still haven't heard an update from police yet. Chris, I will keep your offer in mind. We hope that he can return to T-Challenge. He was in a rehab prior to this and has used up all his benefits thru my sister's insurance. So she is paying cash for his stay and that limits his options immensely. There is --as always--so much more to this story. Please pray for my sister as well as her son--they both could use some grace right now. Nandell

The police have had a tip on my missing nephew--they are on their way at this minute to where we think the boys may be. My sister has asked for prayers please for their safe recovery-that the boys won't bolt before the police arrive- and that Teen Challenge will let her son continue in the program . They have been missing since Sunday night and we so want to know he is safe and off the streets. Thank you Nandell

It is still raining but not thundering/lightening. They started the search again this morning. All 3 are still missing. I can't imagine where they could be. We are so scared now.

My 15 nephew is in a Teen Challenge Rehab facility. It is situated in semi-wilderness. He and 2 others ran off tonight and have been missing for 3 hours now. It is storming and wet and cold; they are not dressed for outdoors nor do they have any provisions. Because of the severe storm both the Teen Challenge staff and the local/state police have halted the search for the boys tonight. They cannot find the boys. Please pray for all 3 of the missing boys and their parents. My sister is frantic and is on her way there, although she knows there is little she can do there. Thank you Nandell

this sounds ideal for me. I get so overwhelmed at Sams--it'd be nice to decide what I wanted from home.

How does that work? I mean, I understand the underlying plan. But do you see specials?available products on line? Do you order your meat and veggies/fruit this way? If so are you pleased with the selection? Tell me about your experiences, please. I'm interested.

My sister needs to do some credit repair from some past debts (8-10 years ago) and divorce issues on her credit report. She has had a very well paid job for at least 5 years and has made her bills on time. ANd has worked to lower her debt/income ration significantly. I know she could do this herself but she doesn't have time. She is working 60+ hours a week to pay for her son's residential addiction treatment school. If she could clear up her credit report by 5 points, she could qualify for a longer term health care loan from her work credit union. Any recommendations? We live in the DFW area. Or any suggestions on questions/qualifications to use when selecting an agency? Thanks Nandell

give her coverage when she's active or bending forward?My dd's always looks good on when she's standing upright, etc. It's just when she's active and such that we notice the modesty issue. (ok, honestly I notice the issue--she doesn't see it)

My 13 year old loves to wear the lower cut shirts with a cami under it for coverage. She prefers the camis not tank tops or shirts. She's not an overlarge bust size (34B) but we can't fine camis that actually give much more coverage than the original shirt. Esp if she bends over or is actively moving. Any ideas suggestions for places to buy more coverage camis for coverage? Thanks nandell

You have my total sympathy. I had RSD after a traumatic injury to my lower leg from a car crash. And it was so hard when people didn't understand. Although I'm a RN, I had never heard of RSD before. (ten years ago) I was very fortunate to have an orthopedic doctor that did recognize it very quickly and referred me to a pain specialist. I spent the next year in agony and had nerve blocks to my leg almost weekly. And yes, narcotics-- although they absolutely killed my stomach. It wasn't until I was well enough to do research that I realized how very lucky I was to get treatment so quickly and to have it subside after only a year. So group hugs to you from me and healing thoughts to you. Nandel

and we've been pleased overall with them. She also has a clear wire so it's really difficult to tell she has braces at all. We've had no problems with discoloration. Our ortho told us that most times it's the rubber bands that discolor and she can get her rubber band changed between appts if needed. We haven't needed them to be changed. Clear braces can't be tightened as tightly as metal so it does take a little longer for the straightening to complete. Because my dd does some acting and modeling, she was willing to have the longer time period in order for the braces not tom be an appearance problem for the acting/modeling. nandell edited to add---I've never even heard of braces popping off--maybe that was just with the earlier versions?

you could initiate a friendship "slow-down" because of cultural differences? You know, as in we're used to friendships moving a lot slower, in Boston we were used to getting to know one another slowly over time--- we're still adjusting, ---- Blaming it on a difference in temperament, culture etc. but bottom line you setting some strong limits on the friendship time. Maybe getting together 2-3 times a week with your supervision--possibly even an organized outing (going to library & ice cream, church, going to park for walk, etc) versus a hang-out at home type situation. I would personally have some difficulty with the intensity of her involvement in my family's life,and the intensity that she wants you to be involved in her life. I'm not sure how I would handle her family crisis situation. I would like to think that my couch would always be open for her but in reality I'm not sure if I'd be available for a long term type of crisis relief, esp if I thought her presence might be harmful for my family. The fact that all the male members of my family did not want her around would be a big factor in my decision as well. Sounds like a difficult situation. I hope things work out in a way that benefits both your family and the friend. Nandell

ticket codes off eBay--we used a code to get Hairspray discount tickets and got seats on the 2nd row. We've bought presale codes for concerts as well with good results.

was involved with a 28 yo man man once that was listed as a sex offender. He could not be legally left alone with any children and will always be reg as a sex offender. He had to disclose this info to people when he applied for jobs and yes, his address lit up on the sex offender warning sites. Sometimes he would have people send him ugly notes or drive by and yell horrible things to him. What he did? As a just turned 18 year old, he and his 17 1/2 girlfriend were sexually intimate. Her father found out and pressed charges, against the girl's wishes, and the boy was charged and found guilty. This will never go away for him and has changed his life in ways that are unimaginable to us. You can't predict what will happen or not happen. Especially since her parents--at least at this point--aren't communicating much. Protect your son. edited to add--just adding info--not implying that your son would make the same decision my stepdaughter's friend did

believe it or not, was the statue of the sled dog Balto. We had watched the movie years before and she was amazed to see the statue in the movie actually existed. And I def vote for walking. Nandell

for my husband. Both of my teen daughters know and are super excited as well. I actually got them from the presale--public tickets go on sale tomorrow. And we have really good seats.:hurray: Now to keep it a secret until November

I just bought orchestra tickets for the Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert!! My dh birthday is in November and he will be very surprised to see these! We've been wanting to see them in concert for a very long time.

I haven't read all the previous response so this may be a repeat. Just--as in below. Usually heard around here in prayers but not exclusively. We just want to offer our thanks--- We just know you hear our prayers and know our hearts--- We just pray that-- We are just here together in worship--- If you want to offer thanks, pray, or state that you Know your prayers are being heard, then do it! You truly don't need those *justs*.

ann, I'll give kayak a try --and thanks for the offer to pm you. You may very well be hearing from me. Cassandra, I know this makes me sound pathetic but there's so many places to go I never actually plan anything. :o What i would like ideally is to get notified when a really good deal comes along as well as reg planning. Most places I've tried though send HUGE amounts of spam. And you're right, travel advice from this board rocks. The trips we have taken have always been made better by tips on where to stay, eat, etc. Thanks. Anyone else?

with my sil for 2 1/2 hours. Very cool--beautiful birds and even got to see an alligator swimming nearby. Not to mention all that exercise, lol.

One friend's family is on the way to Disney for a week; another to Europe for 2 weeks. Both trips are great financial deals, as well as the obvious travel benefits. While I am delighted for them, I'm also sad that this is an area in which I am definitely challenged. My dd are teens now and I know the home years left are limited. I know that I want these experiences with them and, with planning ,we can afford it. My problem? I don't like--okay I hate-- planning the trips and researching the best deals etc. I know some people love this type of planning---but not me. Trying to figure the best trip at the best deal overwhelming for me. (trip a has this at a 20% discount but if you do trip b they will let you stay free 2 nights but wait! if you stay over on a Tuesday and say pretty please trip C will double the offer!) My dh is on board with the trips but he doesn't believe in comparative shopping. Meaning that even simple vacations can be very costly if he alone does the planning. Sigh, which leaves the research to me. see above paragraph for sigh reason Is there some type of travel agency for families that might send offers within my parameters? I don't want to get huge amounts of spam about going to Antarctica or going on a trip to Botswana to count ants on an anthill. Although I'm sure those would be fun--esp Antarctica since I am living the Texas heat right now. I would like to tell the agency about trips within a certain price limit and the types of trips--cruise, local, theme parks,overseas,skiing--that we would be interested in and then they could send offers/info specifically on those? I'd really like to be able to plan 1-2 trips like that a year. Is there a way to do that and get a fair price and good trip? Or am I just being lazy and should get over this and start researching trips even if I'd rather be cleaning house. Any advice from the hive travel gurus? nandell

like Ginger's mom said. Works for my nickel sensitive daughter. Now, if I could just find somewhere that sells nickel free belt buckles that a teen will wear......

I find the homeschool code? I don't see it on the College Board site

I can't believe I've forgotten to reg her. We're in Texas--I went to college board site but I haven't a clue how to find out. Hope I haven't messed this up Nandell

I think he's doing well. His first month will be coming to an end soon, and my sister will be able to get a first phone call from him. The staff have prepared her for what a typical first call is like--kids say almost anything to get things back to how they were. I know the counselors have told her that he has not been resistant to the program, and he has had no conflicts with staff or peers. She and I have both been sending emails/letters but haven't heard anything back from him. I'm hoping it's because he is just too busy to write-he has a very full schedule of school and physical activities. I am hoping that my sister can stand strong with him and have him complete the program. He is 16--this might be the last opp she has to keep him in a facility for treatment. Thanks for all the concern.