I'm sorry for the doubled sadness in your life. The contrast in these two lives is amazing and the lessons about the permanance of choice (both positive and negative) are profound.

Something big and easy my husband could heat up and serve to the children, beef stew, mild chilli, chicken and rice soup. And flowers because looking at the same wallspace would be hard.

I also think black/very dark grey shutters with a deep colbolt blue door is striking. Personally, I would paint the window boxes the same dark color as the shutter, since it will hide any dirt that splashes over.

Perhaps you would consider reading Nourishing Traditions by Mary Fallon. Since you state you are not yet fully vegetarian, this book offers a highly researched look at the other side of the meat question. She gives a very understandable discourse on how fat from all sources is necessary and utilized by your body. I am not taking a stand on vegetarianism/or making a comment on your choices in any manner. In my world, the more information - the better the make a choice. Here is a book summary: A full-spectrum nutritional cookbook (over 700 recipies) with a startling message--animal fats and cholesterol are vital factors in the human diet, necessary for reproduction and normal growth, proper function of the brain and nervous system, protection from disease and optimum energy levels. Includes information on how to prepare grains, health benefits of bone broths and enzyme-rich lacto-fermented foods.

An electronic cash register by Learning Resources for playing store. We had this set of letters which were coated in a texture similar to sandpaper. They loved tracing the letter with their fingers and saying the sound. Helped with beginning writing too as they got the motion of the form down without using paper and pencil. I don't have them anymore to recall a name, but you could easily make a set from sandpaper glued to cardstock. We also had a set of rubber vehicles similar to the counting bears. These were different colors of cars, planes, fire engines, trucks and trains. Tinker toys, lincoln logs and duplos. My biggest mistake was to be too structured at this early age with the manipulatives. I wanted them to use everything the 'right way" instead of just letting them explore, imagine and figure out. Maybe you are wired differently - hope so. But if not, please accept this humble bit of regret; we should have played a lot more! Kymberly ds 10 and ds 7

Wow, looking at the ages of your dc - TOG is going to be WONDERFUL for you! My answer would have been different if you had several at the grammar stage, as nearly any library book is sufficient to substitute on the topic for them. However at the higher learning levels, YOU, as the teacher, will experience the most benefit if you stick with TOG's book list. The children won't learn less if you choose to substitute off list; but you will invest more time in creating new resources for literature analysis, accountability and thinking questions and discussion. If you start in Y2 many of the main history spines are available as free e-books through the Baldwin Project. I can't speak to Y3 or Y4 resources. best of luck, Kymberly P.S. TOG materials have very high resale value. Much of what I see on the secondary market is being recouped at 70%. So even if you buy the books, while you have a large cash investment up front, your true cost is fairly low.

I too understand all of the benefits of freshly-milled bread, but reality says I just don't have time for one more thing. Not to mention, I don't have the storage space for buckets of wheat berries and a mill. So the solution I stumbled upon is to buy freshly milled flour from Great Harvest Bread company. They grind their flour everyday. I buy it once a week, store it in the freezer, and call it good!

Well, I didn't have time to read eight pages of posts, so my apologies if this is duplicate information. However, for those who want to watch the show, you can view it over the internet on hulu.com.

Somehow #50 just slipped by; it was my true goal - as I simply wanted to sell a few books. Having recently discovered the FS posts on this discussion board, I was so excited at the thought of finding bargain for our next school year and selling the unused treasures from our bookcase. Then I questioned the moderator, "What - I have to post 50 comments before I can sell anything here?!" Well, I've never posted to a discussion board before, and frankly couldn't see the purpose. The fifty post rule annoyed me. Although I respected the desire to keep dealers at bay, it seemed there could be a more reasonable solution. My husband suggested running a series of posts along the lines of "this is my 34th post, this is my 35th post, THIS is my 36th post..." Being a firstborn, I couldn't bring myself to flaunt the regulations, so I began my posting duties - all for the sake of cheap books! In the beginning, I answered random survey questions. Occassionaly, I posted answers or observations where I thought I might offer actual advice. Often I felt like a fraud. Then finally, I found myself asking a question and receiving generous and thoughtful responses, and I bypassed my 50th post without even realizing it. So my true confession - I'm addicted to this site. I love reading the funny life stories, the provocative questions, the rants, the many varied opinions. This site is starting to take up residence in my day, and I think I will need to actively manage my time here. I dont' know if I will ever post again, except to sell those treasures lurking on my bookshelves, but I thank you for exposing me to the value of discussion boards. Kymberly Sweethearts for 17 years Mom to ds10 and ds7 TOG Y1, MUS, SPRW, R&S, Piano, Life

As promised, here are the meals we packed in - thanks for all of the great suggestions. Breakfast, instant oatmeal. I also took dry milk and added an amount equal to the oats to make it more homemade. The boys thought it was too sweet, but we usually make old-fashioned, organic. Our camp fuel ran out on the second morning, so it was cold leftovers all around for Breakfast #2. Dinner #1 - spaghetti sauce, homemade and frozen. It thawed by time to eat the first night and was yummy with noodles that I had also pre-cooked. Since, it only had to last one day in the pack, I wasn't worried about spoilage. However, this was a very heavy addition to the pack. Dinner #2 - instant mashed potatoes and Tysons, grilled, fully-cooked and sliced chicken breasts (from the freezer section). I also tried a foil packed Indian rice to go with the chicken. It was very good. Lightweight, but of questionable nutrition. Lunches - peanut butter bread, bread with cheese (cracker barrel, sharp cheddar) and Cliff bars. I also packed a few fresh oranges (very heavy), some M&M's, tea, coffee and hot cocoa. Next time, I think we will try some of the meals packaged for hikers even though they are very expensive. Overall, I think the food we brought was OK. I wish I could find something both nutritious and lightweight, as we intend to move into some true backpack/ hiking and camping as the boys mature. Any additional comments/ thoughts are appreciated.

Here's the are the distinctions I ask my boys (10 and 7) to make. Is is dangerous? - always tell Not dangerous; then does the situation involve you? Don't tell but, encourage one another to good behavior. Doesn't involve you, but won't be resolved with kindness? Walk away Involves you, Have you tried working it out on your own? (The Young Peacemaker is a wonderful resource for teaching conflict resolution.) Involves you, can't work it out? - Come and discuss with Mom for mediation.

Thank you so much! I will definitely use some of these suggestions and add a summary of what worked well when we return for those who may be interested.

I'm bumping this up with the hope of a few more ideas before hitting the grocery store this afternoon. Thank you all so much for sharing your thoughts. At this point, I'm wishing I had a dehydrator!

No access to MREs... I was hoping to find something in the grocery store aisle! Any thoughts are appreciated. I have checked the "camping foods", and really don't want to pay $5-7/meal for each member of our family. Sorta defeats the idea of an inexpensive holiday.

Here is a generally handy reply to all unwanted advice and insanity... "Hmmm, that is an interesting idea, I'll consider it."

You might want to check and see if there is a mobile spay and neuter unit in your area. They are usually run by Vets who volunteer their services to help with pet over-population. We took our dog to one, the spay was a same day surgery, without costly bloodwork and about 1/2 the fee of the vet. Also, often the SPCA or rescue groups will offer very inexpensive spays when you take an animal from them.

Yes, we will have a whisper lite (?) style stove and a pot to boil water - because coffee in the AM is non-negotiable.

SAS Brand (San Antoinio Shoes) http://www.sasshoes.com/main/store_locations.php

This phrase works for me in a slew of situations. Say it in a very kind, but quite firm tone while looking her straight in the eye. "I'm sorry, I'm not comfortable (fill in the blank)." Repeat as necessary. She will no doubt, push back with her hugging philosophy. To which you respond with Version Two of the above: "Yes, I understand; nonetheless, I'm simply not comfortable with ...." If you are hit with another round of objections, the final phrase is: "I can see that you feel strongly about this, but I'm certain that you can respect how I feel as well. This isn't a reflection on you personally." Works 99% of the time, and the best part is you don't have to give an explanation or justification for your preference.

We are going backpack camping this weekend, and I can't think of any food options. Essentially, I need ideas for breakfast and dinner food that can be pre-cooked and packed in or prepared using only boiling water. We are in NC, so it will be coldish in the morning and evenings, hot food would be great. Ideas? with gratitude, Kymberly

We are fortunate that he does not need to leave for work until 8:30. So the whole family gets up at 7:00. My sweet husband makes breakfast for the kids and coffee for me so that I can ease into the day. Then when he is showering, I have kitchen clean-up and we all prep. for school to begin at 9:00.

We have about 1/4 of the collection. Two favorites I would highly recommend to start are: Sir Malcolm and the Missing Prince Teddy's Buttons Also, wonderful are the short story collections; Boys of Grits and Fireplace Readings.

We do a version of hand on the arm that is very helpful. When my children approach and I am in the middle of a conversation, I put my hand out to them. They squeeze my hand, and I squeeze back two times to let them know I am aware they need something but must wait. We keep holding hands until I can gracefully dismiss myself from the conversation. The boys like this because it has a "secret code" quality that appeals to them. The other thing that we spent a long time talking about (and still run reminders) is that conversations have two parts - talking and listening. It finally clicked for me that when they approached and I wasn't actively talking - they didn't think they were interupting. Now they know I may just be on the listening side, and they still have to wait!

Join this Yahoo Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spice-line/ It is the best source for information on anything that is happening with Christian Homeschooling in the greater Triangle, with 3,000 members. You will definitely get your questions answered!