Hi all! Long time no see! Hi new folks too! I feel like a new folk myself around here nowadays as seldomly as I'm here! I'll never in a million catch up, just jumping in from HERE!! Hope everyone is having a terrif Sunday!
Hi all! Long time no see! Hi new folks too! I feel like a new folk myself around here nowadays as seldomly as I'm here! I'll never in a million catch up, just jumping in from HERE!! Hope everyone is having a terrif Sunday!
WOW, hey, how are you??
Hi gun! :)
Maia- hugs... what FeralFox is saying about the universe asking everyone to get squared away before moving forward resonates with me, but you two have been through so much already! It seems too much to ask that you both keep waiting and working alone when you could be working together. But then... while he might not drink as much with you there, this may be the thing that swings him into recovery... being clean and sober FOR you as well as for him? Instead of clean and sober because you're there making it happen day after day? I'm not sure that makes sense, or is coming across the way I mean it... I'm very much on your side and I think the universe is moving you together for a reason. It's going to happen. And I wish it could happen sooner rather than later... hopefully there is good news from the showing and good news from your love soon!
coverings- I would vary what I was wearing. Usually at home I didn't cover or just wore a wide headband. When out/about I'd wear a bandana (tied either in the triangle with point in the back style or turned forward so that the point of the triangle tucked into a knot above my forehead... sort of the classic "cleaning the house" style?) or I'd wear a longer scarf wrapped around into a crown (the scarf lays across your forehead with the tails dangling down your back, then the tails are twisted and brought across the top of the head before being tucked in). For special occassions I'd twist herbs, crystals, feathers, or whatnot into the folded over band of the scarf or rub essential oil into my hair first (based on need/intention) or stitch really quick runes into the scarf (just a few pieces of thread, easy to remove). I think it was gun actually who found a wonderful knit headcovering pattern... knotwork on a wide band... and shared it on the pagan haircovering thread.
One interesting thing about pagan headcovering in the modern US is that a lot of pagans get /really/ upset about it. It's interesting from an anthropological perspective, but it's a subject that has nearly led to blows in a few conversations I've seen. So far I've never had a person from a religion/culture that covers be upset by my covering or by the idea of other religions/traditions covering but from other pagans? Oy! I know one woman who covers and dresses "modestly" because she is at high risk for skin cancer and she's had the same reaction... once it's explained as medical, other pagans are ok with it. But if she mentions a religious/spiritual aspect (which she discovered after covering for health reasons) she starts getting comments. It's almost as if American pagans are caught in a "push back" response where it becomes almost impossible to see the individual trees because you're convinced you "know" what the forest is already (to massacre some metafores there). Anyway, just something to be aware of if you do cover in a pagan context or live somewhere with a large covering population. Around here it's mostly the Mennonite, Amish, and Jewish groups in the community, and the Muslim, Hindu, and Rastafarian populations at the universities that cover.
Classrooms- my mom worked in an elem school for years and still lunches with a lot of teachers/aides. She has relayed comments from nearly every teacher about how great it is that we're homeschooling... that they are having a hard time in the classroom meeting the needs of any kiddo that is a bit "off the schedule" while also meeting the state/federal testing goals. Several teachers have essentially given up and are just trying to get to retirement age because they're so frustrated. And apparently there are a bunch of hoops on the school side when it comes to getting kiddos moved into need specific programs... the school has to demonstrate that they've tried other (less expensive usually) options and those have failed before they can get approval to move a kiddo. However, it seems like kiddos with parents who go to bat for them do get the services... squeeky wheel and all that... so hang on and keep pushing!
time change- why of why do we change the clocks? Tractors have headlights! The country is no longer primarily agrarian! My children got us up at the "normal time" but given the time shift what really happened is we all got up for the day at "5am". I don't feel it yet because it's Sunday and the clock isn't an issue, but tomorrow is going to hurt!
Maia- hugs... what FeralFox is saying about the universe asking everyone to get squared away before moving forward resonates with me, but you two have been through so much already! It seems too much to ask that you both keep waiting and working alone when you could be working together. But then... while he might not drink as much with you there, this may be the thing that swings him into recovery... being clean and sober FOR you as well as for him? Instead of clean and sober because you're there making it happen day after day? I'm not sure that makes sense, or is coming across the way I mean it... I'm very much on your side and I think the universe is moving you together for a reason. It's going to happen. And I wish it could happen sooner rather than later... hopefully there is good news from the showing and good news from your love soon!
And apparently there are a bunch of hoops on the school side when it comes to getting kiddos moved into need specific programs... the school has to demonstrate that they've tried other (less expensive usually) options and those have failed before they can get approval to move a kiddo. However, it seems like kiddos with parents who go to bat for them do get the services... squeeky wheel and all that... so hang on and keep pushing!
time change- why of why do we change the clocks? Tractors have headlights! The country is no longer primarily agrarian! My children got us up at the "normal time" but given the time shift what really happened is we all got up for the day at "5am". I don't feel it yet because it's Sunday and the clock isn't an issue, but tomorrow is going to hurt!
Thank you, Clay...I keep saying the same thing. I can't get why in the world the Universe would bring us back together and then tear us apart like that. So I'm hoping it's to get him sober...ye Gods, if I had to choose (Gods forbid) between leaving him but him sober, and staying with him drunk...you bet I'd save his life. But still. I hope it never comes to that. I hope to heck that we get to be together, and soon, and he *gets* recovery.
School-- you might be right. And I certainly am a squeaky wheel. Tomorrow I'm going to the asst.principal to talk about the Comfort Inn and how I don't think it's serving my son to be sent there-- that he's manipulating them into sending him away from the classroom. And that there are no monitors there. And that they are serving the other 21 kids at my son's expense. Jason is a really cool guy-- I hope he "hears" me.
Time change, good God, I have no idea. I HATE it. H.A.T.E. it!!! And now it's later on each end by a week or two??? Really? Why? As if Nature doesn't do a good enough job getting it darker in the winter and lighter in the summer? Um, c'mon...isn't that what are called SOLSTICES???? Ugh.
Clay - I think I might have to try out some of the cover styles you mentioned. They sound neat and attractive.
Maia - Someday your son is going to be very grateful that you're such a strong advocate for him now. Huge *hugs* for such an awesome mama.
For the curious, here's the progress on my back. All the red is new, as well as the grey on Her belt. One of her arms got colored this time too, I think, but I'm not sure which one.
And I finally finished the plans for our tiny (and I mean tiny - 20x20 with a nice porch). Here's the pic. Picture one door in the bathroom leading to the back yard, and another diagonally across, in the free space in front of the smallest bedroom.
gun, how the heck are you?
FeralFox, that tattoo is awesome! How long have you been working on it?
Maia, Hugs. I don't have any good answers but I know how difficult it must be to have the distance between you and M. I hope you get your house sold and moved sooner rather than later.
Time change, who knows why they still do it. It's a waste as far as I am concerned. It gets darker on its own with the seasons. It is horrible in the Winter when it feels like 9p and it's only 5p. I wish we would stop doing it!
Morning all. I hope everyone had a great weekend. We only have school 3 days this week and I am excited about it. Not for any special reason just because I enjoy when my kids are home:)
Hi gun! :)
Maia- hugs... what FeralFox is saying about the universe asking everyone to get squared away before moving forward resonates with me, but you two have been through so much already! It seems too much to ask that you both keep waiting and working alone when you could be working together. But then... while he might not drink as much with you there, this may be the thing that swings him into recovery... being clean and sober FOR you as well as for him? Instead of clean and sober because you're there making it happen day after day? I'm not sure that makes sense, or is coming across the way I mean it... I'm very much on your side and I think the universe is moving you together for a reason. It's going to happen. And I wish it could happen sooner rather than later... hopefully there is good news from the showing and good news from your love soon!
coverings- I would vary what I was wearing. Usually at home I didn't cover or just wore a wide headband. When out/about I'd wear a bandana (tied either in the triangle with point in the back style or turned forward so that the point of the triangle tucked into a knot above my forehead... sort of the classic "cleaning the house" style?) or I'd wear a longer scarf wrapped around into a crown (the scarf lays across your forehead with the tails dangling down your back, then the tails are twisted and brought across the top of the head before being tucked in). For special occassions I'd twist herbs, crystals, feathers, or whatnot into the folded over band of the scarf or rub essential oil into my hair first (based on need/intention) or stitch really quick runes into the scarf (just a few pieces of thread, easy to remove). I think it was gun actually who found a wonderful knit headcovering pattern... knotwork on a wide band... and shared it on the pagan haircovering thread.
One interesting thing about pagan headcovering in the modern US is that a lot of pagans get /really/ upset about it. It's interesting from an anthropological perspective, but it's a subject that has nearly led to blows in a few conversations I've seen. So far I've never had a person from a religion/culture that covers be upset by my covering or by the idea of other religions/traditions covering but from other pagans? Oy! I know one woman who covers and dresses "modestly" because she is at high risk for skin cancer and she's had the same reaction... once it's explained as medical, other pagans are ok with it. But if she mentions a religious/spiritual aspect (which she discovered after covering for health reasons) she starts getting comments. It's almost as if American pagans are caught in a "push back" response where it becomes almost impossible to see the individual trees because you're convinced you "know" what the forest is already (to massacre some metafores there). Anyway, just something to be aware of if you do cover in a pagan context or live somewhere with a large covering population. Around here it's mostly the Mennonite, Amish, and Jewish groups in the community, and the Muslim, Hindu, and Rastafarian populations at the universities that cover.
Classrooms- my mom worked in an elem school for years and still lunches with a lot of teachers/aides. She has relayed comments from nearly every teacher about how great it is that we're homeschooling... that they are having a hard time in the classroom meeting the needs of any kiddo that is a bit "off the schedule" while also meeting the state/federal testing goals. Several teachers have essentially given up and are just trying to get to retirement age because they're so frustrated. And apparently there are a bunch of hoops on the school side when it comes to getting kiddos moved into need specific programs... the school has to demonstrate that they've tried other (less expensive usually) options and those have failed before they can get approval to move a kiddo. However, it seems like kiddos with parents who go to bat for them do get the services... squeeky wheel and all that... so hang on and keep pushing!
time change- why of why do we change the clocks? Tractors have headlights! The country is no longer primarily agrarian! My children got us up at the "normal time" but given the time shift what really happened is we all got up for the day at "5am". I don't feel it yet because it's Sunday and the clock isn't an issue, but tomorrow is going to hurt!
I know. Screw the time change, lol. I've always had an early riser...liked to get up around 5am. Today? My day started at 4AM. DP has night school tonight, which means my day won't end until around 11PM. UGH!!!!
I'm modest, though I don't cover my head. I don't wear shorts cut above the knee. When I swim, I wear boy trunks that go below the knee and a t-shirt. I don't wear shirts with deep neck lines, and I like t-shirts with normal length sleeves. I definitely think that, if you're a woman (or read as a woman) in this society (and heaven forbid you're not thin, white, young, etc...), there's always someone ready to hate on your clothes.
Clay - I think I might have to try out some of the cover styles you mentioned. They sound neat and attractive.
Maia - Someday your son is going to be very grateful that you're such a strong advocate for him now. Huge *hugs* for such an awesome mama.
For the curious, here's the progress on my back. All the red is new, as well as the grey on Her belt. One of her arms got colored this time too, I think, but I'm not sure which one.
And I finally finished the plans for our tiny (and I mean tiny - 20x20 with a nice porch). Here's the pic. Picture one door in the bathroom leading to the back yard, and another diagonally across, in the free space in front of the smallest bedroom.
I'd love to be able to run a household in that small of a space. How big of a family are you planning, Feral?
Hope you all have a great week!
FeralFox- I've said it before and I know I'll say it again, but I LOVE that ink! :)
houses- there is a small house thread (over in mindful home management I think) that is a great resource, and the Not-So-Big-House books are beautiful thought provokers. The Tiny House on a Small Planet book is inspiring too (though less practical IME). When we moved in our house was a 20x30 box... no heat, no kitchen space, just an alcove with a toilet and shower stall, no seperate bedroom (just a sleep loft). Turns out it wasn't even a house! (long story short, original owner got a house approved but only built the "garage"... started living in that space as a house, it entered the tax rolls, no one caught the "mistake" till a new code officer started a year after we'd moved in. We're STILL trying to bring the place up to code with every now and then visits from the code office suggesting they'll evict us. Moral- get EVERYTHING approved by the code office!) We've done a lot, but I always wish we had been able to start from scratch. There are things in the existing construction that put significant limits on what we can do. My one suggestion is to make your ceilings high since you can then rock the world of floor to ceiling storage plus higher ceilings (especially with windows near the top to bounce in light) make a small space feel really bright/open, and to build at least a portion of the house in such a way that a second story could be added without too much adaptation. I've learned that it is a LOT simpler/less expensive to build up rather than out, and if the time comes that your family needs more space, a loft or partial second floor might be a good option IF the house you build can take it without needing major reinforcement. DH built our addition and he said it didn't cost much extra to make the addition sturdy enough to act as the base for a second floor. If we stay here, someday we'll add a second official bedroom there, and a two story sleep porch. :)
hair- there's a websited called "cover your hair" or something like that... it has links to dozens of covering styles, including youtube videos of how to get certain styles. Or google "tichel" for ideas... theose are pretty adaptable to all sorts of hair styles/lengths.
yummy breakfast- oatmeal with chopped apples and cubed squash. Add brown sugar, cream, and cinnamon and you've got pumpkin pie oatmeal! the kids powered through it... eating nearly three small squash for breakfast? Nice! LOL
Thank you all for your kind thoughts about ds and M 
So, M said this morning that he is still determined, with recovery 
I'm again not counting any eggs, but he does sound different this time. Pleasepleaseplease I hope he got hit with Step One!!! (for those of you not familiar, the first step of the 12 reads like this: "Admitted we were powerless over alcohol, that our lives had become unmanageable"). There is no chance for recovery unless one takes, admits, accepts, internalizes, this step in its entirety. He sounds utterly beaten and humbled. Oh, hope 
So, ds....the asst. principal was glad to hear me out. He is going to bring it up to the two lead teachers this afternoon, without sounding like I "went over their heads", because I really didn't-- I told him that I know they have 43 other kids to be busy with and that he had the time to listen. He is the very sweetest guy, and coming from that, oh mamas, he said he had to admit my boy is the most disruptive kid he's ever seen in his years at this school. And not just for 5th grade, either, but for my ds's whole school career thus far 
Anyway, he said it's a good idea to monitor this "Comfort Inn" situation (in particular with my ds) and make sure he's not manipulating...which he is, I'm pretty sure. He said there is (I think, if I understood him correctly) a smaller classroom situation with like 4 kids in it. I said I would like to see ds in that room. He said he wasn't sure it was a good idea because those other kids are THE most behaviorally challenged and the academics might go by the wayside. I said that I think, right now, that since ds is over-the-top intelligent, and way way smart, that his academics could catch up at some point; that it's more important for him to get and understand social rules and behavior. He's smart enough that he's way ahead of his classmates in academics and I am not worried about him falling behind, but I *am* concerned that if he doesn't figure out how to be "a man among men", or one of the crowd, that he will have a lifetime of...well, badness, kwim? He can figure out academics. He needs MAJOR help with behavior. I think it's about time behavior takes priority for awhile. Even at the expense of school work. I'm an unschooler at heart anyway 
He will figure it out.
I think I'm getting sick This needs to be done and out of the way by the 20th or so. I can NOT bring sickness up to M! Oh hey, coffee snobs that we are; I bought M an itty bitty French press for Christmas. Well-- it's not so itty bitty; it's 6 cups, but it was only $10.98 at our grocery store! 
Score, or what?
Sorry I haven't checked in. I've mostly been using my phone for email and Facebook so I completely forgot about mdc.
I'm healing slowly. Still getting massively wiped out by 2pm.
Ds appears to be heading into immune crisis. He's getting sick constantly again and when he does get sick, it lingers and is pretty bad. I'll be finishing up the homeschool letter/plan and handing it in this week. Sigh.
Gun- Hi!
Hugs to everyone. I'll try to check in more often.
If you would like to make a Pagan Home Binder, please see the thread in spirituality. We are starting this week.
Hugs DoK. I wish you could move... friends of mine left Boston for a while (they work for a company with international offices and temporarily moved from MA to HI while keeping their regular jobs, how spiffy is that?) in part to help with their son's health. Every fall he'd get sick and stay sick till late spring, often with hospital isits when his asthma + allergies + illness just knocked him out of the running. They hoped a year or two of "year round health" would be enough to turn the tide and so far this year (their first back in MA) he's staying ok. But I know that sort of climate move isn't in the cards for 99% of the world. So I hope your stamina keeps building, your body and soul keep healing, and the bugs and viruses leave you all alone!
Hi, Gun! I'm a new kid! 
Feral: I love that tattoo. Now I remember it from a few months back and it's awesome. The boots make it for me! Thanks for sharing! I look forward to watching as it gets filled in AND as your homestead gets built.
Maia: it's nice that your principal was receptive to what you were saying and was candid with you. I agree with you - social/emotional learning is equally as important as academic learning. Hoping his discussion with his 2 lead teachers brings positive change....AND here's hoping for positive change with M! **love the french press, by the way** mmmmm.... I have a little 2 cup press and it's my joy all winter!!
DoK: wishing your family health, mama!
The time change is killing me, like everyone else. This house is wiped out today! Lots of sun and fairly warm here until Wednesday! hooray!!
Doing pretty good around here. I'm feeling pretty good too! I was in an accident on the 28th of October and while I feel almost back to normal, I am thinking I may have jarred my filling or something in my tooth when we got hit, because I am having some slight pain. I hate dental stuff. I am working like crazy to catch up on the housework, and feel like a winner this evening! Managed to clean out and organize DD1's closet and also our closet which was only storing craft supplies and HS stuff. We even had the rare treat of all going out to dinner as a fam this evening. It has been a good day!
Maia - glad to hear the principal was listening and considering.
DoK - take it slow. My mom had surgery the same day as you I believe and I have to remind her to slow down!!
Feral - nice tattoo!
Hello Vydalea! Nice to 'meet' you!
Redveg - hello there lady!!
Morning:) It is so beautiful outside today. It feels almost like Summer. I have the windows open and it's amazing. I so needed this little pick me up. I hope everyone is have a great day so far:)
Maia, positive thoughts going M's way. I hope you are not getting sick but if you are I hope it passes quickly. I have a French Press and love it!
DOK, Sending healthy healing vibes to you and your little one.
Gun, so nice to see you back, love your picture:)
Gun!!! Welcome back lady! Love your picture! How the hey are you doing?
DOK - Glad you checked in, I was getting a wee worried and I hope you are able to take it easy. Give yourself time to heal (on so many levels), but physically first. I remember after my first CS how little I could do without getting winded & tired, but each day got a little better. Your surgery was far more invasive than that. I'm keeping you in my thoughts!
Maia - I love the french press score!! WOOHOOO!
Clay - that pumpkin pie oatmeal sounds YUMMMM!
Redveg - Glad to hear the interview went swimmingly and that you are being blessed with a beautiful day! It's raining and cold here, but soon will be sunny (by Friday!)
This weekend was busy for us - raking leaves, putting our garden to bed/rest for the winter, organizing the garage to move our car inside it and moving all outside stuff to our shed for winter storage. *PHEW* Tired. Next up switching over to more "wintery" recipes for dinners and getting ready to make a trip to visit my sister & her family for T-day.
Other than that - I'm taking steps to make a friend here (finally in WI). It is so hard, almost like dating except I think worse. Anyhoo we have a "date" to go to the farmer's market on Saturday, so here's hoping! Next up I have to reconnect with an old friend of mine to rekindle our friendship again so much like dating except with more to lose emotionally. gah...
Oh and I'm reading up a storm too - Just finished the Art of Racing in the Rain - Loved it! Up next The Golden Compass as a friend recommended it awhile ago for me to read.
Any tea drinkers here? I need to find some teas for a gift and anyone have recommendations of some yummy ones?
Gun - Why is it that being able to have the time and patience to organize a closet is such a feeling of accomplishment!! When I cleaned our closet after changing it over from summer to winter I just wanted to sit back and bask in it's organizational glory....for the time that it stayed organized! haha.
ktg- Making new friends is totally like dating. bah! Good luck! After DD was born I joined this mom's group that was thrown together and that felt like a big group date. Ended with me in tears, of course, much like dating did so much of the time. Finally whittled it down to a couple ladies that I could relate to so it all worked out in the end.
also, I love Republic of Tea's Blackberry Sage and Ginger Peach. I also had this amazing one at my mom's house: Organic India Tulsi Tea, Sweet Rose. It was so different at first, I didn't think I would enjoy it. It really tasted like a rose but it was delicious and soothing. All winter I drink a giant mug of one of the Celestial Seasonings Fruit Teas at night. They have a varitey pack with Raspberry, Peach, Blueberry, Cherry, Wild berry. They are my favorite!!
redveg: also summery here. It's 67! Actually threw on some gauchos when I got home from the grocery store! WOOHOO!!
Teas: I absolutely LOVE the teas from Love & Tea! They taste great, the art on the box is beautiful and I've always got wonderful service from Jen.
Yay for tea recommendations! OMG I just got done drooling at the Love & Tea site. So lovely! Please keep them coming! The most I came up with was Tazo and Mighty Leaf as I haven't been buying tea lately.
Vy - I feel reassured to read your words! I'm hopeful as this person is a fellow working mom (our DHs know each other through a local SAHD group) and we've hung out before have similar interests and I think stresses & worries too. Still though I feel nervous complete with butterflies in the stomach and I miss the comfort of my old friends from WA. DH keeps encouraging me to put myself out there and find the activities which interest me (and I think also find friends too), it is just tough to do as we get older I am finding out.
Right now I'm thankful for a quiet day/week at work as my boss is out of the office almost for the week, so I am digging out of a lot of back logged items and clearing my desk! Whoo hoo!
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