Thanks!! We're looking forward to it. I lived in Fairfax county for seven years before heading up north to be near family 5 years ago. But my kids are native Virginians, and they're excited to be going "home"!

Hello all, I am a quiet observer on this site mostly but hope to become more active after our move to northern Virginia is finished. IF we ever get there, that is, we've had to postpone the move twice due to snow! Anyways, I'd like to let you all know that I've created a Facebook Fan Page for Homeschooling. Click HERE to visit it. I thought that those of you who are Facebook people (dare I say addicts like me??) can show your support for homeschooling by becoming a fan. I have no idea what to do with the page now that it's there, but maybe it can become, among other things, a place for those curious about homeschooling to learn a bit more, or at least see that we homeschoolers aren't weird. We're normal Facebook addicts just like they are! Thanks for reading. :001_smile:

How awful. My little ones spent four months in our local public school while we were going through our financial crisis, and each one of them was hurt by another child at least once. If they are in public, it will happen, it's never fun, and it's not OK. But it can be a great learning opportunity, a chance to talk about "how we behave in our family", etc. *hugs*

Well, it's official: we're moving from Syracuse, NY to Fairfax, most likely on or around February 1st 2010. We're sooo excited, both of our kids were born in Fairfax County and we're looking forward to returning to friends and our church. I'd love to find other WTM families living in the area!

I agree that reading together as a family will add so much to their day and their education. That's what we plan on doing this next school year.

I see ya!!

LOLing over here!!

Do any of you lovely ladies have any recommendations for public elementary schools in Fairfax County? We may be moving down & putting our kids into ps for a year while I work and my hubby gets his business up and running. I'd sure love to hear some suggestions on where to move & which schools to move near! Thank you so much, in advance :). Looking forward to having me some Baja Fresh after 5 years up here in the North, by the way!

Oh, thank you all so much for the reassurance. I guess I just needed to hear that they'll (most likely) be OK, and may even get a lot out of the experience. It's good to know of others who have returned to hsing -- I have hope that we will be able to turn things around. FYI, we're thinking of going back to Fairfax County, but might end up further west along 66...

I know it's complete cheese, but... Send in the Clowns! The Muppet Show version!

Hi, all. My little ones (age 8 and 6) have never attended school. I absolutely hate the idea of not homeschooling, but it looks as though I may have to work full-time this next school year, for financial reasons. We are planning a move back to NoVA from NY where taxes are lower, healthcare is affordable, homeschool regs are friendlier, etc. We are not people who need a big house or fancy things, I would not go back to work to finance an extravagant lifestyle, but I have to go to work to support the family while my husband rebuilds his real estate clientele. Has anyone else put their kids in public school for just a season? I'd love to hear that your kids survived. I'm beside myself. Thanks.

I just wanted to say thank you to all of you for taking the time to share your lists. I'm dealing with boredom here at home, and I intend to print out these suggestions and hit Amazon ASAP. Thanks again!

*slaps self on forehead* Oh! Now I get it!

What a lovely post. So sorry for the loss of your brother...

This book covers nine fasts described in the Bible, and details the "goals" of each fast.

Yeah, what Sue said! We're hungry, people! :lurk5:

I bet it's a reaction to the cold...do other cold things have the same effect?

This is what I make, but there is another kind of baked beans that uses barbecue sauce and whatnot: 4 ounces salt pork , trimmed of rind and cut into 1/2-inch cubes 2 ounces bacon (2 slices), cut into 1/4-inch pieces 1 medium onion , chopped fine 1/2 cup mild molasses 1 tablespoon mild molasses 1 1/2 tablespoons brown mustard 1 pound dried small white beans (about 2 cups), rinsed and picked over Table salt 1 teaspoon cider vinegar Ground black pepper Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position; heat oven to 300 degrees. Add salt pork and bacon to 8-quart Dutch oven; cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned and most fat is rendered, about 7 minutes. Add onion and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened, about 8 minutes. Add 1/2 cup molasses, mustard, beans, 1 1/4 teaspoons salt, and 9 cups water; increase heat to medium-high and bring to boil. Cover pot and set in oven. Bake until beans are tender, about 4 hours, stirring once after 2 hours. Remove lid and continue to bake until liquid has thickened to syrupy consistency, 1 to 1 1/2 hours longer. Remove beans from oven; stir in remaining tablespoon of molasses, vinegar, and additional salt and pepper to taste. Serve.

Wow. I am speechless. How can I possibly have reached the age of 35.75 without ever hearing of cup stacking?? Feeling silly now...:tongue_smilie:

:lurk5:

My grown stepdaughter had it done and she was able to breastfeed both of her children, clothes fit better, no more backaches, etc.

Great idea! And great site. The best of luck to her!

Great advice. It took me a very long time to learn that particular lesson.

Not sure if this is helpful to the OP since it's in French but I've loved this poem from the first time I read it, and I have found no translation that I truly like: J'ai voulu ce matin te rapporter des roses ; Mais j'en avais tant pris dans mes ceintures closes Que les noeuds trop serrés n'ont pu les contenir. Les noeuds ont éclaté. Les roses envolées Dans le vent, à la mer s'en sont toutes allées. Elles ont suivi l'eau pour ne plus revenir ; La vague en a paru rouge et comme enflammée. Ce soir, ma robe encore en est tout embaumée... Respires-en sur moi l'odorant souvenir.

I need cleaning advice from your seven year-old! What cleaning products do you all use on the floorboards and shoe molding?