~*~**~*NOVEMBER Pagan Families Circle!!!~*~*~~****~ - Page 8

[Maiasaura]

Originally Posted by vydalea I think the founders of Donna the Buffalo are from Trumansburg, NY about an hour north-ish of me but they started a branch of their festival GrassRoots, in Pittsboro, NC.  Another one of the guys in the band is from down there, too!  Have you heard them?  

Hope everyone's weather was as nice as it was here this weekend.  Lots of outside play time here!  Hopefully more today!!!  Everyone getting ready for Thanksgiving?  We host here - starting preparations today with Apple Pie filling. mmmmm.

I haven't heard them, no. Not deliberately-- they do play them on the radio but I don't pay a whole lot of attention to that, either, unless some song really strikes me, enough to call them up and ask who did it. Here is my local very uber-cool radio station: WNCW-FM 88.7, Spindale, NC. You HAVE to go look them up online! They have streaming and they are just so awesome!

I make the wickedest apple pie, with no sugar I use raisins and maybe add a pear, and a teeny bit of fruit juice and maybe some honey or maple syrup. Sometimes just the raisins.

Originally Posted by revolting Man, this thread has slowed down. I can actually keep up. Maybe everyone's busy with Thanksgiving plans? I'm very grumpy about Thanksgiving. I don't like the holiday, and then I'm going to spend it with my in-laws. Ugh. So, that's that. A slow start to the day. We have a horrible mouse problem, and they have been keeping me up at night. I've complained and complained and complained, but they just put down more poison. We moved in a year and a half ago, and the place had a mouse problem then. Trust me, any mice that could have died from poison or traps have died from poison and traps. The survivors are what's left. We made a huge line of traps with this one mouse we were watching last night between it and the kitchen. It wasn't afraid of us, but it was obviously afraid of the traps: it wouldn't cross them. We've found four mouse holes that we've stopped up, but there must be more that we haven't found. Ugh. Not sure what to do.

Sorry to be such a downer.

PS: What are your favorite cookies to make with toddlers that transport okay? I'm thinking about making cookies with my four and one year old (and yes, the one year old loves to "help") to give to the neighbors this year, but oh man, is baking with the little one an epic project.

I am busy getting ready to go to M's for Thanksgiving! AND, he's been sober for 15 days, AND he actually completed Thanksgiving Mission Number One, which was to go to Aldi and score a boneless turkey breast. Yay!

Oh, and mamas!!!  I just found out that M has a couple days off for New Year's, and Caregiver is available, so YAY ME I get to go see him again!!!

Cookies...any kind, really! You can get those old-fashioned metal tins (I so hate the plastic ones they have now...sigh) at Goodwill for 50c to $2, usually. I get those. And put wax paper in between layers.

Mice...I don't know. I have had mice issues. The thing to remember is they don't come by the each. They come by the hundreds, usually. Keep at it. And peanut butter is an excellent mousetrap bait. Keep at it. I'm sure you'll get them all eventually.

[Indigo73]

Just popping in to say happy feast day (no turkey for us this year, Mom is insisting she wants ham) and since hubby is working, I am going with the flow and will do what I want (turkey) on Solstice and Christmas.

We might be moving sooner than we were planning and instead of south or west, we are looking into Attleboro, MA.  I am all for this, I am not fond of the heat and would rather be north than anywhere south.  A former boss of DP's has asked him to update his resume and apply for openings in his department.  A big raise and I'd be 20 minutes from Brown, which is one of the four Anthropology programs in the US that I wouldn't have to create my own masters program in... so serious monkey wrench in our 2 year plan which could mean the poor man is commuting for a year or so until we are ready to move (an hour or so each way).

[Maiasaura]

Originally Posted by Indigo73 We might be moving sooner than we were planning and instead of south or west, we are looking into Attleboro, MA.  I am all for this, I am not fond of the heat and would rather be north than anywhere south.  A former boss of DP's has asked him to update his resume and apply for openings in his department.  A big raise and I'd be 20 minutes from Brown, which is one of the four Anthropology programs in the US that I wouldn't have to create my own masters program in... so serious monkey wrench in our 2 year plan which could mean the poor man is commuting for a year or so until we are ready to move (an hour or so each way).

Yeah, but that would be killer, since you're one more MDC Pagan Mama I'd get to meet when I eventually get there!

So...planning ahead to our virtual Yule Ball....here are some contenders for my gown:

This, in burgundy-red or hunter green: http://www.victoriantradingco.com/store/catalogimages/1a/i15858.html

Or this, same colors: http://www.victoriantradingco.com/store/catalogimages/1a/i15856.html

Oh oh oh!!! Nevermind! I want this one! http://www.victoriantradingco.com/store/catalogimages/2b/i11101.html but not in blue. Blech. In green. Or cranberry.

[Maiasaura]

Here is the home page for that VERY cool website!

http://www.victoriantradingco.com/index.html

[gun]

Hi all!  Hope everyone is swell! 

I had a very wonderful time tonight with my HS co-op!  I rented a beautiful rustic lodge at a nearby nature center and we gathered for a walk in the woods, then a light meal, followed by a walk at twilight with our lanterns from Martinmas!  Delicious foods, great company, left my heart so happy. 

[Aeress]

Gun- :)

Sorry, I have been mostly off reading Mothering and not replying.

Thinking of all!

[revolting]

So the universe sent me a message yesterday: Get over your adult and enjoy your kids.

My oldest loves Tom Chapin, particularly his song "Good Garbage." We have to listen to it every time we listen to music in the car. Anyway, we had the Tom Chapin channel on Pandora playing yesterday, and we heard him perform his brother's song, "Cat's in the Cradle." Now, I know I've heard this song previously, but I never knew the songwriter or made the connection to my oldest's favorite musician. Man, though, it was exactly what I needed to hear.

So, I am. And we've been having a lovely day, despite the rain and cold. I decided to make these really cute cookies to bring to my in-laws for Thanksgiving, because even though I hate the holiday and my in-laws are...not so nice, I'm gonna do my best to make these moments count. My eldest is turning five this winter - five! - and I just can't believe how quickly it has gone already.

Anyway, got to run!

[DaughterOfKali]

Originally Posted by Indigo73 

Just popping in to say happy feast day (no turkey for us this year, Mom is insisting she wants ham) and since hubby is working, I am going with the flow and will do what I want (turkey) on Solstice and Christmas.

We might be moving sooner than we were planning and instead of south or west, we are looking into Attleboro, MA.  I am all for this, I am not fond of the heat and would rather be north than anywhere south.  A former boss of DP's has asked him to update his resume and apply for openings in his department.  A big raise and I'd be 20 minutes from Brown, which is one of the four Anthropology programs in the US that I wouldn't have to create my own masters program in... so serious monkey wrench in our 2 year plan which could mean the poor man is commuting for a year or so until we are ready to move (an hour or so each way).

I've been hearing that Attleboro has a good school system.  I never knew that!  If you move there, we could get together!

[Maiasaura]

I am freaking PANICKING right now. My flights were canceled, due to bad weather in my  connecting city, Newark. They're putting me through LaGuardia (or I'm on hold right now, trying). Why would the weather in NYC be any different than Newark??? OMG. Pray for me, mamas. My flight is freaking TOMORROW.

[wombatclay]

My laptop died on my birthday!  How wrong is that?  I'm using an old system I pulled out of the attic, but dang... I can't get into fb or do anything , and the laptop has well and truly met the sun... I'll need to pull stuff off the drive and move it somehow.  SO I'm going to be very flaky for a while.

Maia- hang in there!  The weather may not be much different, but different flights hub out of the different airports so one might be more "open" than the other or have fewer runways to clear or have a better de-icing system or whatever.  It'll work out, hang in there!

birthdays- since I missed a bunch (and wasn't even able to check my own FB for birthdays since the darn computer died shortly after I logged into FB) HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND UNBIRTHDAYS TO YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

secular homeschool- a big ol sigh to this one.  I think I near killed myself trying to find a pre-made curriculum that would actually work for everything I needed.  But here's what I found.  Oak Meadow is a complete curriculum, and it can be purchased either alone or with "backup support" from an Oak Meadow teacher.  It's Waldorf based but secular, and matched to most state standards (especially in the older grades).  I really like their middle/high school programs, it's fairly complete, and the price is about par for complete curricula.  However, it's very "waldorf-y"/"artsy", it requires a fair amount of writing, it's not cheap, and it requires a decent amount of time/energy on the part of the parent (for example, a project that ends with "now take your child to the library and find 5 other books on this subject" or "now create a book for your child and lead them in a nature walk, helping record sites as you go").  Moving Beyond the Page is completely secular and a complete curriculum in most years (in some years you have to add your own math program), however I'm not sure how many grades they have yet.  It's designed to appeal to a variety of learning styles but again there is a fair amount of open ended assignment that requires adult time/energy, and the illustrations in the provided material stink.  Global Village is another mostly secular option... they lean towards Buddhist teachings actually, but it's just a literature list and schedule... you have to find everything and then create the lessons.  Again, a fairly high price tag for not a heck of a lot.  Calvert is a straight up school in a box that is secular, rigorous, has adapted lessons for kids with different needs, and has an optional teacher support line.  It's also super expensive and kind of boring.  Sort of like a volvo maybe?  Straight up and solid, but nothing to get all hot and bothered about. 

Then there are the middle of the road options... Sonlight is a complete literature based curriculum in a box, but it's christian.  There is a yahoo group that provides "secular" hacks to convert the curriculum into a secular version.  It's what we're using and it's pretty good.  Timberdoodle is similar, with a primarily christian but "secularizable" program.  There are also things like the Well Trained Mind, Simply Charlotte Mason, and Ambleside Online that provide a reading list and basic schedule for each year but require the parent to fund the materials and figure out how to teach it.  There is a Secular Charlotte Mason support group too (since CM is essentially christian). 

Have you been to the Secular Homeschool forum?  It's a pretty cool place, friendly people, and LOTS of ideas for building or buying a secular curriculum.  We will probably use Sonlight next year as well, then go back to Oak Meadow the following year.. I wanted a very user friendly, open the box and go, academically rigorous program for this year and sonlight secular has been that.  And we're currently using year one of two so we'll probably continue with it till the end of the second year just to be complete.  But I admit the need to customize is annoying considering the price and while the girls both love the program, I think OM will be a better fit starting around 3rd grade.

Ack!  COmputer is starting to fade... battery isn't what it was.

Shared love and joy, laughter and light to everyone.... I'm giving thanks for having you all in my life!

[witchygrrl]

Originally Posted by Indigo73 

Just popping in to say happy feast day (no turkey for us this year, Mom is insisting she wants ham) and since hubby is working, I am going with the flow and will do what I want (turkey) on Solstice and Christmas.

We might be moving sooner than we were planning and instead of south or west, we are looking into Attleboro, MA.  I am all for this, I am not fond of the heat and would rather be north than anywhere south.  A former boss of DP's has asked him to update his resume and apply for openings in his department.  A big raise and I'd be 20 minutes from Brown, which is one of the four Anthropology programs in the US that I wouldn't have to create my own masters program in... so serious monkey wrench in our 2 year plan which could mean the poor man is commuting for a year or so until we are ready to move (an hour or so each way).

I could meet you too! I didn't realize Brown had an anthro program...I was thinking of going through the Harvard Extension School, actually, but we could geek out on our programs if that works out.

Attleboro does have a good school system. Dh likes them because they have a jewelery/metals program in the high school.

[witchygrrl]

Originally Posted by Maiasaura 

I am freaking PANICKING right now. My flights were canceled, due to bad weather in my  connecting city, Newark. They're putting me through LaGuardia (or I'm on hold right now, trying). Why would the weather in NYC be any different than Newark??? OMG. Pray for me, mamas. My flight is freaking TOMORROW.

Oh no!!!! I really really really hope it works out okay.

[gun]

Maia - fingers are crossed for you!!!

[LionessMom]

maia- i hope everything went well!!

clay- computer problems suck.. i am still using my sons laptop bc i cant figure out what my problem is with mine. and my sons laptop only stays charged if you got the cord all wonked in there and wedged to stay. i really miss my keyboard. i hate laptop keyboards.

[FeralFox]

Indigo - Congrats on the move, it sounds like it'll be good for everyone!

Maia - I'm sure you've found out by now, but changing airports in that area isn't a huge deal.  Newark and LaGuardia are very close to each other, so it won't even throw off your timing very much.  I've flown in and out of both numerous times - I don't think you'll have any trouble.

Clay - Thanks o much for the school suggestions.  I haven't priced any of them out myself, but I like the sound of Oak Meadow.

I am deep in TTCville, so please excuse me for not being as vocal these days.  I'm mostly over on the One Thread.  I'm going to try to pull my head out of the fertility sand a little bit more.  I hope everyone's Thanksgiving prep is going well, and that you all have a great holiday!

[vydalea]

Maia:  i am sorry for the wrench in your plans.  hoping it all works out for you.

clay: bah!  sorry about your computer!  that is stinky!!  

I guess Mass is the place to be!  Gosh!  I guess we'll just have to have a big meet up when y'all get up there!!  

I am going to embrace Indigo & revolting's go with the flow energy for our Thanksgiving dinner.    We host and my Mother and MIL...love to try to help...I have learned to schedule dinner to be done and on the table 15 minutes before I told them to show up.  This way, when they show up 15 minutes early there is nothing for them to do but sit down and eat and not mill about my kitchen poking around.  haha.  

I think I'm going to write a new "grace" this year.  Traditionally I recite the one my father wrote for our family but I think it's time to switch it up.  Anyone have ideas?

[Maiasaura]

Originally Posted by wombatclay My laptop died on my birthday!  How wrong is that?  I'm using an old system I pulled out of the attic, but dang... I can't get into fb or do anything , and the laptop has well and truly met the sun... I'll need to pull stuff off the drive and move it somehow.  SO I'm going to be very flaky for a while.

Maia- hang in there!  The weather may not be much different, but different flights hub out of the different airports so one might be more "open" than the other or have fewer runways to clear or have a better de-icing system or whatever.  It'll work out, hang in there!

You're lucky you know how to do that with the computer! If mine died, I'd have to wait and hoof a dead puter up to M, or pay beaucoup bux to have someone fix it where I live, or trash it.

Thanks all....it's now Wednesday and I did get boarding passes for new flights. Fingers WAY crossed for good weather!! It really cleared up here in NC-- it's sunny and 65* in both Asheville and Charlotte (where I fly out of) and it was supposed to be 100% hard-driving thunderstorms. Boston looks to be clearing by the time I land, and LaGuardia looks to be clearing too! You guys rock for your energy, if it was you Thanks!

I'm getting into Boston an hour later than I'd planned, which puts us out of South Station not till after 7pm and our final destination way late, and we still have to hit the grocery for fixin's for tomorrow, but M is taking his meds late so he doesn't crash on the train and hopefully I will not pass out, either. We both usually go to bed around 8pm-ish! But I don't care....I'm gonna be there! Cross fingers for an UNEVENTFUL rest of the trip. UN-eventful. No weather. No delays. Everything running smoothly, like clockwork
 

Originally Posted by vydalea I have learned to schedule dinner to be done and on the table 15 minutes before I told them to show up.  This way, when they show up 15 minutes early there is nothing for them to do but sit down and eat and not mill about my kitchen poking around.  haha.  

I just read on FlyLady this morning how one mama fixes the whole turkey the day before! And arranges it all on a platter, puts it in the fridge, and puts the juices on it the next day, pops it in the oven, and just when everyone walks through the door, is met with the wafting smell as if she just pulled it out of the oven. Which, she did, but all cut up already. Is that brilliant or what?

I will post when I get there...or tomorrow...but at any rate, for now, I'm safe and happy. I've got boarding passes, YAY! So unless there's weather...I'm probably good to go

[witchygrrl]

Good luck, Maia!1 

We are off to VT to have Turkey Day with my ILs. I took complete control of dinner and my MIL just doesn't seem to want to get it. This could be interesting, ladies.

[vydalea]

and I didn't even say...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CLAY!!! 

and so pleased to hear that all is well, Maia.

Good luck, witchy!  

[wombatclay]

Thanks Vydalea!  :)

Yay Maia!

MA- we'll be back someday... we've rocked our plans, budget, and goals with the overall goal of being back in the Boston area by 2015.  See you all then!

Donna the Buffalo- meant to respond to this... I grew up in the very very VERY small town of Perry City.  One intersection, one street light, about 40-50 people all told.  It's about 4 miles from Trumansburg.  We lived in a farmhouse built around 1790 (abandoned since the early 1920s.... no electric, no plumbing, lathe/plaster walls in total disrepair, and so on.  It's the reason I swore I'd NEVER live in a fix-er-up again.  LOL).  Across the street was the barn and outbuildings once associated with "our" farmhouse.  And that barn/outbuildings were owned by the family that made up Donna the Buffalo and founded GrassRoots.  My parents really didn't like them as neighbors but I thought they were amazing.  As an adult and homeowner, I can say I wouldn't have been thrilled either... there was a lot of late night music (LOUD, the barn had no power either but they ran things off car batteries), a lot of drinking, a lot of people wandering around and (since they didn't have plumbing either) making use of bushes and trees within sight of our front porch.  But I thought they were just the coolest clan ever... all hippie dresses and political causes and music.  Relatives would come up during the summer, sometimes younger kids about my age, and we'd hang out in the fields and abandoned barns.  And, coolest of cool, the older family members each got their own "mini silo" as a private living space.  LOL  I was never allowed to attend GrassRoots as a kid but after the event the various bands would usually come out to Perry City and jam.  So I had my own private concert.

Oak Meadow- I really like their middle school and high school program.  Their elementary years however stick fairly close to Waldorf norms, so they are very academically "light".  Concepts are introduced through stories and tales (like, addition and subtraction might be introduced through a morality tale about greedy gnomes) and the first grade year is spent learning the alphabet.  Seriously.  Now, literacy and pre-literacy skills are worked in, but it does sort of boil down to spending a whole year drawing pictures of the letters (the letter H is turned into a "house" and stories are told about houses... the letter B is a big bellied bear and students draw endless pictures of bears and bees).  So while I plan on getting back to Waldorf in a year or two, it didn't fit our needs for the first few years.  However, I know LOTS of families who really get into the entire Waldorf philosophy and love OM from the start (there are also those who feel OM bows to social/academic norms too much and feel that OM rushes students).  They have free samples on their website and you can often find the curriculum books here on the trading post or through ebay/homeschool exchange sites so do check them out.

Turkeyday- well, my folks are ou of town.  Dh's mom is out of town.  And the aunt we had planned on sharing the day with is in too much pain (her meds are not working, and it's hard).  So it's just us.  We have a turkey, pumpkin pie, apple brown betty, sweet potato wedges, and cran-orange relish.  The pie, betty, sweet potatoes, and relish are all being made tomorrow, the bird is thawing on the counter as I type.  We'd hoped to have the satellite tv hooked up in time for the Macy's parade, but after FIVE service calls they still can't get the signal.  We need to cut down at least two more trees.  :(  Since they're big, and we can't afford the logging service (it's ~$350/tree) it'll have to wait.  Again.  I'm pretty bummed out... he tv installation was my birthday gift for LAST year and over the past year we've worked at getting it hooked up and it's still not viable.  Bleh.  But ah well, there are so many things to be thankful for!  Missing a parade is not a big deal in the big picture.

Computer- Maia, I personally have very little clue (though I was the staff IT support person and ComSec person for my library department).  But dh is good at pulling apart computers and putting them back together.  I think the laptop may be under warranty still so if it is we'll let them do it... if not, we'll find the 150 and do it ourselves.  Or rather, DH will do it!

hope everyone has a great day tomorrow...  :)