My son had to have them twice. The first set were put on while he still had a lot of baby teeth, but his jaw was in "cross bite". That set was over $2000. (they had to fix the cross bite or his jaw would have to be broken to fix it once his permanent teeth came in). The second set were more involved and utilized some mild jaw widening (not a palate spreader, but some clever use of geometry). That set was about $4000. I look at it this way: My mom spent $2000 in 1980 for my braces - that really isn't all that much inflation, all things considered. asta

Yep. Knowing nothing about your family or your daughter (or whether you have attended services with her)... and all "this is just 12 year old snitiness" stuff aside: this doesn't sound like "Christian" behavior at all, this sounds like cultish. If it were an adult, and they were ascribing to a very austere sect, yes. But a 12 year old? On their own? No. asta

I'm moving. I'm doing the whole "empty out the cabinets via creative cooking" thing. Tonight is chicken enchiladas. I've mixed up a whopper of a bowl of chicken goop. I've prepped the sauce. I even bought disposable foil trays so the leftovers could stay in the fridge as the packers packed my glass bakers. All set, right? Of course not. Six o'clock on a Sunday night, I open up my (less than a week old) corn tortillas -- I'd bought the big package just so I could do this -- and they're moldy, two tortillas down. I flipped through them, there is no salvaging them. So, dinner tonight will be chicken enchildada goop "nachos". Which isn't bad, but doesn't make for leftovers for later in the week. Grrr. Packers come in the morning. Maybe I'll make eggs and chicken enchilada goop for breakfast... there is a LOT of it. asta

I realize you didn't ask, but Wheelock's is supported 9 ways to Sunday by their website. Their single text plus workbook combo is equivalent to 2 years of high school Latin (or two semesters of college). I was able to buy both books used for less than $30 total. Just another option. asta

I keep telling my son he needs to learn the Irish pipes as well (he plays the GH Pipes) so that he can go hang out with some of the dancers. The pipers are all so old! (DS is 14 1/2). And there just aren't as many Scottish dancers... Best of luck at Oireachtas. asta

Yes, ME. I had something like 9 separate documented cases in 12 months when I was a teen. Then I got Scarlet Fever. My pediatrician finally threw up his hands (this was 1981, I am allergic to penicillin, and that's all there was for SF back then, so I had to be monitored with each shot) and scheduled me for a tonsillectomy. When the surgeon got in there, he discovered that my tonsils were were just masses of pus and scar tissue. Rather than acting as a filtration system (their purpose), they were behaving as infection factories. The surgery had to be extensive, and ended up taking quite a bit of my tissue (I actually have a "hole" where one of them was because there wasn't enough left to stitch up - kind of like when you pull pizza dough too thin). The good side? I never again got strep. I don't even get sore throats. Every one around me will be sick as a dog, and I haven't gotten a single infection (other than sinus) for 27 years. I consider it a decent trade off. asta

The drugs wouldn't necessarily have been taken for resale OR for personal use. Teen "Pharm" Parties Prescription medication abuse by teens and young adults (check out the link to the NYT story from this page - it's terrifying) asta

When you're mixing them, mix them with a whip instead of a fork, and add in about a teaspoon of 1/2 and 1/2 per egg. I've never looked up the actual chemistry, but it does something to the matrix and makes them "rise" more. Also, use a very hot pan, but don't cook them to death. When they are almost done, take them off of the heat. They will continue to cook, just like a steak coming off of the grill continues to cook on the plate. My personal secret for fab scrambled eggs is sauteed onions and jalapenos. I realize jalapenos are difficult to purchase right now, but I grow them. A good alternative is a decent salsa or some red pepper flakes. Eggs are always great wrapped up in a warm tortilla with a sprinkling of shredded cheese and some chopped tomatoes, too. You can put some corn chips and guacamole on the side for crunch. asta

:iagree:

I strongly disagree with the above post. Following the information on that site could very well harm your child irreparably. Additionally, that physician mis-represents himself greatly ("Harvard-trained psychiatrist" is actually "Harvard College, Case Western Reserve University School of Med, Cleveland, OH", just for starters...) Ottakee's post pretty much covers what is going on today for how to approach a situation as your son's. There is a site called Psych Education that is run by an M.D. without an agenda. It talks about what the different terms mean, what medications are and are not used and why, and most importantly, that mental illness is "not a moral weakness". In other words - it isn't just a personality thing that someone can "get over". As others have mentioned, like all illnesses, it requires a good diet, a healthy lifestyle, proper medical treatment, and motivation to get better. If any of the legs of the chair are missing, it just doesn't happen. I wish the best for you and your family. asta

I've always been a Costco person. Then again, I refuse to shop at Wal-Mart, and Sam's is part of Wal-Mart. asta

I say give yourself a break. They're little. The mere fact you're asking cyberspace to make this decision for you is a red flag that you're burned out at the moment. The Latin police aren't going to burn your house down if you take a 2 (or 4!) year break and do something else. Besides, you can always keep a "roots" book around if you get itchy. asta (who hemmed and hawed for so long that Latin is being started in 9th grade!)

Usually, in the back of the store (I don't know if you have a store near you), they have "baggies" that come from sets where the box was crushed during shipping. They basically have taken everything from the box, put it in a big ziplock, tossed in the instructions, and marked it 50% off. They also put other stuff on 25% to 75% off on the back wall of the store. Usually, this is stuff they have too much of for the shelves, isn't selling as well as they hoped, is the last one in the store, or is from "last season". For the "must have the newest" kid, that isn't helpful, but for the new collector, it's a great buy. Obviously, what is on the back wall varies greatly. We have so many Lego at this point that I have placed a moratorium on purchases until a more thorough sorting occurs. Seriously. He has been actively collecting now for 11 years. If you ever go to LegoLand and look at the Master Builders through the glass window at their bins and bins of Lego... my house is starting to look like a small version of that. asta

Oh! This weekend! My son has my "monkey toes", as we call them. They're all curled over and funky looking. His pinky toes are weird, his third toe is a bit long, you get the picture. It's genetic - we're used to it. We're always REALLY careful measuring his feet because of it (that, and because he has a wide forefoot and a narrow heel). I happened to look down at DS's open front sandals and commented that they were officially too short and needed replacing. MIL was visiting. (need I say more?) MIL launches into a tirade about how DS's feet are deformed because we have crammed them into ill-fitting shoes. She is intensely familiar with this subject because it is what happened to my husband's feet, apparently. [insert lots of non-spoken swear words here during a PREGNANT PAUSE] I point to my OWN feet and remind her that I had to wear a brace as a child. DS announces that it is genetic, and that his toes have always been this way. DH announces that it is genetic and that he personally measures DS's feet. We drive right past the store that MIL wanted to go to and go instead to REI and buy DS a new pair of sandals. Witch. I could fill a book with stories like that. asta

How dare they. Seriously. This is what ticks me off when I say don't confuse faith with religion; given faith in one's diety, the LAST thing any mortal would have the power over would be the deciding of who was and was not on the receiving end of grace. Even Benedict won't argue that one with me... Grrr. asta

Honestly? I wouldn't switch off an iPod, I'd just get a Nano. Every person I know who has bought an iPod alternate has had compatibility issues with it and has ended up back with the iPod. I'm starting to think we're going to end up with iWorld in terms of multimedia electronics... asta

I would say, don't confuse faith with religion. Faith is internal. Religion is external. Faith is a relationship. Religion is an organizational structure. Faith may involve a deity, or it may not. If it does, there may be days when it seems like it doesn't. Religion is predicated on common belief in something. Without Faith, Religion is meaningless; without Religion, Faith does just fine. (JMO) asta

Exactly. What class were you taking? I can't see this film being tossed out in an English 101 course, but I could see it being presented in a Gender Studies course, a Cultural Values type course, something about Cultural Icons (as stated above), anything dealing with sociology, herd behavior, certain types of psychology, behavioral analysis, etc. As to how the Professor responded in regards to your grade, that could be taken two ways: 1) she was unprofessional for tossing a grade at you on her way to the airport; 2) if she has taught this course repeatedly, she probably only has a few students who stand out "above average" (which would be anything above "C"), due to course content. I'm not talking about assignments - I'm talking about overall contribution, and ability to grasp what she is putting forth in the course. This is the always the kicker: landing in the class with the prof who is professing concepts that the student feels are uncomfortable at best, from Mars at worst. Because ultimately, even if the student does all of the work, follows the syllabus, and plays by the rules, the prof is still king. She still held all of the cards (your grade). I'm betting she took one look at your comfort level with the material (early on in the class) and your grade was set then. When I was at Uni, I had a few foot stompings about various similar events (uncomfortable situations) until it dawned on me that I was in control of what I took, and by which prof. I started asking more questions before taking classes. That said, a prof like that would have been a welcome addition compared to some of the witch bosses I've had. So maybe we all get a few of them as training wheels? FYI: The Rocky Horror Show, upon which the movie was based, was an enormously successful British play/musical, which wound its way to Broadway in 1975. Although campy, this piece is considered a work of art. asta

I don't think you were taking it too literally at all. Google "murder autistic child" (without quotes) and see what comes up. It is truly sad when the hopes of a parent become more important than those of a child. Is it hard to deal with a quirky kid? Yes, it is. There are no guarantees in life that a baby will be this way or that way. If we want a guarantee, we don't make the leap at all. If we do make that leap, though, we often learn invaluable lessons about ourselves. asta

We're going to do this. I bought the book, "Chemistry, Matter and the Universe" by Richard E. Dickerson and Irving Geis, second hand, through Alibris. (well, I had to, it's out of print - but it still only cost me $10). The book is marvelous, if not stinky. I think the owner was a cigar smoker. I just stuffed it full of dryer sheets... Anyway, the layout is so LOGICAL. There isn't anything busy about it, yet it still has illustrations that (gasp!) illustrate concepts. I have a quirky, no-nonsense kid. He doesn't like superfluous stuff in his texts. Nor does he like lots of splashy colors in things he needs to read. The illustrations are simple browns and oranges (good). Additionally, I picked up an old Teaching Company Chemistry course (on VHS for cheap) in case there are some concepts that are hard to grasp. For labs, we'll just blow up the kitchen or something... asta

There are two very good websites that help define the "when": Dr Phelps's Psych Education has great definitions, not just of "standard" bipolar, depression, and mania, but also the "grey" areas in-between. Jerod Poore's Crazy Meds has more information than you would ever want on all of the popular medications being prescribed for those conditions. His site is written from the consumer perspective rather than the doctor perspective (warning: some strong language). It also has a question and answer forum. Best of luck to you. asta

I agree with the craftsmanship but would add that it depends which door fronts a person chooses. If he chooses a melamine front, it is bound to chip on the corners at some point. If he chooses one of the softer woods, it will lose its finish at some point near the knobs (nature of the beast). If he goes with the harder woods or with the plasticized fronts, though, they are really tough. I've always liked the tempered glass fronts, myself -- don't know if they still offer those... asta

I knew something was nagging at my brain... From the TriCare Humana Website: I'm not saying that your child is on the autism spectrum. However, this is like one of those math problems: all children with speech impediments aren't on the spectrum, but almost all children on the spectrum have speech impediments. No one talked about ASD when I was growing up (the 70s). Certainly not if a kid was smart. No one figured it out in regards to me and one of my siblings until we were adults. Bingo: two people with speech impediments. (and even if this doesn't apply to your kid, it appears to be precedent for not having to jump through the PS hoop. The website: http://www.humana-military.com/south/bene/health-wellness/Autism/autism-faqs.asp) asta

I'm waiting for PETA to discover that vegetables are sentient / feel pain. Self-solving issue. asta (munching on her m's)

I'm with the wear 'em out theory. But I also have been blessed (that is heavy sarcasm) with a kid who doesn't sleep until biologically necessary. His entire life has been: 1. Eat 2. Move until physically unable to move any longer 3. Pass out 4. Do it again I would see parents gently put their cute little ones to bed at SEVEN PM every night and have "adult" time and think to myself WHAT?!?!?!?! You're not a bad mom. You don't have bad kids. You have kids who have a circadian rhythm that leans towards night. If theirs is anything like my child's, (and, according to studies, most teenagers), it will continue to go upside down the further they go into adolescence. Personally, I refuse to allow him to become nocturnal. I get on my mommy soapbox and blather on about how the world isn't nocturnal and he has to learn how to operate in the world. Then I wake him up really early, like was mentioned above. It waxes and wanes. We have periods where the entire family gets to bed at "a decent hour". We have times when it doesn't happen. It evens out. He sleeps 9 -12-14 hours, regardless. Eh, kids. asta