I'm about 1/3 of the way through. (Let's see, but I've still got to get through WWII, the Cold War, Chernobyl, . . . maybe you're right and the whole book is llike this!) I like that it has all kinds of really fascinating info that I didn't know. But I think it helps if you have lived or traveled in Europe. For example, I never knew the significance of the Potemkin Steps but I've seen them in Odessa, Ukraine. And I had no idea that the German government actuallly funded Lenin on his way back to St. petersburg just before the Russian revolution! And they did that because it was during WWI and the Germans wanted to stop having to fight the Czar on the eastern front. I guess I'm a history trivia buff (and most definitely not reading this book while pregnant!) Thanks, Tress, for the update on who Mak is! Best wishes on a calm, restful, healthy pregnancy! Jeri

My sis and her husband have a pretty big operation of organic meat birds and layers. The meat birds are out on pasture with a shed to get in out of the rain and at night. They use a portable electric fence so they can move their flock around and keep the foxes out. They butcher theirs but I understand you can find someone (particularly through 4H or an ag college) who would do this for you. Just think--raise 3 dozen (it only takes 6-7 weeks), butcher them, put them in your freezer and see how you liked the work. We had layers--just a dozen--but that was enough. I agree with other post-ers--it all looks great in the summer, but winter can be a bear with animals! We lived in CT with our chix and we had a number of 0 degree mornings! Those layers turned out to be good pets too! Jeri

Boy did I flake! It's "In Europe" by Geert Mak. So, Tress, do you know this book/author? Jeri

This is a very thick but fascinating look at Europe in the last century. Written by a Dutch journalist who travels to key places in Europe and ties in their status today with what happened in their modern past. A bit like Studs Terkel and a bit like a modern journalist, he emphasizes the culture of the time, and the facts we learn in history, then intertwines them. I would suggest this for a history in late high school, to be read during modern day history. Jeri

we have two children who are Ethiopian-American. (Then one Ukrainian-American who looks just like our bio three). Jeri

community college! Jeri

I was AFS to Sweden, MANY years ago (gulp, almost 30!) and had a wonderful year! Now we are (coincidentally) living in Germany! No advice, just glad to hear that AFS is still going strong. jeri

I'm more of a mathy person too, so I guess we're in this together. Korin, I would love the schedule you have! My email is (no spaces) jdunphy15 @ yahoo.com. Thank you! Jeri

I just borrowed a copy of it from a friend. It's a great book to *read* on how to write, but I'm not sure how I would use it. I need something with very clear directions, so maybe I just don't see how to use this. Thanks. Jeri

Not sure how well it will work since I use jasmine rice for this, but I think it will! Cook a big pot of rice on day one, then put it in the fridge overnight. The next day, fry some chopped up onion, garlic and ginger in a big frying pan. On the side I blanch chopped up brocollit, carrots, whatever I'm trying to get rid of. When the onion mix is half cooked, add the rice (you will have to add more oil as you go) and start cooking. Add the veges. I usually add leftover chopped up pork or chicken as well, and off course a beaten egg and some scallion. Just fry the whole mess up, add some soy sauce and a little oyster sauce for flavor. My family loves this adn it's really much easier than it sounds! Jeri

I was actually *on* at 7 am (1 am EST) here in Germany when all went dark. Tried all day to get back on with no joy! Wondered if someone had hacked in, and if so, how long it would take SWB and crew to repel invaders. Just successfully logged on a few minutes ago (10 pm my time). Rough day today, and I'm glad we're all here together again. It's been awhile since this happened, huh? Jeri

soft boiled eggs fresh sliced bread toppings: butter, jam, thinly sliced ham/salami, cheese, cucumber slices oj/tea sometimes yogurt

jeri

Even though *none* of you typed r e a l l y slowly, I think I got the gist of it. I will have my IT 13 yo dd lead the way off of these directions and try to hang in there. Again, thank you for all the tips, instructions, and greetings (Beth?) Jeri

We just got a new computer to replace our dinosaur, so I am decluttering our old one to transfer files to our new one! But I am iPod challenged (dd has to do almost everything for me) and I don't know how to get the iPod stuff off the old CPU and onto the new one. Shouldn't I be able to purchase a song and then put it on any of our computers? But I can't figure out how to do this. Can anyone give me instructions? And. Type. Really. Slowly. So. I. Can. Understand. Please! jeri

jeri

<<Ok, that makes sense. Now, can anyone speak to the idea that Latin Prep is reminiscent of MCT in terms of how it gets at the underlying genius of the subject? Because that statement gave me pause. We use MCT, and are having a very good experience with it. That's about the only thing that could make me switch, at this point.>>. I haven't heard the MCT analogy about LP, but have used MCt myself. I *guees* i could understand the MCT analogy *if* I understood Latin as well as I understand grammar! But I don't. I do know my dd's Latin teacher really likes LP2 and 3. But then again, she has a BA and MS in the Classics. So she is going to appreciate and get the beauty of LP. Honestly, I just don't! I need something much more straightforward. [side note, we use LoF and I have heard that there is a similarity with that and MCT. That I can see, but I love adn understand math!] <<Oh, and here's another question. After which volume of Latin Prep would you say a student is prepared for the National Latin Exam? After Latin Prep 3, would a student be ready to read, say, the Aeneid in hs? >> Can't speak to the level of NLE for LP since we missed it last year. I can ask her Latin teacher though, what level she thinks she will be ready for in Feb using LP3. That might give you some idea. If you have just completed LL1 though (regardless of what you do next), I might just suggest you do the Intro or first level anyway. As for the next level after LP3, her Latin teacher has said that she will have completed (in her mind) two levels of high school Latin, and will move into translations. HTH. jeri

I have a dd who used another Latin program for her first one, then went into LP 2 and is now working in LP 3. She is 13, very diligent, and is doing very well here. I also have a ds, 10, who is just about done with LL1 (we have another chapter to do). So, like you, I have to make the choice with LL2 or LP1 (or perhaps 2). I have not seen LP1, so it may be very different, but I thinkLP2 it is a harder curriculum to teach. It is choppier for me to follow and sometimes I'm not clear on the answer's "whys". Also, for my war-loving son, I know that LL2 will keep his attention, but I'm not sure if the subtle British humor of LP2 will. I find that with LL1 I don't have to do much "teaching" but with LP2/3 I did (in fact, dd is so far ahead of my Latin that she meets with a tutor once a week with LP3). I think LL is more geared to the elementary years and LP is more for the middle school years. I am probably going to move ds into LL2 for the next section, but I am going to expect more pages be done at a quicker pace. Then I will probably use LP2 in 6th grade. Jeri

Also, does it depend on the age of the kid? I'm wondering for my history-interested 5th grader. Thanks/ jeri

http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/usa/new-mexico#a3842 Jeri

Hate mm. But part of the problem is that we have an APO (overseas military) address. So, once the package gets to NJ, it's sorted into airmail and slow-boat-through-China class. And guess how mm goes. Most of my packages take 6 weeks to two months to arrive. Still waiting on something I ordered at the end of May. And now that the school year is nearing, I'm having to order last minute things priority. Jeri

Jeri

I remember hearing about it here. It's owned/written by a woman, it's sort of on the expensive side, it comes complete so I don't have to buy anything and everyone raves about how excited their kids are! Can you help? Jeri

jeri

DD started with LoF and used that as a primary text. However, when she finished in early May, I didn't want her to start Alg 2 yet since we end in June. So, we took the AoPS Algebra and did most of the review problems at the end of the chapters (well, at least the ones that line up with LoF Beg Algebra). She felt that she got a great foundation in LoF, but I think that the AoPS problems really stretched her much further. she does not really like the style of AoPS so this worked much better for her. Also, I kept emphasizing that if she could get the AoPS questions, it really proved that she knew what she was doing! Jeri