Hello Searn, I can't find any information on the Ball Eclipse. However, the design sounds identical to the All-American made by WAFCO. I'm wondering if years ago they made their canner under the Ball Eclipse name. WAFCO has been very helpful in the past when Forum members have called. Given their long history in the business, at the very least they might be able to connect you with someone who can answer your question. It's a long shot but worth trying. Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry Co., Inc., Consumer Products Division, NE Corner-South 18th & Franklin Street, Manitowoc, WI 54220, Customer Service: (920) 682-8627, Fax Number: (920) 682-4090 Just for comparison I've provided a picture of an All-American canner. It's the only canner currently in production with a metal-to-metal seal and Bakelite wingnuts. Carol Here is a link that might be useful: All-American Pressure Canner

Tara- Personally, I think my son really needs the interaction with other kids.(and I need the interaction with other grown ups!) There are plenty of free ways to do this, though. Network with the moms at gymnastics, start getting together for a play date every once and awhile- it's a good experience for your daughter to learn important things like sharing, as well as the joy of making friends. DS has a few close friends, and I can't tell you how much joy they bring him, even at 3 yrs old. The park is another great place to meet moms and kids. In our town, there is also the Parks and Recreation guide that generally has a few 'mommy n me' type classes. less expensive than daycare but a good way to make friends for her. I'm a SAHM and DS is in a home based daycare a few hours a week. My husband works long hours, and I do not have any family members close by that can help to relieve the monotony of SAHM-ness. For us, I know it's better that I get a small break a few hours a week than sit at home being unhappy with the same-ness of it all. I know it's not like that for everyone, but I really need a break now and then. DS loves his daycare provider, who is now like family to us. I get a much needed break, and DS gets an opportunity to play, sing, dance and have fun with other kids. It's perfect for both of us. There are also co-op preschools that are MUCH less expensive, do require a few days per month of work, but would offer your daughter the stimulation she might enjoy. You might consider taking her to observe a preschool you are interested in and could afford. If she responds enthusiastically and really enjoys herself, maybe she is ready for more stimulation than she's getting at home. Since all kids are different, only you can really determine what she needs. Good luck! :)

I completely understand your jealousy with bm now being involved and the kids acting like bm was never gone. My skids bm has been in and out of their lives for years and each time she called or saw them they acted like she was so wonderful and was mom of the year. Nevermind that it would be months till the next call....or that her boyfriend would be drunk the whole time the kids were there...or that bm would just sit them in front of the tv all day and the kids heard "noises" coming from bm's room during the day when the door was closed (afternoon quickie perhaps??). Anyways it would upset me so much down deep to hear them say anything good about her because all I could think about was the bad!! And how much time and energy I was putting forth to do the motherly things she did not do. It just about killed me for her to get any credit! There is no easy was to deal with those feelings. You just have to let them go somehow. Realize that the kids love you both. And she gets it easier because she is the bm....she has their unconditional love. And they will put the absent parent on a pedestal and hang on every good thing that parent does. But when they are grown they will have so many more memories with you and remember all the things you did for them. When they have their own kids they will remember talks you had with them and things you did. As for her babying them, well you can't change it. Just keep on with your normal routines at home and they will soon see that they can do XYZ at their moms house and they have to do XYZ when they are at home. But look at the bright side. They are getting to see their sober mom and have a relationship with her, which is better for them in the long run that having her absent and them blaming themselves for it. And if she spends the whole day playing with them be greatful....she could be spending the whole day sleeping and letting them do god knows what! OR she could be having boyfriends over all day.

I also had my kids in the 70's also. It never occurred to me to be anything but a SAHM. The thought of having anyone other than myself (and that includes grandparents)bringing up my children and instilling my values was incomprehensible to me.They got enough of that from friends and school. This is very timely because today I happened to attend an event where several people happened to know my DS. It was just a "it's a small world" type of thing. I was so proud to have several people come up and tell me what a fine man he is and how they have so much respect for him. This was coming from both his peers and elders. I was told a few positive things about him that even I didn't know. I'm still floating on a cloud of pride. Now my DS did not have an easy time of it as a kid. I know my being there made a difference. DD wants nothing more than to stay home if she is lucky enough to become a mom. In today's economy she will have to work. She hopes to work at home but even if she can't she and her DH are planning for sharing the stay at home time if necessary. They are determined that they the parents will raise their children not some daycare or sitter. I also that being a SAHM isn't always the best for the child. I knew moms who stayed at home but in reality they invested in themselves more than their children. They used grandparents and sitters so they could pursue their own hobbies and interests. As parents who were involved at school scouts etc. DH and I saw kids of working moms who still took the time to invest in their kids coming out ahead of those with self-involved stay at homers. So it's not always black and white.