I had AppleCare on my iPad2. Just a few months shy of the two year expiration I started having problems with the battery not charging. After a two software suggestions for troubleshooting, they swapped out my iPad with a refurb. I haven't had any problems with it. :0) The whole replacement process was super smooth and the employees I dealt with were friendly and professional. I wouldn't go without AppleCare, especially since AppleCare+ includes some repairs (like if you cracked your screen) for $50. So, yes, in essence I'd definitely consider a refurb in the future.

There's a history pocket for explorers that's a 4-6 grade range, but is something that could be adapted for youngers. Hakim's first volume has quite a bit on explorers (though generally not too terrbily sanitized if you prefer to avoid Cortés. I also like "Land Ho!" by Nancy Winslow Parker, "Encounter" by Jane Yolen, "Pedro's Journal" by Pam Conrad, and "Explorers Who Got Lost," by Diane Sansevere-Dreher. I just picked up "Exploration and Conquest" by Betsy & Giulio Maestro from the library. It's a narrative sweep through the Americas after Columbus with really nice illustrations, though there's one in particular that's kind of graphic (again re: Cortés). It doesn't bother me, but I'm putting it out there just in case. When I was looking yesterday there seemed to be a number of free lapbook type units available as well.

I agree with the others, it looks like a charm pack. There's a pretty good beginner tutorial here - http://www.diaryofaquilter.com/2009/04/charm-pack-baby-quilt-tutorial.html. As for charm packs, you can also find them locally at places like JoAnn fabrics which offers teacher discounts and coupons, but may have some fabric quality issues if you aren't careful or your local quilt shop. If you go the quilt shop route you have the added bonus of having someone that you can ask questions of and bring your pieces to if you are having problems. They'll also help you pick out fabrics (top, backing, binding) if you need help matching things.

I know it's probably very little comfort, but my dd had to go see a pediatric urologist. We had one visit - nothing special, just your average new patient visit with no tests beyond a simple urinalysis and our portion was just about $400. I don't remember what the ER copay is, but I do know it went up significantly (as has our deductible) in the last couple of years. Part of the reason is that our health insurance now actually covers things whereas before general wellness type services were not covered for anyone over 4 years old. Call the provider and ask about payment plans. Around here most of the medical providers do not charge interest. There was one year where we had to pay for my son to go to the ER (in an ambulance) and we were able to pay our portion of both the hospital and ambulance bills for as little as $15-25 a month. It took awhile, but in the end coming up with the monthly payment for the co-pay/deductible was far easier than it wold have been if we had to pay the whole thng on our own.

I'm assuming the OP's in the US and if that's the case I think it's part of an unhealthy dog culture. People tend to assume that their dogs will never bite and miss the signals their dog sends when they feel threatened or overwhelmed. I also think that in the US that there are generally a number of badly socialized dogs meaning they lack the socialization/training necessary to be as out in the community in the way that so many of them are. People really don't get that it's not an issue "if" the dog will bite, but *when* because any dog, no matter how nice they are, will bite if cornered, threatened, or provoked and the conditions are right. All of the above is why we don't do dog parks and always, always, always keep our dog leashed and supervised around children. If it were me, I would definitely say something to her if you see her again. I'd remind her of the leash laws. If it becomes a habitual problem, then I'd be working towards calling the police.

I must say, I do get a bit tired about the whole "it's the interventions" thing. I used to think the same about my mom's POP. However, I had one c/s, two home births, no prolonged or directed pushing, no episiotomy, no forceps/vacuum extraction, and I was also never in the lithotomy position. In spite of kneeling in a birth tub both times I still ended up with a cyctocele and rectocele. No physical therapy options for me and surgery is questionable given that my mom's failed a few years after. Kegels are kind of laughable (and limited as women age and estorgen levels drop). I'm too young for surgery since it all could get worse as I age and my other option (pessary) is barely covered by my health insurance.

I don't think you're being unreasonable. I'm obtuse enough that we'd do as AmericanMaid suggested. Sorry coach, busy.

Oh, I'm so glad to hear that someone has used this and liked it. I was thinking about this with the additional section of instruction for my rising 3rd grader. I have to say, though, I find the ordering process a little confusing (at least as it concerns oayment by PayPal). We've used this one in the past. We didn't get all the way into cursive, though.

Two words - Apple TV Tiny set top box (you'll need an HDTV) and you can airplay from you iPad onto you TV. The TED app will airplay. You can access your YouTube account directly on your Apple TV (though the app and web versions will also airplay) as well as Netflix. The Netflix gateway that you can access on Apple TV is simple to use and fully functional. Amazon streaming will not airplay - at least it didn't the last time I tried it which they had to go out of the way to disable. I don't know if they've enabled it since as I gave up a long time ago. Oh, and there are also ABC, NBC, and CBS apps that airplay as well. Best $100 we ever spent. ETA: I do understand the need for the mouse, although I suspect that my kids will feel much the same way about a touchscreen as I do the mouse. Just thought I'd offer up a few options if it helps you wait it out. :0)

My favorite for little ones was always Indian Prefolds (slightly smaller than CPFs, but more absorbent) with a snappi and Bummis SWW. When they were super young I probably only had 2 or 3 covers. I always used a snappi and then I used the twist variation when putting it on. A quick Google search should find a few pages on the different way to fold prefolds. tbh, prefolds are relatively inexpensive so it was always worth it for me to just buy them. When they were older we used the MEOS, but I had an ever lasting battle with stink. By the time my third child came around I gave up and went to disposables by that point. I don't have any left or I'd sell them to you. Have you tried the Diaper Swappers forum or Mothering's for sale forum? Oh, and don't forget Craig's List. I sold many a diaper there back in the day.

Not sure where you are, but I get my caution tape at Farm & Fleet.

This is one I would suggest. My mom got it for her business. There was a bit of a learning curve at first. I remember her frustrated and she was quite close to giving up on it altogether, but now she loves it. Is this something you might want to print or email - like one page out of a multi page workbook? Oh, and with the cloud, once you got your new Mac, transferring the files to itmwould be a breeze. My mom has a windows laptop and has only ever had windows computers, but now she primarily uses her iPad for all her computer needs. She's even considering getting a Mac which makes me laugh evily - well not exactly, but she thought we were so odd when we switched three years ago. Is there a reason why you couldn't just use your iPad for most of your computer related needs? Add in a keyboard and networked/bluetooth printer and with very few exceptions, we could probably come up with app based solutions. We've often considered this for our family as it would be cheaper and more flexible to buy multiple iPads than it would be to replace our mini with an iMac. I haven't saved my pennies yet so it's all just in the theoretical at this point and will probably have to wait for more practical things like soffit/fascia, gutters, shingles, and painting the house. :0) Another option is to look at some of the other spreadsheet apps - some of them have free trials that would let you play around with a limited version first. Otherwise you might want to consider Quickoffice Pro HD (pricey), iSpreadsheet, Smart Office, or Polaris Office. Oh, and there's always Google Docs which is not an app, but web based and free.

You can do spreadsheets on an iPad. What program do you need your spreadsheets in? It might buy you some time until you know what kind of changes are coming down the pike.

I didn't even know something like this existed - off to the website! :0)

I can relate to his, though I would say on the scale I'm a strong 6.

But that's not even remotely the same thing - if it were why is it when folks don't say "Merry Christmas" it's somehow seen as proof of the "war" on Christmas? Yes, there are people who say Merry Christmas/Happy Easter much like one would say "hello" or "have a nice day," but that doesn't excuse the privilege there that enables them to equate the two. I'm not saying that you have to think all that hard about it or care. I'm just explaining for the person who asked why some people take issue with it.

I meant proper as in proper noun not proper as in correct - which mostly meant I was laughing along with you. :0) and...well...now the moment has passed I suppose.

I don't get the scare quotes around atheists. I do object to the ubiquitous Merry Christmas/Happy Easter because I think it's a sign of being blinded by one's privilege - the privilege of the majority where one can assume that everyone is a Christian and celebrates the same holidays. Why must the cashier at the grocery store or Target or Walmart say this to patrons? They certainly have the free speech right to say so, but I also have the same right to say why I object or why that makes non-Christians uncomfortable. I'm not trying to be argumentative or stick too fine a point on this, but I don't think one can ignore the function that privilege plays here. As for language on money, in the pledge, and other government sponsored religious activities - this is the orange in the apples above. It's improper for the government to do such things. Often times government entities (school boards, city councils, etc) have been given notice of some sort about why this is in violation of the constitution and asked to comply voluntarily. When they refuse then that's when lawsuits are filed (often at great personal cost to the people involved who face harrassment and death threats). The government cannot show favor to one religion over another and these sorts of things interfere with this responsibility. floridamom - I'm not sure on the capitalization either, though if you say it's proper, I'll agree and henceforth it shall be. ;)

As for funerals - I'd prefer that my family didn't have one, but I admit I won't be able to do much about it at that point. I absolutely do not want it to be in a church or funeral home. And, if anyone said anything on that ocassion, I hope that it would be something like this - http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4675953 . I hope instead they'll go hiking on the trails at a state park, have a picnic, and watch the sunset because those are all things that I loved. It would be a far more fitting way to say goodbye and remember me than songs and pagentry and appeals to the supernatural. :0) And Christmas - We celebrate the winter solstice because axial tilt is the reason for the season. I have no problem with anyone celebrating Christmas in their own home or on private property. I do have anissue with it being done on government land or with government money. Our government is not supposed to favor one religion over another. We don't place religious symbols for other faiths on public land during their significant holidays and for some religions there would be an incredible uproar if we did. Quite simply put, the fairest way to handle this matter is for the government to refrain from these sorts of displays. As for saying Merry Christmas by retailers - I vastly prefer Happy Holidays as its more inclusive. We don't all celebrate Christmas any more than we all celebrate Easter and so I find the phrase puzzling. The underlying assumption by the sayer of such phrases is that I'm a Christian because everyone is a Christian. I usually smile in return. I do not celebrate those holidays and while they are bagging my groceries at the store is really not the place for that sort of discussion.

Made or born? I'm in the made category. I have an undegraduate degree from Moody in Chicago. My husband also has a degree from Moody, one from Bethel, and was a pastor for a number of years. We were both evangelical conservative types and truly believed ourselves to be saved. In dh's case it was very much a part of who he was growing up (Baptist, Word of Life...and all that entails). We were genuine in our beliefs and passionate in the whole relationship not a religion thing. In the end it was no one thing and there is no anger. We just do not believe any more than we believe in Zeus or Thor. Or at least I can genuinely say that I don't believe in any gods of any kind. I suspect my dh is more of an agnostic, but tbh it just isn't something that comes up in our daily lives. Of my children my oldest is clear in his identity as an atheist. My other two are too young to really know one way or another. I don't have a problem with them embracing faith per se, but I would be disappointed if they embraced the sort of belief that dh and I used to have. We have very religious people on both sides of the family. Some know, but most do not. It's not a topic I wish to discuss with any of my family members. If I knew that they could hear it and move on much the same as they might were I to announce that I painted my living room and without trying to convince us that we have backslidden and need to recommit, then perhaps things would be different. This is doubly true now that we have children.

Oh, I'm glad you find it helpful. I'm always hesitant because I don't want to assume that someone hasn't already tried what I might suggest. Fingers crossed here that this might rectify your issue. If it doesn't, let me know and I'll see if I can drum up a few more things to try. Oh, and if you find what I suggested unclear, pm me and I can try to make it more clear. It's frustrating when one's tools aren't working properly. Yay!!

*Disclaimer: My apologies if this seems too simplistic - I don't want to infer that you don't know how to use your device or are not technologically savvy. This is just something that I thought might be worth pursuing while I was eating lunch * Another possibility would be a connectivity issue between the iPod and your internet service. Here's what I'm assuming: 1) You are connecting via WiFi and that there are other devices/computers that are connecting via the same WiFi router. 2) These other computers/devices are able to connect successfully If both of those are true then - In the upper right hand corner of your device, do you see the signal strength indicator? If so, how many bars do you have? If there is no indicator there, then you'll need to troubleshoot your connection. If there is an indicator there, I'd still troubleshoot your connection. Go into your iPod's settings, turned the WiFi slider to "off" and then back to "on?" Does the indicator appear and are you able to use Safari/email/whatever? If not, go back into settings and select the blue arrow to the right of your network. Up at the top you'll see a button that says "forget this network," select that. From the main Wi-Fi network menu re-select your network and enter in applicable username/password. Check again to see if you are able to use Safari/email/etc. If that doesn't work, then have you tried shutting the iPod down completely. As in, hold down the power button located on the top upper right hand corner until the red slider appears on the screen. Slide the arrow and have the device power down completely. This is actually one of my favorite troubleshooting techniques for any number of problems. Put the device down and walk away for awhile. Have a cup of coffee, go for a walk, and when you come back turn it on and see if your problem has righted itself. If that doesn't fix your issue then I'd follow through with the suggestion that I and another poster made earlier - reset your device via iTunes (backing up your files first). If you reset your device, do not restore it from back up. You'll want to start fresh and then reload any apps/files on the device as if it were new. If it is in fact a software issue, and you were to restore from back up, then this could put you right back to where you started. This is one of the options that iTunes is going to give you when you reset it so be sure to pick the one that's going to start you over from scratch. Another option would be to find a local independent Mac/Apple retailer/servicer - call and see if they could help you troubleshoot even though it's an older device. If they won't, maybe they know of a local apple savvy person who might be able to help you in person. You could also try the iPod touch forums over at MacRumors, the forums over at iFans, or the forums at iLounge. While it's true that Apple will no longer provide support for your device and that you can no longer get iOS updates, this shouldn't render your device unusable as far as Safari is concerned and it's entirely possible that you could get things going again. It just might take a little time plus a heft dose of trial and error.

I guess I'm confused about what happened that makes Safari not work. My dh has an iPod Touch of the same vintage as yours and Safari still functions on his. I just double checked to make sure. In fact it still works even though his screen is cracked in the one corner. My advice would be to make sure whatever you have on your iPod is backed up (pictures, files, music, etc) and then resetting it to factory settings (can't remember just how it's worded in iTunes on the computer at the moment). From there I'd see if Safari is working again. If that's the case, then I'd be judicious in what I put back on it. If Apple still provided tech support for the device, this is precisely what they would probably suggest you do. As for other devices - My sister has a Kindle Fire that she likes, though I am not impressed. You could always try one of the cheaper tablets if budget is a concern. There's also the 16GB iPad that might require a little creative data management depending on what you load onto it.

All three of my children would have eaten both cakes. My 8yo son wuld have asked for seconds - especially of the cheesecake. Were that I had his metabolism. Sorry to hear about what happened at the birthday party. That's disappointing!

This. And I guess for me the issue is why folks seem so keen to blame the administration and give the companies who do this a free pass. Businesses have been externalizing costs for a very long time so that they can maximize profits - any recent attempts and finger pointing at the PPACA is just a convenient scapegoat.