Can I piggyback on and ask if the Foerster's Teacher's Guide (or manual-I think it is officially called "Teacher's Edition" where I have seen it on different sites), but ANYWAY, does it have suggested review questions, to help retention of previous concepts covered? I seem to recall someone saying that it did, and that might make it worth it (dd is used to and needs spiral review and this would do that for me, if it has it!) Maybe that is what the 'assignment of evens" that Elladarcy refers to-do the odds of the new stuff (like the Math W/out Border schedule) and then the evens are a mixed bag from other previous chapters? (I'm hopeful this is what it is!)

Thanks-these helped a lot about Mathsmate and Math Minutes-I do like them both, and think I could use both. Since we're going to do one daily over a couple years (including summers), I could still use more suggestions because we will run out (there are only 32 of each level of the Mathsmate, and yes, the middle school Math Minutes was the one I saw that was too easy, so that only leaves 2 of those to use!) And I meant to ask if I need a teacher's guide or something separately for the answers to Mathsmate and Math Minutes, or is it included? It looks like at least for Math Minutes, it is separate and $20? Yikes! I like Kahn but just want a quick and easy daily thing she can do, with mixed practice from 7-8 grade level, and I can't figure out how (or if) that works on Kahn!

Thanks for sharing-I'm obsessed w/ quinoa and always looking for good new recipes!

Great-I will try the capsules instead, thanks to everyone!

Thanks-any others? These are close to what I need but not exactly (ie-the Math Minutes looks almost perfect but a little too easy, ALEKS is too $$ for a supplement, etc). Wapati-I can't figure out from the website what level each set of worksheets are for Mathsmate? It does look nice, thanks

Dh just bought the Oreganol brand for us to try (which is drops you put in water), and I was wondering how other people on here use this. Do you take it every day, just when you are getting sick, a maintenance dose (ie-every other day or whatever)? Do you do anything that helps hide the horrible taste? :tongue_smilie: Also, I'm thinking I would take it better if I got pills of it, but I've heard it can have toxins (the Oreganol doesn't have the toxins) so you need to get a good brand-can anyone recommend a good capsule? Also I would love to hear how well it works for you (success stories, etc). Or if you found you didn't like it or it didn't work for you, why not? Thanks!

Spiral would be great-just something so dd14 can keep practicing division, percents, fractions, decimals, word problems, and that type of stuff so she doesn't forget it during algebra! I'm thinking maybe 10 problems per day of spiral review-what can we use for this? Thanks

thanks!

thanks!

This thread is a fun (and helpful) read, thanks! Here's mine: -good sewing machine and accessories (cutting mat, rotary cutter, etc.) -pj's -some clothes -stocking stuffers-clear mascara, lip stuff, handwarmers, candy, writing paper, hair accessories, calendar, etc.

:)

Thanks!

I haven't tried the Daniel Fast, but the correlating Daniel Cure book just came out, with the lady who wrote the Daniel Fast book, and the Daniel Cure sounds like a modified form of the Daniel Fast that is helpful for anti-inflammatory type eating. I was diagnosed with a chronic illness this year, so I'm going to start the Daniel Cure on January 1st. Has anyone tried the Daniel Fast before? How did it go? The Daniel Cure is a twist on it that is more for a lifestyle, so I think it sounds more flexible and doable. http://www.amazon.com/The-Daniel-Cure-Vibrant-Health/dp/0310335655/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1387143503&sr=8-1&keywords=daniel+cure

Yes, she loves all Alcott's books too, thanks! She isn't really very into contemporary fiction-that's why it's hard to find ideas for her!

Dd14 LOVED Kisses for Katie-I'd love to find something along the same lines, but others are great too. She just read and loved all Corrie Ten Boom's books. I would also love to get some fiction for her if I could find something good! (ie-not lame Amish fiction) I personally like Francine Rivers fiction but most of it is too old for her topic-wise. I'm just looking for fun reading for her-not devotionals, etc. Thanks so much!

Thanks, everyone-I think it will just be too much to try to do it this yr. Decided to just send regular store bought cards this year!

I think I'd have the best luck around here getting the Edy's. I *might* be able to find the Haagen Daas and if I have to, I can take a run to TJ's. I've never heard of the other brands around here! Thanks, everyone!

Left cards to REALLLLLY late this yr-may not do them at all, but if we do get them done it won't be til tomorrow or Sunday. In your estimation, based on past or this yr's delivery times, would we get them back by, say, the next Friday (prbly the latest because I'd need to address them Friday and then mail them out Saturday) Without an expedited delivery charge, I mean. It's stretching the budget to even send them this yr :(

No Publix here, sadly!

Dd wants eggnog flavored ice cream for her bday and before I go to the store, I want to make sure some brand even makes this, and what brand it is so I don't go hunting through all of them! A search online looks like Edy's has it, but not sure if that is current or not, so I wanted to get a couple backup brand names that may have it-thanks!

Great to know she CAN use the sewing machine right away, thanks! I have never sewed and the one time I tried to set up my mom's 40 yr old Singer I ended up in tears, so I was assuming she'd need help. I guess the new machines must be easier to use, plus I didn't realize there are so many tutorials on YouTube, etc-thanks for all the wonderful ideas! We'll still get her a few "other" things to alternate with-so I love all the ideas for other things, thank you!

Great ideas so far, thanks! And yes, I'm sure she will fiddle around a LOT with the machine, but I know she will want other things to alternate with for fun! (plus we're already getting her fabric, rotary cutter, ruler, cutting mat, thread, pins, etc-the sewing friend told us exactly what accessories to get :)) So thanks-and plz keep more ideas coming-these things are exactly the types of things I'm looking for!

She is getting a sewing machine and accessories, which she won't know how to use til she meets with her adult sewing friend in January. Plus clothes, earrings, etc. We need to figure out some FUN things she can have to "play" with in the days after Christmas while her 10 yr old brother plays w/ his toys! Not necessarily games-more like things she can fiddle with on her own. She likes craft kits but has all the main ones-friendship bracelets, etc. What else is there? I am desperate for ideas! She doesn't really have too many hobbies (no sports, etc). Maybe ideas from the Rainbow Resource catalog-some of their fun type things?

Great ideas, thanks! I should also mention that I had my saliva tested a few yrs ago and am now on natural bioidentical progesterone cream (Emerita)-I researched all this myself when I wasn't feeling good and found out I was estrogen dominant (get the testing done through a natural bioidentical pharmacy) So I'm not big on taking a bunch of meds and stuff. I like the idea of getting tested for diabetes too-I do have a family history and would have forgotten to ask about that-glad I started this thread-thank you!

I am going to get Vit D checked-it was low a few yrs ago but now I supplement. Anything else I should be asking about at this age?