I don't know about the "uncomfortable for him" part, but I know several cops off the top of my head that carry tasers because they are required to, but won't use them. They are not as effective in a volitile situation as they are in training. In addition, someone who helped build our house years ago was killed when he was tazed, so it isn't always non-lethal. As for the body cameras - I am all for it. It protects everyone in a situation Edited to add - I am impressed by the father, not so much the mother, and definitely not the stepfather.

I will agree that some cops are too ready to fight. My best friend is a cop, and he will tell you that he has had 4 fights in 13 years, and he has never pulled his weapon as a cop. He has a very commanding, intimnidating presence, and he is good at talking people out of being stupid. He has the reputation of being an SOB, but a fair SOB. He leaves his house every morning knowing he could be killed or have to kill someone, and he says a prayer everyday that it doesn't happen.

I brought this case up to my children last night when discussing what was going on in Ferguson. http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/01/27/4643483/judge-denies-effort-to-block-grand.html

Never mind. I don't have any reason to debate, and I don't think it will make things better. I'm going to pray for the Brown family, Officer Wilson and his family, and Ferguson as a whole.

((((Amanda))))

I do get that. No one is declared "innocent" at trial - you are either guilty or not guilty (which does not mean innocent.) I don't claim to know much of anything about what happened, and I don't have an emotional stake in it. I'm sorry for Michael Brown's family, I'm sorry for the community, and I am sorry for Officer Wilson, too. As I said above, no one wins in this case.

He did, in effect, get his day in court. The evidence was presented, and the grand jury made its decision.

I agree with you. At the same time, this isn't a "win" for anyone, as Michael Brown was still killed, and Officer Wilson's life was forever changed as well.

Absolutely agree! My kids have been in school for 2 years now, and there aren't any deep friendships. There are a couple here and there, but even then the interaction outside of school is limited. I know now that the deep friendships are not forged in school, but in common afterschool activities. My kids have not been able to take part in any, but I am working on a plan to make it happen this school year.

You have to find the right one. The workout partner I have now shows up and pushes me to do things I wouldn't otherwise do.

I had the key to his house, but I didn't give it to our son. The lawnmower was outside. ETA: Good point about the key. I don't want possession of it anymore, so I can't be accused of anything. I'll have to tell him to find someone else to water his plants besides the kids.

Thanks for the help. Bolt, you are right on. I was only telling him to tell our son, though, meaning that telling me was doing him no good. I won't be taking the boys over there anymore - they will have to cut it when they are there on the weekends or he will have to do it himself. Stbxh came here to get the key to his house, and didn't say another word about it. I'll bet he won't say anything to our son about it, but I will be giving him a heads up.

Oh I agree with that! I just didn't think it was my responsibility to check to see if he did. It really never dawned on me to ask.

No, this time when the 16yo used it, it was at stbxh's house (the 16yo moved it last week to his house for him.) I had nothing to do with it, and the only reason I know that he was going to use it is because he called and asked me what his brothers did with the key. I don't think he ever even used it, though, as it rained all day today.

My stbxh called about a different matter, and I mentioned something about our 16yo taking his lawnmower to cut grass. He didn't want him using it, but has never told him that. He is angry at me, saying I should have made him ask him first. I say it is not my responsibility since he never told either of us he didn't want him using it. He says that since I am here (he works out of town) I should have stopped him. I told him now that I know that he doesn't want him using it, I will say something as long as he tells him himself. I kept saying to him, "you need to tell him these things." He kept telling me it was my job to make sure he wasn't doing something he shouldn't. He lets him use his truck during the week when he is gone - I never knew that a lawnmower would be a problem. I honestly thought it was good he was trying to make some money. This seems to be a common theme. He is angry with our son about something - that he is using his truck, made a mess, etc. He tells me, but never says a word to our son. He expects me to since I am the parent here during the week. He says I refuse to discipline him, but he isn't doing anything or saying anything to our son about the things that are about him or his stuff. This has nothing to do with my stuff or what I want our son to do. Now the stbxh is telling me that "he wants to know what else is going on while he is gone." I have no idea what he means, but I still say this is not my responsibility if I don't know. (Can I also point out here that I am a single mother of 6 dc with a FT job and my mental energy is stretched beyond belief?) I am biased by one of the main issues in our marriage - his refusal to take responsibility for anything. I carried the burdens of our family for 16 years, and I am not carrying his anymore. Maybe under other circumstances I would have been more apologetic, but honestly it dawn on me to ask him (since he lets him use the truck.) Do I need to do something to make this right? How should I handle it in the future? Edited to add: This is a used lawnmower that stbxh bought, then had our 16yo go pick up and get it running. He's used it here at my house before. The 16yo moved it to his Dad's house last week so my other boys could cut the grass there. I took them there Monday, and the 13yo and 11yo cut the grass. It isn't as if he never wanted him to use it, but not to make money I guess?

I just wanted to quote this one bit. You keep mentioning "the lifestyle" in regards to swingers (who are not poly.) "The lifestyle" relates to the "kink" lifestyle, which often includes polyamory, but not necessarily swingers. Not all swingers are in the lifestyle, and those in the lifestyle are not all swingers. (I have a couple of friends truly, "in the lifestyle.")

Yeah - I have a whole family full of them. They own businesses. They pay taxes. They don't drive under the influence. No different than drinking alcohol.

We were at the beach today. I LOVE the sun and hot of summer. I love to swim. I love to play in the sand, build sandcastles, etc. We live inland near a big lake that has sand "beaches." We go very often in the summer.

I would say no. I went YEARS without anyone close by to watch my kids.

Game fish excrement Unintelligent burro

ROAR by Kate Perry It's my theme song LOL

For me, strength training works better than anything else. If I strength train, whether with weights, machines, or body weight, I will lose weight. For diet, dairy-free and grain-free works best for me.

Yes, but I have never bought a new couch in my life.

I would feel comfortable leaving mine alone with the almost 13 year old assuming I wouldn't be far away.

Most men that I see running here (when it is warm) are not wearing shirts. Women run in sports bras. Men cut grass and do other yard work without shirts. Maybe it's a southern thing? This attitude (that someone is "asking for attention") baffles me.