This! :iagree: It's HER retirement, SHE needs to host the party! With her guilt-tripping, and manipulation, I'd set out a bag of chips and leave. Seriously though, I understand you have made commitments and don't want to cancel at this point, butI would put my foot down about the out-of-town guests, especially since there are virtually no hotel rooms in your area. And, I wouldn't put my brother's name on the invitations as a host. The hosts have to actually host the party to be listed.

My son required stitches after being bitten by a ten-pound dachsund. Imagine the damage a large dog of any any breed is capable of doing. I also support the idea that you should reinforce your fence, and stop allowing your dog from wandering. It's a shame, but they are unlikely to stop allowing your dogs to wander if yours does the same, and their dogs would likely kill yours if they caught him loose outside.

Naot is a good brand, very international as I believe the company is Israeli. If she can buy a few pairs of shoes in Spain, that would be best as far as blending in with the locals.

Nessun Dorma....I sing it to my cat, and she swats me in the face... This guy does a much better job with it... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcVbtlZLvLY

Absolutely heartbreaking. :(

Congratulations!!!!! :hurray: :thumbup1: :party: :patriot: :thumbdown: :thumbup:

Thank you!

Vigorous exercise helps the peri- and menopause symptoms; evening primrose oil, reducing or eliminating dairy, black cohosh and/or soy isoflavones for hot flashes. Hormone replacement therapy has helped me, but I don't recommend it as it does have risks that each person needs to thoroughly evaluate before choosing to use or not use it.

I am so sorry. I was in college when my father died suddenly, and the familiar routine of work was soothing and helped keep me going through difficult times. As others have stated, just the essentials and perhaps some interest- led reading would be enough schoolwork for now. Fresh air, sunshine, and play time with friends are some of the best things for him. A good grief counselor can help too, especially around the six -month mark when life around around him has returned to normal yet he is still grieving.

First, I'm sending my prayers to you and your family. I think I can see that a schedule might provide order, structure, and comfort, especially during a time when everything else might be fraught with uncertainty. However, please don't feel guilty or frustrated if you do not always complete everything on it, or even if you do absolutely nothing on it, because sometimes just getting through the day is enough.

Can I double like this post? :laugh:

I'm not crazy about cooking either. MIL lives with us and has special dietary needs (gluten free), but it's actually very easy to accommodate. The crock pit is my best friend in the kitchen; I cook everything except fish and pizza in it. :laugh:

Both look fantastic, and thank you, I have added them to my Christmas list!!!

6 months in France and Spain for immersion language learning; and while I am dreaming it would be during the futbol/ soccer season. :laugh: Actually, I was booking travel plans to do this when I found out I was expecting DS9. He is well worth the sacrifice, btw.

"...use of the internet and collaboration?" Sounds like what we do every day in homeschool. I disagree that grammar, times tables, etc... are no longer relevant; they are the foundation for greater learning. I do think this article has merit, and we must become lifetime learners to adapt to a constantly changing world. Thank you for posting this article!

Cofeepot Keurig Paper towel holder coffee grinder Toaster That's it, anything else left out gets put away.

deleted comment; no longer relevent since this is an old thread...

I won't comment on the girl's outfit as we all have different definitions of proper public attire, but the TSA agent's job is to screen for possible terrorists; chastising her for her wardrobe choices is clearly outside the parameters of his job description and therefore inappropriate.As long as she is adequately covered enough not to get arrested and not presenting a threat to others, then he needs to keep his mouth shut.

I decided upon Michael Clay Thompson, ordered Grammar Town, but they sent me Grammar Island, and I love it. It.s all review, but we will blast through this book asap and move on to Grammar Town in about a month. It's sooo much simpler to use than Shurley English, and more engaging for the learner. DS9 giggles at the silly, fun sentences! I may still order a copy os R&S grammar because I think they do sentence diagramming, which MCT does not do. Thank you to everyone who made suggestions! :hurray:

I'm only teaching one child, so the online planners seemed like a lot of work.. I've been writing lesson plans/daily work completed in a Composition notebook until I find something that is simple and easy to use.

"Truly crabby, I'm in Izmir" I had guessed Izmir, but my first thought was Bodrum, but they are Halicarnasses not Homer. I never went to Izmir, just Istanbul and Ankura. My MIL was a lovely green eyed blonde, very unique to Turkey, what a melting pot that country is! Is the family very traditional? If so, then FIL's word was law, and if he didnt want you to do lessons, then it would not happen. I'm explaining this more to the others who are not familiar with Turkish culture. However, many families are not like this, thankfully mine was not, and there are ways to get around it without rocking the boat. One would think no one would care if you wanted to spend 30 minutes a day doing lessons with your daughter; do you think perhaps it is because she is female and home life is emphasized more than school? I would be shocked if this was indeed the case, though. I have a feeling it has more to do with the politics of the family and you being perhaps the youngest wife in the family and lowest in the hierarchy, especially since you are American and thus "different"...in which case nothing you do is going to please anyone so you might as well put on your best bland face, ignore criticisms or comments, and do the lessons. Best of luck to you navigating through in-laws and a completely different culture. The beaches are gorgeous, I've heard, eat some dolma for me!

My first husband was Turkish, and I have spent time in Turkey, not the coast, though. I might know the city you are referring to, but don't want to be stalkerish and name it on the internet. Would the Grandfather be interested in teaching your daughter about the rich culture and history of coastal Turkey? I know they do not speak English, but Turkish is not a difficult language and your daughter will pick it up very quickly if she has not done so already. I very much understand how nerve-wracking it is when there is not a common language Also, the expectations of what you are expected to do as the DIL. My Turkish in-laws were very relaxed and wonderfully sweet, but it was still tough. BTW, have you had the egg-lemon soup? I can still taste it, and the small glaases of tea. Lamb, not so much. Ugh, but at the coast you likely eat more seafood than lamb. I think the idea of getting the lessons done as early in the day as possible is good, in a quiet, isolated place would also mean fewer questions.

Club soccer, hours and hours at the pool in the summer, pushups with mom and dad, yoga with mom ( which usually ends in giggles , but DS9 does a great Breath of Fire), trampoline jumping, 3 miles walks at the lake with mom and grandmother. If I do a workout dvd such as Cathe or Art of Strength kettlebells, he likes to join in. :laugh:

I think I "liked" every post in this thread...please forgive me if I missed one. :hurray:

Me too!!!!! A couple of trips to the library temporarily relieved symptoms, but then a visit to the used book store caused a huge flare-up! I've even resorted to keeping a notebook by the bed to write down 3 am curriculum brainstorms. First-year curriculitis is the worst!