I'm not familiar with the programs you have already done. Some straight forward and inexpensive programs we are using for high school writing include EPS Writing Skills Book 3, Format Writing by Frode Jensen, and Wordsmith Craftsman.

World history - take a look at World History: The Human Odyssey by Spielvogel. I found it more interesting than most history textbooks. Writing - if your students like straightforward no-nonsense programs, look at Format Writing by Frode Jensen. Worked much much better for us than Writing Strands. Literature - not exactly a textbook but since you are trying to add fun back into things, review Literary Lessons from Lord of the Rings. I think it would be a blast with two students going through it together. There are several old threads about this program if you do a search. Also, keep in mind that questions and doubts are normal for this age.

This would not seem rude to me unless he/she wasn't willing to share the chips and salsa. Yum!

Yep. I've done my own taxes since I was a teen. While I was still a dependent, I had to calculate them twice each year because my father would make up the difference in the tax refund I "lost" by being declared a dependent on his taxes. I don't think I ever thanked him for that. *regrets* Most basic returns are pretty simple these days using a software program.

My local CC uses ACT math scores for placement. Their College Math course has a minimum ACT math score of 19 as a prerequisite, in addition to high school level Algebra I and II. The College Algebra course is intended for non-STEM majors and has a minimum ACT math score of 21. Finally, the Precalculus Algebra is intended for STEM majors and has a minimum ACT math score of 23. Only the latter two provide credit transferable to a state 4-year school.

I'm sure that salaries are lower on average but housing is relatively inexpensive. A typical (not high end) 2000 sq ft house would be about $125K.

Come south! I have no state income tax and property tax is less than $1,000 annually. Cost of living is low. I am always shocked to hear of folks paying more in property tax than I pay for my mortgage/property tax combined.

We recently lost a cat to chronic kidney disease. We are now down to 1 cat and 1 dog, an all time low for us. We've had as many as 6 cats and dogs. We are not in a rush but are already talking about adding either 2 new kittens/cats or 2 new puppies/dogs. We usually get rescue animals and are not set on getting very young ones. So, cats or dogs?

How old is your house? Is there any chance it has aluminum wiring? It could be some wiring working loose in an outlet and sparking/burning the nearby insulation. This happened at a previous house where we lived.

I do not know how elaborate you want to be but we are planning something similar and also plan to make a white sauce (essentially like an alfredo sauce) and have things like chicken and spinach to use with it.

Undecided but leaning towards vaccination. We typically fully vaccinate on the recommended schedule but I've delayed a few of the recommended pre-teen/teen vacs (primarily HPV and meningitis). DH feel strongly against the HPV vax because of the heavy marketing/lobbying from the drug companies. However, I've talked about it with my trusted GYN and she vaccinated her niece and nephew for HPV and strongly recommends it. I'm willing to overlook the obvious financial objectives of the drug companies if it means my daughters will lead healthier lives. My main concern is the period of time that HPV vax will be effective. It hasn't been out long enough to really know. What if we are vaccinating all these young preteen/teens and the effectiveness wears off by the time they are in their late teens/early twenties, just when a lot of people begin to become sexually active. I can't put it off much longer. My oldest DD is 16 and if I decided to have her vaccinated, I want to do it before she turns 18 and/or heads off to college. I especially appreciate this thread and everyone who has shared information and their opinions on this topic. Pegasus

I appreciate the feedback and certainly hope that DD is able to quickly get used to it. I guess I just can't quite figure out how it would NOT be a problem for her teeth not to touch if she wanted to eat something that required chewing. So far, she's only eating things like applesauce and yogurt that she can just swallow.

Looking in her mouth, I see smooth blue blobs on two of her molars. When she bites down, she only has contact between the blue blobs and the teeth above. The rest of her teeth do not touch. It pretty much looks like this: http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww143/angels8demons/biteblocks.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.bracesreview.com/forums/damon-system/6506-getting-adult-damon-braces-6-6-2011-any-advice-eating-cleaning-etc.html&h=480&w=640&sz=33&tbnid=w-Ig3hpITAG0dM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=120&zoom=1&usg=__wwYL-B_S3GTcwZAhNKNtcx4V7s0=&docid=w_ExjfjoryaksM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=h68CUZy-LOKy2gXk0ICQAg&ved=0CFsQ9QEwBg&dur=350

DD13 just had braces placed yesterday. Since her top teeth could hit the bottom brackets, they added globs of a blue substance to a couple of her back molars to keep her teeth from touching. Great, now her teeth no longer hit the brackets but how is this poor kid supposed to chew her food?

Here's a good article about the change. It states that the timing is unclear. http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine-archive/2011/january/home-garden/glass-cookware/glass-bakeware/index.htm It used to be made with borosilicate and is now made with soda lime glass which is less expensive to produce.

I saw a news item about this very thing recently. The new Pyrex is not the same glass formulation as the old Pyrex and sudden changes in temperature are MUCH more likely to make it shatter. The company knows this and that is why they didn't question your story. Cherish any old Pyrex that you have!

Sure. I was a few days into my new job and was so focused on getting the name of the organization correct that I answered the phone with "Good morning, you have reached (organization's long name carefully announced). This is (my maiden name). . .no, wait, I mean (my married name). . so sorry about that. How may I help you?" I was NOT a newly wed, I had been married for years and years and had 2 children. The person on the other end of the line was Mr. Big Boss from the main office. Fortunately, he just laughed and let it go.

Loved the blog item and shared it with DD, who just started her first college class through dual enrollment. A good syllabus is a treasure trove of information.

We've allowed soda from toddlerhood. It's always in the house because DH and I drink it. DD16 doesn't like what we drink so doesn't drink it at home. She'll usually get Sprite if we eat out. DD13, meanwhile, doesn't like pop/soda at all. Once in a blue moon, they will pour a coke in a plastic cup and freeze it. They like the frozen coke as a dessert.

Thank you for adding that bit of information, DaffodilDreams. The Farm School is classified as a non-public church-related school but states on their website that they are an alternative to denominational church related schools. I interpret that to mean that they are a non-denominational church-related school. They do not require a statement of faith.

I wouldn't be worried about the state requirements, since it sounds like you have no obligation to meet them. However, I would heavily caution you to plan for flexibility. I would not create a high school plan to meet the requirements of a single college. At the very least, check the requirements of several college possibilities. As one example, here is what my state flagship university requires for admission (you'd be missing units in U.S. History and Biology): 4 units – English 1 unit each of English I, II, III or AP Language & Composition, IV or AP Literature & Composition 4 units – Mathematics 1 unit of Algebra I (may be fulfilled by Algebra I taken in 8th grade) 1 unit of Algebra II 1 unit of Geometry 1 unit of Higher Math – courses accepted: Advanced Algebra & Trigonometry, Discrete Mathematics with Statistics & Probability, Precalculus, Statistics (or AP), Calculus (or AP – AB, BC), Bridge Math, Senior Finite Math. 3 units – Science 1 unit of Biology or AP 1 unit of Chemistry or AP or Physics or AP-B, C 1 unit of Additional Science – Physical Science, Human Anatomy & Physiology, Earth Science, Geology, Environmental Science, Ecology, Physical World Concepts, Scientific Research. Biology II or AP Biology may count as the 3rd science, following completion of the 1 required Biology course. Chemistry or Physics (or AP) may also count as the 3rd science, following completion of one of those courses to meet the second unit requirement. 2 units – Social Studies 1 unit of US History or AP 1 unit of World Geography or AP, World History or AP, Ancient History, Modern History, European History or AP 2 units – the same Foreign Language 1 unit – Arts Dance, Theatre, Music (instrumental, vocal, history, or theory), Visual Art (studio art or art history)

You are not alone! The willingness to apologize about it makes all the difference, especially when "losing it" is only very occasional.

I would let him stop testing. He may be able to bring up his composite a bit by continued testing but that won't really help him as most merit aid would require much higher scores to be competitive. If he is finishing before the time is up, then accommodations during testing would be of no help. They only get more time. If he has a good idea of where he wants to go to school AND that school allows deferments, then it would probably be comforting to know that he already has a place during his gap year. Otherwise, however, it is fine to wait a year before applying. Gap years are getting more common and since he will have a solid explanation of what he did with that year, the schools will accept it with no problems.

Are you comfortable sharing which school district you would be moving to? We may be able to help provide specific info. It really SHOULDN'T be a problem registering to homeschool through the public school system. However, some of the districts are more difficult about it. Have you found this website (www.tnhomeed.com) yet? It provides a very good overview of all the different options to homeschool in Tennessee.

I'll answer these for Knoxville. There are part-time homeschool/private school opportunities if you are Christian. The opps are sadly lacking for everyone else. ALL the church-related schools available to register with for homeschooling (as an alternative to registering to homeschool through the public schools) are Christian. A few allow non-Christians to register, using a statement of ethics in place of a statement of faith. There are homeschool co-ops and again, the only ones I'm aware of are Christian. There IS an inclusive homeschool group that advertises classes and opportunities but it is rather informal. I would say the Knoxville library system is strong. There are several different branches but you can request anything from other branches to pick up at your closest branch. Interlibrary loan with other library systems is good and generally free.