Does anyone have recommendations on purchasing a treadmill (under $500...closer to $300)? We all need to get more exercise, but my allergies make the outdoors extremely irritating at this time of year and I am also thinking adhead to the hothot summer to come. Any specific models you've been satisied with?

We're in Louisville, not that helps much :/

I used gum drops (TJs yum!) to make a peace sign on a plain cake then used tie-dye candles...it was groovy enough :)

My dd became a vegetarian after spending too much time looking at the HST catalog:tongue_smilie:

We just got this one for our daughter for her birthday. http://store.musicforlittlepeople.com/5108dk.html It has taken a few weeks to "break in", but it really seems to be "just fine". At first I was worried, but after her teacher tuned it, she also declared it "just fine". It doesn't sound as full as the teacher's violin, but it does sound "just fine" :) which at this point is good enough HTH btw I found a free shipping coupon cruising around online.

Fast? slow? the usual? I ordered a few Light Units to try over the summer and was just wondering about their shipping time. There was no indication on the website as to when to expect my order.

We did/are doing MP 3 complete and bits of 6 this year. We do like it very much, but my daughter is really missing the hands-on activities. It is very read, comprehend, memorize....don't get me wrong, it's good stuff. At the end of the day there is the "we finished that day's work, let's go play" feeling which is super...but still I, too, am drawn to OM. Oddly, strangely and crazily enough next year I am going to try to combine OM 4 with the MP items that worked best. I can speak more clearly once I see the bottom of my coffee cup.

It's almost here, and it's okay....I know we'll be okay. My son will be heading off to high school next year ~ fall 2013. It's a wonderful, small, boys' private school that is nearly in my backyard. It's always been the plan but.... tempus fugit... here we are. I'm here this morning just seeking advice...WWYD if it were your last year at home schooling?? His strengths are definitely content/knowledge in history, geography, doing fine in lit, but information is his specialty . He's finishing Saxon Alg 1/2 and doing fine there too. His attitude is also a strength. He WANTS to succeed. His weaknesses are in language arts...grammar is a little sketchy (he is working on the CLE LA assesment. He's about half way through Level 600 and is struggling), spelling is atrocious, and therefore struggles in writing as well. His handwriting is a bit on the lackadaisical side as well. But the school work is completed on laptops, so this won't be a HUGE issue. Oh, I think I forgot to mention he'll be "8th Grade". I asked him what he'd like to do for his last year. He wants to brush up on medieval history, modern history and read the Lord of the Rings (his 4th time maybe) (not sure I would have time for LLFLOTR..or maybe it was $$ ??) I guess I am in a "let's make it the BEST YEAR EVER!!!" or "holy *@%* Batman we've got work to do!!" conundrum. It is also my last year at home with DD as the plan is for me to return to full-time work. She'll be 4th grade, but my husband is willing to home school her with my guidance . We'll do some of OM 4, CLE LA & Math, First Form Latin, plus whatever else she gets into...she's a very motivated learner! TIA for your wise and kind advice....off to mope around and make moony faces at my boy.....

:001_huh::confused::001_smile: It's almost here, and it's okay....I know we'll be okay. My son will be heading off to high school next year ~ fall 2013. It's a wonderful, small, boys' private school that is nearly in my backyard. It's always been the plan but.... tempus fugit... here we are. I'm here this morning just seeking advice...WWYD if it were your last year at home schooling?? His strengths are definitely content/knowledge in history, geography, doing fine in lit, but information is his specialty :) . He's finishing Saxon Alg 1/2 and doing fine there too. His attitude is also a strength. He WANTS to succeed. His weaknesses are in language arts...grammar is a little sketchy (he is working on the CLE LA assesment. He's about half way through Level 600 and is struggling), spelling is atrocious, and therefore struggles in writing as well. His handwriting is a bit on the lackadaisical side as well. But the school work is completed on laptops, so this won't be a HUGE issue. Oh, I think I forgot to mention he'll be "8th Grade". I asked him what he'd like to do for his last year. He wants to brush up on medieval history, modern history and read the Lord of the Rings (his 4th time maybe) (not sure I would have time for LLFLOTR..or maybe it was $$ ??) I guess I am in a "let's make it the BEST YEAR EVER!!!" or "holy *@%* Batman we've got work to do!!" conundrum. It is also my last year at home with DD as the plan is for me to return to full-time work. She'll be 4th grade, but my husband is willing to home school her with my guidance ;). We'll do some of OM 4, CLE LA & Math, First Form Latin, plus whatever else she gets into...she's a very motivated learner! :tongue_smilie: TIA for your wise and kind advice....off to mope around and make moony faces at my boy.....

So the LA includes a writing element that is considered "enough" and or "rigorous"??

I've noticed many people are using only the LA and Math portions of CLE. What does the rest of your curriculum line-up look like? Especially interested in 4th and 8th graders. :001_smile:

:lol::lol::lol: . Finally, the whole thing overwhelms you and you've run out of money so you end up shopping at Aldi's again buying $0.45 Macaroni-n-cheese for the kids. :D yes ...trying to avoid this

http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/ This website is FANTASTIC!! I always knew what I was supposed to do. I just couldn't figure out how to do it. This site provided the hand-holding I needed to make it happen......I cannot say ENOUGH good about 100 Days... there are menus, shopping lists, recipes...blah, blah, don't get me started! It has changed our shopping cart in the most pleasant way!

....let's just say you do allow them for your pet. We have a one year old, dachshund mix at a very good weight and very active. He eats 3/4 cup Iams Simple Natural each day. But he does enjoy a little "somethin' somethin' " throughout the day. I'm just curious what some safe "store-bought" treats (he likes chewy over crunchy) or if you might make some yourself? With all the crazy China-scares, etc. I worry about what we feed him. ( He doesn't like carrots...he does like lettuce and sweet potatoes though)

I've been wanting to go. I'd have to check the dates, but I'd be interested in grouping.

I got a long overdue haircut the other day. The girl cutting my hair asked what kind of shampoo I used (cheap gack btw) as I needed something for my "thirsty hair". I didn't really ask because I was sure I couldn't afford whatever "salon products" they had for sale there. So uhm...y'all have any clue what that means and could you suggest a moderately priced product? I am 45 with very thick (though not as thick as it used to be) wavy/straight , medium long hair that I occasionally cover the grays with home color.

He's an 11 mo rescue doggie. He's a dachshund-cocker mix (?) We have a home-inspection visit tomorrow and hope to go bring him home on Sunday. DD has been hoping for a dog for most of her 8 years and I've been missing having a dog for about 25.....so we haven't stopped :D for at least a week.

Yes to all of that. Since we really don't go out THAT much all together, I want him to be used to and enjoy a car ride occasionally (our family is about the same distance away). His foster mom says he is crate trained and used to being crated when they go out, so I want him to keep that ability too. I don't want him to be so spoiled that he thinks he is ALWAYS going, but want to include him when appropriate. SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!! We are getting a doggie!!!!!

We are finally getting that doggie. I see people out and about with their dogs and wondered how that works. For example, if we were going to the pet store where dogs are welcome, we would probably also be running into the library or a store or two to pick up this or that. If we were going out for a family fun daytrip or hike, the dog would be welcome ( or we'd be away all day) and wondered what that looked like for your family. Thanks for helping me figure out how to work this new family member into our lives!!

And this.....

Now we do a mix, depending on how much time we will spend in the store or library etc. I have left the dogs alone in the car if I know we will be gone a very short time, especially if the errand is on the way to a walk at the park, or a visit to a friend's house (where dogs are welcome). I guess I am thinking more of this

How does that work? Running an errand or two...or a little day trip? Do you take your dog along on adventures, or leave him home? Does it wait in the car ( I know to never leave a dog in a hot/warm car) while you eat or go in a non-dog-friendly place? How does that work?

Yes it will definately be an entire family decision. I told her long ago that IF she EVER got a dog that her brother and I would be the ones making the final decision because she would take ANY dog, ANY size, ANY day, ANY hour. Every time she sees a dog walking around without its person she wants to stop and pick it up. I know there is no way to time it so she wakes up to it on Christmas morning. That's just not how we roll....I'm certain it will be another long, drawn out decision and I am now waiting patiently for the right one to come along. I've been trolling petfinder and petango for years ~ I'm almost as excited as she will be. I did pick up an inexpensive little doggy gift set with a bone cookie-cutter, cookbook and rope toy. I think I will wrap that up and keep trolling the petfinder sites. When a promising pet comes along, I'll give her that to let her know it is time to start the official search. Thank you for the info on Christmas closing. I'll check into that. I'm so giddy though, it may be before the holidays if the right dog comes onto my radar.

Thank you for all the responses. I thought it would be funny to get her a pooper-scooper and a tennis ball.

Dog hair all over is definitely not my favorite thing....but love has its price :) which is why I am watching for a good price on a new vacuum:D. But with that said, the less shedding the better. We want a dog that wants to be loveloveloved. We're a pretty laid back family , so we don't need a high-energy/need dog. We walk in the neighborhood and local forest/park, but that's about it. Our yard is fenced, but it's a smallish city yard.