Quick note sm

Because Americans want a quick fix [2008-11-22]
>>I don't understand why people will take a med if its something that will run its course and your body will take care of. They don't want to suffer with ANYTHING - illness or otherwise. It's all about instant gratification. Fix me now, with the least amount of effort on my part. A pill for weightloss, a pill for depression - suck out my fat. How many people take drugs for diabetes or high blood pressure or cholesterol - when diet and exercise would fix the problem? I understand that not everyone with those problems can be fixed without medication - but many, many could be.

I just did a very quick google search and...sm [2008-11-02]
several people said scrubbing nail polish remover worked for them (not for others). Unfortunately, you seem to have quite a mess to deal with. IF it does work, maybe you could get the girl to come back and help clean it up? A good chance to teach the girl that inappropriate behaviors bring consequences, a lesson she does not seem to be learning from her parents. Good luck with that carpet.

Hmm, I have a quick answer to that one. [2008-08-16]
bn

Easy! I grew up on quick tomato sauces. [2008-08-08]
Itlight sauce without meat in a very large pan, but you can do it in a medium to large pot. I heat the pan over medium heat, I put several glugs of olive oil, probably a little less than a quarter cup. Toss in a clove of finely diced garlic (or more if you like), and about a half of a large onion finely diced. Saute for just a bit on medium heat to get everything softened and translucent, but not browned. Toss in tomatoes, either 4-6 cups of diced peeled and seeded fresh tomatoes, or one large can of crushed tomatoes. Add two or three leaves of chopped fresh basil, or about a tablespoon of dried basil. Let it all simmer for about 20 to 30 minutes (longer if using fresh tomatoes), and that's the very basic tomato sauce. I add salt to taste only at the end after it's reduced a bit. You can cook it longer if you like it thicker. I vary it based on what how I'm using it. I sometimes add mushrooms or peppers, or a little hot pepper flakes to spice it up. If I'm using it with meat, I also add a little wine. Occasionally, the tomatoes might be just a little on the acid side, and then I'll throw in a pinch or two of sugar to cut that. I don't use much sauce on my pasta or on meat, just a little bit to coat it and a bit more to top it to make it pretty. My grandmother and all of our Italian neighbors used these sauces pretty sparingly by American standards. I think in this country, we tend to really slather on the spaghetti sauce, so this recipe may not make as much as you want. If you want more, you can easily double or triple it.

Of further note... [2008-07-07]
My husband and I started going to counseling for us to have someone to talk to about the ex and get ideas on how to handle difficult situations with the child. We then slowly introduced the child after the counselor found out information and suggested it.

I would use a check and be sure to note [2008-05-13]
Saw this on Judge Judy 1 too many times where people didn Depending on the type of debt and whether you are mailing the check or dropping it off, I would ask for a receipt. If mailing it, send it certified (check with your post office) and you will get a return receipt for a dollar or 2.

Note my surprise... [2008-05-13]
I did not realize we knew each other so well. You seem to know my age, my mortgage amount, what kind of car I drive, the amount of my household income. You should really be in a different profession.

Please note sm [2008-05-08]
This is not the original poster.

Agree, but on a lighter, but actually maybe a more serious note... [2008-04-18]
I blame Ronald Reagan for taking down the solar panels Jimmy put up on the White House. Just think of what we could have accomplished all these years had they taken seriously the concerns of the 'environmental doomsdayers.' Actually I blame us...

Edgy posts are here, just have to be quick to read them as they [2008-04-08]
x

Note from an ex-smoker [2008-04-05]
I smoked for for 11 years. I quit 5/23/85 at midnight - cold turkey. IYou know whats more rude than telling someone they have a bad habit to their face, is to look into another person. Then if the friend said something to me about talking to his/her child that way, then I would have said my parents taught me to respect others privacy. Anyway...I knew when I smoked how bad it was for me. I knew that cigarettes caused cancer and all that crap, but it was my choice to smoke, just like it was my choice to quit (well actually I quit cos I was tired of arguing with my DH about my smoking). Honestly I do not like smoking at all. I am so against it because of many reasons. The main one being that when I am around someone who is smoking I just canit. Iholier than thou attitude) - which is why I am so against forming an opinion about anyone. Ispite because I refused to be forced to quit, but figured my marriage was worth more than the cigs (even though I smoked when we dated those whole 2 weeks). So good luck to you. Try and not let the butt-heads get to you. (get it- butt heads) HA HA HA. PS - On a sadder note my mom died 3 years ago from lung cancer. Oh it was so awful to watch what she went through, so I really do hope you'll feel the time is right sometime soon to try and stop when your ready. I did quit by eating lots of red liquish (don't know how to spell that - Twizzler licorice - yeah think that's it). I held it in my hands like I was holding a cigarette. I told my DH I was going to gain a lot of weight and he said he didn't care how fat I got he just wanted me to quit smoking. 22 years later I am glad I quit (but it was a struggle for a short period of time - took me a couple months to get through the cravings).

quick, someone! we need a new survey or [2008-03-25]
fill in the blanks list to have fun with !!! Anybody? I so bored.

Just a quick question, if "public school is a joke" [2008-03-11]
why are you allowing your daughter to attend one?

right; effective, quick, cheap method; have always believed this; always will [2008-02-09]
nm

End note!...sm [2008-02-07]
Perhaps I shoulda put in my firstpost that you seem to be rather mean-spirited. I heard it in your first post indicating that youThe second post was absolutely atrocious....(I am the grandaughter of...yada, yada, yada). Piffle and snot! Hayseedis very tender-hearted,has extraordinary witand humor,thinks before she speaks/posts, and works very hard. Please donEnd note. Cat http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pk7yqlTMvp8

Just another note [2008-01-30]
Iblasted for my thoughts and its nice that people respect other people. You did have some good opinions too. One thing I should have mentioned though is that I don't have kids and I think that plays such a bigger role for people who do, and it is easier for me to make my decisions about moving on with my life than it would be for someone else. Growing up it was the other way around. My mom cheated on my dad. My dad was a truckdriver, and yes he may have had women on the road but we never heard about it. My mom on the other hand we knew was having affairs (thereI want to make love to you). My mom also became pregnat by a sailor at the navy base when I was 3 years old and we ended up moving 2 states away where she had the baby and gave him up for adoption, unfortunately 3 months after she gave the baby up for adoption my little sister who was 16 months old died from meningitis. My dad ended up staying with my mom until my sister and I were old enough to understand why they were divorcing (which was 12 years later). We loved both my mom and dad equally. Mom's now in heaven with baby sister and grandparents etc. Anyway...what I'm trying to say is in my case I would have an easier time dealing with this type of situation (because of no kids). As for the hollyweird people I don't think any of them (or at least the majority of them) ever think when they get married it's going to be for life. They are just a different breed of people. Oh sure, they get on TV and say this is for life, but then 3 months later they turn around divorce and a week later marry someone else. I do think Brad & Jennifer were quite different than the usual crowd. I did feel bad for her when all that happened. In my case I am committed while I am in the marriage, but if anything did happen I wouldn't be devistated because I'm basically doing everything myself anyways, but having an affair is just not something my husband would ever do (just not in his nature), but I also just look at life a little differently and figure if anything ever happens I will be committed to making myself happy.

I forgot to add to the above note [2008-01-09]
My children, sibling and parents do not have a key to my house and we are all very very very close, and I don Why in the world would anyone want a key to someone elses home when they don I know...maybe I should give them all a key to my house and they drunk on the corner down the road too. Give me a break everyone....better yet give the person who originally posted a break (and some credit for knowing right from wrong).

Should be " a more serious note"- [2007-12-20]
x

Note for Siren (sm) [2007-12-18]
I saw your note below about how you are recovering from foot surgery and trying to lose weight. I lost weight about 5 years ago doing Oxycise when I had severe plantar fasciitis. I kept it off for over two years and then stopped Oxycising and gained back what i had lost and more, slowly over the last few years. I just recently started back on it and it is working like a charm. Anyway, it is 15 minutes a day of isometric and breathing exercises. The DVD is kinda nerdy looking and it doesn It is about $30 and it really does work. Back when I lost so much with using it I was practically their spokes person telling everyone I knew but then I slacked off! Anyway best wishes to you!

All this food had me wanting to share something quick for you for a spread. sm [2007-12-14]
A GREAT sandwich spread. I was at my local deli the other day and they were making ham and swiss sandwiches on whole grain with a sweet, perfectly tasting spread on it. I asked thelady behind the counter what that spread on the bread was and she said she just mixed honey mustard and mayo (equal amounts), stirred it up in a bowl, and spread it on the bread. I've been using that recipe all week. I immediately came home, made me a batch, stored it and now use it. My 5 year old son LOVES his sandwiches now. It's a different taste, a little sweet, and wonderful!

It might be Benny Parsons from doing a quick search. nm [2007-12-11]
s

Thanks for your note, here's more info...sm [2007-12-06]
She is doing well in school in some subjects and struggling in others as she has a couple of learning disabilities but has made great improvement with that so far this year. Itesting them and parents like we used to do when we were older. She doesn't make friends at school easily and that's something a counselor is working with her on, because she does things to really annoy other kids and make them not like her. We already did the drastic measure of taking everything out of her room and that really got to her for about a week, esp since she had to spend every moment she wasn't in school or in bed in her room during that time. She has only earned a few of her things back. Some days she does well and other days she's, like a brat trying to see how much she can get by with. We don't believe in spanking but when I was growing up, if we ever talked like that we'd have been knocked across a room! I told her tonight when she got mad at me and screamed in my face to STOP that if she kept this crap up she'd have a very miserably severely grounded life, and that my next measure would be to add to the grounding to her room no afternoon snack, which she loves, to see if that helps get her attention. She also knows that we're going to see Santa soon but we haven't told her the date for that and that if she's not behaving then we're going to make her tell Santa she hasn't been good....and she knows I'll make her do that.

Note that AquaDots has been recalled. I went into a KB Toys and found one on [2007-11-29]
they couldn I turned it in to the manager and asked him hadn't those been recalled and his eyes about popped out of his head and said that they had and thanks for catching it.

First off, don't be so quick to get meds. You just sound like a sm [2007-11-21]
disorganized person who finds it hard to concentrate. Itcrazy, which is worse than someone saying ADD. I don't think I'm crazy. Prayer and church is the one thing that helped me tremendously having never been to church growing up. Ifinding God. Hecraziness, disorganization, beating myself up for wandering when I should be working. I think the meds suppress the actual symptoms. I've had to deal with much deeper issues and insecurities in my life - always chasing things I shouldn't be chasing after. Anyways, the kids need me so I better run! I just don't like people telling you that you need meds. I've NEVER taken a medication for anything mental-related. Never. And I have never been happier and more accepting of my life - disorganized or not! The freedom it gives you to accept yourself the way you are is priceless!! it really is.

As a side note, when son was 3 WEEKS old, she asked if he could sleep over! (sm) [2007-11-20]
I was breastfeeding and he was a newborn and I said no! Husband was angry and so was she! He spent the night at about 5 months old. They gave me pictures of his visit - he had been sat up on a countertop in a garage with a concrete floor, about 3 feet up. He could not even sit up yet, yet someone had sat him there and backed up to take a picture. So I did have reservations about their safety.

Left untreated [2008-12-01]
If nothing else, you would need to see your doctor to get a note for your employer. You would have to stay out of work for at least, the very least, a full week and it should be more. With mono, plenty of rest and staying away from other people is essential.

These 10 things definitely ain't right: [2008-12-01]
1) MTSOs who want people with top-notch skills and experience, but don't want to pay them what that skill is worth. 2) HMO's: So-called *health-maintenance-organizations* --yet they spend every minute and every dime of their far-too-large profits on denying healthcare, meds and procedures to their patients. These organizations have ruined American healthcare, and many American lives. HMO's have been a con-game since their inception. 3) The Bailouts: Giving money to companies who can too bad for the rest of you.* Then the Big Three show up in DC to beg for a handout, and fly there in private Lear jets. My answer to them would be, *I too bad for the rest of you.* 4) Apartment managers that won't allow even a single quiet, well-behaved pet, but will rent to people with continually screaming small children, and out-of-control older children and teens. Give me the pets for neighbors, ANY day. 5) Businesses that give an age-discount to absolutely everything that walks, runs or flies, but not to the middle-aged middle-class, who need it the most. Take the ski-industry: Young children ski for next-to-nothing, and sometimes nothing. There is a Teen Discount. There is a Student Discount for college kids. There I'll probably never be old enough - it's a carrot-on-a-stick, always just out of reach.) There are even corporate (UGH) discounts. But for those in my age group, who barely make ends meet but like to go up once a year for a couple days of bliss, there is NOTHING. 6) Travel-lodging deals that are always based on double or quadruple occupancy. What about singles? NOTHING. 7) TV commercials that are about a million decibels louder than the regular shows. Why can't it all be the same volume? Same with online newscasts. THEIR commercials will blow your eardrums out if you aren't quick enough turning down the volume before they start. 8) Surround-sound: Everything is too loud, already! Why do we need it coming at us from 4 directions? Why do people living in tiny apartments feel they need it? I've lost count of how many fights I've had with neighbors over this issue. Same with movies and music concerts. Why do they feel we need to feel the music in our SPLEENS? I went to Universal Amphitheater last week. (Now named something else). There is actually a sign outside warning that the decibel level inside might damage your hearing! (?!?!?!) Why do they need this? (To avoid lawsuits, obviously). If it's so loud you have to post a warning sign outside the entrance, then DUH.... it's TOO LOUD! 9) Banks that charge you a fee to use their ATM. They (I haven't actually been INSIDE a bank in YEARS).... and they want to charge US for using the machines instead of the tellers? Forget it. I won't give those banks my business. 10) The Post Office: Talk about rewarding slow, inept performance! The worse their employees are, the longer they seem to stay there. I'd rather have a root canal than go to a P.O. during the holiday season.

Hanging out at your house is a good thing [2008-11-26]
as long as you are there. My house became the hang out house, and it was hard, especially when I was trying to get my work done. But I knew where they were and could step in and keep things under control when necessary. I donrule of 16 which meant my sons could not date until they were 16 years old. Boys don't really seem to fight this so much. My oldest didn't have a steady girlfriend until he was 18. My youngest was 17 when he first started dating. I also had problems with some of their friends being just plain rude. They'd swear, never say please or thank you, and just generally act like snotty brats at times. That wasn't a problem for me. I corrected them and taught them manners. I used humor, which again boys seem to respond to. Usually, when we had girls over who acted that way, the boys were quick to correct them, and I didn't have to step in myself. As far as going out, my boys did go out to hang at the local pizza parlor in mixed groups when they were 13. I never had a problem, but they were held to time limits. I think itYou know, I Good luck!

If the store is still open.... [2008-11-26]
If you have a big platter or can get a throw-away one, make a nice cheese and cracker platter and put a bowl of grapes in the middle, that way youScoops with salsa. Just happen to have them in your trunk. Hurry up, it's getting late, maybe the drug store is open or a 711.

Chocolate-Oatmeal-Peanut Butter Yum-Yums [2008-11-25]
Melt 1 stick butter. Add: 2 c. sugar 3 Tbsp. cocoa 1/2 c. milk Bring to a boil and then boil for 1 minute. 1/2 c. chunky peanut butter (I use creamy) 2 c. quick oats 1 tsp. vanilla Stir in peanut butter until melted. Stir in vanilla and quick oats. Drop by heaping teaspoons onto waxed paper and let sit until cool and then refrigerate.

My kids and I are chocoholics [2008-11-24]
and one of the recipes that we love and is really simple is the No-Bake Cookies. That's what we called them when I made them (all the time!) as a kid. Also called Refrigerator Cookies, and the recipe I use today, from a cookbook my Mamama gave me that her church put together, calls them Quick Fudge, I believe. I call them Chocolate-Oatmeal-Peanut Butter Yum-Yums. They are made with sugar, butter, and cocoa boiled, then add the peanut butter, quick oats, and vanilla, dropped on waxed paper and cooled, then chilled in the fridge. If you want to make them post here and I'll grab the recipe tomorrow to give the quantities. Also, I absolutely love Pine Bark, and it is very easy to make as well. Lots of recipes for that on-line. Have fun!

The slips were called petticoats, [2008-11-23]
and some girls wore more than one (extremists everywhere). They wore bobbie socks they could roll down (almost anklet), some wore flats and some in the 50's wore oxford loafers or just plain loafers. If you wore loafers, you had to put a coin in each shoe on the top. You would also note a lot of scarves worn rolled over into a band and tied with a knot on the back under the ponytail or the knot pulled to one side - and don't forget the bubblegum. The scarf should also have colors more or less from the skirt with a white cotton button down shirt, short sleeves. I was there, but too young for sock hops, could not wait, and then they did not have them anymore. Story of my life.

I like them..sm [2008-11-23]
I have no idea how to describe the taste. In my immediate family of 3 adults, I am the only one who likes them, though. A bonus:They grow really, really well in our garden. So glad you want to give them another try. Here is my roasted turnips technique: Note: All ingredients amounts are to taste. Also keep in mind that they shrink when roasted. Turnips, peeled and cut into wedges or cubes slightly bigger than bite size. Salt. Pepper. Rosemary, dry or fresh, chopped. Garlic cloves (or garlic/onion powder)Olive oil to coat turnips. Butter, either melted and mixed with the olive oil, or pieces on top prior to baking. Total roasting time is 45 to 50 mins. Preheat oven to 375. Mix everything except the garlic together. Roast 15 mins. Stir and add garlic cloves. Roast another 15 mins. Raise heat to 425 and roast until browning (15-20 mins).

Does anybody live near Trenton, NJ? If so a hospital position 40 hr week is available...sm [2008-11-22]
This requires a quick response on your part, because there are two positions open and I don The ft position is hospital transcription, hourly wage, all bennies and PTO and holidays. The other position is team leader for the MT department, directing work flow and working with staff. People are now interviewing, but wanted to give a chance. email me if you want to, because I will not name this on post. Thanks

hide it and give them a pirates' map or [2008-11-20]
give them a note in a stocking (or whatever) with a riddle sending them somewhere else where they would find another note and riddle sending them yet another place, and so on, and so....until they finally get the gift card! then you could put the card in a really funny place like the frig.

My husband is oblivious to our finances [2008-11-20]
Sometimes that It sounds like maybe your husband is too proud to tell his family that he can I I would suggest talking to the leader of his family, the person who hosts the get-togethers, and let them know that you do the finances and you just don It doesn I would certainly let your husband know that you are going to say something beforehand, but he doesn I For birthdays, we take the time to call and wish that person a happy birthday. We don My brother lives about 2 hours away, so we don Unless his family is loaded, I'm sure they'll understand. As for the glasses, I just took my son for new glasses yesterday. The eye doctor said he needs a new prescription, but I asked if just the lenses could be replaced and the frames reused. He said absolutely. Our insurance covers new frames, lenses and the exam, but my son has a tendency to break things at the most inopportune time. We just bought him these glasses in June because he broke them and according to the insurance, it wasn Now that he is eligible for everything new, we asked for just the lenses. If he breaks his frames later in the year, we can just get new frames (covered by insurance) and pop the lenses in. The only problem there would be is they discontinue his frames because the new lenses probably wouldn So, something to consider here is, if your stepchild needs a new prescription and already has glasses, then I would check with your lawyer to see if you can just buy new lenses for the current frames. The frames are what normally cost the most anyway.

chicken soup [2008-11-18]
Good olJewish penicillin - chicken soup. Use leftover chicken or steamed chicken thighs or breasts if no leftovers are available. Use Swansons natural chicken broth (nosodium) but can use bullion, but it contains a lot of sodium. Use about a quart or moreof natural chicken broth. I like to usebaby carrots whole,but can certainly usesliced carrots. Season with lots ofminced garlic and a little dill weed (maybea teaspoon).I slice in a couple of things ofcelery or sliced celeryhearts with leaves. I sometimes add noodles, or rice, sometimes I use a package of frozen mixed vegetables which are really terrific, depending on what I have available and what type of soupmy family wants.Add some white pepper, not black pepper. Simmer until carrots and celeryare soft. If using pasta or rice, add that last, otherwise it soaks up too much broth and gets soggy. My family would eat this even if they were sick and nothing else appealed to them, that is why I call it Jewish penicillin. This is a Jewish mama Enjoy - it is so simple and so delicious not to mention nutritious and healthy. Note: Never let your chicken leftovers go to waste - make a pot of chicken soup!

chicken soup [2008-11-18]
Good olJewish penicillin - chicken soup. Use leftover chicken or steamed chicken thighs or breasts if no leftovers are available. Use Swansons natural chicken broth (nosodium) but can use bullion, but it contains a lot of sodium. Use about a quart or moreof natural chicken broth. I like to usebaby carrots whole,but can certainly usesliced carrots. Season with lots ofminced garlic and a little dill weed (maybea teaspoon).I slice in a couple of things ofcelery or sliced celeryhearts with leaves. I sometimes add noodles, or rice, sometimes I use a package of frozen mixed vegetables which are really terrific, depending on what I have available and what type of soupmy family wants.Add some white pepper, not black pepper. Simmer until carrots and celeryare soft. If using pasta or rice, add that last, otherwise it soaks up too much broth and gets soggy. My family would eat this even if they were sick and nothing else appealed to them, that is why I call it Jewish penicillin. This is a Jewish mama Enjoy - it is so simple and so delicious not to mention nutritious and healthy. Note: Never let your chicken leftovers go to waste - make a pot of chicken soup!

I can't imagine affording all those meals out, but I have some suggestions sm [2008-11-18]
I usually cook from scratch. My idea of fast food is a can of lentil soup, and I have that about once a month, occasionally twice. I make crockpot soups a lot because I am busy. I will tell you, there is a place that is sort of between a restaurant meal and home cooking. I used to have kids at home, lots of them, and I would get too tired to cook. My answer was to hybrid the dinner, so to speak. You can get Stouffer's lasagne which is good. You can pickup some ready-made stuff in your grocery store deli or freezer case. We liked the frozen Banquet chicken back in the day. I might get that, a box of flavored instant potatoes, potato salad or ready-made mashed to go with it. We might get a bag of salad too. Fresh fruit cups were nice if they were on special. You know, make a nice meal you don't have to 100% cook, but isn't going out. These days, I see that you can get beef tips in gravy, or sliced beef in gravy and other prepared stuff at the store. It just takes looking. It is more expensive than doing it all yourself, but it is much cheaper than going out. You can try another thing that is NOT everyone's cup of tea, and that is OAMC or Once A Month Cooking. This is my favorite website: http://snider.mardox.com/plans.htm I donmini plans using what is on special in a given week. They have breakfast plans, muffin plans, potato plans, chicken, beef, pork plans, ground meat plans, even some dessert plans. With planning, you can do this in bits and pieces. From people who have done far more of this than I have, they tell me that with soup already made, no chopping or messing, they are more likely to make fresh rolls, salad and even a quick dessert...round out any meal because the work is done. Obviously, it saves money.

we almost never eat out. re not wanting to cook, [2008-11-18]
when i just don't feel like or don't have time to cook, we have something quick, ie soup or sandwich or breakfast, ie eggs or waffles.

Bakes potato soup [2008-11-17]
I like to make baked potato soup. Bake 3 large potatoes or 4-5 small ones. Cut them in half, cool slightly, then scoop out the middle. While they are baking I takes some time to heat up some chicken stock with a bay leaf, garlic, black pepper, a little time. Sometimes I use boulion (sp?) if I donbake the potatoes in the microwave if you want). I find that kids love it if you call it cheese and bacon soup. lol Usually for the bacon, I don't cook a new package but instead when I cook bacon for breakfast, etc. I save 2 or 3 pieces in the freezer each time. Then when I want some for soup, green beans, or salads it is available.

Did you check eBay? [2008-11-16]
That's the first place I check when I'm looking for something like that. I also just did a quick search on Amazon and they have American Girl things, too.

I do pity you...sm [2008-11-13]
It sucks when you have a parent who has chosen to put other things/people before their children. I donjob and not coming home to see his family for long periods of time. So you kind of feel like why should I feel guilty when he didn't? It is up to you if you want to see him more than the holidays and b-days. My dad has chosen another family over his family. I am 31 years old and my parents divorced this year because my dad was running around. Well according to bank statements he is paying not only the woman's bills but is paying her daughter's car note and her son's electric bill, etc. Anything they want they got it. This woman's kids are in their 20s. I have to work to pay my car note and I am his own daughter. Which I realize it isn't his place anyways. But it is the principal. He has NEVER payed anything for me and I mean NOTHING. He has never given me money at all. My mom has helped me when I needed it but not him. But yet he can give them anything. He doesn't know I have seen those bank statements so he doesn't know what I know. It kind of makes it hard to want to be around him when I know what he does for them and has never done for me or my sister. I kind of know where you are coming from in that I don't specifically care to be around my dad either and sometimes I feel guilty about it. But then again does he feel guilty for what he is doing? Apparently not.

My best one was the Christmas I [2008-11-12]
After everything was open and my brothers and I were so excited to be playing, my Mom asked me to get something from the kitchen. Of course it was dark because we There it was my Barbie Dreamhouse in the kitchen! I loved that Christmas and it got lots of play... Fav foods are cookies, cookies, and more cookies that my sister-in-law makes. I have an aunt that makes Walnut cookies to die for! Every year she On a lighter note, I love seeing our kids opening their stuff! It brings back great memories!

FYI [2008-11-11]
This information comes from the Mensa International web site: Mensa was founded in England in 1946 by Roland Berrill, a barrister, and Dr. Lance Ware, a scientist and lawyer. They had the idea of forming a society for bright people, the only qualification for membership of which was a high IQ. The original aims were, as they are today, to create a society that is non-political and free from all racial or religious distinctions. The society welcomes people from every walk of life whose IQ is in the top 2% of the population, with the objective of enjoying each other's company and participating in a wide range of social and cultural activities. Mensans range in age from 4 to 94, but most are between 20 and 60. In education they range from preschoolers to high school dropouts to people with multiple doctorates. There are Mensans on welfare and Mensans who are millionaires. As far as occupations, the range is staggering. Mensa has professors and truck drivers, scientists and firefighters, computer programmers and farmers, artists, military people, musicians, laborers, police officers, glassblowers--the diverse list goes on and on. There are famous Mensans and prize-winning Mensans, but there are many whose names you wouldn't know. The term IQ score is widely used but poorly defined. There are a large number of tests with different scales. The result on one test of 132 can be the same as a score 148 on another test. Some intelligence tests don't use IQ scores at all. Mensa has set a percentile as cutoff to avoid this confusion. Candidates for membership in Mensa must achieve a score at or above the 98th percentile on a standard test of intelligence (a score that is greater than or equal to that achieved by 98 percent of the general population taking the test). As this list suggests, Mensa is a remarkably diverse organization. While Some Mensans noted here are well known, many others lead interesting lives out of the public eye. Geena Davis: Academy-award winning actress, who has starred in The Long Kiss Goodnight, A League of Their Own, Thelma and Louise and Hero. Donald Petersen: A former chairman of Ford Motor Company. While at Ford, Petersen was involved in the development of two of Ford's most successful cars--the Mustang and the Maverick. Marilyn Vos Savant: Listed in the Guinness Hall of Fame for having the worldAsk Marilyn!, a weekly column in Parade magazine. Bobby Czyz: A former two-time World Boxing Association (WBA) Cruiserweight Champion. Czyz now commentates on many nationally-broadcasted fights. Dr. Julie Peterson: A former Playboy Playmate, Peterson is a graduate of Life School of Chiropractic. Alan Rachins: Portrays DharmaDharma Greg. Rachins, who left the Wharton School of Finance to pursue an acting career, also portrayed Douglas Brachman on the hit TV series, L.A. Law. Adrian Cronauer: Radio personality, lawyer and subject for the movie Good Morning Vietnam. Terance Black: Screenwriter of HBOTales from the Crypt, syndicated series Dark Justice and the feature film Dead Heat. Barry Nolan: Co-anchor of TVHard Copy. Deborah Yates: Member of the world-famous Radio City Rockettes. Bob Speca, Jr.: Professional domino toppler. Speca travels internationally doing domino shows and has appeared on TV programs and commercials. John N. Moore: University of Virginia law professor who specializes in international law. Moore was hired by the U.S. ambassador to Kuwait to help the emirate recover damages inflicted during the August 2, 1990 invasion. Jean Auel: Best-selling author of Clan of the Cave Bear, Valley of Horses, and Plains of Passage. Linda Warwick: Creator and producer of the billboard mega-hit childrensBabymugs!, and the Toddler TOGS series--the fantasy video for highly creative tots. Maurice Kanbar: Inventor and owner of Skyy Vodka. Henry Milligan: A boxer and scholar, Milligan was the 1983 National Amateur Heavyweight champion. Patricia P. Jennings: Pianist with the Pittsburgh Symphony. She is the symphony's first black member and has performed internationally. Richard Lederer: A master of the pun. Lederer has written dozens of books on word play and is a frequent guest on National Public Radio. Judge Ellen Morphonios: Nicknamed Maximum Morphonios for her strict rulings in Florida. Morphonios is a former model and beauty queen who passed a Florida exam that allowed her to enter law school without an undergraduate degree. Richard Bolles: Author of What Color is Your Parachute? which at one point had been on The New York Times Best-seller List for 228 weeks. Velma Jeremiah: A retired attorney who graduated fourth in her law school class at the age of 47. She is a former chairwoman of Mensa International. Dr. Abbie F. Salny: Author of the Mensa Quiz-a-Day books and calendars. Dr. Salny is a retired college professor and expert in intelligence who has served as Mensa's supervising psychologist. Note: most of the members listed are members of American Mensa.

Hmm, [2008-11-10]
that's an interesting suggestion. That's why I love this board. So many creative and quick thinking people. Yes, I think its more difficult on the adults. I just have this fear of making a mistake and bursting the bubble, although like I said this is a very reliable source and he is at an old enough age that I'm pretty sure he doesn't believe any more - just doesn't want or know how to fess up. Thanks for your idea!

wish I had the answers [2008-11-09]
I really wish I had all the answers to everything, don't we all? I don't know why pitbulls are the most talked about and abused breed. And yea there are alot of criminals that use the dogs to fight in order to get them some quick money, it's sad it really is, and yet the dogs suffer for it. And you know with the pitbulls it is almost like a race issue to me. It is no secret that the jail cells have more blacks than whites, so does that men all black people commit crimes then??? no it doesn't. Like I said before I always look at the bigger picture. I hate dog attacks happen I really do, I wish we knew why in every single case, but we don't and it's very sad.

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?

Well, 3, but I would just [2008-10-30]
run to the store real quick

Yep, I'm currently a member of WW [2008-10-29]
I joined Weight Watchers back in early September and am down a bit over 13 pounds right now. Itquick fix program by any means, but itdiet. Best of luck to you, and I just know the scale will start moving for you! :)