I think we stayed at the Marriott along the waterfront about 10 years ago. My husband was there for a conference, so it didn't cost us anything, so this could be a factor for you. I don't remember worrying too much about the hotel location. But I did drive with the kids to the OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry). We loved that place, have been to it so many times! It's a very industrial area so looks a little sketchy, but it was fine. Check out their evening programs. One time we were there when there was a sky watch. So lots of people set up their telescopes in the evening and people got to go around to use them. We saw Saturn, complete with rings-it was very cool! I took the kids on the TriMet to the zoo also by myself. Just know where you are going. There are many 'interesting' people on it to say the least, but I didn't feel threatened. We didn't have cell phones which should make it easier to navigate now compared to then also. As stated earlier, China town seems sketchy. Powells for sure! Have fun!

I've often thought how crazy it is that most of our crops are grown right next to a road or highway. Um....can you imagine the pollutants that come from our exhaust pointed directly to the ground? And then when it rains it goes directly into the nearby soil... I wonder if anyone has ever made a connection to soil pollutants near highways and ASD or other diseases? We really need to do better...

Pen, oh, I never thought about the possibility that some might think my name might be spam! I just came up with that because I have trouble deciding and it seems that what people come up with is their identity, and I couldn't come up with a clever name when I signed up at WTM! Not that I think of myself as a 5 star, which someone jokingly said, which is a clever statement 😉, but it was just easy! You are right about these sights as selling things. This is the 3rd year I have watched this series. This one was done differently as it was held live, rather than taped interviews of the presenters. So to me it did have more of an infomercial feel to it. Ty and Charlene have created a great series, but I didn't care for the layout as much this year. I am actually surprised that not more forum people here at WTM know about the series or have seen it this year. The speakers did support everything you stated above. Arcadia, thanks for the link. I looked over my notes and actually it is a course she is giving later in October, not a book, but I will look in to the book. Yes, the slides are rather quick. She gave the number only one time in her speech, not on the slides, which would have been helpful. The TTAC copies of this webinar are for sale, as they have done for the past several years. So if anyone is interested, they could find copies online.

https://go2.thetruthaboutcancer.com/2019-live-event/watch/?utm_campaign=live-event-2019&utm_medium=email&utm_source=all-actives-ttac&utm_content=live-event-2019-stream-watch-oct19-930am&a_aid=5a84a1f683718#agnd-two Dr. Edward Group is speaking now in room 1. I hope you can watch, or check on youtube. these series can be purchased after the weekend. TTAC is the Truth about Cancer.

Anyone watching the TTAC series (replay this weekend) online? I'm interested in the phone number to text for the free book that Dr. Veronique Desaulniers gave. Did anyone else write it down? TTAC is very informational if you haven't tuned in before...

Yes, it is hard to know whether this is just infatuation or actual stalking. But she needs to make it very clear, when she has a friend with her that it is getting weird, she is not interested and he needs to leave her alone. I just finished reading: The Gift of Fear, survival signals that protect us from violence by Gavin De Becker. It talks about and cites real life situations such as this one. Mainly, he is reminding us to listen to our gut. If something feels off, listen to it, because most likely something really is off. If you read the first chapter, not to scare you, but for all women/children to be mindful of our gut, not our head or heart. It usually is correct. If she has been clear that she is not interested, then he continues to follow her and she feels creeped out, that would be a problem. Please try to read this book, it talks about restraining orders and when they can be avoided (they can cause escalation behaviors). I'm sorry this is happening. Have her be extra vigilant, perhaps he is just following, rather than using his electronics. Keep us posted!

Thank you. No hurry. I just got in to my account as well and finally found the area you are talking about and how to delete messages. Once you see your list of past messages, there is a little box on the left of each title. Click on that and the delete icon will show. Yeah! I got rid of several already!

I Lanny, this is totally unrelated, but I wanted to get your opinion regarding a problem I am having with a computer and wanted to privately message you on this site, but I received a message that you weren't taking messages or something to that effect? If you are willing to answer a few questions and can take a question, maybe you could private PM me and see if that works? Thanks!

I would like to join, I have 2 in that age range. Thanks!

Hugs. I just got over a week of sinus infection, so I feel your misery-this stuff is happening too soon! Sending warm thoughts: lavender mist, warm rice bag and fuzzy socks! Hope you feel better soon.

This, yes, I thought of after I posted my question. I appreciate everyone's feedback. Tension in the home? My daughter has told me some details of manipulation, so this is where I get this idea...both understand boundaries, I am just not sure how strong future groom is to holding to these. I guess this can be a good test if the situation arises.

Sorry to hear, as I have been there before at about the same age as you. I really wonder if it has to do with the peri-menopause timing, because it seemed like all of a sudden a lot of things were starting to change in my body and I just bent over one day to pick up a stick, and my back went out. Yes, very painful! I would say yes to all of the above. I tried a chiro. He told me to do stretches before getting out of bed, especially with the legs. All I can say is that this did not help one bit. Finally one morning I told myself that I was not going to do the stretches any more. Good move because from then on...I felt so much better. I just honestly think the stretching was too soon after the injury. Another time, my back was out and I had to drive with 2 children across the state by myself. It wasn't going to happen, that would have been too painful. I went to my first acupuncture appointment and walked out of there pain free. That taught me to believe in acupuncture for sure! If you go this route, discuss it first with the acupuncturist to see if he feels it can be treated. I did have back problems on and off for a few years, so I always learned to take a cushion to sit on bleachers, etc. I don't know exactly how long that lasted, but I can tell you now that I am in menopause, I have not had any issues. (Knocking on wood!)

Got some good tips, thanks all!

Sometimes I enlarge the screen so I can see the writing more easily. I use the touchpad for this with 2 fingers. I have found that when I go to other screens, then come back to this one, the type is still enlarged. Are you sure that it didn't get 'shrunk' by accident (and it stays this way like mine did)? So all you need to do is to resize the type. That happens to me once in awhile when I am working fast and 2 fingers slide across the touchpad at the same time...just a thought.

How about Jafra? They use the morning/evening routines...

So you are in a transition stage, as I like to think of it as. It's very normal to wonder what you should be doing, if anything (even though you still have 2 kiddos to look after. After staying home for 20 years raising my family and homeschooling, I was suddenly finished with the homeschooling. Although I still had 1 in high school, I thought I would have time to do special things with my mom, but then she had a stroke and passed away. So, for me it was grieving several losses (but not really realizing it), and wondering what I was to do with my life at that point. Within 7 months, I started tutoring 2 students. I probably should have taken more time for myself first, but I do think this helped with the healing process. (I am good at procrastinating and should have been purging homeschool things, but didn't.) Within a year after that, I got the opportunity to go back to teaching part time and took it (was in my early 50's). However, I was scared to death! 20 years out of the public school system and things had changed! Kids had changed! I didn't know if I would be able to connect with them again, discipline, or if I still even 'had it'! I just took 1 day at a time and it worked for me. Prayers helped😉! Anyway, you could always volunteer. That is easy, because you can set your own hours. Or you could help with a co-op if your kids are involved, or offer tutoring or classes in your home...(then you wouldn't feel like you were missing out...)That way you would give yourself time to see if you want to be committed to something at this point, and it wouldn't have to be a long commitment. I think it is normal to feel restless. After all, when the kids were younger, we were always on the go because there was so much to do. Or take time to do things you used to like doing but couldn't while raising your youngsters. Maybe take a class for yourself. It can be a fun class, exercise, book club...Just remember this is a transition and it's ok to take time for yourself. Just breathe...

I'm glad to see some good updates! I had wanted to volunteer at VBS, but got busy that week cleaning out homeschool stuff. Darn, now I remember why I wanted to volunteer, to meet other people, so will have to do it next year! Well, I did get my old homeschool stuff together for a curriculum sale and went to that 1 day. I did sit next to a lady and we struck up friendly , genuine conversation. And it did feel good to bless others with my things, even when I gave some away because I really had to let go. I even had extra grocery sacks for people who looked like they were struggling because they forgot their bags. You would have thought I gave them the moon, they were so thankful! All good ways to meet people... And, I was able to catch up with people I had known in my circle from years ago, so that was good to see them at the sale as well!

When I was 55 (just a few years ago), what caught me by surprise was when a 12 yr. old student was talking about his grandmother, and then he asked, "You're a grandma, right?" ....caught me off guard...um, no! I still had a one kid in high school and one in college. I know those I graduated with had grandkids, and I could have by then, but no...I wasn't ready for that! Then in the same week, I grabbed a quick easy to peel tangelo during break. I quickly wiped my hands before my students came back in and when I was working with one of them, the little sweetie said, "You smell just like my grandma!" Oh, what a rotten week! I must have been looking especially old or something! No more oranges for me during break time! Ha!

Hmmm, interesting on the for-profit co-ops...looks like that could be an opportunity for side jobs for those of us whose children are now grown! After all, we are from the generation who actually did the hard work of comparing, choosing and teaching curriculum/subjects to our kids! The thing that gets me about these new homeschoolers is that many (not all) expect to get their materials for free or low cost. Ahem, we looked for good deals, but you have to expect to shell out some money. Also, we would like to recover some of our expenses... Regarding the summer meal programs. I would cringe too, when it was offered at our summer reading program for 2 reasons: 1. The food served-processed cheese, white bread...was something we didn't eat in our house. But it was difficult to explain that one to a hungry 5 year old at the time! 2. I did not like to promote waste. If the government is so good as to feed the kids, then I felt the proportions should have matched the size/appetite of the child. My 5 year old couldn't eat a whole sandwich and a whole apple, etc. in 1 sitting. Therefore, throwing the food away and being wasteful was taught, as the food was not to be taken off the premises. Maybe changes have been made to cut the apples in 1/2? idk, but back then it wasn't.

Yes, my daughter got that call last week, scam I told her.

Yes, this can be a challenging time. It's good that you will be making a visit. Even better knowing they are not currently on any meds yet. My mom had started out by forgetting to pay bills. I too, had lived out of town, and when I went to visit, found out about the stack of bills. So look for odd behaviors when you are with them, things that they normally would not have done in the past. My mom got a phone call from a solicitor while I was there and she talked on and on like it was a friend, and couldn't say no. When I got on the phone and told the person never to call back, my mom gave the weirdest answer to me..."Gee, you are so smart." So, in hindsight, it was things like that that struck me as odd, but I didn't know the extent until we got her to the Dr. and had her diagnosed with mild dementia. (put their phone number on the do not call list and check their mail for charity solicitors, grrr...don't get me started on that one for the elderly!) Anyway, eventually we had her put on memory meds, I think it was this one: Rivastigmine (exelon). It was expensive, but worth it in my view. Also, when we moved her out of Florida and had another dr., right away, he gave her a megadose of vitamin D, one that lasted 3 months I believe it was. Who would have thought she needed that with living in Florida. We worried about her having to get along without my dad by that time, in assisted living, as he was a devoted caretaker. But I believe the vita D helped. She was more cognizant, her writing was no longer shaky and she was very capable of being on her own there. The handwriting was what floored me and was good proof that something helped. (She had always had beautiful handwriting). She was on thyroid meds and a statin, but I didn't know at the time those other meds could interfere. So not to say your parents need memory meds, but good info to have if needed. Do you facetime/skype with them? That could give you peace of mind once you are back home, to be able to check on them more that way...

I've learned the hard way as well to be suspicious of those that answer an ad within minutes or soon thereafter. It's like they are just out to be obnoxious with sellers, without any intention of really buying. Sorry it went so poorly for you. Yes, you have to watch yourself with almost anyone who responds and always know the sale may not go through, even though it sounds like it might. I once had a guy answer an ad quickly for homeschool materials I was selling. It just sounded fishy. Sometimes I get a conversation going, just to check if the person really knows what he is looking for. I could just tell he wasn't a parent teacher...that was the end of the conversation. Not enough to do in their lives I guess. Give it time, it'll sell.

This is a timely subject, I was just thinking about that tonight while scrubbing the sink. (It's good to hear others have a dialogue going on in their heads, too!) I'm fairly introverted too, so I find it hard to make small talk, especially in getting to know others. With my kids grown, I'm feeling the way I used to before having kids, since I don't have many social connections anymore given we are finished with the sport and school crowds...Just thinking, hmmm, there is that feeling again, how to make friends. So I am listening, and appreciating the good advice, especially with Bible camps coming up this summer, that is a good idea. I have been checking out the Meet-up groups. Anyone have experiences with those, either good or not so? Any advice? It's tough, because even there, people will have already formed their 'groups', so as a newcomer, will they welcome another?! Just might have to try it I guess..

Yes, sometimes I wonder if it is lack of teaching to these OT's these days when they were getting their degrees? Or lack of school budgets, so the admins are not letting her diagnose with dysgraphia? It really is sad for these kids who struggle so much. When recommending students for an OT eval for possible dysgraphia, I always ask them, that if the student does not qualify, to please give me exercises in which I can help with what I can during tutoring. They have never come through on that. (Thank goodness for internet. Even crossing the midline exercises have often helped. How hard is that to offer suggestions?!

Peter Pan, I have a question for you. In a district I work in, I tutor with Barton for students having difficulty reading. 3 students exhibited many signs of dyslexia and the 4th did not, but her reading progress in school did not progress in testing like they hoped. I was allowed to do Barton anyway and it was working with her. She did have word retrieval difficulties at times, or times when she forgot what she just had just done. At different times, these students were finally given an eval for learning disability (of course not dyslexia). A speech tech 'screened' 3 of the kids and determined a speech eval was not needed. Of course, I found this out when all testing was said and done. I have reminded the district that a language eval should be given, for the reason you gave above...Reading disability is a language disability! So I'm asking: When a school district does an eval for SLD, is it normal and expected that a speech and language eval be done as well? These were the outcomes: Student #1: They said his IQ was in the low average range, and was reaching his ability at the time and did not qualify for services. (Sorry, I fully believed he was dyslexic and did not have low IQ and probably had dysgraphia as well.) What Barton we did, did tremendous things for him and he could finally read, but spelling and writing would always be difficult for him. #2 Was not my student, but related to the above, so I suspect it ran in the family. He had great difficulty spelling, even the word 'of'. I heard he did not qualify either, but I don't know details, nor do I know if he had a speech eval. Ugh! #3 Qualified in reading comprehension and math. She is in Barton level 4, so as Susan Barton says, after level 3, they are not likely to qualify, unless in another area. Has good long term memory once the material is 'in there', but not good short term memory, so repetition has been key for her. #4 Did not qualify for services, yet continues to have low RTI scores (I did not tutor her this past year in Barton). I still suspect language difficulties... I feel so much for these kids as they move up to middle and high school, where they may not get the help that is needed without an IEP or 504. You seem very versed on evaluations, so I thought I would ask! TI do not know what screener they used for speech. Thanks!