I know this isn't a thread about the Nauglers, but reading the mention of their name has reminded me of a new blog I saw on FB. http://www.blessedlittleblog.com

https://www.amazon.com/b?rh=i%3Atoys-and-games%2Cn%3A12693418011%2Cn%3A12693418011&ie=UTF8&node=12693418011 There are quite a few strategy games that are part of Amazon's Deal of the Day today. We have Ticket to Ride: Europe, are there other tried and true games that the Hive recommends? Thank you :)

DH is self employed - and employs 25 other people. He gets no paid vacation or sick time. Ever. If he doesn't work, there is no one who can cover or fill in for him. He can take time off whenever he chooses, but it means making sure we can cover all our business bills and expenses as well as our employee payroll and their paid vacation/sick.

Shark Pit - food truck in Lahaina. The food was amazing!

From what I read, Nicole posted the videos yesterday to *another* FB account called Momm A Nicole. Apparently it is an account that she frequently deactivates and activates to post her "proof" against the County Sheriff. This one was posted in supposed defense for why "Homestead Hubby" is not working. If you listen, several times she says she hopes that his leaving to confront the officers doesn't result in the loss of his job. The nut job supporters view it as targeting of the family by the sheriff. Interestingly, the FB profile and comments disappeared when some of her more staunch supporters questioned why on earth they would behave so irrationally. The videos currently posted were copied and uploaded by someone who must have seen them when they were briefly available yesterday. The more I see of the Nauglers and their behavior, the more I hope those children will never again be subjected to that insanity.

I agree with you. I'm sorry I was unclear. I was referring to what he must have said to her to make her feel so shamed, not the actual hair cutting itself. I imagine the hair cutting was the physical punishment, but that the emotional punishment was much more severe.

From this article: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/izabel-laxamana-tacoma-teen-kills-herself-days-after-shaming-video-posted-online-of-father-cutting-her-hair-10298673.html "Ms Cool, the police spokeswoman, said she believed Izabel had killed herself because she believed things she had done in her past had shamed her family. “This was her way of apologising to everyone,†she said." Smh. 😔 Poor, poor girl. She was so shamed by her father that she felt death would be the most appropriate apology. Awful.

I'm just going to place this here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-NASTY-Little-Homestead/790726694356144 Some of the screen shots are ... Disturbing.

Yes. Once. My roommate set me up with a friend of hers who had expressed a desire to go on a date with me. She neglected to mention that he was a bounty hunter. The date was ... Interesting.

Dweebs.

From the day I met my husband - 13 years and five children later. I would relive it all and not change a thing. Just to experience it all again. Life is too blasted short.

Yes and yes :)

Absolutely nothing wrong with a kind gesture. DH is a surgeon, and is always so touched (as am I) when his patients express appreciation. I try to do the same for all of my doctors as well (after baby births, surgeries, emergency care, etc). Go for it!

Oops. Tried to like a post and wound up with a quoted post. Dang phone.

Bingo. I was too stunned to cry when DH first told me. There is a pretty signifcant, negative history with his mom that caused us to, out of necessity, limit all contact with his family (they all live in the same town) about three years ago. As a result, he deals with everything pertaining to his family, so he is trying to work up his courage to tell them it won't work out. My DH is the kindest, most thoughtful man I've ever met and he has a hard time saying 'no' to anyone. He would rather just be put out. Thank you PrincessMommy. I'm sorry I've derailed your thread. The introvert in me was begging to be 'heard' on this, so I chimed in. I apologize and I sincerely hope that your weekend goes well. Agree. My DH is still working on his boundary issues - especially when it comes to his family. He was raised to be the self-sacrificial (is that even a word?), peace maker and it has been a long 12 years of helping him to establish healthier relationships. He has assured me that he will handle it. In the meantime, it will stress us both. DH blocked out his schedule so we could take a 10 day vacation after everyone leaves. He is very aware how draining it is to be around his mother :lol: I wish it were that easy. If it were my family ... Thank you everyone for the encouragement and making me feel like I'm not being unreasonable. I have a feeling saying 'no' will have long term repercussions, but ultimately, I can't fix crazy. I'll have to start a new thread in a few weeks to let everyone know how it went :crying: Back to lurking for me ... and back to the OP ... Thank you again, Brittany

Oh man, OP this really resonates with me today. JAWM rant: We just had our 5th baby (4 weeks ago) and are having a baby blessing for her in 2 weeks. My parents and my IL's are flying - cross country - to attend. We heard from them yesterday that they are flying out all of DH's siblings (5 of them), spouses (4 plus 1 new bf), and children (17). Typing that all out makes me want to crawl in a hole ... Which I feel terrible about. But, the real stressor is that they asked if the kids could sleep in blankets and pillows on the floor while the adults sleep at a nearby hotel. We have the room, but the thought of 17 children, who I love but haven't seen in 3 years, staying at my house is making me twitchy. Honestly, I'm just kinda pissed. But, how do you say that without offending everyone? Sorry for my rant. OP, I hope it works out and your weekend is stress free and enjoyable.

😥

Wendy, Could you please send me an invite as well? Thank you, Brittany

I bought ours from usmarkerboard.com. It is magnetic and was on sale with free shipping - which, for a 10 ft board I considered to be pretty fantastic. I LOVE it. I don't know how I ever schooled without it. It has been worth every penny :)

Killing large numbers of people does not only happen with guns. I believe these stories qualify for 'rampage killing' status. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-26402367 http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/world/2010-04-29-china-children-stabbed_N.htm?csp=usat.me This one occurred the same day as Sandy Hook. I don't believe there were any fatalities in *this* particular attack, but there have been several where there were fatalities. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2248054/China-stabbing-22-children-elderly-woman-stabbed-outside-primary-school-Chinese-knifeman.html Sadly, I didn't even have to dig past the first half page of results in a google search limited just to 'mass stabbings in China'. I selected China because of their VERY strict gun control. Unfortunately, deeply troubled individuals exist in our worldwide society. I have no idea what makes anyone decide to inflice physical harm on another human being, but it is not unique to our culture and gun use. Is that some people's weapon of choice? Absolutely. But other people use knives, explosives, their cars, heck - even planes. Rather than over regulate every possible weapon, why don't we spend our time and money getting these troubled individuals the help that they so desperately need? I don't have any experience in this area, but couldn't we be doing more to offer support to families and friends who recognize a problem but lack the resources to do anything useful?

How will your gender transition affect your DH if he identifies as heterosexual? Will you still maintain an intimate relationship or will that change? Will that open up an intimate relationship with GF since she also identifies as heterosexual? I hope these aren't ignorant or insensitive questions to ask. You've been so open in your answers to those of us who know very little about other relationship types.

It seems there has been a rash of these types of articles lately. More mommy wars. I particularly liked this article: http://momexploresmichigan.blogspot.com/2014/03/no-leprechauns-no-valentines-boxes-no.html Everyone has strengths. I don't need anyone else to dial theirs down to make me feel more secure in my mothering. Do things the way that works for you and your family, and allow others the same privilege. No judgement for how others do or do not celebrate/teach/live their lives. Keep inspiring, friends.

SWB just addressed this topic at the VA conference last weekend in her talk on Homeschooling for the Second Time. She shared her experience in a co-op and the experience she had participating in a co-op with her children. It was clear she found them totally unnecessary and segued that joining out of 'fear or worry' for what your kids might be missing is a mistake. (Really, ANY decisions made out if fear or worry often turned out to be big mistakes - in her case, co-ops). The take home message for me on the topic was, "do not put more time and energy into something then your kids will get out of it." I thought her advice was fantastic, but I'm sure it could have ruffled the feathers of staunch co-op supporters.

Heck, I don't mind sitting on the floor! :D I sent emails to the VAHomeschool Conference Chair and left them a FB message, so hopefully I can hear an official word. If not, I'll plan on attending the sessions I can get into and wait out the others :) Thank you so much for your response! Glad to hear it's been wonderful! Brittany

On the EXTREMELY off chance that any Conference attendees see this tonight ... Is it possible to attend sessions that appear to be 'full' on the online registration? Or are you 'locked in' to what you have left to select from? We had some family things come up and so I thought I wasn't going to be able to attend, but it's now looking like I can make it tomorrow. :) I would really like to go, I'm just not sure it's worth the 3 hour drive, one-way, if more than half of the sessions will be unavailable. Anyone? Thank you! Hope you are all having a wonderful time! Brittany