But luckily most of those remain in the water and don't come onto your boat. Don't get me started about her taking a dip in the ocean because even though I was born and raised in Florida, I am also terrified of sharks. I thought about adding a grenade to my carry all list, but didn't think they would be too effective. How would I ever manage to pull the pin when I would be trembling violently. Not to mention, who could throw it with any accuracy when you are running around screaming like a banshee?

This thread has made me feel literally nauseous. I am beyond terrified of snakes regardless of any venom they may or may not carry. I think I would take to wearing steel-toed combat boots over a kevlar body suit. It would be very cumbersome since I think I would need to take some of the advice here and always carry a hoe, flame-thrower and probably a samurai sword too (a machete's blade would simply be too short). It is a shame that Steve Irwin is no longer alive. I would've recommended that you invite him over for a wee visit, let him exclaim, "Crikey, what a beauty!" and let him take them all back home with him. Perhaps you might want to consider a move onto a houseboat and live in the Gulf or the ocean depending on which coast you are closest to... Yuck! I do not envy you your snake issues. You are a good sport, because I would completely LOSE it!!!

Salesmen have unique talents they can transform any woman, no matter her age or how professional or well-educated she may be into a "little lady." But their magic does not stop there. Salesmen then turn us into food... honey, sugar, sweetie, cupcake, honeybun. If you haven't gagged to death by then, you actually look forward to hearing the condescending "darlin'.":tongue_smilie:

The researchers don't know what the genetic component means yet either, they just know that there is one. I don't think there is anyway to know for sure right now. Therefore, out of an abundance of caution, I am going to give my kids every tool in my "melanoma prevention basket" that I can reasonably find/implement. My melanoma and my cousin's were so radically under the "average age of development" that the dermatologists don't know what it means exactly, other than not good--not good at all. We try to be extremely careful with the sun and protect our children the best we can.

I wonder if it is nature or nurture which would cause a cat's gender identity crisis. Was it Momma Kitty's fault? Did they pressure her to avoid certain Toms in the neighborhood? Sweet Kitty may need a therapist later if s/he develops "issues." :lol: In all seriousness, I think this is one of the coolest things I have read in a long time. I LOVE cats. I have always been an animal lover. It sounds like you have found an incredible family cat. Congratulations! Cats can be quite particular about humans. Cats don't just deign to hang around any old humans. Your family must be mighty special.

:iagree: This is what we do too. Melanoma risk is so high in our family that to avoid sunscreen would be reckless.

I am very happy to read your response to this thread. Whenever someone finds out that I had melanoma they start pulling up their shirt to show me a mole. :tongue_smilie: I always say the same thing, "Whenever you have a concern you should see a dermatologist and have it checked out." I then share my personal motto, "When in doubt, cut it out." If it is gone, it cannot later turn into something. I had melanoma at age 20. I am now 43. I grew up in Florida. While my mother tried to put sunscreen on me, the products available at the time did not stay on in the water, nor did they stay on when you were sweating, therefore, I received numerous severe sunburns. As a child, I played outside and swam all summer long. My first cousin also had melanoma at age 20. She was a Navy brat and lived in California and Hawaii for most of her life. Our pale skin was meant for the Arctic, not sunny climates. Neither of us had ever, nor would ever use a tanning bed. I freely admit to causing a lot of damage as a teenager when I would go to the beach with my friends and fry all day long. My mother was furious, but at some point, I had to take responsibility for my own actions. I religiously slather my children in sunscreen. I am following the advice of the dermatologists who see and treat our whole family. My DD had a mole removed when she was 7. It was in her hairline in an area not normally slathered by sunscreen. At age 7, it was already "severely abnormal." This will be an on-going issue for my family for the rest of our lives. Our risk factors are extreme and we therefore take it very seriously. I am trying to instill the notion that no tan is ever worth your life and we talk about tanning beds every time we see someone foolishly enter or exit one. Sun exposure is a safety issue pure and simple in our home. They don't play in the street, they don't talk to strangers and they must stay out of the sun and wear sunscreen when they are out in it. As for Vitamin D... We now ensure that everyone takes supplements. In 2011, same DD had a prolonged period of flu-like/mono-like lethargy etc. Blood tests eventually revealed that she was severely Vitamin D deficient. Her multi-vitamin clearly was not enough. The supplements worked perfectly and we all now take them. She is back to normal and we continue in our sunscreen slatering approach.

We used to take them camping as well. Sigh! I loved them! My mom buys them for her grandchildren when we come for a visit. It is a huge treat for the kids. They don't have the perforation any more. I looked all over the box when I was taking the trip down memory land. My kids ask for them, but I say, "No." I want there to be special things that they cherish which they only get at Grammy's. So little individual cereal boxes and Coke Floats are off-limits at our house.

Maybe humans have been consuming things like "head cheese" for a long time, but I have never been that hungry, yet. Eww! I will play like a toddler here-- "Gross! No way am I trying that! Scusto! (our little ones couldn't say disgusting)"

We are very pale here too and have a major hereditary risk for skin cancer. I had malignant melanoma at age 20 and so did one of my first cousins. I am still looking for "closet in a bottle," but until then... Neutrogena with Helioplex 100--generously and frequently Sunshirts with SPF Protection (Tshirts offer very little sun protection once they are wet) Avoid sun when possible between 1 and 5 Beach time is always in the morning. We go inside for lunch and stay inside for the afternoon. We go back out for late afternoon and early evening. However a caution... watch Vitamin D for the sunscreen slathered members of your family. My DD had a flu/mono/lethargy-like period of several weeks in Jan/Feb or 2011. After much head-scratching and blood work, the pediatrician finally figured out that DD was severely Vitamin D deficient. Mega doses of Vitamin D and in about a week, she was back to normal.

For some reason I find it offensive to feed to my family what was once only thought fit to feed to a dog... :tongue_smilie: I think it is heartening that many grocers are turning away from the use of pink slime. I emailed Publix, where I often shop, about there policy regarding "pink slime" and requested a written response. Their letter to me dated 03/14/12 stated: "Publix Ground Beef specifications clearly call out that NO "Lean Finely Textured Beef" is to be added to Publix Ground Beef." Phew! Now I can enjoy my burger!

How about a fair trade? You read my blog and I'll read yours. Your pancake recipe looks good. I think that might be breakfast for tomorrow. I tend to be more of a reader than a comment maker. Same here on WTM. I read a lot more than I ever post. I'd like a lot more comments on my blog too, so...:bigear:

If you are going to leave your kids in the car, then do NOT EVER leave the car running. It can make for a too tempting carjacking. I interviewed the "victim" of a carjacking/kidnapping case where the dad left his toddler asleep in the back seat (an extended cab-or whatever you call it) of his truck. He ran into the convenience store to grab a pack of cigarrettes and didn't want to wake his kid. Darwin parent of the year left the truck running and someone stole his truck with his child inside while he was gone "for just a second." (Happy ending, bad guy left the toddler in his carseat at a church safe and sound :001_smile:.) I couldn't help but think while interviewing him that I would have throttled him if he had been my husband. I don't think the streets are "safe" for children to walk alone, at least not in the Atlanta metro area. To reinforce my paranoia, we have had police alerts about a guy approaching children who where walking alone over the past few weeks and now there is a girl missing in Cherokee County.

We do drink alcohol, so this phrase, to us means: BOOZE straight-up (also called "neat") where you feel the burn all the way down---Scotch, bourbon, vodka-- something strong. Not liquors, they would fall under "having a drink." Wine, beer, coolers, spritzers, is "having a beer " etc. Insert proper term for your beverage. Hard alcohol with mixers, margaritas, daiquiris or liquors etc. is "having a drink." "Stiff drink" ain't for playing. :lol:

This stupid, poorly thought out action could and likely would result in major felony charges if it had happened in Georgia. Just off the top of my head, they could be indicted in Georgia for Aggravated Assault, Aggravated Battery, Kidnapping with Bodily Injury (does not require serious injury), False Imprisonment, Possession of a Weapon during the Commission of a Felony, Child Endangerment and Child Cruelty. Those carry a whole lot of potential jail time... You just have to wonder how people can be so stupid...

There is no ban yet... Like I said in my blog, slippery slope!

My first thought for Trader Joes was Three Buck Chuck! They have a very cheap line of wine which while not always the best, it definitely drinkable. I like to be a spend-thrift and buy their more expensive wine which is still under $5 a bottle. The Sangiovese in particular is pretty decent. Just have fun a grab what appeals to you. They are both fun places to wander.

I was stuck on bedrest for 3 months with both of my children. It will drive anyone batty. Your company in person or over the phone is a gift of sanity and friendship. A gift basket that includes a variety of magazines (People, Time etc), puzzle books, small mind challenging games like Kanoodle etc. or small crafts (with instructions if you know she doesn't knit or cross-stich) would be greatly appreciated.

I would avoid asking people how old they are. I think it just avoids any problems with offending someone. With my luck, they would respond, "How old do you think I am?" That is just opening a can of worms... you know it is going to be a lose/lose proposition.

Has anyone else seen this article http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/03/19/bloomberg-strikes-again-nyc-bans-food-donations-to-the-homeless/ in which NYC has banned food donations to homeless shelters? I guess if parents can't pack lunches for school children anymore, then this must be a natural extension of the concepts. I just wrote a blog about the similarities between this action, the NC schools inspecting lunches and the Chicago school banning all lunches from home. It certainly makes me glad we choose to homeschool so that we might have some say in how our own children are fed and educated. :001_smile:

Thanks for the encouragement. We had already been to a MCT seminar and by their booth several times. It is just so radically different from all the other language arts programs that we were unsure of what to do. Virtually all the other grammar programs seem so dry and boring. We have taken a leap of faith since so many seem to rave about MCT. We bought it. Hopefully we can transform grammar from the dreaded into the beloved. We really appreciate the advice.

We are at the Greenville HS Convention and have spent the day melting our brains from looking at so many different grammar programs. We decided to give Giggly Guide to Grammar a try for our rising 6th grader. It just looked like so much fun and there is just something enticing about it. So, what do we do for our son who will be in 3rd grade? Dry, boring grammar just doesn't seem like a fair plan for him. I can already hear the complaints of why he can't have a fun one. Does anyone have any recommendations for fun grammar? (Sorry for double posting on both forums, but tomorrow is our last day at the convention. I am short on time to have a chance to actually see any programs which might get recommended here.)

We are at the Greenville HS Convention and have spent the day melting our brains from looking at so many different grammar programs. We decided to give Giggly Guide to Grammar a try for our rising 6th grader. It just looked like so much fun and there is just something enticing about it. So, what do we do for our son who will be in 3rd grade? Dry, boring grammar just doesn't seem like a fair plan for him. I can already hear the complaints of why he can't have a fun one. Does anyone have any recommendations for fun grammar?

I got an Iphone for my birthday last year. I thought it would be "nice" or "fun" to have after hearing about all the cool stuff you could get on it. Now that I have owned it for awhile... How did I ever live without this thing? It is amazingly helpful in so many different aspects of my life!!! I LOVE IT!

How about making fried rice? Cook up 2 cups of sticky rice. Start with a huge skillet or wok and saute onions & garlic. Toss in all vegetable leftovers you have--especially good are broccoli, peppers, carrots, cabbage etc. I use whatever is leftover from the week. Tonight's version will be made from leftover pork tenderloin with leftover squash and zucchini. You can always add in frozen veggies. We like to add egg (which I cook in the same skillet) and toasted sesame seeds. If you have Asian seasoning sauces like hosin, etc. it will add a ton of flavor. If not, you can always just use soy sauce. With enough veggies and rice, it will stretch your chicken enough to hopefully feed six.