[Favorite picture books]

Bill Peet books. We discovered them far too late, but even my DD10 and DS8 love them.

[Why are things so bleak at night?]

Omega 3 (fish oil) supplements can also be helpful with mild depression. If it gets worse please seek professional advice. Depression has physical causes that sometimes need to be addressed through medication. Vitamin D status may also play a role, have yours checked or just start a supplement and make sure you're getting plenty of time in the sun. Exercise too. (((hugs)))

 

This is just what I thought of when I read your post. :grouphug:

 

Fish oil, vitamin D, exercise and morning sun. It's my "happy pill."

 

Hope you feel better soon!

 

[Our State Representative Just Came to the Door]

Okay, serial poster here, but the state rep's office just called to tell me that they're getting a copy of the bill to look over, but that it looks like something he will definitely support.

 

I feel like I made a difference! Yay!

[Our State Representative Just Came to the Door]

I think you might be surprised at how much they listen.  Especially if they are taking the time to door knock.  Listening = votes.

 

Quoting you again to say that my brother (who is a lawyer for the state House of Representatives, and who has met this guy) said the same thing this morning after I told him my story. I'm hopeful.

[Our State Representative Just Came to the Door]

Thanks for giving a shout out for NY! :laugh:

 

I thought maybe that comparing PA to NY would make it seem more horrible :lol: I mean, NY seems like a state with a lot of rules. Wow, I hope that doesn't seem too obnoxious :laugh:

[Our State Representative Just Came to the Door]

Yes, and be sure to tell him that you appreciate him coming by and talking with you! 

 

Done! :)

[Our State Representative Just Came to the Door]

I did my internship with one of California's Representatives. From what I saw, the reps were much more responsive to issues brought to their attention by real people (in person). If you can have a few other people make an effort to mention it in person or call in followed with a letter, you might be surprised. Being calm and well versed is key.

 

I would not recommend a mass mailing of cookie cutter letter or post cards. Those always got dumped on my desk to look through. Letters that were not a template were then passed on to the staffer in charge of the issue or a Chief of Staff.

 

Maybe I should send a letter as a follow-up, too. It would certainly show that I'm interested enough in the matter to do more than talk at the man while he happens to be here.

[What else can we use marmalade for]

Mix some into yogurt for a dip for fruit.

[A few things we learned from our big OUT WEST vacation]

Sounds like a lot of fun!

[Our State Representative Just Came to the Door]

I think you might be surprised at how much they listen.  Especially if they are taking the time to door knock.  Listening = votes.

 

True, but homeschoolers are such a minority. His lackey was taking notes as we talked, though. I thought at least I had a voice for a moment.

 

[Our State Representative Just Came to the Door]

He just knocked on the door. I suspect he didn't think anyone would actually answer.

 

I explained the redundancy of using an evaluator but still having to submit to the district. (I don't follow those regulations myself, though--as a certified teacher I use the Private Tutor law.) I also mentioned that along with NY PA has the most difficult regulations.

 

I can't imagine that anything would come of it, but it was sort of nice to be able to dump it on him a little.

[Our State Representative Just Came to the Door]

So I told him what to fix with the PA regulations. He says he's gonna look into it and get back to me.

 

:lol:

[who else had that amazing thunder and lightening storm last night]

We did here :seeya:  It was a lot of lightning (for PA,) but I seem to be the only one who woke up. Thankfully, the power was only out for a couple of minutes.

[went to the water park yesterday with my 8yr old dd who suddenly has a new sense of courrage]

That sounds great! Good for you both! We just went to a waterpark and my DD10 did a similar thing. It's extra hard for her because without her glasses she can't see what's coming up next well. She was getting frustrated with herself for not trying some of the scarier ones but screwed up her courage on the last day. :001_wub:

[Meet the new kitties - Picture fixed]

It's hard to see them, but I bet they're very cute. Kittens are like that. When I saw that one was named Sprocket, my mind went right to Fraggle Rock. You should name the other one Boober :laugh:  Or Traveling Matt.

[How much are you willing to work around religion in materials you otherwise like?]

Thanks so much! DH is a history addict, so I can get some of those trade books for him and read them myself after he's done. Sneaky, I am.

[How much are you willing to work around religion in materials you otherwise like?]

I think the difference, for me, is that an occasional mention of religion in LOF doesn't lead to bias or errors in the actual math.

 

Whereas a history curriculum written from an explicitly Christian perspective, even if the author is making an effort to be "objective," will still have an inherent bias in terms of what people/events/institutions are included and how they're portrayed. Plus, SWB is basically an English teacher, not a historian, and I've read too many reviews pointing out factual errors. That's the same reason I wouldn't use her adult series for high school — I'd rather read something written by a historian who has a deep background in the subject and a unique voice, not someone who's just "compiling facts" because she has a book contract.

 

Do you have any suggestions off the top of your head for history in high school then? (coming from someone whose oldest is only ten, so plenty of time yet...and I haven't researched this on my own yet)

 

[Self-Ed: Science]

You might try Khan Academy too

[when you vacation, do you look for local food favorites to try?]

One of our kids has a food allergy, so no. When it was just DH and I, absolutely.

[How much are you willing to work around religion in materials you otherwise like?]

For science, not at all. I want secular materials from secular publishers.

 

For history and English, I'm more willing to be flexible and either edit or supplement.

 

I do have some character stuff from religious publishers.

 

Same here. I absolutely don't entertain science materials that need to be adapted.

[Yoga & Meditation Accountability Thread 6/1 - 6/7]

I'm about to start a quickie (15 minute) ashtanga video by David Swenson. I'm posting now and will edit to add when I'm done, so I will have a reason to get off my duff. I might not breathe all too well due to a stuffy nose, but gosh I really need to get it done.

 

Edit: Done. Before the sun salutation A's were done, I could breathe. Note to self: stuffy noses are not a good excuse.

[Sad News Thathomeschooldad]

Oh, I'm just so sorry to hear this. :crying:

[Anyone have white dishes that they could recommend?]

I love my Mikasa Antique White. And yes, my kids unload the dishwasher. A couple of chips have happened over the years, but I blame it on the granite countertop.

[Question about a name]

My SIL is named Emily. Her friends and family call her Em.

[Police car whizzed past me!!! Frightening! What are they thinking??]

Around here, emergency vehicles have the ability to turn all the traffic lights red (they must have some remote control, and there are sensors that blink on the traffic lights themselves when it's working.) Maybe with something like that, he felt he was able to go through a light at higher speed?