Praying

I will continue to pray that everything will be ok!:grouphug:

I'm with Strider- Escape: Reading a book takes me to somewhere else.... I also enjoy a good bubble bath and light candles and just be....

Hey Michelle T- I'm with ya on reading romance books now and again. Generally I read a twaddle book while digesting something a little more in depth! So, I currently am reading: For the Roses by Julie Garwood The Dangerous Act of Worship: Living God's call to Justice by Mark Labberton Good and Angry by Scott Turansky & JoAnne Miller The Art of Talking to Anyone: Essential People Skills for Success in Any Situation by Roasalie Maggio I just finished: Green Rider First Riders Call The High Kings Tomb all by Kristen Britain Why I left the Contemporary Christian Church Movement: Confessions of a Former Worship Leader by Dan Lucarini and John Blanchard

I've had MRSA myself. I will definetly keep your mom in my prayers!

Hey Jo- When we moved back to Ohio after living in Pittsburgh, we couldn't sell our house. So, it is rented. We found a managment company who does all the work. They find the renters and they collect money and handle any issues that come up. They assigned us someone who is our contact (the person has changed since we have been renting over 10 years.) When we renew the contract they get a fee. They also take out a mangement fee each month. Several things to be aware of, make sure in the contract you specify different things you want: For example, if you don't want them to have pets, or to smoke. Also, we made the mistake of not setting up with the utilities that if the renters leave, it automatically goes back into our name. If the utilites get turned off, you have to pay a fee to turn them back on. So, check out how that works in VA. It might be different in different areas. The only other thing we have had to work out was when things needed fixed in the house. We had set up that they needed to call us for any work that was over $50.00. Well, the managment company was saying they tried to reach us and couldn't and than would go ahead and fix the problem- even if it was over $50.00. It got out of hand. We now how the renters call us directly and we work with people who we know are reliable. I think you could just opt to have them call you no matter what and until they get a hold of you, they couldn't fix anything. I know the mgmt company told us what happens if there is an emergency and we can't get in touch? Like the water is flooding all over the basement....My husband told him, we have two cell phones and a home phone: this shouldn't be an issue. Also, you never know, not all people are honest, and they can charge you more than what the cost was to try and make a little extra money for themselves. Overall we have been happy. All of our renters have stayed there for 3 years or more and have taken really good care of the property. Make sure that you don't rent too cheaply but that it isn't too expensive. This helps weed out some of the renters who might have more financial issues. Feel free to email me if you have any further questions regarding specifics:001_smile:Hope some of this was helpful.

Apparently, My girlfriend who invited me and is helping, didn't register her older son. They also gave her a hard time. So, I guess I can't feel too bad. That would be even worse, to be helping and be told that you couldn't register your other child! I guess they, the church, are pretty much sticklers when it comes to supplies. My friend told me that the children helpers couldn't make crafts since there was only enough for those registered! I actually have no problems with pre-registration. It was definelty calmer than having it the day of. However, I do think that ordering extras in case others want to come is the way to go. Of course than there is the whole space issue and are there enough teachers to handle that..... It certainly isn't an easy issue...

Wow- It stinks that the family has to go through all this stress! I will contine to pray for the family. Thank goodness Ava is doing better.

I recently, last month, had a similiar situation where I needed to return materials since they had clearly been photocopied. The lady was gracious and said she would refund the money by an agreed upon date. The date came and there was no refund. Paypal was great. They encouraged me to try one more time to resolve with the lady and then file. I did email and she sent the refund. Whew! I felt that paypal had my back. If it were me I would consider telling the seller at this point, since you don't have the items, you no longer want them and will be going through Paypal for a refund. You can certainely be very understanding of the hard times she has fallen upon but let her know you needed the items by such and such a date and you can't wait any longer. Encourage her to relist and maybe by the time someone else is interested she will have her life back in working order:) If you agree on a date that you need to receive them or you will go through paypal, make sure it falls within the time that you can still dispute in case the items never are sent. This definelty is such a hassle to deal with! I know it caused me quite a bit of stress until everything was resolved. I'm sorry you are having a similiar situation. I never had any issues from sellers and I have bought lots of stuff from curriculum boards. One experience like that and all the hassle involved to get things straightened out makes you think about buying again. However, I can happily say, I have overcome the momentary fear of being taken advantage of and have been purchasing like crazy once again:001_smile:

Thanks everyone for your responses! It always helps to have sympathetic ears! My friend called today and was very apologtic about the situation and wants to make it up to the kids, isn't that sweet? (And I am not saying that in a sarcastic snippy way but a very appreciative sincere way:)!

My son just turned 7 in June:001_smile: He loves the outdoors and riding his bike. He really is into creating his own stories. Superman, Spiderman are his favorites right now. He also is into space stuff. I just got the Littles from the library and he likes those shows. Oh- creating his own science experiments.... We just got a dog so he walks and feeds him and plays with him. Anything to do with water and he is in his glory..... Chalking on the cement.....Having stories read to him....Hmm, I am sure there is more since he is a really active, but hopefully that helps!

I can understand the planning part too...Definetly one of the things I noticed was how calm and smoothly everything seemed to be for the first day:001_smile: On the other hand, it was weird being told that they couldn't participate. For my kids, once I was told that there was pre- reg I began telling them it looked like it wasn't going to work for them to stay. They were definetly dissappointed. They talked about it the whole morning. Here is some of the converstation: Kids: How come we couldn't stay? Me: They have their VBS set up so you register ahead of time. Since we didn't knowto register ahead of time, we can't stay. Kids: Why didn't we know this ahead of time? Shouldn't so and so have known? Me: She probably just didn't know herself or didn't think it would be that big of a deal. Kids: That isn't nice.... Me: Well...different place do things in different ways. It is disappointing. I know you wanted to be with your friends. We will just have to work something else out. Kids: o.k. (And then the whole conversation repeats and repeats.......Finally now they have moved on.....)

My friend invited me to bring my kids to the VBS at her parish. Unfortunately, we get there and there was no registration. Apparently we were supposed to preregister by May 31st. I guess my friend thought it wouldn't be a problems for me to plug the kids in since she was volunteering there. It was sooo embarressing because I walked in and asked to register. The one lady told me Oh- we don't do registration the day of we have everyone preregister but let me go get so and so.. I waited for about 10 minutes and finally the other lady talked with me. I pretty much knew that my kids were outta luck. She was super nice but just let me know that this is their policy and that they preorder t-shirts etc based on the registration. I told her it was o.k. but that I was embarressed and had drove 30 minutes to get there. Ugh..... I truly hate these types of situations.....

This is awful! I will be praying for that family.

I'll be prayin' :grouphug:

Let me know when you come in to do something and we can arrange to meet. We have a pass to the Botanical Gardens and they have a fantastic kids garden! I haven't physically taken him to see a behavior specialist. But I have talked on the phone with them. They say, don't risk your children's safety over the dog. really, I agree, this dog is taking more time and energy than I could ever imagine even though he is calm. He got out of the house last week and we had to search for over an hour for him...Today he went to go after another dog that was walking by. (The kids took him in the front yard which is off limits without and adult.) I heard barking and ran out as the dog was trying to chase after it. So, I got the dog in the house, sent the children to their rooms and have now had a discussion, once again, regarding the importance of listening. I am shaking the situation shook me up so bad....Perhaps fish are the way to go....

Oh- I agree- it wasn't the same....sigh....But I still watched anyway:) I love these types of shows....

Oh- Your kids are so close in age to mine my son is the will be seven yr old saturday and my daughter is the 5 year old. How long are you coming in for? That is what I did today. Gave him more space from the kids. I told the kids they could each spend 15 minutes alone with him. After that, they pretty much have left him alone. The other thing I am trying to figure out is if I have allergies to the dog or if it is because of this crazy weather! If I do it isn't horribly allergies. I just seem to have itchy eyes and nose. It isn't as bad when he isn't in the room with me. Hmmm...This dog thang has become a stressor for me thats for sure!

Heres what they told me at the pound (we got him from a high kill pound in Mansfield. He was on the urgent list) He had been in the pound for a few months. The pound has no history since they found him just wandering around with no collar. Eleni- What concert are you coming in town for? That is so neat that you know where I live! I can actually with someone who can visualize where I live! We actually go to willoughby frequently since I have the kids (7 and 5) enrolled at Willoughby Fine Arts ( for next fall and spring). The offer a program for Homeschooling kids from 10:30-3:00 on Mondays. They do art,music, theatre and dance! My son loved it and my daughter tried it out and will be going in the fall. It is great for me because I don't have to stay and I get a break......This has probably helped me not lose my mind this first year. Oh- And I love shopping at Family Christian.....And Half price books.... What ages are your children?

Hi Jen- What you are saying makes perfect sense which is why I feel like if I get rid of him it is a mistake but if I keep him it is a mistake. I think do I really want to get rid of this dog? and than I think,"do I really want to keep this dog?" The behavior specialist didn't say anything about the hierarchy thing. Someone said to read something about a dog whisperer? Tell me more about what seemed to make a difference for you? Did you work with the behavioral specialist and how expensive was it? I guess besides snapping he will hide from the kids. Like I told Eleni- perhaps I need to give the dog a time out from the kids more regularly. :001_smile:I guess the biggest fear is what are the chances that the dog will get fed up and then really bit the kids? He just seems so calm.... I know my kids are getting more comfortable with him which I think has helped the snapping decrease.

Hi Eleni- I'll keep it in mind:001_smile: I'm still working through the issues with this dog.....I am trying to figure out what do with the one we have. I realize the behavior people are valid in that you don't want the dog to go farther than snapping. But I think would it make a difference if I give the dog more space from my kids,(train the kids to give the dog a time out....) will the snapping stop? Another thing, if we make the fence dog proof, than the leash would only be needed for walks which take place with either my husband or I so we could leash him and not the kids.... How come it is o.k. if a cat bites you but not a dog? Probably something to do with the difference in the size of the bite...O.k. dumb question.... Where in ohio are ya? I am in South Euclid, east suburb of cleveland.

I'm with you Krista! All in all it was a good first year.

I've thought of that but after I read the thread on advice on potty training a dog, I am not sure I have enough patience! Last year was my first year homeschooling with lots of trial and error. This year I am adding in my daughter, which means more trial and error since I have to figure out her learning style. Puppies are so very cute though.....:)

Yikes- No one has any thoughts about this?

Same here. My kids are still underweight according to the charts. So, what I hear is, they need more fats, how about give them milkshakes, don't feel bad about giving them fries. So, let's create bad eating habits so when they get older and their metabolisms are different, it might contribute to being overweight ..... This always make me go hmmmm.....