Yes, dh's degree was in sociology. Mine was in English. While neither of us thought we were materialistic, it didn't even occur to us that we wouldn't be able to LIVE on the salary jobs in those fields opened. Both of us needed grad school. (My first *real* job paid $800 per month - with no salary in the summer -- teaching in a private school 20 years ago. I wanted to be independent and found another teacher to share apt expenses -- but we couldn't even share expenses and keep up with with our car insurance and maintenance -- even with old cars/no payments!) Dh's first job after earning his MS paid $8 per hour. Seriously. And that was only 11 years ago. We had 2 kiddos and a $450 house payment then -- cheaper than renting an apt.

This was my experience, too. The quietest (before birth) was very demanding and slept little. Two VERY active ones were gentle, easy babies. Then again, I had two other babies who were moderately active who were pretty easy, too. So . . . I'd say it's too early to predict the nature of the little one!

Forgot -- my parents never had ANY student loans. Sigh. Dh had to get a MS in order to really work in his field and we are paying $$$.

I know exactly how you feel! Of course, there are lots of factors that are different between the generations. The ones *I* see in my own situation: Back in the 60s, many men were able to find jobs and make a decent living without a big education. Dad became an engineer with his Air Force training, and, by the time he was 30, had a good-paying job at IBM and bought a brand new 2100 sf house with double garage. When my dh was 30, he was back in grad school full-time because his fabulously valuable (sarcasm) BA was so limited. My dad stayed with the same company for 30 years. Dh didn't get hired at a breadwinner's salary until he was 35 -- the year I quit work to stay home with our (then) 3 dc. Housing is super expensive. Maybe it always was, but I'm keenly aware of the location, location, location factor. We live one street over from my parents in a (now, of course) 35 year old neighborhood. We could not dream of purchasing a new home, and this comfortable house was the smallest on the street. When *I* grew up here, this was THE place to be. As time has moved on, the district schools have deteriorated. The new and better schools have moved out of the city. Many of our neighbors dc go to private school. My parents didn't have to pay for curriculum or transportation for us to have a good education. Big budget items! To afford the new neighborhoods would require two big salaries. 2 of my dc have autism spectrum disorders. We've spent bundles on therapies and drs and meds and supplements that aren't covered by insurance. (And I'm so glad we HAVE insurance, or it would be much worse!) Occupational therapy and meds have helped to blow our budget to kingdom come. Having healthy dc who are successful in school was something I used to take for granted . . . It sure is cheaper! Both of my brothers live in bigger, nicer homes than ours. BUT, we have 5 dc and they each have 2. And both of their wives work. So . . . when I'm feeling pitiful (which I sometimes allow myself), I remember that I have been able to be with my dc and I have been blessed many times! Sometimes I wish we had more. I was always able to take music lessons and other extracurricular things we have n't been able to afford for 5. Hopefully, though, they will remember the blessing of a close family and plenty to eat. And plenty of books to READ, of course. Lol.

I love Aveeno. Very light. Makes my skin feel soft and fresh. They have lots of different kinds, and I use the one for sensitive skin. It's wonderful.

Sure do. If I enjoy a movie, sometimes I look for other things the actors or directors have done. And it's funny/depressing to see how young they are!

Enjoy it, Jean! It won't last long! (Any bubble bath and candles? I'd be in the tub!)

I was an English major before I became a teacher. And then I homeschooled. I have books. Tons and tons of books. Many classics, and lots of twaddle. I've bought books because I loved them, because they were assigned, because they were classics, because they were pretty, because they related to something I was teaching, or because they were cheap. Now I look at my collection and *wish* I had been more selective. I really wasted money on cheap books that now have brittle and yellowed pages. And I can barely wade through the twaddle to find the treasures I always intended to share with my children. Of course, I can toss or donate all the ones that aren't really of use to me or that don't "sing to me" (a la FlyLady) anymore. But I can't really break my addiction to collecting books. So . . . if you decided to toss the 25 yo paperback of Canterbury Tales, where would you spend your (still limited) money on your next books? Of course I'll keep the leather-bound Shakespeare my parents gave me at graduation, but will I ever read my thick anthologies of British poetry or the novels of George Eliot? If Wuthering Heights never appealed to me, shouldn't I let it go, no matter its classic status? Do I snap up the next Faulkner anthology I see? Or wait until I see The Unvanquished on a clearance table? I want to rebuild my library as an investment in future pleasure . . . not just a mindless and cluttered collection.

I told you about my cousin who'd just finished her LPN. Her instructor told her she did NOT want a job at a particular nursing home because the nurses there took (stole) patients' medicine. So, dcousin was happy to get a job at another nursing home. Well, she hates it. She said they (nurses) give patients placebos and laugh about it. The meds have been prescribed by the drs, so it's not as if the patients are just wanting meds for no reason. She wants to find another job. I want to report it. I can't stand to think that this is going on. I live in another state and don't even know the names of these places. DCousin is concerned about her job (new employee). What can be done?

Maxine - I went through this decision-making thing last year. I decided to go back to school to become a gifted/talented teacher. There's a high need for them in our region. I like learning new things and research, too! It's not a high-paying job, but it's decent. Some places have special abbreviated certification programs for high need teachers . . . maybe even paying for schooling. OTOH, I've kicked myself more than once for not getting an education in something that I could do part-time, like nursing or accounting. Good luck!

(((LNC))) - I'm so sorry. I don't know what I'd suggest. Is there a special education action committee or parents' rights group that can assist you? A support group? God bless you both. I think we're going to be pushing for an aide next year to keep our son safe . . .

A couple of chocolate chip cookies with hot tea. And vitamins. Lol.

I never, ever, ever get finished. Sigh. Ask Lady Katherine -- she's a decluttering queen. She used to have some great tips at her website. Anyone know the link?

Yes, I did. He's quite a narcissist, IMHO.

Very cool! Thanks!

I don't think it's very nice to brag. Just because YOU can breathe easily and I have at least a couple more months of hyperventilating! Lol. I keep dreaming that one year it will be different, but ours are so complicated. Dh had 3 jobs last year, and we're still awaiting all 3 W-2s. Then I have to track down all the charitable contribution receipts and prescription/dr's receipts and the home mortgage interest and the local taxes and the student loans . . . I'm making my head hurt . . . Maybe next year I'll have all my pieces of paper in the same box! =) Congratulations!

I did it again today. With the permanent kind. It didn't explode and my hair's not green and it didn't even itch! Only one member of the family noticed at all, so I *think* that means I chose the right color, lol! So . . . how much work is it going to be to keep this up? (Assuming I decide to spend this much time and money on grooming!) Do you touch up just the roots? How often? Or do you reapply at the roots for some minutes and then, just before you're finished, cover your head? If I'm going to color my hair, I don't want the telltale gray roots half the time. I mean, that's the whole point, right? I've taken the plunge, but if I decide I'm not up to this level of commitment . . . Somebody give me the whole honest truth. I *used* to have waist length hair and never wear make-up. Guess my hippie days are over!

Rejoice with me! I found my big black binder! Taxes may not be as terrible this year! And, I was able to find the bank statement. That check had NOT cleared the bank, so either dd or the school office misplaced it. At least now I know and can write out a new order. I checked out one of the Paper Tiger books at the library, but the File! Don't Pile and the Morgenstern books were out. Maybe I'll put them on hold. Thanks for the encouragement. Now that I've found the bulk of my 2007 $$ papers, I can put these new recommendations to use and get ready for taxes.

Passion and Purity by Elizabeth Elliott was inspiring to me (as an adult). We gave The Princess and the Kiss to our little ones. I'll be interested in reading recommendations for pre- and adolescents . . .

Went barefoot most of my life until I discovered that my aching feet were WORSE because I took my shoes off. Discovered Birkenstocks, and didn't take off my first pair for 3 days straight! Wish I could find some slippers with that kind of support!

as trash bags. It's attached to the inside of her pantry door with two arms sticking out to hold the handles and keep the bag open. Any idea what this is called? Or where I could get one? I'm tired of buying kitchen garbage bags. It sure would be better to reuse the millions of bags I get from Walmart. tia

Member of Sparkpeople, too. I have *got* to keep up with tracking my food intake. 171/171/130

I decided to clear the medicines out of the kitchen yesterday and filled two boxes. Yikes. 4 people in the family take a total of 7 medicines daily. Plus an assortment of vitamins and fish oils and such. And then the bottles of decongestants and expectorants and fever reducers and cough drops and tummy calmers . . . liquids for the littles and pills for the big ones. There's no way these will ever fit in any medicine chest. What should I do with all this stuff? I use them all . . . over time. Help!

I used to subscribe to Large Family Logistics . . . It reminded me of FlyLady, but more in tune with big families and homeschooling. What do you think?

The 6-week kind looked great on me, for about a week. Apparently, my grays are "resistant," so I'll have to either give this up or try something stronger.