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Apiphobic

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Posts posted by Apiphobic

  1. Thank you all for your input. You've brought up many interesting points.

     

    She works 6 am to 2:30 pm, and they have been considering this for a while now. The girls get along well, and I did not get the impression that the older dd would be schooling the younger one.

     

    FWIW, I would've had no problem leaving my 15 yo dd at home with my youngest. I guess it depends on how mature your kids are, if you're able to communicate easily via text, phone, or email, and how close you are to home. I can remember several summers spent babysitting all week long during my teens, and this was before email and text.

     

    Anyway, she and I are still discussing this, and I appreciate your comments. I hope I'm not overwhelming her with information and links! :)

    Thanks again.

  2. Very good point. I guess I focused on "can" or "can not" because that's the way she phrased her question.

     

    *kicking myself now  :svengo:

     

    I did talk about our day, offer some book suggestions, and even mentioned this site as a wonderful resource. But I feel like I didn't do enough.

    Tbh, I was really hoping for some "been there, done that" stories from people here who worked outside the home and were still able to homeschool as a single parent. Anything is possible, right? 

  3. she is a single mom and has a full-time day job outside the home? 

     

    She has a 15 yo girl who is in 10th grade and a 7 yo girl who is in 2nd grade. Both want to homeschool. The older daughter did K12 for a year but it wasn't challenging enough.

     

    I want to tell her she can, but I just don't know how realistic it is. I mean, of course she can if they want it badly enough, everybody works together, everything goes smoothly... and the sun always shines and you can find a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. I just know that life happens and things don't always go smoothly. And I don't know if it'd bring more headache and stress on their family if they started homeschooling.

     

    So what would you tell her?

  4. Well, you certainly have me curious. :-)

     

    I was sad, because I enjoyed poking around and finding tidbits. Now the stacks are closed.

     

    Nice analogy!  :thumbup:

     

    Sorry I can't be of help.... but...

     

    Stacey!!!! How you doing?

     

     

    :willy_nilly:   (me doing a happy dance... or a crazy, happy dance... or taking leave of my senses)

     

    Moira! I've missed you! I just never use google+ anymore. Let me know when you're accepting applications for facebook friends again. :rofl:

    Dh retired after 30 years in the air force, got a job at a race car company in Michigan, and we moved here last year. I love it!

    Oldest is still going to college in Wyoming, twins are seniors at International Academy, and youngest is still homeschooling.

    How are you??

     

    Where the heck you been?

     

    Missed you!

     

    Bill

     

    Very well, I thank you. How are you? I know I hardly ever visit the boards anymore. I wonder how many people from back in 2001-2003 still visit?

     

     

    Wow, thanks! You're awesome! Now I feel like an idiot though, because I don't think it's the one I remembered. Maybe it was the "Feed a cold; starve a (spring) fever?" post (4-22-05).

     

    I just have a friend whose posts are worrying me because she seems to be having more bad days than good, and I remembered MFS posting something about it starting with you and your attitude. Or maybe my memory is so far gone I thought it was MFS but it was somebody else's. Anyhoo, thank you so much for finding it. I really appreciate it.

  5. Thank you all for answering and sharing your thoughts. I've recently started juicing and when I shared on facebook about it I was surprised to find out so many were juicing or had juiced.

     

    We'd bought a juicer years ago but only used it a few times. But then we recently watched Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead, so we thought we'd try it out again. Now we're hooked! So I was curious how many here had tried it and how many stuck with it. I was also curious to hear why you started, how it's working for you, what your favorite combinations or routines are... I just had a whole bunch of questions!

     

    Thank you again for taking the time to answer my questions.

  6. Haha, thanks, Joanne. Am I correct in remembering you introducing the bean dip solution? My memory is terrible, so please forgive me if I'm mistaken.

     

    And to the person that tagged about an open invitation, thank you!

     

    I can tell I'm a total facebooker because I kept wanting to like a lot of these posts.

     

    Megan, I remember! I see you're still in the UK. Oh, how I miss it! How long do you think you'll be there?

     

    It feels weird, Lizzie, to be in two places at once. :D

     

    nmoira, that made me laugh. Miss hearing from you!

     

    And to all the others that were so kind enough to reply, thank you again for making me feel so welcome. Like I said, my memory is absolutely terrible. But I have a lot of good memories from the boards here.

     

    Enjoy your day!

  7. Thanks, all! Almost forgot how to reply to using multiple quotes. :lol:

     

    I've been pretty good. When my 3 older dc went to public school, I kinda felt like I was cheating and didn't deserve to visit the boards. I'd also relaxed a lot more in homeschooling my youngest because I'd seen the results of homeschooling my older dc when they went to public school. I'm so glad we homeschooled and I would do it again in a heartbeat, but if I'd known then what I know now, I wouldn't have stressed so much and I wouldn't have pushed so hard. I would've tried to relax and enjoy our time together more.

     

    Dh is retiring soon so we might be moving again. Hoping for a state with homeschool-friendly laws and good colleges for the kids. Oldest is now a sophomore in college but dreaming of becoming a flight attendant. :eek: Twins are high school juniors and enjoying the extracurricular activities but not the AP classes so much. Youngest is still... well, young and carefree. ;)

     

    Hope you all are doing well and life's been good to you so far. :D

  8. Hello stranger! You've been missed around here.

     

    I can't help other than with *bump*. :001_smile:

     

    Thank you, nmoira. I was going to let this die a quiet death until I heard a mysterious bump in the night. :D

     

    I put my two daughters back in public school after 9 years of homeschooling. My oldest went in as a sophomore' date=' and my youngest as an 8th grader.

     

    For us it was a good choice, and the right time to do it. There is a huge learning curve there that I felt was better experienced now than in college, when so much else is also new.

     

    It also opened up a LOT more experiences for them than I was able to provide. It was easier when they were younger to find classes and group activities, but once they hit the teen years it got harder.

     

    My oldest daughter is a member of the National Honor scoiety, secretary of the History and Politics club, president of the Community Outreach club, a member of the Drama Club, a member of the Jazz Band, plays varsity volleyball, and is the president and one of lead attorneys in the Mock Trial class. When she graduates this year she will have completed 7 AP classes. I could not find or provide all those activities and opportunites for her.

     

    There are downsides, of course. Learning looks A LOT different. There is more of a feel of "what do I need to do for a good grade?" vs. doing it for the love of learning. Learning is more schedule and necessity driven. But that is what college will be like, so again, I am glad that learning curve is happening now.

     

    Their social life has widened, which has been both good and bad. There is more drama, for sure. Gossipy girls, boys who are knuckleheads, liars, cheaters...... they are all there. But so aren't proms and bonfires at the beach and the general "hanging out" with 25 of your closest friends (haha) that make for some fun teenage memories.

     

    It took me a long time to redefine myself. I really really enjoyed homeschooling. But now we are all on to the next chapter in life.

     

    Every family is different, but for us it was a good choice. It was just the right time and the right decision. But I do miss homeschooling.

     

    P.S. - the one comment that bugged me the most about putting the girls back into school? "Oh, I think that will be so great for all of you. Now when you all come home at night you will have stuff to talk about vs. being together all day and running out of things to say to each other." WHAT? We never ran out of stuff to talk about. The girls used to climb into bed with me at night and we would all read and continue chatting away..... never even dawned on us that we might "run out of things to talk about"![/quote']

     

    Thank you, Home'scool. I found myself nodding to a lot of what you wrote, especially the parts about learning and social life. I'm glad to hear things have gone well with your decision to put them back in public school. And I agree about that comment being annoying. :lol:

     

    Hello, Stacy. It's been a long time! I remember you well as Linksalot. :)

     

    This fall marks the 3 and a half year point since we put our four youngest in public school. At the time they had only been homeschooled (we homeschooled their elder siblings, twins, all the way through) and were in grades 5, 6, 8, and 10. It was Feb. when we put them in school that year and they did fine.

     

    This year the three youngest will be in high school (grades 9, 10, and 12). The 9th grader was accepted at the new science/math magnet high school, which should be interesting (this is the first year, and the school will only have 9th and 10th graders this year). The other two will be in the regular high school.

     

    Overall I've been pleased with our decision and the boys' growth. They have a lot of friends, they complain about school (as they also did about homeschool, lol) but get very good grades, and I feel that they have more opportunities for advanced classes than they did at home. We have a good district; that helps me with any residual guilt. :)

     

    Homeschooling was fantastic for us. We did it 16 years or so, and I loved it. When it was time to move on, we all knew it, and we all adjusted. I miss homeschooling, but really what I miss is the elementary years. Those were by far my favorite.

     

    I work part-time now. The boys are growing up and are much more independent in their schoolwork than when we homeschooled (ie, I'm no longer the overseer!). They had a strong foundation and it has served them well. We are all different, but that closeness we have, forged from those years of homeschooling, will never change.

     

    Thanks, Ria. Yes! The elementary years... I'm nodding. I'm glad things have worked out so well for you, too. And I've thought several times that our family is closer because we homeschooled. Very grateful for that.

     

    Hey lady! :D

     

    After eight years at home, Mac went off to a charter/ duel magnet high school, last year. I would say it was a big adjustment, but in an odd way. She was really stressed with time management in the first semester, adjusting to short classes and lots more work. She also disliked how the teachers talked to the students, but also saw why.

     

    I would say, all in all, that it's been a positive experience. By the end of the year she could juggle multiple test, rehearsals (she's in the performing arts program), and term papers with ease. She's learned more about the rules of the game (life) and how to problem solve, than just facts. She's also grown-up a bunch, more confident, though a bit more melancholy. I think she sees just how hard the outside world is on all of us, and now understands the rat race.

     

    My feelings about the educational system in the US has not changed. I think it's crap (both public & private). I hate the age/grade system. I hate that not all kids get to follow their interests, abilities, nor have any flexibility. I hate the teacher/student dynamic, and how stress everyone is. I'm not totally in love with homeschooling either. Nothing we have is really amazing, really helping kids to reach their full potential, and I doubt this will change in my lifetime. Seeing the US truly value education seems some days to be a pipe dream.

     

    Hi there, Jenny in Atl, and thank you for sharing your story. Oh, MAN, do I know what you mean about Mac not liking how the teachers talked to the students. That actually cracked me up when I read that, because my dc would discuss that often. They were annoyed with the teachers sometimes, but also the students as well. Good luck to Mac again this year!

     

    I have no advice on the topic, but I just wanted to say hi. It's good to see you. :)

     

    Thanks, RegularMom. Hello to you, too.

     

    I'll read your post now, but first I wanted to say, "Howdy, I missed you." :seeya:

     

    Thanks, newlifemom. I know, it's been a while.

     

    Thanks again for all your help, and I hope everything goes smoothly for y'all!

  9. after homeschooling, what changes, good and/or bad, have you noticed? Would you do it again?

     

    Apologies if this topic has already been discussed. It's been a while since I've visited the boards.

     

    For those who don't know me, I have 4 dc and started homeschooling when my oldest was 10 and my twins were 7. They'd been in public school, and I'd been wanting to homeschool for a while. Fast forward 6 years and we agreed with our oldest to put her back in public school for her junior year. It was a bumpy ride, but a lot of it had to do with her focus and decision-making skills and not public school or the teachers.

     

    The following year we agreed with our twins to put them back in public school for their freshman year and with our oldest to continue with public school for her senior year. I've found it very interesting to see how differently each of my dc have handled public school. I've been disappointed with some things but pleased with others. I've especially enjoyed watching them handle themselves with their new challenges and experiences. Well, usually, I have. ;)

     

    This year is full of changes yet again as we've moved to another state, my oldest has started college, my twins are attending a new public school, and I'm still homeschooling my youngest. It's a bit of a juggle trying to adjust my outlook on the three different styles of education for my dc.

     

    I've noticed a difference in the way I homeschool my youngest as well. When I started homeschooling my older three, I think I overdid it and pushed them too hard. I've watched the effects of that play out as they transitioned to public school. Some good, some not so good. And as they attended public school the past couple of years, I adjusted my overall plan in homeschooling my youngest.

     

    So, as the new school year approaches (or has already begun for some), I've been wondering about others' experiences with reintegration into public school and how that's affected you and your dc's opinions on homeschooling, public school, college, family, etc.

     

    I'm very grateful for having homeschooled my older 3 dc and am glad I can still homeschool my youngest. I was very sad and felt like I'd failed somehow when my older 3 first went back to public school. Now I'm not as sad and can see how beneficial homeschooling was for them and for our family. But I can also see the good things that have come out of their going back to public school. I'm glad we waited until they were older and more cognizant of their behavior and their future goals. Of course, there are some things I regret about their returning to public school. And I'll be curious to see how this year goes.

     

    Enough about me, what about you?

  10. My son is a ballet dancer and wanted to see it. I nixed it based on the dark nature. He's a sensitive kid, and it's really NOT about ballet; it's about madness.

     

    No, I didn't. Dd is a month from 18 and very mature. She's been watching adult-themed movies with me for years. I think it depends on the teen. :001_smile:

     

    I plan to see it when it comes out on DVD. I'm sure my daughter will watch it again with me.

     

    I'm very well aware of the contents of the movie. Dd saw it with her boyfriend who had seen it previously. She thought it was excellent and we talked about her impressions and the themes. She certainly hasn't experienced any PTSD, so I think she's doing okay. Thanks so much for your concern.

     

    (Text bolded by me)

     

    Where's my like button? ;)

  11. I hate ballet, and I'm not familiar with the story of Swan Lake other than what was offered in the movie Black Swan.

     

    That said, and probably that's why, I tend to side with your original post. I interpreted her actions as (Portman) killing her inner white swan everytime the movie showed her interacting with (Kunis) the black swan. Kunis was just the face Portman used to represent her own, inner black swan.

     

     

    POTENTIAL SPOILER BELOW. Highlight to read, otherwise skip over :)

    I do think her post-production death was real, though. To die playing the role of a lifetime, having finally achieved true perfection. Not just as the white swan, but also as the black swan. Earlier in the film she speaks of suicide in an enamored light, saying how beautiful the ballet story is - specifically the suicide of the white swan.

     

    Love how you hid your spoiler! I'm tempted to write all my replies in white because I don't want to spoil it for anyone. I'm glad I saw the movie with no clue about what was to happen. It was about ballet, Natalie Portman was in it, and the trailer looked good so ... let's go! :tongue_smilie:

     

    SPOILER BELOW!

    I saw Kunis as competition, not as the face of Portman's inner black swan. I guess I thought there were two stories going on. One was the stress, backstabbing, and drama behind a ballet show, and that's where Ryder and Kunis came in. And then the other story was Portman's struggle to be both the white and black swans. She saw Kunis as a threat and yet wanted to be like her because she could perform the black swan so well. But I think she was scared that in becoming the black swan, she knew she couldn't be the white swan anymore. That innocence and purity was gone once the black swan emerged. That's why I saw the death as symbolic of the death of her white swan. I knew she was really dying and figured it was back to the story of the life of a ballet dancer with all its nightmarish background.

     

    Thanks for your analysis. I enjoy discussing this with others to see the different interpretations.

     

    She says she was "Perfect."

    Remember she was striving for perfection and told her director that she just wanted to be perfect.

     

    It was a pretty creepy movie, but I spent a great deal of time during the movie trying to guess/figure out what was happening. I wasn't sure if Kunis was real at first, for example, or if Portman has some dual-personality going on (think she did, but know Kunis WAS real).

     

    There certainly were complex dynamics going on--and unfortunately, having read some ballet bios, I'd say some of the yuckier stuff was accurate for some in the dance world (bulimia, "director's couch", etc.).

     

    I heard her say something about perfect but didn't catch it all, so I was hoping someone else might have heard it. It definitely did have some thriller elements in there, but I thought it was done pretty well. And I thought it was good because it showed how much she was losing it.

     

    When I was trying to find her exact words online, I stumbled on an article discussing all the illnesses she had. Some of the medical professionals said that while bulimia and cutting (her scratching her back) were common in ballet, it wasn't often that someone would have bulimia, cutting AND schizophrenia and still be able to perform or function that well. I think they also said schizophrenia meant she would've been hearing things, not seeing or hallucinating things.

     

    Thanks for your input. :001_smile:

     

    My daughter saw it last night with her boyfriend. They are both ballet dancers, so they know the angst (although not at that level, thank goodness.) They agree with your interpretation of the internal struggle and with eternalknot: Nina had her moment and that was it. Where do you go from perfect?

     

    I guess I didn't see the connection between her achieving perfection and the jump. I just thought the black swan triumphed and so the white swan, her true self, died.

     

    That's awesome that your daughter and her boyfriend are ballet dancers. Best wishes to them both!

     

    not relevent to op

     

    I'm sure someone would've been interested anyway. :)

  12. Thanks for the bump. Yes, I did like it. And, as you can see, I'm still thinking about it. I think some of it was overdone or a little bit of a stretch and not quite believable, but I enjoyed Natalie Portman's transformation and her conflict within herself. I guess that's what I enjoyed most, her struggle within herself to be the white swan and the black swan.

     

    My daughter and I discussed it, and she found more symbolism between the movie and the actual story in Swan Lake. She enjoyed the ballet sequences much more than the thriller parts, too.

     

    Wow, I'm surprised nobody's seen it yet. I do recommend it although I suppose the sexuality might be too much for some. Let me know if you decide to see it. :)

  13. Do you shoot Canon or Nikon?? (or something else I guess)

     

    I don't think I'm near the photographic level to be able to say I "shoot" one or the other, but my camera is a Nikon so I'm trying to learn.

     

    I keep a filter on my camera so I can't scratch my lens. Usually I have the UV layered over the polarizing. I would much rather scratch or dirty a filter than an expensive lens. I have a Canon EOS 50D.

     

    Yes, I'm worried about scratching a lens, too. I wasn't aware you could use more than one at a time. Thanks.

     

    Me either. I do love my 50 mm prime and my 55-200mm lenses.

     

    My mind is boggled. I used a zoom so often on my old camera that I feel cheated with this one.

     

    Do you have to move a lot and switch lenses if you aren't close enough?

     

    I don't use a filter either. Why buy an expensive lens and then put cheap glass in front of it? I do use a lens hood for protection though. As for a zoom I like something in the 28-75mm range. The 70-300 or 55-200 are ok for outside but would be really cramped for indoors.

     

    Does the glass cause reflection problems or something? Aren't there anti-glare filters or things like that?

     

    Do you change your lenses often?

     

    I shoot Nikon and my favorite lens is a 50mm prime because I love bokeh. I also have a polarizing UV filter on my lenses as it protects them from damage.

     

    There are differing qualities of filters. I mainly shoot outdoors and have a good quality multi coated glass UV filter.

     

    Again, I'm boggled. No zoom?

     

    Thank you for the info on the filters. I'm leaning toward using them just because I know how easily accidents happen around me. :P

     

    I ALWAYS keep a skylight filter on my lenses. And not a "cheap glass" one, either. A bleeding expensive one.

     

    But a bleeding expensive skylight filter doesn't approach the price of a new lens.

     

    a

     

    Yes, that's why I'm trying to figure out where I should focus my priorities.

     

    I have a Nikon D700 and the lens that is always on it is the 24-70mm 2.8. I also love my 70-200mm VR 2.8. To complete the set, I have the 14-24mm 2.8 wide-angle.

     

    I also have a 105mm VR macro, some prime lenses for portraits, and a lensbaby. I went all out a few years ago because I wanted to be a portrait photographer, but now I'm too busy homeschooling.

     

    I have since decided that filters aren't necessary but usually put a high quality one on just to protect the expensive lenses.

     

    Wow, that's a lot of equipment. I think I'll have to go slower than you did.

     

    Thank you all for your help. I appreciate it!

  14. I can't do without my UV filter, and my Polarizes filter :)

     

    So do you leave your UV filter on all the time and switch out with the polarize filter on certain shots?

     

    I am a professional photographer and I don't use any filters at all :)

     

    What are you using your camera for? Knowing what your primary purpose is will help me make suggestions for you :)

     

    I'm not going into business or anything, but I do like to take a lot of pictures. Family, friends, animals, scenery, vacations, etc. The usual family photo album stuff. I'd love to get better at taking fast motion shots. I rely too much on the flash for those and would rather adjust shutter speed to get those pictures.

     

    Is that enough to clarify?

  15. Right now I've only got the 18-55mm lens, and I'm going nuts because I keep trying to find the automatic zoom that was on my old camera. This one doesn't have a long enough focus so I know I want another lens, but I'm not sure I want a bunch of lenses that I have to keep changing or if I just want one with a large range. I'm sure it'll lose quality if I do that though. So I'm wondering what other people use.

     

    I'm debating between a 70-300mm lens or a 55-200mm one. I don't think I'll go for the 18-200mm lens.

     

    I'm also wondering about filters. The protection filter sounds like a good idea. What about other filters? How often do you use them?

     

    Any other accessories that are must-have? External flashes?

     

    TIA!

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