We are moving in about 2 weeks. I will not know the folks in the area at all. My daughter will also be attending a brand new school. The complex we are moving into is under construction, it is not yet finished and it is very large, probably about 1500 apartments. I would like to form an after-school group there. I've been reading quite a bit about collaborative learning, or very small group experience. There is a "clubhouse" on the apartment grounds, it has a small living room sized area with a kitchen. I would like to organize something very small, a max of say..4 kids total. Can you help me think through the pro/con and structure of creating this? I obviously do not want to become a babysitter or take responsibility for others children for any period of time, not even five minutes. I'm very staunch on this part and I know that's odd sounding, but that is incredibly important to me. With that in mind, how do I work things so that the other caretakers/parents of the group stay present and involved? I'm thinking perhaps an hour once a week is plenty enough time for small group sharing. I'm good with being the lead as well as letting others lead. This is my first hurdle. (warning: I'm a really deep type A analyzing personality..lol) This may not be the right first question, but just a general laying out of thoughts for the moment.

Yep, sure have. I just take the kids to Edward Jones and let them teach some, and I do some at home. You are smack on with letting kids invest in companies they like. Also, JA here is a great resource. The web-based units/topics for this are so extensive. One tip I'd share: When we see/hear of a company or resource, I write thru snail mail to them, return address in my daughters name. She completely LOVES getting mail in her name, it keeps her interests alive.

I did not want to hijack a similar thread. Cable in the Classroom is a nice resource for free lesson plans which match cable TV schedules. It is completely an educational offering. You may find it at: http://www.ciconline.org/ Be careful though, this is a time sucking site as it is so interesting and extensive. If you have things to do, save this for another time. :)

Just while it's on my mind..I'm going to praise my kid for a second.. For most of her life she's done the "shoebox" method. I give her a shoebox, and a very distinct and manageable area to clean up. Whatever she wants to keep, goes in the shoebox. Everything else goes. I think when forced to choose the best of the best, it helps clarify the need/want vs. clutter. One outside issue for us in living minimally is a plain health issue. Where we live there are a LOT of spiders and the soils around us carry an proportion of MRSA that is just plain dangerous. Any open wound of any kind must be monitored for infection. We've gone through 3 visits to the ER for this, the most frighting was marginal Steven-Johnson syndrome from the antibiotics that were prescribed for it. So cleaning everything is not an option, it is more survival. We just cannot have bulk or clutter due to that.

(Kat I think..) I was miffed about the price increase last night, and spent about a half hour searching the internet for alternative FREE documentary streaming movies. In a short time, I gathered up about 10 or so quality sites. I now have no qualms about canceling the DVD option from netflix at all. This price increase sort of forced me to seek other resources, and I'm thankful. I did not put a ton of effort into it; but have a few marked now. You can view this list here: http://art4kid.blogspot.com/search/label/Alt.%20Streaming%20Sites All of these are FREE.

Someone mentioned a cross country move as inspiration. I have the same story here. I had a career which kept me on the road for about five years or so, and I learned to live out of a suitcase; this is a very enlightening experience on what you "need." I also live with an engineer (which is a mindset that doesn't stop at the office.) When things get out of hand or lost, the tension that results is not good. This keeps me in line (most of the time.) So there are two basic motivators for me. Although I love the blog and sometimes envy others for being able to "have" stuff, I live just the opposite. I don't like a lot of "stuff"; it actually makes me nervous now. My point is, when you find your home and daily lifestyle working for you, pay attention to that. That is your guide for what is really going to work in your life & fit your method of internal discipline. A blog or magazine is nice to look at and admire, but is it real? Use the ideas that can work for your individual family and run with it.

Cin, have you ever been to a naturopath before? It's not really clear to me from reading your post, and I don't want to assume in error. Could just be the way I read it. PS, it is entirely possible to have a naturopath and traditional doctor work *together* on issues. My doctors work together. Just letting you know it's not an "either or" black and white deal. They can work in harmony.

I use the six month rule. "Haven't used it in six months? Toss it."

Has anyone seen this? Ran across it tonight while on the Nat. Geo site. Looked fabulous! Here is the trailer: http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/player/movies/thefirstgrader/first-grader-trailer.html

I'm going to make a point of finding other streaming services, has anyone used this one? About all I ever watch is documentary anyway. And daily. http://documentarystorm.com/

I'll definitely be dropping DVD option from Netflix. Yuck.

It's origin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHlN21ebeak&feature=related

Depending on what type of finish or way the non-stick was constructed makes a world of difference. One type of coating on non-stick is similar to say..nail polish. It will chip off and expose the lower layer of aluminium. The second way, which is higher quality, is called Anodized. This is thicker, will still work when 'scratched" as the depth of it is substantial. Here is a fairly accurate article on the process of anodization. http://www.only-cookware.com/what_is_anodized_cookware.html Many of the finer pans will carry with it an extended or lifetime warranty; this is something to think about, as well as the store from which you purchase it...their reputation for taking it back should it fail or be something you cannot use as you intended. Here is a frugal tip for you...there used to be a very wonderful line of stainless pans made by a company called Revere Ware. If you search eBay for example, you will see them there. They are coated with copper on the bottom and have a very distinct stamp mark. If you care to, study a bit, then float on over to your local Goodwill and hunt. These pans are no longer made due to the cost of the materials in today's terms. These are lifetime pots and pans. They clean up amazing with barkeepers friend as a method. They are about impossible to destroy and are of the highest quality, the tightest fitting lids ever. (This lid fitting business is also a huge issue in cookware, test the fit before you buy..) I collect them as I find them, and they are out in the second hand shops for 2 or 3 dollars each. In today's terms, this quality of pan would reach All Clad prices of 100 dollars each if they even tried to recreate them, the original metal materials were just excellent. If you happen to find one and the handle is in a whitewashed condition, simply apply some olive oil and it comes right back. For your pan you are having trouble with, I would attempt to boil some water in it over time; it's most likely that there are fine scratches which are bonding with burnt food. If you loosen it and go over it with a toothbrush and re-coat it with standing olive oil it overnight (wipe out in the morning) you may be able to save it still. Here is a recent eBay auction for a Revere Ware skillet for an example of value and the stamp. They are incredibly common to find in the thrift shops. http://cgi.ebay.com/VG-10-1-2-1801-REVERE-WARE-COPPER-CLAD-SKILLET-FRY-PAN-/160607416068?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2564f2af04#ht_797wt_932

In all trials, there is a treasure. Would this be a good time to really go into the deeper analysis of what a true friend and the nature of friendship is all about? At her young age, perhaps a pro/con list actually written down might help her sort it out perhaps and lead her to a permanent decision of sorts? I would, for myself, want for anyone closure and decision; to move on with no confusion and direct goals. I would wish for relief and reality and healthy choices for my family. I think it's just wonderful your family displays concern and communication in the ways you've illustrated here. I would venture to guess that this is a secret in the other young ones life; something hidden from her parents. There is a very important lesson there for your daughter there also.

The number one mistake folks make with non stick is that they wash it. Never wash your non-stick in the dishwasher, etc. You just wipe it out with a damp sponge, rinse, then wipe the surface with olive oil very lightly. This is the way very fine kitchens treat pans. Exhibition kitchens and such, they use pure stainless restaurant style, you'll see that these are coated with brown from previous use, they build up a finish just like a cast iron pan does from seasoning. There is a bonding process in both stainless & non stick, think of it as papers laying on top of each other. Each layer of metal is there for a different reason..heat distribution, strength etc. The materials that are used in stainless are also offered in different grades or qualities. All clad is the premier of stainless, Calpheon is the champ for non stick. When you are out looking at sets or single buy-as-you use them, stop and look at the handle functions of the pieces. Do you prefer silicon (cool touch?) handles? Buy a higher quality as these will, over time, dry out and crack, have the ability to hold bacteria, etc. Stainless..a pure stainless design..where the handle is riveted to the pan, inspect this also. Are there gaps or hollow handles where water will accumulate and hold dirt? Look for solid construction with no place for water to gather and stagnate. Non stick is best for folks who like to cook at high temperatures and speed is an issue. There are differences in the way different pans will allow "browning" or crusts... Do you fry in oil? You may find after some thought that your needs are a bit of both worlds..non stick and stainless. Purchasing items by "open stock" (that is, to say, one at a time) may be the way to go if you are investing some good money and not a basic "throw away in a years time" set. A basic frying pan is nice, but consider putting a few dollars into a dinner skillet with high walls, say a 14 or 12 inch for one skillet meals. You will spend less time as the surface area is larger which leads to higher cooking time and a more even surface. I use ours every.single.day. A large pan will fit four slices of french toast, is marvelous as you can cook any things at once..a pancakes, sausage patties and maybe some hash browns all at once. A 10 inch fryer just doesn't do that. Lodge makes a wonderful cast iron skillet (not frying pan) which is large. It is pre-seasoned also. There is nothing that a cast iron can't do. Do you already own some cast iron? That is an item once bought, becomes permanent in the kitchen. Real keeper stuff.

Okay, here is the website I mentioned. It has 80 thousand (yes, that is correct) digitized cookbooks. I need to let these books go, just record the titles, find the online match and donate them. I have a few very old ones I do not expect to find in the database, if so, I will keep them. The site is here: http://www.eatyourbooks.com/

Have you thought about their "friendship" and contact in the future? Is your daughter expressing wanting to end it or continue speaking with her? It is a bit early perhaps to consider, but it may come up soon as you work through this together.

Ya, I am way to close for that project, tho it sounds lovely, really. I've given up entire homes full of contents & collections many, many times for moves. Literally only taking one suitcase of clothing and a box of essential paperwork and letting everything else go; so I'm no stranger to making light of my "stuff". I did run across a website just recently that does have an amazing array of modern cookbooks digitized. I'll have to go hunting for it again. There's just something about junior league cookbooks with handwritten grandma notes in the margins that is SO sentimental. You know the splattered pages are always the best recipes..you know what I mean?

Biz is a detergent for stains and color boosting. It works miracles.

I've held several jobs in kitchen stores. A few questions for you. What type of stove do you have? Do you prefer non-stick or stainless? Do you tend to cook large batches or just one meal at a time? Do you think buying a pre-done set selected for you is best, or buy as your needs dictate? Do you need cookware that will bridge oven and stovetop? Does heavy cookware work for you, or is weight an issue? Do you tend to cook food that requires speed/time over slower cooked recipes?

I am preparing to move on the 31st; I'd like to join in. I have a bit of a twist though. I am very interested in minimalist living. Less is more. Here is the twist (or mindset) I'm working on. In a lot of the reading I've done, there is a big advocacy for buying or owning the very best quality of whatever "thing" is the issue. I've always looked for the least expensive way out (thrift shops, etc.) which tends to add to my bulk and duplicates. I must prepare my apartment tomorrow for a inspection, so today is a big work day of sorting, cleaning and donating. We are moving into a much smaller space, so the donations I expect will be large. I currently am stressing (and this is to say undecided, wavering) on my cookbook collection. There are probably fifty volumes. Do I keep, haul, and move them? Or do I donate? Or do I select say, the ten best volumes and release the rest? Part of my mind says, "You can get any of this on the internet, lighten your load completely." Part of my mind says, "You really enjoy having them, you've not used them because there has been no place to put them properly." Going into the new place and keeping them means to buy a bookcase, an expense; and I can see us moving back across country again in six months. There is no room there to store them either, even smaller than what we are going into now. Ugh. Advice?

I would soak them overnight in a solution of BIZ if you have it, then rewash. Biz seems to work for everything.

Replace it with a heavier area rug.

The "about" is here: http://www.khanacademy.org/about

I had the quick thought which was, if a counselor/teacher is contacted, I believe by law they are registered as mandated reporters. This would require them to set something in motion. Once you've done your part, be prepared to never hear another word about it. Whether or not they do or do not follow up, this sort of thing. I'm sorry your daughter has had this experience; but am glad you are communicating about this with each other. You will do the right thing.