I've used their sunscreen, bug repellant, body wash, lotion and two of their diaper cream products. They work great and the ingredients are wonderful. They do all tend to smell the same though. Kathy

I have recently learned about a program called Simply Music that is supposed to be great for adults. Most students learn to play 50-60 songs of all different genres in their first year. You can google it. It is a non-traditional approach to piano lessons, but from what I understand, the students and teachers love it. Kathy

I didn't read all the posts, but as you can imagine by my name (Birkenkathy) I recommend Birkenstocks. The footbed is designed for really good arch and overall foot support. I have plantar fascitis and as long as I wear Birks I don't have any problem with it. I even wear them with fancy dresses. I also used to have some back issues. And I don't anymore. I don't know if it has to do with my Birks or T-Tapp. Kathy

Mine now is "You have reached the ___ family and (business name). Please leave a message. . . But, in college I liked 'You have reached the number that you dialed. If you dialed incorrectly you have reached the wrong number. If you dialed correctly, please leave a message after the beep." I also did the one where I said, "Hello....Hello?....Just kidding. Leave a message." That one was really funny until I called home once and was fooled by my own voice. I changed it after that. Kathy

Wow, another flutist! Sure, let's form a trio. We could play weddings. I have found that I like to teach homeschool kids as well. I am doing a recorder/general music class for a group of elementary aged homeschoolers this semester and it has been quite fun. I am thinking about marketing some music classes to the local ISP groups for next year. I'm hoping that they are offering "Friday school." Kathy Kathy

Hi! I am a flutist too. I tried to start a flute studio, but found no students. This is not a very band-friendly area. I am now starting up a Kindermusik studio and am considering teaching some piano lessons. The problem though is that the city has an ordinance against teaching music in your home. Don't ask me why. So, my Kindermusik classes are at an outside location and I had to find babysitting. I would love to teach piano here at home, but I haven't figured out how to ethically do it yet. I have friends who have asked me if I could teach piano to their kids and I feel ok about that. I just don't think I could advertise or consider it really a "business." Anyway, I'm glad you posted. It's nice to know there is another homeschooling flutist out there. Did you major in flute in college? Kathy

That is me exactly. Kathy

When I was little I loved Sesame Street. A few years ago (like 4) they had an anniversary episode where they showed pictures that of the characters throughout the years. They showed a picture of Luis and Maria holding their new baby, Gabby. Well, now on the show Gabby is a teenager. I told my husband, "Look, there's Gabby when she was just a baby!" It wasn't until about 3 days later that I realized that my childhood belief that Sesame Street was real had held on into my 30's. I really thought Maria and Luis were really married. And, yes, I understand now that they are actors. :001_huh: Kathy

I saw a piece on Good Morning America about legitimate work-from-home companies. The main one they mentioned was called Live-ops. It is a phone thing. But the people who work for them seemed really happy with it. I'm sure you can google it. Kathy

Thank you Michelle and Debra! I feel so warmly welcomed back. Michelle - Simply Music is something I am thinking of doing mostly for me and my kids. I also have a few friends who are asking if I can teach piano to their kids. I'm thinking about doing the teacher training so that I can offer it here and there. I would love to be the neighborhood piano teacher but I have an ethical dilemma. When I checked into a business license with my city I found out that it is actually illegal to teach music out of your home. I am trying to figure out an ethical way around it so that I can teach piano at home and feel good about it, but I'm not sure how yet. I do feel okay about teaching friends' kids because even though I would charge them, it wouldn't really be a 'business.' But I don't think I could feel good about advertising or anything. This was a big blow for my Kindermusik classes too. When I started the training I was planning on teaching in my home. I'm hoping that we are going to move to Texas in the next couple of years and then it won't be a problem. The laws are much more reasonable there. Sorry for rambling! Kathy

I feel your pain. Tuesday is my 'stay up later than everyone else and eat popcorn and watch American Idol on the DVR' night. Kathy

Does anyone know about this? It is a piano program that is supposed to take a new approach. I was just wondering if anyone out there had any experience with it. Thanks, Kathy

I have 4 littles - 9,6,3,1 and have been homeschooling since the oldest was about to start kinder. I wasn't planning on homeschooling but realized that I was trying to teach her everything that I thought she should learn in kindergarten before she actually got there. We have a school district with a lousy reputation and I just didn't trust them to teach her anything! I am a music person. I am currently starting up a Kindermusik business and teaching natural childbirth classes. I've been married 12 years and live in So Cal. I used to hang out on these boards alot and took a break for some time. I'm trying to limit my computer time and I get so sucked-in here that it's hard to escape. Kathy

Thanks all. I think maybe we will ditch the cd. It seems to be more trouble than it is worth. One thing I do like about it is that it is teaching her to take notes. But there is lots of time for that as she gets older. Part of the whole thing is that we do school in the kitchen and to do the computer part we have to go upstairs. It just adds on alot of time to take everything we need upstairs and get the computer going and drag everything back down after. Okay, it isn't that much, but just having to change locations seems to complicate things. And Dawn, we just started schooling in the kitchen and I really like being able to get some stuff done during school as well. We are currently without a dishwasher so I don't know how I would get all the dishes done if we weren't in there during school time. Again, thanks. I feel better. Kathy

I just started Saxon 5/4 with my 9yo dd. I bought the DIVE Cd thinking that this would be such a time-saver. But, she needs me to sit with her while she watches it. And it takes forever. For those of you who use the DIVE cds, did your kids get to where they could actually do them on their own? My dd has only done 4 lessons, but she can't figure out what to write and what not to write and she has to pause it everytime she writes anything. And this is all review. I can't even imagine how hard it is going to be when she gets into material that she doesn't already know. Besides all of her stuff I am schooling my 6yo and I have a 3yo and a 1yo, plus I am trying to start up a Kindermusik business. I am starting to question whether or not I can actually do all of this. Nevermind how icky my house looks. I have questioned whether or not I should be homeschooling at all, but I believe that it is the best thing for my family and I do really enjoy it. And I don't have to teach Kindermusik, but I have a life-situation that would make it really preferable for me to have my own income. Plus I think it is good for my kids to see me pursuing something that I love. So, I guess other than my DIVE cd question I am just looking for some encouragement, or some wisdom from someone who has 'been there, done that.' Thanks, Kathy

We have these. I bought the patterns. I love mine. I do feel a little dorky from time to time, but it is so comfortable. And not being the perfect size 6 I don't feel as self-conscious as I do in a regualr suit. And last year I made them for my two girls. It was nice not having so many places to have to slather sunscreen. No one has ever made a negative comment about them. Personally I think they are the cutest "modest" swimsuits I have found.