We're in unit 4 now. My ds hasn't had any trouble with writing out the answers in the book. Sometimes there is lack of space for long problems, but flows over to some of the space from the even problems. I don't plan on him writing out any of the problems on paper. Since my ds is in 7t h grade and using this as a gap fixer, we are attempting to move through the material fairly quickly. He does all the examples in a lesson one day, then all the odd lesson problems (exercises) the next day. There have only been a couple of times the exercises were so long we broke it up into 2 days. I have more frequently broken up the review pages though, they can be too long for a day's work.

I don't even like "local" fruit in the grocery store. They come in hard as rocks and just never taste the same as fresh from the tree. So, I would imagine that to import an exotic fruit would be even worse, sorta like those green bananas that come over the ocean and NEVER turn yellow! We got a bunch like that last time from Costco. YUCK. You can get Mangosteen now in a puree drink. The fruit itself is known as the Queen of Fruits, and is Gourmet magazines exotic fruit of choice. We can't buy them here, only in a drink form.

I taught my boys the books of the bible by the Wee Sing Cd. They learned the songs fast. However, they never really got good at saying them without singing (neither did I, the song sticks hard) and I know they NEVER learned the order if I asked them to go to such and such a book. They always had to sing the song to figure out how far and where the book was between other books. SOngs get the names, but not necessarily learned for use in finding in the bible. I did find great success with a picture method similar to The states/capitols book Millard Fillmore. I got mine from the Doctor Memory. He has a bible basics book that teaches by learning pictures that are connected to one another. THerefore, they always saw the picture in their head immediately, and could also see before and after books. This product is wonderful, but I can't vouch for their customer service speediness. They are SLOW as molasses.

Yes, it IS frustrating. Me too. I doesn't matter what size I am either, because whether I fit in my 6's or 14's, itis the same problem. I found 1 LEE jean I liked. I can't find it anymore. I found that some stores like Mervyn's will have a nice elastic waist jean. Gotta wear loose and baggy shirts though to cover up the stupid looking elastic. Wear dresses. THey seem to fit better.

I feed raw. I dont' "make" or cook for the dogs, as I feed more like what a natural wild dog would consume, as best I can. BARF is the typical term. (bones and raw food) or (Biologically appriopriate raw food) is another defintion. If you google them, you'll come up with tons of links. THe best book I've read is Raw Dog Food Raw Dog Ranch is a great website describing in good detail about it. I've been feeding this way since I got both my pups. One is 3 yo now, and healthier than I ever would have dreamed. The 1.5yo also has perfect coat of hair, clean teeth, small poops, clean smelling. Amazing what food can do for a dog! I had a co-op available to me when in CA. Now, I have to do more searching, but it works and is fairly easy. Easy as pie iwth a co-op. More work if you have to find your own suppliers, but still really easy to feed.

My dh has had a couple different kinds. He has always been fitted by the dentist, as they require exact fitting so there is no room for the teeth to move in a certain direction to prevent the tongue from slipping back. The one he had on both upper and lower jaw and connected were more comfortable. He had another set that he just couldn't handle that attached together in the front. I'd talk to a pro and find out the recommendatin.

We started teaching the children's Westminster when the children were 5yo or so. It is easy and basic. Our church is teaching junior high the heidelburg, so one son is now learning it. He is not memorizing it, simply learning it. I like the catechism. It is a great way to tie all the bible learning together, and hang those verses on a peg.

Hurley looked into the cabin window, and saw a face pop up. I think it was Locke, because as Hurley ran away from being shocked (and fell down all disoriented), Locke showed up and helped him back to camp. I think Locke was hanging out in Jacob's cabin after he "killed" the girl and escaped the group. Charlie told Hurley he was dead, but had to come see him. Hurley didn't believe he was there, and started counting and "counted him away". When he opened his eyes, CHarilie disappeared. However, we did find out that Charlie is the mysterious "thing Hurley saw" in the convienence store that made him run and get caught in the police chase at the beginning of the show. Don't know who the "6" are. It's another new mystery! We've seen before in flashforwards that Kate and Jack talk about "not being able to lie anymore". THey are keeping some secret, and I assume that is the same as what Jack is talking to Hurley about. Bummer on the power issue!

Only vets that spay animals for shelters have no regrets in spaying while the animal is in heat. There is a much increased risk of hemorrage when doing it at this time. You are best to wait 3 months after heat to be sure the body is past all reproductive time.

Thank you for the info!

My pup ran into the end of our hallway wall, and literally twisted her pelvis. She couldn't walk, just yelped and cried. It was SO sad. I took her to the vet. He didn't see anything "broken" on the xrays (expensive ouch!). Of course, that is all they look for. I took her to a chiropractor and he was dismayed that the vet didn't notice how out of shape she was with her twisted pelvis. He adjusted her, and she WALKED out of the office. She went back again a couple days later for a followup adjustment to make sure it was in the right place. I will ALWAYs use the chiro first in things like this. It was much cheaper too. If you find one that does horses, he'll probably be able to do the dog. I was fortunate, our regular chiro had additional training for animals so he would accept small animals by special appt. He also fixed my sister's rabbit that got chased by her Lab. The bunny also dislocated her hips, adn couldn't jump up on her box. He fixed her with 1 simple adjustment too!

I got this advertisment in the homeschool fliers this week. It is supposed to be a work from home "system". I'm particularly interested to hear your experience if you have direct or indirect experience with THIS particular christian organization. Any experience, as in even if you simply filled out the form and got "the phone call". The details are so lacking. THey want to tell you everything in a phone call rather than give any details. What is it? ANyone?

We use a regular mop, on a sealed floor. I found that I need to sweep good first. My janitor friend gave me this technique they use for big gym's and large areas. I slop on the water/vinegar floor in a big pile. Move it around and continue working around in a large area. Simply getting the floor plenty wet. (Don't get too close to the baseboards) Once I got the kitchen (for instance) all wet, I would start to mop it around and pick up all the water. Spot scrub if necessary. Usually, by that time the water/vinegar mix had eaten into the dirt, and all I needed to do was mop it up into the bucket. Change mop water and start in the next area. THis has been an easy way for us to get a large area done fairly easily and with the least amount of work. You do a lot of wringing, but as long as you have a good bucket with wringer, you'll be in great shape.

If it is a small upright piano, you shouldn't have any trouble with your van. When I gave my piano to the church, the one that came out was our Music director. He teaches at CSUF (a local university). He is REALLY picky about his pianos. He said that as long as it is an upright and can be lifted by some strong men, and there are plenty of ties to tie the piano down to the (in)side of the truck so that it doesn't shift or move around, it is fine. Grand Pianos are a different story.

I use Edu-Track. However, if you're having computer problems, I doubt a computer based record keeping is the answer you need. Sounds like it is time to upgrade your computer, or go to paper/pencil.

We do not vaccinate either our children or our pets. Our children had some, until a reaction at 1.5 yo. They have not had any since. WHen we got our dogs, I intentionally got them from a natural rearer. The parents did not have shots, nor did the puppies. Puppies get puppy diseases. IF you get through that season, you are most likely not going to put the dogs/cats in risk of getting parvo or such. We did take precautions though. We had a natural homeopath help us and we had a medical kit on hand. This is not for the weak of heart. However, our dogs are so much stronger now for us doing this. I wish our kids were so healthy! Our homeopath said she could cure 90% of parvo cases if the dog had not had the parvo vaccine. If they had the vaccine, she said success rate was reduced to about 25%. Yes, dogs get parvo even with the vaccine. WHen I realized the vaccine did not prevent the disease, I realized it wasn't worth it. We do not board the dogs. We usually take them with us, just like the kids. If we don't take the kids, the dogs can stay. If we go and want to leave the dogs, we find a pet sitting person to come feed the dogs and care for them at our home. Rabies is the law. I am thankful that we now live in a state that doesn't take this so seriously. In CA, they came door to door hunting us down to see our license. Now, only if your dog gets out and picked up by the animal shelter does it matter. Where we live, there is very little chance of our animals getting rabies. Rabies vaccine is well known to cause weird things, like chasing the water hose, eating bark or dirt, red bloodshot eyes, etc.

There is no "grade" level. They are levels of mastery. When coming into the program after already doing math with another program, they do not usually start with Alpha. THat is why they have a placement test on their website. For starting a young one, using Saxon 1, I would most likely not skip anything other than Primer. It really is optional. Alpha starts the program.

No, haven't tried a zapper. I've been tempted to try a Citronella spray collar though. it would be the ONLY one I would accept as not harmful, but effective. Bark collars, especially for younger dogs, can train the dog to be afraid. They go to bark, and get zapped. Now, they are afraid of that particular senario. They have NO idea that they got zapped just becausee they barked. Our neighbor dog was like that. I noticed it because My trainer said to watch for that type of response. My breeder said she borrowed a female to mate with her male, and she had a horrible scar around her neck. Turns out it was a zapper that malfunctioned,a dn burned a whole in her neck before the owner got it off. Zapper for your dog at 9yo would probably not change her attitude as much as just stop the barking. However, because she is outside so much, I would worry about the safety issue. Try the citronella sprayer and see how it works.

I don't have a problem with it. I have a choice whether or not I want to take a look :) And, I would never leave bad reputation marks anonymously over something like this. I do wonder though... SWB doesn't want us to answer posts about a question on a curriculum if we are the "owners/writers/publishers". However, I do see regularly people answering posts about internet help or soaps, candles, books that they sell and would be happy to help the poster in getting what they want. I would think that it would all be about the same, yes? I suppose I would have a problem if you were not a regular poster, and was using this as an advertising forum. That isn't what it is. But, I dont' see that as the common use of your art either. You plan on showing us your art every day? each week? ha aha ha ha

If they are married, they can deduct $500k from the sale (profit=sale price - house cost+improvements)and anything over that is taxable by the Feds. Typically, the states are the same. You have to have lived there 2 of the last 5 years, and I think you can do this every 2 years. Not sure about that one though.

Google avatars. you'll fiind plenty. Don't have any idea whether there is adware there. Just remove it after you are done with your search.

Could you elaborate on I'm curious to hear what is surprising.

I believe there is a placement test on the MUS website. However, being that she is doing Saxon 1 now, I would imagine she would not "need" primer. You would need to spend some time learning the blocks though. I can't remember if all that info is in the Alpha book. I would think so. From what I remember, Primer was basically learning numbers. Go for Alpha.

We don't live like our parents. However, I'm not sure that I ever had that motto in my head, "How do you intend to keep my daughter in the manner to which she is accustomed?" I can't imagine a father asking a son-in-law this question! I remember stories of my parents/grandparents that when they got married, they struggled to have a broom and a mop! Those were big deals back then. Today, I don't think there is many of us that are struggling to have such basic items. We are a consumer society, and I'm sure we could pick up a broom from someone's trashcan if we really needed one. So, what I'm trying to say is, why is it expected that we should have any easier of a start in married life? Living as one has become accustomed to at "home" is outrageous of an idea. Our parents have had a full life of career by the time we are getting ready for marriage. THey probably have nice homes and some fun things, and have been taking vacations. For us to start life in a new career, one income is impossible to live like we may have been accustomed to. Even living with my single mom was more than what I had when I got married. My mom struggled our growing up. It wasn't easy. And, it still never crossed my mind that it would be any different for me, especially choosing to be a SAHM. This is not to say that it makes it any easier that every week, every month of the year is hard to keep going with a budget that never seems to have room for fun. We're into the 15th year of marriage, and we're starting over in a new town, new business. But, I'm so glad we're not living in the times of my grandparents and the Great Depression. I'm glad I'm not a Pioneer moving west with a family in a wagon. I'm glad I'm not a Puritan coming overseas with a trunk of all my important possessions, heading for the unknown. yep, It is good to recount our blessings rather than dwell on the hard and depressing. I'm not sure that because of the life style we chose, that we'll ever accomplish what our parents have today, but I can stand in humble accomplishment that I'm doing something my parents would have never even considered, stay at home with kids all day and take responsiblity for what they learn. I think they have great respect for our choices, and know how hard it is today to live with the means we have today. BTW, just interesting tidbit, our parents lived in some of the most amazing times. Most of our parents bought houses that probably cost less than $40k. Today, their homes have increased in value by outrageous percentages. Are they worth $300k now? $500K? Depends on where in the country, but this is amazing appreciation. We will never see such appreciation.

My dh is a paint contractor. He's been painting 27 years, and we has been working self employed for 20. I do bookkeeping for small contractors when it is convienent, usually just getting them organzied and back up to date. Taxes are different. We pay the entire portion of the FICA and medicare that usually a paid employee only pays half and the employer pays half. However, we can usually write off lots of expenses, so that the income is fairly low on paper. We don't feel like we are over taxed.