If I'm reading that correctly, you attempted to put in what you thought was a parental control and it retroactively reduced the number of text messages on the plan? Yeah, I would just call them and have it set back. We've had Verizon Wireless for about 6 years and they've always been good with customer service. I'm pretty sure we've been told, more than once, that if we find we're hitting or going over limits, we can just call and move up to another plan. It's one thing to repeatedly refuse a higher plan, then not want to pay for it. Something else entirely to make an error with your plan details and have it billed retroactively.

So, very, very sad. Zip ties also need to be put way out of reach. My husband recalls vividly (every time he sees a pack of zip ties, in fact) a very scary few minutes, early in his career, when he and his partner tried desperately to get the scissors under a zip tie that was around the neck of a very blue child. I think it was possibly the scariest five minutes in his 20 years as a paramedic.

Is that why my butt is so big? :001_huh: I'm thinking back to the boys' first birthday, when I was at least 30 lbs lighter, and it's true that it was RIGHT BEFORE we started homeschooling. (I just figured twin nurslings - who have since weaned - had something to do with it... ) Good grief.

All other Brooke Shields-isms aside, I find it interesting that someone whose body was photographed and put on billboards reflects on body insecurity issues as a hurdle in intimate settings.

I second the Floradix. Highly recommended by herbalists, doesn't constipate, etc., vegetarian, though not vegan (it has honey).

Yes, I was referring to the lack of boundaries, guidance, structure, etc. in the "doting grandparents" way, specifically a lack of discipline of any kind. They have learned, by consequences, that "doting" is not synonymous with "no rules", and now enforce expectations - like eating, quiet time, pleasant behavior - in gentle, age and situation appropriate ways. I was merely pondering the contrast between their previous "no rules" approach and the concept of them feeling some behavior was so egregious as to deserve a swat and what it would take to get there... it would take a lot. I wasn't clear, and appreciate your clarification. We do take a guiding approach to behavior and rule enforcement, and rarely have to punish in any way, let alone corporal punishment, because we do not let things escalate that far. Some days, though, it seems like there is a LOT of time-out. :glare:

No idea of what's out there... the only thing I ever carry is a Coach wristlet. It holds my cards, a lipstick and Blackberry, and my keys stay attached to the wrist strap. I am, apparently, not a purse kind of gal.

I wear wool tights and either clogs/mules or knee high boots (or sometimes Birks), depending on the skirt. There have been occasional leggings, but it doesn't get cold enough here to warrant that very often.

I was thinking the same thing. Even turned my laptop to appreciate it in its full glory. :D

My SIL told one of my boys she would spank him if he repeated a similar behavior. I have no problem with it. She keeps a class of 20ish special needs and typical four year olds in line all day (obviously without spanking); if she feels the need to put spanking on the table as a possibility, I'll back her. My parents-in-law used to try the non-discipline approach... until Auntie came home one night to discover there had been no nap, the children were in "whirling dervish" mode, and she told her parents very plainly that she was not going to participate in the evening chaos if they weren't going to enforce the rules during the day. They've gotten much better about upholding expectations since then, lol. And, frankly, if one of the children inspired them to a swat on the bottom, I would be inclined to believe the child in question was most deserving of it. This would be a completely different reply if we were fundamentally against corporal punishment, though. It's not our preferred method, but not out of the question, either.

And, as "the wife" in a similar equation, I expect the same sort of closeness with anyone - male or female - my husband is partnered with for any period of time. It is the culture of the department. The running joke when we were first married was that my husband slept with my best friend every third night... except when he slept with Dave. :D

When I worked in an office, a number of us would gab about weekend plans, our kids, significant others, etc. We'd go to lunch, sometimes grab a beer after work... it wasn't flirting. It was bonding with the people you spent most of your waking hours with.

Oh, yes, then I would definitely go the topical route with the yogurt, garlic, tea tree, etc. I'll also go ahead and be the voice of dissent here: I don't think antibiotic related yeast infections really need the whole dietary elimination approach. This isn't a chronic imbalance of flora; the balance was disturbed by taking antibiotics and once they clear her system, with a little probiotic support and addressing the yeast, the balance should return naturally. Obviously, if this continues for quite a while, or spreads, I would keep that in my bag of tricks, but I wouldn't take it as an initial approach. Know what I mean?

I'm 38. My age doesn't bother me. It's only the time elapsed since my birth, after all. (In fact, I tend to update my age when the year changes, rather than my birthday. It's easier to keep track. ;))

Good point. How young are we talking? I assumed from the acv sitz baths that she is at least a young teen? If she's younger, I would mince the garlic in the yogurt as a topical, and perhaps add a drop or two of lavender and tea tree essential oils, if it's particularly tenacious. I made a salve with those three when the boys were infants and weirdly prone to yeast diaper rash. The combination (garlic, lavender, tea tree) works great.

I think there is a significant difference in what you describe - using a computer as a tool - and engaging it as an entertainment destination. A kid's brain is engaged in a creative endeavor when using it as a tool, and it's not any different, in that sense, than using a camera to create clay animation. We limit screen time of all kinds because there are marked changes in behavior when we allow unfettered access, and because we (I) really don't care to have the kids engaged in a lot of "sit and stare" activities. Ironically, we know a family that makes it a point to tell people that they don't even have TV (seems like it comes up in every social outing) but their children spend a LOT of time sitting in front of videos, playing computer games, etc. And it shows. I wouldn't be opposed to my kids using the computer to create, though. (They're still relatively young, so that's something of a non-issue at this point, though.)

Actually, raw garlic as a suppository works well. Whole clove, slightly bruised (no so much that it doesn't hold together), and you can run a piece of string through it with a needle for easier retrieval. Have you addressed the cause, as well?

I found the same thing, so I just ended up using Seventh Generation - not inexpensive, but the clothes are clean without any petrochemicals and I recycle the bottles. Trent, at the Simple Dollar, recently posted an article / video. It doesn't appear that he uses Fels Naptha.

For me, it would mean being debt free and a good amount of liquid assets in case we did have to live without income for a period... what a "good amount" is, I have no idea. We're still working on the "debt free" part. :001_smile:

Apparently, I'll be a goner in the first couple of hours... alas.

In a word, yes. Almost five years ago, I was the primary breadwinner. After the boys were born, I had trouble returning to work (read: I hadn't slept in months and was generally incoherent), took a year's leave of absence with the blessing of my boss (very small company) and have not returned to work since. In the intervening years, my husband went back to school for his master's, I am enrolled in a three-year program to be an herbalist. We are now in the process of paying off massive CC debt. We do not have six months' expenses in the bank. I budget. The mortgage is paid. The other bills are paid. Everybody eats (and mostly local, organic, at that). We are constantly reevaluating to see where we can cut back further (this month, we're dumping the cable company, going to dial-tone only on the home phone, etc) but we are enjoying the challenge, frankly. However... my husband is a civil servant more than halfway to being eligible for retirement. Layoffs aren't a concern, overtime is available fairly frequently, and promotional opportunities occur annually. His experience and education have opened doors for other work on his off days (though the university he has been teaching for has yet to pay him - for work/expenses from January-March - so that hasn't been exactly lucrative and probably won't be in the future, after the state gets involved) so there are additional opportunities for income fairly frequently. So, yes, everything has turned out really well, actually, and I would be fairly comfortable in your position, but I can see your husband's reservations, as well.

I PM'd you. :001_smile:

The Splendid Table has two recipes, both of which are... splendid. One Two (I think Lynne commented that the first was her favorite on air once, and pretty fool-proof - no roux)

WHAT?!?! Unrepublished short stories? You jest. You jest at the expense of those whose little hearts skipped a beat. (Yes, huge Salinger fan... not just slightly annoyed that he has not been so, uh, prolific as one would hope. :glare: )

You could look into Drupal to cut their teeth on layout, pages, etc. It's free. Then you (they) can work on learning HTML and whatnot.