It's 10:30 p.m. and DH just ordered two boxes! He's so excited! :-)

Only on TWTM Forums would one find two active threads discussing PENCILS, of all things! :laugh:

I have found the Mirado Classic by Papermate to be a decent pencil, if your Ticonderogas aren't satisfactory. If you want a darker pencil, you can get softer ones, such as a 4B, at an art supply store.

Interesting. My DH (a composer) LOVED those pencils and has been lamenting their demise ever since they disappeared from the shelves. He has one genuine Blackwing 602 pencil left now, but I'm sure he will be ordering some of those Palomino Blackwings soon!

I agree. Iowa Test of Basic Skills. Since you don't have to report the scores, I suggest doing the whole battery. You'll probably be surprised at how well she does, and at least you'll see what she may need to work on.

G 37 weeks 8lb 8oz B 38 weeks 8lb 15 oz G 38 weeks 8 lb B 38 weeks 7lb 13 oz B 38 weeks 7lb 14 oz

The six phases of heuristic research as described in Heuristic Research by Clark Moustakas (and probably oversimplified by me): 1. Initial engagement, where one discovers an intense interest or concern and forms a question. 2. Immersion, where the researcher (or artist) comes to be on intimate terms with the question, living and growing in knowledge and understanding of it. 3. Incubation, where the researcher retreats from the intense, concentrated focus on the question, allowing the subconscious to work. 4. Illumination. The aha! moment in which the question is answered, more or less. 5. Explication, where the answer, if you will, is fully examined, refined and understood. 6. Creative synthesis, in which the researcher puts everything together into some tangible form, such as a narrative or a work of art. Pretty heady stuff!

I don't believe that wearing jumpers necessarily means the wearer is trying to hide her figure or to purposely look unattractive, as some seem to think. A denim jumper or skirt is a casual, practical outfit, like a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. Some women wear skirts and dresses, not because of religious reasons, but for their own personal reasons, whatever they may be. Maybe it's too hot for jeans to be comfortable. Maybe a woman is heavy in the legs and has trouble finding pants to fit her. Maybe she just likes denim jumpers and skirts. Isn't it nice that we have so many choices?

Ten years ago, I would have fit the stereotype. Except for the make up. I've always worn make up, even when going to the hospital to have a baby! But I definitely wore denim skirts and jumpers, and I even drove a 15 passenger van! Now I feel frumpy dressed like that. I prefer shorter skirts with heels, and got a new hair style (it's even colored now instead of turning gray).

My father-in-law had ALS. DH and I cared for him in our home for 18 months until the end. Devastating indeed. I will pray for your friend and her family.

I don't remember if they stated a target number for professors. It sounded like they know what classes they will offer, but have to have everything approved by the state before they can make that information available to the public. I think the key here is to keep checking the website, as they will be updating it regularly. I suppose the decision to have a flat screen TV in every suite of the dorm is less complicated than developing the entire curriculum for a new university.

OK. Reporting back on Florida Poly info session: The session, called "Poly Premier" was held at a local theater on a Sunday beginning at 11:00 a.m. We had church this morning, which included communion. DH and DS were serving communion, and I had to play my flute, so we had to sneak out of church as soon as we were able to get away. We got there about 20 minutes after they started (I don't think we missed too much). The session started with a film about the school, and ended with a question and answer time. The theater was full, so there were lots of questions. Apparently, because the school is a state university, Florida Prepaid and Bright Futures will pay for the school. There is no federal funding available, however, until the school receives accreditation (scheduled to happen in 2016). So FAFSA does not apply, meaning no PELL grants, federal student loans, etc. The first class of students will receive scholarships to cover tuition; they don't know, at this point, what scholarship money will be available for subsequent classes. Housing will be available, with priority given to those students who don't live in the immediate area. Cost is estimated to be $8000-$9000. I am not sure if this includes meals. The dorms will be suites of 4 private bedrooms with a central living area, complete with a flat screen TV. There will be 2 bathrooms per suite, as well as a microwave and refrigerator, and washer and dryer (not coin operated). A dining hall is to be constructed, which will have cafeteria-style dining, as well as commercial vendors. Shuttle service will be available to students into the downtown area, etc. There is still MUCH construction to be done, but they expect it to be ready by August. This is Florida, after all -- no need to wait until the ground thaws! The curriculum is being developed, and they expect to be able to post specific courses, etc in February or March, I believe they said. They are working with industry partners to provide a very hands-on experience, internships, and such. They have some of these partners listed on their website and are adding to the list continually. While I was there today, a woman who works for Citrix, and whose husband works for Motorola was asking how their companies can get involved in partnership with the school. They said they have hired about half of the faculty. There are no tenured positions, which they bill as a positive thing. The fact that it is a STEM school, hands-on, cutting edge, and all that would mean that academics, who spend all their time in a classroom or lecture hall, may not be the best thing. (That's my take on it) Accreditation is expected in 2016, after their first class graduates (they are taking transfer students). Apparently, they need to have a graduating class before they can be accredited. They said that students should be able to transfer credits to state universities in Florida. So if my kid decided to go there (he has been accepted) and after a year at Florida Poly decided to transfer to UCF, for example, he supposedly could. (I am a little dubious, but that's what they told my son). Hope this answers some questions. I have to go out for a while this evening. If you think of anything else that I didn't answer, ask away, and I'll see if I can respond intelligently

My DDs had different experiences in honors colleges, but both were positive. DD1 went to an honors college that was on a completely separate campus. All students on campus were hc students. Everyone had a private bedroom in a suite with three other students. All hc students were required to live on campus, even if they lived across the street. This built a real sense of community at the school. All classes were honors classes. Students were required to do an internship or study abroad, and each student did a senior thesis. Scholarship money was abundant; DD actually got paid each semester! DD2 is in an honors college at a large university. Because she is in the hc, she has 2 advisors -- one for the hc and one for the college of the arts. She is required to do 2 senior theses -- one for each college. Honors college classes are the core curriculum classes, special ones only for hc students. There is honors housing, which is basically certain floors of the dormitory reserved for hc students. She received extra scholarship money for being in the hc, and scholarship money for her study abroad experience in Paris this past summer. There are also special activities and clubs for hc students. All in all, a great experience for both of them!

Dick Blick actually bought Utrecht a while back. We still get separate catalogs from each one, but the address is the same.

If the deadline is tomorrow and you haven't gotten an answer, then do the counselor rec form yourself. After all, you are his counselor, right? If they want something more, they will contact you.

I started Professor Horner's Bible reading plan that someone posted a link to in a previous thread. It's going really well. The 10 bookmarks are very helpful. I tried a similar plan years ago, but didn't have markers. Now, instead of flipping all through the Bible to look for the next reading, I just flip to the next marker. Who knew it could be so simple? It only takes me about 30 minutes to read 10 chapters. And if I happen to miss a day for whatever reason, I just take up where I left off. I don't feel guilty looking at dates or a checklist and feel like I have to catch up.

Exactly. The Apostles went first to the Jews with the gospel. When they were rejected and persecuted, they went to the Gentiles. In fact, it is my understanding that the word "Christian" was originally a derogatory term used to describe the followers of Christ.

Of course it is. But to make the analogy, as the previous post suggested, that Christianity is to Judaism as Christianity is to Atheism is completely wrong.

But the two religions (Christianity and Judaism) are not divergent. Christianity is a completion, if you will, of the Jewish faith. Some Jews who believe in Jesus refer to themselves as Completed Jews. Christians believe that Jesus fulfilled the Messianic prophecies and that the entire Old Testament points the way to Jesus. The Apostles were Jews. They believed that Jesus was the fulfillment of their religion -- not that He was introducing some entirely different religion.

I consider a Messianic Jew to be a Jewish person who believes in Jesus as Messiah. That person would be a Christian, but uses the term Messianic Jew to distinguish between a Jew who becomes a Christian and someone who is a Christian Gentile. Their heritage,or lineage, is still Jewish.

Sounds like your water broke. Given the distance to the hospital, I would start heading in that direction if I were you. My water broke with my first baby, followed immediately by contractions 5 minutes apart. Baby was almost born in the car! If you get near the hospital and things are dragging along, you can always walk, shop, or something. At least you'll be closer to where you need to be.

Labor felt like menstrual cramps. The difference was that it was not a constant pain - the contractions came in waves with periods of relief in between. Granted, the periods of relief got shorter and the pain more intense as labor progressed. It wasn't that bad for me. I had five natural deliveries. Breathing techniques and focusing on something in the room (even a spot on the wall) are what got me through.

Japanese gardening is something I've been studying lately, as well! The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens here in South Florida is one of my favorite places (it would be a great place to paint) and has inspired me to try it.

Another option might be U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps. Check out www.seacadets.org

You have a right to be proud! What a fine young man you have!