So here's the latest update: Today the assessor came out to assess the house...supposedly for the owner to refinance as previously mentioned. I cleaned up....I thought he'd have to go room to room to measure, maybe take pictures (I half thought he may give feedback to the PM on the condition of the house, as the PM has not been to the house once since we lived here). I don't know that I've ever dealt with an assessor. I kinda expected him to be dressed casually, ie jeans, t-shirt...in case they have to get dirty on the job, or something. I dunno, check crawl spaces, basements etc (not that we have any of that at this house, in just in general). The guy came to the door, dressed pretty nicely. Brown dress slacks, and brown v-neck sweater. Pretty professional IMHO. He vaguelly looked familiar....something in my brain just clicked. He said he just needed to look around. He went upstairs, peeked in rooms, was up there for about a minute. He came downstairs, quickly looked around basically from the living room area (open floor plan so can see most of the downstairs from that vantage point). Said that was all he needed to do, thanks and goodbye. So he was here literally 3-4 minutes tops. About 10 minutes later, it dawned on me. I'm about 90% sure that he was our old neighbor (lived across the street, about 3 houses down, lived there for the first year we were here before they sold, we didn't interact much...basically waved as we crossed paths, and once in a general group of neighbors as we all sat outside for about an hour, in a attempt to have a "neighborhood potluck thing". They've been gone from the neighborhood for about 1 1/2 years now.). He is a real estate agent. Do real estate agents do the assessments? For re-financing purposes??? They don't take measurements or pictures or nothing? Or is my "he's getting ready to sell" vibe hitting closer to home?

Today I went to the Great Homeschool Convention, and walked the vendor hall, twice. I left with a feeling of disappointment. There wasn't much new or interesting. I guess in the past I felt like there were some new products, or maybe because I was newer homeschooler back in the day, it was exciting to see products I'd only read about online. -There were probably 8 or so booths that were colleges...specifically Christian-oriented colleges...fine, I guess, though if I were in the market to go to a college fair, I'd probably go to a college fair. -Several vendors marketing products about parenting w/Christian slants, raising good children, etc. Books, DVD programs, etc. Fine, I guess, my personal feeling is that if I need help parenting, a homeschool convention probably isn't the first place I'd turn to. -Other random vendors...two Summer camp-like places..ya know, pay $1000 and drop your child off in the mountains for a week....a booth just with Kapla blocks. YL Essential oils, Discovery toys, handicraft African items, Obamacare info booth, Charlotte visitors bureau (90 minute drive from here), Fun Depot in Asheville (60-ish minutes from here)...this is an indoor mini-golf/arcade/go kart place, a table of just hair clips(?). -The BIG vendors that always have large footprints...ie Sonlight, BJU, MFW, Apologia, Rainbow Resources (who had a crazy long line all day!). So mixed in there were the other things....curriculum. But still nothing new, nothing exciting. No one really had good deals...I was looking specifically for one of the Apologia books....many vendors sold it..all had it marked at a special price....still cheaper at Amazon. One vendor selling the Who Was series...marked "best deal"....still cheaper at Amazon. Hmmm...thinking this will be the last year I go to a convention.

Yes, I guess you all have good points. I guess just the fact that he didn't raise the rent (he's only raised it once in the three years we've been here), since the PM was pretty specific about a "premium for going month to month", and I'd assume she would have advised him of that option, and the appraisal/refinance thing all added up to a panic mode for me, lol. And I agree, I do think it will take him a while to sell the house, especially with tenants. We have a handful of houses in our subdivision that have been sitting for a few months, and I know some of them are even empty.

They live in Florida...I don't think that is a community property state, though I'm not sure on that.

Our lease will expire on April 6th. DH and I have been discussing whether we will move or stay. We'd like to move (locally) and get cheaper rent...but unless it's MUCH cheaper, the move won't save money in the long run because of deposits, moving costs, etc (We are only planning on renting one more year...by this time next year we hope to buy). The Property Manager called me this week and said she hadn't heard from us about the lease...that we had to give 30 days notice, and that means we should have told her by March 6th if we were moving. I said that we weren't sure yet, and it will depend on if the owner raises rent, but we'd be sure to give 30 days notice if we decided...and had not expected to move out on April 6th anyway...would have been April 1 notice, and 30 days later for move out at the earliest. We didn't feel a rush in this, as the past three years, when it was lease renewal...she'd call us or we'd call her, in April-Mayish and get a new lease sent out. So her "rush" this time, to call me in March...just struck me as odd. I mentioned that perhaps we'd like to go month-to-month in the event that we end up buying sooner than expected. She was pretty adamant that she does not offer month-to-month and if it is ever done, she charges a "premium" for that, ie higher rent. She will get in touch with the landlord and discuss lease terms (ie raise rent? We'd move. We also asked for him to put in a fence..hey, doesn't hurt to ask, right?) So today she calls me back with the terms: 1. He agrees to go month-to-month, with NO RAISE in rent. 2. He declines the fence request. 3. He is having an appraiser come out as he wants to refinance. I specifically asked if he's refinancing or looking to sell...PM said "he told me refinance". This strikes me as odd. I smell a "wants to sell". When we moved in here three years ago, the PM called me the first month to see if we wanted to buy the house. We didn't. Now I am thinking he's agreed to month to month because that lets him only give 30 days notice, if he sells it, or even wants us out to make it easier to sell. I don't see any other advantage for HIM to agree to month-to-month . (We've lived here for three years, pay rent on time, and rarely call for anything, and have not damaged the house.). I didn't specifically ASK for month-to-month...I just casually mentioned it in discussing our goal to purchase. DH says I'm being dramatic. He says the landlord has an advantage to keep us, because we are good tenants, and went along with the month to month request because I asked for it. (DH wasnt there for the phone conversation). That makes no sense to me. I don't see going month-to-month being a positive for a owner since you could lose your paying tenants at any given month..there's no "for sure thing". I am telling DH that we need to have our funds to move, ready and waiting as we could get the notice any given month and we don't want to be caught unprepared (we have the funds now, if needed...but would need to be sure to put said funds AWAY and not use for anything else). DH says I'm panicking for no reason. We've never met the landlord, he lives out of state. We get the vibe that he rents this out not so much as a "business" but probably his own personal house that didn't sell when he had to move. We know he routinely pays his HOA fees late every year (the letters come here, we often can't get in the community pool the first few weeks until he gets his account up to date, etc). So I don't think this is a money making thing for him...I feel like this is a "pay the mortgage until I move back or sell it" situation for him. So what's the advantage for him to go month to month, that I am missing?

My FIL recently passed away after a 2+ year battle with liver cancer. My DH is the only child, and so it's left to us to help MIL sort through life, and all that comes along with a spouse passing. They were not financially healthy, and as he's been out of work, he didn't really have any thing to leave in a will. I believe the only thing she will receive is life insurance on him, from HER job benefits (she still works full-time...age 62). So along comes a collections letter regarding a past debt of his...only for him, she's not involved, named and never signed anything. Is she responsible to pay his past debts that are only in his name? From my basic research, it appears that its a difference between "surviving spouse" and "estate". It's safe to say he had no estate. Any advice for me or a good direction for me to do research on this?

The classifieds here are completely dead compared to how active they used to be. I used to check every single day.....I never bought anything before checking here for it. I used to refer other homeschoolers to the WTM For Sale forum. The search function now is a complete fail. There's rarely much new listed...I know I don't personally sell here anymore. I don't use that VarageSale/FB group either....that group was annoying with too many rules and VarageSale is a pain in general (who needs the extra steps for Varagesale when I'm already wasting enough time on FB as it is). I am in much larger Facebook groups that are for buying-selling homeschool curriculum without all the Nazi rules. I check them all the time, quick and easy...and I sell everything on these groups.

I agree with others....never say never. I had a similar thought when we were in our early years....NEVEr doing public school, EVER! Kinda looked down at those that homeschooled , and then "gave up" and put their children back in school. Years later, life evolved in such a way that public school became an option for my oldest, and a GOOD option. It wasn't because we gave up, not at all, wasn't because I was burned out....it wasn't for any bad reason at all.....it was the school offered something my son "needed", beyond academics. I always hear homeschoolers talking about the fact that homeschooling is more than just academics, it's about all of life, meaning it everything we do with our children, it's teaching the morals of life with our children, it's a LIFE education. And now that we are in a school setting with oldest DS, I see the benefits that are offered there as well.....that school setting is giving him life education in a way that we weren't/couldn't at home (good things, lol). So yeah, now, I say we take it year by year. Today I don't plan anything but homeschooling all the way through for my two younger DS.....a few years from now, as they get into middle and high school..we'll see what life holds for us then. I'm sure that your friends are not offended that you say public school is NEVEr an option....more likely amused that one could be so set in today that they can't fathom the changes in the future.....and perhaps you are putting off an air of disdain that they did choose a different path...and they are offended by that.

Agree with what everyone else has said. We watched it from the beginning, excited to preview it for our children...uh, yeah, not happening! Not appriopriate for my children. I do feel there are unneccessary sex scenes....I think it's a bit graphic...there's nakedness, writhing, kissing, group tryst, rape, etc.....inneuddo would have gotten the same point across. The violence is pretty graphic too....people are always walking around with blood all over them. DH and I watch it, we enjoy it, but not sure on the accuracy, and very sure that my children won't be watching it :).

I booked this, as part of my job with Disney Dining. Each appt should take about 30 minutes...that can vary on the child though...how long they take to make their choices, ie fingernail color, etc. But the castmembers are trained to keep it moving (though they don't rush you), so 30 minutes is the norm. It's super popular, and will book up quickly. Reservations open 180 days in advance (190 if you are a DIsney Resort guest), and generally book up within the first few days of reservations opening. Most people like to book it the same day they do the Cinderella's Royal Table (which also books up within a day or two of reservations opening!!). Personally, as I'm a mother of boys, and not the type of female that goes ga-ga over princessy stuff, I don't get it. But I suppose if I had a little girl that was very much into princesses, and the dress-up thing, I'd do it for a special occasion (especially if it is paid for by someone else, lol!). Probably a once-in-a-lifetime event...the castmembers make it very special for the little girls. BTW, you don't have to purchase a costume there...if you own one, your child can wear their own. If your daughters aren't in love with the idea, use the gift cards for something else.

DH and I are dreaming...planning things for a house, lol. We are discussing kitchens and trying to decide which color to go with. 1. White cupboards/cabinets...maybe grayish counters. Any drawbacks? I've heard the "white shows more dirt"...but we had a lovely white kitchen in a house we rented, and I actually found the white cupboards easier to keep clean. The white did show the dirty easily, but since it was easy to see, it was easy to give it a quick wipe as counters were wiped (which is an everyday thing anyway). Overall, I loved the airy, brightness of the kitchen. 2. Dark cupboards/cabinets...maybe black or brownish counters. Like a dark, dark wood...not mahoganey...don't want any "red" overtones. It seems like it would be elegant and warm. Dark wouldn't show the dirty as quickly. But perhaps too dark, gloomy, making space seem smaller...if natural lighting isn't perfect? We have cupboards that are a natural wood color...so kinda light. What drives me bonkers if you look at them straight on, they don't necessarily look dirty or grimy...but if you look at a angle, you can see smudges/grime in the areas where hands are put on to open the doors (no handles). I'd assume the dark cupboards would be the same. Experiences? Pros or cons?

Nope, really don't see any correlation to me teaching my own children in 2013, to my experience of being in a public school, 20+ children to one teacher, 20+ years ago. It's like comparing a professional "sanitation worker" to me taking the garbage can to the curb once a week. Sure, we both are dealing with garbage on some level.....but what he does with the garbage and what I do with the garbage....not really the same thing. (And no, haha, I'm not comparing education to garbage....somehow that struck me as funny...just the only correlation that came to mind at this hour). And while my homeschooling experience doesn't make me appreciate my teachers in any way....it does make me sad for the humans that are teachers...the people behind the title....the fact that they can't make any real choices on curriculum, even if they know what they are using isn't good....can't make any choices in how they teach, or what they teach, or what they use to teach. And I CAN do all of that. I wonder how much more they would enjoy their jobs if they were able to truly personalize their experience (And I'm generalizing about the good ones...I know there are bad teachers out there, and of course they wouldn't bring much to the table no matter the circumstances).

Agree with others...the drive is a killer. DS15 goes to a public high school...one we are zoned for...on the interstate, with no traffic, it takes 14 minutes.....BUT in the a.m. rush hour, if we take the interstate, it takes 25 minutes. Add any sort of weather, and it can take a good 30-40 minutes on the interstate. We've tried alternate in-town routes, to avoid the interstate, on those weather days, and it actually takes longer. I'm dreading the day DS has his license and wants to drive himself. Afternoon pick up...since we are zoned for the school, DS could ride the bus...he doesn't like it, but occasionally I am not able to pickup due to schedule conflicts...he gets home a hour later than he does if I pick him up. So I try to pick up when possible, so that's a 2nd trip to the school that each day...and another 45minutes of my life (there, wait, home) in the afternoon scheduled around school hours. Any evening activities...that's another trip back and forth to school. Parent meetings, another trip back and forth. As far as education and classes, yes, I agree with others said, for a school the size that you are talking, I'd have to wonder what they can offer. We have some small private schools near us, that we considered before going the Public school route as the price was mangeable. They didn't offer AP courses, or Honors courses...they did offer courses using curriculum that I could use at home with ease, ie BJU, Apologia. I just couldn't see paying $5000-7000 a year for curriculum that I could do at home or at a local co-op. I'm not saying there isn't still a benefit to attending a small private school. I'd think that the close-knit community would perhaps be nice.

I've homeschooled in three states, and find that secular groups are hard to come by, and tend to be disorganized/not very active. For this reason, I float in all the groups, just to kinda see what is going on in my area. I don't join based on whether or not they are secular/religion based, because I don't want to judge that way. Of course, all three states were in the SouthEast, so that may have something to do with the abundance of religious groups. As far as NC, since it was mentioned, we were in WNC (Asheville/Hendersonville area), and though Asheville in general is very hippie-ish (and has ALOT of homeschoolers)....secular groups were NOT abundant. There was one small group that just called itself inclusive...not specifically secular...maybe 10 families on a regular basis...and mostly just random park days. The big, organized, active groups were all Christian. I tend to think that the "hippie-ish" homeschoolers in the area just kinda did their own thing, instead of forming a group. The other states I've homeschooled in, I've have seen secular groups come and go. None could be active enough to stay alive. It's that same old story of a few doing putting in the effort, and the many popping in and out when it's to their advantage. If I had to guess, to answer the original question, I'd think those states that tend to have a more "hippie" vibe would be more active in terms of secular groups. (Of course, as I mentioned, Asheville is pretty hippi-ish, yet secular groups were not active). I'd think Colorado, and California, if I had to guess.

OP, you have described my children exactly. DS #1 has always been an easy student, not much was ever difficult for him...and because of that he's kinda lazy..."why put much effort when I'm going to get a good grade, anyway, right?" Unfortunately, that thought process has NOT bit him in the behind yet....not to be a mean mommy, but sometimes I do wish for a bit of a life lesson in that thought process for him. DS 3# is also a quick, easy student, and eager one at that. It's my DS #2 that sounds exactly like your son. His handwriting is horrible, started cursive this year, (heard that may be easier), it's just as bad so far. He just "got" reading last spring, so at age 10....it was a sloooow struggle over many years, but suddenly it just clicked for him last year and at this point, he's officially what I call a "reader". He's probably not exactly on grade level...he's reading through the Hank Zipzer series now...not sure what grade level that is for...but if the print is too small, or too much on a page, he balks. At this point, I'm just happy that he is reading, and I'll deal with getting him into non-twaddle books down the road. Math...sigh....he's working on CLE Grade 1!! Now, part of that is my fault, I have skipped around maths a few times so when I went back to CLE (yes we tried it before but I just thought we should try something else), I felt it best for him to start at the beginning of CLE. We also do MUS Beta every now and then...again we started at the beginning, Alpha, last year. He can do the math...he can't get facts memorized...it's like either it pops into his brain or it completely is just not there. He uses the MUS blocks with CLE if needed for a visual. He is at the point where he is responsible enough to do his work on his own for an hour or so, like your son. I do a daily dog walk (paid) everyday at 11:30 a.m., so that's a complete interruption of our school day. Sometimes they go with me, other times they stay home and work. I'm gone for about an hour and leave them a list of things they need to be working on while I am gone (DH is home, though upstairs sleeping but here in case of emergency). He can be trusted to sit and work while I am gone. I try not to panic about how far behind he is in math. He should be a 6th grader, but as of last month, I decided to label him as a 5th grader, officially, on any thing that needs an official grade label. Thankfully, we don't really talk about grade labels, so he really wouldn't know that I just held him behind a grade. Last time someone asked him what grade he was in...he hestitated and then looked at me and said "I think 5th??". Honestly, I should have done that to begin with. His birthday is in Feb, so he turned 5 in Feb, then that August was our official K5 year. Had I realized his issues, I would have waited to officially start him the following Aug, when he would have been 6. NONE of that really matters, cuz it's all up to me anyway...but in my mind, it's a issue I keep twisting around cuz that's just how our brains are trained from public school. "Holding back a grade" is a bad thing. My homeschool brain knows that is not the case, and it doesn't really matter. I try to focus on how much he has improved, how much he has accomplished..and know that he has jump hurdles and he will jump this math hurdle just like he jumped his reading hurdle.....but it still gives me stress. He was a preemie, 29 weeks, btw, so I think that plays alot into his development. I've not had him tested for anything officially diagnosed in terms of schooling...he went through many therapies as a baby/toddler until about age 5 and finally done with everything. So the fact that he's just been "late" with everything in life, is kinda par for his course. I think about the college thing...it's always been our family philosophy to install the fact that college is the next step. But I also think that perhaps that won't be the best step for HIM, and I am coming to terms with that. We have some years, so who knows, I won't discount the fact that he could do it, but also that if it's not in the cards for him, there are plenty of careers in life that don't require college. Ooohh, the mommy stress!!

Did you check your library to see if it has any of the "extras"? That way you could use the extra books if you felt like it, without the investment.

I didn't use either one. My oldest DS went through A, B, and C books. Vocab/English is just kind of one of those subjects I "get"...so most of the work in the books, and the answers, were pretty obvious to me, especially if you read the definitions and the context of the exercise in the book. Worse case scenario, google the word and get more help with the usage. Save your $$.

Thanks ladies, any help from your teens would be much appreciated!!

It's an HP...we spent a bit more than a basic laptop....it has 8GB of RAM (the normal $200-300 laptops usually only have 2-4GB of RAM). RAM is the processing power (this is helps it run Minecraft without lag). We spent more in hopes that the laptop will last a bit longer, in terms of keeping up with technology, so we won't have to buy him another for 4-5 years, god willing. I just know that RAM requirements for technology increase over the years. 5 years ago, 2GB of RAM was a "normal" computer, and 4GB of RAM was a "upgrade". (10 years ago, 512MB was considered good on a computer...takes two 512MB to make 1GB). Now 2GB of RAM is a cheapy, basic computer, and 4GB is the norm......so 5 years from now....8GB will probably be the norm :). I sound like I know more than I do about computers, lol....3 years of working with Apple will do that........doesn't help much for Minecraft mods and Windows 8, haha!

I'm looking for a decent typing program for DS11 and DS7. Typing Pal, being offered at a discount at HomeSchool Buyers Co-op seems to be the best from everything I've looked at. Any users out there care to comment on their experience?

We don't do "Social Studies" as I feel that is a broad term generally used by schools, and often in elementary, it is really is just social studies, ie community helpers, etc. We do specifics, ie History, Geography. We've never sat down and studied community helpers...that's just something that comes across in normal everyday life...though there was some focus when we worked on those things in Cub Scouts. Anyhoo, are you wanting history advice? Or something else?

DS11 got a new laptop (running Windows 8) for Christmas and his own Minecraft account (in the past he'd shared the one that DS15 had). He wants to download mods. He's specifically mentioned a Lord of the Rings one. He has no idea how. I have no idea how. DH has no idea how. DS15 says that he doesn't know how on Windows 8 because it's changed a bit (and he's kinda outgrown Minecraft, hasn't play for about a year). Adding to that, I can barely figure out how to function on Windows 8. Our other computers run Vista, XP and Snow Leopard (Mac), and this Windows 8 is just a convoluted mess to me. Both DH and I have tried to watch YouTube videos to figure it out. One, they are showing it on a different Windows system, and two, it's like a different language! So anyone have any advice...maybe you have a Minecraft expert in your house that can provide tips, or a link to a clear, concise tutorial that shows it on Windows 8? Help!

I'm looking for a decent Typing Software for DS11 and DS7 (both are one finger pecking currently) . I'd prefer a disc that can be used on both a PC (running Windows 8) and a Mac. Or even better an online version. Software I've looked at: -BBC Free typing website. Both boys tried it and hated it. I'm not a fan of the British accent in this setting either. -Spongebob Typing. My boys would love this...but it gets pretty bad reviews on Amazon...lots of complaints. -Typing Instructor for Kids Platinum version. This one looks interesting, I think my boys would enjoy the overall theme of it. I'm concerned about it running on Windows 8. Seems to be alot of complaints in general on Amazon about installation. Also complaints that it doesn't really teach proper finger positioning. -Jumpstart Typing. This one seems outdated. I don't think that Jumpstart really puts much effort into updating their software these days. Homeschool Buyer's Co-op is offering: -Typing Pal. This one looks good. It's online and includes for up to 5 students...so no need to worry about PC or Mac issues. It seems like it teaches all the basics, yet has games etc too. -Typing Instructor 4: This one seems like a snooze fest for children. Any good or bad reviews on the ones I've mentioned or others that I haven't mentioned?

I'm planning on Beautiful Feet Geography and American History for next fall. I was just looking through the Geography plan, and seeing lots of definitions, drawings, writings. I was thinking that perhaps I will create some sort of paperwork, meaning kind of have the "drawings" already printed out as pictures that my boys can color in, have the questions already written out with multiple choice, or draw lines to answers, have vocab words already in a form, they just have to write definations. I think this will enhance the enjoyment as the "work" part of writing down the comprehension will be done...they just get to focus on sharing the actual comprehension...if that makes any sense. Then it occurred to me that perhaps someone had already done something like this and shared it on a blog. I know when we do SOTW, there are oodles of websites that have different "helps" that just add to the SOTW experience. Any one know of any BF websites or blogs that have some extras shared for free?

Thanks for the healthy feedback. Very valid points and things brought up I hadn't considered. I was kinda thinking we should tell them...it's been lingering on my mind as FIL's getting progressively worse in the last few months and Mayo has finally said there's little chance of doing anything due to the rapid progression. I guess a family talk over dinner will be happening this weekend. As a side note, they know that Grandpa "doesn't feel well", and thus naps alot when he's here (they only stay 2-3 days when they do come). But he's napped alot for the last 3-4 years (probably onset of the medical issues before it was officially diagnosed 2 years ago), so it's not really been all that different in terms of his behaviour here. But we don't really talk about any of it in front of him (he's very stoic and likes to pretend nothing is a big deal....for example, Christmas Eve, 1 a.m...he should be in bed...instead he's downstairs with me and DH....we've got to get the Santa gig going..so we have to rearrange furniture a bit to do gifts under tree situation....DH and I are moving the couch, and FIL grabs an end as if he's going to push..uh, NO, stop that!....he acts as if we are overreacting...keep in mind, he's in late stages at this point, kidney failing issues, swelling issues, etc...he really shouldn't be lifting a paper towel, let alone pushing a couch!). DH, MIL, and I talk details late in the evening, on their visits, once everyone else is in bed. So no,it's not really a normal part of our conversations. DH and I talk details alone when we get updates from MIL. I guess at this point, we've tried to shield the children from "cancer" and all that it entails. I guess we just weren't really sure how to bring it up up. They've not really experienced death this close to home, at least at a age where they can comprehend it. DS10's twin died at 11 days old, and so DS15 was 5 at that point...so still young to really comprehend the big picture....a baby he barely knew.....of course we talk about their brother on a regular basis, that's not a hidden topic. I guess we need to take FIL's situation along the same lines...not a secretive, whispered topic, but something we put out in the open, discuss, answer questions, and face as a reality. Thanks for hashing this out with me.