Test drive it to an auto shop for the inspection. Then haggle for a lower price based on the needed (if any) repairs the mechanic recommended.

:iagree: And I'll throw this in to the discussion... my son (and I) both have a rare genetic liver disease which at the metabolic level, causes all kinds of things, including both of us to run HOT year round. I sweat profusely. Have done so all of my life. Even as a child. Even when I was rail thin and now fat... I will overheat easily. Son cannot sleep in the Winter (since an infant) in warm pajamas or blanket as if he overheats, he will have a true medical crisis. We both hate Summer heat as a result and joke we need to move to Alaska just to feel normal.

Plus, from an educational POV, the documentation from the visits is very helpful IF there are some legitimate Learning Disability issues down the road by grade three -- whether in public school or homeschool.

Sunburn in places you cannot imagine. That is all I am thinking after reading this thread... :lol:

I'm glad it helped. Just try to remember at that age, everything is very literal... black and white. She most likely was unhappy and did not like the consequences. But her choice of words were juvenile (and appropriate for her age & worldview) -- you on the other hand, heard it and filtered it through your worldview as despondent. Which if she behaved like that on a daily basis or showed any emotional disturbance often... then yes, you have a legitimate problem that needs professional help. A six year old looks at the world as if they are the "center of the universe". They have a very hard time accepting criticism or discipline with their immature emotions. They may go from elation about something to absolute unhappiness if something doesn’t go their way. They may see something as good and something else as bad, and will have trouble seeing the middle ground. Just be comforting but again, be consistent with rules and follow through. They grow quick and that immaturity will blossom into a confident (hopefully drama free) young person. HTH

:confused1: We buy bread in bulk and freeze bread all of the time. It does not affect the look or taste if done properly. For example, this morning, I took out a frozen King's Hawaiian bread (uncut) from my deep freeze. I sliced it while frozen and let it sit on the counter for 15 minutes while prepping the egg mixture. By the time my pan was piping hot and ready, the slices were perfectly thawed and ready to absorb the egg mix. My family ate it up voraciously and it was a hit.

Very normal behavior for that age group... having taught that age group for many years as a schoolteacher. Be careful it does not escalate into an excuse into diverting the attention from the punishment into a self-seeking method to avoid punishment. Some students in that age group knew how to manipulate the situation. Which again, is very normal. Just be consistent and follow through with your words. Kids do like boundaries.

:grouphug: Will do, Bill! Your kind words will make him very happy! I don't know if the Musitron has even been professionally sampled in a studio. It is still in his studio in his home. But from what we know, either the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame & Museum (Del and Runaway was inducted back in 1999) is interested in the Musitron and the Smithsonian has inquired about it. (???)

From what I understand, the copyright ownership of the song (in my example) for FIL is 75 years after he co-wrote it. And it passes to his heirs after death up to the original 75 year agreement. But that does not mean he (or the estate) are entitled to 75 years of profit in royalties as the popularity of the song decreases over the decades. Thus, not making the estate much money. After the 75 years, copyright is then reverted to the record label or whoever else has bought the rights to the song (like Michael Jackson bought the Beatles' library and more). There is now a huge market in lawyers trying to be like MJ and going to one-hit wonder songwriters (like my FIL) and getting them to "cash out now" -- sort of like a reverse mortgage of the future royalties until their death and after death... the rights to the song goes to the lawyer.

Awww... thanks, Bill! Well, from what I understand... the story goes that both FIL and Del were at the Hi-Lo (bar) Club in Michigan at a paying band gig. It was during the break that FIL started to to tweak around on his Musitron and the bridge (piano solo) was created. Del loved it and came up with the first couple of lyrics right then and there. American Bandstand had a nationwide contest for guessing what instrument made that unique sound in the bridge... basically FIL used an old Clavoline, vaccuum tubes, and more to develop one of the early electronic synthesizers. He never patented it due to using Clavoline parts, but others like Moog cashed in on the electronic snythesizer sound of the 60's and made tons of $$$.

Didn't Jim Morrison get arrested back in the day over peeing on stage?? Common decency suggests it is inappropriate... and yet this was a youth group stunt??? :glare:

My highly intelligent ds at age 18, cannot read some cursive... thanks to his Severe Dysgraphia and homeschooling him with printed lettering as he prefers. We're watching the testimony and our thoughts are that the young girl has some legitimate learning disabilities, lesser intellect or processing deficits, and did not really want to be a witness. Not sure why this thread is poking at her shortcomings??

My FIL's argument to that one was that yes, the artist's talent made his song popular. But without the skill of the song being crafted lyrically and musically... the artist would not be first vaulted to a hit song. They both need each other. But my FIL always thought the artist had numerous opportunities to make a boatload more of $$ that he ever could do via appearances, concerts, fan memorabilia, and more. Today's artists make far more $$ IMO thanks to social media and how more intrusive gossip & paparazzi report. But that also comes with less privacy and more headaches. The artist has to work beyond the hit song to stay relevant and make $$. You cannot live the high life off one hit song... and we know that one way too well! And sadly, yes, the money train does not last forever. Managers can run off with the $$. Relatives come out of the woodwork demanding $$. It is like winning the lottery. That is why one has to invest carefully the $$ made and not live like a Kardashian or Justin Beiber... as decades later, your retirement and your inheritors (i.e. grandchildren) will be depending on your estate as a legacy. My child is using the gift of a 529 college account courtesy of good ol' Grandpa being wise. He also worked his butt off as a Fire Captain and invested wisely in real estate once out of the Hollywood spotlight -- and lived within his means frugally too.

And her food stamp budget does not allow her to buy any non-food related products like deli (hot) food, alcohol, TP, laundry detergent, cleaners, dog food, kitty litter, or sundries like soap or shampoo. I think the OP needs to re-tweak her budget to only compare food items. (??)

I agree. The paradigm has shifted on the music industry and this is one of the ripple effects. My FIL co-wrote a oldy-moldy back in 1961 and earned millions from it via royalties. That being said, once his hit song passed the 20-25 year mark, he was well advised to sign for and make him a nice chunk of $$ in the deal. If he were a artist (in the US, they do not earn any % of the royalties from radio, TV or movie airtime), then most artists try to appeal to their fanbase after 20 years by touring live back in the day. I think many songwriters don't like the idea of an artist profiting off their "hard work" in creating a hit song. But artists do get upset when they see the songwriter laugh all the way to the bank. Everyone knows who makes the $$ in that industry. When Napster emerged and allowed free downloads, my FIL and others were worried for good reason. He saw a huge drop in royalties (the record companies keep an international file on all airtime and mail it to the songwriter or artist with the royalty check on a bi-annual basis) when Napster emerged. I honestly could also add that by that time, his genre of music was becoming less popular and sales of a hit song do lose $$ value as you go past the 30-40 year mark. FIL does see overseas popularity with markets in Japan and the UK with his song... but they tend to have a weird following for any artist IMO. But his annual $$ royalty has greatly diminished. And yes, I do see the future of music being greatly affected as the paradigm has shifted in favor for the consumer versus the record label weilding the power.

Heavens no... you sound very outgoing and sociable! Nothing wrong with sharing on FB the way you describe. I think more my OP was towards those who post self-portrait photo (i.e. Duck Face) or only talk about themselves. Celebrities do this too. I used the previous Snooki pic (a selfie) but gave her props for the weight loss, for example. You are social and outgoing. Snooki? PR or trying to extend her 15 minutes of fame. A teen or adult only posting about themselves and more? Narcissitic or neurotic? Heck, I think I'm neurotic for not wanting my photo on FB. :lol: :lol: Still trying to imagine why the Duck Face is so appealing... ??? :iagree:

:lol: :lol: :lol: BTW... saw this latest on Snooki doing a selfie. Not too crazy about her or her old show... but gotta give a new mom props for losing 50 pounds.

Exactly. And forgive me for labeling this thread, "Narcissistic"... as Joanne and others have pointed out wisely that it is far from the truth. But I wholeheartedly agree with your comment. Those insecurities are suddenly out there for the world to see. And they do not go away.

I think no situation is perfect for little ones after church. I see no wrong in supervising them in the sanctuary, but they should not be yelling or running. I recall this phase in my life as no rest and more "Recess/Yard Duty" time as I never got to socialize with adults. But as time went on, my rules with my toddler son worked and he understood how to behave in church. It is a lot of work. Bring lots of snacks, quiet books, coloring, or even the dreaded iPad as an incentive or reward after church. Or supervise them outdoors. I like the idea of a safe church playground to play if other members can donate $$.

:iagree: :iagree: :iagree:

Good point, Joanne. Hmmm... I'll have to go and read this article. Thanks!! :001_smile: I agree. I see it via my "worldview" having been the old weekly newspaper in my rural town announcing the news. Marriages, births, deaths, or real news (if it actually occurred in my dinky town). Don't get me wrong... I am on FB and have a very small # (under 40) of friends and family I keep in touch with. I do love seeing photos and keeping updated as someone earlier mentioned. I guess FB and Instagram (social media) has replaced that and opened up what once was shared on a smaller community level... is now worldwide? That is the part that makes me uncomfortable. But for our younger generation, being able to share (despite the distance) to anyone is comfortable for them? And then a line is blurred with this medium being used for those (who back in our day) were the ones who would show off their kid's photos from a wallet, post an announcement in the town paper if the kid made the honor roll or won a local beauty pageant, or trap us with a dreaded slideshow of their trip to Hawaii. (???) I am enjoying the conversation, please continue...

Thinking about some of the older threads and most recently, the Mom/Teacher who retired and wanted a 3rd (or 4th?) Retirement Party... and saw this article about Instagram: http://news.yahoo.co...-170052200.html I honestly think I did (back in the day -- we're talking late 70's) a Polaroid "selfie" that came out horribly. Another "Kodak DISC" camera selfie back in 1985 that was not bad, but back then... you got the photo printed and no one was interested in seeing your photos back then. LOL As I age, the LAST thing I want is a photo of me on FB or anywhere!! Aiiiyyyeeee. :svengo: Are we now a generation of narcissists? MySpace, Instagram, FB, Linked In... and who knows what years from now the internet will produce to show everyone who we are. I kinda see if one was young and using this medium (instead of old fashioned newspaper announcements -- remember those?) to let family and friends how you are doing over the years. But some young kiddos take it to the extreme and post just about everything. And then there are those kids who have a public FB page to boast to everyone after graduation, college, and marriage like they are a mini-celebrity... the popular Queen Bee who still thinks of herself as a QB. Thoughts? Am I the only one who thinks this?

:iagree: I recall one of my teaching colleagues who retired with a lot of fanfare in our community. She had a large (Open House) party held at the school campus and many families/former students attended. A very big deal and advertised in the local paper. But all we had was a big cake and punch. People came to pay her thanks and give her a card or gift. Nothing beyond that. It was also a MUCH smaller celebration where the staff of the school held a BBQ potluck "Goodbye" party (on the last week of school) and we all attended it at a staff member's home. Her family members attended both events. But that was it. I agree with those who think this request by the OP's mom is tacky, insensitive to her finances, and already celebrated too many times.

Congrats!!

I might be a bit mind-numb... but I distinctly recall back when I was planning my wedding 26 years ago the store's invitation catalog had oodles of BOTH parent's names for the bride and groom listed on the invite. Weird thing for my wedding, my in-laws paid for my wedding. But I listed both my parent and my in-laws on the invite. We recently attended a wedding that did not list the groom's parents. We knew the bride's parents were footing the bill. Long story, short... the bride's parents ran out of $$$ and thankfully the groom's parents volunteered to pay for 1/2 of the wedding. Still, the groom's parents were not listed on the invite as it was mailed out weeks before. But the groom's parents were classy about it.