broccoli

Stacy in NJ is right on. I thought my ds (then 8) had a form of Tourette's, until I read up on how exactly a diagnosis was made. I then realized that wasn't it. Ds had many tics, some verbal, was showing signs of OCD and axniety issues. DH and I were VERY concerned. In the end, do you know what it was? Allergies. We suspected that ds might have some seasonal allergies (he was sniffling a lot for a LONG time), so we had him tested. BOY! Did he have allergies! It turned out the poor boy was allergic to everything they tested him for: dust, cats, dogs, molds, weeds, ragweeds, grasses, trees, pollens, everything. The allergist proclaimed him "Allergic to the world." At the time, we lived in an old house (dust) in which the previous owners had housed both cats and dogs. We lived in the middle of the woods (grassess, weeds, trees, ragweeds, pollens) on the banks of the Mississippi River (molds). We loved living there, but it was hurting our child. The allergist put him on a dose of allegra, twice a day. I took steps to combat the dust and pet issues in ds' bedroom. Within 2 weeks he was dramatically improved. Within a month I felt like we had our child back. We moved out of our old house into another old house. But this one had no carpet (hard floors do WONDERS for the dust allergies), and no previous cats or dogs. We really worked hard to keep ds' bedroom a haven from the allergens. Ds is 13 now, and both verbal and physical tics are gone. The anxiety and OCD issues are gone, and only reappear to a low degree during ragweed season (by far his worst trigger). But they are so mild that I think dh and I are the only ones who notice them. I would urge you to have your child see an allergist (esp. a board-certified pediatric allergist), because your description sounds *so much* like what we had been seeing in our son. Allergies can do such *odd* things to kids, way beyond simple itchy eyes and sneezing. Keep us posted!

Thank you! I hadn't even thought about writing "gift" for customs. Thank you!

Awww... 1900 House was great, but Colonial House was disappointing. Some of the people wanted to live the way colonists did, others refused and couldn't let go of 20th century mindsets. Many were lazy and they didn't make their production goals, but most of the troublemakers thought htings were fine and historians didn't understand- they would have survived despite their lack of work. I wanted to watch and see what life was like for colonists. I ended up watching a series with a bunch of people causing trouble and feuling conflicts. Maddening!

I'd like to mail a package to friends living in France, but I don't want to if: a) The package will be "inspected" by customs and will end up being lighter than when I mailed it, if you know what I mean. b) Taxes are applied somehow and my firends will have to pay to pick up the package. has anyone sent or received packages in France? I'd love some insight before I start putting things in boxes. Thanks!

I posted it on my blog this weekend. I watched it and thought, "It's about darn time someone said this!" I enjoy Colin Fergusen, and this just made me like him more. :)

I think as long as you come across with a spirit of concern and "How can we make this work?" you won't sound condescending. I used to teach using the reading program you're discussing, and I loved it (as a teacher). But, your child is showing that simply setting his reading goal by points is not working for him. And, as Librarian Mom pointed out, there are many, many quality books listed as well. SO. Present your concerns (I see Johnny is accumulating lots of points, but he's not really being challenged. how can we adjust his goal?). You could increase his point goal, but he may simply choose books he can breeze through to get easy points. You can: 1. Set a reading level limit. Johnny can only test on books with levels between 4.5 and 6.0, for example. The teacher can see the average level of books he's reading and come up with a range that will challenge him, but still be below his tested reading level. 2. Set a genre challenge. Johnny can read books in his level, but must read 1 book in each of the following genres before the end of the quarter, maybe. 3. Set a goal of high-point books, or a selected reading list. Johnny must read 5 5-point books within his reading level. That way he's reading and able to test, but he has goals that will target his skills. As for the kindergartener, I'd just ask the teacher, "How can he be challenged?" Though the teacher will probably struggle with doing that. It's hard to challenge the advanced student when you're so focused on pulling up those who are struggling. And, personally, I'd ask that your dh attend conferences with you, especially the elementary ones, so he can hear you ask the questions and hear what the teachers' responses are. Good luck!

We have 2 couches (on a recliner couch, one a traditional), recliner chair, love seat, and a side chair. All have held up well after 3 children, 5 moves, and 6 years. I agree with the poster that said they weren't heirloom quality, but were decent. I must say, though, that I LOVE the durappella fabric. That has saved by couches from countless stains and spills. (We don't eat outside the dining room, but stuff happens.) I have always thought that while children are little and I'm still training them, I wouldn't get as upset if a $300 couch got ruined like I would with a $1000 couch. I'll have plenty of time when the kids are older to get more expensive furniture, if we like.

Eeeeewwww!! :001_huh: Someone's probably Photoshopped them, though.

I tend to avoid the politics threads, for the most part. Some seem to start out innocently with mature, well thought-out discussions. But all it takes is one hit-and-run poster (and there's always one) to turn a thread toward something ugly. I hate that once I'd read a snarky, snide, condescending sentence I cannot unread it. I absolutely avoid posts with blatantly controversial subject lines. (e.g. "Look! Nude Obama photos!" or "Here's proof that McCain plans to ban raspberry Jell-O, with or without fruit!") Or ones that pretend to ask an innocent question. (e.g. "Please no flames... but what's this I hear about Hillary Clinton wearing men's pajamas?") I agree with Remudamom (I think) and come here for lighter topics. No one is going to change anyone else's mind on politics or heavy issues by posting on a message board. And honestly, sometimes the more I learn about a poster's politics, the less credence I give to their posts.

I read all the posts, if I can. Sometimes there are too many posts, or responses to other posts, etc.

Yes, I'd love to! I'll put it on my blog. Can you e-mail me a link or a .jpg, please? :)

I can't believe I'm an undecided voter. I used to mock undecided voters. Candidates will have been campaigning for 2 yearsby the time the election rolls around. You'd think I'd be able to make a decision in 2 years. But you know, I don't like ANY of the Presidential candidates. I'm going to have to vote for someone, though. I refuse to stay home.

I think there are just as many unethical realtors as there are unethical people in any other line of work. Just do your homework on them: get references, ask friends and co-workers, etc. Check them out before you pick one. :)

We have a friend whose daughter has been diagnosed with Meniere's Disease.*She'd had months of debilitating vertigo.) She's on meds, and has to severely limit her salt intake, and cut out as much stress as possible. Since making those changes she's feeling healthy again, but she'll always have to manage the MD. Can you get checked for that?

Can you check into getting health insurance privately? Dh was unemployed from January until May. COBRA would've been $1200 per month for a family of 5. When we called Blue Cross they quoted us a price of $850 per month. We found an independent agent for private health insurance. She said that the trick is to not have your entire family on the same policy. We had the two youngest on a Coventy policy, ds 12 had his own Humana policy, and dh and I were on our own Humana policy. All together we paid $400 per month. If you're in the Midwest, then PM me and I'll give you our agent's phone #. She's licensed in (I think) 14 states. If she's not licensed in your state, she'll likely know someone in your area. Hillary

LOL! No, Amy! I completely missed it! I went searching for it after I read this post. Great minds, I guess. :)

You need a "The question is above my pay grade" option for your poll. :D

Oh, Elaine! Hang in there! It's hard! But you can do it. I'll pray for the sale of your house. We just finished with the separation thing. Dh took a new job in April, and I was on my own with the kids for 4 months. (Through tornado season! Yokes!) Before that I had loads of time on my own when he travelled for interviews. Sounds like you could do with a little virtual hot-tubbing to help you relax. (That clip reminds me of you!)

LOL! Colleen! Was that a joke? Never for one minute would I have ever considered that you would vote for someone other than a Democrat. But thanks for drawing that out! It was a fun read! :)

We have used Rosetta Stone in combination with other curriculum (SYRWTLS) and have loved the result. Ds was doing fine with Rosetta Stone Spanish, but he is a detail man and really wanted to learn grammar in a structured manner as well. We bought "So You Really Want To Learn Spanish" to meet that goal. Hillary

And not just blogspot. I couldn't open Pioneer Woman's blog. I got that same error message.

Me too. Not all of the blogs, but an awful lot of them!

I like the books. I'm looking forward to Book #4. (Tomorrow!) They're not great literaure, but they're very fun vacation reads. I couldn't put "Twilight" down, when I first read it. I loved how it reminded me of falling in love with dh. I don't see how they romanticize stalking. That would be the least of my objections, I think.