Happy birthday, Jean! I hope you enjoy your next spin around the sun! :)

Simple substitution for baker's chocolate is cocoa powder. The instructions are on the label. I hate when they play with sizing to trick to people.

We haven't had broken legs yet, but my 13yo broke both his arms at the same time last year. That was heaps of fun. We used the master shower, which is walk in. We used hand towels around the top of the cast held in place with rubber bands. Then we used trash bags and more rubber bands. He took a shower every other day and I washed his hair in the sink every day. He was able to feed himself, thank goodness. (At first the Dr. was recommending both arms casted to the armpits!) For you, I'd get one of those shower seats or you can use a plastic outdoor chair, too. We used elastic waist pants. I would probably buy one size larger for him to allow more room. We were actually able to use tshirts but it was funny getting them on. :) Sorry your guy got hurt. We laugh about it now, but at first, it really was traumatic....for both of us!

Ok. You're old fashioned. It's very common where I live. My brother and husband both wear/have worn multiple earrings in both ears.

Here's another option. Find someone in the class who is willing to read this book and help you study for the exam. You will still be exposed to the subject, but you won't have to read the entire thing. You still will have to participate in discussions (or tune them out) and you may not do as well on exams because you didn't read it yourself. From your original post, it sounds like a lower grade is something you're willing to consider. I have a degree in English. I would encourage you to attempt the book. I haven't read it personally, but have read many books and short stories that for what ever reason I have hated or had strong negative emotions toward. Those books have had the biggest impact on me. Many of the best books are somewhat disturbing and thought-provoking. I doubt you will have any luck with asking for a substitution or a pass. None of my professors would have even considered it without a compelling argument. I've taken classes where Lolita was taught and no one asked for/was given exemption, for example. Good luck to you. I know how frustrating it is to face a class your dreading, particularly a required one. In the same position, I would read the book right this second and take notes on it so it's out of the way. Can you change the course to a pass/fail option?

My boys have had days since they were old enough to fight over things so 1 and 4. Oldest gets even days, youngest gets odd. Anything to be decided defers to whose day it is. They are 13 and 10. I don't see an end in sight. But, we don't have arguments, so I'm fine with it.

I think the truth is going to be a tall order, Mary. We can find a version of truth, maybe. We can follow our beliefs, what we *believe* happened. But, truth? Truth to me means irrefutable proof. While I do know there are Biblical archeologists who have been somewhat successful in proving certain aspects of some stories, I don't think Truth, with a big T, is possible. We didn't see these happenings with our own eyes; we didn't know anyone involved that could relate their version of the truth. We have stories past down for generations, changed, translated from languages that had their own idioms into other languages with no comparable phrases. My boys collect flood stories. We've already collected seven. We haven't even hit Native North and South American cultures. They are all equally cruel in their eyes and mine. I felt it was important to teach all the OT stories because they are referenced so often in literature and culture. Otherwise, I would have skipped them. I think you can try to find some peace with your version of the truth though. I wish you a good journey as you find what that means for you.

Are you seeking to reinforce your faith? Or are you looking for others who have struggled with this and either left religion or found a way to reconcile the stories with the God they know? It might help others in this discussion to know what you're looking for. Some people think the OT stories are just stories, examples if you will. Others take them literally. For me personally, stories like these, like your husband, are one of the main reasons I'm an anti-theist.

Messaged you, too. :)

My friend does day camps during the summer and charges $125 a week per kid (limit 8? 10?) She does themed ones like Harry Potter, Science, etc. and one of those days is a water day or something. And possibility of doing a few of those over the course of the summer? Hers are always full and in much demand. She only does one or two a summer to pay for vacations, etc. but it might work for you.

Short term method that worked for me with my oldest was to video tape him. I whipped out the video camera one day during a particularly bad tantrum. He stopped and wanted to see himself. It's a quick fix to try. If nothing else, you'll have a document of how bad it is if you have to see the doctor about it. We also moved bedtime to 5:30 at that age. It sounds ridiculous, I know. But, we woke up at 5:30am and started getting "ugly" around 5. We moved dinner to 4:00 for him. That and age helped. Of course, he was our oldest and our only at the time so it was easy to change our schedule. ((Hugs)) I know how hard it is. :(

Ooh! Now I'm going to look into cork floor!

My guys take a combo of Singulair and Zyrtec also.

The Junior League here give enough teddy bears to hand out to most of the children who want one when their parents visit our food pantry. To see their eyes light up as they receive their own teddy is amazing. They also run a charity shop here. I got an amazing spring form pan for a quarter. ;)

What unsinkable said! Congrats on the new baby and surviving the horror that you went through! How scary and what an amazing ending!

At least you caught it now! If it makes you feel any better, I spent $25 on the cutest salt/pepper shakers ($15 was shipping) from etsy. They were vintage owls. Super adorable and I couldn't wait to get them! They came yesterday. I got a pepper/pepper set. They are identical right down to the matching "p" on their tummies. I sharpie markered an 's' on one stomach. Yes, I did....after I went back to etsy to see that yes, there were 2 pepper shakers in the pictures. Not as big of a monetary impact as yours, OP, but I still felt dumb. I will use them as a reminder to always check for an S and a P. :lol:

I'm so sorry. That news just stinks! Hugs to you and your dh.

That is scary! I hope he gets over it quickly! Are you feeling better yet? Kristin, you take the most beautiful pictures. Maybe next time we visit family near you, will pop up for a session. ;)

I don't know about oriental rugs. I do know they sometimes need special care. But, I've always had good luck with Spot Shot. There's also a product made just for wine, grape juice etc. I think it's called Wine Out. FYI Fingers crossed you won't need the info!

:grouphug:

That is awesome!

My 10 year old still cuddles with me all the time. :)

Welcome back and congratulations!

The word is crap.

Thank you for the update! I'm glad to hear your son gets to come home. I hope he has a bright future from here on out!