Thank you for the responses, she knows about shaving, and was so into new things a little bit a go I am kinda surprised she has not brought it up. I am all for letting her do it when she feels ready but also wanted to give her the option to not. I admire woman who do not shave and think sometimes for girls it is handed to them like a fore-gone conclusion that they have to.

Wow, I had not realized I have never updated my profile, she is now 12 :)

So what points should I bring up in regards to reasons not to shave?

Wow, that just looks weird typing- but serious question. My daughter is at the point where we need to discuss shaving in more depth. When I started, it was automatically assumed woman did and most all woman around us do but I want to give my daughter the opportunity to make her own choice. I am probably overthinking it, but she has not asked to yet but it is becoming noticeable. So I guess I am asking for general advice/information on the topic.

I am what most would call a Conservative Christian, and I get what you are saying. There are some things, like Lot and his daughters, that when I think on it I wish there was a little more explanation to help it make sense. Like, it is ok that there is not, but I see where such things can be a sticking point for skeptics. Does that make sense?

Yes to hating "marriage advice" stuff. I think most of those books and such cause more problems then they fix, especially when yours does not look like they say. Plus, it is usually one person's opinion of how things should go. I do not need my husband to read marriage advice which tells him to buy me flowers b/c I am cheap and if he buys me flowers, I then flip out that we spent money on that so it ends up being counter-productive.

I have to admit I did attend a civil war ball once, more as a learning experience, and I went as the Northern cousin. :) Had one of the organizers get upset with a few ladies who were not wearing "authentic" costumes which was ironic since one of the families that attended as guests were bi-racial. Civil War balls and reenactments are just weird to me, like imagine doing that for other wars. Also, as a northerner, we never really talk about the Civil War and we won!

I am making this comment in a vacuum, not as a response to another post: I am a Northerner living in a southern state, in an area which was still quite divided as to loyalty during the war (Union/Confederate). I have noticed that most of those flying the Confederate Flag here are teenagers and young adults who do so to emphasize that they are "Rebels." They are not really thinking of what it means, it is symbolic, something you put on your beat up pick up truck. Most will grow up, move on, and never display one again. With that said, I wish the flag was never used in official capacities. Removing it as such does not solve the problems, but why inflame people with it.

Happens to me sometimes, where I can just not decide. I think we make so many decisions in our life, and some days we just reach a limit. And I am not talking huge decisions, it is the little ones that trip me up, where to eat, what show to watch, it is just we get tired sometimes.

"Blink" By Malcolm Gladwell.

I think the book you are talking about is something by Malcolm Gladwell, not sure which one, but it sounds familiar.

You are absolutely right, I did consider this as a possibility and even mentioned it to security as a possibility. I have also joked that some guy somewhere is probably talking to his family over dinner about the crazy middle aged woman who kept showing up where he was and then threw the wallet she was looking at in the cart and ran away. Thanks to everyone for sharing stories and being so supportive. It is scary to think how often "almosts" happen. I know that stranger attacks and such are rare, but I think what we need to remember is that perpetrators case so many victims before choosing one.

I like your comment "I don't owe strangers the time of day" b/c as others have said, the author talks about us ignoring our instincts b/c we do not want to be impolite. I am the person who can start a discussion with anyone anywhere, will help someone looking for something, am often asked questions and will answer them (Have you tried this soap? Where is the (insert item here)?) and get in to numerous conversations about homeschooling with strangers in the supermarket and my family jokes about me making friends everywhere. This incident hit home that I needed to explain to my kids that if they feel funny, they do not have to be "polite".

YES!!!

This was my thought on the matter, intuition not physic abilities (although I could use that from time to time). Like after the fact, (over)analyzing it, he was in an area with limited traffic flow, not an area set up to cut through, he neither had a basket or anything in his hands, he did not seem purposeful in his actions (not shopping, looking for something, going somewhere) and there were two young girls in the area. Now, this still could amount to nothing, but I did not weigh these factors and then get the feeling, I got the feeling and then later thought through the factors.

I think what really sealed it for me is that I do not ever remember feeling this strongly before and I end up in discussions with strangers all of the time. And I knew we were not in danger per say, but that is what was also troublesome. Dark Alley, Dead of night- scary makes sense. Larger Superstore with tons of people, not so scary.

Understandable question. I told them basically what I said here, and added that the man did nothing actionable and that I did not expect them to do anything but felt so strongly that I would be remiss to say anything. I struggled with this part of it, and I realize how it sounds (some guy did nothing but walk around your store but I feel funny, so go get him) but I felt that strongly. I am actually a pretty sane person and I was very clear that I have never done this before. They were all very understanding, and said they would just walk through the area. I was actually surprised that they did not look at me funny. I guess that is kinda my point, intellectually I know how this sounds but I could not shake it. I would rather risk looking silly then do nothing and find out it was nothing.

Has this every happened to you? Those who have read "The Gift of Fear" will understand this: The kids and I were shopping today and this guy kept walking around the area we were in, which was all ladies accessories. Average looking guy, seemed pleasant enough, said nothing to us but after the third time he came around I got the scariest feeling I ever have had in my life, and I have interviewed inmates at a women's prison so that is saying something! We left briskly from that area and I was trying to convince myself I was overreacting BUT I remembered that book and the point that I had picked up on something and the fear I felt was proof of that. I went as far as calling my husband to come and meet us (he works within 5 minutes of where we were), and I am thankful that he came as he knows I have NEVER done that before. We were all fine and I am sure we were never in danger, It is fully possible that the guy was not up to anything at all but that feeling was so real. Intellectually, I felt foolish for calling my husband and I did alert the store security but was clear that he had done nothing wrong. They probably thought I was crazy but I felt it was better to overreact and be wrong then to do nothing. From the Book: Gavin says that "eerie feeling" is exactly what he wants women to pay attention to. "We're trying to analyze the warning signs," he says. "And what I really want to teach today and forever is the feeling is the warning sign. All the other stuff is our explanation for the feeling. Why it was this, why it was that. The feeling itself is the warning sign."

I have someone I no longer post on b/c of this. She will post something like "I hate thinking about making dinner" so then people will give some easy ideas and then she will say "I was not looking for helpful ideas, I am just saying."

Had to remove a person who might be a NPD from our group as she was toxic to herself and others. It was honestly best for her b/c she could not see she was ticking every one off. And although it was a group decision, b/c I was the only one who would put up with her and talk to her, it is all my fault. And of course, it means I am a horrible person who is a bad Christian, while she has done nothing wrong, And even through I have run interference for her for YEARS, cleaned her house TWICE, made her meals, watched her kids, I am waiting for her passive-aggressive victimization post on Facebook and then the many messages from people wondering what happened. Getting that off my chest did make me feel better.

And then the passive aggressive poster will post about how stupid people are to assume that their posts are about them and that says more about the reader than the passive-aggressive poster who is attempting to get shots in and then claim it wasn't about the person who it was clearly about, not that I have had that experience. Then, them and their friend who they have clearly recruited to help in their passive-aggressive attack, then go back and forth on Facebook saying that the people who think this is about them should not assume it is about them, which in fact, makes it about them who you are saying it is not about. Clear as mud?

Then it will say "I bet most people won't share because they are horribly awful people who hate everyone."

YES!!!!!! What is this all about? I always assume it is some sort of spam but then the poster will say "This is awesome."

I am way to addicted to this thread! I think I need to get a hobby.

Not uncommon here, and often times guests will also buy items for themselves and the bride-to-be uses the credits from that sale to buy other items. I think you can give a gift card from them also although it might be called something different.