good idea Jane. Thanks! Jo

the microwave has been known to hide food here too. 30 people! :svengo:We are sharing with another family, and some military wives without husbands, and I'm a bit overwhelmed. You're a stud. Your menu is very similar to mine, but I'm stuck on the vegi selections. Jo

Have we done this thread yet? I'm planning today (avoiding election coverage at all costs). What is on your menu? Btw- I'll add you to my thankful list..... Jo

That seems right. Thank you SO much! Jo

What is chapter 97? Does anyone else have a book without chapter numbers? Jo

yes,yes,yes! My kids liked the books they read years ago but then I got completely confused and gave up trying to figure out which one came next. I need a Redwall For Dummies book. Btw- there are several different lists of *correct* order for this series. And people disagree about the right way to read them. It's enough to make me give up. Jo

My boys are in a free reading rut. I'm clueless, and I don't really want to go to Borders or the library just now. We have a lot of history reading for school but they need some fantasy fiction to lighten the load, IYKWIM? They can read higher grade levels, but I wouldn't mind if it was below level for this type of free reading selection- it's nice for them to breeze through a book without too much effort now and then. Books they lean towards, but are not exclusive to: LOTR Starcatcher series Eragon Chronicles of Narnia Chronicles of Prydain Mysterious Benedict society Shakespeare Stealer series Thanks! Jo

hand on head huh? Sounds like a salute to me. :D Big hugs from me. Isn't he wonderful? Watch those diaper-free fountains! Jo

I had seen this once before and it gave me goosebumps all over. I just watched it again with my oldest son and he said, "whoa, that was powerful!" Not to mention that I already love Lifehouse as a band. Thanks for sharing.

Brilliant! Timely advice since I just came home from a couple of appointments with a huge yellowish stain on my lap. And this is the baby that "never poops out of his diaper." :D And the advice about the small print was particularly helpful. I reflexively buy solid colors. Now I will keep my eyes open for prints. Thanks.

I'm going shopping this afternoon. This seminar is not child or homeschooling related. I need to be able to nurse before or after I'm done speaking (pray the baby will behave). It is Hawaii, so casual is the rule of thumb, but I want to be taken seriously- my bio says I have seven kids. Edit: I'm in a rush out the door. Please don't spin off in "what does having seven kids have to do with it" direction. Trust me when I tell you these women and some men don't relate to the big family concept. I can't explain further right now. Thanks for helping. Jo

Compassion International is great for a family. Our children write frequently and send drawings. You can write letters, send emails (they are printed and translated by staff), and send photos. Communication with the sponsored child is stressed. The staff are excellent and they are rated very highly for the percentage of every dollar that goes to the children. We work with many charities but I think Compassion would easily fit your needs. Good on you for looking into it. Jo

I'm curious. What was the charity for? If you don't feel comfortable giving the actual name can you tell us it's general function or area of charitable work? Thanks. Jo

Yippee! Welcome to the new little mister in Marie's life! I have been anxious for the announcement. We expect the full story when you are up to it. I hope all is well. Jo

I would like to try a new recipe. Would someone share their tired and true favorite? It must be able to be iced- I'm a stickler for icing. :D Pretty please? Thanks. Jo

Nope. Absolutely not. School is scheduled for today. Of course, the kid's attention span stinks, but this is a learning experience that we can't just ditch academics for every whim. But please understand that I don't get into Halloween and I refuse to let it screw up my schedule. For other holidays I feel differently. Jo

How'd ya guess? :D

Would you have stopped? Really. If I struck a bear I'd wonder where momma was. It is very sad though. Jo

Hawaii Texas- Houston and Austin Wyoming- Casper Mount Vernon, Virginia Japan Winter Park, FL Saratoga Springs, NY New London, CT Hawaii- again Saint Paul, MN St. Marys, GA Stafford, VA Hawaii- again I have liked them all for different reasons. As for a place to settle down? That is the million dollar question in our family. It will definitely be on the east coast and somewhere south of Washington, DC- unless we could live in Pennsylvania. We loved Pennsylvania when we visited last year. Jo

I would like to have someone over weekly or bi-weekly, but right now it is monthly. And I must say it is very informal entertaining. The last two times I had families over I grilled burgers. When the baby is older and my dh returns, we will probably go back to every other week. Now if you count how many times I have someone up on the front porch to chat then that would be weekly, sometimes every day or so, but I only offer a beverage. Jo

I rarely, if ever get 8 glasses a day. Usually I forget water all together until the kids are in bed at night. NOT good for a nursing mother in hot steamy Hawaii. :D My water ambitions are pretty low. I just want to have a full glass or two before lunch. My kid's goals are to beat me.:D I know you can drink too much water. I think I'm safe. But thanks for the warning. Jo

I think it is a glitch. I just posted and nobody had even read it and it started with 5 stars. I didn't give it stars either, it wouldn't even rate 5 from me;). I guess we have to knock the stars down instead of build them up now. Weird. Jo

that I could drink more water in a day. Oh dear! My sons are in the kitchen downing water yelling, "for the money!" Actually I challenged my eldest yesterday and I won. After a good deal of trash talking we put money into the mix. It has certainly worked. I haven't been this hydrated in weeks. Since I've posted before about bribing my children with frostys, you may form an innacurate picture of me.:D It does seem to add some oompf to the day! I thought I'd share this for the weight loss/control participants on the board. Whatever works, eh? Jo

Why do you blog? I really want to know. My thoughts on the matter are all over the map, so help me. I think I'm missing something big. Perhaps I'm being overly philosophical on the matter, but I rarely visit blogs, and I really think I need to have my eyes opened. I will withold any further ponderings on the matter until I read these responses. Thanks. Jo