Keeping you in my thoughts as you head towards your dad.

:grouphug: Cancer is the worst and adding an insensitive step mother to the mix is the pits.

Happy Chanukah!

I really don't understand this argument. Of course there is someone out there who can murder with a garlic press, but still guns are doing the killing. Guns make killing easy (especially assault weapons). They kill fast and create both an emotional and physical space between the attacker and the victim. This is why the US has such high rates of murder as opposed to every other country in the world. There are angry people everywhere but without an abundance of guns the amount of killing is much much less.

Heartbreaking :grouphug:

I ask this sincerely, if this is true, wouldn't the US already be the safest country in the world?

Well done!

Boobs. (Congratulations!)

:iagree: And striving for better is not ingratitude.

Less computer (and subsequently making time for everything below!) Saying yes more. A walk and/or a swim every day. Taking more time to really listen and play with the kids. Taking time to read every day. Trying to be more creative in my boring kitchen. Vegan twice a week. Writing a good juicy letter to a friend every week. I am in a groove right now, feeling great. I think a lot of this has to do with the "less time on the computer" thing. I know that this stuff ebbs and flows, but it does feel good when I hit my stride.

How do you enforce the "don't keep a secret" rule? I can't get passed the feeling that this is setting up for secrets upon secrets by demanding this.

:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

Fantastic news!

I voted other. The house comes with the job.

Just sending hugs to all you mamas helping your kids through this. :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

Thinking of you!!!

Thanks for all of your responses. I think I have been sitting down lately to get real work done at the computer and then finding myself far away from my intended use. It is good to remind myself that it is okay to use as entertainment and also to remember I am the kind of person who often needs to set myself concrete limits. Time to reel it in...

I am a little late, but hugs to you. :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

I am noticing that I spend a lot more time on the internet these days. In some ways it's fantastic and in other ways, not so great. I definitely am noticing that I don't read as much in the evenings (Netflix) and I think I don't spend as much time on hobbies as I used to. I realize that lots of people have more self control than I do and that others feel like there is nothing inherently worse about computer than other pursuits. I am wondering how the internet has negatively or positively affected your life? Do you have to make rules or limits for yourself? When do you use the internet? Any other ideas you have that might help me clean up my own creeping usage. Thanks

More sleep. Pay attention to food. Use the methods from the Explosive Child. I go to great lengths to make sure that we are paying attention to all three of these things. It makes such a huge difference for our family. ((hugs))

Change your name! Life is short and certainly the people you love can adapt to a name that makes you happy.

I just use the tests as a way to know what needs more teaching. I don't use it for a grade. There is a little number in parenthesis next to each problem letting you know what chapter covers that concept, so if the mistake was something conceptual rather than just a careless error, you can figure out how where to go.

Yes! Thank you for saying this.

I guess I don't see how Dia de los Muertos celebrations are any different than hanging stockings or decorating Christmas trees. These are traditions borrowed by Christian cultures from other ancient traditions. Millions and millions of Christians put up Christmas trees every year and have visits from Santa without any demonic repercussions. I am not trying to be disrespectful here, just not understanding.