I have zero experience with cold weather! But they do survive outdoors in cold temps by hibernating. Or...you can run an inexpensive aquarium heater and heat up the water. If the area is secure, they can usually hide and dive from predators. My friend had a privacy fence in his suburban backyard, a well-planted pond, and the water was deep enough for diving along with lily pad things for hiding.

Turtles won't stay the size of their aquarium, but will stay the size of their care, KWIM? When people were keeping them in those little island things, they were unable to grow properly and usually died from improper care before they attained full size. I had an aquatic turtle for a few years then relocated him to a friend's outdoor pond with other turtles because he was so darn messy! Without clean water and a proper basking site where they can completely dry off, they can come down with shell rot. Not only is a basking heat necessary, but UV for proper calcium metabolism. We have a box turtle now and are much happier with her because she can go outside. So: aquarium substrate heavy duty filter (some even go with an outer and submersible when they get older) basking island (they sell a floating one for $20) heat lamp UV lamp (you can get a combo mercury vapor for $40, or provide sunlight) food (repto-min is the best, but supplement with fresh food, too) I have found that reptilesupply.com is the cheapest place to order reptile supplies. You can compare prices to your local pet store. Here's some links for turtle keeping that may help: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=17+1797&aid=2613 http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html (she does a lot of rescue and really lays her opinion out there, but provides good info)

Not from Wii directly, but my 12yo will knock you down if you get too close. She's a riot!

I don't read music well, so I couldn't read a score and hear the music, for instance. Even though I can hear music, I'm still one to worry about what CD's will get packed!

I'm sure it's the lyrics and bikini top weird looking chics. ;) The funny thing is...my dd who plays guitar cannot play as well as my dd who doesn't.

I like to make a juice for me and hubby that is 4-5 large carrots, a stalk of celery and an apple or two (red delicious). Sometimes I add beets. I've made carrot, pineapple, and orange; apple and celery. I also use my Champion to make orange cranberry apple relish. Soft fruits didn't come out well for me; I think frozen would still be too mushy. I would Google juice recipes on-line and see what appeals to you. Why do I juice? I like the freshness of the vitamins and phytochemicals in the veggies/fruits, and the quantity that can be consumed in juice vs eating them whole.

This year, one dd is in a classical cottage school but does math at home. I counted PE as her many, many ballet related classes and home PT exercises. The other dd does French and Bible self-study, Bio and Eng in a class, Alg and Web Design on-line.

Well, I'm an animal person. I had an emergency with a very favorite corn snake that was very popular in my presentations and my dd's pet of 7-8 years. We thought he had an intestinal impaction, but it turns out he had a really huge tumor with kidney involvement. We didn't know about the tumor until a necropsy was performed. When I knew he was going downhill and not likely to recover, I took him in to be euthanized. I just didn't want him to suffer, even if he is just a "lowly reptile". He had served me and family well.

Yes, that was my first exposure to them! They were really awesome, but of course my 14yo already knew who they were and loves them.

I've heard that the song originally came from Joe Satriani. I don't know if that's the music or the lyrics, but it could give you another clue.

Wow, I'm just speechless...or maybe not because I'm here typing! I think the thing to avoid is not a matter of techno or no techno, but the attitude of elitism that goes with either decision. I would hope my friends would choose me based on whether I was good company, not if I had whatever game or didn't have a game (or Internet access). Maybe it is different with girls, but when mine have friends over, they don't play video games. They do like to use the computer to hang out, laugh and make strange graphic videos of each other. It reminds me of when I was a kid growing up and we sat around listening to records and playing with Polaroid cameras. Oh, and they will watch a parent approved mpvie if it has been approved by all families. If it is ever an issue, the TV just stays off. No one in my family uses profanity (no, not even my kids behind my back...they have confessed to have a permanent mom filter in their brains, LOL) or dresses immodestly, yet we use tech gadgets. I don't think we're on a downward spiral to hell...yet...maybe if my dh gets his blu-ray, lol. OK, a little tongue-in-cheek.

I like the British vocab and was actually hoping there would be more differences. I think I'll go ahead and get my copy. It's just for my own personal pleasure, after all! :D

Did you read them both, was it worth the extra read, for fun?

So...I want a copy of Philosopher's Stone for my collection. Is the story itself any different, or just the title? I've heard it had British references that were removed for American audiences. Would I want to order a new hardcover, or order a used collectible with 32 imprinting, etc? Does that really make a difference?

We did a little of both. When the girls were younger, there were no video games, cell phones, etc. My dh bought our first video game when the oldest was about 11. It was a lot of family fun and no one was overly consumed. Two years ago they saved up their own money for their own DS systems and we never had a problem with those, either. My oldest has since sold hers. Last year we bought a Wii, and again, it is mostly used by the whoole family. Sometimes we go for weeks without using it at all. My girls are really into music, so we started off with small Mp3 players and then bought them Zunes last Christmas. If they listen at home, they have to leave one ear bud out so they can interact if I call them. No tuning out the family! We also bought one phone about a year or two ago for the girls to share. I thought it was a good idea since one would be backstage somewhere or someone would be at a sleepover. It has been handy. This year, my oldest got her own phone. I can understand why someone wouldn't want the technology in their home and feel the disruption. I remember feeling like an outsider with out it, too. We've decided to strat phasing it in as our children grew older and more responsible. You know, sometimes they did feel a little "weird" when their freinds had phones, etc...but they never complained...ok, maybe a little.

I have a couple of favorite cups. I used to have just one, but through the years I have accumulated a few more special cups. But, yes, I feel irritated if my dh serves my coffee in another cup.

no pun intended of course... :lol: Sorry, but my teenage humor couldn't resist that one!

No losers... The big winner was my 14yo dd's first cell phone that is all hers with unlimited texting (her dream). 12yo dd got a little bookcase stereo for her new room. They both got some other things, too. Dh got me a vintage wooden phone to go with my new kitchen (wooden country theme), and I got him a pet hair vacuum and a furminator (long, inside joke). He also got some Miami Dolphin stuff. But what I enjoyed most this year was my family. It was the four of us around the tree opening presents, one at a time, sharing, laughing, telling stories, and conversing. I think it was one of the best Christmases I've ever had. (sniff) I sat back and realized that my kids are growing up, I almost have TWO teenagers now, my husband and I are still in love, and we have an awesome family. I really valued the easy conversation between children and parents on a mature level...it was just really, really special.

OMG, I am just dying laughing!! You know, my family in S GA is so...interesting...I would just want to make this on purpose.

If you don't mind, I'm going to interrupt the debate and go back to the original feel of the OP. :001_smile: In our family, it is a both a symbolic religious holiday in a light way, and a family holiday. I chose family holiday, but would have liked to have chosen two options. :D

Aww! I love my little rescue dog. Well, he's pretty big-an Aussie. We've had him for about 5 years now (wow!) and he did come with a lot of baggage. After he settled in, we did more work with clicker training (he had already been started) and bonding. I would take up the offer of the other poster to work with fearful dogs. I imagine it's a very slow and steady type of plan. Our dog was an avid person chaser (kid chaser, bike chaser, skateboard chaser). Being a herder, he would literally break through a screen window or door to chase a moving object down the street. He was also rather territorial. We had to work with him and slowly increase the distance and his tolerance for moving objects close to the house. I just looked at it as part of the bonding process. He's such a great dog now, but we still have to watch him. He can't really go off lead in case something weird goes by and sets him off. He does wag his little tail a lot more than when we first got him. He only has a little stub, but it wiggles everytime you talk to him! :) I'm sure your little friend will be more secure and "waggy" in no time!

Whenever anyone dies or has to leave. I also can't say good-bye to teachers when the kids stop lessons, etc. I think I have abandonment issues, LOL! :001_huh: the girls were dying laughing when I read Charlotte's Web to them because I couldn't even speak through my sobs when the spider was saying good-bye to Wilbur. Oh and Where the Read Fern Grows was horrible reading that one! Oh, wait, movies...Steel Magnolias was one of the worst.

My story, too. Unfortunately, I still carry the physical scars. After reading this thread and tearing up, I guess I still have the emotional ones, too. :tongue_smilie: How I wish I had started medication as a teen! I didn't find out until I was a young adult that I had ADHD and depression issues. Even now, if I don't take anti-depressants, I just have no desire to be here. I wish it wasn't that way, but it's true. Many prayers for her and your family. I did talk to a counselor and open up, but it didn't make the pain go away. Perhaps some meds or a physical plan of activity, etc would help her as well.

I also wanted to clarify that these types of discussions are in personal care books and not in the stories. My youngest dd loved the Care of Keeping of You since she was 8. As soon as I bought it, she has kept it in her room for all sorts of reading times. It has been a great discussion starter and she reads it openly around the house. She started menstruating at 10.5, way before her peers. She's always been mature physically, and a bit muscular/stocky. This is a challenge because she is also at a pre-pro classical ballet school. There's nothing to hide in a leotard! That book helped her with body image, tamp usage (she can't abide by pads, especially in dance 5 days a week), and countless other issues. I second it and third it, especially with Christmas coming. ;) By the way...I've long wondered about Ma and Pa in that open house, kissing and smooching each evening with the kids upstairs. :lol:

Thanks, ladies. I'm passing all of these suggestions along to her. :D