Bolding mine. Because Islamist Extremists have a monopoly on killing those that won't convert? And it's especially relevant to cover when Christians are attacked? Really?

I have a huge amount of exercise balls, foam rollers, half domes, yoga mats and bands, yoga foam blocks, and other equipment for my kids to roll and stretch on. We also go on walk every day it's not completely miserable out. I wish we could do more! I would love to have more outdoor space for my kids or a house with a room the kids could be more active in. Sometimes they hula hoop inside or do Wii Fit. It's definitely something I'd like to work on, but a move would make it easier!

When I coached soccer, at least half the kids' parents had no voicemail set up. And not all had cell phones. And then they'd give me one number that apparently is one parent and not the other (divorced), so there was a lack of communication there. I probably spent three hours every practice trying to get ahold of parents. I'm not joking. Our homeschooling took a huge toll. A FB group would've been a miracle. We used one last year on the kids' teams and it was such a relief as a parent.

Most of my groups have files that need visited. Plus you get like 300 emails a day, mostly other people acknowledging receipt. Drives me flipping nuts. You can get the daily digest, or weekly, but if you need info sooner, it's a pain and you have to wade through a lot. Personal pet peeves. :) And since people aren't using email much, it's a non-issue anyway.

I have been sooooo exhausted by the time I get to read. I have one chapter left in I Shall Wear Midnight. I will say people consider these YA books but they are so much more. There's a lot of truth and philosophy that would go above kids' heads. Also, they get more mature as they go. There is talk about where babies come from but in a farm way, not a super lewd way, for anyone needing to know. ;) I can't wait for the 5th book to come out. I agree. Night really was a brutal read. Necessary in some ways, but heart wrenching. Some quotes by him I love: "I decided to devote my life to telling the story because I felt that having survived I owe something to the dead. and anyone who does not remember betrays them again." "I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented." "There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest." In reference to his faith: "I was very, very religious. And of course I wrote about it in 'Night.' I questioned God's silence. So I questioned. I don't have an answer for that. Does it mean that I stopped having faith? No. I have faith, but I question it."

When I was a kid. Anesthesia works way too well on me. It takes me *days* to fully come "back" from it. So they gave me less-maybe too much less.

I disagree. I'm probably in 50 yahoo groups (mostly HSCS stuff) and they've gone the way of the Dodo. Several years ago they changed their format to something impossible and most people jumped ship. I don't visit them unless I have no other choice. FB groups, otoh, are very easy for group leaders. I've been in several educational groups and FB really is the easiest way to do this, so I agree with the OP. My dh is a college professor and tells me that FB, yahoo, and email aren't really used by the young'uns anymore. It's all about twitter and text, so he has some text system set up for them. But he made sure it wouldn't be a burdensome cost on them first.

My aunt's name is Linda Carter and when she was young she looked JUST like *the* Linda Carter.

That sounds very insensitive. I would definitely be uncomfortable. :(

I like soy, almond, or cashew milk. I try to avoid ones with carageenan, but it's not too hard to make them or find them and stock up on foil packs.

Mine, too. I love the Feegles!

:o Thanks. The Feegles weren't too hard to make if you're not adverse to hot glue. ;) I had to make the body parts separately and glue them together as without a proper wire frame, they were too bendy to stand or support weight. So I used lots of E6000 and hot glue. Right now the Feegles are off eating my sheep figures around my house, go figure. I'd make you some but they're really not professionally good. Lots of glue, like I said. ;) And I'm still a bit weepy about her getting so big. *sniff* I am nowhere near finished with American Gods. I could've sworn I was, but I still have 10 hours of listening! But I'm also done with I Shall Wear Midnight. After that, I have Firefight on the queue, and Timebound 2 (I forget the title). I started reading The Wee Free Men aloud to the whole family last night in honor of my daughter's birthday. They consider it hilarious, so that's another book for me to read.

This is beautiful.

I understand what you're saying. On the hard weeks when I have trouble paying my bills, I get a little jealous hearing about expensive trips. Don't get me wrong, we're lower middle class. On the outside, we look pretty good. I have two kids in violin (super cheap through the university), a decent house (until you see that my porch is caved in from crappy vanity jobs by the last owners), a Honda (got cheap through family), an iPad and macs (which have lasted us 3-7 years so far and are still going from when we had money), I SAH (i.e. can't afford to work), go on vacation (paid entirely by our family as family vacations), etc. And I have friends who think we are well off. LOL Um, no. Not even being modest, we are paycheck to paycheck on a teacher's salary. I spent three days fixing a label maker cartridge so I didn't have to find $15 to finish a three year long project. :lol: So on the outside, I bet there are some people who "get" living on less near you. I would say money shouldn't matter, but really our backgrounds give us some common ground for conversation and understanding, so I know why that can be important. I wouldn't exclude those that seem more well off than you, but I do understand, OP.

I'm really not! My SIL is an expert party planner. I figure if a cake is decorated, that's going above and beyond. ;) Sorry these are huge. I'm having a hard time with posting pics on here. Oh, and she got some turpentine (she's learning to oil paint) and some Special Sheep Liniment (grape juice).

I painted a witch hat to look like the sky (poorly, I might add. At this time of year I could only find a cheap velour one and it was not easy to paint!). She had lots of cheese selections at dinner, with a hearty vegetable stew. I made her a sheep cake with one edible fondant feegle (Daft Wullie), and two Sculpey Feegles. Her gifts were wrapped in green outside (grass), brown inside (dirt), and black chalkboard paper inside (chalk/magic and decorated with Feegle sayings). She wore her witch hat all day, even walking the dog. She just turned 14. :) I'm not great at birthday decorations or planning, so it was just enough to call it a theme. ;) I will definitely add the History Lessons book to my queue! Sounds fascinating and perfect for my almost high schooler.

Oh yes, yes, yes! My daughter just had a Tiffany Aching birthday last night! getting her signed copy of Name of the Wind Feegles stealing her sheep cake:

:grouphug: That's seriously screwed up. I hope you get good news.

Hypnobabies!

Yes!! We'll have to keep in touch and peer pressure each other into following through! ;)

Thanks! I have a long drive today, so I'm hoping to finish most of American Gods on audio today.

I would agree if I brought up the topic. But if she insists on bringing it up, I probably couldn't stay quiet long. ;) It sounds like she's either super defensive or provoking an argument by bringing it up without provocation.

I have a Mac, so no. I only turn it off if I'm leaving town or something.

This isn't exactly new, but the kids and I are joining this challenge for the fitness and geek aspect. Is anyone else interested and talking about our progress? http://www.sarahshotts.com/blog/walk-to-mordor/ http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2012/07/23/walking/ I think I'll be studying LLoTR with my almost-teen, so it will be a timely link. :)

Same here! My link is in my signature. Strangely, I can't see anyone else's signature anymore. No idea what happened. LMK if you have the same problem and need a link.