So sorry you are heartbroken. We put our dc in school because one of our sons took every ounce of my patience and energy. Dh was worried about me. I could not have predicted what would happen. It wasn't all easy, and it wasn't all about school or medication or therapy. It is better now for us. (I'm homeschooling 2, and 3 go to ps). Knowledge and special ed and maturity have all helped in some ways. Our home is more peaceful than it was. I don't know if it will be the answer for you and your ds. I hope it will be a step toward finding the answer and healing your relationship. :grouphug:

Do I ever feel like Job? Yes. Yes, I do. Frequently. And right now is one of those times. :grouphug: I'm sorry you're in that ucky place, too. One thing I'm trying to remember to do is to keep a journal of remembrance or gratitude. I know I've been blessed, but sometimes it gets hard to remember. The fear and pain get in the way. :grouphug: I pray you'll find a word or memory that gives you strength for today.

Thanks for adding the details. I try not to be overly sensitive, but it's good to know what to watch for when I can't preview first. Makes me feel better about deciding against Brave for this trip.

Thanks for the replies, friends. We've announced Madagascar 3 to the dc and they all seem excited. It's been too hot and they've been cooped up inside too long. It will be easier to keep up with the crowd at a theater than try to take them to a mall. :D

I'll join you in loving "Maria." I'm a sucker for West Side Story and The Sound of Music. I sing those Maria songs all the time. The most beautiful sound I ever heard: Maria, Maria, Maria, Maria . . . All the beautiful sounds of the world in a single word . . Maria, Maria, Maria, Maria . . . Maria! :D Maybe I'll get a granddaughter named Maria . . . :001_wub: I also love Claire and Jane. So sweet and feminine and classic.

We have the cousins and the dc are 6-18. Is there any hope one of these movies would please them all? :bigear:

:grouphug:

:lol: I have two dogs that eat everything in the backyard, so maybe that's our problem here . . . :tongue_smilie:

Jean, I'm so proud of you! :hurray: What an amazing compliment to you! YES I think you should do it! Just keep us posted on your training. I LOVE reading about this amazing transformation in you. You are an inspiration!

The reviews are good, and I need all the organization help I can get. Thanks!

Really? I used to feel the same way. I used to cry every single time the school called me to tell me about what my ds had done and to ask me to pick him up. I cried all the way to the school. I used to go into the office with tear-stained face and apologize profusely. Dh was the school counselor where ds went one year. The principal and teacher knew we'd been facing difficulties homeschooling and I could not spend every moment with ds while ignoring the other dc. They were on board with helping him. They knew we were going from dr to dr for a helpful working diagnosis. Even the principal, when looking at ds's drawings, told dh, "If we didn't know you, these would be seen as signs that your ds is abused." And they knew our whole family, including our other school-aged dc who were bright, engaging, and teacher-pleasers. It took YEARS to get a valid diagnosis. In the meantime we tried medications that made his behaviors WORSE before finding some that helped a little. No. I don't take the blame anymore. I'm thankful we had the choice to homeschool, but we went deep in debt trying to get help . . . Many times kids just fall through the cracks. :sad:

Dh calls me "the poster child for early detection." When my Mom battled cancer, dh said to me, "You will never miss a checkup." I agreed. And I'm thankful a routine check made my diagnosis a Stage One. Some things cannot be prevented or easily detected. Others can and it makes a big difference . . . sometimes the difference between life and death.

Definitely praying. May God give them strength.

I think not. Seriously, they're YOU, right? And they've been a part of your dress/appearance for 15 years? Not weird at all. Wear them proudly. :D

Thanks! Just put it on my library hold list!

1. While in high school, long before I met dh, I was a member of an association of young ladies who represented our city and who wore antebellum costumes in Southern Belle fashion. Several Christmases ago dh completely surprised me with a Madame Alexander doll wearing a replica of that costume. We do useful gifts at our home. I've received a microwave cart, homeschool books, running shoes, etc. Things I've truly appreciated and loved. But this doll was so unexpected and thoughtful, it delights me still. 2. My grandmother's knitting needles. Grandma, despite having lost her thumb in an industrial accident as a teen, constantly knitted scarves and mittens for her 21 grandchildren. I flew up to see her sometime in my early 20s (premarriage) and asked her to teach me. I was 25 when she passed away and I could not get to her funeral. Her daughter packed up Gram's knitting needle sets and sent them back with my parents for me. 3. We bought Dad's house after Mom died and Dad remarried, moving in with his new wife. Before he cleared out completely, he asked all of us kids what we would like to keep (that he wasn't moving). Dh and I loved the old living room sofa. We had spent a lot of courting time there. :lol: So, that sofa didn't get picked up by Goodwill. After dh and I moved in and added our furniture, we moved that sofa from its 28-year spot in the room. Underneath was a gift box. Mom was always buying things and tucking them away for some occasion or another, for gifts or such. Inside was a floral plaque: WELCOME

Really, I'm not understanding this. My phone came with some preloaded apps, and, of course, a link to purchase others. I have to give permission for the app to alter my memory card? And to identify my calls? My students and my dc's friends are doing all kinds of cool things on their phones. Is everyone else comfortable allowing these "permissions" in order to use fun or useful apps? I'm new to this but I'm trying to catch up . . .

I would shoot for the first of October. Sometimes we have our first frost in mid-October and I remember many Halloweens growing up that were cold. (I had to wear jackets over my pretty costumes. :glare:) Hoping you have a lovely time!

I have two favorites for beginning: Cindy Whitmarsh - 10 Minute Solution: Target Toning for Beginners -- 10 minute segments that focus on arms, abs, buns, and thighs with a bonus stretch. Uses light dumbbells. Ellen Barrett - Crunch: Pick Your Spot Pilates -- 10 minute segments that focus on abs, buns, and thighs with a bonus total body segment. Just a mat if you're on hard flooring. I like both of these for beginners because these instructors focus on form and breathing in addition to strength. It's a good starting place, and I still return to them often. Sometimes I just pick a segment and add it to another workout. Both are available on Netflix streaming and may be in your local library so you can try before you buy. Today on Amazon they're $4.99 each.

I've been coloring my hair for several years (Clairol and Revlon) and decided to try a more natural product (Naturtint). I just pulled out the directions, and I had forgotten the skin test! I need my hair colored before an event tomorrow afternoon! Would you risk it? Is a 24 (as opposed to 48) hour result of any use?

Ack. We're entering the 21st Century and I need to know what I need for the Kindle Fire or my touchscreen phone. How fragile are these things? Are the accessory packs (cases/screen protectors/styluses) a waste? If I am the one using it and not our dc? They're still assigned to the desktop and flip-phone. tia

I know! I have "6 Weeks to _____" or "30 Days of ______" or "3 Steps to _____" all over my shelves and I just can't deal with those, either.

I think I'd stick with the same colors, too. Love your dining room pattern!

I love these threads, but I wonder if I could find a way to determine the emotional risk of the books you all recommend. I'm not in a place in my life where I can read about a child's death or war atrocities or someone's losing their loved one to cancer. Other times in my life, maybe. Just not now. I'd appreciate the reason you love the book. If it's insightful or moving or just absolutely breathtakingly beautiful, I want to put it on my list. If it's going to tear my heart to shreds and leave me paralyzed, please leave a disclaimer. Thanks!