Please be patient with me...I'm not so great at learning "new things" on the computer. I hope someone here can write instructions even a 3rd grader could follow. (I may have to ask my 3rd grader to help me:001_huh: Thanks, Geo

Check out "History Portfolio" at Homeschooljourney.com - It may appeal to both your learners. The "artsy" one will most definitely enjoy it, but it may have enough structure for the "linear" student. It's different enough to be fresh, and hopefully inspiring. Geo

American Literature Critical Thinking Course by James Stobaugh (circa 2001) (or so it used to be called...don't hear of it these days) How Should We Then Live by Francis Shaeffer (book) and DVD set by the same name *In conjunction with: Adventures In Art by David Quine, Cornerstone Curriculum Project (Suitable for all ages but profound when studied along with the Shaeffer book and DVD's) Not "curriculum" per se' but worthy of note: All works by Fyodor Dostoyevsky Geo

Try: 25,000 I.U. of beta carotene 4x daily 200mg natural vitamin E, (high gamma, mixed tocopherols) 100mg natural B-Complex (time released or 25mg 4x daily) Unless your skin is extra oily, a harsh acne wash can terribly dry your skin...it's already irritated! Instead, use a mild oatmeal soap (cleanse-DON'T scrub) Pat dry and finish off with aloe vera gel...very soothing and healing. You should notice a marked difference in a day or two. Geo

Seeing the age of your children I would opt for CHOW. Synge has a lovely lyrical quality but has alot of detail that the children may find too cluttered to enjoy (at this time) Geo

Could it be the Terestria Chronicles? Just a guess. Geo

We had a ds who received vision therapy years and years ago (22 years to be exact). It was once a week and it too was 1 hour away. I feel for the your demanding circumstances, it probably isn't easy even at home. Anyway, after some months they did assign some activities to be done at home- in addition to his weekly appointments, not in lieu of them. I doubt they would agree to you doing the therapy in their stead. However, each DR. & patient is unique, you can only communicate your situation and go from there. BTW, vision therapy was sucessful for my ds, he avoided surgery altogether, was fitted for bifocals which he finally shed at the age of 19...a very rare outcome, indeed. Geo

We are just beginning The SWI A. The Key Word Outlines help with recognizing the main idea(s). You could start and just proceed until he couldn't go further...why not? Just don't push...as far as reading comprehension: talking about what they are reading is usually more than enough. Geo

Try Making Math Meaningful by Cornerstone Curriculum Project. Geo

Thanks for the warning. Geo:bigear:

I use my husband's "Shop Towels". I think he buys them at "Lowe's", or Home Depot if you're in a different region. Geo

I wouldn't even try to begin to figure out why such things happen. I won't say I don't wonder. The book of Job gives one pause. No matter what, God is always motivated by love and is good all of the time. I pray that is a comfort to the Chapmans in times like this. Geo

That depends on your personality type. If you're a real push-over, you probably need to learn to be firmer...In that case I would recommend "To Train Up A Child" by Michael Pearl. If you tend to be intense, given to yelling and even unkind speech towards your kids, you should read "How To Really Love Your Child" by Ross Campbell, and exercise any discipline in light of communicating love. Ezzo books for school-age children can be a good resource but I would NEVER recommend their infant/baby books....EVER! For whatever it's worth, Geo

I'd hang them outside and hose 'em good. Geo

I'm better at planning and buying than executing. So, having said that, I start around March.:001_huh: Geo

IMHO, I make them play outside as much as possible. We live in the mountains and there is no good reason not to be out there. If you don't understand why I would say such a thing...please read "Last Child In the Woods". Children absolutely need unstructured, un-mothered TIME and NATURE. Not a playground...real nature. Check it out on amazon.com. Geo

I'd use purple stuff. There are some things I'm not crunchy about. Especially when it comes to work. Geo

Absolutely! Let us know when your back safely. Geo

I went to highschool with Janice Dickinson, ex-supermodel and producer of "Janice Dickinson"s Modeling Agency" on the Oxygen channel. She was my sister's best friend. From what I can tell, she hasn't changed much. A little skinnier, and harsher. She never liked me, either.:glare: Geo

I have had 6 children, and hormones can have a powerful effect on a womans emotional make-up. This is most likely a physiological need more than a psychological one I agree with your midwife. B-vitamins help your nervous system cope with the overload being thrown at it, while magnesium is a "tension" reliever. Buy a high quality B-complex and take them incrementally throughout the day until you find the right dosage for your body (or follow your midwife's dosage recommendation). Geo

No doubt the "pros" & "cons" were seriously considered back then, when the issues were current events. Nothing much has changed since then. The resulting opinion depends on one's value system and worldview. Geo

Depends. If you are finicky about the quality of lamination. What I mean is that we always just used laminating contact paper....way cheaper alternative. Geo

It sounds like the only real issue would be comfort. Geo

I noticed a few strays around 17 or 18. It seems to run in the family...2 of my children had them by their late teens-early 20's. I am not exceptionally gray at 50, though I do still color my hair. My big question is: When in good taste should I stop coloring? Geo

I use Murphy's oil soap and warm water. I don't believe that vinegar & water would wreck your floor but it is an acid and certainly wouldn't be "good" for them... Murphy's is kinder and leaves a lustrous sheen. Geo