Secular Confessions

[girlwonder]

Aw, that makes me sad too. I feel so bad for him when I know Josh is crying because he's overtired.

Yes, and she is just too young to understand that if she would just be still for even a minute and let sleep come she would feel so much better. It was distressing for everyone.

[Gwenn]

Mine too. Unfortunately I was having a hard time dealing with it today because I am simply wrecked from all my hard work in these past few weeks culminating in my big sales the past four days. I can barely keep it together myself and I had a hard time trying to not start sobbing myself, or throw things against the wall. I felt like a crap mother today all day.

We finally got her to sleep this evening after 45 minutes of her getting out of bed and crying.

:hugs: Well, I'm guessing the Easter Egg rush is over for the year, so I hope you have some time to take it easy now for both your sakes.

[girlwonder]

:hugs: Well, I'm guessing the Easter Egg rush is over for the year, so I hope you have some time to take it easy now for both your sakes.

Definitely. And I learned my lesson about keeping her up too late - not a good idea quite yet. I have to check it every six months of so, because it would be nice to stay at a party past 6:30 p.m. every once in a while, but whatever fun is had in staying late is totally outweighed by the nightmare of the next day.

[The10Eels]

I confess that JoJo took NO nap today, cried for two hours straight instead. Too much Easter sugar? We kept her out too late last night so I know that was part of it. Anyway, she was just :crazy: I felt terrible for her - she was sobbing and crying and kept saying "Want to stop crying!" but she just couldn't. It was awful.
awwww :ohno: Audri's saying is "Don't wanna".... She'll be rubbing her eyes, and tugging her ear (which she ONLY does when shes way tired) but just keep sayin "don't wanna"


OOOH... I forgot our funny from last night! We went out to dinner... (the LAST time I take Audrianna there for a looooong time... but that's another story)... and on the way home my dad was joking around with Audrianna cause all she would say was "no"... So here was the conversation..

Grandpa - You want a knuckle sandwich for dessert??
Audri - no
G- You want one on Monday?
A- no
G- Tuesday?
A - no
G - Wednesday?
A-no
G - You don't even know what those days are do you?
A - NOT YET!

:laugh:

[Ky'sMom]

awwww :ohno: Audri's saying is "Don't wanna".... She'll be rubbing her eyes, and tugging her ear (which she ONLY does when shes way tired) but just keep sayin "don't wanna"


OOOH... I forgot our funny from last night! We went out to dinner... (the LAST time I take Audrianna there for a looooong time... but that's another story)... and on the way home my dad was joking around with Audrianna cause all she would say was "no"... So here was the conversation..

Grandpa - You want a knuckle sandwich for dessert??
Audri - no
G- You want one on Monday?
A- no
G- Tuesday?
A - no
G - Wednesday?
A-no
G - You don't even know what those days are do you?
A - NOT YET!

:laugh:


LOL, that is cute!!! Elle's new answer to everything is "no" now too for the past few days.

Erin

[3andMe]

I'm back from an exhausting but fun weekend in Yosemite. I love all of the new cute and funny and even crying stories. Katy, I love your new sig. pictures! Audrianna's conversation is so funny--mine have just barely started saying "Not yet" and I can tell they get it from me because they say it the same way I do.

The only thing that's new with us is we're having to examine Ronin's poop to see if he passes the dime we think he swallowed yesterday. Arrgh! I'm hoping it appears quickly, because we're not entirely sure if it went down his gullet or not, and I do not want to be doing this for a week.

[daylilies]

Ooh, good luck with the poop watching, Lydia. Glad you had a nice weekend!

[missychrissy]

:( It is so hard when kids are cranky and you're already burned out. That seems to be when they really let loose too.

Audrianna is adorable!!

I confess we had a rotten Easter. Rich & I actually fought and argued and we had people here. I tried biting my tongue, but he had a few beers so he was just a total jerk. The kids even asked to go spend the night elsewhere, because they couldn't stand to be near us. We've been falling apart for a year or more and I really don't see this ending well at all.

[midgeend]

Chrissy I'm sorry. That does not sound fun at all - my dh and I have had arguments when family has been over before, and I've just been so embarrassed. ugh. I hope you two can get things on the mend.


I confess that we went to my mom's house for her easter celebration yesterday - which was really fun since my brother and his wife and kids were there too, and all the kids got to play outside together. They had a lot of fun.

[Janeen]

:( It is so hard when kids are cranky and you're already burned out. That seems to be when they really let loose too.

Audrianna is adorable!!

I confess we had a rotten Easter. Rich & I actually fought and argued and we had people here. I tried biting my tongue, but he had a few beers so he was just a total jerk. The kids even asked to go spend the night elsewhere, because they couldn't stand to be near us. We've been falling apart for a year or more and I really don't see this ending well at all.

:hugs:

[MammaMia]

Ugh, I'm sorry Chrissy. I didn't know you guys were having problems. :hugs:

[stash]

Lydia, I really wouldn't worry about the dime. They have no sharp edges, and they're small. I once watched for a (sharp) plum pit for three days, though. :P

Chrissy, I'm sorry. :(

I confess I have a terrible headache, and I'm getting tired of trying to get Oscar to sit still for his "lessons" during the day. We do ONE lesson, it's "reading" and it's no more than 15 minutes, but he's acting like a teenager about it. I feel like I should push him to get through each lesson even though he whines like a maniac, but I don't want him to hate learning because of it. Same time, if I "give in" and say "okay enough" then he learns he can whine and get his way.

Parenting is a pain in the ass some times, and homeschooling, I'm realizing, is the hard way out.

[missychrissy]

Kudos to you for even attempting reading lesson with a 3.5 year old...I couldn't imagine! You're right though, if you give in he'll learn to whine his way out of it. I wish I had some wise suggestion...maybe Bridget will be along soon. :D

[stash]

I'm just trying to stick with it, be kind and compassionate, and not be a pushover (or get totally impatient).

It's not so much "reading" at this point - just sounding things out. He knows his letters, and mostly knows the sounds each letter makes, and he was soooo interested in learning to read that I thought I'd try. He's really "getting it" and is so excited about it, but no matter WHAT it is if he feels like I'm "making him" do it, he fights it. I try to make it fun, or a game, but gah.... I think I lack a little patience this week because a) I'm pregnant, b) I feel like crap, and c) he's pushing my buttons :winks:

[daylilies]

LOL Stacy...what is up with him in your sig?

[stash]

Hah - he'd just eaten salt at Thanksgiving dinner. :P

[Bridget]

I confess that I heard from an old friend today that I thought had cut me out of her life after I'd made several attempts to reconnect with her after coming back from Hawaii and she ignored me. It turns out she was battling some personal demons and was laying low and trying to rebuild herself. It made me sad for her but happy that she still loves me. :wub: And she's doing well now so even better.
Stacy that sucks about Oscar's lessons. Personally I'd hang it up for awhile but that's my way with Savana. She will refuse to learn certain things so I put it up for awhile and she always comes back to it eventually. Like right now she refuses to trace her letters. But I have her doing mazes and stuff so she still gets the hand movements she needs to eventually make letters. I think that's one of the great things about homeschooling is that we get to go at our children's pace and interests.
I understand what you mean about not wanting him to hate learning. Above anything else I want my kids to have a passion for learning. I didn't have that. I just went through the motions to get through school. Now I've got the passion and not the time.:laugh:

[addysonreese]

Hey everyone :) I haven't had time yet to read the posts, but I wanted to see how everyone was doing!

I'm okay, I guess. Been having a really bad time handling things right now, but I'm trying to work through them for the most part. I've got a friend who's been ignoring me for no good reason and it's been really hurting my feelings, and I still have no word from the college yet. However, Clinton and I have decided to do a nice life chance as far as diet and exercise goes, and today it's gone real well. I'm about to make a nice dinner of chicken, broccoli, and basmati rice. I can't wait :)

Hope everyone is well!

[Gwenn]

Stacy, Bridget's advice is excellent, and I might add that at his age maybe you just want to start by getting him used to having "learning time" (or whatever name you want to use) by setting aside a specific time of day but start easy with something high-interest and fun, then gradually work in the academics. That way sitting down at a specific time and working with you is already a natural behavior and it is only the academics that are new. So if you want to work on reading, maybe start by just reading a book together and doing a coloring page or craft which is probably something more familiar to him. What he is learning is the behavior of sitting and working together at a designated time. Then make it more challenging, but gradually and taking into account what he needs.

[Gwenn]

Hey everyone :) I haven't had time yet to read the posts, but I wanted to see how everyone was doing!

I'm okay, I guess. Been having a really bad time handling things right now, but I'm trying to work through them for the most part. I've got a friend who's been ignoring me for no good reason and it's been really hurting my feelings, and I still have no word from the college yet. However, Clinton and I have decided to do a nice life chance as far as diet and exercise goes, and today it's gone real well. I'm about to make a nice dinner of chicken, broccoli, and basmati rice. I can't wait :)

Hope everyone is well!

I'm sorry you're having a hard time. Dinner sounds great. What time should I be there?

[addysonreese]

hehe In about.. 10 minutes! :)

Who else wants to come? hehe

[daylilies]

I had the pot roast we were supposed to have last night but it wasn't ready in time. It was good!
Today I was driving with Josh and he spotted a spider in the car...I couldn't see it but Josh was giving me a play by play! "Now it's on your seat mommy! Oh it fell...I'll tell you when I see it again." LOL!

[addysonreese]

I had the pot roast we were supposed to have last night but it wasn't ready in time. It was good!
Today I was driving with Josh and he spotted a spider in the car...I couldn't see it but Josh was giving me a play by play! "Now it's on your seat mommy! Oh it fell...I'll tell you when I see it again." LOL!

haha That's funny. He just wanted to give you a play by play of the action! :laugh:

I am so mad right now. Earlier today I went to go do my laundry. I had my iPod on, and I put the clothes in the washer, and as I was leaving, I saw a red wasp. Apparently these things are huge in Texas. I flipped out, and went to the manager of the complex to let them know so someone could kill it. She said she'd let maintenance know. So I went back after 30 minutes to get my clothes. Wasp was still there. Now it's been 7 hours since I did all that, and I went to see, and the wasp is still there!

I am terrified beyond terrified of bees, wasps, yellow jackets, ANYTHING of that sort, and I refuse to finish my laundry. I don't care if I have to go tomorrow morning with Clinton so he can protect me (lol) and rewash them all over again. I am not going to be there with that thing in the room, and it's constantly right by the door. No way.

[daylilies]

Yuck!
To keep the bug theme going...ladybugs are all over our curtains again (there were like 30 of them one day last fall). Ew ew ew

[The10Eels]

Audri said her first complete sentence today!!!! My jaw nearly dropped to the floor!!

She's been saying a few words together as simple sentences (Milk, please... etc) but today she walked up to us (my mom and me) and says "I need to poop!"

[Janeen]

I confess that I, without a doubt, now have big fat pregnancy cankles!

[The10Eels]

I confess that I, without a doubt, now have big fat pregnancy cankles!
Do you have stretch marks on your ankles? I got them SOOO bad... ugh..

[Janeen]

Do you have stretch marks on your ankles? I got them SOOO bad... ugh..

Nooooooooooooooo, I've never heard of that! Tonight is the very first night I have noticed any swelling.

[The10Eels]

ok.. So when you have stretch marks on your ankles THEN we can talk about big fat pregnancy cankles!:P

[Gwenn]

Audri said her first complete sentence today!!!! My jaw nearly dropped to the floor!!

She's been saying a few words together as simple sentences (Milk, please... etc) but today she walked up to us (my mom and me) and says "I need to poop!"

:hooray::hooray::hooray:

[shutterbird]

Nooooooooooooooo, I've never heard of that! Tonight is the very first night I have noticed any swelling.

It does happen. My feet swelled so badly at 16 weeks (stupid friend refused to turn on the AC in 90* weather while we were visiting) and I ended up getting a few stretch marks on my ankles. :headbang: I'm really prone to them, though. You should see my belly! :laugh:

[3andMe]

Audri said her first complete sentence today!!!! My jaw nearly dropped to the floor!!

She's been saying a few words together as simple sentences (Milk, please... etc) but today she walked up to us (my mom and me) and says "I need to poop!"

That is an absolutely wonderful first sentence! She is brilliant!

I've had cankles for weeks. DH shuddered when I took my socks off after our road trip.

[Bridget]

Crap. Literally. Something is wrong with the toilet/plumbing downstairs in the daycare and it looks like it's going to be an expensive and messy job. I think I have to have the kids up in my home today. And of coure, it's thunder and lightening today so we can't spend the day outside.
Ugh.

[daylilies]

Audri said her first complete sentence today!!!! My jaw nearly dropped to the floor!!

She's been saying a few words together as simple sentences (Milk, please... etc) but today she walked up to us (my mom and me) and says "I need to poop!"

That's awesome! Josh didn't say that until, oh, a week ago. LOL

[midgeend]

I hear you on the cankles Janeen. Mine aren't that bad yet - but if they're as bad as they are now at 30 weeks, I'm a little frightened to know what they're going to look like in 10 more weeks.


I just started a book called "God is Not Great" explores how religion ruins things. lol. I think. I'll give some more details as I get further in. I don't necessarily think religion ruins things - so I'm interested to see this author's take on it.

[sunrider]

I confess I miss you all. Can't imagine how many things I've missed reading about and I just don't have the energy to read the last 10 pages or so. The entire month of March I have been doing tasks in my new position at the University while still doing all of the old parts of my job TOO. They finally switched our campus over to the hotline on 31 Mar and I turned all my credit card stuff over to the central ladies on the 1st. But I've been getting them caught up on our methods and sending them spreadsheets. I think I'm finally done.

I confess this AF has me bleeding like a stuck pig and cramping so bad it reminds me of my teenage years. I'd love to be home right now curled up in a ball around a heating pad. PP bleeding wasn't THIS bad. OOH I wish I had one of those mama pads the hospital stocks.

[stash]

Yay for "I have to poop!" :P

Not so great about the poopy potty, Bridget. :(

And cankles - gah. Last time I ended up with one little stretch mark on my FOOT :eyeroll: but it was because of PP bloating from the IV saline, so I'm hoping NOT to have that happen this time. No IVs where I'm birthing, save for emergency purposes :winks:

Thanks for the advice guys, I think I'm going to shorten his lessons. He really LOVES parts of it and is so proud of himself, and is REALLY doing well. I'm not down with completely ditching an effort on account of attitude if the learning and the INTEREST is really there. Nearly four years old is not too young to learn that sometimes things that you really want to do take a little work. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a hardass at all, but Oscar learns quickly that he can avoid anything that smells like effort by whining (we've had this happen before). I need to make it more fun, and somewhat less effort/attention time for him. It involves more work for ME to do it this way and not just "give up," but that's parenting, right? :winks: So time for mama to get her groove on and make this stuff fun again.

He already has "designated work time" each day (his work is learning, he loves that idea) and does great with it. Draws, does letters, shapes, etc. It's just this sitting still and watching thing that gets him after 5 minutes or so. So we'll make it less than five minutes a day and see how it flies. :winks:

[Cosmosmom]

Yuck!
To keep the bug theme going...ladybugs are all over our curtains again (there were like 30 of them one day last fall). Ew ew ew

I bet that those aren't lady bugs but the Japenese ones. They stink if you squish them (even in a tissue your hands still smell blech!) and once in a while one of those suckers will bite you! They like warmth and are attracted to lighter colors. I HATE them and we have issues every year for a month or two in the fall. I hate to use it but we had to spray around the door fram and windows with poison every fall and that helps for a while. Otherwise I end up with like 50 in them crawling around and flying around my house.

[sunrider]

I'd be OK with ladybugs - they're on my short list of "Crawly Things I'm OK With". (Spiders are NOT on the list). Though I don't think I'd want that many on my curtains INSIDE the house.

[daylilies]

Yeah, it was pretty gross. (I think you're right, I think they are the Japanese ones) I did not enjoy walking up the stairs and turning the corner to see that. I have to admit I shut the door and did not go in there again until DH came home. My list of crawly things I'm okay with is really short, too.
Speaking of creepy...there is an open journal on livejournal I'm obsessed with. It's all about supernatural and other creepy things (like bugs, lol). It is very very explicit. There are no rules on what you can and can't post, from videos to creepy stories to gifs and pictures. I've had a rough time sleeping because of it, but I just can't look away. Is there something wrong with me? I am just fascinated with the unknown and strange stories.

[stash]

I confess I love crawly things. :P

[Bridget]

I am liking bugs more now that I have Savana. She just gets such enjoyment out of learning about them that I'm becoming fascinated myself. She loves spiders. So I'm not even permitted to squish them. They must be taken outside.
I confess I'm taking my mom shopping tonite so she can find some new clothes that are more comfortable for her. I'm nervous. I have not taken her out without my dad since she's become less steady on her feet and lost some minor brain function. It's such a fine line between helping her and offending her and I don't know if I'm emotionally capable of dealing with her getting mad at me.
I confess that I got a scathing look from my sil when she heard Savana telling my mom's friend that "Mommy is the Easter Bunny". I wanted to stick my tongue out at her but instead I promised her that Savana would not say anything to other kids. She looked at me like I'd just killed my child's puppy. :eyeroll: What am I going to do? Savana made this decision on her own and point blank asked me if the Easter Bunny was real or pretend and I'm not going to outright lie to her and try to convince her that he's real.

[stash]

Bridget, we had the same issue with Santa. Oscar point blank told a little girl's mom, in front of the little girl (about age 5) that "Santa was pretend." In my opinion, it's what parents risk when they lie to their children. Sorry, but it's true... tell your kid that storks deliver babies and you set them up badly for hearing the truth, whether it comes sooner or later.

We just finished Oscar's lessons today and he did SO great. We worked together to cut out some of the more mundane "tasks" from his reading lessons and only did the interesting/useful stuff and he did GREAT and was so proud! :wub:

[Gwenn]

We just finished Oscar's lessons today and he did SO great. We worked together to cut out some of the more mundane "tasks" from his reading lessons and only did the interesting/useful stuff and he did GREAT and was so proud! :wub:

That's great! At his age, it's really all about making it engaging. I'm more than certain he's capable of doing anything you ask him.

[daylilies]

Josh is so funny. He drew a T today, but he drew it upside down. When he realized it, he said "Well I can just turn the paper around" :)

[Gwenn]

Josh is so funny. He drew a T today, but he drew it upside down. When he realized it, he said "Well I can just turn the paper around" :)

Cute!

[stash]

Josh is so funny. He drew a T today, but he drew it upside down. When he realized it, he said "Well I can just turn the paper around" :)

Oscar writes his C's backwards, his S's look like Z's, it's all kinda funny when he writes his name (in a circle, basically). But I'm all like "that's GREAT Oscar!" I mean I say "hey cool, that's a great backwards C" but in my opinion the fact that he's trying is what counts at this age.

[Gwenn]

Oscar writes his C's backwards, his S's look like Z's, it's all kinda funny when he writes his name (in a circle, basically). But I'm all like "that's GREAT Oscar!" I mean I say "hey cool, that's a great backwards C" but in my opinion the fact that he's trying is what counts at this age.

That's awesome. Kids reverse letters pretty commonly even in 1st grade and it's totally developmentally appropriate. They don't see it as backwards until they're a little older.

[daylilies]

I think it's awesome he's trying too. He loves to say "My name is Joshua and it has a U" LOL

[3andMe]

I've had this sneaking suspicion that it doesn't even register with them when something is upside-down. Like they can hold books and pictures upside down, and my kids still can't tell the difference between 6s and 9s. Maybe their brains just don't notice the right way up. It takes time to realize that things are supposed to be a certain orientation or direction. I can actually still read pretty easily upside-down, and it's not something I had to work at.

My dad did an experiment in college (they were broke and did a lot of this type of stuff) where he had to wear glasses that turned everything upside-down in his visual fields. The first week or two, he kept stumbling into stuff because it was all upside-down. After that, his brain rewired (so quickly!) and everything looked right-side-up again. He kept wearing them, and when he took them off eventually at the end of the experiment all of the normal world looked upside-down to him for a few weeks.

I haven't read anything to back that up, but I think some things are just less concrete, and a little more... loose in childhood. One thing semi-related but not entirely is hearing about how common synesthesia is in children (it's basically mixing senses, but many times it's associating colors with numbers and letters). It is assumed that this may be a normal thing and that people just outgrow it. Interestingly, my dh still has this although it's faded as he's gotten older. If he pictures numbers and letters in his head, they'll be in specific colors--for example the number 4 is associated with lime green for him. He's also incredibly amazingly good at math. He can do long complex equations in his head as long as I don't try to talk to him at the same time.

[Gwenn]

I've had this sneaking suspicion that it doesn't even register with them when something is upside-down. Like they can hold books and pictures upside down, and my kids still can't tell the difference between 6s and 9s. Maybe their brains just don't notice the right way up. It takes time to realize that things are supposed to be a certain orientation or direction. I can actually still read pretty easily upside-down, and it's not something I had to work at.

You're exactly right - it takes the developing brain a while to register how things are oriented. Same/different is also a major developmental concept that takes some time. One big thing from a literacy perspective is that often kids without a lot of home support come to kindergarten not knowing how to hold a book - which way is up or down. Other kids can already read and quite well. The kids who can't even distinguish up or down are at such a disadvantage considering how much ground they have to cover to catch up with their classmates.


My dad did an experiment in college (they were broke and did a lot of this type of stuff) where he had to wear glasses that turned everything upside-down in his visual fields. The first week or two, he kept stumbling into stuff because it was all upside-down. After that, his brain rewired (so quickly!) and everything looked right-side-up again. He kept wearing them, and when he took them off eventually at the end of the experiment all of the normal world looked upside-down to him for a few weeks.

I haven't read anything to back that up, but I think some things are just less concrete, and a little more... loose in childhood. One thing semi-related but not entirely is hearing about how common synesthesia is in children (it's basically mixing senses, but many times it's associating colors with numbers and letters). It is assumed that this may be a normal thing and that people just outgrow it. Interestingly, my dh still has this although it's faded as he's gotten older. If he pictures numbers and letters in his head, they'll be in specific colors--for example the number 4 is associated with lime green for him. He's also incredibly amazingly good at math. He can do long complex equations in his head as long as I don't try to talk to him at the same time.

Soo interesting about your dad's experiment!

[girlwonder]

I was always bad at math. I remember in first grade that I had a hard time doing the problems because each number had it's own personality, so of course in my equations, a 2 and a 7 would not be next to each other because they were so different and would never be friends. 2 was boring. 7 was fun and exciting but in the end unpredictable and a mystery (kind of a loner). The number 9 was worse than 7 . :laugh: Sounds silly, but it made math difficult because I got everything wrong all the time and it has never changed to this day. I still need a calculator to subtract. I can't carry numbers because I don't know where to set them down again. One of my favorite jokes from my old stand-up comedy days was from a friend of mine Eddie (who works at Tosh 2.0 now - funny show if you get a chance): "If it wasn't for math, I'd be the funniest guy at Nasa! How much gas will it take to get the shuttle to Mars? I'd top 'er off! Fill it up and bring an extra gas can in the trunk."

Oh, and names and words are always pictures in my head. Lydia is eyelashes. Linda is the floaty fluttery scarf that hangs off of princess cone hats (and generally blue). Barbara is short frosted hair. Sam is a 2x4 wood board. Etc.

[Gwenn]

I was always bad at math. I remember in first grade that I had a hard time doing the problems because each number had it's own personality, so of course in my equations, a 2 and a 7 would not be next to each other because they were so different and would never be friends. 2 was boring. 7 was fun and exciting but in the end unpredictable and a mystery (kind of a loner). The number 9 was worse than 7 . :laugh: Sounds silly, but it made math difficult because I got everything wrong all the time and it has never changed to this day. I still need a calculator to subtract. I can't carry numbers because I don't know where to set them down again. One of my favorite jokes from my old stand-up comedy days was from a friend of mine Eddie (who works at Tosh 2.0 now - funny show if you get a chance): "If it wasn't for math, I'd be the funniest guy at Nasa! How much gas will it take to get the shuttle to Mars? I'd top 'er off! Fill it up and bring an extra gas can in the trunk."

Okay, that's synesthesia ... so interesting!

[girlwonder]

Definitely a mild case, but I think it is just a bit. And more important/intense when I was little.

[Gwenn]

Were you really sensitive to sound / touch / light / food etc? I'm guessing you are sensitive to color or visual input as you're an artist.

[girlwonder]

Argh!!! I wish people wouldn't post horrific things in the titles of their posts!!! I don't want to read stories of terrible things!!! All I did was go the the New Posts link and now my head just gets assaulted with all the bad things in the world that I cannot flippin' deal with. That's why I don't have CNN for goodness sake. Seriously, though - isn't there a thing somewhere that says not to do that? Am I just making that up?

[Gwenn]

Yeah, I think there is. That stuff is supposed to be in Ranting/Venting with a caution in the title, I thought.

[girlwonder]

Were you really sensitive to sound / touch / light / food etc? I'm guessing you are sensitive to color or visual input as you're an artist.

You know, I don't remember feeling like I was different from other kids until maybe jr. high, when all of my friends were able to listen to the radio and talk on the phone at the same time and I simply could not do it. Of course, looking back I guess I can see things that I was sensitive too- I couldn't eat certain vegetables at all (vegetable textures like peppers and onions still make me shudder, and badly fitting clothes make me so crazy I have to go home and change). Hmm. I will have to ask my mom if she remembers anything like that.

[Gwenn]

I have a lot of that sensory stuff, too. I remember having huge fights with my brother because he was always listening to the radio and I couldn't read with the radio on. I'm better now but sometimes I'll still pause my Ipod if I want to concentrate on something. I also am really sensitive to texture in food (it's almost more important to me than taste) and I have clothing issues, too. Like I hate t-shirts with tight necks. I really struggled as a child but only recently was able to look back and realize what the problem was.

[shutterbird]

You know, I don't remember feeling like I was different from other kids until maybe jr. high, when all of my friends were able to listen to the radio and talk on the phone at the same time and I simply could not do it. Of course, looking back I guess I can see things that I was sensitive too- I couldn't eat certain vegetables at all (vegetable textures like peppers and onions still make me shudder, and badly fitting clothes make me so crazy I have to go home and change). Hmm. I will have to ask my mom if she remembers anything like that.

Dude, sounds just like me! I'm horrible at math as well, especially fractions and adding/subtracting big numbers in my head.

[Gwenn]

Oh, yeah, I'm bad at math, too. I was in special ed just for math from 3rd grade until 5th or 6th. My mom is really bad at math but both of us are musical. Music is very math based and Mom and I both say we see math musically.

[girlwonder]

Yes, that sounds about right. I can't have music on pretty much ever. I can listen to podcasts and spoken word stuff, but music just end up grating on my nerves because it takes a certain amount of energy or attention to listen to it.

I love the taste of onions, but I cannot abide the texture unless very finely minced and cooked to death. It used to take me 30 minutes to deconstruct my mom's meatloaf into two piles: onions and meat crumbles.:laugh: I think my mom was most annoyed by my food issues.

[Gwenn]

I know I drove my mom crazy! I'm not sure what was worse, though, food or the fact that I hated all the clothes she bought like turtle-neck sweaters.

[girlwonder]

Oh, yeah, I'm bad at math, too. I was in special ed just for math from 3rd grade until 5th or 6th. My mom is really bad at math but both of us are musical. Music is very math based and Mom and I both say we see math musically.

I wish they would have just put me in special ed- at least then I might have gotten some help. It was so frustrating (still is) because I actually get the concept if it is explained right but it slips away like quicksilver - I can feel it leaking out of my brain even as I am trying to keep a hold on it. I just don't have the framework for it to stick.

[Gwenn]

Well, lucky for you there are calculators in the world but it must have been really frustrating as a kid. It's too bad nobody got you help.

[girlwonder]

I know I drove my mom crazy! I'm not sure what was worse, though, food or the fact that I hated all the clothes she bought like turtle-neck sweaters.

Another funny joke from days past (very not PC, so please skip if you are offended by size-ist jokes): Wearing a turtleneck and a backpack is like getting choked from behind by a midget on your back.

Can you imagine being a man and having to wear a necktie all day long? :crazy:

[Gwenn]

Another funny joke from days past (very not PC, so please skip if you are offended by size-ist jokes): Wearing a turtleneck and a backpack is like getting choked from behind by a midget on your back.

Can you imagine being a man and having to wear a necktie all day long? :crazy:

:laugh:

And no, I can't imagine. I wouldn't.

[girlwonder]

Well, lucky for you there are calculators in the world but it must have been really frustrating as a kid. It's too bad nobody got you help.

It really limited my career choices, so for me it is still frustrating. I can't get a decent score on the GRE even if I do perfect on verbal, so grad school was kind of out (except for English or the equivalent, which would have been great but monetarily makes no sense - I know enough math to figure that one out :laugh:). My SAT score was 800 verbal 400 math. I should be walking around with my head tilted to the right because I am so lopsided.

I was looking into grad school for paper/book conservation, but you need several semesters of chemistry so that is out. I really love science, but I couldn't do it because I just don't have the math. I do feel like it is taught a certain way, and that if I could have found someone to teach me a different way it would have gotten in somehow.

Ugh. Sorry I am so complain-y tonight.

[Gwenn]

I was so worried about my GRE scores. I practiced and practiced - I was actually wondering if I could be accepted with a 800/400 split but in my case it didn't come down to that. I can do abstract concepts like geometry but it's the basic arithmetic that's hard for me. Given multiple choice answers I was able to do okay on the thought-based questions.

[girlwonder]

You know I think I probably could have done geometry, but it was taught by people who are good at math so I didn't get it. I remember once figuring out one of the proofs/theorems (?) on my own measuring for some project I was working on and thinking "OOOOHHHHH! I get it now. I think it was the one about how a2+b2 = c2.

They should teach geometry in a carpentry or sewing class. I would have gotten it then.

[Gwenn]

I was looking at your website the other day. If you can do all that with string you could absolutely have done geometry.

I'm off to bed - it's late and I'm trying not to stay up too late anymore.

[MammaMia]

I haven't read anything to back that up, but I think some things are just less concrete, and a little more... loose in childhood. One thing semi-related but not entirely is hearing about how common synesthesia is in children (it's basically mixing senses, but many times it's associating colors with numbers and letters). It is assumed that this may be a normal thing and that people just outgrow it. Interestingly, my dh still has this although it's faded as he's gotten older. If he pictures numbers and letters in his head, they'll be in specific colors--for example the number 4 is associated with lime green for him. He's also incredibly amazingly good at math. He can do long complex equations in his head as long as I don't try to talk to him at the same time.

Cool, I have synaesthesia too. Mine hasn't faded at all. I just got a book on it called "Wednesday is Indigo Blue" but I haven't started reading it yet.

I'm hopeless at maths, but I do have an excellent memory for numbers.

[MammaMia]

I was always bad at math. I remember in first grade that I had a hard time doing the problems because each number had it's own personality, so of course in my equations, a 2 and a 7 would not be next to each other because they were so different and would never be friends. 2 was boring. 7 was fun and exciting but in the end unpredictable and a mystery (kind of a loner). The number 9 was worse than 7 . :laugh: Sounds silly, but it made math difficult because I got everything wrong all the time and it has never changed to this day. I still need a calculator to subtract. I can't carry numbers because I don't know where to set them down again. One of my favorite jokes from my old stand-up comedy days was from a friend of mine Eddie (who works at Tosh 2.0 now - funny show if you get a chance): "If it wasn't for math, I'd be the funniest guy at Nasa! How much gas will it take to get the shuttle to Mars? I'd top 'er off! Fill it up and bring an extra gas can in the trunk."

Oh, and names and words are always pictures in my head. Lydia is eyelashes. Linda is the floaty fluttery scarf that hangs off of princess cone hats (and generally blue). Barbara is short frosted hair. Sam is a 2x4 wood board. Etc.

Haha - my numbers had (still have) personalities too. 3 is an arrogant jerk, 4 is kind of a nerd.

I actually made a website about synaesthesia when I was 17. I haven't touched it in a decade, but it's still floating around the interwebs somewhere.

[daylilies]

Yes, that sounds about right. I can't have music on pretty much ever. I can listen to podcasts and spoken word stuff, but music just end up grating on my nerves because it takes a certain amount of energy or attention to listen to it.



I'm similar with music--I listen to it all the time but it really takes some energy for me to listen to and remember the lyrics. I can hear a song a thousand times and still not know the words. I pay more attention to the melody and the drums (I love good drummers)


I wish they would have just put me in special ed- at least then I might have gotten some help. It was so frustrating (still is) because I actually get the concept if it is explained right but it slips away like quicksilver - I can feel it leaking out of my brain even as I am trying to keep a hold on it. I just don't have the framework for it to stick.

Same with me--I remember in college sitting in statistics class and actually kind of understanding it and by the time I got back to my room and opened the homework, I didn't get it. One of the reasons I never finished my psychology degree is because statistics hung me up so much, I dropped it before I failed it.

I found the last page really fascinating, by the way, but obviously didn't want to quote all of it.

[Bridget]

Wow. This page is totally fascinating. I suck at math too but I'm not musical or artistic. I just suck at math. :laugh: But as I've mentioned, I had no love for learning. I lost it as soon as math started getting hard and I had to stay after school to finish my time tables. That's also when I started getting headaches almost every single day.

[Bridget]

I confess that I took my mom shopping last night and she had such a great time. She told me over and over how nice it was and how we should do it more often. I cried all the way home. :eyeroll: I just can't shake this guilt. My mom always wanted to do things with me and take me shopping and the like. I am just not the kind of person that enjoys shopping with other people. I never even went with my girlfriends. I like to get in and out. And I hate the mall. I just feel sad that I didn't suck it up and go with her more. And I feel bad she never got to plan my wedding or make my wedding dress like we always said. I never did much with her at all because I didn't want to. I was selfish. I know I need to shake the guilt and just focus on right now. But I haven't gotten there yet.

[daylilies]

:hugs:

[missychrissy]

I think I lack a little patience this week because a) I'm pregnant, b) I feel like crap, and c) he's pushing my buttons :winks:

All really valid excuses. :D


I was always bad at math.

I was and still am. In fact, one of the reasons I didn't stick with high school and pursue the computer field earlier was because I was told by the school guidance counselor that you had to be 'really good at math' to work in computers.

I'm living proof that's total BS because at 29 I finally went back to school and that's what I do now-work in computers. It took everything I had, and I only got a B-, but I managed college level math. There were some tears involved, but I am proud of myself. I worked harder for that B- than I did for all the other A's combined.

We're just better at some things and others take work. No one in an education setting should ever scare a kid away from something they love. They need to find ways to help those kids accomplish their dreams.


I confess that I took my mom shopping last night and she had such a great time. She told me over and over how nice it was and how we should do it more often. I cried all the way home. :eyeroll: I just can't shake this guilt. My mom always wanted to do things with me and take me shopping and the like. I am just not the kind of person that enjoys shopping with other people. I never even went with my girlfriends. I like to get in and out. And I hate the mall. I just feel sad that I didn't suck it up and go with her more. And I feel bad she never got to plan my wedding or make my wedding dress like we always said. I never did much with her at all because I didn't want to. I was selfish. I know I need to shake the guilt and just focus on right now. But I haven't gotten there yet.

:hugs: Oh Bridget.

I'm just like you-I like to get in the store, get what I need, and leave.

[MammaMia]

I confess that I took my mom shopping last night and she had such a great time. She told me over and over how nice it was and how we should do it more often. I cried all the way home. :eyeroll: I just can't shake this guilt. My mom always wanted to do things with me and take me shopping and the like. I am just not the kind of person that enjoys shopping with other people. I never even went with my girlfriends. I like to get in and out. And I hate the mall. I just feel sad that I didn't suck it up and go with her more. And I feel bad she never got to plan my wedding or make my wedding dress like we always said. I never did much with her at all because I didn't want to. I was selfish. I know I need to shake the guilt and just focus on right now. But I haven't gotten there yet.

:hugs:




I was and still am. In fact, one of the reasons I didn't stick with high school and pursue the computer field earlier was because I was told by the school guidance counselor that you had to be 'really good at math' to work in computers.

I'm living proof that's total BS because at 29 I finally went back to school and that's what I do now-work in computers. It took everything I had, and I only got a B-, but I managed college level math. There were some tears involved, but I am proud of myself. I worked harder for that B- than I did for all the other A's combined.

We're just better at some things and others take work. No one in an education setting should ever scare a kid away from something they love. They need to find ways to help those kids accomplish their dreams.

This is so true. Both my DH and my father are brilliant programmers, but neither of them are mathematically talented.

I'm also horrible at maths (it's "maths" not "math" in Australian English). I got nearly straight A's in high school, except for the D's and F's in maths.

I'm also going to have to suck it up and struggle through it later this year when I start my science course.

[daylilies]

I hate shopping too! I remember going with my mom when I was a kid. She used to drive me up the wall. She's the type where even if she found what she wanted (like a pair of jeans) she still had to look at all the other jeans, to make sure she wasn't missing out, I guess.
Me, I find clothes I like, yippee, let's get out of here.

[stash]

For those of you who "suck at math" (I do, too) - were you young for your school grade? Meaning, did you turn 5 in the six months before you started kindergarten, (say, March on) instead of prior?

[missychrissy]

This is so true. Both my DH and my father are brilliant programmers, but neither of them are mathematically talented.

I'm also horrible at maths (it's "maths" not "math" in Australian English). I got nearly straight A's in high school, except for the D's and F's in maths.

I'm also going to have to suck it up and struggle through it later this year when I start my science course.
It's not a matter of being able to multiply and divide, it's knowing which formula to plug in that makes things work. :D

[missychrissy]

For those of you who "suck at math" (I do, too) - were you young for your school grade? Meaning, did you turn 5 in the six months before you started kindergarten, (say, March on) instead of prior?

I started kindergarten when I was 4, but I was held behind in 1st grade. I turned 5 after being in K for 1.5 months.

[addysonreese]

For those of you who "suck at math" (I do, too) - were you young for your school grade? Meaning, did you turn 5 in the six months before you started kindergarten, (say, March on) instead of prior?

I was turning 6 that December.. so I was five when I went to six grade. I never went to kindergarten. I had gone to preschool for 2 years where my mom was finishing up her degree, and they said I'd be behind in my mind and that I'd be better in first grade.. and I still suck at math :laugh:

Speaking of school.. girls..








I GOT ACCEPTED TO UTA TODAY!!! :hooray::hooray::hooray::hooray:

[missychrissy]

Speaking of school.. girls..








I GOT ACCEPTED TO UTA TODAY!!! :hooray::hooray::hooray::hooray:

:cabbage::party::cheer:

Congratulations!!

[Cosmosmom]

Lauren Congrats!!!!!

[addysonreese]

Thank you girls!!! I am so excited right now!!

[MammaMia]

For those of you who "suck at math" (I do, too) - were you young for your school grade? Meaning, did you turn 5 in the six months before you started kindergarten, (say, March on) instead of prior?

I was right in the middle, age-wise.

DH was talking about a study he read about regarding kids learning maths. The gist of it was that they took a bunch of kids and didn't teach them any maths at all until, I don't know, I think he said about 10 or 11 years old? They found that the kids who started late picked it up very quickly, and within a short amount of time they were just as good at it as the students who had been learning it since kindergarten.

So some might conclude that there is no value in trying to teach small kids maths, and that it would be better to just wait until their brains have developed enough to grasp it easily.

[MammaMia]

I was turning 6 that December.. so I was five when I went to six grade. I never went to kindergarten. I had gone to preschool for 2 years where my mom was finishing up her degree, and they said I'd be behind in my mind and that I'd be better in first grade.. and I still suck at math :laugh:

Speaking of school.. girls..








I GOT ACCEPTED TO UTA TODAY!!! :hooray::hooray::hooray::hooray:

YIPPEE! :) I'm so happy and relieved for you! :cabbage:

[Cosmosmom]

Stash that is an interesting question. I have a Sept birthday and was tested (and passed) to be pushed ahead and be the youngest in the class. My mom talked to some people and decided to pay for junior kindergarten instead. So when I started regular kindergarten, I basically turned six in the first two weeks. I have pretty much always been the oldest in my grade and for the most part school was pretty much easy for me and I liked it. Of course some struggles here and there but nothing much. I was one of those who did all the honors classes when they would fit in my schedule around French and Orchestra.

I wouldn't say that I'm great at math and love it, I don't really enjoy it but I also did pretty well with it. I basically dropped calc senior year because it was at 7:30 in the morning and I didn't need the credits and didn't want to get up so early.

I'm one who likes to do several things at once. I almost always did homework during TV commericals and even now I will watch TV, play on the computer and talk on the phone at the same time.

I'm a very visual person. So many people in my library just LOVE audio books. I have tried them and hate them. I lose concentration after a few minutes. I really just need to read things myself and don't like being read to.

Now my DH on the other hand likes to read but is soooooo slow a reader. So in college I used to read his geology texts out loud to him because that was faster than him reading silently....and than we could go play computer games once his homework was done. He is very strong in science and math and really enjoys those.

I'm not artistic at ALL. Seriously, I'm guessing that most of your guys kids do better artwork than me. I can crochet and that is it.
Musically, I did play the viola for something like 12 years......I was decent but not great.

[stash]

I ask because - did anyone read the book Outliers? There's a bit in there about the age of children and their ability to learn math. Statistically speaking, those of us who were young for our class have issues.

[Cosmosmom]

I ask because - did anyone read the book Outliers? There's a bit in there about the age of children and their ability to learn math. Statistically speaking, those of us who were young for our class have issues.

I haven't but have heard that is a good book. It's been popular in our library.

I confess I'm a bad librarian who works in a totally non-fiction library but rarely reads any of our books (I read a lot but I like fiction and especially series).

[maggie]

I ask because - did anyone read the book Outliers? There's a bit in there about the age of children and their ability to learn math. Statistically speaking, those of us who were young for our class have issues.

Hi everyone! :hi:

I *shouldn't* be hanging out here, but needed a break. And you are all being TOO INTERESTING! :laugh:

I was four when I started kindergarten (turned 5 that October) and I'm pretty good at math. Okay, I'm very good at math. Actually, I always got higher grades in math classes than my physics courses, eventhough I got all my degrees in physics. BUT: I was crappy at math until about fifth grade. An AWESOME teacher saw that I didn't suck, but was, in fact, bored to death. If it hadn't been for her, I probably would have thought I didn't like math and wasn't good at it. So it took a lucky break.

And I did read and LOVED Outliers. So interesting. Can't wait until I submit this thesis and I can read for fun again!

Alright. Back to work for me.

[missychrissy]

I ask because - did anyone read the book Outliers? There's a bit in there about the age of children and their ability to learn math. Statistically speaking, those of us who were young for our class have issues.
I have issues all right :D

I see with my girls they're generally either really good at math or reading/writing. Bobbie is an excellent student, but English does come easier to her than math. Although she does take an advanced level math, so it's not like she's struggling to learn it. Jessica is the only one who started Kindergarten at 4, which she repeated.

[daylilies]

I'm not sure what age I started school. I know I was in a special preschool and early intervention stuff for a while (for physical issues) but I think I started school on time. My birthday is in May.

[AmeriBrit]

For those of you who "suck at math" (I do, too) - were you young for your school grade? Meaning, did you turn 5 in the six months before you started kindergarten, (say, March on) instead of prior?

I started school when I just turned 5 (I'm an August baby) and I've always been fine with math.



Speaking of school.. girls..

I GOT ACCEPTED TO UTA TODAY!!! :hooray::hooray::hooray::hooray:

Congrats!

[3andMe]

For those of you who "suck at math" (I do, too) - were you young for your school grade? Meaning, did you turn 5 in the six months before you started kindergarten, (say, March on) instead of prior?

I turned 5 the February before kindergarten, so I wasn't young for my class. However, I skipped fourth grade so after that I was always the youngest. I've always been decent at math--not brilliant the way my dh is, but I always plugged along and got As and every once in a while I could get this brief glimpse of how everything just fit and worked magically before it vanished and I had to go back to solving things the hard way. I did take Algebra early back when they were just starting to offer it to 7th-graders, and I remember it being a very difficult and frustrating experience, along the same lines as learning to tie my shoes. Just the word "factoring" still makes me tense. But I did it.

I think I'm about half analytical and half artistic, not that they're totally separate. I paint, draw, write, play instruments, and also love the crisp logic of science (and can admire math even if I'm not intuitively successful at it).

My sister (born in November) has always been bad at math. I think it is partially psychological, and partially dyslexia. To this day, she cannot divide 600 by 6 without a calculator (she was trying to figure out her monthly insurance costs based on a twice-yearly bill).

[daylilies]

Oh and I forgot to say congrats Lauren!

[sunrider]

I turned 5 in June and started K late August, so I guess on the younger side. I don't remember having any problems with math in early grade school (but DO remember having issues with writing and especially with cursive). I was also in part of the group that got a head start in 7th grade to take Algebra. Awesome teacher. He made it fun and interesting and got me the early year jump so I finished with AP Calculus my senior year.

I love the math classes (though I hated proofs in Geometry) and hated stuff like English and history. I was really thankful that my senior English class was AP, so that that C counted as a B. And my B in AP History counted as an A.

[sunrider]

I confess I'm trying not to cry at work.

Jonathan reconnected with a high school buddy in OH about 5 years ago, Ron. He stayed overnight at our house in KC on his way to CA. One visit in the 16 years since HS. He's really been keeping in touch with him lately and they will talk on the phone or email and such. Ron was in a motorcycle accident a few weeks ago. Lost control in loose gravel and was thrown into a light pole. They put him in a medically induced coma for a week to give him time to heal. Both arms are broken (and J says they had to drain blood from one with a needle because of swelling) and he has pneumonia. They took him off the coma meds and said it may take him a while to come out because of his size (over 300 lb). It's been over a week and he's still not out. He has no insurance. They're not sure he's going to make and are talking about taking him off the machines next week.

Jonathan is devastated. We were making plans to go see him sometime and he was going to come to KC too. He has a 9 year old son. I am so sad. I liked him the first time I talked to him on the phone and the visit with him only solidified that.

[daylilies]

That is so sad. :(

[The10Eels]

Oh Krista I am so sorry... Sending my thoughts to you and J.. and the friend of course.

[Bean]

I ask because - did anyone read the book Outliers? There's a bit in there about the age of children and their ability to learn math. Statistically speaking, those of us who were young for our class have issues.
That's really interesting. I was young and had a hard time with math all through school. When I went to college I decided to start at the beginning and re-learn everything. I literally started in a class called "basic math." I started really understanding everything and actually liked math by the time I reached all my required classes.

[Gwenn]

For those of you who "suck at math" (I do, too) - were you young for your school grade? Meaning, did you turn 5 in the six months before you started kindergarten, (say, March on) instead of prior?

I was 4 years 11 months when I started kindergarten. Which meant I was 17 when I moved away for college (350 miles away). I was extremely immature for my age and the youngest child in the family. I really, really wish I could have waited and started college at 18 but my parents made it clear that not going to college was not an option for me. If I'd started later I'm sure it would have been easier for me the first time around. Some kids would have been okay at that age but I wasn't. I should really read Outliers - I'll remember that.

In my case, though, I know it wasn't just being young for my grade because I went through psych/academic testing to qualify for special ed and performance is based on comparison to same age (year and month) peers, rather than grade level.

Lauren, CONGRATS! I'm so glad you got in.

Ashley, your girls are ADORABLE!

[midgeend]

I confess that I took my mom shopping last night and she had such a great time. She told me over and over how nice it was and how we should do it more often. I cried all the way home. :eyeroll: I just can't shake this guilt. My mom always wanted to do things with me and take me shopping and the like. I am just not the kind of person that enjoys shopping with other people. I never even went with my girlfriends. I like to get in and out. And I hate the mall. I just feel sad that I didn't suck it up and go with her more. And I feel bad she never got to plan my wedding or make my wedding dress like we always said. I never did much with her at all because I didn't want to. I was selfish. I know I need to shake the guilt and just focus on right now. But I haven't gotten there yet.


:hugs:

I ask because - did anyone read the book Outliers? There's a bit in there about the age of children and their ability to learn math. Statistically speaking, those of us who were young for our class have issues.


Interesting. I am an August kid, and so yes young for my class, and I was very bad at math. I think if I were to relearn everything now, I'd be excellent at it, because I have way better focus than I used to...I don't have any number issues...I like certain numbers more than others - but I think that's true of everyone, isn't it?

[midgeend]

Oh, I'm sorry to see that Krista. How sad for your dh, and his friend's family and all.

[addysonreese]

I ask because - did anyone read the book Outliers? There's a bit in there about the age of children and their ability to learn math. Statistically speaking, those of us who were young for our class have issues.

That is really interesting! Probably would explain why I do so poorly and my mother (who went to school on time and was the right age) is wonderful at it.



Congrats!


Oh and I forgot to say congrats Lauren!

Thank you girls!


I turned 5 in June and started K late August, so I guess on the younger side. I don't remember having any problems with math in early grade school (but DO remember having issues with writing and especially with cursive). I was also in part of the group that got a head start in 7th grade to take Algebra. Awesome teacher. He made it fun and interesting and got me the early year jump so I finished with AP Calculus my senior year.

I love the math classes (though I hated proofs in Geometry) and hated stuff like English and history. I was really thankful that my senior English class was AP, so that that C counted as a B. And my B in AP History counted as an A.

So um.. you wanna help me when I take my pre-med calculus class?? :laugh:


I confess I'm trying not to cry at work.

Jonathan reconnected with a high school buddy in OH about 5 years ago, Ron. He stayed overnight at our house in KC on his way to CA. One visit in the 16 years since HS. He's really been keeping in touch with him lately and they will talk on the phone or email and such. Ron was in a motorcycle accident a few weeks ago. Lost control in loose gravel and was thrown into a light pole. They put him in a medically induced coma for a week to give him time to heal. Both arms are broken (and J says they had to drain blood from one with a needle because of swelling) and he has pneumonia. They took him off the coma meds and said it may take him a while to come out because of his size (over 300 lb). It's been over a week and he's still not out. He has no insurance. They're not sure he's going to make and are talking about taking him off the machines next week.

Jonathan is devastated. We were making plans to go see him sometime and he was going to come to KC too. He has a 9 year old son. I am so sad. I liked him the first time I talked to him on the phone and the visit with him only solidified that.

I'm so sorry. :hugs:


That's really interesting. I was young and had a hard time with math all through school. When I went to college I decided to start at the beginning and re-learn everything. I literally started in a class called "basic math." I started really understanding everything and actually liked math by the time I reached all my required classes.

My first semester in community college I had to take one of those courses. I'm finding I like math better as well, so hopefully grasping it should come easier for me.


I was 4 years 11 months when I started kindergarten. Which meant I was 17 when I moved away for college (350 miles away). I was extremely immature for my age and the youngest child in the family. I really, really wish I could have waited and started college at 18 but my parents made it clear that not going to college was not an option for me. If I'd started later I'm sure it would have been easier for me the first time around. Some kids would have been okay at that age but I wasn't. I should really read Outliers - I'll remember that.

In my case, though, I know it wasn't just being young for my grade because I went through psych/academic testing to qualify for special ed and performance is based on comparison to same age (year and month) peers, rather than grade level.

Lauren, CONGRATS! I'm so glad you got in.

It's so hard for kids when parents push them to make that choice for college. Most times if they're pushed, they won't do as well because they feel so much immense pressure for something they weren't so gung-ho about in the first place.

And thank you for the congrats!

[Gwenn]

Bridget and Krista, hugs.

[addysonreese]

I confess that I took my mom shopping last night and she had such a great time. She told me over and over how nice it was and how we should do it more often. I cried all the way home. :eyeroll: I just can't shake this guilt. My mom always wanted to do things with me and take me shopping and the like. I am just not the kind of person that enjoys shopping with other people. I never even went with my girlfriends. I like to get in and out. And I hate the mall. I just feel sad that I didn't suck it up and go with her more. And I feel bad she never got to plan my wedding or make my wedding dress like we always said. I never did much with her at all because I didn't want to. I was selfish. I know I need to shake the guilt and just focus on right now. But I haven't gotten there yet.

:hugs: Bridget. You're in my thoughts all the time.

[Bridget]

Krista, I'm so sorry for you and your DH, and your friend.:hugs:

[The10Eels]

Ashley, your girls are ADORABLE!
Thanks!:wub:

[addysonreese]

Am I just too sensitive lately?

I posted on FB that I got accepted to school, and was getting tons of congrats and all that, and then one person who I've known was just like "Congratulations."

That was it. No excitement, no nothing. Now, I'm not really a fan of her, but I get along with her for the sake of convenience, but seriously, could you just fake excitement with an exclamation point? :laugh:

I guess I just feel if you're not really that enthused with someone's status, don't respond at all. It brought everything kind of down in my opinion, but I didn't say anything. What do ya'll think?

Ashley, I love, love, LOVE Charlie's face in your siggy. The look of shock just makes me giggle. :wub:

[daylilies]

My stepmom never ever uses exclamation points in her e mails. I tend to overuse them, so it's like, glaring when someone doesn't use them at all. It bugs me...but I guess it's the thought that counts?

[girlwonder]

Lauren, I wouldn't read much into that - I never used exclamation points much before APA. I realized that I came off sounding abrupt or rude without meaning too. I don't think she would bother to say Congratulations unless she meant it.

Oh, and I forgot to say...

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Way to go!

[girlwonder]

I confess I just started KICKBOX again!!! :cabbage::hooray::cabbage:

I love kickboxing so much, and I haven't really done it since I was pregnant. I am doing a 5 week course and am feeling so great to get back into it again. And it is so much fun because it is an impact course, so we are actually sparring, punching and kicking other people (and I get punched and kicked back :laugh:). We are all wearing pads so it doesn't hurt too much.

I love punching and kicking people!:laugh: It is really fun to be stronger than you look. I've got a quick jab and a mean roundhouse. Look out!

[addysonreese]

My stepmom never ever uses exclamation points in her e mails. I tend to overuse them, so it's like, glaring when someone doesn't use them at all. It bugs me...but I guess it's the thought that counts?

haha Yeah, I guess so. I dunno why it irked me. I guess maybe because I do the exclamations too. I try to show when I'm excited since with texting or online you can't see it much.


Lauren, I wouldn't read much into that - I never used exclamation points much before APA. I realized that I came off sounding abrupt or rude without meaning too. I don't think she would bother to say Congratulations unless she meant it.

Oh, and I forgot to say...

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Way to go!

Thank you!

And yeah, I'm sure she meant it sincerely.. I was just kind of like :eyebrow: It must be just me, haha.


I confess I just started KICKBOX again!!! :cabbage::hooray::cabbage:

I love kickboxing so much, and I haven't really done it since I was pregnant. I am doing a 5 week course and am feeling so great to get back into it again. And it is so much fun because it is an impact course, so we are actually sparring, punching and kicking other people (and I get punched and kicked back :laugh:). We are all wearing pads so it doesn't hurt too much.

I love punching and kicking people!:laugh: It is really fun to be stronger than you look. I've got a quick jab and a mean roundhouse. Look out!

That is so awesome! Sounds like a really fun workout! Definitely something to keep the adrenaline going. Good for you!

[3andMe]

Lauren, congratulations.

No really! Congratulations!!!!

It does look a little funny without the exclamation, but I tend to get excited pretty easily. I wouldn't think anything of it.

Krista, Bridget, I'm thinking of you both.

Day four of poo-sifting, and still no dime here. Grr.

[girlwonder]

Day four of poo-sifting, and still no dime here. Grr.

maybe with interest it will turn into a quarter.

[Gwenn]

maybe with interest it will turn into a quarter.

:laugh:

[MammaMia]

maybe with interest it will turn into a quarter.

:lol:

I wouldn't read too much into the lack of an exclamation mark either. I totally agree that it looks weird, but I bet it's just her writing style.

It sort of reminds me of a friend of mine. She's extremely polite and well-spoken IRL, but her writing style is so sloppy that I would probably think she was a bit rude/uneducated if I hadn't met her in person.

[daylilies]

Kickboxing is fun!

I think I'm going to re-join the gym in the town next door (where I used to go before we moved to the next town over)...it's not as close as some others but it's much cheaper and I really need to get back into it. Now that Josh is almost PTed and doesn't always need a nap anymore, the time it takes to go won't be as hindering.

[Bridget]

I confess that this was my "retail therapy" last night. http://www.nikkimcclure.com/
I ordered 6 prints and I just want them all. They are so beautiful! My girlfriend had a few hanging in her house the last time I went over there and it was instant love for me.
Lydia - I really hope you find the dime.
Lauren - YAY YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:hooray:
My dad called last night to tell me that my mom went back to her dr for one last check to see if the last ditch treatment worked and it did not. He told them there is less than 5% chance that anything will work at this point but 100% chance that anything they try is going to add to her discomfort. So it's a no brainer, really. She is officially done with treatment. I talked to one of her close friends the other night who told me that my mom told her she is totally at peace with everything and not afraid. So that is a bit of a comfort. I wish I was. I swear, I'm going to worry myself into insanity. My poor dad.:teardp: I just don't know what he'll do.
Kai yelled out "You scared the JESUS out of me!" and Fleet Farm last night which was lovely in my very po-dunk, very Catholic town. :eyeroll: I think my dad said "You scared the be-jeezers" or something like that once and both of my kids now say what Kai hollered last night.

[Bridget]

I confess I just started KICKBOX again!!! :cabbage::hooray::cabbage:

I love kickboxing so much, and I haven't really done it since I was pregnant. I am doing a 5 week course and am feeling so great to get back into it again. And it is so much fun because it is an impact course, so we are actually sparring, punching and kicking other people (and I get punched and kicked back :laugh:). We are all wearing pads so it doesn't hurt too much.

I love punching and kicking people!:laugh: It is really fun to be stronger than you look. I've got a quick jab and a mean roundhouse. Look out!
That is GREAT! I kickboxed for about 4 years before I moved to Hawaii and I love love loved it. I was in the best shape of my life and I just felt like superwoman! We sparred and stuff too and, man, that was great! Good for you.

[missychrissy]

:hugs: Krista & Bridget.

[daylilies]

Bridget, I'm so sorry about your mom. I'm glad she is at peace with it and I hope you (and your father) can get there, too.
LOL at Kai :)

[addysonreese]

maybe with interest it will turn into a quarter.

:laugh::laugh:


:lol:

I wouldn't read too much into the lack of an exclamation mark either. I totally agree that it looks weird, but I bet it's just her writing style.

It sort of reminds me of a friend of mine. She's extremely polite and well-spoken IRL, but her writing style is so sloppy that I would probably think she was a bit rude/uneducated if I hadn't met her in person.

The funny thing is that she's normally extremely expressive. I guess I'll just assume she was having an off day, although with the drama surrounding her.. I really can't. Oh well. Drama is not my style, so I'll ignore her until it's over lol.


I confess that this was my "retail therapy" last night. http://www.nikkimcclure.com/
I ordered 6 prints and I just want them all. They are so beautiful! My girlfriend had a few hanging in her house the last time I went over there and it was instant love for me.
Lydia - I really hope you find the dime.
Lauren - YAY YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:hooray:
My dad called last night to tell me that my mom went back to her dr for one last check to see if the last ditch treatment worked and it did not. He told them there is less than 5% chance that anything will work at this point but 100% chance that anything they try is going to add to her discomfort. So it's a no brainer, really. She is officially done with treatment. I talked to one of her close friends the other night who told me that my mom told her she is totally at peace with everything and not afraid. So that is a bit of a comfort. I wish I was. I swear, I'm going to worry myself into insanity. My poor dad.:teardp: I just don't know what he'll do.
Kai yelled out "You scared the JESUS out of me!" and Fleet Farm last night which was lovely in my very po-dunk, very Catholic town. :eyeroll: I think my dad said "You scared the be-jeezers" or something like that once and both of my kids now say what Kai hollered last night.

I'm so sorry about your mom. :hugs: I am glad though, that she has found peace, and I know that you will too. We are here for you, and you can always talk and vent to us.

LOL @ Kai. That is adorable.

[Cosmosmom]

I was 4 years 11 months when I started kindergarten. Which meant I was 17 when I moved away for college (350 miles away). I was extremely immature for my age and the youngest child in the family. I really, really wish I could have waited and started college at 18 but my parents made it clear that not going to college was not an option for me. If I'd started later I'm sure it would have been easier for me the first time around. Some kids would have been okay at that age but I wasn't. I should really read Outliers - I'll remember that.

!


That was the biggest reason my mom didn't push me ahead...I literally missed the deadline by less than two weeks. When she talk to a psychologist (my friends mom), she said that while I was smart enough to ahead and mature enough, I wasn't quite as mature as I could have been. And she asked mom if she wanted to send me away to school at 17 or have me turn 19 right at the beginning of freshman year. My mom said she didn't want me going anywhere until I was a bit older.
Every other Sept baby I have known was pushed ahead so parents didn't have to pay an extra year of day care/preschool...and pretty much all have struggled some expecially in maturity.

The only bad/good part was I basically started high school and turned 16...in my city high school began in 10th grade (well 9th grade counted but was housed in the junior high buildings). So here I am in a new school, meeting new friends and I'm the only one who can drive and has a car. Which was great...but took me a while a to learn who the real friends were and how was just using me for rides.

[Cosmosmom]

Krista :hugs: I'm sorry about your friend.

[Cosmosmom]

maybe with interest it will turn into a quarter.

LOL

Maybe it just disappeared. My dad has really gotten into doing tricks...magic tricks that is (and he is a crossing guard so my sister and I tease him doing tricks and being out on the corner) and he brought soem up by us. One he had a quarter, dime, nickel and penny and made the dime disappear. I was watching him closely and have no clue where it went...he had short sleeves on, the coins all were regular ones as far as I could tell.

[Cosmosmom]

Bridget, I'm so sorry. :hugs:

[midgeend]

I'm sorry about your mom Bridget. Big hugs to you and your dad.



I confess that there's this meetup group starting to do some activities around town - and I'm pretty excited about it, but the mom who is putting it together is just a complete ditz. I think she's very nice, and I'm trying hard to like her...but she drives me bananas sometimes with the things she says.

[Cosmosmom]

I watched Capitalism a love story this weekend when my dad was visiting. We all really liked it. Not quite sure how one can be a capitalist and a christian.

I also loaned my dad Religulous by Bill Maher and he really liked that.

Tomorrow tickets go on sale and DH and I are buying some to see Bill Maher in person this summer. :)

Think that we will also try to see Wicked which is coming to the Twin Cities in August/September but will have to see if we can get tickets next month.

[sunrider]

Lauren . . . .
Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :hooray::hooray: :party:

:winks:



So um.. you wanna help me when I take my pre-med calculus class?? :laugh:


Um . . . let's see. That was a whopping 22 years ago. I don't know how much help I'd be.


Day four of poo-sifting, and still no dime here. Grr.

That must have been in the pages I didn't read. My guess is Ronin, right?

And I'm also guessing from you siggy that DH decided it was time for some serious name talk? I like it!! A lot!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!

I'm so evil.

[MammaMia]

Huge hugs to Bridget & Krista. :hugs: There's been a lot of sadness on the boards lately. I hope the next few months are better.

I confess that Mia has gone back to daycare today after being off all week (holidays). I really miss her and want to pick her up early.

I confess that I hate being unemployed and I'm so frustrated with it. I'm getting depressed.

[missychrissy]

Oh Sarah :(

[daylilies]

Oh, that's too bad Midge. What kinds of things does she say?
That reminds me, did I tell you guys I offered to host a cooking class for my meetup womens group? Over 20 people expressed interest. (there is a place on the website where you can post ideas and people can "like" it, kind of like facebook) Now the event is on the calendar and nobody has rsvp'ed. I'm thinking either I'm too far away or nobody likes what I picked (I have a recipe for beef stroganoff that has a couple neat tricks and tips in it). So the organizer emailed the group asking for some feedback on what they don't like about it. I hope to get some input and actually pull this off. I'm a little out of the way from everyone else but it was the closest active group in the area.

[daylilies]

I'm sorry Sarah :( are there any womens groups or organizations (volunteer, or something) that you can get involved in?

[girlwonder]

I thought this was in interesting article,

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/world_news_america/8601207.stm

especially this paragraph:


Children in Finland only start main school at age seven. The idea is that before then they learn best when they're playing and by the time they finally get to school they are keen to start learning.

in the context of our earlier discussion about early schooling=bad at math.

Sarah - are you in Finland?

[Cosmosmom]

And I'm also guessing from you siggy that DH decided it was time for some serious name talk? I like it!! A lot!!!

.


OMG, good eye! I didn't notice it so had to scroll back up and I totally agree!

I like it a lot too. :) We have talked about using that as middle name if we had two boys. First is Theodore Wilson and second we were thinking of Harrison Christopher.

[addysonreese]

I confess that I hate being unemployed and I'm so frustrated with it. I'm getting depressed.

:hugs: honey. I know exactly how that is. It WILL get better; we just have to push through it all.

[MammaMia]

I'm sorry Sarah :( are there any womens groups or organizations (volunteer, or something) that you can get involved in?

Yep, I've been thinking about that. I need to look into it!


I thought this was in interesting article,

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/world_news_america/8601207.stm

especially this paragraph:

Children in Finland only start main school at age seven. The idea is that before then they learn best when they're playing and by the time they finally get to school they are keen to start learning.in the context of our earlier discussion about early schooling=bad at math.

Sarah - are you in Finland?

Nope, Iceland (I'm Australian though). Kids also start school here at 6 or 7. It has one of the highest rates of literacy in the world, so I guess it's not a bad thing.

[missychrissy]

Reason number 203481940357304756 that the US should look at how other nations education their children.

[MammaMia]

:hugs: honey. I know exactly how that is. It WILL get better; we just have to push through it all.

Thanks hun. I get these irrational thoughts like "Oh my god I'm never going to get a job again evarr!!1!!!!!11", then I step back and realise that's crazy. I just hate being in limbo, you know?

On a brighter note, I've decided that I'm going to start a new tradition of going on evening walks now that it's spring time and it stays light for ages. DH & I could really do with a bit more exercise, plus it's a nice thing to do as a family.

[stash]

I'm going to guess the literacy rate has as much to do with how your country allows family to care for children, and what the culture is like, in ADDITION to education...

[stash]

Like, what's the deal for maternity and paternity leave and support for children?

[addysonreese]

Thanks hun. I get these irrational thoughts like "Oh my god I'm never going to get a job again evarr!!1!!!!!11", then I step back and realise that's crazy. I just hate being in limbo, you know?

On a brighter note, I've decided that I'm going to start a new tradition of going on evening walks now that it's spring time and it stays light for ages. DH & I could really do with a bit more exercise, plus it's a nice thing to do as a family.

Yeah, it's definitely not easy, especially when you have hours upon hours of doing nothing. The same ol' stuff gets exhausting.

That's awesome that you're going to go walking! Fresh air and all that will do some good, definitely. Clinton and I walk in the mornings now. I definitely find I'm at a better place after we've been out for a bit.

[missychrissy]

Thanks hun. I get these irrational thoughts like "Oh my god I'm never going to get a job again evarr!!1!!!!!11", then I step back and realise that's crazy. I just hate being in limbo, you know?

On a brighter note, I've decided that I'm going to start a new tradition of going on evening walks now that it's spring time and it stays light for ages. DH & I could really do with a bit more exercise, plus it's a nice thing to do as a family.

Yes it is. I started walking with the girls (and later Conner) years ago. We were doing 2 miles every day throughout most of the year until I started running.

[Bridget]

I confess that yesterday one of my daycare mamas made my day. She thanked me and appreciated me profusely. She told me she never worries for a second while her daughter is here. That rocks/

[missychrissy]

That's awesome Bridget!

[MammaMia]

Like, what's the deal for maternity and paternity leave and support for children?

In Iceland? You get 9 months paid parental leave - 3 months for the mother, 3 for the father, and 3 that you can split however you choose. It's even more in other Nordic countries, I think.


I confess that yesterday one of my daycare mamas made my day. She thanked me and appreciated me profusely. She told me she never worries for a second while her daughter is here. That rocks/

That does indeed rock.

[stash]

In Iceland? You get 9 months paid parental leave - 3 months for the mother, 3 for the father, and 3 that you can split however you choose. It's even more in other Nordic countries, I think.


Yep, see, I'm venturing a guess here that the attitude of a people (in general, culturally and legislatively) toward the care and upbringing of children is indicative of the overall culture's support of true education. And by true education, I DO NOT mean a "good school system" I mean the understanding that families and communities are equally, if not more, responsible for the education and well-being of our children. Not the school systems and government organizations. They should be the last line of defense, not the first.

[AmeriBrit]

Like, what's the deal for maternity and paternity leave and support for children?

Here in England, it's currently 9 months paid and you can take an additional 3 months unpaid maternity leave. Dads get 2 weeks paid paternity. They are looking to extend both. I love the work-life balance here. You also get a one off grant when pregnant to use towards healthy eating and a grant for when the baby is born to put in a savings account.

[MammaMia]

Yep, see, I'm venturing a guess here that the attitude of a people (in general, culturally and legislatively) toward the care and upbringing of children is indicative of the overall culture's support of true education. And by true education, I DO NOT mean a "good school system" I mean the understanding that families and communities are equally, if not more, responsible for the education and well-being of our children. Not the school systems and government organizations. They should be the last line of defense, not the first.

We are very lucky here. Iceland is a very child/family friendly place.

[missychrissy]

Here in England, it's currently 9 months paid and you can take an additional 3 months unpaid maternity leave. Dads get 2 weeks paid paternity. They are looking to extend both. I love the work-life balance here. You also get a one off grant when pregnant to use towards healthy eating and a grant for when the baby is born to put in a savings account.
I am jealous.

[MammaMia]

The important question is, who's going to reach 10,000 posts first, me or this thread? :hi:

[missychrissy]

Oh, you're close. I think you can win it!!

[MammaMia]

What I really want is to have my 10,000th post be the 10,000th post in this thread. :silly:

[missychrissy]

Such lofty goals. That could be tricky.

[sunrider]

The important question is, who's going to reach 10,000 posts first, me or this thread? :hi:

Wow, didn't realize we were so close.

You're much closer than this thread, but wouldn't that be awesome?! The rest of us will have the take up the slack to get closer to the 10k mark.

Seriously . . . 10,000 posts in this thread? :shocker:

[girlwonder]

Go MammaMia!!!

[MammaMia]

Such lofty goals. That could be tricky.

At least then I can say I've achieved something worthwhile during my unemployment (I jest).


Wow, didn't realize we were so close.

You're much closer than this thread, but wouldn't that be awesome?! The rest of us will have the take up the slack to get closer to the 10k mark.

Seriously . . . 10,000 posts in this thread? :shocker:

I know, right? I love this thread!

[sunrider]

As much as you people post between 5 pm and 8 am, it would not surprise me if we hit 10k by morning. At least on some nights. Cause sometimes I log in and am like, what? Did no one sleep last night?:eyebrow:

[Cosmosmom]

Ok lets see if I can help a bit....my house now has electric in it and some of the plumbing and furance/duct work. And I got to see the tub installed and shower. Wanted a huge garden tub but would have cost too much with making the room bigger and basically throwing everything off. But we were able to get a tub that is 2 inches deeper, 4 inches wider and 12 inches longer than standard!

[Cosmosmom]

Took me a while but finally decided on this for the fireplace tile http://daltile.com/series.cfm?series=232 it's the city elm one that we are going with.

Picking tile was so hard, second only to laminate counter tops! Too many choices and combinations. OMG I drove DH nuts.

[Cosmosmom]

Did I mention earlier that I got my tickets to see Bill Maher this morning on a presale. We are in the 10th row from the stage! :) OMG I'm so excited about this. Way better than a concert to me at least. My sister called me a big nerd. :)

[addysonreese]

I am in tears right now.

I've been fretting over my hospital bills from last year; collections has been calling and I've had no money to pay them.

I finally got my tax check and paid the first bill of 150.00. Then I called the collections agency for the 410.00 and they said if I didn't start making payments, I was gonna have to go to court. After speaking with my mom, she said she would pay the bill by the end of this month.

Then I called the hospital to ask about the big bill of 3,057.00. I had called before, but got nowhere with the financial aid office. When I called again, the woman said that I'd have to make a payment of 500.00 and then be able to do a payment plan, and I said I'd been unemployed. She said that she needed to speak to someone before giving me more information. I waited, and when she got back she told me that a charity organization paid my bill in full.

Basically.. it's all over. And I am crying so hysterically I can't even seen the screen right now. I cannot believe something that good happened.

[Cosmosmom]

Oh Lauren that is awesome and such a weight off your shoulders!

[addysonreese]

Oh Lauren that is awesome and such a weight off your shoulders!

You would not believe! :laugh:

I know now that I really shouldn't have left all those bills become friends with the dust bunnies, but I had no money and I figured there was nothing I could do. I am just so thankful that it worked out the way that it did. I knew there were charities around; I just didn't know they took care of what happened!

I guess maybe when I called a few months ago and explained my situation they sent it out for approval to be taken care of by a charity? I have no clue.

And again.. THIS is why I am for the health care bill.

[addysonreese]

Took me a while but finally decided on this for the fireplace tile http://daltile.com/series.cfm?series=232 it's the city elm one that we are going with.

Picking tile was so hard, second only to laminate counter tops! Too many choices and combinations. OMG I drove DH nuts.

hehe Men just don't understand how things have to be when it comes to redecorating or adding certain things.


Did I mention earlier that I got my tickets to see Bill Maher this morning on a presale. We are in the 10th row from the stage! :) OMG I'm so excited about this. Way better than a concert to me at least. My sister called me a big nerd. :)

Awesome! When is the show?

[girlwonder]

You would not believe! :laugh:

I know now that I really shouldn't have left all those bills become friends with the dust bunnies, but I had no money and I figured there was nothing I could do. I am just so thankful that it worked out the way that it did. I knew there were charities around; I just didn't know they took care of what happened!

I guess maybe when I called a few months ago and explained my situation they sent it out for approval to be taken care of by a charity? I have no clue.

And again.. THIS is why I am for the health care bill.

I'm so happy that someone helped you. That is marvelous. Is there any way of finding out which charity so at least you can send them a thank you note or something? Amazing. I was expecting that story to end in a different kind of tears.

[addysonreese]

I'm so happy that someone helped you. That is marvelous. Is there any way of finding out which charity so at least you can send them a thank you note or something? Amazing. I was expecting that story to end in a different kind of tears.

I am not sure. I might be able to google charity organizations in the New York/Queens area. Maybe there is one that specializes in helping people pay hospital bills? I know when I worked for Bank of America, churches that people went to would help pay mortgage payments.. of course we know I don't go to a church, so that's kinda moot :laugh:

In the beginning, I was crying for sadness. This past hour has been so full of severe ups and downs I'm not sure what to do with myself right now!

[Cosmosmom]

hehe Men just don't understand how things have to be when it comes to redecorating or adding certain things.



Awesome! When is the show?


Well mine is awfully picky about how things look. So basically he wanted me to just present him with my top three choices. But I kept changing my mind and that was what drove him nuts.
But yeah he REALLY cares about things like curb appeal. We couldn't even look at a house if it had beige siding. LOL It HAD to have a living room in front with a big window. Couldn't be a bilevel or multilevel....it quickly became easier to just build. LOL

I'm happy that it's a Saturday night for the show and it's not one of the weekends DH has to work mandatory overtime. We will go down to my parents that weekend as the theater is a north Chicago subburb about 30 minutes from my parents. July 31st. :)

[girlwonder]

Maybe you could just write it in care of the hospital billing department and ask them to pass it along?

[addysonreese]

Well mine is awfully picky about how things look. So basically he wanted me to just present him with my top three choices. But I kept changing my mind and that was what drove him nuts.
But yeah he REALLY cares about things like curb appeal. We couldn't even look at a house if it had beige siding. LOL It HAD to have a living room in front with a big window. Couldn't be a bilevel or multilevel....it quickly became easier to just build. LOL

I'm happy that it's a Saturday night for the show and it's not one of the weekends DH has to work mandatory overtime. We will go down to my parents that weekend as the theater is a north Chicago subburb about 30 minutes from my parents. July 31st. :)

Awesome! I've never been to a real comedy show.. although I did catch a small one in NYC.. and I laughed so hard that night. My mom got tickets to see Robin Williams, and I was totally jealous.

It's kinda funny that he's picky about the house and how it looks, although good in a way. You definitely don't want someone who's just gonna go "Eh, whatever," about everything. I think that's DBF sometimes.


Maybe you could just write it in care of the hospital billing department and ask them to pass it along?

I'm definitely going to do that. It's a really wonderful thing what happened, and I'm so glad there are places like that out there that help situations like mine.

[girlwonder]

Comedy shows are a lot of fun. Usually if you go during the week or on Sunday, the cover charge is less, though I think they always have the 2 drink minimum.

You are in Arlington, right? http://www.hyenascomedynightclub.com/

I worked a few nights here. The two comedians I know coming up are Ben Creed in May and J.R. Brow in June (JR and I worked together a lot - we had the same home club).

You should go - get a sitter and go forget about everything for a while. Your stomach will hurt from laughing!

Fun fact: Kelly Clarkson worked as a cocktail waitress at the comedy club in Ft. Worth before she hit it big!

[addysonreese]

Comedy shows are a lot of fun. Usually if you go during the week or on Sunday, the cover charge is less, though I think they always have the 2 drink minimum.

You are in Arlington, right? http://www.hyenascomedynightclub.com/

I worked a few nights here. The two comedians I know coming up are Ben Creed in May and J.R. Brow in June (JR and I worked together a lot - we had the same home club).

You should go - get a sitter and go forget about everything for a while. Your stomach will hurt from laughing!

Fun fact: Kelly Clarkson worked as a cocktail waitress at the comedy club in Ft. Worth before she hit it big!

You know what's hilarious? Clinton HAS that number from that club in his phone. He used to go all the time!

I actually don't have any children so there's no sitter.. so that's taken care of. Clinton's been meaning to take me there.. and also find some open mic nights to do. He's been writing down stuff he wants to use in a comedy sketch when he actually gets the motivation to go and compete in one. I think he's hilarious, but I'm sorta biased there, haha.

That's really cool about Kelly Clarkson. I had no idea she was from Texas.

[Cosmosmom]

Awesome! I've never been to a real comedy show.. although I did catch a small one in NYC.. and I laughed so hard that night. My mom got tickets to see Robin Williams, and I was totally jealous.

It's kinda funny that he's picky about the house and how it looks, although good in a way. You definitely don't want someone who's just gonna go "Eh, whatever," about everything. I think that's DBF sometimes.

.


When we lived in Milwaukee, there was a club near the house and we went fairly often (I usually had free tickets and just had to pay a cover of two drinks a person). It was usually good but not always and were smaller names.

This is really cool because he's a big name and someone that we both just love and make a point to watch every week on HBO. And this one we are going to is in a fancy theater...I haven't been there before but my parents have and really like it. In fact that was how I found out about the show....my dad must be on the mailing list and asked me if that wasn't that guy that we liked.

Oh yeah I knew he was picky about decorating and looks of things...thank god we have similar taste!!!
It was funny, for about the first two years we were together it was always, whatever you want to me...we always did what I wanted and I got what I wanted. When several years into it, he started saying what he wanted once in a while, I was mad! Took me a bit of getting used to. Though luckily most of the time we agree on what to do or get.

[Gwenn]

Bridget, I'm so sorry about your mom.

Lauren, that is so amazing about your bill being paid. I would be really emotional about it too.

[girlwonder]

Bridget :hugs:

[shutterbird]

BLAH BLAH BLAH. I'll stop talking to myself now.

[Gwenn]

Okay, just looked up a popular science book I am going to read. It's called "Your Inner Fish: A Journey into the 3.5-Billion-Year History of the Human Body."

This is a quote from the author:

A Note from Author Neil Shubin

This book grew out of an extraordinary circumstance in my life. On account of faculty departures, I ended up directing the human anatomy course at the University of Chicago medical school. Anatomy is the course during which nervous first-year medical students dissect human cadavers while learning the names and organization of most of the organs, holes, nerves, and vessels in the body. This is their grand entrance to the world of medicine, a formative experience on their path to becoming physicians. At first glance, you couldn't have imagined a worse candidate for the job of training the next generation of doctors: I'm a fish paleontologist.

It turns out that being a paleontologist is a huge advantage in teaching human anatomy. Why? The best roadmaps to human bodies lie in the bodies of other animals. The simplest way to teach students the nerves in the human head is to show them the state of affairs in sharks. The easiest roadmap to their limbs lies in fish. Reptiles are a real help with the structure of the brain. The reason is that the bodies of these creatures are simpler versions of ours.

During the summer of my second year leading the course, working in the Arctic, my colleagues and I discovered fossil fish that gave us powerful new insights into the invasion of land by fish over 375 million years ago. That discovery and my foray into teaching human anatomy led me to a profound connection. That connection became this book.

[addysonreese]

That is incredibly cool. So, so, cool. :)

[girlwonder]

I tried to read that on vacation - it was actually really technical, to the point where I got bored. I kept waiting for him to make it exciting, but he never really did. Of course, I was on vacation so there was some wine and late nights involved. Might have had something to do with my low tolerance for technical stuff.

[Gwenn]

Well, it doesn't strike me as a beach read! But I might try it out.

[girlwonder]

Oh, and I have lost all ability to concentrate after having the baby. :laugh: I should have mentioned that. I swear I can't believe that I don't leave a trail of brains behind me these days. Does Mommy brain ever go away? I'm joking, but I'm totally serious, too. Will I ever be able to concentrate again? :indifferent::ohno:

[The10Eels]

84% on my final!!! and clinicals start thursday!

[girlwonder]

84% on my final!!! and clinicals start thursday!

wooooooohoooooo!!!!!!!!:hooray::hooray::hooray:

[Gwenn]

84% on my final!!! and clinicals start thursday!

That's awesome!

[Bridget]

84% on my final!!! and clinicals start thursday!
Nice job, mama!
I am making a braided rag rug. And it's wonderfully meditative.

[shutterbird]

Great job, Ashley!

[daylilies]

Oh, and I have lost all ability to concentrate after having the baby. :laugh: I should have mentioned that. I swear I can't believe that I don't leave a trail of brains behind me these days. Does Mommy brain ever go away? I'm joking, but I'm totally serious, too. Will I ever be able to concentrate again? :indifferent::ohno:

It's gotten a little better for me, but I've always been a little bit spacy, so that doesn't help.

84% on my final!!! and clinicals start thursday!

Awesome!

Nice job, mama!
I am making a braided rag rug. And it's wonderfully meditative.

Neat! Are you making it for yourself, or someone else?

[missychrissy]

Then I called the hospital to ask about the big bill of 3,057.00. I had called before, but got nowhere with the financial aid office. When I called again, the woman said that I'd have to make a payment of 500.00 and then be able to do a payment plan, and I said I'd been unemployed. She said that she needed to speak to someone before giving me more information. I waited, and when she got back she told me that a charity organization paid my bill in full.

Basically.. it's all over. And I am crying so hysterically I can't even seen the screen right now. I cannot believe something that good happened.
Oh that's wonderful!! I'm so happy for you!

It shouldn't have ever happened though. :( This is one reason (among many) that I too am for the health care bill.


I've talked a bit with a professor here at Cornell about my daughter Bobbie and he took it upon himself to set up a little meeting for her and the top person of the Asian Studies Dept. Bobbie has studied Japanese on her own for about 3 years or more now, and would like to teach English to Japanese students one day.

I'm beyond excited-first, I'm very touched that he's been so interested in her academics and has gone to all this trouble. Secondly (more importantly) this will hopefully do a lot for her self confidence and help her pursue her goals. She's extremely bright, but lacks confidence and sometimes lets peers get to her. She certainly would not be a 'misfit' at Cornell. I think she'd fit right in here.

[MammaMia]

I am in tears right now.

I've been fretting over my hospital bills from last year; collections has been calling and I've had no money to pay them.

I finally got my tax check and paid the first bill of 150.00. Then I called the collections agency for the 410.00 and they said if I didn't start making payments, I was gonna have to go to court. After speaking with my mom, she said she would pay the bill by the end of this month.

Then I called the hospital to ask about the big bill of 3,057.00. I had called before, but got nowhere with the financial aid office. When I called again, the woman said that I'd have to make a payment of 500.00 and then be able to do a payment plan, and I said I'd been unemployed. She said that she needed to speak to someone before giving me more information. I waited, and when she got back she told me that a charity organization paid my bill in full.

Basically.. it's all over. And I am crying so hysterically I can't even seen the screen right now. I cannot believe something that good happened.

That's amazing Lauren!! :hooray: That must be a HUGE weight off your shoulders!


BLAH BLAH BLAH. I'll stop talking to myself now.

What's going on Kim? :hi:



I've talked a bit with a professor here at Cornell about my daughter Bobbie and he took it upon himself to set up a little meeting for her and the top person of the Asian Studies Dept. Bobbie has studied Japanese on her own for about 3 years or more now, and would like to teach English to Japanese students one day.

I'm beyond excited-first, I'm very touched that he's been so interested in her academics and has gone to all this trouble. Secondly (more importantly) this will hopefully do a lot for her self confidence and help her pursue her goals. She's extremely bright, but lacks confidence and sometimes lets peers get to her. She certainly would not be a 'misfit' at Cornell. I think she'd fit right in here.

That's fantastic news Chrissy! It's so important for bright kids to have opportunities like that. I'm sure college will open up a whole new world for her.

[MammaMia]

I confess that I feel like I need a stiff drink after reading some of the threads on the boards today.

[stash]

Chrissy, can she take some classes at Cornell, even if not for credit? I think peer influence when a kid really excels in a particular area can be so detrimental. If she takes some classes "just for the experience" or perhaps volunteers somehow in the asian studies department, it could open her mind to what's possible and make her realize that her little girlfriends are full of kid-crap :winks:

[missychrissy]

Chrissy, can she take some classes at Cornell, even if not for credit? I think peer influence when a kid really excels in a particular area can be so detrimental. If she takes some classes "just for the experience" or perhaps volunteers somehow in the asian studies department, it could open her mind to what's possible and make her realize that her little girlfriends are full of kid-crap :winks:

Professor Boyd just stopped in my office to talk about this. He used to work on the acceptance committee here and said that if she takes a class here this summer, it will go a long way in helping her get accepted in her chosen degree program later.

[stash]

And it would OH so help her in terms of getting her out of the system she's in - my guess from what you say is she's precocious and needs a little dose of what the real world can offer her...

[stash]

And, I confess I am now OUT OF MY FIRST TRIMESTER! GO ME!

[MammaMia]

And, I confess I am now OUT OF MY FIRST TRIMESTER! GO ME!

:hooray::hooray::hooray:

[missychrissy]

And it would OH so help her in terms of getting her out of the system she's in - my guess from what you say is she's precocious and needs a little dose of what the real world can offer her...

Absolutely. She's so world-minded-I honestly have no idea where she gets it from. I've shared my philosophies, but her ideas are her own. She does her own research and comes to her own decisions on what she thinks is 'right' and 'fair'...and bless her heart, she tries to stand alone and argue her stances with the republican peers in her classes. :D Usually she does really well, but they have driven her to tears too. :( She's definitely felt very alone, and I just know at a place like Cornell she'll find more people like her that she can connect with intellectually. She listens to me when I tell her that, but I don't think she fully believes me.


And, I confess I am now OUT OF MY FIRST TRIMESTER! GO ME!
:hooray: I am really so happy for you!!

[stash]

Kids like her are the reason I think our system is broken. Many of them don't have moms like you to support them and push them past the bull****, and even those that DO get such crap that that it takes half a lifetime to recover. Good for you, and HER!

[missychrissy]

I admit, I worry a lot that I'm not enough and she'll give up some day. I certainly hope not.

[stash]

You're enough. Give her the opportunities and she'll take them.

[midgeend]

And, I confess I am now OUT OF MY FIRST TRIMESTER! GO ME!

Woo hoo!!! grow baby grow!!!


I admit, I worry a lot that I'm not enough and she'll give up some day. I certainly hope not.


I think all moms have this fear. I think you are being a wonderful advocate for her and it's fantastic that you have the relationships that you do with the profs at Cornell to help give her bigger opportunities. What school district are you in?? I hope that she'll get a spot at the charter school..it's not for all kids, but for some it's just what they need. Same thing with ACS.

[girlwonder]

:pokey:

DH just called me to tell me he gets to go on yet ANOTHER fabulous trip without me. :cry:

He went to New Zealand in February, and now in May he gets to go to Cabo San Lucas.

He did say that I am invited to go the the New Orleans Wine and Food Festival but I declined this because the sustained level of drunkenness you have to maintain is beyond my interest or ability. :laugh:

I'm generally okay with his trips, but it just seems like every other weeks he jets off to another fabulous vacation destination. And JoJo is being very much the toddler these days so I am feeling annoyed at being left to handle her alone so much.

I'm just venting here because I don't want dh to feel bad or guilty. I feel better now...

[missychrissy]

I think all moms have this fear. I think you are being a wonderful advocate for her and it's fantastic that you have the relationships that you do with the profs at Cornell to help give her bigger opportunities. What school district are you in?? I hope that she'll get a spot at the charter school..it's not for all kids, but for some it's just what they need. Same thing with ACS.

The girls are all currently going to Candor schools-which suck. Bobbie will (hopefully) return to Owego for her senior year.

It's Jessica (who is in 9th grade) who hopes to attend the charter school in Ithaca. She's very different from her sister-more social and less interested in world issues and academics. For a while she talked of joining the military :eek: but thankfully has changed her mind. She bounces around between ideas, but she's talked about becoming a vet tech quite a bit. She may take some equestrian programs here at Cornell. She loves horses and even though she wasn't ever really around them, she didn't hesitate to throw on a helmet and hop on one as soon as the opportunity presented itself. She's fearless and spirited and fun...even though Bobbie and Jessica are polar opposites, the get along fabulously and are really supportive of each other.


DH just called me to tell me he gets to go on yet ANOTHER fabulous trip without me. :cry:
That would be incredibly hard. I know it feels like it'll never end, but the toddler years do go by so quickly. One day you will be so very, very glad you had the opportunity to be with her.

[Bridget]

I admit, I worry a lot that I'm not enough and she'll give up some day. I certainly hope not.
You're enough. Its usually just takes one person. And when that one person is mom, it's even better.

[Cosmosmom]

Absolutely. She's so world-minded-I honestly have no idea where she gets it from. I've shared my philosophies, but her ideas are her own. She does her own research and comes to her own decisions on what she thinks is 'right' and 'fair'...and bless her heart, she tries to stand alone and argue her stances with the republican peers in her classes. :D Usually she does really well, but they have driven her to tears too. :( She's definitely felt very alone, and I just know at a place like Cornell she'll find more people like her that she can connect with intellectually. She listens to me when I tell her that, but I don't think she fully believes me.

!!


that is so cool that Bobbi would have an opportunity like that at Cornell. If nothing else to convince her that college is soooooo much better than high school!
I found HS kind of boring and skipped a lot by calling myself in sick. But I just loved college and wish that I could have just been a student forever.

[shutterbird]

{ Hi, I'm invisible. }

[missychrissy]

I see you.

[addysonreese]

{ Hi, I'm invisible. }

I was so confused for a minute! And then I was like "Ohhh just click and drag over it." :laugh:

Blonde moment for the day: check.

[daylilies]

{ Hi, I'm invisible. }

No you're not! What's the matter?

If it makes you feel any better, I feel left out of things all the time. Sometimes I just can't keep up with adult things, but sometimes I try and I'm left out anyway.

[Bridget]

{ Hi, I'm invisible. }
Not to me!

[Cosmosmom]

I was so confused for a minute! And then I was like "Ohhh just click and drag over it." :laugh:

Blonde moment for the day: check.


I'm brown with a bit of red....and I TOTALLY didn't get it so glad you said something. :)

[girlwonder]

I see you girl!

[Cosmosmom]

If it makes you feel any better, I feel left out of things all the time.


I think that we all feel that way sometimes.

[shutterbird]

Thanks guys. I was having a pretty crappy day and felt like nobody was responding to me!

I went prop shopping for my session today. Man, talk about retail therapy. I feel a million percent better! Got home and DH grumbled that I could have bought something that I could use outside of my business. :eyeroll: :laugh:

[MammaMia]

What did you get for props Kim?

I confess that Mia is obsessed with this image. She keeps asking to see the "circle cats". :laugh:

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kzghx9JiWH1qz72j6o1_500.gif

[3andMe]

And, I confess I am now OUT OF MY FIRST TRIMESTER! GO ME!

Awesome! I'm so glad!


:pokey:

DH just called me to tell me he gets to go on yet ANOTHER fabulous trip without me. :cry:

He went to New Zealand in February, and now in May he gets to go to Cabo San Lucas.


Is it work-related? My dh is going to Australia in August. The worst part is that he always tries to talk me into going along and I don't ever feel like I can, either financially or child-carily.


{ Hi, I'm invisible. }

I see you, too. Sorry you were feeling unnoticed.



I confess that Mia is obsessed with this image. She keeps asking to see the "circle cats". :laugh:

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kzghx9JiWH1qz72j6o1_500.gif

That is crazy! But I'm glad I saw it. Ronin says "Cool, flying cats."

I am officially off work, since I've been having so many contractions at work and I'm starting to dilate. Whew! And wish me luck with my dad visit this weekend. I'm already getting a huge increase in the number of phone calls from my sister complaining about his shenanigans.

[daylilies]

LOL, I showed Josh the hover cats and I tried to scroll down and he said "But I just want to keep seeing them!"

Thanks a lot! :P

[Cosmosmom]

Mmmmm, I'm making goulash for dinner and it smells soooo good in my kitchen. I think that this probably my favorite meal.

Only bad part is we will eat when Dh gets up (he's not lazy...just works 3rd shift) and I know he wants to watch the Brewer game while we eat. Baseball is ok in person but pretty boring on TV. Since he's working 12 days straight and is only half through, I will let him have his way.

If we had a kid it would be different but with just us we almost always eat dinner in front of the TV....


I went to a mac store this morning and played for a bit with the iPad. Very cool!!! I like it way better than the Kindle and look forward to getting one. Store doesn't have any and we are watching money with the house and move coming up so will probably have to wait until next year.

[Gwenn]

Hi, everyone.

Kim, I see you, too. I hate feeling invisible.

[3andMe]

I actually really miss eating dinner in front of the tv.

[Cosmosmom]

I actually really miss eating dinner in front of the tv.

I would rather not do it to baseball though. Usually we watch Young and Restless. :)

For a while it was Battlestar Galactica but we have run through that and our Star Treks.
Thinking about starting Lost....

[Cosmosmom]

Where's Sarah...only a few more left until 10,000......

[Janeen]

I confess...

I just cleaned out my car. Well, the trash bag full of trash anyway and everything that didn't belong in there like cups and such. Oh it was pretty bad. Not nasty trash like food or anything but lots and lots of papers and what not. Now I just have to vacuum it out, clean the inside and go through the car wash before I can install the car seat.

Of course I'm hurting even worse now and must rest on the couch.

I just talked to my mom and she is freaking out going "YOU'RE NESTING IN YOUR CAR AND I DON'T LIKE IT!!!!! MAKE JIMI DO IT, YOU SHOULDN'T BE DOING THIS STUFF!!!!"

Aaaaaahahahahaha! :lol:

The LAST thing she wants is for me to go into labor before the 28th which is when she is flying into town.

She thinks I should be living my life on the couch right now and doing NOTHING! :laugh:

[daylilies]

Sounds like a good idea to me! Do it while you can! LOL

[Bridget]

Feeling invisible sucks. :hugs: Kim.
I confess that I have had a good week. My childcare licensing guy showed up. It was the first time I met him as the previous one transferred. It had been almost a year since they last came. Nice regulation huh? And I actually did get written up for not having updated a medical form in one childs' folder. And I didn't write on my fire safety log sheet that I did a fire drill for the month of March. I have fire safety chats all the time. It's not a designated day and time so I forget to record. Every verbal child in my classroom can tell you what we do in a fire, and how to get out the window. ANYWAY. He made so many positive comments about my program and environment, the general ease with which we producted our afternoon. So I still felt proud in spite of the write ups. But no information about my program goes onto the licensing web page but the write ups. He told me that the federal government is giving money to agencies that make stricter guidelines in terms of paperwork. They have no resources to actually improve the quality of care by offering education and trainings. He cringed to write me up but he had to.
To add to my lovely week, I got to spend a great evening with my mom shopping. One of my daycare parents told me today that her 2 year old daughter was teaching her husband yoga moves that I taught her. That made me smile. Tomorrow night post-bedtime I get to go drink wine with two of my best girlfriends. I have a lot to be grateful for.

[Gwenn]

Bridget, sorry you got written up!

[shutterbird]

Boo at being written up, Bridget!

Katy, I bought a pretty stellar suitcase type thing for the baby to sit in and on, a feather boa (I ended up not using it since it was windy) and a couple of parasols to add to my collection. :)

[Cosmosmom]

Janeen, I like the way your mom thinks....you should listen to her and live it up getting a lot of rest these last few weeks. :)

[Janeen]

Janeen, I like the way your mom thinks....you should listen to her and live it up getting a lot of rest these last few weeks. :)

No can do! LOL...Jimi works so much, if I don't get this car done...I don't know that it will get done.

My last day of work is one week from today though and his mom will be here next Sunday, so I think it will be chill time then. I definitely have to take it easier though. I'm becoming SO sore from doing the littlest stuff it seems. And it makes the Braxton Hicks contractions much more intense if I overdo it.

[girlwonder]

Is it work-related? My dh is going to Australia in August. The worst part is that he always tries to talk me into going along and I don't ever feel like I can, either financially or child-carily.



Sort of a work trip. They are vacations, but he has to go with his boss and coworkers or people in the same industry on a lot of them :eyeroll:

And yes, the childcare thing would be hard for someplace like Australia. I still feel guilty because we went to Napa/Sonoma/Ukiah for 7 days last summer and left JoJo with grandparents alternating every few days. She wouldn't really look at us when we came back - kept pointing at the picture of mommy and daddy on the mantel and ignoring us :laugh::ohno:

I do hope you get to go on a vacation someplace fabulous sometime soon (after the new baby is older?).



Hope Sarah gets on soon!!!

[MammaMia]

Hey guys, I'm on. I don't think I'm gonna make it. :laugh:

[maggie]

Hurry up you! Its close!

[MammaMia]

Ok, I'm at 9,999! :laugh:

[Gwenn]

Okay, I'll help you out!

[Gwenn]

And ... go!!!

[Bridget]

:hi:

[Bridget]

OHHHH NOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was trying to help too. Mother&%**

[Gwenn]

Ack!!

[MammaMia]

10,000 secular confessions!

10,000 posts for me!

:hooray::silly: :cabbage:

[MammaMia]

Or not. :lol:

[Bridget]

I.Am.Sorry.

[Gwenn]

Sorry!!!

[MammaMia]

No problem guys! I'm laughing my ass off over here. This has to be one the dorkiest things I've done a long time. :laugh:

[Gwenn]

If you were dorky so were we ... I love that we all cared too much!

[girlwonder]

:laugh:

Congratulations, Sarah!

[MammaMia]

Awww...thanks for helping me guys. I appreciate it even though it didn't work.

[daylilies]

You guys make me smile...I just read through the last page or so and I was just thinking it's been really cool to get to know you all better in this thread. I think we should have a secular meetup. LOL