As a child I adored Wonder Woman (the real people on the tv show, not the cartoon... although I liked her on Saturday mornings with the other super heroes just fine). I loved wearing my headband on my forehead, pretending I was Linda Carter!!!! I used my jump rope as my lasso, too! I got sent home by an angry dad one day when I had his daughter tied up in the woods, though.... :001_huh: The weekend has been busy... my dh took our 4 youngest boys out on the boat yesterday enjoying swimming and water fun and picnic-ing while I worked two jobs... Today I went to visit my daughter who has 2 hours visitation each Sunday where she is staying (rehab) and it was a fun visit with two of my boys and her. This morning my oldest son stopped by to share a business he got started with, selling expensive knives... I picked out a very small set to support him and will actually be very glad to have a few nice knives!!! (The ones I have are low priced department store, very dull and drive me nutty!) This evening I watered the garden for dh... he had grilled for me when I got back from my road trip to see dd... and now I am going to swap laundry, bathe and wait for dh to return from his visit with his friends at the boat... (Hey, now, Jean! You can't be bored too long if you ask me what I've been up to... I give novels to read for answers!!)

The port is SOOOO sweet, I could not enjoy drinking it as is... anyone have a recipe for a nice drink that uses the port that tones down the sweetness?

When I read this and thought about it, right away I remembered a story a lady posted here years ago... about how excited she would get each year ordering curriculum that was going to be really great... but that the school year began with the same kids!!! I used many and there were years I could get any I wanted, and I did. I have to say that rather than a perfect curriculum, having perfect children would have been ideal! JUST KIDDING, about the "perfect" part. For me, it wasn't so much the curriculum, but how I organized my time with my children and my relationships with my children. Basically, I poured myself out each day for them and switching to a more ideal curriculum was more for me because I don't enjoy doing the same things over and over and I had a lot of kids to teach over and over.... Anyway, Mary Poppins would have been great to order... she was never offered in any of my catalogs! I loved hands on science, Rainbow science for 6th-8th, small unit studies for summer time (kept structure), I enjoyed Sonlight and I used both Saxon Math for the K-4 with my older kids and I used Right Start math K-4 with my younger kids... I have good things to say about both of those... I really like a solid, phonics program that is simple... my favorite happens to be an old curriculum of Abeka from 1980... simple, solid and worked quite well... but, for my reading resistant boys, Sing Spell Read and Write had bells and whistles and kept me from going nutso because they just didn't "get it" like their siblings... and I also liked Bob Books for those who struggled in reading, too.

Well, since my kids are court ordered to public school, and school starts the first week of August, I sure hope some good sales hit very soon and that you will all tell me where to go to get the best buys!

I bought a Madeira and a Port for some Julia Child's recipes... and now that I've used them in my recipe, I am unsure how to store them... Do I store the bottles that have been opened in a cupboard or in the fridge?? Thanks!

I asked this before... and the help was great... and now I am not finding the answer in my search. I watched a show on my computer a couple days ago, but now the sound isn't working. What are the fixes?? I am sure the speakers are on and connected... Thanks!

I had the most AMAZING "Grandma Betty" and since I am named after her, that's what I have chosen to be called. My first grandson switches it for some reason and oftentimes calls me "Betty-Grandma"! It's too cute! He now calls me "grandma" most the time. I don't mind being called Grandma, since that's what the grandmother's were called in my family. It would be fun to be Noni... I was Mimi when I babysat and the baby wanted to call me mom... But, I am Grandma!

Last year a son of similar age started taking long showers and even two a day. We suspected there was some activity going on, never spoke about it, but said that he didn't need two showers a day and that his showers were to be under 10 minutes. I never spoke with dh about it, but he must have thought similar thoughts that I had... and he would time the showers and bang on the door. It's not whether or not we agree/disagree/approve/disapprove with the activity, we never brought it up, but we pay for water and weren't going to support the activity with higher water bills!

Whoa, wait a minute! Where's the "other" on the poll??? lol. Honestly, I would pick "other" because I would allow either name, whichever the team as a group wanted to go with...

I had a nice couple of days, having a lovely dinner with my son who graduated yesterday. The encouragement and perspective gained here helped me really enjoy the day. My mom told me right as I was leaving that anyone who makes me angry, controls me, so not to let myself get angry over anything that might come up... I told her that I would picture her behind me on the left side making faces at my ex anytime we might be near each other... I actually didn't even think about him or the circumstances, but chose to be present in the reality of my son... who he is... enjoying our time together and celebrating this milestone... appreciating the zoom lens dh bought for me last year! Here are two shots of my son and his older sister...

That is WONDERFUL!!!! So happy for you!

Editorials... novels... articles... essays... They each have their feel and readers have their criteria, standards and expectations for these based on what they have been taught. When the shoes are off and I am cozy, writing on my blog or in a journal or even posting on public forums, I often over use dots.... See? It's my "pause". But, to get to the topic at hand (hmm, I just started a sentence with "but"), I often start sentences using the word "and" when I am making a point. Particularly a point about having a lot to do as a busy mom/grandma/wife/friend. "And then this happened!" "And then ___________" "And wouldn't you know, " And I start few sentences in a row that way, but almost always to reflect a series of events and the drama I feel when things go on and on and life is so busy and... Well, you get the point. Perhaps part of what we are discussing is the liberty taken in creative writing verses the expectations we develop when we are taught grammar or when are used to particular authors.

Thanks everyone. I think the part that hurts is he considers himself as having being lost prior to the past couple of years and that's rather personal... After the comment he stated thanks to ALL who helped him get where he is. His sister commented, "What about mom, ____, and me? We were a big part of you growing up!" And he said that he included us in "ALL". But, that doesn't change that he views himself as being lost and where he is giving the true credit. The important thing is that the next two days will stand out in his memory and I don't want him to look back and remember how hurt his mom was because of a comment he made or an awkward discussion we had. I will drive into town where I have a lovely hotel room and will take him to dinner (a rather-very-nice place!) and then to the hotel to swim/relax/etc. for as long as he wants to hang out. On graduation day, I will basically show up to watch and visit with his grandparents and might get to say hello to his siblings, then I'll head back out of town because there is a party for him that I am not to go to... As with most things in life, I can give energy to what I want to. I can choose my attitude and make lemonade. In private, I can sigh and acknowledge my feelings. And thank heavens for grandkids... I think they are a special salve from God after we've been beaten up by life for a while... :001_smile:

Sigh. My firstborn son is graduating Thursday. I taught him to read. I taught him so many things. I have such great memories of his early school years. I poured so much into my kids during those years. When I divorced, his father lost custody and chose not to see his children for THREE years, after which time he told them many lies. I chose to let my children choose who to live with because they were then teens and I figure over the years they will come to see who is who and the dust will settle and they will realize each of our characters. My son left two years ago. When he lived with me as a Freshman, he was an honor roll student and won a high award rarely given to Freshmen... it was a character award presented by his tennis coach. He was honored and he was a great guy. He still is. But, he went to live with his dad two years ago... and is graduating this week and put up a post that four years ago he was lost, but that he was saved and gives credit to his dad and dad's girlfriend and they are all celebrating... I am not invited to the celebration and wouldn't want to go even if I was because that would be awkward... but, gosh, it HURTS. I feel slapped in the face by my son. He said: Four Years ago I was lost in the world with no direction. Today I stand with amazing people who give time, energy, and valuable resources that could be put to other uses directly to me. ***I will edit this some parts of this, please don't quote me***

Praying here, too, Jean. :grouphug:

My dear grandmother's been gone now for over twenty years and I still know her phone number. It, too, was originally a party line! Go ahead and be sentimental! The sentimental parts make this life worth living, imo.

I chew gum in church and lots of places because I enjoy that last sip of coffee many times and want my breath to be fresh when I greet others or give a hug, etc. Yes, there are breath fresh mints, but I find a good mint gum is longer lasting and I don't enjoy strong mints... When someone laughs next to me and I can detect the spices they used in their last meal, I wish they'd chew a piece of gum... lol... (and that does happen...).

Another "other". I don't mind seeing them on others... although some of them I have seen have been "dark themed". I try not to judge someone's character based on a tattoo, because I don't think you can always tell the character of a person by that... although sometimes I think you can... I think male or female, one should know what their professional future is... what their professional goals for a lifetime would be a choose to have one that would not interfere with those goals. That's just wise, IMO. If you know without a doubt that you will never want to become a professional in a field that a tattoo would get in the way of, then tat away! Concealable is much better for the job market, IMO. Until that changes, culturally, I think unconcealed tattoos are risky. I have not had one... sometimes I see one that is very pretty and my style, but I have professional goals, so I do not see myself as getting one... just in case. I try to persuade my sons and daughters not to get any until they know what their professional futures hold... I've seen many lovely ones, including the ones my daughter-in-law has... and I love her very much regardless. She is in no way trashy.

When my water broke having my last baby, in 1999, it was meconium stained and I had planned a home birth, so the midwife, ex-dh and I packed up and headed to the hospital, a half hour away. Within minutes of delivering each of my babies, I threw up. So, when I threw up at the hospital, I told them to get the doctor, that the baby would be born within 5 minutes... Dr. told me no, not to push, that I was only 7cm... I felt pain like none other, other than contraction pain, and started BITING the poor nurses hand! I stopped biting, lol, and she helped me breathe through, but a force came over me that I cannot explain and my baby was birthed right then. No one knew that I had ruptured, the doctor watched as my vital signs dropped and I was rushed into surgery. The doctor stitched up my cervix, thinking that's all it was. For the next 12 hours I continued to bleed out, internally, and swelled up HUGE. They did some scan and saw the rupture... I was on a gurney in the hallway, hearing the tech say, "I do not know how this woman can be alive right now." I was rushed into surgery, again, and took a week to recover. Even though I had several children, I grieved over losing my uterus and the possibility of having more children. I hadn't wanted any more children, but the loss was intense. Each time I saw an expecting mom, my heart ached and I would tear up. I felt less valuable as a woman. But, those were all temporary thoughts and feelings. **Please rest, care for yourself and please also have a Dr. test your hormone levels each year. Mine dropped off and the Dr. didn't catch it because I wasn't having "hot flashes". I ended up with osteoporosis within 3 years and broke several bones! The biggest loss in bone density happens right away in those first 3 years of hormonal change. Fortunately, I was able to take supplements and recover my bone strength. I was 30 when I ruptured.** Congratulations on your sweet baby. Rest, enjoy and breathe in every moment of joy.

Well... I've made it a point the past two years to send small gift boxes to long distance nieces and nephews. I made it clear this past year that it was VERY important to me to hear back how they liked them. I don't mind if it's on facebook, an email or a phone call, but I DO expect a thank you.

I poured a bit of creamer into my coffee cup, forgot to add the coffee and took it to sit down and drink. I'm sleepy today! Last week I was leaving work, rather tired, and they have automatic opening doors and I had my keys out in my hand. I held the remote out, pushing the "unlock" button as I approached the doors and they opened up for me. I walked through as if everyone does that and it's how the remote works, then realized what I had just done and laughed at myself. Several months ago I dropped boys off at school and came back to the house and as I approached the door, clicked the key remote "unlock" button as I pointed it at my front door. It didn't work! Nope. Then I stood there and laughed at myself. Anyone else???

... and if my man's been grilling or burning the wood pile, I can hardly hold myself back! Gosh, I love the firewood-outdoors smell on my man!

By far the worst and my children gag thinking of it... a shredded carrot salad with raisins and chopped apricots and some homemade sauce. Epic fail.

Four and a half years ago my firstborn was in danger... had run away once, was being verbally and emotionally abused and I needed to get her in a safe place. I accompanied her part way and at an airport, tearfully said good-bye. I'll never forget the ripping apart pain I felt inside and standing at the window of the airport, holding my hand in the "I love you" sign language at the glass, staring after her. Brings tears to my eyes. She came back to me when all was safe and my divorce was underway... She and I are great friends today... I am proud of our relationship and adore her son!!! Two weeks ago I needed to get another daughter to a safe place for entirely other reasons. When we parted, she would not speak to me. Today I went to visit her for a parent's day (rehab) and while she avoided eye contact for a while, it wasn't too long and the ice broke and we were sharing stories, back and forth and were able really connect. We walked along a path when it was time for me to leave. I pointed out a tiny, orange flower and told her to think of me when she sees them... We hugged and both said "I love you" and each turned to walk different directions. That pain hit me again, and I heard her call out, "Hey, mom, turn around and look back one more time!" So, I did and we both waved and signed "I love you" and tears run down my cheeks this evening. I know she is where she needs to be and I am thankful for such a great place where she is safe, has a lot of support and she is learning so much. I love my children, all of them, so much. Being a parent is hard. I know in another handful of years I'll appreciate these tears. Thanks for listening and sharing.

One of my stepsons is on adhd medicine. It took a HUGE amount of pain and damage to the family before medication was considered. I am fairly positive that my dh promised his first wife that he would never medicate either of the boys for adhd. Both stepsons have adhd, dh has it and his dad has it. Anyway, without details, my son hurt a lot of people and himself and was having multiple failures in every aspect of life. (This is not the stepson I recently posted about who cussed at me, it's his younger brother, for those of you who routinely put 2 and 2 together.) It was such a heartache because he is such a dear boy, but he was losing every possible good thing in life, outside of a mom and dad. In our experience, yes, evenings are difficult, more so some days than others. Days without the medication are even more difficult though. It does take a willingness to try different medications and strengths... a lot of patience. I cannot guarantee anything for your future, but I can share our story. Currently, my son has solid grades, is a joy to be around most always and has made friends! (That is huge.) He still forgets what he is told to do... particularly in the afternoon! After a year and a half, he is proud of himself and has some great successes. Gosh, he sure needed that!