Education Philosophy

Charlotte Mason

"The question is not, -- how much does the youth know? when he has finished his education -- but how much does he care? and about how many orders of things does he care? In fact, how large is the room in which he finds his feet set? and, therefore, how full is the life he has before him?" 

Mason believed that each child deserved respect and that their education should be broad. The lessons also took into account the child's age and ability. Lessons are very short (from 5 to 15 minutes) for 6 year olds but gradually increases to 45. Outdoor play was encouraged. Literary works are used instead of textbooks. For children 6 to 10, narration and oral answers allow the child to learn without the mechanical problems of writing. Art and music are integral to children's education.

I Don't Know How To Eat!!

How is it possible that I still have not perfected the art of eating? Here I am minding my own business, I take a bite out of a taco and BAMM! I have breathed in a little piece of taco, I'm choking and then luckily I start coughing. It takes several minutes for me to recover. Why don't I know the difference between breathing and eating after 50 years of daily practice? What am I missing?

I am reminded of my childhood. My elders did try to instill social graces into my life. I can remember some of them.

• Don't talk with your mouth full
• Elbows off the table (Mabel)
• Chew each bite 20 times
• Close your mouth as you chew (eat as quietly as possible)
• Sit up straight

Let's take a look. I don't think that I adhere to any of these.

Don't talk with your mouth full - I regularly talk with food in my mouth. Hopefully, my mouth is not full. I do try not to stuff my mouth full as I eat

Elbows off the table (Mabel) - I know that I have rested both of my elbows on the table while I negotiated a sandwich into my mouth

Chew each bite 20 times - Ha, funny, 20 times, ha ha, oh, they were serious. I'm probably lucky if I chew each bite 10 times

Close your mouth as you chew (eat as quietly as possible) - This one I do, except when I'm talking or singing while I eat

Sit up straight - Sit? I do sit sometimes. I enjoy the whole family eating together but it seems so difficult to get everyone eating at the same time. I'm guilty of eating while I do chores around the house, while I take the puppies out. Plus I do not have the good posture that I could. I most enjoy sitting with my hips tilted back, with my left knee up or at least my left foot tucked up under my bottom

At the time of this last choking incident, my mouth was not full, I was not talking, I was not at a table, I'm certain I had not chewed the food enough, my mouth was closed, I was undoubtedly slouching with my left knee up.

So maybe I'll try going back to these basics and see if my choking frequency reduces.

Daisy Masking Her Favorite

Daisy Masking Her Favorite Toy

This is Daisy. She is sleeping with one of her favorite "toys," an old roll of masking tape. She "rescued" the extra-wide roll of tape from a project Casey was working on about a month ago. She loves it.  She carries it around; plays tug-o-war with us or Gray; throws it up in the air; we roll it away for her to chase, and then as shown it's fabulous to cuddle with!

Daisy's other favorite is a rock. She just nudges the rook slightly as she jumps at it in puppy play stance. The movement of the rock then fuels more excitement. Sh carries it into the bathroom and up onto the couch with her.

With two puppies, even from the same litter like our two, I am able to compare and contrast their preferences. Both pups: love to play; love to be pet; love to get treats; love to hear accolades "good boy," "good girl"; love to romp; and love a nice nap. How each of these is appreciated differs. 

Time Flies

Everyone knows from The Doctor that time is "like a big ball of wibbly wobbly... time-y wimey... stuff."

... and still I felt like as soon as I would start something an hour or two or three had passed with very little to show for it.

I have good intentions; I have plans; I set goals; I try to be reasonable about how much I can do without neglecting my other more immediate responsibilities. Some days I can zoom through. Lately, I think that I am working, maybe even thinking in S..L..O..W.. Motion.

A Quarter of His Life

I mentioned how bad I feel about keeping my 3-month-old puppy confined and denying him to jump, run, climb and much of his play time.

The person I was speaking with matter-of-factly stated that it was better to crate him for one day than mess up his leg forever and he wouldn't remember it anyway.

It really bothered me. First, I always think it's ludicrous when people say the baby won't remember, the puppy won't remember. I have no idea what puppies remember. With human babies, I decided that I would try to provide colorful, varied experiences even if they can't remember. My child would be completely different if I had kept them in the closet for the first 3 years. Even though they can't remember the first three years now.

Second, it isn't for one day. It's for one month. At 4 months old he will have spent one-quarter of his life recovering from this injury. That's huge!

I know that I don't have any other choices but I feel totally justified in empathizing with his whimpering.

Summertime Slime - Elmer's Glue

It's summertime again. Maybe not by your calendar but all the signs are here:

Tons of Empty Elmer's Glue Bottles!

1. The beaches begin to fill up. I went to local public beach, IRB and parking was tricky. There were no free spaces. Did you know towns and cities expect people to PAY for parking?
2. The water is filled with swimmers and boats. The water is perfect: calm, not to warm, and clear. why would anyone be anywhere else!
3. Dawn is before 7am and Sunset is after 8pm. Sunrise starts sneaking in just a little bit earlier and earlier and everyone including the sunset loves slowing down and spending the late afternoon at the beach. 
4. We see Watermelon for sale every where. I love watermelon. Good thing because I get to enjoy: watermelon soda, watermelon mint tea, watermelon smoothies,watermelon italian ice and of course watermelon.
5. We see tons of flowers blooming. we have areas that are very manicured and areas that are au naturel. Now all the flora are feeding the bees and butterflies. I love watches the insects flutter from bloom to bloom. 
6. Nests. Every year we have several nests to watch. We regularly have at least one dove nest, one mallard duck nest. Its summer when those chicks leave their nests. Every summer the mallards take their "sord" meandering thrhough our yard, out our driveway, across the street to who knows where. The dove chicks stay in their nests until summer when they ty to fly. Last year a nest in the rafters of our gazebo had one fledgling land on my head. The onset of summer also brings the mamma sea turtles onshore to build their clutches (a borough they dig and put 100 or so fertilized eggs in).
7. And of course my daughter, now 11 craves creating slime! I have no idea why but she loves creating slime every summer. She tries different recipes. Then she tweaks the recipes here and there for endless variations. I should buy Elmer's Glue by the  gallon drum!

Online Sales of My Art Items - An Initial Investigation

I have been having so much fun with my arts and crafts. A couple of people have said I could sell them.


Tonight (technically last night since it's way past midnight now), I looked at selling on Amazon and Etsy. I tried to sell something on eBay years ago and got no bites. Also, I don't like the bidding aspects.

Amazon was very pricey but I know there is value in just the name. If I plan to sell under 40 items each month, there is no monthly charge. For a $5.00 item, the $0.99 per item listing fee + 15% (min$1.00 referral fee). That $1.99 per item is a pretty hefty chunk. If the item were $20.00 the fees would be $3.99.

Etsy is considerably cheaper. For that same $5.00 item, there is a $0.20 per item listing fee + transaction fee of 3.5% in this case $0.175 + processing fee of 3% in this case $0.15. That's 53 cents per item.
If the item were $20.00 the fees would be $1.50.

Well, I guess I need to take another look at eBay.

Groups

It occurs to me that groups must be pretty important to us. English really only has one word that means love but group has been split atomically. Is it because we want to belong to a group? Does it help us to give meaning to our lives? Or is it that we name these "groups" to ensure our own uniqueness?

Here are a few synonyms of group that I was thinking of while I was collecting seashells by the sea shore: team, community, club, committee, gaggle, pack, squad, herd, pride, murder, congregation, troop, colony, battalion, litter, brood, gang, flock, posse, generation, mob, school, and bunch. That's 23 different ways to say group. As I continue to type,  I continue to think of more. I have no idea why it is so important to distinguish that a group of dogs is a "pack" but a group of geese is a "gaggle" or a "flock." Yet, it's nearly impossible for me to name the different feelings of love I feel without resorting to Greek words, metaphors or examples.

Experimenter - The Movie

"You could say we are puppets. But I believe that we are puppets with perception, with awareness. Sometimes we can see the strings. And perhaps our awareness is the first step in our liberation."— Stanley Milgram

It's an entertaining and interesting movie starring Peter Sarsgaard and Winona Ryder about the "obedience" research of Dr. Stanley Milgrim in the 1960s. I personally, didn't remember Milgrim or the controversy surrounding his research. I was familiar with the results of several of his research projects. The film itself is a kind of project: the main character breaks the fourth wall, some scenes are portrayed with the backgrounds projected behind the actors, and much of the emotion of the film seems to be left up to my interpretation. There are important human behavioral questions brought up. Two that particularly interest me are: why will we hurt others just because we are told to; and are we justified to hurt others in order to learn. There are at least two sightings of actual "elephants in the room." I am not sure if the elephants represent that Milgram was justifying what the subjects endured in the name of his own research or that our society still doesn't act any different than the Germans did carrying out Hitler's atrocities.

Everyone would like to believe that "I would not have shocked the stranger." How we can learn as individuals or as a whole how to get there? How can we get to a point where we no longer do what we're told just because we we're told?  How can we be sure that we will act within our conscience?

Disney World EPCOT - "Club Cool"

Disney World EPCOT - "Club Cool"

a.k.a. The Coca Cola Place and Ice Station Cool

Cool Club as seen from Starbucks in EPCOT

I had a 2-day Disney World adventure. We have passes again so I know we'll be going frequently.

EPCOT is my daughter's favorite and everybody loves tasting interesting Coca Cola products, right? We love this place.

I hadn't been to EPCOT in 5 years and usually in between many people have told me that: "there is no such place," "am I sure," and most lately "its been replaced with Starbucks."

Guess what? It's still there. It's in the same location as it has always been; inside of EPCOT back near the World Showcase Lagoon but still n Future World on the right as you enter (on the West).





We are always so excited to get there. On this particular day, EPCOT opened at 9:00 AM BUT (and this is a big but to me) Cool Club didn't open until 10:30 AM and the World Showcase didn't open until 11:00 AM. Cool Club opened as promised but the World showcase had ropes and guards blocking past and they weren't going by a clock. They had to wait for a call on their radio. I'm not sure why the gates open hours before the Showcase opens.

So back to Club Cool

Club Cool Coca Cola International Flavors

The flavor-flaves had changed which is nice. It's been 15 years but I have been to the tasting part of the Atlanta World of Coca-Cola Museum and I know that there are dozens of flavors. This visit has:
Beverly, Fanta (Pineapple), Fanta (Melon Frosty), VegitaBeta, Bibo, Sparberry, Inca Kola and Guaraná Kuat.

On the "Flavors Around the World Fountain" the drinks are described.

Beverly – This soda from Italy is a popular non-alcoholic aperitif that is bitter flavored and is a traditional part of Italian refreshment culture.

Fanta (Pineapple) – This soda from Greece made its debut in Europe in the 1940’s and was later introduced in the 1960’s in the United States. Fanta Pineapple is  caffeine-free that features a sweet pineapple taste.

Fanta (Melon Frosty) – Fanta Melon Frosty is the number one soft drink of Thailand. This fun melon flavored beverage is beloved in Thailand’s sunny tropical climate.

VegitaBeta – Originally launched in Japan in 1992, is a non-carbonated beverage with apricot and passion fruit flavors. It is rich in beta-carotene that contributes to it unique yellowish orange color.

Bibo – This soda was originally created in 1998 and is part of a fruit flavored line of juices popular in South Africa. The brand features fun characters such as Johnny Orange, Taka Strawberry, and Palo Peach.

Sparberry – A raspberry flavored cream soda, Sparberry launched in Africa in 1955. It is exclusively available in several countries in southeast Africa.

Inca Kola – Known as “The Taste of Peru” this soda has an unusually sweet fruity flavor that many compare to the taste of liquid bubblegum. The name “Inca Cola” refers to the Quechua words for king and queen.

Guaraná Kuat – This soda is a guaraná berry flavored soft drink that was launched in Brazil in 1997. The word guaraná comes from the word guara-ná which translates to “fruit like the eyes of the people”

Because I'm so special (all my fun allergies), I woke up the next day with my lips really swollen. I took a Zyrtec, went back to sleep for two hours and woke up only looking like I had overnight Collagen Injection/Lip Augmentation (like all the stars, ha ha). The swelling did go down within the day. I took a Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) at bed time. Even the next two days, my lips still felt funny. SO I am trying to find the ingredients to these drinks. I'm sure my reaction is due to "Bibo Kiwi Mango" which I did not taste. Since I do have a pretty severe reaction to mango. But I havent had much luck online. Here's what I have found:

Drink Name	Country	Ingredients	Source
Beverly	Italy	High Fructose Corn Syrup, Water, Citric Acid, Salt, Sodium Benzoate, Natural and Artificial Flavors	glutenfreedairyfreewdw.com
Bibo Kiwi Mango	South Africa	Ingredients	Source
Fanta Melon Frosty	Thailand	Ingredients	Source
Fanta Pineapple	Greece	Ingredients	Source
Inca Kola	Peru	Carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup and/or sucrose, citric acid, sodium benzoate, Caffeine, artificial and natural flavors, yellow #5	Looked at the back of a bottle. See below.
Kuat Guaraná	Brazil	Carbonated water, sugar, guarana seed, acidity regulators citric acid and sodium citrate, identical to natural synthetic flavoring, caramel coloring IV conservative potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate.	cocacolabrasil.com.br
Sparletta	Zimbabwe	Carbonated Water, Sugar, Flavouring, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Carmoisine	bobsbiltong.co.uk
VegitaBeta	Japan	Water, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Citric Acid, Concentrated Lemon Juice, Potassium Benzoate and Potassium Sorbate, Artificial and Natural Flavors, Yellow 5, beta-carotene, Tocopherols	glutenfreedairyfreewdw.com

Inca Kola

Inca Kola Ingredients

(407) 824-4321

Spring Cleaning

Boxes and Bags of Suff

I am taking Spring Cleaning to an all new level. I am going through EVERYTHING.  I seem so disorganized.  I can see how quitting a big project like this could end up on the Hoarders Show or the Storage Wars Show.

FLY Lady would disapprove of my methodology and I am seriously thinking of taking a step back putting my house back together and going forward with the FLY Lady method.

My partner keeps saying things like "you tell me what to do and I'll do it" and "whatever you decide." Instead of giving me the all go ahead I feel almost immobilized. Instead of doing the "responsible thing," whatever that is, I want to climb back into bed and pull up the covers.

Yikes.

Agenda, Docket, Itinerary or Schedule

Agenda, Docket, Itinerary or Schedule

Maybe it is because I Home Educate my kids or maybe it is because I do not work out side my home or maybe it is just me but I seldom take the weekends off. That special weekend feeling of: staying up late or
getting to sleep in or
watching Saturday morning cartoons or
even going to some special place is almost forgotten.

I do not believe that my kids understand "Weekend" or why others worship it or even why people (and Orange Cats) hate Mondays.

We don't necessarily wake up in the morning or go to sleep at night but we live by my Calendar. We definitely have plans. March is always very busy for us. We weekly attend two separate Homeschooling groups. Twice a month each child attends a Camp Fire USA group for their age.  We have play dates.  We visit Busch Gardens and Seaworld frequently. Then as the weather warms we also incorporate 3-7 visits to the beach each week.

Yet, I get confused as to what day of the week it is.  If it weren't for some rather silly mother's that had all penciled in mustaches, I would have missed the fact that it was actually LEAP day February 29, 2012 this week.

You didn't know that you were supposed to draw a mustache on your upper lip for Leap Day? It was explained to me this way: draw a mustache on Leap day because a drawn  mustache looks French, frogs are French and frogs leap. I told you that they are silly.

My Romantic Husband

For New Years Eve, I tried to have a romantic dinner. I went to a friends house and got dressed in my best dress that fits. She helped me straighten my newly cut and colored hair (by another friend). Her daughter helped me by putting on "smokey eyes" makeup. I even borrowed some wonderful perfume.  I planned a lovely dinner of steak, potato and salad with sparkling apple cider for the 4 of us (my darling husband and my 2 children). As I arrived home all the little girls four 5 and 6 year old girls come running to my car to tell me how pretty I look and how I smell nice. It was nice to be treated like a superstar. I bet this is how Dora the Explorer feels.

My friend that helped me get dressed asked me what my husband said about my dress-up for New Years Eve. Initially, my husband said nothing. As far as I can tell he doesn't even look at me. So I asked him how I looked and he said I looked "cute." Not exactly the look I was going for but it does explain why I am only attractive to 6 year old girls.

My friend then suggested that my husband wasn't romantic. See that's the funny thing, my husband is romantic. He is very romantic.

We met in August of 1987 and started dating soon after. We married in December of 1994. My darling husband is romantic. He is kind and thoughtful. He is generous and loving. In all those years, he has never forgotten an opportunity to give me a gift. He has even given me presents for HIS birthday. He has written me love letters. He has brought me flowers. He records TV shows that he thinks I'll like. He saves magazine articles for me to read. He sends me emails and texts each day offering information and words of support. Although he does tell me frequently that he loves me, he rarely comments on my appearance.

So is my husband romantic? Absolutely. Now for me, am I a romantic? That's another story for another day.

Secular Co-op Road Trip

H.O.P. Home School Co-op

Total we spend the day at a Home School Co-op. That's what its called. It isn't anything like how I pictured school co-operatives 13 years ago when I first read about them. I pictured 4 families getting together. Three parents would stay and one parent would have that time off or something like that. In the area that I live, there are many home school co-ops. Most are based on common religions. Those families keep their children out of the school system to reinforce their beliefs. We are secular home educators. I drive all over the place. Every other Tuesday I drive an hour for Camp Fire USA. Then twice more I drive an hour to two different secular co-ops.

Wish You Were Here!

With all that driving you would think that I would be tired of driving but I have found myself lately day-dreaming of my next road trip. I have to admit I was going to try to sneak in a trip to the snow this winter. Apparently there will be no winter so that may have to wait. My daughter wants to go camping again in the Florida Keys. We went early last summer. I really wish I had sent a post card that said "Drove through the night Thursday night with the kids fighting the whole way. Friday morning, it was so hot that I thought I was going to pass out as I set up the tent. Friday night, the seam in our air mattress broke and quickly left us sleeping on the ground. Saturday morning, I got stung by a wasp on my leg. Saturday afternoon I brushed my back and arms against Fire Coral as I was snorkeling. Then Sunday morning it started to rain as we were packing.
Having a great time wish you were here."

Emergency Room List: Plan Ahead for Your Visit to an Emergency Room

Medical Records - Proper ID for patient and if minor responsible adult, health insurance card, primary doctor name and phone number

Medical More - Bring all medicines and devices (for us that includes inhalers and spacers)

Toiletries - bring tooth brushes, toothpaste, contact lenses case and solution, brush/comb, mouth guard, stuff for period

Comforts - fav. blanket, a book to read, art set, favorite DVDs

Electronics - bring phone & cord, ipod, headset & cord, (gameboy, cord & games)

Clothes - PJs

Cleaning My Chalky Dishes in the Dishwasher

Chalky Dishes, Dishwasher, Limescale

I readily admit that housework is a challenge for me and that I use any shortcut or cheat that I can without endangering the life or well being of my friends and family. With that being said I had been using a powdered dishwasher distributed by Aldi's. I was happy for a while. Then this summer I started to notice that my dishes were chalky after they had been "cleaned" in the dishwasher. I was able to scrape the chalk off with my fingernail, it really appears as limescale. Not particularly a pleasant task to undertake. I use the dishwasher to make my life easier, not to add tasks to my day. I decided to buy Cascade. I have used Cascade over the years and I had never had any issues with it before. My first response was that Cascade has a new box. That is not really a big problem for me though. I am a firm believer in FUNCTION over FORM. I thought probably some research firm had decided that this newly designed box would entice more sales. The problem though was that my dishes did NOT improve. In fact, my previously black Farberware began to appear GRAY. My glasses and clear plastic cups all had a layer of limescale. I can remember an article, an announcement that my community had switched from using Chlorine to using Chloramine. So I decided to do some searching online. I found that many people across the country were having similar if not exactly the same issues as I was having. I asked a few local friends and they too were having trouble. I decided to try some of the solutions that I found online. I tried this first one, it works so I haven't tried any others.

Homemade Dishwasher Detergent
* 1/2 cup borax
* 1/2 cup baking soda
* 1/2 cup salt
* 3 envelopes unsweetened lemon drink mix (I am using Aldi's Flavoraide lemon-lime)
Use one tbsp for pre-wash and one tbsp wash.

I gave this recipe some thought. Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate) and Unsweetened Lemon Drink Mix (Citric Acid) make that lovely foam (http://www.apple-cider-vinegar-benefits.com/baking-soda-and-vinegar.html) giving off water and carbon dioxide. If I put salt in my bath it softens the water. For that matter people pay to have Calcium and Manganese removed from their water with salt in "water softeners." Now, I am certain that the gray is in fact limescale! And limescale is often Calcium Bicarbonate and can be removed with citric acid.

I like the recipe because I can mix it up from items I actually already have on hand. I give it a try. Immediately, my dishes were clean AND less scaley. I tried adding vinegar during the rinse cycle in a load with all of my Farberware. Now my spatula and spoons look brand new again.

I am happy with this simple solution maybe you will be too!

Finally Chalky Dishes in the Dishwasher Come Clean

Our Camping List

Your usage may vary. We are tent camping and this is list I use to gather and pack for our trip. I also check it as we pack the car to make sure some item didn't get left behind in the house!

Tarp, ground cloth
Tent
Stakes
Mallot
Air matress
Sleeping bags
Pillows
Flashlights, Lantern & related supplies
mess kit

Clothes
Plastic bag for wet, dirty clothes
Toiletry articles - soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, shower shoes, washcloth, towel, etc.
Camp Fire Vest with Uniform or red, white, and blue clothing to wear during ceremonial
2 pairs comfortable shoes – tennis shoes are perfect - absolutely no open-toe or backless shoes
Raincoat or poncho - no umbrellas, please

Sit-upon or folding chair- to use when sitting on the wet, dirty ground
Quiet time activity - books, cards, a toy or two
Sunscreen and insect repellent
First aid kit for the trip
Firewood, shovel, bucket, charcoal (optional)
Camp chairs and table (optional)
Supplies for special activities you want to do
Food - food, plates, utensils, drinks, ice, ice chest, & any needed supplies

ALSO:
first aid kit
ice? water
chair
rope tarps
tent
matches

I wrote this to my mom. She and I both live without Gluten. She is planning a trip to New Orleans.
-------------------------------------------------------
I was thinking, have you traveled Gluten Free (GF) yet? Maybe you have, maybe you have not? Here are some of my tips.

I know you'll be staying with family but you will also have car trips etc.

I always bring trail mix. A handful substitutes for a light meal and it doesn't need refrigeration or cooking. I used Aldi's Fit & Active Trail Mix. It has raw pecans, almonds, hazel nuts, walnuts & a splash of raisins & craisins.

I like to carry my spray bottle of Braggs.

I try to find what I can eat of what others are eating, sandwiches can be rolled in one piece of lettuce or ingredients can be eaten separately. Two servings of peas instead of a roll. I know you do this well.

Most restaurants have something but some are VERY tricky.

Bunny told me breakfast is usually safe but I found out many restaurants add pancake batter to their omelets. So I ask. IHOP does but also has a healthy choice egg substitute omelete that is GF.

I have ordered sandwiches at fast food restaurants sans bread. They all accommodate thinking I am on the Atkins Diet. They'll allow doubling the lettuce & tomato too.

Popeys - red beans & rice are GF so is the french fries and coleslaw. Green beans are crazy. They have wheat flour & wheat gluten added.

McDonalds - an easy cheap meal, 2 side salads & a cup of H2O. It'll cost $2 + tax. I use 1 Caesar dressing for both salads. Fries are GF. There are more expensive salads but I wasn't really impressed. They also sell apple slices but I don't usually get them. Got a really nice fruit smoothie there for another $2.

Wendys - chili, fries & baked potatoes are all GF.

Taco bell -stick with hard shells, yummy.

Cracker Barrel - it was one of aunt annie;s favorites. They say these items are GF safe: bacon, sausage, grilled catfish, grilled chicken tenders, hamburger steak, rib eye & sirloin steaks, apple sauce, carrots, corn, green beans, pinto beans & turnip greens.

I never heard of anyone who thickens their jambalaya. Gumbo will be thickened but some families always used corn starch.

Many big chains have GF menus but I sometimes get frustrated trying to figure it out when I am hungry. PF Changs, Ruby Tues., Chilis, etc.

I don't know what to do about beignets & muffallattas. I am leaning toward ordering a muff without bread or handing them GF bread to make the sandwich on.

Hope this helps.

Arts and Crafts

I made "Jack" Pack by fashioning an emblem out of craft foam.

Have you ever figured out the difference between "arts" and "crafts?" I love art. I love to see it, feel it and create it. I love painting, drawing, carving, modeling, gluing, soldering, cutting and sewing. Most of the art I make looks much like the products your 7 year old brings home in the their backpack each Friday from school. But it is still my art. It makes me happy to create it, to look at it and to give it away. I do wish that in the end it would look better but only so that the people that I give it to could appreciate it better. So to me the difference between "arts" and "crafts" is only this: if I have created art others see it as a craft. Back to my beading now...

My Nursing History

My circle is widely varied. I know women who didn't nurse at all. They didn't even try. They had no desire to try. I know women who nursed their children till they were 6 years old. I know women who nursed their children for some amount in-between.

When I was pregnant I really didn't give much thought to nursing except that since it was best for the child I would give it a shot. I only really knew one women who had nursed, or at least nursed around me. Beth Wright in Louisiana in the early 1980s. I had baby-sat her two sons who were about 2 and 3 years old at the time, Brandon and Matthew. She not only nursed her toddlers, she also had a family bed. Both ideas seemed reasonable to me but seemed to shock some of our mutual friends.

So, I gave birth and started to nurse. I had trouble. I knew there was something wrong because there just weren't enough dirty diapers. He was dehydrated. I attended La Leche League Meetings. The women there were very kind and helpful. I learned how to nurse more successfully for me. Strangely (or not so strangely) I ended up nursing the way felt most comfortable to me instead of what all the books said. I nursed on one side for each sitting. The next time we nursed we would nurse on the other side. Just that simple and baby thrived.

At the La Leche League Meetings I learned about child led weaning. Child led weaning begins when your child is interested in food. It is completed when your child no longer asks to nurse.

Even though I just started out giving it a try, after 3 years I was still nursing my first child. He had been nursing just once a day, just to fall asleep at night when I ended nursing. One day my breasts were really tender. I explained to my child how they hurt to touch them and how I didn't think I could nurse hime to sleep. He only asked the one night and never asked again.

My second child was another story. At her birth, I had some trouble. Again La Leche League members gave me good advice from their own experiences. We had thrush and once that was cleared up we were a happy nursing team.

She nursed more frequently than my son but she thrived. At four years old, for my own sanity, I had to persuade my daughter to give up night-time nursing. She did not reduce the number of nursing sessions per day as my first child had. She only changed the timings of the sessions to all day time nursings. Instead of feeling like I was caring for my daughter and enjoying the one-to-one and that unique closeness I was still tired and feeling trapped. So I started asking other moms around at the park one day. One of friends said she had bribed one of her sons out of nursing with a truck that he wanted. On the way home, I just asked my daughter if there was something that she would trade for nursing. She was quick to answer, she wanted a big prize from Target (a department store). I told her when she had stopped nursing after one week we would go to Target for a big prize. That was it, she was a little nervous later that first day but that night was fine. I took her to Target a week later. We went up and down every toy isle but she couldn't find anything that was right. Target didn't have any dresses (the employee said that they were out of season). I took her to Bealls (another department store) where she picked out two very fancy dresses and a pink scarf.

P.S. She didn't ask to nurse again until she was sick (once in February and then again in May) and was easily comforted by sitting on my lap.