My soul sister! (Except I do get wigged out. Work in progress, and all that.) My feet are an exceptional problem. I have to apply equal pressure at all times - and both feet must feel the same sensation. Or else. We have a town center that is highly walkable (shops, restaurants, cinema) with many four-way stops / crosswalks. But every so often there are partitions of sidewalk that aren't smooth - they're raised bumps, presumably for the blind and hard-of-vision? They're usually by crosswalks and bridges. But I get stuck on them a lot because both feet have to touch the spots the same number of times, with the same amount of pressure. And my stride is such that it's not an even number, so I have to stretch (which puts more pressure on one foot) or squish extra steps in (which puts less pressure on one foot). So my friends usually pick other places now o shop and eat :lol: .

I spend a lot of time at airports. When I watch people, I view them as though they're a video game and I make predictions about who is going to dodge which direction or lap another person. And I always have some kind of "finish line" picked out (third column as we walk through the terminal, e.g.) along with what order my people will finish in. I do the same in the car, but only when I'm driving. My spidey sense only works from the driver's seat! If I'm right, and I have a freakishly awesome sense for this - go figure, I get all giddy. On the occasion I'm wrong, I get into a grumpy mood for a bit LOL.

:001_wub: I can't thank you enough. We'll read up on those and hope they match what they need. For her the IEP is more of an admittance that her child requires one at all. She's a perfectionist, A-type, control freak whose life has followed the script she has written for it - until this bundle of boy came along. Having never really experienced a situation she wasn't already in control of, or could quickly gain control of, she's not very good at handling this being at the mercy of someone - least of all someone so small but deceptively powerful! LOL (If you couldn't tell, this is my OLDER sister. Typical firstborn!)

This was my suggestion to her, and one I hope she truly considers as she investigates this process. But she's very school minded, especially given her career, and feels strongly about keeping pace with the school. There's also some denial at play about his condition. She's been working hard to accept that his behavior is rooted in a medical condition, and isn't simple disobedience or willfulness; as she adjusts to his diagnosis (one she's been in deep denial about), she's coming around to understanding him better re: AT HOME situations. But I think she's still so conditioned about SCHOOL that it's too big a leap for her right now to even think about placing academics on hold. Which is unfortunate, IMO, but maybe in time as it all falls into place for her. She's very much a bring-the-textbooks-home and pick-up-where-school-left-off mindset because that's what she knows professionally.

Thank you very much for the heads up about CAVA, and the advice to look into a charter school. They live and teach in San Bernardino County. We have more siblings and some extended family living in Orange County, plus this sister's oldest child attends CSUF, so she's accustomed (and willing to) make the drive to OC if necessary. Thanks again for the help, wading through the Internet is overwhelming and I'm grateful for those who take the time to help us. ETA: When I spoke with my sister a few weeks ago (before the poo hit the fan), she was still in denial about his diagnosis and my BIL was trying to help her work through the emotions of it. She's been in denial for awhile. As of that time, she was refusing to consider an IEP or 504. It's a sensitive topic for her,even before the multiple meltdowns my nephew had this week. I'm guessing my BIL is, or will be, working on helping her accept this - to include seeing the benefit to an IEP or 504.

Everyone has been very helpful, thank you. It's a sticky situation because his teachers are struggling to handle his outbursts in class, despite wanting to, and other parents (understandably) feeling the teachers are spending too much time on him. My sister took leave from her own job to "assist" in his class all day, every day, but it only helped minimally. He's a bright kid, but definitely struggles to focus. He has no problem doing classwork - and can - BUT he wants to do it on his own time (not when the class is doing it). To address parent concerns, the teacher began allowing him to "sit quietly" if he didn't want to participate. He usually stares out the window, and was allowed to work on his own, even taking work to complete at home. The trouble is the principal isn't okay with this, and my sister is realizing it's not a long-term solution; in some cases, the parents are happier but the classmates are understandably finding it to be unfair. This is very difficult for the teacher, who is stuck between a rock and hard place. (The teacher's son and my sister's older son are in the same grade, to muddy things a bit.) The principal wishes to demote my nephew. Are there any recommendations for CA charter/online schools that may fit this type of student? She kept him home today but hasn't officially pulled him, pending a good look at our options this weekend. She is willing to be his sole teacher in the interim, but doesn't feel she can juggle his educational needs with the ongoing management of his medical and social needs- school was a respite for her, both her teaching and his attending.

Thank you, that's already super helpful - especially the part about them being credentialed teachers. Wow! I'm glad I asked. Hadn't remembered about about the online schools, that's another great option to look into. (And California, sorry; not Canada!)

I plan to Google, search here, etc. to find basic answers, but I'm hoping to gleam some tips and insights from people who know. TIA for any help. We're bringing home a 1st grader dx Asperger's who isn't doing well - as in tomorrow LOL. Both parents (my sister and BIL) are public school teachers. They live in a small mountain town and will face social pressure to keep the child in school. I live in a very low regulation state, and I know CA has more rules. I told her the adjustment would affect them (parents) more than the child, but they're still very school-minded and aren't sure where to start. They never thought they'd consider this option. I think they're very much in a "school at home" mindset (at least for right now), whereas I'm way relaxed with school. I figure where I can't help them, the Hive can!

I like the idea of getting a roving "rover" as incentive. I'd have to name the dog before turning him loose in the living room, so the kids would know I meant business. He's my employee, not their pet! :laugh: I have one who leaves single, balled, dirty socks around the house. Everywhere. I am not a person who minds disarray, but what I cannot stand is laziness. And taking off a sock only to drop or toss it on whichever square inch of carpet is convenient sets me off like an angry kettle. Originally I started collecting them, quietly, because I figured the offender would eventually (soon) run out of socks. I held them ransom for a chore or cash, whichever I felt like at any given time. But then even that started to annoy me, So then I just started throwing them away because I don't think reasonably when I'm highly irritated. These worked briefly, but old habits and laziness die hard and we were soon back to the usual way. What's been working has been to use them as artillery. I had to get over being the one who collected them from around the house multiple times each stupid day. But I keep a stash going and randomly throughout the day I throw those stinky, sometimes wet, always disgusting socks at this kid. Sometimes one at a time, spread throughout the day; other times, I enlist siblings and we bombard him. Then I make him stop everything right then and there so I can personally escort him to the hamper. Then I pat him on the head condescendingly and tell him, "Good Boy" as he puts them into the hamper. He smiles sheepishly, says he'll do better, and we do it all again a few days later. What helped me with the toys when mine were younger, was to have a few garage sales each year. Not grand ones where I'm planning to bring in a significant haul, or anything, but small kid-centric ones centered around an iced or hot beverage (season-depending). They were vested in culling their collections, and loved earning money in the meanwhile. If I had to pick up a toy more than a few times, I chucked it into the garage sale pile. The other thing that helped me, in a things-will-get-worse-before-they-get-better kind of way, was to assign the kids zones for cleaning. They turned on each other initially, not wanting to be responsible for "having" to clean up after a sibling. So the kid responsible for the living room got stuck picking up someone else's legoes, and the kid in charge of the kitchen had to rinse some lazy sibling's dishes left in the sink. It made them all a bit more emphathetic and aware of their actions. After they got a bit Battle Royale on each other, of course.

I use the NRSV (Catholic) for every day reading and with my younger kids. I use the Douay-Rheims for personal study and homeschool starting in middle school. I tutor a boy who has to memorize a verse from the ESV every week for school. I loved the language until this semester (Romans 8). I learn the verse alongside him, to help him get it, and man! The first 17 verses killed me! I kept tripping it all up. I can't wait to be done with this chapter LOL.

When my nephew went away to school, his mom made him a perpetual calendar. It's small and spiral-bound, about the size of an index card. Since he's a musician, she put a few lines of lyrics on each day, plus any special family days (birthdays, anniversaries). She decorated each page with a doodle or drawing that tied in with the lyrics or the special family day. He's in his late 20s now, and still uses this calendar. His girlfriend uses it, too, to acknowledge our birthdays LOL. I really like the idea of a laundry bag! I'm going to use that for the two we're sending to college this year. Definitely some great ideas on this thread.

I'd make a crap ton of avocado smoothies and freeze in individual sized containers for easy daily thawing thereafter. Just a little mashed avocado, some honey and a bit of rice milk or coconut milk, maybe a banana - yum. I love the suggestion to make some guacamole and invite over friends! I might take that a different direction, and have some girls over to do hair masks and facials!

I'd pay it (as parent) if I were the driver's parent. I'd offer to pay it if I were the passenger's parent. I figure it's a genuine misunderstanding, and now they know. The only "cost" to the kids would be a 10 minute lecture/lesson on reading signs and making sure they know what to do differently next time. Next time, it'd be on them in full - job or not. I do think responsibility tends to fall with the driver, always in all ways. But I think some drivers are ... I don't know the words, not more shy, but maybe less certain or confident in a situation of unknowns and therefore more prone to doing whatever someone suggests. It sounds like your daughter's friend might be one of those people who doesn't think well under stress, froze, and took her passenger's suggestion. Now she's quick to blame the passenger because it's easier and more comfortable to do so, than to realize she's just not calm under pressure and had any culpability. Hopefully that's something she matures out of, before it costs her this - or any - friendship!

We might consume about 1 gallon of milk a year. We buy in small cartons throughout the year when we have visitors (who want milk with their tea or coffee). I do re-use the cartons to hold things - weeds the kids pick, pencils, rocks (for use as book ends in our school room!) We have once-weekly recycle pick-up. I think we put out our little recycle bin maybe once 6-8 weeks, if that. We don't buy a lot of stuff with recyclable packaging; most of what we buy is re-used or re-purposed for our own, immediate use. Because I'm Asian, and that's how we roll LOL.

I have. I retired a few years ago from a job that involved weekly air travel. One project I worked with a guy who was with a die-hard Kindle fan, who - every trip, every week - would just try to sell me on the idea of an e-reader. It's like he took my choice personally (in the sense that I must be living in the technological Dark Ages), and he made it his personal mission to enlighten me LOL. Seven months into our project, when she came to meet him at the airport, she handed me a gift bag. We might normally exchange wine or something with the "home" (real) spouses of our "work" spouses (colleagues) at the end of a long project, but never a gift and not mid-project. It was weird. It was a Kindle, and in her card she asked me to please, for the love of God, take it on our next trip out because she was sick and tired of his complaining at home about how I was lugging paper books across the ocean every week. :lol: And I did! Tried it, hated it. I still travel (for leisure) every month and still have zero problems just bringing a long books to read. But I also don't read in the dark!

We have two condos through vrbo, two different states but both are near military bases which means we've had requests like yours coming from military families. For all you know, this might just be your "true" winter - an extended stay guest! Reviews are like watching the scale when you're trying to gain or lose weight - necessary, but also somewhat stressful. Have her leave a single review, and don't sweat it too much about your overall number of reviews for right now. Easy for me to say, right? :biggrinjester:

I think they can, but I imagine it's rare for one to do so. I also think there are different kinds of people habitually lying for different kinds of reasons. So that would definitely factor into whether or not one could or might be "rehabilitated" IYKWIM.

Depending on the job applied for, of course, but a co-op instructor makes me think of someone who can take charge, but also work well in a team; someone who can effectively manage time and resources; someone who can work independently without a lot of oversight; someone who can plan and execute said plan; etc. These are skills that would do well in nearly all fields, particularly those part-time positions. I spent six years hiring and firing, and I'd have welcomed that on the resume - maybe not the homeschooling (better left to the cover letter, IMO) but definitely the co-op instructor. Then again, I'm not very traditional in what I do or how I work so I have no clue how this would be perceived in the here and now.

I was inspired by the whole Marie Kondo movement, and tackled my books more easily than I thought I would. Easily, 1/3 did not spark any sort of joy so those were gone. Most of those were cheap, easy finds and reads for my days of more frequent travel - books easily found, and left behind, such as popular paperbacks and bestsellers. It was easy to let those go because they're still so easy to find should I decide to get around to reading them today. A second 1/3 sparked immense joy and were keepers. They have enjoyed their more spacious digs on the shelves that are no longer stuffed tight and overloaded. I find myself more likely to actually reach for these books now that I can do so without offsetting an avalanche of precariously perched siblings. Less became more! The other 1/3 is tricky. They didn't spark joy but I wasn't yet sure if I could part with them. So I boxed them up with the intention of "doing something with them" after the Christmas holidays. Well, I had a free weekend and decided to go back through them this weekend instead. Of that 1/3, I was able to finally part with 75% of those books. I'm keeping the other 25%, for now, but with the exception of two books they're going back into the box for me to "do something with" on some dreary day in February when we're iced in. It's too soon to know if I'll regret getting rid of this most recent bunch, but I'm not feeling tremendous anxiety yet. I've tagged about half to give to other homeschoolers. It makes it easier for me to let go of these, knowing they're going to good homes where they'll get used. The other half I've set aside to donate to a local animal rescue group that is hosting a garage sale next weekend. Again, feeling like it's a good cause helps me get over the phantom chest pains I feel just thinking about letting these go. I don't own an e-reader, and never plan to. But what's hard is that I love the thrill of the hunt. I spend hours just pecking through the shelves at thrift stores and used bookstores, with my (falling apart paper copy!) notebook of what-I-own-what-I'm-looking-for lists. It's what I do for fun, and culling books is kind of a buzzkill in that regard! Good luck with your project, whichever direction it takes :)

It would bother me for a few minutes if I were the one who had originally picked it. But if not, then it wouldn't phase me LOL. I wouldn't run out to get it legally changed, but I'm not opposed to paying for it or doing it for an older teenager. At 13, I'd give my blessing for her to start going by a different name - on condition that I got one no-questions-asked, no-arguing right of refusal. Oh, and she can't get mad at me if I keep forgetting and call her the wrong name for the first year or so LOL. But I'd ixnay the legal change until closer to adulthood, probably by agreeing to take it year by year. She'll be happy I'm willing to consider it year by year, and I buy some time for her to outgrow the phase (if it is indeed one.) I don't think it is shallow at all. Names are recognized as an important part of one's identity.

I have a blessedly short list today. My parents are moving, so from 8-12 I had to wait for their cable to get hooked up and their new washer and dryer to be delivered. I can check those off the list. My brother bought a new gun safe, which will be delivered today between 1-5. I'm sitting at his house while he's off of work, eating his food and watching his apple tv ... waiting for the delivery. I hope to check that off the list in the next hour or so. Last item I'll do tonight when my brothers are home and I can get our kids together. We'll make and email my young nephew a video from the iPad. He's in ICU today, following a nasty asthma attack. My mom flew out this morning to be with him, and says he could use some cheering up from his cousins. Habits: Keep plowing through Christmas leftovers walk the dog don't peek through my brother's mail <-- FAILED! His holiday card pile proved too tempting

So in reality I'd sit on it for a few days, try to talk myself into believing I deserved it, and in a few days when the annoyance (of him, being reminded of him) wore off I'd mail it to him. I know I'd sleep very well that night. Jean is right, two wrongs don't make a right. But if it were my brother or sister, I'd tell them to keep the cash and mail back the wallet with a note explaining: "Found your wallet in my car. Kept the little bit of cash that was in there and applied it towards the $X you own me. Now you only owe me $Y-X. Call when - and only when - you're ready to settle up." I think it's right to acknowledge you found his wallet, and to own up to keeping the cash (since they had an agreement, and it's not just her thinking, "Hey, I deserve this!").

Oh, see those things are still clutter to me. My microwave is housed in a built-in cabinet, so it's out of the way. I don't own a coffee pot. I just have a thing with kitchen surfaces. I like them completely bare. Even my dishtowel and sponge have dedicated "homes" not in (my) view. The rest of my house looks like a tornado hit it LOL, but my kitchen ... ah, my kitchen ... everything in its place, and clutter-free. Minus the glass teapot on my stove ;) It and a cookie jar are the only things left out on my counters at any give time. And I only stomach the cookie jar because my nephew made it for me and he's over here every day. And my kids are amused by my countertop issue, so they encourage him to ask about the jar every day. They're rotten munchkin smurfs who like to watch me squirm.

I'm from the tropics, and we call everyone Auntie or Uncle - it's a title based on age and social rank, not legal status. Every time I hopped in a cab, I'd greet the driver with, "Uncle, please take me {here}." Every time I squeezed by an older woman in the grocery store, I'd say, "Pardon, Auntie." It's just what we do. Kinda like the suburban boys lately who keep calling each other Bro, despite no formal biological or legal tie. :laugh:

I pre-warm my mug. If the oven is already on, or was recently on, I just stick my mug in there for a few minutes. Otherwise, I boil two pots of hot water. The first I pour into my mug to warm it up - sometimes I pour the extra hot water into a small bowl and indulge in a mini-facial, but other times I pour the excess hot water down the drain. It helps keep it unclogged. Then while the mug sits with the pre-warming water in it, I boil a second pot of hot water. When it's done, I dump the pre-warming water and fill my mug with fresh, hot water. Then I add my tea. My mug stays hot enough that I can sip to the end without getting cold tea. I hate cold tea, blech.