~~Pagan Parenting in February!~~ - Page 5

[Maiasaura]

Originally Posted by vydalea Maia: Hope you're starting to better...I love the idea of eating in for your anniversary!  YUM.  the thought of a grilled steak is making me VERY hungry right now.  Also, thanks for sharing the picture of your altar.  If I think of it I will snap a photo of mine and load it up.  The drawing is also coming a long nicely, have you worked on it more?  Would you be willing to post pics of the finished product?  I am working through a list of "30 days of drawings" which I am NOT doing in 30 days since I do not have the time (more important things like MDC need to get done! haha) - I am stretching it out when I find long periods of time I can work on drawings.  

I am starting to feel better, thank you! I am staying in today, though, to rest more and make sure I get better. There's lots I want to do, but I have learned the hard way not to push myself! I am VERY lucky this didn't turn into bronchitis, as it always does, so I am showing my gratitude to the universe by caring for myself.

Yeah, grilled steak, me too I have been on this deprivation diet thing for some 34 days and tomorrow I get to eat! I think I am going to have a pork roast in the crock pot. Bacon and eggs for breakfast. If I don't do the pork roast, I will roast chicken thighs.

Drawing: Sure, I'll be happy to post it when it's done. I haven't worked on it any more because of being sick, but I may do a little on it today.

I am all crafty lately; I don't know what's getting into me!

I made a rice sock for M. Awhile back I thought I'd get all ambitious and try to make fabric bags for gifting instead of using wrapping paper, but that fizzled. I still have a couple of the bags left that I made, and one is perfect for the rice sock (so it looks all pretty, and not like...well, a sock), but I have to get out the sewing machine-- which hasn't been used in a year, at least, probably-- and make the bag narrower to accommodate the sock. Then put the drawstring in the top. I don't know that I will be doing that today, but for sure before I go up there.

Then also I am making God Boxes for people. I keep finding good boxes at the Goodwill so I keep buying them up I only meant to make one each for M, ds, and me, but now I have like 6 boxes, so I think I may make one for my Mom for Mother's Day.

And I do friendship bracelets for M and me and sometimes for ds, and M needs a new one, so I will be doing those (one each for him and me). I often have magick in them...dunno what I will infuse them with this time.

[_ktg_]

Hey Gals - if anyone is interested I have a surplus of milk kefir grains!   I can ship them via mail as I dehydrated the grains which makes for easier shipping & storage 

Vy - my containers are little ones like this: http://www.homedepot.com/Outdoors-Garden-Center-Plants-Bulbs-Trees-Seeds/h_d1/N-5yc1vZbx85/R-100349756/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&storeId=10051  Also I've been collecting my plastic apple containers & berry boxes to just fill with a starter mix and put seed in - as the lid acts as a nice greenhouse for them.   For some of my delicate herbs, I'm going to try them in eggshells (and the egg carton) and then transplant them once it's warm enough so their roots don't get fussy or disturbed by the transplant process.  I've lost so much cilantro that way (stress from transplanting!)... 

And then I'm going to move them into the usual pint or quart size planter which you get from the stores (when buying plants).  I have a lot of these from farmer's markets, the stores and etc.    

[Maiasaura]

Originally Posted by revolting Maia - My husband says that if the changing the trap doesn't work (if it is, the odor should be gone in a couple of days) and there isn't a leak in the visible piping, the next stop would to open up the wall. More often that the trap siphoning is that there is a broken or leaking pipe (or moisture not from the plumbing - but if it's a wall with plumbing, your first guess would be the plumbing) inside the wall. Hope the deeper trap helps!

Thanks! Well, here is what we did. Rob got another trap that has an expandable part, like an accordion on one side. He noticed that the original trap is shaped more like a J, where this new one is more P-shaped-- it has more of an even donut shaped curve. The other one had a rounded curve on one side and more of an angled shape on the other. So we're trying this one without expanding it, at first, to see if it helps. If not, we can extend the other side (not the accordion side) with an extra piece of pipe, and then expand the accordion part, to make the whole thing longer, but Rob says if we do that, because there are more parts (and therefore more places for connections), there's more opportunity for leakage. So we're going to wait and see how this first remedy works.

Originally Posted by _ktg_ Vy - my containers are little ones like this: http://www.homedepot.com/Outdoors-Garden-Center-Plants-Bulbs-Trees-Seeds/h_d1/N-5yc1vZbx85/R-100349756/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&storeId=10051  Also I've been collecting my plastic apple containers & berry boxes to just fill with a starter mix and put seed in - as the lid acts as a nice greenhouse for them.  

I love those!! I forgot all about those.

Great idea saving berry containers. What are apple containers? Ours here come either singly or in plastic bags of 3-4-5lbs.

[Wolfcat]

Getting ready to start seeds, YAY! We have some 18-ct egg cartons that we are going to use. Now just to keep the kids and cat out of them long enough for them to SURVIVE!

We are about to embark on a rather large remodel project - the kitchen!! We are putting aside $2500 from our tax returns for it. WOW!

BTW, I am really happy with the way my latest podcast came out: Sacred Sexuality: It's All in Your Head. It's about embracing and working with Sex Energy (even solo ). I just think we really touched on some good stuff there. And it's very appropriate given the upcoming VD and with spring and Beltane (seeming) just around the corner.

Maia - show us the God Boxes! I am totally curious.

[Maiasaura]

Originally Posted by Wolfcat Maia - show us the God Boxes! I am totally curious.

When I get any of them done, sure! I learned about a God Box back when I was first getting sober. The idea is "Let Go and Let God" or if you have a problem, give it up to God/dess. Let hir take it from you. So the God Box is a physical "giving it up". If, say, you have a co-worker driving you batshit, you put their name in the box on a little paper. You can say a little prayer or not, "God/dess, please take the problem with Vivian from me" or whatever. Then put the paper in the box. You may have to do this twenty times a day, but you're trying to let go of the problem and let your Higher Power handle it. The only rule is, you can NEVER look at the papers in the box, ever again. That represents taking the problem back. When the box gets full, you can burn them all, or throw them out, or recycle them, but you don't ever look at them.

I found some neat boxes at the thrift stores, and I am collaging them from magazines. Then I will Mod Podge them. Then I realized that craft stores probably have simple small cardboard boxes that I could have used...but the thrift store ones were from 49c to $1.99, and the magazines I used to cut out of came from the free box at the library

[3xMama]

Originally Posted by Maiasaura 

That would be Gary Taubes. You can check him out on Amazon. The new book has this catchy title similar to "Why We Get Fat and What to Do About It". He's really a scientist but he backs up all his stuff with real footnotes and studies that aren't funded by lobbies and such. He really just validates what Atkins has been saying for 30 years...and what I found out by taking A&P twice. Carbs make us fat. They do, they really do. NOT dietary fat. And it is turning out that saturated isn't the big bad boy we thought it was, either. So YAY. Soon I will be living on heavy cream and fatty meats again, and lots of eggs with real butter

OMG, are you my conscience? t\This is SO me. Which is why I rarely listen to Pandora anymore, much as I love it, because I know myself too well and I know this will happen! I have decided to back off on technology on Fridays for Lent, though. I will be "fasting" from the computer on Fridays. Or trying to I will still check email because that's a major way of getting in touch with certain people (my friend who hasn't got a phone, my son's teachers) and I will still cam with M, because that's communication, but no fooling around. No time-wasting. I am going to fill that time with drawing and some crafty stuff I want to do.
 

I did not know Gary Taubes was low carb. I will look into it, but I know that low carb will not work for me. I need a good combination of everything to stay even. So anything that's too heavy on one particular food group really doesn't work for my body. I end up with headaches, cranky (which is a very nice way of putting it...), exhausted and prone to depression. For me and my body, I will need to do something that's more balanced. But that's just me! like Clay said, not everything will work for everyone! 

Fasting from the computer! I wish you the best of luck! I could NOT do it! Not not not! 

Originally Posted by wombatclay 

Speaking of nutrition and ritual... any suggestions on growing hair quickly?  DD2 has started pulling her hair out (well, rubbing her head over and over, it's not an uncommon symptom for kiddos with her condition) and it's getting to be a real problem.  :(  Especially since she is so rapunzel/tangled/long hair focused right now.  She isn't doing it on purpose, but she gets hysterically upset if we try to redirect her hands.  We're waiting for a referral to a specialist (probably wont get in till June) and we're saving up for a visit to a local doctor who uses TCM, NAET, and Cranio along with Chiro and Acupressure to treat a variety of conditions... he's really good with kids, and has special rates for families with multiple kids (he wants everyone to have access to holistic modalities), and I know a few families who swear by him.  But till then I need ideas for helping keep what hair she has ON her head, and for growing the rest of it back quickly.  I'm thinking maybe I can make a doll sort of like the Dancing Goddess dolls (with the loooooong hair) and make a little "Ro's hair altar" with Tangled stuff, and Rapunzel books, and that long haired doll... maybe a spray bottle of something herbal for hair and a special comb?  Then some sort of bracelet that she could twiddle with and that might have, I don't know, bells or something that would distract her/catch her attention before she starts playing with her hair.  But any ideas?  Foods to try, herbs to spray on?  Hair rituals you've used or rituals you've used to break habits?

thanks!

I don't know of anything, but I like the ideas you've posted. I think its a good step. Some say that bells ringing help to draw positive energy, so maybe you could infuse a little magic to draw calm, harmony, love or whatever she needs specifically. 

Originally Posted by revolting 

I think it depends. Where I live, the farmers' market is SO expensive, compared to a CSA share. With my CSA share, we got basically all the vegetables we needed for a week, even when we were vegan (though only a family of three - and one of the three being a toddler - at the time).  With that same amount of money, I would have gotten very little at the farmers' market.

So, my husband hasn't been working a lot lately. We need to move, and I'm kind of nervous about applying for apartments with no income for the last couple weeks. We've applied for unemployment - he technically is still employed; his work is just not giving him any hours. I'm pretty stressed about the whole thing. He's still gone a lot though. He's taking the time to spend a lot of time at school, which is good, I just wish if he wasn't contributing income wise, he was contributing in terms of childcare/housework.

I've been trying to find time to do more yoga. A friend of mine is working on her certification for becoming a yoga instructor, so I get a free class every week. Yay! I've also been focusing on playing my banjo more. My youngest just turned two, and my oldest is going to turn five in a couple of weeks (and I know my parents are getting her a ukulele for her birthday, and I'd really like to remember how to play my banjo well enough to play with her).

That's life here!

I can see that. Here the farmer's market isn't too badly priced as long as I go to the one in the town where my parents live. They are surrounded by farms so a lot of the farmers come five minutes into town and sell whatever's fresh. Where I live, on the outskirts of the city, its more hassle for the farmers and higher prices. But the twenty minute drive for me saves money plus we get to see family. 

Hope things look up for your hubby soon. Its frustrating to have a job but not have any work, I've been there! Hopefully the move will go smoothly! 

Sounds very nice about the yoga! That's a really awesome opportunity. 

Originally Posted by vydalea 

Funny you should ask, 3x.  I DO NOT plan on having any more.  I love my Z-girl to pieces and we feel complete just having her.  My step-mother's psychic, on the other hand, does not agree and told her last weekend that he foresees me having another, a boy.  No joke, it took me 2 days to stop freaking out.  My DH finally got me to calm down and take off the chastity belt I had strapped on for fear of impregnation (haha) and I'm just going with it.  Hopefully he misread the energy and we'll end up adopting a male puppy or Z's future partner will be like a son to us or something.    I'm also in the early childhood field so perhaps I will be close with one of my students??  Who knows what the Universe has planned for us...but I am happy with just Z.  

Ya know, ya gotta do what feels right to you! I was an only child and loved it.  I probably would've freaked out, too. In fact, I am kind of, too. My youngest was a very big surprise as he beat out the birth control we were using (condoms). He's a fantastic and wonderful baby, I can't imagine life without him. BUT, I do not want that again! DH and I agreed to get an IUD and now that I'm on the path to getting it (ordered it today!), I'm terrified that I'm going to end up surprised and pregnant again. Its not logical at all, but I'm not even letting poor DH kiss me for more than a peck lest something happen! Personally, I would think it could be easy to misread energy. Is he generally pretty good about these things or is it possible he was telling your step mom something she'd like to hear? Like you said, who knows what the Universe has planned. Maybe a teeny lil puppy will steal your heart soon!

Originally Posted by _ktg_ 

Hey Gals - if anyone is interested I have a surplus of milk kefir grains!   I can ship them via mail as I dehydrated the grains which makes for easier shipping & storage 

Oh, I'm interested if you still have some! I just bought water kefir grains (they haven't arrived yet) and I would love to try the milk ones, too!

Originally Posted by Maiasaura 

When I get any of them done, sure! I learned about a God Box back when I was first getting sober. The idea is "Let Go and Let God" or if you have a problem, give it up to God/dess. Let hir take it from you. So the God Box is a physical "giving it up". If, say, you have a co-worker driving you batshit, you put their name in the box on a little paper. You can say a little prayer or not, "God/dess, please take the problem with Vivian from me" or whatever. Then put the paper in the box. You may have to do this twenty times a day, but you're trying to let go of the problem and let your Higher Power handle it. The only rule is, you can NEVER look at the papers in the box, ever again. That represents taking the problem back. When the box gets full, you can burn them all, or throw them out, or recycle them, but you don't ever look at them.

This is a fantastic idea! I will have to keep this one in mind for future use! Glad you are getting better Maia and it didn't turn into something nastier. 

Hope everyone is having a great start to their week!

[Aubergine68]

Hello all!  Just swinging by for a quick read.  Wishing all the best to everyone with everything.  

I will be starting seeds here on the Aries new moon, TM time.  I started some  on the Pices new moon last year and they were not any bigger or more productive for the extra month than the ones I started a month later.  My grow lights are not that good, I guess. Still, it worked out better than starting from seed in the ground would have done.  I figured out last year that I can start flower seeds in the warmest spot in my garden in the very early spring and transplant the seedlings around the yard after a couple of months for summer flowers.  I also fall planted some hardy vegetable seed and I can't wait to see what comes up.

We are having a very warm, dry winter here for Canada.  I wonder what the spring/summer growing season will be like.
 

Originally Posted by wombatclay 

Speaking of nutrition and ritual... any suggestions on growing hair quickly?  DD2 has started pulling her hair out (well, rubbing her head over and over, it's not an uncommon symptom for kiddos with her condition) and it's getting to be a real problem.  :(  Especially since she is so rapunzel/tangled/long hair focused right now.  She isn't doing it on purpose, but she gets hysterically upset if we try to redirect her hands.  We're waiting for a referral to a specialist (probably wont get in till June) and we're saving up for a visit to a local doctor who uses TCM, NAET, and Cranio along with Chiro and Acupressure to treat a variety of conditions... he's really good with kids, and has special rates for families with multiple kids (he wants everyone to have access to holistic modalities), and I know a few families who swear by him.  But till then I need ideas for helping keep what hair she has ON her head, and for growing the rest of it back quickly.  I'm thinking maybe I can make a doll sort of like the Dancing Goddess dolls (with the loooooong hair) and make a little "Ro's hair altar" with Tangled stuff, and Rapunzel books, and that long haired doll... maybe a spray bottle of something herbal for hair and a special comb?  Then some sort of bracelet that she could twiddle with and that might have, I don't know, bells or something that would distract her/catch her attention before she starts playing with her hair.  But any ideas?  Foods to try, herbs to spray on?  Hair rituals you've used or rituals you've used to break habits?

thanks!

Clay you have written a lot about headcoverings over the years - would Ro cover her head? Do you think something like that might help, either spiritually or physically?  A fun headcovering or hat with bells and ribbons, maybe? Would a long- haired wig in the dress- up box (something fun, inexpensive and kid appropriate) satisfy the Rapunzel/Tangled hair cravings?  

I was having trouble with hair loss recently and it was tied to iron deficiency.  I've gotten my iron levels up with supplements and iron-rich foods, and the hair loss has abated.

Nap time is over!  

[Maiasaura]

Originally Posted by 3xMama I did not know Gary Taubes was low carb. I will look into it, but I know that low carb will not work for me. I need a good combination of everything to stay even. So anything that's too heavy on one particular food group really doesn't work for my body. I end up with headaches, cranky (which is a very nice way of putting it...), exhausted and prone to depression. For me and my body, I will need to do something that's more balanced. But that's just me! like Clay said, not everything will work for everyone! 

Fasting from the computer! I wish you the best of luck! I could NOT do it! Not not not!

It sounds like you are describing carb-flu, really Which is the sort of detox effect you get when you switch to low carb. I am doing low carb, moderate protein, and high fat. Works for me

I don't know if I can do it, yet. I haven't tried

[redveg]

Afternoon Mamas:)

How long has it been since I have been here? I can't remember it's been so long.  I hope everyone is doing well.  I am going to have to go and check up with what's been going on.  So much has been going on here.  I had my gallbladder surgery and am going back for a check up today, in about an hour:)  The hubby and I drove to New Rochelle, New York and adopted a pig from the Humane Society there, his name is Peyton.  So far so good, we have only had him about 1.5 weeks and he is still figuring out his place in our family.  I figure by the end of the month we will have a better idea if all is going to be okay.  It looks like with some time and a bit of work it will turn out.  All of my kids have been accepted to college:)  Now we are just working on the $$$ end of it.  I tell you it's never easy but putting 3 at the same time through school I might be eating ramin only for the next few years.

I hope everyone is good,  I am going to go back and try to catch up with everyone.

Have a good Valentine's Day:)

[wombatclay]

Ack... weekends are so tough, I need Monday to recover!  And would I believe I'd /ever/ say something like that?  LOL!  But seriously, working noon-7pm... it's tougher than I had hoped.  Do-able and hugely important to our getting out of debt but still!  It means I have zero computer time for two or three days.  Catching up with this thread is a yoicks!

Maia- happy anniversary and yay!  Steak sounds yum!  (and you know I wasn't bashing your food ways, right? if it works for you I'm allllll in favor of it for you!  but people do need to do serious research about their choices... a food way that works for one may be a complete misfit for another for a wide variety of reasons, just like any holistic treatment!  good food is good health and all that!)

god box- what a cool craft idea.  I need something like that I think.  I actually picked up a little statue set (the hazard of an employee discount at a spectacular antique/funky thrift shop that shares space with the mama thrift store I work for) and am planning on using it in a similar way.... there are three statues, all female forms sitting cross legged, one with her hands on her knees "meditating", one with her hands folded at chest level "praying", and one with her hands reaching up in a stretch "offering up".  Their laps are shallow bowls and I was thinking I might put needs/intentions in their laps.  Sort of choosing an approach for each intention?

Redveg- cograts on the college bound, hope the finances work out!  Ask a local reference librarian for help... there are often really funky little grants/scholarships that can add up into really useful money.  But they're kind of hidden... like, the tiny little town library I grew up with gave 500 dollars a year to library card holders who were going to the same college as the library's founder.  Stuff like that.

hair- I made a tiny beaded bracelet... we've tried chewy necklaces (surgical tubing or silicone fish tank tubing are a cheap alternative if anyone is in need) without much luck... and we're reminding here to keep her fingers out of her hair.  DH wants to cut her hair super short but I think not only would it look worse, it wouldn't help.  She LOVES wigs so that might be an option for a while, and she loves headdresses... ribbons, veils, anything "princess" (she has a disney made "tangled wig" sigh).  I'm thinking maybe a hair clip with lots of ribbons that hang down her back so she can twiddle those?  And she helped pick out some altar items... she drew a picture of Rapunzel, added the Crown from her Tangled set, has a few beads she wants to braid into her hair when it's long enough, etc. 

general- we're planning on moving all 4 kids upstairs and turning that sleep loft into "kid land".  They'll have the whole loft for their beds as well as their toys (they have a bookcase and a set of shelves in the living room with books/toys and those would stay, only their "room stuff" would go upstairs).  This would give them space and hang out space and autonomy while also moving them away from exterior doors and the tv LOL!  ;)  DH and I would take the small bedroom we built...  We have been working slowly towards this shift, but now we're really motivated.  :(  My mom stopped by and she is convinced that a huge war is coming and she keeps trying to get us to return to her church AND agree to "bug out" with her to a relative's compound.  Anyway, we keep saying no.  Well, today she basically said that when the call comes she is going to come here and "get" the kids so at least they wont be hurt.  Um, what!?!?!  Uh huh, no way.  I don't think she'd actually try anything but.  Well, there is that "but".  So we're getting the kids upstairs ASAP.  sigh.

happier random- I cut my hair!  I really like it, even if it /is/ a touch uneven (mirror + scissors + non-dom hand = creative!).  And thanks to my mom and my employee discount we have a new couch!  It's a bit "granny" with floral fabric and wood accents, but it's a perfect fit for our space.  LOVE!

[vydalea]

Okay...today I woke up not feeling very well, Z goes to her grandparents for the AM on Tuesday so I decided to have a couch day to try to ward off getting ill.  I WATCHED DOWNTON ABBEY ALL MORNING.  I am addicted!!  Thanks to those of you who recommended it.  Is season 2 currently playing on PBS or is it season 3??  

thanks for all the info on starting the seeds, ktg.  You are awesome.  Now what are milk kefir grains?  I read up a little on wikipedia - it said it creates something like a thin yogurt consistency?  

Wolfcat: kitchen remodel!  oh oh oh!  What are you doing?  DH and I have grandiose visions of remodeling the kitchen/DR someday...someday... I'd love to hear about what you're planning.

Maia: the God boxes sound awesome.  How big are they?  I suppose they could be any size you want them to be but wondered what you have found useful.

Originally Posted by 3xMama 
Ya know, ya gotta do what feels right to you! I was an only child and loved it.  I probably would've freaked out, too. In fact, I am kind of, too. My youngest was a very big surprise as he beat out the birth control we were using (condoms). He's a fantastic and wonderful baby, I can't imagine life without him. BUT, I do not want that again! DH and I agreed to get an IUD and now that I'm on the path to getting it (ordered it today!), I'm terrified that I'm going to end up surprised and pregnant again. Its not logical at all, but I'm not even letting poor DH kiss me for more than a peck lest something happen! Personally, I would think it could be easy to misread energy. Is he generally pretty good about these things or is it possible he was telling your step mom something she'd like to hear? Like you said, who knows what the Universe has planned. Maybe a teeny lil puppy will steal your heart soon!

Thanks for that entire paragraph. haha.  I've had some onlies tell me that they weren't happy being onlies so it's really great to hear positive feedback.   We've been thinking about an IUD, too, but my insurance doesn't cover it  but we know it will be worth it...AS LONG AS IT WORKS! hahaha.  Maybe I'll wait a year and see how it goes for you. LOL!!  This man is actually very good about these things, which is why I freaked out so much.  He told my mother when I was in high school that she would someday end up with a son.  I thought that was insane...until she divorced my dad and married a guy who had a son who actually called her "Mom"  - wild!

Originally Posted by redveg 

Afternoon Mamas:)

How long has it been since I have been here? I can't remember it's been so long.  I hope everyone is doing well.  I am going to have to go and check up with what's been going on.  So much has been going on here.  I had my gallbladder surgery and am going back for a check up today, in about an hour:)  The hubby and I drove to New Rochelle, New York and adopted a pig from the Humane Society there, his name is Peyton.  So far so good, we have only had him about 1.5 weeks and he is still figuring out his place in our family.  I figure by the end of the month we will have a better idea if all is going to be okay.  It looks like with some time and a bit of work it will turn out.  All of my kids have been accepted to college:)  Now we are just working on the $$$ end of it.  I tell you it's never easy but putting 3 at the same time through school I might be eating ramin only for the next few years.

I hope everyone is good,  I am going to go back and try to catch up with everyone.

Have a good Valentine's Day:)

redveg:  how is the recovery from your GB surgery going?  Wow, lots of great news.  I hope all goes well with Peyton assimilating in the fam!  and HOORAY for your kids getting accepted to college!    I cannot imagine what the $$ end must be like.  ugh!  Nothing like FAFSAs and waiting to hear about funding.  GOOD LUCK!!! 

...and Hi Aubergine!!   It's been a similar winter here... we're all kind of holding our breaths to see what the spring/summer will bring!!  

[Maiasaura]

Originally Posted by redveg I had my gallbladder surgery and am going back for a check up today, in about an hour:)  The hubby and I drove to New Rochelle, New York and adopted a pig from the Humane Society there, his name is Peyton.  So far so good, we have only had him about 1.5 weeks and he is still figuring out his place in our family.  I figure by the end of the month we will have a better idea if all is going to be okay.  It looks like with some time and a bit of work it will turn out.  All of my kids have been accepted to college:)  Now we are just working on the $$$ end of it.  I tell you it's never easy but putting 3 at the same time through school I might be eating ramin only for the next few years.

WOW, you sure have a lot going on. How are you feeling after the surgery?

Originally Posted by wombatclay Maia- happy anniversary and yay!  Steak sounds yum!  (and you know I wasn't bashing your food ways, right? if it works for you I'm allllll in favor of it for you!  but people do need to do serious research about their choices... a food way that works for one may be a complete misfit for another for a wide variety of reasons, just like any holistic treatment!  good food is good health and all that!)

god box- what a cool craft idea.  I need something like that I think.  I actually picked up a little statue set (the hazard of an employee discount at a spectacular antique/funky thrift shop that shares space with the mama thrift store I work for) and am planning on using it in a similar way.... there are three statues, all female forms sitting cross legged, one with her hands on her knees "meditating", one with her hands folded at chest level "praying", and one with her hands reaching up in a stretch "offering up".  Their laps are shallow bowls and I was thinking I might put needs/intentions in their laps.  Sort of choosing an approach for each intention?

My mom stopped by and she is convinced that a huge war is coming and she keeps trying to get us to return to her church AND agree to "bug out" with her to a relative's compound.  Anyway, we keep saying no.  Well, today she basically said that when the call comes she is going to come here and "get" the kids so at least they wont be hurt.  Um, what!?!?!
 

Say WHAT, on your mom?!? Um, no! As in whatever! I have bugout bags, too, but my life, my kid. She had her turn with you. Your turn with yours.
Frankly, after Y2K, find me the dang X where the bomb is aimed, and I will take my child and stand on it.

No offense taken. Just that I believe with all my heart that the current paradigm re: carbs = good is such a lie, and I don't know where in the world the FDA and the medical people got such a wacky idea. Let alone promoting it nationwide. Why hasn't anyone noticed that the carbs = good, fat = bad idea has risen exactly alongside the obesity epidemic?? Sorry...just my current rant. I shall hush now.

Your goddesses sound like "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" Except in a really cool, meditative sort of way.
 

Originally Posted by vydalea Maia: the God boxes sound awesome.  How big are they?  I suppose they could be any size you want them to be but wondered what you have found useful.

Thanks for that entire paragraph. haha.  I've had some onlies tell me that they weren't happy being onlies so it's really great to hear positive feedback.

My boy loves being an only, if that helps any!

The boxes: they vary in size. The smallest is about 4"x4" square, and the biggest is like a small hat box, flat on both ends but round around the middle, and it's about 8" diameter and about as tall. There is a square one about that same size, and a smaller flatter one that's about 6-7" long by about 5" wide and about 3" high that has sort of beveled corners. They're not that big. They just need to be big enough to stuff a bunch of papers in.

[wombatclay]

Originally Posted by Maiasaura 
Your goddesses sound like "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" Except in a really cool, meditative sort of way.

That was the first thing I thought of when I saw them!  It was like the see/hear/know turned on its head into something positive-ish.  :)  I'll get a pic once our current round of diy stuff is cleaned up and the plastic drapes/layer of dust is gone.  lol

[revolting]

Originally Posted by wombatclay 

happier random- I cut my hair!  I really like it, even if it /is/ a touch uneven (mirror + scissors + non-dom hand = creative!).  And thanks to my mom and my employee discount we have a new couch!  It's a bit "granny" with floral fabric and wood accents, but it's a perfect fit for our space.  LOVE!

I need to learn how to cut hair. There are a lot of $5 haircut places around me, but I haven't ever really liked my haircut from those places. If I'm going to be unhappy with it, I might as well do it for free in my own home, LOL.

We got approved for unemployment. Yay! The money hasn't come through, but it should in the next few days.

[wombatclay]

Yay for getting some financial help!

hair- there are websites and (even better) youtube videos showing how.  I've always cut the kiddos' hair and I guess that gave me the confidence.  Though back in college I cut my hair (or let others cut my hair) all the time.  The classic "self inflicted avant garde hairstyle".  LOL  It helps though that I have a really basic style (as do my kids!) and honestly, I think that if you /can/ cut your own hair then that's a good option.... I mean, you know just how you wear it, and just how much time/energy you have to deal with it, where it curls when the weather is off, and all that.  I would love to go to a swanky salon and have a pro give me great ideas and how-to and a simply stunning cut but... yeah.  Not this decade probably.  If the choice is between the qwickie cut special and the do-it-myself then it's the diy all the way! (I once wore scarves for a month after a qwick cut place gave me a Pugsly meets GIJane haircut... it was so bad I actually wrote the company/manager/bbb AND I had people asking me if I was sick or had been in an accident!)  My only advice is to go slow... don't start by taking off an inch or by chopping a big swath.  Just take a little bit, then another little bit, and check frequently as you go.  Oh, it helps that I'm willing to go to the qwick cut for an ultra short pixie cut if I really frak up.  But I've never had to do that.

food- anyone watch Supersizers Go?  It's a fun food/history show where the two hosts spend a week eating/living in the manner of a well off couple in different time periods.  They have complete medical testing before and after each week to see what the impact of the diet/lifestyle is and during their week they meet with various historians and foodies to discuss the time period.  It's a lot of fun!  Oh, it's British... they confine themselves to the history and cuisine of Britain.  The other night we watched the Edwardian period and oh gods!  It was crazy!  The sheer amount of food was amazing (to say nothing of the booze), and there were days when the only veggie was the parsley garnish or a side of boiled celery.  However, there was a section on the rise of vegetarian cooking in that period and the link between vegetarian meals and the suffrage movement.  Anyway, it's a fun show and given the food conversations... it might be of interest!

weather- I am so done with the baggage of winter.  It never really got to be the sort of winter we're used to here (usually flurries in October, then the snow arrives in Nov and stays till Feb with the various flurries and storms keeping things icy till April)... the weather ping pongs between ice storms and snow and weeks in the 40s or even the low 50s.  It makes no sense at all.  And it means that I've had ALL the various outerwear items piled up by the door.  Rain coats and jackets and polar fleece and snowsuits and mud boots and rain boots and snow boots and house shoes and slippers and sneakers.... hats and gloves and wraps and everything all in a huge messy pile or exploding off of hooks.  Normally there would be a few weeks of such mess, then the seasons would settle and we'd pack up whatever was too hot or cold for the season.  But not this year, oh no... my tiny house has been awash in outerwear for months.  To say nothing of the bedrooms since the clothing is equally unpacked.  Everything is "appropriate" at least one day out of 10.  Be it shorts or double layered sweaters.  I'm going nuts!  Like a friend mentioned, it's been 5 months of March weather and we still have March to look forward to.  I swear, if this is the new normal I'm going to demand a bigger closet or a move to a location that either still has seasons (Alaska maybe) or at least a nicer "seasonal mix" (CA perhaps?).

[DaughterOfKali]

I'm reading along every few days.  

Hope the next season brings happiness, prosperity, and good health to everyone.  

[Maiasaura]

Originally Posted by wombatclay And it means that I've had ALL the various outerwear items piled up by the door.  Rain coats and jackets and polar fleece and snowsuits and mud boots and rain boots and snow boots and house shoes and slippers and sneakers.... hats and gloves and wraps and everything all in a huge messy pile or exploding off of hooks. 

Yeah, me too....and the house is for show I keep having to hang stuff in our individual closets, which is such a hassle, since I have hooks by the front door. And what I have that passes for a doormat is just a scrap of carpet I tore up with scissors...looks like shite, but it works. But I have to hide it behind the couch when anybody comes to look at the house, because it is butt ugly.

That show sounds fun! Someday we'll get cable, maybe. I don't think I can stand the commercials, though. It's fun to go to M's and watch TV, but even there, I forget that he has it, half the time, because I'm so not used to having it

Oh, and I managed to hook up Netflix to the Wii! Only now, ds has figured out that it has SpongeBob and Bey Blades, and that's all he wants to watch so I have had to resort to limiting those to one episode each, all to be done before 4pm. Because it's in common area, and I can't stand the noise.

[3xMama]

Originally Posted by Maiasaura 

It sounds like you are describing carb-flu, really Which is the sort of detox effect you get when you switch to low carb. I am doing low carb, moderate protein, and high fat. Works for me

I don't know if I can do it, yet. I haven't tried

Hmm, I don't know. I've never really cut carbs out of my diet. In all honestly, I don't think that's what it is though. I think I just need some of everything. Now as far as actually losing the weight, a low carb would probably work for me, I just wouldn't be a very nice person to be around.  Nor would it last very long as I reverted back to my old eating habits after losing the weight. Carbs with the obesity epidemic, I think it has a lot more to do with portions. Carbs are necessary and imporant, but not in the levels we've been eating them. Carbs have become the ultimate food because its easy. Hungry? Grab a bag of chips, pretzels, fill in the blank with whatever over processed cheap food you can come up with. Its quick, easy and very tasty. Want a sandwich? Its some toppings squeezed between over processed white sandwich bread that's a dollar. I personally think that that is the bigger issue, not just carbs in and of themselves. That's just my unasked for two cents though. 

Originally Posted by redveg 

How long has it been since I have been here? I can't remember it's been so long.  I hope everyone is doing well.  I am going to have to go and check up with what's been going on.  So much has been going on here.  I had my gallbladder surgery and am going back for a check up today, in about an hour:)  The hubby and I drove to New Rochelle, New York and adopted a pig from the Humane Society there, his name is Peyton.  So far so good, we have only had him about 1.5 weeks and he is still figuring out his place in our family.  I figure by the end of the month we will have a better idea if all is going to be okay.  It looks like with some time and a bit of work it will turn out.  All of my kids have been accepted to college:)  Now we are just working on the $$$ end of it.  I tell you it's never easy but putting 3 at the same time through school I might be eating ramin only for the next few years.

Its been a whirlwind for you! Hope everything went well at your follow up appt and you get to feeling better. Has Peyton gotten his bearings yet? College tuition is awful, I hated dealing with all of that. Very glad I have many years until I need to start thinking about it!

Originally Posted by wombatclay 

Ack... weekends are so tough, I need Monday to recover!  And would I believe I'd /ever/ say something like that?  LOL!  But seriously, working noon-7pm... it's tougher than I had hoped.  Do-able and hugely important to our getting out of debt but still!  It means I have zero computer time for two or three days.  Catching up with this thread is a yoicks!

god box- what a cool craft idea.  I need something like that I think.  I actually picked up a little statue set (the hazard of an employee discount at a spectacular antique/funky thrift shop that shares space with the mama thrift store I work for) and am planning on using it in a similar way.... there are three statues, all female forms sitting cross legged, one with her hands on her knees "meditating", one with her hands folded at chest level "praying", and one with her hands reaching up in a stretch "offering up".  Their laps are shallow bowls and I was thinking I might put needs/intentions in their laps.  Sort of choosing an approach for each intention?

hair- I made a tiny beaded bracelet... we've tried chewy necklaces (surgical tubing or silicone fish tank tubing are a cheap alternative if anyone is in need) without much luck... and we're reminding here to keep her fingers out of her hair.  DH wants to cut her hair super short but I think not only would it look worse, it wouldn't help.  She LOVES wigs so that might be an option for a while, and she loves headdresses... ribbons, veils, anything "princess" (she has a disney made "tangled wig" sigh).  I'm thinking maybe a hair clip with lots of ribbons that hang down her back so she can twiddle those?  And she helped pick out some altar items... she drew a picture of Rapunzel, added the Crown from her Tangled set, has a few beads she wants to braid into her hair when it's long enough, etc. 

general- we're planning on moving all 4 kids upstairs and turning that sleep loft into "kid land".  They'll have the whole loft for their beds as well as their toys (they have a bookcase and a set of shelves in the living room with books/toys and those would stay, only their "room stuff" would go upstairs).  This would give them space and hang out space and autonomy while also moving them away from exterior doors and the tv LOL!  ;)  DH and I would take the small bedroom we built...  We have been working slowly towards this shift, but now we're really motivated.  :(  My mom stopped by and she is convinced that a huge war is coming and she keeps trying to get us to return to her church AND agree to "bug out" with her to a relative's compound.  Anyway, we keep saying no.  Well, today she basically said that when the call comes she is going to come here and "get" the kids so at least they wont be hurt.  Um, what!?!?!  Uh huh, no way.  I don't think she'd actually try anything but.  Well, there is that "but".  So we're getting the kids upstairs ASAP.  sigh.

Glad your working is going ok. How's the pumping going?

Sounds like you've got a lot of good ideas for the hair situation. Hopefully something will really strike her and she will stop pulling it.

Goodness, that's just craziness about your mom! Where did she get the idea that there's going to be some big war? I'd be moving my kids upstairs, too, even if I didn't think anything would really happen. What a complete bummer though, to have to do that to make sure your mom doesn't spazz out and take them.   But yay new couch!!

Originally Posted by vydalea 

Okay...today I woke up not feeling very well, Z goes to her grandparents for the AM on Tuesday so I decided to have a couch day to try to ward off getting ill.  I WATCHED DOWNTON ABBEY ALL MORNING.  I am addicted!!  Thanks to those of you who recommended it.  Is season 2 currently playing on PBS or is it season 3??  

Thanks for that entire paragraph. haha.  I've had some onlies tell me that they weren't happy being onlies so it's really great to hear positive feedback.   We've been thinking about an IUD, too, but my insurance doesn't cover it  but we know it will be worth it...AS LONG AS IT WORKS! hahaha.  Maybe I'll wait a year and see how it goes for you. LOL!!  This man is actually very good about these things, which is why I freaked out so much.  He told my mother when I was in high school that she would someday end up with a son.  I thought that was insane...until she divorced my dad and married a guy who had a son who actually called her "Mom"  - wild!

Season 2 is on PBS now. You can watch the shows online after they air. I think they're up to espisode six or so? I'm half waiting until season 2 is on Netflix to watch it because I don't want to sit in my computer chair and watch it on my computer. Not comfy enough for all the suspense! Season three is airing or has aired in the UK (its originally a British show). I'm hoping it will be over here soon!

You're welcome! I think a positive only expirence has a lot to do with personality. I was perfectly content to sit alone and play myself in board games.  I really lived in my head and it would've been very hard on me to have had siblings to force me out.

As for the IUD, I don't have insurance. I bought a Mirena off of a Canadian website for less than $300. It will ship to my house and then I will just take it to my midwife and she will place it. She's been doing this for over two years now and its worked very well for her and her clients. If that's something your provider would be willing to do with you, it's a much cheaper alternative. You can also get the Mirena for free through the Arch Foundation if you qualify financially. http://www.archfoundation.com  Its supposed to be 99.9% effective and only rarely causes problems if you end up pregnant while using it. So I'm far more comfortable with that than anything else save a vasectomy! DS2 beat our former birth control odds so I'm all for something that has that high of a percentage of success!!

Wow, that's crazy! I wonder how it will work out then! I suppose technically he never said you'd have another baby so who knows?!

Originally Posted by revolting 

I need to learn how to cut hair. There are a lot of $5 haircut places around me, but I haven't ever really liked my haircut from those places. If I'm going to be unhappy with it, I might as well do it for free in my own home, LOL.

We got approved for unemployment. Yay! The money hasn't come through, but it should in the next few days.

I cut all of my kids' hair. Saves so much money. Cheapest around here is $11 a pop! Its taken me many cuts to figure out DD's hair. For the longest time I only had to cut her hair about 2 or 3 times a year because I'd accidently cut it so short! Now she's wearing it short and I've managed to figure it out. I assumed the boy haircuts would be harder to do but they've actually been quite easier. I think once summer comes around I will just buzz their heads and leave them with some fuzz. Easier, fewer cuts and cooler for the hot summer days of outside play. 

Yay unemployment!! 

Originally Posted by wombatclay 

food- anyone watch Supersizers Go?  It's a fun food/history show where the two hosts spend a week eating/living in the manner of a well off couple in different time periods.  They have complete medical testing before and after each week to see what the impact of the diet/lifestyle is and during their week they meet with various historians and foodies to discuss the time period.  It's a lot of fun!  Oh, it's British... they confine themselves to the history and cuisine of Britain.  The other night we watched the Edwardian period and oh gods!  It was crazy!  The sheer amount of food was amazing (to say nothing of the booze), and there were days when the only veggie was the parsley garnish or a side of boiled celery.  However, there was a section on the rise of vegetarian cooking in that period and the link between vegetarian meals and the suffrage movement.  Anyway, it's a fun show and given the food conversations... it might be of interest!

Like a friend mentioned, it's been 5 months of March weather and we still have March to look forward to.  I swear, if this is the new normal I'm going to demand a bigger closet or a move to a location that either still has seasons (Alaska maybe) or at least a nicer "seasonal mix" (CA perhaps?).

Food show sounds pretty interesting! I will have to look it up!

Yes, five months of March. Back and forth between flurries and rain, highs in the low 30s to mid 50s, mud everywhere, overcast and damp. I'm ready for warmth and spring! I don't really mind winter, just give me stinkin' winter though. Stay cold. Stay snowy. Stop flipping back and forth!

Oh, ladies, Valentine's Day was fantastic! DH surprised me by setting up a sitter for the kids and we went out to eat by ourselves! Its been at least 2 years since we've gone out alone. We got to do adult things like sit at the bar and eat our food while it was still hot! I even got to have a few drinks because there was enough time before DS2 would want to nurse again. It was fantastic to get out and reconnect with DH alone. We felt like a young, giddy newly wed couple. It was a nice change.  Hope you all had a great of a day as I did!! 

[vydalea]

clay: Your Mom... FOR REAL?!   <----that's me going *blink, blink, blink* On what planet does she just get to come *TAKE* your children?  okay.  I'm sorry you have to deal with that slice of bizarre with everything else that's going on.  The kid zone sounds awesome, though.  

Maia, I have this awesome little round box I've been saving for something and I think you have helped me find a use!  thanks!  :)  And yes, it totally helps to hear that your son likes being an only. thanks!  Hooray on hooking up the netflix on the Wii.  When we finally got that all figured out it was perfection.  We use it every night to watch some mindless TV show.  

 

Originally Posted by revolting 

We got approved for unemployment. Yay! The money hasn't come through, but it should in the next few days.

Awesome!  There's one positive step!! yay!  
 

Originally Posted by DaughterOfKali 

I'm reading along every few days.  

Hope the next season brings happiness, prosperity, and good health to everyone.  

How are you feeling these days, DoK??

[Maiasaura]

Originally Posted by 3xMama Carbs with the obesity epidemic, I think it has a lot more to do with portions. Carbs are necessary and imporant, but not in the levels we've been eating them. Carbs have become the ultimate food because its easy. Hungry? Grab a bag of chips, pretzels, fill in the blank with whatever over processed cheap food you can come up with. Its quick, easy and very tasty. Want a sandwich? Its some toppings squeezed between over processed white sandwich bread that's a dollar. I personally think that that is the bigger issue, not just carbs in and of themselves. That's just my unasked for two cents though. 

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree

I think the only carbs that may be necessary are ones found in some veggies. I am even beginning to think that fruit is unnecessary, at least as anything but a dessert or a condiment. I'm thinking paleo or pre- ...um, what am I thinking, primitive peoples? Cave-people, maybe? I hate when I can't think of the names of things but pre-NOW-humans. Pre-agriculture humans. That's how fruit was, then; you know, if we found it on a tree, yum, extra!

Grains are unnecessary,IMO.

PROCESSED carbs is what you are thinking, and yes, I agree totally. We couldn't possibly need anything less than those! But for many, many people, I don't think portions are as important as what kind of food to eat. If I eat fat, and plenty of it, and moderate protein, I am sated all day long and not hungry at all. It's pretty cool, for me, for a change

But you do have a serious point about portions, actually. You know those little 10oz Cokes we see now, the retro ones? That was a normal portion back in the 50s, in a diner. And small fries..this supersizing is crazy.

Originally Posted by vydalea Maia, I have this awesome little round box I've been saving for something and I think you have helped me find a use!  thanks!  :)  And yes, it totally helps to hear that your son likes being an only. thanks!

Yay! Yeah, now my dang eyes are peeled for boxes whenever I go in thrift stores, and I have plenty of them now I can NOT go on a box binge!

2 weeks till I see M again!