Lovely!

I forgot to add a great technique that helped me figure out what I wanted for the general style of my kitchen. I went to Google Images and just google kitchens. If I really liked something, I saved in into a file on my computer. I looked at kitchens for an hour or two, saving kitchens I emotionally responded to immediately. Then I went back through my photo file and looked for similiarities between the kitchens. Did most have light or dark cabinents? Light or dark countertops? What kind of metal finishes? This really helped me get a good idea of what I naturally enjoy and like in a kitchen. Then I really thought about how I work in my kitchen. How do I clean up dishes, prep food, etc.? What do I want stored in the kitchen and out of sight? What annoys me about my current kitchen? This led me to ensure I had a BIG trash/recycling pull-out cabinet because I really hate having to constantly take out trash/recycling and I hate having it out in the kitchen. I put that cabinet in a location that has easy access and is next to sink so I could prep food and then sweep right into the trash. Overall, just really think about how you move and live in your kitchen when planning the layout. I put some pics of our recent reno. The first is before, then the new kitchen , and then the view from our pennisula into the eating area of the kitchen. When I looked through google images, most of the pictures I looked at had white cabinents, dark countertops, and silver finishes. So that's what I did and I love it everyday!

We gutted our kitchen a year ago. It is a BIG project, but it is doable. 1. I only had a week to pick out everything! (My BIL is a contractor and did it between two jobs so we had short notice.) This was actually very helpful. You can research everything to death and never make a decision. Pick a period of time and deadline for decisions and just MAKE them. 2. IKEA cabinets rock. And are very affordable. They have a 25 year warranty and actually have very high customer satisfaction ratings. You have several style/color options and can use the stock size to customize your own layout. I highly recommend them. Also, IKEA has a free online kitchen planner you can download and use to help plan your space. We found it very helpful. 3. Set up a kitchen station somewhere else in the house that has running water. I did it in my laundry room. I used the laundry sink as a "kitchen sink," though we did use as many paper products as possible. With a microwave, hot pot, and toaster oven, we were able to eat pretty well. We focused on eating a lot of "raw" food that didn't require much cooking anyway. Making some freezer meals before had that can just be reheated is also helpful. 4. It will probably take longer than 6 weeks. It's better to expect it to take longer. If I think of anything else, I'll let you know. It is worth all the trouble, but definitely understand your anxieties! Good luck!!

I read this today and thought I would share. I found it to a beautiful, poignant article on motherhood, for all mothers, those of many and few. The last four paragraphs just about summed up the essense of motherhood for me.

Have you decided what reading list you are going to tackle first?

Bauer addresses this question of "lists" further on pgs. 50-52. I generally have the same initial reaction to reading lists as you, especially outside an institutional setting. Why these books in particular? I thought Bauer did a lovely job "defending" her list by notdefending it too heartily, but encouraging you to add and change as needed for your personal enrichment.

I just picked it up from the library yesterday. I need to previee it yet, but I may be joining you!

Voted

I took a calligraphy class a few years ago and the teacher talked all about this. It was fascinating how the writing tools themselves really dictated how the letters are formed. The use of ink and a stylus makes you start from the top to get the ink flowing. The ink will not flow from bottom up. The reason calligraphy manuscript looks that way it does is not because the monks were trying to write "fancy" but because that is the easiest, best way to actually get the ink on the page. I'm sure our current manuscript prescriptions, like starting top to bottom, are based on this. Pens are different now, though, so the real need for top to bottom in manuscript seems unnecessary. My kids are all bottom to top writers. I do work with them on it, but don't freak out about it as long as it is neat and legible.

We love the program! We use the cards, which I laminated. I did get the sticker chart, but you could easily make your own much cheaper. I introduced 2 virtues a week. Everday at breakfast we would go over the virtues we covered. The kids would repeat the "catch phrase" together and I would read the rest. We sometimes would make little somgs or hand motions up to memorize the catch phrase. With 6 weeks even the three year old had them all memorized. We used the chart to reward the kids' practicing the virtue. Now I use the virtues as the basis for other rewards program. For example, during Advent, the kids would earn paper links to add to the paper chain decorating the kitchen for Christmas. During Lent, they'll probably be rewarded jelly beans to be put in their Easter Basket. It's nice that we have a set group of virtues to work on that everyone knows and understands.

I'm in!

Well, the first goal of "a 95% in anatomy" immediately hit me as a possible sexual innuendo. But I just returned from a week spent with DH's younger sibs, in which it would definitely have been a sexual reference. So I'm jaded right now. Given the tone of the rest of the list, I wouldn't worry.

I actually finished scarves for all four kids before Christmas, which I was happy with considering I didn't start until December. I was only going to make for the girls, but then my son "caught" me working on them. "You're making me one, too, aren't you, Mom?"

Tuesday. Dh has Monday off so we'll wait till Tuesday to get going again.

I believe the 2002 Honda Odysseys tend to have bad transmissions. I did a lot of research a few years ago on it when we bought our Honda.

Yep, the one from my childhood. I fill it myself. New make-up this year.

John the Baptist Ruth

Thanks, everyone!

Which movie would you take a 7yr ds, 5yr dd, 4yr dd, and 2yr dd?

Also, if you do take metro, strollers usually are fine. There are elevators at all the stations, though sometimes a little out of the way.

I live 15 minutes outside DC and drive down all the time. The street parking on the Mall in front of most of the museums opens at 10 am. I usually show up at 9:45 and sit in a parking spot right in front of the museum of choice with the motor running. At 10:00, we hop out and are on our way! It's worked well for us.

I really enjoyed H.W. Crocker's Triumph: The Power and the Glory of the Catholic Church: A 2,000 Year History. While a very thorough and fairly scholarly, it is still a great read. Great use of language, strong narrative, a real page-turner. This is no small feat with a book on Church history! Crocker does have some strong views on certain events/ideas throughout and isn't afraid to let that be known, but I think it adds to the excitement of the book.

Miquon It isn't a "curriculm" buy, but doing regular oral presentations as been a very big hit for us this year.

I second the Not Your Daughter's brand of jeans. They carry them at Macy's. I just bought a pair of mid-rise, boot cut ones for my MIL for Christmas and thought they were well-made, attractive, and the right kind of cut for a normal woman!

I always have two pair of nice, dark wash jeans that fit me very well. They are flattering, comfortable, and versatile. For casual occasions or running errands, I can put on a sweater or casual top. I can dress them up with a nice blouse, heels, and jewerly for parties ordates with dh. One pair isn't enough, but two seems like plenty. It took me some time to find a few brand of jeans that fit my body well. Now I look for those brands at thrift stores, on ebay, or just on-sale. I get a credit card/membership st the stores that carry the brands I like as well so I can earn points and get coupons. As for tops, figure out what kind of neckline looks best on you: v-neck, crew, etc. Figure out what colors look best with your skin. Now when you shop, you can quickly look through items by checking the neckline and color palette. For winter- I like to have some thin cotton sweaters that can be layered. Also, a few cardigans in neutrals that can be worn with my spring and summer shirts to extend their use. I have one big fuzzy warm open sweater or a nice jacket in a neutral color that I can wear with anything. Also, it can be helpful to pick one neutral (black, brown, gray, navy) to build your wardrobe around. Then everything matches. Main sweater/jacket, belt, shoes, purse, all in the same neutral. I find this helps you from wasting time and money because it focuses your shopping and ensures that new items will work with existing clothes. Hope this helps!