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Sarah in FL

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Everything posted by Sarah in FL

  1. Thanks for this review! My dh is from Lancaster and he never had much to say about F & M ( I think familiarity breeds contempt:)), so I really didn't know much about the school at all.
  2. While I probably don't agree with everything Bissonette says, I do think that he makes an extremely compelling point regarding debt. I think there are kids out there who have no idea what this debt will mean to them in the future. And, will not be able to be disciplined to pay it off as fast as they can. We just spent some time with an old friend, a doctor, who is 48 and still paying off school loans! His last daughter is almost graduated from high school, so he is paying for college, a wedding for an older daughter, and his school loans, and watching his salary decreasing due to the changes in reimbursements. Yes, community college and state university are not right for everyone and might be an inferior education, although after I read "Higher Education?" by Andrew Hacker and Claudia Dreifus, that was called into question as well. When it comes right down to it, I believe you have to try to do what it best for your child. Sadly, the school that my dd would love to attend (and we would love for her to) is 58,000/yr, and there is a slim to none chance that she/we will qualify for as much aid as we would need, without accumulating massive debt.
  3. I read it and had my daughter read parts of it. I think that it was good for her to hear from someone besides me and her dad that going into debt for college is a really bad thing. I think that I am more openminded about community college now, and also more likely to think that having the "going far away to college (esp. private college)" experience may be a little bit overrated. I liked his "pay-as-you-go" idea, as well. Overall, it was a very good book. Oh, and my daughter was intrigued by the idea of selling her hair, and plasma donation as a way to make a little extra cash. Not sure how I feel about that! :)
  4. Last year was chilly in FL, but this year is a La Nina year, which should mean warmer temps. We had a wonderful February vacation in the Ft Myers/Sanibel area one La Nina year. We lived in Ohio then, and the warmth was amazing. Now that we live in Florida, I don't mind a few chilly days when we can get them!:)
  5. My kids swim a lot and I've heard that the chemicals in the pool can yellow teeth. We started using a baking soda toothpaste and it's helped a little bit.
  6. I am currently reading a book called "Boys Adrift" by Leonard Sax. The subtitle is "The Five Factors Driving the Growing Epidemic of Unmotivated Boys and Underachieving Young Men." Seems that your son is not alone! I've only read the first couple of chapters but so far, it's good and really makes me think.
  7. My kids have watched a couple of the episodes and still haven't gotten over the graphic depiction of the cannibalism at Donner Pass. It does seem to dwell on some of the goriest aspects of our history. But my 12 yo son especially seems to like the series and I think it does bring history alive.
  8. We have a puppy named Sasha, and according to the Monks of New Skete (dog training experts), 2 syllable dog names ending in a long vowel or soft "a" are clear and easy for dogs to distinguish. And, it's easy for our 2 yo to say, although he tends to say "Shasha," which of course is so cute.
  9. Thanks for all your replies. I never knew any of this about Chows! I am thankful that our dog doesn't seem to have the aggression that some true Chows have. For the most part, he is quite docile and good around new people and kids. We've trained him to walk on a leash without pulling (too much) which is a huge improvement. It's mainly his aloof, serious and stubborn traits that I am wondering if I can live with. And just facing the disappointment that he isn't the dog I really wanted.
  10. To make a long story short, we have had this 1 yr old Chow-lab mix for about 2 months. He was a stray so we know nothing about his past life, although he was neutered so we know he did have a family at one time. Anyway, we have been working very hard with him on establishing pack leadership and some basic obedience. He's come a long way in some areas, but in others, well, I'm not sure. For example, it is a constant job to watch him...keep him out of the pantry, off the counters and tables, off the toys, shoes, etc. He is also extremely obsessed with the toads and lizards we have in our yard- it's like he is in a trance and can't hear us at all when he sees one. Of course, he then wants to hunt them down, kill and eat them. Bleh! So, now I'm doing a little research on Chow personalities and find that they are basically like cats in a dog suit. This dog is totally like that: very aloof, independent, stubborn. He doesn't like to play with the kids (outside, forget it, he's just into chasing lizards). The thing is, we didn't get a cat because we want a DOG. One that comes up to you and wants to play. One that we could take with us to the park, or just on errands. One that after 2 months of consistent training wants to please you, at least some of the time. It feels like all work and very little fun. Am I horrible to want to get rid of him? In some ways, he is a good dog. Mostly very quiet, and docile. He doesn't bark a lot, or pee in the house, or run away. Is there any hope that he will start to see us as master, so we can just relax and enjoy him? Or will he be stubbornly independent for the next 12 years or so? At this point, I feel like the best we can hope for is managing and tolerating him.
  11. We've been very happy with the TYR Endurance suits from swimoutlet.com. My son rinses them out in tap water after each practice and they really last a long time, much longer than cheaper suits. HTH!
  12. I simply cannot keep up with all the books my kids want to read. Short of never going to the library, I am not sure how to adequately screen what they are reading. Of course I know that anything written after 1960 or so isn't really safe, but I guess I don't want to make some kind of a blanket statement. I already have all the "Honey for a Child's, Teen's Heart" type books. I'm looking for something that reviews the latest books. TIA! ~Sarah
  13. and I hate to say it, but sometimes I wonder if homeschooling is contributing to the problem. Being at home all day really does cut down on the number of times they *have* to speak in class, or interact with peers, etc. Having said that, though, I am sure there are shy kids in schools, too. My dh and I have discussed this many times, and I think one thing we need to be better at is holding them accountable, even if it is somewhat embarrassing. For example, when asked a question by an adult and they mumble or don't make eye contact, I think it is ok to say, "Susie, speak up and look at Mr. Brown." And of course, praise them (privately) when they are more appropriate. Several months ago, my ds was going through a phase of speaking so quietly and mumbly. It was really bad, especially around other people. Well, it turned out he had a bad case of swimmer's ear and his one ear was nearly completely blocked! Once that got cleared up, he at least was talking in a more normal tone of voice, although it didn't cure the shyness.:) HTH! I totally feel your pain.
  14. We have friends who just sold their house after being on the market for about 6 months. I didn't think that was too bad, actually.
  15. Graeter's Coconut Chip is my all-time favorite, too!! Unfortunately, there is no Graeter's in Florida.:sad: Thankfully we do have Publix here, and their new Chocolate Trinity ice cream is the best!
  16. We got ours at ToyRUs after diligently calling around every day. FWIW, I didn't find the online websites very helpful. Since Christmas is 4 months away I'd think you'd have a pretty good shot at finding one. But definitely don't wait till Thanksgiving!
  17. I think I'd take her to the dr. Last year about this time, my dd had a "spider bite" that turned out to be a MRSA infection. She was fine after one week of IV antibiotics in the hospital. The doctors told us that most times you don't even know what the original bite or injury was, but it was a portal for the MRSA to get in and infect the skin and tissues underneath. If it is infected and you jump on it quickly before it turns into an abscess, you can avoid a lot of trouble. HTH!
  18. We have 3 that are 5+ years old. Another just died of a tumor. I'd always heard 5-7 years.
  19. We hit a new low here in Florida a few months back when a young twenty-something woman stopped by to sell magazines as a fundraiser for her HONEYMOON!!! To the Bahamas!:confused: She even had the gall to show me the brochure of the resort they were planning to go to. It seems to me that a real job would be a much easier way to raise the cash, but maybe I'm just old-fashioned.....
  20. This has happened to us before and yes, it always is right in the end. It's kind of like the restaurant checks to see if that amount would be authorized, just in case you put the tip on the card, too. I was a little alarmed the first time I saw that on my account, too.
  21. Good for you!! I have an irrational fear of dentists although as an adult, especially after having kids, I can kind of psych myself up for a dentist visit. I mean, can it really be worse than delivering a 9.5 lb baby without an epidural?
  22. It is an adjustment going back to the baby stage, but I think you'll really enjoy it. Your boys are old enough to be independent and a little bit of help to you. I never had twins but I did have 2 sets of closely spaced kids and then a baby after an 8 year gap. He has been so much fun for the entire family and I have really enjoyed just concentrating on him without other little ones to take care of.
  23. We change our guinea pig cages about every 2 weeks....we probably should do it a little more frequently. But they've lived for 5+ years so I think they're doing ok. They have been good little pets for us, and the kids have done most of the work. HTH!
  24. How can you not like Mrs Tiggywinkle? What about Hunca Munca and Tom Thumb? But I suppose you are entitled to your own opinion :)
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