I always feel like I have a kindred spirit when I meet people whose kids' names are neither trendy nor with odd spellings. It's so rare, though.

It could be a lot of weird things. Also you can't rule out stress. Especially if the tests are turning up negative. (although, like I said, that still doesn't rule out a weird rare thing that they haven't thought to test for yet) Does she have undue stress in her life? Big changes, even happy ones?

For 6th we're doing: Math - Horizons 6 plus Life of Fred pre-algebra with bio Science - Harcourt, plus he participates in the Nancy Larson Science 2 that I do with my 4th grader Writing - have been doing Wordsmith, but are putting that aside for a Bravewriter class in January (it's about a month), then we'll finish up Wordsmith Grammar -- Easy Grammar (not crazy about this -- will try MCT Voyage Level next year) Vocab - Sadlier (again to be replaced by MCT next year) Reading/Lit -- Lightning Lit 7 plus Progeny Press Lit Guides History -- Old World & America text (looking at Notgrass American History for middle schoolers for next year) Health -- Horizons (it's okay, but I'm looking at a Switched on Schoolhouse DVD for next year that both kids can do) Art -- Meet the Masters

Old wives' tale. Give him the fever reducer. Otherwise if it goes up a degree or two you've got a problem.

No, the cheapest foods are fattening. Now when the FAMINE kicks in, that's a different story.

Maybe this wouldn't be rude in indochina?

Hmm, it's hard enough avoiding difficult topics with human beings, much less picking fights with book titles. That's just looking for trouble, IMO. But, I feel for your position vis a vis your friends. But, maybe we don't need to agree to be friends? If people knew some of the things I really thought about the future, they'd probably run screaming away... :lol:

Please take this with this humorous intent with which it is meant, but be prepared for MIL to plan an EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TEA PARTY on the same date as your sister-in-law's wedding. Glad it all worked out! :lol:

We all like to hang onto memories, but frankly maybe this step will help him internalize the actual maturing he is doing in his own life. Even if uncomfortable for him, it is GROWTH and positive for all concerned.

Too close to Christmas! Not worth the risk.

Just do it. If you wait for him to move his stuff, it'll still be there 30 years later. (just speaking from what I have observed in my parents' home regarding kids "stuff" that is stored there)

I absolutely think people can change, although it's probably more rare than I'd like to think. Generally, I think people become "more so" as they get older. But, if they get a large enough motivation, or that Significant Emotional Event that spurs them to seek out change, I think it can happen. On the one hand I wouldn't pin my hopes unduly on this possibility, but on the other, if I saw a strong motivation or attempt to change I wouldn't assume the person will fail. But they really have to want to change for their own reasons, not simply to please someone else.

Thanks for posting this. I can relate to a lot of what you said. (seem to have similar tactile issues, too!) I particularly like how you said certain things that seemed to be discipline problems really weren't that at all. We've had tactile issues, cat issues, existential angst issues, bored-with-what-we're-doing issues, emotional explosions that interrupt the day so badly we have to start over tomorrow. Most days aren't like that, but when these things crop up it would probably be helpful to look at them differently. If there are any more lessons that occur to you please mention them!

Fall of last year ('09), DH tells me he wants us to consider homeschooling our two boys. (3rd and 5th grade at the time) They were both doing great in school, very involved with friends and activities there, and I was very involved also with the teachers/parents re: school activities, being a "room mom" and even writing stories on the school's behalf for a local paper. Oh and fundraising too, as it was a private school. So I was like, "huh?" We visited my brother and sister-in-law in NYC last December -- they've been enthusiastic homeschoolers for a decade, and they wanted to know (enthusiastically) have we decided in favor of homeschooling yet? (NO!) I really had my doubts. I figured, nothing was broken, why were we fixing it? Nobody getting bullied, everyone's happy, heck, most of our social life were people whose kids went to that school. Seriously, I had to ask for a sign from God that we were supposed to homeschool. I even gave Him a deadline -- I needed to know by the end of the school year! So i guess we were the opposite of many -- my husband (the non-teacher) gung ho, and me the opposite.

I remember reading that certain breeds of dogs have an incredibly high tolerance for pain. But, if it's any help, here's a link to the Dog Dazer. It's supposed to deter them. http://www.dazer.com/dog-deterrent.jsp

I would agree with homemade food. That sort of thing tastes so much better than what you can buy, and the effort and thoughtfulness of that type of gift more than makes up for a lesser cost, IMO. It's something that can be truly appreciated by those on the receiving end. If their income is that big, they probably have everything they need (and more) anyway. Why add to their clutter?

I feel for you, new report out that says even minimal exposure to smoke can be damaging to nonsmokers. My parents grew up smoking and both quit, so it IS possible!

Well it's a good opportunity for kids to practice resisting McDonald's food, if nothing else. A valuable adult skill! You never know what's going to bother someone else. My 6th grader just got braces, and his ortho says "no soda." So no sodas it is, no matter what gathering we're at. In these first couple months it has bothered him to watch other kids drink it when he knows he can't have it, but it's something he'll deal with and get used to. Can't imagine asking other people "not to drink it in front of him." It isn't a politeness issue, it's one of getting kids used to dealing with the realities of life, which is everyone eats different things, everyone drinks different things, and just "wanting" something because someone else has it may be normal but can't always be indulged. :D

I think this has the makings of an interesting math or science word problem.

Make burgers for an AWANA meeting? Just kidding! :lol: Eh, what color is it this morning?

I guess I'd get more fired up about this topic if I didn't know three (THREE) extremely healthy eaters, in the past five years, one of whom died from pancreatic cancer, and the other two are battling colon cancer. I think I'll save all my ammunition for the smokers, and leave the unhealthy eaters alone.

Market futures are up today, which means "the market" believes the cuts WILL go through. If they don't, you'll see a sell-off.

How exactly can you tell which kids are there for noble reasons, and which kids are only there because the moms want "me time?" Do they do a lot of approaching? For me, "Hi, how are you?" would work, and leave it at that.

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I don't see any benefit to keeping here there. You'll just be hoping the next problem to develop won't be worse.