I did say yinz when I was growing up, then changed it to you'ns, and eventually to you guys. I don't live there any more, but I do still say gum band.

They failed to mention that in Pittsburgh, PA, when speaking to a group, you address them as "you'ns" - a contraction of "you ones". :001_smile:

Are there similar cases of boys having adverse affects from the vaccine? Everything I've seen so far is referring to girls. I assume that there would be similar risks involved with boys. I ask because DS is going to the Naval Academy this month and unless he refuses the vaccine, they will start the Gardasil shots the day he reports. I have advised him to refuse.

None of my kids had this vaccine, but after the Michael Douglas throat cancer story, I began to wonder about it. Now, thanks to this thread and the links provided, I am glad that I didn't consent to the shots.

What wrinkly loose skin? :tongue_smilie:

Is this true?? Can you provide a reference? Wow!

I'm not making the connection between the genetic link and the virus. Are you thinking that you want to reduce the risk of contracting the virus, since there is already a risk genetically, and thus avoiding a double risk?

I would just like to say that WRTR is awesome! I used it with all five of my kids, beginning 23 years ago, and the results were amazing. It's really very simple to use; I never understood why everyone thinks it's difficult. I read the manual through a couple of times, highlighting the important notes, purchased a set of laminated phonogram cards (I don't remember where I got them, but since I used them with five kids over the years, they were great to have), and started. There is absolutely no need to use another phonics program. The library provided plenty of reading material. The hardest part was finding age-appropriate books for my kids to read once they got going (when your first grader is reading on a sixth grade level, that can be a challenge!). Now, with only one more year of homeschooling to go, I look back fondly on those WRTR days. Good luck to all of you!

Wow, KFP! I'm impressed! Very well done!

We enjoyed State Fair - another Rodgers and Hammerstein musical. I thought Oklahoma and Carousel were creepy.

Thank you for posting this. I haven't had time to post these last few days, or I would have pointed out the same.

I know what you are saying. I don't know what the answer is. :(

Unfortunately that outspoken minority doesn't just shout, "Death to America!" They attack our embassies, fly planes into our buildings, and set off bombs in strategic locations. That probably has something to do with why they get more press than the Muslim housewife who says that Islam does not promote terrorism. Actions speak louder than words. And the actions of a few extremists have been responsible for the deaths of many innocent people.

This is wonderful, that at the age of 18 he has already worn out his Bible! Oh, that this would be the case with more Christians!

Well, I'm over 50, so I guess I'm just out of touch. :(

I am aware that the vote was over 60% in favor of the new policy. What I'm saying is that a vocal minority convinced the delegates to vote that way. After all, nobody wants to be called a hater or a homophobe. Just because a person disagrees with someone, it doesn't mean they hate or fear them.

Ok. I'll say it. I am saddened that the vote passed. I respected the scouts when they stood their ground on the homosexual issue years ago, but I see that they, too, are allowing a very vocal minority determine their policy. I know there are others on this forum who are unhappy about the vote, but who will not speak up because they don't want to start a big controversy (remember the gay marriage thread?). I'm sure there are gay scouts already participating in BSA. I just don't think the issue has any place in scouting. Scouting is not about sex. Why must we make it such an "in your face" issue? There are boys as young as 10 or 11 in the same troops with kids who are one day away from their 18th birthday. I just think it's a bad idea. And that's all I have to say about that.

The act of actually writing something down helps with retention. Those of you who use The Writing Road to Reading can relate note-taking with saying the sound of the phonograms and writing them. I believe that taking notes while reading or studying a book is more effective than simply highlighting important points. In the same way, taking notes during a sermon helps a person to remember the important points of the teaching. Later, those notes can be used to discuss the sermon topic or to do further research. Sometimes something that is said causes you to wonder about something else, and if you jot the question down you can look it up later.

I used to have to spend one day each month in bed with severe cramps and vomiting through my teens and twenties. Asprin, tylenol and midol did no good whatsoever, and I couldn't keep them down anyway. After I started having kids, things eased up a lot. My mom was the same way. One of my dds has the same issue. But I learned over the years that ibuprofin works well (Advil wasn't on the market yet when I was younger), and it works best when taken early on. If you wait until the pain takes over, it's too late. My dd has benefited from my experience, and has learned to manage the pain. On the positive side, being in labor was really not too bad for me, since I was so used to that type of pain. The pain wasn't constant, like the monthly routine, and I knew that when it was over, I would have something to show for it! :)

Well, you are sisters, after all. My sister and I (12 years age difference) only see each other maybe once every 4 or 5 years, and several times we have purchased the same dress or purse 1200 miles away. You say you miss your relationship. So don't be nasty to her. I think your response was excellent. Maybe she really is very busy. Maybe she is just a very self-absorbed person. She is still your sister. Can you love her as she is?

Yep. All five kids are taller than me. I'm 5'5" and dh is 5'7" (maybe). The kids range from 5'7" to 6'.

nm

We have used Saxon starting with 5/4 (they hadn't come out with the lower levels when we began homechooling. We started with Miquon.) Oldest dd went through Algebra 2, didn't do much in Advanced Math, and still managed to get 750 on the SAT math section. Went to college early and excelled. The next 2 kids went through Algebra 2, one got a 700 on SAT math, then off to college. Ds has a degree in electrical engineering now, and dd2 is a studio art major who got A's in her required math courses.Dc #4 is finishing up with calculus, then off to the Naval Academy. Dc#5 is the real math wiz. He finished calculus when he was 15 and is now working on a college-level calc 2 book. I like Saxon. It isn't colorful or exciting, but it gets the job done. Like 1Togo, I did not teach math. They did the lessons on their own. They did all problems in a set (not just odd or even problems), and reworked any missed ones.

My state has portfolio/evaluation requirements with which we have complied for the past 22 years. I don't need the additional intrusion of some homeschooling agency to make sure that I am teaching my kids and not abusing them. And what if this agency determines that a child is not receiving what they deem a proper education? Are they going to report the family to the authorities? It's very disturbing that we suspect parents of abuse unless we can somehow monitor them.

Who would determine what the standards are? I may believe that all kids should learn math through calculus, while someone else thinks that algebra 2 is enough. I may believe in evolution, while someone else believes in creation. I may believe that children learn best through unit studies, while another parent chooses text books.I may have a child who is a late bloomer, who doesn't read until he's 8 or 10 years old. Just because someone else's child is reading at age 4 doesn't mean every child will. Just because your family participates in co-ops and goes on field trips every week doesn't mean that every family will be able (or want) to do this. We are all different. We have different reasons for schooling our own children, and our children have different needs and different situations. Should all parents who homeschool be certified teachers? Should parents be required to be fingerprinted for background checks? Should every kid be required to take the ITBS or some other standardized test? These things have been tossed around for decades. I'm sorry, but no self-proclaimed expert homeschooler is going to tell me what I should do in my own home.