I'm just generally feeling blah these days for lots of reasons. The cloudy & rainy weather is definitely not helping. I feel burned-out from everything: post-holiday blues, homeschool, cooking, cleaning, laundry, parenting (especially special needs)...LIFE in general. :( I just have zero motivation. I just want to stay curled up on the couch or in bed. Ugh.

We adopted from China through Holt. Overall it was a good experience. I just want to caution you, though, that there can be things about your child that are not disclosed. My daughter has much more significant special needs than we were told. I'm not faulting Holt. It was more on the China end of things. While I love my daughter dearly, I would be dishonest if I didn't admit to how hard it is to parent her. Just be prepared for the unexpected. I hope I'm not coming off as discouraging, but I just want to share my experience. I do believe in and advocate adoption.

My dd14 got the flu after getting the shot. It's happening a lot this year due to the mutated strain discussed in previous posts.

I collect Nutcrackers. I get a new one (sometimes two or three) every Christmas. My dd14 collects superhero items of all kinds.

Good for you! I got a pixie this past August and I am LOVING my short hair.

SL P3/4 FIAR

I color my own. I don't do highlights, though. I use whichever brand is on sale at my local CVS. I do NOT cut my own hair. I have a pixie, so I'll leave that to my professional hairdresser.

Left to their own choices, my older children would wake up between 10 and 11, as they do on weekends. During the week I wake them at 7:45 for homeschool.

FIAR, SL, FUFI

I say go with your child's interest. My 8th grader is doing Forensic Science this year because she is interested in a career in the area of forensics. We are learning a lot and having a lot of fun!

Too funny!

We like these: http://www.genaw.com/lowcarb/sausage_pumpkin_chili.html http://www.food.com/recipe/amish-chicken-noodle-soup-339546

Just saw this. So glad it's done.

LOL

I'm so glad for the positive news. I am praying for you all.

Kind of makes me wonder if I should have just taken my chances with the flu.

Oh no! I hope you are well soon.

My dd14 was diagnosed with Type A flu on Wednesday. We all started taking Tamiflu that day. I have dealt with nausea ever since, and today I am actually sick (stomach) in "both ways." KWIM? Can the Tamiflu side effect be that extreme? I have no fever or body aches or any other indicator of being sick - just the stomach issues. I haven't left my house since Wednesday, so I don't see how I could have been exposed to any sort of stomach bug.

((Hugs)) I am sorry. My dd14 currently has Type A flu...even though we all had vaccinations. It really stinks that you had to miss the visit with your sister. I hope you are better soon.

We used FUFI a couple of years ago. It was one of our best years ever. It's a great resource. There are plenty of activities from which to pick and choose.

I totally agree. It really makes me angry when people do that. It's especially rough on my special needs child when she gets sick. I wish the offending people could come spend the week with her and see what I mean. I hope you guys will stay well!

Our current read-aloud is the Harry Potter series. We are in Book 3 now and we have enjoyed all the books so far.

We all had flu shots, but my dd14 woke up sick this morning. It's Type A flu...yay. :glare: She has fever, headache, sore throat, and body aches. We all started Tamiflu today. Hopefully that will help. Happy New Year...NOT. :cheers2:

I voted other. It can be, in certain situations. Like...TMI warning...if my hubby buys me some from VS.

We got flu shots. My older daughter woke up sick this morning with...you guessed it...type A influenza. :(