. But just b/c someone wants to invest deeper in friendship with me doesnt mean I need to accept it or reciprocate. I like balance in relationships where we're both giving the same but when that doesn't happen it's usually b/c the other person is trying to get more from me than I want to give (note: I don't expect much from my friends, just pleasant company when we're together. I don't need to vent or share my deepest secrets/hopes/fears/insecurities nor do I desire to do that.

1. I really like this prompt. 2. She misses the boat on what it is asking. Her essay does not have a thesis and jumps directly to specific examples. It reads as very concrete vs being the appropriate mix of concrete and abstract 3. She first needs to tackle the IDEA of creativity - is it necessary for all people? Only some people? Is it detrimental as the quote states? That is what her thesis needs to be built around. The specific examples below would be supporting points to her main ideas, not stand-alone items 4. Common jobs that require creativity include artists, composers, and writers. However, almost every profession requires one to be creative to a certain extent. Solving problems, making discoveries, and improving our world would be virtually impossible without people that are able to come up with unique ideas. The final sentence in this paragraph could be reworked to be a good opening line for her first paragraph. The first two sentences should be much later in her paper. 5. In my opinion, the founding fathers were extremely creative. They were able to sculpt our country, constitution, and government. The United States wasn't similar to any other nation at the time. Obviously, it took many hours of brain storming, debating, and thinking to come up with such a complicated system. Without the creativity of our founding fathers, our country would be completely different than it is today. This is a detailed EXAMPLE, but it is not a stand-alone point. When I read it I thought 'what point is this supporting?' 6. Similarly, scientists must posess a creative side to them in order to solve problems and make discoveries. Sir Isaac Newton discovered gravity when he observed an apple falling from a tree. Another famouos scientist, Galileo Galilei, studied motion by dropping objects from the leaning tower of Pisa. Needless to say, these two men were able to utilitize their creativity to make ground-breaking scientific discoveries that are still important today. Again, good example, but missing the underlying IDEA point that she is supposed to demonstrate At 11th grade she should be demonstrating complex thoughts and abstract points, this is very concrete and what I would expect from middle school level writing. It is not bad, just not up to the appropriate level of skill. 7. Another example of a more common profession that requires creativity is teaching. Because every student learns differently, it is important that teachers and professors can do whatever they need to do to help the students learn. Whether it's activities or projects, teachers must be creative in their teaching methods. 8. Although creativity is often associated with artists and writers, I think it is important for everyone to be creative. The world would not be nearly as developed as it is today without creative people to make discoveries and solve problems. Ok, here she is making idea statements and that is good She needs more of that

Not very mushy at all. It is more girl-centered but a boy would enjoy it too.

Chipotle!!! It's the best healthy and paleo-ish fast food option out there.

I would ask for testing for parasites as those can lead to dramatic appetites.

Yes, this exactly. I don't feel a need to a specifically 'christian worldview insertion' curriculum b/c I feel I have a strong foundation and beliefs of how my faith explains history, science, philosophy, politics, social issues, etc... If you're used to asking 'bigger questions' for logic stage and talking about your faith as it relates to various subjects then that should be all that is necessary IMO.

Thoughts on Zion - I like it :). It makes me think of the rap song by Lauren Hill whose son was named Zion - he's a grandchild of Bob Marley IIRC.

If you deal with autoimmune issues then I would advise cutting dairy and gulten for sure. Don't go gluten-free-packaged as replacement though, do more vegetables and fats like avocado and olives and coconut instead.

1. Weight loss is 80% diet and 20% exercise. So you've got to look at your diet. 2. When you went vegetarian, what did you cut out and what did you replace it with? 3. No advice to eat meat is fine, but I would recommend cutting your grain intake - especially wheat. Replace grain with more vegetables and healthy fats and proteins like beans/eggs. 4. Be careful about dairy - if you are consuming a lot of it then you will not lose weight. It is common for people to replace meat with dairy when they go vegetarian but that will sabatoge weight loss and blood sugar stuff. 5. For dairy do quality cheeses and plain greek yogurt, but not lots of milk for drinking or sweetened yogurts.

I would start with just one meal a day and focus there, not even trying to change anything else. So that could be snacks, dinner, lunch, or breakfast. Or even one specific meal per week - Sunday lunch or dinner, for example. You also need to practice meal planning and using a cookbook or recipes. FWIW, I don't think homemade biscuits are a health food but that's just me ;).

Two out of my three children were born on a Tuesday.

I'm wondering if anyone knows of alternatives to the Omnibus curriculum by Wilson, et al that would work well when used at a classical coop. Trying to do my research before I ruffle feathers ;). Thanks.

Sophie the Giraffe for sure - great teething toy. Soft shape sorter by Lamaze. Winter clothing in 9 month size.

Right. DH and I knew each other from church and became a couple at the end of high school. We didnt marry until I finished college and we lived the student life together. It worked very well. Currently DH is the breadwinner of the family though I was our main breadwinner early in our marriage. I do not agree with making people wait until late 20s to get serious and marry. Instead, I believe its better to raise young people who are mature enough to choose spouses and get married in their early twenties. I loved having my children young and not having to wait as long to have sex - bc lets face it, sexual drive is highest during the teen and young adult years Being married is the solution to that temptation and if youre mature enough to establish a life together then I dont see why age should be a barrier. I was engaged at 20 and married at 21 and we will soon celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary.

Can you still do coconut? That helps a lot with being paleo. I'd also recommend the cookbook Practical Paleo as its very easy to do nut-free - every recipe has no nut substitutions and suggestions. Can you do sesame/tahini?