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Everything posted by dangermom
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Also for me--no change.
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Do you ever feel like a homeschooling outsider?
dangermom replied to Stacie's topic in General Education Discussion Board
I think this is true, perhaps especially of women. It seems to me that most of the women I know (online and IRL) will say at some point that they are the outsiders wherever they are. I've decided that we all need each other's strengths, so it's just as well. :001_smile: -
Do you ever feel like a homeschooling outsider?
dangermom replied to Stacie's topic in General Education Discussion Board
I'm comfortable in our park group. But I can't say there's anyone else like me there. Most of them are unschooling hippies. I like unschooling hippies, so I'm happy, but I didn't start homeschooling because I wanted to fit into a crowd. I'm OK with not fitting in. (And when I attend the Christian group, it's just the same.) -
Books parents should read
dangermom replied to Cortana's topic in General Education Discussion Board
I don't like Doug Wilson or TJed, but I did like Climbing Parnassus and Who Killed Homer? -
Fashion design-sewing-questions
dangermom replied to Shawna in Texas's topic in General Education Discussion Board
I would recommend a basic mechanical machine that is reasonably sturdy. I love the Janome Jem Gold for my daughters--it's simple and portable, but should last them through high school. I got it for around $250. Unless you're going to buy a used machine, you should expect to spend about that for a decent machine--those $100 Brother models at Walmart are junky. A used machine can be a great way to go, though. The older models from the 60's and 70's were often much more durable than modern machines. But I would tell you to avoid a Singer model unless it's a Featherweight--Singer went downhill in the 70's. -
Fashion design-sewing-questions
dangermom replied to Shawna in Texas's topic in General Education Discussion Board
Wow, that is great! First she'll need to learn basic sewing. Have you got a sewing machine? I would suggest trying a pillowcase and a pair of pajama pants or a simple skirt, and then get into fancier things. This pillowcase tutorial is about right. And Simplicity 3553 is a pajama pants pattern for beginners with lots of instructions. You could also look for one or two books at the library or bookstore--there are a jillion pretty books out there right now that have instructions and lots of cute easy projects like head kerchiefs, hairbands, tote bags, etc. Tote bags are a good place to start too--easy and fun to embellish. (When you stick your own decorations on a basic pattern, that's embellishment.) There are also a jillion blogs and tutorials for creative sewists from beginner to expert. I read blogs by people who sew 30's dresses from vintage patterns, or who design their own stuff, all kinds of things. A good place to start is the Sew, Mama, Sew store and blog, which collects and catalogues a lot of the tutorials. She will have to be patient! A simple tutu is pretty easy, but to make it really good takes some skill. For elaborate costumey things, she'll need to work up to that--you can't just make a corset for your first project, you'll kill yourself with frustration. But if she is willing, she can learn fast and be doing amazing things pretty soon, esp. if she has a high tolerance for getting stuck and inventing solutions that won't match her first idea, but might be even better. -
How does homeschooling affect your marriage?
dangermom replied to Jenny in GA's topic in General Education Discussion Board
I don't think it has had a negative effect, but we have never been to PS so I don't have a control group. I also tend to focus more on my husband when he's home, since I do so much with the kids all day (he is very good about doing most of the evening stuff with them, and I'm not sure he would put that much effort into it if I hadn't already had them for the whole day, so there's a benefit). We have a weekly date night, which is wonderful for us, and in fact quite necessary. :) -
Book A Week in 2010 - Book Week Seven
dangermom replied to Robin M's topic in General Education Discussion Board
Here's my post for the week; I read Sky Coyote and Does my head look big in this? I loved Sky Coyote but I put off finishing it because I was afraid of the ending. I also finished The Holy Sinner by Thomas Mann, which I don't recommend unless you're really into medieval legends or you like V. C. Andrews. Oog. AND, I'm publishing my review of SWB's new book today. Whew. -
Would you ever consider moving to New Zealand?
dangermom replied to redmom3's topic in General Education Discussion Board
I would totally move to NZ! -
Book A Week in 2010 Week 6
dangermom replied to Robin M's topic in General Education Discussion Board
I read The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma and a great sewing book. -
I really enjoy Secular Homeschooling (and I'm religious). It's very meaty.
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Very true. I find they're sort of quick-and-dirty, but you'll get much better results if you learn better techniques that might take slightly more time but have a lot of payoff. A book I recently found that shows a lot of good techniques is The A-Z of Sewing. The A-Z series is from Australia, and has excellent photography and explanations. I too have learned a lot from heirloom sewing publications.
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Do you feel like a homeschool outcast?
dangermom replied to wendzu's topic in Accelerated Learner Board
Yeah, I gotta say, if I could afford to take my kids to Europe I'd be there. It really makes me pretty sad that I can't, and I try not to think about it too much. I'm glad you can, but it would hurt a little to hear very much about it. -
I, for one, would be happy to teach someone to sew in exchange for a service or something. So maybe you could find someone in your area to teach you the basics? I have learned mostly through books and trial and error.
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Well, THAT Freaked Me Out!
dangermom replied to Impish's topic in General Education Discussion Board
I agree about reporting it to the police so they know what's going on. Also, read Gavin deBecker's books -- he has a good part in The Gift of Fear about overly-friendly strangers. (A good guy will be polite and distantly friendly, not over-familiar. A good guy who needs a cab will not ask a lone woman to do it for him.) -
Facebook: has anyone's format changed?
dangermom replied to a topic in General Education Discussion Board
My husband's has changed, but not mine. Evidently they're rolling it out slowly. -
Do you share this information woth your family?
dangermom replied to beachmom's topic in General Education Discussion Board
Not usually, no. No one would ask. Except when dh was out of work last year and he finally got a job, my mom wanted to know if he'd be making enough. I wasn't bothered by that much, but otherwise, no. -
Yet another Facebook/dh question
dangermom replied to Stacie's topic in General Education Discussion Board
:glare::glare::glare::glare::glare: Very skeptical, that's what I think. It's fun to have your spouse on your friends list.