he's not the only one bring in bacon. Just not as much, but I bring it and it matters. Just that his office is all set up comfy for him downstairs.

Thanks! I'm going to have to fix the cross-eyed one. It's driving me bats looking at it. :) I am thinking about putting beads one loc of her hair too. My daughter's will like that.

Your quilt so wonderful! I'm finished with the three dolls for my daughters. :001_smile: So happy to be done. I want to keep for myself.

Much of his work is done by conference calls. It really doesn't matter where he is, just that he's one the phone (for hours) On the days that he's got back to back calls he works remotely. It's one of the perks of his awful job. The difference is that I'm downstairs with the kids in the kitchen and his office is just on the other side of the wall. I guess they can hear me teaching fractions, hollering at the little one to her not to share the potty with her brothers, wipe her tush, pull up her pants before she washes her hands, the dog barking, and the kids laughing. Nothing bad. We're back upstairs again and all is quiet but it's just not the same festive atmosphere. Oh yes, we went out for lunch. My consolation.

classical music is helping some. I wonder how long this will help.

That's what I was thinking. Even if I do it in the shed I'd still have it all over my clothing and really when am I going to get time away from the kids for that by myself--have to wait until I'm 60.

He's on calls all day long and I guess they (coworkers) IM throughout to comment and question what's being discussed with the vendors to make sure they're getting it all. The wireless doesn't reach out there good enough to maintain constant connection supposedly. But the neighbors can get online using our account :glare:. . . . . He doesn't even take lunch breaks and I'm starting to think we're going out for lunch because there's no way 6 kids and I don't raise our voices when there's food. So what's for lunch?

So because dh is working from home today and we're down stairs trying to enjoy a more relaxed homeschooling week at the dining room table he's been told they can hear everything going on in the background. . . .. Yikes, I'm an image buster. Homeschooling 6 can be noisy. So now we're back ups stairs, captive in the homeschooling room. The house chores aren't going to get done. Dishes will be backed-up. No food upstairs. And I'm feeling like this season is closing in on me. "GO TO the OFFICE!"

Ugh. He broke out in hives even though he was wearing an acrylic knitted hat he broke out because his hat had been placed on top/next too a wool scarf in the drawer. Ugh. Do you think he'll be allergic to angora rabbit fur too? Do you think that spinning wool in the house might be problematic for him?

My dd can do an excellent job if we can just get her to slow down a titch. Vision Therapy used a metronome to slow her down. Anyone use this for math? Handwriting? Other suggestions?

Howdy :D

DH and I are going away overnight for our anniversary. There will be two babysitters for 6 kids from Sunday noon to Monday 4 p.m. I usually pay 10$ hr so that'd be $170 for 17 hrs. Do I divide that in two or just give them a lump sum. Thoughts?

I've been uploading our family photo for the Christmas card thingy for a couple years and I just have to say -- it's so slick! But this year DH wanted me to get a collage picture frame to put our family picture and each kids individual picture in for his mom. I spent hours buying and returning frames because nothing is out there for a family of our size. And then Walmart.com . . . . . . did you know they'll do a collage poster on photo paper?! It turned out lovely. I bought an inexpensive 11/14 frame and popped in our print and it looks like a professionally matted picture. I included our family photo and 6 children's portraits. You upload your photos, click the collage option (posters) and pick your "hero" picture, select your matting color, thickness of frame, orientation, shuffle a couple times to get the grouping you like and bing-bada-boom it's done! :D Very cost effective too. :D

Yes! It usually ends up being from a business connection. Realtor, Edward Jones guy, Contractor who spent a prolonged time cleaning up my fix-it moment inspiration, someone we met camping, or the mom who donated breast milk for my son who looks different each year.

The true spirit of Christmas that makes this season bearable. Thanks for sharing.

Yes THIS! They are the best hotpads and I've been thinking placemats would be wonderful too. Is there a book "How To" recommendation? Love the star! Thank you.

My mom gave me this really cool hot pad she'd made using scrap fabrics, latch hook netting, and a crochet hook. She called it hooking, but I'm can't find it online. Anyone know what it's officially called? I've got a ton of scrap fabric that would be neat place mats. Thanks.

My little people keep singing the song that's a rap about the states & capitals. The big kids had to learn this for history. Montgomery, Alabama Juno, Alaska Hartford, Conneticut ........

We do cheese fondue on Christmas eve and the big meal on Christmas day. We used to do oyster soup until my dad had a massive allergic reaction one year and we ended up in the ER instead of church. :tongue_smilie: Totally out of the blue after years of this tradition. No worry. Cheese fondue is better. My mom does the Swisse cheese fondue with gruyere & ementhaler cheeses. yum.

We use the Getty Dubay program DD 10 is finishes Book E by December -- she can write nicely if she slows down and take time. Otherwise her handwriting is a scrawl & hard to read. She rewrites her work several times before I accept it as done. Question: Do I just let her continue on and finish the program this year with Book F. Or do I change it up with another program (make a recommendation please!) in hope that new & different will help with the appearance and legiblity. And then finish the last book of GD next year.

I asked dh for a gift. I told him that if he thinks of three ideas to buy them all! Hopefully this year I'll participate in the gift opening ceremony instead of just taking photos. If my not to subtle hint didn't work I'll be out shopping on the 26th for a ihome dock for my ipod touch, a kindle, and taking a stroll through Pier One.

Which are they each most interested in? I'd go with a starter kit for crochet to one and knitting to the other and see where it lands. They may stick with their preference or try the other and end up switching.

Moonbeams New Moon

The best soups always have homemade chicken broth, IMO. To a pot of chicken broth I add a lb of dry navy beans, chopped onion, bay leaf (removed after beans are cooked) and garlic to taste. When the beans are cooked I add salt & pepper to taste. Depending on my mood. . . . . I either just slightly mash the beans to get a coarse texture or I use the immersion blender to make it smooooooooth. Add leftover cooked chicken 1 can of drained diced tomatoes. I like the ones that have green chilies for a bit of a kick. Voila!

Bad Kitty