Chances are, none of them. IME, public school social studies, especially in elementary school, is very haphazard, if it gets taught at all. So a chronological history like SOTW probably isn't going to fit in with your typical public school curriculum That said, I also started homeschooling my dd in the third grade after public school K-2. We started right in with the Ancients, no problem. Actually, I compressed SOTW, doing the four books over two years (3rd-4th). If I had it to do over, I probably wouldn't go that route, but it worked fine.

My bad. High Point is in the Triad anyway, so I was just thinking driving distance. It may still be near enough to check out.

Habitat for Humanity ReStores often have pillows. IIRC, you're in the Triangle area? Just before Furniture Market in High Point you can sometimes find accessories like that marked way down in the showrooms. I purchased a bunch of new throw pillows for $1 apiece a couple of years ago from a friend of mine who manages a showroom.

I am torn on the question of sending a book. I don't think it's completely inappropriate, but I do think it depends a lot on your cousin and her family how it would be received. You know them, and I think you are equipped to make that decision. If you do decide to send one, this one is beautifully done and based on a lovely old hymn: Lord, I Love Thee with All My Heart. It doesn't get into any explanation, just the words of the hymn and a story told in pictures, so perhaps it would be less likely to be at odds with their theology. I know a number of families it has helped. Prayers for your cousin and her child in this time of deep suffering. Lord, have mercy.

Is it possible that your sister genuinely wants to include you and your family in these activities, and perhaps even hopes that fun events like these will eventually help heal the rift between you and others in the family? You're still definitely within your rights to decline, and if that's what you choose, the simple, no-excuses responses suggested above are perfect. But I don't think it sounds like your sister has nefarious motives here. I think she's hoping that your family will come and be a part of the celebration.

Therapy is mostly about giving you the tools to cope with whatever your issues are. The first part of that is being able to recognize your feelings for what they are -- an extremely useful skill. A good therapist is able to break down walls and help you get past the feelings of embarrassment that keep you from opening up. It might night happen on the first visit, but when it does, it's often a relief to be able to share your deepest thoughts, fears, and emotions with someone who doesn't judge you. I would tell your daughter that everyone feels scared and embarrassed at first, that's completely normal, the therapist knows it and will help her with that too. I second the suggestion for yoga or even some short meditation exercises. My kids like Sitting Still Like a Frog.

Oh what a nightmare. I'm so sorry. Surely, SURELY, once the judge sees that you have been faithfully making your payments and that this was all a huge misunderstanding, he or she will be able to set things right. But in the meantime, I can't imagine the stress. (((KidsHappen)))

We SO need the old party emjoi back!!!!! This is great to hear and I can't wait until it's all over and you can leave all this behind you. (And also be avenged. I'm not above relishing the thought of him getting what he's got coming.)

I dream about my late sister frequently. Oddly, in the dreams she often morphs back and forth from herself as a child to one of my children, especially dd, who was barely 2 when she died. My sister was much younger than me, and I took on a very motherly role toward her, so maybe that's why. They are usually pleasant dreams, so they make me happy. Right after she died, though, dd woke us up early one morning and told us that my sister was in her room. DD could talk pretty well for just-turned-2, but not well enough to really explain what she meant. She just kept saying, "Aunt S right there!" and pointing. So yeah, that was kinda freaky.

Prayers and good luck!!!!

Nope, I'm happy to answer what I can! Font depends on what effect you're looking for. I probably wouldn't publish memoirs in a sans serif font like Calibri, personally. It's too modern. I'd go with something more classic, like Garamond or Palatino. But it's up to you, really. If you're going to have photo captions or subheadings, you could do those in a sans serif to offset them from the body text. You can (and should) format your Word document to the size of the final publication. You can create custom page sizes in Word. Lulu should have some instructions on formatting to their specifications. Then you can place the photos however you want them. You might want to export to a PDF to upload to Lulu instead of just using the Word doc; that will help preserve your formatting. Other things... you'll need to upload your cover as a separate file, IIRC. And if you're going to do something like a table of contents, leave that for the end so you don't have to keep going back and adjusting it. If you get in the middle of your project and need help, feel free to PM me.

It's pretty easy to use. I've done a few books. I have a desktop publishing background, so I typed and formatted it all from the handwritten journal. I used InDesign but Word works too. Then you just upload your file and choose what kind of book you want (size, cover, binding). You can order however many copies you want. We had one printed to surprise my dh's grandmother for Christmas, then placed orders for the rest of the family who wanted a copy. I got a copy for each of the kids. It's pretty awesome.

We self-published dh's grandfather's WWII diary using Lulu.com.

We just need the basics to round out our PE/health credit, but I've decided on this Carson-Dellosa workbook as a cheap way to get the job done. I will be adding to it with some resources I already own regarding sexual health.

I'm enjoying Liane Moriarty's Big Little Lies right now. (I admit, I watched the show first! 😳) It's a murder mystery but very light and entertaining. I'm going to check out some of her others when I'm done. I like her style.

I knew it! 😂 I always use the first stall too. I've just always had a hunch that it's the least-used. Maybe because I know that I have a tendency to walk past the first one if I'm not paying attention. I can't think of a good story to share in response to the OP, but it makes me think of something my grandmother always said: People are crazier than anybody!

Chiming in to say I agree that the good food/bad food and morality associated with food choices needs to go. As someone in recovery for an eating disorder, I can attest that they do far more harm than good. I'd like to reign in the food industry, especially its marketing and underhanded manipulation tactics that are akin to what tobacco companies do. But I want the diet/wellness industry to collapse too. It's just as much to blame for the issues we have now. I am still working through this book (really a collection of essays/blog posts) myself, but for anyone who's interested in diet culture, it's free for download: Redefining Wellness: The Ultimate Diet-Free Guide for Teens and Families.

(((Hugs))) Sometimes relatives suck. Maybe your dd will opt for a small wedding and you'll have an excuse not to invite the BR!

Also, Lands' End can be pricey, but their suits are very high quality and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. I just got an email that they are having a 50% off swim sale, so that should put at least some things in your price range.

Yes, I also was going to recommend SwimOutlet.com. We had luck there finding a few suits for dd last year. She is not large-busted, but she wanted a suit that offered more coverage than what we were seeing in stores.

I know. I am one. 😉

How funny! I don't have a problem with the font, per se -- so long as it's appropriate for the material. Seeing it on the service bulletin at my grandmother's funeral didn't really make me happy though. 🤨

I found this blog helpful when I was picking colors: The Creativity Exchange. She writes a lot about different colors, giving pictures and specific brands/names/numbers, so it might help you narrow down what appeals to you. I'd always suggest getting samples and trying out the colors in the space first -- lighting can really change the look of a color.

Add me to the list suffering from Chronic Password Fatigue. I gave up and started letting Chrome suggest and remember my passwords. I'm sure this is probably a mistake but I just can't take it anymore.