^I use "Vivi" wood coals from Egypt, even though it takes longer to get it going. Some of my friends use those ready-light incense coals with the gunpower in them so they light fast, but that messes up the ritual for me in terms of the smell of the coals, having someone be the "fire-keeper", etc....plus I like it natural, that's why I hate the artificially flavored crap you get most places here in the states...the stuff made with honey and actual dried fruit is sooooooooooooooo good. Anyway, thanks for your comment...and I love YOUR sift space!

In reply to this comment by Farhad2000:
yalla ya Sheesha! I smoke Sheesha every other day here in Kuwait. I like apple or grape.

The best is still in the Middle East

Am curious Laura what do you use for coal?

boy oh boy do we have a lot in common!
A few differences I noticed, however, are that my hubby and I like margs or straight Hornitos tequila, and my man is usually playing solitaire on the 'puter (even though I have been trying to get him hooked on other games to no avail) while I sift...would love to meet you and your family some day! I'm so tempted to hold a sifters gathering, you know?
Have a great weekend!

In reply to this comment by swampgirl:
I had written you all this really wonderful little story about myself and I hit backspace out the window by accident and lost it. Damn! Do over! Ok, but a fast one:

I'm Kim

I'm originally from a rural area of the Pee Dee region of South Carolina. I came from a strict Fundie Baptist upbringing. I rejected my indoctrination around age 23 and I now consider myself agnostic. Back in the south, I'm an in-the-closet agnostic so to speak until my mother passes. Sad huh? Well, with family it's complicated isn't it.

I met my husband while living in Charleston, SC back in my mid twenties. I was really horrible to him when I dumped him for an adventure in Japan. I loved that year I spent there, but it cost me some time I could have had with him. I regret that. Luckily we found each other again and we have been happy ever since.

We live in Indiana now along with our two kids, 3 dogs and various caged small animals. I've been home schooling our two kids for 2 years now.

My idea of an ideal Saturday afternoon is sitting here w/ my guy having a laugh sharing some nice bourbon while the kids play in the backyard. He's usually on the xbox while I'm sifting.... It's my happy place

A family picnic on a blanket at the park would have been my favorite, but since it doesn't have wi-fi....

I've been a member here at Videosift for two years I think...

I'll be 39 again this October.

Thank you for promoting The Secret Life of Plants, schmawy!
YOU ROCK!!!!

thanks crosswords, looks like all those vids I posted of shorts for cannes 2008 were only available until May 19th! I killed 'em all...boo hoo

In reply to this comment by Crosswords:
This link appears to be dead: http://www.videosift.com/video/The-Story-Of-A-Sign

In reply to this comment by laura:
this made me smile mucho so I wanna *beg

Thank you so much for the advice, the kind words, and the sympathy!
You rock, swampgirl!

In reply to this comment by swampgirl:
If he's inspired, don't stop him. Your boy sounds like a self teacher. Arrange for him to have enough of time daily for that. You don't have to have every hour planned from breakfast to dinner with a complicated regime. Have a plan for all the main subjects to be covered daily in short sessions and then give him tons of free time in cleverly structured afternoons.

My boy likes to obsess over something he's fallen in love with for a week so. During these times, I condense down the basics from his school books he needs to cover and makes sure he spends 15 or 20 mins on each subject. Then I turn him loose to be free to immerse himself in his current project.

(This past week it was a circuit board jr set It came with over 100 experiments. He wouldn't stop until he did them all. It took him 5 days. He's asking for another one with new things to make. Cool eh?)
---
Ooooh, I so feel for you about the support problem. Last year we lived in the "middle of nowhere" N.C. The only group was a 40 min drive and it was Baptist. We've sensed moved to a larger area where we found a secular co-op.

If you can't stand the evangelical homeschooler's culture then sign him up for as many clubs as you can find like Scouts or 4-H.



In reply to this comment by laura:
I loved swampgirl's:
http://blog.videosift.com/swampgirl/The-Bitter-Homeschoolers-Wish-List
My son and I are loving it so far, my challenge w/ him is to s l o w down, he just absorbs everything so fast....yes, he was one of those typical cases you hear of that the kid was "just so bored that..."
Anyway, out here in the middle of nowhere it's finding support that's not religion based that is hard...

Thanks for helping that vid make it to 200, snowman!
As for the cats and dogs (+others) it says:
"This group is for the dog and cat fancier, but other domesticated animals have found there way in and that is O.K. with us."
good point, though...are these dolphins domesticated? Nah, but whatever.


In reply to this comment by Bleedingsnowman:
I am proud to upvote this to 200. Although I don't know what it has to do with cats n' dogs.

Thanks farhad!

In reply to this comment by Farhad2000:
An Aquarius?

Congrats.

I will have to wait till am 27...