Can DH carpool with someone else on the two days you need the car? That would be more truly sharing the car.

Honestly, I would offer her the opportunity of quiet alone time if she prefers it. After being "on" all day, I know many visiting pastors and speakers just need a little respite. Do you have a CD player and some classical music you could put in the room?

So I think the difficulty with writing any of this as comedy is that there is a true lack of real awareness and understanding about what the homeschooling life encompasses. The reason comedy is funny is because we share a universal life experience. From that common understanding, the funny incident is understood because we all relate to how it differs from a normal context. You are faced with the challenge that homeschooling is not a universally understood life circumstance. (Consider how it is easy to make comedy from the experiences of marriage, raising children, work environments). This leaves you with the task of first educating how homeschooling normally functions which isn't a funny premise. I think this is a main reason why all of the "funny" attempts at portraying homeschooling turn into something that feels more like poking fun.

Yes, the reason this works is because it has a bacterial agent. If the idea repels you, BacOut laundry detergent is great.

It sounds like you are suspicous that the librarian will keep the money. So I would contact her and inform her that you filed a police report of found goods. That should prompt her be honest in her handling of the money. If you still feel stongly, make a sign, go to the library and ask the library manager to post it.

How icky it is? If only for a Halloween costume, can she wear a leotard and tights underneath so the clothes don't really touch her? Can you spritz it with fabric freshner and let it sit in the sunshine for two days? How about one of the chemical clean deals you put in the dryer?

I think all of those things too, and then I also think "Why can't I remember this at the beginning of every year?"

:grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: I have walked this path also. I was blessed to experience was the amazing body of Christ in action as others lived my life for me so that I could temporarily live a different life that revolved around ministering to my Dad. It took a while to learn to relinquish real tasks. So here is a practical plan of action for you; take 30 minutes to: Do a quick overview of your life and access your daily and weekly, high essential needs (let school rest for this short period) Break them down into time components - what takes 30 minutes, what takes an hour? Decide what can be accomplished by others (driving a child to classes, mowing the lawn, shop for groceries, cooking a meal) The next time someone says - "just tell me what you need." or asks "how can I help you?" BELIEVE THEM AND TELL THEM AND LET THEM DO IT! It will help that you already have a list of delegatable tasks for the day in mind. One of the most amazing gifts was when a dear friend came and took our laundry to her home, returning it finished the next day. Neighbors took over some of my husband's tasks, like lawncare, as he was needed elsewhere also. Nothing was off-limits in our lives for that short time. There was also one sister-friend who eventually became my life manager as Dad's final days approached. She knew what the needs were, became a communicator/organizer to many who wanted to help but were not part of our daily circle. If you have someone like that in your life, allow them to bless you.

Set aside some time during in the late afternoon or early evening to more consciously process your father's death. Do it in a very deliberate and structured way. For instance, set a timer for 15-20 minutes, consciously review the last days with him, fully feel the emotions, itemize your current, related worries and think through different approaches to dealing with each situation. When the timer goes off - tell yourself you with think about it some more tomorrow and then release all conscious processing. Also, when memories and emotions about your father naturally occur throughout the day - try not to avoid them. Even if it is a bad time to cry, just stand still and experience the pain - then release it until next time. Don't be afraid. FWIW - your experiences are very normal. I often woke confused in the night. It helped to have my husband repeat the timeline of events the last week of Dad's life. Your grief is unique and personal to you and your relationship with your Dad, moving through it is the best way. Know that normal memories of him will return.

Use the code for whatever flowers you think would please your Mom. One of the most beautiful arrangments we received for my Father's funeral was all white.

Notice there is a quiet room in the middle where the teachers can escape.

It's a ton of work, but if the group aspect is important to you - start your own with like-minded parents.

Yes, it is allowed. IMO - it is ethical. We have done the same with Marriott Rewards Card (many, many hotel points that gave us free lodging for this summer's vacation) and AMEX (who gave us $500 in rewards points which paid for 1/2 of Christmas last year). We also used to do this when we carried a credit balance and cards would offer 0% for a year if you switched. So while we worked at reducing our debt load to zero, it didn't cost us anything. Just be certain that when you cancel the account, you get a statement from them in writing that the whole account has been closed. The company is offering you an incentive to try their card. Take advantage!

Yep.

They are BEAUTIFUL! My boys love doing them, and they mesh beautifully with TOG as well. I cut out the large sections with a paper cutter so the boys can concentrate on the embellishment, construction and writing.

I would ask myself - at this point, is it really a relationship?

His wife felt differently however,

[quote Because there was free math, clean underware, muppets, and cupcakes

Charis Preparatory. Charis means grace, which I try to show. We need the name for legal reasons, but I have never used it in a formal context and doubt my boys even know it.

So basically he is suggesting you should agree to the Amway model of building referrals? Silly. Someone needs to explain that referrals are not a pyramid scheme. Just you like are paid for the exact work you do. He is being compensated for the exact customer he brings you. In the above example, he would actually be stealing the sister-in-law's commission.

I bet the sassy attitude and fabulousness you would feel and project with hair YOU LOVE, would be equally as attractive as the actual, long, hair.

My perspective is slightly different. I think the perfect funeral for an older child to attend is one of someone slightly distant in the family. It familiarizes them with the normal conclusion to life, opens great opportunity for discussion, doesn't leave them afraid of the unknown at a time when they might be truly mourning later for a close relative. I did take my children to the funeral of their great Uncle and also the funeral of an in-laws parent. So glad because 18 months later, it was the funeral of their Grandfather - and they understood and were at peace.

When our microwave broke three months ago, I said. I don't think we really use the the microwave for much more than reheating coffee. Miss is about 20 times a day. It was my timer, my clock, my lunch reheater, my fast cup of tea, my veggie steamer, bread proofer, oatmeal maker, place where I quickly hid dirty pots. I'm so sorry I took you for granted microwave.

I made books on Shutterfly for the first time last fall. Loved the process and the many easy design elements. It's very quick to click and drop pictures into a readymade book - or you can spend as much time as you like doing full page edits. One adaptation I am making for future books is leaving some pages and spaces blank for handwritten journal entries and pasting in memoriabilia (like ticket stubs). ETA - you don't need photoshop for Shutterfly. You can do many simple edits right in their program. Some things aren't readily apparent, watch their few little tutorials. I had a friend over for lunch and she showed me some quick tricks in about 15 minutes that saved me hours!

What does "celebrate Halloween" mean to your children? Just the dressing up, getting lots of candy from the neighbors, playing the games at school? Then negotiate between how much you can accomodate their desires while figuring out your own position and trying not to offend your ex.