I think sometimes we give/get advice or read things here, then we never know the rest of the story! How did everything work out? So if you have any updates or questions about past threads, post them here!

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), January 30, 2002

Answers

My daughter's ear infection-- Lesley gave me so much info. I felt like I knew more of what was going on in there and was able to ask questions of the doctor that helped. I also understood more of what the doctor was doing! Thank you, Lesley, and to everyone else that offered suggestions. Caitie's ear is doing well; should she get another case, we're ready for it!

-- Dawn (olsoncln@ecenet.com), January 30, 2002.

I have been thinking about the "dream" threads and the "if I were rich" threads, and you know most of our dreams are not too far- fetched! So I hope we can encourage one another to realize our dreams.

"It is OK to build castles in the air, just put foundations under them!"

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), January 30, 2002.

First of all, I want to thank everyone who encourage me to have my back injury checked out-Its doing much better!

I am going to a Chiropractor twice a week. I heard-from this forum and others the whole spectrum of advice from all chiropractors are quacks to they can do miraculous healing. My experience so far is some where in the middle-I didn't have a throw my crutches down I'm healed experience, but he is able to clear up some problems that was dragging me down-he gave me a brace for tendonitis in my arm and that has DEFINATLY helped, my neck is feeling looser and my headaches are easing up. On the down side, I still have back pain, and there is still problems with upper spine-but then again, Ive only been going a couple of weeks.

I make crock-pot oatmeal twice a week, I'm still having a little problem with it sticking-I was mixing powdered milk in and it stuck A LOT. Anyway, I made the oatmeal cookies, and my family gobbled them down.

On our homestead skills goals-my husband put in a ridge vent on the roof, took out a wall at his moms and successfully brought down two trees. He also brewed some really good beer-I don't care for it much myself, but even I can tell a difference between this and commercial beer. He's given a fair amount away and gotten rave reviews.

My knitting is comming along-I'm pleased with that progress. I have not done nearly as much baking as I wanted. I'm working on two pieces for Countryside-one, an essay type piece is finished and I'm pleased with it. I have a pretty good rough draft on dishwashing, I'm still polishing it.

Like Melissa, I am also frustrated with cooking supper-what do you WANT I say over and over and over-no response.....I love the whats for dinner posts-good ideas!

-- Kelly (KY) (Homearts2002@yahoo.com), January 30, 2002.

I confess-I ALSO logged on and checked the menu ideas when I was stumped. For example-what do you fix when your expected company is having car trouble and may not make it? Answer-chicken and dumplings, which reheats QUICKLY, and is just as good as when it is fresh! As it turned out, they didn't get in until the next day so they ate leftovers for lunch.

-- Terri (hooperterri@prodigy.net), January 30, 2002.

I've learned that tomorrow is another day and to put off worrying about something until then. Seriously, worrying has NEVER changed anything, so don't bother. My mother used to worry about what I called the "what if's". Example: What if war breaks out". What if a child gets lost". What if, what if, etc. None of the "what if's" happened and she spent all that mental energy for nothing.

I also learned that it is darkest before dawn. Which means never sit awake and think about any problems then as they look unsurmountable until dawn happens. So, if you can't sleep, pray or meditate or contemplate your navel, but don't fret.

-- Ardie /WI (ardie54965@hotmail.com), January 30, 2002.

I come here, to visit with people who I am slowly getting to know, I have learned so much, and everyone has been so kind to me, I am lonely lots of times, and you all have been a family for me. I enjoy the recipes, and whats for supper, [ a whats for supper tomorrow night would be great, give us time to defrost and do the same] Lesley is a great help. I wonder where she learned everything. I am enjoying the Brazil guy. Would love for him to give us a run down on his life.I have loved hoot, He can write a tale, like no other.I have a birthday comeing up, Feb 3, I will be 72 years old, Any out there older. Melissa you are doing a great job, and it scares me, that something could happen to this forum. Sure hope Lusenet stays. Love you all

-- Irene in south east texas (tkorsborn@cs.com), January 30, 2002.

Ardie, that was well said. We all need to be reminded of that. Reminds me of a sign that said:

If you can't sleep, don't count sheep. Talk to the Shepherd.

-- HV (veggie@ourplace.com), January 30, 2002.

Contemplate your navel? Good one, Ardie!

-- Christine in OK (cljford@mmcable.com), January 30, 2002.

Kelly: have you tried adding more water or a little oil to the oatmeal? I do have to soak the crockpot a little when I wash it.

I have learned alot but more importantly have met a lot of fine people here. I don't know very many women like myself--people who are interested in living lightly on this earth, doing for themselves, showing their love for their family in making things, etc...

So this forum fills a big need in my life. Although I am younger than Iris, I too am lonely for a friend with my interests.

Melissa: I like to hear your family and budget ideas--they are very close or identical to the things I do. You deserve some Hurrah's for what you do. And our society doesn't value the things that we do like this so it's nice to have a forum where people will encourage one another! Thanks.

-- Ann Markson (tngreenacres@hotmail.com), January 30, 2002.

I appreciated the answers on how to include friends at Christmas. I felt completely puzzled when I asked the question, and after reading the answers, the solution seemed obvious. Our schedules worked out so that we were able to leave the gifts in their vehicle while they were at church, even though we were attending at different buildings, and we had them for dinner on a different day(Christmas Eve, I think it was, all those days ran together). Even with my sprained ankle, we all enjoyed it. We heard from the children that they had two meal invites for Christmas day, so they were well taken care of:)

-- mary (marylgarcia@aol.com), January 30, 2002.

Hmmm, Leila's lice went away real nice like. Vicki used one application of a commercial product, did lots of combing, and, on someone's advice, applied Coke. I told her that was the strongest stuff of all! But something got'em and they're gone. Not like the last time when we had to cut her hair.

Irene, thanks for your kind words. Not much to say about me, really, just an Arkie from the sticks. I have several bios scattered around the net that will tell you more than you ever wanted to know. It's on the "Of Me and Mine" page on my Christians-Only.com site. Lots of good reading there, if you're interested, and not about me.

-- Randal in Brazil (randal@onebox.com), January 30, 2002.

What have I learned?

That chickens waste mash. (yes, it's true! I went into the coop this morning to feed them and one jumped/flew onto the bowl I was holding to try and get a head start. Half the mash went all over the floor.

Some great financial/simple living/ tightwad thinking--THANK YOU ALL.

Karate: due to the recent karate thread, my husband and I are going to take up Shotokan again. I am excited, we both like it and it's something we can do together. We'll use some video instruction from the dojo that we liked so much, and the instructor will let us stop in when we're in the cities for real class/interaction/instruction.

And most of all, I think it's been really neat to be able to post here...I like the "groundrules" of this forum alot (no meanspiritedness). Very important to me.

THANKS!

-- Cat (catcrazy@somewhere.com), January 30, 2002.

I have learned there are really some great people left in this world-- -after working & owning my own businesses for over 35 years---some days I wondered if there were any nice ---careing/ smart --senseable people left in this world---ha! I do so enjoy the "family here" & on the "Christain forum" that Lesley has---most seem like extended family----need help-need an idea- --need an answer---need prayer----it is only a post away!!! What a great group of people--- I have posted on another "lusenet forum" off & on for over 3 years now-- & have found it to be sometimes less CAREING!!! There are some good forums ---& this is truelly one of them!!! I want to say /how much I respect & appreciate the RESPECT that is shown to others on this forum & also The Christain forum!!!! And I also visit the "Freedon Forum", that Doreen has/ that I lurk more than I post there--but enjoy it-- It is wonderful just to read & see how everyone is doing & what they are up to each day--- And I also appreciate the effort it takes to keep the forums going--- thanks to Melissa--for this forum--to Lesley & her son-in-law Web Guy & to Doreen for the other forums I visit--!!!

-- Sonda in Ks. (sgbruce@birch.net), January 30, 2002.