Two of my kids used BJU 6th grade science, which was ok for them. I needed them to be more independent and it served its purpose before they each moved back to Apologia General Science in 7th grade. I don't think any permanent damage was done, this would have been 5-6 years ago. I purchased BJU Cultural Geography for my oldest daughter's 9th grade history requirement (3 years ago). She had done Notgrass American history the year before, and Story of the World in the years leading up to it. Well...I was so disappointed in the harshly judgemental tone of BJU. When covering Ireland, it mentioned how alcoholism was rampant and the phrasing made it sound like Catholicism was to blame for it. We stopped using it that day. I felt that adding that sentence without any data or facts regarding it was the last straw. Before that, it had been simply tedious and included the worst kind of regurgitative worksheets and exams. Tests would include the most worthless questions like : ________% of Indian citizens were born in (insert hard to pronounce, renamed 4x, easily forgettable region). And the multiple choice answers would be like 24%, 25%, 26% or 27%. I felt like the students were being tested on piddly DETAILS that I wouldn't expect anyone (even Indians) to care about. It was almost $200 for the set of books, and they were HUGE, THICK books. I gave them away to the library, but I should have just recycled them. I am not Catholic but that seemed nasty for a Christian-based publisher.

My DD12 also wants to see it, but I think because the two queens have red hair, as she does. We won't be seeing it because of the rating. I thought there was a B/W version from the 40s? 🤔 No red hair in that one though.

DD16 uses Paula's Choice Clear kit. It works really well on her skin. She's been using it for 2+ years. She uses it morning and night. DS14 uses it at night at has some problem spots, but they'd probably clear up if he added the morning routine. DD12 has spots too, but she is my sensitive skin girl and if she uses the Clear too often, her face goes red & scaly. Like once every day & a half is good for her. Hair: DD12 has the curly hair in our house and I haven't found shampoo/conditioner that works well for swimmer's hair. Local hair salon was trying to sell me Paul Mitchell's something or other but I was not feeling rich enough to try YET ANOTHER product that doesn't work on her hair. Between puberty (greasy) and coarse curly hair (tangles), she is not exactly blooming into young womanhood lol. Makeup: I got DD12 a few things for her birthday because she has the most interest in makeup in our house...color was wrong (way too orange) and then she broke out. 🙈 So, I'd probably just go light (lip gloss, light blush) unless your DD has expressed an interest in eye makeup/specific feature to show off. There's some really cool 'glow' highlight powders that are almost foolproof, not a lot of color just some healthy glow on cheeks. Makeup is expensive (unless it's for me!! lol) so I don't really encourage it. If I could go back in time, I'd probably spend more $$$ on a good sunscreen and a good lip balm that has an spf in it. (We do live in Florida now, so that may influence my thinking on sunscreens vs. makeup, and that makeup just makes me feel hotter in humidity.)

Unlit. Our pre-lit lasted about 3 years before the middle section went out. DH spent 1/2 a day stripping the lights out of that tree, and he probably won't let another prelit tree come in our house again!

Disclaimer: I didn't read all the tips. I keep a small bottle of plain bleach under my kitchen sink...I grab whatever mostly-clean dirty dish is in the sink and turn it into a bleach bucket. Hot water, a tablespoon +/- of bleach, throw in the musty rag, let it sit for a while (an hour? overnight? all day?) and then ta da, after a thorough rinse, it can go a few more days until I'm ready to wash a load of hot bleachy whites. I don't have time to wash bleach white every day either.

I use the box of 1000 clear plastic bags linked from Amazon above. I use a long Pullman loaf pan (because we like our bread to fit our cheese lol) and getting the long version of those bags was the only thing that would work. Ziploc bags would not close because the loaf was just too long. It seemed silly to buy a box of 1000 but I have been using them for 3 years now and I'd say we have...80% of the box left. That's making at least 2 loaves a week. And for some reason we've never had a problem with our homemade bread molding. For a science experiment, my son needed a mold sample and set some bread out for a week at room temperature. No mold! I've always had better luck with homemade bread than store bought bread as far as resisting mold.

I bring my own. I do write in my Bible, as well as make notes on the bulletin handout. If other verses are mentioned, I jot those down to research later. I like taking notes and I tend to listen more closely with a pen in my hand. If I didn't have the Bible, I'd probably feel unprepared for church lol. And...the one time I tried to use my phone's Bible app, I accidentally hit the "read outloud" button. ? It took me a good 5 or 6 words until I could undo that action! So I go low tech and either use my Bible or the one in the pews.

I'm not part of the club, but I would struggle with letting go of my PC skin care routine...I love PC stuff! However, I swiped this Coola Sunscreen from my daughter's FabFitFun box and was surprised that I liked it so much. I keep it in my purse now, and although I haven't layered it under makeup yet, it doesn't feel thick and greasy like a lot of sunscreens. I've used it for workouts with no breakouts, no stinging, no redness. I wish it was cheaper to try, or you were around the corner from me to borrow it. It's on Amazon, but for a bit more $$$ than the link. Hope you heal quickly and can find the perfect sunscreen. Sounds like you're going to be using a lot of it when you find THE ONE.

Washing machine cleaning tablets, every 6 months A/C filters, every 3 months (we have a weird size that I cannot find in stores, not even Costco ?) Mascara for me (Didn't "they" used to say replace your mascara every 3 months? So I set it to ship every 4 months, because "they" could be right and eye infections suck.) Clif Bars PB&Banana (FAVORITE FLAVOR EVER) that are $$$ in stores, every 2 months Advantage flea/tick stuff for the dogs, ships every 6 months Paula's Choice facial routine for me. I know their website offers free shipping (sometimes? with promo code?) but it's free shipping with Prime so I just go through Amazon. Dog food for the dogs, about $8 or $9 cheaper than in a store. Dog treats, again a dollar or two cheaper than in a store. Laundry additive: defunkify. I think I love this stuff. I don't know if they sell it in stores but I think it's da BOMB. Ziploc snack bags because this is the size I always forget to buy, and DH has brought it to my attention many times. I have a set of makeup brushes in my S&S but I subscribed only to get the cheaper price and I will cancel before it ships again ? Krave jerky snack packs. I'd like to say we're trying to get away from individual size wrapping because it produces so much waste but DH does like these and if I don't supply them he buys them at convenience stores for 2x the price.

I use the same ones as Farrar does, the Envirosax. I'm embarrassed to say that I probably have a dozen of them floating around between my van/purse. They hold so much, roll up neatly, and it is easy to keep a few in my purse (although I emptied out my purse and removed 7 of them the other day!). I am religious about using them, and now I realize that I've been using them for over a decade! Some of the fabric is showing some wear on my original set but the bottom seams are still good. I don't find that they are comfortable to carry over my shoulder, though, if that matters. I am going to research those Amazon collapsible box totes though! I do tie the Envirosax shut so groceries don't slide out in the back of the van, and maybe a bigger collapsible tote would be handy for me.

I don't have any answers because I am also confused. In December, I returned a shirt that was incorrectly stitched (didn't do an exchange because they didn't have the same size/color). My Kohls Cash balance on the original transaction went to zero because of the return. Clerk tried to explain it but it still seems unfair and I've decided not to shop at Kohls anymore. Total gut reaction but I usually make clothing choices there that I hate within a few months.

I am attempting to do something similar. No dairy, no pasta, limited eggs, and low/no sugar. I started after Thanksgiving and lost 4 lbs by Christmas. I removed dairy hoping that it would clear up my eczema hot spots (still have dry skin but itchy spots are gone!!) and I removed sugar because I cannot live my life going from sugar high to sugar high. Sugar was my drug :sad: I drink herbal tea when I'm wanting sugar. I need to work in a fitness something. I was running this fall but I'd like to buy a kick board and paddle laps in the local pool.

I'd rent a PO box in town before I'd fix the mailbox. I am a stubborn woman, though. I'd let the landlord know in writing that you've had warnings from the mail carrier about the mail box being unsatisfactory and, as a renter who moved in when the mailbox was already damaged beyond repair, that you're choosing NOT to repair the mailbox. Include that upon moving out you will not be fixing the current, nor providing a new mailbox for that property. These days, I imagine the PO box is probably safer for sensitive mail, anyway. We've had bills that don't get delivered some months (they're recurring charges and I budget for that amount) and they just never.show.up. I'd think a PO box would be more direct in that respect.

2nd the Google Pixel. We had iPhone everything and I just got fed up with how little storage space you actually get on the phone...and iTunes is just impossible to figure out now. Why do they make it so hard?! So I gave the iPhone to my daughter and got the Pixel. LOVE IT. The screen is gorgeous, my husband comments on it all the time. I keep finding neat little things it does, and I've had it for 2 months now. I've never had Android so I can't comment on that, but the Pixel is similar and definitely anti-Apple. It felt kind of good to be a rebel and get rid of the iPhone!

http://www.pressurecookrecipes.com/pressure-cooker-beef-curry-japanese/ This is the curry my 1/2 Japanese husband ADORES. The blade steak/flat iron steak is has very little marbling, so if you use a different cut of meat, prepare for a higher grease content on your finished curry. He loves hot curry so I make it hot just for him (woo, doesn't that sound naughty lol!) Oldest DD would love to join him in this curry but it's too spicy for her. ****** http://www.justonecookbook.com/pressure-cooker-japanese-curry/ This one cooks faster, husband says it's pretty good but he prefers smaller potato chunks. ******* http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/spiced-coconut-chicken-and-rice This is the one we all fight over. I grate the fresh ginger (it's spicier, IMO, and it turns out I love ginger too), use boneless/skinless thighs, no turmeric, full fat coconut milk, dried cilantro, and no lime. I make this in double batches. I've started cooking outside or in the garage, the curry smell lingers indoors.

I use ours 2-3x a week. I had no clue I loved curry until I tried it in the IP. I cook outside or in the garage because it's so strong-smelling, but my husband approves of my curry recipes. AND, I make butternut squash soup in the IP and then use the immersion blender to finish it and I blend it in the IP...using two appliances at once!! :lol: I haven't used it as a slow cooker, I've heard that it cooks differently since the heat is concentrated at the bottom. However, I am much more confident using a pressure cooker now. My mom's stovetop pressure cooker has always intimidated me.

Imagine the echoes...and the echoes from the echoes. It makes my head hurt just thinking about that, then that giant bathroom would probably throw me into a seizure, the non-stop patterns in the marble are like a 3-D picture from the '90s. I DO approve of the sauna, hot tub, and indoor pool though. I would just live on that level 9 months of the year.

Probably will not be a classic, but I could not put it down: The Stopped Heart by Julie Myerson. I have a problem finishing books lately, but I read this in about 12 hours. There is a lot of dialogue, so that sped things along.

The lash boost pictures creep me out!!! I don't want to have spidery looking eyelashes!! And I'm not going to just put some chemical concoction on my eyelids for a passing fad.

Our chiweenie is about 4 years old but we've had to take a few pounds off him here and there. We cut back on kibble a tiny bit and he gets whatever veggies hit the ground (or that I'm preparing). Lettuce, raw carrots, frozen broccoli florets, frozen peas. The vet also suggested making him work harder for treats, like doing 3 or 4 tricks instead of a 1 trick to 1 treat ratio. He will work very hard to earn that carrot or pea. I've even sliced up a baby carrot for training purposes.

This is what I use: https://www.amazon.com/Intimina-Lily-Compact-collapsible-Menstrual/dp/B00STLACSM/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1479178495&sr=8-1&keywords=intima+menstrual+cup A fellow WTMer recommended it, and I'm very thankful she did! You can collapse it down to a shorter size if it feels like it is too long or is rubbing uncomfortably. I have not had to cut the stem off but I do collapse it 1 step shorter (keeping in mind that reduces the volume it can hold!!) and it's great. Now, I do stay at home with the kids and usually am only out for an hour or 2 on my heaviest day. I have had to use this during vacation (road trip) and backed it up with a maxi because I did not want to deal the what ifs at a rest stop on the interstate. I DO use pantyliners as a back up for the Intima, because I'm old enough to realize it's easier than chancing fate ;) I love that it collapses completely and stores in a disc, takes up less room in your purse if you choose to carry it that way. I tried a Diva and a sasketoon but those rubbed uncomfortably even with the stem trimmed; I couldn't stand them at all. For me it was easier to use this smaller one and empty it frequently, than spend tons of money finding the perfect higher volume cup.

The TE is giant, I agree! If we take school with us during the day, Easy Grammar always stays home, it's exhausting to take anywhere! I was trying to save $$ so I only bought the TE and I cover up the answer page with sticky notes as the kids do their work that day. As the topics are getting more difficult, I explain the grammar and then sit next to the kids as they work so I don't have to go back and check it separately...and I can make sure that no one peeks under the sticky notes. ;)

I'm not sure if these would be similar to a Wu Tang product, but our tae kwon do place uses these on bruises during class (I am an old, clumsy student, so I have become familiar with them): https://www.amazon.com/Salonpas-Pain-Relieving-Patch-Patches/dp/B00FOB5BOK/ref=sr_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1476043144&sr=8-3&keywords=pain%2Brelieving%2Bpatch&th=1 Our Costco sells the size in the link (about 3" x 2") and they were much cheaper than the link above. Our TKD dojang has big ones, about 4"x6". We use Tiger Balm at our house for aches and pains and the smells are similar between Tiger Balm and the Salonpas, so maybe they would work?

I would love glow in the dark poo!! All I can think of is feeding the dogs some corn or carrots but those may just blend in with the fall leaves as well. It's very helpful when it finally snows!

We have been Rod and Staff English all the way, and now the kids are a bit burned out, even having done most of it orally. We are switching to Easy Grammar for all 3. (IEW for writing; lit, vocab, and spelling added in separately.) DD9 just did not retain a lot of grammar last year with Rod & Staff, so we're trying this. We did the Fallacy Detective last year, DD14 and DS12 enjoyed it, and continue to call me out whenever they catch me in a fallacy. I am going to keep your science in mind, OP, in case our science bites the dust. We're doing Joy Hakim's Study of Science...completely new curriculum for me :)