We thought it was extremely boring here. And parts of it were hard to catch/see on tv. I wonder if it was better in person?

I voted 8, but when we don't do school it is more like 6-8 and when we do have school it is 8-10. My DH does a ton around here, but I tend to do more when we are out of school and he picks up a lot of slack during the school year. That is why school days aren't drastically more. My DH is off ~15 days a month, so he is home a lot.

Anytime but Sunday mornings work for me. In general of course. I could most likely do it with or without kids. Child care isn't usually an issue for me. Tanger area would be great for me.

We share the exact same anniversary ~ year and all. I loved getting married then!

Leech block?

I am pretty sure I read about it in a Baby-sitter's Club book. :001_huh: If not, something equally mindless.

I hope so too! That would be neat to do...

I am definitely interested!

I saw that! I am so excited. I am right outside BR.

Go to the French Quarter, eat beignets at Cafe' Du Monde. Central Grocery has great muffalettas and poboys. Get bananas foster for dessert somewhere. Don't be afraid to eat at places that look like they could be condemned any day ~ the best food is usually there. There are lots of historic buildings, graveyards and museums.

I have been thinking about this whole situation since the sanctions get out and cannot understand people's reactions to the sanctions. But, once I realized (both here and other places) that the people defending Penn State were by and large alumni/people who live local. The majority (of people on FB feed that I know) of people protesting sanctions on "innocents" are people who don't understand NCAA sanctions almost always affect innocent people. It is just the nature of the beast. I think the culture at Penn State played a huge part in the crimes being covered up and allowed to go as long as possible. I am an LSU fan and live close to the school. I graduated from there and my dad was the mascot for 2 years when he was in school there. We are huge fans. Our fans are crazy. But, I don't see a cover-up being allowed to happen here. We have had coaches who have had huge wins lose a game (that was supposed to be tough) and wake up the next morning to "For Sale" signs in his front yard. Multiple times, multiple coaches. There isn't a culture of worship of coaches/individuals here. Football worship? Yes. Attached to a person? No. And the willingness to get rid of a coach isn't just attached to wins/loses. Les Miles faced tons of flack and calls to fire him when he was plastered on the front page of the newspaper with a sweater tied around his neck, singing the alma mater. :tongue_smilie: Even though he was winning. FTR, I wouldn't want to be the coach at LSU, we are a tough crowd to please. I would never say that abuse *couldn't* happen here. But, I can't think of many colleges where the coaches have as much worship and power as Paterno did at Penn State. At LSU, our coaches/coaching staff change frequently. Not usually yearly, but often. As does the chancellor and other positions within the university.

We start Monday for my 3rd and 4th graders. My youngest is in a private K and they start August 20th. The plan is to have him home with us next year for 1st grade.

I would wake my kids up for snow, even just flurries. We live in South Louisiana so snow is rare and a hugely special event. We stay up late for fireworks, special events at night (plays, graduations, etc.). When they are older, I would do midnight bowling, special movies, etc. But, I wouldn't wake them up for that, we would just stay up late.

I feel like parents do have a responsibility not to get in the way of their child's future. For example, I think they are responsible to give the info needed for the FAFSA (is that what it is called?). I don't think they should be required to actually pay for college, but to not get in the way of any grants or loans their child may need to get. I actually do hope we can at least help with our kids college. We plan to as much as possible. I also hope we have the supportive, close relationship with our kids. We enjoy that with my DH's parents and it is such a blessing.

I have read this whole thread and it makes me so sad. As far as whoever said that the child is an adult and doesn't need her dad...I strongly disagree. My dad was killed in a car accident when I was 5. Several years later, my mom remarried and her new husband adopted all 4 of us kids. He raised me from the time I was 8 until adulthood. He passed away from cancer 5.5 years ago. I still need and miss my dad. Actually, both dads for different reasons. My biological one mostly for that sense of being connected to my blood family. He was a good dad, but I was young and don't have as many memories of him. I miss my adoptive father - who was my dad in every sense of the word (except by blood). I miss his guidance, watching him play with my kids. He never got to know my youngest. He held him once and then died 3 days later. My dad "got" me in ways my mom never did/will. Just because I am 32, doesn't mean I don't still need my dad. I do. I just can't have have him.

I will be 47.

I personally think some kids get sucked into the vortex and some don't regardless of how much you limit exposure to screens. It depends on personality, IMO. My oldest and youngest can be watching a show and if I talk to them, they answer immediately. My middle child gets glazed eyes and doesn't see/hear anything else in the room. It drives me crazy, but my DH is like that too. My DH isn't even a big tv watcher. Our tv can go whole days without being turned on if the weather is nice and no one is sick. Until the kids go to bed and then DH and I watch. We don't exactly limit, but I can't remember when the last time our Wii was used. My oldest has a DS and we thought we were going to have to set up limits, but it hasn't been a problem. My middle gets one for his birthday this year. We will start with no limits and see how it goes. I am hoping it won't be a problem. But, as long as my kids time is well-balanced- outdoor time, reading, playing inside with whatever, playing with friends, etc. I am fine. ETA:We don't limit in general. We don't have the tv on most of the time bc they choose other things. I just posted bc I do have one who gets sucked in and two who don't. All have had the same restrictions/lack of restrictions.

Our library's requirements are 10 regular books or 5 chapter books. My oldest read 8 chapter books and 2 regular books, one of which was non-fiction. This was explained to my oldest son specifically. The librarian told him it was is choice which to read. I made him do mostly chapter bc he can read those books. The volunteer librarian fussed at him because he was reading below his level by having non-chapter books. For one, we went above and beyond the requirements - his books read counted as 18 according to their rules. And secondly, most non-fiction books for children don't come as chapter books. My MIL was with him and she didn't say anything, but if I had been there, I certainly would have. he got his bag though, so he is happy.

I live in the Baton Rouge area. I can ask my MIL tomorrow for a suggestion if you want this area. Or, you can go to http://www.crawfishpricelist.com and do a search for a city closer to the MS state line. It may be hard to find in that area though. Tony's Seafood in Baton Rouge is a good place to go. It is in a seriously bad part of town though. As in, there are policemen on duty in the parking lot and in the actual store. I don't go alone or close to dark. Great quality seafood though.

I live in Louisiana and have never seen the casket lowered. At the conclusion of the graveyard service, the pallbearers take off their boutonnière and place it on the casket while filing by (an arrangement of flowers is already on top of the casket). The funeral is then over and people leave. The funeral home comes later and lowers the casket.

I have only been homeschooling 3 years, next year will be my 4th. I would suggest that people considering homeschooling take a good, honest look at whether are not they will actually get the work done. Some people aren't disciplined enough to do it, others have lifestyles that aren't conducive to homeschooling. I know some people who didn't get anything done until they joined a group like CC and had deadlines to get it done. The best curriculum in the world is worthless if it isn't used.

I think your daughters shirt looks a little out of place with the rest of the shirts. They are all darker and hers is bright and summery.

We were both 20. I have no regrets at all. We will celebrate our 13th anniversary this December.

We are looking into getting a pop-up or small camper and my DH doesn't want to pull anything with my 2006 Honda Odyssey. He says it was not designed for towing and it isn't the best choice for the van. He has worked for an RV dealership in service and has fairly extensive car knowledge. I have neither, so I have no real opinion. We are looking at Ford Expeditions and Toyota Sequoias. We will buy a new vehicle before getting a camper. Part of it may be my DH doesn't want to limit ourselves to a pop-up.

A man who lives on my street wears them every day. Other than old men and young children, I haven't seen anyone wear overalls in a long time.