First of all, I feel you pain. I started working out, eating right, and paying attention to my looks when I turned 36, and now at age 38, I WISH I HAD DONE IT SOONER! Do you have cable? I have learned how to dress my body to it's best advantage from What Not to Wear!!! If not, you can watch episodes online. Look for a participant that has a simliar body type as you. I can't say enough good things about this show. Now that I know what is flattering for my body, shopping is a snap! Accept your body as it is TODAY. Don't worry about what size you are. Look for clothes that fit well and show off your body's best features while de-emphasizing problem areas. Most women can wear dark, straight leg pants and A-line skirts well. Next, look for tops that emphasize your smallest part (your waist) with a structured seam such as Empire waist right beneath the bust. I think of a richly-colored little wrap shirt with a cute camisole underneath, and a straight leg pair of dark, neutral pants. Put with a cute pair of shoes and perhaps one accessory such as a long, interesting necklace. Consider pairing structured, fitted blazers and collared shirts with your jeans instead of shapeless Mommy sweaters.:cool: Get a haircut. Seriously. Moisturize your face twice a day and drink 6 glasses of water a day. Get going on that exercise routine! Get new makeup. I recommend a neutral 4-color eye shadow palette (L'Oreal has nice ones) with matte colors and a good mascara. LOSE the pencil eyeliner (very OL -- old lady) and use an angle brush to lightly apply eyeshadow as liner. Use a concealer under your eyes to look younger (I like L'Oreal's Feel Natural one-step foundation or Everyday Minerals foundation available online). Use a light colored pink or peach gloss, instead of a dark lipstick, which is OL -- old lady. Basically, after age 30 or so, lighten up the make-up and go for matte colors. Use light glosses rather than lipsticks which emphasize fine lines. I believe that keeping ourselves attractive and in good shape is a ministry not only to ourselves, but our husbands. I blogged about this just this week on my Date Night Challenge post. LOL! What timing. Also, when I go out looking like a slob, what message am I sending to those around me? Taking care of ourselves should be a priority every day. Budget a little money for cosmetics, clothing, or hair care every month. I got by on $15 a month carefully shopping at thrift stores and building my make-up/clothing wardrobe slowly with Good Things. I wish you all the best. You go, girl!

I do not accept sloppy work. It must be done to the best of dd's ability, or she does it again. They don't try that very many times!

Well, I for one think TOG is overkill for the ages you have.. :eek: If BiblioPlan is working for you, why not continue with it? Sorry if I missed something. I like Veritas Press cards for Ancients, since they integrate Bible and secular history. Another option to do this would by Mystery of History. Have you ruled these out? I don't care for TruthQuest Ancients alone, because it leaves out too many cultures and doesn't integrate the Biblical events. Does that matter to you?

I just wanted to quickly post that a timer has worked very well for us. It really encourages attentiveness. We have used a timer for 6 years! If she finishes early, the remainder of the time is free play.

We save money on meat by buying a month's worth as Sam's. It is MUCH cheaper there. I also save money by refusing to buy any junk food, pop, or pre-packaged food. Having a menu plan for the last couple of years has also cut down on food being wasted because it goes bad and has to be thrown away. Good food is a big part of our budget, because our health depends on it. I'm not a bean/legume person unfortunately. :(

I am interested in hearing responses as well. As much as I love BJU science in elementary, grades 7 and up intimidate me. Since I am so thrifty in other areas, I may be willing to blow most of my curriculum budget on BJU Science & DVD's. I am also wondering if it would be unethical to subscribe to Home Sat for a single year and tape ALL of the SCIENCE!!! LOL! At the VERY LEAST, I will get a Home Science Tools lab kit, as dissections and real models are so vital to Life Science at upper levels.

American History (1865-present) *TruthQuest History AHYS III with Joy Hakim's corresponding books as a spine – use commentary as teacher background and discussion material. *Use TQ book list to set up a Book Basket of free reading. *Keep a history notebook or timeline book. *Create a reading log of books read. Bible * Discover 4 Yourself Bible Studies by Kay Arthur or * One Year Bible – New Living Translation Biography * 1-2 per term Language Arts * alternate 2 weeks of CLE grammar instruction with 2 weeks of BJU writing instruction * dictation and Calvert School Spelling CD * typing software * narration * United Streaming Spanish Geography * Integrate with American History using weekly blackline maps & Trail Guide to US History * Memorize States/Capitals using games, software, songs Literature * Book Basket reading from TruthQuest and additional selections as desired from Ambleside Online Music (See Fine Arts-At-A-Glance schedule) * Classical Composer - one per term * Hymns (2) per term * Folk Song (1) - per term Plutarch * The Children's Plutarch: Tales of the Greeks by Gould or Our Young Folks Plutarch by Kaufman Poetry * John Greenleaf Whittier 1st term and one poet per term after that. Use AmblesideOnline Science * Variety of inquiries and readings from TOPS Science, Bob Jones University Science, Janice VanCleave books, home library, public library, kits, local classes. Emphasize vocabulary and labs. * Keep a science notebook of vocabulary words, hand- drawn diagrams, reading lists, and labs. * Complete one major science project or participate in a science fair. Shakespeare * Beautiful Stories from Shakespeare by E. Nesbit

We did every other day or so before age 11. From age 11 on, we went with a shower daily. It's actually easier to go daily because there's no fussing. It's just what we do every day.

Not exactly. :D I would alternate types of activities: difficult then easy, right-brained then left-brained. However, I would not assign specific assignments in the afternoon, but would offer "choice time." If "choice time" is not used appropriately, it becomes "chore time." :) You prolly already do this, but do you limit media, video games, DS and the like during the week to promote more academic choices? Setting up the environment to learn is HUGE here. Although I would alternate "types" of subjects in the morning, I would ALWAYS leave a dessert for afternoon if behavior goals are met. This may be a trip to the gym, a trip to the pet store, a trip to the book store, a trip to the coffee shop or library. Our other Favorite Afternoon is "choice time." This is a reward earned for diligence. Freedom is possible when responsibility is shown. Joy to you! Tami

The End of an Era at Ambleside Classical

Right now I am reading Chosen by God by RC Sproul on my own and am reading The Attributes of God by Pink along with a friend. I am enjoying both. So far I am not doing very well with my New Year's Resolution to read more fiction. :D

Crissy! No problem. I am one of three people in America who don't care for sweet breakfast items! :)

I just did Passport 2 Purity with my 11 year old last weekend. Not exactly "courtship" but a fun and easy way to have a frank "birds/bees" talk and challenge your 11 ir 12 year old to begin thinking about a decision for Biblical purity. There are audio cd's, discussion questions, object lessons and more. It is very well laid out and organized. We loved it!

I like breakfast casseroles! Yummy!

We use and like Social Activities for Special Kids by Mannix. It's great because my dd loves doing the activities.

I don't know if your child has problems with social skills and "reading" people, but a really helpful book for this is Social Skill Activities for Special Kids by Mannix. The off the wall comments can lead to social problems, in my experience. It also has an extremely high annoyance value. : ) This book and others like it can help if it is an issue for you as it is for us. Just a random thought!

I have an 11 year old adhder who is the exact same way. Adhders are "normally" behind their peers in this area. My gut feeling is that pushing too hard in the formal logic area too soon will only result in the child feeling like they are stupid. Adhders have enough to deal with already without the added pressure. Your child may not be ready for logic curriclums until age 14, 15, or later. What is the hurry?

No way, I love to plan! If you come and organize my closets and drawers, I will coordinate all of your resources!!!

Oh, I have one!!! Saving Dinner! I have used it for a couple years now, and I love it because it comes with weekly shopping lists, simple side dish ideas, and because the meals are restaurant-quality for my gourmet-loving dh. I have my dinners planned out for me and a ready-made shopping list! Saving Dinner Low Carb has also helped me shed 40 pounds, and taught me how to cook more healthy.

I agree. I would get core academics done in the morning, and spend afternoons on "school," but on the child-directed "school." Think crocheting, music, art, science kits, projects, playdates, outdoor fun, etc. There are some wonderful ideas here: http://christianadhd.com/learningathome.php This works very wll for my adher.

We are using YouTube - the "I Have a Dream" speech is on there. HTH!

I like to use a history guide such as TruthQuest, or Sonlight, as a base and branch out from there. I like having a loose list of topics but lots of freedom within that. We do our own science thang using a mix of resources. I love the freedom! I don't like to follow other's content plans -- it is easier to follow my own.

We are loving Sonlight 5. I have not used EHE because it looked like tedious busywork. Instead, we have scrapbooked and done Country Report Projects for Any Country as reinforcements. We also add and subtract books and projects to suit our style. Cooking projects are always a hit here! SL 5 is very flexible, since it is topical. We have mainly used the IG and the library. HTH!

We use CLE Language Arts and love how it streamlines our day. I also use BJU writing here and there with lots of cross-curricular writing.