It's a job for me in that I do continuing ed for myself as a parent. Really. :)

I just realized it's been almost ten years since my first read through The Well-Trained Mind. How about you? What are your favorite parts? I loved the premise as soon as I cracked the book, though I did wonder if I was insane to think of doing ALL THAT. Ha! What hooked me, though, was the discussion of religion at the different stages. I'm such a geek. :D

I've just finished a spelling test with my 14yo - and, um, well... Most days she doesn't need to argue like this. :tongue_smilie: My mom had one of these and while he was a pain to raise, he's been ever so rock-solid as an ethical engineer. Kids like this are more likely to lead groups *away* from drugs, etc., and be otherwise unaffected by negative peer pressure. Perhaps we could get that on a wall hanging 'specially for these times? :D

Thank you, thank you!! :D

Thank you, thank you!! :D

Doran, dahling, you made me cry. TYVM... ;)

I'll repost this: "[C]aregivers for those with special needs are facing such a gigantic reduction in circumstances that, for instance, obtaining a winter coat is no longer a priority. Access to medications and other life-saving services are top priority. We look for those people who are on the knife’s edge of poverty and provide them with gently used quality clothing. Each wardrobe is tailored to meet their specific needs. Clothing services often turn into opportunities to connect hardworking but isolated caregivers with other resources that can strengthen them and their families. Please help those who sacrifice so much for others." Thanks for your vote and for encouraging other to do the same! :)

26! Bumpbumpbump!!! :D

#31!! If you haven't voted yet, we sure would appreciate your help!! :)

Thirty-three!!!! WOW!!!! :D

35!!! :D

37!!! [bump] Yay!!!!!!

#40! Thanks you guys!!! Only eighteen hours left... This is our first foray into grant writing territory - it would be completely awesome to finish high. Even more awesome to take it!!! Many thanks for voting. :)

#41!! Yay!!!!!

And with you! I can't help but think how much my kids have all grown - wishing for family photos of all the "oldtimers." ;)

Thanks, Heather! Lovely to see you too, Scarlett! Hope things are well with you and yours. :)

Thank you! We're at #46!! Please keep it coming - anyone you could share the link with? Love you guys!!!!! :D

Voting ends Friday, December 9, noon PST.

Dang, Scarlett. :iagree: This isn't the first time I've found myself nodding along with you, but I wouldn't have guessed at this particular shared detail! Who knew there were so many of us? :confused: Someone I know was recently dxed with BPD and in discussion, those of us close to this person were speaking of how devastating this can be; how sorry we were to hear this. One person in the group spoke up and said that she's not really at all sorry for folks with N/BPD dxes - they're fine as long as someone's propping up their world view. It's the rest of us, the ones who have to deal with 'em, *those* are the people she's sorry for. :D

Hi everyone. I don't post much anymore, but some of you may remember me. I posted some time ago about a charity (Out of the Gray) that my friend founded specifically to nurture caregiving women. I was among her first clients when my littlest guy was first born - almost six years ago! - and now I'm her board chair. :) Out of the Gray is one of the 501©3 charities competing for votes in this contest for grant money: http://brooksidefoods.maker.good.is/projects/nurturingcaregivers We need votes! Please go to the page, share the link ad nauseum, and cheer us on! We shot up ten spots in the last 24 hours via personal emails and Facebook shares - we want to win this!!! Thank you and blessings to all you lovely peeps. :D

Thanks! This is my last time through (sniff), so I'm hoping to just nail it down and move on. Wish the PDF had been available about eight years ago, though. ;) I'll email the office. Thanks again!

The Peace Hill Press site shows that the SOTW Student Pages are out of stock. Does anyone know when we might expect them to be available? TYVM! :D

I have paid a certain child of mine 25 cents to finish a math worksheet without saying one. single. word. It was quite possibly the hardest thing she's ever done. She did manage it, though. Now I'm wondering how much money I'd be out if I used this throughout the day... :D

Me either (larger conversation), but my mother, who refused to allow Barbie in the house when I was a child, purchased them as birthday gifts for my girls. Heh.

Different fruit salad: peeled grapefruit, sliced against the segments, arranged on a platter, drizzled with honey and drops of vinegar, topped with thinly sliced sweet red onions and mint chiffonade, sprinkled with sea salt. Quinoa salad: cooked and cooled quinoa, black beans, corn, chopped fresh cilantro, diced sweet onion and peppers, cumin, smoked paprika, lime juice, rice vinegar, salt, pepper, olive oil. Other additions - cubed avocado, turkey, grape tomatoes, sliced black olives, jalapenos if everyone will enjoy them. Green salad: Chopped hearts of romaine with fresh berries, sliced orange segments, feta or chevre, sweet onions, walnuts or pecans, drizzled with olive or walnut oil and balsamic vinegar, sprinkled with salt and freshly ground pepper. Tossed gently as it's served. Fig halves and chevre with an orange-honey-walnut-white balsamic dressing are delicious, easy, and always a hit. All are twists on the usual "salad" and each is quite refreshing on a hot day. Hope you all have a lovely time! :)