There's a higher risk of seal failure with inverted jars. Processing (or just jarring for refrigeration and short-term consumption) is a better alternative. Madelaine Bullwinkel's Gourmet Preserves is a stellar resource with fabulous unique recipes to die for. Her spiced blueberry preserves and her raspberry red currant preserves are stellar. Don't get too hung up on the age of a recipe. Good food is timeless. In that vein, I recommend Helen Witty's Fancy Pantry. Mustards, vinegars, brandied fruits, sauces and toppings (i.e. White Chocolate Sauce with Toasted Hazelnuts), Ginger preserved in Syrup and candied nuts, just for starters. Her book was published in 1986 but there's a reason it's a collectible classic. I don't know of any current book that's its equal. Consider also: Homemade granola Shortbread (a shortbread trio is nice - traditional, brown sugar and chocolate for example) Curds (lemon, boysenberry, cranberry, lime) Mostarda Nuts in honey Pesto (traditional basil, sun-dried tomato, chive) Baclava Homemade cheese Glace fruits Sourdough starter (with some recipes) Quick bread, cookie or cake "kits" Carol

Look back on your own childhood and how you were parented. Is there a good example there? I was blessed with good parents who taught me about parenting by example. They made me feel valued and accepted for myself. Some people think they need to mold their children, make them into "something better." They mean well, bless their hearts. But you have to let children be themselves, learn about who they are, and figure out how to be their best selves. It doesn't mean you don't expect good things from them. It's a shift in thinking to "I know these kids do good things, and are capable of even more, and I'm watching for that" instead of watching for the mistakes to criticize. I have spent time with many other mothers. Some of whom I admire very much b/c of how they relate to their kids. I learn from them and try to model what they do when I notice something I really like. I remember noticing one mother whose kids were great little people, not just well-behaved, but really happy, well-adjusted kids. The thing that stood out to me was the mutual respect. She talked to her kids the way she wanted them to speak to her and to others. Of course she corrected them, but she corrected them the way an adult would *want* to be corrected by, say, an employer. With respect and a goal in mind. Once when I was preggo with #1 I observed a mother in a store, total stranger, whose kids impressed me the same way. I complimented her and asked her for insight, telling her that what she had accomplished was my goal. Every time I ask a parent I admire, it always comes down to respect. Just because they are children does not give adults the right to belittle them, rudely criticize them, embarass them, and generally disrespect them. That's hurtful, and hurt kids cannot be their best selves. It's a good idea to find a moms' group to join. That saved me when my kids were young. The exchange of ideas and comraderie of knowing you're not alone is invaluable. You'll meet parents you like, and some you don't. But you can learn from all of them. If you see your husband's anger as part of the problem you really have to find a way to address that. You still have a long road ahead, so find a way to have these conversations. Does he think he's right in what he does? Or do you think he's also confused and without ideas? I know I don't always do the right thing with my kids (ages 7, 10, 13 and 16). I try, but I have bad days. So does my DH. If I don't like the way he handles something, I tell him later, when things are calm. It has taken practice to get to the point where we know which of us handles certain situations better and we let that one handle it. I'm better at handling school stuff. When our 16 y/o gets a low grade, I remind DH to look at the big picture before he acts rash. Is this one low grade among 10 good ones, or is there a pattern? DH is better at handling DS's social life issues, he knows how a guy thinks and is better at getting to the truth with DS. Parenting takes practice, it really does. The fact that you are thinking, questioning and trying to make adjustments is a good thing; it doesn't mean you're failing. When your kids are babies and toddlers and you are physically exhausted, not sleeping, can't close your eyes or take a shower- people tell you "It gets easier." They are just trying to make you feel better for the moment. It does NOT get easier. The issues of that age pass, but it just gets hard in new ways. Emotionally exhausting ways instead of physically. ;o) Not to scare you, just acknowledging the truth of it. If you were expecting this to come easier, but it's not, it is not a comment on YOU, but rather on the challenge of parenting.

Thank you everyone I know I am being a bit sensitive and probably a bit insecure and worrying when I should be grateful. Our living situation makes me insecure. I blame my mother lol it's something I deal with in therapy but I still have made any headway on it. I have lived the 'with money' life with my ex and even when I say, id rather have love than money any day, since I've had both, I still wish I owned my own home, in a neighborhood full of kid with my own flowerbed to dig in and my own walls to paint. It's a goal. We are close but it's been a long two years. Mostly because I have legal fees out the you know what... And I married a man that never planned to marry or have a family and so he never planned for the future. At our ages we are just starting and we have two kids to raise... One is half way out the door ... My son will be settled and in a home in a neighborhood before he starts school and he probably won't remember that if it weren't for hand me down clothes, he might have not have been dressed the last two years. Thank goodness for our blessings because we have always been able to pay the bills, afford extras for the kids and cover the little things that come up in life. I come from a home where we never moved. My mom still lives in the home she bought 42 years ago when she married my biodad. Our lives were always very settled and we all went to the same schools, had the same teachers etc. Grew up with the same neighbors and friends. Dd has moved 3 times in her life, has been to 2 schools and I'm just feeling guilty that we aren't as settled as we should be. I know people move all the time but for someone that came from such a settled background, it's hard to justify to myself my unsettled feelings. I know my Dd doesn't care, I'm sure she doesn't. She is too worried about what books she is going to read and what performance she will do at the talent show. With that said, she hears a lot from her dad about how crappy we live. I know he and sm are just trying to upset me and maybe even make her think the grass is greener over there. I would not say I am jealous of them at all but I feel insecure that he COULD provide a more stable environment for Dd as far as a home goes. Nothing more. I provide fine for her mentally, emotionally, financially. He has made comments that with the amount of support he pays we should be living in a better area. Couldn't be further from the truth but I internalize it and I worry that as Dd gets older, she is going to buy in to what he says to her. And she won't want to be with me anymore. It's just a fear I'm sure there is no basis for it but it is my feelings and I can't do anything but accept the way things are and move on. Thanks again for letting me vent here and giving me great advice. I really appreciate it!!!

Sylvia, it will be their loss as you tried your best to care for the plant. You have to understand that not all cacti and succulents make ideal houseplants. Such plants thrive in extreme conditions in arid environments such as deserts and barren mountain cliffs. It would be insane to replicate such conditions within our living room. Having said that, we can always try to mimic the settings or at least provide the basic needs of such plants -- maximum light, minimum water/moisture and air flow. Light Grow light would definitely help supplement during the winter days when light is low and temps are freezing outdoors. I'm not sure what you mean by the real deal? Grow lights have to be at the right temperature and outputs setting in order for the plant to make use of it. If you shine a regular bedroom lamp towards the plant, it will not be beneficial whatsoever. If you have just a mini plant, you can try those table grow lamps, they are not space obstructive, but can only shower a few plants at a time. http://www.amazon.com/Lights-America-1147-Watt-Sunlight/dp/B003DRBOJ8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1448981299&sr=8-1&keywords=table+grow+lamp Moisture/Water This is still a hard skill to master even for the most proficient and experienced growers -- controlling the right amount of water your plant needs. Depending on watering techniques, growers here modify the soil to be drier/grittier so the plant won't drown in water when watering them. Airflow I know this sounds silly, but I have lost plants to excess heat from my grow lights and stale air before. I think about it, if you tied your pet dog under a roasting lamp with the windows shut tight and no ventilation whatsoever, The poor animal is set to be tortured and probably will die if you leave it on for a full day. Plants are also living things, and people tend to neglect that assuming they can tolerate whatever conditions you throw at them. True these plants can withstand harsh conditions, but moving air is very important to any plants' growth. So do not underestimate a mini fan beside your plant, because it can go a very long way for your plant's health.