There's one difference here. Charges may not stick because there may not be proof of how the child that died contracted the disease, but in the investigation if they find a form that a parent signed stating that the child was up to date on vaccinations and they weren't, that parent WOULD be held accountable for lying. That's the difference. My whole point is why lie? Why fudge? Be honest, tell the truth. If you don't vaccinate, state it. It's the right thing to do. I completely understand why people don't vaccinate or delay it. I just don't understand their need to lie about it. And for what it's worth, I wouldn't use a television program like Law and Order to teach me about the law. I sat in a courtroom for 11 years, and while the shows may be close, they're still TV shows and not always accurate.

It's called perjury. Perjury can land you in jail and have civil implications. I do not know case law, as I am not a lawyer and I no longer have access to the books. You can bet your bottom dollar that if a child died in an instance Ria has mentioned, there most certainly *would* be a thorough investigation. Face it, you're either honest or you're not. How selfish to not be honest. It's one thing to stand on your principles...for that, I completely agree. I understand why people don't vaccinate or delay it. It's another thing to outright lie about it. And if you fudge, it's a lie. If you're strong enough to choose the uncommon path, be strong enough to be forthright and honest about it.

I've had my glasses from zenni for about two years now. Time to get re-checked and a new pair! They are fantastic, I couldn't be happier, and I will never again pay the big bucks for glasses.

My mom has been gone for 15 1/2 years, but this thread made me smile remembering her. Not only did we have to wear shoes in the motel rooms, thongs (yes, I know they're flip-flops now) in the shower, but my mom, bless her heart, also brought her own sheets. When I was little, we were forbidden from having the blanket or bedspread touch our face or body. When I asked why, she said there may be boogers on it. Ahem, I was little. I do not wear shoes in motel rooms until I have showered and put them on. I do not wear thongs (sorry, flip-flops!) in the shower, and I never take my own sheets. I do, however, adhere to mom's advice on not touching the blanket. lol

Oh, that's baaaaaad. I felt guilty laughing, because it was so sad.

It's just far too expensive for my budget. I just cannot see paying $8 for a gallon of milk. I do try to pick up some organic vegetables, but I have yet to see organic meat in my grocery stores. If prices were more competitive, I would buy more.

Holy cow. I'll be very honest with you: This is the very attitude that keeps me away from homeschool co-ops, and I am a Christian. Wow.

Tracey, it was the high recommendations at That Home Site (and everywhere else I looked) and the all metal transmission that sold me on the Speed Queen. The installers told me that most washers today have a 7-10 year life expectancy, but my Speed Queen should last 15. They also both told me that if they had to buy a washer today, they'd get a Speed Queen. These guys also were repairmen. I would have had my washer repaired, but it was starting to rust inside. Another reason I chose the Speed Queen was that it did not have an electronic panel, it has regular knobs like the old timers. Sheesh, lots of problems with those electronic panels!

Whoops, just wanted to say That Home Site is the garden web site that Tracey recommended.

Speed Queen. http://www.speedqueen.com/home/index.htm Mine arrived a week ago and it's wonderful. It has the best warranty available for a washer. No bells and whistles, just CLEAN clothes. I second the recommendation to visit That Home Site, it's a fantastic forum that I've been visiting for years and years. I researched the internet for a week, and kept coming back to Speed Queen. I called around and was told Speed Queen. It's very similar to my 20-year-old work horse that just died.

I feel your pain. My 20-year-old washer just bit the dust. I took a week to research. I thought we'd make the switch to a front loader, but we didn't. Many people experience mold around the gasket on the door and smelly laundry. Since we live in a high-humidity area, I chose against that fast. Secondly, I looked at the no-agitator top loaders. Wow, lots of problems with them. What I really didn't like about them was the water drains down rather than spinning out, so any dirt in the water is re-deposited in the clothing. I decided to go back to a top loader. Top loaders use less water than they used to, so while they're not as water efficient as front loaders, they're still better than our 20-year-old machines. I looked and looked, and everywhere I turned Speed Queens got top ratings. That's what I got, a plain and simple Speed Queen. I've had mine a week and I am in love with it. My clothes come out clean, which is what I wanted. The spin cycle is really good and I've gone from a 50- to 60-minute dry cycle to 40-45. Check out the Laundry Room Forum at That Home Site. http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/laundry/ I think I read a comment there that I agree with: Buying a washer today is more difficult than buying a car. It was a nightmare of a week for me, trying to find what would be best for our family. Good luck!

I'm glad you posted this, because we saw it last night and admired it, but I didn't know what planet it was! Now I do.

I'm sorry you're having an anxiety attack. Xanax is my best advice. Short of that, I can get through many anxiety attacks by doing deep breathing and visualizations. The breathing helps the most. I tense up my arm and then release it, then do the other. I tense the shoulders and release. It helps release the tension. I do that with my entire body. The deep breathing, though, can get me through. Sleep does help if you can get to that state. Best wishes.

Oh, so thaaaaat's why my DH asked if we should all go out a few minutes ago. I'm so clueless sometimes. It hadn't dawned on me it was quiet because I've been listening to a book while puttering around the house. Those iPods are great for drowning out the sports noise (and expletives that my sweet DH sometimes throws out.) :tongue_smilie:

My husband said, "No, they're just clothes." Then he said, "I am not a cross dresser."

I had never heard of Darude before, so I just watched the entire You Tube of Sandstorm. Oh my gosh, I can see how it would help you clean and give you energy, but I think it shot my blood pressure up a bit. :D And I just have to tell you that while I vacuumed my house today, I thought of you: vacuum and hobby were two words that repeated in my brain while I was vacuuming.

Abba's Greatest Hits is the reason I got an iPod Shuffle for Christmas. My son, a non-music lover, discovered Abba at the beginning of the school year. It plays every.single.day in our home during school. I used to love Abba, now it's like having their entire album stuck in my head for eternity--it's painful. lol May I ship him off to you for a week of silence for me? ;)

I have my Mom's hand-typed recipe book, which I use on occasion. I have my Grandmother's recipe box, which I never use. I have a three-ring binder that I made for my recipes. I didn't like that, and I wasn't great at putting the recipes into the notebook. So, I started a yahoo group, just for me. I put all my recipes in that. They will always be there, and if I'm out of town visiting and helping out, I have access. Cuts down on paper and time! This has been a huge time saver for me.

:drool:Brad Pitt is a serious distraction to me in a very good way. :drool: I saw The Assassination of Jesse James the other night and relly enjoyed it. I didn't find it boring at all.

What a small world. I was thinking perhaps we saw it at the same time, but I'm 43 and saw it when I was in high school so I doubt you were there then.

You jogged my memory. I do believe I have that on my old computer. It was a free download from some site, I forget where. I'll have to go check. Thanks.

WOW, Cheryl. Thank you! What a fantasic site.

Thank you for the recommendation. I have a few "Painless" books and like them.

Home Learning Year by Year: How to Design a Homeschool Curriculum from Preschool Through High School by Rebecca Rupp. That, plus The Well-Trained Mind, are my favorites. You don't have to be a classical homeschooler to find TWTM of value. I've enjoyed everything I've bought recommended by SWB, and we're eclectic homeschoolers. The only other homeschool book I own is The Complete Home Learning Source Book: The Essential Resource Guide for Homeschoolers, Parents, and Educators Covering Every Subject from Arithmetic to Zoology also by Rebecca Rupp.

It wasn't the movie, it was the experience. Going to downtown Denver, the Ogden Theater, which wasn't in the best of neighborhoods, at midnight...freaked my Mom out more than me. I went to watch the people. That was what was so fun. They were crazy. We watched the movie last Halloween on TV. It was boring, it was stupid, and we didn't care for it--but it sure brought back fun memories.