Dog!!! IMO they're friendlier than cats.

:grouphug: Thank you all for sharing. I believe I have moved to acceptance where my dd4's needs are concerned, but there is a part of me that teeters on the brink of sadness some days.

You've got my dd4's favorite things covered with music & sensory areas.:)

We live in a rural area as well. We'll drive 30 miles to the nearest large city & go to a movie or go out to eat. Sometimes we go shopping. Sometimes our children will stay overnight with family & hubby and I will have a romantic evening at home. We try to do this at least once every 3-4 months.

I used to exercise first thing in the morning, but since my little one is up before dawn most days, I've had to adjust. Now I exercise in the evenings when hubby gets home. Not my favorite time to do it, but it's my only option during this season of life. ETA: I exercise at home.

Designing Women Everybody Loves Raymond

Five in a Row Sonlight Further Up and Further In Nature study

:) Awesome! We love FIAR. I used it when my "middle" children were younger. Such fond memories!

:lurk5:

This is an awesome fall recipe featuring almond flour: http://www.genaw.com/lowcarb/pumpkin_poundcake.html I drink unsweetened almond milk with a little Splenda to sweeten it. It tastes good to me.:) This sounds good, too: http://www.fitclick.com/recipe_Paleo_Mixed_Berry_Smoothie_Almond_Milk_?fd=616011

:grouphug: Praying that you are much better soon.

I love Once Upon A Time! :)

I cut out sugar 2 1/2 years ago when I started eating low carb. I've never felt better. I splurged at ds's wedding in June-just a little-and I felt awful for two days. Sugar definitely doesn't belong in my diet.

My bulk purchases are in April, but I'll grab a good deal any time of the year.

Thanks, everyone!

Thanks. I'm thinking about splitting up my time doing half cardio & half strength training.

We did this last year: http://www.marthastewart.com/270492/baby-sock-advent-calendar

Due to our current season of life, I've had to change my exercise routine. I used to do a combination of cardio & strength training for one hour 4 days a week. Now I've had to adjust my exercise time to thirty minutes 3-4 times a week. How would you separate cardio vs. strength training into the new time frame? I've been doing mostly strength training, but it has not been as effective as I'd like. I read somewhere that strength training is better than cardio for losing weight, but I'm just wondering if different people react differently. What's been your experience with this? Thanks.

I voted for craziest thing I've ever heard...I can't even come close to "one-upping" you. Wow, just wow......:001_huh:

:lol: Yeah, I'd be caught off guard by a friend calling her husband her "lover." It would be written all over my face, too, as I'm not good at concealing how I feel.:tongue_smilie:

:iagree: I do this.

Praying for this little one and her family.

I have coffee...lots of it! I have really good stuff to put in it, too. I also have some tea, and I'm almost done reading The Hunger Games (a little behind on this trend.) My clothes match, but it's just a simple T-shirt and denim shorts-no shoes right now. Here's what I've got happening today:

Did my ds20 call you to complain?:lol:

Praying for you and your family.