My first reaction to your post was that your have a bad tire. Check air pressure, alignment, and tire wear. Have you had those checked? K

Due to politics, my dh is doing a management job without the title. The title was given to a manager whose department was eliminated. They didn't want to let that guy go, or demote him, so they put him in my dh's department and let him keep his management title. My dh still does the management job, stays late, is the go-to guy. The other guy hasn't lightened my dh's workload one bit. It fact, because my dh is paid on department net profit, this guy actually costs my dh every month! UGH. I try to make my dh's homelife as comforting and supportive as possible. He deserves it for putting up with bs to support us. Somedays, that's all you can do. K

tell me, after I caught her blatantly lying, that she only will tell the police the truth because they could take her to jail. She was very proud of this....yikes. K

This is similar to what I am now doing w/ the help of Fatsecret.com. I'm making better food choice by avoiding "lite" and "diet" foods instead choosing whole grains, raw fruit, salads and veggies. I also limit the amount of meat I eat to 4 oz. I'm trying to get 30 g fiber a day. I don't find that I am hungry t all. I really don't like the idea of dieting. I'd rather train myself to eat healthy overall for a lifetime. I've been able to remain in the 125-135 lb range my whole adult life because I was always careful of weight creeping on. However, thanks to low-rise, stretch pants, this past year (my 40th) I made it up to 142. Getting into my regular jeans, I realized that I needed to shed the extra pounds. I recommitted myself to healthy eating, examined the bad habits I had developed over the last few years, cleared my shelves and reread my favorite cookbooks. Tracking my intake and exercise via fatsecret has been a tremendous motivator. Best luck to your daughter. hth K

Each kid will have their own DA?? Why didn't I think of that??!! :001_huh::thumbup1: K

We love are dojo and the instructors don't just give out belts or trophies. Requirements for each belt are posted and they are REQUIRED. They really encourage participating in outside tournaments and even hold extra class for tournament participants. They don't put up with any nonsense. Dropping a bo will get you 10 pushups. Don't even think about goofing off!! Parents of students who are disruptive are counseled and then if improvement isn't seen, they are shown the door. I really respect that the sensei's value the training/learning environment over their own pocketbook. The fact that our two instructors (owners) are women just rocks! K

I second this suggestion. After trying to help my bf's son with his pre-algebra homework, I can only conclude that fractions and factoring are not taught explicitly enough in 5th or 6th grade. I've sent out recommendations to all my ps-ing friends to get Key to Fractions for summer review. They are 4 short workbooks with explanations and not a lot of problems. Can easily be completed over the summer. I'm having my own children do them between Singapore 4 & 5.

When my dh and I followed the philosophy of "Fat-free and Flavor-Full" by Dr. Gabe Mirken, we lost a lot of weight and learned to appreciate a variety of vegetables and spices. The portions of complex carbs we could eat were very generous. I believe Dr. Mirkin's latest book recommends 20g fat/30 g fiber. http://www.amazon.com/Fiber-Diet-Plan-Weight-Reducing-Health-Promoting/dp/B000EMH5HU/ref=cm_cr_pr_sims_t hth, K

I saw Disney on Ice when I was a small child and I never got over the scary witch. Never liked Disney animations/characters. Grandparents took me to Disney when I was 13 and I just hung out in some disco-place and rode the E-rides. Didn't hug Mickey or wave at the floats.... I think I was an early-Goth child. Hum. K

We haven't had tv in 4 years and I can attest to the fact that your "wants" go way down when you are not bombarded with advertising. My youngest will be celebrating his 10th birthday in a few weeks and he doesn't want anything but money to buy magic tricks. He has no idea what the Hot Toys are this year or what the latest movie out in the theatre is. K

Wow, I wonder how my 16 yo niece made it from Washington State to MO??:tongue_smilie: Sounds exactly like her. K

This list is SO WRONG. I'd hate for anyone to be scared off of moving to VA because of this list. Boo. K

That's my exercise today. Now, back to school. K

..

K

because the only car available to me was a stick shift and she didn't want me at the mercy of another driver because I couldn't drive their car (she was worried I be stuck at a party with my driver drunk). I think it's a good skill to have and stick shifts are cheaper to buy and keep, better on gas, and I feel you have more control over the car (downshift to slow, instead of using the breaks). My friend sells used cars and she is always telling me that many people won't buy some really good, inexpensive, gas-sipping cars because they can't drive a stick.

He's not ready for it, but I liked the layout. Perhaps your library has it for you to preview. http://www.amazon.com/Watercolor-101-Techniques-Absolute-Beginner/dp/1402723520/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1207748540&sr=8-1

Which makes the 11 yo's behavior look worse. My oldest is advanced in many ways (he's very logical and can argue like an lawyer, great vocabulary, smart) and prefers the company of mature teens to kids his own age. His three major infractions are his back talking, whining about school, and his tormenting of his younger brother. If I could cure these, I'd put up with a messy room and bad table manners!! He's jealous that his little brother rarely gets in trouble for anything he says.

:) I don't think he'd want my dh's '89 Accord (even though it has nice, new tires!).

I get more sensitive to it during certain times of the month!! I just want to lock myself in the closet. My mom tried to reassure me that this is a phase (my brother went through it) and that my dh needs to step in. I have noticed that he is behaving for my dh and confronting/challenging me more. I take away his favorite thing (computer time) and he straightens out for a day or two. But daily there is confrontation. I'm exhausted. I'd love to send him to school, but I think middle school is a waste. He is a really neat kid, but it's like we're oil and water lately. Sorry for the rambling, just wanted you to know that you are not alone. K

:iagree: Amen! BTW, my nephew worked all last summer and saved like crazy. He bought a $600 Accord and put a new engine in it, "pimped" out the interior (rewired all the lights in the dash), and proudly drove it a few weeks ago. We are all so proud of him.

nn

I saw no reason for a 5 year old (much less a 4 year old) to be separated from a parent for 6-7 hours/5 days a week. I didn't even go to K as it was not available in my county in '72. BTW, I LOVED BEING WITH MY MOMMY! We went on walks in the woods and I helped her around the house and shopping (I still have fond memories of getting a Hershey bar when I was a good girl at the store and I do the same for my dc). My older siblings were in school, so I had her all to myself. Also, I learned to enjoy my own company while she was busy. It's was the most idyllic time of my childhood. FWIW, I had no trouble transitioning into school at 6. I loved elementary school and was a good student. I don't buy into the idea that K is required. K (I still love my mommy! - I see her every other weekend and she's the greatest gma ever).

I am pretty frugal and have will-power (can't say the same for dh), so we try just to buy what we need... Milk, frozen salmon, chicken breast and fresh ground beef prices are hard to beat that the quality is excellent. Fresh fruit and veggies, paper products, and gas are always on our list. I only buy dish detergent and cleaning products when they have a buy one, get one free coupon. I'm stocked up for a good year. My dh will pick up a rotiserre chicken and they are always very meaty (can't say the same for my local grocery stores). Bought 3 pairs of glasses there in the last 4 or 5 years and saved a substantial amount. We just bought laminate flooring (350 sq ft) for less than $700! Love Costco.

I haven't kept up with him as I'm the "east-coast refugee." If the current team is going to morph into the MLS team, he's got to be excited! Wonderful news all around. K