:iagree: I've enjoyed most of the articles put out by MP, but had mixed feelings on this one. I like that he's sticking up for the action-oriented boys who (he feels) are being squashed by our culture, but get the sense that he dismisses the presence of emotionally-sensitive boys (or lables such boys "effeminate", which I think is unfair.) There has to be a way to advocate for "typical boy"-pleasing literature without demeaning boys who appreciate more psychological-searching type lit. I'm a bit of an MBTI junkie, and one thing that struck me early on in reading about temperament & gender, is that the majority of men are T (Thinking), and the majority of women F (Feeling), and that our culutural ideals are centered around men=T/women=F. However, some men have an F preference and some women a T (I'm one of them! :D) Doesn't make them less manly/womanly. Many of the marriage-advice books out there don't speak to me at all, because they're built around the idea that women are Feelers (and usually ESFJs at that--see my siggy; I'm the exact opposite. :tongue_smilie:) Maybe because of that, I'm a bit sensitive to the whole gender-stereotyping thing. Not in a deny-there-all-action-boys way (I have several of those!) but in a don't-assume-everyone-is-just-like-you way. Um, guess that turned into a rant. :001_huh: Guess I'd better step off my soapbox! :D

Adding another :iagree: to the creepy vote. Praying nothing terrible has happened to anyone, and that your dh's conversation with pastor goes well tomorrow.

I recently found this blog and have found it to be very helpful: http://gokaleo.com/ In a nutshell, the blogger recommends moving your body in whatever way you actually enjoy enough to continue, and to work on improving your habits. Somehow, after reading her blog I feel way more encouraged about my body & eating, even if I'm nowhere near my ideal. I realize that's not specific advice, but thought I'd share what's helped my attitude in the slow process. :D

Here, too. :glare: It's been going on for a few months, though more of the sort of stuff that used to go straight to junk seems to be making it to my inbox. Some of the spam I'm getting is from the name I only use on fb (first+maiden+last), so it looks like I'm sending e-mail to myself. Those always contain suspicious looking links. But then there's the spam product endorsement stuff as well. I keep blocking senders, but it keeps coming. Wonder what's up. :confused:

We redid the kitchen in our last home with IKEA cabinets. I loved how easy they were to assemble/install. I really like the hinges & drawers (very smooth.) They've held up well for the most part. If I were to do it again, I'd get different doors, though. We got the Stat doors (http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80052759/) because they matched the rest of the kitchen and were in our budget. We lived in that house nearly 5 years, and within that time frame, the paint started to chip away on some of the more frequently-used cabinets. :glare: At least they're replaceable. :tongue_smilie: The house we're currently renting has an IKEA kitchen with wooden doors (http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00022709/) which are very nice.

:party:

I've seen little sproutlies on the brown & green lentils. I don't think they're split, though they look similar to split peas which are. The red lentils are so thin, I don't usually bother. (But even then I at least soak/discard water/rinse a few times.) There's a food co-op near me with a wonderful bulk section. I typically buy the red lentils and the speckled dark green French lentils now. Mostly because they're different & fun. :)

ITA about stretching meats with veggies (finely shredded cabbage/carrots/onions work well for me...when I remember. ;)) Also, have you considered soaking/sprouting your legumes before cooking them? I have trouble digesting legumes, too, but have no trouble when I eat sprouted lentils/beans. It's a little more work, but dried legumes are super cheap (even organic ones) and it's always possible to sprout/cook a large batch and then freeze 2c portions in baggies to use in place of canned beans in recipes. :D

We had one of those once. :glare: I feel for you. :tongue_smilie:

I have no idea, but have that happen sometimes, too. :glare: It's much worse A week or so before my period. Bleh.

One of my cousins had pie instead of cake. All of the women from her church chipped in and made pies. There were so many of them, homemade, delicious... Cousing & her dh had a special pie they cut. It was perfect! My sister & her dh had donuts at their wedding. They were arranged on a tiered platter, and she & her dh had a specially decorated donut that they shared. Oh, and BIL & his wife had cobbler! Really, I've heard so many people complain about how they don't like the taste of wedding cake, it seems silly to insist upon having it. All three weddings above had lots of compliments on the choice of "cake". :001_smile:

I used my Shark (until it died an untimely death:glare:) and now my Haan on laminate with no ill effects. Just make sure to keep the steam mop moving. I bought the Haan based on Amazon reviews. It feels sturdier than the Shark, but it's also heavier. I liked using the Shark better, but the Haan seems like a higher quality product. Not much help, am I? :tongue_smilie:

Topical Magnesium Oil. It stings, but I sleep so much better when I remember to use it. I made my own following the directions here: http://www.cheeseslave.com/how-to-make-magnesium-oil/

Cool! I remember one family vacation when I was younger (maybe 6?) to the Netherlands, I think. My grandparents were visiting from the US, and we rented a Surrey bike. It was so much fun. Also included a sunshade! Here's an example: http://www.surreycompany.com/family.htm I dream of getting one someday. Too bad dh hasn't tried one out himself; I think he'd be more excited about getting one if he had. :D

No heat on here (dh doesn't think it should be on in the summer :D) so thick, wooly socks & hot drinks are definitlet in order! I'm actually pretty miserable in anything over 73 or so (and anything below 40--I'm a total temperature wimp and am probably in the best region for me) but I need the SUN! The gloom (or, even worse, the muggy gloom we had last week) totally zaps me. :tongue_smilie:

I'll be outsourcing more this upcoming year than ever before! B: Band, Essay Writing (both through a co-op), Marine Biology (local hs class), FIRST Robotics, possibly speech/debate club T: Band & Essay Writing (co-op), Physical Science/Electronics (local hs class) D: Art, Drama, Spanish (all through the co-op), Girl Scouts L: little kid story/craft class at co-op A local CrossFit place is thinking about offering hs classes next year. If they do, I'd love for all of the kids (except IW--too little :)) to participate. We'll have to see, as funds are going to be tight already. I think I'll have to spend less on curriculum than usual--tough for this curriculum junkie! :tongue_smilie: Still, I'm so happy to be outsourcing Science & writing for he older two this year. B, especially, responds so much better to other-than-parent teachers.

Awesome! I love finding deals. :)

Not crazy at all! My Dad is nearly 60 and just completed his yoga instructor certification. When my older dc were little, my Dad was quite overweight & had health issues. He lost nearly a third of his body weight and became very involved with the gym. He had similar positive encouragement about teaching yoga classes when teachers were running late, which led him down this path. I say if you love it, go for it!

My 8yo dd is still in the first half of Saxon 2. She is still just doing single digit addition. So your 8yo is working ahead of her! :) I think D would cry if I had her do a test of 100 problems. She was crying & calling hereelf bad at math when we did Math Mammoth (and before that, Right Start) before we switched to Saxon. I'm currently not worried about the slower pace/easier math she's working on. So, from my perspective, your dd is in the range of normal.

Also look up tabata workouts on YouTube. They're 8 minutes long & intense. :)

I like the camis that are sold at Romy. They are frequently on sale (I won't buy them when they're not) and usually available in a good range of colors. Bonuses for me: they're very long (I have a long torso) and the straps are stretchy enough that I can pull them down to nurse IW. :001_smile:

:lol: Yes! This is the first thing that came to my mind. :D

Monday: CrossFit Onramp class. Getting stronger & feeling good! :) I have another class on Wed. Keep meaning to get some walking in on non-CF days, but haven't actually done so. :tongue_smilie:

I subscribe to the Economist, and B & T will sometimes pick it up and read articles. It is a publication for adults, so there may be the occasional article on a non-kid-friendly topic, but the focus is on international news and economics rather than smut. :) It's not cheap to subscribe, but you can save a substantial amount by getting an academic subscribtion.

By your Cuisinart comment, I assume you're using a food processor. The round feed tube insert thingy has a tiny hole at the bottom. Just pour your oil directly into the tube while running the food processor; it will automatically drizzle it slowly in at just the right rate. It's pretty awesome. :D