Hey folks!! I know I'm new to many of you these days, so pardon me injecting myself here all of a sudden. And pardon me, again, while I step up on my soap box. :heaveshimmy: Here's the deal: You should totally take a moment out of your busy life to vote for Out of the Gray. You can vote, in part, because - like me - you love Mama Bear, and you trust that there is a great deal of integrity built into anything she touches. But, the more compelling reason is that it's the least you can do for a group of people who sacrifice SO MUCH in order to make their children's lives better. Better? Shoot, how about possible!? And, they do it by putting themselves last, day after night, after challenging day after sleepless night. Really, it's not much to ask. Just the click of a button. What a difference you might make. Hurry. Time is almost up!! http://brooksidefoods.maker.good.is/projects/nurturingcaregivers Thanks, folks. :shimmyheave:

Been working as a freelancer for about 2 years now, though we'd starve if not for my husband's job. Actually, we may starve anyway, except that before becoming a freelance writer, I was a farmer. So, at least I know how to grow food! :D I write a monthly column for a local publication, and I have had numerous articles printed in the local paper. Sadly, none of these include bylines. Also worked with an environmental organization for about a year writing pieces for their newsletter. Though the reach was narrow, those, at least, included my name. ::sigh:: It's a tough road. I fantasize about writing books. Or -- let's be realistic here -- one book. But, I'm not even on the starting block with that dream.

Nah, nothing that fancy. Just a simple name search, that's all. Pity, though. A bat beacon could be handy. :D

:seeya: Hi, y'all! ThatCyndiGirl -- I'm a real hooman, and I used to be a real regular here. But, when my daughters went to public school in the fall of '08, I found myself feeling less and less apt to join in the discussions at TWTM. I do pop in every now and again (well, duh!) for a bit of nostalgia, or a good laugh. Back in the day, I often came up with sarcastic replies to posts that struck my funny bone. Like this, for a quick example: What is fair to charge...? Darlin', the way I see it, anything's fair as long as the hubster doesn't find out. Because, you know, "there are some things money can't buy." I think it's great that the tradition...and its variations...lives on. ;)

I decided, well in advance, that I wanted my 40th to include my closest friends for more than an evening. I wanted time to BE with my community. I decided to go camping. The stars were most definitely aligned, because all of the people most important to me were willing and able to be there (I think we had about 8 families). We spent the weekend enjoying communal cooking, singing, laughing, swimming, talking. I will turn 50 in 2011, and in the decade since my 40th, while all of my birthday celebrations have been satisfying, nothing has compared to that trip. It was perfect! :D

Life is treating me well enough, thanks. Hope the same goes for you, Kids.. Hard to believe it's been 3 years since I could legitimately call myself a homeschooler! :001_huh: Glad to see the ol' gang is still going strong.

Awww, that's so sweeeeeeet. :seeya: Hi ya', Lolly!

I don't want to wean the baby, but.... He's 25 and, well, it's getting a little embarrassing. Feminist Litmus Test? When you start burning your neighbor's bras, you're well on your way. Embarassing homeschoolers... I know, right? Like, they can't even spell or nothing. How do I cure ds of talking out of turn? Staple his tongue to the floor. Silly poll--Do you like raw bread dough? Do I ever!! The way it swells up in my belly, and makes me look like a Telletubbie. Whoa! That's the greatest. Guess what I found today? Your marbles?! If you borrow books from separate libraries, do you have a system... Why yes, yes I do. First I go to one library. Then I go to the other one(s). Hope that helps. May I scream for a minute? A whole minute? Or, maybe more like half a minute, or a quarter? Because really, a minute is a very long time, and if you're going to stand there shrieking for an entire 60 seconds, I'm going to end up with a wicked headache. So, I'm going to insist that you clarify yourself before I answer. Best tips for newlyweds...lay it on me. Sweetie, I think we need to start with the *on* part. Geography Birthday Party Huh? What? I'm lost. IF you are an evangelical Christian... You're going to want to tell everyone you don't wear pants!

....Oh, hi. Am I too late for some fun? :D

You guys are a stitch!! :smilielol5: You know, I sometimes wonder if there are people here who scratch their heads and go off Googling in puzzlement over who...or what...is "Doran." :D

So, our schools are filled with teachers working to indoctrinate our children, such that they [might] end up with a general understanding of why it's useful to conserve resources, or important to stay out of gangs and away from drugs? How dare they propagandize our children that way! And, it's worst when they go after the very young who don't have the reasoning skills to discern what it is their commie/hippie/ fascist teacher is really trying to do. We need balance! I expect my child to understand that every story has two sides. Our children should also learn all the ways that plastic water bottles are saving lives all over the planet, how gangs give our youth a place to belong, and drugs expand their minds and financial opportunities! Honestly, people. I view this as a straightforward assignment: It purposefully involved parents, and possibly engaged the child in thoughts about how personal choices may impact more than just one person. Why does it have to become a subversive plot to turn children into environmentalists (oh the horror!!)?

I'm not 100% certain, but I'd be willing to bet some money that it's pokeweed. Also known as poke, pokeberry, and others. It matches my memory of what it looks like, though photos via Google mostly show the plant in its mature state, so it's harder to tell. The fact that it's coming up willy nilly all over the place speaks to a weed, not something intentional. Do you have a Cooperative Extension office nearby? You could send the photo to them (Penn State surely has one) and see if they could give you a positive ID. If it is pokeweed, you'll want to dig it out now, because the roots on those beasts are about 100' long when they are mature. :glare: Hope this helps.

When our family was first starting, we lived on a farm (caretaker situation - we did not own it). For 13 years, we lived the consummate country life, raising produce, chickens, living in a wide open space. Like others, it took us 15 minutes to get to the nearest grocery store and 30 for most of our events and for big shopping days. We always felt we'd relocate one day when our children approached their teenage years and would want to have greater access to friends and jobs. So, three years ago, we moved "to town" when our daughters were 10 and 12. The town we live in is very small and quaint, a place where it is safe for children to walk around independently. We are loving it!! It was so hard for me to give up the idea of leaving all that space, and the access to fresh food. And, yes, I absolutely miss those things on some level. But, the benefits of (1) living in a place where I don't have to drive my kids somewhere everyday in order for them to feel connected to the world, and (2) living within walking distance of the library, grocery, restaurants, etc. has been a joy for us and well worth the trade-off. Yes, as has been said already, it is a very individual choice. The grass isn't really greener in either location, and every place has pros, cons and compromises. Personally, I'm happy to be spending this chapter of our lives in a place that affords my children access to the life they crave without me having to be the one to take them there. That's important to me.