We're there too. I've pointed out other children who speak to adults in a rude manner when I've had the chance and said how abhorrent adults find this. For instance, a young man in his early teens was teasing a grown woman about her weight. I was repulsed...the lady did not care at all, but I pointed out later to my daughter that this kind of sparring with an adult is considered rude. I've also pointed out others who are arrogant, adult or child and talked about how people don't like to be around others like that.

yoga always relaxed me and helped me sleep more soundly. Did it right before bed.

I got a watercolor set for Mother's day. Anyone know of a good way to learn how to use it? I've painted with acrylics before, but I know watercolors are a different world

Ok, this method, I am pretty sure I can do! Actually I just got in the closet and sorted all the shelves and clothing. (I found baby girl clothes hanging in there and my baby girl is FIVE!) After lunch I may go in there and sort the massive boxes of shoes that are a jumbled heap in the floor of the closet. Either that or Baby Boy will take a nap and then I won't be able to work in there since it is HIS room. In that case, I may lay on the couch and read a good book. I need to reward myself...I cleaned half a closet :p

The relationship with my dad has always been complicated. He was/is a pastor and all my life I felt the pressure of being a pastor's child. Perfection was always so far away, but regularly expected. It was almost like he didn't want to know who his kids really were, he just wanted us to put on the front of perfection. It led to tons of deception and falseness in our relationship. He was a workaholic and I guess just didn't want to take the time to get to know us for who we really were. It makes me sad to think of it. My mom was fabulous. She parented us pretty much on her own and held the house together. I NEVER remember my dad helping with the household chores. He provided and took care of the yard work, but the rest was up to mom. To this day, I struggle with being genuine even with my dh. Not that he expects perfection, but that I'm deeply afraid of rejection if I fail at something. He does have some similar traits to my dad, but those traits are tempered by his deep love for his family. He is willing to listen and consider that he might not know everything and he truly desires to know his kids (and me) for who we REALLY are. He also realizes that HIS family is the most important family on the planet for him. No church work, (although we are deeply involved in it) no occupational work (although he's a fabulous provider and enjoys his job) no hobbies (although he loves farming) is more important than our family. He is really good about helping around the house, especially when I am feeling overwhelmed and ask for it. (typical guy in that he doesn't just SEE what needs to be done, but he is willing to pitch in when I ask.) I regularly tell him that he's never sexier that when he's vacuuming.... :) I do have a better relationship with my dad now than I ever had. (that's not really saying much) Much of it is due to the fact that we live 3 hours apart and his irritating traits I don't have to tolerate more than a few days every couple months. Much of it is due to the fact that my mother has been seriously ill for the past 5 years and that has given him a totally new perspective. He's never apologized for the years of my childhood, but he does acknowledge that he missed out on alot, and I believe he deeply regrets that.

This is such a huge job I am just really overwhelmed by it. I know I will feel so much better when it's done but getting started...ugh. This is the time when I don't like having huge closets in my house. I end up stuffing things that I should properly dispose of.

I take a red pen and draw a line half way down the page. I tell my easily overwhelmed dd when she gets to the line she can take 5 minutes break, eat a snack, do a fun learning game. etc. Then we come back to it after a few minutes; For whatever reason, this really works for us.

1. Read those books. This is so over the line unhealthy.... 2. Quit answering the phone. Just don't answer. Put a limit in your head of say once a day I will talk to my mother, and don't answer again. 3. Don't tell her the details.

i have some pretty major cleaning projects I need to tackle, mainly things like a few closets that need a major overhaul, sorting the toyboxes, etc. How do you schedule these projects? I have smaller kids and it seems like there is never time to get from start to finish on these things. If I stop for more than 30 minutes, the piles get all jumbled and it feels like a waste of time. Suggestions?

I pay a neighborhood kid to care for our critters. And if it is summer and you have a pond w/adequate water your goats should take care of themselves (assuming they are non-milking). Check with your local 4-h club or ffa club to find a kid that might be interested.

Yeah, I was one of the "please don't touch me" people too. Personal space seems to be a thing of the past when you have little ones!

I'd consider $10/hr a great bargain!

make a quick run through of some mall stores. I saw some gorgeous dresses left over from easter a few weeks back for $45

Anyone know of a great place to buy bras that are good ones but don't cost tons of money? It seems that this essential item of clothing is ridiculously expensive. And wearing a cheapie....well, you end up paying for it!

I'm hoping to teach my dd 12 with latin and Greek word roots. It makes more sense to me for her to learn word parts and meanings than to simply memorize vocabulary words. Suggestions?

It is SO hard to find sandals that don't go between your toes these days... and I hate shoes without a back; I have very picky shoe taste. It is hard for me to find shoes.

I suppose I've just gotten used to it... Don't really even think about it. but I do tend to wear my shoes on the tight side so maybe that is it.

I think you might be able to cut the legs off your leggings. And I think I've heard of women cutting the legs off pantyhose and tights too. There are those shapewear things too....

ummm....well, with me, fatigue, anger and depression go together, every single time.... as far as the housework goes, have you asked him for specific help. Not just please could you help out some...but things like. "I'm really tired tonight would you mind helping with the dishes or giving the kids baths?" And I had to learn to expect some chaos and even try to plan for it. For instance our most awful time of day was from 5pm to 9pm. IN that period of time I was trying to cook supper, give baths, feed kids, wash dishes and to top it off, that was the time period that my colicky ones were sounding off. So I started giving baths in the morning when my energy was higher. I quit letting dishes pile up in the sink all day; I'd put them away immediately. I'd cook crock pot meals so I didn't have to be cooking in the evening; plus if it was a soup, then we'd only have bowls and spoons to wash instead of several serving dishes, plates and pots and pans. I'd try to get things picked up between 3 and 4 and then let the kids watch a video till supper so it would stay neat for at least 5 minutes. I think when I would get annoyed at my dh for not helping it was mostly those evenings when I felt like I couldn't get anything done! And of course going to bed with piles of dishes in the sink and feeling overwhelmed did nothing to "get those loving feelings" going. Anyway, remember, this too shall pass. Please mention to your midwife that you are feeling this way. When I am depressed, even getting off the couch takes effort. I can look around and see gobs of stuff that needs to be done but it is beyond me to find the motivation to take care of it.

bump

I had a woman at church pull a sucker off the back of my skirt!

you have a pretty tiny baby...are you sure this isn't a post partum depression thing? That is exactly how I am when I go through periods of depression.

Considering buying this for dd who will be in 7th next year. We tried just learning about some of the greek/latin roots last year and it went over like a lead balloon. It was all "this is dumb." "what does a foreign language have to do with anything? I speak English." blah blah blah..... As a matter of fact, just recalling the three or four lessons we tried together makes my heart rate go up. IF she would just come to it with an open mind she probably would understand that knowing the word parts allows her to expand her vocabulary more than just memorizing words does. Anyway, has anyone used it? What are your thoughts on it? Was is a successful venture?

Apple butter is good and easy if done in the crock pot....you can also freeze the apples with spices and sugar and then dump them in a pie crust when you want pie. But yeah, the ingalls ate tons of beans and porridge. And I know for a fact that people were pretty poorly nourished back then. Look at how many small children died? Surely their immune systems were not as great due to lack of food. Now Almanzo's family, they seem like they had it pretty good!

I make potato soup on days I forget to get the meat out to thaw, either that or pancakes... Cook 5-6 cut and peeled taters till fork tender. Drain out half the water and refill with milk. Fill half a jar with milk and add a few tablespoons of flour or cornstarch. Shake the jar till it is mixed well and add to the pot of taters. Stir well over medium heat till thickened. I sometimes add diced ham or real bacon bits. You can also top it with cheese. Forgot to get the meat out so this is our supper. I'll probably make some cornbread too.