Draw 50 Animals by Lee Ames. http://www.amazon.com/Draw-Animals-Step---Step-Elephants/dp/0823085783/ref=sr_ob_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1339521838&sr=8-3 Our library carries these, and our kids liked them (7yo would be great). You can get a preview of each of the books on Amazon. There are probably 20 in this series.

My dbil is a plastic surgeon and has reassured us repeatedly (we have 4 sons and lots of stitches) that the child can return to a plastic surgeon any time in the future to have the scar minimized (if need be). But I agree with the others that if it's REALLY bothering you, go to a plastic surgeon. :001_smile:

Some tech gadget, or camera?

I don't know how "handy" your family may be, but our 18yo ds always tries to diagnose a computer problem by googling a simple phrase like "repairing drum of broken HP 402 Printer". Good luck! Similarly, you may be able to find a computer geek friend to help you. (So Best Buy's Geek Squad won't come visit you?)

Two carts at Aldi, with food for 3 weeks. Initially the 2nd cart contained an infant car seat and a toddler. It has gradually be claimed for more food to buy!:001_smile:

I would likely smile and tell my daughter, "Enjoy the 'boredom' while it lasts!" If she really is bored, she can read ahead, get familiar with the expectations for the rest of the semester and maybe even offer to help fellow classmates. It would be a shame if she slacked off and then didn't get an A. :001_smile:

As long-time Saxon users, I will just chime in to say that it was VERY difficult to teach Jacob's Geometry (without outside help, like these videos). The method of teaching, progression of instruction THROUGH the exercises, was difficult--and we all generally like math! The neat part of Jacob's is that it is filled with real-life story problems and fun puzzles. One of our children liked the challenge. :001_smile: We switched over to the new Saxon Geometry for the younger kids as a result.

My kids have bought earbuds like that on ebay for about $5. But usually the soft foam ear plugs are more comfortable. Maybe he's wanting to listen to music all night?

I heartily recommend "Joni", her autobiography that covers her childhood, accident and recovery. She's written many other books, but this was her first. It made a big impression on me as a young teen. She also starred in a Billy Graham-type movie about it. She blogs on her organization's website, if you want to see what she's doing now. (Breast Cancer Survivor, now for more than a year.) A well-lived life! http://www.joniandfriends.org/blog/category/jonis-posts/

Also, to sell locally, you can list the items in an email for your local homeschool group. Most hsers are getting ready for Fall now, so it seems like a good time to sell. Our local hs group has an annual Used Curriculum Sale in May, which is another good way to sell off our surplus.

The $20.12 amount mentioned above is my standard amount! Makes them smile, even if they WISH it was more. Ha.

Textbook for my son's "Intro to World Religions" college course: "Experiencing World Religions" by M. Molloy http://www.amazon.com/Experiencing-Worlds-Religions-Michael-Molloy/dp/007340750X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1338853040&sr=8-1

:iagree: Also, your children will thank you. Eventually! While you're decluttering, just set them aside . . . but even just buying a cute box from Hobby Lobby for them will make you smile and eventually you'll have time to organize them! Also, a friend found a scanner which automatically feeds a stack of 4x6" photos into it. It wasn't cheap, but you could split the expense with a friend or something. Photo books are instant, wonderful gifts for grandparents, etc. ETA: I initially thought your subject line meant we would get to see your "before" and "after" de-cluttered areas! Ha.

Let us know how it turns out!

And Keeley Hawes! She met Matthew Macfadyen on the set of MI-5. Also in Our Mutual Friend, new Upstairs Downstairs, Wives & Daughters, etc.

Most friends of ours who have gone through cancer treatment set up a blog or a carepage as a way of keeping friends updated. That way you can see when she's had a setback, or when she has a week off treatments, and respond accordingly. Meals are always welcome! And DVDs for all the couch-time.

My great-uncle passed down his big box of old letters to our kids. The kids have soaked them off the envelopes, and enjoyed sorting them by country. Lately our 18yo ds has been reading some of the letters. You can buy bags of cancelled stamps at hobby shops, including Hobby Lobby. Maybe word-of-mouth will get a donation from someone's attic!

This piqued my curiousity, and I found these posts: http://thepioneerwoman.com/homeschooling/2009/01/how-i-saved-my-sanity-and-sunday-evenings/ This one refers to IGs. :-) http://thepioneerwoman.com/homeschooling/2012/05/our-20th-century-world-history-books-have-arrived/ This one refers to Cores. Thanks for leading me to a new resource!:001_smile: ETA: I think these entries are written by Heather Sanders, not the pioneer woman!

Remember, then, he will also need to bring an electrical converter as the plugs are quite different in Germany! Thus, the motivation to go Cord FREE, rather than Cord Less! :001_smile:

She's very creative! I'd take a picture of it for MY scrapbook! :001_smile:

I own MANY Laura Ashley dresses (1980s floral era), and wash the summer ones in the washing machine, then line dry. But they don't have pleats! Another gentle way is to wash with Woolite in the sink, then spin only in the washer, to wring out the water . . . and then line dry.

If I were you & your dh (which I am not), I would be looking at the church's website, and maybe she and one parent consider attending a service at the church. I'd consider having him over to the house, in an INFORMAL way (outside, maybe grilling burgers--NOT him!).

We named our property "Woodridge Heath", including our subdivision name & the fact that we live a Heath-type terrain. :-) Love Anne Shirley!

There's a Lego Store! http://stores.lego.com/en-us/Birmingham/LandingPage.aspx And our son is heading to UA in the Fall, so it looks like we'll have opportunity to see Birmingham as well. :001_smile: Roll Tide!

BTDT . . . twice. Our ds has broken BOTH of his ulnas & radii (left arm at 5yo and right arm at 8yo). He is now 10, and truly is a very deliberate child--this was all a shock to us. Both times, both bones were clearly out of alignment. The "surgery" both times for us was just re-alignment under anesthetic, because of the traumatic element of the force needed to match up the bones. I think 45 minutes under anesthetic, as they casted it in the OR as well. Post-surgery, the bones were STILL not perfectly aligned, but with monthly Xrays, we were able to see the modeling (bones growing gradually together). The ortho was ready to go back in and put in pins if needed . . . but he really wanted to avoid doing that. The 2nd break was worse, so we went to a 2nd ortho to get his opinion. Worth it for peace of mind, but he just cheered us on to wait & see. Pins would have aligned the bones, but it also weakens the arm because it's in a cast for SO long (first with the pins, then without the pins, then cast removal). How old is your dd? Ten years and younger, the bones heal quickly & the child basically is so eager to re-use the arm that P.T. is unnecessary. Is your ortho recommending PINS now? I really CANNOT say, "Don't worry about it." But broken arms are a bit routine for orthopods. My advice would be to get a 2nd opinion. It cost about $100, but was well-worth the peace of mind. Also, we were EXTREMELY vigilant the first 2 weeks after the break. The ortho said absolutely NO use. Prevent bumping, etc. And yes, looking at the Xrays (ANYTIME) made me sick. I'd get someone to come with you to the checkups, or somehow learn to steel yourself--because it's important to do all you can to understand the issues. Praying for you & your dd!