This is rough and it happens to most of us, sometimes for a few weeks and sometimes we have months and months of attitude. What works for many people is lawing down the law--some law, you decide (in our family it is that they don't have to like it, but they have to do it in a timely fashion without complaint if they want to eat, do sports, watch a movie or whatever it is that they like.) Strict enforcement. I do use material I know they will like, try new things and have fun Friday. Yes, even in high school a fun day a week can be worked into the schedule. Experience has shown me that when things are not going well, I need to focus on a few key subjects (math, writing, reading) that must be done. Then I reevaluate the plan. If they hate science, try just watching videos from the library on the topic for a week before reading just part of the textbook or doing an experiment. Same with history. Don't run out and buy more material. This is your first year, so don't expect it to go smoothly all the time. They are learning, you are doing a good job and things will improve. Don't take what all of us tell you too seriously, what works for us may never work for you. Think deeply about just one issue that you are facing, one subject or one constant area of conflict, and just change that one thing. It may seem like you need to change material (that always seems to be the easiest thing to do) but that doesn't alway solve the prolem. Sometimes it is just time away from the subject that makes it appear that the material change has made the difference.

Thanks. I'm not looking for a particular edition, just as a reference source and I wanted to check out certain topics before buying. Our thrift store use to have dozens for 50cents each, but they stopped taking them because (surprise) they took up too much space and rarely sold.

Passing through and hoping to pick up a used college bio and psych textbook. Which thrift stores or used book shps might have these? Thanks

I'll get started looking at those, thank you. If anyone has other suggestions please post them too.

Ugh, so many of the cooking healhty sites are filled with ads and side bars that I can't find just the basic stuff I'm looking for. HELP. I need a site that has recipes that have been tested by someone (maybe reviews or comments) that I can use to create meal plans. We're all getting fat and lazy here using the same meal ideas over and over. I need lower carb and lower fat. I'm just overwhelmed by all the sites out there.

My 16 year old (slim, fits into big girls or juniors) was watching the last Avonlea episode with her younger sisters and she loved the dresses Felicity wore and would like one. The image linked below is the closest I can find to showing the tailored style, although Felicities were far more attractive and with a higher waiste. Any ideas? I'm hoping there are boutiques online or maybe someone has seen them in a department store? I could also attempt to sew one, but that would be a last resort http://www.fashion-e...s_2col_748h.jpg just found this which is a little bit closer, although not the color or lace http://i.ebayimg.com/t/VINTAGE-1920s-30s-PAPRIKA-CREPE-CHIFFON-DRESS-w-CREAM-LACE-YOKE-PUFF-SLEEVES-/00/s/MTQxOVgxMjAw/$%28KGrHqV,!rkFBCQ81N+!BQbfC%29hBBw~~60_12.JPG

I like those. Any others?

It drives me crazy, but I have a friend who needs to have humor pointed out in emails or she takes it the wrong way.

Good idea!

:iagree: In that situation I think the mother will glady and without prompting send money so that you continue the kindness! Still, I would phrase it as suggested above and just be direct if she doesn't send money this time. You are being incredibly thoughtful and while it may be taxing at times, your daughter will benefit from your example of kindness to those who are struggling.

http://pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=organize+school http://pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=organize+homeschool

I'm back to add that I have never regretted using vintage books and textbooks, but have felt dismayed over many of the newer items that I've bought over the years.

I apologize if I first read this here. I've had the browser window open for a week and just now read the blog post. This is a twist on what many of us do, but a very creative twist that I wish I had thought of years ago. This blogger is clever and funny! http://madsmemories.blogspot.com/2009/08/moms-ransom-rubbage.html

Our voting site is the hall of a little, Methodist church. It used to be the town fire hall. I'm not sure why the moved it. There is always a bake sale; the kids love to pick something out and I'm happy to make a donation.

Set up a new social board for Catholics, especially relevant as Advent is approaching. We'll be having weekly topics of discussion, etc. http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/group.php?groupid=182

bump

http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/group.php?groupid=182

for preschool and K. I've never seen this one before and while my kids are too old for it, it would be fun to pair with some of our usual classical material. http://weefolkart.com/content/winter-wonderland-preschoolkindergarten-curriculum

Over the years, Happy Hearts has found most of the fabulous vintage books on google. If I were you, I'd print out a few lessons from the one that appeals to you the most and if it works, print out the book and have it bound. One year I printed out different lessons from different books to create exactly what my son needed. I'm not as motivated now, but it worked wonderfully. Here's a link to the middle-school english books http://freehomeschoolinglibrar.blogspot.com/search/label/Middle%20School%20English

Why did we ever buy an older home. Lazy cats.

I don't know your situation, but my heart goes out to you. It is hard to live like that and to see your children suffer. Sometimes, though, the children suffer even more when they are around those people at least that's how it was with my family. The Christmas threads make me tear up too. My children are artistic and make lovely items, but have no relatives to give them to now. It's just not the same giving those things to friends. No relatives at recitals, birthdays, etc. Yep, it's very sad and something that can only be understand if you are living it :grouphug:

A group of us have been making rag dolls for our daughters for Christmas and are wondering how to locate a charity that could use them for needy children. Our local hospital is small and doesn't really have a pediatric floor and the local woman's abuse shelter is hard to get in touch with. Please share what you know. These dolls are lovely; we want to take care of this soon before the extra dolls get put away and forgotten.

:grouphug: I am so sorry for your loss. You are very wise to just hang back and not overreact. My sister was in your BIL's girlfriend's shoes. She genuinely liked the guy, was around him a little before and after the death and without intending to be she was the sympathetic ear he needed. I do think she was a rebound for him and while it has worked out, my sister is probably not the ideal woman for him. Your BIL still needs you and your family. Your pain will lessen and you'll gain understanding of the relationship as time goes by. I would tell him your pain is still to fresh to be involved in his new relationship, but that in time you want to get to know her--and just leave it at that.

We regularly suffer through long outages and these are some things that have made a difference. We used our pump thermos like this one http://www.amazon.com/Thermos-PP1920TR12-Thermal-Beverage-Dispenser/dp/B00006WNRZ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1351867410&sr=8-1&keywords=pump+thermos filled it with hot water to rinse our hands after using baby wipes. It's also wonderful for rinsing silverware. Glow sticks as night lights in the kids room. porta potty This type if you have a place you can empty it out back http://www.target.com/p/reliance-luggable-loo-portable-toilet/-/A-10305843?ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001&AFID=Google_PLA_df&LNM=|10305843&CPNG=Sports&kpid=10305843&ci_gpa=pla&ci_sku=10305843&kpid=10305843&ci_gpa=pla&ci_sku=10305843 and this type if you can't http://www.target.com/p/reliance-products-flushable-loo/-/A-12153681?reco=Rec|pdp|12153681|ClickCP|item_page.vertical_1&lnk=Rec|pdp|ClickCP|item_page.vertical_1 We bought ours at a camping supply store. 10, 5 gallon buckets. As soon as storm warnings hit, fill them with water and keep in the bathtub or shower. Use to flush toilets if your system works that way, rinse hair or sponge bath, etc. They nest and are easy to store in the basement or garage when not needed. Coffee made in advance in a thermos. Walmart and Lowes sell them for about $3 each. Economy hand paper towels http://www.samsclub.com/sams/boardwalk-economy-hardwound-paper-towels-1-ply-350-ft-brown-12-rolls/prod360418.ip we always use these in place of paper towels. They are much stronger (one piece can be used over and over if needed), as absorbent as bounty although not as pretty and significantly cheaper when calculated by square foot. Pocket some the next time you use a public restroom and see if it works for you in the kitchen. Paper plates and everyone wipes down their own silverware.

Something that isn't a struggle to go up and down stairs with? I've had the rigid plastic (round and rectangle) :tongue_smilie:, flexible plastic with thin handles that tore after a few months and ate into my hands, and a regular old basket that basically has the same problems as the plastic. There must be something easier out there that I just don't know about.