Probably if you are a teenager. Just an additional charge and $ for them! Me, I was old enough to talk on my cell while driving...at least in this state!

Exactly what I did when I was being pulled over at night. Result: charges of fleeing and not yielding/obeying an official vehicle with emergency lights. This is not an insignificant offense. I was driving all of 15 mph while I drove to the first well lit public area. When taken to trial, I brought in copies from multiple law enforcement sites, including the one in which the offense happened. The judge told me it didn't matter. What I did was illegal. I must IMMEDIATELY pull over to the side of the road. Being that I was a well educated adult of obvious decent status in the community whose thoughts sometimes are quite obvious on their face, he did decide to dismiss that charge at the last minute (when my obvious thought of going public on the television and newspaper were written across my disbelieving face). He, the judge, knows all of these state troopers. He has the to his home for bbq's. They are officers of the law who are to be trusted and would never do anything to harm the public. (His words.) Ironically, one of their fellow officers was arrested for raping a woman at a rural traffic stop two weeks later. Turns out, it wasn't the first time he had done it. It was all I could do not to mail the #@@# judge the newspaper article. Figure he would have come after me for some trumped up charge if I did. Still, it is good advice. I would do it again in the same circumstances. However, the new recommendation is to call 911 on the cell phone to let them know you are traveling to a safe location. They can relay it to the police officers who are following you. (If the 911 goes to the right area, I have heard that can be a problem with cell phones.) As far as this event goes, I don't care that officers are often in the line of fire and are nervous at stops. It is part of their job. If the citizen is acting within their rights, the officer should be required to maintain a calm and reasonable attitude. It is part of their job. It should be expected. The safety of the citizen is above the safety of the officer. In my opinion, when the officer decides on his career, he is agreeing to this. I think most officers would agree. If they do not, I do not think that they should be allowed to be in that profession.

I think...that at some point...your nerves become so frazzled that they just stop working and you don't notice it as much. It just becomes the norm. At least that is what I told people when they asked how I remained so unfazed amidst the chaos. Due to the ages of your dc, you have about another year of chaos. No, quiet time doesn't really work when they are the ages yours are (at least for me!) because you really need that little bit of toddler naptime to get school stuff done with the others. My sanity came from summers. We spent every afternoon at the pool. 3-6 or 7 the kids played and I chatted with another homeschool mom who was doing the same thing and had kids the same ages as mine (plus lots of olders for her so I got sage advice during these lovely moments). My kids were fish and there was a baby pool for the toddler, so I just had to watch while they were happily playing. During the school year, we just did it. I do admit to taking an occasional spur of the moment vacation for a couple of weeks at a time once every year of two. When things just got too stressful, I'd pack up and we would leave. Dh did not go. Still me and the kids, but relaxing and having a fun, change of pace that usually involved deep Florida beaches in Feb. or March. We also had season passes to a big amusement park near us. For a shorter break, we would just take a day off and head there if things were unusually stressful. Come to think of it, when mine were the ages yours are, we only did sit down school 4 days a week. One school day I set aside for a field trip. Then again, I had a two year old who absolutely refused to take a nap, so that didn't get in my way of doing things! (That boy didn't really sleep for more than 15 minute stretches from the point he was born.) I also admit to not allowing mine in the house for stretches of time. They were sent outside to play (not the toddler of course) and told they were not allowed back in the house for X minutes. Once, that was two hours. While outside, they don't tend to tear things up quite so much...Not that mudholes weren't made in the backyard... I had them pee before they went outside. Summed up advice: When things get too stressful, take time off for something fun and different.

It has always bugged me too. Dh has had his optometrist tell him he was legally blind without correction also. Umm..nope...that without correction nullifies the legally blind part. That phrase is sort of like hearing a double negative to me. I hear it all the time. I don't say anything about it, but inwardly I cringe. I have no idea why it bothers me. I do understand what they are saying, but it is impossible to be legally blind if you can see alright with correction. The fact that doctors say it mystifies me.

Well, within the last year, the Wall Street Journal had an article naming my area as the most affordable place in the USA to raise a family. Guessing that means our cost of living is pretty much as low as it can get! That said, when the kids were in high school, our grocery bill was around $2000 a month. Of course, that was for 4 teen athletes, one carnivore male, and an additional adult female. Plus, we weren't actively watching to keep it low. Food and cooking is dh's passion. If he loves it, he feeds it.

Dd just got back from overseas. This time, she purchased something at the airport that allowed her to have wifi with her everywhere/all the time. She was her own walking wifi zone. It allowed her to use google maps and such while on the go. We just used Facebook to message each other. The first time she left country, we put her on Verizon's overseas plan. She used it zero times to call. Didn't bother with that again. Just an expensive waste of money.

We see them occasionally, but not often. We had one obvious stray (super thin, matted fur) that was coming by our house regularly. Animal control gave us a large trap (large dog) to put in our backyard. We baited it with dog food. We caught a few possums and a raccoon and, finally, the dog was caught. We called, and they came and picked it up. Mostly, the "strays" that I see are probably escaped pets out for an adventure. They look well fed and groomed.

I am boss of the laundry...Dh is boss of the yard, except for certain flowery areas. Mostly, I am boss of the inside of the house. I am mostly boss of the children. Dh is boss of the tv. I am boss of my car. Dh is boss of his. Except when he tells the dc that they can drive his car. Then I look at them and nod NO. He only thinks he wants them to drive it. It isn't like there aren't other options. Mostly, we have areas that we tend to be in charge of, but if the other had a strong opposition to something going on we would have a veto power. Same if there were a strong yay feeling for something. overall, we defer to the other in specific areas. So, no. We don't have a Boss with a capital B.

It can be really, really easy or very, very difficult. Aren't I helpful? I've seen it done in mere minutes, and other times it has taken days...

THe not taxed when used for college is not necessarily true any longer. There are income guidelines that have been put into being so that people who have a little money are still taxed. (Dd cashed one in this past year. The tax on that sucker was impressive. She is still in college and claiming herself on taxes.) When they were purchased for her, the rule was that no tax would be collected if used for education. But, can't allow any possible tax money to be kept from the government.

My first was like that. We tried for years with multiple miscarriages and finally had our baby home after a stint in NICU. I wanted to hold and rock her. She hated it. She just wanted to be left alone. She did let me look at her. (Most likely she didn't realize I was there with that baby vision!) It was heartbreaking. I did finally figure out that she would allow me to hold her if I wasn't physically holding her. Just lay on the sofa and let her lay on my chest.

My kids weren't sleepers. When the twins were infants, the pediatrician told me to put them in the room farthest away from me in packnplays, close all doors between, and leave them for the night. I did it because I was getting almost no sleep. I was a danger in the condition I was in. Later, after #4 when none of my kids were sleeping the night...he prescribed peragoric for all four for a week. (Even with prescription that stuff was hard to find!) It was absolutely amazing. I was able to go to bed and sleep regular hours for the first time in over 4 years! I was totally amazed at how alert and functional I was. After the week, the three older started sleeping all night fairly well again. The baby...not. But, I was down to only being up with the one which was much more doable!

Two of mine had severe colic. Both do have dairy issues. I also cannot tolerate dairy, so my eating it wasn't the cause. Exclusively breastfed once they were home from NICU. They did have the special preemie formula there sometimes.

have used DVDs for biology. Used DVDs and DIVE both (at different times) for chemistry. I prefer, by far, the DVDs. It is just simpler to use and follow. Lots of reinforcement of previously taught material included in the daily lessons. The only plus that I see to DIVE is that you can move at a faster pace if you wish. The DVDs take a certain amount of time for viewing! Evolution and genetics haven't been an issue for my kids in college classes. They had learned plenty to use as a base (and one is majoring in biology). In fact, I think genetics was particularly well covered and explained.

Mine doesn't own the salon and will not accept tips from me. I have seen her take them from other customers. I do give her a nice Christmas gift which she will accept. I don't only give cash, but sometimes do. I've been seeing her for 25 years now!!! We've been through a lot together...

Always an it depends. We never know what the future holds. For now, ds is working and making a good wage. He has chosen to live at home. (We are two minutes from his work!) We are allowing him the first two months to either save up or splurge on whatever he desires. At the end of the summer, we will start collecting payments from him monthly for his portion of the cell phone, health insurance, and car insurance bills. By the new year, he should be going to company based health insurance. He will pay us an amount comparable to a fairly low rent apartment and utilities. We will set that aside and give it back to him at a later date as money to use for a down payment on a home or whatever. It looks like dd23 will be living several hours away with her job. She is footing all of her own. She will pay us her portion of the cell phone and car insurance bill. At some point, we will sign the car over to her, but right now it is just easier to keep it where it is. I have chipped in some on apartment furniture. That means she and I dug around in the basement and attic and redid some old stuff in storage. She had fun "shopping" in the house for stuff to take with her!

A selection of Legos (not all of them!), wooden train tracks/set, the good wooden blocks, a metal pedal tractor, a Playmobile castle, and the electric train and track that dh just cannot seem to let to (it was never played with much).

First time dd went abroad, we signed did the international through our Verizon. She used it zero times. We Facetimed. Now, when she is overseas, we just keep connected with Facebook messages. For some unknown reason, Facetime will not work on our phones anymore.

It would be absolutely great if she sent the email. But, it isn't important and not worth pushing to get her to do it. You suggested. It was a good idea. It is completely in her court now. If she doesn't do it, there is no harm done. It sounds like it is outside her comfort zone and that is just fine.

I am hoping the Chihuahua found his way home. It was a very low window (basement that is partially underground). I'm guessing it had escaped and was out on an adventure. As far as I know, it hasn't been seen since. It seemed just fine while it was stalking the boy.

I think working in a restaurant tends to put people off to that food no matter where they work. I once worked in a bakery. I started hating cake and doughnuts (I have since recovered!). Just being able to eat it so easily, and often for free. Being around the constant smell, even if it is a good smell. It seems to get into the skin. Maybe I should work in a bakery again.... I don't know what about his experience made him not like it any more, but the TAco Bell dog stalking him when he quit really tickled me!

Dh had lunch with some friends the other day. One's high school ds had a great love for Taco Bell. He ate it every meal he possibly could. He loved it so much he got a job there. After working for a short while, he lost his love for Taco Bell food. He refused to eat it ever again. He also hated working at the restaurant. It didn't take long before he decided to quit. The very evening of the day he told them he would no longer be working for them he was resting in his bed. He heard a noise at his window and looked up. There, standing on the window ledge staring in at him, was a Chihuahua. It stood there and stared at him for several minutes. He called his mother. She came and saw the Chihuahua staring in her son's room. The dog soon decided to go on his merry way. Perhaps back to TAco Bell? True story.

I've been given conflicting reports on my kids. One dd's orthodontist said plenty of room. They all 4 came in. Changed dentists. He said they all need to come out. I told him ortho said they were fine. He snorted. Two years later, one of them had a bad cavity, as in nasty. We took the two out on that side only. Another dd only had two. Dentist said plenty of room for the two. Changed dentist he wanted both removed asap. She hast two. Ds was planning military career. We had them all 4 removed so that he wouldn't have to have it done on their terms. Lastly, the remaining dd had hers out before she went into braces. We didn't worry about if there was room or not in her situation.

I totally understand that and agree that common sense should prevail. But, I also see the point of the official. (I disagree with the all strokes, because all do not require legs to be symmetrically moving.) If her stroke is technically not legal, even if the why is obvious, registering her as disabled should bring her into compliance with the rule. It is not in the spirit of the rule, which is to keep kids from scissor kicking giving them an unfair advantage, but rule enforcement is generally not arbitrary. Your dd should not even need to be aware that she has been registered as disabled. It was nice that your previous LSC overlooked the technicality, since this one seems to be more particular, you may have to make adjustments in your expectations of how to approach the situation. edit: Coming back because something has been bothering me here. I think the coach should protest based on the fact that her stroke is legal. Why? She only has ONE leg. How can her legs not be moving simultaneously if she only has one. One cannot be out of sync with itself! I don't think a few inches would technically be considered a "leg". It might even be worth a complaint to USA swimming.

That sounds frustrating! I am curious as to why they do not register her as handicapped so that she isn't disqualified on the technicality of the issue. Congratulations to her! She sounds like an incredibly talented and hard working kid. My girls coaches have always notified officials when swimmers were going to use an unexpected turn in order to keep the swimmer from being dq'd. Mostly, they simply did not allow them to be used (like your son's coaches).