cougarmom4
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Posts posted by cougarmom4
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My husband went to law school there 20+ years ago and we stayed for several years after while he worked at a small firm. We are very conservative, and even though we were outnumbered, we loved it. I will say that when we decided to stay and buy a home, my number one must was an attached garage so I could survive putting three littles in the car in the winter. The winters are pretty rough…it’s just a completely different kind of cold than what we were used to.
I’m sure things have changed plenty since we moved away about 15 years ago, but we really liked living on the east side of town. And I loved the nearby Amish communities and driving through the rolling hills and farmlands.
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15 hours ago, Jenny in Florida said:
I just ran out of steam…..
I also can't work up the energy to actually change anything.
I can so relate to these two comments, Jenny.
I am at a very dark and low place right now, too. I’ve struggled for years and gone through all the guilt-inducing negative thought processes, too. Deep down I feel that the root to all of this (at least for me) isn’t even depression…I think my depression is the result of feeling physically exhausted and emotionally completely worn out for so many years…running out of steam, as you said. And then feeling so guilty for not being able to get my lazy self out of the dang bed and do all the things I want to be doing!
If I could just find a doctor who will really listen to me and do more than jump to a prescription.
I did want to mention an audiobook that I just started that I’m hopeful will bring a bit of upward momentum. “Your Happiness Toolkit: 16 Strategies for Overcoming Depression” by Carrie M. Wrigley. I’m only on chapter two, so I can’t guarantee yet that it’s not going to be full of “just choose to be happy” crap, but so far it’s about developing strategies to get thru this.-
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Potatoes…baked potato bar, Eggs & potatoes, mashed potatoes & gravy (with small bits of meat), homemade French fries
Breakfast for dinner…not sure on gf options, but it’s usually cheaper than dinner
Eggs…I make a weekly dinner of this with all kinds of leftovers (diced potatoes, veggies, spinach, leftover ham, bacon or sausage) and pour scrambled egg mixture over top. Sprinkle with cheese and bake.
I’ve found if I put out a plate of raw veggies for people to snack on right before dinner, they don’t need as much dinner.
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We typically wait until the wind blows them down the street into our neighbor’s yard. But we have guests coming this weekend and just moments before I saw this post I was contemplating which neighbor kids I could rope into bagging ours in exchange for a donut.
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It’s on sale at kohl’s right now for $255…but you also get $60 in kohl’s cash.
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I’ve seen several pins on Pinterest to hang the boards of the games as decor in family rooms or game rooms. I love the idea but haven’t gotten around to it yet.
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A wooden watch, you can have them engraved on the back
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Remote control cars
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We like the ScienceFusion work texts that I purchased on Amazon.
Kind of “textbooky” but I loved how it included tips on how to learn from a text….it would have you read a section and then have questions to help you think through what you just read.-
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Check out Readers in Residence on the Rainbow Resource website. I think it looks fabulous, but it didn’t match up to the grade level I needed.
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My kids have definitely been among the lower end at their high school. We had a few extremely lean years when my husband was unemployed and I really worried how it was going to affect my kids at school. Their friends were gifted brand new cars at 16, went on elaborate vacations to Europe, always had the latest in technology, and wore every new trend in fashion. My kids drove a barely-functioning-old-minivan, went camping each summer, had to buy their own iPods or phones, and shopped with me at secondhand stores for their clothes.
Fast forward a few years, and I think it was perhaps the best route we could have taken. Sure they missed out on some things, but they gained so much from learning to appreciate and value what they did have and learning to work for what they wanted.
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Highly recommend the Number Pieces app by The Math Learning Center. They have quite a few other apps that are so helpful, too...number line, money, clock, fractions, pattern blocks. I've used them for years in tutoring and they helped immensely during zoom tutoring sessions this past year.
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3 hours ago, ktgrok said:
How long does one module last for?
I'm actually not too worried about science - we are a science focused household in general - I was a vet tech, my mom was a nurse, DH is a cybersecurity professional with multiple computer science degrees, DS works at a vet clinic, etc. We naturally enjoy and spend time on science "stuff" in our regular lives - be that listening to podcasts, watching documentaries, watching youtube videos, etc. That, she likes, and my view is as long as she gets an overview I'm fine. We may do one of the Bookshark Science kits together or something like that. But this does look interesting.
Oh, sorry. I didn’t see a subject specified so just wanted to share.
Each book has about four units, with maybe 3-4 lessons per unit. My 8th grader completed three modules for the year...she typically read one lesson one day a week and on a second day she would complete the Lesson Review pages. When she was more interested in the unit, she would move a bit more quickly and do two lessons a week. I was a bit more relaxed with science, so she did these almost entirely on her own, but she really loved the structure of them and I love that it guided her to read for deeper understanding. Kind of like I was questioning her as she read, but she could do them on her own. The only con is that I couldn’t find an answer key, ha, so I had to actually do the reading as well so we could have discussions. But it worked out pretty well.
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I have liked the middle grade Science Fusion “worktexts” that I purchased on Amazon. I love the format...it is a combination of a workbook and textbook. You read and then it asks questions as you go, guiding you to read back through the section to focus on vocabulary or summarize a section. I see it as a great ‘learn to study a textbook’ resource, which was what I was specifically looking for.
There are several different topics you can choose from. The Human Body, Space Science, Dynamic Earth, Force & Motion, etc. I just noticed there are other grade levels, as well. -
I just wanted to add that you may find some helpful supplemental videos on MathAntics.com. These would be great for the student to watch on his own...they are enjoyable to watch and teach things in a pretty visual way.
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I think it sounds awesome for a kid that age to earn that much and save for the future, so I would probably feel similar to you in wanting him to continue.
On the other hand, I can’t imagine doing such a job...the pressure and stress from contentious parents and coaches would really bother me. So if he has said as much, I think he has a right to not continue.
At that age, our teens are either mowing a few lawns a week or babysitting to save money. I’d say he needed to spend a specific number of hours either working or volunteering....money may not be the main purpose, but in my mind the goal is having a responsibility, commitment, using time wisely, etc.
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Which muscles contract for you? All over or specific one/s?
I have a similar muscle contraction to what you are describing. Mine is only in one muscle—shoots up from my back through my neck and into the back of my head. Happens at least once a day, some days several times, and it is so so painful. It is very hard to get the contraction to release.
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3 hours ago, kokotg said:
Badlands is our collective favorite place we've ever visited as a family--drive the loop road and do some hikes--Notch Trail is great and some of the short trails; you're allowed to climb all over the place and go off the trails in the Badlands--it's a giant playground for kids. In the Black Hills, we loved Wind Cave National Park--if you take the Wildlife Loop from Custer State Park, it drops you off right near there, IIRC (bring carrots to feed the semi-wild burros!) All the scenic drives in the park are great. We hiked Black Elk Peak, which was challenging but worth it. (I have a bunch of blog posts about the Black Hills and the Badlands in my blog that's linked in my signature if you're interested in excruciating detail 🙂 ).
Just took a peek at your blog...and I love it! Your photos make me want to travel everywhere! I did notice you haven’t hit Utah yet and I’m thinking you would really love Goblin Valley State Park if your family loved Badlands. Just wanted to mention it, as it is lesser known and another of nature’s playground. 🤪
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6 hours ago, WoolC said:
https://www.sellbackyourbook.com
We sold hundreds to this website recently. Some books they only gave pennies for but others we got $20 or more and it all added up significantly. Just scan or type in your ISBN and box up the ones they’ll take. When your box is full you can get a shipping label (they pay shipping) for that box and then repeat.
I had never heard of this before and I love the idea. I downloaded the free app and have been scanning some of my books. But the most I’ve gotten is $.88...with many offering $.12 or none at all. Obviously we do not have the right type of books. 🤪. Do you mind sharing what type of books you’ve had that have gone for a higher value?
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I’d guess there are quite a few crisis schoolers here who are a bit hesitant to speak up very often, because this attitude is quite prevalent here. Not all crisis homeschoolers just buy Costco workbooks. 🤪.
To the OP, I think time management/organizational skills would be one area to consider. Study skills/how to prepare for an exam would be another.
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I’d suggest Hake Grammar and Writing for 8th grade. http://www.hakepublishing.com/sample-lessons.html
You can look through the entire grammar book at that link and also sample lessons in the writing book. I notice it also includes a bit of vocabulary study, but I didn’t look too closely at that.I think the Hake looks very clear, concise, thorough....and if you are looking to fill gaps, it would be perfect. You could skip things that he already has mastered. I had looked at this at the beginning of the year and now wish I had gotten it. Instead we went the WWS and GWTM route...and while I think they are getting the job done, I love the “cut to the chase” look of the Hake.
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We’ve been using Explorations in Literature by BJU Press this year. It has short stories and lit analysis. Not secular, Bible references abound. We kind of skim those parts.
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I’d probably have a hard time with it, but I suppose I’d tell myself it could always have been worse...and then I’d do my best to go along with it.
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Sewing Machine - question
in The Chat Board
Posted
I’d go with a Singer. I recently purchased a new Singer and absolutely love the “newer” feature of speed control. Also, something I love is the ability to push a button to sew rather than needing to use the foot pedal…game changer if there are health issues.
Most of the machines come with bells and whistles, but there’s not much to figure out if you just sew basic stitches…though it may be fun to eventually learn, you can start right away.
This one is fairly basic, but has the speed control, needle threader and start/stop button. https://www.amazon.com/SINGER-7258-Quilting-Machine-Accessory/dp/B003KK807M/ref=sr_1_11?crid=2WRPUSOV2RVZX&keywords=singer+sewing+machine&qid=1669832387&sprefix=Singer%2Caps%2C222&sr=8-11
This is the one I purchased. A bit pricier, but has everything I wanted/needed. https://www.amazon.com/SINGER-9960-Computerized-600-Stitches-Accessories/dp/B004RDH7Y8/ref=sr_1_9?crid=2WRPUSOV2RVZX&keywords=singer+sewing+machine&qid=1669832600&sprefix=Singer%2Caps%2C222&sr=8-9