For several years, I had this same problem. I went to a rheumatologist, got baseline X-rays and other testing, but nothing was definitive. Last year, I changed my diet to a low carbohydrate diet (mainly lean meats and vegetables). The swelling, pain, and numbness in my hands, wrists, ankles, etc. disappeared. When I reached my weight loss goal, I started to re-introduce some healthy grains and other carbs. The symptoms returned when I had potatoes. Apparently nightshade vegetables (potatoes, peppers, tomatoes, etc.) are the culprit. For me, the tomatoes weren't much problem, but the potatoes very quickly produce the unwanted symptoms.

I have a few recomendations I'd like to make for you: If you want clear, concise explanation of the doctrines of the Catholic Faith, I highly recommend: http://www.amazon.com/Faith-Explained-Leo-J-Trese/dp/1889334294/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1293976732&sr=1-1 I love this book and I often sit down to re-read certain aspects, especially when I want to be able to clearly teach my children or an inquiring friend about any certain aspect of my faith. It is clearly written in a style that is like listening to your Granddad expaining things to you, but it is not watered down by any means. It is written in the traditional Catechism format, but in a very readable way. For an apologetics type book, I recommend http://www.amazon.com/Surprised-Truth-Converts-Biblical-Historical/dp/0964261081/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1293976975&sr=1-1 This book is a compilation of the journeys that several people - protestants, atheists, jews (several of them ministers) took as they rejected, researched and then accepted and converted to the Catholic faith. I suspect that many of the questions and concerns that they had may also be some that you have and they likely address them in a way that would be more familiar to a non-Catholic. Pray for the Holy Spirit's guidance as you search.:)

These problems will soon be an epidemic: http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1305733

I highly recommend this one: http://www.amazon.com/Raising-Pure-Teens-Jason-Evert/dp/1933919337/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1292550685&sr=1-1 It's written by experts who travel all around the country (and internationally) speaking to teens and parents in both secular and Christian schools. They are very knowledgeable the questions and issues that teens have, and how to best educate parents to be wise guardians.

I agree with this. If you learn the ideas behind the programs, such as the basis that various items cycle on and off sales approximately every 12 weeks, you can save a lot by buying enough at the sale price to last until the next cycle. I usually use the coupon mom site http://http://www.couponmom.com/ everything is free, you can check on multiple grocery stores as well as stores like Target, CVS, etc. They also have lots of coupons that you can print. It gives a list of what's on sale at each store and lists any coupons that are available (on site and through the coupon fliers). I keep it minimal - just go to the list for my favorite grocery store. You can check off the things that you want to buy and then print out a list of what you checked. With about 15 - 20 minutes per week of planning and clipping/printing coupons, I've significantly reduced our monthly expenses.

We, too haven't had a raise in over 5 years, but everything else keeps creeping up. 4 years ago, we decided to switch our health insurance plan to a high deductible plan. It saves us over $250 per month on the premiums. We put the $250 each month into a Health Savings Account which earns interest. Even though we've had to dip into the health savings account to pay for sick visits, it still continues to grow and gives us a cushion against the deductible while saving a ton on the premiums.

Our insurance agent recently retired and a new agent has taken over the accounts. The new agent called to ask if we would like to schedule an appt. to review our insurance. We had just received our homeowner's insurance renewal with a $300 increase over last year, so even though I thought a review would really mean a new sales pitch, I agreed to go in. Well, 2 hours later, we have shaved off several things that we were paying for that we really don't need (some because laws have changed) and changed our deductible and reduced the annual renewal by $525! We also reviewed our auto insurance, removed some outdated items, and increased our liability coverage significantly without any increase in premium. We hadn't made any changes in our insurance (home and auto) in 10 years. I highly recommend reviewing your policies to see how much you can save!

We purchased enough life insurance on me, so that, if I were to die, there will be enough money for a nanny and private school tuition until my youngest graduates from high school.

We purchased Calphalon pans 22 years ago and have been more than pleased. We use them daily and they still look like new. They heat quickly and evenly. About 18 years ago, we became concerned about the aluminum when cooking acidic foods, so we purchased a set of Revere stainless steel with aluminum disc inserts in the bottom. They also heat quickly and evenly, are easy to clean and with constant use, still look new. For bakeware, I'd also recommend the pyrex brand. (Love buying products still made in USA). They are economical and last for years. For dishes, we have several brands, but my everyday dishes are Johnson Brothers Summer Chintz. I don't know if they are still made in England, but the ones we have were. They have also held up very well to every day use. Calphalon, Revere and Johnson Brothers were all an investment up front, but have more than met our expectations.

The Washington State Dairy Council site has a ton of information. Click on "free resources" on the left and there are lots of worksheets. Scroll down to the bottom of that page for "My Pyramid for Kids" mini posters to print. http://http://www.eatsmart.org/

I grew up in a family of ten - my mother never worked - and my father was a farm laborer. We were poor! All of my clothes were hand-me-downs and I was lucky to get one pair of shoes per week. Although we qualified for many aid programs, including food stamps and reduced lunch, my parents would never accept it. We never had health insurance. We never owned a single book. If we didn't have money for something, we went without - and we went without very often. It was a weekly occurance for us to be out of food and have to wait until payday to get groceries. Everything was rationed to try to make it through the week. This taught my siblings and I to be careful stewards of what we have earned over the years. If my own family were in need of aid, however, I would accept and use the aid with no qualms whatsoever, partly because I simply don't have the fortitude that my parents had and partly because I believe that that would enable me to stretch all of my resources more wisely. I think that if people are in circumstances where they quality for aid, they should participate and use these resources as carefully as possible, considering that this is a shared resource and if everyone does their part, then the resource will stretch to help more families. The stigmas that exist about the abuses of aid come about because we all know someone - neighbors, friends, and family members, etc. who do indeed abuse aid programs. The issue that I see as most disturbing in all of this is the trend to settle for less and less in our pursuits of excellence and the constant need for affirmation that it is OK to just accept failure or affirmation in our being 'victims'. And, if someone is unwilling to affirm that acceptance, then they are surely haters and just don't have empathy for another's circumstances. Sure, we all have our seasons of problems, pitfalls, health issues, etc. but we must continue to move forward, always striving to do better. Our society has many ills, but this trend is causing us to spiral beyond our ability to repair the damage.

Here is another article with a bit more information: http://http://www2.newsadvance.com/lna/news/local/article/controversial_stalin_bust_installed_at_d-day_memorial/27522/ and here is the address for Mr. McIntosh: National D-Day Memorial Foundation P.O. Box 77 Bedford, VA 24523 dday@dday.org –

Also, you can get Coke made with regular sugar in the Spanish foods section of the grocery store. In our area, it is available year-round.

If you haven't already, you may want to get a book or two that explains what is really happening at the Mass, so that it will be more meaningful to you. Here are two that I highly recommend: The How To Book of the Mass - this describes all of the parts of the Mass including the scriptural roots of each prayer. http://www.amazon.com/How-Book-Mass-Everything-Taught/dp/1931709327 The Lamb's Supper: The Mass as Heaven on Earth - this is written by a former Presbyterian minister who converted to Catholicism. His perspective may be very helpful to you. http://www.amazon.com/Lambs-Supper-Mass-Heaven-Earth/dp/0385496591/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1269817089&sr=1-1

Here is a nice one: http://www.amazon.com/Mass-Book-Children-Donna-Piscitelli/dp/1592760759/ref=pd_rhf_shvl_1#noop as well as this: http://www.amazon.com/Celebrating-Mass-Joseph-Board-Books/dp/089942662X/ref=pd_sim_b_5 You may also like browsing items in the Catholic Child Catalog here: http://www.catholicchild.com/

Are you referring to Morristown? Washington had the army set up camp there during the Revolutionary War. We happened to be there for a week on business and enjoyed visiting several historic sites, including historic Speedwell, "birthplace of the telegraph".

We have been looking at 2nd homes to purchase as an investment. The problem we've encountered is that there are still too many that are priced too high and too many going into foreclosure. We're watching to see where the prices will settle, then we'll look at making a serious offer. I think there is a hole in your thinking about a home's value - a home only has value as long as you have someone willing to purchase it. So, in a down market, it certainly wouldn't be a liquid asset. In our area, many homes have been on the market well over a year and our area has not been hit nearly as hard as most parts of the country. Also with people trying to get out of debt and not take on any new debt, this is creating additional strain on the banks - and this is evidenced by the laughable interest rates that they are offering. What we're doing in the meantime is putting the maximum allowed into our SEP, 529 and HSA accounts, paying extra principal on our mortgage and we've been putting our cash into CD ladders at credit unions where the interest rates are higher than any banks. We're staying away from the stocks right now because of the volatility of the market and the changes in the capital gains taxes. I'd be interested in hearing more ideas for investing.

l would recommend a couple of Kimberly Hahn's books: Graced and Gifted as well as Life Giving Love Here is a link: http://http://www.scotthahn.com/kimberly-hahn-books.html Kimberly and her husband were evangelicals who converted to the Catholic faith. A book they wrote together, Rome Sweet Home, chronicles their conversion. For a mentor, you may want to talk with your pastor and ask if he could recommend a spiritual director for you. My prayers are with you and your husband.

I do wonder why the adults would enroll this child knowing that they would be enrolling in a school with which they had dissenting beliefs from what would be taught. So I do question their motives. The priest and administrators have to work toward solutions that will serve all the families and children of the school, while adhering to church teaching. I am sure that they're hearts were wrenched for the little girl who they had to ask not to return. I applaud the courage of the priest in this situation. He and his parish must be prepared for the firestorm they will now face for standing up for their beliefs. It is clear from this thread that there are people who are waiting with baited breath just for this firestorm.

Look under "recommendations" on Netflix and there should be quite a few recommendations based on what you've watched/rated so far. We have found many this way that we really enjoyed.

This would be a good book to use to teach about world religions: http://www.amazon.com/Usborne-Encyclopedia-World-Religions-Internet-Linked/dp/0794510590/ref=pd_sim_b_1 Anything by Walsch would be tied to the 'new age' religion and would contradict Catholic beliefs.

Thanks, Judomom!

I borrowed the 2004 edition of WTM from the library and for the Logic Stage (5th grade) it recommends the Kingfisher History Encyclopedia. I was thrilled because we already own this. However, I just received my own copy of the 3rd. edition (2009) and for this level, other books are recommended: The Usborne Internet-Linked Encyclopedia of World History, The DK History of the World, National Geographic Almanac of World History, or History: The Definitive Visual Guide. Does anyone know the reason for this change? I thought perhaps it was because the Kingfisher one may be OOP, but I checked on Amazon and it's still readily available.

My son had a binder in which he kept a simple journal list of each activity that he attended and indicated the number of nights that he camped and what merit badges were worked on/completed. We purchased the baseball card holders that fit in 3-ring binders and they were the perfect size to hold the working merit badge cards as well as the cards that came with badges and pins. This was helpful any time he needed to show what he had done to earn a particular rank - which wasn't often because our troop also kept good records - but it was there if needed and then became a great scrapbook of sorts for his scouting career.