Our fabulous teacher from when we lived in Houston moved to Florida to care for her aging parents. We had 3 different teachers and every one of them was thrilled to have a student that could start before school got out. Usually we had the time slot just before school got out, so 2:00 or 2:30 (depending on the location). I would consult the recommended teachers directly to see whether they would be interesting in taking your students during school hours.

I've ordered from them at least 50 times (since "graduating" from homeschool, I now buy for the school where I tutor) and have never had a backorder. I usually receive my shipment within a week of placing an order. I always check their "bargain" bin and once got a book that was too damaged to use. They sent me a brand new copy of the same book. I love Rainbow. I'm sorry you are having such a problem. I would call them and see whether there is a better way for you to order so you don't have backorders.

I'm so sorry. I have a bit of fear of broken glass, having cut my wrist on a glass jar when I was 5 years old. I agree the advice to take lots of pictures and maybe try to itemize the broken items. Then I would get a bottle of wine and sit as far away from the kitchen while proceeding to finish it.

OP has a post count of "one". Just saying.

Nope. Where I live, a cardboard box is a breeding ground for roaches.

Since it's a rental, you shouldn't have to fix it yourself. Have the repair person call you on your cell when they're 15-20 minutes from your house, then you can leave the comfortable museum or library to return to your furnace of a house - hope it gets repaired soon!!

This would bother me regardless of the age difference.

Same here! I reached my hand into the gutter once (thought there was a tennis ball or something blocking the water) and touched a dead rat. I was traumatized for an hour afterwards. :ohmy:

:iagree: Alternatively a person can be fit and a bit on the not so thin side. ;)

Funny story about different cultures' vacation philosophies - when we were expats dh had several new hires (i.e. just out of university) who had more holiday leave time than he did, with 6-10 years service with the company. They started with 6 weeks, and at that time he had 4…..

I wouldn't go with a "one size fits all" package like that unless your student tends to minimalism :) The mattress toppers can tend to be hot. I remember we researched and actually ordered that online, based on ratings (probably on College Confidential but I can't really remember). My dd just graduated college, having used the same set of Lands End sheets for 3 years (she was abroad for one year). As we were packing her out of her apartment, she marveled that the sheets were still in great condition. We got the xl twin for her two years of dorm living, but she had a regular twin bed this last year. Sheets worked great on that bed as well. I remember we got her sheets during one of LE's "friends and family" sales so they were 30% off their already reduced price.

My dd spent last year at Oxford, dh had a business trip in the UK that coincided with the end of Trinity term so we scooped up dd and best friend and spent a week in Wales. As we were leaving, we saw lots of families with younger siblings in tow packing up cars with dorm stuff. I realize it's not the same as drop off, but just wanted you to know many folk appeared to solve "what to do with younger siblings" issue with bringing them along. That said, I would defer to C & H about what they want to do. If Calvin wants Hobbes to come, and Hobbes wants to be there, I would bring him. Think of it as an early college visit :D Also I would assure Calvin that he will see lots of other families in the same situation.

Wow my experience was so different! All the Brits and Aussies we knew loved to travel and were extremely interested in life outside their comfort zone.

This reminds me of a party we attended shortly after returning to the US. I was chatting with a woman whose dh works for the same company as my dh, her family moved to Australia after we left and now both families were in Houston. After I waxed poetic about all things in Australia, the people, the flora, the fauna, she replied in her strong drawl, "we could not wait to get back to Houston." Alrighty then. I think this has to do with the egocentrality culture in the US. I hope your trip goes well and that you can have some sweet time with special friends and family.

Remind me again, WHY is you dd continuing with this school?

Chihuly Gardens, the locks, the arboretum (you can explore by canoe), the Space Needle (there's a revolving restaurant on top), the zoo would all be interesting to teenagers. They might like the Pinball museum :D

I think the stars are an upgrade (or downgrade, depending on how you look at it) with the new software. I know they haven't been around for five years!

:party: EL and Michele, y'all rock!! I'm so impressed.

Literature's Most Horrifying Mothers

I'm so sorry about your dog! Honestly I would try to find something you can do from home, or at least on your own time.

Greater Houston Area Homeschoolers

Very cool (er, hot - but you know what I mean) :) I'm even more lowbrow - I was thinking "We didn't start the Fire" :laugh:

I would make an appt. with both doctors and ask them to contact you if they get a cancellation.

Yes the sheets will fit with the mattress topper. These days sheets seem to be very deep. We've done the dorm move-in 3 times now (dd did study abroad junior year so we were exempt that year, woo hoo!). We ALWAYS make more runs to Wal-Mart (no BBB in her tiny college town) than I care to remember. Invariably we need more extension cords or wall hooks. And her freshman year, it did take a long time to move her in, she was on the 3rd floor with no elevator, and we had to park about half a mile away from the door. So just emptying the car took several hours. Second year we had her totally moved in within a few hours, because we could park closer to the entrance to the building (plus I'm sure we were way more efficient) :)

Here. When we visited Italy, I remember thinking how Herculaneum looked out of place - this ancient ruin in the middle of a bustling city.