I am so glad you are able to do things for yourself on your day. If it helps, none of my family seemed to remember that it was my birthday today. It is a good thing I was here at Dy's- she has been spoiling me the whole time! Happy birthday again, friend. Thinking of you the whole day through.

I promise to post a report for you tonight, or you can check out my Facebook page. Collen! Hope your day is fabu! Hugs to you, fellow birthday girl!

Thank you everyone! So far, it has been a wonderful day. I feel like this whole vacation has been a birthday gift. I am having so much fun spending time with Dy and her lovely family. Thanks for the birthday wishes! LB

Remember that one of the beauties o homeschooling is that you get to go at your own pace. There is no behind, really. You are working on your health, and you are just going to feel better and better. You will be able to keep up this momentum, and set a comfortable pace for you. I've talked you your kids- they are brilliant, happy, and healthy. They are learning all the time- whether you do school or not. The Dude used to tell me this, and I will tell you- "You have done such an amazing job with these kids, that you could skip an entire year of schooling, and they would be just fine." It was fun to see you three today- I am glad you like your haircut! LB

I would charge between $80 and $100, leaning towards the latter. Whether or not to include supplies depends on how much your supplies cost per person. Under $5. and I pay for them- over $5. and I charge. I would it by yourself and not with the school district for the reasons you gave- you want as much of this money to come to you as possible! Good luck! LB

Man, I sure hope so. I am working so very hard on this right now. I am hoping with consistency, faith, and lots of support, that it will "stick". It is a long slow road, but I am hopeful that I can be organized in most aspects of my life very soon. LB

I think this is a great idea. The girls are all different sizes- I may need to go pattern shopping soon!

Lots of great ideas here! Some we have already done, which pleases me, like the button sewing, and knowing the sewing machine. My dd has asked that we do drawstring bags, so we will add that too. I agree that clothes making is not very practical these days, but I think we will focus on the doll clothes- that way if they want to make clothes later, they will have the pattern skills. Thanks for the great ideas.

That gave me a giggle. It's funny, cuz I am only teaching sewing because the girls want me to- I don't really enjoy it myself much at all! I enjoy teaching it far more than doing it. I would much rather have a canvas, brushes, and paints in my hands than a seam ripper and machine. I remember being so pis*ed that girls couldn't do woodworking like the boys did, and we got stuck making soufles and stoopid skirts, lol. oh- whatever you do, don't get rid of your Bernina (unless you give it to me, tee hee) because a good machine is worth its weight in gold. I think I would like sewing more if I had a good machine. LB

Ooohhh- zippers scare me- haven't sewn one of those since *I* was in home ec! But I like the idea of pj pants. Thanks!

What is body blocking? What is a cotehardie??? I am so stupid! LB

Thanks, Happy! I really like the apron idea, and that would give them a taste of hemming, too. LB

I teach a teen girls' art class, and the girls want to just focus on sewing next year. So far, we have covered (or it is in my plans to cover for next year) Quilting: machine piecing, as well as hand piecing. (They are almost done with nine-patch quilts that we have been working on this winter, and we will be working on charm quilts that will be all hand-pieced.) They know how to plan a quilt pattern, deal with fabric choice, use the mat and cutter and iron safely, etc. We will tie the nine patch quilts, but I will teach them to do the quilting on the next quilt they do. Learning to use a pattern (American Doll clothes for one girl, not sure what patterns the other two would do as they aren't into dolls. Thoughts on a simple pattern?). What other basic sewing skills do I need to teach them? Two girls will be using what we do for high school credit- I just want to make sure I cover things. I have been amazed at how many of the basics can be taught with quilting, and that's mostly what they want to do, but if there is something else I am forgetting, let me know, ok? LB

All four of us in our family are all sort of pooling our various talents to help come up with extra money right now. Our family business (TurtleWorks Studio) is made up of the following: Our Boy is an excellent dog walker/sitter, and lawn mower. His money goes toward his costs for out of state speech tournaments, and the medical care of the cats (flea meds, shots, etc.). Our Girl teaches piano (she's currently at 1 student and wants more), plays at church services, and also sells her chickens' eggs for $5. a dozen. She also chicken sits for family friends on a regular basis, the pay being that she may sell those eggs, too. Her money goes to piano competition/adjudication fees, and piano tunings. She has also just started saving for a baby grand piano. I am doing respite care for one family (teaching their older teen girl early childhood education); before and after school care and tutoring for our NeighborBoy; teaching art technique workshops at 2 local stores; teaching sewing and art playdate classes to 3 teen girls twice a month; and will hopefully soon be selling my own paintings, mixed media creations, and textile works in my own etsy shop, and in local galleries. We will have a produce/flower/egg stand set up in front of the house this summer, as well. Not sure how it will go, but the kids want to be in charge of it, so we shall see. The kids support me before and after workshops, I will stop off and take care of the Boy's dogs if he can't make it, etc. We all support each other, and work together as much as possible. The Dude is traveling for his job and is out of town 5/7 of the week, and he helps by working so hard and doing lots of overtime. He has in the past, made things that I have sold for him- stepping stones, wire and stone plant stakes, jewelry, etc. Some other ideas we have and may do in the future: Raising bees (mostly for the experience) and selling the honey. Owning and running a small bookstore/cafe', catering to those who deal with food allergies. Singing/playing/reciting (busking) at local fairs, etc. (This brings in a lot of money!) I know we are a more creative artsy family than some, but the point is to look at all the members of your family, and see what contributions they can make to a business. Our goal is that in just five years, I will be contributing enough to our monthly income, that painting/creating is all I will have to do- no other small jobs. LB

I made four quiches on Friday, and still have 2.5 quiches left. One has cheese, the other two don't, if that matters. Could I cut them into individual portions and freeze them? TIA, LB

We're a papa family here. I always called my dad papa when I was tiny- after his dad died (whom we all called Papa as well), he insisted I call him dad. Never cared for that as much as Papa, so when the Dude and I got together, I asked him if he would be papa, and so it has been. The kids call him dad every now and again, now that they are teens, but he will always be their Papa to me. LB

I make a wonderful challah- so good in fact that my little sister was supposed to take some to our mama after our family dinner, and she took it home and ate it herself. Now she wants challah for her birthday, lol. Oops- kids are fighting- will try to come back and add stuff soon. LB

Andie! I am hijacking this to ask you to email me- I have lost your number yet again. You have really been on my mind for a while, and I would really like to touch base with you- please email me, or pm me so I can get your numbers again and give you mine.

Bump.

Hi folks! I do respite care for a family with a 17 yr old girl who when labeled (we really try not to) is described as having high-functioning autism. I work with her 4 days a month, doing either art/sewing projects, and other things that strengthen the skills she is still learning, such as eye contact, interpersonal communication, etc. Her mama thinks she has a gift with babies and toddlers, and would like to strengthen her other skills so that this could be a potential career for her. I am looking for a very simply written early childhood development text that the two of us could work through togeher. She will then practice planning activities to do with her 3 yr old sister, and I will supervise, etc. Does anyone have an idea for a book that would help me in this endeavor? I am thinking of using Slow and Steady Get me Ready for the activities, but am still looking for a text we could use. The last time I studied Child Development was over 25 yrs ago! Thanks muchly, LB

Yet another vote for Mama.

No, I don't think it's prudish- I think the difference is where you stated: It's one thing to notice a good butt, another to focus on that as the main intention. And anyways............ Some of our men don't have butts.:tongue_smilie: I am just hoping my dd takes after my side of the family in the butt dept.- she is going to need it to balance out the booKs she inherited from me!

Even with a migraine, and being snowed in, and not being able to give the kids the majority of their Santa gifts do to the storms, it was a beautiful Christmas. I feel very blessed to have been able to have my little family all together safe and snug in our old farmhouse. I was able to see the generous, caring side of each of my kids, and my Dude, too. Those were the best gifts of all. The Dude and the Girl just left to take the Boy back to his house-sitting gig. I am trying not to bite my nails while they are out in the snow and ice. We will all do the dishes together when they return, and I hope to get the Girl to bed on hte early side so I can play Mr. and Mrs. Santa with the Dude, lol. I can't help it..... my Man looks a bit like Santa, with his longer silver hair, and his full, bushy almost white beard:drool5:..... don't laugh, but it is a bit of a Christmas turn-on for me. :D :blushing:Um, erm. Okay then, on that note of way TMI, I am off. Merry Christmas!

Just popping in for second, so I haven't read the other replies, but the modern day show that does this for me, has been Seventh Heaven. I have to admit, my childhood was far from that of the Cleavers or the Camdens, and I do learn a great deal from how each family parents with humour. Gotta go!

Hey Beth, I am so sorry you were dealing with this too, and that you had to go to ER. Rest up, and take it easy today. You and I need to drink not egg nog, but lots of water today. The Dude wrapped almost all the gifts, and I slept from 1 am to 4, and then 5 to 9, and woke with it really bad again, but so far I have taken some ibuprofin, and already been drinking water, so I am hoping to keep it at bay. The low blood pressure nausea feeling is the worst. I can handle the head pain, if I can keep the nausea away. The Dude just left to pick the Boy up from his dog-sitting gig, and then we will do some gifts. I think Santa brought us some more FIestaware. I wish my camera were working- I should take a picture of my very full of Fiesta dish cupboard! Thanks for all the well-wishes, and I promise to take it easy today, napping a bit if I can. Merry Christmas folks.