We love our golden retriever. He is our fourth child. Loyal, great guard dog, very protective of dd 8. When she is in the bath or swimming pool, he hangs right on the edge. If he thinks she is in trouble, he pulls me over to her. He is definitely a lap dog, all 100 pounds of him. We didn't want another dog (bad experience). Ds helped neighbor with her pregnant retriever through the whole process. In the end, the one he fell in love with at first sight became his. We were very hesitant, but he is the most amazing dog. Good luck with your search!

Some yes, some no. Even the best schools have these types of issues sometimes. I went from teaching in a K-12 Christian school to public high school, and problems in both involved drugs, sex, etc. When I had my first supervision duty in ps, I had to monitor the front drop off area, which included the school dumpsters. They told me to make sure to check underneath for students. I was thinking, oh, kids are sleeping on campus because their home life is so bad. Then they told me, no, this is where kids like to "hook up". Ugh... There is possibly no story you could tell me now that would surprise me. I've seen both good and bad while in ps. There is always going to be that one situation that leaves us shaking our heads. Just because it is a good school does not equate it to a good environment. All we can do is continue to do the best for our own dc.

After ruining two calphalon pans, dh is very careful about pots and pans. Both ds will leave the kitchen spotless except for the pots and pans. They needed to "soak"; in other words, we left them for you guys.

Family won't touch pea soup, so I use it to make potato soup. It gives it a somewhat smokey flavor. I don't know if it would freeze well, though.

:grouphug:

At the end of WTM, she offers advice to those "starting in the middle". I read this, determined where my ds was actually at, and went from there. Realistically, there is no way he could ever catch up on the readings that he has missed. Just had to pick and choose what was helpful and relevant for him.

After our two ds, someone exclaimed, "You finally got your girl!" Okay... She is my dear shadow, my reading buddy, my everything! People say some weird things sometimes. Now, if they would just offer to help pay for the cost of schooling...

Buttered noodles coated with garlic/browned breadcrumbs, salad, rolls.

Connor. We went to the baby name site and chose from popular Scottish names. It's a good thing, too. He looks like a Connor.

I am going through the closet right now, sorting clothing items. My question is do I save the ones I hope to wear in (fingers crossed) 2-3 months, or do I donate them and eliminate the clutter? There are a few nice pieces that I can't get bear to get rid of, but when I look at the pile I start to feel overwhelmed. I am not a trendy, run out and buy the latest fashion person. My clothes are conservative, and I bought them with work in mind. Any advice would be welcome. Those encouraging words really help at times like this!

I never assign work over holidays. It's a holiday! I'm curious: is your semester over later? Or did it finish before you went on break? If it's finished, there's no way that work should be considered for the 2nd semester grade. How can you be graded when school is not officially in session? Rooting for you...

Absolutely adorable!

Arial, 12 point font, with TNR a distant second.

Enchiladas for them, baked eggplant for me (something new).

Finished The Next Always, Book One of the Inn Boonsboro Trilogy, Nora Roberts. Eh, it was just okay. I love Nora Roberts, but since she started writing in the trilogy style, her books are just too predictable. We're off to the library to find something new. I love mystery if anyone has suggestions!

Thank you!

Nothing. Fear of earthquakes here, as well. I'd love a watercolor of a beach scene though. I wouldn't sleep for fear of it falling on me!

Dh and I started dating when we were sixteen. The holidays worked for us because his family was a Christmas Eve family celebration while mine was Christmas morning/evening family dinner sort of thing. He always went with us to holiday dinners, and I was included at his gatherings as well. His mom always had a small gift for me (not expensive but thoughtful) and my mom did likewise for him. His family tended to eat early, around 1:00 p.m. while mine ate around 6:00 p.m. It is just one of those things that worked out. In terms of private family time, both of us only had one other sibling in the house at the time. Everyone else had married, started their own lives. Both of our parents just welcomed those who decided to show.

Be patient...and be the better person. You have not done anything wrong. Sometimes people don't even understand the depths of their actions when it comes to other people's feelings. :grouphug:

Singing my song... Ds learned a tremendous amount of material in ps. He is a sponge. Unfortunately, he never felt like turning in or completing written work. :confused:

60 Minutes is doing a segment on cheating on standardized tests tonight. It always amazes me the lengths that people will go to...

For me: Oedipus the King, Sophocles (WEM, and also for school) The Next Always, Book One of the Inn Boonsboro Trilogy, Nora Roberts Dd8: Henry Huggins, Beverly Cleary (our evening read aloud)

I cannot even imagine what you have gone through...my own had its moments... Here's wishing for a nice, calm year for all!

Our average is supposed to be in the mid 60's. We went through a period of highs in the 50's around Thanksgiving. The forecast is for mid 80's all week, with a chance of cooling on Friday/slight chance of showers. My sister is visiting from the Pacific Northwest and is hating the heat, but enjoying the dry ground!

Isn't this what "they" said about teaching reading at home?