We LOVED The Greatest Showman!!! 23 yo DD went and saw it again last weekend. We are planning on buying the DVD when it comes out, but it was so wonderful seeing it on the big screen. He was Gaston in Beauty and the Beast on Broadway. You can see video of him in that role on YouTube. He also sang and danced while hosting the Tony Awards several times. I believe he may have won an Emmy for that. He is one seriously talented man! Check this out about The Greatest Showman -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PluaPvhkIMU

I bet there is a lot more to the story. I feel very badly for the daughter if she was forced to cut her hair, BUT I really think the mom made it much worse by making a Facebook page about it and blowing it all up for the whole world to know it. She could have pursued the issue with authorities without making it a public matter. It really makes me wonder about the mom's motivations. Mary

This is from my 23yo dd, who studied ballet for 18 years, continuing at the university level, and received her bachelors in exercise science; she will be pursuing her doctorate in PT later this year: "I think several points with these arguments need to be addressed so that there is a mutual understanding and a level playing field (excuse the pun). As previously stated by several posters, there is a major lack of foundation to an argument that is trying to compare a wide variety of activities (i.e. marathon running, football, violin, swimming, dance). On the physiological level, there is a vast difference not only between the physical requirements for these activities, but differences in the cellular makeup of the muscle fibers involved. There are many aspects that go into physical fitness--according to the American College of Sports Medicine they are cardiovascular endurance, body composition, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and flexibility. (And it is important to note that muscular fitness is can be broken down into strength, flexibility, power, and endurance). A single athlete can and will be stronger in one of these areas depending on how they are trained. For instance, a gymnast will test higher in flexibility than most but will be lower in cardiovascular endurance compared to a marathon runner or even a soccer player, who must run semi-continuously for 90 minutes. Therefore, one cannot make the statement that one type of athlete has higher physical fitness than another as there are far more contributing factors than initially recognized. That being said, let's look at the breakdown of what dance itself requires of the human body--specifically ballet: As stated before, muscular fibers (aka muscle cells) will have a varying make-up depending on both genetics and training. These categories are Type 1, Type 2A, and Type 2B; more commonly referred to as fast and slow twitch fibers. . Now when comparing these muscle fiber types, you will see differing levels of myoglobin (oxygen-storing compound/aerobic power source), mitochondria, glycogen (anaerobic power source), and frankly the size of the fiber. These types will make an athlete better suited for higher levels of endurance or power on a spectrum. Much of muscular make-up is determined genetically (for example, a marathoner's child will likely have higher levels of slow twitch fibers), but minor changes amongst subtypes can occur through training. Muscles that have been trained for endurance activities will in fact be leaner with smaller diameters, not because of lack of muscle or fitness, but because of the adaptations of the body for its specific kind of fitness--endurance. Now what does this mean for the dancer? As Wintermom stated, the dancer's arms are thin and typically do not deal with much resistance. However, with the material in the previous paragraph, we can see that while the arm muscles do not require much power, and in some cases strength (though very debatable), they require incredible amounts of endurance, a quality you don't often see in arms in typical sports. Now lets look at the thighs: thighs must have extreme amounts of strength and power as they have to hold legs (the majority of our body weight) in extreme positions against gravity and propel the body in the air at impressive speed and heights. I can say from experience that dancers' calves are some of the strongest and most defined you will come across in the sports medicine field. Very few athletes require the same range of motion, power, and strength as that of dancers who are constantly either standing on there "tip-toes" or are jumping--both of which require a great deal of power and strength. Furthermore, Wintermom pointed out that the dancers' physiques are typically very thin. While one may assume this is due to lack of fitness, this is in fact due to range of motion in which a dancer trains, as well as diet. Dancers, even more-so than gymnasts, work through a great range of motion (ROM), more than the typical athlete. What this does to the developing muscles is create a longer, leaner definition than let's say that of a football player or bodybuilder. For one to obtain the "bulked" look of a bodybuilder without the help from steroids, they work in a much smaller ROM than they are even capable of to achieve their desired look. This along with copious amounts of meat and protein powder will result in massive muscles. One final note, when I was studying dance at the collegiate level (8-10 hours a day), our department also expected us to cross train in both resistance and cardio activities. We even had a full-time ATHLETIC trainer on site specifically for our dance department. I think it is safe to say that even between weight-room and practice, no college athlete will spend that amount of time performing physical activity in a day. But getting back to the original question, YES :001_smile: dance requires both art and athleticism."

Growing up none of our cats sat on the counters. I naively thought it was because we had "taught" them not to. It always appalled me to see cats walking around on other people's counters and I self-righteously thought they hadn't properly "trained" them. Hahahaha! Well I have been deservedly brought down from that notion. We have a cat who goes where she likes, when she likes. Counters, the top of the refrigerator, the top of any high surface - including the grandfather clock. She got on top of the clock by leaping from the sofa to the top of the bookcase, running along the valance (on wood frame) the length of the LARGE picture window and jumping on to the clock. Thankfully as she has gotten older she has given up the clock. We shoo her from the counter where we are preparing food but she likes to sit on the one across from that one. I think she likes the company because she doesn't really seem interested in any food but her own. I really think the answer to the original question is it all depends on the cat :001_smile: I do wonder if it has anything to do with being an indoor cat vs. outdoor cat. Growing up all of our cats were outdoor cats. I've wondered if they got their climbing out of their systems by climbing outdoors? Mary

No, we went to the Musk Ox Farm in Palmer. It was fun to see the oxen up close and hear all about how they raise them, comb them, etc. We also went to the Reindeer Farm, but no wool there :001_smile: Oh, one other thing about qiviut - it isn't itchy like wool and gets softer and fluffier the more it is worn. Such a wonderful fiber, if only it weren't so pricey!

Well I have an idea, but probably not practical due to cost. We went to Alaska this summer to visit friends and went to a Musk Ox Farm. They make wonderful yarn out of the under wool of the ox. It is called qiviut (kiv-ee-ut) and is warmer than wool, softer than cashmere, and doesn't shrink in any temperature of water. (Arctic Mama probably knows all about it :001_smile:). They have to comb the oxen to get the wool. But it is around $100 an ounce! I bought an ounce to make a smoke ring, which is like a circular scarf. It is a ring that you knit on circular needles. You pull it over your head to wear around your neck like a cowl. I figured this would be the only time I bought qiviut and it would be a remembrance of our trip. But then I was almost finished with it and decided I wanted it longer so ordered another ounce! Here's a link to the smoke ring pattern I used. https://www.muskoxfarm.org/product-page-c143e/smoke-ring-knitting-patterns I did the Single Vine. Mary

The National World War II Museum. Went last spring break with my then college senior daughter and she thought it was amazing too. She said it made WWII make so much more sense. If you go, do "The Road to Berlin" and "The Road to Tokyo."

We are not elderly yet, 59, but my husband was diagnosed with ALS this year and can't use his arms now. I can't be shoveling snow if he needs me. We have a wonderful, helpful couple that live next door. I spoke to the husband and offered to buy a new snow blower and allow him to use it on his walkways if he would blow our walkways too. He was more than willing to help.

Contact a local stamp/coin store and ask for advice.

When I weaned my oldest she was around two. In the morning her dad would get her up and give her a sippy cup with milk and she could eat dry cherrios. She would sit on his lap and snuggle while they did this. She knew she couldn't nurse with him so she'd go ahead and drink the milk and eat the cheerios. It was like she just needed a little cuddle when first getting up for comfort. After a couple of weeks of this she never asked to nurse in the mornings. He would also put her to bed at night so she wouldn't ask to nurse.

DOs do not do chiropractic manipulation, they do osteopathic manual manipulation (OMM) and it is very different. My son-in-law is currently a first year student in a DO school. DOs get all the same training as medical doctors and training in OMM. They can go to residencies in all the same specialities as MDs. Here is a little explanation about OMM The Treatment Techniques Chiropractors employ a wider range of techniques for manipulating the spine, whereas osteopaths employ a wider range of techniques overall. Apart from manipulation, osteopaths use other techniques such as stretching, pressure and mobilization. Osteopaths are also trained in cranial osteopathy or cranio sacral therapy, which involve very subtle and gentle adjustments without any “clicking†of the joints. These techniques are seldom used by chiropractors. Another difference is that osteopaths do not “click back†a joint the way chiropractors do. Mary

I could answer with all sorts of Bible quotes and a theological knowledge, but I really can't formulate all of those now because the thoughts don't flow and I can't see through my tears as I write this. My dear, dear husband was diagnosed with ALS in May, although I've believed since January that the diagnosis was coming. It's horrifying and I feel as if I am caught in a nightmare. I asked his permission to talk about the effects of ALS on him on this forum, because it is personal to him and us. Many people don't know that a percentage of people with ALS have cognitive problems; you always hear about how they suffer while "retaining a clear mind." My dh is losing word recall, he has problems reasoning and holding conversations. He had to stop working right after the diagnosis because he is an attorney and couldn't do that anymore. At this time this is much harder to bear than the physical weakness. I lost a part of him before I even knew it was going. This could progress to full dementia. Physically he can't lift his arms above his head or put on his jacket. We do not know why the Lord allowed my dh to have ALS. But we don't feel it is "unfair." There are so many terrible things in this fallen world, death, disease, violence, suffering, etc. I have never felt immune to any of it. Maybe because my dad died when I was 13, I have always known bad things can happen at any time. I just know that the Lord is with us in it. And that's why I pray. I pray for wisdom in making the decisions we need to make, for strength to help my dh and to be the wife he deserves (even in my fear), for mercy that my dh can avoid the most horrific parts of this disease (and strength to endure if he must), for surrender of my desire to control things - to trust the Lord with them, and for the Lord to be glorified in this. I believe life here is fleeting and we don't know how we are being used in the Lord's plan, but that there is a purpose. Many people would probably call me deluded, but I can personally say that in all my weakness and fear in the last 8 months that I have never felt the Lord closer to me. It will be a long road and I know there will be times when I may waiver in my faith, so I pray for strength in my faith too. There are so many things that have happened over the last 8 months that shows me the Lord is right here with us. There are people who have told me they are praying for healing. Do I think the Lord could heal my dh? Certainly, but I don't think that is His purpose in this. I am not praying for healing. That in no way makes me think God is not benevolent. I believe God is good and benevolent, but I can't see the bigger plan God has for my dh's life, my life and my children's lives. My trust is in Him to figure that out. Mary

Second vote for nomorobo.com. A friend recommended it for several years before we tried it. It's great! Robo calls ring once and then stop. I don't even get up on the first ring anymore!

The pharmacists probably have never seen it work! It literally worked overnight. We'd paint her mouth and the next morning it was better. We kept it up for 3-4 days to make sure it was gone. You would have to ingest more though to get it down your throat, so don't know how that would work.

Twenty-two years ago when my youngest was a newborn she got thrush and every time the docs would treat it, it came back a few days later. Another mom suggested gentian violet. It was the only thing that worked. We painted her mouth with it using a cotton swab. It was a mess because it stains and of course she was a baby so drool got everywhere. But it was great! Here's what wiki says about it https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal_violet Thought it might be worth a look anyway.

I'm not sure rental cars can be used to pull u-hauls. Both our cars, daughters and ours, are too small for a u-haul. Never thought to driving a pick-up! We aren't truck people. Might have problem with rental agencies and no guarantees again. But I will check that out!

We just found out yesterday that our 14 year old van is on life support. It won't make the 2,000 mile round trip to our daughter's college graduation. We need a van because we are moving all her stuff home between a van and her car. We are going to attempt doing life with one car for awhile (plus daughter helping with hers) so we planned on renting a van for the trip. The problem is car rental agencies don't guarantee what kind of vehicle you will get when you go to pick it up. We need a van where the seats will fold down. It seems you need to call each location and ask about availability and they won't promise anything until the day before pick-up. Anyone have some helpful advice for me? Mary

It appears the law in the UK was amended in 2013 to give a little more leeway to self-defense claims for "householders." While in ordinary self-defense cases there needs to be a determination that action was "reasonable in the circumstances," in cases involving a break-in to a residence the defense is generally presumed to be reasonable unless it is "grossly disproportionate in those circumstances." The introduction to the document I read gave this reason for the changes. It is rare for householders to be confronted by intruders in their homes and even rarer for them to be arrested, prosecuted and convicted as a result of any force they used to protect themselves. When such cases do occur, the Government believes they can give rise to a public perception that the law is balanced in favour of the intruder. In response to these concerns the Coalition Agreement committed ‘to ensure that people have the protection that they need when they defend themselves against intruders’. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/192945/self-defence-circular.pdf

You might want to look at the book by ETS since they are the ones who write the test. It might be the closest to the actual test. Also, check out their website - they have all sorts of test prep links for free. You have my sympathy! My daughter, a senior in college, will be taking the GRE this summer. When I was visiting her last week we looked over the ETS review book and it made me very happy I don't have to take it! Good Luck! Mary

My daughter just completed her fourth year of teaching, 3rd and 4th grades. One of her favorite tools is a stapler like the Staples One-Touch which allows her to do bulletin boards very easily. And then a flat staple remover like the "Calypso Magnetic Staple Remover" which helps her take things off the bulletin board quickly.

I was impressed because it was Lady Gaga (who I am NOT a fan of) and she did surprisingly well. I guess I was more surprised at who it was. I didn't think she was better than a lot of others they could have gotten, it was just a novelty because she wasn't an obvious choice. Here's my big question - was she lip syncing to her own previously recorded voice? I keep watching it and I think she was not singing live. What says the Hive?

I think you expect a lot, but I also think you have the wrong girl for the job. You need someone who loves kids and loves interacting with them. My oldest would have fit the bill at 15. She always loved kids and has a natural way of interacting with them. She knew she wanted to be a teacher from 14 on, and now teaches fourth grade. She worked at a Michael's craft camp as a junior in high school and nannied for three summers while in college. She could do all the things you wanted intuitively, she only has one younger sibling, and I didn't teach her in this area. In fact, she is better with a group of kids than I could ever be. Maybe you could put the word out and find someone whose life goal is to work with kids.

Are you talking about pointe shoes? Ballet flat shoes shouldn't hurt at all. Dancers who wear pointe shoes have been training for years before they are allowed to "go up on pointe." They have to be taking class at least 4 days a week for 1 1/2-2 hours a day before they get pointe shoes. If you went out and bought pointe shoes and wore them before having the required time in ballet I can imagine it would be excruciating!! Also dangerous and you could very likely cause yourself serious injury!

We have traveled all over the world-military family. I loved it then, now not so much. I don't mind "being" in the places. I would really like to see Ireland. I just don't want too have to "go" to the places. I don't like flying anymore, not afraid, it's just a pain in the bu** and expensive. It's just all such a hassle that I can do without. But last spring my husband was feeling ground down by work and really want to get away. I really was not excited about traveling and spending money. So I tried to remember the most relaxing vacation we had ever had. I had to go back 19 years, but remembered it was a cruise (with the kids even!). So this fall we went on a 10 day cruise (no kids) up the east coast and Canada, ending up in Quebec. It was SO relaxing, lots of connecting time, we saw wonderful places and the food was FANTASTIC. We just had to get to the ship and then had no more planning to do, other than when to eat and what entertainment to see :001_smile: We had booked the shore excursions online long before the trip. It was also more economical than a flying to Europe, lodging there, food, etc. Lots of people on this board provided great advice about what excursions to take. All-in-all it was the trip of a lifetime. Maybe there is somewhere you could cruise to that your dh would love, but being on the ship would give you the connecting, talking time, etc., that you desire. Just a thought, Blessings! Mary

I would recommend against it, not for any of the reasons stated above, but because I think the chances are likely you won't be seated on a jury. The attorneys on each side, and also the judge, might think it's not a good idea to put a VERY pregnant lady on their jury. If you should go into labor during the trial, or deliberations, it could really mess it up. They usually don't seat alternates on smaller, shorter cases, so it could create havoc if you went into labor early. As an attorney, and a mom (who remembers pregnancy) I would not want a very pregnant lady on the jury. In addition to the potential labor issue, pregnant moms could be distracted by physical discomfort or other pregnancy issues, which could keep them from being fully attentive to the trial at hand. Just my 2 cents, Mary