We just got back from Best Buy - they had the Samsung and the LG (same model Home Depot has on sale) and I actually liked them both. The Samsung model has "steam" which I *think* I would like, but other than that, the LG was great too. But as far as bang for your buck, the Samsung seems to be a bit better deal so I prefer that one - and the BB salesguy said that the Samsung will go on sale a day early online (as of 12:01 tonight) for the same Black Friday price - so I'll order it tonight........... although I just looked at it online and it is listed as "in store only" so :confused: If that doesn't work out I'll just order the LG online from Home Depot. I'm excited to get my new washer and dryer! Less water used! Bigger loads so less time spent in the laundry room!! I can wash our comforter and sleeping bags at home now!! We're giving our other set to a family that desperately needs a new washer and dryer. It is a low end model top loader/dryer set but it's only 4 years old so should have a good amount of life in it. Thanks for all the help!

Thank you Christine, Amy and Justamouse :) Amy, we are headed out today to do our research too but I printed what you wrote so we check them out more carefully. If you go out and do more looking today, I'd love to hear what you end up deciding on. Please PM me (or just post on this thread) BTW, I noticed the two Home Depot deals are active TODAY on their website - with free delivery! DH still wants to go look at them all, but if we like the LG or Maytag, I'm going to order them today online. Also, we didn't see a set for $600 at Sears - the cheapest set is $998 (either the Kenmore or Samsung) Thanks!!!

Thanks everyone - your advice helped tremendously! As far as picking the model with the features I like the most, that is a little harder. Buying these wasn't even on my radar until yesterday and the Black Friday ads scanned online are hard to read - so a few of the machines I don't have model numbers on so that I can research the specs online. I may go today and try to preview, but I'm supposed to be cooking things ahead for tomorrow most of the day today! LOL :) Thanks again so much!!

I was surprised to see so many great Black Friday deals on front loading washer and dryer units. I've always wanted a larger capacity washer - one brand says that you can put 22 bath towels in a load - I can't get 6 in my current washer! I also have always wanted the "steam" feature as there are many items I don't want to put in the heat of a traditional dryer and don't want to iron! So DH bravely offered to try to go get me a set Friday morning (now that IS love from a man who LOATHES shopping of any kind). So in my frantic research to decide what to get I now have three issues: **I'm reading where lots of people have smell issues (gunk build up?), repair issues (long before they should) and vibration issues. Makes me wonder if I should just keep what I have! (regular type w/d) **do I need a pedastal or not? I was shocked to see it would cost me another $400 (at least) for a set and that is more spare money than we have. It will set on ceramic tile flooring downstairs. **what brand to get? All are 4.0 cf for washer and 7.0-7.3 cf for dryer. The brands on sale are: Samsung Steam Washer w/vibration reduction technology and electric steam dryer (Best Buy - $1200 for set - WAS $2400 for set) LG - (Home Depot - $998 for set - WAS $1600 for set) Maytag (Home Depot - $1200 for set - WAS $1800 for set) Whilrpool HE Duet (Lowe's - $999 for set - orig price not noted in ad) Kenmore Elite HE3t (Sears - $999 for set - WAS $1900 for set) Samsung (Sears - $998 for set - WAS $1699 for set) Any insight or advice would be appreciated - I want to take advantage of a deal if I can, as we cannot get a set otherwise, but I don't want to rush and make an uninformed decision, since I was NOT prepared for this! Thanks!

Thanks Brenda and Katilac!! I thought maybe we could get the W/D and then later get the pedastals if we thought we needed them then. I don't mind bending over - my front loading dryer requires that anyway. The machines would be on ceramic tile floor, if you think that makes any difference? Although I've done some research here and on other sites and lots of people seem unhappy with their front loaders b/c of smell (gunk build up) or vibration or that they don't last as long as top loaders - so now I 'm worried. I wanted them b/c of their "steam technology" type stuff and the larger capacity. I read one of the WP units could get 22 towels in it? I'm lucky to get 6 in my washer! Sorry to the OP - I think I've hijacked this thread - maybe I need to start a new one....

We're eyeballing a set from Sears too! I was shocked at how low the prices were, but am now seeing that the pedastals are seperate and at least $200 EACH! I want to make sure they aren't just making the money right back by charging so much for those (I've never really shopped for FL washer/dryer b/c I never thought we could justify the cost)

Made perfect sense to me - and I don't drink coffee ;) I was also the class champ in 5th grade when it came to labeling all the states and capitols. I agree with all you said - although I think "memory work" is great exercise for the brain, if knowing all the states and their capitals is something someone thinks is useful and important, it must be reinforced continually.

As a teacher, I always agreed year 'round school would be a better option for the students. The last half of May was wasted as everyone was "winding down" and the entire month of September (now August it seems!) was wasted reviewing and reteaching. As far as teachers using their summers as breaks vs. more teacher training - I agree with that in theory. Teachers MUST continue to grow and learn. BUT I know sometimes I would attend a training inservice and come back energized and excited about new ideas and changes, only to be deflated because I was faced with the reality that the material I already HAD to teach in a very specific way, never allowed me the room or freedom to implement any new ideas. Also, during the year teachers (at least in my district) are asked to stay late for meetings, open houses, assemblies, etc SO OFTEN. I would arrive at school at 7:00 am and on MOST days not leave until 5:00 (unless I had a late night meeting). Of course at least half of those 5:00 days, I was bringing work home. Our "planning period" (all of 40 minutes) was often taken by meeting with specialists and admin. It was neverending. So by summer I was so burnt out I needed a complete mental break from it all (hence the true NEED for a summer break) Now I suppose I could have *not* worked so hard - many teachers didn't. But I wanted to be a great teacher. I wanted to do the job RIGHT. Sadly though, at the end of my teaching career I realized I was swimming upstream the whole time and never really getting anywhere. I mean, I am sure I made a difference, and my choice to give it 110% was far better than just giving 50%! BUT, in the end, I could never do the job WELL, because it was simply not humanly possible given the workload and the time to do it all in. After 10 years of hard work I felt like a great big dummy for thinking I could have done it ALL WELL and RIGHT (and had 10 years of frustration to look back on because I simply couldn't) As far as administrators - at least in the districts I taught, they were overworked too, at least at the elementary level. So cutting an admin just meant that entire workload they carried moved to another admin who was already stretched very thin (I've seen that very thing happen). Things need to change from the TOP to see real change at the bottom. If you couldn't already tell, my experience working in the system has left me with such a distaste for the current state of public education in so many areas - from the NCLB and the way textbook companies gouge the educational system, right down to the way I saw MANY (if not most) teachers "cattle herding" their students down the hall - yelling and intimidating them into "submission". When I left and had children, my view on the job I thought I was born to do (teach) went through not just an attitude change, but a complete rebirth. I still want to educate, and will do so with my own children, but when they get older, I plan to try to be involved with new and innovative educational options for children. Right now I have my sights set here: Ambleside School I apologize if I'm rambled a bit. This thread has me so pumped up! I think the ladies ideas in is thread are so wise and innovative! I realize most are "idealized" notions - we all know that change is going to be slow if it happens at all. But I thank God for those of us who can see the "other side" and are working for change, even just by homeschooling our own children and hoping those same children will impact the world in a better way by having had parents whose eyes were wide open :)

The majority of these ideas (which are *all* great) could be solved by doing two things: 1. Decrease class size dramatically (like under 10 per class - 6-8 preferably). No need for crowd control, less disruptions. Less time needed to focus on "compliance" or "social skills". Personal relationships are stronger between teacher and students and teacher can tailor educational needs more individually and appropriately. This would then alleviate the need for so many remedial or advanced pull out programs/staff and LABELS. 2. Revamp and tighten requirements for the teacher education system - content area focus is a great idea, although for elementary, focusing on child development/readiness would probably be more appropriate. I saw many teachers *easily* get through the training system that should NOT have been there (not to say I am *all that* but I was very dedicated and serious about my future job and I saw many that were in it for the WRONG reasons) I would also not get rid of schools. They have their place and it is in our country's best interest to create a system that can educate those that otherwise would not be educated. Now, how to go about that system might be different than we see it now (maybe put control over to smaller government and less federal and maybe even state intervention)f??. I'm not as confident about my suggestions in regards to the politics of it all, but I do know about what I'd like to see "on the front line" (i.e. in the classrooms - I taught for 10 years prior to homeschooling)

Toys are almost ALWAYS cheaper than even Target and Walmart - I got DS the Star Wars dual action light saber for $27 at Amazon - it was $40 at Target (plus TAX, plus a trip to Target) Also, for gifts it's great - I always forget gifts until the week or so before I need them and I just pop on Amazon, pick something out and it's here! No special trip to the store just for that. And being that we live so far out of town, one trip to the store will definitely cost me more than $6.58/mo, especially b/c I will buy more stuff just by being AT the store!. Also for out of town gifts, you can buy something and have it shipped straight to them - and since I wait until the last minute for gifts, 2 day shipping should be a real dream for me!

I used to be that person......until recently - so I think Prime may be a good-for-me-for-a-season type thing. We'll see.

Yep, here too. Although it wouldn't KILL me to wait 2 weeks, it does get frustrating with some things. I agree about the sharing the membership too - if I end up staying with Prime, I plan to ask some family members if they want to contribute and just share the cost.

We live about 30 miles from anything, and what is available after driving those 30 miles is a YAWN and is more expensive about 98% of the time. Soo, I order ALOT from Amazon. But for a long time I was like a lot of other posters in that I had *no* trouble reaching the $25 free shipping threshold within a week or two (I have something like 9 pages of wishlists too!), so Prime seemed like a waste of money. Since I've started homeschooling however, I have *needed* Amazon more and began paying closer attention to (and caring about) how long it took for some things to reach me. From order to arrival, it is often taking 2+ weeks with the "super saver shipping". So Prime has looked more and more appealing to me for the last 6 months at least. So being that is is Christmas time (and I order ALOT of gifts on Amazon) I did the 30 day trial starting yesterday. I will put them to the test at their busiest time of year! :) I think I will love having that "instant gratification" because once I decide I want/need something, I don't want to wait if I don't have to. I don't think I will spend more because I am pretty careful about really putting some good thought and research into things before I purchase. (although I will admit that on a few occasions, I took a few things out of my cart that had been sitting there waiting for the $25 threshold that I decided I didn't need any longer) For now, I think the pros will outweight the cons for me, but I'll decide for sure in 29 days ;)

I second LLATL (or is it third?) (Red Level) and also Queen's Learning to Spell Through Copywork. Take a look at it on her site - there is a PDF sample to view along with a scope and sequence. I am considering using book A as soon as we finish Blend Phonics - it looks like it will reinforce it nicely.

what about "dude" and "rude"?

It's hard to find a program that runs at just the right speed for your very individual child's reading readiness/ability - and add teaching and learning style on top of that and it's truly a challenge!!! So my advice is to take your time - look around, but keep using MFW (maybe just slower with the supplements like you suggested) in the meantime. FWIW, I have run the gammut of Phonics programs - from the $20 100 EZ Lessons and Phonics Pathways books, to the $200 Phonics Road program. All good in their own respect - but just not *right* for us. So do you know what we are using now? The FREE program from Blend Phonics (Elizabeth's link above)!!! For some reason it clicked with me - I think it was presented simply enough for the teacher, but it is thorough for the child. I will say that if you do a "unit" a day, it moves fast. And according to the instructions, it says to do just that - move through it quickly and then repeat it if necessary. But I can see the program being stretched out and still very effective, especially if you are working with a Kindy or a child that is not really ready for 1st grade level material. Also, Elizabeth highly recommends using a white board for instruction and it has been the center of my phonics instruction now - so simple, yet so effective. Other programs I think are "simple" to at least get started with (won't overwhelm you as the teacher) are the Tanglewood Curriculum (although it is not as in-depth as Blend Phonics) and Phonics Pathways (very in-depth) - although with PP, the amount of words/info on a page CAN overwhelm so use it as *your* guide and get out the whiteboard for instruction :) You can make up some simple memory games with words using the sounds you are studying, or even "go fish" or "old maid" type games with those words. It will require a little extra work/prep on your part, but my kids love the games. Good luck and hang in there!!!!!

I actually have the first book (animal/biology one) of God's Design - it came with some WP books I bought from someone on the forum. I actually really like it, but I'll be honest, even at 1st grade (which my DD is) it seems a bit heavy. I think we will get the most out of it if we wait a few years (especially b/c of DS being a year younger). But it is staying on my short list for the future because like I said, it does seem to be pretty good! I also have Considering God's Creation which I love even more, but it is also a bit "heavy" for us now. I think we need another year for that one also. I have a lot of Science curriculums on my shelf and I am not even a "science" person! LOL (I have Apologia Zoology too!! Sigh.....) So you like MBTP? I have one unit from 5-7 and one from 6-8 and they look good. Started the 5-7 one last year and *I* loved it but it was too much for DD (then 5) and DS (then 4). I keep meaning to get it out again.......

Ok, thanks - I was debating between K or 1 since DD is 1 and DS is K. They haven't had a lot of Science though, so I'll need to study more. I am intrigued by BFSU, belong to the yahoo group and I've had his book in my amazon cart for forever, but I haven't bought it because it scares me since it's not really "open and go" (and I need that for Science). I had his other "Tapestry" book and I just never sat down and got into it. I also noticed you have MBTP. I had always liked this curriculum despite the fact that it's not very popular here. I have one unit from 5-7 and one from 6-8. I tried the 5-7 at the beginning of last year (DD was kindy/5 and DS was PK/4) and it didn't fly (just too much I think at that point). I've been meaning to get it out and try again this year but then I got WP AW and that kind of takes up all our time. But I think I may take a break from AW and give MBTP a try. I also have the third book of FIAR and never tried it either :rolleyes: I'm so pathetic! Thanks for your advice :)

Thanks for your input - yes, I really do want to wait at this point I think, especially since DD's interests seem so varied. I mean I totally trust WTM, but there are lots of other great, reputable programs that focus on more random general stuff only, or at least multiple topics in one year for all the younger, grammar ages. But I will need to find specific programs - I must have my hand held *completely* in Science (and Art and Math!) The only subject I feel really comfortable with is History and Geography.......and Phonics, but that's really only thanks to Elizabeth (from this board) and Blend Phonics - love that program! But I digress:tongue_smilie:

Great - yes, that is what I was leaning towards - general Science for now and starting the cycle (history and science) in the logic stage. But then I worried that just because it's what *I* want, doesn't mean it's best for them, kwim? Especially because I am *not* a Science person. But your advice has helped me be confident/comfortable with that "leaning"!!! :) Thank you!

That's *exactly* how I've been feeling all year so far. She keeps asking about other topics and I'll say "we're studing ANIMALS right now". We barely get to Science as it is so we don't have time for anything else! And WP AW is really good, so it's hard to let it go. But then I feel bad and I began thinking that maybe the "one topic in depth" is just not what my kids need/want right now. Great, that confirms it I think for me. Now, just to decide what to do for the rest of this year, and then the next three :) For Science I am *NOT* a pull-it-together kind of gal. I must have something laid out for me, easy to use, etc. I enjoy Science in a watching-a-half-hour-sitcom kind of way, but I just don't get *into* it. You are using Sonlight Science 1 this year, right? Do you like it? May I ask why you chose 1 instead of K (or did you already do K?)? I actually follow your posts because we seem to have similiar interests and of course children that are the same age. What do you plan to use for the next few years? Thank you!

I am interested in so many different programs (and have quite the collection already) that I feel like I am all over the place with this subject and I need to narrow things down with a real plan/outline for the future and then just find programs that fit that path. I admire the WTM and consider it my "spine" for our educational plan for the most part. I like structure, planning, etc So it's my go-to book when I feel lost (everyday?? LOL). However I've tweaked the History plan a bit (probably not going to start the 4 year cycle for at least 2 more years) and wondering which way to go in Science (with WTM suggestion or not?) I'm torn between doing "General" Science (ala Sonlight or HOD's reccs) for the next few years, especially because at least *right now* DD is interested in so many aspects of Science, or going straight to the WTM suggestions of a four year cycle (and using Noeo, Apologia, Elemental, or other classically matched programs) What do you see yourself doing for Science long-range?

We are currently using WP Animals and Their Worlds, and we are enjoying it ALOT, but DD keeps asking for different types of Science (weather, human body, chemistry) - especially anything with quick, easy experiments. Also, DS would probably enjoy *less* crafty stuff (DD loves the crafts with WP, but DS is just ~bleh~ about anything artsy). So while at this point we plan to continue WP AW, I don't think it's going to fly to do the rest of this entire year with *just* WP AW - so I want to supplement. I was considering Sonlight's Discover and Do DVD with the Usborne companion book (and the two science kits). Or maybe some of the Science in a Nutshell kits from Delta Education? It needs to be very open and go and simple to implement. One experiment per week is PLENTY. We barely get to Science/WP AW each day as it is, so this would be something to just add on to Fridays or something like that. On a side note/rabbit trail/tangent, I actually did consider dropping WP AW and going with something more "general" for Science, but I wouldn't know where to begin (although maybe the Sonlight Science K entire program??) - it took a lot of time, energy and money just to decide on AW!! *I* liked the idea of totally focusing on one area of Science for the whole year but it seems like DD is just too "ADD" when it comes to this subject! :) I know there are many who think Science is not necessary for this age, but DD is *really* into it. She puts up with phonics, math, handwriting JUST to get to the "fun stuff" (history/geography and science). Any suggestions?

This was me 2 years ago *exactly* - drowning, crying, and yelling. I hated who I was turning into because of the unhappiness of my job. It was the hardest time of my life (other than the severe PPDepression after DD) The only difference was that I actually liked my job (gifted and talented elementary public school teacher!!). But I had a long commute, the daycare pickup took forever, constant meetings after school made me even later and I was always bringing work home. I felt like a robot who never saw her family, let alone spent *any* quality time with them. I also came home to more work with my husband's business (I did the books). DH was great about helping around the house, grocery shopping, etc, but it was still too much. So the next year, I decided to cut my hours in half, but it meant I had to take a position TOTALLY outside my realm of comfort (PPCD in a daycare setting, but still for the public school system). It sounded perfect - half my salary, but less than half daycare costs, full benefits, etc. I was off every day at 11:30 and even worked at the daycare my kids went to, so I could see them periodically throughout the morning. I envisioned us leaving the DC at 11:30 and frolicking at the park, zoo, running errands, having time *together*. Well, the job was miserable (nothing to do with the kids I worked with - it was the system, setting and me). I cried every*single* day. By November of that school year I was begging DH to quit. But we had just bought a new house and he was not ready to let go of my salary totally. Of course he never looked at the bills, or knew what he actually brought in each month (since I handled all his business books and such). But he was still against it because it simply meant less money and I am sure that scared him. By December 1st I knew that if I continued in that job it would be the end of me. It was that serious. I finally went to DH one day and said that I was going to quit - and if it meant mowing lawns or cleaning houses to earn money, I was willing to do it. (not that there is ANYTHING wrong with mowing or cleaning, it's just it would be VERY different than what I was doing then!) I left at Christmas Break and I cannot tell you the HUGE relief it was. I still had some guilt with quitting and not knowing how I was going to earn money, but living with the guilt was less of a burden than staying in that job. I kept thinking, if my DH was *this* miserable doing something, I would do anything I had to to relieve him of that misery. So darn it, he should feel the same way if we were true partners in life!!!! I think he just couldn't tell the seriousness of it before - I mean, I am kind of dramatic IRL, so he probably has to stand firm more than the normal hubby on things LOL :) Anyway, I got my Real Estate License and decided we were going to homeschool (at that point, after all I had been through, the HS part was non-negotiable - I would have fought to the death on that one - I knew too much of what went on behind the doors of PS). I was busy that next year with both RE and HS and made NOTHING. But you know what, we survived - we tightened our belt (it was amazing how much money I was spending (wasting) when I was working) and we did just fine. This year my Real Estate has picked up and while I won't say it's been easy, the ability to have some control over how much I work and when, is so much better than before. And I've made more this year already than I would have made all year at the p/t teaching job - and I've also successfully homeschooled both kids and enjoyed SO MUCH family time together. I won't say "just do it" -I don't want it to sound like I was encouraging you to "not care" about or dismiss your husband's feelings or wishes. But I do think you already know what point you are at. Seriously - I could have written your post the day before I told DH that while I loved him immensely, and cared more than anything about what HE thought of me (I was terrified of disappointing him or letting him down) , I just could not take it one more day. He must have "gotten it" because I did QUIT - and he didn't complain or hound me about it and he certainly didn't try to stop me. A breaking point is a breaking point. It was a rough rough road for me to get there, but when I did I knew it was it. I just did not want to miserably work away my kids childhoods! Anyway, I do seriously know EXACTLY how you feel. It sounds as if financially it won't be as if you can't put food on the table, so you could give it a try? I know you are worried about losing that job b/c you work from home, etc, but it may be worth the leap anyway - you can't live so unhappy! Good luck and PM if you ever want to talk!!!!!

Trying To Conceive :001_smile: