I don't find it at all strange that Saddlemomma juxtaposed these sins, as they all (with the exception of stealing) are listed together in Romans 1:26-32, along with some of the other sins you mentioned (gossip and envy). I'm sorry you've encountered hypocritical Christians, but I don't believe their actions nullify Scripture. I agree with Saddlemomma, based not only on the Romans passage but on others in the Old and New Testament. I don't hate homosexuals, and I doubt Saddlemomma does, either. I truly don't want to start a debate on this issue or derail the thread, but I don't think throwing around accusations of hate is helpful here. Back to the topic at hand: I am theologically conservative but outside the mainstream in some areas. My political views would probably be considered ultra-liberal by some and ultra-conservative by others, depending on the issue. I definitely have libertarian tendencies as well. I'm a creationist, but believe the universe is likely very old. I have two problems with most of the major Christian publishers. First, I can't stand their white-washing of history, their "rah-rah-America-no-matter-what" attitude, and their support of unjust and immoral wars. Secondly, I think they too often ignore and twist scientific evidence to fit their narrow views, which does everyone a disservice. I'm only comfortable buying textbooks from a few Christian publishers. Two are Mennonite, Christian Light and Rod and Staff. I've only used their language arts and math curriculums so far. Christian Schools International publishes science textbooks which present both young and old earth creationist views. Otherwise, I use mostly secular materials. Peace!

I'm sorry that adults have behaved so horribly at your parties. There is no excuse for such rudeness. I can't imagine expecting others to provide special food for my child, although I am more than happy to provide special food for others if they ask. My child and I both know that there will always be lots of food at parties we can't eat, and that's fine. I also wouldn't expect many people to eat our alternative food. It doesn't bother me a bit. I still can't see myself deliberately excluding a child solely because he or she has food allergies. Perhaps that's not what you mean--perhaps you only exclude children whose parents have caused problems in the past, rather than every child on a special diet. I hope that's the case, but as you say, you can invite whomever you want. I just wouldn't want to risk hurt feelings when the excluded child hears about the party from their friends and wonders why they weren't invited. It might be their parent's fault, but the child wouldn't know that.

I think there are kinder ways of dealing with this than just not inviting those with food sensitivities. Encourage moms to bring a treat or two their child *can* eat. It's not difficult to also provide a few plainer snacks, like bottled water, apples, and pretzels. I like to use non-food treats and prizes whenever possible. Kids love pencils, stickers, bouncy balls, play jewelry, bubbles, toy cars, mini cans of Play Doh, etc. Not everything has to revolve around food. We buy candy from our food sensitive child after parties or trick or treating. Our child has fun setting up a "candy store" and then has money to buy a little toy. It works well for us.

I've done a few Valentine's Day parties, but just for young children. We always make some type of mailboxes for the Valentines the kids exchange. This can be as simple as decorating colored bags with stickers, cut-out hearts, doilies, etc. Oriental Trading Company has some cute, cheap kits as well. You can also have a table set up with supplies for the children to make Valentines for their parents and siblings. There are lots of printable Valentine's Day bingo games online. Crayola has some picture bingo games for young children. There are also quite a few free bingo games at teacherspayteachers.com. Other simple games are hot potato (using a stuffed heart or something similar), musical chairs (using songs about love), pin the wings on the cupid instead of pin the tail on the donkey, heart-heart-love instead of duck-duck-goose, etc. I'm a softy, so I make sure all the children receive at least one prize. If the party is at co-op, I read a few picture books, too, both fictional stories and books on the history of the holiday. Some good snacks are pretzels, popcorn, cheese and crackers, apple slices, and homemade cookies. You can buy dye-free candy at a health food store or online. ETA: Oriental Trading Company has free shipping on any order through February 2. The promo code is WCE4295.

Team Raccoon here, too. :) I'm so glad the traps have been empty, but the raccoon may come back when he feels it's safe. I do encourage you to use some deterrents until the traps are taken away. You might put a radio tuned to a talk station under your porch, and do some googling for homemade deterrent spray recipes. Hopefully the raccoon will decide it's best to just move on to one of his other dens.

True! Alley, maybe the best you can do at this point is just have a frank conversation with your landlady: "I really don't want to see the raccoon killed. Could I repay you what you spent hiring the animal control company, and board up the porch so the raccoon doesn't come back?" If she says no, then you've done just about all you can.

Anyone bitten by a rabid raccoon would need shots. My point was that it would be rare for such a thing to occur. OP, could you somehow block the raccoon's access to your porch area, after checking to make sure he isn't in there? That seems like a humane and sensible solution, best for all involved. I can't imagine that it would be illegal to just move the traps, if they're empty? You might also try to temporarily deter the raccoon from going under the porch by other means. Bright lights, loud sounds, and some smells (like hot peppers and ammonia) can sometimes keep raccoons away. I feel your frustration. :grouphug:

Beverly Cleary's Fifteen (yes, the author of the Ramona books). You can't get much more sweet and innocent. I try not to have any books in the house I wouldn't want children reading. If they want to, they will find a way! (I speak from my own experience.)

There has only been one recorded death in the United States from the raccoon strain of rabies: Raccoons and Public Health There are other health risks mentioned in the article. If I had a toddler who liked to play outside in the dirt, I might consider having the raccoon removed to reduce the risk of leptospirosis.

Poor little guy. I'd want to save him, too. I don't see any harm in offering the money and seeing what your landlady says. ETA: We have lots of racoons here, and they've only been a problem for us once. We were caring for an outdoor cat and built him his own "room" in our garage. The racoons were curious about his shelter and visited more than once, even though we never left out food at night. We thought about having the racoons trapped and relocated (that's legal here) so they wouldn't bother our cat. We ended up solving the problem by leaving lights on in the garage and playing audio sermons on a loop. :) I understand that sometimes it's necessary to kill animals, but, whenever possible, I prefer to live and let live.

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17 "And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." 1 Corinthians 6:11 "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." John 1:12-13

Plenty of broths are labeled "no MSG," but I've not yet found one that doesn't contain processed free glutamic acid (the chemical in MSG that causes reactions). Processed free glutamic acid is found in over 40 ingredients: www.truthinlabeling.org/hiddensources.html

Ransom

My opinion? It may be the "natural flavors" if you're using a flavored version. I react badly to artificial flavorings, and find I often react the *exact* same way to natural flavorings (insomnia is definitely one symptom). I've read that artificial and natural flavors are basically chemically identical; they just start with different materials. This article says, "There is little substantive difference in the chemical compositions of natural and artificial flavorings." You might try a different flavor, or perhaps they make an unflavored version?

Thanks so much for your thoughtful post, hillfarm. It is much appreciated. I bear no ill will whatsoever towards the predator. A coyote killed my beloved and precious cat last year, and yet, I could not be angry at him. He needed to eat, too. It's the way of the world, at the moment. I do believe that animals experience the same kinds of emotions we do--grief, anxiety, fear, love. But you are correct--they do not experience them in exactly the same way humans do. I know the mother will be fine. I just wanted to be as helpful as possible to her at this moment in time, today.

Thank you, Crissy. That was my gut feeling, as well.

A cottontail rabbit has a nest right outside our kitchen window. She's been such a good mother, nursing her babies every night and then tucking them back in their nest so carefully. Sadly, a predator found the nest last night. :( All the babies are gone except one, who was left lying in the yard a few feet from the nest. That one died from exposure, internal injuries, or shock. My question is this--should I temporarily place the deceased bunny back in the nest, so the mother knows what happened to him? Or would that be *more* disturbing to her than finding an empty nest? I've read that mother rabbits will call for their babies for up to a week if they are missing. I just want to do whatever would be best for the momma. Should I remove him, or leave him? :( Update: I saw a feral cat outside this morning, eating remains from the nest. I had guessed a cat was the culprit, based on the bite marks on the kit. Then, after my husband mowed the lawn (mowing carefully around the nest), we found that there were actually *three* babies in the yard, two dead, one still living and apparently unharmed. The live baby is mostly hidden in unmowed grass, several feet from the nest. I am reluctant to put the baby back in the nest, for fear the cat will come right back to it. My plan, for now, is to leave all the babies on the lawn, and hope that the mother will find and move the living baby tonight. Prayers for the kit are appreciated.

Understood!! :grouphug:

Not enough, in my opinion. ;) I had a curfew. I was expected to let my parents know where I was at all times, but they didn't object to us being alone. We didn't live in the same town, so I generally just saw him on Fridays and Saturdays and talked on the phone with him several times a week. We were both committed to abstinence until marriage, so that area wasn't a problem for us.

I'm not sure I understand the concern. I started dating my husband as a teenager, and we've been happily married for a *long* time now. We didn't have any trouble continuing to attend to our studies through the remainder of high school and college. I would set a curfew for phone calls and dates, and I wouldn't allow them to be alone together in your home or her home. I second all the recommendations for doing things together as a family.

We can't drink it either, due to the dyes and flavorings. Another vote for lemonade!

I *despise* people who hurt and neglect animals. Grrrr....... Thank God that this dog is with you now!!! Hearing about his happy new life made my day. :hurray:

I believe and do my best to practice 1 Peter 3:1-6 and Ephesians 5:22-24. My husband values and considers my thoughts and feelings, but the final decision is his. I find peace and rest in that. Big :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: . (I don't wish to start a debate; just offering my personal input. Peace to all.)

AnIslandGirl, I am also related to Hannah Duston. She scalped the Native Americans after they killed her 6-day-old baby girl by dashing her against a tree. :( Hell hath no fury like a vengeful mother...

I know people from Illinois and Indiana who say it all the time.