Love the Sanctimommy. LOL.

Hilarious! Thanks for sharing. I needed a laugh.

This. I am sorry. :grouphug:

I am so sorry. Praying for you.

That is awful. I think she should have to clean it all up.

Some of my freezer stash will become this. http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Blueberry-Zucchini-Bread/Detail.aspx?soid=recs_recipe_seed ETA: I just use the squash in place of the zucchini and it is delicious.

Praying for you.

Congratulations!!!

I set my alarm and got up, but alas it was pouring rain with total cloud cover. It happened the last time too. :(

Aww. :wub: That is awesome. Congrats to you both!

Very tacky.

Maybe try a "time-in"? Instead of sending her away to calm herself, hug her and let her vent her frustration safely with you. Empathize with her frustration so she can get past it. ((hugs)) I know it is hard. I have a challenging 6 year old myself.

Emmaline

I think you did fine because you said school weeks, not days. There is more to school than just the hours in class ( as you already know.). There is also planning time, copying, printing, preparing materials, grading work, etc. If she asks on the weekend you can always say that your weekends are full preparing for the week ahead. School weeks to me implies anytime other than school vacations. (Which you certainly do not have to tell her when you take time off. ;) ) Best of luck. I have a difficult time setting boundaries as well, but am getting much better. I make it a policy not to watch anyone's kids during the school year. (Rare exceptions for my 2 best friends who do not take advantage and respect the time and energy it takes to homeschool my kids.)

Yes. This sounds like a good way to handle it.

:grouphug: I am so sorry. I can only imagine how angry you must be. Please don't call. That is what she wants. As far as the PM, I would be tempted to respond with confusion saying that you must have gotten this message in error and you wanted to let her know so that she could send it to the correct person. ;) But that would depend on how personal the message was and how obvious that it was you. "I am sorry, but what you have heard is not true," would be a more direct way to handle things.

What an adorable puppy!!!

:hurray: I love it! Sounds like a successful first day in your home. :)

:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: I will be praying for you and your family.

I am so very sorry for your loss. I will keep you in my prayers. ((hugs))

Homeschooling is relatively easy in Maine and the kids do have access to public school classes, facilities and activities. I live too far north to be helpful with the house hunting though. Best of luck!

Our state's cutoff is in the middle of October, so 6th or 7th grade here depending on date.

Oops. Sorry that I misunderstood.

Do you usually get to decide about the picture? Coordinate the outfits, determine the setting, etc.? Because I usually do. ;) I spend a lot of time and energy deciding on exactly how I want to picture to look. I can get a little crazy about it, truth be told. I just want the "perfect picture", is that too much to ask? ;) Anyway, maybe this is your DH's way of saying that he would like the pictures to be a more collaborative effort? Or maybe he doesn't like the stress of having to stage the perfect photo? Maybe he just has a different idea of what makes a picture "perfect", kwim? Can you compromise? Maybe he would like a fun, "real" picture of you all just relaxing at the beach, sweaty, sandy, wet, and all? I think that would make a beautiful picture. I think I would wait until "the golden hour" for the best light, if possible. But I think you may be surprised at how beautiful a relaxed picture can be. At the end of a long day at the beach there is usually such a feeling of togetherness and contentment and the spell would be broken by going home to change. IDK how long you are there, but could you do a "just as you are" photo at the end of the day at the beach and then a "cleaned, dressed, and groomed" photo at the beach the next day (morning might be easiest for this shot)? You have a lot of time to decide which to use for the card. Or you could use both with the many collage options there are now. Just some thoughts. ((hugs)) I hope you can work it out so that you each feel heard and have your needs met. ETA: This may not be about the photos at all. Maybe he is feeling a lack of control in some other area of life? Or maybe he is not feeling heard and validated. I would try for a compromise about the photo first, being aware that it may open up other feelings.

Do you consume aspartame on a regular basis?