The kitchen and dining room are swept daily. The foyer and bathrooms are swept about every other day. All of these areas are mopped at least once a week. Sometimes, more often is necessary, but this seems to keep them looking nice. We have ceramic tile flooring in all of these areas. J

Elizabeth, I agree, I don't make a big deal about people's grammar, UNLESS they start spewing credentials at me. I figure the author just painted a big old target on her forehead. I love grammar. It's math that I find inscrutable. :001_smile: Jeannie

I don't blame you if you are offended. I think I would be also. Unfortunately, I do think it might not look very polite to be reading a book at the graduation. It's not like you'll be wearing a sign that says "I don't know any of these people." :) I hope it goes quickly and painlessly for you. Congratulations on doing such a good job with your daughter! You deserve a pat on the back! J

I wish I knew. I can't decide if I'm turning into an old fuddy-duddy or if things are just too far. I watched a Beyonce' video yesterday-first I've ever seen-and I am scratching my head in confusion. This is a talented woman? She looked like a hooker. And moved like she ought to be in a strip bar. I guess I'll just be a fuddy-duddy. jeannie

Ok, this is kinda off topic, kinda not. This angry person, who needs some bean dip and Mike's, makes a big point about her credentials. Maybe I am incorrect, but shouldn't she phrase her question, "Do you think you can teach English better than I?" I--not me. Am I wrong? I am pretty sure that "I" is the grammatically correct choice. If so, she might have shot herself in the foot, figuratively speaking. :) Maybe I am incorrect. I hope someone will let me know. Jeannie

Well, I'm sure this is a nasty response, but I'd have been tempted to say "Better a bubble than a coffin." Ok, I know that's an extreme remark, but you were asking very valid questions. I live in the South and the heat and humidity claims lives every single summer here. The elderly and the very young are the main victims. I hope you make some hs friends soon. I have many different friends of differing backgrounds. But I think my hs friends are my best support. Common ground is a beautiful thing! Good luck. jeannie

We are using R&S Spelling 2 this year and I think it has helped my daughter quite a bit. She is not a natural speller, but has learned a great deal this year. I have the teacher's manual, but I haven't opened it in months. The student book works just fine on its own. Jeannie

Oh! I can definitely agree with this one. I was hit by a truck because of a situation like this. Older woman driving the wrong direction in the Wal Mart parking lot.....hit me with her pick up truck. I'm just glad she hit me and not one of my children! I had a couple of bruises but I was mostly scared. If she'd hit one of my children, I'd have probably gone ballistic! jeannie

It would probably help you to make a list now for what you want for the coming year. Then you will be able to stock up when the sales start. Maybe even put a few dollars back every now and then in a special envelope marked "school supplies." Back to school time is the absolute best time to buy supplies. Around here, a 24 ct box of Crayola crayons runs around a $1.50 during the year. At back to school time, it runs around 20 cents. That is a huge difference! And definitely buy a few more boxes of crayons and glue sticks, etc., than you think you will need. Extras are always good, and you probably need more than you think! Jeannie

I only have a few pet peeves, really. I cringe when people say "circle around," particularly if I see it written in a novel. Surely someone proofreads these things, don't they? I hate to see "'s" used to pluralize. I know a lot of people get it wrong, but at least use it correctly on signs! Even my 8 yr old can tell when it's incorrect. People who absolutely must have the last word. Phone conversation, text conversation, email,.....whatever. They positively must say the last word. Argh! Jeannie

I am so glad this thread is going. This has been our first full year of home schooling and we are far enough behind that will barely finish by the end of June. Granted, we've had some emergencies and such, but I can see now where we have gone wrong. We definitely over planned activities. That won't happen again. :) And I have been a little too lenient and allowed a bit too much whining. Last week, I had had enough. They started complaining before they even sat down to their books. I stood up and said, "Ok, let's go." "Where are we going?" "We're going to register the two of you in school." Insert crying and begging here, but it did help. I hate doing that, but I felt like I had to get it through their heads that school was going to happen no matter what. One way or the other, they're going to learn. So far, the complaints have been few since then. I am keeping a list of the tips and suggestions. I hope they keep coming. Jeannie

I want to second (or third:) the poem Evangeline. I live in Louisiana and this is one of the first Louisiana history things I remember learning. Jeannie

Ok, I STILL don't know what Spycar's little picture says! :confused::confused::confused::confused::confused: Jeannie

It sounds to me like you have been very up front about the arrangements. I don't think you should feel bad. Your children are YOUR children. If you are uncomfortable leaving them in a certain situation, then it sounds like your Mommy Radar is trying to tell you something. No, you are not a bad daughter. You are a good mother. Your mom and sister need to understand that you are all grown up now and have responsibilities. If you left your children with your mother and, God forbid, something happened, would you be able to forgive yourself? Or your mother? NO. Stick to your guns! Jeannie

I am the first to admit that I have much to learn. Thank goodness, or the rest of my life would be pointless! LOL However, I am often shocked at things that I really think people should know. Or at least not by surpised by..... We were at a Mardi Gras parade a few months ago. It was the Krewe of Centaur parade and the lead float had a very large centaur on the front. A girl, around eighteen or so, said "Oh, look! It's half man, half horse!" I thought she was kidding, so I turned around and looked at her. She was seriously surprised. I smiled at her and said (very nicely) "That's a centaur. It's supposed to be half man, half horse." She was was genuinely surprised and thanked me for telling her. :) Go figure! Jeannie

Great story! Jeannie

Some friends of mine lost their snake for two months. They found him in the bathroom in a drawer. Apparently, it was a little used drawer and he was getting really thirsty. When they put him back in the tank, he went straight to the water dish and camped out. Check the bathroom.......I hope it doesn't find the shower while you're in it. jeannie

Man, I miss Texas! That is all. j

For about the first 2/3 of the video, I thought they were trying to convince me that "21st Century" skills were bad. All the things they put up on the screen seemed, to me, to be reasons why they shouldn't be "digitally engaged." Then I realized all the appalling things they were showing were supposed to SUPPORT 21st Century skills. Engage me? That was a joke! J

bump :lurk5:interested in the responses as well. jeannie

My dd's dearest ambition at the age of six was to work at Taco Bell so she could bring back the Cheesy Gordita Crunch! This is a step up from her 4 yr old ambition to be a hula dancer. jeannie

I'm sorry to tell you that this pretty much comes with the age. We've often been amazed that DD doesn't become dehydrated from crying. :) Just wait till she starts muttering under her breath as she walks away.......... jeannie

We always buy it at Target. We use it for our guinea pigs. You can sometimes get a good price at pet stores. jeannie

Sounds a little like "The Giver" but with the wrong ending. hmmmmm....... Jeannie

When the kids stop talking to you, sometimes you have to read the journal to know how they're feeling. That's the only time I read my son's. Did I like what I read? nope. Nothing bad, he was just upset with us for moving him away from his girlfriend. But he was angry and stopped communicating for a while. I honestly didn't think I had a choice at that point. As long as they are still talking and sharing, then I don't read journals. j