Thanks! :001_smile:

Will check this one out. :)

Bread makers are awesome! Only problem is my kids go through a whole loaf of my homemade Oatmeal or Gingerbread loaf in 1 sitting.:tongue_smilie: So we don't end up saving money.:glare: But at least I know it's good quality and full of stuff I can pronounce right?:001_smile:

Does anyone have a good resource for winter gear? Jackets, boots, gloves, thermals, etc? We live in the mountains of SoCal, apparently the only place it snows in SoCal so I have yet to find a resource and we were SERIOUSLY unprepared this winter. Thought about posting needs on www.craigslist.org Hmmm.

Here's a link to an article listing Christmas charities that could be a place to give or receive, depending on your circumstances. It's out of season, but some require an early sign up, so it's good to know ahead of time. http://christianity.about.com/od/holidaytips/tp/christmascharit.htm

What a great idea! We are very lucky not to have allergies to deal with in our family. It must be a real struggle with some of the more common ingredients.

I'm bumping myself cause I know you guys will have something great to contribute once you notice this thread exists.:lol: :lurk5:

How can we turn this discussion into something constructive? Positive even? Do you know of a great resource? Prefferably one that is widely available? Give it a shout out here and lets see if we can help each other out a little.:thumbup: I posted a link in that thread to Angel Food Ministries http://www.angelfoodministries.com/ which distributes groceries at highly discounted prices all over the U.S.. There is no income requirement or strings attached and they accept many kinds of payment including Food Stamps. :grouphug:

First let me say, I am not affiliated with them in any way, except in so far as they have been a lifesaver some months. Angel Food Ministries http://www.angelfoodministries.com/ - Provides highly discounted food/grocery packages. - There is no income requirement. - No strings attached. - They take EBT. (or cash, or check, or credit) - And they have distribution locations all over the U.S. Just thought someone out there might benefit from this info.:D

You guys just put me in the market for a teacher. I do make my own bread, but don't have the first clue how to can, and I'm a terrible homemaker. My mom went for the immediate gratification of keeping us out of the Kitchen while she was working and out from underfoot rather than the long term benefits of me knowing how to take care of my own home & family. :glare: Anyone in SoCal?:tongue_smilie: But seriously...?

Google it. You might be surprised.:glare: And as another poster mentioned we STILL can't buy a hot chicken at the grocery market.

As I posted earlier, I am on food stamps in CA, and there are MANY fast food places that accept food stamps here. Including, but not limited to, Del Taco and Jack in the Box!:glare:

I am so there with you. My family and friends go for the luxury stuff too. Especially my in-laws who have a thing about the kids "looking" poor. What about BEING poor?!:confused: Thanks for the Nike's and the Guess, but, how about a grocery card? How about some books?:confused:

Now lets not start THAT debate. That is a WHOLE NOTHER CAN OF WORMS! :lol:

First of all, I am on food stamps in CA. I am talking from my own personal experience. I am not saying that we should have less say, I too paid into the system when I was employed. I am saying that everyone who pays into the system should have a say. In CA there are many fast food restaurants that accept food stamps, and we are not in a "nutritional desert" by any means. Although, as you mentioned, we cannot buy "prepared" items, like a hot chicken, at the grocery store. As for amount of food stamps $? My children and I live well below the poverty level. We barley make ends meet each month because my separated husband pays me half what he is supposed to be paying in child support. We get just enough food stamps to live on oatmeal, pb&j's, and pasta EVERY DAY. Maybe its just cost of living in CA, but I can't imagine having enough extra to buy soda & such.:001_huh: It would mean reducing my children to ramen.

Sorry. :001_unsure: I tried.

Here's my take: 1. Other peoples taxes pay for my benefit. That is why they should have some say.:chillpill: 2. If I had enough food in my pantry to waste food stamps on non-food items like soda pop, why would I even qualify for food stamps? 3. Food stamps SHOULD NOT BE USABLE AT FAST FOOD RESTAURANTS! I'm a single mom and have three kids. Is only eating homemade an inconvenience? Yes! But for the price I pay for one meal at a fast food place I could feed us for the whole day! Again, if I could afford to do that, why would I even qualify for food stamps?:glare: 4. Food stamps SHOULD BE USABLE FOR FARMERS MARKETS, CO-OPS, and CSA's. Healthy food, reasonable prices, why the heck not?:confused: 5. And finally, not that I think food stamps should necessarily cover multi-vitamins, but why the heck can I buy candy, chips, and soda pop with them and NOT vitamins?:001_huh: Just sayin'

And I have not read the books myself, however I did see the musical "Wicked." It might be interesting to read The Wizard of OZ and then Wicked or perhaps Cinderella and Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister? Though both turn the story so that within the context of their books, the antagonist becomes the protagonist. As I said, though, I have not read the books, but LOVED Wicked the musical. It was interesting to see a theater production where romance was nearly nil and the whole focus was on friendship instead. My best friend took me to see it.:D

I like lots of space, open space in my home. I DO NOT like lots of stuff. This has alot to do with the year round living issue. Claustrophobia makes me depressed, especially in the winter. I could enjoy a tiny home like this in good weather, because the homeschooling, dining, & entertaining could be done outside, but being STUCK in that tiny space all winter? No way. Take the clutter free, organized, simple life and stick it in a barn and I would be a happy woman! Plus, with a son & two daughters, my son is already expressing a desire for privacy and respect for his personal items. I really like the idea of each child having personal space and a sense of ownership/responsibility for their things. Even if those spaces are small. More kids just = a need for more space for that to happen.

Are the educational apps iPad only or can they be run on the iPod touch?

:iagree: I am going "indie" with my homeschooling next year after doing 1st grade for my ds with K12 this year. Reasons: 1. Lot's of busy work for each topic. (When ds has it, he has it. Repetition breeds boredom) 2. I have 3 children. I don't want to teach history & science 3 times a day. I prefer to teach it once and adjust the assignments to ability. 3. The math & phonics are poorly integrated with their OLS. Tons of glitches, inconsistencies, and inconveniences. 4. Lack of advertised flexibility.

:thumbup:

My children and I make a habit of watching several film/tv versions of a story we liked in its original literary form. We then discuss the variations and why they might have been made. So I vote for watching a couple of versions. This was particularly interesting recently, when we read Hansel & Gretel. In the original story, the father is not such a good guy, conceding to help the wicked step-mother in abandoning his own children in the woods. Yet, in the end, Hansel & Gretel return to him with a bunch of treasure from the witches house. He ends up rich and happy without consequence. All the film/tv versions adjust the plot to make him a good guy by having the step-mother trick him in some way. One version had no step-mother at all. The kids just got lost picking berries. We got to discuss the push for a truely happy ending, especially in children's stories, and the reality of injustice and unhappy endings in real life. We discussed "sheltering" of children from difficult issues, etc. It really became quite a discussion!

Lol. You sound like me with Excel on the computer! I'd use it for e-mail if I could! :lol:

I'm all about that! And an electric stapler!:tongue_smilie: Why no more Netflix? I find BrainPOP and YouTube to be very useful for adding relevant media as well.