[quote name=KarenNC;1707625 I realize other parts of the country may not be as blessed as we are to have access to that epitome of mayonnaise brands' date=' containing no sugar or sweetener at all (at least in its regular form)---Duke's.:D QUOTE] Yep, people in this state know their coleslaw, and the Barbeque discussion is a whole 'nother thing! I make the dressing by proportion based on how "wet" we want the slaw. 1/4 sugar 1/4 rice wine vinegar 1/4 mayo - sometimes homemade but most often Dukes 1-2 TBS celery seed The slaw: Cabbage - really try to use Nappa or Savoy that big round head has a more bitter taste Carrots - the bag of matchstick ones chopped up a little more. worth it to me to not grate carrots, also doesn't turn the dressing a funky orange from carrot juice Vidalea Onion - chopped Cilantro - not too much Always Something Salty and crunchy - this has been everything from dry roasted peanuts (divine) to roasted sunflower or pumpkin seeds. Sometimes Something Sweet - this week it was dried cranberries, yummy! This is another great recipe for non-mayo loving, cabbage lovers: 2 T. oil 1/2 t. mustard seeds 1/2 t. cumin seeds 1/2 t. kosher salt Heat seeds in oil until they begin to pop. Drizzle oil/spice blend along with 3 T fresh lime and toss: 3 cup cabbage 1/2 cup dry-roasted peanuts (see obsession above) 1 chopped green chili pepper 1/4 cup chopped cilantro (ditto) (from REI.com, long ago)

It would be a great opportunity if it weren't for the drama - major time and emotional waste. Also, your heart is already telling you to stay home. In the fall, which will you regret more, missing a free horse camp, or missing your planning time? I'd pass.

Oh - I crave coleslaw in the summer. Have just started making it again. We put cilantro and pumpkin seeds in ours (mayo based), and I really love Nappa cabbage. What kind do you make?

As a precaution, I Googled Kymberly in NC - all of the women were much smarter and more interesting than me! I don't think I will do that again soon. :lol: Anyway, since I didn't appear on the first page of results, I will share that life took a long time to bring me the perfect man. We've been married for 17 years and have two boys 11 and soon to be 8. I love all things home and cozy; reading, crafting, cooking, and I can barely ever turn away from an old book. Finding time to accomplish much in those areas has been a challenge since homeschooling has replaced free time. I'm active in our church and co-op with nine other amazing women. I love this life so much, I barely remember my former one. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and humor on these boards. I come away blessed, educated and amused every day.

There is a very sweet old series called Honey Bunch by Helen Louise Thorndyke. Honey is a five years old in the stories. I also fondly remember laughing at the Mrs Pickerell Series by Elen MacGreggor, might be a tad higher reading level.

I'm not asking this as a criticism of your husband, but what exactly constitutes "suck it up" in your house? Does it mean, sideline the emotion/ignore it until it goes away or accomplish the task at hand regardless of how you are feeling and deal later? Learning how to deal with overwhelming emotion is a valuable life skill. We don't always get to choose when emotions will be strong and difficult. Learning to recognize, process and then move forward is part of maturity, IMO. Something he would not have had guidence through in a setting outside of your mentorship. However, that doesn't mean that the responsibility is abdicated, just because one feels emotional. Once the emotions are effectively under-control, the school work load is still waiting...

:iagree: He was the first one who started us thinking about the whole artificially extended childhood discussion, about giving real, affirming, adult responsibilites to the 10 and up crowd. Our boys were only 5 and 2 when we heard him speak. The stories from his teaching days were riviting. At the time, he still had an edge of bitterness/anger toward his treatment while teaching in the PS system. I have not read this book; however, Underground History of American Education does have a stream of consciousness feeling to it. The chapers themselves are coherant, but not closely related to each other. If a reader skips the preface and introductory remarks, they can also come away thinking Gatto is a big conspiracy theorist. In some regards, I think he posits a more extreme position than he holds to trigger readers' thinking and questioning.

Sorry, missed that page! How wonderful to a daughter who honors you and is also highly respected and trusted. It encouages me to continue on our family path.

We heard Gatto about 6 years ago at the NC homeschool conference. He was my favorite speaker but not in the best health. I've often wondered if he was still out on the circuit - fighting the good fight. Glad you were able to hear him speak.

So OP, what were your original thoughts?

Say this with a very kind voice and a big smile. "I get that you are way hip/cooler/smarter than I. Except that I am the one standing here with $5,000 worth of merchandise, and you are the one behind the counter. So could we please move forward to the part where my problem is cheerfully and respectfully resolved so that I am encouraged to buy more of your product thus keeping you gainfully employed?"

Pick something that isn't super trendy (in terms of color and pattern) for pieces that cost the most. I'm mostly thinking of wall art, fixtures, and hanging cabinets, shower curtains. I think it is fun to play around with things that are replaced every year or so, like throw rugs and towels. Here's an idea for the walls - rub on quotes and art: http://www.walldressedup.com/ http://www.rightonthewalls.com/

A very interesting book is Why Gender Matters by Dr. Leonard Sax. His latest publication is Boy's Adrift, also thought provoking. Both books heavily cite scientific studies/research. It was the first time I had read about the legitimate need for boys to release aggressive tension (in positive ways). I sometimes wonder if these braggadocious (sp?) statements aren't a seeking of conflict to release some of that tension and need to compete. There are few places in society for our boys to match themselves up against one another. After reading this book, I agreed to letting our son play contact football. Despite my trepidation, the experience was positive and beneficial. You might consider putting him in competitive situations (sports/debate/leagues) outside of the family? Just a thought.

I love this sweet idea!

I think it is the kid equivalent of checking off a box, a visual "this is finished, and you did a good job." Stickers are still smile-makers at our house. I wouldn't say they work harder in anticipation of earning a sticker; however, they still want to know if they will get one - everytime.

Just want to voice my sincere and deep gratitude. We have family and dear friends in active service. I see how the whole family sacrifices when one serves, and our country benefits. You deserve more praise, recognition, and support than I'm certain you ever receive. You must be tired of being strong and lonely for your husband. You are paying a high cost, I'm sorry and thankful.

Understanding that there are several dynamics involved with brothers who quarrel; here is another aspect we work on as well. We teach both boys that God has placed them within their specific order within the family to gain the character traits that are necessary for them to become Godly men and accomplish the work ordained for them. For the older that means, mentoring, encouraging, protecting and leading the younger - not dictating/bossing or antagonizing and leading into anger. For the younger that means being willing to listen to wise instruction, being humble - not striving to be equal, trusting and following. For our dynamic at least, it's interesting because the roles they are placed in do not come naturally to them. The younger is a very charasmatic leader, so he benefits from learning to follow also. The elder is very judgemental, he benefits from needing to encourage. In the beginning, this meant discussing many scenerios -how they played out, where things came off track, soliciting/directing better ways to respond. I also literally gave them the words to use (helpful for boys) - for about a year! We still do this, although not as frequently anymore. I can honestly say, I LOVE the relationship they have (when they are not arguing about opera :)

[quote name= We don't have that level of sophistication in DC's "back and forth" yet' date=' since DD is only 2. Oh, we surely have our share of "whose turn is it, that's mine, he said squabbling," but his morning I thought - only in a homeschool house would someone demand their right to opera! That made me snort - it's so funny!

OK, this morning at our house, we are laughing so hard. Older demands: E, you're going to have to stop listening to that in five minutes. Younger protests: It just started Older continues to demand: When I get a new Odyssey for my birthday, I want to listen to them! Younger strongly proclaims: Well, don't I have a RIGHT to listen to opera ?!? DH and I: :lol::lol: Other recent disagreements: Move over, I can't see in the microscope That's MY roman coin... What about your house?

Yes, yes, yes - these are the contemporary MUST HAVES! I use them almost daily.

Do you mean like this? (Sorry for the long link) http://www.travelsmith.com/jump.jsp?itemID=9679&itemType=PRODUCT&sortBy=0&referring_url=CMSHP018&cm_mmc=Comparison%20Shopping-_-Shopping.com-_-Women's%20%3e%20Wovens%20%3e%20Dresses%2c%20Jumpers-_-25002 What fabric do you prefer? I typically think of shirt dresses as being a crisp cotton; although it seems that many are now knit - too hot for me. Oh dear, now you have me searching for a summer dress. Dreadfully hard to find anything that isn't sleeveless or capsleeve. My legs are still good, but my arms flap. :glare: This is pretty too - and you wouldn't have to tie the belt into a bow. http://www.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?DeptID=64326&CatID=64326&Grptyp=SIZ&ItemId=180e01b&cm_mmc=ShoppingFeed-_-Like-_-Women-_-Women%20s%20Robbie%20Bee%203%20Button%20Burnout%20Shirtdress%20w%20Pleats%20White%20Dots%20%20White&srccode=cii_23370005&cpncode=17-52793257-2

I haven't quite caught the ability to convey an ironic tone in my messages - fully aware that many people would find raking an arduous chore, and NOT an opportunity to reflect and meditate. I may indeed be the only one. I'm terribly allergic in the spring when pollen counts are high and late summer hayfever. The fall is the only time, I get out to do any yard work! Mostly, I am responding to the previous post regarding the lack of silence almost everywhere, and I mourn it. We were camping in the Great Smokey Mountains last summer. Our site backed up to the classic babbling brook whose melodies were overridden by the generator in the campsite beside us. Fortunately, there were noise deadlines, but one wonders why venture to the wilderness with your air conditioner and TV in tow? And now, I fear I have strayed to far from topic...

Perhaps because I just heard her speak, but I can't say enough good things about Sally Clarkson. Here is a link to her blog so you can get a feeling for her philosophy before investing in books. http://wholeheart.typepad.com/itakejoy/2010/04/adventure-is-ahead-of-me-and-i-can-hardly-wait.html Her message is 'being a Mom is so important, give yourself grace so you can be a great Mom and disciple your children in love. Right now she has abandoned her blog carry on a family tradition of taking a special trip with her youngest DD, age 15. Ministry of Motherhood Mission of Motherhood Mom Walk Dancing with my Father - most recent publication