Here is what my Chinese herb book says: Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin Wan (Gastrodia and Uncaria Pills) calms the Liver, extinguishes wind, clears heat, invigorates the blood, and tonifies the Liver and Kidneys. It is used for headache, dizziness, vertigo, tinnitus, blurred vision, and insomnia with dream-disturbed sleep. Use 8 pills three times a day. Avoid if pregnant. Contains: Hallotis diversicolor shell, Taxillus Chinensis, Uncaria, Polygonum multiflorum, Poria, Cyatula officinalis, Leonurus, Gastrodia, Gardenia, Scutellaria, Eucommia. In other herbs with potential side effects it lists them but there are none listed for Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin Wan. You may also want to read: http://www.itmonline.org/arts/tourettes.htm

While some of her behavior can be written off as "teenage" the blaming others and refusing to accept any responsibility herself can be one that can wreck havoc in her adult life if she doesn't learn to see it clearly now. I know many adults that never have figured out that their actions might actually be the cause of problems, and it's sad to see and very detrimental not only to their happiness but to their success in love/career and life in general. Is there another person, a family friend or relative, that might be able to talk to her (or to both of you together) in a calm loving non-threatening way? Sometimes it's easier for a teen to listen to another adult other than a parent. If she attends church you might see if the youth pastor would talk to her....they are typically trained in how to talk so teens will listen (and there is a book I read a few years ago similiar in title that really has helped me relate as my eldest became a teen!). You are absolutely correct that we all lose our temper...and we all do things (like breaking a sims card) that we later regret. The difference is that mature people....even teens.....need to be able to calm down and then see their role in the incident and not only apologize, but refrain from laying blame solely on others. Others may have laid the foundation that leads to our anger overtaking our common sense.....but WE are solely responsible for our actions, good or bad, and must take responsibility for them.....just as the others need to take responsibility for their actions that contributed to the problem. It is very very rare indeed that any problem is 100% a single persons fault. I find that when I apologize to my children for my behavior it sets a good example to them, but also shows them that we're all human and allowed to make mistakes. It's learning from them that is important so that we hopefully won't do it again. I joke with my family that I promise not to make that same mistake again....instead I'll find another mistake to make in it's place! If another adult can't get through to her, I'd seriously consider professional help. Anger management is a skill that is vital to functioning in today's society....and a lot of people are lacking. She'll spend a lot of time in the beginning blaming everyone for her being there, and so life at home won't be pleasant, but a skilled professional will help her come around to see her role in the trouble at home. :grouphug:

The consequence for lying in our house is a loss of priviledges....what that priviledge is depends on the kid and what will bother them the most, for one it's no playing outside, another it's no movie time with dad, etc. Consequences for intentionally hurting someone is to atone for what you did by spending a day focusing on their needs. The kids tend to call this "being their slave" but it gets the point across. The younger kids tend to make the older kids play with them for extended periods and there is no whining that Legos or Baby Dolls is boring, lol. Sometimes it's doing the other person's chores for a day. Eventually they get to the point where they do the "little things" for that person....bring their lunch plates in, offer them first dibs on something, etc. The point is to make amends by making the other person happy at the sacrifice of your own happiness. When they were fairly young, like your kids, I know they felt it was unjust punishment and didn't particularly see the reasoning behind it....but as they grew older and started learning about serving others in all the myraid of ways there are to do this, they started seeing that since you can't always fix the transgression, you can atone/amend for it in other ways. I do think it worthwhile to do even when they're not getting the true meaning behind the consequence, because I truly believe on some level it is getting in their brains, they just aren't ready to understand it yet. Plus I think starting it at a later age would be extremely difficult, lol. So....in my house your DS5 would lose a priviledge for a day......DS7 would also lose a priviledge for a day for his lies, and then spend another day having to serve his brother for hurting him. Something we started a bit after the above was that once the consequences are completed no one, including parents, are allowed to keep bringing them up, throwing them in their faces, etc. They pay their time and it wipes the slate clean. This has been especially important for the "worst offender" and the reason we instituted it....he was always in trouble and we'd make the consequences harsher for repeat offenses until he was misbehaving all the time and we finally discerned that it was because he felt he was never going to be "out of trouble" so it didn't really matter anymore. Much as I wanted multiple days for repeat offenses we wiped the slate clean and the consequence stayed the same even for minor/major offenses. They began to understand that making a mistake/misjudgment was bad, but it wasn't the end of your happiness...make it right and life goes on.

Keep that thought in mind when you talk with her....it's very possible that she didn't really give any thought to letting you know her schedule is the same way.....in other words, it wasn't some defiant "I'm an adult now" way, but a "hey, I think I'll go do this right now" feeling of freedom. I would also make it clear to her that you do not want to micromanage her life, or even need to know the details of where/why.......(though I'd also admit that I will likely slip up on that out of force of habit!!) but that it's about making the household run smoother. Imagine if your DH didn't bother to call to tell you he was going to be late from work, or stopping at the fishing store on the way home, blah blah....lots of examples where everyone just needs to let others know their schedule. We have a white board with a calendar on it.....that's where we put things we know ahead of time we're planning.....in your case, having the CHristmas Tree decorating on the calendar for Tuesday means that she's aware of it and if she wants to join in should make arrangements to be home. She could certainly put things on the calendar too like "Susie gone tonight" or "Susie home after dinner" etc. Since your original note didn't seem to indicate any rancor about the schedules, just frustration or confusion, hopefully she'll see that you're trying to give her the space she deserves/needs but still care enough to worry about her.

I would expect her to tell me her plans. I don't think I'd require details, she is after all an "adult". But....will you be home tonight is not unreasonable to expect from ANYONE living in your household....I expect it from my DH as in "will you be home on time, late or see ya tomorrow?". Though honestly I seldom have to ask him, he tells me as best he knows as he leaves each morning...and calls me when things change at work. It's a matter of respect and courtesy. As simple as whether or not to cook for her, hold dinner for her slightly late arrival, keep something for her to warm up later. Not to mention the natural worry about whether she's been abducted, in a crash, or whatever else my motherly imagination can foster. Remind her that when you and the others aren't home when she expects that she may worry about you as well.....or at least wonder where dinner is, lol. Since her plans may evolve while she's away from home cells phones are likely the best means to communicate to you what her plans are.....my DH communicates that way....but we leave a message on our white board/calendar/menu planner if we may be later than DH (so we don't call him constantly with our changing errands, lol). THat way if he arrives home to an empty house he knows to check the board to see our plans. As for chores....well, if she's not home to eat supper then I guess someone else should be doing that chore. Her own laundry doesn't really matter if she's here today or not....unless she's of the habit of leaving her wet clothes still in the washer...in which case I'd remind her to plan ahead and not start what she won't be home to finish. If it happened repeatedly I'd probably dump them in a laundry basket and place it on her bed, lol....nothing like damp clothes and bedsheets to remind a person. Or throw in the dryer and then in a basket without hanging up....having to iron everything would remind her! The vacuuming I'd expect her to plan as well.....she should vacuum before she leaves if she's not positive she'll be home by the day it is supposed to be done....doing it early isn't a bad thing, but expecting others to live in a messy house waiting for her to do her share is disrespectful. If those are the only chores that a 19 year old is required to do, then she hopefully realizes just how lucky she is! My teen is only 13 and she does much much more.

Well, I'm basically double that age range, lol....and I really think it's about how you decide to live your life as you age. I know quite a few, probably more than a few actually, "old" folks just like this....getting their hair done is a big outing, otherwise they sit around the house puttering or I'm not sure what. I know one very mentally capable woman pushing but not yet 60 who gets her hair done every Monday, spends Tuesday deciding where she and several friends will dine on Wednesday and is so physically exhausted from that luncheon that on Thursday she naps at least once! Heaven help me if my entire week is ever that empty, lol. Now, that's not to say that I'm still as spry as when I was in my 20s.....but I'm not ready for the rocking chair yet either. You may want to print your post out and place it where you can read it often....so that when you decide that you don't want to go on that hike with the kids, or you'll sit on the bench while they play instead of joining in that you can remind yourself to push a little to stay active and involved. I think complacency certainly is the downfall. I wish I had stayed a little more active as the kids have gotten older instead of letting them play outside while I do more sedate indoor things. I can't say I conciously made such a decision, but it has definitely moved in that direction. Thinking back I think it had more to do with their early years so much just fell by the wayside and being with them took precedence. Not a bad thing, of course. But now that they don't need supervision to play, I don't provide it in the form of joining in...instead I shoo them outside and do a lot more scratch cooking and a lot less convenience cooking.....the house is certainly better decorated (or course income as you age helps this too!) and better kept because there are more of us doing it.....and I spend time on this and other boards which I never did when the kids were awake when they were younger. It takes a concious effort to not let a few extra pounds, or a few less active playtimes with the kids, or more insolation as life gets busier make permanent changes in your habits. If you can remind yourself every year to make changes if these creep in then you should be much better prepared to not live your life around a weekly luncheon with friends.

Would love to have you share the recipe for these two. Thanks!

I have a friend who also can't have wheat.....here's a website that I used to find recipes when she visited.

We make a different cookie recipe (ok not all of them are officially cookies, but you get the idea) every day from the day after Thanksgiving until December 23. So far we've made: Reindeer snack mix (it didn't last long, eaten while we decorated the tree) Macaroon Kisses No bake cookie balls Layered mint fudge chocolate pinwheel cookies angel pillows caradmom snaps tangerine butter cookies Today will be gingerbread people and tomorrow penuche.

Here's my version: 4T butter 1/2 cup sugar 1 egg 1oz unsweetened chocolate 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 cups flour 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 3 cups powdered sugar water 1/2 teaspoon vanilla Cream butter and 1/2 cup sugar. Add egg. Melt chocolate with vanilla in microwave and add to mixture. Add flour, baking powder, salt. It will be pretty stiff, if you don't have a good mixer, you may have to finish adding the flour by hand. Make balls (probably get 30 or so). Bake 10-12 minutes. Let cool completely before glazing. Mix powdered sugar and water and vanilla until smooth. Start with 3T water and increase as needed. I put the balls onto a rack set into a cookie sheet lined with parchment. Then as you glaze them the extra is caught on the parchment and can be reused. We have added coconut after glazing. We have also sprinkled them with colored sugar.

We have not had cable for 13 years....we get 7 stations, 2 of which are PBS. In the past 13 years there have been 3 times that we have really wanted to see something that was on a cable station, and had a friend record it. In an age when the hottest thing last week during Black Friday seemed to be TVs larger than my living room, lol.....I don't regret having only basic television. We have saved thousands on TVs themselves (we still use a 20" old fashioned tube TV), but saved many thousands by not having cable, not to mention all the things we haven't bought because of commercials we haven't watched, lol. And while we do have an entire bookcase of DVDs, the fact is that most of them are educational over popular. For popular type movies we borrow them for free from the library. Yeah, we have to wait a few weeks after it is released, but it's free! DH's co-workers are just dumbfounded that we have no interest in running out to the movie theatre for opening night of every movie, that we can actually survive without cable TV, and that we don't own every DVD movie ever made. But then several of his co-workers also confess to having many DVD movies still in their plastic, because they bought it "in case" they want to watch again....and then don't. When DH reminds them that we also have no credit card debt (or store credit debt) they typically stop razing him, as most of them owe a year's salary in debt for all their latest and greatest toys. For those whose DH's aren't willing to give up sports.....remember that just because the TV is sitting there doesn't mean that YOU have to use it. Modify your challenge to be not to sit down and watch TV. Maybe the cable company has a sports only package to save you a little money....and then take that money and create a lovely, comfortable, well lit room for your sanctuary.

As a mother who has lost a child.............what she needs right now is hugs, lots of them. And more hugs. Other than that let her lead the conversation. Don't feel like you have to say anything. Just hold her. Silently giving her permission to let loose the flood inside her. Since you also mentioned you both attend the same church, I'll also say, don't be shocked or hurt if she lashes out at God/Jesus. But also, try to avoid the platitudes about how the child is now with Jesus. Yes, that's so but she's not ready to hear that this is a good thing yet. Because to her it's not, and may never be....she will eventually come to accept it, but not now. And while it's probably perfectly acceptable for you to ask someone else to take over the church duties.....realize that it will mean so much to her to know that YOU are handling these tasks. You have permission to grieve and cry and weep and rail against the world while you do it....but if at all possible do it for her. Another well meaning platitude is "Call me if you need anything"...."I'm here for you". She's not completely capable of knowing that she needs anything right now....and probably won't have the strength to ask for it anyway. So....be there for her. Every day, for as much time as you can spare, just hang out with her....or be there when she wakes up from the naps.....and answer her phone so she doesn't have to talk if she doesn't want to.....and have tea and coffee ready for those that drop by, so she doesn't have to deal with it, nor feel guilty (now or later when she realizes) for not being the "perfect hostess". This is probably the most loving thing you can do, basically taking over the little things that must be done but that she simply can't even think of let alone do. An accountant friend took over paying our bills for us....we were close enough that she knew where I put the incoming bills, where the checkbook was, etc. She just made sure they didn't get behind, brought me completed checks to simply sign then took them to the post office for me. Another friend made sure that we had food in the house for guests but also that the other children were fed on schedule. And that there was someone around to hug THEM as well...because even though they'd lost a sister, I was in no shape those first days to give them what THEY needed for that loss. I guess what I'm saying is take over whatever you can so that she doesn't have to think about things for a while. And without the fussing and clucking that well-meaning inlaws bring. Just do it. And while you're doing all that.....be sure that you're also taking care of yourself. :grouphug::grouphug:

You could use any frosting recipe......I typed "dairy free frosting recipe" in google and got hundreds of hits. Then put the frosting into a ziplock baggie (freezer ones work better because they're thicker), clip off a tiny portion of one of the corners to push the frosting out. Hold the cakes in your hand to twirl around as you squeeze the frosting on (much easier than trying to get it to go on at an angle with the tree on the table). Alternatively you can buy disposable decorating bags at places like Michaels and Joanns, but they are just a fancy schmancy baggie of a bigger size and stronger contenance, lol. We have made these before but instead of frosting dots we have used the mini m&ms, skittles, even just large sprinkles to make the ornaments. Oh, and a yellow star sprinkle for the top of course!

Well....let's look at it from the endgame. Let's say that your mom takes the advice and hires a private investigator and finds out that indeed he IS having an affair...picture proof, no need to doubt any more. Now what? You said he's an emotionally punishing person, and that their relationship wasn't very good anyway......so obviously confronting him with the evidence is not likely to cause him to repent and change his ways....so then what? After 36 years of marriage would she divorce him? Is she feeling she needs to know just so that she can accept it and continue on in the marriage...that the not knowing is too much for her? If she were to choose to divorce him, would she be able to handle the life that would bring? If she find out he was having an affair, would she be able to stay with him if she doesn't want a divorce? I'm not on to advocate staying with a cheating spouse by any means, in fact, I know that I would not, no matter what my age. Period. That is simply unacceptable to me. But I also know many woman who have put up with it because they do not believe that they can survive on their own. Some probably can't....but most would find the strength maybe because they have children, some because it might free them from a marriage that was not good before the infidelity was proven but that they weren't willing to end just because it wasn't perfect before. As her daughter are you prepared to be there in a much deeper sense than you are now? If she couldn't make it on her own, would she end up living with you? What might all this do to YOUR relationship with your father, because he's bound to realize that you knew and perhaps encouraged Mom to take the steps she does and punish you for it. There is seldom a good outcome from infidelity. So :grouphug: to you and your mom. Before she confronts him or makes decisions about her future, she might be wise to know what her options might be....talking with a divorce attorney before you've even decided if you want a divorce may seem odd....but it's a good way to have answers to the "what if" questions. Having all the possibilities fully explored will help her make decisions about her future. One other nasty detail about infidelity.....spouses who cheat have a habit of also hiding assets, either before the wife finds out, or immediately after. She might be wise to do some snooping into their finances so that she has a clue what assets they own......36 years of accumuluation and she deserves her fair share. So get a handle on the finances before he knows it's time to start hiding them.

http://widgets.yahoo.com/widgets/advent-wreath

It looks fine to me. Maybe you fixed it already? Brown borders, yellowish background behind the easily readable words.

I don't think there is a right or wrong answer on this......we still read a lot of books aloud....and some of them the kids have read by themselves, for that matter a few WE have read aloud before. A truly wonderful book can be read repeatedly and still be enjoyed. Personally, I think the most important aspect for you to concentrate on is the bonding that happens during reading aloud. It is something that I cherish and am so profoundly grateful that this and other boards promoted when my now-teen was still a toddler. I worried for many years that when my children got older they wouldn't want to do read alouds any more....and while our read aloud time is definitely shorter, it is still important to our family. As they got older and could read on their own they spend more time reading alone, but have not requested to stop read together time. Our read aloud time has definitely changed over the years.....in the beginning of course it was all me talking with them looking at pictures in the books that had them, and sometimes coloring or building legos while I read. As they became readers themselves we'd take turns.....started out with I'll read this page you read the next then me again.....eventually went to paragraphs and then to the child(ren) doing almost all the reading. This evolution was welcomed by me because I was not always fond of talking that much (hard to imagine as much as as I type, eh?). But switching page by page definitely made the read aloud less intimidating for the new reader! There are many times over more books than I could ever read aloud to my children......so even if your child is one of those that don't re-read books you will never need to worry about using up all the good ones! I would suggest that you read aloud as much as possible....the benefits outweigh the dry throat beyond measure. For what it's worth, I keep a running list of books suggested on forums like this or that I come across in the library or an online bookstore, etc that look interesting but maybe we aren't ready for.....because I know I'll never remember them otherwise. It started as just a list of books but now is divided into age/subject etc to make it easier to choose the next book. The kids know they can check out of the library anything on the list without my having to peruse it first, so they're more apt to go for my list than to pick up some mind-candy or inappropriate book. This is more important lately since the libraries seem to be promoting books that I'd rather we avoid by personal choice.....yet it's hard when the library has them in provocative displays and no alternatives similiarly displayed. Enoy this time with your children! THe memories are priceless for both you and the children. It brings tears to my eyes to hear my teen talk lovingly about reading aloud this or that book years ago....at a time when I worry every day that I'm going to wake up and finally find that dreadful teenager that everyone warns me about (so far she hasn't arrived...fingers crossed daily!).

Here is an extensive list for grades 1-3: http://www.classical-homeschooling.org/celoop/1000-primary.html (They also have a list for other grades at http://www.classical-homeschooling.org/celoop/1000.html)

it went back to the initial message for me twice but then on the third time through it came back with the cute thing everyone's talking about. Try waiting longer and letting it go through the looping more than once.

:iagree: Just as bringing a child into homeschooling will not fix all the problems of public schooling, beware of thinking that sending the kids to public school will fix things. For instance: The fighting amongst themselves, and the tone of voice, are not likely to get better. While I hate making generalizations, and I can think of only a very small handful of exceptions in our life, for the most part I find that PS kids have very bad attitude/tone of voice, especially with siblings. If it's happening already, sending them to school isn't going to improve it. Your 14yo isn't going to be able to start public school at 1pm. You'll have the local truant officer at your door every week. So, if you're going to have to force him to wake up to go to school, than you can certainly do that for him to start school. I known when my eldest hit her teens the sudden need for more sleep caught me off guard.....but I required her to resolve it by going to bed earlier.....whatever time she needed to in order to be up in the morning at the time I expected. I later learned that she was having insomnia and would wake up in the middle of the night and go to the living to read a book for several hours. Ummm, gee, no wonder you were tired in the morning if you were up half the night! If your son isn't getting up in the middle of the night, and is going to bed at a decent time, you may want to talk with his doctor.....while teens do tend to need more sleep they shouldn't require sleeping all day! The housework is still going to be there...sure you may have more hours in the day available to doing it, but that isn't going to make it any easier on you. And pardon me for being blunt, but if you have school age children, they should be doing a portion of the upkeep as well. Even 1st graders can do many chores.....14 year olds should be doing an hour or more a day of helping around the house. Is it possible you are not only depressed, but burnt out? My DH travels a lot also....and has been gone for weeks even months at a time (though thankfully most trips are 2-3 weeks a half dozen times a year or so). But when he's gone for long long periods it can really burn me out. It's not so much the extra chores....the kids and I divide Daddy's chores or they just get put off until he comes home.......but it's the constant "on" that burns me out. After dinner is "my time"....Daddy and the kids tend to get together to do stuff, talk about each others day, show off what they've done, etc. Sometimes it's just an hour, often times it stretches until bedtime. But that's my time, if I want it, to go off and relax....read a book, catch up on email, sit and veg in front of the TV. When he's not here I miss that...some days a lot more than others. Since you can't change DH's work schedule, you need to find ways to get time for you......with a 14 year old, you probably don't need a sitter, but if he's either not responsible enough or doesn't get along well, it might be an option. Doesn't have to be every day....doesn't have to be at a set time. Maybe a neighbor or another homeschool family and you could trade off....when life gets to you, a phone call will arrange an hour or two of playdate time.....that mom can call you when she needs. Sometimes just knowing that this is available is enough! A maid to do the heavy weekly cleaning might also relieve you of some stress....knowing that the carpet looks bad but someone else will be here tomorrow to do it makes it much more tolerable than the guilt of if you don't do it no one will! If the cost of a maid is not possible, consider paying a high school student to come in, just be prepared for a little less perfection, but hey, at least it's swept! Another thing you might want to do is ask a trusted friend to give you an HONEST evaluation of your parenting. I won't presume to know how things are done in your home, or what you've tried that has or hasn't worked.....but quite often problems such as you describe can be partially attributed to you as the parent not giving the children clear expectations and then holding them to those....doesn't work for everything, and some days are better than others at my house....but I do know that if I lose my patience and yell at the kids, they tend to yell at each other! And then I get angrier and yell at them about yelling......oops, not a great way to teach them that even in anger they need to speak respectfully to each other. We all know we don't tolerate that in our house....and sometimes we stray far afield of that rule and have to conciously work to get back on track. And if I get impatient that they're not sweeping/washing/cleaning like "I" would then they tend to not want to do it at all, and the next time it's even worse. I believe that the "hive" here calls it "tomato staking" but when we digress to this point I tend to take one child at a time and work WITH them on their chores until they "remember" how to do it correctly again. Then move on to the next child, lol. I'm not saying that a change in parenting style will solve all your problems....but perhaps some changes will help. :grouphug: I think we all go through periods where it feels like everything is falling apart. Those are the times we MUST step back and evaluate where it all went wrong and how to get back on track. I do not believe that sending the children off to school is going to solve nearly as much of your problems as you think they will. But it could be quite detrimental as bringing them home again may be much more difficult....especially if they aren't happy being home because of the same reasons you are unhappy. Perhaps a dear friend can come in help you get back on track? Don't think of it as burdening a friend....think of it as blessing her with allowing her to help your family heal. :grouphug:

You don't say what State MIL lives in....but realize that almost every state has FREE help for hoarders. Obviously, they need to agree to be helped, but perhaps there are also free resources to help her get to that point. This is a disease just as alcoholism is a disease....it's just not quite as openly discussed. But, just as with alocholism, she must want help. As for her financial situation, hard as it may sound, you and your DH must do what is right for YOUR family.....your children. Realize too that most hoarders are very good at pulling their bacon out of the frying pan at the very last moment......sounds like she's done it in the past and will likely keep doing it. When she fails, then she can sell her hoardes. Yes, I know you're probably thinking she'll never do that....but most serious hoarders eventually have to because they do get themselves into serious financial straights....so they sell, fix their finances and then start hoarding all over again! In fact, I'd venture a guess that your MIL already has done this without you knowing it. It's a part of the disease. How do I know about this disease....my sister is and always will be a hoarder. She got help pretty much because we forced it on her and was doing well for many years, but she has "fallen off the wagon" in recent years....just like an alcoholic who is sober for years suddenly starts drinking, she now hoardes again. But now she is sneaky about it....my brother found out that she actually rented a storage space and hired workers to move her excess into the storage space when he and his family were coming to visit for a few days!!! Think about the alcoholic who hides rum in the back of the closet, outside in the shed, etc. There is no easy solution to her problem, but you need to remember that it is HER problem. Encourage, support, love....but do not turn your children's lives upside down for her unwillingness to get help. If she were an alcoholic and drank her way into homeless/joblessness would you allow her to live with you without getting help? I doubt it, so don't think of this any differently. In this case she has plenty of assets to help her finances, unlike drunks who usually drink it all away and have nothing left. Seek counseling for YOU and DH to learn how to deal with such a person and how to encourage her to want and get the help she needs...without being pulled into the abyss with her.

:iagree: Heck, I do this with my own kids all year long, telling MIL after cooking for 17 would be a snap! I assume she didn't help cook for yesterday, so it'd be very easy and not the least bit rude to imitate Scarlett O'Hare with a brush of your wrist across your forehead and declare that you simply can't cook again today.....but would be most happy to eat whatever she whips up! Sounds like it might be time for a MIL/son talk, lol. I wouldn't wish that on my MIL though as my DH has no tolerance for such behavior. He'd probably tell her if she didn't like leftovers he'd be happy to drive her to the airport now so she can be home in time for dinner at her own home. :grouphug:

For those having trouble (or not wanting to spend the time today downloading all these freebies....)..... Log into your account (if you don't have one, they're free so create one). Click on the "download free" link wait for the pop up page to appear Count to 10 (seriously, I don't know the exact count you must wait but for me it's been only a couple seconds before it appeared in my account which I had open in another window). Don't take the time to actually download it NOW....this will put it into your account where it will be available for download forever. Click on the "download free" link for the next item. and repeat for all the items you want, putting them all in your account for later downloading. I would suggest that you then go to "My Account" then go to the third blue paragraph where it says "My Orders". Click on "View all products I've purchased with download links" . This will give you a list of everything you have downloaded....in order from the newest download. Open another window to view the downloads available and compare it to what is in your account. I don't really have time or inclination to read all the descriptions and try to decide if this is something I may want in the future, so I downloaded them all to my account. So in order to compare, I went to the last page of offerings and working backwards compared it to what is in my account. All of them are there so the 10 count worked perfectly. If for some reason it's not in your account, just click download again. Then, next week, next month, or next year you can download the actual file to your hard drive. I've had an account with Currclick since before they were named Currclick, lol....and I can still download things from 2006! Also, be sure to bookmark or calendar this website because they offer a free download every week....it appears early morning on Monday and changes again the following Monday. It's always on the home page just below the full ad banner on the right side labeled "Free Curriculum Book". Right now it's about Thanksgiving and is for learning alphabetical order. This will change on Monday.

I have a small poster of this on my office wall....I have several friends who STILL haven't gotten it....and I refuse to explain.

I would call the doctor's receptionist and ask her what their procedure is for this situation. I guarantee you are not the first mom to need this so the office probably has a particular way that they prefer to handle it, and it will be easiest for everyone if you can follow their established way. I'm sure they would accomodate you if you chose to do it your own way, but if you follow the way they've always done it, then it is bound to go more smoothly. For your own sake, I'd jot down notes so you don't forget something.....kinda like you did here and if there are some that you didn't tell us about include those. It's easy to get in front of the doctor and suddenly forget one or two points you wanted to discuss....either out of nervousness, or perhaps from responses he gives, or just because you feel a time crunch (I love our doc but always feel like I'm taking up too much time, lol). It's important to tell the doc all of these things, because while we non-medical types may think it's all different there could be a link that will make diagnosis easier (or not). It's amazing how different parts of your body react to a particular disease, seemingly unrelated, but then diagnosis can wrap them all together.