I buy generic toner from Amazon. I've been happy with it, but I've never used the real stuff, so I don't have much to compare it to.

I have a natural speller and we don't do any spelling any more. He is currently almost 11 and we haven't done spelling in a couple of years now.

We do personal supplies, only because it reduces the arguing.

So, after DS10 asked me today .... Is Virginia a state? :confused1: I said, um, yes - you know we live in Virginia, right? :crying: Apparently we need to learn some U.S. Geography. I think I have Trail Guide to U.S. Geography, but I'm not sure I love it. So give me some recommendations - next year, kids will be 2nd, 4th, and 6th grades.

I think this is a valid concern. I have not used it yet, but my plan is to be flexible - take rabbit trails when we want to, skip a lesson if we want to, etc. And at lower levels, I think it's OK to cover some things superficially.

She is wonderful!!!!! Glad it was a good experience.

I've seen a few posts about it, but it's hard to search for! I'm going to use it next year. Definitely use the placement test on the site. My kids all placed at a level below their grade, which I think is normal. I think I'm also going to order the Nature Notebooks. They look great!!!

My sagging bookshelves and I don't know the answer to this question!!!

My DD has had some similar issues. Her frustration level was off the charts. Her brain was telling her that things should be a certain way. Obviously, life doesn't always work the way you think it should. She was diagnosed with generalized anxiety. After seeing a counselor for a year, she started on meds and we have our lives back. (I'm not saying that everyone should jump to meds - it was a last resort for us, but it has made SUCH a difference!!!) ETA: I suspect she also has ADHD, but we have not pursued a diagnosis for that yet.

I would go by how they smell.

I'll tell you about my experience - granted, it was almost 30 years ago, but maybe it will help. I always did great in public high school - pretty much straight A's without a lot of studying. I took several AP classes - European History, Calculus, and 2 others that I don't recall offhand. I got 1s and 2s on all of them. I didn't study AT ALL for them. I just thought I'd pass them and I didn't take any of it seriously. Clearly, that attitude didn't work out so well!!! I went on to graduate with Honors from college and I currently teach college math. So while the scores were disappointing, all was not lost. I do wish I had taken the whole thing much more seriously. If I had passed the tests, I wouldn't have had to retake the classes in college and PAY for them!!!

Come on, baby giraffe! I have things to do today!!!!!!!

I think it definitely could be related. If you have postnasal drip (which you may not even notice), that could be irritating your stomach.

We tend to just keep on going and start a new curriculum whenever we finish something. Here are my plans for DS's next thing: Math: Math Mammoth 7 Science: Not sure yet - maybe something at co-op. If not, I own all the Ellen McHenry units, so we'll work our way though those. History: Mystery of History IV w/ Notebooking pages Writing: Jump In! Grammar: Finish Winston Grammar, then maybe try Khan Academy Grammar Literature: Various Books Other: Reasoning & Reading (I REALLY like these books), Red Hot Root Words PE: Homeschool PE at the YMCA

Can I ask a question along these lines? I have a current 5th grader, so I'm also planning for next year. What do you all do as far as discussions these books? Do you read the same books and discuss them? Do you plan out lessons or activities? Literature Guides? Language Arts is not my thing, so I struggle with what to do. DS loves reading, so that's great. Is just reading these enough?

I'm getting ready to plant seeds and I'd like a unit study or something to follow along with so my kids can learn about plants. We haven't done much learning about plants at all. I'd rather not put it all together myself, but I may end up doing that. But maybe there's a unit already put together out there? I've done some searching, but I can't seem to find much.

DS is 10, almost 11 and will be finishing Winston Grammar soon. What should we do next year for grammar? If it matters, for writing, he is currently doing Wordsmith Apprentice and I have Jump In for next year. I'll be honest, grammar/writing isn't our thing - we are a math/science-heavy family. So go easy on me! LOL

I saw an orthopedic doctor today for my knee pain. He said my x-rays looked awesome, so no arthritis!!!! (My mom had double knee replacements in her 50s due to severe arthritis.) He said my pain is probably due to a torn meniscus or some cartilage damage. I am going to have an MRI - need to schedule it. Has anyone had a torn meniscus? I'd love to avoid surgery, but I also don't want to live with pain. I'm 44 and fairly active, and I'd like to continue that for as long as possible!!!! Any experience with a torn meniscus? Surgery, cortisone shots?

NASA's Wallops Flight facility is close by. The town of chincoteague is so cute. You must get ice cream at the Island Creamery.

My knees have always been not so great - no injuries, just always creaky and weak. Now that I'm in my mid-40s, I think I'm developing arthritis. So far, it's just the right knee. My mom had double knee replacements in her 50s due to arthritis. What can I do? I know I need to lose some weight - I could stand to lose 30 pounds or so. That should help, right? Does Glucosamine and Chondroitin help? And no, I haven't been to the doctor yet. I will go soon.

I just had Flu A. I ran a high fever for 5 days. Today is day 14 and I'm still tired. Today, my cough is finally noticeably better.

I only recently switched to Armour, but it's been the best for me. I've tried Nature-throid and generic Synthroid.

My FIL. He is rude and crude. But he would do ANYTHING for us. I think he likes me more than his own son!

My 10 year old has Dysgraphia and can't write a paragraph. I don't promote them to certain grades. We just keep on going with wherever we are. That's the beauty of homeschooling for us.

Mine started with a tickle in my throat for most of the day. Then by late afternoon, the fever hit and I was done.