Hey, dude. Looks like maybe I've got it figured out! :-)

Steep learning curve going on here. <a href='http://easyfreesmileys.com/' title='Smileys'><img src='http://easyfreesmileys.com/smileys/free-happy-smileys-349.gif' alt='Smileys' border='0'></a>

Don't you dare feel old! Because if YOU feel old, then I feel downright gone. Just keep right on being you, and old won't ever have a chance to catch up. H:)ppy Birthd:Dy! "Hoppy Birthdoy" From one who is so old that I can't figure how to add little magical animated hoobies to my post, and consequently now sound slightly Yiddish. Doran

I hope you won't feel as if I'm being callous, but the fact is, you are surrounded by death, and you can't do anything about it. It's scary, and overwhelming to consider, particularly because it confronts us with our own mortality. Much of the time, we get nudged - when we read about someone else's death, or console a friend who has lost a loved one. Hopefully less often, we are shoved - when we face the death of someone we know, someone we care about. It's a knockdown when the one we lose is one we love deeply. It takes our breath away, and makes us question everything that we believe. We grapple with not wanting to lose them, wishing for the pain to go away, for the loved one to come back. And, there's nothing we can do. It's not in our hands. The only way I, personally, can process death is to remember that souls go on forever. That doesn't take away the pain of missing the person, but it gives me hope. You've seen too much. It's too close. It closes you in, and steals your air. But, at some point, you stop, look around, reassess, and realize that it's all part of the gift of being here at all. Hug yourself today. Be gentle with you. Cry if you can. Seek joy. And know that you are very, very normal to feel the way you do. Peace, Doran

Welcome to the community, Roses! We're glad to have you here. Homeschooling is a wonderful journey, and this is a great resource. Just remember that there are many ways to approach homeschooling and no "one best way". Follow your instincts, know that your children will probably each have different styles of learning, likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses, and you all will be adapting and growing all along the way. Enjoy!!! Doran

Jean -- I'm so sorry about Ears. He was so handsome!! I know you'll miss him terribly, but I can't imagine a cat having a better home than yours. There is so much cat love there, and so much delight for a kitty. Maybe heaven for him is just another dimension of your farm. Maybe he's still there, protecting, and being king. That's what I think anyway. (((Jean))) Doran

My thoughts exactly. You are not the sort of "sahm" to which, I think, they were referring. For heaven's sake, you not only homeschool, but have a home business to boot. But, I don't blame you for being incensed. They shouldn't be so critical, and I find that most working mothers who are critical are really just jealous deep down. Also, Amy, if it touched a nerve -- you should have spoken up. Reminded them of the thinness of the ice on which they trod. You know you don't fit the stereotype. You know you're a full on, busier-than-thou, barely have time to pee kind of stay at home mother. And so are a whole lot of other sahm's. But, it's the principle of the thing. The edge will be off by the next time you see them. Why not bring up the topic inocently, discuss it until you feel you've made your point, then send them home with some specially made hot pepper soap. :eek: Doran

Well, there's the million dollar question! Which are the BEST to buy? The nutshell answer is that it depends on your goals, because your purchases depend on your particular convictions. If you want to buy organic label products because you believe they are freer of toxins for your family, then you might not dig too deep, and you'd buy the pressurized, canned, pancake mix (btw, ick!). If you want to support sustainable farming and/or healthful eating, you'd run from the big organics that are available in places like Costco, and Safeway, and WalMart, because you'd know that they don't really represent what "organic" was meant to meant way back when the movement first got started. But, when you started digging deep -- see -- http://cornucopia.org/index.php/who-owns-organic/ you'd realize that you're trapped by our country's conglomerate, consumerism, marketing-heavy, shareholders must win, culture, and you'd see that you are left with very few choices other than big organics. So, then, you'd try to source local products from farmers whom you can get to know and/or trust. You'd shop at farmers' markets, or from CSA's. You'd plant a garden. You'd spend more time that you ever thought possible finding "pure" food for your family. And, you'd always wonder how it got so complicated. It's a tricky road. I like smaller companies, independently owned companies (http://www.certifiedorganic.bc.ca/rcbtoa/services/corporate-independent-brands.html), but their prices are generally higher. Cooperatives are good, too, for the most part -- like Organic Valley Milk. BioNaturae is a nice company (I think). Muir Glen is huge. Cascadian Farms is importing many vegetables from China. You do the best you can. And then, you punt. Doran

I managed the feathered hair...until puberty hit and the feathers got kinky. Roller Rink was best when they turned out the lights and you skated to the sparkles from the dazzle ball! I still own a set of GLASS "Klick-Klacks". We parted company with the Sunshine Family about a year ago. Ken had a removable leg, poor guy. I also owned Dancerina (is that the right name?) - the doll in the tutu with the jointed legs that spun in lovely pirouettes when you pulled up the center of her crown. And Thingmaker flower mold doohickies complete with GOOP I listened to Jim Croce, Donnie Osmond, The Partridge Family, and Carole King. I loved "I Dream of Jeanie" and wanted a pink circular bed. I used to love watching my turquoise elephant leg bell bottoms poof out on the swing set. I had to fight my mother for a pair of platform shoes. My banana seat was white, but my bike was banana yellow with tassles on the handle bars. My first foreign (ahem!) kiss was at church camp. :eek: Doran

Not bugs. Not rodents. Not heights, except when falling is probable (eg: tops of ladders, ledges -- any unprotected edges of high things that I happen to need to stand on.) What scares me? War. Divorce. Pollution. Rising sea levels. Hatred. Ambivalence.

Okay -- fine -- (hangs head, tucks tail, walks off to differerent forum) :( (psst...thanks Jean) Doran

Tell me your one best tip. I'm feeling a tad out of the loop. NO idea what "rep" is, though I see that Kelli and Andie have both hit me with some. NO idea how to get a profound little siggy at the bottom of my posts (tho' methinks profundity will take more than the push of a button at my end). There must be better ways to SEARCH efficiently. How are some of you able to get animated smilies. My smilies are feeling left out. And, for my biggest gripe about this new layout: Is there no way to view all replies on one page?? This having to scan through pages is tedious for me and my dial-up. (As soon as we get approved for our new health ins., I think we'll be able to swing high-speed. But, not until, so no smart remarks people. :cool:) Doran

Hey, Andie? Is that a gun in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?:D I'm grateful for laughter - belly-deep, authentic, laughter. I'm grateful for hard working animal doctors who cure sick kitties. And, I'm grateful for Chinese food leftovers. "Hey, kids???? Dinner's ready!!" Doran

Um. Janna? You've grown bouncier since we last saw each other. Must be that bundle in front of you! Happy to be back -- thanks for all the smiles. D~

Hey Pster ~ Good going today. I was trying to be a smarty pants and find a way to make an "L" alliteration -- Lowe's, Library, and...Legislate? :rolleyes: I saw your posts about your dh. I'm so sorry you're having to deal with the stress of that. Know that you are in my thoughts. Doran

Jennifer....JENNIFER GOODWITCH?? Is that you? I must admit, it took me a few seconds to make the connection. I...I...er...don't get it. If it has to do with the t.v. show, that's why. Never watch it. But, LOST? Shall I go look for you? Doran

Meanie! I'll remember that. Neener-neener-neener Thanks for the warm welcome (well...everyone but what's her face up there! :p) Homeschool review went swimmingly. Kitty is home with a normal temperature, though when I spoke with the vet this morning, I was told it hit 107° (normal=102°) before it started to come down last night. It was still elevated this morning, but by the time we finished our hs review and lunch, it had dropped to normal. I'm so glad we took the cat in. It's not particularly typical of me to run to the vet on the first sign of trouble, but we might've been in a real predicament if we'd waited even another day. The vets still can't figure out why there would be such a significant fever when there was no sign of surface infection. The bite wound was clearly visible and not at all infected - not like those goo fill abcesses that indoor/outdoor cats are so good at getting. (Yum-O!) Just four little holes, one slightly larger than the rest, which were left from the attacker's canine teeth. It appears as though the infection was somehow systemic, which is puzzling and scary. Sure wish I knew which neighborhood cat inflicted the injury. I dare say it might be making a special trip to the Humane Society.:mad: Doran p.s. Kelli...yur just jealous cuz I know how to make more typos than you. That first post of mine today?? Good grief! Oh, and you know I luv you, girl.

Hi gang!! A week off the boards. I think that might be the longest stint ever for me, so consider me fully cleansed and ready to do battle again. I had issues (well, we knew that already, didn't we?) with my ISP data not allowing me to get here. Darling Heather was my maid in shining armor and rescued me. Hope I can still be part of the group.:o It's a pity that my morning schedule is so full that I have no time to hang out here and catch up. I have skimmed the boards, but, as you've all noted, it's not as easy as it once was to pick up on the lives here. So, if I'm missed anything really significant (don't ask me how you're supposed to define "significant" let alone "really"), please fill me in. We're still tocking along here. Our first homeschool review of the term is at 11:00 this morning. Then, we hopefully go and pick up our poor kitty who had to spend last night at the vet -- apparent infection from a bite wound. The wound wasn't infected, but kitty's temps were so high the vet said she should keep the cat for observation overnight. Poor thing is terrified of new people and places. I'm sure last night was awful for her. I do have a question regarding kitty (Nutmeg). Vet says we should give her a rabies booster, even though she's not another rabies vaccine for another 2 years. It is protocol for a bite from an unknown source. We're sure it was one of our neighborhood cats, but we can't be sure of that cat's history, kwim? WWYD? Must dash. Avatars and such will just have to wait. Cheers, Doran