You can find a beekeeper by googling for your state's beekeeping association. Beekeepers are a friendly lot, and chances are if you call one listed on your state association's list, if he/she can't come out and relocate the hive for you he/she will point you to someone who can. Some may charge for this but the ones I know (my dh included) would willingly do it for free.

Humpty jumped

I used to be - kinda. I sold my motorcycle when I was pregnant with my first child. I was so excited to finally be pregnant and in "risk reduction" mode. BTW, it was not a Harley (I never made enough money for that, but have drooled over/on a few). I never rode without a helmet and never would because, frankly, I'm not that good looking, not rich, don't have a great body - my brain is the only thing I have going for me and I wouldn't want to damage it. I am, however, opposed to mandatory helmet laws. My children are not allowed to ride bicycles without helmets.

Good for you! I love reading happy news.

that's how it is in the hospital when someone is on a "clear liquid" diet it is anything liquid at room temp and you can see light through it (jello & Popsicle count). "Full liquid" would include ice cream (liquid at room temp, but you can't see through it) and creamed soup.

Good for you! My dh BOUGHT some of that meat once. It was terrible! He has a hard time saying no to anyone who comes to the door (we also have a set of books, bottles of cleanser, and I don't know what all). The meat guy came last week and I told him "I don't want to buy meat out of the back of your van." He said, "You don't have to put it like that" but he went away. I'm not as nice as dh (perhaps not necessary to say here:tongue_smilie:)

keep the toilet lid closed

I think they might just think you were passing through, if you only went once. It has been my experience that hopes and expectations start after your face becomes familiar (after a few services in a row).

you mean the earth didn't open up and swallow you whole when you partook of the Holy Communion? That's what I thought would happen to me when I stood in line for Communion the year before my First Communion. My dh & I have visited a number of churches (okay, almost every church) in our town. We really were looking for someplace we could fit in, the kids liked, etc. The only problem came when we attended a church for several Sundays in a row. People did have expectations. People asked for our stories. I (regrettably) told them truthfully that I no longer believe in a personal god, but my dh did, and we were looking for someplace the kids felt comfortable. Well....it was downhill from there. Every time we showed up we were targeted for "conversion conversations" as we called them. So, go. Learn. Enjoy. Just don't go to any single church more than three or four times in a row. And that's my advice, for what its worth.

I have met a lot of super intelligent people. Among all the super intelligent people I know, one stands out as probably being a genius. He was thinking on such a high level, he left everyone in the dust. He was a surgeon, and transformed the surgical area of one hospital. He began by getting a degree in zoology, then went on to medicine (this was after a military enlistment). He quickly rose to be one of the best surgeons in the area. He was a lovely person. One time we were walking along in a nature preserve and he noted the date on a footbridge. I learned more about the WPA and New Deal politics on that walk than from any schooling. There was not a subject he could not expound on. The man was like a walking encyclopedia, and totally unaware that what he was talking about was over the head of most listeners. His life was full of discrimination because of his sexual orientation, but he never expressed malice toward another living being. Unfortunately for the world, he passed away (from a rare form of cancer) about 5 years ago at much too young of an age (mid 50's).

Oh - such sweet, sweet photos! I love them! My business was also baby-related (not photography). What I *should* have done was canvass the OB offices and get them to add one of my flyers to their "new mom" packets. I did this for my own OB (we had kind of a personal relationship, but also I gave her free product, she let me put a flyer & business card in the bag she gives all newly pregnant patients). I got some business from this, and IF I had done it for more OB offices, I would have gotten more business. Also, I *should* have found a way to get my business cards into the waiting rooms and/or gift shops of the local hospitals. I also thought about (in hindsight) going to maternity shops, offering free product to the owner/manager in exchange for a little stack of business cards/flyers at the register or in the dressing rooms. Ditto for upscale baby clothing stores. My problem is, I have all these great ideas, but I hate the thought of actually talking to someone and trying to sell myself. Self promotion is not my deal. Which is why I am no longer a small business owner. :glare:

I once took my (then) baby dd to a private photographer. The reason I chose her was she had this incredible "try me" offer. I paid $50 for a session. She then gave me a small (3X5) photo album of about 20 or so pictures (maybe fewer. I can't remember now. I gave it to my mom). I could choose from these pictures for reprints, enlargements, etc. The $50 was money well spent, even though I never got any reprints. I would have gotten reprints, except every. single. shot. was of dd crying. She was a very happy, easy-going baby, but she never stopped crying the through the entire photo shoot. It must have been very frustrating for the photographer. there was one picture of her tiny, precious feet that I wish now I had an enlargement... How do you market yourself? Is there some way you could get your name more out there, so to speak? What does your competition do for marketing? When I had my own small business, marketing myself was the absolute hardest part, and the reason I eventually gave it up.

I would change docs if this happened. RE: your original question, I am irregular, too. I always schedule 2 apts with the understanding that if I make the first, I'll cancel the second, and if I start my period, I'll cancel the 1st. I only go to the GYN for a pap. Any blood tests, etc., I get my family doc to order. Of course, I only get a pap every other year, but I get a physical and blood work every year. Don't follow my example regarding the every-other-year pap, btw.

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I cried for the Velveteen Rabbit, too. Just tears, though not sobs (which is good because I was reading it to the boys while we waited in the dentist's office). Someone once gave me a book (I forget the name) that is supposed to be for children about a young boy being held by his mother. At the end, the mother is old and frail (or dead?) and the boy, now a man, is holding her. It was the absolutely worst book I have ever read and I threw it in the trash. I could not believe someone gave it to me as a baby shower gift. It was the most morbid, depressing thing I ever read (and my postpartum state did not help matters any).

oops, guess I stepped over the invisible line. It is okay to talk about someone behind their back...just not okay to name them. got it.

I'm so glad you posted this link. I was going to say I sometimes give my kids cookies for breakfast, but didn't want to sound like a "bad mom." I just use an ordinary oatmeal cookie recipe, but cut down the sugar, add protein powder, nuts & raisins. The cookies in the link you provided look even better (and better for us), but I'll skip the cheese, since I'm allergic, and sub in nuts. ETA: One of my sons likes instant oatmeal, but made with cold water (not cooked). I don't think he's ever eaten something warm for breakfast. He doesn't even like bacon warm.

I would tend to agree about the "pathetic commentary on our health system" however, my reasoning is that most OB's will not attempt a breech vag delivery due to malpractice lawsuits. OB's in particular are sued very often and the high cost of their malpractice insurance is driving many of them out of practice or accross certain state lines.

lack of self esteem, ego, fear

I second the thrift shop idea. You can find some horrible formal dresses there (even wedding dresses). With a few well-placed safety pins, the dresses will be perfect for any princess. My dd does not even notice that the shoulders are pinned and the skirt is knotted on each side. The short formals make nice long dresses. The uglier to me, the more beautiful to her (we have differing opinions on sequins and puffy skirts). You can also find scrubs at thrift shops, but I'm not sure how well those would "alter." If you do a search on child scrub sets, you will find numerous companies that sell scrubs in little people sizes. My dd had a set of "work clothes" for a long time, monogrammed with her name on the pocket and everything. Flannel shirts and jeans work well for cowboy/girl, and a man's suit coat and tie are also must-haves for any dress up box. Nothing cuter than a 5 yo girl in a big suit coat with the sleeves rolled up and a tie on!

This is why bowling is so big in the Midwest. :tongue_smilie:

I once almost drowned in the back of a wheat truck. My uncle and grandfather saved my life, literally. The wheat was sucking me down and I lost consciousness.

Yes and yes. I'm an RN.

Yeah, I envisioned a kind of "circle time" with the kids and tried to do it the Oak Meadow way. I thought it would center us. It didn't really work. so now we start our day with a read-aloud, snuggling on the couch. I always feel more centered after that and it really helps DS10 who is slow to wake up and get started. :001_smile: Sometimes in the afternoon I do yoga with dd. It doesn't really center me, but I can't help but find my joy watching a 5yo do Downward Dog. My dh and I used to do 50/50 homeschooling, until our work situations changed. He always felt like the moms at the park looked at him like he was a child molester. He did, however, hit it off in a big way with the librarians. We have one other hs family we consider friends. They're xian, but we don't hold that against them :tongue_smilie:

Some medical doctors have a hard time with death (surgeons, especially, in my experience). Hospice has nothing to do with killing someone (a la the Dr. Kevorkian comment) but has everything to do with making the end of life if not pleasant, than at least not horrible and painful. In terminal situations, death is not the enemy. Pain, humiliation, and fear are the enemies. You will find these three in abundance in the hospital outside of hospice situations. Contact your local hospice provider. talk to a hospice nurse. Find out for yourself what their philosophy is and what medications/interventions are available.