Moments ago, my darling dh walked into the office here and announced that he thinks the glass in which we store our toothbrushes is highly unsanitary. He went on to explain how he just cleaned it out and "it was nasty" on the bottom. Then, there was a looong pause, as if I'm suppose to fix this problem right now. "Gosh. That's not good. What should we do about it?" "Well, we'll just have to get a traditional toothbrush holder, so the toothbrushes can drip dry." The man has no intentions of buying a toothbrush holder, so I'm not sure why we are both speaking in we's? We're so silly, aren't we? And, are we both considering this revelation to be a commentary on my housekeeping skill, or is it just me....er....we? :001_huh:

...I'd be willing to bet every single mother here can relate to your post in some fashion. You have a perfect screen name!! ;) Here's the good news. Tomorrow is a new day. It may not be any different, but perhaps it will seem so. I'm sending you seven reasons to smile. Go ahead. Wait for them! :001_smile: 1. A hot cup of something good to drink at breakfast time 2. A hug or a giggle from one or more of your little people 3. The curve of your cheekbones when you're smiling at yourself in the mirror 4. A roof over your head, soft pillows, and food enough to fill your bellies (that's a bonus round...three in one!) 5. A husband who works hard every day to provide you and the kids a chance to be home. 6. Children who are smart enough ask questions all the time 7. The way the daylight shines into your kitchen Here's hoping tomorrow will feel a little brighter. :grouphug:

I'd like to say something much stronger, but it'll just end up as a bunch of asterisks. :glare: I'm really sorry. I'd be so inclined to second guess myself, but since it's not me in this case, I'll tell you what the real truth is: this isn't about you. It's disappointing, and disheartening, but it's not a reflection on your abilities. YOURS WAS AMONG THE CHOSEN!!! Don't forget that. Chin up, and keep up the remarkable work. :grouphug:

Girl, for the chance to walk the streets of Italy, I believe I'd wear anything at all! :001_smile:

I've passed along number of recs. to her, including Oak Meadow and WTM. Also searched out six or seven online course suggestions from older threads here, and I have listed those for her in an email. She just stopped by to borrow my "out of the box" books, and we chatted a bit. The daughter was with her and said little, but her body language said a lot. This won't be easy. Plus, the Mom said she'd looked at Oak Meadow already and thought it looked pretty rigorous. Yeooowch! At this point, I think I'll tell the Mom that I'm happy to offer further consulting help for an hourly fee. That should provide some distance for me. ;) I do wish them well. I hope this is the solution they need, though I admit that I have real doubts.

I have mentioned WTM to her, but she seemed to brighten more when we got into discussion of Teenage Liberation Handbook (and others of that ilk). I wouldn't call this mother "a friend", though she and I do cross paths in our community, so I shouldn't assume much. But, in this case, were I to make assumptions, neither mother nor child would find WTM to be a good fit. That doesn't mean, however, that they wouldn't find it to be a useful resource. Given that they have never homeschooled before, they may be more comfortable with a school-in-a-box sort of situation, like Oak Meadow. Based on something the mother said, I got the impression that she felt a computer based program might work well (though I cautioned her against thinking she could simply plunk her dd down in front of a computer). You know when you're not really sure you want to get intimately involved in a situation, but you also feel obligated to help? This is one of those. I'm not entirely convinced that the girl's struggles are entirely school-related or caused, fearing that some of it may be the product of poor parental guidance. Thus, the whole idea of her being homeschooled seems sketchy to me. But, since what I know is mostly educated speculation (how's that for a nifty term?), I'm trying to be open minded. And helpful. And detached. :001_smile:

I bought a pair of lace up, low rise (?), hiking type Keens three winters ago, and I love them like I've never loved any other pair of shoes. I am always so happy when wintry weather rolls in so that I can go back to wearing my Keens. I would probably pay full price for them, but I bought mine on sale at a store here that puts everything at half price before they close for the winter every season. NIiiiice! I think they're adorable, too. I do agree with the advice to try some on first. Not everyone loves them.

When I learned that this mother was considering taking her 9th grader out of school and that she would call me for advice, I *thought* I'd try to talk her out of her idea. Forgive me for what sounds like sacrilege on a homeschooling board, but knowing what little I do about this girl, I'm not sure homeschooling is the best choice. Yet, as the mother and I talked by phone just now, I found myself changing my mind. So, I'm here to consult the "experts". What sources, particularly dvd or online tutorials, would you recommend for a 9th grader who is bright, but not motivated, math challenged and test phobic, socially?...well, let's just say that the stories I hear and the story told by the mother don't mesh. She's something of a wild child. I know she needs structure, and the mother actually seems committed to the same. But, she also wants secular and more practical curriculum choices (For example, she's wondering about a basic business math approach to teaching math since the girl is, apparently, terribly challenged in math.). Fire away, you wise folks, you! Specifically, I think this family would benefit from "the basics" -- English Lit and Writing, Math, History, Geography, Science. They spend three months of every year in Mexico, so I'm assuming she's got her foreign language covered. I'll stop rambling now...:D

...I want to first say HOORAY for your sister in law for starting the ball rolling. I have been the "initiator" in my own family for doing less, and I have had to endure the guilt/pressure/discomfort of having other family members not follow suit. I have one SIL whose "love language" is giving gifts. So, I've had to come to terms with that and stomach my own anxiety over not doing anything. Today, I have written the bulk of an article on how to "go green" for the holidays. A major portion of the piece has to do with not just buying green, but with not buying at all. It can be done, and it can be done with grace, class, and a lot of joy. Some ideas: A collective gift to a charity, or a small donation to the charity your family members choose. You can give just $10 in their name, and it's still some measure of giving in their honor. Framed (or not) photos or beautifully created poetry or writings for a particular person. The promise of a homemade meal together Sing! Spend time around the holidays singing carols or popular tunes. It will bond you like little else Walk! Take a walk together on Christmas Eve or Day. Share stories, and laugh. It will create lasting memories. Enjoy your new tradition!

...I'm so sorry. It's not fun to be sick, ever, let alone on your birthday. That just stinks! Here's hoping you can make up for this poopy day another time, when you'll feel like celebrating for real! Get well soon!

I'll second that! :iagree:

Great ideas here, as well as valuable resources. Just what I needed! :001_smile::001_smile::001_smile:

Answers your question if anyone is still unclear. ETA: Oh, I see that upon a more careful read, you are asking specifically about signatures not avatars. Hillary has it right, I'm sure. Anything else would be a pretty blatant case of trying to split hairs, don't you think?

It has been a week like no other in my life. Amid the confusion of the past days, I completely forgot that I promised to write an article for someone on the topic of how to be more "green" for the holidays. I'll be digging around on the internet myself, but I wanted to solicit ideas from this terrific group as well. Of course, perhaps the best idea of all would be to simply buy less, but I want/need to include other methods to help readers to be creative in their holiday greening endeavors (wrapping paper, Christmas trees, baking etc.). So, please toss out your ideas or plans, and if you have specific websites or "how to" books/web pages as reference, even better. Your replies will help me brainstorm for what will have to be a quick turnaround on this article. Many thanks!

Many of you have walked alongside me on this journey, so I wanted to let you know, collectively, that my father died around midnight last night. He was 84. Despite the fact that I knew this day couldn't wait much longer, I was not fully prepared for the news of his passing. Somehow, I thought there would be more fanfare, urgent notice, some event to call us family all together so that we could hold each other and him in his last hours. But, it didn't happen that way. He went quietly. He was alone, in his room, in the nursing home. And no one knows exactly what time he finally, actually let go. A nurse spoke with him at 11:40. He was gone by 12:20. I'm not here to be morose, or to say that I am struggling in bleak despair. Losing my father hurts more than any loss I have experienced to date. Yet, I have no doubt that this was what needed to happen. He was not well for much of the past three years. More importantly, he was not happy. So, now, I can see him released, on a new journey, whole, spirited, and finally free of the burdens he carried here. And, I am delighted for him!! I am here to express my sincere gratitude for the support many of you have offered during the dark hours of his illness and decline. Some of you understood the situation intimately while others understood the idea of it. Regardless, I have appreciated the compassion and wisdom you've shared. Tonight, if you have an opportunity, remind a special someone that she has touched your life, or that you love him deeply. Because, even when you know you may not have much longer to do that, the day has a way of being here before you're ready. Peace and thanks,

...be referring to this? (Welcome back, Mindy! My, you look tan!)

Ever the optimist! ;)

I've watched this board for months....and the rest of your remarks still hold true. It's pitiful, but apparently, it's human nature.

...it might help to know what is traditionally on other people's lists of things to bring at your gatherings. But... I like to think seasonally for Thanksgiving (well, always, really, but that's not the point). Cranberry relish is a lovely change from jellied sauce, and it's easy to make ahead. Roasted Brussels sprouts are easy and delicious, and here's an idea I may try myself this year. I make a lovely local persimmon pudding using the recipe from Joy of Cooking. It's always a hit, and so simple. And finally, here's a fabulous recipe for "Winter Ratatouille"

...I do have to speak aloud to them, saying something like, "All right you critters! You do NOT belong in my house. There is land and food abundant for you OUTSIDE these walls. Stick around, and you'll not enjoy the consequences!!" It relieves the guilt I have over killing them. :D ;)

...they have them at Target, in with the shampoo and conditioner. :001_huh: ROFL!! I think it's easier to have a "most patient head" when you're not the one extracting work from your child all day long. Having her gone 6 hours a day really takes the edge off. But, it *might* not be worth the compromise, you know?

ROFL!! I love this perspective! :lol:

Apparently, I timed it well -- the polling workers said it had been very busy an hour earlier.

I know this has to be incredibly hard, but I really want to applaud your desire/willingness to try to address your child(ren)'s questions honestly. I think that having these answers helps all of us come to terms with the temporary nature of our physical selves, even though there is still a great deal of pain in the loss. Here's a site that I thought did a nice job of describing the actual process of what happens to the body without overlooking the grief and separation that will be involved. Maybe some of this will help you. Peace,

Yep, this child is most definitely my stubborn, impulsive one. She does not take so well to being "instructed" in something she'd really rather not be doing at all. I have to put on my most patient head when I step in. ;) We did take a break over the summer, so we've only been back at piano for a couple months now. I asked her instructor last week if she could consider doing an hour-long lesson every two weeks rather than half an hour every week. The teacher was not willing to take that on, and frankly, I'm not sure it would be beneficial anyhow. It just gives dd more of an opportunity to procrastinate practicing. I have to say, I can't see getting her practice time in before school. It's a nice idea, and she would be fresher. But, as it is, we're up at 6:30 and out the door by 7:30, so there's not a lot of wiggle room in there. Thanks for your thoughts, though. It helps to keep batting ideas around. So, is your son fully capable of learning the music now? In other words, I shouldn't concern myself with the work being "too hard"? (I don't really feel that it is too challenging, only that dd doesn't want to have to think very hard about the notes or the rhythm if she doesn't get it right off.)