Yes, and the comma after "eventually" is optional, but I don't agree that a comma is correct after "and".

I'm number 167 in the request line for it from our library, but I'm reading the introduction on Amazon right now: it's great so far, and I might just have to buy. :001_smile: Great question - I'm an introvert and have contemplated this a lot. I've especially thought about it because my daughter is introverted, and I'd like to know how to help her grow up not feeling bad about that.

This happened to us a few months ago with our Sheltie. To be safe, we brought her to the vet and had an xray done. She ate a cooked bone, which can be more problematic than an uncooked bone. Nothing showed up (she must have chewed it up well; normally she inhales food whole), so we were told to watch her. Nothing bad happened, so it must have worked its way safely through her system. Hope your pup is OK. :001_smile:

Timer

Definitely bring a card and leave it at that since you don't know them very well. Arguably, both no-gift appeals and guests who bring gifts to a no-gift party are not following good etiquette standards, which are around essentially to minimize awkward moments. I side with the no strings attached, no instructions to follow, birthday party. Generally, no-gift requests present more stress beforehand and are disregarded leaving other attendees feeling bad. :glare: If we want to give a gift to someone, that's done at another time and place before the no-gift party. Also, rather than a having a birthday party with all the incoming stuff, at times, we've opted for parties given for another occasion. It puts the focus back into having fun. :D

Remember Seinfeld - "worlds collide"? That's Facebook to me. :ohmy:

She absolutely should have called you - at 7 or sooner and should have apologized.

Urghh! I feel your frustration! If it were me, I would come to terms that you won't earn her respect and go your route of not sharing any more information freely. When information escapes by accident or it's found out by other means, then just let her talk. Maybe even have fun with it. Listen, and ask specifics of how she would do something. Show genuine interest and openness to learn her way. It might even be interesting. All the while, keep in mind that you actually hold the power to decide how it's done, and she doesn't need to be privy to exactly how you'll do it. If she finds out later, and is seething because you didn't do it her way, then she may decide not to give advice anymore. Right now, maybe she picks up on the fact that you're irritated, so she pushes harder. :glare: There are some people from whom you'll never get respect.

We like our freezer bowl attachment for the KitchenAid mixer - one less big gadget to store! Just keep the bowl in the freezer like most other machines require and then attach to your mixer and go. Here's a link: http://www.kitchenaid.com/flash.cmd?/#/product/KICA0WH. I think it works with all KitchenAid mixers made after 1990, but read the specs.

Me too!

:iagree: I make the short writing segment in each lesson optional.

On an adult level, one nasty instance of the socialization issue was at a party within a small ring of almost-acquaintances. I mentioned that my sister-in-law was homeschooling her only child, and possibly even mentioned that we were thinking of homeschooling our only child. One of the men just about bellowed how he could never do that to his only child, who needs to learn how to get along with others, and she'd never get that through homeschooling because she has no siblings, etc. He was very loud, long, and adamant; I was utterly unprepared to respond and embarrassed. Then there is the "good for you" response. When I say that we homeschool, I detest hearing that phrase. This is a reply I've heard a few too many times, and right or wrong, it sounds like "well, whoop-dee-do", as if I had just bragged that we have a regular Harvard and Oxford going on in our house. I never know what to say after that. Most often though, I've overheard this type of thing between my daughter and a friend, who's in public school and in the same grade as my daughter: "You don't know division? We had that last year!" She went on to state division facts. These are 9 year olds, she wasn't being rude on purpose, and her parents weren't there to admonish. Usually in these cases, I resort to educating the other child by saying homeschooling means that we can go at our own pace, and while we're working behind in areas, we're working ahead in other areas. (The way it should be! ;))

Great idea – we may do it too! I like that you made up the list. Here are some other prize options: · breakfast in bed · day of leisure – no chores for a day · watch 1 short (20-30 min.) show via streaming or DVD in bed or bath · mom gives a pedicure/manicure · next choice of movie for family movie night (even if the next turn is not his or hers) · book of choice Hope this helps!

You're not petty, keep your kids out of her group, and absolutely continue with your plans. Try not to let this dampen your spirits too much. By the way, you have a great idea, and I'd be choosing the group with the community service!

This is the year! My first book will be Right Ho, Jeeves by P. G. Wodehouse.