I'm not a very crafty person. Pinterest overwhelms me. So I'm going to bring the question here: how have you dealt with all the photos of the kids over the years. I realize that there may be a bit of a generational thing here in that I have actual photos - not just digital photos (although I have lots of those too). I've sorted many of them according to which child was the main object of the photo. So I have 4 big boxes that I'd like to make more manageable - something that would be interesting to the boys to look through. I remember the Scrapbook-ing craze...is it still a "thing"? I just want something simple that will last and won't damage the photos. What brand of books/pages would you suggest? How is the best way to mount them? And what is the best way to get digital photos from FB and other sites printed?

We have rental properties. According to the realtor we work with, the zestimate is not usually accurate. I have found, however, that it gives a ball-park range. When I'm looking at properties I look for something that is below the zestimate, then I begin investigating. As a landlord, I would welcome dialog about purchasing any of my homes. I have one particular home I would like to sell because I want to do something else with the money. However, the gal has been there for almost 10 years, doesn't call us unless it's a big problem, and I am always paid. The rent is low but because of the things mentioned earlier, we keep it that way. I've offered her the house at a reduced rate for a quick sale and because she has almost bought the house already with the amount of rent and time she has been there. She just isn't interested. So definitely talk with your landlord.

Has anyone had experience with shipping a car? We are considering shipping my son's car from California back to Oklahoma and flying him back. Otherwise we are looking at a 3 day drive alone in the winter through some very snowy/stormy areas. We drove the car there and I flew back...it's really not a drive anyone wants to repeat lol. Also, can you ship a car that is full of personal belongings?

none :( This is the only time I regret country living. No one comes out here to trick or treat. When the boys were teens, though, we always had a party which included an outdoor movie - fire pit, s'mores, chili, etc. Kinda missing the kiddos this evening....

Yes, my dh supported me in the effort but never really helped. He often told people how "easy" homeschooling is/was :confused1: He had a major surgery when the boys were young which necessitated him being at home for about 4 weeks. I thought it would be such a help to have him listen to the boys practice reading. What a disaster that was! I heard him telling the youngest that "a" says "ah" as in father...son #4 ran to me to tell me that "daddy doesn't know what "a" says". At that point, I decided it was just easier to do it myself lol. He was very positive about homeschooling...he just assumed all was good unless I brought something to his attention.

Thanks for all the suggestions. Definitely going to check out the chocolate ornaments :) I called the rental agency and asked if there would be any Christmas decorations there. He said that there would be a decorated tree! I have no idea what kind or how it will be decorated...I'm guessing it will be more "decorator" rather than "homey". We are a "homey" tree family :) I'm gathering recipes and will have a lot of baking done ahead of time. And I'm packing everyone's stocking. And I've started Christmas shopping :) Please keep adding ideas...I know I'll forget something!

We will be having our family Christmas away from home this year. We rented a vacation home in an area central to my folks and my married kids/grandbaby. Keeping our fingers crossed for some snow :) So...we've always had Christmas at home. I do lots of traditional decorating and baking/cooking. Although the kids are all rather grown up, they still love the childhood traditions. We will be driving so I can take a few things with me. We will arrive the Monday before Christmas. I'd love some advice on how to make this vacation home feel more Christmas-y. I hope I can buy a live tree in the area (hope they are cheap by that time). I thought about just stringing popcorn/cranberries for decorating...but maybe there are some better options. What suggestions do you all have? I'd welcome anything from decorating to cooking to taking frozen pre-made meals :)

I wouldn't limit my search to geriatrics. There are some great internists who take a special interest in their geriatric patients and do a great job. FWIW, word of mouth seems to be the best way to find someone. Do you know any physicians in the area? Do you know anyone in the area who especially loves the physician she uses? Does this relative have a friend who loves her physician? It might take extending the field just a bit to find a good fit. Ask hospital employees (nurses/pharmacists) for recommendations. We just had a horrible experience with the #1 rated rheumatologist in the area. I went with my FIL. I came home and told my dh that I wanted to go to medical school and specialize in rheumatology just so I could set up shop across the street and show him how it should be done lol. He may have the stats, but the man lacked all human-ness. Might as well have been talking to a robot.

BTDT: The thing that worked best was to actually get out of bed and do something. I decided I could toss and turn or I could do something productive because I obviously wasn't going to get back to sleep. I'd empty the dishwasher, dust, sometimes just sit in a chair and read/pray...but I did something active. It never failed that when I went back to bed, I went back to sleep. http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/features/cant-sleep-when-to-get-out-of-bed

I need something small that will do furniture upholstery and area rugs. I'm tired of having "the experts" come in to do it. I'd do it more often if I had my own.

Do you have a favorite book about St. Monica? I'm for an easy read; something entertaining rather than just dry facts. I've read Augustine's Confessions ​and want to know more about the woman behind the man. Thanks

Does anyone have a favorite book about St. Monica? I'm looking for an easy read, something entertaining rather than dry facts. Thanks

Yes she did. I believe it was the same day, in fact. But this was when my son was in 9th and he is 20 years old now lol. And just for reference, this son is taking Differential Equations this semester and doing great Here's her website: http://www.aplusses.com/zencart/ There is a "contact us" tab which allows you to ask a question. I'll try to find her response to me, but I'm pretty sure I've deleted it. I found an old thread I posted in from 2010: http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/226463-tell-me-about-algebra-i-a-fresh-approach/ She is on Chegg as well (that's a site my sons use in college - it gives detailed solutions to problems): https://www.chegg.com/homework-help/christy-walters-author Here's an email from Ms Walters in response to some questions I had (from 2009) Yes, I do have tests available. I haven't gotten around to putting them on the website yet, but the price is the same as that of the solution manual. So, if you want a test packet, you can just order a solution manual and then reply to this email and say that you really want the test packet instead. As for your question about where you should start your son, I found a Table of Contents for Jacob's Elementary Algebra at http://www.lamppostpublishing.com/jacobs-elementary-algebra.htm#Elementary_Algebra_Text . If this is the Table of Contents for your edition, it appears that you have already done most of Chapters 1, 2, 3, 7, 11, 12, 14, and 15 in Algebra I: A Fresh Approach. You have probably done more than this, but I don't know because I don't have a copy of the book. So, here's what I would suggest you do. Before you spend more money on a test packet, I want you to be sure that you're going to be happy with Algebra I: A Fresh Approach. (You mentioned that "a page of various problems without any context just send him out the window," and, unfortunately, until we get into the higher math classes, that's what most of Algebra is.) Jacob's Algebra was going to do factoring next, so I would suggest that you skip to Chapter 17 in Algebra I: A Fresh Approach. If your son understood Chapter 8 in Jacob's, then he should do fine with this chapter. Also, I try to write my books so that the teacher can assign just the even problems or just the odd problems and still let the student get enough practice. So, to avoid some frustration, you may want to try this if you feel that your son can master and remember the concept with just 10-20 practice problems. Then, if you decide that you're happy with the book, order a solutions manual and then email me and tell me that you really want the test packet. When you get the test packet, have him take all the tests up to Chapter 15. If there are any chapters that he does not do well with, then I would suggest that you go through those chapters with him. Finally, regardless of which book you decide to use, I would encourage you to get your son involved in some math competitions. (Google "homeschool math competitions" and see what you come up with.) This is because of his problem with doing a page of problems with no context. His grades may not show that he is good at math, but, if he can do well in a contest or two (which are mostly word problems and problems that you have to think about), then that would show colleges or anyone else who might be interested that he can do well in math. Sincerely, Christy Walters > > ------------------------------------------------------ > > I'm sorry, I had meant to ask you another question. My son has completed > through Ch. 8 in Jacob's Elementary Algebra. He has struggled with it > (completed Singapore Math through 6B prior to beginning Jacob's) because > so > much of the teaching is through the exercises. I'm wondering where I > should > start him in your text. Do you have any suggestions as to how to > determine > placement at this point? > > He does very well with math concepts but poorly with computations. > Basically he can solve word problems easily, but a page of various > problems > without any context just send him out the window. Here's a part of a conversation with NJKelli (a WTMer) who was contemplating using this curriculum. I forgot that I had my son do this, but remember that it really did help get us over the hump.: One of the things I've found with this son is that he needs a lot of variety in his schooling. So I'm having him do geometry at the same time. He does geometry 3 days per week and algebra 3 days per week. We should have both programs finished easily by the end of the year. The other thing to consider with geometry is that while some kids don't grasp algebra well, they may do fantastic with geometry. this has been the case with my son. He is getting 100%'s on his geometry tests! We aren't using a highly rigorous text (MUS), but it hits the necessary points in a relatively painless way, And this has built his confidence and esteem - so he'll work better with me in algebra.

What grade/age is your daughter? When my son first started with A Fresh Approach, he wasn't doing as well as I had expected. So I emailed the author who explained that he didn't need to do all the problems (which I was assigning) and to continue to move through the chapters. She recommended doing all evens or all odds. That would leave other problems he could use to practice. She also mentioned that each chapter reviews the last and there are chapters that are review chapters. For my son, if he did decently well (80%), I had him move on through until we got to the review chapter. If he didn't do well on the chapter review test, we went back to the chapter (with the kind of problems he missed) and did the other problems (odds/evens). Surprisingly, after the first review test, he started doing much better. It took him a bit of time to settle in. But in the end it was a super fit for him. He moved from there to Singapore DM which is the program his brother was using. Over the years I've found that most programs will do the job for most kids. Sometimes we just had plod through and in the end the kids succeeded with whatever program we were using. But if they weren't developmentally ready for the work, it didn't matter what we used; we just had to wait and try it again later. If your daughter is struggling with pre-algebra there is no algebra program that will work for her. She might need to do a quick review before tackling algebra. I'd recommend that you email the author and talk to her about it. She will know whether your daughter is ready for algebra and/or whether the program will work for her. She's really very helpful and kind. As an aside, we tried Lials with and without the Chalkdust DVDs and we did not like them at all. It wasn't that they wouldn't "work" but rather that the boys found them so boring and I found the teaching method to be quite different from any we had used before. After sitting through a couple of the lectures and following the teaching/assignments, I completely understood my sons' frustration with it. We didn't enjoy Jacob's either. We tried a lot (with 4 sons we had a lot of opportunity) and eventually realized that school textbooks were not our style. So we got rid of those and went back to Singapore which was more like my teaching style. So...Lial's is obviously a popular program and kids do well with it, but it wasn't for us.

I just saw that you are already using this. Can you explain why you think it isn't a good fit? That might help with suggestions.

This is my recommendation as well. And the author is very helpful with any questions you might have. Highly recommend.

If he knows what he wants to major in, he can search for organizations that support that industry. My oldest entered college with a scholarship from a local society of petroleum engineers.

Most definitely! And the 50's are even better. Energy level is great, I'm sleeping better than I have in years. The only real drawback is that my body doesn't always do what my mind seems to think it can do. Because I'm feeling great, I will try things that I used to do in my 20's and 30's only to discover that the ol' bones just don't work as well. I really shouldn't jump down off our porch the way I used to do... As others have noted: kids out of the house and launched well, husband comfortable in career, elderly family members settled...daily yoga even for 15 minutes is invigorating. We don't eat particularly well, don't really do supplements, but I do have less stress and I think that makes a world of difference for me. I'm loving the 50's

Thanks for all the encouragement! I'm about 90% sure I'll do it. DH is not on boardt; but he still thinks of me with waist length dark brown hair. DH and change - it's never easy lol. And he married someone who relishes change.

OK, I'm just really bored with my hair. I'm 53. Is that too old to do some eggplant lowlights? I have very dark brown hair which has turned more salt/pepper esp. around my face, but the back is free from white/grey/silver. My skin tone is such that I look best in black/white/red/navy/bright pink. I have a nice updated cut but I'm still bored with it. I've never colored my hair...I'm not trying to hide the grey, but I think it might be fun to do something different. However, my hair grows quite fast. I've never been one to spend much time on myself mostly because I had all these boys to take up my time. Now I'm finding time, I'm back in the workforce, and I just feel the need to spice things up a bit. Am I having a midlife crisis?!? I certainly don't want people to think that. I enjoy change...I found myself needing change in curricula quite often, I like to rearrange my furniture...I just want to do something different. So: Am I too old for a little color? Will I regret having to keep it up? Here's a link to a pic that I like (and my hair is similarly cut with the bangs a bit shorter - and my hair isn't that full) https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/63/2e/7f/632e7fe1a13039284c86e717cf1de8d4.jpg

The importance of knowing yourself...and how we teach this to our kids has been on my mind a lot recently. I'm back in the workforce in 2 different hospitals. One is a large, fast paced teaching hospital, trauma 1 level, the other is a small town hospital. I'm seeing people who have chosen the wrong field, or the wrong venue in which to practice. And it makes me so sad to see these people suffer, to see the suffering they cause their fellow workers, and to realize that so many people are investing time and money in careers that they are just not suited for. I think we do our kids a disservice when we tell them they can do "anything" they want. Genetics, personality, and ability are truly issues one must consider when searching for a career. If anxiety is an issue for you, a fast paced, high production venue is probably not your best choice. If you are short and not too athletic, perhaps professional basketball should be crossed off the list. I'm watching a situation unfold in which a young lady gave up a profession that required at least 4 years post high school in order to gain a new profession which required at least 6 years post high school (probably 5 years after her first degree). She is totally unsuited for the job. That doesn't mean she is a bad person or cannot be happy somewhere else, but she doesn't seem to understand that she is just not suited for *this* job...and there are jobs she could do if she would change her perspective. I know another young lady whose ambition it is to dance professionally. She has physical challenges that have not allowed her to do that...but she keeps trying. All the while, she is a truly talented costume designer. But she keeps trying...only to be continually disappointed. It seems that some people get a list of the "best degrees to earn the most money for the least amount of time invested" and think they can do it. And they end up spending more time and more money on a degree that just isn't going to work for them. And others pursue a "dream" only to find that they are unsuited for that dream because of something that they can do nothing about. How do we find a balance between encouraging our kids to "follow their dreams" and at the same time to "know thyself"?

www.DoYogaWithMe.com I've been using it quite a lot. These are free, online workouts. You can choose workouts from about 20 minutes up to 1.5 hours. I don't have time to devote to an hour long workout so I try to do a 20 minute in the morning and 20 minutes at night. I'm in my 50s. I don't need weight loss, but I do need muscle toning and balance - yoga fits the bill.

Don't know if anyone has posted this link yet, but it is quite informative about another aspect at play here: http://www.latimes.com/business/hiltzik/la-fi-mh-the-little-known-fda-program-20150923-column.html

The memories: My mother tells of the time she left me in my crib as they headed to church camp with a car load of youngsters. She had the responsibility of loading up about 8 kids in the station wagon (this was before car seats were required). As they were driving out of the driveway, one of the girls asked where the baby was. Another time I was left and locked in church - I was busy in the back playing and family was headed home to host a Sunday dinner with visiting missionaries. I was left at least once at a gas station on a vacation...as a pre-teen, I developed the impression that they were trying to get rid of me lol. My own time of forgetfulness was similar. We were eating at Mazzios with a few other families who had children as well. Of course all the kiddos wanted to visit their friends' homes so everyone was taking home someone else's kids that day. I looked back in the van and saw that all the seats were full and we drove towards home. One of our friends, still at Mazzios, called and asked if we were sure we had gotten all the kids. I assured her that we had...all the seats were full...she informed me otherwise. We had apparently left our youngest (age 10 at the time). They brought him home to us. I have great sympathy for those who inadvertently leave a sleeping child in a car. I know it can happen. I have less sympathy when the car is parked at a bar, casino, or other venue that doesn't let children in. Really, a sleep deprived individual is capable of great forgetfulness...what I don't understand is how a couple can both forget.

Has anyone investigated the legality/legal ramifications of using a fake SSN? Many of the documents that ask for a SSN also have you "swear" that the information is true and correct. I wouldn't want to have trouble down the road...