Well, this is an old thread, but I just found it today. Anyway, I see people try to cultivate cloudberries and say it is difficult, and the plant carries no berries. A little background about myself. I am born, grew up and lived in northern part of Norway. Since the cloudberries have a high content of vitamin c, it was special laws for this berries in northern part of Norway. It was heavily regulated and if you picked an unripe cloudberry you could at least be heavily fined by the police. I am not a scholar of any kind when it comes to berries, just loves to eat them. But, picking the berries was a major event in the place we lived. I have been told that the cloudberry plant does not carry berries before 7 years have past. And, the deal with the unripe cloudberry that is red is that when you pick it, you rip off the leaves that grips the berry, and the plant is then useless again, and then it takes 7 years before it comes a new berry there. Since the cloudberry had such an importance for people living so far north with far less veggies and fruit, the laws was strict. It was a matter of life or death for people. A bit like stealing a horse from someone in the wild west, you were pretty doomed then. When the cloudberry gets ripe, the leaves that holds the berry, releases the grip of the berry, and opens up giving free access for your fingers to just pick the berry. So, it is a smart plant, and for those who are greedy and can not wait, they ruin the plant so they will not get anything the next summer. So, the plant punish those people. :-)

Oh, hi emmhip! :) I completely know what you mean. And while I subscribe to FlyLady's emails, I haven't checked them (my "list" email is the most organized thing in my home - it all goes to separate folders in my inbox, lol). Anyway, what I've been doing is just a bit here and there. Today, I went through all the drawers in my dresser, and got rid of matchless socks, underwear that weren't ever going to be worn by me again, and assorted other things that I was no longer using or planning to use (including a Motherhood slip - my youngest if now 4 years old, ahem). I also cleaned (with a toothbrush!!!) my bathroom sink, including wiping down the cabinets. Thoroughly cleaned the toilet, too. I've been vacuuming every day for the last week, and sweeping, too. Two days ago, I finally cleared (what a task!) the table and counters except for two hotspots that I'm still working on. The kids' bathroom had a decent clean two days ago; I still need to go in and do an "on my hands and knees" floor cleaning. And my laundry? Well, it's caught up only because we recently bought the largest capacity washer (and matching dryer - our old washer broke, perfect timing!) and for the first time EVER, my laundry has been caught up without my hubby stepping in to help. :) I LOVE my new W&D, and have taken meticulous care of it (I follow the care instructions carefully, lol). I was so proud the other day when I washed all the kids' bed linens in one day. I'm sure that hasn't been done before (by me, anyway). However, my wood floor is still in bad shape, and I really need to wipe down all the kitchen cabinets, and most of the doors in the house. My daughters' room is still a mess, but that's largely because my 7yo dd has learned my bad habits, so we both need work. ;) Anyway, there's still much to do, but I trust that FlyLady's admonition to take baby steps will eventually get me to where I need to be. And also, this isn't really part of the above, except that it is FOR ME, but about 3 months ago, I was dx'd with severe ADD symptoms and mild/moderate depression. I've been on Wellbutrin since then, and the change has made all the difference for me. It was slow getting here, but when I look back to where I was before, I'm amazed at the difference in how I feel, and how far I've come. The above probably doesn't apply to most folks, but I feel I'd be disingenuous if I didn't include it as well. Anyway, it's hard to struggle and feel like you can't get ahead, and then, to be so overwhelmed in your own home that it's not relaxing, but rather stress-inducing, and I realized I was the only one who could change that for me. And I am, slowly but surely. Best of luck to you, and yes, get that book! (Don't worry about her time tables for cleaning - for that, I'm fine with FlyLady's plan - I just need to know the "how-to" of taking care of a home.) Best of luck to you - you need to trust that you can do it, and that the changes will be their own reward, and even more.

Flyleft, there are different degrees of MS. Mine has been more in remission than active but each time someone with MS has a exacerbation and recovers, the recovery isn't 100% I wasn't able to see for several weeks and of course aiding in education wasn't very doable. But I got my vision back and had no more problems for 13 years :o I could have continued her education but was really scared and frankly, altho I hate to admit it, had myself more or less dead and buried :( At the time, my dad was a Christian school principal so he was a BIG help in my homeschooling quest. I know all about the Fibro thing too. I had it years before my MS diagnosis. My chiropractor and I were just discussing Fibro today. He feels I really DO have it but says a lot of people are just given that diagnosis altho they don't have it. It's a hard and confusing illness to diagnose (and live with!) I'm sure you'll agree that hsing your children is one of the most passionate journeys you'll ever take. It takes dedication and tenacity beyond words but who is more concerned about your child's education and development than YOU? No one. So my hat is off to YOU for your vision and dedication. And count your blessings that you have the opportunity to do this for your children. Some don't have the option to make that sacrifice. Monica ps...Organic Donna, please don' be miffed at the OT on your thread..please :)

Gardeningmusician, I just wanted to say that I think you are a great person for not responding to an email while angry. I can tell from your posts that this school missed out in a major way by not hiring your husband. I guess I am kind of confused by their policy, because I feel like they are saying that Christians only send their children to Christian schools. They aren't turning an applicant away based on religious beliefs, but based on where his kids attend school. That little bit of information doesn't even begin to tell them about the person he is or what his religious beliefs are, if that is truly what they wanted to know. I just don't get it. For example, I personally think children can learn best how to be a true Christian by being in a public school environment. It is a great place for them to learn how to be compassionate for others, play with all kinds of children from many different backgrounds and just quietly lead by example. Character is tested every day in a public school. There are plenty of Christian families that are not in a Christian school. Also, not all Christians can afford to send their kids to private schools, but that does not mean they are less of a Christian. That school's policy is plain crazy. No one should decide who to interview based on where their kids go to school, how does that bit of information define us as a person? You have handled this situation with total grace.