We also really like our Toyota Sienna (8 passenger).

We did CSAs for a couple years and then dropped them in favor of buying from 3 different growers. The CSAs were good, however the inconvenience of pick-ups, summer vacations, and the fact that the produce was often the same as what we had from my dd's garden - tomatoes and zucchini, caused us to discontinue them. We probably consumed more produce with the CSA, but there is less waste with buying from the growers. The growers that I go to farm organically, plus they all seem to have something a little different, which makes for a greater variety than I experienced with the CSA.

I really appreciated when friends would call and say they were going to the grocery store or Walmart and is there anything that we needed. Friends would say to call them if I needed anything, but if they would call that they were going, I wouldn't feel that I was "putting them out". Others giving the kids rides to their activities and helping their lives continue with some degree of normalcy was a big blessing. Picking blueberries is a summer tradition. I really appreciated a church friend picking and freezing blueberries for us that summer. Maybe there is something that she has wanted to get together for her kids, and now needs some help in accomplishing it. I wanted to compile our favorite recipes into a recipe book for each of my daughters. When I finished treatment and felt better, I did it. Something like that might be too overwhelming for her to do on her own. Perhaps you could ask her for recipes to some of her family's favorite dishes. That way it would be familiar foods for the kids. Sometimes there are taste aversions for people going through chemo and they tend to vary from person to person. I had a craving for mashed potatoes and gravy when I was going through chemo. I had a friend that couldn't stand tomatoes during her chemo. You might want to see what she finds most appealing/unappealing. Don't feel that you have to spend hours making a meal and it doesn't need to be salad/entree/dessert. A loaf of pumpkin bread was a delight, a grocery store pizza or rotisserie chicken was wonderful. We were blessed by whatever people felt led and were able to do. She may be too tired to have long conversations. Shorter 5-10 minute visits would be better than 30 minute visits, as least this was my experience. As has been already posted, a big one is just to be there. Many people find it uncomfortable to be around others with a terminal diagnosis. Sharing this journey with them is a tremendous gift.

My daughter adds a tablespoon of oatmeal to the blender when she makes a green smoothie. That seems to help us in feeling full for longer. McKay

My basement is heated and finished and has a dehumidifier continually on. The basement is lined with bookshelves that are filled. Tonight my dd showed me some books that were moldy and had stuck together. On further inspection, there were many moldy books. Is this like the canary in the mine, are there more significant problems behind the wallboard and the books are just the surface indicator? Should I get a stronger dehumidifier, like the Santa Fe? Should I call an inspection company or my homeowner's insurance? Any thoughts or suggestions are appreciated as I truly don't know where to go with this. Thanks.

I'm trying to order about 15 different used books. For most of the books, shipping is more than the book price. Is there any site where I could do a book search and figure out which books could be gotten from the same used book dealer? Even getting three or four books from the same dealer would be a savings, if they would lessen the postage. It seems like there must be an alternative to spending $12 shipping for $3 in paperback books. Thanks.

What has worked here: tea and soup A hot shower a wool hat wool socks with hard soled slippers or shoes a turtle neck with a wool sweater leggings with fleece jeans(llbean or woolrich has them for women) We supplement the regular heat in the bathroom with the overhead heater and a space heater. We occasionally take a week off in the winter to a warm destination.

We really like talalay latex pillows. They are hypoallergenic, anti-microbial, mildew proof and dust mite resistant, though best of all they are SO comfortable. When we travel we bring them along.

What a great resource. Thanks for passing this along. :)

Check out www.cedarworks.com They are natural with splinter free wood. The sets are pricey, but durable. An added plus is that they are strong enough to hold adults!

We've liked the cookbook Simply in Season. It is a beautiful book. The print is boldfaced and clear, and it is logically arranged. The ingredients are easy to find in the store and the recipes work.

We had these at a festival and liked them so much we tried making them at home, with a few changes. I don't know how young kids would like them, but they are a hit with my teens. Eggplant Mediterranean Wraps Grill or fry eggplant until well done. Gather together: whole wheat tortilla tomatoes - sliced or diced feta cheese olives - we've liked kalamata hummus roasted peppers cilantro lettuce ***** Put tortilla on plate, then lettuce, then pile on the rest of the ingredients including the eggplant in whatever order pleases you. Wrap it up and enjoy!

These are the types of bags that I was wanting to find. Thanks so much for the suggestions.

I have problems with Kierstin(Keer-sten), Kristin, Kersten(Ker-sten). For some reason these variations are popular around here and it takes some concentration before I speak to make sure that I am using the right one for the right person.

I'm looking for a small shoulder bag that will carry the essentials and that also has compartments to help keep me organized. It would be great if there were looped areas to hold pens, as I've seen in some backpacks. I'd like to have a bag that could carry a phone, small wallet, pens, a small (4"x4") notebook, and one that would have sections where I could keep receipts and coupons. I've looked online at the Reign Vermont and the Haiku bags. They are attractive and appear to be the right size, but I can't tell how functional the inside would be. If you have any suggestions of bags that have worked for you, I'd love to learn about them. Thanks.

I've been blessed by a spiritual bouquet. When I was beginning cancer treatment, the women in my Catholic homeschool group gave me a peace lily. It had cards on stating what spiritual actions that these dear families would do for me(prayers, masses, etc). The timing was perfect, as I'd just returned from the Dr. where I'd received more bad news regarding the type of cancer. Two and a half years later I still have those cards on my wall. Every time that I pass them I'm reminded of how my friends supported me during a dark valley time.

Here's my bookshelf! http://www.paperbackswap.com/book/members_books.php?m=N0JoYTlHaVpWdzA9 There are some books that homeschoolers might be interested in.

I regularly make a version of this mango-black bean salad. I first got the recipe on this board and it is delicious every time. It is best to make the salad a day before serving so the flavors can marinate. I use two cans of shoepeg corn and a can of mangos, just to make the recipe simpler. It seemed like too much oil and vinegar so I use 1/2 cup of olive oil and 1/4 cup of balsamic vinegar. http://familyfun.go.com/recipes/family/recipe/dony78covered/dony78covered13.html

We have Assurant Health and used it during my cancer treatment. We have been satisfied with them.

I really enjoy my Cutco. The trimmer is my most used knife. Other than that the paring knife and French chef knife are also favorites.

We took the autotrain from VA to FL and back several years ago and it was a good experience. I'd do it again. Train travel is very relaxing. We also liked having our own van when we were in FL. The long ride wasn't a problem. The kids brought books and games and found a grandma type lady to play card games with them. It is enjoyable to watch the scenery and have no driving responsibility. We found it very easy to sleep on the train. There are no rest stops, no stopping for restaurants, and no traffic back-ups due to construction or rush hour traffic..... it is almost constant movement toward your destination. Our train wasn't very full and it was nice to be able to get up and move around(unlike traveling in a car or crowded plane). It was such a positive adventure that the family wished that there were more places that we could travel to on the auto train.

Have any of you been bothered by music playing while someone is talking? In particular are you bothered when a pastor is praying or speaking and music is playing in the background? I can't focus on the prayer or whatever is being said and I can't focus on the music. I feel like running from the room due to overload.

We use a large monthly calendar by Day Runner that is available at Staples. It has big squares with lines for each day. It can be used with the organizational wall board but we have a magnetic hook on the refrigerator and it works fine with that. Green Garden Monthly Wall Board Calendar

You've had some good suggestions. Some women prefer wigs and never wear scarves when going through treatment. I preferred soft cotton scarves. My favorite was 40 x 40 inches. Bandanas were too small. If she likes scarves, that would be a great idea as they were about impossible to find. Depending on the season I also had a blue microfleece hat or a denim hat that would go with most of my outfits. Often around the house I'd go bald and grab a hat if someone came to the door. :) My SIL lives several states away and had her mother crochet me a prayer shawl. That was very special and I wrapped myself in it on numerous occasions. I liked the book, Hope in the Face of Cancer by Amy Givler, M.D. The book is from a Christian point of view. I agree with the other poster about not giving items with the pink ribbon. Short phone conversations and short visits were best. Encouraging e-mails were very appreciated. Prayers and faith were what sustained me.

I had BC treatment(lumpectomy/chemo/radiation) and homeschooled three children - two of them high schoolers. A big help to me was belonging to a co-op where they did most of their classes once/week. If I wasn't feeling well I could rest in the car during that time. The chemo was the toughest part of my year, and some chemo treatments were better than others. If you are teaching the courses yourself, I'd try to have everything organized and planned out as much as possible so that the highschoolers could follow your plan and be independent learners while you're not feeling your best. I'd try to simplify as much as possible. Also, let others help. I really appreciated that friends took my kids to classes/activities when I was unable to. My friends at church that had been through BC were a tremendous support. There are also support groups affiliated with the American Cancer Society. I attended one of those recently. There is a bond and camaradarie with the others there that was uplifting. I hope you've gotten more answers. The not knowing is extremely difficult. Please feel free to PM me. Many hugs.