This is a great piece: http://www.nytimes.com/projects/2012/snow-fall/#/?part=tunnel-creek

Definitely!

What about starting with pre-cut fresh fruits and veggies, to get in the habit of consuming them? Or bags of salad? Yes, you will pay a little more, but if it helps you eat healthier, pay the price while you establish the habit. I try to wash and/or cut up my fruit ASAP after returning from the store, or we might not eat it when it's at its best.

Go with your gut.

:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: Families get judged no matter what they do, so I choose to do what I think is best for us and ignore all the comments!

Even though I think I understand the legal technicalities and issues that make this conviction questionable, I personally feel fine about it. She was horrible. There should be consequences for what she did.

I am also disappointed in the change. You have to bring headphones to be able to concentrate in nearly any library I have been to, including my university library. I listen to "rain sounds" on Youtube to block out the chatter.

:grouphug: I totally get this. I am SO comfortable with 20th-century technology, which helps me not at all today. LOL. I am just finishing up grad school, and one of my younger classmates asked me a question about my undergrad program and online classes and I had to tell her, "When I did my undergrad, the internet had not been invented yet." :laugh: Everything tech-based takes a long time to complete and then, as a perfectionist, I worry that some dumb mistake will take me out of the running completely. Excel has been my nemesis all year. Good luck on the job hunt!

http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/07/20/the-really-big-one When this came out a lot of my acquaintances started talking about preparedness. We have supplies and water in the garage, shoes under the beds, all large furniture attached to the walls, and emergency cash available. I was here for the 2001 earthquake, and while it was not particularly scary, I hope to miss the BIG ONE that will eventually come. And I really hope I'm nowhere near the coast when it hits.

LOVE it!

I would impose consequences that will discourage the person from breaking the rule.

I agree with everyone else. It's like potty training. You will have to put in a bunch of effort up front, but it makes your life MUCH easier after it's done.

This is so true that I want to re-post it to emphasize it. :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

Monica, I am right there now. I am in my late 40s, all kids are in school and I am just finishing a Master's degree so that I can earn a better income and help pay for college for my kids. I think that if you want to do it, you will find the energy for it, but if you really don't want to change paths, it will feel like a huge burden. That age and stage of life is coming to you regardless - what do you want it to be like? How do you want to spend your time? Do you need that income if things go badly? In my case, my kids wanted to go to school and have done fine there. They were old enough to really help me and each other, so life was relatively smooth while I was in class and doing homework. I enjoy my field and am looking forward to the work. I feel like it has been a good change for me. I plan to work about 15-20 years and then hopefully we will be ready to retire. My health is good and honestly - I probably feel better than I did when my kids were preschool age. I've now had about a decade of sleeping through the night again - that improves life so, so much. If you want it - you CAN do it.

Another factor might be the application process. When DS was job hunting last summer, MOST places required an online application plus some required a resume submitted with the application - for fast food places like Taco Time. He felt terrible, because what 16 year old has enough to fill a resume?

We try to go see local points of interest. The last time we went camping, we drove 20 minutes away to see a dam visitor's center. It was a big hit.

My answer to playing sports known to cause brain damage is "No".

Hoping for the best outcome for you!

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Just slow your roll a little bit to ensure that this doesn't hurt everyone more than it should. Double or triple your gradual fade time.

:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: Court mojo headed your way!

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:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: The older I get, the more alone in a crowd I feel. I totally get it. And when people say very insensitive things to me, unless its overtly racist or cruel, I try to change the subject and then avoid them for the rest of my life. I'm sorry for your losses!

I mean this gently: you aren't thinking clearly because you are in the middle of it. This coach needs to go. He is emotionally unsafe at the minimum. Your program WILL be destroyed if you don't remove him; you have a chance to save it if you act and try to find a replacement. Why are you allowing a person in authority and influence treat your son and other children this way? What emotional lessons is your son going to absorb from this? You and the rest of the board need to meet and act now.

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