That's what I was thinking at first, but most of what I'm seeing online is the "slapped face" description. I'm going to assume this is something fleeting and not dangerous--such as Fifths's (but still visit the Dr. just in case.) :)

I think I'm going to do that--as calmly as I can. :)

No, they're not bruises.

A little bit anxious here. The other day, my 10-year-old daughter came to me and showed me a purple hickey-looking mark on her shoulder. I thought she'd given herself a hickey. Today, she has tiny little purple spots on her chin and lower lip that don't go away when I do the glass test (for rashes). I'm starting to get a little anxious now. I think we're going to get a dr. appt. The little bit of Googling I've done has been a bit worried. Has any one else seen this on their children? Thanks so much for any responses.

LOL, Mrs. Mungo. I think I saw what you saw. I've only glanced over this, but it looks pretty complicated. Not worth it to me. Anything with that many lines.... No. :rofl:

Those are beautiful! I quilt, but can never do anything as fancy as I want. Last time I tried a queen sized Storm at Sea and @#$#@ it up so badly. Ruined a lot of beautiful batik fabric; it makes me sick to think about it. I haven't done a bed sized quilt since. I've looked at paper piecing, but couldn't figure it out from the book I read. I'm going to have to watch some youtube videos on it to figure it out.

My boyfriend in high school (I'll call him "Nate") and I were both very religious (evangelical Christian). We lived separate (though nearby towns) right on the border of Utah and had lots of Mormon friends. He was baptized into the Mormon church (he didn't mention this to me beforehand). He withdrew membership a week later by refuting all of the beliefs he had to profess, when he had a change of heart and the importance of his college scholarships really dawned on him. We went out separate ways in college. He to a conservative Christian college, me to a state college. After meeting some gay fellows in college, I realized that Nate was probably gay. Years later, we've reconnected. I've been happily married for 17 years, and he's been with his male partner of 15 years (whom he met in church choir.) We've talked somewhat about our rememberances and faith (I'm an atheist, he's still a Christian). He told me that part of what attracted him to Mormonism was that Nate thought he was probably gay, and that one of his friends (a Mormon) was probably gay as well, but that his friend expressed how there were was that gay people could be changed. There are several LDS-based groups founded on the concept that gays can change Evergreen International (now defunct) and North Star are the ones I'm familiar with. One of the men on this show used to the be chair of Evergreen International. Nate, the first time we talked about faith and homosexuality told me, "I'm just so glad I never married a woman." And I understand what he means--not that he might just not be compatible with a woman, but to marry a woman and have a family and then really be crushed if it didn't work out because he had denied reality for so long. Maybe these men and their families will make it, and maybe they won't. I do wish them well and happiness and a minimum of pain. I hope they will come back to this show in 20 years with the same families. I have no idea how I (a straight woman) would manage to live my entire life in a marriage relationship if I forced myself to marry a woman because I felt the alternative was wrong. Marriage is hard enough for a lot of people without something like this on top of it.

Thanks, everyone. This does help! I appreciate your thoughts.

Ok, I'm applying for (yet another) degree (sigh). I already have a Masters in Teaching English as a Second Language, but in the state we're moving too, it will take me 4 years to get a teaching certificate (don't ask). So, fie on it. I'll just get a different degree that will likely pay me better in the long run. I have all of the prerequisites for either the audiology or speech pathology program. I have no idea which I want to do anymore. I have friends in both fields and from what I've gathered, both appeal to me, but I'd love to have input from a wider audience. Audiology will take longer and won't pay much more. I'd love to spend more time in research than clinical practice. Thoughts? I.

One of my dearest friend's sons (20 years old in Canada) came down with the flu 13 days ago. He's run a fever since that day and lost 8 pounds according to my friend. He's finally getting up and moving around some today. Poor guy. His mom and dad (fortunately) avoided it. He's been weak, achy, and fevered. I hope everyone who is suffering recovers quickly and thoroughly. HUG!

Thanks for the ideas. I don't get any unemployment. :( I certainly can tutor (I'm a teacher), and possibly will, but it's not enough to make it work it, probably. I'd like something more secure or with clear pay. Thanks for all the links, Unsinkable!

I'm the breadwinner in my family, and I was laid off today. :( I did not need this right before Christmas. Anyway, I'm trying to find the work from home threads for something to tide us by until either my husband or I can find something better. Can anyone help, or can anyone share suggestions here? Thanks so much.

Awww, poor little kids. I know my youngest (7) would be traumatized at it. I'm not playing it either! As for "soul polluting" I think not all games are a good choice for all ages. I learned about this game through the Geeks Under Grace website, and the developer is an Evangelical Christian who credits Jesus Christ and God for helping this game succeed when his Christian films proved unsuccessful. http://www.geeksundergrace.com/gaming/christian-developer-spotlight-scott-cawthon/ I then watched a video on YouTube showing teens playing it, and that I thought was fun. :) But I definitely would steer my own littles away from it. So sorry for your little ones. :(

It's not a book, but we like watching this each year. (Even my teen.) :)

Suggestions for this Black Friday when I plan on staying home? :)

Sorry, I'm not reading the whole thread because I'm only 1/3 way through The Goldfinch and I don't want to be spoiled. I loved The Secret History. I didn't read the second one because friends whose judgement I trust really hated it. I had a bit of a hard time getting into the first of The Goldfinch, but now I'm finding a stride and identifying real hopes I have for the narrator, so I'm feeling more invested and enjoying it more. I hope to finish it over the Thanksgiving break and then chat more. :)

My mother just read this book and raved about it. She said it was a book she would never have read had she not heard such good things about it. But she was just wild about it. When she was here on a visit, she kept reading passages aloud to me and telling me tidbits from it. :)

I'm so grateful to Ms Maynard and her bravery in opening herself and her choices up to criticism at a very difficult time of her life to elevate autonomy and a view of human dignity that is shunned in so many ways. I know I want the same opportunity she had should I ever need it. She spent her last days bringing this important idea into the light in a way that's never been done before. I am so, so grateful to her and profoundly sad for her family's suffering from a horrible illness.

I'm sorry for this bad news, Martha. *hug*

Ha! Good then, sounds like fun. We're a bunch o' BS'ers, so I think the storytelling thing will work. Thanks!

I've never seen that site! I'll take a look. Thanks!

The Ticket to Ride post got me to thinking: I've been considering this purchase for a couple of years. My kids love Munchkin, and I think we would love it, but I'd like to hear from people who have already tried it. Do you think it would be a good Christmas gift? If you have it, please tell me your experiences.

Ahhh! Got it!

I want to pee my pants just thinking about them. Too scary for me!

Was that a typo? Sorry, I didn't get it. Why would audio technicians want people to sound disgusting with mouth noises? Seems like that might hurt their job security. I have something of a sensitivity to mouth noises, in particular when I'm eating at a table with one or two other people, but I have to say I haven't noticed it on NPR, except when people are eating food. Again, that's food-stuff. ICK. I can't.