Water heaters recently underwent a huge national changeover so unless you find a "leftover" you're in for a surprise on price. We have an LP water heater and I love it, just replaced a few months ago. If you're smelling gas, replace it ASAP. My dad and brother in law were burnt in a small explosion due to having to light a water heater. It was scary business and luckily a few scars are all they have to show from it. But a gas leaking water heater is had news.

I hope you explained to DD that the little girl doesn't hate her... just that she believes this way and she loves her so she wants her in Heaven. I would think that would be some comfort to your daughter.

Lol, we moved in here and DH replaced three of the toilets immediately. One to go.

To Do Today: Paint sidelites on my house. (Benjamin Moore Naval blue - FUN!) Caulk and insert the windows. (This should keep the A/C INSIDE my house!) Paint a lamp for Liz - hot pink. All very fun. Laundry Splashpad. Today is going to be rough ya'all but splash pad and naptime I think I will survive!! ;) I'm wondering if a 35-40ISH woman can wear her swimsuit to the splash pad? Hmmm.....

I've been driving one since 2006 and I have to say I don't love it. However she's a necessity and so you adjust and deal with it. But, no, it is in no way like driving a Civic.

DS (16) gets 60 minutes per day. Even that I hate, but it's a compromise. If you live out of "civilization" then I assume he could do a garden or raise animals? The issue with gaming is it creates a flood of chemicals to the brain to "reward" it for the work.... Then they get off the computer, figure out they didn't really DO anything, and there is a fall. So they seek the rush again to feel good. So the goal has to be NOT just passing time, but some tangible "do something" that creates a reward - something to be proud of, some accomplishment.

We can't do wi-fi here because we don't have home internet. (Dial up is the only thing available. I wish I was kidding.) Sarah (7yo) wanted to buy a Kindle HD for games, books, audiobooks with her birthday money. So we found one used and bought it. I didn't even think about storage. We have two that are 32gb, and one that is 16gb. I got it today and attempted to load it with everything I have for her. It won't fit. BUT it says I only have 5gb available? It should be 8gb. What in the world? I'm remarkably untechnical. Help is appreciated. :(

Totally possible. ;)

Read Aloud Revival and Dave Ramsey.

Thirteen here. We rarely run out of hot water but we don't stack bathing. 40 gallon LP water heater. Early AM - two adults Mid AM (7:00 AM ish)- one adult and one teen 9:00 pm ish - one teen Other kiddos fit in as needed - normally before running errands and / or in the evening before. It results in about threats a week. Any more dries out their skin. Showers for the eight and up crowd, they wash their own hair. Baths for the seven and unders, mama does hair.

Retail? Von Maur Nordstrom

Retail? Von Maur Nordstrom

Very good points!

He'll be going to the in-state flagship. It's a solid engineering school, not highly selective, but we really want our kids to graduate as close to debt free as possible. They gave DD a full ride (not inc. room and board because she lives at home) and DS' sophomore PSATs were higher than her junior PSATs so I assume his SATs will be at least as good as hers. However, the consideration you pointed out still does make good sense even in our scenario.

I loved Shedd. We've been there a few times. Once upon a time Chicago had free days that included non Chicago folks, unfortunately I think those are past now but you might want to Google.

We loved PWN the SAT for very practical, applicable help.

No help yet, but if you can wait a few years, I can let you know what happens with four in at the same time. ;)

What's the best way to take blood sugars on a 7yo. DD has been feeling "off" on occasion and it's happening more frequently. I think it's tied to blood sugar. So we took her into our pediatrician this last week and she looks great. However, Dr. thinks that while she is willing to take sugars and take a fasting blood sugar, she thinks we could get a better gauge of what's going on if I keep a loose food journal and take a few "normal" sugars and then take her blood sugar level when she feels off. I think she's right. However, it doesn't solve the problem at hand of me taking Sarah's blood sugar. I HATE pricking fingers. I can give blood all day long but I feel sick at the idea of pricking my finger or someone else's. So what else is out there for gadgets for taking blood sugar?

Thank you all for the advice - it's much appreciated. I think if he wasn't going into engineering this would be a non-issue, but because it's specific to engineering and because he's really QUITE sure, I'd really rather have him take Calc I (and maybe Calc II) at the community college before heading off to the University. I DO think I'll call the school and ask for an exception on the COMPASS test.

He took the COMPASS math placement test about seven months ago and placed in Intermediate and I gave it a month and had him test again. He barely missed (two points) placing out of Intermediate Algebra. But, guess what? He can only take the COMPASS twice a year. So even though he's now completed Algebra 2 at home, the only way for him to take a math course up there is to start with Intermediate Algebra. This was totally my fault. Sigh. But the schedule is: Intermediate Algebra then Trig & Analytical Geometry then College Algebra with Limits the Calculus I. So, he would take Int. Algebra this coming semester, Trig next semester, then next year College Algebra & Calculus !. I think my biggest concern is: Will Calc I at the community college level be the same/adequate as the University? Because if not, filling his senior year with what will, essesntially be electives because the engineering program doesn't contain a lot of flluff, is a wasted year, verses him being behind by not taking Calculus before he enters and having to take the extra class, if that makes sense.

Or not? I can't figure out why this is such a hard decision. DS Will be in his junior year this year. He's taking 23 credits at the local community college plus Physics next summer. He is planning on majoring in Engineering - most likely Civil but might go undeclared general eng. initially. If he did his senior year he'd focus on Math and Science at community college. (These would be at the level the state would pay for for dual enrollment 100% because they aren't offered at the high school.) The catch is that most of them wouldn't go towards aanything because Engineering is such specific coursework. However, coursework calls for Calculus 1 his freshman year. If he graduated early he will be taking Pre-Calc (which I think is now called Advanced Linear something or other but essentially the pre-tea to Calculus. If he stays a senior he can take both Calculus (2nd semester) and the pre-req 1st semester. Then there are SAT and ACT scores to think about. His PSAT scores last year were good, but missed National Merit qualifications. I suspect we will miss them this year but it's a possibility. However, I believe he would get better scores by waiting a year.... But I don't know how worthwhile. The University he will be attending is the same his sister attends. They were very generous the last two years, covering full tuition, books, etc. (she lives at home but it would not have quite covered room and board) through a University scholarship and a Presidential scholarship. I am hopeful he would be offered the same but with financial aid changes and our income going up, I'm not sure what they'll offer. So an increased SAT could be beneficial. On the other hand he's a pretty motivated guy. I suspect he's going to feel like he's spinning wheels at the community college even though I know he'll enjoy it. However, he is planning on doing Mock Trial this year and would miss out on a second year of that. Ya'all, assuming he rocks his first semester classes (Intermediate Algebra, Comp I, Intro to Engineering - Project Lead the Way, and Psych.) what would you choose to do and why? This is our first go-around with a 16 year old taking so many classes at community college. I didn't want Ana to graduate early because although she has been very academically successful, socially and time mamagment, it's been a HUGE learning curve. He is a much "busier" guy and he is more outgoing.

If I don't get to this later (tomorrow AM) could you PM me and nudge me to post? I have to leave shortly to tutor and can't type out on my phone. ;)

Can't decide if I want to watch or not.... I will teach Beginning Latin, Chemistry, and Algebra 2, but I swore off shoe tying in 2006.

I would respond: I'm SO glad you're glad! Anything that results in children succeeding is a win in my book and I'm just as happy for the public school kiddos succeeding as my own! After all we all make up the village. Passive agressive? Maybe....

I'm very familiar with the rest. My kiddos do the Iowa, and while not annually, our first Iowa test was in 2005 and several since. :) They're great scores! I'm actually curious what you use for a math curriculum. So a 78 on this test means your child did as well or better than 78% of children nationally. It is NOT a test score. A composite of 99 (highest possible score) means, overall, looking at the big picture, your child scores in the topn1% of peers. Celevbration time! :D