psycho-cook

My son is finishing up 2nd grade and he is really struggling. He just doesn't seem to like school much though he gets along well with everybody--just doesn't like the whole rigid structure.

My problem is that his personality and mine absolutely do not get on well together! I am a former teacher and am comfortable with teaching but am afraid that our constant head butting will continue through out the school day. He has three siblings and there is the possibility that he might respond well to the alone time with Mom. I just don't know what to do.

My husband doesn't think it's a good idea and he is normally very intuitive about what is going on with the boys and he knows me well! He also hates anything out of the ordinary and I am afraid the "strangeness" of it may be biasing him against it!

Have any of your ever homeschooled a "difficult" child?

My son signed up for a hotmail account and a bunch of extra "sites" got added to our favorites menu. I want to get rid of them but when I go to the organize option these "new" sites aren't available to organize. How do I get rid of this stuff? I can't even drag them into a new folder or move them to the bottom of the listing. I am at my wits end!

Our house is equipped with a hot water boiler system for radiant heat. The boiler is 40 years old and we've never had a single problem with it other than having to replace zone valves. With proper maintenance how long will one of these boilers last?

I've acquired a large amount of these tasteless things and am looking for some good ways to cook them. I am usually more fond of chicken thighs because of the moistness and heartier flavor. I'll take any kind of recipes you've got as long as they've got some flavor to them.

I am making a banana flavored cake--just a boxed mix. What kind of frosting would be yummy on it? I've got a pretty big variety of ingredients here so what flavor do you suggest?

I went for a baseline mammogram a week ago and they called me in to do another. It turns out I have calcifications in one breast and they did a magnification scan and said they're probably benign. My mother had post-menopausal breast cancer with califications so I made an appointment with my doctor to discuss the whole situation. The radiologist wants me to wait 6 months and get a 2nd scan he never even saw me and I'm not sure he was aware of the family history. I'm not so sure. I'm 38 and in good health otherwise. What are some good questions to ask my doctor?

I've got to make breakfast for my Mom's group. The difficultly is that I have to make it at home and then travel 20 minutes to serve it at my church. I'm tired of stratas and baked french toast. I can plug in a crock pot or toaster. What can I make that's different? I like to serve something savory and something sweet.

Given 15 problems all involving the factor 9. How long should it take a fifth grader to complete these problems perfectly?

I am leading a small bible study and one person continually goes on and on during sharing/commenting time. I don't want to discourage discussion but I need discussion focus! I have a few ideas but I want to use several tactics so that I can be somewhat discreet.

I am a former math teacher who is now a stay at home mom. I have tutored neighborhood kids and made significant strides with their understanding of math (i.e. their grades went up!). What is reasonable pay for a math tutor with a degree in mathematics education and good references?

I have a 2 1/2 # chuck roast that is frozen solid. What should I do with it since I want to have it for dinner tonight. I've got about 5 hours of time start to finish!

I need a side dish or light entree. My neighbor likes to make desserts for these things so I don't want to bring anything that might "compete"--she's sensitive! Another neighbor is bringing potato salad. I have spaghetti, macaroni, velveeta, shredded cheese, rice, some frozen vegetables, onions, peppers, garlic, lots of spices/herbs and about two hours of prep time if I have to hit the grocery.

Beef, turkey, veal, pork? Tomatoes, ketchup, salsa? Onions, bell peppers, celery, garlic? What is your favorite thing(s) to add to meatloaf? It would be interesting to know where you're from to see if it's a regional thing!

I love Francine Rivers for fiction and Paul Maier, Lee Strobel, and C.S. Lewis for non-fiction. Who do you suggest I read and why?

Do you ever get suspicious people are just cutting and pasting a lot of recipes that they find on other websites to recipe and menu questions? I mean it's okay if they list a source but some people are fobbing this stuff off like they made it up theirselves.

I have a kettle grill and all of the standard kitchen equipment. I am looking for several recipes to use this economical cut of meat.

Does anyone have a recipe for making kettle corn on the stove top? By kettle corn I mean the popcorn seasoned with sugar and salt. I saw them making it on television and they added the sugar while they were heating the kernels in the oil. Is that necessary? Or can I just pop the corn and sprinkle on sugar and salt?

I am really looking for some good mystery novels. I love the humorous ones that are character driven not gore driven. I enjoy Agatha Christie, Lillian Jackson Braun, Tamar Myers, Diane Mott-Davidson, and Joanne Fluke. Who do you recommend next?

If I've invited somebodies children over for a "playdate" I feed them lunch during the lunch hour. If my daughers neighborhood friends come over to play I usually send them home for their lunch when meal time comes. Is it rude? Should I invite them to stay? Two in particular (ages 5 and 6) always ask to stay for lunch! In fact they always ask for food when they show up at anyones house! Sometimes I let them but when my husband is home for lunch I almost always ask them to leave so that we can have a small family lunch.

They are well fed and cared for children so it's not a case of them wanting to eat with us out of hunger or neglect! (Which I have experienced before.) I think it's just the excitement of somebody elses food.

Their mother constantly makes me feel like a "country hick" (unsophisticated) and I just wanted an outside opinion. (She has never questioned me about the lunch thing though.)

I am responsible for the food for one night. I have to feed 7 adults and 8 children. Facility wise I'll have two gas burners and a fire pit with a grate over it. I also have electricity and can use a crock pot or other electrical device. I want something simple so that I can participate in activities during the day. I am comfortable cooking outdoors so I am open to all ideas as long as they're delicious, and adaptable for kids. Somebody else is making BBQ pork already so that is already taken!