Here's a link to the Environmental Working Group's database on cosmetic products: http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ You can look up many products and see how they're rated for ingredient hazard/toxicity.

If you'd use the classes, the cost seems worth it. My kids go through books so fast that it's actually a pain to check them out from the library. They get full bags of books and are finished with them in the next day or two and want to go back. It works better for us to keep books they love and will re-read and fill up their Kindles with free ebooks.

I wouldn't, but faced a similar situation when we moved back to this area. The city library wasn't allowing county residents to have a free card and were charging $80 a year. I opted to start building my own library instead. Since then, they have changed and allow county residents a free card. If you think you'd use it enough and make use of the other classes they have, it might be a good deal.

I agree. My kids really disliked it (maybe even hated it). My ds loves quirky books and humor, but just couldn't stand it in his grammar book. So we still use the Practice books and have been using Caesar's English (which ds likes quite a bit).

Dh and I have been using shampoo bars for the last several years. I buy mine from Chagrin Valley: http://www.chagrinvalleysoapandsalve.com/ The bars may seem a little expensive, but I cut them into 1/4s and that lasts quite awhile (I haven't kept track, but I have long hair). It does take a little getting used to vs regular shampoo (and took my hair about a month to feel right again), but I don't have to use conditioner and my hair is tangle free (and I have dry hair). I ended up using these because I was also searching for something affordable and more non-toxic.

I don't think 400IU is going to do anything to raise his levels. My kids are now taking the standard adult dose of 5000IU a day, and while dh and I were trying to raise our levels, we took more than that.

We used to buy raw milk from a dairy farmer who went to our church, and dh liked it (I don't drink milk - just use it in cooking/baking, or ice cream). We've since moved to a different state and don't have access to raw milk anymore. If it was available, I'd still buy it.

I've noticed that at our Winco, too. I wonder if it's just to discourage people from getting in there?

Congrats!!! :D Did your state just hold the state competitions? My son has bee involved with FLL for the past 3 years (and I agree, it's a wonderful experience for them), but our state competitions have been held in December and the first week of January. This year, we had to drive 10 hours north for the state competition the Saturday before Christmas. I think it would be nicer not to have to do that in December and wait til February. . .

Do you have anyone with a dog that could help track the hamster? When my gerbils or hamsters got loose as a kid, our dog would help us find them.

My ex and I (when we were quite young) used to stop and help people - but usually gave them food and they seemed to be grateful. However, in recent years, I don't give to people on the corners. There's been talk around here that many of them may be well off and beg because it's easy. I do my charitable giving through other organizations. However, there are specific occasions that dh and I will help - several months ago, he was approached by a younger woman in a grocery store parking lot, who was asking for gas money (she had driven here because her mom was in the hospital). So dh had her drive over to the gas station (same parking lot) and put some gas in her vehicle. I was with him and also felt like it was the right thing to do.

This page has recipes using coconut oil and other coconut products - you might find something there: http://www.freecoconutrecipes.com/

I've been organizing in collections by author or series for my kids. I've only been downloading free books, and have a lot of them. I'm not sure it's the best way, but at least they're in smaller, more manageable groups.

Oh, I hope my EE doesn't take that long! I've only got one, and she's the last one we're waiting on. The other 4 (other breeds) all started laying at about 6 months.

Here's a link that rates organic eggs: http://www.cornucopia.org/organic-egg-scorecard/

I turn the heat to 66 at night in the winter, and usually 64 when we leave the house for any length of time. During the day, I'll turn it up anywhere between 67-69, depending on how cold I feel. We don't have AC, so in the summer, it can get very warm. . .

Well, I have limited experience, but we have 2 Black Australorps, 1 Buff Orpington, 1 Barred Rock and 1 Easter Egger. They are all very friendly, but the Buff in particular, loves to be held and carried. Both she and the Australorps are my best layers, followed closely by the Barred Rock. The EE hasn't laid yet - all were hatched on July 5. She is also the most flighty - she does allow the kids to hold her, but shies away from being picked up (once she is picked up, she's OK). I got all these breeds in particular because they were supposed to be good layers and cold hardy.

I don't know if you can grow it in planters, but you can grow it from what you buy in the grocery store. I ended up doing that because I couldn't order in specific garlic varieties to my state (they have a ban on it for some reason). So I started with grocery store cloves and then started saving cloves from what I grew. In Idaho, I have to plant in the fall for the next season.

I just wanted to bump this thread - my mom and I went shopping at JCP today, and I hadn't been in the store since the changes. We weren't really expecting much, but were actually quite impressed! Many of the regular prices were really good and we got a ton of stuff on clearance. They had racks of stuff for $2 and $4 (I found several blouses and sweaters) and then had their gloves/hats/scarves sets and other gloves and hats for $1.

We use Carlson's too - I buy Carlson's for Kids for the kids. Sometimes Amazon has a better price than other places and free shipping if you have Prime.

I had a couple different brands of bagged vacuums before getting my Dyson, and changing the bags was always such a hassle and mess and had to be done outside. I love the Dyson because I can just take off the canister and go dump it in the big garbage can and be done with it. No trying to get the new bag attached properly or keeping a supply of bags on hand. Maybe the brand of bagless vacuum makes a difference?

I think you might have to weigh each of the choices - the organic, fair trade vs the enslavement, and choose the one that's more important. Which is going to bother your conscience more?

I think the main thing is to crush them up thoroughly so they don't resemble eggs any longer, to help prevent the chickens from becoming egg-eaters.

:grouphug::grouphug::grouphug:

I'd try clipping the claws, too, although I just use a regular nail clippers (just turn them sideways so the cat's claw is flat along the blade, and not the curved edges). A squirt bottle might help train her not to claw the furniture - just make sure you have several other acceptable options.