Thank you all for your responses. Keep 'em comin! I don't know how to multi-quote, so I apologize for all the individual replies. I love all the feedback, even though I'm still very undecided. Okay, after talking to son, I'm still leaning toward Nook. Mostly for the borrowing purposes and the live tech support in the form of an actual person at B&N aspect. Thanks again! Any features/aspects of either device that you absolutely hate or wish could be different?

Okay, that is SUPER COOL!

I like the real person help aspect, too! but not sure I want to be distracted with games. I'm easily distracted, lol.

I don't want to haul my laptop around. I use it for school, online, etc. It has a big screen, weighs a couple of pounds, has a lot of wires, mouse, etc. I like the simplicity and lightweight design of the e-readers. I also want to be able to read a book on the airplane without having my laptop in my...well, lap! Yes, I know I could take an actual book, but I read very quickly and don't want to carry numerous books. So, I'm considering an e-reader.

I did not realize that. I am hesitant to get the Nook because it just came out, whereas they've had time to refine the Kindle. So, at, say, Starbucks, I could browse and download/buy a book without incurring any airtime charges? That is a must for me

I've held the Nook at B&N and kinda like it. of course, I've not had the chance to hold the Kindle. I'm letting my 10 yr old son do most of the research and then convince me which one he thinks I should get. At this point I'm leaning toward the Nook per his recommendation on the basis that Nook is Wi-Fi so no additional connection charges will be incurred and I can connect anywhere to browse/buy books. Anyone own one or the other or have opinions on one or the other? I'm kinda ruling out the iPad due to price and the fact that just want an e-reader. I don't want to be distracted by all the apps and other things that can be done with the iPad. I just want to read and carry my library with me wherever I go.

Yup, same here. Although substitute another Western state of birth and another Midwestern State of residence (amount of time is the same). ;) "Out West" will always be home to me.

I don't know what nationality he is, but I like the parrot wearing a sombrero. he has a saucy look. (of course the parrot with the drink is probably more sauced)

I actually had a lovely time there. Take sturdy walking shoes and explore the island. It is beautiful. If you don't scuba dive, you might try snorkeling. You'll see some beautiful fish. I think there are historical walking tours of the town (Avonlee? Avalon? I seem to remember it was an Ann of Green Gables sounding name).

what a great thread. We're currently reading Heidi out loud, and have had some great conversations about religion/belief systems sparked from that book. For us, it comes up in conversation a lot because we are surrounded (like you, but probably to a lesser extent) by religious folk who either assume we believe likewise or religious folk who vehemently try to make us believe the way they do. I always demand respect from my children toward others' religion, even when the religious folks' disrespect toward our lack of religion is apparent. We bow our heads when a prayer is said, we'll even hold hands. The kids have been to church with Grandma, and then we discuss how much we love Grandma and how important her religion is to her, and why our love of Grandma allows us to accept her beliefs without believing them ourselves. I have even asked my older son not to argue with Grandma because he is not going to change her mind, and it will cause her emotional distress, which we want to avoid, out of our love for her. Maybe that's hypocritical? If so, I wish religious people could be that hypocritical toward me. One book that my 8 & 10 year old have both enjoyed is Maybe Yes, Maybe No by Dan Barker. I see he has some others that look interesting, too. My goal is not to raise atheists, but to raise skeptics. Individuals who can think for themselves and question everything. Of course, this means I get questioned *a lot* more than I would like :tongue_smilie:. I see religious folk pretty much forcing their children into the faith and I don't want to replicate that in the opposite. I'd like to think I present both sides (or all sides, since it is not really a us-vs-them thing) fairly, but know my bias is toward non-belief of a personal deity, but maintaining respect for others as the foundation for all.

We dove off Catalina island once and it was beautiful. After diving, we strolled around the island, ate at a cafe (I don't remember it being too expensive), and visited some touristy shops. I do remember it being quite touristy where the ferry lets off, but also remember having quite an enjoyable walk (this was back when I was running 8 miles a day, so I'm sure we walked for miles). This was probably around 1999 or 2000. I went there another time and rode a glass bottom boat. I was excited to see the fish (it was before I started diving), but a bit bummed to find out that the boat people feed the fish, so it's not quite a "natural" experience. This time must have been 1990 or so.

I'm mainly speaking about when the temp is say 65F or maybe 55F and the kids are running around, creating their own warmth. The mother, who is generally sitting on a parkbench, will be cold and insist the children wear coats. For other people's children. For my children, I let them decide if they are cold or not.

Oh, I thought the question was about an in-person encounter. I totally do what your dh does with the snopes reply. Amazingly enough, my inbox gets fewer and fewer of "those" e-mail forwards. ~M who loves snopes and refuses to believe it has its own bias

If I see that someone is truly holding fast to a blatant falsehood, and it is not going to hurt them, I usually just let them persist in their beliefs. It is usually impossible to dissuade individuals from tightly held beliefs, and will only damage any relationship that exists. the one exception is when people insist that their children (or mine) wear a coat "so they won't get sick." Illness is caused by germs and viruses not ambient temperature. Children should be taught to wash their hands to avoid illness, not put on a coat/sweater just because the mother is chilly. ~M who just realized she does have a soapbox

Since my friends/family are scattered all around the globe, I use it to keep in touch with people I care about, but rarely get to see. I have this "thing" that I don't like to talk on the phone (AT ALL), so I would never just pick up the phone and call someone. Sometimes I laugh at the inane things people post (including me), but mostly I'm happy to see photos and get a glimpse into the lives of these people.

This conversation really highlights how each family is different, each child is different and no blanket rules can be applied across the spectrum. That is why I hate parenting books that say, "This always works" because nothing *always* works for every family/every child. Just because the posted rules thing doesn't work for dirty ethel rackham's or my families, doesn't mean they are wrong or that our methods will work for every other family. This parenting thing is a "learn as you go" deal. I must say, I even parent my children differently, according to their personalities. Where one may need very clear verbal instructions, time limits & consequences (if you do not pick up your dirty underwear by the time the timer rings, you will not go outside), the other may simply need a prompt (did you forget that I asked you to pick up your dirty underwear?). This does not mean I'm not fair (although I have been accused of such), just that different personalities need different things. Not fair would be to apply a rule that works for someone else (or some other family, or that I read in a book) when it clearly is not a good fit for my children. I have tried the chore charts, written rules/consequences, etc. and really, they caused more problems for our family than they solved. I do not think I am blind to how my children behave (they can be sweet or monsters, after all they're children); they obey me (for the most part - they're human, after all) the first time I ask them to do something. I would never imply that my method of childrearing would work for everyone, nor would I imply that someone who has found different methods to work better for his/her family is somehow simply ignorant of their children's horrible behavior. I simply say: this is what works for me.

we tried it but it didn't stick. I found that the rules/consequences were too rigid. I like to take the situation as it arises and then parent accordingly. For the things that happen over and over again, the kids know the rules and consequences. I also reserve the right to extend grace to any child at any time if I can see there is an underlying problem, which the posted rules/consequences didn't seem to allow for. I know this system works very well for some families, we're just not that type of family, I guess.

What ever happened to it being a grandparents' prerogative to spoil grandchildren? My kids do (and have always) watched an inordinate amount of TV at grandma's house. Grandma has *cable*! Even as toddlers they understood that rules at Grandma's were different than at home. Unless the kids are spending hours every day in this environment, I doubt it will damage them permanently to have a television (or seven) on at Grandma's. Of course, I don't have in-laws or parents whom I can use as unpaid childcare. My mother gives candy to the kids right in front of me. We have a "one piece after dinner" rule. Grandma says "take six!" and the kids get BIG EYES and huge grins. My mother says, "I waited a long time to have grandkids to spoil" I say, "whatever, it won't kill them." And we all "preserve the relationship" Better yet, my kids have super fabuloso memories of getting SIX PIECES of candy when they visited Grandma X! The elderly couple around the corner has "adopted" us. My kids call them Nana and Papa. When the boys ride their bikes to Nana & Papa's, they get a pop. The boys "confessed" this to me the other day (yeah, I knew it all along). I just smiled and felt grateful that my boys bring such joy to this elderly couple (they stock pop just for the boys) and that they have a connection to an older generation that many young people do not.

Around here, that's called "prewash" :)

graduation cured me of daydreaming in school. Now, what will cure me of daydreaming in life?

I'm so sorry for your family. This will be a very hard time for all. Here is a website that may help. Called patients like me. It may help with what to expect and also has an interactive community aspect. Here is a link to a TED video in which the creator of the above site explains how he and his brother (who had ALS) created this site. From the intro: "When Jamie Heywood's brother was diagnosed with ALS, he devoted his life to fighting the disease as well. The Heywood brothers built an ingenious website where people share and track data on their illnesses -- and they discovered that the collective data had enormous power to comfort, explain and predict." I apologize if someone already mentioned this. I haven't read all the replies. Once again, my heart goes out to you. My beloved aunt and my husband's best friend's father (who was like a second father to dh) both succumbed to ALS.

we used to have a Dane and he was overly friendly throughout his puppy stage (even though he was a 100 pound puppy). He made instant friends with my SIL's very proper English friend visiting the States and sat on the couch beside her the entire visit. She talks about it to this day (fondly) and claims he is the only dog she instantly loved. He didn't jump on people, but could knock them down with an affectionate lean. And, oh my, his bark was LOUD. But he really was a big lover. Miss him still. Our remaining dog (shepherd) will sniff you and if you offer your hand it may get a wet noseplant or a quick lick. If you crouch down and offer your face, you will get a lick. First, though, she will bark at you and try to intimidate you until one of the family tells her you're okay because that is her job. She will not jump up.

Our Aldi has the cheapest milk around, by far. I never pay attention to brand of milk anyway (since I don't drink it :)), so cheap is good.

Maybe the child just means to give a biblical admonishment: "And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath" Ephesians 6:4 :tongue_smilie:

When I was a junior in highschool (would that make me about 15-16?) I stayed at my aunt's farm and cared for my younger cousins (they were grammar school age) for a week. I was very responsible. I got them ready for the bus, then I drove myself to school. they got off the bus at their nearby grandmother's house (about 5 miles away), then she would bring them home after I got home from my after-school activities. I gave them dinner, put them to bed and did it all again. For a week. Oh, I also did all the chores. Fed & watered the livestock & horses. Cared for the fledgling chicks she had in the spare bathroom (this is where my loathing of chickens began), kept the house tidy, made supper (she had a few frozen meals plus simple hot dog/mac & cheese type things for me to make) helped the kids with homework. I knew who to call if I needed help. This was a very rural setting, but with many trusted adults within a 15 mile radius. So, I guess it all depends on the situation and the child in question.