We are fully funding our own retirement so we won't be a burden to our children. They can get scholarships, loans and/or jobs to pay for college. We can't get scholarships, loans or jobs to pay for our retirement. During K-12, we do the best we can to support their education. Whether it be lessons or outsourced classes. Like many here, we are a one-income family and there isn't much left over for extras. My kids understand our finances. They know that a full ride via Mom & Dad is unrealistic. When my homeschooling days are over, if they are in college and I am working, I will offer them some help, as much as I can after I've funded my retirement of course. K

"They sit at opposite ends of a kitchen table in our school room. I'm thinking I'll get one of those foam-core science display boards, unless you guys can suggest something better. I am worried that it will be too light and they'll find ways to knock it over." BTDT. Yep, they want to knock it over. Will wiggle table to get it to fall over..argue who's going to face which side.... Eventually, I WANTED TO HIDE BEHIND IT.....:angry: Now, they have clipboards and they choose to sit in different rooms. My hope is that they will end up in their rooms at a desk. Sorry, I can't recommend the science boards. k

:confused::confused:

When my oldest did this to me recently, I went right to my dh and said "I am going to lose it the next time someone asks me to smell something. Really, if it stinks to you, then why do you want to share the STINK with me? I am not going to make you drink sour milk or wear stinky clothes, so why must you insist that I smell (fill in blank)? If you say it stinks, I believe you - I promise!" I hope I made my point to the person that has started this bad habit!! End of rant.

Nick/11: game designer (would love to work for Jagex) Zack/9: Magician/illusionist (3 years of magic under his belt already. Will be marrying a showgirl and put his folks up in a nice penthouse in Vegas.:thumbup: Mom's observation: Nick/11: lawyer (loves logic, arguing and has pretty good writing skills) or accountant (good with numbers, like to work solo). Zack/9: Physics/Science Teacher (he loves to explain how everything works to anyone who has a set of ears!). I think he'd make a great college professor.

http://www.staples.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StaplesProductDisplay?&langId=-1&storeId=10001&noredir=true&catalogId=10051&productId=98062&cmArea=SEARCH Staples Expandable folding crate on wheels

I just wanted to let you know that I have saved much of your writing advice over the past few months (Incremental Writing) and I wanted you to know that your advice has helped me so much. I have kept your stuff in a folder and refer to it often. We will miss you, but thanks for your contributions! k

Singapore Math (added Key to this year) Rod & Staff Grammar Megawords Story of the World In the past we used all of: Explode the Code (books 1-8, both students) FLL (K-1)

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by choosing to not have cable/dish. I can be OPRAH-free:D k Netflix RULES.

I find bumper stickers tacky, but not offensive. I have to wonder why someone would believe that the folks who just happen to be trapped in traffic with them value the bearers opinion on politics or social issues. That being said, I appreciate funny/joke bumper stickers. The lighten my mood.:001_smile: k

Yep.

My dh is the first generation NOT to have a college degree. His great grandfather was a country doctor is Iowa. His grandfather was a professor, gifted musician and rocket scientist. His father was a physics major, gifted musician and government analyst. My dh is a great guy, who happens to sell car parts. He's very bright but not motivated to go to school (got his pilots license at 18 and builds lots of cool rockets). I'm hoping my kids will go to college and find something they enjoy doing.

The older I get, the more easily I am annoyed by people, so I realize that going back to work would irritate me. I laughed at your comment ..."bad things would happen." Yep. My dh is a people person (he's in retail). He says he likes his commute because he gets to chill out before he gets to work or comes home. It's sad when I get jealous because he's gotten take out for lunch! I go for weeks without ANY alone time. I've got to work on that!

I think these folks give a fairly good assessment if somewhat negative of the commute from Stafford to DC. http://www.city-data.com/forum/northern-virginia/109124-anyone-commute-stafford-k-st-downtown.html I noticed that they didn't mention commuter buses or vanpools. Stafford has many of these (A friend of mine commutes to Maryland from one) and I think the time may be shorter that the times they are giving, but probably at least 1 hour if not more. Friday night commutes (especially in the summer) are pretty bad. It's really nice here, but I understand about the importance of having a workable commute and how that is a priority for your family (it's mine too). If you can take a look at TrafficLand.com traffic cameras, you can look up traffic in No Va. Check it out on Friday. You can get a taste of it. Hth k

It was a lovely dress. It was modeled after Caroline Kennedy's wedding dress. A friend of my MIL made it for me. One of my friend's borrowed it to wear to her wedding. I couldn't find anyone else who wanted it, so I donated it. If I had a daughter, I might have kept it for her. k

:iagree: When I see a man in black :ack2:socks and shorts, I want to run up to them, knock them over and rip those darn things off..... but then, I'd have to peer down at their bright, white, ANKLES.. Yikes! k I never suffer from white ankles. I never wear SOCKS if it's above 60.

I'm about 10 miles north of LisaK. I would agree with renting at this point. Lots of nice rentals on the market. If you like access to county pool, library, and shopping, it's hard to beat North Stafford. All are within a mile or 2 of my house. It's nice to save on gas! Neighborhoods I would recommend renting in are: Park Ridge (library is located in subdivision), Hampton Oaks (county pool is located just inside, just a mile from the library) and many parks. These are your typical mid-90's subdivisions with small lots and sidewalks. Aquia Harbor is a more rustic neighborhood (lots of hills and trees) and has it's own amenities and great access to I-95. My dh only commutes to Woodbridge, but I know many commute to DC via commuter vans or the VRE. Unfortunately, traffic during rush hour and some weekends can be frustrating. It's the price you pay for living a popular, government/DC economy driven area. Since so many people in transition are military, you may want to check out for sale/rental sites aimed at the military. Perhaps Battlemaiden knows the web address. BTW, Battlemaiden's home is here in North Stafford. From the pictures, it looks really nice!! hth, let us know where you end up. K

She told me that her parents offered her a Big Wedding (25K back in 90) OR a downpayment on a house. She said she told her dad that she wanted the downpayment.... His response.... "It'll kill your mother." So, she had a fabulous wedding with the most beautiful flowers I've ever seen and a full course meal with open bar. She and her dh bought a small house a year later. Glad she's still married 18 years later!!

I think there is a surreal sensuality and connectedness in his work. Hard to explain why one likes certain artists, eh?

I'm just wondering....no experience here. My BIL is paying 2K a year so my nephew can drive his $800 Honda too. :eek:

All I can tell you is that after a year of R&S, both my children are writing full and complete sentences. We have just started IEW and I rarely have to make any corrections related to poor grammar. They know where commas go and how to punctuate dialog etc. I've compared their writing with a ps kid that gets no grammar instruction beyond identifying nouns and verbs. It makes a difference. BTW, we didn't do any copywork, so I can't attribute their sentence composing to copywork. It only takes 20-30 minutes a day to do grammar (we do odds only, white board diagramming and workbook). It's not that painful!! Just my .02 k

There's something about enormous grace that can change one's world. Grace--"unmerited favor"--"getting what you don't deserve"--"not getting what you do deserve"-- So true. k

I would love to figure out how my SIL thinks this is all going to work out. Thanks for your advice. I really appreciate all of it.

I forwarded this thread to my mom and it really helped us with how we advise my brother. It has been a rough few years for him. RoughCollie, I appreciate the clarity you brought to the situation. I am a bit "cold hearted" so I wasn't sure if my advice was out of line. My heart says try to get sole custody and fight to get her straightened out, but my head says you can't change another person, we need to keep her perspective in mind, and there are so many risks to all involved if it gets any uglier. Thanks again. I'm much more at ease. :grouphug:: k