Just my 2 cents, but some ideas from a former homeschooler...sm

Looking for Christmas gift ideas for [2008-11-19]
a 14 yo girl and a 17 yo boy. Any suggestions???

How about ideas for siblings and their families? Here's one [2008-11-19]
I have three siblings, with spouses and children. Not only is it expensive to buy for all of them, but it Last year I went to a craft store and bought cheap baskets on sale. I bought each of them a 2-month subscription to the movies that you get through the mail,NetFlix (can do Blockbuster if you want). I put the gift certificate in the basket along with the big boxes of candy that they sell at the show (.99 cents apiece at Walgreens), a few packets of microwave popcorn, and a 6-pack of their favorite soda. They loved it and everybody enjoyed the movies over the next couple of cold winter months. You can purchase the movie gift certificates on line at their website.

When I was in school, it was 85 cents for [2008-11-18]
lunch and 15 cents for milk. All 3 of my kids do go to the same school. The discounted meals aren It We make too much to qualify for any of the state-funded programs (not that I

I think this would help anybody with ideas [2008-11-13]
thedollarstretcher.com

Ideas . . . thoughts on this? [2008-10-31]
Good afternoon, I am hopeful someone here can answer my question. Does anyone here type for a pediatrician? I was wondering . . . if a child bent all four fingers in a backwards position, would this action cause a lump to form on the back of the hand? Why do I ask? Well my daughter (in first grade) came home from school with a lump on the back of her tiny hand. At first she did not tell me what happened, but it has since come out that the bully in the class bent her fingers backwards. I I had planned to take her to our doctor to have it checked out, but today the lump is gone. I wrote a note to the school teacher asking that this child (the bully) be kept away from my daughter—now there seems to be this big coverup. This little boy was always in trouble in kindergarten and he was known to throw chairs etc.. .. you name it. As a matter of fact the kindergarten teacher couldn My daughter told me that when this finger bending/spitting occurred that her music teacher sent the boy to the office for punishment . . . now the school claims he was never sent to the office, like this never occurred. And no, I wasn Also, I should mention other parents found out there were coverups over bad behavior when this boy was in kindergarten. What should I do? Would a lump result from this type of bending of the hand? I guess I have to wire my daughter to find out what is going on in the classroom. Any suggestions or answers?

How about some ideas for a warm supper? [2008-10-28]
No snow yet, but howling winds and cold with a little bit of drizzle. Need some ideas to warm my little guys up when they get home from school. Not big fans of soup, though. Any other ideas?

warm supper ideas [2008-10-28]
How about some chicken and dumplings (easy) or homemade chicken pot pie?

See inside for more ideas........ [2008-10-27]
I usually make a diaper wreath to hang on the door for the shower, gift for parents, and can also be used on the hospital door. Very easy and some will use the diapers off of it, some will keep as a keepsake. Here is a link to how to make them and pics......http://entertaining.about.com/od/bridalandbabyshowers/ss/diaperwreath.htm I also like to get the fabric and make my own blankets/pillow to match. Those kind that you tie knots on the end. I even personalized one before. If I have the funds and it is someone close to me, I love to buy baby quilts as gifts. For my niece, I got one of those big moses baskets, put in the personalized blanket and pillow I made, and filled it with lots of little goodies also. Have you seen the gifts on the clothes lines? That one is always funny. I saw in Rachael Ray magazine that they used clear baby bottles for vases and put flowers in them for decorations. You could also give mom a gift of a photo session for belly art. Some of those are awesome if you get someone who knows what they are doing. Here is a link of some ideas.......http://pregnancyandbaby.com/pregnancy/baby/Belly-painting--Art-on-board-1627.htm You could give mom a pampering gift certificate like for a massage or spa, food certificates, or house cleaning certificates. Something I could not live without.....burp clothes, diapers, diaper wipes, baby monitors, swing, sling to carry baby in. My favorite is the Maya wrap. http://www.mayawrap.com/s_distributors.php

Frugal ideas [2008-10-21]
In this day and with this economy situation we are dealing with in American right now, I am trying to think of ways to save money. I am looking for frugal ways of cutting back. Any suggestions would be helpful. What are you doing to cutback and save money?

Any ideas for a coach's gift? [2008-10-12]
Soccer season is over in a month (U8) and I I know there are the standard team plaques, etc but I He The other parents haven't really come up with any ideas but are willing to split the cost of something within reason. Any ideas??

My 2 cents [2008-10-01]
IMHO, the school officials should be ashamed of themselves for not contacting you immediately!! Somehow, I would expect more sensitive treatment from a Catholic private school, too. I truly believe that, if my son had stabbed another child with a pencil, the school would likely have called the police andcharges of assault and battery may have been filed, right thereon the spot, no matter what the age. That little girl is mighty lucky. In our public school district, a 2nd grader was suspended for 3 days because he remarked to the teacher that she was pretty. No physical harm was done. My point is, if a child can deserve such a punishment for innocently complimenting a teacher, regardless of whether or not it constitutes sexual harrassment, the incident with the pencil stab wound should not go unpunished, and, asthe parents of the victim, youshould make it clear that youdo not intend to gloss over it like just a routine event in the day of a school child. It seems to me that it is to the benefit of your child to make as big a deal of this as you need to.If you do little to nothing, what message does that relay to your child--that he is not important enough to defend in this case? That his rights are less important than those of the girl? That girls should be allowed to beat up on boys with little to no punishment? Your own son While it is good to teach him the golden rule, it is also good to teach him to assertively stand up for his rights. My son isa BIG, husky boy. Things like this happened to him during his public school years. All he had to do was look sideways at someone, and I would be called; but when someone hurt him, the school didnbother mom and dad at work. What an excuse. I started documenting everything in written form, even sent faxes. Theschool hated that I put everything in writing, but I believe they respected us or, at least, pretended to respect us, and my son experienced fewer problems with verbal and physical abuse from other studentsafter that. Best to you.

Just my 2 cents [2008-09-30]
The school should have immediately informed you that they provided medical attention to your son (yep, ice pack = medical attention). If they called the other mother then they should have called you. In my experience (I have 6 kids) talking to the other mother will do no good, when the child is at school, it is the SCHOOLS responsibility to see this doesn't happen. You should make it known that in the future you expect a phone call from them, or they can expect one from your attorney, and if they cannot control the child in the classroom, either that child, or yours, should be moved to another part of the class, or a different class altogether. Ask yourself, how would you handle this had she stabbed him in the eye? Next time she might.

Well thanks for visiting the miserable people and giving us your 2 cents nm [2008-09-24]
x

No ideas but I like to [2008-09-19]
and when I hear about a nice place to visit I go online to try to find their city website or visitor's and convention bureau. Many of these will allow you to get on a mail list and send you tons of free info, brochures, MAPS, and COUPONS! I have family that lived in FL, but just moved back, and I had been collecting a lot of info for those areas in hopes of planning a trip to see them next spring so I know there is a ton of info for Florida. You just have to do some research and visit a lot of websites and give yourself time to get the info in the mail. Even did it for my local surrounding areas where I live and was amazed at what I found. Oh, and if you do think of camping go to the coleman website and those for other camping gear and many times they have checklists and such that you can download. Makes live MUCH easier, especially for first timers.

I love your ideas. I'm glad your family does too. [2008-09-18]
aa

dinner ideas [2008-09-18]
Google pasta faglioli - easy and delicious, also chicken divan. I just love the one pot meals!

My 2 cents......... [2008-09-08]
Money is not the only thing he is lying to you about and you probably know it. Just what those things are, I don't know, but when a spouse lies and hides money, it is only a symptom of a lot of other things he/she is doing behind your back. That is why they become so defensive and try to turn the tables as if you are being ridiculous and just making up stuff. You know you're not going crazy.....you're a very angry fed up lady and for good reason. You know in your heart you have let this man belittle your feelings and make you feel less than a person. That's what they do to make themselves feel better about what they're doing. My husband made very good money and for years, he always dropped off his check (when there wasnhis money and what he did with his money. Told me his boss keeps hundreds of dollars at a time in his wallet and he didn't trust his wife with keeping the checkbook.... she always overdrafted, messed up stuff, etc. Well, since I had been doing all that stuff for years with never a problem, I knew it wasn't because I was doing a poor job. He always insisted I do it because he just didn't have the time. His job was high profile and many hours, so I just didn't mind. I asked him did he want to keep hundreds of dollars in his wallet, did that make him feel like a man? I didn't understand his point. He just said if he wanted to, he should be able to. I never EVER told him what to do with money. We always kept everything in the open, joint accounts, etc. So, as time went by and he became angrier when I asked why he wouldn't bring his check stubs home, I loaded up the children and left. He was the type who thought I would do nothing and he was shocked as h*ll when I did. The emotional turmoil that puts in your mind is simply not worth it. No answers from him, being told we don't have the money, when I knew full well we did and I would do without while he was out there blowing it on just stupid stuff. One day I had to use his car to take our child to school, let down the visor, and there was around 1600 dollars. That's all she wrote. I didn't believe for a minute he was having an affair. I just realized I was living with a very hateful man who didn't give a rat's butt about my feelings. It's a simple as this, it really is. When a spouse starts lying about money in your household, there is a problem. In this case, you said your husband has been lying and doing this all along. I can't imagine how you must feel from day to day. Quite frankly, I just realized my husband just was screwed up and I sure was not going to go down with him and told him if he suddenly felt the need to hide his money to make him feel like a big shot, he could explain to the judge where he hid it when child support and alimony time came around. Please give yourself some peace of mind. I know you are concerned about your children, but believe me, if they don't sense it right now, they will know daddy is doing something wrong towards mom sooner or later. It will affect them down the road one way or another. I have to tell you counseling just does not work for that kind of man. You will have to play hard ball. He will never open his eyes otherwise and be prepared that he may himself live in denial about his problem forever.....do you really want to go down that path with him? When the kids are gone, you're still stuck with those feelings or lack thereof.

Ideas for Low Energy [2008-09-04]
hi, just wanted to offer some encouragement, if possible, to say hang in there and we all feel like that sometimes. I think it i know that when i started having perimenopausal symptoms, i wasn another option is an herbal infusion made of stinging nettle: http://www.susunweed.com/Article_Energy_Stamina.htm having energy is a very multifaceted issue, imho, which takes into account one i give myself comfort foods, and yes, coffee.i do an email here and there in between notes or in the middle of one for a very quick break (case in point). if i'm low energy for too long, i ask myself why that might be, which it sounds like you're doing. sounds like you're overworked and worried too, which doesn't help. trying to find ways to reduce stress is key. sometimes for me it's a glass of wine, or watching my favorite show once a week for a treat. whatever is FUN for you is key. again, just my humble opinion, but itgratitude list on occasion, or a gripe list, whatever feels right at the time! Good luck!

Thanks everyone for your ideas - I will definitely try these things!! nm [2008-09-03]
nm

You're awesome! I love your ideas of [2008-08-24]
puzzles and games. Very inexpensive, can get games or puzzles according to their personalities and all of us love family time so that would be great. THANK YOU!!!

Gift ideas [2008-08-21]
We always give Bibles. I also like to give Piggy banks.

good ideas! [2008-08-21]
and less cleanup which is always a pain without a dishwasher. lol I wonder if there is a scouting cookbook...there probably is. I think I will look up under scouts too and i bet that will give some good camping ideas for kids activities too. Thanks!

Gift ideas [2008-08-21]
Check out www.Vermontteddybear.com -- GREAT website and they will personalize a bear for you if you wish, plus could be something that is handed down in the family etc.

How about good ideas for upcoming marriage [2008-08-20]
Any good ideas for someone getting married in the next year or so? A second marriage and not planning to have much of a ceremony. (Where, what to wear, etc.) Thanks for any ideas.

Need christening gift ideas... sm [2008-08-20]
My husband and I are godparents to a friend The christening is in a few weeks and we have no clue what to get -- any ideas? And the baby is a boy.

Everyone seems [2008-11-22]
pretty happy. It doesn't seem prurient. I've been in favor of other situations in which people are free to develop on an internal time clock rather than one imposed externally & in that regard there's probably something to this, but the siblings following the first probably got the idea to continue for a long time from watching, so there's definitely a bias there. Would be interesting for someone to design a study comparing long-time thumb-suckers with children weaned at a later age. This woman would probably say that the experience of breastfeeding can't be duplicated or substituted with a bottle or a plastic nipple because the emotional part of it would be lost. I don't know. I guess it depends on the family involved. I remember on Six Feet Under, how Lisa & Nate were letting Maya sleep in their bed until she decided she didn't want to any more. I think there's just a whole movement out there comprised of people with similar ideas, & until someone does a long-term study, I guess I'd have to say any suggestion that it's out-&-out wrong is just conjecture or has a cultural bias.

Christmas Gift for Boss [2008-11-19]
My other job is a legal secretary. I am looking for gift ideas for my boss that was not too expensive. Any suggestions would be much appreciated! Thanks!

tricky gifts [2008-11-19]
Whatever your specialty is in a nice bag or basket. Coffee mix recipes with chocolate and cinnamon are good. I made chocolate dipped plastic spoons and those came out good too because you can use really nice chocolate. There are a lot of ideas out there!

How about ideas for siblings and their families? Here's one [2008-11-19]
I have three siblings, with spouses and children. Not only is it expensive to buy for all of them, but it Last year I went to a craft store and bought cheap baskets on sale. I bought each of them a 2-month subscription to the movies that you get through the mail,NetFlix (can do Blockbuster if you want). I put the gift certificate in the basket along with the big boxes of candy that they sell at the show (.99 cents apiece at Walgreens), a few packets of microwave popcorn, and a 6-pack of their favorite soda. They loved it and everybody enjoyed the movies over the next couple of cold winter months. You can purchase the movie gift certificates on line at their website.

At certain stores in MI, s/m [2008-11-18]
They will double coupons up to $1. I do this a lot with toothpaste and stockpile it. A lot of times it is 2/$4 or 2/$5, so I either get it free or for 50 cents a tube. A lot of the $1 coupons are for new items and our local store here is pretty good about having those on sale a lot during the first few weeks it is out to promote it, so I get the new things relatively cheap as well. You just have to be careful about not getting things just because you have a coupon. When I coupon shop, it can take me 3 hours because I compare all the prices with brands to coupons, etc. You also have to really know your prices as compared to other stores. I have one store where I get my meat and I don Where they double the $1 coupon, I don I'm really careful about it and belong to an internet sites to help me as well.

Dogs v kids [2008-11-18]
I am a sucker for a pretty face & don't have kids, so I am at my dogs' mercy. You should see their stockpile of dog treats. It's ridiculous. School lunches. $2 a day! Doesn't sound like a lot for a meal, but it sure adds up...you would think they would give you some kind of deal because you have 3 kids. I guess I'm assuming they all go to the same school. Now I'm dating myself, but when I was in elementary school I think it cost 40 or 45 cents for lunch. A nickel for milk. Amazing!

Live in Oregon, just DH and me, spend about 400 a month... [2008-11-18]
give or take including cat supplies. Costco every 4 to 5 weeks. Love really good bread, yogurt, real half and half for my coffee and fresh fruit and veggies no matter what the cost. Eat out on an average of 4 times a week, lunch or dinner on our days off, not fast food (Ugh). Cook everything from scratch, no boxes or cans here, except for pasta. I donat least twice a week. I have only seen a spike in dairy and bread products, but I won if I'm eating it, I want it to taste good and not be loaded with preservatives, etc. I'd rather spend 2.98 a pound for really good apples instead of 98 cents a pound for mealy ones. I'm Italian, so food is a religion for me and it better be good!

When I was in school, it was 85 cents for [2008-11-18]
lunch and 15 cents for milk. All 3 of my kids do go to the same school. The discounted meals aren It We make too much to qualify for any of the state-funded programs (not that I

Pitbull Hero [2008-11-17]
Stray Pit Bull Saves Woman, Child from AttackerPet Pulse Staff Reports Browse NewsFront Page BY CATEGORY:Alerts Notices Animal Attacks Care Safety Crime Law Cruelty Abuse Deaths Accidents Entertainment Health Science Heroes International Lost Found New Trends Petlanthropy Strange But True Survival BY PET:Dogs Cats Fish Birds Horses Reptiles Small Pets Other Pets November 5, 2008 A dog came out of nowhere and stopped a knife-wielding robber from accosting a mother and her young son on Monday afternoon. (Pet Pulse Illustration by Tim Mattson) PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- The wandering 65-pound Pit Bull mix might have seemed menacing to some passerby, but one woman will always remember him as her guardian angel. The dog, which authorities think is lost and not a stray, successfully thwarted a robbery attack on a mother and her 2-year-old son, who were held at knifepoint Monday afternoon. The Florida woman, who has been identified by authorities simply as Angela, was leaving a playground with her toddler son in Port Charlotte when a man approached her in the parking lot with a knife and told her not to make any noise or sudden movements. Angela didn't have to do either to protect herself and her child -- a dog mysteriously ran to the scene and charged the man, who quickly fled. I don Animal Control Lt. Brian Jones told Pet Pulse. I don The exceptional part of the story, Jones said, is that the dog had never met or even seen the people it quickly jumped to defend. You hear about family dogs protecting their owners, but this dog had nothing to do with this woman or her kid, Jones said. He was like her guardian angel. After the alleged thief ran away, Angela quickly placed her son, Jordan, in the car and tried to drive off. Before she could, though, the dog jumped into her backseat, waiting with her for the police and animal control officers to arrive at the scene. The dog was transported to a local shelter and if his owners donAngel. Animal control officers and shelter workers believe Angel is lost, and not a stray, because of his good health, sturdy weight and mild temperament. It Jones said of Angel's possible owners. For Angela, it doesn't matter where the dog came from, just that he was there when she needed him most. I don Angela told NBC2 News. For a small town with a population of 46,452, animal control officers were kept busy Monday afternoon. Jones says they department also responded to a report about a boa constrictor in a church parking lot. The snake found its way into a car engine and was able to be removed without being harmed. It took three people to move the massive, seemingly random placed snake. It he said of the Gulf Coast town. And we can go for four or five months without the media contacting us about a story. It Officers from the responding county sheriff's office canvased the area and were unable to locate the suspect described as being in his 20s, tall and dark haired. Tell us what you think about Stray Dog Saves Woman, Child Held at Knifepoint below. Share your favorite videos by clicking on the ZootooTV tab. Send us your story ideas by e-mailing us at news@zootoo.com or by calling us at 877-777-4204. Pet Pulse reporter Amy Lieberman and NBC-2.com contributed to this article.

93 Buick LeSabre and 93 Chevy Silverado [2008-11-17]
The truck mileage sucks, only 12 mpg. Hubby wanted to buy a Toyota this year but with his work being so slow, he's stuck with the Chevy. He's had nothing but problems with it. My last car was a The engine was like brand new, only 45,000 miles when we bought it in 2003. I miss it. It went to the car graveyard after we took the engine out to put in the Buick above. We always pay cash for our cars, so really don't ever buy brand new. Got the Buick for nothing because it had a blown engine and I found 3 cents in it to boot. Now that's a deal. LOL We owned a Datsun Maxima back in the 80s, but it was a diesel and I didn't like it. Gave me backache, and the only other foreign car we owned was a ྄ Opel. That was a good car and comfortable to drive. We always bought American.

a kid's point of view ...sm [2008-11-14]
I just had conversation with a fellow Sunday School teacher about what GIFTS would be good to give this kids this Christmas. At one point this gal asked her son (12 yrs. old) if he had any ideas what the kids would like to get. His response gee, mom, I thought Christmas was about GIVING, not getting. Out of the mouth of babes, right? !! Maybe it Bet your children are just glad to have a good mom !!

I can sympathize [2008-11-13]
If you honestly love him like you say, then maybe it is time for some forgiveness in your heart, just forget what has happened and move on or sit him down one on one and tell him to get it off your chest. My mom and dad divorced when I was one. I am almost 40 now. I won Once he had more kids, I was in the way. He was never there for me even as an adult. His wife (married again when I was 3) only wants to be involved in my life when she can stir up drama. I made the decision to finally cut them out of my life because it was beginning to affect me on a daily basis. I did confront both of them to a certain extent, not all that I wanted to say. But since his wife was stirring up drama with my 4 kids, momma bear came out and enough was enough. I still love my dad, but don't understand how he can be so blind about his wife. Being that your parents are still together, I think you need to either sit him down without your mom and tell him how you feel and maybe he will then understand why you have been so hurt. If you feel you can Just my 2 cents worth...I wish you the best of luck

What we do - [2008-11-13]
I have always had a plan, but I am very cautious about money and always have been. We do not spend beyond what my hubby makes, which fortunately is plenty to live on because MT sure does not pay me what it used to. I save all my checks and then as much of his as I can each month. Cut out ALL extras if you have not already and save, save, save every little bit you can. If your cars are killing you, can you sell them (and not take a bath on them!) and get something cheaper? Either you or hubby may want to get a holiday job for some extra cash and a store discount for a little shopping for gifts. Hope I offered some ideas. I do not know a single person who is not nervous about money right now to some degree. Hang in there! :-)

Thanks for your suggestions and kind words. [2008-11-12]
I am a very old fashioned person and generally speaking have the ideals that you speak of above. Making gifts, thinking outside of the box because it means more, putting aside the cost and really putting effort and thought into the gift - for any occasion. I know I have a short fuse right now with the hormones and it makes me not want to even try. Really my MIL is the only problem. Everyone else would love a thoughtful, homemade gift. I guess you sort of have to know her personality too. Generally speaking, she rubs me the wrong way but I try to just let things go. I just get tired of hearing the we are really going to cut back this year! when they said the same thing last year and it was a normal Christmas, then when I offer a suggestion she looks at me like I just cut someoneretired and bored. I did stand my ground this year though and tell my husband to deal with her on the Christmas morning doings. In the past Santa only comes to her house...so all the kids and grandkids have to cart their stuff over there to put under the tree and then wake up and drive over for presents in the morning. Screw that. In what fairy tale book did they read that Santa doesn't come to the house where the child sleeps?! Crazy how different families can be. Oh well, I'm getting off subject here but I thank you for your kind words and I'm going to try to change my attitude. I can only do what I can do. I suggested my homemade gift ideas to my husband and he then went through a catalog and picked out gifts. Granted they were $15-20 a piece but still. Every dollar counts these days. HI'm trying to look at it as one less thing I have to do or think about - I'm sure that's where he is coming from anyway. Men just think backwards sometimes.

You are so good to think ahead! [2008-11-12]
We bought a PS2 last year...what were we thinking...now of course our son wants a PS3 for xmas this year. Go figure. I hope to start a xmas fund for next year but I always say that and never get my rear in gear to do it. Xmas just gets more expensive as they get older. I have only bought a few small things so far but trying to look at catalogs and get some ideas and things done now. It is right around the corner! Good for you to be able to get a big gift out of the way so early. I bet that feels great! Who knows, maybe this will be a great xmas memory for you and your son. :)

I'm sorry [2008-11-08]
I didn't mean to make you feel like your opinion wasn't wanted or valid. Like you said, I believe the OP wanted both sides, just discussing an alternate view point and really looking for more info on your point of view. It's good to have info from people that have different ideas. Something like dosing is not something I have thought about and it completely makes sense. I believe as part of the vote it stated that growing it yourself, for medical reasons, would also be legal - unless I am remembering incorrectly and someone please feel free to correct me. That would bring a valid point of dosing and if you have family members whose to say they aren't going to take a little here and there without medical necessity. Overall I am basically just speaking from experience of watching a family member die of cancer and take all the meds possible without relief and often wondered if this would have been a viable option for their comfort. Had I known where to get it, I probably would have gotten it for them illegally - but I would have had no clue where to begin with such a search. Yes, that's a lot of emotion going in to a big decision but I think emotion is a big part of medical treatment too.

I love it too. We go a couple of times a month.. [2008-11-07]
spend about 500 bucks each time. Sometimes we come home with money, sometimes not, that the second time same thing, hit for 1500 bucks. I usually do pretty well, only play penny machines and have won as much as 800 bucks on one spin. We never spend more than 500 each. It's our vice and we enjoy it. We visit my family every year in Philly and for the 2 weeks we are there we usually gamble at least half the time. We save our money, take a couple of thousand with us for that purpose only and if we win great, if not, that's okay too.

Thank you! [2008-11-04]
Thank you for your thoughts and ideas. I agree with you. Unfortunately, I think the school adminstrater is part of the problem. She has gotten kicked out of several schools and let boys beat up a girl on the playground not too long ago. She sits by and does nothing or covers it up!

Yes. Sometimes I tell my best friend and maybe family [2008-11-03]
about the support that someone gave me, or just a laugh to two. They think it is good that there isa place where we can get ideas, share things, etc.

Cats throwing up - sm [2008-11-01]
Have 6 cats in the house, all on the same dry food. No matter which brand of dry food we use, the cats take turns throwing up their food usually just after eating it. Sometimes there will be a hairball within, but usually just the food. I put out 6 separate bowls as well as water. If anyone has had this problem and have any ideas to help with it, I would appreciate knowing. Thank you.

Fist anniversary confusion...sm [2008-10-31]
Me and my husband's 1st anniversary is coming up on December 15th. I want to do something special, i.e. mini-vacation, fancy dinner at home, dancing, etc. I can't decide on what we should do. Can any of you give me thoughts or ideas or even examples of what you did on your 1st anniversary? Any suggestions helpful and welcome!!! THANKS

And Thursday night is safer than Friday night - how? [2008-10-30]
We used to live in a town that was once in the Guiness Book of World Records for number of churches per capita (which by the way was the worst place I've ever lived - discourteous, Nazi schools, etc.), and they wouldn't let us trick or treat on Sundays. Ridiculous! People can say what they want but celebrating Halloween doesn't make you a devil worshiper! Just my 2 cents!

How about some ideas for a warm supper? [2008-10-28]
No snow yet, but howling winds and cold with a little bit of drizzle. Need some ideas to warm my little guys up when they get home from school. Not big fans of soup, though. Any other ideas?

I've never made dumplings before, [2008-10-28]
but that made me think of chicken and waffles. My kids love that dish. I looked up a few recipes for dumplings and maybe I Thanks for the ideas! I Yummy!!!

My thoughts sm [2008-10-27]
I have seen corsages made of baby ruffled baby socks, which is not practical for a baby boy. I have seen where people make a christening bonnet out of a lovely antique handkerchief without cutting it at all so it stays a handkerchief that is later carried on her wedding day. Again, not practical for a baby boy really. I like your ideas. I'll share mom's favorite baby shower party favor: Pacifiers made of a mint lifesaver, a Necco candy and a jelly bean. She held them together with stiff frosting and they took a couple of days to make with drying time. These were part of other favors she didn't make, like triangles of flannel made into a diaper shape, pinned and dipped in wax so they held their shape for nut cups and baby bottles without the nipples, but with a straw for drinks. It is a very 50s and 60s thing, but then that is when my mom and her friends were having babies. I'll be remembering the blanket wrapping idea. Thought of a gift certificate to like JCPenney's Pixie Pinups photography? That is different at least.