Dh & I lived in Evansville during one of our 17 transfers and also revisited it 2 years ago when oldest was looking at colleges. We really liked it except there isn't a lot of snow. Oldest attends Rose-Hulman in Terre Haute. Even with it's incredible academic standing, I think it loses a lot of students because of location! After being in/out of a lot of cities/states we've settled north of Indianapolis. Can you give me an idea of what you're looking for? I think the Super Bowl gave a true picture of the people and area. Hoosier Hospitality is alive and well.

I remember how scared I was after Kennedy's assassination.

:laugh:

Mr. Rogers does a short intro to the article. http://www.fci.org/new-site/par-tragic-events.html

Here's what I'm taking-you can make it any price depending on beverage. We have a $20 limit so am adding a pizza gift card

such loss...there are no words....prayers for all :grouphug:

and so could I!

:iagree: Financially, is was tight when we had dds. But, we had them with no expectation of help from anyone. They were/are our responsibility.

In my case, I am speaking about people who are directly talking about their long term spending habits. I, also, am not speaking about an isolated situation but just happened to discuss the one that originally came to mind. I also do not like to be judged.

I know because they are the ones talking about their shopping habits! And this particular couple is not an isolated situation. I cashier at the library. I have a patron, who lives across the street from the library, and consistently runs up fines on her and her children's cards. She always has to put down her Starbucks coffee and have me admire her new manicure from this cute shop around the corner as she hands me her state card to pay. Again, she lives across the street from the library.

My frustration is not directed at the person w/food stamps in front of me at the grocery store. I do not know their stories. My frustration is directed at the people DH & I actually know and work with who are choosing lifestyles that they themselves cannot support. Also, I am not talking about a rough spot in the road. I am talking about a long term pattern of making choices that they themselves cannot support.

I commented in the original thread about a couple that I work with that are in their late 20's and have had 3 unexpected pregnancies in the last 3 years between them. I don't mind the fs/health care etc. to help get through a rough spot! I do DEFINITELY mind the smart phones, fake tans, manicures, clothes and the going to an island off of Florida to get married-and, no, it's not because there was family there but because that's where she always wanted to get married. :cursing: Don't expect me to support your life style-which is MUCH nicer that mine-get off your butts and change jobs/pick up partitme work to support the lifestyle you've chosen to have!!!!!

I, for one, am not happy with those situations either.

:iagree:

It works both ways. I was 34 & 35 when dds were born and got tired of hearing what I've underlined. DH and I considered ourselves young and definitely enjoyed the munchkins but were repeatedly given this message that we were too old and decrepit it have kiddos!

I just saw your post and had to respond. That is exactly the attitude my father and stepmother have/had. According to my father, I was "too smart to stay home with my kids" and at the same time "too stupid to home school them"! We're estranged now but I wonder what they'd think of the awesome dds DH & I have raised. It's hard when you don't have the family support. Through the years I just kept reminding myself what kind of family I wanted and did it for us. But, I understand how much it hurts not to have the support!! :grouphug:

:grouphug:

:iagree: I am thinking about getting one of the looms for socks. I love colorful socks but know I'll never learn to knit them w/needles. There are a ton of videos on youtube to show how it's done. I like the ones by Mikey-just type in "Mikey loom knitting". Might make you feel more comfortable to watch a few videos before beginning. Good luck!!

This is exactly how I feel.

:iagree: I agree. I'm in a similar situation with my estranged father who is in a nursing home and I haven't seen in 12 years. I choose (with my DH support) not to visit unless my father unless he asks for me. I understand that he probably won't ever ask for me and other family members will disagree with my choice. But, I feel that this is the best choice for ME.

My DH and I decided when we were married almost 25 years ago that we would not travel on Thanksgiving & Christmas. We had watched our older siblings spend hours in the car on holidays w/little ones and didn't want our holidays to be so stressful. Stand your ground-you are being very sweet to be there the weekend before.

:iagree: What a wonderful answer!!

If they're not going to be eating them, next time use a hot glue gun. Sooooooo faster and easier. I've made a million of them this way through the years.

:iagree: I work with a couple now where both are in their late 20's. She had an unplanned pregnancy and married husband #1. She talks about how she didn't love him and her father "forced" her to marry him. She and husband are having problems and she starts working at the library where she meets new guy. She and new guy start affair while she's still married and she becomes pregnant again after knowing him for all of three months. Also, new guy had a 2 year old with girlfriend who he had just broken up with. So, the two of them each have two unplanned pregnancies with two different people in two years. Though they have gone on to get married they are struggling emotionally, financially etc. and there looks like another divorce in the not too distant future. They choose to both work parttime jobs with no benefits. While I agree it's their life to live, I resent having to pay for their food stamps, health care because neither one of them steps up to change to a job which would provide it. We are in an area where it would be relatively easy to get a full time job w/benefits. In their case, they choose not to be responsible for their family. I'm frustrated because I see children suffering-they talk about their struggles-because these two couldn't control their hormones long enough to set their family up for success. I know this isn't a popular view and there will be flames. But after years of working with families, I feel that our country is losing its sense of self responsibility ALL children are a blessing, unfortunately, not all parents are a blessing to their children.

Thanks so much for the link!