I agree with the above posters in regard to what to look for and what to ask about. We've had great luck getting names of instructors by calling local colleges. I'll call or e-mail the professor (or department) relative to the instrument, and ask for recommendations. I'm usually able to get 3-4 names that way. Then I meet with the potential instructors. Several times, we've done lessons for a month on a trial basis, to make sure that the instructor and student are a good match. HTH! Hillary

VERY windy. Some study said that area was the windiest in the US. I haven't been out to the southwestern part of KS, but I have several friends from that area. The people that grew up out there LOVE it, and many would like to move back someday. I know there are a couple of homeschool groups out there, so you won't be alone. HTH!

I have the Grimmerie. It is a fun book. Lots of pictures, interviews with the developers, and cast interviews. That might be a better option.

Well said. What a lovely post. Thank you!

Wow. I'm kind of surprised that New Mexico wasn't included on their list. KIDDING! I'm kidding. :)

Have you discussed the issue with his instructor? They might not even be aware of his dislike for the lessons. What was their response? If they're not able to individualize his instruction a little bit more, I see no harm in asking the instructors what they'd recommend. Should he leave the program? Surely they don't want a student who's miserable. Maybe they can recommend an instructor that would be a better balance of theory and fun. IMO, you need both. Were this my ds, I'd speak with his instructor first. If possible, I'd include your son. Ask for help, and see what they recommend. Then, if necessary, ask for a recommendation for other instructors.

I would say no. Not for early teens. The book is pretty dark, and isn't a whole lot like the musical. If you get to see a touring version of the show, though, that'd be fine. But I'd stay away from the book for a few years.

The last time I checked, you can't use these at home. You'd have to speak with a school and see if maybe they'd let you use the program after hours. Do you have a friend who is a teacher?"

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Yes, we've gotten those things off with Goo Gone. Put a little on, let it soak a few minutes, then use a scraper to remove the sticky stuff. (I've used a putty knife gently, or one of those scrapers from Pampered Chef.)

Mandamom, it's just half a head. I copied the whole head, and then pasted onto the body image. I see the top half of the head, but the vbottom half is just a dotted outline. When I try to move the image, the dotted outline disappears and all I see is the top half of the head.

I think if you're fine with the content in the book, you'll be fine with the movie. The scene at the end isn't bad at all. There's actually less kissing in the movie than in the book. It's not the kissing and the action that concern me about young teens and this series, though. It's the larger themes. If you're fine with those, then you'll probably find the movie acceptable.

Thanks, Janice! Your dh got me closer. But when I move to put the cropped head onto the new body, I only get half a head. I'll play with it some more. Thanks! Hillary

I do this every year for our Christmas card photos. I've always used the scissors-and-tape method, though, and it's a pain. GiMP University (a blog) started a tutorial, but they have only posted the first two parts. It's been over a week since the last post, and my Christmas card prep time is running out. Does anyone know how to do it? Or do you kno of a good step-by-step tutorial? Thanks!

I would stay home and have dh go alone.

My husband works very hard all week to earn the money that allows me to stay home and homeschool. He supprts homeschooling, but is not involved in the teaching or curriculum. He leaves that to me. He's interested in what we do, and talks about school with the kids. Sometimes I ask his opinion, but I wouldn't dream of making him take over some part of schooling when he gets home from a hard day's work. Now, occasionally he'll do something with the kids, but that's when it's his idea. I try not to add to his burden by shifting my responsibility to him.

I skipped in early grade school. Academically it was *better*, but not great. Jr. high school and high school were difficult for me, and looking back I think it was a maturity thing. But since your daughter is in high school already, I'd look into keeping her in the same "grade" but accelerating her progress through school. Can she take upper level classes?

I have an iPod Shuffle, and it doesn't change songs when you shake it. You have to push a button to "fast-forward" to the next song. I listen to it when I'm running. I've had mine maybe a year and a half? Maybe the newer models change when you shake them? Ask at the store, but I think your ds would be fine with a shuffle.

The five strongest economies/unemployment rates right now are in SD, WY, ND, UT, and NE. So far we're enjoying Nebraska. Now, if you're talking strictly the most pleasant places to live, we've **loved** Boise, Idaho; Sheboygan, Wisconsin; La Crosse, Wisconsin; and McMinnville, OR. (Though taxes in WI and OR are crazy-high.) I've heard great things about TX and MT as well.

I've seen Anita Renfroe do this song, so I was familiar with it. This woman did a great job too. My favorite part, though, was catching glimpses of the sign language interpreter. Her hands were flying!

We've done the movie basket for ds' piano teacher. We've also made homemade chocolate fudge sauce for him. I think once we did dinner and a movie gift certificates.

This reminds me of "The Ten Tree Commandments" that someone on the board wrote a few years ago. I can't remember who wrote it? Was it Nicholson? "THE TEN TREE COMMANDMENTS Rule #1: Thou shalt assemble the artificial tree and bend the branches for no less than one hour for a realistic appearance. Rule #2: Then thou shalt apply the lights beginning at the top of the tree progessing to the bottom, taking the strand all the way to the center of the tree and out again on every single branch or thou wilt be smitten. Rule #3: Concerning the number of lights. Thou shalt strive for the perfection and beauty of not less than 10 100 light strands for a total of 1000 lights. Less than this and it shall be proclaimed an "ugly" tree. Rule #4: Thou shalt then begin apply the ornaments. Small ornaments shall go at the top. Large ornaments for the base. Thy tree must be proportional. Rule #5: THOU SHALT NOT ALLOW THE ORNAMENTS TO SIT ON THE BRANCH BENEATH THEM! IT IS AN ABOMINATION!!! THEY MUST SWING FREELY ON THE TREE! Rule #6: Thou shalt consider thy work no less than every three ornaments placed by standing back and looking for "holes" in thy tree. Fill the wretched holes with ornaments. Rule #7: Thou shalt decorate the WHOLE tree front and back. Place the old scratched ornaments on the back of the tree lest it be naked. Rule #8: After the ornaments come the garland. This must be artfully draped in even "swags". Then though shalt humor thy grandmother to come "adjust" the parts she condemns as uneven. Rule #9: Lastly, though mayest apply tinsel to thy tree. NOT IN GREAT GOBS but by no more than 5 strands at one time. Then though must be a good steward of thy tinsel being ever watchful to not pass to closely by the tree, lest you remove the tinsel causing a bald spot. Rule #10: Thou must promise on pain of death to return on New Year's Day to dismantle thy grandmother's tree or guilt wilt follow thou all the days of thy life. Sorry guys... I'm not sure what came over me :) "

I've seen some of the older ones, and really liked them: Rigoletto, The Buttercream Gang, and there was one that took place waaaay up north in Canada but I can't remember the name. I'd compare them to really good after-school specials. very moral, and pretty well done. I think I'd probably pick them up at a yard sale, but I wouldn't seek them out. I've liked the films, but I haven't ever bought any from the company, so I can't testify to that end. They are a Utah-based company, and likely very mormon, but I've never seen any theology come through in their films. (It might be there, but I've never picked up on it.) I remember mostly morality takes. HTH. Enjoy the movies! Hillary

My parents haven't expressed any regrets. I love my parents, and I think I had a great childhood. (Not perfect, but *I* enjoyed it) My parents were of the generation that had lives separate from their children. Their lives didn't revolve around us. We were a big part of their lives, but not their focus. They don't have any regrets they have expressed. And neither do I, really. (Except the pony I never got for Christmas.) :tongue_smilie: