Jilsyt's blog

Lots of things have happened lately, keeping us busy. We blessed the baby this week, which meant lots of house cleaning.--read more

Merry Christmas, from our family to yours!!!--read more

Whew!!--read more

The National Education Association seems to think it's time to step up their control of home schoolers.--read more

*Sigh*. My baby is growing up, right before my eyes. He's napping on the couch, right by me, so content, so tall and gangly, so much like a mini-man I can't believe it. It's such a fun age.--read more

You know, at first I read the headline thinking, "Oh No!--read more

I read this article today, and I wanted to share it. I really needed it, and it renewed my conviction to be a better parent.--read more

Wowzers!!--read more

Got Spelt?--read more

Should I fight it?--read more

Speaking of food...this is hilarious!--read more

Has anyone here tried one of those menstrual cups (rather than disposable feminine products)? I've been looking into it, and wanted some opinions other than those written on their websites!

Thanks!--read more

Sorry if I named this post something other than I said I would...it took me a bit to find it (due to fetching a syrup bottle out of DD1's hands!!) Hope this is what you were looking for, if not, mayb--read more

Mom called this week, said my dad's retina tore in his "good" eye. The other tore a few years ago. He's had surgery to repair the bad eye, but always hoped the other eye wouldn't go. Now, he's had both eyes operated on (had the procedure on Fri) and we're hoping he regains sight. He's barely 59, and doesn't want to retire...CAN'T retire. There's not enough $$ to do so due to a layoff a few years ago. --read more

Wahooo! South Bend, IN is winning the Danny and Nina vote...have you heard of it? This couple is leaving the decision on where they should move next up to the voting world. It would be neat if South Bend won, probably just because I live here!! So, if you get bored, go vote on http://dannyandnina.com While you're at it, click at the the hunger site too! Clicking can be done for a good cause.--read more

So, pretending this is my diary, I'm gonna spill. Feel free to make me feel better--or correct me, if I seem to be assuming things incorrectly.
First: mommyhood. Oh, there are days I LOVE it. But sometimes...OK, I promised myself that I would always use gentle discipline, always be calm-count to ten, ask them what they are doing (you know, get their point of view, since they may not realize that what they are doing might upset you), etc. I found myself giving DS3 a swat on the bottom. Shocked the heck out of him and me, we were both in tears afterwards. Some parents I know use spanking regularly, I feel it is wrong, and now I've broken my vow to myself, and I feel horrible. I feel even worse that I really think I broke DS heart more than hurting him (I don't swat hard).--read more

Waaaaahoooo! OK, so I am in a good mood today. See, I've been searching for a new, well-made bag to tote all my junk (read: baby stuff and mommy stuff and involved citizen stuff). So, as I was shopping, I found this awesome leather bag with a 10 year warranty, sounded good.--read more

OK, I have a question to pose, and I hope that someone on here has had experience with what I'm asking. Our community has been thinking of starting a community currency (for more info, click http://www.michianacurrency.org) and I'm wondering if any of you have had experience using a community currency. If you have any successes, failings, etc that you'd be willing to share with me, so I can bring them to the attention of the committee that is working on it. It seems to me that if we go into this with ours eyes open, knowing what may go wrong, we'd be better prepared to deal with it.--read more

Hi!
I've been having a sort of clash with my webhost (cost, bad service, etc). I've been shopping for a new one, and I realized (for some reason, just barely-duh) that this site has to have a host, and others of you who have your own sites must be hosted somewhere!! So, I'm asking if there are any that you'd recommend, or places I could look to find a good one.--read more

Hee hee, have you ever noticed I tend to find things to rile myself up, then hope you join in? I promise I don't do it on purpose, but I believe I'm doing it again. But, in order to not ummm, bias, the conversation, I'd like to know what you think about the whole "Alpha Mom" idea that is coming about without my input--yet, I always have SOMETHING to say. Here's the link in the NYMetro: http://newyorkmetro.com/nymetro/news/features/12026/--read more

So, I've been reading (darn, that always gets me into trouble!) about how a few feminists are mad that women are deciding to stay home rather than help further the feminist movement. A comment by Linda Hirschman was that, "child rearing in the nuclear family is not interesting" and interferes with women's full flourishing".--read more

Whew!!
We're really doing this. We leave our house here in Utah this week, drive the long drive to Indiana with 2 kids under 3, and live out of suitcases til our stuff meets up with us. So, I may not be able to come and read all the uplifting thoughts on here, but think of us anyway!! I'm so excited to be moving to a new place, to meet new people, have a whole new experience, etc.--read more

Just sitting here reminising (sp?) about how we spent the 4th of July this year. We really tried to explain to our kids that the parties and hoopla were for a reason, to honor our country. We read a few quotes by our founding fathers that really made me think, ones that I wish the country (or citizens, at least) repeated often, and so I thought I'd repeat them here, maybe to refresh our minds, my own included.--read more

I know, it sounds like I can't be serious, but I have to know...AM I the Nutty one?

Here's the background: My family (female members esp.) are going a little crazy with the plastic surgery..I mean, tummy tucks, lipo, boob jobs (can I say that?), back tightening, etc. Mainly sis-in-laws. My mom thinks it's awesome and wants to do it to, I'm thinking...YUCK! I had enough pain via a c-section, not going to go through full body pain to look like a barbie!! But yet, my family acts as though I'm the weird one. Asking, "But don't you want to look good for your hubby?" I say, "Yep, that's why we jog together in the morning." They say it's too much work to wait for jogging to get rid of baby flab. I'm torn, love em all, but feeling ostrasized since I just won't do it. Plus, they aren't shy about the fact that the body is paid for, as in, (Lifting shirt) "Look what I had done!" Freaks me out. --read more

Grr. I feel like such a baby today. I realize that my life is not horrible, but I need to vent. Maybe even ask some advice on this...My mom & I are total opposites. Every time I hear someone say how they can't wait to talk to or see their moms, I cringe inside.--read more

OK, so I've been thinking. Lots of scary stuff going on in the world (think earthquakes, riots, gangs, etc.) We are a LARGE GROUP of women, and although I do some things here locally (like contribute time to efforts to make those school-in-a bag kits, newborn kits, and hygene kits for disasters) there has to be something more.--read more

Here are some photos of the place we're buying...I'm so excited!! Thanks for all the advice given here.

Ahhhh. We did it. We finally made an offer on a home in South Bend, IN. They have accepted. We're happy and in the process of signing our lives away. I'm sorta weirded out by how well things are going, in fact, I feel sorta like SOMETHING should go wrong. Maybe it will. Well, I guess also, today, we found out our car needed repairs, but I meant with the whole closing thing.--read more

So, my baby boy (OK, he's 2.5) had been diagnosed by an optometrist to have severe cross-eyed problems last May. He prescribed glasses, and said if they didn't work, we'd need to have him operated on.--read more