I barely slept last night too. I have certain meds I take near bedtime that help me fall asleep under the right circumstances, but not all circumstances. I took them earlier last night than I usually do, and apparently that was a bad idea, because I went right past the proper drowsy state and got a second wind, so I just barely slept until maybe 4 am. My DH having a very loud and "rusty" cough hasn't helped.

I'm trying to decide. Ham, a roast, or go different with finger foods/appetizers.

:grouphug: I get it.

I'll have 6th and 8th graders. Both: MFW 1850-Modern (includes science for 6th grader, Bible, art, and music) Progeny Press guides - 2 of the following: Screwtape Letters, Fahrenheit 451, Jane Eyre IEW Early US History pt 2 writing OH CRAP WHAT HAPPENED??? This is suddenly discontinued? What now?!?!?! *** Advanced US History writing lessons is listed on the IEW website for grades 9-12. Ummmmm..... help? 8th grader: R&S grammar 8 CLE reading 8 Saxon Algebra 1 with DIVE Apologia Physical science with notebook Likely continuing CLE Home Ec. - spreading this over 2 years ***I need a foreign language curriculum for someone who doesn't speak a foreign language, and that will be good for high school credits. DD is deciding what language - either French or Spanish Need something for Logic - has recently done Fallacy Detective and Thinking Toolbox Competitive gymnastics, hopefully will be training L8 by then. Likely practicing 5x/week. Possibly choir, either children's or community, depending on gym schedule in the fall. 6th grader: CLE math 600 CLE reading 6 R&S grammar 6 R&S spelling 7 Logic... probably more perplexors/grid perplexors. Considering doing Thinking Toolbox a year earlier than I did with ODD - Wait, what am I thinking? I did do TT with Rebecca in 6th! My BABY is going to be in 6th grade! Really, really want her to have some kind of computer programming course. I couldn't afford it this year. Children's choir, both semesters

You are not a terrible person. :grouphug: I would have done the same thing.

We have an intrasquad practice meet the 19th and our first "real" meet Jan. 8-10. We had really bad coaching upheaval this year, and Rebecca wasn't given proper training and attention until mid-July. All the girls in optionals are struggling with something. She has not gotten her giants yet. She is really close and her form is there, but she's overthinking it, according to her HC. Everything else is really good, according to him. I won't see it all put together for a couple of weeks. She'll be L7 for sure, but might have to scratch bars her first meet. :( Our new HC is a "name" in the gymnastics world, so I'm not revealing it, but he has coached elite and Olympians before and gotten dozens of girls to college scholarships. Rebecca attracted his notice right away, so we are pretty excited and shocked about this. HC says the real goal is to qualify to states, do well at states, and make regionals. A very different focus than compulsories, so there we are. We're going to be running like crazy come Feb. too - three meets that month, all requiring hotel stays. :ohmy:

I am sorry for your loss. :grouphug:

:confused1: I've been asked plenty of times where I'm from, and you can't get much whiter than I am.

They're trying to be careful instead of leaping to conclusions. Imagine that.

Yes, but there's a whole lot of inflammatory rhetoric going around, for example from Sadie on page 1 of this thread: And in actuality, I was referring to the blanket condemnations from certain people and political persuasions of "inflammatory rhetoric" being the cause of that shooting.

So I suppose that you concede that stating facts about Planned Parenthood (which has already been brought up in this thread a few times, so I'm not responsible for derailing) is also not inflammatory? Stating the facts about what exactly an abortion is, isn't inflammatory? I mean, if "magical life saving patriot wands" is plain and simple fact...? It is also possible to consider something to be inflammatory even if it isn't personally insulting. Again, a difficult concept for some, but entirely logical.

Well, hang in there and keep us posted. I hope you find some kind of solutions soon. :grouphug:

No, but this kind of language is: We have the NRA to thank for the mythologizing of guns as some kind of magical life-saving patriot wands. Believe it or not, it is possible to have a somewhat mature conversation, even about controversial subjects, without resorting to insulting and demeaning anyone who doesn't agree with you. I realize you have a hard time with that, though.

:grouphug: :grouphug:

Is it at all possible to stop the inflammatory rhetoric here?

Oh no, that sucks so badly. This is the last thing you need!

Never, ever, ever until after Thanksgiving. We usually take them down early January. We've never skipped them, although DH and I have felt like it some years.

I am so sorry. :(

It's very controversial, but I use the Duggar recipe. :laugh: http://www.duggarfamilyblog.com/2011/03/duggar-recipe-liquid-laundry-soap.html

Since we cut down to 3 gifts each, we have put a DVD in each girl's stocking, so we watch those movies. Big, lazy breakfast too, and last year we had a big lunch/dinner meal, so we spent time cooking that as well.

:grouphug: Prayers for you and the little one!

I use a different recipe, but I love my homemade detergent. Cat, our washing soda is also Arm & Hammer. Some Krogers will have it; that's where we get ours. Not sure where you live though!

Christmas Crack, aka the reason I gain weight before Christmas. Previously, we have given sugared nuts and/or hot cocoa mix.

My girls are still young, but my feet reached their adult size at about 15. I was a late maturer though.

My period, or lack thereof, was like community knowledge or something because my mom was obsessed with my journey through puberty. I didn't grow breasts fast enough or big enough, which was fodder for mockery. I didn't get my period when I was 10 or 11 or 13. I didn't get it until I was about 15. So I'm taking extra care with my girls to reassure them that a wide range is perfectly fine. Oh, and then my nosy aunt asked ON THE PHONE if Rebecca had gotten her period yet. She's seen the girls less than 5 times. I was flabbergasted, but managed to get out that she wants her privacy. Like I'm going to blast that all over the internet!