Salvation Army.......

Good place to shop is Salvation Army Superstore. sm [2008-10-21]
Don't dump on me please. The store gets extra clothes from big department stores. It's better if you're a small size, but they have stuff for larger sizes too. I got INC Incorporated embroidered tunic and Eileen Fisher sweater for $10 each, plus 2 pairs of work pants at $4 each.

Have you tried your local Salvation Army, United Way, or places like that? sm [2008-10-15]
The town where I live has a place called Mell Trotter Ministries. You can donate your vehicles and then the people to live and work at Mel Trotter fix up the cars and are learining a trade at the same time. They then sell the cars to the public. The money they make on the cars goes back into the organization. Also our United Way has something called 2-1-1. You just call 211 and tell the person you talk to what you are looking for or need and they can steer you in the right direction. Good luck to the family you are trying to help.

When I was in the Army [2008-08-08]
I signed a contract stating I had arrangements for my children if I was deployed. The attitude was if the Army wanted me to have a baby they would issue me a baby. Rules have changed since Iraq. Mom should speak to the 1st Sgt and find out what options she has.

x-army here [2008-08-05]
She could take leave, usually they earn up to 30 days. she could take a hardship reassignment. She doesnt have to go with her baby sick like this. There are ways to get around that. Maybe she wants to go.

army [2008-08-05]
I don I was in the army and given the circumstances, a soldier would have a say so. There ARE options in cases such as this one.

Army [2008-08-05]
I know about the Army also, as I worked on an Army base and their rules are much more lax. I also know that it depends on where you are stationed, who you work for, etc. etc. As I have said, IT IS ALL UP TO YOUR SUPERIORS! They have the option of denying your request, just because it looks like the sun isn't shining today, if they want to! And I have seen people get burned and turned down for things that most of us (people with feelings!) would seem a no-brainer! So no, it is NOT the soldier's option! They can request anything they like, doesn't mean it will automatically be approved!

Burn Notice, Army Wives, Closer, Saving Grace [2008-07-25]
ss

Salvation Army? [2008-05-06]
I'm not certain on this so you may want to do a little more investigating but I think the Salvation Army.......nsored by or maybe just has a large volunteer population from the military. if i remember correctly they are the ones who do the Toys for Tots too.

Salvation Army, etc. [2007-12-15]
I give to Salvation Army.......time I walk in a store. In fact, I quit shopping at Target years ago because they wouldn crap--well not for the unbornbaby!) Anyway, I make a point to go where the good people who give back are ringing those bells. All growing up we gave to SA, too. I know Catholic Charities is a biggie, too. My ma-in-law is big into that one. Hopefully you Good luck to you, my dear. PS: This is what I prefer to see on these boards instead of the bickering and picking over silly stuff. This is what we should all be concentrating on--those who really need us to be here for them. This msg and the one from the lady who found out her husband has been cheating on her speaks volumes as to the kind of humans who are really behing these messages. We have a wonderful, caringgroup of people here!

We always clean out our closets for Salvation [2007-12-03]
Army, and donate to the Toys for Tots. We also just gave a bunch of good furniture to hospice, and I always do their tree ornament angel thing as I've had hospice for my mom and dad and am ever so grateful for that help.

Salvation Army....... [2007-11-18]
If they go to just one agency, such as St. Vincent DE Paul or Salvation Army.......imes they can refer them to other agencies that provide help. In the area I live in, the churches have funds available to help people pay utility bills and such. We also have a Catholic college that assists people with food, clothing and toys for the kids. There also is Catholic Social Services, not sure if they have them in FL or not. Hope that helps. Prayers to the family that they find the assistance they need.

My 19-year-old daughter wants to join the Army. I'm very scared at the thought. Any advice out th [2007-08-30]
Before the Iraq war, I would have been more excited that she wanted to do something positive with her life for a change, but this thought is scary as we know people that have lost their children in the war. I know in some ways this could turn her life around and be what she needs as she is very immature and is going down the wrong road, but are there other alternatives. A lot of people tell us it's still a good time for kids. Any thoughts out there?

Army does not always equal [2007-08-30]
Though I completely understand where you Hear her out about the complete plan of what she wants to do. She could go as non-combat, right? Be proud of her for making such a mature decision.

Why the Army? She'd be much safer in Navy [2007-08-30]
My husband just completed his tour of duty in May with the Navy and never went anywhere near Iraq. The only places he went where Key West, Guam, Hawaii, and Nevada. My sister was also in the Navy and got out almost 2 years ago. She never went to the Middle East or anywhere dangerous either. I know the Navy has been overstaffed recently though, but they can always use people in healthcare and may let her join that way.

Salvation Army, Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity [2007-08-21]
All have trucks that will pick up household items, at least in our area. They should be listed in the phone book. You can call them and see when they will be in your area.

If her salvation is in question... [2007-03-27]
...then that would be because of a capricious, arbitrary and cruel God that only a human could dream up. That God would possess no true God-like qualities if a person is condemned eternally because of not following some rules that are human interpretations of the word of God. Sigh. I believe goodness in this life will be rewarded if there is an afterlife, whether Buddhist, agnostic, Christian whatever. Different religions suit different cultures....but it

Concerning her salvation..sm [2007-03-26]
Think about theoccasions in her life when she undoubtedly was influenced by other Christians. She may have made that decision late in her life and that is what you need to focus on.

I'm in Florida and spend about $175/wk for 5 sm [2008-11-18]
I5 and 158 lbs,eats more than my husband, who is 6 and 345 lbs. FIL had to have a feeding tube put in last July, and I had to cut down meals by half because we were having so many leftovers and wasting money. Just when I thought I had it figured out, he was able to get the tube removed, so II donwe (FIL and I) will just eat a sandwich or leftovers from the fridge As far as special foods, we dona recipe, and for a while we were buying meat ata butcher shop but have had to cut that out for now. It was really good but was close to DH's work, and if he couldn't pick it up while he was in the area, it was a 45-minute drive. I cook most things from scratch, except lasagna because I hate making it. Once a month, we have a luncheon at church that I bring a dish and a dessert, and I cook Wednesday night dinner there one night per month, but I get reimbursed for the Wednesday night dinner. I do include paper products and toiletries in with my grocery budget but that's it, and I usually go to Sam's once a month for those. I have it easy compared to my parents though. My dad got paid once a month, and there were 4 kids at home all the time, 5 when my sister came up during the summer. They used to have 3 grocery carts slap full of food, and my mom figured out that it took something like 18 boxes of cereal to last a month, each one with a date marked on it so we didnWe also hada freezer to keep extra bread and other things, and my mom also used to mix in powdered milk when the gallon was half-way gone. I never knew until I was grown, so she definitely blended it well.

I'm in Delaware... [2008-11-18]
but I go usually twice a week. I don I like to buy it, cook it, and move it out, so I can go back and buy fresh. I have 3 grocery stores right within 5 miles to choose from and just got a Super WalMart, but prefer the smaller grocery stores. But, if I bring DH, we spend more. He likes to try different marinades and spices that can get costly, but we do use them. I tend to be more frugal than my DH. But, then again, that's just me. Oh, we have two school-aged children that eat plenty of anything you put in front of them. So, not much goes to waste. I was taught to cook enough to feed an Army so we usually have plenty of leftovers that I can also fool with for another meal, i.e., leftover meatloaf becomes meat for spaghetti sauce. Mashed potatoes become fried potatoe pancakes in the pan for a great side dish. I also by those Pillsbury french loafs in the can and make my own strombolis out of leftover taco meat or even just lunch meat. My Mom taught me a lot about making food serve multiple purposes. We eat out very rarely although there is plenty to choose from, but it I guess I'm lucky there..

I'm a dog lover, and most dogs love me. - sm [2008-11-10]
I can be walking down the street, simply make eye contact with one and smile without saying a word, and the dog will usually rush up to me, wagging his tail like crazy and acting all silly and lovey-dovey. In the past, some of the absolute sweetest dogs I'd ever known were pits & rotties. But that was in the ྌs, before the big 'gangsta-dog' thing became popular. Then people started breeding these dogs more for a surly attitude than for good temperament, and it seems to be a dominant trait that's getting passed forward, even when unintended. So fast-forard to 2 weeks ago. I was out walking in my neighborhood, and was coming up a long flight of sidewalk stairs that go up the steep hill I live on. Halfway up, I saw a big brown pit bull standing there looking at me. I had seen him running loose on my street earlier in the day, and wondered whose he was, but then forgot about him. He had an aggressive body-language that I didn't like. But I'm not afraid of dogs, and continuned on up the steps, and talked to him nicely as I reached the top. But then the dog totally went off, and began barking, growling, and making charges at me. I knew to stand my ground, and first tried sweet-talking him. Didn't work. If I tried to slowly move away from him in any direction, he'd come around and try to come in at me from behind. There wasn't a soul around. I tried scaring him off, but that only exacerbated the problem, so I decided to just stand there and let him do his thing. 20 minutes later, he was just as aggressive as ever, maybe worse, because his charges were coming closer and closer. The only 'weapon' in my possession was a single can of cat food in a plastic bag, that I'd walked down the hill to the market to buy. Considered whacking him with it, but didn't want to be in that close to him. Turns out the owners were in an apartment right across the street. A couple finally came out and called off the dog, stating Oh, we didn (I doubt that - the dog had been out all afternoon.) Anyway, I told them I'd call the sheriff and/or animal control if I ever saw him out again. When I got home, I called animal control anyway, and filed a formal complaint, so that if he bit anyone in the future, there would already be a complaint against him, and he likely would not be released from the shelter. Animal control said they'd follow up with the owner, which hopefully they did. In the meantime, I did 2 things: I programmed the sheriff's phone numberinto my cellphone, which I now slip into my pocket whenever I go out for a walk. Good thing to do, anyway. The other thing is I went to Army-Navy Surplus, and bought a cannister of professional-grade pepper spray. Not the wimpy, .02% 'dog-repellent'. I doubt that would stop a pitbull. I got the 15% stuff that will bring a 200-pound, raging crack-addict to his knees and keep him there for more than an hour. That goes into my pocket, as well. Now I can walk & bike with peace of mind. Meanwhile, those pitbull owners should consider themselves very lucky that their dog went after someone who knows dogs, is not afraid, and didn't RUN. If a timid woman, or worse, a child, had come up those steps that afternoon, the resulting attack might have made the 6 o'clock news that night. There are probably still some gentle pits left out there, but I think their numbers are declining because of the current fashion statement of being a 'big bad gangsta, with my big, bad gansta-dog'. They want their dogs to intimidate people, and then they wonder why they can't rent an apartment or get homeowners insurance to cover dog bites. In some cities you have to post a $30,000 bond in order to keep one. It's little wonder that unwanted pits and pit-mixes are clogging up our animal shelters. I feel sorry for the animals, but if I were adopting, I wouldn't want the financial liability of owning one.

My best way to save -- my mom and I share [2008-10-21]
the club card for our local grocery store (we only have 1 in our little town). We accumulate the points together and usually qualify for the higher percentage off when it Then we pick a day we can go together and ring our order up together. Of course we use our coupons, too. We just went 2 weeks ago and qualified for 15% off our total bill. Before coupons/discounts, our total grocery bill was $550 but after our discounts, it was only $283. We saved almost $200 ---- unbelievable but true. Before dining out, I check the website of the restaurant we They usually offer a free appetizer and that helps to fill us up so we can order smaller meals. We have 3 kids and my 2 younger kids share a kids I also like to order water -- that always cuts about $5 off the bill. Remember -- if you donate clothes to Good Will/Salvation Army.......9s a deductible dontation, so keep track.

my sin. here we go.. is there enough room? [2008-10-16]
I lie, I covet, I am jealous, I sometimes swear when I am alone, I have stolen when I was younger, I have anger and lash out, I am moody, I am materialistic, I feel hatred sometimes, I have used God I am a sinner. But thankfully for me, what separates me from my sin is Jesus and his death. Since I took his gift of salvation, I am free of my sin. I can be forgiven, it doesnt all stay on top of me. I will be sinless when I stand before God. So everyone sins and telling someone they have sinned is not being judgmental because you are also a sinner. Being judgmental would be pointing out someone As Christians we are supposed to tell others about God and what he expects, his love, his rules and all of that. You dont just preach a message of love and tolerance or you are only giving half the story. There is no accountability in that.

"One project done thread" [2008-10-10]
What projects do you need to get done? I have quite a bit of scrapbooking and organizing photos to get on. I've gotten all my coupons in my organizer. I just need to go back through them and organize the dates a bit better. I have taken tons of things to the Salvation Army.......ear....Cleaned out closets, drawers and so on. I need to clean out and reorganize my kitchen cabinets. It wouldn't hurt me to organize my recipes a bit better too!

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.......lt 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

this is fun! [2008-10-03]
1. I really wanted to go into the Army after graduation (went to college instead) 2. I used to play tenor saxaphone (loved it in high school) got 8 blue medals for that 3. While growing up and in my teens, I was in love with my next door neighbor, and still think of him today after 20 somethings years have passed.

About me [2008-10-03]
1. I am a pagan. 2. I was in the Army. 3. When I was younger I wanted to have 8 children when I was old enough (I never was able to have a child in adult life and now I have no use for them).

don't take this the wrong way, but... [2008-08-21]
What makes you think that just because they are fighting for our freedom that they are any less stupid than the average Joe 18-year-old? I was an army wife for quite a few years and believe me, 18-year-olds military personelare defninitely not smarter or more mature than any other 18-year-old civilian. And whether or not they lower the legal drinking age to 18 ot keep it at 21, a good majority of 18-year-olds will be drinking anyway, military or civilian. Personally I think the only alcohol should be used for cooking only, not drinking. JMO

When I was in the Army [2008-08-08]
I signed a contract stating I had arrangements for my children if I was deployed. The attitude was if the Army wanted me to have a baby they would issue me a baby. Rules have changed since Iraq. Mom should speak to the 1st Sgt and find out what options she has.

I understand Clomid works [2008-08-08]
For a lot of people it does work. I, unfortunately, was one of the unlucky ones. 20+ years ago while being a young Army wife my DH and I tried everything to have a baby. I was seeing a german doc who was one of the best fertility specialists in our area of Germany. Ibaby making meds and counseled to be prepared for at least triplets. DH was on medication to increase sperm count. I took special mud baths each month, used the basal temperature method, and we also constructed what looked like a jungle gym that I would hang on upside in the bedroom after we had sex. After returning to the states I had all the procedures done to make sure my tubes and ovaries were okay, and I was on Clomid. My OB doc even had it timed down to what day each month was the best for getting pregnant and the day before she would prepare me for the next days adventures. She was also one of the best docs in the area for fertility. Here it is 26 years later and I never did get pregnant. My sis also was never able to get pregnant, so we believe it was probably something hereditary. She adopted and 19 years later after hearing her trials and tribulations of life with her child I realize now that not having children was the best choice for me. Incidently, 8 years ago I did become pregnant but it was ectopic and I had an ovary and tube removed. My advise is if you really want kids don't give up. Do everything you can think of - even if it means constructing a jungle gym in your bedroom - can be lots of fun - :-). It's usually the craziest things that will work. I did have a friend I worked with for some time and she wanted a child so bad she did everything and for years nothing worked. When she finally relaxed and told me if it works it works and if it doesn't it doesn't - two months later she became pregnant. I wish you the best of luck. I know how disappointing it can be. I spent every month for 20 years in tears so know how heart breaking it can be.

Sorry, I don't mean to make light of the [2008-08-06]
situation from the OP. However, people are going crazy over this and the individual being discussed is not even a part of this conversation. For all anyone knows, this had been handled and the dictator did not mention it in his dictation or has been handled since, so why are so many in an uproar???? I am not in the military, but my nephew is in the Army, and in his unit each situation is handed on an individual basis--there is not a blanket protocol for things of this nature.

army [2008-08-05]
I don I was in the army and given the circumstances, a soldier would have a say so. There ARE options in cases such as this one.

Army [2008-08-05]
I know about the Army also, as I worked on an Army base and their rules are much more lax. I also know that it depends on where you are stationed, who you work for, etc. etc. As I have said, IT IS ALL UP TO YOUR SUPERIORS! They have the option of denying your request, just because it looks like the sun isn't shining today, if they want to! And I have seen people get burned and turned down for things that most of us (people with feelings!) would seem a no-brainer! So no, it is NOT the soldier's option! They can request anything they like, doesn't mean it will automatically be approved!

my experience [2008-08-05]
As I stated above, I was in the Army for quite a few years. I had soldiers under me who would have issues now and then. I knew the routes to go and the ropes so to speak of how to get them what they needed. I am sorry but you are not totally correct. Working on an Army base as a civilian is most assuredly not the same thing as being in the Army.

As I STATED above [2008-08-05]
I was NOT a civilian, I was a Marine working on an Army base! And, as I stated above, the Army is MUCH more lax than the Marines! The Army promotes people to Sgt in 3 to 4 years! Just one example of the many differences between the 2! And even still, it does matter who you work for, who the IG is, etc.

AWOL....not the best choice but...it works [2008-08-05]
My youngest child decided that she wanted to enlist in the Army to help take care of me, her younger brother and my ailing mom. Well, she would call home and mom not tell her exactly how bad things had gotten for us: my sisters and brothers had basically stopped helping me take care of my bedbound mom who I was forced to take care of alone. Now, I love my mom but she had a couple of conditions that were sure not going to get any better and I had a 2 year old at home and blessed with the opportunity to work from home. While on one of her visits, she accompanied us to the oncologist, and it was a really bad visit. I eventually persuaded her to go back and she started trying to get out due to the family hardship and was turned down. I tried to be strong during this difficult time but my 2 other daughters were forced to move back home to help me with mom because we could not put her in a NH. Well, needless to say, she came home on a pass and did not go back....Well approximately 4 months later she received paperwork that she would receive a hardship discharge due to the family problems. We regret it, but mentally it has strengthened us alot. The mother may have filed for a discharge due to medical problems and that was not noted in the report....All avenues are not the best ones, but there are ways to make things happen for you. Oh, I regret the route that she took, but I was glad to have her home with me.

punk neighbor kid [2008-08-03]
Awhile back I wrote that I wish there was a draft and the neighbor Got lots of messages telling me bout the terrors of other neighborhood kids. Just thought I This kid is 14 years old (is about as big as a full grown overweight adult) and his attitude is getting worse and worse. Seems like his parents don He calls his little brother the B word (usually what we refer to other women as), hehomee and home boy, uses the f word in about every sentence that comes out of his mouth. The other day was about the final point for me. He was usinghedge trimmers todo whatever he was doing. Well the thing wasnevery swear word imaginable in a single sentence. The lady two housesacross from mein the back yard yelled out to him - Hey watch your language. She was coughing and sounded sick and Ishe didn His reply to her was Shut the f up or I. I don All I could think of was where are his parents. They were there about 5 minutes before that. He also has a couple freinds of another color and when they are in the back yard with him he feels the need to do a whole routine like what you see in the movies. Well yesterday we happened to catch a movie on TV (by accident - it was on and we couldnNot sure if any of you have seen it but it is exactly the way the kid next door acts and talks. They call each other the B word (still didn I told my DH I have a good mind to go talk to his mother but that wouldnif I did I wouldn His parents talk to him like nothing If word talking to their kids). But the kids parentname (I won But when he asked why she called him that shestated because you don. They are constantly yelling at him. The other day he told his parents he wanted his room to remain completely dark and they said to him like your heart. Kind of creeped me out. Anyway...we have been planning to move for quite some time, but this was the breaking point to speed up our search. I believe hehead to the hills and to really search out what kind of neighbors in different area. We also get a lot of kids playing the base on their car radios so loud the stuff inside our house vibrates. Told my DH today where can we go live in peace and quiet without having to move to a 55+ park. I I wrote before I wished theymilitary school with a uniform and drill sergeants keeping an eye on him 24 hours a day teaching him respect. Being in the Army and going through basic training myself really taught me respect for others and how to be an adult. Anyway...just wanted to vent.

I have a lot, so be prepared!!! [2008-07-25]
I generally have to tape all of my favorites and watch them when I'm not working, though I will try to sneak an hour or two here and there to get some of them in! Some of my favorites are: Gene Simmons Family Jewels, The Two Coreys, Jon and Kate plus 8, Tori and Dean, Swingtown, CSI, Ice Road Truckers, Army Wives, Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy, Lost, Ghost Hunters, 2-1/2 Men, Intervention. I know there are a few I am forgetting, but I just can't think right now... I also love reruns of the Andy Griffith show, All in the Family, Golden Girls, Sanford and Son, Yes Dear, King of Queens (I don't watch those religiously, only when they happen to be on if I'm channel surfing!!) Yes, I admit it. I AM addicted to TV! LOL! :)

I should have said "selective" draft. [2008-07-10]
I have a great idea as I was reading the poster below - how about if people can call into the recruiting station anonymously and have them draft all the unruly kids, punks, bullies, druggies/meth heads, wife beaters, husband beaters, freeloaders, and any other nasty people from ages 14 to 30 (yes 14 because if they are old enough to be running around on their own without their parents supervision then at least they would have some supervision in the army (I know because I was in the army myself). Then they can leave all the decent people alone.

Actually, I recall my brother and cousin being drafted for Vietnam [2008-07-10]
and they served 18 month tours. They were actually in the army longer, but were in Vietnam for 18 months when they were drafted. I'm sure they would have rather not done that extra 6 months! My father, his brother, and their contemporaries in World War II, however, were drafted for the duration. They weren't coming home until the war was over. My dad said it was one heck of an incentive to fight hard. It makes me cry to think of my gentle, kind father in that situation.

My sons have been in Scouts for some time now...sm [2008-07-03]
My youngest (11 years old) was in Cub Scouts for about 3 years and crossed over into a newly chartered troop. My oldest son (17 years old) joined the troop also, mostly out of necessity (we needed his warm body in order to have enough boys to charter). My youngest loves it and my oldest is kind of lukewarm about it. I have also been a leader at the pack, troop, district and council level for over 4 years now. We are basically a scouting family and love it. With that said, however, I will say that scouting is not for everyone, and everyone does not get out of scouting what is there for them to learn simply because everyone is not interested in learning those things or because of poor leadership within the scouting unit. In your case, it sounds to me as if the latter may be true. You didn't say how old your son is or how long he has been in scouting, but it sounds to me like he has a very poor leader if he makes them camp this way. Some overly self-glorified scout leaders try to turn scouting into junior Army training which is not what it is meant to be. If there is another pack or troop in the area, you might consider changing and see if that improves his scouting experience by a new leader and better camping conditions. When we camp, each boy has his own tent (can be bought at Walmart for about $15) and we always have a campfire in a designated fire ring that burns pretty much all night. Each boy is safely enclosed in his own tent that zips up which greatly reduces the chances of spiders, snakes, bugs, etc. Of course the boys have to be trained to keep their tent flaps zipped closed at all times so that nothing gets in. My advice from a scouter's viewpoint is to talk to your son and then you and your son and husband talk to the scout leader and see what can be done to improve the scouting experience for your son as well as the other boys in the unit. If the leader does not want to chanage his ways to more closely follow the scouting ideals, then find another troop or pack to join. Sounds like there is a LOT of room for improvement here. Here is a link that may help, too. http://netcommish.com/askandy.asp

I don't mind at all that you sent my email along. [2008-07-03]
There is plenty of training material available to scout leaders on the transition period and how to help the boys stay in scouting. There are videos, training sessions run by people like me, written material, etc. It's out there. It's just hard to get it through some of the leaders' brains that the boys need to be treated like boys in transition, and not like army recruits. I really applaud you for being willing to go out on the trips with the troop. That is also a hard thing to do with so many men around. I looked very carefully when my boys were crossing over to scout troops. We are fortunate in our area to have many troops to choose from. We found a great troop headed by mostly even-thinking adults who had no problem with a woman joining them. It's not perfect, and every now and then, some sexist fool says or does something stupid, but nothing is ever insurmountable in that regard. Know that having women leaders is a unit option, which means that the chartering organization can decide that no girls are allowed, so to speak. This is sometimes done for religious reasons. Other times it's just sort of a tacit tradition. I didn't have to overcome that issue, and in fact, when it was discovered that I had been camping all my life and was an avid solo backpacker, I got the job of teaching the boys about backpacking, too. Our troop welcomed all volunteers who were willing to be trained and who could commit to helping the boys. I do hope it works out for your son. If you do join as a leader, be sure that you take advantage of all the training opportunities available to you. Your troop should have a training coordinator or advancement chair who knows when training is offered. (By the way, are the adult leaders of this troop fully trained? That's VERY important.) As a GSUSA leader, you should understand the value of training. The Girl Scouts really do a great job of requiring leaders to be trained. BSA councils and districts, however, sometimes vary on how strict they are on training requirements. Don't be afraid to help out. You're doing this for your son, and that really is a great motivator. And what's really cool is that most of us start out wanting to help our own sons, but in the process we help so many other boys and parents along the way. Good luck!

My roughest birthday was.... [2008-06-28]
When I was 34. I donspecial for my b-day. Oh yea, the last time he took me out to eat specially for my b-day was 1989, but dinner was a disaster so after that I just said forget it. Usually we have pizza delivered. So I'm now 48 and I'd give anything to turn the clocks back about 28 years. So much I would do differently and so many things I wouldn't do.