[amazon kindle settlement from apple]

Where can you see your balance? (Ugh. I need my kids to help their old non-techy mom!!)

I got an email.

[amazon kindle settlement from apple]

$6.92. I was surprised it was that much because I rarely buy books. A couple FB friends got over $200, then one of their friends commented she got $429! That's an ebook addiction!

[Knock knock...Wanna sell your house?]

I've known two people that has happened to in the last couple years. One was a cookie cutter house and they thought it was a joke, but got cash for their house.

 

There is a shortage of homes in certain price ranges in our area right now so it's a great time to be selling, not so great to be buying though.

[Audiobooks! The "driving back and forth to camps" edition]

Peter Nimble's Fantastic Eyes, Paddington, and The Wonderful Wizard of Oz narrated by Anne Hathaway are our most recent audiobooks. We have enjoyed all three.

[Difficult housing decision w/ poll -- update in post #44]

Thank you, ladies.

 

Good points. We're not a large family but in this day and age of small families being the norm, and I guess compared to our means, we have way more kids than is "acceptable" considering what we're able to provide for them. It's good to know I'm not alone in this experience. It does feel humiliating.

 

I know there are some families out there who are privileged to be a one income family and yet still have what is considered an appropriate standard of living but it's also good to know we're not the only ones for whom that's not the case. I never knew this was the life I was going to be living, and DH and I both came into this totally unprepared, but what do you do when God changes your heart even though you don't have the right means and preparation to do it? That's where we're at. It's a sacrifice. I always hope it's for the best.

I'm sorry you didn't get the house. Since you are a believer, have you considered praying about a new housing situation? Sometimes I forget to pray about stuff like this and try to solve it myself.

[Two of our children dropped bombshells on us this last week.]

I'm sorry.

[If you were just starting out hs'ing, what would you want to know?]

You had gotten a lot of great advice. I really wanted to know what days looked like, it was helpful for a couple moms to show me how they planned, but then also walk me through their day.

 

In my local area it seems a lot of new homeschooling moms gravitate toward the most expensive curriculum, especially for teaching reading, assuming it's the best. I also see a lot of people post on local boards, "need everything for 2nd grade" without really knowing what they want/need. I think knowing about resources such as WTM, Cathy Duffy, etc. would help a lot of parents save money and make better choices for their kids.

[The "I sent my kids to preschool" reflection post]

Thanks for sharing. It's helpful reading both the pros and the cons.

[Questions about the PDF version textbooks on sale now]

Which specific PDF are you looking to purchase?

 

WWE is very easy to transfer to a Kindle.

[Are you all tired of talking about houseguests?]

I would suggest putting a noisy fan or white machine in your room to help block out noises. If the kids get up at 6, have a simple breakfast available, a pile of books for them to read, and make sure they know how to use your tv. Tell your guests you normally are up around 7:30.

 

When I am a guest I feel it's my responsibility to entertain and keep my kids quiet so we don't disturb our hosts that might be on a different schedule. I know we can't always ask our guests to do the same though.

[Difficult housing decision w/ poll -- update in post #44]

Is the new house in a safer area? Could the kids play outside, could you go or walks?

[Help with a pottying issue in a nearly 3yo]

Oh and she may have a uti even without showing the typical signs an adult shows.

[Help with a pottying issue in a nearly 3yo]

I would bet constipation even if she has regular bowel movements.

[Favorite hotel chain?]

My husband spent around 60 nights in a hotel last year and is on track to double it this year. He has found a lot of consistency in Hampton Inn & Suites (not a regular Hampton Inn). There have been a couple rare exceptions, both times older locations that hadn't been recently remodeled. He sticks to Hilton brands because of their rewards and there is usually one within an hour of whatever tiny town he is headed to for work.

 

We were very impressed with Double Tree and Home 3 (a newer Holiday Inn chain) when we have stayed as a family. We have not been as impressed with Embassy Suites. There is one that he stays in regularly that is very nice and has been great when the whole family has stayed. The one we spent a week in near DC was just OK. There is definitely a difference in hotels that cater to business people vs families. We tend to like the ones that cater to business people better.

[Runners -- app and gear questions]

You may be able to find a running watch (without GPS) that beeps at set intervals. That's what people used to use before GPS units gor smaller.

[Writing With Ease Curriculum Question]

I started with the Complete Writet and switched to the pdf workbooks. Although I really liked the idea of using passages from what my kids were already reading, it was much easier to have them chosen for me.

[How does this sound for our first year?]

Your 3rd and 1st schedules are very similar to what I do. I think it looks good.

[Runners -- app and gear questions]

I have a running belt, I can't remember the brand but it's something like Amphropod. I carry my phone and Chapstick in there, occasionally a key. I don't carry pepper spray. I used to carry a whistle but not anymore.

 

I use a Garmin and if I want to run intervals, it will beep at me. My friend used a couch to 5k app that told her when to run or walk.

[If money were no object]

If money were no object we would travel a whole lot more. If we were reading about Africa, we would go there. Space camp would be high on my list too.

[Do you teach your children swear words so that they know what they mean?]

Neither me nor my husband swear. If a certain word comes up in a book or they hear it somewhere, I explain that it isn't a polite word to use. With my 8 year old I would be more likely to explain the meaning behind it, but nothing has come up recently. I probably would just tell my 3 year old not to say the word. I wouldn't go out of my way to teach them certain words, but if it came up I wouldn't ignore the situation either.

 

The only two words I can remember explaining why we don't use them are the n word and fag**t. My son had started referring to logs for a camp fire using that term and I explained that most people no longer remember the original meaning and would find the word offensive.

[Minimizing mosquitoes]

Here's a link: http://www.mosquitomagnet.com/ I have no idea which model my parents have, they have had them about 10 years.

[Minimizing mosquitoes]

Do they still sell Mosquito Magnets? My parents have a couple, it somehow emits CO2 which attracts and traps the mosquitos. They have two on their property and it has cut way down on the mosquitos.

[Elbow and knee pad sizing help for kids]

I found my daughter's at Dicks Sporting Goods. I would highly recommend wrist guards too. My brother fell and broke both arms at the same time not wearing wrist guards. He spent a miserable summer in two casts.

[Washington DC statehood]

Is this an issue you're aware of? Care about? Support? Oppose?

It is not something I have ever thought about but I'm not opposed to it. People in DC should be able to elect members to Congress. It also seems like Congress should keep its nose out of local affairs.

[Prayers requested!]

Praying.