[Question regarding College of Charleston -- are any of your children attending?]

It took us a while to find it too! Look at the bottom of the page on this link for homeschooled applicants:

 

http://admissions.cofc.edu/applyingtothecollege/freshmen/whatwelookfor.php

 

My dd is panicking b/c she needs a third year of a foreign language and another credit in higher level math. Math is her ... "downfall."

 

Thanks! I was going to suggest this school to my son as an alternative to his first choice which is very homeschool friendly but far away. After reviewing their requirements, I am going to pass.

[Question regarding College of Charleston -- are any of your children attending?]

I went to the website and didn't see the requirements for homeschoolers. We also live in SC. It looks like a nice school close to home. Anyway, are the homeschool requirements on their site?

[Have you read "Wheat Belly"?]

Thank you, Julianna! I can't wait to try these!

[Have you read "Wheat Belly"?]

If it works for your family, that is great. I spent years grinding my own wheat and making whole wheat bread. I found that a slice of whole wheat bread, slathered with nut butter and a side of fruit left me needing to eat more food almost immediately. Calorie-wise, it should have been satisfying. For some reason, it seemed like any time I ate wheat, it left me even hungrier. :confused: The same for whole wheat muffins and cookies. Now I make almond meal pumpkin bars, and they leave me full until lunch time when eaten with a side of fruit. I really think wheat gives me the munchies.

 

Could you share your recipe for these? They sound lovely. :)

[Disney Planning Addicts Unite! Post your favorite WDW vacation tips here!!!]

We are going the first week of December. I have been waiting to find out if Disney is extending their military appreciation special. It looks like they are!

 

We stay off campus. LOL But we will have our car. I am so excited to go at Christmas. We haven't been to Disney in 8 years. I can't wait to see everything again. I love Disney!

 

I am hoping to attend the Christmas party and the candlelight parade. I am so exited!!

[So many different cat litters!]

I just did a little cat care for a friend who uses Swheat Scoop. I had never heard of it. It clumps a little. I didn't think the odor was too bad. It kind of reminded me of the smell in the barn.

[Career Aptitude test]

Never mind. :D I found some old posts here with some good links.

[Career Aptitude test]

I am looking for a good test that will give my kids an idea of careers that suit them. I would prefer it to be free, but a small fee would be OK too. After a quick google, I see there are many online, but does anyone have a link to a GOOD one?

 

Thanks!

[Driver's ed / driver's training on transcripts]

I am not. The Dean told me specifically that he didn't want to see it on the transcript.

[For those of you who have lived away from your native country]

I lived in Singapore for three years. It was 15 years ago now and I hear the country has changed a lot. I was also in my early 20's, so I wonder if going now things would be different.

 

I thought only the US struggled with racial tension. Not so. Although the government tried to keep its citizens from becoming too self segregated.

 

I still shocks me how much the kids study over there. Wherever we went there were kids studying. Late at night or early in the morning. It didn't matter. The kids also had a lot of freedom.

 

Distance is relative. My husband and I traveled all over the island. We saw more of the island than some of the Singaporeans we knew. To them, traveling across the island was too far to travel. For us it was like traveling across town.

 

They loved to shop. Americans aren't the only mass consumers on the planet.

 

There was also a McDonalds on almost every corner. (not really, but they were everywhere) They love McDonalds.

[do you have life insurance for your child(ren)?]

We do. Small policies attached to mine. We did it in the event that something happens that makes them uninsurable. I pay $36 a year for all three kids.

[Sell me on your mid-size SUV]

My Traverse averages about 21 mps. Do you have the AWD? That would kinda wreck your mpg rating...

 

I have FWD, and if I can drive that through Michigan winters, a 4WD/AWD would certainly not be needed in the south just for hauling people.

 

Agreed. My Outlook is AWD. We bought in when we were living in WA to deal with the snow. It handles great! Then my husband transferred to SC. Don't need the AWD anymore and it is tough on the gas mileage.

[Sell me on your mid-size SUV]

I drive a Saturn Outlook which is basically the same as the Traverse and Acadia. I completely agree with the previous posters about parking and blind spots.

 

I love my car, BUT we have had a few problems with it. All covered by warranty, but it has been frustrating. We occasionally talk about trading it in, but there isn't anything on the market we can afford that we would like better.

 

We drove it in bad snow on purpose to see how it would handle. It was wonderful. I feel safe in the car. Everyone that rides in my car comments how quiet it is. My mom drives a Honda CRV and she likes my ride better.

 

It gets terrible gas mileage in town. On the freeway it isn't so bad. My 17 year old son hates driving it. It is not a car for the beginning driver. If we know we are going to be in tight parking spots, we squeeze into my husband's Mazda 3.

 

One more thing: we almost had to take out a small loan to replace the tires. Painful! They are not standard tires, and we couldn't find any tire shop that carried them in store. They ordered them for us. It was fine. I think as more people start driving these cars and need new tires there will be more choices, but until then...

 

Still, even with the drawbacks, I love driving the car. The third row seat is more comfortable than any other SUV we tried. It was important for us to be able to use that seat.

 

This review is all over the place, but I wanted to chime in. :tongue_smilie:

[I've never read Anne of Green Gables...]

I love Anne. I still have my original copies of all the books that I purchased with my babysitting money. The books read aloud very well. I always chose an excerpt from one of the books when I had to give a book excerpt speech. Anne walking the roof reads especially well.

[Who's gearing up for college apps this summer/fall?]

If you know he will get in (sounds likely) and you can afford it, he really doesn't need other applications unless you want him to have a choice or feel he will change his mind. We have several kids at our school who apply to one college.

 

Ah, affordability. That is the issue. He will very likely be admitted. He even qualifies for some decent scholarships, but it is still expensive. It will be interesting to see how it goes.

[Who's gearing up for college apps this summer/fall?]

My oldest will be applying to college this fall/winter. He has a very short list. Very short. He wants to attend Bethany Lutheran College in Minnesota. It is a small liberal arts college. They are very homeschool friendly, and so I have few worries about the application process.

 

My worry is that he will not want to apply anywhere else. I am trying to convince him that he needs to apply to a couple more schools.

[Another Henle Question.]

I thought the MODG syllabus was worth it. I like someone to do the planning for me. It also has the declension/conjugation charts in the back which I printed for the kids to use over and over again. The quizzes were helpful for me. I was able to see what the kids were missing. They actually like quiz days because it made for a lighter Latin day. I thought the $30 was steep, but i am very glad that I purchased it.

[the Stock Market Game]

My question was about the course. In my state it is $16 to participate, and I was wondering if I had to get a group together or just play with my kids. I am not looking to be real competitive. I wonder if the rules differ by state? I am just looking for experiences, good or bad.

[the Stock Market Game]

Has anyone participated in The Stock Market Game?

 

http://www.smgww.org/

 

I am planning an economics course for my kids. My plan was to do something similar to this on my own, but I love it when the work is done for me. It looks as if I would have to take a short course online before participating. Anyone have any experience with it?

[Pac NW funny]

We just moved from the Seattle area to South Carolina. While I appreciate the sunshine, I am too hot. I miss my mountains and the Puget Sound. However, the kids are enjoying the pool in June.

[Verizon Wireless changing pricing plans]

Rats. I love my iphone, but I don't think I can justify the expense. We may need to look into pay-as-you-go.

 

I have an iPhone that I use as a pay as you go. I don't need data 24/7. If I need it, there is usually a McDonalds or Starbucks where I can pick it up. I just mention this to tell you that it can be done.

[Doing some research about non-exercisers. Chime in please!]

I don't like to exercise.

I have joint pain.

There isn't a guarantee that I will live longer. It is possible, maybe even probable, but isn't certain.

Because of the above, I would rather spend my time doing other things.

The fact that everyone tells me that I should do it because it is good for me (like I don't already know that) makes me want to do it even less.

I manage my weight with diet.

 

:001_smile:

[Military PCS & homeschooling-Can I do this?!?]

We just did it. It can be done. Stick to the basics. Realize that while the kids may be getting a bit of a break you will not be getting a break. Make sure you take some time for yourself. It is ok to take a break from the schooling. We get some of our best school done after we are settled and before we get busy. You will catch up.

[Money in sympathy cards-yes or no.]

I do. I am Lutheran and it is very common. It is memorial money, and it is given in the name of the one who has left us.

 

Many times the family gives it back to the church, and the church purchases something in their name. Our church has many things with "given in memory of" plaques on them. It is a way to remember our loved ones. Other times, the family will do something else with it. A young widow used it to get on her feet. Another friend of mine set up a scholarship fund in her husband's name. There is no rule for how it should be used.

 

I don't think giving money in a sympathy card is tacky at all. We still bring meals and help in other ways. Money is simply another way to help.

[How to choose a piano instructor? (x-post)]

I know your son is young, but what would your goals be for him? Six is a very good age to start piano. I have taught piano in the past, and I always ask parents what they are looking for in music instruction. Piano teachers come in all shapes and sizes. :tongue_smilie:

 

I would think about what you want for your son. do you want him to be able to read and appreciate music or do you want him to play classical piano some day? Then with your goals in mind, ask the piano teacher what her/his goals for their students.

 

Find a teacher that fits your family and don't be afraid to switch if it isn't working.