I've never actually made these, but I think they're super cute: Sew Liberated's Schoolhouse Tunic Amy Butler's Liverpool

In my city, there is a glut of counselors with all sorts of certifications. It is very difficult to find work. Be sure to watch the job openings in your city for a few months to try to get a feel for your community before you commit one way or the other.

Thanks, Diane! I really appreciate your taking the time to teach us something new. I had no idea! You explained both the process and the philosophy beautifully.

:iagree: Absolutely. This was happening at 11 and 12 at least 40 years ago ;)

I have this problem in August when we sleep with our windows open, and the air is cool, but muggy. For me, it is allergies.

In addition to all of the criteria mentioned in the previous posts, a student receiving a full-ride scholarship usually has test scores, grades, extra-curriculars, etc. well above the mid-range for that school. Schools use these scholarships to compete with more academically attractive schools in order to attract top students and raise their profile. For example, if a student is admitted to both Harvard and Average Academics State U, he is more likely to receive the scholarship at Average Academics. [This is not to say that schools offering full-ride scholarships are average! Just trying to provide an example of the supply/demand aspect of the scholarship world.]

I did work with a trainer--I should have proofread my post. ;) I used him as a consultant only. He kept Lucy for 24 hours just to observe her and get a feel for her issues. He didn't do any work with her at that time. Then, I took Lucy to him for "lessons", which were mainly to teach me. I would work with him for about an hour at a time, once every few weeks (or months). I needed repeat lessons so that the philosophy of how to work with Lucy would sink in, and Lucy needed time in between lessons so we could see what she needed next as she evolved. Prior to this dog, I thought I was the leader of my pack. I really didn't believe the trainer when he tried to tell me I needed to change in order for Lucy to change. I have learned a lot about these smart, stronger breeds (malamute/GSD mix), and now I know that they require even more diligent leadership than I was accustomed to giving. For Lucy, the methods are pretty old school--leash corrections, and giving her simple commands and requiring work from her when she starts to take over. It seems harsh compared to positive reinforcement/clicker training, but it has been necessary to establish my leadership. It would have been very cruel to let her continue and potentially hurt someone/something and have to be put down. For us, change has been slow, but steady. Lucy was 3 years old when she came to me, and she had many issues. Progress has definitely been about peeling back the layers. Resource guarding/aggression has been the slowest to go away, but we have come sooooooo far. It's greatly reduced from where we started. We have not yet reached the point where I can relax when I'm walking her in the neighborhood. I still have to anticipate encounters with other dogs and take steps to keep Lucy from escalating by immediately putting her to work. If you tackle this issue with your dog, I think you will find the result to be very rewarding. These dogs love their people in a very special way. Strange as it sounds, learning to lead Lucy has also made me a better leader of people! :lol:

:iagree: My current foster actually lived with us for a couple of months before she started to display the behavior you describe. We worked with a behavior modification trainer to get rid of this "resource guarding/ aggression." (I happened to be the resource.) We've made slow and steady improvements over a long period of time.

:iagree: I am a lawyer, too. The best advice I ever received about which law school to choose was, "Go to the best school you can get into that you can afford." In other words, pedigree matters. Especially in a difficult economy.

My inlaws always used a tupperware bowl, something like this I empty daily. I've used specific compost containers with charcoal filters, and I found that I still needed to empty very frequently.

croquet

Can you tell me where you found the print in your avatar? I would love to hang something in my office. It would be very inviting.

UmMusa, I have recently begun working with many people who have relocated to the US from Africa and other countries. I just had a lightbulb moment as to the meaning of your name. I recently learned it when one of my Middle Eastern colleagues renamed an American-born colleague AbuTatum. I just wanted to make a connection and say "hi" ;).

Looking at the ages of your kids, I am guessing you and I are somewhat close in age ;). I bought myself a good bike a couple of years ago, because I enjoy riding, and I knew if my bike caused me pain, I would never use it. I went with a comfort bike by the manufacturer Giant (similar to Trek). It was important for me to be able to maintain upright posture so I wasn't putting pressure on my neck. (Spinning classes had taught me that. Ouch!) The positioning of the seat: pedals: handlebars is different for comfort bikes than for regular models, and I can sit straight. I love my bike! Mine cost around $450, and it was worth every penny. I would guess that a bike shop would show you a comfort bike, but in case they didn't, I wanted you to know about them.

That painting has qualities that remind me of John Singer Sargent, and he has a large body of work. Even if it's not him, you'll get to look at some beautiful art while you search!;)

As someone who has been fostering large breeds for several years, I want to say THANK YOU for your wisdom to seek out help so your dog will be manageable! My current foster is 80 lbs., and we believe she is a malamute mix. Malamutes possess many of the breed characteristics that I just read for the Akbash, and they are also large and strong---made to work hard pulling heavy loads. You are absolutely correct that these large, independent, smart breeds need some extra handling. I fully believe that my foster wound up as a stray, because her owners never had her behavior under control, and she became very scary. I had to work with a behaviorist who has experience with aggression modification. The strategies will be the same---you will be teaching your dog that he is not to exercise his judgment while you are around. You are the boss. Don't worry that you are working against his natural tendencies. If you want him to be around people, you will need to teach him to control those tendencies. He won't lose his fundamental instincts. ;) He'll be a much happier dog, because he is pleasing you. Look for a behaviorist. You are correct that typical positive reinforcement methods are enough for most breeds, but these dogs need something more.

:iagree: My first front loader was just great with whites. My current one isn't. :glare: Sadly I think it's just because my clothes are not getting all that clean. I'm all for water conservation, but I like clean clothes. I have begun to pre-soak my whites in a laundry tub with hot water and Oxy-Clean. I also do it in two stages--socks and other really dirty clothes (my dh works outdoors), I soak separately from shirts and other mildly dirty clothes. It works, but I feel like I've turned back the clock on modern laundry convenience!

Ahhh.......This might be part of the equation, but it's the welcoming, accepting, non-judgmental hearts of of the occupants that make it inviting! Especially with teens and young adults. :001_wub:

You must have a wonderful, inviting home. I think both you and the kids are very lucky!

I'm so happy to hear that you're having a great summer! Don't sweat the school decision. Whatever you decide will have its ups and downs, just as in all things. You'll face each joy and challenge as it comes. Enjoy the remaining summer! Beth

I've never actually attended parent orientation :blushing: I attended student visitation tours with my dd's, and I always thought the parent orientation sessions looked like information I already knew. I just went to the sessions where we were with our students and then hung out on my own the rest of the time. ;)

You could add an ivory or gray lace panel, and it would be beautiful.

Zumba is definitely one of mine, too. And riding my bike on the bike trail along the river. And skiing down a snowy mountain. And sitting at my dining room table with a cup of coffee, my Bible, and time.

:iagree::lol::lol: I foster, and my first "guest" was a 2 year old un-neutered male who had always lived outside. Thank heavens for the existence of belly bands! I'll never forget the time that a visiting friend hung her coat on my banister, and Buddy walked right up to mark it. I gasped :tongue_smilie:, but the belly band saved the day. I couldn't foster without these, and I, too, have occasionally forgotten to remove it prior to a walk. (Which totally defeats the purpose of the walk! :lol:) BTW, many dogs will outgrow the need to use one after they have been neutered. Buddy did.

Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, by Betty Edwards, is very self-teaching. Definitely worth the investment, and it's very eye opening about how we "see" things.