Go to your pm box and click on send new message. Type in her name fully, it will go to her. Or, go to the member's list, click on "rep" (so it lines everyone up by rep), click on her name and see if it allows you to pm her that way. I'm off to bed, and I fully expect to wake up and be banned. And that's ok. Really. And the neg reps? They aren't doing anything but proving my point, ladies. A point, which btw, I did not start or make until I was provoked. G'nite.

Oh those, yeah you are right. :) Good night all. Enjoy your bubbles. Megs--send a PM to "Susan Wise Bauer".. that's how. And I'm so glad to hear my blog gets read. Here I thought it was just floating through cyberspace empty. And I still don't hate SWB. One can clearly dislike someone's actions/behaviors and not hate them. Even if I feel they stink.

And you know what's funniest of all Kelli, you admitting you "took me off ignore for just a minute" when you wrote a nice long apology to me weeks ago, saying how you apologized for doing it in the first place and that you shouldn't have done it in the first place. yet you call me a hypocrite. As to why I still post here, the funny thing is : I do not "hate" SWB. That's made up in your minds. I hate the way things are run here and she knows it. Doesn't mean I hate her, just as well, I've never said as much either. So all of you quit putting words were none exist. I simply never said I hated her, I said I hated the way the board was run and she knows that. And not just by me either. That's a fair answer. Don't forget you asked for it. And I love how speaking your mind has become "rude". It's truly amazing, really.

For someone who's chosen to ignore my posts, you sure have an awful lot to say to me. And Elaine, nah--you aren't fodder for anything for me to speak against. But if you seriously only see venom in my posts and no one elses, then I guess I can't help you. It truly is sad that so many are so blind to how others behave, but the one person who calls you out on that behavior is the one kicked for it. I'll take a page from Kelli's "rep book"-- if someone is speaking in a manner you think is negative, about you,maybe you should consider what is being spoken instead of ignoring it? I like how two people have come forward from my board, yet no one has said anything to them or about them saying the same stuff I do. Incredibly funny, actually. But predictable.

If classical education was truly about "goodness and beauty", why are some of you so painfully mean, rude, nasty, bigoted and full of venom, towards those that aren't like you? it's been said time and again that there are some on this board who hold an uppity attitude towards others not like them, so I suppose that's ok, but someone who has the guts to speak her mind and bring a differnt truth to the conversation, isn't? Dudes, check it out--my "rep" is more positive than negative and I've got more "I'm so glad you speak your mind, I only wish I could do the same" than I do of people complaining about my supposed nasty attitude(which is only deemed nasty because they don't like what I have to say). People whine to SWB like little kids who've had their lollies taken from them because they don't like it when I speak up for those that can't or won't. So really, your post is pointless. But that's ok, Martyrdom is only in religion and since I'm not, I'll enjoy my "heathen-dom" instead.

Actually, I've taking it up with SWB in private, she's chosen to ignore it. Again, it's a public message board, there are no rules that say I can't post one place and not another. There are also no rules that say I can't speak my mind on the other board, especially since I started it. Now, since it was brought up when it should not have been, I'll end it right now. Go ahead and ban me. It really make no nevermind to me any more. The rep system (by the way, a ban-able offense for speaking about it) is a farce and everyone knows it. The way people blatantly ignore the rules posted and continue to leave the neg rep just because they can hide behind anonymity. Silly. BTW, you are all welcome over there. I won't ban anyone for speaking their mind. Good night.

I didn't click on the link, she did. Not my problem. My board is public too not private. And I'll repeat what I already said: I only dislike some of ya, not all of you. And, I'm not the only one on my board. Much as I love talking to myself, there are many there FROM HERE who think like I do and say the same things. You got a problem with me, you got one with them. If you only have a problem with me speaking my mind on my own board either don't come to it and then come here complaining about it, or take it up with all of us--over there. And no, I don't "pretend" anything. I don't "pretend to befriend" anyone on here, my friends know who they are. That's the reason why it was started, so we could "take it up" elsewhere. Now, back on topic-- Stacy, do your kids watch Dirty Jobs? That's another show we all like. I've got the Shark week DVD's with him doing one of the episode. Mythbusters also did episodes for Shark week, dispelling some of the movie myths about Jaws.

I'm still trying to convince DH to apply to Mythbusters, he'd so fit in with them--plus he's got a crush on Carrie(the redhead)..heheheh

I saw them at the Hard Rock Cafe in Orlando, they had a smaller opening band, but no one famous. Their concert totally rocked. But then I saw Mission(UK), VNV Nation and Apoptygma Berzerk. OMG... Crissy--yeah we are. Or try to be. He's a good man.

For halloween last year, he did the mentos/diet coke experiments in my mom's front yard. :) We had the largest group of kids because they kept coming back for more. He even dressed the part--mad scientist ;) He's a total mythbusters fan too. I mean to the point where he definetly tries things at home! Rocket with washing machine? Hmmm, must tell DH this one.

If you truly want to enjoy Sea World, it is best to see it in 2 days. They have a huge amount of shows/things to do that are almost impossible to see each one in one day. That's just my opinion. We took 4 days to see Sea world, Ripley's Museum, the Orlando Science Center, with 2 of those days at SW. The best times, imho, are when everyone goes back to school, right after labor day. Most places in Orlando almost slow to a stop around mid-end september. It's also the beginning of tourist season, so you are likely to not find any busyness at all because tourists are just arriving and usually head to places like Disney first. When we go, we always have gone around the end of September and have never been disappointed. Also, if you can afford it, things I'd recommend looking into(and you can book these on the SW site): The Shamu breakfast Any of the "behind the scenes" tours--we took the Predator Tour and OMG it was awesome. You got up close with Shamu, went upstairs and above the Shark Encounter and one other place.. It was worth the money. Eating in the park is actually cheaper than you think. They give you a tremendous amount of food for what you pay. Pay to feed the dolphins, sea lions. Fun. Climb the Sky Tower. Arrive early for all shows--especially Shamu and Clyde and Seymour. You WANT the splash section. ;) For pete's sake, wear an immense amount of sunblock because you will burn, even in september. Bring rain coats or umbrella with you. It WILL rain while there. Do everything you can, just take 2 days to do it. We saw 1/2 the park one day and the other half, the next. Get the free beer ;) Umm, there's no real deals at SW as they just aren't as big as Disney. But do book early for the Shamu Breakfast. I'm serious, it's worth it.

I think the problem with the tracts or such like it, is when you are asking out of true need, for help, the last thing you want is to be preached to and that's exactly what I see tracts as. Yes, I can throw them away, just like I can hit "delete". But with email, while I can hit the delete key, I'd much rather save the person the trouble of sending me the carp in the first place because I'd hate for them to actually believe in some of the carp going around. However, with the tracts or the "counseling" one receives from a church, it is often perceived as a "miff" or an insult if one says "no I don't want to here what you have to say, but please help me or at least tell me where to get the help from someone who will". See, there's no real nice way to say that, even if it is meant. If I've gone everywhere I can and the church is my last hope and I am sitting in the Preacher's office and I tell him my need and what I am able to do in return for that need, the last thing I want to here from him is "let me save you". Because it really does come across as a "numbers" game instead of genuine help. And I won't play that game. Your atheist friend might feel that way and that's good for her. But the truth is, no Christian should be telling anyone where they are going because that is not their decision to make. They do not have that right to stand their and judge someone's last direction in life. And to be told that with such venom as some do, it makes anyone angry. Now, I don't make a big deal out of people who tell me they've said a prayer for me. But if I come to someone for help, any kind of help and all I get is "I'll pray for you" it's like being slapped in the face with "I'm sorry I don't feel you deserve the help, only prayer". And that's not right. Jesus never put conditions on his help. Jesus never stood there and said "you are a child born out of wedlock, you don't deserve help" or anything like that. Jesus let his actions speak for themselves. And if Christians just realized this, there might be more Christians out there.

who did you offend or hurt? Certainly not me. I got what you are saying and if someone else did not, they need to speak up to ask for clarification. It's certainly not something for you to leave over. :)

My hair is dreadfully curly and I could never pull that cut off. But you aren't going to believe this, but DH's mom has the exact same hair cut, only a bit longer(as the one you linked to)! I either have to go short like now or let it grow and if I let it grow, at the mid point it becomes afro style.. ugh..

The very first church I ever attended when I was saved, had a way of dealing with people that was pretty cool. The pastor would always give them anything they needed, but she'd tell them "I'll write a check directly to the company for you". A lot of people turned it down and for her, that was a good way of knowing who was there to just use or who was there because they really needed it. Something like what she did is fine for me. If I really need it, I'll gladly hand over whatever information you want so I can get it. Aubrey: :( s'all I gotta say...so true...

I couldn't go *that* short, Needle, my face is too fat for it. I barely get by with my hair as short as it is now. But most people like it when I spike it up (think Madame Hooch style from the 1st harry potter) and it looks cool that way. Speaking of glasses, mine split at the bridge last night--first time ever breaking a pair since I've had glasses (ahem, 20 something years)--I'm 99$ poorer, but I can see again.

My **mother** had hair and nails like that once.. she could have passed for Elvira and one point. :) As for me, my hair used to be that long, and I used to tease it like that, but now when I go clubbing, it's more about the dress than the hair. :) And yes, my Dude is hawt. ;) OH and Mama-- Sisters of Mercy was one of my first "goth" concerts. I love them!!!

Check my profile for my hair before.. this is my hair now. Gone and I love it. And that's the MadDad (we call him that cuz he teaches Physics and loves blowing things up).

Aubrey--without quoting what you said again, I'll just say "thank you for summing it up so succinctly, what I was trying to say". Charity should not come with a price. If it did, no one would need it or use it. If you've never experienced sitting in a DCFS(HRS, or whatever they call it now) office to sign up for any assistance, you have no idea the level of humiliation one goes through. No idea the assumptions they make of you based on your answers to questions, no idea the way they treat you if you come and ask for help. it is the single most humilating experience I have ever had. And if I knew I could go to a church/community without getting the same treatment, I would. But I have gone to a church for help, several times (years ago) and received more humilation than I ever received from the government. You have no idea how degrading "we'll pray for you" is when prayer is not what you need to feed your kids. I'm not really sorry for saying that because it isn't intended as an offensive thing to say. But when you really need the help and you are genuinely there because you have done everything you could think of to buy milk, and all you get is "are you a drug addict? why aren't you married? where is there father? why are you here? Oh, we are sorry we can't help but we will pray for you". :(

what you say makes sense for your church and maybe others. I mean no offense to anyone when I say this, but I guess for me, I would not like it if I had to take assistance from a church and be told that I had to "give" them something in return (and by that I DON'T mean "pay it forward", that's a perfectly reasonable request) For example, baptising a child/baby. I know, theologically, there will be no two answers the same on this. However, for me, as a young mother, to be told that I cannot have my child baptised because I was "not a paying member of the church, did not have my own communion/confirmation, and had no intentions of doing either, AND the fact that my child was born out of wedlock" that my child was not worthy of baptism. EG: Were I to do any of those things, they would baptise. Of course, I recognize this as doctrinal, but honestly, if someone comes to you pleading for help of any kind, no amount of "buts, do this, or don't get that" should be attached to it.

Laura in VA: Actually, I figured the seperation between the two was enough, I wasn't trying to quote something as yours :) And it's ok, I've been accused of being much worse ;) This was my point and it goes beyond "we are all sinners". If one is doing an outreach whether to the community or an individual, one should be doing so from the heart, from wanting to, and because that's what Christ would do. NOT from the standpoint of "you aren't like us" or "what can you do for us in return" or "I've given help before and been burned, now they've got to give to me" because that's NOT what Christ would do. In theory, the church/community help, I agree with--I've used it, I've given it, I've helped with it. But rarely does it ever not come with something attached for the person receiving. And that's pretty much what I was asking about--how do you keep this in check?

Ahh I see. I was mainly jumping off your post though, to demonstrate the difference between saying no to assistance when you are sitting on some serious money, and saying no to assistance when you could only pay for the groceries once, because of that one sale. Like Eliana said, how "down and out" does one have to be before anyone would "allow" them to take assistance without chastisment, kwim?

Actually, Laura, I would. I'm not a meany head void of feelings, however, if I was offended by it, I certainly would have called you on it. :) Ahh, I think you and I are seeing taxes from two different sets of minds/angles. For you, the government giving assistance is a bad thing as you believe, per your faith, that it should come from those within--for which we do agree. But you also see that taxes are there to help pay for these things like assistance and as long as you are paying taxes, one shouldn't feel ashamed for taking the assistance if needed--again, we agree. But I was actually commenting on your "I also feel that the government taking money from others by threat of force (i.e. if you don't pay your taxes you will go to jail) is the equivalent of stealing and therefore wrong." , as my statement of "but I think taxes are robbery". In that, I agree with you here as well. However, to further add to this: taxes ARE "robbing the poor and giving to the rich" so to speak, in that I don't full see my taxes being used as they claim they should be. Perfect example is the recently passed Amendment 1 I spoke about. Everyone passed this amendment because it stated on the ballot that "teachers jobs would be safe from this eventual budget cut"-- meaning, by passing it, budgets would have to be cut, but that teachers/cops/firefighters jobs would be safe from these cuts. They told all the voters that our taxes (and the lottery) were to be used to keep these particular jobs in place. Here they are cutting thousands of jobs statewide--in the very areas they said they wouldn't touch, on the ballot--just so people can save $100 on their property taxes a year. Point blank--they lied. And I am now being "robbed" on my taxes, the taxes with which I pay so that my DH and others like him WOULD have a job, only to find out it was all for naught. *I* am not going to benefit from this $100 savings because my particular property doesn't "qualify" for it. But because they lied on the ballot to get people to vote for it, my taxes are now being taken from me to pay these idiots their measly $100 and my DH and others like him are out of jobs. Make sense now?

See, this is where I'd have to disagree.. I'm not talking about your example of "large amount of jewels" worths a fortune. But I am speaking of material possessions, like his camper. The assistance program is just that, an assistance to what is already being brought into the house, to bring you up above poverty level. Material posessions should not count against you because they are only temporary and do not continuously bring in any money. Look at it like this: A small stash of valuable jewels vs a camper. The jewels (depending on what they are, but let's say diamonds just for effect here :) ) when sold, could net a couple million right now. That's definitely something I'd complain about. But a camper? Nah, that only nets about $500 on this market. Enough to buy maybe two weeks worth of groceries (that includes all paper products and things needed for the house aside from food.. a generous offering, but not unreasonable for some here). What are they to do after that $500 is gone? See where I'm gonig with this? The couple million those diamonds netted them is sustaining. They can put some in an interest bearing account, which would acrue over time, giving them a cushion. The camper though is an immediate sale that only lasts as long as the money is worth--in this case, maybe a month's worth of groceries. So while I might say something about the jewels(what you said), that's apples to oranges in both cases because most people just don't have a stash worth that much, lying around their house. Likewise, the review process shouldn't be looking at assets like cars because in today's society, cars are almost a necessity. If we had better public transport, I might agree with you. But since public transit is pretty much non-existant in most places or very dangerous in others, why should one be penalized for using a "material posession" to get back and forth to work, rather than risk their life daily? see what I mean?

OH! Jo I just remembered something. I know you and XH have a court order for child support/visitation and such. IF you take food stamps, they are(or might, down here they would) going to make you sign a "cooperation form" for Child Support. Bring your court order with you, especially the one showing that he is no longer covering the kids on health insurance. Because.... the rules for qualifying for the two are different and you may actually qualify for both... because(heheh), the rules for foodstamps are MORE stringent than the rules for Medicaid and if you qualify for stamps, you will almost assuradly qualify for medicaid for the kids. That's how it is in Florida. Foodstamps are such a hot issue here that if you qualify for them you most likely will qualify for medicaid. Check it out, they also may be able to help you with health insurance at least for the babes.