[quote name

Nm

Hope you don't mind, but I think the above post is worth repeating. While I did not necessarily agree this was the best place to air the story, I did not see the OP as bashing or tearing down the character of her husband. My husband & I have a great relationship but gift-giving, due to our backgrounds has been interesting. So, maybe from that experience I know that someone that is puzzled or hurt by a gift (even a fancy one) may not be putting down her dh or bashing. And again, I also do know of someone (not a perfect gal, either) who got both piercing and fancy earrings as a gift and it was mostly so the man got to look generous on the outside ... not for her happiness. I don't bring those cases up to make it seem like this is Jane's case at all. Just hope some people will realize that sometimes there is more to the story. It's so easy to sit back and judge people. I don't know Jane but I've cast too many stones before. I realize how often I've misjudged and been misjudged. Kind counsel is one thing, accusing them and telling her she sounds spoiled doesn't really help her. We can disagree without attacking. I love sincere apologies :) They are sometimes hard to make (not saying it was for this time!), as I know all too well.

nm

Some comparison here. We got Artistic Pursuits & supplies through Rainbow Resource before I heard about Atelier. We haven't used AP yet, and if it doesn't work for us (don't see why it won't, but we haven't started yet!), Atelier is on our list!

I'm not sure if this cookbook, The Wheat-Free Cook or her other Italian one would help you. The author was food writer that got diagnosed with celiac. She has an impressive resume. We are just wheat-allergic, not celiac, so I haven't gotten as far with GF cooking. Not sure if those resources will help, but thought I'd toss them out for consideration.

:iagree: Not judging doesn't mean you have to completely agree with someone. You can be offer support even if you disgree. :iagree: Well, that doesn't seem to be the case in the OP. I have no idea. All I was saying is before you call someone ungrateful about diamonds, maybe take some time to think it through. I never said this was a good forum for airing that kind of stuff, either. Yep.

I could be wrong, but it seemed like she wanted to vent to someone instead of complaining to him. She just wanted to get it out of her system and move on. I didn't see it as bashing. I did feel concern that this thread is against the forum rule about spouses but I didn't really see her bad-mouthing his character. Perhaps this thread does prove that calling a friend would have been a better thing to do instead of posting on line about such a topic. Regardless of whether or not I disagree with the OP (and I don't think this was the place to vent about it, either), I think it's inappropriate to keep going after the OP and essentially calling her a brat. How does that help her?

:iagree: Why keep coming back to this thread? Why continue to needle someone? Maybe she's not bothered but it is unpleasant to me and it's not even my thread. Why not be kind to someone who is hurting, even if you disagree? I know someone who was given fancy diamond earrings AND ear piercing. And in that case, there was no love behind the gift. Fancy gifts don't equal affection and in that person's case, it was hurtful. The guy was emotionally abusive and it was a mess of a relationship, but he looked good for giving such fancy things. Was she supposed to be grateful? (She later gave them back and ended it.) I don't understand jumping on the OP and calling her such things when she clearly wasn't being materialistic. It's not like she was asking for bigger diamonds. Jane, Happy Mother's Day to you. Sorry it had a rough start and hope your week gets better! :001_smile:

nm No need to duck over here. I think get what you are saying. I think one of your sentences was misunderstood, but it seems like you are saying that adopted families have a lot of struggles and this doesn't have to be one of them. It's not insensitive at all to point out that the group exists for bloodlines. That's important to them. It isn't to me, so it doesn't bother me to be excluded. I've experience enough real rejection and to look for one that doesn't exist.

:iagree: I'm pretty new on at the Hive. I don't know Barb, I'm sure she's human and has made mistakes in her life. But giving her daughter a relationship with her birth father's family is not something I would question or criticize when it seems they were very loving. It's not productive to her current situation or encouraging (and I believe you can disagree with someone and still encourage, or at least be gentle.) I see why she "put her in this situation". Barb, I think it was mature and loving of you to give your daughter the gift of a relationship with his parents. I wish I could have had that with my bio-grandparents. (It just wasn't possible, no fault of my parents.) You already said you know how fortunate you are to have that involvement. Just want to let you know I agree and wish you a Happy Mother's Day. Best wishes as you help her through this painful time.

:lol: Gasp! Actually, my first and very much missed puppy was named Bear. I should steal that. Seriously, we don't use "academy", but haven't ruled it out. We are only schooling K for one child and we'll see if we do future grades. We named our K for our child and thought about changing it to "Current Name" Academy when if we continue. It doesn't sound "lame" to me, just didn't fit for right now. Most people I know use their last name + academy, which would go against that state reg. that I posted. But we are not in that state. :001_smile:

nm

Nm

[

nm

[ [/

.

.

Sorry, I'm only commenting on your side note. But I am pretty sure that your oldest could just use the games. I'm basing that just on posts that I've seen on the forum. Couldn't find the thread I was looking for, but here's one that mentions using the games. Best wishes in making your choice. We are starting with RS A. We did the placement test and also were given B as the recommendation but we ended up buying A. But I won't give advice since we haven't started yet and I have no experience to offer. :001_smile:

nm

We have the Come Look With Me series, too. Glad to hear you like it, as we will be using it. We are going to try Artistic Pursuits, too. For music, we've been using Classics for Kids. We have this Leonard Bernstein CD, Story of the Orchestra (for older kids, grades 3+), and we listen to this free program on a classical station, too. :bigear: for more ideas, too!

Yes, I've used their xanthan gum! If you are ordering from them anyway, they have it. They have shipping/% off sales if you get on their email list. Otherwise you might find xanthan gum locally; again, I think Bob's Red Mill and others offer it. We love KAF and due to our allergies we stick with them since they've been very helpful to us personally. If you don't have such restrictions, then there's more options. I thought of another company ... Namaste. We loved their spice cake & waffle mix, but the chocolate cake mix was not good for us. I don't think they have an all-purpose mix, though. And it is expensive where we are.

nm

Are there any other restrictions? For us, we like King Arthur because we have other food allergies that make it hard to use some popular GF things. KAF is soy, nut, and gluten free Here is the recipe for a make-your-own mix and here is their pre-made mix. It goes on sale sometimes in our area. Also, their GF bread, brownie, and cookie mixes are really good. My non-GF friend loves the brownies. I've heard good things about Bob's Red Mill, which we can't use due to other dietary restrictions. When I need white rice flour, I've gotten it through Ener-G instead. But since we don't have to use GF things as often now, I do use KAF mixes more often than not. KAF, Bob's, and Energ sell the ingredients for GF mixes. There are others, but those are what I know. Hope that helps!