Maybe I'm wrong here, but I don't think so. Those tests basically compare your children's performance to the results from the original test group. I've had my kids get 100% correct on a subtest and receive only a 95 percentile for it...meaning that they were in the top 5%, not 100% correct, kwim? It probably means that the original test group did (generally) very well on the test. So much of those tests are simply comparative, not entirely content based. I hate those tests...and my kids always do well on them. I don't put alot of stock in them. ETA: http://www.standardizedtesting.net/

I started smoking very young (1969), at .45 a pack...and I quit before getting pregnant when I was 27, at $1.50 a pack. Since then, I can't stand anything "owning" me. I can be pretty obstinate when I feel something has a control over me. Sometimes, being oppositional has it's benefits. ;)

:thumbup::lol:

:grouphug: Yes, you probably are grieving. I still do, from time to time, and then I come back even stronger. :grouphug: Geo

We are in a similar situation...we grow food in season, it makes a considerable difference.

Thanks for the idea, we may just give it a shot. :thumbup: Geo

State Farm has been very good to us...:thumbup:

:grouphug: :grouphug::grouphug: while your family heals.

Still haven't gotten a neuropsych eval for ds. He had an eval with his ped for anxiety, and received zoloft (sertraline) for that. Had another eval with a developmental ped about possible asperger's...but received a dx for ADHD instead...and meds for focusing on schoolwork. Later on, he had an educational eval that indicated a nonverbval learning disability (NLD). At this time, I now feel that ds has been rather thoroughly worked-over. The NLD really seemed to cover all his issues, except for the ADHD...which is co-morbid to the NLD. I would have probably gone ahead and scheduled him for a NP eval (to confirm/label NLD)...but NPs around here aren't taking medicaid anymore. I will probably have it done toward the end of highschool for accommodation's sake, especially if it seems like he'll go on to community college. Right now, I can't even imagine it...so we're good.

Reassured....peace and contentment. Not so much based on academic performance as the absolute conviction that my children are free to discover and pursue their own personal interests, develop their own convictions, and unique, authentic personalities.

I don't know where you live, but if it just happens to be North Carolina, there is a place named the "T.E.A.C.C.H" Center. They have 7 locations aound the state. It is for autism and provides clinical services. The services are free, as it is a research-based program out of UNC's Medical School, I believe. The wait-list is long, a year or more...but it is free. They also provide training and support for parents. http://teacch.com/ :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: Geo

Creativity is more important at this age for sure. Exploring diverse materials is very exciting and allows for a broader concept of "art". Watercolor, particularly wet-on-wet technique is quite rich, search it on youtube. I really love the artsy atmosphere of a Waldorf education, which is incorporated across the curriculum. I am particularly fond of "Learning About the World Through Modeling" by Arthur Auer. http://www.waldorfbooks.com/?s=learning+about+the+world+through+modeling Pssst, amazon sells Amaco air dry clay (25lbs) shipped to your door for less than $17. It's true. Do it all over the years...collage, dioramas, modeling, sculpture, watercolors, block crayons, paper mache, bookmaking, basket weaving, knitting, origami, stained glass, fiber arts, pen & ink, charcoal, chalk, carpentry, topography...it goes on forever. The creative arts have a profound effect on the human psyche and really bring a balance to the intellect, nurturing keen observation and expression beyond the bounds of academia. Just my 2 cents. :tongue_smilie: Sorry for the rambling style, it's late...time for bed. "Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world and all there ever will be to know and understand." "If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales." -Albert Einstein

:iagree: with ALL of it. Progesterone especially. Peri-menopusal women (at 39, it is quite plausible) can be low in it, and it was pregnancy-keeping friendly for me. Vitamin E also strengthens the vascular walls and can prevent/heal leakage from weak spots. Oral Arnica Montana 6x could possibly help stop bleeding from any tissue injury that may have occured...but only if it starts up again...and stop taking if the bleeding stops. I am praying for your pregnancy and your mama-heart...it must be very tender and frightened right now. It is a good sign you haven't experienced any cramping...if that helps some. A little chamomile and honey can ease the stress of wait-and-see. :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

It was probably mentioned as a "don't read" by church friends, or maybe even on this board.

Once you're going through menopause it may get harder to hide. Ya know...facial hair and all. :glare:

nm :) I responded to a funny somewhere in the middle of the thread...and it just seemed out of place to be posted at the end where serious discussion was going on.

Wow, I could have written this, or should have written this. (bolded part) You're certainly not alone...but it feels oh, so alone.

It's not just around there, trust me.

Man, it's like your channeling Gina Rinehart...or, maybe you are Gina Rinehart. Hmm, that would explain alot. :001_rolleyes: Here's a little taste of her attitude in general: http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/gina-rinehart-billionaire-tells-australias-poor-stop-drinking-smoking

That...and/or "conveniently" get fired because they actually used their employer provided health insurance for a series of (sonic) kidney stone procedures. In this case, the nefarious plot involved someone putting lumber in the back of his pick-up at work, boss accused him of stealing and he was fired on the spot. We know this man very, very well...he's an honest, loyal, moral, hardworking man. That same construction company routinely and blatantly ignored OSHA.

Wow, I respect your posting this, it's inspiring. I did realize at the time that I was being ungracious to the whiners, but have been feeling crotchety and bitter about our own circumstances this week. I figured nobody probably cares what I think anyway...so I went for it. :banghead: I officially apologize for my snarkiness on all counts...to everyone. Thanks for the good example. :D

"Cost of living area" complaints are early on in the thread. If you didn't complain, then obviously I wasn't talking to you. I didn't ask anyone to apologize...I just mocked their whining...but don't worry, I'll pay for my remarks one way or the other. Besides, lower income earners work hard too ya' know. Some even become disabled from it...like dh.

Dh is disabled and on medicare (not medicaid)...and he can't afford to go to the Dr....seriously. He can't get his pain medication because it requires that he go to the Dr. every month for the controlled drug prescription...so he's goes without. However, the two anti-depressants he takes for dealing with chronic pain are easily and cheaply obtained without return Dr. visits, so he lives on those. Health care is indeed in crisis.

nm

Amen!