Good topic...

good luck to your hubby! [2008-10-11]
my dad just got one, I always try to get him to make me jerky like he did when I was a kid and he says he is just too lazy now!!! so disappointing. So isn't it interesting how you feel like you have to do things when he's not around? I ALWAYS feel more accomplished when the BF is gone, like I want to get all sorts of things done. Maybe that's why nothing is since he's here all the time! lol

ok sk8girl, the window is wonderful and a really good thing [2008-10-08]
for your eyes. If you focus near and then you can focus out a window, you will save your eyes and type for about 20 more years than you would without a window. I lost my window and my eyes followed close behind. I love that you all have the same stacks of books I do, same bowl of almost food, required coffee mug and the fact that it looks like we all spend our lives right in that chair. ha ha.

LOL - Very good thinking [2008-10-08]
I love beds like that.

That is good for him...sm [2008-10-07]
Should have happened 13 years earlier.

Good post - sm [2008-10-05]
I was fearful of owning a pitbull until I got mine too. I have also learned that, by the majority, the pitbulls that tend to be aggressive are usually the females. The same is true with a lot of breeds of dogs. Cats too. The females are more aggressive.

Good grief - I hope not!!! Mine was not pretty! nm [2008-10-02]
..

Sounds like you have a good marriage.... [2008-09-27]
and have not had the chance to experience being alone. I also would never get married again as I love living alone, comfortable in my own skin and do not need anyone to make my life whole. I also think it is older women who feel this way. I think when you hit your 40's, you find yourself and realize your wants and needs that make you happy. You are not constantly making other people happy and ignoring yourself. As for me, I could not imagine living with someone again. It would be an intrusion on my life - a life I love. You really have no right to say how sad. You are happily married and I congratulate you. I am happily single as are many other people who do not have to depend on a man or anyone for that matter for their happiness. Happiness comes from within.

Good idea for a crummy product [2008-09-25]
I was disappointed with it and really annoyed that it wouldn't fit in the dishwasher (just too tall no matter what I tried) But maybe it will make a nice vase, anyway!

Another good idea! Thanks! nm [2008-09-24]
x

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU. Hope it is a good one. nm [2008-09-23]
nm

Easy but good [2008-09-21]
In a blender: 1 lg can whole tomatoes, 1-3 serrano peppers (sometimes even 1 is very hot, just depends on peppers at the time), Black pepper, Garlic Salt, Salt, and just a little Comino or Cumin (I have been told they are the same and I have tried them side by side and can Blend and season to taste. It will take more salt than you might think and just add a little by little of ingredients until you get it just like you like it. My friends have always had to make a couple before getting it seasoned just right. My bunco group requires this every month. Or thisPicoSalsa:4-6 tomatoes diced, 1 onion diced, 3-6 serrano peppers diced very small, cilantro chopped added to your taste, and 1 fresh lime squeezed for juice. Season with Black Pepper, Salt, Garlic Salt all to tasteand about 4 shakes of Worchestershire sauce. This is great pico for eating with chips or added with many dishes. My family prefers this at every gathering. This is all with Texas preferred heat, so you may want to cut down on the peppers and it all depends on how hot the peppers are that day. The sauce and pico will get hotter over night, so be careful. If your pico gets too hot, try adding tomatoes to cool it off. Hot sauce requires adding more whole tomatoes to cool off but then you have to adjust your seasonings all over again.

That's a good suggestion - [2008-09-20]
the karate class, especially if a relative could take him there when the 8 year old was supposed to be babysitting him.

GOOD JOB!!!! nm [2008-09-19]
nm

It doesn't look good! [2008-09-19]
I sure wish our government could see how many factors they are responsible for, such as giving our jobs away.

Anyone know of a good place [2008-09-19]
to go on the web when lonely and/or bored (of course I come here, but we all need a variety). I sometimes surf single sites and read profiles (both sexes just for fun), but I am wondering if you know of something fun to do. ?

Okay, a bit off topic but here goes [2008-09-19]
So many women talk about the bonding that happens when you breast feed that does not happen if you don't. Now it seem to be okay to let someone else breastfeed your child if for some reason you can't. Where does the bonding come in? Who is the child bonding with? For me I breast fed the first child but did not the second. Who am I closer to? Couldn't tell you!

Sweet Crumbs. Good luck with your business! nm [2008-09-16]
xx

Everything nice...as in Sugar and Spice and...! good luck! [2008-09-16]
nm

Cookie Jar Delites gets my vote Good luck! nm [2008-09-16]
S

Too good to leave, too bad to stay [2008-09-12]
You and your SO need time apart. Games obscure.

hey gourdpainter, i know this is off the topic of your post but [2008-09-12]
i think gourds and painting them are so cool. My husband has a big garden, and he usually plants some gourds. The only thing I've done with them is let them dry and keep them around for a while. It would be so cool to be able to paint them if I had the time and talent.

Very good advice. I stayed for the sake SM [2008-09-11]
of my daughter, until she finished high school. I don't regret it and I'm very happy now, but I'm older. Women today tend to end things and I honestly don't think that is especially bad.

Good for you:-) We have a wonderful... [2008-09-03]
lunch lady as well. She works hard to make everything healthy and enjoyable for the kids. I donbonus for making it under the lowest budget, but she does a great job managing the food for our children---and we really do appreciate it!!

Good! She should have never been [2008-08-29]
out in the first place! She is such a lying piece of you-know-what!

Good topic- sm [2008-08-28]
In my lifetime I have had a Pembroke Welsh Corgi (best cow dog EVER), purebred ChowChow (real sweetie) two giant mutts (brothers), they were some kind of lab/shepherd mix. Both of them were with us for almost 17 years. Also had an Irish Setter and this dog was a nut. When my son was very small and we lived out in the country, he would todder down our long driveway. The dog would follow him and keep a watchful eye. If the dog thought my son was getting too far from the house, he would gently knock him over and bark at us. Pretty soon, baby boy would get up and head further down the driveway. After a few feet, the dog would again knock him over and bark at us. This would go on a few more times until finally the dog would knock him over and just lay on top of my son and start howling like crazy... COME GET THE KID! We had it on video but I don't know what ever happened to it.

Okay you asked for it [2008-10-10]
This is my very messy desk (ah - room). I am so busy with running a business and also transcribing that I hardly ever have time to clean my desk. What a mess! If you look closely on the floor just to the right of my chair, you can probably see two pink Good and Plenty candies that I forgot to pick up. Hee hee.

You are so right! They are truly my passion. [2008-10-10]
I am making arrangements in my will (hopefully will get to this soon) to donate any money to ASPCA. Does my heart good just to think of it. I have no children, and I am the youngest sibling. Aren They make me laugh and cry, sometimes both at the same time! Good to know there are lots more like me!!

I'm sorry you are going through this. [2008-10-10]
I understand completely how you can feel that you are just done. I hope he had a chance to cool off and think about things, but probably not. I can understand when you say that everyone sees it but him. Friends of ours still say things to me to do this day, one person will say things directly to him, which helps because then HE also knows that its not just me, which can be so difficult. If you decide to stick this out I have some great books that really helped me get through our difficult times. I re-read them from time to time too. There is also a good support website online for stepmoms. Google smoms and you'll find it. I wish you all the best in whatever decision you make. Just make the decision for yourself and not them. Oh, and not sure if it will help at this point or not but another piece of advice - When I felt like the 3rd wheel or not included I woudl do as another poster suggested and leave the situation. It really sucked to feel like I was leaving my own house some times but it felt really good to not tell anyone where I was going, not answer cell phones, and just go get a pedicure, go shopping, or go to a family members house for the weekend (and no my family didn't know anything because I often visited them at other times). just remember, its not YOU, even if he says it. *hugs* and good luck.

I should also add [2008-10-10]
that we deal with a difficult bio-mom too. From the age of about 3-6 SS told us many terrible things that she said about me and my relationship with his father. During the last 2 years he has started calling me mom on occasion (his own doing) but coincidentally he goes back to her house and comes back not saying it for a few months so I can only assume its her influence. He's getting old enough to know when to keep his mouth shut and not tell either side certain things but I'm sure he slips up on that one. Anyway, just wanted to say that will never get better. She will continue that way forever. I've had many tears over it but feel like it is something that I can deal with and 1 day SS will see that I was the better person for not putting him in those situations. TO me it is almost a testament to how good of a person she thinks I am that she needs to protect her turf and try so hard to turn him against me. Don't know if you could feel the same about his ex or not.

My son had this problem (sm) [2008-10-10]
He married a woman with a daughter. This daughter did everything she could to break up the marriage.Her mother let the kid walk all over them and generally, when son tried so hard to be the father she never had, but if he tried to discipline her, she would always say, You Her mother always stood up for her as if the kid never did anything wrong, and always telling him, Go easy. She never had a father. What the heck did my son try to do? Just be a money pit for her and his wife???? Yep, that's all he was. She destroyed 5 cars in 1 year through accidents and when he wouldn't allow her to drive any more cars, it was the final blow. After hanging on for 10 years, this year was the final breakup over her. They are now getting a divorce. The kid is now 19 and now, every time she fights with her mother, she comes running to him.I call her very ungrateful and a few words I can't list here. I told him to stay away from her before mom and daughter start accusing him of something. And to answer your question, you have the right to feel the way you do, but don't let it go on much longer or else you'll lose control of the whole situation. Have a sit-down with him and if he doesn't see your point of view, try counseling. There's no way a father should be sleeping with a 9-year-old and there's no way a 9-year-old should have the PARENT under her control. That's a recipe for disaster. His excuse does not hold water. Good luck.

my list is ongoing and never ending! [2008-10-10]
It seems I spend all my time working (and playing a bit around here on the internet) but I actually just cleaned out my closet and took my clothes to the Salvation army and felt very good about it. Organizing has NEVER been my thing and i wish so much that it was. I have loads and loads of paperwork to sort out, file, etc. I try every day to go through my mail (you wouldnsave to shred).. I need to send some baby gifts off to my baby sister -my niece is now 7 weeks old!! - i have attached a pic because she is the new love of my life and i like to show her off whenever possible :) I would like to organize my desk, clean my kitchen, get my carpets cleaned. Rearrange my room (maybe it's my life i want to rearrange?!) Oh it goes on and on and on!!! have a GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE!!! This is Allyson Ayn! (she is in North Carolina, I am in Nevada)... A lot of the things I want to get done revolve around me being able to go see her for the second time ever soooo wish me luck on my tasks ahead! xoxo

My 'to-do' list: -sm [2008-10-10]
1. The dishes: (No more clean ones left. Tired of pulling dirty ones out of the pile and rinsing them off.) But of course, am I doing them? NO! ID 2. Vacuuming: When a dark red rug is starting to look white instead, that's enough cat-hair to build yourself a whole 'nother cat! 3. Car-Maintenance: Poor thing is overdue for oil-change, tires, you-name-it. But I guess I'll have to bite the bullet and get it taken care of, if I'm going to be able to rely on it to get me 'over the river & thru the woods' to family Thanksgiving this year, 400 miles away! 4. Yard Work: My landlady wants me to keep the plants in the back yard watered. Instead, I keep hoping it will rain. 5. Laundry: I currently have a good excuse - washing machine is broken and I'm still waiting for the part that was ordered. But MEANWHILE, I'm having to dig back in the closet to my worst, oldest clothes in order to find something to wear each day. And I'm down to the underwear your mom tells you never to wear 'because you never know when you might be in an accident and have to go to the hospital, and then wouldn't you be embarrassed.' Well, actually I woudn't, 'cause I would be in the hospital, and I wouldn't care! 6. Replace missing skate wheel: I broke an axle on my inline skates 2 weeks ago, and had to 'limp' along for miles on 3 wheels instead of 4. That sucked. 7. Letters/Emails: I owe ) Which I guess I'd better do now, in order to fix that car, buy stamps for my unwritten letters, buy a new axle for my skate, buy dish-soap, buy new underwear, and get the vacuum-cleaner fixed after it dies from vacuuming up all that cat-hair!

My viewpoint [2008-10-10]
I appreciate your telling me how you felt about your Mom, but my children have never, ever interfered in my personal life, and have always welcomed someone that I had a relationship with into our home and they were kind, non-judgmental and always non-critical. They told me that it was not up to them to criticize me, and trusted me enough to know I had good judgment and were secure in the fact that they knew I would never, ever not love them or be involved in their lives. I guess I did a good job of raising them, as I was a single parent of 4 children, and did my best to give them security and raise them to be individuals with strength of character. We all worked hard to be respectful to one another, and to know they could come to me with their concerns, and I would always listen to them. If they did have anything they did not like about a person I was dating they were welcome to tell me, and I did listen, but they were never, ever disrespectful. You need to give your mother the same leeway and trust her to make adult decisions in her life, after all it is her life, and really you are now grown and have a longer life ahead of you than she does. Wouldn't you want your mother to be happy again? I am sure your father would. To be without companionship as you grow older is hard, and let's face it, life does not end when you get older or lose a spouse. Sure, she may have friends and activities, but that does not always replace being with someone special. I am sure she will always love your Dad and misses him greatly. It is a healthy thing to look ahead to the future and possibly find someone to share her life with. I say these things will all respect to you...think about it.

i wonder [2008-10-10]
if that was the Taste of Home one my walking buddy showed me today -- it was 4-5 bucks -- and chock full of good freezer recipes...

Hey [2008-10-09]
Well first off I don't think you're being ridiculous, I think that she is more than a little spoiled. But let me say from a stepchild's point of view, that she is probably just as jealous of you as you are of her! This is a tricky case to deal with, as if you seem like you are against her, then he might become against you, but if you give in to her in every instance, then she will learn really quickly to walk all over you. I donsteal my daddy she was a drunk and a little crazy and ended their relationship with it's either me or the kids! BTW...don't do that! :) ) but I love my step dad. Plus I was a lot older when my mom and step dad got married. I would say try to sit down and talk with him when she isn't around and when you aren't angry and he isn't angry. Wait until a neutral time, when he isn't just coming in from work or on his way out the door or, as I tend to do, at midnight when your lying in bed and it's bugging you but he's half asleep! Good luck, I hope it works out for you! It's not fair to you at all, but just remember this little girl has to deal with figuring out where to place you in her mind. She knows your not mommy but she knows your important to her dad, and at that age I think its sometimes hard for them to comprehend. Hope this helped a little!

After 5 years [2008-10-09]
of being this way, I think itparent in my own home, or not, and I would make the decision on my life accordingly. I was not content with being the friend. Things were better after that point. I think he just needed to know that I did care and I did want to be a part and it wasn't being forced on me...and more importantly the child had to know that my being there, and being included, was not a choice. It was just the way it was going to be. We still aren't as close as we used to be but I think that also comes with growing up and a boy needing dad more than mom. I know how hard this can be but do you really want to live the rest of your life this way? And what's to happen if/when the 2 of you have your own child? Do you want that child to be pushed aside too. Like the other poster said, choose the right time but I think you owe it to yourself and your relationship to have a heart-to-heart with him and let him know how you feel...don't just point fingers. Not saying this will be a quick fix, we still have problems, but it certainly opened the lines of communication for us. Good luck. I hope it works out.

It doesn't change [2008-10-09]
I married a man with 2 grown daughters, a grown son, and a stepdaughter from his deceased wife. We have been married for 7 years and they were 31,33,43 and 35 when we married. They are now 38,40,50 and 42, and things have not changed a bit. They told their father they did not want him to get married, and the next to the oldest told me that I should come to her for advice, as she ran the family and everyone came to her for advice, and the youngest one sat on her stepfatherthey were daddy The son lives in another state thank goodness, and he is what I call a freeloader when he visits. Expects me to wait on him. He takes his father's chair in the living room because his excuse is that he cannot see well and needs that chair closer to the TV, when I actually caught him not wearing his glasses, which is why he could not see!! He doesn't ask his father if he needs any help (my husband is 8 years older than me and he is 70), nor has he ever offered to take his father to dinner when he is at home, until I talked to him kindly and thought it would be a nice gesture. He takes over the TV when he visits, and will not pick up after himself, and this guy is 50 years old!! I have never, ever seen such spoiled adults in my life. Whew, just needed to get that off my chest. What I mean is that this type of behavior does not stop as they get older, unless the father has a good talk with the children. At 9 though you have to have patience, but she knows how to manipulate her father and girls are good at that. She might just feel insecure and maybe your attention will change that, but I do feel for you. Good luck.

You would be amazed [2008-10-08]
at how many things just fell into place for this movie! Did you also know that none of the actors were paid? They all did this for free. I had a friend who went with our group who recently got divorced. She said she wished she had seen this movie about a year ago, it probably would have helped them tremendously! It's definitely worth it, and the book that is in the movie is being sold at Walmart for like 12 dollars. I just bought it and it is really good too!

Sorry Skategirl, but I'm a neat freak...... [2008-10-08]
My desk is nice and neat though I can't take a picture to prove it. HA! HA! Thanks for the picture. If you clean your desk a little, you might be able to type faster. Just kidding!! Have a good day!

Your desk is GREAT! (sm) [2008-10-08]
I especially like all the photos stuck around the outside of the monitor. Good way to keep yourself looking in the right direction! (ID

If things were as she stated then yes ...sm [2008-10-08]
she was a good owner. The only thing I disagree with the former pitbull owner is personally I won't take my dogs out in public loose. On a ranch wherever. They stated they had the dog at a ranch with them where the dog went frequently with no leash. I understand they had no reason to leash it because they didn't see it as dangerous but mine has never been dangerous eitehr. But see with me I wouldn't even let my dog run loose in my front yard and I live in the country. There is too much potential for accidents. What if he runs to the road and gets run over? What if someone pulls up and he doesn't know them? How would he react to a stranger? As the owner I have to make sure he doesn't get harmed or harm anyone else. They have to be on a leash if I take them anywhere. That isn't just my pitbull but beagle also. My pitbull is kept either in my backyard in a fenced in area he can't get out of or in the house. My pitbull has not given me reason to isolate him but I just have a rule that he stays in my control at all times. Some people do allow their pets to go in public without leashes or to go to friends houses or where they work and not leash them and that is okay for them but that is also how accidents happen. My dogs are not mean. But they never have that opportunity to bite or anything. If someone comes over my pit doesn't know he is put in the backyard and then maybe brought in and introduced to the new person and he is usually fine. I am a responsible owner. This is with any dog I have not just the pit. I don't allow the beagle out in public either not cause I think she is dangerous by all means she isn't but what if she gets ran over if she isn't leashed or in the fenced in yard. I just feel like it is my responsibility to protect them and other people from them whatever breed they may be. That is the only thing I think the former pit owner could have done different BUT not all people agree with dogs being leashed or isolated in fenced in yards. Everyone has a right to not like pits. And some are mean. Some are very dangerous. But a lot of them are so sweet and so loveable. You just don't know the love some can show. I have a beagle and a pit inside and the pit believe it or not is more affectionate. Not to say the beagle isn't affectionate but she is not AS affectionate as the pit. I am just stating that I believe all dogs should be kept on a leash or in a fenced in yard they can't get out of. I also have a warning sign on the fence saying warning: Dog. Just in case. He may not would bite but in case I will put the sign up and people will know he is there.

If things were as she stated then yes ...sm [2008-10-08]
she was a good owner. The only thing I disagree with the former pitbull owner is personally I won't take my dogs out in public loose. On a ranch wherever. They stated they had the dog at a ranch with them where the dog went frequently with no leash. I understand they had no reason to leash it because they didn't see it as dangerous but mine has never been dangerous eitehr. But see with me I wouldn't even let my dog run loose in my front yard and I live in the country. There is too much potential for accidents. What if he runs to the road and gets run over? What if someone pulls up and he doesn't know them? How would he react to a stranger? As the owner I have to make sure he doesn't get harmed or harm anyone else. They have to be on a leash if I take them anywhere. That isn't just my pitbull but beagle also. My pitbull is kept either in my backyard in a fenced in area he can't get out of or in the house. My pitbull has not given me reason to isolate him but I just have a rule that he stays in my control at all times. Some people do allow their pets to go in public without leashes or to go to friends houses or where they work and not leash them and that is okay for them but that is also how accidents happen. My dogs are not mean. But they never have that opportunity to bite or anything. If someone comes over my pit doesn't know he is put in the backyard and then maybe brought in and introduced to the new person and he is usually fine. I am a responsible owner. This is with any dog I have not just the pit. I don't allow the beagle out in public either not cause I think she is dangerous by all means she isn't but what if she gets ran over if she isn't leashed or in the fenced in yard. I just feel like it is my responsibility to protect them and other people from them whatever breed they may be. That is the only thing I think the former pit owner could have done different BUT not all people agree with dogs being leashed or isolated in fenced in yards. Everyone has a right to not like pits. And some are mean. Some are very dangerous. But a lot of them are so sweet and so loveable. You just don't know the love some can show. I have a beagle and a pit inside and the pit believe it or not is more affectionate. Not to say the beagle isn't affectionate but she is not AS affectionate as the pit. I am just stating that I believe all dogs should be kept on a leash or in a fenced in yard they can't get out of. I also have a warning sign on the fence saying warning: Dog. Just in case. He may not would bite but in case I will put the sign up and people will know he is there.

Yes, I spend 'way too much of my life in this - sm [2008-10-08]
chair! Good thing it's super-comfy! This is a really old house on a steep hill, and the whole house tilts a bit, so when I'm at my computer, everything leans leftwards! This is my view from my computer desk, and why I have trouble concentrating on my monitor all day!

Try community college first sm [2008-10-07]
It was not cool for my kids to go to college locally, so we literally wasted good money on out-of-state high brow -- only to find unhappiness at missing the friends, girlfriends, etc. One ended up back in state at a good university at a much less drain on our budget and he is now a professor there. Canreal stuff such as grad school, etc., which is almost imperative today to compete. Good luck!!!

Hmm [2008-10-07]
I can see falling into the freezer. I am quite petite and yesterday was stretching to reach something at the bottom. Our freezer is a pretty good size and I would fit easily. BUT, like the other poster said...what friend looks in the freezer for someone? I could see a husband maybe thinking he's going to start dinner while the wife is out and then finding her. I know hubs starting dinner, good one huh. lol

The affair thing [2008-10-07]
I think an affair is something to consider. Google signs of an affair and see if anything else seems to go with the typical behavior. He certainly is a ripe age for it (mid-life crisis material). Whatever it is, don't assume he will just get over it. You need to get to the bottom of it. Good luck, and keep us posted.

Sorry you had this experience with a pit...sm [2008-10-06]
But I don't believe it is a breed thing. I believe you were unfortunate to have happened to get a pitbull who did this. If your dog hadn't been raised with the cat I would say well that is just a dog being a dog but to be raised together and get along that is weird. But there are other dogs who are capable of attacking. I had a stray mix breed medium size dog. It didn't have any pit in it. I saw it kill a cat in my mother's yard. Brutally killed it. But it wasn't a mean dog to us. It also would try to attack our bealge pups. So I know other dogs are capable of killing animals. The pitbull can do more damage though than most dogs. But I have seen pictures of lab attacks on owners, Dalmation attacks on a child, many others. Any dog can do this. Personally I have a neighbor who had a little chihuahua and it was there little doll. They adored this little dog. Well someone who lives a mile to a mile and a half down the road has a Dalmation. It climbed the fence in its yard and went a mile or more down the road where the little chihuahua was outside peeing and mauled it to death with its owners watching. I mean they said the dalmation just attacked when it seen the little dog no provacation. So I know what other dogs can do too. But most won't. I hope you never have this problem again with any of your dogs. You had a most unfortunate incident with your pitbull and I believe this has rightfully left a bad taste in your mouth for the breed. But try to think of it like this. There are good people and bad people. There are good dogs and bad dogs. We have serial killers and rapists but we also have good people out there. Dogs are not different. Don't look down on the whole breed because of one bad experience. There are so many kind pits out there who have never hurt a living thing. Really.

QVC...depends [2008-10-06]
Well, the sets I saw are cheaper, but not the same set you find from American Girl directly. I.e. The Molly doll came with a cuople of outfits, a stand, a couple of books, and I think her pet, which not the exact same set. So it is more than just the doll and one book, but less expensive to get all of that stuff it comes with separately. The doll and book alone from american girl is less $$ but does not include the extra outfit, etc. I didn't watch when it was on in Sept., so maybe they have other accessories or furniture on the show too. I am guessing they sell out fast! Also, if you have not done this, check out the American Girl website for the sales and monthly specials. Over the summer, I got a $40 toboggan for $20 - of course you do have the shipping charge but still cheaper. So they do have some good deals there too, just that there may or may not be an item to go with the doll you have or are looking for...

Both of my sons are in college now. [2008-10-06]
It's very easy to become overwhelmed quickly during the search. My husband and I approached the process a little differently. We didn't do anything like the other parents and high school juniors/seniors were doing. We did pretty much... well nothing. We let our kids lead in the process. We didn't even look at the applications unless our sons asked us to. We felt that our job was to guide them and to keep them from getting caught up in the college search mania that seems to grip everyone during those last two years in high school. My husband and I went to the same, very large university (Temple U). Back all those years ago, it just seemed that there wasncollege experience for us was living at home and going to school. College was more of a practical work-and-study experience for us. And we received very good educations. Fast forward to our own children. We told both of our sons that they should think of their college experience as the preliminary work for their careers. They didnexperience. Our oldest son was not quite sure what he wanted to do, so he wisely chose to spend a year at the local community college. We were thrilled! It cost us less than his high school tuition! He checked out different options and settled on a meteorology major. With that decided, he discovered that there was only one school that we could afford and that had a great program. He applied, was accepted, and his community college credits transferred. He is now a junior. Our younger son wants to be an engineer, though heoptions and fits. Why such a long post that seems a bit off-topic? Well, because I see so many people stress over this decision. It really isn't the end of the world. It's four short years of a person's life. They're important years, to be sure. But they don't have to be make or break years. Most college students will change majors at some point, many will transfer to other schools. These decisions can be re-made later on. You are in the market for a product, just as if you were shopping for a car or other big ticket item. Try to keep calm about it so that your student doesn't pick up on the stress. It is stressful, but if you keep it all in perspective, the stress doesn't have to feel so overwhelming. And for the short answer: We liked visiting the schools at open house to get a general feel for the place. At that point you can usually tell if the school is a viable option or not. If not, no reason to revisit. If yes, then visit again and make an appointment for a personal tour and/or interview. Don't worry! You'll survive!

When you mentioned the Goldman family that [2008-10-06]
really brought back memories when I sat in front of my TV on my break and heard the verdict. As long as I live I will not forget the loud cries of Kim Goldman as her dad held her in the courtroom when they read an innocent verdict. I was literally sick. I will hush now, too, but we had to sit by all these years and look at that joke of a man having lap dances, etc. I almost lost my dinner over that one. Have a good day. I am smiling with you. I was only a matter of time for someone like him with his anger, abusive natureand need to control.