:lol::lol::lol: so true. I am vaguely unschoolish but I introduce myself as eclectic/relaxed because I am not a 'real unschooler'.

I second this whole heartedly. My dd18 had a ton of great opportunities through 4H. She sewed, entered fashion shows, entered bake offs, worked as a camp counselor, served on County and Regional councils and worked at the state level with Mock Legislature. We used many of her experiences toward credit hours on her transcript. The costs were negligible. She had one high cost extra (hunter/jumper) which we supported by the skin of our teeth. Anything else she wanted had to be nearly free.

Wow, congratulations to your daughter. That will be a wonderful learning experience even aside from the dance lessons.

I like it with fresh fruit, like firm peach slices. yum...the fruit seems to offset some of the nutella sweetness. When I eat nutella straight off the spoon, I like to have a hot cup of coffee (I take it no cream/no sugar) to drink with it. Okay, now I'm hungry again. Why were we discussing nutella? :auto:

Poor things.. it must be exhausting for them to keep track of all the 'real homeschoolers", 'real vegans, 'real AP' etc out there. I know several ladies in my church who work endlessly determining who is or is not a 'real Christian'. :toetap05: I'm glad thats not my job, whew.

That's wonderful...:lol:

I do agree that they are not making up the events. In my experience, however, they (news, politicians, some pastors) seem to take a certain glee in expressing how 'gosh darn awful' the world has become. I can see that your experience has been different. I don't believe the world is any more dangerous than it ever was. That doesn't mean it there aren't real dangers. I not to dwell on fears but I lock my door, I make sure my dd's carry their cell phones with them. When a neighbor had stuff stolen from his garage, I stopped leaving the door up and I moved the automatic openers out of the cars which were sitting in the driveway. On the whole though, I think people like to have their world view's enforced and those that are looking for the 'end of the world' will find it. Sorry, you were deleted before. Can you find a way to express your views that will pass inspection?

This is me exactly. Not anti-vaccines, just a little leary of the rush to market and rush to mandatory. It needs more track record.

Didn't read all the posts, sorry. I will try to catch up. I checked out Gardisil a few years ago, my girls will not be getting this vaccine. I think the rush to mandatory status was more about profits and politics then about health. As for the vaccine itself, I think it is up to each family, I would not argue if someone wanted to do it. I will just wait for a little longer track record before jumping on that wagon.

Wonderful TED talk, thanks for sharing. I also like the 'what fundies love' blog. :001_smile: It is my antidote for living in a very religiously conservatve area. :001_smile:

Were they behaving badly in other ways, not all cultures have the same attitude toward smoking and beer. I grew up around some very polite well mannered rancher kids (in Arizona) who had chewing tobacco can circles worn into their back pockets by the time they were in high school. Occasional beers were acceptable also, but no rough shennanigans were allowed. :tongue_smilie:

It is weird but some people just seem to love fear. It is like the little blue birds of happiness that run around telling pregnant women horror stories about childbirth. Or telling equestrian moms about some friend of a friend that nearly died (or did die) from a horse riding accident. :glare: Everyone wants to be the first with bad news, particularly if it can be made to be about a group they don't like. "Those horrible xyz people are at it again..." There are some professional fear mongers. They can (not always) include news media, politicians, security companies, preachers (don't understand this group but they are trying to scare folks with the end of the world talk), and the companies that sell survival gear. Obviously, there are some decent people in these categories but their business is based on fear.

You are not alone. :001_smile: :grouphug: Sending my youngest dd to college will be less expensive. HA

I went for the highest category but spend more than that. :glare: I try to live in denial. :lol: Meet Noodle, he is standing next to my dd18 in the avatar photo. He is a lovely Hanoverian. His corrective shoes alone cost $185 per month. He needs annual hock injections and must be iced down after every training session. :lol: He lives a life of luxury. Fortunately, I only lease him. Monthly lease payments could buy me two new cars (payments). :auto: Shows are around $300 if local, and over $1000 if out of town. This does not touch on show tack and clothing. DD also does 4H, Teen Court and Mock Trial but those expenses are negligible in comparison. When she leaves for college and Noodle's owner takes over, my expenses will go down. On the plus side, her college application packages included a high SAT, over 1000 hours of community service and college level athletics. She has received some very nice scholarships and a skill she truly enjoys.

This is me exactly. :iagree::iagree: I HATE bedtime now (do I sound like a toddler? :lol:) I totally understand,:grouphug: this has been happening to me for years. It started midway through menopause. Sleep has become a precious thing.

:iagree::iagree: with the bolded part above. I had many friends warn me that I was putting my kids at risk by allowing them to run around the neighborhood with friends. They have tons of happy memories of exploring the local park and creek and of going to the bread store for sodas. They had one occasion of a young man cat-calling them and calling them names, they handled it well. Stick together, walk away, do not speak or look at the offender. It really is a matter of the worst thing to fear is fear itself. Because fewer families allow kids to hang around the neighborhood or ride their bikes to the park there are fewer kids to stick together in a group with. These kids also then don't seem to have good judgement when they hit 16, get a car and become mobile. When we stop connecting with people because we are afraid, we become isolated which can lead to greater danger. It comes

How to make a doctor appointment and how to fill a prescription. I had always done that for my children and when older dd was in her first semester of college she caught a cold that moved to a chest infection. The campus clinic gave her the rx. But she had to call me and ask how to fill it. :lol: She also asked how to pick a good vitamin c and which kind of thermometer to get. Well...:001_huh:...of course she had to ask. I had always done this for them when they were sick.

Yes. In my late 40's I started taking a nap in the afternoon. :tongue_smilie: Some days if I don't get a quick 'lie-down' I start to feel like a grumpy toddler. It is better now that I am post menapause (mid 50's) but I still really need to stretch out for a rest. :lol:

I would have strong words with that school. It doesn't matter what your views of the world (or end times) are, that is just flat out verbal and emotional abuse. :mad: Don't let is slide

good point

Children are capable of telling that there are different rules in different homes. Assure her that it was perfectly okay to ask for dressing but that the host could choose not to supply it. Also let her know that in a few (very rare) homes asking for additional seasonings is comparable to insulting the cook. When that happens just smile and nod and say thank you. Her manners were fine.

Just because an election does not go the way one group or another wants does not make it wrong or invalid. Keep elections fair and accessible (there are several international groups who monitor this in parts of the world). Campaign to change unfair practices such as questionable redistricting, funding or accessability. Again there is usually an established venue for this through the elected officials and courts. Establish a balance so the it is not pure majority rules, good example would be the electoral college. Accept the outcome. Work the sytem. If you are Christian - pray for the leaders as requested in the New Testament. I am only specifying Christian because I am unfamiliar with other religious doctrines regarding leaders.

Can you describe the theological problems? The lyrics seemed fairly simplistic to me. I am now sure that there is something I am missing. Help me.

That sounds like a good idea. Has anyone said if the attendess were actually upset or it there was just a fear that someone would be upset?.

Can you explain why? I am afraid I am missing something (sincerely), not that that would be the first time. :lol: I am honestly open to hear the views of those who are offended. I have received wonderful insight here in the past to issues I was 'blind' to. I get that the cover is too racy and the video has cynical issues with money, I only mean the song lyrics.