my kids would hate me for it (It remains to be seen if it is a permanent condition.) That you can't teach someone not willing to learn.

you get over it. DH and I haven't vacationed together since I was preggers with DS18. There was the time I had to chase DS (he was 2) into the men's room on the NJ turnpike. When DS was 12, he had to check our bags at the curb and keep an eye on his sister (7) at the airport because I needed to return the rental car and we were running late. We nearly didn't make the plane, because I couldn't find the arrivals area and I forgot to empty my pockets of change and keys and security couldn't figure out that the wand was beeping whenever it passed over my hands (which were holding the stuff I (under orders) had removed from my pockets and which I was told not to put down). Or walking on the Golden Gate Bridge holding onto DD7 for dear life because she likes to run "away" - and I'm afraid of heights... Triple checking the locks on the hotel doors, and losing the rental car in the parking lot... teaching the kids to read a road map so we'd get lost less often... Ah the memories

they are lots of work. Lots of joy, but lots of work. If you want one for security, who is going to train it? Do you just want it to bark (deterrence)? I repeat, you don't have experience - who is going to train it? I always wanted a dog. Never could have one as a child. Got one shortly after we got married. Never could go anywhere after that without DH being concerned about how long we had been gone (got to get home to walk the dog), or being unable to go anywhere (the kennel cost more that most of our accommodations on vacations). One of our dogs died while we were on vacation - in the kennel - talk about sad! When the second dog died, DH and the kids wanted another dog. I love the new dog (not so new anymore) and he is well behaved and tolerant of DD, but we're back in the same boat - someone has to be home to take care of the dog - I can't tell you how many times we've left events early to get home to walk the dog, get the dog out before bed... I want to go on a cruise with my BFF and DH is worried about who will take care of the dog while *I'm* gone. You know the dog he and the kids wanted? No you don't want a dog. If you want something that barks when the doorbell rings, get a a tape recorder.

Soothe - anything that will soothe the savage beast. If I can get her to laugh, that works every time. Trouble is, sometimes I can't find the right humor for her at the time... If my DH gets in on the act, the whole situation escalates, so I have to keep him our of the fray... Why he can't figure it out I don't know, it is so obvious to ME! (and anyone else within a 2-block radius). Maybe because I entered menopause so early, and didn't get hormonal like DD does. Even when I tell him what the problem is, he doesn't "get it". Maybe because DD is a mean-hormonal? I think that it is harder to e "nice" at home than it is to be "nice" around friends, so she dumps when shes home. When she's rational again, I let her know that mean-hormonal is unacceptable - period.

I'm no fashionista - but I liked the parade dress (lemongrass?) but with two different shades of green as accessories (gloves and shoes)?? - I liked the ball gown. I didn't like the dress she wore to the prayer service though.

I especially love mine for cheese - wow does it keep longer! I don't use it for veggies (freezing) though. Blanching and then individually freezing then vacuuming - too much effort for someone within walking distance of a produce-rich grocery store. My biggest problem with it is that it seems the only one in the house to use it - is me. DH has never touched it, and the kids can and do - but rarely, so I periodically go through the fridge and pack stuff. DH commented that his premium Swiss cheese sure kept a long time, to which I brightly replied, "It really makes a difference when you use the foodsaver!" when I really wanted to say - yeah - vacuum it next time you cut a chunk off instead of leaving it on the counter for me to put away! BTW - it doesn't work on individual chocolates/truffles - they squash. And I find meat hard to do without freezing it first.

I-95 keeps getting closer and closer. DH simply won't move, so I imagine that we'll eventually be forced to move (easier to move people out of condemned homes than the railroad right of way on the other side of the interstate). We just went through years of widening and interchange work - and now the High Occupancy Toll lanes are going in. DH is oblivious to the noise level, the dirt and the lowering property values - because of his OCD he won't/can't consider moving.... believe me I've tried. You have my sympathy, but I've nothing to offer in the way of advice. I wouldn't buy the other property though.

1. Are your ear lobes free or fused?:bigear: free 2. Do you have dimples or not? no 3. Do you have a crease in your chin or not? no 4. Can you fold the tip of your tongue backward?:tongue_smilie: yes 5. Can you roll your tongue from the sides into a roll? yes I can also taste avacados (DS can't), whistle (DH can't) and roll Rs (DH can't) are those genetic too?:confused:

I used to crochet, but my hands won't let me anymore, and I used to cross-stitch but my eyes are too bad. I don't know what I'll do when I can't see to accurately cut paper.... BMC bernadettecurry.myctmh.com (under construction)

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I try and buy fresh items when possible - or frozen (rarely canned - except for tomatoes) simply put veggies, fruits, lean meats, sustainable fishes ( http://www.mbayaq.org/cr/cr_seafoodwatch/download.asp ), whole grains But sadly, DH and the kids bring in their other foods. If they (he) were not in the house, there would be no junk food either. No I'm not a saint, but I would buy a single serving so as not to have it around. :lol:

with the neighbors that speak English. We live in a townhouse on a 12-unit courtyard, and you'd be amazed how little we see of the neighbors - especially those without kids. Before the newest set of neighbors moved in, or the old ones moved out, we were quite friendly. I was greeted with baked goods, we had "happy hour" every Wednesday if the weather was nice, twice yearly courtyard BBQ/potlucks, congregated outside for Halloween, set off fireworks on the 4th etc. That lasted about 10 years, then they all moved except us. I miss the old days. Now I would call us cordial with the neighbors, not friends. Most are immigrants and are more into staying with their ethnic group. DH has been promising that we'd move in 5 years since 1984 when we moved to this area. We moved once in 1994 from a small condo to a small townhouse where we still remain - though all our neighbors (condo and townhouse) have all moved up in the real estate market lol. He does still talk about moving when we retire, but I'm not counting on it. IF we do, I hope I can find real neighbors, I can't imagine feeling this isolated when I'm old. :lol:

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but I get sick if it is as if I am being moved rapidly in odd directions. Spiderman type movement and sometimes the big panoramic scenes do me in - like Lord of the Rings when they pan around the scenery or pivot the camera while panning. I think that it is a new technology that allows the camera to move more than one direction at once - so since they can they do! It's been occasional in the past and getting more frequent - a trend in current cinematography I think. Dunno. I usually close my eyes until DH or the DCs tell me the camera has settled down. I can usually watch these same movies on a small screen (ie TV that's not too big) with no problem.

and if the cost of your peace of mind is a few bags of pretzels it's cheap! DS rarely brought kids home (DH does not believe in spontaneity) but it caused all sorts of problems because we were constantly trying to get him somewhere - for band practice, for orchestra/quartet rehearsals, pick up b-ball, just hanging out at a friends house, spontaneous parties, picnics or BBQs, after games ... Especially in High School. I'd definitely curb the muddy shoes by insisting that the kids remove their shoes (have a place ready to put them - newspaper in a corner by the door works), and setting aside "family only" snacks is a good idea too. If you have a pool, or play water games ask kids to bring their own towels - and after muddy play outside they can get pretty darn clean with a garden hose. Believe me, visiting kids understand rules much better than your own. And really - feel lucky not put out - because you are! You know where your kids are and what they are doing. :grouphug:

My DH just sent me his email - I don't know where he found it, but I checked the links.... NO HOMESCHOOLERS By now I'm sure you have heard about Subway's essay contest "Every Sandwich Tells a Story." Log on to the web page and read all about the contest. Contestants get to complete a story from four different starter scenarios like "The mysterious meatball." But scroll down a bit more. Read the rules at the bottom of the page. If you don't want to take the time to do that I'll just repeat the rules for you here: "Contest is open only to legal US residents, over the age of 18 with children in either elementary, private or parochial schools that serve grades PreK-6. No home schools will be accepted." Well now, that's a bit odd, isn't it? If you are schooled at home by your parents you aren't allowed to participate in this contest! What could possibly be the reason for this? Do we have some promotions people at Subway who are somehow dead-set against home schooling? Did some group (teacher's unions?) bring pressure to bear here? Here's a "customer service form" from the Subway website. Perhaps you have something you would like to say. Suddenly I'm not all that fond of Subway sandwiches. Funny how that happens. BMC <><

and truthfully, I had not noticed that peanut butter was so labeled. Fortunately, her allergy is mild and she only needs to avoid nut meats, nut butters and nut oils. So far, she has shown no reaction to products labeled as coming from plants that also use tree nuts. If your DD is more sensitive, be sure to check out candies as well. Jellie Bellies are one that surprised me when the camp counselors wouldn't let her have them. Could you try making your own peanut butter from whole peanuts? Or are peanuts roasted on shared equipment? Our local health food stores sell it if you don't want to grind your own (our Whole Foods and a few "mainstream" stores sell fresh ground as well).

I use Ortho ant powder all along the foundation and across all door sills. I usually only get ants the years I don't do this early enough in the spring. (which reminds me...) If I see ants, I vacuum them up and I use moth balls in the vacuum bag (old-fashioned vac which uses bags) then dispose of the bag immediately. Stinks, but they're gone! O the horror stories One year, they came through the walls into my son's 2nd story bedroom to get to all the yucky left over school lunches he had all over his room - eew another time I had 8 banana bread loaves set out to take to my son's youth orchestra for snack... needless to say I had to purchase something else at the last minute and then there was the time that my daughter dropped a full size marshmallow behind the dining room hutch... when I finally found what they were eating the marshmallow was about 3/4 gone! eew Unfortunately for my garden, I do eliminate nests if they are too close to the house. Out by the fence? no worries, at the bottom of the front steps? history!

we figured that he was allergic to grass (when in bloom). We dunked his feet in a yellow liquid that we got at the grocery store for pets - sulfur I think. Worked like a charm - I don't know if it was because he couldn't stand the taste, or it helped with the allergy/irritation, but he stopped chewing on his feet every season. Of course, I hated it because I couldn't stand the smell and especially the taste of the stuff on my hands. I used rubber gloves which helped.

I've tried Tom's of Maine but wasn't thrilled. I can find mens but not ladies :confused: - and I hate most of the fragrances in the men's products. :001_huh:

they know their ABCs through G (to name the notes) and know how to follow a line of writing (left to right, top to bottom). She teaches traditionally, but with ear training... and has had students as young as 4. For Suzuki students it can be even earlier as it is mostly done by ear, but 4 is about the youngest I have heard of in this area from the instructors I have spoken with. If the child wants to learn, go for it. I would suggest that you rent the tiny violin needed by such a youngster - find a program that allows no fee trade-ups in size and puts all (or a majority) of the rental fees toward the price of a new instrument (not necessarily the instrument that you are renting).

I'm chiming in because we had such a good experience with a CSA here. I would look for a CSA that allowed visits; our farmer was disappointed that none of the shareholders ever visited the farm and/or worked on the farm - it would have been fun, but it just never worked out for us. What an opportunity it would have been for the kiddos! We participated for only one season, loved it and felt it worth the cost :thumbup1:. Our deliveries were made to a central place, but the drive got to be too much (it used up nearly 2 hours each week though not all that time was in the car :thumbdown:). It was considered a poor season, but the 4-person share was more than abundant enough for our family - there were lots of greens and lettuces, heirloom tomatoes, squash, peppers, garlic, onions, and I can't remember what all. If the farmer had a crop that was less familiar, he frequently provided cooking suggestions r I would check online. We had an option for a flower share & free-range egg share. They also coordinated an opportunity to purchase hormone-free beef, pork, poultry and a Thanksgiving turkey. I can't remember if the large animals were organic, but I believe that the poultry was.

I'm not a particularly good looser, but I suppress it unless the kids gloat too much (and it takes quite a bit). I play to win. I have never ever (well past the kids' 6th birthdays) thrown a game while playing with them. DS17 plays to win, but is philosophical about the entire process of winning or loosing. I have played all kinds of games with him since he could talk and count. DD12 is neither a good looser nor a good winner and her mind wanders during play. She started playing later than DS, but she is a large factor in our decision to stop having family games night. She is very very competitive (jealous?) with her DBro. Her gaming skills (loosing and winning) are getting better with time, unfortunately she mostly looses still. DH will only play games that are completely chance with no pretense of using skill (he'll play Life). He also refuses to give a reason even when asked directly. I assume that he can't stand to loose, but I suppose it could be that he can't stand to play with anyone who doesn't give him a challenge. Either would fit his personality.

we're in NoVA and I can't tell you where it was purchased as it was on the pot-luck table. It was labeled with the kosher mark on the lid of the 2l bottle. I was speaking to someone who keeps kosher, but I forgot to ask why corn sweetner wasn't allowed, but artificial sweetners were.

when they say these crazy hurtful things like that. Was he being insolent or trying to be funny? (as in not trying to hurt). If a withering look and a, "that isn't funny, it's hurtful." doesn't get through to him and stop the behavior - it would be major KP (I can envision peeling pounds of potatoes, triple rinsing spinach, hulling strawberries, seeding hot peppers, dicing onions, peeling and dicing garlic, peeling shrimp, filleting fish.... time consuming and/or smelly dirty jobs... organizing the pantry, weeding the veggie garden all season long) or planning meals for a week. If I made him cook the meals also, he would have to clean up after himself too. (My kids use every pot, pan & bowl when they cook and don't clean as they go.) Picking on my cooking is a hot button for me. In 25 years of marriage, I have found that I absolutely HATE cooking on a daily basis. All the planning, shopping and preparing.... If I had my way we would be eating salad and sandwiches. DH is the pickiest eater (no ethnic foods, no spicy, few casseroles...) and he usually eats something just prior to dinner, or just after dinner. Like he doesn't rust my cooking to sustain life or something. Lately he has become too busy on Scouting night (Monday) getting ready so he doesn't have the time to eat with the family. The kids have picked up on his fussy eating (especially DD who doesn't want to eat regular meals and prefers junk foods), but DS is growing out of it.