I love to read everyone's blogs, but I have a confession: I have no (virtual) friends! Could someone fill me in on the protocol for the "friends list"? Do I simply add anyone I like, or is it good manners to ask that person's permission first? I haven't posted many comments-- only one or two-- so no one really knows me, and I would hate to offend anyone. Any advice would be appreciated.

On another subject, I have decided to reread my way through all seven Jane Austen novels. I haven't read one since college. (Can it really be eight years? My college roomate hasn't aged a day. I've added two-decades and forty pounds!) Since making this resolution, I have finished EMMA and PRIDE AND PREDJUDICE. (Gotta love that Mr. Darcy!!!) I am now beginning SENSE AND SENSIBILITY. I will keep my progress posted.

We had a good homeschooling day today. DL has been more cooperative about completing his work, and I'm not really sure what is behind the change in attitude. Some mysterious force I don't understand, or the capriciousness of a 7 year old? Whatever the reason, I hope his new tractability lasts for a while. After two hours in the schoolroom I took the boys to the park. My stepson RL was with us, right now he's on Easter vacation from public school. (Oops! I mean "spring break." I almost mentioned a religious holiday in reference to a public school!) But as DL is homeschooled, we are not taking an EASTER vacation or a spring break.

Before I wrap this up, I'd like to thank the TOS staff for chosing me as one of the schoolroom pic contest winners! TOS and HSB have been a real blessing for me in ways I hadn't expected when I subscribed to the magazine, and (much) later when I got on-line. It is such a wonderful thing to have a SAFE, like-minded community of women who I can visit every day!

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Posted by InHisName

This is all new to me as well. I'm about to go out and buy "Blogging for Dummies" or something of the sort!! As near as I can tell, you can just add friends. Those would be the ones that you want to go back and read-- maybe you share common interests, or they have great ideas, insight etc... If they want to add you as well, thenthey get that option. I really don't believe you need to ask-- but, like I said, --what do I know?

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Posted by TOSPUBLISHER

So glad you are here! And the friends will come....trust me. :-)

-gena

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Posted by redmom

So glad to have you join us. How about this? I'll add you and then you just have to "OK" me on your list.

And, no, you don't need to ask permission to add someone as a friend. Here's a neat trick....if you put the name of your blog + friends, like this....www.homeschoolblogger.com/mousehole/friends it will show the posts by all your friends and you can read them w/o going to the individual blogs. Great way to keep up!

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Posted by redmom

OK that would be www.homeschoolblogger.com/housemouse/friends !!

I tried to add you as "mousehole". Hehe.

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Posted by Rebeca

Oh, I love Jane Austen, and it's been awhile since I've read any either.
I think what others have told you about friends lists is right on in my experience. Just add people and they will likely do the same to you. And leave comments on others' posts and they will come visit you as well.
Bless you,
Rebeca

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Posted by chickadee

add any friends whose blogs you enjoy reading. then when you want to read them just type in /friends at the end of your blog name: for example mine would look like this http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/chickadee/friends
then you can read all your friends recent posts on one page. this makes it easy to keep up with everyone.

i'm reading jane austen again too. i'm on northanger abbey right now.

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Posted by JeninNB

Hi! You can add me if you like-- looks like we might have some things in common! I tend to add those I want to be able to get back to read more of- that way I can find them no matter which computer I'm on! Some are actually real life friends, but most I've never met. I look forward to getting to know you!

Jen in NB (Canada)

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Posted by Cre8iveMom

Don't worry...you'll figure out all the little blogging tricks in time! I've been at this a year, and I'm still learning something new every day! :) I'll add you to my friends list!

Cindy

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Posted by JenIG

congrats on your win! and I love Jane Austen; she is just the best.
:)

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Posted by Amber

I'll add you right now, you never emailed me about your pics, but I guess it was better you didn't, you may not have gotten Jay's attention-LOL!

God Bless,
Amber

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Posted by iluvmy3chickiesandtheirdaddy2

go right ahead and add me to your friends list...i would love to be one of your friends..Congrats on the win on the photo contest too.

~Dawn

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Posted by HeartnSoul

I enjoyed seeing the pics of your schoolroom area. One thing that caught my eye... is that a box that says "Owl PUKE" on it?? lol

I'm very new here as well, stop and say hi.
Denise T

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Posted by Mileshouse

I've found the best way to make "friends" is to post replies on lots of different blogs that you find something in common with. Then, simply add them to your list. A word of caution: If you get a huge list of friends with whom to check in daily, you'll get absolutely nothing done at school!
Also, be aware that not all hsbloggers are Christian or like-minded. It's easy to assume we're all alike, but the diversity is HUGE! This isn't a bad thing, just something that caught me off-guard when reading a post or two that seemed "off" to me when I first started.

Enjoy & feel free to add me to your friends list!
Melanie

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Posted by Jn1512

Sure is nice to have a seperate school room. We learn anywhere, but we need workspace for seatwork and notebooking, not to mention a place to keep our manipulatives and books! We're eclectic too and somewhat classical. Happy blogging! I don't get too many comments on my blog. It's just not fancy and the posts are nothing sensational. I like to write, so it's fun anyway. Stop by sometime.
Michelle

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Posted by Aligirl

Hello! Look at all of the friends you have now! hehe! I am reading Emma for the first time right now. I haven't been too familiar with Jane austen until I started looking into some great classics. Her writing is absolutly BEAUTIFUL! I am really enjoying it so far. Perhaps I'll have to reward myself with the movie after I am finished. Please, come by my blog anytime, and feel free to add me to your friends list!

Ali

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Posted by mamaduso

It looks like you are getting a lot of help! LOL! Ok- So do you know how to add to the friends list? Just login in to your template page and there is a button that says edit friends. Click on it and then add the user name of the friend you want to add. Then it pops up on your sidebar under the friends list. Then when you click on it you will go directly to their blog. I hope I didn't offend you if you know this already! Blessings,
Susan
Ps- the username is the word or phrase after the forward slash. so mine is mamaduso

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Posted by deedeeuk

I'll add you to my friends and then you can say you have a friend all the way in England! Then when you go into 'manage friends' button it will tell you all the people who added you and ask you if you would like to add them back. Just hit add and then it's done! Congrats on the contest! Those really are some BIG pictures.

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Posted by Titus2woman

I'd consider it an honor to be your friend! (((((HUGS))))) sandi

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Posted by TNMOMTOMANYBLESSINGS

Welcome to HSB. I'm gald you are hear. Just add any friend you'd like to keep visiting - they'll stop by to see you too.

Be blessed,
TNMOM

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Posted by Tami

I enjoyed reading your blog this mrorning, and I love the pictures of your schoolroom and playground.

I will add you to my Friends' List, too.

Have a blessed day! Tami

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Posted by KimMurphy

I couldn't believe it when you said you are reading Jane Austen again! I've blogged twice this week about Jane! You'll have to check-out my blog (and I'll add you as one of my friends!). I'm starting a small group at my church which will basically be a Jane Austen book club. Perhaps we could figure-out a way to book club on HSB! That might be a job for more savvy bloggers than myself, however...

Congrats on your win!
Kim

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Posted by eyecorn

Congratulations on your win in the contest!!

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Posted by jayfromcleveland

Hi HouseMouse, congrats on winning the contest! You know you have a friend at HSB when jayfromcleveland cracks a joke on you! -j

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Posted by SandBetweenMyToes

Contratulations on winning the contest. You've gotten all the great advice about adding friends. The one thing I would add is the great advice Gena and Jen gave me. Comment on other people's blogs. The more you visit the more people will check out your site. But, if we don't leave a comment, they won't know we've been there. You should have lots of options for friends now! Feel free to come visit me, too, and add me to your friends list.
Letitia

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Posted by scottsdomesticangel

...sung to the tune of "you've got a friend in me" from Toy Story. I had NO idea about how to do the friends thing either about 2 months ago, but look at me and my bad self now (the llama, in Emperor's New Groove). And btw, I'm really NOT a movie buff, but the lines just keep comin'!

Post comments. Like what would pop in your head when talking to someone. The nice stuff of course. I've discovered these HSB bloggers like to type at night, and when I get up in the morning, my blog has lots of new comments. (not me, I'm a morning person).

Welcome to the HSB community. They're great folks.

Denise

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Posted by CandyFoote

I've added you as a friend!
I enjoyed reading your blog.
Keep up the good work.

Your friend,

Candy

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