I get the same way. I'm a doer. I have to be doing something and schooling my kids doesn't fill the void. Especially now that they are getting older and more independent in their work. What I've done to help, is to take my kids to do some volunteer work. There are crafts to assemble and rooms to set up for Sunday School at our church. We go in and do that on Fridays. We also get involved in the camps at church. I took over running a homeschool group, which is right up my alley, but it's only twice a month, so it's not that time consuming. I've also discovered that I have a "I hate clutter" bug, so I'm constantly cleaning out and getting rid of unused stuff. My house is pretty void of clutter but it makes me feel better to get rid of things. I also tend to rearrange the furniture out of boredom. All these things make me feel like I'm accomplishing something. Remember though, this is only a season...as your kids get older (which goes fast), you can find some common interests and all go do things together. You'll also be freer to pursue your interests. You might want to find something that interests you and jump into it in the evenings and weekends for now. You need to have something for you or you'll go crazy. I know from experience.

I got married when I was 20. We waited 9 years to have kids (by choice) and for me, it was a wonderful arrangement. We took the time to get to know each other, learn how to fully respect each other, and mature as a couple before throwing in the stress of having kids. It's a blessing, but stressful for a couple, all the same. We've been married 21 years and we love each other more than ever. We love to spend time together and make it a priority in our marriage. We remain best friends. I won't recommend that my kids wait 9 years to have their own kids, but at least 5. As far as marriage age...I really think it depends on the maturity of the person. I was ready to handle marriage at 20, but my sister was not. As long as my kids are mature enough, and have a healthy outlook (mutual respect is a must, divorce isn't an option - they are ready to commit to this person for the rest of their lives), then I have no problem with them marrying young.

The Sansa MP3 is great value for money. My son has one and it works great for us. It does record and it also gets FM radio. It gets hung up once in a while, but it's easily reset. For the (low!) price, it's a great MP3. Here's a link to one: http://www.buydig.com/shop/product.aspx?omid=103&ref=froogle&utm_source=Froogle&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=SDSDMX42048A70&sku=SDSDMX42048A70

We have an XBox and a Wii and we love the Wii, hands down. Lots of games available for all ages, and the whole family has fun wit it. Even if it wears out in 3 years (hope not), it'll have been worth the money. I also like that many of the games available are those that make you get up and get moving to play them.

We are thinking on this right now too. We just installed Mahogany hardwood floors and we'll have a beige jute area rug. I was either thinking a buttercup (yes, yellow!) or a muted sky blue. We've had painters white in there for the last 5 years and I need something more cheerful. My kids are split down the middle on what color they'd like. I think we're leaning towards the buttercup. It's VERY soft and uplifting.

I'd call your Dr. can see what he/she says. My ds has swallowed various things, but the only thing we had to head to the ER for was a battery. Although a screw might cause damage...I'd call the Dr.

Why don't you do one shelf a day...then it's not so daunting!

I have a 12 yr old who STILL blames everyone else for everything. If she gets punished, it's our fault for punishing her, not her fault for making a bad choice. I have no answers, but good for you for seeing it now! You have time to correct it before it gets worse.

You also don't have to do everything every day. We've always done grammar and math daily, and everything else every other day or once or twice a week....that way each day is different, more interesting, and not so long.

Thanks for your words of wisdom ladies, I appreciate the input.

I'm in Hillsboro!

My dd is 12 and is driving my dh and I crazy. If things don't go the way that she thinks they should, or if she gets punished for doing something, she is miserable and very difficult to deal with. She's mean to her brother almost constantly. I realize that this "chip on her shoulder" is typical teenage behavior (which is not an excuse as far as we're concerned) but she's bringing the whole household down on a daily basis. She argues or has something to say, about absolutely everything. We do our best not to allow such behavior (send her to her room, pass out other punishments), but we're just so tired of dealing with it constantly. Anyone BTDT and have any advice on how to handle this, and make our house a more joyful, peaceful place to be?

We went in January of 2007 and it was the best. The longest we waited in line was 15 minutes and we had lots of free admissions thrown into our package because it was such a slow season. The weather was just perfect for us Northwesterners...it was warm enough to go to the water parks.

I would decide if the subject is worth the conflict and go from there. Some people take things personally, when someone has a different point of view, even if it's really got nothing to do with them.

How old is your dd? I think that makes a difference. I had to think about that one...but I would most likely let her do what she wants in the long run. Chances are she'd change her mind eventually. If she hasn't been shaving long (or hasn't at all yet) I'd ask her to do it for a certain period of time, then she can quit and see what she prefers.

LOL!!

My dd had them done at 6. They got infected (even though we cleaned them properly, as instructed) and she was miserable, so she let them grow back in. She had them re-done at 10 and was much happier the second time. I made her pay for her own the second time around. My dd is deathly afraid of shots and both times, she was fine with the piercings. She thought it just felt like a pinch. Both times, she got them done at Claire's and they did a good job.

He was at our church last year, and he was amazing.

5'8

Thanks for this Mrs. Mungo. I've never tried pan frying them. It certainly would be easier. Maybe that's not such a great thing though...I'd be making them a lot more often!

I usually find them around the produce. They need to be refrigerated, so look in the open coolers. Often they have an Asian section near the produce and you'd find them there. Just use the small wrappers, not the big ones. Let me know how they turn out!

Sorry, I just went back and saw your question about what I put bananas in. I take a wonton wrapper, put a blob of Nutella in it, along with a half slice of banana, and deep fry it. Then sprinkle it with icing sugar. It's a seriously yummy dessert!

DVD's all go in a book (you know, with the little pockets for DVD's/CD's, whatever). I throw out the jewel cases. We have two books and they go in the TV stand, nice and neatly contained. The VHS tapes and video games go in baskets in the TV stand as well.

We bought a really good quality leather couch 20 years ago and it's still in really good shape. It's just started to wear in spots, this past year, and we'll be moving it to our school room. We bought a leather sectional a couple of months ago and although the quality isn't as good as the old one (you can tell by the feel of the leather as well as the price), we still love it. It's very easy to clean and holds up well to the kids. We have no dogs or cats.

Sorry, I meant the wonton wrapper raviolis.