We've had it so many years that I'm totally out of the loop on what to look for next since there are more on the market than there used to be. I really need to get this wrapped up by fall when I start back to work. Here are some questions I have: What kind of crock pot do you own/recommend? How many sizes do you own and what do you use them for? Do you have a favorite crock pot/slow cooker website to recommend? Thanks in advance for anything you may want to share. Blessings, Lucinda

And the cherry on top? Monday is his first day, and its also our 19th wedding anniversary. The Lord is good. Blessings, Lucinda

Hello all , Well, I promised I would keep you updated, so here I am. I have some bad news and some good news. The bad news: He didn't get the job we were hoping for that I told you we were pulling for. The good news, no, the FABULOUS news: He got an even better job!!! :party: :party: :party: I'm thrilled to tell you that dh got a full-time job with a well established, local pharmacy just a few miles from home and he starts the day after tomorrow. We are in shock because the starting pay is higher than he dreamed he'd have to begin with!! Thank you all for your prayers. God is sooooo good. This whole thing has been an amazing journey. Blessings, Lucinda

Thank you, Gail! You are my hero! Does anyone by chance have Book 2? Blessings, Lucinda

Would you possibly lend me a hand? I'm in a huge hurry for this and am reaching out with hope that someone reads this tonight who actually has the curriculum. If that might be you, would you mind giving me a list of the major artists that are included in Books 1 & 2? Thank you soooooooooooo much! Blessings, Lucinda

My two cents, fwiw... I, too, was shocked when Judith and Sarah were voted off. I liked Sarah the best of the two and am sorry to see her go, but I do hope she does well in her career. Judith was far too experienced and it didn't seem fair to have her there. I wasn't crazy about her style, but she sure can sing! Now as for the remainder of the group, I am not a fan of the Swons at all, and Danielle is too much like a remake of Carrie Underwood -- who I LOVE -- but gosh, let's get a winner this year that isn't more of the same thing over and over. Sasha has amazing talent and I happen to like her a lot, but I'd have to say it would be a tie for me between her and Amber. Amber has real heart to go along with amazing talent. I'll be happy to see either of these artists win the final. Blessings, Lucinda

Oh my! I didn't log on for over a week and just now saw there have been even more responses to my request. Thank you all so much! Dh has been out interviewing and there is one possibility that is looking really excellent. It doesn't start out as full time, but it's with the company that's at the top of his list. So far there have been two interviews and a background check. Next will be another interview with the the pharmacist and the store's general manager. We'll need to find a way to supplement our income for awhile, but we're pretty excited about him getting his foot in the door with this company. Please keep those prayers coming, and I'll be back for updates. Blessings to all, Lucinda

Thank you both so much for your prayers and kind words. Bethany, what an encouragement to learn about your own experience. Thanks for sharing that. Yes, I will be sure to post updates. Blessings, Lucinda

Some of you know the background story on this, but I'll briefly share for those that don't. Dh had a minor stroke a couple of years ago and ended up losing his CDL because of it, which cost him his job as a truck driver. At the age of nearly 60 he had to make a choice to retrain for another profession. He enrolled in a program in pharmacy technology and did an excellent job getting through it. He's now graduating, is licensed and is finally able to apply for jobs in his new field. He's been out of work for over 18 months now and we desperately need the income. This has been a real matter of faith for us. We've had to move into a rental because of foreclosure on our home, but we feel that God is giving us a new beginning. Dh's attitude is good and we're trusting the Lord to open doors. I just wanted to post this request for those of you that feel led to pray with us for a job to open up quickly. He has no experience other than an externship he did this spring, but he's very capable. There are a lot of graduates looking for work now, but I'm reminded often that nothing is impossible with God. Please pray with us that dh will not only be working again soon, but that he'll get hired by a really good pharmacy where he'll fit in with the staff. I'd love so much to see him in an environment that he really enjoys during his last years of working before retirement. Thanks so much! Blessings, Lucinda

I knew I'd get great ideas if I came here with my question! Thanks so much for all the wonderful suggestions. I had no idea that these were available and am very grateful. I'm amazed at how many different styles they carry. So far, Flexi-8 clips are my favorite! Wow, Ficcares are gorgeous. I'd love to buy some, but will have to bookmark and wait on that because they're pretty spendy. And a forum -- I never would have thought there'd be a forum for women with long hair. I will have to dig deeper and check this out. Where do you find beautiful hair pins like this if you aren't near a Korean market/vendor? They are just beautiful! I'm thinking, maybe eBay? Again, thanks everyone for all the great resources. Blessings, Lucinda

I'm letting my hair grow out and have been looking for some hair ornaments for adults other than the standard ones found in stores like Walmart, Walgreens, grocery stores, etc. (i.e. Goody brand). I have fine hair that doesn't always hold most of the types I've found so far, plus I'd like to find accessories that are nicer quality. Does anyone have a favorite resource for things like this? Thanks for sharing if you do. Blessings, Lucinda

Oh honey, you are one very blessed lady!! Enjoy! Lucinda

I agree! Be gentle on yourself by not rushing with replies, putting her on a restricted access or even blocking her for awhile. I've had to do this myself with FB because some relationships just aren't healthy when limited to FB alone. One family member used to start arguments with me, challenging me to controversial issues in public. Another relative started arguments with dh and I in response to photos we posted that she used to express jealousy over, and she also used FB to (for lack of a better word) spy on me to see what dh and I were doing, who I was connected to, etc. I finally decided to unfriend and even block them along with some other people on my list and use FB for my own purposes -- to stay connected with people that I have established, healthy relationships with. If I want to change the status at some point up ahead then I have that option, but only when I'm ready and on my terms. :iagree: You deserve more than FB from your bio mom. If she is sincere, she'll agree to make face to face contact when and if you are interested. It would be wonderful if things led up to forgiveness and healing for you at some point, even if you choose not to become close. But FB doesn't offer anything close to what that would take. God bless you my dear. Take care of yourself, and focus on your beloved dad during these very precious days you have. Blessings, Lucinda

Thank you so much for your comments, Colleen. I have appreciated your posts as well. The Hive has been so instrumental in my daily life that it's hard to imagine not coming here any more. Time will tell, but I think it will serve as a great place to check in when it comes to self-education. Anyone else feel the same way? Blessings, Lucinda

It was a big hope of mine that someone like you would read my post and be encouraged. Thank you for reaching out, and God bless you on your hs journey. Blessings, Lucinda

Our hs'ing journey began six years ago when we brought our then 2nd grade dd home from ps. Because we live in a rural area and I also work part-time, it wasn't possible to be in a co-op long term or even go to a parent group for support. I had a few friends that were helpful, but I wanted a broader resource. Thankfully, I found this forum, and I have to say it saved our lives. I was able to glean SOOOOOOOOOOoooooooo much information here - I can't even begin to tell you what a difference The Hive made to me as a hs mom and also as an individual. Thanks to everyone here I have been able to search and find amazing curriculum, teach my dd in a customized direction that meets her needs, and I've learned a ton about classical education that has corresponded beautifully with what I've been learning as a teacher at a classical Christian school. And then there are all of those recipes. :hurray: Some of you already know that this year is our last year to hs, as we are enrolling our dd in the school where I'm on faculty because it will work beautifully for her high school years. I've come here a little less often this past year than I used to, but I can't completely stay away. You have been my community and I love learning more about what you're learning and experiencing. And today I feel that I need to say thank you for all that I've benefitted from since joining. Mostly, I'm grateful to SWB for so many, many things, but high up on the list is thanks to her for helping me guiltlessly embrace sending my child to a school rather than continuing to hs. As much as I believe in hs'ing, I understand better that seasons come and go throughout a student's education and the needs of a family. And I also want to publicly thank SWB and her team for giving us this amazing forum, as well as creating such superb curriculum. We are currently using WWS2 beta as our writing curriculum for instance...What a privilege to be part of the process of another textbook in the making! Another wonderful benefit I've realized is in my own learning. I have a bachelor's degree and have been a teacher for many years, but through hs'ing and this forum I've been totally turned on to self-education. When dd is back in a school setting I will have a bit more time to do my own reading and learning. I'm pretty excited about that. I'll be popping in here and there, but mostly lurking. I'm sure there are a number of us that come here that don't hs any longer. Where else could we find people of like minds that are interested in learning and growing, prayerful support and encouragement? I have no idea where else on the globe this exists, and for that I must say a big THANK YOU! Blessings, Lucinda

I was going to suggest the same thing! Another good option is Denim & Co. through the QVC.com website. Blessings, Lucinda

I do hang a lot of pictures in every home I live in, plus I decorate in all the usual ways. I was just hoping someone had some special tips. Years ago I remember reading that you could tack king sized sheets or fabric on the walls instead of wallpapering when you're in a rental. I'm not into wallpaper that much anymore, but the idea's been in the back of my mind.

It's just going to be so weird to not be able to change something if we want to. Waaa!

I have a feeling that there are others on these boards that have gone through the same thing, so I'm asking for ideas. After being in our own home for the majority of our marriage, dh, dd and I are going to become renters soon. We live in the PNW and most rentals here don't even allow customized interior painting, although it varies with landlords. I'm just wondering if anyone has up-to-date suggestions on how we can personalize the place so it feels homier and a bit less temporary. If all goes well, we'd like to find a house that we could stay in for about 5 years. Do you have any tips or tricks to transform a rental into a homey space? Thanks! Blessings, Lucinda