Follow up questions: 1. Why do you read? Reading teaches me about myself, people, and the world, and reading teaches me how to relate to the world around me. 2. Do you have anyone you trust to make book recommendations? Rarely...The only time I trusted an unsolicited recommendation of a book was from Ted, my best friend in college. I do solicit book recommendations from high school literature teachers. I once asked a high school literature teacher to recommend a book that was an absolute must-read. Treasure Island. It was a good read. 3. What are your thoughts on e-books? Mixed feelings...I was lent a Kindle fire to read a book. It was different, with all the bells and whistles. It was a novel experience, no pun intended. However, there is just something special about holding a physical book. I like the weight of the book sitting on my chest as I read in bed. I like the delayed gratification that results from the turning of pages. And, as the WSJ journal noted, finding all those stray pieces of whatever that served as impromptu bookmarks. Claire in NM

Most of my cotton shirts have these mysterious little holes and I thought it was because I had to start wearing a belt. (BTW, I gave up on the belt and I now gather the waist with a safety pin.) Based on the posts, I'm guessing it's a combination of leaning against the kitchen counter and the inferior cotton. I think manufacturers are using more of the inferior cotton because the cost of cotton has gone up. You no longer can find 100% cotton sweatshirts, hoodies, socks, etc. I am willing to spend a bit more just to get some quality tees. I guess I'm really not imagining things after all. Claire in NM

The Old Man and the Sea... This is a novella. Am I supposed to read this in one sitting? Claire in NM

What a great prize! Congratulations! Claire in NM

Thank you for your comments. Keeping your comments in mind, I am very much leaning towards keeping the ABE job I currently have. I love the job, I love the people, and I love the hours. Claire in NM

Presently, I am homeschooling my youngest. She is 14, and ever since I started working in April '12, she has been having difficulty completing her work. Therefore, I have committed to only working part-time. We need the extra income. I have recently started work as a math instructor for the adult basic ed program at a local community college. This job is approx. 19 hours/week in the morning. I am loving the job and the people I work with. What is also nice about the job is I don't have to take work home. This job is part-time temporary. It's all done within the 19 hours. Plenty of hours, more pay, and less outside commitment. I also applied for a part-time remedial teaching position for the community college for Spring 2013. This will involve teaching two remedial math classes and will be a total of approximately 8 hours/week. The pay is more per hour, but fewer hours; overall this job will pay less than the ABE job. This job is also part-time temporary. Fewer hours, less pay, greater outside commitment since these are graded college courses. Both jobs will give me invaluable experience in adult education, a field that I want to pursue once DD has left the nest. Should I stay with the ABE job OR take the SPR 2013 job if it is offered to me? Thank you, in advance, for your insight. Claire in NM

The Pleasure of Finding Things Out - Works by Richard Feynman Claire in NM

than a high school diploma. Not only will the 2014 GED course of study be harder and longer, it will give students, parents, schools a better indication as to college-readiness or job-training readiness. The only problem for parents is if your student does not pass all 5 subject area tests on the current GED before Jan 2014, then your student can kiss those passing scores goodbye and restart the whole process all over again. Claire in NM

I homeschool my daughter and she is planning to graduate in 2015. The school she is interested in is Calarts, which, for homeschoolers, requires a GED test score. In my state, the current GED test has not been much of a hurdle since a "passing" score is considered 9th grade level. However, the NEW 2014 GED test is intended to be more rigorous than the current test; it's purpose is not only to indicate high school equivalency (which will be set at a higher grade level than the current 9th grade level), but also to serve as an indicator for college and career readiness. The new 2014 GED will indeed be tougher, and, for homeschoolers, it will probably be a better indicator of the thoroughness that homeschoolers have brought in educating their children. If anything, the NEW 2014 GED will validate homeschoolers as well-educated and well-qualified for job training and college. Google the NEW 2014 GED Assessment Guide to check out the new 2014 GED. Claire in NM PS If you intend to have your kids take the current GED, have them take all subject tests by December 2013. If they do not pass all subject tests by 2013, all previous test scores will be eliminated and your child will have to start all over with the new 2014 GED subject tests. Not only is the 2014 test harder, it is more expensive.

1. Pick up sports and hobbies that I used to be involved in before I got married: distance running, drawing. 2. Reinvent myself professionally: work part-time, go back to school, teach in a community college. 3. Allow myself a few indulgences: concerts, read, improve my teA-making skills, take dancing lessons. 4. Love with a purpose: God, my husband, my children, my friends, my dog, my co-workers, strangers, etc. Claire in NM

I just keep a couple of bills, a driver's license, and, when needed, a credit card in my back pocket. Claire in NM

I'm currently reading THE PLEASURE OF FINDING THINGS OUT - The Best Short Works of Richard P. Feynman. I get in about 30 minutes of reading before bed. Claire in NM

Do you respond at all? Only you can answer this question. It is interesting that he sent you a text about the birth of his son along with his mentioning your "dislike" of him. Your reaction to his text is understandable. These types of exchanges are typical with someone who is an addict. My heart goes out to you. As for your initial response to his text, I think you are spot on. It's honest and to the point. Claire in NM

I clean with a mop using a mild detergent and warm water solution. I then follow this with warm water. For some reason, soapy water always leave streaks on my laminate flooring. Claire in NM

My husband had one on his back and it turned out to be a very large deposit of fat. The doctor said they will sometimes disappear by dissolving/reabsorbing. The lump has disappeared. Yup....very strange. Nevertheless, get the lump checked out. Claire in NM

I read somewhere that artificial sweetner can increase a person's desire for sweets. But aren't diabetic diets supposed to be low in fat and low in sugar? Claire in NM

When you said "beaver", I was thinking "Leave it to Beaver". Claire in NM

Claire in NM

It sounds like you are at a point where you are asking God to just make Himself known to you. That you are just wanting Him to say "I love you", because it is in "hearing" those three little words that will make everything you are experiencing bearable. Why? Because the Most High, Wonderful, Amazing Creator of the Universe has just let you know that He loves you! Claire in NM

receiving God and receiving Jesus is an entirely different matter. Many believe that Jesus died for man. Even the demons believe Jesus is the Son of God and shudder. The difference in believing and receiving is the same as being aware of the fact and knowing the fact. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God. (John 1:12) Once you have accepted/received Jesus's act of love, ie. dying on the cross for you, then God will let you know that you are indeed His child. And as His child, God wants to give you the things that He knows to be best for you. Which of you fathers (mothers), if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him? (Luke 11-13) Claire in NM

I love this video! Claire in NM

Absolutely beautiful! My only concern would be tapping a tree trunk with a rock. I don't think I want to invite a woodpecker to come after me. This would definitely make me run indoors. Yup, I'm a coward. Claire in NM

My husband and I were members of a church, and, although we felt the same way as you do (don't totally agree, but ok with it), we decided to become members. My husband because his gift is teaching decided to become a member so he could teach Sunday school and I became a member because it was what my husband did (BTW a dumb reason to become a member). Well, it turned out that there was more to what was going on in this church than meets the eye. We addressed the church leadership on these issues, and they refused to act. We then felt we had to leave. I also believe your service to those in this church should not be limited by church membership unless it is a position of leadership (teaching). Claire in NM

Claire in NM

I admire your commitment to your husband and children. It really does take a lot of time, energy, and money to invest in the lives of other people. However, your investment is not in a company or in a profession, but in people...the most important people in your life, your husband and children. But your awareness of something lacking in your life is probably a wake up call to prepare for the next stage of your life. Now is the time to start reinventing yourself. It's like graduating from high school. The sky's the limit! Claire in NM