I'm not at a computer where I can access facebook...but there is a way to do this. I think, though, that you have to ask your friends to do it for you. If you look in your news feed, and hover over a friend's name, a menu comes up and you can make selections of what should be visible to whom. However, I think that this just limits who can view that friend's posts on your wall...although I'm not positive. At any rate, I hope it points you generally in the right direction. I think that even if it controls what posts of yours are visible on that friend's wall, you have to go through each friend and do it; I don't think they offer a "bulk opt out" option. With every "upgrade", they're making it harder and harder to maintain your privacy. I'm starting to hate FB...

Congratulations...what a beautiful baby and a charming name!

I look forward to hearing about this too. I thought maybe I was doing something wrong. It just seemed so repetitive. :bigear:

My son (6) does. I have been through this with two other sets of kids (DS20 and DD21, and ex-stepdaughters who are now 29 and 31), and this time, I've treated Santa in a more nebulous fashion. He's more a "Christmas spirit" and the Santas at the store are "his helpers dressed up". Sure, he still watches the little guy to see if he's naughty or nice, but making him sort of non-human eliminates a lot of the logistical issues ("How does he fit down the chimney? Shouldn't we douse the fire so he doesn't get burned?") I hope this will make it less of a disappointment when the truth is revealed to him. I hope that it can transition more easily into a "Christmas spirit lives in each one of us...in the joy of giving to others" kind of thing. That's the plan, anyway. I still remember the day my Mom told me the truth and it was really, really heartbreaking.

I'm watching the debates, all of them, and doing online research as well. What someone says in a debate isn't always representative of what they'll do. Their past voting record (as applicable) and actions say more about them, in my opinion.

In my opinion, it would also make future crossing-paths very awkward. I mean, just seeing each other as we're both in our yards and looking the other way rather than waving and saying "hello". I have a neighbor right now that we're on those awkward terms with and it's a terrible existence. I prefer giving them the benefit of the doubt and cordially asking them to honor my wishes. Then if they don't do so, they've made their position clear and all bets are off!

Craigslist is more trouble than it's worth anymore, to me. 3/4 of the emails I've gotten for recent listing have been bogus. The scammers are easy to spot, though - stilted English, vague wording ("I'm am interested in your product offering") are signs that it should be ignored. If you're not sure, asking for a phone number will settle it; you probably won't get a reply...or if you do it'll be something peculiar ("I am out of the country at the moment but wish to purchase your item"). Instincts are your best bet; if it seems weird, it probably is. p.s. that disclaimer in yellow, I believe, is their standard footer and is included in all of the emails you get through them...

Good call, thanks again!

Ugh, I'm a duh-head, I should've written 6x12...so that's good, it can be done. Our friend has a trailer that'll fit it - Thanks for the detail! We too have evil critters around and have a pen like Dawn's planning, and we just close the chix in the shed at night; haven't lost one yet, and we live in the woods.

Dawn, would you mind describing how you got it onto the trailer? We're thinking of bringing our 9x12 shed when we move but can't imagine how to go about it. Thanks!

If it were me, I'd try the diplomatic route: "Jane, I have a favor to ask - I really need you to give me a call if you're planning to borrow something from us. I just really like to know that things are the way we left them when we go out. And if you don't mind, please, we'd appreciate if your kids only come over if they're playing with our kids and we're home to supervise. I'd hate for anything bad to happen!" The fence route IMO, should be a "next step" if they disregard your courteous request. Because if that fence goes up, you never know what kind of neighbor they're going to turn into once they're offended...and I like to keep things cordial where possible. Even with clueless people; it's just so much less stressful. eta: Rivka, we both named our example neighbor Jane...

Agree. You're in control, not him. No anger, no compromise, no bribery. He needs a bath, it's a fact of life; we do things we don't like. If tantrum behavior started with mine, there would be an unceremonious swat on the butt cheek, but that's a whole other discussion. That said, my DS6 only bathes twice a week; are you suffering through this daily? If so, I'd humbly suggest doing it less often, for your sake if nothing else!

We're on our third week with e-mealz (we shop at aldi so we use that program). It's working great for us - the meals are actually healthier than what I'd probably wind up choosing after a day at work. You know, standing in front of the fridge/freezer/cabinet. Finally settling on chicken nuggets and mac & cheese. My son, 6, has cleaned his plate almost every time we make one of their meals too - and we get home at six, and are most nights done eating by 7! That said, we don't use it every single night and most times I don't buy what they recommend for the sides, preferring to do my own side dishes. But, I'm a big fan!

Thanks for the info--it's good to know that we're on track, although maybe a little heavier at it than we need to be. I'll try not to fret too much about getting it all done; it sure is a busy week this way, and it's easy to worry about falling behind (although I realize, "falling behind who or what?") Thanks again!

I'm no expert but I wouldn't hesitate. The only thing I really hesitate to freeze are some items with cheesy or creamy fillings or sauces, which can get "weird" after freezing and thawing.

Hi, all - we'll be moving to a fairly rural area in TN in the next 6 months or so, and at that time, we've decided I'll stay home and homeschool DS6. In the meantime, he's in first grade at our public school here in NJ. I've read TWTM and just about anything I can get my hands on in an effort to determine what will be the best method for us. Of course, we won't know until we really start in earnest. Starting this summer, I've been going fast and furious trying to get ready to do this. I'm one who likes to prepare myself and get accustomed to a new system before having to dive in all at once. I still work full-time, so I've been working with DS6 before and after school/work, using the materials suggested in TWTM. AM We spend about a half hour before school doing: Handwriting: ZB Handwriting (1) Singapore Math (1A). We also have Math Mammoth and have been working with that a couple times a week too, trying to keep the topics coordinated. It makes sense to me, to show him as many different angles as I can, to approach a subject. The work we're doing seems to coincide pretty closely with what they're working on in school (the worksheets that come home say "Pearson" on the bottom). FLL: Waiting for the bus, we go through FLL briefly (this seems easy for him) and/or review recent concepts. PM WWE: One task (either copywork or narration) before dinner. At bedtime we do three things for about a half hour: We alternate days, reading a section from either SOTW or DK's First Animal Encyclopedia . We go briefly through the next section of OPGTR (right now we're going through their sight-words section) about twice a week, and on the other days we'll read a book of his choice (we alternate; I read left pages, he reads right). I read to him from a more mature chapter book (right now it's Little House in the Big Woods). Weekends ...are tough. I mean for us to review the SOTW and Science items we've gone over during the week, but my parents are snowbirds (winters in Florida) and they like to see him on weekends while they're up. When they leave for FL I'll be able to work with him more on the weekends. ______________ So, it's sort of exhausting; it's a full day for both of us. But I see he does seem to have plenty of playtime in the morning, at daycare after school, and in the evening. Is anyone else trying this, to "ramp up" in preparation for full-time homeschooling? My hope is, if we can keep up with this hectic schedule for now, "real homeschooling" will seem like a breeze to him (and me!). I'm wondering if this is a pipe dream, or if others have done it successfully. Is there anything you folks feel that I'm missing, that would be wise to introduce now, so we get a feel for it?

It's really (REALLY) hard to get nice, crispy pickles when you can them yourself. Some say adding a grape leaf to each jar keeps their texture nice and firm. Mine are always much softer than commercial pickles...but I'm used to it. Glad you tried them at any rate! p.s. Did you try both types? Different types of pickles are made separately so maybe the others are firmer... If you don't have a lid lifter (most folks don't), a butter knife will pry the lid off - just hold the non-sharp side of the blade along the edge of the lid, then pull down on the knife handle, wedging the blade between the top thread of the jar and the edge of the metal lid - it'll pop right off.

JMO but I would choose the house, then add the fireplace if that's important! That way you're not limiting yourself. We heat almost exclusively with wood, (using a woodstove, not a fireplace) and our woodstove plus all the piping and installation cost about $5,000...so if you find out how much it'd cost to add a fireplace, you can find a house you love and then add the fireplace later. That said, I like the organic feel of a real fire. Wood is easy to come by. But it's fairly messy and it does take some skill to get it going. I presume you're looking for a decorative ambiance fixture, not a way to effectively heat your house. Last I knew, unless something's changed in their design, fireplaces aren't a very effective way to heat a home. If that's the case, I'd think a gas unit will probably be the best way to go. You get the cozy atmosphere without the hassles and expense of wood. Again, just my $.02.

Nothing school-related to offer, but wanted to say that I'm sorry to hear about your grandfather's passing. What a treasure, though, to have a grandparent into adulthood when you could really appreciate him - and your kids are old enough remember their great-grandfather!

In fact, it takes some time before they really become tasty to begin with - "fresh" (unaged) pickles aren't as good IMO - better to give them a few months so they're fully steeped in pickly deliciousness!

I believe 2009 isn't the expiration date; it's the year it was canned...and probably late in the season at that. Most home canners don't put an "expiration date" on their food. That said, it should be good years from now.

If the lid "pops" when you open them, they're good to go; I'd eat them, without hesitation.

Just beautiful - congratulations!

DS6 for Root Beer...

"Happy Birthday to You!" ...the best Dr. Seuss fantasy-land ever.