I would go, but not to the ER- just go to your Dr or orthopedic and get an xray. There are different kinds of splints, so id want to use the right one. This happened to one of my kids. He hurt his finger, but it felt better the next day. About a week later I realized he couldn't hold it straight! Yes, it was broken and needed a Stax Splint. Finger breaks are very common.

We are prepared to go without power for a week. It happened once, and I will never forget it- and I hope to always be prepared for at least a week! I think once it happens to you, you feel more personal responsibility toward your family to be as prepared as you can. I got groceries planning to not be able to get back to a store for 10 days- and I picked foods that could be easily cooked with generator electricity, a grill, or on a wood fireplace insert. DH checked the generator to be sure it's working, and filled up on gas. Living rural, it's not unusual for our roads to not be cleared for a day or so- it's still white and icy right now. It's common for everyone to prepare to be without power, especially for a few days! My town is currently still very shut down (not in TX, just getting a snowstorm), most businesses, Dr. clinics, health departments, even our courthouse- all closed for the last several days. The grocery store is opening for short periods of time each day- but most people got everything over the weekend when bad weather was predicted, and our local emergency responders keep telling everyone to stay off the roads! We have dedicated warming areas (usually churches or civic buildings), we check on our neighbors, and we know someone with a wood stove, generator, etc. so we have a place to go if it gets really bad. I do think that many people could have been better prepared for their own families, seeing as this was predicted days ahead of time (and I know its harder for the poor- but our rural poor are much more prepared than many in the city, it seems). The heat- that seems more like a failure on the part of government and power plants. Often during disasters that take out electric, we depend on linemen from states away to come help restore the lines (I know the lines are not the problem in TX right now), and when hurricanes hit TX, our linemen go there and help repair the lines. With so many states being hit, that could also be a huge problem (hoping for no ice) in a big weather event. In 2009 there was a big ice storm that knocked down milesa ndmiles of poles- all over rural Missouri and Arkansas. Many were without power for days, weeks even! I do think that our governments- particularly local and state- should be ready for emergencies that happen on a predictable timetable, with the federal government stepping on to fill the gaps for big things like ice storms, hurricanes, etc. For the most part, it seems they are- but not for this one. I heard one official in Arkansas explain that no, the roads will not all be cleared b/c they do not have the equipment. And when asked if he was underfunded by the news person, he said no. It doesn't make sense to spend lots of money on equipment that will rarely get used, when everyone can just stay home a few days. They chose to spend the money on the roads, filling potholes and working on projects that everyone benefits from all year round, rather than focus on a few weather storms a year. He's right (IMO). It has been years since we have had a storm like this- last big one was 2009. We have had floods (local, plenty of hills to get to, but does damage some towns), we have tornadoes (and they prepare for that)- we are even semi-prepared for an Earthquake (New Madrid Fault). Having a plan for all of those is essential for government. But all that said, where does that leave Texas? I'm not sure- most of the time Texas is very hot, and the houses are designed for that. Heating systems we have more north would seem silly in Texas- and I may be wrong, but isn't wood a bit scarce in places? For wood burning fire places? Most of the time, in Texas, they loose electricity due to storms, tornadoes, or hurricanes= not ice and snow- so the emergency power is for keeping refrigerators and freezers going, not heating houses. How much of a budget should be spend preparing for a hard winter, when there are years with no snow at all, and hotter weather with more storms? Even if the utilities had not been privatized, and were government run, would they really have been winterized? Or would people in Texas feel that was frivolous? WOuld they want more money spent on being storm-resistant rather than winter storm ready? It's easy to say they should have..... but the fact is all governments have limits on what they can do. And as someone who has had a bad power outage for a week, my thoughts and prayers are with the families! It was so hard just to do daily things- kep kids warm, entertained, and fed. I hope the roads are getting cleared enough that pepole can travel to the warming stations that do have power.

I've used Saxon all the way through, and my kids tend to finish about February. Instead of moving on, I get another curriculum for the same grade. Some of my favorites are Math in Focus (nice black an white pages, plenty of space, great visuals) or Math Mammoth (this one can be visually too crowded).

We had a big power outage for 7 days once, and I am scarred for life! Breakfast foods- sausage patties, bacon, pancakes, eggs, french toast! I have 120 eggs in my fridge right now in case of emergency. If you have a plug-in skillet or wok, those are good. Other meals I can think of that are fast- cubed chicken or beef, rice, and stir fry; tacos (if you have the other stuff), anything you can just heat up in a skillet is good IMO. Try to thaw your meat out to reduce cooking time, and cook something that is fast, not a slow simmer (which I know is what I want when ti's snowing out). If you bought up canned stuff for Covid, now's a good time to use it. I did do a roast in the InstaPot yesterday- we aren't on roaming blackouts yet, so I cooked 2 roasts, lol! We do have left-overs! We've got all our lights out if there is sunlight in the rooms. We shut off extra heaters and put blankets around drafty doors. Windows covered in rooms we are not in. I really hope we do not loose electricity. For those who are facing long outages, you have my sympathy!

Our electric Co-op is part of this grid, too. They had planned rolling blackouts today, but changed their mind- I'm not sure if its a coincidence, but a few sections had failures they are fixing, so some had a real power outage. The message also said its off for the morning, keep conserving power, it may have to start this afternoon. Our temp this morning was -6. I'm not sure if I've ever scene temps this cold! If its a rolling blackouts for an hour, it shouldn't be a big deal. If we get a real power outage, we have a generator ready! We once had a 7 day power outage in a winter storm, so we always prepare!

I think you are over-thinking this. As a homeschooling parent, I feel like its my job to pick a program tailored to my kids needs. If you are lucky enough to be able to pick a school, you should pick one that fits your sons giftedness. Gifted kids are not better, they are different. In my house, we had a similar issue and I have made it a point to explain that different brains work different ways- it seems to work for my kids and if one is struggling and another tries to say how easy it is- the other will pipe up that 'That isn't how mt brain sees it.' I had a super academic kid, and one with an undiagnosed LD, so I needed way way for the one not to feel superior, and the other inferior. The not as academic kid in my family has other strengths, which we point out- things the other struggles with. Think social things, reading people, etc. The difference is there, the kids see it, so it should be addressed. I think your gifted son should know that he is gifted in ways, be proud of his abilities and work to learn as much as he can. When explaining the school, I would say its designed for kids whose brains process information more like he does- which makes it easier for kids and teachers. Discussions and texts covered will have more depth. Your other son isn't going because classes that teach more to his style are at another school. Neither is better, its about picking a school that meets their academic needs and helps them to succeed academically at their own speed and depth.

I know my kids will be out today, but the little one will only be allowed out about 10-15 minutes at a time. Its just too cold!

Usborne Beginner Science series If You Lived... series Unborn beginning readers Math U See blocks Calendar set (I get at Mardel) Sticker books Tracing and Dot to Dot books Pattern blocks Art supplies

I went to one convention, the year before I started. Its since been moved and the new one is even further away. I figured I could buy and return/resell quite a bit for the $$ for gas, food and lodging. Instead, I ask around if anyone local has _________. And I offer to let them borrow my stuff to look through!

We are too young and healthy, but most of my family who qualify got one a few weeks ago. Ive got 1 more, we got a shot scheduled, but then canceled due to weather. She is still the top of the list next time. As for ease, its been hard to find a shot! You have to see it on FB, sign up multiple places- the elderly struggle with doing all that. I see people my age making the appts for their eligible family.

Thank you!

I am good until half way through Algebra 2 as well- and that where I am with DD2 right now. I'm trying to study ahead on the weekends. I'm not sure what we will do next- thinking redo this second part of Algebra 2 and then start working on college algebra bc this kid isn't taking more than that one college math class necessary for a degree!

DD just got her official National Merit Finalist certificate in the mail today! So proud of her!!!! Update 3/12 Decision made, DD will be attending University of Alabama On the National Merit Scholarship! I want to say a big Thank You to all the great moms on here who post so much about how this process works. I never dreamed she would be in this position, with multiple great offers! When I started homeschooling my biggest fear was getting her into college- and here we are! The ladies on this board are amazing mentors, and I appreciate the time you take to post here and guide us!

Our state says .5 Health, .5 Personal Finance, 1 Fine Art- plus the other core classes. For oldest, we did OM Health, 1 credit, and for the PE portion of had a sticker chart, lol! I had younger kids using them, and it made it easy to keep track! 30 minutes = 1 sticker! Our state does say .5 of Personal Finance, but I haven't put it on her transcript snd no one cared. Art at the college, 1 credit, and Drama at Co-Op, 1 credit. For second DD, same Drama credit and Health- but she hasn't had PE yet. Maybe next year? She had a full credit of Personal Finance at Co-op.

Gently, its just been a few weeks and you aren't supposed to be okay right now. If I helps you process to clean out the house, then do it. If it doesn't, then give yourself some time. It won't ever be easy, but you might be pushing yourself too much. I'm very sorry for your loss.

I read this story when it first came out, before a lawsuit or GFM. I don't care about beauty norms- this is about misusing a product, then blaming the manufacturer bc there were consequences. There are directions on the can that state what its used for. A company should not be held liable if you misuse a product! We use Gorilla Glue products for lots of things and I don't want them to change the formula just bx an idiot sprayed it in her hair! Its for fixing tile- it needs to be waterproof! I do feel sorry for the woman and hope she finds a solution that will dissolve it without having to cut all her hair off! I just don't think she should profit bx of her idiocy.

Please do not feel bad- help him change his will. Giving that daughter money will enable her, possibly leading to a worse situation for her.

My oldest is a super-kids- Straight As, lots of DE, and excellent standardized test scores. Follow that with DD2, who has always struggled in school- it's why I started homeschooling. I have known from the beginning that they are not on the same trajectory, and I have tried to get DD2 to find her own path. She is in 10th grade, and the growth since 8th grade is huge. For one, we finally got a diagnosis and treatment for her APD! For another, I have tried to encourage her in finding her own way, without pushing that college is the only option. She has found a few hobbies that she really enjoys and is learning so much through those. We keep her school at a minimum. 4 core classes (and no Foreign Language- with APD that would be a huge stresser! We may do Sign Language as I think she would enjoy it and appreciate it much more than kids without Auditory issues). Her hobbies take up hours per day, and she has learned a lot of skills through those without my having to facilitate it! All I do is encourage and provide $$ occasionally, LOL! She is just at the end of 10th grade, and weirdly I think she may go off to college in a few years- I did not think that a few years ago. I am still not pushing, and as of now we aren't planning DE for 11th grade (but i have left this open to her). So my advice is to not make that decision now. Kids can change- A LOT in just a few years. Try to make a transcript that would be acceptable to a college, but it doesn't have to be full of AP, DE, CLEP type classes. Just think the solid, steady growth towards college level. When I worry about things like math or reading level, I look and see that we are making progress. There is a push to do DE and college level courses early, but they were designed for 18+ and if your kid isn't ready, that's fine!

I can think of times my first impressions on people weren't accurate, or later that person grew on me. I don't think that's what a gut feeling is. For me, a gut feeling would be a situation that I felt uncomfortable with- could be people involved, but its about the situation and I feel like I need to not be there. The handful of times its happened, I left.

I have scene still born, but not usually miscarriages listed in obituaries. We have several family members that lost a baby at almost full-term or right after birth. I cannot imagine equating a miscarriage with their loss.

I'm looking for resources for next year- 11th Grade. I have figured out the list of specific areas I want to target, but I am not finding anything that really sounds like it would work. A little about this daughter- she wants to be a writer, and she writes novels for fun- daily. She has APD, so sometimes things that most of us have 'heard' over the years have not translated for her-particularly vocabulary. I notice a lot of usage errors, like she chooses a word that doesn't necessarily mean what she thinks it means- close, but doesn't fit the situation, or she will use a word in an incorrect form. She does like big, fancy words! I do not need anything with regard to essay form, paragraphs, writing voice, persuasive techniques- those she has! I feel like we are at the refining her writing phase. I plan to use Writing and Rhetoric Book 10 Thesis, and then Rhetoric Alive! (I think), and finish with Senior Thesis toward the end of the year. CAP programs have worked beautifully for her! She loves the conversation in them, easy to use and understand. I am looking for resources, including books, workbooks, full programs- anything that hits my target areas: 1. Grammar- this DD will ace any workbook-type grammar, but it doesn't always come through in her writing. I would like something that focuses on revising, finding errors, word usage, VS agreement, even choosing better phrases for a specific type writing. The only thing that I have found that comes close is Fix-It Grammar- we did the first 2 levels years ago. She does push her essays through Grammerly, and can figure out the errors about 80% of the time. When she writes a chapter in her novel, it may contain 100+ errors! I would love for her to be able to get that down so that her natural writing comes across correctly and clearly. 2. Vocabulary- She has completed Word Roots 1, 2 and 3 and I am considering WR4. She has struggled with learning vocabulary in years past and has to focus on it. I was looking at Cartoon Vocabulary for the SAT. 3. Spelling- a program that focuses on commonly misspelled words that aren't always easy for Grammerly or other Word programs to find. I do not want an actual spelling program with a spelling list each week- that ship sailed long ago! This child will never be a super-speller and she knows it. We tried many programs in earlier years including Apples and Pears, which had good success (for her). 4. Reading for content- This DD isn't a fast reader, and she often takes a long time to read for content. If it's a subject she doesn't understand, it's impossible! I would love a program that has short passages, and comprehension questions. Something that touched on strategies for understanding a text, key words, ect. Thinking of something like a before-college how-to for reading dense textbooks. She can note-take, this is more about understanding. 5. ACT Test Prep- do you have a favorite resource? Thank you for any suggestions!

Twin boys- still very much a work in progress Saxon Algebra 1 English- Word Roots 2, Saxon Grammar and Writing Modern American History- Joy Hakim, various other resources im still gathering Science?????? Robotics, hopefully Co-op!

My first thought was seizure- it doesn't have to be the kind with shakes, you can just pass out and fall. I would want to see a neurologist.

I think the answer is both. You have to find that sweet spot! Some kids cannot do 1.5+ hours of math per day! Mine gets 45-1hr of math. After that, there is no purpose in attempting bc she is brain-fried! We try to get a full lesson done, but as we move further into Algebra 2, I'm changing that to evens one day, odds the next- but we will still cover the entire book eventually- it may take 1.5 years snd that's okay. She understands better by a shorter lesson, so thats what I do. Same for science. I use a textbook, but I go through on the weekend and see if I can cover each section in a day, or if I need 2 days. If my goal is understanding, then I need to move at a pace that is enough, but not too much. Often in public schools, the teachers do not cover the entire textbook- they pick and choose the chapters to cover in full. I try to arrange my topics so thar I can cut parts if I need to, bu the end of the year.

I'm sorry people are picking on you, Scarlett. You are right to be terrified for your niece. I'd consider a tracker if it were my car, too, given how it was being used. I will pray for her, that she is found safe. And that her parents will be able to love her through thus, so that she comes out while on the other side.