I remember we had a good discussion shortly after the Kentucky Derby about Eight Belles and I thought some of you might be interested in what I read recently. The owner of Eight Belles has had wristbands made with Eight Belles name on the, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the Midatlantic Horse Rescue in Maryland a charity that buys slaughter bound ex-racehorses and adopts them out to good homes (horsehats.com/EightBelles.html). Additionally, Churchill Downs Inc., announced that the horses remains will be buried at the base of a tree in the Kentucky Derby Museum's courtyard. The track will also ring eight bells as part of the 2009 Kentucky Derby ceremony. Also, Thoroughbred Charities of America has established the Eight Belles Memorial Fund. They, together with Eight Belles' owner and Churchill Downs Foundation will each be donating $25,000 toward continuing research into racehorse injuries and retraining of retired Throroughbreds for second careers. I also found it interesting to read in the article that before Eight Belles injury/death, the last breakdown in the Kentucky Derby was 75 years ago. Source: Horse Illustrated August 2008

I got over $1000.

I am so sorry. We've designed our barns specifically with fires in mind. It would be absolutely positively devestating. I am sorry.

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All registered quarter horses. Our newest is a 6 yo mare with a 2 month old filly by her side - Madison & Lillie. Three of our mares are pregnant so we should have more babies next spring. In a few minutes I will go start the feeding frenzy known as dinner.

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and I am considering Lively Latin. FWIW, I am planning to start when we are 1/2 through our grammar program (First Language Lessons).

We were in Taiwan for 2 months and experienced 4 typhoons. Two of them were direct hits to the city where we were living. It amazed us what "non-events" the typhoons were for the local residents. They took precautions (boarding windows, staying inside), but no one panicked. We were told that high rise buildings are actually very safe and built to withstand the many many typhoons the area experiences each year. Good thoughts for a safe stay for him.

in addition the blessings. Can you say "grow hay, grow"!

I understand the idea of curbing mindless eating and therefore giving up snacks, but a headace and low energy are sure signs that you might need a little boost. For me, this is when I eat some nuts or an avocado.

They are reasonably priced and I use it for EVERYTHING. My dh jokes that I might someday laminate the dog if he lies in the school room for too long!

Or a copy printing company like Kinko's? If you are using your own printer, you can probably google the printer make and model and find something about how much it costs to print a single sheet of black and white. I would then multiply that times the approximate number of copies for the entire class period and then add a small amount for "wear and tear" - like $1 or something minimal. If you are using a printing company I would charge the acutal price for printing - like .06 per page with an amount added for time and gas to travel to the copy center - again something like $1 per student.

will be in 2nd grade. I plan on starting at the beginning, but doing approximately 3 lessons per day until we get to the 2nd grade material. We will then likely slow down the pace to one per day. In looking it over, I think my girls will enjoy it. They like making lists of family names, writing addresses, etc. The only assignment that made me laugh is when you're asked to list pet names - we have about 25 pets!

I'd recommend the Junior Master HOrseman curriculum available from the American Quarter Horse Association. It is great! http://www.juniormasterhorseman.com/

My husband is an entrepreneur who owns several businesses. His largest business (at this time) is a yacht company.

I am going to be transitioning my twins to cursive writing in the fall. They are a little young (7 and in 2nd grade), but both have expressed interest and I figured I'd go ahead and start. My question is this - when do I start having them actually use the cursive writing? When they've learned all the letters? Will it be weird for them to do a standalone subject i.e. handwriting in cursive) and the rest of their work in manuscript? How do you make the transition from manuscript to cursive? Thanks, Dyan

I wish I could figure out where I left my camera. I'd send you picture of my new mare and her 2 month old filly to cheer you up! Alas, you'll just have to trust me that she is cuuute! Dyan

Glad to know it isn't just me.

I kept books for an area non-profit organization and a furniture manufacturing company. In addition to taking a good basic accounting class I would suggest taking classes in specific bookeeping software. The most popular is Peachtree and Quickbooks is also popular. Like most things, you need a good foundation before you can use the computer, but I cannot imagine a scenario in this day and age where you would be required to do the bookeeping on a computer.

to help skew the results... 11 horses 1 donkey 4 chickens 4 dogs 1 cat

For the plane flight and down times while in another country my kids love sprial notebooks and colored pencils. They draw, write, color, etc. When you arrive, balls and/or jump ropes are great. Like Laura said, balls always attract playmates.

Today is work around the yard to get ready for my twins birthday party on Sunday.

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One has blonde curly hair and the other deep red hair. I've been asked all of the following (repeatedly): Why don't they look the same? Wow, they look exactly the same, how do you tell them apart? Are they twins? Who's older? Why does she have red hair? Why does she have curly hair? I think goofy comments go hand in hand with multiples.

pets because they are my business. I breed them and then sell them. Of the 11 horses we currently own I would only count 4 (the ones we ride often) as pets. The others are livestock that we sell and/or breed.