That's a lot of money for a kids' church night. I'd either say no, or if it was possible, I'd offer to spend the money on something that she needs and would enjoy. Something that will last longer than 2.5 hours, KWIM? If I was in the same situation I'd take her out for our own girls' night and let her choose something from the store. :)

I love Israeli couscous! It does have to be cooked, though, and like PP stated, it's just tiny pasta. What you're probably used to is instant couscous.

Slightly OT, but if those oyster crackers are what I think they are (coated with ranch dressing mix I think?), I have had them, and sadly they are not at all delicious. Just a heads up before you dive into making 42 gallons of them. :)

We went to KidsFest and it was awesome. :) It was far more impressive than I expected. I'd definitely do it if it's coming near your city - it doesn't seem to hit the same city twice (at least not since it began) so there's no guarantee you'd have the option again. Check online for codes - usually you can find one to save a few dollars. And buy tickets soon - at ours they were sold out for every session a week before the event.

Wow. Well bless your heart.

I realize I'm late to this thread (and haven't read all the commentary), but freak out? I'd only freak out if he was heading to a war zone or another life-threatening situation. I love my husband dearly. He's my best friend in the whole world and we never get tired of spending time together. He also works from home so we probably see each other more than most spouses. That said, I can and do manage the household just fine on my own. He works very long hours and most of it falls to me. Would I miss him? Of course! Would we talk as much as possible? Of course! Would I be an emotional mess? No, not at all.

He's a handsome guy! I'm so happy for you!! Children with DS bring so much light and life to a family. :) We hope to adopt through RR eventually, too.

Congratulations!! Did you go through RR? I love that ministry!

They're called Florentines. :D My favorite cookies ever since I was old enough to point at the bakery case. :D

I am sitting here surrounded by Legos at this very moment. :) Our entry-level drug was a Thomas the Tank Engine duplo set, and we've since graduated to the 9V train set, and beyond. My mechanically-minded son loves to build complex sets with working features. He builds battle ships and mining equipment and space droids. My girls play with the exact same Legos but they use them to build stores and houses - they love them just as much but their focus is on the minifigs and accessories. Needless to say, the girls have been begging for Lego Friends, so that's on our Christmas list. :) For a 6 yr old girl, I would get her a box of blocks and one or two specialized sets. I would get her a Lego Friends set if you think she'd like it - they are really cute and have a lot of unique pieces.

Really? They are evaluated on the degree of "turmoil" in their private lives and kept from teaching if, say, their marriages are in shambles? I really can't imagine that level of intrusion going over very well amongst my PS teacher friends.

Let's make one small adjustment to your article topic: What? No one would write this article? Why not? And if not, why should homeschoolers be held to a HIGHER standard than PS teachers? When we get into the definition of "fit" we are getting into court territory. If someone is fit to parent they are fit to homeschool.

Really? So just saying that I am something makes me one?

To those who know ppl who have died or gotten severely sick from the flu -- - Do you know what strain of flu the person had? - Do you know what strains were available in the vaccine that year? - Were they the same? In other words, I would not assume that the vaccine would have protected those individuals. To be perfectly honest, I think the vax provides a false sense of security.

1. You may not get the flu. I haven't ever had a flu shot, and I am quite sure I haven't had the flu in at least 17 yrs. My children and DH have never had the flu since they've been born/ we've been married. 2. The vax is only a good idea if it works. Studies don't prove that it does (the Ontario study for one -- despite a widespread vaccination campaign). If someone tells you that they got the vax and didn't get the flu, that doesn't mean the vax prevented it. Conversely, if you don't get the vax and you do get the flu, it doesn't mean the vax would have prevented it. 3. The vax has allergenic and possibly toxic ingredients. Egg for one, thimerosol (in all but some single dose vials) for another. 4. The viruses in the vax may not even be in circulation this season. The vax was cultured from 3 viruses gathered from 3 places in the world, last January. Many years the vax is already completely or mostly obsolete by the time it comes out because the viruses have long since mutated. 5. Studies have shown a link between repeated flu vaccination and Alzheimer's disease. 6. The vax, while being pushed for the immunocompromised, has never been tested on them. No one knows how someone with a fragile immune system will react to the ingredients (and of course it will vary by individual). That's for starters.

There are nearly 60K members on this board. We have maybe what, 40 ppl who think their parent exhibits NPD symptoms? I think it's just a matter of the fact that we're talking about it and what's odd tends to stand out. I also think the internet is responsible -- I discovered NPD by googling about a parent stealing and lying. LOL. Otherwise I wouldn't have known about it. Online is the only place most of can go to find people who understand and empathize. I am blessed to have one friend IRL who has a grandparent and a sibling with NPD symptoms, so she completely "gets" it. Her stories are nearly identical. No one else I know could even comprehend it.

Does anyone have a really fantastic gingerbread/gingersnap cookie recipe?

She could still have NPD, or it could be a different PD. Have you checked out Light's House? http://lightshouse.org/ The links at the top will kind of walk you through the different PDs.

FWIW, nails or rusty nails aren't more likely to have tetanus than anywhere else. Tetanus spores are everywhere, even in your house. If it wasn't a deep, non-bleeding puncture wound, I wouldn't even think about it. The chances of a child with normal circulation getting tetanus are about 0.

I'm not sure why you're asking? You said you are pro-vax, pro-flu vax, have always done them in the past, have only skipped because it was inconvenient, and gave a list of reasons that you think you should get them. Are you having doubts and looking for facts? Are you looking for reassurance that getting them is right?

I have long wrestled with the practical issue of how I can actively honor my parents while not allowing them any contact. I also agree strongly that one way to honor them is by removing the opportunity to abuse me and my family. If they were alcoholics I wouldn't buy them alcohol, and no one would disagree with that decision. In the same way, since they are abusers of people, I'm not going to supply them with people to abuse. They are free to go out and find their own people to abuse, but I'm not helping them by making it easier for them to do so. I also think it's good to compare it to the relationship between David and King Saul. David managed to honor Saul while at the same time staying far away from him (Saul wanted to kill him, after all). However, when David had the opportunity to kill Saul, he did not. He respected the role of king that God had for Saul at that time and he did not seek to injure Saul. God did take care of the situation, and in the meantime, we got some awesome Psalms. ;) I think we're to do the same - keep safe, well out of the reach of these toxic people, yet not seek to harm them in return. I try to honor my parents by: Not continuing the cycle of abuse Not seeking revenge Trying not to speak ill of them (I don't always succeed at that) Keeping their targets (my family) away from them Praying for them Luke 17:3 ministries has some good scripture references and articles on this topic. www.luke173ministries.org

I'd go for the area that has the best job market in my husband's field. That way, if/when he needs to find a new job, it will be easier to do so without relocating. If the job markets are equal, go with the best pay. If the pay is equal, go with the best quality of life. Look at homeschooling laws, weather, outdoor activities, etc.

I would use a can of compressed air to clean it. Washing it will probably not end well.

I read it this way: John Ball and his wife Elizabeth Lowry established their homestead for his family (meaning his nuclear family) and other Ball relatives: Francis Ball, and his wife Grace Flook and 3 sons, from 1839-1848, when they relocated to Harwich Township, Kent County; and John Ball's brother William's son Thomas, until John's death in 1877. So John & William are brothers. Francis is related somehow. Thomas is John's nephew.

Apple Brownies from Martha Stewart http://www.marthastewart.com/925923/apple-brownies