Timbuk 2 bags are the best. They are pricey, but I googled a coupon code for Sierra Trading Post and was able to get the price down around $50. (My link is to the Sierra available stock).

When my dd's are headed for warm weather, they like their feet to look nice (if I'm paying :D ). How about a pedicure gift certificate?

Congratulations to you and your son!!! :hurray: :gnorsi:

Unless otherwise specified, dd always submits audition recordings with an accompanist for competitive music programs. I think it is pretty standard to do it that way. She spent two summers at Tanglewood, so it must be OK :thumbup1: .

Me, too. It's a mindless (and time sucking) diversion ! The Anthropologie catalog is almost like looking at art, though. :-)

Nadia, You are being a wonderful advocate and friend. No, if I were in your friend's situation, I would not trust anyone, and they are lucky to have you looking out for them. Although you should try, I believe it is possible that you will not be allowed to sit in on the meetings where they build your friend's case. I simply wanted to let you know that contract interpreters are not simply random individuals--they have a code of conduct to adhere to. If you are not allowed to attend, try to make sure the interpreter is from a reputable agency. Your local or state resettlement office can point you in the right direction. Beth

If you are using a contract interpreter with a reputable agency, they have to undergo training and adhere to ethical standards of neutral delivery of the message. Although it is not perfect, it is generally accepted as being reliable.

Every employer must complete an I-9 for each new employee to prove work authorization. A government issued photo ID is required (a passport would work, too).

Agree with what the others have said. Here's a style from Land's End that I love--I've had this style, different fabric for a couple of years. The little bit of elastic in the back makes it really flattering, and the bodice accommodates the girls pretty well. I have a similar build to you :-) http://www.landsend.com/pp/womens-pattern-cotton-silk-flare-dress~233920_203.html

Hi Aubrey, Columbus is filled with beautiful metro parks. You are just south of Highbanks Metro Park--you will drive 10-15 minutes north on Rt. 23 (the main street by your hotel). The park has hiking, playgrounds and lots of room to kick a soccer ball. Worthington has many neighborhood parks and a wonderful indoor rec center if the weather turns bad. I think it costs around $8.00 per person per day, but the pool has a nice tube slide, a lazy river feature, etc. You're about 5 minutes from the rec center. Worthington also provides access to a great bike/walking trail along the Olentangy River. You can park at the Olentangy Parklands trailhead (on the linked map). Olentangy Parklands has tennis and a skate park, and you will see some other recreation areas along the path. How long will you be here?

One other reason to take action now is your son's willingness to seek treatment. I am assuming that your son is currently cooperative with such a plan. You can't predict when or whether this window of opportunity might close. My biggest parenting regret is not recognizing symptoms when my dd was young enough for me to have influence over her decision to accept help. We had to go through a long period of great turmoil before she reached her own decision that things needed to change. Life is much better now, but I am sad to think I might have been able to prevent a fair amount of pain by acting sooner.

Here is a link from the Ohio University site that sets for the Board of Regents residency requirements for purposes of the state subsidy. Without a parent residing in Ohio, the tricky part for financial independence is the following: (2) A person who has been a resident of Ohio for the purpose of this rule for at least twelve consecutive months immediately preceding his or her enrollment in an institution of higher education and who is not receiving, and has not directly or indirectly received in the preceding twelve consecutive months, financial support from persons or entities who are not residents of Ohio for all other legal purposes.

I love it! That girl has skills--creative, carpentry, and gymnastics. I don't know which is more impressive, the apparatus or the handstand with her hands wider than her shoulders.:hurray::hurray: I really think that one of the top benefits of homeschooling is letting our kids create. BTW, PVC is a really useful, inexpensive material. I regularly use it for creating an overhead garden support. Tell your daughter she's welcome to borrow my tools when she's ready for power! :lol:

See, now I have to admire your transparency in addition to your skills!!!!:lol:

Thanks for appreciating my accomplishment! I haven't been able to turn my family into cheerleaders for my pet projects.

Your bathroom is the reverse set-up of my cabinets, and I've been thinking about attempting this bathroom too. (Now that I've got the hang of my power tools due to Ana White ;)) Did you use the paint extender to reduce brush strokes? I'm wondering how you thought it worked. BTW, your bathroom looks great! Also, in all of your projects, have you ever hung drywall?

You're preaching to the choir. Also, when I told DH I needed a "countersink drill bit" to make the top of the screw holes bigger than the screw head so I could fill them in, he said, " You don't need to do that! Just screw the screws in really tight, and they'll sink down into the wood." :glare: :001_huh::lol: You could absolutely do this! The thing that would have made it easier would have been access to a nice workbench. Climbing into the box to level the rungs was a challenge. If you make these, take it easy! (Also, tell your dd that we are going to use these as a dresser in the apartment of one of my organizationally challenged dd's. Laundry baskets are very versatile. ;)) BINGO! Learning to use tools was on my bucket list. If you look at my signature, you'll see that I'm, ahem, moving into the next life stage. :D All in due time, my dear!

Look what I made from the Ana White project plans! This was the first time I have ever used power tools or even shopped for lumber by myself. Jean, my husband didn't even have to help me--I figured it out from YouTube. Also, the whole process of measuring, etc. is a lot like sewing. If you can sew, you can build. I totally recommend these plans to anyone who wants to give it a try. My only recommendation is to make sure you measure and build according to the actual size of your baskets. I wasn't able to find the exact baskets she used, so my measurements were a bit different.

kjlhgk;j;

Good Luck!

Hi Cynthia, I'm pretty sure you and I had the same before kids/homeschooling career. I've also kept my license on active status all these years ;). I just want to send a word of encouragement as someone who is a few years ahead of you..... You are absolutely right.....you can't delegate the things you do. For a year after my kids left the house, I slept, exercised, trained my dogs, worked on my resume, applied to jobs that interested me, volunteered, watched TV, updated my wardrobe by spending time trying on clothes, traveled to visit my kids, parented young adults from a distance, strengthened friendships, read....... I really needed the time to recharge and discover who I was and what I wanted to do. When I focused on returning to the workforce, I knew I didn't have to support my family, and I knew I didn't want to do exactly the same work I did before children. I was basically looking for something that I enjoyed and where I could make other people's lives better by using my skills. I didn't have goals; I had general ideas. Paths have opened up, and I don't at all regret spending time on myself without kids in the house. Even though my husband might have been afraid I was getting lazy and would go on like that forever, :tongue_smilie:, I knew I needed time to take care of myself and shift gears. It has all worked out!! Goals are a good thing, but IMHO, you really don't have to have traditional career goals at all times. Be patient--that season will return. The seminar planted the seed in your mind, and you'll mull it over in the coming months. (I've read your posts on the college board, and I know you are a planner.) I suspect you will discover that you haven't lost the person you were before, rather, you will emerge from this season as a better version of the person you were. It's a marathon, not a race. Hang in there, and don't be discouraged! Beth

My office has a Brother laser printer, and we just went through this scenario. According to our IT guy, Brother programs drum replacement into its system. At the office, we continue to use the printer until it stops us from printing (actually, this process went on for a good while--even with office use). Then, our IT guy replaces the drum with a drum he has lying around from another printer. Wash, rinse, repeat. [We are a very low budget non-profit]. I think I would try a refurbished drum if the price was considerably better.

Add a pair of silk sock liners under any pair of socks. I love them!

Book: Crucial Confrontations. It's a good one!

I have just finished a year as an AmeriCorps VISTA Job Developer for newly arrived refugees. It is a year as a "professional volunteer" with a meager living stipend (less than $900 per month for full-time), but it has been a wonderful way to build my resume after a long absence from the work force. You have 4 years and need to begin purposefully updating your skills now. Take classes in Microsoft Office and know how to use Word, Excel, and PowerPoint well. Skills in Social Media are also important on a resume. Finally, if you want to teach, I'm afraid you will probably need some formal educational updates to your resume. I have tried to place a number of tech, physics, and chem background people in jobs, and they all needed to take something outside of their area until they had recent training in their desired field. The networking aspect will also be important. Don't be discouraged and consider this a reinvention of yourself! Life after homeschooling is an adventure, and going to school alongside your kids can be wonderful!