Here is an update from today, from her dad: "Thank you so much for your prayers for us. I would like to send this picture of [--] ...one month later! Praise the Lord!...I can't seem to find a picture of [--] with stitches all over her face and hooked up to six or eight drug and sedative pumps, breathing machine, heart monitors, brain pressure monitor, feeding tube, and all sorts of needles stuck into her body. She has come an amazingly long way. We will be discharged from [rehabilitation hospital] on Monday morning, and will begin outpatient occupational and speech therapy several days a week from Monday onwards." WTM friends, I wish you could see the photo. She is standing with her mother and not only looks well and happy, but glowing. :) Another update from several days ago: Thanks for your continued prayers for [--]! She has gotten settled at the rehabilitation center and is working hard towards recovery. They are doing speech therapy, problem solving exercises, daily living exercises, and continued occupational and physical therapy. The big news from today is that she was able to swallow clear liquids meaning that now there is no more restriction whatsoever on her diet! She is really happy about that! We are so so thankful that she is making good progress but know that she still has a long way to go. Please pray for her energy as the exercises are very tiring for her each day but are so essential towards her healing! Because she is so easily tired, the doctors are still hoping we keep the visitors to a minimum at this time. Thank you- each of you- so much for your prayers and support for [--] and our family! We are truly so blessed and so thankful! If anyone would like a link to the public Facebook page about her recovery, I would be happy to send it in a PM. Thank you so much for all your thoughts and prayers!

Just :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: .

Okay, I'll say up front that I am an Old Earth Creationist and probably would have some issues with the museum. However, in the interest of helping you, I will say that a senior citizen from my church took a bus trip to the Ark and really, really enjoyed it. Said it was amazing. She is nearing the age of your dad, I would say. Hope you have a great trip and an enjoyable time!

Pocket knives and multi-tools are usually appreciated by teen guys. She could get an engraved or themed knife, if she wants.

I posted before I read your post. :)

I'm going to be a voice of dissent here. I don't think the OP has a poor self-image. I think she just wants to understand her continual struggle with behaviors that inconvenience those she loves. She wants to know if those behaviors are the result of an inherently flawed character (or inherent laziness, or selfishness, or whatever you'd like to call it) or a glitch in her brain, or both. I don't think those are strange questions. I've often asked them myself. OP, I think the way you will ultimately answer these questions depends largely on whether you believe you have a self, an identity, a soul, outside of your physical brain. You might be interested in these articles as a springboard for more exploration of the topic: from Psychology Today, You Are Not Your Brain, and from Discover, Rewiring the Brain. Best to you, ananemone.

Under the Settings pull down menu, go to "Settings," then "General," then select "Conversations view off."

I hate it, too! Do please share! :bigear:

I am so sorry. :(

You have three people in your family, right? You could each take one cat as your carry-on on a flight (as long as minors are allowed to carry on pets--I haven't checked on that). Depending on the limit of total pets in cabin, you might have to take two different flights, check one cat in cargo, or have one of you fly first class while the others are in economy.

I just wish my grandpa could have been here to see it! :cheers2:

I think katilac's remark may have been tongue-in-cheek, but I'd rather err on the side of someone not being unnecessarily freaked out by my link. :)

This is exactly what I was going to suggest! So fun for babies just learning to walk.

Horrible. :(

This forum. :leaving: Also, NPR. [i had mentioned another source, but I think I'm going to swear off of it after what they had up today.]

A woman came to my garage sale and asked about the homeschool books. She is thinking of homeschooling her son, who has autism. She also mentioned that she has ovarian cancer and will be having surgery soon. So, she obviously has a lot on her plate. In spite of all that, she was shopping for the refugees her church sponsors. Her church finds them an apartment and pays for the first three months of rent and utilities. They provide them with furniture, clothing, and household goods. They assist them with finding jobs and anything else they need. They gave a baby shower to a new mom, and the mom was so touched and grateful that she cried throughout the shower. They befriend the refugees. Although this woman was not well-to-do and had plenty of her own challenges, she left with lots of nice clothing and toys for other people who need them. Hope! This penguin story is also very nice. :)

I am so sorry! Deepest sympathy and huge hugs to you tonight. :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

I'm glad you were there for him, Bill, and I bet he was, too.

Trying to regulate brain chemistry when it's off is so hard. :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: Praying now.

Speaking of things that creeped us out when we were young--the ghost in the attic scene from the Brady Bunch terrified me every time. I *knew* it was just the girls messing with the boys, but still, the whole "I must have air" thing...shudder.

Maybe you just need to fill your head with other stuff, like the puppy who can't get up, the infamous cat knocking the glass off the table, or anything starring Maymo the beagle. Unless dogs and cats give you the creeps--in which case I don't have much for you.

Ah, I'm sorry. I should have posted a warning. I'll do that now.

No advice, but hope you feel better soon, hornblower.

In my experience, nothing beats an iPad or DVD player and lots of tv shows and/or movies for him to watch. I hope you have a wonderful trip!