What your sister's friend has done is absolutely sickening. I'm sorry all of this happened <3

Tell her I appreciate her taking the time to read it, and I'm glad she enjoyed it :) Thanks, mominco. I appreciate it! Awwh, thanks Cat! At first, I was planning a story with a younger heroine, and therefore, a younger age group. But, I wanted the book to be something that adults might enjoy as well.

That poor, sweet baby. I just can't even imagine his last moments, and the pain his Mama must be feeling. :(

I've begun working on a YA fiction fiction novel for pre-teens and adolescents. (Not sure why YA popped into my head.) I'd really love some feedback on the first chapter -- especially from children in the intended age range 11 - 15. The general plot of the story involves a young girl (14) who ran away from home due to an arranged marriage to a cruel man. It's not a historical fiction, but it isn't modern -- think horses and wagons for travel and the like. The first chapter does involve the main character being shot with an arrow and attacking someone, so please keep that in mind if your child is sensitive. There is no violence beyond that. I appreciate the feedback, positive and negative! Google Docs link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1aAMu_7Iz4-dZ_RNWV2o1nY6FyP_7eZW4oPr0QKc_9yc/edit?usp=sharing

I've begun working on a YA fiction fiction novel for pre-teens and adolescents. (Not sure why YA popped into my head.) I'd really love some feedback on the first chapter -- especially from children in the intended age range 11 - 15. The general plot of the story involves a young girl (14) who ran away from home due to an arranged marriage to a cruel man. It's not a historical fiction, but it isn't modern -- think horses and wagons for travel and the like. The first chapter does involve the main character being shot with an arrow and attacking someone, so please keep that in mind if your child is sensitive. There is no violence beyond that. I appreciate the feedback, positive and negative! Google Docs link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1aAMu_7Iz4-dZ_RNWV2o1nY6FyP_7eZW4oPr0QKc_9yc/edit?usp=sharing

When this happens to me, I'll gently squeeze the cup on either side while wiggling it a bit.

How terrible! :(

I'm feeling pretty helpful tonight, so I added a few things to the first of the two paragraphs. I'm sure Josh didn't mean to /sarcasm/, but he left out a few crucial details in his statement. "Twelve years ago, as a young teenager, I acted inexcusably for which I am extremely sorry and deeply regret. I hurt others, including my family and close friends. I confessed this to my parents who took several steps to help me address the situation. We spoke with the authorities where I confessed my wrongdoing We met up with my father's friend (who just so happened to be a detective), and my parents arranged for me [ ] to receive counseling. and instead of seeking proper help, I was sent to work with a contractor who mentored me in a topic he had no professional experience addressing. I understood that if I continued down this wrong road that I would end up ruining my life, and of course, the lives of the woman whom I sexually abused. I would do anything to go back to those teen years and take different actions. I sought forgiveness from those I had wronged and asked Christ to forgive me and come into my life. In my life today, I am so very thankful for God's grace, mercy and redemption." He sexually abused four of his sisters and the other young lady, plain and simple. His parents handled this horrendously and criminally.

If the lawyer you're speaking of is the husband of the friend who ran the light, he shouldn't be giving her any legal advice. There's no way he can be impartial. That's very unethical.

Such a varied group of intelligent and talented individuals!

Just a fun topic. I've found myself getting down on myself lately, and sometimes it helps to know that people seek me out for certain things. I suppose I'm mostly a jack-of-all-trades in that I have a bunch of random trivia floating around in my head - it's great at parties! I do have a fascination with chromosomal abnormalities and genetics - something that doesn't come in handy too often within my social group, but I have had people come to me for basic explanations if they'd rather not Google. What's your speciality? What are you most known (and sought after) for within your social group?

I'm on my phone, so multiquote is difficult. @JanetC - We do not qualify for an auto loan. We have a friend selling a car at a very decent cost and were going to use a small portion of loans towards that. The school had nothing to do wiyh the decision. Of the two schools in our area that provide married housing, one is flooded with applicants and another requires 1 year of attendance before allowing you this option. I've never known off-campus housing to be cheaper - they really gouge the student renters around here! @EmilyGF - Considering I started and operate my own business, lack of interpersonal skills isn't going to be an issue. If I go the State U route, the degree will be from them - it won't state that it was earned online, so the employer or grad school wouldn't know unless I disclosed. @elegantlion- I would love the interaction that comes with on-campus schooling, which makes me want to wait. But at the same time, waiting doesn't feel right to me either. This particular degree doesn't allow for specialization - classes are evenly balanced, even within the electives requirement (no more than x number of classes can be devoted to XYZ region, etc.). I actually volunteer with the Historic Commission here in town - mostly updating historic building information, working on preservation projects, etc. I'm not sure I could see myself doing this as a job, but I do see how my love for environmental science could be tied in (planning of preservation sites, etc.). I'm still unsure if I'll wait, or go with the State U. I appreciate all of the Good ideas!

I used them 100% of the time until I began using my Diva Cup. I'm never going back!

I appreciate all of the advice. At this time, I think all I can really do is wait until we get a car and/or move closer to a school I can attend. Moving is not an option. I work as an independent contractor. There are absolutely no jobs in the area for DH, hence the reason we need a car so desperately. Getting the car means making more money which then means we can move relatively closer to universities and more jobs. I absolutely do want to get a degree that will further us financially, and I don't take on college debt lightly. Unfortunately, it's a necessary evil for many.

I would say both of the above reasons (job options and intellectual stimulation) are true, though job options much more so. I've strongly considered graduate studies in History following my Bachelor's, though I don't want to be a professor or teacher of any kind. I like Environmental Science because I'm a very hands-on person, and I enjoy field work and lab work. I just feel like an online program can't properly set me up for that. Putting school on hold is an option, but we were really hoping to take out a bit more in loans than necessary for school expenses to put towards a car. My best option in these regards would be the online, for-profit institution I mentioned above. While for-profit, they're the cheapest option and regionally accredited. Almost all of my expenses would be covered by gov grants, except for the portion we'd take out to put towards a car. I'm just worried about job prospects -- this school is well-respected within military and government circles, but not so much in the private sector. I've taken classes with them before and really enjoyed them -- I'm just worried about respectability and the like.

We moved due to financial issues -- we rent from my sister and her husband, so rent is significantly cheaper. I assumed only grad programs allowed for married couples to house together?

I've posted numerous times before asking for advice. You ladies are always fantastic, helping me to think through my options. I graduated from CC in December with my Associate's degree in General Studies. Since then, my husband and I have moved to a new town that is too far to attend an on-campus school. I would LOVE to have that option, as I really do love the discussions and hands-on experiences, but it isn't an option now and may not be for a few years. There is no public transport, we don't have a car, and there isn't even a taxi service here. That wouldn't matter though, because the closest school is still about a 45 minute drive. I have so many subjects that I enjoy - history, environmental science, anthropology. But I'm never happy with any choice I make. As of now, I'm enrolled with a State U's online program for History and will begin in the Fall, but I worry what good that degree will be. I would love to major in Environmental Science, but science online seems iffy. That, and I wouldn't have th chance to intern or perform research. Who would hire me with a degree in name only? I'm so stressed over this entire process. Sure, I could take a few semesters (or years) off, but I'd really rather not. It seems my options are: • State U online program in History • For-profit online program in Environmental Science • Another school in another subject altogether • Wait Any words of wisdom? I'm sick of waffling back and forth on my options every few days.

Meh. I've grown used to it, and I do like the meaning. But I've never enjoyed having a trendy 80s/90s name.

After rejecting every name possible in the baby name book, they came across Stephanie and liked it. My mother originally liked Rachel, but aside from her brother, no one liked it. My middle name was also chosen due to liking it -- my sister's middle name is after my paternal grandmother. I kinda wished they'd have given me a family name, too.

I adore the name Sophia - love the sound, love the meaning, and love that it's used in the church I am part of during the service (Orthodox Church). I'd be very uneasy about using it, however, due to its popularity. Who knows, maybe a few years from now if I still love it I'll use it anyways.

My name was #10 the year I was born, and is #205 as of 2014. My DH's was #276 the year of his borth, and is now at #497. His name is classic while I'd say mine was somewhat trendy for the 80s and 90s.

While statistically unusual, it's still more common than you'd think. Toxic Shock Syndrome can be deadly.

I've lived with best friends previously (not college roommates, but similar situation - we shared a room). Assumptions that aren't addressed can become resentments. Your daughter and her friend need to figure out how living together will work. If friend buys TV and plan and your daughter uses it on occasion, will friend resent her? Will friend be hoping to turn bedroom into a floor hangout (considering most students stream on their laptops or only use TVs for gaming, not cable)? What will the "policy" be in regards to visitors (i.e. will little sister have free reign to visit whenever, with no advanced warning?) While surely they aren't doing so unintentionally, it does seem as if they're steamrolling her. It can be difficult to say no to a friend, and having their mother and sister there on top of it doesn't help.

Perhaps the teacher knew she'd be missing today, so decided to start the movie yesterday so the students could see it in its entirety? She still could have used that last day for review, though.

No advice, but he's so cute!