Eliminate stuff. Really, the only way to keep it clean is if there isn't much to clean up. Ours each have a junk drawer where they can put their drawings or whatever stash they want. When it gets full, they dump and clean it. As for everything else, well, there isn't much of anything else. For the younger ones, they have a trunk for dress up clothes - takes less than a minute to pick up everything and toss it into the trunk. The younger ones have a plastic 3-drawer thing that has 3 kinds of toys. Whatever doesn't fit, doesn't stay in the room. The older ones are responsible for keeping their own room clean. If they can't keep it orderly, it doesn't stay in the room. If there isn't a place anywhere else in the house, it doesn't stay in the house. Simplicity Parenting changed my view on childhood and stuff.

Thank you, this wording helps.

I am selling something, (not here), and the buyer offered a lot less than I was asking, so I countered half way, and she agreed. I was caught up in the moment and now I realize what a terrible, terrible mistake it was to lower the price. I would be losing way too much. At this point, it's like I'd be paying her to take it. What would you do - would you apologize and cancel the sale or ship and accept the loss?

Generally, we keep a bowl full of those little mandarin oranges that are easy to peel accessible on the counter or table, also a small bowl of nuts and another of pretzels. This lets anyone with hunger pangs have something readily available without having to ask between meals (or between snacks). Leaving candy out is a great idea too! My parents keep a huge open container of shelled nuts with a cracker in their living room.

We don't have reception so we have to wait until it comes out on Netflix. But Frozen? Really? It was a disappointing ending to last season - was hoping for Genie or something a little more exotic. Love spoilers, so sure, tell us how bad it gets. :D

Mountains, snow outside. The general mentality in the area is that since it's cold outside, indoor 60's is fine. However we keep our house pretty toasty because we have a small child that refuses to wear all their required garments.

I always thought it was suppose to be served warm with alchohol because it's cold outside...like hot cocoa or warm cider. ETA: huh, well Ms. Martha Stewart (my homemaking idol) serves it well cooled, so I guess that's the way it's done. Had no idea!

I recently heard some one complaining about the temperature of the house they were renting and their landlord didn't understand their complaint, which made me start wondering...what temperature does everyone usually keep their house at during the winter? Thanks!

Although I don't really understand the OP's question, I Love the book. Completely changed my view on parenting, children, and life. But for those that don't have time to read it or would rather 'see the movie' ;), here is a great youtube that pretty much sums up his entire book:

I've learned to embrace it. It's nice. Accept the love and peace feelings. :001_wub:

I read Feed. And it haunts me daily. This is one step closer. And yes, there is the irony of linking the book to Amazon.

Lyra is much more feminine. Lira looks strange. Use numerology. lol!

Scarecrow

Mine always appreciate candy and other sweet goodies: truffles, English toffee, Lindor balls...

There is a different ratio of sugar:cornstartch or other filler that changes the taste. I used to make this simple frosting recipe all the time, but haven't for years. This was the first time my frosting turned out icky, but it seems like for the past year or so everything we've used powdered sugar on has had that same not-good taste and I keep throwing out the bag and trying a new one.

We watch anime and there are some characters that have that quiet child voice, or speed talk. Probably not helpful, just saying. :) For school work - maybe try intensive block scheduling or main lesson planning? It seems to work better for some teens with intense interests because they simply can not handle doing too many subjects every day, it is overwhelming.

humph! On Halloween too! I have no idea how many Reeses I stole out of my children's stash. I'll probably be spinning until morning, but maybe I can try to spin something into gold :D

It depends - what about those with a streak?

What brand taste best? The frosting I made today to decorate cookies tasted like sweetened wet cardboard. I know powedered sugar doesn't always taste this bad - I'm thinking yummy powdered sugar donuts, powdered sweets...

Us too! Co-ops, classes, ballet, karate, etc. I wished I wouldn't have switched curricula so much and I would've spent less time online and more time outside in nature.

Years ago, we used Sonlight Core 5 with my first and it was fine. I was thinking of switching from MFW (which is a little slow) to Core B (1) with my 1st grade student. After looking over the first few weeks, it seems that the books aren't quite age appropriate - they are just a tad too advanced. For example, Homer Price is one of the Read-Alouds, but recommended for grades 3-5 on some websites and Hillyer's history is scheduled, but it's Calvert's primary text used in 4th grade. Is this typical for the early grades? I'm trying to find something that has everything scheduled out for us because I don't have the time to do it myself, but I want age appropriate books. TIA

What state are you in?

Understandably, no one knows the situation or family involved, but when the comments start attacking the mother, my friend, especially while they are still dealing with it...I wanted to share the story because I didn't know it was legal for the school to commit a child and not be required to tell the parent. It is legal. Apparently the school had authorization to "seek emergency medical care" and that is what they are standing by. And she really did just want to get out of class, not kill herself.

NM

There are some homes I walk into and I think, wow, I love how they decorated, or it just feels so friendly, welcoming, inviting - there is a distinct "homey" feeling that I can't identify. I clean, my house is fairly tidy most days, it's just the little things that I can't figure out. When I was growing up, we lived in military housing with military furnishings and my mother was very minimalistic. As an adult, I really don't know how to decorate or create that "homey" atmosphere. I'd love to have some suggestions. Any hints or tips?