Now I feel like I should apologize because I sounded too harsh. I read your post yesterday and there were some very good responses so I figured I didn't have anything to add. But then I kept thinking about it, and I realized something was still bothering me. So then I wrote a response, but I wasn't sure how much to censor. I wanted to share my frustrations, but I wasn't trying to lambast anybody. So I vented against the majority mentality, and I see you've taken it personally because you posed the question originally. It's a perfectly legitimate question. I'm glad you asked and have gotten some genuinely good answers. I did want to get the point across that it's not as black and white as some may think. I did think it was unfair for the one poster to say it was a choice between the "gift of hearing" or preserving the deaf culture. I wasn't sure how to say that without it sounding the way it did. I can only hope that the message is clearer than the delivery. I do wonder if you're contradicting yourself a bit. but in the same breath you ask why a parent would choose for his/her child to be deaf if he/she could change it. Well, if they're normal, why would they need to change? I believe you were assuming just that. Sorry, but I do. Yes, many parents would consider it. And some may decide against it. I hope this helps explain my thoughts a little. Now I'm wondering if I should've just linked to the "Evolution of a Cochlear Implant Attitude" article and kept my big mouth shut! I sincerely hope you believe me when I say I honestly wasn't targeting you personally. I was just protesting the mindthink and hoping to share a different thought process. Next time I'll pass the bean dip. ;)

I don't know where to begin with this. I have strong feelings about this subject, so it might be stream-of-consciousness thought flowing here. Of course parents want the best for their child/ren, but it's not as simple as giving "the gift of hearing" as opposed to keeping their child/ren locked in a dark empty room (symbolically speaking, since that seems to be what many people assume is the opposite of the "hearing" world -- this perfect world with the "gift of hearing"). That choice of wording was like a red cape for this bull. Gift of hearing vs. preserving the deaf culture. That's not the issue, and the debate about whether or not to get cochlear implants is certainly not as simple as it seems. I see some parallels between this issue and the way homeschoolers are viewed by the mainstream culture. The family and friends who are concerned about the children and what they'll be missing if they don't go to public schools often ask, "But what about socialization? Are they going to have any friends? How are they going to make it in the real world if you shelter them at home? What about the prom? What about sports? Are they ever going to have a boyfriend/girlfriend? They're going to miss so many important milestones in life! How can you do that to them? What kind of parent would want to take away those experiences?" I don't think that they're "concerned" about the children so much as "judging" your decision to homeschool. But these "concerns" (judgments) are based upon ignorance. A lot of stereotypes and assumptions go flying around when people don't know very much about homeschooling or about the "deaf culture." I won't say that I know all about the "deaf culture." I guess I'm just a little annoyed that someone would assume that a parent who chooses not to get a cochlear implant for their child/ren wouldn't be acting in the child/ren's best interest. Ridiculous. That's like saying the parent who chooses to homeschool their child/ren isn't acting in the child/ren's best interest because we all know that public or private school is the best thing for the child/ren. Apologies if I'm sounding a little harsh. I don't mean to be. I wasn't brought up in the "deaf culture." My brother and I were mainstreamed into public schools. I fared much better than he did. His hearing loss is more severe than mine. I saw what it did to him and have since seen the experience he could've had. I can see both sides of the issue. I do get a little frustrated when I see people assume that all deaf or partially deaf people naturally want to be fixed (i.e., hear). Because to the majority, the "hearing" world may be so beautiful and wonderful and fantastic that you can't imagine living life without it. Oh, how much those poor deaf people are missing! How can you take that away from your child? What kind of a parent are you? Well, we adapt. Right? This article spoke volumes for me. Maybe it'll help clarify the underlying currents in this not-so-simple question. Evolution of a Cochlear Implant Attitude I was reminded of this beautiful piece, too, and wanted to share it in case there were some who'd never read it. Welcome to Holland by Emily Perl Kingsley I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with disability - to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this ... When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting. After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland." "Holland?!?" you say. "What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy." But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay. The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different place. So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met. It’s just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around ... and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills ... and Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts. But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy ... and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned." And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away ... because the loss of that dream is a very very significant loss. But ... if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things ... about Holland.

We have some Le Creuset and weren't always happy with it. So I read this review at ConsumerSearch and decided to go with Cuisinart. We also bought a couple of nonstick pieces though: the 12-inch skillet and the 8-inch skillet.

I don't know, but the coy turn of the head is kinda like this, dontcha think? Well, minus the bangs, I guess. :tongue_smilie: And I don't know that I resemble anybody in particular but I have been told that I reminded somebody of Gilda Radner. Umm, yeah. I think it was my sense of humor and expressive face. I keep telling myself that anyway. :D

Your post really made me stop and think for a second. If I just changed the cast of characters a little bit, I can actually hear someone saying this about homeschoolers.

Oh, wow, I found my old intro from 2003! Well, this one's from December 2005, but I linked to my 2003 intro. Here's the link to the original post by NOLAdy. I'm some of you will enjoy reading your intros! About introducing yourself post below...let's all tell a bit about ourselves even though we've been around a while. There are many newbies on here recently who probably appreciate the info. I'll go... Wish I could get to the 2003 board. :confused:

BWAHAHAHAHAAA! I know what you mean! :lol:

We looked at a beautiful dining room set recently and I wondered if the surface could easily be scratched because the wood was so soft. The salesperson said she put polyurethane on her coffee table to protect it from scratches and gouges. I thought that was so curious. I guess I assumed they'd already applied varnish or something to protect it from scratches and the like. Why would you need to add something to a brand-new piece of furniture to make sure it wouldn't be ruined? That'd be like buying carpet and then having to scotchgard it, right? Am I missing something here?

Yikes! That's exactly what I'd be afraid of getting. I'm glad your mil had a good experience and that you were able to get what you wanted.

I'd be too worried I wouldn't be able to say no. Glad you kept control of the reins. :001_smile:

Lucky!

Sweet! Are either of them considering something like that for their line of work in the future?

I'm glad your experience went so well, and it sounds like a good idea for me to consider someday. Thanks for your help,

Sounds like you did most of the work and just asked for a second opinion. Good job!!

This is encouraging. I'll try to remember that for my dream house someday. And I like hearing that it can be self-taught!

That's too cute. :D

I like to pick out stuff myself, too, but I wouldn't say it looks as nice as some of the stuff I see in those magazines! You must have mad skills, Regena! :)

Good idea. I'll have to find out when it's on since I rarely turn on the TV.

That looks AWESOME, Amy! Wow! And leather, too? I was just asking recently whether people loved or hated their leather furniture. So do you? Now I have to admit, I'll be picturing Leonardo di Caprio locked in that private screening room in The Aviator when I see your handle/avatar. :tongue_smilie:

How'd you get started doing it? Do you have a degree in the field or did you start out doing something else? What would you recommend to someone interested in the field? Go for the AS or BS degree? Certification or just some local classes? I'm asking because I got an interesting offer and am wondering whether or not to take them up on it. I'm not a computer expert by any means, so I don't know if this would be a good way to start. I've actually been thinking about going back to school and getting a degree in computer science this time around. I just figured it wasn't the right time because I need to focus on homeschooling. But they've offered to pay for some classes and then a contract to maintain this website. I don't think it's a website with a huge amount of traffic, but I don't know if I'd be biting off more than I can chew either. Anyway, I was hoping to hear your experiences, stories, and advice. Thanks for any help you can give,

I didn't know what this was either. I found these sites: Institute in Basic Life Principles - Home of the ATIA homeschool program The Advanced Training Institute International is a Biblically centered home education program for families. Advanced Training Institute International

I meant to say "Apologies if these have already been posted" or something like that. I haven't been around for a while and I only just saw these so I thought I'd ask. Who is this Tim Hawkins person?

Tim Hawkins - A Homeschool Family Tim Hawkins on homeschooling I thought they were good for a chuckle, and I enjoyed this list for a homeschool alumni group: 1. You went to school in your PJs. 2. Your biology lab consisted of assisting in your sibling's birth. 3. Your stacks of books to check out was taller than the librarian. 4. Your PE came from chasing little toddlers around. 5. Your school bus was a 9 passenger van. 6. You considered school work after lunch to be cruel and unusual punishment. 7. Your father ever told the check-out lady at Wal-Mart, "We're on a field trip." 8. Your social life was viewed by some to be one rung lower than that of a Benedictine monk. 9. Your teacher ever wrote your report card on a napkin. 10. You had to move dirty laundry off your desk before you could start school. 11. The signatures on your diploma all end with the same last name. 12. Everyone else in the world was referred to as "Non-homies." 13. Your Mother's wardrobe consisted primarily of denim jumpers. 14. Your first real date was on your honeymoon. 15. The word 'homework' sounded like a foreign language. 16. Your yearbook was also your babybook. 17. A snow day meant that you had to shovel the driveway after you finished your school work. 18. You enjoyed the pastime of watching public school kids walk home from school. 19. You had to look at the clock to see if you could call your public school friends yet. 20. You thought that "public-school-kid" was an insult of the highest degree. 21. Health class consisted of eating breakfast. 22. You had to decide what year you wanted to graduate. 23. You were always late but just called it "homeschooler time." 24. You can remember nearly every single day you went to public school. 25. The teacher could kiss the principal, and no one thought it was unusual. 26. You got to school and the teacher asked you if you've done all your chores. 27. You are one of the best people in the world! 28. Your friends talked about waiting in line for seven hours to try out the new roller coaster in town, so you went and waited five minutes on a school day. 29. Your school lunches contained any food item easily identifiable to a person without a microscope and extensive scientific knowledge. 30. You've ever listened to Beethoven and Michelle Branch on the same day. Not counting music lessons. 31. Gym class was actually a fun activity like swimming. 32. You're on a first-name basis with the clerks at the local bookstore. 33. The closest thing to a bully in your school was your slightly strange two-year-old sister. 34. Your friends complained about a hard day at school, and you had to keep yourself from giving them "that homeschooling smile." 35. You heard the phrase "socialization" and laughed because you had more friends and knew more people than your public school friends. 36. Your school dress code was: No Nudity Allowed 37. You didn't own a television 38. You were firmly convinced that high school causes brain damage 39. You slept in till 9 am on weekdays but got up at 7 am on Sundays 40. You have more siblings than sweaters 41. You knew what a 'Park Day' is 42. Your favorite author was Jane Austen, G.K. Chesterton, or P.G. Wodehouse 43. You have ever suffered through Saxon Math 44. All birthdays were school holidays 45. You have ever finished your schoolwork before breakfast 46. You taunted high schooled friends during finals week 47. You spent more than 2 hours each day reading and writing....voluntarily 48. You are 16 years of age or older and still have never been on a date 49. You knew what "Unit Studies" were 50. You had more than 2 science experiments going on in your room 51. You knew more than 1 Latin paradigm 52. You have ever spent the entire school day in pajamas 53. You regularly utilized words such as "malingering", "tedious", and "indubitably" 54. You considered sled riding phys ed 55. Your IQ is greater than your weight 56. You checked out more than 10 books each time you visited the library 57. You have ever attempted to teach yourself physics 58. When asked about your GPA, you said, "Oh, probably 4.0." 59. You had no idea as to what rock bands were popular then...but you could recite all of the stages of cellular mitosis (in order). 60. You believed that you were the most intelligent human in your age bracket within a ten mile radius. 61. You actually wanted to receive books on your birthday 62. Cleaning your room counted as Phys-Ed. 63. Your field trip took you overseas. 64. Shop class included watching your brother fix his car. 65. Your track meet was riding into town to race bikes with a friend. 66. Your mom wished you'd stop reading and do something else for a change. 67. Your bedroom was your classroom and your bed or floor was the desk. 68. You stayed up till whenever, and not because you were doing homework. 69. You could get days ahead in almost any subject. 70. You recorded, planned and graded your own school work. 71. You forgot about the minor holidays until you saw your dad sitting home in sweats or your public school friends asked you over the weekend what you did on your day off. 72. You didn't know what spring break was. 73. Your mom counted watching a war movie as history and playing out in the snow as PE. 74. You had more friends way older and younger than you than ones your actual age. 75. You read for fun 76. You know what the acronym “ATI†means; if you know there used to be an “A†on the end of it, you are really hardcore.

Thanks for your responses. I can't see myself hiring an interior decorator much less an interior designer, but I wondered if others here might have tried it and how it went. It's something I can dream about, I guess. :) Here's another question for you ... what about interior decorating magazines or books? Do you have any favorites or any that you'd recommend? This sudden interest in decorating is because we're planning to get new furniture and coincidentally I was invited to a home interior decorating party. I was perusing the catalog and liking some of the pieces but wondering if I'd be overdoing it or if it'd really look as nice as I thought it would. Hence the curiosity about the interior decorator. I did see a book that looked interesting. Christi Carter's Art of Accessorizing Does anyone know about that book? Any other books you'd recommend? Which decorating magazines do you drool over? I remember seeing a home plan years ago in some magazine at a doctor's office. I can't remember the name of the magazine though. If I could, I'd try to find some back issues because I still think of that house. Someday ... Anyway, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I wanted to see this. How was it?