I am trying to teach the things that schools *don't*. My older dd is in PS and I am appalled at the time they waste. She has had a science oral report ready for weeks that keeps getting delayed because the class "votes" to delay it. Huh???? English consists of vocabulary words. Writing is done in other classes. Sigh. I am homeschooling my 2nd grader and preschooler. My 2nd grader is an artist - a real artist. We do art every day. In addition to all the other things. I am doing the best I can, homeschooling and afterschooling, to provide my children the education I did not get in private and public schools. I learn with them. I am not in the least troubled that I have given up my career (computer engineering) to stay home with them. The schools do not do the job. I am their only hope.

I am glad that all went well. Will continue to keep Drew in prayer for a quick recovery. My mom had this surgery last year and it has relieved much pain.

Tonight I will look for it. The article was very positive for homeschoolers.

I am glad to hear this. In the pit of my stomach the fact that we are dependent on the Middle East for oil has *never* set well with me. There has got to be a way for our citizens to wean themselves of this dependence and realistically, it is not going to be from everyone driving hybrids. We have got to use our own oil resources at some point. I believe that this can be done with minimal environmental impact and yes it will be worth it to not be hostage to a foreign concern. As for our government "doing something" about it, they can #1 Stop taxing the &^%$ out of us at the pump #2 Allow refineries to be built #3 In Oregon, at least, we could save a LOT if we minions would be allowed to pump our own gas. As for what our government should not do: They should NOT even think about trying to fix the prices of gas. The last time they tried this (in the late 70's) it created such havoc that we could only buy gas on certain days and had to wait in line at the pump for an hour or more for our "turn". Yes, I was driving then, still a teenager. President Carter's energy policies were terribly flawed and he ended up being as popular as a lump of mud. I hope that we learned something from that.

So glad to know you are all through this and safe at home. The doctors will get to the bottom of this soon. I will pray for your son and family. Hang in there.

although gardening on a mountain slope is going to be a challenge. It may not happen this year, or just minimally. We need to do a lot of work in terms of clearing our land of dead brush so we can protect our home from fire - backbreaking, non-satisfying work. After that, we can build our greenhouse. Living in the country is so much work, more than we ever envisioned.

take a lightweight umbrella stroller with a sunshade. If the stroller gets beat up, so what. Even if you carry your baby most of the time, the stroller can be carrying your diaper bag, water bottles, etc. Keep a slim purse with your passport strapped to your body across your shoulder at all times, you do not want to put a purse in the stroller. Enjoy Rome! What an adventure!

a book worth its weight in gold. I make bread every day now, mostly their basic white bread recipe unless I am making pizza. The dough is easy to mix and requires no kneading at all. I use Gold Medal unbleached flour (this is unbleached white flour). The results I am getting are amazing. I did need to get a pizza stone (largest one my oven would hold, rectangular) and a peel (www.superpeel.com). Also a big rubbermaid container to keep the dough in the fridge. The basic "boule" (free form round bread - "bowl") can easily be sliced up for sandwiches or toast. I am not kidding, my family would mutiny if we ever went back to store bought bread.

If that does not work I would take her to get a nice shoulder or chin-length bob. She would probably be thanking you for it later when the heat of summer hits.

I will be praying for your son and "little lady" and of course you, too. I can't imagine what you have been through lately. I will pray for strength, love, healing, and faith.

Things are getting quite high, I am thinking because of the cost to ship items anywhere. The price of gas is getting alarmingly high. It does not help that we only have one grocery store in a 75 mile radius. I do not think they are really taking advantage of that, it's just that everything seems to be going up at once. I *think* I am saving by baking my own bread and pizza (no more going out for pizza). But those savings are quickly getting eaten up by the rising price of everything else. I need to find a few more major ways to economize.

Since it is 5 hours away. He takes a big cooler and usually buys seafood and meats which we repackage at home and deep freeze. Two big favorites: Kirkland brand frozen Shrimp Kirkland brand frozen salmon fillets I also like: Spices Wines Olive Oil Canned tomatoes Stacy's Pita Chips In the housewares dept: Socks Underwear Kirkland brand Egyptian cotton towels - very luxurious! and also many cleaning products. You will love it. I am so jealous! In the summer there is a Costco I can get to in 2.5 hours so I can get there more often, in the winter the roads are just too treacherous to take the chance.

Montmorency, after the dog in Jerome K. Jerome's "Three Men in a Boat." My family didn't go for the name but I still like it!

also the wild hairs that grow out of my chin :eek: - what the %^$# are these anyhow? I go nuts when I find one of these. I know it is risky letting her do it but I can't see well enough to do it myself and she does do a pretty good job, probably at least as well as I could do, LOL.

my easy-to-melt 7-yo kid however chooses less opportune times to cave in, such as the benefit dinner I took the kids to last night. There was no way I was going to walk out on a $25 per plate dinner that I brought all the kids to - I was going to eat my steak if it killed me. So I just let her cry and get over it. By the way, the issue for her was that the band was too loud. She had no less than 3 meltdowns during the evening, from something as little as her sister looking at her the wrong way. Each time I let her work it out herself and at the end of the evening none of her "issues" was bothering her in the least. God help me when this kid is a teen.

I ought to check out saxophone lessons on YouTube for my dh, also! Thanks a bunch!

a few years ago. Our cushioned surface was chipped bark, in a very deep layer. So far so good, I think it was a good choice. I have taken my kids to playgrounds with the rubber surfaces (shredded tires?) and don't like them because my kids' white running shoes would turn black (as would hands and faces).

"You get to have your own private summer!" I honestly don't mind the hot flashes all that much. It's the multitude of other premenopausal delights that get to me. I don't have advice, just empathy.

I have no idea if there is a teacher in the area - or what type of instrument to buy. I do love the sound of the mandonlin, I've always wanted to learn how to play.

Are any of you familiar with this instrument? Any advice? My dh is learning saxophone so I thought I would tackle something new as well.

Mary Had a Little Lamb is his specialty. We saved for years to get this sax - but alas, so far this is what he can produce. He also plays a mean "Go Tell Aunt Rhody.".... Gaaaaah.

Same as when my oldest daughter turned 13 two months ago -- where, I mean -- where -- does the time go? I have spent so much time on my little ones that my older one is growing up and I feel like I am almost missing it! Happy, happy birthday to Issac!

honey and whiskey. It works.

but I love it anyhow. I think I stir it too much but I want it to brown evenly. The clumping is not too important to me, I just love the way it comes out. I think the recommendations to add egg white may be the way to go if you want clumps.

I know this is too late but I was prob the one who posted the big dough recipe. I use a 2.4 gallon rubbermaid container and it is just about perfect - it almost fills it up completely when the dough has risen. I've been baking all day, LOL. Right now we are waiting for our first batch of cinnamon rolls to come out of the oven using the basic bread dough recipe. The kids keep swarming into the kitchen to check on its progress.