I have finally figured out that we do best here with curriculum that has a schedule already done. Or Do-the-Next-Thing. Some current things that are working well (knock on wood!!!!): 6th grader Apologia General Science w/ the Notebooking Journal Uncle Sam and You Figuratively Speaking Easy Grammar WWS 1 4th grader Writers in Residence Pentime Handwriting Math Mammoth RSO Chemistry 2nd grader Growing w/ Grammar RSO Chemistry

I believe she has an active lease with an apartment complex. I'm not sure when it's up, but I can definitely ask.

I am sure this varies by state and even by city/county. I am also going to leave out details because it's a sensitive situation. A male relative in his 40s threatened another of our relatives last night - if it matters, she is female and almost 70. The female left town and got a hotel room last night. I do not know the exact words of the threat, but I do know that this male relative has had a difficult life and I'm pretty sure abuses alcohol and maybe drugs. I have not had much contact with him over the years, but I have no doubt he could (and would) carry out a threat. She did call the police right after the threat, but they told her they couldn't do anything because he hadn't actually done anything. I told her to call them back and make sure a report got filed anyway. Female relative called the courthouse in her city today and someone there (not sure who) said that the judge wouldn't issue a restraining order because no actual physical attack was made. I looked up the laws in her state (FL) and a credible threat does constitute Assault, which is a misdemeanor. I told her to still pursue the restraining order. I also told her it may be worth seeing if she can find a local attorney that would give her a free consultation. She can in no way afford to pay for an Attorney, and I'm not sure DH and I could afford to pay for it for her. Any ideas of what else I can do? I'm a 14 hour drive away. I know she will not leave permanently because her 90 year old father is in a facility near her. She had already planned a trip to leave on Saturday to visit another relative, so I'm praying hard that things stabilize at least until then.

Definitely the Fold n File. I have one that has all my teacher manuals in it.

Wow!!!

USF Grad here, too! Although, I went there .......... ummmmmm ....... 25 years ago or something like that!!!!

His daughter was one of my college roommates and my best friends!!!!! He is AMAZING!

I loooove Math Mammoth and I am a big fan of not switching around math curriculum. But my 2nd grader HATES it. It's too incremental for her. She is very math-y and MM just isn't working. She has zero interest in Beast Academy. Of course, because I already have that, too!!! She does have ADHD, emphasis on the Hyperactive! (ETA: She does take meds for the ADHD as well as Anxiety. She is a complicated kid.) She needs something straightforward and preferably with not a ton of reading. We are still working on her reading skills. Help!!!

I think that next year, I would like to do an in-depth World Geography year, instead of a history year. Kind of like MFW Exploring Countries and Cultures, but I was hoping to find something a bit cheaper. My kids will be 3rd, 5th, and 7th grades. We have things that are working well for Writing, Grammar, Math, etc. I'd like the geography study to include maps, culture, cooking, etc. I would LOVE to have something already planned out. Any ideas?

My friend uses this Mac and Cheese recipe, but I have not tried it. INSTANT POT MAC AND CHEESE INGREDIENTS 16 oz pasta I used elbow 3 cups water sharp cheese (16 oz) Few drops of hot sauce-optional 1 tbs dijon mustard 1/2 cup milk (I usually use more milk adding more as needed) 3 tbs butter 2 tsp of salt 1/2 tsp pepper INSTRUCTIONS 1. Place pasta in your Instant Pot with chicken broth. Push manual (high pressure) and set the timer to 4 minutes. Do a quick release. Place your Instant Pot on saute. Stir in milk, butter, mustard and hot sauce. Stir in cheese and stir until melted about 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and serve.

I am still in the skeptical phase. I think the next time it goes on sale, I will probably give in and get one. But I need the 8 quart one.

We are having our best year of homeschool yet (knock on wood!!!) The thing that I have discovered is the key for us - curriculum that is planned out or is a do-the-next-thing. I have ADHD and planning my own things just doesn't happen. Things that are working really well: DS - 6th grade Apologia General Science w/ Notebooking Journal WWS1 Easy Grammar 6 Foerster's Algebra 1 DD - 4th grade Writers in Residence 1 Math Mammoth 4 RSO Chemistry DD - 2nd grade RSO Chemistry w/ older sister Math Mammoth 2 Growing w/ Grammar 2

Maybe Costochondritis? Inflammation of the cartilage. Maybe try some ibuprofen?

Really good thoughts, everyone. Thank you so much!!! We are currently away - on a little history trip, in fact. We are in Richmond - we saw the Terracotta Army exhibit and visited some Civil War battle sites. I will read over everything again when we get home.

That may be what I was thinking ......... Thank you for your thoughts!

Does anyone do only interest-led History in the elementary years? I am so unhappy with every history curriculum we've tried. I'm seriously considering ditching the actual curriculum and just following rabbit trails. Then, in the Middle School years, use curriculum. I'd love some thoughts or links that explore this concept.

I just started reading Understanding Girls With ADHD. Fascinating, so far. I have it, but was just diagnosed in the last few years. My (adopted) DD has it, but we present very differently. My DS has it, very similar to me.

I'm in SE Virginia and this is the coldest it's been in a looooong time here. I don't mind cold weather, but this is crazy!!!!

:grouphug: You are so right about the smell of your grandparents' house. I can still remember both of "my" smells so well.

I am so sad. I love the alphabet series.

Thank you for all the information. This curriculum has always appealed to me, but we've never tried it. I now have kids that are 11, 10, and 7 and all 3 are reading independently. We also have solid math programs for everyone. Long-term users - how do you feel the grammar and writing is? Did you supplement?

We've done OK here. Some overstimulation, but I have worked REALLY hard to limit our activities this month.

I am so sorry. It's never easy to lose a furry family member.

Christmas at the IL's house, with MIL, FIL, BIL and his family. That will take most of the afternoon. Then tomorrow evening, we will come home and have make your own pizzas for dinner - that's our random Christmas Eve tradition. Then we will all get to unwrap our new pajamas, and then the hardest part - getting the kids to go to sleep so we can set up the new Xbox!!!!!

Amazon has been using their drivers for a lot of holiday deliveries. What's driving me crazy is that they aren't ringing doorbells!!!!!!! I happened to look out the window and see the driver, so I was able to get my package. But we have had some porch pirates around here lately.