The item I buy is Barney Butter (almond butter). I asked and they don't put it in any of their sales circulars, in print or online. You have to catch it when the tag is on the shelf. No advertising. The cashier I asked told me that. She also said it was on a sales cycle but she wouldn't say how many weeks it was. That's why I wondered if anyone who shops there regularly had noticed how many weeks the cycle was. Thanks!

Does anyone know if Wholefoods has a sales cycle, and if so, what is it-6wks?, 8wks? I don't live close so I don't go often, but there's a couple of expensive things I can only buy there and I'd love to catch them on sale. I have seen them on sale, so I know it happens!

Could you post your favorite GF pizza crust recipes? i'd like something a bit soft, so many are HARD. Thanks

Has anyone used any good budgeting tools for teens? Online, CD ROM, book, I don't mind what. I'd love to hear what has worked for your family. Thanks

Go private. The school therapists do not have the time to see a child for the length and frequency that is needed for effective treatment. I'm a therapist and am always frustrated by how little can be done in school. Not the school therapists fault at all, it's the system with too little money and too many needs.

Can anyone recommend an online drivers ed course that is accepted by DMV in CA? Preferably one that you have used for your own dc. Thanks!

I want to print a long PDF file that I bought online and I wondered if anyone knew how to do it cheaply? It would cost more than it's worth to print it on my home printer. I'd like to keep it in the format it is, not cut and condense. Thanks for your help

There are many articles out there about how state schools are often just as good ( I said often, not always) and kids are taking on so much student loan debt that they could have avoided. Will having gone to the pricey school give that much more income upon graduation? Except for some specific fields, where you went to school isn't a huge factor in getting a job. We have said to our children that we do not intend to go into debt to send them to college, nor do we intend for THEM to go into debt. They have worked hard and are applying for scholarships, but they will go to a place that can be paid for. I know many adults who are still paying their own college loans when they have children coming up to college age as well. Visit the state college and talk to the professors. I think you may be pleasantly surprised. They are usually well educated and excited about what they do, just the same as at pricey schools. Many do what they do because they believe in public education, and I think it would be good for more people like us who are passionate about education, to put the word out. BTW, I have 2 starting college full time this fall.

I'll tell you what worked for us, just as another piece of information. We found a homeschool charter that offered some classes at a little school site, and also had an agreement with the high school in their district that their students could take up to 2 classes there. They set the assignments and their teacher comes to the house once a week to meet with student, work on things, set next week assignment. Some of the teachers are mediocre and some are brilliant. We got a brilliant one, and have given an education far beyond what I could have ever done. School requires 2 essays a month, whole, polished, researched, presented. There is much required reading, all good literature.That hour with teacher is spent in discussion and analysis of topics studied, books read, etc. The accountability to someone outside has been perfect and I am not the bad guy any more. We had been living here for 2years before I heard about this choice. When my child was 8th grade and I knew we were in for the duration, I asked everyone I came into contact with how they schooled, what they had found, etc. I'm sure people thought I was annoying, but I HAD to find something, and I did. We have used the high school (with whom charter homeschool has an agreement) for AP classes and lab sciences, CC for math, and plain at home for the rest. I wish you all the best.

We just got a blu ray player that has some internet capability, but it seems it needs a wire connection to the internet which will not work for the TV in question. Does this sound right? So someone suggested a Roku box, which I could get Dh for Christmas, IF I know how to make it work before I give it (neither of us are techies). He watches soccer streamed on the internet, which is what I want him to be able to do through Roku. Would he be able to? If I buy a box at COstco, what do I have to do to install it? I need it in very simple language, I have some gifts, but tech knowledge isn't one of them :) Thank you.

I am in great need of a new vacuum. Can you give your recommendations? The budget will only stretch to $300 and I'm not in a good area to find used. Please don't tempt me with the great, but expensive ones. Just budget friendly and light, if possible.Thanks!

My ds 15 is HARD on his watches, from the glass shattering to the strap disintegrating. He's active and physical. Can anyone recommend a REALLY sturdy watch in the $50 and under price range? He doesn't like the velcro strap ones. Thanks

I know that in other cultures and in history individuals married younger and remained fairly attached to their parents-financially and sometimes physically. But, my goal for my children is for them to become independent (barring and physical or mental limitations which would exclude this). There is no magic age for independence, but if a child is wanting to have the privileges of marriage then they should have the responsibility of that. I would pay whatever I had intended to pay toward college before the marriage, but I would NEVER encourage marriage before the end of college to happen. For girls there is a real risk of pregnancy and not completing their education, and for boys those possible children are a big responsibility when you have no income and no education to have a good income. If they are mature and responsible enough to think of marrying then they are also mature and responsible enough to wait until one or both of them has enough education to support being married.

Ds is applying for full tuition scholarship for college. On the application there is a box to list academic awards. He qualified in both math and verbal for CTY and also for EPGY. Do these go in the academic awards category and how would we phrase it? I always feel like 'qualified' sounds like you just scraped by. Are these things that colleges recognize? I'll be so glad when this application process is over. We have 2 seniors right now and it's so tiring. At least we get the SAT/application stress over in one big gulp! Thank you

Does anyone have any recommendations for advent devotions for a family with all teenagers.A book, website, etc. I want to do more to observe advent this year. Thanks!!

I actively watch out for, and ask for, bags of hand me downs. My kids had thrift/hand me downs exclusively when they were young. Then I laughed to myself that they never asked "where did you buy this?". They would ask "where did this come from?". I would shop a bit more inexpensively for your first, so 2nd can have a few new things too. Also let 2nd see that you also take hand me downs (and if you don't, then you could start thrifting, or asking sister/mom/friend for stuff they are through with). My husband and I both wear thrift and hand me downs, so my kids see whole family doing it. We have a teenage only child across street who likes clothes and has a lot. His cast offs come here, and it outfits both my husband and son. THey thing it's great. Many of my thrift finds are expensive brands and look new.

I need some 7th grade science, not too much reading, but still content rich, with good diagrams, some hands on activities. Am I dreaming? FOr a smart but not into reading volumes, kid who likes to do it on her own. Anyone have any recommendations???

we use skype to talk to relatives overseas. It's the best and free!!! It's online, so you have to have decent internet service. We talk overseas for over an hour each week, so it's so great for us. You also get picture with Skype, so kids show latest creations, purchases, etc. Great way to stay connected.

Oh, I wish I had known the facts from CrimsonWife before my son entered high school. We went with a charter through high school and it has been inflexible. I have fought them and won on a lot of things. The good thing about the charter though is they had a competitive academic team and some elective classes. So my child has had a bit of a peer group. Also I couldn't have coped if I hadn't had some of the burden lifted by the charter, child was too much to school alone! He's graduating this year. Each child/family/charter is so different that you need to gather all the facts you can and then make the decision that's right for you and your family. That's what we have done all the way along, though most of the time it felt like we were walking in the dark. now we see the light at the end of the tunnel and it feels awfully good.

any thought that those struggling to put on weight little ones might be lactose intolerant? Adding the milk powder, etc, may be making things worse. I had a little one who failed to thrive and that is the only suggestion mainstream doctors will give you - full fat milk, sour cream, etc, etc, etc. Look at some alternatives. More whole grains, unprocessed chicken and beef, avocados, bananas, etc. Read some of Ellyn Satter's books, they talk about HEALTHY ways to boost children's nutrition and also about eating and food related behavior. She has chapters addressing various medical needs. GOOD LUCK.

I feel for you, we are there with one of ours. In fact both my girls. The older one wore GAP slim size 16 or 18 which had to be ordered online. They were regular dark wash, nice shape. This gave the length and still had the adjustable waist. This dd is now a senior in PS and wears size 1 from Old Navy that I sew elastic into. the next dd we found juniors size 0 at Kohls. Surprisingly they were called "super low cut" but weren't. They fit well. GOOD LUCK

I'm trying to make the switch to no-aluminum deodorant. What are the favorites out there? I've heard mention of using some sort of crystal, as well as some sort of solid (you can tell I didn't listen very well). We live in the HEAT so I need something effective. Thanks for the help.

I am looking for a good, informative, but fun and enjoyable, magazine for dd 12 (7th grade). I'd like it to be a bit higher than her level, rather than a bit lower-maybe geared for early high school? Does anyone have any suggestions?

I'm from UK. I've heard of this policy in US. I had never come across it in the UK. I wouldn't bother talking to the receptionist about it. I would show up for the appointment and just follow the child back. They will have a harder time refusing you when you are right there in the doorway, and other people in the waiting room. Do you have a GP there who will go to bat for you, on the basis of the communication disorder? I would be very polite with ortho, but very firm. Good luck!

I got the one from savvy-cents and it's fantastic. So pretty and has held up really well. It has been the best wallet ever for a cash budget