Easley is nice and affordable too. Lot's of homeschoolers in Greenville, SC area. I live in Columbia, but we have relatives in Easley and in Greenville. You'll love it.

Dunkin Donuts (not flavored) or Eight O'clock

kari in SC and Creekland...Questions..... When you bought your first rental property, did you still have a mortgage on your own home? How does that work? How much did you put down on a rental home? (If you don't mind my asking). Does the bank loan you the money for a 2nd mortgage? Do you get any tax breaks? What price range was your original rental property for sale? Is buying a foreclosure safe? Would it be good (if the location is good) to buy a property in your own subdivision? near your own home? thoughts? Just some questions...thanks if you can help out.

Read the retirement thread. pretty interesting that some of you own rentals to supplement your income. How does one begin with finding a rental property? What sort of issues goes with having a rental property? What is the best kind of rental property/bang for your buck, maintenence, etc? Thanks for any replies as we are considering this...

Thank you all. Your replies were very helpful. and yes, the question pertained to colleges you are choosing and why. Thank you again!

As a parent, what are the top 3 things you are looking for in a private Christian school? Why are those important to you and your student? Anyone, Christian or non-Christian is welcome to answer the survey. All would be helpful. Also, Are you going to make the school decision a family decision, or is it completely your child's decision? Thank you. This will really help me a great deal for a special project I'm doing.

I also had really bad digestive problems for a year. Lots of tests done, nothing turned up, but I really do think it was hormonal changes. I'd just turned 40. Hormones can reek havoc on your digestive system believe it or not. Also, my DR. prescribed a very low dose anti-depressent. I mean very low that I would take each night before bed. This really helped, and it only took about 3 weeks to be fully cured.

Thank you! That was so helpful!

My dsylexic/auditory processing/dysgraphia son will be jumping into PS as a freshman this fall. We have always homeschooled, at his pace, and so this is a big, big change. We weren't expecting it, but it is what it is. So, now, I'd like to have ideas about what gadgets might help him succeed, or accomodations I should ask for.

It was in carry-on luggage. They had "flagged" me to check my carry on, I was going through the body scanner too, and during that time, they must have taken the jewlry out of my carry on while I was being scanned, while I was distracted. It was proven later that this had been happening at this particular airport. I didn't realize it till I was all the way home in Japan. I had to carry the valuables because I needed to take them to Japan with me as they were family heirlooms and I was not going to have another chance at receiveing them. So, sometimes, people do need to carry valuables overseas. You are supposed to be able to trust these security people. But, just a warning, to watch your bags if being scanned. Or, yes, don't ever carry valuables. I guess it would have been safer in retrospect to mail them.

so sorry for your loss : ( The Potter's School has some really good classes. I think having "live interaction" with other kids might help, while continuing homeschooling.

ah. I thought immigration was an arm of the TSA. My bad then, though I still had my jewlry stolen in Raleigh, Durham Airport by the TSA. So watch out, no traveling with jewlry ladies.

I'm amazed at the good experiences here. I'm happy that's the case. I don't know how I got so many bad experiences though. Maybe the agents are more severe coming from Asia to America? Also, I've lived in Japan almost 18 years. The Japanese are ultra mannerly. I think I'm more Japanese now than American. Perhaps that has colored my perspective. But, it also is an indicator that internationals may feel more vulnerable. About the food issue: The sandwich I had came off the plane I had flown from Tokyo to America on. At that time, about 8 years ago, I thought that "airline" food was still okay to bring in because it was on the plane. The sandwich was wrapped (not opened) just like the cookies. So, my mistake. But, still, I didn't need a scolding. I mean the guy acted as if I had a weapon. Way, way over the top. Also, I travel alot, internationally, 2 or 3 times a year brining small groups from Asia to America too. So, I have more of a chance at the bad TSA experiences. Chicago is the worst by far. Seatlle, was not that great either. Hawaii was great. San Francisco great. Washington, DC not bad, but the lines are terrible and the passengers get upset there while waiting in lines, because the lines are so confusing. You know, I wasn't so upset about the other stuff, but when I brought the mother-daughter into the states, the guy really frightened this poor lady who really couldn't speak English. That really, really, made me upset because she was so upset, she was crying. Not a great way to enter the country. And yes, she did have a "note" from her husband (we were prepared). But the guy continued. We were also trying to catch a flight as our flight had been delayed. We missed our flight. Not a great memory.

#1 true story- flying home from Japan, guy notices we are missionaries. He asks what version of the bible we read because we should be reading the King James only! ugh!!! #2 true story- brought a sandwich from the airplane service off the plane in my purse. Apparently ham is a no, no! Guy scolds me like crazy, treating me like a criminal in a way. So scary! #3 true story- brought a group of people from Japan to the U.S. for a 2-week trip. One of my guests was a mother-daughter. The mom was quizzed as to why she was bringing her daughter to the States without her husband's permission!!! Ugh!!!! This is from Japan to America not vice-versa. The husband is also Japanese. #4 true story- brining Japanese into the U.S. for the first time and having NSA people shouting at them to move in line, when they don't speak ENGLISH!!!!! What a way to welcome people to the Good ole' USA. #5 true story- one day I had to go through 3 body scans on a trip home from Japan. I am serious. #6 true story- had all my jewlry stolen once by TSA. I didn't notice till I got back to Japan, but they went through that bag at the airport in the early, early, morning, and I'm sure it was an agent. There is no other explanation. I am so sick of the TSA. They are the scum of the earth in my mind. (Sorry to those who are decent NSA people) But they are a bunch of control freaks. I hate traveling to the US now.

For me, yes, chewing ice was the symptom that my anemia was at it again. I was chewing ice all day, I couldn't seem to get enough. I've had it twice and both times, chewing ice was the indicator.