Eliana, Thank you...this comprehensive review is amazing! I'm putting it into a Word Documents so I don't lose it! Thank you :-).

I love to receive jewelry. My sister always finds the neatest sterling pieces at QVC and I love them. I adore jewelry, but never buy it for myself . . . a luxury I can't afford -- and get annoyed when DH purchases since it is still "our money" :lol:

This is a great start! Thank you :-)

I'd like to have a Shakespeare movie weekend with my 10 yo. What suggestions and red flags do you have? Thanks!

What great evidence not only for supplementing curricula or homeschooling, but also for the power of parents to set priorities for children. We teach by example and his mother's commitment to education clearly had a wonderful effect on him.

I live in Alabama and quite honestly, I have found this particular college town to be very divided -- town and gown. Town is divided by Old Southern Money and Junior League versus "the rest." There is a pleasant facade, but ultimately, the biases run deep. The "gown" is comprised of well-educated people from other parts of the country. I find those affiliated with the University far more open-minded and sociable. Friendly to me has become nothing but a buzz word for "fake politeness." Even the students from the south here admit to not liking "non-southerners." One even said, "You can put cat in the oven at 350 degrees, but it will never be a biscuit," referring to the fact that even my children, if raised here, will never be "southerners." :lol:But, my experience is this one town, in one state.

Actually, this is what infuriated me! Why is it the coach wouldn't use a racial epithet (I hope!) but thinks nothing of comments offending people with disabilities! What a human being he is!

Thank you for the wonderful support. It's horrible knowing that he has learned from me, but I know that it is the truth. It is also helpful knowing I'm not the only one with poor skills as a parent (who wants to be a good parent) ...sometimes I think I'm alone in that boat. Thank you for the suggestions and readings. It's very reassuring knowing that right now I can only change my behavior -- and I will start with the suggestions for his as we move along! Thank you!

Okay, so I'm not the best parent. I'm working on stopping my own yelling and screaming as we speak. It's hard work, but I'm getting there -- I'm from a family of screamers and beraters. My 10 yo has become increasingly defiant and obnoxious -- refusing to do chores, saying he hates me or his siblings, lying, etc. I'm at wits end... we've tried reason, spanking, taking things away, adding chores, to no avail and things are escalating. How can we break this cycle? I'm at wits end!

And, he went to Columbia and Harvard, she has an undergrad from one of the least selective state U's. That's fact.

Amen! And, on top of it all, I was disgusted by her blatant use of her son to pander to those of us who have children with special needs (my 7 y.o. has DS), and really, was parading out the 17 year old bf necessary? UGH. I know they are not happy about an unwed pregnant daughter, but a married 17 year old, whose bf is unwilling (see his own myspace page before it was pulled down) is a larger tragedy.

Thank you both! I'm on a mission :-). Any other ideas are appreciated!

I love Naturino, but I'm looking for other brands. I need small girl (size 11, or 12) so they need to make them in those sizes! Thanks

My reply would be Dearest ________________ I understand that this year is quite tight financially for you, as it is for all of us. I do give to charity, but have my allotments for Starving Children, Dying Children, and Homeless Children all taken for this. Next year I will certainly add a line on my giving for Campless Children. In the meantime, I understand that it is quite a trend to auction of the name of your first born, or promise a tattoo on each child with a corporate logo for a sponsorship for an event, etc. If you plan to have future children (for whom camp is a necessity), you can auction off that child's name, or just offer your right arm for a tattoo of the winning bidder. You might even consider opening up a bid for your children's graduation parties and weddings now too. Star Jones did remarkably well with sponsorships for her nuptials. Best of luck in your fund raising endeavors,

I think people are simply at a loss for words and trying to be helpful. Sorry for your loss.

Thank you! This helps a great deal. I'll start checking into loose teas! I'm so ignorant about this topic that all information is new information. I really thought the tea sold in bags at Starbuck's must be the best, :lol:

so I wonder if I should just rotate types by day?Anyone have a strong preference or liking for certain flavors or brewing styles? And, does "brand" matter for the health benefits? I'm desperately trying to kick a 12 can a day Diet Coke habit :willy_nilly:

I have a Pontiac Montana. Got it used as a fleet vehicle (6 mos. and 12,000 miles) for 12,000.00. 1/2 off a Sienna. I would have loved the Sienna, but I liked the price, and 2 years later, we still love the Montana! And, b/c the price was so right, we paid it off in year and 1/2.

I might offer some fruit, too, but realistically, 1 bag of chips won't kill the kids and if parents have serious food concerns (like allergies), they'd certainly alert you. I think it sounds like fun and if anyone complains you can always say "sorry, I simply served what the church provided. You are certainly welcome to have your child bring something else."

I've always used Cross b/c they are nice and not very spendy, but I think I just found one I love, thanks to this thread. http://www.penboutiqueonweb.com/acatalog/Albert_Einstein.html When my house is paid off, I've put my kids through college, saved for my retirement, and fed the population of the Appalacian Mountains, maybe I can afford the 4,999.00 price tag and not feel to bad doing so:w00t::blink::ack2:

I applaud your wonderful stand. For many, many reasons, just two of which you have mentioned (and lack of insurance for employees, overseas labor, putting moms and pops out of business and the list goes on), I avoid Wal-Mart all I can. I shop Target, Publix, and Sav-On. However, I agree with posters who say, feeding your children is much more important than taking a social stand, for now. If you can limit your trips and buy only what is truly cheaper and necessary there, than you are doing the moral thing -- taking care of your kids.

Heck, here in Alabama, I think every grown man owns a seersucker suit, and they flew off the racks so fast at GAP this summer, I had students complaining! I actually think they look quite nice :-).

I love Field of Dreams. In the movie, there is a scene when a towns person, a really old guy, is describing what an amazing guy Doc Graham (Moonlight Graham) was and he talks about how much Doc loved his wife. She always wore blue. The shopkeepers in town would stock blue hats...because they knew if Doc walked by, he'd buy one. When they cleaned out his office...they found boxes of blue hats.....that he never got around to give her. The love and respect in his voice gets me every time! A youtube of the scene http://youtube.com/watch?v=K-4BPvagIUk&feature=related

This discussion has been had in diversity meetings and ivy towers for years-- it is nothing new. Though for some of us, it may seem absurd, for others, it may be hurtful. I learned about this in a Comm Theory or Interpersonal Comm text in the early 90s. http://www.stanford.edu/group/CBPA/BAQ.html (see Summer, 2005 newsletter) http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:uNaRPd9X0fIJ:www.unh.edu/residential-life/diversity/aw_article14.pdf+blacklisted+blackballed+black+magic+racism&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=3&gl=us&client=firefox-a http://www.yorku.ca/ycom/style/sg35.html Similarly, I know what the "definition" of retarded is, but when people refer to computers that don't turn on, friends who act up, or policies that are offensive as "retarded," they clearly mean "stupid, worthless, and idiotic," and their words are frequently accompanied by movements that refer to people with mental retardation. When they say "I didn't mean to be offensive -- well, it is! In this case, the word is used specifically as a pejorative deriving from people's understandings of MR. In this case with race, the words may seem innocuous independently, but I do seem merit in the idea that it is the large pattern of negativity that is problematic, not just one word, kwim? Lame is another case where many of us see some make a big deal out of nothing, after reading this, though, I get it a bit more http://www.raggededgemagazine.com/blogs/edgecentric/metaphors_for_bad/000792.html I guess what I am saying is, like people before, if the goal of language is to help us impart our thoughts and ideas to others, why not choose those words that are non-offensive, if possible? We may not always know what offends others, and language does change, but as it changes, why can't we try to adapt? Just my .02?

Restaurants often add whole milk or cream and salt. And, they are often mixed more vigorously than we do at home :-). Lawry's Red Pepper Seasoned Salt (made with Tabasco) is super tasty for something different, and you can always add onions, peppers, tomatoes-- or George Costanza's favorite -- Lobster :lol: