Thanks for the article, quark! I never thought to research it. Interesting!

I can tell you how I do it, if you like. I put the heel of my hand against the back of my hip bone (same side) and twist my upper body toward that side. Sometimes that's enough; other times I have to do the other side, too. Ohhhh, it feels so much better.... ;) ETA: I've never seen a chiro, so I'm probably doing something terrible. But after 35 years I've been doing it, whatever horrible effect has yet to show up...

Well, look at all y'all coming shamelessly out of the woodwork! Neck-Crackers of the Hive, unite! :laugh:

Well ... I can't tell you no one has done it, or that it's dangerous, because I do it. I crack my lower back sometimes, too. I don't think I do it a lot, but I definitely do it, and it does freak out some people. It certainly is possible that it's abnormal. :p I do it when I feel muscles getting tight and a little achy. The cracking makes it feel all better again. The worst is when I feel the need to crack and I can't get it to happen. I have no idea what the physiology might be - but I can tell you I've never been paralyzed. Nor have I ever heard of repetitive-stress injuries from either knuckle or neck cracking. Oh - and I have indeed been able to go on dates and even get married! :) OOPS! Sorry, just saw the JAWM. Go ahead and tell the circus-freak to knock it off. ;)

:hurray: She did such a great job! And what interesting work! I too think Thesis Thursday is a brilliant idea. I wish a lot more schools/stations would do it!

What a great idea! (And a great thread.) I'll admit it's both heartwarming and heartbreaking that there are so many different ideas (and so many in need, in so many ways). I think what I would most want to do is send it to a boardie who's struggling.

I had it this past spring from pulling weeds. My boss diagnosed, Dr. Internet confirmed, and I just babied it for about 4 months and it's fine now. Really, all I did was try not to fully extend the arm (I couldn't let it just hang at my side, for ex.), and get DH or DS to carry things for me. The garden, however, never recovered from the weeds.....

Since they themselves seem unsure of their status, I'd hold on to everything for now, and get the backup ornament for DS. If Christmas comes and goes and they are still apart, then I'd give her the personalized thing and return/regift the rest.

Happi duck, I am so sorry. :grouphug: May your sister, and you, and the rest of your family, find peace. :crying:

Chloe, I am SO sorry for what you're facing. :grouphug: In case it helps - here is a thread I started a year ago about homeschool contingency plans. I hope there is something in there that helps you. http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/555618-do-you-have-a-homeschool-contingency-plan/?hl=%2Bcontingency+%2Bplan&do=findComment&comment=6433288 :grouphug:

She's so spacey! She says she didn't even know she was failing Biology until the last two weeks of the semester, then she whipped out so much extra credit she got an A. Why didn't she just do the work the first time?!

Same here, on all counts. :grouphug: I grew up with some real space nuts. My brother and I used to watch the coverage in our Apollo pajamas. :)

"God speed, John Glenn."

My heart goes out to you and your family. What an awful situation. :crying: I'm so sorry. I hope the hospital folks are able to make progress, and fast.... :grouphug:

Hang in there, Terabith. :grouphug: Have you been able to eat anything?

Congratulations! :hurray: And here's a tissue. :crying: I hope to say about myself & DS "we have come so far." I'm too far in the weeds right now to trust that it will be true one day....

One of the most helpful cleaning tips I've ever read was for cleaning the microwave: Put a small glass bowl of water in the microwave for 3 or 4 minutes (until it's good 'n steamy in there). Let it sit for a few minutes before removing with hotpads - it'll be hot! Then just wipe down the inside with a sponge. The steam makes the mess come right off! No need for any additional product. ETA: clearly I'm not the only one who does this! :p So many posts appeared since I started typing!

I can't seem to find the one I used for the U.S. Constitution, but here is an OK online test: http://www.constitutionfacts.com/?page=quiz.cfm The citizenship test is here: https://www.uscis.gov/us-citizenship/naturalization-test

For some reason the curiosity is killing me. Feast, gargantuan meal, lots of yummy dishes.... WHAT yummy dishes? I like yummy! I want details! :drool5:

I second the Crash Course Government & Politics series, especially if you need smiles. Also check out Tom Richey's and Keith Hughes' channels on youtube. Both are high school teachers who cover AP history & govt courses. We prefer Tom Richey, but Hughes has a TON of videos. This past spring, the two teachers teamed up for a live 2-hour AP Govt review, which we watched just for fun as a closer to my course. I also required DS to take the U.S. Constitution test, our state Constitution test, and a citizenship test - all available online. He also wrote a persuasive paper supporting a candidate and did some quick n' dirty research about other forms of government.

:crying: We'll be playing lots of Leonard at my house this weekend.... :crying:

Nice update! Feels so good to have a plan in place, I know. I hope the Spark turns out to be just right for you!

I agree completely, especially with the bolded. I also point things out: "What a drag that my car got hit. But I am so glad I have the funds to repair it! Part of the reason I have those funds is that I just got a bonus at work, and part is that I don't blow a lot of money on stuff like Starbucks or fashionable clothes or expensive vacations. It's more important to me to have a large safety-cushion in my bank account." So I acknowledge both my general good fortune and my intentional financial mindset. I talk about priorities a lot, too, when deciding what or whether to purchase.

Yep, there you have it. "Dear Jim: Pound sand. We'll see you at Jane's for pie." :drool5: But only when you're healthy!

First: don't engage any further until you're feeling better. This can get so much messier if you respond while you're feeling cruddy. Second: if you think the skeet-and-dessert plan sounds refreshing, say so, and say why. Don't make any other suggestions. We've been very low-key for TG for quite a few years now. I love it!