I have often thought of doing this myself, but I am not quite sure how to go about it. What would you do while you are there? How would you get to know people? Where would you live? It sounds great. I am just wondering about the logistics of actually doing it. Maybe I will meet you there!

I agree with buying the produce in season. Also, I shop at Aldi's for milk, produce (non-coupon) items. Meal plan based on what is in season or in your freezer.

I am a coupon user. I do not agree that you need to eat processed/unhealthy foods when you shop with coupons. I get all of our HBA for free. Whatever you don't have to pay for frees up money that you can use for produce, etc. I haven't paid more than $.50/box for packaged cereal (Kashi, too) in years. I don't buy junk. This year I got 30 or so packages of frozen veggies for free (using coupons combined with store sale). There are rebates for fresh fruit/veggies as well (no beer purchase required). It does take time, but you can definitely save tons of money. I have a stockpile of HBA and non-perishables. Each week I only shop for produce and milk (sometimes bread). I use what is in my freezer or stockpile to fill in the rest. Buy everything when it is at the lowest price and stock up (like the poster with the example of the Kraft dressing). I am doing the same thing with salad dressing this week. I do cook from scratch, and we really waste no food. It amazes me what others throw out. We eat some junk food, but not much at all.

I am ready for a change, but I am getting more confused by all the new options (WWE, CLE, etc). Then I found Easy Grammar Plus and LLATL Green and Gray on my shelves. I am so confused by all the options. I wish someone would just tell me what to do. I am terrible at making these decisions. All I have figured out is Math!

I have used Rod and Staff 3-6 so far with my oldest. Would you switch completely to CLE La with the younger dc if you could start over? I have Rod and Staff 7, but honestly, I need a change myself. I have 4 dc. The oldest is in Rod and Staff 6 and the next one is in 4. Thanks for any info you can provide.

My dh tried last night to find the cheap Chalkdust using the ISBN numbers found in the old thread. He had no luck. Is it all gone or are we doing something wrong? Help please! Is there anywhere else we can find this (Algebra 1)?

My youngest is the same age as yours...I couldn't leave her for that long. I don't have anyone like your in-laws though, so maybe it would be different if I did. She has a hard time when I am gone more than an hour or two and I leave her with my husband.

I feel so inadequate to teach, especially writing. I really want to hs all the way through. I just can't figure out how I am going to teach my dc to write well. How can I evaluate something that I can't do myself? Maybe I'll have to look into online courses or something. I don't know. Luckily, my dh can help with math and science. And unlike you, I am not organized and don't seem to take the time to read through all the teacher's manuals and plan, etc. I have been flying by the seat of my pants. Hopefully now that I am done having babies, I can force myself to spend more time and energy in that area.

I am generally very frugal, but if I could find comfortable clothes that look good and fit well, I would buy them. It is so hard. I haven't bought clothes in a long time. I don't want to waste the time looking and trying things on. It always turns into an extremely frustrating experience. You will feel better wearing them too.

Has anyone gone from Singapore 6B to Saxon? Which level did you start with? Thanks.

I have done R&S English with ds starting in 3rd. We are currently working through the 6th grade book. I have already purchased the 7th grade book, but I really feel like we need a change. I have to go through all these levels 3 more times with the next three. I don't know if I will make it. I have LLATL green and gray here. Could I go right into those? Anyone switch from R&S at this level and what did you use? Thanks for any input!

I would say we are at 95% or above. HOWEVER, my dh helps me with the kids (4 of them), getting ready, etc. He takes them early for religion, drops them off, picks them up and we attend together. I sit in the cry room with the littlest. If I had to do it with your situation all the time, I am sure it would be much more difficult. We also live very close to church, and it is easy to run back and forth. I feel for you.

My kids can't stand that. I don't use fabric softener. Does that help?

When we do do somewhere for dinner, I feed her before we go and bring a banana or something in case she gets hungry.

Honestly, I do try to avoid meals with others and just schedule playtime after lunch. I don't make my dd eat anything in particular, but require her to eat healthy foods (in general). She mostly eats plain food - raw carrots, most fruit, bread. I do not cater to her, but I always have raw carrots, white rice, or other foods she will eat as part of dinner. I also allow her (and my other dc) to snack on healthy foods when they are hungry (nuts, fruit, cheese, plain yogurt, healthy cereal, veggies,etc). I am actually taking dd to dr. today, but she has many other issues that go along with this (and always has) so I know this is not just pickiness. She has issues with clothing, behavior (anger control), any type of change. There are so many issues with her.

This is my dd (10) as well. I serve a variety of foods which my other children eat. She has sensory issues, and I can't make her eat anything. I tried for too long. It is hard to go to other places to eat. I have turned down dinner invitations when I know that the host will expect my kids to eat what is served. Honestly, I wouldn't have understood either before I dealt with this in my dd. I would have felt the way you do. The child at your house was rude though. My daughter would never have acted that way. We have discussed at length how this comes across to people. I probably would not have sent her to dinner at your house. If she was in that situation, she would not have eaten.

I am using Spelling Power. I am not sure if I should just keep going. Do you aim for a certain level and quit or just keep on going until you finish all levels? TIA.

I think you are right on about the attitude. Most people who have a lot of money got there because they don't spend it. I think you really need to track carefully where ALL of it goes. A dollar at the gas station (or wherever) can add up to a lot.

Look at it as a ministry. Minister to your family FIRST (and that means grandparents, etc). Cut back on the other activities if you are doing too much. I understand because I don't like to be with my family (siblings). I do it for my parents and my kids. I think it is really super important for all sides.

I have found that my kids' ear infections go away on their own after a day or two. Whenever I would go to the dr., they would prescribe antibiotics which weren't really necessary. I would give them Motrin or Tylenol and wait a day or two.

I found a recipe online googling for Olive Garden's pasta e fagioli. It is delicious. It calls for 2lbs. ground beef. It is my dh's favorite.

Cut it up into little pieces and use it in stir-fried rice.

When they started this several years ago, I stopped putting things on hold. I barely use the library system anymore. It is too expensive.

She has always been a very difficult child. She has major anger control issues. I have tried to talk to the pediatrician many times and she tells me that it is her personality and gives me a few suggestions. Her behavior (outbursts, throwing things) disrupts and upsets the entire household. I am going to try a new doctor and request testing/counseling for her. However, what I find strange is that lately, when I try to talk about this to a friend (any friend, not one in particular), I seem to be getting a lot of, "Well, my daughter..." What I hear is usually worse than what I am experiencing. I really think there are a lot of daughters acting this way. I don't know why. I do agree that they need to learn to control their emotions. I plan on purchasing the anger control book that was recommended and trying again with the doctor and a counselor. I have 3 other children. She is the only one who behaves this way. We do send her to her room. Getting her there is the problem. At this point, I do not ask her to do much so that it does not ruin the day for everyone else in the house. If I cannot get control of this situation, she will have to go to school. It is not easy to get help though. I do not think it is hormonal. She has always been this way. My dh and I have really been working on remaining calm during her outbursts. We have learned many things that don't work (punishments, threats, yelling, etc). It is a constant struggle. It does seem to come in waves though. It will get better and then worse again.

We leave Tuesday to stay there for a week (Port Orleans Riverside). I am a little nervous about possible Superbowl crowds (from Tampa). I didn't think of that when I planned the trip. My dh and kids have never been there. We decided against the meal plan. I wish they were a little more flexible about it. We are going to bring a bunch of food and keep the costs down a bit that way. Have a good time!