Many people don't understand that ideas and concepts have intellectual property rights similar to a patented product, secret recipe, or manufacturing process. So they think nothing of asking you to share the nuts and bolts of your success. I'm with the other posters, give this friend an honest shot at cleaning up a misunderstanding. Clearly state your feelings of betrayal and surprise; matter-of-factly explain why good business practices would preclude you from helping her launch a similar buiness in the same marketplace. (Side note - you might seriously consider mentoring others in different cities, as a franchise-style/business parterning venture for the future) How she reacts will tell you where she values your friendship. I'm sorry this happened to you, and congratulations on starting something new - that takes BRAVERY!

For the longer term, one of the best resources we found for teaching conflict resolution is The Young Peacemaker by Corlette Sande. It's perfect for your children's ages. I agree that toy removal will just build anger. Also, it isn't really connected to the offense. The phrase in our house when speech has become sloppy is "try again". It's just a reminder that there is a better way to phrase something. In the beginning, I would actually supply the more appropiate words. If the words are coming from a true attitude of disrespect, then our trigger phrase is "change your heart". Again, just another cue linked to previous training. Learning how to manage anger and respond well to true conflict/disagreement is a crucial skill. Our experience has been that it has to be taught and modeled over and over as new challenges come with each new level of maturity.

Huh - well I baked from the first batch again today. This time, I shaped the dough into a longish loaf and let it sit out for nearly 2 hours, until it clearly wasn't rising anymore. However, still no additional rise from the oven. I'm going to but an oven thermometer and check the temp. I have a convection oven, so the bread finishes much faster than the stated times in the book. It tastes great but is rather dense and homely. :confused: I did replace about 2/3 of the white flour for fresh ground whole wheat. That shouldn't make a difference should it? thanks for the encouragment.

To all of the above, for just plain encouragment, I will add: The Ministry of Motherhood The Mission of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson

I'm not ready to throw in the towel by any means. The prospect of fast, homemade, healthy bread is just too tempting. I'm sure I will try several more of the recipies. Just wondering what others have experienced as "normal" with this method. I'm not an experienced bread-maker; although I have been baking most of my life. For some reason, yeast just seems scary :D. The remaining dough that is in my refrigerator is developing a dry skin. Is this right? Maybe I put in too much flour, wishing the recipe was by weight. The whole scoop and sweep thing makes me nervous too. many thanks for any additional wisdom!

How is this supposed to work? I baked my first loaf, and I use that word lightly, yesterday. My grapefruit sized, gluten cloaked ball barely rose in the recommended 40 minutes. Really, how could it - it was still icebox cold! The whole process started out well. The original dough mixture easily doubled in two hours before going into the refrigerator. I was so excited to find a way that seemed practical for making bread on a regular basis. Our mini-loaves were tasty, but failed to rise or acheive any noticable oven spring, resulting in small, dense rounds. Has anyone used this book sucessfully? Is it worth pursuing?

Agree wholeheartedly! Also the peninsula allows the cook/s to work unencumbered while guests stay on the other other side. You can still give them task to complete while they are on their side of the counter. It's just much more cozy than an island. One suggestion, have the far-side of the pennisula countertop made into a semi-circle/bow-out - just enough so that you can slip two barstools underneath. Wish so much I had done this for our kitchen remodel. Also, depending on what is on the other kitchen-side of the peninsula, consider adding bookshelves to the opposing side to maximize the space. (For instance, I have a dishwasher that blocks one end.) I see that you have a turnstile planned for the corner space. Those really work.

Replacement words: impact, influence,

Not soon enough! Three more weeks of work, one week of review and then the End of Year Celebration!!!

I have a problem with books ...:D

I'll see your 10 lbs and raise you another 40! Hey - a girl has to start somewhere. I recomitted to health about two weeks ago and could use some accountability and encouragment.

I voted less because to "learn" seems to imply observation, inquiry and then CHANGE on my part. So while I'm still very interested in other's experiences, I am more confident in my own choices and no longer influenced to the point of changing our path.

I believe reading classic literature is necessary for a building large and nuanced vocabulary. An expansive vocabulary aids complex thinking and original ideas. If you are close to my age (47), ask yourself, when did you learn to use a computer? I was 25 and finished with formal academia. The how-to's of life are a rapidly changing, functional information set, and imo easily acquired. The whys, wherefores, and what-to-do-about-its, however, need higher level cognition.

I'm curious. Did the officer tell you how you were reported? Do you have the right to ask, or are you not allowed to face your accusers?

But Sonic, you wrote in the thread about logic that "women shouldn't experience menstrual cycles because they should either be pregnant or breastfeeding all the time." Can't have it both ways....

Ohhh, pretty pillows! I would add, there is a yard and a half of very expensive trim on those pillows. Honestly, it will be difficult for you to replicate that exact look for under the selling price. If you really want to try, an alternative would be to screen print a fabulous insect picture from an old bookplate onto linen and then sew it into a pillow. http://www.vintageimagecraft.com/transfer_images_fabric.html

You should read the posts from yesterday about "what I wish I knew then that I know now". Good perspective.

I agree, pure selfishness and lack of character. Also, bears the annoying "cried wolf" quality that impacts true crisis down the line. If I knew how to make those red, screaming smiley faces - I would.

Thank you for all of your wisdom. Oh, how I long for the ability to keep it in front of me.

I think toys go through an evolution. In the beginning the toys were huge (physically big) made for their little hands to hold and took up a ton of space. We probably didn't even need anything then and could have done with the contents of the kitchen cupboards, but people gave, and we bought (at garage sales). Even eschewing all things electronic, we still managed to grow quite a collection. The boys quickly matured past several toys categories/sets, and so it was easy to purge and maintain. Now the actual toys are smaller, taking up less space, but are of a more timeless nature. The same things get consistent play, and the collection keeps growing for all of the reasons stated by others. As long as it doesn't assault my eyes or I don't trip over it, I'm OK with anything that sparks imagination. In answer to your actual question: We have: A big bin of legos which rotates with a big bin of lincoln logs Roman playmobile which rotates with the Knights playmobile Several shelves of games (inside cabinets) Bookshelves full - of books! Rockenbock which is on my family room floor and about to get banished A tall bookshelf in the boys room with bins for art supplies, matchbox cars, K-nex, figurines, tinker toys. Thomas Train land in suitcase and boxes - he has not come out for 6 mos. and may soon go into storage for the next generation. Outside toys, bikes, sporting equipment in the garage are my husband's problem!

Dear Original Poster, I hope you know that all of this conversation isn't about you; it's about people's strongly held beliefs, past experiences, and current frustrations. I hope you have felt the kindness heart-given through all of those who sought to reassure you, to defend you, and to offer advice because they want better for you. What I heard from your humble postings was a woman who is stretched to her thinnest, scared for her children, worried for her husband, and sad it has come to this. Please, oh please, be gentle with yourself. Have a great big, old cry before you yank at those bootstraps one more time. Gather your children close, tell you husband how proud you are of him. Know you are not alone, you are not alone, you are not alone.

This time of year you can get a whole house on the oceanfront, check Craigslists (the Raleigh listings) and this company http://www.treasurerealty.com/rentals/rentalindex.htm Also, lots of little towns in the Piedmont have darling B&B's. I would ask for a discounted rate because of the time of year.

Yep! Don't start from the top on the hard crust; start from the side or the bottom. If you change your mind and decide to spend money, I can recommend the fiddle bow knife. http://www.mountainwoods.com/category.cfm/Category=4.htm

I'm with you - get the goat. For a reference point, however, our local communities just went through a similar "refinement" of the law regarding hens. One side argued that the hens were family pets; the town disagreed. The final factor - if you can buy it at the grocery store, it's not a pet. You could make a good goat argument, especially if others have pigs!

I won't bore you with my bad habits; however, my helathy alternative hot drink is boiling water with juice and pulp of 1/2 a lemon or lime and 1 tsp of honey. Strangely satisfying.