I'm still new to hs. And now I'm adding baking/cooking from scratch. But with hs and time to play and have with my boys -- I don't know how you do it. Sometimes when I'm baking, I think, gee, I could be playing go fish or something with them. Is this really a good use of my time? How do you manage to fit it all in? Any tips? Alicia

I lost 45 lbs. three years ago - and I think it was the best thing I ever did for myself. I'll just tell you what I did/learned. None of it is totally Weight Watcher sanctioned or "politically correct" ~ Btw, your picture is really cute. I bet you're way more attractive than you realize. Still, it's not fun when your pants won't fit, I know. 1) I'm devoted to Weight Watchers. If you can find a leader that you love, great, but definitely find one that doesn't annoy you. At different points in my journey (whatever you call it), I needed a great leader. Other times I was fine with an ok one. I've been going for almost ten years now. I will go forever. What's an hour a week out of my life to have my pants fit?? But the weight was totally off for good -- with no more pregnancies interrupting three years ago. 2) Exercise is important for the bones/heart/blah blah blah, but I didn't consider it part of how I was really going to lose weight. If I did too much exercise and exhausted myself, I ended up eating more. For me, the only way to see the scale move was to limit my eating. 3) Lose as slowly as possible. I know that sounds weird, but fast weight loss will return. Period. Go slow. Celebrate losing 1/2 pound. 4) I knew a leader who went to a WW mtg. every day for three months. Not a bad idea. Wish I'd thought of it. 5) I looked at weight loss as a part time job. In other words, not as something that I could semi-ignore. I took it super seriously. 6) I realized that losing weight was about totally changing how I related to food. An easy sentence to write, harder to do. Even today, I'm down to 139 lbs. at 5'7, my old habits are just waiting at the door to mob me. I have to be careful -- and I know it. I just love food too much. When I'm sad. When I'm happy. When I'm celebrating. There's no reason not to eat in my mind and I have to deal with that "sick" way of thinking. 7) I used to reward myself with little and bigger things and yes, we're on a budget. If I stuck to my plan till Sat. I'd get that new cookbook I'd wanted. Or a new plant for my desk. Or that Mac lipstick that at $14 seems like a total splurge. Those little things really helped me. Privately email me if you'd like more tips. I'm more than happy to share. Take care, Alicia

We've lived in this house for nine years and this is the third one we've seen. We recently cleaned out part of our yard which was messy and dh thinks they were living in that and we disrupted their home. Again, I don't mind the guys living in the yard, but I really don't want one slipping into our house. In nine years, we've never found one in the house and I'd like to keep it that way. Alicia

I'm an animal lover and wouldn't want to hurt one, but I don't love bugs and snakes, lizards etc. All of a sudden, there's a lizard living right outside our front door. It hangs out in the bushes. I saw it once yesterday and I figured I'd never see it again -- and there it was again today. I will freak if it sneaks into the house. It doesn't act like a pet. It takes off when it realizes we've taken over the front porch. Do you know how to capture it -- what kind of food attracts it? We're near a river/nature area and could transplant it. Again, I don't mind it living out front, but I'm afraid it's going to end up in the house. TIA!!! Alicia

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate your time! I didn't mean to say Eddie Bauer tee shirts are cheap, but I think they're great quality for the price. Plus I have an outlet right around the corner and when the put those clothes on sale, do get a good price. Thanks again, Alicia

Ok! I guess I was right to be scared! Songbird ~ at Super Cuts you get the stylist who's open. And it's way awkward to say to her, "no thank you. I'm waiting for the other person." I did that once w/ my son and it felt bad. I do have long layered bob -- and you all talked me into doing what I need to do. Yes, she will give me a bang trim, but she makes comments now and then that a lot of her clients are stretching their cuts and she sounds irritated by it. Kind of put me off. What does she think is going to happen in a bad economy? Thanks for your feedback -- you really helped! Alicia

Hi Everyone, Before I risk sounding like a super vain person, let me just say that I live in jeans and Eddie Bauer tee shirts -- long sleeve in winter, short sleeve in summer. I don't have logo anything unless you count the Dodge logo on my van. At 44 yrs, I do color my hair, but it's from a box and I do it at home. Ok, here's my question, I've always spent money on a good haircut. When I found a hair stylist who was only charging $35, plus tip, $42 (in CA) and she's awesome, I did cart wheels. But I'm baking my own bread now and soaking my own beans and I stay out of Target. Trying to be thrifty. I really don't want to spend $42 every six weeks, but I'm scared. I'd like to go to Super Cuts or Great Clips or something like that, but like I said, I'm scared. I take my boys to Super Cuts and I said to dh, "you know, they get great hair cuts over there -- why am I paying $42?" But when it comes time to actually go into a Super Cuts and get my hair trimmed, well, I don't do it. Now I just look shaggy. Why do you think of these cheapy places? I mean, only answer if your haircut matters to you. I know there are many people with long hair and hair trims aren't the biggest issue in the world. Thanks for letting me be vain for a moment, Alicia

I read a killer book on the importance of reading aloud even when the kids are teens!! It's called The Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease. AWESOME book. I'm a library person, but actually bought this one. He also puts in an amazing book list on good read alouds for different ages. Book explains why it's so bonding for family. We read at least an hour a day -- with dh and me usually more. Mine are almost 6. Are insane about the Little House series. Love Stuart Little. But I'm holding off on Charlotte's Web because I hate spiders and am afraid they'll never let me kill another one! A.

Seriously, if you've having problems/reactions to various meds -- you hopefully are seeing a wonderful psychiatrist who is prescribing. NOT a GP. And he/she needs to be told about the brick walls you're experiencing. Nothing against GPs. I love mine. But psychiatrists are specifically trained to prescribe the right anti depressant for you. GPs simply don't have the same, intricate training as the specialists. They're not ophthalmologists. They're not obgyns. They're not podiatrists. All of these are specialists. A psychiatrist -- a caring one -- will work with you until the meds are right for you. Depression in any form is such a serious thing. I respect anyone who is trying to get a handle on it. It ruins the person's life and everyone around them feels the effects of it too. And, like you, I totally understand the love life issue. But my problem involves dryness. Eye roll. Take care, Alicia

I just need some easy, great ideas for staying on my diet even as dh thinks that his junk food is at the bottom of the food pyramid -- meaning very important. I've asked him to not bring my favorite treats into the house and he's agreed. I've asked him to put his junk food on the top shelf where I can't see or reach it. Any other easy, fun ideas? A.

my SIL started this site years ago! We live in CA and she got a 2nd degree burn at the river as a teen so she can't get any color for safety reasons. Anyway, she got into finding the best colorless tanner. http://www.sunless.com

I'm a travel writer and can tell you that if the city has an Embassy Suites, you're set. You'll have a two room suite with beds and a pull out bed, plus a small kitchen, plus an eating table. Plus they provide an enormous, hot breakfast the next day. It's not a continental breakfast -- it's the works. They also usually have indoor swimming pools so bring your towels and suits. My kids love the Embassy Suites indoor pools. They also do a 5:30 "happy hour" with an abundance of snack food for kids and adults and full on drinks for adults (I have margaritas and they're not tiny) and the kids can have Shirley Temples or whatever. And no I don't work for them! Alicia

I have two boys who will be six in April and first graders in the fall. I'm certainly no expert, but after some research, here's what I plan to do: 1) Sing, Spell, Read and Write ~ for phonics, reading, spelling etc. etc. It looks fun, has CD's, games, VERY comprehensive. Don't know if it will work, but I bit. 2) Right Start Math ~ friends rave about it. 3) Galloping Around the Globe ~ everyone seems to love it. 4) Definitely read the Little House series to him -- my boys absolutely lived for it and learned so much about so much. 5) We're in a postcard exchange group and when we receive a postcard, we circle it on our map and put the child's/families name. 6) I use fun curriculum books I find in Costco. 7) I find two articles in the paper for them each day that I think will grab their interest. I read it to them, have them cut it out, tape it on white paper, write their name and then show it to Dad for more discussion later. It's usually science related. 8) When I was teaching them money, I "made" them pay me for their food. They had a menu with prices and had to find the right dime, penny, or quarter combo. It was fun. 9) I let them watch the Magic School Bus series which I order from the library. There, I've probably totally overwhelmed you. Where are you located? Alicia

Living in a foreign country has always been one of my "big dreams". I just never assumed it could/would happen. Then I was reading a childrens book today to a two year old today saying, "it's ok to be short", "it's ok to live in a small house" etc. etc. It finally said, "it's ok to dream big." And I thought, "wow, thanks. I needed to hear that." Dh is in a computer niche for a large hospital system here in Ca. In these economic times he has no interest in job hunting which obviously is smart. But if we were to search. Where do you start? We're not bilingual, but would love to live in Italy. Any thoughts? I'm also interested in hearing others' "big dreams". Alicia

Hi, My boys are 6 in April and dh wants to get the boys science games/curriculum for their birthday. We have about $100 to spend. I'd like something that helps them with "building block" knowledge. Any suggestions? Alicia

Wait a second. Your kids are 9 and 8 and your daughter was assigned a book with cuss words and a hooker in it?? I'm no prude -- I live in wacky California and all that -- but that's ridiculous. Actually, I was letting my boys watch an episode of Little House on the Prairie and a lady of the night (as she was called) had a long enough scene with Charles (where he turned her down). But the hooker was implying that Mary was his date for the evening even after he explained that Mary was his daughter. I didn't remember Little House having stuff like that in it. The book series certainly doesn't. My boys kept saying, "WHOSE THAT?!" I said, "oh, that lady just got the wrong hotel room." :001_huh: Crazy. Good luck -- we're all with you. Alicia

Hi Everyone, I'm still new to home schooling, but am getting more fanatical about it as the days go by. In January I signed my boys up for T Ball that starts at the end of March. Now that the time is almost here, I'm having reservations. I'd love your feedback. Here's why I'm thinking no: 1) dh comes home around 4:00 p.m. and takes them to the river every day. It's special for all of them and gives me time to make dinner, clean up etc. Everyone's happy and peaceful after. 2) since leaving ps, we've become more family oriented and the boys aren't around kids who have a negative influence. Mostly we're seeing only home school kids and I like that. I don't really want them exposed to kids with a different set of values. Huge groups of them at least. 3) They're almost six and I'm realizing that this time when they're young and family oriented is fleeting -- and I'm thinking why give them a huge external project like T Ball (practice during the week, game every weekend, meetings for the parents; it's involved). 4) I wanted them to have some spring swim lessons (we're in Ca) and it would conflict with the T Ball. 5) One of my boys is built and acts athletically and I think he'll shine in baseball like my dad did. But, as dh says: how is that skill useful in the long run? Dh would rather they swim, take piano etc. etc. I'm so torn. Anybody have a thought on this? Am I being silly? Please don't throw tomatoes at me if your kids are in ps -- we have friends in ps and I know there are many wonderful children in it. Thanks, Alicia

As somone who had her five year olds in school for five months, I can tell you: dealing with schools is EXHAUSTING!!! In fact it was so draining that I became a much worse mom. I realized that if I home educated, I'd be a much kinder person, less stressed and I am. Now, I should say that I had them in a parent participation school, but I'm beginning to think all schools are "all about them". They are King -- not you or your family. Their needs, schedules, goals etc. matter. Period. And, to me at least, I started to feel like I was a kid again answering to a difficult parent. Alicia

Hi Everyone, I'm trying to plan something fun for our summer months that involves staying at home and still having a fun summer. Can you throw out some creative ideas? We have access to a pool, a local lake. Any ideas very appreciated! Alicia

If you list a movie, will you list the ages it's good for? I'm trying not to expose my kids to stuff that's too advanced in one way or another. Too much kissing or torture or whatever. Alicia

I'm sorry anyone would be that rude -- that's awful. I color my hair for the usual reasons. I use a sometimes $8, sometimes $9 box of Clairol from the grocery store. And my dh still complains about the price!! :001_huh: Alicia :lol:

And I wholeheartedly agree with Kalanamak. Jams, jellies and potted plants. . . thoughtful gifts. . . would work beautifully on sane people. But psychotic people. . . NO. Alicia

The cutest cottage in the world wouldn't keep me leaving across the street -- with my children -- from a complete nut case. Personally I wouldn't paper trail this one, I'd get out of Dodge. Alicia

Thanks everyone! dmmosher ~ I am baking a lot now and I don't go to Costco that often so it's easier to pick up two rather than just one. Alicia

thanks everyone. I guess I'm worried that I accidentally bought an open at Costco and it's bad or poisoned or whatever. But when I bought them, I could swear that they were both brick like. So, if I'm understanding you right -- they're both supposed to be hard as bricks, right? Alicia ps. thanks Jewel for the freezer advice!