Marshmallow fondant is my favorite. This link also provides easy to follow directions and it tastes a lot better than real fondant! I've used this recipe many times and even made it to teach teen girls how to cover and decorate cakes with it.

I was a month away from my 22nd birthday when my first was born. I was nine months pregnant when I graduated college, but I had been married for almost 4 years.

I know in my mom's business, they have someone working for them that is stealing $20 or so every week. They know it's being taken, but have no proof who is doing it. They would love a tip like this. You can report what you saw and leave the rest up to them to sort out.

This is the first year all my kids have been in public school and I've been pleasantly surprised. My high schooler can self medicate and bring advil or whatever with her. She can use her cell phone any time she is outside or at lunch. I have been able to pack whatever I want them to have for lunch and they can talk at lunch. It's not been bad at all and they've loved it. I'm sure it varies by state and school district, but our schools so far, are much kid and parent friendlier than I ever remember.

I'm so with you! After 10 years of homeschooling, all four of mine are starting public school in a few weeks! I wouldn't have even believed this two weeks ago! It's been a pain locating shot records and getting them enrolled! I have joked that it was easier for me to get a teaching job (got a sub position to teach 2nd grade starting in Oct. when a teacher goes on maternity leave) than to get my kids registered! But we've homeschooled since the beginning and it's been a way of life for us. So, I too am having my moments of anxiety! Luckily, I have received a lot of positive support from church friends. It's just such a major change in our lives and I can't help but be a little scared when I'm so used to having all control and my children under my wings.

I don't like accepting credit card Paypal payments because I feel the charge is too high. For instance, I accepted one where I was paid $7.50 but was deducted .67 because they used their credit card. That's not that much, but I wished I had known that before setting my price. After that and shipping, I really didn't come out so well. And the more you get paid, of course, the more Paypal deducts.......I can't remember the percentage, but I'm just not willing to cut into my profits that much.

When I was 15, my dad had an affair with a young, also married, woman. She got pregnant, not really knowing who the father was. She and my dad ended up staying together (and still are after 18 years!). Her ex was furious with hatred for her and signed away any rights to that child before she was even born. My dad has raised her as his own in every way. But I firmly believe she isn't his. My dad and step mom both have blue eyes. The child has brown.....like the ex. She's always sorta felt different, but to this day does not know. I just think enough folks know that one day it will come out and she's going to feel deceived. She has a half sister out there too. Years ago when I was still a teengager, I confronted my dad about it. He was very defensive, but knows that biologically she wasn't his. But he has loved her and been more of a dad to her than my brother and me. Anyway, I hope you come to peaceful terms regarding your situation with whatever you decide.

I love Fruit of the Vine!

Me too!

It's that way here too.....mostly. You'll encounter the occasional person that turns his head to avoid "seeing" you so he doesn't have to let you out, or the occasional person who doesn't give the proper gesture of a wave in recognition of you letting them out. But mostly, that is standard practice here in the south as well. However, I agree with the poster that said big cities are less friendly. It always shocks me when I encounter rude and selfish drivers since I'm so used to the other.

I've loaded up on tampons and pads both by collecting coupons and matching them up with sales (especially at Wal-greens or CVS). Stock up when there's a really good sale!

Well, I'm a born and raised southern girl, so I do not know any different. What I do know is that it was always so weird to be around my "Yankee" grandfather, who was always a little too brash and direct for my taste. I also think it matters what part of the south you are in. I live in northern MS, in a relatively small city. I traveled to Atlanta (still in the south of course!) last year and was amazed at the difference in drivers. We sat in heavy downtown traffic with our blinker on forever trying to change lanes and NO ONE let us over. We also got ugly looks. That just wouldn't happen here! Even when a convention or something is letting out here, I always notice that most cars will let a car out in front of them. I do so appreciate that part of southern hospitality!:001_smile:

On the treadmill, I run any where from a 4.2-4.5 comfortably. A 5 is really pushing it for me and I can't keep up with that long. I still think you won't be as slow at the track. But speed takes a little time to build.

I too am a fairly conservative person, but my mp3 player is full of songs from Prince, George Michael, Poison, Guns N Roses, Whitesnake, Bob Seger, Motley Crue, Nickelback, Sarah McLachlan, Matchbox Twenty, Elton John, Norah Jones, Van Halen, ACDC, etc. It soooo motivates me in my workout routine and makes me feel young because most of the songs on my playlist are from my teenage years! It also gives me the warm fuzzes towards my husband because he introduced me to most of these songs way back then! I'd be a little embarrassed if some of my acquaintances got a hold of my player! LOL

Could it be that the treadmill doesn't keep an accurate mileage? I enjoy running in 5K's. I consider myself a slow runner, coming in around 30-32 minutes. But when I'm on my treadmill, it takes me much longer to run a 5k (according to the mileage meter on there). So, you might want to run at the track or someplace where you can know for sure how far you have run. HTH

I watch the show sometimes. I've seen her be ugly, but like others have said, if there was a camera in my house all the time, I probably wouldn't be liked either. However, I was super appalled at one episode where her friend (not sure which) kept the kids and gave them gum. Later Kate found gum on their belongings. Kate called her friend and crawled her butt about giving 3 year olds gum. Her tone was awful and I can't imagine being talked to like that. That would honestly have been the end to my friendship with her after I had kept ALL those kids!!!! If she has indeed lost friends, this could be an example as to why!

I've used Sonlight for three years and love it! I've never used it in it's entirety (just Bible, history, and literature), but if I needed to, I would. I've had good luck recouping a good deal of my money from it each year too.

I've got 80's rock music on mine (mostly). It reminds me of being a teenager and meeting my husband so it's really motivating for me! Sometimes I'll get lost in a song, reminiscing, and look down to see that several minutes have painlessly passed! LOL

We went to Disney one year ago and stayed at a value resort with the meal plan. I hated it.....just hated it. Felt like I threw money down the toilet and I still feel sick about that. So, buy something you can keep! I sure wish we had used that money for new flooring in my house!

:grouphug: I'm so sorry for your loss! She sounds like an amazing woman who blessed many people.

You know, I took an online quiz and it said I should go to Jamaica! I've read that the people are so friendly there. It's definitely in the running.

Thank you all so much! You've all given me some things to think about and locations to look into. I also appreciate the warning about hurricane damage! I wouldn't have thought of that. I'm sure I'll have more questions as time goes on! Happy New Year!

LOL, that's exactly the reason I haven't wanted to go on a cruise!!! Or the missing/thrown overboard cases!! But I know of folks that go every year and love it. I guess I need to look into it. My 13 year old is begging me not to go on a cruise because of "Titanic"!:lol:

Can your recommend (or anyone) a website to look into cruises? There's just way too many choices! :001_huh:

I live in Mississippi, so not too far from Florida. The touristy thing is what I'm most afraid of. I guess it's not being around a lot of people that I'm afraid of, but I do want a more hands on helpful approach from the servers/hotel staff, etc. When we landed at Disney, I felt we were thrown to the wolves with the rest of the folks. We were lost even trying to find our room at the mega hotel. I'd like things a little more personalized, where ever we end up. We're not opposed to a cruise either. In fact, dh would like that very much. I guess I'm just a little more afraid of them.