I haven't had one in 12 years...these things are awful. The last time I had one I was told to take L-Lysine, and wait it out. Are there any new OTC treatments you suggest? Home remedies? Please help.

You may have to go to Sunset.com. I got mine from my Sunset Western Garden Book, but it is mostly for the western U.S. They have supposedly made a zone map for the eastern states as well, but I have not seen it, hence the suggestion of the website. There are several different sources for zone maps, but some of them are based on different information. USDA map is based on average low temps, American Horticultural Society zone map is based on average number of days above 86 degrees, and so on. I am told by one of my former hort profs that Sunset is actually a compilation of all those things, therefore, mort useful to the common gardener. Hope that helps.

I hadn't thought about the night time temps and having to cover up, but I bet it would be a key part of success. Thanks for the reminder. I did already go to the extension website for that county, and there isn't a Master Gardeners club for that area. In fact there isn't much info at all at the extension website, which is why I came here. I was first thinking about a large inexpensive hoop house that has plastic sheeting for sides/roof so that it would be large enough to plant directly in the ground IN it. Unfortunately, this area is also known for having quite a bit of wind. So the plastic sheeting may not last. Hmmm. There must be a book or blog that specializes in gardening in this zone.

bumping.

We currently live in Sunset zone 6, but dh is considering a transfer to a town in a zone 1A. Gardening is my favorite hobby and it's what I have a degree in(Hort.). When I think about the challenges of gardening, what I can and can't do/grow in a zone 1A, it's really depressing. I don't so much care about the ornamental aspect of it as there are still plenty of options (just different than here), but the veggie/fruit crops are what I am sad about the most.:crying: I am sure we would have to build a greenhouse, but it almost seems cost prohibitive to heat in that climate. Can any of you direct me to your favorite blogs of people in these areas or give encouragement on this matter. I know there are gardeners having a great time doing what they do in this zone, I just need to hear that it isn't as depressing as it sounds. And for what it's worth, I don't mind a challenge...I just want to know it's not hopeless. What advise do you have?

:bigear::lurk5:

Next year dd13 will be a 9th grader. I would love to outsource a few classes or maybe even most of them. I am considering a mix of online classes and possibly a few at the local ps. I am not against her going full time to a decent public hs, but our local hs is not good. Especially for math, so I forsee continuing that at home. Here are my questions: What classes would you outsource to a not so great hs, and what classes would you pick first to do online? My initial thoughts were to send her to public hs for whatever AP she can get into. I also would love to outsource writing, but don't think the hs is meaty enough. Any thoughts are helpful, thanks.

I am here. I have to confess, my every thought these days is about what our high school plans will be. I am not afraid to hs high school for a few years until she is old enough to take courses at the cc, but dd is not overly academically ambitious and I do have trouble keeping her accountable while schooling the other 3 kids. For these reasons I am considering some other options for high school. Possibly the local private, or there is the possibility of a new charter high school starting in town but it's is up in the air yet as whether it will be a go---this is my first pick. It is supposed to be modeled after an existing non-traditional charter in another part of the state that has been highly successful and looks fabulous online. If these 2 options don't pan out I might consider Classical Conversations, but starting this late in the game might be difficult. A last ditch option is to go to the local ps part time and hs the rest. The local ps is a social cesspool with a 40% graduation rate, but a few classes carefully selected might be okay. Outside accountability would be great, positive peer pressure would be great, less work for me keeping her on track constantly....awesome. I could do it at home, but for this child, I honestly think it would be better if she didn't. Praying God gives us wisdom, clarity, and peace in what he has in store for our dd. Praying the same for all of you. I will not freak out. I will NOT freak out. I WILL NOT freak out. :willy_nilly::scared:

I agree with the recommendation of Olay Quench. I have used it for years and it's the only body lotion that really works for me; very hydrating and isn't overly perfumy. However, for my very dry hands I use Neutrogena hand cream. It is very hydrating, and it doesn't take much, it is the thickest lotion I have ever seen. I can't remember exactly the name...but it comes in smallish tubes and says something like "used by Norwegian fishermen" on it. Love it.

I had this wake up call last spring...teaching your children to unlock a door with a key. Our garage door broke and wouldn't open...so I handed dd the keys and asked her to go unlock the door and run around to open the garage door from inside so I could unload groceries. I sat there waiting for 5 minutes before I looked up at the door to see her standing there crying because she couldn't make it work. She had never done it before...it had totally slipped my mind that she had never had to let herself in that way.:svengo:So we have had that lesson a little later in life than it should have been. Also, I would say that proper bicycling rules and hand signals. Again, something mine haven't really learned either because we don't live in town so we don't have to navigate traffic when we ride...but very helpful...I really need to do that. Good thread.

1 stick butter, 1 c. brown sugar, 2 T. dark corn syrup, 1 loaf french bread, 5 eggs, 1 1/2 c. milk, 2 tsp. vanilla, pinch nutmeg Cook butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup until sugar is dissolved. Pour into bottom of 9x13 baking dish. Layer sliced bread on top of the syrup. In a bowl, mix eggs, milk, vanilla, and nutmeg; pour over bread. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Bake uncovered at 350 F for 45 min. Additional syrup is not necessary because of the carmelly syrupy goodness on the bottom already. If I don't make this EVERY Christmas morning...there would be a coup. Enjoy.

We live on a 1/2 acre in a neighborhood of larger lots, so it feels more rural than it is. We just reclaimed/repaired damages done to the backyard by the dog and is finally a nice place to hangout, but not large enough to let the chickens go free all the time. I can't let them free range the yard because they tear it up, and too much poop in the yard, and they poop on the deck. I don't mind letting them stay in the fenced garden all day, when there isn't garden in there for them to destroy(like now), but there isn't any shelter from the weather (Oregon rain), or a place to lay eggs. It gets so muddy here from the amount of rain we get that if we let them free range, we wouldn't have any grass left by spring. So, I need to either decrease the number of chickens, or increase their run space. I don't mind getting rid of a couple, but I would like to keep 10. Any less than that and it won't meet our need for eggs. I could possibly increase the run space some, but not until spring/summer. I have a 10 x 10 dog kennel that we used in the summer sometimes, but not sure how we could do it without them making a mess of things this time of year. Will have to brainstorm this with dh. I think where we went wrong is that the books/websites I read gave far more details on proper coop size/chicken, and not much if any info on run size...hence our problems. Thanks for all the great ideas...keep them coming.

Logistically, I don't think separating them is an option. I just don't have the resources to have 2 separate coops. I will consider the advise of the red light. We already have a light hooked up out there for a few hours after dusk, so I could switch out the bulb and reset the timer. It doesn't seem bad enough yet that any of their lives are at risk, and I don't think that cannabalism is a worry yet either. With that said, if I didn't have to run around chasing chickens so I can spray their butts with antiseptic spray with purple dye in it that always gets all over my hands...that would be great too.:lol: I always get the weirdest looks when people ask, "What is the purple on your hands from?" "My chicken have bloody butts, so I have to spray them with antiseptic." :001_huh: Fun stuff.

We are fairly new to this backyard chicken farming so my own experience is extremely limited. So, I think I know what the problem is but I need confirmation and my web searches have come up not dependable. They are pecking the heck out of each others tail feathers and I am having to spray Blu-kote on them about once a week to cover up their wounds. Not all the chickens have this problem...about half...and we are getting between 6-8 eggs a day. I have 12 chickens in a 40 sq. ft.(floor space) coop with 4 nest boxes in the roost. Just in case it might matter: 2 buff orpingtons, 2 americaunas, 3 barred rock, 3 rhode island red, and 2 new jersey giants. The barred rock and reds are in the worst condition. When we first built the coop, I did some research and it seemed that the average recommendation was 3-4 sq. ft. floor space per chicken. We originally only had 10, then were gifted the 2 new jersey giants. They seemed fine until the last 2 months, then the tail pecking started and seems to be getting worse. We let them out to roam the yard for a few hours before dusk, and often let them stay the better part of the day in our fenced vegetable garden so they aren't always cooped up. The coop is cleaned often. I did some research and this behavior seems to be typical of an overcrowded coop, but I also read that this may be a typical winter bordem behavior. What do you think? Overcrowding? Bordem? They don't seem stressed based on the number of eggs we are still getting and they all have friendly temperments, but maybe I'm wrong.

It is a great problem you have, two rooms to choose from, but I totally understand your reasons for wanting to choose one or the other. We have for the last 3 years schooled at the kitchen table to take advantage of the natural light, and I am thinking we might need to make a change. Being able to see out into the backyard has been very distracting for my youngest 2, and it is easier said than done to have all our materials picked up and put away in time for dinner. I will likely spend the next year slowly transforming the playroom/family room into a more academic center so we can reclaim our dining room. Is it possible to put in some track lighting in your basement? Track lighting properly placed can be very dramatic and attractive. Ikea has some that are very attractive and affordable.

I will second Mrs. Mungo's suggestion of corn salsa, it lasts all of about 30 seconds around here. The blue corn chips are very good, as are the veggie crisps, and the honey wheat pretzels. I can't believe anyone hasn't mentioned the maple cookies, yummy.

It's very possible. I have the same symptoms when I get a cold. I also seem to be very vulnerable to having my colds turn into bronchitis or pneumonia very quickly...something that the dr. said is typical with asthmatics. I have been advised by the dr. that it is completely prudent to use my rescue inhaler during colds when I am suffering symptoms like yours, or coughing(not dry cough) and that it might help me recover quicker, keeping the cold from progressing into something worse. If you suffer these symptoms often during cold season, you may want to talk to your dr. about a maintenance inhaler that can be used just for the cold season. I hope you feel better soon.:)

I have been using the Avon mineral makeup for several years and love it. I am sure Bare Minerals is great, but I like the Avon prices better and it has worked for me so I feel no need to try BM. The mineral concealer is awesome, especially used with the brush they recommend. I have also used the mineral blush, love it. The eyeshadow is very nice, love the glimmersticks eyeliner, and love love love the new super shock max mascara. I think the key to sucess with the mineral makeups is using a the proper moisturizer before hand. Too oily will make the makeup look cakey, too little and you'll feel really dry. I have used the Avon moisturizers in the past and like them very much, I just don't use them all the time because they're a little spendy. I probably sound like an Avon rep, but I'm not, my friend is so I've gotten to try a bunch of stuff. The only problem I've had is with the glimmerstick diamonds eyeliner that has extra sparkle to it. It looks beautiful, but really irritates my eyes for some reason.

So I really have not seen RS in person, in fact, all I have done is a search on reviews. It seems to be meaty in experiments but a little light on explanation. So, I am wondering how or if it would work to use both RS and either of the Apologia General Science or Physical Science. I love both of these books but am not exactly thrilled with the hands on experiment component. I don't like that the very next sentence in the text after the instructions for the experiment is the answers to the experiment. If it's there you can't keep yourself from reading it, and after you've read it, what's the point of doing the experiment anyway? I would rather they have to do the experiment to discover for themselves how the science works, and then have to come up with their own conclusions based on the science principal demonstrated and what they observed. This could be easily solved if Apologia excluded that info and had it in a separate TM (along with the answers to the On Your Own questions), or in the least put it in the back of the book; but that isn't how they do it. Would it be too much work to do both the middle school Apologia books and the Rainbow Science?

In Oregon, all you have to do is send a letter of intent to your county withing 10 days of pulling your child from ps or private, or at age 7 if you start hsing from the beginning. We are required to take standardized tests in grades 3, 5, 8, and 10; but if you start hsing in one of those years you are exempt until the next testing grade. Your child must score above the 15th percentile. If your child doesn't score above the 15th percentile, then they have to retest in 6 months, and if they don't do better on that test then they have to go back to brick and mortar school, public or private. That is pretty much it. We are not required to keep attendance, record of time spent on a given subject, or what subjects to teach. We also do not get any financial help or tax breaks. There is an online alternative public school called Connections Academy which is free. You are using all ps curric., but do it at home, so they give you all your books and one laptop per kid. You report to a teacher/tutor on a regular basis. There are also now several online charter (public) schools that provide you with a stipend for books as long as they are secular, but the books must be returned at the end of the year. The stipend can also be used for music lessons or sports expenses for PE, if the intructor is willing to bill the charter directly. The two online charters that I know of are very limited in enrollment, very popular, and very full. The last two options are as close to "help" as anyone can get here.

Breakfast: cereal, toast, coffee Who to thank: My dad, though it is difficult for me as he was a very angry, extreme PTSD Special Forces Viet Nam vet, and it very negatively affected my childhood. I am trying to not let it ruin my patriotism on Vetrans Day. My husband, though he is out of town. Lastly my dear nephew who is a recent Navy basic training grad stationed in S.C. I will also send him a txt today. In 10 minutes we will be leaving for our local Vetran's Day parade, after that errands. This weekend: tomorrow morning we will be joining the rest of the 4H clubs in our county for a joint service project making stockings, stuffing them, Christmas cards, etc. for the local Vetrans' hospitals. Then home for some down time. We have had no down time since last Sunday, and I might implode if I don't lay down for a bit.:tongue_smilie: Good Day to you all!

I have a verbal commitment to do a 10K with some friends on the 20th. I have only been running 4 miles, so I need to start ramping my mileage a bit. Ran 4 yesterday, need to run 4.5 today so I can do 5 on Saturday without killing myself.

I usually pay all the bills online, but having the paper copy gives me peace of mind that if for some unforseen reason my computer poops out or the power is out for an extended length of time, I can view bills and pay them via snail mail. The thought of being completely reliant on the internet/computer for this completely stresses me out. I say do both, same with bank statements.

My ds8 is in the same place. He has read a lot of the Magic Treehouse series, but really won't push himself past that on his own. He can read well, it just isn't what he finds joy in yet. To stretch him a little and build his stamina, we have read Stuart Little and Charlotte's Web by E.B. White. We read it piggyback style so he doesn't get totally burned out, but I try to get him to read some of the longer chapters and I read the shorter ones. This method has gotten him to read stuff he wouldn't have picked up otherwise and hopefully he will start reading longer books on his own. This is a great thread. I have made a list of some other books to get at the library for him.

I was so upset about how badly the test went, that the ellipses were what broke the camels back and I may have gotten a little too excited about it. I have been trying to streamline how we use R&S by reading the lesson, doing some oral excercises, but not always doing the written or review. We have been doing the worksheets mostly, and if there isn't a worksheet, then we do written excercises. This has helped me weed out the writing assignments so we can focus our writing efforts on our IEW materials. This method worked great for the first two chapters, but not so much for the third. We have done the first couple of lessons of chapter 4 and there is good review(so far) of chapter 3 concepts in the review, so I have been having her do them. For those that use R&S and don't do every assignment/test...how do you streamline? What are your reasons for how you do it? Mine is time. I need more time to spend doing IEW, more time teaching other kids, and other subjects. It seemed like doing the worksheets would be hitting on most of the important stuff, but I might be wrong. How do you do it?