Secular Confessions

[AbbeysMom]

Thank you for the link Jennifer. I guess I still like to think I can handle it all without having physical ailments.

Connections Academy looks good, but I'm worried about the accreditation...that 'page was not found' when I tried to read up on it. As was their tuition and fees page. I'm not really in a position where I can afford anything like that right now anyway. But thank you. I will keep looking and thinking about it.

Connections Academy is free, it's a public school... but I just checked, and it looks like it's not offered by the NY public schools. Sorry Chrissy. I just assumed because it was around in Colorado and is here in Texas they offered it everywhere.

[missychrissy]

Well they weren't eating garlic cloves to treat their std's lol

[missychrissy]

I did google it 'cause I thought they were still high 30 years after all that happened, but there's a wealth of information online about it. Apparently, they're not the only ones. Of course there are also lots of precautions and warnings about doing that as well. I wouldn't do it now because I don't have to, but I wouldn't be above it if I didn't have insurance and I was really desperate.

[Bridget]

[Bridget]

I can see how it would be dangerous for sure but I have learned to trust my own judgement on some things. I am not very trusting of dr's.

[missychrissy]

There's some speculation about knowing where the drugs come from. Those that use it all the time swear the fish antibiotics come directly from the same place that ours does. Some doubters were claiming they were imported...how would you know for sure?

It is interesting that a $100 (or more!) antibiotic can be sold in a pet store for $14 though.

[Cosmosmom]

I think at least some antibiotics are generic and not too bad. I pay out of pocket (very high deductible HSA this year)....and Dh recently needed amoxocillin and it was really quite cheap. I would be concerned about getting them OTC myself because there are different classes and some are great for some infections but totally ineffective against others.

but it is pissy that stuff for people costs more. I get prednisone drops for cosmo's eyes. At the pharmacy, they were almost double getting them from the vet. Exact same drug, exact same bottle. Yeah guess where I am going to stick with buying them.

And I self-dx all the time. It can be dangerous having the access to info that I have. I also dx'd cosmo's eye condition before we got the specialist....was nice to have him agree though and be able to get her on the meds (first round was injections into the eye so I was very glad to have nothing to do with that).
Sometimes doctors are GREAT.....and sometimes they just do not know yet. It is hard when things aren't known...the why or how to cure or treat.

[Gwenn]

Hi, everyone. Did my IUI today. It went well and DH's count was 187 million, if you can believe it. I'm not feeling super confident, though, with only one good egg. I just don't imagine it working. Secular vibes appreciated.

Our vet told DH last summer to give the dog OTC joint medicine - glucosamine which is sold as Jointritis. She said they sell a dog version, but it is the same active ingredient but more expensive to buy the version marketed for dogs. Interesting as other products are more expensive.

Chrissy, I'm so sorry for all your difficulties with the school. Just horrible.

[missychrissy]

Good luck Mandy! All you need is 1 egg

[MashedUp]

It only takes one! Fingers crossed!

[Ky'sMom]

I agree one egg is all that is needed!! Tons of secular baby dust your way Mandy!!

So sorry about your school troubles Chrissy. They have a K-12 online school now here in GA and they even had one in IL. If we had moved to Chicago, I more than likely would have had Ky use the online school there. DH was not picked for the job and he was kind of bummed about it for a while but is better now. I can't remember if I told you ladies or not the outcome. I was pretty relieved being that I do not want to live in Chicago but it would have been nice to move closer to my family in OH and to DH's family. We have made the decision that I will go for my Master's and after getting it look to get an instructor position at the community college near my hometown and then go for the Ph.D. Bridget, if you end up moving to OH you will so get a visit from me!! I go there a few times a year anyway.

And Chrissy, I also think that most teenagers and young adults are rather selfish and self absorbed. When I went back to college it was really interesting to me being around all those "kids." I wasn't all that much older than them. This was in 2006 and I was 27 and most of my classmates were 20 or 21 but they were extremely self centered and only seemed to care about themselves a lot of the time. They were decent folks though and I have kept in touch with them and in only these past 5-6 years the majority of them have matured a lot and aren't that way anymore. Young adulthood is a rough stage of life and not something I would want to go back to even though I don't think I was all that self centered (my opinion though as I know I was a trip as a teenager and young adult, just not as bad as most of my friends). I was very anxious about everything and not as confident in myself and cared too much about what people I didn't even know thought about me and I would think about what people thought all the time or how I looked like an idiot to people and it was just unsettling now that I think about it. Not something I would want to go through again at all.

And for us pretend doctors, I know that you can also get all sorts of meds without Rxs from feed stores. Even though we live in a major city, Atlanta is kind of a country city in that we have about 4 feed stores in close proximity to us, 2 of them are actually in the city. You can get any kid of antibiotic at the feed store. One of our dogs used to get eye infections a lot and after taking him to the vet all they did was prescribe him either penicillin or amoxicillin and they have both of these and a whole fridge of other meds at the feed store for $5 less than a people percription would costs. They have dosing charts based on weight and everything and the guy in the store joked with us that people do come and get the antibiotics if they don't want to go to the doctor to get a perscription for themselves. We have a grocery store here that will give some medicines to people for free, including pretty much all antibiotics and even some diabetes and blood pressure medicines but you need a doctor's perscription.

Erin

[Cosmosmom]

Chrissy what about something like this http://www.time4learning.com/index.htm This one is relatively inexpensive.

Or this http://keystoneschoolonline.com/ Cost is about half of the one Molly suggested.

[missychrissy]

I'm really at a place now where I can't afford anything extra. If the option isn't free, I can't seriously consider it at this time.

My cold sore is worse today than it was yesterday. I'm on my last sick day. fml

[Suja]

Fingers crossed for you, Mandy. All it takes is just one good, sticky egg.

I can't believe that the school is that insensitive to bullying, Chrissy. I hope you escalate it in whatever direction you feel is appropriate to get something done about it. Just how many kids have to hurt themselves before these idiots wake up and do their jobs?

[missychrissy]

They're in complete denial that it happened. She checked in with all the girls again today and things are better. Seats have been rearranged on the bus so as far as they're concerned, they've dealt with it. Mean lady (Ms Lindhorst) is apologetic if I perceived her as anything but concerned (the woman hung up on me!) but she had an appointment to get to and perhaps that's where I heard angst in her voice. Blah blah blah deny deny deny

[dana_renay]

That is a complete non-apology. What a witch. Make sure you do a write-up of the incident with dates and names, etc, and hold on to in case anything else happens in the future (like retaliation or a repeat incident).

[missychrissy]

That is a complete non-apology. What a witch. Make sure you do a write-up of the incident with dates and names, etc, and hold on to in case anything else happens in the future (like retaliation or a repeat incident).

No kidding. And that school is famous for their non-apologies. I went to school there from K till I quit in my 3rd attempt at 10th grade (3rd attempt 'cause I had an attendance issue, not that I didn't have good enough grades!) and never, ever has that school or anyone in it ever admitted responsibility for anything. They have a 'band of brothers' mentality and they stick together like glue. The united front and all that. I'm 110% sure it's all about liability. Admit no wrong-ever! I'm sure it's their policy.

[Bridget]

I cannot believe this, Chrissy. Teen suicide due to bullying is practically an epidemic in our country. They are blatantly negligent in this situation and I just don't see why. Are they too busy to address such issues? Total bs.

My cousin that posted that abortion video on our family page has now removed it since a few different family members let her know it was not the place. I mean, post it on your own page for goodness sake. There is a reason we are not "friends" and that is because I don't want to see your posts!
It's so beautiful out today! And both of my boys are asleep, the other 3 boys I take care of today just left. Dbf is at the hospital in surgery. All I can hear are the birds and it is so wonderful.

[dana_renay]

No kidding. And that school is famous for their non-apologies. I went to school there from K till I quit in my 3rd attempt at 10th grade (3rd attempt 'cause I had an attendance issue, not that I didn't have good enough grades!) and never, ever has that school or anyone in it ever admitted responsibility for anything. They have a 'band of brothers' mentality and they stick together like glue. The united front and all that. I'm 110% sure it's all about liability. Admit no wrong-ever! I'm sure it's their policy.

Sadly, that's been my repeated experience with public schools. There are some great teachers out there, but the way schools are run a lot of times is just weird and kind of sick. You would think that educators would be better problem solvers!

[missychrissy]

They're more afraid of being sued than they are concerned with making things right for the kids. Ignore the problem and hope it goes away.

[dana_renay]

Bridget - for a few moments of peace and quiet!

[missychrissy]

That's something I've been getting lots of-peace and quiet. And I'm enjoying it very much. And then feeling extremely guilty for it. I am trying to make this as real of a split as possible but it's not easy. Rich keeps inviting me over and I miss the kids so I go. I watched 1/2 of American Idol over there tonight. Seeing Conner...oiy, it just makes my heart ache something fierce. The only consolation that I have is that if I had taken the kids with me, it would have torn them apart worse and it would have been just as difficult for Rich to be away from them as it is for me. I feel like I'm making a sacrifice in a way...since the split wasn't his idea, why should I also punish him by taking his kids away too? But still...I want my babies with me.

We plan on having Syd and Conner stay with me Saturday night. We were asking Conner but he kept saying no. After talking about it, we switched it to, "You're going to mommy's Saturday!" like it's a big, fun thing (which for me, it is!). He is ok with that, but he did tell me that he was going to be nervous. I told him that's ok, we'll stay up and cuddle on the couch and talk and watch movies together and I'll stay awake as long as he wants to. At least he's not telling me he's not going to come.

Our goal is to get it so they're spending 50% of their time with me, but I don't want it to be too sudden of a change. Patience isn't really my strong suit.

[3andMe]

Hi, everyone. Did my IUI today. It went well and DH's count was 187 million, if you can believe it. I'm not feeling super confident, though, with only one good egg. I just don't imagine it working. Secular vibes appreciated.

Vibes and more vibes sent to you and the little one.

[Bridget]

Chrissy, peace and quiet is really priceless isn't it? Mine was long lived even after the kids woke up and we picked Savana up. Everyone was so peaceful! That is, until dbf came home from his surgery. His friend (drinking buddy) was the one that took him and they came back here and started having beers! I was appalled. Dbf was clearly loaded with painkillers and then to start drinking? I am sure I just seemed like a raging biatch but I couldn't stand it anymore. He was loud, obnoxious, repetitive, argumentive, irrational..just to name a few. His friend kept laughing and commenting, "Dude, you just had surgery!" Um, I do'nt see the humor. I finally said to dbf that I'm sure he thought he was being very entertaining but for those of us who have to live with him after the meds wear off and he's hungover, not funny at all. I told him I was very pissed that he would come home and start drinking hours after surgery and that it really says a lot about his self worth. He looked confused so I told him that he doesn't take care of himself that I will not take care of him either. ****ed if I am going to baby him and nurse him back to health if he is going to be self destructive.
But of course I was the monster for being annoyed with him and for not responding to every single thing he said in his nonstop chatter from the moment he got home to the moment I was finally able to escape by going to bed.

[missychrissy]

Oh Bridget I don't even know what to say to that. I'm sure drinking alcohol does nothing to help him heal and probably has negative connotations, especially immediately following surgery.

[Smplyme89]

Chrissy the school situation infuriates me. They obviously do not have the kids best interests in mind How is Syd doing? My heart hurts for her to be treated such a way, there is no excuse for it.... I can't imagine how hard it is for you to be away from them, but they will warm up to the idea it will just take time mama and I applaud you for putting their needs before your own and allowing them time to adjust

Bridget mixing pain killers and alcohol is an awful idea. I don't blame you one bit for getting frustrated

So.... apparently my brother is staying with me now. *sigh* He got kicked out of where he was living and had been sleeing in his truck. I didn't really want to let him stay with us, but DH wanted to give him the chance. I have already told him no drinking and in general he is not to disrupt our lives. We have a fairly easy going, well oiled routine at home, and I won't have that disturbed by anyone. One mis-step and he's out. I've made that clear. As far as I am concerned he is "grown" and can make his own life decisions. I also told him that if he doesn't show me he is actively working towards getting OUT of my house, than he can leave. He is not going to crash at my house and stagnate the way he has for everyone else. He needs to get his license, get his truck fixed, get a better job, and get his own place. I know it might sound a bit harsh being he is my brother, but J has put us through alot in the past couple of years and I have no sympathy for where he has ended up. This is what a "free" lifestyle and drugs get you. He is 19 with no license, sleeping in a truck wtih 3 wheels that doesn't run, and no place to say.

[missychrissy]

It doesn't sound harsh to me at all Christina. Some people have to be at rock bottom before they crawl their way up and imo, letting them slip to rock bottom at a young age is better than waiting till they're in their 40's or 50's to do it. He's young. He has plenty of time to get it together.

[Smplyme89]

You are right. He is SO young, but SO immature. I just have a hard time connecting with him at this age. It's such a self centered, ignorant, nothing can touch me sort of mentality that I never really had so I don't understand it. I graduated, got married, got a job here at the Credit Union, and went to college. I don't understand the need to party and act stupid It seems like such a waste of energy.

[AbbeysMom]

Thinking of you Mandy!

[Ky'sMom]

I feel bad for your DBFs liver Bridget. Mixing pain killers and alcohol is a dangerous mixture. My dad's father died at 46 from cirhossis (sp?) of the liver due to mixing tylenol and alcohol all the time. Even my DH, who enjoys his beer and other alcohol will not drink for at least 12 hours after taking any pain killer. I told him about how much it damages his liver and how we are not the same blood type so I couldn't donate part of my liver to him LOL and that he would be SOL due to him not having a "whole" sibling, all his brothers and sisters are half brothers and sisters so it would be a stretch for one of them to match him. Now that I type this out, I am so weird to have discussions about livers LOL! I have even told my one brother that is my "whole" sibling that he better take care of his liver and kidneys in case I need one.

I think you are doing the right thing for your brother Christina in not letting him be a mooch. I agree that it is good he is still so young and has the time to start doing right in his life. I hope he realizes he has his whole life ahead of him and takes advantage of that.

Erin