My Journey to Sjogren's Syndrome

1. As I previously acknowledged I was extremely sick in December.  I have been diagnosed with CKD and Metabolic Acidosis.  My primary doctor tested me for Sjogrens in January.  That test was negative.  When we discovered my blood creatinine was elevated in two different blood tests, I was referred to a Renal doctor.  An US showed one kidney was smaller than the other.  My Renal doctor feels it is from Sjogrens and I need a salivary biopsy to confirm.

So, why did I just bore you to death with personal stuff?  Well for one this is a personal blog, and since my kids are older there isn't much to blog about for homeschool, so I will use as a personal journal, awareness, education, and yes still homeschool stuff too.  

April is Sjogrens Awareness Month.  As such I will be sharing all the info I have been gathering.  What I want to tell you for now is, if you have chronic dry eyes, or mouth these are the very first warning signs of Sjogrens.  If you don't know if you have dry eyes or mouth then you probably don't, because trust me you would notice.  Dry mouth is especially hard to not notice.  Don't let doctors and insurance companies ignore it eithér, keep after them and be an advocate for your own health care.  

I will not give medical advice, and anything I say is not to be interpreted as advice.  I will share my journey, resources and non medical ideas for stress, weight and pain management.  If you suffer with this disease p,ease feel free to leave comments.

Time for College and Scholarships

Next  year, my son will be a Senior.  I can't believe I just said that.  The years that we have been blessed to homeschool have been a treasure for me, and hopefully for him too.  I still have a 12 year old to get through middle school, and high school, so I won't be bored.

As you know scholarships are a very important part of helping to pay for school.  Now is the time to start thinking, and researching.  I will be adding links to sites about scholarships, as I find them and collect them.  The first four websites are listed below.  Some may repeat.  I haven't actually read them all, yet, just collecting for future use.  All scholarships have different requirements and cut off dates, so it is best to start looking the year ahead.

Since he wants to go to Santa Fe College first, then transfer to UF in Gainesville, I will be posting about Bright Futures, and requirements for those two colleges in the near future.


http://www.parentscountdowntocollegecoach.com/2017/02/07/scholarships-pay-college-expenses/

http://infographicsmania.com/american-scholarshipsthe-largest-scholarships-in-america/

https://www.goodcall.com/scholarships/lowest-max-competition/

http://www.howtoliveintheus.com/17-easy-scholarships-worth-36k/

Middle School Science Experiment on Friction, End of 2nd Quarter and Returning to Work

We are officially halfway through our school year, as of Friday. So, Caitlin and I will be able to do some of her many Science experiments that came with her Science book. This first one was on Friction, but could easily be a physics lesson as well. We did it with the table cloth on, and off, just to see the difference. Without the table cloth, the bag of coins only needed 27 coins to pull the box of sand to the edge of the table. With the table cloth on, it was over 60 to pull the box of sand to the edge of the table. To do this very easy experiment yourself you will need: a matchbox, pebbles or sand, string, plastic bag and coins. Fill the box with pebbles, or sand, and tie the string around it, letting the rest of the string dangle over the opposite edge of the table. Then one by one add a coin to the bag, that you attached the rest of the string to. When the box reaches the edge of the table, count how many coins was needed. I should have had her do it with an empty box too, to really see the difference of weight on friction as well.

Third quarter already, that means report cards. Caitlin doesn't officially get one until next year, but she continues to improve in all areas. Math is still a bit of a struggle, mostly because she is stubborn. Gee I wonder who she got that from, lol.

I will be returning to work in April, after over two years off. I think we are all ready for this, and we can continue to homeschool with no difficulties. We will see how it goes.

For my own record keeping purposes we volunteered at the Spring yard sale on Sat the 11th.

Coursera World History Modern Times and The Crusades

My son will be taking the World History CLEP exam, some time at the end of the school year.  We have been using a modge podge of resources to learn the information needed without spending a fortune.  Right now we are watching a Youtube video on The Crusades, that is very eye opening, and educational.

While doing some research, I came across a class on Coursera, covering World History Modern Times, and it is a college level course.  You can purchase the certificate course, but I am not sure if they are eligible for actual college credits, like taking the CLEP would be.  We will be doing the free version, both parts, or he will,  I don't think I will do it as my daughter needs me to concentrate on her too.  Check out Coursera if you are having a hard time finding affordable resources for High School level classes.

As a hands on activity, I will be having him create a timeline of World History.  I might let him do it on his blog, as he has not had time to blog in a real long time.  

How to Use A Scientific Calculator

Here is a simple video to help you learn how to use a Scientific Calculator.

Plus if you need a Math compass, but can only find the cheap ones in the stores, like us, try out this very cool looking online interactive Math compass. We have not tried this yet, but trust me we will.