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Home is where the heart is. It's where we hang our hats, raise our children, and spend the better part of our lives. We want to keep it running smoothly, looking nice, and organized. With kids, particularly lots of kids, that can be a challenge. This board is here for you to share your tips, tricks, advice, ask questions, and generally chat with others about keeping our homes, and all its many extensions, in order. All visitors of Lotsofkids are welcome to post on this forum, regardless of family size!

*~* Moderators: Denise1066, kmomof12, joyofsix, Ranae *~*

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Announcement *!* Ongoing Updates and Tweaks + Possible Outages (m) *!* 4 days ago
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1. */*/*/*/* Welcome to the LOK Household for November, 2009 *\*\*\*\* (nt) - Mirz 2 weeks ago (1)

2. */*/*/*/* RTAs and Repost *\*\*\*\* (nt) - Admin 2 weeks ago (1)

3. */*/*/*/* ROLL CALL -- Name, Age, DH/SO, # of kids, and when do you typically turn on the heat/furnace for the winter? *\*\*\*\* (nt) - Admin 2 weeks ago (10)

Lisa (46) and Phil (49) w/7. We don't turn it on until absolutely necessary. That usually means 55 in the house. (nt) - joyofsix 2 weeks ago

Alison & Rob with 4 kids. As soon as it's cold in the house, it goes on. (My DH is a wimp when it comes to being too hot/too cold.) (nt) - wantabunch 2 weeks ago

Michele, 34 & Andy 37 with 10. As soon as it gets that cool type of dampness in the air. We keep it at about 74 degrees in here. (nt) - canadianmom 2 weeks ago

Kathy (39) and Rob (44) with 10 kids and we're a bunch of wimps who need to feel warm at the first hint of winter in the air, lol! (nt) - duedrop 2 weeks ago

Denise (43) & Marvin (43) with 4 kids still at home. When outside temps starting dipping into the low 30's I set it at 65 & it came on a few times (m) - Denise1066 2 weeks ago

Alex (30) & Rich (38) w/ 5 kids. When it gets 70 or below in the house. (nt) - Alex 2 weeks ago

Jamie and Jason, both 32, 6 kids...our furnace has been on for maybe a month now...i think i would usually have waited but with having 2 littles (3 months old) i turned it on sooner..it's harder for them to stay warm and bundled like the older members of the family (nt) - serialmommy 2 weeks ago

Caroline & Melvin, both 36, with 6 kids...I try to wait until November to turn it on as a rule, but this year I broke down and turned it on the last week of October when the temp in the house got to about 62. Not looking forward to the next gas bill! (nt) - ckmom 2 weeks ago

Kim (44) and Tom (51) with 12 kids....9 still at home. We kick it on briefly some mornings to kill the dampness in here. We wait to turn it on for good as long as possible which will be really soon I think. (nt) - kmomof12 3 days ago

4. */*/*/*/* Holiday Recipe Exchange! Read Inside for details! *\*\*\*\* - Admin 2 weeks ago (7)

Make Ahead Butterhorns (Crescent Rolls) (m) - wantabunch 2 weeks ago

These are super easy for the kids to make! (nt) - canadianmom 2 weeks ago

Tamales are one of my favorite holiday foods (m) - Denise1066 2 weeks ago

I have questions (m) - wantabunch 2 weeks ago

I'm actually not making these for Christmas....DH is taking them to work & people eat them almost immediately (m) - Denise1066 13 days ago

those look YUMMY!! (nt) - serialmommy 2 weeks ago

5. */*/*/*/* Holiday Club -- More info inside! *\*\*\*\* - Admin 2 weeks ago (3)

what a great idea! (nt) - duedrop 2 weeks ago

good idea, i know our holiday will be tight this year.. (nt) - serialmommy 2 weeks ago

6. *~*~*~*~* Waste Not Wednesday~ What Ya' Doin' Frugal Today? *~*~*~*~* (nt) - joyofsix 2 weeks ago (5)

I'm ignoring the menu and having a leftover buffet tonight. We don't usually have many but there's a little bit of lots of things I'm setting out tonight. (nt) - joyofsix 2 weeks ago

I've been working non-stop for days making tamales....DH sells them at work & we plan to use the profit to buy Christmas gifts for the kids. (nt) - Denise1066 2 weeks ago

Sounds like a great idea! Forgive my ignorance, but what is a tamale? (nt) - duedrop last week

Don't worry, I just discovered your link. Thanks for that. (nt) - duedrop 13 days ago

7. *@*@*@*@* Thinking Thursday~ Do You Use Chore Charts? What Do You Expect of Your Kids? *~*~*~*~* (nt) - joyofsix 2 weeks ago (9)

I don't use chore charts & never have. I expect my kids to do what I ask them to do, when I ask them. We only have a few set chores (m) - Denise1066 2 weeks ago

I more recently have, only b/c my kids are sometimes forgetting to do little things and it is a great reminder to me as well (m) - Alex 2 weeks ago

We don't have a chart. The kids do have some chores that are specifically theirs (m) - joyofsix 2 weeks ago

We have charts...DD, 15, and DS, 8 , have daily chores and dd, 5, has a chart but I don't make her do them as often as I should...(m) - mama-san 2 weeks ago

This is an area I need to work on. (m) - wantabunch 2 weeks ago

part of our weekly schedule is chores...they are expected to help keep things picked up, put away laundry, bring their own laundry downstair to the main floor, put away clean dishes, clean their own rooms and the play room, clear the table after dinner, things like that (nt) - serialmommy 2 weeks ago

Here's a follow up question for all of you: What are the consequences when someone doesn't do an assigned chore or do a chore they are asked to do? (nt) - zookeeper 10 days ago

If they intentionally don't do it, or do it half-assedly, they usually lose TV, or some other privelege. I am working (m) - mama-san 10 days ago

8. *~*~*~*~* When do you start putting up holiday decorations? Do you decorate for Thanksgiving?*~*~*~*~* (nt) - Denise1066 2 weeks ago (9)

I just put up window clings for Thanksgiving, but Christmas we go all out and we start the day after Thanksgiving. (nt) - Alex 2 weeks ago

I put stuff up on Nov 1 when I took down the Halloween stuff. I figure just get in the boxes once. I love Thanksgiving. I've got window clings, turkey windsock, turkey wreath on the door and other cornucopias and stuff sitting in the house. We don't do Christmas stuff until after 12/12, ds's birthday. (nt) - joyofsix 2 weeks ago

I have 1 or 2 Thanksgiving decorations. Christmas stuff will be put up a few days after Thanksgiving, whenever we get to it. I have neighbors that go WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYY overboard and after 8 years of this, it has kind of sucked the joy out of Christmas decorations for me. I'm definitely becoming a Scrooge. - wantabunch 2 weeks ago

I have neighbors that start Christmas decorating on Nov. 1. And was so surprised to see some in a yard before Halloween this year (nt) - gelsum 2 weeks ago

i put an autumn wreath on the door...i usually put the christmas tree up the day after thanksgiving, however this year, with the way izzy has been behaving lately (destructo boy to the max!) i am going to wait as long as possible! (nt) - serialmommy 2 weeks ago

Christmas decorations go up about 2 weeks before Christmas. If Michael had his way, they'd go up on Christmas Eve, to mark the end of Advent properly. Either way, they come down on Jan 5th, or they turn into hobgoblins on Twelfth Night/Epiphany! (nt) - mini-mug 13 days ago

I like to start right after Thanksgiving, but I always end up feeling overwhelmed & the last few years it seems like I run out of time before I really get it the way I want it to be. (nt) - Denise1066 13 days ago

Christmas is the only holiday I really decorate for all year. (nt) - Denise1066 13 days ago

9. New recipe I made this week: Mexican Bow-tie Pasta with Chicken - mama-san 2 weeks ago (4)

Sounds good, I'm going to try that next week! Thanks! (nt) - wantabunch 2 weeks ago

That does sound great. I will give it a try w/ my picky eaters. We'll be doing the "chunck'' free version as well lol. (nt) - Alex 2 weeks ago

yum! (nt) - duedrop 12 days ago

10. right place at the right time- my neice works at the market in town and was putting out packs of ground turkey for $1.50 each - i grabbed all 4! (nt) - mama-san 2 weeks ago (4)

good score! (nt) - canadianmom 13 days ago

well done! (nt) - duedrop 13 days ago

I LOVE when that happens! (nt) - Denise1066 13 days ago

11. *@*@*@*@* Do you ever do "hand me down" gifts?*@*@*@*@* (m) (nt) - Denise1066 13 days ago (10)

what do you consider a hand me down gift? (nt) - serialmommy 13 days ago

Giving something that belongs to one kid, but they are done with to another kid as a gift....kind of like hand me down clothes. (nt) - Denise1066 13 days ago

We are thinking about it....(m) - Denise1066 13 days ago

We did this one year with a tricycle and a bicycle. We gave them a new coat of spray paint and the Trike got streamers on the handles, the Bike got a bell & and those beads that go on the spokes. (nt) - canadianmom 12 days ago

Ok if thats hand me down gifts, i do it all the time! My kids don't care, they actually REALLY want each other's stuff! (nt) - Dbaas 12 days ago

I have always done this with the littles. They never even know they're getting gifts that once belonged to the olders. Sometimes the olders don't even realize it either; the five year or more gap between some of my children helps them to forget. (nt) - ckmom 12 days ago

We do it all the time! I don't think the 2yo has ever had a new gift. The 5yo has had maybe 3. (nt) - joyofsix 11 days ago

We kind of do or we let the older kids sell their things to the younger ones around birthdays if the older kids want to up grade. They can not take the younger kids for all they have either. (nt) - gmomof7 11 days ago

I will go threw my art's and craft stuff to make up gift baskets for my girls or the daycare kids. (nt) - gmomof7 11 days ago

12. *+*+*+*+* Meal Planners - What's planned for this week? *+*+*+*+* (nt) - joyofsix 11 days ago (11)

Hopefully we're having (m) - joyofsix 11 days ago

What's "shipwreck casserole"? (nt) - mama-san 11 days ago

My mom always made this (m) - joyofsix 11 days ago

Here's my plan... - mama-san 11 days ago

I have 7 main meal ideas - gmomof7 11 days ago

Score!!! (nt) - wantabunch 11 days ago

What is up with potatoes lately, I've had quite a few go bad soon after buying. I always smell the bag to be sure they don't smell bad, but it still seems like I throw away more than we eat. (nt) - Denise1066 11 days ago

I'll bet they're last year's potatoes. Probably been in cold storage since last Fall. (nt) - wantabunch 11 days ago

awesome! (nt) - duedrop 11 days ago

Here's what I'm planning on this week (m) - wantabunch 11 days ago

13. *@*@*@*@* Washing Wednesday! - Have You Ever Tried Homemade Detergent? Would You Like To? *@*@*@*@* (nt) - joyofsix 9 days ago (9)

I've wanted to try it but I'm afraid it'll damage my front loader. I would need to price out the ingredients too. Sun Free&Clear is pretty cheap at Dollar General. (nt) - joyofsix 9 days ago

I made some a couple of months ago. I liked it, it worked well....but I have to admit I am fussy about my laundry having a "Gain or Tide smell". (nt) - canadianmom 9 days ago

I have. It worked pretty well. I'm not sure it was as cost effective as I would like... and the the lack of perfume was great. I am very sensitive to certain types of perfumes. (nt) - gelsum 9 days ago

I tried a powdered homemade detergent....it was a lot of work to grate the soap, it worked ok, but if I try homemade again I want to make liquid detergent. (nt) - Denise1066 9 days ago

I used my food processor to grate the soap sooo much easier but still work to clean the soap out of it (nt) - proudmommy5 7 days ago

I tried about 6 months ago. It was cheap, worked great, however my son came down with welps all over and as soon as we stopped using it they went away. I think it was the borax. (nt) - Alex 8 days ago

yes I loved mine. It just seems like I don't have time to make it up anymore. every time I go to the store It's just so much easier to grab a box of surf and open it. (nt) - proudmommy5 7 days ago

I bought all the ingredients a while ago and I really need to give it a go this week. (nt) - duedrop 6 days ago

14. Holiday cleaning! - shinycleanhouse 8 days ago (4)

Two words. Candle light! No one can see the dirt! (nt) - joyofsix 8 days ago

-hmmm(m) - canadianmom 8 days ago

Durring the holidays I straighten completely daily(sometimes multiple times)sweep daily and clean bathrooms,vacuum and dust weekly. But remember in my house I have older helpers. (nt) - mom2twelve 7 days ago

15. *~*~*~*~* 4 on Friday JDI's (Just Do It;s) m *~*~*~*~* - joyofsix 7 days ago (9)

My JDI's (m) - joyofsix 7 days ago

ok here is mine - proudmommy5 7 days ago

ok so update on my list. I got all the laundry done but a big basket of towels, I got the sheets changed out on the bed,and I got stuff up in the attic. (nt) - proudmommy5 6 days ago

here is my list- - canadianmom 7 days ago

mine is - Alex 7 days ago

I need to (m) - wantabunch 7 days ago

Ok.. - zookeeper 7 days ago

A bit late, but here's what I HAD to get done today (m) - Denise1066 7 days ago

16. This site compares convenience, scratch and take out/fast food prices (m) - joyofsix 7 days ago (3)

Interesting (m) - wantabunch 6 days ago

exactly! I cook homemade for the nutritional value! (nt) - tiddlywinks 4 days ago

17. Productive day today!!! (m) - Denise1066 6 days ago (2)

Woohoo! Way to go Denise! Glad the van and toilet are back in repair. (nt) - joyofsix 5 days ago

18. Hi, ladies. Sorry I've been MIA...again. Jim and I have been very busy getting things together here on the forums and LOK. Hoping that we'll be up to speed later this week. In the meantime, I wanted to note that we have added a link to the Recipe section to the top of the board. Your forum log-in will allow you to post over there. Be sure to check it out. --m - Mirz 4 days ago (3)

Very cool! Thanks for all your hardwork, LOK is my favorite passtime! (nt) - Dbaas 4 days ago

awesome! thanks for the link, what a great idea. will go and check it out now. (nt) - duedrop 3 days ago

19. *@*@*@*@* Meal Planners--What's Planned for this Week?*@*@*@*@* (nt) - Denise1066 4 days ago (6)

Hmm(m) - joyofsix 4 days ago

I haven't been doing this & I REALLY need to... - Denise1066 4 days ago

Mine (m) - wantabunch 4 days ago

I've been so bad with this, I buckled down and did through the end of the month. Now, just to stick with it. --m - Mirz 3 days ago

I had been doing really well with this but this week I am not on the ball... - mama-san 3 days ago

20. *~*~*~*~* Random Poll*~*~*~*~* (nt) Poll - proudmommy5 3 days ago (1)

21. *~*~*~*~* When will you start Thanksgiving prep?*~*~*~*~* (nt) - Denise1066 3 days ago (8)

I've been putting stale bread in the freezer for stuffing for months...I've also been picking up ingredients everytime I see them on sale for a couple months (m) - Denise1066 3 days ago

Same with the bread for me... but I have so much else going on... - gelsum 3 days ago

(((Hugs))) (nt) - Denise1066 3 days ago

I'm just making rolls and maybe a dessert - I'll do it the day before. (nt) - wantabunch 3 days ago

All I have to make for the day is pie. I'll make some turkey cut out cookies for the kids next week. (nt) - joyofsix 2 days ago

I normally start cooking on the Monday of Thanksgiving, but I don't even know how it's all going to come together this year. No money for what I need to make our traditional meal, and no time to get the house ready or cook. (nt) - ckmom 2 days ago

Not sure, but probably the Wednesday before. --m - Mirz 2 days ago

22. *@*@*@*@* What's on the Menu for Thanksgiving? Does it change from year to year?*@*@*@*@* (nt) - Denise1066 3 days ago (6)

Our menu....(m) - Denise1066 3 days ago

Ours (m) - wantabunch 3 days ago

Always the same, always at dad's house (m) - joyofsix 2 days ago

Our traditional menu... - ckmom 2 days ago

Our smaller menu in recent years --m - Mirz 2 days ago

23. *~*~*~*~* Washing Wednesday--Does your wash routine change when the weather gets colder? More or Less wash than in warm weather?*~*~*~*~* (nt) - Denise1066 2 days ago (7)

Right now it seems like I have less wash, but I'm pretty sure that once we start needing hats & gloves & extra layers it will increase (m) - Denise1066 2 days ago

Probably an extra load or 2 a week, because pants & long sleeves take more room in the washer than shorts & short sleeves. Also socks. I have to mate socks again! Yuck! (nt) - wantabunch 2 days ago

Woops, put this in the wrong spot. (nt) - wantabunch 2 days ago

oooooo, Socks is a four letter word around here. lol (nt) - gelsum 2 days ago

It takes so loooong to dry things. ~pout~ Why does the sun disappear right as I start washing sweatshirts. I like summer better. Shorts and t-shirts are much easier. (nt) - joyofsix 2 days ago

Right now I couldn't tell you. I got soooo far behind in laundry and I am playing catch up. By the end of today I'll have done 15 loads already this week. But I think it makes sense that the clothes take up more room and are heavier so they take longer to dry, so laundry must increase. (m) - gelsum 2 days ago

24. *!* Starting a bit late, but moving with the Holiday Club. -- MIY Gifts. Post your ideas, pictures, links, etc. (m) *!* - Mirz 2 days ago (17)

I'm considering making snuggies (m) - wantabunch 2 days ago

I have similar hopes, but I'm looking to make a more simple poncho. --m - Mirz 2 days ago

I used the sisson pattern last year and they came out pretty well. (nt) - joyofsix 2 days ago

I helped teach the older girls at church how to sew last week. - gelsum 2 days ago

Cute. My girls love little bags too. (nt) - Mirz 2 days ago

Aside from the ponchos I've listed above, we're making fabric grocery bags. --m - Mirz 2 days ago

Michelle there's an easier way to do the bottom of the bag. It also makes the corners stronger IMO. Let me see if I can find the instructions. If not I'll try and type them up tonight. (nt) - kmomof12 2 days ago

Thanks. We won't be starting these until at least this weekend, so I'll look for it in the next couple of days. (nt) - Mirz 2 days ago

Here's a site that describes it a bit. Hope it helps. - kmomof12 2 days ago

If you give a mom a muffin.... - mama-san 2 days ago

thanks for the reminder of this poem. I was planning on making up mixture kits (have been saving jars to put them in) so I shall add the poem to give thme a smile too. (nt) - duedrop 10 hours ago

In line with the grocery bag & little girls purse above (m) - wantabunch yesterday, 05:03AM

Those are adorable!!! (nt) - Denise1066 yesterday, 07:21AM

I wanted to buy doll diapers for the girls for their dolls on etsy, but now I'm planning to make them myself (m) - Denise1066 yesterday, 07:17AM

Here's a web site with links to other's for cheap ideas. I have alot of these. I gave a talk last year (nt) - gmomof7 3 hours ago

another one (nt) - gmomof7 3 hours ago

25. I am looking for that recipe with sweet potatoes and marshmallows on top. (nt) - proudmommy5 yesterday, 02:12AM (4)

I don't use that one, but Allrecipes.com has good recipes in my experience (nt) - joyofsix yesterday, 05:46AM

The one I grew up with (m) - wantabunch yesterday, 06:09AM

thank you very much I think this is the one I was looking for. My sister in law made it last year and this year they r not having thanksgiving with us so I wanted to make it. (nt) - proudmommy5 yesterday, 06:19AM

26. The Stupidest Thing Ever~ Laws Passed to Prevent Line Drying Clothes - joyofsix yesterday, 05:45AM (4)

Just one more reason I never want to live in a subdivision with a homeowners association. (nt) - Denise1066 yesterday, 07:14AM

OMG!!!!!! What is wrong with people?! (nt) - ckmom yesterday, 10:00AM

you have got to be kidding me!!!!!!!!! (nt) - proudmommy5 20 hours ago

27. I got a FREE 14 lb Butterball Turkey today!!! I've been collecting points all month, I had to shop at a different store than I usually do, but I think it was worth it (m) - Denise1066 39 minutes ago (1)

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