Well, I've lived here all my life and both my husband's and my elderly parents are here. This city certainly isn't what it used to be or what it could be now.

We have shootings nearly every day here. I don't have the stats about whether they're stranger or domestic.

I will say this. My family did a lot of traveling this summer and never once did I feel threatened. I walked around, sometimes by myself, sometimes just the children and me and felt completely free. It was so refreshing to think, "I'd like to go to such and such place within walking distance and you know what, I CAN" Yes, it matters where you live.

Well, like I said originally, I haven't experienced violent crime myself. Just the fear of it.

The problem is, the safe areas in my town are becoming fewer and farther between. Most of these incidents have caught me off guard. Then I have to cross another place off my list of place where I feel safe.

I've served on numerous occasions, but I've always been surrounded by other volunteers and leaders. I felt very comfortable in that setting.

You are braver than I. Stats may show these encounter aren't dangerous, but when it's just my children and me, my heart rate goes up every time.

I am pretty much always fearful when out and about in my town. Just today as we were walking into a restaurant after church, there was a man walking toward us, talking loudly. As he approached, we realized he was talking to him self and probably didn't realize we were there. Every time I walk around downtown I am asked for money at least once, usually numerous times. The last time I went to the Dollar General (probably two weeks ago), there was a sickly looking man sitting outside. As we got closer to the store, he began to vomit. As I was leaving TJ Maxx recently two women were having a loud altercation in the parking lot right near my car. As for walking trails, my city has recently spent millions of dollars creating beautiful trails along the river. I was very excited to use them until I saw drug deals being done and noticed the homeless gear. I've since learned the woods near the trail is a "tent city" for sex offenders who have trouble finding housing. My neighbor was recently tied up in his home while his car, jewelry and cash were stolen. Like I say, all of this has happened in the last few weeks. While thankfully I have not been a victim of violent crime, all of these factors lead me to be fearful of it.

The fact that CC offers training at all screams employee. My husband owns a business and he's NEVER offered training to an IC. We're a business, not a trade school. Employess however, require training.

My grandfather's name was Deaver. Others I don't see coming back: Clara May Evalou Lucille

You could also go half speed with CTC. That would in essence separate the two, but you wouldn't have to buy another guide. I think option #1 is probably best, but considering you already own CTC, slowing it down could work also.

I am across the river in Columbus, but my friends who homeschool in Alabama go through Golden Acres. I don't know any details but you could contact them. We are a military town, so I would think they would accept you mid year.

Oh yes, I've heard the term pussy cat and Puss in Boots and the like...in literature, songs and such. But as far as using the term "pussy" on its own, not followed by cat, female genitalia every time. If my children went around saying that word, it would shocking, probably more so than the f word. I'm in the south and nicknames for genitalia are very common, even among adults. Or maybe its just the ruffian crowd I run with.

Again, I need to learn to quote, but I've NEVER heard the word "pussy" used in any way other than to describe a female's genitalia. Although, I believe its still commonly used for cat in England. And in the lesson the word "cat" or "kitty" is never used, just pussy...petting it, loving it, not being bad to it so it won't go away....My husband said he got a little aroused reading the lesson.

I had to skip the Rod and Staff poetry lesson that began with the line "I love little p....y" (the word that use to mean cat).

Both of mine are biological children, but I had one lady ask if my youngest was "my husband's only child." My oldest has red hair and freckles while the rest of us are dark haired with fair skin and blue eyes. But really? While the above comment is by far the worst, I get comments like "where did he get his coloring?" or "he looks completely different" often said in front of both of my children. My oldest has never admitted the comments bother him, but he does say he doesn't like having red hair. I agree with other posters that smiling and saying something polite without directly answering the comment is probably best. Sometimes I take the time to explain the familial red hair connection, but I admit it's out of the desire to not be seen as having had an affair! I shouldn't feel the need to explain though.

Am I the only one who would find a "grace" year more stressful than just continuing on after a short break for a crisis? Taking long breaks makes ME feel behind and overwhelmed. I start feeling like I'll never be able to catch up and the children will be horribly uneducated and spend the rest of their lives poor and unfulfilled and homeless and it will all be my fault lol! Seriously, I'm sure there's a right way to "do" a grace year that would provide wonderful learning opportunities, but it wouldn't be worth the worry on my part.

I've been strongly "encouraged" to join by several of my friends. I just can't wrap my head around the cost. From what I understand, none of the "tutors" are professional educators, plus the parent is required to stay with the children. I have one who loves to memorize and would probably enjoy the program. But there is no way my other son would sit still that long. And I'm told he would have to join CC or sit with me for the hours that CC takes. I can see paying for a professional educator, or for the convenience of being able to drop off my son so he could work without the distraction of his brother. But with CC you get neither. What are you doing that can't be done at home for a fraction of the cost? Just invite some friends over, recite the memory work, do a science demonstration and voila, you've got Classical Conversations. I'm sure I'm simplifying it quite a bit, and I hope I haven't been offensive. But like I said, I'm stumped by its popularity.

I would like to know too. I wonder if you would get a better response on the Logic stage and middle grades board.

I've never replied to a thread before, but this one has brought me out of lurkdom. I don't believe in banning books. I believe adults should be able to read this book as they wish. Likewise, I believe if a 16 year wishes to read this book, that it should be available. But to require an entire class to read this book is just wrong. Some may be prepared for the content, but I would have found this book so disturbing as a depressed teen, it could have driven me over the edge. I can't tell you how many times on this very board, I've seen people ask for book suggestions for "sensitive" kids. Do you believe such kids only exist in homeschool land? Don't public school children at least deserve an opt out, or an alternate title? I realize we're speaking hypothetically here and this book may or may not be required reading for the entire class. But I hope that those of you acting as if it's "nothing they haven't seen before" will realize that even kids who are seeing this outside of class might need school to be a safe zone where things such as this are unacceptable and not tolerated.