I made a batch for dinner. I need to think of something nice for tomorrow.

Scarlett, such amazing stories. What a great mom you have. I need to think about the good in my life and how to give more to others now. I'm so pessimistic and can often focus on the trouble I'm having, but I know there's lots of good.

I don't know what the relationship between your ex and your DS is (I know between you and ex is not great). If the son and dad relationship is OK, I might suggest to do that going on a small trip with Dad would be a nice thing to do for his dad since this may be the last time they can do something like this. Then I'd say no more. If the relationship is problematic I'd say nothing. I get a car related gift, based on your other details.

A trip. Tuition or books for college/trade school. Uniforms/shoes for work (if they aren't covered by employer).

I won't ever have a debit card. Credit cards are much safer. Funds are not taken directly from me and charges can be removed.

$13.50. Tuesdays and matinee $6.00 We have a cheap theater where movies are 1-2 months after original opening $5.00. popcorn is cheaper at this theater too. I could wait for movies to come on Netflix, but this is a good option for things that I want to see on a big screen.

My youngest is 16 and has intellectual disabilities. He will: -do swim team (daily practice evenings until school let's out then mornings through July) -attend adaptive camps through parks (a week of fitness camp, a week of "adventure" kayaking, hiking, etc) -attend several weeks of therapuetic rec "camp" which is boring, but cheap --work on summer work sent by his special education teacher last summer we worked though Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. We will see what this summer's book will be. My two olders will work and are looking for internships, research positions, etc.

Quit. You can say "it was my understanding that the requirements of this position did not require ...." I might also mention the new diagnoses, but really the problem is they lied. And they know they lied. And they figure they can abuse you as an employee, because you have a strong level of commitment and responsibility. Obviously, you aren't going to say they lied. But there's nothing wrong telling them that there appears to have been a miscommunication of the job requirements which resulted in you accepting a position that is different than what you are able to manage at this time.

:grouphug: I miss my dd too. But it's good. She's trying new things and leaning how to be independent. Today, she told me about various research opportunities she's applying to far away from home.

Not better or worse just different. There are places that do not great Tex mex and not great Mexican. But both can be done well and bad preparation does not mean the fence is not good it just means that particular restaurant is not good.

My experience is that most people I know drink less than my parents generation (my parents are 78 and 80). I saw a lot of drinking when I was a kid. My parents didn't drink to excess, but they did drink. In my age group (50s) there was binge drinking in college, but not among everyone. After we moved on to careers that kind of drinking stopped and was replaced with the occassional beer or wine with dinner. No one I know of drank while pregnant. No one. So, I would have to say I see less alcohol consumption than during my growing up years, when people smoked and drank through pregnancy.

Finding one Ziploc of frozen chili so you know dinner is made. Anyone else have a little thing that makes your day easier today?

Coming back. 1. evaluate the maturity of you dc. It's not about hanging out with your friends getting a tan. Accidents are rare, but people are counting on you to be a first responder. 2. I would never want my dc to work for a company that staffs 1 person alone. It's just not safe. At the very least, think about the fact that there is no one to call 911 while you are responding to a rescue. If someone has a spinal injury, by diving into a shallow pool, you can't get them out safely--using a backboard is a two person job. 3. look for an employer that requires constant training, so that staff is practiced in working as a team and ready to respond. With an employer like that, the need for making a rescue is likely to be less because staff is proactive about safety in the first place and constantly vigilant. (I mentioned above that Red Cross recommends 4 hours of in-service, however facilities that have Ellis training don't just recommend, they require it) Management should have a regular presence on site and should also be proficient in skills.

Lifeguarding is a great first job. You are correct that the responsibility is big. I would hope that the facility would provide regular in-service training for staff so that they are constantly reviewing skills. Red Cross recommends 4 hours of in-service monthly.

Had it for the first time this year. I had the flu shot in October. I had flu two weeks ago. I took tamiflu and had no side effects that I noticed. I was miserable before getting the prescription.

I'm an Eeyore. I'm working on seeing positive.

My brother in law's mother was given a flag that had been flown over the capitol the day she received citizenship. I don't know how you get them now. I think it's still through your congressman.

This is part of the problem. She will be a pariah if she continues to do this.

One of my dc has a lot of anxiety which manifests as anger. So, consider that your DD may actually have anxiety. The school or teacher may not be good, but your DD may still have a problem that needs to be addressed. Even if you homeschool you should consider therapy and social skills training. No one likes a tattler. No one likes some one butting in. No one likes judgement. These are behaviors she can control. She cannot control the behavior of others. For very basic stuff, I taught my dc that you only intervene (say something) if the situation involves blood or danger. He was able to stick with that and it helped.

The only yard signs we have are congratulations graduate that appear the week of graduation in June.

I didn't have to work. So I'm hanging out. I woke early (like I would for work) and couldn't sleep. So I got up and made banana chocolate chip pancakes. Pretty awesome. Dh and DS like them. Dh and DS are going to church and then to see MIL. I'm going to study for a weekend training I have in a few weeks. In also going to review work on answers to typical interview questions to get ready for more job applications this spring. I hope everyone has a great day!

I had no markers and my ds has down syndrome. I would not put a lot into what's picked up on U/S.

Actually, this is wrong. If you do not have upper body strength you will not have the balance to hold body position that advanced dancers need. If you do not have core and arm strength you will not be able to do ballet and if you do not work to maintain strength you will be injured. I have a dd who swam and did ballet for years. She got more out of ballet than she did swimming. I say this as someone who is professionally involved in swimming. And in the small sample I know the girls who were serious about ballet were much stronger than the club swimmers we knew.

It is not a sport. It provides more athletic training than most sports. It is artistic and creative. So, both.

:grouphug: :grouphug: I'm so sorry.